[ the worst part is that steve pretty much knows that will be the case. actual answers never tend to happen unless one of the kids or around, or at the very least nancy. steve is not the information type, and when it comes to a conversation with him and eddie, he doubts any great questions will be answered. still, the need to get his hands on eddie is still there - some kind of proof that steve hasn't fully lost his mind. that this is actually happening. that eddie could be a living, breathing, person still.

he doesn't know the state eddie is in, but unless he's been magically healed by some weird bat poison venom, it's going to be bad. steve doesn't like the odds that eddie is in any kind of state to be walking miles anywhere, but they don't really have other options.

two taps, he can get there. steve nods again, because okay. you know. this might just work. ] I have my stuff upstairs. I'll get everything together and will meet you there. Okay? [ he waits for confirmation before he continues, the feeling of having something to do feeling good, actually good. like maybe this could work. ]

But hey, Munson- listen- [ because he has to catch him before he leaves. and not being able to actually see him makes steve feel a little like he's back to yelling at nothing. he sets his hands on his hips, this time, feeling oddly...he doesn't know. protective? ] Take your time. I'm assuming you're still beat to shit, and I don't need you passing out before you even get there. Go slow, stay away from the vines, and if I don't see you at the gate I'm going to start retracing steps back to my place. [ does steve need to be putt on such a tone? probably not. but the last time when he tried to be suggesting, it hadn't stuck. now? now he just needs it to be said. ] And jesus christ, man. Be careful this time.