The Waiting Game - Steve Harrington x OC Hopper.
summary: A late-night visit turns into something far more vulnerable when Steve Harrington is forced to face the feelings he’s been avoiding. Between quiet confessions, tension, and unspoken desire, two hearts teeter on the edge of something real—if he’s brave enough to stop holding back.
TW: english is not my first language, angst, little age gap, steve act like a asshole, kissing, little swearing.
hope you enjoy!
(…)
Hawkins, 1985, 11:48 PM.
— And what do you think you’re doing here, Steven? — the delicate and usually calm tone carried a hint of hurt and indignation, contradicting her often polished personality. Her question came out far louder than appropriate for the hour, and if the girl’s intent had been to convey indifference, the raised eyebrows, the flush on her full cheeks, and the pout of her bottom lip completely gave her away.
More defensive than ever, Ava lifted her rounded chin, tilting her face slightly to the side as she watched—for what felt like, and truly was, the hundredth time—Steve climbing through her bedroom window. Despite his caution to avoid drawing attention or making noise that could complicate things further, his movements were far too familiar not to be executed with impressive speed and ease.
However, unlike their usual pattern, the blonde didn’t greet him with a warm, welcoming smile, nor did she bother to move closer. Her smaller frame, curled up among the blankets and clad in what was likely a short pajama set, tightened something deep in Harrington’s chest—a mix of guilt and tenderness that hit him the moment his eyes landed on Ava May Hopper.
— We need to talk, sweetheart. — he said, controlled, ignoring the sudden urge to question the absence of the usual affectionate “Stevie.” His lips pressed into a straight line as a faint, sarcastic laugh escaped her full lips. The older boy’s dark eyes searched for hers in yet another attempt to express his regret, and when he failed to find them, he grew slightly bolder—stepping closer to the large bed, one hand resting on the canopy while the other held a small package, far too elegantly wrapped for him to have done it himself. — Look at me, huh? Don’t do this.
Hesitating in the emotional distance she had placed between them, Ava finally looked at him again, her delicate features twisted with stormy intensity.
— Now you want to talk to me? — bold and rightfully so, Ava shot back without hesitation. She saw him swallow hard, nervously biting his lower lip, which only encouraged her to continue. — As far as I remember, I wasn’t the one who started acting like the other didn’t exist just to look good in front of friends. Better yet, I also wasn’t the one running back to an ex, exchanging smiles and touches, pretending this—us—doesn’t exist.
It was true, plain and simple. Her words perfectly summarized Steve’s recent behavior, and he hated himself for it. Ava was like a force of nature—a challenge in its most captivating form. Her rebellious aura, amber eyes, sun-kissed skin dotted with delicate freckles, golden hair, and utterly enchanting features felt like an irresistible invitation to dive in completely.
And yet, despite seeing so few flaws in her, the universe insisted on projecting complications that felt too big to ignore. Ava was two years younger, and for someone about to graduate, sixteen and eighteen was a significant difference… Not to mention Jim Hopper—the sheriff and, coincidentally, Ava’s father—who made his disapproval of any interaction with what he considered a reckless playboy painfully clear. Given all that, many things became self-explanatory, including the current situation.
— Ava, baby, you need to understand me. Your dad’s been watching me like a hawk, even outside of school, and graduation is— — nervous and hesitant like never before, he tried to explain, blushing under her intense gaze.
— Oh, now you’re going to start talking about how mature and grown-up you are as a senior? Soon enough you won’t have to ignore me at school anymore since you’ll be graduating! — irritated, her irony struck him again. Accustomed to her usual calmness and affection, he couldn’t even be upset, knowing her points were completely valid. — If you’re so evolved, Steven, then you should know that ignoring me while still sneaking through my window, giving me rides, and freaking out whenever any guy comes near me wanting what you always hold yourself back from doing isn’t very adult of you!
— You’re right. You have every right to be mad at me, and I’m here because I can’t stand that idea—but I deserve to hear it.
— Mad? No, Steven, I’m not mad. I think you should know what it feels like to see someone you like with someone else, right? — she hugged herself in a gesture of self-comfort. The dim yellow light of the bedside lamps made the pain in her tear-filled eyes even more evident. That was the breaking point. Steve ignored any hesitation, sitting on the bed and leaning slightly toward her. His free hand reached her flushed cheek, gently but firmly enough to keep her looking at him, their warm breaths brushing against each other.
— Forgive me, sweetheart. I’m sorry for messing things up between us. — His mind flickered as he watched her pupils swallow the amber in her eyes. When her gaze dropped, he instinctively ran his tongue over his lips. If there had been any doubt about the tension between them, that action erased it completely. — Here, this is yours. I bought it a while ago, on that trip to New York with my parents. At least that trip was good for something. — he cleared his throat, ignoring his racing pulse. Without fully pulling away, he handed her the package, briefly breaking eye contact, feeling exposed admitting he had been thinking about her for far longer than he cared to confess. It had been seven months since that trip—a disastrous and uncomfortable one—but it all felt worth it the moment he saw Ava’s face light up in surprise as she unwrapped the small velvet box.
But her subtle smile faded the moment she opened it. She swallowed hard, a knot tightening in her throat. Inside lay a delicate, sparkling necklace, gleaming under the soft light—its pendant shaped like an “S.” His initial, for her. Ava would have loved to wear it proudly, letting everyone know she belonged to Steve… if only he belonged to her just as openly, instead of hesitating to fully fall for her because of age differences and her overprotective father. If only they had kissed instead of lingering for months in a restrained, undefined relationship.
— Do you think this is fair? Do you think you deserve for me to wear this? — her voice finally broke the silence, trembling and thick with emotion. Steve immediately realized he had made another mistake. She closed the box and placed it on the bed. — You don’t even dare kiss me, but God forbid any guy comes near me. Meanwhile, you have no problem walking around like you’re still dating Nancy.
— Don’t talk like my biggest desire isn’t to give you everything I know you deserve, please, sweetheart. — he cut in, almost desperate, his seriousness sharpening his features. His hands returned to her face, pressing gently against her warm cheeks as both their breaths and pulses quickened. — You deserve everything and more than this.
He closed his eyes, leaning closer until their foreheads and noses touched. Her vanilla scent overwhelmed his senses, her soft skin beneath his fingers igniting a desire he had suppressed countless times.
— Then why don’t you give it to me? — she whispered, almost pleading. His breath caught, his jaw tightening as nerves overtook him. Maybe he didn’t deserve this—someone as beautiful and pure as Ava wanting him, practically begging for him. — Stevie, please…
— I can’t… — he shook his head. — You’re too good for me. You’re everything, Ava. I don’t feel worthy. — he admitted hoarsely.
— Hey, no! You’re everything to me too, Stevie. You were my best friend and still are—funny, handsome, smart… you’re so much more than you think. You’ve become an incredible man. I need you to believe me when I say that. Don’t sabotage yourself. — she said quickly, threading her fingers into the soft hair at the back of his neck, pulling him slightly closer to press a warm kiss at the corner of his lips, making him let out a surprised sound. — I want you… I want you so much… — she whispered against his lips. When he opened his eyes again, they shared a meaningful look, their noses brushing once more. — Do you want me, Stevie?.
— Damn, Ava… you have no idea how much. — he murmured, his voice heavy with desire, finally overpowering his hesitation.
In that moment, nothing else mattered—not age differences, not her father, not judgment, not even his own tendency to sabotage himself. His world narrowed down to Ava—her scent, her softness, her voice, her touch—his golden girl in a sea of gray.
Harrington pressed his lips firmly against hers, eyes closing as he gave in to the desire that had consumed him for so long. He pulled back briefly, only to kiss her again, deeper this time—more urgent, more hungry. He caught her lower lip between his, gently sucking, smiling faintly when she sighed softly and tightened her fingers in his hair. Their mouths opened to each other, tongues meeting, exploring, the quiet room filling with soft, breathy sounds and the distant noise of rain beginning outside.
— I’ve wanted this for so long. You. — he murmured once they finally pulled apart for air, foreheads resting together.
Ava leaned in for one last soft kiss before looking at him.
— You have the chance to take what’s yours, or keep holding yourself back. But I’m done waiting, Steve. I can’t anymore. I deserve more.
Her flushed face, swollen lips, and steady gaze left him overwhelmed, yet certain—he couldn’t let go of this feeling, of her.
Furrowing his brows, he blinked as if coming back to reality. With slightly trembling hands, he reached for the box again, opened it, and took the necklace, briefly pressing it to his lips before gesturing for her to turn around. She did so immediately, both surprised and touched.
Despite his large, sometimes clumsy hands, Steve was gentle and careful. He moved her blonde hair aside, fastened the clasp around her delicate neck, his fingers brushing her skin and leaving a trail of warmth. Unable to resist, he leaned in to place a soft kiss on the exposed skin between her shoulder and neck, smiling against her skin when she shivered.
— I’m sorry for making you feel like you meant less than you do to me. I’ll make it up to you—every single day.
Smiling endlessly, Ava touched the pendant, running her fingers over it proudly. The uncertainty melted away, replaced instantly by relief and fulfillment—watching Steve finally become the man she always knew he could be.
