#I am the third Duffer but my name is Suffer

[jadewritesficshere]

Steve remembers the last time he had a birthday party, when he was 8. Everyone from school came, but they spent more time talking to each other then to him. Steve, who had invited the whole class, but only wanted his parents to show up. Steve who was 8 when he realized he was the only one whose parents weren't at their own kid's birthday party. Steve who vows never to have another birthday party because he is ashamed of his own parents. Steve who cries that night, while the nanny holds him close. Steve who wishes the nanny was his real mother as she tucked him into bed and wished him one final happy birthday at the end of the day. Steve who got a call from his parents four days later wishing him happy birthday. Steve who realized they never got his birthday right.

Steve who had to grow up too soon, because as soon as he was 12, his dad deemed him able to stay by himself and fired the nanny who raised him. The nanny who always made him his favorite cake and sang happy birthday real loud to him. Steve who never got to say goodbye, because he found out in a birthday card from his parents, and the nanny was already gone. Steve who hates his 12th birthday because that's the only time his parents got his birthday right, and he wishes they had forgotten for a little while longer so he could still have the nanny in his life. Steve who hates his birthday with a passion....

But Steve who makes sure everyone else's birthday gets celebrated. Because you can say "ugh I don't care " but he knows that deep down it is nice to be remembered and feel special. Because he doesn't want anyone to feel how he felt. Steve who encourages the kids to have parties, because even though they've been through the most traumatic shit and grown up too quickly, they deserve to be kids. Steve who has a list of everyone's favorite cake so he can buy it for their birthday. Steve who takes extra time to make sure the gifts are wrapped perfectly. Steve who hates his own birthday, but loves seeing his friends' faces light up on theirs.