I am Steve Rogers

1.

The first time was in the hallways at Hawkins during a school dance. You tagged along with your friends and their boyfriends, which naturally meant you stood awkwardly by the drinks table, nodding gently every time Mr Clarke tried to make the situation less painful for you, all while he stood guard of the punch.

As you watched everyone pair up for a dance, you forced a smile and waved goodbye as you turned and left. You figured if you hovered outside time might pass a little faster and your mom would arrive to pick you up in no time.

However, it doesn’t work like that. You stood outside the hall, humming quietly to yourself as you leaned against the lockers in a world of your own. You were disrupted as the music got louder before getting muffled again, a sign that the door had been opened.

“Hey, are you okay?” A concerned voice echoed.

“Yep, just peachy. Shouldn’t you be dancing with whatever lady likes you and your fancy hair today?” You teased, your posture straightening to seem less upset by your current situation.

“I should be, but she took one look at Billy and now they’ve disappeared to what I can only assume is the back of the bleachers.” He shuddered, laughing quietly at your grimace that you couldn’t conceal. He came up beside you, falling against the lockers on his side so he could look at you clearly.

At this point you didn’t really know Steve, sure you had been to some of his parties that the entirety of the school were invited to, had the same classes and had the odd friendly conversation, but you were both in different leagues popularity wise. But that didn’t seem to matter at that moment in time.

“That’s not an image I needed but here we are I guess.” You smiled, looking up at him. “At least you were smart enough to come to a dance with someone, makes the first half less boring at least.”

“You didn’t come with anyone? You’re a catch, I don’t believe that.”

You rolled your eyes. “Not everyone has people throwing themselves at them, almost demanding a date.” You felt his breath hit the side of your face as he moved closer, his arm resting above him, against the locker. Naturally you felt your heart skip a beat as you watched him closely.

“This was set up by Tommy thinking he’s smart and assuming I can’t have fun on my own. We could have been annoyed by Mr Clarke together if that happened.” He smirked.

“You were watching me? I was just taking a breather.” You lied, trying to seem cooler than you came across.

“Doesn’t matter what you were doing, you look beautiful tonight. You deserve someone to tell you that.” He whispered, inching in again.

“What are you doing?” You questioned, ignoring any thoughts that were screaming at you to back away before you got caught. His hand dropped to your waist, your breath hitching in response.

“You can tell me to stop whenever you want.” He hummed seconds before his lips were on yours. You responded instantly, perhaps too quickly, but that didn’t matter as his firm grasp on your hip reminded you what was happening. 

It was over just as quick as it started, as you heard his name being called from the top of the hall, unable to attach the voice to a person you pulled away, meeting Steve dazed eyes again.

“They know we spiked the punch before they were at the table! We gotta go!” You heard a femine voice shout. You watched as Steve's calm persona returned. “I’ll speak to you later.” He winked before jogging away.

He didn’t speak to you for another month, that’s why it’s classed as an accident. It’s also why you never told him that was your first kiss.

2. 

The first time the kids witnessed any affection between the two of you was just before you all got separated, you going off with Hopper and Joyce, while everyone else was going to keep El safe. 

You and Steve teamed together given the choice, being two of the oldest people in the room. Once it was announced you would be separated, Hopper and Joyce needing your help he pulled you to the side. 

“I promise I’ll be okay.” You smiled, reaching for his hand. “They’re not going to let anything happen to me, they’ve basically adopted me at this point.” You joked, giving his hand a light squeeze.

“I’m not concerned about them looking out for you, I’m concerned about what you’ll be up against.” Steve clarified, pulling you a little closer when he caught Dustin trying to hear what was being discussed. “I’d prefer it if I was there with you.” He admitted, you caught his cheeks reddening ever so slightly.

“And if you were with me, who would be here to make sure the kids were safe? We both know they essentially need to be kept on a lead and within six feet of you at all times. They trust you more than me, take it as a compliment you’re being asked to stay with them.”

He opened his mouth to protest but you heard Hopper calling your name, a slight growl to his tone as he was getting impatient. You also heard Joyce telling him off which made you duck your head to conceal your giggle. “I’ll be back before you know it.” You assured him before making the bold choice to press a kiss to his cheek.

Steve, out of confusion leaned in closer, ending up with his lips on yours. Your brain, not fully registering what was happening, out of panic made you pull back far too quickly, looking up at him with wide eyes, his expression being one of embarrassment.

“I’ll see you later.” You whispered, dropping his hand before walking away as quickly as possible, while he watched you walk away. 

“Well you fucked that up didn’t you.” Dustin called out, only to be hit by the blanket Steve grabbed from the side.

3.

“Was this on your bingo card for tonight?” You whispered, trying to lighten the mood. Given the current circumstance of you and Steve being pressed up against each other in a supply cupboard, hiding from a demogorgon that was prowling up and down the school corridors you deemed it necessary.

“Well there’s worse people I could be stuck with.” He teased, letting out a quiet laugh, his breath fanning against your hair. “Situation could be better though.” He muttered, clearly not understanding how close you were in the dark.

“This is like seven minutes in heaven, life or death edition.” You hummed out in response, ignoring the way your heart skipped at his previous words.

You felt his eyes drop lower to try to see yours in the darkness, his hand trailing down your arm. “Is that really where your mind is now? You disgust me.” He laughed, you could feel it vibrate through his body to yours. “We could be eaten alive at any moment and you wanna make out with me.” He smirked as his hand found yours, you quickly gripped it back.

“The situation could be better, but what a way to go.” You whispered, squeezing his hand back. You both stood in silence, unsure if he was considering what you were unintentionally offering or listening for any sounds outside. You were supposed to be quiet after all. 

You felt his whole body shift in front of yours, before his lips grazed yours gently.

Before you could even register what was happening there was a loud knock at the door, followed by Dustin’s hushed voice. “Are you fully dressed in there? We can make a run for it!” You felt Steve’s body tense against yours before the door was opened, wincing at the light you brought your hand up to your eyes, dropping Steves in the process. “Oh excellent, you didn’t take this opportunity to you know..” He nodded in your direction, not needing words to make clear what he was implying. 

“Shut up asshole.” Steve groaned, stepping out to shove him before striding off.

4

The fourth time wasn’t really considered an accident by everyone who had caught, or heard, about the interaction but both you and Steve were adamant it was an accident. Well, you told everyone it was an accident and Steve really played into it.

Not many people will ever understand the adrenaline that runs through a person's body if you don’t know what happens under everyone's noses at Hawkins, but everyones seen the movies of how people do random acts under the impression of adrenaline.

Attracting demodogs to your location is one crazy moment, but then beating them up with a nailed bat is too much for your brain to comprehend. Never in your meagre, normal life did you think you’d be spending your evening with Steve Harrington and a bunch of just-teenagers beating up dog-like aliens.

So as Steve retreated back to the abandoned school bus, you reached for his hand, pulling him forward, letting him crash on top of you as you both kicked the door shut. The wooden bat was the only thing that fell planned and gracefully making it avoid you by a distance.

There was silence as the demodogs were working out their next move, the kids shouting at Steve for being an idiot, you couldn’t quite make the words out as you laid there, panting with your eyes locked with his.

There was no hesitation before you gripped his jacket and pulled him down hard. His lips messily met yours, teeth clashing together. The kiss merely a release, desperation to make sure he was still with you. You have no idea how long you were like that, but Dustin's echoing voice shouting “Ew! Right now? Really?!” Pulled you out of it.

As you fell back down onto the floor of the bus, your eyes widened as you shoved Steve off you. The tension between you both was quickly broken by heavy footsteps on the roof.

While you never discussed that kiss with Steve again, Lucas in particular would not let you live it down.

5. 

After the week you had all just experienced with Starcourt, sitting silently in the basement was just what you needed. El and Mike were essentially sat on top of each other, playing with each other's hands, Will and Dustin were quietly setting up the D&D game Will had been promised would happen in the morning while Lucas and Max were reading a magazine together. You and Steve, having come joined them last after bandaging each other up, had to sit on the floor in front of the game table, seeing as no one wanted to give up their seats.

“So can you guys be left alone now and not make out or do we just have to accept you’re a thing now? I totally assume moments were shared while you cleaned Steve up. Totally romantic.” Lucas smirked, ignoring the nudge he got from Max, in exchange for the snort Mike and Dustin gave.

“Yeah oddly enough I felt no desire to make out with Steve while I tried to reduce the swelling on three quarters of his face.” You said, eyes rolling on impulse.

“We’re not horny teenagers just discovering feelings like you guys.” He nodded, letting them all look at Mike and Lucas’ current situation with their sort of unconfirmed girlfriends.

“I don’t know, I still definitely think something happened in the supply closet.” Dustin chimed in.

“Yeah well nothing did.” You replied quickly, watching Steve take in a quick breath beside you.

“How can we believe you, you still claim nothing happened on the bus and we all literally saw it.” Lucas added, the smirk still there. “You act like our mom and dad, might as well make it official. We all feel the spark.” He laughed, making an almost shimmy-like gesture

“How are they our mom and dad? They’re only five years older?” El whispered to Mike, he just shook his head enjoying the chaos unravelling in front of him.

“Every time you look at each other it’s like you want to rip ea-” Dustin was cut off by Steve

“That’s enough, topic change. You can all go back to bullying each other because we are done.” He said, his voice raised as he gestured between the two of you. “We are friends.” He pointed out, looking at you. “We look at each other like normal people look at each other. We do not feel the need to make out with each other at all.” He continued, although you could tell that his eyes told a different story, but you imagined that was just because you knew him better than everyone else

You looked around the room, everyone still seemed intrigued, like they were waiting for a confession.

“You know you’re all right. Me and Steve, just can’t keep each other's hands off each other. Just love each other too much.” You said, giving Steve a subtle wink and hoping he would catch on. “Just all the time, alone or not, just want him with me.” You watched as Lucas grimaced slightly, followed by Max chuckling. You were hoping she caught on.

“Oh we’re doing this now?” Steve grinned, leaning a little closer. “You guys, her eyes just glimmer when she looks at me, clearly I am the love of her life. All she wants, can you blame her.” He shrugged.

“We know you’re lying right now, it’s less fun when you join in.” Mike said flatly.

Knowing your plan was working you started making a kissy face towards Steve, “It’s just too much, can’t be left alone.” You sighed, holding back a laugh as he copied you, close enough to keep the charade up but still a small gap between you. That was until Dustin shoved the table into Steves back, jolting him forward and making your lips connect.

The moment quickly ended when Steve realised what had happened. He leapt up and started running after Dustin who was already halfway up the stairs.

You looked around the room to see a mixture of shocked faces and quiet laughs. Lucas hadn’t even managed to open his mouth enough to form a word before you were pointing at him. “You say anything and I’ll kill you in your sleep. I won’t even hesitate.”

You didn’t live that far away from the Byers residence, that was the sole reason you thought you were okay to go home to check your mom was still away on the business trip she had talked about for weeks, you didn’t want her to be home for what was about to happen to Hawkins, or what you suspected was about to happen. Being a five minute walk away the kids and Steve, with some assurances from you that you would be fine, eventually let you go with the promise you would radio them when you got there and when you were about to leave within the 10 minute timeframe you had agreed on.

As you unlocked your door, you let them know you were home and received a quick ‘roger that, over’ as a response. You clipped the radio to your belt as you ventured further into the house, the darkness giving you a whole new level of fear after the past years events.

After calling your mom's name a few times you were content that she had been gone for a while, you grabbed a few snacks from the cupboard and shoved them into your bag, knowing at a minimum Dustin would appreciate them. 

As you hummed a tune under your breath to keep you calm you zipped up your bag, starting to turn the lights off when you heard a knock at the door. You stopped where you were, waiting for the radio to come to life with Steve saying he was outside, wanting him to say he didn’t want you to be alone as another knock came at the door, followed by the voice you didn’t want to hear. 

“I know you’re in there!” A voice growled. “If you don’t open the door, I’m coming in. If Max is in there I’m going to kill her.”

You froze in your spot, your hand slowly making your way to the radio as if he could see any sudden movement, even though you were backed against a wall. You pressed on the call button “Is anyone receiving?” You asked, your voice low and you’re unsure if it’s even audible. 

After what felt like eternity Mike's voice crackled through. “Are you on your way back? Over.”

“Billy’s at the door, he thinks Max is here. He’s gonna break down the door if I don’t answer.” You said quickly as Billy’s voice echoed through the otherwise empty house again, this time more calm.

“Please just come to the door, I just need to know where my sister is. If she’s not here I’ll leave. Something happened, is she safe? She needs to come home.”

You hesitated. He was going to break in or you could open the door and try to distract him long enough for the guys to get to your house.

You chose the latter.

You silently made your way across the hallway, turning your radio down as you hadn’t got a response through yet and didn’t feel that Billy needed to be aware of when you did. Your shaking hand unlocked the top lock, before turning the key at the bottom. You laughed at the irony of making the house secure from harm, only to unlock it when danger came literally knocking at your door.

As you slowly opened the door you were greeted with Billy leaning against the post of your porch, closest to the door. “Thought I was going to have to force my way in.” He laughed harshly, standing up straighter.

“She’s not here, I’m looking after the house. I’m not sure where everyone else is.” You told him, trying your best to lie convincingly.

“You see, I’d believe it if I hadn’t seen you all earlier today. I also know you’re just as much of that group as Steve is. So I’m assuming as a fellow babysitter, you would know where they are at all times.” He said as a matter of fact, taking a step towards you.

Your breath got caught in your throat as you watched him approach. “T-typically I would know but I’m taking a brief break, kids can get too much you know.” You laughed nervously. “I can let you know when I next see them if that’s any help to you.” Your cocky response was met with a dark laugh.

You took a step back and as you were about to slam the door shut, his foot jammed the gap, his hand forcing the door back with more force than you were expecting, meaning you stumbled against the entry table.

“I’m not enjoying how confident you’ve got, I miss when you used to step out of my way when I walked past you at school. Felt much more real.” He muttered as he got in your face, before gripping the collar of your shirt. “So I’ll ask once again, where is Max?”

“You never actually asked in the first place. You assumed she was here.” Without hesitation, he pulled back and a punch landed on your cheek. He took a step back while he watched you instinctively pull your hand to cradle your face, feeling blood well up from inside your cheek you winced. 

Eyes determined, knowing he wasn’t going to leave without a fight you spat at him. “I don’t know what is wrong with you, or why you’re so fucked up but why do you think I would share where she is after that’s how you ask. You’re a shitty brother, and you wonder why she’s scared of you?” 

You watched him as he stepped closer, kicking him in the stomach in an attempt to put some distance between you, Billy crouching over instinctively. You started your attempt to make your way to the kitchen, only to be grabbed by the leg and pulled down, your chin taking the brunt of the fall. Billy quickly flipped you over, straddling your hips to pin you down, a second punch coming to your face, disorientating you for a second as he watched on amused.

“I really don’t appreciate this attempt to be brave. I’ll leave once you share.” He muttered, his hand trailing down your cheek, landing on your neck. He added pressure, causing you to gasp in an attempt to preserve some energy. As he leaned forward to taunt you some more you took your opportunity and slammed your knee up, hoping it would hit any target.

When he faltered you shoved him and crawled your way up to a standing position, making your way quickly to the kitchen. Panicked, you opened any drawer to try to find something to use as a weapon. 

“You’re really pissing me off now, you know?” He growled as he stood at the opposite side of the kitchen island to you.

“That is the intention.” You replied. Not having time before he pounced across the counter, which you weren’t expecting, but you still managed to smack a plate across his head, it hardly affecting him as he shoved you back, your head bouncing off the cupboard while a punch simultaneously landed on your stomach, fully disorientating you. You hear the scrape of metal across the counter, realising he’s grabbed the knife you had stupidly left out as a back up option. With no hesitation it lands in your side. Your eyes meet his, his hand resting firmly on the handle.

Before another word can be uttered you hear Steve shouting your name, the front door creaking open again. That was enough to distract Billy as he walked away. Without his weight to hold you up you slid down the cupboard. Your vision finally blurring from the hits to your head and what you can assume is a nasty wound in your side.

Within seconds Steve was by your side, his hands hovering over you, unsure of what to address first.

“He’s knocked out!” You hear Max’s voice from the other room. Not having the energy to be concerned that children were brought to help you.

Steve wasn’t even listening to Max and whoever else was with you, you just assumed everyone. “We need to get her back to Byers, Joyce and Nancy can help.” He said, trying to keep his voice calm as he watched you, feeling like he was watching the bruises appear quicker than they should be. “Do you have a first aid kit here? We can try to move this.” He said quietly to you, gesturing to your abdomen.

“Bathroom cupboard.” You whispered, which had him shouting at someone to get it.

Dustin appeared by your side, all but throwing the box at Steve. He looked at you and you heard him whisper “Shit, shit, shit.” before being glared at by Steve.

Steve rummaged around the box before apologising to you, kissing your shoulder gently, before making quick work of pulling the knife out, immediately holding gauze to it. Wincing at your scream. “I’m so sorry, I just need to sort it out before taking you back. It’s to the side,it shouldn’t have hit anything serious, I just need to stop it bleeding too much and you’ll be okay. I promise.” He smiled, blinking away any tears.

“Look who listened in biology and health class.” You smiled. “I think I can walk, if you help me.” He shook his head.

“You’re getting carried and I won’t hear any objections.” He replied, shaking his head at your confidence in your body at that moment in time. You watched silently as he bandaged up the wound. “I’m sorry but this is going to hurt.” He mumbled into your neck before he wrapped his arms around you, cradling you as he picked you up.

As quiet as you tried to be, Steve heard you attempt to hold back a cry, and looked at you with apologetic eyes before he took off, walking as quick as he could back to Byers, back to safety.

After the brisk walk, many attempts to not jostle you and the kids hot on his heels you arrived. He carefully put you down with a weak smile, instantly getting shoved aside as Joyce dropped down, immediately helping. He assumed one of the guys had radioed ahead.

He looked at you with a sigh before turning around to exit the front room, wanting the isolation the porch could offer him. The isolation lasted all but 15 seconds as Dustin slowly opened the door. Steve looked up at him, hand running through his hair. “I shouldn’t have let her go alone.”

“She’s stubborn, she would have left if you took your eyes off her for a second.” Dustin shrugged as he dropped down to sit next to his friend. “Which we all know you wouldn’t.” “I don’t know what that’s supposed to mean.” “Oh please, we all know you’re obsessed with her.”

Steve's head snapped around. “Wha-I’m not obsessed with her. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He rambled.

“You go incoherent around her and when we’ve watched movies you literally sat and watched her, or pulled her down to sit with you or..” He was cut off by Steve waving his hand to silence him.

“I’m assuming everyone knows.” He muttered, not even trying to deny it. His emotions already exhausted from the whirlwind of events.

“I don’t think she does. Wouldn’t surprise me if she did though, not like subtly is something you’re good at.” He laughed, receiving a shove from Steve. “When you’re not looking she does what you do, all that googly eye, longing glances. Every time you’re knocked out she gets panicked.”

“I don’t get knocked out that often!”

“Enough that it concerns her.” He shrugged. “Look, all I’m saying is that once she’s better, and there’s a moment of calm it’s worth just talking to her. No one's gonna blame you for what just happened, especially her. She’ll just want kisses to boost the mood.” He smirked, making a kissy face before getting shoved again.

It was another hour before Steve reentered the house, the cold finally getting to him. That and the fact he looked down and realised he was still covered in your dried blood, being too overwhelmed to wash it off when he first entered the house. As he stepped back in, he ignored the looks from Mike, Will and Lucas, who had all heard his quiet sobs from the wall behind them. He beelined for the kitchen, scrubbing his hands until Joyce entered the room.

“She’s gonna be okay.” She promised, leaning over to turn off the scalding water, offering a towel. “She’s asking for you, got concerned when she woke back up and you weren’t with her. She’s in my room if you want to go see her.” She smiled, a reassuring hand on his back. He nodded and silently left.

The relief that ran through his body as he nudged the door open, seeing you propped up against what he assumed was most of the pillows the Byers owned, a book in your hand. “Well she lives to see another day. You look like shit.” He teased, coming round to the empty side of the bed, sitting on the edge.

“Should have seen the other guy, think I kneed him hard enough that he will never have kids.” You smiled, ignoring the pain that ran up the side of your face where a bruise had formed, giving you a black eye. “Are you okay?” You asked, as your hand dropped to where his hand rested on the bed.

“Are you kidding right now? I should be asking you that.”

“I’m fine, I watched you leave. I didn’t know where you were going. Dustin mentioned you were sitting outside. You know I don’t blame you right? I don’t think combined we would have taken him down much quicker. Max said she injected him with something? I imagine that was the only way he was gonna stop.” You shrugged, attempting to pull him closer.

“I just should have been there.” He mumbled, his eyes avoiding yours as he shifted, turning his hand to interlock his fingers with yours.

“And risk messing up your pretty face again? I’d rather have taken him on my own.” You smiled. “C’mon, kick your shoes off and lay with me.” You hummed. “Joyce made me take something and promised me I’d fall asleep with it.” You laughed.

He hesitated, worrying he would hurt you, but he didn’t get much say in the matter as you tugged his hand again. He kicked his shoes off noisily, before falling back next to you, your hand finding his once more. “Steve…you can blame it on the painkillers if you think I’m being forward and reading into things, but can I have a goodnight kiss?” You whispered as you turned your head to look at him.

“Did Dustin talk to you too?” You nodded with a quiet laugh. “Where does the kid find the time to meddle with all of this going on?” He said with disbelief. He checked your eyes to ensure you were being serious before leaning in, pressing the most delicate kiss to your lips, afraid he would hurt you further. You clearly had different ideas and your hand moved up to his shoulder, to keep him in place as you deepened the kiss.

He felt you try to lean into him before pulling away, a slight groan as your hand dropped to your side. “So how about we wait till you can move properly, and then I’ll take you on a fancy date and you can kiss me all you want.” He whispered smugly, pulling the blanket back up before pecking you again. 

It was that thought process that led you to stand outside Steves house at 3am, tears streaming down your face. You were a complicated duo. You definitely blurred the lines between a friendship and romantic relationship but neither of you discussed what you were, the shared kisses and touches unofficially confirmed to everyone what you already knew.

Lost in your thoughts and memories of the latest nightmare you didn’t even notice Steve open the door until you felt a gentle hand on your shoulder. Your eyes snapped up to his and the apologies couldn’t keep from falling out your mouth. “I’m so sorry, I know it’s late and you were probably sleeping and I’ve made you come out in the co-” You were unable to finish your ramblings before you were pulled into his arms, a hand cradling the back of your head.

“I’ve told you, you never need to apologise.” He whispered into your hair.

You both stood there, on his doorstep, for what felt like eternity, when in reality it was probably under 2 minutes, the cold getting to you both as he pulled away and shuffled you inside, locking the door up before turning to you. “What are you feeling? Sofa? Bed? Food?” He offered with a soft smile as his hand found yours.

Your eyes went up to his wild hair, a tell-tale sign you had woken him up. “Sleep sounds good.” You nodded. 

After making your way up to his room you chucked your jumper on his dresser and kicked your shoes off. The only time he left your immediate side was to pull his duvet back completely so you could slide in. “Can I ask you something and if it makes you uncomfortable you can obviously say no.” He cocked his head to the side as a sign to continue. You felt your cheeks heat up as you looked him in the eyes, “could you maybe…” He stepped closer at the hesitation, your hands resting on the hem of his shirt as you tried to find the words while simultaneously not dying of embarrassment. “I had a dream or a memory, I don’t even know at this point, of you getting hurt and I just want to make sure my head knows you’re fine.” You whispered, wincing at your words, your cheeks feeling unnaturally warm at this point.

You watched his features, you could see him trying to piece together what you meant. “You want me to take my top off?” He smirked, his eyes glimmering with playfulness as he quickly tried to distract you from whatever was flashing through your head.

“Shut up.” You muttered with a small smile, shoving him slightly before crossing the small distance to the bed and getting in.

“You’re not denying it. If you wanted to get me naked all you had to do was ask politely.” You could almost hear the grin on his face as he taunted you, hands on his hips as he crossed to the other side of the bed.

“I know you’re just as thrilled that I’m in your bed right now, so get in.” You retorted before patting his pillow. “I’m getting cold.”

“Yes boss.” He smirked, making quick work of his t-shirt before crawling in next to him. You made quick work of resting your head on his shoulder, your hands finding their target just above his hips. Sighing as you just felt the scars and nothing else.

Steve’s mind quickly connected the dots, you’d dreamed of the previous year, when you’d swam after him to the Upside Down and immediately saw bats attacking him, taking chunks out of him, shortly followed by escaping Vecna. “I’m fine, I promise.” He whispered, the humorous tone gone as his hand rested on top of yours. “It’s just you and me.” He kissed the top of your head. 

You both stayed like that for a while, he could only tell you were awake by how your eyelashes tickled his neck as you blinked every so often. “Can I tell you a secret?” He whispered, turning his body slightly so you fell off his shoulder with a slight moan of discomfort, and he could look you in the eyes. Your hand reached for his hips again, still needing to feel the comfort of him next to you. “I love you.” He whispered.

“I know, you said it a few years ago, under the mall.” You replied, shuffling forward a tiny bit, noses basically touching.

“This is different. No life or death situation, no truth serum and definitely no Dustin or Robin shouting at me for not saying it. Just you and me, in bed…with me half naked.” He nervously laughed.

“At this point it wouldn’t surprise me if Dustin was just sitting in the kitchen in all honesty.” You joked, as you brought your hand up to play with his hair, it wasn’t often he let anyone mess up his key feature. “But with nothing bad happening to us at this exact moment in time, and your pretty brown eyes begging me to say it back, I love you too.” You smiled. “And you don’t know how long I’ve waited to hear you say it again.” His hand rose to your neck and pulled you in the inch required to kiss him.

The kiss was over just as quickly as it began, but still expressed all the emotions you were feeling, it was different to all the times previously you had ‘accidentally’ kissed. “And you accused me of wanting to make a move, you’re incredibly smooth Harrington.” You smirked, before pushing him so he was on his back again, wanting to return to your prior position of head tucked under his, and half of you thrown over him. “If we sleep now, we can have fun in the morning before we go to D&D.” You promised. “Night Harrington.”