Do you think you could do a stonathan Valentines fic?
I would love to!!
(modern/no upside down au)
also ao3 is down for me guys fml
--
Every year, Steve gets dozens of valentines from people he doesn't even know. It's a little concerning, actually. Opening his locker to find it stuffed full of flowers and candy.
He'd like to pretend that it's because of his stellar personality, but really, he can't lie to himself like that.
At least it's an ego boost.
--
Every year, Jonathan spends valentines day alone. He has to work later shifts at the diner, after all. Well. It's not a rule. But he needs the money. His family needs the money.
He knows he's not very attractive. It doesn't bother him; not really. He doesn't even have any friends. So it's not like he would get any cards anyway.
But still. Sometimes he sees the couples at the diner and feels a little pain in his chest. It's stupid.
--
Another date with another girl. Emma. Or was it Emily? He can't remember, and he doesn't care. He doesn't even know why he's on this date. Maybe just to prove something to himself.
He wishes he could say it was about sex. But he realized a while ago that he didn't even want it. For a while; the nameless bodies did their job. They kept a warm bed for him at night.
Not anymore. Not now. The girl snaps at him.
"-Have you even been listening to what I'm saying?"
He looks at her, pulled back into reality. Any other day he would've given an answer. Something charming, faux lust behind it. It would've worked too. But he's too tired to think, and after a few seconds she scoffs at him and leaves.
"Wow. What was that?"
And his day just keeps getting better.
Jonathan Byers, in the flesh, wearing a stupid red apron. His voice is as snarky as ever; and though Steve would be lying if he said his distrust was unjustified, it doesn't take away from how annoying he is.
"Shut up, Byers."
He doesn't take the hint. He never does.
"Aren't you supposed to be like- the king of romance? Like seriously man-"
"I said shut up."
It's a little less harsh than he meant it to be. A little more sad. But it seems to have done the trick, considering Jonathan shuffles away soon after.
Great. Now he can wallow in peace; in some random empty diner. This is way less sad. And; now that he thinks about it- what time is it? Because even in bumfuck, middle of nowhere, Hawkins, Indiana, it's usually a little busier on a Friday night.
And before he can figure it out, Jonathan's coming back again. With a milkshake.
"I didn't order anything," He mumbles stupidly. Out of character, once again.
"Yeah I know, dipshit. This is me being nice. Take the pity milkshake."
"I'm not paying for that."
"Wasn't expecting you to. It's on the house."
Weird. Jonathan's always weird, but this is even weirder. He's being nice. To Steve. And he somehow guessed his favorite milkshake flavor.
Strawberry.
He pauses; sniffs it- as if that'll tell him if it's poisoned. Whatever.
He takes a sip. It's good. Thick, and not too sweet. He would compliment Jonathan if it wasn't so pathetic. And if a milkshake wasn't so easy to make.
But the silence is deafening, so he decides to ask a question instead.
"Why's it so empty in here? Thought it would be more crowded for the holiday."
"We're closed. I wouldn't just hand out free milkshakes if my boss was watching me."
Oh. Well this somehow got even more humiliating.
"Oh. I can leave-"
"Nah it's fine. Finish your milkshake."
Steve complies to avoid further conversation, as Jonathan walks away to finish cleaning up.
By the time he's done, the place is clean- and Jonathan walks out with him. He silently curses a god he stopped believing in when he was eight. Is this some sort of karma for being a shitty date?
But whatever. His car is parked outside, and he can last a few more seconds of awkwardness. He pulls out his keys, and then feels even worse. So he speaks again, damning himself rather thoroughly.
"Goodnight, Byers."
"'Night, Harrington."
He can't seem to think straight that night, so he watches Jonathan as he starts to walk down the road.
"Hey- Where are you going?"
"Home. Where else?"
He can't help the concern slipping from his mouth.
"What? No dude- are you kidding? Walking into the woods alone at midnight? That's a death sentence in every horror movie- like- ever."
And Jonathan just laughs, softly. His eyes turn upwards- ever so slightly; and hair falls into his face. It's- charming.
"What do you propose I do then?"
"I'll drive you."
--
It's not a long way to the Byers' house. Maybe ten minutes or so? Steve doesn't need to check the maps anymore. A few years of picking up Will and Jane really built up his muscle memory.
He can't help but look at Jonathan, who's currently nodding off in the passenger seat. To the song that Steve let him pick, nonetheless.
He looks just as soft as his laugh. Just as pretty too. And Steve really can't think about what that means right now, so he nudges him awake.
A bleary eyed Jonathan blinks a few times, trying to remember where he's with. Who he's with.
"What is it?"
"Why'd you do it?"
"Do what?"
"The free milkshake; staying with me- all of it."
Then he looks away. It's not like he was making eye contact with Steve before; but now it's like he can't even be reminded of his face.
"It's stupid. I'm stupid."
"So am I- just tell me."
"You looked sad. And lonely. And it's stupid because you could literally pick anyone, and they'd be glad to take you. And I'm stupid because I felt bad. Even though I've never gotten a valentine. Like- ever."
And that surprises Steve. Because, sure; maybe Jonathan is kind of weird. Maybe he's a little quiet, or pretentious. But he's funny. Really funny, when he wants to be. And he cares so much about his family- not even just them; everyone he knows. He's passionate about his photos- braver than Steve could ever be.
And he thinks; deeper down, that he's actually pretty hot. He's a little short, and thin- but he doesn't look scrawny by any means. Doesn't hit scrawny either. His hair is messy, but soft. It frames his face well. And he has these stupid, dark, sad eyes.
So the idea of Jonathan never getting flowers, or candy, or even just a card- well that just wouldn't do.
"Oh. Well fine then. Will you be my valentine?"
Jonathan finally manages to look back at him; as if he's surprised by the lack of mockery in Steve's tone.
"That's not funny."
"I'm not trying to be funny. I'm asking you."
"Why?"
"Because I'm lonely, and so are you."
It's soft, and earnest. And he feels warm again, for the first time in a while.
"It's not even Valentine's day anymore."
But then he laughs again. Sweeter this time.
"Sure."
