FauxBros

Regardless, she’d gotten loose and honed in on your dog. Haley, in all her thirty-pound glory, had barreled into your dog like they were long lost best friends.

Tim? He was mortified.

He would have apologized if he wasn’t stuck staring at you for the following thirty seconds. 

You had given an awkward laugh as Tim wrangled the pitbull and (finally) started stuttering out apologies. He held her like he’d never seen a dog before, though her tail had wagged all the same as she hung limply. 

“I’m so sorry, that’s my fault,” He’d finally said it without stumbling over the words. 

He doesn’t really remember the rest of the short conversation. He was distracted by the color of your eyes and trying to decide if you thought Haley licking at his chin was endearing or gross. 

Since then, Tim had been anxious to see you again. He considered coming to the park again and waiting around for you, but then that made him feel like a creep.

He did hack into the unmonitored CCTV of businesses by the park just to establish a daily rhythm, but he wasn’t being a creep with that. He swears! He just wanted to make sure he wasn’t wasting his time. There is a fine line between stalking and being nosey; Tim would like to think he’s just a detective at heart. 

Mostly assured that you would be there, he needed an excuse to talk to you. And what better excuse than the original?

Finally, the stupid doorknob turns. 

“Tim?” Dick quirks a brow. “Everything okay?”

“Yes,” Tim nods, but the heat crawling up his neck gives him away. Between Dick’s legs, Haley pokes her head out. Bingo. “Are you still sick?”

“Oh. No, I’m feeling better. It was just a cold. Why?” Dick asks, tilting his head at his younger brother.

“Haley doesn’t need to go for a walk?” Tim sounds too blunt, too pushy. He doesn’t care.

“We went out earlier.” Dick says. He looks Tim over as if checking for something wrong. Perhaps he hit his head? “You gonna tell me why, or…?”

“Yes!” Tim’s voice cracks. He was usually better at lying. Whatever. “I just… she’s a good dog. Wanted to take her for another walk.”

Dick gives him an unimpressed look. When they were younger, Dick had to deal with enough of his bullshit. It wasn’t hard to tell when Tim was up to more than he let on. Dick doesn’t even need to say anything before Tim is speaking.

“Look, there’s… there’s this person I saw at the park last time, and Haley is a good excuse to talk to them.”

Dick stares for a moment. Tim feels like squirming.

“You’re… using my dog to get a date?” Dick clarifies.

Tim starts to calculate how inconvenient it would be to change his name and move elsewhere. In the end, he seems to decide against it, because he nods. Slowly, like he’s unsure about even admitting it. “‘Date’ is a strong word.”

Another few beats of awkward silence pass. The door closes, and Tim resumes his earlier calculations. Maybe he could pull some strings with Conner and find a place in Smallville. He could take up horticulture, some animal husbandry. Or just be a hermit. How expensive were solar panels these days?

The door opens again to reveal Haley already pulling at her leash. Dick narrows his eyes, but there’s no real threat behind them. “Be back before dark. And don’t get her into trouble.”

Right. Like Haley wasn’t the one who started this. 

━━━━━━━━━━

Tim’s leg bounces on the bench, not quite paying attention to Haley as she chews on his shoelaces. He hated sitting still. Sure, he could sit at his desk for hours and work, but that was him being productive. Mind unoccupied? Sitting on a bench in a park and just… waiting? He feels like pulling his hair out.

It’s 4:37 when Haley tugs at the leash. Right on time. Her yipping and the violent wag of her tail must attract your dog, too, because suddenly he’s equally as excited. Perfect. All is going to plan. The hard part was going to be actually flirting.

“Oh! Hey,” He grins and waves as if he hadn’t been planning this for a week. He clears his throat, but the lump there doesn’t disappear. God, he hopes you remember him. This is going to be awkward if you don’t. “Fancy seeing you again.”

Fancy seeing you? Who the hell says that? 

His cheeks burn, but you smile back anyway. You say something in response, but he’s staring at the way your lips move instead of actually listening. They look soft, he thinks. Have you kissed anyone? He hopes he kisses well, not that he’s ever asked for feedback. Or kissed that many people. What’s the definition of a “good kisser”, anyway? Maybe he should ask your preference, but then again, that’s weird too. 

“—name?”

Oh. You’ve still been talking.

He blinks hard enough that black spots dance in his vision for a moment. “Uh, Tim. My name is Tim.” 

You stare for a moment, brows pinned and smile sort of wobbly. Then he realized you hadn’t been asking for his name. “I mean, Haley, sorry. Long night. Her name is Haley. I didn’t name her, though, she’s not mine. Not that I wouldn’t take her in! I love dogs. Dog person. Animal person. My little brother has a cow.”

Someone end him now. 

Tim can’t tell if you think he’s a freak or if his rambling is endearing. He’s hoping for the latter, but he’s fairly sure it’s the former. He could try to argue Batman into the ground at fourteen, but talking to you like a normal person? Out of the question, apparently.

“Right,” You finally say. “How did Haley lose her leg?”

“Uh,” He pauses. Spouting off Haley’s tragic backstory definitely felt like it was going to ruin the mood. Was there a mood? There is a not a mood, decidedly, but he would still rather avoid making you sad. “my brother found her as a stray. Not super sure what happened to her.”

He tries to think of something else to say. He wants to continue this conversation, but every rehearsal of this he’s done in his head is suddenly gone from his memory. 

And then you swear, pulling your dog back with frantic apologies. He almost doesn’t realize what happened, nervous system too fried by everything else to notice. But, undoubtedly, your dog had peed on him. This was not part of the plan.

Great. Haley grumbles in solidarity. 

“I am… so sorry,” You say again, cheeks darkened as embarrassment rises in you. But at least you’re talking to him!

“It- it’s okay! I need new shoes anyway.” He breathes out with a shaky smile. He doesn’t need new shoes, but you look mortified, and he desperately wants you to understand that it’s alright. He crouches to let your dog lick at his fingers. The little beast wags it’s tail so hard his whole body wobbles. “Just means he likes me, right?”

You give another embarrassed look, but nod. “Dogs usually have a good read on people.” Your words are sheepish, but Tim takes the opening.

“You want to find out?”

You give him an owlish, almost concerned look. Maybe he should finish the pickup line. Either he delivered it poorly, or you didn’t get it. Regardless of which it was, you were looking at him as though you were trying to evaluate his motivation. He swears he’s a good person, just give him a chance.

“I mean… you know. It would be good to see you again.”

“I’ll buy you new pants?” You say, the words coming through with another sheepish laugh. 

“Sure.” He chirps, grinning ear to ear. 

"Ken?" He repeats, forcing his voice even. He shifts a bit uncomfortably where he's sat on the edge of his bed. His eyes flick momentarily toward the door; perhaps he could make a quick escape and you would be none the wiser.

You look over your shoulder at him, quirking a brow. "Ken. Like.... Ken doll?"

His tongue runs over his teeth. "You... don't know anyone named Ken?"

"No," You straighten and walk over to him. You watch him curiously, brows furrowed. "You know that.”

He sighs and leans back on the bed, hands braced behind him. “No one. No… Kenneth?”

“Nope.”

“Kendrick?”

“Dick.” You frown and cross your arms across your chest. You can’t seem to grasp what he’s getting at. “If I wanted to cheat on you, I’d pick someone with a cooler name than ‘Ken.’”

He admits defeat and hangs his head. He lies back against the bed with a huff, and you move to stand between his legs.

“You seriously think I got you confused for some other guy?” You ask, making a motion for him to sit back up.

Dick just looks down his lashes at you, but doesn’t sit back up. “No. Not— Not really.”

Seeing that he won’t move, you crawl onto the bed, draping yourself across him. “Well, something is wrong.”

He just sighs and leans up slightly to press a kiss to the top of your head. His fingers trace your spine, grounding himself in your familiar scent. When he doesn’t answer your implied question, you sit up to look at him. With a purposefully dramatic roll of his eyes, he finally answers.

“Damian said you’d like someone…” He gestures vaguely with his free hand. “…someone a little less…” He trails off, but the meaning is clear: ‘someone a little less like me.’

“Damian could write an argumentative novel about why the sky isn’t really blue,” You challenge.

A smile pulls gently at Dick’s lips. “Fine. But you owe me kisses.”

━━ Jason Todd

Jason didn’t want to introduce you to his family.

It wasn’t that he was ashamed of you for any reason, or even that he was worried about how his family would react. His relationship with them was rocky, but they were still his family in the end.

No, the reason he didn’t want you to meet his family was his brothers. Specially, Dick-fucking-Grayson, but Tim didn’t exactly help either. His brothers were nicer. Prettier. Not littered with scars, or used as the Joker’s fucked up canvas.

Jason’s hair wasn’t perfect like Dick’s (he was still debating whether or not you liked the white streak in his hair dyed black or not). He wasn’t as smart or quick-witted as Tim. Sure, he was smarter than most people, he could probably send a few cyber-geeks rolling in their graves. But he was just… Jason.

Messy, fucked up, street kid Jason.

That’s probably why it hurt so much when you called him Dick.

In an effort to look good in front of his family, you’d tried to help in cleaning up dishes after dinner. You were frazzled, hands covered in dish soap, when Jason peaked his head in.

“You need help?” He asked, and over the sound of the sink’s running water, you mistook his voice for Dick’s.

“I’m okay, Dick, thank you.” You said.

A beat passes. Sensing the quiet and the stillness, you turn. Instead of his brother, you find Jason. Of course, you smile and chirp out a “oh, hi,” but Jason looks like a wounded animal.

You watch him curiously for a moment. “Jay?”

“Why did you… call me Dick?” Jason says. He clears his throat and rolls his shoulders, as though squaring himself would help him deal with the way his heart dropped.

“I couldn’t hear you well, sorry,” You say, reaching to turn the sink off. “Thought you sounded like Dick for a second.”

When you turn to look at him again, he’s impossibly more tensed up. His arms are crossed and every inch of him has gone rigid. He takes a deep breath, pads of his fingers tapping against his jacket as he tries to reel in the less-than-nice words that his mind immediately provides.

But, he’s been learning patience. Supposedly. Theoretically.

“Right,” A muscle in his jaw tics. “Because you’d rather it be Dick.”

You offer an unimpressed look. “Seriously, Jason?” You huff, tone bored. “I met him two hours ago, do you really think—“

Jason shakes his head and holds a hand up, shoulders dropping. “That… no. I didn’t mean… I know you wouldn’t.” He takes a deep breath, trying to force his muscles to relax.

He was fine. You were fine. The relationship was fine.

He walks over, trying his best to swallow the anxious lump in his throat. When he was a kid, he was better with words. Now, he just feels like everything comes out jumbled.

Maybe that’s why instead of saying ‘sorry’ outright, he reaches to grab a dish towel. With hands so gentle they ought not to belong to him, he runs the towel over your skin. He wipes away the suds and water in a way that might be akin to worship.

“I don’t mean to get so defensive.” He says as he plops the towel down onto counter. He leans against the counter, eyes carefully moving over your features. “I just…”

Worry, he doesn’t say.

“…We can say you don’t feel good and we need to leave early.” You whisper and offer a small, conspiratorial smile.

“Please.”

━━ Tim Drake

You can do whatever you want in your free time! Tim doesn’t care.

What he does care about is not knowing what you’re doing. He trusts you, of course, but everyone has doubts and worries sooner or later. His, in particular, started last week when you’d said something in passing to Damian about someone named ‘Ace.’

Tim didn’t know who the hell Ace was. What he wasn’t about admit was that he scanned through databases and made a list of possible connections (all of which turned up null and void, much to his growing frustration).

You’d called whoever this Ace was ‘cute.’

Cute. You shouldn’t be calling anyone cute.

“—listening?”

What was so much better about this guy than him?

“Tim.”

There had to be a way to figure out who Ace was without alerting you to anything.

“Tim!”

His gaze snaps up as your voice finally reaches him. He blinks a few times and then mumbles a “yeah, honey?”

“Have you been listening to me?” You ask, giving him a frown, arms crossed and everything.

He clears his throat and shifts on his feet. He knew what he’d always been told about healthy relationships: communication was important. But what if you would lie? What if you dodged the question, or denied it, or said he misheard you? He didn’t want to stay silent, but the idea of verbalizing his insecurity felt like making some threat to the relationship real. Trust, he’s sure, is another important thing though.

“Tim?” You ask again.

Right. He still hadn’t said anything.

“Uh, no, I’m sorry,” He finally speaks. “Got lost in my thoughts.”

“What’s wrong?” You ask, concern in your eyes as they moved over Tim’s features. That slight pout to his lip, the pinch between his brow, the almost-cowlick in his hair where he kept running his hands through it.

“Who’s Ace?” He finally asks.

“Uh, I dunno.” You quirk a brow. “That’s what we call Titus sometimes. Like… Damian’s dog. Why?”

Oh. It’s not often that he feels stupid, but now is one of those times. He stares sort of blankly for a moment, before nodding.

“Right. I knew that.” He says.

He smiles warmly and presses a kiss to your forehead. The warmth of his lips seeps into your skin, a soft breath ghosting over you. Tim stays like that for a moment, before seemingly finally convincing himself that he should move. Nose gently bumping yours, he smiles again.

“Now. What were you saying?”

━━ Wally West

Wally is cool! He is totally cool. And hot. Funny, maybe? He doesn’t think tolerable is a stretch, at the very least. He did not need be some legendary prodigy, or space alien, or some stupid fish prince to feel cool.

Regardless, yesterday his eye twitched as he watched Garth helping you move furniture. Wally could have done that! So what if he had been busy earlier when you asked for his help? The couch could’ve stayed there for ten more minutes while he finished training.

Garth landed flat on his ass when Wally hip checked him a bit too roughly. It was totally an accident! He just doesn’t know his own speed. Stop glaring at him.

But that was yesterday. He was over it now. Completely. So what if he hadn’t slept well last night? Blame it on mercury in retrograde. Misaligned chakras. Unbalanced humors. Something other than him admitting to his own insecurities.

Wally perks up out of his own thoughts when he hears you talking. He looks at you with those puppy dog eyes, warm and loving as always. He tries to pay attention to what you’re saying, but it’s not working well.

And then you call him ‘Garth’.

He clears his throat. Swallows thickly. In a flash, he’s gone, and then in front of you again. He’s wiping at his mouth, face flushed like he’d been sick. “Sorry, what were you saying?”

“Uh… I said Arthur was stealing Garth from the Tower for a few days. That’s what Dick said, anyway. Figured I’d tell you.” You say slowly. You quirk a brow and stare at him for a moment, clearly confused. “Are you… okay?”

Oh. So you hadn’t called him Garth.

He stares right back for a few minutes. And then he nods. “Yeah.” His voice cracks. He clears his throat in a poor attempt at recovery, and then tries again. “Yeah. I’m… I’m gonna brush my teeth. And then I’ll make you breakfast?”

“Wally.” You say, firmer. You’re not upset, just worried. Still, you know frowning at him will make him listen.

“I just.. I don’t like Garth, okay?” He says quickly, looking anywhere but you. The ceiling tiles seem to be extra interesting today.

For another long moment, you stare unintelligently. Then the meaning clicks. You fight back a smile and nod in agreement. “He smells like sea water anyway, and not the good kind. Oh, can we have fruit with breakfast?”

Until you threw your pen down and took 2 small steps to your bed. Flipping down straight on your face. Closing your eyes you dozed off for merely minutes.

Until you heard the front door open and some tussling downstairs.

“Baby, I’m home!” You heard your boyfriends warm voice from downstairs.

You were happy to hear him. But still grim about your writers block. Never the less you grabbed your zip up hoodie and threw it on. You yanked on the zipper, walking out to the kitchen.

Steve heard you pitter into the kitchen and turned with the widest grin. “Hey baby!” He said sauntering over to you. Effortlessly picking you up.

That alone made your glum mask crack. You smiled and wrapped your arms around his shoulders. Wasting no time to dig your face into his neck and take in his smell. He smelled like the radio shack and the pizza he brought home for you two.

“I missed you so much.” You mumbled into his neck.

“Not as much as I missed you.” He said putting you down, but keeping his hands on your waist.

You looked up at him with a half smile. Trying your best to ignore the irritation you were facing just minutes ago. But your boyfriend was too good.

He always knew when you were upset, called it the “Harrington Sense”.

One look at his face and you could tell those Harrington alarms were doing off.

“What’s the matter?” He said tilting his head.

You sighed and leaned up to kiss him. “It’s nothing serious” you said, your lips meeting his.

He didn’t pause before kissing you back. Happy to meet your lips after a long day. They almost had a crawl today but luckily not. Steve woke up that morning with a deep feeling in his chest. One which screamed at him not to leave you today.

He pulled away though, not wanting to be distracted by your kisses. “Nothing serious but still something?”

You nodded and pecked his cheek before pulling away. You stepped away to the cabinet to pull out two plates.

He came up behind you, wrapping around your waist again. Placing his chin on your shoulder, desperate to not be away from your touch. “How can I help?”

You hummed, filling your plate with pizza. Then working on his plate. “I don’t know that you can my love.”

Steve made a noise that came off as.. offended?

You thought that he, Steve Harrington, couldn't help with your problem? You know he could do anything, don’t you?

“Well what’s wrong?”

You picked up your plate of pizza and turned to him. Eyebrows furrowed with a pensive look on your face. You didn’t quite know how Steve could help here but it was worth a shot to let him in. You knew he can’t stand being left out of your ever changing mind.

He disregarded his plate and instead trapped you between his arms. Both of his strong hands gripping the countertop behind you. Your innocent eyes gazing up at him almost distracted him. But he prevailed.

You sighed.

“I’ve gotten to the point in my book where the main character can’t find his way out of the room he’s in. It’s that dungeon scene I told you about. Once he’s apprehended?”

Steve’s intense look never wavered as he nodded, listening intently.

“Well now I don’t even know how he’s going to get out. I like the layout of the palace and the security detail I’ve imagined.” You took a bite of pizza, and chewed through the rest of your points. “And I don’t want to change it. Plus I’ve been hinting at these details throughout the whole book. So if I change it now…?” You swallowed and looked up at him expectantly. Hoping he’s following along.

He nodded and stood up crossing his arms. “I understand.”

“So. That’s my dilemma. I just can’t figure out how he’s going to get himself out.”

“Well. Why does he have to get himself out?”

“He has to get back to his mentor and free his species.” You looked at Steve strangely. Had he not been following along?

“No no. Why can’t your girl uh…. Felicity?”

“Farah.”

“Farah! Okay why can’t she save him?”

You hummed to yourself. “Farah?”

“Yeah! Why not some good old heroin uh-“ Steve jumped to life, startling you. But he pretended to sword fight the air.

“Fwsh pew!”

Those were the sounds of his imaginary sword apparently.

Steve then watched the cogs turn in your head. He adored the way your eyes shone and dulled, before the shine fought its way back to your eyes. He moved close to you to reach for his plate behind you.

But suddenly an idea struck. Your hand flew backwards to put your plate on the counter. Before you pushed forward, pushing Steve into the island counter behind him.

You reached up for his collar and pulled him down kissing him hard. You couldn’t think of a more deserving reward right now.

But Steve was delighted. His hands flitted at his sides before they scrambled towards your body. Grabbing wherever he could and pulling you close before you decided to run.

But to his surprise you laced your fingers into his hair and pulled him closer. “I love you” you whispered, “I would save you from a dungeon too you know.”

He smiled and kissed you again. Muttering against your lips “let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

You pulled away and nodded. “I agree. Thank you my love, you're a genius!” You said before finally peeling off and darting upstairs to get to writing your ideas down.

Steve smirked proudly to himself. “A genius.” he mused before grabbing for his plate again.

He would let you have a second to write to yourself before he made his way upstairs. But he could hardly wait. He was too excited to see what you had been thinking of in your creative mind.

Steve Harrington ── ❆

You two had attended a lively Christmas Eve party together. When suddenly Steve had lost you. He searched around and around the unfamiliar house you two were at. Vague memories of losing Nancy that one horrible Halloween night were beating at the sides of his head.

He almost got dizzy with the idea that he would stumble upon you. As drunk and angry as her.

But he should know better.

Especially as you turn the corner with two cups in hand. Beaming once you caught his eye. “Stevie!” You called before shouldering your way through people to get to him.

You forced a cup into his hand and kissed him hard on his cheek.

He didn’t smell alcohol on you, just the sweetness of the drink you handed him. Hot chocolate warming his hand. He couldn’t help but break into a smile.

“Thank you baby.” He said and kissed you hard.

You pulled back happy but confused “What? Of course. Nothing to thank me for. I just asked Melissa to put on Wham! Next time she comes to the boombox!”

His favorite Christmas song, “Last Christmas”.

You had run off to get him hot chocolate and request his favorite holiday song. He should have known.

He was too busy looking into your eyes and smiling at you to hear what you were saying. But when he came too he realized you were pointing out some guy with a horrid snowman costume coming through the living room.

And you were too busy cracking up to see Steve set his cup down, until he grabbed onto you and pulled you in tight. When you locked eyes with him there was no doubt about it. You were in love with Steve Harrington.

Steve looked down to your hand and fidgeted with your ring finger. He knew he would have to adorn it soon. But for tonight a kiss would do.

Robin Buckley ── ❆

The sheets around her were warm when Robin woke up. Albeit she was a bit slow to open her eyes and get moving. Stretching to wake up a bit more, suddenly she realized you weren’t laying next to her anymore.

However the heat radiating from your spot already told her that you had gotten up just a short while ago.

She swung her legs off the bed and started getting ready for the day. Once she washed her face she started brushing her teeth.

The morning was so peaceful and she was excited to get downstairs to see you. However she got to see you earlier than that.

Once you burst into the bathroom and scared the shit out of her of course.

She gasped and spit her toothpaste out. “HEY!” She wiped her mouth. “You know babe I could have been taking a piss in here. Jesus!”

You were practically vibrating in place waiting for her to get over being startled.

She rinsed her mouth out and looked up at you again. “Well? Goodmorning? How did you sleep? I love you-?”

“IT’S SNOWING!” You yelled and laughed happily.

Her eyes lit up as well and she smiled at you. “You’re kidding!”

“No!” You took her hand and drug her down the stairs with you to look out the front windows.

It was just then Robin realized you were dressed in 3 layers with your good boots on and she was able to piece together that you wanted to go into the snow. At 9 in the morning. Right now.

You grabbed her jacket for her as she looked through the window and shoved it into her hands.

Robin whined just a bit. “Oh nooo. I just woke up, come on babe.”

You grinned and leaned into her, tilting your head a bit. Lips so close together you could kiss her just then. “We can come back in when you catch me.” You smiled wider and kissed her hard and quick. Before throwing the door open and racing outside.

Johnathan Beyers ── ❆

The town’s annual tree lighting and Christmas market was in full swing. You and Johnathan both signed up to do photography work over where the kids met Santa. And you were genuinely having a wonderful time.

Johnathan was on the camera of course. Joyce was thrilled to hear you had gotten him to use his talents at an event like this. She thought it was good for him to get out and experience these things. And typically you were the one to guide him into it.

Johnathan wasn’t thrilled, but he would do anything for you. Even embarrassingly dressing as an elf to take pictures of Santa and the kids excited to see him.

However, one perk of the job was to see you in your elf costume. You were so cute he thought, the hat was vibrant and your grin as you led the kids up the stage to Santa was never fading.

Sometimes he would sneak photos of you as well.

He just couldn’t help it.

Whenever you two were done with your job, after the next two helpers stepped up for their volunteer spot. You both meandered around the market. Holding hands and bickering, occasionally kissing under Mistletoe.

You two were now in line for cinnamon buns, freshly baked and on display in all its glory. Your mouth was nowhere close to drying up and you couldn’t conceal your excitement.

Johnathan couldn’t keep his hands off of you or his arms from around you holding you tight as you waited in line.

“You look handsome in that elf costume.” You mused looking back at him, he was holding you close from behind.

He laughed a bit and shook his head. “Yeah, thanks.” He says nuzzling into your hair.

He didn’t talk much especially in public but you didn’t mind. You two waited peacefully as you reached back to put your fingers in his hair. He hummed happily against your temple and planted a kiss onto it.

You sat in your car and checked the address you’d written on a sticky note for the 12th time. Anxious not to end up at a stranger's door at 2pm on a Tuesday. But once you read it a 13th time you drug yourself out of the car, turning and reaching back in for your bag.

Once you made sure everything was there, coloring books, a childhood favorite book you checked out from the library to show to Holly, and your Filofax which held all of the information you may need in case of an emergency. You headed for the door.

The Wheelers house was very nice and cozy looking from the outside. You wondered what it may look like inside as you rapped on the door and stood back.

Instead of the sweet face of Holly wheeler, your eyesight met a guy’s torso, he was wearing a t-shirt from a movie you didn’t recognize. You startled just a bit and looked up, your eyes locked onto Mike Wheeler’s.

Wow. He’d gotten more handsome since you last saw him. His bulky graduation outfit did him no justice but seeing him in front of you in jeans and a t-shirt with unmade hair was making up for it. Tenfold.

He stood there a little confused. “Can I help you?”

“I’m here for Holly.”

“Oh. She’s not here yet, mom is bringing her back from school now actually.”

You checked your watch, maybe it was running ahead of time? You gave a nervous laugh.

“Well, I’m sorry. Maybe I’m a little early.”

“No, no it’s okay.”

You both stood there looking at each other. You couldn’t tell what emotion was behind his eyes as he looked you over. Almost as if he didn’t know who you were?

That was plausible now that you considered it.

“I’m Y/F/N.” You finally spoke up.

The light of understanding came to his eyes. “Yeah! Yeah I’m sorry I knew you were familiar. Do you want to- I mean you don’t have to but like. It’s a little cold out there.” He sighed, not being able to get over his words. “Come inside?”

You smiled at him. “Yes please.”

He stood there looking you over again before realizing he needed to step aside. Doing so, he muttered a “sorry” and stepped back more for you to come through.

You stepped into the home and looked around. As soon as the door closed behind you, your body flooded with warmth. You shrugged off your coat and held it close to yourself.

Mike stepped forward with his hand out. You thought he was going to take your coat for you but he instead pointed to where you could place it. So you did and continued to look around the entrance.

“You have a nice house.” You mused.

“Thank you.” He said.

Suddenly a sound like someone was hollering over a walkie talkie hit the air and you flinched.

Mike stood still very fast and started motioning upstairs. “I’ve got some things to do. I’m sorry. You can have a seat. I'm sure mom will be home soon.” He said and hurried up the stairs.

You thought it was one, odd to hear a walkie talkie. And two, quite odd to be left alone in someone’s house. Much less an unfamiliar place.

Nevertheless you meandered your way into the living room and sat on the couch, piddling through your bag, you pulled out that book for Holly. It was one of your favorites growing up. “The Wheel Of Time”.

It was your dads favorite fantasy series, he had left the collection to you before he passed and you cherished it. Enough to share the story with Holly, but not enough to let her have your own copy. Hence the library one.

After a few minutes of flipping through pages you heard the front door open. You closed the book and stood up. Then sat down. Was standing and meeting them at the door too odd? You stood up. You would hate for them to walk in to your lounging about when it’s supposed to be a job. You were stuck between options.

You heard Karen yell into the house, “MIKE! Is (Y/N) here yet?”

You meandered back to the doorway of the living room and Karen lit up, happy to see you.

“Hello Mrs. Wheeler!” You smiled trying to be welcoming.

Mikes voice called back from upstairs. “YEAH I LEFT HER IN-“

“We found her!” Karen cut him off. “Hi dear, you remember Holly don’t you?”

Holly stepped up from behind her mom and grinned at you. “Hello Ms. Y/N.”

She was so stinking adorable. “Hello Holly! I’m really excited to hang out with you today.”

Karen smiled, pleased with who was staying with Holly this afternoon. “Alright I’m going to go grab my things for the meeting and head out. You two have fun, Holly you know who’s in charge honey.”

Holly nodded eagerly and tossed her bag down. “Do you know how to bake?”

Now grinning as much as she was, you nodded. “Of course! What kind of babysitter doesn’t!” Your grabbed your bag on your shoulder tighter in excitement. “Lead me to the kitchen Ms. Holly” she giggled at that and all but skipped to the kitchen.

Following closely behind her, you hung your bag on the back of a chair and rounded the island to see what Holly was fetching. She was pulling out pans from the space beneath the oven.

“What are we baking Holly?”

“I can’t decide! I want cookies… and maybe we can do cupcakes!”

Her excitement was infectious and you couldn’t help but laugh. “How about we start with cookies and go from there. What kind should we make?”

She looked at you like that was a rediculous question. “Chocolate chip?”

“Of course, I’m sorry you’re incredibly right.”

The two of you got to work pulling out ingredients and utinsils you would need.

Ms Karen passed the kitchen door swiftly, tossing a “Goodbye! Be safe!” To the two of you before she hurried out of the house.

Holly then went digging for her moms recipe books, to make sure you had exactly what you needed. But she couldn’t find them, you tried looking after her but it seemed like the books had been put up somewhere.

“I’m sorry Holly, we could guess the measurements?” You offered, not confident at all but willing to try your best.

“No no it’s okay Ms. Y/N I’m sure Mike knows where they are.”

You tried to protest her bothering him, as he seemed busy earlier. But you were too late as she rushed up the stairs.

You heard annoyed muffled bickering from upstairs and then the sudden excited thuds of feet down the stairs, followed by more sluggish ones.

Almost like he forgot you were there, when he turned the corner he was startled again, and a little flushed to see you in his kitchen, hair up and ready to bake.

You grinned sheepishly. “I’m sorry, we couldn’t find the recipe books.”

He shook his head “no, no it’s alright that’s fine. I uh. Let me look” he said as he started going through the cabinets.

Holly continued searching too but eventually Mike found them in a dining room cabinet and brought it into the kitchen. “What are you making?”

Before you could speak, Holly squealed seeing that he found the book. “We’re baking chocolate chip cookies!”

Mike nodded and focused on finding the page for you. Once he did he started walking towards you, focused on the book. So focused that when he looked up from his spot next to you, your were practically chest to shoulder with him. And you were so focused on opening the sticky butter wrapper that you didn’t notice him so close.

He flushed again and took a second to think to himself. You were as beautiful as the last time he saw you. He knew who you were the second he opened the door but he was too anxious to look like a fool for eagerly saying he knew your name.

He focused on your hands and how they worked as you irritatedly, finally opened the butter.

You huffed and looked up to him. It startled you how close he was. But all you could focus on was how much you had to look up at him now. You’ve never been this close to him and it was making you flush and your body warm.

Holly reached around you for the book and ran around the island to sit in one of the stools. “Okay! Let’s get started!”

Her declaration sent you and Mike into work mode. He didn’t know when he decided to join and help but if you were so seemingly dedicated to it, he wanted to help as much as he could.

Holly read out the list of ingredients to you and stopped at one. “Baking powder? I thought it was baking soda.”

You looked at the ingredients on the counter closely and picked up the imposter ingredient. “There it is! Here’s our culprit Holly!” You slid the baking soda to her and grinned as you turned to look for baking powder instead.

“Ugh. The audacity.” She grumbled looking at the baking soda.

Mike looked between you two in disbelief at how well you got along so soon into the afternoon. He couldn’t tell if you adapted to Holly or if she adapted to you but it was very charming in a way. He couldn’t stop the slow smile spreading over his mouth.

You looked through a cabinet or two until coming across the baking powder. It wasn’t too high up but it was crowded by other items and you were struggling a little.

Mike stepped up and started taking items from your hands, when he reached across you and grabbed a powdered sugar bag from your left hand, your fingers brushed and you shuddered a bit. You looked up at him and instead of letting go of the sugar your hand followed his.

He looked down at your hands and back up at you, almost as if he was possessed by some other more confident man, he smirked at you. SMIRKED. Mike wheeler smirked at you and leaned down a bit. “You don’t have to chase me, I’m right here” he said in reference to your hands.

You flushed and immediately dropped the sugar into his hands. “I’m sorry” you said sheepishly as you reached up to dig for the baking powder, finally you found it and placed it on the island before turning back to Mike who was putting the excess ingredients back into the cabinet.

His arms stretching up brought the edge of his shirt up as well when he stretched and suddenly you felt like the biggest pervert for looking at him. Even though you could only mostly see his side, you got a peek at his stomach and holy hell when did Mike Wheeler get abs?

You were starstruck for a second until his shirt came back down and he turned to you, leaning on the counter.

He opened his mouth to say something to you but you heard a clang and spun around.

Holly had only dropped her measuring cup, nothing in it thankfully so you rounded the island and picked it up for her. “Here you go Holly.”

“Thank you Ms. Y/N.”

You smiled and the three of you got to baking. More like you and Holly were baking and Mike was there to step and fetch for the two of you.

When you finally got the cookies in the oven Holly sat at the island and sighed dramatically and tiredly. “It’s been such a long day.” She said dramatically.

Mike eyed her suspiciously, she had just been bouncing off the walls and eating excess cookie dough, and now she’s suddenly tired?

She slid from her chair and hummed “I’m going to go lay down!” She said skipping her way out of the kitchen. “Call me when it’s done!”

“Holly I’m supposed to be-!” You got cut off by her fast feet going up the stairs and the slam of her door.

You sighed. But then you thought for a second and turned to Mike. “I am supposed to be babysitting her am I not?”

Mike nodded “I’m usually out of the house in the afternoon but today has been surprisingly. Uh.” Dead? Empty? We have no information about how we can track down Vecna? “My friends are busy so I’m staying home.”

You nodded considerably. “I understand. Well nevertheless I appreciate your help, you make a fine baker.”

Mike flashed you a smile and went to sit at an island chair. You turned and leaned against the counter with your arms crossed. “Nothing important to do upstairs?”

“I’d hate to leave you alone.”

“I’m a big girl Mike, I’m not the one who needs babysitting.”

He smirked and tapped your book laying on the counter. “Is that why you carry The Wheel Of Time around with you?” He jabbed playfully.

You stood alert and ready to defend your choices. “Hey! It’s not like it’s a kid book! It’s very advanced and the storytelling is amazing!” You all but pouted.

He laughed and leaned forward on his elbows. “Sounds like something Holly would read.”

Your demeanor changed instantly. Which confused Mike, he was trying to tease you about it.

“You really think so? I hoped so, I brought it for her to read. My dad used to read it to me and I’ve got the full series at home.”

You continued on describing the importance of the story to Mike and he couldn’t help but look at your lips as you talked. They looked so. Kissable.

He sat straight up and his eyes widened a bit. Kissable? What the hell man you haven’t spoken to this girl for more than two hours in the last 6 years you’ve known her.

You slowed your speech when you realized he wasn’t quite paying attention. “Oh. I’m sorry” you said sheepishly.

He locked eyes with you. “I’m sorry, I was listening. It sounds very cool and your father sounds like a nice man. I’d love to meet him. I mean. That’s a lot. Your mom is probably nice too I’m sure and. God.” He ran a hand over his face.

You laughed and rounded the corner. Decidably keeping the news about your dad to yourself. As to not envoke another awkward moment to tell Mike your dad had passed a few years ago.

Sitting in the chair beside him your turned to look at him. He turned to you and you were sitting knees to knees.

“What do you like to do?” You asked leaning in closer to him. You knew about his D&D past with the Hellfire club and wanted to know more about it. You adored the idea of playing D&D but you’ve never gotten around to it, the look on your eyes reflected that same adoration to Mike.

Mike felt like his life was moving in slow motion. You were leaning towards him and smiling sweetly, your eyes were so bright and you looked at him with so much intensity that he hardly heard what you said. He thought you’d said “what would you like to do” as you leaned closer and he about fell out of his chair.

“Wha- what.?” He sputtered

“What do you like to do?” You repeated

He let out a shaky breath. “Oh. I’m sorry I thought you. Uh. I’m sorry.”

You rolled your eyes “oh come on Mike I know you’ve talked to a girl since highschool! Why don’t you act like it?” You teased.

He flushed, how forward of you to mess with him like that! He thought you were a shy girl, not so teasing.

Something possessed him again and he tried his all to become as charming as he could. He leaned forward as much as you did and still had to look down to you a little.

“You want me to act like it?”

You flushed. Something just moved from 0 to 100 and all you could do was bat your eyes and giggle a bit. Of all people to flirt with, Mike was not a bad choice at all. However. You remembered that girl with short hair, and you suddenly thought to ask.

“Who was that one girl you brought to the snow ball?”

Mike straightened up a bit surprised. El? You wanted to talk abot El? ….you remembered El?

“Oh uh. That’s. My friend Jane. She came into town for the dance but she hasn’t been around much since.” Half lie, not too dangerous.

You nodded. Seemingly satisfied. And Mike sighed.

You were relieved too. Because Mike was very charming and attractive recently and you’d hate to not try and get closer to him but you were worried about that girl still.

Not anymore at least. You scooted your chair closer to his. “Seriously, tell me what you like to do. What about that D&D club you were in? Do you and your uh… party? Still play?”

Mikes heart was pounding. You really cared about this? You kept asking so maybe you really wanted to know… was this a prank? Did the boys set this up. Are you real?

He slowly got into the details and you watched him go on with your chin in your hand. Happily nodding along and speaking where you were expected to.

Suddenly the oven alarm rang through the air and you startled. Mike put his hand over your hand which laid on the counter, as some lame reflex to shield you from the super scary oven alarm.

You smiled down at his hand on yours and looked up at him. “I guess they’re ready” you mused and got up. Hand lingering on his before you slowly let go and walked towards the stairs. “Get them out of the oven?” You asked before walking upstairs to fetch Holly.

Mike’s body felt like mush. He just got to explain D&D to the prettiest girl he’s seen in months and she just held his hand and she was leaning so close and god he wanted to do nothing but make a move on her. But how in the world is Mike Wheeler supposed to make a move on Y/F/N?

You came back down the stairs without Holly and gave Mike a little smile. “She’s asleep, I didn’t really want to wake her.” You said walking up to where he sat.

“I was kind of hoping she would be.” He said without thinking.

You tilted your head confused as he stood up infront of you.

“I’m really glad you’re here to take care of her Y/N. You’re very sweet and I’m glad the two of you get along”

“Oh. Thank you Mike. I hope I get the chance to show her that book. I would love to read it with her.”

He smiled down at you a bit more. “Can we see each other more?”

You flushed and fidgeted with your hands. “I’ll be here on Thursdays too. Tuesdays and Thursdays until your mom gets a break from those meetings-“

He laughed a little and reached up to tuck a piece of hair behind your face but flinched back as if he suddenly realized he was acting as if he was another person entirely. “No I would uh. Like a date? Can I take you on a date?”

Fireworks set off in your body and you couldn’t swallow the laugh that rose from your throat. “Yes! Yes I would like that.”

Just then Karen Wheeler threw the front door shut, you had hardly heard it open.

You and Mike jumped apart from each other with wide eyes, looking at Mrs. Wheeler as she entered the kitchen with a grin no one could wipe away.

“Ohhh hello you two! Is Holly down for a nap?”

Mike nodded absentmindedly and you turned to face his mom quickly.

“Yes ma'am! She just laid down about an hour ago she said he day was very exhausting.”

“Oh well I’d better go check on her” Mrs. Wheeler smirked a bit and then sauntered up the stairs.

You smiled and watched her go up the stairs and then looked back to Mike sheepishly.

“I’d guess I’d better go.”

He deflated instantly, you could tell he had to focus as to not let his shoulders go completely slack. All he could hope for was more time with you. “Yeah, I suppose, let me walk you out?”

You nodded and untangled yourself from the small space between him and the two chairs around the both of you. Grabbing your book and your bag, placing your book in the bag, you headed towards the door, Mike opened it for you and wished you goodbye as you started walking out.

He lingered in the doorway and watched you leave, a sudden chill hit him and he realized you had left your coat behind.

Half way to your car you heard a shout.

“Y/N!” Mike called after you.

You stopped and turned so abruptly that he almost crashed into you, as he was running so fast. “Oh. Whoops I’m sorry. You forgot your coat!” He said.

You grinned, you had done so on purpose.

“Thank you Mike” you said sweetly, grabbing your coat from him. The both of you lingered as if looking for something more to keep the two of you together. But finally you leaned up and kissed him on the cheek.

“Call me, Mike. Your mom has my number.” You called over your shoulder as you retreated to your car.

All Mike could do was stand there dumbfounded, holding the cheek you kissed and nodding his head.

“Yeah! Yeah I will. I’ll. I’ll call”

Mike stood there watching your car drive off and rocking on his heels. He pumped his fist in the air like a loser and celebrated to himself. Before realizing one thing.

You considered that the pissing contest wasn’t for Nancy’s attention and maybe you were just being dramatic. You thought you were alone in the thought until the three of you got out of the car, something had gone wrong with the tire and while the boys were working on sliming the small hole in the tire you finally heard Johnathan break as Steve asked for the 2nd time if the three of you should swing by and bring Nancy flowers.

“Jesus Christ.” Hissed Johnathan.

Steve looked up, seemingly clueless. “What?”

“I just thought that. Tonight of all nights you would give it a rest.” Johnathan said breathily.

Steve looked between Johnathan and you, like he was waiting to be clued into what Johnathan was saying. “Give what a rest?”

“This bullshit macho man competition for Nancy’s attention. It is getting exhausting!”

“Woah, woah excuse me? For Nancy’s attention? My girlfriend is standing two inches to your left. Byers I want nothing to do with Nancy.”

You stood up from your position leaning on the van and made a noise of discontent. Mumbling to yourself “Could have fooled me.”

Steve didn’t notice though. Of course he didn’t. He was too wrapped up in proving himself to Johnathan. Again.

You went into the van and waited for the boys to wrap their bickering up.

When the boys got back in they had seemingly finished their argument and everyone rode back in silence. You pretended to be absorbed in listening for a signal as a last ditch effort on the way back to the radio tower. You hardly noticed Steve looking back to you in the rear view mirror. Some sort of anxiety lacing his features.

When Steve parked the van Johnathan all but jumped out of the car and angrily stormed towards the radio station. You slowly climbed towards the back doors and sat on the floor of the van when you threw open one of the back doors.

Steve rounded the back of the van and stood in front of you. He had one hand on the frame of the closed door and his other fan rubbing his face, sighing exasperatedly.

“I mean can you just, Jesus can you believe that guy?”

You sat silently, a pit in your stomach getting larger, you were hoping to brush that last talk between him and Johnathan off. You obviously weren’t the only one to notice how it seemed Steve was competing for Nancy’s love.

You were sickened by the idea that everyone knew Steve was using you. Except for you. You could hardly hear what he was saying but you could tell he was prattling on about how offended he was by Johnathan’s words. His defensive tone made you sicker.

“-I mean really what is up his ass. The audacity to suggest that! He’s so. … Y/N?”

You looked up at Steve slowly. Eyes glassy from the realization that you were a place holder. Keeping Nancy’s spot warm until Steve could win this “macho battle”.

Upon meeting his eyes you saw something in his face change. He almost looked as heart broken as you.

“Steve, I can't do this anymore.”

Hearing those words from your mouth hammered the last nail in his heart. It shattered and he started sputtering for words.

“You can’t? Can’t do what?”

“I can’t sit around and watch you push yourself to the limit to support, surprise, impress, and dote on Nancy.” You sighed, wiping the tears threatening to fall from your eyes.

Realization that you were under the same impression as Johnathan just slapped him right in the face. An hour ago after you disappeared mid argument with Johnathan, Johnathan spoke suddenly and bitterly to Steve.

“You can’t use your girlfriend as an excuse to say you’re not doting on mine. Even Y/N is convinced you aren’t considering her anymore.” Johnathan spat at him. “I can’t imagine how you acted without me here if this is how you act when I am. I’m disgusted for Y/N. You need to figure your shit out Harrington, before she really wakes up and sees your bullshit for what it is.”

“Byers you need to shut your mouth and get in this car unless you want to be left. Y/N knows I’ve loved her since I’ve seen her. I have never for a second felt anything other than dedication to her in years. I would trade my life for hers and I know she knows that. She is the only woman I will ever consider.”

That was the last thing that was said until he parked at the WSKQ station.

And now this sudden decision from you felt like his breath had been stolen. Johnathan was right. He could tell exactly how you felt, and Steve had completely missed it. What kind of boyfriend would miss something like this monumental shift his girlfriend had suddenly been through.

“No, no, no baby, that's not true at all. Please” he said earnestly, grabbing your hands in his and bringing them to his chest.

You closed your eyes and tears started to fall. You didn’t want to look at him because you might change your mind. You might consider that it will pass again.

But nothing has changed in months. It’s been almost a year of this bullshit since the quarantine of Hawkins started.

Steve breathed, panicked. And grabbed the side of your face “Y/N please. You’re under the wrong impression none of this is for Nancy. You’re the only girl I love.”

He sounded sincere and it made your heart beat staggeredly. You hesitantly opened your eyes. Staring him right back into his teary eyes.

“I don’t understand what it is for then, Steve.” You said quietly.

“God. I don’t know. I’m sorry.” He said and placed his forehead on yours. “Ever since he’s gotten back it’s like whatever petty aggravation I held against him before he left came flooding back. He gets my blood boiling and I just can’t help but want to wipe that smugness away from him. I didn’t consider that it would come off in any way. I’m so sorry, my love please.”

Upon your silence Steve wrapped his free arm around your waist and pulled you up to stand with him. He held you so tight it seemed like there was nothing between you two at all. Not the heavy jackets you wore to fight the cold or the shirt you had taken from his floor that morning.

It was the closest you’ve felt with him in months. Your tense muscles loosened and you let your body slack to accept the love you felt radiating from Steve.

You’ve always been able to feel his emotions. You’ve never questioned anything you’ve felt from him and who were you to question it this time. You met his eyes again and he leaned in to kiss you.

Once his lips touched yours you slowly reciprocated. Bringing your hands up to splay your fingers through his hair. More tears falling.

Your reciprocation made his body shudder in relief and you held him tighter when you felt him shudder.

He pulled back and whispered onto your lips. “I will never let you feel this way again. I promise.”

You nodded to him and you both sat back on the floor of the van, Steve held you until your tears stopped falling and the two of you molded together in silence.

The boys were a couple of houses in front of you two, they were keeping safe distance from you especially; embarrassed by your makeshift Elvira costume you threw together last minute. Johnathan walks beside you in his Robert Smith costume you convinced him to slap together so you wouldn’t be dressed up alone. You had the pleasure of sitting at the Beyers’ dining room table as Will helped tease and hairspray Johnathan’s hair up.

“Uh. I’m sorry we didn’t go to that party you were into (Y/N).” Johnathan said suddenly.

“What? No it’s fine”

“I can see your feet dragging, you don’t have to lie.” He replied.

You thought about it for a second and realized it never seemed right to lie to your friend, so you let the honesty come through your words just a bit.

“I had been thinking about it anyway Johnny and really it’s fine. I’m not missing out on anything except drunk people and slutty costumes.” You say.

He smirked and nodded “If only you lead with that. I could have been convinced”

You looked to Johnathan like you had no clue who he was, in the last 3 years you’ve gotten close with him you had never heard him make a remark like that.

He laughed a little, and awkwardly. “I’m just joking, sorry.”

“No it’s nothing you just don’t typically speak like that, it’s fine I was just beginning to wonder if Nancy did that much of a toll on you.”

Jonathan gave you a weird look, “Like Steve has on you?”

Suddenly it was your turn to laugh awkwardly. You couldn't deny it, again, he was the whole reason you were upset even in the slightest to be missing the party.

Before you could part your lips to speak, suddenly the group of boys came rushing back all talking over each other.

Dustin was squealing the loudest “HE TOTALLY FELL OVER!”

Lucas, who you haven’t seen so excited in weeks was even laughing over Dustin “Yeah! I’ve never seen him that scared before!!”

Mike had a sour look on his face as though he was trying to cover an embarrassed laugh. “I think you two are seeing things.”

Will hadn’t said much, he just stood idly with an uncomfortable look glancing around all of us.

While you got caught up in the other 3 boys conversations, Johnathan zeroed in on Will and looked at you, nodding to the side as to say he was going to go talk with Will. To which of course you nodded in understanding, not without a concerned glance after them as they walked away.

You turned to the boys again. “Someone enlighten me please?”

Lucas chirped up immediately, “Mike got scared by a GIRL!” He laughed and shoved Mike’s shoulder

Dustin snickered himself, and you could see the gears in Mike’s head turn as he searched for something smug or triumphant to say.

“It’s not even funny to laugh because it was a girl, that’s sexist.”

Lucas straightened his smile instantly, face in a deadpan.

You couldn’t help but laugh at Mike’s ill-willed remark, knowing he was only trying to drag himself out of embarrassment.

Dustin recovered from his own deadpan and was immediately impatient to get going “Okay okay I’m over it you’re right, the girl is cool anyways.”

Lucas nodded in agreement, over the topic as soon as Mike pulled out his weak defense.

Mike looked relieved though, a deadpan exit was better than eternal torture for the night. “Yeah let’s go, you all made us waste prime candy time!”

Lucas gasped, his memory jogged as he started digging through his bucket. Eventually his hand landed on your favorite candy in its full sized glory.

Mike and Dustin exchanged a look and slowly started creeping away, beginning their head start down the road.

Lucas beamed “I got this one for you Y/N!”

You couldn’t fight your smile and giggle as you took it from him. “Thank you Lucas!” You all but sang as you grabbed him for a hug.

“EWW” Hollered Mike from about 7 feet away from yall.

Lucas whipped his head around seeing the other two boys down the street and pushed away from you instantly. “HEY NO FAIR!!” He yelled as he started chasing the other boys down the street.

Suddenly abandoned, you turned around to check on Will and Johnathan.

Thoroughly abandoned, you noticed they had already left. That didn’t stop you from walking a few feet to the side and craning your neck to look around for them

So you started back down the road after your remaining 3 boys, not wanting to let them completely out of your sight.

Your mind began to wander as you looked through the costumes of those passing by you on the street. What might Steve be wearing tonight?

Did he slap together a costume like you had? Or had he meticulously planned his costume the way he meticulously styled his hair.

You daydreamed about the afternoon you caught him styling his hair in the reflection of your car window, once school had let out. No doubt he was waiting on Nancy but sometimes when you ignored all context you were able to imagine that he was waiting for you by your car, fixing his hair for you. Ready to take you out for the afternoon.

Ugh.. Nancy.

You actually really liked Nancy, had been close friends at one time. But she shed you before she shed Barbra.. before Barbra went missing.

You still talked occasionally and you even believed that she was a good fit for Jonathan. Better him than Steve at least.

Steve… and Nancy… Halloween. God they’re probably matching outfits.

That thought was enough to get you jealous and a tad aggravated. You ripped open the candy from Lucas and started munching on it.

Through deep breaths and big bites of sweet candy you were able to realize yourself a bit more. Worry for Johnathan and Will started to creep in. You looked around for your remaining 3 boys to make sure they were safe and sure enough you found them running from one doorstep to the next.

You watched as the boys came to a stop and started to talk with someone. You couldn’t exactly see from your perspective so you shifted slightly to look past the car and tree blocking your view.

You choked on your last bit of candy as you realized they were talking to Steve Harrington. Your pulse quickened a little but you couldn’t imagine what the kids were talking with him about. You knew after some strange occurrences last year that the kids and Jonathan began to know Steve on a different level. But none of them would tell you what brought them together.

Were they discussing the events of last year? Should you sneak up and listen? What’s Steve doing out here anyways, where’s Nancy? Wait.

Weren’t they supposed to be at the party? …Are the kids pointing your way? Are they looking your way? Is Steve- Steve is looking your way.

Suddenly your posture felt slack and your face felt too mushy, you shoved the candy wrapper in your pocket and started walking with your shoulders back. Why were you walking like this, you don’t walk like this.

With another shaky breath you shook out your nerves and noticed the boys waving you over. You started walking up tentatively.

“Hey boys, everything alright?”

They were akin to a gaggle of little girls the way they giggled and tapped each other like they were all sharing the same secret without speaking. The only problem you had with this, is that it was YOUR secret.

Steve spoke up suddenly “Yeah, of course I was just asking them if they had anyone with them tonight. Or if they needed a chaperone. I see now that they’ve got a pretty capable handler now though.”

His tone was off but you could hardly recognize that. You couldn’t hear past the church bells ringing in your ears as you laughed as embarrassed as Mike had earlier. The chit chat of the boys didn’t help either.

“Oh she’s capable alright! A lovely woman this one is” Dustin claimed in a dramatic tone with a smirk at Steve.

Mike was being catty as well, on the fence about trying to set up his sisters boyfriend with their older friend. On one hand he didn’t really want to upset Nancy, but on the other he really didn’t care for her and Steve together recently.

“That. I am… I suppose. Hi I’m sorry, I’m Y/N” you said, holding out your hand to shake.

“I’m Steve” he said as he took your hand and you couldn’t shake the feeling of sparks you were feeling from your palm, up your arm and to your heart. Your hand shook oddly and that caused his hand to flinch and grab yours tighter.

“Are you alright? Have they been running you wild this afternoon?” Steve asked concerned with a bit of charming humor in his voice

“Something like that” you mused.

“Alright, you two youngsters don’t get into trouble!” You heard Dustin calling from far away, you didn’t pay much mind to anything but Steve’s hand dropping from yours.

“What? Where are y’all going?” Steve called after the kids. But they were already rushing down the street again laughing.

You looked up sheepishly and shook your head. “I hate when they do that”

Steve turned to you “They do that to you often?” He asked, in a tone that made you think he’d chide them about that later.

“I don’t actually mind” You said, as if you needed to take up for the little brats that just left you with the one guy who leaves you at a loss for words.

It went quiet for a second between you two, adjusting to each other's energy for a second you supposed. Hoping that he wasn’t picking up on anything horribly awkward about you.

Gesturing in the direction of the boys you spoke up “I know you were only offering if they were alone, but do you want to walk with me?”

God where did that confidence come from, you had surprised yourself.

He thought for just a second before smiling at you “I’ve got nothing better to do this afternoon.” He said with what sounded like a disappointed undertone.

It made you feel bad for all of the silly romantic thoughts banging around in your head. Your mind actually cleared for a minute and you processed the energy Steve was putting off.

You could tell he was trying to hide his discomfort but in your eyes it unfortunately shone through.

As you two started walking you wondered how to approach the subject of his discomfort, but he beat you to conversation.

“You’re Johnathan’s friend right? Will's brother?” He asked

“Yeah, I actually met Will before Johnathan.”

“Really? How did you meet Will then?”

You bit the inside of your cheek before replying breathily, a bit awkward too.

“I used to be friends with Nancy” you nodded a bit as you said it. Something seemed to change in Steve’s face. “We’re fine now but we had a falling out. We used to partake in the boys’ DND games and I got to know them all like that. I only got to know Johnathan more about 3 years ago when I had to take Will home one day. It turned out that I live out by him and his family.”

“Oh, so it’s not just our relationship she’s so set on ruining.” He grumbled, caught up in his own irritation for a moment.

Your body went cold, obviously you said something wrong. You’ve had 3 minutes with the crush of your life and you’ve already upset him. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have spoken bad about her.”

He shook his head “Y/n you’ve hardly said anything. It’s alright.”

“Alright… well… this might be ill of me to ask. But aren’t you supposed to be with Nancy? At that party?”

Steve glanced at you wondering why your question sounded so specific.

Quickly you stuttered out. “M- eh. Mike told me. Sorry I’m just. I didn’t see her so-“

“No. Yeah. We were at that party. We were”

“So..”

“We had a tiff. The party wasn’t the best anyways. Unless you were aiming to get drunk and start an argument with someone who loves you.”

Your heart cracked a little. Obviously he was speaking about his and Nancy’s tiff. But hearing how he was in love with her gave you a bit of a heartache.

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

He sighed and ran his hands through his hair, messing up his perfect hair.

“Maybe it wasn’t love. It’s just. It does feel like bullshit right now.” he licked his lips and his face was grim.

You hummed in sympathy, not knowing what to say to help him.

“I think we’ve broken up”

That caught your attention. Terrible guilt wracked your body just as suddenly as your heart patched itself back up.

You felt like such a Villian for the sudden hope that came to you. A hope that maybe by the end of this afternoon you’d be able to get closer with Steve. You shook it off as quick as you could.

“I’m sorry.. do you want to.. talk-“

He cut you off “No, no I shouldn’t. I’m sorry”

You fiddled with the scarf around your waist “I guess I didn’t miss out on the party then. Although I was looking forward to getting drunk.”

Steve looked to you with a troublesome light in his eyes. “You could head back with me if you want. Hell we could round Johnathan up with us”

Church bells were back to ringing in your ears but you smiled at him.

“I don’t want to leave the boys completely alone out here.” You paused. “Besides, I don’t think you really mean it, if I was in your position I wouldn’t want my friend to lead me into booze when I’m feeling so sad.”

He sighed, like something was lifted off his chest. “I think you’re right”

It fell silent again but you smiled to yourself feeling proud to say something he agreed with. You saw the boys run past again, content that you didn’t even have to search for them this time to confirm they were alright.

Steve perked up again, more questions for you, you assumed. “Being around those kids kinda makes me feel… paternal. Like I’m coming to my senses, and that I’m not such a.. bad person I guess.”

That wasn’t what you were expecting but you welcomed the topic.

“I know what you mean. I almost got involved with. The wrong people a while ago but connecting with Johnathan and the kids really made me feel like I was in the right place, that I didn’t need the people or… things I was relying on.”

Steve smiled at you. And glanced you over one more time. “Are you dressed as Elvira?”

A blush consumed your face and you laughed. “Yeah, yeah that’s the goal.. I probably would have picked something else for the party but Johnathan just wouldn’t go. And I didn’t want to go alone.”

“Well I’m sure you could have asked Nancy and come with us!”

You shifted the way you were walking “uh, yeah. I’m sure I could have I just. I don’t talk with her much and wouldn’t have wanted to third wheel.” What you meant was I haven’t talked to Nancy in months and why would I want to follow around the boy I’m head over heels for as he follows the girl I’m jealous of around a party where all I could do is get drunk?

He hissed a bit, “I forgot you mentioned that. I’m sorry.”

“No it’s alright… are you dressed as Joel Goodson? From Risky Business?” You cracked a smile and a giggle.

Steve pushed his glasses to sit ontop off his head and grinned brightly. “Yes!! Yes I am. Oh wow I was tired of explaining this outfit.”

You laughed “to the untrained eye it does look quite plain I suppose.”

He gasped in mock defeat. “You wound me.” He chided.

While you apologized again, Steve took a minute to look you over. Your features weren’t exactly standing out as it was only getting darker and darker outside but your eyes had consistently drifted to him warmly, and he could still see the warmth and something else in your eyes despite how dark it was tonight.

Your hair was intriguing even though he registered that it was part of your costume, the classic Elvira bump. But the style oddly suited you in his eyes.

His gazed dropped down to your hands, remembering how soft they felt in his and how they shook for some reason.

He was still down about Nancy. And it might have been the heated and ugly way things just ended at a party of drunk teens. But something in him was pushing him to reach for a better situation, better friends and a better life.

Looking back up to meet your eyes he tuned into what you were talking about.

You were watching your feet careful not to trip over them as you stuttered along your story about getting the boys ready for Halloween this afternoon and how at the end of the day you had to force all the boys to be the ghost buster “Winston” since they couldn’t agree on who would be him.

Steve smiled. “They really were arguing over who would be Winston? Who would be upset about being him, he’s my favorite!”

You grinned “Try passing on that positivity to 4 sassy boys who argue over the way the wind is blowing. You can join us in Halloween planning next year if you think you can have your way with them!”

Steve slowed in his steps, suddenly confident in his next question for you.

You kept walking but turned to face him, cocking your head to the side wondering why he had slowed to a stop. “Is everything alright?”

He nodded. “Do you mean it? That I can join you for Halloween next year?”

You flushed at his interest to accompany you. Even though he probably wanted to be there for the kids anyways. “Yes, yes of course I’d lo- I mean well. We would all love your company.”

He stepped close to you, closer than you’d ever been to him. “Y/n, I’d really like that.”

You couldn’t do anything but nod as you looked up to him, aware of your fingers twitching and how you were probably smiling weirdly, your face felt like mush again.

Now that he had a better view of your warm eyes, Steve was more confident in his next question. “Do you want to meet me for a late lunch sometime this week?”

You were shocked to your core, nothing would come out of your mouth no matter how many times you parted your lips to respond.

“There’s no commitment behind it, I just think you’re someone I could really use the support from in my life. After all, you know more about setting yourself on the right path than I do. If I could be around you, and the others maybe I could-“

You interrupted him on accident “Ken’s diner is my favorite.”

He burst into a wide smile. “I love his onion rings.”

You nodded happily in agreement. “I would love to meet you one day for lunch.”

There was a rustle in the bushes behind you and Steve, you both turned sharply to face the noise. Only to be facing the 3 most aggravating boys you knew in Hawkins laughing right at you. Girlish giggles almost.

Steve cut a sharp look at the 3 and they started to straighten up. Dustin took lead in pretending that they were going back to the house behind them for more full sized candy bars.

“Yeah! They had your favorite and we had to double down!” Lucas called as they skittered away, aiming to distract you from their scheming.

“They really do that often don’t they?” Steve asked, exasperated.

Flushed yet again, you nodded. “Unfortunately.” You said smiling sheepishly up at him.

“Can I pick you up on Monday? After school?”