Eddie hurried down the street, casting frightened glances over his shoulders every few minutes.

Every little thing scared him. A tree branch swaying in the wind. A fox scuttling across the road. His own footsteps, rushing down the deserted road.

Eddie couldn't help it, he hated the dark. He's been petrified of it ever since going into the Upside Down.

And it's only gotten worse.

The houses seemed to loom over him, casting menacing shadows his way. He bit the inside of his mouth hard, until he could taste his own blood on his tongue.

He imagined choking on it, spluttering it out like he did in the Upside Down...

Eddie kept his head down and pushed those thoughts out of his head. He tried to remain calm, breathing in and out and in and out until at long, long last he reached Nancy Wheeler's house.

He knocked on the door a little harder than was necessary, desperate to get inside.

A bright and smiling Nancy opened it, her smile dimming slightly when she saw Eddie's fearful expression. Steve was behind her, leaning against the door to the living room, his mouth stretched into a frown when he saw Eddie panting in the doorway.

"Hey Eddie, is everything okay?" Nancy asked, moving over to let him in.

Eddie hurried inside quickly and shut the door behind him.

"Y-Yeah, just a little chilly outside, that's all," he responded, fighting to keep his voice calm.

Because whatever happens he has to remain calm. Eddie thinks he'd die if his friends ever saw who he truly was, if they ever knew the thoughts that raced through his head. He can't imagine the embarrassment he'd feel if they ever knew he was afraid of the dark, of his own shadow.

Because Eddie Munson was fearless. He had spent years building his reputation, piece by piece, and he wasn't about to let it crumble, to reveal who he really was. A coward.

That's what he told himself anyways.

Nancy nodded, believing his lie. Steve didn't.

Suddenly, Robin's voice called out from the kitchen.

"Uhh, Nance! I think the popcorn is burning!"

Nancy sighed although the smile never left her face for a moment.

"I better take care of that before she burns the whole house down," she joked, rushing into the kitchen and leaving Eddie alone. With Steve.

Eddie glanced around the entrance, determined not to make eye contact with the boy.

"You sure you're alright Munson?"

He failed.

"Yeah, no I'm good," he lied, nodding at Steve.

Steve took a step closer, concern flooding into his eyes.

"Eddie," he said softly.

And that was enough to melt Eddie's heart.

"I'm fine, really," he insisted, struggling to meet Steve's piercing gaze.

Steve frowned. He took another step towards him and another until he and Eddie were only a few inches apart.

Eddie didn't move. He didn't dare breathe. His heart was beating so loudly in his chest he could hear it ringing in his ears.

Steve took Eddie's hands in his own, twirling his rings absently. Eddie could feel the warmth from Steve's fingertips travel up his arm, making his thoughts distorted and hazy, just like they had been only a few hours earlier.

"I'm worried about you, Eddie," Steve murmured. And, oh, he sounded so sincere when he said it that Eddie had to use all his willpower not to run out there and then.

Eddie opened his mouth to reply, to reassure Steve that he was fine. But before he could, Nancy's voice spilled into the entrance, shattering the tension.

"Guys, popcorns ready!"

Steve immediately dropped his hands and turned away, but the warmth stayed on Eddie's fingers, tingling and dancing on his rings.

"Come on," Steve muttered, "we should hurry before Robin eats all the popcorn."

And with that he left, leaving Eddie dazed and more confused than ever.