[ Guilt settles low in her belly as he looks away. She should've known that Steve would put everything and everyone first. That he'd refuse to let anything, even something this big stop him from being the protector of the party. She'd spent the last two days trying to reconnect with Jonathan and helping at the cabin. She should've checked in with him.
The wounds weren't even covered. Was it because he couldn't wrap them himself? Why hadn't he asked Robin for help? She presses her lips together, resolve strengthening inside her. Her voice is soft but made of steel as she squeezes his knee and straightens up. ]
I'm going to wrap these up for you and then we're going to the hospital.
[Steve didn't want to worry anyone with his own problems. They had all been through so much, each of them drowning themselves in work to help avoid the trauma Vecna has left them to deal with. Steve couldn't admit it outloud but he had piled so much on himself the day Jonathan had came back to town. The image of Nancy rushing to be in his arms still lingered deep within Steve's mind.
It was on constant replay.
How in the hell can he even begin to admit how much that had bothered him? Still bothers him. He's not going to make Nancy feel guilty just because his feelings won't fade.
He's grabbing her wrist gently at the mention of the hospital.]
Steve... [ She frowns at him, not wanting to completely bulldoze him into something he doesn't want, but also seriously concerned. She's not a professional. All she knows about first aid she learned in health class and from reading a few books. She swallows at the feel of his fingers still on her wrist.] At least let me get one of the volunteer nurses out there to look at it. What if you need antibiotics?
[ It's concerning that they don't look like they're healing at all. What if there's something in the Upside Down that regular medicine won't work on? What if there's nothing she can do for him? The thought makes her chest tighten and she steps forward, reaching out to push his hair back of his sweaty forehead gently.] I promise not to hold a gun to your head, I just want to make sure you're okay.
It's the pleading within her force that has Steve turning his head from her in shame. He knows neglecting his own injuries had been selfish and foolish. By doing so could have jeopardized his own life, possibly has but Steve wasn't about to place himself first when others around him needed him.
Where would they be if something awful happened to him? He hadn't even thought about that or maybe he had but ignored it.
He runs both his hands down his damp face in frustration and embarrassment. He can't argue that the wounds have grown more severe over the past few days and he's in need of medical attention. There is also no arguing with Nancy Wheeler.
He learned that the hard way.
He slumps over in defeat, biting back a soft noise at the sensation of her fingers threading through his damp hair.]
Thank you. [ She half whispers it, her hand moving through his hair in another stroke. She just wants to make him feel better. Wants to be able to do something other than just standing by and watching him suffer. ]
[ She scratches the crown of his head lightly with her fingernails, the way she knows he used to like. ] I promise to make it as painless as possible. You'll be back to folding clothes in no time.
[Maybe Steve is supposed to suffer? His injuries could be some form of a twisted punishment for the person he once was, the total asshole. It could just be a horrible reminder that the Upside Down is still alive and thriving. In the end does it even matter?
Nancy's fingernails are sending chills vibrating up his spine and along the back of his neck. Shit, he always loved when she would do this. It both relaxed and turned him on. He forces himself to pull back from her touch for both their sake. He has to fight the temptation to wrap his arms around her waist like he used too or nuzzle his face against her abdomen.]
[ He pulls back and she realizes that she's crossed a line. She presses her lips together, more in consternation at herself than anything else, and drops her hand to her side.
She knows they should talk about the last few days. She knows she's not the only one that felt the old sparks between them. Robin had basically told her as much, but things were complicated. They were always complicated.
But she knows she can't take him not wanting her to touch him or him not wanting to tell her if he's hurting. She sits on the bench beside him.] I'm really worried about you. [ She doesn't like admitting it because then it means that there's a reason to be worried. ] I need to know you're going to be taken care of, okay?
[It's not that Steve doesn't want to be touched by her, it's not that he doesn't appreciate her comfort but he can't allow himself to need it. That would be crossing a line on his part and he certainly didn't want to place Nancy in that position. Especially now that they're actually on speaking terms again.
And like Nancy, Steve believes they both need to sit down and have a serious heart to heart about everything but unfortunately the cards have never fallen that way between the two. Steve has no idea how Nancy feels towards him and maybe that's for the best? She seemed content upon Jonathan's return and Steve pulled himself back for good reason.
He wasn't a man that cheated and he would never lower himself to such a level.
But that doesn't numb the sudden guilt and ache when she joins him on the bench and expresses her concern for him. It's a bit ironic that she seems genuinely worried about his well being now given the many times he's been injured in the past and she's not been bothered. ]
I promise I'll be fine, Nancy. I always am aren't I? This time was just a bit more serious is all.
[ He's right. It's far from the first time Steve's gotten himself hurt. He'd gotten himself tortured by Russians last Summer, which was something that she can't believe she let herself forget even for a moment. But this feels different. It's not just a bit more serious.
She looks over at him and shakes her head lightly.] Steve, don't pretend like it's not a big deal. You almost died. [ Her brow furrows slighly as if the thought hurts her. ] I know you're tough. Strong. But this time you need to let me help you, the way you help us.
[ She takes a deep breath. ] If it had been Dustin instead of you that was bitten, don't tell me you'd be okay with letting him handle it on his own.
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The wounds weren't even covered. Was it because he couldn't wrap them himself? Why hadn't he asked Robin for help? She presses her lips together, resolve strengthening inside her. Her voice is soft but made of steel as she squeezes his knee and straightens up. ]
I'm going to wrap these up for you and then we're going to the hospital.
no subject
It was on constant replay.
How in the hell can he even begin to admit how much that had bothered him? Still bothers him. He's not going to make Nancy feel guilty just because his feelings won't fade.
He's grabbing her wrist gently at the mention of the hospital.]
No hospital.
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[ It's concerning that they don't look like they're healing at all. What if there's something in the Upside Down that regular medicine won't work on? What if there's nothing she can do for him? The thought makes her chest tighten and she steps forward, reaching out to push his hair back of his sweaty forehead gently.] I promise not to hold a gun to your head, I just want to make sure you're okay.
no subject
It's the pleading within her force that has Steve turning his head from her in shame. He knows neglecting his own injuries had been selfish and foolish. By doing so could have jeopardized his own life, possibly has but Steve wasn't about to place himself first when others around him needed him.
Where would they be if something awful happened to him? He hadn't even thought about that or maybe he had but ignored it.
He runs both his hands down his damp face in frustration and embarrassment. He can't argue that the wounds have grown more severe over the past few days and he's in need of medical attention. There is also no arguing with Nancy Wheeler.
He learned that the hard way.
He slumps over in defeat, biting back a soft noise at the sensation of her fingers threading through his damp hair.]
Alright.
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[ She scratches the crown of his head lightly with her fingernails, the way she knows he used to like. ] I promise to make it as painless as possible. You'll be back to folding clothes in no time.
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Nancy's fingernails are sending chills vibrating up his spine and along the back of his neck. Shit, he always loved when she would do this. It both relaxed and turned him on. He forces himself to pull back from her touch for both their sake. He has to fight the temptation to wrap his arms around her waist like he used too or nuzzle his face against her abdomen.]
Yeah.
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She knows they should talk about the last few days. She knows she's not the only one that felt the old sparks between them. Robin had basically told her as much, but things were complicated. They were always complicated.
But she knows she can't take him not wanting her to touch him or him not wanting to tell her if he's hurting. She sits on the bench beside him.] I'm really worried about you. [ She doesn't like admitting it because then it means that there's a reason to be worried. ] I need to know you're going to be taken care of, okay?
Even if you don't want it to be me.
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And like Nancy, Steve believes they both need to sit down and have a serious heart to heart about everything but unfortunately the cards have never fallen that way between the two. Steve has no idea how Nancy feels towards him and maybe that's for the best? She seemed content upon Jonathan's return and Steve pulled himself back for good reason.
He wasn't a man that cheated and he would never lower himself to such a level.
But that doesn't numb the sudden guilt and ache when she joins him on the bench and expresses her concern for him. It's a bit ironic that she seems genuinely worried about his well being now given the many times he's been injured in the past and she's not been bothered. ]
I promise I'll be fine, Nancy. I always am aren't I? This time was just a bit more serious is all.
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She looks over at him and shakes her head lightly.] Steve, don't pretend like it's not a big deal. You almost died. [ Her brow furrows slighly as if the thought hurts her. ] I know you're tough. Strong. But this time you need to let me help you, the way you help us.
[ She takes a deep breath. ] If it had been Dustin instead of you that was bitten, don't tell me you'd be okay with letting him handle it on his own.