Upside Down magic or something reverts Steve to a small child, and while he’ll age back to his original age eventually, shenanigans and revelations occur first. The Party and Eddie and Nancy and all those folks take care of him and get a glimpse into what their favorite mom friend’s life was like growing up, and maybe they don’t like what they see.
Maybe tiny Steve is very quiet and shy and gets nervous around them, and if he breaks something he completely freaks out thinking he’s in trouble and shields himself as if bracing for a blow and it breaks everyone’s hearts. Maybe he doesn’t once ask where his parents are and it becomes clear that he’s used to them not ever being home even at this age. He’s terrified of Dustin’s overly friendly and boisterous nature and wants him to stay away from him, and that just tears Dustin up inside. Maybe he’s even scared of Robin because she talks and talks and clearly doesn’t know how to handle her best friend being turned into a tiny jumpy child. Maybe Steve latches onto someone like Eleven or Eddie and that person is barely holding it together, terrified of damaging or scaring Steve but unsure how to handle the situation. Just cute child Steve with a head full of wild hair and the trauma of a neglected child being taken care of by people who love him dearly.
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timeasmymeasure
Deaged Steve
Date: 2022-09-03 01:29 am (UTC)Maybe tiny Steve is very quiet and shy and gets nervous around them, and if he breaks something he completely freaks out thinking he’s in trouble and shields himself as if bracing for a blow and it breaks everyone’s hearts. Maybe he doesn’t once ask where his parents are and it becomes clear that he’s used to them not ever being home even at this age. He’s terrified of Dustin’s overly friendly and boisterous nature and wants him to stay away from him, and that just tears Dustin up inside. Maybe he’s even scared of Robin because she talks and talks and clearly doesn’t know how to handle her best friend being turned into a tiny jumpy child. Maybe Steve latches onto someone like Eleven or Eddie and that person is barely holding it together, terrified of damaging or scaring Steve but unsure how to handle the situation. Just cute child Steve with a head full of wild hair and the trauma of a neglected child being taken care of by people who love him dearly.