their stocks are falling, the petition is around LESS THAN 100k signatures away from reaching ONE MILLION, there have been almost EIGHT MILLION posts on x/twt about this, multiple protest trucks outside the building of hybe THAT HYBE STAFF THEMSELVES TOOK PHOTOS OF !!!! and reminder there have been NO news of his contract termination even if heâs supposedly (letâs assume) under a soloist contract THERES STILL NO NEWS OF HIS CONTRACT TERMINATION FOR ENHYPEN. as bad as it may feel and look like for us rn itâs looking WAY worse for hybe/belift. thereâs still sm hope donât any of u dare to give up pls â mass email, call, use as many emails as you have, do anything in your capability because nothing has been fully confirmed and decided yet we still have a chance !!!
SIGN THE PETITION !!! LINK
âą READ THE THREAD TO HELP: LINK
âą EMAIL THEIR INVESTORS: LINK 1 | LINK 2 | LINK 3
âą KOREAN [in person] PROTEST: LINK 1 | LINK 2
âą GIVE BAD REVIEWS (theyâve currently deleted over hundreds of bad reviews to fix their image â meaning that theyâve seen and heard everything!!! keep going!!!): LINK
âą EMAIL KOREAN JOURNALISTS/MEDIA: LINK 1 | LINK 2 | LINK 3
âą TRUCK DONATIONS: LINK 1 | LINK 2
âą BANNER DONATIONS / FUNDRAISERS: LINK
âą EMAIL JBTC CHANNEL [one of the biggest news outlets in sk]: LINK
WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP HEESEUNG AND ENHYPEN? please read below.
hi guys, i redownloaded tumblr again just to make this statement but heeseung leaving enhypen has caught many of us off gaurd. i think everyone is devasted by this and yes i know everyone is thinking about a future with enhypen as six and honestly I donât want that either.
i came here to spread awareness about what we could do as a fandom. please refer to this thread first of all.
link one â HEESEUNG did not make the decision to leaveâhe was kicked out of ENHYPEN.
this shows everything that adds up to heeseungs departure if anyone was also fishy about his sudden announcement like me. honestly, it makes sense.
but now that we are aware, what can we as engenes do? thankfully, twitter engenes made a thread of everything we could do from our side to fully support heeseung and bring him back.
link two â things you can do to help enhypen
sign the petition.
link three â template to email journalists about the situation.
link four â guidance on calling / faxing hybes investment companies !
link five â i found this account very helpful with keeping up with updates and finding out ways to help enhypen.
please sign the petitions ( as to my knowledge, we already have just over 500k ), rich engenes donate if you can. and most of all, do not stop talking about it.
this is genuinely the least we can do and itâs heartbreaking to me that we have to take action when their shitty company canât do jack.
reblog this post, share it, do anything you can to raise awareness because this isnât a simple decision you make, this is injustice.
Summary:Two voices, entwined since childhood, rise in a cosmos that prizes contrast over harmony. One has always looked, the other has always led. Through trials, scars, and staged battles designed by alien eyes, love is whispered in half-steps, in shared breaths, in the quiet moments between songs. When the final spotlight splits them apart, survival and victory are cruelly measured but devotion, unspoken yet absolute, endures beyond screens, rankings, and light itself.
Warnings:angst,mention of death,Alien Stage Au,Jake is oblivious
This has been in my drafts for a long time,English is not my first language beware!âčË. âĄ.đ„ Û Ë
Because if he had looked back sooner, you would have taken his hand beneath the burning stage lights and run not as competitors, not as sacrifices, but as two voices choosing each other over survival.
You would have slipped through the cracks of the system, found the rebels waiting in the dark beyond the arena walls, and learned what it meant to live without rankings, without screens, without someone measuring your worth in votes.
You would have woken beside him somewhere quiet no drones humming overhead, no alien eyes watching just the sound of shared breathing and a world that finally belonged to you both.
But he looked back too late.
By the time he understood, the light had already swallowed you. Your portrait was gone. Your name deleted from the rankings. The stage kept shining as if you had never stood on it at all.
So now he walks the same corridors you once did not as a contestant, not as a champion, but as something far more dangerous.
He finds the rebels in the shadows beyond the arena walls. He kneels not for survival, but for vengeance.
He joins them with your final note still ringing in his ears.
Every drone that falls is for you.
Every shattered screen is for you.
Every fire set beneath alien glass chambers is an apology he can never say again.
Pairing:Gator Tillman x Nurse!Childhood friends! fem Reader
Summary: When you move back to town after years away, Gator Tillman starts appearing where you work, always with an excuse ready. What begins as coincidence and unfinished conversations slowly turns into something impossible to deny. Caught between the man heâs become and the boy you once knew, you wonder if some people were always meant to find their way back to you
The first time, you tell yourself itâs a coincidence.
A deputy needs stitches.
A drunk comes in with a busted nose.
Paperwork follows uniforms everywhere.
So when you look up from the nursesâ station and see Gator Tillman leaning against the wall, arms crossed, badge catching the light
You donât think much of it.
âBusy night?â you ask, professional.
âAlways,â he replies. âYou got a room open?â
You nod, lead him down the hall.
He doesnât need to be there.
You both know it.
The second time, itâs harder to ignore.
Heâs standing near the vending machines this time, pretending to read a bulletin board that hasnât been updated in years.
âYou lost?â you ask.
He smirks. âFollowing up on a report.â
âWhich report?â
âConfidential,â he says smoothly.
You roll your eyes and walk past him.
He follows
By the third time, the staff notices.
âThat copâs here a lot,â another nurse whispers.
âYeah,â someone else adds. âAlways asking for you.â
You pretend not to hear.
Gator sits in an exam room, perfectly fine, boot bouncing once against the floor.
âYou injured?â you ask.
âNope.â
âThen why are you here?â
He shrugs. âPaperwork.â
âYou donât need an exam room for paperwork.â
âNeeded a chair.â
You step closer, lowering your voice. âYou lying to me now?â
He meets your eyes, unblinking. âI lie to everyone.â
There it is.
Honesty, wrapped in arrogance
Later, when youâre alone with him, he finally relaxes a fraction.
Not enough for anyone else to notice.
Enough for you.
âYou shouldnât come here like this,â you say quietly. âPeople talk.â
âLet them,â he replies. âI ainât doing anything wrong.â
âYouâre not doing anything at all,â you point out.
His jaw tightens.
âI just like knowing youâre here,â he admits then immediately adds, âFor work reasons.â
You smile despite yourself. âOf course.â
He watches that smile like itâs dangerous.
âYou still patching up guys worse than me?â he asks.
âEvery day.â
His eyes darken. âAnyone hurt you?â
âNo.â
âGood,â he says. Too quickly. Too sharp.
You step closer, lowering your voice. âGator⊠why now?â
He hesitates.
âBecause,â he says slowly, âlast time you left, I didnât know where to find you.â
Silence settles between you.
âI ainât letting that happen again,â he adds. âPurely professional.â
You meet his gaze.
âSure,â you say softly. âOfficer Tillman.â
He stands, straightening his uniform.
See you tomorrow,â he says.
You blink. âTomorrow?â
He pauses at the door, looks back at you.
âIf work requires it.â
And when he leaves, you realize something terrifying and true:
Gator Tillman isnât here because of his badge.
Heâs here because of you.
And sooner or later
heâs going to stop pretending otherwise.
The hospital is quiet in the way small towns always are.
Too quiet. Like everyoneâs listening even when no oneâs around.
Youâre at the nursesâ station when one of the EMTs stops nearby, resting his elbows on the counter.
âYouâre the new one, right?â he asks easily. âHavenât seen you around before.â
You nod. âTransferred in.â
âYeah? From where?â
You open your mouth to answer and feel it.
That pressure in the room.
That familiar, dangerous stillness.
You turn.
Gator Tillman stands at the end of the hallway, uniform immaculate, eyes locked on the man in front of you. His jaw is set. His hand rests too close to his belt.
The EMT notices him too.
âEvening, officer,â he says, straightening.
Gator doesnât answer right away.
Is there a problem here?â Gator asks finally.
âNo, sir just talking.â
Gatorâs gaze flicks to you then back to him.
âConversationâs over,â he says calmly. âMove along.â
The EMT doesnât argue.
He leaves.
Fast.
You stare at Gator. âWhat was that?â
âWork,â he replies.
âThat wasnât work.â
âIt was,â he says evenly. âYouâre on shift.â
âSo is he.â
Gator steps closer, lowering his voice. âHe doesnât need to be in your space.â
âI can decide that myself.â
âI know,â Gator says. âI donât like it.â
The words slip out before he can stop them.
Silence stretches.
You watch him realize what he said.
âYouâre jealous,â you say quietly.
His mouth tightens. âDonât be ridiculous.â
âYou stared him down like he pulled a gun.â
âHe was getting comfortable.â
âThatâs not a crime.â
âNo,â Gator agrees. âBut it leads to mistakes.â
You fold your arms. âYou donât get to control who talks to me.â
âIâm not controlling you,â he replies. âIâm controlling the situation.â
âThatâs the same thing.â
His eyes darken.
âThis place isnât kind,â he says quietly. âPeople see softness and think itâs permission.â
âAnd you think youâre the solution?â
âI know I am.â
You take a breath. âYou canât scare everyone away.â
âI donât plan to,â he says. âJust the ones who look too long.â
You look at him. Really look.
âYou donât do this with anyone else.â
âNo,â he admits. âJust you.â
A pause.
Then his radio crackles.
Gator steps back instantly, mask sliding into place like it always does.
âStay focused,â he says, voice neutral again. âThis town doesnât forgive distractions.â
He turns to leave.
At the doorway, he pauses just long enough to add:
âAnd if anyone makes you uncomfortable tell me.â
Then heâs gone.
Itâs after midnight when it happens.
The hospital parking lot is almost empty, lights buzzing overhead, snow crunching softly under your shoes. You pull your coat tighter around yourself, breath fogging the air.
You hear footsteps behind you.
At first, you tell yourself itâs nothing.
Then they get closer.
A hand grabs your arm.
You gasp, stumbling back, heart slamming against your ribs.
âRelax,â a voice slurs. âJust talking.â
âNo,â you snap. âLet go.â
He doesnât.
It happens so fast you donât even register it at first.
The manâs hand is still on your arm
when headlights explode across the parking lot.
A patrol car skids to a stop.
For half a second your heart jumps into your throat.
Then the door opens.
And itâs Gator.
His patrol car.
His badge.
His problem.
âWhat the fuck do you think youâre doing?â
Heâs out of the car before the engine even dies. He doesnât wait for an answer. He grabs the man by the collar and slams him into the side of the cruiser so hard the metal dents.
âYou blind?â Gator snarls. âOr just stupid?â
âI-I didnâtâ
Gator punches him.
Once.
The man drops to his knees.
âYou ever touch her again,â Gator growls, crouching down, grabbing the manâs face, âand I will make your life hellâ
Blood drips onto the asphalt.
You whisper his name, terrified. âGatorâ
He doesnât look at you.
He shoves the man away, hard enough that he hits the ground.
âGet up.â
The man scrambles to his feet.
âRun,â Gator says coldly. âAnd pray I forget your face.â
The man doesnât hesitate he runs.
Silence.
Only the hum of the patrol car. The cold air. Your shaking breath.
Gator turns to you.
His knuckles are bleeding. His chest is heaving. His eyes are still burning with rage.
âDid he hurt you?â he demands.
You shake your head.
âGood,â he snaps. âBecause if he didâ
He stops himself jaw clenched
You step closer. âYou were already here.â
He scoffs. âYeah.â
âYou werenât on a call.â
âNo.â
âYou were watching.â
His eyes flick away.
âI drive past the hospital,â he mutters. âThatâs all.â
You donât believe him.
He looks back at you, voice low and rough.
âYouâre safe,â Gator says. âThatâs what matters.â
You swallow.
âYouâre going to get yourself fired.â
He steps closer, crowding you, voice dangerous and sure.
âLet them try.â
And in that moment you understand:
That patrol car wasnât there because of duty.
It was there because you were
He stares at you for a long second.
Something restless flickers behind his eyes.
âCome onâ he says quietly.
You frown. âWhat?â
âLetâs go to my place.â
Itâs not sharp not angry.
But itâs not optional either.
You hesitate.
The cold air bites at your skin. The hospital lights buzz overhead. Everything feels too exposed out here.
âGatorâŠâ
âPlease,â he adds, softer now. âJust⊠get in the car.â
That makes you look at him.
He never says please.
You donât answer.
You just walk past him to his truck.
Your hand pauses on the door handle. For a second, you consider turning around.
Then you open it and get in.
The door shuts.
The drive is quiet.
Not hostile.
Just heavy.
The radio hums low some late night station playing slow, worn out love songs that feel almost ironic. Neither of you comment on it. The music fills the space where words are stuck.
Streetlights slide across his face in pieces. His jaw is tight. His hands steady on the wheel.
He doesnât look at you.
You donât look at him.
Snow crunches under the tires when he pulls into his driveway.
The engine dies.
Silence floods the truck.
He gets out first.
You follow.
Inside, the door closes with a dull thud that feels louder than it should.
The house is dim. Warm. Too small for the tension between you.
You donât yell.
Thatâs what scares him
You stand in his kitchen, arms crossed tight over your chest, eyes locked on the blood drying on his knuckles. Heâs pacing like a caged animal, boots heavy against the floor
âYou couldâve killed him,â you say quietly.
Gator scoffs. âHe deserved it.â
âThatâs not the point.â
âThatâs exactly the point,â he snaps, spinning toward you. âHe put his hands on you.â
âAnd you think that gives you the right to do whatever you want?â
âYes.â
The answer is immediate. No hesitation no shame.
âYou donât get to decide that,â you say voice shaking now. âYou donât get to decide how far this goes.â
He steps closer. âYou think I donât know that?â
âThen why do you keep doing it?â
âBecause it works,â he snarls. âBecause youâre still standing here.â
Thatâs not fair.â
He laughs, sharp and humorless. âNothing about me is fair.â
Silence crashes between you
âYou scare me,â you admit. âNot like him like⊠like I donât know where the line is with you.â
Gatorâs jaw tightens.
âThere is no line,â he says.
âThatâs not okay.â
Heâs right in front of you now. Too close you can smell the cold air on him, metal and blood and something darker.
âThen leave,â he says.
You donât.
His eyes flick down to your mouth.
Something snaps.
He grabs you not rough, not gentle hands firm on your waist like heâs afraid youâll disappear. His mouth crashes into yours, all teeth and heat and anger.
Itâs not soft.
Itâs not sweet.
Itâs a kiss full of everything he doesnât know how to say.
You gasp against him, hands fisting in his jacket, heart pounding so loud it drowns out reason. He kisses you harder, like heâs trying to brand the feeling into you before you can take it back.
Then he pulls away suddenly.
Breathing hard.
His jaw clenches, eyes dark not confused controlled angry.
âDonât,â he says low. âDonât look at me like that.â
âLike what?â
Like you think this is easy for me.â
Youâre still close enough to feel his breath.
âI didnât ask you to stop,â you say.
He lets out a sharp breath through his nose.
âThis doesnât end clean,â Gator says. âI donât do clean.â
âI know.â
Silence.
Then, quieter dangerously honest
âI donât know how to touch you without ruining you.â
You step closer instead of away.
âThen donât pretend you didnât want to.â
His hand comes up, gripping your jaw not painful, but firm. Possessive.
âI wanted to,â he admits. âThatâs the problem.â
He leans in again, slower this time, mouth brushing yours like a warning instead of an attack.
âThis is the line,â he murmurs. âAnd once we cross itâ
You kiss him.
Harder.
He exhales against your mouth, grip tightening.
âthereâs no going back,â he finishes.
"so come on baby i know what you want" his voice turns lower, a gravelly rumble coming from deep within his chest
His hands found your thighs and effortlessly lifted you until your legs wrapped around his hips, your back pressing hard against the wall.
His palms slid down to your ass, squeezing firmly, claiming, and a broken moan slipped from your lips.
âYes,â he said lowly. âThatâs the sound I want to hear.â
He carried you to the bed without hesitation and laid you down. His body hovered above yours, close enough that you could feel his heat, his eyes burning with desire and something darker he didnât put into words.
His hands pushed your shirt up, exposing your bra, your skin meeting the cold air. He leaned down, pressing slow kisses from your collarbone down to your breasts.
âYouâre so fucking hot,â he muttered, kissing one of them as you moaned softly.
âThis was always my dream you have always been my dream. â
âGator,â you murmured, breath hitching. You wanted him so badly it made your chest ache.
âTell me you want me,â he said, voice rough between soft kisses to your neck as his hands cupped your breasts.
âSay it like you mean it.â
âI want you to fuck me,â you breathed, fingers sliding into his hair.
âAs you wish, angel.â
His hand slid lower, under the elastic of your pants, palm trailing slowly up your thigh. His heat was overwhelming. When his fingers brushed the damp lace of your panties, you winced, a broken whimper falling from your mouth.
âYouâre soaked,â he murmured against the crook of your neck, pressing soft kisses there, his thumb dragging slowly along your thigh.
âAnd thatâs all because of me.â
âYeah,â you whispered. âJust because of you.â
You pulled his face to yours, kissing him deeply. He moaned into the kiss, like your confession hit him harder than he expected.
He growled softly and dragged his fingers over your soaked folds through the fabric.
âIâve always imagined you,â he said. âAnd now youâre dripping because of my cock.â
He moved down, spreading your legs and hooking your panties aside with two fingers, staring at you with unashamed hunger.
The first lick was slow and hungry, his tongue sliding all the way up your slit.
His mouth moved like he was trying to ruin you.
You moaned, hands tangling in his hair as your hips twitched upward, chasing every filthy flick of his tongue.
âGo on, angel,â he murmured. âMoan. Thatâs what I want to hear.â
He licked another stripe and pushed two fingers inside you. You squeezed his head between your thighs, but he didnât mind he groaned, enjoying it.
He ate you like he was carving his name into your body, his thick fingers spreading you open, stretching you, filling you until you felt him everywhere, curling exactly where you needed it.
âLook at you,â he muttered, voice muffled.
âAlready falling apart, and I havenât even fucked you yet.â
âGator fuck yes oh my god,â you gasped, hands tight in his hair. âIâm so close.â
He lifted his head just enough, breath hot against you.
âYou close? Gonna come for me, angel?â
âIâm about to-â
Your orgasm hit hard, ripping through your body so sharply it almost hurt. A loud moan escaped you as your whole body bowed and shook, your head falling back into the pillow.
He leaned over you again, leaving marks along your skin like a signature.
Your hands fumbled with his belt, fingers trembling until you freed him. His cock was already hard, heavy. He pressed the thick tip against your entrance, teasing, making you whimper.
Then he pushed in slow, relentless stretching you inch by inch. You bit your lip to keep from crying out.
âDonât,â he growled softly, kissing your neck, right over the marks he left.âI want to hear you.â
Your mind dissolved into static as your body arched greedily for more, even as you struggled to take all of him.
âGator donât stop,â you moaned.
âYouâre squeezing me,â he murmured.
âLike youâre trying to keep me inside forever.â
You cried his name, louder now, the sound filthy and desperate.
âFuck, angel,â he breathed. âYou sound beautiful.â
Your body tightened again without warning, pleasure tipping into something feral.
âFuck-â
He groaned, thrusting faster.
âIâve waited so long to make you mine.â
You came with his name on your lips, body trembling, and he followed soon after, pulling out just in time to spill over your thighs, groaning your name like a confession.
âSo fucking perfect,â he murmured.
âYou know who you belong to now, donât you? Tell me who owns you.â
âIâm yours, Gator.â
You wrapped your arms around his neck and kissed him.
Morning came too quietly.
Pale light filtered through the thin curtains, landing across his bare shoulders. He was asleep, one arm heavy over your waist, breath slow and steady like nothing in the world could touch him.
You stared at the ceiling.
Your body still warm from him.
Carefully, you slipped out from under his arm.
He shifted but didnât wake.
You found your clothes in pieces across the floor. Pulled them on slowly. Each movement felt heavier than it should.
You looked at him one last time.
He looked younger when he slept.
Less dangerous.
Less like a storm.
Your chest tightened.
You didnât know what you were feeling.
It wasnât regret.
But it wasnât peace either.
It felt like standing too close to the edge of something high wind in your hair, heart racing knowing one wrong step would ruin you.
You grabbed your keys.
The front door clicked shut softly behind you.
The air outside was cold, sharp, grounding
The town was quiet. Frost coated the sidewalks, and your footsteps echoed lightly as you walked home. Each step grounded you, even as your chest still throbbed and your mind replayed last night.
The air was cold and sharp, cutting through the haze of heat and confusion you carried.
Being his felt intoxicating. And dangerous.
And the worst part?
You couldnât tell if you were scared or addicted
You notice it in the bathroom mirror while getting ready for work
Purple fading into red too high to hide properly.Hickeys Gatorâs marks bruised your skin
You tug at your collar higher then higher then give up.
âShitâ you whisper, running a hand over your neck.
Thereâs no time to fix it no time to think. You grab your badge, your bag, and head out, pretending your heart isnât still beating out of rhythm.
It doesnât work.
At the nursesâ station, people glance at you twice
Youâre laughing in hallway
Not loud not flirting just tired shift laughter at something stupid a paramedic says as he hands over paperwork.
âCareful,â he jokes. âSomeone might think youâre enjoying this place.â
You smile. âGive it time.â
Thatâs when you feel it.
The air shifts.
The laughter dies in your throat before you even see him.
Gator stands at the end of the corridor, arms crossed, jaw locked so tight it looks painful. His eyes flick from the paramedicâs face to his hand.
Which is still too close to you.
The paramedic notices him. âOh hey, officer.â
Gator doesnât answer.
He walks closer instead.
Slow. Deliberate. Every step controlled like heâs barely holding something back.
âYou got business here?â Gator asks the paramedic.
âJust a transfer,â the guy says, uncomfortable now. âAll good.â
Gator steps between you and him.
Blocking you completely.
âThen take it somewhere else.â
The paramedic raises his hands slightly. âAlright, man no problem.â
He leaves.
Silence stretches.
âYou done?â you ask quietly.
Gator turns on you.
âWhat the hell was that?â
âA conversation.â
âYou were smiling.â
âYes people do that.â
âNot like that.â
You glance around. âThis is my workplace.â
âYeah,â he snaps. âAnd Iâm telling you youâre not being careful.â
âCareful about what?â you shoot back. âLooking alive?â
His eyes drop to your neck again.
The marks are still there.
Fresh.
His voice drops. âYou think I put those there for decoration?â
âThatâs not fair,â you say sharply. âYou donât get to control who talks to me.â
The word hits harder than a slap
He leans in, voice low, furious. âYou donât belong to him.â
âI donât belong to anyone.â
A beat.
His nostrils flare. âYou shouldnât say that to me.â
âWhy?â
âbecause last night you said something differentâ
Your heart pounds.
âThis doesnât work if you act like this,â you whisper.
He stares at you like heâs deciding whether to explode or walk away.
âYou walked back into my life,â Gator says finally. âYou didnât ask what it would cost.â
âThatâs not my fault.â
âNo,â he agrees coldly. âBut itâs my problem.â
Someone calls your name down the hall.
You step back. âI have to go.â
He grabs your wrist fast, hard enough to make a point.
Then he releases you just as quickly.
âDonât do that again,â he says.
âDonât tell me what to do.â
His mouth twists into something dark.
âYeah,â Gator murmurs. âWeâre gonna talk about that.â
You walk away without looking back.
Behind you, Gator Tillman stands alone in the hallway
furious, possessive, and very aware that the worst part isnât the jealousy.
Itâs that he doesnât know how to stop caring
You start taking different routes.
Different hallways. Different shifts if you can manage it. You leave rooms early, arrive late, keep your head down. When you feel his presence because you always do you turn the other way.
Itâs not fear.
Itâs uncertainty.
You donât know what to do with the way he looks at you now. Like heâs already lost something and youâre the only proof it existed.
Gator notices.
Of course he does.
The third time you dodge him, he stops pretending.
Youâre heading for the back exit when a hand grips the door before you can open it.
Hard.
âStop.â
You freeze.
âLet go,â you say quietly.
âNo.â
You turn.
Heâs close. Too close for a hallway, too close for work. His eyes are dark, jaw tight, something raw simmering under the surface.
âYou think I donât see you running?â he snaps.
âIâm not running.â
âYouâre avoiding me.â
âMaybe I need space.â
He laughs once sharp, bitter. âYou donât get space with me.â
âThatâs exactly the problem.â
Silence stretches between you.
Then his voice drops. Loses its edge.
âYou think this is easy for me?â he asks.
You donât answer.
He steps closer anyway.
âI donât do feelings,â Gator says. âI donât talk about them i donât ask.â
âI know.â
âBut you?â His throat tightens. âYou got under my skin when we were kids, and you never really left.â
Your breath catches.
âYouâre my weak spot,â he continues, like it disgusts him. âAnd I hate that.â
âThat doesnât sound like-â
âLove?â he cuts in.âYeah i know.â
He looks at you, eyes burning.
âI donât know how to want you without fucking it up,â Gator says. âI donât know how to be gentle. I just know that when you look at someone elseâ
He stops himself. Exhales hard.
âIt makes me mean.â
You whisper, âThat scares me.â
âIt should,â he says honestly. Then, quieterâBut Iâd burn this whole town before I let anyone hurt you.â
You search his face.
âYou donât get to own me,â you say softly.
âI know,â he replies. âBut donât pretend you donât feel something too.â
You donât deny it.
You just say, âI donât know what it is yet.â
Something in his expression shifts not anger acceptance.
âFine,â Gator says. âFigure it out.â
He steps back, giving you space for the first time.
âBut donât disappear on me,â he adds. âThatâs the one thing I wonât forgive.â
You nod slowly.
âI wonât,â you promise.
He holds your gaze a moment longer.
Then he turns and walks away.
And youâre left standing there, heart racing, knowing one thing for certain
Whatever this is
Itâs already too deep to ignore
You donât plan it.
You just stop pretending.
You show up at his place late, heart pounding, knowing exactly how stupid this is and doing it anyway.
The door opens halfway.
Gator looks you over slowly, lazy, knowing. Like he already won.
âCouldnât stay away,â he says.
You roll your eyes. âDonât start.â
He steps aside, lets you in.
âYou come here to talk,â he adds. âSo talk.â
You turn to face him.
âI tried,â you say. âI tried to be smart i tried to keep distance i tried to convince myself this was just physical temporary.â
He leans against the counter, arms crossed, smirk tugging at his mouth.
âAnd?â
âAnd I hate every second Iâm not around you,â you admit. âI hate how quiet everything feels. I hate that I look for you even when I shouldnât.â
His smirk softens into something sharp and satisfied.
âYeah,â Gator says. âI know.â
That pisses you off just enough to keep going.
âI love you,â you say. âAnd I donât know how to do that without screwing myself over.â
He straightens.
Steps closer.
Slow. Confident.
âYouâre telling me like itâs a confession,â he says. âItâs not.â
You frown. âWhat is it then?â
âItâs you finally catching up,â Gator replies.
He stops right in front of you, tilts your chin up with two fingers.
âYou think I didnât know?â he continues. âYou donât look at someone the way you look at me unless youâre already gone.â
âThatâs notâ
âI donât need you to be scared,â he cuts in. âI need you to be honest.â
You swallow. âI am.â
A beat.
Then he smiles slow, arrogant, unmistakably Gator.
âI love you too,â he says. âAnd I donât lose.â
Your heart stutters. âThatâs not romantic.â
He shrugs. âItâs true.â
He leans in, forehead brushing yours.
âYouâre not trapped,â he murmurs. âYouâre choosing me. Big difference.â
âAnd if I regret it?â
He grins. âYou wonât.â
You should argue.
Instead, you kiss him.
He kisses back like he always does sure, claiming, like he knew exactly how this would end.
When he pulls back, his thumb brushes your jaw.
âTold you,â Gator says quietly. âYou were never walking away.â
And for the first time, you donât want to.
For the first time, you donât want to walk away.
But that doesnât mean itâs easy.
The next morning the town feels different.
Not because anyone knows.
Because you do.
You walk into the hospital with your badge clipped on, posture straight, trying to remind yourself who you are outside of him.
Nurse.
Independent.
Not someoneâs possession.
People still look at you.
People always look.
But this time, you donât flinch.
Because you made a choice.
Later that week, rumors start.
Small town. They always do.
âHeâs been different lately.â
âTillmanâs not picking fights.â
âHe left the bar early.â
You see it too.
Heâs trying.
Not in loud ways.
Not in romantic speeches.
But in restraint.
When someone mouths off about you at the bar, he doesnât throw a punch.
He just stares.
And the guy apologizes.
When he shows up at the hospital now, he doesnât hover.
He doesnât block people.
He keeps distance.
For you.
Thatâs the part no one sees.
One night, after a long shift, you find him leaning against his truck again.
Hands in his pockets.
Watching the sky like heâs fighting something internal.
âYou stalking me?â you ask softly.
âWaiting,â he corrects.
You step closer.
âYou donât own me,â you say quietly.
âI know.â
âBut you act like youâre scared Iâll disappear.â
His jaw tightens.
âBecause you did,â he says.
There it is.
Not anger.
Not dominance.
Fear.
âYou left when we were kids,â he continues. âDidnât say goodbye. Didnât look back.â
âI was eleven.â
âDidnât matter,â he says. âYou were the only thing in that house that didnât feel like war.â
Your chest tightens.
âI thought you hated me for leaving,â you admit.
He huffs out a breath. âI hated that I didnât matter enough for you to stay.â
Silence settles heavy between you.
âYou mattered,â you whisper. âYou just werenât my responsibility.â
Something in him shifts at that.
âYouâre still not,â you add. âIâm not here to fix you.â
âI donât need fixing,â he mutters.
You raise an eyebrow.
He almost smiles.
Almost.
âI just needâ He exhales. âI need to know youâre not gonna vanish when it gets hard.â
âI wonât,â you say. âBut Iâm not staying if you turn into someone I donât recognize.â
He nods once.
Thatâs the agreement.
Not ownership.
Not obsession.
A choice.
Weeks pass.
You fight.
You make up.
You push him when he gets territorial.
He pushes you when you retreat.
But something changes.
The night someone tries to corner you again outside the hospital, Gator doesnât explode.
He steps between you calmly.
Calls it in by the book.
No punches.
No threats.
Later, in private, his hands shake.
âI wanted to break him,â he admits.
âBut you didnât.â
He looks at you like that costs him something.
âNo.â
You cup his face gently.
âThatâs the difference,â you say.
He rests his forehead against yours, breathing steadying.
âYouâre my weak spot,â he murmurs.
âAnd youâre my choice,â you reply.
That lands deeper.
Because weak spots can be attacked.
Choices are deliberate.
Months later, the town still talks.
But now itâs different.
âThey grew up together.â
âShe keeps him steady.â
âHe listens to her.â
You donât tame Gator Tillman.
You donât fix him.
You donât save him.
You just refuse to be afraid of him.
And somehow
thatâs what changes everything.
One evening, snow falling softly over the town you once ran from, he stands behind you on the porch of his house.
Arms around your waist.
Not holding.
Just there.
âYou still think about leaving?â he asks quietly.
âSometimes.â
He nods.
âYou still think about burning the town down?â you ask.
A pause.
âSometimes.â
You lean back into him.
âBut we donât,â you say.
âNo,â he agrees. âWe donât.â
Because this time, staying isnât about fear.
Itâs about choosing each other.
And Gator Tillman may be dangerous.
He may be sharp.
Possessive.
Rough around every edge.
But when it comes to you?
He learns.
And thatâs the only reason this story doesnât end in flames.
It ends in something harder.
Something earned.
Love not because he owns you
Because in a town built on echoes of the past, in hearts hardened by storms, you found the courage to stand side by side.
And sometimes, thatâs the most dangerous and most beautiful thing of all
Last time you voted gator x reader and i planned to finish it and post it over the weekend, but i have to study for tests and we have a guest over the weekend, so I'll finish it during the week, if I have time I'll post it next weekend
Thank you for your patience and I apologize
đ â§âË â
Soft music, the low hum of conversations, sunlight spilling across the small table by the window.You wrapped your hands around your cup, watching the steam rise.
Jaemin sat across from you, jacket draped over the back of the chair, sleeves pushed up slightly.
âThis place is niceâhe saidâdidnât know it existedâ
âItâs kind of hiddenâyou smiledâI like it that wayâ
He noddedâMakes senseâ
You sat in comfortable silence for a moment not awkward not forced,justâŠeasy
âYou seem calmerâ he said suddenly
You looked upâdo i?â
âYeahâ he repliedâlike youâre more settledâ
You thought about it,about your apartment your friends mornings without rushing.
âMaybe I amâ
His gaze lingered soft, thoughtful not the usual nonchalant look something warmer underneath
When the waiter brings your drinks, Jaemin reached for his wallet at the same time you did
âIâve got itâhe said
âYou donât have toâ
âI want toâ
You hesitated,then noddedâOkay thank youâ
Your fingers brushed again as he passed you the cup
This time, neither of you apologized
Outside, you walked slowly, neither of you in a hurry to leave
âYou staying at Markâs again soon?â Jaemin asked, carefully neutral.
âMaybeâyou saidâYou live with him now,so⊠if he lets meâ
âHe always doesâJaemin smiledâand so do iâ
You both stopped at the corner
For a moment, it felt like something was about to happen a step closer,a touch, a decision
Instead,he just said,âIâm glad we did thisâ
âMe tooâ you replied
You waved goodbye, and he lingered for a moment, watching you walk toward your building.You felt his gaze follow you, and a warm shiver ran down your spine.
 Somehow, even from a distance, it felt like you were still connected a quiet pull between you, unspoken but undeniable.
 You both carried that moment with you, each step echoing the same thought
you wanted it to last just a little longer.
This is the last chapter I prepared in advance, so I'll try to do more during school.
Quieter than you expected soft lights,low music playing somewhere in the background, the city humming faintly through the windows.
You kicked off your shoes shoes by the door, shrugging out of your jacket. âYou still live like a minimalistâyou commented
Mark glanced up from the kitchenâSays the girl whose place is full of plantsâ
âTheyâre not clutterâyou replied.âtheyâre vibesâ
He laughed, tossing you a glass of water. âMake yourself at home couch or guest room?â
âCouch is fine,âyou said easily.âIâll probably fall asleep before midnight anywayâ
âThatâs a lieâ
âOkay,âyou smiled.âBut a comforting one.â
You curled up on the couch, pulling the blanket over your legs while Mark disappeared back into the kitchen
That was when you heard the door open
Footsteps
âHeyâa familiar voice said
you looked up
Jaemin
He paused when he saw you, just for a second the same half beat as last time.Enough to notice not enough to comment on
âOhâhe saidâDidnât know you were staying overâ
âSurpriseâyou replied lightly
Mark walked back in obliviousâSheâs crashing here tonight you good with that?â
Jaemin shruggedâYeah of courseâ
He dropped his bag by the wall and leaned against the counter, arms crossed, gaze flicking back to you without meaning to or maybe meaning to just a little.
You sat together on the couch later, some random movie playing that neither of you were really watching
Mark was stretched out on the other end, half focused on his phone,Jaemin sat closer than necessary shoulder just barely brushing yours whenever he shifted
Not enough to be obvious
Enough to feel
At one point,you reached for the bowl of snacks at the same time he did
your fingers brushed just briefly
âSorryâ he said quietly
Itâs okayâyou answered just as softly
Their eyes met held for a fraction longer than normal
Then Mark laughed at something on the screen the moment broke
Jaemin leaned back creating a little space again casual normal
But later, when Mark stood up to grab another drink, Jaemin turned his head slightly toward you
âStill canât sleep early?â he asked
You smiledâStill asking obvious questions?â
He huffed a quiet laughâFairâ
Another pause
âGood to see youâhe addedâLike this comfortableâ
Your chest tightened just a little
âYeahâyou saidâYou tooâ
Mark came back then flopping onto the couchâIâm calling it iâm tiredâ
Jaemin stood upâSameâ
You adjusted the blanket around yourself, suddenly aware of how close the night felt
âNightâ Mark said
âGoodnightâyou replied
Jaemin lingered for half a second longer by the hallway
âNightâ he said to you softer than necessary
âNight Jaeminâ
The door to his room closed
You lay there staring at the ceiling, heart steady but alert, replaying nothing specific just the feeling
Nothing had happened and somehow, that made it worse.
Summary:When Steve became your sonâs coach, you never expected him to change your life off the field. What starts as casual conversations and fleeting glances slowly turns into something more an unexpected connection that grows stronger with every shared moment. Soon, you realize youâre not just a team on the field⊠youâre a team in life
Warnings:FINALE SPOILERS, takes place in the epilogue,Fluff,Angst enjoy reading.English is not my first language beware!âčË. âĄ.đ„ Û Ë
After everything calmed down in Hawkins, you came back
Not because the town suddenly felt small again, but because it finally felt safe quiet. Like a place where a little boy could grow up without learning how to be afraid too early
You hadnât planned to return for a long time, even the thought of this place made your chest tighten. But years ago when you were still young, scared, and far from ready for the life that suddenly depended on you everything changed
Your ex had gotten you pregnant you were barely old enough to understand what that meant, let alone know what to do about it. There were nights you cried quietly so no one would hear you, hands pressed to your stomach, wondering how love could turn into something that felt like a trap.He was supposed to stay he was supposed to help Instead, you were left alone with fear and a decision that felt too big for your hands
So you ran
You left him you left the promises you left with Alex in your arms, heart breaking and rebuilding itself at the same time. Every step away from that life felt like both a failure and an act of survival. You didnât know if you were doing the right thing but you knew staying would destroy you
You wanted him to have what you never did safety laughter a childhood untouched by regret and raised voices and things a child should never witness
You wanted him to be happy
Thatâs how Alex ends up on a dusty baseball field on a warm afternoon, glove too big for his hand, cap slipping down over his eyes laughing,unafraid,alive in a way that makes your chest ache when you watch him
And for the first time in a long while, you allow yourself to believe you did the right thing.
Your chest feels lighter as you watch Alex play, unaware that this small, ordinary afternoon is about to change everything
And thatâs how you meet Steve Harrington
Heâs standing near the dugout, hands on his hips, sunglasses pushed up into his hair, voice carrying easily across the field
âOkay Tigers  listen up! Rule number one baseball is supposed to be fun,rule number two if you throw dirt at your teammate again, youâre running lapsâ
Alexâs eyes light up instantly.
âMomâ he whispers, tugging on your sleeveâHeâs coolâ
You smile âYou havenât even played yetâ
âHe has good hairâ Alex says seriously
You snort before you can stop yourself
Steve turns at the sound and then heâs walking toward you.
Up close,he looks⊠different than you remember. Softer around the edges older in a good way. Still ridiculously handsome, unfortunately.
âHeyâ he says easily. âYou must be Alexâs momâ
Steve doesnât remember you from high school.
You were never the kind of girl people noticed back then. Always quiet sitting near the back of the classroom, keeping your head down trying not to take up too much space in a world that already felt too loud. While Steve Harrington was impossible to miss laughter echoing through hallways, hair perfect, surrounded by people you were the opposite easy to overlook easy to forget.
You nod a little unsure but smiling anywayâyeah i amâ
Steve smiles rubbing the back of his neckâHeâs got a good arm and and he has a kind heart, he get it from you?â
Alex beamsâCoach Steve said if I practice, I can play shortstopâ
Steve points at him. âSee? Already spreading liesâ
You raise an eyebrow. âLies? he didnât get that from meâ
âI said maybeâ he corrects grinning
Thereâs something playful in the way he looks at you like heâs already enjoying this more than he should
Practice starts, and you watch from the bleachers as Steve kneels, encourages, jokes, high-fives every kid like it actually matters
Alex runs over halfway through, breathless
âMomâ he whispers loudly,âCoach Steve says I have a strong armâ
Steve, standing behind him adds,âItâs true. Kidâs got potentialâ
You glance up at himâBias?â
âOnly a littleâ Steve says. âhe listens more than othersâ
Alex squints up at himâDo you live here?â
Steve laughsâYeah, buddy born and raisedâ
Alex nods thoughtfully then turns back to you
âI think Coach Steve is nice,â he declaresâand brave and he brings snacksâ
Steve presses a hand to his chest.âWow thatâs the highest praise Iâve ever receivedâ
You shake your head,smiling. âheâs already a fanâ
Steve lowers his voice just a littleâGuess that means I gotta keep impressing you too, huh?â
Your stomach flips
âGuess soâ you reply lightly
Steve grinsâChallenge acceptedâ
As practice ends, Alex runs ahead toward the car, talking nonstop about drills and wins and how Coach Steve throws really far
Steve walks beside you, hands in his pockets
âSoâ he says casuallyâsame time next week?â
âYeah,âyou say.âweâll be hereâ
He hesitates,then smiles softerâGood i like having you guys aroundâ
Alex turns around suddenlyâMom?â
âYes baby?â
âI think Coach Steve should come to dinner sometimeâ
Steve chokes on a laugh
You freeze
Alex shrugsâSo he can teach me baseball betterâ
Steve clears his throat. âUh i mean i do give private lessonsâ
You laugh warmth spreading through youâweâll seeâ
Steve watches you for a second longer than necessary
A slow unfolding warmth,light teasing tiny moments that whisper of something deeper yet to come
And for the first time since you came back to Hawkins it feels like the beginning of something good
You donât realize itâs happening at first
Itâs just comments little observations the kind only a kid would make without thinking twice
âMomâ Alex says from the backseat on the drive homeâCoach Steve smells niceâ
You almost miss a turn
âThatâs⊠not something we comment onâ you say carefully
âHe doesâ Alex insists. âlike laundry and gumâ
You clear your throatâOkayâ
The next practice is hotter louder, Steveâs in a sleeveless shirt this time, whistle hanging loose around his neck
âMomâ he stage whispers from the benchâCoach Steve has musclesâ
Steve hears it you know he does, because his ears turn red
âBuddyâ Steve says, trying to stay professionalâfocus on the ballâ
Alex grinsâI amâ
Practice ends late the other parents leave one by one until itâs just you,Alex and Steve collecting cones
Alex drops his glove at your feet
âI forgot my water bottleâhe announcesâIâm gonna get itâ
You open your mouth to stop him you open your mouth to stop him,too late heâs gone
Steve straightens slowlyâKidsâhe says lightly
You laugh rubbing the back of your neckâHe talks a lotâ
âI donât mindâ Steve replies. Then, softerâheâs⊠a good kidâ
Something about the way he says it makes your chest warm thereâs a beat of silence.
Then Steve glances at youâSo uh Alex mentioned you just moved back?â
âYeah fresh startâ
He nodsâHawkins does that sneaks up on youâ
Alex comes sprinting back,âCoach Steve! âhe says loudlyâDo you have a girlfriend?â
You freeze Steve coughs hard
âWowâ he muttersâJust going straight for it,huh?â
Alex shrugsâMom doesn't have a boyfriendâ
you stare at the skyâAlexâ
Steve laughs soft surprised âNo, buddy i am singleâ
Alex nods, satisfiedâOkayâ
You know he's up to something but you can't figure out what
Then he grabs your handâCan Coach Steve come to the fair with us?â
Steve blinks âThe fair?â
Alex looks between you. âYou both like corn dogsâ
Steve smiles despite himself âHeâs not wrongâ
You sigh,but youâre smiling "We'll see you don't know if he has something to do."
Steve meets your eyes.
That playful spark is there again but gentler now.
âAccidentallyâhe says quietlyâhe might be the best wingman Iâve ever had and luckily, i have nothing to doâ
You laugh âHe doesnât even know what that meansâ
Steveâs grin softensâYeah but he knows what he wantsâ
Alex beams and somehow without meaning to so do you realizing heâs already scheming to get you and Steve together.
The Hawkins Fair is louder than you remember
Lights blink in uneven rhythms,music clashes from different directions and the smell of fried food hangs thick in the air.Alex grips your hand like he might float away if he lets go.
Steve meets you near the entrance, baseball cap low hands shoved into his jacket pockets like he didnât overthink this
âHeyâhe says, smiling when he sees youâyou made itâ
Alex lets go of your hand immediately and runs straight to him âCoach Steve! they have a giant slide!â
Steve laughsâI figured youâd spot that firstâ
You step closerâThanks for comingâ
He shrugs, casual but his eyes linger âCouldnât miss it your kid invited meâ
Alex nods seriouslyâYou like corn dogs that means you belong hereâ
Steve points at himâSee? canât argue with logic like thatâ
You end up waling together as a family without really deciding to.
Steve buys the corn dogs.Alex insists Steve has to try the lemonade you trail behind them, watching Steve crouch down to Alexâs level, listening like every word matters.
It does
At one point Alex tugs on Steveâs sleeveâDo you get scared on rides?â
Steve raises an eyebrowâMe? neverâ
Alex grins wickedlyâGood because mom doesâ
You glare at your sonâI do notâ
Steveâs smile turns playfulâOh?guess weâll have to test thatâ
Before you can protest, Alex is dragging both of you toward the Ferris wheel.
The seat rocks slightly as it lifts Alex sits between you at first, feet swinging.Steveâs knee brushes yours when the wheel stops briefly at the top
Alex gaspsâWhoaâ
Steve leans forwardâPretty cool huh?â
Alex nods, then looks between you. âIâm hungryâ
 âYou just ateâ you say
âBut I want cotton candy,â he insistsâIâm gonna get someâ
The attendant doesnât wait for your response before opening the gate at the bottom
Alex hops out and the wheel starts moving again
You freeze. âSteveâ
âItâs okay,âhe says quickly.âweâll be down in a minuteâ
The seat sways gently and suddenly the space feels smaller now
Steve clears his throatâSo this is nice view, isn't itâ
You smileâIt isâ
Below you Hawkins glows normal alive.
Steve glances at youâAlexâs a great kidâ your chest tightensâHe isâ
Thereâs a pause then softerâYouâre doing a good jobâ
The words hit harder than you expect âthank youâyou say quietly
The wheel slows stops
Alex is waiting at the gate,cotton candy already stuck to his finger
âYou guys were gone foreverâ he says suspiciously,Steve laughsâTime works different up thereâ
You cross your arms,giving him a pointed lookâAlex no more running off got it?âHe nods quickly, a sheepish grin on his faceâOkay i wonâtâ
Later,as fireworks crackle overhead Alex leans sleepily against Steveâs side without thinking about it.
 Steve stiffens then relaxes,his hand comes up instinctively steadying Alex
You watch it happen,the way Steve doesnât even question it
Steve looks at you a little surprised himselfâHope thatâs okayâ
You smile softlyâIt isâ
Alex yawnsâCoach Steve?â
âYeah buddy?â
âCan you come again next time?âSteve glances at you,this time you donât hesitate
âYeahâ you sayâi think he canâ
Steve smiles slow real
And accidentally something settles into place.
It happens on a Tuesday those are always the worst
The bleachers are warm from the sun wood creaking beneath you as you shift your weight,Alex is on the field,helmet slightly crooked laughing too loud as he runs for first base
Youâre folding and unfolding a piece of paper in your hands when you see him
You recognize the walk before the face
Your chest tightens
Alexâs father stands near the fence, arms crossed cigarette burning between his fingers like he owns the place
You hadnât known he was back in Hawkins âAlex!â he calls,your stomach drops
Steve notices immediately,not because you say anything but because your posture changes the way your shoulders draw in,the way your eyes stop following the game
He jogs over casual but alertâEverything okay?â
You nod too quickly,âYeahâ
But your ex is already walking closer
âYou didnât think Iâd find out?â he says quietlyâbringing my kid back here like thatâ
You standâThis isnât the timeâ
âYou donât get to decide thatâhe snapsâyou donât get to decide anything anymoreâ
Steve steps between you before you even realize heâs moved âThis is a kidâs practiceâ Steve says evenlyâYou need to leaveâ
Your ex laughsâWho the hell are you?â
âThe coachâSteve repliesâAnd the guy telling you to back offâ
âThis isnât your businessâ
Steve doesnât raise his voice doesnât puff his chestâShe said noâhe says simplyâThat makes it my businessâ
Your ex scoffs, glancing at youâAlways hiding behind someoneâ
Steve shifts just enough that youâre fully behind him now âSheâs not hidingâ he saysâSheâs protecting her kidâ
Thereâs a long, ugly silence,then your ex flicks his cigarette to the dirtâThis isnât overâ
Steve doesnât blink. âIt is today.â
Your ex turns and walks away the field feels quieter after.
Your knees wobble the second heâs gone Steve turns around immediatelyâHeyâ
You shake your head eyes burningâI hate that he can still show up and make everything feel like it used toâ
Steveâs voice softensâThat doesnât mean he still has powerâ
You laugh weaklyâFeels like itâ
He hesitates then rests a hand lightly on your arm groundingâYou leftâhe saysâyou came back for Alex, thatâs strengthâ
your breath catchesâI donât always feel strongâ you admit
he nodsâMe neitherâ
Alex runs up a moment later helmet under his armâCoach Steve!did you see my hit?â
Steve smiles immediatelyâBest one todayâ
Alex beams, then looks at youâMom?â
You wipe your eyes quickly âIâm okayâSteve watches you like he knows itâs not entirely true but also knows you will be
and for the first time in a long time,you donât feel alone standing there.
Itâs later that night
Hawkins is quiet in that heavy way it gets after sunset, when the cicadas take over and the air finally cools.Youâre sitting on your porch steps knees drawn in,watching Alex sleep through the open window
you noticed the car pull up headlights cutting through the twilight Steve stepped out, stretching for a moment before walking up the walkway and pausing at the bottom of the steps.
he hesitates there before sitting beside you.
âYou didnât have to comeâyou say softly
âI knowâhe repliesâi wanted toâ
thereâs a long stretch of silence the good kind,the kind that lets things settle
Steve rubs his palms together once nervous
âI keep thinking about earlierâ he saysâAbout himâ
your shoulders tense automaticallyâIâm sorry you had to see thatâ you murmur
he shakes his headâ It's okay,it's not your fault he came, don't apologizeâ
You glance at him
âI mean i hate that it happenedâ he corrects himselfâbut I'm glad I was there to help youâ
you put your hands in your lap âsorry I forgot to thank you for that in shock thank you so much it means a lot to meâ
the porch light hums quietly above you
âI donât usually get involvedâSteve continuesâNot like that i learned a long time ago that caring too much⊠kinda wrecks youâ
your chest tightens
âSo why did you?â you ask,he doesnât answer right away
then, quietlyâBecause when i saw him talking to you like that, something in me snappedâ
you swallow
âI didnât thinkâ Steve admitsâi just knew he didnât get to scare you not anymoreâ
you look down at your handsâI donât want you dragged into my messâ
Steve turns toward you fully âItâs not a messâhe saysâitâs your lifeâ
He exhales slowlyâAnd I care about you,about Alexâ
The words hang between you
âI care more than a coach shouldâ he adds almost apologeticâmore than i meant toâ
your heart pounds
âSteveâŠâ
âIâm not asking for anythingâ he says quicklyâI just needed you to know in case you thought I stepped in because I felt obligatedâ
you shake your headâI didnât think thatâ
he smiles faintlyâGoodâ
another pause
then he says, softerâYou make Hawkins feel different,like staying here actually means somethingâ
emotion swells in your chest sudden and sharp
you lean closer without thinking, your shoulder brushing his âThank youâyou whisper âfor being there for⊠seeing meâ
Steveâs voice dropsâAlwaysâ
through the window, Alex shifts in his sleep Steve glances up, then back at youâHeâs a good kidâ
you smileâYeah he isâ
Steve hesitates then admits the restâI could get used to thisâhe says quietlyâus even if itâs just⊠sitting hereâ
You meet his eyes
âSo could iâ
he smiles soft hopeful a little scared
and for the first time since you came back to Hawkins
it feels like something real is starting.
The porch feels smaller now not crowded, just full of words said and words waiting
Steve looks at you like heâs afraid heâs already said too much,âI shouldnât have dumped that on youâhe murmursâi justâ
âSteveâyou interrupt him gently
he stops, and his eyes find yours soft and tentative lingering a moment too long,like heâs hoping youâll stay close and maybe a little closer than usual
you take a breath slow and steady, like youâre bracing yourself for a wave you already see coming
âI need to say something tooâ you say
his jaw tightens not in fear but anticipation
âIâve been trying not toâ you admitâbecause my life hasnât exactly been⊠simple and Alex always comes firstâ
âI knowâ you repeat softerâthatâs not what scares meâ
you look down at your hands then back up at him
âWhat scares meâyou continueâis how safe I feel around youâ
Steveâs breath catches
âI didnât plan for itâ you say quietlyâi didnât want to need anyone but you show up you stay calm you make Alex laugh and when you stood between me and him todayâŠâ
your voice wavers
âI realized i already care a lotâ
Steve doesnât move doesnât interrupt like he knows this moment matters too much
âI feel something for youâ you sayâi just didnât know if I was allowed toâ
he swallowsâyou areâ
the words are simple
they undo you anyway
You laugh softly breath shakingâI donât want to rush anythingâ
âI wonâtâ Steve promisesâi swearâ
the silence that follows isnât awkward
itâs charged
your shoulder brushes his again,this time neither of you pulls away
Steveâs voice dropsâCan IâŠ?â
you donât let him finish you lean in first
the kiss is gentle careful like youâre both learning the shape of something new,Steve freezes for half a second then his hand comes up to your jaw, thumb warm against your cheek
He kisses you back slowly no hunger no urgency just relief
when you pull away, your foreheads rest together breaths mingling
Steve laughs quietly, almost in disbeliefâOkayâ
you smileâOkay?â
âYeahâhe saysâThat was yeahâyou laugh tears threatening again
from insidea floorboard creaks you both freeze
Steve whispersâIf Alex walks out right nowâ
âHe willâ you whisper back
right on cue, Alexâs sleepy voice drifts from the doorwayâMom?â
you pull back just enoughâHey babyâ
Alex squints at the two of you, then yawnsâCoach Steve?â
Alex nods once satisfiedâOkayâ
and just like that he turns and shuffles back inside
you and Steve stare at each other then you both start laughing quietly, shoulders shaking
Steve wipes your eyesâGuess thatâs his approvalâ
you lean back against him heart full
youâd known somehow  that Alex had been trying to get you two together and now, seeing this you realize he actually did
âguess soâyou murmur
the porch light hums Hawkins sleepsand with him beside you the world doesnât seem so big anymore.
It happens by accident that feels right somehow
Steveâs kneeling in the driveway trying to fix Alexâs bike for the third time because the chain keeps slipping,his sleeves are rolled up, hair a mess and grease on his hands
Alex hovers nearby, impatient âSteveâhe saysâyouâre doing it wrongâ
Steve snortsâHey i am doing my best buddyâ
Alex sighs dramatically, then looks toward the house
âMomâhe callsâdad says the bikeâs broken againâ
The world stops Steve freezes
the wrench slips from his hand and clatters onto the concrete
you step out onto the porch slowly, heart already pounding because you heard it too
Alex blinks and looks between the two of you
âOhâhe saysâwas that not-â
Steve swallows hard eyes shiny in a way that makes your chest ache âAlexâ he says gentlyâyou donât have toâ
âI want toâAlex interrupts suddenly seriousâyou stay,you help, you come to my games and help me to improve,you make pancakesâ
Steve laughs weakly. âThatâs a pretty strong argumentâ
Alex nodsâSo dad?â
Steve looks at you then not asking just checking
you nod tears in your eyesâIf thatâs what you wantâ
Steve exhales like something heavy finally leaves his chest he pulls Alex into a hug careful but fierce
âYeahâ he whispersâIâd really like thatâ
Alex hugs him back just as tightâOkay dadâ
You watch them from the porch, one hand over your heart knowing absolutely knowing
Steveâs arms are still wrapped around Alex when you realize it
This isnât fragile this isnât temporary,this is your life
you lean against the porch railing, watching them laugh over the bike like itâs the most important thing in the world Steve listens Alex talks,neither of them is going anywhere
for the first time in a long time, your chest doesnât feel tight It feels full
you used to think love had to be loud complicated something you fought for
but this?this is quiet steady safe
you have a child who trusts you a man who chooses you home filled with love and small moments that add up to something real
Steve looks up and catches you watching he smiles soft,warm, yours
âCome hereâ he says
you step off the porch and walk over to them Alex padding along beside you,grinning up at Steve
Steve cups your face gently, forehead resting against yoursâYou happy?â
âYeahâ you sayâi really amâ
he kisses you slow and certain
You finally have what you always wanted not perfection not a fairytale
But love that stays a family that chose each other and a life that feels like it finally belongs to you
moving back to HawkinsâŠit wasnât so bad after all
The apartment felt warmer than usual.Not because of the heater it was the laughter, the shoes kicked off by the door, the familiar noise filling the space like it belonged there.
Giselle was already curled up on the couch, phone in hand, scrolling through something she absolutely had to show everyone"Wait, wait,â she said, laughing. âyou have to see this.â
Yujin dropped down next to her, legs crossed on the floor, drink balanced carefully in her hands. âIf itâs another video of a dog doing something illegal, I swearâ
âIt is,â Giselle grinned. âbut this oneâs personal"
Renjun hovered near the window, poking at one of your plants. âYou water these too much,â he commented casually. âtheyâre stressed.â
âTheyâre thriving,â you shot back, smiling as you handed Chenle a plate of snacks.
Chenle immediately started eating no hesitation. âBest host award,â he said around a mouthful. âas always.â
you leaned against the counter, watching them all settle in like it was second nature. No awkwardness no performing just comfort.
âThis place suits you,â Yujin said suddenly, glancing around. âFeels⊠very you.âYou shrugged. âQuiet small mine.â
Giselle looked up from her phone, eyes narrowing slightly. âYou say that like itâs new.
âMaybe it is,â you replied.
Renjun turned, catching the tone shift instantly. âSomething happen?âYou hesitated for half a second then shook your head.
âNothing bad. Just⊠familiar things coming back.â
They didnât push they never did.Instead, Chenle reached for the aux cord. âOkay but whatâs the vibe? Sad girl autumn or delusional main character?â
âNeither,â you said. âJust⊠normal.â
Giselle smiled softly. âNormal can still mean something.â
Music filled the room soft easy,the kind that didnât demand attention.You sank onto the couch between them, shoulders relaxing.For the first time all day, your phone was left face down on the table.