The Long Game━ (l. sinclair)

the one where sam isnt there

Corey's heart clenched when he recognized Mike's house nearing closer. Out in their driveway, Corey could note the figures of Dustin, Nancy, Steve, Robin, Mrs. Wheeler, and August Santos lingering around the trunk of Nancy's car.

For the first time in a very long time, Corey smiled.

Jonathan honked the annoyingly flamboyant horn of the pizza van. A stupid tune blared from the vehicle as Jonathan drove up the Wheelers' driveway.

Corey was the first person to desperately reach forward and slide open the back door. The six passengers filed out of the car gratefully. In the midst of all the chaos, the only semblance that could be found was by seeing their friends.

Those who had been in Hawkins the entire time stood, paralyzed at the sight of them. They looked bewildered, even.

Then, both groups broke out into a run.

Mike called jovially for his mom, Jonathan picked Nancy up and spun her around in a hug, Will and El sprinted for Dustin, and Corey was following right behind the two. He knew their reunion with Dustin would mean much more, as they'd been in California for much longer.

It seemed that Dustin had to hobble forward to his friends, something none of them could register just yet. Will and Ell had already thrown themselves at Dustin, and in return, Dustin threw an arm around either of the pair. He let out a relieved laugh that Corey couldn't help but crack a smile at.

When the three of them let go, Corey stepped forward and held out a hand for Dustin to shake. "Hey, man," Corey greeted.

Dustin stared at Corey, stared at Corey's hand, stared back at Corey. He began to laugh incredulously.

"Are you kidding me?" Dustin cried, albeit amused. He grabbed Corey's hand but used it to yank the older boy forward and bring Corey into an embrace.

Corey let out a grunt at the force, and for a moment, his arms awkwardly hovered in the air. He still wasn't really accustomed to being hugged, unless it was from Sam or Mike. But Corey eventually gained his senses, embracing Dustin back with his arms around the younger boy.

Dustin pulled away, catching up with the trio he'd missed so dearly. It was hard, though, because nothing could really be surface level, anymore. This wasn't a situation where Dustin could ask Will or El what California was like. They couldn't ask Dustin what he'd been up to in Hawkins. They knew what he was up to in Hawkins. Fighting Vecna or Henry or 001 or Sam's other uncle or whoever the fuck that freaky wizard was.

It wasn't just an earthquake, and they weren't just kids, anymore.

"Where's Lucas?" Will asked conversationally.

Corey looked around for the Sinclair boy and was suddenly reminded that he hadn't seen him yet. His eyebrows furrowed in worry, and when Corey looked back at Dustin, he was gulping and nodding.

"He's at the hospital," Dustin answered grimly.

"Hospital?" Corey questioned, voice laced with rising fear. When he was scared, he got angry, and it was hard to keep the emotions separate. "Wh-Why would he be at the hospital?" Then, "Where's Sam?"

Dustin's eyes fell onto Corey, face morphing into a face of shock. It only confused Corey further, making him even more unstable.

Then Dustin's features deteriorated into that of understanding.

"Oh, god," he strained out like it physically pained him. "You don't know."

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