YOU AND I GO FROM ONE KISS TO GETTING MARRIED ⋆ joe keery x actress!reader (smau)
summary ⋆ as stranger things comes to an end, you say goodbye to your character for the last time and share the unexpected news that you're getting married to your co-star and on-screen partner, joe keery
warnings ⋆ smau, use of y/n, florence pugh is used as faceclaim, manips made by me!
part one ⋆ part two ⋆ part three
liked by djotime, milliebobbybrown, taylorswift13, nattyiceofficial and 2.307.406 others
yourusername Oh my beautiful Tally, you will be missed. You gave me so much these past seven years and i'm so grateful to have portrayed you. I’m thankful for every soul i met during this beautiful journey.
To everyone, i love you all so much and i can’t wait to see you there (wink wink). To my beautiful Millie and Gaten, watching you grow and succeed has been the joy of my life, thank you for welcoming me with open arms from day one 🤍
And to my dearest love, whom i found in the most unexpected of places: I have no regrets about the day i gathered the courage to ask for your number back in 2018 or on our last day on set when i said “yes.”
You're my partner in crime, my inspiration through every day and my soon to be husband. I love you with a depth that words can't reach yet and i truly believe no one has ever loved anyone the way i love you.
I loved being Tally and Steve on-screen, but i love being Joe and Yn even more and i can't wait to finally be Mr and Mrs. Keery for the rest of our life 💓💍
view comments ↓
djotime thank you duffer brothers for letting her beat me up with those russians, best way to fall in love
yourusername djotime I SAVED YOUR ASS WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT
milliebobbybrown MY PARENTS 😭
milliebobbybrown i love you both so much and i can't wait for the wedding! ❤️❤️
gatenmatarazzo love you yn 🤍 but if i'm not the best man, i’m calling a lawyer
charlie.r.heaton too bad, i’ve had my suit ready since 2019
taylorswift13 yes, lover IS about THEM!!
user1 WHAT THE HELL TALLY & STEVE ARE A REAL COUPLE??! I’M SCREAMINGGG
user2 THEY’VE BEEN DATING SINCE 2018 AND WE DIDN’T EVEN NOTICE???? 🤡🤡
user3 user2 not just dating, ENGAGED
liked by yourusername, milliebobbybrown, finnwolfhardofficial, and 3.299.133 others
djotime thank you for choosing me every day since 2018, i love you my soon to be wife 🤍
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noahschnapp DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW HARD THIS WAS FOR ME??? i almost exposed you guys in every single interview when they asked me about you
milliebobbybrown noahschnapp you deserve a medal after this, i’m proud of you
finnwolfhardofficial i can finally post a photo with you without cropping yn out, best day ever
sabrinacarpenter is the fiancée single? asking for a friend (it’s me, i’m the friend)
djotime sabrinacarpenter back off, she’s taken for life
yourusername sabrinacarpenter i would leave him for you tho 😮💨
maya_hawke i love you both so much it hurts 😭❤️
user4 not joe hard launching his relationship WITH AN ENGAGEMENT POST I AM NOT OKAY
liked by djotime, yourusername, and 1.980.789 others
milliebobbybrown my big sister is getting married 😭❤️
Yn, you've been my guiding light since the day i met you. You protected me, taugh me how to navigate this crazy world called fame and loved me like i was your own blood. I dont think i could have done this withouth you by my side for the last seven years and that's why Jake and I didn't even have to think about who we wanted as our daughter's godmother. You are the heart of our family, truly.
And Joe. . .thank you for loving her the way she deserves, you've been the “dad” of the group on screen, but off screen you're the best brother in law i could have asked for in real life.
i love you both to the moon and back, lets get you guys married!
view comments ↓
yourusername stop it, i'm actually sobbing 😭😭 I'll aways be there for you and my goddaughther, i love you 🫶🏻
djotime thanks for being the best secret keeper mills, we love you
a/n ⋆ let me know if you want a part 2! tally is a character i made when season 3 came out and the plot was sooo good but i never never posted the fic cause i was afraid it wouldn't get any support 😭
THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOE & YN KEERY ⋆ joe keery x actress!reader (smau)
summary ⋆ as stranger things comes to an end, you say goodbye to your character for the last time and share the unexpected news that you're getting married to your co-star and on-screen partner, joe keery
warnings ⋆ smau, use of y/n, florence pugh is used as faceclaim, english is not my native language
part one⋆ part two ⋆ part three
Joe and you were sitting together on that familiar blue couch that has welcomed so many celebrities over the years. In front of you was Jimmy Fallon, the host who had kindly reached out to you to see if he could interview you both about your upcoming marriage.
The audience erupted in applause, screaming at the sight of you two together in public for the very first time. It was the ultimate confirmation that everything that had happened in the last few days was real and not just a well-thought-out prank on your part.
“We have such an incredible night for you! Two of my favorite people, together and engaged, Joe Keery and Yn Ln!” Jimmy presented with enthusiasm, sending the audience into a frenzy once again, “Welcome and congratulations on your engagement!”
“Thanks, Jimmy. It’s great to be here, and it’s even better to be here with her,” your fiancé spoke with a smile, squeezing your hand which was tucked firmly in his.
“It feels surreal to be sitting here talking to you about us after so many years in silence. . .” you confessed, a bit nervous knowing what was coming next.
“And that’s my first question— seven years! how did you guys did it? how were you able to keep this a secret for so long?”
“Well, it wasn’t some master plan or anything like that, i swear!” you laughed while looking at the audience and then back at Jimmy, “We started dating during the filming of the third season. i remember asking Joe for his number so we could talk, but i used the excuse that since our characters would be together soon, we should get to know each other more. . . but it was a lie, i just wanted to talk to him!”
The audience laughed along with you upon hearing you confess that you had been the one to make the first move on Joe.
“After that, she and i never stopped talking. It was instantaneous, and after a month of just talking, we decided to date seriously— and here we are,” your fiancé smiled, looking at you with those eyes that could remind you over and over again why you fell in love with him, “There were moments where we thought about announcing it, but then we realized that everyone who mattered to us already knew”
“It was our secret. We never felt the need to tell the whole world until we realized that a marriage is much more complicated to hide, so we decided to reveal our engagement now,” you finished, placing your left hand in front of you to show your engagement ring to the cheering audience.
“That's beautiful, truly,” Jimmy spoke, moved by your story together, “Speaking of your engagement, Taylor Swift commented on Yn’s post saying that her song, Lover, is so you guys. Is there any other song that defines you?”
You looked at Joe before answering the question you'd been asked, silently deciding to share something more personal.
“It would definitely be 'Sweet Nothing' it's our song. For me, coming home after exhausting days on set and having my love here asking for nothing more than to have me by his side. . . it meant— and means so much to me, especially considering the kind of life we have. . .” you confessed, excited to show a more intimate side of you and your fiancé.
“Yeah, it doesn't matter how loud the world gets, because with her, everything goes quiet,” Joe reaffirmed, giving your hand a kiss.
“That's incredible. And moving on, before we went on air, you told me something that surprised me quite a bit, and i'd like to ask you now. . .was your relationship always this easy to navigate, or did you have any difficulties along the way?”
You knew that question would come sooner or later; after all, you’d authorized the host to ask about the topic you were about to discuss, but you couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness in your eyes as you recalled it.
“As you heard earlier, Jimmy, during 2024, Joe and I went through a very difficult time in our relationship. In fact, we were broken up for a few months,” you said.
A collective gasp of surprise filled the set as the audience couldn't believe what they were hearing. But you only focused on your hand intertwined with your fiancé's, reminding yourself that the situation was in the past and would stay there forever.
“It was during the filming of the final season of Stranger Things. In fact, i think i speak for both of us when i say it was hell having to film scenes between Steve and Tally when we weren't together anymore,” Joe said, and you nodded in agreement.
“And can we know the reason?”
You took a heavy sigh before answering, “It was my fault—”
“It wasn’t. It wasn't your fault,” Joe interrupted, trying to make you realize that what happened wasn't all on you, even though in your heart you felt the breakup was your doing.
“It was my fault, and that’s okay,” you accepted, letting your man know you were fine talking about it, “Honestly, i’m a workaholic and during 2024, i was filming two projects at the same time in Atlanta and i forgot how to be a partner. It caused us to burn out, you know?” you explained, as Jimmy nodded at your word.
“And how was that for you, Joe?”
“Well, it was pretty difficult. I understood that we needed space to grow, but it was a painful process. While i was on set, i wrote a couple of songs that you can now hear on The Crux that helped me process what we were going through. . .but i kept thinking that it couldn’t be the end for us,” your fiancé smiled nostalgically, looking at you with those eyes that now radiated pure love.
Jimmy watched you for a moment, moved to hear your story along with the rest of the audience, before asking what everyone wanted to know.
“And how was the reconciliation?”
“There was a point during filming where it was so difficult to be in the same place that we decided to sit down and talk with the truth about what we wanted,” you began to say, and Joe finished the story.
“We realized we couldn’t see a future without each other. So we gave ourselves another chance and promised to work on what had initially driven us apart in the first place, as well as to prioritize our relationship”
“And then came the proposal! We were finishing our last scenes as Tally and Steve, and when they yelled ‘cut!’ Millie appeared filming with her phone with the rest, and everyone had smiles on their faces. I knew something was about to happen when she handed Joe a little velvet box,” you laughed sweetly, remembering the most special marriage proposal you could’ve ever had.
“Millie was my right hand in all of this. The others knew what i was going to do, but Mills was the one in charge of everything else. After that, i got down on one knee, told her how much i loved her. . .and she said yes!” your fiancé shared excitedly anf you started to get emotional, as if you were living the moment all over again.
“It was perfect. And who knows? maybe next time we see each other, Jimmy, i'll already be Mrs. Keery” you teased, laughing with your fiancé.
“That's what i'm talking about! Joe and Yn Keery! What an incredible story, guys. Congratulations!” Jimmy smiled, followed by the loud applause of the audience and by uncontrolled shouting of your names as Joe quickly pulled you in to give you a kiss in front of everyone.
a/n ⋆ part 2 of this smau! i hope you liked it! thank you all for the support you've given to this smau <3, and I'm already thinking about the next and final part of it! comment if you wanna get tagged^^
summary ✶ steve harrington always wanted a family with you someday, even when that wish comes sooner than expected
warnings ✶ pregnancy, reader is the same age as steve, mentions of throwing up, steve parents being shitty as always, not proofread!!
masterlist
For Steve Harrington, the idea of starting a family with you had always lived in that quiet corner of his heart where he kept his fragile dreams. Not forgotten but carefully protected, too precious to touch too often.
Sure, you were still young. And yes, an interdimensional threat often ruined your days every time you thought you could finally have the peace of living like an ordinary couple. But even so, that longing never faded. The dream of settling down with you, of having those six little nuggets running barefoot around your own house, and seeing you with a ring on your finger that meant forever.
Steve just wanted a life far away from Vecna, from demogorgons, and from all the upside down shit. He just wanted you, him, and something soft and safe to call home.
That's why, when that stick showed two pink lines, his world came to a complete stop.
It wasn't just some ridiculous dream he had anymore; it was something real, it was a second chance to become the man he’d always wanted to be for you and for the tiny life growing inside of you. A good partner, and a loving father, everything his own cold, distant upbringing never gave him.
Fifteen months had passed since you’d defeated Vecna, since Hawkins was left scarred by those four massive fissures. And three months ago, the news of your pregnancy changed your priorities overnight.
After the Byers house was sold, they’d temporarily ──more like permanently── moved in with your family once they returned from California, thanks to Nancy and Mike's request. Since then, the house had never been quiet. You and Nancy shared a room, Joyce slept in Nancy's room, while Will and Jonathan stayed in the basement. Eight people, one house, and a pregnant you desperately craving some peace.
When you had told your mom, Karen, she reacted like only a mother would. First came the lecture for your lack of planning and the fact that you weren't even married, but then, her fierce protective and nurturing instinct took over. She was the one who had suggested you needed your own space, away from all the stress and noise, a place where you could properly rest.
Your dad, as always, hadn't said much. However, upon learning that Steve's parents had turned their backs on him, he quietly offered to help cover a big part of the deposit until you both found your footing.
The Harringtons had been clear, if Steve chose this life, he'd be on his own. At least they didn't disinherit him, but they slammed the door in his face, allowing him to take only his clothes, his car, and whatever he'd bought with his own earnings from the jobs he's had over the years.
Now, after weeks of talking, doubting, and finally deciding, you were moving into a cozy two-bedroom house just off Maple Street, a place that was close enough to your parents in case you needed help, but far enough away to finally breathe.
“Do you need a hand?” Nancy appeared in the doorway, smiling softly, ready to help like she had been all week.
“Please. . .i didn't know i had so much stuff until now,” you sighed, leaning against the wall. The fatigue of your pregnancy was starting to show as the weeks went by.
“You should sit down for a bit, sweetheart,” Steve said instantly, looking at you with that mixture of adoration and panic he wore whenever you lifted anything heavier than a pillow. “You’ve been running around all day, and it’s not good for the baby.”
“I’m only twelve weeks along, love, i’m not going to break or anything,” you assured him, though you did let him guide you to the chair.
“Steve’s right,” your mom said, coming in with a tray of three cold lemonades and a chocolate and cheese sandwich, the strangest craving you’d had yet. “You don’t have to overexert yourself now that you’re having a baby.”
The rest of the afternoon unfolded like a quiet miracle of teamwork. Nancy took charge of loading the boxes with fragile items into Steve’s car, while Jonathan and Will helped Steve secure the mattress to the roof and by the time the sun began to set, everything was ready.
As you left the house after saying goodbye to your mom and younger siblings, you were grateful to know you could count on them whenever you needed them. And even if Steve no longer had the Harrington name backing him anymore, you knew he didn't need it, not when he had a home waiting for him just outside Maple Street.
The drive was short, but it felt like the most important trip of your lives. As Steve parked in front of the house, the silence was almost sacred. There were no longer radios blasting Tiffany or ABBA's entire discographies here, nor were there any arguments echoing through walls. There was only the sound of the wind blowing among the trees and the soft sound of the keys jingling in Steve's hand.
“Welcome home,” Steve murmured, opening the front door.
The house smelled of paint and fresh wood. For Steve, who grew up practically in a mansion that always felt empty, this place felt like a palace.
Thanks to everyone’s help, the boxes were already in the living room and the mattress was already in place. Everything you needed was right where it should be.
“This is perfect, Steve,” you said, resting a hand on your belly, feeling that typical first-semester fatigue weighing on your eyelids.
“I know there’s still a lot to unpack, but. . .” your boyfriend gestured to the second unused bedroom with an unusual shyness, “I was thinking the baby’s crib could go there, and maybe a comfy chair for when you need to feed them. It’s the room that's farthest from the street, so it’ll be quieter for them when they sleep,” he said softly.
Your heart clenched at how carefully he’d thought of everything.
“Your mom told me she’d come early tomorrow, said that she's saved a few things for us,” he added, starting to make the bed. “I think she likes me more now that i’m going to be the dad of her grandchild than when i was just the guy dating her daughter.”
You let out a small laugh, until a wave of nausea hit you hard, your face said it all without you having to say a word. Steve was already by your side in a second, holding your hair and gently stroking your back as you threw up in the bathroom.
After a few minutes of throwing up almost everything you’d eaten that day, Steve helped you rinse your face with cold water.
“I’m sorry,” you whispered, resting your head on his shoulder. “Not exactly the romantic first night you probably expected.”
“Hey, don’t say that,” he said, kissing the top of your head as he wrapped his arms around you. “I’d much rather be here, taking care of you and our little one in our own home, than be alone at my parents house. This is everything i’ve always wanted,” he finished, giving you a soft, sweet kiss on the lips.
You both went back to the room, lying down on the bed that had once been yours but now belonged to the both of you. Steve wrapped an arm around you as he rested a protective hand on your growing belly like it belonged there.
“I love you, Steve,” you managed to say before sleep overtook you.
“I love you more,” he whispered, staying awake just a little longer, watching over you as the moonlight spilled through the window of your new home.
a/n ✶ hope you liked it! i'm not very satisfied with my writing, but i tried my best 😭😭 i just love dad!steve
I FELL IN LOVE WITH HER GAP TOOTH SMILE ⋆ joe keery x controversially young gf!reader
summary ⋆ for a year, your relationship with joe was a private haven, away from gossip and judgment, but a post from deuxmoi ruins everything, throwing your 10-year age gap relationship into the spotlight
warnings ⋆ gracie abrams is used as faceclaim, age gap (10 years), reader has a gap tooth smile, reader is a singer, smau
masterlist
liked by djotime, sadiesink_, florencepugh, oliviarodrigo and 4.987.871 others
yourusername not a lot going on at the moment
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djotime where's my photo credit? 🤨
yourusername djotime srry, credits to him!!
sadiesink_ the best view 💜
oliviarodrigo so excited!!!
maya_hakwe I LOVE YOU BE MY WIFE
yourusername maya_hawke lmaoo, love youu 😽😽
comments on this post have been limited
a/n ⋆ wishing i had a gap tooth smile rn T_T anyways! hope you liked thiss, andd though there’s a 10-year age difference between reader and joe, their relationship is between two consenting adults!! she’s an independent and successful woman, so there are no grooming dynamics or power imbalances here. the age conflict is purely for the drama 🗣️🗣️
I'LL BE YOURS UNTIL THE STARS FALL FROM THE SKY ⋆ joe keery x actress!reader (smau)
summary ⋆ as stranger things comes to an end, you say goodbye to your character for the last time and share the unexpected news that you're getting married to your co-star and on-screen partner, joe keery
warnings ⋆ smau, use of y/n, florence pugh is used as faceclaim, manips by me
part one⋆ part two ⋆ part three
liked by djotime, charlie.r.heaton, milliebobbybrown and 10.569.111 others
yourusername i think marriage life suits me, don't you think? 💍💗
view comments ↓
djotime i love you
yourusername djotime i love you more <3
milliebobbybrown 😭😭😭
milliebobbybrown still crying, thank you for allowing me to be your bridesmaid ❤️
yourusername milliebobbybrown you're my sister from another mister, how could i not? 💗
nattyiceofficial best night of the year ❤️
yourusername it's your turn now!!
dkharbour proud of you, kid, you found a good one
strangerthingstv steve and tally would be so proud 😭 congratulations to our favorite couple!!
user1 THEY'RE SO CUTE 😭😭😭
user2 WDYM THEY GOT MARRIED?!$!!$*!?
user3 not millie being the maid of honor 😭😭 i’m not crying, you are
liked by yourusername, charlie.r.heaton, finnwolfhardofficial and 15.138.980 others
djotime happy wife, happy life
view comments ↓
yourusername i love you forever
djotime yourusername forever ❤️
charlie.r.heaton luckiest man alive!! proud to be the best man
maya_hawke best wedding ever! can't wait for a little joe or little yn
djotime maya_hawke we have plenty of time for that
finnwolfhardofficial you two are disgusting (affectionately)
djotime finnwolfhardofficial shut up
taylorswift13 so happy for you two! 🫶🏻🫶🏻 you deserve all the happiness ❤️
a/n ⋆ the end! i hope you liked this smau <3 i appreciate all the support you've given me! i'll post another smau soon (spoiler: it's a joe x controversially young girlfriend)
THE NUMBER ONE GIRL IN YOUR EYES ⋆ joe keery x ex!reader (smau)
summary ⋆ after ending a secret year-and-a-half relationship with joe keery, you decide to vent through music, unaware that a run in at lollapalooza would reveal that you and him once dated
warnings ⋆ rosé is used as faceclaim, exes that hate each other (well reader hates him, joe doesn't), angst, smau
liked by jennierubyjane, sabrinacarpenter, and 3.405.218 others
yourusername monthly yn!! it's been a chaotic couple of days but i’m so grateful for all the love you’re showing to number one girl 🤍 writing this album was a way of letting go. thank you for listening and i'll see you at lollapalooza!! <3
view comments ↓
user1 WE LOVE YOU 😭😭
user2 hate the fact you ever felt that way because of a man
oliviarodrigo i want to punch the guy that made you suffer 😁
↳ gracieabrams oliviarodrigo i think we all
jennierubyjane totally not crying with number one girl in the background
brunomars who cares about the other guy when you have me 🤩
↳ yourusername brunomars not this again lmaooo
user3 sooo do we know who's the ex?
↳ user4 user3 it's probably jungkook
↳ user5 user4 i don't think he's asian, yn seems like the type to date americans
sabrinacarpenter men ain't shit
↳ yourusername sabrinacarpenter real
[ INSTA DM .ᐟ ]
DJOTIME
i'm guessing that story wasn't meant for
the general public?
YOURUSERNAME
nope.
it wasn't meant for you either.
DJOTIME
too late
“nauseous”
really?
is it that hard to see me being happy
for one hour on stage?
YOURUSERNAME
shut up.
it's hard because YOU are happy
while i'm the one who had to write a
whole album to cope with the mess YOU made
DJOTIME
i had a hard time too knowing you where
probably there in the crowd too yk
YOURUSERNAME
that's not my problem
i don't even know why you're texting me
DJOTIME
because i care about you
YOURUSERNAME
please, you don't care about me
you only care about yourself and your
reputation as you always have
leave me alone. seriously.
read, 23:57 am
liked by lollapalooza, lalalalisa_m, djotime and 5.505.198 others
yourusername lollapalooza. . . i have no words 😭🤍 i was so nervous for today but you guys reminded me why i do this. thank you for choosing me, for reminding that i'm worth it and more than enough 🫶🏻 i love you forever
view comments ↓
jennierubyjane THAT'S MY GIRL!!!
lollapalooza you're OUR number one ❤️
lalalalisa_m best show of the weekend, period.
↳ yourusername lalalalisa_m i love you 😭😭
user1 NOT JOE LIKING THIS???
↳ user2 user1 he's probably crying in a corner right now
oliviarodrigo actual chills, i love you sm 💜 💜
user3 WE'LL ALWAYS CHOOSE YOU AS OUR NUMBER ONE
[ INSTA DM .ᐟ ]
DJOTIME
i'm sorry
read, 3:00 am
a/n ⋆ this was inspired by number one girl (obviously) and you're losing me!! rosé has an entire album that's about heartbreak and i recommend you to listen to it if you haven't^^
LONG STORY SHORT, WE SURVIVED ⋆ steve harrington (w. 2,9k)
≡ pairing ⋆ steve harrington x fem!reader
≡ summary ⋆ you find out you're pregnant with steve's child, and hawkins decides to make your life miserable with the return of the town's supernatural curse and new murders that's putting your life and the lives of your loved ones at risk.
≡ warnings ⋆ english isn't my first language so i apologize if there are any mistakes! pregnancy, mentions of blood, no use of y/n, reader is referred as star, reader works as part of the front desk staff at hawkins memorial hospital!
part one ⋆ series masterlist
MARCH 21, 1986
For the past few days, you had been feeling out of place. A heavy exhaustion weighed down your eyelids in the middle of your work shifts, and a constant discomfort in your throat after eating made you think that perhaps you had caught the flu from one of the patients you helped in the waiting rooms, which would also explain the sudden revulsion you felt towards certains smells during lunch breaks.
That was why when Dr. Montgomery asked you to get some blood work done and stop by her office once the results were ready, you felt puzzled. Still, you followed her suggestion, expecting anything but the soft, knowing smile she gave you when you walked in.
“Take a seat, honey,” she said, gesturing to the chair in front of her desk as she looked over your labs, “You said you thought you had a virus, right?”
“Yeah, from what you’ve heard in the breakroom, i haven't been feeling very well lately. i figured it's probably the flu. . . after all, sick patients are always coming in,” you replied nervously. The doctor’s presence was commanding and always managed to intimidate you just a little.
The woman in front of you set the results on the desk and looked at you intently, that smile she had never left her face.
“Well, dear, you aren't sick. i asked for these tests because i needed to check your hCG levels, and it seems that they are elevated. Do you know what that means?” she asked, still smiling.
“Uhh- not really,” you answered confused. Sure, you worked at a hospital but you weren't a doctor or a nurse so you didn't really know what the woman in front of you was talking about.
“It means that you’re pregnant, dear. Congratulations”
The hum of the fluorescent lights suddenly seemed deafening, and the air in the office grew thick after hearing the news.
“P-pregnant?” you repeated, as if the word belonged to a foreign language.
“According to your levels, you’re approximately three weeks along, maybe a bit more,” she explained, folding her hands over the desk, "It's incredibly early to have such marked symptoms, usually, women don't feel anything until the fifth or sixth week. . .but i suppose your body is simply more. . .sensitive”
You stared at the doctor for a moment, knowing perfectly well that your body wasn't just ‘sensitive’ as she called it. Most likely, your powers had everything to do with it, amplifying every symptom so you would know exactly what was happening.
It wasn't the flu like you stupidly thought, it was your powers delivering the news that a life was growing inside of you, a life that you and Steve had created.
“I want you here tomorrow for your first ultrasound. I want to make sure everything is in order, given how early your symptoms appeared,” the older woman noted, handing the results back to you, “For now, go home and rest, tell the good news to your boyfriend. Harrington, right?”
You nodded softly, your words failing you due to the shock of finding out you were expecting.
“He’s a good boy, i’m happy you’re starting your family, you're at a good age for it,” the doctor let out a small laugh of joy, “I had my first daughter at twenty too, and i wish you two the very best, truly”
“Thank you, Dr. Montgomery,” you managed to say after a moment before quickly slipping out of her office. You definitely didn't need to know, nor did you care, at what age she started her family when you were trying to not freak out.
The only thing you wanted now was to tell Steve, and it had to be soon. You couldn't keep something like this from your boyfriend, especially when Steve Harrington had a degree in you, knowing you better than you knew yourself and always knowing when you were lying to him.
Perhaps you'd tell him after the championship game, but for now, you tucked the papers into your bag and waited for the time when he would pick you up in his BMW to go support Robin in the band and Lucas with the Tigers at Hawkins High.
About thirty minutes had passed since you learned the news about your pregnancy when you suddenly heard the familiar sound of Steve’s car, breaking the silence of your thoughts and stopping in front of the hospital entrance.
He rolled down the window and gave you that dazzling smile that always managed to calm the chaos of your powers. He looked so peaceful and happy, oblivious to the storm about to break over him after the game tonight.
“My beautiful star!” he exclaimed enthusiastically as you climbed into the car, giving you a sweet kiss before driving off again, “I think we’re just in time, Robin said if we don’t make it before the anthem, she’s going to hit us over the head with her trumpet, and honestly, i don't want another concussion,” he joked, making you laugh easily as he always did.
“Oh god, please, no. When those Russians beat you into a pulp and we took you to the hospital, you forgot i was your girlfriend and thought i was another spy trying to kill you,” you reminisced with a smile, something you desperately needed after what happened in Dr. Montgomery's office.
“You’re never gonna let me live that down, are you?
“Nope,” you chirped, giggling at your boyfriend’s expression as he rolled his eyes and abruptly changed the subject.
“Hey, how did it go with those tests you mentioned when you called me earlier?” he asked, glancing at you with concern, “Did they give you anything?”
Hearing him, you froze, not knowing what to say for a split second. You adjusted yourself in your seat, fixing your seatbelt and feeling the weight of the results in the bag resting on your lap.
You took a deep breath to try and calm yourself before answering, “Yeah, she gave me some vitamins to take. . .said it's just a cold and that i need to rest and i’ll be good as new”
Lying to your boyfriend was never something you enjoyed, you knew he would notice immediately, boy you couldn't tell him you were pregnant right now- not while he was driving.
“Well, being the great boyfriend i am, i’ll make sure you're okay,” he said, and since he was driving, it wasn't hard for him to believe you and you were grateful for that, “After the game, i'll take you home and make you a good meal that will help you feel better, or whatever you need. nobody takes care of my girl better than i do.” He finished, taking one of your hands to kiss it before intertwining his fingers with yours for the rest of the trip.
You squeezed his hand tightly, a knot forming in your throat because of the lie you told him.
You looked at him for a moment, the profile of his face was illuminated by the Hawkins sunset, and for a minute you allowed yourself to dream of those six little nuggets he always talked about that made you fall in love with him over and over again.
But then, as you thought of that prosperous future Steve wanted with you by his side, a gust of wind coming from the window seemed to brush against your face, snapping out of your dreamland and causing a bad feeling to settle in your chest, a feeling that something wasn't right, or that soon it wouldn't be and you could only hope it was just your imagination and nothing more.
Meanwhile, you listened to your boyfriend hum a Tears for Fears song on the radio, visibly excited for the game where Lucas Sinclair would play and Robin would be part of the band, unaware that his world was about to change just as much as yours after the game.
The gym was filled with screens, applause, and the triumphant sound of the marching band, signaling the overflowing energy everyone felt after closing the gaming season with a great victory.
The game had been a success with the Hawkins tigers winning thanks to Lucas, causing you to forget the weight you had been carrying all day and simply making you feel happy that one of the kids you and Steve had looked after was now growing up and forging his own identify away from all the trauma the previous years had caused.
You exchanged a look with Steve, who was cheering louder than anyone else, his eyes shining with a pride that was almost paternal.
And in that instant, a gentle warmth spread through your chest, you couldn't help but think that in a few years you and Steve could be in the same stands, watching your own child achieve new heights just as Lucas was doing now.
The tigers victory wasn't just a trophy for the team, for you, it felt like a confirmation that everything you had been through ──the monsters, the losses, and the constant fear of new threats── had been worth it if it meant the kids could have a normal life after all.
For a few minutes, you allowed yourself to laugh and celebrate, clinging to that moment of happiness before the silence of the ride home brought back the reality you still didn't dare to name in front of your boyfriend.
The ride back home was silent after dropping Robin off, the euphoria of the gym was gone and instead was replaced by the heavy humidity of Hakwins’ nights. The radio was the only sound between you and Steve, who held your hand while he drove as he always did.
Despite the peace such moments usually brought, this time the foreboding sense wasn't just a feeling like earlier. Now it was a constant pressure in your temples, one you had felt a few times during the night after having weird nightmares about a threatening darkness in Hawkins, the constant sound of a clock, and a sensation of imminent death.
You had convinced yourself it was just stress from what you lived through at Starcourt last year. Steve and Robin had confessed they also had nightmares after the events of the fourth of july, and you desperately wanted to believe this was just a relapse. That it was just your mind playing tricks on you.
But the air inside the BMW suddenly turned icecold, and it seemed only you had noticed.
“We’re here, love,” Steve announced softly, parking in front of your house, “Are you sure you don’t want me to stay? i can take care of you during the night and make sure you don't feel bad”
You were about to answer him until a dry sound, similar to wood splintering or bones breaking, echoed in your ears and the headache didn't hesitate to strike you with the force of lightning.
You scrambled to get out of the car, desperately needing air. But as your feet touched the ground, your knees gave out on you and you collapsed against the door, clutching your head as reality seemed to disappear before your eyes.
You couldn't see Steve kneeling in front of you with an expression full of horror, nor the lights of the entire neighborhood going crazy. You could only see an image in your mind of a trailer that looked like the one Max lived in at Forest Hills, but different at the same time. The worst part? hearing a man’s blood curdling scream and then the terrifying sound of limbs snapping in the dark.
Your powers reacted violently to what was happening in your mind, creating a crimson shield that flickered all around you, clashing with the intrusion of the malice trying to enter your psyche to show you atrocities your mind couldn't bear.
A broken cry escaped your mouth due to the pain you were feeling, unable to control what your body felt. And what brought you back to your senses was the warmth of blood sliding over your lips, a metallic taste you weren't used to taste.
“Sweetheart, look at me!” Steve held you by the shoulders, trembling in panic.
He quickly pulled you to his chest, trying to protect you from the invisible force leaving you in such state, “What the hell is happening?! Sweetheart, what’s going on?”
It took you several seconds to return to the real world. The streetlights returning to normal and your eyes focused on Steve’s face, filled with deep concern and confusion as he wiped the blood from your face with the sleeve of his jacket.
“I’m fine. . .it was nothing, just a dizzy spell,” you lied, your voice trembling as you tried to catch your breath.
You couldn't tell him everything that was happening. You couldn't do that to Steve after everything he went through last year, trying to help him overcome the trauma that followed after being tortured by the russians alongside Robin. You didn't want to worry him further with you thinking that the curse of this town had returned.
It had been naive of you to think that just because you were expecting a baby, everything would return to normal for a while. Now, you weren't just hiding your cursed dreams and vision, you were hiding the life growing inside you and you couldn't help but feel horrible, as if you were disrespecting Steve's love and betraying his loyalty.
“Just a dizzy spell? You’re bleeding! You almost fainted in my arms!” he insisted, his voice breaking with anguish. He took your hand, worried it would happen again, “I’m staying with you today, i don't care what you say and we should call-”
“No!” you stopped him, pushing him weakly, trying to pull away.
If your boyfriend stayed, you would end up confessing everything. The nightmares, what you just saw, and the baby on the way.
You couldn't let his first reaction be terror, not when you hoped this news would’ve been full of happiness for both of you.
“You’re not fine!” he exclaimed, frustrated, “I know when you’re lying! this thing that’s been happening to you isn't a virus, or ‘a dizzy spell’ like you say it is. Just please. . .tell me the truth!”
“Go, Steve! i need to be alone!” you pleaded, your eyes filling with tears from the intensity of your emotions.
He stepped back, jaw tight and eyes full of deep hurt. He stayed silent for a moment, processing what happened, until he finally sighed with bitterness.
“Fine, i’m going. But if something happens, anything, you call me, understood? As soon as i hear the phone ring, i’ll be here, ready to kick the door down”
But you didn't answer. You just looked at him and went inside, closing the door as fast as possible to avoid seeing what you had caused by staying silent.
You leaned your back against the wood as you slid to the floor. Your parents were out of town for work, so the silence of the house enveloped you like a blanket, but in your head, the snapping of limbs from that trailer kept echoing.
You touched your belly with trembling hands and felt your powers slowly calm down, returning to that protective knot around you, making you realize something else. . .The nightmares had started with the baby, it was as if this new life was a beacon that had awakened something in the dark, something beyond the known.
And you already suspected what it was.
“It’s back,” you whispered into the void, tears finally falling, “and they know you’re here inside me”
Fearing for tomorrow, you only prayed that your mind had only played a trick on you and nothing that happened was real, that it was just a dream. With that comfort, you went to your room and tried to rest, though it sounded impossible to do at that moment.
MARCH 22, 1996
And it had indeed been impossible.
The first rays of light began to peek through the curtains, and you were already awake. You could feel that the rest you wanted so badly had never arrived after your argument with Steve, your mind kept replaying the attack from the night before, trying to decipher what on earth had happened.
It didn't take long to find out exactly what it was, as the phone rang loudly throughout the house.
You looked at the clock.
5:45 AM.
You wondered who it could be. It definetely wasn't Steve, he’d still be asleep, and it couldn't be Robin either. The only other option was Nancy Wheeler, but you weren't close enough for her to call so early so you stopped guessing and answered.
“Hello?” you said, instinctively placing a hand on your belly, already accustomed to the presence of another being within you.
“Star?” a hesitant voice spoke from the other end, one you recognized immediately.
“Max? Are you okay? Did something happen?” you asked, immediately remembering that trailer and the screams from last night.
“Chrissy Cunningham is dead. They found her in Eddie Munson’s trailer,” she said without hesitation as your breath hitched, “Can you come and pick me up? We need to talk to the rest”
“Yeah, yes. . .i-i’ll be there in ten,” you said quickly before hanging up.
It hadn't been a trick of the mind, Hawkins was being haunted once again by the unknown, ready to unleash more hell than it had before. And you didn't know if this time you were ready for everything that was coming your way.
a/n ⋆ first chapter!! it was soo hard for me to write thiss T_T i had sooo many ideas but couldn't write them all down, so after changing the chapter once and rewriting it, this is how it turned out! i hope you liked it <33 btw, dustin was the one that gave reader her nickname! (star)
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