spellbound.

You weren’t blind, you knew the history he had with the girl you could never measure yourself up to be, with Nancy. She was confident—sure of herself and the women she wanted to be, and that hurt you more than anything. Because you knew in Steve’s mind you would always be the little sister he had to watch out for, the young and immature girl who always found herself in trouble. But you could give him so much more if you only had the chance.

The only person who knew of the crush you harbored on Steve was Robin, she had sniffed you out almost immediately. It was after the battle of Starcourt, you were sitting alone on the edge of a firetruck collecting your thoughts while your eyes instinctively drifted to him.

“You like him, huh?” You jumped in shock, turning to find Robin already beside you.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Your voice was more clipped than intended, refusing to meet her gaze.

“Sure you do—I see the way you look at him. Like he hung the moon or something.” Robin said, but there was no trace of judgement in her tone, like she related to it a little too well to simply be an observation.

You opened your mouth, but shut it, because there was no denying Steve affected you more than you care to admit. It was in the way your eyes searched for him in every room, how you deflated when you weren’t the center of his attention, or how you lit up when he smiled at you.

“Is it that obvious?” You only asked.

Robin snorted, “to me? Extremely. But to dingus over there? I’m surprised he’s still not clueless about the mall burning down.”

And over half a year later, your feelings hadn’t dimmed one bit, if anything, they only burned brighter.

“—And I’m really wondering if I wanna commit to a relationship with Tiffany? She’s great at certain stuff but she’s really got her head up in the clouds, you know what I mean?” Steve ranted during the drive to school, and you knew what he meant too well. You had learned to tune out his words when the conversation inevitably shifted to Steve’s one night stands, when he complained about nothing ever resulting in more.

Steve took his eyes off the road to once at you for a moment, noticing you had gone quiet. “Hey—hey, are you listening to me?” He called out your name, snapping you out of your disassociation.

“What? Yeah yeah, I am Steve.” You cleared your throat, straightening up in his passenger seat. You couldn’t help but inhale his scent as it filled your senses, his musky cologne mixing with the old leather from his car seats.

“You okay?” He raised a brow, turning more serious for a moment.

“Mhm, why wouldn’t I be?” You shrugged, and Steve nodded slowly, like your answer mattered more than he cared to admit.

“Well, what about you—there’s gotta be some

guys at school who are into you?” He didn’t turn to look at you this time, keeping his eyes fixed straight ahead.

You blinked, caught off guard by the question. “What?”

He shrugged one shoulder, grip tightening slightly around the steering wheel. “I don’t know. You’re like pretty and stuff, so…there’s probably some high school idiot trying to ask you out.”

Your heart stumbled awkwardly in your chest, juggling trying to wrap your mind around the fact Steve called you pretty, or questioning why he brought a topic up he almost never talked to you about.

“I—no,” you rushed out quickly, fumbling over the words. “Not really.” The car suddenly felt too cramped, too hot, but reaching over for the air conditioning would be a dead give away.

Steve paused for a second. “What, like there’s no one?”

You stared down at your hands, wishing you could open the door and fling yourself out before you say something you really shouldn’t. “No. They don’t really…do it for me, I guess.”

Instantly, something unreadable flickered over his expression, close to relief.

“Oh.” He nodded once. “Okay, good.”

The words slipped out so naturally that both of you froze, turning your face fully to stare at him widely.

Steve cleared his throat hard. “I-I mean not good, just…” he grimaced at himself. “You know, teenage boys don’t know how to treat a girl.”

You couldn’t help but feel amused at his embarrassment, nodding slowly. “And you do?”

“Obviously.” He said automatically before realizing what he’d said, face twitching further. “Not like that—I just meant—”

“It’s okay, Steve.” You stopped him.

Though it didn’t prevent a strange silence from taking over the car. Not uncomfortable, but full, enough to be felt by the both of you.

Steve started tapping his fingers nervously against the steering wheel while you tried not to think too hard about the tone in his voice sounding close to jealousy. Neither of you said a word until the school parking lot came into view, the quiet between you feeling heavier than before.

You didn’t go looking for adventures, you swear it, they just seemed to constantly fall into your lap. The party was standing outside the edges of the woods, something about looking for something missing or a gate—you couldn’t keep up anymore.

“Okay, we split up here.” Dustin announced, pointing deeper into the woods with a flashlight that barely worked. “Lucas and Max go left, me and Erica—”

While an argument started up about who was paired with who, Robin nudged your shoulder aggressively.

“Go with Steve.” She whispered loudly.

Your stomach dropped. “What?”

“Now’s your chance.” She raised a brow knowingly. “Take. It.”

You shook your head instantly, since that moment in the car you haven’t exactly been talking normally. “Robin, no. He probably wouldn’t want me there.” You crossed your arms.

“You cannot keep avoiding this forever.” She groaned.

“I’m not avoiding anything.” You whispered harshly, stealing a glance towards Steve who was standing a few feet away. “I just accepted the fact that nothing's ever gonna happen.”

Robin contemplated for a moment, before sighing softly. “You’re never gonna know that if you don’t try.”

Before you could argue stubbornly, she shoved you forwards with enough force that you landed directly in front of Steve.

He blinked down at you. “…you good?”

You could only stutter, but Robin interrupted. “She’s fine! I’m going with Nancy, so try not to get yourselves killed.” She answered for you brightly.

Steve looked between you in confusion while you glared daggers at the short haired girl before he shrugged. “Guess it’s us then.”

The woods were quieter than usual, leaves crunched beneath the soles of your feet with every step, and every now and then your shoulder brushed Steve’s as you walked side by side, your chest tightening painfully.

Steve kept glancing at you cautiously while you tried to ignore the sharp tension every time his eyes landed on you.

Suddenly, a loud snap echoed from somewhere deeper in the woods. Before you could move, Steve was already reacting—his arm flinging out to dart protectively over your chest, pushing you back on instinct alone.

Neither of you moved, Steve sucking in a sharp breath the moment he realized how close you were, his grip loosening slightly but never fully releasing.

“Jesus,” he muttered quietly, letting out a low laugh when nothing jumped out to attack either of you. “Thought something was gonna come flying at us.”

You laughed nervously too, trying to defuse the tension—but your heart was racing for an entirely different reason.

Steve rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry. Kinda got used to throwing myself in front of danger for you guys.”

Maybe it was easier for him to lump you in with the whole group rather than acknowledge that he always seemed to reach for you first.

You swallowed thickly. “You always protect everyone—like it’s your job.”

Steve looked over at you, brows furrowing at your statement. “Well…yeah.”

“That’s just it.” You said softly, keeping your gaze on the dirt beneath you.

He slowed enough to turn his concentration over to you. “What do you mean?”

You bit the inside of your cheek before forcing your eyes up at him, if you were going to say it now you would say it with full confidence.

“I think that’s why this hurts so much.”

Steve stopped walking.

“You’re always taking care of me.” You continued shakily. “Looking out for me—and I know you don’t mean anything by it. But sometimes, you look at me so softly I start thinking…” you took a deep breath. “Maybe I imagined the whole thing wrong.”

Steve didn’t look away from you, his expression still looking more clueless than ever. “Imagined what wrong?”

You stared at him, your eyes quickly getting closer to crying. “Steve.”

His lips parted, repeating your name with the same urgency.

“That I’m in love with you.”

It was a complete blow to him, he looked genuinely stunned. Nothing in the woods moved, nobody breathed, like the earth itself was waiting for his response.

“What?” He breathed.

The tears already started falling, you shook your head immediately, already regretting it. The years you spent yearning, all added up to nothing. You wanted to forget the name Steve Harrington, though your heart never would.

“Forget it. I should’ve never said anything.” You began walking away, feeling like you had been slapped in the face.

“No.” Steve loudly exclaimed, reaching out to grasp your wrist before you could leave. “Wait.”

You froze, both at the contact and his words. His eyes searched your face frantically, like he still couldn’t believe it, trying to piece something together that had been in front of him the whole time.

“All this time?” He said to himself, he already knew the answer, but needed to hear the confirmation.

You looked away, not being able to hear the expression in his face. “I know you don’t feel the same. Please, don’t hurt me any further—”

“Don’t.” He cut you off immediately.

Steve took a step closer, like what you had said physically pained him. “I could never hurt you.”

You opened your mouth, but he continued before you could speak.

“I didn’t know.” He admitted, almost ashamed. “I swear to god, I didn’t know.”

Then he stared at you for a second too long after that, like he was seeing you differently for the first time.

Then much softer, like was about to utter a secret, his voice dropped. “I think I’m the idiot here.”

Your heart skipped, torn between staying and leaving before Steve could ruin you.

“You’re always there.” He started. “Always laughing at my dumb jokes. Always the one believing in me when everyone else gives up.” He sniffed, and you noticed the glaze that took over his brown eyes. “And I just—I don’t know when I stopped seeing you as the kid I had to keep safe and started…”

He trailed off, like the words escaped him.

Your pulse raced, needing to hear exactly what was going through his mind at the moment. “Started what?”

Steve looked at you while his chest heaved.

Then he kissed you.

Careful for only a second, like he had to remind himself to stop treating you like you were fragile before it turned deeper, more desperate, realizing this is what he was looking for.

Your back hit the tree behind you softly, but enough to shock you, letting out a little gasp as his hands found your waist, grounding himself there as your finger tangled into his messed up hair.

When he finally pulled away enough to allow you to breathe, both of you looked stunned. Steve rested his forehead against yours, breathing the same air as laughter escaped him.

Your voice came out smaller than intended, the terrifying thought that maybe he realized this was all a mistake enveloping you.

“You don’t have to do this.”

Steve pulled back enough to look at you properly, though his hands remained. “What?”

“You don’t have to force yourself to feel something for me.” You whispered. “I know I’m not—”

“Hey.” His grip tightened gently, catching your gaze. “Stop.”

You swallowed past the nerves and the words began spilling out, years of insecurity finally cracking open. “Steve. You can have anyone, you’ve had girls like Nancy. Girls that are smart and beautiful and older and can—”

“And can what?” He interrupted.

“They can give you what you deserve. I’m just me.”

The look on Steve’s face nearly shattered your heart all over again. Hurt, like he couldn’t understand why you didn’t see yourself the way he suddenly did.

“You think that’s a bad thing?”

You looked away, silently answering while he sighed before lifting a hand to tilt your chin back, towards him, gently stroking the skin.

“I spent so long chasing after people who made me feel like I had to earn being loved.” He admitted. “But you…” he shook his head,

“You’ve looked at me like I was enough since the day we met.”

You smiled weakly, Steve had always been more than enough to you.

“You wanna know why I’m always protecting you?” He asked. “Because I can’t stand the thought of losing you compared to the rest of them.” He jerked his head.

“Because losing you would feel like losing a part of myself. And you’re everything I’ve ever needed.”

You sucked in a sharp breath, the words hit you harder than the kiss, you realized in that moment you had never been Steve’s ‘sister,’ you had been his person.

Steve seemed to figure out your thoughts as a new wave of tears flooded you. “Oh sweetheart, c’mere.” He opened up his arms, and you didn’t need another word, before burying yourself into his chest.

He kissed you again, and it wasn’t desperate or shocked, it was certain.

You reunited with the party again walking hand in hand with Steve, and while they seemed clueless to the new arrangement, Robin smiled widely.

Steve Harrington had been working at the radio station for over a year now. Honestly, it was probably the longest he had held a job. But now that things in Hawkins seemed to be calm for good, it seemed easier to handle something so simple once more.

​

“Okay, Harrington, I’m out. Please don’t turn on the switchboard again. Remember, this is the night shift. No one wants to hear whooping at three in the morning.” Robin said as she gathered her stuff to head out. Steve, who had the headphones on but hanging off one ear, glanced back at her.

​

“Debatable, Robin!” He shouted as she walked out of the studio. The door shut, and suddenly Steve was alone once more. The night shift. That’s what he had been working on at the station. Considering everything Steve had gone through, it was hard for him to just shut off his mind and sleep at night, so this seemed like a great solution.

​

Steve played a few songs, flipping through a comic book Robin had left behind before he glanced at the clock. Twenty more minutes. Twenty more minutes and he would start what he called the Steve Says section. It was made for people like him, those who couldn’t sleep at night and just needed someone to talk to.

​

You were one of those people.

​

You sat in your bed, letting out a small sigh as you glanced over at the clock on your nightstand. Twenty more minutes. Twenty more minutes and you could make that phone call. It had become a nightly routine at this point. You would call into the station and talk to Steve. Steve didn’t know who you were, not really. But you knew him.

​

You went to school with him. And while you watched him go from girl to girl and fawn over Nancy, a girl you admired, you couldn’t help but wonder if Steve would ever notice you. You had hoped one day, but he always seemed so…distracted.

​

“Hey there, Hawkins. It’s two a.m., and you know what that means? It’s time for Steve Says. If you’re like me and you just can’t seem to fall asleep, then go ahead and pick up that phone. I’ll be here for the next few hours offering bad advice, worse opinions, and whatever your little heart wants to discuss. Little side note to management: giving me this microphone was probably a terrible idea, but hey, the chicks love it, right?” Steve said over the radio, and you immediately popped up.

​

You reached for the phone, feeling the cord drape over your legs as you quickly dialed the number you knew by heart now. Your heart raced as you held it up to your ear, waiting to hear that sound. The sound you had grown to love so dearly. The sound of the phone ringing meant you were next. As you waited and waited…you heard it. The damn busy signal.

​

“Damnit.” You muttered under your breath as you pushed down on the receiver to hang up before quickly dialing the number again.

​

“And that was drunken Dan. You know what? Let’s give it up for drunken Dan. He actually managed to dial the right number tonight.” Steve said over the radio after ending a call with someone else.

​

You held the phone to your ear, and while you were waiting for the ring, Steve was sitting in the station waiting for a call. Just one single call from someone.

​

“Hello there, night owl, and welcome to Steve Says. Who am I talking to?” His voice called out over the phone, and you felt your heart race. You pulled your knees to your chest as your smile grew a bit.

​

“Hi Steve.” You said simply. Just two words. Two simple words, and Steve’s mind started to spin. He knew who it was. He knew exactly who it was. His own smile danced onto his face as he leaned a bit closer to the microphone.

​

“Hey there, stranger. I was wondering if you would call tonight.” He spoke in a softer tone, as if the conversation was suddenly intimate. And considering it was two in the morning, it probably was.

​

“I call every night.” You spoke back just as softly. Steve rested one elbow on the table as his head went into his hand. But that smile. That smile never left his face. Not as long as you were on the phone with him.

​

“That you do. And you know what? It’s probably my favorite call of every night.” He said calmly. The second those words came out over the phone, you felt your heart beating hard against your chest.

​

Steve Harrington. Smooth. Charming. And talking to you?

​

“You know, it’s suddenly come to my attention that you’ve never actually given your name,” Steve spoke, and you twirled the cord of the phone around your finger.

​

“Why do you want to know my name?” You asked as Steve sat up in the seat a bit. His brow raised as he let his tongue poke the inside of his cheek.

​

“Well, how can I properly ask you out one day if I don’t know your name?” He finally said, and you froze. Sure, conversations with Steve had always been flirty. But this? This felt different. This felt like he genuinely wanted to meet you. Take you out. As if he were actually interested in you.

​

“You know me, Steve.” You finally said, and there seemed to be a long pause on the other end. Steve was doing something he was constantly told not to do. Never allow dead air on the radio.

​

You felt as if you were holding your breath. It was a bold statement you had just made. Perhaps a stupid one. What if Steve didn’t know you? What if you just made yourself look like an idiot? You started to second-guess your statement when Steve suddenly cleared his throat.

​

“Uh, folks, we’ll be right back with Steve Says, but in the meantime, enjoy the very soothing sounds of George Michael,” Steve said before suddenly music started to play over the radio.

​

You kept the phone up to your ear, the cord still twisted around your finger as your knees pulled tighter to your chest. Had Steve hung up? Was he about to tell you to stop calling again? You waited, wondering when suddenly he came back.

“Sorry about that, I didn’t think the people of Hawkins wanted to keep listening to our obviously intimate conversation. But you’re right. I do know you.” Steve finally said, and you felt as if that breath you were holding was finally starting to release.

​

“You…you do?” You asked through a small breath. Steve was smiling on the other end of the line, a big dorky smile at that.

​

“I do. I see you around town. If I’m honest, I’ve been watching you since High school.” He finally admitted, and you sat up a bit more. High school. So Steve did know you. He knew you really well, apparently.

​

“Why didn’t you say anything?” You asked, and Steve ran a hand through his infamous locks. He let out a sigh before pressing his hand against the desk.

​

“Honestly? I thought you thought I was an idiot.” Steve said, and you let out a small giggle. He followed your giggle with a laugh of your own as you shook your head.

​

“You are an idiot, Steve Harrington.” You managed to squeak out as George Michael continued to play on the radio near you.

​