laura

Steve, on the other hand, seemed to have noticed. He always noticed. But for some reason, he hadn’t come to your office either. He hadn’t cornered you in the hallway, nor had he walked in pretending nothing happened. He seemed to respect the invisible barrier you had put up, though the corner of his mouth often twitched like he wanted to say something, and his eyes followed you when you thought you’d gone unnoticed. That subtle attention from him only made your heart pound harder. You hated it, loved it, and feared it all at the same time.

Whenever you were in a room together, you became acutely aware of every movement and every sound. The rustle of papers, the tapping of your pen, the squeak of your chair, it was all exaggerated in your mind, all amplified by the fact that he was there. Your instincts have became so aware. You’d see him leaning against a doorway or talking to someone else, and immediately you’d plan your exit route, calculating each step so that you could slip away without making it obvious. Despite your careful choreography, you knew he noticed. You could almost see it in the corner of his eye, the slight pause in his stance, the tilt of his head, the subtle awareness that you were leaving.

It was now two days before the dinner. Everyone had been planning like it was the social event of the century, a celebration of your new office, and you were more anxious than ever. He was supposed to be your ‘date,’ but the thought of going to the dinner together made your stomach twist — in a good way but also in a nervous way. Every morning, you found yourself arriving early just to have a buffer, just to avoid the inevitable hallway collisions. You ducked into the breakroom whenever he entered a nearby space, you lingered near the supply closet longer than necessary, you took detours through the halls you had no reason to use, all to avoid the magnetic pull you felt toward him.

The irony of it all gnawed at you. You had spent months teasing him, bantering, rolling your eyes at his smug little grins, wanting to know what it felt like to kiss him, and now you couldn’t even look at him without your stomach lurching like you were on a rollercoaster. You hated yourself a little for it, too. You were supposed to be the rational one, the professional one, the one in control. And yet Steve Harrington had completely undone you.

Somewhere deep down, you were terrified that if you allowed yourself to speak to him again, even casually, everything would unravel. That one smile, one brush of hands, one shared glance would be enough to ignite something uncontrollable. That scared you more than you were willing to admit. You were used to controlling your life, to planning your work, to keeping people at a distance when necessary. Steve didn’t fit into any of that. He didn’t fit into your neat little boxes.

You became a ghost in your own office, slipping around corners and tiptoeing past hallways. However, even as you organized your books and arranged your pens neatly on your desk, your mind wandered to him, as it always did. You tried to convince yourself you were doing the right thing, that avoiding him, keeping him at arm’s length, was the only way to protect yourself from getting hurt. But the truth was, the longer you stayed away, the louder your heart screamed for him.

You weren’t sure how you were going to survive the dinner this Saturday. The dinner where everyone would be together with their own partners, where Steve would be there as your plus one, and where the distance you had maintained for the past two weeks would be impossible to keep. Your pulse quickened at the thought, your chest ached, and your brain screamed both to run and stay at the same time.

You sat back in your chair and ran a hand through your hair, staring at the pictures in front of you, trying to focus, trying to breathe. You had never felt anything like this before. You have been in relationships, but you’ve never been in love. Is that what this was? No. It couldn’t be.

This was terrifying and exhilarating. You didn’t know what to do with it. But despite every attempt, Steve still lingered in the corners of your mind.

You wondered if this is what Steve felt like after the work trip, after he avoided you for three weeks after he realized you two were basically cuddling in bed while you were asleep. You wondered if you ever consumed his brain like he was consuming yours now. You wondered if he was as miserable as you are now.

Maybe you should talk to him. You don’t want him to think you regret the kiss, because you could never regret it. It made you feel things you’ve never felt before. But your lack of communication was probably making everything worse.

You stood near the wide windows of the lounge, trying to run away from your thoughts for a little while. It was safer than letting your thoughts circle back because they always did, always to him and to that kiss. You had sworn not to think about it, and yet here you were, standing still and thinking of nothing else.

“Are you done avoiding me?”

The voice snapped you out of your head. You jolted, every muscle in your back going rigid, breath catching sharp in your throat. Your head whipped around, and there he was. Steve stood behind you like he’d been waiting there for a while, arms crossed in front of his chest, his expression unreadable.

Your mouth opened, then closed, then opened again. “I—what?” It sounded too quiet.

“You heard me,” he said, and there was no teasing edge or a smirk to soften it. “You’ve been avoiding me for two weeks. You vanish every time I walk into a room. You won’t even look at me if other people are around. So tell me, are you done avoiding me?”

Your heartbeat stuttered, a little too loud in your ears. You scrambled, clinging to excuses that sounded weaker the moment you thought of them. “I wasn’t—I mean, I’ve just been—”

“Busy?” His eyebrow lifted, a sharp little flicker of disbelief. He shook his head, chuckling softly to himself. “That’s your excuse?”

Heat bloomed under your skin. You took a step away from the window, your arms copying him. “I have been busy,” you managed, but your voice cracked right in the middle of it.

Steve tilted his head, studying you in that familiar way that made you want to squirm. He stopped a few feet away, just close enough that you could see the faint shadow of stubble along his jaw, the way the late afternoon light cut a line across his cheek. He didn’t look away.

Softly he asked the same question you had asked that day. “Do you regret it?”

The world tilted for a second and your breath was stuck in your throat. You hated how fast your answer jumped free, quicker than your brain could catch it. “No.”

It was barely louder than a whisper, but it filled the room anyway. Something flickered in his eyes. It seemed like relief, but then it was gone, swallowed by his jaw clenching. He leaned in slightly, his voice quieter now. “Then what’s the matter?”

You couldn’t move, couldn’t even think straight. The space between you felt too small. His gaze pinned you in place, waiting for you to open up. Your chest ached with the effort of holding yourself together.

Finally, your words tumbled out a little too defensive, only because you were panicking. “We just kissed, Steve. That’s all. I don’t know why you’re…why you’re turning it into some big thing. I’ve been busy. I didn’t have time to—”

“To talk to me?” His voice cracked and the look in his eyes made your stomach twist. It looked like he was hurt by your words, and it made it even more difficult to open up.

“Yes,” you snapped, the word a little too strong. You wrapped your arms around yourself, digging your fingers into the fabric of your sleeves. “That’s it. That’s all there is. Stop reading so much into it.”

The silence that followed was suffocating. Steve’s eyes stayed locked on yours, searching for something, like he didn’t believe you. It was as if he could see straight through every wall you tried to build, which at this point, you wouldn’t be surprised if he could. Then, slowly, his shoulders slumped. He drew in a sharp breath and exhaled through his nose.

“Fine.” His voice was clipped. He straightened his posture as he gave you a fake smile. “I’ll leave you alone.”

The words landed like a punch to your stomach. “Fine,” you echoed, but it came out too quiet.

He nodded once, then turned for the door. His footsteps were too loud in the quiet office, each one dragging the knot in your chest tighter. His hand caught the frame on his way out, his palm pressing there like he wanted to say something else, but he didn’t. He just left. The door clicked shut behind him.

You stayed standing in place, staring at the empty doorway, hoping he might walk back in. But you knew he wouldn’t. That pit in your stomach grew wider until it felt like it might swallow you whole.

You told yourself this was good. It was easier this way. You told yourself you needed the space, needed things to go back to normal. But you knew the truth. You’d pushed him away, and it felt nothing like relief.

“WOOHOO! GIRLS’ NIGHT!” Robin burst through Nancy’s front door with her overnight bag slung dramatically over her shoulder. You, Nancy, Jane, and Max trailed in behind her, laughing at her theatrics.

Nancy decided to invite the four of you over for a girls’ night. It started off when Jane said she didn’t have a nice dress for the fancy dinner the next day, which meant she had to go shopping. Nancy suggested that she and the rest of the girls could borrow her own dresses from her closet, and one thing led to another, and Nancy ended up hosting a Friday girls’ night.

Robin spun on her heel to face the four of you, eyes wide. “Okay, but why the hell is your house so big, Wheeler?”

Nancy raised her brows, tilting her head. “Because that’s how it was built when Jonathan and I bought it?”

Max smirked and nudged you with her hip, your name falling from her lips in a teasing lilt. “Bet it’s not as big as your mansion back in Braiser.”

You rolled your eyes, but the smile tugging at your mouth gave you away. “Nope. Definitely not. That one was way bigger.”

Your gaze flicked around the living room, lingering on the framed photos along the wall, the worn but careful touches in the decor, the warm color palette. It looked comfortable to live in. It made you think of your childhood house with your parents.

“But I honestly prefer a smaller place anyway,” you admitted, your voice softer now. “Feels more like home.”

Nancy’s arm slipped through yours, her smile as warm as the house itself. “Well, you’re welcome here any time.”

You returned her smile, your chest tugging in that small way before Robin’s voice cut through. “Okay! What’s first on the agenda, ladies?!”

“Pajamas,” Jane said immediately, and the rest of the group agreed without hesitation.

As everyone started heading upstairs, you hesitated, glancing around once more. “Uh…Jonathan’s not going to mind us being loud?”

Nancy giggled, arm still linked through yours as she guided you toward the stairs. “Don’t worry. He’s staying at Steve’s tonight.”

The name made your heart skip a beat, but you didn’t let it show on your face. The last time you spoke to Steve was yesterday, when he had asked why you were avoiding him. You hated yourself for not opening up, but what was done was done. You just simply nodded. “Oh. That’s nice of him.”

Upstairs, the five of you spilled into Nancy’s bedroom in a whirlwind of laughter and discarded overnight bags, each of you tugging on pajamas comfortably, which you could only have when being around people you were super close with, and you felt that you were extremely close with the girls now.

Robin was the first to climb onto the bed, cross legged in a faded band tee and plaid bottoms. She immediately started digging through a bag of candy she’d pulled from somewhere. “Okay, so what’s the vibe tonight? Are we doing deep emotional bonding or makeovers? Because I’m good at both.”

Max grabbed a handful of gummy worms from Robin’s stash before plopping down on the carpet. “You’re not good at makeovers. You’re good at eyeliner. There’s a difference.”

Jane, sitting cross legged near Max, gave her a grin. “I kind of like the idea of makeovers. Oh! Or maybe we can start trying on the dresses Nancy told us about.”

That was all Nancy needed to hear. She clapped her hands once, her whole face lighting up. “Perfect! I was actually going to bring this up. The dinner is tomorrow, so I don’t mind you all raiding my closet for something you might like instead of going shopping. Seriously. Take whatever you want. I have way too many dresses.”

Robin gasped, throwing her candy aside dramatically. “Nancy Wheeler is offering free clothes? I’m not saying no to that!”

Nancy rolled her eyes but was already tugging open her closet doors, revealing a rainbow of neatly hung dresses. Sequins, satins, silks, and half of them still even had tags. “See? Way too many. Take them. Please.”

The next hour was messy in the best way. Dresses were flying everywhere, the floor became a war zone of heels, skirts, and hangers. Max tried on a sleek emerald green dress that made her look ten years older, and everyone shouted in protest until she switched into a shorter baby blue dress that matched her eyes. Jane twirled around in a light pink gown with flutter sleeves, her face bright red as the girls clapped and told her she looked like a princess. Robin, meanwhile, strutted out of the closet in a sequined silver dress with padded shoulders, declaring herself ‘the disco queen of Hawkins,’ before tripping on the carpet and nearly face planting into Nancy’s dresser. Laughter filled every corner of the room, bouncing off the walls until your stomach ached from it.

“Sure you are, Robin,” Nancy muttered through her giggles, handing Robin a much more modest navy dress. “Try this instead before you break your neck.”

By the time the shouting simmered down, everyone had found a dress. Piles of rejects littered the floor, but the girls were glowing, flushed with laughter and excitement.

“Your turn,” Robin said suddenly, pointing at you.

You froze where you sat on the edge of the bed, completely forgetting why you were here in the first place. You were honestly going to just wear a gown you had in your own closet, feeling bad for taking one of Nancy’s. “What?”

“Y/N, try on a dress!” Robin exclaimed, pointing to Nancy’s closet with a big smile on her face.

Nancy was already pulling a maroon dress from the rack, holding it up with an almost smug expression. “I was saving this one for you. Trust me.”

The dress was long, with a slit that wasn’t extremely revealing but definitely noticeable. The neckline was elegant, the kind that didn’t scream for attention but didn’t shy away either. When Nancy held it against you, you felt a nervous laugh bubble in your throat. “Uh, I don’t know if that’s me.”

“Oh, it’s you,” Max insisted.

“I’m already picturing you in it,” Robin clapped her hands, grinning.

“Yes, try it!” Jane cheered. You sighed, giving in, and disappeared into the bathroom.

When you pulled the zipper up and turned toward the mirror, you froze. The maroon fabric hugged your figure in all the right ways, like it had been stitched with your body in mind. It clung where it should, loosened where it needed to, and the slit showed just enough to make your heart thud nervously.

For a moment, you just stared. You didn’t look like yourself. Or really, you looked too much like yourself, like the version of you back in Braiser. But for some reason, this felt more different.

“Hellooooo?” Robin’s voice floated through the door. “Y/N? Are you dead in there? Should we call Steve? He’d love to come save you.”

“Shut up!” You called back, rolling your eyes even though your cheeks burned. Taking one last deep breath, you opened the door.

The reaction was immediate. Four pairs of eyes widened, four voices burst out at once with cheers, gasps, and whistles.

“YES!” Robin yelled, practically leaping off the bed.

“Oh my God,” Jane breathed, her smile spreading wide. “That’s perfect!”

Max jumped up and down, her arms in the air. “Yep! That’s the one!”

Nancy grinned knowingly, as if she’d had this planned from the moment she pulled it off the hanger. “I told you.”

You grew shy under their stares, smoothing your hands down the fabric as if that would make taking the compliments easier. “It’s…okay?”

“Okay?!” Robin was offended, clutching her chest dramatically. “You look like you walked straight out of a magazine.” She paused for a second. “Aside from the fact that you look like you walked out of one all the time.”

Your laugh came out flustered, your cheeks still warm. “It’s just a dress.”

“No,” Nancy corrected softly, her eyes kind. “It’s your dress.”

You looked down at the dress once more and your lips curled upwards, your smile growing bigger. “Okay, fine. I love it!”

The room had settled into something quieter. You were all sprawled in different corners of Nancy’s room, plates of food balanced on laps, the occasional crunch of chips or rustle of a cookie wrapper breaking the noise of chatter.

Nancy had gone all out, of course. There was cheese, crackers, fruit, even a tray of brownies that Jonathan had apparently baked before escaping to Steve’s. Robin was eating them like she hadn’t seen food in three days, crumbs everywhere, while Max kept stealing grapes off Jane’s plate just for the latter to slap her hand away.

“This is heaven,” Robin sighed dramatically, collapsing backward on the carpet with her arms flung wide, a brownie still clutched in one hand. “Pure heaven.”

Nancy rolled her eyes, but she was smiling as she leaned back against the bedframe. “Thank Jonathan.”

“Oh, I will,” Robin mumbled through a mouthful of chocolate.

The laughter that followed was easy, and for a few minutes it was all background noise. It was you girls being girls. You let yourself melt into it, into the warmth of the moment, before a thought popped into your head. You sat up a little straighter, glancing over at Robin. “Hey, um, Robin…can I ask you something?”

Robin hummed, still chewing. “Depends. If it’s about where brownies go when they disappear, the answer is my stomach.”

You snorted but shook your head. “No. It’s about…Vickie.”

That got everyone’s attention. Max grinned, Jane perked up, Nancy’s smirked like she’d been waiting for you to bring it up.

Robin, however, nearly choked on her brownie. “Uh, what?”

You tilted your head. “Everyone always teases you about it, but I realized I don’t actually know the story. Like…who is she, really? Besides ‘Vickie,’ the mysterious crush.”

Max leaned forward, elbows on her knees, smirking. “Oooh, yes. Spill it, Buckley.”

Robin groaned, covering her face with her hands. “Why did you have to ask that?”

“Because I’m curious,” you said with a shrug, smiling just enough to keep the mood light.

Nancy nudged her. “Go on, Rob. They’ve all heard it before. Let her in on it.”

Robin peeked at you between her fingers, looking embarrassed. “Fine. But only because I like you. Don’t make me regret this.” She sat up, adjusting her posture like she was about to give a speech. “So…Vickie. She works at the record store right next to our building. She’s basically a musical goddess. Plays like, five instruments. Knows everything about everything when it comes to music. And she—” Robin’s voice dropped, softer now. “She’s really, really nice to me.”

Nancy smiled. “She’s more than nice. She likes you, Robin.”

Robin pointed an accusing finger at her. “See, this is what I mean! Everyone keeps saying that. But what if she’s just being polite? What if she’s one of those rare unicorn humans who’s actually nice to everyone and I’m just reading into it because I’m desperate and hopeless and—”

“Robin,” you cut in, softer this time. She looked at you. “That doesn’t sound like nothing. You don’t light up like this over someone who’s just polite. You clearly like her, and if she’s giving you any signs back, you owe it to yourself to try. You don’t have to rush into some grand thing, but…maybe let yourself take that step.”

Robin’s mouth opened, then shut again, her eyes darting between you and Nancy like she was trying to gauge if you were serious.

Jane nodded, smiling shyly. “You already asked her to the restaurant tomorrow and she said yes. I don’t understand why you’re so worried.”

Max smirked. “We’ve been telling you this forever. Maybe you’ll actually listen if it comes from someone new.”

You laughed at that, leaning back on your hands. “See? It’s unanimous.”

Robin groaned again but the corners of her mouth betrayed her, tugging upward. “Ugh. Fine. Maybe I’ll…think about it. But if this goes down in flames, I’m blaming all of you.”

“Deal,” you said, still smiling.

“Okay, let’s stop talking about my love life,” Robin said, waving her hand around like she could physically swat the topic away. Her face twisted into a grimace. “I don’t want to turn into Eddie, going on and on about his precious cupcake Chrissy.”

You snorted into your drink, and Max perked up with a smirk. “Wait, I thought Eddie and Chrissy were on a break?”

Nancy tilted her head, brows pinching. “That’s what I heard too.”

Jane piped up softly. “Apparently not. They’re…on and off?”

“On and off,” you repeated, raising your brows. “God, no wonder Robin doesn’t want to turn into him. That sounds exhausting.”

Robin groaned into the pillow next to her. “Exactly! One second it’s ‘soulmates forever,’ and the next it’s ‘I never want to see her again.’ I can’t keep up with the guy!”

Nancy shook her head, smiling into her drink. “Well…as long as they’re happy. I guess.”

“Happy?” You laughed. “Nancy, the last time they were fighting, Eddie came into the office blasting Metallica just so he wouldn’t have to hear his own thoughts. That’s not what happy looks like.”

“Hey,” Robin pointed at you with mock seriousness. “Don’t judge him. Metallica is ‘therapy.’”

The laughter rolled again, but as it faded, you felt eyes go back to you. There was a second where no one spoke, but then Max asked a question that caught you off guard. “Okay, your turn, Y/N. What about your love life back in Braiser?”

You froze, eyes wide. The words tasted heavy before they even reached your tongue. For a second you thought about brushing it off, but something about the warmth in the room, with the girls you’ve grown comfortable with, made you exhale instead.

“Well…” You started, twisting your fingers in your lap. “There was Billy.”

“Billy?” Nancy tilted her head, confused.

“My ex boyfriend,” you clarified, voice smaller than you wanted it to be. “We dated for a while back in Braiser. He was…well, he was the one everyone wanted. And to be honest, we only dated because our families wanted us to since it would look good for the public.” You swallowed, your throat tightening as the words scraped their way out. “But then he broke up with me after my uncle got arrested. Just…dropped me like I was nothing.”

Robin frowned, sitting up straighter. “Wow. Harsh.”

You laughed without humor, shaking your head. “That wasn’t even the worst of it. Because the second Billy was gone, so were my so-called friends. All of them. The people I thought would be there no matter what. Turns out, they were only around when I actually mattered.”

Max’s expression softened, her smirk gone. “That’s messed up.”

“Then there was my best friend, well, ex best friend, Heather. Found out she and Billy are dating now, so that didn’t take long,” you sighed.

“What a bitch,” Robin gasped.

“Yeah,” you said, before you let out a chuckle. “One of my ex friends’ names was Vicky, actually, with a Y. So, when Robin mentioned her crush was named Vickie…I panicked because for a second, I thought it was her. Thought I’d see her face again and I—” You stopped, pressing your lips together. “I guess I’m still a little haunted by it.”

The room went quiet, but it didn’t feel like judgment. This one felt protective, like the girls really cared and were giving you a second.

Nancy reached over, looping her arm through yours the way she had earlier, her smile small but steady. “I’m sorry. That’s awful. But you don’t ever have to worry about that here.”

Jane nodded, her voice gentle. “That wasn’t your fault. People like that…they eventually show you who they are. You dodged a bullet.”

“Yeah,” Max added, her tone firmer, protective in its own way. “And we’re not like them. We don’t turn our backs on our friends.”

Robin leaned forward, pointing a finger at you as if she needed to hammer it in your head. “Exactly. So let me make this clear: Screw Billy, screw Heather, screw all of them. You’ve got us now. And we actually mean it.”

The words sat in your chest for a moment before sinking in, a warmth blooming there that made your throat ache. You blinked fast, willing away the sting in your eyes, but your voice cracked when you finally managed a laugh. “You guys are way too good to me.”

Robin shook her head instantly, her mouth curving into a smile, before she crawled over and brought you into a hug. “Come here, you!”

The other three joined in and crushed you with a group hug, laughing and cheering as you let them embrace you. The conversation turned back into laughter, stories, and more food, but the heaviness that you had been carrying for years felt just a little lighter, softened by the girls who meant every word.

By the time the late afternoon sun had dipped low enough to cast golden streaks through your apartment windows, you were ready. Or at least, you looked ready. The maroon dress Nancy had insisted you take hung perfectly against your frame, hugging every curve without being too much, the fabric pooling just right around your ankles when you walked. Your hair was styled elegantly but effortlessly, as if you hadn’t spent nearly an hour making sure each strand was in place. Your makeup was soft and you had minimal jewelry. You had done everything you could to look like someone who belonged at a dinner at a fancy restaurant, a dinner that was for you. You were trying hard not to be someone who wasn’t secretly falling apart inside over a man.

Steve Harrington.

The thought of him sent your stomach into knots. You hadn’t spoken since that confrontation by the window, since he’d asked if you regretted the kiss and you’d brushed it off with some excuse about being busy. You hadn’t even been able to convince yourself with the way his face fell, the way he had turned to leave and hadn’t looked back. Now he was supposed to pick you up. Technically, he was your date, though the word ‘date’ had never sat comfortably in your chest.

You adjusted your earring in the mirror, staring at your reflection like maybe the glass would help you with the situation. He probably wasn’t even coming to pick you up. If you were him, you wouldn’t. You’d planned to drive yourself, your keys already sitting on the counter.

Before you could think another thought, a sharp honk came from the street below. Your head snapped toward the window, your heart in your throat. Slowly, you crossed the room, tugging the curtain aside just an inch.

You saw Steve’s BMW, parked right in front of your building. His arm rested casually against the steering wheel, but you could see the slight tilt of his head, like he was watching for you.

Your eyes went wide. He was here. He still came. Of course he did.

You rushed for your things, gathering your purse and the nerve to actually walk outside. The nerves didn’t quite stick. By the time you walked out of the building’s doors and stepped onto the sidewalk, your pulse was thudding rapidly in your ears.

Steve’s gaze found you immediately. He didn’t move, didn’t even pretend to glance away, but the second you slid into the passenger seat, you could feel his eyes on you. Your cheeks warmed as you adjusted the skirt of your dress, finally daring a glance at him. You almost wished you hadn’t.

Because Steve Harrington in a suit was unfair. The black jacket fit him perfectly, a crisp white shirt beneath it with the top button undone to show off a bit of his chest chair, his tie resting a little loose, like he couldn’t quite stand being bound too tightly. His hair was tamed but still perfectly his, and you wanted to run your hand through it so badly. He looked devilishly handsome and it made your chest ache.

Steve’s mouth parted, his eyes dragging over you as if he couldn’t decide where to look. “You look beautiful,” he finally said, his voice almost a whisper.

You bit down a smile, forcing yourself to stay composed. “You don’t look too bad yourself, Harrington.”

You could tell something passed over his face, a flicker of relief that you spoke to him maybe, but he only hummed softly in response, pulling the car away from the curb.

The city zoomed past outside the window, but the silence inside the car felt louder than anything. It wasn’t the kind of silence you sometimes shared when you worked in the same space and didn’t need words. This was more awkward, because there were things left unsaid, because the last time you spoke, you had pushed him away.

Your fingers fiddled with themselves in your lap as you tried to find something to break the quiet, but nothing came. Every word you thought of felt dangerous, so you said nothing. Neither did he.

Steve’s hand rested on the wheel, knuckles tight enough that you noticed. He looked forward, eyes stuck to the road so he wouldn’t look at you. You tried to focus on the outside, from the glow of streetlamps, to the way a restaurant buzzed alive with couples walking arm in arm (which only made things worse). All you could think about was him, the man sitting beside you, driving you to a dinner where you were supposed to look like a team. Everyone else would see nothing wrong at all, and no one would know how hard you were working to keep from reaching across the console just to brush your fingers against his.

Because you had already kissed him once and you weren’t sure if you could survive doing it again. Oh, how you hated yourself for ruining every good thing in your life.

The car turned onto the main road, the glow of the restaurant’s marquee sign gleaming in the distance. Neither of you spoke, not as he pulled into the lot and parked, not when he climbed out and circled around to your side. He opened the door for you, extending his hand toward you, and when you slipped yours into his, the simple touch was enough to send butterflies scattering through your stomach.

The restaurant’s doors swung open as Steve guided you inside, your heels muffled against the polished floors. The lobby was warm, lit with golden lights, with low chatter and clinking glasses in the distance. You smoothed your maroon dress against your thighs more out of nerves than necessity, aware of Steve walking just half a step behind you.

You were led through the lobby by a hostess, past tables draped in white linen and glittering silverware. You were aware of every step you made, the way you moved, the way your hair brushed against your shoulders, how you could feel the soft presence of Steve’s hand when it briefly hovered at your back but it never quite touched you.

The main dining room came into view, and you both spotted them immediately. Your group wasn’t subtle, because they obviously never were. They were all squeezed around one of the restaurant’s largest tables, a mismatched gathering of familiar faces, voices carrying over the noise of other tables nearby. Eddie was the first to see you.

“There she is!” Eddie jumped to his feet so quickly the chair legs screeched against the floor. He pointed at you dramatically, grinning like a maniac. “Here’s the star of the show!”

The table erupted in cheers, clapping and calling your name. Your face heated, though you couldn’t stop the laugh that slipped out, shaking your head as you waved a hand dismissively.

Steve let you go first, following close behind until you reached the table. There was already a seat waiting for you between Nancy and a girl you hadn’t met yet. She had short, dark hair and warm eyes that softened when she turned toward you. Steve took his place across the table, directly in your line of sight, which you only realized after you’d sat down and found his gaze on you. It made your pulse trip over itself.

Nancy turned to look at you, her eyes raking the dress she gave you. “You look stunning! This dress was meant for you, I told you!”

“Nancy…” you said shyly, before looking her over. “You want to talk about stunning? Look at you! You’re glowing!” You looked over at Jonathan and pointed at him. “You are one lucky man.”

Jonathan smirked as he grabbed his wife’s hand, Nancy blushing in response. “No one knows that better than me.”

Argyle then leaned over his plate, gesturing at the girl beside you to look at you. “Hey, dude. This is my girlfriend, Eden.”

Eden’s eyes flicked over your dress before she smiled, genuine and warm. “Wow. You look amazing! Argyle undersold you completely.”

You laughed at that, the tension in your shoulders easing. “Oh, thank you, I try my best. You’re also so pretty, I love your dress!”

Across the table, Eddie tugged Chrissy closer with a proud grin. “And this angel, who has put up with me long enough to be here tonight. Chrissy, cupcake, this is Y/N.”

You tried your best to hold back your laugh at the nickname ‘cupcake,’ the name making Chrissy roll her eyes. The blonde tilted her head, her smile soft. “Eddie has been telling me so much about you! I was starting to think you weren’t real.”

“Oh dear,” you laughed, shaking her hand, feeling your face warm up at the comment. “Whatever he said, they may or may not be true.”

She laughed lightly, shaking her head as Eddie gasped dramatically.

Your gaze landed on the guy sitting next to Will. His posture was relaxed as his eyes met yours. “You must be Ethan,” you said.

He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, that’d be me. Will’s been telling me all about you. Mostly good things.”

Will blushed instantly, giving him a look. “Ethan. Don’t make it sound like I gossip.”

You smiled at Will, a little touched. “I’ll take ‘mostly good.’”

Your eyes drifted to Robin, who was doing a terrible job of pretending she wasn’t vibrating out of her seat, and the girl sitting right beside her. The girl leaned forward with a little wave, her curls bouncing.

“Hi,” she said, her voice soft but bright. “I’m Vickie. I’ve actually seen you around before, at the studio building. You always look really put together, even on Mondays, which I think is a skill.”

You blinked, surprised, then laughed. “That’s very generous of you. Mondays are my natural enemy.” You then turned your head slightly to look at Robin, smirking at her red face before continuing. “I’ve heard many things about you, Vickie. It’s nice to finally put a face to the name.”

Robin groaned and buried her face in her hands, muttering something about dying on the spot, which only made Vickie grin wider.

Just as you were finishing your laugh with Vickie, Dustin practically leapt out of his seat. “Oh! Wait! Before we get too carried away—” He tugged the girl beside him closer, his grin impossibly wide. “This is Suzie. Suzie the genius. Suzie who basically saved my world. Suzie, this is Y/N.”

Suzie blushed at his dramatics, swatting his arm but leaning toward you with an eager, almost shy smile. “Hi. I’ve heard way too many stories about you, but I won’t hold that against you. He tends to exaggerate.”

You couldn’t help grinning. “That doesn’t surprise me at all. He’s definitely an odd creature, but I like odd.”

“Okay, I’m just going to pretend you didn’t call me that,” Dustin responded, looking offended.

Suzie giggled, clearly delighted, and said, “Oh, don’t worry, I totally agree with you. Anyway, it’s really nice to meet you.”

The table continued to break into laughter as you all spoke, conversations spilling over one another, voices rising and blending so that it was impossible to track who was talking to whom.

Max and Lucas were already bickering playfully at one end, Jonathan was whispering something to Nancy that made her laugh behind her hand, Dustin was trying to rope Mike into an argument over the menu. It wasn’t all eyes on you anymore, and you felt a small wave of relief at that.

Despite the noise and distractions, you could feel it. The way Steve’s eyes never left you from across the table. You didn’t even need to look up to know he was staring, you could feel it in the prickling awareness at the nape of your neck, the way your chest tightened as each second passed.

And when you finally did glance up, just for a second, he didn’t look away. Your breath caught, and you quickly shifted your attention back to Eden, forcing yourself to nod along to whatever she was saying, though your pulse was still racing, the pit in your stomach only growing heavier.

Because Steve Harrington was staring at you like you were the only one in the room.

Soon, you all ordered and began to eat your food, the conversations still continuing to flow as you. The team toasted to you, in honor of your new office, even though it wasn’t anything special. The gesture nonetheless made you feel warm inside, because around you, you had people who cared. That was enough for you.

You’d just finished your food when a shadow fell across the table.

“Excuse me,” a waiter said politely, holding out a folded slip of paper. “This is for you. From that gentleman over there.”

Every head at the table snapped toward you before you could even take the note, and then instantly, the whoops began.

“Ohhh!” Jane clapped, her grin big. “Look at you, getting secret admirers in the middle of dinner!”

Max laughed hard. “Damn, you get bitches, huh?”

“Wait, who’s the guy?” Mike chimed in, looking around the room to see who sent you the note as he clearly wasn’t paying attention.

You wanted the ground to open and swallow you whole. Your face burned as you gingerly accepted the note. “Can everyone shut up, please?” But it was useless, because everyone was laughing and teasing as if you’d just been proposed to.

“Read it out loud!” Robin demanded.

“No,” you shot back, clutching the paper tighter.

“No, read it out loud, Luxe.” This time, it was Steve who said it, making you shoot your head up at the man. His expression had changed, the soft warmth he’d been quietly watching you with all night was gone. You unfolded it anyway, eyes skimming the neat handwriting as you read it to yourself.

You look beautiful tonight. Couldn’t help but notice. I’d love to get to know you more.

Your stomach flipped. It was simple, but sweet, the kind of thing that could’ve easily been corny, but in this moment it made your pulse quicken.

When you finally glanced up at Steve again, you noticed how his jaw was tight, his lips pressed in a hard line, and his eyes sharp. He wasn’t even trying to hide it.

Heat crawled up your chest. Was he—? God, no. But maybe…? The thought made you dizzy, a dangerous mix of guilt and thrill coiling low in your stomach.

“Are you gonna go talk to him?” Argyle teased through a mouthful of pasta.

“Go on!” Eden encouraged, nudging your elbow.

You opened your mouth to protest, but before you could say anything, Nancy and Jonathan stood up and looked around the table. “As much as we’d love to stay and watch the show, we have to get up early for a meeting tomorrow. We’ll see you guys on Monday,” Nancy told them, causing groans to erupt.

“Aw, come on, man! Tomorrow’s Sunday!” Eddie complained.

Jonathan sighed, shaking his head. “Sorry, Eds. Duty calls.”

As they began to walk away, Lucas rolled his eyes. “Oh, please, they’re probably just leaving early to get freaky.”

Mike slapped his arm and grimaced. “Dude, that’s gross! That’s my sister!”

“Yeah, and my brother,” Will gagged, agreeing with Mike.

“Hey, it’s probably true,” Dustin responded as he finished his drink, before looking over at Suzie. “Okay, food was great, but Suzie and I planned to watch this movie right after and it’s supposed to start soon. See you guys!”

It seemed as though once the two couples left, one by one, everyone else started gathering their things. Lucas and Max followed soon after, hand in hand. Suddenly, you realized everyone else was either in their own conversations or looking at you expectantly.

“Okay, back to what we were talking about…” Robin grinned. “Seriously. Just go say hi. What’s the harm?”

Your heart pounded as you slid your napkin off your lap, trying to play it casual. “Fine. I’ll—fine.”

You pushed up from the table, your legs feeling wobbly, and made your way toward the man in the corner that the waiter had pointed to. He was handsome in a conventional way. Dark hair neatly combed, a polite smile on his face. He stood as you approached.

“I was worried you wouldn’t come over,” he said smoothly, offering his hand. “I’m Daniel.”

You shook it, giving a small smile. “I’m Y/N.”

His eyes flicked over your dress, lingering a second too long. “That’s a beautiful color on you.”

“Thank you,” you murmured, but your gaze kept drifting. The man continued to flirt with you, but you weren’t interested in the slightest. You only listened as he spoke, your eyes going across the room, back to the table where Steve sat. And your heart stopped.

Steve was leaning toward a girl you didn’t recognize, someone who had clearly just approached. She was laughing, twirling a strand of hair around her finger, and Steve was smiling. Not the easy smile you knew, but it was different.

Jealousy hit you like a punch to the gut, and you thought that maybe this is how he felt when you received the note from this guy. Your ears rang as Daniel kept talking, his words washing over you. “So, do you work around here, or—”

“I’ll be right back,” you cut in, your voice clipped. Your body was already moving before the words even finished leaving your mouth.

Your eyes locked on Steve’s across the restaurant. His smile faltered the second he realized you were coming toward him, the girl still laughing beside him. You didn’t bother looking at her. At this point, the rest of the team had already left the restaurant, leaving you two the only ones there.

“Steve,” you said sharply as you reached the table, your tone leaving no room for argument. “I’m tired. I want to go home.”

His brows shot up, that simmering frustration in his eyes catching on yours. “What?”

“I said I want to go home.” Your stare didn’t waver, even though your heart was slamming against your ribs. “Now.”

The girl blinked, clearly sensing the sudden tension, and glanced between the two of you before excusing herself quickly. You barely noticed.

Steve pushed back in his chair slowly, his eyes never leaving yours. “Are you serious right now?”

“Yes.” Your voice was firm, but inside, you felt nervous. You don’t know what caused this sudden wave of jealousy (you did), but you found it hard to control yourself. “I’m done. I want to go home.”

You turned without waiting for him, your heels clicking against the polished floor as you stormed toward the doors. Your whole body burned, the image of him flirting with that girl popping up. Just because you were talking to a guy, who you weren’t even flirting with, doesn’t mean he can just go ahead and make you jealous by flirting with another girl.

Behind you, you heard a chair scrape, heavy footsteps following. The doors opened, and the cool night air brushed against your flushed skin.

“Unbelievable.” Steve’s voice was a growl just behind you, heavy with frustration. His hand shot out, fingers curling around your wrist, pulling you back until your chest nearly brushed his. “You want to tell me what’s the matter with you, Luxe?” He demanded, his breath hot against your face, his dark eyes searching yours.

Your jaw clenched. You weren’t sure if you wanted to scream at him or kiss him, and the confusion only made the heat in your chest worse. You tore your hand from his grip, shoving it back at your side like it burned. “Open the car, Harrington.”

He held your gaze for a long second before finally huffing, dragging his keys from his pocket, and unlocking the car with an angry flick of his wrist. You pulled the door open, sliding in quickly, arms folding across your chest in defiance. Your lips pursed in a sharp pout as you turned your face toward the window, refusing to give him the satisfaction of your attention.

Steve got in a moment later, his movements slow. He didn’t start the car immediately, just stared at you, waiting, as though you would finally say something. But you kept your gaze stubbornly fixed on the parking lot outside.

He finally rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath, and twisted the key in the ignition. The car turned on and he began to drive. Neither of you spoke at all.

Suddenly, rain pelted against the windshield, a relentless drumming that was extremely loud in the silence. The wipers screeched back and forth, but it barely helped, the world outside was a pouring disaster. Steve’s hands gripped the wheel tight, his jaw clenched.

By the time he pulled into the curb outside your apartment, the storm was a full downpour. Before the engine even cut off, you unbuckled your seatbelt and pushed your door open, desperate to escape the suffocating tension.

However, Steve was faster. You barely had one foot on the pavement before Steve was out of the car too, circling around, his movements quick. You darted toward your building, but his hand caught your wrist again, spinning you back around.

“Steve—” The rain clung to your lashes, soaked through your hair, plastering the maroon fabric of your dress against your skin. “It’s raining, let me go!”

“Not until you tell me what the hell is going on with you!” His voice was rough, carrying over the storm. Drops of water streaked down his face, but he didn’t blink them away. He just stared at you like you were the only thing he could see.

Your chest heaved as you twisted in his grip. “There’s nothing going on, okay? You can go back to the restaurant and talk to the girl you were clearly flirting with—”

“Flirting?” His laugh was incredulous and sharp. “You’re kidding me, right?”

“Oh, was it not?” You snapped, finally meeting his eyes, your voice breaking. “I turn around for two seconds and you’re all smiles with some random girl—”

His hand tightened, rain dripping from his soaked hair. “You were on a date during the team dinner across the room, flirting with some guy who sent you a note like you’re in some romance movie!”

“I wasn’t flirting with him!” You shot back, the rain cold against your skin. “He was flirting with me, there’s a difference!”

“I could say the same thing!” He shouted over the rain. “The girl came up to me! I didn’t reciprocate in the slightest!”

Your lip trembled as you tried to take your hand back, tugging hard against his grip, but it was useless. His hold only tightened. “Okay, cool! We got that cleared up. Now let me go, Steve!”

“No!” His voice cracked, furious and desperate all at once. He pulled you even closer until your soaked clothes stuck together in the rain. “Not until you tell me why you’re acting like such a brat after you saw me talking to another girl! Last time I checked, you’re the one who has been avoiding me ever since the kiss!”

The rain hammered down, relentless, soaking you both to the bone. Water streaked down your cheeks, mixing with the tears you refused to admit were there.

Your chest rose and fell rapidly, each breath sharper than the last. The words clawed up your throat before you could stop them, spilling out hot and broken.

“Because I’m scared!” You snapped, your voice trembling but loud enough to be heard through the storm. His expression froze, his grip loosening just slightly. “I’m scared, okay? I’ve never done this before,” you admitted, your voice splintering. “I’ve never…I’ve never felt like this about anyone and I don’t know how to handle it. So yeah, maybe I avoided you. Maybe I pushed you away. But it’s only because I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”

Steve stared at you, stunned into silence, rain dripping off his jawline. His lips parted, then closed again, like he didn’t trust himself to speak. When he finally did, his voice was softer.

“You think I do?” He shook his head, water flying from his hair. “You think I’ve got this figured out? If you just talked to me instead of shutting me out, you would’ve found out this is my first time doing this too. I’m scared too.”

Something twisted deep inside your chest at his words. His first time. Just like you.

“Steve…” Your voice was a whisper, barely there, but the way his name slipped past your lips made his grip tighten just a little. The rain poured between you, but it was nothing compared to the pounding in your chest. Your lips parted in shock as your wide eyes searched his, so desperate.

“I like you.” His voice was broken, as if he’d been holding it back for far too long. His jaw clenched like saying it out loud made him vulnerable. He stepped closer, close enough that you felt the warmth of his breath against your skin despite the cold. “I really like you. And I hated these last two weeks, because all I’ve been thinking about was you.”

Your stomach twisted, your knees weak in the kind of way that had nothing to do with the slick pavement beneath your heels.

“Steve…” You whispered again, but it came out like a plea this time, your voice trembling.

He gave a broken little laugh, shaking his head. “You drive me insane, you know that? One minute you’re laughing at me, the next you’re avoiding me like I’m the plague, and all I could think about was whether you regretted kissing me, or worse, if you didn’t feel the same.”

“I wasn’t avoiding you because I regretted it,” you rushed out, your words spilling over one another as though the storm had cracked something open inside you. Your throat burned, your eyes stung with more than rain. “I was avoiding you because I—because I didn’t know how to handle it. Because I’ve never—” Your breath hitched, and you pressed your lips together, forcing yourself to admit it. “I’ve never felt like this before.”

His chest rose sharply, his grip loosening more as his expression softened. “Yeah,” he breathed out. “Me neither.”

For a moment, neither of you moved. The only sound was the downpour and your combined, ragged breaths. His eyes burned into yours, hurt, frustrated, and longing, and something in the way he looked at you snapped the last thread of restraint holding the two of you apart.

“Fuck it,” he muttered, and before you could process anything, his lips were on yours.

All the anger and fear and want that had been building between you poured into the kiss. His hand cupped the back of your head, the other grabbing at your waist, holding you like he was terrified you’d slip away.

You gasped into him, your fingers fisting in his soaked shirt as you kissed him back with the same force, the rain sliding down your faces, plastering your bodies together until you couldn’t tell where you ended and he began. For once, neither of you were running.

Steve pulled back just slightly, his lips brushing yours as you chased them, hungry for more. His voice came out low and rough. “We should take this inside.”

You nodded quickly, breathless, your hand slipping into his as he tugged you toward your building. Both of you ran inside and rushed to your apartment door. You were dripping wet, his shoes and your heels squelching against the floor, leaving a trail of water behind. Your keys rattled in your shaky hands as you tried to fit one into the lock, but Steve didn’t make it easy.

His lips were already on your neck, hot against your cold skin. You gasped and giggled, tilting your head back against the door as he kissed just below your jaw, teeth grazing lightly.

“Steve—” You whispered, breath hitching as the key slipped from your fingers and clattered against the floor.

He chuckled against your skin, his breath warm and teasing. “You’re not making this very efficient,” he murmured before dragging his lips down to the hollow of your throat.

You laughed, fumbling to scoop the key up again while he crowded against you, his soaked chest pressed flush to your back when you finally turned to face the lock again. He didn’t move away. If anything, he leaned in harder, his lips trailing lazy kisses along your damp shoulder.

“Steve, I’m gonna drop the keys again if you don’t stop,” you giggled, but your words lacked bite.

“That’d be a shame,” he muttered against your skin, his hand settling at your hip, thumb tracing circles through the soaked fabric.

Finally, with a click, the lock turned. You pushed the door open, only to be pulled inside with him right on your heels. The door slammed shut behind you, both of you dripping puddles onto the floor as you locked the door.

You barely had time to kick your heels off before Steve’s mouth was on yours again. It was hotter now, freed from the rain, desperate in a way that made your knees weak. His hands framed your face, water dripping from his hair onto your cheeks, but neither of you cared. You giggled into the kiss, breathless, as he pushed you against the door without breaking away, his lips finding your jaw again before trailing back down to your neck.

“Bedroom,” Steve murmured against your neck, his voice rough, almost pleading, as if dragging himself away was the hardest thing he’d ever had to do. He didn’t want your first time together to happen on the living room floor, drenched and slipping in puddles. He wanted it to matter, wanted it to be perfect, even if nothing about the two of you had gone according to plan so far. Maybe he should’ve expected that by now.

You kissed him once more, a little breathless, before lacing your fingers through his and tugging him toward the hallway. The thought of the wet footprints streaking across your floor barely registered. You should’ve cared about the water damage, about the money you didn’t have to fix it, but you couldn’t find it in you to care. The only thing that mattered was him.

Steve followed close, his chest rising and falling sharply, his soaked clothes clinging to him like a second skin. His usually perfect hair was plastered messily to his forehead, droplets sliding down his jaw and catching at the corners of his mouth. His white dress shirt had gone nearly transparent in the rain, molding to the hard lines of his chest and stomach, the fabric leaving nothing to the imagination.

Your maroon silk dress was no better. It was heavy now, so cold against your skin, yet somehow molding tighter to your body. You caught the way his eyes lingered on you as you led him down the hall to your room, this state of you only making it harder for him to breathe.

“This damn dress,” Steve rasped, his voice low and thick with desire. Rainwater traced paths down his stubbled jaw. He stepped closer, invading your space, his eyes dark and hungry for more. His large hands settled on your waist, fingers digging into the drenched silk. “All fucking night…all night, honey. Watching you move in this thing.” His thumbs brushed the underside of your breasts where the damp fabric clung tightest, making you whimper. “Like some impossible fucking dream. It was driving me insane.”

His fingers found the hidden zipper at the back. The sound of it parting was so loud in the quiet room, the slow sound of the zipper echoing the frantic pounding of your heart. He peeled the heavy, wet silk down your body with agonizing slowness. You felt cool air hit your exposed skin, raising goosebumps, but it was nothing compared to the heat radiating from him, from his gaze locked onto every inch of skin revealed. The dress pooled heavily at your feet, leaving you standing before him in nothing but your designer black lace.

Steve sucked in a sharp breath, teeth catching on his lower lip as his eyes raked over you, lingering on the delicate lace hugging your breasts, the curve of your bare waist, the panties that framed you in a way that made your stomach flip. You felt every second of his stare, and instinctively wrapped your arms around yourself, trying to hide as you grew more self-conscious, even though every nerve in your body was screaming that you didn’t want to.

Steve’s frown was soft, and before you could pull back further, his hands gently took yours away from your body. His eyes locked onto yours and he murmured, low and rough. “Hey…none of that. I want to see you. You’re perfect. So, so beautiful.” His knuckles brushed over the swell of your breasts through the lace, then his hands moved to your waist, drawing you impossibly close, pressing warmth into you that made your knees weak.

This wasn’t how you were used to being looked at. Clothes were usually discarded quickly and impatiently, with no thought for your pleasure. But Steve, he was seeing you, and it made your lips curl into a shy smile, your chest tightening in a way that made your heart thump louder than it had in years. You didn’t hesitate as you rose slightly onto your tiptoes, leaned into him, and whispered against his ear. “Take it off for me, Steve.”

A low groan escaped him, rough and full of wanting. In one swift motion, he bent and scooped you up, your gasp swallowed by his mouth as he crushed his lips to yours. He carried you effortlessly to your bed and dropped you onto the mattress with a thud. You bounced once, hair fanning out wetly, before he was on you, his body pinning you down.

His mouth was everywhere. It was trailing burning kisses down your throat, sucking a bruise onto your pulse point, kissing the soft swell above your lace bra before his teeth grazed your nipple through the delicate fabric. You cried out, arching into his mouth. “Steve…”

His hands slid under your back, fumbling with the clasp. It snapped open, and the bra joined the dress on the floor. He groaned at the sight of your bare breasts. “Beautiful,” he rasped, lowering his head to take one nipple deep into his mouth, suckling hard while his thumb teased the other. He switched a few seconds later, his mouth now on the other nipple. His free hand slid down your stomach, tracing the line of your lace panties before slipping beneath it. Your hips jerked as his fingers found you soaked through, but not from the rain. “So fucking wet for me already, honey?” He murmured against your skin, his breath hot. “Did us arguing in the rain turn you on?”

He hooked his fingers into the sides of your panties and dragged them down your legs, tossing them aside without a glance. You instinctively closed your legs, making him shake his head.

“Spread your legs for me, honey,” Steve’s voice was deep, making you even wetter. You bit your lip and decided to tease him, shaking your head. His hands grabbed your thighs, pulling them apart harshly. “I said, spread your legs,” he groaned, before a hand came down upon your folds lightly, making you squeal.

He settled between your thighs on his knees, giving your cunt another light slap, enjoying the way you cried out for him. The look he gave your naked cunt was possessive, his eyes tracing every detail. He traced your slick folds with a finger, gathering your slick.

“Perfect,” he murmured, voice thick with need. “I’ve been dreaming about tasting you since that first day I took you to that café. Always wearing those fucking skirts, making me go crazy.” Before you could come up with a sarcastic comment, he lowered his head and licked a long, slow stripe from your entrance to your clit.

You gasped sharply, then moaned, low and deep. His mouth was hot against your pussy, making you arch into him, your hands flying to his hair and tugging it. He feasted on you like a man starved, licking broad strokes, sucking gently on your folds, then focusing intently on your clit. He flattened his tongue against the sensitive bud and flicked it rapidly, then sucked it gently into his mouth, applying perfect pressure that had stars exploding behind your eyelids.

“Fuck, look at that,” he groaned into you, the vibrations causing you to let out another moan. “She’s so wet, crying out for me.” You weren’t sure if she meant you or your pussy, but you couldn’t seem to care, not when his mouth was doing absolute wonders on you.

One hand held your hip down as you writhed, the other slipped two fingers deep inside your heat, curling upwards until it stroked that special spot deep inside as his tongue continued its relentless assault on your clit. Your hand still gripped his hair, pushing him further into you. Your moans escalated, breathy gasps turning into sharp cries, filling the room alongside the pouring rain outside. You didn’t even care if your neighbors heard you, you’d worry about that later.

“That’s it, my pretty girl,” Steve growled against your heat, the vibrations sending shocks through your core. “Moan for me, sweetheart. Let me hear how good my mouth feels on your perfect pussy. So fucking wet, she’s soaking my face…such a good girl.” Steve’s hand tightened slightly on your hips. “That guy…he can’t do this. No one can make you feel like I do, right baby? They can’t take my girl.”

My girl. Your body shivered involuntarily at the words, your walls clenching around his fingers. Even without looking, you could feel his eyes looking up at you, watching you unravel as he continued eating you out.

“You’re mine,” he murmured, teeth grazing your clit, voice thick with need and jealousy. “No one else can touch you like I can. I’ll make sure of that.” A small, startled sound slipped past your lips, and he grinned against you, loving every reaction he was drawing from you. “That’s it,” he said against your folds. “You’re such a good girl, falling apart for me, on my tongue.”

He added a third finger, stretching you out deliciously as his thumb pressed firm circles beside his busy tongue. Your thighs trembled violently around his head, squeezing him tight. “Steve! Oh fuck! Right there! Please! Don’t stop!” Your back arched off the bed as the orgasm crashed within you, flooding his mouth as he drank up everything you gave him with deep, guttural groans of satisfaction.

You were still trembling violently, gasping for air like you’d run a marathon, floating in the intense aftershocks when you managed to push yourself up on your elbows. His face glistened with your release, his eyes dark with satisfaction and need as he slowly licked his lips. Desire pooled in your belly, feeling so much hotter and needier.

You reached for him, fingers fumbling with the buttons of his ruined shirt. “My turn,” you breathed, voice wrecked. “Want your cock in my mouth, Stevie. I want to taste you.”

A sharp groan tore from his chest, from your words and from the way you said his name. You got his shirt open, revealing his chest dusted with hair you’d secretly always wanted to touch. He caught your wrists as you reached for his belt buckle. “Fuck, baby,” he gritted out, his cock visibly straining against his soaked trousers. “As much as I would love to shut that smart mouth up with my dick…” He leaned down, capturing your lips in a deep kiss you could taste herself on. “…I really need to be inside of you.” The desperate need in his voice shattered any protest you had. “Right fucking now.”

He went off the bed, stripping as fast as he could, tearing his shirt off, his belt clattering to the floor, his pants and boxers shoved down to the ground in one urgent motion. His cock sprang free, thick and flushed with an angry red, already with precum at the tip. Your eyes widened at the size of him, and you couldn’t help but gape at the sight.

Seeing the look on your face, he stopped, crawling up to you and cupping your cheek, his eyes softening. “Hey, are you okay? You still want to do this, honey?”

You nodded, your hand interlacing with his on your cheek. “Of course I want to do this, Steve. It’s just…” You looked back down at his cock, your thighs clenching together to soothe the rapid pulsing in your core. “I don’t know how…you’re just so—”

Your eyes were so big that it made Steve want to laugh and pepper you with kisses all over your face. His hand went to your other cheek, cradling your face, before he leaned down and kissed you sweetly. “Everything’s going to be okay. If it hurts, just tell me. It may hurt at first but I’ll go slow. You can take it, sweetheart. I know you can.”

Your response was a shy smile, leaning up to peck his lips before you nodded your head, a small “okay, I trust you, Steve,” falling from your lips. He kissed you once, twice, three times before pulling back, his hand pumping his cock up and down before positioning it at your slick entrance that was still swollen and sensitive from his mouth.

His eyes locked on yours, thinking back to the months of arguments, tension, and stolen glances across the room, all boiling down to this moment. “Look at me, honey,” he ordered softly. As you met his gaze, he pushed forward in one slow thrust that stole your breath.

Your lips parted in a silent cry as he filled you up slowly and completely, stretching you deliciously on his cock. He was thick and hard and absolutely perfect inside your heat. He bottomed out with a guttural groan that vibrated through both your bodies.

“Oh fuck,” he rasped, dropping his forehead to yours for a brief second. “You’re tighter than I fucking imagined.” He held still for a moment buried deep to the hilt, letting you adjust to his size. Then he began to move. It was slow at first, dragging almost all the way out until just the thick head remained inside before thrusting back in with a deep grind of his hips that made stars appear behind your eyes. Each thrust dragged over that sensitive inner spot, making you gasp and clutch at his shoulders. “That’s it,” he murmured against your lips between deep kisses. “Take it all, honey. Take every fucking inch.”

His pace gradually increased, each stroke driving deeper and harder. The slick slap of skin on skin joined the rhythm of the rain outside. He shifted slightly, hooking one of your legs over his elbow, opening you wider for an even deeper angle that made you whimper.

“Feel that?” He grunted, pistoning into you with relentless force now. His eyes were glued to where your bodies joined, watching himself disappear into your glistening wetness over and over, his hand moving over to rest on the bulge on your stomach from his cock hitting deep inside you. “Feel how deep I am? Stretching that pretty little pussy just for me?” He punctuated each filthy word with a hard thrust that jolted through your core.

“Steve, that feels so good!” You cried out as he went faster, your hand tugging at his hair, making him groan. The bed rocked harshly, no doubt hitting into the wall. You wouldn’t even be surprised if you found a dent on the wall the next morning. “Y-you’re so big!”

“I’m too big, baby? Too big for this sweet little pussy, huh?” He kissed down your neck, humming into your skin as he went even faster, cock thrusting harder into your sopping pussy. “What would your past self think if she saw you fucking the guy you hated, huh sweetheart?” He felt your walls squeeze his cock tight, encouraging him to continue. “You’ve always been such a brat to me. But that’s the thing, isn’t it? You’re my brat. And you’re taking my cock so perfectly…”

His dirty talk only turned you on more. You met his thrusts eagerly, moaning his name like a chant. “Yes! Yes! Harder! Fuck me harder!” You raked your nails down his sweat slicked back.

“Yeah, honey? You want it harder?” He echoed, choking on a moan as your cunt greedily sucked him in. He pulled out abruptly with a slick sound and flipped you onto your stomach as if you weighed nothing. Before you could process what was happening, he pulled you up onto your knees and slammed back into your dripping core from behind in one brutal stroke that punched a scream from your lungs into the sheets. The new angle hit impossibly deep, stretching you differently and wonderfully.

He gripped your hips hard enough to bruise as he pounded into you with abandon now, his balls slapping against your oversensitive clit with each powerful thrust. The sounds were obscene, the wet slap of flesh meeting flesh again and again, your mingled panting breaths turning desperate, Steve’s low growls of filthy praise hot against your ear as he leaned over your back.

“Arch that sweet ass up higher…Yes! Give it all to me! Fuck, you feel incredible, honey. Clench around me like that again. Good girl, you’re my sweet fucking girl…Taking my cock like you were made for it!”

Your climax was approaching fast under his relentless assault and his words only pushed you further to the edge. When your orgasm crashed over you this time, it was unlike anything you had ever experienced. Your inner walls clamped down tightly on his cock, your pussy spasming as you shrieked his name into the mattress, shaking uncontrollably beneath him.

Feeling you let go around him sent Steve hurtling over the edge moments later. With a deep groan, he drove deep and held himself there as he emptied himself into your pulsing heat, thick ropes of cum releasing inside you. His hips jerked uncontrollably against your ass as he rode out his release deep inside your warmth, collapsing partially onto your back, making sure to not let his full weight press you down into the mattress. He was still buried deep inside you, feeling your trembling body beneath him as the two of you tried to catch your breath after those mind shattering orgasms.

You lay tangled and slick with sweat and cum for a while in the heavy silence, the only sound being your ragged breathing and the soft patter of rain against the glass. His arms wrapped around you gently from behind as he moved to lay you both on your sides, Steve spooning you. He nuzzled his nose into your neck. He didn’t pull out yet, just kept you wrapped in his arms, pressing soft kisses on your bare shoulder as he felt you relax into him.

“You okay, honey?” Steve asked quietly, thumb rubbing the skin of your stomach where he had wrapped his arms around you. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

You smiled, even though he couldn’t see you. You slowly turned around, making him slip out of your heat, causing the both of you to wince at the sudden action. You were now facing him, eyes locked onto his beautiful brown ones, and you shook your head. “No, Steve. It was amazing. I’ve never experienced anything like that before.”

He tightened his hold on you, a quiet hum of satisfaction vibrating through him. “Good. Because you deserve to feel like that. You deserve…everything.” His gaze softened, full of warmth, and he brushed a stray damp strand of hair from your face, not from the rain anymore but damp from the sweat due to your recent activity. “You’re incredible, you know that?”

You leaned into him, resting your head against his chest. “I feel like I’m melting,” you whispered, a soft laugh escaping your lips. “I can’t believe this is real…me, here with you.”

He pressed a kiss to your temple, then to the top of your head, his chest rising and falling beneath you. “It’s real, honey. Every bit of it. And I’m not going anywhere.” His hand slid to rest on your hip, fingers splaying gently. “I want you to know, I mean it. I’ll always take care of you, if you let me”

You let out a shaky breath, your body finally relaxing completely into his hold. “You’re…you’re so good to me, Steve,” you murmured. “I—” Your words faded as he leaned down to brush his lips against yours softly, a tender reminder that this wasn’t just a moment you’d just shared, it was the start of something new too.

Steve chuckled softly against your lips. “You don’t have to say anything, okay? Just…be here with me. That’s enough.”

You sighed, resting fully against him, letting the warmth of him settle into your chest. “I just…I really like you, Steve,” you admitted softly. “I didn’t know I could feel like this for anyone.”

“Yeah?” His voice was warm and a little husky. “Good. Because I like you too. A lot more than I probably should.” He pressed another kiss to your forehead, then one to the tip of your nose. “And I don’t plan on this being a one time thing.”

He didn’t know how to tell you what he was feeling. Maybe he wasn’t ready to even understand it himself. So for now, he stayed silent, pretending like nothing had changed between you, even though everything had. He didn’t know how hurt you had felt that morning. If he did, he wouldn’t have acted like this. The two of you needed to communicate, but you both were too stubborn to say anything.

Steve walked into the design room, shutting the door behind him a little harder than necessary. He needed a break from his office to clear his head. No matter how many late nights he spent trying to distract himself or how many early mornings he forced himself to focus on work, they always found a way to creep back in. These feelings, whatever they were, were gnawing at him, keeping him up at night and slipping into his thoughts even during the day. The worst part was that he didn’t even know what to call them. He wasn’t good at this sort of thing, he’d never had to be. Relationships were never something he prioritized. A few casual flings here and there, some longer than others, but nothing deep. Nothing that ever lasted or made him feel like this. So how was he supposed to recognize the ache in his chest when you weren’t around, or the heat that flushed over him when he accidentally touched your hand, or the way his body reacted to holding you that morning?

He ran a hand through his hair, letting out a frustrated breath as he leaned over the large table in the center of the room. His eyes barely registered the sketches spread out beneath him, something one of the interns, most likely Will, probably did. He didn’t even care honestly. God, this job wasn’t supposed to be hard, it was supposed to be simple and stress free.

After high school, he never had a plan for his life, never had a dream or a clear direction. It was all just coasting from one part time job to another, clocking in and out of places he didn’t care about until one day, Jonathan mentioned the idea of fashion as his photography career began to take off, of working with Nancy’s new company. It was quite hypocritical of him, really. There he was, accusing you of getting this job handed to you, when his friends offered the position to him.

It was still shocking to him. Fashion, of all things. Steve had laughed in Jonathan’s face at first, he didn’t know shit about fabrics or cuts or color palettes. He still mixed up terms sometimes, but the weirdest thing happened once he gave it a chance. He actually didn’t hate it. In fact, he got good at it. Not in the technical sense like the designers or seamstresses, but in the people sense. He was good at selling a vision, bringing it to life, making it feel real. So Nancy, in her typical pragmatic way, promoted him to lead campaign coordination, all the public stuff, as the Brand Manager. The smiling, shaking hands, marketing charm kind of stuff. It fit him. It was easy for him.

Or at least, it used to be. Because now you were here, and you’d gone and thrown everything off balance without even trying. The minute he met you, he thought he had you figured out. You were just some stuck up, privileged, maybe even a little entitled, girl who would breeze through town and make everyone’s life harder just by acting like she knew better. But that’s not who you were. Maybe a little bit at first, but he was far from right in the way he thought. And the more time he spent around you, the more he saw that. The more he caught himself looking when he shouldn’t, lingering longer than necessary, listening closer than he meant to. You were smart and pretty and confident and stubborn as hell, but funny too, and kind in a way that wasn’t always loud but always intentional. Then there was that morning.

God, that morning.

Waking up with you curled into him, his arm wrapped around your waist, your hair brushing his face…it should’ve been nothing. It was an accident, but it didn’t feel like nothing. Not when he felt his body respond to yours, not when he became aware of the fact of how close you were, how warm, how soft your skin was compared to his. He wished he held on for a few more seconds, but he hadn’t. He moved away quicker than he wanted to, shocked at what happened. Because what was that? What was that feeling? He didn’t know. He genuinely didn’t. His body felt like it knew, but his heart couldn’t catch up, and his brain was too afraid to try. He moved away because it scared the shit out of him. He didn’t understand what it meant to want someone like that, and not just physically but emotionally. He didn’t know what it meant to care so deeply that just being near someone made your chest hurt.

He didn’t realize how much he’d hurt you when he left the bed that way. However, he did notice the way you stayed quiet in the car ride, and then saw the shift in your expression when he passed by you in the hallway. The way you wanted to say something when he tried to avoid you. The way you kept your distance the days after, realizing it wasn’t worth talking to someone that didn’t want to do the same. He wanted to do something, but he couldn’t make himself say anything. Couldn’t bring himself to explain, because how do you explain to someone that you ran because you’re feeling things you’ve never felt before? How do you explain that you’re scared not because you don’t care, but because you might care too much?

So he stood there, pretending to look at the sketches, trying to clear his head like that would fix anything, but all he could think about was you. All he could think about was that damn trip and your laugh, and your face, and how you looked in his arms like maybe you belonged there. His brain kept telling him how stupid he was for letting go.

“You’re hiding,” Robin said, voice cutting through the quiet as she leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed and an amused smile already tugging at her lips.

Steve didn’t even bother looking up. He just stayed where he was, hunched slightly over the table, pretending to focus on the sketches in front of him, ones he hadn’t actually registered in the last ten minutes. “Not hiding. Just…thinking.”

Robin stepped into the room, sneakers squeaking softly against the polished floors. “You? Thinking? Shocking,” she said with mock awe, coming to a stop beside him and nudging his hip with hers. “Should I be concerned?”

He shot her a dry look, but she saw the heaviness in his eyes anyway, something she couldn’t quite make out since he got back from that weekend trip three weeks ago. “I’m fine.”

She didn’t buy it for a second. “Uh huh. That’s why you’ve been brooding like a sad Victorian husband since that Monday you returned. Come on, dingus. Spill. How did the trip really go? You haven’t said a word about it since you got back, and I know that’s not because it was boring. You never shut up when something’s actually boring.”

Steve dragged a hand down his face and finally stood up straight, shaking his head. “It was fine, Robin.”

“Liar,” Robin said cheerfully, leaning her elbows on the table now as she tried to meet his eyes. “Because if it was fine, you’d have come back bragging about how you successfully made her angry or how you somehow sabotaged the entire weekend. But you’ve been quiet. Weirdly quiet. And—” She gave him a pointed look. “You and her aren’t fighting like usual. You didn’t even snark at her in the meeting yesterday. You barely looked at her.”

Steve’s mouth twitched, but he said nothing.

Robin squinted. “Wait. Wait a second. Don’t tell me something actually happened on that trip.”

“Nothing happened,” Steve said quickly, way too quickly, and ran a hand through his hair nervously. “We didn’t do anything.”

Robin raised an eyebrow. “Okay, but the fact that you felt the need to clarify that immediately tells me everything I need to know.”

He groaned.

She grinned. “So something did happen.”

“Nothing happened,” he repeated, staring down at the table now like it would swallow him whole if he stared long enough. “It was just…weird, okay? The whole thing was weird.”

“Weird how? Like weird weird, or emotionally repressed weird?”

He looked at her now, eyes flat. “Do you ever stop talking? Let me remind you, you’re the reason why we were both on that trip in the first place.”

“Hey, admit it. You know that I’m onto something,” Robin said with a sing-song tone, clearly enjoying this way too much. “You’re acting like someone who saw the light and now doesn’t know how to handle it.”

Steve rolled his eyes. “You’re being dramatic.”

“Says the man sulking alone in a room full of half finished sketches.”

He didn’t have a comeback for that.

Robin softened a little, letting the teasing settle for a second. “Look, Steve. I know I mess with you a lot, but you can talk to me. I’m your best friend. If something happened with her, if things got complicated or…I don’t know, something — you can tell me. I’m not going to tell anyone.”

Steve stayed quiet, jaw tight. His fingers drummed lightly against the edge of the table, a small, anxious rhythm he probably didn’t even realize he was doing.

Robin tilted her head. “Okay, new theory. You caught feelings, freaked out, and now you’re pretending like you didn’t because emotional vulnerability is scary and hard and you’re secretly a twelve year old boy inside.”

Steve didn’t laugh, didn’t deny it either. Just stared at the sketch in front of him again.

Robin nudged his side gently, this time with a little more care. “Seriously, man. If something changed, it’s okay. You’re allowed to feel things. Even if it’s confusing. Even if it scares the shit out of you.”

He finally looked at her. His eyes were tired in a way that she recognized, like something was rattling around in his head and wouldn’t let go. He didn’t say anything right away, but the silence between them said more than enough. She held his gaze for a second, waiting for him to crack a joke, brush it off, give her something small to work with. But all he did was blink slowly, like he was slowly taking in her words and thinking it over.

Robin sighed, then gave him a crooked smile. “God, you’re getting weirdly introspective in your old age.”

He scoffed. “You’re a year younger than me.”

“And yet I’m leagues ahead emotionally,” she said, tossing him a teasing look. “Come on, Harrington. What happened? You go on a trip with someone you swore you couldn’t stand and now suddenly you’re…not snapping at each other like rabid dogs every ten minutes? It’s a little suspicious.”

Steve shook his head, leaning back against the table. “We were never rabid. Maybe, like, mild barking.”

“Oh, please,” she rolled her eyes. “You two argued like you were an old married couple trying to decide who gets the cat in the divorce.”

That made the corner of his mouth twitch. He tried not to let it, but she caught it anyway.

Robin watched him, softer this time. “So. Did something happen?”

He hesitated. There was a flicker of something in his expression, but it disappeared just as quickly as it came, tucked behind a shrug and a half hearted smile. “Not really,” he said, looking away. “She just…wasn’t as annoying as I thought she’d be.”

Robin raised a brow. “You practically packed holy water when you found out you were gonna be alone with her for three days.”

“I was being cautious,” Steve said, lifting a hand defensively. “You can never tell with that woman. She’s so unpredictable.”

“You like unpredictable.”

“I don’t like unpredictable,” he replied, then paused, squinting. “Okay, maybe a little. Not the point.”

Robin grinned, nudging his arm again. “Mhm. So what you’re saying is, something happened.”

He let out a slow breath and tilted his head toward her. “You’re so nosy. Does this mean I get to do the same to you next time you’re within a ten foot radius of Vickie?”

Robin froze like she’d just been caught on tape saying something incriminating, then her face flushed a very distinct shade of red.

Steve smirked, smug. “Oh? What’s that look for? You blushing, Buckley?”

“Screw you,” she muttered, smacking his arm lightly. “Low blow.”

“Just saying. You get all weird and fidgety when she’s around. Kind of adorable, actually. Like someone who’s trying to hide the fact they just got kissed.”

“I have not—” Robin stopped herself, narrowing her eyes. “You’re changing the subject.”

“Am I?”

“Yes.” She crossed her arms, but she was still grinning despite the embarrassment. “We’re talking about you and your weird feelings, not me and my imaginary love life.”

Steve gave her a look, half amused, half grateful. “Well, maybe I’ll open up once you confess your undying love for Vickie and write her a poem.”

Robin rolled her eyes. “God, you’re so annoying.”

“And yet, here you are. Still talking to me.”

“Only because I have no choice. You’re emotionally constipated and I’m the only one with a plunger.”

Steve laughed, finally. An actual, real laugh that seemed to knock some of the heaviness off his chest, even if only for a moment. Robin didn’t say anything else. She didn’t have to. She laughed along with him. Sometimes, it was enough to just show up.

Because even if he couldn’t say it out loud yet, she knew. She could see it in the way his eyes softened now when his eyes landed on you, when he thought no one was looking. The slow unraveling of something he didn’t quite understand yet. The kind of thing that crept up on you before you had a name for it. She wouldn’t push him to say anything now, but she’d wait until he was ready. And he was grateful for her, because he knew she’d be there.

Their laughter died down, and Robin leaned forward, resting her elbows on the edge of the table. “You know,” she said, more gently now. “If something did happen between you and Y/N…maybe you should talk to her.”

He didn’t say anything, just kept his eyes down and let her keep going.

Her voice softened, more sincere this time. “Just…I don’t want you to push her away if it’s real. You’ll regret it. And it’ll hurt both of you in the end.”

Steve looked away again, lips pressed tight. He already was.

You felt so unbelievably stupid. You tried to reason with yourself, giving him the benefit of the doubt like any sane person would. Maybe he was just tired. Maybe the trip took a toll on him and he needed space. Maybe, once you were both back in the office, things would reset and fall back into place. You would go back to the snarky comments and bickering that somehow became a language only the two of you understood.

But that hope began disappearing the moment you realized he was doing everything he could to avoid you. He didn’t just distance himself, he made it a mission. Every time you entered the same room, he found a reason to leave it. His eyes never met yours, not even by accident. He walked faster, dodged you in the hallway, buried himself in his office. There were no remarks, no playful arguments. There wasn’t even annoyance. It was like you were strangers.

So you took the hint, loud and clear. You stopped trying. If he didn’t want to talk to you, then fine. You weren’t going to beg for crumbs of attention from someone who clearly didn’t want to give them. You weren’t the kind of person to chase after anyone, not when the energy wasn’t returned. That had never been your style. You were too proud for that, maybe even a bit stubborn, but you were never desperate. You’d rather sit in the thick of your own ego than swallow it. So if he had something to say, he’d have to be the one to say it. You were done putting in the effort.

That still didn’t stop the questions from creeping in. The kind that came late at night, when you were alone and everything else died down. Why did it always come to this? Why was it always so easy for people to let go of you? As if you were something disposable, merely an afterthought. It made you wonder if you were the problem. If you had done something to deserve it. Were you really that difficult to love? Had you unknowingly pushed people away so many times that this was just the universe returning the favor?

Maybe this was karma. Maybe this was what it felt like to be on the receiving end of the cold shoulder you’d given to others. A spoiled, rich brat that couldn’t care less about anyone besides herself. Whatever it was, it hurt.

For some reason, no matter how hard you tried, the tears never came. You’d lie there in your room, waiting for the inevitable release. You wanted to cry, needed to, even. But every time your chest tightened and your throat began to ache, nothing would happen. Just that hollow pressure behind your eyes that never spilled over. Maybe you were broken. Maybe it was all just building up, waiting for the perfect moment to snap and drown you in everything you’d buried.

The silence in your room didn’t help. It made it worse, honestly. Because the only thing louder than the silence was your own thoughts. And lately, they all revolved around one thing, the fact that you didn’t belong here. Not on this team, not in this friend group, not in whatever weird family had formed between you all. From the beginning, they had decided who you were. A difficult, spoiled, rich girl who was self absorbed, and to some extent, they weren’t wrong. You were used to things being handed to you, used to getting your way. You’d never really had to work for approval before, not like this. So when you felt it slipping through your fingers, it was easier to assume the worst than to try and fix it.

That’s why you started to pull away. It wasn’t all at once, but it was the little things, like leaving rooms early, answering messages late, keeping your tone just cold enough to make them second guess whether you were mad. You convinced yourself it was damage control. If you distance yourself now, you’d save yourself the hurt later. It was only a matter of when they’d turn their backs on you. You weren’t stupid. You’d seen the way people looked at you before when they thought you weren’t paying attention. You knew how easy it was for people to decide you weren’t worth it. And maybe they were right.

You didn’t want to be this version of yourself. You really didn’t. But when everyone expected the worst of you, what was the point of trying to prove them wrong? It was exhausting. You were tired of pretending it didn’t get to you. Tired of holding back the bitterness that was quickly turning into something heavier, something you didn’t know how to name. You didn’t know how to fix any of it. You just wanted someone to notice that something was wrong without you having to say it out loud. But people didn’t usually check in on the girl who always seemed to have everything. Not when she smiled like she had nothing to complain about.

Maybe if you were quiet long enough, someone would finally ask why.

You found yourself tucked away in the room Jane had shown you briefly on your first day. It was a smaller workspace tucked near the end of the hallway. She had called it ‘The Quiet Room,’ a spot for people who needed to work without distractions or just wanted to get away for a bit. You hadn’t thought much of it then, but now, you were grateful for it. It was quiet, dimly lit, and best of all, no one ever really came in here unless they needed to.

You didn’t even bother turning the lights on. The gray light filtering through the blinds was enough. You sat slouched on the worn couch shoved in the corner, legs curled up, head leaned back, staring at the ceiling.

You weren’t doing anything, you just wanted to exist, let yourself breathe without all of the problems that were messing with your head. You hated how you were sulking, because Braiser you would have never done this. Though, you guess you were past that now. The ache in your chest had overstayed its welcome, and for the first time in a while, you didn’t have the energy to cover it up.

You heard the door creak open but didn’t move, didn’t even bother to act like you were doing something productive. If it was Jane, she’d just give you a sympathetic smile and quietly leave. If it was Nancy or Jonathan, you’d lie and say you were fine and hope they didn’t try to dig deeper. It was neither of them.

“Damn. This room feels like a funeral,” Eddie said casually, letting the door fall shut behind him. “Oh, no. Did you die?”

You rolled your eyes, lips twitching in the smallest hint of a smile before it disappeared. “Hi, Munson.”

He looked around, squinting at the empty room. His eyes landed on you again, slouched on the couch without a care for posture, definitely not the picture perfect image one might expect from a wealthy girl. His brow lifted, clearly amused. “Maybe you really did lose it,” he said, voice light with teasing. “Didn’t think you had it in you to go full emo.” He dropped into the worn chair across from you, spinning it halfway toward your direction with a lazy turn. “Just…don’t bite me or anything, yeah?”

“I’m not in the mood.”

“I know.” He leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. “That’s why I’m here.”

You didn’t respond, just stared at the ceiling again, as if maybe this time, it would open up and swallow you whole.

“I asked the interns if they knew where you were. Max said you disappeared and looked like you wanted to murder someone or cry. Or maybe both. She couldn’t tell. I thought I’d come here because this seems like a reasonable place to hide.”

You sighed. “I’m not hiding.”

“No? Then what is this? You’re secretly planning your dramatic villain origin story?”

“I’m just taking a break.”

“Sure. From work? Or from Steve?”

That earned him a sharp look, and he held his hands up in mock surrender.

“Hey, I’m just asking. The two of you came back from that little trip acting all weird. Steve’s stomping around like someone kicked his cat and you’ve been MIA. Robin keeps pestering Steve about it, trying to get him to talk.”

You said nothing, you only sank deeper into the couch, arms crossed tightly over your chest. Eddie tilted his head, studying you like he was trying to piece something together without all the details.

“You know,” he said gently. “For someone who walks around like she’s untouchable, you’re really bad at pretending nothing’s wrong.”

You let out a quiet laugh, dry and humorless. “Thanks for the analysis, Dr. Munson.”

“That’s my job,” he said with a smirk, but it faded quickly. “Look…I get it. You’re not exactly down to talk about your feelings. That’s fine. Neither am I. I usually just write aggressive songs about mine and scream them into a mic.”

You glanced over at him, raising your eyebrows. “And how’s that going for you?”

“Eh, could be better. But it keeps me from going insane, so it’s something.” He paused, trying to find the right words. “Look, I’m not here to pry, alright? If you don’t wanna talk about whatever happened with Harrington, that’s your call. But—”

“Nothing happened,” you cut in way too quickly. “We just…didn’t get along. Shocking, I know.”

Eddie raised a brow but didn’t call you out on the obvious lie. “Right. And I’m a chicken.”

You looked away, jaw tight.

He stayed quiet for a moment before continuing, his voice softer. “I know you think we don’t really care. Like we’ve all already made up our minds about you, so why bother letting anyone in, right?”

That struck something in you. You felt your throat go tight.

“But you’re wrong,” he said. “We do care. Some of us just don’t know how to show it. Or maybe some of us are just waiting for you to open up more. I’m not saying that’s fair, but…it’s how people work sometimes. We’re kind of complicated and bad at saying what we actually mean.”

You blinked hard, your throat tightening against the sudden lump you didn’t see coming. You weren’t going to cry, not in front of him. You simply nodded once.

He stayed quiet for a moment, just watching you. He was trying to figure out how much he could say without crossing a line. Then he leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees.

“So…” he started, dragging the word out. “Are we gonna talk about what happened on the trip, or do I have to keep guessing and making up stories in my head?”

You groaned and sank deeper into the couch cushions, dragging a pillow into your lap. “There’s nothing to talk about, Eddie.”

Eddie made a face. “Okay. Sure. You’ve just been a brooding mess for weeks for no reason. Totally normal. Nothing happened.”

You glared at him. “We didn’t fight, if that’s what you’re getting at. Not really, anyway.”

That surprised him. He sat up straighter. “Wait, no fighting? You didn’t feel like strangling Harrington at any point with a Prada belt?”

You rolled your eyes. “I don’t own a Prada belt.”

“Gasp! You’re losing your touch!”

A small smile tugged at the corner of your mouth, but you bit it back just as quickly. You didn’t even know why you were telling him this, but maybe it was because Eddie didn’t push in the way that felt suffocating. He just sat there, cracking jokes, letting you talk when you were ready.

“No, we just…didn’t fight that much,” you said eventually. “I mean, we still bickered. That’s just how we are, but then there was this one time where…I don’t know. Maybe I’m insane. But it felt like there was something there. Like we had a moment or whatever.”

You stared down at the pillow in your lap, fingers picking at a loose thread.

“I felt weird,” you added softly. “Like not a bad-weird. I just—” You exhaled, frustrated. “But then we woke up, and he was already different. He was distant, like someone flipped a switch. He wouldn’t even look at me.”

Eddie was quiet again, but not judgmental quiet. He was thinking. Then he smirked. “Damn. Maybe Harrington’s got a thing for you.”

You blinked at him, then laughed sharply. “Yeah. Sure.”

“I’m serious,” he said, grinning now, clearly enjoying your flustered expression. “You’re hot and scary. That’s gotta be someone’s type.”

“Definitely not his,” you muttered, more to yourself than him.

You didn’t say the rest out loud. It couldn’t be true because no one really liked you. People tolerated you, worked with you, laughed at your jokes when they were in the mood, but actually liked you? Cared about you? That didn’t happen.

Eddie must’ve picked up on the silence, or maybe he just knew how to read people better than he let on, because his smirk faded.

“Hey, I know we got off on the wrong foot,” he began saying, and you looked at him. “But I don’t want you to think we don’t like you. You’re part of the team now, and you need to know that we’re all here for you whenever you want to talk. You’re our friend, and I’m not just going to let my friend disappear without a word.”

Friend. Your eyebrows knitted together, going over his words, but then let out a soft laugh. It wasn’t forced this time. “Thanks, Eddie,” you said, voice lighter than it had been all day.

Perhaps it was dumb and it meant nothing, but a tiny part of you wondered if this was what it felt like when someone actually cared. Eddie didn’t have to say that. He didn’t have to come looking for you, or sit here trying to pull you out of your own head. He could’ve just shrugged it off and gone back to working, but he didn’t.

“I mean, I could’ve disappeared to like a random city thousands of miles away,” you added, raising an eyebrow. “And you still would’ve tracked me down, huh?”

Eddie leaned back in the chair with a smug grin. “Damn right I would’ve. You’d be shocked how far my guilt trips can travel.”

“Oh, I believe you.”

“Besides,” he said, kicking his boots up on the edge of the coffee table. “You’re one of the only rich girls around here who can keep up with my jokes. I need you. It’s a purely selfish motive.”

You snorted. “Wow, I’m flattered. How many rich girls do you know, Eddie?”

“Only one,” he said with a wink. “Don’t let it go to your head though.”

You smiled to yourself, not saying anything. For once, it felt kind of nice to have someone actually check up on you. And Eddie? He made it really hard to feel alone.

Sure, it made you a bit mad when he and Robin cheated on the project, but you didn’t want to hold a grudge on them for that. You’ve met and signed with many designers back at Lennox, so you didn’t mind being in last place. You only got angry when you found out you were forced to go on that work trip. That was all in the past now.

Eddie stood, walking toward the door before glancing back. “Anyway, I’ll leave you be, but like I said, don’t disappear completely, alright? We kind of need you around here. You’re not getting rid of us that easily, sweets.”

You snorted despite yourself, and he grinned.

“Ah, finally.” He gave you a small salute and opened the door. “You ever wanna talk, or not talk, you know where to find me.”

And with that, he was gone, leaving the door slightly ajar. You didn’t move for what felt like a long time. You just sat there in the quiet, taking in everything that just happened.

You finally stood up after ten minutes, brushing off your dress pants as you exited the room. As you walked back to the shared office space, you picked up on the loud chatter from outside the door. Raising an eyebrow, you pushed open the door to see almost everyone in deep conversation.

“Look who’s back!” Robin shouted, already halfway across the room before you could step fully inside. She grabbed your wrist and tugged you in dramatically. “We’ve been wondering where you went! I was about to file a missing persons report.”

You looked toward Eddie, who gave you a reassuring smile, one of those I didn’t say anything to anyone kind of smile. You gave him a small, thankful nod before shrugging and sitting back down at your desk. “Uh, I took a walk outside. What’s going on?”

“Pizza,” Jonathan said seriously, as if that explained everything.

“Pineapple on pizza,” Max clarified, throwing her hands in the air. “And how it’s an absolute crime against nature.”

“Oh come on, dude!” Argyle exclaimed from the couch, waving his hand around. “Try before you deny! It’s sweet and salty, it’s the perfect balance. Like yin and yang, my man.”

“Argyle, no. No yin, no yang,” Max said, scrunching her nose in disgust. “Fruit does not belong on pizza. That’s the law.”

Jane tilted her head. “But tomatoes are fruit.”

Everyone went quiet, visibly caught off guard, heads turning in unison as they thought over her words.

“Okay, but they know their place,” Mike jumped in after a few seconds. “They don’t pretend to be dessert.”

“I don’t think it’s the end of the world, Mike,” Will said with a sigh, already clearly exhausted by this argument. “You act like pineapple is personally trying to ruin your life.”

Mike threw his hands in the air. “Okay, I’m sorry for thinking that fruit doesn’t belong on melted cheese! I don’t understand how that’s a controversial opinion!”

“Because you’re wrong,” Argyle said, kicking his feet up on the break table. “Pineapple adds a totally tubular balance of sweet and savory. I used to work at Surfer Boy Pizza. We would never disrespect the fruit, bro.”

“Thank you!” Robin exclaimed, spinning to high five Argyle.

Dustin jumped in, holding up both hands to get everyone’s attention. “Okay, but have any of you even tried jalapeños and pineapple on a pizza? Because that’s peak flavor. Sweet and spicy with a little burn, it gives the full experience.”

“Absolutely not,” Jonathan mumbled from his seat, squinting at him. “I like to eat my pizza, not fight with it.”

Eddie leaned forward with a smirk. “I think all of you are cowards. Anchovies are the real test of character.”

“You’re disgusting,” Max said flatly.

“Ouch, Mayfield,” he said, clutching his chest theatrically.

Jane giggled, hiding it behind her hand, while Lucas just shook his head, chiming in. “All of you are gross. Just get pepperoni like a normal person.”

“That’s so boring,” you chimed in finally, unable to hold back a grin. “You’re really gonna go to war over fruit toppings, but then order the most basic pizza in existence?”

Mike looked personally offended. “Pepperoni is a classic.”

“It’s bland,” Robin retorted. “Like white bread. Or, honestly, Mike’s fashion sense.”

“Hey!” Mike said, whirling around. “What does that have to do with anything?”

Will couldn’t help but add his own comment. “He wore socks with sandals last week.”

Jane nodded solemnly. “I saw. I didn’t say anything, but I saw.”

“That was one time!” Mike shouted.

“Right. One time too many,” Dustin said, patting him on the back. “How you’re related to Nancy, I’ll never know.”

You bit back a laugh. “How did this even start?”

“I said I was ordering everyone pizza for lunch,” Jonathan said, waving his phone in his hand. “And then Argyle committed a felony by suggesting Hawaiian.”

“I offered a beautiful culinary experience,” Argyle insisted. “And was met with violence.”

“Verbal violence,” Will clarified. “Mostly.”

You shook your head, laughing as you leaned back in your chair. “I leave for like thirty minutes and come back to the biggest pizza debate of the century.”

“We were about to vote before you came in actually,” Max said, before looking around. “Okay, final vote. Pineapple: yay or nay.”

Robin raised a hand. “Yay.”

Argyle, Jane, Dustin, and Will joined in.

“Nay,” said Mike, Lucas, Jonathan, and Max.

All eyes turned to you. You paused, not knowing what to say. “…I’m more of a mushroom and black olive person,” you said, before watching several nods of approval. You only heard Mike and Eddie groan.

“That’s worse than pineapple,” Mike muttered.

Eddie leaned toward you. “You’re lucky you’re pretty.”

“Oh shut up, Munson, you literally put anchovies on yours,” Robin snapped, before looking at you. “Mushrooms and black olives are actually solid.”

“Yeah, I respect that,” Dustin agreed, pointing at you. “It’s earthy and salty. Now that’s a combo with depth.”

“You know what?” Lucas shrugged, nodding approvingly. “That’s fine. I’ll allow it.”

Even Max offered a thumbs up. “Definitely better than pineapple.”

“Okay, I think we’ve found our winner,” Jonathan muttered, clearly relieved the room was becoming more peaceful. “Mushrooms and olives for lunch, then.”

“I still think the best topping is just extra cheese,” Will added under his breath.

Robin turned toward him, grabbing a balled up napkin and chucking it at his head. “Who the hell eats just cheese, little Byers?”

“I’ll take that over Eddie’s anchovy pizza,” Jane added with a playful grin as Eddie gasped in mock horror like she’d betrayed him.

“It’s actually good! You’re all just afraid of bold choices!”

You leaned back in your chair, grinning as the argument slowly changed from pizza to what counted as a sandwich (Mike was already getting worked up about hot dogs being unfairly excluded). You were beginning to realize that as chaotic as this group was, it felt like exactly where you needed to be. This was probably the most at home you’d felt in a long time.

You hadn’t expected to see anyone waiting outside your apartment, least of all Leslie. You briefly stopped, clutching the strap of your purse tighter over your shoulder, almost uncertain for a second if your mind was playing tricks on you. When Leslie turned at the sound of your keys jangling, offering that same reassuring smile, the one she always wore when something wasn’t right, you knew something was off.

“Leslie?” You called out softly.

Leslie straightened from where she’d been leaning against the wall, her heels clicking softly against the floor as she stepped forward. “Hey, love,” she said, her voice calm. She opened her arms, and you didn’t even hesitate. You sank into her, arms wrapping tight around the woman who had helped you through so much.

Inside the apartment, you dropped your bag near the door, turning on the lights, and offering Leslie something to drink even though you both knew she wouldn’t stay long. Leslie declined, settling on the armrest of the couch instead of the cushions, like she didn’t want to make herself too comfortable.

“So…” you started, leaning back against the kitchen counter, arms crossed loosely over your chest. “What are you doing all the way out here? You never just drop by.”

Leslie hesitated, her mouth twitching like she was choosing her words carefully. “I didn’t want to do this over the phone,” she said, finally. “Figured it was better if I told you in person.”

You felt something in your stomach twist. You waited for her to continue.

“There’s been some movement with your accounts,” Leslie began to stay. “Some of the money your uncle put aside for you…they were supposed to be temporary. It was sort of a buffer. He did what he could before he realized he would get arrested. He just didn’t expect the investigation to reach as deep as it did.”

You frowned, the words coming slower now. “Wait…what about the apartment—”

“You’re fine here,” Leslie said quickly. “This place is secure. It’s in your name, it’s clean. He was smart about that. But your liquid assets, like your spending money, basically that’s been…well, eaten up. The investigation froze more of his accounts than we thought they would. A lot of the money he tucked away for you was tied up in those. And the trust he left in your name? It’s been draining faster than we anticipated.”

You didn’t move, your brain struggled to process the words as they piled up. “How much do I have left?” You asked, your voice lower now.

Leslie sighed. “Enough to get by, but not for long if you don’t continue working. You’ve been spending like you’re still in the city, so you have to slow down on that. If you’re not careful, it’s going to give out.”

“That doesn’t make sense,” you said, shaking your head slowly. “How does that even happen? I thought he left me enough—”

“He left you what he could, but your uncle wasn’t exactly dealing in honesty,” Leslie said gently. “And now the government’s crawling through everything he touched. Anything remotely suspicious? It’s frozen. And even if it wasn’t, most of the income you were getting was from his businesses or at Lennox, which are either shut down or being investigated. You’re not exactly broke, but you’re headed in that direction if things don’t change.”

You stared at her for a long moment, then turned away.

Leslie stood, smoothing out her coat. “I’m not saying this to scare you. I’m telling you because I care. Just…be smart, okay? You don’t need to panic, but spend less. You’re going to be okay, you just need to start thinking about money differently now.”

You nodded stiffly, barely looking at her.

“I’ve got to get back to Braiser tonight,” Leslie added, checking her phone. “I’m sorry to drop this on you and run, but I wanted you to hear it from me. I’ll check in soon.”

She crossed the room and wrapped you in another hug, her touch more delicate this time. You didn’t lean into it quite as much. When the door closed behind Leslie, the apartment suddenly felt too small, like everything was closing in on you.

Everything your uncle had built, every layer of security he promised, it was unraveling. You would have never even seen it coming.

You sank to the floor, your back pressing against the side of the couch. Your knees pulled up to your chest, arms wrapped around them tight. The tears still didn’t come. It was as if you just went completely numb, unable to feel any emotions.

You never thought you’d end up in the same position again, struggling to make ends meet, counting every penny. The last time you were like this was before your parents passed, and then also when Uncle Theo took you in. He hadn’t made his money yet, and every day was a stretch. It was hard then, and somehow it felt even harder now. You missed your parents more than you let yourself admit. You had been so young when they died, too young to hold onto every detail. The memories you did have were fading at the edges, and sometimes you wondered if the ones you did remember were even real.

Just then, a knock echoed at the front door. At first, you ignored it, hoping whoever it was would just go away. You weren’t in the mood to speak to anyone. Hell, you weren’t even sure you could manage a smile if someone asked for one, but the knock came again. You groaned, dragging yourself up and walking toward the door.

When you opened it, there stood Aniyah, her usual smile so wide and her arms wrapped tightly around a pastel pink box tied up with yellow ribbon. She wore an oversized lavender hoodie that almost swallowed her frame, and her curly hair was pinned up in a messy bun that somehow still looked put together. Everything about her radiated warmth and sunshine, like the world hadn’t yet managed to bruise her the way it had you.

“I made cupcakes!” She exclaimed. “Thought you might want one.”

Your lips parted, caught off guard. “Oh,” you said, stepping aside. “That’s really sweet of you. Come in?”

She walked in with a hum. You closed the door behind her and watched as she set the box on your kitchen counter and turned back toward you, smile faltering just slightly as her eyes swept over your face. “You okay?” She asked, voice softening. “You look…I don’t know, sad.”

You hesitated, but then you remembered how easily you opened up to her the other day and how she gave you such good advice. “I think I’m going broke,” you said, letting the words fall out before you could second guess them. “I thought I was doing good but clearly I’ve been spending a little too much.”

Aniyah’s face crumpled slightly, a sympathetic gasp escaping her lips. “Oh, babe. You poor thing. That’s awful.” She walked over and pulled you into a tight hug that you hadn’t asked for but didn’t resist either. “You know what you need to do? Shopping.”

You gave her a look. “Niya. Did you…not hear the part where I said I’m broke?”

“I heard you loud and clear,” she said, completely undeterred. “Which is why I will be paying. There’s this cute little thrift shop just a few blocks away. Trust me when I say it’s cheap, adorable, and sometimes has hidden gems. Come on. Let’s go right now.”

“What? No. I can’t let you do that,” you protested, even as she was already walking toward the front door. “That’s too much, really.”

“Nonsense,” she called over her shoulder. “It’s my treat. Besides, looking good helps you feel good. I’m not letting you mope around for another second.”

Before you could argue further, she’d already grabbed your keys, thrusting it into your hands with that same smile, before opening the door. Even though a part of you felt guilty, like you were accepting too much kindness without deserving it, another part followed her out the door without a fight.

The store she takes you to is tucked between a laundromat and a nail salon, the kind of place you’ve passed a hundred times without giving it a second look. Inside, it’s a burst of color with racks of floral skirts, soft pastels, playful patterns, things that don’t look like anything you’d ever wear.

You followed Aniyah, eyes scanning the racks with caution. In your mind, you kept thinking how you would never wear these clothes. They were bold, bright, and definitely not your style. You were used to designer clothes that gave off a statement.

Aniyah held up a sunflower yellow dress and twirled around, laughing as she pressed it to her frame. You smiled, feeling yourself start to get more comfortable.

Aniyah then grabs something else from the rack and spins around with a grin, holding up a sleeveless green jumpsuit. “Try it on.”

You open your mouth to refuse, but she’s already shoving clothes into your arms and pointing toward the fitting rooms. “Just humor me. One outfit. If you hate it, we’ll leave. Deal?”

You sigh in defeat and step inside the tiny changing stall. You stare back at your reflection in the mirror. As you pull the first outfit on, a pair of wide leg trousers and a loose, floral blouse you would’ve never picked for yourself, something in you changes.

You stare at your reflection. It’s not exactly you, but it’s not bad either. It’s softer, definitely not the same girl from Brasier. This version of you was from Hawkins, and honestly, you didn’t hate it.

You try on a few more things, and when you step out to show Aniyah, she claps her hands and grins like she’s won a prize. “See? I knew it! You look amazing!”

You laugh genuinely, this time. You end up buying a few outfits. You let her pay, even though it feels wrong, even though your pride stings a little, but maybe it’s okay to let someone show up for you. Just this once.

The next day, you wore one of the outfits Aniyah bought for you. It was a blouse with too many flowers on them, tucked into a high-waisted black pencil skirt. Your heels were a simple pair of kitten heels, unlike the tall stilettos you’re used to wearing. You still felt unsure, like this wasn’t really you, or at least not the version of you you were used to, but maybe that was the point. Maybe that wasn’t a bad thing. You inhaled deeply before stepping through the front doors of the shared office space, your stomach fluttering in anticipation, a little worried someone would laugh, or just put too much attention on you.

You passed Argyle first. He was munching on a bag of chips as he lazily waved your way, but then he paused, did a slow motion double take, and blinked at you. “Woah, dude! Is that a new outfit?” He asked, mouth half-full and eyes full of surprise.

You crossed your arms instinctively, trying to cover yourself even though there was nothing remotely revealing about what you wore. “Uh, yeah. I went shopping.”

“Holy shit,” Eddie said from behind you, approaching fast as his shoes stomped across the floor. He spun you gently by the shoulders to face him fully, his brows lifting in mock disbelief. “I have never seen you wear a top with this many patterns before.”

You bit the inside of your cheek, heat crawling up your neck. “Does it look bad?”

Eddie frowned as if offended by the suggestion, then leaned back to take it all in again. “Bad? Oh, no, sweets. You look great. Seriously.”

Argyle nodded beside him, stuffing another chip in his mouth. “I prefer this. It’s like you’re an actual human being with feelings.”

Your lips parted in mild offense, unsure if that was a compliment or an insult. “Uh. Thanks?”

Before you could question it further, Robin looked up from her computer and narrowed her eyes. “Wait, wait, hold on. Is that who I think it is?” She called out, squinting as she stood up and practically jogged over. “Okay, holy shit. You look so good. Like actually approachable.”

“Right?!” Eddie exclaimed, throwing up a hand.

Robin gave him a look before turning back to you with a full smile. “No, seriously. You look like us now.”

Max had entered just behind her, slinging her bag off her shoulder and watching you curiously. “Damn, you’re not in your designer clothes and stilettos for once,” she noted, half teasing. “I like this better. You don’t look like you’re about to walk into a Vogue meeting anymore.”

“Not that the rich girl look didn’t work,” Lucas added from behind her, raising a brow as he dropped into his usual seat. “I mean, it was cool. Kinda intimidating. Like Barbie, but like, wealthy Barbie.”

“But this—” Robin motioned to your outfit with a sweeping hand. “This has personality. It feels more like you. Less like a robot.”

“She never looked like a robot,” Will said softly, though he was smiling too. “She just looked…polished.”

“Which is code for ‘you looked like you paid someone to dress you,’” Dustin added from beside him. “But this outfit? Way more real.”

You blinked at all of them, unsure of how to respond to the whirlwind of sudden commentary. “I…didn’t think it’d be this noticeable.”

“Girl, you’ve been walking around like the ghost of a magazine cover,” Max said, nudging you lightly. “This is the first time you’ve walked in and looked like one of us. In a good way.”

Despite how awful and heavy everything still felt under your skin, like you were still unsure of it all, you had a huge smile on your face. It was that feeling where suddenly, the room didn’t feel so cold. You didn’t feel so out of place anymore. For once, no one was treating you like an outsider with a bank account too big to relate to, or a wardrobe too curated to be taken seriously. You just looked like someone who fit in.

Even if the change felt fragile, even if the version of yourself you were trying to present still felt unfamiliar, their reactions were genuine. That made you satisfied.

You decided to go to the breakroom to make yourself a cup of coffee. Your heart was still fluttering with equal parts relief and panic as you poured the coffee into your cup, a faint smile playing at your lips. Suddenly, you heard a familiar voice behind you, so quiet you almost missed it.

“…Hey.”

You froze before slowly turning to find Steve in the breakroom doorway, eyes locked on you like he wasn’t sure he was seeing right. He looked like he was caught off guard, like maybe he hadn’t meant to speak, but now he couldn’t take it back.

He hadn’t spoken to you in weeks, and suddenly he was looking at you like he hadn’t been avoiding you all this time.

“You look...different.”

There was no smile on your face, you just tried to stay calm. “Yeah?” You said lightly, resting a hip against the counter. “Figured I’d change things up a little.”

Steve looked like he was seeing you for the first time. He couldn’t figure out if he liked it or hated it. He was leaning towards the former. Your chest fluttered a little the longer he stared at you. You couldn’t help but feel a little happy inside that he finally was talking to you.

You smiled and opened the fridge to distract yourself. “Anyway,” you said, digging around the yogurt cups like they were suddenly fascinating. “It’s nice to know you still remember how to speak.”

You didn’t look at him when you said it, but you could feel him shift on his feet. Steve laughed quietly, but there was no real amusement in it. “Yeah.”

You shut the fridge and turned to face him. Three weeks of pretending you didn’t exist, of looking straight through you during meetings, of barely acknowledging you in the office or in passing or in front of anyone else. It was like everything that happened between you didn’t matter.

“I just…” You shrugged like it didn’t matter, like everything hadn’t been dragging behind you every day since. “I wasn’t sure if you were mad at me or something.”

Steve shifted, looking down at the ground. “No,” he said after a second. “Not mad.”

You waited a few seconds, hoping he would continue. When he didn’t say anything else, you sighed and tilted your head. “That’s it?”

“I’ve just been busy,” he muttered, before taking a step back. “I’ve got a lot going on.”

With that, he walked out the door, not sparing you a glance. You stared at the spot he’d been standing, heart sinking to your stomach. You grabbed your coffee and walked out.

You felt that ache in your heart again, but you didn’t let it show on your face. If he didn’t want to talk to you, then fine. You’d leave him be.

You tapped gently on the door of Nancy’s office, peeking in just enough to see if she was alone. She looked up from her computer, her glasses perched low on her nose, a slight crease between her brows like she’d been concentrating for hours. You held up the file folder in your hand.

“Hi! Come in,” Nancy said your name, waving you forward and sitting back in her chair with a soft sigh. “Thank you for finishing these files.”

“No problem,” you said, stepping inside. You placed the files neatly on her desk and straightened up, expecting that to be the end of it. As you turned to leave, Nancy called your name.

“Hey, Y/N,” she said after a moment, looking up at you. “You have a second?”

You stopped, looking back at her. “Um. Yeah?”

She stood, taking off her glasses and setting them on her desk. She grabbed her purse and walked around her desk to stand in front of you. “Come with me. I was just about to step out.”

You hesitated, a little confused. “Is this, like, a work thing?”

Nancy smiled warmly at you. “Not everything is a work thing. Come on. I feel like we haven’t had the chance to spend time together since you started working here.”

You followed her down the hallway, feeling a little curious that Nancy wanted to spend time with you. You’ve never had that sort of thing, where people genuinely wanted to be around you if it wasn’t for their benefit. All you ever had were fake smiles and forced hangouts due to work. Nancy looked like she actually wanted to hang out.

She didn’t say where you were going, but when you got outside and she led you across the street to a small smoothie shop, you stared in surprise. The place looked old but charming, like the inside would smell fruity. Nancy held the door open for you.

“This is my favorite spot when I need to get out of the office,” she said as the bell above the door jingled. “No one from work ever comes here, so it’s kind of my little haven.”

You followed her inside, scanning the chalkboard menu and hesitating, mostly because everything was overpriced and you were trying to save money now. Nancy didn’t even look at the prices, she just ordered her usual like it was muscle memory, and when you reached for your bag, she shook her head.

“My treat,” she said simply, her smile big. You opened your mouth to protest but she stopped you. “Don’t fight me on it.”

So you didn’t and ended up ordering a smoothie that seemed the most appealing to you. You ended up sitting across from her by the window, hands wrapped around the cold cup, watching people pass by outside while Nancy sipped her smoothie like she had all the time in the world. Which made sense, as she was the boss and could practically do anything.

Nancy took in your outfit, like she hadn’t realized this entire time that you weren’t in your usual designer clothes. “I like this look on you! It’s so stunning!”

“Thanks, Nance.” You felt your cheeks grow warm again, and you took a sip of your smoothie, not knowing what to do with yourself. “I was scared the team was going to make fun of me since it’s really different, but everyone seemed to like it.”

“I don’t see why they wouldn’t,” Nancy shrugged, looking out the window to see a car pass by. She turned back to you, giving you a small smile. “I know it’s probably been…weird for you. This place. The job. Everything.”

You laughed under your breath. “That obvious, huh?”

“It’s not a bad thing,” Nancy said quickly. “It’s just…I can tell you’re still trying to adjust. Braiser to Hawkins is a big change. And I know what that feels like.”

“You do?” You tilted your head. “I thought you lived here your whole life?”

She nodded, stirring her drink absently. “I have. I meant that I was the same way when I came back to Hawkins after college. Thought I’d be in New York by now, honestly. But life…well, it doesn’t always care about our plans.”

You stared down at your drink. “Yeah,” you muttered. “Tell me about it.”

Nancy gave you a reassuring smile. “You’re doing fine. I’ve been watching you. You’re really smart. You have a sharp eye and great taste. Once you realize that Hawkins can finally feel like your home, you’ll be unstoppable.”

It caught you off guard, how much that meant to you, how badly you’d needed someone to say it. Maybe you were too proud to admit it, but you’d been flailing, trying to seem okay when you weren’t even sure who you were without the life you used to take for granted.

“Thanks, Nance,” you said quietly, your voice a little tight. “It means a lot.”

Nancy raised her cup in a half-toast. “To fresh starts.”

You clinked yours against hers, the corners of your mouth lifting.

The two of you continued to talk for what felt like hours. You didn’t know how much time had passed until Nancy glanced down at her phone, her eyes widening. “Oh, wow,” she murmured. “It’s been a while. It’s already time to clock out.”

You blinked, looking down at your now empty smoothie cup. Time had slipped by without you even noticing, which was rare. Usually, you were always aware of every second, but talking with Nancy had felt easy. There was no sense of competition, no judgment, no subtle digs disguised as compliments. She wasn’t trying to one-up you or ask if your bag was last season. She didn’t care about labels or social status or what your family’s name meant. You’d never had that before. It made your chest ache in an unfamiliar way.

“Well, let’s get going, I don’t want to keep you any longer,” Nancy said with a soft smile, pulling you back into the present. “Plus, I have to head back to the office to finish up some last minute files.”

You shook your head, a small grin tugging at your lips. “I don’t mind at all. I had a great time with you, Nance.”

She beamed at you, standing up and collecting her bag, her phone slipping into the side pocket. “I’m glad. This was super fun! We’ll have to do it again sometime, yeah?”

You nodded as the two of you stepped out of the cozy smoothie shop, the warm afternoon sun warming your skin. “Definitely. Thanks for suggesting it.”

“I can drop you off at your place if you want,” she offered as the two of you reached the sidewalk, already adjusting her sunglasses. “Or, wait, did you drive?”

“Yeah,” you said with a quick nod, gesturing toward the lot just across the street. “It’s okay, really. I drove here, but thank you.”

Nancy smiled, falling in step beside you. “Cool. I’ll walk with you to your car, then.”

You gave her a grateful glance as you made your way to your car parked in front of the studio building. The vehicle sat exactly where you left it. It was very different from the luxury models you used to drive back home, and every time you looked at it, it reminded you of how different your life had become.

You pulled your keys from your purse and unlocked the door, sliding into the driver’s seat as Nancy waited. With a small sigh, you turned the key in the ignition. Instead of the usual start, the car made a sputtering noise. You froze before trying again.

This time, it choked out another strange noise that you didn’t really like. Your brows furrowed, lips pressed tightly together, willing it to work.

Nancy tilted her head, taking a step closer. “Uh-oh…is it not working?”

You sighed under your breath and tried one more time, and the car responded with another useless splutter before giving up entirely. You stared at the wheel for a second, then exhaled slowly.

“I have no idea what’s wrong with it,” you muttered, fingers tightening on the steering wheel. “It was fine these past few weeks.”

“Want me to call my mechanic?” Nancy asked gently, already pulling out her phone. “He’s in town and usually fast. We can just leave it here and he’ll come get it later. I really don’t mind dropping you off.”

You hesitated for a second, but then nodded, shoulders dropping with relief. “Yeah…okay. That’d be great. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” she said with a reassuring smile. “Seriously, it’s not a big deal.”

You stepped out of the car, locking it behind you and adjusting the strap of your purse over your shoulder as you crossed over to Nancy’s car parked a few spots down. She unlocked it with a quick click, and you climbed into the passenger seat, sinking into the smooth leather, already feeling a little less stressed.

“Thank you, Nancy,” you said quietly as she started the car.

“Of course,” she said, glancing at you with a soft smile. “What are friends for?”

You weren’t sure if she realized how much that meant, but you smiled anyway, biting down the emotion that swelled in your chest, and looked out the window as she drove you home. When her car slowed in front of your building, she tilted her head, glancing up at the exterior with a knowing smile.

“This is a nice place,” she commented. “I think a friend of mine used to live here a couple years ago.”

You gave a small laugh, shrugging. “Took me a while to get used to it, but it’s fine now. I feel comfortable here. Definitely not the worst place I’ve ever lived.”

“Understandable,” Nancy said with a small smile, watching you gather your things. “Well, I’ll see you Monday!”

“Thanks, Nance,” you replied, stepping out of the car and giving her a little wave. “Drive safe.”

She pulled away, tires humming softly against the road, and you turned toward your building, adjusting the strap of your purse on your shoulder, but then your steps slowed.

There were two girls standing near the front entrance. You hadn’t noticed them before, too caught up in your own thoughts, but now that you had, your entire body tensed.

You knew those silhouettes, knew them too well, in fact. Your heart dropped into your stomach.

Tina and Vicky.

They weren’t supposed to be here. They couldn’t be here. You hadn’t told anyone where you lived. How the hell had they found you?

Tina’s shrill voice broke the silence, her fake excitement cutting through the air like nails on a chalkboard. “Look who it is! Do you know how hard it was to find you?” You barely had time to brace yourself before she threw her arms around you, the scent of her perfume clinging to your clothes like it was trying to suffocate you. “It’s been forever! Oh my god, you look so…different!”

Then came Vicky, squeezing you quickly before pulling back, her mouth already twisted in that familiar judgmental smirk. She let her eyes sweep over your outfit, the blouse with too many flowers, the black pencil skirt that still had creases from the hanger, the kitten heels that didn’t click with nearly as much authority as your usual heels used to.

“Oh my,” Vicky said dramatically, eyes wide and tone pitched just a little too high. “What are you wearing?”

You resisted the urge to flinch. Instead, you gave a dry smile, rolling your eyes slightly like their judgment didn’t affect you, even though it did. Deep down, in places you didn’t want them to reach.

“Clothes,” you replied simply, brushing past them to walk through your building’s door. “Come in.”

The second you opened the door and led them up the narrow stairwell to your unit, you felt their gazes trailing behind you like they were inspecting the walls for mold or dust. When you unlocked your door and stepped inside, you paused for a moment before letting them in. Part of you hoped they’d change their minds and just leave, but they didn’t.

You stepped aside and they entered, both of them scanning your apartment with a grimace.

“Wait, you live here?” Tina asked, wrinkling her nose.

Vicky laughed under her breath, walking further in and tapping a chipped corner of your coffee table. “Wow. I thought this was, like, a storage space or something.”

You crossed your arms, leaning against the wall as you watched them wander through your living room like they were on a tour. You didn’t say anything, and not because you had nothing to say, but because you weren’t sure what would come out if you opened your mouth. You were still stuck on the fact that they had found you.

“Ugh, besides the fact you live in this place…we’ve missed you so much,” Tina gushed, perching herself right on the edge of your couch like she was afraid it might stain her. “It’s not the same without you. Lennox feels so…empty.”

Vicky scoffed lightly, her nails tapping on the kitchen counter. “Please. Blair’s been trying to fill your shoes but let’s be honest. She’s just not you.”

“For real,” Tina chimed in, twirling her hair. “She’s, like, super annoying. I can’t stand the sound of her voice.”

That name landed with a thud in your chest. Blair. You hadn’t thought about her in weeks, not since that morning when Blair had come up to you offering her sympathies. Blair had always been polite, always sweet, with that infuriating way of offering help that never sounded condescending. She was never cruel to you, yet you treated her terribly. You honestly just felt insecure around her. You were beginning to realize that it wasn’t Blair who was the problem, it was you.

“Well, I’m sure she’s doing fine,” you said vaguely, keeping your tone light as you busied yourself with tidying up a stack of papers at the edge of your counter. “She always wanted more responsibility anyway.”

Tina hummed as she crossed her legs. “It’s just not the same. Work has gotten so dull. You should come back. I mean, we all think so.”

You highly doubted that. Before you could answer (you didn’t even know what you would’ve said), there was a knock at the door. You turned, almost relieved, crossing the room quickly to answer it. When you opened it, the first thing you noticed was a warm and delicious scent. The second was the bright and familiar smile.

“Aniyah!” You said, a little surprised.

“Hey, girl!” She held up a big container cradled in her arms. “I just wanted to check up on you after last night. I also made my homemade chicken casserole!”

“Oh goodness,” you smiled, stepping aside to let her in. “Thank you, Niya. You didn’t have to do that.”

Aniyah leaned sideways and spotted your guests on the couch. Her smile didn’t falter, but she could tell something was different about these girls. The way they sat like they owned the place, their stylish clothing, their judgemental glance, waiting to be acknowledged by you.

“Ohhh,” Aniyah said, her tone syrupy sweet as she stepped into the room. “Friends of yours?”

You nodded, rubbing your arm. “Uh, yeah. They’re from my old home, Tina and Vicky.” You looked at the girls and pointed towards your neighbor. “Girls, this is Aniyah.”

Tina offered a little wave with her fingers, though her nose was already scrunching up. “What is that smell?”

Vicky gagged slightly and fanned her face with her hand. “Is something…rotting?”

Aniyah’s eyes gleamed. She kept her smile firmly in place, but you were getting to know her well enough by now to recognize the sarcasm beneath it. “It’s called seasoning. I suppose it’s probably a foreign concept to you.”

You nearly choked on your laugh, hiding it behind a fake cough as you moved toward the kitchen to set the food down. Tina blinked, caught off guard, and Vicky let out a scoff, her jaw tightening. Aniyah didn’t wait for a response. She walked in, heading toward the kitchen to start unpacking the food. You bit back a smile as you moved to help her, grateful for her.

“We were just saying how much we missed our dear friend back home,” Tina said, trying to change the subject. “Things aren’t the same in the city.”

“Oh, totally,” Vicky added. “We’ve been dying to find something cute and local here. You know, like, something authentic. Like, something to take back and show off. Something quirky.”

Aniyah turned, looking at them. “You want quirky?” She said with a laugh. “I know a place.”

Tina and Vicky perked up, clearly intrigued. Their eyes lit up in unison, excitement crossing their features at the idea of going to a place they could take selfies to show off to everyone.

“Seriously?” Tina asked, already reaching for her purse. “Like somewhere actually decent?”

Aniyah nodded, glancing at you from the corner of her eye. “Yep. It’s got really nice clothes. And weird little trinkets and handmade stuff. You’ll love it.”

You shot her a look, silently thanking her. She gave you a wink in return, then nudged your elbow gently.

“So, are we taking your car, Y/N?” Tina asked as she stood up, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

You bit the inside of your cheek, heat creeping up your neck. You hated the answer before you even gave it. “Uh, not exactly,” you said with a stiff breath. “My car broke down earlier today. It’s in the shop.”

“Oh, no!” Aniyah looked at you with those sympathetic eyes, squeezing your hand.

Vicky gasped and held onto Tina’s arm like it was the end of the world. “I’m definitely not walking! Let’s just take our car, Tina!”

You sighed, your patience thinning. Your eyes went to Aniyah again, who was the only person in the room who wasn’t so dramatic. This was going to be a long night.

​​The little boutique Aniyah had brought them to was cozy, just like all the other shops you’ve been in since you started living in Hawkins. The walls were lined with racks of cute clothes in different colors. A shelf near the window contained small candles and delicate jewelry. It was wonderful and you would’ve appreciated it more if you didn’t feel like you were being held hostage.

Tina and Vicky were already flipping through racks like it was their full time job, giggling every time they held up something they’d never wear just to mock it. You sat on a low bench near the changing rooms, your hands folded in your lap, eyes vaguely following the movement around you without really seeing any of it. You felt mentally tired, like you weren’t even really there.

“Y/N,” Tina called sweetly from a few feet away, holding up a long green dress. “What about this one? You’d look so cute in it.”

You glanced at it, barely reacting. “Sure,” you said flatly.

Vicky joined in, tossing a feathery shrug over her shoulder with a laugh. “Oh my god, remember when you used to live for this kind of stuff? You were, like, obsessed with statement pieces.”

Tina looked you up and down. “Right. Now you wear…whatever that is.”

You gave a small shrug, eyes dropping to your heels. You didn’t have the energy to pretend. You couldn’t wait for them to leave. In your periphery, you could see Aniyah chatting with someone by the front counter, one of the girls who worked here. They were smiling, talking easily, arms brushing like they’d known each other for years. Aniyah still had on her signature smile, her laugh spilling out like music. You envied how free she seemed, how she didn’t need to armor herself the way you were doing now.

Vicky’s eyes went to Aniyah. She rolled her eyes, her eyes going back to you. “Ugh. I can’t believe the people you associate yourself with now, Y/N. It’s tragic.”

“Seriously,” Tina scoffed, putting one of the dresses back on the rack. “Whatever happened to standards?”

You mumbled under your breath, frowning at the two of them. “She’s a better person than both of you combined.”

“What was that?” Vicky questioned, not paying much mind to you.

You didn’t answer. Tina dropped onto the bench beside you, her perfume so strong. Vicky hovered nearby, hands full of clothes she’d never buy. Tina then broke the silence. “Oh, by the way, remember how I told you Billy and Heather were together now?”

Your heart thudded, remembering the phone call from Tina a few weeks back. You didn’t want to hear what was coming next.

Vicky leaned in, faking a pout as if she actually cared about you. “Tina…don’t you think it’s too soon to tell her? We don’t want her to get sad or anything.”

Tina waved her off, her smirk turning bigger. “Oh, nonsense. If my best friend went behind my back and decided to date my ex, I’d want to know too.”

Your stomach twisted. You didn’t say anything. You couldn’t let any words out.

Tina giggled, adjusting her sunglasses on top of her head. “They’re totally official. We saw Billy kiss Heather at work last week. Everyone was kind of shocked but can’t say we didn’t see this coming.”

“And Mr. Harrington is giving Heather special treatment now,” Vicky continued, eyeing you. “Just like how he gave you special treatment when you were still dating Billy.”

“And they’re going to the gala together,” Tina added on. “Isn’t that, like, kinda funny? Full circle or whatever. Like he was supposed to take you, but not anymore.”

There it was. You could feel your heart get punched, the betrayal you thought you were over, the heartbreak you buried. Billy. Your ex boyfriend. Heather. Your best friend. At least, she used to be. You remembered what it felt like when the truth came out. You couldn’t even believe it.

You pressed your lips together to keep them from trembling. “Oh,” you managed, keeping your voice even. You didn’t trust yourself to say anything else.

They were watching you, that much you knew. They were waiting for your reaction, waiting to see what you would do. You wouldn’t give them the satisfaction though. So instead, you nodded once and looked up at your ‘friends.’ You were not going to cry in front of them.

“Well,” you said, your voice nonchalant. “That’s good for them.”

Tina tilted her head, studying your face like she didn’t believe you. You kept your expression smooth, like the news hadn’t just reopened an old wound that never really healed.

Vicky glanced at her phone and let out a dramatic sigh. “Oh shoot. We should probably start heading back. I don’t want to be out here when it gets dark.”

“Yeah, seriously,” Tina said, standing up and brushing off her skirt. “This town is not exactly our cup of tea.”

You stayed seated, offering them a tight smile. “Thanks for stopping by.”

Tina leaned in and gave you a quick hug, her arms wrapped around you loosely, like she didn’t want to touch you for longer than necessary. “It was so nice seeing you again,” she said with a sugary smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “You haven’t changed at all.”

It sounded like a compliment, but you knew it wasn’t.

Vicky followed, hugging you quickly and whispering against your cheek. “You should really come back home sometime. Might be good for you to see how everyone moved on.”

That one stung. Your stomach turned as they both smiled like nothing cruel had left their mouths. Without another word, they turned and walked out. You watched them through the window, laughing as they ran as rain started to pour. They got into the car and drove away without sparing a glance.

Aniyah appeared beside you, a shopping bag in one hand, her brows pulled slightly together in concern. “You okay?” She asked gently, though she already knew the answer.

You blinked, your gaze still fixed on the window, and gave her a single nod.

She didn’t push, but offered a sad little smile. “Not to get in your business,” she said. “But they’re really shitty friends. Like…impressively shitty. They don’t care about you.”

You swallowed, the words sinking in slowly. You knew she wasn’t wrong. The rain came down harder now, streaking the glass of the store. The thought of walking home in this weather didn’t seem so awful anymore.

Aniyah reached for your hand without a word and gave it a gentle tug. “C’mon. Let’s go home.”

The two of you stepped out into the storm, the cold biting instantly through your clothes, soaking your hair and skin. Normally, you would’ve been complaining. You tilted your head back, eyes to the sky, letting the rain hit your face freely.

“I’m sorry about my car getting broken,” you murmured, your voice low, barely audible over the rain.

Aniyah let out a breath that was somewhere between a sigh and a laugh. “I’m sorry for not even having a car, babe. I really need to get my shit together.”

Aniyah’s phone suddenly buzzed in her pocket. She paused, pulled it out, and furrowed her brows the second she saw the name flashing on the screen.

“Shit,” she mumbled, already pressing it to her ear. “Hello?” You glanced at her, waiting for her to finish, but her face only grew more serious. “Okay. Yeah. I’m coming now.”

She ended the call and turned to you with an apologetic look.

“I’m really sorry. I gotta go, it’s kind of an emergency. My cousin got into some trouble and I need to go pick him up before my aunt loses her mind.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” you said quickly, shaking your head and stepping back. “It’s fine. I can walk home.”

Aniyah frowned, eyes scanning the clouds above. “Are you sure?”

You offered her the most convincing smile you could. “I’ll be fine, Niya. Seriously. It’s not that far. Go.”

She hesitated for a second longer, then stepped forward and wrapped her arms around you. The hug was warm, just like herself. “Call me if you need anything, alright? And don’t let them get in your head. They’re just bored and petty.”

You nodded against her shoulder. “Thanks, Niya.”

She pulled away, gave your hand a quick squeeze, and took off down the street, jogging as the rain poured harder. You watched her go, her figure disappearing down the block and around the corner. You stood there for a moment, arms crossed tightly over your chest, your purse still in hand. The rain soaked through your blouse quickly, your hair clinging to your face, and your heels squelched slightly with every step. You started walking, but your limbs felt heavy.

A car sped by and drove straight through a puddle near the curb. The splash hit you instantly, dirty water coating your legs, your clothes, and your bag. You gasped, stumbling back, the cold cutting through you so suddenly it made you shake. That was when you finally broke.

You stood there in the middle of the sidewalk, soaked, humiliated, and exhausted. All the pain, all the pressure, all the heartbreak you’d been swallowing down for so long started to rise inside your chest, and you couldn’t hold it back this time. Your face crumpled, a silent sob breaking through as your hands came up to hug your arms, to shield yourself from the world that kept taking and never giving anything back.

You didn’t even care who saw. Your shoulders trembled, tears mixing with the rain, your breathing uneven and fast, but you couldn’t move. You couldn’t do anything but stand there, soaked and shivering, arms curled around yourself.

You don’t know how long you stood there until you suddenly felt the rain stop hitting your head. You frowned in confusion, tears still streaming down your face, when you realized something was blocking it. It was an umbrella. You turned to see who it was and your breath hitched.

Steve Harrington.

His face was unreadable, jaw tense, his eyes flickering with something you couldn’t place. He didn’t say anything except hold the umbrella over you. This was the last thing you ever expected him to do. You stared at him in silence, completely stunned.

Steve did all he could to stay focused on his computer, fingers tapping out the last lines of his report. The screen blurred every few seconds, his mind slipping toward you no matter how hard he tried to push it back. He leaned back in his chair, dragging a hand over his face, willing himself to think about literally anything else.

A soft knock on the door broke the silence. Before he could answer, Nancy stepped in, holding a folder and a coffee that was probably long cold. “Hey,” she greeted casually, closing the door behind her.

Steve sat up straighter, trying to look busy. “Hey, Nance. What’s up?”

“Nothing urgent,” she said, walking over to place the folder on his desk. “Just checking in. You look like your brain’s somewhere else.”

He shook his head, forcing a small smile. “I’m fine. Just tired.”

Nancy tilted her head like she didn’t believe him, but didn’t push. She knew him well enough by now to know that not everything needed to be said out loud. “So, I was talking to your favorite person earlier,” she said lightly.

Steve raised a brow. “My favorite person?”

“You,” she said pointedly, “are terrible at pretending you don’t care. I’m talking about your precious ‘Luxe.’ Her car broke down, apparently. I ended up giving her a ride back to her apartment.”

Something tightened in Steve’s chest before he could stop it. He remembered how your car wasn’t starting the other day and couldn’t help but feel concerned at the thought of you possibly being stranded somewhere, with no one around. Thankfully, you weren’t alone. “Oh. Uh—yeah? She, uh…she okay?”

“She seemed fine,” Nancy replied, watching him too closely. “Although, when I drove off, I saw her talking to two girls outside her place. Judging by their outfits, I’d bet they were her friends from Braiser.”

Steve thought back to how you mentioned an ex-friend calling you once when you two were on the work trip, but you’d changed the subject quickly, not giving him any details as to why you got so upset the other day. “Oh.”

“They reminded me of Y/N’s first day, actually,” Nancy went on with a little laugh. “The day she walked in here, she was so different than she is today. Her clothes, her attitude, literally everything.”

Steve huffed out a quiet laugh, thinking the same exact thing. You have changed a lot since the first time he saw you. He spat so many cruel words at you, assumed so many things that turned out to not all be true. You were a person with depth, but he was too judgemental to see that until he actually got to know you. Now he couldn’t stop his mind from being constantly stuck on you.

Nancy’s voice softened. “Anyway, it’s late, Steve. You should head out. The rain’s coming down hard. Drive safe, okay?”

“Yeah,” Steve muttered, shutting his laptop. “You too, Nance.”

By the time he left the office, the sky was pitch black, the rain pounding against his windshield. His wipers fought to keep up, but visibility was garbage. He was halfway through an intersection when something, or someone, caught his eye on the sidewalk.

At first, it was just a figure in the downpour. Then, as he got closer, his stomach dropped. It was you. You had no umbrella, your hair was plastered to your face, your clothes were drenched, your shoulders shaking as you hugged yourself, your face twisted into an expression that made him realize you were crying.

Steve’s hands tightened on the wheel. He’d never seen you cry before, and it pained him to see you so vulnerable, so hurt as you stood there all by yourself, getting soaked in the rain. He pulled over hard, putting the car into park before rummaging in the backseat for the umbrella he rarely used. The cold hit him instantly as he got out, rain soaking through his shirt in seconds. He couldn’t find it in himself to care, because at this moment, all that mattered was keeping you safe.

Without a word, he stepped up beside you and held the umbrella over your head. You startled, looking up at him, but he didn’t give you the chance to protest. His free hand came to your shoulder, guiding you toward his car.

“Come on,” he said, voice soft.

“Yeah, we could use some ammo.” Nancy nods as she slings the strap of her rifle over her shoulder. She is leaning against the wall beside the door, ready to leave. “Maybe a few new guns just to be safe.” 

Eddie agrees with her with a curt nod. 

The past hundreds of miles you have passed were clear – no dark clouds, no red lightning, no blood staining the streets. Nothing. Now you stopped on the outskirts of a small town that seems to be just as safe, from a distance at least. The sky is blue, and the birds are chirping. This place doesn’t reek of death. It seems to bloom with life. 

“Yeah, maybe some food too.” Steve murmurs from your side. “We could look in the houses as well.” 

“Yeah! That’s where you can usually find the gold mines!” You say, smiling at your boyfriend before you look back at the map, missing the way Nancy and Eddie share a look. 

Steve is sitting right next to you, his hand resting on the seat behind you. He is close. He always is. When he doesn’t have his arm wrapped around you, he is holding your hand. When he isn’t holding your hand, he has his hands on you in some different way. He is always with you, always around you, always following you. Eddie observed that Nancy did too. It would have been sweet if he weren’t so obsessed about it, if his eyes didn’t flicker with panic every time you leave his side for just a second. 

Eddie knows why that is, and he can’t help but worry. 

And while Eddie is worried, Nancy can’t help but feel annoyed and a little pissed. She is happy for you and for him, for the both of you, but she misses her alone time with you. Ever since Steve got his shit together, she couldn’t find a single moment to be with just you. Whenever she tries to talk about something that she just wants only you to know, he interrupts by coming up from behind you, wrapping his arms around your waist, and clinging to you like a kitten in need of affection. It’s cute, really, and after all that you've both been through, it’s nice to see that. But she also just wants a moment alone with you, just one. 

And while she wants some much needed girls’ time. Eddie wants a serious talk with Steve. 

“Great,” Steve nods. “Sunshine can stay here and you and Nancy–”

You are already shaking your head, but before you can say anything, Eddie opens his mouth first. 

“Nope.” Eddie shakes his head before Steve can even finish his sentence. “You and I are staying in the RV, big boy. The girls are going.” 

Your eyes light up, and a smile breaks out on your face when your eyes lock with blue ones. Nancy winks at you, smiling proudly while a frown appears on Steve’s face and he tenses up beside you. 

“I’m not letting the two of them go by themselves!” Steve says in anger. His eyes flicker from you to Eddie to Nancy and back to you. 

Nancy rolls her eyes at him and pushes herself off the wall with a sigh. 

“Is it because we are women, Steve?” 

You almost giggle when Steve’s eyes grow wide in panic and he quickly shakes his head at her. 

“What? No! That’s not what I mean at all, I just–”

“Great!” Nancy smiles and walks towards you. She reaches for the map in Eddie’s lap and then grabs your hand, pulling you up from the couch and away from your boyfriend, who is watching helplessly. “Then we can go!”

Steve’s shoulders slump in defeat, especially when he sees the way your eyes flash with excitement. You want to go. You want to go with Nancy. You want to do something. Steve knows that you are accustomed to this — fending for yourself, fighting on your own, and surviving on your own. It didn’t occur to him that you might have missed it since joining their group. Going out there. 

It makes him feel uneasy to let you go out there, especially without him. 

What if something happens and he isn’t there to protect you?

What if–

“Alright!” Eddie claps his hands together, smiling triumphantly as he gets up. “Take a flare, your gun, machete, and if you find any gas or car batteries, come back and let me know.” 

Steve blinks. His heart jumps in his chest when you get up and waste no time getting ready. You fasten your holster around your thigh, throw on the backpack that Nancy had already prepared. 

Steve rises to his feet and runs his hand through his hair in distress. He presses his lips into a thin line as his fear filled eyes follow your every movement. His heart races a little faster when you bend down to make sure your laces are properly tied. 

Eddie glances at the brunette, and he can’t help but feel bad when he finds him watching you like that, looking like a puppy who got kicked into a corner. 

He glances at Nancy, who rolls her eyes at him. Steve will survive a couple of hours without you, she is sure of that. 

“Okay!” You turn around to face your boyfriend, smiling happily at him. You step towards him and throw your arms around him. He instantly snakes his arms around your waist, pulling you close and tight against him. He buries his face into the crook of your neck, and he breathes in your scent with his eyes closed. It calms him down, a little. 

Every time he holds you, he never wants to let go. 

You pull back too soon for his liking. You rise to your tippy toes and lean in, pecking his lips happily, “I’ll be back soon!” You promise. 

The short kiss is enough to make his heart melt, to make his stomach flutter, to make him crave more. 

You turn around, but before you can even take a step away from him, he grabs your hand and pulls you back. He cups your cheeks and leans down to give you a proper kiss. He ignores the groans of Nancy and Eddie, who have gotten sick from all the pda you both perform, by now. 

You sigh happily into the kiss, and it does everything to light that fire inside of him. 

“Come back to me in one piece, baby.” Steve murmurs against your lips, caressing your cheek with his thumb as he leans his forehead against yours. He has already promised himself that he will only let you do this once. The moment you are back, he is not letting you go again. 

“Of course, Stevie.” You whisper, gazing up into his hazel eyes as you wrap your hands around his wrists. “I’ll always come back to you.” You say with every intent to stay true to your words, for now and for always.

“Promise?” 

You nod and tilt your head a little to kiss his palm, “promise.” 

Steve nods. The worry never fades in his eyes, though. And he knows he won’t be able to rest once you set foot outside. 

“Okay.” He whispers, breathing in shakily. “Be careful out there.”

“Always.” You nod and squeeze his wrists before you lean in again, meeting him in the middle for a last kiss before you slip away from him. “See you later, Stevie.” 

His smile doesn’t match the one on your face; it’s weak and nervous, and the coil in his throat grows when your hand leaves his touch. “Later, Sunshine.”

Steve can’t help but follow you out. He knows you are safe. He knows you can fight, that you know how to survive. And you’re with Nancy, who, like you, knows how to fight. 

But he can’t help the worry that grows inside of him when you walk away after saying goodbye to Eddie. 

And he can’t help but start pacing the moment you get farther and farther away from him. 

Eddie watches him for a while, giving him a moment, hoping that his pacing will stop. It doesn’t. Steve is stressed; if it wasn’t the pacing around giving it away, then it would have been his heavy breathing. 

And Eddie can’t help but huff and sigh at his friend. The farther you get away and out of Steve’s eyesight, the more he stresses. 

With his arms crossed, the metalhead stops before him, “we need to talk.” Eddie says. 

The seriousness in Eddie’s voice alerts him, and he instantly looks at his friend, meeting his eyes. Steve knits his eyebrows together when he notices the frustration and the… sadness? 

“What–”

“We should sit down.” Eddie nudges his chin towards the RV. 

Steve hesitates. His eyes flicker back and forth between Eddie and the road you are walking down. He takes a deep breath. 

“Steve.” Eddie’s voice is stern, no amusement left in it. It’s what makes Steve turn back and nod. 

“Alright.” The brunette sighs as he takes another look your way before he heads inside the RV. He takes a seat on the couch again, furrowing his eyebrows at his friend, whose face seems tense. “Is everything okay?”

Eddie looks at him for a moment, silently. With a sigh, he nods his head. 

“Yeah, just…” Eddie stops, running his hand through his hair, and he looks around like he is trying to find the right words. “I worry.” 

Steve tilts his head aside, a habit he picked up from you without even noticing. 

“What?”

Eddie sighs again, knowing that Steve doesn’t even notice. There is so much Eddie wants to say, and yet he struggles with his words. He prepared himself for that moment, talked to Nancy about it too, and yet now he is at a loss for words – but it might also be the slightest fear that he has of Steve’s reaction. 

Eddie pushes himself off the wall and takes a seat across from him. He takes in the look on Steve’s face, seeing the wide, confused eyes, the slumped shoulders, and the curiosity – like a goddamn puppy, you need to gain the trust of. 

“You can smell my hand when I say this but–” Eddie pauses when confusion strikes Steve’s face. The scrunch of his nose indicates his misunderstanding of Eddie’s words. 

“I don’t want to smell your fucking hand, Munson.”

Eddie rolls his eyes, groaning, “metaphorically, dumbass!” 

Steve’s lips part, and he mumbles a quiet ‘oh!’ with a nod of his head before his face grows irritated and he gets impatient. “What is it, Eddie? I’m not in the mood!” 

Eddie sighs for what seems like the hundredth time today, “well that’s kinda what I wanted to talk about, I’m just worried, man.”

“What about?” Steve frowns as he leans forward, pressing his hands together as he rests his elbows on his knees. 

“You! I worry about you, okay?” Eddie finally lets the words spill from his lips. 

“Me!?” Steve mumbles in confusion. “W-What, why!?”

“You’re obsessed! Obsessed with protecting Sunshine–”

“Huh!” Steve frowns, shaking his head as the irritation grows even deeper. 

“Listen,” Eddie murmurs, giving him a pointed look. “At first I thought it was cute, how attached you are to her, how you always want her close– and I don’t blame you for that, I don’t mind the pda, but you follow her around wherever she goes. You get anxious when she isn’t by your side for two damn minutes! You tense up whenever she leaves to take a freaking shower–”

“Did she say something?” Steve interrupts with wide eyes, feeling the drop of his stomach already at the thought of you being annoyed by how clingy he might be. 

“No!” Eddie exclaims, feeling a mixture of frustration and guilt creeping up inside of him. “She didn’t, Steve. She loves it, trust me, but that’s not what this is about. This is about me worrying for your sanity! You think you have to be by her side every second of the day because you think that something bad will happen the moment you step away from her. She is not some fragile little thing that needs protection, Steve. That girl is tougher than all of us combined. She was out there by herself for so long; if anyone knows how to get by in this world, then it’s her! She knows how to survive, how to fight, how to live – which brings me to the next topic.” Eddie finally explodes, the words now rolling off his tongue effortlessly. “I kept thinking about what you said to me that night in Wyoming.” 

Steve swallows when he sees the hurt lingering in Eddie’s eyes. An uneasy feeling settles into the pit of his stomach. 

“She made you live again, she brought you back to us, and I will forever appreciate her for that, but you said something that hurt me a little, Steve.” Eddie admits, his voice now softer than before. 

Steve shakes his head in confusion, waiting for him to continue. 

“You said that if something were to happen to her, you wouldn’t know how to keep going – like she is the only reason you are here with us, like she is what and who you live for. Not for me, or Nancy, or Dustin, or anyone else out there still waiting for you. You made it sound like we are not worth staying for.” Eddie speaks with sadness and guilt in his voice when he sees the way Steve’s eyes soften. “I know it sounds selfish but… it feels like we don’t matter, like we– like I’m not important to you.” 

Steve’s stomach drops at his words, and the guilt spreads so suddenly inside of him, lighting up like a fire. 

Eddie knits his eyebrows together as he looks at his friend. 

“I love her, man. She is like a sister to me, and I want you to know that I’m here too. I would protect that girl with my life, and so would Nancy; hell, Wheeler would kill for her.” 

A weak smile tugs at Steve’s lips, but the guilt in him grows stronger and stronger. He didn’t mean to make Eddie feel that way, like he doesn’t matter to him, like he wouldn’t do anything for him. 

“I know what happened to Robin is part of this… obsession with protecting your girl, but Steve… I understand it, I really do, but you need to get rid of that fear… It’s gonna kill you, it’s gonna rob you of any good moment because you’ll keep letting it consume you.”

Steve swallows the lump in his throat as he looks down at his wrist; the lilac hair tie that used to be around your wrist is now around his own. He knows that Eddie is right, but he can’t help it, especially when it comes to you. 

Robin was the first real friend that he had. The first to ever care for him that way, to first to have an honest friendship with him. And his first friend ended up a great loss. How can he not let the fear consume him? How can he not worry about you? How can he not fear losing you? 

He doesn’t say anything, just nods. 

And Eddie gives him a moment to let those words sink in. 

A mix of emotions rushes through Steve, but it’s mainly guilt and the impression he gave off to a friend who means so much to him. A friend who didn’t hesitate to jump into the water to save him, who didn’t hesitate to sacrifice himself for a town that hated him, who did everything to protect him and his friend – even if it meant dying. 

“I worried about you so much, Eddie.” 

Eddie frowns at him, “what?”

“That night in the upside down.” Steve states. 

A shiver runs down Eddie’s spine, and a lump grows in his throat as his face pales a little. He can still feel their claws in his skin from when they tried to tear him apart. He can still feel the cold ground on his skin while he was bleeding out. 

Steve was the one who dragged him out of there, and to this day, he doesn’t know how he got him back to the other side, but he did. 

“I know we weren’t friends back then, but those few days we spent together before that night showed me what Dustin saw in you. And I knew I was an idiot for having the impression of you that I had–”

Eddie shakes his head, bringing his hand up with a chuckle, “don’t feel bad, I thought you were a jerk.”

Steve chuckles softly, nodding as he closes his eyes for a moment. 

“I know. I was a jerk.” He points out, not blaming Eddie for thinking that of him. 

“But go on,” Eddie urges him with a satisfied grin. “I wanna know what the Steve back then thought of me.”

Steve can’t help but roll his eyes at the metalhead, though still smiling. 

“I thought that you were a pretty cool guy… and that I wanted to be your friend.” Steve leaves out the part in which he visited him at the hospital while he was still in a coma. A slight frown crosses his face, “and I’m sorry, Eddie… I’m sorry for making you feel like you aren’t important to me; you are. The reason why I pushed you away after losing Robin was because I was scared… I was scared of letting you in just to lose you too.” Steve admits with a heavy heart, but with so much generosity in his voice. 

Eddie’s brown eyes soften. Those words ease his mind a little. The tension falls off his shoulders when he notices how guilty Steve looks, how bad he feels. 

Steve breathes in deeply, looking down at his hands again as he swallows harshly, “and… I didn’t mean to make you feel that way again. I’m very sorry. You mean so much to me, even if I’m bad at showing it.” 

Eddie can tell that it’s not something easy to him, being vulnerable, being this open, being honest, and showing feelings. It’s why he pushed you away for so long. 

“I love you, man.” Steve mumbles as his eyes glisten with tears. He rarely said it to Robin, and he regrets it so much. 

If Eddie’s eyes weren’t showing nothing but softness before, they would’ve by now. Warmth spreads in his chest, and a soft smile appears on his face. He knows and he can see that this wasn't easy for Steve — but he can also see the way Steve let’s out a deep breath, like he’s finally gotten words out that he kept in for so long. It was right to confront him. 

Eddie leans forward and reaches his hand out to him. Steve looks at it for a moment. He blinks and sniffles, wiping away a stray tear before he grabs Eddie’s hand. 

“I love you too, dude.” Eddie says softly, making the man look at him. “I’m proud of you, you know?” 

Steve raises his eyebrows at him. 

“You got over your fears, you went and got your girl. You allowed yourself to be vulnerable, to show feelings, with me now too. That requires strength, lots of it, especially after what you’ve been through last year.” 

Steve sniffles again, still looking at him. Eddie’s words mean more to him than he will ever know. He nods, still wiping tears he refuses to let fall. 

“Don’t fall back, don’t let this fear consume you and ruin every good moment…” Eddie murmurs softly, squeezing his hand. 

“I’ll try…” Steve whispers, knowing he is right. 

“And don’t get me wrong!” Eddie’s eyes widen, as he raises his free hand up in surrender. “I don’t blame you for being so goddamn touchy and attached to her hip, I think that’s fucking cute!” 

Steve can’t help but roll his eyes now, though his lips curl into a soft smile as his cheeks flush. 

“You both match each other’s clinginess — and I’m saying that in a good way. It’s sweet. Clingy is cute.” Eddie grins. “Just be less anxious chihuahua, alright?”

Steve scrunches his nose up, scoffing, “chihuahua… but yeah, I’ll do my best.” 

Eddie chuckles at his disapproving voice.

“You always do, Steve.” He nods, squeezing his hand once more before he lets go. 

“Yeah…” Steve whispers, and looks at the ground for a moment. Taking a few deep breaths before he meets Eddie’s eyes again. “Thank you.” 

“What for?” The metalhead asks. 

“For being honest with me,” Steve tells him. “And for being my friend.”

A soft smile appears on Eddie’s face, and he shakes his head. “You don’t need to thank me—“

“But I do, I never knew what real friendships were… until Robin and Dustin, then you came along, and Nancy— even though she wants to kick my ass like on a daily basis, and probably wants to steal my girlfriend—“

“Oh, she absolutely does.” Eddie nods, making Steve snort. 

“I’m glad I have you on my side.” Steve admits with softness in his voice. His eyes drift to the ground. 

Eddie smiles at his friend, feeling relieved to have had this conversation. 

“Me too, Steve. And I’m glad we could talk.”

A smile tugs at Steve’s lips, and he slowly looks up again, noting the way the hurt and anger have disappeared in Eddie’s eyes again. 

“Yeah, me too.”

The energy shifts between them when everything has been said. They fall quiet for a moment, before Eddie looks at him, eyeing him slowly. 

The frown on Steve’s face and the line between his brows disappeared. Luckily. He notices the mark on Steve’s neck when he tilts his head to the side. A smirk appears on Eddie’s face. 

He knows something happened between you and a few days ago, something more. It was obvious by the way he forbade Nancy and him to enter the RV. And when the music turned up, he knew something was about to go down. And that he did. 

It was cute how flustered and shy you were the next entire day, how you looked at Steve with those big doe eyes, blushing every time he smiled at you and kissed you. 

And Steve, he looked like he won the lottery. Eddie doesn’t remember the last time he saw him smile as much as he did after that. It was nice to see. 

He clears his throat, “so…”

Steve raises his eyebrow at him. 

“Was it good?” Eddie asks, holding back a smirk. 

“What?”

“Was it good?” Eddie repeats, wiggling his eyebrows. 

Steve frowns, pursing his lips as he tilts his head to the side. 

“What was good?” Steve mumbles with genuine confusion in his features. 

Eddie rolls his eyes when he realizes that Steve won’t catch on. 

“...How was the pussy, Harrington?”

Steve’s brown eyes grow wide, and his cheeks instantly flush. He was never one for sex talk with friends. Maybe as a teenager, but even then it was just his ‘friends’ being stupid. 

A part of him wants to talk about it though, tell him how crazy he feels about you, how amazing, special it felt to be so intimate with you despite these circumstances. But the bigger part of him wants to keep it hidden, wants to keep it for just himself. 

With red cheeks, Steve shakes his head and gets up, making his way back out. 

“Hey!” Eddie yells as his shoulders slump, eyes flickering around the RV before they settle on the tiny box on the table filled with some of your stuff. “If they have girls talk, we have boys talk!” 

He pushes himself up from the couch, making his way towards the table, he looks inside and a grin appears on his face as his eyes light up. He reaches for the tiny bottles. 

“Wanna paint our nails too!?” Eddie asks, grabbing them with zero hesitation before he follows Steve out. “Not taking no for an answer.”

Steve looks at Eddie as though he had gone crazy when he comes out, holding those bottles in front of his face. 

“Munson–”

“Nope!” Eddie shakes his head, grinning mischievously. “We are so doing that.”

Steve can only sigh in response, knowing it’s a lost cause to fight against him. 

“Sunshine’s gonna love this.” Eddie chuckles, knowing that this will be enough to convince. 

He knows he’s right when he sees the softness in Steve’s eyes. 

At least he knows now how to convince him to do things. 

-

The town is peaceful and quiet; it would have been eerie if it weren’t for the sun shining brightly and the birds chirping loudly. It’s as abandoned as any town is nowadays, and despite life and people missing here, it’s still beautiful. Untouched by this world. The streets are clean, except for the dry leaves still laying around from last fall. The windows are dusty, a little dirty, but still intact. Abandoned cars are still parked on the streets. There is no blood, no bodies, no death around here, just a town in which the people stopped existing. 

Nancy is walking beside you quietly, her backpack already filled with ammo you found at the first stop you made, the gun store. Like you had already expected, you didn’t get so lucky there. It was mostly cleared out, but you still found a set of new knives laying around under the shelves. You looked for a new switchblade for Steve and got lucky there at least. 

You walk past an abandoned clothing store. The mannequin is wearing a dress, one that you would have definitely gone inside to try it on. It’s a beautiful pastel yellow, with thin straps and the finest flowers on it. A sundress perfect for a picnic, or a date. 

You slow down a little, eyes stuck on it now. 

You would have loved to wear something like this for a first proper date with Steve. You know he would have loved it too. Going to Central Park, laying on the grass as the sun hits the both of you, children playing around you, and dogs barking as they play fetch. A small band playing far away on the bridge, and the two of you sharing food with one another, laughing.

Something that was so normal then, feels like an impossible dream now.

Nancy furrows your eyebrows when she looks away from the map in her hands when she notices that you aren’t beside her anymore. She stops and turns around, finding you staring at the dress in the window longingly. 

“Do you want it?” Nancy asks, a smile tugging at her lips. 

You shake your head with a sigh, “what for? Can’t wear it anyways.” You mumble and tear your eyes away from it. You catch up to her again and look around, “we should focus on more important things like food and medicine.” 

Nancy’s eyes linger on the dress for a moment, even as you continue your way down the street and towards the pharmacy. She looks up at the sign above the store, reading the name of it before she goes after you. 

“We could still get it!” Nancy smiles at you as she catches up. “You could wear it in California!” 

You shake your head with a smile, “it’s fine, Nance.” 

You notice the way she hesitates, looking back at the store. 

“Nancy,” you smile and reach for her hand, giving it a squeeze. “Imagine how ridiculous I would look fighting in a dress!” 

Nancy furrows her eyebrows, shaking her head at you. “No, you would look hot, but the only one fighting would be your boyfriend by tearing that dress off.” 

Your stomach flips at her words. Boyfriend. You feel like a little girl when it comes to Steve. Excitement and giddiness rushing through you in a way they never did before. 

“Stop…” You try to hold back a giggle when you push her shoulder, especially when she starts wiggling her eyebrows. 

Nancy’s eyes light up when she sees how flustered you get, how you always do. A giggle falling from her own lips. She thinks it’s adorable. She knows what happened between you and Steve after she accidentally revealed your night with Aaron. She felt terrible, at least until she saw you the next day, covered in hickeys, face glowing in a different way, a smile on your face brighter than she’d ever seen, and Steve, he wore the same smile. 

You shake your head and look down with a smile on your face. 

Nancy bites back her own smile. It’s nice to see you like this, happy and smitten. Despite Steve clinging to you like a vice. You don’t seem to mind it at all; if anything, it looks like you are enjoying his clinginess. 

Silence falls between you both; it’s comfortable and peaceful. 

The pharmacy is shut down, the door locked. On your solo travel, you have learned that that has always been a good sign. And a look inside the dusty window shows you that the shelves are still stocked. 

You knock on the glass, waiting to see if anything is hiding there. But the noise doesn’t seem to alert anything, no monsters, no turned people. 

“Looks good.” Nancy murmurs before she reaches for the crowbar tucked into your backpack. 

“Have you ever done this before?” You ask as you step aside, giving her the room she needs to open the door. 

The look she gives you over her shoulder is enough of an answer, and it makes you chuckle. 

“Stupid question, ma’am. My apologies.” You place your hand on your chest. “Hot independent woman.” 

Nancy rolls her eyes, though with a smile on her face. The way you talk to her reminds her of Robin sometimes. 

The door creaks when it opens, and she hands you back the crowbar, instantly reaching for her gun in case something does come out from behind the shelves. You wrap your hands around the metal tightly, ready to fight with it if needed. 

Nancy whistles and takes a step inside, cringing at the loud floorboards beneath her boots. 

You look around, closing the door behind you on your way inside. You glance at the empty street, making sure that nothing follows you both. 

You both step in different directions, checking every corner of the pharmacy just to be sure. The town might be fully abandoned, but you can never be too safe in a world like this.

“Alright, it’s clear.” Nancy calls out to you after checking the storage. 

You both meet back in the front and instantly start looking through the medicine, opening your backpacks and stocking up on antibiotics, tylenol, and bandages. 

Nancy grabs some vitamin pills off the shelf, throwing them into her backpack as well. 

“This is almost too good.” You mumble when you stop in front of the fully stocked up toiletry shelf. You throw some shampoo and body wash into your backpack, followed by deodorant and toothpaste. 

“Is that pessimism I hear in your voice, Sunshine?” Nancy teases a few aisles away from you. 

“Can’t blame me on this one, most stores are wiped clean,” you mumble as you eye the moisturizers. You stop hurrying to fill your already heavy backpack when your eyes fall on the razors and the shaving cream. For a moment, you contemplate. Steve didn’t seem to mind it the first time, when you weren’t shaved and you didn’t have any time to even think about it or feel insecure over it, and he was like a feral animal, all you saw in his eyes was lust and the need for you. 

You stare at the razor and the berry scented moisturizer for a while. 

You almost feel silly, worrying about smooth and nice smelling skin in a world like this. But you want to smell good, you want to feel good when you have your first time with him. So, without thinking any more about it, you grab it and throw it inside your backpack before you move on, reaching for anything relevant you can find. 

“We got so lucky here.” Nancy smiles to herself as she zips up her full backpack after stuffing it full. She throws the strap over her shoulder, and starts making her way to you. “There’s a neighbourhood I wanted to check out–” She halts in her tracks when you turn around abruptly after throwing something in your bag. You look like a deer caught in headlights – your eyes are wide and you start blushing. 

Nancy presses her lips together, raising her eyebrows at you. Amusement rushes through her when she glances at the items behind you. 

“Do you need a moment?” She asks, trying not to laugh. 

“No.” You squeak out, shaking your head. “No, I’m done here!” 

Nancy’s eyes follow you when you brush past her and practically rush towards the snack shelf. She struggles to hold back her chuckles when she looks back at the small boxes. She doesn’t follow you; instead, she stays back and looks down in amusement. 

Her conversation with Steve is still in the back of her mind, and how he asked for her help to make your first time special. She owes him something, and it’s not just that; she wants to help because it’s you. Steve is right, you deserve more than a night in the RV; you deserve something special. 

Nancy bites down on her lip, and she looks out the window and across the street. She looks back at you. Your face is still flustered, but you are now distracted by the variety of chocolates. 

“Hey, uh, I’ll get some fresh air and wait outside!” 

You don’t question her and only nod, grateful to have a moment to yourself after getting caught packing the box of condoms. You look between all the candies, wondering how this place was left this untouched. Given all the places you have gone through before, all the empty stores, this is almost becoming scary. 

When you walk out a few minutes later, you find Nancy crossing the street, smiling cheekily at you. You don’t question it, thinking she is still teasing because of the condoms. 

“Ready to go?” Nancy asks cheerfully, pointing her finger towards the end of the street.

You hum and nod your head, holding onto the straps of your backpack, you make your way towards her and give her a small smile. 

Nancy’s blue eyes flicker across your face, and her lips are still stretched into a smile. She reaches behind you and pulls your braid out from behind the backpack. 

“Oh, thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” she grins at you and pats your back, “come on.” 

Amusement sparks inside your chest when she keeps on smiling, satisfied and happy. You haven’t seen her that way in a while, and it makes your heart swell to know that it’s only because of you, because she gets to spend time alone with you. You always craved to have a friend like that, one who gets excited to spend time with you, one who looks forward to being with you, one who does thoughtful little gestures, one who feels the same. 

The walk into the neighbourhood is spent in comfortable silence for a few minutes before you fall into a conversation about your favorite books and movies, about the things you loved to bake and cook before the world ended. 

She asks you about New York, even though she asked so many times before. There is still so much she wants to know; there is still so much you haven’t told her yet. You tell her about all the book stores, all the coffee shops you used to love going to after a long day in school. You tell her about the record store you used to work at on the weekends, and the parties that your ex-boyfriend used to drag you to. 

She listens with a smile on her face, except for when you mention the guy who screwed you over. Nancy loves to hear about you, about your life before all this. 

And you love to hear about her, about her summer jobs and what she loved doing, about her family and Robin. 

When you sit down on the porch steps of one of the houses you have scavenged, you share a pack of trail mix and enjoy the feeling of the afternoon sun on your skin. You pick out a chocolate-covered almond and pop it in your mouth, closing your eyes in enjoyment. “Mmh.” You smile as you let the chocolate melt on your tongue. “I love trail mix.” 

Nancy chuckles softly, “no, you love chocolate.” 

You chew the almond and open your eyes again, glancing at her, “... true.” 

She shakes her head at you, “you have a sweet tooth, Sunshine.” 

“I do, there’s no denying that.” 

A solemn look crosses Nancy’s features, and she stays quiet for a moment. The look in her eyes is suddenly distant, like her mind is stuck somewhere far away, recalling memories. 

“Robin loved to bake.” 

Her voice is filled with sadness, and her eyes are now too. She doesn’t hide it, not bothering to in front of you. 

“After the upside down… when we thought that we won and things were okay for a while, she would visit me at my summer job and bring me lunch, food from the diner at first, and then she started bringing sweet treats. Muffins, Brownies, Cookies– god, she made the best Cookies!” Nancy exclamins, smiling at those memories. “She was always so nervous, thinking I wouldn’t like it, but it was the sweetest thing anyone’s ever done for me.” 

A sad smile tugs at your lips, and you lean your elbow on your knee, resting your head in your hand as you listen to her. 

“Then she started adding cute notes– not pick-up lines,” Nancy shakes her head, feeling the need to clarify. “It was sweet, romantic. It’s when I started falling for her.”

She pauses, looking up at the sky.

“I was scared… and a part of me wanted to run away from all those new feelings I was experiencing, but when she looked at me with those eyes, I knew there was no use in running… I didn’t want to run away, not from her.” 

You reach for her hand when you see the tears in her eyes. It hurts to see her suffering. It hurts to know that she lost someone she felt that way for. 

“I never felt such love for anyone before, not even Jonathan… and I thought that what I had with him was true love.” She says, smiling sadly as she looks down at your hand. “But… she was it. She was everything to me.” 

You swallow the growing lump in your throat. You can feel her hand shaking, you can see her trying to hold back tears as the sadness deepens. 

“Everything felt right with her.” She whispers softly. 

You know that feeling now too. You have that with Steve. Something that was always missing in your whole life, you have found with him. 

“I wish you had more time together.” You whisper, looking at her in sadness. “I wish I could’ve gotten to know her. She sounds amazing.” 

Nancy nods, lifting her head to look at you. “She was.”

You hold her hand and scoot closer to her, letting her lay her head on your shoulder. There aren’t any words needed. This is enough. No one was there for her when she lost Robin, not because she didn’t have anyone to comfort her, to help her through the grief, but because her feelings were a secret and nobody knew about her and Robin at that time. 

She was all alone with her suffering. 

“Tell me more about her,” you say after a moment of comfortable silence, knowing that this is a part of healing. Talking about the people, the things you have lost. 

And she does, happily so, she starts talking about her, and what starts off with sadness and tears ends with giggles and smiles because Robin happened to have a lot of funny moments, a lot of silly accidents that led to their secret relationship. 

And when Nancy talks about their first night together, when they fell asleep beneath the stars after they kissed and kissed, you can’t help your question. 

“Did you two ever…?” 

Nancy giggles a little, wiping a stray tear off her blushing cheek as she nods. 

“Oh, yeah.” She bites her lip. “We did.”

You cup your cheeks, giggling now with her as you both lean towards each other like two little school girls finding out about a first kiss. And you continue on giggling when she tells you all about that night. Saying how it felt the way she always imagined it to. Speaking of those fireworks you read in books about and it only makes you more intrigued, more excited. 

“I can’t wait for it… I can’t wait to have sex.” You blurt out without thinking, causing Nancy to chuckle loudly. 

“Girl, I can tell.” She laughs, glancing at your backpack. 

You push her shoulder and groan in embarrassment. 

“No, no, Sweetie. I’m glad you’re thinking about being safe. I love how you grabbed the biggest size, you got a lot of faith in your man.” 

“Nancy!” You groan again, burying your face in your hands. 

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” Nancy giggles, patting your back as she looks down at you in amusement. 

“I just–” You pause, trying to gather your thoughts. Your cheeks are suddenly burning very hotly as you think of your boyfriend that way. “I-I don’t even know what to expect! Is it… Is it gonna hurt? Am I gonna be… do… good? Is he gonna feel good with me–”

“Sunshine.” Nancy grabs your hand firmly, giving it a strong squeeze. “You don’t need to worry about these things, you know why?” 

You wait for her to continue, looking at her with big eyes. 

“You are with someone you feel safe with. You are with someone you feel comfortable with.” She smiles, speaking of her own experience with Robin. “And Steve will guide you. He will take care of you, trust me, he is dying to take care of you.” She says, giggling when your eyes light up. 

Your heart flutters at the mere thought of it, of being this intimate with him. 

Nancy smiles as she watches you. She knows exactly what you are feeling – the anticipation, the excitement, the adoration for someone you waited to be with for so long. That special something that you will only get to feel with that one person, who is Steve in your case. 

Which used to be Robin in hers. 

She looks around, taking in the beautiful street with the willow trees. There is a house at the end of the road, one that looks just as untouched as the rest of this town does. It has a huge garage, one that seems to provide enough space for the RV. 

And this town is safe – safe to stay in for a night. 

She did make a promise to Steve. 

She takes another look at you before her eyes flicker back to the beautiful house. 

“Hey Sunshine, wanna check out one more house?” 

-

The grass is dull and flat from Steve’s pacing. He is huffing and taking deep breaths as he keeps on tugging at his hair, looking out into the distance with anxious eyes. 

Eddie is leaning against the RV with a cigarette between his fingers. His eyes flicker with amusement, though he does feel a little bad for the brunette, knowing how freaked out he is that you haven’t returned yet. 

Eddie knows that separating him from you is and will be a one-time thing. It was necessary, but Steve won’t ever let it happen again, no matter what he or Nancy says. 

“Where are they…” Steve stresses as he paces around the fire Eddie started about an hour ago. 

“They’ll be here soon, don’t worry, loverboy, your Sunshine will be back in your arms in no time.” Eddie blows out the smoke before he throws the cigarette on the ground, killing the flame with his boot. 

Steve only huffs in response, not really looking his way. Suddenly, he halts in his tracks, placing his hands on his hips the way he usually does. He furrows his eyebrows, shaking his head. 

“They should have been back by now…” He mumbles to himself and runs his hand down his face as all the what if’s start going through his head, ones that will only lead him to insanity if he lets them happen. “That’s it, I’m going–”

“Look.” Eddie cuts him off, smiling. 

Steve glances at him to find him staring into the distance. His eyes follow, and when they spot the little light in the distance, and you are walking down the hill with the moonlight shining down on you, the biggest weight gets lifted off his shoulders. Relief floods through him as his heart calms in his chest. 

Without even thinking about it, Steve takes off and starts running towards you, unable to wait until you make your way to him. He meets you in the middle. 

“Stevie– oh!” You squeal as you almost lose balance when your boyfriend wraps his arms around you, nearly knocking you off your feet with the sudden impact. He holds you so tightly, as though you had been gone for years and just came back from the war. 

Steve buries his face in the crook of your neck. He breathes in your scent and hugs you against his body so strongly. His heart is pounding from the running, but mostly from the worrying. Now it feels whole again. He can breathe again. He can relax again. His heart swells when you wrap your arms around his torso, laying your head on his chest as he cups the back of it, sinking his fingers into your hair. 

“I’m never letting you go again, Sunshine.” Steve whispers against your skin. 

Nancy watches the two of you with a smile on her face. With a shake of her head, she continues making her way towards the RV. 

“I’m okay, Steve!” You giggle at your boyfriend, pulling back to look at him. 

“I’m not.” He whispers, revealing his soft brown eyes that are filled with fear. “I hate to be away from you.” He leans his forehead against your own as he brings his hands up to cup your cheeks. 

Who would have thought that he would ever be this vulnerable with you? 

“Don’t ever leave me again,” he pleads. 

Your heart flutters at his touch, at his words, at the way he looks at you. Words can’t describe what you see in his eyes, but it does everything to make your insides light up. 

And Steve, after all day of feeling like he was going crazy, he finally has you back in his arms and he can’t help his next move. 

“I won’t–”

Steve tilts your head up and leans down, kissing all over your face – your lips, your cheeks, your nose, your chin, your forehead. And it makes you giggle so loudly that finally a smile breaks onto his face. 

“Stevie!” Your giggle makes his heart feel so alive. 

He reaches for your backpack and throws the strap over his shoulder before he bends down, catching you off guard yet again when he scoops you up into his arms, lifting you up bridal style. 

“Oh!” You blush strongly as you wrap your arms around your boyfriend's neck. 

“Oh my god.” Eddie snorts, watching it all unfold from a distance. His amused eyes meet Nancy’s, who looks over her shoulder when you squeal again. She shakes her head with a chuckle. 

“Lovebirds.” Nancy shrugs at Eddie before she lets him pull her into his arms. 

“Did everything go well out there?” Eddie asks, ruffling her hair. 

Nancy slaps his hand away, frowning in annoyance. 

“Yeah, it was great. We found a lot of stuff.” She lets out a groan of relief when Eddie takes the backpack off her shoulders. “Thanks.” She mumbles as she stretches her back. 

“I hope you had a great day with your girl, don’t think it will happen again though.” Eddie chuckles, watching Steve carrying you back to the RV. 

Nancy huffs, though not in annoyance, “yeah, I guess not. But right now, I’m just ready to eat and go to sleep.”

“Yeah, I bet.” Eddie nods, taking in the tired look on her face. 

Steve puts you down in front of the fire, squeezing your waist and stepping away from you for a second. 

Nancy raises her eyebrows at him, but Eddie isn’t looking at her anymore, he is looking over her shoulder, “did you–”

“Nancy.” 

She furrows her eyebrows at the sound of Steve’s voice. She turns around to find Steve standing in front of her. He takes a look at Eddie before he steps towards her in hesitation. In that short moment, she gets to look into his eyes, she notices the guilt in them, reading the sadness that he hid for months and months before you came along. 

He wraps his arms around her and hugs her. It’s a little awkward, but it’s still a hug, one filled with apology for neglecting a friendship they have built and also for the loss she experienced as well last year. 

The hug only lasts for a few seconds, but it tells her that her and Eddie’s plan worked. They talked. 

The moment Steve pulls away from the hug, he gives her a tight lipped smile before he makes his way back to you. He wraps his arm around your shoulder and pulls you into his chest, leaning down to kiss your temple. 

Eddie smiles at Nancy, knowing that his conversation with Steve worked out the way they hoped it would. Despite him clinging to you still, it worked. 

“So…” Nancy claps her hands together, smiling. “I spotted a great house we can stay in, lock the RV inside, and we can all get some rest and sleep again!” 

You tilt your head aside, looking at her curiously as you haven’t heard of those plans before. Steve sports a similar look, and it takes him a second to understand what Nancy is getting at. 

She widens her eyes at him, as she looks between you both. 

The expression on her face says it all to Steve; ‘Don’t be stupid.’ 

Steve’s eyes widen in understanding, and his heart flutters wildly in his chest when he looks down at you, knowing that he now gets the opportunity with you. Just the thought of it drives him crazy in a way nothing else ever could. He can’t help but tug you closer, his hands itching to feel more of you. 

“Is that–” You murmur as you look down at his hand, a smile spreading on your face as you reach for it. His nail is painted yellow. 

Steve’s cheeks start to burn when he looks down at you, but his knees weaken and his heart squeezes in his chest when he sees the way your eyes light up. You love it. 

“Couldn’t convince him to paint all his nails, he insisted on just one.” Eddie groans as he proudly shows off his black nails, making Nancy chuckle. 

Just one. 

He let Eddie paint just one. 

His ring finger. 

☀︎

I'm wiggling my eyebrows at you guys right now, y'all know what is about to go down