Strong. Fast. Fresh.

from the fight

[xnotxbullshitx-a]

He's gotta be STRONG, and he's gotta be FAST, and he's gotta be FRESH from the FIGHT.

Indie RP blog for Steve Harrington from Stranger Things, penned by Sasha (she/her, 29, EST). 21+ and Mutuals-Only.

Please read guidelines before interacting.

Sentence Starters Archive - Always Open, send away!

Headcanons

Permanent Starter Call

Permanent Plotting Call

Sideblog; follows back from @fireshowerdancer

Graphics & icons commissioned from @calisverse

[xnotxbullshitx]

He's gotta be STRONG, and he's gotta be FAST, and he's gotta be FRESH from the FIGHT.

Indie RP blog for Steve Harrington from Stranger Things, penned by Sasha (she/her, 29, EST). 21+ and Mutuals-Only. (Original blog c. 2019, revamped 2026).

Please read guidelines before interacting.

Graphics & icons commissioned from @calisverse

[xnotxbullshitx-a]

//PSA of making the transition to a main blog, so I'll be re-following ya'll from there / reblogging a promo from there on here / this main blog here shortly! --well, within the next couple days so it actually registers as a follow lol.

[onlyharrington]

steve harrington + twirling/fidgeting/playing with things

[rpclefairy]

first meeting sentence starters.

send one to have our muses meet for the first time.

“Sorry, were you just talking to me?”

“I think you dropped this.”

“You look lost. Need some help?”

“I don’t usually talk to strangers, but…”

“You’re sitting in my spot.”

“Whoa! Careful!”

“We’ve never met, right? You seem familiar.”

“Is that seat taken?”

“Sorry, I think I just spilled something on you.”

“You’re blocking the doorway.”

“Were you just staring at me?”

“Excuse me, do you know the time?”

“Wait — are you the person I’m supposed to meet?”

“I’ve been sent to find you.”

“Please don’t be alarmed, but I think we have the same bag.”

“Do you work here?”

“I’m fairly certain that’s mine.”

“You’ve got something on your face.”

“Sorry, I thought you were someone else.”

“Do you know the way to ___?”

“You’re hurt. Do you need help?”

“That’s a fine ___ (cloak/hat/book/etc.). Where did you get it?”

“This might sound strange, but can I hide behind you for a moment?”

“You look like you could use a friend.”

“I think your dog just stole my lunch.”

“Hey, you dropped your coin purse.”

“I think we’re stuck in here together.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to overhear, but…”

“Are you the new neighbor?”

“First time in town?”

“I’m not sure if this belongs to you, but…”

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I’ve been hearing a lot about you.”

“Do you mind if I join you?”

“I think you’re in the wrong place.”

“You seem… out of place.”

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but are you following me?”

“That was a close call.”

“Not to alarm you, but someone’s watching you.”

“Mind if I walk with you?”

“You look like you’re in trouble.”

“Was that your doing back there?”

“You don’t look like you’re from around here.”

“That was impressive. How’d you manage it?”

“I’m guessing you’re not here by accident.”

“Do I want to know what just happened?”

“You might want to keep your voice down.”

“Is it always this strange around here?”

“I have a feeling we’re about to become acquainted whether we like it or not.”

“Looks like we’re in this together now.”

[xnotxbullshitx-a]

continued from x; @wandering-different-universes

It was a risk, driving this late with the military increasingly cracking down on the town’s movements, the façade of safety just an excuse for control and cover up, but it was the tried-and-true method when he couldn’t sleep. The wind in his hair, radio low but never off, rubber gripping the asphalt all grounding in a way a bed just couldn’t be, at times. Steve had just gotten a semblance of calm, his heartrate back where it didn’t feel like his heart crept up his throat, when he noticed the baby blue Ford EXP along the roadside, headlights catching the license plate just enough for him to pull over himself.

Worry hurried each footstep, a balance between not trying to draw attention in case there were others out here beside Steph and getting to her before anyone…or anything could. There was no telling if things that were dormant now would remain that way, especially next to one of the gates; wouldn’t that be the first place things would start to go wrong? Please just be sitting there, nothing attacking you, just—please be safe.

That heartrate he had just gotten to calm spiked all over again, blood pounding in his ears as he’d increased his speed to the fastest jog he could risk without snapping every twig and rustling every leaf on his way to the shore. Yet, when he finally could discern the result he’d been repeating to himself as a mantra of what he’d hoped to find, relief was only an initial, fleeting sensation. Instead, the way she’d pulled her knees to her chest, staring out at the dark water that no longer felt welcoming to anyone, let alone lovers, only evoked guilt.

This is your fault. All your fault.

“No... no, you really don’t need anymore of that.” He kept his voice low, gazing along the shore and the water for any threats from either front. “It’s just, the military or the cops are getting more and more ready to check anything and everyone’s movements, so…I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

Even that last sentence felt wrong for him to say, as if he had that right when the whole reason she likely wasn’t okay was him. Him asking her to ride into all this mess, even if he hadn’t planned on her hearing about the Upside Down, let alone going there, was exactly why she was sitting here in the godforsaken hours of the morning. Once it had swept over every possible area it could, his gaze lowered, staring intently at the pebbled shore as that building guilt infected every word.

“I’m sorry. I never meant for you to have to carry, any of this. It was just supposed to be hoping you had another idea of where Eddie could be, then being there for the guy so it wasn’t just Dustin that he knew finding him when he’d all be wired and on edge. And I know that, that doesn’t change anything of what happened, or what you’re going through now, but—I'm sorry for it.”

[xnotxbullshitx-a]

"are you sure we're invited to this party?" - @wandering-different-universes from x

“Oh, I’m sure you’re invited to this party.” He leaned over the counter to hold her gaze, a grin, mischievous look appearing. “Isn’t that how it works when your birthday is Halloween? Everyone’s holding a party for you too! Now for me?”

He paused, a lift of his brows for emphasis before his grin grew wider. “I’m only invited as your guest, potentially. They still might be tempted to turn me away but, the guest of honor must have an entourage or, at minimum, an announcer for her grand entrance. That’s where I come in, of course.”

[xnotxbullshitx-a]

plotted starter for @unbrave

“We are not heroes.”

That last phrase haunted the world above where it had been spoken a month ago. It clung to hunched shoulders by a hospital bedside, soiled knees before a gravestone, worn facial lines and darkened under-eyes from sleepless nights. It tightened like a noose vine, refusing to let go as all air escaped, every second a desperate clawing for breath. Everything had gone to hell, where even the slightest reprieve felt weighed by loss and high alert.

Where nothing, and no one could comfort the embodied grief and rage that had consumed the person Steve cared for most, no matter what he said, what he tried.

No. We’re not…I’m not, at least.

Taking a steadying breath, he finally mustered the energy to open the car door, leaden tread every step of the driveway, the familiar curve leading to concrete steps far from comforting. Double red doors loomed ahead, the dread he’d fought back every mile on the drive here rising, turning to bile in his throat. He shook his head, chastising how ridiculous it was, after all he’d seen and gone through, a pair of doors would be what had him nauseous and trembling.

Just get a hold of yourself, dude—they’re not here. No one is. As usual. This is not something to bother anyone with either, so just—deal with it.

His fingers curled into a fist, nails digging into the palm of one hand as he rolled back his shoulders, another long exhale as he considered just leaving. No harm, no foul—no one knew he was here, he could come back another day, a lighter day…and it was just some clothes, a few books, and—

No, no—I’m not letting that asshole keep all my records and tapes. He’s had ‘em too long as is.

A sharp inhale, eyes closing, then opening with a calm he’d force if need be—he had an old knack for faking ‘til making it, after all—before turning the new key Mom had provided in the lock, a glint of relief when the door did open. He flicked on as many lights as he could as soon as he reached the switches, the potential danger of discovery if they did manage to get through a military blockade far less than memories flooding back before he could retrieve his belongings and retreat. A quick jog up the stairs and to the spare room’s closet had a brief smile crossing his features, the first of several crates greeting him with his name written in that distinct cursive on the lid.

“Thanks, Mom.”

Balancing a crate under each arm, Steve brought them downstairs to start the pile for loading the car, one lid slightly askew after he stacked them to reveal the corner of a record jacket. He snorted as he recognized the title, retrieving the record that had become his most frequent escape from the silence this place had held so often. A few more plays in this house wouldn’t hurt…a final sendoff, I guess.

Setting the record on the living room turntable, he let the memorized chords play out, softly singing under his breath as he returned to his trips up and down the stairs for all of him to finally escape from here.

“I’ll send an S.O.S. to the world, I’ll send an S.O.S. to the world…”

[wandering-different-universes]

Steph bites back a laugh at his comment. If they were in any other moment, she would've actually laughed. It was one of the things she'd grown to appreciate about Steve. The dude was genuinely funny, even when he wasn't trying to be. "Yeah, yeah, and we saw how well the plan was working out up to this point." She whispers back. "I'd rather not risk it." Her eyes were also watching the creature. Her knuckles were quickly losing color as she grips the axe tighter.

She listens to his instructions, nodding as she moves her hands into the positioning he described. The new grip felt much more comfortable than how she'd been holding it before. She swings a little, getting a feel for the motion and making sure she could have a decent chance at connecting with the creature.

"Can do. Just try not to get hurt even more than you already are please." Steph practically pleads, briefly glancing at his side before returning her focus back upwards. "I don't think dragging you through this hellhole is going to do you any favors injury wise." She wiggles her fingers and tightens her grip, trying to ignore her heart hammering in her chest and hoping it wasn't drawing more attention to them.

She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath in an attempt to ground herself. Steph could feel Steve glancing at her; she briefly glances at him and offers him a tiny smile. A shaky exhale leaves her lips.

"Yeah and I've got yours. Promise." Steph nods. Every muscle in her body was on edge, but she wanted to get this over with and get back home. But she knew she had to make it through this first.

Okay, just take this one moment at a time. Focus on making it out of here alive. Then you can worry about everything else.

[xnotxbullshitx-a]

“Oh don’t worry—doesn’t matter if I bleed on this camo. Does absolutely nothing for me, so I won’t cry about it.” Steve chanced another quip, another attempt to calm her as he noticed she’d shifted her grip and stance, actually able to listen to his instructions in this high intensity moment. It would be the last thing he risked saying before they made their move, nodding in response to her before re-focusing ahead, every breath slow, measured. He waited just long enough to notice the creature slowing, as if it too was assessing their next move, something they couldn’t afford to let it ponder.

With sharp yet full breath his replacement of the starting gun and a hurried whisper of “now!” to serve as Steph’s, he bolted from the hollowed tree, eyes locked on the demodog as he threw everything he had left in his legs into an attack. There was no room for hesitation, the slimmest margin of error to keep from maiming or death. Aware of Steph in his peripheral, there was just enough movement out of the corner of his eye that had him yelling to warn her in case she hadn’t seen it.

“Left! Go left!!”

In the next moment, demodog’s maw clashed with nail-bat’s swing, snapping of teeth as Steve gave it as much force as he could muster. He needed to stun this monster, buy Steph enough time to run past to deal with the other before continuing the assault. Grimacing as he felt the vice-like jaw instinctively tighten around it, he held on, locking himself into the deadliest tug-of-war match he’d ever been in and praying it was only a pack of two.

Last time—it was three.

Digging his heels into the earth, he yanked hard, watching some of the nails starting to break through slimy skin and daring to glance in Steph’s direction to see if she needed immediate backup…and to see if anything else lurked in the woods, waiting to see how the tides of battle would turn.

[xnotxbullshitx-a]

continued from x; @wandering-different-universes

I swear, I could start a taxi service on the side with how many rides I give these guys. Or start charging in Gatorade or Boppers, beer for some. Then my fridge wouldn’t be as empty as my wallet after going to the gas station five hundred times a month.

His internal bitching complaining stilled as he noticed a figure walking along the road, slowing to safely pass and not give them a jump scare on the chance they were walking home to avoid drinking and driving. It’s gotta be that, with how cold it is. His brows furrowed as he drew closer, eyes squinting to get a better look, then widening, brightening with recognition. Slowing the car even further, he rolled down the window, a call to get her attention that morphed into some concern at the sharp turn of her head.

Had something happened, some party gone wrong…something he was intimately familiar with…

But as soon as she focused on him, that tension disappeared, prompting his own smile in response to hers. “You sure? It’s pretty damn cold out, and I’m passing that way anyway to get to my place. Plus you never know what drunk asshole could be out joyriding and swerving everywhere.” He had the passing hope he didn’t sound like a buzzkill, an over-worrier, but it still was a valid concern. It wasn’t like Hawkins hadn’t ever had that happen; hell, it had even had someone doing it intentionally at one point.

That line of thought shifted, however, as soon as he noticed the jacket draped over her. A small tilt of his head, a rapid fire of questions, rationalizations to keep firmly to himself. Hey, it is cold out—of course someone leant her a jacket. Good for them. Would’ve done the same thing, if I’d been there. Why they didn’t drive her back is kinda odd, but—maybe they didn’t because that’d be sayin’ something combined more than just lending her a jacket. Yeah, totally—and it’s none of your goddamn business if it is something else. And totally good for her if it is too, yeah, right. Awesome.

He blinked, a turn of his head back to the road ahead for the very good excuse of driver safety he’d just been on other drivers about. He couldn’t help the small, wry chuckle as he heard The Cars come on the radio, a quip as he glanced back at her.

“I mean, I’ve even got Benjamin Orr backing me on this one, so, question and offer still stands unless you’d really prefer walkin’ the rest of the way.”

[xnotxbullshitx-a]

Also Exhibit #1 in signs pre-series Steve had a bit of non-conformist streak / atypical tendencies in him that would make him suited to the group later on:

Dude made a place called Skull Rock a make-out destination. When Lovers’ Lake was right there.

[xnotxbullshitx-a]

//fair warning that I'm about to become a menace on this dash for a day because I actually have the time to do multiple drafts/starters/asks lol. Also around for plotting so feel free to stop by!

[xnotxbullshitx-a]

@wandering-different-universes from x

The surprise revelations were coming rapidly at this point, another incredulous expression at the fact she’d only had one relationship. Not that there was anything wrong with only having one, everyone’s different, but it didn’t sound like that had really been her choice. It just felt—wrong, that someone who easily connected with people, made them feel more at ease by meeting them where they were, wouldn’t be someone’s main priority. Someone’s person that they didn’t want to live without.

“Couldn’t even make someone want to stay…One day you’re enough and then the next…”

He could just make out the record jacket of Regatta de Blanc behind the one that’d given him pause, that familiar chord of loneliness, self-doubt he heard in her voice enough to pull him past his own inner turmoil to say something—something he wished he’d heard ages ago.

“Hey, you never stopped being enough, okay? They took off before they even knew a bit about you an’ all they’re missing—that’s on them. It was never on you.”

That was the silver lining even as he scrambled up the ladder, dreading how he just might have blown one of the few friendships he had, let alone friends his age—at least that wouldn’t be something he regretted saying. Not when she deserved to hear it…and he really believed it. If that was the last ‘not the dumbest possible thing you could think or say’ comment he had left in him, well, it wasn’t a bad thing to go out on.

Yet she actually seemed to be going along with the lamest excuse in history, so maybe he was saved after all. Faking it until he made it—he was real good at that after all—made it the hell away from a thought, a what if that shouldn’t have crossed his mind.

 “I always do.” He quipped, defaulting to the “funny” third option people so often ignored in a fight or flight scenario. “And I see, finally some appreciation for my craft. I thought I was only getting the parallel lines’ fans going, but good to know I had a wider audience.” His fingers smoothed over the tape, about to lift from the window when her offer lifted to meet him. Steve risked a look back over his shoulder, trying to gauge her expression to see if it matched what it sure sounded like.

Hey—hey hey, just play it cool. She was just telling you how she hasn’t been a ton of relationships man, and this is what we do all the time anyway. We’re both kinda, off from talking about exes, right? Right.

“—Well if it means I finally see this legendary employee discount I’ve heard so much about, I won’t turn down some seasonal work. There’s what, a bazillion holidays? That’s like—one whole record by the end of the year.” He shot her a smile before turning back to the window, another smooth of the tape that was probably already the smoothest tape in town by this point as he collected himself.

Her question drew him to yet another fork in the road, however, whether to totally ignore whatever the hell this was going on or maybe, just maybe, take one step down the other path. Just a small step wouldn’t hurt, right? Something that could go either way, something easy enough for them to move on from if he was reading all the wrong signals, again.

“Uhm, well…the usual five mile run in the morning, probably playing a mix of old stuff and anything new I might pick up today in the afternoon, trying out a few new recipes in the evening, and…” Trailing off, his fingers drummed along the glass, a short inhale before keeping his tone calm, casual. “…I really haven’t seen a whole lot of horror movies, but I feel like you’d be the expert in that area, so, maybe you could bring a few over?” A low exhale, gaze darting to the glass to see if he could see her reaction without turning around. “I mean—if you don’t already have plans, or uhm—yeah, if you don’t have plans or if you want to, obviously.”

[mcflymemes]

PROMPTS FOR THE MOST ROMANTIC THINGS TO SAY *  updated version, adjust as necessary

you should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how.

you are my dearest one. my reason for life.

until my last day, i'll be loving you.

kiss me. kiss me as if it were the last time.

love is a smoke raised with the fume of sighs.

i was swallowed up in an abyss of love in an instant.

you are my heart, my life, my one and only thought.

you are sunlight through a window, which i stand in, warmed.

you are beautiful without knowing it.

anyone who has seen your smile has known perfection.

every atom of your flesh is as dear to me as my own.

i became fascinated by your goodness. i was drawn in by it.

all i want is to deserve you. tell me what to do. i’ll do anything you say.

i will return. i will find you. love you. marry you. and live without shame.

it has made me better loving you.

i see you only with my heart.

i would love to say that you make me weak in the knees, but to be quite upfront and completely truthful, you make my body forget it has knees at all.

i've fallen in love. i didn't think such violent things could happen to ordinary people.

we loved with a love that was more than love.

i find myself choosing you, more and more every day.

i can’t sleep, i can’t eat, i can’t do anything but think about you.

we are asleep until we fall in love.

you want the moon? just say the word, and i'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down.

i cannot let you burn me up, nor can i resist you.

i believe in you completely.

a hundred hearts would be too few to carry all my love for you.

love is never a waste of time.

when i am gone, my love, do not look for me in the places we used to go together. look for me in the places we always planned to go together.

i’ve hungered for your touch.

you must allow me to tell you how ardently i admire and love you.

when you fall in love, it is a temporary madness.

i’ve tried so many times to think of a new way to say it, and it’s still i love you.

my soul and your soul are forever tangled.

in all the world, there is no heart for me like yours. in all the world, there is no love for you like mine.

the first time ever i saw your face, i thought the sun rose in your eyes.

i wish i had done everything on earth with you.

if you remember me, then i don’t care if everyone else forgets.

you are, and always have been, my dream.

i love that you are the last person i want to talk to before i go to sleep at night.

come near now, and kiss me.

when will i hold you again?

it’s always better when we’re together.

you were the only thing in my life that was real.

in your smile i see something more beautiful than the stars.

when i saw you i fell in love, and you smiled because you knew.

you complete me.

i wanted it to be you. i wanted it to be you so badly.

i think i’d miss you even if we never met.

love is a friendship set to music.

i never want to stop making memories with you.

every time i see you, i fall in love all over again.

do i love you? my god, if your love were a grain of sand, mine would be a universe of beaches.

we kiss like we invented it.

i can’t smile without you.

now you're my whole life. now you're my whole world.

you're every minute of my every day.

maybe it's our imperfections that make us so perfect for one another.

i can't see anything i don't like about you.

[mcflymemes]

"STOP PUTTING YOURSELF INTO DANGER!" PROMPTS *  assorted dialogue for expressing your fear that the person you care about might get themselves hurt if they keep acting like this, adjust as necessary

i thought i told you to stay back.

i love you too much to let you get hurt like this.

this affects me, too, you know.

every time you leave, i sit up all night waiting, praying you'll come back alive.

you keep pulling stunts like this and something bad will happen.

do you have a death wish or something?

this isn't fair to me.

i deserve better than this.

i didn't get any sleep last night because i was so worried about you.

you promised me you'd stop going out at night.

i don't like hearing this.

you've been risking your life, and for what? so you can feel like a goddamn hero?

i said i would handle it.

what the fuck are you doing here?

you told me you'd stay put.

so much for laying low.

you remember how bad it was last time.

seems like you haven't learned anything.

i believe you promised me you'd lay low.

i can't keep doing this.

don't give me that look.

we'll discuss this later.

this stops now.

i'm tired of picking up the pieces once you've left.

you keep throwing yourself into danger.

you don't give a shit about yourself, do you?

i'm sitting here, worried out of my mind, while you're out doing god knows what.

that was really stupid of you, and you know it.

i thought you knew better than this.

what's your excuse this time?

you do realize what this does to me, right? seeing you get hurt like this? you know it hurts me, too?

you really don't give a shit how this affects me, huh.

that was the dumbest possible thing you could have done.

i need you to stop throwing yourself into harm's way.

that was completely unnecessary.

they had it handled.

you didn't need to step in like that.

why do you think you're invincible?

the last time you pulled a stunt like this, it nearly got you killed.

i can't just sit here and watch you get hurt.

what are you trying to prove?

you just like fucking with my heart, don't you.

this shit hurts me, too, you know.

you're not the only one affected by this shit.

you've got a lot of people counting on you to come home every night.

what happens if you don't come back?

you think we can just carry on without you?

you think i can handle things if you end up dead?

i'm not sticking around to watch you get hurt.

you're not even slick.

you think you're invincible, don't you.

quit pretending you've got everything under control.

let someone else do it for a change.

you can't keep putting yourself through shit like this and expect me to just sit back and watch.

i'm done with this.

next time you do this, i'm not coming back.

promise me this is the end.

look me in the eyes and tell me you'll stop doing this.

let the authorities deal with it.

you're making a big mistake.

is it worth dying for?

i've dealt with enough pain over the years.

[wandering-different-universes]

@xnotxbullshitx: "Valentine’s  Day  always  reminds  me  of  what  I’ve  lost. And, I dunno, even if it was better I lost it, it still…still makes me wonder, sometimes. If I’ll ever find anything like it again. Because I know it was right to let her go, but…I was happy and felt…seen. And I dunno, Steph, it just feels like no one else I’ve tried with even bothers to look. Does—god, does that make any sense?" (from the Valentine's Day ask meme)

Steph makes a face as she finishes putting up one of the decorations in the record store. It was a chain of paper rings in alternating red, white, and pink that the boss wanted across the front window. Steve had stopped by to either shop or hang out. She wasn't entirely sure which but she didn't mind either option or a combination of the two. It was a slow, and pretty lonely, day. So she'd take any company she could get for whatever reason it was.

"It makes perfect sense. You thought you had something solid and great and even if it was for the best to let go," she carefully gets down from the little ladder, "it still hurts and that was your first relationship, right? So it kinda sets the bar for how you like to be loved and maybe want to be loved." She shrugs as she looks at him. "It sucks that you feel that way, cause genuinely you do deserve better. And I'm saying that as someone who hasn't known you for that long." Steph picks up the other chain and moves to the end of the first chain. "And I promise I'm listening while doing this... so anything you say is not being ignored." she looks over her shoulder at him once she gets up on the step she needs to be on.

"For what it's worth, you do have people who do see you for you. And I know that's not what you're fully looking for. I'm one of those people who sees you..." Steph adds as she secures the first end to the previous one. "And I get it, trust me, on the Valentine's Day part. It does remind you of that, especially as someone who's been on the let go side." She takes a deep breath as she clears her thoughts for a moment and uses it as an excuse to focus on lining up the last half of the chain. Steph realizes this is the first time she'd really opened up to anyone outside of Hellfire about her past relationship. And she couldn't stop herself from opening up a little more now that the box had been cracked open a little. "I've always wondered what that's like... being on the other side, you know. And yeah, maybe I get what you mean about trying to find that again and striking out." A dry smile tugs at her lips as she comes down again. "Maybe one day I'll find that. Maybe it's in front of me and I don't know it. Who knows?"

"That look straight enough to you?" She glances at Steve.

character header template

[xnotxbullshitx-a]

He didn’t know exactly what drew him here, other than a need to drown out the silence with new music, even if he didn’t end up buying any for himself. That was the comforting thing about the record store, beyond the satisfying swish of each flipped record—it was never silent, always playing a melody someone could lose themselves in instead of getting lost in themselves. Things were calm enough, the harmony of Hotel California and Steph’s voice in the conversation a soothing combination until that familiar black record jacket skimmed under his thumbs. Staring at the red digital glyphs, it all came back—November ’83 to October ’84, almost a year of thinking everything was going right. That no matter what horrors they’d survived, it’d all turn out okay, in the end, because he’d never felt so free with someone. So…happy, genuinely happy without putting up a front or playing the part. That mixtape in his hands, a giddiness he couldn’t deny waiting for her to open the wrapping, to hear “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic” as the opening track…

It’s over. Totally done. Ship’s sailed. I just wish she’d been totally right that night, that everything was bullshit about me, about us. Maybe if it was, I wouldn’t still feel this shitty about it.

This was the part where he usually diverted his train of thought, let it pass on to the next station, then the next without breathing a word about it to anyone else. Because sure, everyone had problems, but why make it someone else’s problem, right? But something derailed that idea, some totally blasé comment about Valentine’s Day and decorations by Steph turning into his rush of words, emotions that he should keep quiet. As soon as “sense” left his mouth, he froze, fingers poised over the next record as the train wrecked. Apprehension filled him, and those brief seconds between what he said and her saying anything had him mentally throwing together the biggest apology / “totally forget absolutely everything I just said” a man could possibly give.

You blew it. God you blew it—why the hell did you say any of that, she’s gonna think you’re such a whiny loser and never want to hang out again, Jesus CHRIST can’t you do anything right anymore—

“It makes perfect sense.”

Bewildered gaze shot upward and across at her, mortification morphing to surprise as she just…took all he said in stride, listened, and seemed to understand. Sure, he did have friends now who did understand a lot, but this in particular? It felt—different. Even when her assumption that it was his first relationship had him looking—and feeling—a bit sheepish, but maybe it was in the sense that had been the first one that had been real. Nothing since had been, as much as he’d tried, sought out a connection that just never aligned. He just couldn’t be what everyone in this town still expected him to be, and well…he wasn’t altogether sure exactly who he even was anymore.

An opinion that they didn’t share, apparently, her quiet yet firm assertion that she did see him leaving him speechless, blinking and trying to process what even to say to it all when he caught the shift to her experience. Brows furrowed, empathy and confusion mingled as he pieced together what she was confiding. Someone had broken up with her? But why? She was smart, interesting, supportive, funny, level-headed, loyal—the kind of person people should be falling over themselves to be with. He shook his head, instinctive incredulity rising as he finally found some words in a pause in hers.

“I’m sorry. You deserve to find it—you really do.” His soft tone equally sincere as he tried to be what she was for him in this moment, a sounding board, a grounding presence when he’d felt adrift for so long, all his focus nonetheless shifted, fixated on the smallest of phrases.

“Maybe it’s in front of me—”

For a moment, his breath caught, uncertainty combining with some undefined emotion flickering through his gaze when hers met his.

--No. Nope, no, don’t start—flag, flag on the play, false start, don’t screw this friendship up—don’t you dare.

“Uh—nope, it’s absolutely crooked! Here, let me get that real fast, no problem!” He rushed past, zooming up the step ladder and keeping his features completely turned toward the window as fingertips fumbled for the last link on the chain, “straightening” it as he did everything in his power to not look or sound as flustered as he felt. “Just had to raise the corner a little bit and I think it’ll be there, yep, that’s uh the perks of being this tall, why I was kinda the designated poster hanger at Family Video after all—”

Shit--shit--just move past it, whatever IT is, yep, just keep moving, it'll all be fine, yep, totally fine--

[wandering-different-universes]

-Stephanie "Steph" Rogers-

A Hawkins transplant who's a (graduated depending on season canon) Hellfire Club member. Part time server at the Hideout and friendly neighborhood record store employee. Just a nerd at heart that doesn't "look" the part.

Fandom:

Stranger Things

Other Links/Fun Things

Mixtape

In Case of Vecna... (option 1)

In Case of Vecna... (option 2)