Stepping into the hallway, you found yourself almost tripping over a pair of shoes. Not just any shoes. Gator’s work shoes. He had a habit of leaving them lying around and despite how many times you’d asked him to tidy them away before you broke a leg, it seemed he was still falling back into old habits. Rolling your eyes, you picked them up and moved them out of the way, making your way through into the living room.

“Hey, pretty girl.” Gator greeted you from where he sat on the couch, beer in hand. Apparently he had already clocked off for the day. You gave him a tired smile.

“Hey.” You responded. Normally you’d be happier to see him, going over to cuddle up next to him and tell him about your day. The two of you had been together for a few months now, and Gator was slowly learning how to be in a serious relationship. There were aspects he was good at, being the deputy meant he always looked out for you and he loved the physical stuff, hand holding, kissing, those things came naturally.

But sometimes he had trouble actually listening to you and understanding your feelings. His whole life he’d been raised to never talk about anything deep, just brush it off and move on. Learning how to open himself up to this with you was hard, and you loved him so you were trying to be patient. But on days like this it was more difficult.

“You OK?” He asked as you walked into the kitchen, not paying him much attention. He’d gotten accustomed to having you in his arms at the end of the day, he found himself missing it when it was gone. “You seem mad?”

“I’m not mad.” You replied. “I’m just tired, I had a really long day at work.” Pouring yourself a glass of water, you sighed. “You left your boots in the hall again.”

“Ah shit, sorry. I forgot.” He said it like it was nothing, which only pissed you off. Trying to let it go, you wandered over and opened the fridge. “It doesn’t matter, I just want to get something to eat.” You scanned the shelves of the fridge. “Gator, where are the eggs?”

“What?” He called back, confusion etched in his voice.

“The eggs, Gator. I texted you earlier and asked you to grab some?”

His mind wandered back to earlier when he’d gotten your text and then got caught up in some work stuff. It had completely slipped his mind. “Fuck, I forgot, I’m sorry.”

The fridge door slammed shut. “Are you fucking kidding me, Gator?”

“It ain’t a big deal, I can run to the store and grab some.”

“That was the one thing I asked you for today.” You told him, marching back into the living room. “All I wanted was to come home and make an omelette, and you couldn’t do one simple thing.”

“I forgot, alright? Why are you makin’ such a big deal out of this?”

“Because I feel like that’s the only way to get you to listen!” You fired back. “Jesus, do I honestly have to beg you to do anything for me?”

Gator ran a hand over his face, clearly eager for this interaction to be over as quickly as possible. “I’m sorry, OK. I’ll get you some eggs. Fuck, you don’t need to take your bad day out on me, I’ve been busy as well.”

“Oh, yeah, you look positively weighed down with stress.” You said sarcastically, gesturing to the face he was still sitting on the couch. “Gator, I don’t think I can deal with this anymore.”

“What do ya mean?”

You shook your head, emotions bubbling over the top. “I need some space, OK. I can’t be here right now.”

“Wait.” He jumped up from the couch, fear settling into his face. “Are you breaking up with me? Over some eggs?”

“This is clearly not about the fucking eggs, Gator.”

His heart started hammering against his chest. Ten minutes ago he’d been looking forward to hugging you after a long day, now this was happening. “Just tell me what I did, please?”

“If you have to ask, then that’s the problem.” Your voice was quieter now still with a hint of annoyance. “I know this is all new to you, and I’m trying to give it time. But there’s only so much more I can take before I realise you’re never going to change. And I can’t keep doing this, it feels like you don’t care about my feelings at all.”

Gator was having a hard time processing all you were saying. He knew he wasn’t exactly boyfriend of the year, but he really did love you and he was trying to be a better man for you. Sometimes he fell short, but you’d never gone off on him like this before. Perhaps he’d stepped over the line this time, whether he meant to or not.

“You’re leavin?”

“I need some time to think things through.” You replied, grabbing your bag and heading for the door. Gator went to follow you, not quite knowing how to function in this house if you weren’t in it. “I’ll text you in a few days, just give me some space.”

“Fine, go. I’ll be just fine without ya.” He shouted after you as the door slammed shut. Those words could not have been further from the truth as the silence wrapped itself around him and he realised he was being faced with his biggest fear.

Being alone.

**

You’d been staying with one of your co-workers for the last week, not having spoken to Gator since the fight. For you, it was tough not seeing him for so long. But for Gator it was so much harder.

On the first day without you he’d let stubbornness consume, told himself he was just fine being by himself. But as the time stretched on, your absence gradually became too much for him to bear.

It was the little things he noticed. Waking up in the morning and not having you next to him, reaching out to pull you into him and finding only emptiness. Not finding a coffee waiting for him in the kitchen, not having anyone to hug at the end of the day and card your hands through his hair the way that made him melt. He even found himself missing you complaining about his boots, so much so that he subconsciously started tidying them away when he came in. He wished you were there to acknowledge it, but there was nothing but silence. Your absence was all-consuming.

Finally he began to understand. You loved him in all the ways that mattered and those little things that made up a relationship, those were the things that had never even occurred to him. It made sense to him now why you had been so upset, and it broke him.

He couldn’t take it any longer, which is how he found himself driving up to your co-workers house that evening, pulling up and knocking on the door. He hadn’t fully rehearsed what he was going to say, hoping that it would come to him when he saw you. Words had never come naturally to him, but for you he was always going to try his best.

The door opened and your co-worker stood there. As soon as she saw Gator there with his hands stuffed into his pockets sheepishly, she shook her head and folded her arms.

“What are you doing here?” Unlike most people in Stark County, she’d never been intimidated by the Tillman name, which is partly why you’d chosen to stay with her. She wouldn’t put up with any nonsense.

“Come on, please.” He pleaded with her, which was not something he did very often. He wanted to win you back the right way, not by using his power and influence in any way. “I know she’s here. I just want to talk to her.”

“I don’t think she wants to speak to you.”

He sighed. “Alright, I’ll get it. Can you just pass on a message from me then?” When she raised her eyebrows he took that as invitation to keep going.

“Just…tell her I’m really sorry. I know I said that a lot, but it’s the only thing I can think of. I was a shitty boyfriend, I never listened to her properly or how she was feelin’. I know I ain’t exactly a hero but I’m tryin’ to be a better man. She makes me want to be a better man.”

It was possibly the most honest thing he’d ever said, and thankfully you had been lingering behind the door, listening to every word. As soon as he had finished, you stepped out so he could see you. “Gator?”

Upon seeing you his entire face softened. “Baby?”

“I heard.” You nodded. “Everything.”

He couldn’t take it any longer. “Angel, I’m so-“

“Sorry?” You finished for him, but there was a smile playing on your lips. He nodded.

“Yeah, something like that.” He shuffled his feet. “I was a fucking idiot.”

“You were.” You agreed. “But I also said some things that weren’t very fair.”

“I thought I could do it without you, but I’m goin’ crazy on my own.” He admitted. “Please come home.”

You hesitated for a second, contemplating your next move. Your co-worker decided to give you some space, walking back into the house. “He seems sincere.” She whispered to you as she walked past. “Give him another chance.”

You folded your arms. "Are things going to change?"

Gator nodded. "I'll try every day. Please, it don't feel like home without you in it."

It wasn’t like you needed much convincing. You hurried out the door and threw your arms around him, Gator immediately wrapped you in a hug, burying his face into the crook of your neck. “Fuck, I missed you.”

“I missed you too, baby. I hate not being with you.”

“Me too, I swear I’ll never take you for granted again.” He promised. “Come home, please. I ain't much of a cook, but I'll try. I bought eggs.”

You chuckled into his chest, shoving him gently which made him laugh. “You’re a jerk.”

“Yeah, but I’m your jerk. Always, angel. I promise.”

**

“I’m not calling her! You do it!” Steve hears Mike whisper heatedly to Dustin.

He can’t help but roll his eyes, he knows they’re trying to be quiet but those two wouldn’t know the meaning of a whisper if it ran in front of them.

He frowns, wondering who they seem to be arguing about contacting.

Everyone is at his house for their weekly movie night.

Eddie and Robin are in comfortable conversation with Nancy and Jonathan as they snack on the food that Steve had left out.

Will, Lucas, El and Max are huddled on one of the couches arguing about what film they’re going to put on.

Current options in the running include Grease, Star Wars, Jaws and The Exorcist.

Steve had attempted to veto The Exorcist but Eleven had turned to him with a pout and a pleading expression that reminded him too much of you for him to say no.

You’re supposed to be on your way over after your shift but it’s been a little while and Steve’s refused to start before you get there.

“Steve!” Dustin whines, pulling Steve out of his thoughts.

He shakes his head and looks towards the two of them who seem to be huddled behind the couch, leering ominously over his phone with dual pleading expressions.

“Yes?” He sighs, if he didn’t know the two of them he’d almost call their matching expressions cute but he knows well enough that they’re just buttering him up for a favour.

“Call your girlfriend,” Mike complains, taking the phone off of its stand and holding it up to Steve for it to look enticing.

Steve raises a brow in suspicion and Mike’s brows furrow as if he’s surprised that Steve isn’t immediately lurching to grab the phone from him.

He’s not that clingy, is he?

“Please,” Mike tacks on belatedly, like that’s just crossed his mind to sweeten the deal.

Steve scoffs a laugh, “I’m not calling her just because she’s a couple of minutes late, she’s probably on her way here.”

Mike and Dustin both let out loud groans of complaint at his statement and Steve hears Eddie snort a laugh from behind him.

Without looking he grabs one of his mother’s decorative pillows and lobs it behind him, smiling it satisfaction when it meets its target and Eddie lets out a yelp of shock.

“And anyways, if you’re both so bothered that she’s late, why don’t either of you pick up the phone and call her?” Steve probes.

Mike and Dustin answer simultaneously.

“We don’t know her number—“

“Cause your girlfriends scary dude—“

Mike yelps when Dustin slaps his chest.

“Dude! You don’t tell someone their girlfriend is scary, what’s your problem?” Dustin hisses.

Steve watches the two of them bicker like a ping pong match, before Mike’s statement renders to him.

“What?” He laughs. “You think she’s scary?”

He’s delighted, sure he thinks you can be a bit intimidating at times but never scary.

He’s seen you go toe to toe with men twice your size and never once falter, but in the same breath he’s seen you take care of his kids with soft words and affection that’s not unlike his own paternal instincts.

So he doesn’t really get the whole “scary” sentiment.

Is that what they all think?

“Hey guys,” Steve calls out, curiosity painting his face as The Party turns to look at him.

“Do you think my girls scary?”

It’s like a record scratch echoes through the room as everyone freezes in place, staring at Steve with wide eyes.

Robin is undoubtedly the first one to break, a nervous laugh breaking past her lips as she shakes her head.

“No! Of course not, only that she can be a bit—off putting? Not in a bad way!” Robin reassures, looking more panicked by the moment as she slumps in her chair and chugs her Dr Pepper without further comment.

Steve is stumped, there’s no way that he’s missed this entire thing this whole time.

“You all think that?—that she’s scary?” He’s sure he must look as adequately perplexed as he feels based on Lucas’ small wince in apology.

“I don’t think that,” Max announces, nonchalant as no other.

All their heads snap towards her as she places her hands up in surrender.

“I’m just saying you guys thought I was scary, I just don’t get what’s so scary about her.” She admits, smirking softly as she looks at both Dustin and Mike who roll their eyes.

“We didn’t find you scary!” Mike defensively argues.

They all start to argue and Steve tunes them out, instead making eye contact with Jonathan who offers him a comforting smile.

Over the sound of heightened voices, Steve hears a meek knock echo off the front door.

So with little attention paid to the group, he makes his way to door to find you on the other side.

Your eyes a wide and welling with tears and Steve is instantly on guard.

“Hey hey,” he rushes out, voice soft as he gathers you in his arms, “You okay? What’s wrong?”

You let out a distressed whine but don’t say much else.

Steve huddles you into the foyer with little fanfare before he notices that you’re cupping your hands close to your chest.

Steve frowns, pulling away to your complaint as he takes note of the small wriggling furry figure in your cupped palms.

“Uh, what is that?” He asks, laughing nervously as it snuggles further into your sweater.

Your lips wobble as you peer down at the small creature and when you turn your eyes back up to him he coos in adoration.

“He followed me home,” you cry softly, your face crumpling leaving you looking far too cute for Steve to even start to take you seriously.

He muffles a laugh behind a cough but by your shrewd look through teary eyes, he hasn’t done a very good job of that.

It’s then that he’s been made aware of the silence that seems to encompass the house.

No longer is it filled with the sounds of arguing voices but instead, it’s as if there’s nobody here at all.

With a suspicious hum, he turns slightly to see everyone huddled in the entrance to the lounge and watching the two of you.

He bites back a groan of annoyance at the interruption and instead schools his expression to focus on consoling you.

“Uh huh, and what exactly…is he?” He asks softly, trying not to flinch away when a small face nuzzles through your hands.

It’s a black cat, tinier than he’s ever seen before.

“Oh,” he replies stumped.

You make a wounded noise, “I noticed him when I crossed the street past the grocery store and I-I thought he was just looking for his momma but he followed me all the way here and I couldn’t just leave him, it was getting dark out!” You whisper distressed and Steve can’t help but think you’re worried he’s going to say no and for you to throw the poor kitten back out onto the street.

He softens, smiling softly at you and acquiescing. He opens his own palms with a small gesture and with little hesitance you help the little guy trapeze off your palm and into Steve’s waiting hands.

He tsks when he feels the poor baby shivering in his hands and can’t help himself but lift him to his face to press a tiny kiss on his forehead.

“Will you get him some water from the tap? I’m gonna get him a small blanket from the cupboard upstairs,” Steve says softly, peering at your red eyes in concern.

You’re eager to have something to do and with a small nod, you rub your eyes with your hoodie sleeves before walking to the kitchen with barely a glance to the small group behind you.

Steve turns to stare at them all with a grim expression, “Not a word.” He firmly states.