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⊹ ࣪ ˖ steve harrington/djo, mike wheeler, billy hargrove ⊹ ࣪ ˖
i write strictly x readers in the second person. please keep in mind, i'm a new writer and be nice!
contents/warnings: fem!reader, slow burn, yearning, angst angst angst!, violence (classic st stuff here), talk of injuries, scared steve, fluff, tension, gore, blood, major injury (reader), cliffhanger kinda:)
wc: 4.9K
a/n: wowza! this one took me a while too, seems like i have created a schedule for myself. i call it "taking way longer to write these parts than it should". this one is a little gorier and angsty than the others, keep that in mind here. i'd say maybe one more part but who knows, i said that last time! enjoy:)
part 1 - part 2
Your eyes flickered while trying to keep them open, pain coursing through your body. Everything hurt, you could feel every bone, muscle, and joint. You knew that if your eyes closed, they might not open again. You peered at each of the people crouching around you, taking in their features, but your eyes landed solidly on one person. Steve. He was crouched in front of you, close enough that you could see every line in his face. The crease between his brows that never quite smoothed out. The split skin on his knuckle, still red. A smear of dirt along his jaw he hadn't noticed yet. The softness in his dark brown eyes.
You forced your eyes to stay open, blinking slowly, deliberately. Steve was talking in short sentences, clipped and steady but you couldn't track what he was saying. Instead, you cataloged him. The way his chest rose too fast. How his jaw kept tightening like he was bracing for a hit that hadn't come yet.
His eyes met yours and something sharp flickered there. Fear, or maybe guilt. It made your throat tighten. You didn't know why that part mattered more than the rest.
"Hey," he said, quieter now, like he was afraid to startle you. "Don't close your eyes."
You almost laughed. If only he knew. Dustin pressed harder at your side and you gasped, fingers curling into the fabric of Steve’s jacket without thinking. Steve didn't pull away. He shifted closer instead, blocking your view of the bus windows.
"You're gonna be okay," he said, trying to convince himself. "Just stay with us." You nodded, barely. Your gaze drifted again, his mouth when he swallowed, the mole near his mouth that you'd never looked at long enough to notice before. It felt important now. All of it did.
Dustin glanced between Steve and your gaze on him that stuck for just a minute too long. He didn't dwell on it though, too focused on the fact that you were bleeding out.
"We have to get her to the hospital," Dustin spoke rapidly. "Like now."
You shifted your gaze to him, it was like everyone was talking in slow motion, or maybe like they were underwater. You couldn't fully make out what they were saying but you knew it had to do with you.
They all began to move swiftly, grabbing their bags and weapons. Dustin got up from next to you and started riffling through his backpack, dumping everything out on the grimy floor of the bus. He grabbed a small, lone, gauze pad that must've been sitting in the bottom of that bag for months, a last resort. Now was time for the last resort. As he moved back towards you, Steve stopped him.
"Let me do it." He spoke quietly, one hand planted on Dustin's shoulder and the other outreached for the gauze pad. Dustin stared at him, confusion lacing his eyes.
"What? Why?" He spat out. It wasn't meant to be rude, but more concerned, nervous.
"I have experience patching myself up, let me do it." He spoke again, more demanding this time. He grabbed the gauze out of Dustin's hand softly, as if to tell him not to worry.
Your eyes were starting to feel heavier, blinking slower now, not because you were scared but because it was physically hard to keep them open. Steve was quick to take Dustin's spot by your side, putting the gauze patch on his leg and pulling off Dustin's sweatshirt that was now soaked in blood. You sucked in a breath through your teeth, it peeled off your side, pulling your shirt towards it and off your puncture wound. Tears poured out of your eyes, it was a new feeling, the adrenaline was wearing off and it was starting to hit you. That this might really be the end for you, because of your stupid instincts to protect someone. Steve would've been fine on his own, but you had to step in to be a hero. You weren't a hero, you were just a girl, a stupid girl. You scanned Steve's face, looking for some sort of annoyance or anger because of the idiocy of your situation, but you couldn't find it. He just looked nervous, scared, maybe even terrified.
Dustin grabbed your hand and held it tightly.
"This is probably gonna sting, or feel weird, but we have to get something on here to stop the bleeding while we get you to the hospital." Steve spoke slowly and deliberately, like he could tell you were starting to zone out. You nodded in reply, squeezing Dustin's hand a little tighter, waiting for the pain to get worse.
Steve pulled your shirt up, revealing a deep set hole in your side, where the only one of the demogorgon's talons hadn't missed. Your stomach was covered in blood, dried and new. The wound wasn't letting up and pretty soon, you were going to be out of blood to give. Steve looked into your eyes, flashing you an apologetic look before pressing the gauze hard onto your stomach. You let out a dry scream, one that would have been louder if your throat wasn't so dry.
"Lucas. Duct tape. In my backpack." Steve snapped, giving him a serious look. Lucas scrambled to his bag and grabbed out the roll of duct tape.
"This is definitely not ideal but it's what we have. Bear with me." Steve wasted no time pulling off long strips of duct tape and placing them over the sides of the gauze, holding it in place. You winced every time his hands touched your side. You wished your life wasn't on the line, in any other situation you would be nearly swooning over his hands being all over you, but there wasn't time for that.
"Okay. She's going to bleed through this pretty quick so we have to go, quickly." Dustin, Lucas, and Max stood up, ready to rush out the door. "My car is parked close, if we can get there, we can make it." Steve stood up next to you and threw on his backpack.
"Ready? It's gonna hurt and I'm sorry but we have to go." Steve spoke quietly, reaching his arms down for you. You nodded slowly and hooked an arm around his neck.
He lifted you in one swift motion and followed the kids out the door. Steve picked up a light jog, causing the pain in your side to surge through your chest and down your legs. You gasped and gripped onto Steve's jacket, leaning your head into him. He tightened his grip on you and caught a quick glance down at you, making sure you were still awake.
"It's gonna be okay, just another minute. You're gonna be okay." Steve sucked in a deep breath while reassuring you. You could tell by the shaking in his voice that he was scared, he was scared for your life.
When you arrived at Steve's car, you all piled in. Steve set you in the backseat gently, next Dustin and Lucas.
"You have to keep pressure on it, so she doesn't bleed out." He spoke strictly, closing the door and hopping in the driver's seat.
While sitting in the back of the car your consciousness started to come and go. Your vision started to get hazy and your brain felt fuzzy, like someone hard shaken you around a bunch.
"Easy, easy," Dustin said, even though he wasn’t the one driving. He was wedged beside you in the backseat, one hand pressed tight against your ribs, the gauze already soaking through. "She's still bleeding."
"I know," Steve snapped from the front. Not angry, but strained. His hands tightened on the steering wheel. "I'm trying."
Lucas was on your other side, arm braced next to you to keep you upright. "Hey," he said quietly. "Stay with us, okay?"
You nodded, or at least you thought you did. Your head felt too heavy to be sure.
The world started to blur again, not all at once, just at the edges. The road noise dulled and the sound of the engine stretched and warped like it was coming from somewhere far away. You focused on breathing, counting each one like it mattered more than anything else.
Your gaze drifted forward, past Max in the passenger seat, to Steve's reflection in the rearview mirror.
He wasn't looking at the road like he usually did, loose, confident, one hand half off the wheel. His jaw was locked tight, eyes flicking between the winding road and the mirror like he needed to see you to keep driving straight. You forced your eyes to stay on him. The curve of his cheekbone, the faint bruise at his hairline, the way his lips pressed together every time the car hit a bump.
You were trying to memorize every little thing about him. The last time you were sitting in his car, you were angry at him. So angry, yet in this moment all you felt was guilt and regret. He carried you to the bus in an instant, bandaged you up for a second time, and ran with you tucked in his arms. He cared about you.
Your thoughts came to a halt as the darkness crept in slowly this time. Heavy, yet gentle in the worst way. Your eyes closed for just a second, feeling like a small relief to the pain coursing through your body.
"Hey- hey," Dustin said, his voice suddenly sharp. "No, no, no. Don't do that! Look at me!"
You tried. Your eyes fluttered instead.
"Steve," Dustin called, panic cracking through his words. "She's- she's fading."
"I see it," Steve said, too fast. "I see it."
The car swerved slightly before correcting. You felt it more than you saw it.
"Hey," Steve said again, louder now, like volume could reach you. "Don't you dare check out back there. You hear me?"
You wanted to answer. You really did. But the effort felt enormous, like pushing against water, sinking down farther and farther. Until, the dark closed in.
Your body felt like it was almost floating, maybe just because the pressure of pain had been taken away. Your memories flashed in your mind, fuzzy, faded, and dreamy. It almost looked like it was all recorded on film.
Dustin's seventh birthday, when he got his first toy robot, it talked to him and you had never seen him so happy in his life. Your elementary school friends, the tiny friend group playing on the swingset during recess. Dustin's elementary school graduation, him giving a speech like he was valedictorian and even though he was just chosen out of a hat, you cheered like he was. The first time you introduced Dustin and his friends to dungeons and dragons, you heard the laughter that flooded Mike's basement and the smell of dinner cooking upstairs. And the first time you ever saw Steve. The hallways were filled with people and you felt wildly overwhelmed. You could feel the tightness in your chest from that day, the fear that sat in the back of your throat. It was the first day of freshman year and you didn't have any friends. Yet, all those feelings came to a stop when you saw him. Hair falling lightly over his forehead and into his eyes, his eyes, soft and calm. He leaned against his locked, a few down from yours, like it was fate. You remember being so entranced that you leaned into your own locker and knocked half your books out of it. It made a loud crashing noise and everyone looked at you, but you were only looking at him. He didn't even notice the noise, he was too entranced by the girl he was talking to. Everything came so naturally to him and you were a mess. Yet, it never stopped you from staring, even if he never looked back. When he finally looked at you, at the party, you thought your dreams had all come true. Even through the time you were angry with him, you always had this heavy feeling somewhere in your chest. The feeling that he was the one, he was the only person that ever made you feel like that.
You came back to pain, sharp and immediate, like your body remembered it all at once.
A gasp tore out of you as your vision snapped into focus too fast, the inside of the car suddenly too close, too loud, headlights streaking past the windows in disorienting flashes.
"She’s awake," Dustin said immediately, relief crashing into his voice, and Lucas's arm tightened behind you as if to keep you from tipping forward.
Your heart raced, panic spiking before your thoughts could catch up, the sense that you'd missed something important clinging to you as you tried and failed to sit up. A hot flare ripping through your side and forcing a sharp breath from your chest.
"Don't- don't move," Dustin said quickly, hands shaking as he pressed his hand down harder, apologizing under his breath like he could undo the damage if he said it enough times.
Your gaze drifted forward without meaning to, finding Steve in the rearview mirror again, his eyes already on you, relief crossed his face so fast you almost missed it before he swallowed it down and turned back to the road, jaw tightening as if he could lock the fear away by sheer force.
"Good," he said, voice tight, gentle and steady. "Let's keep it that way." He brought a sleeve up to his face, wiping his eyes quickly, hoping you didn't catch it. But you did, you always did.
The words settled deeper than they should have, your chest tightening as you watched him grip the steering wheel like he didn't trust himself to let go, like he needed to keep moving to keep you here. You held on, to the pain, to the moment, to the image of him driving like it mattered more than anything else. Afraid that if you closed your eyes again, the dark might take something you weren't ready to lose.
The car swerved onto the street to the hospital, not just any hospital, but the one where Will was. That must've been something you missed, deciding to go there instead of the other hospital. It was under the assumption that if there were doctors who could help you without needing a made up backstory, it would be the ones at Hawkins Lab. Everyone suddenly got quiet, a weird energy washing over the entire car. Dustin's eyes widened in shock as the car slowed to a stop.
"Wha…ts going on.." You whispered out, trying to get anyone's attention. Dustin's attention quickly shifted back to you, blinking quickly.
"It- The hospital.. Something's wrong." He said back quietly.
Steve put the car in park and stepped out, a series of loud screeches and growls flooded the car when the door opened.
"Fuck. Fuck!" Steve was quick on his feet, sprinting to the security booth.
You tried to sit up again and see what was going on. You caught just the smallest glimpse of lights going out through the windows of the lab and Steve rapidly slamming buttons in the booth. The gate stayed shut and the air went thin. You were going to die in this car.
Steve came running back to the car and took the keys out of the ignition. Steve's grip tightened around the keys like he might snap them in half, as another screech echoed from somewhere beyond the gate, close enough to make Dustin flinch.
"Steve," Dustin said quietly, shaking his head, but he was already looking back at the car. Through the fogged windows, you slumped between Dustin and Lucas with the blood darker now, spreading, impossible to ignore.
"We don't have time," Steve snapped, eyes flicking once more to the entrance as more noises echoed from the lab, the sound sealing the decision. You swallowed hard, throat dry.
"Steve," you whispered, barely audible, but he heard it. He was back in the car in an instant, yanking the door open and turning to the backseat so he was level with you, his face pale and nervous under the parking lot lights.
"Hey, hey, don't talk," he said quickly. "Save it." Dustin's hands were shaking as he pressed down harder.
"She's bleeding through again," he said, panic breaking through his voice. "Steve, I can't- it isn't stopping."
Headlights cut across the lot as Steve slammed the driver's door shut, and for half a second everyone froze as another car skidded to a stop near the gate. Nancy was out first, shotgun door flying open, Jonathan right behind her. Their eyes were immediately on the lab, lights flickering and loud screeching cutting through the air.
"Steve?" Nancy breathed, surprise lacing her voice. In an instant her eyes dropped to the car Steve had just stepped away from, to you in the backseat, groaning in pain.
"Oh my god. What happened?" Jonathan said, already moving closer, his face tightening when he saw the blood soaked through your shirt under Dustin's hands.
"The demogorgon," Dustin blurted, words tumbling over each other. "It got her. She's bleeding a lot." Nancy's hand flew to her mouth as she leaned closer, taking in your pale face, your unfocused eyes.
"That's bad," she said quietly, the understatement heavy with fear.
Another screech ripped through the air, closer now, and Steve turned sharply toward them.
"It's worse than bad," he spat out, voice tight.
"The lab's overrun with those things. Will and my mom are in there, we have to get to them." Jonathan looked back at the lab, then back at you, jaw setting.
"You need to get her out of here," he said immediately.
Nancy nodded, already stepping back. "Go," she said. "You can go to Will's, we'll meet you there!"
Steve didn't argue, he was already moving, already back in the driver's seat, the car peeling away from the lab as the sound of growls and alarms.
The cold crept in again, deep and aching, your head tipping forward as Dustin's voice went frantic, begging you to stay with him. Steve's voice cut through the haze, sharp and furious, not at you, but at the road. "Hold on," he said. "Just- hold on. We're gonna be there soon."
The car screeched into the driveway of Will's dinged up house. You could barely tell what was going on, everyone piled out of the car, grabbing their things and running inside to get supplies ready. Steve exited a little more controlled, coming to the back of the car to help you out. His hands were on you so quickly, you couldn't register the pain of moving. He picked you up and walked quickly inside, keeping his eyes on you the whole time.
"This should've been me," He breathed out as he set you down on the couch. "This is my fault."
Your vision suddenly became clearer with his words, realizing you weren't the only one in pain. Steve was hunched over you, adjusting the pillow behind your head, helping you to lay back further and straighten you out. Clattering was coming from different rooms of the house. Dustin ran through the kitchen holding a bowl, bottle of water, and a towel, Lucas had a bottle of rubbing alcohol and an ace bandage, Max with gauze and gloves.
You noticed you were staring at Steve when he put a hand on your shoulder, in addition to the one putting pressure on your side. You blinked and scrunched your eyebrows, finally making eye contact with him. No monsters, no movement, no loud noises, just you and him. Tears were starting to flood his eyes, his grip growing a little tighter on your shoulder.
"Steve… Are you okay?" You muttered, trying to keep your breathing quiet.
He chuckled quietly, wiping his eyes with the same sleeve he used in the car. He smiled at you for the first time since Halloween.
He shook his head in disbelief, voice light, a relief after everything that happened. "I can't believe you're asking me that right now." His head dipped down, letting out a quiet sigh.
You just looked at him, nodding and putting a faint smile on your face, one that felt un-natural after everything had happened. When he finally looked up, he made eye contact with you, eyes lingering on yours for just a little too long. It made something rise in your stomach, something that contrasted the pain surging through your side. Suddenly, feet pounded on the floor, pulling yours and Steve's attention away from each other. He almost jumped back, creating a space between you that held all the feelings that almost spilled out of your throat. The situation became real again, pain rising again in your side, you leaned back against the pillow placed behind your head, a groan echoing through the room as you gripped the couch. Dustin was at your side, the bowl of water, washcloth, gloves, alcohol, ace bandage, and gloves dropping to the floor next to him. Dustin started moving quickly, getting things ready to fix you up, your eyes widened as you realized the pain was about to get a lot worse. Dustin pulled up your shirt, now sticky with drying blood, to reveal the gash in your side. Though it could have been a lot worse, the bleeding had come to a steady slow. Dustin shoved the gloves on his hands and gathered the water bottle from the floor.
"This isn't gonna hurt too bad but it's not gonna feel good." Dustin spoke quietly, insistent, that this was the only way to do things. You nodded quickly, encouraging him to just get it over and done with.
He held a towel next to your side and dumped half the water bottle onto the wound, you winced and jumped slightly at the coolness of it.
"Just get the dirt out, try to stay still. I'm sorry.." He speaks again, keeping an eye on your side to make sure the bleeding doesn't start again.
After it was cleaned enough to sterilize, Dustin sighed, he knew it would be hard. He was being just as strong as you were. His hands shook slightly as he picked up the rubbing alcohol, like he was about to feel the pain of it. Your breathing got quicker and your hands began to shake from how hard you were gripping the couch. Steve must've noticed as he rushed to your side, kneeling on the floor next to Dustin. He pulled your hand away from the couch to hold his own, looking into your eyes once more. The entire time you had been injured he hadn't been like this, reassuring, kind. Just serious, on track. But now, he was looking at you, eyebrows scrunched, hand gripping yours, a small smile plastered on his face. His face was laced with guilt, the type of guilt you could tell he had from the beginning. He wished it was him, he wished you never stepped foot outside the bus, he could've handled it on his own.
Dustin dumped the rubbing alcohol on your side without warning, assuming that if you weren't expecting it, it would be over sooner. Lucas and Max stepped back with hands over their mouths, wincing at your situation.
You screamed, a real guttural scream, almost the same as when the claw made that gash in your side the first time. You squeezed Steve's hand, hard enough to crack some joints and cause him to suck in a deep breath. The world around you spun, it felt like fire was spreading through your stomach and up into your chest. The spinning made you dizzy, despite laying down, you felt like you were about to fall over. As your breathing got faster and the burning continued, everyone burst through the door. First, Joyce, Hopper, Will, and Mike. Then, Nancy and Jonathan. They were frantic, Will was unconscious in Hopper's arms, Mike was rushing around, Joyce was actively sobbing, and Nancy and Jonathan were equally frantic. You couldn't even focus on them, you barely noticed they came in. Meanwhile, Lucas and Max began to fill them in while they did the same, explaining plans back and forth.
The stinging began to soothe, feeling like the fire had finally stopped spreading. Your grip on Steve's hand released slightly, but his stayed strong, hands clammy and tight. Your face ran pale as the nausea began, the pain was subsiding but your body didn't seem to recognize that. You squirmed slightly, hoping the feeling would go away too, but it didn't let up. You opened your eyes that were previously tightly squeezed shut, revealing little dots in your vision and Steve, now closer than before. He was hovering over you, keeping his eyes focused on your face, tears threatened to fall. Your gaze then shifted to Dustin, his tears were running down his face, hands shaking at the same time, white knuckles still gripping the bottle of alcohol. You took a deep breath and nodded your head viciously, showing them that you were okay, you were going to be okay.
"I'm sorry- Oh god- I'm sorry." Dustin spit out, squeezing your shoulder lightly, enough for you to know he was being dead serious. Steve only patted his back, comforting him in a way you couldn't.
Your body finally relaxed as Dustin let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He started to pick up the gauze pads, readying them for the next step. It was almost over. Steve's gaze quickly shifted back to you, letting out a similar breath to Dustin. You noticed that the entire time, their reactions nearly lined up, the reactions of two people who lov- no that's crazy. You thought, cutting off your previous thought, that was just how friends reacted to someone in pain, someone on the verge of death. As your eyes shifted around the room, you noticed the people that had previously entered, they were discussing the plan to bring Will to Hopper's cabin, away from everyone, somewhere he wouldn't recognize. What they were saying didn't make a ton of sense in your head, but what did right now. The only thing you could think about was how this was almost over.
Dustin softly applied the gauze pads on your wound, then paused.
"You need to sit up.. and lean against the couch." He mumbled, hoping you caught what he said. He felt like no matter what he was telling you to do, he was just causing you more pain. He felt so bad and you could see it weaving through all his features.
Eyes tight, pressing into small slits. Mouth turned down, frowning as he spoke quietly, teeth clenched after his words. His tone was careful, testing, waiting to see if that was something you were capable of.
You let out a shaky breath, playing out your options in your head. Continue to bleed out or sit up. You thought about the pain leaning forward had previously caused you, but like then, there wasn't much of an option right now.
"Okay." You spoke quietly, yet demanding. As though you wanted the pity to stop and instead wanted them to encourage you.
Steve peeled his hand away from yours, before you could turn with a question, his arm slid carefully behind your neck, steady and sure. Dustin readied the Ace bandage, stretching it taut between his hands like he was afraid if he hesitated it would be too late.
"Ready?" he asked, voice tight as he knelt closer.
You nodded, trying to lean forward on your own, even as your muscles trembled with the effort. Yet, before the strain could take hold, Steve was already guiding you, gently pushing you forward with a firm hand at your shoulder. His grip was careful in a way that didn't hurt or burn or sting like everything else did, just light and grounding. Dustin worked quickly, threading the bandage around your middle beneath Steve's arm and across your back, the pressure built with each wrap until you sucked in a shallow breath, fingers curling into the fabric of Steve's jacket as the room tilted slightly.
"It's gotta be tight, to keep it from bleeding." Dustin said without looking up. You shook your head as your weight sagged, Steve adjusting instantly, his arm tightening just enough to keep you upright without comment.
"Almost done," Dustin murmured, hands moving faster now, relief and fear tangling together.
When he finally secured the bandage Steve didn't pull away, his arm staying looped behind your shoulders as he eased you back against him instead of letting you lay down on your own.
"Easy," he murmured, low and meant just for you, his hand settling more securely at your upper arm, thumb shifting absently against your sleeve like he wasn't ready to let go yet.
"You dizzy?" he asked quietly, your hazy eyes shifting to him. You nodded, blinking a little slower, trying to push away the daziness.
His gaze shifted when you admitted you were, he leaned in just enough that you could feel the warmth of him at your back.
"Okay," he said, softer than before. "Then don't move just yet." You stayed there longer than necessary, letting your weight rest against him as an uncomfortable thought crept in.
That maybe something about this, about the way he was holding you now, felt like before. Enough to make you wonder if this whole thing had brought you closer than either of you were ready to admit.
contents/warnings: fem!reader, slow burn, yearning, angst angst angst!, violence (classic st stuff here), talk of injuries, scared steve, fluff, tension, reader is kinda a pussy at the beginning, gore, blood, major injury (reader), cliffhanger:)
wc: 7.3K
a/n: phew! took me a little for this one, i had the most insane writers block and got nervous it wasn't gonna be good enough. but not to worry here is the second part!! im thinking one more part maybe? we will see! love u guys mucho, hope u enjoy<3
part 1 - part 3
The morning hit you like a bus, a headache pressing deep through your forehead and down into your chin. Your hands stung and your knees ached from the idiodic fall you took the night before. You slowly rose out of bed to find yourself in the same silk robe and caked on eyeshadow as the night before. You held your head in your hands as you slung your feet over the edge of the bed, hoping if you squeezed your head hard enough, the ache would go away. Much to your displeasure, it did not.
You wandered into your bathroom and stared at yourself in the mirror, all the memories from last night flooding back into your throbbing head. Falling in the Tina's driveway after one too many cups of punch, Steve taking you back to his house to patch you up, Steve on his knees in front of you, cleaning out your wounds, Steve's eyes peering down at you while you just swooned, Steve helping you up and driving you home, Steve waiting outside your house to make sure you climbed in the right window, Steve, Steve, Steve. It was all Steve. Fuck. You groaned out loud and grabbed a washcloth to start washing off your makeup as the embarrassment overtook your clouded memories. Had you made up all those looks in your head or did Steve actually look at you like he was in love with you? You didn't know and it honestly wasn't the main problem on your mind. You had bigger things to worry about, like having to conceal the scrapes on your chin, hands, and knees from your mother and more so, Dustin. If he even caught a glimpse of something, you knew you would never hear the end of it. After washing off the layers of makeup and brushing out your matted hair, you decided the best idea was to leave it all be and hope you could come up with a good enough excuse.
You got dressed for the day and walked down the hall, only to hear a slight growling noise coming from Dustin's room. Accompanied by him.. talking to himself? You stopped in front of his door and knocked lightly.
"Dustin? What the hell are you doing?" You tapped on the door again, no response. You pushed open the door to find Dustin standing in front of Yurtle's cage but instead of the tortoise that normally inhabited it, there was a small lizard thing instead. Your brother was hunched over it feeding it a 3 Musketeers.
"Dustin! What is that?" You shouted with an interrogating look on your face. He jumped back and stood in front of the enclosure, a guilty look on his face.
"NOTHING!" He shot back quickly, avoiding eye contact. You scrunched your eyebrows and inched closer as he held his lips in a tight smile.
"Dustin, what the hell is that?" You questioned again as you peered over his shoulder. He turned around quickly and tried to cover the creature again.
"It's uh.. It's a lizard!" He spat back, guilt still coating his voice. You shook your head and scoffed.
"No it isn't Dustin, why is that thing in here? Where the hell did you find that?" You shot back at him, pushing him to the side.
"Okay look, you can't tell anyone! I found it in our trash outside and it was cute so I brought it in and I think I discovered a new species!" He rushed to explain himself. You pinched the bridge of your nose in annoyance.
"If mom finds out about this you are so dead." You groaned. You were already late for school and if anyone saw that thing, they would know it is NOT a lizard. Dustin quickly grabbed the creature and shoved it into his DIY proton pack.
"Don't tell mom okay? This never happened." He grumbled as he put the pack into his school bag and slipped on his shoes. You just sighed as you walked out of his room, this was his own problem to worry about, not yours.
After you first two periods you sat at one of the picnic tables outside, eating your lunch quietly. You had friends, sure, but your head was still pounding and the ibuprofen you took that morning was not doing the job. As you listened to your Daryl Hall and John Oates cassette, you munched on a sandwich, the same one your mom makes for you everyday. Sure, you were a junior in high school but your mom still treats you like her little girl. Footsteps quietly approached from behind you, unable to hear them, you bobbed your head to the music. Suddenly, a pair of hands grabbed your shoulders and pulled you slightly back from the bench. You jumped with a squeal and turned around quickly in shock. There stood Steve, laughing and shaking your shoulders.
"Jesus Steve! What the hell is wrong with you?" You sighed and let your body relax once more. He pulled off your headphones as you paused your walkman.
"Oh cmonn, I didn't mean to scare you." He smirked and chuckled quietly, taking a seat across the table from you. All the memories from last night suddenly flashed before your eyes, you had to stay cool, last night was probably just him being nice.
"Yes you did." You whispered under your breath as you shook your head and rolled your eyes. His smile widened a little more and you glanced up at him with a crooked eyebrow. "Now what do you want? I'm trying to eat my lunch quietly." You gestured to your sandwich and walkman. He leaned forward, placing an elbow on the table and resting his head on his hand.
"Your friends with Nancy, right?" He questioned as his eyes scanned over your face. You raised an eyebrow and shook your head.
"Not really," He gave you a questioning look as you continued. "I just know her through Mike.. he's friends with my brother." You spoke as you took another bite of your sandwich. You could see the words go in one ear and out the other, obviously not caring how close you were with her, only that you see her around.
"Great! I need you to convince her to talk to me." He insisted, pushing his hair back. You sighed out a large breath and shook your head again. You knew Steve wasn't there to reminisce on the events that took place at his house, but jesus this was about Nancy?
"I am not doing that." You said back judgementally. You started to put your headphones back on, hoping if you ignored him, he would leave you alone and you wouldn't have to listen to him beg you to get Nancy back for him.
"NO! Please cmon, I really need help with this. I totally screwed things up and I need to fix them." He begged, trying to get your attention again. Even if you wanted to help him, she would never listen to you, and you most certainly did not want to help. You couldn't believe that you thought he might have had the slightest interest in you after what happened. He was just another popular douche.
"Listen Steve, I have no interest in helping you with your romantic escapades and I honestly don't have time for that." You spat out. You could've guessed he was just another douchebag but you always tried to see the good in people.
When he brought you to his dark and empty house on halloween you got a glimpse into his life, his sad sad life. Where his parents were never home and he was just lonely, you figured that was why he had offered to take you there, but in reality he was just another asshole like everyone else.
"Hey! I was nice to you after you literally chased after me last night. I just figured you were concerned about Nancy or something." He said back as you started to pack up your things. You knew that wasn't true, you remember asking him if everything was okay with HIM, you didn't give a shit about Nancy. He just wanted to use you as another pawn in his stupid game.
"Steve. I'm not helping you with shit, find someone else to bother." You hissed as you slid your headphones back over your ears. How could you be so stupid? Steve was the guy you always figured him to be, a narcissistic loser.
Over the next few days, Dustin was being way too secretive for your liking, Steve was back to his own little world where you didn't exist, and your cat had gone missing. It was like when you hit your head, everyone in your life disappeared.
Luckily, you were about to get the answer to all of your problems.
"Give me a hug, go get her! We're gonna find her! Don't worry!" Dustin reassured your mom as she rushed out the door to search for your recently missing cat. You had been cooped up in your room all day, mostly journaling and listening to the same cassette over and over again.
When you finally decided to separate from your beloved desk and wander into the hall you saw Dustin hastily collecting his hockey gear out of the closet between your rooms.
"What the hell are you doing?" You questioned, arms crossed in front of your chest. Dustin was known to do weird shit but he was in a hurry and right after your mom left? Something was off.
"Y/N!! What are you doing here??" He questioned loudly, stopping in his tracks.
"I'm your sister dipshit, remember? We live together?" You snapped back, approaching him slowly.
"Yeah- I- I thought you weren't home." He stuttered out as he backed away.
"Well I am. What are you doing? Why are you being suspicious?" You followed him as he kept stepping away from you. Worry was written all over his face as he kept checking behind him, peeking at the door to his room.
"I um.. You need to leave! Like now!" He rushed out as he dropped the gear in front of him. He started to push you towards the front door when you both heard a loud bang against the door of his room.
"What the hell was that Dustin?" You peered in the direction of the banging. He just glanced at you, concern taking over his features. "Dustin, tell me what's going on! You have been so weird these past few days. Tell me what's going on or I'm calling mom!" You accused as you rushed to the phone.
"OKAY! Okay wait! The lizard that I found in the trash wasn't a lizard. It turned out it might have been a baby demogorgon and it molted like three times in the past two days and now it's huge and it ate Mews and it's trapped in my room and we need to get it outside like now before it breaks down the door and eats us next." He was out of breath by the time he finished his sentence. You stood there not knowing what to say, mouth hung open and eyes blown wide to match.
"A demogorgon? Like the thing that El was talking about last year?" You spoke quietly, mostly because the very thing you were talking about was only feet away behind Dustin's closed door.
"Yeah.." He mumbled.
"And did you say it ate Mews?" You growled as you stared daggers at him.
"Umm yes." He replies quickly. "Now we need to focus on the more important things right now." He gestured to his room and the hockey gear sitting on the floor in front of him. You barely had time to be shocked before your brother was dragging you into the living room to put on his gear.
"Dustin, this is a horrible idea." You whisper-shout at him. He shrugs and moves to grab the meat out of the fridge and scatter it across the ground, out the door, and to the edge of the cellar outside. You paced inside, waiting anxiously for him to get back as the demodog continued to pound against his door.
"DUSTIN ITS NOW OR NEVER!" You shouted outside as he ran back through the door. "I cannot believe you convinced mom that Mews is still alive while he is literally dead in your room." You hissed at him, fingers pinching your nose as you put on your shoes.
"I had no choice, I didn't know he was gonna grow up to be one of those things!" You shook your head and stood near the open door to the back door. "Ready?" He asked as you nodded nervously.
"Oh god.." You muttered as he moved towards his door. He quickly pulled open the door and began to run full speed towards you.
"GO GO GO!!" He yelled as he stumbled out the door. You began to run as fast as your legs could carry you. You followed Dustin to the shed where you both hid and waited for the demogorgon to follow the trail of meat. You both stood, out of breath and hunched over.
"I cannot believe you." You huffed out, "If we die I'll make sure mom knows it was your fault." You continue as you lean against the splintering wall of the shed. Dustin is peering through a small crack in the opposite wall, looking towards the door of the house.
"Come on.. Come on, I know you're hungry." He whispers. "Yes! Yes yes!" He whisper-shouts as you scramble forward to look through a crack next to him.
"Holy shit." You mumble as the demogorgon walks out the door of your house, following the trail of bologna out the door, down the steps, and right in front of the cellar stairs. You both peer out the walls, waiting for the demodog to follow your trail right into the trap. Yet, the demodog pauses and quickly turns towards you.
"OH SHIT-" You shout as you fall backwards away from the door in shock. Dustin backs away from the door, then steps forward to take another look then quickly backs against the wall.
"It's right there.." He whispers as you stare at him wide-eyed.
"What the fuck do we do?" You whisper back, breathing heavily.
He stares at the ground for a beat, then, taking a few deep breaths, he turns and charges out the door.
"WHAT THE F-" You are about to yell at him when he smacks the demogorgon with his hockey stick and it shoots right into the cellar. You run out of the shed and he jumps on the doors to the cellar as the demo hits them. You stand there in shock, breathing heavily with wide eyes.
"I'm sorry, you ate my cat." He grumbles as you fetch the chain and lock from the shed, bringing it to the cellar and locking the handles together.
You sit back on the grass in your yard, taking a deep breath and putting your head in your hands."I cannot believe you. What the hell do we do now?"
You look up at him with raised eyebrows, waiting for a reasonable answer.
"I- We need to get Mike and Lucas." He spits out, heading towards the house. "And we need to bury the cat." He continues as you follow him.
The next hour and a half are spent cleaning the floor of Dustin's bedroom where your cat was eaten and then burying him in your backyard. Your brother continued to try the radio to get in contact with his friends as you shoveled dirt onto your poor cat.
After he couldn't get in contact with either of them, you hop on your bike and follow Dustin to Mike's house, hoping his parents could tell you where he was.
"Your line has been busy for over two hours, Mr. Wheeler. Do you realize this?" Dustin speaks at Mr. Wheeler.
"I'm sorry about him.. We're just in a bit of a situation and need Mike." You push past Dustin, trying to have some civility.
"I do realize." He grumbles.
"Is Mike home?" Dustin speaks again.
"No." Mr. Wheeler replies blandly.
"No? Where the hell is he?" Dustin and Mr. Wheeler go back and forth until you reach a dead end. No Mike, no Nancy, no answers.
"Son of a bitch. You're really no help at all, you know that?" Dustin spits back to Mr. Wheeler as he turns to walk away.
"Language Dustin!" You shout at him, "I'm really sorry Mr. Wheeler." You turn to him then begin to walk back to your bikes. As you hop on, Dustin starts walking towards the car that pulled in front of Mike's house.
"What are you doing?" You say as you drop your bike. As you walk towards Dustin, you realize that the person who pulled in the driveway was the one and only, Steve Harrington. Aw shit. You were supposed to be avoiding him, yet here your brother was, chasing him down. He was carrying a bouquet of flowers and fixing his jacket.
"Steve! Are those for Mrs. Wheeler?" Steve shakes his head as takes the flowers out of his hand and walks towards his car.
"Hey what the hell?" You and Steve both follow him back to the car.
"Nancy isn't home. We have bigger problems than your love life." Dustin reiterates to Steve.
"Dustin what the hell are you doing?" You ask as he climbs in the back seat. Dustin asks if Steve still has the bat and it clicks, Steve was your knight in tight jeans.
You and Steve make eye contact as he shrugs and climbs into the driver's seat. You roll your eyes as you realize you have no choice but to follow your brother on his stupid adventure. Not only was this his stupid adventure but it meant getting a demogorgon out of your basement before your mom got home, that was the only reason you decided to follow Dustin and get in the passenger seat.
The car felt stuffy and claustrophobic, like someone had turned the heat up too high. You didn't feel that way when Steve had driven you home on halloween night, yet now that you knew it all meant nothing, everything had changed. Steve of course was driving along, bobbing his head to the music, not a thought in his pretty little head. After a little while of awkward silence Steve spoke up.
"How big was it?" He asks tentatively, like he was scared to hear the answer. You turn to him with a cocked eyebrow.
"It was like this," Dustin held up two fingers. "Now it's like this." He holds up two hands referencing the size of the demogorgon you had trapped in your cellar. You scoff and shake your head. Dustin had little to no reference of size.
"Input?" Dustin raises his eyebrows and looks at you.
"Yeah more like this." You hold up two hands about three feet apart. There was no way that thing was the same size as your cat that you buried in your backyard only a few hours ago.
"I swear if this thing is just some little lizard.." Steve mumbles as he turns back to glare at the road.
"It's face opened up and it ate our cat." You spoke up from the passenger seat. Steve glanced over at you and shook his head slowly. He was one of the very few people that had actually seen one of these things before, so maybe, just maybe, he would actually be helpful in this situation.
After you pulled in the driveway and acquired Steve's famous nailed bat from the trunk of his car, you led him to the cellar and unlocked the chain holding it shut. You stood far away from the doors, pulling Dustin behind you. If there was one person who would be attacked by this thing, you would choose Steve. As he opened the doors, you braced yourself, ready to run and drag your brother along with you. Yet, nothing happened. Steve rolled his eyes and looked at you with a raised eyebrow. Steve slowly made his way down the stairs as you scoffed and shook your head.
"Why'd it have to be him Dustin, he's such a loser." You mumbled as you started to pace. Dustin looked at you and shrugged.
"He was available, and he's not a loser, he's cool." Dustin smiled, watching the stairs as Steve disappeared out of sight. You kicked the dirt around by your foot. Steve was the farthest from cool, he was just an idiot trying to get himself killed.
"Just because he's older than you, doesn't mean he's cool." You replied as you joined Dustin at the top of the stairs.
"I know. You're older than me and I don't think you're cool." He said, glancing at you and smirking. You knew he was joking but the thought of your own brother thinking Steve Harrington was cooler than you, made you want to vomit.
"Steve! What's going on down there?" Dustin shouted into the dark abyss that was your cellar. The air grew thick as you waited for a response that never came. You may not like Steve but it would be one helluva hassle if he got torn to shreds right below your house.
"I'm going down there." You spoke as you stepped down the stairs.
"What? No!" Dustin spoke as he grabbed your arm. You pulled away and threw your hands up.
"Someone has to protect you idiot, and it is not Steve." You replied, turning on the dying flashlight you had used maybe once in your life.
As you carefully crawled down the stairs, your head began to pound in your ears. You realized that you might actually have to expect the worst, what if he was dead down there? You inched closer to the bottom and looked around, no sight of Steve or a demogorgon.
"Steve?" You shined your flashlight at the corner closest to you, still nothing.
"Hey." Steve suddenly appeared in front of you, making you scream and jump backwards. Steve, out of habit, grabbed your arm before you could hit the floor. You looked up at him, breathing heavily, something caught in your chest as you made eye contact. You meant to say something but your mouth just hung open as he brought you back to standing. You wanted to say something smug, something that would put him in his place but instead you just stared at him blankly.
"No demo down here but I think we may have another problem." He pointed his bat in the corner of your cellar, your eyes followed it to a large slimy hole in the wall. You let out a long breath as Steve fetched Dustin.
You took the moment he was gone to recompose yourself, it was like your body wasn't listening to your brain. You wanted to hate him, he was just another stupid jock at your high school, one that might as well have played you. Yet, whenever you looked into his deep brown eyes, your brain would just go blank. You never even liked someone at your school, let alone a man who had a new girl wrapped around his arm every other week. That is, until Nancy Wheeler. She wasn't even all that, she was like every other girl, she got too drunk at parties, had a bunch of friends, and she literally dressed up as Lana from Risky Business. Nancy was just like everyone else, so why was Steve so intent on winning her back?
"Ohhhhh shit!" Dustin spat out as he glared to the wall. You looked back startled.
"See? This is why mom doesn't let you have pets." You shrugged and began walking back to the stairs once again.
Later that night, you laid in bed staring at your dimly lit ceiling, illuminated only by the small warm light on your night stand. You knew you had plenty of schoolwork to be doing but you couldn't be bothered, not when the world was about to end for the second time in the past year. Despite not being entirely involved until now, you remember the fear in Dustin's face while Will was missing, you remember him coming home after they found his "body", you remember having to comfort his friends while they tried to explain that the body was fake. You were never on the frontlines but you were always the person people fell back on when things went bad. Tears prickled at your eyes as you thought about how simple things used to be, before Mike found a girl out in the woods, before Will disappeared, before Steve took care of you while you were drunk and injured. You thought about how miniscule your problems with Steve seemed after everything had happened, you were so self centered for being caught up on something so stupid while Will was literally coughing up slugs.
You fell asleep that night curled up on top of your covers, worried about the people in your life and how you never managed to do anything to help.
The next morning, Dustin dragged you out of bed. Insisting that you put on gloves and help him and Steve leave a trail of meat to lure the demogorgon. You threw on an outfit from your floor, too unbothered to actually get ready. The thoughts that put you to sleep the previous night still weighing heavy on your conscience. After Steve picked up you and Dustin, you headed to the railroad tracks to start your plan. You hadn't paid much attention to the plan that Steve and Dustin discussed in the car, you sat quietly, hoping no one picked up on the way you blankly stared out the window.
"Come on, keep up!" Dustin shouted as you trailed far behind them. You looked up and forced a fake smile, picking up your steps a little more.
"So.. Dustin. Your sister.." Steve mumbled, looking back to make sure you were out of ear-shot. Dustin looked at him with a cocked eyebrow.
"What about her?" He spoke back, looking up at Steve who was now looking at the ground.
"Is she always.. like this?" He asked, glancing at Dustin before shifting his gaze back to the ground. Dustin looked back at you dragging your feet and kicking the pebbles in front of you.
"Um.. Kinda, I guess?" Dustin shrugged. "I don't know what you mean."
"She's just kinda mean I guess." Steve huffed out. Dustin looked up at him again, curling his lip in disdain. Dustin knew you better than anyone and he would never consider you mean.
"She's not mean." Dustin spoke sharply. Steve tilted his head, almost like he was considering what Dustin had said.
"Well she won't talk to me and I haven't done anything to her." He threw a handful of meat harshly at the ground. Dustin pursed his lips.
"I think maybe you just haven't gotten to know her." He spoke more gently. You weren't the type of person to be distasteful to someone you didn't know.
With no knowledge of anything that happened on halloween, Dustin just took it as you being a little standoff-ish.
Meanwhile, you were playing through all of the nights that led up to this point. You really were never there. At this point, Steve has been there for people more than you had, and what did that make you.
After you arrived at the junkyard, you were met with Lucas and Max. Lucas you had known for years, but Max was a new face that you hadn't seen before. She immediately got to work with Steve while you, Dustin, and Lucas were crouched behind one of the old cars. Dustin and Lucas were bickering over Lucas telling Max everything that had happened.
"Would you two shut it!" You spit out, "Enough with your stupid bickering. I'm so sick of it." You were never one to say what was on your mind without thinking, but before you could stop yourself the words were just tumbling out.
The mood shifted immediately as they just stared at you, speechless. You noticed how their eyebrows curled and they glanced at each other, before they could say a word, you got up and began grabbing sheet metal. You didn't mean to have an outburst, they weren't even doing anything wrong, but everything from the past week was just building up and you didn't know what to do with yourself.
"Woah, what'd that pipe ever do to you?" Steve spoke with a chuckle as he approached you. You ignored him and continued to pick up different scraps, throwing them into the growing pile. He sighed and followed you.
"Your hands are looking better." He spoke as you dug through the randomly assorted piles of metal. You rolled your eyes.
"Can you leave me alone?" You spoke harshly. You truly were never in the mood to talk to Steve but especially when you had a million other things on your mind. Steve was known to most as the guy who everyone knelt down to and there was no possible way it was because of his listening skills. Now was definitely not the time to change that.
"God you have a shitty attitude." He mumbled as he walked back towards the two boys, still crouched behind the gutted car.
At that moment you almost felt bad, you didn't have a shitty attitude, you were just stressed and no one seemed to get it. Not like you had put in any effort to talk to someone about it, but was it so hard to ask?
After you helped attach the randomly assorted scrap metal to the side of the worn down school bus, you sat down in one of the seats. The sun had started to go down and the junkyard began to fill with mist, after Dustin turned your way, a sour look on his face, you cocked your eyebrow.
"What happened?" You asked as he plopped down next to you.
"Just stupid girl problems. You wouldn't get it." He muttered, facing the ground. Dustin hadn't ever brought up the fact that he was having problems with a girl, let alone brought up the girl he was hanging out with.
Then it clicked, he was so insistent on Steve being the one to help because he wanted his advice. The king of Hawkins High was right at his finger tips for any possible dating advice he could ever need. You figured after his friend went missing and the world had gone to shit twice now, he wouldn't be worried about girls or dating. Yet here he was moping in a boarded up school bus because the girl he liked was interested in his best friend. Your face burned with embarrassment, you figured that your problems were so unimportant when everything was going to shit while Dustin was going through the same thing.
You leaned into him, bumping his shoulder with yours.
"I get it." You spoke quietly, forming a small smile on your lips. Just hoping he would take it as an apology for lashing out at him earlier.
He looked up at you, eyebrows knit closely together.
"I didn't think out of everyone, you would have boy problems." He insisted. You gulped and sucked in a breath through your teeth while glancing at Steve who was sitting across from you.
"You're very funny Dustin." You looked back to him and sighed. "Things like this can be complicated, but you can always talk to me about it. I'm here for you." You put a hand on his shoulder and smiled.
Your brother thought so highly of you that he hadn't even considered you would understand what he was going through, yet you were the one person who knows his situation better than anyone. Steve had never been rejected in his life, let alone chase after someone who had no interest in him. Every girl in his life had praised him and let him jerk them around, while you were ignored in almost every aspect of your love life.
Your thoughts came to a screeching halt as a loud growling pierced through the tree line. Steve and Dustin jumped to the window, examining the grounds around the bus, waiting for something to appear.
"What's going on out there?" You whispered nervously. You got no reply as they continued to peer through the windows.
"Lucas! What's going on!?" Dustin shouted as you pressed your back against the seats of the bus.
"Ten O'clock!! Ten O'clock!" Lucas shouted back. Dustin pressed his face closer to the window. You realized that despite your own fear, your brother was your top priority and it was your job to protect him.
"Why's he not taking the bait?" He spoke to Steve. As you moved closer to the window, you spotted it. The large, slimy creature moved slowly out of the fog. There was no denying that it was the demogorgon from before.
You quickly grabbed the back of Dustin's shirt, pulling him further into the bus. "What the hell?"
You moved next to Steve, glaring out into the dark. "Stay away from the windows, I'm not letting this thing get close to you again." You whispered.
"Maybe it's sick of cow.." Steve scrunched his eyebrows, like he was working through a plan in his head.
"What are you talking about?" You turned to him, eyes thinning in question. He quickly moved away from the window, grabbing his studding bat from the dusty seat.
"Steve, what are you doing?" Dustin questioned as Steve threw him the zippo from his back pocket.
"Just get ready." Steve pulled open the doors, a loud scratch following. He slowly stepped into the darkness as you stared at Dustin with wide eyes.
"Is he out of his mind?" You leaned towards the window, trying to get a better view of Steve attempting suicide. Steve moved deliberately towards the quiet chittering of the creature. His bat was held back, ready to swing at anything that presented itself.
The air in the bus grew thin and quiet as he moved further away and you could only think back to the night Steve had been so kind to you. He was wandering out into the unknown, putting his life at stake, to keep you and the kids safe. The man you had moments ago, thought so poorly of, was protecting you. His jacket started to blend into the darkness as he took another step forward. A quiet whistle drew from his lips as he swung the bat in front of him, teasing the creature that now stood maybe 30 feet in front of him. The mist started to move quicker, wind blowing the trees from side to side. Steve stopped in place, calling the demogorgon, taunting it.
"Hes insane!" Max spoke, face pressed to the glass window.
"He's awesome." Dustin replied, a wide smile plastered on his face.
You shushed him, moving closer to the door. Your heart was pounding anxiously in your chest, he had to be one crazy son of a bitch to be standing out there face to face with that thing. Your eyes followed his steps, closing in on the demogorgon.
"Steve watch out! Three O' Clock!!" The breeze suddenly seemed to pause with Lucas' sharp words. Dart wasn't the only one, you moved quickly, crossing the bus and staring out the back door. Three demogorgons emerged from the fog that coated the ground. Steve snapped his head back, pausing to stare down the newly approaching danger.
Something simmered in the bottom of your stomach, something you had never felt before. You grabbed the pipe off the floor by your feet. The same one you haphazardly threw into the bus after your outburst. Dustin was standing at the open door, yelling at Steve to come back. Adrenaline was rushing through your system, you didn't think you just moved. You shoved Dustin out of the door and ran out into the open yard as the demogorgons charged towards Steve. There wasn't a single question of why your feet were moving so quickly, or why you were once again running towards Steve. The rusty pipe was pressed into your palms, something almost keeping you grounded.
Steve swung around in time to see you charging towards him, as he raised his bat to swing at the creature launching itself towards him, a loud ting let off as you hit the first demogorgon. Your hands stung as you made contact, the edges of the pipe clawing into your palms. Your back hit Steve's harshly as he turned in time to hit Dart square in the head. Your breath was heavy and ridged and your feet planted solidly in the ground. Something had come over you, something so strong, it made you nearly jump out of your skin. The demogorgon flopped to the ground, while Steve called out to you. Words you couldn't comprehend as you watched the second demogorgon follow the first. It was just a moment too late, your eyes were still glued to the sickening sight of the first demogorgon. A large force knocked you to the ground before you could even raise the pipe still tight in your hand.
Your eyes had closed for just a second but in that second you thought you saw your whole life, every birthday party, every milestone, every person you ever loved. It was all there, right in front of your eyes. When you opened them again you saw it, the jaws of the abhorrent being opening to swallow you whole. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion, the twinge of pain spreading through your shoulders that were pinned to the ground. The turn of your head as you tried to get a glimpse of someone, anyone around you. The eager movement of your hands, trying to reach up to push off the creature that was about to end your life as you knew it. You sucked in a shallow breath, trying to gather some sort of strength to fight for your life and everyone else's. This was the moment you realized you had finally done something, you had saved someone and put your own life on the line for someone you thought you didn't care about. You had stepped in and taken action, you acted on instincts instead of logic and look where it got you. You were never supposed to be a part of this, you had been dragged into it against your will and while you spent so long wishing you had been valuable, you were wasting precious time.
A shooting pain brought you back to the moment. A scream erupted from your throat as a talon dug deep into your side, the pressure in your chest made it feel like you were going to explode. Your scream rang out until you had no breath left, you writhed under the grip of the creature above you, clawing and grabbing at anything you could in hopes it would make the pain end. In your endeavor to remove the weight above you, you caught a glimpse of someone sprinting towards you. It was the fastest you had ever seen anyone move, legs carrying them across the junkyard.
In a flash the weight toppled off of you, replaced by a violent jolt. You sucked in a ragged breath, lungs burning as air rushed back in too fast. Your ears rang, the world tilting as if it hadn’t quite decided to stay upright. Where claws had pinned you moments before, there was suddenly nothing. Just cold air and the ghost of pressure still screaming across your skin. You looked up through blurred vision, half expecting it to be right there again, mouth splitting open, but instead you saw Steve. Blood on his knuckles, bat clenched tight, chest heaving like he'd ran a marathon to get to you.
"Jesus-" He dropped down beside you hard. His hands gripped your shoulders, rough, grounding. "Fuck- You- You're bleeding." His voice cracked on the last word, frustration leaking through the fear.
You reached for his arm, squeezing it tightly as you tried to speak. You recognized the look on his face, it was almost the same as when he held out his hand to you in his bathroom only a few nights ago. To think that was the most of your problems when it could have been so much worse. Now that it is so much worse. His eyes peered down at you, more sad than before, a look of guilt and shame.
A distant screech cut through the air. High, sharp, and too close. Steve's head snapped up instantly.
"Shit." His grip tightened on your shoulder, not gentle. Not asking. "We gotta move. Now."
You tried to sit up and pain flared hot down your side, your breath hitching.
"Hey- No, don't do that," Steve said quickly, already shifting closer, eyes darting back to the treeline. "Don't push it."
Another sound echoed through the junkyard, branches snapping this time. Closer.
"You're not gonna like this but it's our only option." Steve spoke intently.
Before you could protest, his hands were on you. One arm hooked under your knees, the other bracing your back as he hauled you up against his chest. You winced as your body folded, pain aching through your body.
"Steve-" You groaned, trying to vouch for yourself.
"You’re not walking," he cut in, already moving. "Hate me later." Your body jolted as he broke into a run, boots pounding against the dirt. His grip tightened every time you sucked in a sharp breath.
The bus loomed ahead, dented metal and shattered windows never looking so much like salvation. Your eyes focused on the demogorgon's following behind him, you wanted to warn him but the pain only grew as his feet moved. Steve swore, adjusting his hold when you winced.
"Sorry, sorry, I know," he muttered, panic bleeding through despite himself. "Just hold on."
As you closed in on the bus, Steve barreled up the steps and shoved the door open with his shoulder. "Dustin! Get back!"
He all but threw you onto the nearest seat, spinning back toward the door immediately, bat already raised. Demogorgons pushed at the door, shoving through the wobbly metal that was once pinned in place. Steve was already swinging, forcing the demo back out.
Dustin was immediately at your side, tears already flooding his eyes.
"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god." He rambled, blood staining his hands as he tried to stop the bleeding. He pulled off his sweatshirt, using it to pack your wound, now becoming more noticeable to you.
A loud groan pulled from your chest as he held the fabric on your side. Silence abruptly cut through the air as the bus shook violently, footsteps sounding on the roof. Max stepped under the skylight, peering into darkness. A sound tore a sharp gasp out of Max as Dustin pressed harder against your side.
"Out of the way!!" Steve shouted, pushing Max out of the way, bat raised to the demogorgon that was now hovering above her.
The screeching quieted as the bus creaked, the demogorgon stopped. All but a loud growl quieted as they rushed into the tree line, retreating. Everyone's gaze shifted out the hazy windows of the bus, waiting for another terror to take place, but nothing came. Almost immediately, the attention was shifted back to you. Your hand reached down to cover Dustin's, blood coating it as you watched everyone crowd around you.
Dustin was peering down at you and for the first time, he looked truly terrified, not of the monsters, but of losing you.
You were never one to have bad things happen to you. They only seemed to happen to the people around you. You could never outright say you were grateful when multiple people around you were dead, but you were. Not many people in your stupid town could say the same but for the past year of being on the inside of things, you were definitely grateful that anyone was still alive.
Yet, everything came crashing down far quicker than anyone expected.
pairing: steve harrington x henderson!reader⋆˚꩜｡
contents/warnings: fem!reader, slow burn, yearning, angst angst angst!, kissing, violence (classic st stuff here), talk of injuries, sad steve:(, mostly fluff, happy ending, drinking, tension, slight sexual content, little bit of gore, scared steve, blood, major injury (reader), reader's kinda a pussy for a little, multi-part series incoming!!
contents/warnings: fem!reader, slow burn, yearning, angst, violence (classic st stuff here), talk of injuries, sad steve:(, mostly fluff, drinking, tension, slight sexual content, multi-part series incoming!!
wc: 2.4K
a/n: IM SO SORRY I DISAPPEARED! between christmas, new years, my entire family having the flu, starting new meds (that made me violently ill), and my evil mother, i struggled to come up with inspo for a fic. HOWEVER, i am here to make up for it with a multi-part series! this is the first part out of maybe two or three! i hope you enjoy, i figured y'all might enjoy something with multiple parts rather than a 10k word fic:) love ya!!
part 2 - part 3
You slowly got up like every other day, a coffee in hand and shoes shoved on your feet. Nothing seemed off or out of place, just sun shining through the windows of your small, one story house. You walked down the hall and knocked on your brother's door, hoping he was already awake so you could be on time to school for once in your life. A little bit of scrambling and a quick open of the door revealed your brother and his ghost busters costume already on.
"I'M READY! I'm ready!" He spits, completely out of breath. You rolled your eyes and sipped your coffee slowly.
"Uh huh. Now let's go! Shoes on, out the door!" You prompted him as he slipped past you down the hall.
Your brother was never one to be on time, you figured he had picked it up from all of his lazy bum friends. When all they do is sit around playing DND, nothing gets done on time.
You both said goodbye to your mom after about a hundred pictures of Dustin in his stupid costume. You knew that not a single other person would be dressed up but you figured he would figure that out on his own. You both jumped on your bikes and headed towards the school.
After you parked your bikes Dustin met up with his small group of friends dressed in the same tan jumpsuits as him. You pressed your lips into a tight smile, knowing that in only a few minutes they would see the rest of the kids arriving in their everyday clothes.
Later that day, on your way to fifth period, you were handed a bright orange poster for Tina's yearly halloween party. Though you generally weren't invited to parties, you weren't opposed to going to one. After school that day you helped your mom take pictures of Dustin's costume and promised to stay with him the whole night. You drove him to Mike's house and took a few polaroids of him and his party.
"Come on!! Please just let us go, Jonathan is gonna go with us when Will gets here!" Dustin shouted at you as you stood in front of him, arms crossed and narrowed eyes at the two other boys, trying to tell if they were lying. They just smiled widely, begging eyes gleaming up at you in hopes of being able to go without you.
"You're supposed to be the cool older sister!" Dustin speaks up again. You sigh and shrug.
"Fine, but if I find out you guys went alone, I'm telling mom that you ran away and it's gonna be on you." You uncrossed your arms and got onto your bike as the boys thanked you profusely. You nodded and pressed play on your walkman once again. You started to think about the party tonight, maybe you could just stop by and see if it's anything worth your time.
A little while later you were sitting in your room, trying to decide whether you wanted to go to the party or not. The only costume you had was the one you planned for going with your brother trick or treating. Dana Barrett. You were staring at yourself in the mirror, long red robe, scarf wrapped around your waist, hair teased to stand nearly straight up, and makeup weighing heavy on your face. You looked like a psycho, but fuck it. You climbed back out your window the same way you came in, avoiding your mom in hopes of keeping yours and Dustin's secret.
When you arrived at the party, cars were already filling the driveway and people covering the yard. You already felt sick to your stomach, maybe it was a bad idea after all. You parked your bike in the lawn and walked into the party, a sick feeling in your stomach, people were looking and you hadn't even made it a few steps through the door. You took a breath and headed to the kitchen where you spotted Nancy and Steve arguing over a cup of punch. As you got closer you could hear Nancy slurring her words and yelling at Steve to let her drink the punch, you just stopped to stare in disbelief, was Nancy drunk? Suddenly the punch was dumped down the front of her and Steve was chasing her up to the bathroom. You stood with wide eyes as you gathered yourself to scoop a cup of punch for yourself. You took in the people around you and bobbed your head to the music. After just one too many cups of punch you could feel a heat in your face and a similar warm feeling in your stomach. You made your way up to the bathroom as your head spun slightly, when the door abruptly burst open and an angry Steve pushed past you.
"Steve! Wait!" You shouted as he quickly escaped down the stairs. You followed him outside as he headed for his beamer. You tripped past people as they stared at you for bumping their drinks, none of that mattered though.
"Steve!" You yelled again. Steve turned around to find you jogging towards him, except this time instead of tripping over other people's feet, you tripped over your own. You knew wearing heels to a party was a terrible idea but you hadn't considered it would cause you to eat shit in the middle of Tina's driveway. You landed on the ground knees and palms first but not without a light scrape to your chin as it hit the ground too. Steve came barreling towards you, luckily you were behind most of the cars in the driveway, out of sight from everyone else attending the party. He knelt down next to you as you groaned and pushed yourself up off the ground, palms raw and knees scraped. Your head ached as you looked up to Steve who was offering a hand down to you.
"What the hell? Y/N? What are you doing here?" He inquired as you took his hand and brought yourself to your feet. You tried to focus your eyes on him but after collapsing violently onto the ground and a decent amount of "punch" in your system, you couldn't quite pay attention to what he was saying. You just stared at him, still holding his hand in yours.
The only reason he knew who you were was because he crashed Nancy's plan to take out a demogorgon a year ago, since then he would occasionally see you around when you would pick up Dustin from Mike's house.
"Hello? Are you okay? What the hell were you running for?" He asked, scanning your face, noticing a little bit of blood dripping down your neck.
"I was.. I saw you rush out of the bathroom and-" You swallowed and looked at the ground, "I saw you arguing with Nancy. I just wanted to make sure everything was okay." You slurred slightly, trying to catch your breath and focus on the topic at hand. He let go of your hand and furrowed his eyebrows.
"I am fine, you, however.. are not." He turned your head with a finger on your chin and you winced. Steve was a dick on occasion but you were drunk and injured.
"Come on, let me bring you home." He gestured to his car parked a few feet away. You glanced behind him then at your bike laid flat in the yard.
"My bike is here though.." You breathed out, the spinning on your head getting worse as you leaned on your heels. Steve grabbed your arm before you could tilt too far backward.
"We can throw it in the trunk, just get in the car and I'll take care of it. Okay?" He spoke and ushered you towards the passenger side. You nodded as he pulled open the door for you to get in. You sat in the seat and he closed the door behind you. He jogged over to your bike and threw it in his trunk then got in the driver's seat. You glanced over at him as he started the car and backed out of the driveway. You had never noticed it in quick passing, but Steve was kind of beautiful. His eyes were so warm and kind, his lips perfectly pink and pouty, and his hair. Good god, his hair fell perfectly in front of his eyes, always pushing it back into a perfect swoop on his forehead.
You noticed you were staring when he spoke again.
"Where is your house?" Steve spoke up as he slowly coasted down the road, one hand on the wheel and the other on the stick shift next to you. Your eyes widened as you realized if you showed up to your house right now, you would never hear the end of it from your brother.
"I can't go home!" You pleaded with Steve. You shook your head, lips turning into a frown as you furrowed your eyebrows.
Steve looked at you, eyes softening when he realized you were almost on the verge of tears. He sighed and glanced at the road.
"Okay, okay, relax. It's okay, why don't I bring you back to my house, you can get cleaned up and then we can worry about sneaking you in later, alright?" He spoke softly. You nodded and took a deep breath, gathering yourself and kicking off your shoes onto the newly detailed floor.
You leaned your head back against the seat and before you knew it, you were pulling into Steve's driveway. His house was massive and dark, all the lights off besides the porch.
"Wait, won't your parents be upset?" You questioned as he parked the car. He shook his head and got out, walking to your side of the car and opening the door.
"My parents are out of town, it's no problem, I promise." He smiled as he helped you out of the car. Your knees have already started to ache and sting from the gravel still stuck in them.
You looked around as you walked into his house, a large foyer with high ceilings welcoming you as you kicked off your shoes once again.
"Holy shit. Your house is massive." You turn to him as he flicks on a light and nods.
"I know right?" He replies with a slight chuckle. He didn't seem overly thrilled about it.
He led you up to his bathroom where you sat on the edge of the tub. He gathered a first aid kit and a bottle of rubbing alcohol then kneeled down next to you.
"Okay this is gonna sting pretty bad, just bare with me." He insisted as he poured the rubbing alcohol onto a washcloth. You nodded and gripped the edge of the tub, ready for the pain to ensue. He gently started to wipe your scraped knees, the gravel leaving a dark trail on the cloth.
"OH shit!" You groaned out as you grabbed his wrist to stop him.
"I know.. I'm sorry, just another minute. It'll be over soon." He ushered your hand away and looked at you with an apologetic look in his eyes. You got that same warm feeling in your stomach again. Steve was looking up at you, almost pleading for you to let him continue. You released your grip on his hand and let him continue as you slightly bit your lip, you could imagine him on his knees for another reason. Yet, that thought was quickly dragged from your mind as he began to wipe at your knee again.
After a few minutes of you groaning and begging him to stop, he finally grabbed out two large bandages and some ointment. You tilted your head back in relief and sighed.
"Oh thank god." You let out, releasing your tight grip from the edge of the tub.
"I'm sorry, I don't want it to get infected." He murmured as he carefully placed the bandages on your knees. You shrugged, not really caring in the moment what got infected, only that the pain had subsided slightly and you were able to take a real breath.
"Are you ready to head home?" He asked, standing to his feet as he grabbed the packaging from your bandages. Now he was looking down at you with narrow eyes and a tilted head. Oh god. Your head might as well still have been spinning, the way he looked at you like you were the only girl that existed had you ready to fall to your knees next.
"Uh huh…" You breathed out, tipping your head to the side, hoping that the way your robe fell off your shoulder slightly would reel him in. He smiled and held out a hand, you took it and stood up, now nearly chest to chest with him. You sighed and looked to the ground before he could see the blush quickly spread to your cheeks.
"Hey. You okay? Are you feeling alright?" He bent down slightly to examine you further. You looked up quickly to him and nodded, now was definitely not the time to admit your deeply hidden feelings for Steve Harrington.
"Yeah! Yeah I'm totally good, I should get home." You pressed your lips together and smiled, hoping he wouldn't pick up on your nervousness and slight shake of your voice.
He smirked and turned around to throw out the garbage in his hand.
You adjusted your robe and held your arms crossed at your chest, following him out of the bathroom.
When you arrived back at your house, you quietly snuck through your house. With just one floor, footsteps were easily noticeable to anyone, even in their own rooms. You had noticed that from all the times your brother got home later than you asked. You tip-toed into your room and sat down on your bed, sighing loudly and falling onto your back. As you stared at the ceiling your head felt a little less dizzy and you began to think about Steve once again. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if you told him, he obviously felt some way for you if he took you to HIS house to fix you up. Your mind raced, going through all the close encounters between the two of you that night, and slowly, your mind drifted to sleep.
word count: 6359 // masterlist | inbox (please request ! ) | WIP list
summary: after a year long relationship that yielded nothing more than a few pathetic pecks on the lips, you venture out to get kissed. It's a stroke of cosmic luck that the man who chooses to kiss you is one of Hawkins's hottest.
Contents/Warnings: afab!reader, smut (18+), kissing, makeouts, fingering, brief oral sex (m receiving), brief mentions of virginity/virgin kink
A/N: this is special for many occassions! first, because I actually started and finished something that i haven't had sitting in my drafts for two years! second, because i'm finally back into the swing of things with stranger things and billy to boot. and third, because i hit 1K!!!!!! thank you so so much for helping me hit this milestone, it feels insane and i'm so ready to celebrate! i'm planning on a little writing event to celebrate even more but for now enjoy 6.3K of nasty billy smut <3
reblogs and comments are greatly appreciated! your feedback motivates me to write more, so thank you for your support :-)
You feel like an imposter in the middle of this party. On the surface you know what you’re doing- you’ve got on a bra that pushes your chest up, and a top that plunges so low that you’re nearly showing nipple. It’s riding up your stomach, too, a strip of fabric that’s eager to reveal all of the parts you’re supposed to be showing, considering it’s Halloween and everyone’s costumes are thinly veiled excuses to get naked.
But beyond that-? Beyond dressing the part, beyond wearing the right bra with the right top and smearing glittery eyeshadow over your lids, you’re at a complete loss. Because the bra and top and makeup are supposed to get you laid, and you’ve never done that before.
You’re woefully under-touched, under-kissed, even, but enough time has passed since the end of your last relationship that you’re looking to get back out there again. The problem with that one had been that it was simply… boring. It feels mean to say that, because the boy was nice and respectful- maybe too respectful. A year and a half’s worth of dating had garnered only quick pecks on the lips, and you were starting to wonder who was less interested in physicality with the other person by the end of it. It had felt more like you’d been friends for the year, and had dipped your toes into awkward hellos and goodbyes on the mouth. It was a relationship by name only- and you’re ready for the real thing.
You’re nervous, but you’ve been thinking that you might need something hot and heavy to get you comfortable in the dating scene. After all, as much as you’d resented your last relationship’s lack of spice, boys are hardly ever that hands-off. You suspect anyone else you try going steady with will have their hands all over you by the third date, and the thought makes your stomach flip. It’s a little trepidatious, a little excited, which is why you’re testing the waters tonight, and aiming to get kissed before going home.
It feels too perfect that the man whose eye you catch is Billy Hargrove. You’ve been subtly gazing at him for months now, because he’s easy on the eyes and his rebellious attitude only sweetens the deal. He sits behind you in history, too, and you admittedly relish the shenanigans he comes up with to both keep himself occupied, and irritate your teacher. You’ve caught yourself smothering a laugh at a few of his snarky comments, or leaning to your left to cover up the sight of him smoking from the front of the class. On occasion he asks you for a pencil, and the last time he’d returned it he’d flashed one of those dazzling smiles at you, reaching out to tug at a lock of your hair before sauntering out. You wish you could say you’re smart enough not to fall for such childish antics, but you’re not, and you’ll happily get schmoozed by the school’s bad boy instead of going home un-kissed.
“Hey,” He offers you a salacious grin, his dusty blonde curls spilling over his shoulders in ringlets you’re jealous of. He’s either going as the Terminator or as a half-naked man, and honestly, the second option sounds more like him than Arnold Schwarzenegger does. He’s got a leather jacket on, one that he hasn’t even attempted to zip up to cover his tanned chest below. He’s thick, muscled and stocky, but you try keeping your eyes on his own as he crowds you against the wall of the hallway you’re both standing in. You’re the only people in the narrow space, but the party rages on just through the doorway, so you’re not completely removed. He has to raise his voice just a smidge to talk to you, but you can hear him and his gruff voice sends a chill up your spine. It’s dark, and your stomach does another one of those flips as you realize you’re nose-to-nose with one of the most handsome men you’ve ever seen.
You shrink backwards against your volition- what you wouldn’t give for the courage to lean closer - and smile, a curve of your lips accompanied by a flush to your cheeks, “Hi.”
“You look nice,” He comments, “I’ve never seen you dressed like this before.”
“I don’t usually wear it to class,” You glance down at your chest, then back up at him to find that his eyes dart upwards at the same time. Your cheeks heat more, and your stomach writhes below your heart, “It’s a little… much.”
“It’s perfect,” He grins, blinking lazily at you and tilting his head further down, one of his arms coming up to brace against the wall behind you, “You’re kind of the last person I thought would be here, though.”
“I’m not that bad, am I?” You ask, nearly cringing. But he laughs, and you’re really berating yourself for falling so easily now, because your knees nearly give at the sound. It’s rich, warm, and practiced, you’re sure, but it doesn’t matter in this moment, because Billy Hargrove is paying attention to you, and it looks like the only item on your bucket list is about to be checked off pretty soon.
“Not bad. Just quiet. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders. And that’s not really something you see at these types of parties. You drink?”
“Not really,” You shake your head, peering down at your underfilled cup of something, barely two sips taken from it, “I only took it because someone handed it to me, and I didn’t know how to say no.”
He takes it from you without another word, his fingers brushing your own as he grips the cup in his gloved hand, lips stretching wide around the rim to down the thing in one go. He blinks afterwards, shaking his head briefly as the taste stings his tongue, but his eyes are brighter when they open again, and he drops the empty cup onto the hallway floor without a second thought.
“How much have you had?” You ask, not wary, but curious, and he laughs again.
“None of that. I’ve only had beer so far. That’s gross,” He licks his lips, his tongue so bright pink it’s almost red, his lips now coated in a glossy sheen of saliva, “They just put whatever they could find in there.”
“Is it strong?” You ask, remembering the way your throat had burned in taking only a few sips.
“Nah,” He shakes his head, his curls flying and his eyes gleaming, “Not unless you’re a lightweight.”
You shrug haphazardly, then realize all too late that you’re not good at flirting. Perhaps this is why you’d gone a year and a half without a proper kiss- what do you say now? He’s inches from your face, liquor wafting off of his tongue and cologne off of his bare chest. What could the right thing to say possibly be in this scenario?
Billy seems to realize he needs to do the talking, because he dips closer, his face now achingly close to yours, “So, do you like it here?”
“At the party?” You ask, and he doesn’t point out your stupid question. He just nods, one of his curls falling and tickling your cheek where you’re looking up at him.
“It’s okay,” You hum, casting a wary glance towards the crowd mere feet away, “It’s a little loud, though!”
Your voice is semi-raised to prove your point, and he breathes out a laugh that makes his teeth gleam in the dull light of the hallway. He gets impossibly closer, his chest pressing against yours for a split second before his hands find your waist and nudge you backwards, to your left.
“What-” You stammer, but your feet soon find a doorway instead of solid wall, and he backs you into a dark bathroom off the hallway, further removed from the noise of the party.
“There,” He hums, flicking on a light and shutting the door behind him, planting his feet against it and leaning back, “Is that quieter for you?”
You feel the breeze coming through the window, and the soft lights of the bathroom are actually pleasant compared to the lingering darkness of the hallway or the stark white lights of the main room. You turn to face the window, peering out over the lawn that’s lit only by streetlamps. There’s no partygoers on the lawn yet, but there’s no police either, so maybe that’s for the best. It really is quieter in here, not silent but better, and you nod thoughtfully.
“Yeah. Thanks.” You turn, finding Billy mere inches from your face. He licks his lips, his tongue glistening and dark pink, obscene as it coats his lower lip in a layer of saliva you want to taste. It’s a bold thought, considering you’ve never done more than a press of lips-on-lips, but you can smell his breath and even the beer on it doesn’t discourage you from thoughts of kissing him for real.
“Anytime,” He winks, he actually winks, a ludicrous gesture that you appreciate for its obviousness. You’re so nervous that you need over-the-top, you need him to lead so that you don’t fumble around in the dark and lose your shot. If he wants to kiss you, he’ll have to kiss you, and from the way he’s breathing against your face you presume he’s about to.
“So,” He hums, one of his hands finding your waist. Your tight shorts mold right to your skin, not boxy or baggy or anything that would prevent his fingertips from pressing against your every curve, “‘Thought I heard you broke up with your boyfriend this summer.”
“I did,” You nod obediently, head bobbing up and down while your lashes flutter involuntarily. You don’t necessarily mean to act like a lovesick child, but he’s so close and warm and electric in the small space of the secluded bathroom that you’re uncontrollably fawning over him. It’s difficult to look him in the eyes so you do it upwards from a bowed head, pupils surely eclipsing your irises by now.
“So you’re mingling,” Billy nods slowly in understanding, his lips pursed in thought before they spread into a grin so dripping with charisma that you’re surprised it’s not forming a puddle on the floor. “That’s good. You need to let loose and have some fun.”
“I guess so,” You laugh, quietly, primly, nervously. You wonder if he can tell that you’re thrumming with equal parts excitement and terror. You won’t go back on your mission for the night but now that it’s plausible you’re getting clammy-palmed and weak-kneed. You hope when he does it- if he does it, he won’t laugh when you collapse afterwards.
“You seem nervous.” He notes, and your stomach drops to your feet. Okay, so he can tell. But he doesn’t back off- on the contrary, his hand strokes gently over your waist, rubbing in one soothing, slow circle before cementing itself against your side again.
“I’m sorry,” You blink, glancing down at the floor in search of sanctuary from those icy blue eyes, another gentle laugh spilling from your lips like it’ll shield you from the moves he’s putting on you, “I’m really- I don’t usually do this. I’ve never done this before.”
The admission comes out before you can really think about it, and when you do, you cringe.
The mission of the night was to get kissed, not to admit you’d never been before. And sure, it could still happen. But if word ever gets out that Billy Hargrove was your first kiss, your first real kiss despite your year-long relationship, you’d never show your face outside again.
He rears his head backwards, genuine shock taking over his face before he schools it back into that delightfully-forward grin of his. You’re drinking in how sleazy he’s being, because for once you want to feel like a man can’t keep his hands off of you, not that you’re dreading the moments before you have to see him because you’ll have to peck at his lips like a shy bird. Perhaps tomorrow will be the day you decide greaseballs aren’t for you, but tonight, you’ll let this one win.
“Y/N,” He practically sings, his voice low like a cat’s purr and twice as sensuous, “You’re kidding. He never kissed you?”
“No, I’m not,” You breathe, nearly sobbing despite your lack of tears, “I don’t- I just never… no one’s ever-”
“How could anyone resist?” He asks, and your heart pounds in your ears.
“That guy-” Billy’s brows scrunch, his curls dangling over the sides of his face as he leans closer to you, “Michael-? Bradley-? Tom-?”
It’s none of those, but you’re not eager to utter his name at the moment. You stay silent, aware that you could press yourself backwards against the wall behind you but pointedly staying in place, silently begging for Billy to close the gap between his lips and yours. It’s a painfully small thing, and a 5 degree lift in the angle of your head would fix it. But you’re frozen, basking in the way his eyes shine as he leans over you.
“How could he not kiss you?” Billy asks, and he leans in, he’s leaning in, he’s doing it, he’s closing the gap and-
Your entire world shifts on its axis.
At first, it’s just like it was with your ex, but longer. It’s a press of lips to lips, but Billy’s are soft and they taste a little bit like nicotine and a whole lot like beer. Then he breaks away and before your brain can even register that he’s done it, there’s a soft smacking sound and he goes back in for more. This one, this one is a killer. You feel his tongue, warm and wet and smooth, peek out of his mouth and brush upwards against the apex of your bottom lip. It makes you shudder, a full body thing that Billy feels against his palm. He breathes through his nose, probably a laugh but not a cruel one, and when his lips briefly part from yours again, barely backing off a milimeter, they brush against your own mouth when he speaks.
“He never did that?” Billy asks, his voice husky and low. He moves in for another kiss, and this time, at the prodding of his tongue against the seam of your lips you part them, nervous and excited and everything all at once as his tongue blots at the soft skin lining the inside of your mouth, spit-soaked and barely missing your teeth. He doesn’t break apart this time, though, he breathes through his nose and you feel the cool rush of air against your philtrum. It means his lips don’t have to separate from yours, and you barely hold back a moan as his lips advance further on yours, slotted with your own and gently pulling at them, urging your own mouth to mesh further with his. His hand on your waist begins tugging, dragging you closer to him as he pries his mouth off of yours, panting softly while his spit-soaked lips press a wet kiss against the skin just at the corner of your mouth.
“How did he never do that? Shit,” He breathes, long and low as he goes in for another kiss. He’s bolder this time, his tongue spilling out of his own lips and into your mouth, brushing against your own in a gesture that whites out your vision. It’s electric, it’s hazy and it stirs something squirmy beneath your gut as his tongue slides over your own, rolling his spit over yours and combining them in a substance you want to swallow. You don’t have much choice, because it drips close to your throat and you nearly choke on it, but his tongue retreats and your throat bobs as you chase after it. You do moan this time, nothing obscene but audible in the small, closed-off bathroom. Billy grunts at it, a low, gruff sound that makes the feeling beneath your stomach more intense, and you realize your hands have come up to grip against the sides of his leather jacket without your consent.
“How’d he stop himself, huh?” Billy asks, his voice husky. It sends a shiver down your spine but it follows through to your core, and you feel yourself begin to throb dully, “How’d he resist? I can’t fuckin’ stop. I can’t stop.” He grunts, pressing kiss after hot, sucking kiss to your lips, “How’d he stop himself from doing this 24/7, babe?”
You hang off of him desperately, whining lowly, but he’s so good of a kisser that you’re not embarrassed about it. It’s justified- you’re almost mourning the fact that this is your first kiss and not your forever kiss. There’s a good chance he’ll never look at you again after tonight, and you can only hope to find someone half as good at this as he is.
He moans, nose smashing against yours as he drags himself off of you, “He never did this? How ‘bout this,” He ducks down again, this time kissing against the side of your jaw and veering towards your ear, “Did he do that?”
“No,” You whimper, putty in his hands.
“Why not?” He asks, trailing towards your mouth again, “Why didn’t he kiss you, babe?”
“I don’t know,” You breathe, the response as true as it is embarrassing.
But he doesn’t seem to be mocking you- no, he goes in for another round of mouth-to-mouth, mumbling against yours, “He’s a fuckin’ idiot, that’s why. Can’t believe he never gave you what you deserve.”
He licks into your mouth again, tongue snaking in and out as he swipes it against your molars. It’s so far in your mouth that you’re surprised you haven’t swallowed it yet, but you valiantly try to, your lips closing around it as you suckle it and slide off of it with a wet smack.
“Motherfucker,” He groans, a choppy, broken sound that comes out like a laugh as he grips your face, preventing you from chasing after his mouth. He’s breathing heavily, and you realize you are, too, partially exposed chest heaving against his own bare one. You hadn’t realized how dazed you were until the bathroom light spills back into your eyes from where Billy’s forehead and curls had been blocking it, and he stares at you with a half-grin and twinkling eyes.
“You sure you’ve never kissed anyone before? That was a good move,” He licks excess spit off of his bottom lip, eyes staring harder at your lips than your own gaze, “Fuck, I can’t believe that loser could keep his hands off of you. Jesus, f’you were my girl,” He stops short, words half-choked as he cups your face in a large, rough hand. You stare up at him, dazzled, eyes flitting over the boy’s unfairly charming grin and movie-star handsome features, “I’d never stop kissing you.”
“Billy,” You whine, a desperate mewl while he holds your face in his large palm. It’s dizzying, and you feel drunk off of the kiss instead of whatever jungle juice you’d been reluctantly sipping only minutes before. Not only have you been kissed, you’ve been frenched, properly wooed and sweet-talked until your limbs began melting. He seems to sense that you’re not steady on your feet, and his nose scrunches for a flash of a second before it smooths out with his widening grin.
“Come with me,” He slides his hand from your waist to your back, then lower beneath your ass. It’s not necessarily lewd, but it’s not chaste either, and you yelp until you realize he’s trying to get you to jump into his arms.
“Come on, up,” He instructs, tugging again at the plush of your ass through your shorts, and you clamor to wrap your arms around his neck, hiking your waist up to wrap your legs around his own.
He grins, wolfish and toothy, “Good.” Then he’s off, arms slung beneath your ass as he hauls you out of the bathroom. Instead of turning back towards the party he heads for the stairs, and your stomach jumps with nerves as he starts to take them at a jog.
“Billy!” You shriek, arms clasped tight around his neck, “Don’t- you’ll drop me.”
“Relax. I work out,” He huffs, half-scoff, half-laugh, “Whatever you weigh, I can lift more.”
He proves his point by maintaining his grip on you the entire way up, but as soon as he starts beelining for a bedroom your gut twists again.
“Billy,” You repeat, your voice embarrassingly nervous. Are you ready for this? You’d like to be. It’s a fantasy, really, being swept off of your feet by him and sharing your first time with the man who’s surely the best lay in Indiana. But you’ve just had your first kiss, should you really be moving so quickly? “I don’t- I- I’m sorry, but I don’t know-”
“Seriously,” Billy grunts, throwing a hand out to slam the door shut behind the two of you as he hefts you onto the bed, “Relax.”
You bounce on the mattress, watching as he stops in front of you in all of his leather-clad glory. His chest is still bared, his jacket more of an accessory than an article of clothing. His curls are beginning to frizz, springing wildly this way and that, and his breathing matches your own despite hauling you up a flight of stairs mere seconds ago. He jams his hands into his pockets, a lighter in one and a squished carton of cigarettes in the other. He strikes his thumb against the lighter, burning the end of a cig until it glows, and you watch him take a deep drag through the same lips he’d just pressed all over your own.
“I’m not gonna fuck you,” He says, after smoke billows from his mouth, “Not yet, if you’re not into it. But you can’t go home without a real kiss,” He grins doggedly, offering you his cigarette, “You smoke?”
“No,” You shake your head, and he snickers.
“Didn’t think so. Wanna try?”
“No,” You repeat, squirming on the bed, “So you’re not gonna- we’re not-?”
“Not now,” He rolls his eyes, but there’s another charming smile on his face, like he’s endeared by the way your fingers twiddle together, “You need a makeout. It’s good shit,” He sniffs, taking another drag from his cigarette and pinching it between his fingers as he advances towards the bed, “Move.”
You scoot backwards, nearly too far, and he leans himself against the pillows. He eyes you expectantly, then grabs your bicep to usher you over his lap, “C’mon, like this. There you go,” He nods encouragingly as you straddle his waist, and he wastes no time before reaching for your face again, this time curling his hand around the back of your neck and yanking you in.
It’s less slow this time. You don’t mind it- he smashes his lips to yours and his tongue fills your mouth before you can process being kissed at all, licking hot, fat stripes against your own and swiping over your teeth. The appreciative hum that he lets out when your tongue licks a careful, tentative line against his own vibrates through your mouth, transferring into a full-body shudder that shakes you against his lap. He snickers into your mouth, and it’s an odd sensation, one that leaves you reeling when he tears himself away for another inhale at the end of his cigarette.
“You’re learning,” He notes, smoke filling the air in a hazy cloud not unlike the one covering your brain with the taste of Billy’s saliva on your tongue, “You’re so shy. Still can’t believe that guy never touched you,” He scoffs, his free hand regaining its spot on your waist and molding to its curve as he sucks in another lungful of smoke, “His fuckin’ loss. Lemme fix it, though.” He eyes you, ducking his head so that his eyes bore into your own, “We don’t have to do anything tonight. But when you feel like it,” He reasons, his voice dripping with warm, enticing charm, “Give me a call. Anyday, babe, I’ll be there. You don’t deserve some two-pump chump that’s gonna waste your time. Call me,” He knocks his forehead into your own, less gentle than an embrace but tender all the same as he steals another kiss from your spit-slicked, puffy lips, “And I’ll pick you up.”
“Billy,” You breathe, stars in your eyes. It’s an offer you wouldn’t refuse in a million years, and despite knowing that you’re not ready for sex yet, you’ve got a dull ache between your legs that refuses to go away, and an embarrassing amount of wetness between your thighs for someone who’s only been kissed. He leans back in with that shit-eating grin to press it to your mouth again, and you happily let yourself get sucked back into another sloppy, languid kiss. You suck on his tongue again- he liked that the first time, and you feel his stomach muscles tense where your fingertips splay out over his bare abdomen beneath you.
The more you swap spit, the more you feel Billy get hard beneath you. You wouldn’t have flattered yourself before now and assumed that sitting on a man’s lap would get him hard like this, but the feeling of his cock hardening beneath you is undeniable. You pant when he breaks away to take one last drag of his cigarette before smashing it onto the nightstand, barely hitting an ashtray. He’s hard and you’re throbbing, and the pressure between your legs is too intense to ignore when Billy’s mouth trails spit down from your mouth to your neck. He starts mouthing at the skin just beneath your jawbone, juts towards your ear, then migrates back over to your throat. He tongues messily at the skin there, then sucks so that a sharp pain begins blooming on the surface, your skin beginning to raw.
“Never got a hickey either?” He guesses, the words tongued into your skin. You shake your head, and he feels it when your hips begin to rock unconsciously against his.
“Jesus, slow down,” He bites against your neck, breaking through your brain fog and holding you still by your hips, “Thought you didn’t want anything crazy.”
“I don’t,” You whimper helplessly, “But- but I need something, this- this feels really good.”
“Alright, easy,” He pats your hip twice, sharp smacks against the hem of your jeans, “How ‘bout I finger you? That’s all, just my hand. Won’t even look if you don’t want me to.”
“I-” You falter, thinking it over, “I can keep my shorts on?”
“S’fine,” Billy shrugs, raising his head to press his nose against yours and mouth at your lips again, “Doesn’t matter to me.”
“But you,” Your hands fall to his lap, braced against his thighs and pointedly avoiding the bulge between them, “That’s not fair.”
“I’ll jack off,” He grunts against your mouth, “Good?”
“Yeah.” You make the split-second decision, stomach aflutter as you try dismounting his lap. But he doesn’t let you, the leather of his jacket creaking as he holds you firmly in place.
“No, here,” He insists, and despite the awkward angle, manages to fit his hand into one leg of your shorts. He drags his fingers across your clothed core, but as soon as he feels the wetness seeping through it his eyes flash darker.
“Jesus, you’re fuckin’ soaked. It’s a shame that fucker never kissed you.” His eyes gleam and so do his teeth as he grins, “You clearly like it.”
The only answer you’re capable of giving him is a wanton moan, feeling the pads of Billy’s fingers drag tantalizingly slowly across the pad of your panties. You’re sure they’re stained entirely by now, and once Billy gets you used to the feeling of someone touching your cunt he hooks his fingers in the elastic band and stretches them to the side.
“You sure?” He asks, his mouth still infuriatingly distracting as it slots over yours, time and time again. He’s a voracious kisser and you revel in every second of it, nearly forgetting to nod affirmatively.
He needs no further prompting.
His fingers touch your pussy, bare this time instead of clothed. It’s an odd sensation, mildly alarming that you have to quell by reminding yourself that you want this. And you do- you really do, you want Billy’s fingers to push past the slit of your cunt and press against the sensitive spots inside. You’ve experimented with yourself, felt your body and figured out what makes it feel good. What places to stroke, what places to push, what places to tease. But Billy’s fingers are bigger than yours, and it’s an entirely different sensation to have someone do it for you than to use your own hand.
It’s thrilling, and you melt against Billy’s lap. You realize your kiss has gone weak from the sensation of Billy’s fingers stroking up and down your cunt, giving you all the warning in the world before putting any pressure there. When he finally slips two fingers inside your slit and catches the wetness gushing out your jaw goes slack, tongue doing nothing but pooling spit around your teeth while Billy’s swipes over it.
“Fuck,” He grunts against your teeth, his free hand pawing at your jaw to tilt your head backwards slightly. It allows his tongue to go deeper towards your throat and you nearly gag, your own tongue rising to clash with it. Once you reengage you can’t stop, and you’re not sure you ever want to considering the way this feels right now.
His fingers stroke in and out, back and forth, up and down, and the tight pressure your shorts put on his wrist keeps it pressed firmly against your clit. It’s a heavenly feeling and you’re close already, the kiss having stirred you up more than you’d like to admit. You’re worried about leaking against his jeans but Billy takes it in stride, fingers pumping in and out of your wet cunt so skillfully that there’s wetness beginning to slide down towards his wrist.
You’re caught between mortification and bliss, but a long, forceful roll of Billy’s tongue over yours cements you in the latter.
“You’re almost there,” He notes the way your thighs clench around his wrist, feeling the pulsing of your sex as his fingers slide smoothly in and out, “Come on, babe,” He speaks across your tongue, lips pressing ravenously to your own, “Come on, lemme have it. Come on, give it to me, your first time. I wanna feel it, lemme feel you lose it on my fingers.”
“Oh my god,” You whimper, hips ticking forwards as Billy mumbles filthy hot utterances into your mouth. You drink them, sucking against his tongue again and feeling your chest begin to shudder with choppy breaths. The feeling that’s been plaguing you between your thighs all night is beginning to crest, and one deliberate nudge of Billy’s thumb against your already-aching clit is all you need to begin trembling on his thighs.
“Oh- oh my god, oh- aah!” You cry, Billy’s mouth colliding with yours and muffling your words. He licks them out of your mouth, teeth scraping against your lower lip and stinging the skin there. You roll your hips against his hand, unknowingly but helpfully, and he lets you ride out your orgasm to its end before he begins clamoring for his jeans with still-sticky fingers.
“Oh- lemme,” You start, hands flying for his zipper, but they hover there uselessly while he stares up at you. You can tell he’s agitated, pent-up energy making his eyes wild. You feel bad for the guy- he’s honestly generous to offer to get you off and take care of himself. But this is so far out of your wheelhouse that you’re afraid you’ll do it wrong, and you’d be embarrassed to no end if you couldn’t get a man off when he’s already this hard.
“You don’t have to.” He repeats, continuing to fumble for his cock until he can wrestle it free from his boxers. It’s large, you’d say, though you have nothing to base it against, and it’s an almost pretty color at the tip, flushed and pink. It’s oozing with wetness the same way you were, and Billy presses a flat palm to your mouth instead of his own.
“Lick it,” He instructs you, unable to tear his other hand away from his aching cock even though it’s dry, “Get it wet.”
You feel ridiculous dragging your tongue up his palm but you do it anyways, and he slams it onto his cock so roughly it looks like it’d hurt. But he starts tugging at it, palm sliding up and down its length almost viciously. You wonder if it does hurt, but there’s enough lubrication from your spit and your slick alike for his palm to glide instead of catch. You watch in almost-fascination as he jacks himself off, grunting and lunging forwards to draw you into another kiss, his tongue smearing messily over your lips before prodding between them.
As much as he’d teased you for getting off on kissing, he seems to be doing the same. He pumps his fist up and down the length of his cock but he’s grunting and groaning into your kiss, tongue fighting against yours when you’re brave enough to use it. The next time you remember to suckle at the tip of his tongue he heaves, his muscles tightening beneath your palms as he nears his own climax.
Wordlessly, without even breaking your kiss, you fumble for his cock. You remember to dip your hands between your own legs first to gather the leftover slickness there, and you’re by no means experienced, but you find its mushroom tip with your fingers and curl them around it. His own hand stutters, then stops, and you slide your fist down his length, stopping when you press against his balls. You pick up your pace, but try doing it gently in case you’re somehow doing it wrong, and he slings his arms around you waist to crash your bodies together even closer.
“Fuck,” He pants into your mouth, hot and heavy and gruff, “Fuck, you’re dirty.”
You squeeze experimentally, at the very base of his dick, and he bites your lip. It’s rough, and you’re almost convinced he’s drawn blood, but you know now that squeezing works, so you work your way up and down his cock, peppering in there and there until his chest is heaving against yours.
“Good, keep going, keep going,” He chants, the words spilling messily over your mouth, “I’m gonna- I’m gonna fucking-”
You part from the kiss, keeping one hand on his cock as the other flies to the mattress. You haul yourself off of his lap and flatten yourself over his thighs, knees bent as you fit your mouth over the head of his cock.
He cums.
You don’t know why you did it- it’s not like you’ve ever done it before. But you know it’s what you’re supposed to do, and you’re pretty sure you did it right if the mouthful of cum shot at the back of your throat is any indication. You nearly choke on it, cheeks briefly bulging until you can manage to swallow what doesn't stick to your tongue and cheeks.
“Aagh, what- what the fuck,” He groans, aggressive, nearly a roar as his hips buck. It presses his cock further into your mouth, nearly down his throat, and you steel yourself against gagging as he fucks out his orgasm into your mouth.
“Fucking hell,” He pants, grabbing you by the hair and tugging you off of him. He pulls you back into his lap and dives in for a kiss that lets him taste his own release on your tongue. It nearly makes him hard again, and he has to push you off before he goes back on his earlier promise to take things relatively slow with you.
“You’re fucking crazy,” He accuses, eyes hooded as he stares scrutinizingly at you, “You’ve never done any of that before?”
“No,” You breathe, shaking your head dazedly as you regather your surroundings. You feel the mattress beneath your fingers, the burn from having your knees bent for so long, “No, I- I don’t know, I just did what felt right.”
“Felt fuckin’ amazing,” He tosses his head back against the pillows and watches you swallow the contents of your mouth, part your spit, part his, part cum.
“You,” He starts laughing again, a breathless shudder of his chest, “You’re better than you think you are. Now I’m really not letting some loser fuck your virgin pussy,” He rolls his head sideways to look at you, and you nearly squirm under the intensity of his gaze, “Swear you’ll call me?”
“I swear.” You nod akin to a bobblehead, “Are- can we…? Stay here?”
“I need a minute,” He admits, nodding, his brows raised as he fumbles for another cigarette. You tentatively stretch out beside him, but you don’t close the gap until he does. His large palm grabs the side of your head and mashes it into his chest, playfully smearing at your hair until you’re sure it loses its shape.
“You bombshell.” He laughs, letting you curl into his side on the bed. You plant a hand on his chest, and something happy and squirmy happens in your chest, “You tricked me.”
“It’s my first time!” You insist through a proud, growing grin, and he drags his hand down your back, nails scratching there and eliciting a shiver that bleeds down your spine, “I swear.”
“I believe you. But you’re hot.” He insists, breathing heavily as he exhales smoke, a rare contentness seeping through his body as he recuperates beside you, “Can’t wait to see what you do when I finally get inside you.”
reblogs and comments are greatly appreciated! your feedback motivates me to write more, so thank you for your support :-)
contents/warnings: gn!reader (no description of reader other than hair length being kinda long ish?), yearning, angst (kinda), kissing, violence (russian base), torture (very light, follows the show), sad steve:(, mostly fluff, happy ending
wc: 6.5K
a/n: my bad guys this one is lowkey long ASF, but i enjoyed writing this sooooo much! rewatched season 3 and thought of this. i love robin sooooo much so it was kinda iffy if i wanted her to still be in it or not, but i decided against it to have more of just steve and reader having this shared trauma. this is also ofc based entirely off season 3 ep6-7! hope you guys enjoy and happy holidays!🧡
The ringing in your ears was the first thing to wake you up. Your body felt weighted and your head no longer felt connected to your slumping shoulders. As you slowly blinked your eyes, trying to clear the foggy vision, you saw boots. Multiple pairs of clean, shined boots. Trying to lift your head felt like someone had replaced your brain with a bowling ball. The ringing just got worse as you finally followed the green pants and matching jacket up to find the eyes of multiple Russian soldiers staring down at you. You closed your eyes again, hoping that you were having a weird dream after getting knocked out with the door. To your unpleasant surprise, the soldiers remained as you opened them again. Although getting kidnapped by Russian soldiers was not on the agenda for your day, you couldn't say you were surprised. Especially after you, your brother Dustin, Steve, and Erica decided to break into the "super secret impenetrable Russian military base". The room around you eventually stopped spinning as you focused on the man, speaking Russian at you.
"Кто тебя послал?" The sound of his voice boomed in your head as the ringing subsided.
Even if you knew what the man was saying, you couldn't speak. The whole ordeal was far too much to process. You scanned the room, only to realize that Steve was no longer by your side.
"I said, who sent you!?" The Russian's voice echoed through the room again.
You looked back up at him and blinked slowly. Oh my god. He thinks I'm a spy. You thought as you started to chuckle. Imagine what your friends would think if they knew you were being questioned in a Russian military base by a man who thought the CIA sent you. You began to laugh out loud at the thought.
The man bent down to look at you closer with a small smirk plastered across his face.
"Oh? You think this is funny сука?" His eyes narrowed.
"No! No no I just cannot believe you're questioning me like someone sent me here!" You spoke through your laughter.
He straightens out and takes a step back, only to turn to the man standing next to him.
"Продолжать." The man spoke quietly.
Suddenly a strike hit your face causing you to jerk in your chair. A blossom of heat rose to your eye and spread up into your forehead.
"Who do you work for?" The man questioned again, the thick Russian accent laced with hatred.
You rose your head slowly as the pain tugged down your neck. Shock was splattered across your face.
"I- I work at an ice cream parlor!! Scoops Ahoy, in this mall! I swear, I swear on my life. We came here by accident!" You shouted, knowing it was no use to convince the men who would slowly take your consciousness if you didn't tell them what they wanted to hear. You could only hope that Steve had escaped, or maybe finally won a fight and made a run for it from the smug Russian guards.
The man chuckled in your face then turned to his comrades to laugh as he spoke in Russian. You could only assume he repeated what you said to them. They began to stifle laughs, knowing what came next.
"Снова." The man spoke sternly as the next punch landed on your cheek bone. Your head flung to the side and you slumped in the chair.
"Who do you work for?" The man asked again with a smile on his face, leaning down to meet your eyes.
You stared up at him, hoping he would find some mercy. Your eyes then dropped to the floor as you realized there was no escaping your fate.
"I told you dude, I work for the ice cream shop!" You tried again, craving a break from the assault on your face. Luckily, you got what you asked for as the man nodded to his partner. A punch landed into your stomach, causing you to let out a loud groan and a cough that followed. You began to question whether you should just tell them some bullshit story to get them to leave you alone, some backstory about how the CIA threw you in a stupid sailor hat and said "No yeah wear this, then break into this Russian base and get all the info on the portal their opening to the upside down." Maybe they would buy it and just kill you instead.
"You won't tell us who sent you? Fine. We'll just go pay another visit to your friend." The man spoke slowly as your eyes widened. He smirked almost with some sort of knowledge that you would spill everything you had if it meant keeping Steve safe.
"NO! No please leave him alone, I'm telling the truth I swear to god." The tears started before you could finish the plea. With that, a single final blow landed on the side of your face, taking away the blooming pain of the past attacks they had sent. You slumped onto your side and waited. You stayed awake just long enough to see the two men approaching you and pulling you up, then, it all went dark.
Consciousness hit you like a truck, the searing pain up the back of your neck, side of your face, and down into your side. You blinked slowly, trying your best to take in your surroundings as you realized you were now tied to a small chair. You began to struggle, hoping that squirming and kicking would somehow free you from the tight embrace of the chair. As you tugged at your arms, you realized a heavier weight attached to your back. You turned your head quickly to find Steve sitting in a chair connected to yours.
"STEVE! Steve, oh my god, are you okay?" You anxiously inquired.
You were only met with silence as you continued your struggle.
"Steve, are you awake? Steve? Please wake up, holy shit holy shit!" You tried your best to maneuver your hand to grab him but it was no use. At that moment, two Russian guards entered the room. One, the man you had spoken to, and the other, a man you had yet to see. He looked almost of a higher standing.
"Hmm, your friend doesn't look so good." He spoke, a shit eating grin coating his face.
"What did you do to him!" You spat at him, tears and anger in your eyes. He back handed you right across your already sore cheek. The man stepped back and laughed with his fellow comrades.
"Вызовите врача." The man spoke with a straight face, cutting off the laughter of the room.
"It's a good thing we have a doctor on the way, just for him." He leaned down and smiled, as if to say "good luck". In that moment, something came over you. You leaned your head back and launched it forward as hard as you could, headbutting him in the chin. He stumbled back and gripped his mouth with his handkerchief. You watched him, eyes scrunched and teeth clenched. You knew you would get it now, but if that meant keeping him from Steve just a little longer than you would take it. The man just glanced at you before exiting the room with the men he brought in. You began to realize that unless you somehow could break out of your chair, you would be stuck in this base until they tortured you to death.
"HELP!! PLEASE SOMEONE HELP!" You yelled as loud as you could, hoping your brother or Erica were somehow nearby.
"Ughhh what the hell? Stop yelling.." His head now on a swivel, scanning the room the same as you did.
"Steve!! Oh my god you're alive. Holy shit are you okay?" You tried to turn to look at him but the pain in your neck and binds around your arms stopped you. He noticed the binds on his arms and you attached to him.
"My ears are ringing, and I can’t really breathe, my eye feels like it’s about to pop out of my skull, but, you know, apart from that, I’m doing pretty good." He replied, head bobbing and swaying. You knew how they felt, he couldn't see your face but you could totally relate.
"Well they are supposedly calling a doctor for you, but I can't promise they'll get a good one after I head butted the guy in charge." You laughed a little, wincing due to the pain in your side that spread to your ribs. He chuckled too, less because what you said was funny, but because he was happy you were alive. Let alone well enough to crack a joke. He teased and joked too, causing a heat to rush to your cheeks. You boiled it down to the bruises, hoping it was just the pain causing it.
"Listen. I was thinking, you see that table over there to the right?" You nodded in the direction as he turned his head the opposite direction.
"No other right. There's scissors, maybe if we move at the same time, you could knock them into my lap and I could like cut the binds.." He cut you off.
"Then we can escape." He nodded. You both took a breath, ready to put your plan into action.
"I can't believe they just left us in here with scissors. What morons." You laughed out loud.
"Oh my god, total morons, what were they thinking?" He spoke through a laugh.
"Okay ready? On my count.. One, two, three!" You both hopped in the direction of the scissors, a twinge of hope rising in your chest. You gasped in surprise that it worked.
"Holy shit it worked. Okay again." You bumped him with your shoulder.
"Yeah okay. One, two, three!" He repeated. He was equally surprised that your plan was working.
"We're close!! Okay one more here we go. One, two, thre-" Before you finished the word, Steve hopped a moment too soon, sending you both hurling toward the floor. Before you could imagine the pain, it soured through your face as your head hit the ground. SMACK.
You groaned in pain as Steve sighed. This was it, you were both gonna be tortured and murdered in a sailor costume. In a secret Russian base because your idiot brother convinced you both to investigate a Russian interception. You began to laugh at how ironic it was, this has never happened to anyone in the history of the world. You chuckled and your body shook due to laughter.
"Are you crying? Y/N don't cry, we'll get out of here I promise." Steve comforted you as you began to laugh out loud. He was worried about your well being and you could not even begin to imagine the newspaper article. "Two teens found dead in a Russian military base wearing sailor costumes."
"Are you laughing?" Steve asked with a hint of annoyance under his breath. You took a breath and sighed.
"I'm sorry! I just.. I cannot believe this is how we go out! What are the fucking odds." You shook your head as much as your hair stuck under Steve's head would allow.
"Especially going out with someone like you. Steve "The Hair" Harrington." You laughed again as the idea cooked in your mind. He took a moment to process what you had said.
"Someone like me?" He scrunched his eyebrows, unbeknownst to you. You thought for a moment, trying to think of a way to explain what you meant without sounding mean.
"Yeah.. You know. Mr. Popular." You rolled your eyes, thinking back to his highschool persona. The guy who roamed the hall with Nancy Wheeler attached to his arm, the King of Hawkins High.
"Mr. Popular? That's what you think of me?" He said letting out a breath. Thinking back to the past couple summer weeks you two had spent in the ice cream parlor.
"Well, I mean yeah. Just… You were the guy who caught everyone's attention. The guy who everyone stared at as they stood alone at their lockers. The guy everyone could only dream of being or being with." You said without thinking.
Heat rose to your cheeks again, this time you knew it wasn't because of the bruises or the cut under your eye.
"Are you serious? You have literally watched me get denied by every girl who has walked into Scoops the entire summer." He spit out as he chuckled. You closed your eyes and thought back to all those times, wishing all those girls were you. You would never admit it but since freshman year of high school you had an undeniable crush on Steve Harrington. You were the girl who stood at your locker alone every morning before homeroom, wishing you were one of the several different girls Steve had had his arm wrapped around each week. You knew you never stood a chance, I mean for fucks sake, you played DND with your little brother and his friends. You would just stand by and watch, imagining yourself in their shoes. A popular girl with Steve Harrington wrapped around your finger.
"You don't even remember high school do you?" You opened your eyes and pursed your lips. He paused for a moment, trying to remember you.
"I- well- yeah sure I do."He stuttered out, not wanting to sound like the asshole you knew he was.
"Right.. You remember the girls you had stuck to your hip every day. You remember Tommy and Carol making everyone's lives a living hell while you stood by and watched." You spit out. You knew he wouldn't remember you and you didn't hold that against him, you were pretty much invisible until he got sucked into Dustin's demogorgon travesty. He thought for a second then spoke quietly.
"I'm sorry.." He picked up on the fact that he never once spoke to you, despite being in half your classes together.
"You were a real asshole Steve." You spoke quietly, trying not to let yourself fall into the same hole you fell into nearly everyday you came home from school. He sighed loudly enough for you to hear.
"I know.. I'm sorry. I wish I could go back and change things. I think we would've been good friends back then.." He turned his head, not to look at you, but so you knew he meant it. You laughed under your breath.
"Yeah.. maybe then I'd be popular too. Then we both could've avoided Dustin's stupid Russian radio interference." You laughed again, shaking your head. He laughed with you.
"Imagine that. Then we would still be slinging ice cream and I would be getting all the girls." He rolled his eyes as he spoke. You felt a slight twinge pull at your heart, realizing that even though you were the one he slung ice cream with, you would never be one of those girls he chased after.
"Yeah… It was fun while it lasted." You let yourself smile, knowing this might be the last time you spoke.
Then, the door buzzed and the Russian soldiers walked back in, followed by a man in glasses and a white lab coat. Way to be original. You both turned your heads toward the door.
"Where were you two going, hm?" The soldier spoke at you as he clicked his tongue.
"Try telling the truth this time, it will make your visit with Dr. Zharkov less painful." He turned around and faced the doctor pulling things out of his bag.
The two other soldiers pulled you both off the floor and the doctor turned to you.
"Woah! what the fuck is that?" You yelled as you shook your head. Steve turned to look at the doctor as he held a small syringe gun filled with a deep blue liquid.
"Uh uh! No way you are not touching her with that thing!" Steve spoke loudly as he began to struggle in the chair, moving you with him.
"It is just going to make you talk." The doctor spoke as he moved in and pressed the syringe into your neck.
After the soldiers and doctor left you both sat quietly, waiting for your sealed fate to hit. What you both assumed was death, or burning maybe? But no, you both just sat there, nothing to be felt. Steve spoke first.
"Honestly, I don't really feel anything.. Do you?" Both of your heads now leaning against one another.
"I feel.. fine? I think? I don't feel anything really." You spoke quietly. Checking your surroundings again, expecting some sort of distortion, still nothing.
"Yeah same.. I feel kinda good?" Steve spoke again hesitantly, as if what he was saying was wrong. You turned your head back to try to look at him, a warm feeling rising in your stomach, making you smile.
"Wanna know something..?" You tried to hold back your smile but the more you thought about it, the better it felt.
"I kinda feel good too." You let out a cut off laugh, trying to make it inconspicuous. Steve starts to laugh and you follow. You both were now full on laughing at absolutely nothing at all.
"They totally messed it up!!" You yelled as your head fell onto Steve's shoulder. He laughed harder.
"Those morons messed up the drugs!" He yelled back between laughs.
"Hey morons!! Morons you messed it up!" You yelled as your head tilted back and forth with laughter. You kept shouting until it hit you, they totally didn't mess it up. Your laughing paused for a moment.
"Hey Steve.." You said hesitantly.
"I think it's definitely workinggggg!" You laughed out. He nodded vigorously.
"You're totally right!" He shouted back as you both fell back into laughter.
The door buzzed and clicked open as the soldiers and doctor arrived back in the room. You felt the world pause for a moment as the doctor approached his bag, knowing that this was about to get a lot less funny. You and Steve were now both staring at the doctor as he pulled out heavy duty surgical pliers, scissors, and a bone saw. Your eyes widened in shock. No fucking way. You thought.
"Let's try again, hm? Who do you work for?" The soldier spoke as he stood in front of the door, hands folded behind his back. You tried to think, maybe you did work for the CIA and you just weren't remembering right.
"Scoops. Scoops Ahoy." Steve chuckles out as the doctor looks over at him. You burst into laughter.
"How did you find us?" The soldier continues his questioning.
"Totally by accident." Steve says again between laughs.
"Еще больше лжи." The Russian speaks toward the doctor. You glance around the room while your laughter is coming to an end. Steve suddenly gets tense as the doctor picks up the pliers. You glance at the doctor as he walks towards Steve.
"What is that shiny thingy?" You speak as you lean your head back, trying your best to see what he will do with it.
"Woah woah what are you doing? HEY WOAH!" Steve yells.
"Wait! Wait wait no no!!" Steve shouts as the pliers clip onto his finger nail.
"Hey!! There was a code! We heard a code on our thingy!" You yell at them, hoping you spoke in time for Steve to keep all his fingernails.
"A code? What code?" The soldier speaks as the doctor turns to look at him for approval.
"The silver cat feeds when blue meets yellow in the west. Blah, blah, blah. You broadcast that stupid spy shit all over town, and we picked it up on my brother's Cerebro, and we cracked it in a day. A day! You think you’re so smart, but a couple of kids who literally scoop ice cream for a living cracked your code in a day, and now, people know you’re here!" You let the words just spill from your lips, on and on, hoping they believe the truth you just cannot hold back.
"Who knows we are here, сука?" He spits at you.
"Well Dustin knows." Steve speaks, leaning to see the soldier.
"Uh Steve.." You shake your head, trying to indicate for him to shut up.
"Yeah Dustin Henderson..?" Steve laughs a little as you continue to shake your head more aggressively. Uh oh. Not good.
"Dustin Henderson..? He is your brother, hm? Small, curly hair?" The soldier cocks his head and smiles.
"Ohh yeah. Curlyheaded, greaaaat hair. Small, kinda a fro'." Steve speaks while slowly blinking.
"Where is he?" The soldier asks, venom hanging on his every word.
"He’s long gone, you big asshole. And he’s probably calling Hopper, and Hopper’s calling the US cavalry. They’re gonna come in here, commandostyle, guns ablazin’, and kick your sorry asses back to Russia. You’re gonna be two pieces of toast." Steve just keeps talking, letting out every little secret you both have while laughing at his little joke. The soldier glances at his comrades with a smirk on his face. The seriousness washes over you as you lean back on Steve laughing, he was so right, this is all bullshit, everyone will be here soon.
"Is that so?" The soldier bends down to meet Steve's hazy gaze.
"Well.. yeah." Steve murmurs. As the laughter comes over you again, they were sooooo fucked.
You both fall into a swell of laughter as the soldier and doctor join in momentarily. That is, until the sirens start blaring from down the hall. The sirens that indicate someone, had broken in. You all stare towards the door of the sealed room, awaiting what Steve had predicted only moments before. Steve turns back to the soldier and shrugs with a smirk on his face, knowing he was right. That was the cocky, Mr. Popular Steve you knew. The soldiers rush out of the room and the doctor stays, pliers still attached to Steve's fingernail. In that moment, your absolute hero of a brother rushes into the room and TAZES the doctor, electrocuting him right onto the ground.
"Hey! Henderson we were just talking about you!" Steve mentions to him casually, as if he hadn't just killed a Russian military doctor. You laughed and stared up at Erica, mind still hazy, wondering how she was allowed back in, no way she was old enough to be here.
"Get ready to run!" Dustin yells as he cuts both of your binds.
The next few minutes were a blur filled with violent laughter between you and Steve being shaken around in the back of a small red car. When did Dustin get old enough to drive? You thought to yourself right before he hit a turn and you and Steve folded forwards into the grated side of the car.
"What is this the indy 500?" You slur, falling over next to Steve.
"No!! It's 300!" Steve yells back at you mixed with laughter.
"How aboutttt 1 million." You say back deadpan. Steve erupts into laughter and you follow
"What is wrong with them?" Erica says, looking back to you and Steve giggling in the back of the car.
Moments later the car is coming to a sudden halt and Dustin and Erica are pulling you both out onto the ground. You stumble around trying to gather your footing while catching your breath and looking around. Once you arrive in the elevator, Steve is standing on a cart, pretending to surf while you shake the cart eagerly trying to get him to fall off.
"You look like your surfing dude!" You yell at him as you pull the cart towards yourself, pinning you against the wall and knocking him onto the ground.
"WIPEOUT!!" You yell and point at him.
"Are they drunk? They seem drunk." Erica nods towards you both now on the floor laughing once again.
"Why would they be drunk?" Dustin questions as he kneels to look at your eyes. He pulls your eye open as you struggle.
"Heyyyyyy cmon mannn get off me!" You slur as he continues the assault on your eyeball.
"Her pupils are super dilated." He turns to look at Erica who is now scanning over Steve's eyes.
"Maybe they're drugged?" Erica suggests, glancing between you both. You laugh and push your brother away.
"Shhhhhh." You say as you hold a finger against his lips. Your eyes now visibly red and itchy.
"Don't tell mom Dustinnnn! She'll ground me like last timeeeee." You slur out while grabbing his shirt. Steve looks around hazily then makes eye contact with you again, making you both start laughing. Dustin moves to Steve and asks where he parked his car, your eyes widen when you remember the Russians emptying your pockets, knowing they did the same to Steve.
"Uh oh. The Russians, they took the keys, that's a bummer right?" Steve laughs out while looking over at you, making you giggle too.
The elevator eventually reaches the surface where you both run out into the open lot, tongues out, tasting the sweet relief of fresh air.
"That tastes sooo good!" You yell out.
Dustin and Erica walk in front of you both as two guards start charging at you. Dustin and Erica grab you and pull you through a small door into the mall. Dustin drags you through the mall, ignoring your eager requests to stop at the food court for french friends and milkshake. You watch as Steve stumbles next to you as you both attempt to run behind the children. Steve has the biggest smile on his face, a mirror of yours. The same heat as before begins to rise to your face again, the drugs now not helping with the fact that you had unspoken feelings for the man that was tripping over his own feet right next to you. You all hurry into the movie theater and Steve snags a bag of popcorn out of the garbage on your way to sit down. Dustin and Erica tell you not to move as you both complain about the seat choice being too close to the screen while the doc yells about something relating to a dope car. Dustin and Erica slink over to the two seats at the opposite end of the row.
"Woah Steve, it's like I'm one of ur lady friends you take on a date." You whisper to Steve as he shoves popcorn into his mouth.
He chuckles and looks over at you. Something about the look in his eyes and the smirk on his face brings on a whole new feeling that accompanied the heat burning in your cheeks. Something that rises from low in your stomach and makes you almost feel a little nauseous. He was so pretty, even with a black eye and cheeks full of popcorn. He nods and tilts his head.
"Yeah! This is like if we had been friends in high school. I would've taken you here I think." He mentions casually as he turns to look back at the screen. You were definitely bright red now, hoping the redness of your forming bruises hid it, you take a handful of popcorn and stuff your mouth full of it in hopes that it distracts you.
A couple minutes into the movie a strong thirst takes over your mouth, without a single memory or care of being told to stay put, you get up and head towards the door of the theater. Steve looks over to find you rushing to the door and follows.
"Y/N! Hey! Where are we goinggggg!" Steve whispers as he races down the aisle towards you.
You exit the room and head straight to the water fountain, taking a small sip before Steve jumps in front of you and begins drinking from it. You stand to the side, leaning on the back of the fountain, staring at the wall while squinting your eyes.
"So, like, I wasn't totally focused in there or anything, but... I'm pretty sure... that mom was trying to bang her son." You say, confusion lacing your voice as you turn your head to Steve.
"Wait, wait, the hot chick was Alex P. Keaton's mom?" Steve replies, now scrunching his eyebrows and turning to you. You nod with your mouth hanging open, trying to put together more of the plot.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure."
"But they're the same age." Steve replies, confused.
"No he went back in time…" You say back, starting to giggle.
"Then why is it called back to the future?" Steve questions, now staring blankly at you.
"He has to go back to the future because he's in the past. So, the future is actually the present, which is his time." You say enthusiastically finally putting together the very few pieces you had gathered of this movie while on legitimate drugs.
Steve shrugs and takes another sip of water from the fountain before you push him out of the way.
"No! It's my turnnn!" You yell as you take more sips from the fountain.
Steve slowly stumbles away into the middle of the room, staring intently at the ceiling. He starts to turn his head and admire the lights shining down from the ceiling.
"Hey.. Y/N?" He calls.
"You gotta check this out." Steve says without looking away.
You drag your feet over to him where you gaze up at the ceiling next to him, the lights shining down in wavy patterns. It was one of the most beautiful things you had ever seen. You start to spin around, taking in all the beauty of the now moving lights. As you continued to stare, heat rose to your cheeks once more. Only this time, it was different, it was accompanied by a pressure in the back of your throat and a grumble in your stomach. You gag and clench your teeth as the lights begin to spin, much faster than before. It starts to feel like you just entered a never ending tunnel. You look at Steve momentarily before you realize it was not just you. You both break and run faster than you ever had in your life toward the nearest bathroom. Quickly, you both entered the first stalls you spotted and proceeded to hunch over the toilets.
After a few minutes, the bathroom went quiet from all the guttural noises that had just been spilled from your guts. Now laying against the side of the stall, your head had finally stopped spinning and the room seemed to stop too.
"Hey did the ceiling stop spinning for you too?" You asked Steve from the stall next door.
"Look at that. Yep." He replied, relief hanging on his voice.
"You think we puked it all up?" He asked, taking a deep breath.
"Hm, I don't know, ask me some questions." You replied in a Russian accent, letting out a light laugh.
"Hmm okay. How bad does your face hurt on a scale 1-10?" He asks, touching his own cheek softly and letting out a quiet wince.
"I'd say, probably a 6? Maybe less honestly, it's not so bad." You replied with a smile on your face.
"Yeah same, that cannot be good, it should definitely hurt more I think." He laughs as he leans back against the stall again.
"Alright my turn. Hit me." Steve says, waiting patiently for your incoming question.
You think for a moment, wondering if maybe you should ask something funny like he did, but all of a sudden something comes over you and you can't stop it from coming out.
"Did you mean what you said before? In the theater?" You ask before leaning your head back on the wall and silently shunning yourself for asking something so utterly stupid.
A moment passes and he takes a breath. You let out a sigh, knowing you had basically just demolished the perfectly good friendship you once had.
"I.. Yeah. Yeah I did." He replies hesitantly.
You raise your head, taking in the words he just said. There's no going back now.
"Can I ask you another question?" You inquire, more quiet than before.
He nods despite you not being able to see him. You take his silence as a yes.
"Was that only an if? Like.. you said you would've taken me on a date here. You wouldn't with the way things are now?" You ask, your head resting on your hand against the toilet.
You knew this could only go one of two ways, he could say he would do it now and we live happily ever after. Or the more realistic choice, he says it was purely a what if scenario along with the power of drugs. You weren't even going to listen to what he said, you were more preparing yourself to get up and run as fast as you ran in the stall in the first place.
"I wouldn't take you on a date here now-" He replies.
Your heart stopped in your chest and you were about ready to throw up again, but this time not from the drugs.
"I would take you somewhere a lot nicer." He continues.
"I don't think I'd want to go on a movie date with someone I actually enjoy talking to." He finished.
Your eyes widen and your mouth drops open. You were sure the drugs were still fucking with you because there was no way Steve Harrington just said he would take you on a date. You didn't know what to say, the heat in your cheeks was back in the good way and you weren't sure whether to get up and splash some water on your face to snap out of this trance, or kiss him on the mouth. The safest option seemed like maybe you should just sit still.
"Hey.. Did you OD on me over there?" He asks through the stall, waiting for an answer.
"No.. I'm still alive." You say slowly, trying to take a deep breath.
Steve then slides under the stall to sit in front of you against the stall. You quickly close your mouth and try to look as normal and collected as you could. But all you felt was the same as you did every day in the hall as you watched Steve Harrington kiss those stupid girls against his locker.
He just looks at you for a minute. When he finally speaks up, you look up and finally make eye contact with him.
"I don't think I've ever met someone like you before." He starts, dropping his eyes to his hands that were now fiddling in his lap.
"You are different from all those other girls in high school. You said people wished they could be them but I hope you never feel that way. You're so interesting, funny, and smart, and you get me like no one else ever has. It's like you see right through me and I don't even know what to do with myself when I'm with you." He stops and takes a breath then looks back up at you again.
"It's like.. When you make fun of me for not being able to talk to girls now, I just think of how none of that stupid stuff would work on you because you're not some idiot who just wants to date me because I was popular. I think that's why I can't talk to girls now, because I don't really want to talk to anyone but you." It sounded like someone had finally removed this wall from in front of him, something that had been holding him back for so long.
You never thought that Steve Harrington would be confessing that he has liked you for some outstanding amount of time, when you have liked him since the 9th grade. Yet here he was, on the floor of a mall bathroom wearing a sailor costume, confessing that he only wants you. Out of everyone, he wants you. You could only stare at him for a minute, before you realized he was starting to get nervous. Mr. Popular was nervous, talking to you.
"I didn't even know.." You started.
"Steve. When I told you girls wished they could be one of the many you had wrapped around your finger, I wasn't just talking about people I knew. I was talking about myself. I would stand in that god forsaken hallway every day, in front of my locker, right across from yours, and wish I was standing in those girls shoes. Wishing I could be Ms. Popular. Wishing I was like Nancy Wheeler." You frowned, looking up at him.
His eyes were sad, apologetic, you knew in that moment he regretted all that time that people had told him that popularity had mattered. That the only thing he should care about was who he dated and his status with Tommy and Carol. He wished he could've spent all that time with you, even if he only realized it a couple months ago. Your eyes softened, you felt bad for the man that had put up this stupid front for so long, something ingrained into him that he didn't know he could change. Mr. Popular was more like Mr. Not So Popular.
"Steve, I'm so sorry." You said quietly.
With that, the only thing left to do was to lean forward and plant a soft kiss on your lips. You had never felt anything as sweet or kind as his lips on yours. You kissed him back like you had been waiting your whole life to do just that. And you had. His hand cradled the back of your head, racking up through your hair and smoothing it out again. His other hand held yours like he never wanted to let it go. As your lips moved in sync you felt all that worry and the facade he once put up faded away, he relaxed for once in his life and stopped worrying. Stopped worrying about Tommy and Carol, and all those girls he pretended to like, and all the girls he tried so hard to ask out. He forgot about all of it because he had you.
"What the fuck you guys!!" Dustin shouted as the door of the bathroom burst open. You immediately separated and fell back against the sides of the stall. As you looked at each other, lips swollen, hair slightly ruffled, you began to laugh, possibly harder than when the drugs were in your systems. Dustin and Erica stood watching as you both fell onto your sides laughing, rolling their eyes.
"Not funny! We have to go. NOW." Dustin exclaimed as he gestured towards the door that led to where there were about 10 Russian guards in search for you at that very moment. You and Steve smiled at each other one more time before gathering yourselves and following Dusin and Erica out the door and into the mall once more.
Only four years later and there you were, fingers laced with Mr. Not So Popular's, being chased through Starcourt mall by Russian guards.
★ summary: flying during the holidays is horrible enough; even worse is when your flight gets delayed by 24 hours. the only thing that makes it worth it is the brown eyed boy who's determined to make the next 24 hours the best date of your life.
★ pairing: modern!steve harrington x reader
★ warnings: 18+ mdni, smut, fluff, love at first sight, brief mention of heart attack & cpr, cursing, airport bathroom sex, oral sex, unprotected sex, big dick & dirty mouth steve harrington you guys know the drill
★ word count: 10k
★ notes: watched before sunrise, cried, then opened a google doc :) this is also me soft launching emt!steve
“We regret to inform you that flight UAL-8777 to Chicago has been delayed until tomorrow at 6 o’clock central time. Please head to the Airline Counter if you have any more questions. We sincerely apologize.” The intercom buzzed, followed by the loudest in unison groan you might have ever heard in your life. Flying around the Holidays were stressful enough as it was, but now your flight had been pushed back nearly 24 hours.
God forbid you take the cheaper flight with a layover; now, here you were trapped in a random Midwest airport for hours.
“Jesus fucking christ.” You grumbled, kicking your suitcase more aggressively than you needed to. Taking your anger out on the poor, hard plastic. “Save a hundred dollars, Y/n, it’ll be fine. No, I’m so excited to spend Christmas Eve in the airport, this is exactly what I wanted.”
You were mumbling to yourself like a madman, plopping down in a quiet corner. There was no way you were going to the ticket counter now; the angry mob of people had grown tenfold in just the few minutes it took you to walk over here.
“Us frugal spenders got the short end of the stick, huh?” A voice spoke, making you spin your body in the hard plastic airport chair.
“Fuck.” You laughed, holding your chest. “Oh my god, sorry I didn’t know you were over here.” A man with headphones wrapped around his neck was sitting on the floor, charging his phone. Barricading himself in his own corner, a similar idea to the one you had. His hair was organized chaos, his smile wide.
“No, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to startle you.” His eyes went soft; they were brown. A warm honey brown you could imagine yourself drowning in.
He was attractive, that much was obvious. If it wasn’t his face, it was how he held himself, even as he was tucked into the wall. Hoodie sleeves covering his hands to keep warm.
You spun in the chair, pulling your knees up to your chest. “I’m sure you didn’t expect a crazy woman to come over here and begin speaking to herself like she’s lost her mind.”
He smiled, a true with-teeth grin. “Worst things have happened than a pretty lady having a moment of insanity. Besides, I think if you can lose your mind anywhere where it's socially acceptable, it’s the airport.”
You hummed in agreement. Ignoring the way your cheeks flushed at his compliment. “Are you also going to Chicago?”
“Guilty. My best friend just moved there, I’m thinking of joining, but I wanted to visit a few more times.” He smiled.
“Funny. I just signed a lease there. My work is moving me.” You smiled, his eyes lighting up. “My sister’s waiting for me in my new place.”
“God, well, now I have to move, huh?” He grinned; all you could do was laugh.
“It’d be nice to have a friend in the city…” You trailed off.
He moved his bag, shuffling towards you with his hand outstretched. “Steve. Steve Harrington.”
“Y/n, Y/n Y/l/n.” You said, shaking his hand clumsily. He pulled away first, sitting there awkwardly for a moment before another announcement came on, announcing more cancelled flights.
“Well, Y/n, I think you deserve a $20 coffee that tastes like dirt water and an overpriced sandwich that tastes like hospital food.”
“Wow, Steve, you treat all your ladies like this?” You teased, standing up to join him.
“All my ladies I befriend in airports for 24 hours? Absolutely.”
“Hmm, and how long is that list?” He stood next to you, ready to take your bags from your hands immediately. The chivalry oozes out of his pores.
“Right now? Pretty short,” He smiled, “Let’s say we claim this corner, huh? Unless you had accommodations for tonight.”
It was an invitation to stay, one you’d be ashamed to admit you didn’t even think through before you were nodding. This fairytale book of a man showed up in his oversized hoodie, carrying your bags, and talking sweetly to you. You could see the looks of disappointment on your friend's faces now if you told them you just walked away, getting a hotel for the night as a normal person would.
“Consider this corner conquered.” You said, a smile lighting his features. His eyes crinkled as he moved your bags next to his.
“So I’m thinking, coffee first, then food. Then we attempt to occupy ourselves and somehow get sleep in this disaster.”
“While also trying not to get trampled by the Home Alone family over there.” You added, watching a family of at least 12, all running through the terminals at full speed.
He nodded, “Dying would be bad. This first date would be off to a bad start.” He said absentmindedly, the two of you walking side by side.
“Date, huh?” You smirked, side-eyeing the man. He froze, his hands moving wildly before he began speaking.
“Wait, ha. I didn’t mean, like I was joking. But also kinda not?” He babbled, running his hand through his hair wildly. “I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable or anything. We did literally just meet. I promise I’m not like a creep or anything-”
“You’re cute when you’re nervous.” You smiled, watching him continue.
“And I swear I just said it. I don’t think sometimes, I should have asked, but-” He slowly caught up, “Wait, you think I’m cute?”
You nodded, a shy smile on your lips. “Very. And for the record, we may never see each other again. So you better make this a very memorable date.”
He brought his hand up in a salute, “Yes, ma'am.”
Once the date was solidified, you both ordered your food. When you reached into your purse, Steve ignored you, handing over his card to the barista without a second glance. Your cheeks were red, your chest giddy with excitement. You felt like a middle schooler again, complete with the clammy hands and awkward gait.
“How is it?” He asked when you took a drink, your eye twitching.
“Tastes like they ground the beans with a rusty hammer and brewed it with mop water.” You cringed, “So exactly how I expected it to taste.”
“Oh, that’s my favorite kind!” He gasped, taking a drink of his own. Swallowing it down harshly, “Oh god, that’s like horrible.”
The two of you ate your overpriced, horrible food with small talk. The silence wasn’t as awkward as you thought it would be. You learned that his best friend Robin had just gotten a segment on NPR, and his brother, for all intents and purposes, Dustin, was interning at the Field Science Museum during his undergrad.
“It’s almost like the universe really wants you in Chicago.” You teased.
His face went soft, nodding silently at you. “I think it’s sending me some pretty strong signs.”
You told him about your very boring corporate job in Healthcare; it was the first job that gave you an offer after graduation, so you took it. You had some family not too far away, so it seemed like the best plan. He said that he dropped out of school, you saved the pity, and just shrugged.
“Things happen,” You reassured him. “What were you studying?”
“Criminal justice and prelaw.” He admitted with a heavy breath. “Wasn’t sure if that’s what I wanted to do or if I was just doing it to make my Dad proud of me.”
You stayed quiet for a moment before speaking. “Well, what do you wanna do?”
“Is it embarrassing to admit that I don’t know?” He spoke with an earnest look in his eyes. He propped his elbows up on the table, setting his face in his hands to look at you. “Sometimes I feel like a loser. 26 years old and all I have to show for it are some college credits and a resume of job hopping.”
You shook your head, “I don’t think that’s embarrassing at all. Everyone moves at their own pace. I appreciate that you haven’t forced yourself to do anything you didn’t enjoy. I did. I earned a degree I don’t care about and a job I know I’m going to hate. Simply because it felt like it was the right thing to do.”
“What did you wanna do?” He asked, flipping it back onto you. You let out a hefty sigh.
“Oh man, I wanted to be a journalist. Wanted to travel the world and write about it. Meet new people, learn new things. Maybe write a book or two.” You smiled, a hint of sadness in your eyes. “But journalism doesn’t pay the bills if you don’t have a foot in the door.”
“You know, my ex-girlfriend, well, really she’s just a friend now, is a Journalist. Moved to New York and everything. She just had her first baby.” He hummed, lost in thought, “Serious if you ever wanted to pursue that, I could give her a call.”
You blushed, shaking your head. “No, that’s too much to ask. Besides, I don’t even know if I’m good at it, really. It was always just a faraway dream I had.”
“Well, listen, the option is always there. Nancy would love to show you the ropes.” He smiled, his feet brushing against yours under the table. It was crazy the connection that spiraled between you two; the conversation never dried up. The next thing you knew, it had been well over an hour, and the airport was slowly clearing out as some flights went on and people found their accommodations for the night.
“Do you think it’s time we venture back to our humble abode?” He asked, scooting out from his chair.
“Lead the way.” You smiled, accepting his outstretched hand. His hand was so much larger than yours, your smaller one falling into his palm perfectly. You tried to stop the large smile creeping up on your face, feeling like a kid with a schoolgirl crush. It was ridiculous.
His body stopped abruptly, your body nearly running into his. “Pit stop.” That was all he said before he dragged you into a random convenience store.
“What?” You giggled, watching as he grabbed a tiny basket. Shoving it into your hands.
“We’re gonna need snacks, drinks. This is also the perfect opportunity to judge your taste.” He smirked. Making you gasp.
“My taste is fine, thank you.” You jutted your lip out, beginning to stalk down the aisles. Throwing various chips and candies into the basket.
“Sour candies. Good choice.” He hummed, throwing in a package of cookies.
“Chocolate chip cookies? What are you, 12?” You teased, grabbing a couple of water bottles.
“You wound me, Y/n.” He pouted, continuing to go through and judge every single thing you looked at too hard. The lady behind the counter glared at you two, but you ignored her. Lost in your own bubble of giggles and endless flirting. It was just as toothrottingly sweet as the pile of sugary drinks and snacks in the basket.
“Is this everything?” She asked in a monotone voice, which unfortunately just made you and Steve fall into another fit of giggles.
You tried to pay, only once again getting pushed away by Steve’s outstretched hand, tapping his card to the machine.
“You didn’t have to,” You frowned, “I mean, I think all of this was more than you saved on the flight.”
He shrugged, uncaring. “This is still a date. It’s very rude to let a lady pay.”
By the time you made it back to your corner, a few others were occupying the gate with you all. Most of them lay around, attempting to get some rest. It was hard to fathom sleeping while the sun was still setting; mostly, you were too wound up at the prospect of hanging out with Steve to even think about sleeping.
“So I’m thinking, makeshift fort. Movie?” He hummed, pulling out a travel pillow and a jacket from his bag. You did the same, making your own little cushioned seat. You slipped your laptop from your bag, connecting it to the wifi while Steve arranged the snacks.
Content on scrolling through the movies you hummed, the two of you trading off what you’ve seen before and what movies you’d never watch, when scrolling Before Sunrise caught your eye. You laughed a little amongst yourself.
“This date is sort of like the movie Before Sunrise,” You noted, propping your laptop up on the makeshift table. Which was just your suitcase on its side. “We're just stuck in an airport and not in Vienna.”
“Vienna would be so nice,” Steve mumbled through a mouthful of Red Vines, which you absolutely bullied him for. He tried to hide them underneath the pile of snacks, but it was no use. He was adamant about enjoying the cherry-tasting rubber wire. “Have you ever been out of the country?”
You shook your head, “Never had the money. You?”
“Nope. We should go.” He said as if it were the casualist thing in the world.
“What? Do you wanna hop on a flight right now? Abandon our lives and go jet set in a European country?”
“I don’t think we’re in that kind of cheesy rom com,” He snorted, “But I think you’d be a great travel companion. I mean, you can be pretty judgmental about my favorite candy, but besides that, you’re pretty cool.”
“Pretty cool.” You mocked, his shoulder brushing against yours.
“What? You are.” He laughed, adjusting himself closer towards you. You were both so close to each other, thighs pressing against each other. Your shoulders brushed with each movement you made. Once your laptop was ready, you leaned back, taking the risk of leaning against his side. Giving him a moment to pull away if he wanted, and he didn’t. If anything, he leaned further into you, his hands untangling his headphones.
“Let me guess, time to judge my taste in movies?” You asked, taking the earbud he handed to you.
The two of you share the wired pair, your heads now close together. He smelled like fresh laundry and cedar. His body warm against yours, you wanted nothing more than to lay your head on his chest.
“See, you’re learning.” He smiled. “What about that Sunrise movie you talked about. I’ve never seen it.”
You gasped, immediately pulling it up. “What a disgrace. I’m gonna have to show you true cinema.”
“I don’t watch a lot of romantic movies, mostly action movies. I did watch a lot of movies in high school, Robin and I worked at Family Video.”
“Family Video? Jesus, they’re still in business?”
“Oh, absolutely not, went bankrupt a few months into us working there. Robin was convinced it was our fault. But of course it wasn’t, it was one of the last ones opened since the 80s, I think.” He hummed the subtle music of the movie’s introduction, traveling through the headphones.
“You’re not a movie talker, are you?” You asked, turning to look at him. Which was a mistake, his face was so close to yours. His eyes are even dreamier up close. You could smell the red vines on his breath.
The freckles on his cheeks that you never noticed before were now all you could focus on.
“I could lie and say no, but I’ve been told it’s one of my only flaws.” He spoke softly, trying his hardest not to watch the way your lips curved with every word you spoke. He knew you were beautiful from the moment he first saw you, but now he was blown away. Your eyes staring into his made his chest ache, a warmness blooming there.
“Well, I guess someone as perfect as you did need some.” You whispered, nearly jumping when the movie officially started, taking it as your cue to turn back to the screen.
It was obvious the two of you were dancing around each other; you were slowly leaning into his shoulder at a snail's pace. And you caught Steve mustering up the courage to raise his arm, welcoming you into his chest. He’d stop himself each time, his teeth coming down to bite at his lip in frustration. He was nervous, and it was the most adorable thing you had ever seen.
“What if he were a murderer?” Steve spoke up, eyes glued to the screen. “She was too trusting of him, I think.”
You laughed at the irony, “Are you a murderer? I mean, look at us. We’re on a date now, aren’t we?”
“Yeah, but that’s different. We’re in one location, arguably a heavily armed and secured place. They’re in a foreign country just running around with each other.”
“I think it’s romantic,” You hummed, “To forge a connection with someone so quickly. To chase that feeling, not even thinking about the consequences.”
It was silent for a moment, Steve’s eyes boring into the side of your face. “I think I would have asked you to join me in Vienna.”
“I think I would have joined you.” You said almost immediately, his arm finally moving up. Resting around your shoulders, giving you the chance to lay your head on his chest. He leaned back, giving you the perfect angle to rest against him. You could feel his heart thumping wildly under your head, matching the beat of your own.
“See, I knew he was lying about something.” He whispered, his breath fanning hot against your neck. Making your skin prickle all over. You took his little comments in stride, what would normally be annoying for you, you suddenly found endearing. Enjoying his little bits of commentary.
You sat up a little when the credits rolled, ready to get his reaction.
“I hated that ending.” He spoke, face contorted deep in thought.
A laugh bubbled out of your chest, “What? Hate is a strong word.”
“For two people to have a connection that strong, that fast. It’s ridiculous to let that go right?” He scoffed, “I mean it’s f-fate, right? Something like that has to be. She could’ve given him a phone number. Something.”
“This movie really changed your perspective, huh?” You smiled, recalling how hesitant he was in the beginning.
“Something like that.” He looked at you, really looked at you. In a way, you weren’t sure you’d ever been looked at before. Like he really saw you, for who you were. Like he wanted to know you, to peel back every layer and memorise you. Like he was bottling this memory up to watch on rewind later.
He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it. You kept your eyes on him, realizing just then that you were hanging on his every word. The thought was terrifying in its clarity. You were falling in love with a stranger, someone who had only existed in your life for a single, fragile stretch of time.
“I feel like we could have a better ending than that.” He decided on, smiling down at you.
You made a noise of agreement, lifting your head off his chest. Already missing the warmth he provided.
“What’s our ending look like to you?” You asked. He looked down at you, your lips barely inches apart. His warm breath hits yours, anticipation brewing in your stomach.
“There is no ending,” He spoke softly, “Not to sound like a sap, but love doesn’t end. It goes on forever.”
“Hmm. You do sound like a sap.”
“Do you not believe?” He asked, “In love, I mean.”
“No, I do.” You smiled, both of your lips gravitating towards each other. “I just didn’t know you were such a romantic.”
“Have I not been romancing you?” He teased, his hand coming up to rest gently on your hip. A respectable placement, one to keep close. To steady himself.
You shook your head, “Consider me romanced.”
“Can I kiss you?” He asked, his brown eyes darkened. All you could do was nod, meeting him halfway. When your lips met halfway, the rest of the world faded out of view. Gone was the noisy airport traffic; all you could feel was him. His soft lips are moving eagerly against yours.
Sparks flew beneath your skin, your hands coming up to rest on his chest. You were both lost in the kiss. In the feeling of each other, his hand pulled you closer. Your body was nearly toppling on top of his before you both stopped.
It was as if, simultaneously, you both remembered where you were, breaking out of your own orbit.
Your surroundings came crashing back down. His face was flushed, lips glossy from your own. You were winded, staring at him with a wild look in your eyes.
“You’re beautiful.” He gave you one last peck on the lips before letting you pull yourself up. Sitting back upright.
“You’re beautiful.” You returned because he was. Every inch of his face looked as though he had been hand-carved by the gods themselves.
He made a pathetic noise, covering it up with a loud cough. Only making you laugh. “No one’s ever called me that before.”
“Then I need to find all of your ex-girlfriends and give them a piece of my mind,” You hummed, letting your hand cup his cheek. Your thumb rubbing small circles into the skin. “Because you are the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. I mean it.”
“You sweet-talking me for more kisses, huh?” He asked, leaning forward.
“I don’t think I have to.” You teased, pressing your lips together once again. He felt like a drug; the moment you got a taste, you weren’t sure how you were supposed to let it go. You were addicted, drowning in him.
This one was different, more intense. His mouth explored yours, your mouth parting for him with little to no effort. Letting his tongue pry out pathetic whimpers from your mouth. Hands gripping each other messily, your hands in his hair. His hands on your face, your hips. He pulled away, pressing wet kisses down your neck. Sucking gently on the flesh between your ear and neck.
“We might get kicked out of this airport if we keep going.” He whispered, your lips parted in a broken gasp. “As much as I’d like to continue, I don’t intend on being on a do-not-fly list.”
You gave him a breathy laugh, slapping his chest playfully. “Maybe we should have gotten a hotel.”
The words made him pause, his brows dipping slightly while you readjusted in your spot.
“I want you to know that I didn’t ask you on this impromptu date just for that.” He started, “I really like you. I just wanted to get to know you; it wasn’t some grand scheme to get laid.”
“I know,” You smiled, “I do think it would be a bonus though.”
“Well, yeah, obviously.” He scoffed, grabbing your hand in his. “I just didn’t want you to think I was using you.”
“I didn’t think that, Steve.” You assured him, lacing your fingers through his. Bringing it up to press a small kiss to his palm. “You know I’m not using you either, right? I do really like you. Probably more than I should for having just met you.”
“I mean, it would be an honor for you to use me,” He smirked, “But I feel the same way. Like, I’ll wake up, and this was all some weird dream. These kinds of things don’t happen to me. Only in movies.”
He nodded his head to the now darkened laptop screen.
“I find that hard to believe. I bet you sweep all the ladies off their feet.” You laughed, trying not to think about just how many. You had no right to be upset, but your chest ached at the thought of him doing this same thing to other women.
He just shook his head, “I’m actually terrible with women for the most part. Between my last few girlfriends, I’ve just been awful at it.”
“I don’t see how.” You admitted, “I mean, look at us. We’ve already had at least three dates in one. We’ve spent five or more hours together. We just had our first kiss. We’ll be married by midnight at this rate.”
“I don’t know. Just seems like I’m never good enough, you know? I mean, both my ex-girlfriends married the person they left me for. Just kinda seems like I’m bad luck, you know?”
Your heart ached for him, squeezing his hand tighter from where it sat in yours. “Well, I disagree. I also think they’re fools for not realizing what was right in front of them when they had it.”
“I just think we won’t be together long enough for you to realize it, or you’d be running for the hills.” He tried to laugh it off, but you could hear the ache in his voice.
“How presumptuous of you,” You settled on, “You deserve love. Anyone who can’t handle you just wasn’t worthy of you. That has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them.”
“Maybe my parents messed me up more than I’d admit.” He sighed, “They were super absent. Not in love, I don’t think they ever were. I was just a byproduct of a young mistake. So by the time I got my first girlfriend, I just kept screwing it up. Typical young cliche mommy and daddy issues.”
“I mean, I don’t disagree.” You smiled, “But give yourself a break. The whole time I’ve known you, albeit not very long, you’ve been way too hard on yourself. Any girl would be lucky to love you, to be loved by you.”
Your words felt heavy on his chest. “And you. How are you not already taken? I would’ve thought someone would’ve been wise enough to put a ring on your finger already.”
You laughed, a real one. Ugly and nasally. “Oh my god, no.”
“Oh, so commitment issues then?” He cocked an eyebrow at you.
“Maybe, I dunno.” You laughed, “Just haven’t found anyone I click with long term. I don’t know if you knew this, but most men suck. Like astronomically bad. You’re like the first man in years that’s blindly paid for a first date. Last date I had he sent me a Venmo request while I was still in the parking lot.”
“Want me to kill that guy for you?” He deadpanned, making you laugh even harder. He would be fine if that was the last thing he ever heard in this world.
“By all means, my night and shining armour.”
“You deserve more than just a free meal. You deserve,” He sighed, “Romance. Like true romance. Candlelit dinners, roses, the whole red carpet.”
“Oh, so you don’t take your dates to the airport and spend hundreds of dollars on shitty snacks with them?”
“Not typically, no, you’re just extra special.” He grinned.
“Thank god for that.” You smiled, leaning into his space once again. Letting your faces hover over each other. Both of you just drinking each other in. “But just so you know, I don’t need all that fancy stuff. All I need is good company. And I think I got the best.”
“Yeah?” His eyes lit up, flickering between your eyes and lips.
“Yeah.” You breathed out, pressing another lingering kiss to his lips. This one is heavier, full of words unsaid. Full of the tension that had been coiled tightly between you two.
“Well,” He let out a breath, “Enough of that. What’s next on our movie list?”
“Let’s watch a Christmas movie and then dinner? Options are slim, but I can wine and dine you later.” You winked at him, finally getting the smile back on his face. “And you’re letting me pay.”
“Yeah, sure.” He said, very uncovningly. “But a Christmas movie? Not feeling very in the spirit?”
“I’m missing all my Christmas Eve festivities. The least you can do is entertain me with some Christmas joy.” You laughed, watching him pull your laptop into his lap.
“I got it,” He snapped his fingers after some scrolling. “Die hard.”
You stared at him, eyebrows furrowed. “I said a Christmas movie.”
“I can’t believe you don’t consider Die Hard a Christmas movie.” He scoffed, your shoulders brushing against each other, purposeful now. Leaning into each other for warmth. No hesitation in your actions. Your bodies now clinging to each other, physically mourning each moment you were apart.
“I can acknowledge it takes place during Christmas,” You argued, “But it’s just an action movie that so happens to be around the Holidays.”
“Didn’t know you were such a bah humbug.” He joked, pressing play anyway. “After this, you’re gonna change your mind. I promise.”
You both weren’t a few minutes into the movie before a shrill scream ripped your eyes away from the screen. Looking for the source of the noise. It was a few rows away, an elderly lady, barely holding her husband up as he clasped his hand over his chest. Falling to the floor as each second passed.
Neither you nor Steve wasted a second; both of you yanking the shared earbuds out of your ears, rushing over to the couple. Steve was on his knees, fingers pressing against the man's neck to check for a pulse.
“No pulse.” He said, his eyes wide. Your healthcare training kicked in, ready to drop to your knees and give CPR before you realized Steve had already started. His hands were perfectly positioned, giving chest compressions.
“Oh my god.” The wife wailed, almost dropping to her knees. You steadied her, pulling her into your arms.
“M’am don’t worry, EMS is coming, okay.” You spoke, watching people gather around. Airport employees have already made the call.
“What’s his name?” You asked her, keeping her eyes on you.
“Adam.” She cried out, clutching onto your sweater.
“Come on, Adam,” Steve grunted, his hair falling onto his forehead.
You sat the wife down in a nearby chair, “It’s gonna be okay, EMS is on the way.” You assured her, a small crowd was gathering. You could see airport staff running over, calling in the incident.
“Steve.” You spoke, and he looked up at you. His arms not stopping compressions. “They’re on their way.”
All he could do was nod while you let his wife sob into your shoulder. When EMS came over, it was a blur, a short switch of Steve hopping off the man, and the paramedic taking over.
His wife, Cindy, you learned, wouldn’t leave your side. You walked with her to the ambulance when they got him on the gurney. You even helped her shaky hands to call her son, helping explain what happened when she couldn’t calm down. You gave her son your number, telling him to call if they needed anything tonight. He thanked you endlessly. When Cindy was taken to the Hospital, following the ambulance, you got the chance to take a breath.
The cool night air prickles your sweaty skin. Steve was the same, having shed his hoodie after the paramedics came. The two of you worked seamlessly beside each other, not able to talk until now.
“So that was crazy.” He breathed out, a dry laugh escaping his throat. “Like holy shit.”
“Dude.” You sighed, rubbing your face. “I’m like shaking.”
“You okay?” He asked, wrapping his hands around your waist. You nodded, “Adrenaline, I think.” Your hands were draped around his neck.
“Hell of a drug.” His body was shaking much like yours was, your bodies pressed against each other.
“How do you know CPR?” You asked. “I was a medical assistant in undergrad. Most people rarely do CPR correctly.”
“Lifeguard for four years, and swim team.” He smirked.
“Oh, of course,” You shook your head, “Bet you were prom king too.”
His silence was all you needed for an answer, smirking at his bashful face. “Yeah, you little heartbreaker.”
You took a minute to admire him in his short sleeves, his muscles flexing from where they were wrapped around you. “Swim team. No wonder you’re jacked.”
“M’ not jacked.” He huffed, “I barely work out anymore.”
“See. You need to let people compliment you. You’re so hard on yourself.” You huffed alongside him, making him roll his eyes. “I’m thinking about your biceps wrapped around my neck, and you’re here huffing and puffing that you’re not a bodybuilder.”
His eyes widened, “I’m sorry, what?”
“Hmmm?”
“That thing you just said. Bout my biceps?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Yeah, sure you don’t.” His mouth went dry, his eyes stuck on your faux innocent smile. You looked up at him from your lashes. Your hands are messing with the hair on the back of his neck.
“I’m just saying. You’re hot. S’also not the best time to admit you looked really hot saving that guy's life.”
He could feel his body reacting before he could process it, the bulge in his sweatpants twitching against your thighs.
“S’just the adrenaline. I’m sorry.” He mumbled shyly, all confidence out the window.
You simply smiled, refusing to let him pull away. Holding him close to you outside the airport emergency exit.
“I’m about to suggest something insane, and you’re free to say no. I don’t want you to feel weird about it.” You spoke before your mind could stop you. Your fingers toying nervously with his hair.
“What?” He asked, peering at you.
“In the international departures terminal, there’s a family bathroom. Passed it on my way in. It’s in the back corner, and international flights have been halted. And it’s nearly midnight…”
You let the words linger in the air, bracing yourself for his reaction. It took him a minute before he spoke, his face contorted in thought.
“O-oh. You’re suggesting…” he trailed off.
Fear took over you, your body going still. “God, I’m sorry. I never should have said anything.”
“I didn’t say that.” He cut you off, “It’s not something you’d regret, right?” His eyes were soft, kind. Making sure you didn’t feel pressured. You shook your head, biting down on your bottom lip.
“Not at all. I really, really want to.” You admitted, letting it sit in the air between you.
He pulled you close, gnashing your lips together messily. Only long enough for you to part your mouth before he let you go, “Meet you there in 10?”
“Y-yeah.” You stuttered, watching him turn around. Holding your hand until you made it back inside. He went to check on your bags, and you headed straight to the bathroom. You crossed your fingers, silently celebrating that the end of the hall was dead.
The bathroom was huge, with a toilet and a sink, two plush chairs, and a changing table counter in the corner.
A knock on the door took you out of your thoughts, making you jump. You cracked it open to reveal Steve, who slid in easily. You felt like a teenager, all giddy to be breaking the rules. Steve Harrington made your heart race in a way you didn’t know it could.
“Do you think it’s ethical to fuck on a changing counter?” You giggled, pointing to the counter on the back wall. It seemed to be the perfect height.
Steve shrugged, reaching down to pick you up in his arms. You wrapped your legs around his waist on instinct, his lips attaching themselves to your neck.
“Don’t care.” He grumbled, walking you backwards onto said counter. Setting you down gently, he stood between your legs. Your clothed hips brushing against each other.
“I mean, it’s perfect.” You moaned, hands gripping the collar of his shirt while he sucked a noticeable bruise into the side of your neck. He felt like a teenager in heat, having the primal urge to mark you up. To mark you as his.
“I didn’t know you were so obsessed with counter heights.” He teased, his hand crawling underneath your sweater. Cupping your tits through your bra.
“M’not.” You sighed, “I think I’m just obsessed with you.”
Your words only made his cock throb harder, helping you pull your shirt off. You leaned forward, letting him unclasp your bra, your hardened nipples perky in the chill air.
“Fuck.” He groaned, both of his hands coming up to cup your chest. Thumbs immediately tweak the buds, causing your eyes to flutter shut. “You’re so sexy.”
“Shirt off.” You grumbled, pulling his own shirt off his head. You were face-to-face with his toned, hairy chest, basically salivating at the sight. You ran your hand through it, trailing down his abs all the way to his happy trail. Letting your fingers slip into his waistband.
Not before he could stop you, “Going too fast. Let me make you feel good.” He cooed.
“Do we have time?” You asked, helping him slip your leggings down.
He scoffed, “I’m sure. Unless we’re really unlucky, but you’re at least gonna cum before we leave this room.”
“You’re unreal.” You giggled, letting him pepper kisses on your chest. He takes each swollen bud into his mouth before releasing it with a pop. “Fucking perfect tits.”
“Oh, you have a dirty mouth.” You moaned, the heat between your legs becoming unbearable as he made his way down your torso. Leaving wet kisses and small bites on your flesh.
“Oh yeah,” He groaned, “M’gonna show you just how dirty this mouth can get.”
His fingers pulled your underwear down easily, falling to join your leggings on the floor.
“Been wanting to do this since you walked over, talking to yourself like a madwoman.” He groaned, his knees hitting the tile.
“You’re insane.” You sighed, watching him.
“No, we’re insane.” He grinned up at you, his face diving in between your legs. If he wasn’t holding your legs open, you were sure to slide off. The moment his warm tongue flattened itself over your clit you were convinced you had died and gone to heaven. His tongue swirled around your clit expertly, sucking and eating you out like a man starved.
“Holy fucking shit.” You moaned, covering your mouth with your hand. If you had told yourself just a few hours ago you’d be getting eaten out by the hottest man you’ve ever seen in the airport bathroom, you wouldn’t have believed it.
Now you were writhing out broken moans of his name, ready to cum all over his face. “Steve..” You breathed out, your hand combing through his perfect hair. Tugging at the roots. This only spurred him on, his nose nudging your clit with each thrust of his tongue. “You like that, huh? Dirty boy.” You sighed, only to be caught off guard by your orgasm approaching, “I’m gonna-”
He never even came up for air, content to let you smother him while you came. Your legs were shaking as he licks you through it, only stopping when you beg. Pulling his head up to you by his hair. Gnashing your lips together. The taste of your release on his tongue had you moaning, hands fumbling to pull his pants down.
Neither of you could wait any longer; the bulge in his boxers definitely couldn’t. You heard a slap when he pulled his boxers down, his cock slapping against that happy trail you’d definitely dream about.
“Holy fuck.”
“Oh fuck, I don’t have a condom.” He panicked, assuming that's what you were freaked out about.
“I don’t care. I have an implant. Where have you been hiding that?” You pointed to his cock, which sat heavy between his legs. His tip was red and leaking with precum. If circumstances were different, you'd beg to wrap your mouth around him, feel him hot and heavy in your mouth.
“Oh.” He blushed, wrapping a hand around his thick length. “Like what you see?”
His confidence was coming back each moment you stared at him, your legs wrapping around his hips. “As much as I’d love to wrap my bicep around your neck and fuck the shit out of you,” He hummed, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead. “I’d much rather watch your gorgeous face when you cum around my cock.”
His words made you dizzy, melting into his touch. “Next time.” You mumbled, he nodded. Neither of you even registered whether there was going to be a next time. Too focused on the task at hand.
“Need it inside of me, now.” You begged, watching him line himself up. Smacking himself on your swollen clit a few times, before pushing his tip inside your entrance. The stretch made you coo, grabbing his shoulders.
“G-god, you’re so tight.” He whimpered, slowly pushing himself in. Inch by inch.
“You’re just fucking huge.” You gasped, biting into his freckled shoulder. “Feel s’good.”
Your eyes rolled into the back of your head by the time his hips met yours, his cock piercing your womb. He gave you a second to adjust before he rolled his hips, dragging his cock out slowly before pushing back in. Taking your breath away each time. Not only could he eat pussy the way he did, but he fucked like a god. You were almost annoyed with how perfect he was if he wasn’t currently making your toes curl.
“Can’t believe how good y’pussy feels.” He slurred, switching between kissing you hungrily and panting filthy words into your neck. His hips pounding into you loudly, skin slapping against skin, echoed throughout the room.
He was all over you, all you could taste, see, smell was him. And you wouldn’t have it any other way. It was fast, hot, and even messy. At one point, he leaned down, biting harshly at your bouncing tits. Making you squeal.
“Steve.. Fuck.” You let out a guttural moan, no longer worried about being heard. You couldn’t be worried about anything other than the way his cock felt inside you.
“You gonna cum?” He asked, steadying his feet. He bent your legs, spreading them open wide. Giving him the perfect view of your blissed out face, and his cock pistoning in and out of your cunt.
“Keep fucking me like that.” You begged, falling back into the wall as both of his hands held your legs.
“Wouldn’t dream of stopping.” He winked, making you laugh before it turned into a choked moan.
“Close.” You spoke through gritted teeth, watching him lean down, spitting onto your cunt. Never once stopping his movements.
“Touch yourself, baby.” He ordered, his voice hoarse. He was just as close. You obliged, his hands too busy keeping you in the position that had him rubbing against the spot inside of you that was ready to burst. The moment your fingertips found your swollen clit, you were gone. Each messy swirl of your fingers had you falling apart, barely able to choke out anything other than his name.
“Can feel you,” He huffed, shaking his hair out of his face, “You gonna cum? Need to feel you cum, baby. You look so fucking sexy. Wanna make you cum every fucking day.”
“God, yes.” You let go, your legs thrashing against his hold as you came around him. A choked moan leaves his lips as your cunt suckles him in deep, squeezing around him, soaking him completely.
“There you go.” He nearly sobbed, folding your legs deeper. His hips stutter with each sloppy drag of him. “Gonna cum.” He spoke as a warning, your jaw lax watching him. His brown eyes were glossy, his skin shiny with a thin layer of sweat.
“Inside.” You whined, and he immediately obliged. Emptying his cum deep inside of you, muttering your name over and over like a holy vow. You were the only god he could believe in, ready to crawl on his knees through hot ash to see your blissed-out eyes look at him every day the way they were right now.
He slipped himself out of you, helping you sit up straight, sure your body was cramping from the weird position you were in. You didn’t care, your body tingling all over.
“You okay?” He mumbled against your temple, holding your sweaty body against his. All you could do was nod, a short burst of giggles leaving your mouth. You could feel his cum sliding down your legs.
“Where’d you learn to fuck like that?” You asked rhetorically, making his chest rumble with laughter.
“Let me clean you up.” He departed with a gentle kiss, walking to the sink to wet some paper towels for you.
You watched him as he walked. Smirking softly at his bare ass. Your release pooled around the base of his cock, wetting the tuff of hair there. It took everything in you not to drop to your knees, sucking him clean.
He came back and cleaned you up as best he could, given the circumstances. He helped you dress on shaky legs, which he loved poking fun at. But mostly, he was just proud he was the cause of them.
“So…” You started, making him smirk at you. “Dinner? I’m fucking starving.”
“God, yes.” He laughed, wrapping his arm around your shoulders as you walked out. The terminal was still dead empty, the loud sound of the baggage claim drowning out any noises that could have slipped out of the bathroom.
You two ended up in the booth of a random quick stop location, splitting a box of greasy pizza and sipping on cheap beer. You were across from each other, your feet resting on his lap across the table.
“So, what are your Christmas plans? You already moved in?” He asked, picking a piece of pepperoni off his slice and popping it into his mouth.
“Yes, and no. My sister is at my apartment now, she drove my car and cat up there.” You admitted, “I had a work thing and couldn’t, so she offered. I paid for her flight home in exchange. Movers did the rest. So we’re gonna probably get drunk and go to the Christmas market. What about you?”
“Not gonna let you mention a cat and not show me a picture,” He pointed, “But Robin and her girlfriend planned this huge dinner. A lot of our friends are coming into town to do the same. Maybe we’ll cross paths at the market.”
Your head swam at the idea of meeting his friends, already picturing the two of you holding hands and walking through the booths. You didn’t know what was going to happen after this, and you didn’t want to know. Not now, you didn’t wanna spoil the moment.
“This is my cat, her name is Chai.” You showed him the photo of the black and orange calico. She was lying against your chest in the photo. He cooed.
“Oh, little chai. I need to meet her.”
“Are you trying to father my daughter already?” You teased, and he threw his hands up.
“Guilty.” He laughed, “I’m the father that stepped up.” His weak joke only made you laugh harder; surely your cheeks were going to be sore by tomorrow with all the laughter.
Sleeping arrangements were what you were dreading the most; half the hotels were overpriced or already booked by the time you looked. So it seemed useless; the two of you had already committed to this sleepover. This was how you two ended up bundled underneath airport blankets and pillows on the floor, your head curled into his chest.
He watched your eyes flutter closed, your breathing mellow into a gentle rhythm. All he could think about was how utterly fucked he was. He’d never felt this way about a girl before, especially not so soon. He stayed awake for hours, dreading the inevitable sunrise that would tear them apart. In the meantime, he listened to your breathing, letting it lull him to sleep.
He woke first, your head still in the exact spot it was when you went to bed. Your mouth was parted, toeing the line between sleeping and being awake.
“Good morning, beautiful.” All he got in response was a muffled groan.
“Breakfast?” He yawned, smoothing down your bedhead. “There’s some overpriced breakfast bowl with my name on it.”
“Want a smoothie.” You grumbled, not wanting to move from where you were tangled together. Kept warm by a thin airline blanket and his jean jacket wrapped around your shoulders.
“I can get you one. Just gotta let me up.” He whispered, your head immediately shaking no. “Come on, sweet girl, I’ll be back in no time.”
You reluctantly let him get up, leaving you to curl up into his hoodie when he left. It wasn’t long before he came back, food in tow. You sat up, the two of you eating in comfortable silence.
“Have you ever thought about being a paramedic?” You asked, stealing one of his hashbrowns. He paid no mind, simply shrugging.
“No, I mean to be honest, yesterday was the only time I’ve used it on someone that wasn’t near a pool.”
“You were a natural. I mean, you didn’t hesitate at all. Just jumped right in. You were so kind to Cindy, too.” You paused before adding, “The adrenaline rush is always nice too.”
“Knew you were gonna get nasty there.” He rolled his eyes, stealing a drink of your smoothie. To any onlooker, they’d probably think you had been dating for years. Not that just the day prior, you were complete strangers.
As much as Steve brushed it off, he couldn’t stop thinking about it. The idea of being the first responder, being able to help people in their time of need. It called to him in a way that he couldn’t quite name yet. For most of his life, he had never really known what he wanted, only what felt expected of him.
He had moved forward without direction, choosing what was safe instead of what felt right. But now, for the first time, he was following his heart, and that decision pointed him toward Chicago. Toward you. It felt like the beginning of a new life, like pieces of himself were finally lining up after years of being scattered.
After breakfast, the two of you parted ways, only long enough to wash up and change. Meeting back up at the designated ‘fort’ you both began calling it. You both still had about eight hours before your flight took off, but the hours seemed to roll by. Faster than either of you wanted them to. All your worries about Christmas plans seemed to fly out of the window.
“So, is this date technically still ongoing?” You asked, a bag in your hand. This made Steve smile, with a similar bag in his own.
“Contractually, until our plane lands in Chicago, we are still on a date. So yes.”
“Good,” You smiled, holding out the bag. “Merry Christmas.”
He held out a similar bag, “Merry Christmas to you too, Y/n.”
“Great minds think alike.” You both sat down on the row of chairs, each of you opening your gift shop bags. Steve opened his first, pulling out a plane-shaped keychain with the airport's name on it.
“So you never forget the longest and best date of your life.”
“As if I could anyway.” He beamed, holding the keychain close to his chest. “Thank you.”
Your heart felt giddy, ripping into your own bag. Inside was a box containing a necklace; on the end of it was a dainty airplane pendant. You nearly burst into tears, holding the delicate jewelry in your hands.
“Steve…” You whispered, “I can’t accept this, you’ve already spent so much-”
“Shhhh.” He stopped you, placing a hand on your knee. “I want you to have a piece of me close to your heart.”
You sniffled, pulling your hair to the side, “Help me put it on.” He moved behind you, placing the necklace gently around your neck, pressing a kiss to the skin after he clasped it.
“I love it. It’s beautiful. So beautiful.” You said, wrapping your arms around him. Breathing him in deeply when he hugged you tight. The two of you stayed like that for a while before you pulled away.
“We have about 3 hours left. What’s left on the agenda?” He asked, making you hum.
“What if we got a drink at the bar, and people watched. It’s what I do on my own.” You shrugged.
He clicked his mouth, grabbing your hand. “Sounds like a plan.”
Four mixed drinks later and making up backstories for over a dozen people, the minutes were ticking by. You caught yourself memorizing the sound of his laugh, the way it startled out of him when you surprised him, the way he leaned closer without thinking. Your flight was finally back up on the call board, your leg bouncing anxiously. It only made sense that the two of you gravitated back towards your spot, both of you saying meek goodbyes to the corner you called home for the past 24 hours.
“Well, we board in 30 minutes. Our rows are only a few apart. Immediately after we meet up?” He asked, running his hands through his hair nervously. Unwanting this day to ever end.
“Of course.” You nodded, the two of you clinging to each other until the last possible moment. Steve tried to haggle with an older gentleman to switch seats with him, losing terribly. This only made you laugh, which only annoyed the man even more. Your hand kept reaching up to the necklace around your neck, rolling the small charm between your fingers, grounding yourself as panic and excitement tangled together.
As soon as the plane landed, embarrassingly, you and Steve were some of the first to stand. A blush creeping up both of your necks at getting caught, too eager to see each other again. You wondered if this was what people meant when they said love made you stupid. If this were the love that would have you running headfirst, not caring if it hurt.
“How was the flight?” He sneaked up on you, grabbing your bag off the conveyor before you even had the chance to grab it.
“Jesus.” You squealed, jumping into his arms. “Scared me.”
“Missed you.” He admitted, holding you close.
“I did too.” You frowned, unwilling to think about what would happen when the two of you went your separate ways. You had known him for a day, yet the thought of leaving already felt like a loss. “My sister called me a car, it’s already here.”
You could see him deflate; you saw it in his eyes. You thought you’d have more time.
“I’ll walk you out? Ride share is different from where Robin is picking me up.” You nodded, holding his free hand in yours.
“I think I’d love Robin.” You admitted, the two of you pausing on the sidewalk. The snow-covered ground crunches beneath your feet.
“I think she’d love you. You guys would gang up on me, I’d never get a break.”
“Good.” You smiled, rubbing your thumb against his palm.
“Yeah, I think it would be good.” He smiled, both of you stalling.
“Okay. I’m gonna say something admittedly insane.” You huffed, deja vu hitting you at once, “I don’t think you have to know someone for years to really know them. Like, truly know them. Because you’ve seen me the past day in ways that no one ever has before. And all it took was a look. It scared me. Scared me to my core. It almost feels like we aren’t strangers, like we’ve always known each other.”
“And this may sound even more insane, but I don’t think you need to have years with someone to love them either. Sometimes it just happens when we aren’t expecting it. Maybe when we don’t even want it to happen, because the future isn’t promised. But it happens anyway, because how could it not?”
“Like, do you know how many things needed to align tonight for us to meet? And they all did. I know real life isn’t like the movies, but…” You breathed out, Steve’s face softening at your words. “What I mean to say is….” You huffed, chickening out at the last possible second, “Have a good Christmas?”
He let out an awkward laugh at your words, both of you speechless. “I agree, life isn’t like the movies.” He started, “It’s so much better. It’s real, it’s tangible. I can’t explain just how much the past day has meant to me. To be heard, to feel…. wanted.”
“And yeah, life is complicated and messy. But that’s part of being human. I’ve never felt as human as I have today. I feel like something in me shifted, like I’m stepping into my own life instead of watching it pass me by. You made me see things about myself today that I wouldn't have before. I’ve felt things today I didn’t even know I was capable of feeling.” He admitted, his cheeks going red from the cold, “I want to see you again. I want you. God, it’s all I want.”
You never believed in true love. Not the kind that arrived without warning and rewired your chest in a single day. Love, to you, had always been something that grew slowly, carefully, with time as proof. A slow-growing plant in the corner of a room, taking its time to bloom. Yet here you were, standing across from Steve, feeling something reckless bloom anyway in your chest. Something that felt a lot like love. Something that can be nurtured into something beautiful.
Steve leaped, a leap he should have taken long ago, too scared before, too unwilling to let something this fragile slip through his grasp. He refused to let you walk away like in the movies. He chose to put everything on the line, to reach for something fleeting and honest before it could disappear.
“Hey,” You stopped, grabbing him by the arm. So much has happened in the past few hours, it felt like days had passed since you first saw him huddled up in that corner. “When you’re back in Chicago. Find me. Wine and dine me like you didn’t get the chance to.”
He paused, a smirk wide on his face. When you turned on your heel, ready to walk away, you were stopped. His hand tight over your hand. “This isn’t a romantic comedy.”
“It was a romantic drama.”
“This isn’t a romantic drama.” He corrected, his cheeks aching from how wide his smile was. “Now I would sulk through the streets of Chicago for years for you, but I’d rather not waste any time. So, can I please have your phone number?”
“I was just waiting for you to ask.” You admitted, grabbing his phone and texting yourself. “Fall in love with the city, and maybe stay?”
“I feel like I’m gonna fall in love with more than just the city.” He admitted, your brows softening in realization at his words.
You pulled him in for one last kiss, putting all of your heart into it. “Don’t take too long to text me.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it!” He yelled, never once taking his eyes off of you until you were in your car, waving frantically as the driver took you into the heart of the city.
The moment his feet landed on the sidewalk, he was clicking on Robin’s contact photo, so quickly his fingers were shaking. She answered on the first ring, a confused “Hello?”
“I just landed.” He got out quickly, jogging back to the baggage claim. “You’ll never guess what happened.”
“I’m literally in the pickup waiting for you,” She sighed, watching Vickie stifle a laugh, “Can this not wait five minutes?”
“No,” He breathed out, “I’m moving to Chicago. After New Year's, I’m gonna enroll in EMT courses, I think? Of course, I need to do some research, and I might have to crash in your spare room for a few months. I also think I found the love of my life?”
Robin’s eyes widened, staring at the phone in disbelief, “What the hell happened during that layover?”
hello lovely!! could i request a djo fic where reader listens to a new song and realizes it’s about their old relationship? maybe some angst? thanks!! ❣️
thank you so much for the request!!! i love this idea, a little angst is always my weak spot:((
Love Can't Break the Spell
pairing: joe keery (djo) x reader
contents/warnings: gn!reader (no description of reader), yearning, angst, past breakup, lowkey depressed reader
wc: 603
a/n: my first request and fic!!!! THIS IS AWESOME. im so happy to be writing and im so thankful for a request:)) i hope you all enjoy, i had a great (and emotional) time writing this! also this is not proof read bc i got excited and wanted to post rn
It's not everyday you find yourself listening to the radio but today was different. You woke up early to a peak of sun shining through shear curtains that seem to block out the light the same that your mind blocks out your past. With a soft sigh you pulled yourself out of bed and plant your feet on the shag carpet beneath you. The room is quiet besides the dull ring of your fan buzzing in the corner. It reminds you of the same early mornings you once had that were filled with soft laughter and sweet nicknames. Although it's been two and a half years since him, the memories ring the same.
You took your time getting ready, slowly settling into the morning. Sundays were always rest days for you and today was no different. You slip on some sweatpants and a cozy sweater, finding your way to the kitchen. The sun shined through the trees and in through your windows, a brief reminder of the beauty around you. Breakfast was quick and simple, something you never spent time thinking about. As you gather your things and head outside, you take in the sun, the breeze, and the soft smell of nature around you. The mornings weren't always this way, but it was easy to find pleasure in such a relaxing moment.
As you sat in the car, organizing your things, you think back to when you used to set things on the floor next to the passenger seat instead of on it. When someone used to occupy that space, that now holds only your very own things. The car rumbles to life as you turn your key and hold your phone in your hand, ready to block out all the mainstream media blasting from the radio. When instead, you heard a familiar voice. One that only reminds you of those simpler mornings filled not with silence and a buzzing fan, but instead that light laughter. Yet, its nothing you've heard before, its something that heightens your senses.
You turn the small knob on the dash and the lyrics spit out;
We had
Such a pretty thing
Life was on a string
Why, when you look back
Do you look past the bad?
As the song floats through your car, your ears start to ring. The feeling rises in your stomach and up into your throat, it makes your hands grip the steering wheel. As the name crosses the screen, all you can do is stare at it. The feelings of nostalgia, grief, and heartache all pushing themselves up again. It was as if it happened yesterday. The days you spent going to the very farmers market you were on your way to, the days laying in between your lush comforter and itchy sheets, dancing in the kitchen, watching the sun rise and set. It all came crashing down while you listened to the voice that once occupied your passenger seat. You let the feeling rise past your throat and right into your eyes as the tears began to stream down your face. The same stinging in your eyes as the day he left.
You let the music linger as you rest your head on window, taking in the lyrics that could only be directed towards the connection you once had.
I'm better without you no more
The words cut deep into your heart. Even though you knew it was for the better, it still stung. Feelings of everything seemed like they went away long ago but the echo of those words proved that no matter how deep you pushed them down, they would always linger.
will not write about: noncon/dubcon, rape, murder, kidnapping, SA, certain dark kinks, extreme alcohol consumption, drugs (stronger than weed), throw up, in depth medical conditions
will write about: smut (im not currently writing smut because im nervous as a new writer eek!), fluff, kinks, tame alcohol consumption, weed, mental illness, plenty of other things (if you are worried whether i will write something or not, just ask!)
my name is sage, i am 19 years old and my birthday is june 7th! i am also a fabulously bisexual woman in college studying environmental science. my favorite artists include: djo, backseat lovers, del water gap, tyler the creator, palace, briston maroney, jeff buckley, thee sacred souls, bob marley, and rebelution. i have been a writer for a long time but this is my first time writing fanfic and i am feeling just a little nervous, but excited! i have been OBSESSED with stranger things since it came out and the obsession gets rekindled everytime a new season comes out. i have always wanted to write fics and i figure now is the time to do it, since stranger things is in fact coming to an end:(
i will mostly be writing for steve and mike out of my own volition, however, i will write anything in my masterlist! again, i am new to writing on here so i will fill all the requests i get, dont be shy to reach out!
you can also always reach out with any problems you have, whether it be with my page and writing, or anything you're going through. i'd love to make some new friends on here!
