#stranger things 11

this is nice.

there are no guns shooting at you and your loved ones, no military tank chasing you down. no flesh-faced creatures with dozens of rows of teeth hunting you at the orders of an evil without a nose. no more mindflayer nonsense and no more having to deal with the upside down.

instead, the serene sounds of waves gently lapping fill the air. the fresh smell of the salted sea and the crystal sky paint a picture so beautiful.

you hear your baby sister's loud and infectious giggles echo through the beach, your dad the cause of it. he'd picked up a crab by its shell and walked towards her, playfully taunting her with the pinchers.

the sight captures a soft smile from you.

“you hungry?”

looking up from your shades, you see the pretty lady with a fond look in her eyes. like there's no other way to look at you.

you nod, prompting a happy grin of her own as she sits excitedly next to you.

“i hope you like them.” she says with that endearing level of care.

her nervousness of your opinions make you feel touched.

you look at her with a tilt of your head. “you sweat too much over what i'd approve of.”

she smiles sheepishly with her eyes downcast, though she knows you don't mean that cruelly.

“besides, i always like what you make me. it has this... feeling, you know.” that feeling of when a mom cooks for someone.

she knows. joyce always hears what is hard for you to say out loud. she's like your dad in that way, which makes you even happier that they found each other.

she rubs your shoulder tenderly in thanks as you bite into your sandwich.

sounds of the sandy footsteps of the other half of your family alert you two.

el has the brightest eyes you've ever seen, so resilient in spite of the extreme hardships that make her past.

“did you bring the watermelon juice?” she asks excitedly.

joyce looks at her knowingly before taking out the jug from the cooler, el jumping at the opportunity to get her cup.

your dad bends down to see you. “hi.” he murmurs with a loving kiss to your temple.

“hi.” you say back with a smiling mouth.

he takes a bite out of your sandwich with ease, swiftly moving his neck when your hand comes up to playfully swat at him.

“got a call from steve the other day.” he says after chewing thoroughly.

you feel your baby sister freeze up and move her head to look at you.

you hum. “what for?”

joyce holds back her snort when she sees her husband look at her smugly.

“oh, you know. he asked if he could talk to you.”

hopper relays his message so nonchalantly, you would think he's teasing. (he is but that doesn't make steve's message untrue)

you just nod, sticking to your guns and playing it cool.

el seems to want a different reaction. “oh come on, don't act like that.” she scolds with a twinge of sarcasm.

the look of betrayal crosses your eyes. “what are you talking about?” you enunciate with a guarded tone.

with narrowed eyes and a taunting smirk, she continues. “we all know you don't hate him as much anymore so just talk to him already.”

you watch her resume eating like nothing's happened and joyce can't cover up her humorous reaction with coughs anymore.

your dad looks at you with a look that says how long are you going to keep this up?

to which you respond out loud with a blunt and monotonous, “you both irritate me.”.

if there’s anything better than the getaway vacation you gave your parents and el, it’s probably this.

seeing the kids reunite with the friend they hold dear, with happy smiles and talks of great plans for the summer.

everyone was happy, most importantly her.

she deserves this and more, so much more. and you’re going to give it to her.

the kids were off to mike’s basement while your old man and his new bride ventured off as well.

and then there were five, sitting around in your dad’s living room.

the quiet was unbearably deafening and so very awkward. robin senses it and crushes it masterfully, to your surprise.

“how long are you staying?”

“just until this friday.” you reply with a nod.

she nods like she’s trying to digest this breaking news but doesn’t know how to.

nancy furrows her eyebrows in confusion. “you’re leaving? but it’s so soon.”

the disappointment in her tone doesn’t go unnoticed but it’s not like you want to go.

“yeah.” you sigh quietly. “i’m being transferred to montauk for another assignment.”

steve can’t hide his own shock. “that’s in long island.”

there’s an unspoken truth between everyone. one that acknowledges the feelings and thoughts you and steve have about one another yet refuse to speak on it in fear of something.

it’s weird. one day you decide to come home and surprise your dad and find yourself being dragged into a conspiracy that involves the government.

you can’t trust anyone but this little girl with psychic abilities and her small group of brave, fierce friends.

then along comes this girl names nancy and one of the kids’ older brother, jonathan, this guy steve and his friend, robin.

you established a kinship with these people so it makes saying goodbye so hard. but you do it anyway.

“i wish there was some way for you to stay here, like el.” robin chuckles, disheartened.

the organization you work for got el immunity. everyone involved with dr. brenner and the restarting of dr. kay’s experiments were arrested and put away in a supermax prison far away.

but you’re still employed and have no intention of turning in your resignation letter anytime soon.

“me too.” you offer her a smile but it doesn’t lift her.

everyone stays and talks for a few more hours, determined to make the most out of the time you have left in this town.

“wow, we’ve been here for a while.” robin says after checking the time on the clock above you.

nancy and jonathan share a look before she stands, ready to leave.

“leaving already?” you ask, standing with her.

“yeah, we have to get home.” she replies with a motion to the other girl who all but wants to leave.

“what? i don’t have to—”

“yes, you do.” nancy insists as she widens her eyes a bit and gives a quick glance to a confused steve.

robin seems to understand the underlying message and nods nimbly, complying with ease.“oh, right. yeah, i-i have a, um… thing.”

they’re gone before you can get another word out and the rest of your little family are home as well.

“what just happened?” steve mutters to himself.

“perfect timing.” jonathan looks to you.

joyce hangs her coat when she sees the man. “steve, stay for dinner.”

hopper is visibly against this idea and almost voices it if not for the look on her face.

you know, the one that says don’t argue with me.

he turns back around and hangs his coat with a sigh. “yeah, sure. why not.” the sarcasm in his tone doesn’t go undetected.

your little brother and sister look at one another and try not to laugh at the look on steve’s face.

“thank you but it’s fine, mrs. hopper.” he tries. “honestly, i was just about to leave.”

you look at jonathan and he shrugs, kind of entertained.

“oh it’s no problem, really.” joyce insists sweetly. “we’d love to have you over.”

steve looks at you for help but you don’t mind.

“she doesn’t mind.” el says.

you gasp softly and stare at her, disbelieving that she’d sell you out like that.

she just giggles and takes his hand, leading him to the kitchen.

hopper scoffs at how fast the ally was fraternizing with the enemy. he looks at you and jonathan in disbelief. “since when has she liked him?”

your look of betrayal is noted by him. “…i don’t know.”

jonathan scratches his head awkwardly, not knowing what to say. “yeah, that’s… new.”

the sound of silverware clinking against the plates becomes white noise for you. it helps take away from the fact that steve is having dinner with your family.

el sits to your left and because the dining table accommodates for six, steve sits across from you.

you wish everyone finishes their food as soon as possible so he can go and you can be spared from any more teasing from your younger siblings.

will nudges your foot, leading you to turn your chin to him.

he leans in, prompting you to do the same. “is it just me or is this kind of awkward?”

“no, no it’s not just you. this is definitely awkward.”

“okay.” he whispers, nodding to himself.

“so, steve.” joyce starts. “how’s the pasta?”

he nods emphatically, expressing his compliments to the chef. “it’s really good, seriously.”

she chuckles bashfully, secretly enjoying the praise. “it’s not enzo’s.”

“it’s better.” he says before taking a sip of the wine.

your dad isn’t too taken by his words but even he’ll admit, that harrington might tell a joke but he won’t tell a lie.

“you have any plans for the future?”

there it is. that dreadful question.

steve loses his grip on the fork and gets clammy. “uh, well, nothing permanent yet… but i was thinking of coaching.”

hopper perks up. “coaching?”

steve nods, nervousness bubbling in his throat. “little league baseball.”

joyce gasps excitedly. “that’s amazing, steve. oh, you’d be such a good coach.”

the former chief nods to himself, liking the idea for the boy.

jonathan likes it too. “that’s great, steve.”

he knew how good steve is with kids so this was going to be perfect for him.

he remembers that bat all too well.

“yeah, that’s awesome.” will says.

“thank you.” steve smiles shyly, his face all hot and a faint red painting his ears.

even your dad agrees. “it’s time hawkins is known for something else.”

that’s the first compliment from him and the biggest one. progress!

el turns to look at you, wanting you to say something but you don’t notice.

you feel someone’s sock-clad foot tapping on yours and know who it is. you glance at her, uninterested.

she tilts her head towards steve but you ignore her. mouthing the word ‘traitor’ instead.

she blinks at you, unfazed.

you sigh. fine.

“do you know if you’ll coach for a school or a local team?”

steve pauses his ministrations and looks at you in pleasant surprise.

you don’t mock him, you don’t judge him for wanting to make something out of himself on his own. you simply want to inquire more about what he thinks, what he wants.

“a l-local team.” he answers softly.

you nod in understanding. “that’s a good choice.”

he chuckles softly, not quite used to the spotlight being on him, oddly enough. “yeah.”

“you still have that bat?” you grin cheekily, the memory of that night still fresh in your mind.

steve allows himself to laugh a little fully now, the mention of that night still lingers in his mind now, too.

“i keep it in my trunk now, actually.”

“really?”

he nods with pride. “never know, might come in handy someday.”

a light chuckle of your own sounds and he subconsciously smiles wider, his eyes trail to your face for the second time since he sat down.

you miss the faces that link their eyes to one another, speaking words you and steve don't hear.

but that's okay because you and steve say words they don't hear.

you're contemplating revealing this secret that's been torturing you for the past two and a half years.

there couldn’t be a more perfect timing. you don’t know when you’ll see him next and this way, you won’t have to worry about something that may never happen.

el grabs your hand and all but gently tugs you down to meet her at eye-level, completely derailing your train of thoughts.

“el, what—?”

“you have to tell him.” she says, the urgency in her voice making your own come to a halt. “please.”

you know what she's asking, yet you can't give her a sign that you understand.

“tell him.” she says one last time before releasing you with hope in her eyes.

you hear him say something that makes joyce laugh and it’s a nice moment. it makes you feel different inside, like watching a movie you don’t know will become a classic.

your feet move on their own accord.

everyone watches as you stand in front of him, and they see how he shifts all of his attention to you.

“i’ll walk you out.” you say as you grab your jacket.

hopper is about to stand up and object when his youngest daughter puts her hand on his shoulder.

“sit.”

he raises his eyebrows and opens his mouth incredulously, but obliges anyway. he’ll have a talk with her later.

will gives you an encouraging nod and it feels like you’re being sent off to war.

with the door closed behind you, you walk.

a slow pace that’s comfortable, the kind that shows there’s something to be said.

steve feels uncharacteristically nervous and anxious as your silence eats him up inside.

you’re not a cruel woman, finding pleasure in making him antsy. but you just don’t know what to say and how to say it.

you’ve done the easy part. as for the hard part, that’s a different story.

steve takes it upon himself to rid you of that burden. “lovely weather we’re having.”

you snort. “not too hot, not too cold.”

“just right.” he muses.

your eyes are still downcast, watching intently as you put one foot in front of the other.

you can’t take this any longer.

stopping just short in front of his car, your turn to him.

“i wanna tell you something.”

he nods once. “i thought you did.”

“i do.”

“okay. sure.”

you watch him watch you.

there’s a look in his eyes. a warm, soft gaze in his big brown eyes, entrancing you. has he always looked this way?

“these past few years have been… a lot. but i had some help so, thank you.”

he looks like you were better off kicking him. “you don’t have to thank me. i wanted to—”

“exactly. you did things you didn’t have to do, things nobody expected you to do.”

he doesn’t say anything, just listens.

“you risked your life to help the kids and saved my little sister countless times, so i have to thank you.”

you can tell nobody’s ever said something like that to him ever before.

“i… don’t know what to say.” he admits sheepishly.

“you don’t have to say anything. i said what i had to say.”

steve doesn’t think so. “you came all the way out here,” he takes a step closer to you but not enough to box you in. “just to thank me?”

you maintain eye contact with him as he tilts his head down at you, curious.

“…no.”

if not for the closeness, your answer would’ve been lost in the light breeze.

“i also wanted to say that i think it’s a bad idea to drive around with that bat in your trunk.”

his lips split into that cute smile and reveal the lines around the corners that make it so charming.

“well, you can just come save me when i get in trouble.”

you pretend to mull over it. “no. i don’t think i will.”

“worth a shot.” he grunts as he walks to the driver’s side.

you remain in your position with your back turned to him.

it’s now or never but there’s something stopping you from walking away and making stay a minute longer.

cowardice? hopelessness? doesn’t matter, you feel both.

and all it takes is one move from you— one step and he caves first.

“i don’t want you to go.”

you don’t realize that he never shut his door. he never got in and turned the key into the ignition.

steve stood there, waiting for you to really say what it is that made him so desperate to hear.

but you didn’t, so now he will.

you turn around on a dime. “…what?”

his heart pounds harder than before but he’s sure now. “i said, i don’t want you to go.”

now it’s your turn to move. you come around the car and he watches your beautiful face contort to… anger?

“why?” you demand.

he scoffs, though it doesn’t come from a place of disdain. he’s frustrated with how much you conceal what’s really going on in your mind.

“for the same reason you really brought yourself out here.” his voice still soft with you. “because i need you to know.”

and as you stare back into those eyes that unarm you so embarrassingly fast, you understand that you must be truthful.

steve closes the door and you step back to give him some room but he doesn't want that. not now when that's all you've given him.

“are you going to say anything?”

it's seriously a wonder how even after all that, he's still so patient with you. he still wants to give you a chance to free yourself from these shackles you believe in binding yourself to.

“...i don't want to go, either.” you finally admit.

hope flashes behind his eyes.

“i want to stay here with everyone. i want to babysit the kids and take them to the arcade or the mall or wherever they want to go... and i want to do it with you.”

steve could shout from a mountaintop with how happy he is. “that was really cheesy but i'll take it.”

an exasperated gust of air leaves your mouth and you punch him square into his shoulder.

“ow! that hurt!”

you ignore him but he doesn't mind in the slightest. “but it doesn't matter what we want.” you say disappointedly. “they're expecting me back and i don't have a say unless i quit.”

he wouldn't dare ask you to quit, you know that. but you'd consider it if he did.

“you're allowed days off, you can request it.”

“i am and i can. and you can drive.”

he nods, looking at the streetlight across from your house. “i can.” then he leans down into your space, eyes unflinching yet tender. “i know this isn't ideal but we can make it work.” he talks to you like you're the only person in the world. “i want to make it work.”

you nod subtly, a bit dazed from the close proximity. “me too.”

then he smiles, flashing his iconic smile at you. “okay, glad we can come to an understanding. i'll be here tomorrow at six.”

you blink. “tomorrow at six?”

“mhm. and it's a date.”

whiplash doesn't even begin to describe how you're feeling, especially when he leans into you closer so slowly and looks to be going in the direction of your lips. then right at the last second, takes a hard right and plants that anticipated kiss on your cheek.

the kiss is warm and affectionate, reflecting how he feels for you exactly.

a faint smile is drawn on you as you watch him wink at you and step into the car, mentally psyching himself up.

you wave to him when he rolls his window down and realize, this is definitely how el feels with mike.