𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄 - light it up

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 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐇 𝐎𝐅 gasoline permeated the air; it singed the hair within their noses, and made their eyes water until their goggles were swarmed with fog.

 Even still, Mike continued to slosh the liquid about, pouring drop after drop onto the squirming vines. Dustin poured his in a single long line, claiming it'd spread far easier that way. Lucas and Max took their time, ensuring each and every corner, nook and cranny stunk of the foul amber liquid.

 Scarlet had abandoned the group, taking her own area of the dimly lit cavern. Spores and ash flitted past her foggy goggles like snow upon a winter morning, but it never settled on the ground and it never covered up the bones around her shoes. Every step echoed out a sickening CRACK, every hop over a vine only sounded the chime of a splintering bone.

 Pouring the gasoline drop by drop seemed quite pointless; they were on a time crunch. They had to draw the Demo-dogs towards the hub before Eleven and Hopper reached the gate. They had to make sure that their path was clear and safe.

 So rather than shaking out the sloshing liquid within her canister, Scarlet tossed it high into the air. Her hands shot to the side and her palms were overridden with a crimson wave. It glossed around her fingers and curled up each one like hungry little flames... The canister was infested, and with each coil of her fingers, a dent appeared in the plastic until it rattled beneath her pressure.

 Then BOOM! The canister exploded and a shower of dull yellow liquid rained upon the vines like the downpour amidst a heavy storm. The scent wafted through the cavern, making Scarlet's eyes water and burn, even with the protection of her goggles.

 She turned on the spot, merely pivoting on her feet and was greeted by an audience that had watched every move. Max had a lopsided smile, a curl of her pink lips that only grew as her gaze slid to Steve. She'd picked her favourite babysitter.

 Dustin almost seemed to bounce on his feet, "That was awesome!"

 Scarlet could only smile as he gushed, pottering onwards whilst Steve finished emptying his canister. The floor seemed to glisten, shining beneath the limelight of their torches, each speck of gasoline sparkling — ready to ignite.

 Once every last drop had been poured from the containers, once the vines seemed to drown and squirm like a fish in a shallow pond, the group of strangers, exhausted teenagers and prattling children scurried towards the closest tunnel and huddled together like a group of chattering penguins.

 Steve was at the forefront, a step closer to the wreckage they were soon to cause than Scarlet. She watched him dig into his pocket, easily procuring the silver zippo lighter.

 The item glinted in his hand and Steve seemed to pause for a moment, a small and barely inconceivable glance tossed to his side, eying the kids from his peripheral — they'd come too far to step back now, he'd taken the kid's head first into the monster's lair, what would be the point in leaving without finishing what they came to do?

 He swallowed, Hopper would likely have his head if the children returned with so much as a speck of ash on their pink cheeks. Nancy would holler until her throat became raw... but oddly enough, Steve Harrington was far more fearful of Joyce Byers. That woman was an oncoming storm when her kids were in danger.

 Dustin rubbed his hands together, and while his bandana hid it from sight, there was surely a toothy grin behind the cloth, "Light her up!"

 He brushed the thought away and dusted off the vision of cowering before the chief, Nancy Wheeler and Joyce Byers. He flicked the zippo, and a small yet hungry flame came to life, "I'm in such deep shit."

 When Steve looked her way, Scarlet could only offer him a nod of encouragement; while Steve might have promised to keep the kids safe, it had been Scarlet that had been put in charge of the lot of them. She'd suffer the brunt of any anger or resentment... and she deemed it worthy. If this plan could keep just one Demo-dog away from Eleven and Hopper, then their anger would be worth it.

 Steve blew all the air from his lungs and wound his arm as far back as he could — he was quite glad he'd taken up practice with that old bat of his now. A single throw of the zippo was all it took for billowing flames to erupt. The gasoline acted as a catalyst for the tiny flame that had danced upon the lighter, it spurred it higher and higher until a partition of amber and gold flickered before them all.

 Their faces warmed, cheeks immediately budding a bright shade of peony pink beneath their bandanas. Their foreheads flared with a sheen of sweat, hands clammy beneath the seclusion of their protective gloves.

 Golden flames crawled over the ground, slurping up every inch of gasoline that they could reach; the vines seemed to scream — they wailed like a banshee as flames tore at them, chewing on every inch of the rotten foliage.

 When the flames tumbled far too high to even see over, far too vast to peer through, Scarlet and Steve pushed the kids back further, beginning their trail back to the surface all the while vines wailed and flames gleamed behind them.

 The heat scorched at their backs, as though the fire scuttled behind them, chasing after prey. The vines could still be heard crying and screaming out, like a child wailing for its mother. The glow of the embers rocketed through the caverns, cascading them all in shimmering gold, lighting the way.

 Steve, of course, urged them all forth, hands planted against Dustin's back to try and spur him faster. Scarlet had taken ahold of Max's hand, an iron grip forming around the girl's small and pale fingers as they kept one another running.

 Steve looked back, a single spared look at the flames that swelled behind them; before he could so much as let a curse fall from his dry tongue, Scarlet had clasped a hand around his wrist, muttering something about sight-seeing at a more opportune time.

 They ran and they ran, legs turning to jelly beneath them, goggles filled with fog as they meandered through the haze. Their bandanas kept slipping, and hasty hands would scramble to hoist them higher.

 The cavern seemed more akin to a maze; no dead-ends, just a cluster of passages that would all lead to the very same crossroads. Vines upon the walls — even those untouched by fire — wailed as they walked by, finally allowing their bodies some rest from their race against the wildfire.

 Steve took the lead with a map in one hand, and a torch in the other. His head would poke higher and his feet would carry him through another tunnel. He'd look back, making sure the kids were following like loyal little ducklings with Scarlet tucked the furthest behind him.

 Scarlet's hands twitched by her side, each one itching to alight with red, to spread crimson down the tunnels; but there was no point in wasting her energy. The likelihood of the Demo-dogs pouncing out of a dark corner was high, and she had to remain alert and ready. She had to remain strong.

There wasn't a chance that the fire they'd created wouldn't cause a ripple of effects. The Mind Flayer would alert his soldiers — the Demo-dogs — and they'd soon come bustling to find the root of the issue, ready to pluck it from the ground and cast it aside... only to then pursue Eleven and ensure that the gate remained wide open.

 They couldn't let that happen.

 Steve took the first step into the next set of crossroads with Dustin, Lucas and Mike still close behind, each of them peering around him and into the darkness while Scarlet and Max kept a pace well back. They trudged onwards, Steve only momentarily glancing at the map in his hands... but then a low and deep growl rumbled through the cavern.

 Out of the shadows stepped a Demo-dog. Its slimy skin glistened beneath the light of their torches, each step it took squelched and crushed the small splinters of animal bones littering the ground.

 Within seconds, Scarlet had pushed past the children and planted herself beside Steve, fingers wiggling by her side while the familiar flourish of red cascaded around her fingers. It jittered, crawling through the air, further from each fingertip as though craving a fight to ignite.

 Steve's bat was at the ready, held high with each of his hands curled around the hilt. Mike had scrambled to gather the abandoned map and touch in his hands, breathing heavily when Lucas wrenched him to his feet.

 The creature snarled and each slimy petal that kept its mouth shielded unfurled. Drool dripped from between the cracks, slipping and sliding off pointed teeth as it stepped closer...

 "Dart?" Dustin whispered, hands grappling at Steve's arm, trying to push through the teenagers. Despite their efforts to wrangle him, he slipped past their hold. His sneakers inched closer to the creature he'd housed and fed.

 The yells of his companions were ignored, and so Scarlet curled her crimson-draped fingers around his arm. He paused. He could have yelled or even torn his arm away... But Dustin knew she trusted them — she had trusted their plan without hesitation and she certainly knew they wouldn't do anything... particularly stupid.

 "Trust me," He uttered, eyes remaining fixated on D'Artagnan. Dustin couldn't help but feel for the creature his friends had deemed a monster; sure Dart looked exactly the same as his brothers and sisters that still prowled around the cavern they stood within... But Dart was different. He knew it., "Please just trust me."

 Scarlet shouldn't have listened, but her fingers unfolded and Dustin stepped forwards without an obstacle in his way. The energy around her digits continued to stutter and whirl; ready to erupt in waves within a moment's notice. No matter how close the boy got, one Demo-dog shouldn't prove a problem.

 Dustin was slow in his movements as though Dart was just a feral cat found in the middle of the road all smothered in fleas and dirt and — Scarlet grimaced. Dustin's hands rose to his goggles, plying them down until they sat comfortably on his collar. Then came the bandana and with each breath through his nose and mouth, he could feel the particles in the air begin to clog his airways.

 But he needed Dart to recognise him, "It's me. It's just your friend, it's Dustin."

 Scarlet watched with mild awe as Dustin continued to coo in a soft voice. Both creature and boy met one another in the middle, a low growl tearing through the slimy petals once more, a glob of drool slipping to the floor. Dustin paid no mind to the sound, nor the gross slobber as he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled free a Three Musketeers bar. The wrapper was wrangled off, and his finger deftly tore the edge of the candy, tossing some to the creature.

 The growls fell silent and the monster seemed to sniff the air, the pointed tip of the closed petals dragged along the ground, pushing small bones and clumps of dirt from his path, then, as the chunk of Three Musketeers grew close, the petals unfurled and smothered the candy.

 Dustin smiled woefully, knowing that this would be the very last time he'd see the friend he'd raised. Dart might have killed his mother's cat, hell, he might have killed Dustin had his plan failed... but even still, Dustin couldn't help but say goodbye as he tossed another piece of candy to the ground, watching as it rolled towards Dart.

 Scarlet hurried the children along, giving each of them a light push as they all made their way past the Demo-dog that was far too busy chewing on nougat to even notice them. She paused, waiting for Dustin with a hand held out.

 Once she felt Dustin's fingers clasped around her — gloves still smothered with pieces of lingering candy — she tugged him along, joining the group of four that patiently awaited them.

 The limelight of their torches flickered through the tunnel, bouncing with every harsh and hurried step they took. Scarlet could feel the warmth of her breath flooding her cheeks, she could feel the tremor within her legs as she forced herself to run faster. The children were snug between herself and Steve, and she could see him throw glances behind him just to make sure everyone was accounted for.

 Raven hairs were slick against her neck and forehead. The bandana was sodden with sweat and her goggles cast a haze over her eyes once more. Dustin was by her side, stumbling over vines, rocks and clusters of dirt that stood within their path. With each falter, Scarlet would hoist him with a hand on his arm. She would drag him forwards whenever he began to lug behind.

 They were all struggling. Lucas had sweat rolling down his cheek. Max's hair had begun to cling to her skin, and Mike's trembling wheezes could be heard even from the very back of their bunch. None of them complained, nor did they give up. Their eyes remained on Steve and the hair that bobbed atop his head; praying that he'd lead them back to the surface.

 Then, a loud rumble shook the tunnels. Everything seemed to tilt and blur as dirt spewed from above, disturbed by the quake. Steve, Mike, Max and Lucas were thrown to the ground, knees clashing painfully upon the ground while their gloved fingers dashed to catch their fall.

 Scarlet had righted herself, crimson enveloping within her palm to keep her steady whilst the other hand curled around Dustin's waist. He choked and spluttered, finally murmuring out a thank you.

 Dustin scampered to his friends, helping Lucas and Mike to their feet whilst Scarlet took ahold of Max's hand and pulled the girl from the ground. Her eyes narrowed, scrutinizing the girl for any cuts or scrapes before she finally sighed and made for Steve.

 "The hell was that?" He muttered dully, a wheeze still forcing its way from his chest as Scarlet clasped his hand in her own. It took everything in her not to topple over as he was lifted to his feet, hands darting to his knees to wipe away the dirt.

 "I don't..." Scarlet paused, words dying on her tongue as her head slowly cocked to the side. The rumbling continued, but as each second ticked by as dreadfully as an old clock, the rumbling became clearer... more distinguishable. It wasn't a quake, it wasn't the tunnels giving up and caving in... Those were footsteps. Hurried ones at that. "They're coming."

 "Shit, shit, shit." Steve breathed, arms swinging wildly as he corralled the children as though they were barn animals, "Time to run, shitheads!"

 Without a lick of hesitation, the group pushed themselves onwards. The burning within their thighs was ignored, and the dull ache at the bottom of their feet was pushed to the side. Scarlet followed along, still at the very rear of the group.

 They twisted and weaved through the tunnels, passing by the same landscape again and again. Dark corners, rippling shadows and flittering ash that threatened to choke them.

 Scarlet could hear the heavy pants from the children, she could hear Steve swearing beneath his breath as sweat pooled on his forehead, clawing at his hair as it stuck to his flesh. She was no better, her wispy strands were haywire.

 It felt as though an unbearable amount of hours of running had passed them by before finally, light shone down from above. It glittered almost comically, beckoning them forth to safety. The old rope still dangled from the hole they'd slipped through, moving with every breath of wind that tickled the fraying edges.

 Scarlet and Steve hoisted the children up. First went Max who scrambled up the rope after Steve had lifted her as high as he possibly could. Then Lucas managed to climb the rope with ease. The pair helped Mike, each of them grasping a hand as they heaved him up.

 Before Dustin could so much as take a step closer to the rope and begin his own escape... the rumbling echoed once more. The scuttling of heavy paws slammed against the ground and they could feel the rumble beneath their feet. The cavern seemed to shake, dirt flitting down from the hole above.

 Scarlet withdrew her eyes from the rope and finally stepped away. They wouldn't have time to scramble to the surface. The kids above screamed and cried, their wriggling fingers reaching down the hole, begging for them to join — Scarlet had to turn a deaf ear to them.

 She joined Steve's side, watching as his favoured bat was hoisted high and ready to swing. Her hands began to glow, red shimmered around each fingertip and polished over her scarred palms. They were bathed in a crimson glow, their eyes illuminated with scarlet, reflecting her power.

 Dustin was safely tucked behind the both of them and whilst he could have tried to climb the rope and reach out to his friends... he remained with the babysitters. He had no weapon, no way to fight, but Dustin Henderson wasn't about to leave them behind. If they fell, they'd fall together.

 Scarlet could feel her hands trembling with anticipation, adrenaline flooding her skin and bones, finally banishing the burning pain that shot from her wounds and bruises. A sense of numbing overcame her.

 Shadows began to dance upon the walls, warning the trio that remained of the oncoming threat; the children above were still calling Dustin's name, screaming down to him, begging and pleading for him to just grab their hands.

 But Dustin couldn't be moved, he'd resigned himself to staring onwards with wide eyes beside the teenagers that had strumbled into his life.

 A tense beat passed and the ground vibrated beneath them, a stray stone rolling onwards. Then, a Demo-dog rounded the corner with petals unfurled and slobbering teeth on full display. Its slippery skin gleamed and drool trailed in the air as it clawed through the tunnel faster and faster.

 Scarlet swallowed when another rounded the corner, only to be followed by a dozen more. Her eyes darted to the side; Steve and Dustin might have held a sense of determination within them unlike any other, a sense to protect one another... but that wouldn't be enough to stop a herd of Demo-dogs from gnawing at their skin and bones.

 Her teeth came together painfully, her feet moving on their own accord as she rushed forth. Steve called out and Dustin made to move but Scarlet ignored them both. They had all done this before, they had fought against monsters just to keep their lives... it was time for her to show them what she could do. It was time to show them why she had followed Eleven in the first place.

 "I'll keep your friends safe."

 Scarlet had made a promise to her sister, one she intended to keep.

 Her palms were thrown forth and the rippling swell of crimson that danced atop her skin seemed to stand at attention like a line of soldiers ready for battle. Wisps of scarlet shot forth and crawled from her body to create a wavering shield between herself and the Demo-dogs.

 Steve and Dustin needed to be gone if she wanted to show the monsters in front of her a real fight. If one happened to slip through her fingers... She didn't know what she'd do. She twisted her head, eerie eyes locking onto Steve whose lips were agape.

 Blood spilled from her nose, tangling within the fibres of the bandana, "Go! Get the hell out of here!"

 Each collision with the shield felt as though Billy fucking Hargrove was standing before her with a blooded fist slamming into the side of her head. The base of her skull flared with white-hot pain, eyes swimming with spots of black.

 "No, no, no!" Dustin screamed, his voice high enough to shatter glass. He stepped forwards, crying out when Steve grabbed him, "Not without you!"

 "Steve, get him out of here, now!"

 Steve couldn't ignore that tone. The spark of desperation that filled her voice, nor the flash of anger that sprouted deep within those words. She, like himself, had promised that the children would be right there when Will returned. When Eleven returned.

 He nodded stiffly, hand still curled around Dustin's jacket as he dragged the boy towards the crater in the earth. They bickered. They yelled. And then Steve grabbed Dustin by the shoulders and gave him a harsh shake, "Henderson, please!"

 Dustin had never heard King Steve sound the way he just did. Dustin knew that Steve cared about all of them, it was obvious, really. But they ignored it, they pretended their friendships had been forged out of obligation... Steve had never sounded so very... scared.

 So Dustin dropped his head, and all flight fled his body. He nodded only once, a stray curl bouncing atop his head as Steve let out the longest sigh known to man and began to help him up the rope.

 Max and Lucas grabbed his hands, and the moment his sneakers had disappeared from sight, Steve looked back. He never made any such promise to keep the super-powered stranger safe. He never looked the kids in the eyes and told them that he'd make it out either... So, Steve turned his back on the hole in the ceiling, ignoring Dustin's cries, Mike's yells, Lucas' bewilderment and Max's demands.

 The screams might not have made Steve falter as he swung his bat back and forth, ready and willing to cave the skulls of the Demo-dogs... But the cries from the kids tore at Scarlet's chest. She couldn't let their babysitter get swallowed by monsters.

 She spun and the shield fizzled away like a dying star high within the night sky. Steve's eyes had widened the moment she ran towards him with hands alight with furious red. There was nothing he could do, he couldn't oppose the hold she suddenly had on him, he could only clamp his eyes shut.

 "No, hey, don't!" He cried as his feet left the ground and that odd tickle surrounded his body. There was a sense of guilt within Scarlet's glowing eyes, even though the haze he could spy it. But it was gone as fast as it had arrived as she thrust her arm higher.

 Steve soared through the cavern, out of the hole and landed with a heavy THUD and an echoing groan. Scarlet couldn't linger on the decision she'd made, the autonomy she'd stolen. 

 She couldn't ponder further, for the mass of monsters were clattering closer and closer... but then one brushed her by. Not a whiff of her body, nor chomp to her flesh. Another scrambled past her, slobber dripping onto her shoe... then another. They were... avoiding her. None bumped into her, nor even grazed her jeans.

 She revolved on the spot, watching as the various-sized creatures all slick with mucus sped well past her.

 "Hey! Hey!" Steve clapped his hands from high above, planting them on the dirt as he peered into the tunnel, eyes wide as he watched the monsters leave her be, "Get your ass up here, now!"

 She didn't move. Eye's of bitter coffee were far too busy watching the Demo-dogs leave her in the dust... so her prediction must have been right. They had caused a distraction by setting the vines up in billowing flames... but now the Demo-dogs were racing back to Eleven and Hopper.

 They were racing back to the Mind Flayer, to the gate.

 She couldn't let them. The more that passed her by, the more that tore through the cavern and reach her little sister... the harder their task would be. If Scarlet could alleviate that pressure, make everything even a sliver easier for Eleven, then she would. She had to.

 "They're heading to the Lab!" Scarlet called up, hardly meeting Steve's eyes, "I can't let them get to El!"

 Steve had the sudden urge to hop down the damn hole, heave her over his shoulder and toss her back up to the kids; he don't know how he'd do that, but he was certainly willing to try.

 The Demo-dogs hadn't ceased brushing her by, leaving a solid gap between themselves and Scarlet; it was odd, really — surely they'd be bumping into her. Still, Steve couldn't dwell and he reach his hand down further, "You can't kill them all, just — just get up here!"

 He was right — she probably couldn't kill them all. There was likely dozens upon dozens stampeding towards her, rushing forth towards the laboratory all with the desire to protect the gate. But they didn't need to be killed.

 Mike had said they were of one mind; a hive. That was why Eleven had gone to the gate, that was why it needed to be sealed; the Demo-dogs and whatever else the Mind Flayer had sent through the creaking door would fall to the ground the moment it was bolted shut.

 If they could just be held back to give Eleven the time and safety that she needed...

 "I can hold them off," Scarlet whispered, her hands alighting once more. The Demo-dogs seemed to skirt further away from her, as though avoiding the crimson glow that seeped from within her skin.

 With that, Scarlet ignored Steve's protests and the children's cries. Her hands moved before her, and the shield was resurrected once more, coming to life before her very eyes. The monsters scuttling around her slammed against it with all their might. Limbs tried to tear through, burning whenever a wriggling paw managed to break the film.

 The unbearable seconds ticked by, each collision like a mallet to her skull, every bump and graze felt as though a bullet whizzed by her skin once more, drawing blood like a needle. Her entire being throbbed; each bruise feeling as fresh as it had when Billy's knuckles had first brought them to life. Every cut felt as though they'd torn themselves apart once more, every crack in her poor purple nose ached as fresh blood poured from within, trickling to her lips.

 Scarlet dug her feet further into the ground — she couldn't give up. Just a few more minutes. She chanted that within her head, eyes clamped shut as she thought of her little sister; the girl who had found her trapped in a life that wasn't meant for her, the little girl who had grabbed her hand and shown her a way out. She wouldn't fail.

 Flashes of Kali brushed by — of Axel, Mick, Dottie and dear Funshine. Their smiling faces, the laughter they'd all share around a makeshift fire as bottles of stale beer rested within their hands. They'd share stories of their previous lives, of the things that had been done to them... of the people they would hunt down.

 That wasn't Scarlet's life anymore. Whether or not she knew what would happen once the gate was closed, whether she'd stay or go... whether she'd be welcome... She was fighting to be better, to do better. It might not have been something that flowed through her veins, but she was trying, and she was trying not only for herself but for Eleven, too. 

 Scarlet thought herself a monster, she couldn't have Eleven believe that too.

 The pain was unbearable and it was as though static was fluttering around her, buzzing like a bee drifting by her ears. The world was swimming, her feet became unsteady as though she were on a rocking boat drifting atop harsh ocean waves.

 There was a sliver of energy left, deep down in the depths of her gut. The very place Scarlet never quite reached out to, the place she'd stop and claim that was where her powers ended. Where her limit lay. But that wasn't the case; ever since her escape from the lab Scarlet had yet to display the power she'd let erupt from her being. The blast of crimson that had rushed out of her like tidal waves, waves that drowned everyone around her and left them lifeless.

 The number of lives she'd taken... The problem was, she didn't feel remorse. That was the worst part; knowing that she had taken a dozen lives in a single sweep, and yet she couldn't find it within herself to regret a thing.

 That energy was buried as a punishment; a punishment for her lack of remorse, her lack of caring. So what better time was there to revive it once more than a time when her sister and her friends were in danger. Instead of ending lives with the power buried so deep within, she'd save lives.

 The cage it was trapped within rocked and thrashed as though an untamed beast lurked inside... Then everything was red. Glaring, ominous, blood-red.

 Scarlet recoiled, stumbling back as a resounding surge of crimson seeped from her chest. It crawled along the ground and scuttled over the walls as though boney fingers were reaching out for the monsters around her. The Demo-dogs were encased, smothered by a sheen of wine — howls echoed out, shrieks trembling through the air as though they were haunted by lost souls...

 Steve had stumbled back, toppling into the awaiting arms of the kids as the rushing tide of scarlet spewed even out of the cavern's entrance; like a beacon shooting into the sky. It fizzled and wavered and lasted but a few seconds... once it withered from sight, flickering down to nothingness like a whimpering ember atop a sodden log., Steve scrambled forwards.

 Within the cavern, all was utterly still. Everything was entirely silent bar the gasps that shook and rattled Scarlet's chest. Demo-dogs were strewn about the tunnels; limbs had been torn free and rested meters from the bodies they'd once been connected to. Oil-like blood seeped into the ground, coating it with an obsidian sheen. It was a massacre. It looked like a horror movie, only this time, the monsters had lost.

 Scarlet had fallen, her back planted against the ground as Demo-dog blood clawed at her jeans and as her own blood slipped from her nostrils. Despite the ash in the air and the spores that would likely tangle within her lungs, she tugged at the bandana.

 It was tossed to the side, landing with a squelch thanks to the blood that had soaked the cloth. Her chest rose and fell with such ferocity, that Scarlet was certain she'd burst into pieces. There was a thud to her side, the sound of hastened footsteps; she couldn't see, she couldn't tear her eyes open, her energy was spent.

 "Hey, hey, hey..." There was a soothing lilt to Steve's voice as his hand cradled the side of her face. His words were smooth yet rushed, forced from his tongue after his sprint down the length of the tunnel. His thumb absentmindedly moved back and forth, "Jesus... Jesus Christ, you did it."

 Scarlet felt her lips curl as she opened her eyes, squinting up at Steve who hovered over her, "You didn't think I could?"

 He blinked, "I didn't — I don't —" he spluttered momentarily, finally catching sight of that lopsided, fatigued grin. He huffed, dropping his head as sweat trailed down his temple, "You're horrible."

 Her laughter weaselled out in the form of a wheeze, and that was enough for Steve to spur into action; his hand slipped beneath her shoulders, fingers curling gently on her arm as he hoisted her up, careful to cease her stumbling.

 Her body weight had been forced upon him, her head slumping to his shoulder as those heavy breaths continued to slip from her lips. Sweat slipped down the sides of her face, rolling down her flushed cheeks before mingling with the blood on her skin. Steve could feel it soak into his jacket.

 "I just need you to do one last thing, okay?" Steve asked, his voice still low and docile as though to soothe her ringing ears. He shuffled, drawing them closer to the rope that still dangled into the cavern, "You just gotta grab the rope," He peered up, blinking through the gush of light that still streamed from the headlights of his car. The children had gathered around, "Help her."

 They needed no further instruction, for four sets of wriggling little fingers all reached out, ready to ease her ascent back to solid ground. It was a task, for Scarlet could hardly find her grip, knuckles refusing to help her as she climbed. But Steve muttered a string of apologies as he pushed her by the thighs until all four kids had an iron grip around her wrists.

 They tugged and tugged until finally, Scarlet tumbled into them — Max was quick to place a hand beneath her head and soften the impact.

 "You were so cool." Maxine grinned, her teeth shining as her eyes glittered like ripples upon a lake.

 Dustin cackled freely, his arms shooting high into the sky, ignoring Steve as he clambered up the rope, "That was awesome!"

 She wanted to answer with the same bout of zest that the children all spouted, yet all Scarlet could do was slump backwards. Maxine carefully removed her hand, sure to untangle her fingers from the array of flyway raven hairs.

 Scarlet savoured the coolness of fresh dewdrops that had sprouted atop the withered grass; it relieved the aches in her bones and the burning atop her flustered skin. The feeling of blood clinging to her nose and lips made her swallow, disrupting the rapid breaths that heaved from her chest.

 Her eyes cracked open, dark lashes fluttering against the bruised skin of her cheekbones; Max had joined her friends and each of the four whooped and yelled and cheered into the night. They knew they'd won, they knew that with the burst of energy that had sparked from Scarlet... There was no way enough Demon-dogs would have made it through to prove a nuisance to Eleven and Hopper.

 The crunch of wilted grass echoed beneath Steve's sneakers — for a moment he muttered about the children abandoning him to celebrate their victory, but that was soon forgotten when he crouched down beside Scarlet.

 Even amidst her pain and the desire to fall asleep right where she was, Scarlet smiled at him, "You were really gonna stay down there with me, weren't you?"

 His cheeks seemed to darken, a swift hand dragging through his mound of unkempt hair. He knew it would have been stupid, and after seeing the show she'd put on for them, that thought was only reinforced. He did his best to appear nonchalant; shrugging his shoulder, and waving a hand, "Eh, I couldn't just let you get eaten, could I? Eleven would kill me. The Chief would kill me... Hell, I think they —" His head jutted towards the kids, "Would kill me."

 "Hm..." Scarlet hummed, and the tick of a coy grin curled at the edges of her lips, "That's it, huh? Just fearful for your own life?"

 "Well I — No." Steve Harrington wasn't used to this. The teasing, the flushing of his cheeks and the warming atop the tips of his ears, "I couldn't just leave you alone." Her grin made him falter, his words a mere jumble as they seemed to keep going despite the fact that he wanted nothing more than to shut the hell up, "But I guess I should have been like 'Duh, superhero' and left you to it. I mean what could I have done? I only have a bat and, you know, it might have nails and shit but —"

 "— Steve?" Scarlet interrupted, quite done with listening to him sell himself short.

 They all knew what she could do; they'd seen her toss a broken and bent Demo-dog their way, they'd seen her delve into another person's mind and fight off the Mind Flayer for a few short moments... yet even still, Steve Harrington had remained standing by her side, ready to do whatever he could with the bat in his hand. He might not have gotten the chance to prove his worth, nor swing the bat, but the sentiment was there.

 Everyone had always turned tail and left her behind to fight the monsters they faced. She had never resented that for she was the one with the power to stop them. It just felt... different to have someone willing to stand at the firing line, right by her side.

 Steve cleared his throat quite obnoxiously to stunt the words that seemed to never end, he grimaced at the sound, "Yeah?"

 Honey glinted in her wide eyes, draping over the lilt of whiskey that rippled within them. Her hand found his, a short and small squeeze directed to his fingers. It hurt them both, knuckles left aching, but neither paid any mind, "Thank you."

━━━━━━━

24-12-2019

edited version: 30-06-2022 

SCARLET AND MAX SUPREMACY. SCARLET AND STEVE SUPREMACY. that is all <3

nah babes, I'm fucking terrified for tomorrow. if they take steve, they take me with him. that's it. I'm more frightened for this than i ever was for ENDGAME. 

eddie said it best 'I DON'T LIKE THIS CHRISSY!!!!!!'

don't forget to let me know what you think; and remember that i now require a particular number of comments and feedback before i consider releasing the next part (this is just to ensure people remain engaged and supportive, as well as to allow me to see what you all enjoyed most about each chapter!)