Discover Top Posts Tagged with #surrender

Jan 12

𝑖’𝑚 𝘵ℎ𝑒 𝘰𝑛𝑒 𝑦𝘰𝑢 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝘵 / 𝑦𝘰𝑢’𝑟𝑒 𝘵ℎ𝑒 𝘰𝑛𝑒 𝑖 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 — steve harrington

summary : steve harrington isn’t the same man he used to be— he’s better, and he's determined to show just how much of a changed man he is.

pairing : fem!reader x steve harrington + hopper!reader x steve harrington.

trope : establishing relationship.

genre : fluff + soft angst + romance + comedy.

word count : 4.6k

warnings‼️: canon divergence + steve’s past dick-ish behavior + reader is inexperienced with men.

now playing : surrender (‘88 version) — suicide

your baby sister is appalled at her father’s ridiculous lack of respect for the biggest night of her big sister’s life (so far).

joyce tries her best to accommodate the situation. “hop, maybe it’s best you… don’t?” she doesn’t say it unkindly at all, but he still feels offended.

he puts his hands up in surrender yet comes to his own defense. “all i said was that she can do better.”

“did you have anyone in mind, dad?” you only halfheartedly ask.

hopper frowns at you. “yeah, go ahead. make fun of me with the rest of them.”

el rolls her eyes at his theatrics.

“is it so bad to not wanna have to deal with boys for once? need i remind you how testing it was when we dealt with her,” he makes a gesture with his hands to insinuate el’s edgy phase. “growing pains with mike.”

“oh, here we go again.” she groans with a roll of her eyes.

“here i go— here i go again?! y/n, do you hear this?”

“el.” you chastise her but it’s more-so a plea to stop mouthing off so he can cease his bickering.

“does he have to bring that up all the time?” she whines, not at all planning on stopping anytime soon.

jonathan and will are thoroughly amused, though they don’t dare voice it.

you give them both a pointed look. “i think you both need to stop arguing about me over this. it’s just a date, dad. he didn’t ask me to marry him.”

hopper looks like a kettle about to blow but fortunately joyce turns off the gas.

“hop, don’t treat them that way.” she murmurs as she takes his arm in her hands and walks so he does, too. “you know she’s an adult now and she makes her own decisions. doesn’t mean you have to give your opinions on it.”

you don’t hear very well what he has to say but you guarantee it’s another motion to dismiss those claims.

“…can max and i watch you get ready?”

you don’t even find it in you to be mad at her. how can you when she’s always been on your side?

“okay.”

“you’re not a ladies man anymore.” speaks dustin. “you know that, right?”

“yeah, y/n’s too cool for you to mess this up.” erica adds with her own flare of encouragement.

steve can’t believe this.

he thought, oh the kids are at my house so that must mean they need my help or want my company with something.

little did he know they were here to give him pointers on how to keep you.

“don’t you two have like a dnd game to play or something?” he remarks with a roll of his eyes.

the kids ignore him and continue with their personal mission.

“how did you guys know i have a date with her tonight, anyway?”

“will.” they both answer.

steve sighs, closing his eyes as he thinks about this unwanted moment. “of course.”

“look, steve.” dustin says. “it depends entirely on y/n tonight if you can still hang out with us, so take our advice because you could use it.”

“okay, that’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think?”

erica doesn’t think so. “uhh, no? if you mess this up, we’re gonna have to choose between you and her, and news flash— we’re gonna drop you like a fly.”

steve doesn’t take her word for it but he starts to get a little antsy when he looks for dustin to oppose and all he does is gulp and avoid eye contact.

“seriously, man? after all we’ve been through?”

“you think i want to?! i won’t have a choice, steve. and none of that will happen if you just listen to us and don’t go off-script.”

“wow, that was super convincing.” steve deadpans.

erica sighs. “look, the first thing you need to do is establish a rapport with hopper.”

steve’s beyond confused now. “he doesn’t have a problem with me.”

“you remember that dumbass little nickname you had? “king steve”?” she says with disgust and air quotes. “that was acknowledged outside of high school… you know that, right?”

oh shit.

see back in the day, steve asked a girl out and if he hit it off with her, he’d see her again. and that was it. he’d buy her flowers and chocolates and sneak into window when the rest of her house was asleep. maybe even have her meet his shitty friends and they’d be one group of people hanging out and having a good time.

it never occurred to steve that dating a girl means more than trading acts of affection and attention. eventually, he’ll have to get the family’s seal of approval. he didn’t even that that far with nancy.

but it’s different with you. he met you at a very strange time in his life— definitely the strangest— but those events have changed him for the better. for good.

steve isn’t that selfish guy who’d embarrass his girlfriend on a dime because his friends thought it best anymore. if anyone ever spoke badly of even that “bald bastard” (as most notably known by erica) murray, he’d let them know to never say those things in his presence.

he’s changed from his high school days and he’s ready to evolve as much as he can to get this right.

“okay.” he nods in determination. “tell me what to do.”

max, el, and will watched excitedly as you got ready your date. and you have to say, they make quite the good company.

max set the mood for you by playing her mixtape she made for this specific outing. you know, for when lucas takes her out. whether it's to the arcade or on a picnic date, she swears by this tape as it has some magic that makes the following plans go by smoothly.

el and will help you make some choices.

“which one?” you ask, holding out two hangers of the selected options for this evening.

one is a red colored item that's a backless and sleeveless satin floor-length dress with a plunging back cowl and a v-neckline. the other is a baby pink strapless dress with a silky bubble skirt stopping right at the knees and is accommodated by a corset style torso and lace drawstrings in the back and along the neckline.

your little sister and brother look back and forth between the dresses, taking in the images intently as they make a decision.

“...red.” el nods confidently, knowing that's your dress, aesthetic, and color.

will seems to have a different idea. “really? i like the pink dress better.”

you look towards max and make her the tie-breaker. “max? what do you think?”

el and will look at the girl sitting between them and hope she picks the one they chose.

“...the red one is scandalous. it'll make you look mysterious and... sexy.”

soft gasps are heard at the word.

“max.” you laugh. “where'd you hear that word?”

“yeah, max, where'd you learn that?” will teases as el giggles.

she blushes but continues her train of thought. “but the pink one is cute and flirty, gives more of a dreamy look.”

she's right. utilizing style and color theory makes these dresses perfect for this night, but what kind of impression do you want to make?

“where is he taking you?” the redhead asks.

“he booked a reservation at a restaurant on the upper side of town”

“is it fancy?”

you think for a moment. “i think so? i mean, i was fully expecting enzo's or a diner but he said he had something special in mind.”

“oooh.” will sounds.

a lightbulb goes off in her head. “red. you should go with the red dress.”

the boy comes around. “yeah, now that told us what he said, i change my mind.”

you look at the dress and take their word for it. “okay! red dress it is then.”

meanwhile, with steve, dustin, & erica

erica and dustin were not playing around. they took their self-appointed roles as steve's guides deathly serious.

“is it a black-tie or bow-tie night?” dustin asks with a tap on his chin.

“umm bow-tie, i think.”

“you think? you don't know?” erica scolds.

steve's sweating. “i think because some people come in either or! i know the difference guys, i'm not a complete idiot.”

“your parents at least got one thing right.” erica mumbles sarcastically.

steve gives her a look.

“so what are you going with?” dustin tests.

“bow tie. obviously.”

“good answer.” he hums. “suit or tux?”

“i already have a tux in my closet, only worn once.”

erica claps her hands together. “let's see it.”

steve puts it on and gives them a trial run. he feels a little silly but doesn't voice or show it as he knows the divas.

“so, whaddaya guys think?”

dustin hums appreciatively, eyes scanning the tux hugging steve's figure and outlining it perfectly. “the gym visits are paying off, i see.”

the man chuckles. “you think so?”

erica is inclined to agree. “yeah, you clean up pretty good steve,” she says with an impressed tone. “but let's see you after the finishing touches.”

and so it begins.

everything goes perfectly according to plan. your makeup turned out flawlessly. eyeliner on your waterline was suggested by el and though it was the first time you ever did it, it was a risk well-taken because you look killer.

“y/n, you have to make this your signature look or something.” will smiles in awe.

“yeah? you think so?” you look in the mirror, so clearly taken with this new look.

“uhh, yeah.” max answers in an obvious tone. “this just elevated your look to the max, pun intended.”

simultaneously with steve, dustin, & erica

“remember, let the conversation flow smoothly. you don’t need starters like “lovely weather we’re having” and all that bullsit.”

“i know that, henderson.” steve says as he sprays his hair with the famous farrah fawcett hairspray. “i haven’t forgotten all of my training.”

“you got the flowers?” erica asks.

“both bouquets are secured in the backseat.”

“oh, and make small talk with hopper while you wait. that is essential, steve. it sets the tone.” dustin reminds.

steve sighs. the pressure’s on and there’s a lot to remember.

what if he fucks up? no, that’s out the question. he can’t fuck up, he simply isn’t allowed.

he’s been waiting for this moment for years and he’ll be damned if he wastes tonight.

steve combs his hair one last time before setting it down, palm smoothing over it.

“you look like a million bucks.” dustin smiles, his eyes scrunching up in that adorable manner.

even erica gives her look of approval.

steve inhales deeply and expels the air, his shoulders dropping with the tension. “showtime.”

back to you, el, max, & will

you opt for genuine diamond earrings and a matching bracelet, a gift from your grandmother.

el couldn't look prouder. “you look so...” she trails off, not finding a word to describe how you look.

“i know, no words will do you any justice.” max says with a wide grin.

will hands you your clutch and says, “you’ll knock him dead.”.

you lean down and respond, “that’s the plan” with a wink.

you go down where you know joyce and hopper are expecting you and fall shy at the woman’s reaction.

“oh my goodness, look at you!” she gasps with a lovely smile on her face. “oh you look so beautiful, even more than that. you look so, so… i don’t even know!” she laughs when you chuckle bashfully, turning around to get hopper. “hop, doesn’t she look like a movie star?!”

you look tentatively at your old man and find him speechless. the look on his face is fond, like he’s looking at you for the first time.

he walks to you and sets both hands on your shoulders, his mustache pointing up to a proud smile. “you do look like a movie star.” he says warmly. “the diamonds are an excellent touch, by the way.”

you nod once. “thank you. they were given to me by your mother, actually.”

“oh, really?” he feigns curiosity. “i didn’t know.”

“well, the more you know.” you shrug.

hopper chuckles and you hug him, wrapping your arms around his neck as he leans down into your embrace.

“i’m sorry.” he says. “i was being an asshole.”

“hey, you said it not me.”

he pulls back with a look but he knows you’re just teasing.

“you know i love you.” you pinch his cheeks playfully and he sighs.

“i’ll be a man and admit that i… jumped the gun.” he nods. “i just… i want what’s best for you and i don’t know if steve has it in him.”

of course you understand him. “i know, dad. you trust me, right?”

“out of the question.”

“okay then. oh, one sec. forgot my heels.”

you go back up to your room to grab your heels when the bell rings.

“i'll get it!” el practically jumps out of her spine to swing open the door to be face to face with one nervous steve harrington.

“hi.” he says behind two bouquets.

the girl stifles a laugh. “hi?”

steve hands her a flower. “this is for you.”

el takes it and twirls the stem over between her index finger and thumb to hide the blushy smile. “thank you.”

“you’re welcome.” he then walks over to joyce and hands a bouquet to her. “and this is for you.”

now everyone can see his face, and what a handsome one it is. max thinks so.

“aw, steve.” she's touched by his thoughtfulness. “you didn't have to.”

“yeah,” hopper stretches out the word in a chuckle. “you really didn't.”

“but thank you.” she says appreciatively as she smells them.

steve nods. “i wanted to.”

he looks to hop and decides to take dustin's advice as he waits for you.

“she's upstairs grabbing her shoes.” hopper points with his thumb.

“oh, okay. nice.”

he allows a second of awkwardness to go by before speaking up again. “so, did you catch the game last night?”

it's a generic approach but one that never fails and steve's confident it won't fail him now.

“yeah, i did.” hop says without snark.

steve lowly sighs. “what a shame, right? they were up by ten when it mattered.”

he nods, subtly impressed. “yeah, well. you win some, you lose some.”

el and joyce trade looks of shared amusement and leave the two men in their talk.

“right.” steve murmurs with a nod, trying his hardest to think of a way to keep this good energy going.

hopper clears the air. “look, kid,” he begins. “it’s not that i dislike you.”

steve visibly perks up.

“i’m just not crazy about you, you get me?”

the younger male nods, ecstatic with this amount of progress. “yes, sir. i understand.”

“good.”

“…i just hope that means you’ll give me a chance.”

hop squints his eyes accusingly but let’s him speak.

“i know i don’t have the cleanest past, but i’m not who i used to be.” his heart thunders in his ears. “i can’t ask for the future, but i hope you can allow me to be a part of your daughter’s present as a changed man that’s willing to improve wherever he can.”

will and max look at one another with wide eyes and dropped jaws, peeking from around the corner.

“that’s steve? our steve?”

“i think?”

the chief stares for just another moment more, scanning for any deception and when he finds none, relents. “i know you’ve changed, doesn’t mean i can’t still be worried for my girl.”

steve let’s put a breath he didn’t even know he was holding. “so… that means you don’t hate me?”

your dad snorts with a click of his tongue. “no.”

you're just coming out of your room when you meet jonathan.

“woah, hey.” he laughs. “you look amazing.”

“thanks, jon.” you smile shyly.

he nods, noticing your nervousness. “getting the jitters?”

“you can tell?”

he snorts, stepping out and leans on the rail to find steve talking to your mild-mannered dad.

“well, he looks just as nervous, if not more.”

you like the odds a lot more now.

with a deep breath, you step down the stairs and feel like one of those girls coming down to the guy taking them to the prom.

steve watches hop turn and turns in the same direction to see you standing at the bottom of the stairs, and is absolutely floored.

his heart races as you walk towards him, all of his charm and swagger melts into the floor he stands on.

you've got him weak in the knees and you don't even know it.

“wow.” he breathes, he subconsciously brings up his free hand and rests it on top of where his heart beats wildly.

enamored by your grace and presence, his throat dries by the time you make it to him and he forgets all of his training.

“hi.” you say almost shyly, not knowing how to react under his gaze.

he fills his lungs with air then expels it dreamily, eyes sparkling and whatnot. “...hi.”

hop looks to the side muttering lowly, “shoot me now.”.

“are those for me?” you eye the pretty bouquet leaning towards the floor in his other hand.

“what? oh!” steve wants to kick himself as he shoves the flowers between you. “yes! yes, these are for you.”

you accept them graciously and let your lungs bask in their sweet scent. “they're lovely, thank you.”

“of course. you're welcome.”

you then give the bouquet to your dad to put them in a vase.

“ready?” he holds out an arm for you to take and you do so gladly.

if dustin and erica were here, they'd be so proud.

well they are, steve just doesn't know that. and they're not alone.

“did you have to bring binoculars if we can see from back here?” robin asks pointedly as dustin makes sure steve doesn't stray from the path laid before him.

“i can't hear them.” the child says simply, like that's supposed to make her stop asking questions.

eddie drizzles olive oil on his bread and taps it against erica's. “cheers.”

your fingers tighten their hold on steve’s bicep in comfort, feeling like an animal at the zoo.

his pride fuels from the action, loving that you reach out to him as a safe space.

“they’re staring.” you murmur, nudging your nose near his ear.

steve almost passes out from the smell of your perfume, eyes shuttering and a breath caught deep in his chest.

he sees the women eye your apparel in jealousy and others out of admiration.

he doesn’t even want to acknowledge the men that would die to be in his position, their eyes forming a disgusting trail on you. instead of reacting, he takes a breather and remembers who you’re with in this moment.

angling his head towards you, he says, “that’s because you’re worth staring at.” and finds your eyes peering into his with a oddly astonished look. like you’ve never been told that before.

you’re beautiful, it’s no surprise, but to hear a comment like that said with such confidence and ease tends to make a girl’s heart flutter— and boy did yours soar.

your suave date pulls out your chair for you and waits for you sit before grabbing the chair and pulling it up next to you.

“you don't mind, right?”

just not in the way you think. “no! no, i don't mind at all.” you say with a shake of your head and a soft smile.

“i like it better this way, feels... better.” feels real. he nervously chuckles as he places the napkin on his lap.

the butterflies just keep on coming, don't they?

“he pulled out her chair then boldly pulled one up next to her. pretty sure she’s beyond impressed.” dustin comments like a football commentator.

“bare minimum.” erica says before taking a sip of her blueberry soda.

robin leans over to the other seemingly sensible adult and asks softly, “can we even afford this?”. to which eddie replies coolly, “as long as you let erica and i do all the talking; yes.”.

steve takes your opinion seriously. he asks for a few different types of wine he knows you'll like and orders the one you favor the most. it happens to be pricier than the others but he doesn't care.

you use the menu to hide the biggest grin your cheeks can handle, an excited squeal threatens to give away your facade.

“see anything you like?” he asks, glancing at you with that lovely curve of a smile on his face.

“um... i think i'm gonna go with the lasagna.” you say offhandedly, feeling a bit dizzy from his eyes and lips and the beautiful way the tuxedo enhances his appearance.

he hums in thought. “i heard their lobster risotto is pretty good but i've been wanting to try the thirty-six hour braised short rib.”

you don't think you've ever met a man like steve. a man of expensive tastes in wines, foods, and cars. a man who doesn't want a new car because the one he has since he was sixteen works just fine and looks just like it did the day his father bought it. a man kids trust with their lives and wouldn't hesitate to lay down his life for any of his cherished— now seven— nuggets.

most importantly, he's the man your sister likes. and that is a man worth giving a chance.

“you know what, i'm just gonna go with the seared scallops.” he settles as he folds the menu and sets it aside, giving you his full attention like its second nature.

you just stare at him like you're seeing him for the first time.

he's heart throbbingly pretty, the type you see on the posters of teenage girls’ walls.

his hair is coifed and combed and teased well, but nobody can do it like him. and that smile, god that smile has a high kill-count. (the one where his teeth don't show and it's just a wonderful slope that shows his smile lines and puffs up his cheeks is your favorite steve harrington smile)

“holy-fucking-shit.” dustin gasps, lowering his binoculars with the revelation of a lifetime and suddenly feeling like he's trying to be a part of a moment that's not his.

“woah, what happened?” eddie moves his head left and right to get an angle on you two but dustin puts a hand on his shoulder, pressing it back until eddie's in his seat and his eyes are away from the kids' two out of six favorite adults.

the metalhead looks at him confused. “will you just tell us already?”

“yeah dustin, spit it out.” erica aids.

the kid looks between sick and proud. “...they're in love.”

steve feels vulnerable under your eyes, the effect is intense as it used to be the opposite. used to be.

“you okay?” he asks with a hint of concern, knowing full and well there's a possibility he's got you just as charmed as he was a few years ago.

your eyes drift to his hands on the table and contain the courage to touch them. “i'm great.” your eyelashes flutter as you blink, the corners of your lips curve upwards faintly.

“okay.”

the waiter comes and writes down everything steve says with precision, eyes coming up to acknowledge the presence of a man who knows what he wants with an impressed nod occasionally.

it's only after he leaves when steve says what's on his mind. “i want to tell you something.”

his choice of wording brings you back to last night and you snort. “you mocking me?” you tease.

“not at all.” he says, amused. “are you getting bored of me?”

he doesn't tease so you answer truthfully. “not at all.”

steve likes that answer, is relieved by it, in fact. “good... that's really good because,” he reaches out haltingly for your hand resting on your lap and holds it like a precious jewel in his palms. “i need you to know how much this means to me.”

you look into his eyes and don't need to see the sincerity to feel it.

“i'm not the best with words so, i arranged this.” his eyes dart around the restaurant. “but i know that sometimes, people want to hear this kind of thing so i'll say it… i've been attracted to you since i first saw you.”

robin yanks the binoculars from eddie's shameful hands. “we're done here.”

“hey! i wasn't done with that.” he has the audacity to whine.

“he is holding her hand, for christ's sake! the kids have more human decency than you.”

eddie rolls his eyes.

“oh, yeah. real mature.”

“i'm a heathen, i'll admit it. i want to see them kiss, sue me.”

erica makes a sound to indicate her strong feelings of disgust. “i'll sue for emotional damage if we have to sit here and watch that.”

dustin agrees with robin and is ready to call it a night with an eye rub.

“at first i ignored it because i thought it was just an attraction and maybe i was using it to get over nancy. then i realized that for the first time, it wasn't about her. it was about you, and me, and what i wanted… and what i wanted was you. i still do.”

he doesn't sugarcoat it or exaggerate his point with flowery language or use poetry.

he tells you what you mean to him in his way, the old-fashioned way. on a date with amazing food and good wine and the best ambience to make you feel special.

you could honestly cry from the romantics of it all.

“i'm not who i used to be.” he scoots to the edge of his chair subconsciously, as if closeness would convey his honesty. “i messed around and didn't take anyone seriously,” you know he's mentioning his infamous days as the eligible bachelor of hawkins high. “but i swear to you, i'm not playing around now.”

the poor guy looks like he's about to cry.

“steve,” you urge. “i hear you. i know you won't date me for a week, get bored, then dump me on my ass while you have another girl queued up.”

he cringes. “that's putting it crassly.”

“oh, i'm sorry.” you say. “i thought that's how you used to do it.”

he groans and rests his forehead on your held hand, your words really taking him back to a past where he went about it a little kinder than your description.

a light laugh bubbles inside of you. “i'm sorry, i'll stop.”

steve lets you one eye of his before he deems it the truth and comes back up for you to see him completely.

“did you shave?”

his fingers glide across the smooth skin. “yeah, you like it?” he winks.

his actions make you laugh even more but he can't help it! he loves the sound and thinks you look the loveliest that way.

“sir, the bill.” the waiter places it on the table.

steve eyes the white paper like its a disease. “…but we haven't even gotten our food yet…?”

you read the note on the bottom and grab his shoulder, your other hand covering your mouth from a string of spluttering half-giggles.

pissed off doesn't even begin to describe steve's state of mind.

there on that glaringly white piece of paper says congratulations! much love— dustin, erica, eddie, and robin xoxo in black ink.

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