Robin and Nancy work together to get you and Steve on a date, you find out that all you needed was a little push
Steve was going through a rough patch, after his glory ‘king Steve’ days, it seemed no girl cared about him anymore. His reputation was already ruined by being employed at the local family video, and on top of that, all the female customers just ignored him when they walked in.
Robin prided herself on her match-making skills, the problem was that Steve was going after the usual high school hook up type. He needed someone that was looking for the same thing as him — ready to accept the slightly worn out Steve, someone to actually settle down with long-term. And Nancy had you as a friend, you weren’t all that outgoing — preferring to stay in, curled up on the couch with a book in your hands during a Friday night. But according to Robin you were perfect, you would be able to slow Steve down a bit, and “make that dingus finally get a girl.”
So they started arranging it, but Nancy and Robin had to be discreet. If Nancy told you that you were going on a date with Steve ‘the hair’ Harrington, who you’ve only seen from further away, you’d be scared off and refuse to go. And Robin knew Steve was the overly excited type, he’d spend hours messing around with his hair and clothes, and overthink everything that he was going to say, not being able to act like himself.
Nancy was driving you around Hawkins, she mentioned she needed to run a couple of errands before going back to her house. But you noticed there was something weird going on with her, she was practically bouncing out of her seat, a small smile creeping up onto her face.
‘Maybe she’s just thinking about Jonathon’ you thought to yourself shrugging.
Nancy and Steve’s past relationship hadn’t gone down the best, it was full of regrets and hurtful words but she managed to move on with Jonathon. But Steve was still her friend, she knew how much he had grown these past few years, and he deserved a companion just as much as you did — someone to treat him better than she ever did.
She pulled up into the parking lot of family video. “Hey, can you grab the movie tape I told you about earlier inside? I just need to tell Robin something and we’ll be out of there.” You nodded, and followed her inside.
The store was fairly empty, you quickly spotted Nancy’s energetic friend Robin who was standing behind the counter, a wide smirk on her face. What was going on with them?
You wandered over to the rom-com section browsing for the tape Nancy instructed you to find.
You were lost in your own world, unaware of the commotion happening a few sections back. “Dingus, go help her, I’m busy right now!” Robin whisper-yelled hitting Steve’s back as he came out of the break room.
“Ouch, ok ok I’m going.” Steve yelped, spotting you across the store struggling to find a specific tape.
He walked over and your back was still turned to him, he cleared his throat awkwardly standing. “Er, can I help you with something…oh,” Steve went slack-jawed when you turned around.
He could only describe you as the most beautiful girl he’s ever seen in all of Hawkins. You were holding your hands together in front of you, shifting between both feet, looking up at Steve with the most adorable look on your face. He could instantly tell you were shier than most, your eyes looked all around his face before settling on the floor.
“I-I’m good, just looking for a…movie” you squeaked out. You remembered Steve but he looked different now. He lost his youthful lean body, his shoulders were broader now, jaw sharper with light stubble coating his once clean shaven face, and his hands god. They were rougher — the veins popping at the surface, it was clear he worked now, not just lazily kicking back and letting others take over. He smiled when it meant something now, and he looked like he went through some tough moments.
“Need help?” Steve swallowed thickly.
“I…mhm,” your voice coming out as a faint whisper, a pink colored flush swallowing your face whole.
Despite your closed-off nature Steve took a step closer, he found himself unable to keep the short distance from the quiet kind of beauty that was in front of him.
“This is the one you’re looking for?” He pulled out the tape you were endlessly searching for.
Your eyes widened at the way he understood what you wanted without having to communicate it. “Y-yeah, that’s the one.” You looked into his eyes, while a soft smile spread onto Steve’s face.
He extended the tape towards you, and you reached out wrapping your fingers around it, they skimmed Steve’s own fingers but neither of you pulled back. You weren’t one for physical touch, but there was something about his warm skin against yours that found you aching for more.
Steve’s breath paused when he made contact with you for the first time, tingles spread from his fingertips straight into his chest. Unbeknownst to them, Nancy and Robin were hidden behind the counter giggling uncontrollably, and high-fived each other at their brilliant thinking.
After a couple seconds you took the tape away and held it close to your chest not sure what to say anymore. “T-thank you…you must know all your movies well.” Your poor attempt at flirting with Steve sent butterflies through his stomach, and he let out a quiet laugh shaking his head.
“Not really no, I don’t even know how I got this job. But if you keep showing up, I’ll have a reason to try and pay attention from now on.” Steve effortlessly responded, reminding you of the ladies man you once knew.
You ducked your head, cheeks darkening even further, though you smiled. You weren’t use to this type of attention, especially not from Steve Harrington, but that’s what made your heart start to quicken. Why was he so damn charming?
You turned away before you could embarrass yourself more, he was probably just being friendly, you were a customer after all. Steve rung you up but snuck glances at your face, reveling in the way you refused to meet his eyes anymore.
Nancy finally emerged and held a smug look on her face as she walked alongside you back to her car. “Sooo” she dragged out. “How’d it go!”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about Nance,” you tried brushing her off, busying yourself with getting your seat buckled.
“Oh, stop it! You know what I mean…” she wiggled her eyebrows at you with a knowing look. “Steve Harrington.”
You buried your face into your hands groaning, it was embarrassing just how affected you seemed, after a short interaction with the attractive man. “He’s so…” you sighed, not being able to describe so many characteristics into one word. Handsome? Flirty? Helpful?
“I knew it, you guys were made for each other. So when’s the date?” She asked getting to the point.
“What?” You screeched out. “I’m not—he didn’t, he just helped me out.” You settled on, though the warmth still swarming through your chest said otherwise.
“Practical Steve, he’s never been able to make the first move without a little push,” Nancy rolled her eyes. Was she seriously expecting Steve Harrington to ask you out? You were nothing like the girls he went for, and were you even looking to date anyone right now?
Back in family video, Steve hadn’t even moved since you left, frozen in place still thinking of your fluttering eyelashes at him. Robin tackled him, her curiosity not even trying to be hidden. “Well? Are you back in the game Romeo? You two look so cute together I’m already planning your wedding!” She was bouncing up and down.
“It was—she’s—god she’s beautiful.” Steve shook his head, about to ask Robin to pinch him out of this dream.
“What did she say when you asked her out?” Robin was beyond happy.
Steve’s eyes widened his stare turning blank. “You did ask her out…right dingus?” Robin repeated slowly, looking like she was about to seriously hurt Steve if he denied.
“Uh…I…it completely flew out of my mind.” Steve’s gaze turned downwards, regretting the past ten minutes of his existence.
“Are you out of your mind Harrington? We bring you a girl, who’s exceptionally pretty and smart, and everything you don’t deserve, and you fumble that hard? What, did you expect her to do it for you?” Robin stretched her hands out grabbing Steve by the collar, drilling her words into his head.
“Start using your brain, before I take it away from you, Steve. I’ll tell Nancy to give me her number and you will call her tonight. Ask her to go on a date. Or so help me god I will never try to help your doomed love life again. Alright?”
Steve nodded rapidly, “yes yes ok, I’m gonna ask her out.” Prying Robin off of his body.
And sure enough, Robin gave him your phone number and later that night Steve was anxiously sitting by the phone preparing to make his move.
Your phone rang once, twice, then you picked it up. “Hello?” You questioned softly, Nancy never called you this late, and there was no one else that would be willing to strike up a conversation with you right now.
“Hey…Hi, it’s Steve, from earlier today.” He spoke his words slow, thinking about them more carefully now.
“Oh, hi! How’d you get my number?” You were shocked, maybe you hadn’t been imagining things after all.
“Robin gave it to me from Nancy. Don’t worry I’m not a stalker,” Steve awkwardly laughed and you couldn’t help the giggle that creeped through the line.
“But…I actually meant to ask you something, I forgot to earlier, it’s your fault actually, for distracting me.”
Your lips parted, you were distracting? Usually people barely detected you, but Steve noticed you enough to call you hours later.
“Yeah?” You asked, your tone still not rising above a whisper.
“Of course, which is why I wanted to know. Would you go out with me, like on a date?” Steve matched your pitch, wishing he could see through the phone, imagining how hard you would blush at his words.
You were taken aback, that was definitely not what you were expecting. Maybe he got you mixed up with another person, but your heart fluttered just a little.
“Really?”
“Yeah, pretty.” Steve’s word almost made you go into cardiac arrest. He called you pretty. A boy called you pretty. Steve called you pretty. You tried not to let how hard your heart was beating show through your voice.
“Um—yes. Yes! I’d like to.” You’ve truly never felt this excited in a long time, embarrassingly you’ve never gone on a date before. Guys were never really interested in you, and although it stung every now and then, you learned to ignore it, maybe love was never supposed to be in the cards for you. But Steve made sure to keep you on your toes.
“That’s great! Amazing actually!” Steve accidentally let his excitement show, but he felt like he was on cloud nine.
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow night, alright?” Maybe Steve should’ve asked if you were even free then, but all he wanted was to see you again as soon as possible.
“Okay, sounds good.” You agreed, looking forward to your date.
The line filled with a long moment of silence, no one making the move to end the call. You could hear his soft breathing on the other end, and found yourself wondering what he was thinking too.
“Goodbye, Steve.” You whispered, hoping that your fondness would be able to reach him.
“Bye, pretty.” Steve whispered back, and you put the phone back down screaming into your pillow.
The next day you hurriedly invited Nancy over to help you prepare, maybe it was weird she was helping you get ready for a date with her ex, but she seemed just as excited as you.
She searched through your closet for the best outfit you own, pulling out a short navy plaid skirt paired with a soft sweater. You didn’t want to look like someone different, you wanted Steve to see the real you. Nancy did your hair and applied some light makeup to your face, just enough to bring out your features.
It was slowly getting closer to the time Steve was supposed to be picking you up, and you stood in front of your mirror admiring how good you looked.
“He’s going to fall at his knees for you,” Nancy giggled, and you shoved her away gasping.
“Nance!”
“I’m only saying the truth. You’re an amazing girl, it doesn’t take Steve much to see that. Just be yourself, I know it might feel like too much, but he just wants to impress you. Don’t get in your head,” Nancy finished by pulling you into a hug.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you, Nance, thank you, I owe you one.” You said smiling, Nancy shook her head shushing you.
She left your house with a wave and you patiently fidgeted around now, growing more restless by the minute. Then you heard it, the soft knock at your door by who you could only assume was your date. You smoothed down your skirt before swinging the door open.
You came face to face with Steve who was standing just as nervous you were, though he did a better job at hiding it. He put a lot of effort into his hair you noticed, wearing a jacket over his sweater and jeans. In his hands, Steve was holding a small bouquet of flowers, your favorite.
“Hey,” he breathed out, looking deeply into your eyes.
“Hi,” you couldn’t stop the small smile pulling at your lips.
“Hi,” he repeated, causing you to giggle. He shook his head, pulling himself out of the trance he was stuck in after seeing you looking all pretty for him.
“These are for you, I didn’t know what kind you liked, but…” Steve trailed off, handing them to you.
“They’re actually my favorite,” you tilted your head at him, moving them up to your nose to deeply inhale.
“Oh, well, looks like I’m an expert.” Steve puffed out his chest smugly.
You figured you should leave your doorway now, and he guided you to his car with a hand on your back. His touch, again.
He pulled open the passenger door for you, and once he made sure you were fully inside he shut it, jogging over to the drivers seat.
“I’d tell you where we’re going, but it’s a surprise.” He started driving, and every now and then, would take a glance at you, both of your smiles never leaving your faces.
He pulled up to a busy parking lot and a soft gasp left your mouth when you spotted a ferries wheel in the distance, Steve took you to the yearly carnival. You had always wanted to go, but going alone wasn’t ideal, and the crowds of people terrified you.
“We can leave if you don’t like these kinds of places,” Steve fully turned to you, not leaving the car yet. You felt like crying at how sincere he was being, taking your preferences into account.
You shook your head, “this is perfect, Steve.” You said, and he had to blink a couple of times at how good his name sounded leaving your lips.
He nodded rapidly and got out of the car coming around to help you out. He led you through the busy crowds, and your hands started brushing against his at your side, all you wanted was to reach out and hold his, but what if he didn’t want you to?
As if Steve was sensing your thoughts, you suddenly felt his warm hands lace his fingers through yours, rubbing his thumb along the back of your hand. You tried to not allow Steve to see the effect he had on you, but he pulled you just a tiny bit closer to his side, bumping hips.
“I’m not the best at carnival games to be honest, but they’re rigged anyway so who cares?” He said walking you over to a ring-stacking game.
You watched as Steve handed the worker some cash and was about to start playing before he turned to you. “Well, find a prize you like, for when I win it for you.” He winked, and you bit back a smile, shaking your head.
He squinted focusing as hard as he could, and got it in on the first try. “You see that!” He jumped, embodying an excited puppy.
“I see that, good job Steve”. You laughed. He got the next two rings successfully onto the cone and you cheered.
“Gimme that one.” Steve pointed at a small bunny plushie, looking so soft covered by fur.
He dramatically presented it to you, acting like it was gold. “For my good luck charm,” Steve bowed. You took it, giving it a light squeeze. “Hey, it kind of looks like you,” Steve teased.
You pointed at a penguin plushie, “and that one looks like you.” You teased back, Steve’s face morphing into one of shock.
“Take that back! If anything, I’m a lion” he playfully pushed you.
“Mhm sure, whatever you say.” You retorted, not able to take him seriously.
After sometime Steve took you to a cotton-candy stall, buying a huge bright pink one sharing it between you. What you really weren’t expecting though, was for Steve to pick off a big chunk and bring it to your mouth waiting to feed it to you. Your brows raised at his gesture, but you humored him moving to bite the sweet sugar from his hand.
He stared at you hungerily while you ate, and afterwards when there was some left over on the corners of your lips he lifted his thumb to gently swipe beside your mouth. “Good girl,” he muttered, low enough for only you to hear.
Burning heat rushed to your face, and Steve gave your still interlocked hand a soft squeeze, but undeniably gloated at how flustered he made you.
“‘Cmon pretty, we can’t leave without going on the Ferris wheel. I saw how excitedly you looked at it before.” He mentioned, grabbing you gently to get in line for the ride.
The sight was beautiful, you were looking up at the night sky, the wind softly blowing your hair back. You turned back to Steve who was watching you the entire time. “I had a really good time today with you, Steve.” You said.
“Me too, you look so beautiful.” He reached forward and tucked a loose strand behind your ear, getting to admire your features up close.
“Thanks…” you whispered, your gaze never leaving his honey brown eyes.
He seemed to not be able to look away from your eyes either and before you knew it, the distance between your faces was slowly closing, and you didn’t want to pull away.
“Steve,” you sighed, waiting for his soft pink lips to attach to yours.
“Yeah, baby?” He whispered, his hands not leaving your face.
“Kiss me,”
And just like that, Steve stopped over thinking every little movement, and allowed his heart to take control, his lips pressing fully against yours in the softest of kisses.
You didn’t pull away until you couldn’t breathe, but as soon as you did you wanted nothing more than to kiss him again and again.
“I want to be yours.” Steve confessed.
“I’d like that too.” You smiled wide, as he brought you into another kiss.
Nancy and Robin called it a success when they saw you two walking hand in hand the following day, exchanging low words. By the second date, he was already your boyfriend. You had finally found your person, and Steve found his.
#project hail mary
#the amazing digital circus
#coquette
#photography
#heated rivalry
