djopala

You'd lived with Steve for nearly a year now, ever since the mall "fire" in 1985. After it, he was bruised and hard of hearing in his left ear. You'd offered him help every day, even if it was over the phone, hearing his voice that was still raspy weeks after because of the screams pulled from his throat.

Though approximately nine days of you checking up on him every day, he reluctantly caved.

Well, kind of. He knew he needed someone there for him when he couldn't lift his arms past his head to wash his hair. And of course, that was the biggest deal to him.

Soon enough, you moved in.

There was no conversation about it. In fact, it was never even mentioned. It just happened. All there was was just a day where you started to bring clothes and perfumes and body wash and leave it at his house. Then eventually you'd go weeks without returning home, sleeping in the bedroom next to his every night.

And you loved it.

He never said it out loud, and never will, but he undeniably fell for you. Somewhere between the nights you would hold his hand until he fell asleep and the days you'd bake his favourite for him on a sunny morning. He didn't know if it was because you were the only person who'd ever understood him in a way that made him feel somewhat lovable, or because you were the only constant female in his life. Or even because you were so gorgeous that he had to force down his hard on every time you attended to his wounds. Maybe it was all three.

But after Steve finally somewhat recovered from his trauma, he and Robin eventually landed a new job at Family Video. And of course, Robin had to move in too. Apparently it was "easier to get to work on time." So, Robin took the bedroom down the hall from yours.

However, three people in Steve's mansion wasn't enough. After Dustin and the gang hunted down Eddie, he needed somewhere to hide for a while.

Somewhere that wasn't too obvious for people to find him, and the perfect place is obviously some guy who hates your guts' house.

Soon, the house began filling up incredibly fast.

Nancy and Jonathan took the bedroom next to Robins, which she hated since allegedly she can hear sounds from them every night. El would occasionally stay for a few nights per month when Hopper was on night patrol and couldn't trust her enough to leave her at the cabin alone. He trusted you to look after her and not Steve, which caused problems when Hopper would barge in and see El hanging out with Steve, Eddie, and Mike while you were out with everyone else. Dustin would stay for sleepovers, and of course if Dustin was having the time of his life with Steve and Eddie, Mike and Will had to tag along. If Mike was going then Lucas had to come too, and if Lucas was going, clearly max was going to have to join too.

Ultimately, it became jam-packed within a week of nancy and Jonathan moving in all because they were the ones who wanted a space without Joyce's worry filling the entire house, and without Karen arguing with Ted every night. But instead, they got kids arguing over what movie they should pick that night and worrying that there wouldn't be enough pancake mix in the kitchen for the morning.

───── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ─────

"Steve, please can you drive us to the movies?" Dustin whines. He's been following Steve around the house for an hour now. Even with people yelling at him to shut up, he's still at his knees, pleading with the high pitched tone that makes everyone cringe when his voice cracks multiple times in a sentence.

"Will you give it a rest, Henderson?" Steve grumbles, his hands that he uses to frustratedly hide his face in. "I told you, I'm not going out at eight p.m. and have to wait up just for you to be finished so I can go back out and pick you up." Steve looks at him tiredly. "I've got work in the morning. Something that you kids wouldn't understand since you live off my dimes."

Dustin scoffs. "We don't live off your money!" he defends his friends and himself. "We collectively paid for Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal last week."

"Cinnamon Toast Crunch costs two dollars." Steve stands in the middle of the kitchen, his gaze hard on Dustin. "You all contributed forty cents and ate it before you even made it back here."

Dustin points at him factually. "Actually, Lucas was three cents low, so Max had to pay forty three cents."

"ah, yes." Steve's face sarcastically lights up.

"Suddenly I feel as if a weight has been lifted off my shoulders hearing that information."

"Haha." Dustin replied dryly. "Personally, I don't think it'll be that difficult for you to drive us to the movies if it gives us a chance to see Molly Ringwald in Pretty in Pink." Dustin shrugs.

"What about Molly Ringwald?" Eddie excitedly asks as he slides into the kitchen.

"She's in a new movie that me and everyone else want to go see." Dustin's face lights up as he notices Eddie, his demeanour copying his excited one.

"Oh, really? Didn't realise you wanted to go see a movie." Eddie answers back sarcastically.

"That's only if Steve will take us." Dustin's glares at Steve.

"That's a thousand percent chance that I am not taking you because who calls a movie Pretty in Pink?" Steve frowns. "What if she also looks pretty in orange? What about that?"

"You know, if you don't want to take them, I can." Eddie says with a reserved smile. "Though, I don't have my van right now, so you'll have to let me take your car." He says confidently.

"You know, Eddie, you're so funny you could be the next Joker." Steve says bluntly, his face still holding a stern expression.

"Thanks, I get told I have the looks for him." Eddie dramatically pushes his hair out of the way.

"You're still hung up about not taking them to the movies, huh?" You ask from the doorway, leaning against the frame with your arms crossed and a skeptical look pointed to Steve.

"Well, yeah." Steve huffs, still standing his ground.

"I've got work in the morning and I'm not staying up any later than I need to."

"Grandpa." Eddie mutters between a deliberate cough.

"Why don't I take them? That way you can have a few hours in a quiet house without the kids." You question softly.

Steve sighs, scratching the side of his face in thought. He studies you for a moment. The way your eyes sparkle and the sincerity of them. The way your freckles glimmer under the light of the kitchen. The way your lips look so plump and soft and so kissable. The way heat starts pooling at his dick. Fuck.

"You'd do that?" leaning against the counter in attempting to hide his growing boner, the corner of his lip creeps into a small smile.

"Steve, l've done bigger favours for you. Driving the kids somewhere is nothing compared to it." You nod.

"Uh, hello." Eddie interrupts the moment between the two of you with a wave. "Did I not also say I'd drive them down?"

"Unless you want to end up on the front page of the New York Times." You giggle.

"Family dead on their way to the movies because punk payed more attention to metallica's guitar solo than the road."' steve joins in, turning his tone formal.

"Seriously, I know how to drive a car!" Eddie defends himself.

“Maybe a toy car." You snort, finally leaving the room.

“To be honest, I feel like I need at least three seatbelts when you’re driving.” Dustin pats Eddie on the back as he follows you out the kitchen.

“Sorry, didn’t realise being self taught was a problem.” Eddie mutters frustratedly under his breath, making his way the fridge to take a swig of milk.

Steve grips the edge of the countertop with his hand, forcing it white when he hears a chuckle bubble up in eddies throat.

“She didn’t even touch you. You’re gone, man.”

───── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ─────

Seven thirty came sooner than expected.

The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, and there was a slight chill to the air.

You were by the front door after successfully managing to get your shoes on without untying them. You slipped on a jacket that rested on the coat stand and smoothed out your jeans before announcing your departure.

“I’m leaving now. I’ll see you guys later.” You shout. Just before you could step outside, Steve appears behind you, leaning against the wall closest to him.

"See you later." Steve appears from the living room, already having put on a baggy shirt and an old pair of basketball shorts. He looked comfortable like this. Relaxed. In a way, it relieved you. Knowing the change between now and a year ago. A year ago, he could never settle down, he could never get comfortable or relax fully. But now, he does it without second thought. Goes to sleep without fearing the Russians and actually wants to go to bed.

"Thank you, again." He shoves his hands in his pockets. "For taking them." He nods his head in the direction of the car.

"Don't worry. I've told you a million times it's not a big deal." You murmur with a smile. “You need the rest anyway.”

"I know, I know. Just wanted to thank you." He puts his hands up in defence. "And thank you for all the things you do for me." He mumbles.

“You’re my best friend, Steve. Of course I’m going to help you and be by your side.” A soft smile finding your lips.

Friend zoned. Ouch.

Steve just huffs a laugh. “Yeah, course.” He nods. “Appreciate it.” He says quietly.

“Get some sleep.” Once the door closes gently behind you, Steve lets out a breath he didn't realise he was holding, wiping the sweat that was starting to pool in his hands on his shirt.

He makes his way back into the living room where Robin sat comfortably on the love seat that rested in the corner. He groans as he sits down, tilting his head against the soft pillow behind him.

“What’s going on with you two?” Robin asks suspiciously.

“Nothings going on between us.” He grumbles, his hand finding the remote and turning on a show he doesn’t have to pay much attention to.

“There is.” She says confidently. “You never get that awkward and sappy around anyone apart from her.” She states. “I may not be a genius, but I know sexual tension when I see it.” Her brows knitting together as she watches him intensely.

Steve scoffs. “There is no sexual tension. What are you talking about?”

Robins crumbled face eventually softens out into wide grin. “You like her.” She gasps like she’s found a secret formula.

“You need to stop taking so many late nights. It messes with your head.” He points at his head.

“Okay, but will late nights be able to notice the way you get all fiddly whenever she’s around. The minute she glances in your direction you look like you’re about to melt.”

“Wow, Robin, thanks. Not only do I feel like I’m being heavily judged, but I also feel like I should start be aware of where you are in the house at all times.”

“Don’t be so dramatic. It’s obvious now that I think of it. She’s one more conversation from finding out you have a thing for her.” She points at him. “You better say something before she starts thinking you’re a man who pretends he likes her when he actually doesn’t.”

“You think she notices I have a thing for her?” He asks anxiously.

“You’re more obvious than Dustin thinking he can get away with stealing your hairspray.” She bluntly says.

“He steals my hairspray?”

───── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ─────

The following morning, you wake up to the glimmer of sunshine peaking through your curtains, leaving it long enough to rest gently on your face as the soothing warmth of it made your skin tingle.

You were wrapped comfortably around your blankets, your hair spewing down your pillow and off your shoulder.

You could already hear the kids rattling around in the kitchen, arguing over who's getting the last slice of toast. Something you've gotten used to hearing quite quickly.

There's a knock on your door before you can fully open your eyes and adjust the sunlight spilling through your window.

"Thank god you're up." Robin groans stressfully, sitting on the side of your bed.

"I mean, I am up, but I'm not ready to be up." You yawn, rolling over to the other side of the bed so you can look at her.

"I'm stressed-"

"I can tell."

"Vickie came into Family Video five days ago, and we have a seven day rent policy. So you can only have the movie for a week before having to give it back, by law of course–"

"I assumed so."

"So that means I have at least two days to prepare a speech for when she comes back in. I have to confess to her. It's killing me that I don’t know if she likes me, and it’s killing me even more that she’s not my girlfriend." She moans.

"Rob, I'm sure she likes you. I've seen the way you speak to each other and the way you look at each other." You sit up, resting your hand on her shoulder. "And remember, no one pauses fast times at fifty three minutes, five seconds, other than the people who like boobies." You add quietly.

She huffs. "Easy for you to say. At least you have someone who makes it obvious they like you." She spits out before her body stills.

"Uh, what did you say?" You say with feigned calmness.

"I said nothing, that's what I said." She stands, her hands clamped down by her side.

"Who likes me, Robin?-"

"Okay, fine, I'll tell you as long as you won't tell anyone." She easily caves. "It's Steve." She squeezes her eyes closed and winces as she awaits your reaction.

"Steve?" Your eyebrows shoot up as you dive back into your memory for any truth behind this. You were aware of how close you two were. I mean, how couldn't you after you moved in with him. You just assumed that it was a strong bond of friendship between you two. Nothing else.

“How many people know about this?” You were quick to question.”

She swallows. “Everyone.” She whispers. And honestly, you weren’t surprised in the slightest.

You chew your lip in thought. Maybe you wouldn't mind being an item with Steve. He was the whole package, really. Hot, funny, caring, good with kids.

Anyone would be lucky to have guy like steve. And with thought, you hoped that you'd be that lucky person who gets to call him yours one day.

You’d never really noticed it before but whenever he was close you felt happy. You felt free and safe. He was like a blanket you never wanted to get free from.

"Where is he?" You ask.

"In the car waiting for me, actually. I better be off." She rushes out of your room, the door slamming behind her as she stomps down the stairs and slides out the front door.

There were a whirlwind of emotions spinning in your head. Confusion, happiness, excitement, worry, and even a little horny.

You'd been single for over a year now, not noticing anyone really taking interest in you other than the drunk guy at the bar who just wants sex. But the fact that the person showing an ounce of interest in you was Steve? You’ve never felt so happy.

───── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ─────

Robin was first to arrive home.

The door swung open, the same way it has for the past few months. Tiredly and annoyingly.

She kicked off her shoes at the front door and slipped off her jacket, throwing it somewhere on the floor for future Robin to deal with.

You’d barely moved off the couch since this morning. You felt as if anticipation had glued you to the seat until you and Steve talked about it.

She easily made herself comfortable on the couch, spreading out her arms and legs with a few cracks of her joints.

“She didn’t come in today.” she mentions.

“I guess tomorrow’s the big day.” you teasingly smile at her. “You got your speech ready?”

“All I have is, ‘I can’t help but notice you every time you walk into a room. You light it up like a firework, and I like fireworks even if they make me jump. They’re pretty cool, and I think you’re pretty cool, so do you want to go out sometime?’”

You bite down on a smile. “Maybe scratch that idea.”

───── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ─────

Everyone had gravitated to the living room by the time Steve made it home a few hours later.

You heard the door squeal open, followed by the sound of shoes being kicked off.

You felt chills float down your spine as he made his way into the living room. A smile intoxicating his face that you quickly grew suspicious of.

“I have a date tomorrow.” He announced.

The room went silent.

Oh.

“Baby, you wouldn’t believe the day I’ve had.” Steve groans dramatically as the front door to your newly shared apartment slams behind him. He’s quick to kick his shoes off by the entrance (something you’re definitely going to shout to him about later) and slip off his Family Video jacket, immediately making his way to the living room where you usually hibernated when you had a day off.

His face softened and his shoulders relaxed when he saw you curled on the side of the couch, hand propping up your head as you dig into a bowl of chocolate and sweets that seemed to still be full. The TV was paused at the very start of one of his favourite movies, Apocalypse Now, which you’d recently rented again.

He had a weird obsession with war movies. That confused you since you became incredibly anxious watching that particular genre of movie after everything that’d happened in The Upside Down. Though, you loved him enough that you’d watch it, under the circumstances that he was by your side during the entirety of it.

“Hey, Honey.” You glance back towards the doorway of the living room, looking at him with a gentle smile that he could never get enough of. He tiredly waddles towards the couch, arms already out to capture you in a big, sappy hug.

“Hi.” He grumbles against your neck as he traps you between the couch and his warm, bear like body.

“You know, I’m not complaining, but why’s Apocalypse Now on the TV? Some special occasion?” He lifts his head up from your chest, his hair already disheveled from the hard days work he put his hairspray through.

“Unless you call the special occasion Robin calling me, telling me you were being annoyingly dramatic today at work. Then yes.” Your hand rakes through his hair, his head gravitating to wherever your hand is.

“Snitch.” He mutters childishly. “First of all, I wasn’t being dramatic. I was being reasonably frustrated. You should try working with Robin for a day. She’s a pain in my ass, and so is Henderson. He thinks he can walk in and ask me to leave my job to help him with some crappy science thing.” He expresses exasperatedly, “He forgets I never went to college.” He adds bashfully.

“You love them, really.” Your hand tenderly makes its way to his chin, your thumb lightly grazing his cheekbone. “Come on, tell me about your day.”

He huffs. “Well, Robin wouldn’t stop teasing me about dropping the pencil jar. Pencils went everywhere on the floor, and I had to pick them up while Robin watched me.” He fiddles with your hair. “And then Dustin came in with this—“ He juggles his hands around, trying to explain how confusing this item that Dustin had was. “Thing? I don’t know, this metal thing with wires coming out of it and cardboard wrapped around the bottom. Anyways, he brings it to me and tells me he needs help fixing it.” He scoffs. “I didn’t even know what this futuristic device that was in front of me was, let alone did I know how to fix it! The kid made the thing, surely he’s the one that knows the ins and outs of it.” He sighs, like holding all of that in weighed his entire body down by ten pounds.

You tut, your bottom lip copying his pout. “I’m sorry, baby.”

“Yeah.” He rests his head against your chest again, listening to the quiet thumping of your heart.

“Sorry that you’re so dramatic.” You add.

He quickly lifts his head back up, frowning at you. “Oh come on!”

Your giggle turns into a full blown laugh attack. Tears begin to prick at your eyes, your head thrown back against the cushions. Honestly, right now, you couldn’t think of anything funnier.

“Sorry, it’s just that—“ You wipe a tear from the corner of your eye. “Just that, you’re so dramatic.”

“I’m not that dramatic.”

“You really are.”

“I might be.”

“You definitely are.”

“Fine, I am.” He rests his chin on your chest, looking at you with a defeated squint. “But it was reasonable!” he defends himself. “Robin could’ve helped me, and Dustin could’ve found one of his science-y friends to help. And what made everything worse is that I missed you.” His face digs into your neck, giving you ticklish kisses all the way up to your jaw.

“Yeah?” You look into his eyes. His gorgeous honey-brown eyes.

“Yeah.” His lips easily find their way to yours. He drinks up the softness of your lips and the way you taste. Something he’s been dreaming about ever since he left the apartment this morning.

“Well, I suppose you weren’t being that dramatic.” You pull away slightly, your lips still grazing his due to the proximity.

“I know.” He dives back in, his hands making their way up your waist towards your boobs, giving them a squeeze, to which you giggle softly.

“Steve.” You mutter against his lips. “Don’t forget about the movie.”

“After, sweetheart.” He hushes. “Just wanna show you how much I missed you.”