Emma ⭑

He ignored them and ran into the station manager's office, where he knew Robin would be. She was listening to the mixtape Vickie had made her for the millionth time when Steve came in and closed the door behind him. Robin took off her headphones and frowned at the sight of Steve with his back up against the door.

"What did you do?" Robin asked.

There came a knocking on the door, and Steve winced.

"Steve!" Nancy's voice called through the door.

"We know you're in there, man," Jonathan said.

"And we're not mad," Nancy said softly. "We just want to talk."

"Okay, seriously, what the hell did you do?" Robin asked.

Steve sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes tightly. He opened his eyes and dropped his hand. He looked towards the door.

"Okay, I'll talk to you guys, but I need to talk to Robin. She's my best friend in the world, and I'm freaking out. The last time I did that was before. . .and I - when I got drunk at parties. . .with the guys as a goof, and I told myself that I was drunk. . .that it didn't mean anything. I don't have an excuse anymore. . .and I just need to talk to Robin about what I'm feeling. . .just need a minute," Steve said. "I want to talk to you, but I don't want to be freaking out when I do."

There was a long pause, and Steve could imagine them sharing a look. Was it a good look? Steve had turned around and pressed his forehead to the door, his hand pressed up against it as well. Did they have their hands up there as or was that just the sappy romantic in him?

"Sure, Steve," Jonathan said softly. "Take your time."

"We'll go get lunch," Nancy said.

Steve heard their footsteps move away from the door and he around. He flopped down in the seat that sat in front of the desk that Robin was sitting at.

"What the hell, Steve?!" Robin exclaimed.

"I kissed Jonathan," Steve said.

"You kicked Jonathan?" Robin asked. "That's a bit childish, don't you think?"

"I kissed Jonathan," Steve said, emphasizing the word.

"Yeah, I heard you the first time, Popeye," Robin said, rolling her eyes. "For whatever stupid reason, you kicked Jonathan."

"You're not hearing me!" Steve exclaimed, throwing up his hands. "I KISSED Jonathan!"

"I'm hearing you! You kissed Jonathan!" Robin yelled, and she paused, blinking. "Wait, you kissed Jonathan?!"

"That's what I've been saying!" Steve exclaimed with a sigh.

"But - but Jonathan's a guy," Robin said and then paused again. "Unless. . .you didn't kiss him with your fist, did you?"

"No, Robin, I kissed him with my mouth," Steve said.

"And you kissed him on. . .his mouth?" Robin asked slowly.

"I don't know why I thought you could help me with this," Steve groaned, rolling his eyes.

"I'm processing, Steven!" Robin exclaimed. "You've always been a notorious ladies' man!"

"I know!" He exclaimed. "That's why it's freaking me out! I liked it! I like women, Robin!"

"Maybe you like both," Robin said. "What was that thing about getting drunk at parties?"

"A couple of my teammates and I used to make out a couple of times when we were drunk," Steve said. "I told myself I was just drunk, and it didn't mean anything, but I think I liked it then, too. My dad was always making comments about how I long I spent in front of the mirror, and he was always bringing up the fact that queer people do that. . .that it would be awful if he knew anyone like that. He always said that it was a good thing his son wasn't like that. . .he somehow made it into a joke, and I always laughed. . .I pretended like his jokes didn't absolutely make me want to throw up. I could figure out why it felt like I was taking them so personally, but I think they're why I never wanted to admit that those feelings have always been there."

"Oh, Popeye," Robin said softly.

"It just kind of just hit me all at once when Jonathan called me an idiot," Steve said. "I am an idiot."

"No, just a little slow on the uptake," Robin said with a tearful laugh. "You got here, though."

"Better late than never, I guess," Steve sniffed.

Robin got out from behind the desk and sat down in the chair next to Steve. She grabbed his arm.

"Do you know what this means?" Robin asked.

"That I'm reeaaally into nerds," Steve said.

"Yes, that, too," Robin said. "You are not straight."

"Yeah, I realized that, Robin," Steve said.

"Not that I thought that was a bad thing," Robin said. "You and me. . .we're both fucking queer."

Steve's face spread into a grin, and Robin kissed him on the cheek, hugging him tightly.

"You never thought you'd get here with me," Steve said with a laugh.

"If someone told me a few years ago that my best friend is Steve Harrington and we're both fucking gay, I would have told them to check in to Pennhurst," Robin said.

"I would have told them the same thing," Steve said.

"You know, if you just tried harder at telepathically bonding with me months ago, we would have been here sooner," Robin said.

"I'm sorry for not having powers, Robin," Steve said sarcastically.

"And I completely accept you for who you are," Robin said.

"You don't have powers either."

"Fuck you."

After talking with Robin for about 15 more minutes, Nancy and Jonathan came back into the station with lunch. Steve had happily, but a bit nervously, let them into the office, and they set the food on the desk. Nancy passed a bag to Robin and cleared a space on the desk for them to spread out.

"So. . .how'd it go?" Nancy asked casually.

Robin shared a look with Steve, and he nodded his head as Jonathan passed him a burger.

"Well, if you're Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers and you call Steve Harrington an idiot, you're liable to get a giant sloppy kiss from him," Robin said with a grin.

"It wasn't sloppy," Jonathan muttered.

Nancy laughed and touched Steve's chin before giving him a peck on the lips. Jonathan paused before giving Steve a light kiss as well.

"You know what? I'll find someplace to eat, like the kitchen," Robin said. "I do not want to be a fourth wheel."

Robin winked at Steve before scurrying out of the office, shutting the door behind her. Nancy took Robin's place behind the desk while Jonathan sat down next to Steve. They ate in comfortable silence. Steve could relax now that he knew that he wasn't going to be rejected by both of them. . .at least, he hoped not. It would be mean for them to kiss him like that only for them to turn him down. Although, he hadn't really offered them anything. He just panicked kiss Jonathan and then ran away. He ate the last of his food and cleaned himself up with the napkin.

"You missed a spot," Jonathan said.

"Here?" Steve asked and wiped a spot on his cheek.

"Your mouth," Jonathan muttered.

"Here?" Steve asked and wiped a spot off on his upper lip, but Jonathan just shook his head.

"Let me get it," Jonathan said.

Steve thought for sure that Jonathan was going to get a napkin, but he pressed his lips to Steve's and ran his tongue across his bottom lip, effectively removing the ketchup. Steve let his mouth open up and Jonathan slipped his tongue inside, deepening the kiss. It was intoxicating. He wanted to keep kissing Jonathan forever, and judging by the sounds Nancy was making, she wanted the same thing for them as well as for herself. Jonathan broke the kiss and leaned back in his chair.

"You definitely got it," Steve said, blinking stupidly at him.

"He definitely does," Nancy giggled.

"So, I feel like there's a better place for us to talk about. . .well, us," Jonathan said.

"Don't tell me that you're going to kiss me stupid like that and then you're just going to reject me when we get to wherever you want to take me," Steve said.

"What? No, I'd be an asshole," Jonathan said and paused. "I just don't want to us to be interrupted."

"Wow, and I thought I was done putting out on the first date," Steve said with mock seriousness.

"No, I wasn't looking for - I mean, it would be nice - ," Jonathan said, blushing.

"What kind of people do you think we are, Jonathan?" Nancy asked, matching Steve's mocking tone.

"Now, you know that's not what I meant," Jonathan said.

"I mean, does he think we're that easy?" Steve asked Nancy.

"Well, obviously, and you are that easy, Steve," Nancy teased.

"That's true," Steve smiled.

"Well, let's go then, I think Jonathan is really excited to get us alone," Steve said.

"Well, there's been a lot of pent-up. . .aggression," Nancy said.

"Poor guy's probably about to explode," Steve said.

"I've changed my mind, I don't want to be with either of you assholes!" Jonathan laughed.

Steve and Nancy laughed before pulling Jonathan up out of his chair. They dragged him out of the office and through the station. When they passed Robin, she pulled down her headphones again.

"Where are you going?" Robin asked. "And what should I tell your mother, Jonathan?"

"Tell her we're out monster hunting," Jonathan said, and Nancy laughed.

"Is that what we're going to call it? Because I'm okay with that. I can pretend to be a werewolf. You guys can be the hunters coming after me, but when you find me, you decide to make me your pet instead," Steve smirked. "I can totally be your monster."

"I love that idea," Nancy smiled through heavy eyelids.

"Me too," Jonathan croaked and cleared his throat, his cheeks red. "Talk first."

"Jesus, Steve, when it really hits you, it hits you," Robin said. "Look, I don't have a problem with you three. In fact, I think it's great. It is a much better solution than, you know, fighting. However, I do not need the details of whatever the hell you two are going to do to my best friend."

"Fair enough," Nancy laughed.

This time, it was Nancy dragging Steve and Jonathan out of the station. She also pushed them both into the back of her car before driving away from the station. She seemed to know exactly where Jonathan wanted to go.

"Where are we going?" Steve asked.

"My house," Jonathan said.

"Aren't you staying with Nancy?" Steve asked.

"Yes. I'm talking about my old house," Jonathan said. "No one's bought it."

"I'm confused. Why don't you guys stay there then?" Steve asked.

"Well, we don't have our furniture, and also, it's really close to one of the plates," Jonathan said. "It makes Mom nervous."

"Why are we going there?" Steve asked with wide eyes.

"It's fine, Steve," Nancy said. "Jonathan and I have been here plenty of times when we want to be alone."

"You mean, when you want to have sex?" Steve asked.

"Not always," Jonathan said.

"But usually," Nancy smirked. "I get a little randy sometimes."

"You forget who dated you first, Nance," Steve said with a smile. "And that's nothing to be ashamed of."

"I know that now," Nancy said softly.

"Honestly, it's our fault. We're too handsome to resist," Steve said, and Nancy laughed.

"You're including me in that statement?" Jonathan asked.

"Oh, now you're just fishing for compliments," Steve scoffed. "Jonathan Byers, you are an attractive man. Look at this face. . .I used to stare at it, wondering why the hell it frustrated me so much and why I wanted so badly for you to be queer."

Steve had touched his face, gripping his chin gently in his hand.

"Yeah, well," Jonathan blushed, not knowing what to say. "Your face pissed me off the same way, too."

Jonathan stared at Steve for a moment before taking his hand and interfacing their fingers. He tucked his head into Steve's shoulder, and they were quiet for the rest of the ride, with Nancy occasionally looking at them through rear view mirror. A few moments later, they pulled up to Jonathan's house. Trees were down, as were the lines for the power, and the grass was overgrown as though someone hadn't been there in months, but there was a path leading to the front door. Yeah, right, more than a few times. They got out of the car, and Jonathan grabbed a cooler from the backseat. He put his hand into Steve's and pulled him toward the house while Nancy moved ahead to pick the lock. Together, the three of them went inside. Steve was happily led by Jonathan and Nancy into Jonathan's old room. It had been weird to see the place without any furniture, but it eased Steve when he walked into Jonathan's room. It wasn't empty.

"Do your parents know that you got your own place?" Steve asked.

There was a small mattress covered with sheets, a sleeping bag and two pillows. A turned over box was being used as a nightstand with a battery-operated lantern on it. There were books piled against one wall. Steve could tell which books belonged to who. He knew that the notebooks were Nancy's too, and the camera resting on top of the books was obviously Jonathan's. It didn't take a genius to figure that one out. A suitcase sat in one corner filled with both Jonathan and Nancy's clothes.

"We don't live here, Steve," Nancy said.

"There's no electricity or running water," Jonathan said.

"Wouldn't drink the water this close to the plates even if it did have running water," Nancy said.

"Someone should tell your clothes that," Steve said.

"We only come here - ," Nancy said.

"Yeah, when you need some time to yourselves," Steve said. "I get it. . .but - uh - not to be too forward. . .my place has both of those things."

"We haven't even had the talk about our relationship," Nancy said in amusement.

"And you want us to move in?" Jonathan asked, his eyes twinkling in amusement.

"I thought you guys didn't move in here," Steve scoffed. "And I'm not asking you guys to move in. . .just letting you know that there are other options."

"No offense, Steve, but I don't think Jonathan and I would be too comfortable at your house," Nancy said.

"House? No, I live in an apartment," Steve said. "I moved out after Starcourt - okay, my parents actually kicked me out."

"I didn't know that," Nancy said softly.

"Yeah, well, my parents are assholes. They kicked me out because they found my muscle magazines with my porn collection and thought I was gay," Steve said, and frowned. "They accidentally got that right."

"I'm sorry, Steve," Jonathan said, softly.

"It's okay, I've done alright without them," Steve smiled at the both of them, who shared a smile with each other.

"I don't think I would mind at all seeing your place," Jonathan said, blushing.

Nancy pulled a blanket out of Jonathan's closet and laid it on the floor against the empty wall. She pulled out pillows from the closet as well and set them upright. Jonathan opened the cooler. He pulled out a thermos. Nancy and Steve sat on either side of him.

"Water," Jonathan clarified.

"We also got beer," Nancy said.

"Yeah, I'll take a beer," Steve said.

Nancy smiled before pulling one for herself as well. It turns out she was sharing with Jonathan. He didn't like to drink much, but he did drink and took a few sips from Nancy's can. Steve took a few nervous sips from his own can.

"I think it's poetic to have this conversation here," Nancy said. "Sometimes, I think about that night all the time."

"Me too," Jonathan and Steve said.

"I remember how exhausted we were," Nancy said.

"Yeah, didn't all three of just collapse onto Jonathan's bed at the same time?" Steve asked.

"I think you collapsed first," Jonathan said.

"You know, I think it was a dream or something. I think Nancy was really grateful to be alive and that I came back in to help. . .I was half awake when I felt her kiss me," Steve said.

"It's funny," Jonathan said. "I had my first kiss with Nancy that night, too."

"I didn't kiss either one of you that night," Nancy scoffed.

Steve and Jonathan stared at her before looking at each other. Nancy burst into laughter, and she almost fell over. If it hadn't been for Jonathan, she would have.

"So, that wasn't our first kiss," Steve said.

Nancy laughed harder and they both winded up joining her. Steve leaned his head back against the wall, shaking with laughter.

"How did you not know?" Nancy asked, giggling. "Steve's face was all beaten up and he's bigger than me, Jonathan."

"Yeah, well, I'm recalling it now," Jonathan said. "How did you not know when I'm pretty sure that we made out against your back?"

"We were all so tired," Nancy continued to giggle.

"You know, if I had woken up during that kiss, I would have realized it a lot sooner," Steve said.

"We can't think about the what ifs, I'll drive us crazy," Nancy said.

"We're here now," Jonathan said.

"I've just spent so much time convincing myself that I wasn't - that I didn't like men, or you," Steve said. "And the signs were there!"

"Like when you told me that you always took me for a queer," Jonathan said.

"Was that you being hateful or were you hoping he was?" Nancy teased.

"God, I was hoping. I mean, I thought about him entirely too much," Steve said and looked at Jonathan. "The way that you walked. . .the way that you dressed. . .the way that your hair almost brushed over your eye but not really. . .Jesus, I told myself that I was judging you for the way you dressed. I mean, Jesus fucking Christ! I wanted you to take off your clothes and I fucking told myself that I must have really hated the way you dressed!"

He wasn't frustrated though, he was laughing. Nancy and Jonathan giggled.

"It's okay, Steve," Jonathan said. "I knew I liked men, but I told myself that I couldn't possible ever like someone like you. I told myself that I was hanging out with Nancy too much, and I was starting to think like her."

"That's why you pulled away?!" Nancy asked in disbelief.

"Yeah," Jonathan shrugged.

"You're both idiots," Nancy giggled, and took another sip of her beer.

"Yeah, well, it's all starting to come back to me," Steve said. "I'm remembering the first guy I held hands with. We were young, like fifth grade. I told myself that the feeling I got in my stomach when we held hands was because of something I ate."

"You thought you had indigestion?" Jonathan asked.

"You thought you were turning into Nancy," Steve replied.

"That's a fair point," Jonathan laughed.

"That's not all," Steve said. "He used to call me his boyfriend. I told myself. . .well, that's true, I am a boy and I am his friend. He asked, and I told him that, yeah, of course I was his boyfriend. He was so happy. Even when people were mocking us and making kissy faces at us, I never stopped holding his hand. Oh my god, he was my boyfriend! I mean, I was definitely heartbroken when he moved away. . .I can't believe I missed having my first boyfriend."

Jonathan laughed when Steve slapped his own face with his own hand.

"It's okay, Steve," Nancy said softly and softly. "I missed having my first girlfriend. . .by the time I realized it. . ."

Steve lowered his hand and blinked at her. She didn't have to finish that sentence. He knew who she was talking about.

"Barb," Steve said.

"Jesus, I'm sorry, Nance," Jonathan said.

"I mean, we weren't really. . .I think in order for it to be a proper relationship, both parties have to be aware of it, and I was a clueless idiot," Nancy said. "I told myself that all those kisses we shared. . .they were just for practice."

Nancy's eyes filled with tears, and she took a long drink of her beer.

"I'm really sorry, Nancy," Steve said.

"I don't regret sleeping with you that night. I don't regret you, Steve Harrington," Nancy said, wiping her mouth. "I do regret how I treated Barb. I was just so excited to explore my sexuality that I didn't think about anyone else."

"Her death wasn't your fault, Nance," Steve said.

"It wasn't yours either," Nancy said.

She leaned over Jonathan and pulled Steve in for a gentle kiss. It was soft and sweet but tinged with sadness. He thought he tasted a little bit of hope there, too. Nancy broke the kiss and nuzzled her nose against his before placing a kiss on the tip of it. She sat back down beside Jonathan.

"I hope you guys won't be jealous of a dead man," Steve spoke suddenly.

"What?" Jonathan asked.

"In the confusion of realizing that I still had feelings for Nancy - I don't know who I was kidding, of course, I never got over you," Steve smiled at Nancy and she smiled back. "I was starting to get to know Eddie, and there was this moment where he was trying to convince me that Nancy had feelings for me, too. . .I felt disappointed, not with the fact that Nancy might feel the same, but I think when he leaned in close, I had thought he was going to kiss me. I was disappointed that he didn't. I think there was some attraction there, not like with you and Nancy but it was pretty close. I didn't question it because everything seemed to happen so fast after that. I just kept thinking about what I could have done differently to save Eddie -,"

"Eddie's death wasn't your fault, Steve," Nancy said.

"Sometimes it feels like it and it feels like Dustin blames me," Steve said. "He should."

"He's just angry, man," Jonathan said. "About what happened, it doesn't mean he blames you."

"He's scared, too, of the same thing happening with you," Nancy said. "I don't know if you noticed - Robin and I certainly have - but you tend to throw yourself into the line of fire."

"Yeah, and don't you do the same thing?" Steve asked.

"Yeah, that's something we do," Nancy said, laughing for a moment, before turning serious. "All three of us do it."

"I'm sorry about Eddie," Jonathan said.

"I barely knew him," Steve said quietly.

"You still had feelings for him, Steve, and you lost him, too," Nancy said gently, and reached over Jonathan to take his hand. "I lost Barb and Fred. . .we lost Eddie, and Bob. . ."

"I'm tired of losing," Steve said.

"Me too," Jonathan said, and Nancy hummed in agreement.

They sat down in comfortable silence for a while, sipping on their beers. Steve stared at the books on the wall, and the camera that rested on top of it. They had come a long way. Sometimes it felt longer than almost four years, and sometimes it seemed like yesterday. They had all done messed up things and hurt each other because they couldn't admit the truth. . .not even to each other. They all wanted the same thing: to not end up like their parents and that had been the driving fear for all of them. It had been the thought that popped into his head when he bought the camera. He didn't want to be like his dad, and he knew Jonathan didn't either. He had hoped it would be an olive branch between him and Jonathan, but he also knew that Jonathan never would have accepted the gift if he knew it was from him.

"What are you thinking about?" Jonathan asked Steve.

Steve's head snapped to look at Jonathan and Nancy. Jonathan was looking at him curiously while Nancy looked at him knowingly. She knew exactly what he was thinking about.

"You should tell him," Nancy said.

"Tell me what?" Jonathan asked.

"I bought the camera," Steve said and Jonathan raised an eyebrow. "The camera Nancy gave you. I bought it for you."

"What? Why didn't you just tell me that?" Jonathan asked.

"I didn't think you'd take it if you knew it was from me," Steve said.

"I would have taken it if it had come from Lonnie. It was a camera, Steve," Jonathan said in amusement. "But I'm glad it came from you and Nancy. She gave it to me, so she gets credit, too. You didn't have to do that. Neither of you. . .What I did was stupid and I was an asshole. Both of you had every right to be mad at me for it, and you had every right to break it."

"You were an asshole," Nancy said. "So was Steve, so was I. . .I wasn't exactly nice to my brother when Will went missing, and the only thing I cared about was. . .well, getting laid."

"Well, at that point, none of us knew that shit like that could happen especially in Hawkins, the most boring town on earth," Jonathan said.

"I used to hate that," Nancy said. "I used to hate how small and boring it was. . .God, I'd give anything for it to go back to that again, but I think I'd make some changes."

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Jonathan said.

"I'd still want to leave, though," Nancy said.

"I like the whole traveling the country in the RV thing," Jonathan said. "Not sure about the six kids' thing."

"You told him?" Steve asked Nancy.

"We weren't talking, it kind of slipped out," Nancy said.

"Yeah, well, it's just something I dreamed about when I briefly lost consciousness," Steve said.

"You lost consciousness?" Nancy asked.

"Briefly," Steve said. "I didn't tell you that Jonathan was there, too, for some reason. . .although, now I know why. . .And for the record, it's not like I want them right now, that would be crazy, but someday - I mean, the number is negotiable - but that's a conversion that can wait for another day."

"I'm not sure what I want with that," Nancy said truthfully. "But what I do know is that I want both of you. I told myself a million times that I was selfish for loving you both, but I do. You two are important part of my story and I wouldn't want to erase either one of you."

Steve and Jonathan share a soft smile before smiling at Nancy. Jonathan took both of their hands in his and they sat in silence for a moment, processing Nancy's words.

"You know, I thanked Nancy for the camera," Jonathan said and paused. "I never thanked you."

"You don't - ," Steve said.

"Shut up, and let me thank you," Jonathan said.

Jonathan got up, threw one leg over Steve, and straddled him. Steve's hands went to his hips to steady him, welcoming his weight. Jonathan cupped his face and gazed at him, running his thumb over Steve's bottom lip. He moved his thumb and gently kissed Steve. Jonathan kissed him softly and slowly with gently experimental pecks. . .with Jonathan staring at his face with each kiss. He pressed his lips against Steve's, this time without interruption. Steve kissed him back, purposely this time, and moved his lips with Jonathan as Jonathan began to slowly rock his hips. Steve's hands made quick work of removing Jonathan's jacket and tossed it aside. Steve moved against Jonathan, pushing him back against the floor so he could climb on top of him and deepen the kiss. Jonathan moaned into his mouth, tugging at Steve's jacket. Steve ran his hands down the side of Jonathan's body, gripping his thigh as he grinded against him. Jonathan tugged at his jacket again as Steve nipped at his lip before moving to kiss his neck and Jonathan moaned again. Steve let Jonathan push his jacket off of him and moved his head back to look at Jonathan.

"If you want me, come and get me," Steve said.

"What?" Jonathan asked in confusion.

"Steve," Nancy whined.

Steve laughed and stood up. He was just as hard as Jonathan, but he liked to tease. . .and he liked to be chased.

"This is supposed to be a monster hunt. . .so hunt me," Steve smirked. "First one to catch me is the first who can do whatever they want to me."

Nancy and Jonathan shared a look with each other, their eyes twinkling with mirth. Nancy looked back at Steve with a smirk spreading across her face and a dark seductive glint in her eye.

"Run."

Meanwhile. . .

Robin looked at the clock on the station wall. It had been hours. . .surely, they would have been back by now? Joyce and the others hadn't shown up yet which was good because then Robin wouldn't have had to explain to Joyce where her son was. She was already awkward enough and she's almost revealed her own secrets on several occasions. Of course, she knew that she wouldn't actually say anything. . .it was her goddamn face that she was worried about. The front door opened and she nearly fell out of her chair, but she managed to catch herself. It was not Nancy, Jonathan, and Steve liked she had hoped. Mike, Dustin, Will, and Lucas came in first with Dustin moving ahead of them.

"STEVE! I need to talk to you! It's not a bad emergency, but I need to talk to you about it, and you better just shut up and listen because - Robin, where's Steve?" Dustin asked as Joyce and Hopper came in with El.

"Steve?" Robin asked with wide eyes.

"Yeah, Steve, you know, your platonic other half who's basically mostly just hair," Dustin said. "You always know where he is."

"Oh, that Steve," Robin said. "He went for a walk."

"A walk?" Dustin asked.

"Yes, a walk," Robin said.

"Steve went for a walk?" Dustin asked.

"Yes, Dustin, Steve went for a walk," Robin said. "How many times do I have to say it?"

"Why did he go for a walk?" Dustin asked.

"To get some fresh air, I don't know," Robin scowled. "He's a jock, occasionally jocks like to go for walks. In Steve's case, he's part golden retriever, and if he doesn't go for a walk at this time, he ends up peeing on the rug."

"Jesus, I was just asking," Dustin said.

"What's with the interrogation about where Steve is?" Robin asked.

"I just wanted to know where he is," Dustin said. "That's all. I wanted to talk to him."

"Right," Robin said.

"Nancy's car is gone, is Jonathan with her?" Joyce asked.

"Yes," Robin said.

"Where'd they go?" Will asked.

Don't say monster hunting, Robin thought, whatever you do don't say monster hunting.

"Monster hunting," Robin said, and closed her eyes. "I mean, not monster hunting, that was a joke, but they're, uh, busy with something else - "

"Monster hunting?" Hopper asked. "Is that what they're calling it these days?"

"Robin, you don't have to lie," Joyce said. "I know what they've been doing for a long time, believe it or not, I was young once. That's sweet of you to try and cover for them."

"It's funny that Steve went for a walk at the same time that Nancy and Jonathan went on their hunt," Dustin said casually.

She knew that it would be Will who figured it out. Of course, it was Will. Robin watched his eyes widen and she made eye contact with Will, pouring everything she had into making sure that he'd be calm about it. He managed to school his features.

"I think he just went for a walk, Dustin," Will said and Dustin gasped, clutching his arm.

"Oh my god!" Dustin exclaimed and Will's eyes went wide again. "He's planning my surprise birthday party with my mother!"

"Yeah, Dustin, that's it," Will laughed. "Or maybe he just went for a walk."

"Don't be ridiculous, Will," Dustin rolled his eyes.

Will laughed and looked at him fondly. Robin smiled at that. She knew that look well. . .she managed to hide her face successfully. The front door opened again and Steve came in.

"How was your walk?" Robin asked, gazing into his eyes with a hard look.

"Oh, yeah, my walk, it was good," Steve said. "Very. . .refreshing."

Nancy and Jonathan walked in behind him. Robin closed her eyes tightly, pinching her nose. Jesus Christ.

"Why do all three of you have leaves in your hair?" Mike asked. "What were you doing?"

Of course, it hit them all at once, because it wasn't just the leaves or the disheveled clothing. It was the fact that all three of them had hickies. The throuple realized that they figured it out, too. The Demogorgon was out of the bag as soon as it had begun.

"Monster hunting," the three of them said in unison.

"Oh, Jesus! Why the hell didn't you radio us?!" Dustin asked and everyone stared at him. "What monster was it? Was it a Demogorgon? One of the bats?!"

"Nobody tell him," Steve said. "Let him figure it out on his own."

Robin laughed as she watched Steve disappear into the back of the station with Nancy and Jonathan. Dustin was hot on their tails, lecturing them on notifying the rest of the party. Monster hunting, indeed. As excuses go, it wasn't so bad. . .

"Oh, for God's sake, Dustin!" they heard Nancy snap and then they heard Jonathan's voice before Nancy spoke again. "We weren't monster hunting! Jonathan and I fucked your precious babysitter!"

"Not like that, Nancy!" Jonathan yelled.