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[withlovemark]

💌 thank you for reading!!!

all of the moments that led me to you.

warning: steve's black eye (nothing new), violence, mentions of blood, a fight between steve x billy

pairing: steve x reader, light billy x reader (not really, this isn't a love triangle lol)

words: 4.5k+

summary: the title speaks for itself -- a series of moments with steve harrington

an: i was going to post everything as one fic but i kind of hit writer's block in the middle of year 1985 so i'll post this for now instead and hopefully gain some inspiration to continue :)

-

yr. 1984

i. the first meeting ft. dustin henderson

the words “code red” hitting your ears every five seconds, the stomping of feet running around the house, the back door opening and closing several times - babysitting is weird. not one kid is ever the same, some are easy-going, others can be a real pain in the ass. 

you hoped you got an easy kid today. one that just stays in front of the television, binging on crackers and occasionally asking for your help. obviously, you were wrong. 

if it wasn’t for the fact that it pays well while simultaneously allowing you to do some of your own studies and looking good on your college resume, you wouldn’t even be here.

but you are here. seated inside the henderson household. 

“hey y/n, can you please drive me to my friend mike’s house?,” dustin runs into the living room, an exasperated expression on his face, interrupting your reading. 

“are you okay?” you ask, worried about the kid you just met when his mother called an hour ago trailing on about how she saw your babysitting flyer some time back. and even though she knew that she had to book a date at least two days beforehand, she still asked if you could watch over her son. 

“just for today” she said, as she needed to look for her missing cat. her promise of double pay, convincing you to accept her request. 

“i’m fine, i just really need you to drive me to mike’s,” dustin says hurriedly, eyes hopeful that you wouldn’t ask anymore questions. 

“why?” you ask and the boy’s shoulder slumps, doing his best to not roll his eyes at your persistence. he’s obviously not used to  asking for permission. 

“i uhm forgot my book there and i really, really need it to study for my exam tomorrow,” he sends you a toothy grin, trying to convince you that that was all there is to it. you’re no fool. you notice the slight change in his voice, his fingers anxiously playing with his pockets, right leg slightly bouncing up and down - indications that he’s lying.

“you know your mom’s not paying for my gas, right?” you reason, not wanting to give in to his request and hoping you could just have a calm afternoon.

dustin sighs, his smile disappearing, “fine. i’ll just go behind your back and bike there and if i end up missing or in a ditch somewhere then it’ll be your fault,” he counters, personality quickly switching from the boy who said “please.” 

you sat there, flabbergasted, “are you…blackmailing me right now?” an eyebrow raising, you couldn’t believe how diabolical the curly headed boy is. 

“i’m not blackmailing you. i’m simply telling you what's going to happen if you don’t drive me,” he smiles, an almost devilish smile, tone hardening with every word and you truly do not know whether you’re terrified or impressed. 

letting out a quiet chuckle, you shake your head, “alright, c’mon kid,” you say, grabbing your car keys off the table, “but we’re going back as soon as you get it.”

——

you should’ve known not to trust him, finding yourself hurriedly getting into the back seat of the car of the last person you ever expected to interact with - steve harrington. 

pushing his forgotten red roses towards the other end of the car, you take your seat in the middle. 

“wh-what are you doing?” dustin turns from the passenger seat, facing you as steve takes in your presence, eyes on his rearview mirror, a confused expression evident on his face. 

“y/n l/n?,” he questions, finally remembering where he has seen you before, “you’re in nancy’s grade?,” he asks, more a question for himself than you. 

you nod, “steve harrington,” acknowledging his presence for the first time. 

 “why are you with dustin?” he wonders. he didn’t know much about you. only that you and nancy were sometimes studying in the library together. she’s told him before that you always get the top grades in class and she wanted to be around more motivated people like you. 

“i’m his babysitter and i’m coming with,” you simply answer his question, keeping the explanation short. it’s weird enough that you were inside the car of hawkin high’s famous “king.”

“since when did you have a babysitter dude,” steve reverts his attention back to dustin. 

“i'll explain later,” dustin reassures him quickly before turning back to you,  “and uhm, you don’t have to come, i have steve now,” he points to the guy in the driver seat like you don’t see him. 

from what you’ve heard about steve, you’re not sure you trust leaving the young boy with him. he’s known for being notorious, having bad company and overall, just a guy with the money, the looks and the popularity that somehow has every girl wanting him and every boy wanting to be him. you’re not sure how that guy can be trusted with kids.

subconsciously, you eye steve suspiciously, causing him to put two hands up in surrender “hey, i have no idea what’s happening either,” he defends, shrugging nonchalantly. 

snapping out of your daze, you focused your attention back on dustin, “look dustin, steve isn’t the one being paid to watch you right now,” you start to explain.

“hold on, you’re getting paid for this?” the older boy interrupted.

you ignore him, attention still on dustin, “if something were to happen to you, your mom would be looking for me. i’m responsible for you kid, i-,”

“fine! there’s no time,” he cuts you off, obviously in a rush. 

“you can come, just,” dustin contemplates, already regretting the words that slipped from his lips, “just don’t blame me for getting you into this thing.”

at that, steve snaps back to reality, “wait, wait, wait, if this ‘thing’ is about ‘that’ then she definitely can NOT come,” steve declared, his voice laced with a seriousness you didn’t think he could have. 

“well, are you going to drag her out of the car so she doesn’t find out about this thing?,” the younger boy replies, a sarcastic tone evident on his lips. 

“guys, i can hear you,” you piped in, eyes going back and forth between the two boys, having absolutely no clue what they’re referring to. 

“dustin, im not joking ok!,” steve ignores you, “we can’t tell people about this,” a serious expression appearing on his face, one you’ve never seen on him before, “we’ll get in trouble, you know that. besides, we shouldn’t involve anyone else into this anyway!,” he protested. 

he didn’t sound like the steve you would hear about at school. he sounded responsible, protective. he sounded like…a babysitter. 

“i know that steve, that’s why i told her to leave!,” dustin shouted. 

“well, she’s clearly still sitting in the backseat of my car!,” steve’s voice raises with every syllable. 

“can someone just explain what’s happening?” you try butting in, rolling your eyes, completely fading into the background as they continue their bickering.

“i don’t see YOU trying to do anything about it!,” dustin throws the argument back to steve, his patience on thin ice.

“she’s YOUR babysitter!,” steve points out yet again, ears turning red, veins popping and finally pushing the young boys’ limit. 

“fuCK!, we don’t have time for this steve, we really have to go NOW!” dustin shouts, losing his temper. 

steve, ready to reprimand him, before you decide you’ve had enough.

the series of “thing” and “this” has your mind spinning and your curiosity getting the best of you.  

“SHUT UP!” gaining the two boys’ attention, their bodies turning towards you, “both of you. shut. up.” you enunciate, loud and clear.  

“i promise i won’t blame you…or you,” glancing at the two boys, “for whatever the hell this thing is…just put your seatbelts on and drive,” ending their argument as you sat behind the passenger seat, clicking your own seatbelt into place. 

steve gives up, letting out a sigh, “fuck it,” before finally stepping on the gas. 

ii. the babysitters and an angry billy hargrove

you should have never picked up mrs. henderson’s call and you definitely shouldn’t have agreed to babysitting. what was the point of having your own terms and conditions when you didn’t even follow them yourself?

you should, however, have listened to steve and dustin when they told you to leave.

the day isn’t even over yet and you’re already questioning everything you knew. in a span of a couple of hours, you have been introduced to a world you couldn’t even imagine. having to pinch yourself a couple of times to make sure you weren’t just dreaming. 

everything was strange. 

you’ve spent the whole afternoon dropping meat, trying to bait something called a demogorgon. met steve’s spiked bat. got questioned regarding your relationship with billy hargrove from his very own red headed step-sister. came face to face with the said demogorgon, who, by the way, had demogorgon friends and were actually a pack of demodogs. almost died in a junkyard. walked in the dark woods just to end up in a creepy laboratory. felt the awkward tension between steve, nancy and jonathan. understood why will byers was called the zombie boy. stood behind steve while holding a random kitchen knife you grabbed from the byers’ kitchen — and to top it all off, encountered a little girl who flung the finally, very dead demogorgon through the window then unlocked the front door, all using only her mind. 

in conclusion, monsters and superpowers aren’t just a thing people read in their comic books.

“how are you holding up?” steve breaks you out of your thoughts, your eyes snapping to his voice. 

everyone else has left, leaving you the only two teenagers to act as the adults once again. 

the strangest thing of all of this was somehow, steve harrington went from being the popular jock to a guy whose simple presence can provide you comfort. everything you knew about him has changed. 

it’s amazing what shared trauma could do. 

you shoot him a small smile, “well, i definitely wasn’t expecting all this,” you look around the mess around you, “to be a part of that thing” you refer back to the boys’ banter, trying to keep the energy light despite everything that happened. 

he gives you a sheepish smile,  almost like he was sorry, regretting that he allowed you to be a part of this. 

“it’s not your fault. i chose to come,” you say, reading his thoughts and putting an end to them. 

“where did you put the demogorgon?” you continue, changing the subject, reassuring him that you were ok. at least, as much as anyone could be ok in this situation. 

“we stuffed it in the fridge,” he shakes his head, arms crossing, like he couldn't believe it himself, “‘for science’ dustin said,” steve quotes the younger boy with a grin.  

“right, of course, all the important things,” you chuckled, matching his grin as the two of you continued to clean the broken fragments that have scattered around the house. 

you thought it was over, that you could all just wait for everything else to unfold in peace but after a few minutes of silence, the kids were back on their feet, ready to "get off the bench.” you’re not sure how steve has the energy to continue arguing with them when you’re completely exhausted. 

the sound of an engine brings a silence to the house, max running towards the blinds recognizing the car that has made an appearance in the driveway, “shit, it’s billy, he can’t see me,” she says frantically, eyes meeting yours, a silent call for help. 

“i got it, just hide,” you hushly ordered, quickly making your way to the front porch. steve tried pulling you back but you were out the door before anyone could protest, resulting in him looking through the peephole. 

billy’s momentarily confused expression at your arrival wasn’t lost on you and if you were in his shoes you’d probably have the same one on, “hey sweetheart, what are you doing here?,” his husky voice taking up space in the cold, night air.

standing a couple steps away from him, his hand immediately finds a spot on your waist, pulling you closer. you placed a hand on his chest to keep some distance between the two of you, aware of the audience you have, “i’m babysitting a kid, his friend lives here,” you explain, smiling sweetly at him, hoping that he won’t suspect anything and leave as soon as he came. 

“have you seen my sister?” he asks breathily, face inching closer and closer to yours, a smirk on his lips. if it was any other day, you would have enjoyed his attention, maybe even be up for some fun. right now though, you just want him as far from max as possible. 

“no, why would she be here?,” feigning innocence, you hope he believes your lie. 

“she’s been hanging out with a couple of kids here, a bunch of bad influences,” he huffed, eyes quickly glancing around you before pulling you even closer.

“i haven’t seen her, she’s probably at the arcade, have you checked?,” you hope he doesn’t hear the shakiness in your voice. 

“you know what i like about you sweetheart?,” he muttered, placing a harsh kiss below your ear, his grip on your waist starting to dig into your skin. you know he has caught you. 

“you can’t lie for shit,” pulling you away from him, gaze darkening, he howled with laughter as you followed his line of vision, seeing four kids peeking through the window — one, with very bright red hair. 

frustrated curses slip from your lips as you shoot them an angry glance before billy grabs your wrist, dragging you right behind him as he pounded on the door, coming face to face with steve. 

“harrington, am i dreaming or is that you?,” he mocks, his hold on your wrist tightening. 

“yeah it’s me, don’t cream your pants,” steve rolls his eyes, hands on his hips like a disappointed mother. 

steve notices you wince under billy’s hold, “let her go man,” he orders, taking a step towards the wider boy. 

billy focuses his attention back on you, for a second you see a feeling of betrayal flash through his eyes but that was quickly replaced with a snarled expression, like he was completely disgusted with the thought of you. 

“is there a reason why you both are here alone?” his dark voice causes goosebumps to rise throughout your body. 

you’ve heard of how violent he can be but until right now, he has never shown that side to you. 

“what are you saying?,” you almost couldn’t recognize him anymore, breath hitching in your throat. 

“are you fucking him behind my back, sweetheart?,” billy’s voice grew menacing, “you know i don’t like to share,” he continued accusing you, his free hand coming in contact with your neck, forcing you to look at him. 

“dude, no. we’re babysitting,” steve answers for you and motioning towards the kids like it’s the most obvious answer in the world.  

“you’re hurting her,” he emphasized, “just let her go,” gently stepping closer, steve has his arms slowly reaching for you, hands up, a signal that he comes in peace. 

steve hopes billy will focus his attention on him instead, just wanting to get you out of there. he feels responsible for your safety and well-being. 

“gladly…” billy shot him an evil smirk, “you can’t trust bitches anyways right, harrington?,” he scowled, violently throwing you against the wall. 

your head makes a direct impact with the concrete, causing you to fall to the ground, a whimper slipping through your lips. you hear the kids' screams and a punch being thrown as you feel your vision slipping between darkness and light.  

you make out dustin running towards you and grabbing your hand, trying to get you to sit up. a couple of unsuccessful tries, he pleads “i’ll come back okay, just stay alive,” as he makes his way back to his friends. 

the proceeding events were all a blur and it felt like you were watching it through static television. one moment you can hear victorious cheers. the next moment, you hear something break and steve is suddenly lying on the floor a couple feet away from you, bloody faced and barely breathing. billy continuously throws his punches and the kids scream in fear. you try to get up but your body betrays you, only allowing you to reach out your arm towards the brown haired boy. 

somehow, the sound of the punches halted and billy fell to the ground. a sigh of relief escapes from your lips while the slow rise and fall of steve harrington’s chest becomes the last thing you see as you completely fade into the darkness.

—

the next time you open your eyes is to another set of screams, waking you up from your much needed slumber, if you can even call it that. you ignore the pounding in your head as you try to regain your vision. the first thing you feel are the strong arms in front of you, acting as your seatbelt, as you try to piece it all together. 

a couple minutes of confusion later, you finally recognize what’s happening, joining steve in full babysitter mode. the yelling of “no’s!,” and “stop the car’s!,” filling the tiny vehicle. 

“great, now they’re both awake!, i told you we should have just left them!,” mike cursed dustin annoyingly. 

“we were not going to leave them there, mike!,” dustin retorted, “c’mon guys i promised you’ll be cool, okay? just calm. down,” he softly ordered, like he was the babysitter and you two were his children. 

you scoff, “dustin, don’t fucking tell me to calm down!,” somehow fearing for your life now more than ever. 

“everyone just shut up, i’m trying to focus!,” max yells as lucas yells the directions in her ear. 

max makes a harsh turn causing a chorus of screams to rise. your hand immediately clutching around steve’s arm, face burrowing in his neck, seeking for protection, afraid of the crash that luckily never came. 

you’re not even too sure what happened the rest of the night but somehow you all made it out unscathed, besides the fact that you and steve are probably suffering matching concussions. 

iii. the heart-to-heart

in the tiny bathroom of the byer’s house, you find yourself standing in between steve harrington’s legs. his body feels familiar now, especially after you seeked comfort in each other in the dark tunnel, the two of you thinking it would be your last breaths. in some way, the miracle happened and the screeching demogorgons ran straight past the two of you, like you weren’t even there. 

you remember looking up at his golden, brown eyes. being that close to him, you noticed how beautiful they actually are and finally understood how he has charmed every girl at school. 

‘i guess it wouldn’t have been too bad dying in steve harrington’s arms.’ you thought to yourself.  

brushing those thoughts away, you bask in the moment of solitude within the commotion that is taking place behind the bathroom door. everyone reunited here, checking up on each other.

“does it hurt?” you ask him as you gently pat the alcohol covered cotton pad around his eye, cleaning up the bits of red that have stained them.

he slightly winces, hoping you didn’t notice, “i’m fine, this isn’t my first rodeo,” he assures, sending you a wink before completely regretting the tiny action, a frown briskly replacing his smile, causing small chuckles to slip between your lips. 

“you know, you should really stop getting into fights, i could’ve sworn you had a black eye just a year ago,” you remember it like it was yesterday - steve harrington walking the halls of hawkins high without his two minions for the first time, looking like he had fallen off his throne as the hushed whispers grew louder until they finally made its way throughout the school in a matter of minutes. 

you could tell he wasn’t at all the person he was trying to be and for a second, you saw yourself in him. you wanted to get to know that steve. the steve that may understand you. but that second didn’t last long. 

“so you were watchin me?” he teases, a smirk on his lips resulting in a playful shove and an eye roll from you.

gently grabbing his chin, you stare straight into his eyes, “of course i was. you’re steve harrington,” you remind him, “everyone watches you,” stating the facts before letting go and going back to removing all the dried up blood from his pretty face. 

he clears his throat, shrugging his shoulders, playing it cool, “yeah, i guess you’re right,” he says dumbfoundedly, making you laugh. 

“you’re ridiculous,” you quietly comment, a smile still on your lips. steve focuses on your light touches, trying not to wince every time you get near his open wounds. you notice his knuckles going white, gripping the toilet seat he was sitting on and ever so gently, hurried your actions. 

“there, all clean,” you softly declare as you slip from his space, turning around and putting all mrs. byer’s first aid kit back into place. he quietly thanks you, leaning his head back a bit to rest, his eyes shutting for a second. 

“thanks, by the way,” you break the silence “for protecting me earlier… with billy and all the upside down things,” you explain, looking at steve through the mirror. he nods, not entirely sure he’s deserving of your gratitude. you protected him as much as he protected you. 

“is he always that violent with you?” steve asks, an eyebrow going up. 

you immediately shake your head,  “no, he’s never laid a hand on me, i don’t know what came over him,” you say honestly. 

“why billy hargrove?” he asks, causing you to pause your actions, paying attention to him.

“what do you mean?” you reply, turning around to face him once again, your back against the tiny kitchen sink. 

“well, you didn’t leave dustin alone even though you just started babysitting him today, you care about having seatbelts on, you immediately covered up for max and just now, you took care of me when you should be taking care of yourself,” he points out, “you’re responsible and kind and you care and, well, billy is just a huge dick,” he finished, a hand flailing in the air as you stare at him, stunned at his observations.

you compose your thoughts for a while, not at all ready to have a heart to heart with steve harrington in a bathroom. 

instead, you throw the question back at him, “why nancy wheeler?” 

“you cannot possibly be comparing billy to nancy,” he replies quickly, a disapproving tone laced in his voice.

“i’m not,” you say defensively, “i’m just saying, she hurt you too but you’re still with her, you-”

“i-i don’t know if we’re actually still together,” he sadly replies, cutting you off, eyes dropping to the floor and you think back to the woods earlier that night — nancy emerging with jonathan right by her side. 

“but you still love her,” you continue, “even though she’s hurt you, you still love her,” you finish, trying to make a point.

“so, you’re in love with billy?” he concludes.

you scoff, wanting to say yes and finally drop the subject but the mere thought of agreeing with that sentence makes you visibly wince. 

“god no, i’ve been on a couple dates with the guy, it’s far from love,” earning an even more confused steve to face you. 

“i don’t know if it’s because i got my brains punched out or i really am just dumb but i completely lost you there,” he admit, a tiny smile on his lips and all you could do is sigh. 

heart to heart talk it is. 

“you’re not dumb, i just-” taking a deep breath, you prepare yourself.

“we all have our own reasons why were with someone,” you begin, “i’m just so tired of the perfect good girl image that has been imposed on me, it's like people just see me as that and nothing else,” as soon as you start, the dam breaks, flowing. 

you find yourself entrusting your deepest thoughts to him, “i can’t be fun because good girls aren’t supposed to be, i go to parties and people are confused that i'm there. you know, i even joined the cheerleading team so people can see me as something more? but all that does is fuel the assumption that i can do everything and still get shit done...that im not capable of mistakes and bad decisions. that i’ll turn out to be something great when really i’m just so damn scared all the time,” your voice breaks but before he could comment, you cleared your throat and continued. 

“i guess being with him makes people finally see me out of my stereotype” you confess, waiting for him to say something. the silence becomes overbearing and you feel completely vulnerable under his gaze. 

“oh,” steve responds, before bursting into laughter and you feel like a complete idiot, eyebrows shifting downward. god, you’re so ready to dramatically walk out of this bathroom and slam the door against his face but before you could do that, he notices.

“hey wait,” he says, gently grabbing your arm, asking you to stay as he arranges his thoughts.

“i’m sorry, i’m just relieved that you’re not actually in love with him because you deserve a lot better than billy hargrove,” he says charmingly, his cool facade still on display. 

“i know,” you agree, stopping yourself from rolling your eyes, “is that all?” you ask, still annoyed. 

“yeah,” steve starts, “i-no,” you give him time. you know that he’s having a war in his mind right now, the same one you just had. 

he avoids your gaze, thinking to himself, until finally, he puts his defenses down, “i understand you,” he confesses. 

“if it makes you feel better, it’s not at all greener on this side, i wished people looked at me less, i wish i didn’t have to go to all these parties just for people to respect me,” steve rattled on, feeling the weight fall off his shoulders with every word that falls off his lips, his facade disappearing bit by bit.

“i completely gave up on school because everyone has already expected me to fail and i started to believe them…it’s tiring having to pretend i’m this ‘king’ steve,” he quotes, “when really i am spiraling and have no fucking clue what i even want in life...i’ll probably just end up having a stupid job i hate and being as bitter as my father,” he sadly chuckles.  

“i’m just as scared as you,” he ends with a small smile, eyes meeting yours. he feels lighter after having said it all out loud for the first time and he can’t quite comprehend how he feels so safe sharing his saddest truths with you. 

but as you cast him a kind smile, the words “fuck stereotypes,” making its way to his ears, he can’t help but be thankful for the spilled truths and ajar doors. 

steve mirrors your expression and you’re glad you finally got to meet him. not “playboy” steve harrington and definitely not steve “the king” harrington. 

just steve. 

-

next: yr. 1985 (to be written)

an: a lil bridgerton reference there hehe ... thank you for reading! let me know if you're interested in reading the other moments i had planned :)

feel free to inspire me by dropping your thoughts, comments, suggestions, etc. here <3

[withlovemark]

finally have time to write today ! :D

[withlovemark]

hi, i’m here to say i absolutely adore reading your comments and talking to you<3

💌 don’t be shy and drop by my ask some time 💌

it doesn't even have to be about steve, we can literally talk about anything (like, for example, speak now tv? lol)

anyway, yr. 1985 will be up this week (if work isn’t too demanding)

right now though, here’s my thank you note:

title: all of the moments that led me to you

an excerpt from “robin’s game of you rule/you suck, intercepting russians and suzie” moment:

“oh. my. god,” you gasp, a hand to your mouth, trying to hold your laughter in.

“don’t say a word,” he warned, hands on his hips.

“steve harrington, you are so…” he raises his eyebrows, lips morphing into a thin line, daring you to finish your sentence.

“…pretty.” you giggle, closing the distance between you to adjust the sailor tie around his neck. he could’ve sworn his heart skipped a beat, maybe two.

[withlovemark]

Not me following you because of your last Steve fic and then going through your masterlist and realizing you’re the author of one my favorite Steve fics ever (Everywhere series) ❤️❤️❤️

oh my goodness, you’re too kind, thank you a thousand times for saying this! 💌

i’ve reread everywhere recently and noticed so many plot holes lol (but you definitely made me feel better about it 🥺)

[withlovemark]

I gotta say I had a bit of an epiphany reading your latest Steve fic. I didn’t fuck the school’s biggest douchebag no, but I sure did some dumb things to break out of my stereotype and I literally realized why while reading. So thank you for that. Keep doing what you doing, the fic is amazing! 💖

thank you for sharing this with me 💌

i’m glad my silly lil writing could do that for you!<3 i personally love reading stories where i can see a bit of myself in the characters

p.s. love your use of the of the word “epiphany,” steve may also have one in yr. 1985? ;)

[withlovemark]

thank u for reading ! 💌 (i have a moment done for yr. 1985 ;))

all of the moments that led me to you.

warning: steve's black eye (nothing new), violence, mentions of blood, a fight between steve x billy

pairing: steve x reader, light billy x reader (not really, this isn't a love triangle lol)

words: 4.5k+

summary: the title speaks for itself -- a series of moments with steve harrington

an: i was going to post everything as one fic but i kind of hit writer's block in the middle of year 1985 so i'll post this for now instead and hopefully gain some inspiration to continue :)

-

yr. 1984

i. the first meeting ft. dustin henderson

the words “code red” hitting your ears every five seconds, the stomping of feet running around the house, the back door opening and closing several times - babysitting is weird. not one kid is ever the same, some are easy-going, others can be a real pain in the ass. 

you hoped you got an easy kid today. one that just stays in front of the television, binging on crackers and occasionally asking for your help. obviously, you were wrong. 

if it wasn’t for the fact that it pays well while simultaneously allowing you to do some of your own studies and looking good on your college resume, you wouldn’t even be here.

but you are here. seated inside the henderson household. 

“hey y/n, can you please drive me to my friend mike’s house?,” dustin runs into the living room, an exasperated expression on his face, interrupting your reading. 

“are you okay?” you ask, worried about the kid you just met when his mother called an hour ago trailing on about how she saw your babysitting flyer some time back. and even though she knew that she had to book a date at least two days beforehand, she still asked if you could watch over her son. 

“just for today” she said, as she needed to look for her missing cat. her promise of double pay, convincing you to accept her request. 

“i’m fine, i just really need you to drive me to mike’s,” dustin says hurriedly, eyes hopeful that you wouldn’t ask anymore questions. 

“why?” you ask and the boy’s shoulder slumps, doing his best to not roll his eyes at your persistence. he’s obviously not used to  asking for permission. 

“i uhm forgot my book there and i really, really need it to study for my exam tomorrow,” he sends you a toothy grin, trying to convince you that that was all there is to it. you’re no fool. you notice the slight change in his voice, his fingers anxiously playing with his pockets, right leg slightly bouncing up and down - indications that he’s lying.

“you know your mom’s not paying for my gas, right?” you reason, not wanting to give in to his request and hoping you could just have a calm afternoon.

dustin sighs, his smile disappearing, “fine. i’ll just go behind your back and bike there and if i end up missing or in a ditch somewhere then it’ll be your fault,” he counters, personality quickly switching from the boy who said “please.” 

you sat there, flabbergasted, “are you…blackmailing me right now?” an eyebrow raising, you couldn’t believe how diabolical the curly headed boy is. 

“i’m not blackmailing you. i’m simply telling you what's going to happen if you don’t drive me,” he smiles, an almost devilish smile, tone hardening with every word and you truly do not know whether you’re terrified or impressed. 

letting out a quiet chuckle, you shake your head, “alright, c’mon kid,” you say, grabbing your car keys off the table, “but we’re going back as soon as you get it.”

——

you should’ve known not to trust him, finding yourself hurriedly getting into the back seat of the car of the last person you ever expected to interact with - steve harrington. 

pushing his forgotten red roses towards the other end of the car, you take your seat in the middle. 

“wh-what are you doing?” dustin turns from the passenger seat, facing you as steve takes in your presence, eyes on his rearview mirror, a confused expression evident on his face. 

“y/n l/n?,” he questions, finally remembering where he has seen you before, “you’re in nancy’s grade?,” he asks, more a question for himself than you. 

you nod, “steve harrington,” acknowledging his presence for the first time. 

 “why are you with dustin?” he wonders. he didn’t know much about you. only that you and nancy were sometimes studying in the library together. she’s told him before that you always get the top grades in class and she wanted to be around more motivated people like you. 

“i’m his babysitter and i’m coming with,” you simply answer his question, keeping the explanation short. it’s weird enough that you were inside the car of hawkin high’s famous “king.”

“since when did you have a babysitter dude,” steve reverts his attention back to dustin. 

“i'll explain later,” dustin reassures him quickly before turning back to you,  “and uhm, you don’t have to come, i have steve now,” he points to the guy in the driver seat like you don’t see him. 

from what you’ve heard about steve, you’re not sure you trust leaving the young boy with him. he’s known for being notorious, having bad company and overall, just a guy with the money, the looks and the popularity that somehow has every girl wanting him and every boy wanting to be him. you’re not sure how that guy can be trusted with kids.

subconsciously, you eye steve suspiciously, causing him to put two hands up in surrender “hey, i have no idea what’s happening either,” he defends, shrugging nonchalantly. 

snapping out of your daze, you focused your attention back on dustin, “look dustin, steve isn’t the one being paid to watch you right now,” you start to explain.

“hold on, you’re getting paid for this?” the older boy interrupted.

you ignore him, attention still on dustin, “if something were to happen to you, your mom would be looking for me. i’m responsible for you kid, i-,”

“fine! there’s no time,” he cuts you off, obviously in a rush. 

“you can come, just,” dustin contemplates, already regretting the words that slipped from his lips, “just don’t blame me for getting you into this thing.”

at that, steve snaps back to reality, “wait, wait, wait, if this ‘thing’ is about ‘that’ then she definitely can NOT come,” steve declared, his voice laced with a seriousness you didn’t think he could have. 

“well, are you going to drag her out of the car so she doesn’t find out about this thing?,” the younger boy replies, a sarcastic tone evident on his lips. 

“guys, i can hear you,” you piped in, eyes going back and forth between the two boys, having absolutely no clue what they’re referring to. 

“dustin, im not joking ok!,” steve ignores you, “we can’t tell people about this,” a serious expression appearing on his face, one you’ve never seen on him before, “we’ll get in trouble, you know that. besides, we shouldn’t involve anyone else into this anyway!,” he protested. 

he didn’t sound like the steve you would hear about at school. he sounded responsible, protective. he sounded like…a babysitter. 

“i know that steve, that’s why i told her to leave!,” dustin shouted. 

“well, she’s clearly still sitting in the backseat of my car!,” steve’s voice raises with every syllable. 

“can someone just explain what’s happening?” you try butting in, rolling your eyes, completely fading into the background as they continue their bickering.

“i don’t see YOU trying to do anything about it!,” dustin throws the argument back to steve, his patience on thin ice.

“she’s YOUR babysitter!,” steve points out yet again, ears turning red, veins popping and finally pushing the young boys’ limit. 

“fuCK!, we don’t have time for this steve, we really have to go NOW!” dustin shouts, losing his temper. 

steve, ready to reprimand him, before you decide you’ve had enough.

the series of “thing” and “this” has your mind spinning and your curiosity getting the best of you.  

“SHUT UP!” gaining the two boys’ attention, their bodies turning towards you, “both of you. shut. up.” you enunciate, loud and clear.  

“i promise i won’t blame you…or you,” glancing at the two boys, “for whatever the hell this thing is…just put your seatbelts on and drive,” ending their argument as you sat behind the passenger seat, clicking your own seatbelt into place. 

steve gives up, letting out a sigh, “fuck it,” before finally stepping on the gas. 

ii. the babysitters and an angry billy hargrove

you should have never picked up mrs. henderson’s call and you definitely shouldn’t have agreed to babysitting. what was the point of having your own terms and conditions when you didn’t even follow them yourself?

you should, however, have listened to steve and dustin when they told you to leave.

the day isn’t even over yet and you’re already questioning everything you knew. in a span of a couple of hours, you have been introduced to a world you couldn’t even imagine. having to pinch yourself a couple of times to make sure you weren’t just dreaming. 

everything was strange. 

you’ve spent the whole afternoon dropping meat, trying to bait something called a demogorgon. met steve’s spiked bat. got questioned regarding your relationship with billy hargrove from his very own red headed step-sister. came face to face with the said demogorgon, who, by the way, had demogorgon friends and were actually a pack of demodogs. almost died in a junkyard. walked in the dark woods just to end up in a creepy laboratory. felt the awkward tension between steve, nancy and jonathan. understood why will byers was called the zombie boy. stood behind steve while holding a random kitchen knife you grabbed from the byers’ kitchen — and to top it all off, encountered a little girl who flung the finally, very dead demogorgon through the window then unlocked the front door, all using only her mind. 

in conclusion, monsters and superpowers aren’t just a thing people read in their comic books.

“how are you holding up?” steve breaks you out of your thoughts, your eyes snapping to his voice. 

everyone else has left, leaving you the only two teenagers to act as the adults once again. 

the strangest thing of all of this was somehow, steve harrington went from being the popular jock to a guy whose simple presence can provide you comfort. everything you knew about him has changed. 

it’s amazing what shared trauma could do. 

you shoot him a small smile, “well, i definitely wasn’t expecting all this,” you look around the mess around you, “to be a part of that thing” you refer back to the boys’ banter, trying to keep the energy light despite everything that happened. 

he gives you a sheepish smile,  almost like he was sorry, regretting that he allowed you to be a part of this. 

“it’s not your fault. i chose to come,” you say, reading his thoughts and putting an end to them. 

“where did you put the demogorgon?” you continue, changing the subject, reassuring him that you were ok. at least, as much as anyone could be ok in this situation. 

“we stuffed it in the fridge,” he shakes his head, arms crossing, like he couldn't believe it himself, “‘for science’ dustin said,” steve quotes the younger boy with a grin.  

“right, of course, all the important things,” you chuckled, matching his grin as the two of you continued to clean the broken fragments that have scattered around the house. 

you thought it was over, that you could all just wait for everything else to unfold in peace but after a few minutes of silence, the kids were back on their feet, ready to "get off the bench.” you’re not sure how steve has the energy to continue arguing with them when you’re completely exhausted. 

the sound of an engine brings a silence to the house, max running towards the blinds recognizing the car that has made an appearance in the driveway, “shit, it’s billy, he can’t see me,” she says frantically, eyes meeting yours, a silent call for help. 

“i got it, just hide,” you hushly ordered, quickly making your way to the front porch. steve tried pulling you back but you were out the door before anyone could protest, resulting in him looking through the peephole. 

billy’s momentarily confused expression at your arrival wasn’t lost on you and if you were in his shoes you’d probably have the same one on, “hey sweetheart, what are you doing here?,” his husky voice taking up space in the cold, night air.

standing a couple steps away from him, his hand immediately finds a spot on your waist, pulling you closer. you placed a hand on his chest to keep some distance between the two of you, aware of the audience you have, “i’m babysitting a kid, his friend lives here,” you explain, smiling sweetly at him, hoping that he won’t suspect anything and leave as soon as he came. 

“have you seen my sister?” he asks breathily, face inching closer and closer to yours, a smirk on his lips. if it was any other day, you would have enjoyed his attention, maybe even be up for some fun. right now though, you just want him as far from max as possible. 

“no, why would she be here?,” feigning innocence, you hope he believes your lie. 

“she’s been hanging out with a couple of kids here, a bunch of bad influences,” he huffed, eyes quickly glancing around you before pulling you even closer.

“i haven’t seen her, she’s probably at the arcade, have you checked?,” you hope he doesn’t hear the shakiness in your voice. 

“you know what i like about you sweetheart?,” he muttered, placing a harsh kiss below your ear, his grip on your waist starting to dig into your skin. you know he has caught you. 

“you can’t lie for shit,” pulling you away from him, gaze darkening, he howled with laughter as you followed his line of vision, seeing four kids peeking through the window — one, with very bright red hair. 

frustrated curses slip from your lips as you shoot them an angry glance before billy grabs your wrist, dragging you right behind him as he pounded on the door, coming face to face with steve. 

“harrington, am i dreaming or is that you?,” he mocks, his hold on your wrist tightening. 

“yeah it’s me, don’t cream your pants,” steve rolls his eyes, hands on his hips like a disappointed mother. 

steve notices you wince under billy’s hold, “let her go man,” he orders, taking a step towards the wider boy. 

billy focuses his attention back on you, for a second you see a feeling of betrayal flash through his eyes but that was quickly replaced with a snarled expression, like he was completely disgusted with the thought of you. 

“is there a reason why you both are here alone?” his dark voice causes goosebumps to rise throughout your body. 

you’ve heard of how violent he can be but until right now, he has never shown that side to you. 

“what are you saying?,” you almost couldn’t recognize him anymore, breath hitching in your throat. 

“are you fucking him behind my back, sweetheart?,” billy’s voice grew menacing, “you know i don’t like to share,” he continued accusing you, his free hand coming in contact with your neck, forcing you to look at him. 

“dude, no. we’re babysitting,” steve answers for you and motioning towards the kids like it’s the most obvious answer in the world.  

“you’re hurting her,” he emphasized, “just let her go,” gently stepping closer, steve has his arms slowly reaching for you, hands up, a signal that he comes in peace. 

steve hopes billy will focus his attention on him instead, just wanting to get you out of there. he feels responsible for your safety and well-being. 

“gladly…” billy shot him an evil smirk, “you can’t trust bitches anyways right, harrington?,” he scowled, violently throwing you against the wall. 

your head makes a direct impact with the concrete, causing you to fall to the ground, a whimper slipping through your lips. you hear the kids' screams and a punch being thrown as you feel your vision slipping between darkness and light.  

you make out dustin running towards you and grabbing your hand, trying to get you to sit up. a couple of unsuccessful tries, he pleads “i’ll come back okay, just stay alive,” as he makes his way back to his friends. 

the proceeding events were all a blur and it felt like you were watching it through static television. one moment you can hear victorious cheers. the next moment, you hear something break and steve is suddenly lying on the floor a couple feet away from you, bloody faced and barely breathing. billy continuously throws his punches and the kids scream in fear. you try to get up but your body betrays you, only allowing you to reach out your arm towards the brown haired boy. 

somehow, the sound of the punches halted and billy fell to the ground. a sigh of relief escapes from your lips while the slow rise and fall of steve harrington’s chest becomes the last thing you see as you completely fade into the darkness.

—

the next time you open your eyes is to another set of screams, waking you up from your much needed slumber, if you can even call it that. you ignore the pounding in your head as you try to regain your vision. the first thing you feel are the strong arms in front of you, acting as your seatbelt, as you try to piece it all together. 

a couple minutes of confusion later, you finally recognize what’s happening, joining steve in full babysitter mode. the yelling of “no’s!,” and “stop the car’s!,” filling the tiny vehicle. 

“great, now they’re both awake!, i told you we should have just left them!,” mike cursed dustin annoyingly. 

“we were not going to leave them there, mike!,” dustin retorted, “c’mon guys i promised you’ll be cool, okay? just calm. down,” he softly ordered, like he was the babysitter and you two were his children. 

you scoff, “dustin, don’t fucking tell me to calm down!,” somehow fearing for your life now more than ever. 

“everyone just shut up, i’m trying to focus!,” max yells as lucas yells the directions in her ear. 

max makes a harsh turn causing a chorus of screams to rise. your hand immediately clutching around steve’s arm, face burrowing in his neck, seeking for protection, afraid of the crash that luckily never came. 

you’re not even too sure what happened the rest of the night but somehow you all made it out unscathed, besides the fact that you and steve are probably suffering matching concussions. 

iii. the heart-to-heart

in the tiny bathroom of the byer’s house, you find yourself standing in between steve harrington’s legs. his body feels familiar now, especially after you seeked comfort in each other in the dark tunnel, the two of you thinking it would be your last breaths. in some way, the miracle happened and the screeching demogorgons ran straight past the two of you, like you weren’t even there. 

you remember looking up at his golden, brown eyes. being that close to him, you noticed how beautiful they actually are and finally understood how he has charmed every girl at school. 

‘i guess it wouldn’t have been too bad dying in steve harrington’s arms.’ you thought to yourself.  

brushing those thoughts away, you bask in the moment of solitude within the commotion that is taking place behind the bathroom door. everyone reunited here, checking up on each other.

“does it hurt?” you ask him as you gently pat the alcohol covered cotton pad around his eye, cleaning up the bits of red that have stained them.

he slightly winces, hoping you didn’t notice, “i’m fine, this isn’t my first rodeo,” he assures, sending you a wink before completely regretting the tiny action, a frown briskly replacing his smile, causing small chuckles to slip between your lips. 

“you know, you should really stop getting into fights, i could’ve sworn you had a black eye just a year ago,” you remember it like it was yesterday - steve harrington walking the halls of hawkins high without his two minions for the first time, looking like he had fallen off his throne as the hushed whispers grew louder until they finally made its way throughout the school in a matter of minutes. 

you could tell he wasn’t at all the person he was trying to be and for a second, you saw yourself in him. you wanted to get to know that steve. the steve that may understand you. but that second didn’t last long. 

“so you were watchin me?” he teases, a smirk on his lips resulting in a playful shove and an eye roll from you.

gently grabbing his chin, you stare straight into his eyes, “of course i was. you’re steve harrington,” you remind him, “everyone watches you,” stating the facts before letting go and going back to removing all the dried up blood from his pretty face. 

he clears his throat, shrugging his shoulders, playing it cool, “yeah, i guess you’re right,” he says dumbfoundedly, making you laugh. 

“you’re ridiculous,” you quietly comment, a smile still on your lips. steve focuses on your light touches, trying not to wince every time you get near his open wounds. you notice his knuckles going white, gripping the toilet seat he was sitting on and ever so gently, hurried your actions. 

“there, all clean,” you softly declare as you slip from his space, turning around and putting all mrs. byer’s first aid kit back into place. he quietly thanks you, leaning his head back a bit to rest, his eyes shutting for a second. 

“thanks, by the way,” you break the silence “for protecting me earlier… with billy and all the upside down things,” you explain, looking at steve through the mirror. he nods, not entirely sure he’s deserving of your gratitude. you protected him as much as he protected you. 

“is he always that violent with you?” steve asks, an eyebrow going up. 

you immediately shake your head,  “no, he’s never laid a hand on me, i don’t know what came over him,” you say honestly. 

“why billy hargrove?” he asks, causing you to pause your actions, paying attention to him.

“what do you mean?” you reply, turning around to face him once again, your back against the tiny kitchen sink. 

“well, you didn’t leave dustin alone even though you just started babysitting him today, you care about having seatbelts on, you immediately covered up for max and just now, you took care of me when you should be taking care of yourself,” he points out, “you’re responsible and kind and you care and, well, billy is just a huge dick,” he finished, a hand flailing in the air as you stare at him, stunned at his observations.

you compose your thoughts for a while, not at all ready to have a heart to heart with steve harrington in a bathroom. 

instead, you throw the question back at him, “why nancy wheeler?” 

“you cannot possibly be comparing billy to nancy,” he replies quickly, a disapproving tone laced in his voice.

“i’m not,” you say defensively, “i’m just saying, she hurt you too but you’re still with her, you-”

“i-i don’t know if we’re actually still together,” he sadly replies, cutting you off, eyes dropping to the floor and you think back to the woods earlier that night — nancy emerging with jonathan right by her side. 

“but you still love her,” you continue, “even though she’s hurt you, you still love her,” you finish, trying to make a point.

“so, you’re in love with billy?” he concludes.

you scoff, wanting to say yes and finally drop the subject but the mere thought of agreeing with that sentence makes you visibly wince. 

“god no, i’ve been on a couple dates with the guy, it’s far from love,” earning an even more confused steve to face you. 

“i don’t know if it’s because i got my brains punched out or i really am just dumb but i completely lost you there,” he admit, a tiny smile on his lips and all you could do is sigh. 

heart to heart talk it is. 

“you’re not dumb, i just-” taking a deep breath, you prepare yourself.

“we all have our own reasons why were with someone,” you begin, “i’m just so tired of the perfect good girl image that has been imposed on me, it's like people just see me as that and nothing else,” as soon as you start, the dam breaks, flowing. 

you find yourself entrusting your deepest thoughts to him, “i can’t be fun because good girls aren’t supposed to be, i go to parties and people are confused that i'm there. you know, i even joined the cheerleading team so people can see me as something more? but all that does is fuel the assumption that i can do everything and still get shit done...that im not capable of mistakes and bad decisions. that i’ll turn out to be something great when really i’m just so damn scared all the time,” your voice breaks but before he could comment, you cleared your throat and continued. 

“i guess being with him makes people finally see me out of my stereotype” you confess, waiting for him to say something. the silence becomes overbearing and you feel completely vulnerable under his gaze. 

“oh,” steve responds, before bursting into laughter and you feel like a complete idiot, eyebrows shifting downward. god, you’re so ready to dramatically walk out of this bathroom and slam the door against his face but before you could do that, he notices.

“hey wait,” he says, gently grabbing your arm, asking you to stay as he arranges his thoughts.

“i’m sorry, i’m just relieved that you’re not actually in love with him because you deserve a lot better than billy hargrove,” he says charmingly, his cool facade still on display. 

“i know,” you agree, stopping yourself from rolling your eyes, “is that all?” you ask, still annoyed. 

“yeah,” steve starts, “i-no,” you give him time. you know that he’s having a war in his mind right now, the same one you just had. 

he avoids your gaze, thinking to himself, until finally, he puts his defenses down, “i understand you,” he confesses. 

“if it makes you feel better, it’s not at all greener on this side, i wished people looked at me less, i wish i didn’t have to go to all these parties just for people to respect me,” steve rattled on, feeling the weight fall off his shoulders with every word that falls off his lips, his facade disappearing bit by bit.

“i completely gave up on school because everyone has already expected me to fail and i started to believe them…it’s tiring having to pretend i’m this ‘king’ steve,” he quotes, “when really i am spiraling and have no fucking clue what i even want in life...i’ll probably just end up having a stupid job i hate and being as bitter as my father,” he sadly chuckles.  

“i’m just as scared as you,” he ends with a small smile, eyes meeting yours. he feels lighter after having said it all out loud for the first time and he can’t quite comprehend how he feels so safe sharing his saddest truths with you. 

but as you cast him a kind smile, the words “fuck stereotypes,” making its way to his ears, he can’t help but be thankful for the spilled truths and ajar doors. 

steve mirrors your expression and you’re glad you finally got to meet him. not “playboy” steve harrington and definitely not steve “the king” harrington. 

just steve. 

-

next: yr. 1985 (to be written)

an: a lil bridgerton reference there hehe ... thank you for reading! let me know if you're interested in reading the other moments i had planned :)

feel free to inspire me by dropping your thoughts, comments, suggestions, etc. here <3

[withlovemark]

thank you so much for reading <3 appreciate the feedback!! 💌

all of the moments that led me to you.

warning: steve's black eye (nothing new), violence, mentions of blood, a fight between steve x billy

pairing: steve x reader, light billy x reader (not really, this isn't a love triangle lol)

words: 4.5k+

summary: the title speaks for itself -- a series of moments with steve harrington

an: i was going to post everything as one fic but i kind of hit writer's block in the middle of year 1985 so i'll post this for now instead and hopefully gain some inspiration to continue :)

-

yr. 1984

i. the first meeting ft. dustin henderson

the words “code red” hitting your ears every five seconds, the stomping of feet running around the house, the back door opening and closing several times - babysitting is weird. not one kid is ever the same, some are easy-going, others can be a real pain in the ass. 

you hoped you got an easy kid today. one that just stays in front of the television, binging on crackers and occasionally asking for your help. obviously, you were wrong. 

if it wasn’t for the fact that it pays well while simultaneously allowing you to do some of your own studies and looking good on your college resume, you wouldn’t even be here.

but you are here. seated inside the henderson household. 

“hey y/n, can you please drive me to my friend mike’s house?,” dustin runs into the living room, an exasperated expression on his face, interrupting your reading. 

“are you okay?” you ask, worried about the kid you just met when his mother called an hour ago trailing on about how she saw your babysitting flyer some time back. and even though she knew that she had to book a date at least two days beforehand, she still asked if you could watch over her son. 

“just for today” she said, as she needed to look for her missing cat. her promise of double pay, convincing you to accept her request. 

“i’m fine, i just really need you to drive me to mike’s,” dustin says hurriedly, eyes hopeful that you wouldn’t ask anymore questions. 

“why?” you ask and the boy’s shoulder slumps, doing his best to not roll his eyes at your persistence. he’s obviously not used to  asking for permission. 

“i uhm forgot my book there and i really, really need it to study for my exam tomorrow,” he sends you a toothy grin, trying to convince you that that was all there is to it. you’re no fool. you notice the slight change in his voice, his fingers anxiously playing with his pockets, right leg slightly bouncing up and down - indications that he’s lying.

“you know your mom’s not paying for my gas, right?” you reason, not wanting to give in to his request and hoping you could just have a calm afternoon.

dustin sighs, his smile disappearing, “fine. i’ll just go behind your back and bike there and if i end up missing or in a ditch somewhere then it’ll be your fault,” he counters, personality quickly switching from the boy who said “please.” 

you sat there, flabbergasted, “are you…blackmailing me right now?” an eyebrow raising, you couldn’t believe how diabolical the curly headed boy is. 

“i’m not blackmailing you. i’m simply telling you what's going to happen if you don’t drive me,” he smiles, an almost devilish smile, tone hardening with every word and you truly do not know whether you’re terrified or impressed. 

letting out a quiet chuckle, you shake your head, “alright, c’mon kid,” you say, grabbing your car keys off the table, “but we’re going back as soon as you get it.”

——

you should’ve known not to trust him, finding yourself hurriedly getting into the back seat of the car of the last person you ever expected to interact with - steve harrington. 

pushing his forgotten red roses towards the other end of the car, you take your seat in the middle. 

“wh-what are you doing?” dustin turns from the passenger seat, facing you as steve takes in your presence, eyes on his rearview mirror, a confused expression evident on his face. 

“y/n l/n?,” he questions, finally remembering where he has seen you before, “you’re in nancy’s grade?,” he asks, more a question for himself than you. 

you nod, “steve harrington,” acknowledging his presence for the first time. 

 “why are you with dustin?” he wonders. he didn’t know much about you. only that you and nancy were sometimes studying in the library together. she’s told him before that you always get the top grades in class and she wanted to be around more motivated people like you. 

“i’m his babysitter and i’m coming with,” you simply answer his question, keeping the explanation short. it’s weird enough that you were inside the car of hawkin high’s famous “king.”

“since when did you have a babysitter dude,” steve reverts his attention back to dustin. 

“i'll explain later,” dustin reassures him quickly before turning back to you,  “and uhm, you don’t have to come, i have steve now,” he points to the guy in the driver seat like you don’t see him. 

from what you’ve heard about steve, you’re not sure you trust leaving the young boy with him. he’s known for being notorious, having bad company and overall, just a guy with the money, the looks and the popularity that somehow has every girl wanting him and every boy wanting to be him. you’re not sure how that guy can be trusted with kids.

subconsciously, you eye steve suspiciously, causing him to put two hands up in surrender “hey, i have no idea what’s happening either,” he defends, shrugging nonchalantly. 

snapping out of your daze, you focused your attention back on dustin, “look dustin, steve isn’t the one being paid to watch you right now,” you start to explain.

“hold on, you’re getting paid for this?” the older boy interrupted.

you ignore him, attention still on dustin, “if something were to happen to you, your mom would be looking for me. i’m responsible for you kid, i-,”

“fine! there’s no time,” he cuts you off, obviously in a rush. 

“you can come, just,” dustin contemplates, already regretting the words that slipped from his lips, “just don’t blame me for getting you into this thing.”

at that, steve snaps back to reality, “wait, wait, wait, if this ‘thing’ is about ‘that’ then she definitely can NOT come,” steve declared, his voice laced with a seriousness you didn’t think he could have. 

“well, are you going to drag her out of the car so she doesn’t find out about this thing?,” the younger boy replies, a sarcastic tone evident on his lips. 

“guys, i can hear you,” you piped in, eyes going back and forth between the two boys, having absolutely no clue what they’re referring to. 

“dustin, im not joking ok!,” steve ignores you, “we can’t tell people about this,” a serious expression appearing on his face, one you’ve never seen on him before, “we’ll get in trouble, you know that. besides, we shouldn’t involve anyone else into this anyway!,” he protested. 

he didn’t sound like the steve you would hear about at school. he sounded responsible, protective. he sounded like…a babysitter. 

“i know that steve, that’s why i told her to leave!,” dustin shouted. 

“well, she’s clearly still sitting in the backseat of my car!,” steve’s voice raises with every syllable. 

“can someone just explain what’s happening?” you try butting in, rolling your eyes, completely fading into the background as they continue their bickering.

“i don’t see YOU trying to do anything about it!,” dustin throws the argument back to steve, his patience on thin ice.

“she’s YOUR babysitter!,” steve points out yet again, ears turning red, veins popping and finally pushing the young boys’ limit. 

“fuCK!, we don’t have time for this steve, we really have to go NOW!” dustin shouts, losing his temper. 

steve, ready to reprimand him, before you decide you’ve had enough.

the series of “thing” and “this” has your mind spinning and your curiosity getting the best of you.  

“SHUT UP!” gaining the two boys’ attention, their bodies turning towards you, “both of you. shut. up.” you enunciate, loud and clear.  

“i promise i won’t blame you…or you,” glancing at the two boys, “for whatever the hell this thing is…just put your seatbelts on and drive,” ending their argument as you sat behind the passenger seat, clicking your own seatbelt into place. 

steve gives up, letting out a sigh, “fuck it,” before finally stepping on the gas. 

ii. the babysitters and an angry billy hargrove

you should have never picked up mrs. henderson’s call and you definitely shouldn’t have agreed to babysitting. what was the point of having your own terms and conditions when you didn’t even follow them yourself?

you should, however, have listened to steve and dustin when they told you to leave.

the day isn’t even over yet and you’re already questioning everything you knew. in a span of a couple of hours, you have been introduced to a world you couldn’t even imagine. having to pinch yourself a couple of times to make sure you weren’t just dreaming. 

everything was strange. 

you’ve spent the whole afternoon dropping meat, trying to bait something called a demogorgon. met steve’s spiked bat. got questioned regarding your relationship with billy hargrove from his very own red headed step-sister. came face to face with the said demogorgon, who, by the way, had demogorgon friends and were actually a pack of demodogs. almost died in a junkyard. walked in the dark woods just to end up in a creepy laboratory. felt the awkward tension between steve, nancy and jonathan. understood why will byers was called the zombie boy. stood behind steve while holding a random kitchen knife you grabbed from the byers’ kitchen — and to top it all off, encountered a little girl who flung the finally, very dead demogorgon through the window then unlocked the front door, all using only her mind. 

in conclusion, monsters and superpowers aren’t just a thing people read in their comic books.

“how are you holding up?” steve breaks you out of your thoughts, your eyes snapping to his voice. 

everyone else has left, leaving you the only two teenagers to act as the adults once again. 

the strangest thing of all of this was somehow, steve harrington went from being the popular jock to a guy whose simple presence can provide you comfort. everything you knew about him has changed. 

it’s amazing what shared trauma could do. 

you shoot him a small smile, “well, i definitely wasn’t expecting all this,” you look around the mess around you, “to be a part of that thing” you refer back to the boys’ banter, trying to keep the energy light despite everything that happened. 

he gives you a sheepish smile,  almost like he was sorry, regretting that he allowed you to be a part of this. 

“it’s not your fault. i chose to come,” you say, reading his thoughts and putting an end to them. 

“where did you put the demogorgon?” you continue, changing the subject, reassuring him that you were ok. at least, as much as anyone could be ok in this situation. 

“we stuffed it in the fridge,” he shakes his head, arms crossing, like he couldn't believe it himself, “‘for science’ dustin said,” steve quotes the younger boy with a grin.  

“right, of course, all the important things,” you chuckled, matching his grin as the two of you continued to clean the broken fragments that have scattered around the house. 

you thought it was over, that you could all just wait for everything else to unfold in peace but after a few minutes of silence, the kids were back on their feet, ready to "get off the bench.” you’re not sure how steve has the energy to continue arguing with them when you’re completely exhausted. 

the sound of an engine brings a silence to the house, max running towards the blinds recognizing the car that has made an appearance in the driveway, “shit, it’s billy, he can’t see me,” she says frantically, eyes meeting yours, a silent call for help. 

“i got it, just hide,” you hushly ordered, quickly making your way to the front porch. steve tried pulling you back but you were out the door before anyone could protest, resulting in him looking through the peephole. 

billy’s momentarily confused expression at your arrival wasn’t lost on you and if you were in his shoes you’d probably have the same one on, “hey sweetheart, what are you doing here?,” his husky voice taking up space in the cold, night air.

standing a couple steps away from him, his hand immediately finds a spot on your waist, pulling you closer. you placed a hand on his chest to keep some distance between the two of you, aware of the audience you have, “i’m babysitting a kid, his friend lives here,” you explain, smiling sweetly at him, hoping that he won’t suspect anything and leave as soon as he came. 

“have you seen my sister?” he asks breathily, face inching closer and closer to yours, a smirk on his lips. if it was any other day, you would have enjoyed his attention, maybe even be up for some fun. right now though, you just want him as far from max as possible. 

“no, why would she be here?,” feigning innocence, you hope he believes your lie. 

“she’s been hanging out with a couple of kids here, a bunch of bad influences,” he huffed, eyes quickly glancing around you before pulling you even closer.

“i haven’t seen her, she’s probably at the arcade, have you checked?,” you hope he doesn’t hear the shakiness in your voice. 

“you know what i like about you sweetheart?,” he muttered, placing a harsh kiss below your ear, his grip on your waist starting to dig into your skin. you know he has caught you. 

“you can’t lie for shit,” pulling you away from him, gaze darkening, he howled with laughter as you followed his line of vision, seeing four kids peeking through the window — one, with very bright red hair. 

frustrated curses slip from your lips as you shoot them an angry glance before billy grabs your wrist, dragging you right behind him as he pounded on the door, coming face to face with steve. 

“harrington, am i dreaming or is that you?,” he mocks, his hold on your wrist tightening. 

“yeah it’s me, don’t cream your pants,” steve rolls his eyes, hands on his hips like a disappointed mother. 

steve notices you wince under billy’s hold, “let her go man,” he orders, taking a step towards the wider boy. 

billy focuses his attention back on you, for a second you see a feeling of betrayal flash through his eyes but that was quickly replaced with a snarled expression, like he was completely disgusted with the thought of you. 

“is there a reason why you both are here alone?” his dark voice causes goosebumps to rise throughout your body. 

you’ve heard of how violent he can be but until right now, he has never shown that side to you. 

“what are you saying?,” you almost couldn’t recognize him anymore, breath hitching in your throat. 

“are you fucking him behind my back, sweetheart?,” billy’s voice grew menacing, “you know i don’t like to share,” he continued accusing you, his free hand coming in contact with your neck, forcing you to look at him. 

“dude, no. we’re babysitting,” steve answers for you and motioning towards the kids like it’s the most obvious answer in the world.  

“you’re hurting her,” he emphasized, “just let her go,” gently stepping closer, steve has his arms slowly reaching for you, hands up, a signal that he comes in peace. 

steve hopes billy will focus his attention on him instead, just wanting to get you out of there. he feels responsible for your safety and well-being. 

“gladly…” billy shot him an evil smirk, “you can’t trust bitches anyways right, harrington?,” he scowled, violently throwing you against the wall. 

your head makes a direct impact with the concrete, causing you to fall to the ground, a whimper slipping through your lips. you hear the kids' screams and a punch being thrown as you feel your vision slipping between darkness and light.  

you make out dustin running towards you and grabbing your hand, trying to get you to sit up. a couple of unsuccessful tries, he pleads “i’ll come back okay, just stay alive,” as he makes his way back to his friends. 

the proceeding events were all a blur and it felt like you were watching it through static television. one moment you can hear victorious cheers. the next moment, you hear something break and steve is suddenly lying on the floor a couple feet away from you, bloody faced and barely breathing. billy continuously throws his punches and the kids scream in fear. you try to get up but your body betrays you, only allowing you to reach out your arm towards the brown haired boy. 

somehow, the sound of the punches halted and billy fell to the ground. a sigh of relief escapes from your lips while the slow rise and fall of steve harrington’s chest becomes the last thing you see as you completely fade into the darkness.

—

the next time you open your eyes is to another set of screams, waking you up from your much needed slumber, if you can even call it that. you ignore the pounding in your head as you try to regain your vision. the first thing you feel are the strong arms in front of you, acting as your seatbelt, as you try to piece it all together. 

a couple minutes of confusion later, you finally recognize what’s happening, joining steve in full babysitter mode. the yelling of “no’s!,” and “stop the car’s!,” filling the tiny vehicle. 

“great, now they’re both awake!, i told you we should have just left them!,” mike cursed dustin annoyingly. 

“we were not going to leave them there, mike!,” dustin retorted, “c’mon guys i promised you’ll be cool, okay? just calm. down,” he softly ordered, like he was the babysitter and you two were his children. 

you scoff, “dustin, don’t fucking tell me to calm down!,” somehow fearing for your life now more than ever. 

“everyone just shut up, i’m trying to focus!,” max yells as lucas yells the directions in her ear. 

max makes a harsh turn causing a chorus of screams to rise. your hand immediately clutching around steve’s arm, face burrowing in his neck, seeking for protection, afraid of the crash that luckily never came. 

you’re not even too sure what happened the rest of the night but somehow you all made it out unscathed, besides the fact that you and steve are probably suffering matching concussions. 

iii. the heart-to-heart

in the tiny bathroom of the byer’s house, you find yourself standing in between steve harrington’s legs. his body feels familiar now, especially after you seeked comfort in each other in the dark tunnel, the two of you thinking it would be your last breaths. in some way, the miracle happened and the screeching demogorgons ran straight past the two of you, like you weren’t even there. 

you remember looking up at his golden, brown eyes. being that close to him, you noticed how beautiful they actually are and finally understood how he has charmed every girl at school. 

‘i guess it wouldn’t have been too bad dying in steve harrington’s arms.’ you thought to yourself.  

brushing those thoughts away, you bask in the moment of solitude within the commotion that is taking place behind the bathroom door. everyone reunited here, checking up on each other.

“does it hurt?” you ask him as you gently pat the alcohol covered cotton pad around his eye, cleaning up the bits of red that have stained them.

he slightly winces, hoping you didn’t notice, “i’m fine, this isn’t my first rodeo,” he assures, sending you a wink before completely regretting the tiny action, a frown briskly replacing his smile, causing small chuckles to slip between your lips. 

“you know, you should really stop getting into fights, i could’ve sworn you had a black eye just a year ago,” you remember it like it was yesterday - steve harrington walking the halls of hawkins high without his two minions for the first time, looking like he had fallen off his throne as the hushed whispers grew louder until they finally made its way throughout the school in a matter of minutes. 

you could tell he wasn’t at all the person he was trying to be and for a second, you saw yourself in him. you wanted to get to know that steve. the steve that may understand you. but that second didn’t last long. 

“so you were watchin me?” he teases, a smirk on his lips resulting in a playful shove and an eye roll from you.

gently grabbing his chin, you stare straight into his eyes, “of course i was. you’re steve harrington,” you remind him, “everyone watches you,” stating the facts before letting go and going back to removing all the dried up blood from his pretty face. 

he clears his throat, shrugging his shoulders, playing it cool, “yeah, i guess you’re right,” he says dumbfoundedly, making you laugh. 

“you’re ridiculous,” you quietly comment, a smile still on your lips. steve focuses on your light touches, trying not to wince every time you get near his open wounds. you notice his knuckles going white, gripping the toilet seat he was sitting on and ever so gently, hurried your actions. 

“there, all clean,” you softly declare as you slip from his space, turning around and putting all mrs. byer’s first aid kit back into place. he quietly thanks you, leaning his head back a bit to rest, his eyes shutting for a second. 

“thanks, by the way,” you break the silence “for protecting me earlier… with billy and all the upside down things,” you explain, looking at steve through the mirror. he nods, not entirely sure he’s deserving of your gratitude. you protected him as much as he protected you. 

“is he always that violent with you?” steve asks, an eyebrow going up. 

you immediately shake your head,  “no, he’s never laid a hand on me, i don’t know what came over him,” you say honestly. 

“why billy hargrove?” he asks, causing you to pause your actions, paying attention to him.

“what do you mean?” you reply, turning around to face him once again, your back against the tiny kitchen sink. 

“well, you didn’t leave dustin alone even though you just started babysitting him today, you care about having seatbelts on, you immediately covered up for max and just now, you took care of me when you should be taking care of yourself,” he points out, “you’re responsible and kind and you care and, well, billy is just a huge dick,” he finished, a hand flailing in the air as you stare at him, stunned at his observations.

you compose your thoughts for a while, not at all ready to have a heart to heart with steve harrington in a bathroom. 

instead, you throw the question back at him, “why nancy wheeler?” 

“you cannot possibly be comparing billy to nancy,” he replies quickly, a disapproving tone laced in his voice.

“i’m not,” you say defensively, “i’m just saying, she hurt you too but you’re still with her, you-”

“i-i don’t know if we’re actually still together,” he sadly replies, cutting you off, eyes dropping to the floor and you think back to the woods earlier that night — nancy emerging with jonathan right by her side. 

“but you still love her,” you continue, “even though she’s hurt you, you still love her,” you finish, trying to make a point.

“so, you’re in love with billy?” he concludes.

you scoff, wanting to say yes and finally drop the subject but the mere thought of agreeing with that sentence makes you visibly wince. 

“god no, i’ve been on a couple dates with the guy, it’s far from love,” earning an even more confused steve to face you. 

“i don’t know if it’s because i got my brains punched out or i really am just dumb but i completely lost you there,” he admit, a tiny smile on his lips and all you could do is sigh. 

heart to heart talk it is. 

“you’re not dumb, i just-” taking a deep breath, you prepare yourself.

“we all have our own reasons why were with someone,” you begin, “i’m just so tired of the perfect good girl image that has been imposed on me, it's like people just see me as that and nothing else,” as soon as you start, the dam breaks, flowing. 

you find yourself entrusting your deepest thoughts to him, “i can’t be fun because good girls aren’t supposed to be, i go to parties and people are confused that i'm there. you know, i even joined the cheerleading team so people can see me as something more? but all that does is fuel the assumption that i can do everything and still get shit done...that im not capable of mistakes and bad decisions. that i’ll turn out to be something great when really i’m just so damn scared all the time,” your voice breaks but before he could comment, you cleared your throat and continued. 

“i guess being with him makes people finally see me out of my stereotype” you confess, waiting for him to say something. the silence becomes overbearing and you feel completely vulnerable under his gaze. 

“oh,” steve responds, before bursting into laughter and you feel like a complete idiot, eyebrows shifting downward. god, you’re so ready to dramatically walk out of this bathroom and slam the door against his face but before you could do that, he notices.

“hey wait,” he says, gently grabbing your arm, asking you to stay as he arranges his thoughts.

“i’m sorry, i’m just relieved that you’re not actually in love with him because you deserve a lot better than billy hargrove,” he says charmingly, his cool facade still on display. 

“i know,” you agree, stopping yourself from rolling your eyes, “is that all?” you ask, still annoyed. 

“yeah,” steve starts, “i-no,” you give him time. you know that he’s having a war in his mind right now, the same one you just had. 

he avoids your gaze, thinking to himself, until finally, he puts his defenses down, “i understand you,” he confesses. 

“if it makes you feel better, it’s not at all greener on this side, i wished people looked at me less, i wish i didn’t have to go to all these parties just for people to respect me,” steve rattled on, feeling the weight fall off his shoulders with every word that falls off his lips, his facade disappearing bit by bit.

“i completely gave up on school because everyone has already expected me to fail and i started to believe them…it’s tiring having to pretend i’m this ‘king’ steve,” he quotes, “when really i am spiraling and have no fucking clue what i even want in life...i’ll probably just end up having a stupid job i hate and being as bitter as my father,” he sadly chuckles.  

“i’m just as scared as you,” he ends with a small smile, eyes meeting yours. he feels lighter after having said it all out loud for the first time and he can’t quite comprehend how he feels so safe sharing his saddest truths with you. 

but as you cast him a kind smile, the words “fuck stereotypes,” making its way to his ears, he can’t help but be thankful for the spilled truths and ajar doors. 

steve mirrors your expression and you’re glad you finally got to meet him. not “playboy” steve harrington and definitely not steve “the king” harrington. 

just steve. 

-

next: yr. 1985 (to be written)

an: a lil bridgerton reference there hehe ... thank you for reading! let me know if you're interested in reading the other moments i had planned :)

feel free to inspire me by dropping your thoughts, comments, suggestions, etc. here <3

[withlovemark]

all of the moments that led me to you.

warning: steve's black eye (nothing new), violence, mentions of blood, a fight between steve x billy

pairing: steve x reader, light billy x reader (not really, this isn't a love triangle lol)

words: 4.5k+

summary: the title speaks for itself -- a series of moments with steve harrington

an: i was going to post everything as one fic but i kind of hit writer's block in the middle of year 1985 so i'll post this for now instead and hopefully gain some inspiration to continue :)

-

yr. 1984

i. the first meeting ft. dustin henderson

the words “code red” hitting your ears every five seconds, the stomping of feet running around the house, the back door opening and closing several times - babysitting is weird. not one kid is ever the same, some are easy-going, others can be a real pain in the ass. 

you hoped you got an easy kid today. one that just stays in front of the television, binging on crackers and occasionally asking for your help. obviously, you were wrong. 

if it wasn’t for the fact that it pays well while simultaneously allowing you to do some of your own studies and looking good on your college resume, you wouldn’t even be here.

but you are here. seated inside the henderson household. 

“hey y/n, can you please drive me to my friend mike’s house?,” dustin runs into the living room, an exasperated expression on his face, interrupting your reading. 

“are you okay?” you ask, worried about the kid you just met when his mother called an hour ago trailing on about how she saw your babysitting flyer some time back. and even though she knew that she had to book a date at least two days beforehand, she still asked if you could watch over her son. 

“just for today” she said, as she needed to look for her missing cat. her promise of double pay, convincing you to accept her request. 

“i’m fine, i just really need you to drive me to mike’s,” dustin says hurriedly, eyes hopeful that you wouldn’t ask anymore questions. 

“why?” you ask and the boy’s shoulder slumps, doing his best to not roll his eyes at your persistence. he’s obviously not used to  asking for permission. 

“i uhm forgot my book there and i really, really need it to study for my exam tomorrow,” he sends you a toothy grin, trying to convince you that that was all there is to it. you’re no fool. you notice the slight change in his voice, his fingers anxiously playing with his pockets, right leg slightly bouncing up and down - indications that he’s lying.

“you know your mom’s not paying for my gas, right?” you reason, not wanting to give in to his request and hoping you could just have a calm afternoon.

dustin sighs, his smile disappearing, “fine. i’ll just go behind your back and bike there and if i end up missing or in a ditch somewhere then it’ll be your fault,” he counters, personality quickly switching from the boy who said “please.” 

you sat there, flabbergasted, “are you…blackmailing me right now?” an eyebrow raising, you couldn’t believe how diabolical the curly headed boy is. 

“i’m not blackmailing you. i’m simply telling you what's going to happen if you don’t drive me,” he smiles, an almost devilish smile, tone hardening with every word and you truly do not know whether you’re terrified or impressed. 

letting out a quiet chuckle, you shake your head, “alright, c’mon kid,” you say, grabbing your car keys off the table, “but we’re going back as soon as you get it.”

——

you should’ve known not to trust him, finding yourself hurriedly getting into the back seat of the car of the last person you ever expected to interact with - steve harrington. 

pushing his forgotten red roses towards the other end of the car, you take your seat in the middle. 

“wh-what are you doing?” dustin turns from the passenger seat, facing you as steve takes in your presence, eyes on his rearview mirror, a confused expression evident on his face. 

“y/n l/n?,” he questions, finally remembering where he has seen you before, “you’re in nancy’s grade?,” he asks, more a question for himself than you. 

you nod, “steve harrington,” acknowledging his presence for the first time. 

 “why are you with dustin?” he wonders. he didn’t know much about you. only that you and nancy were sometimes studying in the library together. she’s told him before that you always get the top grades in class and she wanted to be around more motivated people like you. 

“i’m his babysitter and i’m coming with,” you simply answer his question, keeping the explanation short. it’s weird enough that you were inside the car of hawkin high’s famous “king.”

“since when did you have a babysitter dude,” steve reverts his attention back to dustin. 

“i'll explain later,” dustin reassures him quickly before turning back to you,  “and uhm, you don’t have to come, i have steve now,” he points to the guy in the driver seat like you don’t see him. 

from what you’ve heard about steve, you’re not sure you trust leaving the young boy with him. he’s known for being notorious, having bad company and overall, just a guy with the money, the looks and the popularity that somehow has every girl wanting him and every boy wanting to be him. you’re not sure how that guy can be trusted with kids.

subconsciously, you eye steve suspiciously, causing him to put two hands up in surrender “hey, i have no idea what’s happening either,” he defends, shrugging nonchalantly. 

snapping out of your daze, you focused your attention back on dustin, “look dustin, steve isn’t the one being paid to watch you right now,” you start to explain.

“hold on, you’re getting paid for this?” the older boy interrupted.

you ignore him, attention still on dustin, “if something were to happen to you, your mom would be looking for me. i’m responsible for you kid, i-,”

“fine! there’s no time,” he cuts you off, obviously in a rush. 

“you can come, just,” dustin contemplates, already regretting the words that slipped from his lips, “just don’t blame me for getting you into this thing.”

at that, steve snaps back to reality, “wait, wait, wait, if this ‘thing’ is about ‘that’ then she definitely can NOT come,” steve declared, his voice laced with a seriousness you didn’t think he could have. 

“well, are you going to drag her out of the car so she doesn’t find out about this thing?,” the younger boy replies, a sarcastic tone evident on his lips. 

“guys, i can hear you,” you piped in, eyes going back and forth between the two boys, having absolutely no clue what they’re referring to. 

“dustin, im not joking ok!,” steve ignores you, “we can’t tell people about this,” a serious expression appearing on his face, one you’ve never seen on him before, “we’ll get in trouble, you know that. besides, we shouldn’t involve anyone else into this anyway!,” he protested. 

he didn’t sound like the steve you would hear about at school. he sounded responsible, protective. he sounded like…a babysitter. 

“i know that steve, that’s why i told her to leave!,” dustin shouted. 

“well, she’s clearly still sitting in the backseat of my car!,” steve’s voice raises with every syllable. 

“can someone just explain what’s happening?” you try butting in, rolling your eyes, completely fading into the background as they continue their bickering.

“i don’t see YOU trying to do anything about it!,” dustin throws the argument back to steve, his patience on thin ice.

“she’s YOUR babysitter!,” steve points out yet again, ears turning red, veins popping and finally pushing the young boys’ limit. 

“fuCK!, we don’t have time for this steve, we really have to go NOW!” dustin shouts, losing his temper. 

steve, ready to reprimand him, before you decide you’ve had enough.

the series of “thing” and “this” has your mind spinning and your curiosity getting the best of you.  

“SHUT UP!” gaining the two boys’ attention, their bodies turning towards you, “both of you. shut. up.” you enunciate, loud and clear.  

“i promise i won’t blame you…or you,” glancing at the two boys, “for whatever the hell this thing is…just put your seatbelts on and drive,” ending their argument as you sat behind the passenger seat, clicking your own seatbelt into place. 

steve gives up, letting out a sigh, “fuck it,” before finally stepping on the gas. 

ii. the babysitters and an angry billy hargrove

you should have never picked up mrs. henderson’s call and you definitely shouldn’t have agreed to babysitting. what was the point of having your own terms and conditions when you didn’t even follow them yourself?

you should, however, have listened to steve and dustin when they told you to leave.

the day isn’t even over yet and you’re already questioning everything you knew. in a span of a couple of hours, you have been introduced to a world you couldn’t even imagine. having to pinch yourself a couple of times to make sure you weren’t just dreaming. 

everything was strange. 

you’ve spent the whole afternoon dropping meat, trying to bait something called a demogorgon. met steve’s spiked bat. got questioned regarding your relationship with billy hargrove from his very own red headed step-sister. came face to face with the said demogorgon, who, by the way, had demogorgon friends and were actually a pack of demodogs. almost died in a junkyard. walked in the dark woods just to end up in a creepy laboratory. felt the awkward tension between steve, nancy and jonathan. understood why will byers was called the zombie boy. stood behind steve while holding a random kitchen knife you grabbed from the byers’ kitchen — and to top it all off, encountered a little girl who flung the finally, very dead demogorgon through the window then unlocked the front door, all using only her mind. 

in conclusion, monsters and superpowers aren’t just a thing people read in their comic books.

“how are you holding up?” steve breaks you out of your thoughts, your eyes snapping to his voice. 

everyone else has left, leaving you the only two teenagers to act as the adults once again. 

the strangest thing of all of this was somehow, steve harrington went from being the popular jock to a guy whose simple presence can provide you comfort. everything you knew about him has changed. 

it’s amazing what shared trauma could do. 

you shoot him a small smile, “well, i definitely wasn’t expecting all this,” you look around the mess around you, “to be a part of that thing” you refer back to the boys’ banter, trying to keep the energy light despite everything that happened. 

he gives you a sheepish smile,  almost like he was sorry, regretting that he allowed you to be a part of this. 

“it’s not your fault. i chose to come,” you say, reading his thoughts and putting an end to them. 

“where did you put the demogorgon?” you continue, changing the subject, reassuring him that you were ok. at least, as much as anyone could be ok in this situation. 

“we stuffed it in the fridge,” he shakes his head, arms crossing, like he couldn't believe it himself, “‘for science’ dustin said,” steve quotes the younger boy with a grin.  

“right, of course, all the important things,” you chuckled, matching his grin as the two of you continued to clean the broken fragments that have scattered around the house. 

you thought it was over, that you could all just wait for everything else to unfold in peace but after a few minutes of silence, the kids were back on their feet, ready to "get off the bench.” you’re not sure how steve has the energy to continue arguing with them when you’re completely exhausted. 

the sound of an engine brings a silence to the house, max running towards the blinds recognizing the car that has made an appearance in the driveway, “shit, it’s billy, he can’t see me,” she says frantically, eyes meeting yours, a silent call for help. 

“i got it, just hide,” you hushly ordered, quickly making your way to the front porch. steve tried pulling you back but you were out the door before anyone could protest, resulting in him looking through the peephole. 

billy’s momentarily confused expression at your arrival wasn’t lost on you and if you were in his shoes you’d probably have the same one on, “hey sweetheart, what are you doing here?,” his husky voice taking up space in the cold, night air.

standing a couple steps away from him, his hand immediately finds a spot on your waist, pulling you closer. you placed a hand on his chest to keep some distance between the two of you, aware of the audience you have, “i’m babysitting a kid, his friend lives here,” you explain, smiling sweetly at him, hoping that he won’t suspect anything and leave as soon as he came. 

“have you seen my sister?” he asks breathily, face inching closer and closer to yours, a smirk on his lips. if it was any other day, you would have enjoyed his attention, maybe even be up for some fun. right now though, you just want him as far from max as possible. 

“no, why would she be here?,” feigning innocence, you hope he believes your lie. 

“she’s been hanging out with a couple of kids here, a bunch of bad influences,” he huffed, eyes quickly glancing around you before pulling you even closer.

“i haven’t seen her, she’s probably at the arcade, have you checked?,” you hope he doesn’t hear the shakiness in your voice. 

“you know what i like about you sweetheart?,” he muttered, placing a harsh kiss below your ear, his grip on your waist starting to dig into your skin. you know he has caught you. 

“you can’t lie for shit,” pulling you away from him, gaze darkening, he howled with laughter as you followed his line of vision, seeing four kids peeking through the window — one, with very bright red hair. 

frustrated curses slip from your lips as you shoot them an angry glance before billy grabs your wrist, dragging you right behind him as he pounded on the door, coming face to face with steve. 

“harrington, am i dreaming or is that you?,” he mocks, his hold on your wrist tightening. 

“yeah it’s me, don’t cream your pants,” steve rolls his eyes, hands on his hips like a disappointed mother. 

steve notices you wince under billy’s hold, “let her go man,” he orders, taking a step towards the wider boy. 

billy focuses his attention back on you, for a second you see a feeling of betrayal flash through his eyes but that was quickly replaced with a snarled expression, like he was completely disgusted with the thought of you. 

“is there a reason why you both are here alone?” his dark voice causes goosebumps to rise throughout your body. 

you’ve heard of how violent he can be but until right now, he has never shown that side to you. 

“what are you saying?,” you almost couldn’t recognize him anymore, breath hitching in your throat. 

“are you fucking him behind my back, sweetheart?,” billy’s voice grew menacing, “you know i don’t like to share,” he continued accusing you, his free hand coming in contact with your neck, forcing you to look at him. 

“dude, no. we’re babysitting,” steve answers for you and motioning towards the kids like it’s the most obvious answer in the world.  

“you’re hurting her,” he emphasized, “just let her go,” gently stepping closer, steve has his arms slowly reaching for you, hands up, a signal that he comes in peace. 

steve hopes billy will focus his attention on him instead, just wanting to get you out of there. he feels responsible for your safety and well-being. 

“gladly…” billy shot him an evil smirk, “you can’t trust bitches anyways right, harrington?,” he scowled, violently throwing you against the wall. 

your head makes a direct impact with the concrete, causing you to fall to the ground, a whimper slipping through your lips. you hear the kids' screams and a punch being thrown as you feel your vision slipping between darkness and light.  

you make out dustin running towards you and grabbing your hand, trying to get you to sit up. a couple of unsuccessful tries, he pleads “i’ll come back okay, just stay alive,” as he makes his way back to his friends. 

the proceeding events were all a blur and it felt like you were watching it through static television. one moment you can hear victorious cheers. the next moment, you hear something break and steve is suddenly lying on the floor a couple feet away from you, bloody faced and barely breathing. billy continuously throws his punches and the kids scream in fear. you try to get up but your body betrays you, only allowing you to reach out your arm towards the brown haired boy. 

somehow, the sound of the punches halted and billy fell to the ground. a sigh of relief escapes from your lips while the slow rise and fall of steve harrington’s chest becomes the last thing you see as you completely fade into the darkness.

—

the next time you open your eyes is to another set of screams, waking you up from your much needed slumber, if you can even call it that. you ignore the pounding in your head as you try to regain your vision. the first thing you feel are the strong arms in front of you, acting as your seatbelt, as you try to piece it all together. 

a couple minutes of confusion later, you finally recognize what’s happening, joining steve in full babysitter mode. the yelling of “no’s!,” and “stop the car’s!,” filling the tiny vehicle. 

“great, now they’re both awake!, i told you we should have just left them!,” mike cursed dustin annoyingly. 

“we were not going to leave them there, mike!,” dustin retorted, “c’mon guys i promised you’ll be cool, okay? just calm. down,” he softly ordered, like he was the babysitter and you two were his children. 

you scoff, “dustin, don’t fucking tell me to calm down!,” somehow fearing for your life now more than ever. 

“everyone just shut up, i’m trying to focus!,” max yells as lucas yells the directions in her ear. 

max makes a harsh turn causing a chorus of screams to rise. your hand immediately clutching around steve’s arm, face burrowing in his neck, seeking for protection, afraid of the crash that luckily never came. 

you’re not even too sure what happened the rest of the night but somehow you all made it out unscathed, besides the fact that you and steve are probably suffering matching concussions. 

iii. the heart-to-heart

in the tiny bathroom of the byer’s house, you find yourself standing in between steve harrington’s legs. his body feels familiar now, especially after you seeked comfort in each other in the dark tunnel, the two of you thinking it would be your last breaths. in some way, the miracle happened and the screeching demogorgons ran straight past the two of you, like you weren’t even there. 

you remember looking up at his golden, brown eyes. being that close to him, you noticed how beautiful they actually are and finally understood how he has charmed every girl at school. 

‘i guess it wouldn’t have been too bad dying in steve harrington’s arms.’ you thought to yourself.  

brushing those thoughts away, you bask in the moment of solitude within the commotion that is taking place behind the bathroom door. everyone reunited here, checking up on each other.

“does it hurt?” you ask him as you gently pat the alcohol covered cotton pad around his eye, cleaning up the bits of red that have stained them.

he slightly winces, hoping you didn’t notice, “i’m fine, this isn’t my first rodeo,” he assures, sending you a wink before completely regretting the tiny action, a frown briskly replacing his smile, causing small chuckles to slip between your lips. 

“you know, you should really stop getting into fights, i could’ve sworn you had a black eye just a year ago,” you remember it like it was yesterday - steve harrington walking the halls of hawkins high without his two minions for the first time, looking like he had fallen off his throne as the hushed whispers grew louder until they finally made its way throughout the school in a matter of minutes. 

you could tell he wasn’t at all the person he was trying to be and for a second, you saw yourself in him. you wanted to get to know that steve. the steve that may understand you. but that second didn’t last long. 

“so you were watchin me?” he teases, a smirk on his lips resulting in a playful shove and an eye roll from you.

gently grabbing his chin, you stare straight into his eyes, “of course i was. you’re steve harrington,” you remind him, “everyone watches you,” stating the facts before letting go and going back to removing all the dried up blood from his pretty face. 

he clears his throat, shrugging his shoulders, playing it cool, “yeah, i guess you’re right,” he says dumbfoundedly, making you laugh. 

“you’re ridiculous,” you quietly comment, a smile still on your lips. steve focuses on your light touches, trying not to wince every time you get near his open wounds. you notice his knuckles going white, gripping the toilet seat he was sitting on and ever so gently, hurried your actions. 

“there, all clean,” you softly declare as you slip from his space, turning around and putting all mrs. byer’s first aid kit back into place. he quietly thanks you, leaning his head back a bit to rest, his eyes shutting for a second. 

“thanks, by the way,” you break the silence “for protecting me earlier… with billy and all the upside down things,” you explain, looking at steve through the mirror. he nods, not entirely sure he’s deserving of your gratitude. you protected him as much as he protected you. 

“is he always that violent with you?” steve asks, an eyebrow going up. 

you immediately shake your head,  “no, he’s never laid a hand on me, i don’t know what came over him,” you say honestly. 

“why billy hargrove?” he asks, causing you to pause your actions, paying attention to him.

“what do you mean?” you reply, turning around to face him once again, your back against the tiny kitchen sink. 

“well, you didn’t leave dustin alone even though you just started babysitting him today, you care about having seatbelts on, you immediately covered up for max and just now, you took care of me when you should be taking care of yourself,” he points out, “you’re responsible and kind and you care and, well, billy is just a huge dick,” he finished, a hand flailing in the air as you stare at him, stunned at his observations.

you compose your thoughts for a while, not at all ready to have a heart to heart with steve harrington in a bathroom. 

instead, you throw the question back at him, “why nancy wheeler?” 

“you cannot possibly be comparing billy to nancy,” he replies quickly, a disapproving tone laced in his voice.

“i’m not,” you say defensively, “i’m just saying, she hurt you too but you’re still with her, you-”

“i-i don’t know if we’re actually still together,” he sadly replies, cutting you off, eyes dropping to the floor and you think back to the woods earlier that night — nancy emerging with jonathan right by her side. 

“but you still love her,” you continue, “even though she’s hurt you, you still love her,” you finish, trying to make a point.

“so, you’re in love with billy?” he concludes.

you scoff, wanting to say yes and finally drop the subject but the mere thought of agreeing with that sentence makes you visibly wince. 

“god no, i’ve been on a couple dates with the guy, it’s far from love,” earning an even more confused steve to face you. 

“i don’t know if it’s because i got my brains punched out or i really am just dumb but i completely lost you there,” he admit, a tiny smile on his lips and all you could do is sigh. 

heart to heart talk it is. 

“you’re not dumb, i just-” taking a deep breath, you prepare yourself.

“we all have our own reasons why were with someone,” you begin, “i’m just so tired of the perfect good girl image that has been imposed on me, it's like people just see me as that and nothing else,” as soon as you start, the dam breaks, flowing. 

you find yourself entrusting your deepest thoughts to him, “i can’t be fun because good girls aren’t supposed to be, i go to parties and people are confused that i'm there. you know, i even joined the cheerleading team so people can see me as something more? but all that does is fuel the assumption that i can do everything and still get shit done...that im not capable of mistakes and bad decisions. that i’ll turn out to be something great when really i’m just so damn scared all the time,” your voice breaks but before he could comment, you cleared your throat and continued. 

“i guess being with him makes people finally see me out of my stereotype” you confess, waiting for him to say something. the silence becomes overbearing and you feel completely vulnerable under his gaze. 

“oh,” steve responds, before bursting into laughter and you feel like a complete idiot, eyebrows shifting downward. god, you’re so ready to dramatically walk out of this bathroom and slam the door against his face but before you could do that, he notices.

“hey wait,” he says, gently grabbing your arm, asking you to stay as he arranges his thoughts.

“i’m sorry, i’m just relieved that you’re not actually in love with him because you deserve a lot better than billy hargrove,” he says charmingly, his cool facade still on display. 

“i know,” you agree, stopping yourself from rolling your eyes, “is that all?” you ask, still annoyed. 

“yeah,” steve starts, “i-no,” you give him time. you know that he’s having a war in his mind right now, the same one you just had. 

he avoids your gaze, thinking to himself, until finally, he puts his defenses down, “i understand you,” he confesses. 

“if it makes you feel better, it’s not at all greener on this side, i wished people looked at me less, i wish i didn’t have to go to all these parties just for people to respect me,” steve rattled on, feeling the weight fall off his shoulders with every word that falls off his lips, his facade disappearing bit by bit.

“i completely gave up on school because everyone has already expected me to fail and i started to believe them…it’s tiring having to pretend i’m this ‘king’ steve,” he quotes, “when really i am spiraling and have no fucking clue what i even want in life...i’ll probably just end up having a stupid job i hate and being as bitter as my father,” he sadly chuckles.  

“i’m just as scared as you,” he ends with a small smile, eyes meeting yours. he feels lighter after having said it all out loud for the first time and he can’t quite comprehend how he feels so safe sharing his saddest truths with you. 

but as you cast him a kind smile, the words “fuck stereotypes,” making its way to his ears, he can’t help but be thankful for the spilled truths and ajar doors. 

steve mirrors your expression and you’re glad you finally got to meet him. not “playboy” steve harrington and definitely not steve “the king” harrington. 

just steve. 

-

next: yr. 1985 (to be written)

an: a lil bridgerton reference there hehe ... thank you for reading! let me know if you're interested in reading the other moments i had planned :)

feel free to inspire me by dropping your thoughts, comments, suggestions, etc. here <3

[withlovemark]

hi again, i’m on another rewatch of stranger things and i miss steve + it’s been a year since we last saw him and i’m inspired so i’m in the process of a new fic :3

here’s a very small, unedited part (for anyone who cares) <3

title: all of the moments that led me to you.

an excerpt from “the heart-to-heart” moment:

“i just-i get it,” he calms himself down, forming his thoughts.

“if it makes you feel better, it’s not at all better being on the opposite side, i wished people looked at me less. i wish i didn’t have to go to all these parties just for them to respect me. i completely gave up on school because everyone has already expected me to fail and i started to believe them. it’s tiring having to pretend i’m this “king steve,” he quotes, “when really i am spiraling and have no fucking clue what i even want in life.”

thankful for the spilled truths and ajar doors, you cast him a smile, “fuck stereotypes.”

[withlovemark]

awe, tysm for reading 🥹 and for the feedback!! :)<3

to be loved - steve harrington

warning: mentions of steve's wounds, little angst! but it's a happy ending i promise

pairing: steve x reader

words: 2.3k+

summary: steve finally allows himself to believe in love again

an: i posted this a couple of days ago? and just now realized it got deleted. not really sure what happened there. anyways, found this in my drafts a week ago? (i have no concept of time). i didn't want to leave it rotting there so i wrote a quick ending and here you go. hope its okay!

-

three light taps, a knock that echoed throughout the boy’s dimly lit room, a sound enough to startle him after the events that have taken place in the past few days. not a single other person was in this house, a normality that he has accepted. steve’s parents were never around and he had no other relatives that would even care if he was still alive. his friends were a bunch of high schoolers, except for robin and…you.

he knows he’s messed it up with you. he can see it with the way you avoid his glances, the way you would choose to sit in the furthest chair away from him, the way you would get quiet when he was around and the way you stopped yourself from reaching out for him. the familiarity of your touch is no longer accessible, becoming only a memory. he can’t blame you though, your last words to him still replaying in his mind, loud and clear.

“i don't think i can do this anymore steve, i can't keep coming to your house, sleeping in your clothes, doing things that friends aren’t supposed to be doing, just for you to still be thinking about her.” 

he’s about to roll over onto his bed. to sleep the remnants of the past away. to keep ignoring everything like he always does and get ready for a new day, pretending he was healed. that he was okay. he was not. 

nowadays, it’s easier to slap a smile on his face instead of talking about his feelings. the last time he let himself truly feel something, he got his heart ripped out of his chest and trampled upon like it meant nothing, like it was a rock you could use to skip stones, one that you could let go of and not care enough whether it comes back to shore or get lost in the deepest parts of the lake. 

another knock makes its way to his ears. he thinks he’s imagining it until another one comes. grabbing the bat he hid between his nightstand, he slowly made his way to his bedroom door, feeling absolutely drained. the pain on his stomach, from the demobats that got a taste, still stinging, a pain that travels throughout his body with every miniscule movement. slowly, he carefully unlocks his door, ready to swing, until his brown eyes meet your wide, shocked ones. letting out the breath he didn’t even know he was holding, he slowly lowers his bat. 

“hi,” you whisper, “i uh, got in using the spare key,” a sheepish smile on your lips, holding up the silver key that was hidden in the dead plant placed on his front door. the key he told you about so you could sneak into his house at any given moment. the key that led to love marks all over his body, painting pink and purple constellations. the key you haven’t used since that night you decided to end whatever it was there to end. 

“you agreed to no feelings, that we would just be friends with benefits and that's it, you know that's all it could be,” steve has his face resting on his palm, his once perfectly styled hair going in different directions. like this - bare chest, lips still red from yours, neck stained beautifully by the artwork you left behind, he looked like he belonged in an art gallery. 

“i-i know, but i-i couldn’t help it…it’s just so easy to fall in love with you,” a confession that leaves the boy paralyzed, doe, teary eyes staring up at his brown ones — almost pleading.

“stop. you don’t know what you’re saying.” he’s angry. mad that those words could slip past your lips so easily. mad that even though you’re looking at him like he somehow brought the moon to you, he still can’t find it in himself to believe it. 

“steve-,” you try to reach out for his hand but he pulls away before you could even feel him. all you want is to pull him into your arms, to remind him that he is worth loving but you see the battle in his eyes, the war that’s taking place in his mind and you know he has his kingdom closed, walls up, ready to strike and defend himself at any second. there is no room for you in his castle, you see that now. 

“i-im sorry,” your voice was gentle, afraid he’ll completely lock the gate on you. the last thing you wanted was to fight, you’re defenseless when it comes to him. 

“let’s just pretend that none of this happened and we can go back to being friends, nothing changes and for the sake of us and the others, no questions asked,” his words were met with silence that cuts through like a sword against your neck. 

you felt detached from reality, feeling like you were watching this conversation happen instead of being a part of it. you had no control when you slowly got off his bed and quietly switched back into your clothes, his words transferring a sort of numbness to your whole being. 

he watched as you removed his t-shirt from your body and tossed it into his laundry bag, slipping back into your own clothes, making him think that his old t-shirt looked way better on you. yet all he did was watch. watched as you gave him one last forced smile and walked out of his room. the sound of the front door opening and closing traveling throughout the house. 

the days that followed after were stolen glances, opposite directions, uncomfortable silences, tiptoes, lingering feelings, longing stares, tension. neither one budged nor made the effort to even act like friends, going along with the others like they were fools when in reality, there can be no one more foolish than the pair. 

“hi?” he greets you just as quietly, head tilted, confused, like a puppy who was hearing a new sound for the first time. he sees you glance at his bandaged stomach, eyes traveling up to his bruised neck and notices the way you want to reach out to him but just like all the other times before, you stop yourself. 

“i-uh i brought you some food, and a first aid kit,” your voice still a mere whisper, he nods, guards down, stepping aside as you walk into the room you’ve been in countless times before. 

you placed the bag on his vanity, taking out it’s contents one by one and like before, he sat upon his bed and watched — a bowl that seemed to contain his favorite chicken noodle soup coming into view, it’s aroma hitting his nostrils, a clear tupperware filled with your famous homemade chocolate cookies, one that smells like home, the ones the kids would fight over with, resulting to an extra batch made just for him since he never won. 

he suddenly realizes how hungry he was, not really having the motivation nor the appetite to keep his stomach full. his body responds by lightly growling, a sound he hoped you didn’t hear.

“you should eat,” you break the silence, looking at him through his vanity mirror, “gonna need all your strength back to make sure you can always play hero,” you send him a small smile, he softly chuckles at your words, eyes falling to his sheets which suddenly became interesting, when was the last time he changed his sheets anyway. 

“i also brought you new bandages so you can change that every couple of hours, make sure it doesn’t get infected, with all these monsters around, that’d be the lamest way to go, y’know?,” you joked, trying to lighten the air. he stares at your back, contemplating. regardless of the fact that you were always an arm length away, he missed you.

he wants to be selfish. he wants to be taken care of, to be loved. 

and for the first time in a while, his mind is silent, focusing only on the fact that you are there.

making his way over to you, he wraps his arms around your waist, hands falling on top of each other, sitting tightly on your stomach, his head hiding on the crook of your neck, light puffs of air falling from his lips causing goosebumps to rise all over your body. he feels you stiffen, holding your breath, before relaxing back into his chest, hand gently hovering over his. you stay that way for a while, a minute or two, before you turn around, still in his embrace. slowly your hands make their way to his neck, fingers dancing lightly around his red, bright scar and ever so gently, landing around his cheek, eyes on yours, “are you okay?”

with those three words, the gates open and with it came a river of tears. he shakes his head no and this time, he lets you pull him into your arms as he found solace in your warmth, your perfume that smelled like the sweetest of flowers, making him feel like the sun was on his back as he laid his head on your chest. your fingers immediately run through his silky hair and he feels like a huge weight has just been lifted off his shoulders. 

“thank you for being here,” his voice hoarse from the quiet cries that slipped past his lips, he pulled away, admiring the way the moonlight from his window reflected itself into your eyes, brushing back the strand of hair that dangled in front of them. 

“i-i thought i was gonna lose you,” words that broke the boy’s heart. he can’t even imagine what he would have done if the roles were reversed. “i-i was so scared,” you continue, trying to hold back the tears that were begging to fall. 

“hey,” rough palms making it’s way to your cheeks, softly caressing you, golden eyes shining, “you will never lose me.”

“haven’t i already?,” you cry out. you hated the way you danced around him like he was a stranger. hated the fact that you couldn’t allow yourself to find comfort in him, afraid you would cross the line that the boy remarkably drew out and completely lose access to him. 

“no,” he lightly shakes his head, “ no….hey, look at me,” his finger under your chin, gently pleading for your eyes to find his. “i’m right here, i’m not going anywhere, i’m sorry i’ve been running, i was just…scared,” he admits. 

“scared of what?,” you urge him on, waiting for the answer to the problem you’ve been trying to solve. his hands find their way around yours as he looks down, composing his thoughts. 

“i was scared you would finally realize there will always be someone better, that you’d leave and i’d be all alone again,” he spills his truths. and you can’t fathom how blind you’ve been to not see it. the reason behind nancy appearing in his thoughts. 

“i’m not her, you know?” you say quietly. he nods, “i-i know,” he says guiltily. 

“and i don’t want better, steve…i just want you,” you confess into the night, steve feels all the air rush into his lungs, almost like he was learning how to breathe for the first time. he searches your eyes for any signs of doubt but only saw his own reflection in them. 

“do you want me?” you barely heard your own voice, afraid of the answer. he scoffs, “god, is that even a question?,” you look at him, confusion etched onto the creases of your eyebrows and steve almost wished the bats got him instead of realizing that he has left you doubting his feelings for you.

“of course i want you,” his brown eyes staring deeply into yours, “i can’t get you out of my head, all this time all i wanted was to be near you, to hold your hand, god, y/n i’m in love with you and i prayed, god i prayed to a guy i barely believed in that we would both make it out there alive because i-i can’t imagine my life without you and-,” he’s breathless, telling you everything he has wanted for weeks. word after word stumbling out of his lips as your smile grew with every syllable, until you couldn’t take it anymore. 

you pulled the boy towards you and like magnets, you connected, quickly placing your lips against his before your eyes drowned in your favorite color, the smile forming on his lips evident “i said it before but i’m in love with you too.” 

his eyes soften, finally allowing himself to believe those words, soft lips meets yours once again, battling, making up for all the lost time, hands automatically finding its way up his brown curls like they were meant to always be there, his, around your waist, pulling you as close to him as possible, fearing that if he let you go, you’ll disappear as if it was a dream.

but as you make that little sound, the one that drives him crazy, butterflies erupting in his stomach, he knows that this is better than any dream he could ever imagine. you were here with him. you were in love with him. 

your hands slowly starts making its way down to his body, but before the situation could escalate, he can’t help but break the kiss off, the pain from his wounds still evident, he lets out a sharp moan, “ow,” snapping you back to reality.

“oh my god, i'm so sorry,” you apologize, inspecting his bandages. 

“don’t be,” he reassures you, a light kiss placed upon your lips, “you’re worth it,” he teased, causing your giggles to harmonize, his forehead leaning against yours, a content sigh slipping off his lips. two eyes crinkling, sharing light smiles. 

“as much as i would love to stare into your eyes forever” you break the dream-like state, “i worked really hard on that chicken noodle soup and it would be a shame for it to go to waste,” you laugh and he holds on to the moment as long as possible. 

“now, we wouldn’t want that, plus we have forever to lovingly gaze in each other’s eyes,” he winks, sending you into a fit of laughter. he kisses you one more time before grabbing your favorite t-shirt, his t-shirt, in his drawer and handing it to you.  

an: i really don't post in this acc unless i have something to post lmao. also, currently in my bridgerton phase so don't mind the profile pic, or do mind it? feel free to let me know your favorite bridgerton :)

[withlovemark]

to be loved - steve harrington

warning: mentions of steve's wounds, little angst! but it's a happy ending i promise

pairing: steve x reader

words: 2.3k+

summary: steve finally allows himself to believe in love again

an: i posted this a couple of days ago? and just now realized it got deleted. not really sure what happened there. anyways, found this in my drafts a week ago? (i have no concept of time). i didn't want to leave it rotting there so i wrote a quick ending and here you go. hope its okay!

-

three light taps, a knock that echoed throughout the boy’s dimly lit room, a sound enough to startle him after the events that have taken place in the past few days. not a single other person was in this house, a normality that he has accepted. steve’s parents were never around and he had no other relatives that would even care if he was still alive. his friends were a bunch of high schoolers, except for robin and…you.

he knows he’s messed it up with you. he can see it with the way you avoid his glances, the way you would choose to sit in the furthest chair away from him, the way you would get quiet when he was around and the way you stopped yourself from reaching out for him. the familiarity of your touch is no longer accessible, becoming only a memory. he can’t blame you though, your last words to him still replaying in his mind, loud and clear.

“i don't think i can do this anymore steve, i can't keep coming to your house, sleeping in your clothes, doing things that friends aren’t supposed to be doing, just for you to still be thinking about her.” 

he’s about to roll over onto his bed. to sleep the remnants of the past away. to keep ignoring everything like he always does and get ready for a new day, pretending he was healed. that he was okay. he was not. 

nowadays, it’s easier to slap a smile on his face instead of talking about his feelings. the last time he let himself truly feel something, he got his heart ripped out of his chest and trampled upon like it meant nothing, like it was a rock you could use to skip stones, one that you could let go of and not care enough whether it comes back to shore or get lost in the deepest parts of the lake. 

another knock makes its way to his ears. he thinks he’s imagining it until another one comes. grabbing the bat he hid between his nightstand, he slowly made his way to his bedroom door, feeling absolutely drained. the pain on his stomach, from the demobats that got a taste, still stinging, a pain that travels throughout his body with every miniscule movement. slowly, he carefully unlocks his door, ready to swing, until his brown eyes meet your wide, shocked ones. letting out the breath he didn’t even know he was holding, he slowly lowers his bat. 

“hi,” you whisper, “i uh, got in using the spare key,” a sheepish smile on your lips, holding up the silver key that was hidden in the dead plant placed on his front door. the key he told you about so you could sneak into his house at any given moment. the key that led to love marks all over his body, painting pink and purple constellations. the key you haven’t used since that night you decided to end whatever it was there to end. 

“you agreed to no feelings, that we would just be friends with benefits and that's it, you know that's all it could be,” steve has his face resting on his palm, his once perfectly styled hair going in different directions. like this - bare chest, lips still red from yours, neck stained beautifully by the artwork you left behind, he looked like he belonged in an art gallery. 

“i-i know, but i-i couldn’t help it…it’s just so easy to fall in love with you,” a confession that leaves the boy paralyzed, doe, teary eyes staring up at his brown ones — almost pleading.

“stop. you don’t know what you’re saying.” he’s angry. mad that those words could slip past your lips so easily. mad that even though you’re looking at him like he somehow brought the moon to you, he still can’t find it in himself to believe it. 

“steve-,” you try to reach out for his hand but he pulls away before you could even feel him. all you want is to pull him into your arms, to remind him that he is worth loving but you see the battle in his eyes, the war that’s taking place in his mind and you know he has his kingdom closed, walls up, ready to strike and defend himself at any second. there is no room for you in his castle, you see that now. 

“i-im sorry,” your voice was gentle, afraid he’ll completely lock the gate on you. the last thing you wanted was to fight, you’re defenseless when it comes to him. 

“let’s just pretend that none of this happened and we can go back to being friends, nothing changes and for the sake of us and the others, no questions asked,” his words were met with silence that cuts through like a sword against your neck. 

you felt detached from reality, feeling like you were watching this conversation happen instead of being a part of it. you had no control when you slowly got off his bed and quietly switched back into your clothes, his words transferring a sort of numbness to your whole being. 

he watched as you removed his t-shirt from your body and tossed it into his laundry bag, slipping back into your own clothes, making him think that his old t-shirt looked way better on you. yet all he did was watch. watched as you gave him one last forced smile and walked out of his room. the sound of the front door opening and closing traveling throughout the house. 

the days that followed after were stolen glances, opposite directions, uncomfortable silences, tiptoes, lingering feelings, longing stares, tension. neither one budged nor made the effort to even act like friends, going along with the others like they were fools when in reality, there can be no one more foolish than the pair. 

“hi?” he greets you just as quietly, head tilted, confused, like a puppy who was hearing a new sound for the first time. he sees you glance at his bandaged stomach, eyes traveling up to his bruised neck and notices the way you want to reach out to him but just like all the other times before, you stop yourself. 

“i-uh i brought you some food, and a first aid kit,” your voice still a mere whisper, he nods, guards down, stepping aside as you walk into the room you’ve been in countless times before. 

you placed the bag on his vanity, taking out it’s contents one by one and like before, he sat upon his bed and watched — a bowl that seemed to contain his favorite chicken noodle soup coming into view, it’s aroma hitting his nostrils, a clear tupperware filled with your famous homemade chocolate cookies, one that smells like home, the ones the kids would fight over with, resulting to an extra batch made just for him since he never won. 

he suddenly realizes how hungry he was, not really having the motivation nor the appetite to keep his stomach full. his body responds by lightly growling, a sound he hoped you didn’t hear.

“you should eat,” you break the silence, looking at him through his vanity mirror, “gonna need all your strength back to make sure you can always play hero,” you send him a small smile, he softly chuckles at your words, eyes falling to his sheets which suddenly became interesting, when was the last time he changed his sheets anyway. 

“i also brought you new bandages so you can change that every couple of hours, make sure it doesn’t get infected, with all these monsters around, that’d be the lamest way to go, y’know?,” you joked, trying to lighten the air. he stares at your back, contemplating. regardless of the fact that you were always an arm length away, he missed you.

he wants to be selfish. he wants to be taken care of, to be loved. 

and for the first time in a while, his mind is silent, focusing only on the fact that you are there.

making his way over to you, he wraps his arms around your waist, hands falling on top of each other, sitting tightly on your stomach, his head hiding on the crook of your neck, light puffs of air falling from his lips causing goosebumps to rise all over your body. he feels you stiffen, holding your breath, before relaxing back into his chest, hand gently hovering over his. you stay that way for a while, a minute or two, before you turn around, still in his embrace. slowly your hands make their way to his neck, fingers dancing lightly around his red, bright scar and ever so gently, landing around his cheek, eyes on yours, “are you okay?”

with those three words, the gates open and with it came a river of tears. he shakes his head no and this time, he lets you pull him into your arms as he found solace in your warmth, your perfume that smelled like the sweetest of flowers, making him feel like the sun was on his back as he laid his head on your chest. your fingers immediately run through his silky hair and he feels like a huge weight has just been lifted off his shoulders. 

“thank you for being here,” his voice hoarse from the quiet cries that slipped past his lips, he pulled away, admiring the way the moonlight from his window reflected itself into your eyes, brushing back the strand of hair that dangled in front of them. 

“i-i thought i was gonna lose you,” words that broke the boy’s heart. he can’t even imagine what he would have done if the roles were reversed. “i-i was so scared,” you continue, trying to hold back the tears that were begging to fall. 

“hey,” rough palms making it’s way to your cheeks, softly caressing you, golden eyes shining, “you will never lose me.”

“haven’t i already?,” you cry out. you hated the way you danced around him like he was a stranger. hated the fact that you couldn’t allow yourself to find comfort in him, afraid you would cross the line that the boy remarkably drew out and completely lose access to him. 

“no,” he lightly shakes his head, “ no….hey, look at me,” his finger under your chin, gently pleading for your eyes to find his. “i’m right here, i’m not going anywhere, i’m sorry i’ve been running, i was just…scared,” he admits. 

“scared of what?,” you urge him on, waiting for the answer to the problem you’ve been trying to solve. his hands find their way around yours as he looks down, composing his thoughts. 

“i was scared you would finally realize there will always be someone better, that you’d leave and i’d be all alone again,” he spills his truths. and you can’t fathom how blind you’ve been to not see it. the reason behind nancy appearing in his thoughts. 

“i’m not her, you know?” you say quietly. he nods, “i-i know,” he says guiltily. 

“and i don’t want better, steve…i just want you,” you confess into the night, steve feels all the air rush into his lungs, almost like he was learning how to breathe for the first time. he searches your eyes for any signs of doubt but only saw his own reflection in them. 

“do you want me?” you barely heard your own voice, afraid of the answer. he scoffs, “god, is that even a question?,” you look at him, confusion etched onto the creases of your eyebrows and steve almost wished the bats got him instead of realizing that he has left you doubting his feelings for you.

“of course i want you,” his brown eyes staring deeply into yours, “i can’t get you out of my head, all this time all i wanted was to be near you, to hold your hand, god, y/n i’m in love with you and i prayed, god i prayed to a guy i barely believed in that we would both make it out there alive because i-i can’t imagine my life without you and-,” he’s breathless, telling you everything he has wanted for weeks. word after word stumbling out of his lips as your smile grew with every syllable, until you couldn’t take it anymore. 

you pulled the boy towards you and like magnets, you connected, quickly placing your lips against his before your eyes drowned in your favorite color, the smile forming on his lips evident “i said it before but i’m in love with you too.” 

his eyes soften, finally allowing himself to believe those words, soft lips meets yours once again, battling, making up for all the lost time, hands automatically finding its way up his brown curls like they were meant to always be there, his, around your waist, pulling you as close to him as possible, fearing that if he let you go, you’ll disappear as if it was a dream.

but as you make that little sound, the one that drives him crazy, butterflies erupting in his stomach, he knows that this is better than any dream he could ever imagine. you were here with him. you were in love with him. 

your hands slowly starts making its way down to his body, but before the situation could escalate, he can’t help but break the kiss off, the pain from his wounds still evident, he lets out a sharp moan, “ow,” snapping you back to reality.

“oh my god, i'm so sorry,” you apologize, inspecting his bandages. 

“don’t be,” he reassures you, a light kiss placed upon your lips, “you’re worth it,” he teased, causing your giggles to harmonize, his forehead leaning against yours, a content sigh slipping off his lips. two eyes crinkling, sharing light smiles. 

“as much as i would love to stare into your eyes forever” you break the dream-like state, “i worked really hard on that chicken noodle soup and it would be a shame for it to go to waste,” you laugh and he holds on to the moment as long as possible. 

“now, we wouldn’t want that, plus we have forever to lovingly gaze in each other’s eyes,” he winks, sending you into a fit of laughter. he kisses you one more time before grabbing your favorite t-shirt, his t-shirt, in his drawer and handing it to you.  

an: i really don't post in this acc unless i have something to post lmao. also, currently in my bridgerton phase so don't mind the profile pic, or do mind it? feel free to let me know your favorite bridgerton :)

[withlovemark]

in my steve feels, might write something 🤔

[withlovemark]

the way i’m crying my eyes out right now. oh gosh this is so beautifully written, thank you for sharing <3

Take Me Back To The Night We Met

Pairing: Steve Harrington x fem!reader

Word Count: 10.2k words

Content Warning: Major Character Death, explicit language, a lot of angst, underage drinking, mentions of depression and grief.

Summary: Set after season 4. In that final battle Steve sacrifices himself so everyone else can live, leaving you behind to reflect on various points in your relationship and how the hell you’re supposed to live in a world without him.

Author’s Note: Inspired by the song “The Night We Met” by Lord Huron. No use of y/n. This is my first time ever doing a Steve fic, or even a reader pov fic so please be kind. I am also so so so sorry for this. I cried writing it, but I just couldn’t get the idea of my head. My friend is the one who convinced me to post this. I didn’t really have anyone else look over this so any issues are my own and I guess just let me know if you see anything that needs fixing!

Ao3 Link - in case you would prefer to read it there.

Keep reading

[withlovemark]

my girlfriend’s brother

warning: none

pairing: steve x female reader, she’s also just dustin’s half sister! (i’m not white so…)

words: 1.1k+

summary: you’re in the car when dustin implies that steve is still in love with nancy.

an: just a cute, little steve blurb because i have yet to get over him. not edited oops

“do you want to tell me what that was about?,” dustin interrogates the boy sitting in the driver seat.

“what was what about?,” steve’s eyebrows furrow, not quite understanding what the boy is trying to get at.

“i don´t know, how you practically just threw yourself at nancy,” the boy smirks, teasing him. steve doesn’t miss the way you roll your eyes, avoiding his gaze, finding the view outside much more interesting. it all plays out unto his rear view mirror and he knows he’s in trouble.

“i-i did not!,” he defends, hating the way he stuttered. it’s not like he wasn’t sure, it’s just that the way you were silently fuming in the back has got his tongue stuck in his throat. you were absolutely adorable, green eyed monster and all.

“look at you! you’re a mess steve, you’re totally still in love with her! right, y/n!?,” dustin turns around in his seat, wide smile reaching up to his eyes, searching for validation in yours. you almost want to punch his little face in but you knew that it was no one else's fault but yours. you were the one who asked steve to keep your relationship on the down low. you were the one who asked for time - time to properly tell your brother everything.

but now, 3 months later, you still haven't found the courage to tell him that you like like his best friend, hell maybe you were even in love with steve harrington. so, with the most enthusiastic grin you could pull off, lips bending upwards, teeth clenched into what you thought could pass off as a smile, “yeah… totally!” you agree.

“told you!,” dustin focuses his attention back on steve, completely unaware of the hole he has dug for the older boy. you quietly huff, not being able to stand the annoyance seeping throughout your body.

quickly, you hopped out of the car, slamming the door closed, startling the two boys, making steve wince. “jeez, what’s got her panties in a twist,” dustin´s eyebrow furrows, looking at your figure through his window, your back turned to them, leaning against the door you just got out of as you wait for max.

steve lets his head fall into his steering wheel, exasperated sighs falling from his lips. “listen here you little shit, first of all don’t ever say panties again, second,” he pauses, wondering if it would be a good idea to finally tell him that he’s not in love with nancy and is instead in love with his sister. ‘yeah, no’

“second..what steve?” dustin waits impatiently, legs bouncing.

“second, i’m not in love with nancy and you need to stay out of my love life!” he says instead.

“yeah, sureee steve i would love to stay out of your love life…but how can i do that if your love life literallY INVOLVES MY SISTER!” dustin’s voice raises with every syllable, a confession that leaves a stunned steve staring at him with wide eyes.

“i don’t- i-i’m not, i- what?” the older boy sends him a look mixed with surprise and confusion, like receiving a birthday gift that you have to pretend to like for the sake of the other person, worry laced in his voice from having been found out.

“i’m literally the one who solves everything, you don’t think i would notice you sneaking into our house at night! you don’t think i know the sound of your car!?,” dustin points out the facts, interrogating him.

“h-how long have you known?,” steve sighs in defeat, hands pushing back his hair that's fallen out of place, the only confirmation the boy needed.

“three months,” he confesses.

“i’m so so-¨ steve gets ready to apologize. truth is, he's had this apology ready way before you started dating. once he knew his feelings for you go way beyond friendship, dustin´s tooth grinning smile was already at the back of his head. his best friend´s words settle into his mind, making him forget all about his prepared speech, ¨wait… that’s when we started dating,”

“yeah,” he nods, a menacing smile on his face.

“y-you knew all this time?,” this whole time, you and steve have been going around secret dates that always consisted of late night interruptions by the boy in front of him. this whole time, he's had to discreetly glance at you, not stand too close, hands always just lingering side by side yet never clasped together and he had to be okay with that. had to be okay with you sitting at the backseat because the front was saved for your brother.

oh, how he could murder this henderson kid if he wasn´t his best friend and your brother.

“mhm and i thought hey let me be a nice best friend and brother and wait for them to tell me, but won’t you look at that three months later and you guys are still lying to my face,” dustin´s complaint broke him out of his thoughts.

steve looks at the boy who was clearly upset, “man, i´m sorry,¨ he sincerely apologizes, a frown on his face. he truly did feel awful for hiding this from dustin. he wonders if the boy would even trust him anymore and that thought alone sunk steve´s heart.

finally having enough fun of his own, dustin breaks out into a sheepish smile, “god, i wish i could take a picture of you right now,” he laughs, a hearty laugh, one that perks up steve´s ears as he sports a look of confusion. he doesn't get this boy sometimes.

“relax dude, i don´t care, my best friend and my sister, the two people i love the most, it's finee, yeah i'm a little upset you guys were hiding it from me but after a couple of weeks, i got over it,” he shrugs nonchalantly. like his words had absolutely no weight in them.

for steve, it was everything he wanted to hear.

“just don´t break her heart harrington or i will find a demodog from the upside down and lock you in a room with it,” the curly headed boy finished, trying to sound tough.

steve practically had to force himself to hold back his laughter at the boy´s empty threat, saluting him, “yes sir, i promise, i´ll even help you capture the demodog,” the two boys mirroring each other´s wide grins, a promise sealed with a fist bump.

“yeah, yeah i trust you, but right now, you should probably fix this whole ´nancy´ mess,” dustin quotes, bringing him back to the current situation.

“ugh!, there is no ´nancy´ mess! you just made that up!,” steve groans, once again annoyed at the boy in front of him.

“oops,” dustin shrugs teasingly, “wellll, once you fix it, your relationship will get stronger and all that crap, right?,” he sends the older boy an apologetic smile.

steve immediately dishevels his hair, both out of love and irritation. stepping out of his vehicle, arms finding their way around your waist, a light kiss to your shoulder, ready to reassure you that you had absolutely nothing to worry about — not nancy, not dustin.

“baby…”

[withlovemark]

I HOPE YOURE HAPPY NOW 🫵😝

i want to be with you, everywhere.

warning: i need to get better with my warnings so um, grief, hospital, mentions of death, nightmares, angst! as always

pairing: steve x female reader

words: 5.1k+ (hoping i edited this well enough)

an: despite the warnings, take this as my apology note, especially for those who had to go through all the cliffhangers! im so sorry! AND this is the last chapter of this mini series, thank you so much for reading and for all the kind words!! <33 your reactions make me laugh so much and they do brighten my day more than you think! maybe you can also help me think of what to write next? my ask is always open! :> hope to see some of you there!

one. two. three.

four.

steve.

he had your favorite flowers in hand, hopping into his car and dreading the familiar drive. it’s been a week and five days since the tragedy that left him crying out your name. 

for the past 12 days, the boy makes sure he picks up something you like before his daily visits. cassette tapes, vanilla ice cream, strawberry flavored chapsticks. 

everyday, he talks to you. everyday, he gets no response. 

a familiar figure was already there once he arrived, “hey max,” he greets her gently, a light tap to her back, soft smile making an appearance upon his pink lips, tired eyes crinkling slightly. she looks up from sketching in her notebook, the flowers in his hands makes the girls’ heart swell at the thought of your reaction if you were to see it. 

“she’ll love those,” a quiet hum of approval. 

“you think?” an eyebrow going up, a tiny smirk dancing upon his face, proud of his choice. 

“i know.” the girl nods, he places the flowers beside the numerous gifts your friends have left for you. 

taking his seat on his usual spot next to you, fingers immediately wrapping yours, “hey beautiful, i’m back,” he whispers, planting a gentle kiss on your temple. the heartbeat through the monitor filling the corners of the pale, gloomy, walls, his only assurance that you were listening. 

“the doctor said her vitals are improving,” max breaks the silence, hope blooming in their maimed hearts, “she should wake up soon.”

“that true?  will you let me see your pretty eyes soon?” steve asks you, his hold on your fingers gently tightening. carefully watching the way your chest slowly rises and falls. max collects her things, the tender hearted moment making her believe that love is veracious. 

“i have to go to class, ping dustin if anything happens,” handing the extra walkie-talkie and a quick hug to the brown haired boy, leaving you and steve alone. 

the boy gets comfortable, head gently laying on your mended stomach, “eddie’s still in jail,” he starts,“it’s looking up though, they can’t really find any evidence that he did it, y’know?” updating you about the events that were taking place. 

“he might just make it to graduation,” he chuckles, looking up at you “by the way, you really need to wake up or else they’ll hold you back and i know how much you hate doing homework,” he teases, tucking the stray hair out of your eyes, the light bursts of air slipping from your lips providing the comfort he needed. 

“when will you wake up?,” he sighs, eyes starting to get glassy. 

he was exhausted. ever since he got you out of the upside down, unresponsive body blanket wrapped around his back, steve hasn’t had proper rest, leaving only to change out of his wrinkled clothes and rid of tiredness under cold showers, coming back the next morning, wanting to be there when you finally wake. 

once, he spent a night at his house, against his will, dustin and robin forcing him to get some proper shut eye. they were unsuccessful. your body in his arms as you took your last breath playing in his mind, haunting him. he found himself thrashing around, looking for you, greeted only by shadows in the dark. it’s easier in the hospital because when the nightmare reoccurs, he wakes up to you and for now it’s enough to calm him down. 

he can’t forget that night. the paramedics sending electricity through your chest, barely finding a pulse. it took three charges before a melodic beeping finally echoed through his ears and steve swears it’s the best sound in the world as he hid his face in the crook of robin's neck. 

“we won,” he reminds you everyday.  “everyone’s okay…all we need now is for you to come back to us,” letting out a shaky breath, he hasn’t quite figured out how to remain stable in moments like these.

“i need you to come back to me, y/n” a desperate confession. 

—

nine days has passed. exactly three weeks of steve’s words being met with silence. 

“i have a secret,” he whispers like you weren’t the only two people under the moonlight shining through the window. 

“i always had this dream,” the boy starts “in this dream, i have six kids,” he chuckles quietly, “crazy, right? me? a dad?,” he imagines the way your face would have contorted once you heard that. 

“anyways me and my six little harringtons, three girls and three boys…we would be away from here, traveling, seeing the world, just driving anywhere and everywhere our little camper van can take us,” confiding in you the future he had always hoped for. 

“but here’s the secret,” sliding a little closer to you, voice barely audible, “you’re sitting in the passenger seat,” he sighs, a sad smile, confessions in the air taking with it a bit of weight from his shoulders, “like you always are…smiling at me with that beautiful smile of yours,”

“singing at the top of our lungs, making our kids complain about how grossly in love their parents are,” every word stretches out the boy's smile, lost in the creation of his dreamland. 

“and then you’ll laugh, that laugh that makes my heart light up and i couldn’t ask for anything more,” he brings the back of your hand up to his lips, placing soft gentle marks of love, “does that sound okay to you?,” breath hitching in his throat. 

no response. 

taking a deep breath, emotions surging through him, feelings of loneliness and despair escaping through his eyes as silence one again took over the night. 

—

 “do you want to know the day i fell in love with you?” 

“it was when you walked in to scoops ahoy, my first day on the job, i was scared and nervous about people coming in and seeing me, “king steve” he quotes, “working only at an ice cream shop because i wasn’t good enough for anything else” a hand going up to his locks, pushing back the strays of hair that’s blocked him from seeing you. 

“then you walked in, in that cheerleading uniform that drives me crazy by the way, and you smiled at me, congratulating me, and i knew at that moment that i didn’t care about what anyone else thought as long as you’re there… believing in me,” 

“i kept on making you try every flavor of ice cream in hopes that you would stay longer and you did and i just felt so happy, like a boy having a crush for the first time” soft chuckles escaping the boys lips, recalling memories that were keeping his heart glued together. for someone who was labeled as a ladies man, he had no idea what to do when it came to you. 

“but i was so scared… i was scared i wasn't good enough for you, that i’d just mess it all up like i always do and so i pushed those feelings to the side and flirted with any girl who made their way into the store…im sorry,” his voice a faint whisper. he wasn’t proud of those actions but sometimes we do things that we think is best at the time. 

“i just wanted to keep you with me and feelings usually ruin things that are good and god i just couldn’t risk it, i couldn’t risk losing you,” both hands going up to his now, very disheveled hair, he looks up at your silent figure, the sun peeking through the window, illuminating your face. the thought of your twinkling eyes sparkling under them, the way they do every time you look his way, urges him to keep going. 

“then word got out that you and carver were seeing each other and fuck, i was pissed, i served so many customers the wrong order that day y’know?” he can almost hear your laugh. can almost hear the way you would tease him for being whipped. but he wasn’t, he was just a boy who had so much love to give to someone who he thought was unreachable. 

“i didn’t say anything though, cause who was i to tell you to stop seeing him? but you stopped coming around and i was so sad, i convinced myself that i liked robin to finally get you out of my fucking head,” 

“we both know how that ended up,” he smiles to himself, the memories fondly playing in his mind. the way you looked at him that night while he sat on the white tiled floors, bruised and beaten up. soft fingers ghostly grazing over his face, treating him like he was porcelain. handling him with so much care, an emotion he’s never had the privilege of feeling before. something he never thought he deserved. 

truth settling in his heart. 

you came back to him. visiting him every single day. your daily visits were the only thing keeping him from clocking in at work. you had him wrapped around your tiny little fingers and you didn’t even know it.

and then you started coming home with him, after every shift and he was keen on never letting go. home was where your laughs filled the air. 

and it’s been four weeks since he felt it. 

—

“steve,” a soft voice, small taps on his shoulder, carefully shaking him awake.

he sits up, mind still in a haze, slumber in his eyes, before looking up at familiar eyes and for a second, in his half-dazed state, he thought it was you. 

you had your mother’s eyes. 

“you know, you don’t have to sleep here, these hospital couches are really bad for your back,” she warns him, a concerned smile on her lips. steve noticed the wrinkles on her face, now more prominent. he wondered what it was like to be a nurse and having to take care of sick people all the time, to be in these rooms and still feel sane. then he wondered how hard it was for the sick person to be your own child. 

he offers her a smile, “im okay, y/m/n,” the two have grown close this past month. your mother was grateful you had someone who loved you this much. she grew to love the boy like he was her own son. 

“at least eat something, ok? i don’t think my daughter would love to wake up to someone that no longer resembles her steve,” her steve. he loved the sound of that. he nods, completely understanding her concern. 

the boy hasn’t had an appetite lately, his hair always a mess, farrah fawcett long forgotten. despite the doctor’s positive feedback, they had no idea of what monsters you fought. the possibility of you not waking up was becoming more prominent each day. but your mother was right. if you ever saw him in this state, he won’t be able to forgive himself. he can already see the sadness in your eyes, can hear the voices of guilt in your mind. 

he nods. she forces him up and pushes him towards the door, “go, i’ll call you if anything happens,” your mother’s orders. 

he obediently follows, taking one last glance at you before your mom playfully shoves him out, sending him a reassuring smile, “i’ll be quick.” 

he was back in your room that night, the smell of aftershave filling the air. 

–

he’s polite. he started taking care of himself.

he also started decorating your room. cassette tapes, vanilla ice cream, strawberry flavored chapsticks, books of all genres, paintings from the kids adding color onto the walls, beer bottles in the mini fridge, your pom-poms sitting on the couch across the room, the scent of your perfume in the air. 

steve has made it his secret mission to make these walls feel as homey as possible even when your guests started turning up less and less, life becoming busy, with graduation coming up in just four months. college applications. jobs. family. 

he never left. 

with every passing day, his hope is as strong as the first day. everyday for the past six weeks, he’s there. reading you books, telling you stories, playing your favorite songs. 

a light tap against his fingers. a fleeting moment, leaving as soon as it came causing him to stumble out of his seat. 

“y/n,” eyes searching for yours, name tumbling out of his lips. a second passes. heart beating to the ticking of the clock. waiting. hoping. one minute. nothing. 

he slouches back into his chair, “y’know you really shouldn’t lead people on,” he jokes, trying to hide the disappointment in his voice, “i’m supposed to be the player, remember?,” his heart yearning for you. 

the monitor beeps, responding to him. an ungodly tune that makes the boy spring out of his chair and into the halls, calling out for help. 

__

you.

a distress cry, a white bright light shining above, almost blinding. one, two, three people in scrubs looking down at you like you were some rat in a lab experiment, except their eyes seem to crinkle into a warm, inviting smile. 

there’s a boy in the room, a pretty one. he’s looking at you, tired, glassy, eyes, lips, red, hair, disheveled and you can’t help but blush under curious eyes. even in this situation you’ve awakened to, beeping monitors, hospital gowns, scrubs, he was beautiful. he gives you a reassuring smile and you look away, noticing that you were staring for far too long to be considered normal. 

you hear a static noise and then the words “dustin, she’s awake.” you realize he’s talking about you but before you could find your voice, a woman comes bursting into the doors, your mother, in all her glory. her long hair swaying with every step she took towards you, “m-mom?,” you finally were able to mutter. your throat felt so dry, like you had eaten a pack of saltine crackers and had no water to push it down. 

you think you hear the boy let out a sniffle, blocked by your moms own tears falling to the apples of her cheeks, her hand immediately stroking your hair like she used to do when you were younger and had a nightmare, “hi honey, how are you feeling?,”

“a little lost.” is what you want to say. the events that transpired are lost in your memory and you can’t quite figure out why you were here, who that boy is and why he was telling a “dustin” about you. you’ve always had a need to please your mom, to let her know you were fine because if you weren’t, you can see the way her brain gears into tricking herself that it’s all her fault. 

mustering up the best smile you could give, “i’m fine, just a little thirsty,” she chuckles. right answer. it was somewhat true, you’ve never felt as well rested before in your whole life. she hands you a glass of water, “that’s great honey, they’re just going to run some tests, ok?,” you nod at her ever so politely, the cold glass still placed between your lips. since when did water taste so good?

the boy is still there, still staring at you, you can feel it from your peripheral vision. you couldn’t help it. couldn’t stop the three words that came stumbling out of your lips. you wish you could’ve because his face immediately fell and you wanted nothing more than to take it all back and take care of him. 

“mom, who’s that?,” her face torts in confusion, she hides it quickly. she’s a nurse, she’s dealt with patients before, she’s quick on her feet. “that’s steve, he’s a friend of yours,” softly smiling at you. it’s not the whole truth, you can tell by the sympathetic smile she gave him. 

“we’re going to leave you with steve for awhile if that’s okay, y/n?,” the doctor chimed in, clipboard in hand, you assume that’s where all the information about you is. you nod. somehow, you trust steve and if your gut was wrong, you certainly trusted your mother. 

one by one they left the room, leaving a static silence behind. you finally take this time to take in your surroundings. the white, gloomy walls that you hated seeing every time you would come visit your mom at the hospitals, we’re covered in color. some drawings were better than others. stick figures and 3d animations. you glance at each one. 

there’s a particular one that catches your eye. a boy who looked like steve, brown, wavy long hair sitting next to a hospital bed, with who you presumed to be a smiling, twinkling you. he’s holding the most beautiful bouquet you’ve ever seen. those same flowers littered across the floor, yellow in the background, the name max signed on the bottom corner. whoever max was, they were good. 

focusing your attention on steve, he quickly looks away, suddenly finding interest on the ground. you notice the small blush that’s made its way upon his face after being caught staring. you have questions and you feel like he can answer them. 

“do you want to sit here instead, steve?'', pointing to the chair beside you. his name slides off your tongue like it was a practiced prayer. one your mind has forgotten but your body has memorized.  

“i promise, i don’t bite,” you send him a soft smile, you're proud of yourself, the way you made his face lit up. he wastes no time, sinking into the chair like he owns it. unbeknownst to you, it is his chair. 

“how long have i been here?,” you ask the boy. there’s no way your room could be covered with so many various trinkets if it was only for a short time. unless you have many, many friends. but you don’t. or you don’t think you do?

he’s hesitant to answer, you can tell by the way his bottom lip made its way between his teeth, “45 days,” he quietly replies, eyes avoiding yours.

45 days. 6 weeks. a month and a half. 

you couldn’t believe it. how about school? cheerleading practices? graduation? you look up at steve, ready to bombard him with questions. he’s picking at his fingernails. you can tell he’s trying his best to keep his composure and all you want is to calm him down.

“are we really friends, steve?,” he finally looks up at you, golden brown eyes shining into yours. they seem familiar, like the daylight that would peek through the windows in the mornings while you’re covered in soft blankets, waking up with warmth right next to…

who? you try to rack your brain for some sort of answer. none. 

“yeah, we’re really friends, y/n,” your name off his lips leaving a sweet taste in your mouth. you’ve decided it’s your favorite sound. 

“were …,” you hesitate, feeling a bit shy under his gaze, mind going back to the drawing, “were we more than friends?,” you find yourself playing with your hands, unable to keep eye contact with him, even though you wanted to so badly. to get lost in his brown eyes. to drink it up like it’s your favorite coffee. 

he chuckles, a quick, quiet laugh, grabbing your full attention, “you could say that,” a sad smile, your heart bursting at the thought of what more is. 

did you get to taste his rosy lips? play connect the dots on the beautiful freckles that lined up his pretty face? run your hand through his silky hair? why couldn’t you remember? 

you can feel the way he wants to say more so you wait, just looking at him, “we never quite got to labeling what we were?,” he sighs and you want to reach out to him. to tell him to put a label on it. now. but you’ve only met him an hour ago and it would be absurd to fall in love with someone you’ve known for an hour. 

“why’s that?,” you ask, curiosity leaking off of you. to have someone in front of you know everything, to know you more than you know yourself. it’s absolutely frustrating. 

“i was too late.” 

you wanted to cry, you don’t know why, but you did. you felt awful for the boy in front of you. felt awful at the fact that you couldn’t remember him or anything that you went through. before you could stop yourself, a tear escaped your eyes. and then another and another. like a broken, leaking faucet that needed to be fixed. 

“hey, hey, hey, it’s okay, you’re okay,” hushed whispers, hands making their way to your cheeks, thumbs ghostly grazing over each tear, wiping it away. 

you’ve felt those hands. you’ve heard those words.

and then you made the mistake of looking into his golden eyes. 

transported back in the red laced world. memory after memory hitting you like a truck. steve at will byer’s house, makeshift bat in his hand. steve in the driver's seat that halloween night, beer bottles and unspoken truths. steve and his farrah fawcett advice, an arm around your shoulder. steve’s whine of cries, max! driving his car. steve scooping vanilla ice cream, scoop after scoop, rosy lips and blue sailor outfit. steve and the tiled bathroom floors, flowers blooming, singing, driving, late night talkings, kissing, steve, body molding as one, jealousy, pining, confessions, steve, despair, loneliness, hope, love. 

steve, steve, steve.

you remember it all. the basketball game. chrissy. eddie. max. vecna. you remember dying in steve’s arms. you remember it. and you remember hearing him. you heard him. every single day. every story he told, every book he read, every song he sung. 

you heard every word, every pause, every sigh. 

“where are we gonna get a camper van?,” you cry out, tears freely streaming down your face, you smile at the boy you love. he’s stunned, mouth agape, piecing the puzzles together. and then he’s looking at you with so much adoration, almost like you hold all the stars in the sky. 

his own tears fall and he doesn't bother wiping them away. “we can save up for it, y’know? get a job? somewhere that pays well,” he babbles out, hand tight around yours, like he’s afraid you could disappear at any given second. 

“we can get an apartment, far from here, start over,” you continued for him, hands just as tightly enclosed in his. letting him know that you’re there. that you’re with him and you’re in it. whatever it is. as long as he was there. 

he laughs. creating a sound that brings the sunshine in. the one where birds sing. where the trees are green. the one that feels like you’re in a fairytale. 

“i love you,” you’re in the clouds. flying. free. three little words that sent your heart hammering in your chest.

“i love you too, steve harrington.” you feel his chest pounding as hard as yours. you see the smile that’s made it’s way upon his pretty face. your hands in his hair, holding him close to you, feeling his breath upon your lips and it’s taking so much out of you to not devour this man like he was your last meal. 

closing the space between the two of you, he tasted like vanilla and mint. for a second you wonder if this is all in your head. you wonder if you have somehow convinced yourself to create a heaven you’ve only heard of in books. but then the boy pulls you a little closer, kisses you a little harder and you know that he’s real.

and he’s yours. 

your steve. 

—

6 months later

the last box finally sitting pretty in the back of the car, you let out a sigh of success, admiring your work before two large hands made their way around your waist, enveloping you in a warm embrace, feet coming off the ground as bubbles of laughter rang through the neighborhood, “steve!” his name echoed out. 

he puts you down soon after, laughters creating a melodic tune of happiness and love. your boyfriend’s face coming into view, sun shining brightly, creating a halo, making him look like an angel “we did good, baby,” he smirks, capturing your lips between his, a soft peck. enough to send butterflies throughout your body. 

“hm, yes we did,” you smiled, arms finding their way behind his neck, pulling him closer, ready to hear the sound of the bells that play every time he kisses you. 

“god, can’t you guys go a second without eating each other’s faces,” dustin mocked, eyes rolling, cutting the moment short. don’t let his tone fool you, he secretly loves it. you hear the boy wrapped around you groan in annoyance. 

“i’m so happy we’re finally moving away,” he whispers, tickling your ear, causing you to scrunch up your nose in a way he finds absolutely adorable, playfully shoving him away. 

“yeah, seriously, we get it! you’re in love! you don’t have to rub it in our faces all the time, we are just kids!” max adds, clearly not hearing steve’s quiet complaints. 

at the sound of the girl's voice, you finally pull away from your boyfriend's embrace, earning a pout from him as you focus all your attention on the girl in front of you. wide smiles mirroring each other’s expressions, walking over to her and pulling her in a quick hug. 

“do you guys really have to go?” lucas’ voice coming from behind max, a tinge of worry resonating in his voice. you pull him into the hug. 

“we’ll only be two hours away, if you really need us, we’ll be back in a second” eyes stern but soft, you make sure you look at all of them. max, lucas, dustin, reassuring them. 

“but please just call first,” steve adds, breaking up the warm moment. you give him a warning look, one to say this is not the time and he surrenders to your feet “kidding, we’re always here for you kids,” he quickly adds, a forced smile etching onto his lips. though everyone knew he meant every word. these are practically his kids. and after his little hospital confession, you’ve teased him so much about his love for these kids, making him want to take back every word he said. he never does. because nothing has changed. that is still the future he envisioned. especially with you. 

“well, i guess this is the last of it,” robin joins. 

the kids keep themselves busy on your front porch, “found these upstairs, you really shouldn’t leave these behind y’know” she hands you your diploma and on the other hand, the tape that saved your life on multiple occasions. 

taking the diploma out of her hands, you thank her for double checking everything. 

eyes glancing down to the cassette tape you grew to dislike, steve’s messy handwriting:

everywhere - fleetwood mac.

“keep it,” pushing it back towards her, “i don't think i can stand listening to that song anymore,” you shrug. you really hated vecna for that. you hated vecna for a lot of things, especially the lingering nightmares he left you with. but every night, steve is there, holding you, comforting you. every night he whispers hushed i love you’s into your ear and it’s enough. you no longer needed a favorite song to keep you grounded. 

“i hate this song,” she says bluntly, earning a laugh from you. robin looks happier, despite the fact her two best friends are leaving town. she was finally able to muster up the courage to talk to her long-time crush and the two have been hitting it off, going on dates, spending hour after hour just talking to each other, telling jokes. she told you all about it during the times you weren’t here and she continues to do so. you loved each story. 

“well, i happen to like that song so i’ll take it, thank you very much,” eddie intervenes, grabbing the tiny clear tape out of the girl’s hand, his cheeky smile meres away from your face as you mirror his expression. warm, large hands gently disheveling your hair. eddie was able to walk the stage. hell, you both did. he flipped off the entire school afterwards, it was a sight to see, one you were glad you were a part of. his band is doing well. 

steve quickly pushed his shoulders back, “too close, munson,” and you can’t help but look up at your boyfriend, who had every right to do that now. a jealous steve harrington. you loved it. 

“oh c’mon harrington, it was the fifth grade! and i rejected her!,” he jested, sending you a smile, earning an eye roll from you. lips still happy.

“it’s true,” you nod at your boyfriend, who was now standing in his signature pose, arms crossed, biceps protruding, “but even if it wasn’t, i’d still choose you, no offense eddie,” you smile between the two boys, robin chuckling. steve tries to hide the effect those words had on him, hands going to your waist, pulling you closer to his side. 

“none taken, i would also choose harrington,” he cheekily replies, sending a wink to the golden boy, leaving the three of you laughing at an unamused steve.

the others finally join, this time accompanied by nancy, jonathan, will, mike, and el. 

you and steve bid each one of them a see you later, followed by a tight hug, ignoring the tears that are dying to escape. 

“i’m happy for you,” nancy whispers to steve, a small smile on her lips as he looked at the girl that hit his head hard enough to finally get his shit together, he thanks her, “i’m happy for you, too.” 

you hear the exchange between them and you can’t help but feel like this chapter is really closing. you were happy that they were happy. 

—

“you sure you really want to leave all of this behind, harrington?” you ask as the sign that stated you’re now leaving hawkins, indiana came to view. 

“it’s still not too late to change your mind,” a small smile playing on your lips, teasing him, your body turned towards him, a hand laid on his thigh, eyes twinkling. you know nothing in this world could ever change his mind. 

taking a quick glance at you, he smiles. a genuine smile. one that sends all the stars into his honey eyes. placing a soft kiss in the back of your hand that was laced between his fingers, he makes you fall in love with him all over again, deeper, harder.

“l/n, i want to be with you, everywhere.” 

it’s true. because home is where you were. and if that meant being an hour away from hawkins, or being on the other side of the world, hell, even just living on the streets, he’ll take it. steve harrington has lived a life without you sitting on the passenger seat, without laughter engraving his heart, without eyes as beautiful as the cosmic space boring into his. and he swears he could never live through that again. 

side note: i had the beginning and the ending finished since tuesday but i could not, for the life me, figure out how i wanted you to wake up and how the hell i was going to get to the ending. it was so infuriating, i literally though about it every second i wasn't writing. i thought about it so much to the point i ended up dreaming about it and now we're here and it's done. once again, thank you so much for reading!!!

taglist:

@preciousbabypeter @dabria14 @earthkissedcalum @lettyshush @m1ke-wheeler @fujiihime @zeusmyster @buckys-bbarnes @rexorangecouny @impala1967666 @crying-caro

[withlovemark]

i want to be with you, everywhere.

warning: i need to get better with my warnings so um, grief, hospital, mentions of death, nightmares, angst! as always

pairing: steve x female reader

words: 5.1k+ (hoping i edited this well enough)

an: despite the warnings, take this as my apology note, especially for those who had to go through all the cliffhangers! im so sorry! AND this is the last chapter of this mini series, thank you so much for reading and for all the kind words!! <33 your reactions make me laugh so much and they do brighten my day more than you think! maybe you can also help me think of what to write next? my ask is always open! :> hope to see some of you there!

one. two. three.

four.

steve.

he had your favorite flowers in hand, hopping into his car and dreading the familiar drive. it’s been a week and five days since the tragedy that left him crying out your name. 

for the past 12 days, the boy makes sure he picks up something you like before his daily visits. cassette tapes, vanilla ice cream, strawberry flavored chapsticks. 

everyday, he talks to you. everyday, he gets no response. 

a familiar figure was already there once he arrived, “hey max,” he greets her gently, a light tap to her back, soft smile making an appearance upon his pink lips, tired eyes crinkling slightly. she looks up from sketching in her notebook, the flowers in his hands makes the girls’ heart swell at the thought of your reaction if you were to see it. 

“she’ll love those,” a quiet hum of approval. 

“you think?” an eyebrow going up, a tiny smirk dancing upon his face, proud of his choice. 

“i know.” the girl nods, he places the flowers beside the numerous gifts your friends have left for you. 

taking his seat on his usual spot next to you, fingers immediately wrapping yours, “hey beautiful, i’m back,” he whispers, planting a gentle kiss on your temple. the heartbeat through the monitor filling the corners of the pale, gloomy, walls, his only assurance that you were listening. 

“the doctor said her vitals are improving,” max breaks the silence, hope blooming in their maimed hearts, “she should wake up soon.”

“that true?  will you let me see your pretty eyes soon?” steve asks you, his hold on your fingers gently tightening. carefully watching the way your chest slowly rises and falls. max collects her things, the tender hearted moment making her believe that love is veracious. 

“i have to go to class, ping dustin if anything happens,” handing the extra walkie-talkie and a quick hug to the brown haired boy, leaving you and steve alone. 

the boy gets comfortable, head gently laying on your mended stomach, “eddie’s still in jail,” he starts,“it’s looking up though, they can’t really find any evidence that he did it, y’know?” updating you about the events that were taking place. 

“he might just make it to graduation,” he chuckles, looking up at you “by the way, you really need to wake up or else they’ll hold you back and i know how much you hate doing homework,” he teases, tucking the stray hair out of your eyes, the light bursts of air slipping from your lips providing the comfort he needed. 

“when will you wake up?,” he sighs, eyes starting to get glassy. 

he was exhausted. ever since he got you out of the upside down, unresponsive body blanket wrapped around his back, steve hasn’t had proper rest, leaving only to change out of his wrinkled clothes and rid of tiredness under cold showers, coming back the next morning, wanting to be there when you finally wake. 

once, he spent a night at his house, against his will, dustin and robin forcing him to get some proper shut eye. they were unsuccessful. your body in his arms as you took your last breath playing in his mind, haunting him. he found himself thrashing around, looking for you, greeted only by shadows in the dark. it’s easier in the hospital because when the nightmare reoccurs, he wakes up to you and for now it’s enough to calm him down. 

he can’t forget that night. the paramedics sending electricity through your chest, barely finding a pulse. it took three charges before a melodic beeping finally echoed through his ears and steve swears it’s the best sound in the world as he hid his face in the crook of robin's neck. 

“we won,” he reminds you everyday.  “everyone’s okay…all we need now is for you to come back to us,” letting out a shaky breath, he hasn’t quite figured out how to remain stable in moments like these.

“i need you to come back to me, y/n” a desperate confession. 

—

nine days has passed. exactly three weeks of steve’s words being met with silence. 

“i have a secret,” he whispers like you weren’t the only two people under the moonlight shining through the window. 

“i always had this dream,” the boy starts “in this dream, i have six kids,” he chuckles quietly, “crazy, right? me? a dad?,” he imagines the way your face would have contorted once you heard that. 

“anyways me and my six little harringtons, three girls and three boys…we would be away from here, traveling, seeing the world, just driving anywhere and everywhere our little camper van can take us,” confiding in you the future he had always hoped for. 

“but here’s the secret,” sliding a little closer to you, voice barely audible, “you’re sitting in the passenger seat,” he sighs, a sad smile, confessions in the air taking with it a bit of weight from his shoulders, “like you always are…smiling at me with that beautiful smile of yours,”

“singing at the top of our lungs, making our kids complain about how grossly in love their parents are,” every word stretches out the boy's smile, lost in the creation of his dreamland. 

“and then you’ll laugh, that laugh that makes my heart light up and i couldn’t ask for anything more,” he brings the back of your hand up to his lips, placing soft gentle marks of love, “does that sound okay to you?,” breath hitching in his throat. 

no response. 

taking a deep breath, emotions surging through him, feelings of loneliness and despair escaping through his eyes as silence one again took over the night. 

—

 “do you want to know the day i fell in love with you?” 

“it was when you walked in to scoops ahoy, my first day on the job, i was scared and nervous about people coming in and seeing me, “king steve” he quotes, “working only at an ice cream shop because i wasn’t good enough for anything else” a hand going up to his locks, pushing back the strays of hair that’s blocked him from seeing you. 

“then you walked in, in that cheerleading uniform that drives me crazy by the way, and you smiled at me, congratulating me, and i knew at that moment that i didn’t care about what anyone else thought as long as you’re there… believing in me,” 

“i kept on making you try every flavor of ice cream in hopes that you would stay longer and you did and i just felt so happy, like a boy having a crush for the first time” soft chuckles escaping the boys lips, recalling memories that were keeping his heart glued together. for someone who was labeled as a ladies man, he had no idea what to do when it came to you. 

“but i was so scared… i was scared i wasn't good enough for you, that i’d just mess it all up like i always do and so i pushed those feelings to the side and flirted with any girl who made their way into the store…im sorry,” his voice a faint whisper. he wasn’t proud of those actions but sometimes we do things that we think is best at the time. 

“i just wanted to keep you with me and feelings usually ruin things that are good and god i just couldn’t risk it, i couldn’t risk losing you,” both hands going up to his now, very disheveled hair, he looks up at your silent figure, the sun peeking through the window, illuminating your face. the thought of your twinkling eyes sparkling under them, the way they do every time you look his way, urges him to keep going. 

“then word got out that you and carver were seeing each other and fuck, i was pissed, i served so many customers the wrong order that day y’know?” he can almost hear your laugh. can almost hear the way you would tease him for being whipped. but he wasn’t, he was just a boy who had so much love to give to someone who he thought was unreachable. 

“i didn’t say anything though, cause who was i to tell you to stop seeing him? but you stopped coming around and i was so sad, i convinced myself that i liked robin to finally get you out of my fucking head,” 

“we both know how that ended up,” he smiles to himself, the memories fondly playing in his mind. the way you looked at him that night while he sat on the white tiled floors, bruised and beaten up. soft fingers ghostly grazing over his face, treating him like he was porcelain. handling him with so much care, an emotion he’s never had the privilege of feeling before. something he never thought he deserved. 

truth settling in his heart. 

you came back to him. visiting him every single day. your daily visits were the only thing keeping him from clocking in at work. you had him wrapped around your tiny little fingers and you didn’t even know it.

and then you started coming home with him, after every shift and he was keen on never letting go. home was where your laughs filled the air. 

and it’s been four weeks since he felt it. 

—

“steve,” a soft voice, small taps on his shoulder, carefully shaking him awake.

he sits up, mind still in a haze, slumber in his eyes, before looking up at familiar eyes and for a second, in his half-dazed state, he thought it was you. 

you had your mother’s eyes. 

“you know, you don’t have to sleep here, these hospital couches are really bad for your back,” she warns him, a concerned smile on her lips. steve noticed the wrinkles on her face, now more prominent. he wondered what it was like to be a nurse and having to take care of sick people all the time, to be in these rooms and still feel sane. then he wondered how hard it was for the sick person to be your own child. 

he offers her a smile, “im okay, y/m/n,” the two have grown close this past month. your mother was grateful you had someone who loved you this much. she grew to love the boy like he was her own son. 

“at least eat something, ok? i don’t think my daughter would love to wake up to someone that no longer resembles her steve,” her steve. he loved the sound of that. he nods, completely understanding her concern. 

the boy hasn’t had an appetite lately, his hair always a mess, farrah fawcett long forgotten. despite the doctor’s positive feedback, they had no idea of what monsters you fought. the possibility of you not waking up was becoming more prominent each day. but your mother was right. if you ever saw him in this state, he won’t be able to forgive himself. he can already see the sadness in your eyes, can hear the voices of guilt in your mind. 

he nods. she forces him up and pushes him towards the door, “go, i’ll call you if anything happens,” your mother’s orders. 

he obediently follows, taking one last glance at you before your mom playfully shoves him out, sending him a reassuring smile, “i’ll be quick.” 

he was back in your room that night, the smell of aftershave filling the air. 

–

he’s polite. he started taking care of himself.

he also started decorating your room. cassette tapes, vanilla ice cream, strawberry flavored chapsticks, books of all genres, paintings from the kids adding color onto the walls, beer bottles in the mini fridge, your pom-poms sitting on the couch across the room, the scent of your perfume in the air. 

steve has made it his secret mission to make these walls feel as homey as possible even when your guests started turning up less and less, life becoming busy, with graduation coming up in just four months. college applications. jobs. family. 

he never left. 

with every passing day, his hope is as strong as the first day. everyday for the past six weeks, he’s there. reading you books, telling you stories, playing your favorite songs. 

a light tap against his fingers. a fleeting moment, leaving as soon as it came causing him to stumble out of his seat. 

“y/n,” eyes searching for yours, name tumbling out of his lips. a second passes. heart beating to the ticking of the clock. waiting. hoping. one minute. nothing. 

he slouches back into his chair, “y’know you really shouldn’t lead people on,” he jokes, trying to hide the disappointment in his voice, “i’m supposed to be the player, remember?,” his heart yearning for you. 

the monitor beeps, responding to him. an ungodly tune that makes the boy spring out of his chair and into the halls, calling out for help. 

__

you.

a distress cry, a white bright light shining above, almost blinding. one, two, three people in scrubs looking down at you like you were some rat in a lab experiment, except their eyes seem to crinkle into a warm, inviting smile. 

there’s a boy in the room, a pretty one. he’s looking at you, tired, glassy, eyes, lips, red, hair, disheveled and you can’t help but blush under curious eyes. even in this situation you’ve awakened to, beeping monitors, hospital gowns, scrubs, he was beautiful. he gives you a reassuring smile and you look away, noticing that you were staring for far too long to be considered normal. 

you hear a static noise and then the words “dustin, she’s awake.” you realize he’s talking about you but before you could find your voice, a woman comes bursting into the doors, your mother, in all her glory. her long hair swaying with every step she took towards you, “m-mom?,” you finally were able to mutter. your throat felt so dry, like you had eaten a pack of saltine crackers and had no water to push it down. 

you think you hear the boy let out a sniffle, blocked by your moms own tears falling to the apples of her cheeks, her hand immediately stroking your hair like she used to do when you were younger and had a nightmare, “hi honey, how are you feeling?,”

“a little lost.” is what you want to say. the events that transpired are lost in your memory and you can’t quite figure out why you were here, who that boy is and why he was telling a “dustin” about you. you’ve always had a need to please your mom, to let her know you were fine because if you weren’t, you can see the way her brain gears into tricking herself that it’s all her fault. 

mustering up the best smile you could give, “i’m fine, just a little thirsty,” she chuckles. right answer. it was somewhat true, you’ve never felt as well rested before in your whole life. she hands you a glass of water, “that’s great honey, they’re just going to run some tests, ok?,” you nod at her ever so politely, the cold glass still placed between your lips. since when did water taste so good?

the boy is still there, still staring at you, you can feel it from your peripheral vision. you couldn’t help it. couldn’t stop the three words that came stumbling out of your lips. you wish you could’ve because his face immediately fell and you wanted nothing more than to take it all back and take care of him. 

“mom, who’s that?,” her face torts in confusion, she hides it quickly. she’s a nurse, she’s dealt with patients before, she’s quick on her feet. “that’s steve, he’s a friend of yours,” softly smiling at you. it’s not the whole truth, you can tell by the sympathetic smile she gave him. 

“we’re going to leave you with steve for awhile if that’s okay, y/n?,” the doctor chimed in, clipboard in hand, you assume that’s where all the information about you is. you nod. somehow, you trust steve and if your gut was wrong, you certainly trusted your mother. 

one by one they left the room, leaving a static silence behind. you finally take this time to take in your surroundings. the white, gloomy walls that you hated seeing every time you would come visit your mom at the hospitals, we’re covered in color. some drawings were better than others. stick figures and 3d animations. you glance at each one. 

there’s a particular one that catches your eye. a boy who looked like steve, brown, wavy long hair sitting next to a hospital bed, with who you presumed to be a smiling, twinkling you. he’s holding the most beautiful bouquet you’ve ever seen. those same flowers littered across the floor, yellow in the background, the name max signed on the bottom corner. whoever max was, they were good. 

focusing your attention on steve, he quickly looks away, suddenly finding interest on the ground. you notice the small blush that’s made its way upon his face after being caught staring. you have questions and you feel like he can answer them. 

“do you want to sit here instead, steve?'', pointing to the chair beside you. his name slides off your tongue like it was a practiced prayer. one your mind has forgotten but your body has memorized.  

“i promise, i don’t bite,” you send him a soft smile, you're proud of yourself, the way you made his face lit up. he wastes no time, sinking into the chair like he owns it. unbeknownst to you, it is his chair. 

“how long have i been here?,” you ask the boy. there’s no way your room could be covered with so many various trinkets if it was only for a short time. unless you have many, many friends. but you don’t. or you don’t think you do?

he’s hesitant to answer, you can tell by the way his bottom lip made its way between his teeth, “45 days,” he quietly replies, eyes avoiding yours.

45 days. 6 weeks. a month and a half. 

you couldn’t believe it. how about school? cheerleading practices? graduation? you look up at steve, ready to bombard him with questions. he’s picking at his fingernails. you can tell he’s trying his best to keep his composure and all you want is to calm him down.

“are we really friends, steve?,” he finally looks up at you, golden brown eyes shining into yours. they seem familiar, like the daylight that would peek through the windows in the mornings while you’re covered in soft blankets, waking up with warmth right next to…

who? you try to rack your brain for some sort of answer. none. 

“yeah, we’re really friends, y/n,” your name off his lips leaving a sweet taste in your mouth. you’ve decided it’s your favorite sound. 

“were …,” you hesitate, feeling a bit shy under his gaze, mind going back to the drawing, “were we more than friends?,” you find yourself playing with your hands, unable to keep eye contact with him, even though you wanted to so badly. to get lost in his brown eyes. to drink it up like it’s your favorite coffee. 

he chuckles, a quick, quiet laugh, grabbing your full attention, “you could say that,” a sad smile, your heart bursting at the thought of what more is. 

did you get to taste his rosy lips? play connect the dots on the beautiful freckles that lined up his pretty face? run your hand through his silky hair? why couldn’t you remember? 

you can feel the way he wants to say more so you wait, just looking at him, “we never quite got to labeling what we were?,” he sighs and you want to reach out to him. to tell him to put a label on it. now. but you’ve only met him an hour ago and it would be absurd to fall in love with someone you’ve known for an hour. 

“why’s that?,” you ask, curiosity leaking off of you. to have someone in front of you know everything, to know you more than you know yourself. it’s absolutely frustrating. 

“i was too late.” 

you wanted to cry, you don’t know why, but you did. you felt awful for the boy in front of you. felt awful at the fact that you couldn’t remember him or anything that you went through. before you could stop yourself, a tear escaped your eyes. and then another and another. like a broken, leaking faucet that needed to be fixed. 

“hey, hey, hey, it’s okay, you’re okay,” hushed whispers, hands making their way to your cheeks, thumbs ghostly grazing over each tear, wiping it away. 

you’ve felt those hands. you’ve heard those words.

and then you made the mistake of looking into his golden eyes. 

transported back in the red laced world. memory after memory hitting you like a truck. steve at will byer’s house, makeshift bat in his hand. steve in the driver's seat that halloween night, beer bottles and unspoken truths. steve and his farrah fawcett advice, an arm around your shoulder. steve’s whine of cries, max! driving his car. steve scooping vanilla ice cream, scoop after scoop, rosy lips and blue sailor outfit. steve and the tiled bathroom floors, flowers blooming, singing, driving, late night talkings, kissing, steve, body molding as one, jealousy, pining, confessions, steve, despair, loneliness, hope, love. 

steve, steve, steve.

you remember it all. the basketball game. chrissy. eddie. max. vecna. you remember dying in steve’s arms. you remember it. and you remember hearing him. you heard him. every single day. every story he told, every book he read, every song he sung. 

you heard every word, every pause, every sigh. 

“where are we gonna get a camper van?,” you cry out, tears freely streaming down your face, you smile at the boy you love. he’s stunned, mouth agape, piecing the puzzles together. and then he’s looking at you with so much adoration, almost like you hold all the stars in the sky. 

his own tears fall and he doesn't bother wiping them away. “we can save up for it, y’know? get a job? somewhere that pays well,” he babbles out, hand tight around yours, like he’s afraid you could disappear at any given second. 

“we can get an apartment, far from here, start over,” you continued for him, hands just as tightly enclosed in his. letting him know that you’re there. that you’re with him and you’re in it. whatever it is. as long as he was there. 

he laughs. creating a sound that brings the sunshine in. the one where birds sing. where the trees are green. the one that feels like you’re in a fairytale. 

“i love you,” you’re in the clouds. flying. free. three little words that sent your heart hammering in your chest.

“i love you too, steve harrington.” you feel his chest pounding as hard as yours. you see the smile that’s made it’s way upon his pretty face. your hands in his hair, holding him close to you, feeling his breath upon your lips and it’s taking so much out of you to not devour this man like he was your last meal. 

closing the space between the two of you, he tasted like vanilla and mint. for a second you wonder if this is all in your head. you wonder if you have somehow convinced yourself to create a heaven you’ve only heard of in books. but then the boy pulls you a little closer, kisses you a little harder and you know that he’s real.

and he’s yours. 

your steve. 

—

6 months later

the last box finally sitting pretty in the back of the car, you let out a sigh of success, admiring your work before two large hands made their way around your waist, enveloping you in a warm embrace, feet coming off the ground as bubbles of laughter rang through the neighborhood, “steve!” his name echoed out. 

he puts you down soon after, laughters creating a melodic tune of happiness and love. your boyfriend’s face coming into view, sun shining brightly, creating a halo, making him look like an angel “we did good, baby,” he smirks, capturing your lips between his, a soft peck. enough to send butterflies throughout your body. 

“hm, yes we did,” you smiled, arms finding their way behind his neck, pulling him closer, ready to hear the sound of the bells that play every time he kisses you. 

“god, can’t you guys go a second without eating each other’s faces,” dustin mocked, eyes rolling, cutting the moment short. don’t let his tone fool you, he secretly loves it. you hear the boy wrapped around you groan in annoyance. 

“i’m so happy we’re finally moving away,” he whispers, tickling your ear, causing you to scrunch up your nose in a way he finds absolutely adorable, playfully shoving him away. 

“yeah, seriously, we get it! you’re in love! you don’t have to rub it in our faces all the time, we are just kids!” max adds, clearly not hearing steve’s quiet complaints. 

at the sound of the girl's voice, you finally pull away from your boyfriend's embrace, earning a pout from him as you focus all your attention on the girl in front of you. wide smiles mirroring each other’s expressions, walking over to her and pulling her in a quick hug. 

“do you guys really have to go?” lucas’ voice coming from behind max, a tinge of worry resonating in his voice. you pull him into the hug. 

“we’ll only be two hours away, if you really need us, we’ll be back in a second” eyes stern but soft, you make sure you look at all of them. max, lucas, dustin, reassuring them. 

“but please just call first,” steve adds, breaking up the warm moment. you give him a warning look, one to say this is not the time and he surrenders to your feet “kidding, we’re always here for you kids,” he quickly adds, a forced smile etching onto his lips. though everyone knew he meant every word. these are practically his kids. and after his little hospital confession, you’ve teased him so much about his love for these kids, making him want to take back every word he said. he never does. because nothing has changed. that is still the future he envisioned. especially with you. 

“well, i guess this is the last of it,” robin joins. 

the kids keep themselves busy on your front porch, “found these upstairs, you really shouldn’t leave these behind y’know” she hands you your diploma and on the other hand, the tape that saved your life on multiple occasions. 

taking the diploma out of her hands, you thank her for double checking everything. 

eyes glancing down to the cassette tape you grew to dislike, steve’s messy handwriting:

everywhere - fleetwood mac.

“keep it,” pushing it back towards her, “i don't think i can stand listening to that song anymore,” you shrug. you really hated vecna for that. you hated vecna for a lot of things, especially the lingering nightmares he left you with. but every night, steve is there, holding you, comforting you. every night he whispers hushed i love you’s into your ear and it’s enough. you no longer needed a favorite song to keep you grounded. 

“i hate this song,” she says bluntly, earning a laugh from you. robin looks happier, despite the fact her two best friends are leaving town. she was finally able to muster up the courage to talk to her long-time crush and the two have been hitting it off, going on dates, spending hour after hour just talking to each other, telling jokes. she told you all about it during the times you weren’t here and she continues to do so. you loved each story. 

“well, i happen to like that song so i’ll take it, thank you very much,” eddie intervenes, grabbing the tiny clear tape out of the girl’s hand, his cheeky smile meres away from your face as you mirror his expression. warm, large hands gently disheveling your hair. eddie was able to walk the stage. hell, you both did. he flipped off the entire school afterwards, it was a sight to see, one you were glad you were a part of. his band is doing well. 

steve quickly pushed his shoulders back, “too close, munson,” and you can’t help but look up at your boyfriend, who had every right to do that now. a jealous steve harrington. you loved it. 

“oh c’mon harrington, it was the fifth grade! and i rejected her!,” he jested, sending you a smile, earning an eye roll from you. lips still happy.

“it’s true,” you nod at your boyfriend, who was now standing in his signature pose, arms crossed, biceps protruding, “but even if it wasn’t, i’d still choose you, no offense eddie,” you smile between the two boys, robin chuckling. steve tries to hide the effect those words had on him, hands going to your waist, pulling you closer to his side. 

“none taken, i would also choose harrington,” he cheekily replies, sending a wink to the golden boy, leaving the three of you laughing at an unamused steve.

the others finally join, this time accompanied by nancy, jonathan, will, mike, and el. 

you and steve bid each one of them a see you later, followed by a tight hug, ignoring the tears that are dying to escape. 

“i’m happy for you,” nancy whispers to steve, a small smile on her lips as he looked at the girl that hit his head hard enough to finally get his shit together, he thanks her, “i’m happy for you, too.” 

you hear the exchange between them and you can’t help but feel like this chapter is really closing. you were happy that they were happy. 

—

“you sure you really want to leave all of this behind, harrington?” you ask as the sign that stated you’re now leaving hawkins, indiana came to view. 

“it’s still not too late to change your mind,” a small smile playing on your lips, teasing him, your body turned towards him, a hand laid on his thigh, eyes twinkling. you know nothing in this world could ever change his mind. 

taking a quick glance at you, he smiles. a genuine smile. one that sends all the stars into his honey eyes. placing a soft kiss in the back of your hand that was laced between his fingers, he makes you fall in love with him all over again, deeper, harder.

“l/n, i want to be with you, everywhere.” 

it’s true. because home is where you were. and if that meant being an hour away from hawkins, or being on the other side of the world, hell, even just living on the streets, he’ll take it. steve harrington has lived a life without you sitting on the passenger seat, without laughter engraving his heart, without eyes as beautiful as the cosmic space boring into his. and he swears he could never live through that again. 

side note: i had the beginning and the ending finished since tuesday but i could not, for the life me, figure out how i wanted you to wake up and how the hell i was going to get to the ending. it was so infuriating, i literally though about it every second i wasn't writing. i thought about it so much to the point i ended up dreaming about it and now we're here and it's done. once again, thank you so much for reading!!!

taglist:

@preciousbabypeter @dabria14 @earthkissedcalum @lettyshush @m1ke-wheeler @fujiihime @zeusmyster @buckys-bbarnes @rexorangecouny @impala1967666 @crying-caro

[withlovemark]

started writing the last chapter 🤭

will try to have it up by the end of this week! :>