#eleven hopper x sister reader

[nicolewritesthings]

When her sister calls

Summary: A worried Eleven can't get ahold of Hopper!reader, so she asks Steve to check in on her, unaware that they're not currently on the best of terms.

Steve Harrington x Hopper!Reader, a part of the New Me Series - takes place in between New Me and Hope this isn't weird (shoutout @longlivedelusion for this idea!!) a/n: 1.5k words, angsty, adult themes

Winter 1985

The Harrington household was as quiet as can be early on a Tuesday morning. Mr. Harrington was at work as usual, and Mrs. Harrington was setting up a luncheon at the club. Meanwhile, Steve was enjoying one of his rare mornings off.

Steve makes breakfast when the phone rings, cutting through the morning radio show. He sets the hot skillet down onto the stove and hurries over to the phone, wiping his hands on a tea towel before picking it up.

“Steve, hi,” Eleven says quietly on the other line.

Steve tilts his head - she never called him. “What’s up? Is everything alright?” he asks.

“I haven’t heard from Hop in a few days. We always talk at the same time every other day, and she hasn’t been picking up,” she blurts out, frantic, “have you seen her?”

He pauses, thinking about the last time he saw her - Thursday night when she clocked in just before he left. He knew she had missed work the last couple of days, and he tried not to worry.

After seeing her at that party all over that guy, he steeled himself from her. Put a guard up so fast, he promised himself not to worry too much about her anymore. And it seemed like she hardly even noticed the distance he put between them. A whole month had gone by and she didn’t even notice.

“I, um, I haven’t heard from her, no,” Steve admits, the anxiety she could only cause him bubbling up.

“Oh,” Eleven was surprised to hear that. She knew from her chats with her sister that something was different, but Hop was a good liar and hadn’t given any allusion that she and Steve weren’t on the best of terms right now. She continues, “Could you maybe go check on her?”

Steve closes his eyes, leaning his forehead against the wall. He breathes out, “Of course, El. I’ll go over there now.”

And that’s exactly what Steve did, because he’s a good guy and couldn’t possibly say no to sweet Eleven. He didn’t want to admit he was worried about Hopper. Didn’t want to let his mind wander to his biggest fear these last few months - that she may have done something to hurt herself.

He gulps down that fear and strides up the stairs to her apartment. Steve knocks on the door a few times but receives no answer. He looks at the small parking lot and spots her truck, confirming she is home.

Steve bangs on the door now, more frustrated. He hears shuffling footsteps approach the door. It pulls open, revealing a young guy around Steve’s height, probably college-aged, wearing nothing but his boxers.

Those steel walls Steve put up worked because all he could do was let out a bitter laugh. Nothing was funny about this, and yet all Steve could do was shake his head and laugh.

“Of course,” Steve mutters, pushing the dude aside and striding past him to find her.

“What the hell?” The guy calls after Steve, but he was already walking through the kitchen and into the bedroom.

The bedroom was a mess, and Hopper was in the middle of it, lying on the bed in nothing but a t-shirt. Steve smacks the bedroom door loudly, “Hey!”

She stirs, groaning, head barely lifting off the bed. Steve was getting angrier by the moment. The half-naked man in the kitchen didn’t help.

Neither did the empty pill bottles scattered around the room.

He smacks the door again, “Hopper!”

She finally registers Steve’s voice and rolls over, propping herself up on her elbows. She breaks out into a sloppy grin, “Stevie! You’re here!”

He takes in her tangled hair, pale skin, and red eyes.

“Are you drunk?” He asks, not even hiding the judgment in his tone.

She rolls her eyes, “Don’t be such a buzzkill.”

“It’s not even ten in the morning,” Steve says, “on a fucking Tuesday!”

She winces at his exasperated voice. He steps closer to the foot of her bed now. Steve continues, “El called me. She’s worried about you. Says you’re not answering her calls.”

Hopper waves that off, “I’ve been busy.”

“Clearly.”

She narrows her eyes at Steve now, taking in the disgust in his voice. Before she can say something she’d regret, college boy steps into the doorway, shrugging on a sweatshirt.

“I’m gonna go,” he says, then turns to Steve, “I didn’t know she had a boyfriend, sorry dude.”

“Definitely not my fucking boyfriend,” Hopper rolls her eyes, falling back onto the bed.

Steve shouldn’t let that get to him, but it does. He puts his hands on his hips, looking at the ground. He hears the college boy leave and the door shut behind him. Steve breathes out as flashes of his memory flood in - Hopper's eyes filled with tears after the mall disaster, her laughter in his car, her on the bed with another boy-

His fist bangs against the door again, and it swings back, slamming into the wall behind it. The sound rattles the walls.

Hopper sits up, "What the hell-"

"How can you do this?" Steve asks, voice raised and face red, "How can you parade around town like this?"

Her eyes narrowed, "Like what, Steve?"

"You know what," he mutters.

She does know what he means - the partying, the boys, the descent into madness. But she wants him to say it. Wants him to be the only person willing to say it to her face.

"Say it," she says, "tell me what a mess I am. How terrible and disgusting I've become. That the whole town thinks I'm some massive slut now. Poor girl with daddy issues-"

"Is that what you want, then? For me to call you a whore and a drunk and tell you that I hate you now?" Steve asks, his voice steadying.

Hopper doesn't expect this response or the feeling it evokes in her - that evokes any feeling at all. She hasn't felt anything in months, and yet here now with Steve, there's a dull ache deep in her gut. Is that worry? Is she worried that this boy, this boy she loved so dearly, could possibly hate her now?

"Do you?" she says softer than she would have liked.

Steve catches the shift in her tone, finally finding some vulnerability for the first time in a long time. His chest tightens as he says, "I could never hate you. But, I think you want me to."

Hopper doesn't move, the words paralyzing her.

He continues, "Do you think that would make things easier for you? If I left you like everyone else in your life did?"

She looks so small on the bed. Steve wants to reach out and grab her. But he can't. Not anymore.

"It would be easier if I hated you, Hops," Steve breathes out, "trust me, you've done a lot to make me want to. But I can't. I won't ever not love you. I just won't."

The ache in Hopper's gut spreads and sharpens, causing a ripple effect on her entire body. She feels electrified, alive again. Like that dull feeling, that numbness has subsided for the moment.

She looks at the boy in front of her, the boy she's grown to know and love so well. She takes in Steve's sweatpants and wrinkled t-shirt, his unwashed hair and soft eyes. Hopper realizes she doesn't even know what he could have been doing before coming over here. Or really what his schedule was like these days.

Her head starts to ache with the realization that she's missed so much of her best friend. She brings the palms of her hands to her temples, shutting her eyes. Why is he here? Why does he care? Why does he still love her?

The guilt feels like a heavy mass pushing against her skull, a crushing pressure on her sinuses. She opens her eyes to find some levity, but immediately regrets it as her gaze settles onto Steve's solemn expression. His eyes are red but not teary, and he can't find the energy to cry over her again.

She looks away and says softly, "You should go."

Steve's not sure what he expected Hopper to say back to him. He wasn't actually expecting anything from her, so he just nods and turns away, heading toward the door.

As soon as she hears the front door click shut, Hopper gets up and goes to the kitchen, pulling a large trash bag from under the sink. She spends the rest of the day manically cleaning her apartment for the first time in weeks. After a scalding hot shower, she reaches for the phone and calls Eleven. But this time, she listens - really listens and smiles and even laughs a little at something dumb Will did.

Hopper isn't sure what her and Steve's relationship will look like going forward, but she knows how he made her feel that morning. That he was the only person in months to make her feel anything at all.

[bambisworlds]

the freak and the new girl (1)

part two, part three

eddie munson is the freak of hawkins high. y/n is the new girl. like eleven, she was taken in by hopper after getting rescued from the lab. y/n has been in bad relationship after bad relationship since attending public school and was starting to give up on finding a healthy, loving relationship until eddie munson changed everything (1,623 word count)

content warnings, mdni 18+

f!reader, hopper!reader, bisexual!reader, telekinetic!reader, no physical reader description, reader grew up in the lab like eleven, reader can sing, slow burn, friends to lovers, fluff fluff fluff, jason carver and billy hargrove are readers exes, reader has a female ex named amelie, this follows the season 2 plot but the party are freshmen instead cause it makes things easier, eleven is in public school for the season 2 plot, let me know if i forgot anything x

my masterlist

There’s always been some unspoken understanding between Eddie Munson and I. Whenever my ex-boyfriend Jason Carver got into it with Eddie, I came to Eddie’s defense. Sure, it was a soft comment about Jason backing off, but it was something. Eddie would nod his head in acknowledgment or say something like “Thanks sweetheart”. It was mainly to get to Jason but also to show his genuine thanks to me. 

Jason was an ass, I was not. Eddie knew this. That’s why he spent many an hour wondering why the fuck I was dating Jason. The simple answer was Jason was the first boy to show an interest in me at Hawkins High and I was lonely. I was desperate for attention. I didn’t know that Jason was a bad boyfriend per se. I didn’t know what a good boyfriend should behave like. The only other relationship I had was when I was at the lab. That relationship consisted of stolen glances, hidden touches, and love notes slipped under doors. When we were around other people we acted as if we were strangers.

I’d never been in a so-called public relationship like this. The conclusion I came to is that no matter what kind of relationship you’re in your boyfriend ignores you. That’s just how it is. When I was in my, I guess you could call my relationship, with Amelie it was the same thing. Treat me like a lover behind closed doors then like a stranger in public.

With Billy though… that was when I started to get the idea this wasn’t what a relationship should be like. Billy wasn’t ever nice, not even behind closed doors. I wasn’t even sure if he liked me or just the idea of me. He liked to rub it to the other popular kids, especially Jason, that he could date the new girl too.

The first time I experienced what a good boyfriend could be like was with Eddie Munson. The moment was fleeting in the hall in between classes but it shocked me down to my core.

Eddie was walking past me when he suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me to a stop, “Woah… you like Motley Crue? You?” he asked me in disbelief, motioning to the Motley Crue t-shirt I was wearing.

“Yeah?” I answered, feeling unsure.

“Jesus, why the hell are you dating Carver? You’re like my dream girl.” he joked before patting my arm and starting back down the hallway like nothing happened. 

Jason and Billy never complimented me.

Eddie told me that I was his dream girl in 1983. Now it’s nearing 1985 and I still think about it. I’m not sure why it took me so long to see Eddie as someone I could date. I think it was all of Hopper’s complaining about Eddie’s parents. He called them low-life wastes of space. I kinda assumed Eddie would be the same way. I was so unbelievably wrong.

I sat alone next to the concession stand in the arcade sipping a Coke. My seat was away from everyone else but I still had a clear view of my sister Eleven, Mike, her boyfriend, Will, Lucas, and Dustin. They were all circled around a machine, yelling and laughing at the same time.

Will’s mom, Joyce, gave me the task of keeping a close eye on Will. His PTSD had been flaring up while we got closer to the anniversary of his disappearance. I’m all too familiar with PTSD so I took this task seriously, but I didn’t want to be the overbearing older sister to Eleven.

“Y/n?” A voice spoke up from beside me. I stopped sipping on my drink, the straw still sitting between my lips.

“Hey, Eddie.” I greeted with a soft smile. He wore his typical leather jacket and D&D jean vest. It made his back look hot. 

“What the hell are you doing here?” he asked with a smile, plopping on the bench across from me at the table.

“Babysitting.” I motioned to where Eleven and her pals were standing.

“And you’re just gonna sit there instead of playing games?” he teases.

“I don’t know how to play any.” I shrug. Eddie’s mouth dropped open dramatically and I laughed. “What? I don’t think Jane does either, to be honest.” I say, using El’s legal name instead of her chosen name.

“Get up, get up.” he motions at me as he stands up. I do as he says, “C’mon I’ll show you.” he insists as I throw my half-drunk coke in a trash bin. He walks with some pep in his step as he leads me over to a machine, “Ever play this one?” he motions to the machine in front of us and I shake my head, “You’ve never played Galaga?” he gapes, “Jesus you’ve never lived!” he gasps and I laugh again. No one could ever make me laugh this easily. He ushered me to stand closer to him so he could explain how to play it. I could smell cigarette smoke, the smell clinging to his hair that would probably stick to mine. 

After a good 5 minutes of instruction, he coached me through my first try, cheering me on and giving me advice in my ear. We stood at that machine together for 30 minutes, our laughter radiating around us until a timid voice spoke up behind me.

“Y/n? It’s 8:45. We should probably head home.” Will says and I finally separate myself from the Galaga machine. “Hey, Eddie.” Will greeted his fellow Hellfire Club member.

“Byers.” Eddie nodded his head in greeting, “Well, this was fun Hopper. We should do it again sometime.” Eddie smiles and I nod.

“It was. Now when I beat Dustin’s ass I’ll have you to thank.” I tell Eddie goodnight, leading Will, Mike and Eleven out to my car.

“Since when are you and Eddie friends?” Mike asks me, sitting beside El in the backseat as I drive to his house.

“Since today I guess.” I shrug, “We’re not not friends. We say hi and stuff to each other in the hall.” 

“Well, Eddie’s cool. A lot cooler than the jerks you used to hang out with.” Will says, alluding to Jason and the nauseating popular kids that he would hang out with, therefore I hung out with.

“Yeah.” I agree softly. After dropping off Mike, then Will and listening while Joyce thanked me profusely, I headed to Hop’s cabin.

“Is Eddie your boyfriend?” El asks, looking out the car window as we drive.

“No.” I chuckle, “Although that wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.”

“Eddie’s nice,” El notes as we pull into the driveway. I twirled my keys in my hand and unlocked the door from the inside out with my mind. 

“We’re home,” I announce, Hopper coming out of the bathroom, clearly fresh out of the shower.

“Have fun?” he asks and I nod.

“Y/n was with a boy,” El tells him as if it was the most casual thing in the world.

“Another one? Give your old man a break.” he sighs dramatically, sitting down in the recliner.

“I wasn’t with him. He was there and so was I so he showed me how to play one of the games.” I insist, heading towards my room.

“Who was he?” Hopper asks, stopping me in my tracks.

“Eddie Munson,” I answered nervously.

“Munson? That kid’s a dipshit.” Hop answers without missing a beat.

“Dad, have you even met him?” I ask. Silence. “Exactly,” I argued, heading into my room.

The next day at school, for the first time ever, Eddie sat beside me in class. That same day he invited me to sit with him and the Hellfire Club at lunch. I hesitated but with El's encouragement, I did.

At some point, the group got to the topic of Will’s drawing abilities and for some reason, he threw me under the bus, “Y/n can sing.” 

Eddie’s head whipped towards me so quickly I was scared his neck would break, “You sing?”

“Kind of.”

“She is really good.” El insists, nodding at me encouragingly.

“Don’t you write music and stuff?” Mike asks from beside El, “I’ve seen your guitar and sheet music in the dining room like a billion times.”

“You play the guitar?” Eddie’s eyes widened even more if that was possible.

“Yeah,” I confirm with a soft smile.

Eddie grabs his chest dramatically, “God you really are my dream girl.” he sighs. 

The time he said that to me in the hall last school year came to mind. I smiled.

“Show him your songs.” El encourages, motioning to the journal next to my food tray.

“Are you telling me that journal right there that you’re always writing in is filled with songs that came out of that pretty little head?” Eddie asks me and I nod. “Can I read some? Pretty please.” he sticks his bottom lip out and gives me puppy dog eyes.

“If I let you, you have to promise to not read any others. They’re personal.” I tell him, giving him the most ‘no bullshit’ face I could muster.

“Okay, okay,” he mutters, holding his hands up in defense. I bite my lip nervously, flipping through the pages.

“That one.” Eleven stops my flipping, pointing at one of the pages. I let out a breath and handed it to Eddie.

“Dark…” he notes as he continues to read. I tap my leg nervously, “I love it.” he smiles widely before closing the journal and handing it back to me.

“Thanks.” I smile. 

“Anytime you wanna show off your writing skills to someone I’m here,” he says with a wink and I unwillingly blush.

if you have any requests including the people on my masterlist please comment them below any of my posts or in my submissions!! (check here: about my blog  to see what things i'm not comfortable with in regards to requests <3)

[skyfallslayer]

Should We Stay or Should We Go? || Chapter Eight

-A ST Rewrite Feat. Steve Harrington x Henderson!OFC-

Main Masterlist || Series Masterlist

🎲Summary: While Dr. Brenner holds Hopper, Joyce and Steve for questioning, the boys wait with Eleven in the gym. Will begs for a second chance, and Nancy and Jonathan prepare for an unforeseen battle.

🎲Pairings: Will x Platonic!OFC; Dustin x Sister!OC; Slow burn! Steve x Henderson!OFC (Ex-bestfriends to Lovers); Slow burn! Byler

🎲Rating: Teen-Mature

🎲Word Count: 12,127

🎲Date: 4/21/25

🎲Warnings: Heavy Angst; Heavy Language & Dialogue; References To Broken Friendship; Mental Strain/Breaking Down; Implied Mental Health Issues; Life Threatening Injuries; Lying; (Child) Death; Murdering; Gun Use; Guilt; Blackmailing/Threats; Brief Torturing; Crying; Corpses; Attempted Drugging; Blood; CPR; A Certain "Curse" Comes Into Play Early; Hopper Being a Great Cop & A Total Mess; Joyce Deserves Mom MVP; Steve's Emotional Damage; Stephanie & Will Deserved All The Love. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

(And let me know if I missed anything)

🎲A/N: Hello, readers! And welcome to the second to last chapter of S1! I'm so excited I made it this far and hopefully this is fulfilling to you guys. I'll be honest, this isn't my strongest chapter in my opinion. It's very fast pace, and cuts to the chase on a lot of things, but it's the only way I could make it flow. Thanks for sticking around, and enjoy!

|| THE OTHER SIDE ||

He slammed his fist again and again, followed by a couple light shakes. It’s already been a few minutes, but he refuses to give up. He knows he promises her that he’ll live for them both, yet that all seemed to go out the window when the realization finally settled in.

“Come on!” He shouts, striking down again. “Come on! Come on! You can’t leave me!” His voice was becoming strained and raw, tears kept pooling down despite how dehydrated he was, but he still refused to stop. He lets out a choked sobbed as he gets to his feet, his arms underneath her arm pits as he tries to move her. “Come on– Fuck!”

The little boy, Will, slipped to his knees at her dead weight, cradling her head back into his lap as she sobbed again. His blood shot eyes looked around, waiting for any of his rescuers to come as the dam broke again.

“MOM!!!” Will screams, shaking. “Mom! You said you were coming! Please, Mommy! Please, hurry up! Please! PLEASE!”

He knows his mother’s no superhero, but he always thought of her as one growing up. The strong, independent and kind-hearted woman that raised him and his brother after their father walked out. She’s his superhero, his savior, and he needs her more now than ever. 

“M-Mommy, please… please… hurry…” He chokes, hugging Stephanie closer. It was almost like his prayers were soon answered when he heard someone coming. He gasps and looks around frantically. “M-Mom?”

At first he thought he was just all in his mind, until he noticed something in the corner of his eyes. Fearfully looking over and up at the figure, he pales noticeably and shrinks under the intense gaze.

“W-What… what are you?” Was all he could say, just before a lengthy hand hovers over his face, a sudden wave of sleepiness hits him, and knocks him to the ground. Without even realizing what was happening, he and Steph were being dragged away from the lab.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Steve had found himself in what he’s assuming is the interrogation room, shaking to core at the coldness he felt. As soon as the guards had snagged the three of them they had lined them all up against a wall, patting them down before stripping them to their undergarments and blasting them a hose full of icy water. Now, mind they might have gone a teensy bit nicer to Joyce and even went a little leadent on himself too, but not Hopper. Poor bastard was getting shredded with the high pressure that made him and Joyce scream for them to stop. They eventually eased up, dragging them all away in different directions, and cuffing him to a table. Before leaving him alone with his thoughts, they had snapped a polaroid of him that surely didn’t show off his good side.

Blackmail, maybe? He’s not sure. But what is sure of is that he’s been in here for some time now. And the more time we waste, the more time we lose trying to get Fia and Will.

His prayers were soon answered when someone finally came through the door. He recognizes that pearly white hair immediately. It was the guy that Eleven seemed so afraid of when they had to take off on their bikes. Who the hell is this dude?

“Steven Harrington, right?” The guy said, sounding more like an answer than a question really, as Steve gave him a cold glare in return. He moved slowly like a hawk, pulling out a chair and throwing something down at the table; He was getting straight to business. “We know you’ve encountered the girl. I saw you on the bikes with those boys.”

“Yeah?” Steve said, going full defense mode. “Well, fuck off. If you’re asking me to give up her location, you’re shit out of luck. I ain’t doing that to her.”

The stranger kept his face emotionless, and asked, “How much do you know?”

“I know enough to know that girl has been very isolated.” The teen chuckled dryly. “I mean, how old is she? Ten? Eleven? Poor thing didn’t even know what ice cream is. A child. But… judging by all of this, you don’t think of her as a child, do you?” There was small silence after he said that, the older man was left rendering his thoughts.

“Have you been in contact with anyone else? Like… the Byers boy or Henderson girl?”

Steve kept his face stern and replied, “No.”

“So you’ve just been in contact with the girl, correct? If you only knew about Eleven, then why are you here–”

“Cut the shit, old man.” Steve says, his glare turning up a notch. “The jig’s up. I know that Stephanie and Will’s disappearances were because of you. I know about the gate, and the monster that came out of it. And me, Joyce, and the Chief need to take a look at the hell hole in your basement, whether you like it or not.”

And then came the silence again, along with the staring contest of pure rage. Eventually, the man broke first, sliding the file closer to the teen and dramatically ripping it open; Steve could see his full name at the top of the paper, along with that really unflattering photo of his half naked self.

“This is you, right?” He said, again with the answering his own question type bullshit. “Steven Grant Harrington. Sixteen years of age, born August 4th, 1967. You come from a… rich background, a generational wealth type shit that’s dated back for a few centuries now. Your parents have seemed to make good use of their money in Hawkins, and uh, from the looks of it–” He starts flipping through a few pages they had on him. “This is probably one of the most clean files I’ve seen. You barely have any medical history besides yearly check ups, grades are fantastic, a star athlete too. It’s such a shame that you’ve gotten yourself caught in all this. I would hate if I have to–”

“Alright, I know what you’re doing, and it’s not going to work.” Steve cuts in, almost rolling his eyes at the whole charade. “You’re not going to scare me into thinking I should let all this go because you could ruin my ‘perfect life’. Frankly, it’s been ruined for a long time, at least it’s been tainted.” The man tries to speak, but he butts in again, finishing the conversation with, “Oh, and if you’re thinking about threatening to kill me, go ahead. My parents won’t even blink an eye if that’s what you’re thinking they won’t do. In fact, they might use this opportunity to win over other people’s hearts, or money, because their only son tragically passed away. So, sorry, man, your threats aren’t going to work.”

Steve desperately wanted what he said to be a lie, but it wasn’t. His parents didn’t care for him in a way that was deemed “parental”. The good grades, the high sportsmanship, the way he dressed, the way he talked, and even the way he was supposed to carry himself was all because they wanted him to. The “perfect” son for them to show off in the world, to present him so their reputations can be held at a high standard. And even though their son could turn up dead the next day, it would cause a few of their next level plans to crumble, but it also opens a gateway of other opportunities. Opportunities that were too many to count on his fingers and toes. And that…

That really hurts. And it’s been hurting since the day he opened his eyes and finally figured that out. Ironically, it was the day he turned eight when–

“Well, you’re a tough nut to crack.” The man’s voice cut through, clearly upset that this wasn’t going the way he planned. 

“Funny…” Steve smirks just a bit. “I’ve been told that a few times.”

The man makes a small grunting sound before standing up, snagging the file. “Fine. I’ll come back to you later.” He opens the door and quietly says while slamming the door, “Little shit.”

Steve couldn’t help but wince at the intensity of the slam. He frowns, head hanging low. “I’ve also been called that too a few times…”

.

.

“Let me out of here!” Joyce screamed at the top of her lungs. She too had been handcuffed and placed inside a room alone. “Somebody, please!” She tries yanking on the cuffs, wondering if she pulled on them enough they’ll break. “Let me out!”

For fuck’s sakes, I need to get to my kid! What felt like an eternity later, someone finally had come inside the room with her. She watches the man, who she quickly recognized was the man she saw in the MK Ultra  newspaper article as Dr. Brenner, who looked rather pissed off about something as he slowly begins pacing around the room in front of her.

“Your son.” He begins, making sure she’s listening. “The Henderson girl. We know you’ve been in contact with them.”

She paled, feeling very uncomfortable right now. “You have to let me–”

“When… and how did you make contact with them?”

“What?”

He hums at her confusion, before adding more on to it by saying, “Seven.”

“What?”

“Seven.” He says, slowly removing his suit jacket and placing it on the back of his chair. “Seven people have been taken this week. This…” He leans against it. “Thing that took your son, the girl, ...we don’t really understand it. But its behavior is predictable. Like all animals…” He slowly takes a seat. “It eats. It will take more sons. More daughters. I want to save them. I want to save those children. But I can’t do that. Not without your help–”

“Stop.” Joyce says, seeing right through his crap just like Steve did earlier. “I know who you are. I know what you’ve done.” She felt her blood start to boil, as the venom started seeping into her words. “You took my boy away from me! You took Stephanie away from her mother! You left them in that place to die! You faked their deaths!” 

Then she felt the lump in her throat return, and her voice lowered in sadness. “We had a funeral. We buried them. And now you’re asking for my help?” She scoffs. “Go to hell.”

.

.

Meanwhile, Hopper didn’t get a visit from the Doctor. Instead, the poor bastard was getting tasered over and over again by two agents.

“Okay, now what do you know?” The male agent asked, as Hopper opened his blood shot eyes.

“I’m sorry.” Hopper pants, and glares. “Did I stutter? I told you. Everything–” He chokes down a scream as he tazed again.

“What do you know?” The female agent asks, as the police Chief threw up the water he was hosed with earlier. 

Hopper spits out a few more drops of water before lazily placing his fuzzy head against the wall, replying with, “I know you do experiments on kidnapped little kids, whose parents’ brains you’ve turned to mush. And I know you went a little too far this time and you messed up in a big way.” He watches as the agents both look away from him. “I mean, you really messed up, didn’t you? Big time. That’s why you’re trying to cover your tracks. You killed Benny Hammond, you faked Will Byers’ and Stephanie Henderson’s deaths. You made it look like that little girl just ran away. See, I told you. I know everything.”

“Alright, who are you working with?” The man snapped, clearly irritated he knew so much.

“Nobody.” He says, and lets a cheeky grin grow on his face. “But I did give all this over to my friend at the Times. He’s gonna blow this thing wide open–”

The taser touches his skin again, lingering on for a few seconds longer before being man handled over to a chair. Hopper notices another agent had appeared and started filling up a syringe with something colorful.

“You’re just a junkie.” The man said, fire on his tongue. “A small town cop who had a really bad week. Took one too many pills this time.”

The female crossed her arms, disappointed at the small town cop. “You made a mistake coming back here.”

“No, I didn’t.” Hopper says, quickly thinking his next words through. He knows what he’s going to say is going to haunt him for the rest of his life, but sometimes you have to play dirty to get things done. “Here’s what’s gonna happen. You’re gonna let me, Steve Harrington, and Joyce Byers go, you’re gonna give us anything we need, and we’re gonna find her son and the teenage girl. And then we’re gonna forget that any of this ever happened.”

“Oh, is that right?”

“Yeah.” His cold hearted stare intensifies. “That’s right.” His words must have struck something in the agents because instead of injecting the syringe in his arm that he knows will kill him, they had simply left the room to go speak with their Boss. The door eventually opens again, and the sleazy ball director arrives, handing over a pack of cigarettes and a lighter that Hopper graciously took (and it mostly to numb the guilt that was growing inside).

Dr. Brenner waited until the Chief had taken a few inhales before calmly asking, “Where’s the girl?”

Hopper felt the wound in his heart grow bigger, and tried to keep the pain off his face. His eyes settled for a crack in the tile, hoping he won’t have to make eye contact anytime soon.

He swallows, and says, “You gotta give me your word. Nobody’s ever gonna find out about this. And those other three kids, those boys, you’re gonna leave them alone. And the two teenagers that are currently with them, you’re going to leave them alone too. You’re going to leave all of us alone. Then I’ll tell you. Tell you where your little science experiment is.”

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

In two different rooms both Joyce and Steve were surprised by a turn of events. They were suddenly surrounded by a lot of guards, uncuffed and handed a change of clothes and a towel. They were told to hurry up and follow quietly. Joyce and Steve shared a look once they reunited in the hallway, still shivering a bit as their bare feet traveled across the icy floor. After heading further into the building, Hopper soon joined the mix, who had a very distant but sorrowful expression plastered on.

“I don’t understand.” Joyce said, turning towards him as they walked in unison.

“We came to an agreement.” Hopper admits, surprising them yet again.

“What kind of agreement?” Steve asks, worriedly. 

“Look, everything that’s happened here and everything that’s gonna happen, we don’t talk about. You want them back? This place had nothing to do with it. That’s the deal. You got it?”

Joyce shares another look with the teenager, silently both deciding not to press on. They continued their trek on, soon entering a room filled with hazmat suits. 

“What is this?” Hopper asks, defensively. 

“Protection. The atmosphere is toxic.” One of the scientists explained, his words sending shivers down their spines.

“B-But…” Joyce looks at him with a sickly expression. “There are kids in there. They’re…”

Hopper frowns, and starts grabbing a suit. “Put it on.”

.

.

“I’m telling you, this is a mistake.” The Female Agent expressed as she follows her Boss, along with a heavily arm crew, outside to their military vehicles. 

“It’s done. Isn’t that what you wanted?” Brenner replies, more focus on heading to the school to get Eleven back.

“And if they find the kids?”

“That’s not gonna happen.”

.

.

Hopper was now having a wave of déjà vu. He remembered just two days ago he was here looking for the kids and having no clue what this thing was. Now he was back and had all the knowledge his brain could handle (And he’s not sure that little rescue mission he had to do for Nancy counts as experience). He takes a deep breath along with everyone else before stepping inside; Arm with only flashlights and a gun with one round of ammunition. 

Getting to the other side and seeing it was pretty much identical to their world was trippy as fuck. It was enough for Steve to say ‘Holy Shit’ out loud, before they ventured out of the building. A blue hue was cast over this world, with its version of thunder and lightning erupting above them; There was also something that mimicked snow that fluttered around in the air for their amusement.

So this is what they’ve been living in? Joyce realized. The thought of her son and Steph having to live through this for the past week, something that was deemed toxic to the outside world, was enough to make her skin crawl. She didn’t even realize her breathing was picking up the pace until she felt someone’s hand on hers.

“Hey, you all right?” Hopper asks, as she nods sluggishly. 

“Y-Yeah…”

“I need you to relax, okay? I want you to slow down your breathing, take deep breaths. In and out. Deep breath in... and out. In and out. In and out–”

.

It was so sunny that day. Peaceful too. The Wife said it was a perfect day for the park. 

He chased her around as fast as her little legs could carry her, playfully teasing as she laughed. It was such a perfect day until she started breathing too fast.

“Honey, just breathe. Breathe, breathe, breathe.” 

He held so close, so close that it hurt to even imagine, as his spouse carefully rubbing circles into her back. 

“In and out. Slow, slow, slow. In and out with me. In and out. In and out. In and–”

.

Hopper almost forgot what he was doing for a second. He mentally shakes himself as he turns his attention back towards Joyce. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” She says, finally calm. “Yeah.”

“Good.” He says, only for the only teenager present to throw him through a loop.

“Are you okay?” Steve asks, worriedly, noticing the haunting look on the man’s face.

Hopper stares at him for a split second, before nodding. “Yeah.” He says, face morphing back into all business. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Back at the school, the boys, Eleven, and the teenagers were forced to wait around until the other half of the group returned. And hopefully Steph and Will were with them. The youngest Henderson was on the basketball court, pacing around nervously, anxiously wanting to do something useful.

“This is crazy.” He finally says after a while. “We can’t just wait around!”

“Dustin, in case you forgot, we’re still fugitives. The bad men are still looking for us.” Lucas says, as his friend shakes his head.

“I still think we should stick to the Chief’s plan.” Jonathan replies, a ghost of a frown playing on his thin lips. “Even though, I kind of wish we went, too.” He muttered that last part, but it was not hard to miss since it was so quiet in the empty building.

“I know, I know. I just–” Dustin’s tense shoulders deflate. “I’ve been such an asshole to Steve, and now he goes out and promises to get my sister back to me. I feel like I owe him something.”

Nancy’s face softens as she says, “I understand, Dustin. But if you want to help Steve out, then you need to stay here. Keep El out of sight and keep her safe.” She casts her eyes to the tired girl leaning against her brother. “That’s the most important thing, remember?”

“Yeah.” Lucas agrees with a grin. “And she’s kind of a badass now, so…”

Dustin sighs and stops pacing. “That’s true.” They made good points. He just needs to listen. “Alright. I’ll be right back.”

“Hey, numskull, where are you going?” Lucas asks, as his friend starts marching away. “Did you not just listen?”

“I am listening.” He turns around briefly for them to see he means it. “I’m just gonna go get some chocolate pudding.” He smiles. “I know for a fact that Lunch Lady Phyllis hoards that shit. And I’ll bring back some for El. She needs to be recharged!”

He disappears from their sight, and a couple of them sigh at his antics.

“Is he always this sporadic?” Nancy asks, amused.

“Oh, you haven’t seen nothin’ yet, Nancy.” Mike replies, with a smile.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Steve’s heart was pounding already and they barely had started. Even with this helmet on he could tell it was hard to breathe in this place. He can’t imagine the three of them spending more than an hour in this dark place, let alone a week (and that without the monster wandering around that his friend supposedly killed).

Breathe. In and out. In and out. Just keep a steady pace. He needs to relax, to remain calm. Freaking out won’t solve anything, and it surely won’t help them find their family anytime soon. Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, Breathe–

His clammy hand almost dropped the flashlight when he came across something on the ground. “Hey– hey, guys! Come quick!” He shouts, waiting for the adults to come by his side. “Look.”

They found themselves standing next to a drain pipe, but that’s not what he’s pointing at. No, it’s the two hefty backpacks along with a trail of fresh looking blood.

“Those…” Joyce starts lowering herself down to get a better look. “This is Will and Joanthan’s backpacks.”

Hopper frowns, worriedly. “They must have dropped it and ran.”

“Maybe they went through the pipe.”

“I don’t think so.” Steve said, and started using his flashlight to shine on the trail. “When Eleven made contact with them, they said they were going to the lab. I think they almost did, but…” He shifts the light away from the backpacks, away from the direction of the lab where the blood seemed to grow. You could also see indentations in the ground that were two big to be human feet. “Footprints.”

Joyce gasps, standing back up and shouting her son’s name. What could have caused those footprints? The kids told her the monster’s dead. Was there another one that they weren’t aware of? Were they taken by surprise and got hurt or worse?

She continues shouting his name as Steve joins in, meanwhile, Hopper had crouched down to look at the backpack too. His gloved thumb brushes over a pin of the school’s mascot.

.

He made sure to bring her favorite stuffed animal to the hospital. ‘Mr. Stripy’, she called him. It was so soft and fluffy when they gave it to her, but had slowly worn down at her blissful hugs and tea parties in the backyard.

He had his around her, stroking his wife’s hand as he read her favorite book for the twelfth time this week. Her big blue eyes that she got from him trailed for the pages up to him as he forced a huge smile to grow on his young face. 

The final line of the story was read, and he planted a big kiss on her hairless forehead. His wife soon took over the bed, as he had to step out before he lost his head.

.

He mentally smacks himself again, yelling to get hold of himself as he starts joining in on the screaming.

“Will!”

“Stephanie!”

“Kids!!”

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

“GUYS! I found the chocolate pudding!” Dustin’s voice rang out, as everyone else moved liked clock worth to go get. The kids of course were plowing into it (Mike was trying to explain to Eleven what is), all while the teens sat in one of the corners of the cafeteria, observing.  

“Do you think they’re okay?” Jonathan asks, playing with his plastic spoon inside his pudding cup, not taking a bite yet. “My mom and them?”

Nancy looks up at him, giving him a reassuring look. “I’m sure they’re fine. They’re going to get them back. I have faith.” She replies, but it felt like she was telling herself that and not her friend; And he seemed to see through it.

“Do you think Steve meant what he said? About… protecting my mom?”

“Yes.” And that time she meant it. “I mean, look at what he’s done so far. He’s kept the kids safe.” She sighs. “I wish he just told me sooner about what was going on. Mike too. But again…” She shrugs. “If you told me that Steph and Will were kidnapped by a character named after a board game I probably wouldn’t have believed them.”

Jonathan chuckles. “Yeah. I know I didn’t believe my mom at first either. Not until I say the polaroid.”

“Seeing is believing.”

“True.”

Then there was a brief pause to watch again. Lucas and Dustin ran back to the kitchen for more, as El and Mike were sitting at one of the tables just talking. This was probably the most peaceful moment they’ve had so far since this whole thing started.

Jonathan shuffled on his feet, breaking the ice once more. “So, what happened between them? Steve and Stephanie? Or…”

“I don’t know.” Nancy says, truthfully. “I know he said it was his fault and he did it for a good reason, but that’s it. From some pictures I saw of them they kind of remind me of me and…” She swallows the lump in her throat. “Barb. They seemed tied at the hip.”

His heart ached, as guilt stretched across his face for being the cause of this. “Nancy, I’m so sorry about her.”

“It’s okay. I just…” She takes a deep breath. “I don’t know what I’m going to say to her parents.” She breaks eye contact. “Or how we’re even going to explain this to anyone. I just– Oh!”

Her face turns into surprise, as Jonathan follows her gaze to where they were witnessing Mike giving a kiss to El on the lips.

“Oh, my…” Nancy whispers, as she hides her laughter in her palm.

Jonathan copies her before whispering back, “Did they forget we were here?”

“I don’t know. Maybe? It’s–”

The sound of tires screeching to a halt outside broke their first kiss, Mike saying something to her as he went to go check who that was. 

Jonathan threw Nancy a look before saying, “They can’t be back already. Right?” And soon enough his question was answered when Mike came rushing back inside the cafeteria all panicking.

“What is it?” Nancy asks, after huddling all the kids back up.

“They found us.” He says, making them pale.

“Shit.”

And now the teenagers were hurdling them away from the cafeteria and gymnasium. They stayed close together, and tried to move fast but quietly through the halls, hoping to get to an exit that wasn’t guarded.

“How did they find us?” Lucas asked, looking frantically around.

“I don’t know, but they knew we were in the gym.” Mike replies, keeping El close to him.

Of course Dustin doesn’t miss a beat by saying, “Lando.”

“Got ‘em!” Someone shouted a few feet in front of them, Jonathan ushering them down another hallway. Then another, then another, and then another. But everywhere they went someone was there waiting. “Freeze!”

The teenagers stayed on each side of the kids, caging them in as a female and male agent, along with a bunch of soldiers, drew their guns and ready to fire. The party held their breaths, unaware that Eleven had a plan. The moment their flashlights started to flicker around them, blood began pooling from the enemies’ eyes. 

It only took a few seconds until their bodies dropped to the floor.

And another few for El to drop herself too.

“EL!!” They shouted, as she fell into the darkness. 

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

“Watch your step.” Hopper says, warning them to avoid tripping over tree roots as they settle onto asphalt. They kept following the crimson trail all the way out of the woods, soon finding themselves in the downtown area. The older man shuttered at how the trail didn’t seem to be coming to an end. “There’s more blood. Oh, my God…”

Steve frowns, the color in his face draining behind the mask. “As much as I want this to lead to them, I really hope that this doesn’t belong to any of them.” ‘Cause if this blood really belonged to them then he can’t imagine what state they’re in (He almost threw up just thinking about it).

They continued following, and the eeriness of this place seemed even more intense now. They felt the hair on their bodies stick up, their hearts in the pit of their stomachs, the three of them staying shoulder-to-shoulder just in case of a surprise. 

Oh, God, if you’re real, please let them be already. Please let us find them soon. Steve prays, and soon they all slowed down when the blood started to lessen. They soon rolled to a stop, a large puddle forming at the foot of some stairs. Glancing up to see where they were…

It was Hawkins resident library.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

“Leave her.” A very demanding voice spewed out, causing the group to stand back up. Nancy and Jonathan immediately stepped in front of the kids again, as Dr. Brenner and a few agents stopped a few feet at the end of the hallway; Rage in their eyes and they paid no heed to the lot of corpses on the floor. “Step away from the child.” 

“No!” Mike shouts.

“You want her, you have to kill us first.” Jonathan snaps, fists raised.

“That’s right!” Nancy replies. “So, fuck off while you can!”

But that is easier said than done, because before the party could react, their enemies had gotten the drop on them. Men armed to the hilt managed to grab a hold of the kids before baiting the teenagers not to do anything or they’ll regret it. The kids screamed as soldiers elbowed the teens, knocking them to their knees and putting a barrel to their heads.

“Eleven?” Brenner said, dropping to the ground and roughly taking the girl into his arms. “Eleven, can you hear me? Eleven?”

Her exhausted brown eyes open slowly. “Papa?”

He grins mischievously. “Yes, yes, it’s your Papa.”

“Get off of me.” Mike yells, as he tries to wiggle out; El’s worried gaze lands on her friends.

“I’m here now.”

“Let her go, you bastard!” Jonathan snarls, the barreling pushing deeper into his head. El tries to speak, but her pseudo father cups her face and drags her attention to him.

“Shh, shh, you’re sick.” He insists. “You’re sick, but I’m going to make you better. I’m going to take you back home, where I can make you well again.” He chuckles quietly, clearly delirious to what she wants. “Where we can make all of this better, so no one else gets hurt.”

El stares him down, her features morphing into disgust. “Bad.” She mumbles, her words hitting him where it hurts as she tries getting out of his hold. “Bad.” Her eyes land on her first friend outside the lab. “Mike.” She reaches out for him. “Mike… Mike.”

Brenner angrily tries to get her to look at him again, just before the lights begin to go haywire. The kids and the teens pale when they realize what’s going on. At the end of the hallway the wall starts to crack and rumble, something was clawing its way through. It didn’t take long until the beast poked his head with an ear piercing scream.

“Demogorgon.” Dustin whispers.

“I thought Steph and Will said they killed it?” Jonathan asks, as the agents loosen their holds on all of them.

Nancy’s eyes widened as she took its appearance in. “I don’t think that’s the same one…”

The wall crumbled down, and there stood an adolescent version of the Demogorgon. Despite its smaller size, the fear it created was still there. The agents begin firing their guns, as Brenner moves towards safety. 

“Go, go, go, go, go!” Mike shouts, and Jonathan comes over and scoops Eleven into his arms. “Let’s go! Let’s go!”

And they all broke into a sprint.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

When the three of them got inside they couldn’t imagine the mess. Those gooey and sticky vines were everywhere, pulsating and engulfing the place in the white dust. They could imagine what this place would smell like -- Probably along the lines of something rotten. Steve stayed next to Joyce as they moved their flashlight around, giving the area light while Hopper was front and center with his gun. When they got to the main area is when things started to take a dark turn. What looked like trees grew around the whole place, branches that oozed out an odd color spurted out in different directions, making them watch where they step. But that wasn’t the worst thing here. 

Steve had to keep Joyce upright when they noticed one of the trees had human-skeletal remains inside. He heard her gasp as he tried to be the strong one and keep his voice steady to stay, “I-It’s okay. It’s not them. It’s not Will. It’s not Steph.”

But the more they dug deeper, the more their hopes lessened. Soon the skeletons were replaced by corpses, some on the verge of being all bone, some had just looked like they had turned. 

Steve felt Joyce give him a squeeze on the arm as he almost puked at the sight. Now he has really started to pray (and he’s not even that religious! Guess you gotta start somewhere).

Meanwhile, Hopper was pulled to yet another stop. His flashlight caught a familiar color of hair; The person’s face seemed to have melted away at this point, but he knew who it was. He was too stunned to move, too afraid to reply when someone called out his name. He really should have not brought the teenager here.

Steve chokes out a gasp beside him, eyes blown wide with fear. “B-Barbara…?” He couldn’t even fathom it. So, Eleven was telling the truth…

Does he dare confirm this with Nancy?

The boys continued to be shell shocked over the girl, only to be pulled free when they heard some magic words. They rushed over to the mother shouting for her son, who was trapped in the stickiness of the tree, and was choking on something that made his eyes start to roll back into his head.

“Will!” Joyce shouted, clawing at whatever was getting inside her son’s mouth. “Will! Will!”

“Jesus, what the fuck is that?!” Steve said, turning up to high gear as he grabs a hold of it too.

“Oh, my God–”

“Hopper!” The teen screams, noticing the Chief was going into some kind of trance again. “HOPPER! SNAP OUT OF IT!!” 

That seemed to do the trick, and the older man takes a fist full on the tentacle-looking thing and yanks it with all his might. As soon as it’s out, the boy coughs up vomit all over the checkered tile.

“What in the fuck–” Hopper mutters, as it wiggles around on the floor. He wastes no time to unload a full round to get it to stop moving.

“Hang on, buddy.” Steve reassures, as he pulls the last part of him free. Once he is, he helps the boy get lowered into his mother’s arm -- Joyce falling to her knees with him. 

Joyce starts tearing up as she cups her child’s face. “Oh, my God… Will. Oh, my God… you’re alive.” 

Will dazedly looks at her, taking a few seconds to register she’s real. “M-Mom?” He whispers, eyes glassing over. “Y-You’re actually h-here?”

“Baby! Oh, honey.” All she wants to do is hug him and never let go, but their work is not over yet. “Honey, W-Where’s Stephanie?”

Will’s face morphed into something she couldn’t explain, as the tears started to fall. “I-I don’t know. I passed out.”

Steve’s eyes widened as the knot in his tightened. He starts frantically waving his flashlight around as he shouts, “STEPHANIE!!”

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

The party enters their chemistry classroom, Jonathan carefully laying the El on the table. “Sorry.” He says. “Just relax. We’re going to figure something out.”

Him and Nancy start looking around the room for something they can use as a weapon, as the kids gather around the girl; Mike taking her hand.

“Just hold on a little longer, okay?” He says, as she starts getting teary eyed. “We’ll be home soon, and my Mom... she’ll get you your own bed. You can eat as many Eggos as you want. And we can go to the Snow Ball.” 

“Promise?” She said, hopeful.

“Promise.”

Suddenly, the gunfire stopped abruptly. The party dreadfully turned their attention to the door.

“Is... Is it dead?” Dustin asks, yet the lights keep flickering. Not even a second later, the locked door was knocked off the hinges. The kids scream as Nancy and Jonathan both grab chairs and step in front of them, waving the objects around, shouting for it to leave. The beast stalks towards them, a low growl in his throat before being pummeled with rocks from Lucas’ wrist rocket.

“Yes!” Nancy says, excitedly. “Nice job, Lucas!”

“Kill it! Kill it! Kill it!” Dustin shouts, bouncing on his feet with elation. But it soon became short lived when their ammo ran short. 

“I’m out!” Lucas yells, fearfully. 

“No, no, no, no, no, no, no–”

“Get back!!” Jonathan screams, jostling the chair towards the beast. “Stay back!!”

The lunging seemed to aggravate the Demogorgon even more, its body seemed to grow as it shrieked; It’s back foot shifted to move–

A round of bullets embedded into its flesh.

Dr. Brenner stood in the doorway, blood pooling down his temple with a sadistic stare. His attack stunned it enough for Eleven to push herself off the table and send the monster into the chalkboard, holding it in place. It shouted in pain, as the older man continued to look at it with glee.

“Look at this.” He says, turning towards his ‘daughter’. “It’s… magnificent. Look at what we achieved.” El locks eyes with him as she stands in front of her friends who shouted at her to stay back. “Look at all the worlds we could reach.” He chuckles. “This is why you have to go back to the lab. Imagine what else we could do with that beautiful mind of yours.”

“Eleven–” Mike says, as El starts heading towards her Papa’s way.

“Come on.” Brenner says, gesturing to the beast. “Finish this thing off, and let’s go home. Come on–” He held his hand out to her, she was just mere inches away. “Come on, and we can–”

Using her other hand she flicked him across the floor and against the chalkboard, neck and neck with the Demogorgon. His eyes blew wide as he muttered her name, his body frozen too. She continues walking towards him, Mike finally having enough.

“Eleven, stop!” He yells, running, but she flicks his body back; Nancy dropping the chair and crushing his fall. The lights began dancing again, this time more intensely as she was toe-to-toe with the two monsters.

The girl turns her head one last time, a sorrowful expression on her face. “Goodbye, Mike.”

Then she poured all she had into her last attack, the monster, Brenner, and her all screaming at the top of their lungs that was enough for the group to cover their ears and close their eyes; Begging for it to be over. They begin to disintegrate and–

The screaming stops.

The lights stopped dancing too.

The group slowly opened their eyes, finding a pile of ash where the girl used to stand.

Nancy quietly gasps while placing a hand over her mouth, while Jonathan just stared in disbelief. Meanwhile the boys started wandering around the room, refusing to believe that she’s gone as they shouted her name.

“El! El, where are you?” Mike yells, tears starting to stream down his face. “Eleven!” He was finding it hard to breathe now. “El, come on. Come back to me… please…”

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Where the fuck is she?! Steve wanted to scream, but could not find his voice to say it. He could feel Hopper on his tail, Joyce not too far behind with her son in her arms (who may or may not be silently crying). They managed to find one out of two people they’ve been looking for, and they can’t afford to go home without the whole, So where is she?

Fuck, come on! Come on! Where are you, damn– He nearly slipped over something, something the color red that trickled out from a spot a few steps away. His flashlight immediately follows it… 

“Stephanie!!” He yells, lunging forward to her body on the floor. She looked way more pale than Will does, bluish too. But unlike Will there was nothing pinning her down, nor a tentacle thing going down her throat. She was just lying there, covered in a weird substance that looked like glue; Felt like it too.

“What the fuck…” He says, his hands almost sticking to her, but manages to pry them off. He sheds one of his gloves as he senses the adult settling behind him, bringing his shaky hand up to her neck. His heart almost gave out right then and there. “S-She’s not breathing.” He gasps. “She’s not breathing!”

“Sh-She…” Will choked, getting his attention. “S-She stopped breathing a-awhile ago…”

What?! He almost threw up again as he snapped, “Well how long ago is awhile ago?!”

Hopper starts ripping his own gloves off along with his helmet, before yanking on Steve’s arm to get his eyes on him. “Alright, Steve–”

“Ch-Chief, she’s not–” 

“Steve–”

“She’s not–”

“Kid– Kid! Listen to me, listen to me, listen to me.” Hopper begins, taking the teen’s helmet off for him. “I need you to tilt her head back… and lift her chin.”

Steve nods and quickly follows instructions. “O-Okay.”

Hopper starts whispering numbers as he begins the chest compressions; He only breaks counting to explain the next step, “Now when I tell you, you’re gonna pinch her nostrils, and breathe into her mouth... twice.”

“O-Okay.” Steve whispers, (im)patiently waiting. He tries not to cry too as he listens to Will start bawling in the background, Joyce trying to quietly shush him as they helplessly watch. 

“One second... then pause. 22, 23. Then one second.”

“Okay…”

“24, 25, 26, 27, 28... 29, 30. Now! Go!” 

Steve pinches her nose, bringing his lips down to her cold ones, remembering to pause before doing it again. By prayer he hoped just doing that once would get her to stir, but she still laid motionlessly. “Oh, come on, come on.” He begged, the waterworks coming back. “Come on…”

“Come on, kid.” Hopper grits through his teeth. “Come on, kid!”

“Stephanie!” The teen starts rambling like she could hear him, and hoping she does. “Steph, listen to me. It’s me, it’s Steve. You have to come back to us. You have to come back. Everyone loves you. Everyone misses you. Your mom, Dustin, Will, everyone!” His heart clenched as he sobs, “I miss you. We love you. Come back to us! Please! Please–”

Hopper grinds his teeth hard, wondering if this is the moment he’ll finally break for real this time… 

The girl below him faded into someone else…

.

He held his wife as he tried to remain the strong one. He prayed that this isn’t going to be the last time he sees his little girl.

“Blood pressure keeps dropping. Her pulse ox is falling.”

.

“We love you–” Steve continues, tears falling into his lap and sprinkled on her face. This can’t be it, this can’t be it, this can’t be it.

This isn’t how it’s supposed to go. Breaking up their friendship was not supposed to make her end up like this. And there was still so much to tell her too. He can’t believe these next few words came out of his mouth.

“I love you.” He admits, with a face between happiness and sorrow. “I love you so much, and I don’t want to see you like this! So, please, please, please come back to me. Just…”

“Come on, kid!” Hopper screams.

“Please, please wake up! Please breathe. Please, please. Breathe, Fia, please! Come on–”

.

The little green line betrayed his pleas that day…

“Flatlining!”

A huge piece of his heart went away that day.

.

Hopper starts slamming his fist into her chest with all the might he could make.

“Come back to me, Fia, breathe, please!”

Another hit.

“I need you to wake up now.”

And another.

“I need you to breathe.”

And another. 

“Please, breathe!”

And another.

“Stephanie!”

And another.

“Please!”

And another–

Suddenly, a choking sound erupted from the deceased’s throat before blooming into a cough.

Hopper nearly doubles over as Steve gasps with joy while saying, “Oh, my God! Oh, God– that’s it! That’s it. Keep breathing, keep breathing, Fia…”

Stephanie coughs a few more times before the choking sound returns. Steve, quickly understanding what’s happening, turns her to her side. The brunette girl hacks out the last few drops of dark colored blood, before opening her eyes. It takes her a few more seconds to adjust, becoming confused to see who was hovering over her like she was made of glass.

“St-Steve…?” She croaks, still debating if this was a dream. “Am I tripping…?”

He laughs quietly, a laugh she hasn’t heard in a long time. “N-No. I’m real. We got your message and came as fast as we could.”

“W-We…?”

“Yeah. Me, Will’s mom, and the Police Chief.”

“The Police Chief…?”

“Yeah.” Speaking of–

Hopper appeared next to her, holding up an oxygen mask he stripped from his suit. “This will help you breathe a bit easier.” He explains, as Steve helps him put it on, before moving onto the next kid. While he strips off another mask from another suit to give to Will, Stephanie takes long deep breaths of air that was finally not toxic.

Steve watches her carefully, not wanting to have to repeat what they just did (He never, ever wants to do something like that again). “Are you feeling okay?” He asks, and he knows it’s a silly question, but what else could he say in a situation like this?

Her eyes lock onto his, a small smile creeping onto her face. “...I am now.”

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

The scientists stared in shock as the three people they expected NOT to return came back out from the other side. As they approach them, Hopper shifts Will into Joyce’s arm to take front and center; A cold hearted gaze plastered on his face, ready to take no BS.

“Y-You made it.” One of them said.

“We did. Now you’re going to keep your word.” Hopper replies, the small group sharing a look before giving in.

“Fine. Bring the kids up, I’ll have our doctors take a look at them.”

Hopper smacks his lips, shaking his head. “Yeah, that’s not going to happen.”

“What?”

“You heard me. You’re going to call an ambulance for them, and we’re going to a regular hospital. If you want to try to mingle some of your own staff with the hospital, that’s fine with me; But they’re going to a regular hospital.”

Another scientist scoffed, standing next to the other one. “Are you insane? Do you not trust us enough that we will bring no harm to the children?”

“I don’t trust any of you, but that’s not the reason I’m saying no.”

“And…?”

Hopper raises his arm to gesture to Stephanie, who was being carried by Steve. “Her mother, Claudia, she doesn’t know what’s really going on. And I’m not to sit here and put her through any more shit. And I don’t think you’re going to want another person getting involved in this, do you?”

And with another look between the scientists, his words were enough to change their minds. Soon they were standing outside, out of their hazmat suits as the ambulances pulled up in a rush. The paramedics got out with two stretchers and wheel them over. Steve quickly helps to lay Steph down, the paramedic making a comment about the oxygen tank.

“She stopped breathing. We had to give her CPR.” He says, quickly glancing to see Joyce laying her son down on the other one. Surprisingly, Will had desperately reached out for Steph’s hand, one of the paramedics noticing.

“Were they found together?” 

Steve nods, watching them feel their foreheads. They made some comment about how ice cold they were, before they carefully grab Will and place him right next to Stephanie; The boy immediately melts into her hold.

“That’s what I thought.” The paramedic mumbled, as he threw a thermal blanket over them and started wheeling them away. “Do you guys want a ride?”

Well ain’t that a dumb question.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

It took him a minute to register that he was on something soft and warm. Then it took another for him to crack open his brown orbs and see some familiar faces. 

“Hey.” Joyce said, smiling along with her oldest son. “Hi, sweetheart.”

Will copies her smile, feeling her hands through his hair. “Where... where am I?”

“You’re home.” Jonathan says, tears streaming down his face. “You’re home now. You’re safe.”

“Jonathan.”

“Yeah, it’s me, buddy. We missed you. We really missed you. Oh, hey, uh... We, uh…” He pulls up a box into his lap. “We brought you some stuff…” He shows him some toys, a walkman and some cassettes. “So you don’t get bored in here. So… Uh, I made you a new mixtape.” He holds it up. “There’s some stuff on there I think you really might like.”

“Thanks.” Will says, genuinely. “Um… is… is Stephanie okay?”

“Yeah.” Joyce replies, nodding. “She’s good. She’s still asleep last time I checked.”

“That’s good.”

“Do you want to see your friends?” His brother asks, and Will says ‘yes’. “Okay. Give me a second.” He leaves the room, poking out into the hallway where Lucas and Mike were seated. “Hey, boys.” He gets their attention. “He’s up.”

They boys shoot up to their feet, Mike quickly running to Stephanie’s room and going inside, beckoning Dustin to follow. Soon, the three of them nearly trampled Jonathan to get to their friend.

“Byers!” They shouted, running to tackle him for a hug. 

“Be careful. Be careful with him.” Joyce advises, as they laugh. The boys take a minute to accept that this was real before bombarding him with everything he missed the last few days.

“You won’t believe what happened when you were gone, man. It was mental.”

“You had a funeral.”

“Jennifer Hayes was crying.”

“And Troy peed himself.”

“In front of the whole school!”

“What?” Will said, looking between them like they were crazy.

“Yes!” They reply, making Will laugh at their enthusiasm, before it turns into a coughing fit. They frown, worriedly. “You okay?”

He nods slowly. “It got me. It got us.” He frowns. “The Demogorgon.”

“We know. It’s okay. You and Phanie killed it.” Dustin said, smiling.

“We made a new friend, too.” Mike says, bittersweetly. “She stopped another one that showed up. She saved us. But she’s gone now.”

“Her name’s Eleven.”

“Like the number?” Will asks, confused.

“Well, we call her ‘El’ for short. She’s basically a wizard.” Mike replies.

“She has superpowers.” Luca states

“More like a Yoda.”

“She flipped a van with her mind!” Dustin says, arms flailing in the arm. 

“That’s cool.” Will said, his smile growing with each word, and ready to hear more. “What else happened?”

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Tick. Tock.

Tick. Tock.

Tick. Tock.

Tick. Tock.

Gears Twirling.

.

.

.

Four Chimes.

.

.

.

Stephanie gasps, blue eyes shooting open as she bolts up in bed. “Will!” She frantically starts looking around for the boy, only to find someone else in his place. “M-Mom?” She croaked, eyes glazing over.

“Stephanie! Baby! Oh, my God…” Claudia said, coming over to the side of the bed. Her hazel orbs move away to look at the other person in the room. “Steve, can you go get her brother?”

“St-Steve?” The girl said, surprised as the teen slipped out of the room. 

“Oh, Stephanie.” Claudia continues, rubbing her daughter’s arm. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

“M-Mom? Where am I? Where’s Will?”

“Will is okay. He actually just woke up an hour ago.” She smiles. “Joyce says he’s doing great.”

Steph sighs with relief. “That’s great. I was so worried.”

Soon, the door opens, Dustin bolting in and jumping into his sister’s arms (Steve lingering at the door frame). 

“Phanie!!” He holds onto her hard, only loosening when she winces at the soreness. 

“Dusty…” She says, tears now flowing as she runs her bandaged hands through his curls. 

“I can’t believe you’re here. I really thought I’d lost you.”

She frowns a little bit. “I know. I’m sorry, I just–” She subconsciously touches her neck, feeling the bandage where the bite was. The bite that killed her and–

“The doctors said your injuries aren’t too bad.” Claudia says, shocking the teen. “They said you might have scarring, but nothing life threatening.”

“Nothing?” Steph asks, confused. “But I… I had a…” 

I had a hole in my neck. No– Scratch that. I had holes everywhere! How am I even alive? She wants to keep asking these questions, but something told her not to. “W-What happened?” Maybe her mother doesn’t know what she was talking about after all.

Claudia sighs, upset. “Oh, it was horrible. I can’t believe someone would kidnap you and Will like that.”

“Kidnap?” Steph asks, eyes trailing over to her brother for an explanation. He gave her a look that pleaded with her to go along, so she does.

“And that sicko at the morgue! Stuff bodies to throw the police’s trail off. How did the person doing the autopsy not figure that out? I’m going to sue his ass.”

“That’s… crazy, mom. Wow.” I mean what more could she say? 

After a while there was nothing left to say about her supposed ‘kidnapping’. Instead, she just listened to her family rambling about what she’s missed and what they can do together after she’s out (Everything making her smile at their enthusiasm). Mike and Lucas paid her a visit later in the day, hugging and telling her what really happened when her mother left the room for a bit. Eventually they left to go back to Will, Dustin did too, but promised to return quickly. 

The room became quiet again, the only sounds were the machines beeping softly and her mother’s muffled voice outside with the nurse. It took Stephanie awhile to finally turn her attention to the one person that hasn’t left the room at all yet. She’s not really sure how to feel about his presence. I mean, she should be mad, but for some reason it felt really good that he was here. Especially when her brother and his friends explained his involvement in finding her and Will.

I really should thank him, but… As soon as his eyes met hers, she said, “Those clothes are not very ‘Steve Harrington’ of you.”

He snorts, his worried features softening. “Yeah, well, you can blame the lab for not having any taste.” Steve quips. It was the truth though. He hasn’t changed out of the clothes the lab threw at him because he doesn’t want to go home yet (And for various reasons).

A little concern plays on her face. “I’m sure if you ask the Chief for some clothes, I’m sure he’ll let you borrow some.” She says, seeing right through him as usual.

“Nah.” He said, fiddling with his hands in his lap. “I’ll be fine. I’ll go home eventually. Just not now.”

Can she blame the anesthesia for the way her heart flutters? “Steve–”

“I’m not going anywhere.” He replies, nervously, worriedly, as he locks eyes with her again. “Not until I know you’re okay.”

She frowns apologetically. “You know that might be a while.” 

“I know.”

“I have Dustin and my mom, you don’t have to stay here.”

“I know.” He breaks eye contact again. “But what if I want to?”

That made her chuckle. “Well… if you want to.” She says, making them both smile. “Fine sleeping in a chair?”

He nods. “If that’s what I’ll have to do.” He replies, making her hum.

She raises an eyebrow, saying something she didn’t even process before it slips out (yeah, it’s definitely the anesthesia). “Is that a pinky promise?”

“Yeah.” His expression grows, almost surprised she said it (but is quite happy that she did). “Pinky promise.”

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

A few days passed when Will had enough strength to walk on his own two feet. With the IV finally out, and nothing else to hold him back, his mother had suggested going to the cafeteria instead of having them bring food to him.

“You hungry?” Jonathan asks, as they leave the room.

“Starving.” Will admits, taking it slow. “I’m hoping they have something more solid than chicken soup.”

“I’m sure they can make you something.”

The three of them took a couple more steps until a familiar name reached Will’s ears, stopping him in his tracks. The young boy looks back, eyes widening at the sight of a nurse helping the teenager move with her IV.

He gasps. “Stephanie!” And breaks for a sprint on his wobbly legs. “Stephanie!”

The girl looks up from her gaze on the floor. “W-Will!” As soon as he gets closer, she drops to her knees, enveloping him in a big hug. “Oh–” She couldn’t believe it. “Oh, my god. Oh, my god…” She pulls him back to touch his face. “You’re okay. I can’t believe it.”

“I’m sorry. I tried to come see you sooner, but the doctor says I couldn’t move in my condition.” Will says, apologetically as she laughs quietly.

“Don’t be sorry. They said the same thing to me.”

He kept his smile, but then it dropped subtly at a certain sight. His hand reached up to her neck, the deep bite mark that he witnessed was now just a scar that you could barely see unless you’re up close. “Your neck? How are you… healed?”

“I don’t know.” She frowns. “There are a couple things we gotta talk about when it’s just the two of us.” They both took a stand, his family coming up to them. “Hey, Miss Byers. Jonathan.”

“Oh, Stephanie.” Joyce said, before pulling in her for a hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” She pulls back and takes her hands. “Thank you for what you did. Taking my son home, protecting him, I… I don’t know how to repay you.”

“Oh, please, Miss Byers. It was really no big deal.” Steph says, stopping her from protesting. “Seriously, it wasn’t. Even though something terrible happened, I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. For anyone I know.”

Joyce gives her a bittersweet look and gives her hands a squeeze. “Well, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that again.” She says, truthfully. “Are you hungry? We’re going to the cafeteria.”

“Oh, uh, I-I don’t want to intrude.”

“Nonsense. Come on.” 

Jonathan offers his arm to the girl which she graciously takes, and the four of them begin their trek to the other side of the hospital. 

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

It took some convincing, but the hospital staff finally allowed Steph and Will to be in the same room until they’re cleared. Which worked out perfectly for when the boys came for a visit early morning. They had managed to push a table between the two hospital beds, and placed chairs around it before laying out the D&D board. After a few brief explanations to the oldest, they started their campaign, unaware at the time flying by at godspeed.

Mike looked between his friends as they eagerly waited for him to speak. “Something is coming. Something angry. Hungry for your blood. It is almost here…” 

“What is it?” Steph asks, from her spot on the side of her bed. Her eyes trail to her brother who was focusing on the board, dread in his eyes.

“It’s the Thessalhydra, I’m telling you.” He said, shaking his head.

“Thessalhydra?” 

“It’s an eight-headed monster.” Lucas says, nervously.

“Shit…”

“It’s not the Thessalhydra.”

“I’m telling you, it’s the Thessalhydra.” Dustin insists, as Mike takes one last look at everyone before slamming the game piece on the board.

“The Thessalhydra!” Mike boasts, and everyone groans.

“Damn it.” Will mumbles, scooting closer to the edge of his bed, thinking. 

“It roars in anger!” Mike starts animating his words, enthralling his teammates. “The sheer scream was enough to destroy Steph The Courageous’ shield!” Stephanie gasps. “Will The Wise, what is your action?!”

“What should I do?” He rubs his chin. “I... should fireball him?”

“He destroyed my shield!” Steph locks eyes with him. “Fireball the son of a bitch.”

He smirks. “I will.” He reaches down and scoops up the dice. A quick shake before letting them loose.

Mike follows them until they stop. He smiles. “Fourteen!” He replies, and they cheer. “Direct hit. Will the Wise’s fireball hits the Thessalhydra. It makes a painful…” He pretends to screech and falls from his chair to his knees. “And then... it crumbles to the ground. Its clawed hand reaches for you one last time and, and, and... and…” Mike’s body falls to the floor, pretending to be KOed, making them cheer again. “Lucas cuts off its seven heads, and Dustin places them into his bag of holding.” He pops up and animates the movements again. “You carry the heads out of the dungeon, victorious, and you present them to King Tristan. He thanks you for your bravery and service.”

Mike finishes the story with a bow which causes a few heads to turn in disbelief.

“Whoa.” Dustin begins, waving his hands. “Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, that’s not it, is it?”

“No, there’s a medal ceremony…”

“Oh, a medal ceremony? What are you talking about?”

“Well, and…”

“The campaign was way too short.” Lucas adds, as Mike rolls his eyes.

“Yeah!” Will encourages.

“It was six hours!” Mike points out.

“But it doesn’t make any sense.” Dustin replies, getting a look. 

“It makes sense.”

“Uh, no, what about the lost knight?”

“And the proud princess?” Lucas says.

“And those weird flowers in the cave?” Will reminds. 

“The supposed haunted lake?” Steph adds.

Mike looks between them, not sure what to say except, “I don’t know, it’s–”

The door opens, and Jonathan comes in all bubbly and cracking jokes. “Jeez, what’s that smell? Have you guys been playing games all day, or just farting?”

The kids laugh, as Lucas points his thumb at one of them. “Oh, that’s just Dustin. He farted. Dustin farted.” He blows a raspberry. 

Dustin scoffs, and playfully shoves him in the arm. “Very mature, Lucas.”

“Come on, you guys.” Jonathan said, as they started packing up. 

“Thank you for taking them home, Jonathan.” Stephanie said, smiling.

“Yeah, no worries. I’m hoping you guys can get cleared tomorrow.”

“Yeah, I’m hoping for that, too.”

The set of siblings hug one another, Lucas and Mike bidding them goodbye before leaving. Will starts scooting himself back towards the pillows, while Stephanie kept her gaze on the door. The past few days haven’t been too bad. She was grateful for all the company she was getting, but it still sucked that she had to tiptoe around her mother about what really happened. From what Dustin (and even Steve) explained, the Police Chief came up with a deal and a plan to explain what happened to her and Will to the public that would make sense. I mean…

It’s not everyday that someone comes back from the “dead” and you have a funeral for them, and then it turns out their bodies are actually fake (What is this? A TV show?). And who cares if it all sounded bonkers? Hopper’s elaborate scheme seemed to have fooled everyone. 

Although, I can’t imagine how it’s going to be when we go back to school. She knows it’s going to be awkward as hell when gets back. And Steve briefly mentioned that her locker did get vandalized while she was gone.

She frowns. Steve…

She can’t believe he saved her. I mean, she knows they were friends, but still. He ended their friendship years ago, and then he comes back and does this? Like how was she supposed to feel about all this? Was this supposed to lead to something she doesn’t know about? And why risk helping her when she knows his parents don’t approve? 

Does his parents even know? Stephanie sighs, rubbing her face as she feels Will staring at her.

“You alright?” He asks, as she slumps a bit.

“I’m just thinking.” She replies, realizing they haven’t properly spoken about their experiences yet. Should I bring it up? Or…

Will shifts around to hug his knees. “About?”

She takes a deep breath, looking his way. “I can’t remember anything.”

He tilts his head. “About the Upside Down?”

She shook her head, fumbling with her hands. “Nah, I remember all that. I don’t remember anything after the… the bats.” She sees him look away, the color briefly flushing away from his face. She bites her lower lip. “I vaguely remember Steve, the Police Chief and your Mom saving us, but before that I… I don’t recall.”

She remembers the beginning -- The bites of the bats, the profuse bleeding, her screaming, Will and her tears -- and she remembers the end -- The sudden gasp when air filled her lungs, the sound of people sighing with relief, the sight of Steve sitting over her with red and dry eyes -- But the middle is so… blurry.

Steph swallows, looking at her feet. “I think you know what I mean. I think you know that… CPR shouldn’t have brought me back the way it did. It’s just not possible.”

“No. It’s not.” Will said after a few seconds, frowning. “My mom told me it took them over an hour to find us. But I…” He looks up at her with a hurt expression. “I didn’t tell them that though. I didn’t tell them that you– you, um… you know.”

I mean how does he explain that? Stephanie died trying to get them out, and stayed dead for god knows how long, and then somehow came back. Anyone in their right mind would know that that’s not possible. 

But how did she come back? Was the question they both had and couldn’t answer.

“When it happened–” Steph starts back up, trying to find the right words. “It was just like… like what people tell you, you see a light in the distance. I recall walking towards it, but then… it’s like my brain froze… and before I knew it, Steve and Hopper brought me back. I just…” She bites her lip again, thinking. “I just feel like– like I’m missing something. And every time I try to remember it, I-I can’t. It’s like an invisible wall is put there, and I-I….” 

She only trails off when she notices that her nose is starting to bleed. Will sits up straighter, concern on his young features. “It’s hurting you.”

“Yeah.” She smacks her lips, and wipes her nose with the back of her hand.

Will takes a moment to gather himself, before saying, “Is it like… like when you got trapped in your mind?”

“Yes, and no.” Steph shrugs. “I don’t know. Something brought me back. And… I want to know what, and why, I… I don’t feel bad or anything, but I feel… off.”

I feel so hollow and whole all at once. She knows that doesn’t make any sense, but it’s the only way she can explain something she can’t control. 

Silence fell for a bit, the both of them just staring off into space until someone broke the ice.

“I… I feel a bit off too.” Will finally admits, sounding much smaller than he actually is. Steph gazes at him with worry, her mother-hening side showing once again. “Like… as soon as I arrived in the Upside Down, I felt like someone was always watching me. And I… I feel like…” His hands grip the sheets. “Like something’s whispering in my ear. It’s like having a sixth sense, but… n-not in a good way. It’s…” He swallows. “Making me feel sick.”

Steph felt her lip finally split from her teeth, mentally cursing at the whole situation. “And… you haven’t told anyone about it?” She asks, as he shakes his head. “And about anything we saw or did in there? No one?” Another head shakes and she sighs. “I haven’t told anyone either. I mean, where do I even begin?”

“We can’t.” He says, his response slightly surprising her. “We can’t talk about it. Not with anybody.”

“We won’t.” She says, agreeing. They both looked at each other with the most understanding. “It started with us, and it ends with us. Whatever happened in there stays with us only.”

Will nods, determination with eyes. He soon shifts over to reach over to hold out his pinky. She wastes no time to interlock hers with his, the promise was now tied between them, and locked away…

.

.

.

Forever. 

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

On November 6th, 1983, I drove Will Byers home… but we never made it. On November 12th, we were free from a hellish place. On November 16th, Will and I agreed we would speak of it again. When any of our families asked, or at least tried to ask, what happened, we told them we played hide and seek with a Demogorgon that we eventually killed, and that’s it. We never, ever want to tell anyone what happened to us… especially what happened to me.

.

Both her and Will were eventually sent home just before Thanksgiving. Of course their mother spoiled them both with the cooking (Not that they were complaining). Somehow both Claudia and Joyce convinced their schools to give them some more time, which they both were extremely grateful for -- Dustin, Lucas, and Mike were not happy to be going back before they did, but understood.

.

The holidays are coming up, all our families have grown closer. Me and Will are doing our best to enjoy what we have. But there are still… moments. Moments when we pass by and we see something’s wrong. Sometimes just a look at one another, a reassuring touch on the shoulder, is all we need to feel better. And there are times where we would have to talk, to be each other’s therapist. And we’re okay with that.

.

Her and Will grew closer and closer every day, between looking over their brothers’ school material they missed, to D&D Companions every weekend. They grew so close that they truly felt like family. Speaking of growing closer…

To her shock, her brother and her ex-best friend became tight. Steph could tell that Dustin was trying to keep a secret at first, trying to be respectful towards his sister, but she knew rather quickly that he was talking to Steve when he was hogging the landline. It was strange hearing Dustin talk to Steve about literally anything. And it wasn’t like she felt jealous, or hurt even, she just felt–

Weird.

Even though she wanted to say something, Steve did protect Dustin and the others while she was gone. And she knows Steve would never physically hurt her little brother -- Mentally though, she was still on edge but…

What could she do now? So she chose to ignore it for now, the rest of her life going on as she pretends everything is fine. Because… everything… IS FINE! Totally fine. She just needs to take each day one step at a time.

.

On December 25th, we celebrated Christmas. In the afternoon my family and I invited the Byers over for dinner, and some movies. We both went a whole day without a scare, both drowning our worries with hot cocoa and candy canes. Then… that turned into a few more days. But on December 31st, the nightmares came back. They felt more bitter and full of rage. It was like my mind was upset at me over something. Then on January 1st, 1984, I came to realize that…

.

.

.

.

.

I couldn’t take it any more.

(TBC)

A/N: All we got left is the Epilogue, and we're onto season 2!

-Taglist is Open-

@ladygrey03 @poppet05 @tooearlyforthis @lovesfics @lordzzz

@mirkwoodshewolf @sadbitchfangirl @olivewisp

@emsownuniverse @unspecifiedvisitor @smaryamsstuff @kitty49646 @jinxeee @bookkeeperlove @prozacgooble @goth-baby98 @aainr @luca-random-stuff @catradorapotter @bailees-post @dearabby1990 @savage-aespa @aainr @madaboutjoe

[wishing-on-a-staranise]

Ch 2: The teenage hobby of making out.

(s.h. x gn!reader)

from the river to the sea. (get in your daily clicks, read about it, donate if you can.)

Summary: Hopper’s getting mad that his kids are kissing boys.

Word count: 7.7k

Warnings: use of (y/n); no pronouns used (gn!reader); Suggestive (sexy ice cream consumption); steamy but no smut; boner alert; hopper being a cockblock; arguing; reader is jealous of Eleven; hopper makes a 'your wife' joke (its canon); daddy issues?

A/n: this is the closest i think ive gotten to writing smut so far lol i struggled so much

Anyway ive been having the big bad no good awful time lately and feel like doing literally nothing but i really pushed myself to finish this guy so have this and also I think it's high time we get readyyy for desi!reader!!!! She will be arriving soon hopefully!!!

<- prev ch

next ch->

masterlist

...

‘You don’t tug on superman’s cape, you don’t spit into the wind.’

Hopper’s record player blares. Your eyes fling open at the intruding loud tone of at this point what you know to be Jim’s favourite song.

‘You don’t pull the mask off an old lone ranger and you don’t mess around with Jim.’ The faceless crowd chants through the speakers. Quite swell headed of himself when you really think about it. 

Your face scrunches, a yawn leaves you when you stretch under the quilt. The sheets beside you ruffle, and when you turn it is your sister, rousing from her sleep as well, Mr. Arnold, the teddy bear, in her arms. She lets out a frustrated groan at the loud song, before pulling her blanket over her head. 

You snort at that because you’re sure it's impossible to fall asleep with that playing right outside the room. This is not the first time that Jim has used this really effective strategy to annoy you and your sister out of your slumber.

You lay there for a second before finally getting up to get started with the morning, knowing full well Hopper won’t be quietening it down unless both of you were out of bed and having breakfast. It also isn't like you had neighbours to complain about the noise.

By the time you come out of the bathroom, Eleven is once again stirring awake. She stretches both her arms above her head again and lets out a deep sigh.

"Morning, El.”

She mumbles something that sounds like ‘morning’, her tone a lot less peppy than yours. she once again decides she wants to be back asleep, rolling over and burying herself in the sheets again. “I think… I hate that song now”, you hear her grumble under the mass of the comforter.

“Yeah, that happens when you are forced to listen to something a billion times. What's weird is he does have other records but he really loves the song with his name in it”, you laugh both at your sister’s and Hopper’s antics.

You sit back on the bed with an ‘oof’, looking at where she lies beside you. “Okay, kid, let's get outta bed”, you say knowing full well that the noise isn't going to stop unless you both step out of the room. “c’mon El”, you sigh, shaking her a little by her shoulders. "Don't you have to go meet Dustin today?"

El’s eyes shoot open, she looks up at you with wide eyes as if she'd forgotten about her plans. She throws the blanket and the soft toy off of her and jogs away to her room.

You chuckle to yourself at her excitement, reaching under the quilt to look for Mr. Arnold. You pull him out, brushing the messy fur around his beady eyes before putting him neatly with the rest of the pillows and get out of the room yourself.

You head out into the kitchen, the smell of roasted coffee hitting you immediately. Jim has always been notorious for having his coffee extra strong, no cream, no sugar. you remember trying it once and pledged to never do that again, not being accustomed to that taste. 

There's a box of cereal on the kitchen counter, you fix yourself a bowl and put some in another bowl for Eleven. You then head to the couch where Hopper is reading a newspaper and sipping the bitter and brown beverage, "morning" you say quietly— shouting was not needed since he had turned the player off when he noticed both you and Eleven were awake. 

"Morning kid", he greeted from behind the newspaper, not really bothering to look up.

"You have to find a better way to wake us up."

He chuckles to himself, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" he jostles the flimsy paper.

You roll your eyes which he doesn’t notice. That’s the usual with him. He doesn’t ever seem to notice you. And for the most part, you’re used to it. Somewhere between adopting you and now, things changed. Not to be mistaken, he is the closest thing you have to a father and you know he does love you but some part of this relationship feels… hollow now. Like you’re not getting enough, he’s not willing to give you enough. 

In silence, you swirl your spoon around in the floating cereal while Hopper takes a big sip of his coffee. You think to finally tell him about Steve.

Just when you were contemplating when to speak up about it, Eleven comes out of her room, still wearing the same clothes, "Morning Hop", she greets brightly.

He looks up, "Morning kiddo", he smiles before his gaze moves back to his newspaper.

“There's a bowl for you on the kitchen counter”, you let the girl know. She smiles and pours herself some milk into it.

"Hey, Hop?", The super powered girl calls out. He hums through a mouthful of soggy cereal as he looks up from the newspaper. "Can you take me to Will's?” she says while walking over to the couch where he was sitting, "Dustin is coming back today. We're surprising him"

"Oh, okay kid. We'll just leave in a bit", he sets down the papers and downs all of the cereal. He goes into his room. By the time you and Eleven are done with your breakfast, Hopper comes out, clad in his uniform. 

"Hey y/n any groceries you want me to get? Going to the Market today", he asked while putting his shoes on.

"Yeah, it's on the fridge"

The man went over to the fridge door and took the list off of it. He took a second to read the contents of the list before muttering out the last one, "icecream, again?"

"I like ice cream. We ran out", you shrugged.

"I bought a tub this sunday."

“I really like ice cream”

“seriously? this is getting more ridiculous than El’s eggo obsession–”

“hey!” she interjects. 

“and weren’t you expanding your horizons? How’d that combo work out last night?” He looks between you and Eleven.

"It was…", she pauses, looking for a suitable word, "disgusting.” she says with the straightest face before going to her room to get changed and to put on her shoes, you assume.

“I… can't say that I disagree”

“Look kid, I'm not getting you ice cream so often, okay? Anything else?"

“...Nope that's… that’s it. Just the list.”

“‘Kay,” he shoves the paper in the pocket of his shirt. He glances over at the room that Eleven is in before clearing his throat. “Hey, do you uh…”, he looks back you, voice softer than it was just a second ago, “wanna talk about it?”

“About..?” 

“That nightmare I’m assuming you had last night.”

“... there's– there isn't anything to talk about”

“Yes there is”, he barely gets the words out of his mouth when you sigh, frustrated before getting off the couch and moving towards the kitchen. 

“C’mon kid,”, he follows behind you, “you haven't been telling me anything recently, and Owens told me–”, you groan at the name, “don't interrupt me– Owens told me that you refuse to share anything with him either.”

“I don't tell anything because there is nothing to tell. And honestly,” you put your bowl in the sink, “I don't want to talk about stupid feelings with a stupid old man”

“You think I haven't been hearing you scuttering ‘round in your room trying to fall asleep? So don't bullshit me but there is a lot to tell. He recommended these weekly check ups because they will help. I mean– look at El, she barely struggles with the night terrors or–”

“You just have to compare me to her, don’t you?”

“Owens will call saturday and you better tell him everything”, he commands with his nostrils flared.

You roll your eyes away from him, crossing your arms.

“Do you hear me? Hey! look at me when I’m talking to you”, he uses that stern voice again, the one that means ‘you better listen or else’. You aren’t sure what the ‘or else’ ever is yet you always listen when he uses that voice. You look at him, reluctantly so, “Good. now… I'm getting late. Why don't you get rid of that attitude and stop being such a brat" he shoves his wallet in his back pocket, calling out Eleven's name and she comes out wearing a navy-blue t-shirt that seemed a little too big for her, and she casts you a concerned look.

You let out a frustrated huff as soon as the door shuts close behind them. You run your fingers over your face, your head hurting again after that argument.

You then head to put the rest of the bowls in the sink and the milk in the fridge, but that's when you notice it. The Eleven's drawing— of you, Hopper and herself— that was initially stuck to the fridge door with a magnet, was now on the floor— along with the other magnets. You tried to put them back on nevertheless they fell again. You were frustrated as it is, it only made you angrier when they didn't stick. In your rage you shove them in the nearest drawer, it closes with a loud thud.

You weren't sure how this entire thing had managed to get you so mad. You wanted to rip your hair out, break all the bowls, burn the stupid phone so Owens never calls, shatter hopper's favourite coffee mug, tear apart every drawing Eleven has made of you all together. But you don't. You just stand there, trying your best to keep it at bay– the anger, the tears, both. And god, you needed to catch your breath, you needed some water.

You grab a glass of water from the tap. As it fills, you latch open the window above the sink. The window and the glass of water had become a part of your routine to calm yourself down. A compulsion at this point because if you didn't do it, everything felt off.

You guzzle down the thing, the liquid cooling you. You force yourself to close your eyes, breathing in, holding it and then breathing out– just like Hopper had taught you. Although it brings down your anger, it doesn't exactly calm you down. You blame it on the lack of wind today.

You don't keep your eyes closed for too long though. You close the window and head to your room. You don't bother with anything else, planning on hiding under the sheets for the rest of the day. It is then that you hear a knock on your bedroom window.

You look up from the mess of wrinkled sheets and you are met with the beautiful smile of your boyfriend. He gives you a little wave with a bouquet of flowers and holds up a takeaway cup from scoops ahoy. A smile automatically forms itself on your face as you walk over to the window and open it so he could climb in.

He lets himself in in a rather not ninja way, your hands flying to steady him. you take in his clothes– his scoops ahoy outfit, the colours suit him, his favourite watch snug around his wrist, the shorts fitting him perfectly, his floppy hair resting softly against his forehead— he looks beautiful to say the least. 

"Morning your highness!", He spoke up with a rich English accent– gesturing wildly with the bouquet, "Flowers picked by yours truly! Ice cream scooped, once again, by your beloved", he handed you the flowers— which you held close to your chest while showcasing a huge grin. "And guess what? New flavour! You have to try it, babe."

You adjust the crooked name tag on his shirt, "I was just leaving for work but decided to take a little detour. Hope you don't mind me coming."

"Of course I don't— it's just, if you came like two minutes earlier, Hop would've caught you."

"Close call", he wipes the imaginary sweat off of his temple, making you giggle a little.

"You look very pretty," you say before you even realise.

"I'm supposed to be a manly man! you calling me pretty and beautiful isn't helping with that", he complains only half-heartedly because he loves hearing you call him those things. No one has ever complimented him in such a way, sure he has gotten compliments about his hair or his nether regions from girls but you telling him he's pretty and cute made butterflies flutter all over in a way he didn't think was possible.

"Well, that's too bad. You are pretty", he blushes all pink when you say it, "The prettiest ever", he smiled shyly as you came closer to him— faces merely inches apart.

"Not too shabby yourself babe", he pecked the tip of your nose and then you go to put the flowers in a vase next to your bed.

“How did last night go?” he asks, following behind you.

“Hmm?”

“You were... going to tell your dad about us?”

“Oh.”

He purses his lips, “I'm guessing you didn't”

“I wanted to, I swear but then Mike Wheeler happened."

“‘Course he did”

“And then I almost did this morning too but then Jim and I had a fight, like right now..”

“Fight, about what?”

You quickly shake your head, “.. doesn't matter. I’m sorry”

“Hey, its okay. How ‘bout this okay, you.. try again. okay? whenever feels right-- no rush" you nod slowly. the boy flashes you a grin before speaking up again, "now, gimme a little kiss"

"No."

"No? why no?" he pouts.

"’Cause I want to have ice cream first", you declare, booping his nose.

He lets out a playful scoff, “is that all I am to you? I stole this just for you yesterday and I don’t even get a kiss?" he is all theatrical as he holds is palm on his chest to show just how scandalized he feels.

“Stole it?”

“Nah", he clicks his tongue as a no, shaking his head, "we get free ice cream.”

Your brows fly up at the information, “Woah, really? hmm, I need to work there.”

“Will you? Please do. My coworker pretty much hates me–”

While he is rambling, you try to snatch the cup from his hand, but before you could do so he pulls his hand away. "Ah ah ah, you gotta give me the password first to get the ice cream babe"

"What?" you ask, brows knotted together.

"Not the password", He says in a monotonous voice.

"Steve c'mon–"

"Not the password."

"Just give it to me, Steve", you try reaching for it again– to no avail.

"Not the password."

"Stevieee", you're practically draped over him, yet he somehow manages to keep the cup right out of your reach.

"Not the password", he smirks, laughing a little.

You sigh, you had to play it his way to get what you want. You give a quick kiss on his cheek– more so a peck. "Hm, warmer...", he hums, "but still not the password."

You groan all frustrated, knowing full well what he wanted. and you had no other choice than to give in. You tilt your face so your lips meet his and when you pull back, awaiting his response. He finally says, "You got it", before lowering his hand.

Steve then goes into character– sitting you down on the edge of your bed, he takes out his hat from his pocket that said 'ahoy' on it and puts it on top of your head.

He greets you how he would welcome any other customer, you giggle at his theatrical antics. "Now, since you are one rather good looking sailor, I'll let you set sail on this ocean of flavor with me with this amazing scoop of our new invention!!'

The treat is a little melted— blame it on the summer heat. tasting phenomenal, surely to be your new favourite. As Steve watches you relish the delicious flavour, he notices that the runny liquidy ice cream has managed to drip around the corner of your mouth and lower lip.

"Oh babe, you've got a–" His thumb swipes over your lower lip— eye contact unbreaking— Smearing the liquid much more than actually wiping it. He does it unreasonably slow.

"There", he pulls his arm back, and without looking at the residual ice cream on his thumb he licks it– gaze still unwavering. "Delicious", he murmured. Heat creeps up your neck and spreads through your cheeks. You both knew what Steve was doing although you'd be lying if you said that it wasn't working.

Having expected for you to be absolutely flustered, Steve is surprised when instead your features morph into a mischievous smile, "right? You wanna try some?"

"Uh, sure", he hesitates.

You go to feed him the drippy ice cream with the spoon only to 'accidentally' smudge it at the corner of his mouth.

"Oh, you've got a—"

"Oh, very funny babe—" Before Steve could finish, your lips were attached to the corner of his mouth. Your tongue darts out to lick at the liquid— the movements agonisingly slow. It is then that Steve forgets how to function. He doesn't reciprocate your kisses, being sure he'd forgotten how to kiss. This was the first time you'd initiated a kiss, or made a move on him and now he didn't know how to react. 

When you pull away, his eyes remain closed for a bit longer. But when they finally do flutter open, instead of the same mischievous sly smirk, he is met with your wide eyes. You blink as if unsure of what you had done, Steve sees you gulp before you get up and leave the room.

Steve was stuck, he realises. His mind has forgotten how to work for however long that lasted. Maybe it was minutes or maybe it was only just a few seconds– to him it felt like hours though. Blood rushed to his cheeks and other parts of his body.

He paid it no mind though and quickly got up to find you. His situation will go away, right now he needed to make sure that you were alright. He went out of the room and sees you by the kitchen— throwing away the empty cup— your back turned towards him.

You don't look up when he stands beside you, he calls out your name and you shyly turn to sneak a look at him, rubbing your own arm anxiously, “S– sorry that was weird right?”

“Uh– n– no! It wasn't", he assures, shaking his head, "It just… um, I wasn't expecting it. It was– It wasn't weird.” he waits, hoping you'd say something but when you don't, he speaks up, "That was like the– the hottest thing ever– what you did back there."

“It wasn't... too much? It felt like it was too much.”

“Too much? I have a boner right now, respectfully, of course.”

Your eyes widen, and just when they were about to trail down– “don't look down!” You hold your breath, trying your best to muster all your power to maintain eye contact with him, but your gaze betrays you for just a second as it snaps down to his groin before jumping back to his eyes. Your face becomes so warm, palms clammy.

“W-what do I do?”

“No–nothing? It’ll go away”, he barely manages to stammer out, turning his body towards the kitchen counter so you don't see it, eyes roaming everywhere but towards you. 

Steve in high school never would have faced such issues, king steve never would have been so clumsy and embarrassed in front of someone he liked. The old Steve wouldn't get this damn red and awkward. But he does, he isn't the old Steve afterall.

He feels your hand on his shoulder, urging him to look your way. When he does, his eyes meet your unsure gaze-- you were looking at his lips. He himself can't help but trace the contour of your face, from your eyes to your nose, to the swoop of your cupid's bow to finally your lips.

It is you who leans in. This kiss was different than any you have had before. It grows deeper. And suddenly, its all tongue and teeth. Steve has never kissed you like this before. Its hands over your body, fingers creeping under your t-shirt. And its unusual. A good unusual. One you could get used to.

“Steve?" you breathe out when you pull apart.

“Y– yeah?”

“I’m sure. What I said yesterday, I’m sure.”

“Wait– you’re not just saying that ‘cause I–’

“No. I– I mean it.” You let out a giggle. The giggle which he was sure could end and fix all his fears and nightmares. The giggle that made his heart flutter and stomach do summersaults. You were sure to be the death of him. 

His grip around your waist tightens as he rests his forehead against yours, warm noses touching. "When.. uh– when does Hopper come back?"

"5:30," you huffed out, once again leaning in and he once again pulled back to be just out of your reach.

"One last question, El isn't home, is she?"

"No, no. She– she's with– friends. Won't come back till four."

"Good, wouldn't want them to come in on this", he almost growls before latching your lips together. And then you're kissing him. It is messy, but he loves every single second of it. His hands go to hold your jaw and yours to his cheeks, pulling in closer– deepening the kiss. At this point you'd both forgotten to breathe, too intoxicated on each other. But soon, both your lungs start to burn off the lack of oxygen and you both pull apart.

Your breaths were jagged, foreheads still touching. You gasp into his mouth. Your lips move in tandem as Steve pushes you between himself and the counter. The edge of the counter digs into your thighs. His hands travel to right below your ass, ready to lift you up onto the counter. But before he could do so, you pull him by the collar of his sailor outfit towards your room— lips never stopping contact. Steve takes the hint and gently pushes you against the door of your room, fumbling for the door knob.

You grab a fistful of his hair, he lets out a moan into your mouth. He finally manages to open the door, and you immediately pull him in. Steve tries to steady you both while tightening his hold on your hips, fingers playing with the hem of your shirt. 

You pull him towards the bed. He finally pulls away to take off his shirt only to latch his lips back to yours. He is hovering over you, lips never not touching, hands roaming each other's bodies. You slightly pull away, your digits fumbling for the cassette player's buttons next to your bed. The button clicks and Asia’s ‘heat of the moment’ starts playing. The both of you laugh because it was the mixtape that you and Steve had made a couple months ago.

…

Hopper had just reached the Byer's when he realises that he had forgotten his hat in the heat of the argument with you. He frowns upon the thought of the argument, he regrets shouting, he was worried about you and maybe he shouldn't have gotten that mad.

He waves over at Eleven, watching behind her to make sure she gets inside. He starts the engine and heads back to the cabin to retrieve his hat and perhaps make amends with you.

When he gets there, you don't open the door. You were possibly still mad at him, he thinks when he lets himself in, he could hear the song blaring from your room. He takes a peek in through the cracked open door.

Through the few inch wide door gap, he sees you and Steve Harrington. A shirtless Steve Harrington on top of you. The boy kissing you. And you kissing him back.

Through the kisses, his lips trail along your jaw and down your throat landing on your collarbone— pulling a moan out of you. "God, you're– fuck", Hopper barely hears the boy mumble. The man's nostrils flare as he sees his hands go back to the little sliver of skin exposed between your shirt and your shorts, fingers playing with the hem of the shirt.

"HEY!"

Steve immediately pulls away and yelps when you accidentally yank his hair. You both look up towards the source of the sound and there stood Jim Hopper, eyes wide with seething anger. 

“HOPPER?--”

"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?!"

"Hopper", You yelp out, speedily turning the player off while Steve fumbles to hide his integrity behind a pillow. Both Steve and Hopper were bright red. You were sure to go deaf to the loud beating of your heart.

"What in the fuck are you doing with my kid, Harrington?", You were sure Hopper's face would burst into flames any second now.

Steve eyes bounce frantically between you and hopper, he stammers, "I— Hopper—"

"That's fucking sir to you, Harrington."

"Sir, I—"

You hold your hands up, hoping to calm Hopper down after he found you in such a compromising position, "It's– its not what it looks like Hop—"

"So you're telling me that you two weren't about to–"

"Hop—", you try interrupting him but he interjects you by turning to Steve, pointing his finger at the poor boy while simultaneously squaring up on him. "I'm gonna have a serious fucking talk with your father, Harrington."

He walks backwards, incredibly intimidated, "But, sir—"

"Cover your goddamn tits and wait for me outside, Harrington." Steve gulps, silently nodding– knowing well enough that talking back was going to be fruitless so he leaves the room, the door shutting behind him.

You try speaking up again, "Hopper, listen–"

"No, you listen", he scolds with gritted teeth and flared nostrils, "You are fucking grounded. You can live your stupid paranoid fantasy and stay safe and stuck in this cabin”

“Hop–”

"And that means no tv–"

"Dad–"

"No radio or cassettes, no more phone, no more tv– ", he said as he unplugs the radio player and pulls out the cassette box from under your bed and throws the tapes around in anger "what else are you hiding from me, huh?”

"Nothing, hopper–"

He notices the box pushed further back under your bed and pulls it out— filled to the brim with Steve related stuff. your graduation caps, polaroids, mixtapes, books that had flowers pressed between their pages, beer bottle caps from when you had gotten drunk for the first time– all on the floor for display; the entire thing doing nothing to calm the raging man down. "Hopper, stop–"

"No more fucking dating", he picks up the mixtapes and books, throwing them with immense fury and rage. He pulls out polaroids of you and Steve and crumbles it up.

"NO!!--"

"And NO MORE FUCKING STEVE HARRINGTON", he smashed the now empty box against the floor, "D'YOU FUCKING UNDERSTAND?" he was shouting now, full on shouting— and it scared you. For the first time, Hopper scared you. The same guy who had saved you, protected you. The first person with whom you felt safe, ever. 

Tears spring up in the corner of your eyes. you duck your chin into your chest, squinting them shut.

“Asked you a fucking question.”

You try to even your breaths before answering, "No."

"What'd you say?", Words dripping in fury.

"I said, no."

"Why? You love that stupid idiot or something?"

The question scares you because you don't have an answer. You wrack your brain, looking for an answer but still…. your brain pulls up a slide that was nothing but a blank screen.

Do you love him?

You like him. You love being with him. He is your best friend, your only friend. But do you love him? how would you know? You do not know. 

“He’s my friend. He’s my only friend, Jim”

"Cut the bullshit, y/n", Hopper spoke as he noticed the tears springing up in your eyes and right now he was too damn angry to regret it.

Either of you don't hear the sound of the door shutting over your own heartbeat. you finally speak up, "You're bullshit."

"What?"

"You see El and Mike everyday, they're always kissing. But you see me with Steve one time–"

"The one time I see you two, you are fornicating— El and Mike don't do that."

"I'm a fucking adult, Hopper"

"You're a goddamn teenager is what you are!"

"Look me in the eyes and tell me you didn't do this stuff when you were a teenager, Hopper. You’re being an asshole!”

“Maybe you shouldn't have hid things from me y/n and I'm not being an asshole, I'm giving you a reality check. and if you think you’re such an adult then stop fucking hiding in this cabin from the world and feeding you little paranoid fantasy”

Both your chests rise and fall, face warm with aggravation, “Oh, don't look at me like I’m some monster", Hopper shakes his head at you, exasperated. you don't say anything, instead you get up to leave the room, "… where do you think you are going?”

“I’m leaving.”

“Aww, where are you gonna go, to your boyfriend?”

"You know what? That's a great idea, Jim. I’ll go and never come back again, I'll live with Steve or I’ll live in that stupid trailer. I've done it before and I'll do it again", you say with absolute resentment, all gritted teeth and red eyes. "I’ll leave", you sniffled, "Cuz you sure as hell don't want me here."

"Sure, kid, go 'head", he said through flared nostrils and a mock smile.

You raise your volume too before, "You won't have to fucking pretend to care for me anymore, you can take care of El all you want now", you pause for a beat before murmuring, "Clearly you like her more."

"..What–"

"Don't play dumb", your voice shakes as you speak, "it took you years to even consider adopting me, but you took El in in a heartbeat. El’s the one you care about Hopper– just fucking admit it, she's the one that gets hugs, she's the one that gets all the love and affection, she’s always mattered more to you, she's the one who matters to you because she's the one who reminds you of your dead daughter"

You said that. You said that. And the truth was that you meant it. Sure, you regret it, knowing how much it affected Jim. But it seemed only fair in your rageful brain to do the same.

Hopper is frozen, he swallows a lump in his throat. He looks at you hunched over the mess he'd made, your eyes red, watery and enraged.

You see him take a deep breath; it almost seems like he was about to say something. Maybe he'll apologise, you think, maybe you will too. Instead, he turned, his body lingering for a second too long near the door, and you pray that he says something– anything so you could take it all back. He lets out the breath he had been holding and shut the door behind him. A few seconds later you hear the cabin's door slamming. He left. 

…

At the station, Jim was having his lunch– donuts, which Flo had bought for everyone in the light of her birthday. Powell and Callaghan were discussing something, Flo has given Jim some paperwork– he isn’t sure about what though. His mind was too busy playing your argument on repeat.  

El’s the one you care about, Hopper. 

She’s the one who matters to you.

Because she’s the one who reminds you of your dead daughter.

“Chief?” Jim realises that he had been staring at the files that Flo had given him. 

“You okay, boss?”

“Uh, yeah— I’m peachy Callaghan”, Hopper gets up from his chair picking up another donut, “exactly how your wife was last night.”

Powell and the rest of the workers let out a guffaw while Flo looks at Jim with disapproving eyes and Callaghan looks like a kicked dog. Jim picked up his keys, headed towards the exit.

“Where are you going Jim?”, Flo demands behind him.

“Gotta take care of something, Flo”, he picks up his hat and puts it atop his head, “Hold the fort down for me while I’m gone?”

“It’s not like I have a choice.”

“Thanks, Flo”, he muttered, flashing a fake grin. Hopper shoves the donut in his mouth and went out the door and into his car. He drives through the empty streets of the local market, one hand tight around the steering wheel and the other holding the crumpled up shopping list you’d made. Joyce would know how to deal with both your and El’s situation, he thinks to himself as he stopped in front of Melvald’s general store, she was actually good at the whole parenting thing, afterall. 

When Jim steps into the empty store, he is met with Joyce putting up a sale sign. “Hey”, her head turned at the sound of the bell ringing.

“Hey, You busy?”

“You’re our first customer, so..” There is a beat. Hopper’s fingers fumble with the edge of his hat. “What now?”

Hopper vents about everything that happened between you two to Joyce while picking up all the groceries you had written in the list. “And its not just y/n, El too— she and Mike are kissing, like constantly and the other day— she just…. slams the door, right in my face. and– and y/n just doesn't wanna tell me anything and every time I try to talk, it just turns into an argument. and this last one just really went to shit”, Joyce hums as she rings up all of Jim’s groceries.

“Y’know, those smug sons of bitches, Steve and Mike. They’re corrupting them, I’m telling you.”, he shakes his head, “This has never happened before. And I’m just gonna lose it. I mean, I’m gonna lose it, Joyce–”

“Just take it down, Hopper”, Joyce speaks with a calm tone as she packed up the groceries.

“I want– I need to get rid of them."

“'rid of them'? you sound like you're going to murder them. and didn’t you already tell Steve and y/n that they can’t see each other anymore?”

“But El—”

“Hopper, that is not your decision to make”

“You don’t get it Joyce, El and mike– it’s constant. It is constant. And y/n's been hiding this thing from me for months probably! Months!”, Joyce huffs at Hopper’s anger, “Okay? That is not good or normal, that isn’t healthy”

“What you did to y/n and Steve isn’t healthy either”, Joyce pushes Hopper’s grocery bag on the counter towards him, “Besides, you can’t just force them apart.” She leaves the checkout counter and moves to an aisle and starts putting sale tags on the items, still continuing the conversation. “I mean, y/n’s right— they’re not little kids anymore, Hop.” The woman explains with knitted brows while the man picks up a random thing from the aisle nearest to him and starts playing catch with himself like a bored toddler.

“They’re teenagers Hopper”, Joyce huffs, “If you order them around like a cop, then they’re going to rebel. It's just— what they do.”

“So what am I supposed to do? Let them do whatever they want?”, Jim tosses the box up again.

“No, I didn’t say that”, she sighs, snatching the box midair while shooting a chastising look towards the tall man, “I think you should talk to them.”

“No. no, ‘cause talking doesn’t work–”

“Not yelling. Not ordering”, she gestures with the tag gun, “But talk to them” The woman turns to put the box back where it belonged while muttering with a shrug, “y'know like a heart-to-heart.”

“A heart-to-heart?” Hopper questions, confused, “what’s that?”

“You sit them down, you talk to them. Like you’re their friend”, Joyce explains while the man leans against a wall rather dramatically as if he was five-year-old listening to a lecture about the theory of relativity, “if you talk to them like you’re on their level, then they really start to listen. And then– you know, you can start to create some boundaries”

“Boundaries”, Jim repeats.

“Yeah, but Hop— it's really important that no matter how they respond,” she pauses for emphasis, “You stay calm. You cannot lose your temper”

The uniform clad man rolls his eyes; however, he hid it quickly before Joyce could notice and taps his fingers awkwardly against the wall, “uh, maybe, you could do it for me?”, he requests as if asking Joyce if he could do his homework

“No.”

“Yeah you could. You could come over after work. Yes?”

“No. it only works if it comes from you. Besides you're the one who yelled at y/n. So, you're the one who will apologize.”, She punctuated her sentence by putting a tag on Hopper's shirt. “But…", She trailed off.

“But?”, Jim echoes.

“Maybe I can help you…”, she picks up a notepad from the counter, “find the right words.”

…

You have locked yourself in your room, not planning on seeing anyone. It's what you deserve anyway. Its probably for the better. The lights are turned off, the only source of light in the pitch darkness is spilling through the tiny gap of your slightly open door. You've hidden yourself under the blanket, the bed a mess from tossing and turning.

You hear muffled sounds of Jim reciting something in a monotonous tone from the room next to you. “...important to establish these boundaries...”, His muttering sounding like he had a cigarette between his teeth, “....we can create an environment where.... we feel comfortable, trusted and open….”, you hear him pause, “to share our feelings”. He pauses again and you turn around in your sheets, burying your head under the quilt not planning to hear any more of it. Because if you did you’d cry, whether of jealousy or hurt or regret or guilt, you did not know, you just knew that you would cry.

After some time you then heard the thump of his feet from his room. They stopped in front of your door for a few seconds and you think for just a second that maybe he will knock, maybe you both will fix this, but then they started moving again, moving further from your door and finally stopping in front of El’s door. He knocks. “Hey”

“Yes?”

“Can I talk to you guys, a minute?”, he asks. You couldn't hear the rest of the conversation as it was muffled by the walls and door. But you filled in the gaps— hopper was trying to talk to Eleven and Mike, possibly about the previous night. He was trying for Eleven. Not for you. For Eleven.

Then Hopper abruptly left with Mike— something about the boy's nanna. You knew that definitely wasn't the truth. For once, you felt bad for Mike.

...

"Y/n?", Eleven cracked the door open. You were lying in your bed, back facing the door. Eleven approached the foot of the bed. "Are you okay?", with knitted brows, she asks, eyes trying to adjust to the dark room.

"I just feel a little sleepy, El", she did not need to know about your fight with Hopper. She did not need to see that ugliness.

"Do you want to watch romcom?"

"You do that"

"And you?"

"I'm not in the mood, El. Kinda tired. I'll be fine, I think I just need sleep.”

The short haired girl nodded rather half-heartedly and left. A few seconds later, the door opened again, you didn't turn to see who it was. 

“Do you want ice cream? Hopper brought some”, It was Eleven again.

“... No, I'm alright”, you don't bother looking up.

"Y/n?", you feel her palm on your shoulder before you turn around hoping the dark room hid your red eyes. "I've kept your food here”, she tells you.

You give a faint smile at the girl's kindness. She closed the door behind herself, leaving.

After eating your food, you fall headfirst into the pillows and there lied Mr. Arnold. You held the bear flush against your chest. Maybe the soft toy could help you fix this too. It smelled like Eleven, you smiled at the thought of your sister and you hated the fact that you were jealous of her. She was the kindest, strongest and most adorable kid— and you'd talked to Hopper about her like you resented her. She was your sister, you loved her.

The bear also smelled like Steve. You missed him, you wondered what he was doing. You told yourself to call the boy after Hopper leaves the next morning. You are curled up in your bed, exhaustion overtaking you. Your eyelids grew droopy and soon you were drifting into sleep.

…

You’re in your room, grey and sterile. your headache had dulled out for the most part, although your eyes still felt too dry. Your Papa had come to check in on you. He said that you were getting better and that you could go back to lessons and the rainbow room from the next day.

The entire week you were like this he didn't bring up why you are hurt. You reckon he was disappointed. You don't bring it up either, just glad that you didn't have to wear the collar because you were hurt.

When the doctor gave you medicine with the injection, Papa held your hand, his other hand brushing over your shaved head to comfort you.

"Good job, Seven."

When the doctor leaves, you finally speak up, "Papa?", he looks at you, "are you angry... at me?"

"For what?"

"For what happened that day."

"No, Seven. I'm not. I am proud of you and the extent of your powers”, your heart swells at the praise, "now we just have to hone in on it. Get better at it. Do you understand?"

You nod silently. He clears his throat before getting up from beside your bed. He buttons his grey blazer, "now, I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" you nod once again.

He is about to reach for the door when you speak up again, “Papa?”

“Yes, seven?”

“Where is my mother?”

He turns around, the wrinkles on his forehead more prominent, “What?” he walks back up to you.

“I was reading a book in the rainbow room", you explain, " The child in it had a papa and a mama. Why don't I have a mama?”

“Not everyone does, Seven", he answers curtly, “Your mother died when she gave birth to you” he says before once again turning to leave the room.

“You're lying”, he stops and turns and is met with your knitted brows, “I can tell you're lying.”

You see him purse his lips for a second before he speaks up, ”Well, your powers have never been reliable, have they? Your mother is dead.”

“Did I kill her? like I did with that man and the child.”

”yes. Get some rest. Lessons start again tomorrow, Seven."

“Yes Papa”, he is out the door before you even say the entire thing.

…

Hopper doesn’t know what the hell he is doing. He just knows one thing and that is that heart-to-hearts are not his thing. Not anymore anyway. He used to be better at this, at emotions. 

Ever since sarah… he’s felt like this. This empty chasm, this darkness. A black hole. That sucks in everything that is good, warm and bright. Everything he loves, everything he cares for, he swallows it all if it gets too close. It happened after sarah. And for a really long time, Jim decided to never let anyone in– which included you. Your younger self had tried, to win him over, to let his walls down but he hadnt let up. But then last year… Eleven managed to break down those walls, and just like he always does, he swallowed her whole. Enough that she had compared him to that psychotic man who called himself your papa, enough that she had decided to leave. And now he was doing it again, with you. 

Hopper fucking sucks at feelings, not because he doesn't feel but maybe because he doesn't want anyone else to know that he does. The folded-up paper in his hand makes it really fucking clear. And though his palm is slightly sweaty, he blames it on the summer. 

He hates that he shouted at you, multiple times.

Look at me when I’m talking to you.

That is what he had said back then, that is what he had said today. And he saw that same look on you, that deer-in-the-headlight look, the same one he saw on you when he first saw you at the police station. And he immediately regretted it. He and his inflated ego are to blame when he didn't apologize. But he will now, he is going to apologize. He is going to talk things out– have a heart-to-heart. You’re his kid dammit and you fucking deserve it.

Alright hopper, you got this. Just do what Joyce told you and they'll listen to you. 

He stops at your doorstep first, knuckles lifted to knock but then he hears Eleven giggling, and he glances over to her room. Mike is still here, he thinks. Let’s just deal with them first, lets get the easier conversation over with and then he’ll talk to you– he’ll tell you everything, he'll listen to you. 

But then he goes to Eleven’s room and asks if he could talk to them, and he tries he really does try but as it turns out the easier conversation still wasn’t easy at all. Hopper can't help but repeat history.

He has always felt cursed. Cursed to ruin everything as he tends to always end up doing. And in his anger he ends up blackmailing mike to stay away from his daughter.

When hopper came back, Eleven asked him if Mike's nanna (bless her) was okay. "Uh, yeah– she'll be fine kid– pretty sure it was a false alarm." He had lied through his teeth, but he doesn't take it back.

He doesn't take it back. he never goes to your room. he doesn't talk it out. So much for a heart-to-heart.

...

[layce2015]

Stranger Things (Steve Harrington x Female!Reader)

Chapter 7: The Gate

Previous Chapter/ Next Chapter

“Eleven.” Mike said, shocked. “Mike.” Eleven said then they hug and she sobs alittle. “Is that...” Max asked Dustin and Lucas and they nod. “I never gave up on you. I called you every night. Every night for...” Mike said as they break the hug. “353 days. I heard.” Eleven said. 

“Why didn't you tell me you were there? That you were okay?” Mike asked her, confused. “Because I wouldn't let her.” Hopper said then he looks at Eleven. “The hell is this? Where you been?” He asked her. “Where have you been?” She asked him but then they hug.

“You've been hiding her. You've been hiding her this whole time!” Mike said and he shoves Hopper. “Hey! Let's talk. Alone.” Hopper said and he and Mike go into another room and we hear them shouting.

Then Lucas and Dustin go to hug Eleven. “We missed you.” Lucas said to her. “I missed you, too.” Eleven said then they break up the hug. “We talked about you pretty much every day.” Dustin said, smiling, then Eleven looks at him the sticks her finger on his mouth. “Teeth.” She said. “What?” Dustin asked. “You have teeth.” Eleven points out. “Oh. You like these pearls?” Dustin asked then he purrs and I chuckle and shake my head while Lucas rolls his eyes.

“Eleven?” Max said as her and I step forward. “Hey. Um, I'm Max and this is my sister, (y/n).” Max introduced as she holds her hand out to Eleven, who didn’t look very friendly towards Max. “We’ve heard a lot about you.” I added as I hold a hand out to her as well and she ignores Max but she does, cautiously, shake my hand before she walks over to Joyce and hugs her.

”A bit rude.” Max mutters and I shrug. “Hey, sweetheart.” Joyce said as her and Eleven hug. “Can I see him?” Eleven asked Joyce and she leads her to Will’s room. We all follow them as Joyce and Eleven talk. “You opened this gate before, right?” Joyce asked her. “Yes.” Eleven whispers. “Do you think if we got you back there, that you could close it?” Joyce asked her and Eleven ponders this before she nods.

*3rd Person POV*

At the Wheeler house, Karen was in the bathtub enjoying a relaxing evening with candles and a good romance book when the doorbell rang. She didn’t get up but the bell kept ringing. “Ted! Would you please get that?” She calls out but the bell continued. “Ted!” Karen shouts again but nothing as the bell rings rapidly. 

She sighs, annoyed, shuts her book and gets out of the tub, grabbed her robe and puts it on as she runs down the stairs. “Hold on, please.” Karen said as she heads to the door and opens it, revealing Billy. “Oh. Hi.” He asked, smiling, leaving Karen stunned. “Hi.” She said.

“I, uh, didn't realize Nancy had a sister.” Billy said and Karen chuckles. “What's so funny?” Billy asked, still giving that charming smile. “I'm Nancy's mother.” Karen said. “No.” Billy said, feigning shocked. “Yes.” Karen chuckles. “Mrs. Wheeler.” Billy said, impressed, as he looks her up and down. 

Karen blushes and chuckles alittle before she stammers out a question. “Um, I'm sorry, and you are?” She asked. “Billy. Billy Hargrove.” Billy introduced as he takes her hand in both of his hand. “You must be here for Nancy.” Karen said. “Nancy? No, no, no. Not my type. Uh...No, actually, I am looking for my sisters Max, who goes by Maxine, and (y/n). They’ve been missing all day, and, uh, to be honest with you, I've been worried sick, you know, so...” Billy said and Karen hums.

“I thought they were at Lucas', but Mrs. Sinclair said your house is the...the designated hangout, so, you know...Here I am.” Billy said as he leans against the door.

“Their driveway is pretty dark this time of night. So drive slowly.” Karen said to Billy as she writes down the Byers’ address. “Always.” Billy said as she hands him the paper. “And when you see Mike, tell him to come home already, okay?” Karen tells him. “You're a real lifesaver, you know that?” Billy said as he takes a cookie from the counter and takes a bite out of it.

“Anytime.” Karen said. “I'll see you later.” Billy said and he leaves the house and heads to his car. He looks at the paper then starts up his car and heads off.

*(y/n)’s POV*

“It's not like it was before. It's grown. A lot. And, I mean, that's considering we can get in there. The place is crawling with those dogs.” Hopper explains to us. “Demo-dogs.” Dustin corrects and Hopper looks over at him.

“I'm sorry, what?” He asked, sighing. “I said, uh, Demo-dogs. Like Demogorgon and dogs. You put them together, it sounds pretty badass...” Dustin said. “How is this important right now?” Hopper asked him. “It's not. I'm sorry.” Dustin said, looking down.

“I can do it.” Eleven said. “You're not hearing me.” Hopper said. “I'm hearing you. I can do it.” Eleven said, firmly. “Even if El can, there's still another problem. If the brain dies, the body dies.” Mike said. “I thought that was the whole point.” Max said, questioning. “It is, but if we're really right about this…I mean, if El closes the gate and kills the mind flayer's army...” Mike said and Lucas raises his head.

“Will's a part of that army.” He said. “Closing the gate will kill him.” Mike states and we all look around at each other then Joyce raises her head.

She then leads us back to Will’s room which was freezing inside as the window was open. “He likes it cold.” Joyce mutters. “What?” Hopper asked. “It's what Will kept saying to me. He likes it cold.” Joyce said and she goes to the window and closes it. 

“We keep giving it what it wants.” Joyce said. “If this is a virus, and Will's the host, then...” I said, thinking. “Then we need to make the host uninhabitable.” Jonathan said. “So if he likes it cold...” Nancy said. “We need to burn it out of him.” Joyce finished.

“We have to do it somewhere he doesn't know this time.” Mike said. “Yeah, somewhere far away.” Dustin said and Hopper thinks before they grab some blankets, wrap Will in it and he, Joyce and Jonathan leave the house. Then Nancy leaves with them and now it was Eleven’s and Hopper’s turn to leave.

Which that left me, Steve, Max, Mike, Lucas and Dustin in Will’s house.

“All right. It should fit now.” Dustin said after he clears out the fridge, Steve was holding the dead Demo-dog that he and I had wrapped up in a blanket. “Is this really necessary?” Steve asked, exasperated. “Yes, it is, okay?” Dustin said. “Why the hell are we doing this?” I asked. “This is a ground-breaking scientific discovery. We can't just bury it like some common mammal, okay? It's not a dog.” Dustin said as if this was the most obvious thing. 

“All right, all right, all right. But you're explaining this to Mrs. Byers, all right?” Steve said as he goes to the fridge and shoves the dead Demo-dog in. “Christ.” Steve grumbles as he does his best to get inside. “Here, I’ll help.” I said as I come up and grab the door with my right hand and use my left hand to help Steve shove the monster inside. 

Once we got it inside, Steve steps away and I quickly shut the door. “Damn.” I muttered. “Thanks.” Steve tells me. “Don’t mention it.” I said as I lean against the fridge and raise my hand and scratch my forehead. “Whoa, what happened to your arm?” Dustin asked me and I furrow my brow, only to notice that the sleeve of my sweater had fallen back, revealing the new set of bruises Billy gave on my arm.

”What the hell?” Steve said as he noticed and I quickly pushed the sleeve down. “It’s nothing.” I said and I fold my arms across my chest. “That didn’t look like nothing. What happened?” Steve asked me and I bite my lips and let out a heavy sigh through my nose. 

“Remember when I mentioned Billy was a real piece of work?” I asked him and Steve looked at me then a look of realization crosses his face. “Holy shit.” He mutters as Dustin looks between us. “Yeah…asshole has a short temper.” I said. “Do we need to call someone once all of this is done?” Dustin asked, concerned. “No, it’s okay. I’m okay.” I assured him.

”You don’t have to lie for that asshole.” Steve said. “I’m not.” I said, defensively, and Steve stares at me before he looks over at Dustin. “Hey, Dustin, go help the others.” He said and Dustin looks between us before he leaves the room.

I close my eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. “I know we don’t know each other very well but you can trust me. So talk to me.” Steve said, in a cautious tone, which I was feeling somewhat comforted by. I open my eyes and look at him before I lower my head and fidget with my fingers.

”I don’t really know what to say.” I muttered. “Well how about, for starters, how long has he been doing this?” He asked me and I sighed again. “A few years. Pretty much ever since his dad and my mom got together.” I whispered. “What about your sister? He ever hurt her?” Steve asked me and I raise my head up to him.

”Not much, no. I always made sure he directed his anger towards me.” I said and Steve furrows his brow. “What? Why?” He asked me. “Because I’d rather he hit me than hit her. She’s a kid and…” I stop and scoff out a small humorless laugh. “No one gives a shit about me.” I said, softly, tears were burning the corners of my eyes.

I turn my head away from him as I blink back the tears and just let out another scoff. “I don’t even know why I’m telling you this.” I muttered. “Maybe because I care.” Steve said and I chuckled as I look back at him. “I thought your whole schtick was to act like you don’t care?” I asked him, teasingly. “Well, this is a serious situation you’re in.” Steve said and I give him a shocked look. But then I felt a smile creep up on my lips and I look down, feeling my face turn red.

But before we could talk any further, we hear the boys arguing. “You weren't in there, okay, Lucas? That lab is swarming with hundreds of those dogs.” Mike said. “Demo-dogs!” Dustin shouts and Steve and I walk into the living room. “The chief will take care of her.” Lucas said. “Like she needs protection.” Max mutters.

“Listen, dude, a coach calls a play in a game, bottom line, you execute it. All right?” Steve tells Mike. “Okay, first of all, this isn't some stupid sports game. And second, we're not even in the game. We're on the bench.” Mike argues. “So my point is...” Steve stammers but then stops as he tries to think of an explanation but couldn’t come up with one. “Right, yeah, we're on the bench, so, uh, there's nothing we can do.” He said. 

“That's not entirely true. I mean, these Demo-dogs, they have a hive mind. When they ran away from the bus, they were called away.” Dustin said. “If we get their attention...” Lucas said. “Maybe we can draw them from the lab.” Max said. “Clear a path to the gate.” Mike adds. “Yeah, and then we all die.” I said.

“That's one point of view.” Dustin said. “No, that's not a point of view, man. That's a fact.” Steve argued. “I got it!” Mike said as he runs over to one of the parts of the drawings. “This is where the chief dug his hole. This is our way into the tunnel. So...” Mike said then he walks over to the middle of the room and stands on a collection of drawings on the floor.

“Here, right here. This is like a hub. So you got all the tunnels feeding in here. Maybe if we set this on fire...” Mike said. “Oh, yeah? That's a no.” Steve said. “The mind flayer would call away his army.” Dustin said. “They'd all come to stop us.” Lucas said. “We circle back to the exit.” Mike said. “Guys.” I said but the kids kept talking.

“By the time they realize we're gone...” Mike said. “El would be at the gate.” Max said. “Hey. Hey! Hey!” Steve shouts and claps his hands then place them on his hips as the kids all look at him. “This is not happening.” Steve said. “But...” Mike tries to argue but Steve interrupts. “No, no, no, no, no. No buts. I promised I'd keep you shitheads safe, and that's exactly what I plan on. We're staying here. On the bench. And we're waiting for the starting team to do their job. Does everybody understand?” Steve asked.

“This isn't a stupid sports game.” Mike argues and I step up. “Does everybody understand that?” I said in a loud, firm voice. All the kids look at me, surprised. “We need a yes.” I said as I fold my arms across my chest.

Before they could respond, we hear an engine revving up and I felt my blood run cold. Max and I share a look before we run over to the window and see the headlights of Billy’s car coming our way. “It’s our brother. He can't know we’re here.

He'll kill us. He'll kill all of us.” Max said and I take a few short breathes before I look over at Steve, who gives me a concerned look, then he looks towards the door with determination.

*3rd Person POV*

Billy pulls up to the Byers’ house, parks then gets out and sees Steve standing on the porch. “Am I dreaming, or is that you, Harrington?” Billy asked. “Yeah, it's me. Don't cream your pants.” Steve said, uncaring, and Billy shuts the door of his car. 

“What are you doing here, amigo?” Billy asked him as Steve walks up to him. “I could ask you the same thing. Amigo.” Steve sneered. “Looking for my stepsisters. A little birdie told me they were here.” Billy said. “Huh, that's weird. I don't know them.” Steve said. “One of them is alittle shorter than me, (h/c) hair, and the other is small? Redhead? Both of them are bit of bitches.” Billy said and Steve shakes his head. “Doesn't ring a bell. Sorry, buddy.” He said and Billy sighs.

“You know, I don't know, this...” Billy said and he clicks his tongue. “This whole situation, Harrington, I don't know. It's giving me the heebie-jeebies.” He said. “Oh, yeah? Why's that?” Steve asked. “My 13-year-old and 17-year old sisters go missing all day. And then I find them with you in a stranger's house. And you lie to me about it.” Billy said and Steve chuckles.

“Man, were you dropped too much as a child, or what? I don't know what you don't understand about what I just said. They’re not here.” Steve said. “Then who is that?” Billy asked as he points to the window and Steve turns just in time to see (y/n) pulling the kids back. 

“Shit! Did he see us?” Dustin asked as they were pulled down. “I told you guys to stay down!” (Y/n) growls at them. “Oh shit. Listen—“ Steve said as he turns to Billy but Billy shoves him, making him fall to the ground. “I told you to plant your feet.” Billy said then he kicks Steve in the gut, making him groan.

“Get behind me.” (Y/n) tells the kids and they all get behind her as she stands, protectively, in front of them just as the door opens and Billy enters. “Well, well, well. Lucas Sinclair. What a surprise.” Billy said as he glares over at Lucas then over to Max. “I thought I told you to stay away from him, Max.” Billy said as he walks towards them. 

“Billy, back off! And get the hell out!” (Y/n) growls. “You and your sister disobeyed me. And you know what happens when you disobey me.” Billy mutters to her and (y/n) glares at him. “Don’t…” she mutters. “I break things.” Billy said then he shoves (y/n) aside and grabs Lucas and shoves him against the wall.

Mike, Dustin and Max yell at him. “Get off of me, you...” Lucas  growls. “Since Maxine won't listen to me, maybe you will. You stay away from her. Stay away from her! You hear me?” Billy threatens. “I said get off me!” Lucas yells and he kicks Billy in the groin, making him double over and back up. Then he glares at Lucas. “So dead, Sinclair! You're dead.” Billy yells but then he was pulled back and thrown aside. He looks over to see it was (y/n) and she goes to stand in front of Lucas.

”I said get the hell out!” She growls then Billy charges at her and grabs her by the throat and shove her up a different section of the wall. “Hey! Let her go!” Max screams as the other boys shout at Billy. “You really want to die for these little shits?” Billy asked her with a growl and (y/n) glares at him as she doesn’t respond. “I’m gonna break every bone in your body.” Billy threatens but then he was pulled away from (y/n) by Steve. “No. You won’t.” Steve said then he punches Billy across the face.

”Steve!” (Y/n) exclaims, fearfully, as Billy laughs. (Y/n) grabs Lucas and takes him over to the others and they hug him. “Looks like you got some fire in you after all, huh? I've been waiting to meet this King Steve everybody's been telling me so much about.” Billy said as he gets closer to Steve. “Get out.” Steve warns and he pushes Billy back.

Billy stares at him and goes to punch Steve but Steve ducks then he punches Billy. “Yes! Kick his ass, Steve!” Dustin shouts as Steve punches Billy a couple more times. “Get him!” Mike shouts as Billy falls against the sink. Then he grabs a plate and slaps it over Steve’s face, breaking the plate.

“Steve!” Lucas shouts as (y/n) gasps. 

“Billy!” Max shouts.

“Holy shit!” Mike exclaims as Billy punches Steve, making him stumble back towards the living room. Billy walks towards Steve then grabs him by his jacket and pulls him closer. “No one tells me what to do!” Billy said then he headbutts Steve, making him fall on the floor.

“Whoo! Get up!” Billy exclaims, excitedly, as he gets on top of Steve and starts to punch him, repeatedly. “You're gonna kill him.” Dustin shouts but Billy continues to beat Steve. (Y/n) then looks over at the pipe she had leaned up against the wall and goes to grab it.

She holds it up like a bat then swings it at Billy a couple of times in his back. This takes Billy by surprise as he jerks forward a couple of times before he turns around and catches the pipe before it could hit him again. He yanks the pipe out of her hand and throws it aside then gets up and grabs her then punches her across the face.

”You bitch!” He growls then he throws her down on the ground next to Steve. Billy kicks her then he gets on top of her and punches her. Max looks around for anything then sees the syringe on a table and she grabs it. She runs over to Billy and stabs the syringe in his neck, making him stop.

He turns around and noticed his vision was getting blurry. He reaches over and pulls the syringe out of his neck and looks at it then at Max. “The hell is this? You little shit, what did you do? What did you do?” Billy asked, sluggishly, before he takes a few steps towards Max then falls back, (y/n) was able to drag herself out of the way and goes over to Steve, to see his face was bruised and bloody.

”Steve…” she said, concerned, as Billy laughs then Max goes to grabs the bat and walks towards Billy and holds it up. “From here on out, you leave me, my sister and my friends alone. Do you understand?” She asked him. “Screw you.” Billy said then Max swings the bat down in the space between his legs, close to his crotch. 

Billy stares at it then Max picks the bat up and holds it over. “Say you understand! Say it! Say it!” She shouts. “I understand.” Billy slurs. “What?” Max asked him. “I understand.” Billy said before he blacks out. Max tosses the bat aside then digs into his pocket and pulls out his car keys. “Let's get out of here.” Max said as she holds up the keys.

*(y/n)’s POV*

After gathering up the items we needed to burn these tunnels, we put the items in Billy’s car then me and the boys had to help carry Steve in the backseat as he was still knocked out cold from the fight. Lucas sits in the passenger seat to help direct me where to go while Dustin, Mike and Max sat in the backseat to watch over Steve.

“Okay, you're gonna keep straight for a half a mile, then make a left on Mount Sinai.” Lucas tells me. “Okay.” I muttered as I kept on driving. “What's going on?” I hear Steve asked in a slurred voice and look in the rear view mirror to see him waking up and looking around at the kids. “Oh, hey, you’re alive!” I said. “Whoa, whoa, what’s going on?” Steve asked as he noticed that the kids were carrying some cans of flammable gas.

”Okay, stop the car.” Steve said, sounding a bit panicked. “Hey, it’s okay!” I said as Dustin said. “C’mon man, I promised you’d be cool.” 

“I mean it.” Steve said. ”I told you he'd freak out.” Mike said. “Guys, can you keep it down! I need to focus.” I said. “Oh, wait, that's Mount Sinai. Make a left.” Lucas said and I make a sharp left, making the tires squeal on the road and everyone in the car scream then I speed down the road and stop in the middle of a field with a giant hole in it. “See? Safe and sound.” I said and we all get out of the car and the we head to the trunk and unload all of the equipment we need.

“Guys. Oh, no. Guys.” Steve calls out but we ignore him as we all grabbed our own goggles and cloth to protect our faces then Mike walks over to the front of the car with the can of flammable gas. “Hey, where do you think you're going?” Steve asked him but Mike ignored him.

“What are you, deaf? Hello?” Steve yells but nobody responded. “We are not going down there right now. I made myself clear. Hey, there's no chance we're going to that hole, all right? This ends right now!” Steve shouts, angrily, as he walks over to the trunk where Dustin and I stood.

“Steve, you're upset, I get it. But the bottom line is, a party member requires assistance, and it is our duty to provide that assistance. Now, I know you promised Nance that you would keep us safe. So, keep us safe.” Dustin said as he pulls out a backpack that held the bat and hands it to Steve, who sighs then looks over at me as if to ask me why am I going along with this.

”Hey it was either this or stay back and wait til Billy wakes up. And I’d rather take my chances in the tunnels.” I said and Steve stares at me then takes the bag.

Later, we get down into the tunnels and I look around at it in awe. “Whoa.” I muttered, stunned, as it looked like a cave but instead of rocks it looked like this fleshy mass. “Holy shit.” Steve muttered as he walks up behind me. “Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's this way.” Mike said after he looks down at the drawn map. “You're pretty sure, or you're certain?” Dustin asked and Mike turns to him. “I'm 100% sure. Just follow me and you'll know.” He said and he starts to walk ahead but Steve walks over to him.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hey, hey, hey, hey. I don't think so.” Steve said as he takes the paper from Mike. “What?” Mike asked, annoyed. “Any of you little shits die down here, we’re getting the blame. Got it, dipshit?” Steve said a she gestures between me and him.

“From here on out, I'm leading the way. Come on, let's go.” He said and he takes the lead then I follow him then look over my shoulder to see the kids hadn’t moved. “Come on.” I tell the kids and they follow me. “Hey, a little hustle.” Steve said and we continue to head deep let and deeper into the tunnel, these white wispy flakes filled the air and the sounds of splashing water filled the air.

“God.” Lucas groans as we looked around a large area of the tunnel. “What is this place?” Max asked. “Guys, come on, keep moving.” Steve  said and we keep walking for a few more moments until we hear Dustin screaming. “Help! Help! Help!”

We all run back to him to see him rolling on the ground as he tries to get up. “Dustin.” Mike, Max and Lucas said as we come up to him. “What happened?” I asked Dustin a she continued to scream. “It's in my mouth! Some got on my mouth! Shit!” Dustin whimpers then he coughs and pulls his bandanna down and spits out whatever was in his mouth and looks up at us.

“I'm okay.” He said, his mouth full of blood. “You serious?” Max asked, annoyed. “Very funny, man. Nice. Very nice.” Steve mutters and we turn back and head off until we found a very large open area. “All right, Wheeler. I think we found your hub.” Steve said. “Drench it.” Mike said and we all got to work on grabbing the gas cans and start to either spray them or throw it around the area, covering it as best as we could.

Minutes later, we poured out all the gas we had and we run over to the side of the area. “Alright. You guys ready?” Steve asked. “Yeah.” Mike and I said while Lucas and Max said. “Ready.”

“Light her up.” Dustin said and Steve flicks his lighter open. “I am in such deep shit.” He mutters then he flicks it against for the fire to come on and he throws it into the gas, which lights on fire. Tentacles flail around and I turn to the kids. “Go! Go! Go!” I shouted and all of us run as fast as we could. “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!” Dustin exclaims as we keep running.

”Hey, this way!” Steve shouts as he looks at the map and we keep running but then I hear Mike shout. “Help! Help!” I stop and see some of the vines had grabbed him and I run back over to him. “Guys, help!” I shout as I kneel down and grab Mike’s arm and tried to pull him away from the vines. The others came back and Lucas and Dustin come to help me but then Steve runs over. “Everybody back!” He shouts a she holds his bat then he hits the vines that were holding onto Mike a few times before they let Mike go.

”You okay?” I asked Mike and he nods as I help him up. “We gotta go!” Dustin said but then we hear a growl behind us and we turn to see one of those Demo-dogs that had a yellow spot on its butt.

”Dart.” Dustin said and the creature calms down a bit. Dustin starts to walk towards the monster and all of us tell him to watch out or to get away. “Shh. Stop.” Dustin said. “Dustin, get back.” Max tells him. “Trust me, please.” Dustin said as he continues towards Dart.

“Hey. It's me, it's me. It's just your friend, it's Dustin.” Dustin said to Dart as he removes his goggles and bandanna. “It's Dustin, all right? You remember me?” Dustin asked and Dart walks up to him like a dog would when recognizing its owner.

”Will you let us pass?” Dustin asked him and Dart snarls at him. “Okay, okay, I'm sorry. I'm sorry about the storm cellar. That was a pretty douchey thing to do.” Dustin said as he kneels down and digs in his pocket. “You hungry? Yeah?” He asked. “He's insane.” Lucas whispers to us. “Don't.” Mike whispers to him. “Shut up.” Steve and I said to the kids, quietly, and we let Dustin continue as he pulls out a candy bar.

“I've got our favorite. See? Nougat.” He said as he holds up the candy and Dart walks up to him. Dustin unwraps the candy and sets it down for Dart. “Look at that. Yummy. Here, all right? Eat up, buddy.” Dustin said as he puts more candy on the ground and Dart begins to eat.

”Come on. Come on.” Steve whispers to us and we get around Dustin and Dart as quietly as we could. “There's plenty. I've got more.” Dustin said as he throws a few more candies down on the ground and Dart eats them up like there’s no tomorrow. “Dustin.” I whispered and he gets up and walks over to me but then stops and looks at Dart, who continues to eat on the candy. “Goodbye, buddy.” He said and he and I follow after the others.

”Let’s go! Let’s go!” Steve shouts as we run but then the place rumbles and shakes. “Whoa!” I said as everyone else stumbles a bit. “Jesus!” Dustin exclaims then I hear some roars. “What was that?” I asked as we heard more noises behind us and we all turn and hear what kinda sounded running footsteps. “They’re coming. Run!” Mike yells and we run the other way and finally found the rope we used to get down here.

”There!” Lucas shouts. “Go, go, go, go!” I shout as we dash to the rope. “Let’s go! Come on!” Steve said and I grab Max and help her up as she grabs the rope and climbs up. Steve then helps Lucas up and he climbs up the rope and Max helps him up. I go and help Mike up next and Lucas and Max help him up then I turn to Dustin.

”Okay, kiddo…” I said but then we heard a shriek. Steve, Dustin and I stop and stare as we see shadows of those Demo-dogs coming. “Dustin! Come on!” Mike and Lucas shout. “(Y/n)! Hurry!” I hear Max shout but there was no way we were gonna get up that quick.

Suddenly, a herd of those dogs come running and Steve, Dustin and I braced for the worst but nothing happened. I opened my eyes and saw all of these dogs run past us as if ignoring us. “What the…” I muttered, confused. “Eleven.” Mike said in realization and I look around and noticed that Steve and I were hugging each other.

We stare at each other then quickly removed our arms off of each other then got to work on getting Dustin up then it was my turn then Steve’s. We got out of the hole to realize a vehicle was there with their headlights on. All of us raised our hands at this and the headlights turned off and some armed men come up to us.

One Month Later

Since the release of the incendiary tape, the once quiet town of Hawkins, Indiana, has spent time in a place it never expected. The national spotlight.

Under mounting pressure, several high-ranking members from the U.S. Department of Energy have admitted involvement in the death and cover-up of Hawkins resident Barbara Holland who died due to exposure to an experimental chemical asphyxiant, which had leaked from the grounds of the lab.

We sent our own April Kline to Hawkins to speak to residents, residents who told us they thought they lived in a safe town. The kind of town where, they say, nothing ever happens.

“Ow, ow. That hurts.” Max said to Mom as she fixes her hair while the radio was playing Jingle Bell Rock. “It's gonna be worth it. Promise.” Mom said. It was the Snowball dance for middle school and Mom was helping Max look nice who always hated dressing up which I don’t blame her.

I smiled and leaned against the doorframe as Mom works on her hair some more. “See? Pretty!” Mom said and Max rolls her eyes. “Doesn’t she look pretty, (y/n)?” Mom asked me and I smiled. “Yes, very.” I said and Max scoffs while I chuckled.

I hear footsteps behind me and I look over my shoulder and see Billy walking up and he stops and stares at me and Max. I glare back at him and he walks away. Ever since Max threatened him, Billy has actually backed off and hasn’t hurt either of us which was a big relief.

”Okay, I think we’re done.” Mom said and Max sighs with relief. “Thank God.” She said and Max walks past me as she goes to grab her shoes. “You be careful, okay?” Mom asked me as she grabs her keys then hands it to me. “You know me, Mom. I’m always careful.” I said as I take her keys then walk over to Max once she finished getting her shoes on.

”Ready for the ball, Cinderella?” I asked her and she scoffs. “Shut up.” She grumbles and I chuckled as both of us grab our jackets and head outside.

Later, I pull up to the middle school gym entrance and I could hear music blasting and the lights flashing inside. “Okay, here we are.” I said as Max starts to unbuckle her seatbelt. “Thanks, (y/n).” Max said then I place a hand on her shoulder. “Now, remember…you’re dancing with the boys, not beating them up.” I said to her in a bit of a teasing tone. “Whatever.” She said as she gets out of the car and I laugh.

”Hey.” I said and she turns to me once she gets out. “I love you.” I tell her. “Love you too.” Max said and she shuts the door and heads inside of the gym. I give a small smile as I watch my little sister head inside for her first dance.

I go to the parking lot, find a free spot and park in it. I sigh as I grab my book, Pet Cemetery, and a flashlight before getting out and sit on the roof of the car. I really didn’t want to go back home and after learning about everything a month ago, I didn’t want to be far from Max.

I turn my flashlight on and begin to read my book. I was so engrossed in the book that I didn’t take into my surroundings until I hear a car horn next to me. I jumped at this and look to my right and see Steve in his car. “Shit! Scare me to death, Harrington.” I said as he chuckles. “Sorry but I called out to you and you didn’t respond.” He said.

”Sorry…” I said as I hold up my book. “What are you doing?” He asked me. “Reading.” I replied, deadpanned, and he rolls his eyes. “I see that but why are you sticking around here? The dance doesn’t end til about ten or so.” Steve said and I sigh slightly.

”It’s just…after learning everything about these…Demogorgans…and this other world…I just didn’t feel comfortable to be too far from Max.” I admit and Steve nods then he turns his car off and gets out and I raise an eyebrow. “What are you doing?” I asked him as he climbs up on my car and sits next to me.

”Keeping you company. Is that okay?” He asked me and I smile. “Yeah, that’s fine.” I said and I shut my book and set it aside. “So, what are you doing here?” I asked him. “Eh, I was dropping Dustin off.” Steve said and I smiled again. “That’s very sweet.” I said and he shrugs. “Yeah, I guess.” He said, trying to act cool and I shake my head.

”You like to read?” Steve asked me, sounding surprised, as he looks at my book. “Yeah, you got a problem with that?” I asked him then he shakes his head. “No, no, no. It’s just…I never met a girl that liked reading.” He said and I raise a curious eyebrow. “What about Nancy?” I asked him. “Well, she read for school but never for fun.” He replied and I nod. 

“I guess I’m a freak then.” I said, shrugging. “Yep.” Steve said and I give him friendly punch to the shoulder. “Geez thanks, Steve.” I said and Steve laughs. “Hey don’t hit me. I’m a freak now too.” He said and I give him a puzzled look. “I am. Your step-douche of a brother took all my thunder. I’m like at the bottom of the food chain.” He said and I give him a sympathetic look. “Sorry about that.” I said.

“Eh, it’s alright. I guess we can be freaks now together” he said and he bumps my shoulder and I smile. “I’d like that.” I said and I bump shoulder back. We sit there in silence as the muffled music from the dance could be heard until Steve speaks up. ”So, what’s that book about?” He asked me and I begin to explain the plot of the book.

Honestly, I thought moving to Hawkins would be boring as it was just a very small town. And at first it wasn’t so bad, people here were nice but now finding out about this other world with all these monsters and this little girl with these amazing powers, it was kinda scary. But meeting these other kids and adults that understand all of this, the idea on moving here wasn’t so bad as Max and I made some great friends.

[janovavalen]

not just another bloody mary .°୭̥ ❁ ˎˊ˗ mike wheeler x fem!reader

summary: mike wheeler finally founds out about elevens sister and she’s more than ordinary.

warnings: swearings, yearing, y/n being clueless, y/n having a slight problem with understanding jokes and metaphors , mentions of a scar, obsession (very slight), eleven and mike have no romance connection!(only mentions of childhood crush), y/n only knowing how to kiss from a movie<3!

word count: 4k

the day was bright and school had just come around the corner once more, mike and his friends in it for their final years.

sitting in his room with nothing but his underwear and a tank top on, mike had been contemplating if he should play sick or actually go to school. there wasn’t anything wrong with going he just kinda wanted to stay in bed for the hell of it.

‘mike! what are you doing? get up! it’s time for school’ his mom said while she busted through the door.

‘oh, god! why doesn't anyone knock anymore? what if i was doing something you wouldn’t be able to forget?’ he asked as he groaned and got up to put his pants on and his shirt. placing his shoes on and making a quick stop to the bathroom to wash his face and brush his teeth. he checked out his hair and decided it would have to do.

making his way downstairs to see nancy waiting for him as she talked to their mom, he cleared his throat making her turn around—‘i’m ready’ he simply said leaving her to scoff.

‘about time? i’ve been waiting for nearly a hour, come on. i promised to get eleven and max today.’ she said as they walked to the door. mike didn’t have a problem with the two, it’s just they barely talked anymore so it would be awkward.

just because mike didn’t talk to them didn’t mean they hadn’t talked every now and again, just not enough to properly get into the ‘non-awkward’ zone. as they walked out to the car with his book bag slung over his shoulder, they sat into the car and pulled off with the radio music playing.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 🍰　˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

when they pulled up to the cabin where eleven had been living with hopper in, he watches his sister honk the horn to let them know she was outside. after a bit to see nobody was coming out she sighed heavily.

‘mike, can you go and knock on the door? we really need to go.’ he groaned but did as he was asked. leaving the door open making nancy frown her eyebrows in confusion.

as he walked up to the wooden brown door, the porch decorated with lights and some flowers, when did they get that? the white curtains visible through the glass window, he held up a hand and knocked.

hearing noise going on along with music he went to knock once more but we stopped when the door opened quickly to reveal someone he’s never seen, ever, before.

she wasn’t too short but not entirely as tall as him, she had e/c eyes and h/c hair. her hair was h/l and she wore it out. the most distinctive thing about her was a scar that ran across from one cheek, over the bridge of her nose and onto the other cheek.

it looked…badass.

he looked at her in confusion until max and eleven came running to the door—‘sorry! we woke up late, we’re ready tho, y/n you ready?’ she shook her head a bit before rushing through the two girls and to her room to put on her shoes and then she came back with a small smile.

‘okay! come on—mike please your getting the floor wet with your drool’ max commented with a scoff as eleven laughed with her and grabbed onto y/n’s hand, interlocking their hands.

he was beyond confused. who is she? where did she come from? when did she get here and why was she so pretty

stammering before he closed the door for them, he walked back to the car and was hearing nancy talking to the new girl—‘hey? uhm, eleven?’ she looked at her as she smiled softly.

‘this is y/n, she just got here from the lab…i hope your not mad with giving her a ride?’ eleven introduced her sister who smiled and waved at mike and nancy.

he could’ve sworn his heart just skipped for a second, causing him to turn around in a hurry—‘can we just go?’ he said while staying faced forward.

nancy looked at him from his strange behavior and only lifted her eyebrows in exaggeration before starting to drive off.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 🍰　˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

when they got to school nancy shut off the car and let the girls out with mike following—‘thank you..for the ride.’ y/n with her soft voice said with a smile before max and eleven wrapped their arms around both of hers.

mike watched her walk away with the girls as he let his eyes follow them until they went in. his heart was racing and his mind was replaying her voice over and over. what just happened? what was happening…at this moment?

‘wait—so, eleven brought her sister here and so what?’

‘so what? dustin—she has a badass scar, she obviously had powers as well—‘

‘and he definitely kinda likes her already’ lucas interrupted mike who looked at him in a hurry.

‘what!’ he yelled, causing some people in class to look at him.

‘dude, it’s so obvious, you all a sudden want to talk about her for the whole class period? if you want to know her, get to know her then.’ lucas commented while he made it as if it was obvious.

‘it’s not like that, and it’s not that simple, guys we need to get to know about her first, we need to know if she’s good or bad—‘

‘good or bad? dude, we’re not twelve anymore. it’s either she fucks with us or she doesn’t’ dustin laughed a bit while will nodded.

‘plus, you said she was having a sleepover with max? i’m pretty sure she’s already cool enough, eleven wouldn’t just bring someone “bad” with her back here and let alone to school.’ lucas told him as mike only listened.

he couldn’t stop thinking of the scar that ran across her face. it wasn’t red but a lighter color than her original skin color and had obvious smaller circle-like dots on each side that showed she got stitches.

he had to think of a way to know her…for protection purposes of course. why else? will looked at him in a bit of worry and looked at the other two who shrugged.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 🍰　˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

later that day mike had been walking the halls around most of the people, he has been in search for eleven, max and y/n practically all day—not to sound weird, but he’d stopped by all the classes. he even left his classes a bit early just so he could get clear views of each classroom and who was in them.

and yet he managed to find her in none of them. that was, until now.

as he walked to his locker and started to grab some books he needed and putting away the ones he didn’t, he backed up and knocked into someone with his back.

‘whoa!’ max yelled out. he turned around in a hurry to see he bumped into y/n, her book had fell on the floor and she looked around as if she were embarrassed.

‘wow mike, not even going to say sorry?’ eleven rolled her eyes as she and max leaned down with y/n who was rushing to pick up her fallen books. mike didn’t know what to do; he just stood there looking stupid as ever, frozen.

seeing there was another book left on the floor next to him he turned to get it, that’s when y/n so happened to reach for it as well. their hands touched as if some romcom was being filmed and he felt like he froze. her hands were beyond warm and her hands soft in his own. he looked up at her as she did the same.

smiling softly she mumbled—‘will you let go now?’ making him awkwardly pull his hand away and let her pick the book up.

‘s—sorry about that, i wasn’t looking and i didn’t know—‘

‘it’s cool’ was all she said before leaving with max and eleven who rolled their eyes once more. he watched as they muttered something to her but he didn’t even think too much about it, he couldn’t get the fact her soft voice sounded so beautiful and calm throughout his mind and it made him want to hear her more, so much that he didn’t even think about what he was doing next.

‘w—wait! uhm, are you new? i saw you earlier but i didn’t know—‘

‘yeah she is now leave her alone’ max said with upset running through and over her face only for y/n to place her free hand on max’s shoulder and smile sweetly—‘no it’s okay, i’m new, yes, and you must be mike?’ she asked, the way she combined her words was obvious that she didn’t know how to really speak, but she did very well.

‘yeah i am, how’d you know?’ he acted a bit dumb, he already knew that max and eleven told her, probably told her about the whole damn school, but he just wanted to hear her talk more.

‘uhm, eleven and max told me—‘ just as she said this the bell rang causing everyone to make their way to class, eleven and max grabbed onto y/n who mumbled the sweetest—‘see you around.’ before making her leave.

he watched her figure disappear throughout the hallway and he turned to look away so he wouldn’t look like a weirdo.

he felt his heart racing, he never felt this—well maybe once when he had a very short lived crush on eleven when they first met and he saw her use her powers, but by short he means a week.

groaned lowkey to himself he walked to class to continue the day. the haunting image of y/n running around his mind all day and clouding his mind in class, stopping him from thinking about anything else. he wanted—no needed, to know more about her, wanted to see her again and wanted her to talk to him again.

he had to come up with a way to accomplish his new task, and nothing stood in the way of completing anything…except maybe his curfew, and eleven…and max.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 🍰　˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

‘okay so you want us to do what?’ lucas asked with his eyebrows ground in complete confusion along with dustin who almost wanted to leave the second mike began speaking.

‘i need you to take max out for a date for at least three hours, dustin to make up some bullshit thing where it will hold you guys up for three hours as well, it should give me time to talk to y/n more—‘

‘dude you’ve been on about this shit all day! y/n, y/n, y/n, that’s all we heard, give it a rest’ dustin groaned while will suppressed a laugh, lucas looked between the bunch only to shake his head.

‘nah, it’s okay, i’ll talk to max and we can go to the mall or something—‘

‘you're actually agreeing to this?’ dustin asked, shocked as he looked at will who shrugged, defenseless.

‘i mean, why not? he’s helped you with suzie when you two had that fight, and it’s not like we’ve all asked him for something, so yeah i’m in.’ lucas agreed. mike smiled a bit before letting it slowly drop as he looked at dustin who groaned loudly.

‘okay, okay! fine! fine! i’ll do this stupid shit, i want something in return!’ he said while standing up and making his way to get ready, will mumbled—‘what will i do?’ he said, looking at mike who thought.

‘you stay with dustin and if eleven tries to make a leave you stop her at all cost’ mike said with determination. will nodded and turned to follow dustin.

‘what if max tries to leave? you know damn well i can make her do anything, she will beat me’ lucas said with a dead face expression.

‘then i’ll leave a bit earlier, it should be enough time anyway’ mike said with a slight grin with the thought of y/n and him talking more.

‘and how will you even get to y/n?’ he asked another.

‘i’ll go with you guys, hide and go, or something? i don’t know i might wait here’ lucas nodded before leaving and the three of the boys making their ways to the cabin.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 🍰　˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

after a bit of time passed, he had assumed it was a good time to head over, he had the idea of pretending he was there for max and eleven, knowing they’d be gone, but when he saw they weren’t he would wait on them to get back.

what he was going to tell them was he needed help on the homework assignment. walking to the cabin seeing a soft light alluded from the window, he cleared his throat and fixed his eyebrows, hair and clothes. his hands rubbing over anything and making sure it looked good, god he hoped he didn’t have anything on his face he couldn’t see, let alone his teeth.

walking up to the house he stepped onto the wooden flooring and hesitated before knowing on the door, he waited a bit, hearing the faint sound of music playing only for it to turn down.

‘h-hey! max? you there? it’s mike’ he faked asked for another name besides y/n’s knowing she was there.

‘oh! hold on!’ y/n yelled while. not too long after the door opened and the smell of sweetness hit him in the face.

‘oh, mike, what are you doing here?’ she asked with a small smile, she wore white shorts with a tank top and fuzzy socks, her short hair out and all over. she looked amazing.

‘yeah, i was just looking for max and eleven? we had a homework assignment and i needed their help, were they here?’ he knew the answer.

‘oh, no. but you can stay until they are back?’ she told him but it came out more like a question. he smiled but tried to play it off as good as he could—‘what? oh no; i can’t i don’t want to play up your time, i can just go home and just come back another day—‘

‘no, mike, stay. it’s okay’ she smiled while reaching out for his arm and pulling him into the house the was filled with sweetness and the warmth of the fire and something being cooked in the kitchen.

‘okay’ he said with a smile. looking around as y/n walked back to her kitchen she placed a mitten on and opened the oven, pulling a pan out and placing it on the counter.

‘what are you making?’ he asked as she looked down at the food and was pleased with him of delight—‘just french toast but i didn’t know how, hopper wasn’t here and i guess this was how?’

‘oh, i thought you usually make that on the stove? in a pan…but i guess you can make it like this too’ he laughed a bit before walking over to the kitchen, in the pan was stacks of bread that was toasted pretty good for being made.

y/n smiled with delight as she clapped her hands together, walking over to the cabinet to open it and grabbed the syrup, powdered sugar and placed them onto the counter next to the freshly made toast.

walking to the refrigerator to open it and grabbing out blueberries and strawberries. when she had everything she slowly started to combine the rest of her meal. and the finished product was actually pretty good.

ur had the right amount of everything—more syrup but that was okay.

getting a fork, he grabbed two and handed one to mike who looked a bit shocked but grabbed it nonetheless. putting her fork into it and getting a bite, she ate and hummed with the flavor.

‘have some!’ she encouraged mike who shook his head—‘no, no, it’s okay! i just had dinner—‘

she rolled her eyes and placed her fork down, grabbing his and getting a bite for him then placing it next to his lips—‘here’ she mumbled, he looked down at the fork and then her to see she wore a smile.

it was beautiful—she was beautiful.

opening his mouth just enough for her to place the food into his mouth he ate and hummed with agreement that the food was good, he got lucky and had a blueberry on his piece.

‘you like it?’ she whispered, scared that he didn’t. he nodded with a smile and she squealed a bit before getting more for herself with her own fork.

her reaction to his approval made him want to say and agree to any and everything she asked. he watched as she ate a bit more and he leaned against the counter—‘so, what were you going to do until they got back?’ he wanted to ask her to watch a movie but didn’t know if she had anything else planned.

‘we can watch a movie?’ she read his mind perfectly .

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 🍰　˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

the two of them went back to her own room, he was expecting the two of eleven and her to share but it didn’t accrue to him that there were two rooms in the house, he expected hopper to take one and then to take the other but he guessed they both got lucky and had their own while hopper stayed on the couch.

walking to her room her was met with a very good set up, there was a rug in the middle of the wood floor with her bed on the left side of her room, the window on the side of her bed and in the middle of the wall.

she had a bedside table with her lamp, a plant, a book and a mug on it and her dresser with more things all over, she had a tv that sat on its own stand across from her bed.

her room was clean, and it smelt just like her, sweet and warm, a smell of soap as well.

walking over as she held the pan of toast she placed it down on her bed and parted for him to sit down which he quickly did. watching her every move, y/n walked over to the tv and slipped in a vhs tape, pressing play only for the movie to be one of the ones his sister watched endlessly—‘wait is this pretty in pink?’ he asked with disgust but tired to hide it.

‘yes! it’s my favorite—do you not like it?’ she noticed his face held displeasure but he quickly fixed it.

‘what? no! i love this movie! i love how she wore pink…’ he mumbled as y/n smiled and let the movie play out. he didn’t even pay attention to the movie, how could he when he sat right next to the prettiest girl he’s ever seen.

he watched as she would laugh occasionally and eat a bit of her food. the whole pan didn’t get eaten but he contributed to some of it, it going from full to half gone.

a scene of the main girl—andie and duckie were having a argument about blane—‘it’s just, he’s gonna use your ass and throw you away, god! i would’ve died for you’ the character confessed. mike didn’t know what or why, or even how he found himself getting into the movie.

looking at the side to see y/n looking at him only to quickly look away at the tv, she bit her lip and took a quick bite. he felt his face grow red and grinned, looking back at the tv. a new scene played where she and duckie were holding their heads together as they talked and joked, deep down mike imagined what it would be like it if were him and y/n.

his heart raced when he noticed how close the two suddenly got, the food placed on her bedside table and the only thing on the bed being the two of them. somewhere towards the end is where she finally kissed him. mike couldn’t help but let his hand set up and push its way to y/n who noticed but didn’t do anything to stop it.

his pinky touching hers and lifting up and linking with her own, y/n inhaled sharply and smiled a bit as the movie started to end. looking down at their hands, the two let their eyes meet.

‘your uh…your very pretty’ he said with his face red. she smiled warmly and mumbled—‘your pretty too’. he knew her saying this made his face look like he was head smashed in a whole tub of tomato sauce.

clearing his throat when he felt it almost close, his heart racing he noticed her looking him in the eyes and at his lips, he two did the same.

before he knew it, y/n began to lean into him—he knew she probably didn’t know anything about kissing and to be fair neither did he, he only watched them in movies and would sometimes kiss his little sisters injures to make her feel better but he never, ever, placed his lips on someone else in a romantic way, let alone a kiss.

the two leaning in closer, so close that her breath was softly fanning over his lips, he felt a faint feeling of her soft lips, this urging him to press his against hers, she inhaled sharply and didn’t know what else to do, but him seeing enough movies, started to move his lips, her following.

the softness of her lips and the syrup as her lip gloss intoxicated him, her taste being everything he could imagine. the way she spoke, smiled and hummed. he didn’t imagine anything more than this—beautiful.

he pulled apart to let her breath but quickly pressed his lips against hers once more, his hand now making way up to her cheek and holding it lightly, her skin soft to the touch. he heard a faint sound coming from her causing him to kiss her more roughly.

a sudden tug on his bottom lip that was revealed as her teeth pulling it only to go back—grunting he kissed her more until he ran out of breath, his lungs screaming for air—pulling apart with hesitation he felt her kiss his lips with quick kisses.

he licked his lips and smiled as she opened her eyes, him looking over at her scar as the two of them both smiled and laughed a bit, their heads being pressed together like in the movie.

pulling apart slowly, he reached up to touch her scar—‘how’d you get this?’ he asked a bit scared but it washed away when she let her own hand move up and touch his.

‘i was it, with glass.’ he was a bit shocked but expected it hearing the stories told by eleven about the lab.

‘hm, you look pretty badass though’ he complimented. her eyebrows scrunched in confusion.

‘badass?’ she mumbled. she didn’t know what that word even meant, was it an insult?

‘yeah badass, y’know? cool, it looks cool’ he told her,he could visibly see her relax and smiled sweetly as she leaned in to kiss him again only to hear—‘y/n!’ eleven was home, and from the sound of it max was back too.

‘where are you?’ the damn door was open, almost running to get up and slam it, y/n used her power to slam the door and rushed to get up—‘i’m getting dressed!’ she yelled before ushering mike to get up.

‘what do i do?’ he asked, scared for his damn like—max and eleven on him? he’d rather die right here and right now.

‘there’ she whisper shouted while pointing at the window, rubbing over to it and try and open it only for it not to budge he pulled away and to her only for her to use her powers again and open it without effort, he felt embarrassed but nonetheless went through it.

landing on the crunch of the leaves, he turned to her and she still held the door shut, looking at him through the window, the two face to face.

‘i’ll see you tomorrow?’ she asked for reassure.

‘at school, i’ll be there’ he nodded, she smiled sweetly, leaning in as he did too, then sharing one last sweet and savory kiss before he pulled apart and left her. she shut the window and he was met with lucas, dustin and will.

they all calmed once seeing he was out of the house alive—‘you good?’ lucas asked him as mike nodded, a smile on his face.

‘dude they totally kissed’ will told him with a laugh as they all looked at mike how he was beat down red.

‘shut the fuck up’ he yelled at them as they laughed. he himself hiding a smile at the thought of y/n.

[glimmerlofsea]

Billy Hargrove x Reader

MASTERLIST

PLEASE

Warning : mentions of blood, fluffy fluff!

WC; 1,7k

#TALKISSA; hear me out... what if you were Billy's girlfriend and you guys had an argument a few days ago before he almost died because he was possessed by a mind flayer... Did he make it?

It feels like it was just yesterday when he said that dumb thing to you that he was in love with you. Do you believe that Billy Hargrove loves you? What is the reason? But little by little he proved it.

He's in love with you, and you're in love with him.

And a few days ago you two had a fight because Billy was distancing himself from you for no reason. You hate him when he suddenly shut himself off from you and doesn't let go of his true feelings. You hate it when he carries his heavy burden alone. You are with him to carry his burden together, not to add to his burden.

But it turns out there was a reason, you are Y/N Hopper, you know all that little Upside Down stuff, you know it very well since you were the one who helped your father solve the case of Will Byers who disappeared. And now your boyfriend is affected. Maybe you shouldn't have dragged him into this in the first place? You just wanted to stick his relationship with Max since the fight with Steve at the Byers house, but things got out of hand.

You went through everything with a heavy heart, you didn't want to hurt Billy but he hurt El, she wasn't just a supernatural girl who was saved by your father, but she was also your sister.

When you realized Billy was standing in front of the mind flayer, you were too busy looking for firecrackers to distract the mind flayer, but it was too late. When Max shouted Billy's name, your whole body shook, you immediately took the stairs to run down, ignoring Steve who shouted your name.

As much as you want to throw your body on the floor, your heart hurts too much to see Billy who is lying on the mall floor with blood flowing from his stomach and coming out profusely from his mouth. You remember very well when he said, "I would risk my life for you. Even with all these interdimensional problems." You wouldn't think he really proved what he said.

Tears streamed down your face and you ran fast towards Billy,

"Mike, help her!" You said in between your runs for Mike to help Eleven while you propped Billy to lie on your thigh.

You held back the bleeding with your hand, your whimpers echoed throughout the Mall, even the huge monster's groans were almost overshadowed by your voice.

"No, no, no, please, please, hold on." You whined looking at Billy's face and at his wound in turn, "Please."

Billy coughed, "It's okay. I'm sorry."

You shook your head, pressing your forehead against his, "Don't fucking act like these are your last words." Your breath hitched, "I won't let that happen. To you."

You looked around, looking at Mike who was hugging El while looking at you, "What are you doing?! Call 911, ask someone for help, or— Or call my Dad! Call my dad! Or anyone!" You felt guilty for yelling at Mike but Billy really needed help.

"I won't— I won't make it." Billy stammered.

"Don't. Don't say that. Don't you dare to say that, Hargrove."

"I love you. And tell everyone I'm sorry, especially Max."

You really did what you could to stop the bleeding, you couldn't help him and you hate yourself for that, you promised to help him through the difficult things in his life but even you yourself dragged him into this difficult thing?

"Dad! Please, where are you, I need you!" You scream in your tears.

Some time later the government arrives with the police and an ambulance, you're not sure but you really have to hold on if Billy is going to make it.

You came out of the mall while holding Billy's hand tightly, who was already on the patient's bed with a nebulizer to help him breathe, with Max running behind you.

You saw Eleven who was crying accompanied by Joyce, your bad thoughts started to nest in your head, you looked at Max, "Watch him, okay? I'll be back." With an unsteady breath, Max nodded, you kissed the side of her hair and walked slowly towards Eleven and Joyce.

It's raining there, but you don't care anymore, what's worse than rain? You've been through it all.

"El, what's going on?" You asked El but she didn't answer, you looked at Joyce who was looking at you with pity, "Oh, Y/N, honey, I'm sorry—"

You shook your head, taking a deep breath, "No. Tell me."

"Hopper is dead."

The words echoed in your ears, you fell silent, not allowing your eyes to blink even once to process Joyce's words once again, you felt like you heard wrong but you hoped you didn't hear those words, never in your life. You couldn't hear what Joyce said next.

You looked at the ambulance where Max was waiting there, you let out a cry, does there have to be a victim every year? And should those be the two people you love most in your life? Life isn't fair. You're despiteful.

The funeral for your father had passed, when the Byers family and El went back to California you just locked yourself in your father's cabin. Yes, it was a mess because of the mind flayer, but that cabin was the only beautiful memory you could remember with your father.

You just curl up yourself at the corner of the cabin and cried. After the funeral you don't dare to meet anyone. Max called you but you ignored her. You are too lost in thoughts that are against you, you think that everything you touch will slowly leave you, will die.

The phone rang, you immediately stood up quickly and wiped your tears, what you thought was maybe it was your father who was faking his death, right?

You picked up the phone, “Dad?”

You expected to hear his voice, but you didn't, "Y/N... I'm sorry. I'm Max. I just wanted to let you know that Billy is awake and I know some things are really hard for you to go through, but we need you, Y/N. Please."

You hold back your tears, maybe your father is really gone, the one precious person in your life, but you still have one more precious person and you won't let him go like you neglected to let go of your father.

You immediately go to the hospital in minimal clothes, saw Max who was sitting in front of the room, you were standing in front of her, she got up from her seat and hugged you, "I'm sorry." You shut your mouth tightly so you wouldn't cry.

As soon as she let go of the hug you tried to smile and nodded, "Don't be sorry. It's not your fault."

Max smiled faintly, "Lucas will pick me up, there's only Billy inside." You nod.

As soon as Max left, you immediately opened the bedroom door to see Billy's condition. He had opened his eyes and immediately looked at you, as if he had been waiting for your presence. He smiled, how could it be that a few moments ago he almost lost his life and now he was smiling?

You smiled in relief and approached him,

"Hi,"

You took a chair and sat next to him, holding his hand and kissing it, “Hey,” Your voice was shaky.

He took his hand from you to wipe your tears, "I heard the news, but that doesn't mean I'm going to let you cry, Princess. Come here,"

You shook your head and caught your breath, "About me it could be another day, but today you're awake and that's a really good thing. Let's make this your day, okay? I can hold it."

"Are you sure? I hate seeing you like this."

"You think I don't hate seeing you ridiculously act like that in front of a big giant monster?" You asked, pursing your lips.

You lost your father, but that is a sign that he is in a good place, a place where he can rest from the problems that make his life complicated.

Billy chuckled, "Give me your kiss, I miss them. I can't wake up, my body still hurts."

You smiled and wiped away the remaining tears that Billy had not had time to wipe away moments before. You got up to kiss his cheek, but he turned his head so that your lips met.

"I love you." He said in between your kisses, "I love you too."

When Hopper allowed your relationship with Billy you were very happy, on the condition that Billy would protect you at all costs. And he really did. Your mind has gone too far when you think about starting a small family with Billy and Hopper becoming really great grandfathers. But what happens if you live in a city full of curses, right?

A few weeks later you sent a letter to California where El and the Byers lived, apologizing for not being there when they were away, and also conveying your longing for El or now preferring to be called Jane.

Since the incident at Starcourt Mall an unexpected incident occurred, Neil was arrested following a suggestion made by your father before all this happened. Making you live at the Mayfield residence, apart from helping to look after Billy, you also help Max with her homework and Susan with daily household activities.

"Babe!"

You heard Billy shouting from the room, you who were washing dishes turned off the sink, "A minute!"

Max is at school and Susan is trying to blend in with the Mother of Hawkins, so for now you're the only one you can rely on at home.

You dry your hands briefly with a small towel and then walk towards the room. Billy can walk, but the doctor said it would be good if he did bed rest for a while so that the stitching wound in his stomach could really heal.

"What do you need, baby?" You asked landing yourself in front of him who was leaning on the edge of the bed.

Billy sighed, he pat the side of the bed next to him, signaling for you to sit next to him, you did as he said and he buried his head on your shoulder, "I hate being useless. I'm sorry if I bother you."

You pushed his body gently and cupped his cheeks, "Hey. You're not useless, okay? Why do you think like that, huh? Throw those thoughts away, I'm not here to feel you think like that, I'm here because now what I really prioritize and care about is you, Billy. I almost lost you, because of myself and I won't let that happen again."

Billy raised the corners of his lips, you pecked his nose, "Besides, I like you like this, it's like taking care of a big baby, you know?"

Billy chuckled, "Oh, so now my nickname is big baby?" He started tickling your stomach, making you laugh in amusement, "Stop it,"

Billy smiled and kissed all over your face. You love him, really love him.

Author Note : Okay! I know I said I would upload a Sebastian Stan fanfic, but it takes a lot of will to release it... sorry for the delay, but don't worry, it will come! for sure! I just need to give up my freedom to write as many Billy Hargrove stories as I can! Thank you, issea! :D

[reysdriver]

Meeting The Dad | E.M.

Your police chief dad insists on meeting your misfit boyfriend, so you bring Eddie over for dinner — eddie x fem!hopper!reader fluff

warnings: just a stressful dinner and a mention of eddie dealing drugs

words: 1.2k

Eddie always insisted on getting out of the van first so he could open the door for you. After telling him it’s not necessary about a million times, you just gave up and let him do it. 

You exhaled while it was just you in the car, waiting for him to walk around to your side. This dinner was nerve-wracking, but you didn’t want to show how nervous you were to Eddie and potentially scare him away. 

When the passenger side door opened, you smiled at Eddie as he took the takeout bag from you and helped you down the step. 

“So,” Eddie wondered as you started walking along the forest floor. “Remind me again why we have to do this? Your dad and I have already met.”

“Because the situations in which you two met weren’t… the most desirable. We want to show him that you’re a respectable person and a great boyfriend to his daughter.” 

Eddie took an exaggerated step over a fallen branch on the ground. “It’s not like he’s going to change his mind about me.”

“But we can try getting him to see you differently.” You told him. “So that means you have to be on your best behaviour, remember?”

He rolled his eyes jokingly. "Shake his hand, call him 'Mr. Hopper’, and keep my elbows off the table. I remember all your training"

“Eds, I’m serious. I really want him to like you.” 

He understood that you were nervous and dropped the teasing. “I know. I want it as much as you do, really. I promise I’ll try as hard as possible to become best friends with your dad.”

You laughed at that. “Well, you don’t have to get that close to him.”

“Oh, we’re gonna be super close. Soon, I’ll spend more time hanging with him than I do with you. He’ll let me sit in the front seat of his cop car as we cruise around town and share embarrassing stories about you.”

Now it was your turn to roll your eyes. You both continued walking towards your cabin, and you pointed at the ground a few feet ahead of you. “There’s the tripwire, we have to go over that.”

“I know about the tripwire, sweetheart. How do you think I sneak in to see you?”

You lowered your voice to explain. “I know. I’m pointing at it in case my dad is watching from the window or something. We don’t need him knowing about you sneaking in through my window.”

“She’s too smart for me!” Eddie spoke dramatically into the forest. “Another reason I can’t slack in making a good impression with her father.”

You giggled at him as you both stepped up onto your porch. You took one deep inhale before opening your front door to reveal your dad and sister on the couch waiting for you. Your dad stood up and started walking to you with an unreadable expression, Eleven following closely behind. 

“We’re here, and with food!” You said after Eddie shut the door behind the two of you. “Dad, El, this is Eddie. Eddie, this is my dad, and that’s my sister.”

Your boyfriend held out his hand to share a handshake with your dad. “Thank you so much for inviting me over, Mr. Hopper. It’s good to meet you in a different setting than we have before.”

He took his hand and spoke slightly more grumpily than you had hoped. “Yeah. It’s a pleasure.”

They broke the handshake and your dad moved out of the way, leaving Eddie and Eleven face to face. 

“I know you.” She said to Eddie. 

He and you both went slightly wide-eyed, remembering what happened a few weeks ago when Eddie snuck in at night. He came to show you his most recent tattoo—among other things—and your little sister had walked into your room to find you making out with a shirtless Eddie when she got up to get a midnight snack and heard voices behind your door. You had explained that you and Eddie were just playing a game but she couldn’t tell Hopper about what she saw. 

She agreed not to say anything, but now she was forgetting her promise and you had to cover it up quickly. 

“Yeah, you’ve probably seen him around town. Anyways, we brought waffles for you and we don’t want them to get cold, so let’s sit down to eat and you can figure out where you’ve seen Eddie later, okay?”

Eddie put the takeout bag on the table and sat down in the seat next to yours that you had gestured to a second ago. There were plates on the table for you already, so you started taking out the takeout boxes from the bag and handing them out. 

“El, here’s your waffles. Eds, here’s our burgers. And, Dad, we got you a steak. Benny threw in extra fries but I got him to add vegetables for you too.”

He was obviously displeased. “Oh, yay. My daughter’s drug dealer boyfriend and I get a bunch of steamed vegetables? Best dinner ever.”

You chose to ignore his attitude, and you placed a calming hand on Eddie’s thigh. “You know, Dad, Eddie actually has a real job. He just started at the music store in the new mall. Right, Eds?”

Eddie dropped the fry in his hands before answering. “Yeah, I mean, I’m mostly just a stock boy, but at least it’s honest work.”

“And you’re saving?” Your dad asked. “Planning to move away, buy a house? At least pay off those student loans?”

There it was, the part you didn’t want to explain to your family. You avoided eye contact as you spoke. “Actually, Dad. Eddie doesn’t have student loans. He’s not going to college yet.” 

“So, you’re both about to take a gap year?”

“Not exactly.” Eddie told him. “I’m staying at Hawkins High for another year. I just have a few credits left, but it’ll happen. Third time’s the charm, right?”

“This is gonna be your third senior year?” Your dad asked, looking surprised. 

Even Eleven joined in. “That’s six years of high school!”

“Yeah, it is. Unfortunately, I didn’t put a lot of my focus into school, so I wasn’t always the best student. But I’m almost there.” 

You were so scared about how your family would react to this information. Obviously, you didn’t care that Eddie was a year older but still in high school; you were just so proud of him for sticking to it and trying. You winced as your dad started to laugh. 

“I guess I don’t need to worry about you running off with my daughter anytime soon ‘cause where the hell are you gonna go?” 

You were about to tell him off for being mean about your boyfriend’s education journey, but Eddie sensed this and held your hand under the table. In fact, he seemed to find it funny too. 

“No, sir. Not going anywhere yet.” Eddie responded. “In fact, I’ll even stay for a fourth year if it’ll put your mind at ease about me.” 

You realised you were still holding your breath from when your dad asked the question, and you finally exhaled calmly. Maybe this dinner wouldn’t be as intimidating as you thought.

[missmarveledsblog]

I Think I love you a little bit more everyday ( Steve Harrington x Reader)

summary : being in love is never easy and it most definitely not easy when the person you love is one of you best friends .

warning : steve is an insecure boy , angst and fluffy

Steve harrington was known for many things , the great head of hair on his head, most popular guy in hawking high for a long period of time , many jobs he had despite his family being rich . He was also widely known for his failed love life , from nancy and his up and down romance to all the failed dates afterwards . Another thing that was well known was when she was a round steve puppy dog brown eye would light up and follow her around  or an inkling of trouble and he was ready to come to her rescue not that she needed it given she was one of the kids from the lab one that help eleven escape after something so horrible nether spoke about it . when those two showed up it was like a nuclear bomb went off exposing so many things. One of those things that most people of hawkings forgot was chief hoppers first fleeting marriage and his first daughter , back when he was young cop he and claudia henderson’s sister maggie had one night stand that would lead to a pregnancy and marriage to do the right thing, then one night when the girl was four years old  maggie took off and sent papers of divorce . What Hopper didn’t know was the girl's ability or the lab approaching the mother paying her a large sum of money . For years and years even before she returned he never stopped even though mentally he was done , he’d never stop looking  .  in all that time she was so close and yet so so far away it wasn’t til he noticed the birthmark on her arm  and a  under wraps blood test to find out who the  now almost young woman was . unlike eleven she was able to be out in public the towns people talked for long time but soon with everything else it became old news. 

The odd nature of it all skipped over but for steve harrington it was more skipping from a crush to full blown feelings . Everytime he tried pulling his mind to something else she would be around and everything would flood back , convince he was undesiring of love or convinced that he was cursed and destined to never get the girl some form of karma for his stupid asshole behaviour . so it was safe to say he was afraid to get that close to her in a way where he could get hurt even thought realistically  this was killing him . 

Even though many times their lives had been put in situation were if a love confession should arise it would be now on the tip of his tongue but he chose to ignore it  a decision he nearly regretted when he say eddie carrying her weakly while dustin henderson was chewing him out for being an idiot for not sticking to the plan  mainly because he was scared , because he watching people he loved being taking  from his life . steve heart fell into his stomach , the blood in his veins cold looking at the lifeless limp pale body in his arms  rushing to their side all at once asking what happened what was wrong . all bickering til the reached the byer place one where they all spent many of times at not wanting to leave her side as she lay , least the colour was starting to come back into her cheeks and he did turn so nancy and robin could clean the blood and fresh clothes on her. Then when it was last straw , it was end battle one of good and evil wayne munson promised to the stay by her side . when it felt like everything was hitting the wall , when it felt like a loss was on the brink the bright headlight of a pick up truck and added effect of metallica blasting through the  speaker like some knights on four wheeled beat up stallion . 

“ As metal as this is what the hell your suppose to be watching over her” eddie hissed although slightly impressed at the entrance he couldn’t lie .  

“ she was going to go whether i let her or not so i got her here safely … shit kid i was kinda hoping this wasn’t actually real “ wayne’s eyes looking at monstrous creatures . 

“ can you use one of these” hopper asked holding the shot gun like nothing  . 

“ yes sir .. legal hunting “ he was made sure to clarify . 

“ i don’t care just aim and shoot  these fuckers legalities don’t come into play here” dustin yelled as  y/n stood out of truck eyes locked on the enemy before turning to see steve both happy she was up and pissed she was there something she could ask about once it was over .  hand in hand they stood watching her and eleven get the better hand holding Venca in the air almost tearing him apart . the anticipation and fear all over everyone's faces.   Like a sick joke the two thrown apart the cruel laugh that spilled from its grotesque mouth as their friend watched trying to get to the girls  then when the beast turn his sights on the people they loved it was like every life lost due to this creatures being channeling through giving them the strength to rip him apart and this time for good . that should of been that moment for steve but again he missed it by just hugging her so tightly til hopper had to clear his throat all in the midst of it all the feelings of it finally being over , the seemly curse of hawkings finally broken as eddie munson screamed his victorious yell and few obscenities that prompted wayne to slap him back of his head . 

“ ladie present” he’d gruffed . 

“ shit sorry … shit “ the boy cursed . 

A year after that day , the town of hawkings rebuilding people still coming in droves to the so called cursed town as it and the people in it are some sort of spectacle .  oddly at first it help getting so much aid but it came with a price  , media circus and droves of people coming to town . steve stood in family video because of course  that could be rebuilt fast not that he could complain and in hindsight his parent stayed longer this time before heading off again . something else that linger in the air , tension of a sort with him and y/n. He tried once more burying the feeling deep down  which seemed harder to do every time he would try close his eyes he could see her lifeless in eddies arms or thrown by Vecna  to point he was losing sleep  , ignoring robin and co pleading with him just to talk to her which he would if it wasn’t for kyle , he first came to help the town wit others and seemly took an interest in y/n and before steve knew it he was watching yet another girl he was in love with in the hands of another like a knife constantly plunged into his heart and it was his own fault or was it just future proof of his own curse.  Yet it did nothing to quell the feeling the weeks almost months of distance did nothing to stop the strong coursing feelings that building up and up he felt it was going to rip him apart . everything he face nothing scared him more than this  , no matter what fear he had  he needed to tell her maybe if he got it all of his chest he could move on , closer in it own bitter way . flowers in hand and man on a mission he drove like bat out of hell not caring if he blew a red light of if the cops would try pull him over because in this very moment nothing was more important than freeing himself of all this . he needed a release from  it and he needed to do it now , right now . pulling the car to a stop and walking to the door muttering to himself , psyching himself up . 

“ rip the band aid off look she gonna reject you , you might have to fight kyle but we need to do this “ he muttering unaware of eddie and wayne sitting on their porch ready to witness  it all . pumping himself up and knocking at the door watching it fly open  and her voice filled with surprise of course it was he actively avoided her for months because he couldn’t fess up or bare the thought of her with another man . 

“ look no talking , listening yet shitty of me to say so but i need to get this out because if i don’t i will throw up and make this a hundred times worse , i know i have been a dickhead… “ 

“ putting it lightly “ 

“ ok deserved that but look hush … i couldn’t be around you it was killing me … i mean not you but you and kyle it was killing me watching another doing what i should be doing but i know would never happen because let face it henderson and the rest of shitheads will get married before i can find a girl that doesn’t leave me for someone else and that in itself is why i’m afraid .. was ..no actually still scared to tell you i’ve been in love with you since i met you , every time i try think of way tell you end of the world happens or that voice in my head tells me to shut up because you one of my best friends and now i need to tell you get some closure and also be made at you for almost dying twice  and even then my coward ass couldn’t tell you i think i love you a little more every day and it killing me , i can’t eat or sleep because it’s tearing me apart holding on and i know ….”  his whole body seized up at the feeling of her lips and his , the fact of her lips on his sending him into a short circuit and that fear melting away  , what felt like ice that was thawing away a warmth was coming into his body for first time .  pulling her close even if kyle was there and  not that he care he pulled her closer almost like  their bodies were welding together in iron clasp hold . suddenly the alarms in his brain ringing off she felt the same, she feels the same . as much as he didn’t wanted to pull away he needed to breathe and he was pretty sure the nerves of it all still had him ready to throw up still . 

“ kyle? “ he gasped .

“ we broke up couple months ago “ 

“ why didn’t you tell me ?” 

“ because you kept avoiding me “ she glared still feeling pissed at him. 

“ why didn’t anyone else tell me ?” he asked .

“ BECAUSE YOU NEVER LISTEN BIG BOY “ eddie yelling making him aware of the audience . 

“I wanna hit you for ignoring and avoiding me “ she glared. “ but i also want you to kiss me again ,  you idiot i’ve been in love with you since we met too “ her face softened. 

“ what if you find someone better” that broken vulnerable voice spilling from his lips made her own heart clench . 

“ there is no one better than you steve , in my eyes your the best of the best, everyone knew it  i was like a little school girl all heart eyes at you that when you dated i was secretly wishing they sucked and you would like me back honestly i owe buckley and all of friends therapy for all times i’ve pretty much blabbed about how much i’ve been and still am in love with you “ all her own pent up feelings finally breaking like a dam  gushing out of her mouth before she could even think to stop them . 

“ so this whole time “ 

“ you both been dumber than a box of rocks  … yeah “ eddie called. 

“ maybe we should take this inside “ she laughed as both their faces flushed . 

“ and make up for lost time i’m way ahead of you sweetheart “ he chuckled lifting her up and rushing in, the voice in the back of his head was telling him this was going to hurt but the voice in his heart told him he was going to be ok because this time he got the girl who was going to want him and only him .

[kaylawritesfics]

Dating Steve Harrington and Being Hopper’s Daughter

headcanons

summary: what it’s like to date steve and be jim hopper’s daughter

pairing: steve harrington x fem!reader (hopper!reader)

warnings: swearing, mentions of alcoholism, character death, mentions of grieving

note: this wasn’t requested i just really wanted to do one of these with a hopper!reader. this has no stranger things 4 spoilers and it’s mainly set in seasons 2 and 3 :)

You and Steve went to school together. While you may have been in the same grade, you may as well have been in totally different high schools. Your social standings couldn’t have been farther apart.

In fact, you didn’t really meet Steve until things started going bad in Hawkins for the second time.

You basically ran the household for years before your dad brought El home. After that, he begins to fix his behavior. He drinks less and he tries to be home with the two of you more.

While you appreciate his development, you can’t help but have a lingering feeling of resentment for the way he treated you growing up.

Hopper was never a bad father. In fact, when he was sober, he was the best. He wasn’t a mean drunk, either. He was just sloppy and lazy and nothing like how he was with El.

You loved your new sister, but you couldn’t help but feel jealous of the relationship she had with your father. They were watching Miami Vice on Fridays, having breakfast together, having movie nights, etc, while you spent most of your childhood cleaning up beer cans and trying to fend for yourself.

Hopper really tries to make it up to you. He feels awful about his past behavior. You can’t help but sympathize with him a bit.

Between you bringing Steve home and El bringing Mike home, Hopper is losing his mind. The three inches rule is firmly set in place the minute Steve Harrington walks through his front door.

Your dad secretly really likes Steve. He’d never admit it because that ruins the whole intimidating father shtick he’s got going on but he’s really glad that you found someone sweet like Steve.

Steve, on the other hand, is scared shitless by Hopper. Literally, he’s terrified and there’s no way to comfort him.

One time, Hopper came home earlier than you thought and caught you and Steve making out in your bed, both of your shirts discarded somewhere around your room. Steve wouldn’t come back over for weeks.

He was fully convinced he was gonna die that night.

Eleven loves Steve !! They have a very cute sibling-ish relationship going on.

Sometimes, Steve is invited to family movie nights, which he finds a little bit of solace in, knowing that maybe your dad doesn’t completely hate him.

Steve likes to take you (and sometimes El) on late night drives. He always lets you and El pick the music.

Sometimes, you’re able to sneak El out of the house without your dad finding out.

You, Max, and El spend a lot of weekends at the mall, getting free ice cream courtesy of your lovely boyfriend.

(Of course you’re careful and make sure El is safe the whole time you’re there)

When your dad dies, you and El find a lot of comfort in each other.

You eventually agree to let Joyce take El to California while you stay in Hawkins with Steve, repairing your dad’s cabin.

Letting El go was one of the hardest decisions you’ve had to make but you knew your dad would be glad that she was safe and away from Hawkins.

You also couldn’t really support her, being barely lt out of high school, so you knew it would be best.

Steve comforts you and let’s you cry to him whenever you miss your family. It would really be unbearable to stay in Hawkins without him.

[thatgrumpybxtch]

could you do more about being elevens sister? anything really 😊☺️

Eleven is sooo protective over you

No matter if you're younger or older than her

Being protective over her too

You are partners in crime and rarely ever seen apart

You've been through everything with her, so you both understand each other better than anyone else

Warning Mike that if he ever hurts Eleven you'll kill him :)

He still isn't sure if you were joking or not

Naturally being close with Mike and the others too, after some good old trauma bonding

Of course, being eleven's sister isn't easy, you're both constantly in the spotlight, and looked at anytime something life-threatening happens

Lots of trauma and lots of anger

Being treated like an actual daughter and kid by Hopper and Joyce

Hanging out with the party, learning about dnd, and even getting to play

Going to the mall with your sister and Max, which also means free ice cream from Steve and Robin

Speaking of Steve, whether you are close or not he is protective of you and your sister, even if he doesn't show it super often

[cas-kingdom]

Stranger things and your OC/reader please: “I don’t like that look. What happened?”

A/N: For the sake of my OC!reader’s involvement in the show’s story & the age I imagine her to be (17-18) around the 3rd season, Sara’s death isn’t as recent as it is canonically.

"I don’t like that look,” Hopper lilted as he walked up the steps to the cabin. His eyes were on you, stretched out on the porch bench as you stared at the night sky. You briefly flicked them in his direction at his words, just as he took his hat off and perched it on the banister. “What happened?”

You returned your gaze to the sky. “Nothing,” you said. At his lack of response, you turned your head towards him. Hopper had leant back against the fencing and crossed his arms over his chest. One brow was raised, his lips upturned in a knowing smile. You breathed a short laugh through your nose and sat up. “Seriously, Dad,” you reiterated. “I’m fine.”

Hopper shrugged. He trusted his relationship with you enough to know you’d tell him if something was up. If not now, then eventually. “Alright,” he relented, “but I still don’t like that look.” He ducked his head a little to peer in through the dimly lit window. “Where’s El?”

“Watching TV,” you said. You shifted in your seat and curled your legs beneath you, absently fidgeting with your fingers. Hopper watched you for a moment, studying your actions, noting the tell tale signs he’d learnt over your lifetime which told him that though you may be fine, you most definitely were not happy. 

Wordlessly, he sat beside you, slumping in his seat. It wasn’t exactly warm out, but you had a habit of sitting on the porch bench most evenings while you waited for him to come home from work, whether there was a breeze or not. Sometimes, El waited with you, the two of you reading a book or playing a boardgame on the decking, and he found himself incredibly at ease in those moments. To see his kids together and happy was something he would choose above all else, for both his sake and your own, and the past you’d left behind.

“Good day at work?” You broke the restful silence.

Hopper audibly sighed. “Uh-huh,” he said. “Always something interesting in Hawkins. What about you? Good day with El?”

It was a question he always asked, his subconscious needing to hear that your new family situation was still working, and you usually answered without problems. This time, your answer was taking too long for comfort, and Hopper fancied it had something to do with the look he’d caught earlier. He dropped his head and gave you a look of his own, something you glanced at briefly before biting your bottom lip, a clear indication of defeat.

“She found a photo of Sara today,” you said quietly. “The one you took on our fourth birthday at that restaurant. It didn’t upset me or anything, don’t worry. Just...made me think, you know?”

Hopper did know. Thinking about Sara had always been a daily occurrence, but since inviting El into his home, the thoughts had only recently become more pronounced. It wasn’t that El replaced the daughter he’d lost, but she certainly soothed the ache in his heart…made it easier to remember Sara in a light that wasn’t so negative.

He didn’t doubt that the same could be said for you. Losing a sister was hard enough for anyone to cope with, but losing your twin had changed you permanently. You’d been such a happy child, you both had, but there always seemed to be some dull cloud hanging over your head, vaguely marring your smiles and the brightness in your eyes. But since El, it had all become less noticeable. Everything had. Sara’s loss...the divorce...the move...unacknowledged emotions. Little by little, El’s light was beginning to shine through that cloud.

In a way, it seemed as though your words, your denial of being upset about Sara’s photo and your overall reaction to it, were a gentle acceptance towards the often unspoken fact that Sara really was gone. You hardly spoke about her anymore. You’d hardly grieved. But somewhere along the way, a time between now and saving El, it seemed as though things slowly began to look up.

Hopper dragged a tired hand down his face and shifted across the bench. He wrapped an arm around you, pulling you tight against his side. “Yeah,” he breathed out, rubbing your shoulder, “I know.” He glanced behind him and through the window. El’s eyes were still fixed on the TV, the same entrancement on her face that she held whenever she did something she’d once been forbidden from doing.

His lips quirked in a smile as he turned to face you. “You’re a great big sister, honey,” he said. “And I’m proud of you. You know that?” He pressed a kiss to your temple, feeling you nod against his lips, then peered up at the sky. The stars glinted. “So’s Sara.”

Stranger Things Masterpost

send me the first sentence of a fanfic and i’ll write the next five, except i don’t know when to stop writing so i guarantee there’ll be more than five

[wishing-on-a-staranise]

Ch 4: Sleeping over.

(s.h. x gn!reader)

Summary: a lot of stuff happens and you have a bad feeling about all of it.

A/n: truly scraping the bottom of the motivation barrel. that chapter summary is soooo bad soz bbs :(

Word count: 8.1k+

Warnings/tags: no use of pronouns (gn!reader); use of (y/n); magnets; Hopper being a jealous guy🚩; flashback; weird accurate customer-service interaction;

<-prev ch

next ch->

masterlist

...

You are awakened by the sound of thunder rumbling. When you open your eyes, you have to double check the time to make sure that you haven’t woken up too early.

It reads 8:27 a.m.

Looking out the windows you see grey clouds swirling over the Hawkins’ sky, the trees around the cabin rustling with the fast winds.

You rub your eyes and let out a sigh before finally rolling out of bed, messy from a night full of tossing and turning. another nightmare.

Images of the lab flash in your brain. the sickening fluorescent lights. The hospital gowns. the doctors. The machines. The tanks. The shock collar. the guards. Him. Papa. The people he had made you kill. Their memories. The cold. 

Your brothers and sisters. Eight.

Kali.

That's what her name was now; you found out through El.

you were jealous once again of El. jealous that she got the chance to meet Kali and you didn't. she got to meet her. Kali let her see her, and she hadn't even let you find her in the void back when you had your powers.

You walk through the quiet cabin, the wooden floor creaking under your feet. you fill up a glass of water from the tap. you gulp down the water while opening the latch of the window. when you swing open the window, a gust of wind hits you along with the smell of impending rain.

you take a deep breath in, lungs filling with the earthy smell that comes with these winds. A choir of birds chirps nearby. The branches moved with the winds, their leaves pattering, acting as a white noise. You close your eyes, holding your breath for a while before letting it out. When you first stayed with hopper at the age of 14, he taught this to you, to calm yourself down when he woke up to you screaming in the middle of the night. 

With your eyes still closed, you do it again, holding your breath for longer this time. These days you find yourself doing this entire routine more. A yawn breaks out of you accompanied by stretching yourself out a little– a crack and a satisfying pop sounds from your lower back.

You stay by the window a little longer before finally turning around to get something from the fridge. As you do so, you notice the note Eleven had written, stuck to the refrigerator with some tape– Gone to Maxs sleeping over  --El.  

you smile at the unrefined handwriting, glad that El is becoming good friends with Max.

You open the fridge, gathering the stuff you needed to fix yourself some sandwiches and juice, doing so in silence since Hopper had cut off the TV.

A groan echoes in the cabin. Speak of the devil. You hear the sound of the shower going off, a few more groans heard every now and then.

you sigh, definitely still mad at him. 

When he comes out into the living room/kitchen, he does so with a bottle of pills rattling in his hand, wearing nothing but a towel tied around his waist. He pours the contents of the bottle into his hands before downing them and throwing the bottle in the general direction of the table you all normally ate at. You make a mental note to pick that up later.

The man paid no heed to your presence. You watch with a disgusted frown as he starts drinking right out of the carton rather unmannerly. Your nose scrunches in cringe and a scowl morphs itself onto your features when he lets out a loud burp.

You were about to get back to your sandwich when there were rapid knocks at the door followed by a call for, “Hopper!” the muffled voice of a woman came. Joyce. “Are you there?”, she asks while knocking continuously against the old wooden door.

Hopper quickly makes his way through the cabin and opens the door, “aww! look who it is!”, he says with mockery dripping in his tone.

Joyce skips all salutations and pleasantries, walking towards the fridge, saying, “we need to talk.”

“Yeah, we do”, he punctuates his sentence by slamming the door. “I haven’t been stood up like that since Alice Gilbert in 9th grade.”

you blink, not wanting to listen anymore of Hopper's love life, you get up from your seat on the couch, Initially meaning to retreat to your room. But as you made your way, curiosity blooms in you as you lean against your room's door instead. You watch as Joyce puts her bag on the floor, scrambling to take some things out of her bag. She does so frantically, deciding to rather just dump all the contents of the bag instead.

“What are you doing?”, he questions with a squint,  “Joyce? Hello?” he asks loudly when he gets no immediate response from the lady.

“Just…. watch”, she said before taking one of the magnets and trying to put it on the metal surface of the fridge. She looks at Hopper and then you before releasing the magnet.

It falls with a clatter.

your mind immediately goes back to two days ago when you had found your own fridge magnets on the floor when you had your first fight with Hopper.

The woman in front of you tries to put the magnet on again, and it falls… again. She looks with wide eyes towards the man, shaking her head as if awaiting a response or reaction from him.

“Okay, you're freaking me out”, he says with no expression.

“You slipped on this, remember?” she says, holding up the magnet.

“Yeah.”

“Yeah, it fell in the night and it lost its magnetism”, she explains.

“Oh, did it?” he asks with a pout.

“And the same exact thing happened at my house the day before.”

“Wow--”, he sighs as he says it.

“It happened here too”, you interject his bitchy tone.

“What? no, don’t entertain this”, he holds up what you assume is a warning finger.

But the woman pays no mind to it, turning towards you, she asks, “So, it happened here too?”

You nod, not really maintaining any of eye contact with her, instead glancing at Hopper while answering, “happened like.. two days ago”

"Okay, you're going to your room", he points to the door you are standing by, his inflection almost more protective than authoritative.

you still grit your teeth a little, defensive, "I'll do whatever I want"

"that's weird, right?” she turns back to Hopper, probably consciously deciding to ignore your bickering, questioning the man with wide eyes and her jittery hands, “Like why are all these magnets suddenly losing their magnetism?” you and Hopper share a look. you get him, kind of. it all is a little ridiculous. but you get her as well, everything upside-down related is absolutely ridiculous. and who are you to judge her considering you definitely the second most paranoid person right after Joyce Byers. “Anyway, so I went to Scott.” she continues, also deciding to not pay attention to Hopper's mockery.

“Scott. Who’s Scott?” You sigh and roll your eyes when the man in front of you mocks Joyce; trying his best not to show the twinge of jealousy and failing disastrously.

“Scott Clarke” Joyce states, still not quite catching Jim’s true meaning of his words.

“Your child's science teacher?” he squints.

“He’s pretty brilliant actually”, she explains, hands moving fast and her tongue faster, “And I asked him, ‘how is this happening?’ and he built this magnetic field using an AC transformer and plugging it into a solenoid and with that solenoid–”

“Slow down, slow down”, He sits up a little straighter, holding his hands up to stop the woman from rambling, “I just wanna make this exactly right, okay?”

He bends down slightly to come eye to eye with her, his irritation openly evident on his features, “You stand me up”, he counts, holding up his finger infront of her face. You sigh before burying your face in your palm. “no phone call, no apology”, he adds two more fingers up in the air to add count to the list, “because you had to go to Scott Clarke's house.”

“Yeah.” Joyce replies, as if it were the most obvious thing.

The tall man scoffs and chuckles before clapping his hands once, “you’ve outdone yourself, Joyce”, he says before turning to create some space between them and when she tries to speak up, he immediately interjects, “No, you really have. You have outdone yourself.”

“Oh, c’mon Hop. you’re not even listening to me”, she takes a few steps to cover the distance that he had created, “Scott was able to demagnetize some of the magnets and he thinks–”

“I don’t care what Scott thinks!--” he shouts, irritated, cutting the woman off.

“He thinks,” she shouts back so she can be heard, “that a large-scale magnetic field could be built by using some sort of machine or– or experimental technology–”

a pit forms itself in your gut at those words. experimental. thats never good. you were a experiment for god's fucking sake. and whatever the hell Joyce is saying, you do not like the sound of it-- not one bit.

“He’s brilliant, isn’t he? He’s really brilliant. Is he single too?” he says with a mock smile and gritted teeth, walking away towards his room.

Joyce scoffs, pausing for a second before she asks, “what if it's them?” Hopper stops in his tracks, she continues, “to build a machine like that, you need resources, you need scientists, you need funding, tens of millions of dollars–”

“Joyce.”

“It can't just be a coincidence, Hopper. It has to be them” she insists.

“Joyce stop.” he says sternly, eyes flicking towards you whose eyebrows were pulled together and eyes transfixed on the lady in front of him. Your hands curled up into tight fists, nails digging into the palm. An ache in your gut as you truly realise what the woman was saying.

her eyes follow where he was looking at you with soft, almost pitying eyes. her brows soften as well.

you gulp, blinking a few times before looking away. not really sure what to do with your hands or yourself. as much as you wanted to retreat to your room, you also needed to hear the rest of their conversation.

“It has to be the lab, Hop.” she repeats again, more gently– being the only person in the room who doesn't know about your past and your relations to the said lab.

“It is impossible”, he says it loud and clear, making sure both of you hear him.

“Well, then prove it to me.”

“Prove it?” he echoes.

“Yeah, take me back there.”

“To the lab?”

“Yeah, I wanna go back!”

“Because some magnets fell off your fridge.”

“Yes.” she affirmed with finality and a firm nod.

“Okay. Makes sense.”

“Thank you.” she sighs out.

“It makes sense, I’m sorry”, he apologises like he actually means it, before making a show of looking at his wrist watch, “I’m a little busy right now but maybe we can meet up there, like tonight– like seven o’ clock. You know, of course, unless something comes up– which you know, it will.” Jim pulls the curtain to his room in one quick motion.

“You know after everything that's happened”, Joyce talks to the yellow curtain, “This is no joke.”

“No, I don’t think it's a joke,” Hopper’s voice echoes in the air along with him shuffling behind the curtain, “I think that when I asked you out. I think you got scared.” he says with gritted teeth, “I think you got scared and now, you're inventing things. You’re inventing things to get worked up about so you can push me away.”

You rub at your forehead, glancing awkwardly at Joyce who was looking at you with a ‘can-you-believe-this-guy?’ expression. 

“Because God forbid, any of us…. Move on! Because that”, He trails off before letting out a mock laugh, “that would be too much… right Joyce? You know? That would be too much, wouldn’t it Joyce?” he waits for a second for a response before repeating, “Wouldn’t it Joyce?”

The woman in question turns to you, pointing at the tool shed right out the cabin, "uh, is the shed locked?"

"Nope. all yours." you give her a tight-lipped smile. you watch as she makes her way out the door.

When Hopper gets no response, he says the woman’s name one last time, his voice echoing with a timbre in the cabin, “Joyce?”you have choice words for Hopper considering how much he is contradicting himself, but youre a bit too worried for that right now.

The curtain is pulled aside sharply before asking you, “Where’d she go?”

You all but silently nod towards the door before saying, “you know if you wanna get the lady, maybe try not being an asshole to her?”

Hopper, without acknowledging what you said, takes long strides, crossing the threshold of the cabin door and repeatedly calling out Joyce's name.

“Hopper– Hopper listen–”, you call behind from behind him, trying to make him hear you over his own voice. He walked onto the porch, his eyes scanning the surrounding area. The shed door swings open with a loud bang! as Joyce comes out with a torch and a large wire-cutter in hand.

“What the hell are you doing?” he inquires while putting on his shoes.

“I’m borrowing these..”, she declares, walking past him and not even sparing him a glance.

“No, you’re not going back there", ignoring Hoppers words, the woman keeps walking, “Hey! Are you even listening– Joyce!-- goddammit–” he tries his best to walk down the porch stairs, his foot halfway in his shoes, jumping while trying to push the rest of his foot in.

“Hopper!”, you call out loudly, catching his attention, when he turns his head to you, you speak, “I’m coming with you guys.”

“No. no.” he turns his entire body to you, “You’re not. You are staying", he holds up his finger, “And if you tell anyone about this all– I will–”, his finger stays in front of your face, stern and hard. but then then he sighs, hand falling back to his side before muttering a, “just don’t tell anyone”

“But what if it really is them?”

“It isn't.”

“How can you be sure?”, you couldn’t help the slight quiver in your voice.

“I am.”

“How– I– she’s right about the magnets, Jim. I saw it too.”

“Look–", he raises his hands– perhaps to put them on your shoulder but he stops midair as they once again fall to his side, "I’ll go and check okay?”

“But I need to–”

“No. trust me. Its not them. I made sure of it. last year? i was there when they sealed it. it isn't the lab. trust me on this one thing, can you do that?”

“But…”, your voice trails off, gaze falling to your feet. despite your anger, your rage, and whatever else you feel from him, somehow you feel trust a billion times more.

Somehow, you'll always trust him.

Its other people you dont trust. its the lab. its those monsters.

Hopper sighs once again, before reaching for his wallet in his pocket and pulling out a few bills. “Here. get yourself something from the mall ‘kay?”

“...what?”, just as you whisper into the air, you hear the sound of an engine revving.

“Oh, fuck– she’s– I gotta go– I’ll— yeah. Don’t tell Steve or– or anyone there about this” the man ran, shoes untied, shouting the woman's name behind her.

...

“Hi?”, you greet awkwardly after ringing the bell at the counter. Sitting on the counter infront of the sliding window, engrossed in a book with a pair of headphones on her head was Robin buckley. aka Steve's coworker who also practically hates him. When she doesn’t look up, you ring the bell again. And again. And again. 

Its the constant ringing that finally makes the girl pull off her headphones with a groan and look towards the source of the sound. 

“Hey…”, you wave shyly.

"Hey– how can i help...”, she says, sliding off of the counter, “um– you…", she trails off a bit, recognition flashing through her features, "You were here yesterday, right?”

“Uh, yeah.�� you answer a bit unsure.

“Are.. you and Steve friends?” she asks with a tilt of her head as trying to decipher something.

You nod, "y-yeah, i was looking for him actually." it feels like its been forever since you've talked to him. you just miss him. especially after everything that happened back at the cabin.

“Oh, he’s… a little busy.”, Robin reckoned she can’t exactly tell you about their super-secret plan to find a super-secret russian base in Hawkins. “He’s not here right now.”

“Oh, so how long will he not be here?”

"uh... a while"

"a while?"

"yeah, a while. can’t say when though– maybe minutes…. Maybe Hours.”

your brows fly up, “Hours?”

“Yep”, she nods to herself, “So, you should probably….” she is about to get you out of her hair, but then she thinks back to the dejected Steve, there is tension there for sure. and though they're not actually friends, Robin would be lying if she said she didn't care about the boy. just a teensy bit though, tiny bit, below the normal amount, miniscule really. and maybe she was just curious.

So, before she knows it, she is asking you to, “Wait. you can wait. Uh— if you want. I have to do some... homework. so I have to..", she gestures back to the counter she had been priorly sitting on, where the book, notebook and a cassette player were laid. 

"yeah, that's okay", you shake your head, “Thanks", you add, smiling timidly before moving to take a seat on an empty table closest to the counter.

You watch as she pulls herself onto the counter she had been on. she puts on the headset, turns it on, drowning out any and all sound.

When you look around in the store, the tables are filled with mostly teen couples, sharing milkshakes, holding hands, looking oh so deeply into each other's eyes and kissing.

Normally, you might've sighed with wistful eyes, maybe called it cute, and Steve would've playfully rolled his eyes before kissing you. Steve.

Steve.

You aren't exactly sure what is happening between the two of you. ever since that day at the cabin when Hopper had caught you both, the boy has been avoiding you. Although you first thought it was because Hopper had really scolded him, giving him earful about his dad. but after finding out that he hadn't in last night's little interrogation, you were utterly clueless as to what was happening.

You are determined to confront the boy, face to face, if he'd actually show it to you.

You sit at the table for fifteen minutes before you spoke up "Hey, robin.”, you call her name out again. time was moving at a sloth's pace, in those fifteen minutes, you had identified a flyer stuck to the wall that read 'we're hiring!' in a deep blue font.

She sighs, pulling her headset around her neck, "yeah?”

"you guys have a vacancy?" you point to the flyer on the wall, “I was wondering, if I wanted to get a job here… How would I do that?”

“We do have a vacancy open so… you could do it. I honestly wouldn’t mind some company other than dingus.”

And that is when an idea hits her. she smirks to herself before clearing her throat. “Okay, how about this…", she slides off of the counter, walking towards you, pointing at you with the red book she had in her hand, "you want a job here?”

You nod at her.

“Well then, you start now”, she declares before reaching for her scooper.. “Get scoopin’ ”, she commands, pulling your hand up and smacking her scooper into your palm. “Or sailing, I guess”, she adds, turning to go sit back in her place. 

“That’s it?”, you question with a pull of your brows, “You don’t get trained or anything?”

“It's just slinging some ice cream”

“It can't be that easy”

“oh, so you think what I told you is easy? well, I guess wouldn't have a problem then", she tries her best to hide her smirk before putting her headphones back on again.

...

may, 1985. graduation. 

It feels like your life was finally on the right route. 

You are soon going to move in with Hopper and Eleven, you and the girl are going to be adopted any time now. you are graduating! and you have a friend– one that you talk to everyday. And that friend is none other than Steve Harrington. 

Ever since that night at the snowball, both of you had started bumping into each other more at school. At first it was just the exchange of little 'hi's' and 'hellos', which then grew to small talk, which further progressed into making plans for every weekend.  Sometimes he'd invite you to his house and sometimes you'd do so to your van. And just like that the rest of the school year passed.

Now, here you are– sitting next to the boy. cheeks hurting from grinning. you wave over at hopper who although had told you the previous night that he couldn't make it but here he was, sitting with the rest of the parents. 

"Hey, you nervous?", the boy next to you asks.

"a little bit", you look at him, the bright sun blinding you for a second, "but I'm okay."

Steve smiles, "you'll be fine. Just a bit more and we’ll be free.” you both giggle at that. The flecks of gold in the boy’s eyes are more prominent, the lines around his eyes and the sound of his laugh make your heart skip a beat and you weren’t exactly sure why.

Your name is heard on the speakers, Steve nudges you out of your trance. You blink, shaking off whatever thoughts that were going through your head before quickly getting up and weaving through the rows of other graduates. Steve gives you a little a grin and a thumbs up as reassurance when you turn to catch a quick nervous glance at him.

When you come back, the boy greets you with a tight hug. The both of you then wait for his name to be called. 

"Harrington, Steve", the name echoes from the speakers. The crowd was mostly tame as compared to how it had arisen in an uproar when Billy Hargrove or any of Steve’s older ‘friends’ were called up.

Steve Harrington is no longer the king he was once titled. and quite honestly, he doesn’t care. Ok, maybe a little. The boy wouldn’t lie and say that he didn’t miss the constant attention whether from girls or boys but at the same time he didn’t want to go back. He didn’t want to go back to pretending to care about things that didn’t matter and pretending that he didn’t care for things that actually mattered. 

So, as he went off the stage, there are no cheers, no chants of his name, just some obligatory clapping. King Steve was dead and somehow Steve didn’t mind.

When he comes back to your seats, you let out a squeal in which Steve joins you, wrapping an arm around you and squeezing you. 

"can you believe that school's actually over?”, you ask as the students slowly start dispersing, getting pictures and leaving with their parents.

"yeah, it's…. holy shit", Steve says as if the realisation had dawned on him just now. you laugh as the two of you moved to leave the place as well, "so, where are we goin’?”, the boy asks hoping he could smoothly segue into telling you what he had planned for the two of you for the rest of the day.

"Steve, I– hopper is here so me, him and eleven are going to have dinner", you try explaining apologetically, "I would have–"

"yeah, no that's cool”, Steve interrupts you, shaking his head and flashing you a smile as if its no big deal, ”I get it.”

"But you can come by after dinner? if you want."

"Ok, cool", he says before waving you a quick bye. he watches as you make your way past the crowd of parents towards Jim. the boy watches the both of you interacting. he feels a little pang of something in his chest when he sees Jim hugging you. His parents didn’t even bother coming home for his graduation.

Without having a single other interaction with anyone else, Steve left in his car.

...

“Umm… sir?” you call out for a third time to a tall blonde, 20-something guy who has just been staring at you a tad bit too much. his pupils are wide blown, hair greasy, forehead covered in a sheen of sweat and he stares at you if he was staring through you and into your soul. the eye contact is unsettling to say the least. "Sir?"

He blinks out of his trance, “huh?”, his dark green eyes finally moving towards the tubs of colourful ice creams.

you force on a customer friendly smile, “Which one did you want?”, you ask for a fourth time.

He looks back up at you. it makes you want to shrivel up, his unmoving gaze, “Whichever you suggest", he says with an accent you can't quite place.

“Oookay. Umm…. ch-chocolate is always a safe option. What do… whatdoyou say?”

“I couldn’t agree more", he grins, a Cheshire smile that doesn't reach his eyes. you quickly move to scoop him his ice cream and get it over with already.

you do so hurriedly, exchanging the cone for his money and quickly returning his change. but the man lingers. he tastes the dessert, another dead smile spreading on his face. "this is great", he states with no true enthusiasm in his words. 

the man puts the change in the tip jar, before turning to you, "thank you so much….", his words taper off, leaving room for you to finish the sentence.

"oh, uh– (y/n)", you help hesitantly.

"(y/n)", he echoes, pupils never wavering, dead set on you. "thank you, (y/n)." he finally says before exiting the store.

You watch as the tall statured man bumps into a person while weaving through the people in the food court. The man gives a final glance over towards scoops ahoy-- towards you. For the one second he looks at you, a chill runs down your spine, goosebumps arising on your skin. It is when he is out of sight, when you finally let out the breath that you had been holding. 

“Was that really weird or is that normal?”, you ask out loud, waiting for a response from Robin who surely should have been watching the entirety of the unsettling interaction. But when you turn around the girl is still engrossed in that book, her eyes flitting between it and the notebook she'd been scribbling in. when you get no response from the girl, you don’t even try to bother disturbing her. You sigh and go back to facing the counter.

About five or so minutes later, you hear banging on the backroom-corridor door. You hand the change to the girl you were serving before turning to poke Robin's shoulder to get her attention. “Hey, robin?”

“Hmm?”

“There's uh.. someone…” you point towards the backdoor. 

She says something about shipment before getting up to check it out while you went back to the counter. You were wiping the surface when you heard the familiar voice you’d been waiting to hear. A certain head of hair emerges from the crowd– in his deep blue sailor uniform, accompanied by Dustin Henderson.

A blur of a sailor uniform and blond hair flashes by you, “Robin, where’re you going?”, you call out behind her. You get no response as she knocks past Steve and Dustin— running through the crowd.

“What're you doing here?”, Steve’s voice pops up beside you, and when you look back from the flurry of people, he is looking at you, awaiting an answer.

“I work here”, you state simply.

“Since when?”

you take a look at the watch on your wrist before answering, “45 minutes ago." Nodding towards the direction where Robin had run off to, you ask, “Is she always this uh… runny?”

...

When you finally take a seat in the car, Eleven pops up from the backseat, "con-gratu-lations", she says slowly (surely a new word Hopper had taught her), with a huge genuine grin. She hands you a card she had made, the words written in her shaky handwriting, the spelling wrong in 'graduation' which is crossed out by a pen to correct it (most definitely Hopper’s deed).

"aw, thanks El!”

the rest of the ride to your van, Eleven tells you about all that the two of them had planned for the evening. A movie and then a well-cooked dinner. it wasn’t a lot or anything special, but you didn’t mind that.

they had some lasagna packed in a pan dish and covered with some aluminum foil. Apparently, Hopper had requested joyce to make some for the special day. It was when you were heating up the food with Hopper when he gives you an envelope.

“Here’s your gift kiddo”, he says with a wide smile.

“what is it?”

“I think you know.”

You have never opened an envelope so fast. and …. There it was. 

(Y/N) Hopper.

You finally had a surname.

“You like it?”

Tears spring up in your eyes.  You tackle him with a hug, an oof! involuntarily sounding from his chest before his arms wrap around you. Soft sobs escape you, tears wetting his flannel shirt.

“Jesus, no need to be so dramatic, kid.”

You let out a wet laugh. Neither of you let go. You sniffle into his shirt as he rubs your back, grounding you. 

Its the beep of the microwave that makes you finally pull away and wipe your face.

“'bout time we get you moving out of this place. So, I’ll come here by, 11:00 a.m.”, he rubs his nose, “Move all this stuff over”

“What?”, you say, plating the steaming lasagna.

“You don’t plan on carrying all of this on your bike do you?”

...

“Look for Imperial Panda and Kaufman Shoes”, You barely hear Robin's raspy voice over the rumbling of the clouds and the pitter patter of the rain.

You were drenched, confused out of your mind as to why you were all on a rooftop, in the middle of a storm, spying on the mall guards while simultaneously battling the highly possible chances of being charred by lightning. 

When Robin had come back from wherever she had run off to, she'd pulled Dustin and Steve into the backroom. You'd heard muffled quarrelling before you decided to lean in a little closer to hone in what was being said. 

“Oh, no, Henderson. We’re not getting (y/n) into this. that is an awful idea”

“Look, steve. if Dustin is right about this entire ordeal. Then we need as many people as we can get.”

"yeah, dude, strength in numbers!"

"well, i don't that number to be (y/n), you hear me?"

“....no. No! I said no. Hey! Henderson!-”, the door bursts open. They pause for half a second, probably realising that you heard all of that.

“We need your help.”

And now here you are, ‘helping’, apparently.

“So why are we doing this exactly?”, you finally ask, wiping the wet strands of hair from your face– hating the awful feeling of wet clothes and hair clinging to your skin.

“To become American heroes”, Dustin states as if that made a single iota of sense.

“oh, okay. That makes so much sense", you mutter mostly to yourself, Hopper's sarcasm has definitely started to rub off on you.

“There, with that whistling guy. Ten o’clock”, Dustin informs, watching from his binouculars while you and the others squint through wet lashes.

“What d’you think’s in there?” Steve asks, referring to the boxes the guard carried.

“Gun? Bombs?” Dustin answers as if it were no big deal.

“Chemical weapons?”, Robin suggests.

"What?", you ask, rightfully shell-shocked. What in the actual fuck is happening? alarm bells ring in your head, you dont like this plan anymore.

“Whatever it is, they’re armed to the teeth.”

You really dont hear what they say anymore. Armed guards never ever mean anything good. you would know, you have been chased by a fair share of them. Their voices, the rain, and the thunder get drowned out and all you can hear is your own damn breathing and heartbeat.

Its a loud clang! that alerts you and breaks you out of your head. it echoes through the air along when the binoculars hit the railing, alerting the armed guards. 

Given the options of fight or flight, your brain still decides to do the unthinkable and freeze. You barely hear a ,"get down!" over the sound of your own blood rushing. You barely felt the arm pulling you down, out of the sight of the guards.

There's a warm hand holding yours, when you look up, it is Steve’s. Both your chests heave as you look at each other for a second before Steve pulls his hand out of your grasp. You don't get a moment to process anything that happens.

A shout is heard below you. And before you know it, you were being pulled– maybe it was Steve, maybe Robin, or maybe even Dustin, their grip on your forearm tight as they pull you through doors you’d never been through. 

Your heart is loud in your chest, eyes burning. Rainwater drips from your clothes as you walk past the now closed stores of the mall.

"I think we found your russians.”

...

“Hey, where are you both going?”, Steve's voice rings through the haze of your brain.

“Going home? You don’t expect me to stay and investigate all night do you?”, Robin quips.

Steve scoffs lightly before saying, “c’mon I’ll drop you guys off. I’m dropping off this little demon anyway.” he says, pointing his thumb at dustin.

“Steve, it’s okay-”, Robin shakes her head.

“No, its raining and late and....", he gestures to you, "you don't even have a bike." When none of you move, steve tilts his head towards his car, his hands on his hips, “C’mon. Buckley, you can put your bike in the trunk of the car”

Robin lets out a quick sigh, “alright, fine then”, she says, strolling her bike over to the back of Steve's car. Steve helps her mount the thing before slamming it shut. And while the blonde makes her way to the seat, Steve turns to you who was still standing where you had been; having made no movement towards his car.

Steve looks at your drenched and shivering frame, he mutters a small “c’mon” into the air.

“Are you sure?” you ask all unsure after a brief pause, "i'll ruin your seats." when you shrug, the fabric of your shirt squelches and sticks to your skin.

“you wont. I'm sure. come on.”

You lick your lips, taking the one remaining seat next to Dustin without another word; as Robin had taken the front passenger seat. 

The storm was over now. Steve drops off Dustin and then Robin, helping them unload their bikes out of the trunk. 

The rest of the drive to way to your cabin is silent. The radio turned all the way down, Steve doesn’t need directions to your place as he’d taken the route nearly everyday since the first time he sneaked in right after graduation.

There is no particular road that leads to the cabin, it is surrounded by thick groves of trees. He parks his car on the main road, making sure to lock it before wordlessly leading you to your own house. 

You want to hold Steve's hand. you want to hold him so bad. you miss the warmth. but something in you stops you. something in his body language and tightly closed fists that say that he doesn’t want you to hold his hand.

You both walk in silence, the crickets chirp, the frogs croak, wind blows and rustles the tall trees around you.

You want to break the silence. Ask the question that had been on your mind– why is Steve acting so distant? Why does it now feel like you had conjured up your entire relationship in your mind?

This is nothing like the past two weeks had been. Where is the constant flirting? Where is the unending banter and jokes? Where is the constant touching? Where is the warmth?

You're deep in your thought when Steve’s shoe slips a little in the muddy grass, but he catches himself.

“Are you okay?” you immediately ask, arms extending on their own accord to steady him. But before your fingers could touch his arm, he mumbles a “yeah” which you almost don’t hear. and then he keeps walking– not even sparing a glance at you. 

Your hands fall back unceremoniously to your sides. Your shoulders slumped and you decide that maybe you shouldn’t speak. you just want to go to sleep now.

You silently follow the boy through the bushes. When you finally reach, alarm bells immediately ring in your head when you see that none of the lights are on. neither do you notice Hopper's Blazer.

Steve might have noticed it too, "Is– is no one home?", he asks.

"I... guess not", you answer, voice barely above a whisper. 

Theres this awkward silence, this pause where neither of you say a thing. you wring your fingers around your wrist. "I'll uh–", Steve cleared his throat , "I'll leave now. um...", he nods to himself as if trying to convince himself, "See you." He slowly steps away, turning back to where you both had come from.

He is already a few steps away from the porch when you speak up, "Steve?"

He halts, head turning, "... yeah?"

you lick your lips. worry and anxiety eats at you from the inside. you're soaking and cold. you want to ask him to stay. you want to hold him. you want him to hold you. you want him to stay. you dont want to be alone.

you swallow, "... be– get home safe."

The boy gives you a tight-lipped smile before turning once again. You watch his retreating figure. when he is finally out of sight, then you finally let yourself in, immediately calling Max’s house.

Eleven is with Max, you know that much after that call. So, you know she was safe.

What concerns you is Hopper. He and Joyce were supposed to go and check out the lab. Surely, they should’ve been back by now. A knot ties itself in your gut as you walk through the empty cabin.

You are thinking of what to do when you hear a knock. You open the door, fully expecting Hopper with maybe a bottle of beer in his hand.

But it wasn’ him. 

An all too familiar face meets yours, his hair in a disarray as if he had run his hand through it a million times. Before you could say anything, he starts, “Hey, sorry– it just didn’t… I’ll stay till– till Hopper shows up", he says, stumbling through his sentence.

“You don’t have to–”, you shake your head reluctantly.

“Look, I know he isn’t my biggest fan, and he might freak– but I'd rather stay", he finally looks you in the eyes. his warm honey eyes that you're sure could heal anything. "You hate being alone.”

you sigh of relief at that, “Okay,” is all you say before moving aside to let him in.

...

There is a knock at the door. Hopper had left with Eleven about twenty or so minutes ago and it could expectedly be only one person who would be visiting you.

you opened the door immediately.

“Hey", he greets you with a grin.

“Hi, Steve”, a smile comes onto your face as well, “what's that?”, you point to the plastic bag in his hand.

“Well, I remember that you said that you’ve never tried it so I brought some beer to celebrate. You obviously don't have to drink if you don't want to but-- I don't know maybe I didn’t really think this through--”

“Steve.” your voice manage to stop his rambling, “we can try it.”

“Yeah, okay– that’s what I thought”, he nods, making his way in through the door.

You giggle, closing the door behind him, “do you just plan on getting me drunk as a graduation celebration?”

“Of course not. I your favourite movie, snacks as always; and I know what you’re thinking– ‘Steve we do that like every week!’”, the boy says the last part in a mock voice at which you rolled your eyes, “Well, we are going to lovers lake for a late night swim!”

“What–”

“well, its beautiful out tonight, and late night swimming sounds perfect right about now, we can even bring food if you have any leftover or we can just buy some on the way--”

“Steve, slow down–”, you put your hand on his shoulders to decelerate his words, “Lover’s lake?”

“Yeah, Lover's lake– its like the only lake in Hawkins--”

“I know what Lover’s lake is. I just–”, you hesitate, “I... don’t know how to swim.”

“Oh, that’s okay! I could teach you?” he shrugs.

“No. I–”, you stutter, wringing your wrists, “I don’t like water, Steve. I just– it… scares me.”

the boy reasons, “I’ll be there the entire time (y/n).”

“Yeah, but I– I don’t know… I guess, its just an irrational fear that I have." Well, it isn’t completely irrational. Maybe it had something to do with being forced to stay in sensory deprivation tanks filled with water and no escape for hours on end because you couldn’t do what they wanted you to do.

“I just can't." you declare with finality. "please?" you add with brows pulled together.

“... okay." you can tell he agrees reluctantly, "Okay. do you have any suggestions for what we’re gonna do, then? Because I’m stumped now.”

“I don’t know”, you frown, eyes falling down to your feet.

“... You know what? Lets have a drink and we’ll figure it out.”, he moves to put the six pack on the coffee table before taking a seat on the rickety old couch. he takes one out for himself and holds up one for you as well. "you sure you still wanna do this?" he inquires with a lifted eyebrow.

the corner of your mouth lifts up a little, “What? D’you think I’m a pussy?”

An involuntary laugh bubbles from his throat at the unexpected word usage, “Damn, where did you learn such vulgar language from?”

you lift your chin, “You, potty mouth.”

“Please, I’ve never used that word. I'm a gentleman.”

“Well, maybe Dustin, then.”

“Ah, yes. That checks out.”

“I can't believe that I’m friends with Steve Harrington yet it’s Dustin Henderson that is the bad influence”, You laugh.

Steve produces a bottle cap opener out of his pocket, “Yeah, that kid is like a profanity machine”, he mumbles, opening the bottle cap before handing you your bottle, “Alright. You ready?”

You give him a quick nod.

“Bottoms up.”

you cough at the taste, holding up your hand over your mouth, “Aww that’s disgusting"

"its an acquired taste”, he chuckles, taking another swig and you fake gag as he does so.

the both of you fall into conversation, something that flowed so easily between you that you don’t even notice when you subconsciously end up finishing the bottle. you still continue to complain about the awful taste when Steve recommends to play a board game to decide who would clean up the mess you two are conjuring up.

Steve loses; purposely, but he wouldn’t tell that to you. Steve would have played fairly, he really would have and he did, for the first round atleast. But when you won the first round, your drunken victory dance was a little too cute for him to not witness again. so, that’s what he did. he lost on purpose.

while he is wiping the table, you appear behind him, calling his name, “I wanna show you something!”

“Yeah?” you take out the envelope from your back pocket, a huge grin on your face as you do so. “what’s this?”

“open it!” you say all excited. the boy does so, his eyes skim over the page, “You got adopted?” he asks with a small grin.

“Yes!!” you exclaim, tackling his torso like you have made the habit with Hopper; you nearly knock down the both of you but his hands instinctively fly up to hold your waist, making the both of you stable in your footing. “Sorry,” you apologise shyly, pulling away but the boy doesn’t allow you as he pulls you back in, “congratulations”, he mutters into your hair.

“I’m so happy.” you state, warm breath tickling the skin on the junction between his neck and shoulder. the two of you finally pull away, “We’re moving tomorrow morning, so goodbye to this shitty van.”

“Wait, really?”, you nod, excited. brows fly up almost into his hairline, “thats great! but don’t you think you should pack a little maybe?”, he suggests, gesturing towards, well, everything around the two of you.

“Oh…”, you pause, “Oh, shit”, your forehead creased as you frantically look around at the van, it is a mess to say the least and the thought packing had completely flown over your head.

“It’s okay dude,” he reassures, and for some reason, cringes at his use of ‘dude’. he isn’t exactly sure why. that’s what you two were, afterall. just buddies, best buddies, pals-- that’s it. “I’ll help you out.”

“Oh my god– thank you so much Steve!” you flash him a huge thankful grin.

“Yeah, I know, I’m your knight in shining armor”, he mumbles. it is completely normal to feel a little giddy from your best friend’s smile. right? Right.

The night goes quite the opposite of how he had planned it. packing up wasn’t anywhere near hanging out around a lake but he, once again, finds himself not minding. because of you. 

oh. oh yeah. that makes sense.

it is 12:17 a.m., you had fallen asleep in the middle of the task of organising your books. And although he had assigned you the task, he makes no efforts to wake you up. Instead, he does that as well, listening to your soft snores and a random mixtape you had been playing in the background.

it is in that moment, Steve realises that his feelings for you might be a bit more than platonic.

You wake up about a few minutes past 1:00 a.m., apologizing profusely and then thanking the boy when he tells you that everything was done.

“Alright I better get going”, He announces, getting up when everything was packed up.

“Steve. Its one a.m.”, you state, pointing at the clock, “Its too late. C’mon you can stay the night.”

“And sleep in your rickety couch?”, he jokes.

“We could share my bed?”

“If you want me in your bed, you just have to ask”, he says before even realising what he had said.

why is he trying to flirt with you? 

“I am asking you, Steve”, you insist, not quite understanding what the boy had actually meant.

“Uhm, yeah– okay cool.”, he sighs.

why is he trying to flirt with you and why is he disappointed when you don't get that he's trying to flirt you?

So, the both of you share your small bed, but still managing to maintain an appropriate amount of space. as much as you remember atleast, and you don’t remember a lot. but Steve did.

He remembers that it was about 3:30 when he was awoken by the urge to take a leak, but there you were, arms laid out over his torso, nose snuggling into his shoulder, and those same cute snores. 

Despite how much he didn’t want to, he had to get up. so, when he does, he does so slowly, making sure to not wake you up. when he is finally out of bed, he is nearly jogging on his way towards the bathroom. He sighs, disappointed, because when he comes back, you were now on your back, robbing Steve of his chances of having you snuggled up against him again.

...

“Hey, Y/N”, you groan all groggily, pressing your face further into the pillow, “Hey, sleepy pants”

“fuckyouiwannasleep”, your words are barely audible, muffled by the sheets.

“C’mon”, he laughs, “don’t you wanna move to your new home now?” You jolt awake at that, hair a mess, mouth sticky, trying to rub your eyes free of sleep. “There you are. C’mon brush your stinky teeth, I made breakfast”

...

[layce2015]

Stranger Things (Steve Harrington x Female!Reader)

Chapter 8: Suzie, Do You Copy?

Previous Chapter / Next Chapter

Summer of 1985

It had been months since Max and I had first moved into Hawkins and finding out about the dark secrets the small town held. We also made some friends since moving here. Max became friends with Mike, Will, Lucas and Dustin but she barely got to see Eleven as Hopper had to keep her secret and safe at his home.

And also, Lucas and Max were dating which I thought was great, Lucas is a good kid. Robin and I became best friends but I also grew close with Steve as we started talking and hung out after school. About a month ago, we both graduated from high school and Steve had tried to get into college but he never got accepted. And because of that, he had to get a job at an ice cream parlor, Scoops Ahoy, in the brand new mall called Star-court Mall.

And he wasn’t alone in getting this job. Robin and I ended up getting this job as well. I needed this job cause I wanted to save up to get an apartment as I wasn’t gonna go to college because I didn’t want to go. The only downside to this job was wearing these ridiculous sailor outfits.

The three of us were working tonight, which was extremely busy, and Steve and I were in the back parlor as I was cleaning up and he was gathering up supplies when we hear the bell ring and Robin call out to us. “(Y/n), Dingus, your kids are here!” 

Steve goes over to the window and open it up while I come up next to him to see Max, Mike, Lucas and Will at the front desk and I sighed. “Again? Seriously?” Steve asked them and they all look at us, trying to look all innocent.

Steve and I lead them to the back of the parlor and into the door that connected to the back area of the mall where they could get around to stores or the movie theater without anyone noticing. “I swear, if anybody hears about this...” Steve threatens the kids as they walk out of the door. “We're dead!” They replied in unison as they keep walking.

Steve sighs and I shake my head. “Kids.” I muttered as we walk back into the parlor and got back to work. Then a few minutes later, the power to the whole mall went out and everyone gasped as we look around. “That’s weird.” I muttered as Steve goes over to the light switch and keeps flicking it, like that would do something.

”That isn’t gonna work, dingus.” Robin said. “Oh, really?” Steve said and he aggressively flicks the switch, repeatedly, as a way to annoy Robin. I place my hand over my face and shake my head at this while Robin was beyond annoyed.

Finally, the lights came back on and Steve shrugs. “Let there be light.” He said, smugly, and he walks away and Robin scoffs then she turns to me. “You seriously have a crush on him?” Robin asked me, quietly, and I shoot her a glare. “Shut up.” I growled at her before I walk away and got back to work.

Yes, in the last couple months I’ve developed a crush on Steve. I mean sure, he can be an idiot at times and a bit irritating…but he can also be sweet and caring. He did try to protect the kids and I from Billy after all. We really got to know each other back in December and never stop talking through out the rest of the school year. Before I knew it, I had developed feelings for him.

The next day, I was driving Max over to Lucas’ house since Billy went to his work as a lifeguard at the pool. Dustin had been gone this past month at camp and today he was supposed to arrive back home, and the others wanted to surprise him. 

“So, you excited to see Dustin again?” I asked her. “Yeah, honestly, I missed that nerd.” Max said and I chuckled. “Yeah, that kid’s special.” I said. “So, how’s it at Scoops?” Max asked me. “Not too bad. Although, Lucas’ little sister is getting on my nerves on coming in every day just to taste test the flavors we got. I’m about to charge that little brat.” I grumbled and Max giggles.

”Yeah, and I’m sure it’s nice to work there since you got Steve there to look at.” Max teased and I scoff as she starts to make kissing sounds at me. “Stop it!” I said and she laughs again. “Come on, (y/n). It’s obvious you like him.” said Max. “No, I don’t.” I said, defensively, and I glance over to notice her giving me that look that said Really? 

“Okay, fine, I like him! But I don’t even know if he likes me in that way.” I said. “Have you ever tried talking to him about it?” Max asked me like it was so obvious. “It’s complicated.” I said. “How? Just go up to him and say hey, Steve, do you like me or not?” Max said. “When you get older you find out dating is a lot more complicated and complex.” I said and Max scoffs.

”Or maybe you’re just making it complicated.” She said and I rolled my eyes. “Look, it’s just…I don’t want to ruin the friendship we got now. Because I just know that if I ask him and he turns me down, then it’ll just be weird between us and I don’t know how to handle that.” I said before I let out another sigh. “Besides, he hits on any pretty girl that comes into the parlor to get a date with them. Robin’s been keeping scores.” I added.

”Is it bad?” Max asked and I chuckled. “He’s had five girls reject him.” I said. “Oh, damn.” Max mutters just as we pull up to Lucas’ house. “Okay, enough talk about my nonexistent love life. You go and have fun.” I tell her as she unbuckles her seatbelt and gets out of the car. “Will do.” Max said. “Love you.” I said. “Love you too.” Max said. “Tell Dustin hi for me.” I called out as she shuts the door. 

At work, Robin and I were in the back area of the ice cream parlor when Robin looks out then pats my shoulder. “Oh, he’s trying again.” She said and we stand by the open window that leads out to the front desk where I see Steve serving ice cream to a couple of pretty girls.

“Alrighty, one scoop of chocolate. That's a buck-twenty-five. Anything else?” Steve asked but one of the girls, who was wearing a college shirt, hands him the money. “Ooh, Purdue. Fancy.” He said. “Yeah, I'm excited.” The girl said and he ran she friend chuckle.

“Yeah, you know, I considered it, Purdue, but then I was like, you know what? I really think I need some real-life experience, you know, before I hit college, see what it feels like. Kinda like, uh, I don't know, see what it's like to earn a working-man's wage, you know? Uh...” Steve stumbles as he works on the register. Both Robin and I share a look at this as the register beeps.

“Oh, I'm sorry. I think that's, like, really important.” Steve said, embarrassed. “Yeah, totally.” The girl said. “Yeah, anyway, this was, like, so fun. We should kind of like, you know, I don't know, maybe hang out this weekend or...” Steve said as he tries to hand the girl her change but either she didn’t catch it or he missed her hand.

“Oh, sorry about that. Uh...I don't know. Maybe next weekend or...” Steve stammers. “Yeah, I'm busy.” The girl said, obviously not interested. “Oh, that's cool. I'm...I'm working here next weekend, so...the following weekend's better for me.” Steve said. “No. I'm sorry, I can't. Okay. Thanks.” The girl said as she chuckles, politely, then her and her friend leaves. 

“Board?” I asked Robin and she nods and I grab her board, which on one side that said You Rock and the other side said You Suck which had five tallies under it, and hand it to her. “And another one bites the dust.” Robin said. “You are oh-for-six, Popeye.” She said as she adds another tally. “Yeah, yeah, I can count.” Steve grumbles as he turns to us.

“You know that means you suck.” Robin said, a bit proudly. “Yep, I can read, too.” Steve said, annoyed. “Since when?” Robin asked, in fake surprise, and I chuckled a bit. “It's this stupid hat. I am telling you, it is totally blowing my best feature.” Steve groans, gesturing to the sailor hat on his head, as Robin sets the board aside. “Yeah, company policy is a real drag.” I said. “You know, it's a crazy idea, but have you considered...telling the truth?”

“Oh, you mean, that I couldn't even get into Tech and my douchebag dad's trying to teach me a lesson, I make three bucks an hour, and I have no future? That truth?” Steve asked me and I shrugged. “Honesty is the best policy.” I said, obviously, and Steve scoffs then Robin looks over Steve’s shoulder.

“Hey, twelve o'clock.” She said and he turns and I look over to see a group of girls walking in. “Oh, shit. Oh, shit. Okay... Uh...” Steve mutters as he turns back to us. “I'm going in. Okay? And you know what?” Steve said and he grabs his hat and tosses it aside. “Screw company policy.” 

“Oh, my God, you're a whole new man.” Robin said, sarcastically. “Right? Ooh.” Steve said then he turns around to the girls. “Ahoy, ladies! Didn't see you there.” Steve said, loudly, making the girls gasp. “Would you guys like to set sail on this ocean of flavor with me? I'll be your captain. I'm Steve Harrington.” Steve said and the girls laugh a little.

“Can I get you guys a little taste of the Cherries Jubilee? No? Anybody? Banana Boat? Four people, four spoons? Share it in the booth? Anybody? It's hot out there.” Steve said and Robin and I share a look before she hands me the marker and I go over to the board and add another tally.

*3rd Person POV*

“Suzie! This is Dustin. Do you copy? Over.” Dustin said into his radio that he built at camp. He brought all of his friends outside to a hill just so he could show off that he has a girlfriend that he met at camp. But as the day turned to evening and no response from Suzie, Mike and Eleven had already left to go to her house. 

That left Lucas, Will and Max with Dustin as he continues to try and contact Suzie but still nothing as the evening turns into night while the other three were laying in the grass. “Suzie, this is your Dustin. Do you copy? Over.” Dustin said again but nothing but static. “Suzie...” Dustin said again but then Max speaks up.

“Dustin, come on! She's not there.” Max said, exasperated. “She's there, all right? She'll pick up.” Dustin said, defensively. “Maybe Cerebro doesn't work.” Will suggests as he sits up. “Or maybe Suzie doesn't exist.” Lucas says, annoyed. “She exists!” Dustin exclaims. “She's a genius and she's hotter than Phoebe Cates? No girl is that perfect.” Lucas said and Max sits up and glares at him.

“Is that so?” She asked and Lucas sits up, realizing his mistake. “I mean...you're perfect. I mean, like, per...perfect in your own way. In your special...your own special way.” Lucas stammers and Max chuckles. “Relax, I was teasing. I'm obviously perfect and Dustin's obviously lying.” Max said and Dustin frowns as Max gets up.

“Come on, Don Juan.” She said as she helps Lucas up and they start walking. “Where are you going?” Dustin asked. “Home.” Max replied and her and Lucas leave. “Well...guess it's just you and me, Byers.” Dustin said. “Um... it's late. Sorry. Maybe tomorrow we can play D&D. Or something fun. Like we used to?” Will suggests. “Yeah, sure.” Dustin mutters, upset.

“Welcome home.” Will said and he walks away, leaving Dustin all by himself. “Yeah. Welcome home.” He grumbles but then his radio starts to chatter. “Shit.” He said as he gets down on the ground. “Suzie? Suzie, is that you?” He asked into the radio but it wasn’t Suzie.

It was a man speaking a foreign language. 

He was speaking Russian.

*(y/n)’s POV*

I walked out from the back of the parlor, finishing up closing down the place, only to notice Max sitting in on of the benches outside of the parlor. “Hey, what are you doing here? Figured you’d be at Lucas’.” I said and she shrugs. “I’m a bit tired. Wanted a ride with you.” Max said and I nod. “Okay, well I’m done here.” I said and we start to leave.

”How did it go with Dustin?” I asked and Max goes on to tell me how they’re day went and that it kinda go boring when Dustin tries to contact a girl he claimed was his girlfriend from camp. “Dustin has a girlfriend?” I said, surprised, as we get into my car. “Well, he says he has one but I think he’s full of shit.” Max said and I shake my head. “I don’t know, Dustin doesn’t seem like a kid that would make that up.” I said and Max gives me a look of disbelief.

”Well, I mean, yeah, he has a great imagination but…lying about getting a girlfriend…I’m not sure.” I said. “Seriously? You believe it?” She asked me as I start the car. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s just I want to see you guys happy, especially after what happened a few months ago.” I said and Max shrugs and we leave the mall and head back home.

[dwobbitfromtheshire]

Picture Perfect (Prompt)

Or whatever title you choose. It's a fanfiction writing prompt.

18+ Minors DNI

Y/N Hopper convinces Eddie to let you put his hair into a bun and put eyeliner on him, hanging out in your apartment in Hawkins. You befriended the other young adult after the Upside Down closed for good, Vecna dead, and Eddie came back after being possessed by a 500 year old vampire. You were blown away by how hot he looked though and you both end up throwing caution to the wind. Once you got him naked in your bed you just had to take a picture. . . which he let you do. His hair surrounded him like a halo, his leg crossing over his other leg, and he looked off to the distance. He even let you take a picture of his scars. You two decided to keep your sexual relationship secret until you figured out what you meant to each other. Eddie wanted the photos developed for you though and unfortunately that meant asking a favor from your brother Jonathan on getting them developed. You lock them away until your nosy sister and her nosy boyfriend finds them. In your anger, your feelings are revealed.