( it should bring steve some degree of satisfaction, seeing eddie hit his head on the hood of the car, seeing the way he shrinks when he turns around. like he knows he fucked up. but far from feeling satisfied, steve just feels like he's been socked in the chest when eddie faces him and their eyes meet. eddie looks almost exactly like he does in steve's memory. he might even look better—healthier, even covered in grease stains. like maybe his new life is treating him better than his life in hawkins ever did. of course, during all the time they spent together, eddie was on the run, or they were fighting for their lives in the upside down, or eddie was lying on a hospital bed, so maybe steve doesn't have the best frame of reference.

the garage is quiet. they seem to be alone presently, though steve's sure that could change at any moment. another employee or a customer could show up and put the brakes on this little confrontation. so steve tries to make it quick. he crosses his arms, wrapping his hand around the opposite elbow. ) Yeah, well. You weren't supposed to leave without saying goodbye.

( supposed to. as if any of them knows what you're "supposed" to do when you've been through the shit they've all been through. some part of steve knows he's being unfair, but he's too annoyed to heed it. )

I'd say that makes us even, but we are so far from even, it's not even funny.

( he steps closer. )

Dustin was worried sick— ( he starts, and then stops, glancing around the garage just to make sure they're alone. and even when it appears that they are, he lowers his voice as he says, ) He thought something happened. Thought Vecna or—or the government got to you. ( then, more loudly, he continues, ) But I guess you just fucked off to play mechanic, or whatever the hell is going on here.