🪼

You looked in the mirror as you swiped the lip gloss applicator across your bottom lip, the shiny product tinting it just slightly, before rubbing it against your top lip to get a thin, even coat. After closing the tube, you move to fix a few pieces of your hair, making sure your bangs sit just right, then do a quick spray of hairspray to keep them from moving out of place too much.

Steve had just gotten to your house a minute ago, stopping by to pick up Dustin. He and Dustin had plans for the day with the rest of the party, taking them to the mall so he could basically be their wallet. He was going to call for him, announce his presence, and to hurry up so they could go, but when he saw you looking unreally pretty, he wanted to enjoy it for a minute longer.

He wasn't even sure if you knew he was there, coming by so often that you and Dustin told him to just start letting himself in. You had given him a key to the front door too, just in case it was locked.

You and Steve are friends, close friends for sure after he and Dustin became almost inseparable, but there were times when (Steve hoped he wasn’t imagining it) there was a certain tension between the two of you, like you both were waiting for the other to make a move. Steve wanted to, so so badly, but every time he got close to doing anything or saying anything, he could feel something in him closing up, backing away from the moment.

He still felt like the douche everyone said he was from high school, and his breakup with Nancy definitely still had a mark on his confidence after she called everything they had ‘bullshit’.

To put it simply, he felt as if he didn’t deserve you.

Dustin finally came out from down the hall, seeing that Steve was already there. Before Steve saw him, Dustin definitely noticed the hearts in his eyes as he stared somewhere across the room, following his gaze that led to you. It was already pretty obvious that Steve had a thing for you, but this was just the cherry on top of it all, confirming Dustin's hunch about it.

Dustin knew this was bound to happen, and if he was honest, he wasn't against it at all, actually. If anything, he had been rooting for you guys silently from the sidelines.

He looked up to Steve a lot, going to him when he needed any advice, man-to-man. He’s a good guy with good intentions, and if Dustin was going to trust anyone with his sister, it would be Steve. Plus, there were a few times Dustin caught you staring at him when you thought no one was looking, blushing when Steve would look back in your direction and look the opposite way.

He never asked you up front about it, but you were definitely different around Steve, different in a ‘she has a huge crush on him’ kind of way. Even when Dustin would bring him up when he wasn't around, you got a lot more interested and smiley in the conversation.

It was all too obvious, but of course, except to the two of you, too worried about your own feelings to realize the other’s.

“When did you get here?” Dustin asked, a smug look on his face after what he saw, his voice breaking Steve’s attention away from you.

Steve collected his thoughts after watching you in almost a daze, clearing his throat. You were now aware of Steve's presence, also, looking over from your reflection to see him standing by the kitchen counter.

You got a little too excited about seeing Steve, your glossed lips stretching into a wide smile, especially for someone who had a date with someone else later. “Oh, hey Steve, I didn't hear you come in.” You turned to face him fully, seeing Dustin just about ready to leave the house. “You guys got plans?”

Steve was so easy when it came to you, a stupid grin on his face from the smile you gave him. If his hair were long enough, he’d be twirling it around his finger like a high school girl with a crush. “Yeah, I just got here a minute ago. Takin’ the little shitheads out today.”

He saw Dustin roll his eyes jokingly from the corner of his eye at the name he called the party, shoving his cap over his curly hair and walking to the front door. “C’mon, man, everyone's waiting at Mike’s,” as if he wasn’t the one who kept them waiting.

Steve shot Dustin a glare, “Yeah, ‘cause you were taking forever.”

He looked over at you again, a soft smile on his face, “See you later...? If you're home when we come back,” he said hopefully, a little jealous of whoever you were going to hang out with all pretty like that.

You nodded, mirroring his expression. There was that unnameable tension again, that feeling that there was something being left unsaid or done. Before you both could think about it too much, Dustin cleared his throat, nudging Steve, “Dude, let’s go.”

Dustin saw what was going on crystal clear now, swinging the front door open to hurry and get Steve outside of it, pulling him out by the arm, “Bye Y/n! Tell Mom I went out!” Dustin calls to you before grabbing the knob and shutting the door.

“Geez, man. I didn't even get to say bye,” Steve muttered as he unlocked his BMW, he and Dustin hopping into the driver and passenger seats as always.

Dustin already had his hands on the radio, flipping through the channels to find one playing anything decent, before sitting back into his seat and looking over at Steve.

“So, how long have you liked my sister?”

What.

Steve coughed, not expecting the sudden question from Dustin as soon as they sat in the car. “Uh- uhm.., what?!” He stammered as he turned the key in the ignition, feeling nervous at the mention of you in a romantic sense from none other than your brother.

“Y/n. How long have you liked her?” Dustin asked again, saying it like it was the most casual thing in the world. What Steve wanted with you was anything but casual.

Maybe it was a normal thing to share who you like with your guy friends, but this was different. You're Dustin's sister, and Dustin's also a bit younger than Steve, so it felt weird...

Steve looked over at him for a second, trying to show a confused expression, but it looked more like the expression of someone who was just caught.

“I..- I don’t like y/n-?” He tried to play it off and deny it, hoping Dustin would just move on to a new topic, which of course he wouldn’t.

Dustin laughed incredulously, surprised Steve even tried to lie about it when it was so clear to anyone who had eyes. “Please, with the way you were just staring at her like she was an angel on earth says wayyy otherwise,” Dustin grinned mockingly, just waiting for Steve to admit the obvious.

Steve didn't realize Dustin saw him eyeing you earlier, watching in awe as you made final touches to your hair and makeup before going out as he waited for Dustin.

“Relax, I won't kill you. I've been waiting for this, actually,” he continued, trying to push Steve into admitting it.

Steve put his attention back to backing out of the driveway of the Henderson house, eyebrows furrowed at Dustin’s words as he slid the gearshift. “What? Henderson- what are you on about?” He ran a hand through the hair that curled in front of his forehead while the other held the steering wheel, looking over at Dustin for a second like he was crazy.

“I've always thought you and Y/n would be perfect for each other, yknow? You’re both single, I’m like ninety-five percent sure Y/n thinks you’re hot, and you also think Y/ns hot, and you’re a decent enough guy that I could trust with my sister,” Dustin explained. He may have held out a little when he said Steve was ‘decent’, but he would never tell him to his face how much he actually looked up to him.

Steve kept his face toward the road, giving Dustin a quick side eye, “Only ninety-five percent sure..?”

“Okay, maybe like ninety-nine percent sure, I just haven't fully asked her to confirm it, but back to the point. What I’m saying is I wouldn't be mad if you made a move,” he glanced at Steve, his eyebrows up, before shaking his head. “Actually, no, hurry up and make a move, man. It’s so obvious to everyone that you guys like each other. Just makeout with her already.”

Steve gave Dustin another side eye. As if it were so easy to just go up to someone and shove your tongue down their throat. But he knew he couldn't even try to deny it anymore, knowing Dustin saw right through him. He would've made a move months ago, believe him, but there was always that.. that feeling of self-pity, a little bit. Every time he got too close to you its like he could hear Nancy’s voice from that night.

“No, you. you’re bullshit.”

It rang in his ears any time he even considered getting closer to you. He was over Nancy, yeah, he had been for a while, but there was still a wound she left that reopened so easily sometimes.

Steve shifted uncomfortably in his seat, keeping his eyes to the road as he shrugged his shoulders, “I just..-“ he cut himself off, for a second before speaking again, it felt really embarrassing to tell Dustin what it was that held him back from you, “..What if I’m just not.. up to her standards..?” Steve’s voice got a little quieter towards the end of his words, feeling cringeworthy for actually saying these thoughts out loud, and to Dustin.

He scoffed, not even believing his lame excuse, “Right, okay,”

“No, I’m serious, man… I don’t think I could be good enough for her...”

“Geez, Nancy really did a number on you, huh?” Dustin glanced at Steve, a confused look on his face. How could the Steve ‘The Hair’ Harrington think he wasn’t good enough? “You’re just being crazy, dude.”

Steve shook his head, “No, I don’t think I am,” he said, so sure of himself.

Dustin sat back in the passenger seat, sighing at the way Steve could be so stubborn sometimes, “Fine, but if you want a chance, you better make a move now. I’m pretty sure shes going on a date with Billy Hargroove tonight."

It took everything in Steve to not slam on the brakes in the middle of the road. Billy Hargroove? Billy Hargroove!?

He could already feel the jealousy burning in him, filling his stomach and making him feel sick at just the thought of Billy having his hands on you.

There's no way you could ever stoop so low. Billy’s such a dick, Steve couldn’t believe you even looked his way. A minute ago, he wasn’t feeling too hot about trying to make a move on you, but he knew he sure as hell would treat you better than Billy ever could.

“There's no way, man.” He didn’t want to believe it, especially when he thought about how pretty you looked as you got ready, just for it all to be for Billy...

“Yup, and not gonna lie, she didn’t sound too excited about it when she was telling me,” Dustin shrugged.

Steve gripped the steering wheel tightly, the jealousy only getting worse the more he thought about it. Yet he couldn’t get it out of his mind.

He couldn’t sit comfortably in his seat anymore. Something in him was urging him to stop the car and drive back to your house. It felt as if that was the only right reaction he could have.

Just as they arrived at Mike's, Dustin swung the car door open and hopped out. Steve stayed in the driver's seat, tossing Dustin a twenty-dollar bill. “I'll take you guys another day, something came up.”

Before Dustin could even protest about needing a ride to the mall, Steve was backing out of the Wheelers' driveway, driving back in the direction they came, straight to your house.

The rest of the party came outside upon hearing Dustin finally get there. Steve was already far down the road, leaving them confused. Not Dustin, though, he knew exactly why Steve needed to go back.

“Where’s Steve going? What about our ride?” Lucas looked to Dustin, a puzzled look on his face.

Dustin nodded in approvement on Steve’s actions, he also wanted you nowhere near Billy Hargroove. “Probably to go makeout with my sister.” He said it so simply.

Everyone else groaned and ‘eww’ed' as they turned to walk back inside, needing to think of something else to do now that there was no one driving them to the mall.

Meanwhile, with Steve, it felt as if this was a matter of life and death. It almost was. He didn’t realize how much not having you would hurt until he couldn’t get you and Billy together out of his mind. He tried for so long to ignore the feelings that were so obviously there for you, thinking he could never be up to your standards. In this moment, all that filled his head was you and how much he needed you.

He had to at least try to be enough for you.

In less than 5 minutes, he was back in your driveway, right as you were walking out of the house, car keys and purse in your hands. He let out a slightly relieved sigh, glad that he caught you in time, but now was the hard part.

You stopped when you saw Steve, confused as to why he was here and not with your brother, “Steve?”

He got out of the car as fast as he could, almost tripping over his own feet in the process. You gasped a bit when you saw him almost fall, going over to help him and make sure he didn't trip.

“Geez, Steve, what's wrong?” You asked a little worried, seeing the franticness in his movements as you steadied him by putting your hands on his shoulders.

As soon as Steve was standing straight, he couldn’t wait any longer to tell you what's been eating at him for god knows how long. Or at least stop you from seeing Billy.

"Please don't go on that date.”

You went stiff at his words, looking up a bit at him from the height difference between you both. You just now noticed how close you guys were, breath catching in your throat as your arms fell back to your side.

“Don't go on a date with Billy, please.” He sounded breathless as he spoke. He felt like a dog begging, but if that's what it took to persuade you to not go, then that's what he would do.

“Steve-”

He cut you off before you could get another word out to try and explain himself, “Please, Y/n. Let me at least have a chance. I can treat you better than him, I know I can. Let me try, please,” He was definitely begging at this point, the last sentence almost sounding like a whine.

There was a short silence after Steve's words, already having him second-guessing even coming back here. That was until you broke it.

“I... I was only going on a date with Billy to try and get my mind off of you...” Your voice was quiet, your eyes flickering back and away from Steve's gaze, feeling shy under it all of a sudden, “I didn't think you felt the same way I did…”

You cringed at your words slightly, feeling stupid saying it out loud.

Steve scoffed playfully, relaxing a little when you made it clear that all of the tension you guys felt between one another wasn’t imagined. “Is it not painfully obvious how into you I am?” A sweet smile made its way onto his face, feeling relieved that what he was feeling for you was reciprocated.

“Not to me, no. Until now, I guess,” you shrugged jokingly, not being able to hold back the grin that was pulling on the corner of your lips.

Slowly, Steve’s hands found your waist, testing the waters before pulling you just slightly closer. Yours and Steve’s skin had made contact plenty of times before, of course, whether it was a hug, a hand on the other's back, or just a brush against each other in passing. Nothing ever like this, though. His simple hold on you already felt so much more intimate than you guys would ever allow yourselves to get with the other. It had you feeling warm and the butterflies alive in your stomach.

His eyes flickered over your face, feeling shy at how close he was to the prettiest girl he knew. He couldn't help it when his gaze dropped to your lips, lingering there for an extra few seconds, then meeting your eyes. He wanted so badly to close the distance between the two of you, having spent so many nights wondering what it must feel like to actually kiss you (on the nights when the scenarios in his head about you were more pure).

You caught the way he stared at your lips, hoping you weren't imagining it. You caught yourself doing what he did just now, gaze dropping down from his eyes to his pink lips.

Steve didn’t want to wait any longer, licking his lips before speaking. “Can I..? Can I kiss you?” The words came out quiet and shy, something Steve was only around you.

Oh, Steve. Such a gentleman.

Your cheeks tinted pink upon hearing him ask out loud for a kiss, your gaze catching his when he looked up from your lips.

You looked at him through your mascara-covered lashes, nodding at his question. You knew you couldn't trust your voice when Steve is this close to you, asking to kiss you. You were already leaning into him without realizing it, like it was on instinct.

With your confirmation, Steve didnt want to waste a second, mirroring the way you were leaning in. The seconds before his lips touched yours felt like hours, your lips parting as you anticipated the feel of his mouth against yours. His lips ghosted over your parted ones, just barely, almost featherlight, before his eyes fluttered shut and he leaned in fully, closing any distance between you two.

The kiss was clumsy at first, both of you hesitating for a second from this new territory with each other. Then it melted into something soft and sweet, your hands finding his cheeks to hold in the process. It wasn't exactly how you'd imagined it. It wasn't this firework-feeling kiss they show in movies, but it was so unbelievably Steve and you loved it.

Steve's hands on your waist pulled you closer against him, your chest now flush against his. Your hands slid from his face to his neck, pulling him down to deepen the kiss, having to make up for all the lost time.

It was all so perfect.

That was until you both heard a few pairs of feet running in your direction. Steve broke the kiss, his cheeks tinted with a soft pink and breathing a little heavier than usual as he looked up to see who interrupted his moment with you.

It was Dustin, of course, with all his friends behind him, all with their jaws dropped in a disgustingly shocked expression at catching you and Steve doing something that you definitely don't do with your friends. All of them except for Dustin, who saw this coming months ago.

You gave your brother an annoyed look, one that said you’d be getting him back for this later.

"Seriously, guys?” Steve groaned, rolling his eyes.

Dustin only grinned, looking back at his friends and then back to you and Steve.

“See? I told you he went to makeout with my sister.”

finally posted my first fic on here!! i worked rlly hard on this so i hope you guys like it!! my requests are open so if youre interested dont hesitate to leave one!