#Stranger Things Season One

[samcats]

The emphasis on Eleven looking like a boy in season 1 is really telling

I could get past it if it was just mentioned once. But soo many characters point it out that it cannot be a coincidence, there is absolutely no reason for her to be mistaken for a boy so many times in the story were everything is on purpose. Even when she’s wearing the dress, she is still mistaken for a boy by one of the bullies:

“She doesn’t even look like a girl” - Troy in season 1, in reference to El. The scene clearly stated that she was a girl and that she was a “freak”, they had already gotten the point across that she wasn’t any normal old girl. So what was the point of enforcing this line? (Here’s the scene for reference)

So the only girl Mike ever shows attraction to throughout the whole series is the one who is constantly mistaken as a boy? Yeah sure. If Mike isn’t gay, why else would the show make such a big deal out of El looking like a boy?

[votel4dybird]

[sc00ps-ahoy]

joe keery doing costume testing for season 1 omfg im gonna die

[scarisd3ad]

Jump then fall | Steve Harrington x reader

Chapter one - everything has changed

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Summary - after 7 years of being split apart from your childhood friend Steve you return to hawkins after your younger sisters tragic death, and parents messy divorce. But the Steve you came back to isn’t the same Steve you left behind.

"Steve!" Steve was surrounded by two of his new friends, Tommy and his girlfriend Carol, as I skipped up to him. They were both in 8th grade like Steve. carol looked me up and down as I stood in front of the trio. Steve had an annoyed look on his face from the moment I opened my mouth. Ever since he became friends with Tommy and Carol, it seemed as if I was just another inconvenience for Steve. "What?" the words are harsh as they come out of his mouth, almost like he was stabbing me right in the heart. But despite the achy feeling in my chest, I continued to talk. "wanna come over after school? My dad is working, so he won-"

"God, you are so annoying," Steve scoffs, which makes my brow furrow together in confusion. Steve has been a sweet boy ever since the moment I met him in kindergarten, but the moment he entered the 8th grade it was like a switch flipped inside of him. He no longer cared about his mother or his real friends he only care about popularity, girls, and being an absolute asshole to everyone around him. "Wh-what?" the words come out quiet and meek, the confusion still setting in as my eyes flicked from him to Tommy and then to Carol. Both his friends chuckled, probably because of the tears pooling in my eyes. "I said, you are fucking annoying! can't you go find someone else to cling onto?"

It seemed like time had stopped. Everyone around us stared, some laughed, and some whispered. Was I sent into a parallel universe because this wasn't the Steve I had grown to know? My chest heaved as I blinked back tears. "I-I'm sorry I thought-I thought-" I couldn't get the words out fast enough because Steve was shouting again before I could finish my sentence. "What that I was, your friend? I only hung out with you 'cause I felt bad that your sister died" This wasn't about Sara. He didn't need to bring her up. He knew it was a sore subject. The wound was still fresh. He knew it was still fresh. This felt like he was sticking a knife into that barely healed wound.

I want to punch him; I want to tackle him down to the ground and kill him just because he brought up my sister. "Your mom didn't even like you, so why should I? She dodged a bullet, leaving you." Maybe it was my mind making it up, but it felt like everyone around me was cackling at his words, at my tears, at my fists clenching and unclenching themselves. it hurt, it hurt so bad because I trusted him. I thought he was my best friend, but he wasn't. he was an evil lying bitch.

Before he can say anything else, I'm running away. I ran out of the school and to the group of telephones that stood outside against the school. I immediately punched in my father's work number as heavy sobs racked through my body. The phone rang a good three times before the secretary, Flo, answered the call.

"Hello, this is Hawkins police station. My name is Flo. How may I help you?" Flo was an older lady with dark hair and big, round glasses that sat on the brim of her nose. I sniffled before wiping my eyes. "He-hey Flo, can I talk to my dad?" I asked. Flo must've not noticed I was crying because she instantly transferred me to my father. The phone rang once before my dad answered, "Yeah what ya need?" Dad asks, "Da-daddy can you-you come get me?" I asked through sobs. I could almost hear the confusion in his voice as he asked, "What's wrong? What happened?" I don't answer due to the sobs that continue to erupt from my body. My brain was asking the same question repeatedly. Why would he do that to me? I thought we were friends. "I-I-please Dad," he grumbles quietly, "alright I'll be there in a few minutes."

I stood on the sidewalk with my arms wrapped around my body, waiting. Tears were still streaming down my cheeks when my dad's blazer pulled up beside me. I quickly get into the car, throwing my backpack in the back seat, and slamming the door shut before curling up in a ball, leaning my head against the glass. My father didn't immediately begin driving, instead deciding to interrogate me. "What happened? Did someone say something to you?"

"Steve," I whispered as more tears fell down my cheek. "Wh-what'd he do?" he asked, brows curling into a furrow. Dad knew Steve as a sweet boy, not someone who could ever hurt me. "He-he said...said I was annoying a-a-and that I was clingy." I said through sobs "And he-he said he was only my friend because he fe-felt bad because Sara die-died, that, m-mom didn't like me so why should he, a-and that she do-dodged a bullet leaving." His blood was boiling, I could tell. His face turned red, and he clenched his fists. Before I could even ask him what he was doing, he was already out of the car and halfway towards the front door. 

-

I wasn't a total nerd or loser. I was just normal, but I wasn't a Heather or a Carol. I was just me. I wasn't even the attractive type of normal person like Nancy Wheeler. I was just average. I was standing at my locker waiting for my friend Stephanie. We always met up at my locker before walking to English. Steph was popular. Sometimes I ask myself how I scored a friend like her. She was beautiful and kind. Everybody liked her and everybody had a reason why. The boys liked her because she was pretty, and the girls liked her because she was kinder than the other popular girls. Her curly hair bounced as she sauntered up to me. Her lips formed in a sweet smile as her hands pressed against her hips.

Her hair was pulled into a ponytail and a green bow was placed in her hair to match her green cheerleading uniform. "You coming to the game tonight?" she asked as she leaned her body against the locker next to me. "Maybe I Dunno. I have a lot of homework tonight," I whisper. I'm momentarily distracted by Steve walking by with his arm around his new plaything, Lisa Franklin, a cheerleader like Steph, but unlike Steph, Lisa was an absolute bitch. Despite the hurtful things Steve Harrington said to me, my crush on him never completely disappeared. Sometimes it felt like it was hidden away, but it was always there, simmering beneath the surface. 

Whenever I saw him walk by or heard him speak in any of our shared classes, my heart would skip a beat and my feelings for him would come flooding back. It was frustrating and confusing, but I couldn't help the way I felt. I feel two arms wrapping around my body, drawing my attention away from Steve. I glance over and see that it's Shawn Peterson. My relationship with Shawn is a bit complicated. We do things that most people in a romantic relationship do, but we don't use labels because he 'doesn't like labels'.

Shawn's a football player who's popular enough to be kind of friends with Steve. His hair is a dark, chocolate brown that falls in natural waves, framing a face that is both masculine and handsome. But it's his stunning brown eyes that steal the show, sparkling with an intensity that could make any girl weak in the knees. "So, you coming tonight?" he asks as he presses a kiss to my neck. I shrug my shoulders. "Maybe still Dunno though," I whisper. He groans as he presses a kiss just below my ear. "c'mon my parents aren't home tonight; we can go to mine afterward," I hum as I turn so I'm facing him. If I go, I have to tell my dad I'm at Steph's house and if I do that, I have the risk of him calling her parents to verify.

despite the risks, I smile up at him and whisper, "yeah okay sure." 

-

I sat on the bleachers watching as Steph cheered. my hands were buried deep into my pockets as I zoned out. No matter how much I loved Steph and Shawn, I'll always find high school football games a little boring. I didn't understand football and no matter how many times Shawn tried explaining it to me, I always left the conversation a little more confused than I was before. I feel someone sit down beside me, but I don't care enough to look to see who it is.

"hey," an all too familiar voice whispers. That makes me look up because I haven't heard that voice talking to me in years. Steve Harrington sat next to me, dressed in the same outfit he had been wearing at school earlier that day. I couldn't stop my heart from beating a mile a minute, and my hands beginning to shake. I can't tell if I'm nervous because I'm scared or because I have feelings for him. "What?" I mutter back, my voice a little harsher than I expected. Despite the fact he had been so mean to me back in 7th grade, I never wanted to be mean back. I couldn't get myself to do it.

"You here for Shawn?" Steve asks, his left hand tapping away at the metal bench. I nod replying "Yup" he hums as he nods awkwardly "Sooo...is he your y'know boyfriend?" I shrug "It's complicated..." he nods, a quiet hum coming from his lips. Why did he want to talk now? He hasn't talked to me in 3 years, but now randomly he wants to talk like nothing ever happened, like he never whispered to his friends when I walked by or spread rumors about me. "Why are you talking to me?" I ask brows curling in confusion as I stare up at him.

"wh-oh I-I just wanted to talk," he mutters back. he didn't want to talk for years before this, so why'd he want to talk now? After everything he's done to me, why now? I'm silent as I search his face for any signs that he's messing with me. But there's nothing, not a smirk, or some type of glint in his eyes, just brows furrowed together in confusion. I decided to look around to see if any of his friends were nearby snickering to themselves, but still, I didn't see any of them.

"wh-what are you looking for?" he asks. I quickly pivot my body towards him again. "Are you fucking with me again Steve?" he lets out a shocked little gasp before hurling into saying "No, no I'm not I just thought we could talk y'know since we haven't in a while" That infuriates me because he knows damn well why we aren't talking. "You know why we haven't talked in a while," I mutter as I scoot away from him. "c'mon y/n that was so long ago," he says, elongating the 'o' at the end of ago. I scoff rolling my eyes. "Yeah fuck you," I say as I scoot away from him a little more. He sighs defeated before asking, "How's your dad?" I shrug, muttering a quiet "fine," he nods awkwardly "You still live in the same house?" I shake my head. "No, moved a few years back."

We sit awkwardly, both of us not speaking as the football team comes running out on the field. Most of the people around us roar in applause and shouts of excitement, including Steve. he stands to his feet clapping before cupping his hands together in front of his mouth and shouting "Yeahhh Shawn!!" I cringe a little inside. Steve, like every other popular guy and athlete at the school, were filled with so much school spirit it made me physically cringe. he sat back down looking at me, as I stared at my feet trying to hold back laughter. "What?" a smile cracks to his lips as I let out a few quiet giggles. "Nothing...nothing" he laughs, and for a few quick minutes our old dynamic came back.

"Seriously? C'mon, what?" cover my mouth with my hand as I continue to laugh. I shake my head, refusing to say anything as our laughter dies down. And just like that, we were back to two estranged friends who hadn't held a conversation for more than 2 minutes for the past 3 years, almost. "y'know your dad punched me that day?" I look up at him, brows furrowing as I whisper a quiet "What?"

"He punched me when I was in eighth grade. " It all comes back, my father storming into the school after admitting to him what Steve had said to me. "good" I wouldn't normally expect my father, a grown man, to punch a 13-year-old, but in that instance, I don't blame him. If I was him and a guy like Steve had told my daughter the things Steve had told to me, I would've done more than just punched him. Steve laughs almost as if he was agreeing with me "Yeah...I was an asshole" I roll my eyes, was? Steve Harrington was still an asshole. "still" I say correcting him. Now it's his turn to ask "What?" I roll my eyes yet again as I say, "You're still an asshole", he frowns as he nods slowly "Yeah...I guess" At least he could admit it. 

-

Once the game ended, I bid Steve a quiet goodbye and went to the parking lot. I wait by Shawn's car for about 10 minutes until I see Shawn walking towards it, duffle bag swung over his shoulder, and hair damp. Steve walked next to him, both chatting about who knows what. Shawn drops his bag onto the hood of his car before scooping me up into a kiss.

Returning his kiss, I wrap my arms around his neck. I try to enjoy the kiss, but unfortunately, I can't because I can practically feel Steve's glare. I pull away, eyes meeting with Steve's. His brows are knitted together in an angry, or jealous type of furrow, and his arms are crossed over his chest. "You did so good out there," I say, pretending like I wasn't zoning out every 10 seconds. "mhm" Shawn hums before pressing his lips back against mine.

Steve clears his throat, making Shawn and I pull apart yet again. "well I'm gonna go. "See ya later, dude... um, nice talking to you again, y/n," Steve says before he starts walking towards his BMW, that was parked a few cars down.

The drive to Shawn's house is short and quiet. The only noise present is the low hum of the radio, and our breathing. When we get into his room, his hands are almost immediately all over my body. His lips touch mine, and his hands slide up and down the sides of my body before deciding to rest comfortably against my hips. The room is already somehow hot, and we're both out of breath when the sound of the phone (which sat on his nightstand) begins to ring.

BRINGGGG, BRINGGGG, BRINGGGG.

The sound of the phones rings is shrill and cuts through the quiet house like a knife. Shawn groans before pulling away from me. He crawls up his bed before answering the phone. Leaning against the headboard, he says, "Hello?"" in a very annoyed tone. "Oh, hey dude...no you weren't interrupting anything." the last bit drips in sarcasm as he says it.

"Yeah...yeah she's here, what'dya need?" I know he's talking about me because no one else is here, but I don't have a clue about who he's talking to. His brows furrow in confusion as the muffled sound of the other person talking comes out of the receiver. Then he scoffs as he shakes his head. "No, I'm not gonna do that sorry Steve." Steve? Why would Steve be asking about me? "Dude, you can't just ask me to do that" Shawn's eyes flick over to me before he whispers "I've gotta go alright? yeah, yeah, see you later." Shawn says before hanging up the phone.

"What was that about?" I ask. He hums quietly before hesitantly saying "Um...he just wanted to ask me if he could copy my homework" My brows furrow. There's no way Shawn would have made a big deal out of copying homework. They always copied each other work, so there was no way that's what Steve had asked. There was no world in which Shawn would have answered like that to needing to copy his homework.

As I press my hands into the soft cushion of Shawn's mattress, I sigh and whisper, "I should go... my dad's gonna be pissed if he finds out I stayed out late." Shawn nods before asking "Need a ride?" I nod, pushing myself up off the mattress and to my feet. "Yeah, but drop me off a few miles out. Don't need my dad knowing you're there."

A few years back, after my father's divorce was settled, and I was adjusted in school, my father sold our old family house. Claiming there were too many bad memories there, then he promptly moved us out to a cabin in the woods, much to 12-year-old Me's dismay. The cabin had supposedly been my grandfather's. his father, aka my grandfather, skipped out on the 'wondrous' opportunity to live in the shithole, so it had been abandoned for years since my great-grandfather died. It's a shitty log cabin, two beds and one bath that sat in the middle of the woods.

I hate being at that place alone. The doors creek, and the trees around it whistle with every gust of wind. I swear I'm going to be murdered one day in it and it'll be all Dad's fault for moving us out there. I didn't know why he couldn't have just moved us into some moderately shitty apartment or even keep us at the old house. 

-

Shawn's car slowly drives down a dirt road in the middle of the woods. His high beams shining ahead of us to make sure there wasn't some animal (or person) in our way. About halfway towards my house, Shawn stops the car. From there, it would be about a 10-minute walk up to the house. "I can walk you up there if you want me to," he says, his voice quiet as if he thought my father would somehow hear him all the way out here. "No, I'm fine...but thanks anyway. See you on Monday," I say as I push open the car door. I sling my bag over my shoulder as I begin the walk towards my house. Shawn waits until I'm out of sight from his car to turn around and it's the 5-minute drive back to the main road.

I arrive at my bedroom window. I don't even notice my dad stood leaned up against the door frame until I'm fully inside my room. I'm left staring at my father, who has his arms crossed over his chest, angrily glaring at me. "WHERE THE HELL WHERE YOU?" my mouth gaped open as I began to say something but decided it was better not to. "GO ON TELL ME WHERE THE FUCK YOU WHERE" I let out a groan as I matched my father cross my arms over my chest "I was at the football game," I say with an eye-roll as I toss my backpack on my bed.

He scoffs "THE FOOTBALL GAME ENDED AT 8:30 SO TELL ME WHERE THE FUCK YOU'VE BEEN FOR THE LAST 2 HOURS!" his voice echoes through my room as I begin to talk, "God you're being so dramatic. A few friends and I went to Shawn's to celebrate after the game." his face is red, and his fists clench and unclench before he begins to shout again. "YEAH, WE'LL SINCE YOU DONT KNOW HOW TO FUCKING PICK UP A PHONE AND TELL ME WHERE YOU ARE I DON'T WANT YOU OUT OF THIS HOUSE FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS!" my eyes widen as I shout "What! that's not fair! I'm babysitting this weekend!"

"well, you're going to call whoever you're babysitting for this weekend and tell them that you can't make it anymore, and I don't want you using this phone this weekend either," he says as he goes to unplug the phone from the wall. I let out a loud dramatic "ugh!" which is then followed by me shouting "I hate you!"

As he walks out of the room he says, "Yeah well I fucking hate you too" I dramatically sit down on my bed before shouting again "You're such a fucking asshole!" he turns brows furrowing as he says, "What did you just call me", I'm not scared of him, I never have. He thinks I am, but I never will. "I said you're a fucking asshole," I repeat as my arms cross over my chest. He scoffs as he says, "I'll show you how much of an asshole I can be" before slamming my bedroom door behind him. 

I sit on my bed, arms crossed like a bratty toddler as tears pricked in my eyes. it wasn't fair. I've gotten home late a handful of times and he never gotten angry any of those times, why did he always pick and choose when he wanted to blow up? I wonder what it would be like right now if I was still in New York with my mother. would she be blowing up on me right now too? would she be cool about things like this? or was she strict? but I guess I'll never know because she gave up on me and our family.

I feel bad after fighting with him, I always feel bad. I know deep down he loves me; he just doesn't really know how to show it anymore. I crave that fatherly love that gets rationed out from time to time. I think that's why we fight so much; I crave the affection; he doesn't know how to show it. when he's not working, he sits on his chair, or in his bedroom practically in a catatonic state staring at the tv or a wall, we eat dinner in our separate rooms we don't talk unless we're screaming at each other, or I've got my head laid in his lap as I profusely apologize for what had happened. we're both traumatized i know that we both lost so much, but he should at least try. he knows I don't have any other parental figures in my life, and he still chooses to be distant and cold.

I sigh arms falling to my sides, pressing against my soft mattress. sometimes in the spur of the moment I wish he had died, and I know he thinks the same about me. I always feel bad afterwards though. even though I live with him, I don't know my father at all, he's a stranger to me. the only time we feel like father and daughter is when he's bossing me around. it's absolutely bazar that I feel the same way about my father that I do my absent mother. it's actually like they're both absent in their own ways, dad emotionally, and mom physically. he totally gave up after sara died, I mourn my father in the same way i mourn my dead sister. I just want the old him back, the dad who chased us around the park, and took us out for ice cream, the dad who never even thought to yell at me even if i had stollen a car.

I just want him back.

-

Taglist

@sheisjoeschateau @nothankyou138 @gleefulleve @luluw-20 @skrzydlak @halflifejess @natalie-flo @castleallherown

[foolishlyzephyrus]

i feel like you really can’t judge the party too harshly season one because they are literally baby twelve year olds

[kassy-munson]

ahoy! please comment below your favorite steve harrington quote(s), whether it’s from season 1, 2, 3 or 4!! It’s for science.

[its-an-obsession]

It Wasn't Nancy

Stranger Things Masterlist | Full Masterlist

Anonymous Request: Can I please ask a Steve x- ex-best friend reader where he gets really sick, like barely conscious, and Y/N takes care of him by staying awake during the nights? But as he wasn't conscious enough, he thinks it was Nancy, and Y/N doesn't tell anyone. Months later, he somehow accidentally finds the truth and I wanna leave the aftermath up to you❤️I don't know if this makes sense, though. You don't have to make it if you don't like it, doesn't matter😊

A/N: I'm a sucker for the friends-to-lovers trope. I feel like that's a majority of the x-readers I write 😂. I also think this is the longest x-reader I have ever made! Thank you for requesting, love!!

Summary: You and Steve were always best friends, but after befriending Carol and Tommy, the two of you fell apart. You miss him every day. Now, your high school career is coming to a close. After attending a party at his house, Steve falls sick the next morning. You decided to stay with Steve, not really wanting to leave him alone because you knew he would never take care of himself.

Notes:

Y/N/N: Your Nick Name

Y/L/N: Your Last Name

Hazel -> Your Older Sister

You were involved in the Upside Down stuff.

Warnings:

Long Imagine

Slight Language

Steve Harrington x-reader

(Third Person View)

Relationship break-ups are hard, but so are friendship break-ups. Y/N and Steve had been friends since they were toddlers, so close that they'd take baths with one another. People always say that you significantly change during your high school years, but nobody told Y/N that she'd lose her best friend.

Steve and Y/N met Carol and Tommy during their freshmen year of high school. It seemed harmless to meet the couple, but Y/N slowly noticed changes in Steve. He began ditching their movie and game nights, their study sessions, and overall hanging out. Carol and Tommy were always there, like, always there.

Y/N couldn't take a break from them. And sometimes, that's how Y/N truly felt. Y/N stayed by Steve's side, afraid that if she left, she'd lose him forever. But Y/N would lose him no matter what. Steve knew that he wasn't hanging out with Y/N as much.

During their Junior year, Steve wanted to say something, but of course, he was tied up with his new popularity level. So much that it clouded his vision. He thought about telling Y/N so many times but didn't know the right way to say it. And Y/N thought about confronting him but also didn't know how to say it.

And, now, it was their senior year. The two hadn't spoken since freshmen year, other than being project or lab partners. Thankfully, they were on better terms. A lot of people noticed Steve changed, not just them but Y/N.

She saw how much he grew to care about his grades, the way he spoke to people, and who he associated himself with. Even though Y/N wanted to talk to him, there was still some inkling in her that believed he didn't want to talk to her. She knew it was stupid to think that because Y/N understood that Steve liked her.

They knew too much about each other to know they couldn't last long without one another. But, they haven't spoken since the fall, so I guess that belief was proven wrong. Since it was their senior year, it seemed like everyone was having an end-of-the-year party.

And Steve was just one of those students. He hadn't thrown a party since freshmen year but decided that it might be nice to host one. Here Y/N was, standing in the middle of her room, trying to decide what to wear. Hazel, Y/N's older sister, and Nancy sat on Y/N's bed.

"What do you think about this one?" Y/N asked. She held up a purple skirt matched with a white blouse with a few ruffles on the hem. Nancy tilted her head at the outfit her friend held up. "Try it with a different top," she said. Y/N nodded and fished around her closet for a grey button-down.

She turned back around to her sister and friend. Hazel grinned, giving Y/N a wide smile and two thumbs up. "Much better," she said. Y/N thanked her, setting the outfit onto her dresser. Nancy went back to look through some magazines Hazel brought in. "Haze, you wanna come with us?" Nancy offered.

Nancy looked up from the magazine to see Hazel's answer. "I would, but I think it would be weird if a twenty-two-year-old came to a party full of eighteen-year-olds," Hazel said. "True," Nancy nodded. Even though Nancy was an underclassman, she knew a couple seniors, including Y/N and Steve, which granted her access to his party.

Y/N chuckled and went into her bathroom to get changed. Hazel left a few minutes after Y/N changed. "Hey, can I ask you something?" Nancy asked as Y/N stepped back into her room. "Sure," Y/N replied.

She dropped her clothes into the laundry basket. Nancy sighed and sat on the edge of the bed with her hands sitting beside her. "Why haven't you talked with Steve since, like, forever?" Nancy asked.

Y/N looked at her, not expecting the question. She sighed and played with the thread on her skirt. "I don't know. The right moment hasn't come up," she shrugged. Nancy's brows furrowed in response. She smiled softly. "The right moment? Y/N, you practically live in the right moment," Nancy said, "Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't tell him when we were dealing with Dart and his friends."

"Because I was mainly focusing on saving my ass and everyone else," Y/N remarked. She didn't like to admit it to herself. But Y/N felt something when she began talking to Steve again. The two were with Dustin and his friends at the junkyard leading up to the encounter with Billy at the Byers.

You'd think that they would talk after, but it wasn't like that. They were talking more than they had before. Both Steve and Y/N knew there was still some growing to do, but maybe they could grow together? "I thought about it, believe me," Y/N sighed, "I mean, what if he doesn't want to talk to me?"

Nancy was taken aback by Y/N's statement. Nancy was aware that Steve wanted to talk to her. She had spoken with him about it that night at the Byers. Nancy withheld from saying anything because she felt that Steve and Y/N needed to be the ones to say it. "You'd be surprised, Y/N/N," Nancy said.

________

(Y/N's Point of View - Steve's Party)

"Stop pulling at your skirt. It looks fine," Nancy said, shutting the car door. I shot her a look and dropped my hands. She playfully rolled her eyes, locking the car. I guess I should've known that Steve's house would be crowded with people. "Why'd you make me wear it?" I asked, fixing the bow on the side.

Nancy looked back at me with raised brows. She rolled her eyes and continued walking. "Because the color looks great on you, and you needed to wear something else besides jeans," Nancy said. She fixes the strap of her purse, motioning for me to walk beside her. "But jeans are great," I said.

She chuckled. Nancy opened the door, letting out a billion different sounds. The two of us walked into Steve's house and looked for our friends. "I'll be right back," Nancy said. "No, wait. Nance," I called after her but wasn't successful. She was already halfway through the crowd by the time I wanted to follow her.

I decided to make my way over to the kitchen. Given I knew this house like the back of my hand, I knew where Steve kept the drinks other than alcohol. There were a few people crowding around the island. I pushed past them, reaching for the bottom shelf of the fridge.

People walked past me, trying to get to the other side of the kitchen. I shivered when I held the non-spiked lemonade. Nancy was still nowhere to be found. I loved her, but she had a habit of leaving me at parties.

Being the best person she is, she profusely apologizes. After a few seconds of standing there, I walked over to the porch outside. I sat down at a table with the drink. "Nice skirt," someone said. My shoulders dropped when I saw Carol standing there.

She stood there with a smirk on her face. I hadn't spoken to her since Freshmen year. On top of that, I practically ignored her in the halls. I was kind of impressed that I managed to 'forget' about her. But nobody could forget Carol. Her personality controlled that.

"May I sit? My legs are killing me from all that dancing," she chuckled. Without waiting for my response, she sat down. Carol leaned back in her seat and crossed her legs, straightening the hem of her dress. She looked at me, trailing her eyes at my outfit. "You know, you look different," Carol commented.

I looked at her with raised brows, regretting sitting down outside. I scanned the crowd of partygoers once more but, yet again, couldn't find Nancy. "Thanks," I replied. She took a sip of her drink.

I wished Steve would come over and somehow save me, but he was probably preoccupied with other guests. "So, how have you been?" Carol asked. My expression changed to a questionable tone. Never in my life did I think Carol Perkins would be nice to me, let alone tolerable. "I've been good," I replied.

"You must be so happy that school is over. I know I am," Carol said. She paused her sentence to take another long sip of her drink. I glanced behind Carol every once in a while just in case she had been told to talk with me. "Yeah, I am," I nodded. I tried making my responses short to see if she'd get the hint.

Carol went on about herself and where she was going to college. She stated that she wanted to pursue a career in acting and planned to attend a prestigious school in New York. Never did she once ask what I was doing.

It's not like I cared about what she thought, but it's nice when someone asks about your plans. I actually didn't have a solid plan. The plan included me staying in Hawkins to attend a local college. Which didn't seem entirely bad. It meant that I could stay close to my family and friends.

"I just can't believe how much you've changed. I mean, you're not as...." she said.

Her sentence trailed as she tried to think of something to finish it with. She shrugged and shook her drink to see if there was anything left. "Listen, sweetheart," Carol leaned in, "I'm not a 'hint taker,' so you can use that little voice of yours and just speak up."

The smile that inched onto her face was an unfriendly one. I should've known that this conversation would go an entirely different way than it started. I took a long, yet needed, sip of my drink. "Carol, I don't like you. Actually, I never liked you," I spoke, "You're a stuck-up bitch who only cares about herself and nobody else."

She tilted her head, not expecting my remark. "Usually, I'm someone who believes that people can change, but I'm starting to think that you never will," I stood up from the chair, "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go find my friends because, frankly, I can't stand that stench coming from that thing you call perfume."

It was true. Carol typically wore freakishly strong perfume, to the point where I was convinced plants would shrivel from her 'signature scent.' Carol stood there with her brows raised and an empty beer can in hand. It was a great relief to see Nancy standing there with a few people in my History class Nancy befriended.

Nancy smiled when she saw me walking over to her. Her brows narrowed as she noticed a newfound confidence in me. "What's gotten into you?" she paused, "Oh my god, how many drinks have you had?" I shook my head and threw my can into the trash.

I told Nancy about the conversation with Carol. Nancy's eyes were wide during the explanation. "And she just stood there silently?" Nancy said. I nodded, chuckling. Nancy had her fair share of incidents with Carol. Mostly during her relationship with Steve, but that has since ended.

It did feel weird that I was friends with my former best friend's girlfriend, but Nancy assured me that it didn't matter to her. "How in the hell was Carol invited?" Nancy said. "No clue. I wouldn't be surprised if she just came in without any invitation," I commented, earning a laugh from Nancy.

________

(The Next Day)

The party had been going on for a few hours. Now, it was ten in the morning, and I had somehow gotten a killer headache. I wouldn't drink during parties, but hey, it was senior year after all. Charlie, a girl from my Physics class, laid beside me with her head resting against the top of the couch.

I had no idea where Nancy was. I hoped she hadn't left without me because she was my ride home. I woke up to see the living room and kitchen a mess. I reluctantly sat up from the couch, with Charlie slightly groaning from beside me. I quietly apologized and looked for Steve.

No idea why I was looking for him, but there was a little voice inside my head that urged me to. I saw Nancy curled up on the recliner in the corner of the living area. She scrunched up her face when I tapped her on the knee. "What?" Nancy responded.

Her voice was scratchy. I knew she wasn't one to drink as well. "Hey?" I nudged her again. Nancy's eyes shot open when she recognized it was me that was trying to wake her. She groaned as she sat up in the chair. "We totally slept over, didn't we?" Nancy said. I nodded in reply. She set my hand into hers as I helped her up.

"You can head home. I'm gonna go find Steve," I said. Nancy stared at me, surprised that I claimed I would go find Steve. "I'll be fine. Charlie's here," I said. Nancy looked over my shoulder and shook her head. I followed her line of sight and noticed that Charlie was walking out of the front door.

Now, it was just me and Nancy at Steve's. She patted me on the shoulder. "Help me find my left sneaker. I lost in the middle of that conga line last night," Nancy said, grabbing onto my shoulder for stability.

______

(Later at Steve's House)

Nancy and I never did find her other shoe. So, unfortunately, she had to head home with only one shoe and someone else's jacket. As for me, I was in the middle of cleaning Steve's house. I didn't even want to think about how the backyard looked.

If it was anything like Steve's other parties, it probably looked like shit. It shocked me that I wanted to stay, but I already knew that Steve wouldn't get this done by himself. I had been preparing myself for what to say when he made an appearance this morning.

I set the fifth bag of trash beside the front door. The house looked somewhat better, but still a wreck. I decided it was time to venture upstairs. I cautiously knocked on each door just in case there were still some guests over. When I got to Steve's room, the door was open just a crack.

And there he was. Steve was lying on his bed, the pillows and sheets messed up. His room was the same as it was in Freshmen year. There were a few new posters, but what surprised me more was that Steve had left pictures of us on his dresser. I couldn't stop myself from walking over to the dresser.

A smile appeared on my face when I saw a picture my mom took of us. Since me and Steve both had birthdays in the same month, we had conjoining parties at sometimes. My mom had taken a picture of us on our thirteenth birthday.

We were sitting beside his pool, sharing a piece of cake. It had been my favorite picture of us. My moment was interrupted by Steve moving on the bed. I turned to see him sitting up in his bed. "Hi," I said, slightly staring at him. Steve's eyes found their way to mine.

"Hi?" he replied. His focus was drawn to me, holding up a picture frame. Just then, Steve immediately rushed to the bathroom connected to his room. I don't remember him drinking that much, but I did kinda blank out the rest of the night. So, who knows!

I put the frame back where it was to see if he needed any help. He held up a thumbs up, telling me he was okay. "Steve, you don't look okay," I said. He shook his head and rested his back against the side of the bathtub.

Steve's face was almost pale looking. His eyes weren't red or anything, but he just looked sick. I thought to myself as to what he had served at the party last night. None of it looked different, other than that suspicious-looking chip dip that Carol and Tommy brought.

If I didn't say it, my face sure did. I told Steve I'd be right back. I sifted through the fridge and the trash, soon finding the container of the dip that the couple had brought. I noticed that the dip had expired. "Oh, shit," I muttered.

He hadn't moved since I went downstairs. I carefully grabbed his arm to bring him over to his bed after I remade it. He sunk into the bed, yanking the comforter over his shoulders. "Steve? Did you eat that cheese dip last night?" I crouched beside him. His eyes narrowed. "The one with the green chunks?" he replied.

The only thought that popped into my head was that he had somehow gotten food poisoning from the dip. Good thing I didn't have it. I just hoped Nancy didn't, either. I'll admit, it did kind of look weird last night. "I'll be right back. I just gotta make a call real quick," I said.

Steve nodded his head with his eyes slowly shutting. I bolted down the stairs to the phone in the kitchen. Last Spring, Hazel had gotten food poisoning from some seafood. She had been at home for almost four days because she couldn't do anything. "Hello?" she answered. "Hazel, it's Y/N," I responded.

Hazel stated that our mother left for work this morning. Thankfully, she said that I was staying at a friend's house, which wasn't a lie. "So, I'm in a bit of a situation here," I said. "Okay?" Hazel answered. "I woke up at Steve's house this morning and discovered that he might have food poisoning," I said.

My sister hissed when I told her the news. I remember my mother ranting to Hazel that she has to ask about certain things about food. "What do I do? I don't want to leave Steve by himself because I know he won't do anything," I explained.

She listed a bunch of different medicines I could search for, and just overall to be there for him. Additionally, Hazel made sure to add what foods he could eat. Because, if it wasn't obvious enough, Steve probably had mainly beer and small foods in his stomach.

While getting Steve's food and medicine together, I also cleaned. It took me a little bit to get everything situated. No matter how much I tried to be quiet, Steve still woke up.

I stayed at Steve's house for the whole weekend, staying awake almost every night. He was getting better but still seemed pretty out of it. Hazel stopped by to help me, even offering to stay with him so I could go home. I told her it was okay. Honestly, this gave me a good opportunity to try and talk to Steve.

It is kind of unfortunate that the time I choose to talk to him is when he's high on some medications. Hazel just left Steve's to drop off some new clothes for me and a few different foods. My mind kept going to why I was doing this all for him.

I mean, is it really worth it? He'll probably just forget about it, but the old Steve might've done that, but certainly not him now. I also couldn't help but think if there were other feelings left in my brain.

Steve was absolutely zonked. I was doing what felt like the millionth round of laundry this weekend. I fixed Steve's pillow, noticing that he was about to fall off the bed if he moved over an inch. I went to get up from the bed. His eyes slightly opened when he saw me.

"Hey," Steve said softly, his hand softly grasping my hand. Steve smiled, but it was a tired smile. "Thank you," he kissed my hand, "Thank you, Nancy."

He fell back asleep when he spoke those words. I didn't know what to do. It's not a big deal, though. Is it? I'm not sure why I was even somewhat offended. It's not like had control over that. It took everything within me to not wake him up. I ignored his statement and left his room.

________

(A Few Months Later)

After Steve's graduation party, things were awkward. Well, at least they were on my end. For all I knew, Steve had no idea what he said. All he knew was that I stayed after to help clean, and he was wasted.

I debated on telling Nancy, but I didn't want to complicate things. The thought that often rotated in my head was: the kiss on the hand, was that meant for Nancy or me? It's stupid to even care. I don't have any feelings for him other than friends. Hazel always said that she could see us together.

But I'd deny it every single time she mentioned it. If it wasn't enough torture thinking about that party, I thought it would've been a brilliant idea to work at Scoops Ahoy with Steve. I know, wonderful isn't it?

In all fairness, it was nice being friends with Steve again. It almost seemed like we put everything that happened behind us. Neither one of us mentioned anything. And! I met Robin. Who makes working at an ice cream parlor more fun.

Robin often convinced our manager to put the three of us together because she loved watching me and Steve bicker. "Dude, you can't just do that," I said, scooping some banana ice cream.

"Why? She laughed at my joke," Steve played with the ice cream scoop. "I believe it was a pitty laugh," I said. Steve gasped at my comment. "It was nowhere in the vicinity of a 'pitty laugh,'" Steve said.

He glanced at Robin for help. She put her hands up, saying she wasn't getting in the middle of the argument, but we all knew she loved to be a witness to it. "Then enlighten me, sunshine. What was wrong with my joke?" Steve invited me to explain.

Big mistake, Harrington. I gave the kid the ice cream, and she handed me the change. The parlor wasn't super crowded today, which was nice because it gave my friends and me time to talk.

"First, you said, 'Can I follow you?' Then paused and followed with 'Because my mom told me to follow my dreams,'" I explained, "You can't say that to someone and expect them to go with it. No wonder she left without getting her change."

Yet again, Steve looked back at Robin. Robin was desperately trying to hold back her laughter, and so was I. "It wasn't that bad," Steve said. "Steve, it was borderline bad," Robin spoke. Steve through his arms up in the air. She put a line on the 'you suck' part of the whiteboard. I laughed.

Steve turned to me with his brows raised, mad at my reaction. "Dude, c'mon, you're asking for it at this point," I said. Steve rolled his eyes and flipped the scoop back into the pocket of his apron. "Fine, then what's a good example of a pickup line?" he questioned.

I sighed and closed the lid where all the ice cream was. Steve watched me as I thought of a pickup line. "Steve, I don't think any pickup line in the world could top the one that you just said," Robin said, "In fact, I don't even think that there is a good pick-up line."

Steve groaned and leaned against the counter with his arms crossed. "Why can't you just talk to girls like a normal person?" I asked. "Cause he's not a normal person," Robin set the board beside her and joined us at the counter.

(Third Person View)

Unlike what Y/N thought, Steve knew exactly what happened. He himself couldn't even fathom what he did. Y/N had written what happened in her journal and later crumpled up the paper, throwing it in the trash. She needed to tell someone but decided to write it down instead.

Naturally, like older sisters do, Hazel noticed the paper in the trash. After reading the words carefully, she realized what happened. Hazel kept it to herself up until it slipped out during prep for a DND meeting with Dustin, which soon led to Steve finding out.

You'd think everything would've stayed hidden, but in Hazel's defense, she wasn't even planning on telling anyone. And as for Steve, he felt terrible. He was good at hiding it because Y/N had no idea. He knew that he needed to tell Y/N and apologize for being such a jerk.

He didn't even know why it was so hard to tell her. Maybe it was because he truly cared about her, or maybe because he saw her in a different light. Steve clearly remembers the conversation with Dustin:

[Two Months After The Party]

"Are you stupid, or are you dumb?" Dustin said, standing in front of Steve. Steve stood behind the kitchen counter as the Henderson boy sat at the table. "I can't believe you said that," Dustin continued his rant. "Hey, you try being high on drugs," Steve pointed at Dustin with a butter knife.

Dustin disregarded the older boy's reaction. He stood up from the table and walked over to the counter. "That doesn't matter. Did you not think that it was Y/N at all?" Dustin said. Steve sighed and set the knife on the plate. He ran a hand under the sink, wiping his hands on a towel. "Dustin, I don't even know why I did it, okay? I was barely unconscious, and my vision was blurry and all that shit that comes with food poisoning," Steve said.

He waved his arms around as he spoke. Dustin thought to himself, mainly thinking that Steve had a point. "Next time you get some information like that, don't go blabbing it to everyone," Steve went back to making his sandwich. Dustin looked up at him. "I didn't 'blab' it everyone. Hazel told me accidentally, then I told you," Dustin answered. Steve rolled his eyes again.

______

(Later - Y/N's Point of View)

Since restarting our friendship, Steve and I started hanging out again. Which included our weekly movie or game nights and hanging out at Starcourt. Right now, we were in the middle of watching one of my favorite movies since it was my turn to choose.

The two of us were on good terms and eventually figured that our long break of friendship was needed. We gathered our favorite snacks and settled in the living room. The movie was only halfway through when Steve decided to speak up. "Hey, Y/N, can I talk to you about something?" he asked.

"Steve, we're in the middle of a movie," I said, gesturing to the television. His brows rose. Steve looked at me, then back to the movie. "How many times have you seen this movie?" he said. I shrugged in reply. "Like five million times," Steve answered, "I think you'll be fine not watching Sixteen Candles for a split second."

He gestured to the television once more before sitting up straight. "C'mon, Samantha was just about to have the moment with Jack," I said, my shoulders dropping. Steve didn't look like he was amused one bit. I sighed and grabbed the remote to pause the movie. "What is it?" I inquired.

He took the blanket off, draping it over the back of the couch. Steve turned so he was facing me. "You remember the grad party in May?" Steve asked. I nodded, motioning for him to get on with it. It was typical for Steve to try and stall as if he was thinking about what to say.

"And you were being your sweet self and cleaned up my house for me," he said. "I had to clean with a killer headache," I said. He chuckled at my response, sighing. "Well," Steve said, "I've been told that that's not entirely true." Now, I really wish I had put up a bigger fight to not pause the movie.

Steve watched me think to myself before finishing his speech. "I was told that..." he said. "That you said Nancy's name when I was helping you," I finished, not bothering to ask how my sister found out. During our conversation, his brown eyes were focused on the carpet.

His eyes wandered away from the ground and up to me. "Why didn't you tell me? Or, ask me if I remembered?" he questioned. I sighed, shrugging yet again. "Because I was afraid. I'm not really sure why because you are the least intimidating person that I know," I said, earning a soft chuckle from Steve.

"Part of me thought that you didn't want to talk to me because I practically ditched you," I said, "And, again, I don't even know why I even bothered to stay to help you, but some little part of me knew that I should. I knew that if I left, you'd never take care of yourself. And it hurt me to think that you'd be home alone feeling like shit."

Steve's face softened at my long statement. He smiled slightly. "Y/N," Steve said. He took my hand into his, resting my hand on his knee. He stared at our hands and then up to me. "I'm sorry that I said Nancy's name. I was completely out of it, and when I heard what I did. I felt terrible because I had grown to like you more than we were little," Steve said.

Now, he had caught my attention. I was a little taken aback, questioning what I heard. "I've grown to like you more than just friends. That's probably a little weird because we've started hanging out again, but you're still the same Y/N that I've known since forever," he paused, "And I'm the same Steve. Well, a new and improved Steve."

His smile grew at the sight of mine. Steve kissed me on the top of my head, leaning his forehead against mine. I smiled as his lips lingered before leaning back, our faces still close.

"I do have one question," I said, "How exactly did you find out? Because I didn't tell anyone." He put the blanket back onto the two of us. Steve grabbed the remote, chuckled (GIF Above), and stated, "I think we should go back to the movie."

Taglist: @b-ritney @ramaalkayyali @midnightstar-90 @nix-rose

[gmaybe666]

baby pixel mike

[dwobbitfromtheshire]

I could not help myself.

[n33dlew0rk]

I'm kinda illegally rewatching season one and gods how I wish Eddie was a side character all along.

Like how would he not know / be friends with Jonathan? Jonathan who is an artistic loner who listens to The Clash and breaks open a glove compartment with a pocket knife to steal his dad's gun.

How would he not know / ace Mr. Clarke's classes when he was younger? Mr. Clarke that has no issue whatsoever explaining to kids about alternate dimensions because he knows perfectly what the Vale of Shadows is.

I feel ROBBED every time I spot a detail that would go hand in hand with Eddie.

[keelymind]

So there a rumor/ possibly spoiler for Stranger things season 5 about Mike and Eleven sleeping together, Finn Wolfhard (21) and Millie Bobby Brown (20) are both adults now and their characters Mike and Eleven will be like 17/18 in season 5 as this season will take place in the year in 1989, and they will be old enough to consent in the state Indiana as the age of consent is 16,

If a love scene ( moat likely a implied scene ) does happen between Mike and Eleven in season five I will not be surprised or overreacting as in season one Nancy was 15 ( played by Natalia Dyer who was 20 at the time of filming of season one) she slept with Steve which the character being 16/17 ( played by Joe Keery who was 23 the time of filming of season one ), I haven’t see the scene where Nancy and Steve hook up in season one in a while, I know the scene wasn’t graphic like Euphoria, ( Note: I was 15 when season one came out in 2016 so I probably didn’t think it was a big deal as I was the same age as the characters.

and In season 2 the following year ( 2016 ) Nancy hook up with Jonathan who is 16 in season two (played by Charlie Heaton who was 23 at time filming of season two ) and that scene wasn’t too weird, they simply kissed each other passionately for a moment then close the door and next scene it very implied they hookup

I don’t remember people send backlash to the duffer brothers over those two scenes back In 2016 and 2017, but now (2024 ) this rumor is getting backlash which it silly as it may not even happen, and if it does happen the scene is probably not going be like a scene from Euphoria, it mostly likely will be a implied scene kinda like Jonathan and Nancy scene

Want to hear other people thoughts on the rumor so please politely and respectfully share your thoughts on the topic/rumor

[pleaseletmeexist]

Can we talk about how Will did EVERYTHING right in this scene? He drops the bike, gets to shelter, locks the doors, and runs to get the shotgun. Girl is COMPETENT

[thelastwalkingsoul]

Not Steve trying to look cool when Mike sees him trying to climb to Nancy’s window in s1

He’s totally scrambling and then does a little ‘cool guy’ pose with one hand on his hip when he’s caught god

[vacantwatchers]

And the beat goes on

ao3. wc: 1,521 Tommy & Steve, season one, hurt/comfort, panic attack, hugging, bed sharing

It's loud when he pushed the window sill up, but he doesn't know how to make it not be. He's too occupied with the shaking in his hands and the desperate need to breathe deeply for the first time in hours. Heaving himself through the window isn't much quieter, not when he always forgets the little action figures Tommy lines his window with.

They clutter to the floor, but their sound is masked by Steve’s body hitting the floor harder, startling the bed in front of him and causing a groaning ripple as his best friend (ex-best friend? What's the use by date on the term after a fight?) rolls and pushes himself up to investigate the sound.

Tommy is barely visible amongst his covers and Steve can't tell if it's because the nightlight he's had since they were five wasn't plugged in, or because he can't see through the tunnel vision he's had since leaving the hospital and it was about to swallow him whole. Either way, Steve would really appreciate being able to see him, the familiarity of seeing his sleepy, cowlicked hair would be a real comfort right then.

Tommy moves quickly, leans over the pillow he uses to hug at night ever since Mr Tumbles got too delicate to cuddle with, and turns on the lamp by his bed.

"What the fu—Harrington? What are you doing here, man? I thought you were sick of me."

Steve would absolutely love to answer Tommy, but the fear and panic that had been trying to drown him for the last God knows how many hours have decided to settle into his bones and muscle. All he can feel is static pumping through his fingers and chest. Somewhere deep in the back of his head, he knows that this is only happening because he's retreated to one of the only places he has ever felt safe. Knows it as surely as his body did when he'd made the unthinking left turn that would lead onto Kerly instead of turning towards home.

Distantly, Steve is aware of the rustle of shifting blankets and sheets, of socked feet hitting the floor. It's all secondary to trying to get the buzzing static out of his body instead of dragging everything away from his arms to start pooling in his chest. There's a warmth in front of him, a furnace that snares his hands and drags them away, pushes them against a heaving drum. He tries to pull focus, uses the pressure of his knees against his chest and the steady beat of the drum under his hands as a guide and slowly becomes aware of his body.

Steve blinks slowly, matches his breathing to the rhythm under his hands and lets himself focus on the external stimuli instead of the spiral he fell into harder than he had Tommy's floor. The idea of immediately looking up into Tommy's eyes scares him, the idea of not knowing what he'd find his friend's eyes is almost as paralysing as whatever the fuck is happening to him right now. Instead he squeezes his blinks to focus on the ancient light blue T-Ball team shirt innocently gripped in his hands.

When had he closed his hand?

"You with me yet, Stevie-boy?"

Tommy's chest buzzed against his clenched fingers.

"Come on, Stevie, I need you to breathe, man. You're starting to freak me out. You haven't been like this since you broke your retainer in the ninth grade, and if it weren't for the fact that I know your dad is still on that business trip I'd think this was because of him." Tommy pressed harder against Steve's trapped hands. "Give me an explanation, man, because I haven't seen you since yesterday, and that's weeks for us man."

"I fought a monster." It came out as barely a whisper, it certainly lacked the energy to cross the scant space between them.

"You fought—listen if you don't want to—"

Steve sighed. "Tommy. Tommy, when have I ever not told you something?"

Finally, Steve looks up. Tommy is frowning but he hasn't moved away. Doesn't look as mad as he'd expected, he looks mostly worried actually. The right side of his face is washed yellow from the lamp. His freckles remind Steve of distant stars, the way they're barely visible in this light.

"I don't know, Steve. Until a day ago, I didn't know you thought I was an asshole."

"I don't—we were—the situation in context—" Steve groans, all drive that was powering him to stay upright was quickly vanishing. Frustrated, he leans across the space between them, brings his aching head in to press against Tommy's. "You're an asshole. I'm an asshole. Carol's an asshole. We're fucking seventeen, we're all assholes. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, but I'm not—fuck, Tommy. I had a gun pulled on me, they shot it and I had to jump over a bear trap before they set it on fire. It didn't have a face but that didn't stop it from having a fucking mouth."

He wishes he could press closer to Tommy, the same way he's always wanted to be able to press closer. Wishes they could combine, that maybe Tommy would let him press close enough to hide in his chest and make a home amongst his ribs.

"Stevie—"

"I fought a monster, Tommy. It killed Barb, and all I can think about is that you were the last one in after her before she went back out there. You could have—"

Steve's hands were no longer trapped against Tommy's chest because Tommy was hugging him, the arm around his back as strong as the vice they used to build the bookshelf across the room. And yet, it wasn't as strong as the hand that was holding his head, pressing it into the safety of Tommy's neck. Steve doesn't know if he believes him, doesn't think he will without seeing that monster that dropped from Byers' ceiling; but with all the blood and will in his body, Steve will make sure Tommy never has to see that shit. Ever.

He would rather die in agony than let harm come him.

"Okay."

The word brushes against his ear and tickles his neck.

"It's okay, Steve. It didn't—I'm still here. Nothing happened to me. It sucks that it happened to Barb, we'll deal with that shit later. But right now, I'm here. You're here."

The hand cradling his head tightened its hold, gripped Steve's hair and helped ground him in the here and now.

"We're safe. We're both safe."

Steve pressed deeper into Tommy's shoulder, tucked his nose into his neck and let the familiar remnants of his aftershave and shampoo wash over. He was safe with Tommy. Nothing bad would happen to them here. He would keep Tommy safe, and Tommy would keep him safe. The same way they have since they met.

They were okay.

Tommy squeezed him tightly once before pulling back - not enough to let go, enough to pull his hand out from Steve's hair and bring it around to his jaw, enough to tilt him towards the yellow lamp light.

Steve felt like a bug pinned to styrofoam under the considering weight of Tommy's brown eyes. Knew he was looking at the dried blood and blossoming bruises but wondered if he was also seeing something Steve couldn't.

"Here's what we're gonna do. We're gonna get up, and I'm gonna clean your face up. You're going to have a shower because you have blood on your sweater and then we're gonna go to sleep," Tommy's eyes flickered between his own, like he was looking for something. "We're gonna go to sleep and I'm gonna wake you up in two hours to see if your brain is soup, and tomorrow, tomorrow we'll talk about all the bullshit you told me. Okay?"

Later, after first aid and a shower, tucked into Tommy's clothes, Steve will move the pillow that replaced Mr Tumbles to the head of the bed and slip beneath the blankets. He'll wait until Tommy is in bed and laying down before twisting to turn off the light. He'll slide down and lay still for a moment before hearing a sigh and feeling Tommy's hand tug on his shoulder.

Steve nods. "Okay."

Later, Steve will curl into Tommy's side and Tommy will pull the blankets up and over his head, the same way he always has because he knows how Steve likes to sleep when he's stressed. He'll shift until he's filled all the gaps Tommy has left for him and will feel Tommy's arm drop heavy and grounding across his back while his hand rests in his hair, petting it slowly.

Steve will breathe in familiarity and relish in the fact that even after a fight and facing a monster, he hadn't lost this. That he has the chance to keep this. And tomorrow, after they talk about all the bullshit he somehow found himself in, Steve is going to put the work in to make sure he keeps being able to have this.

[scarisd3ad]

Jump then fall

Masterlist

Pairing - Steve harrington x reader

Warnings - mean Steve, angst, lose of a sibling, divorce, mommy issues, normal stranger things warnings.

Summary - after 7 years of being split apart from your childhood friend Steve you return to hawkins after your younger sisters tragic death, and parents messy divorce. But the Steve you came back to isn’t the same Steve you left behind.

Taglist

Season one

Prologue

One

Two

[foolishlyzephyrus]

i see what y’all stoncy mfs are on now, it just clicked this rewatch