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DARLING, I (2025) dir. Tyler Okonma

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'he said i love you but it's only been 3 months' okay well you DON'T get them. you just don't get them it is CANON across pretty much every iteration that he's loved her from almost the beginning of their working relationship, he thinks she's the best thing since sliced bread, he is a LOVER and a YEARNER. it's a wonder he waited 3 months to tell her he loves her, literally took all his kryptonian strength and farmboy willpower to keep that one in

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You know John Walker was pretty badass in the beginning of Thunderbolts before he opened his fucking mouth

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put down that c.ai thing and read y/n fics like god intended.

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Superman (2025) — dir. James Gunn

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if you’re ever unhappy with your work just remember you could be using ai

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the surge of tom holland on my feed 🙂‍↕️😛

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late night kiss

pairing. bob reynolds x fem!reader

summary. you and bob share your very first kiss the night before you leave for a mission, finally pushing past the line of friends

content warnings. sm fluff, hand holding, kissing, softie!bob, bob being all pouty, thunderbolts!bob & r, the start of a relationship, friends to lovers. not proofread

word count. 1839

a/n. i love a man who yearns

———

it was the perfect kind of quiet in your room.

there was a low buzz of a fan running in the corner, cooling down the air just right for you to relax in. your tv sat on without anything playing on it just yet. bob was sat on the edge of your bed, fingers sifting through a small box of dvd’s you owned. you had more somewhere hidden under your bed and in your closet. the soft clacking of plastic cases were barely audible underneath the fan. you had your back turned the man, tugging on a hoodie he graciously let you borrow in a time of need.

bob wouldn’t dare break the sacred silence inside of the room, so he kept his voice at quiet tone, soft and careful as he calls out to you. he didn’t say your name. he didn’t need to. it was just you two in the safety of your bedroom, warm and welcoming and filled with everything that was just you. he loved it all.

“can we watch the karate kid? this used to be my favorite when i was younger.”

he didn’t speak much of his childhood. not with such fondness, anyways. in the rare occasion he whispered about it, carefully sharing something so harsh with you, it was never so casual. when you turned to see bob, his hands were holding on to the movie gently. it reminded you of how he holds you, like he’s worried it’ll crumble if his grip was too tight. there was a gleam in his eyes that you didn’t see often. it was almost childlike as he stares up at you patiently, wishfully. you gave him the prettiest smile.

“yeah, of course.”

that’s when you slid in the disc and settled into bed next to bob. the tips of his fingers brushed against your knuckles when he passed the case to you, and for a moment you both froze. his touch was warm and firm, yours was like electricity. it felt much the same when you sat next to him, your backs pressed against your headboard, arms just barely touching as the movie starts. you wanted to reach out and grasp his hand, seek out that feeling you’d just had moments ago. instead, you focus your attention on the glowing television in front of you.

the longer the movie played, the further you found yourself in bed. when your heads found comfort in your soft pillows, just inches away from each other as you keep yourself entertained with the movie, all you could think about was him. his warmth, his touch, his scent. your eyes betrayed you, only for a moment. you were happy they did. there bob was, eyes round and blue and excited. his smile was small but contagious. he looked content, happy. you had things you wanted to say to him now, things you wanted to do. you kept quiet, those things could wait. this moment was too precious to interrupt.

so, when the credits rolled and the tv’s glow diminished, you figured this would be your time to speak to bob. you’d settled down into bed properly now, your lamp shut off, blankets wrapped securely around you two. his breathing was steady and deep, chest rising and falling slower than usual. he wasn’t asleep, not yet at least. it was unusual for him to be this calm. you wondered if it was because of the movie, or if he felt the same comfort you felt when you were together. he spoke before you could find your words again.

“i’m gonna miss you when you leave tomorrow.”

that’s exactly what you were thinking.

“really?” you whisper. your body slowly turned to the side, laying as you face bob. he followed your lead, faces now inches apart as you spoke.

“i always do,” he confirms in a quiet voice. “it’s hard not having you around. ‘specially when it’s been a few days. i like being with you.”

bob could’ve sworn he saw the faint outline of a smile on your face through the darkness. it was unmistakable. he wished he could see it better, it’s his favorite look of yours. his words had your heart beating quick. it’s like he could read your mind, like he could sense what you were feeling and feel it also. you were brave enough now to find his hand, fingers dancing against his as you interlocking your pointers together. he curls his without even thinking, holding yours close.

“i’m gonna miss you too. wish i didn’t have to go so often.”

“it’s not your fault.”

“i know,” you say, eyes scanning what you could see if his soft features. “doesn’t mean i can’t wish it.”

“yeah, i guess so,” bob nods.

there was a hesitation in him, one you could feel from his stuttered breathing. his mind was on the run, thoughts racing each other like it was the olympics. he wishes he could quiet them, focus on something useful to say. he got there eventually. you were always so patient with him that didn’t really matter how long he took. the silence was okay too if he didn’t find anything.

“i wish i could come with you,” bob admitted. “and i wish i could fight better. i know getting ahold of my… powers is going to take a while, but im convinced learning how to fight might take even longer. no matter how hard i try, i feel like it’s never good enough.”

“good enough for who?” you ask softly, trying to understand him better. “for other people or for yourself?”

“both.”

“well i think it’s good enough,” you tell him, honestly and genuinely. “you work hard. you put so much effort into everything you do. i understand how easy it is to be hard on yourself, to beat yourself up and compare yourself to others. but it’s your journey, not anyone else’s. and i think you’re doing amazing.”

“even if it takes me, like, a billion years to learn?” bob asks.

“even if it takes a trillion.”

you could see that smile again on his face. it was faint, but it’s there. you were never the best at reassuring people, though it came a little easier with bob. you saw so much goodness in him. he had potential to be great, and you knew that. you just wish he could see what you see in him. that passion in him ran deep. there was a need to be good and to be enough inside of him, something you had in yourself, too.

with two small smiles on your faces, your eyes drew up to look into his. for a while, you sat in silence, gazing at each other in the warmth of your bed. you didn’t even realize you’d been staring for so long. bobs hand leaving yours is what snapped you out of your trance. the loss of touch made you frown a little, losing that pretty smile of yours. his touch wasn’t gone for long. his large palm found it’s place resting on your cheek, cupping carefully, fingers resting sprawled out on the back of your head.

for a moment, you thought he was going to say something. you wished he had, filling the silence you were now drowning in. you didn’t know what to do with yourself. this was new. the way he held you was new, an uncharted territory you’d only dreamed of visiting. his next words had you at a loss of words.

“can i kiss you?”

though not a peep came out of your mouth, bob felt the way you nodded against his hand eagerly. it was like you were waiting on him to ask, to make the first move and tug you along with him. a slow swipe of his thumb against your cheek was the start of it, his eyes flickering down to your lips right after. you let your eyes flutter shut in anticipation, your hand creeping up to his on your face and holding gently. you felt the bed dip beside you, followed by his warm breath fanning against your nose.

bobs lips slotted right against yours when you parted them, connecting in a heart-fluttering kiss you’d been waiting two months for. you could feel the disappointment radiating off of him when he finally had to pull away. your eyes stayed glued shut as you take in the moment, holding it close as you commit it to memory. he must’ve been doing the same, not a single word slipping form his mouth. the only thing that filled the air were soft giggles that slipped accidentally from your mouth. his followed quick after, like your laugh was contagious and he was bedridden.

that night you spent wrapped up in each others arms in a warm embrace, peacefully sleeping side by side like many times before. tonight was different. you didn’t have to pretend you didn’t want his touch. you didn’t have to turn your back to him or ignore him. you were able to lean into him, feel his skin and inhale his scent.

that’s why it was so difficult for you to pull yourself out of bed the next morning. he was still sound asleep beside you, and arm around your waist as you rested a head against his chest. you were careful with how you peeled out of his grasp, something you’d been waiting for for too long. you got ready a lot more quiet than usual, afraid to wake him up for his peacefulness. he looked too pretty to bother, no matter how much you wanted to shake him awake and talk to him. to kiss him again and again to tide yourself off before you leave.

bob seemed to want the same thing. he rose from his sleep with empty arms and a heavy heart. the quiet running of the sink told him you were just a short ways away, still getting ready before you depart for your mission. he slinked his way over to you, nearly startling you as he gently pushes the bathroom door open. you’d just finished up brushing your teeth, wiping the rather unflattering foamed toothpaste at the corner of your lips. it didn’t seem to phase him in the slightest. he gave you the most adoring smile as he stands bashfully at the doorway, fingers fiddling together as he admires you from afar.

you took initiative this time. you found your way to him, arms gently wrapping around his shoulders, pulling him carefully into a warm hug. bob wouldn’t dare to not reciprocate. two large hands found their way to your waist, holding gently.

“do you really gotta go?” bob whispers pitifully, face tucking into your neck.

“yeah, i do,” you frown, heart aching at the thought. “you know id stay with you in a heartbeat if i could.”

“i know,” he says, lips pressing against your neck for a small kiss. “promise you’ll come find me when you get back?”

“it’s the first thing i’ll do.”

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late night kiss

pairing. bob reynolds x fem!reader

summary. you and bob share your very first kiss the night before you leave for a mission, finally pushing past the line of friends

content warnings. sm fluff, hand holding, kissing, softie!bob, bob being all pouty, thunderbolts!bob & r, the start of a relationship, friends to lovers. not proofread

word count. 1839

a/n. i love a man who yearns

———

it was the perfect kind of quiet in your room.

there was a low buzz of a fan running in the corner, cooling down the air just right for you to relax in. your tv sat on without anything playing on it just yet. bob was sat on the edge of your bed, fingers sifting through a small box of dvd’s you owned. you had more somewhere hidden under your bed and in your closet. the soft clacking of plastic cases were barely audible underneath the fan. you had your back turned the man, tugging on a hoodie he graciously let you borrow in a time of need.

bob wouldn’t dare break the sacred silence inside of the room, so he kept his voice at quiet tone, soft and careful as he calls out to you. he didn’t say your name. he didn’t need to. it was just you two in the safety of your bedroom, warm and welcoming and filled with everything that was just you. he loved it all.

“can we watch the karate kid? this used to be my favorite when i was younger.”

he didn’t speak much of his childhood. not with such fondness, anyways. in the rare occasion he whispered about it, carefully sharing something so harsh with you, it was never so casual. when you turned to see bob, his hands were holding on to the movie gently. it reminded you of how he holds you, like he’s worried it’ll crumble if his grip was too tight. there was a gleam in his eyes that you didn’t see often. it was almost childlike as he stares up at you patiently, wishfully. you gave him the prettiest smile.

“yeah, of course.”

that’s when you slid in the disc and settled into bed next to bob. the tips of his fingers brushed against your knuckles when he passed the case to you, and for a moment you both froze. his touch was warm and firm, yours was like electricity. it felt much the same when you sat next to him, your backs pressed against your headboard, arms just barely touching as the movie starts. you wanted to reach out and grasp his hand, seek out that feeling you’d just had moments ago. instead, you focus your attention on the glowing television in front of you.

the longer the movie played, the further you found yourself in bed. when your heads found comfort in your soft pillows, just inches away from each other as you keep yourself entertained with the movie, all you could think about was him. his warmth, his touch, his scent. your eyes betrayed you, only for a moment. you were happy they did. there bob was, eyes round and blue and excited. his smile was small but contagious. he looked content, happy. you had things you wanted to say to him now, things you wanted to do. you kept quiet, those things could wait. this moment was too precious to interrupt.

so, when the credits rolled and the tv’s glow diminished, you figured this would be your time to speak to bob. you’d settled down into bed properly now, your lamp shut off, blankets wrapped securely around you two. his breathing was steady and deep, chest rising and falling slower than usual. he wasn’t asleep, not yet at least. it was unusual for him to be this calm. you wondered if it was because of the movie, or if he felt the same comfort you felt when you were together. he spoke before you could find your words again.

“i’m gonna miss you when you leave tomorrow.”

that’s exactly what you were thinking.

“really?” you whisper. your body slowly turned to the side, laying as you face bob. he followed your lead, faces now inches apart as you spoke.

“i always do,” he confirms in a quiet voice. “it’s hard not having you around. ‘specially when it’s been a few days. i like being with you.”

bob could’ve sworn he saw the faint outline of a smile on your face through the darkness. it was unmistakable. he wished he could see it better, it’s his favorite look of yours. his words had your heart beating quick. it’s like he could read your mind, like he could sense what you were feeling and feel it also. you were brave enough now to find his hand, fingers dancing against his as you interlocking your pointers together. he curls his without even thinking, holding yours close.

“i’m gonna miss you too. wish i didn’t have to go so often.”

“it’s not your fault.”

“i know,” you say, eyes scanning what you could see if his soft features. “doesn’t mean i can’t wish it.”

“yeah, i guess so,” bob nods.

there was a hesitation in him, one you could feel from his stuttered breathing. his mind was on the run, thoughts racing each other like it was the olympics. he wishes he could quiet them, focus on something useful to say. he got there eventually. you were always so patient with him that didn’t really matter how long he took. the silence was okay too if he didn’t find anything.

“i wish i could come with you,” bob admitted. “and i wish i could fight better. i know getting ahold of my… powers is going to take a while, but im convinced learning how to fight might take even longer. no matter how hard i try, i feel like it’s never good enough.”

“good enough for who?” you ask softly, trying to understand him better. “for other people or for yourself?”

“both.”

“well i think it’s good enough,” you tell him, honestly and genuinely. “you work hard. you put so much effort into everything you do. i understand how easy it is to be hard on yourself, to beat yourself up and compare yourself to others. but it’s your journey, not anyone else’s. and i think you’re doing amazing.”

“even if it takes me, like, a billion years to learn?” bob asks.

“even if it takes a trillion.”

you could see that smile again on his face. it was faint, but it’s there. you were never the best at reassuring people, though it came a little easier with bob. you saw so much goodness in him. he had potential to be great, and you knew that. you just wish he could see what you see in him. that passion in him ran deep. there was a need to be good and to be enough inside of him, something you had in yourself, too.

with two small smiles on your faces, your eyes drew up to look into his. for a while, you sat in silence, gazing at each other in the warmth of your bed. you didn’t even realize you’d been staring for so long. bobs hand leaving yours is what snapped you out of your trance. the loss of touch made you frown a little, losing that pretty smile of yours. his touch wasn’t gone for long. his large palm found it’s place resting on your cheek, cupping carefully, fingers resting sprawled out on the back of your head.

for a moment, you thought he was going to say something. you wished he had, filling the silence you were now drowning in. you didn’t know what to do with yourself. this was new. the way he held you was new, an uncharted territory you’d only dreamed of visiting. his next words had you at a loss of words.

“can i kiss you?”

though not a peep came out of your mouth, bob felt the way you nodded against his hand eagerly. it was like you were waiting on him to ask, to make the first move and tug you along with him. a slow swipe of his thumb against your cheek was the start of it, his eyes flickering down to your lips right after. you let your eyes flutter shut in anticipation, your hand creeping up to his on your face and holding gently. you felt the bed dip beside you, followed by his warm breath fanning against your nose.

bobs lips slotted right against yours when you parted them, connecting in a heart-fluttering kiss you’d been waiting two months for. you could feel the disappointment radiating off of him when he finally had to pull away. your eyes stayed glued shut as you take in the moment, holding it close as you commit it to memory. he must’ve been doing the same, not a single word slipping form his mouth. the only thing that filled the air were soft giggles that slipped accidentally from your mouth. his followed quick after, like your laugh was contagious and he was bedridden.

that night you spent wrapped up in each others arms in a warm embrace, peacefully sleeping side by side like many times before. tonight was different. you didn’t have to pretend you didn’t want his touch. you didn’t have to turn your back to him or ignore him. you were able to lean into him, feel his skin and inhale his scent.

that’s why it was so difficult for you to pull yourself out of bed the next morning. he was still sound asleep beside you, an arm around your waist as you rested your head against his chest. you were careful with how you peeled out of his grasp, something you’d been waiting for for too long. you got ready a lot more quiet than usual, afraid to wake him up from his peacefulness. he looked too pretty to bother, no matter how much you wanted to shake him awake and talk to him. to kiss him again and again to tide yourself off before you leave.

bob seemed to want the same thing. he rose from his sleep with empty arms and a heavy heart. the quiet running of the sink told him you were just a short ways away, still getting ready before you depart for your mission. he slinked his way over to you, nearly startling you as he gently pushes the bathroom door open. you’d just finished up brushing your teeth, wiping the rather unflattering foamed toothpaste at the corner of your lips. it didn’t seem to phase him in the slightest. he gave you the most adoring smile as he stands bashfully at the doorway, fingers fiddling together as he admires you from afar.

you took initiative this time. you found your way to him, arms gently wrapping around his shoulders, pulling him carefully into a warm hug. bob wouldn’t dare to not reciprocate. two large hands found their way to your waist, holding gently.

“do you really gotta go?” bob whispers pitifully, face tucking into your neck.

“yeah, i do,” you frown, heart aching at the thought. “you know id stay with you in a heartbeat if i could.”

“i know,” he says, lips pressing against your neck for a small kiss. “promise you’ll come find me when you get back?”

“it’s the first thing i’ll do.”

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Hiiii can you write more of mentor Joaquin hc and him being overprotective like a bodyguard

hiii of course!! thanks for sending this in!! i’m sorry this is a bit short :( it’s hard for me to write fight scenes sometimes

late night walk - joaquin torres x fem!reader

summary. joaquin goes on a late night walk with you to make sure you’re safe

content warnings. fluff, mentor!joaquin, unestablished relationship, mutual pining (if you squint), hugging. not proofread

word count. 751

———

it was late. too late for you to be this wide awake. the bright light that radiated off of your phone screen told you that it was a little past midnight. you’d been tossing and turning since 10, unable to find comfort in falling asleep you wanted to fall asleep, you really did. you just couldn’t relax your body or quiet down your brain. the only option that seemed feasible right now was to go take a walk around the neighborhood.

what the hell, right?

you didn’t even change into proper clothing, only slipping on a bra and a pair of socks before you made your journey to your shoes at the front door. your feet padded quietly against the floorboards of your apartment, slipping past joaquin’s bedroom door you were sure he was now sound asleep behind.

you were a bit shocked to find him quite the opposite. there he was in the kitchen, wide awake and rummaging through the cupboards in search of what you were sure was a late night snack. his eyes flickered up to you when he heard you walk closer to him, the soft thumping of your feet alerting him of your presence. an eyebrow of his cocked at the sight of you, a small smile forming on his lips. he shut the cupboard to properly turn towards you, crossing his arms, staring at you as if he’s catching you doing something awful.

“sneakin’ off?” joaquin whispers, despite there being no one to wake.

“only because i thought you weren’t awake,” you told him in a quiet voice. “couldn’t sleep, so i’m gonna go take a walk.”

joaquin liked being around you. your presence was always something he appreciated, and even the small things you converse about brings him joy. he likes simply being in your company. that’s one of the reasons he wanted to come with you on this walk. the other? he didn’t want you walking around alone. you’re tough and he knows that. you’re a strong fighter, confident and well adjusted. that didn’t mean he couldn’t worry about you. it was only right he joined you on this walk. he wanted to be around you, and more importantly, he wanted to make sure you were safe. what better way to do that than to have him around as backup?

that’s how you two ended up walking around together, slow and steady as you talk in a quiet whisper. joaquin stayed put closer to the road on the sidewalk, even if no one was driving around. in the 20 minutes you’d been out, only one car had drove passed you carefully. there was no reason to worry, but it was admirable of him to do. despite being a little chilly, the walk was nice, and it definitely wore you out like you hoped it would. by the end, you’d began speaking to him about your worries of the mission you two were going on the next day.

it was just the two of you heading out, something you’d done many times before. still, it worried you. you felt as though you weren’t making much improvement, and it was beginning to weigh on you. joaquin made it unbelievably easy to voice these concerns. there was never any judgment that came from the man. he always had kind words to say or advice to give when you came to him about something like this. after giving you some advice, he began talking you up like he always does.

“trust me, you’re going to do great,” joaquin reassured as you two trekked back up the stairs to your apartment. “and if you need backup, i’ll be there. it’s why we’re going together.“

you gave him the most appreciative smile, letting him unlock your front door and letting you in. you toed off your shoes when you enter, setting them carefully on the rack beside the door. behind you, you heard the clinking of the door locking back up. when he took his shoes off, sitting them next to yours, you unexpectedly tugged him into a gentle hug, your arms wrapping around his neck.

“thanks for walking with me,” you told him. “and for always being here for me. it means a lot.”

joaquin’s arms wrapped around your waist on instinct, pulling you closer into the hug. his chin found comfort resting on your shoulder, nodding at your words. he tried to conceal the small smile of his, and thankfully you couldn’t see him.

“yeah of course.”

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a little easier

pairing. steve harrington x fem!reader

summary. healings a long and difficult process, but having someone like steve around makes it all a little more manageable

content warnings. angst+fluff duo, hurt/comfort i think, post season 4, nightmares of upside down, depression, friends to lovers, kind of a slow burn, softie!steve, sharing beds (sfw). not proofread

word count. 5733

———

you miss when things were quiet. when your head wasn’t so loud and your room didn’t spin. when you could step out of the house without finding it hard to breathe. everything seemed so daunting now, even the little things that were once so easy to do. you only sat down for meals so not to worry your mom. you picked at your food when she’s looking, and fed twice as much to your dog when she wasn’t. you found yourself standing in the shower for far too long nowadays, letting the water run cold over your aching body.

it’d only been two weeks since your latest encounter with the upside down. you’ve dealt with this before, three times over to be exact. none weighed down on you quite now. while it was never particularly easy for you to forget or move past, this time was especially hard on you.

the nightmares were the worst of it.

you could push through the depression, you were always resilient. you’ve done it before countless times. you just felt trapped in your own mind, holing yourself up in your room like that would do you any good. it beat going beyond the comfort of your bed, pushing past the walls of your house that showed utter destruction that you couldn’t stop. joyce spoke to you briefly after everything happened, told you that this wasn’t your fault, that none of this could have been prevented any better than it was. everyone fought hard and long to make sure this town survived.

still, you beat yourself up. every night, you relived some of the worst sights you’ve ever seen. disfigured bodies, torn up house, a crack down the center of the town. what may be worse is the things your mind made up.

you had another nightmare again tonight. you woke up in a sweat, your sheets clinging to your body uncomfortably, chest heaving as you try and ground yourself back to reality. the upside down was gone, vecna was gone, nothing was coming to hurt anyone anymore. that didn’t help your racing heart. for once, you thought to leave the house. fresh air seemed rather enticing, and you suddenly needed space. so, you decided to drive.

you weren’t sure where you wanted to drive, just that you did. it was dark out. the city was still trying to repair and replace what streetlights were damaged during the incident, so there wasn’t much to do about that but your bleak headlights. your air was off, your radio was off, and your windows were up. silence is what you needed as you focused on the road in front of you. you didn’t think you had much of a destination, just that you wanted to go. still, you found yourself pulling into a familiar driveway. it drew you in like a moth to a light, and you couldn’t help yourself. somewhere in that broken head of yours you knew you needed company.

who knew you’d seek the company of steve harrington?

5 years ago, you never would’ve thought you’d be so close to the man. he was always so arrogant in high school. his cocky behavior was nearly as off putting as his obscene amount of hairspray. you’d never met a single person who uses as much as him. he was always so popular, too cool to be associated with who he is now. steve was a lot more of a loser than you thought he would be, and in a way you didn’t think was possible. he didn’t know how to talk to women. he makes some of the corniest jokes at some of the oddest times. his timing with things were never the best, either. he laughed at all the wrong things at all the wrong times.

before you could overthink, you were knocking at steve’s front door. his parents weren’t always home, and you were hoping they weren’t today. it’d be a little odd explaining this to them. a teary eyed, pitiful looking girl standing on their doorstep in search of their son wasn’t the best look for either of you. you weren’t even sure he would be awake this late. this was truly a longshot.

you weren’t sure whether you should be grateful or ashamed when steve answered the door. despite it being 2 AM, he looked just as wide awake as you were. his hair was a mess, and his clothes were worn and old. you were sure you looked just like he did. all he did when he laid eyes on you was stare at you, lips pursed and a raise eyebrow to accompany it. you chewed on your lower lip nervously as your mind begins to race. you should’ve had something planned to say, though you weren’t even sure why you were here to begin with.

“hey…” steve trailed off, hand reaching to scratch the back of his neck. despite being friends, this, admittedly, was a little odd. you knew that. somehow, you landed on a jumble of an explanation instead of something simple.

“hey,” you croaked out awkwardly, shoulders drawn up and tense. your eyes were wide and almost pleading as you looked at the man in front of you.

“im sorry, i know its late and i should’ve at least called, but i couldn’t sleep. i needed out of the house and just started driving. i didn’t know where to go or what to do so… i guess i just came here.”

steve didn’t push. he didn’t question or judge or make you feel bad. he simply opened his door a little more, head nodding inside in a silent welcome in. you shuffled your way, slight embarrassment creeping up your neck as you duck your down. after locking the door back up, he began his way toward the kitchen, head looking back at you expectantly as you set your shoes to the side. you followed silently, trailing behind him like a lost puppy.

“i’ve got a frozen pizza in the oven if you want a slice, it’s almost done.”

unlike at home, you were quick to oblige. you’d eaten two slices of the warm pizza within minutes, sitting down at his kitchen table like it was no big deal. this was the least you’ve thought about anything since the incident in town. maybe you were just too tired to care, or maybe steve made you a little more comfortable. you hadn’t spoken much to the group since everything happened. part of you wished you did. you seemed to like wallowing alone, though, it made things easier for everyone.

there wasn’t any sort of forced conversation that happened between you and steve that night. you simply sat with him, ate with him, breathed with him. you didn’t feel pressured to say anything, either, not after your hurried explanation at the door. he seemed to just understand. and he did. he understands the pain and the exhaustion. he understands the relentless nightmares and the forced continuation of simply existing.

you cleaned both plates without a word. steve tried to argue, but you waved him off with a brush of your hand. it was an easy chore you didn’t mind doing. not when he was letting you in his home this late like this. you even wiped down the table, something you didn’t have to do in the slightest. after he wrapped up the remaining two pieces of pizza, he turned to you, his body tense much like yours was earlier.

“wanna stay?”

“oh you don’t have to do that,” you assured, guilt beginning to bubble up inside your chest. “you’ve done me enough favors tonight.”

“i could use the company,” steve told you in an unexpectedly weak voice. it looked like it pained him to say that, like it was the first time he’d admitted that to anyone, including himself.

that’s how you’d found yourself laying beside this man in bed, underneath the sheets, shoulder to shoulder. you’d though that, maybe, he’d offer up the spare room. his couch, maybe, and a blanket to wrap yourself up in. instead, he feebly walked you to his room. you understood him then. perhaps laying next to someone would help ease the pain.

it did. kind of. after you hurdled past the initial awkwardness of laying next to your friend, something you’d never done before, you found yourself falling asleep rather easily. you slept through the night mostly uninterrupted, waking up only once due to another rather unfavorable dream. after you turned a head to see steve next to you, turned on his side, his solid sleeping form unmoving other than his deep breathing, you were able to calm back down again. nothing was happening. people were still alive, your friends were okay. you settled yourself back down and fell back asleep.

the next time you woke up, it was because steve was shuffling around his room. he was quiet, careful not to wake you up. it was a simple gesture you appreciated. rubbing your droopy eyes, you glanced over to the clock that sat on his nightstand. 8:02. you grumbled slightly as you toss a little in bed, wincing a little at the light pouring in through the open window.

“sorry,” steve whispered. “didn’t mean to wake you.”

“you didn’t,” you told him, which was the complete truth. “why’re you up this early?”

“they need some volunteers at the soup kitchen,” he explained. “wanna come? might do you some good getting out of the house.”

steve was beginning to sound like your mother, though somehow, it didn’t bug you like it did from her. you supposed it was because he understood what you were dealing with. he wasn’t trying to relate to a pain he couldn’t quite comprehend. if anything, he may’ve had it worse than you did. you wanted to tell him no. you wanted to scurry back home and hide inside your room like you have been. but when you looked up at him and saw how hopeful he looked, his eyes pleading down at your tired form, you agreed.

“yeah, yeah i’ll go. meet me there at 9:30?”

when steve agreed, you bid him a small goodbye, waving weakly at him, before you stumbled off to your car. you showered for the first time in about three days that morning. you made sure you looked presentable, clean and ready to take on the day. even if you didn’t feel ready. you found your way to the soup kitchen at 9:30 on the dot. there he was, just as promised, leaning against his car waiting for you. the soft smile he gave seemed appreciative, almost excited that you’d found your way here. you’ve never really been one to flake on your friends, no matter how bad you felt about yourself.

you came in hopes of getting some fresh air. helping people, giving back to the community in a way you couldn’t quite do before. and it did in a way. there were folks that had their houses torn apart or obliterated. they had their lives completely uprooted by the disaster that was the upside down and vecna. it helped at first, seeing how grateful everyone was at your help, making up for the loss you’ve been bearing recently. being with a friend, steve in particular, made you feel a little better too. he made nice conversation, pulling out giggles from you that you haven’t heard from yourself in a while.

when you got home that afternoon, it all hit you again a little worse this time. why did you get to come back to a fully mounted house? you were glad for your parents, sure, but not as much for yourself. why did so many people get their lives smushed to the ground because of your faults, but you got to resume yours seemingly just fine? your parents were able to continue their jobs, you were able to manage just fine. you boarded yourself up in your room for two days after that, guilt eating at your core, not speaking to your friends like you’d been doing. if only you’d tried a little harder.

early one morning, you woke up to your mom knocking at your door. you wanted to shove her away, to tell her to leave you alone and let you sleep. you were interrupted by her voice calling out to you again, telling you there was a boy on the phone asking for you. so you grabbed the phone on your desk and picked it up, bringing it to your ear.

“hello?” you asked in a groggy voice. you weren’t sure who you were expecting, but you were glad it was steve of all people.

“hey, did i wake you?” he questions in a quiet voice, a little worried he had.

“yeah, but it’s okay,” you told him truthfully. “i don’t mind. whats up? you okay?”

“i’m okay,” he said. he wasn’t, though that’s not why he was calling. not today. “the soup kitchen called and said some volunteers didn’t show up this morning, they need some extra help. wanna come with me again?”

you swallowed thickly at his question. selfishly, you hated how you felt coming home after last time. you wallowed in your most unfortunate feelings, instead of feeling content in the good you did, and how nice it felt while you were there. maybe today would be different.

“sure, i’ll come,” you agree after a few moments of thinking.

you did the same thing as last time. showered, changed, made yourself look mildly presentable. when you’d finally come downstairs, sat on the couch as you pull on your shoes, there was a knock at your door. it was gentle, though loud enough to echo through the house. after tying up your shoes, you stumbled your way over and opened it up. you were a little taken aback to see steve standing there in a loose t-shirt and a pair of fitted jeans, hair slicked back like usual.

“wanna carpool?”

you didn’t recognize his vehicle at first. you were so used to seeing him drive his bmw. it’s a nice car, and he always kept it clean, the slight odor of cigarette smoke aside. instead, steve was here with a rusty red truck. you never took him for a truck driver, it didn’t seem good enough for him. he has changed in the years that you’ve known him, so you guess this must’ve came with that change. the inside was just the same as his bmw. clean, the scent of cigarettes seeping out of the seats. it wasn’t overwhelming, but it was there.

“i didn’t know you were a truck guy,” you commented as you buckle up your seatbelt. you noticed that steve sticks his tongue out when he’s focused. he’s doing it now as he backs out of your driveway, snaking back in when he starts done the street.

“i’m not,” steve shrugs. “but my cars totaled and i needed a ride to work. this was one of my only options.”

“the red suits you,” you settle. cause it did, and you didn’t want him feeling bad for what he could afford.

the two of you got put on the line together at the kitchen, boxing up food and sending people on their ways. it’s an easy job, it keeps you useful. it keeps you with steve, too, which you appreciated. you’d seen at least a hundred faces in just the first two hours of being there. it was busy, though you didn’t mind in the slightest. it kept your mind off of everything for a minute.

after handing a older couple their full plates, you noticed that the line had died down drastically. you two worked efficiently together. when you turned over to find steve, to start a conversation with him, you noticed he wasn’t next to you. he was, however, a little away from the food. instead, he was crouched down beside a young girl, who had the roundest eyes. they were staring up at him with big tears that were ready to burst free, her bottom lip quivering as he speaks to her.

whatever he was saying must’ve been helpful. she took a deep breath that seemed to calm her, watching as he stands up straight. he then offers a hand she was quick to take, following him over to the food. the girl looked nervous as they approached, eyes still wide as she stared up at you. he senses her nervousness and reassures her quickly.

“don’t worry, she’s really nice,” steve whispers, giving her a firm nod. she nodded back, before turning back to you.

“can i have another plate please? i dropped mine,” she pouts, speaking nervously and politely to you.

“of course you can,” you smiled at her, voice gentle and quiet.

you walked her through the line again, giving her exactly what she asks for. you even gave her an extra piece of chicken. her grip on the plate when you handed it to her was more firm than before, much more careful. she gave you the biggest smile as she thanks you, back turning as she slowly makes her way back to her table with her mom. your eyes flickered up to steve, who came behind the counter with a small smile on his face. you couldn’t help but admire how sweet he was to that kid.

by 2, you were free to leave the soup kitchen for the day. you and steve walked side by side to his truck, laughs falling from your mouths at some joke he’d made. he didn’t pull out of the parking lot at first. you sat there with him, letting his air conditioning blast onto your warm skin as you continue your conversation alone. it was nice talking to someone who wasn’t your parents.

even when steve did pull out of the parking lot, you kept talking. there was no sense in interrupting you. you were deep in a ramble about a book you couldn’t quite remember the name of, but could remember the contents. he listened and nodded, despite not having a single clue what book you were describing.

“it’s bugging the hell out of me that i can’t remember!” you exclaimed, head throwing back against the headrest of the seat. “i loved that book in middle school!”

“do you think anyone at the library would know?” he asked. it made you feel kind of dumb not thinking of that.

“oh, probably,” you mumbled, eyesight traveling out the window to look at all the buildings passing by.

this became a sort of routine for the next two weeks. steve would come pick you up every few days, taking you to volunteer with him, talking about whatever came to mind. things were getting a little better for you, too. the guilt was still there, gnawing at your insides like it’s hunger couldn’t be stopped. the dreams were getting better, too, you were able to sleep through most nights without a fuss. occasionally, a loud noise could be heard from outside, a car passing by or thunder rumbling, startling you awake for the next hour or two. nightmares came to haunt you right when you thought you’d escaped them. you wish you could.

you were hoping that you’d have a calm night tonight. steve had invited you over for the night, to eat and to talk and to stay for some company. you couldn’t help but say yes. you craved the steady weight of someone next to you, the warmth he radiated and the quiet air that soothed you. you’d eaten pizza again, though you didn’t mind at all. you were just happy to hang out with him again, away from your suffocating room. you swatted his hands away when you washed the dishes, and again when you wiped down the table. no amount of protests would beat down your stubbornness. especially not since he’d been doing so much for you.

steve let you into his home and showed you the patience you wished you could give to yourself. he gave you a reason to get out of your room on mornings you’d rather just not. you worked with him to make a difference, even if it was something as small as serving someone a hot meal as they glue their life back together. in a way, that’s what you were doing, too.

you curled up in bed next time him, this time with your bodies facing each other. you spoke in small whispers, despite having the house to yourselves. it was like you were telling each other sacred secrets you were afraid the wind outside would whisk away. you were close, enough to feel his warm breath fan against you, to see his eyes through the dark of the room. one of his hands found yours as you spoke together, fingers fiddling with yours carefully. you weren’t sure when you became this comfortable with him, to be so casual about this kind of touch. maybe something shifted the night you came over in search of some company and an escape.

“come work at family video with me,” steve spoke, interlacing your fingers with his and holding it gently.

“i dunno, steve,” you told him, eyebrows knitting together.

“why not?” he asks, forehead crinkling in a little confusion. “we already work so well together, and i like hanging out with you. might as well get paid to do it. it’s a fun job, i’ll even put in a good word for you!”

a job is something you should consider. it was the summer, and you were currently unemployed. you were out of high school and all you really do is volunteer with steve. it’s all you could really manage right now through everything you were dealing with. you’ve thought about finding one for a while, and every time, it overwhelmed you. you figured it wouldn’t be too bad working there, with him. robin was your friend, too, so it’s not like you would be working with complete strangers. that made the thought a little less worrisome.

“you’d do that for me?” you questioned.

“of course,” steve said, as if it was obvious. “i work tomorrow afternoon, so does keith. come in and talk with him.”

you fell asleep shortly after that conversation. steve’s hand stayed with yours the entire time, grounding you in a way you didn’t know you needed. the night was going smoothly, just as you hoped. there were no noises that tore you awake, or nightmares that scared you off from the comfort of your sleep. you were simply comfortable. what did wake you up was the man next to you jolting up in bed quickly, hand moving form yours. you blinked awake confused, a quiet grumble coming from your chest as you look around.

the sight your eyes laid upon was pitiful. there steve was, frantic and wide eyed, his chest heaving as he attempts to catch his breath. you reached out for his arm as you sat up, eyes squinting and droopy as you look at him worriedly. his head turned to you, tear brimmed eyes searching yours with fear. you were quick to pull him into a hug, one that he slumped into without a second thought. his face found comfort in your shoulder, a few tears slipping from his eyes and into the fabric of your shirt. that was the least of your worries right now. with one hand cradling the back of his head, your other soothed his back, trailing up and down in a slow pace.

“i’m sorry,” steve whispered, arms wrapped tight around your waist. “just a really bad dream.”

“don’t be sorry,” you whispered back. you smoothed his hair out of his face as you held him. “i have them too. all the time.”

steve let himself calm down in your arms, breathing eventually steadying back down to normal. it wasn’t until he composed himself that he pulled away from you. his cheeks were red and stained with tears, something you wiped away without a word. the way he looked at you broke your heart. he still held onto you like he was afraid you’d disappear. you didn’t dare to ask, though you wondered if the dream was about you. by the look on his face, you could assume it was, which was a little odd to think about. you weren’t sure you deserved to be mourned or worried about like this, especially not over a nightmare.

the rest of the night went smoothly. you held his hand in both of yours, watching him fall back asleep. you even stayed up a little to make sure he was alright before you fell back asleep yourself.

you went to family video that next afternoon. you’d parted ways with steve in the morning after making sure he was okay. he insisted that he was, so you left to get yourself ready. you slept a little later than either of you intended, so you were in a tiny bit of a rush. still, you did yourself up a little nicer than usual. this may not be a fancy office job, but it was a job you’d like to have for now. it’s the best one you figured you’d get for the time being, and you were okay with that.

keith’s eyes narrowed at the sight of you walking through the front doors. he had a twizzler hanging out his mouth he was chewing at, though never biting off. his lips were parted, too. you wondered why he of all people was managing this place. he was always a peculiar man, even if you never talked with him much.

“steve says i should hire you,” he says as you approach the front counter. steve himself stumbles out from the back room when he realizes you’re there, a large smile on his face. he was a little surprised you actually showed up.

“cause you should, she’s one of the most hardworking people i know,” he insisted, rounding the counter and coming to stand beside you. his shoulders were back and his posture was good, nodding his head enthusiastically.

“three favorite movies,” keith states, snapping his fingers at you and pointing. your brain short circuits for a few moments, and he starts snapping a little more at you to hurry up.

“uh-“ you stumble out, trying to think of any three movies you liked even just a little. “raiders of the lost arc, the shining, grease.”

“odd pairing, but i’ll take it,” keith nods, turning to steve who was standing beside you rather proudly. “she’s hired only if you train her.”

“absolutely,” he agrees quickly, the same large smile on his face as before. when keith turns to walk away to the break room, steve turns to you excitedly.

“when do i come in?”

“we open tomorrow morning,” steve tells you, eyes shimmering down at yours. he looks a lot better than last night. “if you’re not up and ready when i get to your house i will come kicking down your bedroom door.”

“yes sir,” you nod, saluting him with a smile.

you stay for another ten minutes to talk to steve, walking around with him briefly as he stacks tapes back onto the shelves. you were both watching what he does and listening to what he was talking about. there were new arrivals in that the two of you would be working on putting out in the morning, and how there was one in particular he wanted to snatch for himself. when you were interrupted by a few costumers coming in, you waved him a goodbye, before you walked out happily.

the next morning you were rushing to find clothes to wear. you’ve had first days at work before, ones that weren’t as casual as you thought this one would be. still, you were switching between three shirts that you couldn’t decide on. you wanted to look nice, even if this job wasn’t looking for professional. your doorbell rang through your house as you stare at yourself on your mirror, heart picking up its pace at the sound. it dawned on you then that you weren’t wanting to look nice for your job. chewing on your bottom lip, mind swirling, you pulled yourself out of your room and down the stairs.

when you opened the front door, steve was standing there, his hands on your hips. his head begins to shake at the sight of you, and you wondered if he was judging the shirt you had on. maybe you had time to run upstairs and change it.

“i was getting worried,” he tells you. “thought i’d really have to come knocking down your door.”

“that’s grounds for arrest,” you spoke back, eyes staring up at him. “breaking and entering is no joke, steve.”

“well it’s a good thing you like me too much to call the cops.” right.

“let me go change my shirt and we can leave,” you said, turning on you heel and leaving him in the dust for only a moment.

steve let himself in, shutting the door and walking up the stairs close behind you. you glared back at him as he follows you, an exasperated look on your face that he blatantly ignored.

“whats wrong with this one?” he asks, fingers coming up to the play with the hem of it as you approach your room.

you realize then that you’re not sure he’s ever been inside. it’s not that you were hiding anything, there wasn’t anything you had to keep from the boy. still, it struck you nervous having him follow you inside. you’d spent so long wallowing in your feelings in there, all alone with your thoughts, that you never thought someone could be in here with you. not anyone like steve, who was always so patient with you.

“i don’t know,” you grumble, pushing past your thoughts as you grab ahold of one of the other shirts you were debating.

you huff as you hold it in front of you, still trying to decide. there was time to spare, so you took it to your advantage. even if you did feel a little guilty for holding steve up. he grabs ahold of the shirt in your hands before you could protest, holding it up to see it properly. he looked back over to the one you were wearing, and then backs again at the one in his hands.

“they’re both nice,” steve reassures. “so just go with the one you’re wearing. you look good.”

so you did. you were taking what he told you to heart. you always appreciated and took into account what he said to you, you value his opinion. it felt a little different now, like there was something inside of you that yearned for his validation. not in some low self esteem, male attention seeking sort of way. it was hard to explain this shift inside of your head. you watch as steve hooks the shirt back on the hanger, along with the third you were debating, before walking over to your open closet. he walked this room like he’s been there a thousand times, like it was no big deal he was in here. he seemed so comfortable in your space. is this how it felt for him when you were in his room?

you quite liked it anyways. you didn’t feel nearly as suffocated in here with him around.

your first day at family video went well. steve showed you how to ring costumers up and how to see what movies they had rented out. he showed you how to rewind tapes and what each sticker meant in regards to the section they’re meant to go in. after you’d left the night before, keith had gone through and put stickers on all of the new releases, so they were all good for you to start putting out. that’s what you did for a lot of your 5 hour shift, sifting through the movies, learning the layout of the store.

steve was a little pouty when he realized you two couldn’t take your 15 minute break together. you’d spent the first part of your shift together in each others presence. besides, the last thing he wanted to do was leave you up front alone on your first day. surprisingly, though, you weren’t all too nervous. not when he was right in the break room. he’d come sprinting out to help the moment you called for him.

robin had come in at the last 20 minutes of your guys’ shift. she’d clocked in and promised to man the front counter, allowing steve to come over and help you with putting the new releases out. you’d been bouncing back and forth between the movies and the counter in attempts to learn, so you’d only gotten through a quarter of them. there was a lull in the conversation for a few minutes there, a comfortable silence that filled the air between you two as you work to put more of a dent in the stack of movies. it was your gasp that broke the steady air, his head snapping up quickly to look at you. concern was etched in his face only briefly, watching as you tug at a tape, turning it towards him with a slightly slack jaw.

“tom cruise, top gun,” you tell him excitedly. “have you seen it yet?”

“i have not,” he shook his head, an charming smile on his face. steve hadn’t seen you this excited in a long time, and it looked nice on you.

“you gotta come over tonight and watch it,” you say, hands gripping the tape like it’d disappear if you didn’t.

“only if we can get pizza,” steve challenged, knowing full well he’d agree to whatever you asked him no matter what.

“always,” you nod, a hopeful smile on your face.

“okay, it’s a date.”

a date.

[munsonify]

sex pollen is OUT, honesty pollen is IN. Expose your characters to alien chemicals that make them actually talk to each other

[munsonify]

a little easier

pairing. steve harrington x fem!reader

summary. healings a long and difficult process, but having someone like steve around makes it all a little more manageable

content warnings. angst+fluff duo, hurt/comfort i think, post season 4, nightmares of upside down, depression, friends to lovers, kind of a slow burn, softie!steve, sharing beds (sfw). not proofread

word count. 5733

———

you miss when things were quiet. when your head wasn’t so loud and your room didn’t spin. when you could step out of the house without finding it hard to breathe. everything seemed so daunting now, even the little things that were once so easy to do. you only sat down for meals so not to worry your mom. you picked at your food when she’s looking, and fed twice as much to your dog when she wasn’t. you found yourself standing in the shower for far too long nowadays, letting the water run cold over your aching body.

it’d only been two weeks since your latest encounter with the upside down. you’ve dealt with this before, three times over to be exact. none weighed down on you quite now. while it was never particularly easy for you to forget or move past, this time was especially hard on you.

the nightmares were the worst of it.

you could push through the depression, you were always resilient. you’ve done it before countless times. you just felt trapped in your own mind, holing yourself up in your room like that would do you any good. it beat going beyond the comfort of your bed, pushing past the walls of your house that showed utter destruction that you couldn’t stop. joyce spoke to you briefly after everything happened, told you that this wasn’t your fault, that none of this could have been prevented any better than it was. everyone fought hard and long to make sure this town survived.

still, you beat yourself up. every night, you relived some of the worst sights you’ve ever seen. disfigured bodies, torn up house, a crack down the center of the town. what may be worse is the things your mind made up.

you had another nightmare again tonight. you woke up in a sweat, your sheets clinging to your body uncomfortably, chest heaving as you try and ground yourself back to reality. the upside down was gone, vecna was gone, nothing was coming to hurt anyone anymore. that didn’t help your racing heart. for once, you thought to leave the house. fresh air seemed rather enticing, and you suddenly needed space. so, you decided to drive.

you weren’t sure where you wanted to drive, just that you did. it was dark out. the city was still trying to repair and replace what streetlights were damaged during the incident, so there wasn’t much to do about that but your bleak headlights. your air was off, your radio was off, and your windows were up. silence is what you needed as you focused on the road in front of you. you didn’t think you had much of a destination, just that you wanted to go. still, you found yourself pulling into a familiar driveway. it drew you in like a moth to a light, and you couldn’t help yourself. somewhere in that broken head of yours you knew you needed company.

who knew you’d seek the company of steve harrington?

5 years ago, you never would’ve thought you’d be so close to the man. he was always so arrogant in high school. his cocky behavior was nearly as off putting as his obscene amount of hairspray. you’d never met a single person who uses as much as him. he was always so popular, too cool to be associated with who he is now. steve was a lot more of a loser than you thought he would be, and in a way you didn’t think was possible. he didn’t know how to talk to women. he makes some of the corniest jokes at some of the oddest times. his timing with things were never the best, either. he laughed at all the wrong things at all the wrong times.

before you could overthink, you were knocking at steve’s front door. his parents weren’t always home, and you were hoping they weren’t today. it’d be a little odd explaining this to them. a teary eyed, pitiful looking girl standing on their doorstep in search of their son wasn’t the best look for either of you. you weren’t even sure he would be awake this late. this was truly a longshot.

you weren’t sure whether you should be grateful or ashamed when steve answered the door. despite it being 2 AM, he looked just as wide awake as you were. his hair was a mess, and his clothes were worn and old. you were sure you looked just like he did. all he did when he laid eyes on you was stare at you, lips pursed and a raise eyebrow to accompany it. you chewed on your lower lip nervously as your mind begins to race. you should’ve had something planned to say, though you weren’t even sure why you were here to begin with.

“hey…” steve trailed off, hand reaching to scratch the back of his neck. despite being friends, this, admittedly, was a little odd. you knew that. somehow, you landed on a jumble of an explanation instead of something simple.

“hey,” you croaked out awkwardly, shoulders drawn up and tense. your eyes were wide and almost pleading as you looked at the man in front of you.

“im sorry, i know its late and i should’ve at least called, but i couldn’t sleep. i needed out of the house and just started driving. i didn’t know where to go or what to do so… i guess i just came here.”

steve didn’t push. he didn’t question or judge or make you feel bad. he simply opened his door a little more, head nodding inside in a silent welcome in. you shuffled your way, slight embarrassment creeping up your neck as you duck your down. after locking the door back up, he began his way toward the kitchen, head looking back at you expectantly as you set your shoes to the side. you followed silently, trailing behind him like a lost puppy.

“i’ve got a frozen pizza in the oven if you want a slice, it’s almost done.”

unlike at home, you were quick to oblige. you’d eaten two slices of the warm pizza within minutes, sitting down at his kitchen table like it was no big deal. this was the least you’ve thought about anything since the incident in town. maybe you were just too tired to care, or maybe steve made you a little more comfortable. you hadn’t spoken much to the group since everything happened. part of you wished you did. you seemed to like wallowing alone, though, it made things easier for everyone.

there wasn’t any sort of forced conversation that happened between you and steve that night. you simply sat with him, ate with him, breathed with him. you didn’t feel pressured to say anything, either, not after your hurried explanation at the door. he seemed to just understand. and he did. he understands the pain and the exhaustion. he understands the relentless nightmares and the forced continuation of simply existing.

you cleaned both plates without a word. steve tried to argue, but you waved him off with a brush of your hand. it was an easy chore you didn’t mind doing. not when he was letting you in his home this late like this. you even wiped down the table, something you didn’t have to do in the slightest. after he wrapped up the remaining two pieces of pizza, he turned to you, his body tense much like yours was earlier.

“wanna stay?”

“oh you don’t have to do that,” you assured, guilt beginning to bubble up inside your chest. “you’ve done me enough favors tonight.”

“i could use the company,” steve told you in an unexpectedly weak voice. it looked like it pained him to say that, like it was the first time he’d admitted that to anyone, including himself.

that’s how you’d found yourself laying beside this man in bed, underneath the sheets, shoulder to shoulder. you’d though that, maybe, he’d offer up the spare room. his couch, maybe, and a blanket to wrap yourself up in. instead, he feebly walked you to his room. you understood him then. perhaps laying next to someone would help ease the pain.

it did. kind of. after you hurdled past the initial awkwardness of laying next to your friend, something you’d never done before, you found yourself falling asleep rather easily. you slept through the night mostly uninterrupted, waking up only once due to another rather unfavorable dream. after you turned a head to see steve next to you, turned on his side, his solid sleeping form unmoving other than his deep breathing, you were able to calm back down again. nothing was happening. people were still alive, your friends were okay. you settled yourself back down and fell back asleep.

the next time you woke up, it was because steve was shuffling around his room. he was quiet, careful not to wake you up. it was a simple gesture you appreciated. rubbing your droopy eyes, you glanced over to the clock that sat on his nightstand. 8:02. you grumbled slightly as you toss a little in bed, wincing a little at the light pouring in through the open window.

“sorry,” steve whispered. “didn’t mean to wake you.”

“you didn’t,” you told him, which was the complete truth. “why’re you up this early?”

“they need some volunteers at the soup kitchen,” he explained. “wanna come? might do you some good getting out of the house.”

steve was beginning to sound like your mother, though somehow, it didn’t bug you like it did from her. you supposed it was because he understood what you were dealing with. he wasn’t trying to relate to a pain he couldn’t quite comprehend. if anything, he may’ve had it worse than you did. you wanted to tell him no. you wanted to scurry back home and hide inside your room like you have been. but when you looked up at him and saw how hopeful he looked, his eyes pleading down at your tired form, you agreed.

“yeah, yeah i’ll go. meet me there at 9:30?”

when steve agreed, you bid him a small goodbye, waving weakly at him, before you stumbled off to your car. you showered for the first time in about three days that morning. you made sure you looked presentable, clean and ready to take on the day. even if you didn’t feel ready. you found your way to the soup kitchen at 9:30 on the dot. there he was, just as promised, leaning against his car waiting for you. the soft smile he gave seemed appreciative, almost excited that you’d found your way here. you’ve never really been one to flake on your friends, no matter how bad you felt about yourself.

you came in hopes of getting some fresh air. helping people, giving back to the community in a way you couldn’t quite do before. and it did in a way. there were folks that had their houses torn apart or obliterated. they had their lives completely uprooted by the disaster that was the upside down and vecna. it helped at first, seeing how grateful everyone was at your help, making up for the loss you’ve been bearing recently. being with a friend, steve in particular, made you feel a little better too. he made nice conversation, pulling out giggles from you that you haven’t heard from yourself in a while.

when you got home that afternoon, it all hit you again a little worse this time. why did you get to come back to a fully mounted house? you were glad for your parents, sure, but not as much for yourself. why did so many people get their lives smushed to the ground because of your faults, but you got to resume yours seemingly just fine? your parents were able to continue their jobs, you were able to manage just fine. you boarded yourself up in your room for two days after that, guilt eating at your core, not speaking to your friends like you’d been doing. if only you’d tried a little harder.

early one morning, you woke up to your mom knocking at your door. you wanted to shove her away, to tell her to leave you alone and let you sleep. you were interrupted by her voice calling out to you again, telling you there was a boy on the phone asking for you. so you grabbed the phone on your desk and picked it up, bringing it to your ear.

“hello?” you asked in a groggy voice. you weren’t sure who you were expecting, but you were glad it was steve of all people.

“hey, did i wake you?” he questions in a quiet voice, a little worried he had.

“yeah, but it’s okay,” you told him truthfully. “i don’t mind. whats up? you okay?”

“i’m okay,” he said. he wasn’t, though that’s not why he was calling. not today. “the soup kitchen called and said some volunteers didn’t show up this morning, they need some extra help. wanna come with me again?”

you swallowed thickly at his question. selfishly, you hated how you felt coming home after last time. you wallowed in your most unfortunate feelings, instead of feeling content in the good you did, and how nice it felt while you were there. maybe today would be different.

“sure, i’ll come,” you agree after a few moments of thinking.

you did the same thing as last time. showered, changed, made yourself look mildly presentable. when you’d finally come downstairs, sat on the couch as you pull on your shoes, there was a knock at your door. it was gentle, though loud enough to echo through the house. after tying up your shoes, you stumbled your way over and opened it up. you were a little taken aback to see steve standing there in a loose t-shirt and a pair of fitted jeans, hair slicked back like usual.

“wanna carpool?”

you didn’t recognize his vehicle at first. you were so used to seeing him drive his bmw. it’s a nice car, and he always kept it clean, the slight odor of cigarette smoke aside. instead, steve was here with a rusty red truck. you never took him for a truck driver, it didn’t seem good enough for him. he has changed in the years that you’ve known him, so you guess this must’ve came with that change. the inside was just the same as his bmw. clean, the scent of cigarettes seeping out of the seats. it wasn’t overwhelming, but it was there.

“i didn’t know you were a truck guy,” you commented as you buckle up your seatbelt. you noticed that steve sticks his tongue out when he’s focused. he’s doing it now as he backs out of your driveway, snaking back in when he starts done the street.

“i’m not,” steve shrugs. “but my cars totaled and i needed a ride to work. this was one of my only options.”

“the red suits you,” you settle. cause it did, and you didn’t want him feeling bad for what he could afford.

the two of you got put on the line together at the kitchen, boxing up food and sending people on their ways. it’s an easy job, it keeps you useful. it keeps you with steve, too, which you appreciated. you’d seen at least a hundred faces in just the first two hours of being there. it was busy, though you didn’t mind in the slightest. it kept your mind off of everything for a minute.

after handing a older couple their full plates, you noticed that the line had died down drastically. you two worked efficiently together. when you turned over to find steve, to start a conversation with him, you noticed he wasn’t next to you. he was, however, a little away from the food. instead, he was crouched down beside a young girl, who had the roundest eyes. they were staring up at him with big tears that were ready to burst free, her bottom lip quivering as he speaks to her.

whatever he was saying must’ve been helpful. she took a deep breath that seemed to calm her, watching as he stands up straight. he then offers a hand she was quick to take, following him over to the food. the girl looked nervous as they approached, eyes still wide as she stared up at you. he senses her nervousness and reassures her quickly.

“don’t worry, she’s really nice,” steve whispers, giving her a firm nod. she nodded back, before turning back to you.

“can i have another plate please? i dropped mine,” she pouts, speaking nervously and politely to you.

“of course you can,” you smiled at her, voice gentle and quiet.

you walked her through the line again, giving her exactly what she asks for. you even gave her an extra piece of chicken. her grip on the plate when you handed it to her was more firm than before, much more careful. she gave you the biggest smile as she thanks you, back turning as she slowly makes her way back to her table with her mom. your eyes flickered up to steve, who came behind the counter with a small smile on his face. you couldn’t help but admire how sweet he was to that kid.

by 2, you were free to leave the soup kitchen for the day. you and steve walked side by side to his truck, laughs falling from your mouths at some joke he’d made. he didn’t pull out of the parking lot at first. you sat there with him, letting his air conditioning blast onto your warm skin as you continue your conversation alone. it was nice talking to someone who wasn’t your parents.

even when steve did pull out of the parking lot, you kept talking. there was no sense in interrupting you. you were deep in a ramble about a book you couldn’t quite remember the name of, but could remember the contents. he listened and nodded, despite not having a single clue what book you were describing.

“it’s bugging the hell out of me that i can’t remember!” you exclaimed, head throwing back against the headrest of the seat. “i loved that book in middle school!”

“do you think anyone at the library would know?” he asked. it made you feel kind of dumb not thinking of that.

“oh, probably,” you mumbled, eyesight traveling out the window to look at all the buildings passing by.

this became a sort of routine for the next two weeks. steve would come pick you up every few days, taking you to volunteer with him, talking about whatever came to mind. things were getting a little better for you, too. the guilt was still there, gnawing at your insides like it’s hunger couldn’t be stopped. the dreams were getting better, too, you were able to sleep through most nights without a fuss. occasionally, a loud noise could be heard from outside, a car passing by or thunder rumbling, startling you awake for the next hour or two. nightmares came to haunt you right when you thought you’d escaped them. you wish you could.

you were hoping that you’d have a calm night tonight. steve had invited you over for the night, to eat and to talk and to stay for some company. you couldn’t help but say yes. you craved the steady weight of someone next to you, the warmth he radiated and the quiet air that soothed you. you’d eaten pizza again, though you didn’t mind at all. you were just happy to hang out with him again, away from your suffocating room. you swatted his hands away when you washed the dishes, and again when you wiped down the table. no amount of protests would beat down your stubbornness. especially not since he’d been doing so much for you.

steve let you into his home and showed you the patience you wished you could give to yourself. he gave you a reason to get out of your room on mornings you’d rather just not. you worked with him to make a difference, even if it was something as small as serving someone a hot meal as they glue their life back together. in a way, that’s what you were doing, too.

you curled up in bed next time him, this time with your bodies facing each other. you spoke in small whispers, despite having the house to yourselves. it was like you were telling each other sacred secrets you were afraid the wind outside would whisk away. you were close, enough to feel his warm breath fan against you, to see his eyes through the dark of the room. one of his hands found yours as you spoke together, fingers fiddling with yours carefully. you weren’t sure when you became this comfortable with him, to be so casual about this kind of touch. maybe something shifted the night you came over in search of some company and an escape.

“come work at family video with me,” steve spoke, interlacing your fingers with his and holding it gently.

“i dunno, steve,” you told him, eyebrows knitting together.

“why not?” he asks, forehead crinkling in a little confusion. “we already work so well together, and i like hanging out with you. might as well get paid to do it. it’s a fun job, i’ll even put in a good word for you!”

a job is something you should consider. it was the summer, and you were currently unemployed. you were out of high school and all you really do is volunteer with steve. it’s all you could really manage right now through everything you were dealing with. you’ve thought about finding one for a while, and every time, it overwhelmed you. you figured it wouldn’t be too bad working there, with him. robin was your friend, too, so it’s not like you would be working with complete strangers. that made the thought a little less worrisome.

“you’d do that for me?” you questioned.

“of course,” steve said, as if it was obvious. “i work tomorrow afternoon, so does keith. come in and talk with him.”

you fell asleep shortly after that conversation. steve’s hand stayed with yours the entire time, grounding you in a way you didn’t know you needed. the night was going smoothly, just as you hoped. there were no noises that tore you awake, or nightmares that scared you off from the comfort of your sleep. you were simply comfortable. what did wake you up was the man next to you jolting up in bed quickly, hand moving form yours. you blinked awake confused, a quiet grumble coming from your chest as you look around.

the sight your eyes laid upon was pitiful. there steve was, frantic and wide eyed, his chest heaving as he attempts to catch his breath. you reached out for his arm as you sat up, eyes squinting and droopy as you look at him worriedly. his head turned to you, tear brimmed eyes searching yours with fear. you were quick to pull him into a hug, one that he slumped into without a second thought. his face found comfort in your shoulder, a few tears slipping from his eyes and into the fabric of your shirt. that was the least of your worries right now. with one hand cradling the back of his head, your other soothed his back, trailing up and down in a slow pace.

“i’m sorry,” steve whispered, arms wrapped tight around your waist. “just a really bad dream.”

“don’t be sorry,” you whispered back. you smoothed his hair out of his face as you held him. “i have them too. all the time.”

steve let himself calm down in your arms, breathing eventually steadying back down to normal. it wasn’t until he composed himself that he pulled away from you. his cheeks were red and stained with tears, something you wiped away without a word. the way he looked at you broke your heart. he still held onto you like he was afraid you’d disappear. you didn’t dare to ask, though you wondered if the dream was about you. by the look on his face, you could assume it was, which was a little odd to think about. you weren’t sure you deserved to be mourned or worried about like this, especially not over a nightmare.

the rest of the night went smoothly. you held his hand in both of yours, watching him fall back asleep. you even stayed up a little to make sure he was alright before you fell back asleep yourself.

you went to family video that next afternoon. you’d parted ways with steve in the morning after making sure he was okay. he insisted that he was, so you left to get yourself ready. you slept a little later than either of you intended, so you were in a tiny bit of a rush. still, you did yourself up a little nicer than usual. this may not be a fancy office job, but it was a job you’d like to have for now. it’s the best one you figured you’d get for the time being, and you were okay with that.

keith’s eyes narrowed at the sight of you walking through the front doors. he had a twizzler hanging out his mouth he was chewing at, though never biting off. his lips were parted, too. you wondered why he of all people was managing this place. he was always a peculiar man, even if you never talked with him much.

“steve says i should hire you,” he says as you approach the front counter. steve himself stumbles out from the back room when he realizes you’re there, a large smile on his face. he was a little surprised you actually showed up.

“cause you should, she’s one of the most hardworking people i know,” he insisted, rounding the counter and coming to stand beside you. his shoulders were back and his posture was good, nodding his head enthusiastically.

“three favorite movies,” keith states, snapping his fingers at you and pointing. your brain short circuits for a few moments, and he starts snapping a little more at you to hurry up.

“uh-“ you stumble out, trying to think of any three movies you liked even just a little. “raiders of the lost arc, the shining, grease.”

“odd pairing, but i’ll take it,” keith nods, turning to steve who was standing beside you rather proudly. “she’s hired only if you train her.”

“absolutely,” he agrees quickly, the same large smile on his face as before. when keith turns to walk away to the break room, steve turns to you excitedly.

“when do i come in?”

“we open tomorrow morning,” steve tells you, eyes shimmering down at yours. he looks a lot better than last night. “if you’re not up and ready when i get to your house i will come kicking down your bedroom door.”

“yes sir,” you nod, saluting him with a smile.

you stay for another ten minutes to talk to steve, walking around with him briefly as he stacks tapes back onto the shelves. you were both watching what he does and listening to what he was talking about. there were new arrivals in that the two of you would be working on putting out in the morning, and how there was one in particular he wanted to snatch for himself. when you were interrupted by a few costumers coming in, you waved him a goodbye, before you walked out happily.

the next morning you were rushing to find clothes to wear. you’ve had first days at work before, ones that weren’t as casual as you thought this one would be. still, you were switching between three shirts that you couldn’t decide on. you wanted to look nice, even if this job wasn’t looking for professional. your doorbell rang through your house as you stare at yourself on your mirror, heart picking up its pace at the sound. it dawned on you then that you weren’t wanting to look nice for your job. chewing on your bottom lip, mind swirling, you pulled yourself out of your room and down the stairs.

when you opened the front door, steve was standing there, his hands on his hips. his head begins to shake at the sight of you, and you wondered if he was judging the shirt you had on. maybe you had time to run upstairs and change it.

“i was getting worried,” he tells you. “thought i’d really have to come knocking down your door.”

“that’s grounds for arrest,” you spoke back, eyes staring up at him. “breaking and entering is no joke, steve.”

“well it’s a good thing you like me too much to call the cops.” right.

“let me go change my shirt and we can leave,” you said, turning on you heel and leaving him in the dust for only a moment.

steve let himself in, shutting the door and walking up the stairs close behind you. you glared back at him as he follows you, an exasperated look on your face that he blatantly ignored.

“whats wrong with this one?” he asks, fingers coming up to the play with the hem of it as you approach your room.

you realize then that you’re not sure he’s ever been inside. it’s not that you were hiding anything, there wasn’t anything you had to keep from the boy. still, it struck you nervous having him follow you inside. you’d spent so long wallowing in your feelings in there, all alone with your thoughts, that you never thought someone could be in here with you. not anyone like steve, who was always so patient with you.

“i don’t know,” you grumble, pushing past your thoughts as you grab ahold of one of the other shirts you were debating.

you huff as you hold it in front of you, still trying to decide. there was time to spare, so you took it to your advantage. even if you did feel a little guilty for holding steve up. he grabs ahold of the shirt in your hands before you could protest, holding it up to see it properly. he looked back over to the one you were wearing, and then backs again at the one in his hands.

“they’re both nice,” steve reassures. “so just go with the one you’re wearing. you look good.”

so you did. you were taking what he told you to heart. you always appreciated and took into account what he said to you, you value his opinion. it felt a little different now, like there was something inside of you that yearned for his validation. not in some low self esteem, male attention seeking sort of way. it was hard to explain this shift inside of your head. you watch as steve hooks the shirt back on the hanger, along with the third you were debating, before walking over to your open closet. he walked this room like he’s been there a thousand times, like it was no big deal he was in here. he seemed so comfortable in your space. is this how it felt for him when you were in his room?

you quite liked it anyways. you didn’t feel nearly as suffocated in here with him around.

your first day at family video went well. steve showed you how to ring costumers up and how to see what movies they had rented out. he showed you how to rewind tapes and what each sticker meant in regards to the section they’re meant to go in. after you’d left the night before, keith had gone through and put stickers on all of the new releases, so they were all good for you to start putting out. that’s what you did for a lot of your 5 hour shift, sifting through the movies, learning the layout of the store.

steve was a little pouty when he realized you two couldn’t take your 15 minute break together. you’d spent the first part of your shift together in each others presence. besides, the last thing he wanted to do was leave you up front alone on your first day. surprisingly, though, you weren’t all too nervous. not when he was right in the break room. he’d come sprinting out to help the moment you called for him.

robin had come in at the last 20 minutes of your guys’ shift. she’d clocked in and promised to man the front counter, allowing steve to come over and help you with putting the new releases out. you’d been bouncing back and forth between the movies and the counter in attempts to learn, so you’d only gotten through a quarter of them. there was a lull in the conversation for a few minutes there, a comfortable silence that filled the air between you two as you work to put more of a dent in the stack of movies. it was your gasp that broke the steady air, his head snapping up quickly to look at you. concern was etched in his face only briefly, watching as you tug at a tape, turning it towards him with a slightly slack jaw.

“tom cruise, top gun,” you tell him excitedly. “have you seen it yet?”

“i have not,” he shook his head, an charming smile on his face. steve hadn’t seen you this excited in a long time, and it looked nice on you.

“you gotta come over tonight and watch it,” you say, hands gripping the tape like it’d disappear if you didn’t.

“only if we can get pizza,” steve challenged, knowing full well he’d agree to whatever you asked him no matter what.

“always,” you nod, a hopeful smile on your face.

“okay, it’s a date.”

a date.

[munsonify]

blurb idea !! johnny storm and the song bed chem 🙂‍↕️ also congrats on turning 21 soon ! xx

heard loud and clear 🙂‍↕️ and thank you!! xx

bed chem - johnny storm x fem!reader

summary. who knew you’d run into the johnny storm and manage to get him into bed within the week?

content warnings. 18+ smut mdni, hookups, doggy, pet names (baby), praise, sweetheart!johnny, johnny calling r gorgeous. not proofread

word count. 854

———

you remember the night you met johnny well. he was unmistakable, even in the dark of night. you were stumbling back home after a night out, the tiniest dress on your figure. the conversation your friends had going on was pushed to the side the moment he caught your eyes. you seemed to catch his, too, big blue eyes flickering down your body, eyeing you up much like you were him. while you were debating saying something, he did instead, silencing your friends almost immediately.

johnny called you beautiful in a soft, smooth voice that had your heartbeat quicken. his eyes didn’t leave yours, though when they did, it only briefly gazed down to your chest. he seemed in a hurry, like he had things to tend to, so you wouldn’t dare keep him any longer than you had to. that’s why you grabbed ahold of one of his large hands after fishing out a black sharpie from your bag, writing your number on the back of it, before sending him on his way.

long after your friends teasing and shocked rambles, and your slightly drunken walk home, you found yourself laying in bed in your own amazement. you’d just given johnny storm, one of new yorks finest, your phone number. you let your mind swirl with thoughts about the man, thoughts that didn’t take long to drift towards sexual. there was no denying you were far more curious about how he is in bed, and you wanted nothing more than to figure it out.

johnny called you that next morning. he didn’t ask you for a date, or to hang out, or to even meet up late one night. he simply spoke to you. you didn’t mind it, not entirely. that didn’t mean you couldn’t be a little disappointed. what made up for it was the phone call you received the next morning, the same time as before. that entire week, he called you at 7 AM on the dot, asking you about your life, your hobbies, your aspirations. he sounded genuinely interested.

by the end of the week, the early saturday morning call gave you two bits of information about the man. the first thing you learned was that johnny had been out of town for the past few days with reed. he’d been working with other astronauts across the country on something you didn’t quite understand. the second thing you learned was that he was leaving this morning, and he was desperate to see you. all of your late night pillow thoughts and your after-call daydreams were now, hopefully, becoming a reality.

after giving johnny your address and your apartment number, you spent the rest of the day pacing. you had the day off like always, your 9-5 gave you your precious weekend off. you’d kindly declined your friends invitation to hang out that night, and spent the rest of your morning cleaning. then, again, you paced.

that’s how, later that night, you found yourself bent over on your bed, undressed and a moaning mess beneath johnny. he was everything you’d hoped for, and you wondered if you somehow manifested this in a way. it’s not like you could wonder for long, though, not with the way he held onto your hips like a lifeline. your hands clung to the sheets beneath you, fingers digging into it like it was going to disappear under your grasp.

“just as beautiful as the night i met you,” johnny whispered into your ear, body leaning over yours, hips snapping at the most perfect pace. “couldn’t stop thinking about you, about this- shit!”

the way he stretched you out was delicious. a hand of his reached up to yours, tugging it down to feel the bulge he left in your lower stomach as he thrusts into you. his moans echoed in skull, name falling from his lips like a prayer. your mind was rather torn. on one hand, johnny had you writhing against the bed, fucking you against the mattress. your inner thighs were slick with arousal, lips kissed swollen and spit coated, neck littered with lies. on the other, he was whispering the sweetest things to you. things that were contradicting every dirty thing you two were doing tonight.

“sound so pretty when you moan,” johnny croaks, hips snapping a little more irregular now.

you could tell he was close, and so were you. you gathered enough willpower to keep yourself from your orgasm, just until you knew he was ready. your orgasms washed over each other in unison. so much for you sounding pretty when you moan, his were just as gorgeous. his hand stayed on yours as you two cum together, your eyes squeezing shut as you savor it, back arching uncontrollably.

this was too good to be just a one night thing. there was no way you’d let him slip away from you this easily, not when you two fell into such a good rhythm. and with the way johnny was panting behind you, lips pressing against your shoulder blade sweetly, you had a feeling he’d be back over again soon.