Chapter Text
It was easier, after finally speaking to Steve. Nancy walked into Jonathan’s room the next day with Steve right behind, determined to try again. Determined to, well not get a fresh start, but to try harder with him. The confusion hurt, but she held her chin up as she sat in a chair beside his bed, looking into his still slightly glazed eyes and asking, “How are you feeling today, Jonathan?” It only took a moment for him to know who she was, to know she was someone important, just like his mother and brother. He still didn’t know why and everyone still seemed unsure of how much to say, even Dr Moates.
But she sat there, talking to him for the next few days. It always took him a few minutes to recognize who she was. But it was the same for anyone who walked into the room. His family, Steve, the doctors, Robin and the rest of the party. But it was only five days later when Nancy was arriving along with Steve and Mike to see Mrs Byers waiting with Will outside of Jonathan’s room, both looking far too stressed.
“What’s happening?” Steve’s voice came from behind her and she leaned back a tad, basking in the security he provided as her heart began to work overtime.
Mrs Byers sighed, one hand running through Will’s hair, “Jonathan is getting released soon. Today or tomorrow.”
Nancy and Steve glanced at each other, but it was Mike who spoke up, “Wait, already? I thought he could still barely move.”
Nancy bit her lip at that. That was another thing. It had been twenty days since the fight and Jonathan still seemed to barely be able to stand let alone move around. At least from what she had heard. It seemed he would only try to really move when no one but maybe the nurse or doctor was there. She fucking hated Bruce Lowe. Even knowing he was dead, there was a lingering anger that curled around her heart at the memory of him tossing Jonathan across the room.
Mrs Byers nodded, “Exactly. He needs to start moving more or his legs won’t recover. But…” Her voice trailed off as she seemed to consider her next words. “But we have two choices. The doctor has been pushing this rehab center. But it is two hours away. I can’t…”
“Two hours?” Nancy heard Steve gasp beside her. Their grip on each other’s hands tightened.
Mrs Byers huffed out a dry laugh, “I know. I can’t stand the thought of it either. But our house is going to be so crowded. El and Hop have been trying to get the cabin liveable again, but it isn’t looking good. So, they’ve been staying at the house the last few nights. And Hop said that Max stays over now more often than she goes home because of everything. And if she isn’t with El, she is here with Will it seems and I don’t want to make her leave.” There is silence for a long moment as they all consider that.
“That might work out for the better,” Nancy couldn’t help but point out. She had to, she wouldn’t survive Jonathan being that far away. And if she couldn’t survive, she knew there was no way Steve would be able to either. She couldn’t let him go. “He’ll need help. That would mean more hands to help out.”
“I can’t make anyone do that.”
“You know we would though,” Will finally spoke, his voice rough. “It’s Jonathan . Of course we would. There is no making us do anything if we volunteer.”
“Exactly,” Mike nodded, eyes flashing. “You know any of us would help in a heartbeat.”
Mrs Byers gave them all a shaky smile, “We’ll talk about it. But they do think they’ve figured out another thing. Part of what is causing him to still have such trouble with his memory.”
Nancy stepped back into the hospital room, Steve close behind her. She braced herself, knowing what she would see. Jonathan looked up at her, eyes darting between the two of them in utter confusion and a little suspicion. “Hi, Jonathan,” her voice cracked slightly as she stepped forward, rubbing her thumb across the scar slashed across his palm.
He blinked and his eyes widened, “Nancy?”
Nancy nodded, a wobbly smile trying to stay on her face. Steve leaned forward behind her, “Hey, Jonathan. You feeling any better today?”
“Steve,” Jonathan breathed out after another few seconds. “Sorry, I-”
“Your mom told us. Face blindness, huh?” Steve perched on the edge of the hospital bed, managing to maintain an air of casualness that Nancy was extremely grateful for.
Jonathan gave a jerk of his shoulders, eyes dropping down to where Nancy’s hand was holding his. After a moment, his eyebrows furrowed as he seemed to notice her matching scar, “Oh.”
“Do you remember when we got these?” She tried.
Her heart dropped as Jonathan shook his head, “I- I don’t. I know who you guys are. My heart is telling me, but my head is not and I can’t.” He pulled his hand away, reaching up to rub at his temple with the heel of his hand.
“Hey, it’s okay,” Steve said, reaching out to catch Jonathan’s hand, pulling it away from where it was getting dangerously close to a bandage. “We got plenty of time.”