Don't mess with "his" Jazz or else…
People always like to learn the hard way.
Finally. A project that began back in June-July and finally it's done. Had tons of fun making this. The largest sequences I've done so far. To the point I can't upload the whole thing here either. So be sure to check part one.
summary: you two end up arguing in the parking lot over billy, your family, and steve’s fear of losing you. eventually, he takes you back to his place to take care of you.
warnings: injury/bruising, arguing, yelling, emotional hurt/comfort, mentions of choking, family trauma, kissing, emotional exhaustion... lmk if i missed anything.
notes: did this meet you guys expectations?! or what? i feel like i should've added billy or something.. but if i did it would've been lwk depressing and i probably would've ruined the whole thing..... lower case intended, slightly proofread!
wc: 4.9k
pt1
steve didn’t care about the gawking students or the librarian shouting about calling the principal.
“we need to get you to the nurse,” steve whispered, his voice still shaky. he pulled back just enough to inspect the bruising darkening across your cheek.
his jaw tightened, but his eyes softened the second he took in your facial expression. “or better yet, my house... i’ve got ice and no billy.”
the walk to the parking lot was a blur, steve kept his arm locked around your waist, guiding you through the small crowd of onlookers.
once inside his car, he didn't start the engine immediately. he just gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles were white, staring straight ahead at nothing.
he glanced over at you but the bruise on your cheek didn't help calm him down, he inhaled shakily staring back out the front window. “I’m going to kill him,” he said under his breath but you heard it.
“steve, don’t,” you said, reaching over to unclench his hand from the wheel.
steve didn’t move, his hand felt like it was made of stone under yours, he turned again looking at you.
"don't? are you serious right now?" his eyes snapping back to your face, taking you in, his voice cracking as it rose in volume. "look at you! look at your face! and you’re telling me dont?!"
"steve, please," you pleaded, your fingers interlacing with his to try and pry them off the leather.
"i'm telling you not to make it worse," you muttered, pulling your hand away when you realized he wasn't budging. "
"it was an accident," you said softly. "he wasn't aiming for me, steve. he was aiming for you. i just… i got in the way."
"and that makes it what? better? you shouldn't have had to jump in at all!" he reached a hand out tilting your face up, examining your cheek before shaking his head.
"we’re going to the doctor. this is swelling too fast."
"i'm not going to the doctor, steve. i just need to sit down for ten minutes," you said, pushing his hand away.
"no, you don't get to 'just sit down,'" steve scoffed. "you just took a hit from a guy twice your size because you decided to play human shield! i don't know what you were thinking?"
"I was thinking that he was going to kill you!" you said, your voice rising a bit, "he had his hands around your throat, steve! was i supposed to just sit there and watch the librarian call the police while you stopped breathing?"
"yes!" steve yelled. "yes, you let me take it! i can handle billy. i’ve handled him before."
you didn't respond, you just stared out the window, picking at your nails.
"i’m taking you to the ER," he said, voice flat.
"steve, no," you groaned, leaning your head back against the headrest.. "it’s just a bruise. i don't need a hospital."
"it’s not just a bruise!" steve shook his head, running a hand over his face. the sight of the swelling on your cheek seemed to physically pain him. "your cheek is a different color and its spreading, you’re swaying in the seat! i am not debating this with you."
"i am not going to the hospital so they can call my dad and tell him billy punched me!" you scoffed, shaking your head, "i'm not doing it.."
steve let out an unamused laugh "You're unbelievable," he muttered, eyeing you.
"god, steve i was the one who jumped!" you shouted, the effort making your jaw ache. "he was blinded by his own temper! he didn't even see me move until he'd already followed through. you saw his face right after... he looked like he’d seen a ghost!"
"oh, poor billy!" steve mocked, his voice filled with sarcasm. "the poor guy feels bad because he accidentally laid out his sister while trying to commit a felony in the school library. should i send him a get well card for his emotional trauma?"
"shut up, steve! you’re being an asshole!"
"i’m being an asshole?" steve pointed to himself, another unamused laugh slipping through his lips.
"yeah, steve, you are! you're being a massive asshole!" you rolled your eyes, "i jumped in to save you, and now you’re making me regret it because you won’t stop acting like a jerk!"
steve slammed his hand against the dashboard, "i'm acting like a jerk because you're defending him!
"you're so obsessed with winning against him that you're not even looking at me! you're just looking at the bruise!"
"i am looking at you!" steve shouted, his hand flying out to gesture toward your face, stopping just inches away. "i'm looking at you and I'm seeing a girl who's so brainwashed by her psychotic brother that she’s calling me the jerk for trying to help her!"
"oh, so now i'm brainwashed?" you let out a laugh, your hand reaching for the door handle. "great. first i’m a punching bag, and now i'm too stupid to know my own mind. thanks for the clarity, steve."
"that’s not what i meant and you know it-"
"no, i know exactly what you mean." you pushed the handle down, the door clicking open.
you stepped out onto the asphalt, the ground tilting for a second, but you gripped the edge of the door to steady yourself.
"get back in the car!" steve scrambled across the center console, reaching out to grab your sleeve, but you yanked your arm away.
"go home, steve," you spat, slamming the door shut with every ounce of strength you had left.
you didn't look back at him, you started walking back toward the school building, your head throbbing, you could hear his door slamming shut then, his footsteps sprinting across the pavement after you.
you didn't stop, you kept your eyes locked on the school entrance, trying to move as fast as your legs would let you.
steve’s hand caught your elbow, steadying you as you stumbled. "don't touch me," you hissed, trying to shake him off, but your legs felt like they were no longer under you.
"okay, okay!" he said, holding his hands up in surrender while staying glued to your side. "look, i’m sorry. i'm a jerk. i’m an asshole. i'm whatever you want me to be baby, just please stop walking before you pass out in the middle of the parking lot."
"i'm going to find the nurse," you lied, your voice wavering. "and then I’m calling a cab. I don't need you to follow me around and I definitely don't need a lecture on my family dynamics."
"a cab? in hawkins?" steve let out a frustrated, breathless noise. "you’ll be waiting three hours.."
he stepped in front of you, forcing you to halt. the sudden movement made your vision blur, and you instinctively reached out, your hand landing on his chest to keep yourself upright. steve immediately covered your hand with his, his eyes searching yours.
he stepped closer, letting his shadow fall over you, shielding your eyes from the sun. "i'm not trying to win an argument. if you don't want the hospital, fine. no ER. no doctors."
you looked up at him, your breath hitching. "he's my brother, steve," you said, your voice quiet, a small tear running down your face.
"i know," steve murmured, his thumb moved to your swollen cheek, gently wiping the tear away. "and i’m the guy who loves you. let that count for something today. please.... just get back in the car. i’ll be quiet. i won’t say a word, i’ll just drive."
⋆˙⟡ —
the ride to steve’s was filled with the silence he had promised. he didn't say a single thing, though the way he kept glancing at you.
his eyes darting from the road to the swelling on your face every thirty seconds. checking to see if your eyes were still open or if you were leaning too far to one side.
he drove with a cautiousness, avoiding every pothole as if a single bump might cause you more pain.
when he pulled into his driveway, he didn't wait for the engine to settle before he was out of the door.
he was at your side in a second, his hand hovering near your elbow, ready to catch you the moment you stepped out.
"i’ve got you," he whispered as he guided you up the front steps, the large, empty house feeling even more larger than usual.
he led you straight into the kitchen, helping you sit on one of the high barstools. the cool air of the house felt good against your skin, but the throbbing in your jaw was starting to pulse in time with your heartbeat.
"stay," he commanded softly, though he was already moving toward the freezer. he pulled out a clean dish towel and filled it with crushed ice, folding it over.
he stepped between your knees, leaning in close. "okay," he whispered. "this is going to be cold. just… try to hold still."
as the ice pack touched your cheek, you winced, drawing in a breath through your teeth.
steve’s other hand slid to the back of your neck, his fingers tangling in your hair to steady you, pulling your head gently against his chest.
"i know, baby. i know," he murmured, his breath warm against the top of your head. the anger from the parking lot was completely gone. "just breathe. i've got it."
he held the ice there for a long time, the only sound in the kitchen being the hum of the refrigerator.
slowly, he pulled back just enough to look at you. "does it feel better?" he asked, his thumb tracing the line of your jaw just below the towel. "the cold?"
"a little," you admitted, your voice sounding small.
he let out a long, ragged breath, the kind that seemed to deflate his entire chest. he didn't move his hand from your jaw, his thumb continuing that slow stroke that was clearly meant to soothe him as much as it was to comfort you.
"good," he whispered. "that’s good."
his pupils were blown wide, searching your eyes as if he were trying to memorize every fleck of color in them, checking for the hundredth time that you were really okay.
Your eyes dropped to his mouth before you could stop it.
steve noticed, you saw the exact second it registered because his entire expression changed. the panic softened out of his face, his eyes dipped to your lips too, then back up again.
“hey,” he murmured softly.
you swallowed. “yeah?”
his hand tightened slightly at the back of your neck. “what?”
you tried to fight the tiny smile pulling at your mouth, but it was impossible with the way he was looking at you.... like you hung the moon or something equally ridiculous.
"you know..." you whispered. "There is one thing that would really make me feel better."
steve’s brow furrowed instantly, "what? anything," he promised, his voice urgent and ready to fix it. "you want more ice? or i can go get that heated blanket from the closet? do you feel dizzy? nauseous? just tell me, baby, i’ll get it."
you didn't answer right away, you just kept your eyes on his, watching the way his concern made his forehead crease. slowly, you tilted your head and puckered your lips, waiting.
for a second, steve just stared at you, his brain glitching as he processed the request. then, a small, lopsided smile finally broke through the tension on his face.
it was the first real smile you’d seen since before the library. "oh," he breathed, a soft, breathless laugh escaping him.
the sound made your smile grow. “what?”
“you are unbelievable,” he muttered again, except this time there wasn’t any frustration in it.
his forehead dropped forward for a second like he physically couldn’t handle you. “you’re sitting here half concussed trying to flirt with me.”
"i'm multitasking.”
steve huffed out another laugh, quieter this time, your fingers curled lightly into the front of his shirt. “steve…”
he leaned down a little closer, like he couldn’t help it whenever you said his name like that.
your noses brushed. “....steve,” you whispered this time.
His eyes fluttered shut for half a second before he finally gave in, the kiss started careful.
steve kissed you like he was afraid you might break apart in his hands if he moved too fast.
his palm stayed cradled against the back of your head while the other moved the melting ice pack from your cheek to the counter beside you.
you felt the shaky exhale leave him against your mouth as he kissed you once, slowly. then again, a little deeper this time.
your fingers tightened in his shirt automatically, pulling him closer between your knees.
steve made the quietest sound in his throat. his forehead pressed against yours when he pulled back barely an inch. “you scared the hell out of me today,” he admitted softly.
you reached up, brushing your thumb lightly along his busted lip. “i’m okay.”
“you weren’t.” his jaw tightened. "you got hit hard enough to nearly black out.”
“but I’m okay now.”
steve looked at you for another long moment, like he was deciding whether he believed you, then his eyes dropped to your lips again.
“you sure kissing me doesn’t hurt?” he asked quietly.
“it might,” you admitted.
his expression immediately filled with guilt. “jesus, sorry-”
“but,” you interrupted softly, “it’s worth it.”
steve stared at you. then he kissed you again like that sentence rewired his brain chemistry.
his fingers threaded through the strands of your hair carefully so he wouldn’t jar your jaw.
he tilted his head just enough to deepen the kiss, slow and warm and consuming in a way that made your stomach flip.
you could taste the mint gum he’d probably chewed hours ago.... could feel the way he kept hesitating between kisses, like he still couldn’t stop checking if you were okay.
every few seconds his thumb would brush your cheek gently.... and every few seconds he’d pull back just enough to look at you again.
“you still dizzy?” he whispered against your lips.
“a little.”
his mouth brushed yours once more. “Headache?”
“mhm.”
another kiss.
“nauseous?”
“steve,” you mumbled, smiling despite yourself.
“what?” he whispered, smiling back. “nurse harrington’s thorough.”
“you’re annoying.”
“yeah?” he kissed the corner of your mouth. “still your favorite though.”
you rolled your eyes weakly, but your hands slid up around his neck anyway.
his lips moved against slower now. like he was pouring every unsaid thing from the parking lot into kissing you instead.
sorry.... i was scared.... i love you.... don’t ever do that again.
your fingers slipped into the hair at the nape of his neck and he shivered, like actually shivered.
“jesus,” he breathed against your mouth.
you smiled sleepily. “what?”
“you keep doing that and i’m never letting you leave this kitchen.”
“wasn’t planning on it.”
steve laughed softly, forehead dropping against yours again. his nose nudged yours.
“you’re exhausted,” he murmured.
“so are you.”
“yeah.” He sighed. “but yours is probably a concussion.”
you snorted quietly and instantly regretted it when pain shot through your cheek.
steve winced in sympathy. “okay, no laughing. doctor’s orders.”
“you’re not a doctor.”
“no, but i am the guy currently keeping your face attached with ice.” he leaned back slightly, finally grabbing the towel again before gently pressing it to your cheek. “hold this for me, baby.”
you took it with a small groan.
steve softened again at the sound, his free hand rubbing slowly up and down your arm. “i know,” he whispered. “c’mere.”
before you could ask what he meant, he carefully lifted you off the stool. “steve-”
“you’re swaying,” he said simply.
and honestly? you were too tired to argue anymore, so you let him carry you.
his arms stayed secure around you as he walked through the quiet house, your head tucked against his shoulder while the melting ice pack rested against your cheek, you could hear his heartbeat through his shirt.
by the time he reached his bedroom, your eyes were already drifting shut.
steve laid you down carefully against the pillows like you were made of glass. the mattress dipped beside you as he sat down after, one hand brushing your hair back from your forehead.
“you staying awake for me a little longer?” he asked softly.
you blinked up at him slowly. “depends.”
a tiny smile tugged at his mouth. “on?”
“you gonna kiss me again?”
steve shook his head, smile growing. “you want a kiss?” he whispered.
you nodded slowly as he leaned down to kiss you this time.
when he finally pulled back, his forehead rested against yours. the room was quiet, you could hear the rattling of the ceiling fan and the uneven sound of his breathing.
then he pressed one last gentle kiss to the corner of your mouth before murmuring softly, “okay. sleep.”
you frowned. “that’s not romantic.”
a tired laugh escaped him. “baby, you almost passed out in the parking lot.”
“still. you could’ve said it nicer.”
steve shook his head, brushing your hair back again. “alright, hold on.” He cleared his throat dramatically. “my dearest love, light of my life, please close your eyes before you collapse from exhaustion in my bed.”
you smiled weakly. “better.”
“yeah?”
“mhm.” your eyes were already slipping shut again. “do that voice more often.”
steve snorted quietly. “you are so concussed.”
you reached toward him blindly, fingers catching weakly in the front of his shirt before he could pull away.
“stay.” the word came out so soft.
steve’s expression softened again. “yeah,” he whispered. “yeah, I’m staying.”
he kicked off his shoes quickly before shifting properly onto the bed beside you and his arms slid around you carefully, pulling you against his chest.
you curled into him without hesitation, one arm tucked between you both while the other rested lightly over his waist. steve adjusted slowly so you could lay without putting pressure on your bruised cheek, one hand staying protectively at the back of your head while the other rubbed slow circles against your back.
“there,” he murmured. “comfortable?”
“warm.”
his lips brushed your forehead. “you scared me so bad today,” he admitted quietly into your hair.
half asleep already, you mumbled, “you said that already.”
“yeah, well.” his fingers tightened slightly against your back. “i’m gonna keep saying it until you understand how serious I am.”
you made a sleepy sound that might’ve been a laugh.
steve’s chest rose under your cheek with a soft sigh.
for a while neither of you spoke.
he just held you, just before sleep finally pulled you under, you felt his lips press softly into your hair.
“i love you,” he whispered.
and even half asleep, you still smiled. " i love you more."
taglist: @louisbelongstome28, @arinadixin, @cuddlyeren ,@uglyahhboii, @ervlvx, @idontread4, @stoneyggirl2.. (i tagged the people asking for a pt2... sorry if you didn't wanna be tagged)
