Meow

Summer 1985

It’s your last summer at camp. As a counselor you tried your best to get Max to join this summer. You knew it was a long shot. So you weren’t surprised when she instantly shut you down. You didn’t even bother asking Hopper about El, you knew he would never let that happen. Counselors have to be here the week before and after campers leave. Luckily for you, Dustin summer camp runs behind yours. Growing up, it was annoying for you mom. Trying to find childcare and such. Now it is almost perfect timing to have both of you home at the same time.

Unfortunately now for your mom, you return home a day later than your brother this year. She has to take time out of work to pick him up and drop him off at home. 

When you get home from camp you are met with an empty house. Tews is all you are greeted with. Her little footsteps and headbutts are all you have. You are glad your mom got another cat after Mews. She loved Mews, and you are glad she's able to put that same affection into Tews. Your not the biggest fan of the name but Dustin was so proud when he came up with it.

Steve has sent you letters all during camp, much to your surprise. When you were younger it was the norm for you two, but now, you figured he’d forget about it. The first letter you got threw you off. You had no idea he would even remember the name of your camp, let alone the address. Even though you’ve made amends you weren't expecting anything. As the days went on, and the letters continued, it reminded you of how things were growing up. All the letters talking about his day, no matter how boring. 

So when you get home and are greeted by the silence and Tews, he is the first person you think of. Ever since prom night, you both have put your best effort towards rebuilding your friendship. It’s not what it used to be, but neither are you guys.

So of course your first thought is to visit him at his first job that he was so excited to tell you about. You also figure that where Steve is, Dustin will be close by. When you show up to scoops ahoy, you are met with a girl who is only a little younger than you. You recognize her from school. Only seeing her in the band and in the halls. You read her nametag, ‘Robin’.

“Is Steve or Dustin here?” Is all you ask.

“STEVE” is all she yells before she goes back to the back room behind the partition. You hear mindless squabbles. You wait there for any one to come out. 

After way too long you finally see Steve walk out. You can’t help but laugh at his uniform. He had told you about how ridiculous it was but seeing it in person was a whole other beast. 

“Ahoy sailor.” Is all you have to say at the sight of him, in a fit of giggles. 

“Ha ha” His face scrunching up in sarcasm

You end up talking about both of your summers, not even remembering to ask if he’d seen Dustin. Throughout your conversation you slowly made your way behind the counter. Making yourself comfortable while he works. You’ve missed this, mindless chatting, like it’s the easiest thing ever. Even though you've lost time, you still just fit together.

You had been there for a while talking to Steve when Max and El show up. You are a little surprised to see the two of them hanging out, and friendly with each other. It’s not like they hated each other, but there was always a certain tension between them. You’re glad to see the two of them get along. You move away from the counter you were leaning against to go greet them. 

“I didn’t know you were back from camp yet.” Max lets you know as you pull her in for a little hug. She is reluctant but still hugs you back. 

“I just got back today.” You are still in your camp shirt that says ‘staff’ on the back. You didn’t bother changing before coming to the mall.

After you let Max go you pull El into a quick side hug. You aren’t as close with her. Hopper has a tight grasp on her life. Not that you can blame him. You have made your best effort to help her be a normal teenager. 

“What are you guys up to?” You ask before Steve goes back to his job.

"Shopping." Is all that you get in response.

He is just now getting them their ice cream after talking to Robin. After he has handed over it dawns on you how odd it is that El is even at the mall.

“Does Hopper know you're here?” When you say that all you get in response are the girls exchanging a knowing look and giggles, before they run away. You are left with more questions than answers. You look over at Steve for some reassurance and his face matches the confusion on yours. Both of you not quite sure what they are up to. 

“What did Robin want?” You didn’t really hear any of their conversion and she has been in the back room for a while now.

“Oh she was translating a sentence.” He can see the confused look on your face as soon as he says that. He is hit with the realization that you haven’t been told about the Russian message. He even failed to mention that your brother was here. 

He gives the run down about all the Russian secret code and about everything that Dustin has told him.

“Wait, girlfriend?” When you ask that Steve gives you a nod before you finally go into the back room to confront Dustin. Both Dustin and Robin stop in any movement they had, instead looking at you. Freezing like a kids getting caught sneaking from the cookie jars.

“Y/N, your back…” Is all Dustin has to say as you walk in.

Your eyes narrow as you look at him. Taking in his guilty expression and tone of voice. 

“What are you doing?” You say with the most authority you can conjure. Part of it is just for show, you're not upset with. Mostly just wanting to mess with him. He immediately breaks and tells you everything that Steve already told you, and more. He goes into more detail than you even need. Feeling the need to add that his ‘girlfriend’ is hotter than Phoebe Cates, and something about kissing and teeth. You do your best to ignore the last part. 

“Dust, have you considered that, maybe, it’s just a Russian refugee and not from actual Russia?” You don’t doubt his skills in building a high power radio, but more that any serious Russian entity would simply broadcast important messages like that.

“No, it can’t be that. It was the same words repeated systematically. No way, that's just a refugee.” He counters. He continues about how you all will be ‘American Heroes’ if you solve this. You have nothing better to do, so you give in and start to help them translate. You know he will be disappointed with the results but why not let him have a little hope. 

After hours of work you finally have a translation for the entire phrase. The mall is closed at this point. The four of you have to be the only ones here besides any security guards. What you have is underwhelming to say the least, just nonsense. 

The three of them argue about how all of this is a secret transmission for ‘Evil Russians’. You aren’t quite sure about that. People say stupid stuff all the time when talking to their friends. Yes Robin claims her translation is 100% correct, there's no way to know that without having an actual Russian speaker. You are skeptical about all of this to say the least.

You are following Robin and Dustin when you realize that Steve is no longer walking besides you. When the two of them also realize that, you all look back and see him fumbling around with his pockets and a mechanical horse. He is asking for a quarter from anyone. For some reason all of Robin’s teasing towards him is rubbing you the wrong way. He is bent down by the horse while it plays its song. He looks at you all like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. You're not sure what he is getting at.

After a couple of seconds Dustin is on his side. Talking about the music as he digs through his bag. When he plays the tape, you are surprised that the music lines up perfectly. 

You were right that the message didn’t come from Russia, but wrong in that it was probably a harmless message between friends. It came from here. Like here here. Hawkins Indiana, specifically Starcourt mall.

After that realization, it’s a quiet walk to the parking lot. Digesting all the information. Robin says her goodbyes as she gets to her bike. Steve walks you and Dustin to your car. 

“Back from camp and instantly in another problem.” Steve is on your side of the car when he starts.

“I’m going to blame you for encouraging Dustin.” You counter. Dustin is already in the car when you continue the conversation. You start to lean against the car door while you talk.

“To be fair he came to me.” He argues, but in a calm voice. Still relaxed as he stands in front of you.  

“Yeah but you followed.” You counter.

“You say no to him.” You can tell that Dustin exhausts him.

“I have…A lot.” You say it as a fact because it is. You have said no to Dustin more than you can count. Dustin's tricks don't work on you, well most of them.

“...I’m glad you’re back.” There is a slight pause in your conversation before he says that. Almost as if he was considering if he really wanted to say that.

“Me too.” You are. You emphasis your point by giving him a light shove on the arm. It is surprising how much you’ve missed him… and the kids.

“Drive safe.” Steve says as he looks down at you. His eye contact is intense, but you find that you don’t hate it.

“I will. Get home safe okay?” You reply softly. He gives you a little nod in response. When you go to open your car door he starts to walk away. When you are fully in your car, you look over to your brother.

“So, you and Suzie?” Is all you ask as you look at him with a quirk in your eyebrow. You let a smirk cross your lips.

All you get in response is an eye roll and him telling you to take you both home. The lack of a response is a response itself. 

· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·

The next day you and Robin are at scoops re-listening to the tape, while the boys are off spying with binoculars around the mall. You are sitting on the back counter, and Robin is slinging ice cream.

"So how do you and Dustin know Steve." She asks you.

"Oh, we grew up together." You answer.

"I never saw you with around him school. You were in all the smart classes and he's…well he's Steve."

"Yeah, it was…complicated for a little bit." That is putting it lightly. You are wanting the boys to get back. It's not that you don't like Robin, it just awkward right now. Dustin already likes her so you know that it will just take getting to know her. You go back to the translation to hopefully end this conversation. 

You and Robin are both back at the task on hand. Taking turns listening to the tape going back and forth with the notebook. You get into a nice rhythm, only really talking when necessary, when there is a knock on the back door of the shop. Robin silently climbs through the partition to get the delivery.

A couple seconds of later she comes running back to the front.

"Silver cat" She says looking at you, making intense eye contact. 

"Silver cat?" You reply very confused 

"Silver cat." She states again before running out of the store front. You are left standing there even more confused. Conveniently Steve and Dustin walk in bickering about something.

"Where's she going?" Steve ask you.

"Silver cat." You simply respond walking to where Robin is, the boys following behind you.

"Robin?" You ask, hoping for some clarity.

"I cracked it. I cracked the code." She responses. You can't believe it. That all that passing the tape back and forth actually did something.

You all walk back to scoops as she explains what every line in the code means. You're taking in all this information. That there are Russians running starcourt? Is that what this means? Why would Russians be here? You are left with more questions than answers.

So the four of you devise a plan to gather more intel. You argue with Dustin about him coming but he insist. 

"Without me you wouldn't even know the code existed." That's his main point, and well he's right. There is only so much pull you have with him as he's getting older.

You both stay till close. Patiently waiting for the mall to close. Dustin is up front with Robin while she works, pestering her with questions. You and Steve are in the back, sitting at the table.

"So, you and Robin…?" You ask him, quirking an eyebrow at him.

"What? Me and Robin what?" He is almost offend at the question.

"I don't know…girl your age, pretty, spending a lot of time with her." You can't make eye contact when you say it. You don't know why either. It's a simple question you asked.

"That's crazy. You know my type and she is not my type." You can feel his eyes on you when he talks, forcing you to look up.

"Okay but what does type matter if you like them." You can feel your eyebrow furrow as you explain. You would have thought he would be past these sociality categories, that are ultimately meaningless.

"I don't like her like that… Do you think I should like her like that?" His voice picks up a little at the end of the question.

"Without me you wouldn't even know the code existed." That's his main point, and well he's right. There is only so much pull you have with him as he's getting older.

You both stay till close. Patiently waiting for the mall to close. Dustin is up front with Robin while she works, pestering her with questions. You and Steve are in the back, sitting at the table.

"So, you and Robin…?" You ask him, quirking an eyebrow at him.

"What? Me and Robin what?" He is almost offend at the question.

"I don't know…girl your age, pretty, spending a lot of time with her." You can't make eye contact when you say it. You don't know why either. It's a simple question you asked.

"That's crazy. You know my type and she is not my type." You can feel his eyes on you when he talks, forcing you to look up.

"Okay but what does type matter if you like her." You can feel your eyebrow furrow as you explain. You would have thought he would be past these sociality categories, that are ultimately meaningless.

"I don't like her like that." There a pause in his words before he speaks again. "Do you think I should like her like that?" His voice picks up a little at the end of the question.

"No no, I'm just asking cause i know you've been lonely since you broke up with Nancy." You can feel the slight warmness start to reach your cheeks talking about this.

"Yeah but that was before you came back around. Now I spend all my time with you and Dustin. I wouldn't even have time for a girlfriend, especially with work." He is basically blowing off the topic.

The rest of time is spent with Robin and Steve switching who takes the front and who gets to be in the back. Around close you can hear it start to rain.

Its pouring rain when you are all outside on the roof. You should have watched the weather forecast for today. You didn't bring any sort of jacket. Very fortunate for you Steve insisted on you taking his. You feel bad as you see him in just in uniform getting absolutely soaked. You don't know how much the jacket is helping with how hard it's raining. You really didn't think it would get this bad when you first heard it.

Dustin is describing everything he can see through the binoculars. There are many men armed with guns, moving boxes with mysterious contents. There is a laundry list of things that could be in the boxes and you hate all of them. 

When they open a giant door, Steve tries to take the binoculars from Dustin. They may not be brothers but they sure do fight like ones. You're about to take the binoculars away from the two when they drop them. The sound of the them hitting the metal feels like its the loudest thing you've every heard. Every instantly drops to their backs, hiding from the men below. Your heart is pounding through your chest. 

When you look to check on Dustin, the pounding in chest drops. You know you asked earlier about them but seeing Steve and Robin grab hands makes you feel a way you don't like. Right now you don't have time to dissect that feeling, you chalk it up to the fear. It's only a couple of seconds before you all are moving faster than you have ever. it feels like you get out in time by the skin of your teeth. 

When you get into the back into the mall you feel like you can breath. Your freezing and wet and confused. About the Russians, and about Steve and Robin. The warmth from his jacket is long gone, just leaving you cold as you walk.

Lena is coloring at the coffee table while you sit on the couch watching her. You've surprisingly liked being with her today. You actually won't mind babysitting her again. You hear someone start to unlock the front door. You stand up when the door starts to open.

"Uncle Pope!" Lena says as she runs to hug him. He silently hugs her back. It's the sweetest thing. You walk over to properly introduce yourself.

"Hi I'm-" Pope cuts you off as you talk. 

"I know." You feel awkward when he interrupts you as you have your hand stretched out to shake his. He just looks down at your hand. You slowly pull in back down in embarrassment.

"Okay. Well I better get going. Thank you for coming to take over." You go over to gather your bag and stuff to head out. You can feel Pope's intense stare on you the entire time. 

"And thank you Lena for hanging out with me today!" You say as you bend down to give her a little hug. His eyes never leaving you, following your movement.

A/N: more pope to come, I have something cute cooked up for later

It's a Friday night at the Drop. For some reason they have started doing theme nights, something about bringing in new customers. Tonight's theme is western. Once Deran told you that you got excited. It's just an excuse to wear shorts that are way to short and cute cowboy boots. Deran even got a local country band to play. You are surprised at the turnout and that the whole theme thing is actually working.

The music from the band is loud and the bar crowded with bodies. You're happy for Deran. You can tell Pope isn't comfortable. This kinda stuff has never been his scene but he's gotten used to it over time. You made a point for the both of you to be here tonight. You both wanted to support Deran.

You and Pope are at the bar. He wasn't as excited as you about going out tonight. He's sitting on the bar stool, and you're standing in between his legs nursing your drink. You are facing the band with your back to his front. You don't see it but anytime that a guy even so glances at you, Pope is there staring daggers back. Every little sway of your hips causes him to clench his fist against his thighs. You can tell he's still a little tense.

You twist around to face him. You've learned that his shark stare when he looks at you more affection than anything else. You put down your drink down and put your hand on his forearm.

"You okay?" You say just loud enough for him to hear, rubbing your hand up and down his arm. His face still the same just giving you a small nod. A wicked grin crosses your face when you get an idea. The daisy dukes and cowboy boots aren't the only western things you wearing. You have one of those shitty straw cowboy hats.

You take your hat off and place it on Pope's head. He is instantly confused, his brows knitting together at your action. Before he can say anything or take it off you talk.

"You know what they say, right?" You lean up whispering in his ear, quirking up one of your eyebrows.

"no?" He is confused at your question, having no idea where this is going.

"Wear the hat…ride the cowboy."

"And your the cowboy?"

“Of course, so you know what the means."

"You want me to ride you?"

You just smirk and nod your head in return. Without talking he takes out cash from his pocket and places it on the bar, all with his eyes never leaving yours. He backs you up as he stands, moving his hand to your waist. He starts to led you out to his truck. You can't help but let out little giggles as you guys walk. Very self satisfied with yourself and the reaction you got out of your boyfriend. Also laughing a little at the fact that he was yet to take the hat off.

Once you reach his truck, he pushes you against the truck door. Taking the hat off and placing it back on your head. Your hands go up to play with the curls at the nape of his neck. His instinctively grabbing your hips, crowding your space. Your faces close breathing each other in. So close but not yet kissing. You lean into to close the gap, but before you can he moves his mouth to your ear to talk.

"How am I suppose to ride you?" He whispers in your ear, his voice course as he speaks. A flush crosses your face and you feel your cheeks get warm at his words. As he moves to look at you, the corners of his mouth turn up.

"I think you can figure it out, if not I'm sure you can make it up to me." You wink at him. He gives you kiss on the temple before going to open the truck door to let you in.

The entire ride you can't wait to get to your shared apartment. Pope's hand moving slowly up and down your thigh as he drives. You impatiently sit in the passenger seat. No words are shared the entire way.

You practically race into the house after he parks the truck. Once the door shuts behind Pope your hands are instantly on him. Bringing his face to meet yours, finally having your lips touch. Lacing your hands in between his hair. Pulling only slightly, but just enough to make a tiny moan escape his mouth. As soon as his mouth opens your tongue is crossing into his. The kiss is hungry and desperate. Needing so badly to have him on you.

He pulls away from your kiss, just slightly so he can talk.

"You're needy tonight." His voice low and gruff as he speaks. One of his hands leaves your hips. Running down your leg, pulling your thigh up. Once your leg is up on his hip, he grinds into you. You can feel how hard he is getting in his pants. You let out a whimper at his actions.

"You're such a tease." You whine. At your words he lifts you up with your legs wrapped around his waist. You gasp as he grabs you, not excepting it. He walks with you in his arms to the bed room. You crane your neck down to kiss his. Holding a hand on your hat so it doesn't fall off. This kiss is gentle compared to before. Just softly tasting him.

He sits you down on your bed. Towering over you as he stands in front of you. You bring your hand to grab the hem of his shirt, hinting that you want it off. He takes the hint and takes off his shirt. You put flat palms on his chest, rubbing up and down. You love the sight of him shirtless. His chest, shoulders, and biceps covered in freckles. You could kiss all of them, every single one of them.

Pope gentle takes the hat off your head throwing it somewhere behind him. He starts to crawl on you, one of his hands slowly guiding you to lay down.

“Ride the cowgirl, right?" He says teasingly as he on top of you. The hand not holding your back is by your shoulder. Propping himself up. He slowly moves down your body, peppering little kisses every couple of inches. His eyes not leaving yours. You almost squirm under his stare, but you can't look away.

When he gets to your calf of your leg, he starts to talk off your boots. One at a time, followed by your socks. He rises to your shorts. Painstaking slow brings his hand to the button. All of his slow deliberate movements only building up your anticipation.

“Andy…" You whimper. He talking his time with you. Making sure to savor ever moment.

“My needy girl." He huffs out, right before you starts to take off your shorts. Leaving your panties on. You don't know how much longer you take. It's almost excruciating. He kneels down, bringing both of your legs on top of his shoulders. Pulling you to his face. You prop yourself on your elbows to look down at him.

He places open mouth kisses on your clothed heat. Tasting how wet you are. Your practically soaked through, his mouth only adding to the wetness. You let out a little whine at the sensation. He continues to mouth at your clothed crouch, only dragging out the teasing more.

“Andrew, please" You plead. Hoping that he will finally give you what you want. He is almost tears your underwear as he takes them off. He the sight of your wet pussy, he dives in. Licking a strip against your folds. He flicks his tongue against your clit. He continues to attack your clit. That feeling starting to tighten in your lower stomach. He prods at your entrance before returning to circling your clit, not going to let up until you finish.

Your hands dive into he hair, needing something to grab. That only spurs him on further, picking up pace.

“Fuck- Andy- I'm, I'm close" you tell him. Your walls clenching around nothing.

"I know, cum for me." At his words and him returning to you pussy, the hot flood of pleasure overtakes you. Cumming on his mouth, he doesn't stop when you cum. Letting you ride it out on his face. Only once he knows your done, does he pull away. Your breathing still heavy from the orgasm.

He crawls back up your body to meet your face. Leaning down to kiss you. Its soft and tentative, lips barely pressing against yours. You can start to taste yourself on his mouth. You press harder into him. Still needing more of him.

"Pants, off." Your breath is uneven as you start to undone his belt. He's good at following instructions and takes off his pants and underwear. Leaving him completely naked as you take off your shirt and bra to match. He is achingly hard when you look at him. Pre-cum dripping from his tip.

He gets back on top of you, crashing his lips into yours. It's sloppy and wet, teeth bumping into each other and tongues fighting for dominance.

You can feel him rub against you, slicking himself up with your juices.

You bring a hand and wrap around him. Pumping him just once before rubbing the head with your thumb. He moans into your mouth as you do. You start to move your on him again but just as you do he grabs your wrist and pinning it above your head.

With his other hand he lines himself up to you. Prodding your entrance with his tip, barely breaching into you.

“Andrew, I need you," you whine out "please" it's almost pathetic how much you need him inside of you.

“That's my good girl, begging me to fuck her" With that he pushes fully into. He's big and it hurts so good to fill him all the way inside you at first.

He stay still, letting you get used to him. His mouth latching onto your neck, sucking on the sweet spot under your jaw. After he is done with your neck he starts to move. Thrusting in and out of you. With every thrust he is close to hitting that soft spot inside you. You wrap your legs around his hip to give that extra leverage needed.

He is all grunts and groans as he fucks you. The room is filled with the wet sound of your bodies against each other and both of your moans.

He can feel you start to tighten around and he picks up his pace. It's brutal as he pounds into you. He can tell your close, and he is too. He brings his thumb to your clit and starts to rub circles on it. When he does that it pushes you over the edge. Your walls pulse around his cock, tightening up. When he feels you cum, it's what he needs for his release. A couple of sloppy thrust and he is spilling inside of you. Your pussy practically milking him. You can feel the warmth of his cum as it leaks out of you.

You stay like that for a little bit, just feeling each other, getting your breathing back to normal. He slides out of you and falls to your side. You instantly curl up to his chest. His arms wrapping around you. You both know what each other needs after sex.

He softly kisses your head as he hold you against him. Needing to feel you next to him, with him.

“I like the hat rule." He mumbles into your hair.

“Thought you would. This means next time you need to have hat so I can ride you." When you say that he lets out a little chuckle.