#driving lessons harrington park

[heart-eyed-love]

Cigarettes, Driving Lessons, And Hurt Feelings

Summary | Eddie gets his feelings hurt when you go to someone else to help teach you how to drive. Even more so when its Steve Harrington.

Contains | Fem!Reader, Friends-to-Lovers, Cursing, mentions of having a period, jealousy, bad driver Eddie (hopefully i didn’t forget anything)

Word count | 3k

Cigarettes.

That was the only thing Eddie thought he’d be getting from the gas station. He didn't expect to be getting his feelings hurt there too.

He was already pulling a cigarette out of the pack once he exited the store. It was hanging loosely from his lips as he began to pull his lighter out, but he was quickly distracted by Steve Harrington's BMW parked across the lot.

He could tell it was Steve’s from the copious amount of times he had seen him come pick up Dustin from hellfire. And he’s definitely heard plenty about him.

Ever since Dustin had joined hellfire Steve has been a recurring topic in his life. Eddie had to sit through many lunch periods with Dustin babbling about how ‘cool’ and ‘badass’ Steve Harrington was. It was beyond annoying to be honest.

It made him more upset to see you so interested in these stories. The idea of one of his closest friends being enamored by the stupid stories of a douche was not something he was very keen on.

And especially since you’re already friends with Robin Buckley, who weirdly had sparked up a friendship with the king of himself. He always wondered if Steve ever tagged along on your outings with Robin.

You hadn’t informed him that he was your designated driver for just about all of them.

He wasn’t entirely sure when Steve started hanging out with all the freaks of Hawkins but he didn’t like the positive attention Steve was suddenly gaining from people who weren’t a part of the dark side.

So Eddie took it upon himself to be a pain in Steve’s ass every time he could.

A shit eating grin spreads across his face as he begins walking up from behind. Putting the cigarette away again.

As he approached the drivers side of the car, he noticed it wasn’t the side of the back of Steve's head he was walking up on. He slowed his pace.

Shit. Maybe this wasn’t his car?

But when the head in the seat moved just enough for Eddie to gauge the fact that it was you his eyes widened for a second.

Since when did you drive?!

Wait- Since when did you hang out with fucking Harrington!?!

The smirk that was once on his face was now lost at the sight of you in Steve’s car. Unfortunately, he had gotten close enough for you to see him. 

You turned your head at the sight of someone approaching in your peripheral vision. Surprised to see Eddie slowing his walk once he saw you. You nervously turned your head to Steve in the passenger seat and then back to Eddie, before rolling the window down.

“Uh- hey, Eddie. What’s up?” Your voice came off a little more nervously than you intended and you slightly cringed at yourself.

“Since when did you start driving?” Right to the point, you think. You could tell by the look on his face he was already a bit displeased with the situation at hand.

Eddie had offered to help teach you to drive multiple times, and you were always really grateful for that, even though you denied him every time. Never really explaining to him why not, but he never asked either.

“Yeah, uh- Steve offered to teach me so I took him up on it.” The awkward smile felt even weirder on your face when it’s directed at him. You and Eddie weren’t like this with each other.

Sure maybe at the beginning of your friendship you were awkward with each other, but that was a sweet awkward, this was an uncomfortable one.

Steve's head pops into Eddie's view with an awkward smile.

“Hey, man…” Steve says awkwardly, but somehow he still has that charm to him. Eddie straightens his body out slightly, trying to make himself bigger than he really is. Steve chuckles softly to himself as he leans back into his seat.

The small interaction going unnoticed by you as you fidget with your earring, waiting for Eddie to say something again. He was kind of making you feel like you had done something wrong, maybe you had…

It wasn’t anything personal, if you could have anyone teach you anything, you’d pick Eddie.

But just maybe not for this. 

Driving already freaked you out, and it didn’t help that the person who was offering to teach you was probably one of the most hectic drivers you knew.

You honestly had a really hard time believing he actually passed his drivers test. The way he flops you around in the passenger seat as he turns corners was enough to tell you if you were going to be taught how to drive, it wasn’t going to be by him. 

“Hey.” Eddie said, eyes flicking to Steve then back to you. You couldn’t tell exactly what he was feeling. It was making you feel weird, it was usually so easy for you to tell. “I’ve told you multiple times I could teach you how to drive.” 

You cringe a bit at his tone. And you are only able to come up with a lame excuse as your rebuttal. “Oh, yeah… I forgot…” Shit. You sound so fucking lame right now.

“Yeah, whatever…” He rolls his eyes as he looks over to the side before looking back to you. “I gotta get going, meeting up with Hellfire…” He says, but it’s a lie. He usually he would be eager to invite you with but, he wanted to make you feel bad, like how you just made him feel. “See you later.”

And he already walking away before you can even say ‘bye’ back, eyebrows furrowing as you watch him walk away and out of your view.

“Later man.” Steve shouted out so Eddie could hear him and he watched him walk away through his side mirror. “That was…interesting.”

You look over to Steve, “Do you think he’s mad?” You ask and the look of distress on your face goes unnoticed by Steve, who is still looking in the mirror watching something.

“Are you kidding?! he’s fucking pissed…” Steve giggles slightly, but hears a groan from you as you slump down in the driver's seat and he snaps his gaze to you. “Hey, I mean it’s not your fault…”

“Yes, it is. He offered to teach me so many times, I just- I didn't think he’d be upset…” 

Steve puts a comforting hand on your shoulder, and smiles. “Why do you think Dustin has me picking him up instead of having his new best friend, Eddie? Cause i think we all have gathered Eddie isn’t the most expertise driver…”

You roll your eyes, and a small smile spreads on your face as you look up at Steve. “You do realize that Dustin talks you up so much to us, right? Like I’m pretty sure the whole hellfire table has heard just about every cool thing you’ve probably ever done? He told us how badass you are…” Steve seems slightly taken aback by that.

He knew Dustin hadn’t told them everything, but the fact that he still thought he was cool enough, even without talking about his experiences with the upside down. It bumped his ego up.

“Henderson said that…?” A small smile tugs at his lips as well.

“Yeah, he really looks up to you. I think it pisses Eddie off…” You let out a small giggle and Steve's smile spreads fully. You could tell that definitely helped boost his ego a bit.

“Yeah, well I hear plenty about him too, so… the feelings are mutual.” You giggle at that. “So, do you feel okay with continuing the lesson?” You nod your head. Might as well, right.

Even with the slight hiccup in your plan, Steve’s stays dedicated and continues helping you with practicing. Though, you have a tough time getting Eddie out of your head.

And Eddie is already half way through town, speeding to get back home before you guys even pull out of the lot.

Recklessly driving down the gravel road of the trailer park. Nearly knocking his neighbors mailbox out from its spot again. Hastily parking his van in front of the trailer and slamming his door shut.

He was less than quiet when he walked inside. Unfortunately, for the older man that resided in the living room, sleeping the day away, over tired from his night shifts. “You could at least try and be quiet.” Eddie heard his uncle mutter from the couch in the dark living room, as Eddie threw his keys onto the counter.

“You were gonna be up in fifteen minutes anyways…” Eddie grumbled as looked at the clock before opening the fridge. Pulling out a beer for himself, and popping the lid off, then chugging some down.

“Kinda early for that isn’t it?” Wayne questioned as he began to rise on the couch where he had previously passed out. Lean against the back of the coach as he observed his nephew. Eddie just grumbled out a sound and Wayne eyed him harder.

“What’s the matter. What’s got ya actin’ all pouty?” His uncle finally asks.

“I’m not being pouty.” Eddie says back defensively, scrunching his face, his uncle’s eyes widened slightly and he chuckles.

“Yeah, sure you’re not…” Wayne chuckles again before heading off to the bathroom, and Eddie rolls his eyes. All he wanted to do right now was smoke a joint and lay in his room and stare at the ceiling.

So, that’s exactly what he did for the rest of the night. Just sitting on the fact that you were finally being taught how to drive… by someone other than him. And Steve Harrington nonetheless.

Would you still let him drive you around?

You finally pull into your driveway, parking Steve’s car.

“So… what’s the verdict?” You ask as you look over to him. 

“Honestly, you’re doing pretty good out there, we could just do like one more lesson, just to make you feel better though…” It was nice to hear. You’ve had about 3 lessons with him before this one, so yeah, it was nice to know you were getting better.

“Yeah, okay. That works…” You smile but it’s not fully, and Steve can tell something’s off.

“I promise you’ll do good, you don’t have to worry. You’re already natural…” He offers you a smile, comforting you for the second time that day. Wow, you felt pathetic.

“Thanks, but- I’m just nervous about Eddie…” You admit. The thought that Eddie could actually be upset with you right made your nerves rise.

In all of the time of you being friends you guys hadn’t really had any problems. Sure you bickered and teased, but that’s all in good fun. That’s part of what made you like him, like really like him, you weren’t like that with anyone else.

“It’ll be fine, I'm sure he’s just butt-hurt, teaching someone to drive is a big step…” He says as he begins unbuckling and opening up the passenger door. You rush to turn his car off and hop out as well.

“A big step…?” You ask as you round the hood of the car to meet him.

“Yeah, I guess it’s kind of a special thing, you know… it’s like we’re sending you off into the world…” He teases you with a chuckle and ruffles your hair.

You shove his arm away with playfully scoff.

“I’m just learning how to drive, it's not that deep…” You blush slightly.

“Yeah, well I'm sure he’s just worried that you aren’t gonna need him to drive you around or whatever, and he’s upset that he wasn't even the one who got to send you out…” He is still teasing you but his words somehow hit you deep. 

Shit. You just realized Eddie wasn’t gonna be driving you around everywhere anymore…

“Maybe I should apologize to him…” You admit softly.

“I mean, if that’s what feels right, then yeah, I'd say do it. It can’t hurt, I'm sure it’ll make him feel better about it…”

You nod your head softly, looking up to meet Steve’s eyes. “You know, thanks for all your emotional support today, you’re one of the last people i’d expect to get it from, but thanks…” You giggled as Steve’s brows furrowed for a second trying to hold back his smile.

“Yeah, whatever…” He says walking back towards the driver's side of his car. Smiling when you can’t see his face and he spins the keys around his finger. “One more lesson, then you’re off to take your drivers test, got it?” 

You smile and nod your head when he faces you. He gives a nod back before hopping back into his car, waving as he pulls out of your driveway.

You head back inside. Going over in your head what to say to Eddie. 

You settled on apologizing to him tomorrow at school. Doing it over the phone felt wrong.

The next day when you walk into the school building you wait for Eddie by his locker. He’s usually pretty slow at getting to school, it wasn’t surprising that it was taking awhile.

But then the bell rings and he still hasn’t arrived and you worry that maybe today is one of the days he decided to skip, and you wouldn’t be able to apologize.

You make your way to your first hours and through your other classes, leg anxiously bouncing throughout the day.

When you walk into your fourth hour and see Eddie sitting towards the back of the class you’re surprised. 

Wait?

He actually showed up today?

Was he avoiding you?

The seats around him have already been taken so you settle for the seat two over from his. He acknowledged as your eyes met when you walked towards your seat. But nothing was said.

As class went on you kept glancing over at him. He was actually writing down the notes the had written on the board.

Until the most recent glance over when you realize he's standing up from his desk and walking towards the teacher, asking to use the bathroom and the teacher waving him off with the flip of his hand.

And Eddie walked out of the classroom. This was your chance.

Were you gonna corner him? Yes. But you wouldn’t have to if he hadn’t been avoiding you.

A couple minutes pass you and stand from your seat, walking up to the teacher just as Eddie did.

“May I please use the restroom?” You ask as politely as you can, hoping he doesn’t apply the one person in the bathroom at a time rule.

“Once he gets back.” He muttered, writing something onto the board.

Fine. Time to pull out the big guns.

“Well, I'm actually having lady problems right now, so-“ He cuts you off with a more frantic wave of his hand as he motioned you your access to leave the room.

Once you exit the classroom you’re started by a voice next to you. “Lady problems?’ Eddie questions from next to you where he leans against the lockers. 

“I wanted to talk to you…” You say softly, as you approach him.

“I could tell, you kept looking over at me.”

You feel your cheeks burning slightly. 

Did he notice you do that all those other days too?

“You’re avoiding me.” You state simply, hoping maybe he’ll elaborate before you apologize.

“I wasn’t.” He says back, but your eyebrows furrow and he knows you know.

“Look, Eddie… I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings with all that driving stuff… I didn't mean to…” You finally admit, and you can see him soften slightly. Surprised by your apology.

“I just don't understand, I've offered to teach you…” His voice is soft, you've only ever heard it like that when he's talking to you. It makes you feel special to have such a privilege. “Or you just want Steve to teach you?” And sweet moment over, tone shifting slightly to accusatory.  

You roll your eyes, of course this was about being petty with Steve. “Eddie, I don’t care who teaches me to drive. I would, you know, just prefer to be taught by a good driver…”

He furrowed his eyebrows at your words, “I’m a good driver.” And you have to suppress the giggle that wants to slip from your lips. He notices though, and it only causes him to get more defensive, somehow furrowing his brows more. “Hey! I'm a good driver.”

“Dude,” Eddie narrows his eyes at the word, “You’re literally the most reckless driver I know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you going the speed limit.”

He scoffs and rolls his eyes, “I choose to drive that way, that doesn’t mean I can't drive well.”

“Well, this is news to me.”

There's a silence between you two as you stand in the hallway. You came out here to apologize, but you don’t feel like you’re doing a very good job at it. “Look, I am sorry, okay… I’m not trying to make you feel bad… Obviously I'd rather you teach than Steve.”

Eddie's features soften slightly. He knows that he’s being a pain in the ass, but he just couldn’t help getting his feelings hurt from the whole ordeal.

“I'm sorry…” Is all he knows to say. He's not always good with his words, he'd like to elaborate more on how he feels, but he doesn’t really think he can without making the big confessing.

“It’s okay, Eddie. I know it was a shitty move on my part, but I promise the only reason Steve is teaching me is because he has the driving skills of a mother with a baby on board...” You tease slightly, hoping the mood had shifted enough to be playful with him.

“I can be more careful, and I could teach you…” His voice is soft.

“I’m sure you could, but Steve’s taking me out driving one last time and then I’m going to take my test.” You smile softly up at him, and he rolls his eyes again. But you know him well enough to know it means nothing.

“Well…” He starts out raising his eyebrows and tilting his head at you, you raise your back in return, already worried for what he's about to request.

So here you are on a new day, opening the driver's door to Steve’s car and plop into your seat, prepared for your final driving practice before your test. You look over to Steve in the passenger seat with a smile. Then to the back seat where Eddie seats in the middle, leaning forward, sticking his head between the two seats.

“Ready?” You ask, smiling over at him, “You might wanna take some notes.”

[strangererotica]

EXPLICIT CONTENT | MINORS DNI

dom!steve harrington x reader

steve ‘punishes,’ reader with a vibrator on the drive home after she embarrasses him in front of his parents. pet name ‘kitten,’ is used for reader. use of a sex toy, dom/sub relationship, oral (f receiving) dry humping

───────── ౨ৎ ─────────

You squeezed your thighs together, clenching and releasing the pressure to stimulate yourself. Steve wouldn’t allow you to use your hands. You’d lost that privilege when you ran your mouth at breakfast.

He refused to look at you from the drivers seat, his dark eyes narrowed at the road ahead. Steve was well aware of the discomfort you were feeling, and that he was the cause of it. Lodging a vibrator between your thighs and forcing you to sit on it the whole drive home would make anyone a little uncomfortable, to say the least…

You wanted to move, to grind against the toy, but Steve’s rules were written in stone. You were to sit perfectly still on top of the vibrator, without touching yourself, no matter how much it hurt. “What kind of punishment would it be?” Steve had asked, while strapping you into your seat. “If I didn’t make it hurt a little?”

The drive home from Steve’s parent’s house was almost over, thankfully. You wondered what other plans he had for you at home?

Embarrassing Steve in front of his parents at breakfast had been a dick move on your part. You already knew the relationship he had with them wasn’t great. Making a negative comment about his salary working at a video store had brought on a landslide of criticism from Steve’s parents. You’d felt guilty almost immediately after making the disparaging remark; but watching Steve’s face fall as his parents brought him down was what really made the guilt sink in…

When you’d said your goodbyes and made it to the end of the driveway, Steve grumbled at your ear to “get your ass in the car.”

You tried to apologize, but Steve cut your words short with a snap of his fingers. “You disrespected me today, (y/n). In front of my fucking parents.”

Steve pulled you in for a kiss, a sharp kiss that felt more like a bite. “I think you need a little lesson in humility, y’know?” he scolded. “Maybe I can teach you some fuckin’ manners while I’m at it…”

…And that’s how you’d ended up in this predicament, your clit throbbing against a vibrator, forbidden to remove it or touch yourself.

Steve’s eyes narrowed at the road ahead as he turned his BMW onto your street. The apartment complex you lived in looked hazy as you stared up at it, your eyes glossy and brain foggy with the need to come. Steve parked the car and slammed his door shut, walking around the back to let you out. He opened your door and frowned at the mess you’d made all over the seat.

“Jesus, kitten,” Steve sighed, shaking his head. “You’re fuckin’ soaked…” He slid a finger between you and the seat (you shivered as his fingertip grazed your pussy) and brought the slippery liquid to his lips. He sucked your juices off his finger, with a quiet hum of approval. Steve unbuckled your seatbelt and finally, mercifully, removed the vibrator. You moaned gratefully, immediately going to touch yourself. Steve scolded you, glancing around to make sure no one was watching. “The hell is wrong with you?” he whispered. “You tryna get yourself off in front of the whole neighborhood?”

You gazed up at Steve with teary eyes. “It hurts so bad,” you quietly sobbed. “I need to-I have to come.”

Steve pulled you into his chest, shushing you tenderly, rubbing his hand along your back. “Come on kitten,” he murmured. “Let’s get you inside, and I’ll kiss it all better, okay?”

You nodded meekly, wiping your eyes dry as you walked with Steve to the building entrance.

As soon as you entered your apartment, Steve knelt in front of you and slid his hands up under your skirt. He tugged your panties down and let them lay around your ankles, spreading your thighs with his face as he nuzzled between them. Your legs trembled; you held onto Steve’s shoulders to brace yourself. His tongue found your clit immediately, flickering against it like a flame.

You were burning up, consumed by the heat of Steve’s mouth, his lips sucking bruises into your most sensitive skin. He groped your ass in his big, strong hands, spreading you open even further as his tongue lapped at your slippery cunt. You were coming within seconds, drooling over Steve’s back as he sucked your clit, your thighs locking his head in place between them. He groaned into your sopping heat, licking every fold and curve of your sex, leaving no part of your pussy untouched.

Steve rose to his feet and carried you to a nearby table, flattening your back against it and mounting you. He pinned your body under his, locking your wrists over your head with his hands. Steve ground his hips into yours, rubbing his clothed erection between your thighs. He cursed into your shoulder as he came, his cock pulsing against your pussy, filling the crotch of his pants with semen.

Steve panted against your breasts, a satisfied grin on his face. After a minute or so, he lifted his head to look at you. He was so handsome, it nearly took your breath away, his dark eyes glossy with sex, sweat dotting his forehead. His voice was husky, a seductive arrogance in his tone. “Apology accepted,” Steve said. And part of you couldn’t wait to piss him off again…

[underoossss]

Driving Lessons — S.H

pairing: steve harrington x f!reader

warnings: none

masterlist

4k

an: hi everyone! here’s a new fluffy fic for you. best friends to lovers goodness to brighten your weekend. I dedicate this to everyone who like me was terrified when they learned how to drive and those who don’t drive bc it’s scary af. steve is just so sweet and perfect and I think he’d be a wonderful teacher specially if he has a crush on you. I hope you enjoy! Pls let me know if you liked this!

The doorbell rings just as you finish getting ready. It’s a sunny summer morning and you decided to fight off the heat with a white dress with tiny pink roses printed on it, a denim vest and converse. You check the clock by your bed and as always Steve is right on time.

You’d woken up with a start this morning from a terrible nightmare you don’t want to think about. Steve had an angry wound on the side of his abdomen and was in no state to drive. He needed your help, but you don’t know how to drive, so you were helpless to do anything else but to press his own t-shirt against the wound. The same desperation haunted you all through breakfast and gave you the push you needed to face your fears. Driving. You’re going to learn, no matter how much panic it causes you.

That’s why Steve is here, you called him earlier and agreed to meet here at noon. And punctual as ever, he’s already waiting on the porch. You heart drums loudly inside your chest, excited to see your friend, your best friend, and object of all your affection. Though no one needs to know the last part.

You open the door, and the pitter patter of your heart gets out of control no matter how much you try to remind it that he’s your friend. Nothing more. Steve looks sun kissed by the summer sun and beautiful as always, with various freckles standing out across his face. Broad shoulders in a white t-shirt and light washed jeans that fit him just right, his old Cortez shoes and usual brown watch. You hate him, and you love him so much.

“Hi Stevie.” Your smile breaks free as you greet him with a hug.

“Hey you.” Steve’s smile is clear in his voice as his arms go around you. It’s a tight hug and soon enough, he’s lifting you off the ground and spinning you around.  

You laugh as he sets you down on the ground. “Someone’s happy.”

“How can I not be? I’m spending the day with you.” Steve smiles brightly, “What’s this you have to ask me? Got me nervous all the way here.”

You shake your head; how can you not be crazy about him when he’s so damn sweet with you. You decide to tackle his question instead. “Why would you be nervous?”

 “I wasn’t sure if we need to hide a dead body.” He shrugs.

“Not today.” You play along with a fake frown and smile when it makes Steve laugh. A moment later you turn shy under his gaze when it lingers on your face. “Okay I called you because I need you to teach me how to drive. Please.”

“How to drive?” Steve’s eyebrows shoot up towards his forehead as his brown eyes widen. “You got tired of me already sweetheart?”

You roll your eyes, ignoring the nickname, and hit his shoulder softly; Steve takes that same wrist and holds on to swing your hands between you. It endears you and makes you love him a little bit more, it’s only noon. “You hurt me.” He says all drama as always.

“No, Stevie.” You tilt your head towards your shoulder, choosing not to tell him about last night’s nightmare. “I just want to learn in case there’s an emergency or something.” When Steve’s eyes soften, you look away.

“Okay,” He says quietly, then tucks a rogue strand of hair behind your ear. “Do you want to start right now?” Steve asks you, completely unaware of the fact that you’ve stopped breathing.

“God, no. I’m scared.” You shake your head, trying to ignore the way your heart hurts at his soft gesture. “I was going to suggest ice cream first.”

Steve smiles and wraps an arm around your shoulder pulling you to his side as he leads both of you to his parked car in the driveway. “Alright, ice cream first. You look beautiful by the way.”

You lean your head on his shoulder and shake his head. “Is this you trying to get me to pay?”

Steve only laughs and rolls his eyes.

“First things first, seat belt.” Steve glances behind you with a nod of his head. The two of you are sitting in his car, but while he’s always in the drivers seat, he’s the passenger today.

You turn around and bring the seat belt across your torso before it clicks into place once fastened. “Okay.”

Steve scratches his chin and you watch for only a second before looking ahead, no distractions. “Now, adjust the mirrors; you should see everything with the rear view mirror and the front door’s handle with your other two. I’ll move this one for you.” He reaches out of the car and brings it forward a tiny bit until you nod.

“Alright that’s good.” You do the same with the one on your right before wiping your hands on your dress. You take a shaky breath and look back at Steve. “Now what?”

Steve’s grinning when you meet his eyes and shakes his head briefly. He nods towards the keys hanging from the ignition switch. “Now you turn on the car.”

Panic bubbles deep in your stomach but you nod anyway, pushing through the many anxious thoughts in your head. This is why you never made it past a single lesson during driver’s ed, your fear. What if you crash the car, hurt someone, hurt Steve? You’re grateful that your hand doesn’t shake when it turns the key, bringing the car to life.

“Hey,” Steve says, and you look over at him to find him smiling at you. “You’re doing great.”

“Thank you, Stevie.” You swallow down the rising panic inside your chest as you look at the steering wheel. At least Steve’s car isn’t mechanic. Steve points at the pedals by your feet which makes you focus again.

“Right one’s accelerator, and the left one’s the break.” Steve explains. “The car’s in park now so it won't move even if you hit the gas.” He looks up at you to make sure you’re okay to go on and you give him a half nod. “If you break and change the gear to Drive, then it’ll move.”

“What?” You ask him when he glances at you expectantly.

Steve motions to the gear stick behind the wheel with his head. It’s time, you guess and swallow hard, pressing down the break pedal and shifting the car to drive. You can feel your heart pounding in your ears, and your hands break a sweat. Trying to push through though, you take your foot off the breaks and accelerate slowly, but it only seems to make your panic worse. The car only moves about 8 feet before you stop and put it back on Park, shutting your eyes tightly. Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry.

Steve reaches over and shuts down the engine before turning towards you. “Hey, hey, what’s wrong?” He asks you softly, a hand on your shoulder. It rubs down your arm gently and grabs one of your hands from the steering wheel. “Talk to me, what happened?”

“I’m sorry I panicked.” You confess, keeping your eyes shut. “This is scary.”

“Okay.” You open your eyes to see Steve nod, gaze full of concern as it meets yours. “Want to tell me what scares you?”

Taking your seat belt off you turn towards him and rest your forehead on his shoulder. “Stevie, what if I crash your car and we both end up hurt.”

You feel Steve take a deep breath and his hand let go of yours in favour of running up and down your back. “That won’t happen.”

“You don’t know that.” You mumble with a shake of his head.

“I do.” Steve counters, pushing on your shoulder gently to look into your eyes. “We’re only going to turn right and drive to the dead end, nothing crazy. No cars will hit you, babe, you know it’s a quiet road.”

You look out the windshield towards the road in question. No one ever drives by, just the three homeowners who live in the dead end, but they’ve already left for the day. If that’s the only practice you’ll have today, you think you can manage to keep your fear in check.

“There we go.” Steve smiles triumphantly when you nod in determination. “Ready?”

“Yes.” You click your seat belt into place and turn on the car.   

Just as Steve promised, you only go back and forth from your house to the dead end. He’s patient and gentle as he gives various instructions, when to break and when to accelerate. He guides you through the u-turn and how to back up when you mess up said u-turn. The initial paralyzing dread fades to manageable nerves as 45 minutes go by, and smile when Steve gives you a knowing look.

“Feeling more confident?” He asks as you park in your driveway once more.

“Yeah, a bit.” You let out a deep breath and nod.  “I know I’m safe if I’m with you, Steve.”

“You are.” Steve mirrors your nod and clears his throat, then motions towards his door. “Come on, let’s switch. We’re renting a movie so you can relax.”

❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

“Stevie, it’s so early.” You mumble, opening your front door at 6am on a Saturday. You look up at him, he looks just as sleepy as you but handsome as always. His hair is a mess of chocolate waves, and the light blue polo he wears with his jeans looks great on him. An outfit so basic shouldn’t look so good; it’s his shoulders you think, they make those damn polos look gorgeous on him.

“Well, you’re the one scared of driving.” Steve’s voice brings you back to the present. “If we go right now, the streets will be all yours. It’ll help with your nerves.”

“I’m sure, it’s the crack of dawn during summer after all.” You joke, sleepiness slowly leaving your body. A smile takes over your face at Steve’s sheepish expression and you can’t help but lean in for a hug. “Thank you, Stevie.”

“You know, people aren’t supposed to look so pretty at 6am.” Steve says, stepping back and meeting your eyes. You heart drops to your stomach for a moment at his words and you look down at your clothes. Black denim shorts, converse, and a sweatshirt.

“You really need some glasses, Steve.” You chuckle, bumping your shoulder into his as you walk towards his car.

“My eyesight is perfect, babe.” Steve gives you a wink that leaves you flustered and trying to understand what’s happening. “Come on.” He places the keys to his car on your hand and opens the passenger door.

Steve lounges back on his seat, pointing towards the direction he thinks you should go. He tells you when to break, what to do in an intersection and the roads you should avoid at a normal hour. Like he said, all of Hawkins is asleep and there’s not a single car on sight as you drive through the town. He was right, the nerves and awful dread you felt the first time you tried to drive his care are gone as you drive the empty streets; no one’s gonna hit you because no one’s here. The radio stays off though, you’re not a professional yet and the music only distracts you. There’s no way you’re crashing because you were singing to Blondie.

“You’re doing amazing.” Steve says, and you control your reaction to his praise. Knowing you’re doing a good job makes you feel giddy inside, so you glance at him quickly with a smile. “Pull into that parking lot right there. I think we can practice parking today.”

“Okay, good cause there are no cars for me to run into.” You joke, looking at Steve and laughing when he frowns. He doesn’t like you doubting yourself, right. “I’m kidding, Stevie.” You check your mirror, and turn the blinker on before you make a turn towards the parking lot. The concrete floor is deserted and fifty-something empty spaces stare back at you.

“Now what?”

“Okay,” Steve sits up straighter and rubs his chin, deep in thought. You can imagine the way his eyes light up when the idea finally comes to him. “Now you have to sort of turn away from the parking spot then turn back in.”

It sounds like gibberish for a moment before you go over his words and catch on to his explanation. Still, how can you pass up an opportunity to tease him?

“Real good explanation, Steve. Super clear.” You chuckle with an eye roll. “But I think I know what you mean.” Following his instructions, you drive the car towards the right before turning left and moving between the two white lines in front of you. At least that’s your intention, but what you end up doing is driving over one of the lines –taking two spaces.

“Come on don’t make that face, it’s your first try.” Steve shakes his head taps the dashboard. “Check the rear-view and backup. You got it.”

You do as Steve says and try to park on the spot next to you, turning a little more to the right so when you drive into the empty space, you’re perfectly parked in between both lines. “There! I did it!” You cheer, putting the car on park and turning to Steve. “Ha!”

He’s smiling too, celebrating this small win and high-fiving you. Steve’s fingers intertwine with yours and keep your hands in his hold, giving them a tight squeeze. There’s happiness and affection shining in his eyes –brown and beautiful and a little sleepy from how early it is– making your blood fizzy under your skin and your body feel like it’s glowing. There’s no one in this world like him, someone who is your cheerleader and makes you feel this happy and safe. And in love.

But the glint in his eye tells you he’s going to say something; you definitely missed something. “You didn’t check the right-side mirror babe; a car can come from your right, and you could’ve crashed into them.”

“Ugh!” You lean you head back on the headrest and look at the roof. Defeat washes over you, there’s so many rules to this driving gig; just when you think you’ve got it right, it’s actually the opposite. Your hands cover your face. “Fucking mirrors.”

Steve laughs next to you, a warm and beautiful sound that wipes away your frown as he shakes his head. His hand takes one yours again a moment later and gives it a squeeze. “It’s only a matter of time.”

Glancing to your right at him you feel your heart dance in your chest at his soft smile. His eyes dance around your face in a way you can’t really describe, and it flusters you beyond words. You smile at him though, ignoring the acrobatics your stomach is performing and the feelings rising to the surface once more. He’s your friend and he’s helping you, nothing more. Don’t make it something it’s not.

Steve is the one who breaks the moment first, eyes going back towards the dashboard. His hand lets go in favour of motioning towards the steering wheel. “Come on, let’s keep practising.”

“Can we go get coffee after?” You ask as you spot the sun beginning to rise in the distance.

“Anything for you babe, you just gotta learn how to park.” Steve settles back on his seat and you look out your window to bite back your smile. He’s got to stop talking to you so sweetly.”

❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

“Can they please stop honking!” You mutter. The burning orange of the setting sun is shining through the trees and painting the dark asphalt in front of you as you drive by. It would be beautiful if not for the car that’s been tailgating you for five minutes now. To say you’re frustrated at the incessant sound of its honking would be an understatement, you’re sweating buckets, and you can hear your pulse in your ears. Your shoulders are tense and pulled tight towards your ears and there’s nothing you wish more than to arrive to Steve’s place. “Stevie.” You plead, gripping the steering wheel tightly.

“Ignore them, you’re doing great.” Comes Steve’s easy response, but he still checks the rear-view mirror and glares at the car behind you. “Of course, it’s some dude in a truck.” You hear him mutter as he shakes his head.

“I’m sweating, I told you I can’t drive on this road yet.” You complain, rolling your shoulders back to ease the tension. “But no, you had to insist.”

“Well, you had to eventually, babe.” Steve shrugs leaning towards the window and looking at you. Then after a sigh, he adds, “Nothing’s going to happen, relax alright.”

Another loud honk helps you do the opposite.

“Tell him to fuck off.” You groan, glancing at the truck behind you. Great now he’s flicking his headlights at you. “I’m literally driving at the speed limit.”  

Steve shakes his head and motions to the road ahead, where the lane splits into two. “You’re fine, look, he can drive past you now.” Right on cue the truck accelerates and drives by, letting you breathe. Your shoulders sag, and when you spot a dinner in the distance you finally relax. There’s no way you’re driving the rest of the way.

“Okay, you’re switching places with me. I’ll try again tomorrow.” You announce after a sigh.  

You turn the blinker on, and perfectly park on a free spot before shutting off the car and getting out. You look at the setting summer sun and breathe in to calm down, at least you made it halfway to Steve’s. Even the shirt you’re wearing feels stifling and your back is sweaty, so you take it off, which leaves you in a black tank top. “That made me age like 70 years.”

You look to your left and find Steve looking at you in that way you both hate and secretly love. He’s leaning against the car, arms crossed in front of him, and his eyes have gone soft. They linger on you, like he loves watching you, like you’re his favourite sight. But is it him or you projecting that? What does that mean, Steve, what is this look? You shake your head and look away; he always looks so handsome in the golden hour, you can’t catch a break. “I’m sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry for, stop apologizing.” He rolls his eyes, sounding exasperated but fond as he offers you a hug. You’re quick to step into his arms and relax against him, you stand no chance when it comes to Steve. He calls and you’ll always answer. Though you wish for nothing more than to bury your face in his neck and breathe him in, let yourself melt against him, you don’t. That it would be weird and you’re just friends. “You, okay?”

You nod against his shoulder and hug him tighter. “Yeah, I just wish I didn’t get so nervous.” It’s been like this a few days, you stopping and getting out of the car; it’s frustrating and a big blow to your confidence every time. “

“You know I don’t mind driving you, right?” Steve mumbles against your hair, his thumbs rubbing circles on your lower back. “If this is stressing you out too much we can stop, I’m happy to drive you anywhere.”

“I know that, Stevie.” You whisper as you close your eyes, deciding to tell him about your dream. “But I had a nightmare the other week, we were in the middle of nowhere, you were really hurt and I couldn’t drive you to the hospital. It was horrible but it made me realise if that happened, I wouldn’t be able to help and I don’t want that.”

“Babe.” Steve sighs, his hands pressing firmly up and down your back. “That won’t happen, it was just a bad dream.”

“I know, but in the off chance that it happens, I want to know that I can help you, Stevie.” You say, shutting your eyes tightly as the image of a hurt Steve comes back. There’s no way you’re losing him over something as simple as driving.

“Alright, we’ll see this through then.” Steve breathes out, holding you for a moment longer before he places a kiss to your temple and steps back. His beaming smile is back on his face, to ease your nerves, you’re sure; it works. “Let’s go, the ice cream’s going to melt. Good job today.”

❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

“Are you sure?” You ask Steve on a Monday morning, one month of practice later you’re ready to take your driving test. Steve Harrington is offering you his car for the test.

“Of course, babe.” Steve shrugs and hands you his keys. “Let’s go get that license.”

You want to smile at him, thank him for how wonderful he’s been but there’s a sadness creeping into your heart and it casts a shadow over your joy. No more lessons after today. Steve is probably sick of you already. You, on the other hand, don’t want this to end, you want to spend more time with him. Hell, you want to spend all of your time with him. Steve notices your frown and steps closer to you, his hand reaches for yours.

“What’s wrong?” A gentle squeeze.

You let go of his hand and lie. “Nothing, I’m just nervous.” With a half-hearted chuckle you leave his side and walk towards his car. “We should get going.”

The drive towards Hawkins High is quiet, with you concentrating and ignoring your aching heart and Steve looking out his window. It’s still early and the town is quiet around you when you drive by. You’ve come so far since your first day and this is where it ends, with you coming closer to Steve after all those hours spent together –something you didn’t think could be possible. Now you’re trying to think of excuses to continue the driving lessons but come up empty handed. Maybe this was all a mistake, the worst mistake, for now your feelings are all over the place and the words I’m in love with you are on the tip of your tongue.

Your favourite song comes on the radio, and you don’t pay it any mind; you can see Steve look at you in surprise from the corner of your eye. Then, because he’s wonderful, the most wonderful and caring boy, he reaches for your hand and squeezes it tightly.

“Hey, I know you’re scared.” He says gently, “And I know me saying this doesn’t help but…”

Steve takes a deep breath, and you squeeze his hand again before he continues. “I’m not lying when I say you’re ready, so please relax this is your favourite song.”

With a quick glance at him, a grin breaks free and soon you’re laughing as Steve turns up the volume and sings loudly. “There’s a room where the light won’t find you! Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down!”

You laugh and smile and sing with him, letting nerves and aborted confessions slide off your back for now. “When they do, I’ll be right behind you!”

The two of you continue to drive like that, happy and carefree and clutching the other’s hand –like you’re unwilling to let go– until the song ends right as you arrive at the high school. Your smile is replaced by a frown and you glance at Steve as you spot the evaluator. He’s a middle-aged man wearing a plaid shirt and khaki pants, black rimmed glasses are perched on top of his nose, and a mustache sits over a deep frown. “He looks so grumpy.”

“Well, it’s 9am on a Saturday.” Steve says simply, “He probably hates you.”

Your eyes widen and you glare at your friend. “Steve!”

When he laughs you shove his shoulder and roll your eyes. Leave it to him to be a jerk when you’re already nervous. “Get out, the faster we’re done the better.”

“Okay, okay.” Steve turns on his seat to face you and his hands move to hold your face. Your next breath catches on your throat at his actions as you look into his lovely brown eyes. They’re full of faith in you, encouraging you with only one look. “Good luck.” He whispers as his thumb rubs at the apple of your cheek. Brown eyes drift down to your lips, and Steve’s face leans the tiniest bit closer to yours. Is he going to…?

Then just as fast as it happens, he’s stepping out of the car; you feel the ghost of his touch burns your skin. Not a moment later, the evaluator gets into the car.

“Seatbelt.” You mutter, watching Steve’s retreating figure head towards the bench by the entrance. Is there a tiny chance that Steve feels the same way about you?

“Let’s start.” The man next to you grumbles, snapping you back into action.

Your mind is half present on the test and half wondering about what just happened. Following your usual route through town, you come to a conclusion. Of two facts you’re absolutely sure. One: You’re hopelessly in love with Steve, and a moment ago you thought he would absolutely kiss you. The other, well the man sitting next to you hasn’t said a single word since the test started. His only instructions were Just drive. And so, you drive. Every time you try to ask something he shakes his head, so after a few turns around main street, you go back to the school.

You heave a sigh as you parallel park and shut down the engine. “Well?”

“Passed.” The evaluator hands you a slip of paper with your test without another word. You don’t care as you thank him quickly and run out of the car, towards Steve.

“Stevie!” You yell, meeting him halfway as he run towards you, and waving the piece of paper frantically. “I passed!”

“Babe! I told you so!” His arms are around you a moment later, holding you tightly and lifting you off the ground just like the day your quest for a driver’s license started. You hold onto him just as tightly, laughing against his shirt as he spins you around. “Told you, you could do it!”

When you’re back on the ground and look up at Steve, the same joy you’re feeling is shining back from his beautiful brown eyes. All the same emotions including love, in the very same way it sparkles whenever you’re looking at him. Your best friend who’s also so kind-hearted and amazing, and so devastatingly handsome, you never stood a chance against falling for him. This is who you love, who you want. The man who woke up at 6 in the morning to teach you how to drive, who chased off your fears and cheered on your wins with hugs and sweet milkshakes; the one who never once lost his temper, no matter how much you messed up. Steve who let you use his car.

“It's all thanks to you.” You whisper, hand going to his cheek and drifting upwards towards his hair. “Thank you, Stevie.”

“You know I would do anything for you.” Is all he says, his voice matching yours.

You nod, smiling a teary smile when your emotions overflow. “I love you so much, you have no idea. And I know it’s stupid but I don’t want to stop spending all that time with you just ‘cause I passed my test.”

“I think you don’t know this, but,” Steve smiles disarming you in a second as he leans closer to you. “I’m crazy about you, babe, I want to be with you all the time.”

“Really?” Your voice is breathless as you lean closer.

“Would I wake up at the crack of dawn just to see you, if I didn’t?” His lips are so close to yours you can feel your breath mingling. Then after a pause, he whispers softly, “I love you.”

Leaning up on your tiptoes you close the gap between you and kiss him. It’s a short press of lips before Steve’s hands hold your face to kiss you better, angling your faces in the perfect way to deepen the kiss. He takes your bottom lip between his, your hands run through his hair, and the brush of his lips is as soft and as urgent as you dreamed they would be. How many times have you imagined this exact moment and still be so unprepared thing. Kissing Steve is wonderful, it’s perfect, it feels like drinking stardust and glowing from within. You can tell how much both of you have wanted this from the overwhelming emotions threatening to consume you; the fact that it’s taken you so long makes you giggle against his mouth.

“What?” Steve asks against the corner of your lips, unwilling to pull away.

“Nothing,” You shake your head, stepping back and looking up at him. “I’m just so happy.”

His gaze goes impossibly softer as he looks at you, “Me too.”

A long moment later, you steal another kiss because you can, and take Steve’s hand. “Celebratory breakfast?” “You got it, beautiful.” Steve says, eyes unable to contain his affection towards you. He leads both of you back to his car, swinging your hands between your bodies. “You’re driving.”

reblogs are appreciated💖 motivate an unmotivated writer pls

[hendersister]

cruel summer

summary: steve gives you a ride home after a late night working at the mall.

pairing: steve harrington x henderson!sister reader

title 🎵: cruel summer by bananarama

It’s summertime. While most of your friends are spending the season outside and relaxing under the sun, you’re stuck working inside all day at Starcourt Mall. You got a job at Waldenbooks because you’re trying to save up money to buy a car. You’re about to enter your senior year at Hawkins High and you want to be able to drive yourself to school instead of bumming rides off of friends.

At least you’re not completely alone at the mall. Steve Harrington works at Scoops Ahoy, which isn’t too far from Waldenbooks. Sometimes when things are slow at the bookstore, you go down to the ice cream parlor to hang out with Steve. 

You became friends with Steve last fall around the same time that your little brother, Dustin, started bonding with him. But you think that working at the mall has really brought you and Steve closer together. Over the past few weeks, you two have been seeing each other on a daily basis. Steve’s face lights up every time he sees you walk into Scoops Ahoy and it always makes your day when Steve visits you at Waldenbooks. You and Steve genuinely enjoy spending time together. 

Whenever you’re both working late, Steve offers to give you a ride home. The last bus always leaves as soon as the mall closes and most of the time you need to stay later. Tonight is one of those nights. You’re working OT, re-organizing a bookshelf after some kids moved several titles around, and Steve has to stay late waiting for a shipment. The delivery driver is running way behind schedule.

By the time you finish work, the mall is closed. You go downstairs to Scoops Ahoy. Just as you arrive, you see Steve walking out of the ice cream parlor. 

“You ready to go?” he asks you.

“Yeah,” you nod.

You watch him pull down the security gate and lock it. Then you two make your way to the exit. No one else is around and most of the lights are off except for the big neon signs outside of the stores. You love it when the mall is closed because it's so quiet and calm.

“You know, I think I prefer the mall like this,” you say.

“Me too,” Steve agrees.

You and Steve walk together across an almost empty parking lot until you reach his red BMW. He gets in the driver’s seat and you sit shotgun. You keep your eyes on the rearview mirror, watching Starcourt getting smaller and smaller as Steve drives away.

“I feel like I need to enjoy this time alone with you while I still can. Because when Dustin gets back from camp, you’re gonna want to spend all your time with him insead,” you joke.

Steve chuckles, shaking his head.

“That’s not true. I’ll still wanna hang out with you too...”

You look down at your lap, hoping Steve doesn’t see you blush.

“Truth is, hanging out with you these past few weeks has been the best part of my job. Scoops Ahoy totally sucks! The only reason I have this stupid job in the first place is because I couldn’t even get into Tech and my douchebag dad’s trying to teach me a lesson. I make like $3 an hour slinging ice cream and I have no future…” Steve vents.

You shake your head.

“Don’t say that! You have a future,” you try.

“I just don’t want to be stuck in Hawkins forever…” Steve shrugs.

You take a deep breath.

“Steve, I get it… Honestly I think part of me wants a car so badly because I’m afraid I’ll never get out of Hawkins. That car is like my last ditch exit plan. I don’t want to be stuck here either,” you quietly admit.

Steve sighs, understanding. It’s comfortably quiet for a moment. And then-

“I forget about all that shit when I'm with you though…” Steve says.

You bite your bottom lip to stop yourself from grinning ear to ear. Steve looks at you and sees you blushing. You couldn’t hide it from him this time. You shyly smile back him and then change the subject-

“You should lose the sailor’s hat. It’s hiding your best feature,” you suggest.

Steve nods in agreement.

“Yeah, I know! It completely screws up my game. But I have to wear it… company policy,” he complains.

You slowly reach towards Steve.

“Well you’re off the clock now-”

You take the hat off Steve's head and toss it in the back seat.

“Much better,” you smile.

Steve smiles back at you. You look into each other’s eyes. You both feel the electricity in this moment. After a beat, Steve turns his focus back to the road. The car is approaching your street.

“Ok so I’ll just turn right and take you home…. Or I could keep going straight and then we’ll just be driving around town for a while,” Steve tells you.

Steve is having a good time. He doesn’t want this night to end. And neither do you.

“Keep going straight,” you nod.

[joesbnbg]

cruel summer

part one of everybody wants to rule the world

in which the girls get ice cream, robin has a meet-cute, steve throws a pool party, and everybody gets high [4.4k words]

The summer of ‘85 in Hawkins, Indiana was a scorching one. Tarmac sizzled under the butter yellow sun, cotton candy clouds spun on the saccharine sweet taste of summer freedom. Perfect for soaking sunburnt bodies with chlorinated water at the Hawkins public pool; perfect for long bike rides against the wind, speed and sun burning the rubber of the thin tires; the perfect weather for ice cream. 

Which was right where April and DJ were headed, AC blasting in April's beat up ‘74 Chevy Vega, sun reflecting off its faded orange hood as the two teenagers drove towards the Starcourt Mall. Blondie blasted from the speakers and April sang along lazily as DJ chattered over Debbie Harry with unprecedented speed about everything and nothing at all, fumbling with the fringes of her cut off shorts. 

April's fingers drummed against the steering wheel as she turned into the crowded parking lot, eyes scanning for a place to park as DJ craned her neck towards the entrance, watching couples and teenagers and families alike clamber inside the mall like sweaty zombies who sought cold air instead of brains. 

April pulled into the closest spot she could find, which of course wasn’t close at all, and quickly turned the car off, as ready to escape the summer heat as the rest of her town. She pushed her sunglasses back onto the crown of her head, black frames against copper hair, watching as DJ snaked out of the car window, falling to the ground with an ungraceful thump. April's passenger side door hadn’t worked since she had bought the car over a year ago, but DJ still hadn't gotten the hang of an elegant landing. 

“Let’s go,” April said with an impatient smile, head tilted towards the mall. DJ grumbled, wiping bits of rocks from the indents they had created on her palms as she scrambled to her feet, the old canvas of her black converse tearing slightly at her movement. 

“I thought when you got a car it would come with less injuries,” DJ said, catching up to her best friend as they began towards the building, beat-up shoes moving in tandem against the blacktop. “I’m fighting for my life out here.” April huffed out a laugh, adjusting the strap of her purse on her shoulder. 

“If you were behind the wheel, we’d be fighting for our lives every five minutes. I much prefer these odds.” April responded, pushing through the glass double doors and into Starcourt, a well welcomed whoosh of cool air greeting her. DJ sputtered as she removed the wind blown hair from her face, tucking dark strands behind her ears.

“What, because I went airborne? That was one time.” DJ said as they rounded a corner, making April laugh again. 

“Two times.” 

“One and a half. Only the front two wheels came off the ground the first time.”

“I don’t know if you’re aware of this, Dot, but a car’s wheels aren’t supposed to come off the ground ever. Front or back.”

“They won’t be saying that when cars can fly.”

“Emphasis on ‘can.’ My car is not built for that. No car is built for that. Honestly, I’m starting to think you might have a better shot getting your pilot license.” April said as they walked into Scoops Ahoy, Hawkins’ newest and nicest nautical themed creamery. DJ whistled at the boy behind the counter whose face perked up slightly at the sight of the girls. How this schmuck in an ill-fitting sailor’s suit had managed to win over her best friend was still a mystery to her, but she tabled the thought for later as they approached the counter. 

“Too expensive. Yo, Harrington! How do we feel about another driving lesson?” She called at him, a grin tugging her pink lips upward. Steve shook his head vigorously as he moved towards the tubs of ice cream, head bent as he scooped USS Butterscotch onto a wafer cone. 

“Absolutely not,” He said, and although amusement colored his tone, it was clear he was being completely serious. He stood upright, passing the cone to April, who took it with a bright smile, one he shared as their brown eyes met. 

“Well, take it up with your girlfriend, because apparently, she’d rather sacrifice my palms than get her wizard cousin to fix the car.” DJ said, holding up her scratched up hand as April rolled her eyes.

“Okay, first off, he’s not a wizard, he’s a thirteen year old who happens to know a lot about science, and secondly, he’s not a fucking mechanic. He’s just a kid.” She shot back. DJ shrugged, taking a cone of cookies and cream from Steve’s outstretched hand. 

“Close enough,” She said as she licked a dribbler off the side of the cone. “But I’m pretty sure I saw him blow up Older Sinclair’s blender, so really, what’s the difference?” DJ asked, dropping a loose quarter from her pocket into the tip jar, which made Steve involuntarily grimace. 

“He’s also not even here,” April reminded her. “He’s at that science thing for another three weeks.” 

“Camp Know-Nothing or whatever,” Steve added.

“Camp Know-Where,” April corrected. 

“You want a bandaid for that battle scar?” Steve asked, eyebrows raised and eyes focused as DJ inspected the broken skin on her hand. DJ shrugged like it was nothing, because things like this were always happening to her. Steve turned, opening the partition to the back room, calling towards the coworker neither April or DJ realized he had. “Robin, can you get the first aid kit?” 

“What, did you sprain your wrist slinging ice cream, Stevie?” The voice called back, and Steve rolled his eyes, gritting his teeth with annoyance as he turned back towards his friends. April trained her eyes on the floor and sunk her teeth into her bottom lip to keep from laughing, but DJ couldn’t help the snicker that escaped her. 

“Yeah, Stevie, hurt your little baby wrist?” DJ said, pouting at him. Steve’s eyes narrowed as he turned towards the back again. 

“It was for my friend actually, but forget it, because she’s being an absolute dick right now.” He said, and this time April couldn’t stop herself from laughing into her ice cream. “Let her bleed.” 

“Are you allowed to curse in uniform? Isn’t that, like, against the company image or whatever?” DJ asked, clearly getting more joy out of teasing the boy than the quickly melting treat in her hand. 

“Company image? What is this, Disneyland?” Steve retorted. 

“What? King Steve wasn’t an animated Disney classic? Since when?” DJ replied, eyes widening. She laughed, loudly this time, but all confidence and joy seemed to drain from her face as Steve’s coworker stepped out from the back room, first aid kit in hand. 

“Who needs the first aid kit?” The girl asked. “Had to look through, like, seven different cabinets to find it. I’m also pretty sure the instructions on this thing are in Russian.” She frowned, head bent as she examined it with bright blue eyes. DJ gulped, trying to steady herself, and April and Steve shared a knowing, amused look. 

“Robin, this is April, my girlfriend, and DJ, April's leech. April, DJ, this is Robin.” Steve said, and Robin looked up at them for the first time, eyes training on DJ’s just as DJ’s had trained on Robin’s. Pink rose to her freckled cheeks and she quickly looked down again, focusing on opening the first aid kit again. 

“Hand,” DJ blurted, pointing it out towards Robin, who looked at it like DJ had just shoved a knife in her direction. 

“She hurt her hand,” April quickly supplied. “Climbing out of my car, because the door doesn’t work.” 

“Oh,” Robin said, clearly nervous herself as she awkwardly opened the kit. She pulled out a bandaid and when she grabbed DJ’s hand to inspect it closer, DJ held her breath. Delicately, Robin placed the bandaid over the spot, patting the brunette’s hand lightly as she let it go. The air was thick with the smell of vanilla and tension, and Robin cleared her throat, stepping into the back room again. 

“...Huh,” Steve said after a moment, head tilted in thought. “I mean, she’s usually awkward, but she’s not that awkward.” 

“I wasn’t-” 

“I didn’t mean you, shit-for-brains.” Steve said, eyes on DJ, whose eyebrows knit in frustration. 

“I should slap that stupid hat right off your head.” DJ replied. 

“You’d be doing me a favor.” Steve said, and April chuckled. 

"How long has she been working here for?" April asked. "I've never seen her around." Steve shrugged.

"Dunno. She just sort of showed up and started insulting me."

"I like her already." DJ said, and Steve rolled his eyes.

"Clearly." He muttered.

“So, Stevie-” 

“Don’t call me that.” 

“Stevie, you know it’s really hot out today.” 

“Mhm.” 

“And you know what people like to do when it’s hot out?” Steve stared at DJ, unamused.

“Go inside and leave other people alone?” 

“Go swimming,” April supplied, and Steve turned towards her, raising an eyebrow before wagging a finger between the girls. 

“You planned this, didn’t you?” He asked, before turning his attention back to DJ. “Don’t you have a pool?” 

“Yeah, but you have something I don’t: absentee parents.” DJ said with a grin, and Steve glared at her, playing with his ice cream scooper. 

“Gee. Thanks. Rub it in my face, why don’t you?” 

“I’m just saying,” DJ continued, leaning on the counter to get closer to him, “We could have a super-fun-no-parents-pool-party to kick off the summer? I’ll get the drinks!” 

“You look younger than Henderson.” Steve shot back, and DJ grinned brightly at him. 

“Okay, then you get the drinks.” DJ amended, and Steve smiled with disbelief, shaking his head slightly. 

“Is that a yes?” April asked, looking at the boy hopefully. Steve rolled his eyes before finally nodding his head in agreement. 

“Fine,” He said. “Fine. Seven o’clock.” DJ broke out into a sly grin. 

“You’re the best, Harrington.” She said, and Steve rolled his eyes again, waving his hand. 

“Whatever.” He said as April dug into her purse for her car keys, extending them out towards her friend. 

“DJ, why don’t you go ahead and get the car started? I’ll be out right behind you.” 

“I don’t think the good patrons of Scoops Ahoy will appreciate the make-out session in the middle of their nautical ice cream experience,” DJ said as she took the keys, twisting them around her finger. 

“Shut up!” April said as Steve ducked his head down, blushing. 

“Wear protection!” DJ called as she headed towards the exit. “I am too young to be an aunt.” April laughed, turning back towards Steve, who gave her a smile. 

“So…” April started, leaning closer to him, “I was thinking…” 

“Oh yeah?” Steve said, grin growing with the girl’s words. 

“We should invite Robin to the pool party tonight.” Steve’s smile faded as he crossed his arms, looking at the girl in front of him. 

“Seriously?” He said, blinking. “Why?” 

“Because!” April responded, lowering her voice slightly. “She and DJ were really hitting it off back there.” 

“That was hitting it off? I’ve seen babies communicate more gracefully than that.” Steve argued, but April pressed forward. 

“There’s something there. Invite her, please.” 

“How do you even know she’s a lesbian?” Steve whispered, and April's eyes darted towards the back room, making sure Robin wasn’t listening. 

“I don’t,” April said, “But I have a feeling if we invite her, it’ll be a good thing. Come on, please?” Steve was silent, thoughtful as he weighed his options. “You know,” April said, closing the space between her and the boy even more, “If DJ has a friend, or somebody, she won’t be as interested in what we’re doing.” Steve stared at her blankly. “Do you understand what I’m trying to say to you, Steve?” 

April watched as the idea registered in his brain, eyes filling with recognition and mouth opening slightly. “Oh,” He said slowly, starting to break out into a thoughtful grin. “Okay. Okay.” 

“See?” April said, smiling, too. “Invite her.” Steve groaned, looking towards the back room, nose scrunching with disgust at the girl who sat inside of it. “Come on,” April pushed back Steve’s cowlick, moving the chocolate colored hair out of his face. “Please.” 

Steve huffed. “Fine.” He said. “Fine. God, I just do whatever you two tell me to, don’t I?” 

“Yeah,” April agreed. “You must be real fucking whipped, Harrington.” Steve rolled his eyes. 

“Get the fuck out of here. I’ll see you at seven.”

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When seven o’clock rolled around that evening, April and DJ found themselves once again inside April's car, bikinis on under cut off shorts and big graphic tees. The sun was dipping below the trees, filtering through the leaves and houses as they drove through Hawkins, the cool breeze that accompanied the late hour playing with the ends of their hair. 

“I wonder what else we could get Steve to do because he’s in love with you.” DJ said, watching the clouds pass by as they drove, hand draping lazily out the window.

“He’s not in love with me.” April said quickly, and DJ quirked up an eyebrow. 

“What do you mean? He’s definitely in love with you.” DJ said. “I mean, come on, who else would put up with me just to date you? Not many people.” 

“Found that out the hard way.” April added. “But can we not… we’re just taking it slow for now, okay?” 

“O…kay,” DJ said finally, a little lost. “I wonder what we could get him to do because he likes you so much,” She amended. “Do you think he’d kill someone, or is that, like, a six month anniversary present kind of deal?” 

“Jury’s still out on that one,” April replied after a moment. 

“No, the jury definitely thinks he’s innocent. They’d think a man who uses that much hairspray probably wouldn’t have any brain cells left to murder ‘cause the aerosol in the can would have killed them all.” 

“Okay, he doesn’t use that much hairspray,” April argued, although she barely even believed herself. 

“Have you ever seen him without hairspray before, or are you guys not that serious yet? Does that also come with the six month anniversary murder?” DJ kept going. “Like, maybe he murders someone because they’ve seen him without hairspray, or maybe they discontinue it so he murders whoever makes - or, I guess doesn’t make - the hairspray, or-” 

“Okay, we get it.” April said as they turned onto Steve’s block, pulling into the empty spot in front of his house, right beside a tree with a branch convenient enough for DJ to use to haul herself out of the car. 

She managed the escape a little better this time, huffing as April retrieved her things from the back of the car. DJ frowned at the sight of an unfamiliar bike resting in the driveway as they got closer, nudging April to make sure she saw it, too. 

“Is that Steve’s?” DJ asked, and April stared at it, doing her best to pretend she didn’t know who it belonged to. 

“Hmm, I don’t know.” She said. “Maybe it’s one of the kids.” 

“He’d invite the kids to a pool party where there’d be alcohol?” DJ said incredulously. “Mr. Mother-of-the-Year? I don’t think so.” 

“Well, who knows?” April asked as she knocked on the large wooden door. “They like to just randomly appear in places. Could be one of them.” It was a few more seconds until the door swung open, and Steve stood behind it, looking far more comfortable in clothes that fit his body correctly. 

“Retired from the navy so soon?” DJ teased. “I thought they were about to promote you.” 

“Shut up,” Steve replied before kissing April in greeting as the girls walked inside. 

“Where’s mine?” DJ asked, puckering her lips at him. He made a face at her as they walked through the house. Music played softly on a speaker outside as Steve made a pit stop in the kitchen, passing cold beer cans to the girls before sliding the glass door to the backyard open. 

“Hey, guys!” DJ almost dropped her drink at the sight of the sandy haired girl in front of her, laying out in a navy blue two piece, nursing a beer. 

“You guys remember Robin,” Steve said, gesturing at her as if it wasn’t April's idea to invite her in the first place. 

“Yeah!” April said brightly, hoping her excited attitude would draw away from the fear growing in her best friend’s eyes. “It’s good to see you. Isn’t it, DJ?” She turned towards her friend expectantly, whose green eyes only grew wider. 

“I-it’s great! Or, or cool! Or, it’s very normal. Awesome. Fun…tastic to see you.” DJ sputtered on her words, drawing a quiet laugh out of Steve. Robin didn’t seem phased as she took another sip of her beer. 

“You know, I think we had English together sophomore year,” She said, eyes focusing on April, who smiled with recognition. 

“Yeah! I think you’re right. God, Mr. Shipman was an absolute trip.” April replied, twisting her hair up into a bun. 

“I took English!” DJ offered, and Steve moved towards her, patting her on the shoulder. 

“Take a lap, champ.” He said, and DJ nodded, still flustered as she moved to dip her toes in the deep end of the pool. “That went so badly I hope she doesn’t drown herself.” Steve muttered softly against April's ear, causing her to stifle a laugh. 

“So how long have you two been going out?” Robin asked. DJ was still on the other side of the pool making splashing sounds with her feet that were loud enough to cause a scene. Steve and April looked at each other.

“Like… five months at this point?” Steve asked, and April shrugged in agreement. Robin looked between them with a smile.

“How exactly did you pull her, Harrington? She seems a little too cerebral for you.” Robin tilted her head, smile taking form into a shit-eating grin as April giggled and Steve’s face dropped. 

“That’s what I’m saying!” DJ shouted from the other side of the pool. 

“Well, considering the fact that I don’t even know what ‘cerebral’ means, yeah, you’re probably right.” Steve said coolly. “We met through her cousin-” 

“Her cousin who is a child.” DJ added in a yell, cutting Steve off. 

“Who I, y’know, look out for sometimes-” 

“He’s a glorified babysitter who doesn’t get paid.” DJ continued, and Steve turned towards her, placing his hands on his hips. 

“Shut the fuck up, Dorothy.” Steve shouted as DJ padded her way back over to them, wet feet slapping on the concrete. 

“Make me, Harrington!” DJ gestured towards him and he moved ever-so-slightly before April put a hand on his arm, redirecting the conversation back to where it had started. 

“I tutored him.” April said. “And to be honest, I thought he was a major douche. But he actually turned out to be a big softie.” 

“Is that why he can’t get it-” Before DJ could finish, Steve turned towards her and pushed her in the pool, causing all three of the girls to yelp as DJ landed smack in the middle of the water. 

“Jesus, Steve!” April exclaimed, though she was laughing. Robin was laughing, too, and Steve cracked a smile, guzzling the last of his beer. 

“Took care of that problem, huh?” Steve said as DJ spluttered, spitting chlorinated water out of her mouth and pushing her sopping wet hair out of her eyes.

“Not fair!” DJ exclaimed, although she was smiling, too. Before she knew what was happening, a whiz of a blue bathing suit was making its way into the pool with a whoop, landing beside her. Once she had popped back up out of the water, Robin smiled at DJ, eyes reflecting the color of the pool. 

“Couldn’t leave you alone in here, could I?” Robin said, and DJ did her best to keep her body from short-circuiting. Still on land, April eyed Steve nervously, body tense as she waited for him to push her in, too. Steve stared at her, his hands on his hips. 

“I’ll at least give you the dignity of taking your clothes off first.” He said, eyes drifting towards DJ, whose large shirt was fanning around her like an underwater overcoat. 

“Gee, what a gentleman.” April grinned, stripping off her denim shorts and t-shirt to reveal an emerald green bikini underneath. Steve waited with amusement as April tossed them to the side, then scooped her up bridal style and tossed her into the pool before chucking off his own shirt and cannon-balling after her. 

DJ swam towards the shallow end to peel off her now soaking denim shorts and t-shirt, tossing them with a loud plop onto the side of the pool. She felt a lot lighter in just her maroon bikini. 

Once the group was officially cooled off and fully chlorinated, they removed their soaking bodies to lay out by the side of the pool, each nursing cold beers, condensation dripping onto the already wet concrete. 

“So,” Robin said, a grin plastered on her face as she reached her free hand towards her bag, “I brought something that might make today a little more interesting.” Steve raised an eyebrow, his interest piquing. Robin whipped a baggie out of her purse, holding it up for the friends to see, and April laughed. 

“Magic oregano,” DJ said, making April laugh harder as Steve stood up, grabbing the bag from Robin’s outstretched fingers. 

“Brownie points for Buckley.” Steve moved towards the nearby table to begin rolling the joint. 

“I didn’t know you smoked, Robin,” April said, prompting the girl to shrug. Steve scoffed.

“Are you kidding? Look at her. Her nails are painted black and she’s in band.” Robin made a face as both April and DJ laughed. 

“Okay, okay, fair,” April conceded. 

“I wouldn’t think you guys smoked,” Robin said. “DJ, maybe. Steve, sure. Definitely not you, April.” 

April shrugged. “I like to have fun.” 

“She likes to have a break from talking all the time.” Steve translated, licking the rolling paper. April grinned. 

“What does that mean?” Robin asked. 

“I go really quiet when I get high.” April explained, and DJ nodded enthusiastically. 

“Nonverbal, almost.” DJ added. “It’s really kind of funny.” 

“Wish you’d go nonverbal,” Steve muttered, and DJ’s head whipped towards him. 

“Do I have to remind you you’ve never won a fight, Harrington? Want to make that record zero to three?” DJ said, and Steve gave the girl a wary look, going the long way to avoid her as he moved towards Robin, who held her lighter outstretched towards him. “You’re lucky I don’t have that. All it would take is one jab of that fire in your direction and the amount of hairspray up in that wig of yours would make you go bald in an instant.” April couldn’t help but laugh as Steve flicked the lighter in DJ’s direction before bringing the joint to his lips, taking a puff. 

He handed it to April, who took a small drag and suppressed a cough as she handed it to Robin, who took a similar hit, who passed it to DJ, who held it to her lips far too long just to stop herself from thinking about the fact that her hand had brushed Robin’s. She coughed up a storm, handing the joint back to Steve, who laughed. 

“Little smaller next time, Wilkerson.” He advised, and she glared at him with watery eyes, trying to stop the coughs from coming out of her. They each took one more hit, then another, until a little less than half the joint was left, which Steve stubbed out to save for later. 

It didn’t take long until all of their brains were humming, tuned on the frequency of a certain kind of tranquilness that only came from joints like these. They all stared up at the sky, admiring the way the clouds went by, the shapes they made, the way they danced in the air. 

“This is nice.” Robin said. “I honestly wasn’t gonna come, but… this is nice.” 

“Yeah,” DJ agreed with a lazy smile. 

“If I’d have known you’d had weed up your sleeve, I would’ve invited you over a long time ago, Robin.” Steve said, turning towards her slightly. “Where’d you get it?” 

“You guys know Eddie Munson?” Robin asked. Steve frowned.

“Who?” He asked. 

“He’s a senior. He’s in that Dungeons and Dragons club, with the long hair? Looks like he could be straight out of Metallica, or something, and he’s kind of weird, but in a harmless way, and definitely nicer than he looks - but anyways, he sells weed, good weed, obviously, and my friend told me about him, and his prices aren’t too bad, so around last year, I started buying from him and was like ‘Oh! This is cool!’ and so I’ve kept going back and-”

“I think you've made your point.” Steve said, shutting the girl down before she could continue. DJ sat up, staring at him. 

“Let her speak.” Steve rolled his eyes as DJ laid back down again.

“So, anyways, yeah. I buy from Eddie. That was really the end of the story.” Robin said with a shrug. 

“I have such an urge to jump in the pool right now.” DJ said, eyes on the sunlight that danced across the water’s surface. 

“Don’t,” Steve warned, shielding his face from the sun with his arm, “You’re gonna get yourself killed.” 

“No, I’m not,” DJ argued. “And even if I did, you’re a lifeguard, right? So you could just save me or whatever.” Steve gave her a pointed look. 

“I’ll go in the pool with you!” Robin offered, sitting up in her own chair. DJ grinned, looking towards Steve again. 

“See? Two against one. April, you in?” April shook her head. 

“No, I’m good.” She said, eyes closed as Steve played with the ends of her hair. DJ shrugged, moving towards the edge of the pool.

“Okay, still two against one. That’s fine. Majority rules. But don’t worry, Mom, I won’t, like, backflip into the pool or anything.”

“You don’t know how to backflip.” 

“Yes, I do.” 

“No, you don’t.”

“Yes, I do.”

“Get in the pool before I push you in.” Steve said, and though he made no effort to move, DJ cannonballed into the pool without another moment’s hesitation. 

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i hope you guys enjoyed this part! these characters are so special to me and i'm having such a fun time with their dynamics :)

[roping-riding-wrangling]

Bennie and the Jets

“Y/n” he says with that tone. The same tone he used to tell you that your family dog Tammy had been hit by a car. The same tone he used when your mother died.

“Dad, what's wrong?”

He pulls you to sit with him on the plastic chairs. 

“I got a call from the police. Benny, he…he was found dead this morning”

Your hand flies to your face. Your dad’s hand rubs comforting circles on your back as you try to catch your breath. 

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten 

Over and over you count to ten until you find your voice again, “What happened?”

Previous Part

summary: Y/n's day goes from bad to worse as she suffers caffeine withdrawals, finds out her boss is dead, and almost gets into a car accident.

Words: 3k

Warnings: Newby!reader, death, mentions of suicide, brief mention of dead dog, swearing, ANGST, reader ignoring her emotions™

Sleep has a firm grip on you in the early morning. After last night, you got home to find your dad already asleep. You hadn’t taken your uniform off before you crashed onto your bed. You dreamt of milkshakes and volleyballs and little girls with tattoos. The alarm wakes you violently, and violently you react. You smash the thing until it stops beeping, groaning when you hear it five minutes later. You shoot up and rip the chord from the wall, effectively silencing the machine. Already up, you figure that you might as well get ready for the day.

You go to make your pot of coffee, reaching for the jar where you keep the grinds. “Fuck” you softly whisper. In the chaos of yesterday, you forgot to get more coffee. You glance at your watch.

Fuck. 

There's not enough time to run to the store to get more coffee before practice. You leave a note for your dad and grab the last can of coke from the fridge, hoping it gives you enough energy to make it through the day.

The ride to school is quiet. The sun hasn’t quite risen, casting the town of Hawkins in an eerie gray light. The leaves are just starting to fall, some of them already barren. The heat in your truck hasn’t worked since last year and you can see your breath as you drive. The cold this morning is extra bitter. Sleep lingers in your eyes as you make the winding drive, forgoing the cassette to listen to the radio. You park as the sun begins to peek over the horizon. Standing outside your car, you let the light wash over your closed eyes for a minute, taking in the stillness. 

You’ve always preferred sunrises to sunsets. There’s something about the world coming out of darkness that calls to you. Everything is a little less hopeless in the daylight.

You feel someone’s eyes on you. Your gaze darts across the parking lot before landing on none other than Steve Harrington. He stares at you from a few cars down quizzically. You’re too tired to dignify his staring in any meaningful way, offering the smallest tilt of your lip in acknowledgement. You turn back to the sun, ignoring the way he continues to stare at you. 

You let yourself enjoy the last few seconds of sunrise before you go inside. 

––––

It turns out the coke was not enough to get you through the day. It’s fourth period when you feel your eyelids drooping. The pre-calc lesson is not nearly intriguing enough to warrant you staying awake. You’re roused from your almost-slumber by a gentle tap on your shoulder. Carol, a folded paper in her hand, gestures for you to pass the note to Hannah, who sits in front of you. The paper moves along, and for a minute you wonder if Carol even knows your name. 

She’s part of the popular crowd and you tell yourself that it doesn’t matter what she thinks of you. Then the thought hits you: does she even think of you at all. Do any of the popular kids even think about anyone but themselves? Are they so wrapped up in their own bubble that they can even perceive their peers?

As it turns out, normal kids can be perceived by the holier-than-thou popular kids. Next to your locker, Carol congregates with Tommy, Steve, and Nancy, who has seemingly joined their crew through her connection to Steve. It's hard not to overhear them as they gossip about Jonathan Byers.

The parking lot incident had long since been forgotten as you listen to Steve and Tommy joke about Will.

“I bet he killed him”

Their crude speculation brings a scowl to your face. How dare they speak about Jonathan like that when he’s clearly trying to find his brother. Anger pools in your stomach and you pull out your books faster, eager to avoid listening to this bullshit. Suddenly Nancy’s gentle voice pipes up, “Should we say something?”

You’re suddenly grateful that you’re facing your locker, as you’re sure the shock from hearing her defend him is written all over your face. You peak over your shoulder to see her approach Jonathan. You can’t hear the short discussion, but Jonathan purses his lips and nods at her. She walks back and you and Jonathan make eye contact. 

It’s heartbreaking how terrible he looks. He’s even more disheveled than normal, hair unbrushed, eyes puffy and sunken in. You give him a small nod and a look that you hope he reads as “I’m sorry and good luck”

He leaves. 

–––

Fifth period is just as brutal as the last. You had just nodded off for the third time when the secretary opens the classroom door. All eyes turn to her as she calls for you to join her in the hallway. 

The walk to the office is silent as you run through every scenario of why you would possibly be called up. The secretary opens the door for you to see your dad waiting for you. 

“Y/n” he says with that tone. The same tone he used to tell you that your family dog Tammy had been hit by a car. The same tone he used when your mother died.

“Dad, what's wrong?”

He pulls you to sit with him on the plastic chairs. 

“I got a call from the police. Benny, he…he was found dead this morning”

Your hand flies to your face. Your dad’s hand rubs comforting circles on your back as you try to catch your breath. 

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten 

Over and over you count to ten until you find your voice again, “what happened?”

“Buddy, I don’t think-”

“Dad, what happened”

“He shot himself”

“Oh”

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten 

One, two, three, fo–

“Buddy, the police want to talk to you, ask you a couple questions about Benny. I’m gonna take you down to the station. When we’re done we can go home.”

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten 

“Ok”

You walk to your locker to collect your things in a daze. It continues all the way to the station and your dad has to stop you from walking into a wall. If you weren’t in such a state of shock, you probably would’ve laughed. 

An officer whose name you immediately forget takes down your information and you lose count of how many sets of ten you’ve collected. Finally, Chief Hopper sits in front of you and introduces himself. 

“Jim Hopper”

“Y/n Newby”

“y/n, you were the last person to see Benny. Did you notice anything odd about his behavior?”

“Um, no he seemed fine–normal. But, I wasn’t the last person.”

“What do you mean?”

“There was a little kid that broke in last night, a runaway.”

“We heard about the kid, did you get a good look? Did he look like this?”

He produces a missing kid poster, Will’s picture on the front. The nausea returns to your body.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten

“No, uh, that's Will Byers. I know Will and I didn’t recognize this kid. We called social services. They were supposed to come this morning.”

“So there’s a chance this kid’s running around too?”

The thought of the little girl from yesterday being on her own again terrifies you. You count two more sets of ten before another officer pipes up, clearly not reading the room, “Huh chief, what’re the chances of two missing kid cases in the same 24 hours–in Hawkins!”

You see a spark of connection flash on the chief’s face, a look you can understand. You’re pretty sure you’ve connected the same dots he has: Will, the little girl, and Benny’s death are all intertwined. 

–––

The bedroom feels tiny yet giant all at once. The popcorn ceiling seems to dance in front of you–probably because you’ve been staring at it for the past few hours. No matter how you try and put the pieces together, none of them fit. Any way you looked at it, it didn��t make sense. The big question underlying everything was Why? 

After what felt like another hour of staring at the ceiling, you had a horrible realization. You never got the coffee. Laughter bubbles out of you uncontrollably. You trap the laughter behind your hands, horrified at the humor of the situation–and at yourself for getting lost in it. God, what a mess this whole day has turned out to be. 

Turning over, your clock displays the time– 4:52 pm. Your dad is still at work. He had stayed with you for an hour before going back, letting you know he’d be back later than normal. He had to be at the store to meet with someone or receive a shipment or something–honestly, you weren’t really listening. You didn’t protest, just gave him a hug and told him you were fine. 

You grab your bag and head outside but your truck is nowhere to be found. That's right, you remember, dad drove you home, which means your truck is still at the high school. As you contemplate how long the walk to the school is going to take, Mrs. Henderson leaves her door, calling out your name before walking over, a sad smile on her face. Clearly, news travels fast.

“Oh, Y/n, I was just coming over to check on you. How’re you holding up? Your dad told me what happened.”

You glance down at your converse and shift from foot to foot. “Um I’m ok, all things considered. I was about to head to the store.”

“Why don’t you let me drive you? I’ve been meaning to pick up a few things too,” she’s clearly trying to be subtle but you doubt she’s going to let you go alone.

“Uh sure,” you answer, not wanting to be rude.

Sitting in her car isn’t as uncomfortable as you thought it’d be. Mrs. Henderson pointedly doesn’t ask about Benny, but does make small talk. 

“How’s volleyball going? Your dad was telling me you made varsity this year? Congratulations!”

“Oh yeah, its pretty good. Coach has us doing morning practices every other day. Getting ready for the first game in a few weeks.”

“Ooh are you excited? It must be nerve wracking to be so close to game day”

You shrug your shoulders.

“I guess, but I’m not that worried. Our first game is against Cuark High, and they're not that intimidating.”

Mrs Henderson hummed in acknowledgement. The radio played a beach boys song so softly the words were incomprehensible. She tended to listen to older music, you noticed. Soft tunes that crooned of love and hope were always the soundtrack of the Henderson home. You appreciated the way Ms. Henderson emphasized comfort throughout her life. 

When the Hendersons first moved in next to you, your father had insisted that you offer your help. After a full day of unloading furniture and unpacking boxes, Mrs. Henderson had cooked you a hearty meal. Dustin was just 9 years old and had stared at you with wide eyes as you ate. As you helped Mrs. Henderson clean the dishes, she’d told you that if you ever needed a woman to talk to, she was just a short walk away. 

The woman rambles gently about some mischief her cat got up to while you stare at the radio. It's a horrifyingly familiar piano riff. If there was ever a song you didn’t want to hear, it's this. Elton John’s unintelligible singing continues as it draws nearer to the chorus. You try to will the radio to combust as your hands ball into tighter and tighter fists. 

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

Over and over you count until all you can focus on is the song in your ears and the numbers in your head.

“...Y/n? What's wrong?” Ms. Henderson's voice cuts through the ringing of ears and the song, which seems impossibly loud. 

“B-B-B-Bennie and the jets” Elton John's voice sings emphatically.

“Oh god!” Ms Henderson exclaims, quickly switching off the radio, “I’m so sorry sweetie, I didn’t even hear the song playing.”

The silence from the radio is welcome, but the ringing in your ears remains. 

As you pulled into the parking lot, you came out of your daze. 

“Y/n, sweetie, would you mind grabbing a cart?”

You silently grabbed a shopping cart from the line up, falling into step with her. 

“What's on your list?” Mrs. Henderson asked, pulling out a written list from her bag. 

“Uh, just coffee”

“Oh, thats it?” You shrugged. Your father had never been the shopping list type, preferring to just pick up whatever he needed on the way home. It was a trait you’d picked up as well. 

“Well, we can get that first then we’ll tackle my list.”

You trailed behind your neighbor with the cart, occasionally throwing in groceries that looked interesting or you figured you’d be running out of soon. A pack of coke, a bag of chips, and a carton of eggs soon joined your coffee grinds in the cart, surrounded by Mrs. Henderson’s haul. 

It was dark by the time you got out of the store, and you pulled your sweater arms up on your hands to protect them from the chilly air.

Her car warms you up quickly and you are reminded of your own car, “Mrs. Henderson,” you begin, “could you stop by the high school? My truck is still parked there.”

“Of course sweetie, don’t want you walking so early in the morning tomorrow!”

The drive to the school is fairly quiet until a thought pops into your head, “How’s Dustin holding up with the whole Will thing?”

A sad look crosses Mrs. Henderson’s face, “Honestly, I don’t know. He seems to be perfectly unaffected. I don’t know if he’s really optimistic or just putting on a brave face…he’s always been a resilient kid, but I can’t imagine how it’ll affect him if Will…” she shakes the worried look off her face, “I hope they find him soon.”

“Yeah, me too.”

She pulls her car next to yours and turns to face you. “Y/n, I know that you probably don’t want to talk about Benny right now. But I want you to know I’m here for you. If you need a shoulder, or another girls’ night, I’m just a walk away.”

“Oh,” you aren’t sure how to respond, “Thank you…I’ll keep that in mind.”

She pursed her lips, an emotion crossing her face that you couldn’t quite read.

“Anyways, thanks for the ride…it was nice. And make sure Dustin helps you carry in the groceries. I know you’ll probably try and make it in one trip.”

“Dustin’s actually at the Wheelers tonight, though he should be getting soon I suppose.” she replies, seemingly realizing the time

Driving your truck home, you immediately missed the warmth that Mrs. Henderson’s car offered. Alone with your thoughts, your mind began to wander as you drove. Considering all the odd things going on in town, you tried to piece them all together. Maybe Eleven and Will met and were on the run together, but why would Will run away? And on that note, Why had Eleven run? Did social services ever pick her up? How long after they showed up did Benny shoot himself? Did he even wait for it? Did Eleven have to witness it? 

You were so lost in thought that you almost didn’t see the other car parked on the side of the road. You have to use your whole body to turn the wheel enough to avoid hitting the car. Huh. It looks slightly familiar. Then it hits you. This is Jonathan’s car. You pull in front of it, hopping out the truck. Looking around, you see the caution tape and a pit grows in your stomach. 

“Jonathan!” you call out, trying no to let your voice quiver. “Jonathan! Where are you?”

Silence. 

You take a deep breath before breaching the treeline, still yelling his name. The empty branches shine silver in the moonlight. Leaves crunch beneath your feet as you carefully step through the woods. You stop for a minute to listen for any sort of response before continuing the trek. 

“Y/n?”

You whip around, Jonathan standing behind you, camera in hand

“What are you doing here?”

“Me? What are you doing here?” 

He stumbled over his words for a few seconds before clearing his throat, “I was trying to find evidence”

“Evidence of what?”

“I don't know, whatever I could find.”

“Jesus christ. Well, did you find anything?”

“Not really.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

“Yeah me too…I heard about Benny.”

You purse your lips and look away. You wrap your arms around yourself, shivering. 

“Are you cold?” Jonathan asks, already tugging off his coat.

“Oh I’m fine, besides, now you’re gonna be cold” you shake your head in protest as he tries to hand you the coat. 

“I’ll be fine, besides I run hot.”

You hum in consideration. You are really cold and his jacket looks really warm compared to your hoodie. 

“Thanks”

You warm up almost instantly, pulling the coat further around yourself. 

You walk back to your cars in solemn silence. 

“Jonathan,” you say as you reach the edge of the woods, “I am really sorry about Will. He’s a good kid.”

Jonathan turns to you, eyes shining in the moonlight. He lets out a defeated sigh.

“Yeah he is…I need him to be okay.”

“He will be.” you rest a comforting hand on his shoulder and the boy surprises you with a bear hug. You hear him sniffle into your shoulder. 

It's a weird sensation, all in all, as Jonathan holds onto you. You’re not quite sure where to put your hands, and you struggle to support the sudden weight. 

“It’ll be ok, you’re ok”  you whisper to him, comforting him in his crisis. 

His breathing evens out and he steps away, pink faced. “Sorry about that.”

“It's okay, Jonathan. Sometimes you just need to let it out.”

He chuckles wetly, wiping his face. 

“See you at school tomorrow.”

You wave from your window, “See ya!”

Next Chapter

Tags:

@ucannotcompare

[pleasantlycrazyworld]

The boys teaching you how to drive

Big thanks to @sweet-villain for helping me with this idea!

Billy: He acts calm and collected but he is FREAKING out inside. You are driving his baby. YOU. Someone who has never driven a car in your life! but dammit you just got your permit and needed to practice. Now Billy finds the empty parking lot near the family video and the arcade on a Sunday afternoon where he’s anxiously biting his lip. He's letting you drive the Camaro and won't stop muttering how he rather uses Harrington's BMW. His Camaro is his baby but you are his baby too. He’s having anxiety but looks like he’s brushing it off. He doesn’t let you get into the car yet and makes you tell him the rules of driving his car and the safety things. You will have everything memorized before you ever step foot into the car. He talks about how he doesn’t want his girls fighting either, something to make you giggle and ease up just a bit because he knows you are so so nervous to drive his car too. But he watches you like a hawk as you press on the gas and sits overlooking you and encourages how well your doing. He knows how praising you does to you. After the lesson, you're in the backseat of the Camaro where he rewards you for doing such a good job.

Steve: Steve goes all mama mode and is super careful. He makes sure your seat belt is on first and you check the mirrors. He has anxiety at first, he has you press your leg on the gas and break before you even start the car. Then he does have you put the car into drive and you have to go so slow for the first few lessons, he freaks out if you even go the speed limit. He’s a worry rat at first looking into the mirrors and his head spinning to check everything for you. If a car gets a little too close to you he's ready to jump out and yell at the driver. He has you practice driving and parking in a completely empty parking lot. When you are more prepared you drive to dates and just random errands but he will always make you park far away from other cars because he doesn't trust other drivers

Eddie: Eddie takes you to the empty school parking lot where he’s a bit goofy about teaching you to drive, he lets you drive the van but he makes sure you are comfortable. He does help you with the seat and getting comfy. You both find out that neither of you really knows what that button does, but oh well it must not be that important then. He tells you to slowly start by pressing on the gas and putting the car in drive but you goof off and press on the gas sending him into his seat, where you laugh while he playfully glares. You two goof off as he teaches you to drive and you learn in a couple days when he finds out later you took his van to drive yourself to work where Steve overreacts when he sees you the one driving and he freaks knowing you still only have your permit!!!! Why are you driving by yourself!?! You and Eddie are the same in many ways and you found out that you both can only relax when you're driving if music is playing, so Eddie makes you a custom mixtape to make sure that you will be relaxed with songs that reminds him of you.

Tagging: @emmyshortcake @sweet-villain @bloodthirstybreedingbunny @screammunson @steddieandstonathansprincess @bookshelf-dust @eddiemunsons-missingnipple @lofaewrites @h-ness1944 @zestychili @eiightysixbaby @ghosttownwherenoonegoes @b-ritney @seatnights @thefreak0fhawkinshigh @livinnadaydream @tiannasfanfic

[thissortofsorcery]

Harringrove, 2k words. Established relationship, light angst, fluff.

------

Billy doesn’t even remember what Steve said that pushed him over the edge. Between one moment and the next, Billy was yelling,

"Goddamnit, Harrington, if I wanted someone to hold my fucking hand, I wouldn't go to you!"

Steve just sat there, gaping at him, both hands still on the steering wheel. Billy thanked god they were in Steve's car and already parked, because he couldn't take the hurt look that came over Steve's eyes, so he just climbed out of the car and slammed the door before stalking off.

The half hour it took to walk back to his house and shut himself in his room had calmed him down enough for him to see he'd overreacted.

Billy had lost it on Steve again. He'd been trying so fucking hard, these pasts few months, to be someone better, to be someone Steve could like, but he was still just a piece of shit. He could pretend all he liked, could work his charm on Steve until he was melting in his hands, but in the end Billy would always let him down. He couldn't get rid of this thing in him, this- This anger. It stained his insides like tar, it clung to everything he did, made everything too sharp, too toxic.

Just the thought of it is enough to make it rise in the back of his throat again, and he sends a can of hairspray flying with a slap. It hits the wall with a bang and falls, joining the broken mixtapes on the floor. The ones Neil broke, as a lesson. The reason he was in such a foul mood in the first place.

Steve could be an asshole, but he's not the kind of asshole Billy is.

This is just an example of why this thing between them was doomed to fail. Billy was always going to screw it up. And from the look on Steve's face, he's not going to forgive Billy for this. Whatever they had was too new, too fragile.

And now it was over.

The next day is Saturday, and Billy starts his afternoon by chainsmoking at the quarry.

He couldn't stand staying at the house, with everyone else out and the silence closing up on him. Thinking that he should be out too.

He's supposed to be at Steve's.

So he'd just grabbed his keys and driven to the first place that came to mind. Billy and Steve never really came here to hang out, so it's not like anything here is making him think of Steve. But Steve's always on his mind, anyway.

Steve's dumb preppy hair, his pastel polos, the width of his shoulders, the way they feel under his hands. His ass in gym shorts. That one mole on the side of his tit that drives Billy insane. How his smile pulls a little to the left when he means it.

There's the rumble of a car approaching, and Billy pushes off the Camaro, assumes it's a cop. He tosses his cigarette to the ground and grinds it under his boot. He's halfway to snarking something about how he didn't know it was illegal to smoke there, when a voice interrupts him:

"Thought you were gonna come over today, man."

Steve's standing beside his Beamer, hands in his jacket pockets. Billy's mouth closes with a clack, and he stares. He sure as hell didn't expect Steve to show up here.

"I was looking all over town for you. I drove past your house and your car wasn't there," Steve keeps his distance, but he's looking at Billy so intensely he might as well be right up against him.

"I've just been here," is all Billy can say.

"Yeah," Steve agrees, but his tone isn't mocking. "Why didn't you come over?"

Billy doesn't know what to say. Can't say the truth, can't say thought you wouldn't want me to.

"What do you want, man?" Is what he says instead. Billy breathes in clean air and wishes it was smoke.

"What do I- Billy," Steve takes a couple steps closer. Stops.

Billy’s body wants to sway closer to him, wants to close what’s left of the distance between them. But Steve’s frowning with that little dimple in the middle of his forehead, the one that means he’s sad, and Billy’s the one that put it there.

He leans back on the hood of the Camaro, back to Steve, and lights another cigarette.

“You’re just not gonna say anything?” Steve asks, and his voice is finally rising above a dejected mumble.

“Don’t know what you want me to say,” Billy doesn’t look at Steve. He takes a drag of his cigarette, pretends his hand isn’t shaking.

“I want-” Billy hears Steve release a shaky breath, and he just knows he’s running a hand through his hair. “Would you just look at me!”

When Steve’s voice breaks, Billy does too. Steve’s hair is ruffled, like he thought, and the dimple in his forehead is gone. He’s just plain pissed now.

“Where did you go yesterday?” The calm in Steve’s voice doesn’t match his frown. Billy doesn’t trust it.

“I went home,” Billy answers, wary. Suddenly, he feels chilled in only his jean jacket.

“You walked home.”

Why the fuck is Steve just repeating what he’s saying.

“Yeah, Steve, I just walked home. What is it to you?” Billy snaps. He’s starting to feel it, the burning in his chest, in his throat.

“I don’t know, Billy!” Steve snaps right back. He’s the one that closes the distance. From the corner of his eyes, Billy tracks Steve’s hands moving as he speaks. “You just went off on me yesterday and ditched me, and you didn’t show up today, what am I supposed to think?!”

There’s a sound in his mind like a crack, a log giving in to fireplace flame, a burst of sparks, and Billy imagines smoke coming out of his mouth like he just inhaled an entire cigarette.

“How will I know what you think, Steve? I'm not a fucking mind reader!” Billy snaps.

“Maybe if we talked to each other once in a while!” Steve yells back. “I try to get you to talk to me and I might as well be trying to pull out your teeth!”

“Doesn’t that tell you something? Why don’t you back the fuck off?!” Billy’s voice rises above Steve’s, hoarser, meaner. Just a little more desperate.

“Because you never tell me anything about how you feel, and it drives me up the fucking wall!”

“If you’re so pissed, then why the fuck did you even come here?” Billy’s voice echoes in the absence of Steve’s answer. He blinks at Billy, face blank.

They stare at each other for what feels like the entire afternoon, breathing hard. When Steve speaks, Billy jolts at the thought that the quarry is just as bright as it’s been the last fifteen minutes.

“Fuck. Fuck- I’m sorry,” Steve says, voice shaking, and rubs both hands over his face. “I didn’t mean to pick a fight. I’m not pissed at you. I’m sorry.”

It’s enough to make Billy take a full step back. The roaring fire in his chest goes out in a single gust of wind, leaving him chilled.

“Why are you apologizing,” His voice comes out flat. This isn't on Steve.

“I lost my shit at you, and that’s not-” Steve takes another deep, shaky breath, reaches a hand out to Billy, painfully slowly. “I’m not pissed at you, I was worried.”

“Worried about what.”

Steve’s hand finally touches Billy’s. His fingers are warm around Billy’s palm, they always are, and Steve just. Holds his hand.

“You were acting weird yesterday, when I picked you up,” Steve steps closer, bends their heads together so they only need low voices to hear each other. “At the diner, too. Then you snapped in the car, and I thought- something happened, right? With your dad?”

Billy can’t look at Steve, so he just stares at their hands, together. Nods.

“He didn’t- He just broke a bunch of my tapes. Got the ones you gave me, so.” It wasn’t that bad, considering. Billy’d had a lot worse. He should have just been happy he’s been able to still get out of the house. But the sight of Steve’s mixtapes in pieces on the floor had made his stomach turn.

When Steve sighs, his breath is warm on Billy’s face. He doesn’t say he’s sorry, doesn’t say he’ll make Billy new ones. He knows that’s not the point. He squeezes Billy’s hand instead.

Sometimes it feels like Billy’s living in a world of fog and Steve’s the only solid thing he’s got to hold on to.

He looks up, “I didn’t mean what I said yesterday. In the car.”

He has to say that, at least. If there’s anyone in the world Billy would trust with his shit, it’s Steve, even if he doesn’t deserve it.

“I know that,” Steve says, like he never doubted it. “I know you.”

Billy’s breath hitches, and his eyes burn. His other hand reaches for Steve, grasps at his hip, pulls him close.

“Billy,” Steve starts, “you thought I was pissed at you.”

Billy gives him a look, “You were yelling at me.”

“Yeah,” Steve huffs out that self deprecating laugh Billy hates. “But you said, ‘why did I even come here’. You thought I got pissed yesterday? Is that why you didn’t come over?”

Billy hesitates, chews on the inside of his lip. Looks down at their hands again.

“I lost it at you in the car.”

“And I lost it at you just now,” Steve shoots back.

“Yeah, but I keep doing it. I can’t stop.” Billy grinds out, voice rising again. Steve doesn’t understand. It’s not the same. Steve apologized but he wasn't the one at fault.

He makes to step back from Steve, and Steve lets him go, but not far.

“I keep- I just get so-” Billy can’t come up with the words, so his breath leaves him shakily, between his teeth. “And one day you won’t-”

Billy’s voice cracks, and he shakes his hand free to cover his face, but Steve’s hands get there first, wiping his thumbs over his cheeks, taking away the wetness he didn’t realize was there. Billy clings to his bony wrists, instead.

“Billy,” Steve says, barely a whisper. “You’re not gonna lose me because you get angry sometimes. Okay?”

Steve knocks his forehead against Billy’s, gently. Rests it there.

Billy gives a barely there nod.

“I’m serious,” Steve says. “You’re allowed to get angry, especially if I’m being a dick. You’re not doing anything wrong,” He insists. “I just blew up at you and you forgave me just like that.”

Billy shakes his head, “It’s not the same thing.”

“Kind of is, though, man,” Steve insists. “I told you, I know you. You’re an asshole, but you’re not cruel,” He laughs softly, smile lopsided. “I should know, I’m an asshole too.”

Steve’s eyes are bright in the afternoon sun. There’s nothing clouding them, no frown. No dimple on his forehead. Then he says,

“I’m not just gonna give up on you,” and Billy has to close his eyes.

Steve’s nose nudges his own and they just. Breathe together.

Billy feels his way to Steve’s mouth by sucking tiny kisses from his cheek, to the corner of his mouth, to Steve’s smiling lips, and Steve kisses back with his entire body, settling into Billy from chest to thighs, the toes of his sneakers bumping into Billy’s boots.

Billy digs his fingers into Steve’s hips, sighs into his mouth when Steve cradles his jaw into his large hands, buries his fingers into the hair curling behind Billy’s ears. A tingle goes down Billy’s spine, and he bites at Steve's lips until he can press in, in, like he can crawl inside and make a home there. His fingers find his way under Steve’s shirt, feeling around for skin until they splay over his lower back, pulling him impossibly closer.

Steve is warm everywhere, where their hips and their chests touch, where his fingers dig into Billy’s scalp, where Steve’s lips wrap around Billy’s bottom one and suck, on his tongue when Billy licks into his mouth in return, on his breath when theirs mingle together for the hundredth time.

They trade soft, slow kisses in the sunlight, lips parting just to come together again until they’re just resting against each other, breathing together again. Steve’s thumb strokes the hollow of Billy’s cheek, back and forth.

In a minute, they’ll drive separate cars to Steve’s house, only to settle together on the living room couch and while away the afternoon with pizza and beer. In a minute, Billy’s going to slap Steve’s ass when he turns to get into the Beamer and make a dirty joke that he’ll follow through with later that night. In a minute, they’ll let go of each other.

For now, Billy buries his nose in the hair that curls behind Steve’s ear and closes his eyes, breathes in. Thinks back to the drive over from California, how he was sure every mile was a shovel of dirt piled over his grave, and any chance of happiness was left behind there with the warmth of the sun. Thinks he was wrong.

It was bringing him to this instead.

[missacidburn928s-heathenhideaway]

You Were Finished Drabble III

Indie Rocker!Eddie Munson x POC!Indie Rocker!Reader “Sug” x Former Fuckboy!Steve Harrington Early 2000s Indie Rockstar AU

Summary:

Eddie is playing around during sound check when Steve surprises you with a visit. Only to keep his attention mainly on you. There is no way that Eddie is going to let this slight slide.

Warnings: 18+ Only

Smutty smut smut. BDSM. There really isnt much of a plot here. Read at your own risk.

Divider by @firefly-graphics

Banner by @cafekitsune

The loud bass can be heard far into the parking lot of the little hole in the wall bar your band is performing at tonight. Like the good little starving artists that you are, you're making sure to get a proper sound check in.

The drive over with the equipment in the back of the van and the rest of the band following you in your drummers beat up civic, has Eddie all wound up. An excess of energy that he needs to expel so he can focus on the night ahead.

So of course, he’s playing around. Dancing around the tiny stage. Grinding up against you as you're trying to sing into the mic to check your sound levels. You decide you want to play along. His energy is contagious and why not have a little fun at sound check.

“Let’s really test the speakers and play I Wanna Be Your Slave.” You announce to the band. “We can do the duet version if you're up for it, Eds.”

“Anything for you, Sugar. Let’s do this shit. Gareth, count me in, man.”

Eddie starts to sing to the steady drumbeat Gareth sets out. After a pause the bass joins in. As you start your verse Eddie brings in the guitar. Showing off his very talented fingers. Fingers you’ve been thankful for and obsessed with for years.

From there it’s just a beautiful back and forth between the two of you as you play the gritty and raunchy tune. You're so into it that you barely notice that someone has entered the bar. If it weren’t for the sunlight striding in upon it opening, you don’t think anyone would have noticed.

You clock the very familiar fluffy head of hair before registering Steve’s face as he approaches the stage. You and Eddie play it up even more when you take in your audience of one. With Eddie’s final gravelly line you greet your number one fan.

Jumping off the stage in an act of complete trust, you sail towards Steve. As you knew he would, he captures you with ease in his arms and pulls you in tight for a deep kiss. Eddie makes his way over after telling the band sound check is over and to relax til showtime.

You're running your fingers along Steve’s surprisingly stubble ridden jaw, when Eddie rests his head on your shoulder and greets your shared boyfriend. “Well hello big boy.” 

Steve leans forward and gives Eddie a chaste kiss. “Hey yourself.” His eyes focus back on you as Eddie asks him a question.

“I thought you couldn’t make it to the show tonight? Something about it being too far for you to make it in time after your shift.”

Steve runs his thumb along your bottom lip. Mesmerized by its softness. Eyes never leaving you as he responds. “I was able to switch shifts. Worked the mid morning instead. Got out and hopped right in the car. Didn’t care how early I was. Just wanted to get here.”

It doesn’t go unnoticed that Steve has yet to put you down. In fact, all of his attention at the moment seems to be focused solely on you. Eddie understands the draw of you all too well himself. But he can’t help but feel a little green with envy over the lovesick eyes you are receiving from the former fuck boy.

Being no stranger to pettiness Eddie takes it upon himself in that moment to teach Steve another valuable lesson. If he wants a dip in your honey pot tonight, he’s going to have to earn it.

“Hey Bunny.” Eddie speaks into your throat. “I need your help to make sure we got everything out of the van for tonight. Don’t want to have to run out there at the last minute and well you’re better at remembering in general so …”

You sigh. “That’s because you tend you smoke your brain cells away too often.” You tease as you lower yourself off of Steve. “Be back soon Stevie. Don’t get yourself into too much trouble while we’re gone.”

Eddie grabs your hand and kisses it, winking at Steve, before leading you out back to the van.

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“Eds the van is empty. You knew that. So what’s the real reason you brought me out here?”

“Ya got me. Never really can pull a fast one on you. I just wanted you all to myself for a moment. Steve seems to only have eyes for you today and well maybe I was feeling a little left out. Made me a little territorial. Wanted to leave my mark on you properly before the show.”

Instead of answering, you just smile wickedly and climb into the back of the van. “I’m all yours, Sir. I only have one request though.”

Eddie climbs in, shutting the door behind him as he crawls over to you. “Anything for my Bunny.”

“I really want to wear this skirt and fishnets for the show tonight. So can I at least take them off first before you ravage me?”

“Of course you can. Let me help you.”

He takes no time helping divest you of the clothing covering your bottom half, before unzipping his jeans and releasing his throbbing member.

“Oh look, I don’t even need to prep you. You’re a drippy little mess for me already, Bunny.” He runs a finger up your weeping slit. “Gonna have to make this quick. We’ve been gone a minute already. I’m sure Stevie will find himself looking for you shortly. So spin around and stick that delectable ass in the air for me, love. Be sure to keep that pretty face turned up to the doors and don’t you dare keep a single sound locked inside. I want them all to hear how good I make my little bunny feel when I’m deep inside her.”

His soft brown eyes have turned dark and sinister. He has something to prove and you’re all too excited to be the vessel for his message.

He enters you in one quick pivot of his hips and stars immediately begin to dance in front of your eyes. His thrusts are powerful and made to make you feel him all throughout the rest of you evening. Every movement on stage will be a reminder of how he took you apart before the night ever truly began.

All because he feels slighted by Steve and well Eddie is known to be petty from time to time when his ego takes a hit.

It’s not long before you're on the precipice of a stellar orgasm. Moans turning high pitched and staccato.

“That’s it bunny. You’re so close. Pussy is practically suffocating my dick. Come on. Give it to me. Come all over my cock. Let ‘em know who is making you feel so good.”

You come apart at the seams. Screaming out Eddies name into the humid air. It takes you a moment to register that the light blinding your eyes is not due to your detonation but by the vans doors being opened.

A silhouette covers the sunlight, as you come face to face with Steve as Eddie gives in to the miking grip your pussy has on him. Burying his hips deep and laying his claim by painting your walls white with his seed.

Without skipping a beat he addresses your boyfriend. “Hey Stevie. How nice of you to join us. But I have to admit you're just a little too late. We have to go eat with the band and get ready for the show. But how about this?”

He slowly pulls out of you. Making sure to scoop up any errant cum that has escaped the warmth of your cunt with his fingers and pushing it back inside you where it belongs.

He offers his fingers up to you to clean before proceeding to grab your clothes and redress you.

“Bunny is going to keep my load nice and warm inside that sweet little pussy while we rock the house tonight. If you’re a good boy through the whole show then I might just let you clean her up with your tongue for your faux pas when you got here.”

“Faux pas? What faux pas?”

“You were all eyes on our precious little bunny. I understand the feeling but come on man. We’re dating too.”

“Shit. I didn’t even realize I was doing that.”

“Figured as much. Still, I can’t just let that shit go ya know. So if you're a really good boy throughout the show I might just let you suck my dick in apology. Let you earn my forgiveness in the form of my fresh load down your throat. What do you think, big boy?”

Now fully dressed once again you watch as Steve’s Adams apple bobs as he swallows. Eyes looking a little hazy.

“Yes, sir. I’ll be a good boy.”

“Perfect.” Eddie tucks himself back into his jeans. “Now let's go eat. Can’t perform on an empty stomach now can I?”

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Your show goes on without a hitch. You're having way too much fun ratcheting up your usual sexual antics to eleven.

All for Steve who is stage left in the wings in agony. Images of you and Eddie writhing together flashing through his mind as he watches you practically have sex on stage. His dick is so hard it’s almost painful.

The end of the show could not have come quick enough for him. With the last chord finished and the crowd going crazy, you walk off backstage. Eddie grabs Steve by the collar as he passes by with you tucked under his arm. Leading the three of you into the green room as the rest of the band goes off to drink at the bar and try and score someone to bed for the night.

Steve is all eyes on Eddie once you make it inside the green room. Practically falling to his knees once the door is closed and the lock turned.

“I see someone is ready to make an apology.” Eddie states as he runs his ring clad fingers through Steve’s hair. “I always follow through on my promises and since you were in fact a very good boy during our show I’m going to let you show me how sorry you are by sucking me dry. Think you can do that for me Stevie?”

He quickly nods his head. “Yes, Sir.”

“Good boy.” He unzips his jeans and pushes them down his thighs. “Now get to work.”

With a quick lick of his lips Steve lowers his head and takes Eddie deep into the back of his throat in one move. He makes sure to swallow around the thickness obstructing his airway before bobbing his head and coating Eddie's shaft and his chin in saliva. 

It has Eddie's knees weakening. "Oh fuuuuuuck. You're forgiven. God this throat might be the death of me some day, Steven. Fuck that feels good."

He turns to find you perched on the beaten down couch. Noticing how your eyes have glazed over and you’ve gone quiet as your chest moves up and down in a panting fashion. It’s the same look you get when you submit to him completely. Watching one of your boyfriends pleasing the other so well is really making you all hot, sweet and subby.

There is no way Eddie is going to let you just sit there and watch. You’ve been his good little bunny all day and kicked ass on stage tonight. You deserve a reward as well. 

“C’mere bunny.” He grunts out.

You get up from you seat on wobbly knees and cross the short distance to your boyfriends. Eddie pulls you close and kisses you deeply. You lose yourself in the magic of his tongue while he rips your fishnets and teases your clit. Making you whine out from how sensitive your little pearl is. 

“Mmm, like music to my fucking ears. Look at my pretty bunny all pent up from performing with my pre show load still deep in her cunt. Is watching Stevie earn his reward turning you on, bunny?”

You nod your head and bite back a moan as Eddie pinches your clit. “Good girl. Now unzip your daddy’s pants and take his thick dick out. Then I want you to pull your panties to the side and warm his cock for me while I finish giving our good boy his reward.”

With a lip biting kiss he sends you on your way. Making room for you to sit in Steve’s lap as requested. With shaky legs you release Steve’s rock hard cock and slowly lower yourself down onto his girth.

Once your comfortable and settled into place, Eddie grabs on to Steve’s shiny locks and proceeds to fuck his throat like he’s still mad at him. Truly making him earn his load.

The pace is brutal and it doesn't take long before Eddie let’s out a growl and comes right down Steve’s eager throat.

Once he dick stops twitching and his last drop is spent he gently pulls himself out of Steve’s mouth. He leans down and gives him a sweet kiss. “You were such a good boy for me, making me feel like a fucking king while you sucked me dry. You did so fucking well I’ve decided you’ve earned yourself another reward. I know you can feel how worked up your apology has bunny feeling. She’s practically soaking your lap, in need of another hot load to fill her up. So you’re going to give it to her.”

You whine and squirm in Steve’s lap at Eddie’s words. “Please, Stevie. Need you so bad.”  

He is so hazy and twitterpated that he just lifts you up with him as he rises to his feet. Taking a couple steps and turning to pin you against the nearest wall. He grips your chin with his palm and pulls you in for a deep kiss. Grinding his pelvis against yours until you wrap your legs tightly around his waist. He releases your face and with a cocksure grin places your hands around his neck and pulls his hips back. With a snap forward he impales you back on his cock and rails you to the wall. 

You're so turned on and in the moment that you both come quickly. Gasping into each other's mouths as you ride out the waves of euphoria together. His seed pleasantly leaving warmth in its wake, deep within your womb. Adding to what remains of Eddie’s spend from early.

With a kiss to your forehead, Steve carries you back to the couch. Eddie appears from the bathroom, warm washcloth in his hands and makes his way over to clean you both up. 

“So Steven, are you driving back home tonight? Or are you wanting to stay in our hotel for the night before we all head back in the morning?” Eddie asks.

“I was planning on driving home since I have work tomorrow but playing hooky sounds very appealing right now.”

[ponyosmom35]

Driving lessons

Bittersweet chapter twenty four

steve harrington x fem oc

synopsis: Steve feels bad for being rude to Indie and decides to finally do something she'd been asking for a long time: driving.

master list:

https://www.tumblr.com/ponyosmom35/733401347573088256/simon-ghost-riley?source=share

Steve’s car idled in the empty parking lot, the soft hum of the engine filling the quiet space. The sun was just beginning to set, casting long shadows across the cracked asphalt. Indie sat in the passenger seat, nervously fiddling with the hem of her shirt as she glanced over at Steve. She’d been avoiding this for a while, too hesitant to ask her parents to teach her how to drive, especially after everything that had happened with Barb. The last thing they needed was another worry, another reminder of what they’d lost.

But Steve had offered, without her even having to ask. It was one of the things she liked about him—he always seemed to know when she needed something, even if she wasn’t sure herself. Still, now that they were here, her nerves were getting the better of her.

"Ready?" Steve asked, his voice a little too upbeat, trying to mask his own nerves. He was playing it cool, but Indie could see the slight tension in his shoulders, the way his fingers drummed anxiously on the steering wheel.

"Yeah," she said, though she wasn’t entirely sure. "I think so."

Steve gave her an encouraging smile, then unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car, circling around to the passenger side. Indie took a deep breath, trying to calm the fluttering in her stomach as she slid over into the driver’s seat. This was it—no turning back now.

Steve climbed into the passenger seat beside her, shutting the door with a solid thud. He handed her the keys, his fingers brushing against hers for a moment before he pulled back. Indie stared at the keys in her hand, feeling the weight of them, the responsibility they represented. She could do this. It was just driving. People did it all the time.

"Alright, first things first," Steve began, slipping into a tone that was somewhere between confident and anxious. "Seatbelt, mirrors, and foot on the brake before you start."

Indie nodded, repeating the steps in her head as she buckled her seatbelt and adjusted the mirrors. She placed her foot on the brake, her leg feeling oddly stiff, and turned the key in the ignition. The engine roared to life, vibrating beneath her, and for a moment, she just sat there, her hands gripping the steering wheel with a white-knuckled intensity.

"Good," Steve said, nodding approvingly. "Now, just... you know, take it easy. Slow and steady wins the race, right?"

Indie managed a small smile, though her nerves were still buzzing. She eased off the brake, pressing the gas pedal just enough to get the car moving. It lurched forward, and she felt a jolt of panic, but she quickly corrected, trying to maintain a smooth pace.

The car rolled slowly across the lot, and Steve let out a breath, visibly relaxing in his seat. "There you go, nice and easy."

Indie concentrated hard, her eyes glued to the empty space ahead. The parking lot was deserted, just a wide expanse of cracked pavement with faded lines marking out parking spaces. It was the perfect place to practice—no cars, no pedestrians, just them and the open lot. Even so, every little jerk or wobble of the car sent a spike of anxiety through her.

They continued this way for a while, with Indie carefully navigating the car in wide loops around the lot. Every now and then, the car would jerk forward or slow down too quickly, and Steve would tense up beside her, his hand instinctively reaching for the dashboard as if he could steady the car through sheer willpower.

"Okay, now try making a turn," Steve suggested, pointing to a spot ahead where she could practice. "Just remember to ease off the gas a little before you turn."

Indie nodded, focusing intently as she approached the turn. She eased off the gas, just like he said, and turned the wheel. The car made the turn, a little awkwardly but without too much trouble. Indie felt a small surge of pride—she was getting the hang of it, slowly but surely.

"Not bad, not bad at all," Steve said, grinning at her. "You’re a natural."

Indie laughed nervously, though she wasn’t quite ready to believe him. "I don’t know about that. It still feels pretty... weird."

"That’s normal," Steve assured her. "It’ll get easier the more you do it."

They continued driving around the lot, and slowly, Indie started to feel a bit more confident. She was still jerky on the pedals, and every now and then, the car would lurch unexpectedly, but she was getting better. Steve was doing his best to stay calm, though Indie could see the way his fingers occasionally gripped the edge of the seat, his nerves still on high alert.

"Alright," Steve said after a while, his voice a little steadier now that they’d been at it for some time. "You wanna try going out on the main road?"

Indie hesitated, her confidence wavering. The parking lot was one thing—empty, quiet, no pressure. But the main road? With other cars, other drivers? That was a whole different level of scary.

"I... I don’t know," she admitted, biting her lip.

Steve looked at her, his expression softening. "Hey, you’re doing great. But if you’re not ready, we can stick to the lot for a bit longer."

Indie considered it, but something in her wanted to push herself, to prove that she could do this. "No, I think I can do it. Let’s go."

Steve nodded, giving her an encouraging smile. "Okay, just remember to take it slow. We’ll go out for a bit, and if it’s too much, we can come back."

Indie took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Alright. Let’s do it."

They pulled out of the parking lot and onto the main road. Indie’s heart was pounding in her chest, her hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles ached. The car moved forward, and she tried to keep her focus on the road, on the cars around them, on everything. It was overwhelming, the sheer amount of things she had to keep track of all at once.

"Just stay calm," Steve said, his voice a little higher than usual. "You’re doing fine."

Indie nodded, though she wasn’t entirely convinced. The road seemed to stretch out before her, endless and daunting. She pressed down on the gas a little harder, trying to keep up with the flow of traffic, but the car shot forward faster than she expected.

"Whoa, whoa, slow down!" Steve exclaimed, his hand reaching out instinctively toward the dashboard again. "Easy, Indie!"

Indie quickly eased off the gas, but the car wobbled slightly as she overcorrected. Her heart was racing, panic rising in her chest. But she couldn’t let herself freak out—not when she was the one behind the wheel.

"I got this, I got this," she muttered to herself, trying to calm her nerves.

"Just relax, okay?" Steve said, though his own nerves were clearly frayed. "You’re doing fine, just don’t rush it."

Indie took another deep breath, trying to steady her shaking hands. They continued down the road, and despite the initial scare, she started to feel a bit more in control. She wasn’t going too fast, and she was managing to stay in her lane without any major issues.

But then, as they approached a stoplight, Indie misjudged the distance and braked too suddenly. The car jerked to a stop, and Steve nearly hit the dashboard as he was thrown forward by the sudden halt.

"Jesus Christ, Indie!" Steve yelped, his voice cracking with panic.

Indie’s heart was pounding so hard she could barely hear anything over the roar of blood in her ears. She felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes—this was a disaster. She was going to get them both killed.

Steve clutched his chest, breathing heavily. He looked over at Indie expecting to see her flushed 

But then he heard it— her soft giggles echoing in the car. 

He turns to her in horror “whats so funny?”

"Steve the scream queen is back," Indie said, trying to suppress her own nervous giggle.

Steve snorted again, shaking his head in disbelief. "You’re killing me here, Indie."

"I’m sorry!" she said. The tension that had been building in her chest slowly started to ease, the panic giving way to something lighter, something almost... fun.

She glanced over at Steve, expecting to see anger or frustration, but instead, he was laughing. Despite the near-accident, even though she’d almost sent them both flying through the windshield, Steve was laughing.

They continued driving, and though Indie was still nervous, it wasn’t quite as overwhelming as before. Steve’s laughter had somehow made it easier, made her feel like maybe she wasn’t as terrible at this as she thought. And even though he was still clearly on edge, she could tell he was trying to relax, trying to make it easier for her.

After a while, they decided to head back to the park. The sun was dipping lower in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over everything. Indie felt a mixture of relief and accomplishment as they pulled back into the parking lot. She’d done it—she’d actually driven on the road, and they were both still in one piece.

"Alright, you did it," Steve said as they came to a stop. He let out a long breath as if he’d been holding it in for the entire drive. "But you’re never driving again."

Indie burst out laughing, her nerves finally giving way to a sense of accomplishment. "I wasn’t that bad!"

Steve gave her a look, half-amused, half-exasperated. "You almost killed us like, five times."

"But I didn’t," she countered, still grinning. "And you’re still here, so I must’ve done something right."

Steve shook his head, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Yeah, yeah. Just remind me never to get in a car with you again."

They both climbed out of the car and walked over to the hood, where they sat side by side, watching the sun dip below the horizon. The sky was painted in shades of orange and pink, the air cool and calm. Indie felt a sense of peace settling over her, a stark contrast to the chaotic drive they’d just had.

Steve leaned back, resting his weight on his hands as he stared up at the sky. "You know, despite nearly dying, that wasn’t so bad."

Indie laughed, nudging him with her shoulder. "Admit it, you had fun."

Steve rolled his eyes, but there was a warmth in his gaze as he looked at her. "Maybe a little."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the sky change colors as the sun slowly disappeared. Indie felt a sense of contentment she hadn’t felt in a long time, a feeling that everything was going to be okay, at least for now.

"Thanks for this, Steve," she said softly, breaking the silence. "I know I wasn’t great, but... it means a lot."

Steve glanced over at her, his expression softening. "You did fine, Indie. And hey, I’d do it again if you needed me to. Just... maybe not tomorrow."

Indie laughed, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "Yeah, maybe not tomorrow."

They stayed there until the last traces of sunlight had faded from the sky, the world around them slipping into twilight. Eventually, they both knew it was time to go, but neither of them wanted to break the moment, the easy connection they’d found in the midst of chaos.

As they finally stood up and made their way back to the car, Steve gave her one last teasing smile. "Just remember, you’re banned from driving until further notice."

Indie rolled her eyes, but there was no hiding the smile on her face. "Whatever you say, scream queen."

Steve snorted, shaking his head as they climbed back into the car. Despite everything, Indie couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude—a feeling that, for the first time in a long time, things might actually be okay. And maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t as alone as she thought.

“Come on lets watch the sunset” he nods 

[call-me-eds]

Crush

Masterlist

Steve x Reader Fluff

2.7k

Almost everyone can tell that Max has a crush on Steve. When he cancels a driving lesson to take you on a date, you think that you can take out 2 birds with one stone.

It was adorable for everyone that wasn’t you and Max. You felt guilt over the whole situation and like most things: it infuriated her. How did she let her guard down and let this happen? It was against everything she had ever known, and probably the laws of nature.

Her stupid crush on Steve Harrington.

It was scientific knowledge that boys mentally developed later than girls, so it was like he was becoming a man right as she was entering womanhood. With those transitions came the growth of the brain and the body, making emotions rage.

“I don’t understand why you can’t teach me, it’s not like I haven’t driven your car,” she said upon finding out Eddie would be taking her driving over the weekend, changing the original plan. Going in circles around the abandoned mall parking lot with Steve had been the thing she was looking forward to most all week.

“I told you, Max, I have a date with Y/N that isn’t going to get pushed just because you want to give me whiplash,” he scoffed. “Eddie’s probably a better teacher than me, anyway.” It was true, Eddie knew the ins and outs of every car Max had ever heard of and more, but he was like a lame older brother to Max. What fifteen year old girl wanted to hang out with their older brother when they could be with the boy next door?

Okay, geographically Eddie was also the boy next store, but whatever, semantics.

“I don’t want to drive that big van around, everyone will think I’m even more of a loser than they already do,” she frowned, the trademark scowl appearing on her face.

“Hate to break it to you, Kid, but it’s your only option.” Kid. It stung worse than when her and El practiced using eyelash curlers earlier in the week.

“Whatever.”

There was nothing harmful about the crush, per say, it was just that no one could believe that Max of all people had succumbed to the Harrington charm. Her friends were oblivious, Lucas most of all, but the older teens in her life couldn’t keep the stupid smiles off of their faces anytime she inquired about Steve or they saw a blush appear on her face when he was near. Nancy learned not to ask about it when she nearly got her head taken off a few weeks ago after she pointed out the fit of Steve’s jeans, hoping to get the younger girl to talk to her.

You were laying on Steve’s bed while he folded laundry and relayed the conversation to you, laughing a little.

“Munson is in for it big time when she gets her little hands on the wheel,” he was thrilled that this responsibility was going to somewhere else, even if it was just one lesson.

“You called her ‘Kid’?” you asked. He shrugged and turned to start hanging up his jeans.

“I guess so, yeah,” he nodded, not thinking that it was that big of a deal. She had called him much worse.

“Steve, that probably killed her,” you groaned.

You weren’t encouraging Steve to entertain her crush, and you didn’t love feeling like you were doing something wrong just by being with your boyfriend, but you knew how she felt. Nancy knew how she felt. Robin knew how she felt. No one could so easily forget the perils of being a young girl.

The wistful stares you saw from Max were so familiar, you felt like you were just trying to hide them yourself yesterday. They were honestly kind of hard to miss, her googly eyes. It was the same way she looked at Lucas when she thought no one was looking.

You couldn’t even blame her, because you looked at Steve the exact same way. That sly grin appeared on his face and your stomach fluttered. A corny joke left his lips and your eyes lit up. His hands brushed your own, and your heart rate doubled. He was infectious. If you didn’t stand a chance, how did she? 

“I think she’ll be okay,” he said, closing his closet door and flopping beside you on the bed. He picked up your hand and began playing with your fingers. The way he was gently touching you was making you forget all about what he said to Max. “Should I be worried that you’re not even a little jealous?”

“Jealous?” you asked.

“Mhmm,” he nodded, tugging you over so you were against his side. “I mean, I’m such a dreamboat I’ve got to fight the girls off.” He dropped your hand to toss his up in the air, as if to ask if there was anything he could do. You let your palm slide against his chest and resisted the urge to press your nose into him to smell his freshly cleaned shirt.

“Well, do you really think there’s anything for me to worry about?” you asked, settling for rubbing your cheek against his. He hummed when you dug your nails into his pecs, scratching lightly. Before he could answer, you started to press your lips up and down his neck, making him unable to speak for a moment. 

“No,” he laughed. “Nothing at all.” Steve brought his warm hand to your cheek so he could kiss you properly. The thump thump thump of his heartbeat increased as you let your touches roam across each other’s bodies. Just as suddenly as you started to rile him up, you snatched yourself away from him, pulling away with a pop and leaning up.

“I have the best idea,” you gasped. He nodded and chased after you, not at all processing your words, just focused on getting his lips back on yours. “We should make our date a double.”

“With who, Eddie and his right hand?” he sighed, flopping back down on the bed.

“No, Lucas and Max!” Steve swore he heard you wrong. Shouldn’t you be discouraging any romantic situations between Steve and her? “We can tag along for the driving lesson and then go to the drive-in.”

“I don’t know,” he frowned, thinking of all the ways this could go sour. He didn’t want to crush the poor girl's heart, he knew about her little infatuation. 

“Please?” you asked, leaning into his neck again and starting to make a mark on his ivory skin. “Just think about it.”

And that’s how Steve ended up with concealer on his neck in the passenger’s seat of his own car on Saturday night.

“Okay, you don’t have to slam on the brakes, just ease your foot down,” Steve instructed Max while you and Lucas were playing with a deck of cards in the backseat.

“Good thing we didn’t eat before the lesson,” Lucas mumbled, but Max whipped around and glared at him, letting him know that she heard him. 

“Sweetheart, do you have a scrunchie on you?” Steve asked you. You slipped the fabric off of your wrist and handed it to him, tuning out when he started to use it to explain the mechanics of brakes to Max. “Thank you,” he put it back in your hand, but kissed your knuckles before turning his attention back to his student.

You didn’t tell your boyfriend to lay off the affection tonight, but you assumed he would. Truthfully, this wasn’t even his usual date-night level of touchiness, he was toning it down. But the way Max’s eyes lingered on your fingers hinted that it wasn’t enough. You squeezed Steve’s shoulder, hoping to convey that to him, but he just turned around to face you again and give you a wink. Max rolled her eyes and with the way she was noticing everything, you weren’t going to try and give him a more obvious signal. 

After the driving lesson was done, you and Max both tried to convince Steve to let her stay behind the wheel to the drive-in but he shut that down. You took your spot in the front with Steve, reuniting Max with Lucas in the back. Only a moment of driving went by before Steve was moving his hand to your knee like there was a string connecting you two that had suddenly gotten a lot shorter. It was hard to remember the guests in the backseat. Just being with Steve, and especially when he was touching you, flooded your brainwaves.

Once you got to the movie, all priorities shifted to creating the coziest setup possible. Steve managed to fit four lawn chairs into his trunk so the younger couple didn’t have to fight to look between your heads. You also shuddered at the thought of them being back there, knowing the kinds of things you and Steve had gotten up to in those very seats while a movie played on the screen above. 

He took out all of the chairs and set up yours further away from the speaker, knowing you had sensitive ears. Max’s eyes were on him again, but she didn’t see your congnizance. When she turned her sights on Lucas to see his progress, you both saw him plop down in his chair while the last one was still leaning against the car. She rolled her eyes and went to grab it, but before she could Steve was opening it up and putting it next to yours.

“Thanks,” she mumbled, barely meeting his eyes.

“Of course,” he nodded, giving her that crooked smile that made the butterflies in your stomach do a dance. She wasn’t looking flushed or giddy like you were, though; she was angry, looking at Lucas and the way he was tapping his foot along to the preview music, completely carefree.

Oh.

“Want to go get some popcorn?” you asked Steve. He nodded and caught the orders the teens threw at him. You grabbed his hand and rushed him away, trying to get out of earshot as soon as possible.

“We’re so stupid,” you huffed.

“Why, what happened?” he asked, leading you to the concession stand. 

“No,” you groaned. “It’s so obvious, I don’t know how we didn’t see it before.” 

“Baby, what the hell are you talking about?” he asked, wrapping his arms around your waist and resting his head on your shoulder while you waited in line.

“This!” He jumped a bit at your exclamation, peeling himself off of you. “It’s not about you, Harrington, it’s about how you treat me.”

“I’m totally lost,” he shook his pretty little head.

“Anytime you touch me or say something sweet she looks right at Lucas, but he’s so caught up in himself because he’s 15. You’re the boyfriend blueprint and he’s not fitting the bill,” you explained.

“Okay, that is much less flattering, then. I’ll knock some sense into him as soon as we get back,” he assured you.

“No! That would be so embarrassing for them both. Just act normal, leave it to me,” you said. It was your turn to order and Steve got the food while you grabbed cups to fill with soda, you were a well-oiled machine. When you had everything and started strolling back to the car, Steve cleared his throat before speaking.

“The boyfriend blueprint, huh?” he smiled.

“That is seriously all you got from my brilliant discovery?” you asked, knocking his hip with your own. 

“Of course it is,” he laughed. “Do you really think that’s it, though? There’s not even a tiny bit that’s about me?” he pouted.

“Well, I am not a fair judge for that question, I’m biased,” you grinned. 

You often wondered how you got so lucky with Steve. He was incredibly kind, attentive, and selfless. Blueprint didn’t even do him justice, he was the inspiration and the muse.

“Remember, act normal,” you warned quietly as Max and Lucas took their treats from your hands. Steve’s level of instinct for being an amazing boyfriend sometimes took a backseat to his parental impulses. 

“Yes, Darling,” he said, making a show of kissing your cheek and pretending to pull out your chair as if you were sitting at a table. 

“Stop,” you laughed, making Max roll her eyes. Lucas was elbow deep in his popcorn, completely oblivious to the hole he was digging himself deeper and deeper in.

“Sinclair, help me with the speaker,” Steve said through gritted teeth. You should have known that telling him not to butt in wouldn’t do any good. The two boys began to fiddle with the dials on the rusted equipment, and you hoped Steve would keep his voice low.

“So, how do you think the lesson went?” you asked Max. “I just barely passed my driving test, I was horrible.”

“Am I doing something wrong?” she asked, completely ignoring your question. You knew she wasn’t talking about driving. “I mean, Steve is obsessed with you, and it’s disgusting, but is there something wrong with me?” her eyes fell from yours, suddenly very interested in her hands wringing themselves out.

“Of course not,” you shook your head, leaning closer towards her. “Boys just show emotion in different ways, sometimes,” you tried explaining without sounding patronizing.

“Lucas pointed out a hunk of food stuck in my teeth in front of the entire lunch table the other day,” she rolled her eyes, the anger returning and replacing her shyness.

“Oh, I wish Steve would do that. One time he let me walk around with my sweater on inside out for an entire day, even took pictures with me, all because he didn’t want to say something and make me feel bad,” you said.

“Really?” a small grin made its way to her face.

“Oh yeah, it was mortifying,” you laughed. “People just show love in their own way.”

There was no blame for Max wanting a bit more showmanship, grand gestures were on every screen you turned to: Rob Lowe breaking into Demi Moore’s apartment, Kevin Bacon throwing the big dance for Lori Singer, and now you were about to watch Patrick Swayze give up his job for Jennifer Grey. Max couldn’t even get a hand outstretched to hold her own.

“What should I do differently?” she sighed.

“Absolutely nothing,” you said sternly. “Do not change a thing.” She nodded and sat back in her chair, a different look on her young face when the boys finished the fake-task at hand  

“God, it’s cold,” Max shivered, rubbing the arms of the thin jacket she had on. You and Steve waited a beat, giving Lucas one more chance. 

“I told you to bring a jacket, you never listen,” he huffed, sitting back down. Steve opened his mouth to reprimand him, not caring who it embarrassed, but stopped out of curiosity to find out what Lucas was digging through his pockets for.

“These take like 10 minutes to warm up, I think, I just bought them,” he was reading the instructions of the handwarmers he had come up with. 

“You just bought them?” Max repeated.

“Yeah, like I said, you never listen,” he smiled.

“Where are my handwarmers?” you teased, turning to Steve. He immediately grabbed your hands and breathed some hot air onto them, rubbing them between his own. 

“Oh, they’re built right in to the superior boyfriend model,” he shrugged. “No accessories needed.”

“Wow, lucky me,” you smiled. No matter how much of an effect he had on you, when Steve saw your smile he felt like he could fly.

“No, I’m the lucky one,” he scooted his chair impossibly closer and lowered your entangled hands to his lap. “Look at how cute,” he whispered. You turned your head and saw Max and Lucas in a similar position, Lucas rearranging the blanket over their laps and Max snuggling into his side.

“Think we look like that?” you asked.

“God, no, we’re smoking hot,” he scoffed before leaning over and kissing you firmly on the mouth. Only a second went by before you felt popcorn landing in your hair from your co-dates.

“Gross,” Max sniffed, but you couldn’t miss the sparkle in her eyes.

“Okay, we thought you were cool now, so we invited you out with us, but if you’d rather hang in Wheeler’s basement-”

“No,” Max cut him off. 

“Yeah, that’s what I thought. And hands where I can see them,” Steve said, nodding to the blanket. Max blushed deeply and Lucas just laughed, pulling his arms out from under the blanket and tossing one around her shoulder.

Throughout the movie, they laughed and toyed with each other; it was almost more entertaining than the movie on the big screen in front of you.

“What did you say to him?” you asked Steve. 

“I told him that doing nice things turns girls on,” he whispered.

“No you didn’t,” you pinched his leg harshly from where your hand rested on his thigh, making him squeal. “Tell me.”

“Fine. I told him that he had to pay attention, and that you need to put in effort every day, or he might make her feel like she’s not important to him. And she’s the most important thing in his life,” he leaned in at the last few words, speaking so tenderly that it brought tears to your eyes.

“I have such a crush on you,” you sighed, kissing him with no regard for the public setting. 

“Good, because I am crazy in love with you.”

[upsidedownwithsteve]

WAIT UNTIL YOU TASTE ME 18+ Hawkins community pool offers a range of swimming lessons, from tiny tots, to diving for beginners - and the private kind, of course. Just ask for Steve and don't mind Eddie, he likes to lurk in the bleachers. Loosely based on the movie float, lifeguard!steve, a summer full of swimming lessons. mentions of drowning, eventual smut 18+

LIKE IT’S LOVE? 18+ Steve knew he’d fight a god before he let them take you.

“I love you,” Steve whispered and his voice cracked on each word. Tears from his eyes stream the dirt on his face, running rivers down your cheek until they mixed with your own. “I’ll find you again. In the next life, and the next again. I prom—”

MY NAME IS WHATEVER YOU DECIDE 1/2 18+ MY NAME IS WHATEVER YOU DECIDE 2/2 18+

He came into the dining room of the club one Saturday afternoon. Sunkissed, tall, broad, stubble on his jaw and a gold chain glinting from the collar of his white shirt. He had a navy sweater draped over his shoulders, expensive sunglasses in his shirt’s front pocket, an unassuming looking leather strapped watch on his wrist - but you’d learned well before then how to tell the difference between new money and old money.   And Steve Harrington was old, old money. 

SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY 33K / 18+ Welcome to Camp Upside Down, an idyllic spot nestled in Yellowwood State Park, Indiana. Founded in 1959, Camp Upside down hosts an array of many summer activities, from lake sports, hikes, arts and crafts and team building experiences… and Steve fucking Harrington. An enemies to lovers story.

MEET ME IN THE AFTERGLOW 33.5K / 18+ Camp Upside Down seemed far too quiet when you finally opened the car door and set a foot on the old pine needles. Like something was missing. 

“Hey,” Robin rushed in with a hug, warm and sweet. “You’re here early.” She gave that same frown, lips set into a confused smile as she looked through your windscreen, at the empty passenger seat. “Where’s Steve?”

“Uh,” your voice broke, just a little, enough for Robin’s eyes to widen. “We broke up.”

WE TRIED THE WORLD 50K / 18+ Steve Harrington gazed at you with a shockingly sincere expression, with a little furrow knitted between his brows and he asked you: “D’you wanna run away with me?” The road trip au where you’re trying to find a home.

BAD FOR BUSINESS 18+ / 23.6K An enemies to lovers AU. Join the team at the Upside Down Arcade, where the machines eat your quarters and the staff have some personal issues. Stay tuned for the Pick Your Own Adventure polls to progress in the story.

SWEET ON YOU SUGAR, SUGAR HARD CANDY 18+ He stole glances at you, not so subtle gazes from under his lashes when he thought you weren’t looking, as if he wondered where this night was going, where those white lines were leading you both. You turned the corner into his street, the houses growing bigger as you went, the cars on the drive more expensive and the smell of chlorine filled the air, the soft trickle of backyard pools and front lawn fountains filling up the silence. “You staying?” 

FULL OF IT ASK FOR IT 18+ “Full of what?” He asked, voice low, a little hoarse now.

You nipped at the curve of his bottom lip, the tip of your tongue soothing over it, making him groan, chest rumbling against yours. “Cheek,” you grinned, another kiss pushed to his lips and Steve hummed. “Trouble,” you added, another kiss, a tug of his hair.

He tasted sweeter when he kissed you again, like leftover summer, and when he pressed his mouth to your ear, you shivered, delighted. “Wanna be full of me later?”

A LITTLE MEAN FOR ME A LITTLE SWEET FOR ME 18+ “I’d give you anything you wanted.” There it was, that sweetness, that softness that made your chest hurt, your knees weak. You hummed, so utterly happy beneath the boy. 

“Yeah?” You asked, a whisper.

“Fuck, yeah,” Steve answered, lips at the shell of your ear, trailing heat down your jaw, across your throat. His nails were blunt against your waist, dipping into the slope of your sides, pulling at the waistband of your skirt. “Tell me.”

“Want you to be a little mean to me, Steve.”

SOMETHIN UNHOLY' DIRTY, DIRTY BOYS 18+ Steve and Eddie shared a lot of things, you’d noticed.

Steve’s car when Eddie’s van inevitably broke down, Eddie’s stash of weed, a lighter, sometimes clothes when parties got out of hand and everyone crashed at the Harrington's. They shared cassettes, mixtapes, the key to your back door, the way they looked at you.

A COUPLE DAYS IN (I CALL YOU BABY) 18+ CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO You hit the button at the top of his profile, the one that said: “send a message.” A new page popped up, a little chat box that was intimidatingly empty and you stilled, staring at it. What did you say? How did you begin?

‘Hey, I’ve looked at precisely five photos of you and I know you work at some video store and I think you’re hot. Wanna have sex?’

You cringed, eyes squeezing shut as you quickly deleted the words, groaning at the empty space once more. You remembered what Robin had said, about how wanting to hook up with someone was okay. Loads of people did it. It was fine. 

[pwettylouis]

18 - Billy Hargrove Version

When no one can see that she’s grown up, y/n goes to the Hawkins high boy, Billy Hargrove, for help.

*You can pretend that y/n is adopted or Hopper had a kid with another woman if you don’t look like Hopper

Billy took a deep drag from his cigarette, leaning against his deep blue Camaro and watching all the kids of Hawkins high waist their breath amongst each other.

“Y’know that shit will kill you, right?” He looked over to see Y/n Hopper, queen of Hawkins and daughter of Sheriff Jim Hopper.

Billy took a deep breath and tapped the end of his cigarette on his car, leaving a circle of ash on the blue paint. “What do you want?”

“I need your help, Billy.” He scoffed and pushed himself off the Camaro.

He snickered for a moment, lip between his teeth. “If you’re just going to waist my time, then I’ll be leaving.” He said as he went to pull the car door open.

“My dad is cop, Hargrove.” Y/n placed her hand over the door handle as she stared at him. “How do think he’ll feel when he finds out you tried to run over a couple of kids. One of them being his own step son?”

When she noticed Billy retract his hand, she pulled away and stood tall.

“Or, that you sneak girls into the public pool after hours? I don’t think that’s what your boss meant by swim lessons.”

She spoke, crossing her arms and smirking with a raised eyebrow. Billy took in a deep breath and clenched his fist.

“What do you want?” He seethed.

“I need you to pretend to be my boyfriend.” She took a deep, shaking breath and shifted the books in her hands.

“And why should I do that for you? Huh?”

“Karen Wheeler ring a bell? Or how about that time you and Steve got in that fight, and your little 12 year old sister had to break it up? I can ruin your whole tough guy imagine, Hargrove.”

Billy looked pissed now, like his head was going to explode. She watched as Billy took in a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment before swinging the driver side door open.

“Get in,” Y/n smiled to herself as she made her way around the car. Billy’s nostrils flared as he pulled out of his parking spot.

He was silent as he sped out of the schools parking lot. The two made it down the road in silence, some rock song playing quietly.

Hargrove was almost half way to the Hoppers cabin before he finally spoke up. “Why do you need me? Why not that Harrington asshole?”

“Because my dad actually likes that Harrington asshole, and having someone he likes isn’t going to work.”

“So what do you want me to do? How do I pretend to be your boyfriend?”

“Drive me around, take me on a date, anything that couples would do.” She spoke as Billy turned into the driveway.

Yeah, Billy had taken out many girls in the past, but he didn’t know how a actual relationship worked. And neither did Y/n.

The car was put into park behind Sheriff Hoppers cruiser, Billy sat in silence for a moment before turning to the sheriff’s daughter.

“I’ll pick you up at,” he glanced to his watch. “4:30 tomorrow, we can go to Star Court or something.”

The girl leaned forward in her seat, hand reaching for the door handle as she smiled. “It’s a date, Hargrove, one of many.”

Her eyes drifted to the window at the front of the cabin where her father stood. He’s always on high alert when people pulled in.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Hargrove.” She leaned over the center console and placed a kiss on Billy’s slightly stubbled cheek.

Guys you don’t get it i am so obsessed with these types of fics and now i can not get a Steve Harrington, Richie Tozier and more version’s out of my head.

[mllx-anazra]

tis the damn season (part.1) 

Here is the Taylor Swift-inspired reader insert fanfiction to hopefully tame the brain rot Eddie Munson has induced since Vol.1 (also posted on Ao3).

TW: smut in later chapters so minors DNI, talk of therapy and trauma in later chapters, Eddie Munson is pinning, so is the reader, mentions of asshole rockstar boyfriends, drugs (the old devil's lettuce), explicit references, reader is a Henderson to make my no Y/N rule easier but is a cousin so hopefully it's ""inclusive"" enough?

Part 1: And it always leads to you, and my hometown 

"Jesus, man, can you drive any slower? We're late already!" Dustin pestered for what felt like the hundredth time in the short time he, Wheeler, and Sinclair pretty much begged Eddie to drive them to the other side of town to help you move in. 

            His curiosity got the better of him, and he not only adjourned the DnD meeting of today but agreed to drop the freshmen on your doorstep, hoping to understand why the hell you were back in Hawkins two years after your graduation. 

            The golden child, all straight A's, bouncy hair and toothy grins, bedazzled acoustic guitar, and the flare of the next Stevie Nicks, had made it out of bumfuck Indiana through a contract with a fancy Californian label, like some kind of modern fairytale. And yet, as the fall of 85 was settling slowly and surely in this small town, Eddie grew to see as his personal hell, you were coming back, settling back in your parents' small old house not too far from the trailer park, for no understandable reason.

            "Remind me again why the fuck is your cousin settling here again?" the metalhead glanced at his rear mirror, catching Dustin's impatient gaze. 

            "I don't know, something about a job and taking a break from the label or some shit. C'mon, man, it's the SEVENTH red light we have gotten in the past five minutes; for the love of CHRIST, could you speed up!!"

            "Calm the fuck down, Henderson and get a grip, jeez; little miss sunshine can wait five minutes for us to move her couch or whatever."

            "Steve is probably there already!" the teen whined. "I wanted to be the first to see her!". 

            At the mention of Steve "The Hair" Harrington, Eddie felt a pang in his belly, immediately remembering the chaste kiss he had seen you exchange with the King of Hawkins during your sophomore year winter dance on Toto, where he had been dying to ask you out. He mentally scoffed at the memory; pretty girls like you frenched and held hands with pretty boys like Harrington, while guys like him, well… Were at best dirty little secrets. 

Which is whatever the fuck you could call the first, and in your case last, senior year, you spent in dark corners branding him with scalding lips that tasted like cherry chapstick. After a too-drunk encounter at a Halloween party in 1983, where you had sloppily told him, "Today we're all allowed to be freaks, Munson," and kissed him like there was no tomorrow, you had both sought each other out for the months until your graduation. Official tutoring lessons where you'd wear the shortest preppiest skirts to drive him crazy and jam sessions to "exchange creative ideas" were just excuses to fool around like the horny teenagers you had been. And God, if you were not one little devil behind all your good girl skit. Eddie fought to not get too lost in the raunchiest memory of your skin against his, lips nipping and kissing every crevice of each other's bodies in his van, your car, his trailer, your childhood bedroom, the school's bleachers, empty English classrooms and study halls at the library, Lovers' Lake shores, the movies…

            How the hell was he supposed to make small talk with you after two years without so much as a call or letter? Oh, the cruel torture of politeness with a woman who rocked his world and that he still had trouble shaking off, dropping your cousin and his friends at your door when the only thing he wanted was to drop was his knees and see for himself if you tasted like he remembered. 

            "Turn left on that corner!" supplied Dustin, after five minutes of bickering with Mike and Lucas about the following steps to best approach the brutal campaign Eddie had set up for them. 

            "I know where the house is, deep shit."

            "How?" pressed Wheeler, eyebrows furrowed. Fuck, pestering reporter genes might run in the family. Nancy had provided the same inquisitive tone after Eddie had agreed to drive the kids rather than her at the school parking lot thirty minutes ago. 

            "Because the trailer park is really close to this neighborhood, and I've lived on this hellhole my entire life?" the mere fact he had to justify himself made him pissed off. 

            "There, there, stop the car!!" Dustin excitedly screamed, unfastening his seatbelt and bolting out of the van to jog his way to your front stairs. 

And there you were, dropping the box you were holding to immediately hug your cousin, gushing over his growth, matching dimples on both of your faces. 

            Were you a sight for sore eyes, all long summer dress and silky shawl, skin radiant and smile beaming, sunglasses pushed back on your forehead, and bracelet clicking as you embraced Lucas and Mike once Dustin had let you go. 

Psyching himself up, Eddie summoned his coolest demeanor as he locked the van and strutted towards your porch. Your look of initial confusion morphed to a wide grin, almost feral, making him weak in the knees. 

            "Do my eyes deceive me, or is this you, Munson?" amusement laced your voice, making his heart jackhammer in his ribcage. Same timber, warmth, and spice characterizing your voice after all this time. 

            "All metal and denim, sunshine." God, he hated how easily the nickname rolled off his tongue, electing strange looks amongst the boys and a glint in your eyes he had thought of so often. 

Before you could quip further or embrace him (fuck did you still use the same perfume and conditioner, he needed to know), Steve fucking Harrington interrupted your reunion:

            "Now that you cruds are finally here, come help us set the couch, it's super heavy. Oh, hey, Munson."

He was still wearing his Family Video vest, literally having come here from his workplace to help you settle, Eddie interpreting this as an eagerness that immediately gritted his nerves. It was no secret that Steve had chased you before he set his sights on Nancy and did not shy away from what could be qualified as grand romantic gestures to win you over. 

            "Jeez, Steve, let them grab a drink first it's so freaking warm today. C'mon in, there is a lemonade cooling in the kitchen, help yourselves. You know the house!"

The teens skited towards the entrance of your modest but coquettish home, Eddie leisurely strolling up the stairs to meet you on the last step. 

            "Long time no see, Henderson. Looking good." Smooth, Munson, keep it smooth. 

            "You tell me, Eddie." A shiver ran up his spine at the way your plump lips curled around the syllables of his name. "Are you converting my kids to your satanic cult through the impenetrable ways of DnD?"

He smiled at your teasing. 

            "They say it's better to get them young when they're more influenceable."

You chuckled, a side smirk still firmly planted on your face. 

            "Well, be my guest, Dungeon Master (his knees buckling again); I have a beer in the cooler if you prefer."

            "Hey, why does he get beer and I don't?" Steve indignantly called out, apparently shamelessly eavesdropping on your conversation.  

            "Because, unlike you, he is turning 21, and you're supposed to be a role model for the kids or something", you retorted, slightly exasperated. 

The guffaws the boys made at the implication were enough to bring a delicate warmth to your gaze as you guided Eddie through your corridor towards your kitchen. Fleetwood Mac was blasting in the living room, and his fingers couldn't help but tap in rhythm, reminiscing how you would let it play in the background of your study make-out sessions. 

He followed and pretended to look at your walls interestingly as if he had not slammed you there several times while driving you back home after school. 

"Cool house, Henderson." He supplied, prompting you to look back at him, eyebrow raised, as if your mind had joined his. 

The boys were gathered around your small kitchen island (another fun memory), sipping on your lemonade as you fetched too cooled beers in your ice box. Steve's grumbling only intensified when he figured out the second can was for your sake and not his, prompting you to bonk his head with it. 

Eddie tried not to envy the easiness with which Steve and you seemed to interact, probably already caught up with each other's lives as it was.  

            "So," Lucas started after a very loud sip, "what brings you back to Hawkins after this time?"

            "Seeing my favorite people on Earth is not a good reason enough, Sinclair?" you said while leaning on the counter, hands joined. Eddie thought he recognized a glint on one of your fingers. Did you keep… 

            The unimpressed looks on your audience made you fake gasp loudly. 

            "Fine, FINE!" you huffed. You mulled over your response for a second, eyes adrift. "I was in the studio when I heard about the Starcourt fire. I was so scared that something might have happened to any of you… I don't know; it freaked me out. So many weird things have happened in Hawkins these past few years I feel like…."

            Fiddling with your rings, including the one Eddie gifted you after your marveled at his a few weeks before you left, you didn't register the looks the kids and Steve exchanged. 

            "Also, I need field experience for my college credits, and Hawkins High has been looking for a part-time librarian and teaching assistant since Mrs. Sinema retired."

            "Why the hell you're going to college for? You work", Mike said, disdain clear in his voice. Damn, did Wheeler know damn well how to be annoying when he wanted to.

            "Yeah, well, working sucks Mikey, so I'm going back to school," you chuckled. 

            "Don't ruin it for all of us, Henderson. Some are trying to graduate this year", Eddie quipped, gulping down his drink. 

            "Are you now Munson? Who will lead your hordes of satanic minions in your absence?"

Mirth was evident in your tone, but Dustin clearly missed it. 

            "Hellfire is a Dungeons and Dragons CLUB!! Not a satanic cult??? Are you getting your talking points from Jason Carver or something??"

            "Jeez, Dusty, can't a girl crack a joke? I know what DnD is, it's all you nerds yap about. Also, ew, is Jason Carver still preaching his choir at school?"

            "You have no idea…." Mike mumbled. 

            "He's not that bad, guys," Lucas started, prompting a chorus of groans from his club. 

            "He is incredibly entitled and a terrible basketball captain, in my humble opinion," offered Steve, eyeing your still untouched beer. 

            "Moh, salty about the person occupying the throne you vacated, King Steve?" Eddie snarked with perhaps a bit too much gusto. 

The look Steve threw him, a mixture of "who the fuck are you again" confusion and "why are we interacting" that cheerleaders would throw his way, made the metalhead's stomach drop a little. 

            "Maybe I don't miss high school all that much," you hummed, finally sipping on your drink. 

            "Well, we sure did miss you," concluded Dustin, hugging your side as you smiled at him brightly, squeezing him back. 

            "You might less after moving my furniture, Dustibun." 

The boys collectively groaned as you jumped back into action, your cousin and his friends making their way to the large trailer attached to your car outside. Eddie lingered, chugging the remanent of his beer. 

            "You don't have to help Munson, I didn't expect you here," you offered, and was it a twinge of nervousness he could hear in your voice? Oh, that was interesting. 

            "Always here if you need a hand, Henderson." You caught the suggestive wiggling of his fingers, rolled your eyes, and pushed him towards your front door. He did notice the blush tinging your cheeks. 

            After what felt like hours of moving boxes – how much shit could you bring back into your semi-empty childhood home was truly baffling –the sun was starting to dim significantly. 

            "All right, y'all, thank you all so much for your help, but I'm afraid it's time to scram if you want to be back home before dinner!".

            "You're still coming over, right?" asked Dustin as he polished the last gulps of the lukewarm lemonade on your counter, much to Steve's dismay. 

You nodded enthusiastically and hushed them all to the door. Your hand might have lingered one second too long on Eddie's small back, electing delicious sparks up his spine. You had both danced around each other lightly all afternoon, both sides trying to figure the other out without being too suspicious. It was a skill you had mastered with all these months of sneaking around, for what must feel like a lifetime ago to you, shining bright on stage yet coming back to grace Hawkins with your smile once again. 

Eddie nodded at the tall boxes carefully placed still in the large trailer outside, knowing they probably contained your music gear, before inquiring, "You're not putting them inside? Careful, they might get taken."

            "You fancy my bedazzled folk guitar, Munson?"

            "Depends. Is your name still engraved on the fretboard?" Are my initials still carved on the back of the neck? He was dying to whisper to you. 

The laugh that accompanied the slight push you gave him was enough for now. 

            "Alright, Sinclair, Wheeler, in the backseat. You Hendersons will be okay?" asked Steve, hands on his hips. Since when did Harrington exude this motherly energy, Eddie wondered.  

            "Yeah, I will just detach the trailer and lock it, we should be good."

            "I could drive you."

Eddie had blurted out too fast for his brain to register, the idea of parting from you so soon making his heart lurch. 

You and Dustin looked at him quizzically; "The trailer park is literally down the road, my house is on the other side of town," the younger Henderson supplied. 

            "Rule number one of Hellfire, mini-Henderson; you treat fair maidens gracefully, especially returning ones." He cringe internally, his panicked state at losing his cool making him sound like a grade A nerd. 

            "I thought the first rule was listening to the Dungeon Master," quipped Wheeler as he settled in Steve's car. Oh, he was gonna make Mike lose during the next campaign if the kid did not watch his tone. 

            "Thanks for the offer, Eddie, but I'll need to drive back here anyways, so I'll take my car."

            "Let me help you with the trailer, at least." He thought he heard Harrington mutter along the lines of "since when is Munson that willingly helpful." 

How Eddie hoped the genuine smile you threw him was unique and your lingering gaze not a cruel fabrication of his imagination. 

You hugged the kids and Steve goodbye, dress flowing prettily as you turned back to him and embraced him softly. And yes, your laundry still smelled the same, sweet as lavender and soapy, but with a newer distinctive scent, he could quite not pinpoint. Will need to sniff again, supplied his brain. He wanted to slap the creeper out of himself so hard. 

            "Nice seeing you again, Munson," you whispered in his ear, making him shiver and ache for you only further. The speed with which you could worm yourself back into his body and spirit was frankly concerning, he will ponder later, screaming in his pillow back at the trailer. 

            "You too, sunshine." He brushed his finger along the thin silvery band adorned with a skull on your middle finger. Telling you, he did notice how you kept it. Did remember – how could he ever forget you –. 

            You hopped into your car and honked goodbye as the hopeless metalhead watched you drive away, butterflies swarming in his guts, before the stunned look on Steve's face reminded him of hopping back into his vehicle. 

            Eddie Munson was royally fucked, but so incredibly eager about it if you were the reason. "This really is my year," he muttered to himself as he fished out a mixtape long buried in his glove box, "songs we will fuck to" scribbled on the label with your pink sharpie, the ink fading making the hearts and dick you drew almost transparent. As Eddie drove back to his home, Led Zeppelin blasting in his speakers, all he could hear was the blood drumming in his ears, in time with his pounding heart. God, he had it bad. 

[kaylans-imagines]

tulip hoppers driving school

synopsis: in which y/n 'tulip' hopper teaches her kids to drive and gets roped into a competition with steve.

disclaimer: this can be read as a standalone, but the character 'tulip' is part of the mini series i may or may not be writing :) there will be other parts to this (they arent connected but yk)

warnings: cursing. a hissyfit from both dustin and steve. lowkey kinda repetitive :) not proofread

word count: 3026

~*~

It was common knowledge that Steve and Y/N were the group’s drivers. If it wasn’t Steve, it was Y/N, and vice versa. Sometimes they would even split up. Y/N would take the girls while Steve dealt with the boys. That had been the way they functioned until the kids got their Learner’s Permits. Max had been the first one, then Lucas got his, followed by Mike, Will, and finally Dustin. When they had presented their id’s to her and Steve, she couldn’t help but reel in shock, wondering where the time had gone. It seemed as if it were only yesterday she was running around with them, fighting off a band of evil interdimensional dogs. Now her kids were sixteen and eager to get their licenses. 

Max had been the one to approach her first, blue eyes blinking at her as she asked her if she would be willing to teach her to drive. Her heart swelled at her query, nodding excitedly at her question and pulling her into a tight hug. Hopper had tasked himself with teaching El while Mike and Will had obviously been given lessons by their families. The thought of Max asking her to teach her the basics of driving solidified the importance Y/N had on the younger girl's life. Her asking Y/N basically implied that Max saw her as a sister. 

She had told Steve about it that same night, excitement and appreciation coursing through her. It left a bittersweet taste in her mouth. While she loved Max and saw her as nothing short of a sister, she couldn’t help but think about Billy. He was an ass, but she was sure, given the time, he would’ve been Max’s first choice. In his own Billy way, he cared about Max. The sound of Max’s cries was a sound she would never forget; it played on repeat in her mind as she slept sometimes. Haunting her. 

“Maxine, Lucas,” she called their attention to her as they stood in the middle of an abandoned parking lot, “you two ready?” 

“Wait!” Steve’s voice called behind them, causing them to turn their heads and look at Steve and Dustin, who was trailing after him. When they finally reached them, hands on their knees to catch their breath, Steve wheezed out, “We wanted to join.” 

“Dustin, you don’t wanna learn?” Y/N asked, looking at the boy hanging behind her boyfriend.  

“Steve already said he would show me,” Dustin shrugged. Y/N pouted her lips. 

“Well, I mean, my car’s here and I’m already teaching Max and Lucas. I don’t mind teaching you too.” 

“Wait, wait, wait. Hold on,” Steve interrupted, “are you poaching my kid?” 

“Your kid?” she asked, arms crossing against her chest. 

“Yeah,” he answered seriously. “My kid. You know what, Max. Lucas, I can teach you guys. Since, you know, I’m the better teacher.” 

“Excuse me.” Y/N spit out, “you are not taking my Maxine or my Lucas. They’re better off with me as their instructor than with you, Harrington.” 

“You think so, Hopper?” he asked, stepping closer to her. 

“I know so.” She said unwaveringly, keeping her eyes locked on his. “I mean, you’re the one with tickets to your name.” 

“You don’t have any tickets cause of your dad!” He exclaimed in his defense, Y/N just shrugged. “You know what, how about you put your money where your mouth is?” he proposed, stepping away, “let’s make a bet.” 

“A bet?” Y/N asked incredulously. Of all the things Steve could come up with, a bet was the last thing she thought about. 

“Yeah,” he confirmed, hands going to his hips, “the kids have their driving tests on the same day; if your kid or kids pass with less markings than mine, we’ll go to the concert of your choosing, but if mine passes with less markings than yours, we get to go to a concert of my choice.”

“You’re ridiculous,” she deadpanned. Steve nodded his head in agreement. 

“So?” he asked, “unless you’re too scared.” 

Y/N turned to look at Lucas and Max and then at Dustin, but received shrugs in return. After all, this bet had nothing to do with them. She scoffed, “as if. You’re on, Harrington.” 

He extended his hand out to hers, meeting in the middle to shake. As smoothly as possible, he gripped her hand just as she was about to pull away and pulled her into a hasty kiss. The kids groaned, disgusted at their affections. They separated with a laugh before turning serious at the thought of their bet. A sense of determination passed through her. She needed to win. Not even because of what she would get out of it, but because she wanted to make Steve eat his words. 

“Okay, but I’m keeping Max and Lucas,” she said quickly. 

Steve’s face fell, “what? No. I wanted one of them. I can’t be stuck with just Dustin!” 

“Dude!” Dustin cried in offense. The two disregarded him. 

“My Maxine. My Lucas.” she spat out, stepping back to them and pulling them into her by the shoulders. “Your Dustin.” 

“Ugh, fine.” He agreed petulantly. She shared a laugh with the two after Dustin reached up and smacked Steve in the back of the head, offended by his outright rejection. 

“Okay, kids,” she smiled, finger holding the keys to her beloved car, “who’s ready to learn?”

A week into what the kids dubbed ‘Tulip Hopper’s driving school’, Dustin was calling for a meeting. They all met up in the same parking lot, both adults leaning against their cars as they listened to the younger kid. 

“I want to switch,” he declared, glaring at Steve. Steve flinched back in shock, hands crossing over his chest, “I cannot stand being in the car with Steve. He doesn’t let me touch the steering wheel or the gears, he just rambles on about driving safety. And he’s always listening to shitty music. I can’t stand it. Tulip, please, I beg. Let me trade with one of them.” 

Y/N bit back a laugh and licked her lip in amusement, “I can’t decide for them, Dustin. You can ask Lucas or Max to trade places with you, but I can’t force them.” 

The curly haired boy turned to look at his friends in exasperation, his face falling at the sight of them rapidly shaking their heads. 

“No. Not a chance. Tulip’s cool,” Lucas said, remaining beside her. 

“Don’t even think about asking me, dork,” Max shut down, “my Tulip.”

“Tulip,” Dustin begged, disgruntled at their refusal, “please. Save me from your boyfriend.”

“Okay, dude,” Steve murmured, “ouch.” 

“Sorry, buddy,” Tulip said unapologetically. Dustin’s exasperation had her confident in her ability to win their competition, “you’re stuck with Steve and his shit music taste.” 

Motioning the kids back into the car, she stepped off the hood and walked toward her boyfriend. He was still leaning against the burgundy of his car, mugging at his younger friend who pouted at him. Upon noticing her in front of him, he let his eyes soften. “Hi, Amaryllis.” 

“Hi, Steven,” she greeted, drawing into his charm, “I’d ask you how the teaching’s going, but…”

“Yeah,” he agreed with a laugh, “that little shit.”

She wrapped her arms around him, “you know, you can still back out. No point in facing extreme humiliation when Max and Lucas pass with flying colors.” 

“Not a chance,” he retorted, “I have full faith in Dustin. Things are slow right now, but he’s gonna blow them away with his superior driving.”

“If you say so,” she said disbelievingly, opening her mouth to say something else before the horn of her car interrupted. She dropped her head with a shake, humor in her eyes. She pulled away from him, planting a kiss on his lips which he happily returned. Before he could get lost in the softness of her kiss or she could paint it in her memory, another honk startled them. This time from the red BMW they were leaning on. 

“Let’s go!” Three voices demanded, each from their respective cars. Chuckling, they met in the middle, foreheads pressed together. 

“I’ll see you at home?” He asked, looking at the flowers in her eyes. If he looked closely, he could see a beautiful field of sunflowers. 

“Yeah,” she confirmed, looking into his eyes. A honey pot with specs of emerald was all she saw. “Italian for dinner?” 

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll bring it home.” He confirmed, being the first to pull away, “I’ll see you then.” 

“Bye,” she waved, walking to her car and slipping into the drivers seat. 

“You know, for two people who are meant to be competing, you guys suck,” Lucas snarked from the back seat. Y/N rolled her eyes and pulled out of the parking space. 

“He’s still my boyfriend, you know,” 

“Well, until we take our driver’s test,” Max cut in, fiddling with her stereo, “he’s the enemy. There will be no loving on the enemy.”

“You guys are ridiculous,” she laughed, turning up the volume. The DMV had been gracious enough to grant them a month and a half to learn how to drive. Y/N prided herself on her kids. Max was a natural behind the wheel; confident in her skills–despite how minimal they may have been–and unwavering when the assholes who thought they owned the road became, well, assholes. It was a comical sight–watching a sixteen-year-old Max flick off a thirty-something-year-old man. And Lucas. You wouldn’t have known he was petrified of being behind the wheel his first time. He was suave in the driver’s seat, a level of coolness with an air of calm seemed to seep out of him. 

She hadn’t heard anything about Dustin from Steve, though. Y/N didn’t know if she should have perceived that as a good thing or a bad thing. Secretly, she wanted all her kids to succeed. The feeling of getting your driver’s license was a freeing one. It opened the door to an independence one would have never known existed. She thought about the first time she drove. It was as stressful as one could imagine with Hopper as their driving instructor. Screams of fright and brusque directions were hurled into her ear, leaving her a tense mess in her father’s car. She had sworn that day to never get behind the wheel of another car again. Until it was her mom teaching her. Her approach was a lot nicer and gentler. 

The 20 year old thought about the first time she drove without anyone with her. She drove for miles upon miles, getting lost in the landscape New York had to offer. The bright green trees of Upstate New York and the bright yellow of the taxi cabs in Lower Manhattan all kept her company in the driver’s seat of her moms sedan. She had felt a freedom she didn’t know she was missing that day, and she wanted nothing more than for Dustin, Lucas, and Max to all feel it too. Even if they were technically on opposing sides. 

She found herself sitting beside her boyfriend in the hard chairs of the DMV, legs shaking in nerves. From her seat, she could see Max’s fiery red hair, Dustin’s curls, and Lucas’ neatly styled flat top. They had all dressed to the nines that morning, eager to get their own IDs. Max had even asked Y/N to help her with the littlest bit of makeup she had. Steve had driven them to the government building, motioning them off with a thumbs up and an excited ‘good luck’ as he passed the keys to the worker. The three of them were the first in their group to attempt to get their licenses, so everyone was riding on one of them to come out successful to drive them around and stop relying on their friends or parents. 

“Relax,” Steve whispered in her ear, grabbing the hand she had resting on her knee and stopping tapping, “they’re gonna do great.” 

“You think so?” she asked, nerves still wracking her. She turned to where they’d been waiting. Lucas and Dustin had remained. Max was taken to the road. One down, two more to go. 

“Yes,” he assured, “Dustin has to pass. I will not miss the opportunity to take you to the U2 concert coming up.” 

Y/N blinked, giving him a blank look and prying her hand out of his, “I swear to God, Harrington, if you win and we go see that godforsaken band, I’ll leave you.” 

Steve laughed, taking her hand in his and squeezing it. “Then, Aster, you better hope you were a decent teacher. Otherwise, we’re going.” 

“I can’t wait to wipe that smug look on your face,” she muttered, turning away from him and keeping her eyes locked on the entrance, waiting to catch sight of her ginger friend. She bit her lip in anticipation, cursing Max for her stoic expression, wishing she would give something to ease her worry. The two watched as the girl walked to the counter behind her instructor, turning her body purposefully to block their view. 

Y/N muttered expletives under her breath, slumping against her seat and impatiently waiting for Max to join them. Only when the younger girl was sitting down did she smile at her pseudo older sister, proudly displaying her temporary paper license and the test paper the instructor had used. No red slashes covered her paper, in fact, the instructor had drawn a smiley face on the corner of the paper. 

“You passed!” Y/N exclaimed happily, stretching her body over the arm of the chair and pulling her in, “I’m so proud of you.” 

“I had a pretty damn good teacher,” Max complimented. She straightened her back, giving Lucas a look of encouragement after he’d been selected. The next thirty minutes that went between them dragged on. Suspense looming over them as they waited for his return. When he walked through the doors, it was obvious that he’d passed. He was practically skipping behind the employee, offering his fist to bump. Once he had signed the necessary paperwork, he grinned at them, displaying them to them. 

“I’m two for two, Harrington,��� Y/N gloated, nudging him with her shoulder and shoving the paper into his line of sight. He moved it away from him, shaking his head. 

“Just wait, Hopper,” he replied, “Henderson’s gonna get a star, not some measly smiley face.”

“Sure,” sarcasm laced her voice as she responded. She hoped Dustin would pass, but she wasn’t going to admit that. But she also didn’t want to go to that godforsaken U2 concert with Steve or listen to his pompousness. When their curly haired friend walked through the doors, downtrodden and slightly bitter, they knew. The air around them had turned icy, matching Dustin’s feelings towards Steve. They frowned as Dustin walked back to them.

“I’ll kill you, Harrington,” he announced, standing before his older friend and shoving the paper into his hands. Red coated the paper, and in the corner was a sad face. Dustin Henderson had failed his driving exam, and Steve was the one to blame. As upset as she was for the boy she had come to know as a brother, she couldn’t help but silently rejoice in the fact that she wasn’t going to have to go to that stupid concert with her smug boyfriend. She had won the bet. And she was going to make Steve regret his arrogance. 

“Did you fail on purpose?” Steve had the nerve to ask after they’d taken their respective seats in his car. 

Dustin stared at him, “do you really think I would do that? Just so you could win a stupid competiton with your girlfriend? No! Now I’m stuck relying on you guys and my mom for rides until I can retake that fucking test. It’s all your fault, Harrington. If you had just let me drive like Tulip had done for Lucas and Max, I would’ve passed. But no, you had to be Momma Steve about it.” 

Steve took offense to his words, “then why did you let me teach you?”

“I didn’t!” Dustin remarked in vexation, “you practically forced yourself as my teacher.”

“Fine,” Steve said childishly, “have Tulip teach you.” 

“That was my plan from the beginning,” Dustin snapped, glaring at Steve. Steve met his gaze through the rearview. 

The ride back to Hawkins was a comical one. Dustin doing everything in his power to refrain from speaking to Steve while Steve attempted to drown out any conversation he started with his friends by turning the volume up. Y/N thought it was hilarious when Dustin refused to say bye to Steve after they had pulled up to his house. He had made it a point to only say it to Y/N, even going as far as to give her a hug. The only acknowledgement from the younger boy to Steve was in the form of a middle finger. 

“I can’t believe that little shit blamed me for his failing,” Steve rambled later as they lay on their bed. “I’m a great driver. I have never once, well no, I’ve only ever gotten two tickets. I have been driving since I was fourteen. That little shit just doesn’t listen to instructions. It is not my fault he failed. I mean Eddie trusts me enough to drive around Beth, surely that speaks for itself.” 

“Sure, Steve,” Y/N agreed offhandedly, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she skimmed through a magazine, “you still have to make good on your promise, Steven.”

“Fuck,” he cursed, rubbing a hand across his face. “Who do you wanna see?”

Y/N grinned at him, pointing a black manicured finger at the band decorating her magazine. “AC/DC, Harrington. We’re going to see AC/DC.” 

Steve groaned, grabbing a pillow from his side of the bed and pushing it on his face. If he could go back in time and smother his past self for making that stupid agreement, he would. 

~*~

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the art of promises series

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[1986harrington]

enemies to lovers????????😍😍😍

Okay so it’s not gonna be finished tonight because I may or may not have made some questionable decisions last night while I was drunk which have resulted in me doing nothing but crying with laughter to my friends all day instead of writing BUT here’s an excerpt:

As the summer passed, he asked you out a few times - to parties, to the drive-in, to dinner at his house - and every single time you said no. He may have been handsome, in that annoyingly obvious and undeniable kind of way, but you’d be damned if you were going to let that cloud your judgement.

You wanted - needed - to focus on the negatives here. The only problem was, the longer you spent with him and the more you got to know him, you found yourself beginning to question everything you thought you knew about him from everything you had heard.

Sure, he was confident and more than experienced with girls, and that had earned him a reputation as a womaniser. But when his gaze lingered on you, it was rarely on your chest, or your legs, or your ass, despite the fact you were often dressed in nothing but a one piece and flip flops. Instead, his eyes would follow the movement of your hair as you pulled it over your shoulder, the curve of your lips as you sipped frozen lemonade from a straw, or the droplets of water that dripped from your dark lashes when you came back from teaching a lesson.

Whether he was watching you from across the pool as you collected discarded towels and rogue armbands, or up close at the end of the night as you struggled to padlock the old, rusty gate shut - tongue peaking out adorably from between your lips in concentration after forcibly rejecting all his offers of help - you didn’t feel objectified or ogled.

You felt admired.

And somehow when it came to Steve Harrington, that was worse.

***

“You really don’t like me much, huh?” He’d asked one night as you both worked the closing shift. You were dragging a net through the pool, scooping out leaves and random debris from the day that floated along the surface, him trailing behind you with the trash bag open for you to drop it in.

“You give yourself too much credit, Harrington.”

His eyebrows raised in interest as you turned to face him, tipping a net-full of random objects into the bag he was holding before looking him straight in the eye.

“I don’t like you at all.” You flashed him a sarcastic, saccharine-sweet smile before turning back around and carrying on down the length of the pool.

Steve laughed, his free hand that wasn’t holding the trash bag scrubbing at his jaw and he continued to follow you around to the other side.

“And why is that, exactly? Just out of curiosity.” He asked, and it was the most unsure of himself you’d ever heard him sound.

“Steve, please. We’re only six weeks into the summer and yet if I start rhyming off all the ways you irritate me beyond belief, we’ll still be here by the time Graduation rolls around.”

“If you start now, and maybe only list the things I do that annoy you the most,” He interjected, sounding far too proud of himself for someone who was still admitting to be annoying. “I think we could probably have this whole thing wrapped up by at least Homecoming.”

“Or,” You drawled, spinning to face him again as you took the bag from him and tied it off in a knot, dropping it by the trash cans on your way to the exit. “You could just let it go.”

“Right,” He said, sounding a little defeated, and you despised the way a sensation all too similar to guilt rose up in your chest. “Got it.”

He stepped around you, picking up his sweatshirt that was strewn across one of the loungers alongside his duffle bag and pulled it over his head. The motion ruffled his hair, leaving it messy and kind of in his eyes and once again you cursed your body for it’s reaction, a warm flush pushing up your neck and across your cheeks.

He picked up the duffle next, slinging the long strap over his shoulder and heading for the parking lot without looking in your direction.

“Steve-” You tried, stepping towards him but he bodyswerved you and carried on towards the gate, a mumbled “Forget it,” catching your ear. You contemplated letting him go, but some small, stupid part of you that couldn’t stand the idea of genuinely hurting his feelings made you move. You stepped to the side again, arm reaching out until your hand wrapped around his wrist.

“Steve, c’mon-“

He stilled, eyes falling to your hand on his wrist before coming back up to meet yours.

“What do you want from me, exactly?”