rosalia

he didn’t say hello immediately, just took in the same view before he spoke.

“did you know the sign used to say ‘hollywoodland’?” joe said, glancing over to you.

your eyes snapped away from the view, looking surprised joe keery was talking to you.

you blinked, taking in what he just said. “oh, i didn’t know.” you gave him a polite smile as you looked back at the sign.

you knew of joe keery, liked his music even. but you couldn’t keep up the small talk anymore tonight.

he nodded, taking your short answer as a sign not to bother you further, so he took a cigarette in between his lips, looking for a lighter in his pocket.

you noticed how he tapped every possible pocket he had, but no lighter. so you dug into your purse, holding one up. you snapped it open and sparked it, flames casting a shadow on both your faces on the dimly lit balcony.

his eyes met yours as he leaned forward a bit, letting the cigarette between his lips touch the flame. when it wouldn’t lit, he put his hands around the lighter, shielding it from any wind, eye contact never wavering, his hands touching your hand.

you’d be lying if you said that didn’t give you butterflies.

“thanks.” he said, blowing out smoke, offering you a drag.

you just shook your head. “you’re welcome.” you looked at him as he turned to face the railing again, taking him in.

after another beat, he turns to look at you again.

“i’m joe by the way.” he extended his hand to you. he didn’t need an introduction, you knew all about him.

you chuckled softly, taking his hand in yours, shaking it. “i know who you are.” you replied, giving him your name after.

“well, still feels a bit rude to assume you knew it.” he says, holding your hand a litte longer than necessary.

a moment passes, you look back at the party that’s happening inside, then at him. “are you not enjoying the party?” you ask.

he took a breath as he shook his head. “..bit too crowded in there. plus it’s all just less party, more networking. not really my type of thing.”

you just nodded, understanding him.

“shouldn’t you be in there? best new artist? congrats by the way.” he said, looking at you, smiling.

you huffed out a smile hesitantly. the title ‘best new artist’ didn’t sound real yet. “thank you. probably should, yeah.” you answered but honestly you had no desires to be back in that room. “i just feel a bit out of place there.”

he took another drag of his cigarette, eyes roaming over your face, like he’s trying to see you more clearly. “yeah? i mean, you deserve to be there, you know.”

in a way you knew it was true, your debut album had gone viral and the last year had consisted of interviews, concerts, fans approaching you on the street. you’re even invited to be on a talkshow next week. yet, you still felt like the girl who wrote songs in her childhood room because she wouldn’t get a text back.

joe could tell you were unconvinced. “they’re mostly nice people,” he said, his head nudging to the door. “i mean, speaking for myself, i don’t bite.”

you chuckled ever so softly. “not even a little?” you meant it more as a joke, but it definitely sounded like a flirt. a faint heat creeping up your neck from.. embarrassment?

all he did was grin as he took another drag from his cigarette, head shaking a little as he blew out the smoke.

a beat passes before he speaks again. “i really liked your album by the way.” he said.

“really?” joe keery listened to your stuff?

“yeah really,” he leaned back against the railing, running a hand through his hair. “you sound surprised.”

“wow, i guess i just.. didn’t expect you to have heard it.” you answered. it’s true, you really didn’t. his music is pretty different from yours. “i like your music.”

by the look on his face he’s surprised that you like his stuff too. “you do?”

“mhm.” you tucked a strand of hair behind your ear, should you go as far as telling him you own one of his records?

“well, thank you.”

there’s a small pause again, but this one feels different. less awkward, more… aware.

he studies you for a second, like he’s deciding something.

“what’s your favorite song on it?” he asks, nodding slightly toward you.

you blink. “on your album?”

he hums, taking another drag. “yeah. don’t say the popular one just to be polite.”

you let out a soft laugh, shaking your head. “i wouldn’t do that.”

he raises a brow like he doesn’t fully believe you.

you lean back against the railing beside him, a little closer than before. “probably fly,” you admit after a second. “it’s… calmer than the rest. i like that.”

he goes quiet for a beat.

not in a bad way, more like you caught him off guard.

“huh,” he exhales, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “most people don’t pick that one.”

“most people don’t listen properly.” you shrug lightly. you’ve had that song on repeat. when you’d go to bed, when you were writing. it was calm, cleared your head on occasion.

that earns you a look though. a real one this time. there’s something softer in it now.

“you always this honest?” he asks.

you tilt your head slightly. “you always this surprised when someone is?”

he lets out a quiet laugh, looking down for a second before glancing back at you.

“no,” he admits, voice a little lower now. “just didn’t expect it from you.”

“from me?” you echo.

his eyes flick over you, your dress, the jewelry, the whole polished image, before settling back on your face.

“yeah. you look like you belong in there,” he nods toward the party. “not out here… hiding.”

your breath catches a little at that.

“maybe i don’t want to belong in there,” you say softly.

another beat.

closer now, somehow, even though neither of you moved much.

he flicks ash off his cigarette over the railing. “then where do you want to belong?”

your eyes meet his, and for the first time tonight, you don’t feel overwhelmed.

just… steady.

“not sure yet,” you admit. “but this is better.”

his lips twitch.

“yeah?” he says, a little teasing again. “just the view, or…”

you smile slightly, a humorous scoff escaping you but you’re not looking away this time.

“depends,” you murmur. “are you part of the view?”

he’s about to respond when the balcony doors slide open, a couple giggling celebrities who’ve had way too much to drink, come out for a smoke, interrupting the moment.

one of them spots you. “oh. my. god.” she says as her steps are now headed towards you as she pulls whoever guy she’s with, with her.

“i am just, utterly obsessed with you!!” she says, her hand on your arm. you’ve seen her before on tv, some reality show you occasionally put on if you really feel like frying your brain.

you greet her, smiling politely. but you’d desperately want to go back to flirting with joe keery.

“your win is so inspiring. like, it really shows anyone can make it.” she says.

you blink. did she just give you the most back handed compliment ever? you shoot a look at joe, who already has his eyebrows raised.

the girl rambles on some more, the slurring in her words getting more noticeable as she speaks. the guy with her, completely spaced out.

finally when it’s taken too long, joe steps in slightly. “this grammy winner has somewhere to be, excuse us.”

the girl’s face turns a little sour, an obvious hint of jealousy tainting her face.

you can’t help the surprised smile on your face as you quickly step back in to your heels.

joe takes your hand in his and starts walking, guiding you to some other place.

“where are we going?” you ask, looking at his hand holding yours as he’s walking in front of you.

“just trust me.” is all he answers.

“grammy winner?” you recall, smirking at the way he had ‘casually’ mentioned it to the girl.

“grammy winner.” he just replies.

when you’ve walked up a staircase, you realize you’re going up to the rooftop. this felt so random, so thrilling? joe keery is taking you to a rooftop.

when he opens the door, it reveals a beautiful pool, accompanied by some lounge chairs and a bunch of little lights, creating warm glows all across.

“wow.” you say, when you’re both stood still at the edge of the pool, hands still intertwined.

he hums, almost proud of himself for knowing about this place.

“are we even allowed to be here?” you look around, settling your eyes on his.

“i don’t know. probably not,” he says, the ambience lighting creating soft shadows on his face. “but it’s better than hearing that girl give you one more ‘compliment’.”

you chuckle. “anything is better than that.” you let go of his hand and when you do, you’re already missing the warmth of it.

heels are kicked off again as you sit down, dangling your legs in the water.

for a beat, it’s just quiet as he sits next to you, facing you. you’re unsure of what to say, the silence growing heavier.

you finally turn your face to look at him, his eyes already trained on yours, making your heart skip a beat.

his eyes roam over your face.

“what?” you ask, voice a lot softer than intended, a blush creeping up on your neck and face.

after a second, his hand reaches up, tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear, causing your breath to hitch.

his hand lingers on your jaw, thumb drawing circles against your cheek.

“is this.. too much?” he asks, voice soft and a little rougher than before.

all you can do is gently shake your head no, all words lost when those brown eyes are piercing yours.

his eyes look like he’s still silently seeking permission, so you lean in the tiniest bit, lips parting ever so slightly.

he couldn’t hold back any longer, from the moment he’s found out about your existence he was intrigued, it started off with enjoying your music, finding out you’re charismatic from the occasional clips he’d see passing by on his phone.

then when he saw you get on that stage and accept your grammy? he realized he definitely had been harbouring some sort of celebrity crush for you, so getting to talk to you on that balcony couldn’t have worked out better for him.

the pad of his thumb brushes over your bottom lip gently, before finally closing the distance. his hand goes to cup your jaw again, your eyes fluttering shut as you move your mouth against his.

angling your body more towards him, you lift a leg out of the pool, tucking it under you as you lean more into it, your hand at the nape of his neck.

your heart is racing, mind going blank as you feel his tongue against your teeth, lips parting further to grant him access. you can faintly taste the smoke on his tongue, clashing with the champagne on yours.

the kiss is full of pent up desire and heat, and despite the cold air of the night, your body feels hotter than ever.

his other hand moves to grab your waist, tucking you a little closer to him. he kisses like a man who loves, rather than a man who lusts and it takes you by surprise. his lips were soft and warm, tongue brushing against yours.

when you’re parting again, you’re breathing a bit heavier, eyes still shut for a second as you bite at the bottom of your now kiss-swollen lips.

his hand stays at your waist as he finally opens his eyes too, thumb moving up and down. it was intoxicating, and you’d kill to kiss him like that again.

“god, you’re beautiful.” he says, eyes so soft and slightly dazed.

though, the moment is cut short by the sound of the rooftop door creaking open.

you barely have time to pull back before your manager steps through, eyes widening when she finally spots you.

joe reluctantly removes his hand from your waist, giving you some more ‘respectable’ space, though the warmth of his touch still lingers.

“i have been looking everywhere for you, the people want to see you!” the manager says, voice raised as she just stands in the door opening. with the way her eyes are wide, brows furrowed, arms folded, she’s pissed.

you look at her, and back at joe.

you don’t want to leave, not now.

but when your manager calls.. you answer.

“i guess that’s my cue.” you say quietly.

joe stands, extending his hands to help you up. you take them, and for a second, neither of you lets go.

“yeah,” he says, softer this time.

you look at his face, unable to read his expression.

you hesitate but you decide to speak again. “…i don’t want this to be one of those things people forget in the morning.” you say, feeling a little vulnerable.

you didn’t just ‘kiss’ around, so you prayed he thought the same.

he blinks, a tiny smile at the corners of his lips. “good,” he says. “me neither.”

and just like that, the tight feeling in your chest loosens.

because somehow, you know this isn’t where it ends.

the next morning...

it’s how you became ‘childhood friends’ with steve harington. your brother’s best friend. the perfect trope. so you thought. but he just saw you as tommy’s little sister, even though you were always very vocal about your love for him.

“i’d cook you your favorite dinner every night steve,” you exclaimed, jumping onto the couch besides him.

“you’re not even allowed by the stove, y/n.” he said, shutting you down like always.

“i’ll drive you around anywhere you’d like!”

“on your rollerblades?”

steve had no interest in you whatsoever. besides the fact that you were tommy’s little sister, he was head over heels for nancy wheeler. but you consisted, every time he came by, you’d try to win him over. he never budged.

when your parents split, you choose to come along with your mom and move to chicago. saying goodbye to tommy and your dad was hard, saying goodbye to steve felt a little bittersweet.

“we’re gonna fall in love someday, steve. you just wait!!” you had yelled out of the back of your moms car as you drove off to the ‘windy city’.

now a couple years have passed. you’ve really grown into your skin, lost your braces and added a little pep to your step. chicago had a way of doing that to people, you’ve rbecome your own person.

meanwhile in hawkins, steve’s relationship with nancy had been lost to jonathan, the world almost ended and he was now busying himself by sorting through some of the returned videocases at family video.

the bell at the front door chimed as it opened, a warm breeze entering the store shortly before the door closed again.

“..hi, welcome to family video, can i help you?” steve murmured, not bothering to look up.

“i don’t know, can you?” you said, nails tippy tapping against the counter, waiting for him to see you, a slight hint of uncertainty wether he will remember you or not, on your face.

steve’s brows pulled together, unable to place who you were before looking up. as his eyes met yours, it too him a full 1.5 seconds to recognize you.

“y/n??” he blinked, eyes darting all over your face. he huffed a quiet laugh. “what- what are you doing here?”

he looked older, more mature in a good way. you hadn’t meant to run into him. the plan was, rent a movie and go. but perhaps you could stay for a short chat? it was quite the surprise seeing him at the counter when you walked in.

“hi steve!” you smiled widely now. “i uh, came to rent a movie.”

“yeah sure, but- i meant like, what are you doing in hawkins?” he huffed, still surprised.

you chuckled, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear. “oh, right. i’m helping tommy move out. figured i’d have time to watch something tonight. just grabbing a movie real quick, you know, old hagan family tradition, we’ve got the popcorn and everything.”

steve blinks, like that’s news to him. “wait— tommy’s moving out?”

your head tilted a fraction, that strand of hair untucking again, brows knitted together. “tommy didn’t tell you?” you ask, trying to make sense of how tommy could forget to tell his best friend he’s moving to chicago.

steve’s expression flickered with a little bit of hesitation as he scratches the back of his neck. of course you hadn’t a clue what had transpired in the years you had left hawkins. “uh… no, we haven’t spoken in a while.” he says, voice a little quieter, like there’s a lot more that went down than he’s letting on.

“oh. I.. didn’t know.” you reply, looking down at your hands on the counter. the contact between you and your brother had grown faint to zero when you moved. he was always busy with something and at some point, you stopped reaching out. so to sum it up, you were as in touch with tommy as steve was.

he noticed the hint of confusion in your demeanor, your words confirming that you were out of the loop on the situation between him and your brother.

he ran a hand through his hair, a soft sigh leaving his lips. “yeah, um, it’s a long story.” he muttered. “let’s just say, we’re not on the best terms anymore.”

you scoff, you weren’t even that surprised. “his asshole act became too much? i mean i get it, i barely talk to him anymore.” you state.

his eyebrows raise slightly at your comment, a mix of surprise and amusement on his face. “you know, you’ve grown more blunt since the last time i saw you.” he couldn’t help but chuckle, a small smirk playing at his lips. “but yeah, that’s one way to put it.”

as you chuckle at him, his eyes studied your features. god, you were different. no more of that little girl that had a crush on him all those years ago, that shy blushed girl was nowhere to be found.

no, you looked like a woman now. your hair had grown darker, nails neatly painted, jewelry accompanying your clothes. you came across as more grounded, confident even. steve really wasn’t that much older than you, but back then that gap felt enormous, now you looked the same age as him.

your eyes roamed over him too, not only did he look more mature, he looked pretty good. like he carried himself differently from back then. like he’s gone through some stuff. you had forgotten all about those brown eyes of his. it was weird how they didn’t have the same effect on you as they used to back then.

a beat passes, he shifts as he stands. “well, what movie are you getting?”

you snap out of thought. “right! well, i was thinking ‘dirty dancing’ if you’ve got it.”

he can’t help the chuckle that escapes him. of course they had it, he ducked behind the counter, sorting through a box of newer tapes. when he came back up, he was holding the movie.

“didn’t peg you to be a swayze girl.” he grinned, putting the tape in a plastic bag.

“pfft, maybe i’m not the same girl you used to know.” you smiled, a playful glint in your eyes.

“that’s true, you’re definitely not.” he says, pausing for a moment. “this one’s on the house.” steve slides the plastic bag across the counter, meeting your eyes again.

“oh no i couldn’t-“

“consider it a welcome back gift, y/n.” he interrupts, already predicting you’d say no.

he couldn’t help but recall your many declarations from back then, how you always insisted you’d end up together. he found it.. almost endearing.

“you know, i still remember your little claim of us ending up together.” he teased, leaning forward on the counter, a playful glint in his eyes. “you were very certain back then.”

your eyes immediately widen. “oh my god, why would you bring that up??” you smile as your hands shoot up to cover your face. “that’s so embarrassing.”

he lets out a laugh. “come on, i think it was nice of you. boosted my ego a little bit.”

you look through your fingers. “yeah right, i remember your ego being pretty big already back then.” you grinned as your hand dropped down the grab the plastic bag.

“wowww, she’s grown sassier!” the smirk on his face widening by the second. “i mean, you really thought we’d end up together one day, huh?”

you swipe the bag off the counter, grinning, composure collected again. “i don’t know steve, it could still happen.” you turn to the door, walking off as you look back at him. “i’ll see you around!!”

his smirk froze in place as you said those words, his brain taking a second to process what you had just implied. by the time he snapped out of it, you were already halfway out the door.

"wait- what?”

he called after you, voice slightly louder than intended. but all that greeted him was your retreating figure and the sound of the door closing behind you.

"i-," he muttered under his breath once more before running a hand through his hair with an exasperated chuckle.

robin walked over, having seen the interaction from the other side of the story. “well, well, well. she’s pretty.” she said, propping herself up on the counter. legs dangling.

he was still somewhat stunned by your sudden departure when robin’s voice snapped him back to reality. he turned to her, a slightly bewildered expression still on his face.

“huh? oh, uh..” he trailed off, processing her statement. “yeah. she is.” he admitted, immediately sorting through another stack of tapes.

robin pushed herself off the counter. “what, that’s it?” she asks, confused. usually steve would tell her if he got himself a date or not. “did she have a boyfriend or something?”

he continued with the tapes as he shook his head. “no, no boyfriend, i don’t know.” he said, still stuck in his head about you. “just… she’s an old friend.”

“oh? how do you know her?” robin’s curiosity piqued, it’s pretty hard to go unnoticed around hawkins and she had never seen you before.

he let out a slow breath, finally meeting robin’s gaze, bringing a hand through his hair. “she’s tommy’s little sister. she used to hang around with us sometimes before she moved to chicago.”

robin pulled a face. “..yuck. tommy’s sister? so is she just as much of a dick as he is?”

he understood her reaction, he knew what robin was thinking. tommy wasn’t exactly the most liked person back in high school (or now, for that matter), and it was no surprise she’d associate his sister with those same traits.

he shouldn’t do it, shouldn’t walk up to you when you’ve been abundantly clear on giving him the silent treatment. but his fingers are twitching at his sides and the frustration he feels at the fact that you’re still seeing billy, is boiling over. so before his mind can fully stand behind his decision, his feet are on the move.

you’re busy rumbling in your purse, trying to find those damn keys. the wind is making you shiver and your hair keeps getting caught in your face, you’re so focused you don’t even hear the footsteps approaching you.

“what are you doing with him?” a voice spooks you from behind. your head snaps to see steve, looking.. pissed? your purse hangs in your hand, the other hand brushing your hair out of your face, brows already pulling together. “what?”

he’s silent for a moment, like he regrets walking up to you but there’s no turning back now. “you know what.”

“are you talking about billy” you say, still unsure he’s come to confront you like this. you’re the one supposed to be mad, not steve.

he gestures a hand at your now empty surroundings, where billy’s car had been. “i saw him dump your ass in the parking lot. that what he does? takes you on a drive and dumps you?”

his brows are furrowed, eyes darting to yours, then to your purse, back to you, waiting for you to give him an explanation.

“what are you talking about? he just dropped me back to my car, is all. i- what do you even care?” you cross your arms, annoyed at the insinuation that you’d let yourself get treated so poorly.

his frown just deepened, brown eyes locked onto your face. he was trying to keep his temper under control but mostly just failing.

“’cause he’s a jackass who doesn’t deserve you. ‘cause he’s playing you in your face and you’re too blind to see it.”

you blink, and scoff. “wow- i’m not an idiot, steve. and for all it matters, he’s not that bad.” you argued.

steve lets out a snort, trying to contain his disbelief. “’he’s not that bad.’? are you joking right now?”

maybe you did go start going on dates with billy as a plan to make steve see you, but he was being a straight up jerk right now, so you stood your ground.

“it’s really not even your business steve!” you snapped.

but he scoffs, shaking his head and really scanning your face to see if you’re playing some kind of foul game he’s not understanding. what could you possibly see in billy?

“not my business?” he replies, brushing a frustrated hand through his hair. “i mean, who even are you? i- you used to hate billy!” his voice held an edge that wasn’t like the steve you knew. he was bordering on angry.

“yeah well maybe he’s changed! or maybe i have!” you retort, raising your voice to match his.

his jaw clenched, he was just.. confused as well. he was so overly frustrated with you, feeling an anger he’s never felt for you before. “jesus i-“ he pinched the bridge of his nose. “i don’t even recognize you right now!”

you roll your eyes. “why? ‘cause i’m not constantly trailing after you anymore?” your skin was still shivering, crossing your arms tighter as if it would work as some kind of shield.

steve’s eyes narrow. “don’t be stupid. this has nothing to do with me. ‘m worried for you!” he retorts.

but of course, it had nothing to do with him. while you two were arguing, you had held a slight sliver of hope he’d tell you he hated seeing you billy because he wanted you with him. but of course, he was just ‘worried’ for you.

“oh sure, you’re just worried you’ve got no one to vent to about nancy anymore, no one to put up with your bullshit the way i did!” you felt a little too mean maybe, but steam was blowing out your ears. this isn’t just about billy, it’s also just a confirmation he really does just see you as a friend. a friend he feels he needs to shelter from billy, the way he would look out for dustin or robin.

he bites on the inside of his cheek, blowing through his nose. “’course that’s what you think.” he shook his head and huffed. “whatever. forget i said anything.” he just.. turned away, stuffing his hands back into his pocket, heading for his own car.

you’re left standing there, stunned he just walked off like that, lips parted like you still want to say something, admit you miss him, but you don’t.

you just angrily empty your purse on the hood of your car, finally finding the stupid car keys, missing the keyhole a couple times while inserting and slamming the door a little too hard when you sit down behind the wheel.

a couple days later, steve’s leaned forward against the counter. arms pressed against the surface, closing and opening a video case, hearing that snappy sound over and over again, completely lost in thought. a flick against the back of his head brings him back.

“earth to dingus, earth to dingus?” robin says, mirroring his stance next to him.

he blinks, rubbing at the back of his neck. “thanks for that.”

“you’re awfully quiet, i don’t like it.” robin says, more like a question than a statement. “what’s going on in that thick skull of yours?” she points at his forehead.

a beat passes, steve stands upright. “do you think she’s serious about billy?” he says, he doesn’t even have to say your name, robin immediately catches on.

“i mean, maybe? i guess i’ve never pictured her with a guy like him but it’s possible.” she squints her eyes. “did something happen?”

steve sighs heavily. “we fought again. i don’t know what’s going on anymore. i just.. went up to her and got all up in her business about billy. i should’ve just left it alone.” he runs a hand over his face.

“….hm.” is all robin says, which for robin, is awfully little.

steve noticed the tiny sparkle in her eyes. he didn’t really want to ask, but he couldn’t refrain. “…what?”

“sounds like someone’s jealous…” she teases, her brows raised slightly, smirking.

he rolls his eyes. “i told you, i’m not jealous. she’s my friend, i just care for her.”

“mhm.. so you wouldn’t care if she went out with.. i don’t know, trevor?” she said, observing steve’s reaction.

“trevor? who works at hot sam’s?” he frowned, finding that idea plain dumb. “she would never go out with him, he’s an idiot. he can’t tell his left from right if his life depended on it.”

“okay, maybe he was a dumb example. what about jordan? i believe he’s going pro basketball soon.”

“jordan?” he blinked, jordan was a good guy, he knew you had tutored him back in high school. “why? did you hear anything?”

robin snorts. “jealousssss.”

“i’m not-“ steve refuted, trying to convince her but she was already walking off, giggling.

he pinched the bridge of his nose, a newfound habit. he wasn’t jealous of anyone, he just hated billy. hated that you were wasting time on him. hated that billy got to be with someone good. someone he didn’t deserve. hated that billy got to hear your weird jokes and got to smell your vanilla perfume that lingers even when you’ve left an hour ago. that billy probably got to hold your hand, maybe even kiss you- ….shit.

steve groaned, running a hand over his face. his mind was reeling. something had changed, shifted. yeah, he hated billy. but he couldn’t give two shits about billy. you, you were different though. when did that happen?

he needed to talk to you, hash things out for god’s sake. but he couldn’t just show up at your front door. under what pretense? “hi, i’m here to talk shit about billy again hoping maybe you’ll hear me out this time.” no, he couldn’t say something dumb like that. he didn’t want to ruin whatever friendship was left.

his mind goes to the few times you had mentioned going on dates with some guys in hawkins. steve never really cared to hear the stories. he’d always start talking about nancy. or he’d try to pursue nancy even more.

it did time perfectly, you went on a date, he’d go after nancy. was he, trying to deflect? push down the lingering annoyance at the idea of you going on a date? when did he even start feeling this way? has it just always been in the back of his mind? acting on it subconsciously by chasing after nancy?

you were his friend. sure, he’s always known that you’re attractive but you became friends when steve was still with nancy and after that, you two never pursued anything.

but with your current absence, feeling like he was losing you, you’re all he could think about.

and once that clock hit 10 pm, he grabbed his jacket off the coat racket and headed outside. his mind was made up. he needed to see you.

but now he was stood in your driveway, no lights on in the living room, meaning both you and your parents had gone to bed. what was he doing? just showing up at your house, wanting to talk? steve doesn’t even know what he’s going to say, all he knows is that he’s already climbing up the side of your house, following the faint sound of music he knows is coming from your bedroom.

he crept the best he could to the side of your window, stopping below the windowsill. he leaned a shoulder up against the wall and listened to the music.

your curtains were pulled back just enough for him to see into your room. he could make out your legs as you laid on your bed, legs kicked up on your headboard, hands laying over your stomach, tracing the hem of your shirt.

steve’s eyes were drawn down to the strip of bare stomach as your shirt rode up on you. his mouth felt dry, heart hammering in his chest.

steve’s head fell back, hitting the siding of your house with a soft thunk. he took a deep breath, shutting his eyes for a moment. the things he’s feeling for you, confusing him. you were his friend. just his friend.

he lifted his head again, staring up at the window to your bedroom. he should leave, ignore this realization. he was determined to just push it down. but that lasted all of two seconds when he knocks on your window.

you jolted, sitting up and turning to look at the window. when you saw steve standing outside, you stared at him, surprised for a moment.

you stand up and cross to the window, pulling it open, a bit unsure.

“what are you doing here?” you say taking a step back, lifting the needle off of your record player.

he stood there for a second. a mix of emotions flashing in his eyes, relief, nerves, frustration. his gaze roaming over your face. “need to talk to you.”

you don’t say anything as you watch him climb through your window. awkwardly adjusting the ring around your pointer finger. you were still angry with him, of course.

he swung his leg up, getting himself up onto the window sill. he shifted, ducking his head through the open window and dropping into your room.

he was suddenly hyper-aware of being in your room. of the fact that he had never been in your room before. his eyes drifted over the room, taking everything in.

“well, talk.” you said, sitting on the edge of your bed as you cross your arms.

he turned back to you, brown eyes intense as they locked onto your face. he ran a nervous hand through his hair, trying to figure out how to start this conversation. he sighed.

“okay, yeah. i’m just.. gonna start talking okay? just say whatever i feel like. just.. need to get this stuff out.” he swallowed, taking in a breath before he started off for real.

you watched him pace back and forth, you’ve never seen him this nervous before.

steve continued, pacing back and forth. he had a restless energy, hands moving while he talked. “i just- you going out with hargrove. i just don’t get it, and i can’t- it doesn’t- it doesn’t make sense to me.” he shook his head almost like he was trying to clear his thoughts.

you rolled your eyes, is he just gonna be the same again? tell you how foolish you are for spending time with billy?

“it’s not right- you two have nothing in common. he’s a jackass. he’ll just end up hurting you or disappointing you or- or he won’t be good enough. i just-“ he stopped, looking down at you sitting on the bed.

“you just- what?” you huffed, really not in the mood for this.

he exhaled shakily, closing his eyes for a moment. “i guess i just don’t get why you’re even giving him the time of day. you shouldn’t be with someone like him- especially not when-“ he paused again, eyes flickering down to your lips for a split second.

“i get it, you don’t like billy. you’ve made this very clear, steve.” you just sigh.

he continues pacing again, clearly frustrated. “no- it’s- i mean. does he even- does he even know you? what you like? does he know you love gummy bears? the red ones? i mean does he even know your favorite musician is bowie? that you hate mushrooms? god-“

he rambled on. you blinked, sitting upright a bit more. stunned at the small facts he was dropping about you, things you thought went unnoticed.

he turns to face you now, taking a couple steps toward you, coming to stand in front of you. his breathing becoming heavier.

“i just-“ he swallowed, fingers flexing at his sides. he was clearly struggling to put his thoughts into words. he breaks eye contact, both hands rubbing over his face. “god damn it, i just- the thought of you with him, it- it drives me crazy.” he shook his head.

your stomach dropped a bit, it drove him crazy?

steve’s rambling continued, too worked up and lost in thought to stop. “it’s stupid- it’s dumb how much it affects me. seeing you with him- it pisses me off. and not even in a normal way, it’s like it makes my blood go hot or something. i’ve been so distracted. i can’t think straight and that’s never happened before-“ he stopped, taking a deep breath.

you just blinked again, brows knitted together, his rambling was as confusing to you as it was to him. “steve, what are you trying to say?”

steve inhaled, brown eyes closing as he speaks. “i’m saying- i’m saying that, for some reason, the thought of you being with him makes me feel crazy.” he opened his eyes to the confused look on your face.

“…’cause you hate billy?” you guessed.

steve shifted his jaw, brown eyes intense as he took in your face. “yes.” he blinks and shakes his head. “no! no- it’s not just about billy. it’s..” he swallowed nervously.

he looked at you, nervously. like whatever he was about to say, there was no coming back from.

“it’s you. it’s- everything about you.” he swallowed again. “your eyes, your face, your hair, your hands. it’s.. your lips. seeing you with someone else? being apart from you like this? not having you hang around family video every day? jesus just looking at you right now is..” his breathing stuttered.

you were silent, stunned.

steve shook his head again, eyes locked on your face. “it’s you, y/n. it’s been you for a while now and i don’t know when it started or when-“ he stopped talking, swallowing again. eyes never leaving your face.

he stepped closer, bending down so he was crouched in front of you, at the same eye level, he placed both hands on your knees carefully, worried you’d pull away, but you don’t.

“i know i don’t deserve you, especially after how blind i’ve been, but i can’t stand the thought of you with him. i know it’s selfish. i know it’s wrong.” he sighed, staring down at your face.

your mind was reeling, he looked sad almost. his brown puppy eyes staring at you with an intensity that has you feeling a roller coaster in your stomach.

steve’s eyes roamed over your face. his fingers flexing against your knees. his eyes flickered down to your lips before looking into your eyes again. “can i just..” he murmured.

his eyes flickered down to your lips again. “i need to-“ he murmured faintly, before closing the distance between you and catching your lips with his own. his hands came up to frame your face, holding it in his hands as his lips glided over yours. every thought left his mind as he finally kissed you.

you couldn’t help yourself and you instantly went with it. your hands finding his hair, deepening the kiss. his fingers slide into your hair as he leaned further into you, forcing your back to rest against the mattress as he hovered over you.

but as the kiss got more intense, it flashed in your mind. he just dropped a bomb on you, he’s finally reciprocating what you’ve felt for him for so long after you two have been fighting. you needed to talk things out first.

your hands found his chest, starting to push him back. “steve-“ you murmured, moving your head away.

he pulled back, eyes darkened. he took a breath, trying to slow his pounding heart. “shit- i- i shouldn’t have done that.” he stood up from the bed, running a hand through his hair, trying not to focus on how good your nails had felt digging into his scalp.

you stood up too, mind dazed. “you can’t just- kiss me!” you sputtered, fingers raking through your hair, trying to get yourself together knowing damn well you deepened that kiss just as much as he did.

he knew you were right. he knew he shouldn’t have kissed you, but there was no way in hell he would take back that kiss. “no- i know i shouldn’t have. but god i wanted to.”

you were flabbergasted to say the least. only a while ago you two got into a fight about him picking nancy over you and now here you were, standing in your bedroom as he basically confesses his love for you.

“i- you can’t just.. barge into my room, say all those things and-“ you said, pacing the room.

he ran a hand over his face again, trying to contain himself. “i’m sorry. i-“ he shook his head. “i didn’t mean to barge in here and kiss you, i just- i kinda went here without a plan-“

you stood still, looking at him, scoffing. “you’re unbelievable. i mean- i’ve been there for you for literally forever! and now the moment we fight, you come to me and make some- some sort of love confession??” your eyes were widened, heart pounding rapidly.

steve looked at you helplessly, brown eyes softening at your words. “i know- i know. and god i’m so sorry.” he took a step closer to you. “i don’t know what came over me. i just.. needed- needed to tell you how i’d been feeling.”

“and what- i- u just- expect me to drop everything and come running back?” you breathed, voice softer. your expression a mix of confusion and uncertainty.

his eyes locked on your face, the way your brows pulled together. he shook his head. “no. no i didn’t think you’d just-“ he shook his head again. “i didn’t think ahead. i didn’t think beyond the fact that i’ve been driving myself crazy these last few weeks thinking about you. seeing you with billy.. it just bothered me. it bothered me so much.” he said, eyes trained on the floor, feeling almost embarrassed by the intensity of his emotions now that everything has come out.

you hated seeing him look so kicked down, though that hint of desperation looked good on him.

he ran a hand through his hair, eyes flickering over your face again.

“and i couldn’t- at some point it all just clicked for me- i don’t care about it being billy, i care about it not being me. and i guess your absence made that overly clear to me.” he looked at you, pleading.

“i’m sorry. it all came out worse than i thought it would.” he sighed, running yet another hand over his face, exasperated. “i just- god i really, really do suck at this talking stuff.”

a beat passes, you watch him as he doesn’t meet your eyes. you let out a soft scoff, almost humorously. “yeah, you do.” you reply, the tiniest hint of a smile on the corners of your lips and eyes.

he meets your gaze, actually breaking out a little smile at this. “yeah, alright. you’re right.”

you went and sat back on the bed, unsure of what to say now. steve stood in the middle of your room for a moment, before he took a step forward, trying to figure out what to say next. he stopped at the bed and sat down beside you.

he looked over at you. “i should.. probably- i should leave, huh?” he looked like he was talking more to himself than you. he’d started to get up off the bed, but your hand touched his arm. he looked back down at you.

“no- don’t.. don’t leave.” your voice soft, shy even.

for a moment he looked confused, eyes flickering over your face in uncertainty. he didn’t move, just continued staring at you. “..you want me to stay?”

“yeah.”

slowly steve sits back down. you two say nothing for a moment, just sharing the silence.

you take in a deep breath before spilling your guts. “i’ve liked you since forever, steve. since forever. and you’ve never- never seen me.” you turn to face him a bit more. “and then i date a guy and you realize you’re actually into me? i just- i don’t know how to respond to that- i mean. do you like me? or do you just not want me to be with someone else?” you rambled on a bit, feeling insecure about the situation.

steve stared at you, listening to you speak. he realized you were right as he took in your hurtful expression. “you’re right. i’m an idiot. a total moron, i know.” he shook his head again. “i- i don’t really know what all of this means.” he looked down at his hands. “but- i really do like you. more than i probably realize.. i don’t know why it took me so goddamn long to realize it. and for that, i’m so sorry.”

he looked back up at you with a slightly pained expression. “you were right when you said i’ve been the stupidest boy alive for not noticing. for not realizing and acting before.” he reached a hand up, gently tucking a lock of your hair behind your ear and you had to act like that didn’t just make your heart pound ten times faster.

“i don’t know how i didn’t see it before. how good you are to me.. and i understand if you- want nothing to do with me after this. i really do, i’ll keep my mouth shut and we go back to minding our own bus-“ he’s cut off when your lips crash into his again. his eyes widened and he froze for a second before melting into the kiss, pulling you closer to him.

when you both pulled back, you couldn’t contain the smile on your face. god he’s a fool, thinking you’d want nothing to do with him after this. this is what you’ve wanted for so long, and somehow it’s even better than you’ve dared to imagine.

steve stared at you, a look of surprise on his face. his hands were still on you, fingers slightly squeezing around your waist. “that’s not..” he swallowed, eyes locked on your flushed face. “that’s not the reaction i was expecting.”

“steve, i.. i told you i’ve liked you for forever. that hasn’t changed.” you say, staring into those beautiful brown eyes of his.

“what about billy?”

“i.. ended things the night you and i fought again. it was never anything serious, he barely ever asked me anything.” you chuckle softly, billy already feeling like something far far away.

steve’s hand came up to cup your jaw, his thumb drawing circles against your cheek. “i really missed you.”

even while nancy is dating jonathan, it doesn’t stop steve from trying to win her back and it drove you crazy for two reasons. reason number one, she was in a relationship, so he looked stupid and desperate. reason number two? you were head over heels for steve. and that’s said lightly. you’ve been friends for a couple years now, and that crush has just always been there, not that he’s ever noticed. he’s too busy pining after nancy.

you’d never really initiate things but you’ve been obvious, dropping hints here and there. but he never sees them, or chooses not to, you don’t really know.

and that’s how you’ve reached this point, you’re standing on the sidewalk, waiting for your sister to return from the store, steve walking up to you after you avoided him for the last couple days.

the sun is at that warm orangey color you only really get when it’s close to being summer, the smell of nearby barbecue’s in the air. he’s wearing that family video vest that makes his arms look stupidly good. but this time it doesn’t charm you, you’re genuinely pissed at him. by the way he’s rubbing the back of his neck, he knows this won’t be a pleasant conversation.

“..hey,” steve says, eyes a little hopeful you’re not too angry with him. “can we.. uhm, talk?” he says, stopping a few feet in front of you.

you stare at him, this is the first time you’ve seen him since you two fought. you peek inside the store, hoping for a second that your sister will come out and you can just walk off again,, but it doesn’t look that way.

when you don’t immediately respond, steve continues. “i.. you’re still mad at me.” he looks at the pavement for a second and back at you.

“look, i know things ended on a bit of a weird note uhm, i said some asshole things, pulled an asshole move, ditched you.” he exhaled, continuing to kind of ramble on. his voice was softer, more awkward than you knew him to be.

you say nothing.

“robin told me to just wait a little longer,” he sighs again, pushing a hand through his hair. “i just, miss you, i guess.” he tries to meet your eyes again, but you’re too busy looking anywhere but at him.

steve shoves his hands in his pockets. “you don’t have to say anything, i just thought--i wanted to apologize. ‘cause i was a jackass.. i’m sorry.”

you’d love to give him the silent treatment some more but honestly, you hate fighting with him. with anyone for that matter, so you give in. “yeah, you were a jackass.” you say, finally meeting his eyes.

he’s quiet for a second, watching a leaf stuck against the sidewalk, it’s edges dried out. eventually he glances up at you. “do you hate me?” he says, his voice unsure.

you can’t help the humorous scoff that escapes you. “no- of course i don’t hate you.”

he swallows, some of his relief showing through his expression. “’cause if you do-- i mean, i’d get it. i wouldn’t blame you. but..i am sorry.”

“steve.” you said, firmly. of course you didn’t hate him, you weren’t even sure if you had that in you for him. “i don’t hate you. i just.. i don’t know. you said hurtful stuff. ditched me.” you fidget with your necklace, hating these types of conversations.

steve nods, once. he looks like he’s trying to find some sort of middle ground, some space to make this into a joke. to make it lighter than it is. “i did. and i hate to sound like an idiot, but i wasn’t really thinking, not about you anyway. it’s my fault. not an excuse. just.. my fault.”

your stomach drops a bit. ‘not about you anyway.’ your wall instantly goes back up, because there it is. your eyes roll as you look off to the side. “yeah, you never think about me.” you say and you start walking off.

steve blinks, confused. he catches up to you in two quick strides. he grabs your arm, not hard, just enough for you to stop and look at him. his thumb even daring to make a circle against your wrist. he’s doesn’t understand how you two are back at where you began. “hey, stop. don’t do that. come on.”

you look at his hand wrapped around your wrist and pull back, he lets go. “no, steve. you just- you really don’t get it, do you?” your brows pulled together.

steve’s expression twists between defensiveness and confusion. “get what?”

you just scoff. “yeah, exactly.”

he’s starting to get frustrated, which is mostly just making him more anxious. he runs another hand through his hair for something to do. “no, no. no i don’t get it, okay? i’m trying to get it. i’m genuinely sorry but you seem more angry than before.”

“’cause you never see it! i don’t think you ever will and i won’t spell it out for you.” you say, tone firm and pissed. how could he be so blind when it came to you? why were you an afterthought to him when you’ve always been there for him?

he’s a bit stunned, brows pulled together, he doesn’t even know what you’re talking about right now.

your gaze flicks up to your right when you hear the bell chime of the store, your sister coming out with her acquired candies. “right, i have to go.” you don’t even spare him a second to respond as you take your sisters hand and walk to your car with a pace that has you pulling her with you.

steve stands on the sidewalk for a moment after you walk off. his hands twitch at his sides like there might have been something he could have said, but the time for words is over. he turns back to his car, kicking a rock as he walks.

your sister pops some lifesavers in her mouth, wiping the sugar off on her sleeve. “something happen with steve?” she asks, her head swivels to check for the sound of his car starting, then back to you.

“nothing happened with steve.” you say, angrily fumbling with your car keys, opening her door, and pulling yours open a bit too aggressively for someone claiming ‘nothing’ happened.

your sister gets in the passenger seat, buckling up as she sets the candies on her lap, watching you drop down into the driver’s seat. “did he say something shitty?”

you look up at her swiftly. “you can’t say shitty, you’re ten.” but all she does is just roll her eyes. “yes i can.” “no you can’t. and yeah, something shitty happened. steve happened. and he is shitty.” you said, starting the car.

your sister stares out the window at a group of boys throwing a football across the street, missing each other by several yards. she waits until you’ve pulled away before asking. “how was he shitty?”

you exhale through your nose, checking your mirrors as you drive off. “he’s stupidly clueless. stupidly obsessed with nancy. stupid. stupid. stupid.”

“stupid.” your sister mimics, picking at a loose thread in the hem of her skirt. “isn’t she with jonathan?”

“yes! she is! like, what’s steve’s actual deal.” you say, trying to calm your nerves at this whole situation. you’ve honestly been wearing your heart on your sleeve around him, and he never noticed.

your sister pulls her knees up in the seat, staring out the windshield. her hair is catching the sun through the windshields, making it a golden brown color, softer almost. “it’s probably a stupid boy thing. they get all stupid ‘bout girls.”

“how do you know that, you’re a child.”

she pouts. “’cause i pay attention to real life, unlike some people i know.”

“yeah, unlike steve. unlike stupid steve who doesn’t see i’ve always been there for him, every single freaking time.” you say, turning the wheel.

your sister hesitates for a moment before she answers. she’s known about your crush on steve, obviously. “maybe.. maybe he feels like, you’re always there for him? you know? like, like.. it’s hard to feel anything else when you already have someone. ‘cause you know they’re not going anywhere.”

your brows pull together, eyes on the road, she sounded.. wise? but you didn’t really get it. “what are you talking about?”

she sighs. “i mean, you’re the one he always has. in the back of his head. i mean you’re always floating around him. soooo, he’s never really thought about what he’d be missing out on if he.. didn’t have you, ‘cause, he’s never been without ya.”

you blink, a couple times, processing what she just said. “wait, wow. you’re so right.”

she looks surprised you actually listened to her. “wait, seriously? you agree?”

“i- yeah. can’t believe i am but- you’re right.” “i’m always right.” she grins, looking like she’s on top of the world, smug little kid. “oh shut up.” you say, poking her side, but you’re really thinking about her words. she swats at your arm. “no, i’m super smart. you’re the lame one.”

“no ‘cause you know what? steve’s gonna see what it’s like to be without me. to not be able to vent about nancy to me anymore, to not have me to ask for help. i mean god, i was such a loser for him.” you say, a hint of unsureness in this plan.

your sisters eyes go wide. “you’re not actually gonna do that. i mean, he’ll freak out if he loses his bestfriend like this.”

“so?! we’re fighting now anyway. i’m just gonna mind my own business now. no more hanging around family video.. maybe i’ll even get a job.”

you shift in your seat, feeling a sense of pride in your plan of independency. it’s quiet for a moment, your sister just looking at you before she snorts. “you’re not getting a job.” she snorts again. you side-eye her before snorting too. “yeah, maybe not that.”

“you know what would be even better?” your sister has an evil grin on her face. “what?”

“if you got a boyfriend. that would totally piss him off.” her grin grows wider.

you can’t help the cackle that escapes you. “okay shut up. he wouldn’t give two shits about that. he’s never been interested in my love life. he’s after nancy, remember?”

your sister turns to you, studying you. “no you’re wrong. it would totally piss him off. he’s a boy after all. maybe it’ll awaken something in him.” she’s absolutely delighted by this idea, like it’s a prank waiting to happen and she’s the one calling the shots. “you should do it. you should find a boyfriend. right now.”

you blink and chuckle, theatrically looking around through the windshields. “right now? where?”

“that’s your problem, not mine.” she leans back, enjoying herself too much to come up with a solution, popping another couple of lifesavers in her mouth. “just find someone, some hot guy with nice hair. you know, boyfriend material.”

you can’t help but smile as you drive, shaking your head to the crazy idea. “he really wouldn’t care.”

your sister rolls her eyes. “he would, come on. you think he would be happy to see you with some other guy? no way.”

“why wouldn’t he?? i’ve been on dates before and he’s never even asked me about them afterwards. he does not care.” your sister makes a face. “he’s a boy. he doesn’t say anything. but he’s still thinking about it. it probably pissed him off the whole time.”

you roll your eyes. why is your sister saying all these wise things. “yeah right.” you reply, still unsure of the plan. it would never work, you’d just be stuck wasting your time on some random dude with nice hair. you’d rather be with steve and his nice hair.

your sister slouches in her seat, crossing her arms. “ugh, come on. you totally know i’m right. guys are like that.”

you shrug. “yeah they are, but steve isn’t- he’s into nancy.” you say, slightly bitter.

she just rolls her eyes again. “well, nancy’s with jonathan now. so steve should be focusing on other things. like how you have a boyfriend. just find a guy! someone you knew from school, whoever!”

you can’t help but think about it thought. you were quite certain steve didn’t care about your love life but it didn’t hurt to try, right? and maybe you’d even find a guy worth your time and you’d forget all about steve.

your sister notices that look on your face and perks up immediately, sensing an opportunity. “ooh, ooh, you’re totally thinking about it. you’re thinking about a boyfriend. that’s good. perfect.”

you just shake your head, the tiniest grin on the corners of your lips. “you’re devious, you know?”

your sister just shrugs, smiling. “i just know how those stupid boys work. ‘cause i’m super smart.” she points to her forehead, nodding sagely. she makes a show of leaning forward to survey the road ahead of you, like she’s looking for potential prey.

and so, two days later, you’re browsing the convenience store. running into billy hargrove of all people. of course it doesn’t take long for him to start hitting on you. just a couple days ago you would’ve shivered at the thought, but now.. your options are open, you’re not holding onto the hope steve will sweep you off your feet anymore.. and billy does have great hair. though he is someone you’ve always been particularly vocal about disliking.

but before you know it, you’ve been on two dates with him already. they were.. okay. billy’s quite.. intimidating, if you will. not that you’ve given him much to work with, he’s not too bad. he’s surprisingly talkative once you give him the right topic to chat about.

and of course, word travels fast in hawkins.

“you and y/n still haven’t made up, huh?” robin says, stacking away a couple of videotapes behind the counter at family video.

steve snaps up at her saying your name. “what? no. she’s uh, for some reason, pretty upset with me.” he says, picking at a splinter on the counter.. “why? have you spoken to her?” his eyes are a bit hopeful, like maybe she’s come round and isn’t angry with him anymore.

“nope. haven’t spoken to her.. have seen her though…” robin says suspensefully, brows raised like she knows she’s sitting on a good bit of gossip. “have you tried apologizing to her, dingus?”

he sighed, scrubbing a hand over his face. “obviously. i did. i just feel.. stupid and awkward about the whole thing, i guess. i don’t really know what to say to her.” he groaned.

“i just feel like i’m missing something. she’s like-.. i don’t know.” he says. when he looks back up at robin, her lips are pursed tight.

“…okay.. what is it?” steve looks at her, brows furrowed.

“she was totally on a date with billy hargrove.” robin can’t help the wide eyes and smirk that escapes her. “like, full on chatting at a diner, sharing cake and everything.”

steve stops dead in his tracks. on a date. with billy hargrove of all people? “what?” he says, voice sharper than it should have been.

“yup.”

he scoffs, crossing his arms. “she went out with that jackass?”

“i guess so, she seemed to be enjoying herself.” robin stacks a couple tapes on top of each other.

steve’s jaw clenches, brows even more furrowed. “what the hell is she doing with him, he’s a dick. she’s told me before that she doesn’t like him.”

“yeah well, i don’t know! maybe she’s into him now.” robin replies, not realizing steve’s pretty damn annoyed about it. “girls are mysteries, dingus.”

steve’s eyes narrowed, annoyance and maybe a flicker of anger clearly written all over his expression. “he’s not good for her, robs. he’s got a damn reputation for a reason.”

robin looks up, hearing his firm tone. she can’t help the grin that escapes her. “oooh, jealous much?”

steve scoffed, shaking his head. “jealous of what? of her wasting her time on him?”

“maybe. i mean, don’t you miss her? she came by like every day and now she’s totally giving you the silent treatment.”

steve didn’t look at robin, jaw clenching and unclenching. “she’s being stupid, is what she is.” he runs a frustrated hand through his hair. “and dramatic. i apologized. it’s not my fault if she can’t just get over it.”

“well, i guess she moved on to billy then!” robin says.

steve gives her a glare. “bullshit. no way she likes that asshat.”

robin just shrugs and goes and walks off with a box of tapes, shelving them somewhere out of steve’s sight. steve looks around, and grabs the broom. needing to do something else than stew over the idea of billy and you. but his mind kept going to ‘she moved on to billy’. jaw ticking as he tried to force the thought from his mind.

but it’s been a couple hours, he’s now in bed staring at the ceiling and all he can think about is the fact that you’re going on dates with billy. why does it bother him so much? because billy is a jerk and you’re still his friend, even if you’re ghosting him. he just cares for his friends, that’s why it must bother him so much. But that night, it took him damn long to fall asleep.