#voidreynoldsfics

you stared blankly out the window, nursing a coke just to have something to do. you really needed to get out of the house… you could call nancy. you could call robin. you could take yourself to the movies, or to get ice cream…

you did none of that.

“holy shit, please tell me you haven’t been sitting there all day.”

“of course i haven’t.”

you had.

dustin groaned, “why don’t you just call him…”

“no.”

“you know he would come crawling back to you. literally on his damn knees…”

“dustin, drop it—“

“why don’t you? you have not given me a single reason why you broke up. i asked him and he wouldn’t tell me—“

“you asked him!? dustin! stay the hell out of it!”

“if you aren’t going to call him, if you don’t want him back, why don’t you at least try to move the hell on?”

god, he knew nothing.

as if you hadn’t tried.

as if it was possible…

“just shut up, will you?” your voice was soft, though felt tears coming on again, “i don’t want to talk about this.”

“just give me one real reason why you broke up. then i’ll drop it.”

“i couldn’t keep seeing him covered in blood, barely coming back to me. jumping in to every single fight and never once winning.”

“but he always makes it back to you!”

“yes. but i will not be the reason that he doesn’t one day.”

dustin didn’t bring it up again.

you had parked outside of the family video again. you knew it was damn stupid. you had never actually made it inside. just parked outside, hating yourself, missing him, hating yourself even more. dustin had been asking to rent all three star wars and have a marathon. maybe he wasn’t working today. maybe it was just robin and you wouldn’t have to feel that weird thing your chest did where it felt like you were dying, every time you saw him.

he was.

and it did.

your pulse leapt significantly as soon as you saw the head of hair over the counter. at least this job didn’t have him in a v-neck sailor uniform— where you could see the edges of his chest hair— or the stupid sailors hat— that really should not have been such a turn on for you.

steve stopped mid sentence with robin, eyes lighting up immediately and making your stomach flip. he hopped right over the counter, ignoring robin, ignoring the line of customers. you had half a mind to turn and run out the door, but you had promised dustin that this friday— today— you would finally have the damn marathon.

“hi…” every time he greeted you it was like he was sighing in relief.

“hey, steve…”

“how um— how are… what are you—“ steve wrestled with himself to not say something stupid and scare you off, “can i help you find something?” you were staring at him too much, you realized with horror and quickly looked at the nearest poster on the wall.

“i’m here for star wars… dustin has been wanting to do a marathon. and i’ve been putting it off—“

“because you have to see me?”

“no—“

yes.

“i’ve just been…. busy.”

you had read twenty eight books this month and thought about steve longer than any of them had taken to read.

steve nodded, not wanting to point out that he always knew when you were lying, “they are technically on hold right now.”

shit.

“but…” steve hoped over the counter, pulling out a brown paper back labeled clarke and shook the contents out of the bag. you looked around in concern, knowing he would most definitely get in trouble for this, and very much hoping mr. clarke was not around to see this. steve gestured to the pile of movies, including saturn 3, somewhere in time, blade runner, space raiders and multiple other sci fi movies that you were happy dustin had his friends to go see with. “i don’t think he’s lacking in his.. science fiction experience for the weekend. if anything, i’m doing him a favor.”

it was sweet, though you were rather concerned about him losing another job, “can’t you get in a lot of trouble for that?”

“probably.” he leaned in slightly, “i’ll blame it on the system. accidental double book. happens all the time…”

you really doubted that. even still, you stacked them in your arms and tried not to smile too much at him, “thank you, steve. dustin will be very happy.” steve eyed you as he rang you up, mouth twitched up in a smile, “as long as dustin is happy…”

you locked eyes with steve for far too long, feeling the air slowly trickle out from between the two of you. the video store seemed to shrink and suddenly you could not remember why you had even broken up with him. robin coughed, loudly, ringing the customer bell repeatedly until steve looked away from you with a murderous expression.

“what?”

“customers.” robin motioned vaguely, but the store was pretty much empty.

“there’s no one here—“ you shouldn’t have said it. robin was just trying to pull you away from each other— like you had once told her to do— and to keep you from once again becoming like two colliding supernovas who lost all sense of reality and regard for anyone else….

“then steve needs to finish stocking—“

steve did not want to. he continued to glare daggers at robin before turning back to you with those soft brown eyes, “let me know if they’re just as good the third time…” you had loved star wars. you and steve had gone to see all of them in theaters and were the only reason dustin got into them. watching these movies had always been—

“hey you should come too.”

what the hell was wrong with you?

“you and robin…” good save. “both of you— should come..tonight. i think the whole party is coming so it would be nice not to be the only grown up.”

you used that word lightly, as you had just sat outside in your car staring into the establishment out of anxiety of running into steve like he were a elementary school crush.

robin just stared at you from behind steve, accusingly, dumbstruck, wondering what the hell you were thinking.

you hadn’t been thinking at all…

steve was smiling, not even trying to play cool about it, “yeah… i’ll be there.” steve didn’t take his eyes off you, though his tone was mocking, “robin? will you be there?”

robin had plans. steve knew robin had plans. still, she took her role as best friend and interceptor very seriously, “i’ll be there.”

shit.

what the hell had you been thinking? you couldn’t handle steve coming over and watching several hours worth of movies in a dark room. you couldn’t even handle going into where he worked. in daylight. surrounded by people.

“shit—“ you tossed random things around the room as if the thought of a messy house was the worst of your problems. it wasn’t like it was a date. it wasn’t a date. you had company coming over— fourteen year olds and steve and robin, not the president.

“hey—“ dustin stopped just inside the door, “what are you doing?” you froze, having been scrubbing the couch cleaned, “nothing.” you stood up, arms at your sides guiltily, “cleaning. we have people coming over, you know…” dustin raised an eyebrow, watching you like he was concerned you were going insane, “right… um, about that.” oh no if he canceled, you might drop dead. “i saw steve today… and he said you invited him over?”

“and robin—“ you added very quickly, before pausing, “when did you see steve?”

“oh, i went to family video to make sure you got the movies.”

great. he didn’t trust you at all…

“yeah, mr. clarke was there, said he was missing star wars. steve said there must have been a mistake in the system—“

you eyed him in silence, “you know i’ve had them rented—“

“are you sure you didn’t just walk in there and steve jumped over the counter, asked what you wanted and then pulled them out of a reserved order?”

damn.

“i can always take them back…” your tone was warning and dustin went running into his room with a very wide grin, “oh by the way!” he paused to look back at you, “i invited eddie. thought it would make things interesting. wear something nice.”

you spun to look at him, mouth hanging open, “what—“ you had met eddie several times already, you liked eddie just fine. he was someone you could even— loosely— consider a friend— wear something nice?

“what the hell does that mean—“ dustin’s bedroom door shutting was the only answer.

steve showed up twenty minutes early, leaving you with no time to be a nervous wreck or rethink and change your outfit again. dustin let him in without waiting for you and you nearly ran into him, coming into the kitchen, “you’re early…” you weren’t upset. steve shrugged, never taking his eyes off you, “is that okay? i figured i could help with food or….whatever.” dustin looked between you and sighed— you were both pathetic.

a second knock came later, deaf to both you and steve, who were stumbling around in the kitchen in conversation, trying not to stand too close to each other. dustin opened the door and ushered eddie in, parading him through the living room and into the kitchen, where steve stood beside you, “you remember eddie, right?” dustin shoved him right between the two of you, eddie muttering apologies and swearing at dustin.

“hello—?” you nodded to eddie politely, “how have you been? how’s hellfire?” as if dustin didn’t keep you updated. eddie was still staring at dustin for an explanation but perked up slightly at the mention of hellfire, “good! hellfire’s been great. the campaign is really developing, the story, i think, is my best one yet.”

you nodded along, occasionally commenting— you did know some things about dnd. dustin had begged you to play an entire campaign with he, mike, will and lucas. you understood the basics. you knew the monsters… eddie was apparently floored that you, a girl, knew so much about dnd and the way his eyes lit up had been noticed. especially by steve. “isn’t that just, like, all dice?”

you glanced at steve and almost laughed at the look on his face. his cheeks were red, hand gripping the side of the table tightly, eyeing eddie like he was a demogorgan. oh brother.

“is what all dice?”

“dragons and dungeons…”

oh, he knew the right name. he was being an undermining little shit.

dustin was almost smirking, taking in the look on steve’s face like it was an accomplishment.

“dungeons and dragons.” eddie had taken offense to the wrong name and you held back a laugh. “you use dice. that isn’t all of it—“ you tuned the debate and argument that followed out, just watching the pair in silence.

“steve—“ you shot him a look, warning, exasperated, only slightly amused by his behavior.

“i’m just saying, it seems like a waste of time and it’s not theres any strategy—“ he would never say this to dustin, you knew.

“steve…” your tone turned more pleading and he snapped out of his smug droning and looked at you. “what?” his eyes were soft on you, tone innocent, “i’m just curious…” he was an idiot. and yet the thought of him being so jealous over you just talking to eddie... goddamn it, you didn’t hate it. you raised your eyebrows, just staring at him in disbelief. “what?” he said it softer, this time a dare, wanting you to acknowledge it. you narrowed your eyes slightly, turning back to eddie, “it’s good to see you again. make yourself at home, let me know if theres anything you need.” steve dropped a cup beside you and swore.

dustin had gathered blankets and pillows from your room and his, as the kids piled onto the couch. max had joined lucas, and you offered to take the floor. steve joined you without a word, handing you a soda silently, sitting just far enough so your knees didn’t quite touch. dustin kicked you from above, on the couch, and you grunted, “sorry, that was an accident.” he did it again and this time steve turned and acknowledged him with a glare. he wanted you to move over. closer to steve. eddie awkwardly sat on the other side of you, smartly avoiding steve.

“thanks again for inviting me, dude. and for having me,…. dustin’s sister.”

you corrected him with your name, smiling in amusement, “no problem, eddie. the more the merrier…” apparently. robin had almost been late, tucking in on the other side of steve. she had tried to sit between you, but steve had pushed her over, conveniently moving his knee so there was no room. robin punched him in the arm and the two began to argue in whispers.

“haven’t you guys seen these movies like a dozen times?” max got shushed, but lucas answered, “only two. i think dustin is at four. mike is at three.”

“we have seen them four times, not that it’s a competition.” steve chimed in and you thought about elbowing him.

“you are all nerds.” robin shook her head.

“i’ve seen them only once. i saw them all in theaters, of course. i just think there should be more fantasy stuff…”

steve opened his mouth to say something to eddie, but you beat him to it, “i agree! sci fi is cool, but when are we getting more dragons and swords? like why can’t we get lord of the rings movies? what about narnia?”

eddie almost jumped up, “yes! thank you! exactly!“

steve was appalled, staring at you with his jaw hanging open, gesturing in a frozen shrug, “what…“

robin was trying not to laugh, secretly wishing she had been here earlier to see more of this one sided competition for your attention.

steve nudged you, leaning in, “remember the halloween we went as han and leia?” you smiled despite yourself. you had taken the boys trick or treating, they had argued about who was luke, who was yoda and who got to be darth vader. mike had demanded that he was obi wan and no one argued. “we were…what? fifteen?” “fourteen.” it had been almost six years ago already. “you never did wear leia’s gold bikini…” you hummed, smirking slightly. he was in dangerous territory. reminiscing, his suggestive tone…

“i miss you.” you felt like a jolt of electricity went through you. “steve—“ you kept your voice quiet, but stern. warning. “no, i know. i know… we broke up. i get it. but it’s been a month now. can’t i miss you? can’t we just…try to be friends? at least be able to be in the same room as me…”

you couldn’t. there was really no universe where you were able to be in the same room as him and feel nothing. there was no casual friendship, there was nothing and no amount of time that had gotten rid of your feelings. really, there was no universe or dimension where you could ever look at steve as just a friend. you stood up, mumbling an apology for bumping into eddie on the way.

steve followed you. of course he did… you paced in the kitchen, arms folded across yourself as if it would keep you calm. “i’m sorry… forget i said anything, i’m sorry. just come back and watch the movie, i— you’ll miss your favorite scene— han solo is on…” you didn’t care about the movie. you didn’t care about han solo— not unless it was steve in the stupid costume again.

“hey—“ steve grabbed your shoulders and gently eased you to stop pacing. you were crying now. shit, you were crying again. steve swore softly and knelt slightly to look you in the eyes. you looked away. “i’m sorry. i didn’t—“ you turned, pulling out of his grasp and took a deep breath.

“i miss you too.”

god, still— so much that it hurt.

“okay… so then why—“

“i can’t steve! i can’t do it. it’s too damn hard to… shit, i miss you so much but i—“

“hey,” steve grabbed your shoulders again, now forcing you to face him, “i’m right here. i’m right here… standing in front of you. i haven’t gone anywhere. i’m not going to go anywhere. talk to me.”

you couldn’t.

“i can’t. i can’t do it again…”

“do what?

“steve—“

“do you still love me?”

you stopped short, breath ripped from your lungs.

“because i still love you. you know i still love you— tell me you don’t still feel the same way and i’ll drop it.”

god, now you knew where dustin got it…

steve had gotten closer now, eyes locked onto you like an anchor that held you in place. he searched your face, brown eyes expectant, hands holding your wrist to keep you from turning away again.

you couldn’t lie. not to him. not to him looking at you like that… not with him pleading for you to voice what he already knew— what you wouldn’t let yourself entertain.

stupidly, betraying the act of how strong you actually thought you were, you kissed him.

steve pulled you against him in one quick motion, snatching your wrist again and looping it around his waist. this was stupid. this was so stupid and so dangerous— the feeling of his lips on you again, his arms braced on either side of you, the way you had to tilt your head back to be level with his mouth—

“shit—“

shit!

steve stumbled when you pulled away, like his body had been completely dependent on you to stay upright. he said your name. softly, in question, pleading…

“no.” you ducked under his arm and began pacing even faster. he said your name again, this time a sigh.

“you realize you kissed me?”

yes. damn you…

“come back over here. hey— stop pacing, come on..” his voice was so soft, so pleading and so patient that you almost did go to him. but you stopped short, breath coming more rapid, chest constricting slightly. it wasn’t a new thing— the panic attacks. the over thinking and the flashes of worse case scenarios.

“hey, whoa—“ steve’s eyes softened further, eyes growing wide as he stepped towards you. he had always been the only one to talk you down. he had always been there for the worst of them… “breathe. look at me… hey—“ you did. his soft brown eyes locked on you in the same way they always had been, his hands gentle on your elbows, holding you in place, grounding you to him. you took a deep breath, letting your eyes drift from his own.

“i can’t….” steve’s soft expression only faded for a moment, guilt, disappointment, heartbreak flickering over his face briefly, “okay.”

“i can’t…. i can’t do it again, steve.”

“do what?” but he knew. you had been the one to end things, you had been the one to just kiss him, and now you were breaking his heart all over again. he understood. he didn’t agree and he hadn’t gone without a fight, but he understood.

i can’t do this anymore. you had said it to him just over a month ago, tears in your eyes, clinging to him like he were going to disappear. i can’t worry about both of you. i can’t keep seeing you covered in blood, i can’t watch you jump in front of the fights anymore. dustin was enough… you lost sleep worrying about losing both of them. waking up in a panic, covered in sweat, despite steve being in bed beside you. i can’t lose you.

“i can’t lose you.”

steve cupped your face in his hands, eyes searching yours with the softest expression. his mouth turned up just slightly, “you’re not going to lose me…”

you shook your head, hand on top of his, tears falling from your eyes, “you don’t know that… you can’t promise that.”

steve stepped closer, “i’m not going anywhere. when have i ever not come back to you?”

“i can’t be the reason some day you don’t…”

your name again, more pleading.

“can you promise me you wouldn’t sacrifice yourself? for me. for anyone else?”

steve hesitated, searching you, wishing you had asked him to promise anything else in the world.

you bit your lip, stepping back, letting go of his hands. you just shook your head, looking at him sadly, sick and relieved that he had proven your point.

“i still love you. that’s why i can’t…”

you disappeared into your room and steve left without another word.

the kiss was still stuck in his head, two weeks later. despite not having seen you, despite not having mentioned it and despite trying not to think about it. he could still feel you against him, he could still taste the coke on your tongue.

steve swore, dropping the stack of videos he had been carrying. robin eyed him, raising a single eyebrow. steve hated when she looked at him like that.

“are you going to tell me what happened at the movie night or are you going to continue being a liability in the work force?”

“liability in the work force? it’s a family video.”

“okay. this is the third stack of movies you’ve dropped since this morning.”

“nothing happened at the movie night.”

it was technically true… nothing had come of the kiss, at least.

“did you have a fight? did you piss her off?”

steve almost dropped the movies again, swearing and huffing in frustration, “no, robin– no. we didn’t have a fight.” that would have been better…

“okay well i’ve never seen you walk out of there so quickly and so quietly. and the way she just disappeared into her room—“

“robin—“

but they had both shut up as they looked out the window and saw you and dustin rushing towards the store. steve’s heart dropped, immediately rushing to worst case scenario. “—so majorly screwed—“ dustin looked slightly ill, already breathless from panic.

the paleness of your face and your frantic expression had steve jumping over the counter and rushing to you, half expecting you to be severely injured. “what happened?” his hands were on your face before he could even think, “are you okay?”

you put your hands on top of his, dwelling on the way he was keeping you grounded. you took a deep breath, “something’s..happening again… i don’t— i don’t know…. eddie— said that—“

“eddie?” steve’s hands moved from your face and he stepped back, “this is about eddie?”

“holy shit, dude, this not the time to be jealous!”

“i’m not jealous—! i don’t give a shit about eddie— i don’t care!”

“steve.” your tone brought him back, eyes locking onto you, “this isn’t about eddie.”

it was— kind of.

“this is about the upside down… something happened.”

steve floored it, trying to focus on the road and dustin’s many many holes in his story. “are you sure eddie didn’t just…” steve clicked his tongue and made a gesture over his throat.

“no, steve. eddie isn’t a psychopath murderer who snaps girl’s limbs and gouges their eyes out.”

steve turned to glance at you, eyebrows raised, unconvinced. “dustin’s right. eddie is eccentric but he would never do that… i don’t think he would hurt anyone—“

“oh i forgot eddie was your close personal friend! i forgot you knew him so well—“

“steve.” your tone was short now, glaring at him in disbelief. he was being ridiculous. insane, even. to be jealous now. “steve harrington, i need you to stop being so damn jealous and listen to me.” steve looked briefly like a scolded puppy, staring at you with a guilty expression, eyes wide that you had blatantly called him out.

“i need your help. okay? i do. i’m asking. because if this is what we think it is again, this will effect everyone. it has nothing to do with eddie.”

you didn’t really care about eddie unintentional being wanted for murder. but dustin thought the world of him and you cared about dustin. steve gritted his teeth, jaw clenched as he continued to stare at you. he swore again and tightened his grip on the steering wheel, “where am i going…”

“why would he tell you where he was hiding? if he’s actually in trouble—“ “he didn’t tell me! that’s why we had to hack into the family video system, to find—“ you shushed both of them, passing dustin the backpack as you dug through the trunk of steve’s car. steve leaned against the roof of his car, looking stuck between anxious and impatient. you wouldn’t be out here if it weren’t for dustin. you knew steve would not be out here if you hadn’t asked him personally. you felt better knowing he was out here with you. as much as you hated to admit it…

you hesitated at the door to the boathouse. you knew it was stupid– but if things from the upside down were back, you didn’t want to go in blindly. “dustin, flashlight…” your brother passed you the flashlight and you exchanged an anxious glance with robin.

“i’ll go in first.”

“no you won’t.”

“just give me the flashlight—“

“no, harrington.”

steve pushed past you, glancing at you with an innocent expression. you huffed, grumbling to yourself and grabbing his wrist. steve looked at you cautiously and you entered the boathouse side by side. you held the flashlight and steve held a canoe oar, both bracing for worst case scenario. dustin had picked up a paddle, while robin held a second flashlight, “eddie?” she whispered, despite knowing they were alone in the woods.

“eddie?”

“eddie..?”

dustin poked at the tarp over a canoe with held breath.

“i don’t think he’s here, man—”

before the word was fully out of his mouth, steve was screaming, being shoved backwards, pinned to the wall with a knife to his throat. you screamed, running forward as panic took over.

“eddie!”

“whoa—!”

“eddie, whoa! it’s me! it’s us! it’s dustin—“

eddie’s head snapped backwards, eyes wide and jaw set like he was going to go through with it. “it’s us! you know steve—!” the knife was lowered from steve’s throat and you felt your heart start beating normally again and air fill your lungs once again. steve stumbled forward, out of breath and holding his throat. he nearly collapsed into you and you didn’t think twice when you wrapped your arms around him to steady him.

“sorry—“ eddie eyed you apologetically, eyes still wide in fear, “i’m sorry about that— thought you were…someone else…”

“yeah—“ steve wheezed out, massaging his throat, “-fine—“ you turned to steve, hand gently on his throat, relieved that eddie hadn’t drawn blood. steve’s eyes locked onto yours, breathing slowing, heart rate not decreasing as you numbly still rested your hand on his chest.

the eye contact broke and steve felt like he was falling. you turned to dustin, pulse rising as he urged eddie to tell the full story.

eddie was pale when he finished, a haunted expression that you had seen too many times to doubt. “i know it’s insane…” eddie’s haunted expression stared out, over the lake, eyes glossy and almost dazed.

it was insane. too insane to be made up… you had learned not to let hawkins surprise you. you had recognized the look of terror and disbelief in eddie’s eyes.

“we’ll find a place for you to stay… and we’ll tell the others.” robin had seen enough of her own horrors this last summer not to doubt— though a monster that possesses your mind and then eventually snaps all your joints, pops your eyeballs and levitates you was a bit too much for her. understandable…

“you can stay with us.” dustin was quick to volunteer your house, despite. being the smallest and one of the most obvious places the police would look.

steve, unsurprisingly, disagreed, “no, henderson.”

“no?”

“no. you’re a known friend. cops will be at your house searching tomorrow.”

“you just don’t want him with my sister!”

“henderson— no. that’s a stupid plan— maybe the stupidest plan i’ve ever heard, actually.”

you sighed, hoping this would not turn into another competition or metaphorical size comparison. steve wasn’t wrong, despite his very nonsubtle reasons for not wanting eddie at your house.

“can’t you just camp out here?”

you gave steve a glare, eyebrow raised, trying to silently remind him not to project his jealousy right now. steve met your eyes guiltily and sighed, “he can stay at my house…. it’s huge and my parents are never home… problem solved.”

steve sounded so excited.

your lip twitched up, reminding yourself that he would not even be out here if it weren’t for you.

“oh good,” robin breathed, “i was going to offer my house but i’m terrible at keeping secrets…” it was astonishing, really, how bad she was at keeping her mouth shut.

steve slowed his pace, stepping in stride with you and lowering his voice, “so it’s obviously connected, right? creepy monster snapping limbs? making people see creepy shit in their minds?”

it had to be. hawkins could only handle one other dimensional world of monsters at a time. you just shrugged, “just when you think it’s over… again. some creep with a clock comes along.” steve actually laughed and you did too, despite the seriousness of the situation.

now you were tromping through the woods at night, with a wanted suspect, laughing over another entry to the end of the world.

“dustin, i need you to go tell the others. robin, stay at our house tonight in case the cops come asking questions— just stay hidden.”

“and what about you?”

“i’m going with steve.”

it was a horrible idea, once again. steve still had the ability to cause all critical thinking to go spilling out of your head like it was a water slide. you sat with steve in silence, watching eddie finally stop pacing and then eventually fall asleep. you sighed, swearing quietly. “what the hell are we going to do?”

“i was hoping you would tell me. i mean my parents are going to come back eventually. and sooner or later, cops will be asking you questions about the club your brother is in. i don’t want you going down for this.”

“no one is going down for this. we just have to keep him hidden for now— either there’s never another attack again, or people will find out it has nothing to do with him.”

steve shifted beside you, hand still resting over his mouth in deep thought, “you’re sure going very far out of your way to protect him.”

“he means a lot to dustin.”

“only to dustin?”

you stood up, head snapping towards him accusingly, “i’m not doing this with you. yes, to dustin. dustin is the only reason i was out there, risking getting shot or becoming an accomplice.”

steve knew it was stupid. he knew he was being stupid and jealous, yet he couldn’t help it. dustin had found another older male friend and now he was getting close to you too. he ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. he knew you were telling the truth. he knew dustin had probably begged you. and you had come to him…

“don’t think it’s anything more than what it is.”

steve nodded, though now he found it hard to look you in the eye, “i know—“

“and don’t think that i didn’t have anyone else to ask.”

steve looked up, eyes softening on you with a soft smile, “i know…” nancy wheeler may have even been a better choice, knowing his history of never winning fights.

you sighed again, “it’s late.” one forty five in the morning. “god, what has my life come to…” you stood up and steve followed, “you can have my room. if you’re tired…”

“i’m not.”

you woke up, still on the couch, completely wrapped in steve’s arms. shit. you had slept through the entire night without a single nightmare— and slept late. you hated that you knew why… you pulled yourself off of steve’s chest, looking around groggily. eddie was still passed out on the floor, awkwardly slumped against the wall like it had been just a normal night. the walkie was beeping constantly, dustin’s insistent “come in” repeating like an alarm clock.

“dustin— what is it?” you tried to wipe the exhaustion from your body, but you really wanted to curl back up on the couch and drift off again in steve’s arms.

“turn on the news. shit is serious—“

steve was moving to turn the tv on before you could process the weight of his words.

national news coverage of hawkins, indiana.

“oh, shit—“

“you’ve got to be kidding me…”

a serial killer, they said. a sick and twisted individual that gouges his victim’s eyes out and snaps all of their limbs. pictures of chrissy showed on the screen and you had to look away, swallowing the bile in your throat.

so much for letting it die down…

“can you be trusted to stay put while we are gone?” eddie scoffed, glancing up from the fridge, “i don’t need babysitters. i appreciate what you’re doing for me, but i’m not going to be stupid enough to leave.”

steve eyed him like he did not believe him, but he tossed him the extra walkie and crossed his arms, “if there’s a problem, you radio. me or her, not dustin. dustin stays out of this.”

you had to keep your legs locked to hide the way steve’s overprotectiveness of dustin effected you. eddie glanced between the two of you, eyes shifting back and forth like he was studying. “what’s the deal with you two, by the way?”

“there’s no deal with us— that’s not— that isn’t what we’re talking about!” you huffed and eddie almost smiled, “right… yeah, it’s just—“ he pointed between the two of you, “weren’t you guys together, like, forever or something…”

“five years—“

“since we were thirteen—“

“right…..” eddie sat back slightly, eyes narrowing, still studying the two of you, “and… and you’re not…now? for some reason..?”

“she couldn’t handle seeing me covered in blood anymore.” steve shrugged like it was no big deal.

“it’s not just— that’s—“ you tossed your bowl in the sink with a huff, “i don’t have time for this.”

the image of steve beat to a pulp flashed in your head again. it hadn’t even been the goddamn monsters that time— any time… but you had no clue where dustin was, where steve was, why no one was responding on the walkies. then your brother shows up, frantically pounding on the door with lucas’s little sister in tow and tears in his eyes.

“steve’s in trouble, it’s bad.”

those words had been enough to send you into a blind frenzy, flying out the door in pajama shorts and steve’s old swim team shirt.

and then when you finally saw him… more bruised and bloodier than you had ever seen him. eye swollen shut, blood covering his nose to his chin, coating his teeth. jaw fractured, cheek fractured, nose broken, more concussed than should be humanly possible. yet he was smiling, crashing into you with a hug, as if the world had not just temporarily stopped for you.

“i’m sorry—“

but he had made it back to you. broken and completely traumatized, but still alive.

“he was unconscious for most of it—“

steve had winced at the color leaving your face. he pulled you closer but you had lost all feeling.

“i can’t….”

you had said, hours later after the mall imploded, the town fell apart and the end of the world was temporarily put on hold.

“i can’t do this anymore. i can’t worry about you and dustin. i can’t watch you run off into danger like you’ll actually win the next fight. i can’t do it, steve. i can’t lose you. i can’t watch you sacrifice yourself and jump in front of every fist.”

now, as you looked over at him in his car, you realized he was the same person he had always been. selfless, despite what others may think, wanting to be the only one getting hurt, needing to protect the people he loved with a fierceness that would get him killed.

“steve, i—“

“steve—? harrington? henderson? are you there?”

“nancy?”

“i take it you’ve seen the news…”

“yeah.”

“i take it munson isn’t a psychopathic serial killer?”

“not exactly.”

“where are you?”

“on our way back to steve’s.”

“we’ll meet you there.”

“no— my house. not steve’s…”

dustin greeted you and steve before you had even parked. “what are you—“ “how’s eddie? is he okay? is he going to stay put?”

“i—“

“what are you doing home, henderson?”

“they cancelled school. you think they would let us back there with what’s going on?”

steve apparently did.

“national news, you know.” he was practically dragging you through the door. max was there too and robin likely had never left.

“what… were you two doing all day?”

you exchanged glances with steve, “we went back to eddie’s trailer. wanted to see it for myself… see if there was any…signs.”

“they just let you in?”

“i said i was eddie’s mourning sister. they didn’t question it.” brown henderson curls came in handy for once…

“they believed that?”

you shrugged, “i can be very convincing…” your lip twitched up and you saw steve smirk. “it felt like the upside down… there wasn’t any dust particles or…a tear… i don’t know…” you paused, fidgeting with your fingers.

“and where’s eddie now?”

dustin glared at max and she threw her hands up in defense, “i’m not going to turn him in! i just think it would be a good idea to talk to him. see if he saw anything.”

“you think we didn’t think of that?” steve crossed his arms, now giving max the same expression dustin was.

“we did talk to him. he didn’t see anything… just… chrissy getting snapped— and levitating and…. then blood—“ your stomach turned just thinking about the pictures. dustin was staring at the newspaper, the pictures blacked out more than they had been before.

“it just doesn’t make sense… the mind flayer hasn’t… well before, he didn’t—“

“i don’t think it matters. this is obviously still the upside down. do you know anything else that has possessed and killed and made bodies levitate?”

you were starting to get a headache, groaning as you took a seat. your heart rate jumped again, stomach twisting against the stress that was creeping in.

“hey—“ the conversation in the room faded and it was just steve. his hand was on your knee, kneeling in front of you with a soft expression. “i’m fine…” the blood. the broken bones… it was all back. the upside down, the death… steve covered in blood suddenly, unconscious on the floor— you jumped up, room spinning. you nearly tripped, disappearing through your room before the tears could start.

“hey, are you—“

dustin met steve’s eyes and steve just shook his head. max opened her mouth to voice her concern but dustin waved her off. “you should go. nothing i say matters. it’s you she wants, no matter what she may say…” steve’s lip twitched up, moving to follow you.

you fought to breathe in slow breaths, deep and even, hiccuping over the rapid hyperventilation threatening to boil over the surface. you didn’t know what had even triggered this— lately it had been nothing. you heard your door crack open and you didn’t need to look up to see who it was.

“i’m okay—“ you really weren’t.

“it’s fine not to be, you know. we’ve seen some serious shit…” steve stopped before he reached your bed, hand reaching out but not yet touching you.

you actually laughed, snorting despite the bubbling panic, “that’s one word for it…”

“you know what i mean. and you’re so.. fucking strong. god, most people who have seen what we have would go insane. people older than us— they wouldn’t be able to do it, you know. when dustin first told you about the upside down— god, you didn’t even question him, you just heard that he was in trouble and grabbed a gun. you didn’t even call me—“

“that was the first time you yelled at me…” in the byer house, with nancy and jonathan. steve had no idea what had happened, only that you were acting distant. you threw yourself right in as the bait and that was the only time you had ever seen steve scared, “you ended up getting involved anyway… all i wanted was you safe.”

“yeah, so much so that you pointed a gun at me.”

you cracked a smile, “i didn’t want you getting hurt.”

steve sat next to you, cautiously, as if he expected you to get up. he was smiling to himself, “as if i would let my girl stand in front of danger alone…” he turned to look at you, expression soft, “you just jump right in. never really caring if you got hurt, as long as everyone else was safe.”

well that sounded familiar. “i think the time you jumped in front of hargrove and pulled out that gun was the moment i realized this wasn’t going to just be a high school sweetheart phase. i knew i had always loved you… but right then i knew this was different. god, i don’t think i’ve ever been more terrified of you than i was then, either. hargrove had beat the shit out of me, and there you were, staring him down like he was just a disobedient lap dog.”

your lip twitched into a smile, “i think you were just delirious from the concussion and the fact that you could only see out of one eye.”

steve laughed, “that was definitely not the reason.” he shifted closer to you— just enough to be intentional, “my point is, you’re allowed to be scared. especially now. you’re allowed to show it, you’re allowed to let it out. you’ve kept it buried, covering it up and carrying on like this is all normal. it isn’t normal. nothing about any of it… we’ve lost people, we’ve been run thin, we’re exhausted… and i know we aren’t the same. there’s no possible way for us to be the same kids we were before all of this. i know that. i know this…. whole thing… isn’t ideal for a relationship. i know you’re scared. i know things aren’t…easy. but…”

your eyes met his momentarily and you blinked away the tears. he was right. you were scared. fir everything he just said. for keeping it all inside for all this time… you shook your head and let out a weak laugh, “you know, the worst part is i’m not scared. not of the upside down, not of the mind flayer or any other monsters he’ll throw at us.” it was ridiculous now that you voiced it. you should have been terrified to even get out of bed in the morning. “you want to know the only time i was ever truly scared?”

steve probably didn’t, but he shifted closer, breath held. “after the mall. when i still couldn’t find dustin. when i couldn’t find you. when i didn’t know where you had been for twenty four goddamn hours. and then you found me. stumbling into my arms, covered in blood, looking like you had been fucking tortured…”

steve looked away, “i’m sorry. i didn’t mean—“

“no.”

“i didn’t think anything would—“

“that cannot happen again.”

steve looked back up at you, “i’m sorry.”

“it was bad enough when it was just you. but when it was both of you– and i didn’t know— i couldn’t get ahold of either of you…” steve moved closer, grabbing your hands in a sad attempt to stop your tears, “that cannot happen again. i can’t sit at home oblivious, not knowing that you were almost fucking killed! not knowing that my brother is involved and—“

“it won’t. it won’t…” steve held your face gently, “you know i would never let anything happen to dustin.” you did know that.

“that’s why it can never be just the two of you again.” it was like steve finally understood. the air was pulled from the room and all steve could do was look at you. “you are not sacrificing yourself for him. i will not lose either one of you.”

steve was silent, his stomach sinking, chest tightening. he understood now. you would rather it be you than him or dustin. losing him was worse than losing your life… his eyes were still locked onto you, more intense, eyeing you with a clarity that made his head spin.

“i can’t promise that we all survive this.”

“i know…”

“and i’m not going to promise not to act recklessly if you or your brother are in danger.”

you just stared at him. not good enough.

“i can promise to be careful. i can promise not to jump in front of every single bullet or fist or other dimensional deity.”

better… but still—

“can you promise to stay beside me no matter what? never in front of me. never again somewhere else entirely, where i have no idea if you’re alive or dead…”

steve was so close to you now. his expression soft, desperate as it searched your face. it all made sense now. you weren’t mad at him. you hadn’t hated him for protecting your brother… he scared the hell out of you. he was one of the only things in this world you cared about and he constantly wanted to swing for heroics.

“i promise.”

the breath caught in your throat, heat spreading throughout your body, tension building in the mere inches between you now.

“steve…”

“i know. you’re scared to lose me. i know i always jump in front of danger… i’m sorry for scaring you. i didn’t… i never stopped to think about how much me being beat up and bloody scared you… i was always just thinking thank god it wasn’t you. thank god it wasn’t dustin… i was always just so relieved to come back to you, to know you weren’t in danger and that i had survived to come back to you…” steve put his hand on either sides of your face, “i always came back to you.”

you were crying now— hating yourself and the way you let the goddamn fear swirl in and twist itself around your mind and squeeze, until it took control. “what if you don’t?”

steve took a deep breath, hesitating, searching your face once again, “i always have so far… a little bloody, a few less brain cells and a bruised ego, maybe…”

you wanted to laugh, but it never came.

“hell, i got tortured and drugged by russians and i still managed to only think about getting back to you. there’s nothing… not a single goddamn thing that will keep me away from you. not russians, not a million demogorgans, not a portal to another world, and definitely not some creep that snaps bones…”

you rolled your eyes, though the tears in your eyes and your smile showed that his speech actually hadn’t been cheesy at all.

steve almost laughed at himself, eyes soft as they locked onto yours. he brushed his thumb along your face, wiping the tears. “i love you. and i really fucking miss you…”

you sniffled, smile spreading, “i love you too…” it was like a parasite, really. no matter what you did or tried, there was no getting over him. there was no moving on, no finding someone else, no shaking steve harrington. it had been a month and a half since the breakup, yet now it felt like nothing had changed between you. now that he was inches away from your face, hands locked with your own, sitting beside you on your bed again, looking at you like he always had. he still never felt further away. it had been stupid you had been stupid. so goddamn scared, all because steve protected with a fierceness that turned reckless. and he had always come back… or— you knew, you would go to hell itself to bring him back.

steve leaned in, lips grazing against yours so delicately it was almost not there. he was asking, hesitant, wanting to see where you stood. your arm looped around his neck, fingers sliding through his hair to pull him closer. steve’s breath caught, eyes closing against the feel of you.

“i love you,” it was like a sigh of relief, and your only answer was to kiss him.

the kiss grew rapidly, soft brushes turned heavy, needy and desperate. steve’s hands found your hips, pulling you into him as you threw both arms around him. your pulse roared in your ears, heart hammering inside your chest. you had never forgotten the taste of him, the way he held you, the way his mouth felt against your neck. you muttered a curse, head falling back onto the mattress as he pinned you gently between his legs, mouth never leaving you.

the door burst open, and robin cursed, “you guys— shit—!“ steve dragged his head up, chest already rising and falling rapidly. you knew there was nothing robin could ever do to earn a more serious glare. if looks could kill, she would drop dead like a dropped doll. “you need to get out here—“ but the shaking in her voice and her frantic tone had you both jumping to your feet.

“we have company.” the entire group had ran into the kitchen, crouched behind the half wall. steve’s eyes shifted to you, cold and warning— reading for another goddamn fight. “lucas radioed and warned us. said they were looking for eddie…”

“shit—“

historically, people were harder to deal with than monsters. you straightened your clothes and pulled your most charming smile as you moved for the door. you opened it to a fraction of the hawkins football team, “can i help you?” it had come off as polite and casual— despite your tendency for panic attacks you were good under pressure. “hi,” the kid hesitated, eyeing you like he was surprised by you. he pulled himself out of his daze and smiled, “miss henderson…” oh brother. “is your brother home? my name is jason and i’m…” hell no was he talking to dustin. “dustin?” you had gotten out of most things by playing dumb, “i honestly don’t know where he is, he’s supposed to be home by now.” jason narrowed his eyes, not believing you. smart kid… “who’s car is parked out front?” your hold tightened on the door, “excuse me?”

“there’s two cars in the driveway… i’m betting only one of them is yours.” he stepped closer to you and you held the door handle, hand behind your back frantically motioning for the group to move. “i thought you were just looking for dustin? is something wrong? is dustin in trouble?” this kid was about to be.

“no, ma’am. of course not. we just need to ask him a few questions…” you shifted again, tenser, tone shifting in warning, “he isn’t here.” jason’s mouth twitched up and your eyes narrowed. “do you mind if i wait here until he gets home? you said he needed to be back soon…”

shit.

“if you insist. but he might not come back at all. he likes to stay over at friends’ houses.”

“mike wheeler. we were already there.”

fuck—

jason’s tone was flat now, cautious, warning.

“is there a problem?“ steve opened the door, hand above your head, arm out stretched against the door frame.

the team was momentarily silenced, the slightest flicker of anxiety crossing their face, “harrington?”

“yeah?” you knew steve’s mild irritation was greatly underplayed, “is there a problem?” now it was his voice, that held a warning.

“they said they’re looking for dustin? asked if they could wait here until he shows up…” steve took his eyes off you and turned them back to the new age of jocks, eyes narrowing further, “what do you want with dustin?”

a different kid spoke up this time, “what do you care? aren’t you only screwing his sister?”

jason– the ring leader in the front, shot his friend a glare, arm out to shut him up— but steve was faster. he grabbed the kid by his shirt and shoved him down the steps. steve harrington had mastered the role of overprotective asshole boyfriend. and he played it with pride…

“whoa, okay! easy—!” jason spoke again, realizing his chances of hospitality were vanishing. “i’m sorry about him— look, we just want to talk to henderson. i assure you it is important…”

steve let go of the kids shirt and turned his glare to jason, once again doing all the talking, “she told you he isn’t here.” it was not a suggestion to leave.

“do you mind if we just… take a look? not that we don’t believe you… it’s just— maybe we’ll find something that will give us some idea on what happened.”

“you’re here about the murder?”

“chrissy was my girlfriend… the cops aren’t doing a damn thing.”

steve could at least understand where he was coming from. unfortunately the cops would find nothing— and never be able to prove eddie’s involvement. “i guarantee you dustin had nothing to do with that. he was home. i was here.”

“no. of course he didn’t. i know that… he’s just a kid.” he was fourteen. two years younger than this kid. “but maybe he might know something about who did…”

steve had to stop himself from pacing, standing like a guard dog as he watched— only jason was allowed— him wander through the house like damn sherlock holmes.

“you won’t find anything.” your arms were crossed across your chest, hoping to hide their shaking.

“is this henderson’s room?”

shit.

“yeah?” the door was locked and your heart jumped into your throat. please be smarter than that…

“mind if i take a look?”

this kid thought he was the goddamn police. but the sooner he was out and realized there was nothing here, the sooner he would leave and never come back.

you just eyed him suspiciously and opened his door with a sigh. empty. thank god. jason looked surprised— like he knew you were lying but was really thinking that’s where he would be.

jason returned empty handed, jaw tight, “and this is your room?” the only place they would be. your throat felt tight suddenly and your chest constricted.

“you’re not going in there.” steve just eyed him, arms crossed, eyebrow raised, daring him to argue. it was reasonable. what boyfriend would want a random boy snooping through their girl’s room— jason had a moment of clarity and seemed to come to his senses, “right… of- of course not. i’m sorry.”

good.

the front door opened and dustin stood with both of jason’s sidekicks hands on his shirt. dustin smiled at you sheepishly, hands up in surrender, “hey guys— what’s…going on?”

little shit must have climbed through the window.

“henderson—“

“get your hands off of him or you’ll leave here with more than just disappointment.” they seemed to be more scared of your threat than anything steve had said. they released dustin and stepped back.

“i haven’t seen eddie. i know that’s why you’re here.” dustin had even dropped a bag on the floor from his shoulder, like he was coming back from somewhere.

“you’re sure?”

“uh, i think i would know if i’ve seen or talked to someone, asshole…” dustin walked right past jason, moving for the fridge. god, you loved that kid so damn much.

jason desperately threw an arm out to stop dustin, “well do you have any idea where he might be?”

one glare from steve and jason lowered his hand from dustin’s chest.

“try the boat house in the woods. otherwise i don’t know what to tell you.”

they had already been there. lucas had told him the same thing. you all already knew eddie could never return there.

“we were already there…”

“then i guess you’re just shit out of luck.”

dustin stared him down without a flinch and it was like looking in a mirror. but steve’s reflection was also there and you realized startlingly that you and steve had unintentionally raised this kid to be equal parts both of your traits.

jason nodded, bowing his head, “thank you for your time.” he left without a word and steve fought the urge to slam the door on his ass. you looked at dustin with a fond smile, pulling him in for a hug, “gross— get off me.”

“you’re a damn genius, you know.”

dustin smiled up at you, arm around you in a sad embarrassed brother hug, “you would all be lost without me.”

it was truer than you would ever let him know.

steve had his hand on your thigh on the drive back to his house. it was innocent, just a reminder that he was there. your hand was over his, tired, half focusing on his words, lost in thought.

eddie greeted you at the door and you almost forgot he was there. “thank god, i’m starving.” the pizza was still fresh, though you and steve had eaten before you left. you stocked the kids up with pizza, robin promised to hold down the fort, and you had— only almost— forgotten about eddie and the sad lack of food in the harrington house.

“sorry it’s so late. something… came up.”

eddie froze mid bite, “were you two having an anatomy lesson?” you stared at him blankly, not wanting to correct him and say no, actually, that was interrupted.

“jason and his goons were looking for you.”

“oh shit.” eddie paled for a moment, looking between the two of you, “wait, who?”

“football team.”

“oh… scary.”

the way eddie was being so casual about it was getting under your skin, but you blamed it on stress, exhaustion and mild frustration.

“you know we’ve put our asses on the line for you.”

“steve—“

“no, you know what, dustin came to us because he was worried about you. we’ve been through shit too, we didn’t need this on top of it, alright?”

eddie had stopped eating and looked between the two of you, now guilty, “look, i’m sorry. don’t think i don’t appreciate it. i know the kid was worried, but i can take care of myself…”

you scoffed, only because it was too late for this fight. steve stood up now, so did eddie.

shit—

“oh really? you can take care of yourself? so why don’t you?”

“steve…”

“don’t talk to me like you’re better than me, man. we’re both social outcasts leading a meaningless life. i know you don’t give a damn about what happens to me and you’re only doing this so your dick seems bigger to your girlfriend—“

“oh, whoa—“

“i don’t think you should be starting shit with me, munson. i might not win in fights, but i’m sure the police will.”

oh, fuck—

“steve—“

“are you threatening me now?” eddie’s voice had dropped, “i really don’t think that’s a good idea, given your track record with fights and the fact that i’ve already held a knife to your throat once.”

your heart was racing, stomach bubbling as alarm bells went off in your head. they were both such goddamn idiots.

“eddie—“ your fingers twitched at your side, mentally noting how far away the knives were and being sure you could get to them first, “sit your ass back down.”

eddie’s eyes turned to you and for a moment you didn’t recognize him. you had pointed a gun at people before. you would not feel guilty about calling the police on a friend. dustin would eventually forgive you…

steve was tense, anticipating, just waiting to strike. “hey.” you stepped between them now, hand on steve’s shirt, voice like a growl. he was too tense. jaw clenched, arms flexed like a spring waiting to uncoil. adrenaline rushed in your ears and you tightened your hold on his shirt. eddie’s mouth twitched, glaring daggers into steve like it could actually hurt him. “sit. down.” you stepped towards eddie, once again preparing to go toe to toe in a screaming match. but eddie’s eyes found yours, expression still tight, eyes murderous. but he backed up, shoulders relaxing slightly, rubbing his hand like his clenched fist had hit something.

“you aren’t going anywhere. you’re both acting like goddamn feral animals. god—“ you looked between them and their now guilty expressions, “things are tense. things fucking suck. we are not going to start beating the shit out of each other. let’s save it for the real threats.” you looked between them again, expression scolding, eyebrows lifted in disbelief, “yeah?”

the way they both looked like scolded puppies was not missed. they both muttered agreements and turned away from each other. you shook your head, still watching them in disbelief. “damn idiots.” you muttered it to yourself, but they had both heard you.

“i’m sorry. things are tense… i just… sorry.” eddie couldn’t look you in the eyes now and it reminded you greatly of dustin’s guilty look when he was younger.

“sorry.”

you ignored both of them, including steve’s brown puppy eyes and just walked past them. “i’m going to bed.”

steve found you in his bedroom, not even a full minute later. his guilty demeanor would have come off as exhaustion if you didn’t know him so well. “i’m sorry…about that.”

you didn’t glance up from his closet, digging through it to find something more comfortable. steve stopped just behind you, eyes pleading, hand hesitant to wrap around your waist. he never did know what to do with himself if you were mad at him— and god, the silent treatment may as well have been exile. “i didn’t mean any of that… i wouldn’t turn him in.”

“i would have.” you didn’t look up, didn’t hesitate as you spoke. your tone wasn’t angry, it wasn’t accusing. it was casual, stating a fact, “if he attacked you.”

steve’s breath caught in his throat. hand snapping forward to your hip, stopping you before you took a step. you would have turned in a friend— a friend that meant a lot to dustin— for him. it seemed insane. it seemed excessive and yet you had pulled a gun on billy once for him too…

your eyes fell on his, breath catching at the look he was giving you. like he didn’t quite know what he was looking at, like it had been a long time since he properly looked at you.

“steve…” you weren’t sure why you said his name. maybe part of you wanted to make sure he wasn’t in a trance. or maybe you just had always liked the way his name felt on your lips.

the way he felt on your lips…

steve’s hand was still on your hip, his other arm now around your lower back, pulling you into him. you watched in slow motion, the softness in his eyes, the longing in his expression, the way he slowly leaned in. cautiously, like he was waiting for permission. you threw your arms around his neck, all decorum and poise thrown away. you stumbled into him, desperately clinging like he would disappear. steve caught you, already breathless from the adrenaline surging through him. his softness and caution was gone, now meeting your heavy, desperate kisses with the same enthusiasm.

your back hit the mattress, steve mumbling apologies against your neck for the roughness. you dragged him down with you, bed springs squeaking against the shifting weight. steve had somehow become an even better kisser. it was a stupid observation, you realized, as he was pulling his shirt over his head— but you hadn’t thought it was possible. he had been more desperate, more needy, more possessive, kissing you like he was out of time.

your vision started to blur as steve trailed down your collarbone, pausing every few seconds to suck on your skin. his fingers gentle circled under your shirt, gentle, affectionately. he dragged his mouth from your shoulder, pausing to look down at you, “god, you’re beautiful.” you ran your hands through his hair, watching him practically melt under your touch, smiling, “i missed you…” steve’s mouth twitched up, waiting to finally hear those words, “i missed you too.” he met your lips again, this time softer, still desperate, still longing and needy, “i love you…”

“i love you too…”

you woke up much later than usual. full sun was already creeping through the curtains, bright enough to tell you it was long past eight. you had been stayed out most of the night already, add on the almost fight and the extra— several— hours with steve and you hadn’t actually fallen asleep until after four o’clock in the morning. clothes were thrown across the room, and steve was curled up with your bra under his head. you snorted, shaking your head and watching him in adoration. his arm was still draped over you, nose nestled against your chest, mouth partially parted and somehow still smiling, even in his sleep. his breath was hot against your skin, causing goosebumps definitely not from the cold.

you shifted, tucking your arm under your head and taking him in. his grip tightened around you as you shifted, pulling you closer, tucking you right against his chest. you brought your hand up, thumb against his cheek. he hummed contently, leaning into your touch slightly. you ran your fingers through his hair, just taking in his sleeping form, letting your fingers linger against his messy hair. you missed the feel of his arms around you. you missed waking up next to him… you missed the way he fit so perfectly against you. you missed the content smile on his face afterwards, the one that would linger, sometimes even in sleep, until morning.

“good morning, beautiful…” steve placed a lazy kiss against your shoulder. then your neck. then finally found your lips. his hair stuck up in every direction— not having been helped at all by your fingers running through it.

“i love you.”

another kiss.

“i love you too…” you nestled your face against steve’s chest, arms around him once again.

“do you think if we just stay here the world will disappear? or at least slow down for a while…”

god, you wished…

“let’s test it…”

************

taglist:

@v-crazy @yagurlannastasia @midnightmusets @youngbrokefab @husbandb3at3r @lovesflourmorethananything 🫶🏻

Steve Harrington was insatiable.

No matter how close he was to you, or how frequently he saw you it was never enough— Steve honestly was unsure how he got anything done at all.

Walking down the halls he had to have his arm around you, have you protectively pressed against him, his hand tucked in your back pocket. It didn’t matter how many people were around or staring, Steve needed you to be close. He had the reputation of never committing to one girl, never having relationships last— but really, he was just too much for most girls.

He wanted real. He wanted long term and serious and committed. He wanted stability… In a world full of flings and hookups, Steve Harrington longed for something more; he wanted to love with everything in him. He needed to be loved right back, even just a fraction as much.

When he had found you, his entire world was upended and he was left stuttering and dizzy and completely lost. He fell hard. From the first date, when you kissed his cheek, smiling softly up at him, cradling the flowers he brought you like they were something to be cherished. You hadn’t told him your parents weren’t home, you hadn’t given him that suggestive, sultry look that every other girl had. You had simply thanked him for the amazing night, kissed his cheek and immediately tucked the flowers into a vase of water, waving at him through the window as he pulled out of your driveway with his head spinning.

Steve loved you so much it physically hurt him. Sometimes he felt sick just thinking about you, missing you, wishing you were with him, longing to just drive the twenty minutes to see you despite it being the middle of the night.

Steve lay on his side, his legs stretched out behind him on your bed, watching you study in silence. He held your childhood teddy bear tucked under his arm, fidgeting with it, waiting— not so patiently— for you to finally look up and bless him with your attention.

“Steve?”

Steve shifted, way too excited that you might finally be done with your report. You tucked the pen into the crease of the book before closing it.

Finally.

“What do you want for Christmas?”

You had already picked his gift out months ago; as if you would wait until Thanksgiving to find your perfect boyfriend the perfect gift.

“You.”

You smiled and lifted an eyebrow, he kissed you before you could chide him about a real answer.

“Wrapped in a bow…”

You laughed softly as Steve leaned into kiss you again, “And nothing else…”

Your eyebrows shot up with a playful smirk that spread into a smile, “And besides that?”

Steve pulled away in surprise, practically drooling at the thought, “You— Well, I— Seriously?”

Your lip twitched, fingers lightly playing with his hair, “Maybe…”

“God, I love you.”

You smiled as he leaned in to kiss you again. You pulled yourself closer to him, smiling into his kisses.

“You know,” he pulled back slightly to admire you, “It’s Thanksgiving. You shouldn’t be working so hard on a holiday…” His finger traced along your shoulder, playing with your hair gently.

You hummed, pretending to consider this, “You have a point.”

Steve leaned in, kissing you again, slowly easing you onto your back. He leaned up on his elbow, hovering over above your chest, now just looking down at you like he still couldn’t believe you were real.

“You never answered my question…”

Steve only kissed you in response.

He hated going home to an empty house. He would sigh, flip on the lights and usually go straight to bed. Now, he spent more time at your house than his. His house may as well have been empty and abandoned. Lonely nights, endless days, the silent house had been replaced with you. It had started with you inviting him in, having cooked him an elaborate dinner that he did not at all feel that he deserved. It had ended with shushed giggles and messy, lingering kisses on the couch, taking advantage of your parents date night. Eventually, he would wait for your signal and climb up to your window and climb inside your room. At first it had just been quick kisses and late night conversations, a few make outs and then talk of school gossip. He went so slow with you. Throwing out his reputation and wanting to be devoted and patient and good for you. It had been your idea the first several times— Steve would ramble and stutter over his words, losing that smug experienced side completely. He had asked over and over, reassuring, triple checking that you were okay and making you promise to stop him at any time.

Your parents loved Steve the moment they met him. They had insisted that he come over whenever he wanted, join them for family outings and every holiday. They had given him the couch on nights he didn’t want to drive home, and eventually stopped caring if he fell asleep in your room. They trusted him more than any parent ever should trust their daughter’s boyfriend, because they knew that Steve would sooner die than hurt you or disrespect you.

Sleepovers became frequent and most weeks he never left your house at all. Some nights he would still climb through your window, just to see the look you gave him when he played into his infamous bad boy side.

Steve insisted on driving you everywhere. Even if he had plans, unless they involved the end of the world, he would drop anything even if it meant it was in walking distance. Then be insisted on walking you wherever you needed to go.

His fingers traced the back of your hand, stroking small circles on it. Steve loved it when your hand rested on the stick, being there as he shifted gears. He kept his hand there the entire drive, smiling with red cheeks as you scolded him for not keeping his eyes on the road.

“Did you ever wish you had siblings?”

“Yes… I always wanted a big family.“

“A big family, really–?“

Steve could barely hold himself together.

“I think every kid should have a sibling… No odd numbers. No only childs…”

God, you understood him.

“A sibling for every kid… No business trips… No leaving a kid in an empty house…”

He was talking more to himself, but you strained in your seat and leaned over to kiss his cheek.

“I think if we— If we survive this…”

Steve trailed off.

“I always wanted a big family. Thank God my parents didn’t have more kids. God, then we all would have been left to fend for ourselves. They couldn’t even take care of one kid, you know?”

You knew.

“No, but— Your parents are great- I see them more than my own. They’re good parents. They should have been able to have more kids…”

You smiled to yourself, squeezing his hand again.

“Do you see yourself with a big family?”

Did he see himself having a future with you?

“God, yes… I hope so.”

You were falling in love with this man more every day. Even from sixteen, he was managing to still make you fall more in love with him.

With you?

It felt like a stupid question.

He had told you at sixteen that he was going to marry you.

“Six little nuggets and a beautiful, worshiped, spoiled wife, in a house out in the country… Maybe a dog… And whatever else you want.”

He was looking at you with that same expression he had at sixteen, just as loving, just as soft, just as completely and utterly adoring.

the relationship wasn’t intentionally a secret. you were all over joe’s social media and had been sighted at numerous shows on tour. anyone who knew you, knew joe— anyone who knew joe, knew you. you just… hadn’t officially announced it or made it public. you weren’t against it, but you knew the press and fans would be immediately on it and then things could get blurred or taken out of context.

there had even been hints. glances exchanged during interviews, playful comments that hid truth behind a laugh. you two were always paired together for press— usually joined by gaten, maya or joseph during season four. everyone loved your character’s chemistry and it was public knowledge that you two were extremely close off screen as well.

there had been an interview where you had blatantly admitted to being stuck together during lockdown and fans were still running with that piece of information.

asking about each other even in interviews not related to stranger things had become routine. joe had stated in an interview unrelated to stranger things that you were his rock. he had stated that you were the type of person to leave on a light for him no matter how late it was.

months later, he released potion and that reference was not missed.

best friends.

closer than anyone in the cast.

hit it off from the very beginning.

secretly together since season one aired.

having lived together for five years.

you were sat next to joe on the tonight show, eyeing him with all the love and adoration in the world as he talked about his music and the tour. the signs were neon and flashing, yet you still coveted your privacy and how he was secretly all yours off camera, too.

“there’s quite a few rumors about you too.”

“uh oh,” joe laughed, looking nervous but knowing these questions always came, “so i hear… she likes to send me edits.”

you covered your mouth and laughed, cheeks reddening, “i think they’re great! i fucki—“ you covered your mouth and winced apologetically.

jimmy laughed, looking at you in surprise, “you can curse, it’s alright. we can just edit it out… my goodness, i didn’t expect that from you.”

joe shook his head, laughing, “oh no, she’s fucking curses like a goddamn sailor. it’s embarrassing, really.” his voice was playful, cursing just as much as you to make you feel better. he looked at you with that same soft adoration that would definitely take over the internet later and be made into edits you would inevitably save.

you smacked him playfully and continued, “i love what the fans come up with. the theories, the grasping at straws.”

“the way they decided we have been dating since season one…”

“oh my god, when they thought we lived together because we went out for coffee on a press tour morning…”

“yeah, in new york—“ joe laughed, shaking his head.

“well i have to say, your chemistry off and on screen is extraordinary… both with steve and will’s sister and as just the two of you. i always looking forward to talking with both of you.”

“aw, thank you. yeah, they try to separate us but we’re like bonded strays that have to stay together, you know?”

jimmy burst into laughter and joe almost snorted, “right, yeah… they really should try harder to separate us… i think we just feed off each other and rarely actually promote the show.”

“no, no, i love it. you’re both great. you’re wonderful…”

the cameras cut and you disappeared just to the side, ready to watch joe perform, just as excited as you always were to watch him.

you pulled joe into a kiss in your dressing room, smiling widely at him, “you have a pretty voice, you should come home with me…”

joe raised his eyebrows and smirked, “wow, thanks, i’m flattered but i have a girlfriend that i’m crazy about and she would kick your ass.”

you snorted and kissed him again, “i love you…”

laying between joe’s legs on the couch, you glanced at your phone and tensed, “shit.”

“what’s the matter?”

“vanity fair lie detector interview. both of us.”

“oh, fuck…”

all well kept secrets must come out eventually, i suppose.

you were almost sweating as you eyed the lie detector. joe was watching you in amusement, clearly not at all concerned about the well being of fans after this or how many new edits you would be showing him. you eyed him, almost laughing about how nervous you were, “why the hell did we agree to this?”

joe laughed softly, “i think we’re being singled out. i don’t recall anyone ever doing this in pairs.”

you shifted slightly closer to him and smiled at the two people that entered the room. the interviewer sat across from you with a mischievous smile while the man in charge of spilling all your secrets and calling out lies just nodded.

the interviewer said your name, quite proud of herself, “you and joe have been our most requested interrogation.”

“oh, wonderful… that’s… i’m not sure if that’s an honor.” joe smiled playfully.

you winced as the wires were put on you, still smiling over your nerves, “i appreciate that you call it what it is.”

she laughed and you joined in, wondering exactly how many seconds you had until your relationship secret was thrown out.

“joe, first question to you.”

thank god.

“for the single almost love scene in the show, was it awkward filming it with her?”

“yes…” oh, your poor man looked terrified.

“true.” the man eyed the paper and nodded.

joe eyed you apologetically but you almost laughed. of course it was uncomfortable. the entire cast was watching just to embarrass you and the duffers kept calling cut and having you redo it.

“was it uncomfortable for you?”

you gritted your teeth. the kissing had certainly not been. the whistles and teasing and constantly restarting had been.

“not really… it’s better to do those types of scenes with someone you trust. even when there are others making comments and trying to keep starting over…”

the interviewer did laugh and you knew she would likely inquire further about that later.

“true. but she’s nervous.”

“in the press tour for season one, you were asked who your celebrity crush was…”

oh, fuck.

“you said it was her. would you stand by that today, if asked?”

but joe had a mischievous smile on his face, eyes twinkling as he looked at you, “absolutely. she’s the best.”

“true.”

“your fans are quite obsessed with the two of you. do you ever get tired of the shipping and edits?”

“no, i think they’re great…”

this was easy. you could do this.

“true.”

“do you have any secrets?”

joe didn’t flinch, “who doesn’t have secrets?”

“inconclusive.”

“joe, do you have a girlfriend?”

“are you asking me out? i would have to get to know you first…”

you would have snorted if your heart wasn’t beating so fast.

“inconclusive.”

the interviewer smiled. a smirk that promised that you were in trouble and she was going to enjoy it.

“if you had to star in a romance that had multiple love scenes, would you want joe as your costar?”

joe snorted, muttering an amused what the fuck, while you were greatly aware of how red your face was, “i— what— sure? yes. i would already be comfortable with him and we’ve kissed a million times on screen.”

“true.”

“interesting…”

“after all these years, do the fan theories have any truth to them?”

well she didn’t specify which ones…

joe glanced at you with an exasperated smirk. he shrugged, “maybe.”

“inconclusive.”

“yes or no…”

joe muttered a curse, smiling guiltily, “yes.”

the interviewer looked like she struck gold and you braced yourself for the geyser about to erupt.

“have the two of you ever hooked up?”

oh, damn it.

you put your hands over your face and hoped it would cover your horrible blush and awfully guilty smile. and joe was just laughing, tongue just slightly tucked between his teeth, shaking his head. he was enjoying this. he was only slightly embarrassed and loving watching you squirm, “answer the question…” now he was teasing you. you sent him an exasperated glare before clenching your jaw. you leaned forward just slightly, knowing you would curse yourself if you ever saw these clips, “yes.”

“true.”

“recently?”

“yes.” he didn’t even hesitate and he didn’t look at all sorry. you just gaped at him.

“are the two of you still just friends?”

“yes…”

“lie.”

“are the two of you still just friends?”

you put your head in your hands and bit your lip, “no…” and it almost felt freeing.

“true.”

“are the two of you in a relationship?”

“yes.”

“true.”

and then joe looked at you with a proud smirk. the studio erupted into cheers and claps and you huffed, shaking your head.

“have you been together for a while?”

“yes…”

“true.”

“longer than a year?”

“yes.”

“true.”

“since before season three?”

“yes…”

“true.”

“since season one?”

“yes.”

“true.”

the interviewer couldn’t contain her smile. the secret was finally out…

“final question. do you live together?”

“yes.”

handle it | steve harrington

“harrington, what the hell are you doing with my brother?”

your voice alone had made steve’s blood run hot. the look you were giving him and your tone, however, had the color draining from his face immediately. because the problem was: steve harrington did not choose to be with your brother. and the only reason steve harrington had pulled over for the soaking wet, bloody nosed kid was because it was your brother. steve felt his ability to speak evaporate entirely as your eyes fixed on him scrutinizing and expectant; like there would be great consequences if he did not explain himself immediately. the very irrational and stupid side of him— which you would argue was all of him— wanted to see what would happen. but the other side of him had seen you shot gun a beer in less than ten seconds and threaten dustin’s classmate bullies with a knife– immediately started talking.

“he was walking home… it was pouring and his nose was all bloody—“ your eyes snapped to dustin and steve felt like the air had been sucked from his lungs from how suddenly your attention was no longer on him. you stared down at dustin, hard expression turning wide eyed. your jaw set and steve felt the urge to run, “what happened?” your tone didn’t soften and steve watched dustin’s eyes avoid your own.

“who was it this time?”

“i tripped.”

“dustin…” you froze, eyes shifting again, “where’s your bike?” your attention was back on steve and he flinched— “you said he walked home?”

steve just nodded, eyes wide and mouth open just slightly, “he didn’t have it when i found him— i swear, he–“ your mouth actually twitched slightly, taking steve in and mildly delighting in the effect you had on him, “relax, pretty boy. i don’t think you make a habit of stealing thirteen year old’s bikes.” you flashed him the briefest smirk and steve wondered what it was like to have a heart attack— “and i don’t think you’re that stupid…” steve just shook his head, again staring at you, breathless.

your now amused gaze shifted from steve back to dustin, “dustin, last chance… who was it this time? tell me or i’ll go door to door of all the past bullies i’ve had talks with.”

dustin was glaring at you and steve realized in horror that the kid had more backbone than he did. you looked terrifying. and dustin just stared you down with a cool expression, jaw set, eyes narrowed. but then he realized you had practically raised dustin and steve was mildly terrified of both of you.

“alright…” you sighed and put a hand on dustin’s shoulder, tone and expression softening, “dinner is in the oven… get cleaned up and eat something.”

dustin, slightly defeated but not embarrassed just rolled his eyes as he brushed past you. you watched him disappear and turned your gaze back to steve, “thanks for bringing him home, gorgeous…” steve’s heart dropped and then flipped and then tripled its bpm. his voice came out as a squeak and you smirked. steve cleared his throat, wishing he would just drop dead, “no problem— it’s… it’s really no problem…”

your mouth twitched again and you watched him. he really was nothing like the king of hawkins high anymore… but he was still easy to mess with.

“it was some kid named chance, by the way…”

his voice sounded quieter than he meant— he wondered what the hell the affect you had on him was and how to break free of it. you tilted your head, corners of your mouth curving up, “you want to take a trip, gorgeous? i could use someone with a few extra inches…” your eyes dropped as you said it and steve was choking and sputtering and nearly fell on his face.

steve scrambled to pull himself together, suddenly breathless, “yes— yes, i… sure..” and infuriatingly, you just smirked, “come in. i just have to grab a few things…” steve stared wide eyed as you walked back towards him with duct tape, rolls of toilet paper and rope.

fuck, did he just agree to help with a murder?

did he even care, if it was with you?

“i’ll drive—“ he blurted it out, now accepting whatever fate you had in store for him.

“stop here.”

“okay, but where are we?”

“chance’s house…” you were climbing out of the car before steve could gasp or try wrestling you back into the seat.

“what—“ but you were already disappearing up the sidewalk, strolling casually like you were not possibly doing something legally frowned upon.

“henderson!” steve sprinted after you, cursing under his breath. you glanced back at him, grinning like a fiend, “relax, pretty boy. no one’s going to get hurt. just taught a harmless lesson… ah–“ you located dustin’s bike and shifted the handle towards steve, who stared at you somewhere between impressed, terrified and greatly turned on. when you grabbed a second bike, his eyebrows shot up, “unclench, harrington. he’ll get it back… eventually.”

you wheeled both bikes towards steve’s beemer and steve contemplated what possessed him to willingly aid in stealing a child’s bike without any question— or even being asked…

“okay next stop is here.”

you tore a strip of duct tape off and placed it on the bike, steve just watched you in silence, too scared and intrigued to ask questions. he noticed the last name you had written on it and his mouth fell open in realization, “this is the principal’s house, henderson!”

another infuriating smirk, “very good, gorgeous. are you going to help me or just stare?”

steve was grabbing the rolls of toilet paper as if his body had stopped listening to his brain entirely. you dropped the bike in the front lawn and paused only to admire your work. you threw the final roll against the window and steve was trying to wrestle you to the ground. you snorted, almost giddy as the lights in the house turned on.

you both sprinted and by the time you were back to steve’s car, you were laughing.

“henderson, you’re insane! has anyone told you that? absolutely insane.” but his expression was soft and he was watching you like he was in utterly in love.

you smirked, climbing back into his car, “yes, they have. and thank you for noticing.”

“um– what the fuck is that?”

dustin and steve had froze in your kitchen, both holding a plastic wrapped shape that very much looked like a body. they looked at you wide eyed, both pale and terrified.

“nothing.”

you narrowed your eyes, looking between them like you were deciding who to torture for information. dustin smiled sheepishly, while steve looked like a deer in headlights. you crossed your arms, lifting your eyebrows just slightly, “harrington…”

when it came to you, steve was truly pathetic. he always had been and he always would be. he told you everything. you snorted, looking between them now with irritation and disbelief, “okay, don’t tell me…” you reached forward and steve jumped back, nearly falling over as he tried wrestling what you were now convinced was a body out of your reach.

“let me fucking see! or i swear to god i’ll call the police on your ass—“ steve’s posture dropped slightly, looking to dustin with a defeated expression, “fine. but not here…”

steve opened the trunk of his beemer and you stepped back, gasping. “what the f—“

“it’s not mine. and it isn’t human…”

you stared in horror, at the amount of blood in his trunk. any blood was alarming— but this much… you were breathless when you turned to him, “are you a fucking murderer?”

“no. it isn’t human!”

“did you hit a deer?! and you decided to put it in your trunk?! in my freezer?!”

“no… just—“ dustin uncovered the tarp and your reality stopped. you didn’t know what you were looking at. grey and almost the size of a person—

“wh… what— wha—“ panic started to build as you fought for your rational side to take over. it was a monster. that was the only word you could find to describe it…

“dustin, is this a prop for your game? it’s a… a… it’s gotta be– just a…”

steve looked at you with genuine concern now, not about to point out how pale and sick you looked.

“it’s not a prop…”

your eyes snapped to him, “so, what? it’s real? it’s… that makes sense about the blood— but why put it in the freezer, it’s—“ you moved to prode at it and the arm snapped off. blood pooled around it and steve swore softly, mourning the integrity of his beemer.

you passed out.

“shit, shit shit shit shit—“

“steve, calm down—“

“don’t tell me to calm down, henderson!”

“she isn’t dead...”

“i know she isn’t fucking dead!”

you groaned and there was sharp intakes of breath, “will you two please shut up…” you shifted just slightly, groaning again, “dustin… water.” it was steve who scrambled to his feet, rushing towards the kitchen. you were sitting up when he returned, eyeing him scrutinizingly, “harrington… you’re still here…” you didn’t sound upset.

“yeah….” he winced, “i wanted to make sure you weren’t dead…”

“how very noble, gorgeous.”

“yeah…” he never actually knew how to hold normal conversation with you. you eyed him again, amused, smirking slightly, “how long have you been in the business of keeping monsters in your trunk?”

“i… since i met your brother, i guess. he’s a bad influence…”

and you smirked at him and steve worried that his heart may stop. “oh, yeah? says the seventeen year old practically babysitting my brother for free…”

and steve felt all the common sense and rationality leave his head as he smirked back, “and you’ve never thanked me for that, by the way…”

“oh, yeah, gorgeous? and what do you want as thanks?”

steve felt his stomach drop and his head start to spin as he took you in. he knew he likely looked like a damn fool, probably pale and wide eyed and possibly drooling.

you.

i want you.

god, i’ve been in love with you for so long and i’m pathetic and desperate and god—

“we have a problem—“

dustin stopped briefly, glancing between the two of you like he was interrupting, “um… the hell is going on in here?”

you stood up and steve stepped away from you, both quickly exhaling, “nothing.”

“what’s the problem, dustin?” but you were already reaching for your jacket. steve scoffed, “where do you think you’re going? you passed out.”

“and you’re going to stop me, harrington?”

“maybe i will.”

god, he was terrified of you…

“max says it’s billy again…”

“move, harrington.”

“you are not driving.”

“then i guess you get to drive me around. congratulations, pretty boy… let’s go.”

steve gaped briefly, exhaling slowly, closing his eyes to will whatever deity it took to allow him to handle you. dustin was already trailing behind you and steve debated telling him to stay here. he huffed again and trailed behind you, keys swinging around his fingers anxiously.

hendersons…

they would be the death of him.

“are you just walking in there— are you serious? he’s-“

“i can deal with hargrove.”

“you’re— hey!” steve slammed his door behind him and rushed after you, “henderson! this guy’s crazy-“

you glanced back at him with a slight smirk, “i can handle him.” you crossed your arms, “i’ll call you if i need you, gorgeous.”

you exhaled deeply, lifting a hand to knock on the door. the door opened, revealing a shirtless and sweaty billy hargrove. you fought the urge to step back, eyes meeting his without the hesitation you felt. “henderson?”

you gave him a soft smirk, “happy to see me, hargrove? you’re already sweaty and breathless…”

billy smirked, eyeing you up and down, “well, actually i was working out… but i’m never disappointed to see you.”

another smirk, though you fought the urge to roll your eyes, “is your sister home?”

billy’s eyes shifted, “what do you want with max?”

“oh, she’s my brother’s friend and i’ve kind of developed a sort of older sister thing with her…”

billy hesitated, “uh huh…”

shit.

“she called me? just asked if she could come hang out?”

“uh huh… maxine!”

you almost flinched at the sudden shout. your shoulders tensed and you shifted. “you seem nervous…”

your eyes landed on him again, “i don’t get nervous.”

“oh, really? then what’s with the guard dog?”

billy leaned over, waving sarcastically to steve, who leaned against the hood of his beemer with his arms crossed.

oh, please, harrington.

you fought back a smirk, however because he really was like a loyal stray you couldn’t get rid of.

“that’s not my guard dog.”

“harrington! get your ass over here!”

you glanced behind you, wanting to shake your head but knowing steve wouldn’t listen.

“you two a thing now?”

“no.”

“what if we are?”

steve’s head snapped to you so quickly he worried he gave himself whiplash. billy smirked, “interesting…

“why would harrington be here to get my sister?”

you rolled your eyes with a sigh, “dustin is waiting in the car, hargrove. we were going to take them for ice cream. is that allowed?”

“i don’t know… why’s he here?”

you glanced at steve, incredulous, “because i allow him to be.”

steve scoffed, smirking slightly now, despite himself.

“max! come on, we—“

billy moved then, stepping forward with his hand on your chest, “what do you think you’re doing?”

you glanced down at his hand on your chest and almost laughed. you moved to remove his hand but steve was faster.

steve harrington saw red. he was scarcely aware that you had said something but whatever it was was incoherent. the moment billy hargrove’s hand was on you, all rational thinking evaporated. any attempt to remain civil and quiet died.

steve was moving before he could stop and think. before he could rationalize how much of a shit fighter he was and how he was already thrown around by billy numerous times before, on the gym floor. he swung and billy’s eyes were still locked on you to avoid it. you opened your mouth to stop him, but at the satisfying crack of steve’s fist against billy’s nose, your expression turned to a smirk.

billy went stumbling backwards, cursing and yelling, hand over his nose as blood gushed out.

“holy shit, gorgeous, you’ve got a swing on you.”

steve glanced to you, jaw tight and more tense than you had ever seen. you swore there was murder in his eyes as he glanced back to billy. billy was moving again— you ducked, steve didn’t.

max had appeared at the noise and dustin— who you had admittedly just noticed— was pulling her out the door. you sighed as billy and steve landed on the floor, both cursing and swinging at each other.

you knew it was hopeless to yell. dustin was, however.

“dustin, go outside!”

“he’s going to kill steve!”

“he is not going to kill steve!”

but you watched them flail around and realized that steve harrington had never actually won a fight. and that he was not winning this one either. not remotely…

“oh, fucking-“

steve was covered in blood– all of it his. and you could tell that last blow had given him a concussion.

you yanked steve backwards as he finally stumbled to his feet, ducking hargrove’s fist in the process. billy lunged again and steve was fighting to jump in front of you— despite barely being conscious.

you ducked again, now smirking slightly.

billy hesitated, “i don’t usually fight girls…”

you scoffed, “i never would have guessed.” your hand fidgeted against the kitchen counter, not sure when their brawl had moved this direction.

“i’m not fighting you. move.”

“shame. you’re not getting to him…”

“he started this. move.”

your hand wrapped around the handle of something and you were only half worried if it was a knife–

“move, henderson.”

you knew very well he could kill you. you knew very well that all your talk and sarcasm wouldn’t actually help you if it came down to it.

but you really liked max. and you really hated billy.

and you actually didn’t want steve harrington to die in this asshole’s kitchen…

“no.”

billy lunged and you swung.

the cast iron frying pan crashed beautifully against billy’s head and he crumpled to the floor.

“holy shit!”

max and dustin had returned, both gaping wide eyed at you.

“steve—“

there was a groan in response.

“oh, shit—“ you knelt down and were met with a single eye glancing at you through swollen lids. you sighed, “harrington, look what you’ve done to yourself…”

another groan, though you swore he was smirking up at you.

dustin helped you get him in the car and you sighed, “shit, harrington… you’ve gone and— fuck, he’s unconscious…” dustin sat with him in the back while max looked over at you anxiously, “did you hit my brother in the head with a frying pan?”

“yes.”

“is he dead?”

“probably not…”

and then max started laughing and you snorted.

“go to bed!” your final snap sent max and dustin down the hallway without another argument.

you huffed, shifting steve’s head back onto your lap, trying to press the ice packs against the various bruises and scrapes on his face.

“holy shit, steve…” you muttered mostly to yourself, “you damn idiot, why did you jump in?” you huffed, gently pushing his hair out of his face and patting the blood off his face.

“nmm,” steve shifted just slightly, “did i win?”

you almost laughed in relief. he was conscious.

“no, you idiot.”

“oh…” more of a sigh than a response.

you shook your head and sighed in exasperation, “welcome back, tough guy…” you would have been amused if he hadn’t actually scared the hell out of you.

“why the hell did you do that?”

“he fucking put his hands on you.” this time steve tried sitting up and you grabbed his shoulders roughly and shoved him down, “i don’t think so—“ you had never heard his voice sound like that. you didn’t think his voice could sound like that…

“steve…”

“he put his hands on you.”

“so? i told you i could handle him…”

“i don’t care. he touched you and all i saw was red and… i wanted him dead.”

“steve—“

steve said nothing, jaw set tightly.

fuck, you had thought he provoked you as a joke…

“steve…”

“don’t bother. i’ll go.” he moved to sit up again and once again you grabbed him and shoved him back down, “you’re not going anywhere, dumbass.”

steve froze. he still wasn’t stupid enough to argue with you.

“you’ve got to stop jumping in front of everything.”

“you’ve got to stop thinking i’m leaving you alone in a fight.”

“harrington…”

“henderson…” the slightest smirk.

“god, you drive me completely insane.”

steve actually laughed, “oh!” he snorted, “god— me!? please. you have been infuriating since i met you.”

“excuse me!?” you almost laughed. maybe he was more concussed than you thought…

you looked down at him, hair almost falling on his face. but steve’s face softened, still squinting at you through swollen lids, busted face doing everything to help his sad puppy look.

“you’re beautiful…”

“god, you’re delirious.”

“you’re so fucking beautiful, i can’t stand it…”

you just stared down at him. blinked once. had he completely lost his mind? had his brain been damaged so severely that he was at risk of dying?

“steve. you need a hospital…”

“probably. can i just stay here for a minute? you’re a nice pillow…”

“did you just call me a pillow?”

“a nice pillow…”

“harrington.”

you could tell he was very close to losing consciousness again. but he had stopped bleeding. you had patched him up enough to make you less worried. his open wounds were starting to bruise, the color coming back in his cheeks.

“i’m in love with you, you know…”

“you’re insane.”

“no… well, probably— but i always have been.”

“steve…”

“you keep saying my name… it’s beautiful. god, i love you. can i just stay right here? can i just sleep here?”

you opened your mouth, incredulous, about to call him insane again. but he was already gone. sound asleep, curled up comfortably on your lap. and you didn’t move. too terrified to wake him or move him or make him dizzy.

in the morning, you woke to fingers in your hair.

“shit…” steve was looking up at you— with both eyes now!— giving you the smallest smile.

“you didn’t kill me for having my head on you?”

your mouth curved up, “i was too scared to move you…”

another smile from steve, shifting slightly as he very slowly sat up.

“how do you feel?”

“oh, really fucking sore… yeah, no- i hurt everywhere…”

you fought back a laugh, looking over at him softly, “thank you… for defending me.”

steve smirked softly, “i thought you didn’t need help?”

“oh, i didn’t. no, you definitely escalated the situation…”

steve snorted, rubbing his face gently, “sorry… i just lost my mind when he touched you… i didn’t… i didn’t think at all…”

“it was sweet.”

“yeah?” steve smirked faintly and you suspected evn that was hurting him.

“yeah… if i was in to that. the heroic knight in shining armor stuff…”

another small smile, “right. which of course, you aren’t.”

“right…”

“because you can take care of yourself.”

“i can handle it…”

“of course…”

you watched him in silence, chest tightening every time he winced and shifted uncomfortably.

“steve?”

“mhm?”

“about what you said last night…”

“oh— look, i don’t remember anything after i hit the floor… whatever i said was probably crazy and should be ignored…”

“right…”

but steve noticed the way your brows furrowed and forehead creased and the way you just slightly pouted.

“what did i say last night..?”

“that… that i was beautiful.. and you were in love with me…”

it felt stupid now, repeating it.

the king of hawkins had a list of willing harems and why would he bother with dustin henderson’s less friendly, more reclusive sister?

but even still…

“oh.”

your heart sank, “oh…”

“well, that part was true. i guess i get bolder with a head injury…”

you turned to face him, as if expecting him to start laughing or once again have that starry, far away expression. but his expression was soft, eyes locked on you like you realized they always had been.

soft, desperate, filled with something beautiful and terrifying. and something in his expression looked like all the wanted was for you to finally notice him…

“oh…”

but you were so close to him. eyes locked on his as if waiting for the tension to break.

steve cracked another smirk, “i really want to kiss you right now, henderson… but i’m scared you would hit me… and i’m even more scared that you might actually kiss me back…”

your lips curved upwards, eyes locking him in place again, “i think we should wait and find out when you’re not all beat up… we’ll see if you can handle it.”

party of four | steve harrington

you knew exactly when it had happened. seven crawls ago. steve had been fighting with dustin— again— still trying in vain to pull him out of his grief and recklessness. it ended in a screaming match and dustin storming off, riding his bike home and not even caring about the crawl. sometimes you thought seeing dustin like this had a worse effect on steve than on you. steve was tense, short and snapping at everyone, blaming himself for dustin leaving, blaming himself for not being there for him more. he was doing all he could… he had never stopped reaching out or trying to pull dustin out of it. but now maybe dustin didn’t want to be pulled out, he wanted to push everyone away and continue to carry it all on his own. you had been exhausted. of the fighting, of the crawls, of the way dustin had turned into a completely different person. you had reminded steve again that it wasn’t his fault. he was doing all he could. he was reaching out and it wasn’t his fault dustin pushed him away.

the way he had kissed you had been messy. but it was desperate and needy and he clung to you that night like he never had before. even in the threat of the end of the world, with everything falling down around you, steve still relied on you for everything to be okay. for everything to feel normal and safe… the air was heavy with desperation. he needed a distraction, you needed to think about anything else… it wasn’t the first time you had done it in the back of the van. five years and not always a lot of time alone together had conditioned you both to be fast and intentional, clinging to each other and drowning out the world as if you had a normal relationship, under normal circumstances. this time had felt different… more urgent, more desperate, much more emotional… you were left breathless and smiling, watching with a smug smile as steve attempted to radio in an even voice, pulling his clothes back on like nothing had just happened.

five weeks later, the weight of that night hit you. missing your period had been usual lately; between running from monsters, losing sleep, constantly worrying if someone else was going to die horrifically, and steve and dustin’s relationship now being rocky at best… you hadn’t exactly been worried about your health at the end of the world. which is likely why you had forgotten all about that highly possible accident that night. the nausea was your first sign. twisting in your stomach and always feeling nauseous and on edge was another side effect of living in hawkins. however, when the nausea turned to throwing up and certain foods started turning your stomach sour, your stomach twisted and your heart dropped for a completely different reason.

the test was positive. of course it had been… the absolute last thing you could deal with right now, yet there it sat— clear as day. you don’t think you could have possibly timed it worse. truly in other universe, this could not have been a worse time. every day was spent fearing and anticipating a move from vecna, hawkins was all but boarded up and steve and dustin’s relationship had truly never been worse. supplies were already limited and scarce, and when you asked murray for a pregnancy test, he looked at you like he was leading you to your execution. his face paled, he hesitated, finally giving you the smallest, sorrowful, apologetic smile. you hated him for it.

three weeks later, you still had told no one. only murray, who had asked if you wanted a cake with congratulations on it either way. he had been joking, but when you started crying, he knew what the test had been. shockingly, he hadn’t acted like an asshole around you. he snuck you in more chocolate, always spoke to you in a pleasant tone and constantly checked in on you. as absurd as it was, you were happy he knew. he was good at keeping secrets and he was indifferent enough towards everyone to not bullshit. he would apologize, as if it had been something he had done to you. then pointed out that if anyone could have a kid right now, it would be you and steve. steve… you still hadn’t told him. god, you hadn’t even told dustin… murray had said that maybe this was a good thing. nothing would bring steve and dustin back together like their favorite person in the world carrying a baby. you would need extra attention and extra care and they would both fill their time with that, instead of trying to fight with each other.

you didn’t want extra attention or extra care. you didn’t want any of this, and as you were crying for the third time that day, the arguments started again. your heart sank, blood running cold as if there were a demogorgan nearby. you sighed, glancing between steve and dustin sadly.

“i’ll just go this way, i think. enjoy your treasure hunt! for the core— or whatever bullshit.”

you stopped abruptly, watching steve push away from dustin, stomach twisting, “steve—“ you stumbled slightly. he kept walking and tears blurred your vision. “dustin…” dustin just turned to face you, shaking his head slightly, “you deal with him. i’m getting sick of him—“ his tone was short and snappy and you felt like you had been slapped.

steve was sitting just around the corner, attention half focused on the rubix cube in his hand. “i thought you’d go with him…” you sat beside him silently, watching the colors switch and rotate in his hands.

“i need you both to stop with this.” your shortness startled him. he looked up, eyes soft. “i can’t do this shit anymore, steve… i really, really can’t.” steve stood to his feet, moving towards you instantly, “hey—“ you stood up, biting your lip, unable to meet his eyes. “honey, i’m… i’m trying.”

“no. neither one of you is trying. you’re both acting like selfish assholes—“ you didn’t mean it. you knew you didn’t mean it…

“dustin is grieving. he’s pushing you away and you’re letting him— i can’t do this without both of you! i can’t–“ you were crying now, starting to hyperventilate, overwhelmed from all the emotions you were feeling at once.

“hey… hey— sweetheart— hey—“

dustin had wandered back in, “i think we’re wrong about— what happened?” he nearly shoved steve aside to grab your shoulders, “what happened?” you were just crying, shaking your head.

steve pushed dustin back and you groaned, “i’m fine—“

dustin glared at steve, “you still think you know what’s best? you think she’s crying because of me? no. it’s because you’re being an insensitive asshole! you always have been, i don’t understand what she sees in you… eddie would never have—“

“dustin…” you pleaded in vain, massaging your head.

“ah.. eddie. that’s what all of this is about isn’t it? perfect saint eddie—“

“eddie was a hero! he was smart and—”

“stop—“ you moved to stand up and dustin put an arm out to stop you.

“eddie was an idiot and he got himself killed!”

your breath caught, eyes snapping to steve in horror and disbelief. dustin’s posture had tightened, chest rising and falling rapidly.

“i told him don’t be a hero. i told both of you! he didn’t listen and now he’s gone! if he’s such a goddamn hero and so goddamn smart, how come i’m the one still standing here?! he died for nothing! because he couldn’t listen!”

your mouth fell open, blood running cold. this wasn’t steve. steve would never— dustin was moving before you could. he dove forward and the scream died on your lips. steve was knocked backwards, dustin tackling him, screaming, swinging at his head and not pulling his punches.

you were screaming now. pleading, crying harder, begging them to stop. steve was yelling, but he didn’t lift a single hand to defend himself. he never once swung back, never once lifted a hand against dustin. you stumbled forward, sobbing, breath coming in rapid spurts. “stop— stop—“ steve had grabbed dustin now, holding him in more of a hug than a pin. dustin was crying, steve was crying— dustin threw himself backwards and steve went flying into the wall. he said nothing. he just stood up, tears in his eyes, not looking at you, “i’m done.” he started walking and you grabbed his hand, “steve—“

“yeah, you go… go find someone else to save…” dustin collapsed onto the floor, curling around himself in tears. you rushed forward, but steve grabbed your hand, “don’t… he doesn’t want comfort.” you jerked your hand away, “stop.”

“don’t you dare start with me… i’m about done with both of you, honestly.” you didn’t mean it. you were just exhausted. and terrified and lost without the usual dynamics… “i’m trying to keep it together, i’m trying to move forward and…” you kicked the chair that they had knocked over in their quarrel. steve flinched, dustin glanced up, eyes wide.

“i’m not doing this… i can’t do this. not like this… not with you two trying to fucking kill each other— i can’t… i can’t do it.” steve moved towards you, hand on your shoulders. dustin had stood up, staring at you like he was actually scared. “you’re not the only one who’s grieving, dustin. we all liked eddie… but this—“ you motioned between the two of them, “i’m done with this. i have bigger things to worry about.” you couldn’t see again because of your damn tears. your breathing was more rapid, bending forward to gasp for air, stomach twisting and chest constricting, “i can’t… i need—“ dustin and steve were both there then, eyes wide, easing you down into the chair, suddenly much more worried about you than anything else. you couldn’t breathe fully, the room was spinning, nausea threatened to take over again and you choked on a sob, “if i have to carry this baby without one or both of you, i—“ you didn’t want it to be like this… this is not how you wanted to tell them. this isn’t how you wanted anything to be…. “i can’t. i can’t do this alone, i can’t. i need both of you i need—“

dustin had stopped crying. steve had stepped back. they both just stared at you, faces pale, mouths slightly open. it felt like several minutes passed, steve and dustin had seemingly been frozen, chests falling heavier, color gone from their faces.

“i’m pregnant…” you stood up, letting the words settle in for yourself. you hadn’t fully acknowledged it until now. forcing it down until murray asked how you were doing. wishing you could ignore it or deny it away… but now it was out there. it sat heavy on your chest, twisted your stomach, made the room start to close in. “it couldn’t be at a worse time. it really, really couldn’t be at a damn worse time…..” you were talking more to yourself than anyone. you paced back and forth and glanced over your shoulder to see steve and dustin watching you. they glanced at each other, then back at you.

“if one of you could fucking say something that would be great….” the tears were starting again. the horrible realization sank over you that maybe this was the worst thing you could have done. steve may not have been ready to hear this. he may not have wanted kids any time soon… and dustin— having a neice or nephew to look after wouldn’t do a damn thing for his grief…

you shook your head, laughing bitterly, looking at steve accusingly, “you don’t have to say anything. forget i said anything… really. i’ll figure it out. i’ll…. i’ll—“ you would what? you would go home and eventually tell your mom and she would be more disappointed and shocked than she had ever been before. she would be happy, but she wouldn’t want this for you… your entire future— the possibility of being a single mom at twenty— unmarried in this age… you couldn’t breathe again. the walls were starting to close in and the room was spinning—

you took a step and there was a hand on your wrist. steve. he was still just staring at you, completely stunned and slightly pale. but he stopped you in your tracks. dustin moved first, rushing forward to hug you like he was trying to hold you together. you didn’t stay together, sobbing into his shoulder, while he just held you. “it’s going to be okay...” those words coming from him were almost believable. “i’m here. i swear to you i will be here. i’ll be better…” you couldn’t say anything to that, only crying harder. dustin just held you, glancing over to steve like he couldn’t decide whether to kill him or hug him.

steve moved finally, as you nearly collapsed forward. you fell forward, collapsing into steve’s chest, letting him be the only thing keeping you standing. “hey….” his hand was on the back of your head, stroking your hair. you knew by his voice he was crying. you didn’t dare look to see if he was happy or not. of course he wasn’t happy… “hey.” his hold tightened on you, “look at me.” you didn’t think you could…

“look at me…” he had his hand on your jaw, gently lifting your head, guiding you to look at him. “what would possibly make you think you’re figuring this out and doing it alone?” his expression was so soft that you only cried harder. you closed your eyes and shook your head, unable to look at him any longer. you felt guilty, you felt scared, you felt completely terrified and broken and angry. but part of you… part of you also felt excited. for this future. for this little unplanned sign that life was still moving forward, even as hawkins waited for and dreaded a move.

“i don’t…”

“no.” steve shook his head, voice now stern, “if i have ever done anything to make you think i’m not going to be apart of this, i have failed in every goddamn aspect that matters.”

“steve…”

“no, i’m not finished. look… i know things have been…” he glanced at dustin, who didn’t meet his eyes, “..shitty. i know that this is not the best timing. i know this is actually probably the worst possible timing we could have possibly had…”

you almost laughed, but the nausea wouldn’t allow it. “i know you’re scared… i don’t know how long you’ve been keeping this a secret… i understand why you didn’t tell me… but i’m sorry you didn’t. i’m sorry if i did anything that so much as hinted that i wouldn’t want this— that i wouldn’t be there every goddamn step of the way for you…” —you had already been crying enough, before he said this— “and look… i know this isn’t ideal… i know this wasn’t planned and that the timing is really not good… but isn’t that how we do everything else? our first kiss was after i had been knocked unconscious by billy, laying with my head on your lap in the back of my car, that max hijaked… our first i love you was in a russian interrogation room under the mall…”

you laughed weakly, sniffling, trying to wipe away the tears that wouldn’t stop, “i just didn’t know if you….would want this…right now…”

steve took both your hands and kissed them, “i want you. screw whatever else comes… screw literally anyone else… no matter what happens, i’m with you. this is the future you know i wanted… i don’t care if it’s here unexpected, a little early… what about this would i possibly not want?”

dustin quirked up his mouth, looking between you two softly, “if there’s anyone in the whole world that can become parents right now and not lose their shit, it’s you… i mean, hey… you’ve done a pretty good job with me. and i’m sure babies are easier than an asshole teenager…”

you pulled dustin in with one arm, kissing his head like he was still little, “you’re not an asshole.”

“i kind of was a little bit…”

“he was, a little bit…”

dustin shoved steve and you tensed. but they were both smiling and steve pulled dustin in for a hug. you bit back more tears, watching them with glossy eyes.

“you’ve got both of us.”

“always.” dustin hugged you again, putting a disbelieving hand on your stomach. he smiled, looking between the two of you, and for the first time in a long time you knew everything was going to be okay.

“ thanks for being my servant last night “

“ anytime! 💋 “

those singular, out of context posts on x, had sent the internet into complete chaos. finn never posted on social media, so that small little sentence after the snl hosting, after a completely inactive account, had turned into that month’s hot gossip. the whisperings and talks about your relationship was not new to anyone. you had grown up together and were obviously the closest of anyone in the cast. you hadn’t been private about sharing hotel rooms, staying at each other’s place when the other was in town— the gossip was never lacking. every public appearance led to speculation and edits and arguments and a few tears. and you loved it. finn would look look at you with amused exasperation as you showed him edits or a particularly worked up fan post. you had been private about your six year relationship, or the fact that you were now living together. it was the not so innocent comments that were always pulled off as playful, the way finn always pulled you slightly closer on red carpets or public events, how your eyes always found each other in interviews, and how his entire face lit up when you were brought up, the few times you weren’t with him.

hosting snl was more nerve wracking than you had anticipated. finn always thought you were hilarious, but that was one of his boyfriend guidelines— he had to think you were funny, even if you weren’t; it was one of the exchanges for sleeping with you.

the running joke for the episode had been agreed to without hesitation, always loving toying with the fans and hanging the obvious right in their faces. every sketch, no matter the context or inappropriate timing, the two of you had to kiss— fully hot and heavy. it wouldn’t be explained, it wouldn’t be acknowledged, but it would be painfully obvious and uncomfortable. for everyone else….

finn had just smirked at you, entirely too into the idea and already getting ideas. the catch was neither of you knew when it would be— or how inappropriately timed. they wanted you to get each other to break character. they wanted it to be as uncomfortable as possible. unfortunately, you didn’t embarrass easily, and your poor boyfriend got entirely too worked up entirely too easily…

you would spend an hour on sunday, scrolling through comments and fan reactions, finn stretched out with his head in your lap, now understanding the great amusement you got from watching it all unfold.

“ GENUINELY WHAT THE FUCK WERE THESE TWO ON LAST NIGHT!? ” attached pictures and screenshots showed various smirks, a few incriminating positions, and finn very red in the face but holding it together surprisingly well. lots of ship names in all caps, lots of screaming, more tags than you had ever seen in a day. celebrity news headlines of your most guilty looking scenes and more screenshots.

god, this was almost more fun than acting…

“ i just want to know wtf they were told before filming bc she did NOT hold back “

↳ girl’s probably been waiting for this for years

↳ genuinely look at finn’s face and tell me that man is not EXACTLY where he wants to be

↳ do yall think they even made it home…

↳ weird af they are ACTORS

the first sketch was as if you were simply in an interview. you had a rough outline from the script, but no one really knew how much you had plotted as soon as you were told anything, that doesn’t need to be sensored. you sat down beside finn, treating it as if it were a regular interview and not the most famous and long running sketch comedy show that had given you permission to be as unhinged as you felt comfortable.

“it’s so good to have you both here today!” the jimmy fallon wig and set was really selling it. this is exactly how you would act if it was deemed appropriate. “thanks, jimmy, it’s great to be back.” finn glanced over at you, as you slowly inched closer, eyeing him with an innocent, sultry expression. you watched his jaw tense just for a second, before turning back to jimmy.

“i hear a lot of talk…” not jimmy pressed his lips tightly together as you scooted even closer, putting one leg over finn’s lap. finn, with all that was in him, did not flinch. he just shifted his hand on top of your leg, resting it there casually, as if you did this in every interview. “—that you two are close…” you shifted again so you were fully in finn’s lap, shifting just enough to wrap an arm over his shoulder. finn’s breath caught but it was only noticeable to you, pressed up against him. finn put an arm around your waist and rested it on your hip, “we are close, yes… pretty close, i would say.”

there were snorts from the crowd and you sighed, starting to massage finn’s head and play with his hair. this is what you had always done if his anxiety was high, or if he was having trouble falling asleep. finn almost closed his eyes, immediately relaxing under your touch but not quite forgetting your surroundings.

“what do you think of the rumors—” not jimmy did stare at you, blinking slowly and trying not to smile as you leaned even closer, lips brushing against finn’s ear. there was an immediate reaction, though he played it off quite well, as if he was exasperated with you and trying not to break character.

there was a cough from your left as the tonite show card covered his laughing face, “sorry, did you say something to him?” you hummed, “oh, no… continue.”

“what do you think of the rumors and speculation that you two are more than friends?”

“oh, well, that’s ridiculous.” you shifted further, until you were completely straddling finn. there were screams and shrieks of laughter. finn eyed you like you were in trouble, “yeah, that’s crazy…” he brushed his lips against yours, pulling you in for a full tongue kiss as you tried to break away. you almost laughed against him, but instead covered it by throwing your arms around his neck and fisting his hair. a full fledged, hot and heavy, overly dramatic make out ensued, both of you breathing out a laugh every few kisses.

“oh— we’ll be right back, i think…”

you pulled away, breathless and laughing, taking a slight bow as you were applauded for your sheer audacity. finn eyed you, shaking his head just slightly, expression promising that you were in trouble.

“ i need to know what finn said here!! someone who can read lips PLEASE “

↳ FR I’VE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT

↳ u guys are genuinely so insane

↳ NO BC HE SAID SOMETHING AND THEN SHE SMIRKED WHY DID HE COVER THE MIC

finn had taken your shameless improvised stunt as a personal challenge to outdo you. he was giving you eyes from across the set, leaning into the flirty side he reserved for at home. he would make you break character. he would push you and make sure you suffered. the end of the world sketch ran in it’s scripted intention— the president panicking and not knowing a single protocol or being able to make a decision. you, the quiet secretary carefully talking him through his bare minimum knowledge and understanding, then getting into arguments with the military advisors— one of which was finn.

finn was now on a war path to make you break and was fully intending to win this little battle of the wills— and hormones. during a scripted heated argument, finn suddenly grabbed you and dragged you to the floor. “finn—!” you shrieked, bursting into surprised, amused laughter; you nearly screamed as you both fell to the floor. finn just smirked as the cameras scrambled to track you. laughter had exploded from the crowd; screams and shrieks echoing. finn straddled you, giving you the most smug, dangerous expression. you were breathless, completely caught off guard and staring at him like he was insane. he smirked once more and you sat up, dragging him back down. you were laughing before you could actually kiss you.

you screenshoted one particular post about your favorite sketch of the night, “ on GOD she really said if you see me handcuffed to an alien emperor’s throne, don’t save me, i’m exactly where i want to be “

↳ oh my god they are SO PATHETIC

↳ okay but yall didn’t think this was weird af

↳ if you told me they wrote this sketch themselves, i would believe you.

“well, does this work for you?” finn turned to you in the make up chair, alien empire leathers and all. you glanced at him and tilted your head, “how much would you judge me if i said yes?”

finn snorted, smirking, “only slightly.”

“at least you don’t have handcuffs and a chain.”

“that’s a shame for you…”

the cast really did not know what they were getting themselves into, asking what they had. this had been your banter since you were fourteen; though it got a lot less innocent and a lot more obvious as friendship shifted into something else. there was amused glances as they realized they were in for a good show. you narrowed your eyes, “do you have a princess leia costume?”

finn’s eyes snapped up from his phone, wide with genuine terror. “a what?” he stared at you like you misspoke. hair stopped fidgeting with your four braids, glancing over to costume, “not exact. just something similar…”

there was amused and a few slightly exasperated stares. and when you walked out of wardrobe in a leather sports bra and leather leggings, you knew you had won right then and there. his jaw fell open, eyes scanning you like he was in disbelief— like you were insane. you did feel rather insane as his eyes took you in.

“curtain in five.”

you shifted the strips of fabric around your legs, wishing you had worn something this unique and suggestive in literally any of your roles. finn was still staring at you, jaw tight.

“are you ready, highness?” you smirked as you drawled innocently. wardrobe fastened the plastic cuffs around your wrists, setting the attached plastic chain in your hand with a playful smile. you smirked down at the attire, “do you want to take me for a walk, wolfhard?”

for what it’s worth, you really did think he looked damn good up there on his stupid throne with his stupid wig and his goddamn smirk. he spun the end of your chain around in his hand, you stood behind him, massaging his shoulders. finn truly did look like he was having the time of his life. another questionable item was held out to him and he snapped his fingers, “my lady. hand feed me.” your jaw ticked and you fought back the smirk, “yes, highness.” you dropped your tone, voice coming out as sultry as you could muster. finn glanced up at you, expectantly, “today, please— or i shall replace you with another.” you almost scoffed, “sorry, highness.” you pushed the other out of the way, taking the plate in your hand and bending low. finn’s eyes sparkled as they met yours, mouth open expectantly, almost managing not to smirk.

“another treat for his majesty!”

you snatched the bowl away, eyeing it. you glanced at finn, who snapped his fingers again. you bit back a smile and cleared your throat, “this looks messy, your majesty…”

finn’s tone didn’t shift, his expression didn’t change, “all the best things are. get on with it.” you assumed it was chocolate pudding, but dipped your finger in it to make sure. you touched the faintest amount to your tongue and hummed, “i should say it’s not poisoned, your majesty.”

finn watched you with a look that was almost pathetic. oh, this night may very well never end… you flicked your tongue out and smiled innocently, draping yourself over his shoulder, “here,” you swiped your finger through the bowl, coating your finger thickly with it, “i should think it’s to your majesty’s liking.” and you stuck your finger out to finn, swiping his lip just slightly, then smearing the tiniest bit on his nose and chin. you bit your lip with a sultry, stupid smile, “apologies, majesty…” you grimaced, giving the quickest innocent side eye before scooping up even more pudding. finn’s breath caught instantly, but he didn’t flinch. he looked up at you, eyes dark and daring. you knew this was pushing it. you knew this was very likely going to get you in trouble in more ways than one. and finn, never taking his eyes off you, didn’t hesitate to put your finger right in his mouth, slowly pulling the pudding from it with an unwavering expression. the crowd had gone from snickering to screaming to whistling— a few people sounded hysterical, a few others were actually fanning themselves. you forced yourself not to move, keeping that same soft, neutral expression. as finn licked his lips, he returned his eyes straight ahead, “and it’s highness to you.”

that absolute little shit…

“ oh, so it’s porn “

↳ what an odd thing to say ??

↳ did you even watch it ?!?!?

ummm hahahah what’s the context of this…

wtf was even happening at this point

IS THIS WHAT THE TWEET WAS ABOUT DVHBSJSJSHSDJI

you glanced at the camera by the dressing room, knowing this was likely the last chance to break him. this was the sketch that was not a sketch— but was a sketch— but actually wasn’t. and that is why it was your favorite one of the night. you waited for action to be called; standing just against the closed door, finn smirking at you as he waited— impatiently and anything but professional. your hand was on his tie, his shirt partially unbuttoned and crooked, the suit he would wear for the ending bunched in your fist on his ribcage. action was called and the smile on your face was entirely too real as your back bumped against the door and you and finn giggled and hushed each other, sure your breathing was heavy and exaggerated. you held back real laughter at how much fun you were having and how ironic this all really was. your names were called in the distance, several times, each more irritated, each getting more and more laughter.

there was screaming from the crowd and you knew your surprise guests had arrived.

“dude, where are they?”

“don’t ask me, man! they ask us to show up as a surprise and then they miss final curtain!”

you nearly shook with anticipation, now both of you looking equally as excited and devilish.

ten seconds.

“did you find them?”

“no.”

you heard gaten sigh and you held your breath.

“i know where they are...”

the knock on the door came.

finn slammed you against the door, almost gasping at how hard it had unintentionally been. you bit back a snort, covering your mouth immediately. finn fought back a snort, immediately fixing his expression as the door opened. you were all over each other then. hands roaming, fist pulling at fabric, pulling on his tie until he was flush against you. finn almost sighed into the kiss, but your hands in his hair pulled him back to fake reality. the kiss would be legendary. it had been unscripted, the way it was all heat and tongue and hands. there was a cough of surprise and gaten and caleb fighting back their amusement.

finn finally broke away from you, cheeks red and breathless, smiling stupidly— in a way that you just knew wasn’t acting. “shit, sorry,” he wiped your smeared lipstick from his mouth and adjusted his clothes, “are we late?”

caleb and gaten rolled their eyes, both glaring at you in disbelief, though amusement and a flicker of pride hid behind their roles. and gaten just closed the door on the two of you, sighing as he ran a hand over his face, “every fucking day…”

“you’d think after six years, they would have a little more self control.”

final curtain really came, as you and finn walked out hand in hand, both smiling like you had gotten away with stealing the entire world. you both bowed as the rest of the cast came out, followed lastly, by caleb and gaten, who joined either side of you and finn. finn had let go of your hand, gesturing fully to you with a small bow. he returned his arms around gaten and your cheeks were starting to hurt from the smiling.

finn went on with his monologue, passing you a small flask. you fought back a smirk as you swallowed it, thankful it was just water. he leaned in then, hand over his mic, despite the cameras and lights flicking off, “do you even know how much trouble you’re in, when we get home?”