#mayfield!reader

It was a muggy, grey late-September morning. Hugging your windbreaker closer, you took another hit of the cigarette as the familiar maroon Beamer whipped into the store parking lot. Steve stepped out, swiftly running his fingers through his already mussed-up hair. Yet no matter how many times he seemed to mess it up, his hair always seemed to fall perfectly into place. An annoying little detail you first noticed when you met him two years ago, yet it had grown into a familiar sight. 

“Sorry for the delay. My alarm…” He tossed you a smile that begged forgiveness while carding through his key ring. There was still a touch of tiredness in the gravel of his voice.

You simply shrugged your shoulders, tossing the cigarette butt to the ground and crushing it with the toe of your shoe, “ ‘s fine, Keith knows you’re the one with the key anyway.”

Steve finally unlocked the door and held it open for you. His brown eyes flicked over your frame in concern as you moved inside, “I thought you quit smoking.”

“Just bummed one of my mom,” You called back as you shrugged off your jacket, “Don’t sound so concerned.”

While you made your way to the front counter, Steve was only a few steps behind, “But I am concerned for you— I mean, for you and Max. Between moving and school. Plus, it’s been three months since Bill—”

“I really don’t need a Steve Harrington pep talk right now,” You swiftly cut him off, the familiar Mayfield glare halting him when he attempted to continue. 

Steve swallowed down his words, brown eyes falling to the floor. You couldn’t tell if it was discernment or disappointment, but you didn’t care to find out. He just nodded and tried to brush it off, “Right, I’m gonna go get everything turned on in the back.”

He prodded into the inventory room, leaving you to set up shop for the day. 

— — —

October came, and with it, the first winds of the cold. Your mother’s drinking habits had become progressively worse. Max had freshly dumped Lucas and shut herself off from the world, while you were just trying to coast through your senior year of high school. Homecoming was around the corner, and you made a pact with your little sister to stay home and watch Top Gun instead. It was better than being stuck outside in the bleachers, watching the popular athletes and their girlfriends flaunt their idealistic relationships. 

It was Thursday night before the big game. Robin had begged you to come at least watch the marching band’s halftime performance. You explained to her that while you would love to come support her, you and Max had plans. When she couldn’t convince you, she simply thanked you for covering her shift at Family Video tonight while she had band practice. You brushed it off, merely explaining that you need the money anyway. 

You’re working with Steve that night, and it’s surprisingly dull for a Thursday. Usually, you’d have at least a family or two, maybe some young people picking out a date night flick, but this evening had only presented a series of returns. The most excitement you had was some asshole knocking over a cardboard stand-up when you informed him that Family Video did not have an adult section at this location. 

“I’m just saying that we could probably close, like, thirty minutes early and everything would be fine,” You attempted to convince Steve while shelving a stack of returns. 

Steve scoffed and rolled his eyes, “No, it would be just my luck that Keith or some customer comes by and we get caught.”

“Wow, you’re losing your rebellious teenage flair,” You smirked in his direction and shrugged, “Fine, I’ll just leave you to it. Punch out for me when you leave.”

You started to take off your uniform vest and make your way to the backroom. Steve slid around from the counter and blocked your path, “Why are you so eager to get home?”

“I like being home,” You shrugged in reply. 

Steve’s brow furrowed, “Uh, yeah, right. You’ve never been a homebody, Mayfield.”

“Well, I’m just tired. Long day,” Your tone had a slight trace of defensiveness in it that Steve immediately latched on to.

He crossed his arms over his chest, clearly not convinced, “So you and Max are just planning to be hermits forever?”

“What?” You scoffed, “Don’t sound so ridiculous—”

“Cut the crap,” Steve held his ground, “Lucas told me all about how Max broke up with him when he came over to practice for basketball tryouts. And then I had to find out from Dustin that you dropped out of the Yearbook Committee.” 

Your posture straightened at the silent accusation in his voice, “So you’re using the party to spy on Max and me? Don’t be such a stalker.”

“Yes, because we’re worried about you two,” Steve’s frustration boiled over, his large hand raking through his hair, “I’m worried about you.”

You steeled yourself, eyes cutting down to the ground as you remained nonchalant, “Yeah? Well, I don’t need your pity or your worry. We’re fine, Steve. I’m fine.”

With that, you brushed past him to exit through the back and biked home.

— — — 

November had been the worst month. Mom nearly got a DUI, while Max had pulled entirely out of any extracurriculars. You were trying to forge a path ahead, a way out of Hawkins, which meant all your free time was spent on college applications. The school counselor and admins seemed to coddle you and Max, and it irked you in different ways. Ms. Kelly told you that it was okay to consider a gap year and that it might be an easier transition to stay in Hawkins and find a full-time job. You, however, thought it was bullshit. 

“I just can’t believe that she thinks that I can’t go to a nice college away from this hellhole,” You seethed to Robin and Steve while rewinding another tape. You didn’t tell them everything, but you didn’t mind confiding in them with the little things. “I’m not holding out for Emerson or Notre Dame, but I could at least get into Tech. Any idiot can get into Tech.”

You missed the way Steve’s stance stiffened. Robin tossed him an apologetic look because she knew you hadn’t met it like that. It was supposed to be just a statement, not an attack on Steve. 

While ignorant of their silent conversation, you ejected the tape from the machine and returned it to its sleeve. You swirled around in the chair, quite a few tapes in your arms, “Like, what does she want me to do? I don’t want to take a gap year, only never to leave Hawkins. I mean, who in their right mind wants to stick around here after graduation?”

Without a word, Steve dismissed himself to the break room. You shot him a look of confusion, eyes shifting to Robin once he was out of sight, “Is he on his period?”

Robin smacked her hand over her forehead, “Mayfield… I need you to rewind and think about everything you said in the past five minutes.”

Your brows knitted together in contemplation. 

“Wow, you really— okay,” Robin sighed, and gestured towards the door Steve had left through, “You totally just back-handed Steve.”’

“What? No, Robin, c’mon,” You huffed but thought through your earlier sentiment, “I didn’t mean it like that. It wasn’t supposed to be an insult to Steve. He’s figuring out what he wants from life. I know that I want to go to college.”

The remainder of the shift held a strange tension. You didn’t know whether to apologize or simply act like the whole thing never happened. 

— — — 

December was uncharacteristically quiet. Mom had told you and Max that she would be working Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for the overtime pay. Max informed you that she wasn’t in the spirit for decorating, or shopping, or anything really. At this point, all your college applications were completed, and you didn’t have anything else but work to occupy your free time. You accepted every shift offered whenever a co-worker mentioned spending the holidays with their family or wanting to go ice-skating or stare at Christmas lights. The only downside was that it meant more time with Steve and his own persistent silence…

It was a quiet Thursday night, and the same night as the Hawkins Tree Lighting, which meant zero customers. You were unsure why Keith simply refused to close shop early, but you didn’t press him. If you had to be stuck with Steve for another agonizingly slow hour and get paid for it, then that was just what you were going to do. 

You were in the Kids section, placing tapes back on the shelves while Steve remained at the counter. He continued to click through the tv channels, refusing to put on another holiday flick after the last one finished. You swore he was at least on his third rotation through the channels. 

“What are you even searching for?” You finally broke the silence, your irritation reaching its peak. 

Steve sighed and leaned back against the countertop, “Hmm, I figured that the tree lighting might be on the local news.”

With a roll of your eyes, you marched back over to the counter, “We live in Hawkins, Steve. Channel four doesn’t drive out to hick-ville unless there’s a crime, a conspiracy, or both.”

He shot you a glare from across the counter, “Well, sorry for trying to bring a little joy to your shift. Do you even remember what that is? Joy, fun, happiness?”

Your brow furrowed at his jab, “Yeah. I do. But there hasn’t exactly been anything to be happy about lately, has there?”

Steve scoffed and turned the TV off, “Huh, sure. But you’ll get an acceptance letter from some fancy college soon, and just leave the rest of us idiots behind. Probably just run right back to California.”

Your posture straightened as the subject reverted to your frustrated rant from the previous month. You swallowed down your guilt, just hoping to make it through the conversation without fanning the flame, “I didn’t mean it like that, Steve. You… grew up here, and you like Hawkins, most days. I was forced to move here with my mom, and her shitty new husband, and his shitty son…”

Clearing your throat, you pushed yourself to continue, “It’s never been about going back to California or leaving Hawkins, I…”

Steve heard the crack in your voice and instantly knew you were trying to apologize and bridge the gap between you. He quickly rounded the counter, but stopped just a couple of inches from touching you. He didn’t want to press his luck. So he waited for you to continue opening up. 

“I want to live without this… anger. Ever since my parents started fighting, I’ve just been so angry every day,” You hand shook as the words kept pouring out, “It got worse when they divorced, worse when my mom met Neil, worse when we moved here, worse when Billy died, worse when I cut you off, worse with Max shutting me out; it just keeps getting worse and I’m starting to wonder if I even deserve better.”

Sometime during your little rant, your shaky hand latched onto Steve’s for stability, rather than the counter. Your eyes trailed up to meet his, where he looked completely prepared to whisk you out of Hawkins himself. He remained silent while pulling you against his chest and into a tight hug. And somewhere in that silence, you felt tears prick the corners of your eyes before burying your face into Steve’s chest, allowing them to flow freely. 

He could’ve hugged you for five minutes or five hours. Time seemed to move differently when his large palms rubbed soothing circles against your back, “You deserve the world and more. You deserve every drop of love and more. You deserve to feel peace. You deserve happiness…”

Your face nuzzled against the scratchy fabric of the green Family Video vest, drying your cheeks. A small sniffle escaped you, cracking Steve’s heart open a little further. With a tremble in his bottom lip, he continued, “And… I still want to be the one to show you happiness… to give you some semblance of peace.”

A sentimental smile teased at the corner of your mouth. You cocked your head to the side and released the breath you were holding, “I don’t know if I can give you the same things.”

“That’s okay,” He quickly replied, “I don’t need you to be perfect or at your best. I just want you back. That’s enough for me.”

His words sank in, but you knew that they were more desperate than truthful. He didn’t realize that there would still be trouble ahead, where you shut him out again. Still, you didn’t call him on it. Instead, you rested your head against his chest once more, hugging him closer — your silent answer.

“You need a ride?” Steve asked from beside you. “Dustin, go get your shit. I need to get home.”

“I’m going,” Dustin argued, stomping off inside as the two of you waited by the door. Whether they were getting along or not, Steve wouldn’t let anyone else drive Dustin home. You’d seen the way he waited outside until he saw the curly haired boy walk inside and close the door.

Safety. It’s something that used to be something that came easy to you, the feeling of it. You hadn’t grown up rich, or even with some sort of perfect family, but you’d never felt unsafe. You’d go to school, hang out with your friends, go to parties. Life wasn’t supposed to be like this; not for you, and not for anyone else.

“Did you hear me?” Steve questioned, snapping you out of your trance.

“I—”

“Just get in the car,” he muttered. You wanted to argue, to walk home just to spite him, but you were too tired. You nodded in defeat and got into the backseat of his Beamer. Dustin would argue over the front and you weren’t in the mood.

Soon enough, the three of you were driving down the silent streets of Hawkins with matching frowns and dark eye bags. “How much longer is this gonna go on for?” Dustin asked.

“I don’t know,” Steve sighed. It was the same question every time, and he didn’t have the answer to it.

“We don’t even know if he’s still alive,” you added on. “We burnt him to a crisp. Don’t you think that was enough?”

“Knowing our luck, he’s probably immortal,” Steve replied.

“Don’t say that,” you shuddered. The thought of it, being stuck with that creature for the rest of your life. You should’ve got the hell out of Hawkins when you had the chance.

Deep down though, of course you don’t regret not leaving for college. How could you? Your friends needed you and you needed them, even if nowadays you didn’t act like it. There was also the matter of bills that had to be paid, ones your mother had given up with after your step dad left and his son died.

“Have you seen Max today?” Dustin murmured. Just her name made your stomach churn. Your baby sister was laid in a hospital bed, of course you weren’t going anywhere.

“Yes.”

“Any… changes?” Steve asked. He knew the answer to that. You just scoffed in response, turning to look out the window so they wouldn’t notice the tears in your eyes.

He dropped Dustin home first, following his every movement until the front door was shut and he couldn’t be seen anymore. You switched to the front, legs shifting awkwardly as he began the drive to the trailer park. The former park that you lived at had been wrecked after the whole of Hawkins split, but after a couple months of staying at Robin’s, Nancy’s and Steve’s there was a new one set up. As if nothing had ever happened.

“You need a ride tomorrow morning?” Steve questioned, pulling up outside your trailer. The lights were all off, like they were most of the time due to the electrical bill.

“Yes,” you mumbled. Working with Steve wasn’t your ideal situation, but you’d prefer to work with him and Robin than alone. It was sort of a tradition by now. You didn’t exactly work with them, you answered the phone and dealt with all those kinds of things; but they were always in your eye sight.

More importantly, you were always in theirs.

“I’ll pick you up at 7,” he stated, nodding his head. You hated how much he did for you. You wanted him to stop. But if he did, you weren’t sure what you’d do.

“We don’t start until 9,” you reminded.

“Figured you’d want to go see Max before. We don’t finish until late and visiting hours will be over,” he explained.

“Oh,” you whispered back, nodding. “Okay.”

It was quiet for a moment, you didn’t move to open the door. You needed a minute before heading in there. It was hell, your own home was hell. Your mom had moved out of Hawkins, it didn’t come as much of a surprise as you’d think. She wasn’t doing well before Max, so imagine how she was after. A near fatal overdose had her realising she couldn’t stay here; and you agreed.

You didn’t realise that within a few weeks she wouldn’t be able to step foot back into town and you wouldn’t be able to leave.

“Do you want me to come in?” He offered every time. Without fail.

“No,” you murmured back. You shook off the emotions and gave him an empty smile, reaching for the handle. “No. I’m going to bed.”

“Babe—”

“Don’t call me that,” you quickly interjected. “I’m fine, Steve. I’ll see you in the morning.”

You got out before he could say another word, closing the door behind you. You could see his headlights through the window for another three minutes after you’d stepped inside.

———

Life with Steve Harrington had been a dream. Two years together as lovers, best friends and family. He had been there when Billy died, when Neil left, when your mom had lost her shit and started drinking anything she could get her hands on. He’d been right there, and for a while you’d let him. You’d let him put some money towards the bills, you’d let him take Max to school, you’d let him hold you at night as you sobbed.

But when Vecna had gotten his hands on your sister, the most important person in your life, you’d truly hit rock bottom. You didn’t care about anything anymore, at least you didn’t act like you did.

It was a month after Max had gone into her coma that you’d broken up with Steve. You’d been emotionless, you’d been straight forward, and you’d been mean. Steve had cried, he’d held your hands and begged for you to not do this. For you to allow him to be there for you. You’d refused. You couldn’t be in a relationship, not when you were so broken that you couldn’t even take care of yourself.

He’d pulled himself together, stopped the tears and a look of determination had taken over. He’d grabbed your face in his hands, you’d prayed he didn’t see the pure pain in your eyes, and he told you he wasn’t giving up. You were it for him, whether you liked it or not. He’d kept that promise.

“Good morning,” Steve greeted, more chipper than he’d been the night prior. There were two coffees in the cup holder.

“Morning,” you murmured. You were exhausted, you’d been up half the night going through bills and doing mental math of how you’d be able to afford food for this month — plus all the ones after that.

“Back ones for you,” he nodded to the coffee. “We’ll grab some food on the way to work, I knew you wouldn’t eat it this early.”

“I’m not—”

“Too bad. Gotta eat,” he shrugged, starting up the car to drive towards the hospital. A place where you spend at least an hour everyday.

Arguing with Steve was pointless, so you didn’t say anything else. He rambled on about Dustin, about all the kids, you’d say it was annoying but really it silenced the thoughts going through your mind. He held your hand as you walked inside the hospital; it was the only time you’d allow him to.

You’d seen Max in her state countless times now, but it still took your breath away every time. Still made your stomach churn and heart race. She laid there, eyes still closed, machines all around her. You sat down on the chair, reaching for her hand instantly.

“Hi, Max,” you greeted softly. “We’re here a bit early today, but we’ve gotta work.” You talked to her like she was really there, like she could hear the words you were saying. She couldn’t, deep down you knew that.

“Do you want me to wait outside?” Steve offered, handing over your coffee that you’d left in the car; he’d decided to leave his just so he could hold your hand.

“No,” you murmured back. You’d been alone in here only a few times, and you knew for a fact you couldn’t handle it. He knew that, too. But he also liked to give you the option, just in case today was the day you wanted to have a breakdown.

“Hey, kid,” Steve said, sitting down in the chair beside you as he looked down at your sister. “Did you re-do her hair?”

“The braids were getting messy,” you shrugged. “Gotta look good for Lucas.” You tried a joke, but you didn’t even smile. Steve did it for you.

“Guessing those flowers are from him?” He pointed to the vase on the table, filled with roses.

“I don’t know where he’s getting the money to replace them every week,” you replied. You didn’t even flinch as Steve’s hand landed on your thigh.

Hospitals had always freaked you out, ever since you were six and had to get your ankle snapped back into place after you fell out of a tree that your own father had dared you to climb. Now, they were even worse. Seeing Max here, you couldn’t deal with it. You couldn’t deal with feeling alone. So, from the moment you walk in the doors to the moment you leave you allow Steve to pretend you’re still together. You allow him to wipe your tears, to hold your leg, to kiss your forehead.

You spoke for a while to your sister, Steve chimed in every now and then when you felt yourself getting choked up, and after an hour and a half it was time to leave. You thought entering was the worst part, but leaving always hurt more.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” you promised, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “I love you.” You never said it when she was awake, now you said it everyday.

“C’mon.” Steve held his hand out for you to take, giving you that extra push to leave her alone in that room.

As soon as you were outside your hand left his.

———

The banging on your front door was hurting your head. That was the only reason you got up and opened it. Steve looked frantic, panic in his eyes, hands physically shaking as he grabbed you and held you against his chest.

“You can’t do that!” He exclaimed into your hair, grip so tight you almost couldn’t breathe. “You weren’t answering your walkie, or your phone. Work started an hour ago.”

“It did?” You murmured back in confusion. “Sorry. I— I guess I got distracted. Let me get dressed.”

“You? Distracted? No way. What’s wrong?” He pulled back, cupping your face in his hands to get a good look at you. What was right?

When the Upside Down drama had first begun you’d had nightmares, but they faded. When it started up again, and again, you’d grown so accustomed to it that it didn’t really affect you in that way anymore. Steve had always told you that it was a little creepy how easy you could fall asleep after you just nearly died countless times.

Over the last three weeks, those nightmares have returned; bigger and better than ever. You’ve got no more than two hours sleep a night, and last night you’d had one nightmare and been too afraid to go back to sleep. You honestly thought it was still five am, but apparently it’s almost ten.

“Jesus,” Steve whispered. You hadn’t looked in the mirror, but you could imagine that you weren’t in the greatest state. Your eyes were puffy and red, dark bags underneath them. “C’mon, it’s cold.” He led you back inside and closed the door.

“You can wait in the car, I won’t be long,” you reassured, voice quiet and shaky. Your entire body was shaking.

“Sit your ass down.” His words were stern but his tone was gentle, loving. “You’re not going to work. You’re gonna sit there, let me make you something to eat, and then you’re gonna go to sleep.”

“I slept all night,” you lied.

“Yeah? Tell that to your eyes, baby. Sit down.” You were too tired to fight on the pet name. You sat down on your old, gifted couch. Someone had donated it and you’d been quick to grab it. You’d need somewhere to sleep when Max came home, she could have your bed.

He made you some toast, since that was all you had in the house, and then sat next to you on the couch. You felt like a baby with the way he was physically feeding you bites, arm wrapped around you with your head on his chest.

“Robin’s gonna get worried,” you murmured.

“When I left, I told her I probably wouldn’t be coming back. Don’t worry about it,” he soothed. “Just close your eyes, yeah?”

“I— I don’t want to,” you admitted.

“Why?”

“Because I’ll see him.” Vecna. He was in your head. You hoped not physically but there was always a chance. You could see him killing your sister, and because you weren’t there you’d created your own version of the story. You could see him killing all the other kids, all your friends, Steve. Last nights had been Steve, levitating above you as his bones snapped and eyes were ripped from his head.

Steve let out a shaky sigh. You’d always been the brave one, the one that charged into a situation without even thinking, the one that didn’t even flinch when those demodogs were coming at the two of you in the junkyard, the one that had tried to get El out of your step brothers arms when he tried to sacrifice her. You didn’t get scared, you didn’t have nightmares.

“Okay,” he whispered back, shifting you in his arms. “I’m right here, do you hear me? I’m not going anywhere. When you wake up, I’ll still be right here. Nothing’s going to happen to you.”

“It’s not me I’m worried about,” you argued.

“It’s you I’m worried about,” he retaliated. “You can’t live like this, honey. You need sleep. If you have a nightmare, I’m going to be here to hold you until you feel better.”

You sniffled, looking up at him from where you laid. “Do you promise?”

“I promise.”

You slept until 8pm without a single nightmare, and when you woke up he was still laid right behind you; tv on silent as he watched old reruns of movies.

———

Christmas in your home had never been much of a big deal. When it was just you, your mom and Max you guys would decorate the tree together, have dinner, open presents. It was nice. But, when Neil and Billy came around it all changed. You didn’t even have a tree most years, you and Max had started just to buy little gifts for each other and you’d take her out for dinner each year.

This Christmas, you sat next to her hospital bed with her hand in yours and tears streaming down your cheeks.

Lucas was here, too. He’d been here when you arrived, and he’d sobbed in your arms the second you’d walked in. The two of you talked to each other, sometimes saying things to Max but mostly you were asking about his plans for the day.

“What’re… what’re you doing today?” Lucas asked, you could hear the concern. Everyone knew your mom wasn’t in Hawkins anymore, and you didn’t have any other family here other than Max who wasn’t the best company right now.

“Working.”

“Robin and Steve are working today?” Lucas questioned. He was sure they’d mentioned that they’d got the day off.

“No, but I have some paperwork and stuff,” you muttered. It wasn’t true. You’d forgotten how easily you could be caught out in a lie. In reality, you were going home to drink a cheap bottle of wine and sob on your couch.

“Right,” he murmured back, giving you a weak smile.

The two of you stayed a little longer, and then when his mom came to pick him up she refused to leave you there alone. You said goodbye to your sister and got a ride home.

“Merry Christmas,” you said softly, smiling at Lucas as you got out of the car. “Thanks for the ride, Mrs Sinclair.”

“No problem, sweetheart. Merry Christmas.”

Lucas didn’t say anything, just stared at you with wide, sad eyes. You ignored them. That wasn’t something you could deal with right now.

It was a few hours later, the sun was setting, when there was a knock on the door. You figured it might be your elderly neighbour coming round with mince pies, so you got up and opened it. Steve stood there, dressed up in jeans and a nice coat.

“I thought you were at your parents infamous party?” You asked, leaning against the door frame. You’d had a moment of weakness where you’d thought of calling him, or even going to said party since he’d invited you — like he did every year. But, the thought of all the pitiful looks from the party goers made you want to throw up, so you’d quickly changed your mind.

“I’m a grown man, I can leave if I want,” he shrugged. “Put some jeans on.”

“Why?” You scoffed. You were perfectly comfy in your sweats.

“I mean, you don’t have to, but I figured you wouldn’t want to go out in sweats,” he explained. “Up to you.”

“Go out? I’m not going out,” you responded.

“You are now. Get ready, we’re late.”

You were utterly confused when Steve drove the two of you to the Squak, and you were also a little disappointed. Were you being made to work? Was there a sudden crawl? You could see other cars here, Nancy’s and Joyce’s, so you instantly assumed there was a crawl.

“Seriously? The military can’t even take Christmas off?” You scoffed, allowing yourself to be taken inside and down to where you all meet up.

Steve just laughed. The two of you made your way there. You froze in the door, almost flinching at the bright lights that filled your eyes. Christmas lights hung from the walls, a little tree with presents underneath it sat in the corner, there was a table set up with food on it.

“What’s going on?” You questioned, looking at everyone.

“It’s Christmas,” Jonathon shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips.

“I can see that,” you murmured back.

“You’re not spending Christmas alone, you dingus,” Robin explained, arm wrapping around your shoulders as she led you away from Steve and further into the room.

You all ate together, you opened the presents that were for you and watched as the kids opened theirs. You felt full of emotion, and turkey, so you stepped outside for a moment. You lit up a cigarette, leaning against the wall when a figure came up next to you. Hopper’s arm wrapped around your shoulders and you leant into him, allowing comfort.

“You should’ve said something. We didn’t know that you were spending Christmas alone,” he stated.

“I don’t want to bother anyone. You’ve all got your own families,” you shrugged, taking a drag just in time for him to snatch it from you and bring it to his own mouth.

“You’re a part of that family.” It wasn’t often that the old, grumpy man said sweet things, you couldn’t help the tears that sprung to your eyes. “Me and El were just in the cabin, you’re always welcome to come there.”

You sniffled, nodding your head. “How long did you have this whole thing sorted then?”

“A couple hours, actually. The Harrington kid was calling all of us after he was told you were gonna be alone.” Lucas had clearly snitched.

“Oh,” you whispered.

“I know how much grief can affect you, when I lost— when I lost my daughter, I didn’t want to be around anyone. But, your sister wouldn’t want you to be alone. She wouldn’t want you to cut yourself off from society,” Hopper explained, emotion filling his voice.

“She’s not dead,” you sniffled. She might as well be, but you weren’t ready to admit to that.

“I know. You can still grieve someone that’s alive,” he replied.

The door opened and Steve’s head popped out, clearly he’d let you out of his sight for long enough. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah. I’ll leave you two alone,” Hopper stated, throwing your cigarette on the floor. He pressed a kiss to the top of your head before walking past Steve, clapping him on the back as he passed.

Steve walked further out, taking Hopper’s place as he wrapped his arm around you. You didn’t fight it, even though everything inside of you was screaming at you to get him away.

“You didn’t have to do all this for me,” you murmured quietly, staring up at the dark sky.

“I’d do anything for you,” he responded. “Whether that’s waking up two hours early to take you to the hospital, or holding you all night until you feel safe enough to sleep. I will do anything for you, you just have to let me.”

Tears sprung to your eyes. “I’m scared.”

“Scared of what?” He whispered gently. You could feel his eyes on you, but you knew if you looked back at him everything you needed to say would refuse to come out.

“Of losing you. Of something happening to you. I couldn’t— I wouldn’t be able to handle it,” you explained. “I’ve lost my entire family, even Billy who I thought I didn’t give a shit about. I can’t… I can’t lose you. I wouldn’t be able to go on.”

His cold hands cupped your face, you felt yourself being moved so your teary eyes bored into his. “Nothing is going to happen to me. I’m right here, with you, for the rest of my life. For the rest of our lives. You can’t let your fear consume you. You have to let yourself be loved.”

“What if—”

“We don’t need to talk about the what if. That’s not important. What’s important is what’s actually happening. I know you’re hurting, and struggling, I just want to be there for you. I’m not saying I’ll be able to fix it, or take away your pain. But continuing to do everything on your own is going to drag you under, and I won’t let that happen,” Steve said, determined.

Tears trickled down your cheeks, but he was quick to catch them with his thumbs. He leant down, lips grazing yours. You didn’t pull away; you leant into him. His lips pressed against yours, not harshly or roughly, all the love he felt for you went into that kiss.

“I love you,” he whispered against your lips.

“I love you,” you echoed, still fighting the urge to push him away and run into the fear.

“You want to go home?” He asked softly.

“I don’t want to be alone,” you sniffled.

He let out a scoff, giving you a fond smile. “You really think that’s what I meant? I’ll be right there with you.”

“You really want to spend your time in a shitty trailer with no hot water?” You asked, tilting your head at him.

"Not to be a wimp, but can I sit in the car for this visit? ‘Cause this is gonna totally and royally suck," Robin asked, breaking the silence inside the car.

You were exhausted. You'd spent the entire night exploring the Creel house and deliberating over your findings with Steve and Nancy while the kids slept. Good news? You'd figured out where Vecna was committing his murderous rampage from. Bad news? It was in the Upside Down, the one location that was currently entirely inaccessible thanks to Hopper's sacrifice last year. No one could open the gate, and even if they could, why would they? It seemed like a recipe for disaster, and it would cause more problems than it would solve.

Under different circumstances, you would've been panicked by the news. After all, if you couldn't reach Vecna, how could you stop him before he killed your little sister? Now, after having struck a bargain with the sorcerer himself, you were less worried about it. Still, you allowed yourself to look frightened in the backseat. Otherwise, your calmness would raise suspicion.

God, your head was throbbing. It felt like someone had taken a club and had been bashing you over the head repeatedly for the last twelve hours. Is this what Max had been feeling over the past week? It was torturous. You hoped that, maybe with the deal you'd made, Vecna had left Max alone.

Steve was driving, but you could see him peeking at you through the rearview mirror while Robin rambled about how shitty of a situation they were in, and how they didn't know how to tell Eddie that the probability of clearing his name had just shrank to a near zero chance.

His brows scrunched together, his eyes narrowing. When you tried to follow his gaze, you saw nothing. That is, until blood dripped from your nose and onto your jeans.

You groaned deeply, wiping it away onto your sleeve. At this rate, you'd have to throw away this sweater. For good measure, you rolled your sleeves up to conceal the blood-soaked fabric.

Your symptoms just served as a reminder of your impending doom, which was now forty eight hours away. In two days, you'd be dead. While the thought should've terrified you (and did), it also gave you a certain sense of reassurance. If nothing else, Max would be okay. You will have saved her. That could be enough for you, right?

"Oh, shit," you breathed out shakily, eyes wide as the car approached Reefer Rick's. Instead of seeing the serene and relatively private lake house, you were greeted by a swarm of cop cars and news reporters.

Steve pulled the car over and you all jumped out, lingering off to the side to listen in to a cop speak with a news anchor.

"...reporting a homicide here on the lake. Officer Callahan here and myself arrived first on the scene. We made our way to the shore of Lover's Lake, and it was there that we found the victim, Patrick McKinney..."

Your eyes widened, and you exchanged a glance with Max. You knew that this was not good news in the slightest. Not only was Eddie's hiding place now uninhabitable and he was MIA, but with people growing more and more terrified in the wake of gruesome killings, you knew it was only a matter of time before Eddie's name was released to the public.

"...we have also identified a person of interest. Eddie Munson," the chief announced, holding up a photo of Eddie to the camera.

Your heart sank for him. You heard Steve exhale behind you, his eyes glued to the scene like the rest of you.

"This is not good. This is really not good," he mumbled.

Just as the police briefing concluded, the walkie-talkie crackled to life.

"Dustin, can you hear me? Wheeler?" Eddie's voice asked.

Dustin scrambled to grab it and yank the antenna up.

"Eddie, holy shit. Are you okay?" He whispered into the radio.

There was a pause, and then: "Nah, man. Pretty... pretty goddamn far from okay."

"Where is he?" Robin asked quietly.

"Where are you?" Dustin asked after pressing the button.

"Skull Rock. Do you know it?"

Steve tapped Dustin's shoulder with a nod.

"Yeah. That's near Cornwallis and Garrett, I know where that is," Steve said before jogging to the car. You all followed him, determined to find Eddie before anyone else could.

"Ahoy, ladies! This is your captain speaking, and I'm here to take you on a flavor journey. What'll it be? USS Butterscotch? Wild Cherry? Banana Split?" Steve announced with his usual charismatic grin after spinning around and tossing his work-issued sailor hat off.

You couldn't help but giggle at the stunt, your eyes sparkling with amusement. When Steve realized it was you and Max, he groaned.

"Sorry, I thought you were—"

"The ladies? Yeah, we've watched you do that routine on every girl that's come through here," Max interjected, rolling her eyes.

"Unsuccessfully, might I add. You are 0 for six, dingus," Robin called from the back.

You bit your lip to stifle another laugh, taking pity on Steve as you watched his face turn pink.

"Keep trying, Harrington. One has to work out eventually. That's just math," you attempted cheerfully, giving him your best award-winning smile before looking down at the ice cream with Max.

"Don't patronize me. It's this stupid ass uniform, it's totally killing my vibe," Steve huffed, his usual shit-eating grin now a deep frown as he ran a hand through his hair.

"I think it's a lot more than that," Max mumbled.

"I could refuse service to you, you know," he shot back, now glaring at your red headed counterpart.

A pout formed on your lips, and you scrunched your nose at him in mocking distaste.

"You wound me. I thought we had something special," you teased lightly, settling your elbows atop the glass ice cream counter and dramatically batting your eyelashes at him.

The corners of his mouth quirked up in a faint smirk, and he shook his head.

"Yeah, whatever. Just order already, would you? I'm running a business here, not a social club."

"Aye, aye, captain," you playfully saluted him. He rolled his eyes, but secretly enjoyed the banter. Talking to you was a welcome change of tune from his usual pursuits of conversation with female patrons. They'd always laugh at his attempts to woo them, whispering gossip in front of him. To them, Steve was just another cute jock that flunked out of school. You, however, seemed to take no interest in that narrative. No, you saw him. You really, truly saw him— and that was what had always drawn him to you.

You and Max deliberated amongst each other for a moment before finally settling on what you wanted. All the while, you failed to notice the way Steve seemed to look at you only. His stare was full of unspoken intent and fueled by longing.

He hadn't seen you around much since graduation. He didn't even know what your plans were for the fall. In truth, he'd wanted to talk to you for a while ever since the Snow Ball, but he hadn't worked up the nerve. And, after getting rejected from every college he applied to, he couldn't bring himself to face you. How do you ask the biggest overachiever you know on a date when you sling ice cream for a living?

"Okay, I think... we'll get one scoop of strawberry, and another of vanilla," you said, moving to get your wallet out.

A flicker of realization crossed his eyes once he saw you reaching for your wallet, and he acted entirely on instinct.

"Oh, don't do that. It's, uh, on the house," he said, waving your hand away before reaching for his scooper.

You stared at him briefly before raising your brows.

"That's really kind of you, but—" you started, before Max quickly butt in.

"—well, if he's offering, we'll never turn down free ice cream," she said with a wicked grin.

You rolled your eyes, elbowing her before looking back up at Steve.

"Ignore her. You don't have to do that. I've got enough money to pay."

"I know I don't have to. I just want to," he said, giving you an affectionate smirk. When you still weren't convinced, he added: "I'm not taking no for an answer."

You sighed before returning his smile and taking the two freshly scooped ice cream cones from his hands.

"Thank you," you said quietly. Max wasted no time digging in, her eyes drawn to the Gap across the mall.

"Oh, Y/N! We have to go in there!" She gasped, her eyes lighting up like a kid in a candy store.

"You go on, I'll be there in a sec," you responded, giving her hair a playful ruffle before turning to back to Steve. Scoops Ahoy wasn't that busy today, so there wasn't any harm in lingering to chat for a bit, right?

"You know... you'd get more girls if you stopped trying to be someone else," you said quietly, one hand holding your ice cream and the other fidgeting with the bottom of your shirt. His interest was piqued now, his forehead creasing as he waited for you to continue.

"If you stopped pretending, I mean. Stop saying all these elaborate things and putting on exaggerated fronts impress people. Girls like authenticity."

"You think so? I find it hard to believe the ladies would dig Steve Harrington, college reject that makes three bucks an hour and has no future," he retorted, giving you a half hearted smile at his self deprecating joke.

Your lips pursed together in a frown.

"Maybe not, but I think plenty of 'the ladies' would dig the Steve Harrington I know. Funny, kind, selfless, great with kids... easy on the eyes," you said. Your own face began to heat up when you saw his eyes widen.

"And spare me the 'I have no future' story. That's bullshit. Your future is just as bright as mine or anyone else's."

He was staring at you now, his mouth open agape. You'd rendered him speechless. You mentally cursed, feeling like you'd gone to far and made a complete and utter fool of yourself. Your eyes fell to your now melting ice cream, and you anxiously ate some of it in the quiet.

While your gaze was distracted and downcast, Robin had come from the back and given Steve a sharp nudge.

'Ask her out,' she mouthed to him. His face turned red, and he started to shake his head. The two bickered silently, with her nudging him closer and closer to the counter. You looked up at him once more, eyes going round when you noticed the exchange between him and his coworker. You recognized her from the band in high school as a girl named Robin. A deep exhale left your lips, your free hand moving to toy with the ends of your hair as you scrambled to find an excuse.

"I'm sorry, was that too much? Sometimes I just rattle on and on if people don't stop me," you rambled.

"No, no! God, don't apologize. I like it," he blurted out, facing you once more after shooing Robin away.

You blinked.

"You do?"

"Yeah, I do. I like talking to you, and listening to you talk, I mean."

You let out a low hum, your nerves beginning to settle as your smile returned. Still, you weren't sure what to say to him. You never were good at this sort of thing. Dating wasn't ever the top of your priorities.

Sure, you'd had options. It wasn't like you were hopeless or anything. You were a pretty girl, high achieving and driven. Your ambition always got in the way of romance, though. You'd been far too focused on whatever after school extracurricular you had or college applications to ever give dating a second thought.

Steve, however, had plenty of experience. Feeling emboldened by your praise and noticing your reluctance to continue, he took the lead.

"Would you, maybe... wanna catch a movie Friday night?"

You were certain your eyes must've been the size of the moon and your face was the color of a stoplight by now, your lips parted in awe.

"You mean, like, a date?"

"Yeah."

You stayed quiet, thinking it over. Just as you were preparing yourself to say yes, your obligations for Friday night dawned on you. Thoughts of your mother's warnings and your step father's anger driven tangents filled your mind. You let out a low groan, running a hand through your hair.

"I can't. My parents are making me stay home to watch Max."

He froze, taken aback by your excuse.

"She's fourteen."

"Yeah, I know. It's stupid, but ever since she snuck out that night last year, they're all paranoid and shit. Billy has plans, so I'm on babysitter duty Friday. I'm sorry," you exhaled, a disappointed overtaking your features once again.

Steve couldn't have that.

"Well, you said it yourself. I'm great with kids. I could come to your place, and we could watch a movie there. Max could even join us, if you'd like."

If you could've melted on the spot, you would've. His eyes conveyed an honest sincerity in his words, and they made your heart race in your chest. He wasn't just offering to spend time with you, he was offering to even include your sister if it made you more comfortable.

Your eyes lit up, and you smiled hesitantly before responding.

"Okay," you answered softly.

"Okay?"

"Yeah, okay. It's a date," you laughed.

A beat passed before he echoed your laughter, nodding.

"I'll, uh, see you then," he said with a wave, caught in a daze. Had that really just happened? Had he just gotten a date with you?

Somewhere in the back of Scoops Ahoy, he could hear Robin faintly yell "Score! Ladies: six, Harrington: one!"

"Dude, I'm telling you, you're taking us the wrong way," Steve groaned. The group had been trudging through the woods for what felt like hours, and the sun had began to set. Lucas was swatting bugs out of his face while Max stared ahead, singing Kate Bush under her breath to pass the time.

"It's north. I'm positive. I checked the map," Dustin retorted absentmindedly, eyes fixated on his compass.

"You do realize Skull Rock, it's a super popular make out spot?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Yeah, well, it wasn't popular until I made it popular. Alright? I practically invented it."

You rolled your eyes at that, no longer allowing yourself to look in Steve's direction. Dustin pretended to vomit, gagging as he straightened his map again.

"Gross," you mumbled under your breath. It was true, you were thoroughly disgusted. Your distaste for Steve's romantic escapades just had a different source than Dustin's.

You'd never been good at hiding your face, and the discomfort etched into your furrowed brows and avoidant eyes wasn't lost on him. He cleared his throat, throwing his hands up in the air.

"We're heading in the wrong direction," he announced, turning opposite to Dustin and beginning to walk away from the group.

"Steve. Where are you going? Steve!" Dustin yelled, voicing raising an octave.

"Stop whining! Let's go. Trust me."

As the group walked on the newly appointed route, you watched Lucas and Max walking together and chatting. It made you smile, seeing that he could still make her laugh even on a dark day like this. You felt bad for him, and you wondered if he'd been close with the Patrick guy that had just passed. You knew, though, that if anyone could comfort him, it was Max. They'd always had that effect on each other.

You hardly noticed Steve slowing down to walk beside you until you heard his voice.

"I'm not usually one for rekindling old flames, but those two make me think it's possible," he said quietly, nodding his head in the direction of your sister and Lucas.

You gave him an unenthusiastic smile, though your gaze did soften at the sight.

"Really? I figured you were all for it. With Nance and all."

He scoffed, shaking his head.

"When are people gonna let that go? Yes, I loved Nancy. She's a special girl, but she's not the only special girl," he said through a sharp exhale.

You stayed quiet, fingers gently fidgeting with your rolled up sweater sleeve.

"Yeah, I guess it's easy to move on when you're with another girl every other day," you said under your breath, the words bitter. You hadn't meant them to come out, really; once you'd said them, your heart ached in your chest at the way he winced.

"Guess so."

Robin was listening in. She had to have been. Her wide eyed stare and cringing at the thickly tense atmosphere wasn't exactly subtle. When you turned your eyes back to the ground, kicking at stones while you walked, Robin gave Steve a sharp nudge before jogging ahead to walk with Nancy.

Steve blew out a honed breath before trying to initiate conversation once again.

"The truth is, those girls are... distractions. Keeps me from thinking about the one girl I haven't been able to take out on a nice date like she deserves yet."

You raised a brow at him, now tilting your chin up. You didn't say anything, though. You were, for once, hearing him out.

He smiled slightly. You were usually so headstrong and defensive, so determined to get the last word. You and Max had that in common. It was rare to see you so willingly listening.

"You know, when this is all over and assuming we haven't died an agonizing death, I'd really like go out with you sometime. A movie or something, maybe. Whatever you want," he offered, his voice a little unsteady and face stained pink. His brown eyes held a softness reserved only for you, and you felt your heartbeat speed up.

Of course he'd ask you that now. You'd finally heard what you'd always wanted to from Steve, but it was too late. You were dead. Soon to be, anyways, and nothing was going to change that.

Besides, you remembered what happened the last time he tried to take you out. You'd been so happy that night, giggling and gossiping with Max as you got ready for Steve to come over after he'd asked you out at the ice cream place.

It hadn't been like either of you planned. After Billy died and the two of you narrowly survived a Russian kidnapping, it was expected that the date was pushed back a few weeks. It was the summer after you'd graduated, and there wasn't a huge crunch for time. But eventually, when you'd managed to pull yourself together enough to feel excited about things like boys again, you'd called and asked Steve to come over for that movie date.

You'd worn your favorite top and taken extra care of your appearance, even borrowing your mother's lipstick and perfume. Max was playing music to hype you up, even trying to get you to let her braid your hair.

"Max, no! It'll make me look like a kid."

"No fair! You always braid my hair for school!"

"Because you are a kid, Max. Besides, you don't even know how to braid it yourself."

"I've been practicing! Come on, it'll look pretty on you. Besides, it'll keep your hair out of your face so he can kiss you all over—"

"Shut up!" You'd yelled at her through a fit of laughter, your face turning bright red.

Eventually, though, you'd reluctantly agreed. Max had been right. She had been practicing, and it did make you look quite pretty. You smiled at your reflection and checked a few times before going to your living room. You lingered on the couch, staring out the window. And you waited. You waited for one hour, then two, then three. You waited so long that Max had come back from her own date with Lucas.

By the time she'd come through the door, she knew immediately from your tear stained cheeks and quivering lips what had happened.

He never showed up.

Your brows furrowed now, your walls rebuilding just as swiftly as he'd broken them down last summer.

"We've already tried that, remember?"

He tensed at your embittered tone, and he begrudgingly nodded.

"Right. I forgot," he murmured.

You sighed, motioning ahead.

"Looks like you were right about Skull Rock. At least you remember your other dates," you announced, now speeding up to put some distance between you two. It was better this way. There wasn't any use in fixing things now.

Upon finally arriving at Skull Rock, Eddie was in no better a state than was to be expected. His brown eyes somehow looked more frightened than before, his hands fidgeting where he sat underneath a cove.

"When I got to the shore, I tried calling you guys, but, uh... My walkie was busted, man. Drenched," he started, his voice hoarse and breathy, "So, uh, I did the thing that I do now, apparently. I ran."

A dry chuckle left him, but the humor didn't meet his eyes.

"Do you know what time this was? The attack?" You asked, interjecting into the conversation. It was the first you'd spoken to the group since this morning. Your mind had been occupied, and you didn't trust yourself not to spill your guts to your friends about what you'd done. The closer you got to doomsday, the more panic began to settle in your chest.

"Yeah, no, I... I know exactly what time it was. My walkie wasn't the only thing that got soaked. 9:27," Eddie nodded, scrambling to show his watch to you.

You stared at it, taking a moment to think before whispering, "Same time our flashlights went kablooey."

"Which means what, exactly?" Steve asked, glancing over at you.

"That that surge of energy was Vecna attacking Patrick," you answered softly. So, that's what everyone here would see when you met your gruesome fate. You'd hoped there would be a moment you could find to split off from the group and go somewhere secluded. Alone. If you were going to die, your body raised in the air to be disfigured and mangled... you didn't want anyone to see that. Especially not Max. You hoped that, at least, all they'd see was the supernatural flashing lights. You hoped that could be your final goodbye.

"Well, we're one step closer. We know how Vecna attacks," Robin announced, pulling you from your thoughts.

"And where he attacks from," Lucas continued.

"So now we just need to sneak into his lair in the Upside Down and drive a stake through his heart. If he has a heart," Steve said.

Your brows scrunched together once more, your expression unamused.

"A stake? Is he like a vampire?"

Steve huffed.

"It was a metaphor."

"A bullet should work on him, right?" Nancy chimed in, because of course she would say that.

"I don't think bullets will do it. They never killed the Demos," you sighed.

"I say we chop his head off," Max said.

You gave her a faint smile, nodding.

"All of the above," you started, "but we can't do any of that 'til we find a way into the Upside Down."

"Hey, uh, Henderson's not, uh, cursed, is he?" Eddie interrupted.

"Cursed? No, no. He's fine," Steve responded, looking over Eddie's shoulder at Dustin. The boy was pacing in circles, staring at his compass and mumbling under his breath.

"Mental? Absolutely."

"Boom!" Dustin yelled. You all flinched, eyes widening slightly.

"Bada... bada... boom. I was right. Skull Rock was north."

"Seriously? You're serious?" Steve asked, an exaggerated groan of frustration leaving him.

"Mm-hmm," Dustin answered with a cocky grin.

"This is Skull Rock. Okay?"

"Mm-hmm."

"You're totally, absolutely, 100% wrong. Right now."

"Yes. And...no," Dustin responded mysteriously.

"Oh my God," you mumbled, running a hand through your hair. Was this really how you were spending your last days alive? Listening to these two bicker? It could be worse, you supposed.

"This worked correctly when we left the Wheelers'."

"Correct."

"But it started to slip the further east we went. Now it's way off. When I was leading us here, I wasn't wrong. The compass was."

"So you're using faulty equipment."

"Except it isn't faulty. Lucas, remember what can affect a compass?"

Lucas' eyes widened in realization. Yours mirrored his, because you were very quickly picking up on where Dustin was going with this.

"An electromagnetic field," Lucas responded.

"Sorry. I must've skipped that class," Steve responded lamely.

"In the presence of a stronger electromagnetic field, the needle will deflect towards that power. So either there's some super big magnet around here, or..." Dustin trailed off.

"There's a gate," you finished breathlessly. Holy shit. Maybe you weren't doomed after all? Was there a chance you could really pull this mission-impossible plan off? No, it wasn't possible. It didn't make any sense.

You shook your head, rubbing the bridge of your nose.

"But we're nowhere near the lab," you tried weakly.

"But what if, somehow, there's another gate? A gate that we don't know about. It'd have to be smaller. Way less powerful."

"Snack-size gate. How? Why?" You fired back.

"No idea. All I know is that something is causing this disturbance, and the last time we've seen anything like it, it was a gate. And I hope it is because then we'd have a way to Vecna. And a shot at freeing Max from this curse."

When Dustin said that, your entire body froze in place. Your eyes were wide, stinging with tears as you locked eyes with your sister. In an instant, you were snatching the compass from Dustin's hand to see where it pointed.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, where are you going? Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. Eddie's still a wanted man. We can't just go hike in the woods," Steve asked, swiftly grabbing your hand to steady you with concerned eyes.

"This little steel capsule might be the key to saving both Max and Eddie," you whispered, "we have to go. We have to try to find the gate."

You looked back over at Eddie, eyes searching his. When he inevitably exhaled, you gave him a shaky smile.

"Get your stuff. Let's go."

Steve Harrington wasn't afraid of anything.

He wasn't afraid of any life threatening danger. He'd saved the world three times now. He'd faced monsters from another realm, faced off against guys like Billy, and even infiltrated a Russian base and lived to see another day.

He wasn't afraid of girls, either. He'd taken just about every girl in Hawkins at this point, and he had a roster a mile long of ladies who he could call up at any point to spend his Friday nights with. Saving the world and wooing women were things that Steve Harrington excelled at.

So, there was no logical reason as to why he'd changed shirts three times now. There was no explanation as to why his palms felt sweaty, and why he was pacing his room now.

"This is stupid. I look stupid," Steve said quickly, throwing his hands into the air as he fell back onto the bed beside Dustin.

"Don't give me that bullshit, man. You look great!" The curly haired teenager retorted, slapping a hand onto his back.

"What's got you this worked up? You're Steve Harrington, King of Hawkins High."

"Uh, no, I was King of Hawkins High. Now, I'm Steve Harrington, Family Video salesman."

"Whatever. You're still experienced with the ladies. Plus, Y/N worked at Family Video too a few years back! You already have something in common."

"Yeah, that's about all we have in common," Steve said under his breath.

"Not true. You've saved the world together tons of times. If that doesn't bring two people together, I don't know what does," Dustin added optimistically. When he could see that he wasn't helping, he sighed.

"What's this really about? You've wanted to go out with Max's sister for as long as I can remember. I haven't seen you this serious about a girl since Nancy."

"Exactly, and look how that ended! Mayfield is different, just like Nance. I don't wanna screw it up again," he lamented, groaning into his hands.

Dustin hummed.

"So, don't screw it up. Go on this date, take this risk, and let yourself enjoy this. You've earned it. Besides, we both know she's crazy about you."

Steve smiled; his lips formed a genuine, boyish grin at the thought of you. He thought of the way you laughed at his jokes, the way you looked at him like he was something special. He thought of all the times you'd both saved each other. He thought of how he'd held you and your sister in the mall after witnessing Billy's death. You'd both been through so much. You deserved a nice date, and so did he. You deserved to just be normal for one night.

So, he nodded and sat up.

"What would I do without you, huh, Henderson?"

"Probably still be the same douchebag from High School."

Steve laughed, now standing to adjust his appearance in the mirror.

"Yeah, probably."

His hands raked through his hair, and Dustin accompanied him in the drive to your house. You lived right down the street from Henderson, so he'd decided to just take his bike home after Steve went inside.

As Steve put the car in park, he let out a shaky breath.

"You've got this."

"I got this."

"You're Steve Harrington. The chicks dig you. Especially city chicks."

Steve's brows furrowed and he laughed. "I'd hardly call Mayfield a city chick."

Dustin grinned, eyes lighting up.

"She didn't tell you? Y/N got into NYU! She's gonna be living it up in the city."

Steve Harrington wasn't afraid of anything, but something suspiciously close to fear clawed at his chest in that moment. He should've been thrilled for you. You were brilliant. Of course you were going to a fancy college like NYU. Yet, the thought of you leaving Hawkins made him feel sick to his stomach. The thought of you leaving him.

Still, he smiled at Dustin.

"Yeah, no, of course she told me. That's great."

"You really grew up, huh? Look at you, dating a nerd," Dustin teased. He laughed as Steve ruffled his hair and got out of the car.

"Good luck! Have fun, but not too much fun!" He called over his shoulder before starting off on his bike.

Steve was left alone with his thoughts now, lingering in his car. He had too much time to think. He was early. He could see you pacing your living room, watched you dancing and laughing with Max moments before. You were so happy. You weren't just happy, you were bound for the stars. You were going to do so much good in the world, and he knew that all he would do was hold you back. You'd be in New York, making something of yourself, and he'd be... here. Selling videos in Hawkins.

He couldn't bear the thought of letting you down or hurting you, but he also couldn't bear thinking he was holding you back. The burning sensation in his throat intensified. Steve was stuck in his head now, thinking of all the ways he was inadequate compared to you. He blinked a few times, trying to calm himself down and will himself to just get out of the car.

But he couldn't.

Instead, he found himself driving away to think. Wandering in the woods, eventually ending up drinking beer at Skull Rock. He never went back to your house, and he never mentioned it. How could he? How could he tell you that he was too afraid to love you? Too afraid for you to see who he really was and reject it?

When he saw you again, he played it off.

"Oh, right. Sorry, I meant to call. Robin called in sick and I had to take her shift. Raincheck?"

It killed him to see the way your eyes dimmed, but that was the way things had to be, he told himself. He was Steve Harrington, and you were Y/N Mayfield.

It would never work.

"Mayfield, can you slow down? Hello?!" Steve yelled. It was nightfall now, and after hours of following Dustin's compass eagerly, everyone was exhausted.

"I think we're getting close—" you called, only to gasp and nearly fall forward into a body of water. Steve caught your arm, keeping you dry and on land.

"Watch your step."

"Oh, man," Dustin mumbled, frustration evident in his voice.

Your eyes widened in panic. This couldn't possibly be it. You couldn't have just walked through the woods and wasted one of your last days alive searching for a dead end.

"No, no, no, no..." you trailed off, shaking your head.

"There— this has to be a mistake. Maybe something else is interrupting the compass! We're so close, I know it!" You rambled out, voice shaking as panic and desperation began to overwhelm your senses.

You were prepared to die for Max. You would. The number one priority was saving her. But the world still needed to be saved too, didn't it? It was useless to save Max and sacrifice yourself if the world would be ended moments later. You still needed to try and help them stop Vecna for as long as you could. You had a feeling that your death would somehow be an integral part of his plan, and you feared the consequences of it.

"You gotta be shitting me," Steve said.

"Yeah, I thought these woods looked familiar. Lover's Lake," Eddie breathed out. You'd all gone right back to where you'd started.

"This is... confounding," Dustin whispered.

"There's a gate in Lover's Lake?" Max asked, her brows knitting together in confusion.

"Whenever the Demogorgon attacked, it always left an opening. Maybe Vecna's the same way," a voice offered. Nancy. Relief flooded your expression. Her hypothesis made sense, and it would mean that the day wasn't a total bust.

"Yeah, only one way to find out," Steve retorted flatly.

Eddie ushered you all to a pier, where he uncovered a small wooden boat. The group crowded around it and stared as Eddie and Steve eased it into the banks.

You were the first to get into the boat. Steve seemed to want to stop you, his hand brushing your wrist. But when your eyes met his, he said nothing.

Eddie and Robin were next, and then Nancy. Dustin confidently marched forward, but was promptly halted by Eddie's hand to his forehead.

"Hey, hey, hey, you trying to sink us? This thing holds four people, tops, okay?" He said. Dustin opened his mouth to complain, but was interrupted by you.

"It's better this way, okay? Stay here with Max, and keep an eye out for trouble."

"You keep an eye out! It's my goddamn theory," Dustin shot back with his jaw dropped.

"You heard her," Steve said.

"Who put Mayfield in charge?"

"I did," Steve fired back with a warning glance.

"Compass?" Nancy asked Dustin with an outstretched hand, smiling when he groaned and handed it over.

Max looked up at you, and you could tell from her narrowed eyes and the pout on her lips that she didn't like this plan one bit. You smiled softly, putting a hand on your chest.

"I'll be back soon, okay? Promise."

She sighed and nodded, mirroring your hand placement.

Steve tossed a bag at Dustin before hopping in the boat at the last second, pushing it off off the shore in the process.

"You said four!" Dustin yelled.

"Sorry," Steve mouthed with a shrug and a wave.

"Bedtime at nine, kiddos!" Robin called.

"Miss you already!" You added, smiling and blowing a kiss at your younger sister as you all sailed off into the dark waters.

After some time of following the compass, the boat stalled in a spot that made the needle begin to spin frantically.

Robin grabbed the walkie, talking into it.

"Dustin, you compass has gone from wonky to wonky with a capital 'ahhh!'"

Steve began to undress, taking off his socks and standing to remove his shirt. Your eyes widened, and you were silently grateful the dark gave you some shield from revealing your flustered state.

"Steve, what the hell are you doing?!" You whispered, grabbing his arm to stop him.

"Somebody's gotta go down there and check this thing out. Unless one of you four can top being a Hawkins High swim co-captain and a certified lifeguard for three years... it's gotta be me. No complaints, okay?" He responded, meeting your eyes briefly before he got his shirt off and tossed it into the bottom of the boat.

"Hey, I'm not complaining. I do not wanna go down there," Eddie said with hands up in surrender.

"Yeah, wasn't talking to you, man," he mumbled.

Your eyes lingered on Steve's back, only looking away when you noticed Robin's grin from the corner of your eyes.

Eddie handed him a flashlight, looking up at him with a quiet, "good luck."

Just as Steve got ready to jump, you blurted out his name. He stumbled before turning to face you, his eyes wide.

Your expression mirrored his, and you fumbled for words before managing to say only this: "Be careful."

He gave you a reassuring smile and straightened up, as if you'd emboldened him with two simple words. After that, he was gone, plunging into the lake water.

Time seemed to tick by at the speed of a snail. You fidgeted, biting your lip so hard you could taste copper.

"How long has it been, Wheeler?"

"Closing in on a minute."

Shit.

Before you could overthink it, he came splashing to the surface. The four of you screamed out, startled by the sudden appearance.

"I found it," Steve panted out, arm moving to drape over the edge of the boat.

"You found it?" You echoed, eyes wide and a bright smile on your lips. Maybe there was hope, after all.

"Yeah, I found it. It's pretty wild. It's still a snack sized gate more than the mama gate, but still, it's pretty damn big—"

Steve was interrupted by being yanked downwards. The boat jerked to the side, causing you to yelp out. Steve surfaced once more in shock, but before anyone could say anything, he was pulled down once more.

"Steve!" you yelled, leaning over the edge to look down for him. It was so dark, the waters so murky, you couldn't see a damn thing. Panic swelled in your body, and you yelled for him again.

"Steve!" Nancy and Robin yelled in unision.

"What the hell was that, man?!"

"Nancy, really, what happened?" Robin asked, her voice breaking in fear.

You stared at the water in shock. You felt paralyzed for only a moment, but shortly thereafter acted entirely on instinct. You weren't thinking. But then again, you were dead, anyways. You didn't have anything to lose.

You stood abruptly, eliciting a chorus of protests.

"Jesus Christ, you're not going in there, right?" Eddie rambled out.

"Just wait here," you snapped, looking at the three of them before jumping in after Steve.

"No, Y/N!"

"Y/N!"

The water was far colder than you could've ever imagined, shocking your skin. It didn't deter you, however; you saw the glowing red gate and swam towards it with an unmatched determination to save him.

"Goddamn it!" Eddie screamed.

The two girls followed suit, leading him to scream another string of curses.

"Oh this is so stupid," he breathed out, before plunging into the water after you all.

a/n: thanks to everyone for being so patient with me! i'm doing better now. as always, thanks for reading and ily all.

So, your new life in Hawkins consists of five things: appeasing your mom, avoiding your newest step-father, ignoring your step-brother, keeping your little sister from imploding, and passing your classes. 

Easier said than done. 

Because Billy's bid to dethrone the current King of Hawkins High involves joining the basketball team, apparently.

Which finds you sitting outside of the gym with a math textbook in your lap as you wait for your ride home long after school has ended.

So, yeah. It’s safe to say that Hawkins isn’t really doing it for you.

You flinch at the sound of the gym door opening as though bracing for impact, only to come upon the sights of your step-brother’s newest obsession.

“Mayfield?” Steve Harrington breathes, looking worse for wear as he struggles to uncap his water bottle. 

“Jesus, Harrington. This your first day or something?” you drawl, pulling your legs in tighter and returning your attention to the textbook in your lap lest Steve notice the tension radiating through your body. 

“What are you doing here?” he asks instead of responding to your jab, water bottle crunching obnoxiously as he squeezes it down to the size of a baseball. 

“S’a free country.”

You can hear the way Steve rolls his eyes despite keeping your gaze pointed at your lap. “Yeah, except most people don’t voluntarily spend their free time at school after the final bell.”

You look up at him at that. “No?”

“...No.”

“Then what are you doing here, Harrington?”

His expression pinches. “I’m playing basketball.” 

You make a point of letting your gaze trail over his body. “Not very well, by the looks of it.” 

He isn’t given a chance to respond before the door is flying back open and slamming against the brick wall beside you to expose Billy. 

“Ah, there you are, Harrington. Hiding, are we?” Billy drawls with a sardonic smile on his face. It threatens to fall, though, when his gaze moves from Steve and lands on you. “Well, well! What do we have here?”

You stay quiet, holding Billy’s gaze and trying to look as fierce as possible from your place curled up on the groud. 

“You flirting with the enemy, dear sister?”

“Fuck off, Billy.”

“Sister?” Steve murmurs, looking between the two of you skeptically. 

“Step-sister,” you and Billy chorus. He seems positively pleased at the accidental harmonization, your scowl deepens. 

“Semantics, though. Right?” He winks at you. 

“What don’t you understand about fuck off, Billy?” 

“Oh ho! She’s feisty today. Don’t usually see you this worked up unless your dear baby sister is around,” Billy sing-songs, utterly delighted at the chance to double down on two of his favourite victims. “Feeling protective over Harrington, are you?” 

“Feeling possessive over Harrington, are you?” you counter, close to regretting it when Billy’s face darkens, but not quite.

Billy turns his attention back to Steve. “If you two hens are done clucking, we’ve got basketball to play, King Steve.” 

A breath of relief leaves you without your consent at Billy’s departure, and you hate that Steve notices. You shift uncomfortably where you’re sitting on the concrete, brick digging unforgivingly into the divots of your spine from behind you. 

“Billy is your…step-brother?” Steve asks carefully, which sees your fragile control crack; your anxiety is desperate for an outlet, and Steve Harrington is an available victim.  

“Billy is my ride,” you spit back. “So if you don’t mind, the sooner you get back in there and finish whatever drills you’re supposed to be running, the sooner I can get the fuck home.”

You have the feeling Steve might be smarter than most people give him credit for; might be more perceptive than he leads on. He scrutinizes your form, taking in the tension of your shoulders, the way your knees are tucked up against your chest as though protecting your most vital organs, the way you lash out at him like a cornered animal. 

The screech of a whistle from inside the gym interrupts his examination of you, and he mercifully offers you nothing more than a nod and tightlipped smile before slipping back into the gym, closing the door behind him with profound gentleness.

Hawkins really isn’t doing it for you. 

And you’re quite sure Max is determined to do your head in.

Your mom and her dear husband-number-three have left for the day, meaning Billy has gone out of his way to be as obnoxious as possible; blasting rock music so loud you think your ears might actually start bleeding, throwing around weights in the living room that clatter and clang and shake the walls of the entire house, and smoke billowing from his nose like a fucking chimney. 

But he’s leaving you and Max alone, so you don’t dare to rock the boat.

Max, apparently, hasn’t gotten the memo. 

“Max!” Billy shouts after the third ring of the doorbell. “The door!” 

Max doesn’t answer. 

"The door!" Billy tries again. “I swear to God, Max!”

You sigh and shove your magazine aside, leaving your room to find Max on her bed with her headphones on as she tapes up her skateboard; she didn’t hear the nonsense.

You offer her a roll of your eyes and head down the stairs.

“I was calling Max,” Billy huffs around the cigarette in his mouth, moving onto another set. “I know damn well you ain’t got any friends calling on you.”

You mutter fucker under your breath, if only because you know that the music will swallow up your words as you swing open the door.

Where you find a classmate of Max’s. 

“Oh! Uh, hey is, uhm…is Max here?”

“Lucas?” Max hisses as she appears behind you, shooting a wary glance at your step-brother. 

That’s all you need to know, shoving Lucas away from the threshold and quickly ushering Max outside before closing the door soundly behind both of you.

“He can’t be here, Max,” you hiss, peeking in through the window to confirm that Billy is still thoroughly distracted by himself and the gym he set up inside. “Billy will freak.”

“What are you doing here?” Max directs at Lucas, crossing her arms defiantly. 

His eyes shift between you and your sister, clearly trying to decide how honest he can be. “I have proof.”

“Proof?” Max asks at the same time as you ask proof of what?

“If you want proof, you have to come with me, but we need to go. Quickly,” Lucas continues, pointedly ignoring you. 

“You can’t go anywhere,” you tell Max plainly. She groans out an exasperated version of your name. “I’m serious, Max. Mom left that asshole in charge, he’s not gonna let you go anywhere on your own.”

“Well, then I guess you have to come with me then, don’t you?” Max quips, grabbing Lucas by the shoulder and beginning to walk away. Even Lucas hesitates, his nervous gaze darting between you and your sister.

“Max,” you hiss. “Max! Oh for- God dammit.” 

You go back into the house, grabbing your jacket and shooting Billy a look as he watches you distrustfully.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Max and I are going out.”

“Are you now?” Billy grins. “Pretty sure your mom left me in charge.”

“Yeah, and we know how much you love that,” you drawl in turn, sending him a sarcastic smile. “I’ll take her off your hands for ya, you can make it up to me later. Don’t wait up.”

And with that, you slam the door shut behind you and grab your mother’s bike, following the preteens who have taken off on Lucas’ as Max fills you in on what her new friends have apparently been up to this past year.

Hawkins really isn’t doing it for you. 

Steve’s just shucking the dish gloves from his now very sweaty hands when Lucas calls out to them.

“I said medium-well!” The shithead yells, standing beside a redheaded girl who appears to be around his and Dustin’s age and-

“Mayfield?” Steve murmurs in disbelief, leaning towards Dustin. “And who’s that?”

The kid doesn’t answer, and Steve turns to find Dustin looking at the redhead with unrestrained longing. 

Oh. 

“Harrington?”

“What are you doing here?” Steve asks as the three of you approach.

“Babysitting.” Your answer is dodgy, arms crossed as you look Steve up and down; discarded dish gloves, raw stew-beef, douchey sunglasses, and a nail-covered bat in his backpack. Yeah, not a great look for Steve. “What are you doing here?”

“...Babysitting,” Steve answers half-honestly. Your eyes flit back to the weapon in his backpack.

“Right,” you drawl. You don’t believe him. Fair enough.

Steve nods his head towards the girl beside you. “This your sister?” 

The redhead laughs. “What? You brag about me to people at school?”

You turn to scowl at her. 

“Uh, no we don’t- well, we don’t really talk,” Steve explains poorly, your sister turning back to shoot him an inquisitive look. “Your brother let it slip.”

The girl’s face falls disturbingly blank. “Ah, so you know Billy, then.” 

“My condolences,” Lucas sighs sarcastically; Steve watches you turn to look at the kid as sympathy paints your features. Funny, Steve doesn’t think you look at him with sympathy for knowing Billy. He thinks if anyone should feel sorry for someone knowing Billy, it should be him.

And maybe you and your sister.

It’s weird, though. Steve doesn’t think the two of you look all that alike. Though, perhaps that thought was hasty. The two of you stand there with your arms crossed giving the three boys identical looks of disdain. 

Yeah, no. Definitely related; he can see it now. 

“Alright, whatever. If you’re here, you gotta help. Come on, we gotta set up before it gets dark,” Steve barks like a drill sargeant, grabbing a rusted folding chair and dragging it toward the school bus. 

He turns back to see that the only people who have jumped to help are you and your sister, leaving the two boys to communicate via scowls, pointed glares, and harsh whispering. 

“Hey! Dickheads,” he shouts; you and your sister turn from where each of you hold one end of a heavy sheet of steel. “How come the only one’s helping me are these random girls?”

“We lose light in forty-minutes, let’s go,” Steve says when neither boy can come up with an answer. “Let’s go, I said!” 

“Alright, asshole. God!” Dustin groans, looking back at Lucas who mutters something else probably equally unflattering under his breath. 

“Kids, am I right?” Steve mutters as he approaches you, stacking all that he can find against the bus. 

“Your kids, maybe. Mine’s an angel,” you quip with your nose in the air at the same time Max squeals.

“Get that away from me, stalker!” 

“Oh, yeah. She sounds like a saint,” Steve huffs, watching the three before he continues. “Looks like she’s got a few admirers.”

You follow his gaze to where your sister rolls her eyes at both Lucas and Dustin who have, apparently, come to some truce over the matter. 

“Not exactly what we need right now,” you murmur, almost as if you didn’t mean for Steve to hear it. If school yard crushes are gonna be a problem for you, he really doesn’t think you need to be introduced to the bullshit that is the Upside Down.

“Listen,” Steve starts, putting on his serious voice. “Shit’s gonna hit the fan in a little bit so if you don’t want to get dragged into the most fucked up shit imaginable, you two should leave. Like, now.” 

You're still looking at your sister when you reply. “She’s not going to leave.”

“Okay, well, you still can.”

You turn back to Steve, scowl firmly back in place as you look at him as though he’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever set your eyes on. “I’m not gonna leave my sister.” 

He shrugs helplessly. “Alright, it was just an offer.” 

You fall into rather companionable silence after that, working together to move whatever you can find to reinforce the bus. Steve has to admit, the two of you actually make a pretty good team.

“I’m not going to share what I’m being paid to watch them, either,” you announce with a grin before turning and sauntering away. 

And while Steve has a pretty good feeling that you might just be yanking his chain, he can’t help but call after you. 

“You’re getting paid for this?” he asks, waiting a few beats before hurrying off after you. “Hey! Mayfield! You’re getting paid for this?”

“I told you I was working tonight.” You stare at each other in confusion, neither of you seeming to understand what the other is talking about. You hurry down the stairs to the basement and Steve is hot on your heels, clearly not ready to give up the discussion. 

“No you didn’t.” You know the reason why he’s so angry is because he’s worried about you but you feel like he could be a bit nicer about it. Especially considering what you’ve been going through. Time is so precious right now and you really don’t think that it should be wasted arguing about something like this. 

“We don’t have time for this,” you roll your eyes as you enter the room where everyone else is as he heads to the radio van to get everything ready. 

Even though you’re done speaking for now, you both know that the conversation is far from over. You’re just glad that you'll be separated so that you’ll both have some time to cool off. You don’t fight very often and when you do, it’s normally about little stuff but this seems like a bigger issue than normal. 

You stand next to Robin as she speaks. She knows that something’s wrong just by looking at you but she’s not going to pry. This is between you and Steve and as nosy as she is, she’s going to butt out for once. 

Steve’s not actually listening to her, though, not really. He’s replayed your conversations from the past few days in his head over and over, trying to remember exactly when you told him that you were working tonight. He always remembers everything you tell him, memorizing every single word that comes out of your mouth. So he wonders why he can’t remember. 

He knows it’s a silly thing to be mad about, but he can’t seem to let it go. He was so fucking worried, especially with everything going on with your sister and he honestly thought that you were the next victim. 

He reaches into the pocket of his jacket to make sure that the tape is still there and nods when his fingers touch the spine before letting his hand fall back by his side, just itching to apologize. 

This is uncharted territory as you’ve never been mad at each other for this long. It shouldn’t be like this, especially not now, but you’re both too stubborn to be first to apologize. Especially when you both think that the other is at fault. 

And the thing is, Steve knows he’s wrong but he can’t get himself to admit it. He knows that you always tell him things multiple times because of situations like this but he’s too stubborn and just really wants to be right this time even though he’s not. 

He doesn’t want to be the first to apologize either even though he’s very ready to go ahead and kiss and make up. He hates fighting with you and especially hates seeing you so sad. Every time he sneaks a glance at you, you’re looking at your sister longingly and it takes everything in him to not give up the fight then and there because you will always be his weakness. 

You excuse yourselves and you pull him off to the side you can talk. You really can’t go into this mission with all of this pent up anger. You need to focus on the task at hand and not your lover’s spat.

“I left a message on your answering machine,” you tell him and your voice is so low that he can barely hear you. 

“When?” 

“Before I left for work and it was a reminder that I work tonight but clearly you didn’t get it.” 

“Yeah, I was here.” He feels like such a dick now. You went to all the lengths to make sure that he knew but he clearly wasn’t getting it. “Why didn’t you say something on the walkie?”

“The batteries died and I didn’t have time to change them. I’ll do better next time, I promise. I’m just-I’m just so tired, Steve.” And he feels even more like a dick after you say that, guilt bubbling up inside of him. But the stubborn part of him-the part that always has to be right-is still winning out. 

But that all comes crashing down he sees a tear streaming down your cheek. That’s it, it’s all over for him now. The second he sees you cry, all of the anger leaves his body as he rests a hand on your shoulder. You turn to him and your tear stained cheeks break his heart even more. 

Tonight, he’s going to be here for you, your literal shoulder to cry on. You turn your body towards him and lean your head on his shoulder as sobs rake through you. You’ve kept it together for far too long, bottling your real feelings up for months now and it just feels so good to let it all out. Especially being wrapped up in Steve arms. 

“I’m sorry,” you apologize even though you don’t even know what you’re apologizing for. Steve couldn’t care less that you’re getting snot on his jacket. He’s going to do whatever he can to help-to make his stupidity up to you. 

“No, I’m sorry,” he apologizes. “I shouldn’t have-I shouldn’t have gotten so angry. But I just worry about you all the fucking time. Anytime you’re away from me, I’m terrified that something is going to happen to you. That you’ll end up just like Max.” 

You haven’t told him the secrets you’ve been hiding but that’s for another time. You certainly can’t tell him tonight-not when you have other things to worry about. And this is life-changing news, something that you need to sit him down for. Maybe you can when this is all over. If you survive it. 

“You don’t think I’m scared too? I’m terrified every second but I’m also an adult, Steve. I don’t always need you to protect me.” He knows exactly what you mean but he’s so heartbroken that you would say that. You’ve always told him that he was your hero but he guesses he’s not anymore. 

“Fine.” 

“I didn’t mean it like that.” 

“No, I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what you meant. If that’s how you feel then fine. I won’t protect you anymore.” 

You both head to Steve’s car, the rest following. You keep Max close by, wrapping your arm around her as you lead her outside. You haven’t told her anything either but you’re pretty sure that she already knows. The headaches have been hard to hide as well as the nightmares. Especially since the two of you share a bed now because of everything going on. 

She’d never tell you, but she’s more scared about something happening to you. If she survives and you don’t, she has no idea how she’ll be able to go on. The grief from Billy is already too much to handle and she really can’t imagine losing you too. 

You’re her blood, the one person that she’s been able to count on. You’ve always been here and the thought of not being able to go to you anymore is way more scary than being another one of Vecna’s victims. 

Steve opens the passenger for you and can’t help but smile. She’d never admit it, but she likes him. She’s always seen him as an older brother and knows that he cares about her. He’s becoming protective of her-that much became clear when he wouldn’t let her drive and how terrified he was when she was lifted in the air at the cemetery. 

Tension is high when the two of you get into the Beemer and you know that everyone is trying to ignore it. Max wants to know what’s going on but she knows that it’s none of her business. This isn’t good, especially not for the mission. Whatever is going on between you and Steve, she’s going to fix it. 

Steve pulls up to the Creel house and it’s just as creepy as you thought it would be. Even from the outside, you can tell that there’s so much evil on the inside. You keep Max close, making sure that she has her headphones on when you walk up the steps. 

Steve has half a mind to pull out your walkman too but he decides against it, not wanting to make you even more upset. He knows that he’s been overbearing lately but he feels like no one else is worried about you besides Max. If she’s the next victim, it’s only a matter of time before you’re taken too. 

He knows what you’ve been hiding from him and he’s been trying to find a way to talk to you about it. But there’s never been a right time. You’ve been going through a lot and he doesn’t want to be the one to put a damper on the mood. But now it feels like it might be too late and he’s not sure he can save you this time. 

“We need to talk,” Max tells him, looking around to make sure that you’re still with Robin as she pulls him into the dining room. 

She pushes off her headphones and stares at him, almost as if she’s trying to communicate to him telepathically. He’s pretty sure if they could do that, he would know by now. 

She looks scared, even more than normal and he doesn’t know what to do. Tears are welling up in her eyes and he can feel his heart breaking even more. The two of them have gotten much closer since you and Steve started dating and now he’s even more protective over her. 

“Things aren’t looking so good for either of us and I want you to promise me that you’ll make sure that I’m the victim.” Tears are streaming down Max’s face now and he’s feeling more anger than sympathy. 

He was suspicious that Vecna was trying to get you too but now Max has confirmed it. And he can’t believe that she actually thought that he would agree. Especially because he’s become so protective of the both of you. He fully intends to win this fight and leave with the two of you perfectly safe.

“No,” he shakes his head. “That’s not happening. I came in here with both of you and I’m leaving with both of you.” 

“Steve, please.”

“Not happening. End of story.” He takes the tape out of his pocket before shedding his jacket and holding it out to her. “Give this to y/n, okay? It’s cold in here.” 

Max takes the jacket and watches Steve flee the dining room but not before he drops something onto the floor. He seems oblivious and she calls out for him but he doesn’t seem to hear. She picks up the tape and is suspicious when she hears something rattling around in the case. She slowly opens it and sitting inside is an engagement ring. 

She closes the case and hurries back over to Steve, holding it out to him. She gives him a small smile and nod of approval before she heads back to where you’re standing. Yeah, you’re definitely the one who has to survive now.

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which is surprising really because her siblings would have you convinced otherwise. don't get it wrong, you love your siblings, but they give you a horrible rep. they thrive in the thrill and chaos that Hawkins seems to constantly churn out.

Max, with her uncanny ability to be in the middle of trouble with her danger-magnet friends. and your stepbrother Billy, who is the trouble, a storm of leather and pent-up rage looking for a place to go.

but you?

you were different.

you didn't belong in Hawkins.

you were meant for sun-bleached wood and salt air, for the steady, endless rhythm of the Pacific, not the eerie, stagnant quiet of the Midwest. your heart was built for California dreamin’. not whatever, this is.

but that wasn't to say you couldn't grow to love all that Hawkins seemed to offer.

or perhaps you should say, grow to love someone in it.

Jonathan Byers.

a boy who felt just as out of place as you did.

he seemingly understood exactly how your heart beat because his beat the same. which made it all too easy to fall head over heels for the eldest Byers boy.

the one who noticed all the little things about you.

the way you constantly have a book open, or music playing in your ears. or how you tucked your hair behind your ear when you were nervous. the quiet way he learned the exact number of freckles you had just from staring at your face. not to mention, the look you got before you laughed that had him mesmerized or how your body fit against his like it had always known where to go.

with Jonathan, love was simple. it's steady, and warm, and oh so real.

sometimes you’d catch him looking at you like that—like you were the center of his world—and you’d think, oh. this is it. this is what it feels like to belong.

hawkins still wasn’t home. probably never would be.

but Jonathan Byers was.

and somehow, that was more than enough.

- Billy refuses to give you a lift school so you ride your bike. He only drives Max to escape his dad’s wrath.

- Friends with Jonathan. He shows you around school on your first day and you hang out with him in the darkrooms a lot whilst he develops photos. You hate Steve Harrington.

- You share a room with Max, but sleep on the sofa when you’re working on weekends. You clock in after closing hours and clean the local restaurant. In the summer you also work at the launderette.

- You wear a bottle cap necklace that Max made you years ago everyday.

- Encouraging Max to make friends, you’ve got a soft spot for Lucas and you give her money for the arcade.

- When the parents aren’t in, you and Billy have shouting matches, this is normally when Max sneaks out whilst you’re arguing. You’re both forced to look for her later. Which you end up fighting over in his car.

- Lover of vinyls, your favourite ones stored in a box and played on a shitty suitcase record player. Billy’s dad snapped one when you didn’t turn it down when he was home. (Note to self, do as he says first time).

- You wear Billy’s clothes to piss him off. Backfires though as you find him rooting through your bedroom. He takes the cash you’ve hidden under your mattress “since you like sharing so much.”

- Max sees you as the cool older sister and asks you to give her and El makeovers. You end up sleeping over at Steve’s (not that you’d tell anyone that, he’s actually not that bad).

- Steve parks up on the side of the road, ahead of you. The wheel of your bikes bent, you’re to focussed on walking and trying not to look down at your bloody knee and torn jeans. He offers you a lift and helps you clean up your grazed palms in the back of scoops ahoy. (You slip out as soon as Robin walks in on you both, Steve too busy trying to shut her up).

- You even go to scoops ahoy with Max and El a few times as an excuse to see Steve.

- Late night hangs with Steve in his car, it’s good to get out of the house. (Although he’s cancelled on you the last few times)

- Billy giving you shit when he sees you getting out of Steve’s car one night. “Wouldn’t want anything to happen to Harrington.”

- You don’t know how Billy died, you’re too worried about getting your mom back on track now that you’ve moved. Max withdraws into herself and you just put it down to another failed relationship of your moms and moving again.

- Eddie Munson becomes a surprising new friend, you meet him at the trailer park. Smoke in the early hours together and talk about music, conspiracy theories before he goes on the run. You don’t believe the news when it’s spreads.

- Giving Max your Walkman when you find her listening to it most nights. You make her a mixtape of her favourite songs. Max traces your handwriting, your name scrawled on the front of the Walkman. A line through it, her name right below it.

- “Just stop, okay!” Max snaps, shoving your hands away from her. “You’re suffocating me, I can’t.” You’ve been asking her for weeks if she’s alright and trying to get her to talk to you. Even Lucas avoids you at school, it’s not like you can ask him either.

- The letter Max left you doesn’t make any sense and even when you go to Steve for answers (like Max told you to do) you still have no clue what’s going on.

- Sitting beside Max in the hospital, you keep asking Lucas about what happened and how comes she’s in a coma. He finally tells you everything after you come across a demogorgan one night. (Now you know why Steve kept asking you about your favourite song).