Pairing: Steve Harrington x female reader
Summary: Steve knows what he wants. He just doesn’t believe he’s allowed to have it.
Warnings: friends to lovers. one bed. words of affection. yearning. no use of y/n.
When Steve first met you, you had a boyfriend. He remembers that very clearly.
You’d laughed at something he said - head tipped back and eyes bright with joy - and he’d thought … oh no. He could feel his heart doing a somersault.
And then you’d said „My boyfriend loves that movie too,“ and just like that he shoved the feeling down. Because Steve Harrington, reformed idiot, does not cross this kind of line.
So he becomes your friend. Just your friend. And it’s easy somehow.
Movie nights with the whole gang and you teasing him about rewinding tapes at Family Video. Him stealing fries off your plate and pretending he doesn’t notices the way you look at him sometimes.
Then one day, casually, you mentioning you broke up with your boyfriend. Steve nods, says he’s sorry it didn’t work out and absolutely does not let himself think anything else. Because if he would … he would’ve been overstepping a boundary, he could not go back from.
A week later, everyone’s at your place. The kids are arguing about what movie to watch, someone spills popcorn, but at some point everything shifts from loud and chaotic to peaceful and warm.
By midnight, they’re all gone. Except Steve.
„I’ll help you clean up,“ he says, already stacking cups.
Your both laughing over something Dustin said earlier while washing the dishes together. Time passes like it’s nothing and suddenly it’s the middle of the night.
You glance at the clock on the counter. „It’s like three in the morning. You could just stay? I mean. If you want.“
He hesitates for half a second. „You sure?“
„Yeah. I’ll grab extra pillows.“
But your place was small. Too small to have a spare bed and your couch was drenched in sugary lemonade, that Dustin spilled by accident a few hours before.
„I don’t mind if you don’t mind,“ you say flinching at how stupid that sounds.
Steve smiles. „I don’t mind.“
You lay down on opposite sides at first, with a very obvious, polite distance between you. The darkness wraps itself around both of you like a safety blanket.
„Goodnight, Steve,“ your voice barely a whisper. Heart beating loudly.
Five minutes pass. Then ten. Neither you or Steve moved a muscle.
„You still awake?“, Steve asks suddenly.
You both laugh quietly like children sharing a secret. Then you start talking again, about stupid things and then about real things. Fears, hopes and childhood stories. The kind of stuff you don’t say in a crowded room.
At some point, the space between you disappears almost naturally. Your shoulders brushing, but nothing happens until you fall asleep facing each other.
But … it feels like something did happen.
And then it keeps happening. The late night talks, shared blankets and hands accidentally touching in the safety of the night, repeating itself. Steve never tries anything. He never pushes further or assumes that something has to happen.
Which only makes your crush worse, because he is so careful with you. So utterly good … so right.
One night, the house is quiet. You’re lying on your sides again, facing each other. The soft glow of your bedside lamp as the only light source.
Your heart is pounding so loudly you’re sure he can hear it. „Steve?“
„Can I ask you something?“
He sifts slightly closer. „Always.“
You swallow. „How do you… feel about me?“
The tension in the room shifts. He doesn’t joke or deflect. Steve just looks at you and for a second, he looks nervous.
„I’ve liked you,“ he says softly. „Since the day we met.“
„But you had a boyfriend,“ he continues. „And even after you broke up … I didn’t wanted to be that guy. I didn’t want you to ever think I was waiting around like some vulture.“
You blink, stunned. Unable to find words.
„I wasn’t keeping my distance because I didn’t want you,“ Steve says with a gentle voice. „I was keeping it because I respect you. I’ve always been loyal to you. I always will be.“
You chest feels like it might burst. „So you haven’t thought about …“ you start.
„Oh, I do,“ he cuts in softly. „Trust me. I do.“
You laugh a little breathlessly. „I thought I was loosing my mind,“ you admit. „I’ve liked you for months. I just didn’t know if I was imagining things.“
„You weren’t,“ he murmurs.
„So,“ you whisper, heart racing. „What do we do now?“
He smiles - that warm, slightly shy smile that makes you melt.
„We could,“ he says slowly while reaching for your hand. „Try this. For real. No rushing and without pressure. Just … us.“
Your whole face lights up. „Just us.“
He reaches up - hesitates for the briefest second - then brushes his thumb along your cheek. „Can I kiss you?“
You nod immediately and he leans in. Slow, to give you time to pull away. But you don’t.
The kiss is soft, careful even and a little clumsy in the best way. His lips calming yours and a tiny moan escapes his throat.
When you pull apart, you’re both smiling like idiots.
„That was worth the wait,“ Steve murmurs.
„Yeah,“ you grin. „It really was.“
He rests his forehead against yours and for the first time in weeks, the space between you isn’t filled with tension. Instead the warmth and certainty takes it‘s place.
You fall asleep that night tangled together. Steve’s arm wrapped around you like it belonged there from the beginning.
Thank you so much for reading! All interactions are highly appreciated 💙
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