#munsonsreputation

You desperately wanted to see what everyone else saw in Steve Harrington that you didn’t. All those words of how he changed so much and had this entire redemption arc when he decided to finally stop giving shit about stupid high school social orders and commit his life to be the esteemed and reliable babysitter.

Hell, even Robin Buckley, the one girl who really couldn’t stand him a few years ago, was now his best friend, and Nancy Wheeler, his ex-girlfriend, could actually stand to be in his presence without wanting to cringe and vomit because she actually dated him. 

You just couldn’t see it in him no matter how hard you tried, not even the kids could convince you that Steve wasn’t all that bad anymore. If anything they gushed about how much they admired him. How he was the cool older brother figure that they all wanted and had wrapped around their fingers ready at their beck and call.

Everyone loved Steve, but to you it was just bullshit.

“Why the sad face, doll?”

Steve pouted feignedly, causing you to roll your eyes, slapping the flies away from your skin as you watched him pitch his stupid tent.

“I’m not sad. I’m more so annoyed.” You grunted out with a glare. 

“I told you to bring bug spray.” He reminded shaking his head, clearly amused seeing you get angry at the innocent flies.

“I did, but it doesn’t fucking work and for your information, I’m annoyed because you’re here.” You said through gritted teeth, slapping your neck as another one landed but flew away before you could kill it.

Steve snapped the poles into place, engrossed with his task.

“Well if it makes you feel any better,” he chimed in, standing with a straight smirk across his face, “I’m not particularly happy with your presence either seeing as though you’re not doing shit besides standing there being a bitch.”

Your eyes widened, arms crossing over your chest as you stared at him in disbelief. But by this point it shouldn’t have been so surprising granted that you and Steve never stopped bickering, even when you both should have known to ignore each other. 

“Oh, go fuck yourself, Harrington!” You shouted, turning on your heel and flipping him the bird as you walked away.

“Tell that to my right hand, sweet cheeks!” He called out with a whistle, reveling in the art of getting under your skin.

Nance and Jonathan exchanged amused glances, painfully familiar with how much you and Steve despised each other yet somehow got here alive without slitting each other's throats. But that didn’t seem like it was going to be lasting long seeing as though this was now the beginning to a very long night.

You plopped down onto the foldable chair, still wearing a scowl that didn’t seem to want to cease even with the distance you created between you and him.

“We barely got here and you’re already at each other's throats.”

Nancy shook her head not understanding why you both couldn’t be adults about this whole thing.

“He started it!” You insisted, pointing your finger in his direction.

Jonathan couldn’t help but jump in with a chuckle, feeling as if this was payback for all those times he and his brother Will gave his mom a hard time. Seriously, dealing with you both was identical to watching two toddlers tattle tale on each other for every little thing before toys and fists were thrown. 

“So now you’re playing the blame game?” He suspected.

You clicked your tongue, sitting up straighter, shoulders pulled back as you crossed your legs and placed your hands on top of your knees, ready to mock Steve and his privileged life that he just had to leave behind for the day. 

“Why couldn’t he just have stayed home in his stupid mansion, driving around in his stupid Beemer, where he could be stupid all by himself and leave us out of his stupid stupidity.” 

You seriously looked like you could end him with your bare hands — and if they didn’t know better they’d let you have a go at it just to see how far you would get. Surely Steve would put up a good fight too, probably make it quick and easy so he didn’t have to hear your voice anymore, but you would definitely be taking your time with him. 

“He’s the only one who’s ever been camping and if something happens then he’ll know what to do.”

Nancy attempted to reason with you, hoping you could see it through just this once, for just a couple hours.

You shrugged your shoulders, watching him in your peripheral vision.

“Whatever, as long as he stays away from me then I can make it through the next 24 hours.” You waved off. 

But Jonathan lugged up a box, plopping it before your feet with a loud clatter coming from inside of it, staring at you with a smile. 

“If you want to make it to at least tonight, I’d suggest you start getting to work.”

Cursing under your breath, you were beginning to rethink your choices of saying ‘yes’ to trip when you had not one outdoorsy bone in your body and surely no bone, not even a cell that could stand Steve Harrington.

But getting it pitched up yourself wasn’t all that bad considering the fact that the instructions were self explanatory and had images to make it easy to follow. It was that nagging, infuriating voice that belonged to Steve that was getting on your last nerve. Like a mosquito in your ear, he kept buzzing and buzzing and—

“Try again, you’re holding the pole backwards, smarty pants!” He called out, smirking to himself when you tried to ignore him by shutting him out and doing it at your own pace.

But ignoring him only fueled his determination to keep going, poking and prodding at your patience that was withering away by the second. Every snarky smartass remark was like nails on a chalkboard, causing your eye to twitch, teeth to grind, and self-restraint to grow weaker. 

“Your tent is gonna fly away in the middle of the night if you don’t make use of those stakes!”

“You shoulda listened to me, I told you that pole was in the wrong slot!”

“How about you put a little elbow grease into it and stop trying to put it together like you’re the goddamn princess of the camp ground!”

Your blood was damn nearly boiling, knuckles going white as you shoved the stupid pole into the other side, trying to get the frame to stay together. But your anger and rushing only made it worse, the wobbling frame threatening to give out on itself if you tried to force it in anymore than you already had. His whiny voice and every taunt that came with it just made you want to take the pole and use it for something else — silencing him.

Nancy and Robin had scolded Steve multiple times, knowing that your fuse with him was ridiculously short. Eddie and Jonathan, well-acquainted with your dynamic, kept their distance, observing from the sidelines not wanting to be caught in the impending storm between you two.

Eddie watched you carefully,  your jaw clenching, air pushing out of your nostrils and he was sure that if it was humanly possible there would be a hot steam coming from the top of your head. 

“Knock it off, man, she’s getting pissed.” He warned his friend, taking a swig of his beer, while he darted between you both.

Steve however, wasn’t threatened in the slightest, continuing to provoke you with another snide comment. 

“She won’t be pissed for long if a bear comes and mauls her in the middle of the night because she doesn’t know how to pitch a damn—”

That was the last straw.

“I’m gonna fucking kill you!” You screamed, ripping off the pole and storming towards Steve not caring how insane you looked.

Eddie quickly got on his feet, dropping his beverage and intervening just in time. 

“Not so fast!” He lifted you off the ground holding you back as Jonathan managed to wrangle the pole out of your hands.

Steve was having a fit of laughter, hunching over himself and grabbing at his midsection.

“You’re so easy to piss off.” He cackled, shaking his head at you and giving himself an imaginary point for already getting under your skin in the first hour of being there.

“You’re such an asshole!” You fumed, continuing to struggle in Eddie's grasp.

He kept his hold tight knowing if there was any room left for you to get away, it would most likely end with warfare. And while he and your friends never liked to come in between your tumultuous relationship, they knew letting you both rip each other apart wouldn't do anyone good – even if it gave them some peace.  

Nancy had had enough — the trip was supposed to be peaceful, getting to be one with nature and finally getting away from the kids for once, but of course, that wouldn’t happen seeing as though you and Steve acted like children possessed.

“Enough!” She shouted, bringing temporary silence as you both could feel the seriousness in her voice.

“You’re right, Steve is an asshole and because he feels so sorry, what he’s gonna do is finish pitching up your tent while we go to the lake to cool off. Got it?”

She turned towards him, her eyes widening, signaling Steve to comply for the sake of peace just this once.

But instead, he protested, standing up defiantly, “Hell no! I wouldn’t even pitch her tent if—”

“I’m not asking you, I’m telling you.” Nancy interrupted, not leaving any room for negotiation because at this point it was futile.

Robin gestured to the partially completed frame with a small shrug.

“It’s the least you can do, half of it is already done.” She said, hoping to lighten his mood about it. 

Reluctantly Steve huffed, glaring as he made his way over to you, faces only inches apart as everyone began to sigh, seeing as though you’d both be starting again. Eddie gripped you tight, not even giving you any wiggle room to try anything.

“You’re lucky Robin’s staying in your tent because if she wasn’t, I wouldn’t even think about finishing it.” Steve rasped begrudgingly smirking because you were a prisoner in shackles.

But you jutted your neck forward as if you were about to headbutt him which caused him to flinch back, holding his arm out front of his body. That alone made you cackle, just a taste of what you could have done to get him to shut up.

“Get to work, boy scout.” You sneered. 

Throwing Eddie’s arms off your midsection, you brushed right past him going towards your bag to get out a bikini to change into while the rest of them whispered their scoldings, particularly punctuating the importance of Steve not messing with you anymore because they couldn’t stand it.

Jonathan nudged Steve’s shoulder, a pleading expression on his face.

“Would it kill you to not be such a dickhead to her for one whole day?”

Steve dramatically gasped, wrapping his arms around his own neck pretending to suffocate, “Y-yes… I-I can’t breathe, no oxygen!”

His best friend rolled her eyes, unimpressed with his childish behavior “You’re such a dweeb, I swear.” she said, smacking the top of his head as she walked past him and followed you to the bathrooms.

“You heard her, get to work.”

Nance snapped her fingers, pointing sharply at the tent hoping that for once he’d listen.

Jonathan and Eddie decided to serve as watch guards knowing that if no one was here to watch him and make sure he did what he was told, he would probably let you sleep with a half assed tent while Robin stayed with him and Eddie. 

Maybe all you needed was to get as far away as possible from him… for as long as you could.

Stepping into the lake, the water felt nice against your skin, cooling down the sizzling blood still rushing in your veins and easing your body to a state of relaxation. If you closed your eyes hard enough and let the sun bask down on your face, you could pretend as if he wasn’t just a few feet away from you, grumbling like a whiny child forced into time out to write a hundred sentences.

You honestly should’ve known better than to agree to come along the trip knowing Steve was going to infect it with his existence, but your friends had convinced you otherwise, selling it as an opportunity to get out of Hawkins for a weekend and just enjoy each other’s company.

If you had known that Steve was going to be even more of a pain in the ass than usual, you would have never even thought about getting into Eddie van and driving all the way here with no other means to leave.

“I just don’t understand how he’s nice to everyone but you.” Robin pondered aloud, trying to understand the mystery between your relationship.

“It’s because he wants me dead, Robin, simple as that.” You deadpanned, seeing no other explanation to it other than pure hatred.

“Don’t be ridiculous, he doesn’t want you dead.” Nancy laughed, brushing off your comment knowing that Steve didn’t hate you that much.

“Oh my bad, I meant that he wants me to suffer a long excruciating death by letting his ego take up all the space in the room.”

Your voice leaked of sarcasm, eliciting laughs from the girls who found humor in what you saw as the truth.

Robin and Nancy knew there was no way the both of you could really hate each other as much as you both liked to think you did. If you really did hate each other for real, then you wouldn’t even dare to tolerate each other's presence but you both did — and while sure most times it was for the sake of your friends, by now one of you should’ve been fed up enough to leave.

Their laughter faded, Robin staring at you with a mischievous smirk as you waded in the water, enjoying the temporary peace. Perhaps she could be out of line with the thoughts brewing up in her head, but it was just a theory — a possible reasoning for you and Steve’s differences.

“Did you ever stop and think that maybe you two might get along better if you liked each other in a different way?” She wiggled her brows before biting her lip. 

And like that, the peace was gone.

“Absolutely fucking not!” You shouted, rejecting it with clear disgust as you began splashing her in retaliation.

She giggled some more, trying to shield herself from the large splashes as Nancy swam off to the side, happy that at least you were having some fun now, even if the conversation still revolved around Steve. Robin swam through the splashes, wrapping her hands around yours to make them stop before you both began laughing, letting her hug you as an apology for her words.

“You’re so lucky I love you.” You grumbled, leaning closer to her to rest your cheek against her shoulder.

“Opposites attract, you know.” She continued to tease and you poked at her side, glaring half jokingly.

“Not him and I.” You declared sternly, gaze moving back up to the shore where the men still gathered near your tent.

It was nice not having to watch you stick your nose up and complain about the flies as if it was the end of the world. Without you in his ear and sights, he could finally enjoy just a smidge of the day, even if it was pitching his mortal enemy’s tent. If he didn’t think about it too much, he’d forget that it would be keeping you safe and you’d wake up the next morning, living another day to make his life miserable.

Tugging the tarp into place, he zipped it up and down making sure it slid smoothly before dusting off his hands and taking a step back to examine your his work. He tilted his head, shrugging his shoulders not in the mood to fix the lousy frame.

“Besides the crooked roof, it’s not that bad.” He announced, more so glad that his punishment was over.

Jonathan grinned, patting him on the back with a hopeful look as if this was the turning point.

“Well you should tell her she didn’t do a bad job then! Say something nice to her for once.”

Steive chortled looking over to him in disbelief before wagging his finger mockingly.

“Over my dead body.”

Jonathan sighed, sliding away from him and going to grab another beer for himself. Slowly but surely he was giving up on the idea of trying to get you and Steve to get along for the weekend. At this point, he and Nance’s plan was failing terribly, seeing as though neither of you said one good thing to each other all day and it probably would never happen.

Eddie rolled his eyes, resting his back against the tree as he watched you and the girls spinning in the water enjoying yourselves.

“Why can’t you both just put your differences aside and get along?” He wondered, seeing as though you were both capable of being happy, just why not with each other.

Steve darted his eyes up to his obviously, “She’s had it out for me since day one. Never liked me and never even tried to.”

Walking over to your bags, he picked them up along with Robin’s placing them in the tent, but he more so threw yours in, not giving a damn if the tent shook with it.

Eddie sighed, going over to fix it nicely into a corner when Steve turned away.

“To be fair, you haven’t tried to like her either so the odds were never going to be in your favor to begin with.” Jonathan pointed out truthfully.

How were the both of you ever going to get along if you held so much against each other without trying to see it through?

“You sure you don’t have a thing for her deep down? They always say that people who hate each other really just have to settle their differences in bed so they can see eye to eye.” Eddie snickered, patting his back stiffly. 

The thought alone made Steve sick. Kissing you? Hugging you? Actually enjoying your existence? That sounded like a nightmare from hell if he’d ever dreamt one. Eddie and Jonathan found it a bit comical, even taking notice of their friends silence, his mind thinking up all the dirty and—

A hard smack landed on Eddie’s arm.

“I don’t know where the hell you heard that from, but I wouldn’t even sleep with her if we were the last two people on Earth.” Steve sneered, nose sticking up with disgust.

Edide rubbed at the skin, he and Jonathan watched as Steve walked away, tugging his shirt off and beginning to make his way into the lake without another word. They knew it was inevitable, the hatred that was brewing in his bones for you, was just a ploy for something else — something you and him didn’t see quite but everyone else did.

“Twenty they finally kiss?” Jonathan challenged, turning to him with an open hand.

Eddie cackled, smirking smugly.

“Twenty-five they end up hooking up tonight,” he added to the wager and to the lines that you and him would cross.

“Deal.”

You rolled your eyes, detaching yourself from Robin catching the sight of Steve inching his way into the lake. Soon after Jonathan and Eddie followed suit, running in like chickens with their heads cut off and splashing all of you with their boy-ness.

It frustrated you more than the way it should have made you angry — the way all your friends could seamlessly get along with him as if he wasn't the worst person you ever met. He even embraced Jonathan in a bromance hug as if at one point in their lives they didn’t despise each other for the girl they both liked.

It was so… confusing?

You let them bask in the presence of Steve, knowing that while you didn’t enjoy time with him, you would never try to rob the rest of your friends from it. Instead you went off on your own, going in just a bit deeper for some privacy as they lingered a few feet behind you.

“Don’t go too far out!” Nancy called out to you knowing you weren’t the best swimmer.

“I know, mom!” You singsonged, looking up at the sky and taking it all in — random cloud shapes and the birds that flocked above.

The camp ground was two hours out from Hawkins, tucked away in a nicer part of town, of course, Steve was the one who suggested the place. Nevertheless it was actually breathtaking, a nice contrast to the small town that you all came from which didn’t have a lake that compared to this, just good ole’ Lover’s Lake and Sattler Quarry.

This would probably be your first and last time camping, so you were trying to make the most of it, not letting the little scuffle totally ruin your experience. You had wished you brought your polaroid along, wanting to snap photos of the view to remember it by but in hindsight it was better to live in the moment.

“Let’s play sharks and minnows!” Robin announced cheerfully, wanting to seize the moment and do something fun she remembered from childhood.

You didn’t pay them any mind, your silence serving as an answer that you’d be sitting that game out and enjoying watching them instead.

Steve cupped his hands around his mouth, shouting loudly, “I call shark!”

They erupted in shrieks, splashing their way farthest from Steve, getting a head start since he was a skilled swimmer. 

Eddie, who was a distance away yelled out, “Ready, set, go!”

Steve didn’t even bother mapping out everyone else, they weren’t his prey, you were.

“Better get moving, princess!”

Steve wore an irritatingly smug look, catching your eyes before he dove under the water and made his way towards you.

Your eyes widened, flaring your arms back as you attempted to doggy paddle away from him but it was obvious that he had the upper hand with his skill set. The tips of your toes started to slip from the ground, water pushed up to your collarbones as you still tried to get away from him without drowning.

It was futile trying to lose him, you didn’t even dare to inch further back knowing by then the water would submerge you fully. Instead you opted to sweep the water against him the closer he got to you, though he was unaffected by it still swimming with ease.

“Steve, stop! Go away!” You shouted, kicking your legs trying to get him back.

“Gotcha!” He grinned, popping his head out of the water to stand up straight and wrap his arms around your midsection

You pushed at his chest, trying to get away. “You dickwad! I wasn’t even playing!”

“Too bad!” He stuck his tongue out at you, gripping your skin just a tad tighter and hoisting your legs around his hips.

“Steve put me down, I swear to fucking…oh my god!” You exclaimed, quickly moving your arms around his neck when you felt the woosh of water against your back when he moved you both deeper into the water.

You watched your friends over his shoulder become smaller and smaller, until they were little specks on the shore waving with shit eating grins on their faces knowing that Steve wouldn’t actually do anything to hurt you.

Despite how disgusted you were being so close to him, you had no choice but to hang on for dear life. Steve gave you a bit of height with you over his hips, and had it not been for that, you’d be drowning by now.

“S-Steve, please I can’t swim!” You begged, eyes finally daring to meet him and for once you weren’t looking at him with such disgust but with desperation.

His face contorted with surprise, eyebrows raised and mouth held wide open before tugging up into a lopsided smirk.

“Never thought I’d ever hear that word come out of your mouth… let me hear it one more time?”

His grip barely went slack as you whimpered, using your legs to jerk him back to you before you slapped his chest, fingers gripping his biceps under the water and letting your nails dig painfully into his skin.

“Get me back to the shallow! Right now!” You growled, watching as he winced a bit hissing in a sharp breath feeling the sting.

Seriously, if you were a better swimmer, you’d be out of his grasp by now and holding his head underwater until he floated like dead weight. He had the advantage over you, but you’d be damned if you didn’t at least put up a fight.

“What’s the magic word?” He teased, exhaling as your nails eased out of his skin yet somehow you still held on to him not wanting to take a risk no matter how revolting he was.

“I. hate. you!” You screamed, starting to thrash around in his arms hoping that your struggle would annoy him so much that he’d bring you back to the shallow just so he wouldn’t have to deal with you.

But instead, he loosened his grip again, using it against you because just as he suspected, you seized your movements immediately, looped your hands around his neck, clinging to him like a koala.

“Still waiting on that magic word.” He singsoned, not being too cruel this time around, wrapping his arms securely around your frame, not actually thinking he’d ever let you go.

You hoped your friends couldn’t read your lips from there or else you wouldn’t hear the end of it.

“Please.” You gave in, whispering it against his neck.

The hair on the back of his neck stood tall, shivers creeping up his spine feeling a twinge of sympathy for you, but not too much to spare, when you cursed his name right after the fact. Satisfied, he spun around, guiding the two of you back to the bank where you were more comfortable.

Letting out a breath of relief, you relaxed your arms and slightly loosened your legs from around his waist, a little surprised at yourself for being able to stand his skin sticking to yours for so long. This was the most contact you and Steve had ever endured with each other. All of the previous encounters consisted of you smacking him and him chasing you with something gross like a dead roach.

“You didn’t think I’d actually let you drown, did you?” Steve asked, looking down at you.

You rolled your eyes, staring up at him past your lashes. “I don’t know, you’re quite the asshole so I thought so.”

He ran his tongue over the inside of his cheek, tsking disapprovingly.

“Such a shame you think so lowly of me,” he said acting hurt as rolled your eyes yet again, “here’s payback for earlier.”

His arms abruptly left your body, letting you actually slip out of his hold watching as you went down with a screech that quickly died. You shut your eyes tightly, arms pushing yourself up to the surface where you coughed roughly, his stupid laughter filling your ears when you came to.

“I still hate you!”

You huffed, splashing him once more before trudging towards your friends who watched with glee, thankful for the five minutes of free entertainment that didn’t involve them.

Steve stood where he was, arms crossed, face dripping with lake water, but still wearing a wide smile, more than happy with his little stunt and the fact that he got your blood pressure rising. Something about riling you up, filled him up with a sort of satisfaction, yet he wouldn’t ever admit that you were the only person who could get under his skin the same way he did you.

Surprisingly enough, he stayed away from you during the rest of the time in the lake. Instead, he bothered Eddie and Robin with his stupid ideas to race across the lake and find the biggest pebble to see who could skip it the farthest.

Thankfully for you, you got the bathe in the sunlight, enjoying conversation with Jonathan and Nancy who at first bothered you about the whole you in his arms thing, but eventually gave up when you gave them the death stare. You obviously were holding back something considering you never missed a beat to berate Steve, but this time around, you didn’t even want to get into it — they wondered why?

As the sun slowly began to tumble, casting oranges and pinks in the sky, you felt your fingertips becoming overly pruney, cueing your desire to get out and get freshened up for the evening.

“I’m gonna go wash up.” You announced raising a hand over your forehead to block the light as you stared out at them in the water.

“We’ll be out in a bit!” Robin called through her laughter, continuing her fun in chasing Eddie and Jonathan around in the water with a stick she had found.

You carefully tiptoed through the rocks, making your way up to the camp ground. The tent wasn’t half bad, and to your surprise Steve had actually followed through on his task of finishing it. You’d guess that if he wasn’t so intimidated by Nancy and her threats, he wouldn’t even think about doing it, nevertheless at least now you could say Steve did something useful for you for once, even if it was against his will.

Your bag was already conveniently placed in your tent, so you grabbed your toiletries, a clean towel, and your change of clothes before you walked over to the communal bathrooms where the showers were also located. Thankfully it was just you and your friends on the grounds, so it was fairly clean and had more privacy than usual which was always nice.

You pulled the curtains to one of the stalls back, assessing the area before putting your things down on the shelf and hanging your towel on the railing, stepping in and pulling the curtains closed. Stripping off your swimwear, you wringed out the excess water and hung them on the adjacent wall letting them air dry for the time being.

Cranking the lever, the shower head spritzed alive, letting semi-warm water sprinkle across your skin, rinsing you free of the lake water. You hummed to yourself, raking your fingers through the knots and tangles of your hair, doing your best to get them out before rubbing the skin over your neck and chest.

“You really should have picked the stall away from the sunlight.”

Steve’s voice echoed, halting his footsteps in the doorway as he stared at the figure behind the curtain, the only other person in here was you and he could definitely tell by your pedicured toes peeking under the gap of the shower.

Clenching your jaw, your hands stopped its movements over your body, turning your head over your shoulder as you were met with Steve’s shadow staring right on the other side. If you squinted hard enough you could make out the smirking features on his face, but to your obvious surprise all you could do was shriek.

“Oh my god!” You shielded yourself with your arms as if that would help, seeing as though the curtain alone wasn’t doing its job of saving you your dignity.

He held his hands up, gesturing his arm up and down at the curtain.

“Relax, I can only see your shadow because of the sun.” He explained nonchalantly, walking into the stall beside yours and switching the water on.

You swallowed, still not trusting him completely as you stepped forward, peeling back the curtain a bit to see if anyone else was coming that way.

“Are the rest of them coming? I need to save myself the embarrassment and move to another stall if they are.” You asked rapidly, really hoping that neither of your friends or any visitors would be greeted with your naked silhouette the second they stepped in there.

“They’re playing chicken in the lake so no, they won’t be coming any time soon.” He responded, sounding actually sincere for once, because while he enjoyed messing with you, he still respected your privacy enough to know setting you up like that wasn’t cool.

See… there were boundaries between your hatred, probably ones so low the bar was on the floor...but they were boundaries.

“Thank god.” You sighed, tugging the portion of the curtain closed and walking back into the stream of the water, squeezing some shampoo into your hands as you began lathering it through your scalp.

“By the way, are your tits pierced or were you just excited to see me?”

Your eyes widened, a gasp leaving your mouth while your fingers stopped. His incessant laughter bounced off the walls and rang in your ears like the worst kind of pain, wishing you had taken your chances earlier and at least tried to drown him.

“You’re such a pig!” You said, banging your hands on his side of the wall until his laughter died down scoffing.

He grunted, tapping your wall back harder. “Learn how to take a joke and stop getting your panties in a twist.”

“What’s a joke is that rumor about you being so largely endowed.” You began pretending to gag.

“I heard Stacy Burnham asked you if it was even in and when you said yes she was so disappointed.” You sassed sharply, hoping it would embarrass him enough to shut up.

“I didn’t even hook up with Stacy Burnham!” He retorted ridiculously, knowing that rumor was so absurd and untrue.

You rolled your eyes and wished he could see you, “Not surprised, it probably didn’t feel like much for you either when you’re packing less than three inches.”

Steve scoffed loudly, knowing that was definitely not true and it wasn’t just his ego talking. 

“Oh trust me, you wouldn’t even be able to take half of what I’m packing.”

“A half inch? Yeah, cause I’d be too busy crying with disappointment.” You faked sobbed, flipping him off though he couldn’t even see you. 

He didn’t have a comeback, clearly not in the mood to argue about what he was packing because truly you’d only believe him if you saw it for yourself. And trust him, he’d burn himself alive before ever thinking about seeing you naked or letting you see him naked.

That was just totally out of the question… and like he told Eddie, it would never happen even if you both were the last people on Earth.

“Let me borrow some soap.” Steve muttered knocking on your wall, hand dangling above your stall waiting for you to pass it over.

“No.” You chuckled, smacking his hand before you grabbed your body wash and rubbed it against your palms to create bubbles.

“Why not?” He coaxed, not putting his hand back down into his stall as you sighed and went on about washing your body.

“You tried to kill me earlier and let me drown.” You reminded him.

“And what would you call that little stunt back there when you tried to stab me to death?” He retorted.

You were quiet, rolling your eyes knowing that he wouldn’t let this go any time soon, so in order to save both of your energies, you simply picked up the bottle of shampoo, thrusting it up into his hand as he chuckled to himself and grabbed it.

“See! Sharing is caring, now, if you need to borrow some brains you know where to find me.”

“Shut the fuck up.” You snapped, trying to enjoy the rest of your shower despite knowing that the only thing that separated you both was a wall.

You showered in complete silence, only Steve knocking on your wall to give you back the products, fingers tapping against his palm to silently ask you for the next. After a few minutes you had finished, finally shutting the water off as you dried down.

You slipped your legs through a fresh pair of underwear, letting it snap against your skin as you worked the fitted cami over your torso and then slipped on the shorts that you rolled over your hips to stop them from falling.

Whipping the curtain back, you didn’t wait for Steve to finish, simply leaving him as you went back towards the tents to hang your still wet swimsuit over a tree branch and stuffing your things back into your bag.

After a few minutes he came out, walking over with his towel around his neck, sporting a loose t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants. 

“Well you’re definitely getting eaten alive by mosquitoes tonight.” He shook his head at your rookie mistake, laughing along with it. 

You looked down at yourself, much of your skin left exposed for the same flies that badgered you earlier to feast upon.

“Give me a break, I didn’t know there would be so many flies.”

He walked over to his stuff, plucking out the aerosol can and tossing it over to you, “Here.” 

You caught it, looking over the bottle label as he spoke, “It’s the only brand of bug spray that actually works.” 

“Thanks.” You mumbled, twisting the bottle open and misting it over your arms and legs, letting the product coat every inch with a light sheen.

You tossed it back, working it into your skin as Steve took his turn to spray it on his exposed arms and neck knowing from experience that waking up to a hundred fly bites was the most uncomfortable itchy pain to be in.

“How were the showers?” Eddie huffed, water dripped off his body as he made his way up to you both, the rest of them following behind.

“Fine, just don’t pick the stall directly at the entrance. Wouldn’t want anyone getting an eye full.”

Steve smirked as you turned beet red, tucking your face into your chest and walking to your bag to pretend to search for something.

Nancy wrapped her arms around herself, biting back the cool air that was coming in from the day winding down.

“Why don’t you guys get started on the fire so that way we can have dinner soon.”

Sunset was just nearly finishing up, only about a half hour of sunlight left before darkness would set in. Steve knew from experience that keeping the fire overnight would be the best bet at having means to some light and warmth.

He nodded, looking around for the items to get it going, “Yeah, sure, where’s the charcoal?”

“Charcoal?” Jonthan asked, confused, scratching the temple of his head, not remembering seeing it when you were all loading Eddie’s van that morning.

Steve nodded his head obviously, looking around at the group. “For the fire? I told you guys to pick it up.”

You sighed, standing up to face them with your hands on your hips. “Don’t tell me you guys forgot it.” 

“Are we doomed if we say we did?” Eddie spoke, a guilty inflection in his voice, because he was totally in charge of that but it had slipped his mind.

Steve shook his head, crossing his arms over his chest. “Just means that now we have to find some sticks and leaves. Do it the old fashioned way.”

Robin the ever so considerate one, starting snapping her fingers, pointing between you and Steve biting back her sneaky smile.

“So stop standing around and start searching! We don’t want to lose daylight before then.”

Taking a deep breath in you held back your comments of how you didn’t want to go anywhere alone with Steve since he obviously had a death wish for you. However it was obvious that this was going to be a group effort, and if you wanted to make it out of here alive, you would just have to suck it up and follow Steve’s lead.

He stared down at your bare feet, pointing at your tent.

“Put some shoes on and let’s go.” He said, before the others smiled contently, running off to the showers and leaving you both alone again.

“This is the last time I’m ever camping.” You grumbled sliding on a fresh pair of socks and slipping your shoes on, bending to tie them up.

Steve tapped his foot against the grass, shaking his head at you and your ability to nit-pick every little thing.

“You know, it would be more enjoyable if you’d stop making every minor inconvenience a big deal.”

You finished off the ties with a tug, walking over to him and glaring at his hypocrisy with an instance you were all too familiar with.

“Are you really one to be talking Mr. I got mad at Dustin Henderson for using up all my hairspray even when my date flaked on me?”

He hated that you remembered that even when it had been months ago since it happened. Neither you nor Dustin let him live it down because it was the first time he let a girl get in between his extraordinary ability to be the charming babysitter he made himself out to be. Dustin, so annoyed with his attitude, didn’t ask Steve for any rides to the arcade nor did he visit him at Scoops for a whole two weeks.

Instead, you took on the babysitting role, driving him to the arcade, dropping him off to school, and even picking the kid up at Star Court when all his friends caught a ride with Steve to be dropped off back at their place. Steve thought Dustin was being ridiculous about the whole thing until you pulled up in your car, wearing the biggest smile as you rolled down your window and sent him a cold smirk.

“Not such a great babysitter anymore, huh?” You laughed, watching as his face fell and Dustin got into the passenger of your car, waving goodbye to his friends while you sped off.

Safe to say, Steve apologized to the kid, terribly sorry and embarrassed by his behavior and even throwing in a bottle of hairspray and a free banana split every time he came into Scoops as an apology gift.

The two of you followed the trail a few feet out from the campground, trucking through an uneven rocky path and outgrown bushes. He was clearly more familiar with the area given his experience, knowing exactly where to go, taking a shortcut that passed cut through the bumpy trail and led you to a small area of dirt and trees.

“We’re looking for sticks about this size, but really any twig or stick will do.” He spoke, reaching down to pick up a large stick and show it to you.

You looked around, eyes peeled out for the sticks that were scattered in the area.

“And what about leaves?” you asked.

“Those too, but they’ve gotta be dry, almost crumbly.” He specified, walking off to start the collection process.

“Got it.”

You and Steve worked the best when there was no talking involved, perhaps that's why your friends always suggested going out to see a movie at the theaters instead of at each other's homes where you both would clearly not give a damn about causing a disturbance. But despite that, right then you both were going a whole ten minutes without insulting one another or making threats to see the other dead.

When you picked up the wrong stick of a leaf that wasn’t crumbly enough, he just grunted, shaking his head until you dropped it and found another that would suffice. That system was working well so far, so maybe that was the key: limited talking.

“Go drop that pile off and come back for more, we’re gonna need a whole bunch to last until morning.” Steve instructed, noticing that you had already gathered quite a bit in your arms.

You peered into his arms, his pile about the same size as yours, maybe a little smaller.

“Want me to take some of yours?” You suggested, wanting to save you both a few more trips up there.

He nodded, carefully stacking them on top of what you already had, steadying the pile and removing the bigger ones to ensure it didn’t tumble over while you were walking down. When you got all that you could carry, Steve gave you a cautious look.

“Be careful and walk slowly, the path gets rocky when you get closer to the camp. If you fall, just scream and I’ll hear you.” He was so serious about it, like a true camp counselor, or as you liked to call him...

“Heard you loud and clear, boy scout.” You hummed, turning around and making your way carefully down the trail.

For once you actually listened to what he said, taking your time and not rushing your way down knowing it wouldn’t do you or him any good if you ended up taking a spill and losing all the fire starter then scratching yourself up in the process. You remembered the shortcut he took, a right turn that he conveniently marked with a X in the dirt. Just a little more walking before the campsite came back into view and still no signs of your friends being done yet.

You dumped the sticks and leaves near the outside of the fire pit that was in the center of the camp. Dusting your hands off and taking a deep breath, you looked back up the hilly trail where Steve was somewhere up there waiting for you to come back.

“C’mon, princess.” You muttered to yourself, feet taking you back there with fast steps trying to beat the sunlight.

Clearly the outdoors just wasn’t your thing, easily becoming winded despite the fact that the trail wasn’t that steep. But you were trying to cut yourself some slack because for a rookie, you kinda got the hang of keeping your balance and not getting lost through the unknown woods.

“H-how many more piles do we need? I can’t do this five more times.” You huffed, hands on your hips as you caught your breath watching Steve dump a few more sticks in a pile on the ground.

He peered over at you, wiping the sweat that beaded on his forehead with the back of his hand.

“Probably one more, will do.” He answered, strolling further up, just to grab a bit more in case.

You honestly didn’t know how a small town city boy like him was so good at things like this — usually he was only good at picking up girls and making a doofus out of himself when he didn’t know how to talk about anything else beside him. 

Maybe it was those annual Harrington trips he took when he was a little boy or maybe he really was secretly a boy scout and been hiding it all along, either way, thank god it was him doing most of the dirty work and not you.

“Should I bring these down or do you want me to wait?” You shouted loud enough for him to hear glancing over at the piles he made while you picked a few more sticks up.

“You can— fuck!” He winced, clutching his palm in his other hand, starting to feel a sharp pain shoot in around the area. 

Hastily you dropped the sticks, abandoning the pile and racing to where he was while trying not to fall so that you could see what exactly was going on. There was a pained look on his face, teeth biting into his bottom lip as he turned away and tried to shake it off. But alas you reached for his wrist, bringing his hand towards you to access.

“Shit, you’re bleeding.” You whispered, bringing the injured hand closer to see if the gash was deep or not, but you couldn’t quite tell with the small pooling of blood in the way.

Steve jutted his chin downwards, showing you the jagged stone responsible.

“I didn’t see it when I went for the stick.” He explained. 

You nodded, releasing his wrist gently. “C’mon, we need to get it cleaned and bandaged before it gets infected.”

“I gotta grab the—”

“No!” You yelped, pulling him up by the collar of his shirt when he attempted to bend down for more sticks despite his injury.

He stopped, visibly stunned at your sudden attentiveness that was usually never present when it came to him.

“I’ll carry those, but you don’t pick up or hold anything else. If a splinter gets in there I’ll be the one needing to dig it out and it'll only hurt more.” You said sternly, shaking your head at him like he should have known better. 

“I thought you liked seeing me in pain.” Steve smirked somehow still able to be a little shit even with a fucked up hand. 

“I do,” You tilted your head, but sighed, “But I really don’t need the one person who actually knows what they’re doing to be the first one dead.”

“Fine by me.” Steve shrugged, forced to watch you pick up all the sticks and leaves by yourself, he followed behind you as you occasionally looked behind your shoulder to see if he was okay.

When you both finally made it back to the tents, you dropped the pile, pointing at the foldable chairs a few feet from the pit.

“Go over there.” You instructed, brushing past him with vigor as you went to your tent to retrieve the first aid kit you packed for emergencies like this, though you were really hoping you didn’t have to use it.

You flipped the case open, taking a look at all the materials it contained while you walked over to him, kneeling in front of him and deciding what you were going to do. Grabbing an alcohol wipe, you disinfected your hands before you tapped his knee.

“Show me.” You demanded, holding your hand out, until he reluctantly placed it in yours giving you a closer look at the gash.

The blood had stopped so you knew it wasn’t that deep of a cut that would require stitches or staples, but it most definitely needed to be wrapped up to prevent an infection and trip to the emergency room.

You reached into the kit for a fresh alcohol pad, ripping it open with your teeth as you steadied his hand in yours.

“Just get it over with already.” He muttered, head turning away anticipating the sting that was going to be worse than your nails digging into him.

“Don’t be a wimp.” You joked, swiping it gently over the area to get it clear from the drying blood and any outside contaminants. He didn’t pull back, only sucking in a deep breath from the mild burn but after a few seconds the worst part was done.

“See, not so bad, right, big boy?” You laughed, patting his knee again before throwing aside the bloodied napkin as he swallowed thickly, waiting for your next steps.

He watched you carefully, grabbing some sort of ointment, squeezing a small dollop onto your finger before you dabbed it over the cut making sure to coat it evenly. Then you placed two pieces of gauze over the top to keep it extra clean and enclosed. 

You repositioned his arm, letting his elbow rest upright on his knee.

“I’m gonna tape you up now, so try not to get it wet, but if you do I can always rewrap it.” You told him, getting the tape ready.

Steve was surprised by your skill, expertly maneuvering the tape through his fingers, across his palm and over his wrist, repeating it a few times to ensure that the gauze wouldn’t budge and would keep the cut sealed tight.

“Where’d you learn how to do this?” He asked curiously, watching as you smoothed out the creases as you went.

You shrugged, doing one last wrap around for good measure, “I had a phase where I thought I wanted to be a nurse.” You grinned, teeth wrapping around the excess tape to rip it off before you flattened the remainder over his wrist.

He nodded slowly, stammering out,“T-thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.” You brushed it off, cleaning up the bloody wipes and putting the first aid kit back in your bag after disinfecting your hands once more. 

The sun was nearly covered by the clouds, painting the sky a darker orange shade as nightfall threatened to spill over soon. At this point, the fire needed to be started, now — no more distractions and no more arguing.

“So?” You shot Steve a look, then back down at the fire pit, “Wanna tell me what I need to do to get this thing started or what?”

Steve was more than capable of getting it done himself with one good hand, but seeing as though you were pretty stern in his efforts to not carry a single stick, not even a paper light leaf, he knew this would be no different. Instead he moved to stay beside you, acting as supervisor just so he could make sure you were doing the right thing.

“You’re gonna wanna start by making a bed with the leaves.” He instructed, watching as you dropped down on your hands and knees to get low enough into the pit as you threw them in, trying your best to make it as leveled as possible.

“It looks good,” He praised, giving you a tight smile when you looked up at him waiting for the next steps.

“You want to do it the old fashioned way or do you want to use Eddie’s lighter?” He chuckled, knowing he’d pick the easy way just like you were going to.

“Fuck that, I’m not a cave woman, where the hell is the lighter?” You strided towards his and Eddie’s tent, rummaging through the metal heads duffle bag until you felt the familiar body of the lighter.

You went back into place, flicked it on and looked at Steve cautiously until he nodded, granting you permission to set the bed of leaves on fire. Blindlessly you passed the lighter up to him, watching as the flames slowly engulfed the leaves and began to crackle.

“Now start adding a few sticks. We’re gonna need to add more throughout the night to feed the fire.” He said watching as you carefully threw some in, doing your best to cover the bed beneath it until only a little of the fire was exposed.

“Alright, that’s good enough.” He bent down patting your shoulder and feeling the warmth of the fire starting to get hotter.

“Well that wasn’t so hard.” You grinned to yourself dusting off your hands and knees, happy with your outdoor accomplishments thus far.

“Technically the lighter made the fire.” He shot back, flicking it between you both as you rolled your eyes and blew the flame out.

“Oh shut it.” You muttered, going to busy yourself with something else while Steve put the lighter back where it came from.

You propped open the rest of the chairs, randomly placing them around everyones tents and two extra ones right in front of the fire pit. Steve was watching the fire, making sure it didn’t get too big or burned too slowly — so far the bed of leaves you built were holding up and it didn’t seem like it’d be going out until morning tomorrow.

After a few minutes the voices of your friends came tumbling out of the bathrooms, seeing them all dressed in their PJ’s that somehow showed they were more prepared than you. All of them decked out in long sleeves, hoodies, and sweatpants — god, you wished you got the memo.

“Damn this is cool! I’ve only ever seen a campfire in movies!” Eddie enthusiastically ran closer, peering into the bright orange pit.

You looked over at all of them, dramatically holding your arms wide open.

“Were you guys having a foursome or something?! Steve and I did all the work and he even got banged up in the process.” You said, walking over to him to lift and show them his injured hand.

Robin gasped, running up to his side to check up on him, obviously worried for her best friend, “What the heck happened.”

Steve shrugged looking over at you with a somewhat grateful look, “Grazed a sharp rock, but it’s fine. She wrapped it up and we’re all good to go now.”

“Well shit, sorry we took so long,” Jonathan apologized half-heartedly, while his mind was celebrating that you both actually seemed to work well together when it was needed. 

“Eddie and Robin thought they saw a spider in the showers so we all had to take turns using one stall.” Nancy rolled her eyes, giving you an apologetic look, the both of you knowing Robin and Eddie were a tad bit dramatic at times.

“It’s fine, but you can make it up to us by cooking.” You grinned, you and Steve giving each other a sly look before you pointed at the icebox of food waiting to be cooked.

So you and Steve finally got to kick back… in silence of course.

You both sat in the foldable chairs, watching as the four worked diligently over the fire — Nancy holding skewers of hot dogs over the flame, Robin prodding at the potatoes wrapped in foil with a pair of tongs, Jonathan toasting the hot dog buns one by one, and Eddie feeding the fire with a few more smaller sticks.

He peered over at your silent figure, watching the way you zoned off into your own world, somehow right beside him yet a world away. You were probably thinking about something else, either all the remarks you wanted to snap his way yet were held back or maybe you were making a list of new ones to call him tomorrow. 

But he cleared his throat, attempting to get you back here with him, “Do you uhh, want a drink?” Steve asked, breaking the silence.

You blinked, turning to watch him flip open the cooler to grab himself a beer while he looked back at you waiting for your request. 

“Water, please.” You said, watching as he dug his non injured hand into the ice box to pull you out an ice cold water bottle, shutting the box closed.

“Thank you.” You said softly twisting it open to take a sip.

While doing so, you furrowed your brows, noticing the way that Steve struggled with the twist off since he was using his non-dominant hand. He almost went to put the bottle in his mouth to use his pearly whites as an opener before you quickly capped off your drink and stepped in.

“Give it here.” You said, taking the glass from his hand, and tucking the lid under your shirt to stop it from pinching your skin as you effortlessly twisted it open.

“Thank you.” Steve nodded with a small smile, taking it from you as you shook your head with a grin and went back to watching your friends.

Steve couldn’t wrap his head around how you could be so selfless but at the same time so selfish. You’d do anything your friends asked of you at the drop of a hat, maybe even without them asking to begin with — you’d just jump in and do it. But when it came to him, half the time you didn’t give a damn, ignoring every warning or piece of unwarranted advice he’d thrown your way.

It was utterly confusing, considering that you were the most selfless person to him today than you’d ever been before. You could’ve left him to deal with the cut by himself seeing as though he still had one good hand left, and honestly you could’ve left him to do the stick and leaf collecting all by himself… but you didn’t.

On a regular day if he even dared to ask for your help, the answer would be “no,” with no explanation other than the fact that you just didn’t want to have anything to do with him. So it struck a chord in his mind, wondering why now? It couldn’t just be because you both were in the middle of nowhere, he knew that much. 

Why all of a sudden was there this shift, the one where you helped him without receiving anything back?

“How is the food coming along?” You whistled towards your friends.

Nancy smiled widely, holding one of the skewers up, “It’s almost done! Maybe two more minutes!”

Robin pouted, snapping the metal tongs to get your attention, “The potatoes need a bit more time, they’re still hard as rocks.” she huffed, resting her chin on her knees.

“Did you poke them with holes?” You wondered as she frowned and shook her head.

“Was I supposed to? I didn’t know, I’m sorry.” She apologized ridiculously for something that wasn’t a big deal.

You shook your head shooting her a reassuring smile.

“S’okay! They’re gonna cook through, but sometimes poking holes just speeds it up a bit… It's okay! If anything, we can have them for breakfast.”

“Okie dokie!” She smiled, happy that she didn’t entirely sit there for nothing. 

He hated himself for watching you so carefully, taking notice of the bright smile you flashed against the moonlight and how your voice was so syrupy sweet. He never took notice of it before, but you had a radiance about you, something that everyone seemed to catch except him.

Maybe it was because half the time you were shooting daggers through him and screaming your lungs off, but now, for the first time, he felt like he was seeing a different side of you — the one he tried to fight off knowing for so long.

“Are you okay?” You furrowed your brows, waving your hand in front of Steve’s face.

He shook his head, snapping out of it and nodding awkwardly, “Y-yeah, I’m fine… you?”

“I’m okay.” You told him,  turning your attention back to your friends. 

Maybe it was your tiredness that was preventing you from being the bitch that you usually were to him or maybe you felt a little bad for him because of his injuries, but whatever it was filled the air with some sort of calmness that usually wasn’t around when he was in your vicinity.

Really, on most days, if you’d caught Steve staring at you, which most times he wasn’t unless it was full of revulsion, you would have snapped and told him to take a lap, but it was almost as if you could feel what his eyes were doing.

His gaze drinking you in slowly like the beer in his hands and trying to understand your craft. He didn’t stare through you, nor at you, but to you… trying to get under your skin in a way he hadn’t done before.

It felt…weird, so awkwardly weird. On a regular day the both of you could barely go two minutes without cursing each other out the second either of you spoke a word to each other. Now all of a sudden you both had your P’s and Q’s ready for each other along with genuine concerns about the other’s wellbeing?

God, you both couldn’t wait for it to go back to normal.

“Food’s ready!” Eddie called out, slicing through the unspoken tension.

You and Steve stood up, heading towards the food knowing you were both dying to have something in your systems after a long day. Beating him to it, you plated him a hot dog swiftly moving on as if the little gesture meant nothing.

“Condiments?” You asked, picking up the ketchup bottle, giving it a good shake before squeezing a dollop on your plate.

“Huh?” He asked confused, too wound up about your niceness.

“Do you want any condiments on your hot dog?” You clarified once more, raising your brow up at him.

He needed to stop reading into things so much.

“Oh, y-yeah” He nodded, watching as you squeezed some for him, “and mustard please,” he said, and you nodded, reaching for the yellow bottle and doing the same before you capped it off and left him in the dust when you went to sit with the girls.

Eddie snuck up from behind him, just nearly whispering into his ear lowly, “Aren’t you two being friendly for once?”

He smirked, wiggling his eyebrows when Steve looked back at him a bit startled. He rolled his eyes, walking over to the chairs near their tent and plopping down.

“She’s pitying me because of my hand.”

“Or she just genuinely wants to help you out?” Jonathan chimed in taking a seat beside him.

Steve shook his head, picking up his food, “I doubt that. She’s probably gonna use this against me for the rest of eternity.” He replied before taking a bite.

“I don’t think so man, I think she actually cares, and I think you like that she cares.” Eddie waved his finger in the air before poking at his cheek.

Steve snapped his teeth, pretending to bite the finger that Eddie quickly pulled away. Jonathan laughed at the banter because of course Eddie had to be the one to stir the pot when things were staring to cool and settle.

“She doesn’t give a damn about me….”

Steve started, trailing his eyes to where you were, watching you share whispers to the girls before you met his eyes for a split second.

“She still hates my guts.” He said as you snapped your eyes back to Nancy and Robin.

“Did we miss something while you guys were gone?” Nancy raised her brows, glancing back at Steve and the boys who were engrossed in their own conversations whilst they ate.

You shook your head towards her, swallowing your food before speaking.

“Nope, why do you say that?” You buzzed, wondering why all of a sudden she thought something had happened.

Robin chimed in swiftly, nudging your arm with a weak punch, shooting you a more than obvious look.

“Cause you guys haven’t tried to kill each other for the past hour and a half and you actually could stand to sit beside him without arguing.”

You tilted your head at her incredulously.

“I thought you guys wanted us to get along?”

“Oh, we do…” Nancy nodded enthusiastically, “we’re just wondering what made it happen considering you both tried to kill each other a few hours ago.”

Letting out a deep breath, you tried to give your best irritated look under your tiredness.

“We’re just tired that’s all. We’ve run out of insults and to be quite honest, I need to recharge my battery with some sleep before attempting to murder him tomorrow. Before you know it we’ll be at each other’s throats again.” You explained hoping they would drop it.

But of course they didn’t.

“Would it kill you to, I don’t know, be a little more positive on the outlook of you and Steve’s relationship.” Robin beamed hopefully.

You rolled your eyes, shaking your head as you glanced over at Steve’s figure.

“He still hates me,” you said, meeting his orbs split, “I know it,” you muttered, tearing your eyes away.

Neither Nancy, nor Eddie, or Jonathan, and Robin didn’t believe a goddamn word that came out of your mouths when it came to each other. Clearly things were starting to unfold and whatever it was that happened when they weren’t around to see it was obviously just the catalyst.

So many things that went unspoken for way too long were lingering in the air and they all knew you needed the space to confront it.After a while of eating, Nancy dramatically yawned, gesturing her boyfriend over to her with wide eyes silently telling him to go along with what she was doing, without you or Steve taking notice.

“We’re gonna head to bed now.” She announced, tiredly clinging to her boyfriend's side.

Jonathan nodded, wrapping his arms over her shoulders.

“Yeah, we’ll see you guys in the morning.” He said, the two of them beginning to get into their tents while calling out their goodnights to you all.

“Wake us up if you need anything.” You called out as they both hummed and zipped up their tarp for the night.

You were going to turn in too, really you were more than tired, just needing a good night's rest so that you’d be ready to go in the morning. Throwing out your plate, you walked over to your tent to grab your toothbrush and other nighttime necessities.

“I’m gonna go brush my teeth.” You said, walking towards the bathrooms.

“Wait up,” Steve called out, grabbing his own brush and jogging towards where you waited so you guys could go together.

Robin tilted her head towards your tent, as Eddie nodded, swiftly grabbing his lighter and pre rolls from his duffle bag and joining Robin inside the structure. That honestly wasn’t a part of the plan, seeing as though he was going to keep the blunt to himself, but now it was just convenient and would make the perfect excuse.

Steve didn’t bother to settle to the empty sink beside yours, instead he switched the water on letting you run your brush under the faucet first before he did his. You squeezed a strip of toothpaste over your bristles before doing the same to his guessing he forgot to pack his own which he totally did.

The both of you stood in front of the mirror, brushing in silence with the water trickling weakly. Your eyes drifted from his face to his hand that rested at his side stiffly. You knew it was probably still a little sore, but by tomorrow morning the pain should subside enough for him to move it a little more freely. 

“Do you want me to rewrap your hand?” You offered, mouth still full of toothpaste as you spoke mumbly. 

He met your eyes in the mirror, lifting his hand towards you, trusting your opinion rather than his own. 

“What do you think?”

You stopped your brushing for just a second, leaving the brush between your cheek and teeth as you picked up his hand and gave it a good look to see if there was any oozing blood or loose tape — which there was neither.

Putting his arm down gently, you shook your head. “Looks fine, I’ll just clean it and change the gauze in the morning.”

“Okay.” He mumbled, smiling softly.

Steve let you rinse first, leaning up against the wall as he watched you spit out the residue and wipe your mouth clean. You stepped away, letting him have his go while you reached into your small toiletry bag, placing your brush back inside and twisting open your lip balm to smooth over your lips.

“Want some?” You raised your brow, seeing him watch you while he swigged some water in his mouth.

He spat, turning off the water and looking at the tube, “Birthday cake?” He questioned the flavor on the label.

“Tastes like vanilla and strawberries.” You said as he shrugged, puckering his lips towards you as you applied a thin layer before capping it off and throwing it back into your bag.

He smacked his lips together, a bit of his tongue coming out to lick at it, “I can’t taste it?”

“You’re not actually supposed to eat it, Steve.” You chided, shaking your head as you both walked to the tents.

“Then why would they advertise it as birthday cake if I can’t taste the cake?” He retorted, still trying to lick at his slimy lips to taste it.

You didn’t want to get into with him over some stupid lip balm flavor so instead you held back, listening to his lips smacking, persistent on getting to try the artificial taste while you tried not to laugh. As you got closer to the tents, a different smell lingered in the air along with the smokey aroma of the fire.

“Do you smell that?” You sniffed the air, turning to Steve seeing him do the same.

He sniffled in a few times, deciphering the smell and after a few seconds, he knew exactly what it was, an unmistakable likeness to the back of Eddie’s van.

“It’s weed.”

You looked around, realizing the absence of Eddie and Robin who were just sitting near the campfire before you went to the bathroom. Now, you noticed your tent that was half unzipped was completely sealed and if you listened close enough you could hear the whispers being spoken from inside.

You stomped over to them, unzipping the tarp, pulling it roughly.

“Are you guys insane?” You hissed, tossing in your toiletry bag while staring at them in annoyance.

“Insanely hiiiigh.” Robin hiccuped with a giggle joined by Eddie’s snorts while he took another hit.

Steve peered in from behind you, his expression stern. 

“You’re not even supposed to bring that stuff onto the camp ground, you’re gonna get us kicked out, dumbass.” Steve scolded, ripping the joint from Eddie and putting it out against the ground.

“Hey! That was a special strain!” Eddie argued, attempting to reach for it but Steve pulled it behind his back, not letting up.

“I don’t care.” You said dryly, “you need to get out and go to your tent so I can sleep.”

You attempted to pull him out by the arm but he didn’t budge as easily as you thought he would.

“No, wait! Ten more minutes!” Robin whined, smacking your arm away from her friend, “You guys are letting all the good stuff out!” 

Zipping up the tent, you and Steve backed away defeatedly. You ran your hands through your hair, closing your eyes briefly trying not to let their little antics tick you off despite your exhaustion. 

“Ten minutes and I’m counting!” You warned, thumping the top of the tent before you flopped down onto the chairs hoping time would fly faster.

Steve looked at you apologetically, holding back his joking comment about how it didn’t matter that he built your tent, seeing as though you were locked out, but he didn’t want to make you more irritated than you already were… surprising right?

“Night?” He said, shooting you a remorseful smile when he stopped in front of your chair. 

“Goodnight, Steve.” You yawned, waving him off as you hugged yourself to bear the cold clad in nothing but your tank and shorts.

He nodded walking to his tent a few feet away, toeing off his shoes before giving you one last look until he zipped his tent closed. He reached for the small flashlight he packed, putting it on its lowest setting so that Eddie could see when he came in. Giving his pillow a pat, he laid back pulling his blanket over himself and attempting to close his eyes and rest.

Sleep should have come easy seeing as though he had been up since seven in the morning, yet he still couldn’t fall into slumber no matter how hard he tried. He knew it wasn’t the fact that he wasn’t in his bedroom because he’d been camping times before and sleep naturally came easy but tonight it just wasn’t budging.

He shifted uncomfortably, aware of the passing minutes that stretched beyond ten, and Eddie still hadn't joined him. He was totally sure he didn’t even hear you give them another warning from the outside, meaning that you were definitely asleep on that chair.

Sitting up to peek through the small gap he left open, there you were — head tilted back, eyes closed, arms hugging your body, seemingly oblivious to the bitter cold that was going to leave you with hypothermia. If he was really feeling like being an asshole to you, he would’ve left you out there to suffer the consequences of your actions, but he couldn’t.

Quietly stepping outside, Steve approached, bending down to gently nudge you awake.

“Psttt, wake up," he whispered, cautious not to disturb Nancy and Jonathan nearby who were dead asleep by now.

You responded with a sleepy mumble, lips curling up as you somehow shifted deeper into the chair that was not designed to sleep in like that no matter how tired someone could be.

He tried again, this time more rigid in his efforts by grabbing your hand and squeezing it, “Wake up.”

Feeling his toasty hand in yours, you groggily opened your eyes, dazed orbs looking into his.

“What?” You grumbled, eyes opening to be met with Steve’s filled with confusion.

Without much explaining, he squeezed your hand again, pulling you up, “You’re crashing in my tent tonight.” 

You had no choice but to let him pull you along, stumbling behind him as sleep still clouded your senses. 

“Why?” You groaned, rubbing at your eyes while he guided you to his tent where he widened the tarp, gesturing for you to enter.

“Because that special strain Eddie was talking about was for sleep. Neither of them are gonna budge till morning.” He informed you, resting a gentle hand on the small of your back to keep you up right as you lazily toed your shoes off.

“Well fuck me.” You muttered under your breath crouching when you stepped into the small space.

He snorted behind you, “In your dreams.” He said before zipping it up.

“Shut up,” you groaned, crawling towards the empty space beside him.

Now it was starting to feel like things were going back to normal.

You settled into what would have been Eddie’s side, a half fluffed pillow under your head and nothing else. Though their overall set up was way more comfortable than what you and Robin had going on in yours. Steve had layered a sleeping mat beneath the comforter, making the surface a little more plush that way no rocks or gravel could be felt under the tarp — plus it added an extra layer of warmth, something you desperately needed right now.

Laying on your back, you left a good distance between you both, wrapping your arms around yourself once again hoping that now you’d be able to sleep comfortably even if it was beside Steve. Closing your eyes, you focused on breathing trying to not think so hard about the shivers in your bones knowing you wouldn’t be able to feel them once you fell asleep.

“I can hear your teeth clattering.” Steve sighed, casting a glance towards you where you laid beside him, starting to rub your hands up and down your arms in an attempt to generate warmth.

“I obviously wasn’t prepared for this, and my blanket is in my tent.” You muttered, eyes still closed and tucking your knees into yourself to find some semblance of comfort.

He made a thoughtful noise, lifting up his blanket and turning his body towards you. You could feel the space tighten, the fuzzy material of his blanket skimming your bare skin.

“Get under here.” He whispered, nodding his head when you finally opened your eyes looking at him with uncertainty and confusion.

You didn’t know what to make of it, if this was some kind of cruel joke he was playing on you, where he was actually going to hog it for himself and let you spend the rest of the night with your teeth clattering. 

But deep down he wasn’t all that bad, sure he poked fun at you and made your blood boil like no other, but when it came down to morals, he had some saved for you… at least for now it seemed like. 

Steve raised his brow at your hesitance, lifting the blanket up higher.

“What’re you waiting for? Do you want to freeze to death because by all means let me know.” He challenged pretending as if he wouldn’t care. 

You swallowed thickly, turning your back towards him as you cautiously scooted under the blanket, feeling its comforting weight draped over your body. His fingers funneled you over more of the material, letting you have most of it as you quietly thanked him, tucking the throw under your neck where your fingers held it tight.

This was totally out of character coming from Steve knowing it would’ve hurt his ego a lot less if he’d just given you the blanket for yourself and spent the night with no covering. But for some reason you couldn’t place the gesture, not knowing why he would go out of his way for you or if this was some ulterior motive to hold against you in the future.

“I thought you wouldn’t mind me dead.” You said, trying to find a way to ease the awkwardness that you felt in your mind when he was just inches behind you. 

“I don’t,” he laughed, his breath grazing the back of your neck. “But I don’t want to haul your frozen body in the back of Eddie’s van.” He added with a playful glint.

There was your old Steve, back.

“C-can we just go to bed?” You stuttered, clearing your throat as you rested your head deeper into the pillow just wanting to dream off somewhere, anywhere but right there in reality. 

“Sure.” He agreed, shifting slightly before settling down and closing his eyes.

Silence enveloped you both, just the sounds of crickets from the outside and gentle crackling of the fire that burned slow in the air.

Part of you wished he maybe would have left you out there to fend for yourself or maybe just threw his blanket over you for good measure, but somehow, being in here with him, tucked away from the rest of the world made you feel even more awake than before. It was obvious, neither of you were going to be falling asleep so easily, the tension so thick you could barely breathe through it.

Steve at least tried to fall asleep, focusing on something to dream about but you were overwhelming his senses making his nerves go into overdrive. Sure he already reeked of all of your products that he had borrowed in the shower, but now it was a combination of their scents attached to your skin and hair that was filling his nostrils. It didn’t help that you unconsciously let out those soft noises, as your body shook, not fully taking in the warmth just yet.

Shifting slightly, your back unintentionally met his forearms that rested behind you. His eyes snapped open, feeling the coolness against his skin, shifting up slightly just enough to see your face.

“How are you still freezing?” Steve yelped, pulling his arm back from your frosty skin. 

You sighed heavily, repositioning your body to face him with a grunt, throwing all caution to the wind and not caring about how intimate this was. Both of you had already crossed so many lines that defined your hate fueled relationship… one more thing couldn’t hurt.

“I’m a-always cold.” You whispered, jaw wobbling through the shivers taking deep breaths to try to relax yourself. 

Steve raised his eyebrows and stared at you worriedly, “So you dying is just inevitable tonight, that’s what you’re saying?”

It came out a bit too sarcastic than he meant it to be since he was just genuinely curious to know if you were going to make it out alive tonight or if you needed to get into Eddie’s van and crank up the heater. 

You rolled your eyes, whispering in frustration.

“I can’t help it alright! Had I been in my tent, I’d be fine!”

Steve brushed your irritation off, instead moving his arms under the blanket, hovering his hands over your waist.

“Well you’re not, so I’m gonna swallow my pride and do something about it alright?” He said slowly letting his hands slide over your cold skin, watching as your face twisted with confusion. 

“What are you… oh god.” You groaned realizing exactly where this was going – a mirror to earlier in the lake, but this time you weren’t so disgusted. 

He was practically a human furnace, pulling you closer into him barely leaving inches while the warmth from his body cascaded onto yours. You tried not to tense or move abruptly, aware that his bad hand was weakly grasping your back and the last thing you wanted was to make it worse.

Instead you froze, breathing stopped for a second as you searched his face trying to see how he was feeling about this whole thing. He didn’t look displeased or annoyed that he was doing this for you, instead he was calm, cool, and collected as if he wasn’t holding the girl who tried to stab him a few hours ago.

“Do you have a better idea?” Steve suggested, looking down at you awaiting to see your next moves: either telling him to fuck off or staying silent for the rest of the night.

To his surprise, you eased into his hold, hooking your own arms under his and closing the rest of the space between you. Your chest was pressed up against his, one of your legs fastened over his hip, while the other knocked against his thigh. It was a definite contrast to the hours earlier where he practically lugged you through the lake, if only you knew things would be so different now.

“We are not to speak about this after tonight. Not even a peep.” You warned, squirming impossibly closer to him before shooting him a  serious look.

He nodded, eyes shutting tightly like he was trying to dream it away.

“I’m erasing this from my memory as we speak.”

“Goodnight.” You whispered, closing your eyes, hoping that would be the end of it.

“Night.” He muttered back.

Third times a charm… or maybe not.

In this position you could feel everything and there was no way to escape it.

His warm breath fanning over your face, his chest rising and falling against yours, the soft thumpthump of his heart echoing beneath your ear, and the hair on his arms delicately brushing against your exposed skin — everything was him wrapped up in your arms. Literally.

Steve could feel it, the way you tried to control your breathing by taking a breath in when he breathed out. But you were trying too hard to time it perfectly, overthinking and making sure he didn’t notice when it’s all he could really do, your back heaving against his hands was all it took for him to speak up.

“Relax,” Steve murmured gingerly digging his fingertips into your skin with his eyes still closed

“H-huh?” You opened your eyes watching his serene features that showed he wasn’t as edgy as you.

“I can feel you…” He started, voice low and silky as he spoke, “you’re nervous.”

You shook your head as if he could see you, swallowing the lump in your throat.

“I…I’m not nervous, it’s just—this is different, we don’t do this.” You explained only partially truthfully considering you were more than just nervous.

“It’s just for tonight.” He said trying to iron out your worries the best that he could.

“No, I know, it’s just that—”

“I can feel your eyes on me, you know?”

Steve chuckled, peeking one of his eyes open, catching you in the act of trying to pinch them closed before he noticed.

You crumbled, letting out a weak laugh as you just opened them, finding him doing the same. The two of you staring at each other, the only sliver of light from the small beam in the corner of the tent, accompanied with the moonlight seeping weakly past the tarp.

Steve lifted his head just a bit, gesturing back to his bag just a few feet away from where you both were in the middle of the area. 

“Do you just want to take the blanket? I have a hoodie I can use in my—” His arms ever so slightly loosed and you stopped him.

Your fingertips squeezed tenderly into back, your leg pushing down on his hip to stop him from moving any further.

“No, its fine, this is fine. I don’t mind sharing.”

“You sure?” He laughed quietly, resting his head back down on the pillow.

“Cause you don’t have to pretend you want to share? We hate each other so I’m very familiar with our dislike when we’re forced to be around one another.” He reminded you, his tone light hearted not exuding any malice this time around.

You swallowed, nodding your head reassuringly as you let up your tense hold on him.

“I know…I-I still hate you, but I can deal with this for one night.”

“And you’re okay with this? Us… cuddling?” He asked, just wanting to be extra sure because cuddling didn’t have to be a part of it if you didn’t want it. 

“Positive.” You hummed, giving him one last look before you fluttered your eyes closed.

“Okay… good, good.” He hushed, nodding more so to himself content that you seemed to relax a bit more.

He should’ve closed eyes and went off to sleep, but now it seemed like all he wanted to do was watch you. Make sure that you were comfortable enough in his arms and warm enough to brave the night until morning and then you’d never have to be this close to him again.

He never took his eyes off your face, taking all of you in at once — long lashes kissing the skin under your eyes, cheek cozily pressed into the fluff of the pillow, lips relaxing in a straight smile and under his touch your breathing was stable, synchronized with his. He couldn’t believe he was holding you right now, getting the chance to see you like this — it was his biggest privilege.

You could feel his eyes, he obviously sucked at taking his own advice and he was clearly proving your point that he was a hypocrite… but you already knew that. 

You knew a lot of things about Steve, mostly all of the bad and annoying parts about him, but you also knew the good parts. The ones you blocked off and stored way back in your head because you never wanted to associate them with him. 

The fact that he wasn’t all that bad under those preppy button ups and head of hair.

He loved your friends, just as much as you did, treated them with kindness and savored every moment he spent with them. He knew how to take care of six rascals all by himself while also being the one they ran to when it came to all their teenage problems. He never showed up empty handed to any hangouts, always doing his best to bring anything whether it was a plain bag of chips or the camping equipment he had hidden in his garage.

Steve knew how to push your buttons, and perhaps that was the very thing that frustrated you the most — the realization that he had an undeniable effect on you. And at the same time, it was the very thing you were terrified of knowing — that if things would have been different, maybe the irritation you both had felt for each other could have just been affection from the get go.

The thick and imposing walls of animosity you’d built up for each other, was just a defensive mechanism. A weak hollow barrier that tried to disguise what you really felt, something so strong that only now broke through the bounds and unleashed a flood of emotions.

What was one more line crossed, when you both already jumped bridges?

“Steve?” You called out to him, hoping he wasn’t pretending to be asleep.

“Yeah?” His reply came swiftly, and his eyes flickered to watch your lips form the next set of words.

“You still hate me right?” You suspected, running your tongue over the bottom of your lip as you waited.

He nodded his head obviously though you couldn’t see him.

“Y-yeah. Why?” He furrowed his brows puzzled by the sudden question.

“What do you hate about me?” You pressed on.

A deep breath fanned across your face, followed by the tsking of his tongue, “I don’t think we should—”

“Tell me, Steve… please?” Your hands pressed firmly against his back, a silent plea echoing through the touch, not because you wanted to hear the words coming from him, but because you needed them.

He swallowed thickly, watching as you waited with your brows raised up yet eyes still closed. He didn’t understand why you wanted this from him all of the sudden. Why now when all his mind could do was fill up with the parts of you that he wanted to forget? The parts of you he silently spent hyperfixating on because you thought more about the people around you rather than yourself and he wished he could be half the person you were.

He liked to joke that you were his competition, his rival of sorts, but in actuality, he could never measure up to your level of compassion and he was more than fine with that. Settling for watching on the sidelines with a convincing snarkiness on his face, while on the inside his bones weakened and his brain went haywire wondering how you could ever exist in the same lifetime as him.

There was nothing he truly hated about you, he didn’t think there ever could be.

Mindlessly his fingers moved along your back, rubbing small circles and sweeping across your soft skin before he cleared his throat from the roughness and finally spoke into the millimeters between you.

“I umm, I hate the way you never forget about something I did.” He started, mind wandering to the afternoon where you reminded him of such instances with Dustin. 

“Hmmm.” You hummed, nodding your head along and relaxing your features now that he was working with you.

“I hate the way you always remind me to slow down when I’m driving around with the kids.” He admitted, guiltily confessing to his occasional speeding when they were running late and so was he.

You grunted, snickering weakly, “I need them all in one piece.” 

He agreed, a faint smile tugging at his lips, acknowledging your concern.

His fingers stalled against your back, taking a sharp breath in, letting the words rest on the tip of his tongue whilst he gave himself a moment. A moment to take you in, to see you as such, to give himself a little longer with the mystery hanging in the air wondering if you could feel what he felt and understand what he was about to say.

“And I hate the way you look at everyone except me.” He said it so quietly that if you weren’t listening close enough you would have missed it.

But how could you ever let something like that float away so easily?

You flickered your eyes open, looking up at him past your lashes, staring into his orbs for all he was worth. Like he was the only thing to ever exist before your eyes and all you wanted to do was memorize him. 

“Like what?” You whispered, never breaking eye contact.

“Like this…” He proclaimed, pulling his injured hand away from your back and bringing it forward to cradle your face ever so gently.

His thumb traced your cheek, your breath catching in your throat, letting him gaze at you in a way he never had before. It was concerning how quickly you established that from this moment on, Steve was the only person who would ever have the privilege of seeing like this. Stripped down in the confines of a stupid tent, that somehow felt like its own little oasis away from the rest of the scary world right outside.

It was just you and him and your own world.

“You look at everyone with these eyes, so eager and happy.” He said, trailing down to the corner of your lips, brushing his thumb across delicate skin.

“You smile at them like they’re everything to you.” he said, nearly letting his hand slip away as if he was unworthy of such a feeling.

But before he could, you brought your hands up, wrapping gently around his wrists to keep him there like your life depended on it. Wanting nothing more than to show him that he could — he was willing and able, and had all the permission from you to stay here, as long as you could get him to.

“I hate that you don’t look at me like that.” He swallowed, shaking his head more so himself, because all he ever wanted was this and for so long he pushed it away.

“I am right now.” You finally spoke, almost breathlessly, trying to reassure his anxieties about the past, the same ones you were feeling. 

“Hate that it took this long.” He confessed with a weak laugh.

You smiled half apologetically. “Me too.”

It was all the confirmation you both needed.

No more lines.

No more bridges burnt.

Nothing keeping you both from the truth.

He had bit the bullet and you had jumped into the deep end and there was no going back from here. Time wasn’t stopping for either of you despite the intensity of the moment. There was clearly a beginning, you and him having a rough one, but that didn’t mean that your ending had to be so treacherous. 

The gentle gesture of him pushing the strands of hair that fell over your face, sent shivers down your spine, a sort of electric touch that should have had you running away but all you felt was the need for more. He didn’t miss the way your eyes shot down to his lips, staring at them wondering his next moves before you met his again. 

“I’m gonna kiss you now, if that’s okay.” He whispered the words ever so quietly, leaving them to linger in the space as a delicate invitation hoping it was one you’d accept. 

“More than okay.” You nodded, closing your eyes, feeling his face inch closer to yours.

The first touch of his lips upon yours felt like sparks flying, holy ground beneath you both as you took your time, exploring everything in between — what you imagined it would be like and the unexpected that had you both going down the twists and turns just trying to familiarize yourself with each other.  

His lips moved against yours unhurried, gentle but deliberate, not daring to miss even an inch of you. You felt as if he was taking your breath away, leaving you to succumb to a sort of poise that usually never came this easily. With every press and swipe across your lips, you were jumping and falling into somewhere you never wanted to leave. 

You nearly wanted to cry when he pulled away, leaving you only to catch your breath, his chest moving up and down deeply, while you were ready to go again and again and–

“W-was that okay?” He asked, fighting the urge to kiss you again and make you go dizzy. 

You smiled like an idiot, lips blushing with a pink as bright as your cheeks.

“Perfect. Can we do it again.”

“Yeah.” He beamed, moving to hover up on his elbows with his face above yours, giving you the access to wrap your arms around his neck and pull him into you. 

The second kiss was filled with hunger, the both of you trying to make up for the lost time you had spent at each other's throats when you could've been glued to each other's mouths. But you were positive you would both be able to make up for it eventually, and tonight felt like it was going to be the first of many. 

His teeth barely grazed over your bottom lip, prompting a moan to rip through your throat before you pulled away breathlessly. 

“I—I want you.” You spoke, voice full teetering between desperation and confidence. 

Steve wasn’t expecting it at all despite the circumstances that just took place with the kiss. He’d be fine if all you wanted to do was spend the rest of the night making out like depraved teenagers or if you wanted to cuddle until you fell asleep. 

He swallowed, looking into your eyes searching for any hesitancy on your features but you were positive that there wasn’t anything you wanted more than Steve.

“Are you sure?” He implored, desperately wanting to hear the words fall from your lips. 

“With everything inside of me.” You nodded with a smile bringing your lips back to his once more, not being able to help yourself. 

You could feel his grin against yours, a self indulgent one that still couldn't wrap his head around the fact that he was kissing you with every fiber of his being hoping that with each press and slide it would compensate for how much of an asshole he’d been to you. 

He moved his lips, creating a trail of kisses over your jaw and down your neck, gently sucking the skin to pepper you in love bites. 

“P-please, Steve,” You moaned, moving your head to give him more access to the sweet spot on your neck, “Need more.” 

He licked over the hickey, pressing a quick kiss to the developing bruise before he unwrapped your arms from his neck, placing them on your sides. Nudging your shoulder a bit, you laid fully on your back while he moved onto his knees, staring at you with a look so promising and true.  

“You don’t have to beg, at least not for tonight. I swear.”

His fingers smoothed over your sides feeling the warmth coming to you quicker now. 

“I want you…so so bad.” You pouted, reaching for his hands to intertwine in yours. 

“You have me.”

He brought yours up, placing a chaste kiss on the back of your hand before he let go and hovered above the waistband of your shorts.

“Can I?”

You nodded, lifting your hips slightly as he glided them off your legs, stripping away one layer of clothing yet revealing another — a black, lacy, number that definitely wasn’t planned for tonight, but he wasn’t complaining, in fact he found it a little humorous taking into the account the occasion. 

“You packed a thong for camping?”

Steve snorted lightly, kissing the inside of your thigh as you blushed, tucking your cheek into your shoulder.

“I…I was rushing and packed it accidentally.” You told him, silently thanking the universe and your horrible planning that somehow got this perfectly. 

“Lucky me.” He rasped, toying with the lace around your hip bone, peppering kisses across your thighs, not making any move to strip you free of them yet as he wanted to worship all of you first. 

You sat up slightly, running your hand over his covered shoulder blade.

“C-could you take your shirt off?”

 “Course I can.” He nodded quickly, sitting up just enough to work his arms through the shirt.

The garment was quickly pulled off his body, thrown off the side wherever he had flung your shorts. 

“I can take mine off, too—” You started, moving up a bit more as you pulled at the bottom of your cami but before you could get any farther, he stopped you, squeezing your wrist gently.

“Only if you want to, s’okay if you don’t.” He assured you, wanting to know this was all about you being comfortable.

You smiled warmly and shook your head at his politeness, still trying to take all of him in, not just for the body before you, but for how attentive he had been towards you. 

“No, I do… I just—just wanted to feel more of you, that’s why I asked.” You explained with a light laugh. 

“You’re cute.” He chuckled, rubbing his hands up and down your thighs as you pulled the material over your head discarding it.

Absentmindedly your arms wrapped around yourself, bashfully trying to hide away as if that would make Steve forget that you were topless in front of him. Finally he got to see what the slivers of skin that was hidden away beneath clothing or in this case, made an appearance just hours ago.

“Don’t hide. You’re so beautiful.” Steve spoke softly, reassuring you of whatever nervousness you were feeling, slowly lowering your arms down letting him see you completely. 

You could see and hear it in the way his breath hitched in his throat, eyes stuck on your chest before a smirk played on his features and he finally trailed them back up to your eyes. 

“So you’re always excited to see me, then?” He teased, reaching up to run his hands along your ribcage, feeling your laughter rumble beneath his skin.

“Shut up.” You chided, pushing playfully at his shoulder. 

“You got just the thing for me to do just that.” He tilted his head down and you nodded, giving him the green light to do what he pleased.

His lips wrapped around your sensitive skin, peak hardening in this mouth while the other was met with the flick and roll of his fingers. You were sure by the end of it, your chest would be littered with love bites of all shapes and sizes. Steve made the extra effort to glide across your chest, showing both breasts the attention they so rightfully deserved with his mark left behind. 

“Mmm, S-steve.” You moaned, arching up into him and nails grazing at the nape of his neck. 

“Gotta make up for lost time.” He mumbled against your, sucking another hickey but this time right above your sternum, completing the other half to make a lopsided heart that you’d see in the morning. 

“I want more.” You begged, finally getting the courage to pull him away, eyes peering down at him. 

He smacked his lips, nodding as he leaned up and pecked your lips, murmuring against them.

“I got you, princess.”

His kisses trailed down your body, taking his sweet time leaving your skin with a plethora of hickies, some small and subtle, and others that would settle darker by morning. Something about it, the possessiveness of it all added to the longing, knowing he was marking you as his — and he was the only person you wanted to belong to right now… forever even. 

Placing a final kiss above the waistband of your intimates, he looked up at you, toying with the fabric. 

“Let me get these off you, yeah?”

You hummed, letting your feet sit flat on the comforter, slightly lifting your hips up to help him. His fingers slipped under the lace, tugging them away from your core and off your legs, putting them off to the side. 

“So fucking pretty.” He murmured, gently pulling your knees wider apart enough for him to slot himself between them and lay on his stomach. 

His eyes were fixated on your core, taking you in with such hunger but at the same time awe, as if he was admiring the most beautiful work of art just before he would dig his claws into it. No ones had ever looked at you like that, taking their time and drinking you in, it almost made you want to shoo him away with all the attention he was giving you. 

“Steveeee.” You whined, laughing behind your hands that covered your face. 

“Why’re you hiding?” He puffed out a short laugh, splaying his hands over your stomach rubbing gently. 

You pulled fingers apart, staring at him timidly. “I—I don’t know, I just never thought that we’d… you know.”

Stop pretending like we hated each other and confessed our feeling then deciding to fuck in a dingy tent in the middle of nowhere? Yeah he totally knew what you meant. 

“I know what you mean,” He placed a reassuring kiss on the inside of your knee.

“We can stop whenever you want okay? No questions asked, you say the word and I’ll stop and we’ll put our clothes back on and—”

“I don’t want to stop. Promise, just a little nervous.” You assured him, sitting up slightly to bring your hand to his cheek, thumbing the freckles peppering his skin. 

“Don’t be, I’m gonna make you feel so good. I promise.” He smiled, leaning into your touch and kissing the pulse point on your wrist. 

Steve nodded, silently telling you to lie back and let him fulfill his promise which you were sure he was going to over deliver on. And god were you right. 

His tongue swiped between your folds, shuddering beneath him you couldn’t help pinch your eyes closed trying to bottle up the feeling and keep it in your memory forever. 

“F-fuck,” You moaned, relished in the feeling of each pass and kiss, “Feels so good, Steve.”

His thumb swiped over your clit, breath fanning over your skin as he watched your back arch with a smirk on his face.

“Told you so, princess.”

He dove back in, tongue flicking over your sensitive button while he worked two fingers into you slowly. The stretch of his thick digits and the mixture of his warm tongue sent your hands flying, in search of something to grab and immediately you went for Steve’s hand. 

Somehow through the pleasure you didn’t feel the tape on his hand, that is until you squeezed and felt the layer blocking the contact of skin on his. The tape slightly crumpled in your hold causing your eyes to fly open, staring down at him. 

“S-shit, I’m so sorry!” You whispered, quickly letting go of his hand nearly backing away from Steve thinking that you hurt him.

His fingers abruptly left your core, quickly slinging his arm over your hips stopping you from moving away from him. The bad hand immediately reached out for yours, intertwining your fingers together despite your uncertainty that didn’t want to immediately hook between his. 

“S’okay, I’m okay, promise.” He assured you, kissing your mound before shooting you a wink as he squeezed yours.

“You can grab my hand, squeeze as tight as you want. The nurse who wrapped it up did a hell of a job, thing isn’t gonna hurt me.”

It made you giggle, kissing his knuckles, murmuring against them,  “Hmm, still, I’m sorry.”

He shook his head, lips brushing against your center as he got back to work.

“Shhh it’s okay.”

Steve was always more of a giver, something he usually bragged about and you thought was absolute bullshit, but now you understood seeing as though he was definitely giving you something to come back for, in more ways than one. 

His tongue dipped lower, dragged up from your aching hole to your sensitive clit.

“You like that?” his voice vibrated across your sensitive skin, sending your body into squirms. 

“Yes…p-please, right there,” You moaned, gripping his hand tightly as he repeated the action. “Just like that, baby.”

“Say it again.” He demanded though it more so came out as a desperate plea. 

“Baby?” 

He let out a groan, nipping at the inside of your thigh, “I love hearing it from you…c’mon, let me get you there, baby.”

It was the end of the beginning from then on out with one goal in his head. Feasting on you like you were his last meal trying to savor your sweetness and all at once engrain the image of your blissful face in his mind and those addicting moans that dared to get louder with every second that passed. 

“I’m so close.” You whispered, trying to keep your voice down,  “I—I, Steve, baby, please.” 

Your thighs began shaking around his head, stomach heaving in deeper and twisting tightly, teeth digging into your lip trying to muffle the sounds of pleasure that wanted to escape, and your hand clutching onto his for dear life – the only thing grounding you while his mouth sent you into ecstasy. 

“Cum for me.” He vibrated against you, lips wrapped around your bud as he sucked and watched you explode. 

“Baby, f-fuck.” You gasped, looking down to meet his eyes before it was too much for you to handle. 

Euphoria washed over you, similarly to the colors of the sunset. Bright oranges and pinks flashed across your vision, painting your skin with the feverish warmth before it fizzled out into darkness, specks of white making their appearance as your body buzzed.

Steve didn’t pull away until you stopped moving your hips into and away from him, trying to chase and escape the pleasure all at once until you came down. Even then he didn’t dare to leave you just yet, taking his time to wait until you came down from your high. He pressed gentle kisses over your inner thighs, making his way up to your midsection, resting his chin there, your chest moving beneath him as you caught your breath. 

“Hey pretty.” He murmured, your eyes peeking open to see him — lips and chin coated with a sheen of you in the best way possible. 

You swallowed, giving his hand three squeezes and you cleared your throat from the hoarseness, “H-hi Stevie.”

Stevie. It was a stupid nickname you used against him all the time because he hated it, but right now it seemed to have the same effect on him as you calling him baby just a little while ago. 

Using his elbows as leverage, he scooted up to you chuckling as you pulled him down bringing his lips to yours as you tasted your essences on him. Your legs hiked up around his hips, bringing his clothed crotch down to your core, just a piece of fabric separating you both, but even then the tent in his pants wasn’t hard to pick up on. 

“Lay down for me, please.” You mumbled against his lips, poorly attempting to roll him on his back despite his sheer strength. 

He pulled away only slightly, furrowing his brows at you. “Baby, baby, we don’t have to if you—”

“I want to, so bad,” You pressed your hips up into him, inducing a moan to rip from his mouth, though still he didn’t roll over just yet. 

You frowned, loosening your legs, hoping you didn’t cross the line,  “Do you not want to?”

Quickly he shook his head, moving to hold your face in his hands. “I do, sweetheart, you don’t know how badly I want to have you. But I kinda feel horrible here,” He grimaced, face twisting with embarrassment. 

“W-was hoping to have our first time together in a bed, preferably mine but yours could work too, but–”

“Wait!” You cut him off with surprise, lips curling up.

“You thought about this?” You suspected with a grin, teasing him with a poke on the cheek.

He tried to play it off with an unconvincing scoff that didn’t cover the croak in his voice, “M-maybe?” 

You beamed, running your thumb along his bottom lip, batting your eyes up at him. “Well if you’re okay with it, we can totally use your bed the next time, and the next, and then the—”

“Of course.” He agreed quickly, making you laugh as you pushed his chest away

“Lay down for me, baby.”

He did as you said, taking your spot as you sat up on your knees pulling at the waistband of his sweats, working them off his ankles. His cock sprung up, the tip blushing with a bright read, aching and throbbing to be inside of you. 

“Commando? And you want to call me naughty?” You teased, licking the palm of your hand and wrapping it around his length, pumping slowly. 

He let out a shaky laugh, cursing at himself, “Kinda was regretting it earlier.” 

“Why’s that?” You began shifting to lay flat on your stomach. 

“Was worried you’d notice.” He mumbled. 

His hands reach out to run up and down your back, soothing your skin desperately wanting to touch you despite the closeness already. 

“Notice what?” You hummed gazing up at him. 

“How hard I got when y-you wrapped me up.” He admitted, shuddering when you licked a stripe from the base to his glistening tip. 

“Me serving you do it for you?” You half-joked, pepping kisses back down. 

“Fuck no, that wasn’t it…” He shook his head, sitting up slightly to watch you. 

“You just—f-fuck, you knew what you were doing and you took control and you…you fucking called me big boy and t-the way you bit the tape off.”

Clearly you wounded him up so much, something you never thought was capable, but alas the hate you both supposedly shared for each other had no bounds when it came to this sort of tension. 

“Make a mess for me big boy, and I’ll clean it up, yeah?” You winked, finally giving him what he wanted, wrapping your mouth around him. 

“S-shit, baby.” He hissed moving your hair towards one side to see you clearly. 

“Making me feel so good, princess.” His hips resisted the want to thrust up into your mouth, controlling himself knowing that good things always took time and you were already making him feel great. 

“So big.” You murmured, messily kissing the tip of his cock, giggling at the way his hips stuttered up knocking closer to your lips. 

“Just right for you though right? Only yours baby.” He groaned, throwing his head back onto the pillows. 

“Mhmm,” you hummed, wrapping your lips around the tip, sending vibrations up his sensitive length.

“Pretty too.” You whispered, pulling away teasingly. 

He let out a hoarse laugh, shaking his head ridiculously. “Can’t be when I’ve got the prettiest sight right here.”

The compliment went straight to your core, the need to make him feel good was the motivation in your movements. Your wrist moved over the part that you couldn’t quite fit in your mouth. 

“That's it baby, taking me so well,” He praised lowly trying to keep his voice quiet enough for just you to hear. 

His fingers threaded through the roots of your hair, neither pulling or pushing, just holding you there and letting you go at your own pace. 

“Shit, babe, y’gotta stop.” He hissed, tugging you off his length as you moaned, pouting up at him.

“Want to taste you…please Stevie?” You begged, mouth trailing down to his heavy sack, taking one of them in your mouth, before popping off only to mumble against them, “Let me taste you, please baby.” 

How was he going to deny you, then?

“F-fucking shit, yeah, okay doll, I’ll give it to you.” He moaned, nodding more so at himself, trying to starve off the orgasm as long as he could knowing he was going to burst any second now. 

You grinned, releasing his balls with a pop, quickly taking him into your mouth again. 

“I’m c-cumming, fuck—” 

He let the rest die in his throat, knowing that if he went any longer he’d wake up your friends and cause an even bigger mess that he nor you wanted to clean up right now. 

“How was that?” You grinned, swiping your thumbs over the inner corners of your mouth, sucking off the remnants of him. 

The act alone made his cock twitch, somehow springing back up ready for you. 

“C’mere, you minx.” He whispered with a smirk, threading his hands towards the back of your head to gently tug you up to his face. 

“Hmmm, Steve.” You giggled, letting it get cut short with his lips pressing deeply onto yours.

“You’re making it very hard for me to hate you.” He accused, pulling away from you with a playful smirk. 

“You or your dick?” You wiggled your brows, eyes lowering between the both of you where his hardness rested against his thigh. 

“I’m kidding… about the me hating you thing, not you making me hard.” He clarified, holding your chin between his forefingers. 

It was clear that the both of you couldn’t really hate each other. 

“You wanna be on top? I think it’ll be easier for you to control it at your pace.” He suggested, giving your hips a squeeze before letting his hands roam across your bottom. 

“Okay.” You whispered, forehead resting against his as he snuck a hand between you both, pumping his length one, two, three times before slowly lowering yourself on him. 

Taking in a deep breath, your eyes pinched closed, a gasp leaving your mouth feeling his breach your walls. 

“S’okay, baby, take your time.” He murmured, kissing the tip of your noses while his hands rubbed comforting circles over your hip. 

“Y-you’re so deep already.” You whined, chest heaving as you tried to catch your breath, overwhelmed by the stretch. 

His bottom lip jutted out, pouting at you with his eyes so soft, though his mouth spoke a tune so condescending and downright filthy.

“Aww baby, I know, but you’re taking it so well right?” He went a step further, resting his palm over your cheek, prompting you to look him in the eyes as you nodded quickly, wanting nothing more than to feel all of him.

Your fingers wrapped around his wrist, pulling it away from your cheek, “Touch me, please? I-I just need a little—” 

He understood immediately, dropping the cocky facade for just a moment to make you feel the most comfortable knowing the first time was always the most intense. 

“Shhh, I got you, I’m right here.” He swiped his tongue over two digits, working them between your bodies until he found your clit, rubbing gentle circles over the bud, just enough to help distract you from the initial stretch. 

“O-oh, fuck, Steve.” You keened, focusing on the pleasure and stretch jumbled all in one. 

“That’s a good girl.” He praised lowly. 

You tightened around his girth, eyes shutting blissfully at the overwhelming feeling and the praise that spilled past his lips. He noticed it right away, chuckling more so at himself because all of the times he had called you pet names for fun, perhaps you liked it more than you let on. 

“You like being called a good girl?” He challenged, his free hand tightening around your hips to stop you from rocking against him. 

You whined through a nod, opening your eyes and pleading for him to let you keep up the movements. 

“Words.” He urged, still not giving into you until he heard what he needed to hear. 

You swallowed thickly, lips parting as you whispered softly. “Y–yeah, like when you call me that.” 

He smirked, leaning up just enough to peck your lips, mumbling against them as his arm loosened from your hips and he settled comfortably on his back. Slowly but surely your hips proceeded where they left off, moving experimentally taking the time to adjust to his sheer size. 

“Atta girl, gotta tell me what you like so I can make you feel good baby.” 

“L-like it when you talk to me.” 

“You do?’ 

You hummed quickly, nodding your head, “So much.” 

Growing needier you lifted your hips up slightly before fucking yourself back down onto him. Your lips parted with a pleasurable moan while he growled, throwing his head back against the pillows. 

“Oh, there you go sweet girl. Fuck, already taking me so good.” He said, digging his fingertips into your hip bone. 

“F-full, m’so full of you.” You sighed, slowly repeating your movements trying to make it last as long as you could. 

“But you love it right?” He murmured, words soothing and arousing at the same time. 

You nodded admittingly, “Please don’t stop…S-steve please,” 

The shake of your thighs and the uneven grinding told him all he needed to know, and he was more than happy to let you sit back and give you your second fix of the night. 

He pressed himself off his back, arms wrapping around your body and hugging you close. Your limbs enveloping his neck while you rested your forehead against his, breathy moans leaving your lips as the new position pushed him deeper within you if that was even possible. 

Steve’s lips brushed yours, an oath tumbling past them, “I won’t baby, promise. Just wanna make you feel good okay? Be a good girl.” 

It was all you needed to hear before the waves of pleasure came crashing down with no breaks. You were practically putty in his hands, your hips moving against him the way he wanted you to. He set the pace and found the rhythm that had you nearly slumping against him. 

“So fucking tight, your pussy’s squeezing me baby,” He muttered, lifting your hips higher as his own thrusted deeper from below.

“Making me feel so good, princess. Does it feel good for you too? Just what you need right?” 

If you weren’t so blissed out with pleasure, perhaps you would have the ability to actually give him the words he wanted to hear, but you felt an entire universe away, so caught up in Steve and everything he was making you feel. His words were only taking you higher, adding to pleasure and bringing you closer to the end. 

You managed to take a sharp breath in, jaw shaking as your teary eyes blinked at him, “J-just need you now…only want you.” 

He moaned darkly, his bottom lip caught between his teeth as he tried to starve off his own orgasm that was teetering the edge. The only thing keeping him from letting go was making sure that you got there first, just so he could watch you unravel and hear the sweet sounds that could never be erased from his memory. 

“C’mere, sweetheart,” 

His thrusts slowed just enough for one of his hands to snake up towards the back of your neck, pulling you in for a kiss before guiding your head into the juncture of his neck. 

“It’ll go deeper this way,” He murmured, placing a quick peck to your cheek before continuing the onslaught of ecstasy. 

“Oh God…Steve….” You whimpered, nails digging into his skin. 

“You’re mine now.” He said through gritted teeth, fingertips practically bruising your back, “no one’s gonna get you like this except me, got that?” 

All you could do was nod against him, humming out an agreement as you tried to keep your voice down, finally aware that your friends would be able to hear you both if you didn’t try to get a semblance of control. 

“Fuck, shit babe, so perfect, just taking all of me inside you huh? You’re the only one who ever made me feel this— shit, so good.” 

He was just making it harder for you to keep quiet at that point. 

“O–only want you…I–I only want you like this.” You murmured, pulling your face away from his neck just enough for his eyes to catch yours. 

Steve couldn’t help himself, thrusting up into you with a slow yet deep vigor, bringing his lips to yours and stealing your breath away. He never quite imagined that this was the way you both would be confessing your feelings and begging to finally be each others’ but he wasn’t complaining — he just wanted to seal the deal and show you how real it was to him. 

“Cum for me, baby. Be a good girl and do it for me…just me.” He mumbled against you, feeling the tightening around his shaft, the convulsing of your walls signaling your release. 

“F-fuck! Oh my god, Steve.” 

Your body shook, eyes shutting tightly as your hips rutted against his stilled ones letting you ride out your orgasm as he held your tight and shushed your moans soothingly. 

You slowly opened your eyes, staring at him dazingly, “Wanna feel you cum, give it to me, please.” 

He nodded, letting your face untuck itself from his neck and instead grabbing his cheeks to keep his eyes on yours. Eyes silently begging for his release while your lips parted with shallow moans still feeling the aftershocks of your orgasm followed by a small ripple of pleasure that came again. 

His thrusts became frantic, nose flaring with a deep breath taken, pushing his hips as far as they could go forcing you to collapse against him as he filled you.

“That’s it, baby…hmm, so deep.” You smiled lazily into his chest, nails raking down gently across his shoulders and down his arms as he came down. 

His heartbeat rang through your ears along with the uneven breathing the both of you were sharing, letting the 

“Well,” He huffed, staring down at you, smoothing your tousled hair down, “That’s one way to warm up.” 

You rolled your eyes playfully, smacking his cheek with a soft pat, “Hypothermia wasn’t gonna kill me. You almost did.” 

“Did I really fuck you that good?” He smirked smugly. 

“Don’t make me start hating you, again.” You threatened with a yawn, eyes fluttering shut and relaxing into him. 

“Kidding babe,” He said, kissing the top of your head before patting the small of your back, “Let me get some clothes on you.” 

He pulled out of you, quietly apologizing for the emptiness before cleaning you and himself up. His t-shirt covered your body and he managed to slip your underwear back over your legs. Steve settled for his sweatpants, no shirt, just letting the blanket and your body heat keep him warm throughout the night. 

“We’ll talk about this more…in the morning? O–or when we get back home?” You proposed sleepily, snuggling deeper into his body, weakly throwing one of your legs over his hips. 

His big hands came down under the blanket, caressing your skin with soft passes as he hummed pulling you closer, “Yeah baby, we’ll talk about it, then.” 

There you and Steve Harrington were, spending your first night together but not as mortal enemies — you guys had practically fucked the hatred out of each other, but really... it never existed in the first place. 

BONUS SCENE: 

You did a one over at the trunk of the van, mentally ticking off every item and looking back at the campsite to make sure you all didn’t leave anything behind. Steve was busy checking the tires making sure they all had enough air for the drive back that way there would be no issues. You shut the trunk closed, making your way over to the passenger door that was kicked open with Eddie smoking a cigarette. 

“You’re in my seat.” You cross your arms over your chest, foot tapping against the asphalt as Eddie stared at you confused.  

“You’re mistaken…this is my seat.” He retorted with a chuckle, gesturing to himself before blowing out a puff of smoke into the air.

“Not anymore.” 

“It’s literally my van.” 

You rolled your eyes, lamely gesturing back to the site where the tents were once set up, “And you literally kicked me out of my tent to almost freeze to death, therefore you owe me. Now get out of my seat.” 

“I’m not moving.” He said, standing his ground. 

“Move.” You commanded, reaching to tug him by the arm though he didn’t budge. 

“Nope.” 

“Fine,” You huffed, dropping his arm before calling out, “Steve!” 

He came around the front of the van, dusting his hands off and jutting his chin towards the both of you.

“What’s going on?”

You pouted deeply, eyes sulking towards your friend who tsked and rolled his eyes at your feigned innocence. “Eddie won’t let me sit in the passenger seat.” 

“My van, my rules.” Eddie smirked, tapping the hood of the car. 

Steve stared at you both, shaking his head in amusement before turning to his friend, “Dude, c’mon, just let her sit up front this once.” 

Eddie’s face twisted in betrayal, obviously Steve was already wrapped around your pinky and he just couldn’t believe he was this easy. “You’re shitting me right? I thought I was your right hand man Harrington?” 

You snorted, eyes glancing up at Steve with a blush coating your cheeks, “Oh trust me he doesn’t need a right hand anything when he has me—” 

Eddie faked a gag, finally relenting and stepping out of the seat. He stubbed out his cigarette on the gravel and waved his hands in surrender. 

“Take it for all I care! Just keep your goddamn hands to yourself, and I mean it Steve, both hands on the wheel!” He shouted, whipping the back door open and cramming himself between the rest of your friends who laughed at him for thinking that Steve was going to save his ass. 

“You must be proud of yourself, huh?” Steve chuckled, giving you a hand as you stepped up the siding and slid into the seat comfortably. 

“Very.” You responded, bending out an inch to peck his lips not caring that your friends saw the act.

Steve smiled against your lips, hands coming to rest over your waist, practically lurching himself across your body as you whispered quietly for only him to hear. 

“Now come on… you promised we would use your bed the next right, remember.” 

His eyes widened, cheeks turning red as he swallowed and finally pulled himself away from you, “Oh I remember.” He smiled, tapping your knee before he shut your door, “Buckle up, princess.”

💌 reblogs, tags, comments, + likes are greatly appreciated! leave a comment and let me know if want to be added to my taglist!! 💌

a/n: so this is my very first enemies to lover fics...(at least i think it is????), this was actutally supposed to be very short and brief, almost a one shot/blurb kinda thing but it turned into a feature length fic...is anyone surprised hahaha. anyways, i hope you guys like this!!! i don't usually write smut because I feel like i suck at writing it and describing it but i hope i was able to do this fic justice -- let me know what you guys think and thank you so much for sticking around <;3

It had been a rough and frigid twenty-four hours for Joel and a few other rookie patrollers under his watch. They were miles out from Jackson, on their routine sweep of the area to get them comfortable and familiar with the route, though the unexpected raging winds and heavy snow altered their plans. 

He called for a shelter in place, ushering everyone into the tiny watch tower where they sat tight and faced the bitter cold that ate through their layers. They all managed perfectly fine despite the newcomers’ uncertainties and mutters of bad luck on their first patrol outing.

Joel, with years of experience, talked the younger folks into a state of calm, instructing them to focus on their breathing and preserving every bit of their strength for the unexpected. But most all he made them a promise: they would all be making it back to Jackson in one piece.

And kept was that promise.

By morning the winds had subsided, and gradually the snow above the grass and dirt melted away into sludge seeping back into Earth. Their horses had endured the night bravely too. He and the others sparing whatever food was left in their packs, getting their horses energized for the two and a half-hour ride back to Jackson.

For you, though, it felt like eternity back at the commune.

You refused to leave the watch tower despite Tommy and Ellie’s protests and promises that they would come and get you the second they saw movement. They gave up trying to convince you to go back home, settling for whispering reassuring words as the hours ticked by and at one point Maria swung by to convince you to come down to take a short break and eat a proper meal before heading back up. 

It wasn’t that you didn’t have hope in Joel making it back alive, but you couldn’t stomach the ‘what if’ in the back of your mind–losing your person after already letting so much slip through your fingers. 

You didn’t want to imagine it. 

“Dude you’re going to fall over and crack your skull open.”

Ellie scolded you with no malice behind her words, catching sight of your body nearly slumping out of the chair beside her.

She grabbed onto your arm and pulled you into her side, waking you from the drowsiness that was settling deep in your bones. You rubbed your orbs, muttering out a ‘sorry’ as you straightened up, trying to wake yourself up.

Ellie and Tommy shared concerned looks, the two of them understanding just exactly the worry you were feeling but also knowing that yours was a different kind to theirs. 

You and Joel were everything delicate wrapped up in barbed wire in this day and age. They understood that something like that–what you two had–was once in a lifetime and to lose it would mean never finding it again. 

A high whine coming from the distance pulled their attention, the two of them scrambling close to the shabby window with their binoculars in hand. 

“I see something!” Tommy spoke loudly, and Ellie said something in agreement. 

You couldn’t bring yourself to stand up from the chair even if you wanted to. Your heart felt like it was clawing its way out of your chest and your breathing quickened, salty tears coming to your eyes just waiting for them to say something. To let you know he was alive. 

All you could do was wait and wait and wait and–

“Jesse, open the gates! Joel’s leading them in!” Tommy shouted down below. 

It was all the clarification you needed. 

Your fingers numbly gripped onto the rungs of the wooden ladder until your feet hit the snowy ground. On shaky legs, you dragged your boots through the blankets of snow, listening to the creaky gate sliding open and the chorus of relieved breaths muddled with the trudging of hooves.

You heard him before your eyes found him. His voice strained, shouting the all clear to Jesse that no one was bitten or hurt. And the second you did find him, did all the feelings you buried through nightfall come rushing to the surface, afraid that saying something before you felt him was going to wake you up from a dream that jinxed the sight of him in front of you.

His eyes remained fixated on your figure the second the gates came open. The harsh swinging of your arms as you trampled through the snow, and as you came closer, his aging eyes could somehow still make out the furrow between your brows and the red twinge in your orbs.

To the naked eye you were furious, but Joel knew better than that. The quivering of your frost bitten lips and the frown you wore told him everything he needed to know and he’d do whatever he could to soothe it away. 

He swung his leg over his horse, stabilizing himself on the iron stirrups before he hopped off, and met you halfway.

“Baby—”

Before he could say anything more, you were in his arms, and your lips pressed against his.

As if you were tethering yourself to him, you needed it to be real, to know that he wasn’t going anywhere after making it back to you because you weren’t sure if you’d ever be able to survive the fear of losing him again. 

The need for oxygen caused you both to pull away, just enough for you to stare into his eyes, not caring that tears were tumbling down your cheeks in front of everyone that had to brave the night far terribly than you did. 

“You’re never going on patrol again.” You pushed weakly at his chest, swiping at your eyes sharply.

There was that fire.

He couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle, grabbing you by the arms and pressing a kiss against your hairline.

“I’m fine, baby, wasn’t gonna let anything happen to me…or them.”

He turned his head to all the rookies who still were perched up on their horses, reeling from everything, but most of all, on the fact that you were there doting on their gruff superior—and there he was, doting right back at you.

“I don’t care,” You shook your head, pulling away as you reached his gloved hand, intertwining it with yours tightly, “I don’t want you going out of these gates.”

“Sweetheart—”

“N-No, you don’t get that to me,” Your voice was uneven, letting more tears fall shamelessly, trying to keep your tone stern despite how clearly shaken you were.

“I—I want us to go home…right now.” You sniffled, your pleading morphed into demand that made his heart skip a beat. 

Surely the racing in his chest would have been concerning for his age, yet he knew it was perfectly normal as you were the one causing the feeling deep within.

You loved him deeply, and he never had any doubts about it, but each time you love him loud and proudly like you do, it never ceases to feel like a punch in the gut reminding him that he had much more to live for than himself nowadays. 

After all, no one has ever had him, let alone loved him the way that you do. 

“Okay,” He whispered, kissing you shamlessly, not caring who was watching, “Let’s go home, baby.”

He picked up the reins of his horse in one hand, keeping the other in your grasp as you leaned your head against his arm. Taking one last look over his shoulders, he nodded towards his mentees, offering them something small proud.

“Get some rest.” He told them, “And tell whoever you care about that you love them.”

It’d been weeks since you forbid Joel from going out on patrol, and to his own surprise he didn’t feel himself longing to go back, even if it was a shared duty of all citizens to keep Jackson safe.

He knew he had done his part for a while, partaking in a routine that forced him to leave your shared bed before you woke, lacing his boots to depart into the unknown, and hoping that you knew how much he loved you if god forbid something happened to him. 

Instead, there’s was a new routine, one that used to be reserved for weekends that is was ow his daily that he’d pick above patrol duty anytime.

Almost always is dinner made together, plates cleared, and glasses diluted with whatever drink of choice it is that night. He usually always has whisky, though he can’t be totally sure it’s the reason why there’s a balmy feeling in his chest. 

The home he created with you and Ellie was filled with laughter and warmth. The three of you bonding as a family, making fresh memories in the comfort of the four walls.

Tonight, instead of cleaning up early and deciding to watch a movie on the couch, you and Ellie unintentionally brought to light a quirk of his that resulted in the two of you teasing him at the dining table. 

“You so do that thing when you’re a little shy!” Ellie accused from the seat across from him, throwing her back as her laughter combined with yours bounced off the walls.

He crossed his arms over his chest, looking between you two with a less than entertained raised brow, “I do not.”

“You so do.” You insisted, standing up with a sly grin on your face, gathering the dirty plates into the sink.

The chairs creaked across the wooden floors, Ellie at your side, dumping the contents of the cups into the drain before stacking them neatly for you to wash.

“Gotta run and see Dina! Thanks for dinner.” You leaned into the kiss she pecked out your cheek, wrapping your arms around her in a tight hug.

“Tell her we said ‘hi’ and stay out of trouble.” Joel reminded her,watching her pull away and round the table to give him his own hug before she dashed out the door.

He was at your side not a moment later, picking up a clean kitchen towel to dry while you continued to wash and rinse. Call him old-fashioned, but he enjoyed the domesticity of it all–the small things done together even if in silence, as long as you were there, it fulfilled him. 

“I don’t actually do that thing, do I?” He suspected lowly, taking a wet glass from your hand.

You snorted, glancing up at him as you picked up the next dish and began scrubbing, “You seriously never noticed?”

He pursed his lips, rolling his eyes, “I think you and Ellie are pulling my leg.”

“Well, I know I’m not because I vividly recall the first time you did it and I’ve noticed every time you’ve done it since.” 

He scoffed, mumbling something along the lines of ‘yeah right,’ as he placed the cup into the cabinet. The water then abruptly shut off and you turned to him, stealing the damp towel off his shoulder to dry your hands.

“The day you first asked me out? When you were stalking me in the greenhouse?” You said, attempting to jog his memory.

“I was not stalkin’ you,” He glared, “I waitin’ ‘till you weren’t busy so I could say ‘hi.’”

“Yeah, whatever cowboy,” you giggled, “anyway, when you finally came out from hiding and almost scared me shitless, you asked me out, and you did that thing with your arm.”

Your arm extended towards the back of your neck, rubbing away at your skin nervously, followed by a poor impersonation of his voice.

“I uh, was wonderin’ if you wanted to have dinner sometime…at my place. The cafeteria doesn’t have anything appetizing for a date.”

His cheeks turned red, a smile forming upon his lips as he hung his head dramatically and huffed out a laugh.

“How’d you remember that?”

You just grinned, closing the space between you both as you wrapped your arm around his torso, forcing him to look up at you despite the vivid embarrassment on his face that you found rather charming. 

“Kinda hard to forget the first time a guy was actually brave enough to ask me out on the spot.” You gently scratched your nails up and down his back while he smirked, now looking rather impressed with himself now. 

“You’re telling me no one asked you out the second you got here?”

“No one I wanted to go with.”

“So, I wasn’t your first option?” He teased back.

“Oh god, shut up.” You groaned, throwing your head back as you weakly let your arms fall away from him. 

He didn’t let you go far, chuckling as he pulled you in closer and tucked his face against your neck where he pressed kisses muddled with his laughter and finally got you to meet his eyes again. 

“When’s the last time I did that arm thing?” He hummed curiously.

Your eyes filtered up to the ceiling, thinking for a moment, “Last week, when you asked if you could join me in the bath.”

He furrowed his brows, recalling the timeline, and of course, you were right. Just last week you were bouncing back from a common cold, curled up on the couch with about two layers of blankets accompanied with the warm fire Joel started for you.

He knew he could only do so much to help, and he figured running you for a bath would warm you up tons better than the dingy living room set up–but he didn’t want to leave you alone, and you were more than happy to lay your head back on his chest while the hot water enveloped you two. 

“Hmm, didn’t know I did that all this time.” He shook his head with a small smile, leaning down and pressing a kiss near your ear. 

“It’s cute,” You cradled his face in your hands, holding him to you, “Kinda love that you still get shy with me after all this time.” 

“S’that right?” He hummed eyes twinkling with lust even in the dim of the night, “Well if you wanna…” 

One of his arms fell away from your waist, his voice softening while that same arm trailed up behind his neck, causing his biceps to flex under pressure. 

“We can go upstairs and get dirty before I run another bath for you?” 

Your laughter, one of his favorite sounds besides your sweet moans, filled the kitchen and before you knew it, your lips were bound to each other as he guided you up the stairs and his soul devoted itself to you…like he always did. 

Joel had been busy with other things in Jackson since his indefinite leave of absence on patrols. He was grateful for whatever you must have said to sway Tommy and Maria, since none of them seemed to give him trouble for missing out over the last few months. 

He found himself involved in the community in a more personal way. He sketched up blueprints for new builds as more people entered Jackson, and with spring breaking loose it was the perfect time to start construction without the blistering cold bothering. 

When he needed to rest his eyes and relax his aching hands from all the drawing and erasing, you were just a walk away for him to go and visit. It was one of the best parts of not needing to head out on patrols–he was closer to you in all aspects, and his longing didn’t have to wait until he got back through the gates–he just had to find you and you never strayed far. 

He found you at the greenhouse, as he suspected, harvesting some of the seasonal fruits and veggies. Your gloved hands brushing off dry soil and tossing the gathering into a large wicker basket. Working the greenhouse wasn’t a job, at least not for you and your green thumb. 

When Joel figured out just how much you loved it, he surprised you with four planters in the backyard of your home. He traded some of his beloved coffee beans with an older lady who was a teacher in order to get his hands on chalk and paint. He commissioned Ellie with the promise of a later curfew and she managed to decorate the outside of the rickety wooden boxes with a plethora of floras he knew you’d love. 

He felt like a million bucks when you wrapped your arms around him and repeatedly said ‘thank you.’ That afternoon, you and Joel headed back to the greenhouse to gather cuttings to propagate for your personal garden.

Soon enough it had been blossoming with an abundance of plants also found in the greenhouse, but even some rare flowers, all thanks to some seeds Ellie found while out on patrol. 

“What about you and Joel?” 

The older woman’s voice beside you snapped him right out of the flashback. Her name was Mabel, a nice lady who lived on the next street over, jumping between the greenhouse and kitchen duty. She smoothed down the soil from where you had dug it up a few feet over, while you tended to the bed of vegetables. 

There was a smile splaying over your face before you could utter a single word. The question alone, the mere mention of his name, had you smiling widely, just like the day he finally showed you the planters he made by hand. He was certain it wasn’t the changing season that was making his skin hot, but just the sight of you lighting up and making his heart stir. 

“He’s spending more time at home, which I love. I know patrol is important, but he’s been doing it for so long, and he deserves a break from it.”

You let out a soft sigh, hands sweeping over some leafy tops of carrots and giving them a tug, pulling them out of the earth with ease. 

“I know what you mean sweetie,” she said agreeingly, “but he isn’t driving you crazy at home is he?” she asked comically, making your eyes crinkle as you laughed and shook your head quickly.

“God no. Having him home is the opposite of crazy.” You simmered down with a smile, dusting the dirt off the bunch, “I love not having to worry about him outside of the gates. But I love even more getting to hear him just in the next room over, seeing him carving figures for Ellie, and I don’t know, just knowing he’s there. Safe.”

Mable wore a delightful smile, watching you closely as you spoke so highly of him. 

“He’s a good man, Peter talks about him all the time.” 

Her husband often flagged Joel down, asking for help for things he was too old to do on his own nowadays. Replacing the creaky stair on their front porch, tightening the pipe under the sink, checking cleaning out the gutters. Simple things that Joel didn't mind helping out with no matter the time of day or how tired he was.

“The best.” You agreed with a grin, placing the carrots into the basket along with the other goodies you would be taking to the kitchen later.

Joel took a breath, forcing himself to control the skittish smile that wanted to stay plastered on his face. His fingers bumped against the wooden gates leading him into the garden bed area where you were. 

You looked up at the sound of the creak, somehow even more happiness trickling across your face as your eyes met his. 

“Hey cowboy,” You stood, pulling off your gloves and letting them fall onto the ground. 

“Sweetheart,” He greeted with a smile, arms embracing you as he looked at Mabel over your shoulder, “How’re you doing ma’am?”

“Great, thank you,” she smiled, “me and your lady were just talking about you.”

“Good things I hope?” He rose his brows, looking down at you where you rested your head on his chest.

The woman nodded, smiling as she stood up and dropped her own pair of gloves.

“I was bringin’ by lunch,” he held up a brown paper bag filled with a sandwich and some cut up fruits, “Would you like to join us? You can have my half?” He offered, but Mable kindly shook her head. 

“Oh no, I’m okay hon. Peter and I made plans to have lunch together at the cafeteria.” She smiled, walking past you two and stopping just short of the garden gates meeting your eyes, “I’ll be back in an hour and then we can continue harvesting and gossiping OK?”

You withdrew from Joel for a moment, reaching over to give her a small hug for keeping you company, even when you assured her you could handle the harvesting by yourself. 

“I’ll see you back here. Tell Peter we said hello.”

“Will do,” she smiled, pulling away and turning to Joel, patting his back, “Such a good man, you are.”

He didn’t need to ask what she meant, for he knew the weight of her words. And maybe his past self would argue with her, perhaps say he’s a bad man with a bad past, but you’ve helped him see otherwise. He was good in more ways than one now, and it was all thanks to you. 

“I missed you.” You reached for his hand, intertwining your fingers as you walked over to the picnic tables lined outside the garden. 

“Missed you more.” He squeezed your hand, placing a kiss at the top of your head, releasing your hand as you rounded the table and took a seat right across him. 

“Wanna tell me about what you and Mabel were gossiping about?” He requested curiously, unpacking your lunch while you smirked and propped your chin up on your fist. 

“Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“Very much so.”

You hummed tentatively, picking up a piece of cut up strawberry that came straight from your home garden plopping it into your mouth as you chewed. He smiled ridiculously, eyes glued on yours, reaching across the table and letting his fingertips brush away the specks of dirt that clunch to your arm. You swallowed down the fruit, smacking your lips as you nudged his leg under the table. 

“Tell me about the new construction first.” You chirped, awaiting to hear all the details you would later share with Mabel, just to hear you compliment how good he was not just to you, but to everyone around.

By the time summer was in full swing, Jackson found itself hosting more activities, mostly for the younger kiddos who needed something to keep busy and out of trouble. Joel said it should’ve been illegal to confine the entire town into the cafeteria for some silly award ceremony, but of course you managed to convince him otherwise.

Now the two of you were sitting side by side at the cramped table as teachers and students called out various awards and names of folks to retrieve it at the front of the room. 

Ellie snagged the award for ‘Best Storyteller’ to which she threw her fist into the air, high-fiving all the children who were far too young to know she was retelling the PG-friendly versions of movies you three watched at home. You and Joel laughed and smiled, clapping along as you whispered to each other that she was indeed a great storyteller, even if half of it was plagiarism. 

“And the last award is the most prestigious award of all. It’s going to the best helper in Jackson.” Ruth, the kindergarten and first grade teacher, announced.

“Benji, would you like to say who this award goes to?” 

You cooed at the little boy who was Tommy and Maria’s. He was just beginning to get over his shyness, as he made new friends and got used to the routine of going to school. He nodded positively, looking to his left at his parents who gave him an encouraging thumbs up, then fitted his eyes back up to the crowded room where he somehow managed to spot you and Joel. 

“Uncle Joel!” He declared proudly, taking you both by surprise as your eyes widened and you slapped your hand down on his knee in excitement. 

“Oh my god, babe!” You bounded your arms around his shoulders, shaking him eagerly as the room chorused with applause and whistles. 

He laughed against your skin, letting you press a proud kiss to his cheek before you urged him up to get his award. Tiny arms flung around his body the second he got to the front of the room. He bent down at their level, letting them hug him and say their ‘thank you’s’ for all that he did for Jackson. 

He did more than just building houses, scheduling patrols, and even assisting in home maintenance. 

He built birdhouses with scrap pieces of wood and dropped them off at the schoolhouse for kids to decorate for arts and crafts.

He read to the older folks whose eyes were getting weaker and couldn’t make out the words in books.

He checked in on the rookie patrollers, drawing them up copies of his old map marked with shortcuts and locations of emergency kits he stashed.

He even volunteered to take the kids around town for ‘field trips’ when the teachers needed ideas for more engaging lessons and of course much needed break. 

In fact, a few months ago he swung by the greenhouse midday with a pack of children behind him, taking you by surprise at the unexpected guests. He said they needed to get their hands dirty and learn where all their favorite fruits and veggies came from.

You were more than happy to oblige, walking them through planting tomato seeds in one of the empty garden beds and how long the process would take. 

Joel too ended up getting his hands dirty, digging holes a few inches apart and deep, after some kids squealed in disgust and fear when a worm wiggled from under the soil. He assured them it was nothing to be afraid of, just a friend who was going to keep their tomatoes company while you sat by and watched in admiration at his patience and care. 

Those same groups of kids, along with Joel, stopped by every few weeks to give their tomatoes a nice watering and learn more about what you had to say about gardening. Now, their tomatoes were in the kitchen, picked by their little hands and waiting to be blended to make a very special spaghetti dinner for them to enjoy. 

Your heart swarmed watching him be embraced and recognized for all the little things he did out of the goodness of his heart.

“Ew, stop looking at him like that,” Ellie snuck up behind you, poking at your cheek.

You turned, playfully smacking her hand away, “Like what?”

“Like you’re gonna have his baby.” She said bluntly, making your cheeks heat up as you groaned and nudged her away.  

“Go bother Dina, Miss. Best Storyteller.” You stuck your tongue out at her watching her snorted and spin around to rush over to her girlfriend who stood at the back of the room, giving you a small wave that you returned. 

Joel walked back over to you with a colorful trophy made out of cardboard and ribbon in hand. 

“Kinda jealous, I didn’t get one.” You mumbled teasingly, leaning into his chest as he straddled the bench. 

He handed it over to you, letting you hold the lightweight thing, inspecting the messy writing that read “#1 Helper,” in rainbow, surrounded by a border of beads and glitter. 

“What’s mine is yours darlin’.” He assured you, pressing a peck to your lips, feeling you smile against his before you two pulled away, listening to Ruth thank everyone for joining them. 

Soon enough the cafeteria emptied out, the two of you walking hand in hand back to your home to relax before you’d head back and pick up a plate of spaghetti to enjoy on the couch. 

“You mean so much to them.” You said quietly, glancing over at him as he smiled at the pavement and shook his head. 

“It’s nothin’, just doin’ what I can.” 

He was always humble when it came to what he did, even back then when he’d risk his life going out on patrols. Grumbling on that it wasn’t anything special and that it was just what he needed to do and nothing more. 

But he didn’t need to calm those rookie patrollers down with his words when that unexpected storm changed their plans. He certainly didn’t need to promise them that they’d make it back home alive and well. 

But he did all of those things without ever needing to be asked or tasked because it was just the kind of man he was. Always giving parts of himself and never asking for anything in return, not even recognition. 

But most of all he was yours. 

“It’s not nothing,” You protested, squeezing his hand and forcing him to look up at you.

Your footsteps halted in the middle of the sidewalk and you shifted to stand face-to-face to him.

“You’re everything to this town. To me. I don’t know what we…what I’d do without you. I’m so lucky.” You cooed, dropping his hand swiftly, only to wrap your arms around his neck, pulling your bodies closer. 

His breath fanned across your face, a puff of air leaving his mouth as he laughed a laugh that sounded like he was still trying to wrap his head around how in the world he had you. 

“I’m the lucky one, sweetheart. Couldn’t be here without you…you’re the reason.” He confessed, snaking his arms around your waist. 

Your eyes shined brighter than the sun beaming down, cheeks fuller than the flowers blooming in your garden, and stomach swarming with more than just butterflies at his profession. 

“Can I tell you something?” You whispered, fingers running through the hair at the nape of his neck. 

He nodded, throat bobbing as he swallowed, “Anythin’ doll.” 

“Seeing you with all those kids, with Benji…with Ellie,” Your voice went on, “I think I want us to have one.” 

The words should’ve taken him aback–made his heart pound out of his chest for reasons too complicated to explain. He should’ve been at a loss for words, telling you it was foolish and impossible because of his age.

But instead, all he felt in the stillness was peace, the kind that wanted the same thing that you did. To bring another life into this unconventional word because you two loved each other enough to at least want to give it a try. 

“Yeah?” He finally cracked a grin, tugging you impossibly closer to him, your tip-toes nearly lifting off the pavement as you nodded and smiled harder, “Think we can make that happen.” 

“Our baby would have the best daddy ever,” You pressed your forehead to his, staring deeply into his eyes as if you could see the vision flashing in his orbs. 

“Only cause their mama made him one.” He replied, pressing his lips into yours unabashedly, not caring who would see you two in broad daylight. 

You squealed against his lips, laughing and letting him pepper kisses wherever he could, branding you with his love you would wear loud and proud. 

“Let’s go home, cowboy.” 

Brown and orange leaves cover the damp pavement, a gloomy darkness hovering over the town now that fall had made its way over. Funnily enough, even though he grew up with scorching Texas summers, he preferred the cooler weather that came with fall. He often sported the tan work jacket that Tommy found for him during a run, paired with the wool gloves you knitted for him.  

His worn boots firmly rested against the stirrups as he trotted around town, passing friendly nods to those winding down on their front porch from a long day. He often found himself coming to a complete stop, letting the children pet the horse and feed him scraps of veggies he kept in his pack. When the horse finally nuzzled their rosy cheeks with his nose, they smiled and waved goodbye. 

He continued on for a few more minutes before ultimately winding up at the front doors of the newest renovation and addition to Jackson where you were just inside. 

During summer, Joel and a few other hands managed to finish up two medium builds. Both small townhomes that would house the single and coupled newcomers who didn’t need a big place to stay, just somewhere to call home. 

In addition, they were able to renovate one of the existing buildings on the commune that used to be an old bank. Instead, he drew up some plans, running a few by Maria and the rest of the town’s council before settling on a flower shop. 

If the reaction he got out of you from the four planters he built made him feel like a million bucks, revealing to you that he was building you a flower shop made him feel like a priceless winner–something he already was all thanks to you. 

All he did was build the place for you, letting you decide how you wanted the inside and outside to look and executing it to perfection before letting you do whatever you wanted with it. The addition meant everything to the people of Jackson, newcomers and old-timers flooding your store with their presence and desire to learn more about agriculture. 

In Joel’s words, you ran a far better, prettier, and more educational version of what was once known as Edible Arrangements.

You were still committed a lot of your time to the greenhouse, but found ways to include more of the community, especially the young.

They’d meet you in the mornings to pick their desired flowers and fruits, before helping tend to the garden and sowing new seeds. By afternoon, you would gather at your shop, helping them trim and assemble their arrangements into mason jars before sending them off home with a gift to give their loved ones. 

The flower shop was hit and soon enough you had a little team that consisted of Mable, Dina, and a few newbies to Jackson who made arrangements out of flowers donated from the town which would then end up being delivered back to them by none other than Ellie and Jesse. 

He hopped off his horse, patting the animal softly and tethering it to the bright red post outside your shop. He plucked the bouquet he made out of the groove of the saddle. Even though you were surrounded by flowers every day, often ones you saw time and time again, it didn’t stop Joel from making arrangements of his own to gift to you. 

He snipped off a few daisies that were growing abundantly in your backyard before making a stop at Mable and Peter’s in order to pick a few stems of snapdragons and sword ferns to add to the bunch. He wrapped a bright yellow ribbon he found in the junk drawer at home, tying it off with a bow that was wonky, but in a charming way that you always said you loved. 

Pulling the door to your shop open, he heard your voice at the same time he caught you cooing down at something cuddled close in your arms. 

“Aren’t you just the most precious thing in the world?” You spoke gurgly and sweet, smiling down at the bright eyes looking up at you. 

The door creaked just lightly, enough to pull your attention as you shifted your eyes and instantly smiled a little wider at the sight of your guy. You couldn’t miss the way he purposefully had one arm behind his back, hiding away a bouquet he made just for you–you couldn’t wait to see what he made today. 

“Hi baby,” You greeted, jerking your head at him to come closer, the woman beside you giving him a small wave, “This is Mel and her daughter Gracie.”

You introduced the two, watching as they exchanged quiet ‘hello’s’ before his eyes drew down to the bundle in your arms. 

“Look at you,” He whispered, his free hand holding out a finger that her tiny fists knocked making the three of you laugh, “Good one kiddo.”

“Mel actually is new to Jackson. She just got here last week, and she’s staying in one of the rooms at the townhouse.” You informed him. 

He looked up at her, brows lifted, “Hot water working OK? Heater?” 

She nodded, wrapping her arms across herself, “Everything is great and perfect. Thank you for what you do by the way.”

Mel looked over at you, then back him, “She was telling me you’re the one who’s been building all these homes and I just wanted to say, thanks. Gracie needs this more than I do.” 

Joel understood the implications, the desperation to provide something stable to a child in a world that almost never was. It doesn’t take a genius to know that Mel is in it all by herself, and with the child in your arms resembling something delicate, he knew it wasn’t that long ago that she was probably out there all alone giving birth with no medication, no help, no home. 

“It’s no problem,” He shook his head, giving her a tight smile, “S’ what we do for each other here…helpin’ one another out.” 

With that, a small cry erupted from the tiny mouth in your arms, a frown covering your features as you gently bounced her in your arms. Mel just laughed lightly, rubbing your arm soothingly before she spoke. 

“She probably just needs to feed,” You handed her over, watching as the cries softened a tad just by being in her mother’s arms, “I’m gonna head out now, but I’ll come back tomorrow?” 

“Yes! Anytime. I’m always here and if I’m not, I’ll be at the greenhouse, which is right across the street.” 

She smiled, waving bye to you and Joel before stopping just short of the door looking back at you two, voice speaking out something filled with sincerity. 

“You two are going to be great parents.” 

His heart pounded, eyes trailing over to your figure as the door closed shut. Your bottom lip was caught between your teeth, looking up at him past your lashes, eyes coated with something deeper than love. 

“Sweetheart, what’s she talkin’ about?” He stuttered, footsteps following you where you turned on your heel and walked around to the counter, ignoring him, or so he thought.

You bent at the waist, hands wrapped around a vase, bringing it up for him to see and settling it on the countertop. It was blossoming with flowers and foliage of all kinds, but there in the very center rested a small notecard and a stick with two bright lines across it. 

You and Joel had been trying for the last two months, and while you both agreed that it was more than OK if pregnancy didn’t end up happening, you both desperately wanted it more than anything in the world. So when you were just a couple days late for your period, you immediately went to Maria who then accompanied you to the clinic where you found out you were pregnant. 

You had been keeping it a secret for a little while, trying to figure out how to tell Joel in a special way. But when Mel walked into your shop with her tiny daughter glued to her chest, it was like a catalyst telling you that it was time to tell Joel that you two would be welcoming a precious little thing into the world. 

She sat with you, talking to you about the beauty and complexity of pregnancy and parenthood, while you prepped and assembled the florals into something breathtaking. When you asked her how she knew everything was going to be OK for little Gracie, she said,

‘I just knew it would be. I looked at her and I knew…I still know.’

You knew–even before Joel stood before you, eyes glittering with tears that welled and his mouth parted with surprise–you knew that everything was going to be OK. That where you two were was exactly where you were meant to be. 

“We’re having a baby,” you whispered, walking back around the counter, plucking off the positive pregnancy test and holding it up for him to see up close and personal. 

There wasn’t a second to waste, his hand dropping his lousy bouquet to the ground as he lifted you up and kissed you like he was trying to give you the world and all the planets and stars. 

You kissed him back passionately, a breath you didn’t know you were holding puffing against his mouth where you two broke out into a fit of laughter, looking at each other with so much love. 

He placed you back down, shaking his head incredulously at the grand arrangement you had made just for him. His calloused hands reached for your cheeks, pulling you in for another self indulgent kiss before he broke away and just stared at you.

You giggled, noticing the fallen bouquet on the ground behind him. Gently brushing his arms away, you picked it up, admiring the bunch.

“I like yours way better.”

There was a combination of live music and voices filling the cafeteria, the place decked out in bright tinsel and paper snowflakes hung from rafters. Unlike a few months ago, where everyone was gathered for the community awards, they were all now dressed in their coziest and thickest pieces, celebrating the holiday season. 

Christmas should’ve been on Joel’s mind and in some funny way it certainly was lingering despite the deep thought he was in. Just hours ago, he had dressed up as Santa and met the kids at the town square, making every one of their magical dreams come true before he bid a farewell and changed out of the ridiculously baggy red velvet suit. 

Instead, what weighed most heavily on his mind was the fact that it had been a year since the snow storm incident. He hadn’t mentioned it to you, for he knew bringing it up might elicit memories and feelings he didn’t want you to revisit, not when he was there alive and well for you to have and hold forever now. 

“Brother,” Tommy shuffled over to where he sat away from the crowd, handing him a glass.

Joel bowed his head appreciatively, taking a swig of the whisky and swallowing down the rich liquid as his brother took the empty seat beside him. 

“Where’s Benji?” Joel peered around the room, not seeing the little rascal out on the makeshift dance floor with the other kids.

Tommy jutted his chin towards the frosty windows, chuckling to himself.

“Outside terrorizin’ Ellie and Dina with snowballs.” 

Low and behold, Joel could make out the two figures running and ducking while a smaller one chuckled snow cannons through the air. There was a domesticity to it that brought him a special kind of gratitude. Tommy and Joel’s chosen family blended together so happily that it almost felt normal–it was beginning to feel normal the older he got. 

Years ago he would have scrutinized everything around him–how anyone could possibly live their lives as if death wasn’t waiting around the corner, ready to pounce at any moment. But he understands it now all thanks to the life he made for himself. 

Ellie revived a part of him he thought was forever lost when he buried his dear Sarah, and in a lot of ways, he knows she’s still somewhere around always watching over and guiding him–in all honesty, he feels that she led him right where he was supposed to be. 

Then there’s Tommy. His little brother who he had been lucky enough to get closer to through the years despite the time they spent apart during the early outbreak. Together, they often reminisce about their childhood, sharing stories to Benji and Ellie who ask plenty of questions about the world they never got the chance to experience. Despite it all though, he and Tommy try to replicate it the best they can for their children, wanting to craft memories sweeter for them to remember and pass on. 

And of course there’s you.

You’re the shift in his life, a force who reformed him into the man he never thought he’d be able to be, at least not in this lifetime. But you showed him, through and through, that your love for him ran deeper than the potential he had for himself. You never changed him, never tried to turn him into someone he wasn’t. 

All you ever did was love him so honestly and fiercely that all he could do was surrender and let himself feel. You brought the real Joel right up to the surface, loving him for who he always was, and even for the man he was still growing into with each day that passed. 

“I’m happy for you,” Tommy said, watching the way his brother’s eyes stayed glued to your figure across the room, “You deserve all of this.” 

Joel leaned back comfortably in his chair, arms crossing over his chest as he turned to the younger.

“You lucked out too.” 

The pair knew they both somehow managed to find their happy endings even if it took a whole lot of loss to finally get it. They’re happy for each other because they know deep down, somewhere past all the guilt and loss–they deserve it. 

“Your lady is comin’ over,” Tommy grinned, whacking him on the arm and pointing over in your direction. 

He looked at you. You looked at him. An unspoken shared gaze that reflected so much love, that he just knew.

He knew he deserved you. 

All your crinkle eyed and scrunch nosed smiles. 

All your fingers entwined between his. 

All your kisses you left emblazoned on his skin. 

Every ounce of your devotion you gave to him, he deserved. 

You used to be a version of hope he would dream up in the middle of the night, patronizing himself over for ever thinking he could have. 

But you were there in the flesh. Everything raw and real, making your way into his arms like there was no place you’d rather be. He reveled in your love for all to witness. For his soul to be bared by you and held in the palm of your hands to keep forevermore. 

And when your lips brushed against his, when your eyes twinkled into his own, when your hands guided his to rest on the swell of your growing belly…

He just knew that no one would ever have him the way that you did…and he wouldn’t have it any other way. 

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a/n: second joel fic, hi, hello!!! i've had this idea in my head for a long time, but due to writers block, i wasn't able to execute it the way i wanted. happy to say that i've spent the last two to three-ish days on the document and somehow found myself with this! i think older!jackson joel would just absolutely cherish being loved so loudly by his girl. i'm planning on making a part two to this, but let me know if you'd like that!!! thanks again for reading and i'll see you all soon <3

It’s safe to say that Santa Claus and his little elves practically threw up all over every inch of Steve Harrington’s home–correction, you and Steve’s home. And another correction: it wasn’t Santa Claus or those pesky elves. It was just you and your complete love for the holiday season that Steve willingly entertained…most times, at least.

You two had arrived back home after another weekend trip to the mall, attempting to finish all the gift shopping for your friends before the Christmas party you would be hosting. To be quite fair, you and Steve had already finished shopping for most of the gifts a week ago, but you just wanted to spoil everyone a little more, grabbing a few extra things for your friends, and Steve couldn’t protest.

“Be careful with that one babe, there’s glass in there!” You cautioned as Steve took a heavy bag containing candles from your grip.

“I got it sweetheart, can’t put to waste $50 over some candles” He huffed, fake irritation on his face as he waited around for you to pick up the remaining shopping bags and shut the door with your hip.

You threw him a lighthearted glare, brushing past him to unlock the front door. 

“It’s precious cargo, and I don’t think they accept returns.” You pointed out as he muttered something under his breath about how companies were totally taking advantage of their customers especially during the holiday season.

You walked through the doors, stepping out of your boots and letting the bags fall from your hands and thump softly against the carpet runner while Steve trailed behind you, nudging the door shut. His fingertips didn’t let up on the bags, proceeding, or more like attempting to pass by you in the tight hallway so that he could unload in the living room—your designated gift wrapping spot where you could easily place them under the already congested Christmas tree.

But you stepped in front of him, nearly causing him to trip if you hadn’t grabbed onto his shoulders, keeping him upright in the narrow hallway. He should’ve known something was up the second you didn’t barrel into the living room and get wrapping, but now he knew it. That calculated look festering upon your features and your bottom lip tugged between your teeth, staring at him for all he was worth.

“What’s going on?” His brows raised, keeping a watchful eye on you as you took it upon yourself to take the bags from his hands, gently placing them on the floor then wrapping your arms around his neck.

“There’s a mistletoe.”

You tilted your head with a mischievous grin, biting back laughter as his eyes began to dart every which way attempting to spot it.

He looked everywhere but behind him, where you had hastily hung it up before the two of you left for the mall. For the past couple of days, you had been moving it to different places in the house, just so you could have an excuse to steal one of his famous kisses that he didn’t mind ever giving you, no matter the season or day. 

“Where?” He finally gave up and wrapping his arms around your back, nearly taking you off your feet as he lifted you up to your tiptoes.

You giggled, holding onto him tighter, and throwing your head back towards the door that was upside down from your view. He spun the two of you around, your back facing the door, and only then did he have a clear view of the evergreen sprigs hanging just above the frame.

“How’d that get up there?” He asked, playing into your game. 

You shrugged, fingers dancing along the nape of his neck, as you stared at him lovingly.

“Must’ve been the elves? Maybe we have a secret elf on the shelf in here?”

“Are you insinuating that our home is haunted with an evil elf spirit?”

“Your words, not mine.” You replied, lips curling in defense.

“You know, if you want to kiss me so much, all you have to do is ask? You don’t have to ask the elf spirits to lift you up just so you can put it up there.” He chuckled, squeezing you tighter as you rolled your eyes.

“You’re so mean!” You whined dramatically, pinching his sweater covered shoulder while he snorted and placed a chaste kiss on your forehead. 

“I just want you under the mistletoe, that’s all. It’s romantic.”

You insisted with a pout, knowing Steve really didn’t mind your fun little game—in fact, he loved it, especially coming home after a long day and getting to kiss his favorite girl in the house he called his own.

“Well, in that case, keep moving them around, I’ll kiss you anywhere.” He murmured, finally pulling you impossibly closer to him, molding yourselves as one in the best way possible.

“Lay one on me, baby.” You beamed, eyes fluttering shut as your faces slotted against each other and, like the first time all over again, sparks flew when your lips met.

He always took the time to feel your skin on his, plump lips encasing yours and moving in tandem without ever trying to take over. A simple yet electrifying touch that you both wanted to commit to memory, happy to remember all the kisses under mistletoes and those in between the year too.

He pulled away just a few inches, looking down at you with a playfully raised brow.

“Happy now, elfie?”

You nodded all proud and triumphant, all before he caught that sneaky twinkle in your eye as if it never left. 

“Are you hiding a gift in your pocket, or is your North Pole usually this huge?”

You gasped, wiggling against him and trailing your eyes between your bodies, making him snort and shake his head at your antics.

“You’re terrible you know that?” he chided, squeezing your cheeks together as you couldn’t help your laughter.

“And that doesn’t even make any sense. What you should’ve said was South Pole.”

He set you back down on your feet with a wink, hands planted on your shoulders as he finally walked you into the living room.

“Oh no, please, Santa, I’ve been a good girl, please don’t give me coal for loving on my boyfriend!” You begged dramatically through your endless giggles.

It should be Hopper a thousand percent. Hell, he practically already had the build and stature for it, all he would need is the fake synthetic snow colored beard and the obnoxiously thick fleece outfit to complete the whole look.

Yet there Steve Harrington sat in the stiffest, most uncomfortable chair known to man, unceremoniously sporting the entire Santa get-up inside the makeshift workshop built from four flimsy cardboard walls painted like a gingerbread house in the middle of StarCourt.

It was practically a humiliation ritual and Steve didn’t even need the money to be taking up some kind of side hustle like this, but he had been guilt tripped into it, and of course it wouldn’t be work without his best friend tagging along.

“Oh, Santa, we’ve got a few more kiddos who want to see you!”

It was torture for her too, but Robin couldn’t help but giggle as she guided the group of children towards Santa. Unlike Steve, she was way more comfortable in her get-up, sporting a cute little green and red dress with ridiculously pointy shoes and an even pointer hat.

She was well aware that she looked pretty preposterous herself, but in her eyes, the little elf outfit was nothing compared to Steve’s outrageous Santa suit that was undoubtedly three sizes too big for him.

The itchy synthetic beard was the worst part of it all, practically concealing his entire mouth. It would have been ideal, seeing as though none of the kids could see the curse words he kept muttering, but then again the damn thing was suffocating him every two seconds.

He had been constantly tugging the elastic so much so that the beard was basically stretched by then, hanging loosely around his mouth—he looked like a complete Santa fraud.

Groaning at the sound of Robin’s cue, he adjusted the beard back into place the best he could, grumbling under his breath as she pulled back the red velvet curtain with a group of children trailing behind her.

Clearing his throat, he dropped his voice down for that signature Santa voice he couldn’t quite get right no matter how many times he tried…

“Ho, ho, ho, it’s a pleasure seeing—”

“Say cheese, Harrington!”

Before he knew it, there was a bright flash that stunned him so hard he grimaced, pinching his eyes closed. But then there was laughter. Unmistakable, for he was more than familiar with who they belonged to: the gang of dinguses who promised they wouldn’t come see their favorite babysitter act as Santa’s stand-in for a few weekends out of the month.

“What the heck!”

The faux Santa voice was long gone as Steve ripped the uncomfortable beard away from his face, staring at the kids in horror and annoyance for breaking the sacred promise that was solely in place to protect his own dignity.

“Dude, the costume is drowning you, don’t you have like a fake belly to wear or something?”

Lucas approached, poking him in the tummy where the velvet remained fabric creased instead of puffed out. 

Steve scoffed, swatting the boy’s hand away, not like he could inflict any pain anyway with the damn fluffy red and white trimmed gloves he had on.

“It’s the only size they had in storage, and you guys swore you wouldn’t come here and see me. You swore!” He pointed accusingly.

It was embarrassing enough that he recognized some of the families that came in to take pictures with Santa Claus which would now be hung up on refrigerators across the town, and now the last thing he wanted was to be pestered by the kids who would never let him live this down. 

“But El wanted a picture with Santa.” Max argued with a dramatic pout, tugging her best friend towards Steve who just stared at the two girls blankly. 

He knew. They all knew that Hopper dressed up as Santa for El’s first Christmas in Hawkins. Hell, you and Steve were there at the cabin, where they all got to celebrate and open gifts, all while El suspiciously questioned the whole Santa thing and found it more so funny that Hop would go through so much to make her first Christmas memorable. 

“I thought you didn’t believe in Santa?”

Robin finally stepped in, settling beside Steve with her arms crossed as if she was Santa’s personal bodyguard.

“I don’t believe my dad is Santa…but maybe you were all this time.” El snickered, failing to smother her laughter behind her hands, all while Max openly cackled in his face because she knew Steve just couldn’t say no to either of them. 

“Real or not, El cannot be deprived of a proper picture with Santa Claus. Everyone has at least one picture with Santa,” Dustin reasoned, stepping forward with his clunky polaroid ready to snap another picture.

“But first, we need to make sure you know what to get us for Christmas!”

Mike interjected, plopping onto his lap before a chorus of voices rang out in the small gingerbread house. 

Steve didn’t even need to hear it, considering they had already hounded you two the second November rolled around, strategically talking about things that they wanted and needed. And all those things were now pretty presents sitting under the tree, wrapped and bowed up, waiting for their little grabby hands to shred them open.

Robin eventually managed to round all the twerps up around Steve, mindful that there was one more person waiting outside to meet Santa, and she would hate to keep them waiting.

“Big smiles everyone!” She sing-songed, squinting through the viewfinder before hitting the button and watching the quick flash go off.

“Thanks!” they said in unison.

Dustin scrambled over to retrieve his camera before turning back and looking at Steve.

“Oh, and we need a ride home from the arcade at seven. See ya!”

Steve shut his eyes tightly, shaking his head before opening them back up staring pleadingly at his best friend, hoping to finally put an end to the long day just so he could go home to you.

“Please tell me that’s everyone?”

She pursed her lips, shaking her head.

“Actually, there’s just one more person.” She squeaked, holding out a single finger, watching him sigh deeply. 

“Can’t you just tell them Santa had to go or some bullshit?” He groaned. 

“Oh, suck it up! Don’t you wanna see a smile on their face?”

Steve couldn’t lie, no matter how ridiculous he looked, there were a few times the kids who still believed in Santa, genuinely looked star-struck to see him wearing smiles and eyes so wide that it kinda made the whole thing worth it for a solid ten minutes.

“Fine.”

He fitted the beard back over his face, as Robin headed back out the curtain to greet the last customer.

“If I slip you a $20 will you let me go in there by myself?” You whispered with a smile, already digging into your purse, but she shook her head, giving your arm a pat.

“Keep it sweet cheeks, he’s in a grumpier mood than usual.” She scoffed, arms crossing over her chest as she watched you laugh, trying to keep it down so Steve didn’t know it was you.

“You’re the best,” You grinned, kissing her cheek as she pushed the curtains aside for you to go in by yourself.

“Ho, ho, ho—”

“Is that the sexist Santa I’ve ever seen or what?” You whistled, clasping your hands behind your back as you kicked your foot up in the air bashfully.

“Oh, thank God it’s you!” 

He yanked off the stupid beard, tossing it aside and patting his lap as you giggled and immediately ran into him, getting cozy across his velvet covered thighs.

“I’m kinda mad that you banned me from seeing you like this until now.” You said half wistfully, fixing his lopsided hat.

“I look stupid.” He frowned, looping his arms across your waist.

“Stupidly cute, you know the beard thing is kinda hot.” You winked, eyeing the synthetic beard laying on the floor where he tossed it.

“I hate it. It’s itchy and gross.” 

“Awww, poor you, Santa.” You cupped his cheeks, pressing a quick peck to his lips to make him feel a little better.

“I don’t think I’m good with kids. Two babies cried, and I think I permanently traumatized a toddler with my Santa voice.” He sulked, hooking his chin on your shoulder as you pouted, and shook your head with a sincere smile. 

“Don’t say that, you’re great with kids… you were just attacked by a whole mob of them.” You teased, pulling his cheeks up to form a smile.

You just wished he could see himself through your eyes and how truly amazing he was by not just being a good babysitter, but a brother figure who was always around to protect them and most of all, encourage them to have fun. 

“Wait… you saw them?” He raised his brows, fingers squeezing gently at your waist. 

“I drove them here.” 

He pulled back, eyes widening as shock and betrayal covered his face.

“You plotted against me?!”

You rolled your eyes, staring at him pointedly.

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic. They said they wanted a picture with Santa and I just couldn’t rob them of that.”

“You know they’ve got you wrapped around their pinky and you don’t even know it.”

“Says the guy who got them all custom embroidered stockings.”

“Those were a good deal!”

Your joint laughter filled the gingerbread house, the realization that the two of you were complete suckers for those kids no matter what.

“I’ve got an even better deal,” you began, nuzzling your face towards his cheek, pressing kisses along the underside of his jaw. 

“Yeah? What is it?” He wondered, clueless.

“How about you come home with me and you can be Santa Claus and I’ll be Missus?”

“I-is there like a matching costume I don’t know about? Prop department only said they had—”

“What I mean is, I wanna take a ride on Santa’s sleigh.” You smirked, wiggling in his lap, as his cheeks began to heat up. 

“Oh…Oh,” The realization hitting him.

“And I was thinking that maybe you could come down the chimney and—”

“Robin, I’m going home! I’ll see you tomorrow!”

The Indiana weather was always unforgiving: in summer it was scorching hot and in the winter it was blistering cold. There was no such thing as pleasant weather unless you were willing to count the days spent locked inside an air-conditioned room or a heated space, depending on the conditions.

It especially didn’t help when there was outdoor decorating to do accompanied by moderate snowfall. You weren’t much help either considering your lack of coordination and fear of heights, but thankfully Steve was more than willing to handle any outdoor decorating that was needed. 

You stood on the snow covered grass, steadying the ladder with your gloved hands as you craned your neck up, watching Steve hook the string of lights beneath the perimeter of the roof ridges. 

“Stevie,” you called out past the chilly breeze, “I think we should call it a day, you must be freezing up there.”

You shivered, tightening your grip on the ladder as he reached to his left, carefully hooking the lights on the tiny nails he had hammered in the day prior. 

Thank goodness for preparation at the very least. 

You expected him to climb down the rungs, happy that he could take a break from your decoration requests, but to your surprise he let out a soft grunt, shaking his head, completely focused on the task at hand. 

“I’m all good up here, babe, just a few more and then I’ll be all done.” He said casually, as if he weren’t ten feet off the ground with a higher chance of getting frostbite all over his face. 

But of course, if there was anything your boyfriend was, it was determined. To be the best man he could. To do anything and everything to make you smile–even if it meant spending his off day hanging neon Christmas lights to make the house he grew up in finally a home where more memories like this one could be made for the years to come–and of course, seeing his best girl happy. 

“What did I do to get so lucky?” You sighed deeply, thinking to yourself what you must have done right in this lifetime to score a man as doting as Steve Harrington. 

You heard him snort, taking a quick glance down at you before continuing his work.

“Fall in love with an idiot whose parents would leave him behind a house to pay all by himself.” He supplied a dry laugh, but it only made you frown. 

“You’re not an idiot.” 

“Yeah?”

You hummed, a smirk playing on your face and Steve didn’t even need to take a glimpse towards you to know what was coming. 

“You’re a hunk with a nice ass.”

“Dude!” He chortled, throwing his head back and laughing up into the frigid crisp air all while you giggled from below. 

“Just sayin’…” You whistled, shrugging your shoulders. 

“I’m starting to believe the only reason why I’m up here is so that you can ogle at me.”

“Caught me red-handed, Stevie.” 

He continued working with you keeping him company with your never ending jokes that surely was the reason why his cheeks were becoming so red, and not so much the cold anymore. 

“Hmm baby, don’t you know why Santa always lands on the roof?” 

He let out a grunt mixed with laughter, shaking his head as he peered down at you curiously.

“No, why?”

Then he caught it—that sly look in your eyes, and before he could even think to stop you from making him laugh too hard, he might’ve taken a fall, you replied…

“It’s because he likes being on top.”

Your laughter filled the air before he could even react, and that alone made him laugh even harder, so smitten by you and your disgustingly unique sense of humor. 

“Is your name jingle bells because it looks like you want to go all the way.”

You sing-songed, boots crunching above the snow, as you did a little dance while Steve hung the very last light on the nail. 

“If your left leg is Thanksgiving and your right leg is Christmas can I visit between the holidays?” 

With a crooked grin on your lips, you stepped aside while Steve finally climbed down the rungs, landing just inches from you.

“You know,” he brushed the light layer of snow off the top of his beanie, “only you could make Christmas dirty.”

You took a step forward, reaching up on your tiptoes as you looped your arms around his neck, placing a peck on his lips.

“I take that as a compliment by the way.”

He smiled against you, caging you in his arms and pressing another kiss to your lips as he mumbled. “Hell of a talent if you ask me, baby.”

“But really, can I visit between the holidays?” 

“Christmas really has the pillow princess in a giving mood huh?” he teased lovingly, bringing his gloved fingers up to your face, tucking your hair behind your ear. 

You rolled your eyes, nudging him away weakly trying not to crack a smile and immediately failing.

“I changed my mind.”

“Hey c’mon I’m just joking baby,” he chuckled, not letting you leave his grip so easily. He leaned down, whispering all low and hoarse into your ear.

“You know Santa loves to give, it is his forte, after all.” 

This time you gasped, cheeks hurting as you smacked his upper arm. 

“Dirty!”

The television was background noise to the surrounding happenings at this point. The living room of you and Steve’s home was filled with laughter, surprise, and thanks coming from every direction as your friends and family gathered around and tore at the wrapping paper to reveal their gifts.

Steve sat in the worn-in grandfather chair and you settled comfortably in his lap clutching your camera tight and snapping pictures of everyone’s joyous faces while he held open a garbage bag, catching all the balled up wrapping paper they tossed in.

“How did you even get these! I thought they were sold out everywhere?”

El shrieked, excitedly flipping open the shoebox to reveal the limited edition plum colored Nikes that she had been eyeing but too indecisive on to actually buy before it was gone from The Footlocker. 

You turned to Steve, watching the proud smile on his face as he shrugged his shoulders casually like it was no big deal. 

“I went back and bought it while you and Max went to grab food, and I hid it in the trunk.” He confessed. 

El pouted gratefully, remembering that day her beloved babysitter had driven her and Max to the mall and back, having no idea her present was sitting in the trunk of his car the whole time. 

“Come on, I want a picture of you two together.” You chirped, sliding off Steve’s lap and patting his knee before ushering El over. 

She beamed from ear to ear, leaning into Steve's side as she proudly displayed her new kicks that were surely going to be worn in before the next year begun. 

“Adorable!” You cooed, snapping a few more candids when she reached over and hugged him extra tight, repeating her ‘thank you’s’ while Steve said they could now officially start matching shoes together. 

If the kids weren’t already spoiled enough by the gifts you had picked up for them, then they were going to be completely pampered by Steve’s selection. 

Max was elated when she ripped open her present to see a new Walkman and headphones after her original one broke–so happy and relieved to be able to listen to music on the go again. 

Dustin rambled eagerly when he opened his fancy transceiver that Steve didn’t know anything about, except the fact that it was the one missing piece to his Cerebro so he could get back to talking to his dear Suzie. 

Lucas’ arms practically flew through the sleeves of the gray Members Only Racer he had specifically asked for, coining it the ‘cool looking jacket’ that he needed to have in his closet. 

Will clutched the official copy of the Dungeon Master’s guide and the new set of dice against his chest, squealing that he couldn’t wait to plan the next campaign.

And last but not least, Mike had immediately ripped off his old Casio G-Shock, replacing it with the Nelsonic Pac-Man game watch that he swore was going to keep him entertained through his boring social studies class next semester. 

Steve not only was the best babysitter, but clearly an amazing gift giver, catering ever present to the kids’ likes and wants to make for an unforgettable Christmas. 

“Everyone get in, I want a family picture with your babysitter!” You hollered.

You couldn’t help but giggle as you squinted through the viewfinder, seeing all six nuggets gather around Steve and fall into place like it was the most natural thing in the world. The sight made your heartache in a balmy-wholesome way, knowing that there was no man who had as big of a heart as Steve did—and it was the reason why you were positive you’d be stuck together forever. 

“Say ‘Merry Christmas’” 

“Merry Christmas!” they chorused, with smiles miles wide.  

“Now say, ‘We’re having a baby!’” 

“We’re hav–Wait! What!?” 

Their smiles turned into gaping mouths, eyes wide as they froze and stared at you, then each other, then back at you, waiting for answers. 

You lowered the camera slowly, a smile creeping up on your face, not having it in you to say anything more. It took him a second or two, but Steve finally shot out of the chair, feet shuffling against the carpeted floor, hands splayed out in front of him trying to form words until they finally came through. 

“Y-You’re messing with me, right?” 

You didn’t answer, just setting the camera down, walking over to the empty Christmas tree where one tiny gift was left. Walking back towards him, you placed the present in his hand, nodding.

“Open it.” You whispered, watching his trembling fingers undo the knot of the bow then rip gently through the paper. 

There it was. A bright pink pregnancy test with an even brighter ‘+’ sign. 

For a moment you thought he was going to be terribly sick, but then came a choked out sound–a mixture been a laugh and a cry–all before he finally looked up at you and smiled. 

“Holy crap… we’re going to be parents.” His voice broke, bottom lip wobbling, and his eyes glazing over with happy tears. 

“We are.” You replied softly, hooking your arms around his neck as your own vision blurred with tears.

“I know you said you wanted six nuggets, but I guess seven can’t hurt, right?” 

“Seven’s not bad at all, sweetheart.” He murmured, hands cradling your face, the two of you staring at each other so sickly sweet before your lips finally met warm and slow. 

“I can’t believe there’s gonna be a little Steve running around!” Dustin shouted, pumping his fist in the air. . 

“Or Stevie!” Max countered, she and El beginning to gush at how cute your baby would be.  

You and Steve broke away, foreheads resting against one another as you laughed at the sound of the kids completely losing their minds over a new addition. You knew deep down they were going to be the best babysitters in their own right, and might even spoil your kid rotten more than they have been by you and Steve. 

After all the congratulations, Robin generously offered to snap some photos of you and Steve, and of course some with your illegitimate-legit children who teased that Steve totally had to dress up as Santa the next year again. 

Finally, you settled back on Steve’s lap, watching in content as everyone shared a special moment with the ones they loved, creating new priceless memories that would live on forever. And as Steve’s hands settled on your stomach, you leaned up, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek, before whispering just for him to hear. 

“Here’s to keeping my stocking filled.” 

His eyes pinched shut, shoulders shaking as he laughed so loud it drowned out everything else, as if it was just you and him, and then he hugged you close, nose sweeping against your ear as he murmured… 

“Merry Christmas, sweetheart.” 

💌 reblogs, tags, comments, + likes are greatly appreciated! leave a comment and let me know if want to be added to my taglist!!

a/n: hey my loves!!! first stevie fic in a minute yay!!!! i hope you all loved this short and sweet little thing I was able to throw together. i had this one sitting in my wips since last year and finally got the inspiration to finish it <3 thanks for sticking around and i hope you all are taking care of yourselves!!!

Mondays are regularly a rough one, no matter if you wake up on the right side of the bed or put your best foot forward. But Joel understands it completely. The start of the demanding days ahead, and you just want it to be over before it has even truly begun.

It’s routine by now and he gets it—he always will until routine changes and you decide otherwise.

On this particular Monday, the sun has already begun to set. Rays of oranges and pinks filter through the backyard sliding door and into the kitchen. The big light is already being switched on, slightly brightening up the space where Sarah sits at the island working on her essay while Joel busies himself with making dinner.

In the distance, he can finally hear the rumbling of your car pulling into the driveway. The kill of the engine and the keys jingling as you unlock the deadbolt, letting yourself in.

“Hey babes.” You call out just loud enough for them to hear, shutting the door behind you.

You toe off your shoes, dropping your bags to the ground and keys into the ceramic bowl beside his. Padding across the house, you follow the sounds of faint bustling, entering the kitchen where you find them like two peas in a pod, never far away from one another. 

He and Sarah turn their heads, watching a tired yet content smile wash over your face, eyes crinkling at the edges despite the fatigue in your orbs. The day has so clearly worn you down, yet coming home to see their faces makes it all feel a little better, no matter how crappy the hours prior have been. 

“Hey hey.” Sarah beams as you round the island, hugging her from behind.

You take a quick peek at the progress she’s made on her essay since she first asked you to look over it last week. There are more paragraphs now, and it looks more complete—the suggestions you had initially made in the margins were erased having been considered upon her best judgement.

You whisper out a quiet ‘good job’ before leaving her alone to continue working, before trailing towards Joel. He hovers over the stove with a kitchen towel thrown over his shoulder, deeply observing the pot over the open flame.

You wrap your arms around him from behind, pressing a kiss to the middle of his back, where you feel him chuckle and reach behind you to run his palm over your hip.

“Hi there darlin’” he greets, covering the lid and drawing you to his side, holding you tight to his chest and placing a kiss on the top of your head.

You don’t say much at first, just letting your bones temporarily free themselves of the weight of the day, giving it all to Joel who happily carries it for as long as you need. A minute goes by before you finally shift your eyes elsewhere and part your lips to speak.

“What’re cooking?” You rest your head on his chest, peeking into the foggy lid where something simmers on low, a savory smell permeating the air making your stomach rumble.

“Stew. Got some chunks of beef in there, some baby potatoes, and carrots. Nice and soothing.” He explains, gently thumbing your shoulders lulling the excess stress away.

“It smells delicious.” You hum, reaching out to uncover it, getting a better look and smell.

Joel feels quite proud seeing the way you flutter your eyes shut, taking a deep whiff, like the aroma alone could heal your tiredness. It was the same recipe his late mother would whip up for him and Tommy when they were younger, and without fail it always left him feeling a little warmer inside after a long day. And now, it was the same kind of comfort he was trying to give to you. 

“It’s not quite done yet, though.” He says, keeping one arm locked around you as he reaches for the wooden spoon, stirring the contents and ensuring nothing is getting burnt to the bottom of the pot.

The rich brown broth is still a tad bit runny for his liking, needing more time to reduce, yet even then it still looks appetizing with all the hearty ingredients floating around becoming more tender by the minute.

He drags the bottom of the spoon along the pot’s edge, blowing the steam gently and offering you a small taste. You take a small sip of the broth, nodding your head in satisfaction as the flavors melt onto your tongue–watching as he samples the remainder while you cover the pot again. He hums at the taste, setting the spoon back onto a plate before speaking once more. 

“Should be finished by the time you get out of the shower.” 

His suggestion is not only considerate of the food he’s making, but your own wellbeing and schedule. By getting you into the shower now, it means getting you to bed earlier without needing to do much after. On Mondays, Joel knows you never really feel inclined to take any work home, just simply wanting to close out the day and get some rest to prepare yourself for the next day. 

Though it pains him to see you so blue and restless, it makes him feel a lot better to know you’re resting rather than forcing yourself to work through the night–because those nights will come later on in the week, he knows from experience. Without putting up a fight, you pull yourself away from his side, slowly stretching out your stiff limbs. 

“Yeah, that’s fine. I’ve been wanting to scrub the day off, anyway.” You say with a groan, gripping your back and pushing your chest forward, hating yourself for not taking more breaks from your desk today. 

He leans over to peck your lips, rubbing the small of your back gently.

“Go baby.”

Before you can fully exit the kitchen, Sarah whistles, grabbing your attention promptly.

“Don’t fall asleep in there. You’re the only one I can trust to proofread my essay!”

She shoots you a pointed look then aiming it at her dad and finally back to you in a pleading manner.

He can only tsk, while you reassure her with a small laugh.

“Wouldn’t dream of it, honey.”

Joel had tried giving his own string of feedback earlier in the afternoon when Sarah asked, but all he could manage to find wrong was the incorrect date on the front page of her paper. 

Call it the dad in him, but he thought everything she did was perfect. No flaws to ever grace her, not even in the academic work she did. And while Sarah always appreciated having such a supportive dad her whole life, in times like these, it was when she really cherished having you around to step in and help her find what she could improve on–not necessarily to be perfect, but to progress and learn more from her previous tries.

So, Joel didn’t mind being a second-place proof-reader, at all. Not when you consistently speak so highly of his little girl and continue to encourage her to keep learning. And especially when Sarah feels comfortable enough to go to you for help, no matter how big or small. 

He knows that even when your plate's full with a hundred different things, you’d drop it all to make time for her, never making her feel like she’s adding to your responsibilities because you never saw Sarah as such to begin with. 

No matter if she wasn’t yours the same way she was Joel’s–you cared for the kid like she was your own. It’s what made coming home to her and Joel everyday extra special.

Twenty minutes later the island was set with three steaming bowls of stew over a fluffy bed of white rice. Sarah’s handwritten essay cast off to the side, free from stray splatters and potential spills. 

“Food’s already plated sweetheart.” Joel calls out when he hears your footsteps pad down the stairs, reentering the kitchen.

You sport an oversized t-shirt and a pair of sweats, quietly saying thank you to him before taking your seat, getting comfortable. 

Sarah hisses around a hot mouthful of food, standing up and going for the fridge. 

“Water or Coca-Cola?” She garbles between chews, fanning her mouth while you and Joel stifle your laughter. 

“Cola, please.” You say kindly, beginning to mix your food around with your spoon, getting every grain of rice coated with the velvety broth. 

“Water for me.” Joel answers. 

She takes her seat again after you all have your respective drinks, warning you guys that the food is really hot. You grin, rubbing her back as she sips her soda, Joel snickering at her for being too impatient to dig in. 

“So how was everyone’s day?” You raise your brows, blowing on your spoonful, and looking between the two of them.

Joel clears his throat, going first.

“Didn’t go on the work site today,” he takes half a bite, chews, then continues, “stayed in the office doin’ paperwork, WD40-ed a squeaky door. Solid, easy day.” He says casually. 

“Did the office ladies ogle while you did that?” Your lips quirk up into a smirk, peering over at Sarah who mirrors your expression with a giggle. 

“Last time I visited, I swear Martha was flirting with him.” She badgers, tilting her head at her dad all while you feigned a gasp, brooding in your chair.

“Martha’s sixty-one with a husband and three adult children.” Joel deadpans between the two of you, but it doesn’t seem to shake the devious grins on your faces.

He won’t say it, but he doesn’t mind, even when the teasing is at his expense. Anything to see you smile on Monday makes him happy, even the accusations that the office ladies who he considers his elders find him attractive. 

“She’s also a woman with desires, Joel.” You argue, going to poke at his cheek as he cringes inwardly.

“You know most women her age often have more elaborate fantasies and higher sex drives than women in their thirties.” You pester on, taking another bite of your food while his cheeks go bright red. 

Sarah cuts in dramatically, slapping her palms down on the granite countertop, drilling in on the joke. 

“Oh my God, I just learned about that in my health guidance class!”

Laughter swiftly fills the kitchen as you and Sarah throw your heads back and Joel can’t help but shake his head in amusement at the two of you. He likes to think that he wields the magic wand of getting you through the week, but the truth is, it really is a team effort between him and Sarah, giving you a reason to smile and laugh as hard as you were now. 

When your combined laughter finally dies down, you glance over at her in curiosity, wondering how the high school freshman was holding up. 

“Tell us about your day, Sarah.” You ask, going back to enjoying your home-cooked meal.

She chews quickly as if she remembers something intriguing she just has to tell you and her dad.

“Jessica and Ben from third period English broke up last weekend, and now it’s like, super awkward. The class is basically split into two sides, and even Mrs. Click can sense something is wrong.” She spills without missing a beat. 

“Why’d they break up?” Joel raises a brow, taking a sip of his water. 

“Apparently Ben went out to the movies with Jessa from fourth period biology, and even though he says he’s just friends with her, Jessica doesn’t buy it.”

“Wait,” you tip your head up suddenly perplexed, “So Ben’s ex-girlfriend’s name is Jessica and the girl he decided to ‘cheat’ with is named Jessa?”

She nods totally aware of the absurdity of it all, before telling you two the kicker. 

“And they both have blonde hair and green eyes.”

Joel snorts disapprovingly, while you purse your lips and roll your eyes.

“Yeah, he definitely has a type.” He mutters. 

“Totally! But the worst part is Mrs. Click said that if the class doesn’t start getting on the same page she’s gonna get the counselor in to do a big talk for a whole period.” She groans with a roll of her eyes. 

The three of you continue dinner, entertained by the rest of Sarah’s recollection of her day, which is hands down way more interesting than you and Joel’s combined. 

He’s thankful for her willingness to share parts of her life that many teens her age would much rather keep to themselves. And he always thought there’d be a time where she’d brush him off and barely give him the time of day, but it seems quite the opposite–her never failing to include you and him in her life, even when you two don’t always ‘get’ the newest teenage fads. 

When you all finish eating, Sarah helps bring the dirty dishes over to the sink where he begins to scrape the scraps into the garbage bin. He tells you to sit back down when you offer to help, not wanting you to exhaust yourself more than you already were. 

“I think I’m gonna head up early. I wanna read before bed.” Sarah says, rinsing her hands under the warm water. 

“Sounds good, sweetheart.” Joel nods, leaning into her as she hugs at his side saying goodnight. 

“I’ll look over your paper and leave it here for you okay?” You reach over across the island, just as she comes over to you. 

“You’re the bestest,” she hugs you tightly, pressing a kiss to your cheek, “and make sure you get some sleep too.” She reminds you, privy to the workload you carry on your shoulders too. 

“I’ll go to bed as soon as your dad finishes up.” You promise, kissing her temple sweetly, so grateful for her thoughtfulness that she so undeniably got from her father.

Joel steals glances at you every so often as runs the dishes through the stream of water before loading them into the dishwasher. You were concentrated, mouthing the words on the paper, pausing every so often to squiggle notes in the margins before flipping through the rest of the pages. 

By the time he starts the washer and finishes wiping down the counters, he’s peering behind you, watching as you wrap up your last set of notes on the final page, giving her citations a quick skim to make sure they were all formatted correctly to which they were. 

“How’d she do?” He rubs your shoulders tenderly, before you tip your head back to look at him upside down while he grins, fingertips moving to rub at your cheeks instead. 

“Phenomenal as per usual, but she just needs to clarify some sentences to make it stronger, then she’s good to go.” You explain, shutting your eyes just briefly, only to open them to the sight of him bending down, connecting your lips. 

His are tender and warm against yours, sweeping just softly as you kiss back, feeling the dull scratch of his stubble graze across your skin as you both smile into each other like tired idiots, desperately needing sleep. 

He pulls away just to tilt your head back up, offering you a hand as you stand from the chair.

“Thanks for lookin’ over it even though I know you’re tired.” He murmurs, lacing his fingers through yours, standing still in the amber light of the kitchen.  

You shake your head at his small hint of remorse, the task actually doing more to help you forget about the real cause of your tiredness, if anything at all.

“Anything to get my mind off school and the internship helps a lot.” You tell him, and he nods understandingly, silently slinging his arm around your waist as you two begin shutting off the lights and making your way up the stairs quietly. 

“Do you wanna talk about your day?” He asks casually, always reminding you that you never had to if you didn’t want to revisit it. 

Tonight, you shake your head, sighing softly. “Not really.”

He nods, fingers kneading into your side sympathetically, just doing what he can to help you know he’s here for you. 

“S’alright baby, I got you.” He opens the bedroom door, walking you to the bathroom where you two brush your teeth in silence. 

His eyes stayed glued to your reflection in the mirror, watching the way your eyes begin to droop heavily with every blink now turning into a longer pause. The hand holding your electric toothbrush becomes limp, just holding it weakly and letting the brush do all the work. When the cycle finishes, he gently steals it from your hands, running it under the water and encouraging you to rinse your mouth just for a few seconds. 

He eventually steers you back into the bedroom, guiding you towards your side of the bed where he pulls back the covers, letting you fall onto the mattress like deadweight. He pulls the covers up a little higher over your collarbones, switching on the bedside lamp so that you can fall asleep easily, though it doesn’t look like you need the extra help. 

“I’ll be out in a bit.” He whispers, placing a kiss to your forehead, but to his surprise, you squirm under the overs, brows furrowing as you mumble.  

“Don’t be long, I want cuddles.”

He grunts with a shake of his head, not knowing how you were still able to form words after all that, but he pressed another kiss this time on your lips. 

“I promise darlin’.” 

He returns from the bathroom fifteen minutes later to find you snoring quietly. Soft breaths of air leaving your mouth, chest rising and falling, and your limbs finally resting like they’ve craved for. 

He rounded over to your side to shut off the lamp, now completely eclipsing the room. His eyes adjust to the dark, walking back over to his side and letting his back meet the comfort of the mattress. Like clock-work he turned his body towards you, snaking his arms around your body and pulling you close before he finally shut his eyes.

“Goodnight, sweetheart.” He murmurs, burying his face in your hair.“I love you.” 

Tuesday and Wednesday are equally draining as Monday’s, but the pace seems to quicken with the days bleeding into one another and your schedule getting busier. You share a few texts when you can throughout the day, checking in on how the new renovation is going on his end, and he asks about the final internship project on yours.  

The next time his phone buzzes, it’s not a text but a FaceTime call coming from you. His fingers click the green button, and he flashes a small smile, waiting for the screen to connect. 

“Hey baby.” He greets when finally graced with a grainy video of you adjusting your earbuds. 

“Hi,” you wave, gazing down at your phone just briefly before looking back up at what’s in front of you. “Sorry I’m walking to a coffee shop right now.” You say, keeping the phone at a low angle.

“Goin’ to get some late lunch?” He suspects, noting the two hours that have gone by since he had his own—leftover stew from two days ago.

“Yeah, I’m starving. I barely had time for breakfast.” You let out a small groan, pulling open a glass door as he suddenly hears faint jazz music and chatter in the background. 

Joel leans back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest as he watches you tap a finger on your chin as you look over the menu. 

“And what is it you’re always tellin’ me about never leaving’ the house on an empty stomach?” He teases while you roll your eyes playfully, whispering for him to ‘shut up.’

You finally seem to decide what you want, stepping up to the counter as you greet the cashier with a smile and begin ordering. 

“Yeah, can I do a medium iced vanilla latte with an extra shot of espresso?”

Joel would chastise you for consuming enough caffeine to induce a heart attack, but you were clearly in the working groove, just needing a little something extra to get you over.

He hears you order two more items: a ham and cheese croissant and a chocolate chip cookie. You thank the cashier, moving off to find a seat while you wait. Setting your bag down, you finally set the camera upright where he can see all of you now.

“Sorry, I hope I’m not disturbing any office time.” You say, noticing that he isn’t in fact taking his usual break from the comfort of his truck, but in his office with his phone propped against what you assume is his computer monitor.

He shakes his head, turning the camera a little to show you what he was doing before you called. 

“Not at all, sweetheart. Just finished up sendin’ the invoice to the new clients.”

“All done with the worksite today?” You assume, and he nods, turning the camera back to himself and catching you up on his day so far. 

“Just needed to check on the concrete pour from yesterday and get some of the electrical started. Headin’ to pick Sarah up from school…” he pauses, looking down at his watch, making a note of the time, “in about an hour, then take her to practice.”

Wednesdays were early after school pickups and late afternoon practices, ones that Joel never missed no matter how tied up he was at work. 

You pouted deeply, propping your chin up on your fist, “Wish I could get out early too, but the stupid deadline got moved up and I really want to finish this before—”

“Baby, s’okay,” he cuts in with a deep chuckle, “Sarah understands how busy you are. I understand. You’re nearly done, sweetheart, and when you are we know you’ll be there.”

He catches you on one too many occasions beating yourself up for feeling as if you’re missing out on their lives. But the truth is Joel doesn’t want you spreading yourself out thinner than you already are, especially when you’re juggling more than he is. He doesn’t say it out loud though, he never does, not when he knows you’d defend his honor about being a full time present dad all while running an independent contractor business with no outside partners–which you find way more difficult than grad school and an internship. 

He disagrees with your argument by a long shot, but he’s content with keeping it to himself, knowing deep down in his heart you’re the most hard-working person he’d ever met, and a selfless one at that. 

“Thanks, babe.” You smile sincerely, in awe of how easily he can soothe your worries without feeling like pity, but understanding. 

You two chatted for a few more minutes, catching him up on what you did in the office today and the free time you had to work on some course assignments before your order was called out. 

“I’m gonna head back to the office now, but I’ll text you when I’m free. I might be home later than usual. Just trying to squeeze in as much work as I can today.” You let him know, not wanting him to worry too much if you didn’t get home at your usual time. 

He nods, drawing the phone close to his face, as if he’s trying to bring you closer to him too. “Sounds good sweetheart, I love you.”

“Love you, too.” You grinned, pursing your lips together, giggling as he returned the gesture with a wet smooth and then the line disconnected. 

As he anticipated, you did get home later than usual. Sarah was already fast asleep, but not without reminding him to stay up and wait for you to get home before he tucked in. Without a doubt, he was going to do so, never sleeping well, or at all without knowing you got home safe and sound.

He was sitting on the couch freshly showered and his belly full of Chinese takeout, by the time you pulled into the driveway. He greeted you at the door, pecking your lips and taking your bags, telling you to head to the living room where dinner was waiting. 

There was a steaming plate of fried rice and an array of leftover entrees and side dishes beside a cold glass of water. Even though you had called him to let him know you were on the way and not that hungry, he still made the effort to lay it out for you, just in case you had a change of appetite.

And of course you did with such a long day you had. 

He sat with you on the couch, your legs thrown over his thighs as you forked through the plate on your lap telling him about the drive home. There was a minor accident on the highway, leaving one lane closed and traffic beginning to pile up. You would have been home twenty minutes earlier had it not been for the jam, but Joel still murmurs that he’s happy you got home safe.

He tells you about early pick up and Sarah’s practice, while occasionally reaching over to spoon more food onto your plate as you eat, knowing you didn’t have much since your late lunch FaceTime call. 

The hour ticks on late, and he yawns deeply from time to time, trying to get himself to stay up even when you tell him he can head up to bed before you. Sarah’s practice also had run a little overtime, leaving Joel too tired to cook something at home by the time they left the field, and so takeout it was. 

“I’ll be up in a bit,” you promise him between bites, your foot rubbing against his thigh hoping he would sway. “I just need to log in to do some forum replies and start the next chapter reading.”

“How long is ‘a bit’?” He let out a groan, eyes crinkling shut and yawning once more. 

You wiggle your shoulders, still chewing, “Like an hour tops.”

“They due tomorrow?” He assumes, noting that you never stay up this late unless you really have to.

“Just the replies,” you reply, swallowing, “but if I can at least get half the chapter reading done, it’ll help for the lecture.”

He gives you a slow but hesitant nod, shifting your legs off his lap and onto the cushions as he stands up. 

“Just leave the dishes in the sink. I’ll load them in the washer tomorrow before I head out.” He mumbles, bending down to peck your lips. 

“Okay.” You nod, watching as he walks up the stairs, leaving you to work in silence for a while. 

He manages a little more than an hour of rest until his body wakes up on its own after feeling you were nowhere to be found when he shifted, trying to cuddle you. If his intuition served him right, you were passed out on the couch with your laptop nearly falling off onto the ground at this point. 

He threw off the covers, making his way down the stairs groggily, doing his best to stay quiet and not wake Sarah. And just as he suspected there you were completely passed out. 

“Sweetheart,” he shook your shoulders gently, seizing your laptop before it could topple over and placing it on the coffee table.

You stirred slightly at the sudden touch, pinching your eyes and finally opening them.

“W-what time is it?” You croaked, rubbing your eyes and causing your mascara to smudge around your skin. 

“Almost 1:30.” He squints at the clock on the wall then back down to you. 

“Already?” You whine, covering your face with your hands, trying to get yourself a little more awake but failing.

He helps you sit up straight before gesturing to your laptop.

“Is your work all saved? Goin’ to shut it and charge it for you.” 

You nod your head wordlessly, watching as he sifts through your work bag, pulling out a long charger and plugging it into the wall, connecting the other side to your laptop as it makes a soft ding and he shuts it gently.

“Let’s get you to bed.” He says, holding his arm out to you as you stand up and lean into his side, his elbow knocking the light switch off. 

“I still have to shower.” You whisper, slowly walking up the stairs. 

“Just be quick.” He tells you, shutting off the stairwell light, and closing your bedroom door.

You agree wordlessly, heading towards the bathroom while he rifles through the drawers grabbing you a clean pair of underwear and an oversized t-shirt leaving it on the counter for you. He slips back into bed, eyes shutting as he hears the water run. It’s a few minutes before it finally shuts off, and the slide of the glass shower door tells him you’re all done. A few minutes pass, and he feels the bed shift with you settling beside him. 

“Sorry,” you whisper, enclosing your arms around his body and placing a delicate kiss to his bare shoulder. 

He makes a disapproving low sound, drawing his fingers up to yours where they rest on his sternum, clasping them together. 

“Nothin’ to be sorry for baby…go to sleep.” He mumbles tiredly. 

You shuffle as close as you can get, brushing your lips against his skin once more before your breaths begin to fall against his spine, the two of you lulled to sleep, and this time without Joel missing you beside him.  

On Thursday, Joel feels like he’s counting down the seconds to midnight just so he can get closer to his favorite day of the week. But in some ways, he feels like Thursdays offer a head start to that day, especially when his phone erupts with messages coming from a group chat Sarah has named Family. 

Your message comes in first. 

‘Just remembered we have beef patties in the freezer. Want burgers for dinner tonight?’

Sarah replies almost instantly, ‘Sure. Can we have sweet potato fries too?”

‘Yeah, I’ll grab some otw home. Need anything else?’ You add. 

Joel’s fingers type something out, a stupid self-indulgent smirk spreading over his features as he stares down at his phone like a skittish teenager texting their crush.

‘Your pretty face’ he hits send without a second thought prompting Sarah to flood the chat with a slew of eye-rolling emojis.

Then, ‘Really dad? Text her privately. Gosh!!!!’ He can practically hear her embarrassment seeping through the messages. 

Before he can send back his own string of pixelated emoticons, his screen lights up with a picture of you as an incoming call rings. He picks up, pulling off a bright yellow hard hat and pressing the phone to his ear.  

“Are you trying to gross your daughter out or what?” You scold him jokingly, and he swears he can picture the smitten look on your face.  

“She’ll live.” Joel chuckles, eyes fleeting around the site where his brother and few other guys work on prepping the next concrete pour some feet away. 

“So you’re gettin’ off early today, huh?” He asks, pleased that you don’t have to stay back as late as you have been the last few days.

The long days you have been pulling have put a dent in your usual sleep schedule and it certainly hasn’t been easy on your body or mind, especially when working uncomfortably at a desk for hours at a time, barely getting to eat a proper filling meal. Today is one of those lucky Thursday’s and he can only hope for more of them, as you near the end of your semester and things are beginning to fizzle out into a manageable calm. 

“Yup.” You quip eagerly.

He can hear some rustling in the background, zippers pulling shut and the fabric of your bag crinkling as you pack away your things.

“I’m just about finished with the project, and all I have to do is look over it one more time before I send it over. And I can do all of it from home.” You inform him, slinging your bag over your shoulder and swiping your keys off your desk, quietly saying your goodbyes to a few of your colleagues. 

He feels slightly relieved to hear the day has been kinder to you, despite the obvious obligations you still have yet to fulfill and get off your plate. Nevertheless, the light at the end of the tunnel is closer than you think. 

“I’m proud of you, darlin’,” he praises warmly, already making plans to grab you a little something before he gets home.

“Couldn’t have done it without you.” You reply gratefully before continuing with a short laugh, “But seriously, do you need anything else from the store?” 

He chuckles, thinking for a moment, trying to remember what he had in the fridge. “Grab some sesame buns and a red onion.”

“And my pretty face, right?” You tease, and he hears your car door open and shut. 

He doesn’t miss a single beat, buzzing out something soft and low. 

“Pretty sure they don’t sell ones like yours there…too special, too already mine.”

From across the site, Tommy shouts something in the distance, badgering Joel about getting off his phone and joining the rest of the crew. He grumbles, shouting something back at him as you start up your car and giggle at their banter. 

“Go back to work flirt.” You chastise, pulling his attention away from his younger brother. 

“Sorry about him,” Joel sighs apologetically, though you think it’s cute they still poke fun at each other now that they’re older. “Drive safely, sweetheart.” 

“I will, baby.”

By the time his truck pulls up in the driveway later that afternoon, your car is already parked in its usual spot. He took a little longer to get home, stopping by the grocery store to pick up a bouquet and your favorite candy bar as a small congratulations for getting one step closer to finishing up the big project. 

“I’m home!” He announces, undoing the laces of his boots and setting them aside, throwing his keys beside yours.

“We’re out here!” Sarah clamors from the backyard.

He stops a few feet away from where you two don’t notice him, allowing himself to revel in the sight of his two favorite girls. You both stood in front of the deck grill, changed out of your usual work and school attire, and your hair pulled out of your faces. Sarah waved an aluminum pan in the air, gently fending off any flies, meanwhile you stood with one hand on your hip, the other gripping a metal spatula, staring intently at the grill. 

He doesn’t expect to see you two starting without him, but he can’t complain knowing there was no better sight to come to than this, especially on the rare occasions that it’s you home before him. 

“You started without me?” He whistles, hiding the goodies behind his back as steps outside to join you both. 

Sarah manages to catch a glimpse of the flower petals, nodding her head when he mouths at her to ‘not say anything’ without you catching it. She hovers the pan behind his back, helping keep the gift hidden.    

“I just put them on a few minutes ago. Sarah had to help me watch a YouTube tutorial on how to get the grill started.” You met his lips in a quick peck before you turned your attention back to the grill, hoping it wasn’t burning. 

He took notice of the charcoal bag resting on the ground, ripped open and slightly lopsided as you and Sarah struggled to lift and pour the heavy thing into the firebox. It had finally set in that you had been aiming to get dinner done before he arrived home. He had been pulling a lot of your weight lately, always making sure you came home to a warm and cozy dinner no matter how tired he was, and you wanted to attempt to at least try to do the same for him today. 

Sarah points at you, smacking her dad on the shoulder gently.

“She was the brave one and actually lit it up. I was kinda scared but she did it just like how you always do.” 

You grin, letting your back fall against his chest, peering up at him.

“Yeah, and I’m coming for your title as grill master.” 

Joel chuckles, shaking his head as he finally pulls his arm from behind him, presenting you with the colorful arrangement and the candy bar he managed to lay in the center. 

“Reckon these are yours, grill master.” He hums, letting you take hold of the stems, trading you for the spatula instead. 

You stare down at them in appreciation, shaking your head up at him with a shy smile. “You didn’t have to.” 

He shrugs, leaning over to kiss your forehead. “I wanted to.” 

Finally, Sarah laughs, bonking her dad’s head with the pan, and making grabby hands at the arrangement, wanting to see which kinds of flowers he picked this time. You handed it over, trading her for the pan as she took in every kind of flower. 

“I’ll leave you lovebirds alone,” she sings, making the two of you laugh.

“And I’ll get started on the fries.” She tosses the candy bar towards you, skipping into the house, but not before looking over her shoulder and giving her dad a thumbs up for his choice of bouquet.

“Thank you.” You say quietly, ripping open the treat already enjoying a bite.

He laughs, shaking his head telling you it was nothing.

“So how was pick up?” He adds curiously, silently thanking you for grabbing Sarah from school today.

“Good! I surprised her with a milkshake and donut from the cafe I went to yesterday, and she loved it.” You held the bar out for him to take a bite.

“No carpoolin’?” He chews, sliding the spatula under the patties checking on the char.

“Not today, but some of her friends stopped by to say ‘hi’ to me.” You reveal a little proudly, hoping Sarah doesn’t hear you pathetically brag about how neat it was that she brought you up to her friends enough that they wanted to meet you. 

“Hmm, is that right?” He nudges your side with his elbow, teasing just slightly at your clear giddiness.

“Apparently, they’ve been dying to meet Mr. Miller’s cool, pretty, and super smart girlfriend.” You repeated in the same inflection Sarah had introduced you to them through the passenger window. 

He smiles at the thought, knowing plenty of his daughter’s friends often ask him about you too when it was his day for carpooling. He suspected that next week he’d probably have to deal with a bunch of teenage girls asking him how he managed to luck out with someone like you, but he says it would be pretty worth it. 

“Can’t say that I haven’t bragged about you a few times either.” He grins, flipping the patties as you giggle beside him.

“It was definitely the right pick-me-up for today.” You tiptoe, kissing his cheek sweetly.

Dinner is eaten outside, with the three of you watching the sunset and talking about the plans for tomorrow. Sarah doesn’t need a ride home because it’s a home game, so you and Joel agree to meet there. Your last lecture of the day ends right when her game starts, so you warn her that you’ll be a little late, but she assures you she’ll save her scoring drive when you turn up. 

Joel finds that as the week comes to a close, you open up a little more about your day, finding small parts of it that don’t seem draining to revisit. Sarah asks about the office you intern at and if they’ve fixed the air conditioning that went out last week. Joel grins proudly when he hears that you were this close to having him stop by and take a look at it himself, before they actually got someone to come and get it up and running again.

With Sarah being a freshman in high school, she has been a little more interested in taking a look at her different options after graduation. You attend a university just a half hour away from the house, and they offer an array of concentrations. You offer to bring her on campus one of these days to show her around and maybe talk to some friends of yours in different degree paths just so she can get a feel of what is out there. 

Joel can’t help but feel a little sad that she’s growing up so fast, but at the same time he’s thankful to know you were always there to help her through anything, especially with these sorts of things that he didn’t have much knowledge in. 

By the time your bellies are full, Joel picks up the dirty dishes, taking them into the kitchen where you trail behind holding a stack of watered down glasses.

“Go rest up kiddo, you’ve got a big day tomorrow.” He calls out to Sarah who hovers around the kitchen about to jump in and help you two clean up.

“Are you sure you don’t need any help?” She asks, looking over at you who nods reassuring her that she can go rest up. 

“I don’t have much work to do tonight, so I can help out. Thanks again, sweetheart.” 

She hugs you both goodnight, making a pit-stop in the garage to grab her cleats and kneepads to pack into her duffle bag for tomorrow, leaving you and Joel in the kitchen. You are in charge of dishes tonight and the countertops, while Joel goes back outside cleaning off the grill and throwing out the used charcoal.

By the time the kitchen is nice and tidy, he meets you in the living room where you lounge on the couch, mindlessly scrolling on your phone for a quick break.

“You goin’ to work down here tonight?” He asks, flopping beside you, draping his arms around your thighs and laying his head on your hips.

You sigh heavily, fingers running through his hair. “I don’t know. I kinda wanna put it off, if I’m being honest.”

He looks up at you, lifting his brows. “When’s the deadline again?”

He recalled just a few days ago that you said the project’s due date got pushed closer than expected, but you were already practically done with it.

“Next week.” You answer.

“And you just gotta look through it and send it in, right?”

You hum in agreement, beginning to feel his fingers dig into your thighs with a gentle squeeze.

“I say you get it out of the way tonight and save yourself the extra stress next week.” 

“You’re so right.” You murmur, pulling your hands away to rub at your cheeks, trying to find the sliver of energy left in you to do it.

Joel had no problem with letting you put it off if you really wanted to, but he knew you just needed an extra push. 

“What if you work from bed?” he suggests, hands running up your thighs and over your hips. “We’ll go have a nice hot shower, and I’ll stay up with you until you’re finished.” 

There had been no space in the week for you and Joel to have some proper alone time. And it wasn’t that the kisses and small gestures weren’t enough—Joel knew just how much it all meant to you, how it kept you grounded throughout the busy week—but there was a need to feel his hands more than just the touch of him pulling you closer in bed when you two were half asleep. 

“You sure?” You ask, weary of his own exhaustion that doesn’t seem to ever phase him nor get in the way of him being there for you.

He nods, reaching up for your hands and bringing your knuckles towards his lips. 

“Positive, sweetheart.” 

The shower is steamy just how you like it, and his hands glide over the slopes and dips of your body, taking the time to feel you the way he’s been missing—the way you’ve been needing. Your hands do the same to his architecture, running down his arms and over his chest, murmuring sweet words of thanks as he massages your scalp and presses scattered kisses where he can. There’s nothing more to it than tenderness, nothing sexual or heated, just intimacy in the simplest form as water cascades the two of you.

He dries the two of you down after using up all the hot water, staying glued to your side as he watches you complete your night-time routine in front of the foggy mirror. He pulls on a pair of boxers before plucking one of his faded t-shirts, guiding it over your frame before entering the bedroom. 

“I should be done in less than an hour.” You settle beside him against the headboard with your laptop in hand. 

He swipes his reading glasses and a book off his bedside table. “Take your time darlin’, I’ll be right here.” 

He looks over at you after every few pages, watching as you scroll through the screen, mouthing words as you re-read and type on your keyboard, making a few edits here and there. When he hears you let out a deep breath, raking your fingers through your damp hair, he sets his book down, giving you his full attention.

“I’m pretty sure this is good to go.” You whisper.

“Yeah?” He leans over, closing the space between you both to take a peek at your screen. Just a month and a half prior, it was a blank slate, so much planning and hours you had spent to make it what it was now.

“I don’t know why I’m so nervous about submitting it.” You bite down on your lip, scrolling through it once more, just trying to make sure everything was in its rightful place. 

Above the covers, his hand squeezes your thigh encouragingly. “It’s normal to feel nervous baby, you’ve been workin’ on it for a while now.” 

“Want me to give it a look?” He suggests, sitting up a little straight offering you to pass it over to him. 

You nod with a faint smile, placing it on his lap.

“You don’t have to read the whole thing, but could you just make sure it makes sense?”

“‘Course I can.” He nods, bringing the screen closer to his aging eyes.

He reads to himself quietly, nodding his head every so often, prompting you to scroll to the next page for him–Joel afraid that he may accidentally click something and mess up all your hard work.

“Sweetheart, it’s perfect.” He removes his glasses, glancing over at you with a proud expression. 

You let out a breath of relief, kindly thanking him as you take the laptop back into your lap, opening up your mailbox and typing out a quick email to your supervisor. He watches as you attach the final link, telling them to reach out if they have any questions or concerns before finally pressing send.

He can see the visible relief that washes over you the second you close your laptop and set it aside. The weight that falls from your shoulders and the tug of your lips rising into a content smile for getting it out of the way.

“God that felt good.” You admit, making him laugh, as he pulls you closer, pressing kisses to your temple and your cheeks, wherever he can feel you.

“Rest now, baby.” He murmurs, guiding your cheek into the crook of his neck, feeling your soft breaths hit his skin.

His eyes watch you, ears drawing in on the sounds of your gentle snores, feeling the way your limbs tangle with his on their own accord. He doesn’t need a clock to know the hour, but just by the feel of it alone, he knows Friday is almost here.

Friday hits you when you need it most. Your schedule is a little less hectic with the claws of responsibility loosening its grips on you and giving you the chance to leave home later than usual. 

Joel sees the color and life seep back into your skin, from the moment he wakes with you still asleep at his side, the sun shining down on your skin and greeting you for the day ahead. Breakfast is a messy and rushed affair enjoyed between the three of you. Sarah scrambles to find her favorite pair of jeans while you and him whip up some pancakes and coffee. 

You eat fairly quickly, remembering you had a study group to meet up with before your first lecture of the day. You kiss Sarah’s cheek and wish her good luck on her game, promising you would be there as soon as possible–she hums thankfully, chewing and mumbling past the syrup-soaked pancakes in her mouth.

And of course you linger a little when you kiss Joel goodbye, reminding him to have a safe day at work and text you when he has the chance to. He watches from the front door as you load up into your car, rolling down your windows to wave one last time before you drive off. 

When lunch rolls around, he’s smiling down at his phone. 

Sarah sent in a picture of her final essay with a big red A+ at the top of the page. You flood the chat with a bunch of hearts and congratulations, even sending a selfie of you grinning from ear to ear with a thumbs up. 

From the background, he can make out the shelves of books and a few tables behind you where bystanders look locked in on their laptops and overpriced textbooks. You were most likely on a quick break between classes, squeezing in some extra studying and clearly a text chain. 

‘Proud of you, baby girl’ He sends first followed by more hearts and thumbs up.

Then, replying to your picture he types, ‘Lookin’ pretty sweetheart’

You send in a few smiley emojis which can hardly depict the way you find yourself actually blushing down at your phone in the half empty library where your peers probably think you’re crazy–but you don’t find it in yourself to care, not today at least. 

And now, this time Sarah isn’t badgering him for being in love, just liking the picture of you and commenting about how he was obsessed. Yes, he was guilty, and there was nothing anyone could do about that fact. 

The workday and the aches in his muscles fade into the bygone as he sits on the bleachers. The late afternoon breeze grazes his exposed arms, a pleasant warmth of the sun beating down as the team huddles on the sideline getting ready for the game. You had called just a while earlier to let him know you were leaving campus and heading their way, and he didn’t miss the chance to let you know Sarah had scored a goal during their warm-up. 

The girls finally shouted something in unison, clapping excitedly as they ran out onto the field getting in their positions before the whistle blew and the game began. Joel kept his eyes zeroed in on Sarah, watching her sprint across the field, waving her hands in the air to her teammates, trying to get an opening. 

But it wasn’t too long before he heard a familiar voice barreling through the air as you walked up the bleachers with a bunch of flowers in hand–your post-game gift to her after every game no matter win or loss. 

“Go, Sarah!” You shout, barely acknowledging the steps and the fact that you almost missed one with your gaze focused on the game instead. 

Joel immediately stands, hands reaching out to grab you by the shoulders.

“Jesus baby, you wanna try not crackin’ your skull open before the game ends?” He jokes, helping you take a seat beside him. 

“She’s so fast!” You exclaim, finally turning to kiss his lips quickly, “Did they just start?”

He nods, sliding his arm across your shoulders. “How was everythin’ today?” 

You rest your head on his shoulder, watching intently. “Not so bad, actually. My lectures went well, and I got some work done for next week.”

He gives you a warm squeeze, thumbs tracing circles over your arm. “Good, cause I wanna enjoy the weekend with my girls.” 

“Trust me, it’s going to be the best—”

Your mouth shuts mid-sentence, elbows bracing on your knees as your eyes widen at the sight. 

Sarah had managed to steal the ball, flying down the field like she magically grew wings. Her legs stride briskly, keeping the ball close to her foot as she made a beeline for the net. Her foot swung with full force, driving it right into the goal. 

You and Joel were on your feet, cheers erupting in the air as you two screamed and clapped. 

“Let’s go, baby girl!” 

“Woo-hoo, Sarah!”  

She finds you two in the crowd of cheering families and students, smiling from ear to ear and pointing at you both like you’re her biggest fans—and of course you and Joel are and always would be. She catches the way you two blow her kisses before high-fiving each other, laughing so proudly, and making it the most memorable goal in her book. 

The game drags on with a good back and forth between the two teams, but ultimately finishes with Sarah’s winning on their home turf. You and Joel step down the bleachers, watching in admiration as she celebrates with her team, giving out hugs and praises to everyone before she comes jogging over with open arms, embracing you two tightly.

“We’re so proud of you, baby girl.” Joel kisses her sweaty temple, holding onto her a little tighter. 

“You killed it, honey.” You add, placing the flowers in her arms, watching as she smiles appreciatively. It’s tradition and a reminder to her that no matter the outcome, to always be proud of herself and that she always had you two in her corner to cheer her on.

“Today’s like the best Friday ever! I got an A+ on my paper and scored, and won!” She hoots, jumping like the luckiest girl in the world, making you guys laugh. 

“Are you gonna celebrate with the team tonight?” You reach over to push her damp hair away from her forehead and cheeks, tucking it behind her ears. 

She scoffs, waving off a few of her teammates who were already beginning to exit the field, before looking at you with a sneaky grin. 

“And miss out on our Friday pizza party? Absolutely not.” 

That’s all you need to hear as you drape your arms around her shoulders, the two of you walking to your car as Joel trails behind carrying her school bag and her duffle. 

“Go on and head home. I’ll go pick up the pizzas and meet you there.” He says, gesturing to you to unlock your door. 

You reach into your purse, pressing down on the key fob. 

“Remember our order, right?”

He shoots you a look, like he could ever forget the never-changing order that you two consistently request every week. 

“One supreme pizza with extra bell peppers and one cheese pizza.”

“And…” You and Sarah say in unison, the word dragging out as he sighs, pretending to be annoyed. 

“A brownie pie with extra chocolate chips.” He sighs while you two smile and give him a nod of approval. 

“Don’t forget the parmesan packets!” Sarah calls out, rounding your car and getting into the passenger seat.

You step closer to him, tiptoeing and brushing your lips over his. “I’ll see you at home.”

“See you there.” He kisses back, giving your bum a small tap before you push him away towards his truck.

He arrives a half-hour later, finding you two changed into pajamas and lounging on the couch, flicking through one of the many streaming services Sarah’s has convinced him to buy, trying to decide what to watch.

You look over when you hear the front door shut, waving him over. 

“Babe, did you know your daughter has never seen Dirty Dancing?” You stand, grabbing the paper bag from around his wrists, while he places the boxes of pizza on the coffee table. 

He snorts, glancing up at Sarah who shrugs her shoulders unknowingly. “I’m surprised you haven’t watched it at any of the sleepovers you’ve been to.”

“Dad, we don’t watch 80s movies. We talk about social media and boys and—”

“Boys?” he repeats incredulously as if it were a sacred word that she had never uttered until now. 

“Oh God.” She rolls her eyes, covering her face while he stares, still completely astounded–he’s dramatic, he knows, but seeing her act a little embarrassed at him makes him laugh inside. 

You shake your head at the two, nudge his shoulder for him to knock it off Sarah’s sake. “Go shower! We’ll wait for you.”

“This conversation isn’t over, alright?” He barks jokingly, adding a stern point of his finger, all while Sarah groans, waving him off, while you fail to stifle your laughter.

Joel takes less than 20 minutes to shower, throwing on a pair of sweatpants and a faded shirt as he makes his way down the stairs. You two scroll on your phones, showing funny videos to each other to pass the time.

“There you are.” You smile, tossing your phone to the side as you scoot over and pat the empty space.

“Surprised you two haven’t ransacked the food yet.” He half jokes, plopping down between the two of you. “What are we watchin’?”

“Dirty Dancing.” Sarah answers, pressing play on the remote and glancing over her dad as she gestures to you. She says I need to be aware of the cultural impact of Patrick Swayze.”

“You’re in for the time of your life, kid.” Joel smirks, nudging your side while you giggle, and Sarah can do nothing but raise her brows in confusion, not quite getting the reference just yet. 

But alas, an hour and fifty minutes later, the movie had finally wrapped up after a whole lot of you and Sarah squealing, drooling over Mister Swayze himself and occasionally using the sleeves of Joel’s t-shirt to wipe your teary eyes. 

Anyone else would probably ditch the movie all together, but Joel wouldn’t be anywhere else. In truth, he probably paid attention to less than half of the movie, too busy smiling at the two of you and reveling in your combined laughter throughout the whole thing. 

And it’s no different now that Sarah has decided to put on what she argued was the best song from the movie. 

“Cause I’ve had the time of my life…” She lifts the TV remote up to her lips, singing along passionately. 

Joel can’t help but chuckle as you join in, but only this time dramatically perching up beside him as you hold his face in your hands. 

“And I owe it all to you…” you sing, drawing out the words just until Joel can’t help himself. 

He closes the space and presses his lips to yours in a wet smooch that leaves you squealing and giggling against him, all while Sarah groans out an ‘ewww’ and manages to pull you away from him. 

“Dad, do we still have that tub of ice cream?” She asks, tugging you along to the kitchen with her. 

“Pretty sure we haven’t touched it since last Friday’s movie night.” He replies, trailing behind you two, watching as you pull open the freezer and Sarah goes to retrieve two spoons. 

You let out squeal when you find the tub, the two of you immediately digging in as if you didn’t ransack the entire pizza pies throughout the entire movie. But all Joel can do is smile, too consumed with the joy he feels from watching you two have this much fun together without worrying about what next week will bring.

He lingers, just watching as he always does, enjoying every second of his favorite sight like it’s the true movie he doesn’t want to miss. He doesn’t patronize you or Sarah for leaving the freezer door propped wide open, thawing everything out. But he just watches with immense happiness. 

The refrigerator light casts a glow across your smiley faces. You stand tall, leaning your head against hers where she lays her cheek on your shoulder. There’s nothing but love and care between the two of you–pieces of each other’s hearts that neither of you knew were missing until you found each other. 

Joel feels it so deeply in his bones, the fact that he’s gotten lucky two times in his life. The day Sarah was born and the day he met you. Nothing could beat what he had, and despite even the struggles he had gone through before all of this–he wouldn’t change anything, not when it all led him home to this. 

“You think someone could really do that lift in real life?” Sarah asks, eyes flicking to the television and rewatching the iconic lift. 

“Maybe,” you said around your spoon, “looks kinda scary though.” 

“Wanna try?” Joel clears his throat, lifting his brow towards you. 

“No way, dad, you’ve got a bad back.” Sarah snorts with a ridiculous shake of her head.

“My back is fine.” He waves her off, then holds his arms out towards you with a smirk. “No one puts Baby in a corner, right?”  

You giggle, stabbing your spoon into the tub of ice cream, as Sarah takes it from you and instantly puts it down on the counter. 

“I’m so recording this.” Sarah shouts, pulling out her phone and stepping back to capture you and her dad in the frame. 

“Ready, babe?” You stare at him with a nervous smile, taking a deep breath. 

He nods, legs bending slightly. “I got you, sweetheart.” 

You jog, hands bracing against his shoulders, as you feel his fingers dig into your hips and suddenly your feet lifted off the ground.

You can’t help but shriek from above him, peering down to see him staring up at you with an ear to ear grin on his face before he finally sets you down again. 

“Oh, my god!” Sarah let out an amazed laugh, while you giggle uncontrollably, jumping up and down as his arms looped around your waist keeping you close. 

“I can’t believe you just did that!” You praise proudly, patting his chest. 

“Told you so.” He murmurs, pressing another kiss to your lips as you laugh against him. 

“And that’s my cue to leave,” you hear Sarah pipe, waving her hands in the air as she turns around. “I’m going to bed, lovebirds.” She shoots you two a grin over her shoulder. 

“You sure you don’t want to watch Grease next?” You shout after her, but she shakes her head.

“Tomorrow.” She replies. 

“Goodnight, sweetheart, we love you.” You call out through the room, peering a little past the hallway to see her. 

“Thank you! Love you guys too!” She yells back, voice fading as she gets to the top of the stairs. 

The house is suddenly quiet, except for the faint buzz of the television and the whirling of the air conditioner. The second Joel hears the familiar sound of Sarah’s door closing, he can’t help but kiss you again, but this time a little deeper than before. His hands glide down your hips to the backs of your thighs, lifting you up. 

“Babe!”

You pull away and whisper quietly, locking your legs around his waist, stifling your laughter into the crook of his neck as he walks you over to the couch. 

He plops down comfortably, with you in his lap, smiling up at you with a mischievous glint in his eyes as he murmurs softly. 

“Just wanna spend more time with my girl.” 

“I’m not complaining,” you smile, fingers trailing across his salt and pepper stubble, slowly inching towards his face once again.

“Not. Complaining. One. Bit.” 

You emphasize each word with a soft kiss, all before Joel’s patience finally dwindles. With a firm yet gentle hold, his hand meets the back of your neck, holding you to him and keeping your lips sealed against one another.

He can feel the plush of your lips curling up into a smile, and then his own breath of laughter falling against yours. In this moment, nothing else seems to matter–not when he’s here with you. And after what seems like the longest week, time and everything in between stands still and for once you can finally just be. 

Sure, tomorrow would bring another day and then another week to come, but today is Friday. And Joel’s in love.

*literal depiction of joel's calendar he has hanging somewhere in his office or perhaps hung on the fridge at home hehehe*

💌 reblogs, tags, comments, + likes are greatly appreciated! leave a comment and let me know if want to be added to my taglist!!

a/n: i know i'm one day late from posting this on a friday (I AM SORRY!!!!)!!! i really wanted to write something sweet and domestic w/o the outbreak so i came up with this! i also got the idea after plenty of listening to Olivia's cover of 'Friday, I'm in Love' and figured this would be super cute hehehe. i hope you guys liked reading this as much as i enjoyed writing it <3 have an amazing weekend and take care MWAH!

His foot anxiously tapped against the sticky ground behind the counter. The black rubber mat meant to prevent slips was caked with milky residue and copious amounts of sprinkles and a plethora of crushed cookies that he knew were going to be forever stuck onto the soles of his Nike’s.

His fingers clumsily hit buttons on the register, ringing up the customer in front of him in a haste eager to get them out of the way so he could finally get to you.

“Here’s your change, have a nice day.” Steve said quickly.

The upbeat customer service voice from the beginning of their interaction competely abandoned as he plopped the loose bill and coins in the patron’s palm, immediately peering past them to meet your eyes with a dopey smile on his face.

“Dude I think you gave me extra—”

“Have a great day!” Steve repeated pointedly through a tight smile, ushering the customer away as they furrowed their brows and exited the shop a dollar and eighty-five cents richer.

“Hey Captain,” You saluted sweetly, eyes drifting up to the sailor hat perched up on his head—he hated the stupid uniform but was slowly coming to terms with it just because it made you smile.

He tipped the hat towards you with a grin, “What can I get for you today? The usual?”

He was already moving smoothly from behind the counter, picking out the freshest waffle cone for you as he reached into the freezer, ice cream scoop in hand lingering over the cookie dough pot.

You hummed happily, watching as he loaded the scoop with enough ice cream to serve two. But he always did that for you—spoiling you with enough sweetness to cause a toothache—but it wasn’t just the sweets he was dishing out.

All you ever had were the three and a half fleeting minutes where small talk wasn’t enough, and even then he had a way of making your cheek hurt with how hard he made you smile and laugh.

Still, though, he hadn’t asked you out just yet. In the multiple times you had come in ordering the same thing, getting to know the handsome sailor a little more, he hadn’t asked you out.

You knew good and well who he was—the Steve Harrington that knew exactly how to charm the ladies—granted he still had the charm, but just lost a beat in his confidence.

It didn’t change the fact that you liked him though, you just wished he’d stop holding back.

He slid the freezer door closed, returning to the register and shaking his head as you attempted to fish out your wallet from your purse. It was routine by now, yet you wouldn’t stop at least trying to pay.

Maybe one day he’d forget about his ‘one free ice cream a day’ employee discount he always saved for you, but today wasn’t that day.

“It’s on the house.” Steve smirked, holding out the sweet treat for you to take.

You sighed dramatically, dropping your wallet back into your purse, fingertips brushing against his as you took the warm cone from his hands and offer him a thankful smile.

“Are you going on break soon?” You chewed on your lip, entirely ignoring the growing line behind you that consisted of impatient kids and equally ignorant teenagers.

“Uh…actually, I’ve still got—”

Before he could finish his devastating sentence, Robin came through the back room doors like she was his your saving grace.

“You can take your fifteen early,” she sing-songed, snatching the dish towel tucked in her apron and wiping up the milky droplets on the edge of the counter. “I’ll steer the ship for a bit.” She assured him with a wink.

You could read the look on her face, something that said ‘you’re welcome dingus, but you totally owe me later.’

Yet Steve hesitates just a beat, looking at you then back at Robin with a hint of uncertainty.

“Are you sure? I can—”

“Dude just go!” she huffed, whacking him with the towel and pushing him out of the way as she took his place at the register and passed you a kind smile, “Hey you.”

Just as much as you’ve gotten to know Steve, you have gotten to know Robin as well. She’s a lingering presence that occasionally joins you and Steve and makes you laugh just as much.

You know she’s perceptive—eyes always studying you and Steve’s little interactions, and you certainly don’t miss the way she giggles to herself when Steve passes you a compliment in the middle of a rush.

She’s more than a little familar to whatever is going on between you and Steve. He talks about you all the time—in the breakroom, outside the breakroom, while they’re lugging out the trash during closing, when he’s driving her home, when she lingers outside the passenger door while he speaks with the windows rolled down—she knows.

It’s why she obliges to let him handle the register, even when he’s shit at counting change and it’s also why she’s letting him take his fifteen minute break earlier than usually—because she can’t stand to see you two play these little games anymore.

“Hey Robin,” you replied warmly, flashing her an apologetic smile, leaning closer you whispered to her, “Swear I won’t keep him for long.”

She dismissed your apology, waving her hand in the air as her hand gently patted your shoulder.

“Keep him as long as you like. I’m pretty sure we’re short on change thanks to him.”

You giggled and shook your head, Steve rounding the counter and clearing his throat to garner your attention that he never lost. You waved bye to her, watching the smile fade from her face the second you fell out of line and a group of rambunctious teenagers begin spewing their order at her.

“Wanna go outside and sit? Somewhere quiet?” He offered realizing the store is packed, and he doesn’t want the one moment he has alone with you to be disrupted by Robin’s peeves and those impatient voices.

“Yes, please.”

You fell into step beside him, appreciating the feel of his hand hovering over the small of your back, leading you through the busy mall towards somewhere less crowded.

His free hand pushed the exit doors of the mall open, fresh air skirting across your exposed skin and finally serene silence engulfing you both. A happy sigh left your mouth as you take a lick of your ice cream, humming again as Steve gestures to a bench allowing you to sit first before he follows.

“So…” His voice unsure of himself, the sticky bottom of his shoe tapping against the hot pavement as his eyes fitted to yours, “How’s your day been going so far?”

You suppressed your giggles around a mouth full of ice cream. The small talk excruciatingly silly and absurd now that you two were finally alone. He mirrors your laughter, eyes closing as he chuckles and rubs a nervous hand over the back of his neck. He means well by the question, even though you both know there’s more intresting things you could talk about for the next fifteen minutes.

“So far so good,” You nodded, “I did some window shopping at the Macy’s but I don’t think I could justify blowing my paycheck on a pair of new shoes.” You straightened out your legs, rolling your ankles to show off your well-loved sneakers.

He nudged your kicks with his own, blowing out a puff of air as he shakes his head at your words. He knows from your fleeting conversations that you work at Hawkins Middle as a teacher’s aid—your sneakers caked with a different kind of mess than his.

Melted crayons, tattered gold stars, dirt, and god knows what else. You like what you do, and often reward yourself after a long day of work to grab a treat, though Steve hopes it’s also partly to see him.

“You should treat yourself, you deserve it.” He said considerately, his hand reaching out nervously to give your jean covered knee a pat.

You can feel the slightest shake in his fingertips even with the fabric in the way. He’s nervous, and even though you can’t fathom yourself being that special to someone, you know it’s because he likes you…truly likes you.

He uses everything in him to make sure he doesn’t make a fool out of himself in front of you. He chooses his words wisely, always watches for your reaction, always on the look out not to manage the impression he’s making, but trying to see if he’s what you like.

You’ve made it evidently clear as day, you feel the same way. Sticking around even after you get your ice cream, indulging by yourself in an empty seat as you trade smiles and soft laughter from across the store. When it finally slows down, he grabs the broom and floats to your side, asking how you’re liking the ice cream, before another patron comes in.

You can hear, even though the chatter of the shop, Robin’s whispers, telling Steve to hurry up and ask you out. And you agree with her, even with eyes trained to your melting ice cream pretending you aren’t listening, only to hear Steve reply that he isn’t sure he’s good enough for you.

That was last week and today you’re determined to not waste anymore time.

“Pretty sure this qualifies as a treat itself.” You purse your lips, lifting the cone up in your hand making him chuckle, “And I pretty sure, you’re out to give me cavities by how much ice cream your give me all the time.”

Steve holds his hands up in defense, the corner of his eyes crinkling as his smile never falters.

“Just want to make my favorite customer happy.”

“You make her super happy,” you nod shyly, taking an innocent lick at the melting ice cream before you look up at him again, “Could make her happier though.”

His brows furrow, smile twitching into a curious frown as he blinks, “How?”

“Asking her out on a date.” You speak without a second thought, watching his eyes widen a little and his jaw go slack, staring at you like you’ve read his mind.

Seeing Steve Harrington flustered isn’t anything new to you. In all honestly, you manage to elicit the feeling so easily, that it happens almost every time you interact. You find it endearing, the way he looks at you so softly and somehow thinks he doesn’t deserve to be yours.

“A…a date?”

You hum, taking another lick as you watch the realization cover his features, the understanding that you don’t want to dance around stupid little ice cream banter and small talk all the time.

“What about, uh, this Saturday, I’m—”

“Today.” You blurted without missing a beat, “Want you to take me out on one today.”

He wants to protest.

To tell you that you deserve to link arms with him when he’s freshly showered and dressed in appropriate clothing.

That he wants to plan something special: a dinner reservation at Enzo’s or renting out your favorite movie and ordering in your favorite food.

Hell, maybe that he doesn’t deserve you—that you shouldn’t waste your time on a guy who slings ice cream and couldn’t even get into any of his college choices.

But he can see the truth in your eyes, the same kind that lives in his orbs and within his entire being. The wanting of one another, the need to not waste anymore time that you two already had. He belittled himself for always cutting corners, but this didn’t feel like that at all.

It was mutual—the burning need to give whatever it was between you two a fair shot.

He sat up a little straighter, letting all that hesitancy be taken by the wind that coasted through the air.

“I get off at two. I’ll come get you in your car.” He began, the smile creeping back onto his face as he reached out and rested his hand on your knee with a sure squeeze, “We’ll grab pizza and then we’re going to Macy’s so I can convince you to get those sneakers.”

Your lips twitches with a grin, mouth opening to respond but before you can, he was speaking again—this time a little softer, a little more certain of himself as the seconds passed.

“Then I’ll walk you to your car and then ask you out on a second date.” He murmured, his face just inches away from yours as he kept watch for your reaction.

You beamed wide, leaning forward to press a stickly-sweet kiss onto his cheek, leaving his blood rushing and his heart thumping loud.

“I can’t wait.” You finally cooed, eyes filled with giddiness that never left his, like you were trying to savor the moment and make it last a little longer before you had to part ways.

“It’s melting.” He said suddenly, causing your eyes to follow his looking down at your knuckles where the ice cream began to slide down.

You laughed quietly, cursing at yourself for making a mess and grabbing the hem of your shirt as a napkin. But before you could, he stopped you, reaching the towel from his apron pocket and wiping away at the mess on your hands that began sliding down your wrist.

He was gentle and thoughtful, never tugging too roughly your skin or complaining about the ludicriously large cookie dough chunks making the clean up messier. Even then, during something so mundane and sticky sweet, the pleasure was all his, and god, you just knew he’d be yours.

“You just had to go and distract your favorite customer didn’t you?” You whispered with a teasing lilt, biting down on your lip as he folded up the stained towel.

His eyes lifted to your again, lips curling into a grin, “Gotta make every second count.”

💌 reblogs, tags, comments, + likes are greatly appreciated! leave a comment and let me know if want to be added to my taglist!! 💌

a/n: first fic of the summer and i'm feeling really happy about it!! wanted to make this one short n' sweet and i hope i was able to capture that here. also does this qualify as a meet cute??? i'm not sure lol...i've only read a couple fics like that but maybe if i write another about reader and stevie's actually first meeting in depth it would qualify lol (forgive meeee). maybe will make a part 2? who knows. i have some more short blurbs and imagines i'm working on and i can't wait to post them!

+a/n: i also want to wish the love of my life, effie (@/translatemunson) a very happy birthday. she isn't one for grand gestures, but i'd like to think that in some magical way she manifested my come back (she literally did) and now i can give her this imagine + more fics to come as a bday gift hahaha. i love you so much effie. meeting you though this app and fandom all because of our beloved stevie has literally changed my life in the best way. you're the best in the entire world and im sending you so much love, laughter, virtual hugs + kisses, and never ending memes to last a lifetime. love you baby <3

It should feel pathetic, the way Eddie dropped everything in a heartbeat and came dashing to you the moment you called out his name, but to him it was the greatest honor for your mouth to even utter his name — he’d simply come crawling if you’d ask.

“Eds,” nickname made him go weaker for you.

Your voice was a small whisper and your hand grazed shakily upon his forearm, giving it a tender squeeze as you leaned in closer just enough for your breath the dance over his earlobe. His opposite hand didn’t falter, binding around to rest on the small of your back staying there to keep you steady in the cramped position.

“S’the matter, sweets?” He murmured loud enough for you to hear over the music of the party, brows pinching together, watching you intently.

He felt you pinch his skin again, your thumb and forefinger rubbing over the area apologetically, as you met his eyes, “C-could you come with me outside? Just need some fresh air and I don’t want to go alone.” Your voice was almost saturated with regret for feeling like such a hassle.

But Eddie didn’t want you to go alone, anyway.

It was a friend of a friend’s house party on the other side of town with plenty of people that you and him didn’t necessarily know too well. Honestly, you didn’t even have to ask. You could’ve just walked right up and grabbed him by the hand and dragged him out the front door and he wouldn’t have asked any questions.

But the way you ask him as if he’d ever say no made his heart melt because clearly you didn’t quite know how head over heels he was for you already.

There wasn’t much to it after that. Eddie simply gave your back a small pat and begun to stand up from his seat, letting his arm wrap across your shoulders as he maneuvered the both of you through the sea of bodies.

“Thanks.” You smiled tenderly up at him through the walk, encasing your hands around his biceps and following his lead out the front door that was propped wide open.

Eddie knew you like the back of your hand, the way your senses tended to get overstimulated when the music was too loud, chatter was too chattery, and the footsteps too heavy — he knew all of those things and he never minded that he was painstakingly aware because he wanted to be when it came to you.

These days, your comfort meant more to him than anything in the world. Tonight, it was an overload, and he wanted to curse himself for not noticing sooner.

It didn’t happen all the time, but occasionally you just needed a minute away, far away where those things couldn’t be heard at all. You didn’t even have to ask him to walk with you a few blocks down in the neighborhood to get away from hearing the thump of the party. He just continued on, letting you cling to him as he gave your shoulders a squeeze every so often to silently ask you if it was all better now.

It was always better when it was just you and Eddie.

“Sorry, it was just so loud.” You exhaled shakily, untying your arms from his muscles and instead hugging yourself to his torso, breathing him in — letting him fill your senses.

He found it heartening that you gravitated to him like that no matter where you were. Eddie was like your giant portable teddy bear, always near and ready for you to jump into his arms. His chin rested on the top of your head, draping his arms over your back and pulling you closer — the closest he can get you to keep you here and warm.

“S’okay, you don’t have to apologize, baby.” His voice was soothing and ironing out any worries that lingered.

“But you were talking to Rick then I—”

You could feel his head rock against you, a puff of air exiting his mouth with a deep breath. “You didn’t do anything. Just stupid talk anyway. You know I’d drop anything for you.”

The emphasis on ‘you’ was endearing because you felt the exact same way for Eddie. The urgency to be at his side whenever he needed you and even when he didn’t say it, you can feel it in your bones, because in soul you just knew.

“I know.” You said, dragging your face away from his chest to beam up at him, tiptoeing to press a kiss under his jaw before setting back into him.

He could still feel your lips on his skin, a sort of electrifying touch that should have had him running because it had to be too good to be true, yet all he wanted was more but only if it was you. Whether it was here on a shadowy sidewalk or maybe at the Hideout after one of his shows, and the end of the night and the start of the day, it could only be you and him.

All he ever wanted now was it for you both to be where you belonged — always in each other’s arms.

“Wanna go home?” He crooned, sliding a delicate hand through the ends of your hair careful not to let his rings catch.

You pressed another kiss this time to the center of his clothed chest, gawking up at him. “Do you?” You sought putting himself first instead of your own — good thing Eddie could read you like a book.

He grinned, cheeks tugging his knowing smiling impossibly wider. “Yeah, I do.”

He led you to his van, shrugging off his leather jacket and dressing it over your body as you settled into the passenger seat. You often got cold on late night drives and felt bad for asking to turn down the air conditioning so in order to comprise, though he never minded, whatever jacket he was sporting always ended up acting as a blanket until you got home and he could he yours.

“Feeling warmer?” Eddie chuckled, darting quickly from the road to your body that was curled up in the seat.

You nodded with a hum, bringing the sleeve of his jacket away from your face. “Better, but I really wanna take a hot shower when we get home.”

He let out a sound of agreement, reaching over for the air conditioning vents closer to you and flipping them up so less of the cold air was directed in your direction. It was a pure act, one that you picked up all the time even when you promised you were okay — part of you liked to think he had spidey-senses and could feel the shivers you tried to hide from him.

He could feel everything without you saying a word, a kind of connection you never thought was possible in this lifetime.

“Gonna do an everything shower tonight?” He asked with a glint of humor in his voice.

He was familiar with your ‘everything’ showers: full body exfoliations, deep conditioning, hair masks, the whole shebang. Eddie was more than happy to sit outside the shower, keeping you company for the next hour that used up all the hot water.

Truth be told, he subjected to everything showers at least once a month — when he was all burnt out from work and just wanted to relax, you’d fill the bath up with epsom salts, sit on the ledge of the tub as you shampooed his hair, and the both of you would talk until the water turned cold.

You giggled, shaking your head tiredly at him. “Not today. I’m too tired. We can shower together if you want? I like it better when you wash my hair.”

Who was he to turn that down?

“My pleasure, doll.”

Home was Eddie’s and his uncle Wayne’s shared trailer — it was your favorite place to be, despite what Eddie thought of the quaint space. It had an even smaller bathroom, but you didn’t care, pleased that it gave you the excuse to be closer to him in the most intimate way.

He always let you stand directly in the stream, letting the hot water cascade over your naked body while he received the backsplash of the droplets against his cool skin. His fingers worked through your scalp, the chunky rings shed for the time being, allowing him to be more firm in his movements, getting your scalp nice and clean.

You were humming a song, and he wasn’t sure which one, your voice too quiet for him to hear over the water and the suds from the shampoo. He thought it was something from the new Madonna album he picked up for you on cassette, and he was sure it would only be a few more days before he learned all the lyrics and got them stuck in his head.

When lather foamed up on your head like a heap of bubbles and that’s when he knew he’s done enough washing, nudging your shoulder with a kiss of his lips as he was mumbling against your skin.

“Turn around and let me rinse it out, sweets.”

You nodded, twirling on your heels as his hands instinctively grabbed at your shoulders making sure you didn’t slip and fall. You shut your eyes tightly, letting the water flow over the back of your head, his fingers once again combing through the ends gently, doing his best to not let the soapy water travel down your face.

He took his time even though he clearly didn’t see the suds running any more. He just wanted to admire your pretty face with your eyes closed because that meant you didn’t try dodging away from his gaze.

He noted how you felt the suds wash away, face then relaxing and the pinching of your eyes eased and a tired smile took over like you were seconds away from dreaming.

Yet he knew he couldn’t let you sleep like that, bringing you back with a gentle kiss upon your lips until you finally switched places, letting him be under the showerhead.

“You’re running out of shampoo.” You pouted, reaching down to grab at his bottle and squeeze a dollop into your palm.

He shrugged, keeping his arms around your waistline as your hands wandered up and began raking the product through his hair. Your nails were a bit longer than his, scratching at his scalp just enough that it didn’t hurt, but tickled in a pleasing way.

“I’ll pick some up tomorrow. Do we need more conditioner too?” He proposed already peeking one of his eyes open to stare at the nearly empty bottle.

You thought he didn’t know, but Eddie knew you hated when he spent money on you, even if it was a shared thing like conditioner or shampoo. He did a lot for his home, helping his uncle with rent with whatever tips he made from his share tips at the Hideout and when times were rough, pawning things just for the extra cash.

You wanted him to save some for himself, something he could call his own instead of giving it to you when you didn’t need it.

But things were starting to get a lot better with Eddie picking up a job at the General Store after Joyce became manager and was able to hire him as a cashier. He’d spoil you to cool thrifted jewelry and take you out on dates at Benny’s where he’d let you pick whatever you wanted and promised that you two wouldn’t have to share a single meal or a single drink.

In a lot of ways, Eddie’s love language was gift giving even if it was small acts. In all honestly, if Eddie could pluck every single star from the galaxy and give it to you in a bouquet sprinkled with flowers and love letters he would.

He’d give you the whole world if he could.

But even then, you’d probably tell him how he didn’t have to do all of that because all you ever needed was him. Same thing went for that silly bottle of conditioner that he knew you’d fill up with water and let last another two weeks before he’d pick a new one up without asking you.

Your fingers falter against his scalp before you shake your head, “No, we’re fine. It should last us until next week or so.”

He called it.

“Hmm, sure,” He grunted, wiggling his shoulders, “You said you wanted to try that new brand right? The lavender and mint scent?” He urged, not trying to tease, but it came out that way with the smile he still wore.

“Stop it.” You bite down on your lip, trying to hold back your guffaw as you motioned for him to turn around so you could rinse out the product.

You knew it no use trying to change his mind… if you were lucky, you’d say by the time he got home from work tomorrow he’d walk in with a bag of groceries and a new bottle of conditioner and shampoo in one of them.

And the both of you would probably end up here again… showering each other with love and suds of a new scent that will become your new favorite — he would definitely remember until you decided it was time for something new.

The two of you spent the rest of the shower with delicate hands roaming across bare skin, quietly conversating about any and everything under the warm water that was slowly running cold. When the water finally shut off, you both patted your bodies dry and standing in front of the mirror where Eddie watched you complete your skin care routine before helping him with his own.

You ended up dressed his oversized t-shirt and a clean pair of boxers as he settled for sweatpants that hung low on his hips. If you weren’t so tired, you’d jump his bones and get dirty all over again, but for the sake of your energy, you could wait it out till morning, happy to know you got to jump his bones in another way that was just as good.

His room was pitch black, cascaded with the pale moonlight that peeked past the curtains with the slight breeze coming from the ceiling fan whirling above you. His blanket was pulled up to your collarbones, keeping you warm alongside himself who acted as your portable heater. One of your legs rucked over his hips as the other rested against his thigh.

Eddie could feel your breathing against his chest, cheek nuzzled up right under his head that thumped for you… always for you.

All of his being, every inch and ounce of him was committed to you but he despised himself for not knowing if that was what you wanted. There was never a talk or conversation about what the two of you were.

It just so happened that it happened.

He gulped, thumb caressing your shoulder in random patterns as he looked down at you. “Baby?” he called out, checking to see if you were still awake before you hummed against him, “What am I to you?”

“Huh?” You moaned out, brows furrowing with your eyes still closed, caught between being awake and drifting off to sleep.

“Y’know, like…this. Us.” Eddie shifted a bit, just enough to be able to move your damp hair away from your face, “What am I to you?”

You didn’t give it much thought. The only thing in your head was the four letter word echoing because even in the dead of night on the brink of slumber, Eddie was always going to be the one for you.

“Mine.” You said, voice stronger than before, as you fought your eyes open and looked up at him past the darkness.

“Y-yeah?”

His voice seemed to betray his smile, like he still couldn’t fathom you could see him in that light. The kind that didn’t glare off his flaws or the things that he was afraid of… you didn’t make him feel less than for having fears or not being the perfect person.

To you it only made him more human, the one that you wanted to spend forever with.

“You’ve always been mine, Eds.” You murmured, moving yourself up on your elbows just enough to look down at him.

Your palm came down to where your head had laid, pressing against his heart and letting him know you were right there with him all along.

“What do you want to be to me?” You whispered, keeping your eyes on his, swimming in them, trying to get a glimpse into his thoughts.

His fingers wrapped around your wrist, feeling your pulse that beat in sync with his. There was no doubt in his mind that he always wanted you to be his, but he was always afraid he was never enough to be yours.

Not until now.

“Yours,” He breathed, finally letting go of the secret he held too long in his heart to try to hide any longer.

Smiling at him like he had plucked every star from the galaxy and laid them all out here for you. That’s when you knew what it was… what it had been all along. You leaned forward, resting your forehead against his, still smiling stupidly lovesick at him—

“You always have been.”

A kiss, a bond that sealed you two together forever because maybe all you wanted to be was each other’s, in this lifetime and all the others ones that existed.

💌 reblogs, tags, comments, + likes are greatly appreciated! leave a comment and let me know if want to be added to my taglist!! 💌

a/n: this one has been sitting in my wips since forever and i finally got to finishing it up!!! i wanted this one to be coated with sweetness and everything in between!!! i haven't written eddie in a while so this was super duper fun and revisting his character took me back to my roots!!!

You hate how the tears coming springing to your eyes the second Steve raises his voice a little too loudly beneath his already apparent annoyance.

Your brain blanks out the second it bellows against the walls and comes hurtling down to your eardrums. It feels like glass shattering in a million different ways, cutting you open and killing you with a thousand cuts.

He’s frozen in front of you, blinking with a look of oblivion on his face because he’s waiting. His arms still held wide open after he asked a question: one that was posed with a tone too sharp for your liking.

“Why are you making it such a big deal?”

His usually sweet and gentle tone was long gone, or at least that’s how you heard it. Instead, it dribbled with irritation and resentment meshed all in one. The kind that sounded like he was fed up and wanted nothing to do with you anymore.

He was just trying to do a sweet thing by picking you both up some coffee and yet here you were starting an argument — you always had to ruin a good thing.

Your teeth dig into your gums, trying to find any way to hold off on the waterworks that you know are about to pour any second now. Cloudy orbs shoot down to your bare feet, trembling against the floorboards while you excuse yourself from the kitchen.

“I’m g-going to the bathroom.”

Your voice is delicate yet not the kind that Steve knows like the back of his hand — the one where you keep it so quiet like an oath when you whisper you love him when you think he’s asleep and no one else is around to hear it.

This time the oath is broken, cracked, just like your voice, torn at the seams between fear and panic. Its edges are frayed and tattered, and its tenderness that is usually formed out of affection is long gone as it cuts through your chest and causes your back to heave as you walk away.

He knows he messed up.

It’s stupid. You shouldn’t be so worked up over the barista leaving her number on Steve’s cup. But you are. You’re worked the hell up and you want him to understand why it is such a big deal to you.

It’s upsetting because you shouldn’t be this wound up and insecure. You know Steve would never even dare to dial the numbers left on the cup, let alone remember the name she left on there. He’s head over heels in love with you the same way you are with him — yet you just don’t get it.

You don’t get the way this makes your insides turn and the thoughts to start whirlwind in your head. At first you were just upset about the number, maybe even just mildly irked — but then the second Steve’s voice came to you like that… that’s when you entirely forgot how to even tell him how you felt.

Now you just felt stupid for making it such a big deal and turning it into this.

“Breathe….” you murmur to yourself jaw trembling as you try not to tense.

The tears finally roll when your back collides with the bathroom door and your shaky fingers lock it shut. Your heart feels like it’s on fire, one that consumes your entire being and engulfs you in the bluest blue instead of the blazing red.

The only thing keeping you from collapsing is the door that’s holding up your weight and it’s not long after that the person you love yet are avoiding is on the other side making it more difficult for you to attempt to make it seem like it’s not a big deal.

“B-baby… I’m so sorry.”

The apology comes in an instant, and you could almost feel his breath hitting your neck from behind the wood. You know it’s genuine…Steve has never ever made you cry. You feel now like you’ve taken everything out of proportion — you should’ve just giggled and said ‘oh that’s cute! too bad you’re my boyfriend!’

All of the things you wished you would have said play in your mind like punishment for the way you’ve acted. How you know you’ve turned the tables on him and made him look like the bad guy when he was far from that.

He was just shocked to come home and hand you your favorite drink only to be asked about the barista he barely gave his attention to. Your accusing voice after he did something nice wasn’t something he was expecting.

Your throat tightened, eyes squeezing shut as you tried to cover it up and make it seem like you weren’t upset. You shuffled from the door, towards the sink, turning it on yet making no move to put your hands under the water.

“I’m fine! I—I just had to wash my face!” You lie, trying to cover your tracks as if Steve doesn’t already know it.

There’s been times when things have upset you, not things that Steve has done, but things that life throws at you and most of the times you hate how wound up you get. Without failure, you sneak away, just wanting a moment by yourself to cry without anyone feeling bad for you or asking questions because they’ll never get it. They don’t understand that the littlest things can trigger something inside of you to completely shut down from the rest of the world.

No one gets it… but Steve does.

“Baby,” His voice is stronger this time, yet tender, “please, can I come in? I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean…”

Your fingers finally come in contact with the frigid water, dabbing the droplets over your eyes attempting to get them to settle instead of looking like you were just crying. There’s a sniffle that comes from you as you clear your airways and a pathetic smile that you press onto your face to try to hide how you’re really feeling.

The water shuts off and you’re opening the door, cutting his apology off altogether.

“I’m fine, Steve!”

Your voice isn’t swaying even with the volume it carries and neither with the faint laugh you give him when you meet face to face. Your lashes still bear the droplets of salt and your cheeks tinted red with the path they’ve traveled down.

He can feel the pain in your voice and see the wobble of your chin as you hold back everything inside. He hates that you feel like you have to mask how you’re really feeling when, in actuality, you should be furious at him for what he did.

“Baby,”

Sadness joins his concern, and he doesn’t bother to hide it — he’s not sure he can when his eyes leak the same emotion, “Baby, you’re not fine…I know you’re not fine.”

You scoff, rolling your eyes unconvincingly. “I literally am, babe… it’s cool. Everything is fine.”

He knows that now you’re trying to reassure yourself rather than him. Trying to play it off and make it seem like everything was okay. Like he’s just supposed to accept it and let you hold everything inside like torture when that’s far from what he wants.

Your attempts to brush past him are futile when his hands come out to hold your shoulders, his fingertips kneading your tense skin. He can feel the blood rushing from under your clothes and it’s not the kind of warmth you usually carry — you are blistering and if he looks hard enough, he can see the way your chest is trying to level itself out as you hold back.

It takes everything in you to not draw your eyes away from his because you don’t want him to know that you’re still feeling it. Feeling stupid and at the same time nothing at all because you don’t know what to feel anymore. There’s a whirlwind of emotions and none of them you can put a finger on because you’re just lost.

You just don’t want him to think you’re crazy… like you reacting to him raising his voice like that was something that would daunt him away.

One of his hands stops its movement on your skin, raising up to your cheek and cradling you gently. There’s a crease between his brows and his eyes seep with regret and guilt. His lips part and the words that leave them come in whispers and fragility — croaks and cracks guiding them.

“Everything isn’t fine… I acted like an idiot and raised my voice at you. I’m sorry baby, I—I never meant to do that on purpose. It just came out, but that isn’t an excuse.” He shakes his head at himself disappointingly because he knows better.

Steve was far from perfect in his own eyes, but he knew better because all his life if there was one person he didn’t want to be like, it was his dad. The dad that used to scream at his mother, and scream at him, and scream at the world when everything went wrong, and didn’t know how to talk if it wasn’t screaming.

He’d never forgive himself if he made you feel that way or even became a smidge of what his father was. But it wasn’t him who he was blaming for this — this was all Steve himself, and he knew that. Accountability needed to be taken from himself because the only person he was hurting was you and it was going to be okay.

Not in the heat of the moment, not ever.

You hadn’t even noticed you had tugged your bottom lip between your teeth, the faint taste of iron trickling onto your tongue when you realized you were biting down on the skin too hard trying to stop yourself from crying.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry baby, please just—just tell me how to make it better.” His voice pleads and reasons, wanting to make it right with you anyway he could.

You close your eyes, letting the tears fall as you feel his thumbs wipe them away. He’s done this times before, wiping away your tears that had spewed from another’s doing. Never did he ever think he would be the cause.

“I-it’s nothing… it’s stupid, I’m stupid and dramatic.” You swallow thickly, sniffling and twisting your fingers in your hand to fight off the lingering feelings.

He shakes his head. The obvious look of disapproval for your words covers his face because this was far from your fault. Sure, he was bewildered about the whole incident, considering he didn’t even know the number was left there until you brought it up, but for him to not know how to convey his frustration better was the real issue at hand.

Not the accusation, not the stupid number, not the oblivious girl who left her number: it was him, Steve’s idiotic actions that got you both here.

“Stop, don’t talk to yourself like that.” He insists, staring deeply into your eyes, searching for a reason why you were blaming yourself,

Your jaw shakes roughly before a sob rips through your mouth. Tightening your eyes to try to get the tears to stop, yet they don’t cease no matter how hard you try. Frustration builds inside of you because you should be over it by now. The fact that he apologized and was here trying to comfort you should be enough.

But something inside of you won’t let it die. The silence is filled with the memory of his voice shouting at you and the face that he stared back with.

“I—I don’t want you to think there’s something wrong with me.” You croak, covering your face and turning away from him to save you the embarrassment.

But he strays to where you are, sticking beside you with a comforting hand resting on your back, “Sweetheart, nothing is—”

You sob one more, this time with a grunt that is direct to yourself. Stomping your foot against the cold tiles, your hands come down to grip the edges of the counter tightly. Your reflection in the mirror is only half of what you feel, and when Steve steps behind you, all you can see is guilt, but at the same time patience knowing he’s ready when you are.

You try your very best to at least keep your sobs at bay just enough for you to speak through them and for him to understand.

“You’re not gonna wanna be with me anymore knowing I can’t—I can’t talk to you when I’m like this! I don’t know why, but I can’t… it makes me feel stupid, like I’m crying over something so tiny and now I’ve totally forgotten why we were even arguing in the first place.”

He clicks his tongue, shaking his head and reaching in front of you to bring your hair back and away from your face. His eyes keep yours in the mirror, watching at you with such a gentleness that even now doesn’t falter.

“We weren’t arguing. I was just dumb and raised my voice when you were asking me about it.”

You move your sights from his to the bottom of the sink, shaking your head, “No, b-but I shouldn’t have reacted like that and made you look like the bad guy when yo—”

Your voice is traveling faster than you can think, spewing out words so hastily like you have to make him understand that it’s not his fault, but yours. It takes your breath away, hiccuping and coughing between a sob that leaves your mouth and bobbles in your chest.

Steve’s instantaneously rubbing your back, shushing you and trying to get you to calm down knowing you going on and on like this wouldn’t do you any good. He understands that you feel a lot of things very deeply and sometimes it isn’t an easy task to get them all out at once: he knows it and he’ll spend forever with you until you got it all out.

“Hey, hey, baby, c’mon… breathe,” He coos, his palm never stilling on your back feeling the deep breaths in and out, watching the tears fall down your cheeks and drip onto the counter.

It’s a kind of scene he hates to see, the one he wishes he could take from you and shoulder instead because watching you in such a state breaks his heart more than he could imagine. And this time it stings a little more knowing that he not only cannot shoulder your pain, but was the one creating it this time.

“Talk to me, please. What’s going on? Why’re so you upset at yourself and not at me?” He begs, trying to get a glimpse of what you’re feeling so he knows where the root is.

“B-because… I made it such a b-big deal.” You hiccup.

When you swipe angrily at your eyes with a ferociousness, that’s enough to make Steve step in and take it from here now that he knows where you’re coming from. A warm hand comes down onto your shoulder, pulling at you just enough for you to face him completely, weakly hanging your head low not knowing if you were strong enough to see him just yet.

“You didn’t make anything a big deal. I promise, we’re okay.” He whispers quietly, cupping your face in his hands, and bringing you face to face, “You’re not stupid and I could never think that you were. You’re human honey. It’s normal for you to be upset by things.”

“B-but I…I don’t want you to think you did something wrong—“

He stops you with a shake of his head. “But I did. I did something so wrong. I yelled when I shouldn’t have, and I made you feel like shit.”

Steve desperately needs you to know it. That this was his fault and no one else’s. That him making you feel like crap was the worst thing he could have ever done, but he was willing to man up to it and try to make things better, and at the same time he would understand if you wanted nothing to do with him after this.

Still, even after his words, you’re somehow even angrier at yourself, mind blaring at you for being such a dramatic person for making him go out of this way with all of this. That this was surely your fault and yours only, and if you didn’t take it off his plate, it was just something he would use against you one day to realize that he didn’t want to be with you anymore.

It’s what they all did — held it over your head and made you feel like you were wrong for feeling how you felt, so instead it was best not to feel anything at all. To hide it away and hope that being noncombative meant that everything was going to be okay and it wouldn’t give them a reason to run.

“I-it’s my fault—” You pinch your eyes, gulping back a cry as you shake your head in his hands.

His brows pull together, eyes squinting at you, not completely understanding why you’re doing this.

“Hey, stop, it’s not your fault. Don’t do that. Don’t take the fall for me,” Steve assures you with a sternness to his soft voice, continuing to wipe the seeping tears.

Somehow you can’t let it go, “But—”

“But nothing.” He starts, his voice composed yet unyielding in his tone.

He can’t stand it, clutching your face a little firmer, hoping that you would peek your eyes open to see him because he desperately needs you to. The second you do, your face twists again with heartache, praying that he would just let you go and walk out already, because by now, he probably thinks you’re insane — there’s no way he’s not thinking it.

His lips part, trying to find the right words to say, needing the perfect ones to get through you because he hates how you won’t let him take the fall, the one he so rightfully deserves to come crashing down on. You are everything to him and in some ways the feelings that you feel hit him right in the heart, and right now is no different, but there’s a wall between you both and his only goal is to knock it down completely.

“I—I don’t know why you feel like you have to protect me, but I promise you don’t.” He whispers, watching as you try to calm yourself, little sniffles going in and out and broken cries leaving your mouth.

His thumbs rub back and forth across your cheeks, soothing your withering skin. Slowly but surely your cries die little by little, eyes fixed on his, trusting that he means everything that he says, because Steve isn’t like the others — something that you should’ve known judging from his character alone.

“If I do something that makes you upset or sad, you should be able to voice that, not keep it in. I don’t ever want you to feel like you can’t tell me when I’ve done something wrong. I—I want you to feel safe and okay around me, enough to know that my love for you isn’t gonna change, just because you bring something up. You have every right to be upset, and angry, and disappointed, everything.”

He says it like he means it and you know it’s because he does. He lets every word hang from the stars as if he put them up there, and points them out just for you to know that they are there and true, because that’s all he ever wanted. For you to know that every word he speaks comes from his heart, and no matter how many times he needs to repeat it, he’ll do it over and over again, just so you know it’s real and until you believe them and know he won’t ever break them.

“Don’t ever blame yourself for me, please? I-I don’t want you to do that to yourself because I’m here and…and every time I fuck up or make a mistake, I swear I’m gonna own up to it and try to fix it. But I’m not gonna let you take the blame, okay?”

Being with Steve for so long still feels so new, especially when you know he isn’t like the rest of the boys from your past. He’s patient and kind with a big heap of understanding. Like everyone else in the world, he’s guilty of his own poor moments, but he’ll be damned if he takes that out on you or makes you feel like it’s your responsibility.

“I’m so sorry, baby.” He murmurs, letting his hands fall away from your face, letting you decide what the next move is.

The tears that escape are more so in between the remains of the sadness being washed away with tears of love and gratitude. Your arms wrap around his torso, pulling yourself into him and burying your face into his chest where the tears soak through his chest. Without a second thought, his arms envelop you, rocking you both back and forth as he presses kisses on the top of your head.

It mends your heart not merely because he’s just sorry, but because you didn’t get plenty of sorries before. Left only with sweeping things under the rug and pretending like nothing ever happened — it never solved anything and never gave you much.

But Steve gives you everything and so much more.

A big chunk of you feels like you don’t deserve him because he seriously is the best person with an even better soul wrapped up into one and yet he chooses you — every day. He sees you through all the good and the bad and never makes you feel like you’re alone even when you could be a distance away when you’re right beside him.

When you talk too much, say too little, or sometimes say nothing at all — he’s there giving you a listening ear and comforting shoulder to lean on whoever you need it. And on the days when you can’t talk to him when you’re like this… he’ll wait until you’re ready and show you that he’s always going to be there every step of the way.

He’s everything you could have asked for and more.

You pull your face away from hiding, resting your chin up on his chest as you stared up at him.

“I’m sorry too. I—I shouldn’t have been so indifferent earlier and just told you what I was feeling from the get-go.” You sniffled, rubbing your hands over his back, smiling faintly when he nodded understandingly.

He knows that sometimes he might not quite get it, might not see things in the same light as you, but he would never try to dismiss your feelings. He would sit beside you through the storms and sunshines, knowing that he was learning more about himself and you with you in his life.

That because of you, the younger version of himself got to heal his deepest wounds and open himself up to a love he only through he could dream up. You were here making him a better version of himself, all while he was doing the same for you. Showing you that the scars and fears of your past didn’t have to live in the next person you met — that you could let it go and open yourself up to the love you deserved.

His love.

“I forgive you only if you forgive me,” Steve grinned, swiping away at the dampness on your cheeks.

You grinned, nodding up at him. “Of course, I forgive you.”

“I love you so much… nothings ever gonna change that.” He hummed, cupping your face, taking you all in for the person he loved so dearly.

You closed your eyes blissfully before a kiss was placed on your lips.

“I know, I love you too.”

💌 reblogs, tags, comments, + likes are greatly appreciated! leave a comment and let me know if want to be added to my taglist!! 💌

a/n: hi all, I hoped you like this little one-shot/imagine... i had this one sitting in my wips for awhile and it was nearly finished but I didn't have the inspiration to finish it until now. I don't usually write angst bcs i am a fluff girl, but this concept just came to me bcs like a lot of people when someone raises their voice at me...i just freeze and i don't know what to make of it and i just start crying. i think steve would be super apologetic and i wanted to write this bcs i needed some stevie!comfort so yeah... i hope you all enjoyed!!!

He audibly chuckles at your jab, shrugging his shoulders as he leans into you, slinging his arms over your torso, pressing a kiss to your temple and mumbling something only you can hear past the music.

“What? That one too corny for’ya?” He smirks against your skin, causing you to blush, playfully nudging him away with little effort.

“Thank the gods who made you handsome, Miller, because your pick up lines are shit.” You crinkle your nose up at him, lips twitching with a lopsided grin.

“Come on, I got another.” He clears his throat, pushing his empty glass of whisky away.

You lift your brow, teeth biting into your lower lip as a means to hold back your inevitable laughter, before he could even get it out.

“Ellie taught me this one.” He warns you, nodding his head more to himself as he rehearses the line mentally, already anticipating the way it's going make you fall over with laughter.

You snort, resting your chin on your fist as you await his line. “Oh geez, okay let me hear it, babe.” You nod, arm twitching with a go-ahead, ready when he was.

And Joel Miller ever with the dramatics, rolls his shoulders back, fingertips grasping his belt buckle between his forefingers as he sets his sights on you, lowering his voice just a tad for the full effect.

“If you were a country road…I’d take you home.” He winks, flashing you a toothy grin that immediately does you in as you break out into a squeal behind your hands, hunching over the bar a giggly mess.

Sure, he’s an idiot who doesn’t know shit about flirting, but he’s yours and that’s all that matters to him.

He smiles under the dim lights of the bar, moving to hold you against him while you heave and look at him with the utmost happiness one could possess. There are eyes belonging to the rest of the town, trained on you both, trying to decode what a man like Joel could possibly do to elicit that much joy out of you.

It’s sacrilegious to most of them, how someone like you could ruin your best laid plans and good name for someone like Joel who was the epitome of chaos, a bad man who did bad things to survive in a world that was crumbling. But to you, he’s a religion you want to worship, a good man who did everything necessary to protect himself and the ones he loved dearly without reservation—he was your god and you were his loyal devotee.

“Remind me to tell Ellie her pickup lines are crap too,” you finally steady your breathing, swiping at the tears running from the corner of your eyes.

There are still giggles submerged within your chest, bubbling out as the seconds pass and Joel holds you tighter, smiling against your head. He doesn’t know what he’s done in his past life or this one to deserve someone who takes him for who he is the way that you do—he knows he should be crucified for all the wrongs he’s committed, and hell he's raised, but he is certain of one thing: 

He’d accept his fate being guilty as sin, if it means never needing to part from you ever. You’re a lifeline to his soul and he doesn't know how to be without you. It’s comical considering how much of life he’s gone through without ever knowing you or touching your skin, yet here you are like some kind of holy force he needs to survive and yet he doesn’t mind it all. 

“You want another?” He speaks gingerly into your ear.

For a moment, you think he was talking about another godforsaken pickup line, but you follow the path of his fingers, tapping the glass walls of the watery sangria you were sipping throughout the night. The deep plum color is now a translucent red, losing all flavor and interest from you, as you desperately want to taste a different kind of drug that consumes you in ways no one else could.

“No, I’m fine, thank you, baby.” You shake your head, grabbing some napkins to soak up the condensation left behind on the countertop before pushing the glass away.

The sun had fully set over the town by now, and soon enough people on patrol would stop by for a drink, crowding up the place and getting rowdy until midnight. You never mind the extra company catching up with a few of the friendly folks you could call your acquaintances, but you’d much rather enjoy Joel’s company in blissful peace—jealous and stingy you might be, but for good reason when it comes to a luxury like him.

“Can we head home now?” You ask quietly, peering up at him past your lashes where he immediately nods, pulling a few stray bills from his pocket and leaving them behind as a tip.

His palm gently rests on the small of your back, guiding you up out of your seat through the room of people who still can’t understand it and never could. Joel had lucked out, and so did you even in the face of the apocalypse—it’s something no one, not even yourselves, saw coming, but without a doubt you and him jumped head first into each other and never looked back, not even under the warnings of the saboteurs.

The wine ladies sit quietly, judgmentally, in the corner of the bar whispering among themselves and rolling their eyes while Joel intertwines his hand with yours, pressing another kiss to your cheek before he holds the door open for you, giving the place a final one over before he follows suit. He sees them deliberately shifting their eyes to avoid his hardened gaze, but there’s a deep pleasure brewing in his chest because you're his lady, and not even a single one of them could undo the fate he chose and plummeted into willingly.

The bell rings behind you both with the creaking of the door hinges, the quiet of the night enveloping you with rustling leaves scraping against the pavement where the wind carries them and a breeze grazes upon your skin.

“Have fun tonight?” He drapes his arms over your shoulder, letting you lean into him as you walk down the dim street, exposed arms craving the warmth of his body beneath his flannel.

You hum, reaching up to lace your fingers with his dangling above your collarbone, “When do I ever not enjoy a drink and my man trying to flirt with me all night?” You tease, pressing your body impossibly closer to his, basically letting him trudge you both home.

“Gotta keep you on your toes woman, make sure you really wanna be stuck with my old ass.”

You roll your eyes and puff out a pointed breath, making his chest rumble with a deep laugh because he knows just how much you hate when he makes fun of himself and age. You love him wholly, for all the knowledge and life and grays and wrinkles he’s accumulated throughout his lifetime. It’s not everyday someone his age looks and feels as good as he does despite all the physical hell he has endured, and you’re so very lucky he’s healthy, and you intend to preserve it for as long as you can with you by his side.

“I’m not going anywhere, so get that outta your mind, cowboy.” You bite back, detaching from his side as you skip up the porch steps and watch as he chuckles and fishes out the keys, unlocking the door.

“Lots of bachelors for your picking and choosing, y’know.” He replies jokingly, holding the door open for you, follows behind and locking it shut while you kick off your shoes.

“I don’t want them.”

“Why’s that?” He smirks, holding a hand up against the wall while he works off his boots.

“You know why.” You cross your arms over your chest, eyes rolling once more.

“They’re not all bad,” He reasons, shrugging his shoulders, turning to face you.

“Do you hate me or something?” You ask offensively, dropping your arms as his laugh echoes through the hallway while you fail to give into the tight smile creeping up on your face.

He doesn’t hate you, nor ever thinks he could have the power to do such a thing. It’s just simply knowing that you’re just as protective of him as much as he is over you. The jabs about his age were something he was accustomed to since he was an older brother and Tommy never missed the opportunity to throw in a geriatric joke from time to time.

But you minded them a lot, especially when it was coming from people who didn’t know a damn thing about Joel—your Joel. He notices every time you tense up when someone jokingly calls him grandpa, when they point out the cracking of his bones when he gets up after a long time sitting, and the worst one yet, when they take a jab at your relationship.

“Enjoy it while it lasts, Miller, she’ll be burying you sooner than later.”

“She’ll trade you in for a newer model in no time.”

You hate it so much and he feels for you, especially if roles were reversed and jokes were made at your expense instead of his–but then again those people wouldn’t be living to see another day had they said something directly to you. 

Closing the distance between you both, he wraps his arms around your frame, tugging your towards his chest while you pout trying to keep up the facade of being annoyed at him.

“m’just playing with you, baby…know I’m the luckiest son of a bitch to have you wantin’ me instead of anyone else.” He confesses, kissing your forehead as he feels your arms folding around his torso tilting your chin up onto his chest.

“Yeah well, you’re different.” You tell him, watching his eyes flit down to yours, raising his brows curiously.

“Tell me about it.” 

It’s rhetorical but you take it as an opportunity to explain it because you want to let him know just how much he means to you even if the three words hanging on your tongue is just enough.

“You’re…selective.”

“Picky?”

“No,” you laugh, shaking your head trying to form the right words, “like…like you know what you want and you’re not afraid of staying true to your word.”

“So I’m a hard-headed fuck?”

“Joel!” you scold, looking up at him with a weak smile, laughing at his vibrant ways of describing himself.

“Go on…” He chuckles, squeezing your hips.

“When we first started seeing each other, you told me you were gonna be good to me,” you start, beaming up into his brown eyes, taking you in all your glory, “that you knew what other people thought about you, but you were gonna show me the real you…the other side.”

He nods along, his memory jogging back to that very moment he first laid eyes on you and spoke words with a purpose that never tempted him until you walked into his life. It was like coming to his senses, realizing that his life didn’t have to stop and end with misery, but maybe, just maybe this you were the one thing he could do right in his life—and you were.

“I—I didn’t care what everyone else thought. Didn’t care that you probably weren’t the friendliest or most talkative person around.” You continue smiling softly at his laugh he let out under his breath, “I cared that you really did show me a different side, and it’s not like you made me work for it or anything like that, you just…did. And since then you’ve never let anyone or anything get in the way of loving me the way you do.”

For a beat there’s silence. You can hear his breathing sharpen just a tad, perhaps taken aback by the frank retelling of a perspective he’s never considered outside of his own. He knew he had walls built up from all the horrors he’s faced, but to make you break them down wasn’t his kind of way of approaching a relationship with you.

He lived what felt like a hundred lives before settling in Jackson, finally deciding to throw an anchor down and stop with the running and traveling in search of nothing ahead. Ellie deserved a home, and she also wanted him with her—he was the reason she was alive, and she was his reason too. He learned soon enough that part of him, despite what he felt inside, was still alive for reasons he couldn’t begin to wrap his head around.

You deserved that Joel. The one he knew was still deep inside of him and just needed a little time to surface once more, and when it finally did, he gave to you all of him. It was freeing to stop hiding behind his past, to let you in and show you all the good and bad without making you feel like you had to earn it—for him it was finally waking up after a 20 year dark night.

“You really do know how to sap a guy up on a Friday night,” he murmurs, burying his face behind your hair almost shyly, pressing kisses against your pulse point, “definitely better at flirting than I am.”

You grin, fingers traveling up his spine, settling on the back of his neck to pull him away from hiding as you stare up at him with pursed lips.

“Don’t sell yourself short. I always liked that line you used on me.” You nod, rubbing your thumbs up and down his weathered skin.

“You’re on my mind so much I should charge you rent?” He guesses.

“No,” you shake your head, a smile playing on your face as he searches through his memories once more.

“You’re so sweet, you are giving my dentures cavities.”

You roll your eyes, shaking your head once more, “not quite.”

“I can be a gentleman until you want a ride on the crazy train.”

You furrow your brows slightly, laughing, “Well you actually said ‘ride on a cowboy,’ but yeah that works too.” You correct him, “That one.”

He hums, tracing circles over your waist, pulling you closer. “Really?”

“Yup, you’ve never not been a gentleman since the day I met you, so I guess it’s stuck.”

“Wanna ride a cowboy tonight?” He smirks, making your cheeks flush, lowering your forehead against his chest as he chuckles under you kissing the top of your head. “Only if you want to, sweetheart. I got other plans too,”

“Yeah?” You retreated from your hiding spot, “what are said plans?”

“Gonna carry you upstairs, kiss you all over and make love to you.”

“Hmm, I like that. Might even take you up on that ride later.” You say, biting your lip, nodding with approval.

“Shall we?”

“We shall.”

You and Joel didn’t need saving from anyone who didn’t understand you both…all of it would just be white noise in your world of screaming color, anyway.

💌 reblogs, tags, comments, + likes are greatly appreciated! leave a comment and let me know if want to be added to my taglist!! 💌

a/n: hi everyone...this is my first fic of 2025 and my first joel fic <3 i haven't watched the show or played the game, but i'm in love with pedro which means i am also in love with joel--if he's not tortured i don't want him right? hahaha, anyways I hope you guys enjoyed this, don't worry i'm not forgetting about stevie or eddie, i just wanted to switch it up. let me know what you think and thank you for reading <3