#Aricka x Steve

[arickaandherfictionalothers]

Nightmares come to life

(Aricka H x Steve, Aricka M x Billy, Dori x Eddie, Nancy x Jonathan; Ralphie x Chrissy, Robin, Heather, Artie, Eric)

(Steve has a dream where his friends’ and his own fears come to life.)

Dream

It began with Steve realizing he was standing in front of Hawkins high school- wearing his “king Steve” attire- a nice polo; jeans and whatever shoes he’d worn then- which clued him in to this dream being a different kind. He looks around, and he freezes as a group of what appeared to be zombies crawl their way towards him in jerky, shaking patterns. He runs toward the school, and to his surprise lyrics begin to spill out of him, and Eddie appears beside him,

“Trapped in these feelings…” Ralphie and Jonathan round a corner,

“I could lose everything-!” Billy comes up from behind them;

“She’s the reason I do everything I do-!”

The four hear screaming and run toward the sound; meanwhile…

Aricka Hopper runs from a zombie version of Steve, Robin gripping her hand as they sing,

“My mind is screamin'-!”

Aricka Munson runs from a flayed version of her boyfriend Billy, and into the real arms of her boyfriend, singing,

“Feels like I'm pulled between

My wildest dreams, can't they all come true?”

Dori and Nancy run from zombie versions of their respective partners,

“Stalked by echos that play so loud-!”

Chrissy hiding from a mangled version of herself, adding her own voice,

“Is my destiny best for me

If I show 'em the rest of me?”

Aricka Hopper finally finds Steve, looking up at him with worry in her eyes, “Like a maze with no way out..”

“Painted with jealousy-!”

“Vanity-!”

“No escape from reality-!” Steve, Robin and Nancy exclaim as they run to the cafeteria.

“Nowhere left to run

Feel the shadows closin' in on me-!” Aricka M covers her face in fear, hiding from the bad universe version of Billy as her actual boyfriend tugs her further down the hallway.

“And I can barely breathe

What a web we've spun-!” Aricka H and Steve grab the school flag and hold it between them; running and mowing down several of the zombie versions of their friends.

“Now the fear is takin' over me

No more tricks up my sleeve-!” Eddie and Dori finally find each other and begin their journey to the cafeteria as well.

“So sweet dreams, sleep tight

Watch my nightmares come to life-!” Nancy and Jonathan pair up and make their way up the tilted steps of the high school.

Artie runs into the school, where he ends up in the language arts room, “Got palpitations for days-!”

Robin looks at her friends, all with their own love interest, feeling left out; on the bubble, “I feel them floating away-!”

Eric runs into the art room, looks at the canvas he made of his family, “So much suspicion, division, a head-on collision-!”

Dori looks around at their family, “Which heart’s gonna break?”

Chrissy finally runs into Ralphie, clinging to him, “so many feelings inside-!”

Artie looks at his wrist, where a black ribbon was tied. “New ones that don’t wanna hide-!”

Heather glances around the pool, “I gotta listen, so here we go-Hit the ignition-!”

“I’m in for a ride-!” Dori exclaims.

“Nowhere left to run-!” Aricka runs into the drama room, where a throne sat, and it spun around to reveal a zombie version of her boyfriend Steve. She screams and runs away, as the zombie gave chase.

“Feel the shadows closin' in on me-!” Aricka M crooks her finger at flayed!Billy and as he gets closer, she pulls him closer and throws him into the closet, where she shut and locked the door before running to find her Billy once again.

“And I can barely breathe-!” Chrissy shut her own alternate self in the bathroom, running out to grab Ralphie’s hand.

What a web we've spun

Now the fear is takin' over me

No more tricks up my sleeve-!” Nancy and Jonathan locked several more zombies in the music room, before finding the others in the music library.

“So sweet dreams, sleep tight

Watch my nightmares come to life-!” The group finds themselves trapped as the zombie and flayed versions of their own selves come closer.

Flayed Billy crawls over to his normal self and Aricka, “the monsters in your mind-!”

“Scream louder all the time,” undead Chrissy added.

“You'll find they soon take over,” flayed Heather sang.

“The darkness starts to creep,” undead Eddie moves close to Dori.

“You're drowning in the deep-!” Zombie Steve, Chrissy and flayed Billy continue.

“It keeps on getting closer-!” Chrissy Eddie and Heather finish, before they all cover our heroes.

(We hear screaming and sounds of terror before we return to the cafeteria, where we see our heroes now zombies as well, where they join the chorus.)

“Nowhere left to run

Feel the shadows closin' in on me

And I can barely breathe (in on me)-!” The heroes, now zombies as well, couldn’t control their movements as they danced with the other zombies,

“What a web we've spun (what a web we've spun)

Now the fear is takin' over me (ooh)

No more tricks up my sleeve

So sweet dreams, sleep tight

Watch my nightmares come to life (come to life)-!”

End dream.

Steve shot up, breathing heavily as sweat trickled down his forehead. It was just a dream.

But it felt so real…

————————————

@astralshipper @rosieshipper @hyperionshipping @yeehawselfshipping @letsgofoletsgo @tsundere-selfship @callsign-revenge

(For reference ^^)

[arickaandherfictionalothers]

Sebastian Stan f/os

Part 2 of 3?

Hal Carter; the picnic

Aricka x Hal, as you wish, I love you

Lance Tucker; the Bronze

Aricka x Lance, Times Square can't shine as bright as you

Chris Beck; The Martian

Aricka x Chris; my love for you is out of this world 🌎

Clay Appuzzo; I’m dying up here

Aricka x Clay, I want all your midnight fantasies

Dayton White; Logan Lucky

Aricka x Dayton, love at the finish line 🏁

Steve; I’m not here

Aricka x Steve, forever family

Chris; the destroyer

Aricka x Chris, I need a cool rider

Charles Blackwood; we have always loved in the castle

Aricka x Charles, you got that James Dean daydream look in your eyes….

Frank; endings, beginnings

Aricka x Frank; you’re my end and my beginning

Scott Huffman; the last full measure

Aricka x Scott, show me the power of love

[arickaandherfictionalothers]

A tiny baby’s cry…

(Aricka x Steve Harrington)

(A tiny snippet of the birth of Sara Harrington)

(CW: heavy mentions of labor, birthing practices, and hospitals.)

Twelve hours, five minutes and 32 seconds. That’s how long baby girl Harrington has been alive.

It was a grueling labor. Aricka nearly broke Steve’s and her dad’s hands squeezing during the contractions, heartbreaking tears falling down her face as she screamed and pushed the first of their kids out into the world.

But then. Then.

A tiny baby’s cry filled the hospital room and Steve was overwhelmed with the emotion at hearing the sound. “She’s here,” he says to Aricka, squeezing her hand even as his aches. “Baby girl is here. She’s tiny and she’s perfect.”

“Dad, do you want to cut the cord?” The nurse asks, looking at Steve. Aricka watches as her best friend-turned husband- officially becomes a dad. He walks down to where the nurse is and takes the offered scissors and cuts between where two clamps were placed.

The baby was crying and wiggling her arms and legs as she was placed on Aricka’s chest, and instantly the baby calmed down, nuzzling at her mom’s neck. “Oh..” Aricka whispered as she cuddled the baby closer to her. “Hi my sweet one… my sweet little girl… it’s mommy… I’m here…. I know it’s so bright and scary, I’ve got you. Daddy’s here too.” She looks at Steve. “Sing something, she’ll recognize your voice.”

He moves back to where his little family is situated and wraps his arm over the top of Aricka’s head to reach her shoulder, and his other hand cradles baby girl’s- they really need to name her, he thinks- little back. “And when I'm back in Chicago, I feel it

Another version of me, I was in it

Oh, I wave goodbye to the end of beginning

(Goodbye, goodbye)…”

Baby girl stops wiggling around as he sings, his thumb brushing against the back of her neck, and Steve wishes he could freeze the moment in a picture frame. His daughter looks at nothing in particular, but he could see her eyes were already a beautiful shade of hazel, she had his eyes. She had a little button nose and perfect little lips, a tiny baby cupids bow that looked just like her mom’s, he noted.

The nurse came and took her, Aricka reluctantly releasing her grip on her baby.

They did a few things to their baby, like weigh, measure and fingerprint/footprint her, and put a tiny hospital bracelet around her wrist, before putting her in a bassinet. They let Steve push her to the new room they would stay in until Aricka and baby were cleared to go home.

Aricka immediately opened her arms for her baby once they were settled and Steve picked her up carefully. His daughter was tiny but already a fighter, having displayed her wiggly side when she didn’t want to be measured. “Alright then,” he says softly as he walks over to Aricka’s bed with his precious cargo. “Here’s mommy. Mommy’s right here,” he places her carefully in Aricka’s arms, and moves to sit in the bed with her. “…. I never thought I’d fall in love twice in my life,” he says with a choked laugh. Aricka echos the sound, leaning over against him.

“We had a baby,” she whispers.

“We need to name our baby,” he whispers back.

Aricka goes quiet. “… I might have an idea.”

“Tell me,” Steve says encouragingly. “You can name her, I’ll name our next one.”

Aricka laughs. “Deal.” then she goes quiet again. “… Sara Jane.”

Steve’s eyes widened with the realization. “Both your sisters.. oh Aricka,” he says. She sniffles and holds her baby tightly.

“Sara would’ve wanted to be here, Jane couldn’t cause of college,” she says shakily. “I want to do this. Can we name her Sara?”

“Of course,” Steve says. “For the sister I never got to truly know, and for the sister she sent us.” He brushes a finger across the baby- Sara Jane’s, he corrects himself- hand, and says, “welcome to the world, Sara Jane Harrington.”

~~~~~~~~~~~

@astralshipper @rosieshipper @hyperionshipping @yeehawselfshipping @letsgofoletsgo @tsundere-selfship @callsign-revenge

[arickaandherfictionalothers]

Meant to be reprise 2: Aricka and Steve

(Aricka and Steve finally click together, after being separated far too long.)

( @astralshipper @rosieshipper @hyperionshipping @yeehawselfshipping @letsgofoletsgo @tsundere-selfship @callsign-revenge )

Aricka was crying. Steve had taken her exploring, and they got captured, and now she’s crying because they were tied up in a creepy lighthouse. “I’m so scared…” he hears her whisper, and then he speaks up,

“You know… If I was gonna be tied up here with anyone… I’m glad I’m tied up here with you, Aricka.”

She sniffles and looks at him, “really?” She looked so pretty in her sea green tank top and cropped acid-washed shorts. Steve more than a little wanted to kiss her and wipe her tears away.

“Really.” She laughs.

“You know.. if we hadn’t come here… I’d be on a plane right now, headed to some fancy boarding school to become someone… I don’t really want to be.”

He tilts his head, full gaze on her, listening intently. “You don’t, do you?”

She scoffs, “I’ve spent this entire time telling Aricka Munson to follow her heart and do what she loves. And she did.” She says the next part quieter but he still heard her. He would always listen to what she had to say. “She's more courageous than I am.”

“That’s not true.” He wished he could grip her chin in his hand. “You’re braver than anyone I know.”

She sniffles and smiles wetly. “So- you’re really glad I’m here?”

“I couldn’t be more glad,” he says softy. She laughs, shakes her head.

“It's, like, I'm tied up, but at the same time…I've never felt more free.” Another cute giggle escapes her. “What's the hurry to grow up? When I can be stuck in 1962 with you?” Music begins to play softly, and for the first time this entire time she doesn’t fight it, she just sings,

“When it’s meant to be
The stars seem to glisten…” Steve’s eyes soften and he joins in, 
“Meant to be
All the clouds depart
When it’s meant to be…” she stops, lost in her favorite pair of brown eyes, unable to even breath as he sings, 
“It’s destiny callin’..” and she finds her voice just in time to finish, 
“And if you listen, you’ll find your heart…” she smiles at him; and they bump foreheads gently.

“I love you, Aricka Hopper,” he whispered.

Her heart leaps, hearing her favorite character say those words. “Oh Steve… I love you too.” He smiles at her, and her heart twists and turns in her chest.

“… can I kiss you-?” He asks. “If it’s too forward I’m sorry but- I really want to kiss you right now.”

“If you didn’t I’d be very disappointed,” Aricka whispered, and sighs softly as her dream finally came true-

She got to kiss Steve Harrington. And it was better than she’d ever imagined.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~

[arickaandherfictionalothers]

Aricka and Dori’s teen beach adventure- meant to be-!

Aricka was confused. One minute, she was on her way to talk to Steve Harrington- her favorite character from this move she was in-!- the next; she was falling into the arms of the other lead male of the movie- Billy Hargrove. The character Aricka Munson was supposed to fall for and help unite the bikers and surfers with-

Oh. No.

“Hi,” he says; helping her stand up. “I’m Billy. Billy Hargrove. Leader of the surfers.” He winks at her, but it didn’t really do anything for her.

“I, uh, hi,” she says, remembering her manners at least. “I’m Aricka Hopper.”

“A pretty name for a gorgeous chick,” he says. “Nice of you to drop in.”

“Um, sorry. I didn't see you.” She blushes, looks down at the ground. He tilts her chin up so she was looking back at those electric blue eyes.

“Now that you do, do you like what you see?” She squeaks and gently removed his hand from her chin.

“Sure. It was really nice to meet you- excuse me just a second-?” He nods and she runs over to Dori. “Dori, my best friend in the whole world, can I have a moment? A really quick, important moment.”

"Yeah, sure," they look back at Eddie, "Um... Eddie? It was really nice meeting you, but I've gotta help my friend with something," they start to turn away, but turn back for a second, "Bye." they give him a little wave as they start to walk with Aricka.

"Bye." He chuckles waving back.

"Come on," Dori says, guiding her friend to the exit, "We'll step out for a minute.” Once outside, she says, “"So, what's going on?"

Aricka takes a deep breath and glares at the water. “The mannequin with six rows of teeth just asked me out. Billy FREAKING Hargrove just asked me out because I TRIPPED on my dumb shoelaces and fell in his arms-.”

They stare at her, taking in everything she just said, "..... WHAT?!"

“Please tell me I didn’t change anything about the movie-?! I JUST wanted to talk to Steve. My shoe got untied and I didn’t see it until I was staring up into ocean blues instead of chocolate browns.”

"Okay. Okay, uhhh.... Hold on, let me think," Dori thinks back through the plot of the movie, "So, you said you ran into Billy and now he's got the hots for you. And, in the movie, Billy falls for Aricka MUNSON. So, that means..." their eyes widen in realization, "Oh... this is the exact opposite of what you wanted to hear, but you just caused a MAJOR change to the movie."

Aricka blanches. “I changed the movie-?!”

"You changed the movie!"

“Oh no. Oh no, no no no-!! No- can we fix this-?! Aricka Munson’s Billy’s EVERYTHING, we can’t ruin this-!”

"It's okay! Don't freak out," Dori tries to calm her down, "We can fix this... At least, I hope we can. We'd just have to get Billy to fall in love with the right Aricka. Which.... is probably gonna be REALLY difficult since he's convinced he's in love with you. But, I mean... we could probably do it."

“… meet Billy and me with Steve and Aricka Munson outside. We can fix this- hypothetically speaking.”

~~~~~

“Hi,” Aricka says; unable to believe she was talking to Billy- Aricka Munson should be doing this. Not her. She was basically being a homewrecker-!

Billy flashes her that boyish smile; and she couldn’t not admit that he had a cute smile. He just- wasn’t her type. She was into dorky brunette surfers. Not overconfident curly haired blue eyed ones. “Hi,” he says, strumming his guitar.

“Um, do you mind if I join you?” She asks, admiring the car he was leaning on- and he beckons her over.

“Of course not. I’d wanna join me, too.” So cute, in a 50s himbo style. “So, hey, I’ve never seen a chick quite like you.”

She winces; she hated being addressed as a chick or a babe. “Chick? Really? Hold on while I lay some eggs.”

He tilts his head in confusion. “Okay?”

She mentally face palms. “No, that was, um... Never mind. Thank you for the compliment. It’s nice.”

“Sure,” he says with a shrug. She notices the guitar and smiles; something they can talk about.

“So you play the guitar.”

“I know.” Ugh. Total, 1950s air-headed blonde surfer boy.

“No, no, I mean- are you good?”

He frowns in more confusion, “I feel a little tired but…” she cut him off,

“At playing the guitar?”

“Well, sure, when something inspires me.” He drops his voice suddenly, “If music be the food of love, play on”.

Her eyes light up, “Shakespeare-?”

“Huh? No, that was me. Sometimes I talk low for effect.”

“… well it works,” is all she could think to say.

“Thanks. I can do... High... Also, but chicks really dig low better,” and she had to hide a wince when he did his high voice.

“Yeah.”

“You know, I dig you, Aricka. You’re different than other girls around here. Can I write a song about you?”

“Uh, yes. What word rhymes with Aricka? Nothing. See? That’s a terrible song. Really, Tanner, you only like me because you, think that running into you was destiny, but... Not our destiny, your destiny, with someone that you’re meant to be with that isn’t me. See?” And then music begins to play and she sighs, “Oh, good. A song anyway.”

“I believe we all have a soul mate

The chance for a perfect duet…” Billy strums the guitar and looks her in the eyes, and she tries to match his emotion, but she had to pretend she was looking at Steve for it to even look natural,

“I believe in hopeless devotion

I just haven't found it yet

But in my mind I see

The chick, who is meant for me…” he dramatically tosses his guitar to the side and grabs her hand, dragging her off somewhere as he continues to sing,

“She'll be someone who is lovely

Someone wonderful and true…”

Meanwhile, with Dori, Eddie, Steve and Aricka, the latter girl was singing,

“The kind of boy who makes you smile

Even when you're feeling blue…”

Together though apart, Aricka Munson and Billy H sings,

“And I know, I know he/she's out there

Most definitely, oh yeah

Not a phony, or a fake

Sweeter than a chocolate shake

My "meant to be"

When it's meant to be

You go kinda crazy

Meant to be

You forget your own name

When it's meant to be

It's destiny callin'

And nothing ever will be the same!

Oh yeah!…”

Aricka stops in front of Billy, her hand on his chest as she sings out,

“You need a girl who's into music

To ride up high on Cupid's wings!”

Dori turns to Steve and adds, “Find that girl with perfect hair

Hello, Hollywood ending with strings-!”

Aricka and Dori sing about their respective love interests,

“Oh, I know, I know he's out there

Can't you see? Oh, yeah!

Maybe you've already met,

The one you'll never forget!

Your "meant to be"!

When it's meant to be!

The stars seem to glisten!

Meant to be!

All the clouds depart!

When it's meant to be!

That's destiny callin'!

And if you listen

You'll find your heart!”

The girls- Aricka H, Aricka M and Dori; all sing, thinking of the one they (thought they or actually did) love,

“Four eyes meet

And the meet is sweet

Could it lead to something more?”

Eddie; Steve and Billy echo them, thinking of their respective interests as well,

“What's the deal?

When the way you feel-?”

Dori and Aricka sing the last line; ripping the towel barrier away so Aricka M and Billy could see each other and Aricka and Steve could see each other-

“Oh!” Aricka M gasps, grabbing Steve’s hand and darting off.

“Gee..” Billy says as he grabs the other Aricka’s hand.

“Uh…?” Aricka manages before she’s dragged away.

“Plan B?” Dori wondered.

A dance break ensued; Steve and Aricka M together, Billy and Aricka H together, and to Dori’s delight, they were dancing with Eddie as they sang,

“When it's meant to be

You go kinda crazy

Meant to be

You forget your own name

When it's meant to be

It's destiny callin'

And nothing ever will be the same!”

The song ends and Aricka and Dori make their way back to each other. “… that didn’t go as well as I hoped…” Aricka says sheepishly.

“Don’t worry, we still have time to fix this. I’m gonna try and get invited to the surfer hang out , you get to the biker sleepover.”

“Okay. Deal.” And off they went on their separate ways.

~~~~~~~~

@astralshipper @rosieshipper @yeehawselfshipping @letsgofoletsgo @tsundere-selfship @callsign-revenge

[arickaandherfictionalothers]

Aricka Munson, Aricka Hopper, Steve Harrington, Billy Hargrove and the 8th grade dance

(Pre Aricka Munson x Billy Hargrove, pre Aricka Hopper x Steve Harrington)

(Via Pinterest)

(Top to bottom: Aricka Munson, Billy Hargrove, Aricka Hopper, Steve Harrington)

Aricka and Billy:

He asked her after basketball practice let out. Aricka was dressed in her Hawkins middle school cheer uniform, holding her pompoms as she headed back to the locker room, when Billy jogged over to her, cheeks flushed red and curls askew from practice. “Hey,” he says, pausing to catch his breath. She smiles at him.

“Hi Billy,” she says. “What’s up?”

“The dance- it’s this Friday. Do- do you want to go together-? It can be as friends, no pressure.” Her smile widened as she processed his question.

“Oh, of course-! I’d love to go to the dance with you Billy,” she says. “My uncle could take us, we could ride in the back of his pickup. It would be fun!”

Only Aricka Munson would think sitting in a dress in the back of a pickup would be fun. But that was why he liked her so much. She made him feel safe, but also kinda like his insides would light on fire if she hugged him too long.

“Yeah, sounds good,” he says. “I’ll wait for you and walk you home.” The two part, but not before Aricka could give him one of those hugs he was too used to getting now.

Aricka couldn’t wait to tell Chrissy what had just happened. And Billy couldn’t wait until Friday.

~~~~~~~~~~

Aricka and Steve:

He asked her after theater rehearsal ended. Steve was helping stage manage the fall play- Dorothy in Wonderland- and Aricka was the main character- her first lead role.

“Hey, movie star,” Steve says, as Aricka makes her way over to him, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “You looked good today.” She smiles soflty.

“Thanks Stevie.” They walk out to the front in silence, and then he asks,

“So- the dance is coming up Friday. We make a good dancing duo- would you- maybe want to go with me?” His face was bright red and she saw how his hands were shaking slightly. His nervousness was endearing; and she melted at the thought that he was nervous about asking her to the dance. She takes his hands and smiles.

“What time are you gonna get me?” She asked. He grins down at her.

“Is seven too early?”

“No, Steve. Seven sounds perfect.”

~~~~~~~~~~~

Aricka and Billy:

It was 6:45 when Billy arrived at the door to Aricka’s trailer. He was wearing a pair of khaki pants, brown shoes and a pink polo shirt- he’d had to escape out the window, but it was worth it, to take his best friend and crush to the dance. In his hand he held a special gift- something special just for Aricka.

He brushed a few leaves off his shirt and straightened his collar as Wayne opened the door.

“William.” Wayne insisted on calling Billy by his full name, but coming from him, it didn’t bug him as much. “Come on in and sit a spell, she’s still getting ready.” He claps a hand on Billy’s shoulder and guides him into the kitchen portion of the trailer. “Looks like you got into a tussle with a forest. Might wanna fix that before she comes out.” Billy swipes a hand through his hair and winces at the few leaves that came off.

“Sorry sir, I had to sneak out- my old man wouldn’t have appreciated my color choices.” Wayne scoffs.

“As if you wearing pink is gonna tarnish his pitiful reputation. He does enough damage on his own.” He looked like he might insult Neil more but then Aricka breezed in and Billy truly felt he now knew the difference between pretty and gorgeous-

Aricka was wearing a light blue dress made of a material that seemed to float around her, with tank top straps, and she had brown sandals with a white strap on, and her hair- usually held up in a ponytail- was curled and framing her face, and she had a bleached denim jacket on. If he wasn’t used to her usual look, he never would’ve noticed the subtle tinge of blush on her cheeks and nose, nor the glimmer of lipgloss.

She blushed as she realized Billy was already there, and dug the toe of her sandal into the floor of the kitchen. “Hi B,” she said. He waves casually and smiles, standing and walking to her, like this was any other day.

“Hi Aricka. I like your dress- is it new?” She blushes and nods.

“Got it special for tonight.” He holds out the paper rose he’d spent hours on making to her, and she lit up, accepting it.

“I won’t even need to water it!” They both laugh and she rushes to her room to set the flower on the table in her room- that used to be Wayne’s, but as Aricka got older he decided she needed her own space as the woman in the house. She came back with something in her hand. “Almost forgot-!”

Billy takes the gift from her and grins as he examines his newest gift from Aricka- a poem about “Billy the Great.” He would spend hours that night reading it, memorizing it, and then carefully tucking it away with his other hidden treasures.

“Are you young’in’s both ready now?” Wayne asks as he reaches for the keys to his truck. Aricka grabs Billy’s hand and smiles at him as they make their way to the dance.

~~~~~~~~~~

Aricka and Steve:

If Steve told you he wasn’t nervous at all about taking the police chief’s daughter to the dance- he would be lying to your face. In all honesty; he was petrified. But he was more focused on the fact that tonight he was going to maybe kiss her and tell her that he’d liked her since fourth grade at least- maybe longer.

In his hand he held a slightly squished bouquet of flowers- two pink roses, two sunflowers, and three white lilies, because he knew lilies were her favorite flowers. In a bag in his hand was a necklace that had a key on it- he currently had the reciprocal heart necklace. He just hoped she felt the same way about him as he did about her.

Aricka opened the door and grinned; her eyes widening at the limo waiting for them. “How did that get all the way through there-?” She motioned to the forest.

“A magician never reveals his secrets,” Steve says; handing her the flowers with a flourish. Then he saw what she was wearing and his heart almost stopped. It was a pale lavender dress that went to her knees, crisscross straps around the neckline, and she wore white and brown sandals. Her hair was half up, half down with a matching purple bow in her hair. “Woah…” he whispered.

She shifted her weight from side to side. “Too much?” She asks. He frantically shook his head.

“No-! No. No you look- you look great. Real great,” he says. “You look beautiful.”

Her face turned a bright pink, “aw.. Stevie…” The nickname made the boy blush too, and he reached for her hand.

“Hi Chief Hopper!” He called into the house. Aricka’s dad waved, finally walking to the door.

“Have her back here by 10:30,” he said. The dance ended at 10, but Hopper knew they’d probably go get ice cream before coming home. Aricka hugs her dad and he holds her a little tighter than usual, kissing the top of her head before sending her on her way. “Have fun you two.”

“Bye dad!”

“Bye Chief!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*Billy and Aricka*

The middle school basketball star and cheerleader made their way into the gym, Aricka gasping in delight at the decorations- the theme was Starry Night. Thousands of glow in the dark stars filled the gym ceiling, and models of the solar system were hung on thick black cords. The floor had a projection to make it look like the galaxy, swirling and spinning around them.

Loud music poured from the speakers as they walked in, Aricka spying their friends across the room. “I see Chrissy and Robin!” She says. “Oh, look there’s Eddie and Dori.” Aricka’s twin had been over at their mutual friend Dori Henderson’s house getting ready for the dance.

“Look- Steve-O and Aricka H just got in,” Billy said. Aricka was still holding his hand, their fingers intertwined perfectly as they looked around. He still couldn’t believe it.

Aricka had initiated the contact, pressing their pinkies together in the back of the truck. Billy had flipped his hand over, and she had interlocked their fingers, neither of them saying a word. He had to let go to climb out of the truck, jumping down and then grabbing her by the waist to help her- something that got a look of approval from her uncle Wayne.

“Oh; I love this song! Dance with me Billy,” Aricka said as a slower song began to play. But not just any slow song- “Hopelessly devoted to you,” from Aricka’s favorite musical, Grease. Olivia Newton-John’s voice fills the gym as Billy and Aricka join their friends in the middle of the dance floor, Aricka turning to face Billy as he carefully and admittedly a bit awkwardly moves to put his hands on her waist, hers wrapping around his neck.

“I know I'm just a fool who's willing

To sit around and wait for you…” Aricka sang under her breath, and Billy merely smiles as shakes his head and he joins in,

“But baby, can't you see there's nothing else for me to do?..” her eyes snap to his, and a pink blush covers her cheeks as she continues,

“I'm hopelessly devoted to you

But now there's nowhere to hide

Since you pushed my love aside

I'm out of my head

Hopelessly devoted to you…”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*Steve and Aricka*

Olivia Newton-John’s voice filled the gym as Aricka and Steve swayed together, his arms encircling her back, her hands on his shoulders. The two had eyes only for each other. They might’ve only been in eighth grade, but they knew what they had was more than platonic affection for each other. “Hold on to the end", that's what I intend to do

I'm hopelessly devoted to you…” Aricka sang, and Steve joined her on the chorus,

“But now there's no way to hide

Since you pushed my love aside

I'm outta my head

Hopelessly devoted to you…”

Aricka’s stomach flip flopped in cartwheels, her palms were sweating as she realized what was happening-

She was at the dance with the most popular boy in her grade- her best friend!- and she was falling in love like she was a character in her favorite Disney movie.

Steve took her hand and spun her around before pulling her back close, seeing Billy do the same to Aricka Munson out of the corner of his eye. “Aricka…” he said as the song ended. “I really really like you. Like- for more than just a friend.”

Aricka smiled that sweet; beautiful smile of hers. “Really?” She asks. “I really really like you, too. Like- more than just a friend like.”

Steve grinned at her, that big Stevie grin, and leaned down to kiss her cheek as she laughed. “So- will you be my girlfriend?” He asks.

“I thought you’d never ask. Yes-!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*Aricka and Billy*

“Dancing Queen,” was playing, Aricka and Billy screaming the lyrics at the top of their lungs. They hadn’t left each other’s side all night, neither wanting it to end. Aricka laughed and looked over at Billy and grabbed his hand, and he spun her around twice.

Aricka was the first person to see past the top layer he showed. She was the first to realize that something was wrong. She got him help when she could and she made sure he had a place to go when it was Really Bad.

“Can we talk somewhere?” He asks over the pounding music. Aricka nods, gripping his hand and letting him lead the way out.

As soon as they were alone, Billy allowed himself the luxury of hugging Aricka, who had no objections to his actions. “I need to tell you something, but I don’t want to ruin the first good friendship I’ve had.”

“Billy you can’t even ruin our friendship,” Aricka promised. “You know I love you no matter what.” That was another thing he’d had to get used to after befriending Aricka- her love was given as freely as her hugs.

“I- you know. You too,” he mumbled with a red hot blush. She smiles and rubs his arms assuredly. “And I- I like you. Like- you know- how a boyfriend likes a girlfriend.”

Her smile widened and she squeezes his arms. Carefully. Not roughly. “Oh, Billy…” she whispered. “I’m so proud of you. I know that must’ve been hard for you to say.” She really did- she knew feelings weren’t his strongest point. But she also knew he was trying to get better at it. “I like you like that, too.”

His eyes lit up; and he eagerly scooped her back up in his arms, swinging her side to side as she giggled. “Willyoubemygirlfriend,” he asks in one breath. She giggles against his shoulder, and that was really all the answer he needed.

“Nothing would make me happier,” she says.

~~~~~~~

@astralshipper @rosieshipper @hyperionshipping @yeehawselfshipping @letsgofoletsgo @callsign-revenge @tsundere-selfship

[arickaandherfictionalothers]

Our invisible string… that lead me to you

(Aricka x Steve)

Green was the color of the grass

Where I used to read at Hawkins Park

I used to think I would meet somebody there…

Aricka had her legs tucked under her on the bench she was sitting on, brown strands of hair blowing in her face as she skimmed a page of her book- Little Women. She didn’t usually like this genre of books, but she had to write an essay on it for her English class. She grabbed her highlighter and ran it over a line in the story, tucking her hair behind her ear.

Fifteen minutes later, she packed her bag and headed home; not knowing that a boy would take her spot; and crack open the same book she’d just been reading, and would highlight the same thing she had.

Royal blue was the color of your shirt

When you were nineteen at the ice cream shoppe

You used to work at to make a little money…

Steve sighed and wiped the back of his hand across his forehead; he had been working 12 hours straight at the new ice cream shop in town- Scoops Ahoy!-and he was exhausted. A new customer entered as he groused internally, and his heart almost stopped when he saw who it was- Aricka Hopper, the daughter of the police chief. She was pretty; chocolate brown hair, stormy blue eyes that pulled you in with the first look, and a smile that lit up every room she entered.

Steve had a hopeless crush on her; he’d always been too shy to approach her; instead preferring to admire her from afar.

Robin threw her hat at him; “Hey dingus; maybe while you’re drooling over your crush; could you ring up her ice cream order-?” He blushes furiously as he scrambled to the counter, to the cash register where Aricka was standing; oblivious to what had just been exchanged; a sweet smile on her face- aimed right at Steve. He blushed even more; and managed to stumble through asking her her order and then, when she handed him her cash, their fingers brushed; and he thought he was going to vomit from nerves and giddy ecstasy.

He was a goner; a fool in love with the daughter of the police chief.

Time, curious time

Gave me no compasses, gave me no signs

Aricka and Steve were two planets, constantly orbiting each other; seeming doomed to never collide. But they would; they just had to wait until it was the right moment, like all truest loves had to.

Were there clues I didn't see?

Along the way they would meet: words would be exchanged, but nothing substantial would occur. Steve couldn’t quite get over his hopeless, endearing awkwardness around her; and Aricka was just old-fashioned enough to want the boy to make the first move, so nothing ever happened in high school.

And isn't it just so pretty to think

All along there was some

Invisible string

Tying you to me?

Ooh

Time would pass, they would graduate, and Aricka would move to California as part of her friends, Dori Henderson and Eddie Munson’s, band. Long Live The Outcasts! they called themselves, and they started as a small garage band, yes, but seemingly overnight they became a sensation, and everyone was buying their first album.

Steve nearly broke his vinyl and cassette tape versions of it; just to hear Aricka’s solo in the third song. She sounded like an angel; he couldn’t get enough of it.

Bad was the blood of the song in the cab

On your first trip to LA

You ate at my favorite spot for dinner…

Steve eventually left Hawkins as well; he took Robin with him; and they moved to LA, citing a fresh start away from the gossip of Hawkins; Indiana. He played LLTO’s album all the way there; and anytime he heard the voice of his first and only crush’s voice he cranked up the volume just a little bit more.

And eventually he ran into Aricka, in a little dive bar not far from the apartment him and Robin shared. She still smiled just as sweetly as he remembered, and she still was able to send a zing of electricity down his spine when their fingers not only touched, but interlocked as they walked down the boardwalk.

And then he finally got the courage to ask the girl of his dreams on a date; and he whirled her around when she said yes, overjoyed to finally hear him ask her.

Bold was the waitress on our three year trip

Getting lunch down by the lakes….

She said I looked like an American singer…

Three years after that fateful reunion; they were at dinner, and the waitress commented on how Aricka looked familiar, but Aricka just giggled and waved her away, before reclaiming Steve’s hand and smiling adoringly at him; and he could only kiss her for it.

Time, mystical time

Cuttin' me open, then healin' me fine…

Steve still had nightmares- his father was not exactly Dad of the Year material; he had the scars to prove it- but now Aricka was there; pulling him from the dark and into her arms, soothing him with a song and a kiss, promising she would never leave him, never hurt him, that she loved him and she would always be there for him.

Were there clues I didn't see?

And isn't it just so pretty to think

All along there was some

Invisible string

Tying you to me?

Ooh….

They loved to dance together; and soon, they were spinning slowly in a gazebo; a sparkling diamond engagement ring on ar Aricka’s left hand as her newest solo song played overhead,

“A string that pulled me

Out of all the wrong arms right into that dive bar

Something wrapped all of my past mistakes in barbed wire

Chains around my demons, wool to brave the seasons…” she sang along, words for Steve only; words they’d penned together, words she sang and words he’d made the accompaniment for.

“One single thread of gold tied me to you

Cold was the steel of my axe to grind

For the boys who broke my heart

Now I send their babies presents…” he kissed her as she finished the verse; she was too breathless to finish when he was done.

Gold was the color of the leaves

When I showed you around Hawkins Park…

Finally they made it back to the park where they had both read Little Women all those years ago. It was autumn; and they were bundled snuggly in warm clothes, and they each had their copy of Little Women. They sat on the bench, and they opened their books and began to read.

Aricka laughed when she found the spot she’d highlighted, and showed Steve.

His eyes widen, and he flips a few pages further into his book, and shows her the same highlighted spot in his own copy-

““Love casts out fear, and gratitude can conquer pride.””

Hell was the journey but it brought me heaven

Time, wondrous time

Gave me the blues and then purple pink skies…

And now; the sweet shy sheriff’s daughter and the handsome, shy “King of Hawkins High”; now they have each other, which is all they ever wanted. The comets finally collided, and the resulting explosion was a beautiful combination of patience and hope.

And it all began in Hawkins Park with a shared book, and a homework assignment.

And it's cool, baby, with me

And isn't it just so pretty to think

All along there was some

Invisible string

Tying you to me?

~~~~~~

@astralshipper @rosieshipper @hyperionshipping @yeehawselfshipping thanks for Dori-!!! @letsgofoletsgo @tsundere-selfship @callsign-revenge

[arickaandherfictionalothers]

Wonder Woman needs her Steve right?

(Aricka and Four/Steve Harrington)

(Aricka and Four watch Wonder Woman. Four also figures out what he wants his name to be.)

They were watching a television show. Wonder Woman. With a lady wearing tall red boots, a pair of blue shorts with white stars, and a red top. She was currently using the lasso to capture the two bad men she’d been chasing.

Four huddled closer to Aricka- the girl who’d rescued him, his first ever best friend- and she leaned her head against his. That was something else that was new. Constant physical touch. Aricka seemed to absorb it like a human sponge, constantly touching his hand or running a hand over the top of his head where his hair was slowly growing, now that he was away from the lab and he could grow it out. Then she’d introduced something else new- cuddling. She was very good at explaining things and making sure he knew he was in control of how much touch he wanted or didn’t want.

“Oh look- she’s gonna compel them to tell her the truth,” Aricka says, nudging his shoulder carefully.

He tilts his head at her confused. “Her lasso. It compels anyone it catches to tell the truth.” He wrinkles his brown worriedly. “Oh, no. Not you. You’re good. She’d never use her lasso on you unless you asked.”

That was the thing about Aricka. She firmly believed that Four was good. Even though they’d only known each other for three days.

Four watched as the man in the funny uniform- Steve, Aricka had explained- held the lasso as Wonder Woman moved the car with her super strength. He tapped her arm suddenly. “What’s up?” She asks.

He points at Wonder Woman, then back at Aricka, repeating it a couple times so she could process. “You’re saying I’m Wonder Woman?” She asks. He nods in confirmation. “Thanks. That’s a huge compliment.”

Then he pointed at the man smiling at Wonder Woman- at Steve- and then back at himself, again repeating his motion until she could get it. “Oh-!”’she exclaimed. “You figured out what name you wanted to use? You wanna be called Steve?” He nods, then points between Wonder Woman and Steve, and then between himself and Aricka. “You’re saying Wonder Woman needs her Steve?” He nods the firmest he has yet. “You’re right. I really do.” She wraps her arm back around him. “Well. It’s nice to officially meet you, Steve.”

They finish the show together, and then Aricka says, “You know what this means, right?” He shakes his head. “You gotta learn how to read and write. So you can read and write your name.”

The prospect made Four- made Steve- grin.

First he gained a friend. Then he gained a name.

Soon, he would gain his voice.

~~~~~~~

@astralshipper @rosieshipper @hyperionshipping @yeehawselfshipping @letsgofoletsgo @tsundere-selfship @callsign-revenge

[arickaandherfictionalothers]

Aricka x Steve DWTS AU: premiere night-!

Dance style: tango

Song: Sunglasses at Night, Corey Hart

“It’s time for our youngest pro dancer to make her debut on the ballroom floor-! 19 year old Aricka Hopper exploded onto the DWTS stage when she was just nine years old on dancing with the stars Jr.! From there she was a member of our troupe and she finally got the long awaited call to join our pros this summer. Find out what happened when she met her celebrity, pro basketball star and musician Steve Harrington!”

——————-

Pro package

“Hi! My name is Aricka, I’m the youngest member of this season’s dancing with the stars, and I’m super excited to be here! My dad is Jim Hopper; one of the judges. Him and my mom met as a pro and celeb on this show. So I’ve got a lot to live up to.” Aricka was standing, facing the camera as she spoke.

The door opens as she’s speaking, and in pops a familiar- to the audience-face. It’s 23 year old Steve Harrington, smiling eagerly as he walked in, a bouquet of flowers in his right hand, his left arm open as he approached Aricka. “Hi!” He exclaimed, and Aricka eagerly hugs him back,

“Hi! I’m Aricka; it’s so nice to meet you!” He hands her the flowers and she takes them with a soft pleased sound.

The two talk for a moment, and already the chemistry was noticeable. Aricka was beaming, hands gesticulating as she spoke.

“So: they’re throwing us in the deep end for our first dance.” She laughs brightly and he goes,

“Oh no!” With a replying laugh.

“We’ve been assigned the tango! It’s a frame dance. So we’re going to start right now and get practicing those steps ; are you ready?”

“Bring it on!” Steve replies, and the two get to work.

~~~~~~~~~~~

“I’m a little nervous. I’ve never danced before, but I took this opportunity for that reason. It’s easy dancing with Aricka for some reason. She’s a firm coach but she’s also very patient and doesn’t let me put undue pressure on myself,” Steve says; as the package shows them dancing and him getting frustrated.

“Steve has the potential to be a really great dancer. He has the muscle and the stamina, we just need to get him to see his aptitude,” Aricka says.

“Quick quick, slow- great! That was so good-!” Aricka says in the rehearsal footage. Steve, still holding her in the tango frame, smiles down at her. “Do it again.”

The video ends with a clip of Aricka catching a basketball, tossing it to Steve, and him pulling her into a spin, ending with her back against his chest as they grin at the camera, the basketball perched on Steve’s hip.

—————

“Dancing the tango, with his partner Aricka Hopper, it’s Steve Harrington!” The ballroom was dark, except for where the audience was. The synth beat of “Sunglasses at Night,” begins: and a spotlight hits the center of the platform above the steps where Steve stood. He wore a pair of dark blue velvet pants, no shirt and a matching suit jacket, with black aviator sunglasses. He walks down the steps to the beat as Aricka meets him at the bottom of the steps; and they assume the tango frame.

They jerk to the side, faces looking at the camera as they stalk toward it; legs kicking out, and Steve stops in the middle of the ballroom. Aricka hooks her right leg over his hip, facing him as he holds her waist, and she leans out, head tipping back before he pulls her back up, and they continue their dance.

Steve’s frame was solid, confident and poised as he lead Aricka around the room, head tilted to the side like she taught him. He pushes her out, then pulls her back to him as she spins in, before they did the quick, quick, slow, motion from the rehearsal video.

The song ends with Steve on one knee, Aricka spinning backwards, landing face up with Steve’s face close to hers, one hand holding her back, the other on her neck carefully.

————————

Judges comments

“Aricka and Steve! They’re loving it. They’re loving you-! Come on over and see what the judges have to say.” Alfonso reaches out and wraps an arm around Aricka, who was laughing, gripping Steve’s hand tightly. “Alright, Hop; it’s your turn.”

“First off, welcome to the ballroom kid!” Jim Hopper says, the proudest look on his face. “Next, what a way to kick off the premiere! Steve; it’s rare on the first night to see a male celebrity leading the dance- you just did that-!” The audience erupts with applause. “There were a few timing errors, and I only caught one moment where your frame slipped, but keep it up, that was an incredible first dance!”

“Bruno?”

“Steven-! Basketball- you were ON the ball! Every movement was precise, your frame was mostly solid. Like Jim said; you had a few mistakes but they can be easily fixed darling! A wonderfully spicy tango, and I want more of it. Keep it up!”

“Carrie-Ann?”

“Woah-! That was hot! I see you, with no shirt on, Aricka you know what the audience wants don’t you?” Aricka and Steve laugh nervously at that comment. “Like my fellow judges, I loved that dance. You were on time everywhere except for in that middle section, but I could tell you fixed it right away when you realized- I saw you two whisper to each other- I can see this beautiful teamwork forming and I can’t wait to see how it blossoms.”

“Derek?”

“Aricka, kiddo! Welcome to the ballroom! You lit this place up! I’m so proud of you,” Derek says. Aricka laughs and shakes her head. “I’m so glad you took my advice and applied it to this first dance! I can’t wait to see this duo develop over the next few weeks and Steve, my man! Welcome to the ballroom! That was an incredible performance, there were a few timing issues, a few things to watch out for, but other than that it was a great way to kick off the season!”

————

Skybox

Julianne immediately reached out and hugged Aricka, squealing a, “Welcome to the ballroom! Your first dance as a pro! How does that feel?”

“Oh man,”‘Aricka says; still clinging to Steve’s hand, and the camera didn’t miss how Steve also had a hand wrapped around her shoulders. “It was an adrenaline rush like no other! I’m so glad I have such an amazing first partner! He makes it super easy and super fun to come in and rehearse.”

“Steve. How does hearing that make you feel?” He squeezes Aricka’s shoulder and replies,

“She makes it easier. Aricka makes it fun! She never lets me put too much pressure on myself, and she’s super patient with me, since I don’t have any dance experience.”

“Alright, let’s see the judges scores!”

——————

Scores

Jim: “Great job kiddo- it’s an 8!”

Bruno: “Keep up-! 8!”

Carrie-Ann: “So hot, and I can’t wait to see more! 8!”

Derek: “Welcome to the ballroom you two! It’s an 8!”

Total score: 32/40

—————————

@astralshipper @rosieshipper @yeehawselfshipping @letsgofoletsgo @hyperionshipping @tsundere-selfship @callsign-revenge

[arickaandherfictionalothers]

Sebastian Stan f/os

Part 3 of 3

Deputy Lee Bodecker; The devil all the time

Aricka x Lee, love’s got me under arrest

Mickey; Monday

Aricka x Mickey; oh Mickey you’re so fine 😘

Nick Fowler; the 355

Aricka x Nick F, behind every villain is a woman pulling the trigger

Steve; Fresh

Aricka x Steve, eat you up I love you so

Max , sharper

Aricka x Max, modern day Bonnie and Clyde

Josh; Ricki and the flash

Aricka x Josh, I’d marry you with paper rings

[arickaandherfictionalothers]

“If I were a….” Tiktok trend with my F/Os!!!!

1. Steve Harrington

Color: pink

Animal: unicorn

Season: spring

Flower: daisies

Place: home

Fruit: strawberry

Disney character: Wendy Darling

Gemstone: ruby

Time of day: evening

For now; just doing this with my Joe, Dacre and Joseph ROMANTIC f/os

@yeehawselfshipping

[arickaandherfictionalothers]

Dacre Montgomery f/os

* is platonic or familial

Jeremy*- better watch out

Aricka and Jeremy, I’ll look after you; Aricka’s fankids

Mike- a few less men

Aricka x Mike, her captain guyliner

Jason Lee Scott- power rangers 2017

Aricka x Jason, go go my power ranger, red rangers and romance

Nick Danielson- the broken hearts gallery

Aricka x Nick, how to fix a broken heart

Steve Binder- Elvis 2022

Aricka x Steve, just wanna be your teddy bear

Billy Hargrove- stranger things

Aricka x Billy, hopelessly devoted to you, gimme gimme gimme a man after midnight, Billy my beloved, we saved each other

Locke- OC from free guy

Aricka x Locke, boy you got me lock and key 🔐 💗

Declan- OC

Aricka x Declan, my soul surfer

@yeehawselfshipping

[arickaandherfictionalothers]

For any ship you’re into right now! @rosieshipper

Gonna answer for….

The best boy-!!!

1. Our ship name is “Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy,” after our shared favorite Queen song.

2. Baby we’re THE ship, we’re the couple everyone wants to be, second only to Dori x Eddie ( @yeehawselfshipping 🫶)

3. I feel like Aricka Hopper would get mixed up with Aricka Munson so her and Billy get shipped together and I feel like also she might get shipped with Henry/001-??? Like a “I can fix him” ship thing.

4. Their first kiss, Aricka getting Vecna’d, them playing lead roles in their senior musical, then finding out that Aricka’s memories have been repressed for years and *spoilers*

5. “Idiots in love” “she fell first he fell harder” “Steve Harrington has a crush on Aricka Hopper,” “best friends to lovers” “worlds best babysitters” “The Party’s Actual Parents.”

[arickaandherfictionalothers]

Stranger Hunger Games: The Reaping

(Aricka x Steve Harrington)

(Hawkins is Panem. Brenner is Snow. Jane gets reaped and Aricka volunteers.)

July 4th. 74 ADD.

I woke up early this morning. I never sleep well the night before the Reaping Ceremony. Nightmares plague my mind and I always end up waking before the rest of my family-

My adoptive father, Bob Newby, who took my siblings and I in when our real parents died from a sickness. He’s a kind man who does everything he can to provide for the five of us, but when you live in district 12 that isn’t always much.

My older by two years brother Jonathan. He works in the mines most days, Saturday being his one day off and even then he works part of the day at the smithy, making things for trade.

My twin siblings. Will is the older, who has an aptitude for the arts, always drawing on scrap paper with whatever broken crayons or colored pencils he can find. Jane is the youngest, the most innocent of us all. She’s deeply empathetic and has a talent for healing. She knows what herbs are best for any illness or injury and can help you feel better just by mixing up a tea.

And then there’s me. My name is Aricka Newby. I’m 16 years old, and this is my fifth time in the Reaping Bowl. But with the tesserae me and my brother sign up for; my name is in the bowl 80 times. So much for the odds being in my favor.

Anyway. As I’m already awake, I get dressed as quickly and quietly as possible and sneak out of the house, out past the meadow and through a small opening in the supposedly electric fence.

Now I’m free to think whatever I want, but only for a little while. I run to the hollow oak tree where my bow and arrows are stashed and check the snare lines for any game, and come up with a rabbit. My family could have a nice stew tonight for dinner.

I steal quietly through the forest, my dad having taught me to hunt when he was still alive, showing me how to be quiet as a whisper, not making a sound when I walk. I find some edible berries and nuts and store them in my bag, and to my luck I find some burdock and dandelions, which lead me to a patch of dock seed, and that is lucky because dock seed can be ground into flour; and if we add it to our grain ration we could have a more hearty bread.

And then, to my immense delight, I found ripe elderberries, Jane’s favorite. I could make a pie tonight after the ceremony to celebrate none of us being reaped and all of us being together.

All in all, I had a successful morning, as I made my way home, hiding my bow and arrows in the hollow oak tree and heading back to the fence.

Jon was waiting for me, like he always does. “You find anything?” He asks. I hand him my bag as I stand up, and he nods in approval. “Nice. We can work with this.” I grin and he wraps an arm around my shoulder. “It’s time to get ready. The ceremony is in two hours.”

~~~~~~~~~~~

Soon, I’m dressed in my mother’s only remaining dress- a soft blue thing, with capped sleeves and a flowing skirt. My hair is braided by Jane and pinned up off my neck, adorned with a single hairpin with a mockingjay on it. In turn I braid Jane’s hair in two fishtail braids, weaving them together and pinning them in a crown on her head. Jane is wearing one of my old white blouses that is still too big on her and a tan skirt with her brown boots. She looks impossibly small and innocent and I want to take her and run away from here. I can’t let my baby sister die in the Games.

I won’t let it happen. “I’m scared,” she whispered as she grabs my hand. “I don’t want to be chosen.”

“Janie it won’t happen,” I reassure her, hating that I’m not sure if I’m lying to her. “You only have one slip in there, the odds are in your favor.” She nods but leans her head against my shoulder like she’s five again. I press my hand against her neck and kiss her temple. “I won’t let anything happen to you Janie. I promise.”

~~~~~~~~~~~

It was Jane. They called her name. She- this shouldn’t be happening- but it is- NO.

I push past the crowd and make my way to Jane. “I VOLUNTEER-!” My voice is sure and steady despite my shaking hands. “I volunteer as tribute.” I reach for Jane and push her behind me; knowing instinctively that Jonnie would get her and take her to dad. She was crying and trying to protest, but the peacekeepers were already escorting me to the stairs.

Joyce Byers, the tribute escort for district 12, motions for me to stand by her with a motherly look on her face- I can’t stand to look at it. “I’ll bet anything that was your sister, wasn’t it dear?” She asks.

“Yes. My name is Aricka Newby,” I whispered into the microphone.

“Well; let’s give a big hand for your first volunteer, district 12!” Instead of clapping like she expected, I nearly cry as my district gives me the farewell salute- a three fingered one, after they kissed those very digits. I couldn’t help but return the gesture, wanting them to know I was proud to belong to them. “And now for the boys,” she said and goes over to the bowl where I know Jon’s name was in there 126 times. It’s his last reaping, I think desperately. Don’t let it be him. I can’t kill my own brother.

Joyce stands in front of the microphone. “The male tribute for district 12 is…” and she opens the piece of paper. She takes a deep breath and looks up. “Steve Harrington.”

I feel my heart drop into my stomach and back to my throat at the same time. Relief that it wasn’t Will or Jonathan- that Jonathan would never have to face the arena, that he was safe- filled me at the same time that dread filled my stomach. It had to be the one boy who I owed my life to.

He looks terrified as he is escorted by the same peacekeepers to the stage, where Joyce walks him over to stand in front of me. “Go on you two, shake hands,” she ushered.

Steve looks at me and I again find myself loosing my breath as I gaze into those soft, dark chocolate eyes. His hand is firm and sure and he squeezes- perhaps a form of reassurance?- and I can’t help but reciprocate. His lips twitch upwards and our hands drop but we don’t let go. He looks at me in confusion and I give him a desperate glance as if saying if he let go of my hand I might collapse right on the spot. He seems to understand and grips my hand tighter at this.

We walk into the justice hall together, until we are pushed into separate rooms for our goodbyes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jane is the first one to run into the room, pressing her face into my shoulder. Will does the same thing on the other side, both my little sister and brother crying. “Shh,” I whispered. “Hey. I’m tough. I can do this. I’ll come back for you guys. I won’t leave you. Never ever.”

“Promise.” Jane’s fierce little voice sounded so weak in the moment.

“Promise us,” Will adds.

“I swear,” I whispered. I look at Jon and notice his eyes are red rimmed. “Jonnie, don’t blame yourself. You couldn’t have volunteered for me or Jane. I chose to save Jane. You would’ve done it for Will.” He nods, and finally joins our group hug. “Don’t let them starve. You know how to use the same thing I do. Use it. Be smart. Be safe. I love you.” Bob stands by the door until my siblings have had a chance to each hug me and say goodbye.

I walk up to the man who I’ve called dad since I was six. “Thank you,” I said and hug him tightly.

“My girl…” he says, cupping the back of my head and squeezing me firmly. “I wish you were coming home tonight. But I’ve known since you came to stay with me you were a fighter. Now you just fight hard and come back, understand?”

“I will dad,” I whispered. “I promise.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Steve and I meet at the back exit of the justice building and he offers me his hand once more. I’m not embarrassed to admit the offer comforted me so I willingly gave him my own hand. He grips it tightly and pulls me closer to him and gives the cameras a deadly look. We make our way to the train, Joyce leading the way as we board.

I’m immediately taken aback by the amount of food in the room before us. It’s enough to feed the entire district but it’s here for four of us. Steve and I share a look and he guides us- our hands still tightly clasped together- to the table. An attendant was there and Steve smiles politely at him. “Hi, my name is Steve and this is Aricka. Could you please make us protein shakes? With peanut butter and healthy carbs; and maybe some snacks with good nutritional value? Perhaps fresh fruit and veggies?” The question blows me away and I know it does the attendant, probably because we’re an outlying district and we usually don’t make it past the first day in the Games.

When he returns he asks, “Would you like me to take your request and give it to the chefs at the tribute training center? They would alter all your meals to be served with your request in mind.”

“Yes please- also we would like protein in our diet and foods that are high in energy,” Steve adds, taking both the plates and letting me grab the shakes as he answers. The attendant nods and leaves to fill our requests. I stare at Steve in wonder and he motions for me to sit beside him. “If we’re going to have even a remote shot at getting past the first day we need all the help we can get,” he says.

“You’re- you want an alliance- with me?” The idea didn’t seem so bad, Steve clearly knew what he was doing. He nods.

“I want you to come home to your family, I’ll do whatever it takes.” He grabs my hand and gives me a serious look. “I have a strategy I want to propose but I won’t force you into it.”

I’m intrigued. “Okay.”

“The capital just wants a good show. It’s just entertainment to them, as sick as it is. If we give them a romance- a tragic love story about two tributes in love forced into the arena- they will fight for us. They’ll want us to win.”

“… star crossed lovers?” I whisper. I understand the intrigue behind his idea. He nods.

“I won’t make you do anything. Say the word and I’ll drop the subject and it’ll be like it never happened.”

“No,” I say suddenly. Maybe if we do this we can both go back home, and I can keep the boy with the soft brown eyes. “I want to do this. I trust you.”

He nods and grips my hand. “Let’s see how good an actress you are, then.” And then Joyce enters.

Let the 74th Annual Hunger Games begin.

~~~~~~~

@astralshipper @rosieshipper @hyperionshipping @yeehawselfshipping @letsgofoletsgo @tsundere-selfship @callsign-revenge

[arickaandherfictionalothers]

Aricka and Steve relationship timeline

Trigger warning: cancer mention, death mention, divorce mention, if I missed anything let me know-!

February 20th 1967- Steve is born

April 24th 1967- Aricka is born

August 1971- Aricka and Steve meet for the first time- they shared a table in kindergarten. They don’t speak to each other a lot because they have different friends.

August 29th 1977- Aricka and Steve are assigned partners on a book report project. They discover they have a lot in common and when Steve’s friends exclude him for hanging out with her she claims him for her own friend and has him join her friend group. They’re ten years old.

The entirety of 1978- Aricka’s seven year old sister Sara dies of leukemia. Her parents start fighting and split up. Aricka decides to live with her dad. Throughout all of this Steve, Dori, Billy, Aricka, and Eddie never leave.

Spring break of 1979- Aricka finds out Steve’s parents are barely home and he’s alone a lot. She agrees not to say anything but says he can stay at her house anytime he wants and her dad won’t mind.

September 1981- Aricka and Steve kiss for the first time under the starry ceiling at Hawkins middle school. They become a couple on this date as well. They are 13 years old.

November 6th 1983- They’re 16 now. Will byers goes missing and they were a couple of the last people who saw him. They go looking and find nothing. Eventually they find him but they get involved in something way bigger than either of them; and find themselves leaning on each other more than ever before.

Entirety of 1984- they’re closer than ever. They guard each other’s backs and study harder than ever to be on top of things for graduation. They help with UpsideDown related issues and keep their heads down unless it’s something to do with their interests.

March 13, 1985: El officially becomes Jane Alicia Hopper, Aricka’s little sister.

March-July 1985- Aricka moves in with Steve immediately following graduation. The two plan to get married as soon as possible and work multiple jobs to do so. They end up captured and tortured under the Starcourt mall and are subsequently drugged with truth serum.

August of 1985- Steve asks Aricka to marry him. She obviously says yes.

September of 1985- Jim Hopper asks Joyce Byers to marry him. She says yes.

November 1985- they elope with Aricka Munson, Billy Hargrove, Dori Henderson and Eddie Munson as witnesses.

March 1986- neither of them fall victim to Vecna’s curse but they do have key roles in his demise. Aricka helps Aricka Munson and Billy protect Max and Lucas in the Creel house while Steve is in the UpsideDown actually taking Vecna down.

August 3 1986- Sara Jane Harrington is born. Named after Aricka’s sister. 7 lbs 3 ounces.

August of 1987- Jim and Joyce finally get married. Aricka gains two new brothers- Will and Jonathan.

July 7 1988-Keegan Joseph Harrington is born. 7 lbs 4 ounces

May 1989- Max, Jane, Will, Mike, Dustin and Lucas graduate from Hawkins High School. Dustin is the valedictorian, Max is the salutatorian; all six kids are in the top ten of their class.

November 17 1989- both Aricka Harrington and Aricka Munson are in the little mermaid-! Both as sisters of the main character Ariel.

August 9 1990- Scarlett Gabrielle Harrington is born. 8 lbs 2 ounces.

November 22, 1991- Aricka is in her second Disney film alongside Aricka Munson- she was one of the girls obsessed with Gaston and Aricka Munson was the feather duster Plumette.

January 13 1992- for some reason, a portal from the UpsideDown opens. A child version of Steve falls out of the portal. Aricka and Steve decide to adopt him, and they nicknamed him SJ.

June 14th 1992- the portal opens a second and final time and two boys and a girl fall out of it- and Aricka and Steve welcome Emily into their home. Aricka and Steve are now 23. Jane is 19.

August of 1992- Aricka and Steve help move Jane into her college dorm- Anderson University- she wants to discover a cure for cancer.

February 14 1993- Dahlia Rowan Harrington- the final Harrington baby- is born. 6 lbs 4 ounces. Their first and only NICU baby.

@astralshipper @rosieshipper @hyperionshipping @yeehawselfshipping @letsgofoletsgo @callsign-revenge @tsundere-selfship

[arickaandherfictionalothers]

Don’t say yes, run away with me now

(Aricka x Steve)

(Aricka crashes the Stancy wedding

I am not the kind of girl

Who should be rudely barging in on a white-veil occasion…

Aricka didn’t know what she was doing. She wasn’t the type to do something like what she and Billy had planned.

Steve. Her best friend, her childhood crush and the boy she loved most, was getting married. But he wasn’t marrying her.

But you are not the kind of boy

Who should be marrying the wrong girl

He was marrying Nancy Wheeler. The girl he thought was the only girl who “would put up with him.” Nancy’s words. Not Aricka’s.

I sneak in and see your friends

And her snotty little family all dressed in pastel…

Aricka winced as she saw Karen fuss over Mike’s green pastel tie for the eight hundredth time. Mike knew Aricka truly cared for Steve and honestly wished she was marrying him. Not his sister.

And she is yelling at a bridesmaid

Somewhere back inside a room

Wearing a gown shaped like a pastry

Aricka could hear Nancy from her hidden position outside the window. The bridezilla was tearing poor Jane’s head off cause she ripped her dress. Aricka had a vicious urge to rip Nancy’s hair out. That would teach her to mess with her sister.

This is surely not what you thought it would be

Aricka knew this wasn’t going anywhere near according to what Steve had always dreamed about. He wanted to get married at Hawkins park, by the gazebo the two of them used to spend hours together in, doing homework and rehearsing for choir and theater.

He would’ve wanted to be barefoot, maybe a summer wedding when he could wear khaki shorts and a casual shirt. His future wife would be his partner, his equal. Not someone who would hurt him with their words.

I lose myself in a daydream

Where I stand and say..

Aricka envisioned a world where she objected. And now Billy wanted to make it a reality.

Don't say "Yes", run away now

I'll meet you when you're out of the church at the back door

Don't wait or say a single vow

You need to hear me out

And they said, "Speak now."

Would it possibly work? She snuck through the church to her hiding place- Billy had set it up for her during the rehearsal dinner the night before.

Fond gestures are exchanged

And the organ starts to play

Aricka makes the curtains in the back, ready to have her heart broken for good. She saw Billy, Max’s arm looped around his, giving her a Look.

Don’t chicken out. Plant your feet and object.

A song that sounds like a death march

And I am hiding in the curtains…

Nancy knew how much Steve loved Aricka. So jealous was the future Mrs Harrington that she decided to lose Arickas invitation but lied to Steve saying Aricka couldn’t make it.

Hopefully Steve knew that something was wrong.

It seems that I was uninvited by your lovely bride-to-be…

Aricka watched as everyone stood and watched as Nancy made her way down the aisle, tears falling down her cheeks.

Nancy was everything Aricka used to wish to be, until Steve. He told her that she didn’t need to be Nancy.

She just needed to be Aricka.

She floats down the aisle like a pageant queen

But I know you wish it was me

You wish it was me

Don't you?

Did Steve wish it was Aricka, who was walking down the aisle to him today? Did he wish he had asked her to be his, to have and to hold, to be his wife and to let him love her?

She wouldn’t know unless she objected.

Don't say "Yes", run away now

I'll meet you when you're out of the church at the back door

Don't wait or say a single vow

You need to hear me out

And they said, "Speak now."

Billy met her gaze from the front of the church. The blond’s piercing blue eyes looked right through her and she knew there was no option

She was crashing this wedding.

Don't say "Yes", run away now

I'll meet you when you're out of the church at the back door

Don't wait or say a single vow

Your time is running out

And they said, "Speak now."…

Her heart began to race as the preacher came to the fateful line that would determine whether Steve was hers or Nancy’s.

Could she do it?

Would she do it?

Yes. She would.

Steve loved her. She knew he did. He didn’t want to marry Nancy. Deep down he’d rather be with someone else.

Someone like her.

I hear the preacher say, "Speak now or forever hold your peace."

There's the silence, there's my last chance

I stand up with shaky hands, all eyes on me..

Aricka emerges from her hiding place, the words out before she could stop herself.

“I OBJECT-!”

Horrified looks from everyone in the room

But I'm only looking at you…

Horrified gasps and cries fill the air as Aricka runs down the aisle. “Steve you don’t have to do this,” she says. “You don’t want to marry Nancy.”

“Aricka… you were sick-?” Steve steps down away from Nancy, confusion filling those doe brown eyes she loved so much.

“I wasn’t sick. Nancy didn’t send me an invitation. I had to find out from Billy.”

Billy nods and gives her a “got your back,” gesture.

“I am not the kind of girl who should be rudely barging in on a white-veil occasion.” She walks up to Steve and grabs his hand. “But you are not the kind of boy who should be marrying the wrong girl. Steve, she is the wrong girl. The wrong one. Does she know you want six kids? Three of each? Does she know that you wanted to get married by the gazebo at the park under the stars? In summer? When the fireflies are out? Does she know that you talk in your sleep? Or that you want to be a professional musician? Does she know any of this?”

Steve looks at her. “Steve, I love you. It took me way too long to figure it out, but I’ve loved you since fourth grade. I’ve loved you since I saw you for who you really are- the sweetest nicest kindest warmest person I’ve ever met.”

“Don’t listen to her Steve. She’s lying, she doesn’t care about you, she didn’t even show up for your wedding-!” Nancy shrieks.

“Shut up, Wheeler, he doesn’t love you,” Billy says.

Aricka cups Steve’s face in her hands. “Don’t say yes. Don’t marry Nancy. Don’t make the biggest mistake of your life. Come home with me. We can work it out together, we can do this together. I love you, Steve, don’t marry her.” Tears are falling earnestly down both their faces as Steve holds her hands against his face.

“I love you, too,” he chokes out, barely above a whisper. He turns to Nancy. “I can’t marry you. I won’t marry you. I don’t love you like I love Aricka. I’m sorry Nancy. But you don’t love me either. You just-“ he looks at Aricka.

“She loves the idea of you, of controlling you, of having someone she can belittle and hurt verbally,” Aricka says. “And that isn’t love.”

“So, don't say "Yes", run away now

I'll meet you when you're out of the church at the back door

Don't wait or say a single vow

You need to hear me out

And they said, "Speak now."

Steve nodded. “That.” He turns back to her. “Let's run away now. I'll meet you when I'm out of my tux at the back door.”

Everyone was still standing or sitting in shock as Aricka and Steve made their getaway, but they could hear their friends- who only attended the wedding for Steve- giving directions and apologizing for the loss of a wedding. Aricka even saw Dori personally escort Nancy out of the church.

She loved her best friend.

Steve met her by his car, and he pulled her in for the first of many dizzying kisses. “Baby, I didn't say my vows,” he says.

“Oh Stevie,” she throws her arms around him. “I’m so sorry- you looked so miserable up there. I almost let you slip through my fingers.” Steve merely held her closer.

“You didn’t, you were there in time. I’m so glad you were around when they said speak now.”