Any and everything I write is self indulgent. I'm probably writing for whatever I'm hyper fixating on. I also just started writing so bear with me. I am STEM person outside of all of this.
I try my best to proofread but I'm dyslexic so plz keep in mind when reading anything I post
❤︎.* Masterlist
❤︎.* Talk to me! (I want to hear any and everything!)
❤︎.* Currently working on: Pope Cody smau and Steve Harrington "on your side"
None of the boys are answering you. One of them, maybe two of them, not answering isn't unusual but all three? That's never happened. You have an uneasy feeling about it, but they haven't let you down yet.
You check your phone every couple minutes, and nothing. You don't know what's going on with them. You continue with your bar shift, trying not to think about what the Cody boys are up to.
Salvador leaves early that night. Leaving you and Mike to close up. Everything goes smoothly. There's no other cars outside the bar besides yours and Mikes.
When you are driving home you don't notice the red car that is following a couple cars behind you.
You are getting out of you car at your apartment, you feel someone looking at you. Its an uneasy feeling. You're movement slow.
It's almost like you can feel the presence creeping closer to you. Your breath quickens, and your can feel your heart rate start to pick up. As the foot steps get closer the panic starts to set in.
You start to walk towards your apartment. Hoping that the foot steps will disappear, but they don't. Before you get to the steps up to your apartment you stop.
You don't know what's gotten into you. You should have just ran not confront him. When you stop you turn around and are met with the weird guy from the bar. You stare at him, not breaking eye contact.
"You need to leave." You say with the most authority you can muster.
"Come on pretty girl." When you hear his voice it send shivers under your skin. "Don't be like this."
"Leave" you demand.
"Listen you bitch," He grabs your wrist at his words. As much as you wish you didn't, you freeze.
As fast as you freeze, you act. You bring your fist to his cheek with all the force you can muster. He looks shocked at your actions, and you take the moment to deliver a weak upper cut with your non-dominant hand. Very quickly you bring your knee straight up to his crouch.
You have a brief moment where you think you can beat him. You are quickly met with the realization you can't. He overtakes you. A quick punch to the face, leaves you having a hard time breathing through your nose. You can feel the blood start to flow from your nose and the taste the iron in your mouth. He brings his hands to your neck and chokes you. Bringing you down to the ground. Your head smacking against the gravel. He's stronger than you.
You are fighting to get his hands off your neck. Clawing at the hands wrapped around your neck. Struggling to breathe as this man is on top of you.
You think you are about to pass from the oxygen loss when the hands are removed from your neck. You take a deep breaths, consuming as much oxygen as you can. You don't know why or how but he's off your neck.
When you can look up fully you see Pope Cody beating the ever loving shit out of that man.
The man is barely breathing when Pope walks over to you.
"Are you okay?" His gruff voice meets your ears.
You nod your head when he ask, unable to trust your voice. He practically picks you up off the ground.
"You're bleeding." Is all he says in response.
"I'm fine." You're trying your best to to walk into your apartment by yourself. The lack of air and blow to head is getting to you.
"No you're not." Pope says as you walk up the stairs to your apartment.
It takes way longer that it should, your steps are slow. You finally make it to your apartment. When you open the door you immediately ask Pope to come in.
"Do you want to come in?" When you ask he just stares at you in response.
"Please." When he doesn't answer you can't help but ask again. You're voice is weak when you talk.
"Okay." Is all he says as he walks into your place. "You're hurt."
"I'm okay" you say in response. You are downplaying the hit to your head, and the soreness around your throat.
"No your not. Go to the bathroom." He doesn't give you a choice, he guides you to the bathroom.
You sit while Pope cleans you up. His strong hands on your body is a contrast to the weakness you feel.
"Pope's not your real name is it." You can't help but ask while he cleans you up. You've wondered for a while but have never asked till now. "What is it?" You don't really expect him to answer. There's a long pause as he is deciding whether or not to tell you.
"Andrew. Andrew Cody." He says with almost no emotion, but his eyes are softer than usual. He continues to patch you up. You can feel the weight of what his words by the way he talks.
"Andrew…I like that." You look into his eyes.
"You need to sleep." When those words leave his mouth you can't help but comply. You nod agreeing to his words. He walks you to your bed. You lay down as he tucks you in. You can tell that he's going about to leave after your in bed.
"Andrew." His eyes meet yours at your words, his face softening just a little bit at his name. "Can you stay… I- I don't want to be alone." He gives you a little nod and sits on the floor in front of you. Almost like a guard dog. Still having the waning adrenaline is in your body. You reach your hand down to touch his shoulder gently. At first he stiffens under your touch but slowly softens. You start to move your thumb to barely rub his shoulder. After a couple of minutes, he brings his hand to hold yours. You fall asleep holding with him down at your side and holding your hand.
When you wake up the next morning, he's already gone.
A/N: Pope being a guard dog for the people he cares about is everything to me.
You had been walking around downtown for a little bit now. It didn't take long to notice the bright red car that was always within a block or 2 of you. At first you thought it was Pope again just sussing you out again, but the more you thought about it you'd never seen that car around the Cody's house.
When you texted him and he confirmed it wasn't, you suddenly became aware of every action happening around you. You waited for him to show up while maintaining the facade of nonchalance. Your heart rate was spiking through it all. You never thought that guy from bar would become dangerous. Weird, and creepy, yeah. But actually stalking you, that didn't cross your mind. Men are weird all the time you didn't think it would go this far. You notice the slight shake in your hand as you look down at your phone.
"Hey" you practically jump out of your skin as you hear the voice and hand touch your shoulder. You calm down when you look and see it's Pope.
"Hi." Your voice is quieter than usual when you talk. You don't know if it's because you'd just been followed by a strange man or if it's Pope hand on you.
"I'll take you home." His hand falls to the small of your back to guide you out of the store. You don't even remember what you wanted to buy at this point.
"Thank you." It's barely above a whisper but he still hears it. His hand is so warm on your back.
The entire car ride is silent. It's never awkward though and it's comfortable. You never even say your address but it doesn't phase you.
A/N: Pope my knight in shining jeans that are tight, more to come on him getting protective. And yes the car is bright red cause 2 of my ex’s were.
A/N: The sweetest thing is when a kid draws you something. I still have drawings from kids I watched years ago. Reader is def keeping Lena's and one day Pope will find it and that's when he proposes.
Summary: It's summer, and you're back from camp. You go to visit your now friend at his summer job and are yet again getting roped into another scheme you didn't start. (wc 2.8k)
Content: Slow burn, Childhood friends to strangers to lovers, Canon violence, Use of y/n, oblivious yearning
A/N: This chapter is shorter than usual because I wanted to separate them closer to the way the episodes. It does make it easier for me, but I'm excited to get to season 3
Summer 1985
It’s your last summer at camp. As a counselor you tried your best to get Max to join this summer. You knew it was a long shot. So you weren’t surprised when she instantly shut you down. You didn’t even bother asking Hopper about El, you knew he would never let that happen. Counselors have to be here the week before and after campers leave. Luckily for you, Dustin summer camp runs behind yours. Growing up, it was annoying for you mom. Trying to find childcare and such. Now it is almost perfect timing to have both of you home at the same time.
Unfortunately now for your mom, you return home a day later than your brother this year. She has to take time out of work to pick him up and drop him off at home.
When you get home from camp you are met with an empty house. Tews is all you are greeted with. Her little footsteps and headbutts are all you have. You are glad your mom got another cat after Mews. She loved Mews, and you are glad she's able to put that same affection into Tews. Your not the biggest fan of the name but Dustin was so proud when he came up with it.
Steve has sent you letters all during camp, much to your surprise. When you were younger it was the norm for you two, but now, you figured he’d forget about it. The first letter you got threw you off. You had no idea he would even remember the name of your camp, let alone the address. Even though you’ve made amends you weren't expecting anything. As the days went on, and the letters continued, it reminded you of how things were growing up. All the letters talking about his day, no matter how boring.
So when you get home and are greeted by the silence and Tews, he is the first person you think of. Ever since prom night, you both have put your best effort towards rebuilding your friendship. It’s not what it used to be, but neither are you guys.
So of course your first thought is to visit him at his first job that he was so excited to tell you about. You also figure that where Steve is, Dustin will be close by. When you show up to scoops ahoy, you are met with a girl who is only a little younger than you. You recognize her from school. Only seeing her in the band and in the halls. You read her nametag, ‘Robin’.
“Is Steve or Dustin here?” Is all you ask.
“STEVE” is all she yells before she goes back to the back room behind the partition. You hear mindless squabbles. You wait there for any one to come out.
After way too long you finally see Steve walk out. You can’t help but laugh at his uniform. He had told you about how ridiculous it was but seeing it in person was a whole other beast.
“Ahoy sailor.” Is all you have to say at the sight of him, in a fit of giggles.
“Ha ha” His face scrunching up in sarcasm
You end up talking about both of your summers, not even remembering to ask if he’d seen Dustin. Throughout your conversation you slowly made your way behind the counter. Making yourself comfortable while he works. You’ve missed this, mindless chatting, like it’s the easiest thing ever. Even though you've lost time, you still just fit together.
You had been there for a while talking to Steve when Max and El show up. You are a little surprised to see the two of them hanging out, and friendly with each other. It’s not like they hated each other, but there was always a certain tension between them. You’re glad to see the two of them get along. You move away from the counter you were leaning against to go greet them.
“I didn’t know you were back from camp yet.” Max lets you know as you pull her in for a little hug. She is reluctant but still hugs you back.
“I just got back today.” You are still in your camp shirt that says ‘staff’ on the back. You didn’t bother changing before coming to the mall.
After you let Max go you pull El into a quick side hug. You aren’t as close with her. Hopper has a tight grasp on her life. Not that you can blame him. You have made your best effort to help her be a normal teenager.
“What are you guys up to?” You ask before Steve goes back to his job.
"Shopping." Is all that you get in response.
He is just now getting them their ice cream after talking to Robin. After he has handed over it dawns on you how odd it is that El is even at the mall.
“Does Hopper know you're here?” When you say that all you get in response are the girls exchanging a knowing look and giggles, before they run away. You are left with more questions than answers. You look over at Steve for some reassurance and his face matches the confusion on yours. Both of you not quite sure what they are up to.
“What did Robin want?” You didn’t really hear any of their conversion and she has been in the back room for a while now.
“Oh she was translating a sentence.” He can see the confused look on your face as soon as he says that. He is hit with the realization that you haven’t been told about the Russian message. He even failed to mention that your brother was here.
He gives the run down about all the Russian secret code and about everything that Dustin has told him.
“Wait, girlfriend?” When you ask that Steve gives you a nod before you finally go into the back room to confront Dustin. Both Dustin and Robin stop in any movement they had, instead looking at you. Freezing like a kids getting caught sneaking from the cookie jars.
“Y/N, your back…” Is all Dustin has to say as you walk in.
Your eyes narrow as you look at him. Taking in his guilty expression and tone of voice.
“What are you doing?” You say with the most authority you can conjure. Part of it is just for show, you're not upset with. Mostly just wanting to mess with him. He immediately breaks and tells you everything that Steve already told you, and more. He goes into more detail than you even need. Feeling the need to add that his ‘girlfriend’ is hotter than Phoebe Cates, and something about kissing and teeth. You do your best to ignore the last part.
“Dust, have you considered that, maybe, it’s just a Russian refugee and not from actual Russia?” You don’t doubt his skills in building a high power radio, but more that any serious Russian entity would simply broadcast important messages like that.
“No, it can’t be that. It was the same words repeated systematically. No way, that's just a refugee.” He counters. He continues about how you all will be ‘American Heroes’ if you solve this. You have nothing better to do, so you give in and start to help them translate. You know he will be disappointed with the results but why not let him have a little hope.
After hours of work you finally have a translation for the entire phrase. The mall is closed at this point. The four of you have to be the only ones here besides any security guards. What you have is underwhelming to say the least, just nonsense.
The three of them argue about how all of this is a secret transmission for ‘Evil Russians’. You aren’t quite sure about that. People say stupid stuff all the time when talking to their friends. Yes Robin claims her translation is 100% correct, there's no way to know that without having an actual Russian speaker. You are skeptical about all of this to say the least.
You are following Robin and Dustin when you realize that Steve is no longer walking besides you. When the two of them also realize that, you all look back and see him fumbling around with his pockets and a mechanical horse. He is asking for a quarter from anyone. For some reason all of Robin’s teasing towards him is rubbing you the wrong way. He is bent down by the horse while it plays its song. He looks at you all like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. You're not sure what he is getting at.
After a couple of seconds Dustin is on his side. Talking about the music as he digs through his bag. When he plays the tape, you are surprised that the music lines up perfectly.
You were right that the message didn’t come from Russia, but wrong in that it was probably a harmless message between friends. It came from here. Like here here. Hawkins Indiana, specifically Starcourt mall.
After that realization, it’s a quiet walk to the parking lot. Digesting all the information. Robin says her goodbyes as she gets to her bike. Steve walks you and Dustin to your car.
“Back from camp and instantly in another problem.” Steve is on your side of the car when he starts.
“I’m going to blame you for encouraging Dustin.” You counter. Dustin is already in the car when you continue the conversation. You start to lean against the car door while you talk.
“To be fair he came to me.” He argues, but in a calm voice. Still relaxed as he stands in front of you.
“Yeah but you followed.” You counter.
“You say no to him.” You can tell that Dustin exhausts him.
“I have…A lot.” You say it as a fact because it is. You have said no to Dustin more than you can count. Dustin's tricks don't work on you, well most of them.
“...I’m glad you’re back.” There is a slight pause in your conversation before he says that. Almost as if he was considering if he really wanted to say that.
“Me too.” You are. You emphasis your point by giving him a light shove on the arm. It is surprising how much you’ve missed him… and the kids.
“Drive safe.” Steve says as he looks down at you. His eye contact is intense, but you find that you don’t hate it.
“I will. Get home safe okay?” You reply softly. He gives you a little nod in response. When you go to open your car door he starts to walk away. When you are fully in your car, you look over to your brother.
“So, you and Suzie?” Is all you ask as you look at him with a quirk in your eyebrow. You let a smirk cross your lips.
All you get in response is an eye roll and him telling you to take you both home. The lack of a response is a response itself.
· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·
The next day you and Robin are at scoops re-listening to the tape, while the boys are off spying with binoculars around the mall. You are sitting on the back counter, and Robin is slinging ice cream.
"So how do you and Dustin know Steve." She asks you.
"Oh, we grew up together." You answer.
"I never saw you with around him school. You were in all the smart classes and he's…well he's Steve."
"Yeah, it was…complicated for a little bit." That is putting it lightly. You are wanting the boys to get back. It's not that you don't like Robin, it just awkward right now. Dustin already likes her so you know that it will just take getting to know her. You go back to the translation to hopefully end this conversation.
You and Robin are both back at the task on hand. Taking turns listening to the tape going back and forth with the notebook. You get into a nice rhythm, only really talking when necessary, when there is a knock on the back door of the shop. Robin silently climbs through the partition to get the delivery.
A couple seconds of later she comes running back to the front.
"Silver cat" She says looking at you, making intense eye contact.
"Silver cat?" You reply very confused
"Silver cat." She states again before running out of the store front. You are left standing there even more confused. Conveniently Steve and Dustin walk in bickering about something.
"Where's she going?" Steve ask you.
"Silver cat." You simply respond walking to where Robin is, the boys following behind you.
"Robin?" You ask, hoping for some clarity.
"I cracked it. I cracked the code." She responses. You can't believe it. That all that passing the tape back and forth actually did something.
You all walk back to scoops as she explains what every line in the code means. You're taking in all this information. That there are Russians running starcourt? Is that what this means? Why would Russians be here? You are left with more questions than answers.
So the four of you devise a plan to gather more intel. You argue with Dustin about him coming but he insist.
"Without me you wouldn't even know the code existed." That's his main point, and well he's right. There is only so much pull you have with him as he's getting older.
You both stay till close. Patiently waiting for the mall to close. Dustin is up front with Robin while she works, pestering her with questions. You and Steve are in the back, sitting at the table.
"So, you and Robin…?" You ask him, quirking an eyebrow at him.
"What? Me and Robin what?" He is almost offend at the question.
"I don't know…girl your age, pretty, spending a lot of time with her." You can't make eye contact when you say it. You don't know why either. It's a simple question you asked.
"That's crazy. You know my type and she is not my type." You can feel his eyes on you when he talks, forcing you to look up.
"Okay but what does type matter if you like them." You can feel your eyebrow furrow as you explain. You would have thought he would be past these sociality categories, that are ultimately meaningless.
"I don't like her like that… Do you think I should like her like that?" His voice picks up a little at the end of the question.
"Without me you wouldn't even know the code existed." That's his main point, and well he's right. There is only so much pull you have with him as he's getting older.
You both stay till close. Patiently waiting for the mall to close. Dustin is up front with Robin while she works, pestering her with questions. You and Steve are in the back, sitting at the table.
"So, you and Robin…?" You ask him, quirking an eyebrow at him.
"What? Me and Robin what?" He is almost offend at the question.
"I don't know…girl your age, pretty, spending a lot of time with her." You can't make eye contact when you say it. You don't know why either. It's a simple question you asked.
"That's crazy. You know my type and she is not my type." You can feel his eyes on you when he talks, forcing you to look up.
"Okay but what does type matter if you like her." You can feel your eyebrow furrow as you explain. You would have thought he would be past these sociality categories, that are ultimately meaningless.
"I don't like her like that." There a pause in his words before he speaks again. "Do you think I should like her like that?" His voice picks up a little at the end of the question.
"No no, I'm just asking cause i know you've been lonely since you broke up with Nancy." You can feel the slight warmness start to reach your cheeks talking about this.
"Yeah but that was before you came back around. Now I spend all my time with you and Dustin. I wouldn't even have time for a girlfriend, especially with work." He is basically blowing off the topic.
The rest of time is spent with Robin and Steve switching who takes the front and who gets to be in the back. Around close you can hear it start to rain.
Its pouring rain when you are all outside on the roof. You should have watched the weather forecast for today. You didn't bring any sort of jacket. Very fortunate for you Steve insisted on you taking his. You feel bad as you see him in just in uniform getting absolutely soaked. You don't know how much the jacket is helping with how hard it's raining. You really didn't think it would get this bad when you first heard it.
Dustin is describing everything he can see through the binoculars. There are many men armed with guns, moving boxes with mysterious contents. There is a laundry list of things that could be in the boxes and you hate all of them.
When they open a giant door, Steve tries to take the binoculars from Dustin. They may not be brothers but they sure do fight like ones. You're about to take the binoculars away from the two when they drop them. The sound of the them hitting the metal feels like its the loudest thing you've every heard. Every instantly drops to their backs, hiding from the men below. Your heart is pounding through your chest.
When you look to check on Dustin, the pounding in chest drops. You know you asked earlier about them but seeing Steve and Robin grab hands makes you feel a way you don't like. Right now you don't have time to dissect that feeling, you chalk it up to the fear. It's only a couple of seconds before you all are moving faster than you have ever. it feels like you get out in time by the skin of your teeth.
When you get into the back into the mall you feel like you can breath. Your freezing and wet and confused. About the Russians, and about Steve and Robin. The warmth from his jacket is long gone, just leaving you cold as you walk.
Lena is coloring at the coffee table while you sit on the couch watching her. You've surprisingly liked being with her today. You actually won't mind babysitting her again. You hear someone start to unlock the front door. You stand up when the door starts to open.
"Uncle Pope!" Lena says as she runs to hug him. He silently hugs her back. It's the sweetest thing. You walk over to properly introduce yourself.
"Hi I'm-" Pope cuts you off as you talk.
"I know." You feel awkward when he interrupts you as you have your hand stretched out to shake his. He just looks down at your hand. You slowly pull in back down in embarrassment.
"Okay. Well I better get going. Thank you for coming to take over." You go over to gather your bag and stuff to head out. You can feel Pope's intense stare on you the entire time.
"And thank you Lena for hanging out with me today!" You say as you bend down to give her a little hug. His eyes never leaving you, following your movement.
A/N: more pope to come, I have something cute cooked up for later
✿ After working at your best friend Deran's bar for while, you are finally asked to meet the rest of his family. Craig and Deran are your go to for anything. You get to know more of the family, and it ends up saving your life ✿
✿ Content: Not even close to canon, sexual innuendos, stalking, description of physical violence, age gap (not specified), Deran is out in this
