#xreader x reader

You used to love Halloween, you’d make your own costumes, do the annual Hawkins haunted house and go to the creepy abandoned places around town, but now you hardly left the house around this time. After the Upside Down, the Demodogs, it was all way too much for you to handle, of course Steve was there to help you and you’d never leave the kids in danger, but you still get nightmares and flashbacks of those times. 

Max getting possessed by Vecna, being in the upside down, seeing Steve get attacked by the demobats, it was all too much. Those vivid images always come to you every day and honestly, it might for the rest of your life. 

“(Y/N), earth to (Y/N)!” Looking over, Steve and Robin were leaning against the counter of the Family Video giving you concerned looks. “Babe, you okay, you were out of it, what’s wrong?” Steve grabbed your hand trying to help ground you a bit. You just smiled at them and shook your head. 

“Nothing Steve, I was just…thinking is all, I’m okay now.” Robin wasn’t convinced. “We were just talking about the upside down and you blanked out…are you still having nightmares? I thought those stopped months ago? Robin’s question made Steve squeeze your hand a bit as you looked away. Robin was always so observant and it was great when it came to the kids, but when she’s flipping it on you, it was annoying.

“Babe,” Steve’s voice made you look up at him. “Are you still having nightmares? Tell me what’s going on, you’ve been out of it since we all started making Halloween plans.” The door dinged meaning a customer walked in. “We can talk about it tonight, I’ll see you then Steve. Bye Robin.” With that, you left and made your way home. 

–

“Uh, no, his cape is red, not purple, did you read the handbook?” Dustin and his friends were in the living room talking about their Halloween costumes this year, they were going as characters of their D&D campaign, so you had to endure their talk too since you live there too. 

“Oh (Y/N), lover boy’s here!” Max came into the room with a smirk on her face as Steve trudged behind her, with something in his hand and gave everyone a short wave. “Thanks Max, let’s go to my room so we won’t have any eavesdroppers.” The boys just gagged while Max laughed at their reaction. Grabbing Steve’s hand, you led him to your room, the only place you both will have any chance of privacy. 

Closing your door, you turned to Steve who handed you a box of chocolates, your favorite ones actually. “What’s this for?” Sitting on your bed, he signed. “For being a shitty boyfriend and not noticing you were going through something until Robin pointed it out.” Scoffing, you sat next to him after setting the box on your vanity. 

“You’re not a shitty boyfriend, a bit oblivious at times, but shitty, no…I should’ve told you what was going on, I was just scared.” He rubbed your leg and shook his head. “I never want you to be scared to tell me anything (Y/N), I love you.” 

Dropping your head onto his shoulders you heaved a long sigh. “I love you too Steve…I have been having nightmares for months about what we went through.” His arms wrapped around your body, holding you close as his silent way or encouraging you to continue. “Some are the same where you die, I die, one of the kids die and other times it’s one of the world ending and Vecna taking over.” You could feel the tears start to well. 

“I want to get into the Halloween spirit, I want to have fun with you and the kids, but I…every time I see something even slightly like anything in that place I freak out, I want to try and get better, but I don’t know how and I don’t want to go to you with these stupid issues -” 

“Hey,” He stopped short as tears slipped down your cheeks. “No issue that makes you feel like this is stupid, it’s affecting you so it’s serious.” Moving you both toward the pillows of your bed, he continued to hold you close, peppering kisses on your face and giving you comforting words of encouragement.

“How about we start slow, I want my baby to be her genuine self.” Laying your head on his chest you nodded at his words. “We can start off by going with the little shits while they go trick or treating, seeing all the little kids in their cute costumes.” You smiled at the image of the kids having a good time and collecting their candy. That didn’t sound bad, it sounded nice. “I think that sounds like a good start, thank you Steve, you’re the best.”