More Than Two
Summary: You kiss both Jonathan Byers and Steve Harrington and quickly realize that avoiding the truth only creates more problems than it solves.
Pairing: Steve Harrington x Fem!Reader x Jonathan Byers
Warnings: 18+ content, smut, threesome, unprotected piv (don’t do this), oral (m!receiving), fingering, creampie, kissing, no mentions of Y/N, love triangle but all three end up together, poly relationship, sunshine!reader, nancy never dated jonathan or steve here, light angst, fluff, playful arguing
Word Count: 12k
Note: I love both Steve and Jonathan and wish I could have them both. Anyway, I honestly don’t know how I feel about this. Maybe I’ll write another part but I’m not quite sure. I’m just hoping you all like it and that I didn’t disappoint 😭😞
Stranger Things Masterlist
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You should’ve known something would go wrong the moment you woke up optimistic.
Moving day was never supposed to be easy, but you’d at least expected it to be straightforward. You would just rent a van, bribe your friends with pizza, survive the stairs, and be done. Simple as that.
You believed it would be so simple that you hadn’t thought twice about calling Steve Harrington. Or Jonathan Byers. Separately.
The first knock comes right on time. You were still taping up the last box when you opened the door and found Jonathan standing there, hands in his pockets.
“Hey,” he says, offering a small smile. “You ready?”
“Almost,” you say, stepping aside. “Thanks for coming, Jonathan!”
He waved a hand, giving you a smile. “Yeah. Of course.”
Jonathan steps inside, immediately scanning the almost empty apartment that was now filled with boxes.
Then you hear a second knock.
You frown. “Huh. That was fast.”
Jonathan glances at the door, confused, just as you open it again. Steve Harrington stands there in a fitted t-shirt, sunglasses perched on his head despite the fact that you’re inside, holding a roll of packing tape you asked him to bring.
“Oh,” he says.
“Oh,” Jonathan echoes.
The air goes weird instantly.
Steve’s smile falters just a fraction as his eyes flick past you to Jonathan. Jonathan stiffens, shoulders squaring subtly.
“What are you doing here?” Steve asks, tone casual but edged.
Jonathan blinks. “Helping her move?”
Steve lets out a short laugh. “Yeah. Me too.”
You look between them, then grin. “Great! You’re both here!”
Neither of them looks particularly great about it.
Jonathan steps aside awkwardly to give Steve room to enter, and they brush shoulders slightly. Though they pretend it didn’t happen and step away from one another.
The two don’t exactly hate each other. They just don’t know how to exist in the same space without everything feeling like a competition neither of them signed up for. It’s always felt like this since high school, even more so when you came into the picture.
Steve sets the tape down, then gently grabs your arm and steers you a few steps away.
“What’s Byers doing here?” He mutters.
You blink at him, tilting your head. “I called him?”
Steve frowns. “Okay, but then why am I here?”
You stare at him for a second, then snort. “Steve. You’re both here to help me. Obviously.”
He opens his mouth, closes it, then exhales through his nose. “Right. Yeah. Sure. That makes sense.”
Behind you, Jonathan pretends very hard not to be listening. His arms are crossed, eyes glaring into the back of Steve’s head.
Before things can get any more awkward, the door swings open again.
“MOVE DAY, BABY—” Robin Buckley announces, stopping short when she takes in the scene. Her eyes flick from Steve, to Jonathan, to you, then she grins. “Oh. This is fun.”
“Robin!” You light up, unaware of the growing tension between the two men. “Thank God. Please tell me you brought caffeine.”
She lifts a bag. “I came prepared. Unlike whatever this is.” She gestures vaguely at the boys. She leans over, quietly speaking to you so that the other two can’t hear. “Did you mean to summon them both, or are you just that powerful?”
You groan. “We’re just friends, Rob.”
Robin hums, unconvinced.
The moment moving starts, the competition kicks in.
Steve grabs a box labeled BOOKS, grunting as he picks it up but quickly masks it with a cough. “I’ll take the heavy stuff.”
Jonathan reaches for the same box. “I’ve got it.”
Steve tightens his grip. “I said I’ve got it.”
Jonathan raises an eyebrow. “It’s not a contest.”
Steve rolled his eyes. “Could’ve fooled me.”
You watch them wrestle it for a second before letting go entirely. You slid right in, picking it up with a smile. “It’s fine, I’ll take it.”
Steve and Jonathan glance at each other, eyes narrowing.
“Shit,” Steve mutters under his breath, and before Jonathan can react, he slaps Jonathan’s arm lightly.
Jonathan flinches, then frowns. “Really? That’s your move?”
Steve ignores him and jerks the box out of your hands. “Nope. I got it,” he says, strutting a little as he walks out the door.
Jonathan rolls his eyes but doesn’t protest. Instead, he bends and picks up another box, muttering under his breath. “Jackass.”
You can’t help the small laugh that escapes. “Yay, this is so much fun!” You say, choosing to ignore their antics. “Everything seems like it’s going well.”
Robin looks at you with a smirk, arms crossed. “Look at you,” she says with a raised eyebrow. “They are literally kissing the ground you walk on.”
You feel your face grow hot. “Stop, Robin.”
She hums knowingly. “Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about. They clearly like to compete for your attention while pretending they don’t.”
You roll your eyes again, grabbing a lighter box to distract yourself from their antics. Steve winks at you over his shoulder, and Jonathan glances briefly, that faint blush creeping up his neck.
You drop the box into the van with a thud. “I need a snack already.”
Robin snorts. “Yeah, me too. And maybe a ringmaster for this circus.”
You hear Steve call out Jonathan’s name as he smirks at him. “You’re making it too easy for her to pick favorites, Byers.”
Jonathan sighs, lifting his next box. “Has it ever occurred to you that I’m not here to show off and I’m simply here to help my friend, Harrington?”
You glance at them, before looking back at Robin. “Those two are going to give me gray hairs before we even unpack.”
Steve then disappears down the hallway and comes back a second later hauling what is clearly the heaviest box you own. The bottom is bowed slightly, the tape straining.
Jonathan pauses suddenly, his eyes widening.
“You know that one’s labeled ‘fragile,’ right?” He says.
Steve adjusts his grip, jaw flexing. “Yeah. I can read.”
“You’re holding it upside down.”
Steve freezes. Slowly, he flips the box.
You clap again, delighted. “Aw, look at them communicating! I love teamwork.”
Robin snorts from behind you, carrying a box of her own. “This is not what teamwork looks like.”
Steve strides past anyway, nodding at you with a big grin. He takes exactly three steps before the box lets out an ominous shift.
Jonathan’s hand shoots out automatically, steadying it. “Hey—”
Their hands touch, making them both pause. There’s a very brief moment where they look at each other like they’ve both just realized something. Though what they realized was unclear.
Then Steve jerks his hand away. “I got it.”
Jonathan exhales through his nose, rolling his eyes. “Right. Of course.”
You tilt your head, smiling. “Wow, you’ve got great reflexes. You’d make a great goalie, Jonathan.”
Jonathan blinks at you. “Uh, thanks?”
Steve preens a little, even though the compliment wasn’t his.
Jonathan immediately bends down and grabs another box. This one seemed to be even heavier.
Steve turns his head and immediately notices. “Oh, no you don’t,” he says, reaching for it.
Jonathan lifts it before Steve can. “I do, actually.”
Steve scoffs. “That’s heavier.”
Jonathan shrugs. “Guess we’ll find out.”
You grab a small box yourself, humming as you pass them. “Just don’t hurt yourselves, okay? I need you both alive.”
Robin watches the three of you shuffle toward the van and mutters to herself, shaking her head. “Idiots.”
As you all continue to move your things, the guys continue to compete with one another. Steve nearly jogs to the van, determined not to be outpaced. Jonathan follows at a steady pace, his jaw set.
You trail behind, squinting up at the sky. “It’s actually really nice out today. Moving in this weather is kind of perfect, right?”
Steve slams his box down in the van with a little more force than necessary. “Perfect,” he agrees quickly.
Jonathan sets his box down more carefully. “Yeah. Perfect.”
You hop up onto the edge of the van, legs swinging. “Thanks again for helping me, all three of you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Steve and Jonathan both freeze, looking at each other with narrow eyes before turning back to you.
Steve clears his throat. “Yeah. Anytime.”
Jonathan nods. “Of course.”
You hop down, still smiling. “Okay! Next load!”
Steve straightens immediately. “I’ll grab the dresser.”
Jonathan also speaks at the exact same time. “I’ll take the dresser.”
You blink between them. “Or…you could both carry it?”
They stare at you, then at each other.
Then Steve sighs. “Fine.”
Jonathan mutters quietly. “Fine.”
Robin cackles behind you.
By the time the last box is dragged inside, your new apartment looks like a mess.
Boxes are stacked along the walls, some opened and some still closed, labeled in your handwriting, and the faint smell of dust and fresh paint hangs in the air. The windows are open, sunlight spilling across the floor.
You spin once in the middle of the living room, arms out. “Okay, but tell me this isn’t already better.”
“It’s not bad,” Steve admits, hands on his hips as he surveys the space. “You’ve got decent lighting. I like that.”
Jonathan nods. “It’s nice,” he says quietly. “It has a lot more space than the old one.”
You beam at that. “See? It’s such an upgrade.”
Robin drops onto one of the boxes with a sigh. “I am officially starving. I moved approximately three boxes and watched you two argue all day. I deserve compensation.”
“Oh!” You perk up. “Pizza! There’s a place literally right down the street. It’d be kind of silly to get it delivered.” You grab your keys from the counter. “You guys stay here while I go get it.”
You don’t even make it two steps before the guys call out your name.
“I’ll go,” Steve says immediately.
“I can go,” Jonathan says at the same time.
They stop, slowly turning to look at each other. They glare at one another, clearly annoyed.
Steve speaks again, sharper now. “I’m already up.”
Jonathan’s jaw tightens. “So am I.”
“I know where it is.”
“So do I.”
You laugh lightly, trying to smooth it over. “Guys, it’s okay—”
Robin groans loudly. “Oh my God, I’m going to lose my mind.” She stands, grabs Steve by the arm, and starts physically dragging him toward the door. “Congratulations, dingus. You’re on pizza duty with me.”
Steve resists just enough to be noticeable. “Wait—why me?”
“Because,” Robin says sweetly, “Jonathan and our sunshine here can unpack. There’s a lot that needs to be done.”
Steve hesitates, his eyes flicking to you, then to Jonathan. Jonathan was already kneeling by a box, sleeves pushed up, focused very deliberately on cutting open the box as if nothing just happened. Something tightens in Steve’s chest.
“Uh,” he begins, his eyes on the two of you. “I—fine.”
You smile, completely unbothered. “Be safe! Don’t fight over toppings!”
The door shuts behind them, and the apartment feels different once Steve and Robin are gone. The noise they carried with them fades, leaving the space noticeably quieter.
You hum to yourself as you open another box, pulling out plates and stacking them carefully on the counter. Jonathan works nearby, carefully placing books onto the shelf, taking his time with each one. You watch him for a moment before smiling.
“You don’t have to be so careful with those, Jon,” you say lightly. “They’re just paperbacks.”
Jonathan shrugs, still focused as he slides another book into place. “Still.”
You laugh softly and go back to unpacking. The silence that settles between you isn’t awkward. It usually never is with him. You’ve always liked that about Jonathan, the way he doesn’t rush to fill the quiet or make it feel uncomfortable.
You move around the kitchen, opening boxes, setting things down, occasionally glancing over at him. He’s focused, brows slightly furrowed, careful with everything he touches. It makes your chest feel warm in a way you don’t really stop to think about.
You realize then how much you enjoy his presence, not because he’s loud or trying to impress you, but because he’s calm. You like being around him because it feels easy. You don’t have to perform or talk just to fill space. You can just exist.
You glance over at him again. “Thanks for staying, Jonathan.”
He looks up from the box he’s unpacking, clearly caught off guard. “Yeah. Of course. I mean—someone had to,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck as if he doesn’t know where to put his hands.
You grin at him. “I’m glad it’s you.”
His ears go pink almost instantly, the color creeping up his cheeks as he looks back down at the box in front of him. Jonathan pauses for a moment before opening another one to distract himself from what you said.
You then hear him clear his throat. “You’re way too cheerful for someone who just carried half their life up three flights of stairs,” he says, trying to be casual.
You laugh as you pull clothes from a box and toss them onto the couch. “What? This is exciting. Can you blame me? I’m finally in my new apartment, which is a hundred times better than my old one.”
He lets out a quiet chuckle. “No, you’re right. I’d be excited too if I got away from my creepy landlord.”
You glance over your shoulder, pointing at him. “Don’t even bring him up. I should’ve fought him.”
Jonathan smiles despite himself, shaking his head. “I should’ve brought my camera to document the fight.”
You grab a sock from the open box and toss it at him. “I swear, you and your camera.”
He dodges it easily, laughing, and the sound makes you laugh too. He picks up the sock and throws it back, deliberately missing so it lands somewhere behind you.
“Wow,” you tease. “Nice aim, Byers.”
“Hey,” he protests, grinning, “I was distracted.”
“By what?” You ask with a giggle, stepping closer to see the book he’s holding.
He starts to answer, then stops short when he realizes how close the two of you are. You notice at the same time, freezing where you stand. The laughter fades, the two of you going quiet.
You’re closer than you thought, close enough to notice the small freckle near his jaw, close enough to feel the way his breathing changes when he realizes it too. Neither of you step back, and it seems like neither of you were willing to, anyway.
For a moment, it’s hard to tell who moves first. All you know is that suddenly his lips are against yours, initially hesitant, like he’s giving you time to pull away if you want to. You don’t, instead you put your hands on his shoulders. The kiss is gentle, the two of you going slowly to figure it out together. His hands come up to your face, and you lean into him without thinking.
When you finally pull back, you’re still smiling, your heart fluttering and your cheeks warm. Jonathan looks stunned, as if he was dreaming this.
“Oh,” he says quietly.
You laugh softly, brushing it off like this was the most natural thing in the world. “Oh.”
Before he can respond, the front door opens, Robin’s voice carrying through the apartment. “We’re back!”
You turn immediately, bright and cheerful, like nothing happened at all. “That was quick! What did you get?”
Jonathan blinks, still trying to catch up, his hand flexing at his side as his mind replayed the kiss over and over again.
Steve freezes just inside the doorway when he notices how close the two of you are standing. His smile falters for a moment before he forces it back into place.
“We, uh—mushrooms,” he says, lifting the box slightly. “And whatever that green thing was you like.”
“Basil!” You say happily, walking over to him and grabbing the box. “You remembered!”
Steve nods, but his eyes flick back to Jonathan without him meaning to. Jonathan steps back, only a small movement, but noticeable enough. Something flashes across his face before he realizes it’s there.
You don’t mention the kiss for the rest of the day. You act like yourself, like nothing happened, talking and laughing with all three of them the way you always do. You ask Robin and Steve about work, and ask Jonathan normal questions that make his head spin because everything suddenly feels different to him.
It confuses Jonathan more than anything else. He keeps waiting for you to mention it, to acknowledge what happened, but you never do. Every time you smile at him, every time you casually pass him something to unpack, his stomach twists. He answers you automatically, still a little dazed, wondering if he imagined the whole thing.
Steve watches from across the room, quiet in a way that’s rare for him. He notices how Jonathan looks at you constantly, like there’s something he wants to say but keeps swallowing back. Steve doesn’t know what happened while he and Robin were gone, and not knowing makes his chest tighten. He keeps replaying the moment Robin dragged him out the door, wishing he had stayed with you instead.
He knows what he feels for you isn’t just some stupid crush. He likes you, loves you, even, and he has for a while now. You have this way of making people feel lighter just by being there, and it’s hard not to fall for someone like that. Being around you feels warm.
And then there’s Jonathan. Steve knows Jonathan feels the same way, even if neither of them ever say it out loud.
Jonathan wants to be the one who takes care of you, the one who makes you feel happy and secure. After the kiss you shared, Jonathan felt hopeful in a way he hadn’t let himself feel before. Now that hope feels fragile, thinking it may disappear if he presses too hard.
So Jonathan decides not to push, at least not today. Not with everyone here, not with the apartment still needing to be unpacked and Steve and Robin sitting right across the room. He tells himself he’ll talk to you later, when it’s just the two of you again. He needs to know what that kiss meant to you, because it meant everything to him.
The competition suddenly stops feeling like a joke to both of them.
The bell over the door chimes softly when you step inside Family Video. Steve looks up first, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed, and his face lights up when he sees you.
“Hey,” he says, grinning. “You stalking us now?”
Robin snorts from behind the counter. “Don’t flatter yourself, dingus. She’s here for me.”
You laugh, resting your elbows on the counter. “Obviously. Bold of you to assume I’m here for you, Harrington.”
Steve gasps, clutching his chest. “Wow. I helped you move into a new apartment and this is the thanks I get?”
Robin rolls her eyes. “You remember when you carried that lamp and complained the entire time?”
“That lamp was heavy,” Steve argues.
You and Robin exchange a look before bursting into laughter, and Steve just shakes his head, smiling despite himself. You wanted to visit your friends while they were working, trying to pretend like things have been fine. You’ve been pretending things are normal a lot lately.
You haven’t talked to Jonathan about the kiss. It wasn’t because you didn’t like it, because you did. You think about it more than you probably should, replaying it in your mind when you’re alone. But every time you think about bringing it up, your stomach knots. You don’t want to ruin what you have with him, don’t want to make things awkward or hurt anyone’s feelings. You know Steve and Jonathan have been circling each other for months now, both of them trying in their own ways to get your attention, and you don’t know how to untangle yourself from it without breaking something important.
So you keep smiling and joking, acting like everything is fine.
Robin glances toward the door when it opens again, signaling a customer. “I’ll go deal with it,” she says, already moving to help the person. “Make sure you put up all the tapes while I’m gone.”
“Whatever,” Steve says, then sighs when she disappears down an aisle. “She never trusts me.”
You grin. “For good reason.”
Steve grabs a stack of tapes and nods toward the shelves. “Come on. You can help me put these back.”
“Oh? You just expect me to come and help you without getting paid?” You said, hearing him laugh as he walked away.
“You’re the one who decided to come,” Steve teased, making you scoff. You still followed him anyway, walking between the rows. Steve hands you a few tapes, and you slide them into place while he reaches for the higher shelves.
“This place is dead today,” you say.
“Yeah,” he replies. “Kind of nice, actually. I hate dealing with customers.”
The two of you go quiet and then you realize how close he’s standing. You try not to think about it, about how familiar this all feels, and how easy it is to be around him. Steve glances at you, then away, then back again, like he’s working up the nerve to say something.
“I haven’t seen you around lately,” he says finally.
You shrug, pretending to focus on the tapes. “Work’s been a lot, and I’m still settling into the apartment.”
“Right,” he says, but there’s something else he wants to say before shrugging it off.
You continue to make a joke about his terrible organization system, and he laughs, bumping your shoulder lightly with his. The contact lingers longer than it should. When you look up at him, the teasing fades. It feels familiar in a way that makes your chest ache.
You don’t know who moves first. You just know that suddenly he’s leaning in, and you’re not pulling away. His lips meet yours in a soft and hesitant kiss, checking to see if you’re okay. For a moment, everything is okay. It feels nice but risky all at once.
You pull back first, smiling because that’s what you always do, even though your stomach is twisting. “Steve,” you say softly, not quite sure what you mean to say next.
His eyes are bright and hopeful. “Yeah?”
The weight of it all crashes down on you then. Jonathan’s face flashes through your mind, the way he looked at you after that kiss, the way you never talked about it. The thought of hurting either of them makes your chest feel tight.
“I—I just remembered,” you say quickly, stepping back. “I have to run some errands. I totally forgot.”
Steve frowns slightly. “Now? You just got here.”
“Yeah,” you say, already moving away from him. “I’m sorry. I’ll see you later, okay?”
He opens his mouth to say something, but you’re already heading toward the door, waving over your shoulder as the bell chimes again. You keep smiling until you’re outside, until the door closes behind you. Only then does the smile fade.
You lean against your car, exhaling slowly. You feel awful and confused, and most of all, guilty. You care about both of them, maybe more than you’re ready to admit, and you don’t know how to choose without losing something you’re not ready to give up. So you do what you’ve been doing best lately.
You avoid it. You pretend everything is normal. You hope that somehow, things will sort themselves out without you having to break anyone’s heart.
The diner is busy today, which makes it easy to disappear into a booth. You can hear plates clinking somewhere behind the counter, and the smell of fries hangs in the air. You sit across from Robin, poking at your fries while she drinks her soda and watches you with narrowed eyes.
“You’ve been really weird,” she says eventually.
You glance up, raising an eyebrow. “Weird how?”
“Quiet weird,” Robin replies. “You haven’t been your usual sunshiney self. You’ve been staring at that fry ever since we got it and barely ate anything.”
You sigh, finally picking it up and taking a bite just to prove a point. “I’m fine.”
Robin tilts her head, unconvinced. She takes another sip before folding her arms. “You know, I don’t usually push. I’m more of a passive observer, but you’ve been avoiding Steve, and you haven’t been around Jonathan at all since you moved in, and that’s not exactly subtle.”
You hesitate, eyes dropping back to your plate. The words sit heavy in your chest, tangled up and uncomfortable. Robin waits, surprisingly patient.
“I didn’t mean for any of this to happen,” you say quietly.
Though she’s confused, Robin’s expression softens immediately. “Okay,” she says. “You want to tell me what happened?”
You take a breath. “I kissed Jonathan. And then I also kissed Steve.”
Robin’s eyebrows shoot up. “Oh?”
“It wasn’t planned,” you rush on. “With either of them. It just, kind of, happened. And I liked it. I really liked it, Robin.” You pause, swallowing. “And now I don’t know what to do, so I’ve been pretending everything’s normal even though it’s really not.”
Robin lets out a slow breath. “Wow,” she says gently. “Okay. That’s a lot.”
“I feel horrible,” you admit. “They’re my friends. I don’t want to hurt either of them or ruin everything. And I know they’ve been competing in this really stupid, obvious way, and I hate that I’m in the middle of it.” You laugh softly, but it comes out wrong. “I didn’t ask for this.”
Robin nods. “Of course you didn’t.”
You pick at the edge of a napkin. “I keep telling myself I’ll talk to them, but every time I think about it, I panic. What if I say the wrong thing? What if I lose them?” You look up at her, eyes a little glassy. “I think I might be in love with both of them, Robin. And that feels like the worst possible thing to realize. I don’t want to hurt them.”
She’s quiet for a moment, really looking at you. Instead of teasing you or making jokes, she reassures you. “You know you’re not a bad person for that, right?”
You shrug. “It kind of feels like it.”
“It shouldn’t,” she says firmly. “Feelings aren’t a crime. Avoiding them forever might be, though.”
You groan, your head falling into your hands. “I know. I just don’t want to destroy everything. It’s going to ruin the friend group.”
Robin reaches across the table and nudges your hand with hers. “You’re not destroying anything yet. You’re just stuck in a difficult situation. Which, honestly, is very on brand, considering we live in Hawkins.”
That earns a small smile from you.
“Steve’s been a mess,” she adds carefully. “He hasn’t said anything but he’s been grumpier than usual. Jonathan’s been acting weird too, from what I can tell. Neither of them knows what’s going on, and that’s kind of the problem.”
You nod. “I figured.”
“I say that you don’t have to decide anything right now,” Robin continues. “But you probably can’t keep pretending nothing happened. Eventually, someone’s going to ask.”
You sigh, leaning back against the booth. “I was hoping it would just magically fix itself.”
Robin snorts. “When has that ever worked?”
“Never,” you admit.
You stare out the window, watching people walk by, and wonder how something that started so simple got so complicated.
“I just want everyone to be okay,” you say softly.
Robin smiles at you, completely understanding. “You have to start being honest. It’s hard, but if you don’t say anything now, it’s going to get even messier.”
You nod slowly, knowing she’s right, even if it scares you.
You swing the door open and immediately get hit with the familiar smell of pizza and popcorn. The lights are low in the living room, and the TV is paused on the introduction of whatever movie the kids decided would be perfect for movie night.
“Hey!” Steve calls, looking up from where he’s stacking a few DVDs on the counter. “You made it.”
“Of course I made it,” you say, stepping inside and brushing a strand of hair behind your ear. “Wouldn’t miss movie night for the world.” You grin at him, noticing the faint flicker in his eyes as he watches you.
Robin is already sitting on the couch, her smile growing big. “Ugh, finally!” She exclaims, patting the seat next to her for you to sit. “I was wondering when you’d come.”
You sit down next to Robin, quickly saying hi to the kids before all of you fall into an easy conversation. Behind you, Jonathan is quietly arranging snacks on the counter, but you notice the faint crease of worry between his brows when he glances at you. He’s clearly aware of Steve’s presence, and it makes your chest twist in a way that’s more complicated than it should be.
You pull a throw blanket around your legs, before seeing Steve sitting next to you. You feel him lean slightly towards you, and it makes your heart beat faster. You try to not think about the way his shoulder brushes yours and instead turn to help Jonathan hand out drinks to the kids. The chatter around you is lively, the kids’ energy infectious, but you can’t ignore the familiar tightness in your stomach.
You still haven’t talked to Jonathan about the kiss. You haven’t talked to Steve either. Every time you think about it, your heart beats faster, and a knot forms in your stomach. You like them both. You really like them both. And somehow, even though you enjoyed kissing both of them, even though your feelings for each of them are growing every day, you haven’t said a word. You know you can’t continue avoiding this topic.
The movie starts, and the kids settle in around the room, sprawled across the floor with snacks and pillows. You force yourself to focus on the movie, but you notice the way Steve’s eyes keep flickering to you, and the tension in his posture when Jonathan leans over the table to grab more snacks. Every time their hands brush accidentally as they reach for the same snack, a sudden scenario crosses your mind. You bite back a nervous laugh and shove a handful of popcorn into your mouth, trying not to think of the two men that have consumed your brain.
Jonathan sits on the other side of the couch next to Robin, close enough that you feel his eyes on you. He doesn’t say anything, but his presence presses on you in a way that makes your chest feel full and tight all at once. You know Steve notices the glances Jonathan’s giving you, and somewhere in the back of your mind, the thoughts in your head keep coming.
The movie plays, but you can’t fully focus. Your attention drifts from Steve to Jonathan, back to the kids’ chatter, back to Robin’s commentary, back to their glances, and finally, back to your own racing thoughts. You’re supposed to be the cheerful, bright, and easygoing one, but you’re sitting here with both of them near, feeling both of them watching, and you realize how impossible it is to pretend everything is simple.
When the movie finally ends, the kids groan and start gathering their things. “I’ll ride with Max and Lucas,” Jane says, tossing her jacket over her shoulder. “Dustin, come on!”
“See you guys later!” You call, standing and waving as the smaller group files out the door, the sounds of their bikes fading down the street.
Robin stands as well, brushing off her jeans. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she says. “Don’t do anything too stupid while I’m gone.” She then looks at you, quietly mouthing to you, “Talk to them.”
Steve’s eyes flicker toward you, hopeful and tense all at once. You force a smile, nodding. “Of course.” Once everyone else is gone, you move toward the kitchen. “I should probably help you clean up,” you say casually, though the words feel heavier than usual. “I’ve got nothing else to do tonight, and I don’t mind helping.”
Steve raises an eyebrow but doesn’t argue. “Sure, that works.”
You glance at Jonathan, who is hesitating, looking at the floor, then back at you. “You want to stay, Jonathan?” You ask, trying to keep your voice light. “I mean…if you don’t have anything else going on?”
He blinks, surprised, but nods. “Yeah, I can stay.”
Once the three of you are alone, the house feels different. The clutter from snacks and blankets fills the silence, but the tension between you, Steve, and Jonathan feels scary. Steve starts throwing trash away, and you help him, making sure everything is spotless. He glances at you once, and the way his gaze lingers makes your throat close up.
You hate this triangle. You love both of them, but you have to say something now or else you’ll end up regretting it.
You take a deep breath and finally speak, your voice shaking slightly even though you try to sound calm. “Um…can I talk to both of you?”
Both heads snap up. Steve drops a plate he was about to throw in the sink and Jonathan straightens immediately, his jaw tight. They look at each other before at you, nodding their heads.
You swallow, your hands twisting together. “I—I need to say something. Something I’ve been holding in for too long, and I can’t pretend anymore.”
Steve steps closer, a small spark of defensiveness in his posture. “What is it? Do you need us to beat someone up?” He jokes lightly, but the tension is in his eyes.
Jonathan gives him a pointed look. “Steve, don’t.”
You take a deep breath again, forcing your voice to stay steady. “I kissed both of you.”
The room goes silent for a second, and then Steve blinks. “You—what?”
Jonathan’s mouth opens, then closes. He exhales sharply. “I’m sorry—You kissed both of us?”
“Yes,” you say, voice quieter now, almost a whisper. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what to do. I like both of you, more than friends. And I didn’t mean to… I just—”
Steve cuts in, frustration flickering across his face, but it’s aimed entirely at Jonathan. “I knew it! You’ve always been hovering, like she’s only yours or something!” His hands clench at his sides, completely ignoring you.
Jonathan’s jaw tightens, and he steps closer, voice rising. “Hovering? You’re the one who can’t stop acting like she’s yours! I see the way you look at her, Steve. Don’t act like I’m blind.”
You take a small step back, heart racing, unsure whether to intervene. Your hands twist in front of you, and your stomach flutters in a confusing mix of guilt, excitement, and something hotter that makes your cheeks burn. You’d be lying if you said the way they’re arguing over you doesn’t make your pulse quicken, even as a pang of worry hits your chest.
Steve throws up his hands, pacing a little. “Oh, come on, Jonathan! This isn’t a competition!”
Jonathan frowns, stepping toward Steve so the space between them shrinks to barely a foot. “Doesn’t feel that way, does it? You’re acting like everything’s about you!”
You bite your lip, feeling the tension coil tighter in your stomach. While you’ve been avoiding the two, you’ve imagined certain things that involve both of them. But guilt slams into your chest as soon as the thought enters your mind. Kissing both of them, imagining more, it feels like you’re walking a tightrope over a pit of fire.
You raise your voice, finally stepping between them. “Stop! Both of you!”
They freeze immediately, glancing at you like they’re suddenly aware of your presence beyond the invisible cord of tension that’s been wrapped around them. You take a deep breath, trying to make your words steady even though your chest feels like it’s about to burst.
“I’m not going to stand here and watch you fight over me,” you say, cheeks warm and hands trembling slightly. “I kissed both of you. And I like both of you. And I don’t know what to do. I…I hate this—this stupid triangle, this…I just—”
They’re quiet now, staring at you, the argument evaporating under the weight of your confession. You can feel as though their emotions are buzzing in the air, but they don’t say anything.
“I…I don’t want to hurt either of you,” you continue, your voice trembling. “I can’t just pretend everything’s normal anymore, and I don’t know what to do. I just—I don’t want anyone to feel like I’m playing games or leading them on.”
Steve swallows, running a hand through his hair. “You…you actually like both of us?” He asked, as if he didn’t hear you the first time you said it before they started arguing.
Jonathan’s voice is quiet now. “You’re serious?”
You nod, taking another shaky breath. “Yeah. I didn’t mean for it to happen like this. I don’t know how to stop feeling this way. I guess I’ve felt like this for a while now.”
The three of you stood there, and the room suddenly felt too heavy. Steve’s jaw is tight, his hands fidgeting at his sides. Jonathan’s arms are crossed, but his posture has changed, like he’s teetering between restraint and wanting to close the distance. You’re scared of what they may say.
You feel your pulse spike again. They’re fighting for you, in a way, and it’s confusing, but undeniably hot.
You step closer, forcing your hands together. “Look…I know this is all complicated but I had to tell you. I can’t pretend anymore.”
You swallow hard, heartbeat pounding in your ears, and before you can overthink it, the words slip out, almost without you realizing it.
“This may sound weird but…I’ve thought about—about being with both of you. At the same time.”
Both of them freeze, eyes locking on you in disbelief. Steve blinks, jaw dropping slightly, while Jonathan’s brows pull together, his lips parting as if he’s trying to speak, but no words come out.
You feel heat rushing to your cheeks and hate yourself a little for saying it out loud, but at the same time, your pulse races with the thought of it. If this ends your friendship, you can’t say that you didn’t try. “I…I know it’s crazy. I’ve imagined it. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. And I—” You bite your lip, nerves twisting your stomach, “I want it. I want you both. I just can’t stop wondering what it would be like to have both of you, especially since I don’t want to choose.”
Steve takes a slow step closer, eyes dark and unreadable, then he glances at Jonathan. There’s something unspoken passing between them, a mix of shock and desire. Jonathan shifts too, uncrossing his arms, the tension radiating off him like heat.
“You’re not joking?” Jonathan asks finally, voice still a bit cautious but curious.
You nod, heart hammering. “I’m serious. I’ve wanted it for a while. I didn’t know how to tell you. I just didn’t want to ruin anything between us.”
Steve exhales, a low sound, and his lips curl into a small, teasing grin, though his eyes are serious. “Well, that’s a lot to process, but…” He steps closer to you, brushing a hand along your arm, sending shivers down your spine. “I can’t say I didn’t think about it either.”
Jonathan’s gaze drops to your lips for a second, then back to your eyes. “Me neither,” he admits quietly. “Honestly, I’ve imagined it too. I just didn’t think—” He stops, running a hand through his hair, conflicted but still eager.
The three of you stand there for a moment, before you take another step forward, closing the small gap between all three of you. Your hands hover between Steve and Jonathan, brushing each of them lightly, almost testing the waters.
“Are you both okay with this?” You whisper, heart hammering in your chest. “I mean, if we do this, I want it to be with you both. I’m not going to choose between you, and I don’t want anyone to feel left out or weird.”
Steve smirks, but it’s soft and teasing. “I think we’re past feeling weird, don’t you think?”
Jonathan exhales, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah, I think so. If you want this, then I want it too.”
Your chest tightens, nerves surging together. You step closer, feeling the heat of their presence, the unspoken hunger lingering in the room. You swallow again, cheeks burning. “Then I guess we’ll just see where this goes.”
Steve glances at Jonathan, then back at you, and without another word, he leans down, pressing a kiss to your lips. You gasp softly, heat rushing through you, your hands finding his shoulders as he tilts his head slightly, deepening the kiss. The taste of him, the warmth of his body pressed close, makes your heart hammer in your chest.
Before you can catch your breath, Jonathan leans in, lips brushing the side of your neck, hesitant at first but pressing a soft kiss that makes a shiver run down your spine. You tilt your head, giving him room, and your hands instinctively move to rest on his chest. You’re caught between them, breathless, feeling both their closeness and the thrill of being wanted by them at the same time.
Steve pulls back slightly, just enough to look at you, eyes dark. “Are you okay?” He asks, voice low, rough with need.
You nod, cheeks flushed. “Yeah, I’m okay,” you whisper, your voice barely audible.
You tilt your head, letting Jonathan’s lips explore your jawline while Steve’s lips press more firmly to yours, and your fingers thread through their hair almost instinctively. Your breath catches, heat rushing through your body.
Then, a mischievous thought flashes through your mind, a wicked little impulse you can’t resist. Slowly, carefully, you lift your hands just enough to cradle the backs of their heads, guiding them toward each other. Steve and Jonathan, completely lost in you, don’t notice at first.
You watch, heart racing, as their lips slowly meet. At first it was tentative, brushing softly against one another, then slowly more confidently as they realized what’s happening. Their eyes flutter open, both glancing at you, shock and a hint of amusement and desire mingling in their expressions.
You step back, giving them space, cheeks flushed and chest heaving. “Don’t stop,” you murmur, your voice quiet.
They blink at each other, slightly dumbfounded, then Steve grins, almost breathless. “Wow…okay. That was…” He trails off, shaking his head, still flushed.
Jonathan exhales, a small, incredulous laugh escaping him. “Yeah…”
For a second, they hesitate, but then Steve’s lips press against Jonathan’s. The latter responds, lips pressing more firmly, and your chest tightens as excitement coils in your stomach. You feel heat flooding through you, your breath catching.
Watching them kiss each other, feeling their closeness to you, your fingers in their hair, it makes your pulse spike even more. You hadn’t realized how close they still were to you until Steve’s hand brushes your hip and Jonathan’s shoulder bumps lightly into your arm. The three of you are still tangled together.
Steve pulls back first, breath a little uneven, eyes flicking from Jonathan to you. His lips curve into a nervous smile as he rubs the back of his neck. “Okay,” he says quietly. “So…not gonna lie, standing here kind of feels weird.”
You let out a soft laugh, more to steady yourself than anything else. Your heart is still racing, the adrenaline buzzing under your skin. “Yeah. I was thinking the same thing.”
“Yeah,” Jonathan nods, cheeks flushed, hair slightly mussed from your hands earlier. He looks at you, then at Steve, waiting for one of you to make the next move.
Steve clears his throat and glances down the hallway. “We could go to my room,” he says, gesturing vaguely. “Just…somewhere not in the middle of the house.”
Neither you nor Jonathan argue.
The walk down the hallway feels surreal, as if this entire thing was a dream. Steve goes first, glancing back once to make sure you’re following. Jonathan stays close to your side, his arm brushing yours every few steps. Steve opens the door and steps aside, suddenly shy. You walk in first, taking in the room. You barely have time to turn around before Steve’s hand closes gently around your arm, pulling you back toward him.
He kisses you hard. You make a soft sound against his lips, fingers instinctively curling into his shirt as he leans into you. It feels different from before, heavier somehow.
Jonathan hesitates only for a second before stepping closer. His hand brushes your back and when Steve pulls away just enough to breathe, Jonathan leans in, pressing a softer kiss to your lips.
Your shirt comes off first, discarded to the floor. Steve unhooks your bra while Jonathan kneels to slide your jeans down your legs, his breath hot against your thighs. You step out of them, standing in just your panties, heart racing as their eyes devour you.
“God, you’re beautiful,” Jonathan says, voice husky, as he stands and pulls you toward the bed.
Steve follows, shedding his own shirt to reveal his toned chest. “Our girl,” he adds, the possessiveness in his tone sending a thrill through you.
They guide you onto the mattress, Jonathan settling behind you while Steve kneels in front. Jonathan’s hands cup your breasts from behind, thumbs circling your nipples until they harden into peaks. You arch into his touch, a soft moan escaping as Steve leans down to capture one nipple in his mouth. He sucks gently at first, then harder, his teeth grazing the sensitive flesh.
“Steve…” you gasp, threading your fingers through his hair.
Jonathan’s lips find your ear, nipping the lobe. “Tell us what you want,” he whispers, one hand sliding down your stomach to tease the edge of your panties.
“Both of you,” you reply, voice trembling with need. “Touch me, please.”
Steve switches to your other breast, lavishing it with the same attention while his hand joins Jonathan’s between your legs. They work together, fingers brushing over the damp fabric of your panties. Jonathan slips his hand inside first, parting your folds to stroke your clit in slow circles. The sensation makes you buck your hips, and Steve chuckles against your skin before pushing your panties aside to join in.
Two sets of fingers now explore you. Jonathan’s precise, rubbing firm patterns on your clit, while Steve dips lower, sliding one finger into your wetness. You clench around him, the stretch delicious, and he adds a second finger, pumping slowly.
“So wet already,” Steve groans, his free hand palming the bulge in his jeans.
Jonathan kisses your shoulder, his erection pressing against your back. “She loves this.”
You nod, lost in the building pleasure. Their fingers move in tandem, Steve thrusting inside you while Jonathan pinches and rolls your clit. The dual assault has you writhing, moans spilling freely. “Fuck…”
Steve withdraws his fingers, bringing them to your lips. “Taste yourself.”
You suck them clean, the taste of your own arousal making you hot. He grins, then stands to strip off his jeans and boxers, his cock springing free, thick and hard, the tip already glistening.
Jonathan shifts, helping you lie back fully. He removes your panties, tossing them aside, and spreads your legs wide. Steve climbs between them, rubbing his cock along your slit, coating himself in your juices. “Are you still sure about this?” He asks, eyes locked on yours.
“Yes,” you whimper, glancing at Jonathan, who kneels beside you, stroking himself through his pants.
Steve pushes in slowly, inch by inch, filling you completely. The stretch burns so good, and you cry out, nails digging into his arms. He bottoms out, pausing to let you adjust, then starts thrusting in deep strokes that hit just right.
Jonathan watches, his hand now inside his jeans, pumping his own length. “Fuck, that’s hot,” he mutters, leaning down to kiss you deeply as Steve fucks you.
The rhythm builds, Steve’s hips snapping faster, his balls slapping against you with each plunge. You break the kiss to look at Jonathan. “Jonathan…touch me.”
He obliges, fingers returning to your clit, rubbing in time with Steve’s thrusts. The added friction pushes you closer to the edge, your walls fluttering around Steve's cock.
“Come for him,” Jonathan urges, his voice rough.
Steve grunts, pounding harder. “Yeah, baby, let go for me.”
It hits you like a wave, your orgasm crashing through, pussy clenching rhythmically as you scream their names. Steve follows soon after, burying himself deep and spilling inside you with a guttural groan, hot spurts coating your insides.
He pulls out slowly, his cum leaking from your cunt, and Jonathan is there immediately, flipping you onto your hands and knees. “My turn,” he says, voice low and needy.
Steve moves to your front, cupping your face for a messy kiss as Jonathan lines up behind you. You hadn’t even noticed he took off his clothes until now. His cock nudges your entrance, slick with the mix of your release and Steve’s cum. He slides in easily, groaning at the warmth enveloping him.
“So tight,” Jonathan breathes, hands gripping your hips as he starts to move.
You push back against him, meeting each thrust, while Steve’s fingers tangle in your hair, guiding your mouth to his cock. “Clean me up, sweetheart,” he says, and you do, licking the remnants of your combined fluids from his softening length. It hardens again under your tongue as you suck him, bobbing your head.
Jonathan’s pace quickens, his hips slamming into your ass, the sound wet and obscene. One hand reaches around to fondle your breast, pinching the nipple, while the other spanks your ass lightly, the sting making you moan.
Steve moans above you, thrusting shallowly into your mouth. “Good girl! Just like that, fuck.”
The fullness you feel, from Jonathan’s cock stretching your pussy, to Steve filling your mouth, it all overwhelms you. Jonathan angles his hips, hitting that spot inside that makes stars burst behind your eyes. You hum around Steve, the vibration drawing a curse from him.
“I’m close,” Jonathan warns, his thrusts becoming sloppy.
“Me too,” Steve pants, holding your head steady as he fucks your mouth deeper.
You come again first, the orgasm ripping through you from Jonathan’s relentless pounding, your body shaking as you swallow around Steve. He comes down your throat with a groan, and you gulp it down, not spilling a drop.
Jonathan thrusts a few more times before releasing ropes of his seed into you, the cum hot and sticky, mixing with your and Steve’s releases.
Panting, the three of you collapse together. Steve pulls you into his chest, while Jonathan curls behind you, his arm draped over your waist. Their hands stroke lazily over your body, all of you catching your breath.
Your limbs feel loose, like you might melt straight into the mattress if you let yourself. Steve is the first to move, rolling onto his back with a long exhale, forearm thrown over his eyes.
“Did that really just happen?” He murmurs.
Jonathan lets out a breathy laugh from behind you, still curled close, his chest warm against your back. “Yeah,” he says softly. “I think it did. It felt too real to be just a dream.”
Steve peeks over his arm, eyes flicking between the two of you. His mouth twists into disbelief and awe. “We—” He stops himself, shaking his head. “We kissed. Like, actually kissed?”
Jonathan goes quiet for a moment. You can feel him thinking, the way his hand absentmindedly traces slow circles at your side. “Yeah,” he says again, more thoughtful this time. “And I guess I didn’t totally hate it.”
Steve huffs out a small laugh. “No. Me neither, surprisingly.”
You smile lazily, eyes already slipping closed. “Good,” you mumble, voice sleepy and content. “I’d hate for that to be awkward.”
Both of them glance down at you.
Steve’s expression softens instantly. He reaches out, brushing hair back from your face gently. “You okay?” He asks quietly.
“Mhm,” you hum. “Just tired.”
Jonathan presses a light kiss to your bare shoulder. “Let’s get you comfortable.”
They move carefully after that, afraid of breaking the moment. Steve disappears briefly and comes back with water, helping you sip while Jonathan drapes a blanket over you. There’s quiet laughter when Steve fumbles with it, tugging the wrong corner.
“Okay, okay, I’ve got it,” Jonathan mutters, fixing it with a fond look that doesn’t go unnoticed by Steve.
Steve grabs a warm cloth and gently cleans you up, all soft touches and murmured apologies whenever he thinks he’s being clumsy. Jonathan stays close, one hand always on you, thumb brushing slow reassurance into your skin.
“There,” Steve says finally, quieter now. “Better.”
You nod faintly, already falling asleep, curling instinctively toward the warmth between them. “You guys are really sweet,” you whisper, before letting out a yawn.
Jonathan smiles, brushing a kiss into your hair. “Get some sleep.”
Steve settles in on your other side, hesitating only a second before wrapping an arm around you, not wanting to disturb you. The mattress dips as they both relax, the earlier disbelief fading into something calmer.
As you drift off, you hear Steve whisper to Jonathan. “Guess we’ll…talk about that tomorrow.”
Jonathan chuckles softly. “Yeah. Tomorrow.”
Their arms tighten around you just a little, and you fall asleep smiling, cocooned between the two men that always made you feel safe.
The next morning, you wake up in layers of warmth. The sheets are tangled around your legs, the blanket heavy over your middle, and there are arms on both sides of you. Steve’s arm is slung low around your hips, while Jonathan is curled closer behind you, his arm over your stomach. You can feel his chest rising steadily against your back. For a second, you just lie there, blinking up at the ceiling, letting the reality settle.
Oh.
You shift slightly, trying to get comfortable, and Steve stirs almost immediately. He groans quietly, rubbing a hand over his face as he wakes up.
“Please tell me this isn’t one of those dreams where everything feels real and then I wake up alone and miserable,” he mutters, voice thick with sleep.
You smile without meaning to. “Pretty sure it’s real.”
He opens one eye, then the other, looking down at you to make sure he’s not hallucinating. His mouth curves into something like disbelief. “Wow,” he says, exhaling slowly. “Okay. Good. This is real..”
Behind you, Jonathan shifts as well, pressing his face briefly into your shoulder before lifting his head. His hair is a mess, his expression still sleepy, but his eyes are clear when they meet yours.
“Morning,” he says quietly.
“Morning,” you reply, your voice still drowsy.
For a moment, no one moves. The three of you just exist there, tangled together, the weight of last night hovering in the air without pressing down too hard yet. It feels fragile in a strange way, like if someone says the wrong thing, it might all shatter. Steve is the one who breaks the silence.
“So,” he starts, rubbing the back of his neck. “We should probably talk about…all of this.”
Jonathan lets out a soft huff of laughter. “Yeah. We probably should.”
You shift carefully, propping yourself up on one elbow so you can look at both of them. “You don’t have to do it right this second,” you say, even though part of you knows it is coming no matter what. “I just woke up.”
Steve snorts. “Fair. But if we wait too long, I’m going to overthink it into something way worse than it actually is.”
Jonathan nods in agreement. “Same.”
Steve glances at him, then raises an eyebrow. “Oh, really? I thought that was just my thing.”
Jonathan’s lips twitch. “You’d be surprised.”
That earns a quiet laugh from you, the tension easing just a little. You pull the blanket up around yourself, suddenly aware of how exposed you feel in more ways than one.
Jonathan reaches out, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear softly. “Hey,” he says, softer now. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” you say honestly. “I just didn’t know how this part was going to feel. My fantasies never really got to this part.”
“Fantasies?” Steve teased, his hand tightening slightly at your waist. “But, yeah. I get what you mean.”
There is another pause, but this one feels less sharp. Steve sits up against the headboard, stretching with a quiet groan, and Jonathan follows suit, shifting so you are no longer wedged between them but still close enough to feel their warmth.
Steve glances between you and Jonathan, then sighs. “Okay. I’m just going to say it before it eats me alive. I did not expect any of this to happen, but I also can’t pretend I didn’t want it.”
Jonathan looks at him steadily. “I was going to say the same thing.”
Steve’s eyes flicker. “I’m not saying it wasn’t weird, because it was. But it was also…” He trails off, searching for the word, then shakes his head. “Not bad?”
Jonathan lets out a breath, leaning back on his hands. “Yeah. Not bad. That’s one way to put it.”
You watch them, heart pounding, waiting for the other shoe to drop. “Are you mad?” You ask quietly. “That I kissed you both?”
Both of them turn to you at once.
“No,” Jonathan says immediately, quickly shaking his head. “No, I’m not mad.”
Steve shakes his head too. “Not even a little.”
Jonathan’s gaze softens. “I was scared I would be,” he admits. “I thought I might wake up feeling angry or jealous or…something like that. But mostly I just feel confused and kind of protective?”
Steve snorts. “Yeah, that tracks.”
Jonathan shoots him a look. “What?”
“I meant that you look like you’re willing to punch someone who looks at her the wrong way,” Steve says dryly. “I would know. I feel the same way.”
You laugh under your breath, even as warmth spreads through your chest. “You both already do that.”
Steve grins. “Can you blame us?”
Jonathan shifts closer to you again, his shoulder brushing yours. “We’re going to have to figure out what this means,” he says carefully. “Because pretending it didn’t happen isn’t an option.”
Steve nods. “And neither is pretending we don’t care about each other.” He pauses, looking at both of you. “All three of us.”
You take a minute to go over their words, your heart beating fast.
You take a slow breath. “I don’t want to lose either of you,” you admit. “I’ve been so scared of that since the beginning. If you guys want me to choose, I won’t be able to, but I’m scared of losing you both.”
Jonathan’s jaw tightens, not with anger but with a protectiveness. “You’re not losing me.”
Steve’s voice is firm. “Yeah. You’re not losing me, either.”
Jonathan glances at Steve, then sighs. “This is the part where we probably argue a little, isn’t it?”
Steve lets out a quiet laugh. “Oh, absolutely.”
Jonathan raises an eyebrow. “You still annoy me.”
Steve smirks. “You still judge me.”
“Right,” Jonathan says, gesturing vaguely between the three of you. “Yet, this still happened.”
You watch them, affection bubbling up despite the nerves. “You can argue,” you say softly. “But not like how you used to. Try to be nice to each other. Please?”
Steve’s expression softens as he looks at you. “We’ll try.”
Jonathan nods, letting out a small chuckle. “Yeah, we’ll try.”
A little while later, Steve comes back with a clean shirt for you, moving around the room easily. Jonathan hovers nearby, handing things over, straightening the sheets, making sure you are comfortable without smothering you.
“Drink some water,” Steve says, holding the glass out to you.
You do, then yawn, exhaustion finally catching up. “I think I might fall asleep again.”
Jonathan smiles, brushing his thumb along your arm. “Go ahead.”
Steve settles back down beside you, carefully pulling the blanket over you again. “We’ll still be here when you wake up.”
You curl in between them, your eyes fluttering closed, the noise of the world fading. You drift off smiling.
They don’t talk right away.
You’re asleep between them now, breathing slow and even, your face turned toward the wall. Steve lies there staring at the ceiling, hands folded awkwardly over his stomach. Jonathan is on his side, facing you, his arm still loosely around your waist. He watches the steady rise and fall of your chest for a long time, until Steve exhales softly beside him.
“She out?” Steve murmurs.
Jonathan nods. “Yeah. I think so.”
Steve shifts carefully, easing himself out from under the blankets so he doesn’t wake you. Jonathan follows a moment later, slower and more reluctant, hating the idea of moving away from you even for a second. They step quietly into the hallway, the door clicking shut behind them.
The house feels different when you’re asleep. It felt too quiet and empty.
Jonathan leans back against the kitchen counter, crossing his arms. Steve grabs two glasses from the cabinet and fills them with water, handing one over without asking. Jonathan takes it, nodding his thanks, and drinks.
They stand there for a second, both avoiding eye contact.
“So,” Steve says finally, because someone has to. “That happened.”
Jonathan lets out a dry huff. “Yeah. That definitely happened. We said that already.”
Steve glances at him, something like a crooked smile tugging at his mouth. “You okay?”
Jonathan considers the question honestly. “I think so. Still processing, but yeah. I’m okay.”
Steve nods, then frowns slightly. “You don’t look okay.”
Jonathan raises an eyebrow. “You don’t either.”
Steve exhales, running a hand through his hair. “Fair.”
The two of them go quiet again, but the silence is really awkward this time.
Jonathan sets his glass down and turns fully toward Steve. “I need to say something, and I don’t want you interrupting me.”
Steve straightens. “Okay.”
“I’ve liked her for a long time,” Jonathan says, voice steady. “Longer than I wanted to admit. And I know you have too. I’ve known that for a while.”
Steve doesn’t argue. He just nods once. “Yeah.”
Jonathan’s jaw tightens slightly. “What I didn’t expect was…this. Or how much I wouldn’t hate you for being part of it.”
Steve snorts quietly. “Wow. High praise.”
Jonathan shoots him a look, but there is no real bite behind it. “You know what I mean.”
Steve sighs, leaning back against the counter. “I kept thinking I’d get jealous. Like, really jealous. The kind that makes me stupid and angry whenever you’re around her. And yeah, I won’t lie, there were moments where it burned. But last night…” He trails off, then shakes his head. “I don’t know. Seeing her happy like that did something to me.”
Jonathan nods slowly. “Me too.”
Steve studies him for a second. “You didn’t seem shy about it.”
Jonathan huffs out a short laugh. “I get tired of people thinking that’s all I am.”
Steve smiles despite himself. “I noticed.”
Jonathan meets his gaze, serious again. “I meant what I said earlier. I’m protective of her, but I’m not trying to compete with you. At least, not anymore.”
Steve’s shoulders relax a fraction. “Great. I’m not trying to win her over either.”
Jonathan tilts his head. “You sure? You don’t exactly do subtle.”
Steve scoffs. “You think I haven’t noticed how she looks at you?”
Jonathan’s expression softens. “You think I haven’t noticed how she lights up around you?”
They both fall quiet, the truth hanging between them.
Steve taps his fingers against the counter. “I care about her,” he says quietly. “Like, really care. Not in the usual way I care about my friends.”
Jonathan nods. “I do too.”
Steve hesitates, then adds another comment. “And I don’t want to screw this up. With her. Or with you.”
Jonathan exhales slowly. “Neither do I.”
There is a second of silence, then Jonathan chuckles under his breath. “So, are we like, all dating?”
Steve laughs softly. “Yeah. I would assume we are. Kissing you wasn’t the worst thing I’ve done.”
“Uh, thanks?” Jonathan says, before letting out a chuckle. He glances down the hallway toward the stairs, then back at Steve. “You know, we’re going to have to communicate. Like, actually communicate.”
Steve groans. “I was hoping you wouldn’t say that.”
Jonathan smirks. “Too bad.”
Steve shakes his head, smiling despite himself. “Fucking hell, you’re annoying.”
Jonathan shrugs. “You’re too loud.”
“Fuck off,” Steve laughs, rolling his eyes. His smile falters then, his face more serious now. “But really, if there had to be another guy in this relationship…I’m glad it’s you.”
Jonathan blinks, clearly caught off guard. “Yeah?”
Steve nods. “Yeah.”
They stand there for a moment longer, no longer really enemies, but something new and unfamiliar.
It’s been a few months since the three of you started dating.
Steve and Jonathan are arguing when you walk in.
It didn’t sound like the serious kind. Steve has one hand braced on the counter, gesturing wildly with the other. Jonathan stands across from him, arms crossed, brows drawn together in a stubborn way that means he is absolutely not backing down.
“Come on, Byers,” Steve insists. “You don’t stack the plates like that. They’re going to fall.”
“They’re fine,” Jonathan replies. “They’re literally not moving.”
“They’re leaning.”
“They are not leaning.”
You drop your keys into the bowl by the door and stand there, watching them with a fond smile you do not bother to hide.
“Hi,” you say sweetly.
Neither of them hears you.
Steve scoffs. “You always do this. You act like I’m exaggerating and then—”
“And then nothing happens,” Jonathan cuts in. “Because you are exaggerating.”
You clear your throat loudly. They both turn at the same time.
The second they see you, the argument dies instantly. Steve’s mouth snaps shut and Jonathan’s shoulders relax. Their expressions soften instantly.
Steve exhales, a crooked smile forming. “Hey.”
Jonathan mirrors it warmly. “Hey.”
You walk toward them, eyes flicking between the two of them. “So,” you say lightly. “Are we fighting over dishes again or is this a new category?”
Steve groans. “He started it.”
Jonathan rolls his eyes. “I absolutely did not.”
You step between them before it can escalate again, pressing a hand to Steve’s chest first, then Jonathan’s, feeling the steady warmth under your palms. “I don’t care,” you say simply. “Because I missed you both.”
That does it.
Steve’s hands come up immediately, settling at your waist. Jonathan steps closer without thinking, his fingers brushing your arm. The space between the three of you closes naturally, like it always does now.
You tilt your head up and kiss Steve first. His mouth is warm and familiar, his hand tightening slightly at your side as he leans into you, smiling into the kiss, still finding it hard to believe that this is real even now. You pull back just enough to catch your breath, and then you turn and kiss Jonathan.
Jonathan’s kiss is different. It’s deeper and slower. His hand slides to the back of your neck, thumb brushing your skin. He exhales softly against your mouth, releasing all the tension in his body.
When you pull away, you don’t move back. Instead, you reach up and cup both of their faces, your thumbs brushing over familiar features. You lean in again, pressing a kiss to Steve’s mouth, then Jonathan’s, then back again, until their focus is no longer on each other or the argument or the kitchen. It is only on you.
Steve’s hands stay at your waist, but the grip loosens, turning absentminded. Jonathan shifts his weight, close enough that you can feel the warmth of him at your side. Neither of them move away.
Steve is the one who breaks the silence, exhaling through his nose and glancing back toward the counter. “I still think the plates were going to fall.”
Jonathan lets out a soft scoff. “They were not.”
“They were leaning,” Steve insists, voice calmer now, less sharp than before. “You just don’t notice stuff like that.”
Jonathan tilts his head slightly, studying Steve in a way that suggests he absolutely does notice things, just not the ones Steve thinks he should. “I notice plenty. You just panic about things that don’t matter.”
Steve turns fully toward him. “They matter if I’m the one who has to clean them up.”
Jonathan’s brows lift. “You were the one who stacked them like that first.”
Steve opens his mouth, then pauses, eyes flicking to you and then back to Jonathan. “Okay, but you could’ve said something.”
“I did,” Jonathan replies. “You ignored me.”
Steve shakes his head. “You mumble.”
“I do not mumble.”
You press your lips together to keep from smiling, shifting slightly so your shoulder brushes Jonathan’s arm. “You kind of do,” you say gently.
Jonathan looks down at you, offended. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”
“I am,” you reply, still smiling. “But you definitely mumble.”
Steve lets out a quiet laugh at that, ducking his head. “See? Vindicated.”
Jonathan rolls his eyes, but there’s no heat in it now. “Great. I’m surrounded.”
You lean back just enough to look at both of them, your hands still resting where you left them. “Aw, cheer up, Jon,” you say.
Steve laughs, repeating what you said. “Yeah, cheer up, Jon.”
Jonathan rolls his eyes at Steve. “Shut up. It’s only cute when she says it.”
You glance between them, then shake your head. “I’m not getting involved in kitchen politics.”
Steve smiles at that, fingers tightening at your waist. “Smart.”
Jonathan studies the way Steve’s hand rests on you, then the way your body leans easily into both of them. His voice softens when he speaks again. Jonathan shifts closer, close enough now that his shoulder presses fully into yours. “Next time,” he says, glancing at Steve, “I’ll let the plates fall.”
Steve raises an eyebrow. “You absolutely will not.”
Jonathan shrugs. “Guess we’ll find out.”
Steve scoffs. “You’re such a pain in the ass.”
Jonathan’s lips curve slightly. “If I’m such a pain in the ass, why don’t you just walk away?”
Steve lets out a sharp breath, feigning annoyance. “Because for some reason, I thought falling in love with you was a smart decision, and now you’re really testing that theory.”
You watch the exchange quietly, your heart full. You lean forward and press a quick kiss to Jonathan’s cheek, then turn and do the same to Steve. Both of them only blush in response.
Steve clears his throat. “Okay,” he says, voice a little rougher than before. “If you’re going to do that, I’m calling a truce.”
Jonathan glances at you, then back at Steve. “For now.”
“For now,” Steve sighs.
“Come on,” you murmur. “Let’s go sit down before you two find something else to argue about.”
They both laugh, and they follow you without question. You smile to yourself, realizing that what once felt confusing finally makes sense, and that you are exactly where you belong.
