#why the fuck did they call him steve 'the hair' harrington his hair looked APPALLING in season 1

[hella1975]

hopper's way of getting information is so funny bc he'll go 'step 1: lie' and if that doesn't work he immediately resolves to torture

[thephantomofthe-internet]

Not Your Type

Steve Harrington x Reader

Read part 2 HERE

Word Count: 6,669

Warnings: Swearing, Smoking, Drinking, Sexual Assault mention

Tag List: @carolimedanvers @moonstruckhargrove @denimjacketkisses @hotstuffhargrove @thechickvic @alex--awesome--22 @hipsmcgee @lilmissperfectlyimperfect @so-not-hotmess @balladblood @ashescilev 

“You’re not her type, Steve.” 

“You can’t say that till she meets me.”

The two had been arguing for days on the subject, without a clear answer in sight. Robin had promised, after weeks of watching Steve fail at getting girls, first at Scoops Ahoy and now at Family Video, to introduce him to a girl. Not just any girl, a girl like her. Steve had finally admitted that Dustin was right and he needed to go after girls who could make him genuinely happy, not just a girl who fit his popular mindset. He had tried his luck with Robin, and easily accepted the loss due to her own sexuality, and now he was set to try again. And Robin had been hyping up this friend of hers for weeks. She was cool and funny and smart like her and she was straight. That was all he was looking for. Whoever she was, she sounded perfect. 

But Robin was holding out on him.

His turned halfway to look at her, leaning his elbows on the counter to watch her shelf VHS tapes of music videos by the checkout line. She kept her back to him, rolling her eyes at his last comment. He was so pig headed most of the time, it was honestly annoying.

“Robin, you made this big deal about her, you said she was perfect, that I’d want to marry her on sight, and now you’re holding out. You gonna tell me what the deal is or not?” he asked with a brutal sigh. 

Robin didn’t turn around “Look, I might have...overhyped her a bit...like she’s amazing but she might...not be interested.” she said, brushing a strand of hair out of her eyes, turning to look at him with an embarrassed grimace.

“What?” Steve asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

“Look...she likes Billy Idol types. She probably would’ve gotten along with Billy Hargrove if...well, you know.” Robin said, trailing off at the end. Both nodded softly, Robin swallowing as if her throat was dry. Maybe it was, the memory was certainly hard to swallow and even harder to forget.

“Right...so?” 

Robin scoffed “You’re too squeaky clean for her.” 

Steve slapped his hand on the counter, his hair bouncing excitedly with the quick movement “Oh come on! Do you remember me? I’m Steve ‘Hair’ Harrington! I was the coolest guy at Hawkins High.” he puffed up his chest proudly, like a peacock.

“And the most modest.” Robin stood up, dusting off her knees from grim from the carpets sticking to her bare skin. The only perk of working at Family Video was the lax dress code. The store’s air conditioning had broken in June and had turned the place into an oven with its big windows that couldn’t be shaded to hide the marquees and cardboard cutouts in the windows. Keeping the front door open and wearing as little as possible helped. 

“But seriously, Steve, I don’t want you to get your hopes up about her. She might not be interested.” Robin replied, planting her hands on her hips.

“I got it, now when can I meet her?” Steve asked.

Luckily for him, you were already on your way.

You had no idea why Robin had been so insistent on you visiting her at work. She never had been before, she’d made you promise not to visit her at Scoops, which was strange since you only worked a floor above at Claire’s, piercing children’s ears with ugly silver butterflies and flowers, only for them to buy big plastic hoops and balls to shove into the unprepared holes and get them totally infected. It was fun, you got to use a piercing gun. You’d almost gotten fired for trying to pierce your nose with the gun. You were glad that you didn’t, it would’ve totally ruined your nostril, but you wouldn’t pretend that it wasn’t totally worth it to see the look on your fat manager, Marge’s face. She was such a bitch, you were glad when that damn mall burned down. The one in Carmel was better anyway.

When Robin insisted on you coming to Family Video to meet her for her lunch break, you weren’t insanely apprehensive about it. It wasn’t until her tone changed when she mentioned meeting her coworker and friend that you started getting that sickening feeling in the pit of your stomach. She was trying to set you up with someone. Again. She always did this when she wanted something. Last time she did it, it was with that awful Keith to try to get him to give her his poster from The Godfather, which he’d nicked from the back storage at The Hawke while it was still open. Whatever she wanted, you weren’t going to be used to get it. 

Still, you showed up. You promised that you would after all, and you were a person of your word. Parking your car in front of the store, you saw the almost empty parking lot and the wide open door signaling the open store. You sighed softly to yourself, grabbing your purse off the seat next to you and stringing it over your shoulder, popping the door and climbing out.

“Robin? You here?” you called as you walked in.” the store was empty and far too quiet for your liking.

“Welcome to Family Video, where we bring movie magic to you! Can I help you with anything today?” Steve asked from the counter, startling you. You practically jumped out of your skin, your hand coming to clutch at your heart as you whipped around to meet the soft expression of Steve Harrington. He looked slightly bemused, clearly trying to not laugh at your over the top reaction. You rolled your eyes, walking up to the desk.

“Is Robin here? Robin Walker.” you asked, looking him over with a calculating eye.

“Yeah, she’s just in the back, wait here.” Steve stepped out from behind the desk, pulling at his stiff, polyester golf shirt. The shirt was so white and blindingly bright that it hurt to look at, but the large black logo for the store broke it up enough to make it easier to watch Steve leave as it was to watch him walk away. 

Steve didn’t even make it all the way to the stockroom before Robin emerged, already changed out of her uniform and was grinning like an idiot. “Hey! You made it just in time!” she said, tossing you her purse and sweater. You caught them easily, relieved to see your friend and get out of there. 

“Steve, this is my friend Y/N. Y/N, you know Steve, right?” Robin said, gesturing between them with her now free hands. 

“What up, Harrington?” you asked boredly, crossing your arms over your chest.

Robin gritted her teeth, squeezing her eyes shut and pulling her lips into a straight line. This is exactly what she thought would happen. Every time she’d introduced you to someone, no matter how genuine she was being, you turned into a brick fortress, completely impenetrable. Gone was your bubbly, snarky personality and quick wit, replaced by sneers and eye rolls and sarcasm. You weren’t nice or warm or open when you met the boys Robin decided you’d like. You weren’t yourself.

This wasn’t you. Robin knew it, she was certain that deep down you knew it. But Steve didn’t know it. Robin was certain that he had no idea who you were. And that made it worse. He had no background to you other than her own descriptions. And that wasn’t enough. This was not going to end well.

“You ready to grab food?” you asked, drawing Robin out of her mind.

“Huh? Oh yeah definitely. Burger in a Basket cool?” she replied, her eyes darting strangely between the pair of you.

“Sure, I’m not vegetarian this month. Accidently ate a fish stick last weekend while babysitting Todd Carther again. Total shit head but his parents pay me so much money to do it.” you replied, handing Robin’s things back to her. 

“Hasn’t he scared you off yet?” Robin asked, tying her grey sweatshirt around her hips.

“Nope, almost got me by dumping a whole jar of electric blue paint on my head. But the stuff is non-toxic so it didn’t mess up my eyes or skin and it let me know that dying my whole head blue isn’t going to be a good look for me.” you replied with a giggle, flashing a strand of faded blue hair to her. “The stupid paint did dye some of the bleach though, which totally sucks.”

“You babysit Todd Carther?” Steve asked, drawing your attention back to him and indented a hard frown onto your face. Robin caught the look and wrapped an arm tightly around your shoulders, squeezing them too hard. 

“Oh yeah, Y/N is utterly fearless.” Robin announced with a grin.

“I know his older brother Matt; wicked dude, total party animal. He threw the best parties at the end of the basketball season. Totally rad…” he trailed off with a doofy grin, clearly imagining the fun times he’d had at some shitty house party.

“I know Matt too. He groped Sylvia Newman in the middle of freshman English for a stripe of Fruit Stripe gum. He assaulted her and didn’t even get detention for it.” you replied stonily, narrowing your eyes at him.

“Oh… bummer.” Steve tried. You scoffed, rolling your eyes. “No, I’m serious. I didn’t know about that, that’s really fucked up. I don’t hang out with him anymore, but if I did I’d stop.”Steve said more confidently this time, running a hand through his overstyled hair. 

That...wasn’t the answer you were expecting. It knocked you out of your senses and you took a moment to respond. “Yeah...well I take money from his parents so I mean nobody’s perfect. And that whole family’s fucked up anyway.” Steve smiled slightly and you tried not to notice it. He just looked so proud of himself. It was almost endearing. But not enough to make you want to care.

“So, anyway, Steve? You go on break yet?” Robin asked.

Steve furrowed his brow, looking at Robin as though she’d grown a third head. Robin nodded her head towards you strangely and suddenly Steve blurted “That’s the girl? Really?”

You whipped around to look at Robin, utterly appalled. You had a sinking feeling that the whole reason you’d been invited out today was to be introduced to some guy, but you had no idea it would be so quick and for the guy to be Steve motherfucking Harrington. You couldn’t believe it. I mean he was the dumbest, more generic guy at Hawkins High. You swore he’d won the metal for stupidest questions in your Home Economics class in freshman year. He was just…such a dork! How he’d gotten so popular, you had no idea. Maybe this town was such so void of charm and charisma that even the most empty, callus boy could become a god with a wink and a smile.

“What does he mean that’s the girl?” you asked, your face pulling into a look of sheer anger that could stop a man in his tracks.

“Oh great work, Harrington, now you’ve done it.” Robin sighed, pulling her purse across her chest, smacking his arm roughly.

“Robin, what does he mean? What did you do?” you snapped, forcing her to look at you. Her face pulled into a look that you knew too well. Regret, embarrassment, and just a little bit of fear.

“I might have promised Steve that I’d introduce you to him.” You groaned loudly, your head falling back to look at the white tiled ceiling. Robin pressed on, her face turning into a look of sympathy, her smile made of rubber. “Because you’re so great! He doesn’t have many friends his own age anymore and I just thought-”

“Oh I know what you thought.” You bit out.

“Well, are you coming or not?” Robin turned to Steve, completely ignoring you.

Steve’s face turned sour and surprised and he looked between the two of you and then to the clock above you. “I mean…I kind of have some stuff to finish up here and I should really wait until Keith gets here before I go on my break…don’t want Mr. Mueller mad at me again.” He scratched the back of his neck, shrugging awkwardly.

Robin clicked her tongue “Since when do you care?” Steve simply shrugged again. “Y/N, can you wait for me outside?”

You nodded, turning on your heel and heading out just far enough to be out of sight. You wanted to hear whatever they had to say.

“Dude what the fuck? You wanted this!” Robin whispered violently.

“Yeah but I didn’t want her!” Steve replied. You didn’t see the smack, but you sure heard the sound of skin hitting skin and the embarrassing yelp Steve let out.

“Yeah well, you’re going to come with us and you’re going to be nice. Because I did this for you. And now you have to accept it.” Steve didn’t respond, which must have been a good sign for Robin.

“Remind me to never do anything nice for you ever again…” Robin muttered as their footsteps charged closer to you and you scurried out the open door, choosing to lean against the burning hot glass, crossing your arms over your chest and knocking the sunglasses from the top of your head to your face again.

“You ready to head out?” You asked, standing up straight, smiling at Robin.

“Yeah, just waiting for Harrington to put the sign.” Behind her, Steve was hanging the tiny clock shaped sign on the door, trying to figure out what time it would be when they got back.

“Just put four fifteen, Steve, Keith will be back by then and your shift will be over like immediately anyway. You clocked out, right?” Robin said quickly, turning to you to add “Keith is a menace; he doesn’t like to work with anyone and kicks everyone off the floor whenever he can.” You nodded boredly, you’d heard this when she worked with him at the arcade; she quit whereas he got fired, it was a point of bragging for her.

“Yes, Robin. I did what you said. I don’t like this idea, I need this job more than you do.” He muttered bitterly. You raised an eyebrow curiously. Bitter looked decent on him.

“Oh, will you relax? Let your hair down a bit, dingus.” Robin grinned, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. The three of you headed down the street to the cheesy diner Burger in a Basket. The whole place was themed after a fifties diner, complete with neon and pastel colours and fifties nostalgia on the walls. Bikes, hoola hoops, records, pictures of dead icons like Elvis and Marilyn Monroe, movie posters-the whole shebang. You didn’t go there for atmosphere, no, you went for the food. Robin insisted that it was the best burger she’d ever had and you’d be hard pressed to find one better in Hawkins. You didn’t know if Steve had been initiated into the burger ritual yet, but you didn’t really care.

Entering the teal and pink dining room, you nodded to the poor young thing in the giant black beehive wig and roller skates, you and Robin heading towards your normal booth. Steve followed behind, wide eyed and a little bit horror struck. You slid into the booth and grabbed the menus out of the rack at the table, handing them out wordlessly. Robin pushed Steve towards your side of the booth and he begrudgingly slid in, much to your dismay.

“You dragged me out of work…to go to a cheesy themed diner?” Steve asked incredulously.

“Just wait till you try it, Steve, it’ll change your life.” Robin said with a grin, flipping open the menu. You knew that she always ordered something different each time you came. You always ordered the same thing so you didn’t bother to open yours. Steve cautiously followed Robin’s example, flipping around with a wide eyed, innocent expression.

“Alright, welcome to Burger in a Basket, I’m Sylvia, how are you guys doing today?” the voice above you asked. You grinned as you saw Sylvia standing there in the stupid uniform. It was a comfort to know that her life was a little worse than yours. After all, she was such a bitch to you most of the time. That Matt Carther thing gave her plenty of room to get away with being a complete bitch, and it gave you something to use as a tester with guys in town. If they didn’t know who she was or they laughed, then they weren’t worth your time. Sure, you felt bad for her, but she treated you like dog shit for a year before dumping your ass to hang out with Macy Clarke and Nancy Wheeler.

“Hey Sylvia, we’re doing alright.” You said with a slight smirk, resting your head on your palms. Sylvia cringed slightly, but her eyes landed on Steve’s and her whole expression changed.

“Hey, Steve…” she murmured, pulling her lip into her teeth, grinning slightly.

“Hey, Sylvia, how’s it going?” he replied. Of course he’d go for her, you thought to yourself, she’s exactly his type. Just dumb enough to be cute but just pretty enough to hold your attention, with the slightest stink of desperation. You wanted so desperately to roll your eyes, but Robin was watching you with the knowing look, so you maintained your composure.

“I’m good! Can I get you a drink? Or are you ready to order? Do you need a minute?” you wanted to laugh; this was the best service you’d ever gotten at the restaurant. And it was all thanks to Steve.

“I mean…are you guys ready? I think I’ve got it figured out.” Steve said, gesturing to Robin with a nervous expression.

“Yeah, I’ll get the Fourth of July burger with mushrooms and can I get no mustard? Oh, and a diet coke.” Robin said, smiling confidently at Sylvia, who took down the order boredly.

“Sure, and for you, Steve?” she asked sweetly, fluttering her lashes.

“Um…I need a second more, Y/N can you order?” he muttered, leaning over to you. You nodded, surprised that him being closer to you didn’t upset you. It was almost…nice.

“Yeah sure…I’ll get the double hula burger with extra cheese, no pickles, no ketchup, and a triple thick chocolate shake.” You rattled off quickly, enjoying watching her struggle to get everything down.

“Alright, you ready, Stevie?” Sylvia asked and you noted the distinctive blush forming on his cheeks. Sylvia seemed too proud of her work and you wanted to wipe that look off her face. Pride was a bad look for her.

“Can I just get classic burger with mayo and extra tomato? And a coke?” he asked awkwardly, still clearly very unsure of himself.

Sylvia nodded “Perfect! I’ll be back with your drinks in a moment.” She said, turning and skating off, waving coyly to Steve as she headed back into the kitchen. You and Robin snickered, Robin rolling her eyes as soon as Sylvia disappeared.

“Oh my god we should have been bringing you since day one, they never give us that much attention!” you cried with a loud laugh.

“Dude, she wants you so bad oh my god!” Robin added, reaching out to slap his shoulder. Steve lowered his head, shaking his head.

“I totally remember her now…she had a thing for me in junior year, covered my locker in paper hearts. I wasn’t supposed to find out but I did. It was very uncool.” He muttered, shaking his head. You remembered that too, how she’d planned it for weeks, forcing you to help cut out pink, purple, and red hearts. You thought the whole thing was so cringy and weird, but she was dead set that he’d be intrigued by the mystery and sweetness of the action. She thought it was so cute. Barbra Holland unintentionally started the rumor that it was her, but you wished it was you to tell the world. Watching her slink home was worth the afternoons in the library with her calling you stupid for not cutting the heart out perfectly.

“She was just trying to put her feelings out there!” Robin replied incredulously.

“No, Rob, she was being weird. She could’ve shoved a note in his locker, send him a candy gram and Valentine, they do that every year for lacrosse team. She did something unnecessary and creepy to get attention. You’re just a hopeless romantic.” You grinned, reaching out to touch the bright red heart drawn in permanent marker on her wrist. You knew she had a thing for Jennifer Buffet, who worked at the now defunct Starcourt movie theatre. She always drew that little heart on everything whenever she had a crush, it was like she was trying to get caught, you didn’t get that; you always wanted to hide your crushes until the other person showed any interest in you. You wouldn’t usually agree or defend Steve Harrington, but he was right for once. You didn’t mind agreeing if he was correct for once.

“I am not!” Robin cried, crossing her arms over her chest.

You leaned in to whisper to her “Tell that to Tammy Turner.” Robin turned bright red and she leaned back into the vinyl seat, looking away from you.

“Oh was it bad?” Steve asked with a wide, doofy grin. You were surprised to know that he knew about Tammy, but you didn’t question it. Asking questions could reveal something that Robin didn’t want known. You were used to being careful with her.

“Ohhhh yeah, it was a rough year with her pine after that muppet.” Watching Robin pine after Tammy Turner was so embarrassing, since the girl was so straight. I mean the Steve thing was one thing, but the girl dated Tommy H for two weeks between his forty-second break-up with Carol. That’s the epitome of straight bullshit: finding Tommy H’ s awful, crass, and downright sexist attitude and sense of humor attractive and desirable. How Robin didn’t see that was beyond you.

“That’s what I said! She sounds like a damn muppet! Like Kermit the frog or something!” Steve cried, smacking the vinyl and turning to look at you fully. When he wasn’t trying so hard, he was actually pretty cute. His eyes blew wide and his smile reached its fullest capacity, straining to not split his face in half.

“I thought more Ms. Piggy, like when she sang with Elton John. She always like pinching up her mouth at the end of her words, she looks like a wrinkly old apple.” You said, giggling slightly. “Don’t go breaking my heart…” you imitated, pursing and squeezing your lips together, making a tiny ‘O’ with your lips. Steve’s eyes grew impossibly wider and he laughed far too loudly, his head tossing back. You turned to Robin, who was blushing crimson, fully turned away from the scene you were making. Sylvia skated over with your food and drinks, smiling far too much. She placed each order in front of you, angling herself so her chest landed in Steve’s face when she handed his order over to him. He didn’t seem to notice, he was too busy laughing.

“What’re you guys talking about?” she asked, tossing your order in front of you.

“That time you made Steve’s locker look like the Valentine’s Day massacre.” You grinned back spitefully.

Sylvia paled significantly and she reached up to adjust her wig, looking away. “That…that wasn’t me…” she replied softly.

“Yeah…yeah it was…” Steve said between breathes, wiping tears away from his eyes. Sylvia opened her mouth to reply, but nothing came out. She turned away quickly, skating out fast. You laughed hard when she ran off, hunching over in your seat.

“That was so mean!” Robin cried, looking between the pair of you with a stern look.

“She…she deserved it! After everything I dealt with from her, I get to have one!” you replied, shrugging softly as you recovered. Steve offered you a high five, which you took happily. You never thought in your life that you’d be laughing with Steve Harrington. Today was a weird day.

“Eat, both of you.” Robin snapped and you complied equally happily. You loved this place-everything was fresh and made to order. Sure, it was greasy and unhealthy, but you deserved a bit of comfort food once and awhile. Steve took his first bite and let out a very loud moan. You giggled, it was so stupid. And a little cute, you wouldn’t pretend that it wasn’t. And maybe a little hot. But you wouldn’t admit that.

“This is so good!” he said, muffled by his mouthful of food.

“It’s even better when you’re high.” You whispered, nudging his arm. Steve nodded in approval, clearly into the idea.

The three of you ate in silence, wolfing down your burgers without much of a hum save for the sounds of ice clinking in glasses and small slurps from straws. Burger in a Basket still had glass bottle of coke, the rumor was that they filled them up with every drink and washed them after, since they didn’t really make glass bottles of soda for retail sale anymore.

With only their fries left, the group returned to each other’s attention. To your surprise, Steve spoke first.

“Can I be like honest here?” he said, turning to face you once again. You nodded shortly, shoving a fry into your mouth. “I have like, no idea who you are. I really don’t.” you raised an eyebrow at him, unsure of how you were supposed to react to that news. You swallowed your mouthful, nodding to yourself.

“Yeah, I figured as much.” You replied “I remember you though.”

“Oh yeah, what for?” Steve leaned back in the booth, putting his arms over the seat. He looked to be ready to take in praise.

“I remember how shit you were on the basketball team. How shit that whole team was.” You replied with a chuckle, watching Steve deflate immediately.

“I was, like, the best player on the team!” he replied indignantly.

“That’s not saying much.” That line made Robin laugh and Steve curl further into himself.

“You really should’ve joined the track and field team. You were much better at that anyway.” You added softly.

“On what planet? I’ve never even done track and field.” Steve cracked bitterly.

“Yes you have, we all had to do it in middle school.” You said. Both Robin and Steve looked at you like you were crazy, so without any remaining shame, you pressed on.

“At the end of the year, every year of middle school, we had the grade-wide track and field meet. We all trained on basic stuff-long jump, cross country, shot put for the older kids, and high jump. Then, each grade would compete and the best of those kids would go onto the main competition. We all got a day off to watch and there were free freezies. It was one of the best days of the year.” You explained.

“Yeah, so what? I never competed.” Steve replied, watching you closely.

“Yes, you did.” Steve raised an eyebrow at you. You rolled your eyes and continued.

“You were in eighth grade and I was in seventh. You had won the long jump in your grade level because Jude Armstrong broke his ankle and I had won the high jump. So we both competed. I remember three things about that day: one; that I won the high jump against all the older kids and Tina tried to push me into the mud after I got my medal; that you and Tommy snuck off to smoke cigarettes during the high jump. You both pretended that you’d done it before, and maybe you had, but Tommy was coughing so hard even after that it was so obvious that he’d never even touch a cigarette before.  And three, that that was the year we were all forced to run the cross country race. Nobody had wanted to compete in the race, so they forced us to do it to set an example. I didn’t want to run it, I’m not a distance runner, but you were so confident. You didn’t look nervous at all. And when the whistle blew and everyone bolted, you held back. You came in third in the cross country race and second at long jump, against the odds on both. It was the coolest thing I’d ever seen.”

Steve nodded. You looked so pretty when you explained the memory, your whole face lit up and your smiled so softly. You looked angelic, it was truly a sight. But the memory itself turned his stomach.

“I remember that…” he muttered “What I remember about that day was my dad telling me that no other place matter except first and that I was absolute shit.”

You felt so bad, bringing it up at all. He looked so sad now, you regretting even commenting on it. “Oh…I’m sorry…” you said softly. Steve shrugged as if it meant nothing, as if he felt nothing. “God, what a dick and you were good too!” you cried.

“Nah, I kind of sucked.” Steve replied, pushing away the compliment with his hands.

“No seriously! We could have used you on the team, Jude Armstrong sucked ass after like freshman year! You showed real aptitude. And you’re built for it, strong legs and a good core. Let guys like Chuck Bronson stomp around the court, you should’ve came and competed with us, you would’ve won something.” You joked, kicking his shoe with your own.

Steve huffed “We got into the county semi-finals last year…”

“Yeah? We won country finals and got fifth in state. Half my team got into state colleges on scholarship based on that alone.” You replied haughtily.

“You gonna get one?” he asked.

“I might, I got a scout watching me. Don’t know if I’m gonna take it.”

“Oh yeah, why not?”

You grinned proudly “I’m hoping to follow in Emma Lancaster’s footsteps.”

“What she do?” Robin rolled her eyes at that comment.

“She got a full ride to NYU for fashion design.”

“You sew?”

You rolled your eyes “I’m the head of the costume department for the drama club.”

“It’s how we met.” Robin added proudly.

“Emma Lancaster founded and headed up the fashion club at Hawkins High and ran the sewing club. She wants to work for designer labels and head up her own one day. I just want to make costumes for plays. I’d work anywhere that paid and go to any school that offered money.” You explained.

“That’s cool, I hope you get it.” Steve said and you noted the slightest hint of sadness in his tone.

“How’s your planning going, Steve, got any ideas yet?” Robin asked, clearly catching onto the tone Steve had in his voice.

“Well…” he looked a little embarrassed as he spoke, but did so anyway “I was thinking about applying to the police academy in Carmel…it’s not a clear shot, but I’d like it more than working for my dad.”

“My uncle works there, I can put in a good word with him if you want.” Robin said cheerily.

“That would be cool. I just don’t know if I’d be any good.” Steve muttered to himself.

“I’d think you’d be pretty good, I mean you’ve got strong morals.” You turned to Robin “Remember when he broke freak Byers camera? He deserved that fucking shit.” Robin nodded in agreement.

“I mean yeah, Steve, you care about people. Like you take care of Dustin like he’s your brother. It takes guts to be genuine and unafraid about hanging out with literal children.” Robin added.

“You hang out with Dustin Henderson?” you asked curiously.

“You know Dustin?” Steve asked, equally confused.

“Yeah, my sister Stacy made fun of him for like a week last year after the snow ball for asking her to dance. I wanted to smack the shit out of her for it, it takes guts to ask somebody out, especially at that age.” You explained, slamming your tall milkshake glass on the table, having just slurped up the last drops of chocolate milk and whipped cream.

“Yeah well he’s got a girlfriend now named Suzie.” Robin said. Steve’s attention had turned to the window and you heard a small gasp.

“Shit, Keith’s here, I gotta run.” He pulled out his wallet and slapped a twenty dollar bill on the table before sliding out of the booth.

“Don’t get in shit, dingus!” Robin called after him.

He spun around quickly, jogging backwards “If you get me fired, I’ll kill you.” He looked you over slowly, a lopsided grin pulling at the corner of his mouth “I’ll see you around, Y/N?”

“Yeah, sure.” You smiled. Steve nodded happily and his back slammed into the poor dish boy, stumbling slightly before scampering off.

As soon as he was gone, Robin turned to you with a devilish grin “He likes you.” She giggled, reaching out to poke your shoulder.

“Good for him.” You replied, trying to seem confident and uncaring about the whole situation. Internally, you were utterly rocked. He’d gotten to you. You’d drunk the Steve Harrington kool-aid. He was deeper, more genuine, honest, and cooler than you’d ever expected him to be. You were utterly intrigued and now you had to know more. But you weren’t going to admit it now, not when Robin was being so cocky about it.

“I think you like him toooo!” she said in a sing-song tone.

You scoffed “No, not really.”

Robin saw right through you. But there was no sense in arguing when you were like this. You had too much pride to admit it now, especially with Sylvia floating around, looking for any excuse to rip the rug out from under you. But she had an idea.

“So, listen, I’m not working tomorrow and we haven’t hung out in forever. Wanna have a sleepover tonight?” Robin asked, pulling out cash from her wallet to cover herself and you, since she owed you money from the last time you’d gone out to eat.

“Sure, I’m not babysitting the brat tomorrow.”

“Great! You want to rent a movie or something? I get a discount at Family Video.”

You knew what she was doing, but you went along with it. No sense in calling her out now when she had a plan, it wouldn’t stop her anyway.

“Eh, whatever. I’m good either way.” You replied breezily.

“I wanna rewatch Carrie so let’s head over. Maybe grabbed some snacks too, I want some sour belts.” Robin said, climbing out of the booth and grabbing your hand, pulling you out. You didn’t really like horror movies and you really hated sour belts, they weren’t even sour, so you knew Robin was milking your ambivalence for all it was worth. What she didn’t know is that you actually kind of liked Carrie and you had a new dress that needed fitting and Robin would be the perfect model for it. Karma was a bitch.

Robin dragged you all the way to Family Video and inside, grinning at Keith and watching him blush as you passed by. He’d told you that he loved you the first and only time you hung out. You never called him back and Robin had to explain to him that saying I love you on a date that wasn’t even a date is the wrong move. Now, he wouldn’t even speak to you, which you didn’t mind.

“Y/N! Go gather as many packs of sour belts as you can get your hands on! I’m gonna find Carrie in the back!” Robin instructed.

“Get something fun too! Like the Princess Bride or something! Something I’ll actually watch!” you called after her. Robin flashed you a thumbs up and you sighed, turning on your heel and heading to the checkout line, grabbing lime green packs of rainbow striped, sugar coated candies off the rack and clutching them to your chest.

Robin found Steve in the back and, with very little pushing, sent him out onto the floor to talk to you. It only took two tries from him to get the courage to go and talk to you.

And again, he scared the shit out of you. He tapped you on the shoulder and you jumped a foot in the air, dropping all the sugary treats.

“Shit sorry!” Steve cried, dropping to his knees to clean up the mess.

“It’s okay!” you replied quickly, following suit. He shouldn’t have to clean up your mess after all. Your hands both rushed to grab the packages and when they brushed one another over the last packet, you couldn’t pretend that it wasn’t nice. The briefest chance of touch set your heart aflutter. You felt like you were ten years old again. He handed the packages over quickly, standing up just as fast. He offered you a hand up, which you took, if only to hold his hand for the briefest of moments. God, who even were you? You pulled it away fast.

“So…what’s with all the sour strips?” he asked, looking over the armful of candy you had.

“They’re Robin’s favourite. She told me to grab a shit ton, so I did. She’s grabbing the movies for tonight.” You explained.

“What movies?”

“Robin wants to watch Carrie. I’m hoping she gets something fun too, like Fast Times at Ridgemount High or The Princess Bride. Something funny.” You replied. You’d never smiled so much in a day, your face was starting to hurt but with Steve you couldn’t help it!

“Oh yeah? Having a sleepover or something?” that cocky Steve Harrington attitude was coming out, but it wasn’t making you as nauseous as it usually would, which was very odd.

“Yeah kind of. Which means Robin’s gonna wanna watch horror movies, eat so many of these until she pukes, and sneak malt whiskey from her father’s liquor cabinet.” You said, not hiding the slight disdain in your voice.

“Yeah? What’re you gonna do?”

“I’m gonna hem the dress I made for the Roenke County theatre’s production of Romeo and Juliet, sip vodka from my flask, and take away the sour belts when Robin gets sick.”

“Sounds fun?” Steve questioned.

“It probably won’t be,” you chuckled “But it’s not the worst way to spend a night.”

“How’d you think an evening with me would chalk up? In comparison I mean.” Steve asked, his hand coming to the top of the low black shelf to lean into you.

“Well I guess it would depend, what’s your plan?” you asked with a grin.

“Whatever you want.” He murmured softly, smirking far too confidently. You didn’t mind though, you knew what was underneath it all.

“Well, I’d have to think about it…how about you call me sometimes and we’ll talk about it.” You replied slowly, looking him up and down.

“Anytime, you got a pen?” Steve said. You nodded, pulling one out of your purse and grabbing his arm. You scribbled out your number on his palm, trying to make it as legible as possible and ignore how big and warm his hands were.

“I’ll call you tomorrow, that cool?” he said as you watched Robin saunter up too confidently, too proud of herself and of what she’d done.

“Sounds good.” You smiled, ignoring Robin’s cocky leer. “You ready to pay for this shit?” you asked as she walked up, wrapping an arm around your shoulders.

“Gimme the belts, I got this.” Robin said, eyeing up Keith like she was going to beat him up. Maybe she was. “Wait in the car, okay? I didn’t bring mine, so you’re driving me home.”

You nodded “Got it.” You turned to Steve, smiling softly “I’ll see you around, Harrington.”

“Definitely.”

[kingofno-whereville]

I could really use a body swap right about now, and one of them finding some incriminating evidence that the other boy like him, and confronting him, but don't make it a long body swap, let's just sat they swap for like a few days, cause reasntly I read this other one and the body swap went on FOR-EVER

Billy had a rude awakening Wednesday morning but not in the way he was used to. Instead of a banging on his door and a yell to get up, it was the beep of an alarm clock. The last he checked he didn’t have an alarm clock. In his sleepy haze he’d thrown his blankets aside to see skinny legs in a pair of pajama pants. His heart could’ve jumped out of his chest. What the fuck?? He rubbed his eyes, looking around. That’s not his fucking room. He scrambled out of bed, running to the first mirror he saw in the room. 

Steve Harrington.

Okay so. This is just a dream. Has to be. He pinched his arm. Nothing. Shit. He wasn’t even going to bother trying to figure out what’s going on, he needed to find his body. What if Steve’s in there? He’s not lending his body to fucking Steve. He opened his drawers, looking for the least preppy outfit he could. Jeans, black button down that probably isn’t meant for casual outings, and a leather jacket he really didn’t expect to find. 

The clock read 7:15 am. He definitely had some time to explore the room. Why did Steve even wake up this early? He didn’t think he worked out, he would’ve noticed. He looked through drawers, finding the usual teenager things. Magazines. Lotion. The whole gambit. Yeah maybe he didn’t expect to see a men’s sport magazine under the porn magazine but hey that’s not his business. Billy would do that if he wasn’t so heavily monitored. He shut the drawer of the nightstand and moved onto the little shelf below the nightstand. Not much to see. Some records. A small box. He sat up on the bed(which he took the time to make, your welcome Harrington) and opened up the box. There were several photos of Steve and the kids. Steve and Nancy. Trinkets that probably meant something to Steve. Then alllll the way at the bottom was a picture of him and Steve. He recognized it right away. It was taken after they had won the basketball state championships, there was a crowd of people around them and Billy had hugged him in the excitement of the moment, someone with a camera nearby deciding that was a good moment to capture. He didn’t think Steve would save the photo. He set it back in the box and put the box away, moving onto the desk. He sat down in the chair, opening the first notebook he saw. It was some basic stuff like history notes. He flipped all the way to the end where he found some doodles and little notes.

stupid blond asshole

That had to be him. 

I wish he’d stop smirking at me like that.

He smiled, shutting the notebook. Sounds like someone’s a little frustrated. He wasn’t sure if it was just plain old frustration or sexual frustration but it made him pleased because that’s exactly what he was trying to provoke. he stood up and left the little room, shutting the door quietly behind him. The house was completely silent save for the ticking of a clock that got louder as he approached the kitchen. Jesus, where were his parents? He opened the fridge, grabbing out the carton of eggs.

He’d admit, it was kind of nice not having to rush to eat his food. He hated pulling up to school in the fucking Beemer. He had to tear apart the whole car just to find a cigarette just to find out that Steve doesn’t even have Marlboros, he’s got the weak shit. It was nice not getting bombarded by girls and Tommy. He could see the Camaro further up the parking lot so he started to head inside. He tried not to break into a run. He just wanted his body back. Sure enough he saw himself leaning up against his locker awkwardly. 

“Hey!” He called out. God he hated sounding like Harrington. He didn’t hate Harrington’s voice per say, but he hated that he had to use it until god knows when. It just doesn’t fit him. He could’ve screamed when he saw the get up Steve had him in. A sweatshirt he never wore, jeans, and his hair up. It looked pretty normal but it’s simply not how he dressed for school. Steve looked about ready to lose it himself, which is fair. Billy had to admit, he thought the outfit he picked out looked pretty hot. He watched Steve walk over before he grabbed Billy’s arm and yanked him into the nearest bathroom. 

“What the hell did you do to my hair?” That’s his concern? The hair?

“I made you look hot, you should be thanking me.” Steve just looked at him deadpan. Did his face really look like that? I mean damn Billy would admit he’s got the looks he knew that, but he just had this look settled in his eyes. “Do you have any idea what’s going on?”

“No. If I did I would be trying to undo it instead of going to school.”

“Did you go through my shit?”

“Hardly. There’s no time to do anything in your house.” Billy’s heart practically jumped from his chest when he realized that Steve was actually in his house around his family for an hour at least. “Uh..you’re looking a little pale there man. You good?”

“Yeah.”

“Are you gonna get mad if I ask you a question?”

“Depends.”

“What’s your dad’s problem? The guy’s a complete asshole.” Billy felt like his world was falling apart around him.

“Uhm..he’s just like that.” He’s sure he could brush it off. “So what’re we gonna do until this is..undone or whatever?”

“I don’t know. Just pretend everything’s alright?”

“Okay then you can’t dress my up like that. It looks like I just got home from the artic or some shit.”

“And you can’t flirt with everyone who speaks to you.” Oh great, they’re getting into this part of the conversation.

“I don’t! Do not sleep with anyone.”

“I don’t know that seems out of character for you.” He felt like grabbing and pushing him against a wall but he knows Steve’s got the upper hand here being in Billy’s body. 

“You have to do the dishes after dinner every night. Nobodies gonna remind you but you don’t...just don’t forget to do the dishes. I’ll have my schedule written up hour by hour and we can trade homework after school. If I give you my notebooks you better fucking keep up with the notes in class and do NOT dent my c-”

“Billy! Jesus christ I got it. We can write up schedules and rules for each other.” 

Steve’s schedule and rules were much shorter than Billy’s. Billy spent at least 20 minutes writing and used 2 pieces of lined paper. Billy read over the schedule in the car, surprised to find that he shouldn’t be expecting Mr. and Mrs. Harrington until Saturday, if it even lasts that long. Steve even included his entire hair routine on the back side of the paper. Suddenly Billy understood why Steve needed an hour in the morning. Billy included a mandatory workout routine so he guessed he could stick to a hair routine. He almost forgot Steve drives kids around whenever they need it. So if some Dustin kid called, Billy had to do whatever he needed and do it nicely. He felt like he was in a nightmare.

He got scared when he saw a car in the driveway of the Harrington house. He checked the rear view mirror, just making sure he looked as Steve as possible, before getting out and heading inside. 

“Stephen?” Stephen?? He wanted to burst out in laughter.

“Hello?” He hung his jacket on the hook and made his way towards the voice that had called out to him.

“Did you just get home from school?” This must be his mom. He had nothing to gain from her so he could just be him which was such a relief.

“Uhm..yeah. I thought you were coming home this weekend?”

“I know but I was just so exhausted. I figured we could spend some time together? I know I haven’t really been the best about spending time with you but I’ll be home for a few months so we can make up for lost time!” Billy hated that he wanted to cry. So he just smiled and nodded.

“Alright that sounds good.” 

He watched a movie with Mrs. Harrington and she told him about some guy she met who’s supposedly famous. She hugged him goodnight. She’s a good mom. After she went to bed he, went downstairs and called his place. It rang for a minute before he heard his own voice. Thank god.

“This is weird but do you want to meet up at the quarry?” He’d tell him about his mom at the quarry.

“Sure. I’ll meet you there.” He hung up and was out the door so fast.

He had spaced out, laying on the hood of Steve’s car. He was waiting to smoke until he got his cigarettes from the cup holder of the Camaro. Speak of the devil, he heard his car roll up. It’s hard to not know it’s his car. Before he knew it, Steve had sat beside him on the hood of his car.

“Hey.”

“Hey. Your mom’s home.”

“Awesome. She tell you how disappointed she is in me?”

“No? We watched a movie. You have a good mom.”

“My mom is hardly ever around.” Billy was silent. He wanted to tell him that his mom didn’t even call anymore, let alone drop in for visits. He didn’t want to elicit pity or anything.

“How’s my house?” He doesn’t know why he asked. He already knows.

“Your dad yelled at me for putting my elbows on the table and then mocked me for playing the top 40. Max thinks you’re possessed.” 

“You played fucking top 40? God you’re so bad at this whole acting thing.” He laughed. He’d laugh a lot more if he wasn’t appalled by the image of his own body dancing to that shit. “I hope this is all over tomorrow.”

“Me too. I did some cleaning in your room by the way.”

“And?” 

“Didn’t know you’re into guys Hargrove.” He’s never wanted to jump in front of a moving vehicle so badly.

“If you say anything I will-”

“I don’t mind. It’s not a big deal.” He sat up and looked at him. Did he always have a distant look on his face or is that just Harrington?

“Then I guess you know-”

“I don’t mind that either I think you’re...nice.”

“Nice? Is that all I get?”

“I don’t know, I’m not telling you I think you’re hot.”

“You just did!!!” He laughed. “When we get our bodies back, will you be mad if I kiss you?”

“Not at all.” Steve looked at him, with the most Steve looking grin. 

(they woke up in their own bodies Friday morning. they kissed so much.)

[mystrangerfics]

“Don’t look away from me.” with angsty Billy please my bb

“Don’t Look Away From Me!” - Billy Hargrove

(Sooo, this took a really odd turn! Sorry! Hope you like it, bb!)

Warning: Swearing, Abuse, Violence.

Pairings: Billy Hargrove x Reader / Steve Harrington x Reader

Word Count: 3440

You kept your arms crossed as you stomped angrily through the crowd of people that filled Tommy H’s house. You had come to the party to surprise your boyfriend, Billy Hargrove. Your prior plans with your parents had fallen through so you had shown up to get drunk and have a fun evening with Billy. Much to your surprise or more sadly, to your lack of surprise, you had found him out back by the pool with a blonde girl from school wrapped around him, their mouths locked together. Your anger had taken over and you had shoved them both back into the pool. You had only stood there long enough for Billy to angrily come up out of the water, looking for who had dared to disturb him. When he saw you standing above him his anger diminished a little and he realized he had messed up.

“Hey! Hey! (Y/N), wait!” Tommy tried as he quickly followed you and tried to grab your arm. You shoved him away from you as you walked out the door, slamming it.

You heard it open behind you quickly and the telltale sign of water dripping on the cement porch. “Where the fuck do you think you’re going?!” Billy hollered as he stomped up behind you.

“Home! I leave you alone for a whole fucking evening and you’re off fucking something else!” You hollered back, not looking at him. “We are so fucking done!” You ripped open your car door to leave but Billy kicked it shut. You turned, looking at him with a glare. “What, Billy?!”

“You’re not even going to let me explain myself?!” Billy snapped, standing in front of you with his broad shoulders squared up.

You snorted before scoffing and shaking your head, rolling your eyes towards the sky. “Sure, Billy! Please explain to me what I saw! I’m sure I really misunderstood!”

“If you would shut your mouth for five minutes I’d tell you!” Billy harped and you just looked at him, crossing your arms. He didn’t speak for a moment and you moved your arms towards him, signifying that you were waiting.

“She just grabbed me right as you came out! It wasn’t what it looked like! You think I would really mess around with that, skank?!” Billy asked, looking at you like he was appalled you would think that.

“That must be why you were trying to push her away by grabbing her ass in your hands,” you said with a flat tone and an unamused face.

“Okay, fine! Yes, I made out with her but that didn’t mean anything,” he argued and screwed up his face. “I was just bored!”

You shook your head at Billy for what felt like the millionth time. “You know, I’m not even surprised,” you admitted to him. “I just can’t believe that you think I’m dumb enough to buy a word that you say!”

“Well if you’re not surprised then why are you being such a bitch?!” Billy asked, motioning to you like you were being ridiculous.

“This is just…you’re so…,” you couldn’t even say anything, your mind racing.  You held your head in your hands and shook it.

“Just come back inside,” Billy said, trying to grab your arm but you pulled it away.

“I should have known not to fucking bother with you. You’re so fucking predictable,” you finally mumbled, hugging yourself.

“What did you fucking say?!” Billy asked and you kept your head down with a sigh. “Don’t look away from me!” You remained quiet and couldn’t bring your eyes to Billy’s level. “What the fuck did I say?!” Billy snapped and you felt him push you into your car and he gripped your jaw, holding your face up to his.

“Let me go!” You hollered as he painfully held your jaw.

“What the fuck did you say?!” Billy hollered and glared.

“Get off me!” You hollered before you shoved Billy back but his grip didn’t let up. You shoved him again and felt his grip tighten, bruising your skin. His hand grabbed into your hair, fisting and pulling before you started hitting him repeatedly, trying to get him off. You heard him growl and he shoved you into your vehicle, knocking the air from your lungs and you fell to your knees.

“Billy! Hey, get off her!” You looked up to see Tommy shoving Billy away from you. “Fucking quit it, man! That’s enough!”

“Come here, babe,” you heard as Carol’s arms wrapped around you and helped you sit up. She held you against her as Billy shoved Tommy back and punched him. “Billy, don’t!” Carol hollered and you gripped around her waist and realized you were crying.

Billy got on top of Tommy and started punching him but after a moment another person ran full force at Billy and tackled him. The fight kept up and you saw Steve Harrington had been the one to join the fight. Steve managed to get a few good punches in and when they broke apart Tommy was back on his feet. Steve and Tommy stood in front of you and Carol, blocking you both from Billy.

“Come on, (Y/N),” Carol whispered to you and stood, slowly helping you to your feet. “Can you walk?” She knew your legs were okay but you were noticeably shaking. You nodded before getting up with her and she helped you towards the porch of Tommy’s house.

“I’m not done talking to her!” Billy harped and you flinched, scared he would somehow get his hands on you again.

“Yeah, you are!” Tommy snapped and pushed Billy back.

“Fucking beat it, Hargrove,” Steve added, stepping up beside Tommy.

Billy looked like he was going to continue to fight for a moment before he scoffed and walked off for his car. “Fuck you both anyways,” he mumbled as he lit a cigarette.

Steve and Tommy watched him for a few moments until he gunned it in his car, swerving dangerously towards Steve and Tommy. Tommy kicked at the car as it went by before looking to Steve with his hands on his hips. They looked over each other for a moment before Tommy stuck his hand out to Steve. There was a moment of hesitation before Steve took his hand and shook it.

“Thanks for helping me, man,” Tommy said after a moment.

“Anytime,” Steve said before he followed Tommy over to you and Carol.

“Let me get you some ice,” Tommy said as he went inside.

“I’m gonna check on him,” Carol whispered to you before she got up to make sure Tommy was okay.

Steve slowly sat himself down beside you and looked at you with a frown. You wiped at your face before sighing a little and looking to Steve. “Thank you,” was all you could think to say before you broke down, crying again.

Steve hesitated for a moment before he slowly wrapped an arm around you and you rested your head on his shoulder. “Shh,” he whispered and pet your hair as he held you to him.

Tommy came out a few minutes later with a towel wrapped up with ice in it. You slowly sat up and took the ice pack, placing it on your tender jaw. “Thank you, Tommy,” you said quietly before you stood up and hugged him.

He held onto you for a moment and rubbed your back, being mindful of where you had slammed against the car. “No one deserves that,” Tommy said as he let you go. “If he does that shit again, you tell me. I’ll fuck him up,” Tommy said back, making you smile a little.

“You’re the best, Tommy,” you said before pulling away from him a little. You had been friends with Tommy and Carol for a long time but had grown distant after they had alienated Steve. It had left you feeling put off with them but then Steve was so wrapped up in Nancy it had left you in the middle with no one.  

“Still got your back, girl,” Tommy said before he went back inside to get his own ice, his face puffy on one side.

“I can’t believe this happened,” you confessed with a little sigh, sitting back on the porch. You sniffled as your nose was still running from your previous tears.

Steve nodded his head in agreement before sighing in disbelief. You both looked up at the night sky and you realized you hadn’t really spoken to Steve since the year before.

“I’m sorry about Nancy,” you mumbled, looking at the towel of ice in your hands. “I know it was a while ago and I’ve been a shit friend but…I am sorry. I know you really loved her.”

“You know,” Steve began before pausing and sighing out. “I think I’ve been a shit friend too. I got with Nancy and I just…I stopped checking in with you. I stopped calling or asking to hang out,” he admitted before running a nervous hand through his hair. “Then you were with Billy and…,” he trailed off, shaking his head.

“I guess we both fucked up,” you said before placing the ice back to your jaw.

“I screwed up first,” Steve said honestly and looked to you. “I’m sorry that I didn’t value our friendship. I just figured you thought what everyone else did, that I turned bitch for Nancy.”

“I’ll be honest,” you mumbled before shrugging. “I did kind of feel that way,” you admitted. “Not at first but when you wrote me off like you did,” you paused before sighing a little. “I think I felt that way because you just left me behind.”

“Honestly,” Steve started before a small, awkward smile appeared on his face. “I liked you more than a friend, so when I got with Nancy, I felt guilty when I talked to you.”

You hid a tiny smirk before nodding your head a little. “If we’re being honest,” you said and Steve nodded. “I was jealous of Nancy.” You looked down as your cheeks reddened a little.

Steve seemed to take in this information with a nod before smiling a bit. “So we were both stupid,” he said before laughing a little and shaking his head. You nodded with your own smile.

Steve looked at you and saw a bruise forming on the back of your neck. He frowned before taking the ice pack that was in your hand, resting on your lap. He readjusted it before he moved closer and brushed your hair back from your neck. He gently pressed the ice to your bruise and you looked at him, your faces closer.

“I’d still be jealous if you were with Nancy,” you admitted with a whisper.

“I’ve wanted to punch Billy Hargrove in the face since the first time I saw him holding your hand,” Steve said back as he looked at you. “I knew he was just going to hurt you. Granted, I didn’t expect it to be this bad or I would have punched him before tonight.”

You smiled a bit at Steve before you leaned over and rested your head on his shoulder. He kept the ice on the back of your neck but leaned his head onto yours. You both stayed quiet and close.

__ __

Steve had followed you home the night of the party and hugged you goodbye. You spent most of the weekend resting until one night you heard a car pull up outside. Your mother and father had just left for a business trip about twenty minutes prior, you thought they might have forgotten something. You pulled open the door but paled when you saw Billy walking up the steps. You quickly slammed the door and locked it before you ran over to the phone, grabbing it up.

“Go away, Billy!” You hollered, holding the phone to your chest.

“Let me in,” Billy said, his voice full of malice. The hair stood up on the back of your neck and you took a step towards the hall. “Open the fucking door, bitch!”

You jumped when he hit the door harshly and you found panic swelling up into your throat.  You quickly began dialing the phone for the police station as there was another loud bang on the door.

“Florence!” You hollered when the woman answered the phone. “Florence I need you to send someone quick! Billy Hargrove is breaking into my house!” There was another loud band and she told you to try and get out or hide and that she would send Hopper. You took the phone with you and ran down the hall. You weren’t sure why but you found yourself dialing Steve’s number, knowing he lived right up the road. You heard him pick up the phone right as you heard the door crash open, you nearly dropped to your knees with fright as you managed to duck into your parents room. “Steve,” you whispered so quietly that you didn’t think he could hear you.

“(Y/N)? What’s wrong?!” He asked, finding himself talking hushed in response to your shaking voice.

“Billy,” you whispered as you quietly crawled across your parents room, trying to make it to a window.

“Billy? Billy, what?” Steve asked, his voice growing concerned.

“Come out, doll! I just want to talk,” you heard Billy say in the hall, his tone taunting.

“I’ll be right there!” You heard through the phone before it clicked.

You tried pushing up the window by your parents bed before you heard the floor creak outside their door. You bit your lip to hide a whimper as you laid yourself down and doved under their bed. The door flew open and you curled into a ball, both hands clasped over your mouth.

“Kitten,” Billy called in a singsong voice. “Why are you hiding? I just wanna talk,” he said and you saw his boots right beside the bed. He kneeled down and his face came into view. “Boo!” He said and grabbed for your legs. You screamed and kicked at him, landing a kick to his face and he fell back.

You dragged yourself forward and got out from under the bed. You scrambled to get your footing as Billy got his and made it into the hall a second before he did. You ran for the door but Billy grabbed your shoulders and threw you to the floor, being able to run faster than you. Your face hit off the floor and your vision span, you groaned and blinked hard, trying to focus. Your eyes landed on the door and your hands reached out, trying to pull you in that direction.

“You wanna slap me?!” Billy hollered down at you before he stomped on one of your hands. You felt immense pain and heard the bones popping before you let out a scream.

“You think you’re too good for me!” He hollered and you flinched as you pulled your wounded hand into yourself.

You had your eyes closed when you heard a meaty thud and waited for the pain to register. When it didn’t and you heard another one you peaked open your eyes.

Steve stood with his back to you, a bat held back, ready to swing. Billy laid on the floor and for a second, your eyes scanned him, thinking he might be dead. A loud, crazed laugh filled the air and Steve kept himself tense.

“Just stay down, Billy!” Steve hollered, adjusting the bat in his grip. He watched as Billy shifted, getting ready to get up before a foot rested on his shoulder and a gun was pointed at his chest.

“I’d listen to him. I think he’s giving you pretty good advice,” Hopper said as he looked down at Billy.

Steve finally rested his bat down by his side and came over to you. “Oh, God,” he whimpered as he held your head gently, keeping it off the floor.

“It’s not as bad as it looks,” you tried but your words were oddly broken up and slurred. Steve pulled a hand from your face to brush back your hair a little, you saw blood smeared on his palm. You hadn’t noticed that you were bleeding but figured it might be your nose.

Hopper kneeled beside Steve after a moment and you just noticed another deputy taking a struggling Billy out. “Ambulance is coming, kid,” he said as he seemed to examine your face, replacing Steve’s hands.

“I think I’m okay,” you said and shifted, trying to get up.

“Hey, hey, hey,” Hopper said and rested a hand on your shoulder, coaxing you to lay back down. “We just need to check you for a concussion and look at the hand. Then you’ll be free,” he explained.

You sighed as you rested your head back but nodded a little. Steve stayed with you on the floor, holding onto your unharmed hand. He frowned as he looked to your other hand that rested against your chest. You were shaking and had to turn your head, to let the blood from your nose drain. Steve wiped it away each time it reappeared, keeping it from running down your cheek.

“Did I at least fuck his face up a little?” You asked after a moment, thinking back to when you kicked Billy.

Steve let a genuine burst of laughter break through his sadness and smiled a bit. He wiped his cheek against his shirt on his shoulder, brushing away a tear. “Yeah, fucked him up good. Split lip, busted nose,” he listed off before smiling. “You got him good.”

“Good,” you hummed and Steve was happy to see your nose stopped bleeding. You seemed less out of it and a little more aware, he relaxed. The paramedics came in and began looking you over.

__ __

“Mom, I am fine,” you assured as you stood by the nurses station, holding the phone to your ear. “Just a cast on my hand,” you explained. “Hopper said someone will fix the door and uh…Steve said he would stay with me.” You explained before biting your lip. “Yes, Harrington.” You said and glanced to where Steve was standing down the hall, waiting for you. “Yes, he is a nice boy,” you replied. “Goodbye, mom!” You said when she started prattling on about the rules of her house.

Steve brought you home and you found the door already fixed. All signs of any disturbance was cleaned up and you made a mental note to thank Hopper.

Steve got you into bed and asked if you needed anything. He stood beside the bed with his hands in his pockets, seeming suddenly unsure of himself.

“I’m okay,” you said with a little smile.

“Okay, well, I’ll be right out on the couch if you need me,” he said, motioning over his shoulder.

“Hey, um, Steve?” You asked, stopping him before he went out the door.

“Yeah, what’s up?” He asked, turning back to you.

“Did you want to…,” you started before stopping with a little sigh. “Would you mind sleeping with me? I don’t want to be alone.”

Steve found a soft smile on his face before he nodded a little, “Sure.” He stopped beside your bed to kick off his shoes and you pushed over for him. He laid on his back, unsure of what you were really comfortable with. He didn’t want to make you feel pressured or nervous by his presence or actions. However, it was only a moment until you rested your head on his chest. Your hand that was in the cast resting there too.

“Thank you for protecting me,” you mumbled quietly. “And for saving me.” You nuzzled a little closer to Steve, his scent calming your nerves.

“I owed you,” Steve said with a little smile. He allowed his hand to run over your back for a moment.

“Well, now I owe you,” you said with a little smile.

Steve bit his lip for a second as he thought what you said over. “Would you let me take you to dinner?”

You paused for a moment before you lifted your head, looking to him and smiled a little. “Yeah,” you whispered before you looked to his lips.

Steve saw your glance and leaned forward a little, hesitantly pressing a peck to your lips. You smiled more at him before pressing your lips back to his, letting it linger for a moment before you pulled away. You laid your head onto his shoulder and nuzzled into his neck. Letting all your bad thoughts and memories from the weekend drift away.

[corroded-cofffin]

Don’t Go, I Can’t Do This On My Own || Pairing: Steve Harrington x Reader

Warnings: None, maybe angst?

I’m a messss anyway this is from a prompt from this list. It’s “Please, come with me.” I’ve been slowly working my way down this list. Most of them have been Steve so far lmao

You were dying to leave Hawkins as soon as possible. You hated your family and you hardly had any friends. It didn't bother you because you knew as soon as you could you'd leave the damn place.

Steve Harrington was the one person who made this hell hole tolerable and even now he was in a sad jerk mood because Nancy broke his heart or some shit. He wouldn’t talk much about it.

You hated that you were gonna add on to that hurt. So you shoved your acceptance letter to NYU in your binder and ignored it for the rest of the day.

“Let's go to Benny’s after school. I'll pay and you can vent or mope. Whatever.” It had been two weeks since whatever the hell he had been doing at the Byers and he still wouldn't tell you what happened.

It had been a week since Nancy and Jonathan started holding hands in the halls and kissing when they thought no one was noticing. (Its high school someone is bound to see and spread that gossip like wildfire.) Billy had kept on teasing Steve relentlessly, though this was the least of Steve's worries, and you had to tell him you were leaving soon.

All in all things weren't great for Steve, he agreed to go to Benny’s with you though.

After school he drove you over there listening to a sad mixtape you assumed he made himself.

He put on a front for the kids and Nancy. Said it didn't bother him.

When you got to Benny’s you began talking to him like normal.

“So I saw Mike Wheeler with some new girl? She have anything to do with your adventure you refuse to tell me about?” you still tried to pry info out of him.

“You know I don't want to talk about that. I will eventually just not now. It's like everything is happening so fast I haven't had time to wrap my head around anything.” that was the most he spoke on the situation and you understood to an extent.

“I can't believe Nancy and Jonathan like...it hasn't been long enough and I feel like Nancy was with you long enough to tell when you're lying about your emotions. What is even up with her?” You just wanted him to let some of it out, he was going to explode if he kept it in, and the only way to get him to talk is to put some pressure on him.

“Leave Nancy alone it isn't her fault.” You ignored him.

“Isn't it though? She strung you along. All that time. For what? Nancy was my friend too. I'm allowed to be appalled at her actions, which were wrong, even if you aren't.”

He sort of nodded in agreement. He started patting his pockets. “Forgot my wallet.”

“I said it was on me.” You answered and he smiled.

“I'm not gonna make you pay for me. I know you're trying to save up.” He knew you hated Hawkins, but you always talked about maybe doing some community college classes before moving on.

He didn't know your home life got worse. He didn't know that you couldn't wait to leave.

He excused himself and went to his car. You were mindlessly playing with the sleeve of your jacket when he came back looking pissed.

Your brows furrowed together, “What's wrong?” he silently slammed your letter on the table.

Your face felt hot as you noticed other customers looking towards you guys. He was making a scene.

“What the hell?” he said simply, but loudly.

Your voice was low, “Steve, please, can we talk about this...somewhere else?”

“Why?! You don't care about these people! Or this town! Or…” he took a deep breath as if he didn't want to say what he was going to say next, you were standing at this point, eyes searching his face, your hands twitching and aching to reach out to him. He finally finished his statement before walking out, “Or me.”

You were in shock. He really said that to you. You couldn't move even as you felt all eyes on you. Tears were forming. You swallowed harshly and willed them away.

Finally someone spoke, “Um, don't worry about the bill it's okay.” It was Benny and suddenly your embarrassment came back full force.

“I-I am so sorry.” You stammered out. You snatched the letter off the table before storming out of the diner.

Surprisingly Steve was still there. In his car, his hands gripping the steering wheel so tight his knuckles were white.

You walked over and peered into the window. “Steve...I have so much to say and yet I can think of anything.”

“I was gonna leave but then I thought how will she get home. Who is gonna take care of her?” he looked like he was about to cry and it broke your heart. “who's gonna take care of her in New York?” He swallowed and you felt tears threatening to form in your eyes as well. “Who's gonna take care of me?” he finished and finally looked at you.

“Steve…” you exhaled and steadied your breathing. “I-I don't want to leave you. You're the best part about this garbage town. You're the best part of my life.” You wished you were in the car speaking to him. You wanted this to go so differently.

“Then why?”

“You always knew I was going to leave.” You responded simply.

“I know-” he slammed his hand on the steering wheel. “Fuck.” he said he was crying now and it fucking tore your heart up. He cleared his throat. “I just thought I had more time. I thought I'd have time to convince you to stay.”

You were sad, mad, and a mixture of confused. Steve had been hiding things from you and had been pretty tore up over Nancy lately. He had been distant, you never thought Steve felt this strongly towards you.

“I'm getting in the car.” You said and quickly got in. You guys didn't look at each other and sat in silence for a while, both of you regaining your composure. “I hate it here. I hate the kids at school. I hate my aunt and uncle. They hate me. I hate the weird shit that no one will explain. Like the stuff with the Byers kid or why Barb went missing and suddenly her death is discovered. Things seem off here and I don't like it. I want to be happy and I know I won't be here.”

“Even if it was with me?” he asked finally looking over at you. He looked hopeful.

“I'm usually always happy with you, but I can't stay here. Steve, you were just moping over Nancy.”

“You… you're misunderstanding. Yeah, it was a little upsetting when her Jonathon decided to be more...public with their relationship, but I've had time to get over that stuff with her. It's all the other stuff I'm having trouble with.”

“Which you don't want to talk about.” You sighed. “I'm not saying you have to.”

“So, do you want to hear something embarrassing?” he suddenly changed his tone. You looked at him skeptically but nodded. He let out a large breath.  “I'm sure you remember the Halloween party and what I told you about the bullshit speech?” you nodded again. “I ran into Nancy while...things were crazy and I told her to go with him, Jonathan, and she told me that I deserved to be happy too and I needed to talk to you.” You lifted an eyebrow. “I didn't ask her what it meant for a while. I asked her about a week ago and she laughed and called me an idiot, which was….hard for me, but she told me she had never felt like she could commit to me because I always loved you.”

Your heart stopped. Just from the story you knew he had feelings for Nancy, it was obvious, but maybe you could believe he had feelings for you. At least at one point.

“You still care about her.” You said and he nodded.

“But if she left I would get over it. It would be fine. If you leave I'll be devastated.” So maybe he did have stronger feelings than you thought.

“There's a solution to this.” You said and you saw hope in his eyes.

You sighed because you know he would never agree. “What is it?”

“Come with me.” his face fell and you began crying you couldn't hold your tears back anymore, “

.” You were almost begging but you couldn't help yourself.

“I...you know I can't do that to the kids.” You wanted to be selfish. You wanted to remind them they had parents and each other and Nancy and Jonathan and Hopper, but you didn't.

You just nodded and tried to stop crying but you couldn't. “I want to.” he said sounding helpless.

“I can't stay here, Steve.” You said with finality.

You both faced forward. He started the car and began driving.

“I know you can't stay here and as much as I want you to I guess I won't ask again. I won't have you resenting me over something as dumb as Hawkins. I'm sorry I can't go with you.”

But you can, you wanted to say. “I am too.” You said instead.

“Stay with me? Until you leave?” he said quietly.

“Like...at your parents house?”

“They're never home and when they are I can say you're just staying the night or whatever.”

You were shocked and your first instinct was to decline, but you thought about staying with him or with your aunt and uncle. He was definitely better company and it was only a month.

It also could make things more difficult for you two.

“Okay. Yeah.” Your mouth said before your brain could talk you out of it.

“Really?” he said excitedly.

“Yeah. Fuck it.” You said with a smile.

So you stayed with Steve Harrington for a month. His parents came home twice and didn't even mention you.

But you and Steve were getting closer and closer all the time, which you had thought impossible considering how close you two were before all this.

One night, a week until you were scheduled to leave, you guys were eating dinner and watching a movie.

“I'm going to miss this.” he said it absentmindedly.

You smiled at him, “me too.”

When you were done eating you guys snuggled on the couch, a thing that had been happening a lot, a thing you immensely enjoyed.

“Can I tell you something?” he said into your hair.

“Of course.” You responded instantly.

“I...want to tell you about what happened with everything.”

You almost gasped, but stopped yourself. “Okay, tell me whatever you're comfortable with.” You replied.

He told you everything. What happened with Will and Barb and what happened recently.

You immediately thought he was lying, but he was serious, and emotional. Your gut told you he wasn't. You sat up and looked at him.

“You've been keeping this to yourself all this time? No wonder you were such a mess. That's a large load for one person.” You responded.

“But it was all of us. We all dealt with it.”

“But they all have each other and the kids rely on you. There was no one to take care of you.” You frowned and wished he would have told you sooner. Your hands ran through his hair, an attempt to soothe him.

He smiled a little smile. “I survived just fine.”

But he was still sad. You could tell.

“You're incredible.” You replied simply unable to word what you wanted to say.

But that made him smile wider and he wrapped his arms around you.

“You're the incredible one.” he whispered and kissed your cheek.

You guys spent the rest of the night cuddling and fell asleep watching a movie.

The night before you were scheduled to leave you began freaking out a little. It was exciting and scary. When you noticed Steve leaning in the door jam watching you pack you felt sad.

“Fuck, I don't know what to say as usual.” You said throwing some clothes into a suitcase.

He laughed at you. “No goodbyes right now. I'm just trying to memorize every detail about you.” You rolled your eyes and ignored the blush you knew you were getting.

“I'll visit. As much as I hate this town I love you.” You said and your eyes grew wide as you realized what you said.

There goes your mouth again, not letting your brain catch up.

“You...love me?” you scoffed and rolled your eyes.

“We always say that to each other Steve.”

“But this was…” you finally glanced away and continued packing. “was it different?” he asked and you sighed.

“I guess, yeah.” You said not wanting to have this conversation.

“I love you, you know it took me quite some time to get used to the idea of falling in love again, especially with someone who won't be in the same state as me.”

And there it was, the whole reason you didn’t want to do this.

“I don't think we should go down this road.” You said still packing.

He grabbed your hands and you reluctantly looked at him. “We aren't. You're going to be too far away. I'm not suggesting we try to make this work.”

“Then why do this?”

“I need this last night with you. I needed to know.”

“But this is going to hurt you.”

“I'll survive.” He smiled at you and finally kissed you.

Your world seemed to fade away. You completely melted into the kiss, it was slow and tender, full of love you didn't even know was there. Your hands wrapped in his hair and his held your face. You felt the kiss lasted a lifetime.

He pulled away and you kept your eyes shut and attempted to steady your breathing. Your eyes finally fluttered open and Steve was just staring at you like you were the greatest thing in the world.

His thumb was stroking your cheek. You suddenly wanted to stay. Knew that you wouldn't.

“This is a mistake, Steve.”

“I need this night with you.” he responded and that was enough for you.

You guys kissed and cuddled all night, talking through the night. You were going to be exhausted tomorrow but it was worth it.

When it was getting into the early hours of the morning he got a little more serious.

“I think if you stayed, and this is just a scenario, we'd have a little two bedroom house, and we'd do game nights or movie nights with the kids and Nancy and Jonathan. You'd become a novelist, and I'm going to school to become a nurse-” You shot him a look he hadn't told you he wanted to do that. He looked slightly embarrassed, “Yeah, it's something I've been thinking about for a while. I want to help people and not like Hopper does or anything I've done enough of that.”

You smiled at him, “Okay finish your story.” You desperately wanted to hear the end of his fairy tale.

He chuckled. “After we got steady on our feet with jobs and had a nice amount of savings we'd plan our wedding. It would be a small thing but I think you'd want something elegant, just seems so you.” You rolled your eyes. “Maybe we'd have kids but who knows.” he stopped there.

When he started you loved hearing it and towards the end...your heart sank. He had put a lot of thought into this. Into a life you could have had together.

“Do you want to hear the scenario if you come with me?” You asked and he nodded. “at first we get a small studio while I finish school. Unfortunately we're both going to be working shitty jobs to pay our bills, but after I graduate I'll get a better steadier job with pretty good pay. You could also go to school to be a nurse and start that. When we saved enough we find a nicer apartment or maybe a small house. I kind of want a house so we can have a small garden. We'd get married in spring. Maybe have a kid, not several. We'd come and visit everyone here and if we had enough money fly them out to visit us. I'd be happy.” You finished finally.

You guys basically just made yourselves sad. It felt good to say though.

“I'll visit you as much as I can.” You said quietly.

“It's alright worry about your future. I'll be here.” You didn't know how to respond to that you just cuddled closer to him.

You fell asleep, got a couple hours then you were up and he was driving you to the airport. Your heart was pounding. You wanted to cry. You also wanted to clap with joy.

It was a conflicting time.

He got out and walked with you a bit.

“So here we are.” You nodded, unsure of what to say. He sighed. “Don't worry about me. I'll call you and you can visit. If I ever get steady income I can visit. I will visit.”

“But...are we together? What's going on?” you didn't want to ask but you did.

“I...don't think we should do that. I think we should just wait until we figure things out a bit more.” You nodded.

“I think so too, but I need you to know I love you.”

He smiled at you. “of course I know that. I love you too.” You guys shared a small kiss before you left to get on the plane.

You wanted to go back and beg him to come with you. He'd miss everyone but you guys would be happy.

You glanced back at him and he smiled and waved.

You returned it.

You couldn't be that selfish. You couldn't ask him to change his whole life because you couldn't deal with a shitty family in a shitty town.

So you turned around and left.