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skybluewritings · 2 months ago

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Tell when did your winning smile begin to look like a smirk? Steve Harrington x fem!reader Part 1/2

Summary: (Name) and Steve were best friends growing up, spending every summer together at the villa in Martha's Vineyard. But what happens when they inevitability grow apart and meet again at the age of 23?

Warning: Some mentions of alcoholism, sexist language

Word count: 10k

Note: Hello everybody! A heads up there’ll be details in this that I’ve possibly gotten incorrect about the US I’m not from there so please be nice!! This was also written for the fun of it and there’ll be a bit of the old miscommunication trope but we move guys. This is for the three people that are still reading Stranger Things fanfiction in 2024 I see you and raise my glass to you. It’s also in part inspired by the summer I turned pretty, let me know in the comments if you’re team Jeremiah or team Conrad the age old debate. Anyway enjoy!

She remembered the first time she had met Steve Harrington. Their fathers had been roommates in college but had lost touch after graduation. They then reconnected in their 30s and decided that the perfect way to catch-up was a trip to the Harringtons’ beach house in Martha’s Vineyard.

She had sized up the boy in front of her, he was small and had brunette hair that his own mother seemed to keep trying to smooth down. Her grip tightened on her pool floatie.

"This is Steve. Remember daddy told you about him?" Her mum reminded her.

Her dad had indeed told (Name) all about Steve. How they were the same age and he was so sure they'd 'get on wonderfully'. She had been cross since her holidays were usually just her and her parents, not her dad's 'college roommate' and his family.

She'd never had trouble making friends but meeting new people made her nervous. She hated how parents forced you to play with other kids just because they were your age. At eight years old she already plenty of friends, why did she need anymore?

"For god’s sake darling perk up a bit?" Her mum sighed, ushering her forward.

"Hi." The boy-Steve said.

"Hello." She replied back, voice a little quieter.

Her mum rubbed at her temples. "Vivienne would you mind watching the kids whilst I go take a quick nap? We've been travelling for god knows how long."

Vivienne Harrington smiled at her. "Of course, go get some rest."

Her mum stifled a yawn then pressed a kiss to (Name’s) forehead before she left.

"I’m just gonna be over there reading my book if you kids need me.” Vivienne told them, going to lie down on a lounger. She had a margarita in one hand and in the other a book named "flames of passion." That was a strange name, wasn’t fire just hot-not passionate?

"I have no idea what my mom’s book means either." Steve suddenly spoke as if he could read her mind.

"Why do you say 'mom' and not mum?"

He shrugged. "The same way you say 'mum' instead of 'mom'."

She nodded at him it was a fair answer. "Your accent is still funny though."

"No it isn't."

"Is too!"

"That's not fair your accent is definitely weirder than mine!" He said defensively.

"Be nice Steve." Vivienne called out.

Steve let out a huff. "I'm always getting in trouble, My dad tells me off the most though, for things I haven't even done. It's so annoying."

"We should just ignore our parents.” She suggested. Steve begun to grin at her and she was pleased to discover she liked the sight of it.

“You’re funny.” He said.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

There was a certain camaraderie between them back then. They were two lonely children in a massive villa, often pushed to the side when their parents wanted to drink barrels of wine and smoke Cuban cigars. It would have been an unbearably long summer if they had not quickly become such great friends.

She knew they were best friends when her mum took them to the fair and they won matching bracelets in some fairground game. The two bracelets had blue plastic beads, and had the initial of their first names in gold. She had the ‘S’ bracelet and he had the other. It may have seemed like nothing special, but they both loved that they had something that matched. It had solidified their friendship.

During the long months between those summers, they would have the occasional phone call. Her father tutted at her that international calls were ‘just too expensive’, this sentiment she wouldn’t actually appreciate until she left home and started making her own calls. She once proposed they write letters to each other, the summer they were 10.

“We should write letters.” She said to Steve, an ice lolly in her hand.

He scrunched his sunburnt nose as he thought. “Why can’t we just talk on the phone?”

“Our parents barely let us do that and besides it could be fun!”

“I don’t know-“

“Steve come on!”

“Well I don’t want to.”

Her smile faded. “Why not?”

He sighed. “I-I find reading kinda hard.”

“What do you mean?”

“Reading is different for me than for everyone else, the words get all-twisted up.” He looked away self-consciously and fiddled with his matching bracelet. “And it isn’t like I don’t try, I really do! I just can’t get it to make sense.”

They were both silent for a moment. Now that she was 10 they had moved onto more advanced books in school with words like: Inconspicuous or Ambiguous, that she had puzzled over before she knew what they meant. But for words to get twisted up? She had never heard of that happening to a person. But Steve was one of her best-friends and the last thing she ever wanted was for him to feel bad.

“I happen to know there’s a lot of things you are good at.” She said, causing him to gaze up at her. “You can do a handstand, you can name every character from Star Wars, you can do really cool doodles.” She let out a giggle at the last one. “I also remember you telling me how this year you hit the most home runs out of anyone on the baseball team and how great your grades in maths were. There you go!”

Steve begun to smile at her, he had the best smile out of anyone she knew. “Thank you.”

She slung an arm around her friend. “Who knows maybe we can sneak a few extra calls without our parents noticing?” He let out a laugh.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

Steve was the best holiday companion she could have asked for. Whether it was riding their bikes to go get ice cream or staying up late to watch scary movies praying their parents didn’t remember they were still awake. When they would arrive at the start of the Summer she would sprint down the drive way and fling her arms around him in delight. But when they hit 14 something began to change, it even seemed like her bracelet knew. The blue beads and gold S were fading in colour and the string fraying.

Due to her catching a bizarre summer cold they had to delay their arrival to Martha’s Vineyard by 2 weeks. That was 2 weeks lost hanging out with her best friend she only saw once a year, a sentiment she had melodramatically expressed to her parents when they had made the decision to delay the trip. So, when they finally arrived and she eagerly shot out the car she was disappointed to see Steve was not there waiting. Instead, she was sweetly greeted by Vivienne Harrington, who enveloped her in a gentle hug. She noticed Vivienne smelled vaguely of wine, which was odd since the adults didn’t usually drink until after midday. It was currently 9am.

As they pulled away from the hug (Name) peered around the drive.

“He’s off with some of the kids next door.” Vivienne told her knowing exactly what she was thinking.

“Kids next door?” She asked. “What happened to that old couple?”

“They sold their house to a family a few months ago, there’s a nice boy and girl in about your grade, he’s been hanging out with.”

This news made something in her stomach twist, she was quiet for a few seconds too long.

Vivienne placed a hand on her arm. “I wouldn’t worry though you’ll always be his best-friend.”

She managed a small smile. “Okay.” She of course loved her mum but Vivienne seemed to understand her more at times.

“Darling, can you come give us a hand with the suitcases please?” Her mum called out to her.

“I’ll be there in a second.” She replied.

“Go help your mom and dad and then you can give me a hand making some cookies.” Vivienne said, with a glint of mischief in her eye, a look that Steve had definitely inherited from her.

A few hours later the cookies were out the oven filling the kitchen with a scent so sweet she nearly forgot about the wine she had smelt on Vivienne. (Name) was perched up on the counter swinging her legs as she watched Vivienne place the cookies onto a large plate. A familiar footfall approached the kitchen and in strode Steve, he gave them both a wide grin.

Vivienne shook her head in amusement. “Steve you’re trailing sand all over the kitchen, clean it up or otherwise your dad’s gonna blow a fuse.”

“Sorry mum.” Steve apologised, even though he knew she wasn’t annoyed in the slightest. Vivienne Harrington could never be angry with her son.

“You took long enough!” (Name) exclaimed happy to see him but also a little pissed.

“My bad, I was surfing with Tyler.” He noted the confusion on her face. “Tyler’s from next door he’s a fun guy…” His voice trailed off.

At 14 she had begun to feel much more aware of the social hierarchy amongst kids of her age. And whilst she wasn’t really at the bottom she was most definitely nowhere near the top where Steve was. She knew if they went to school together they probably wouldn’t be friends, but in the summer all the usual rules were suspended. She didn’t mind Steve hanging out with people, she just had a nagging feeling that Tyler would cause Steve to realise he could do much better in the way of friendship.

“And he also has a sister-Margo, she’s even better at surfing than Tyler. I think me and Tyler were gonna head out tomorrow afternoon if you wanna come?” Steve gingerly offered.

However this was Steve she rationalised, he wouldn’t drop her for someone he’d known for a few minutes, when they’d known each other for years. And if he thought this Tyler and Margo were cool then they probably were!

She drew a breath in and forced herself to smile. “Sure, sounds fun. I’m sure I’ll really like them.”

“Great!” He happily said finally pulling her in for a hug. “I’m so glad your finally here, the past 2 weeks have sucked without you.”

So he had missed her after all! “I wanted to come sooner I swear.”

He pulled out of the hug and jokingly narrowed his eyes. “Are you sure you didn’t fake being sick in order to miss the horror movie marathon.”

Every June there was a day where a series of classic horror films were shown on tv, an event that scared them both, although Steve had always been better at hiding his fear.

She nudged him with her elbow. “Don’t pretend you haven’t been sleeping with your lamp on.”

He folded his arms. “Our rooms are right next to each other, so tonight you’ll see how wrong you were.”

“I imagine I’ll hear lots of crying instead then.” She teased making him playfully roll his eyes.

The rest of the day passed by in relative ease with the two of them catching up over what they had missed and by the time the next day came she was certain that they were going to have a great summer! Until she met Tyler.

Surfing had never been a sport she’d mastered. For one her parents had forbidden her to try it, stating it was far too dangerous and she could try when she was older. The couple of times she had sneakily tried on Steve’s board she had wiped out within seconds. So when it came time to meet up with Steve’s new friend she knew she’d be marooned on the shore whilst they glided across the waves.

“They should be here somewhere.” Steve said scanning the wide expanse of the beach.

In the distance a guy waved in their direction before beckoning them over, Steve jogged on ahead of her.

Steve performed some kind of handshake with the guy. “Hey man.” They chatted for a moment while she watched on feeling slightly awkward.

“Tyler,” Steve said as if he’d just remembered. “this is the friend I was telling you about?”

Tyler nodded at her as she introduced herself.

“How come you don’t have a board?” Tyler asked her.

“My parents won’t let me surf, I mean they don’t even let me ride a bike without knee pads. Maybe if you wrapped me in bubble wrap they’d let me!” She explained with a nervous laugh, Tyler didn’t seem amused.

“I thought you were gonna use mine?” Steve reminded her.

She shook her head, not in the mood to make a fool of herself. “Maybe some other time but thanks.”

“But you’re already in a wet suit… you’re just gonna watch then?” Tyler asked.

“Well yeah I guess.”

Tyler didn’t bother to reply. “Steve you go wanna go in?” He asked her friend.

Steve nodded. “Yeah let’s do it.” He looked to her for a moment. “Do you mind staying here?”

“No not at all!”

He stood for a moment looking hesitantly at her.

“Tyler, I’ll catch you up.” He said, Tyler clapped him on the shoulder and headed for the water.

“Steve go, I’ll be fine I swear.” She said in reassurance.

“Promise?” He asked sticking his pinky out, she laughed at the gesture.

She connected hers to his and firmly shook it. “Promise.”

He pat her arm before going to join Tyler in the ocean. Her fingertips grazed where he had touched her arm, her skin felt all tingly. She settled on the sand, pulling her knees to chest. She watched the two boys surf, feeling a pang of longing. There were so many occasions where she wished her own anxiety didn’t ruin things for her.

The boys eventually emerged from the sea talking animatedly about the waves and what days in the coming week would be best to go back out. She stood back up when they grew closer to her.

“Good I’m guessing?” She ventured.

“It was fucking amazing!” Steve exclaimed.

“I gotta head out but 9 at mine later?” Tyler said to Steve.

“What’s happening at 9?” She quickly asked, cringing at her eagerness.

“Not much, was just gonna have a few people over to hang out.” Tyler said then immediately turned back to Steve. “Will you be able to swipe some of that vodka?”

“Yeah I reckon it should be fine, no one’s really touched it in I don’t how long.” Steve then glanced to her. “Can she come too?”

She felt her face heat up, feeling like someone’s tag along little sister.

“Yeah if she wants.” Tyler answered flatly. “Are you sure it’s her vibe?”

Her ‘vibe’? What the hell did that even mean?!

She frowned and opened her mouth to reply when Steve jumped in. “It’s totally her vibe, we’ll both be there.”

When Tyler had finally left, she gave him a sceptical look. “You’re not really going to steal vodka are you?”

“Well, I might, what’s wrong with that?”

“The fact that you’re a dead man if your dad finds out.”

Steve grinned at her. “Only if he catches me.”

“Steve really, please be careful.” She warned.

“I will be.” He promised her.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

Clyde Harrington tended to be someone she had very little to do with. He was polite when they had to interact but had never showed very much interest in her beyond that. He only went on the summer trip to spend time with her dad, meaning everyone else mostly fell below his notice. And yet Steve simultaneously went unnoticed and noticed, finding himself getting laid into for the most miniscule of reasons. There was always some larger issue that every lecture circled back to, last summer it had been his grades in English. It was not as if she could really step in as her mum or dad would remind her to ‘respect your elders’. She could at least be grateful they scolded her far less than Clyde did to Steve.

She had finally selected a cute sun dress after an hour of trying to determine what outfit embodied having ‘a few people over to hang out’. She went to knock on Steve’s door to see if he was ready to leave but there was no response. She tried again, still nothing. She went downstairs to see if he was waiting for her there.

Downstairs was completely void of life and chatter, the adults had long since gone to the country club for dinner. As she moved through the kitchen, she started to hear faint voices drifting through the open doors that led to the patio. She figured out it was Steve and Clyde, wasn’t the latter meant to be out? She hung back not wanting to interrupt.

“Do I get to meet these new friends of yours?” Clyde asked.

“Maybe dad..I really should be heading out-“

“-I like the sound of this Tyler, he’s the sort you should be associating with.” There was the noise of ice clinking in a glass. “(Name) is a lovely girl, but I was beginning to think you were a real little bitch from the amount of time you used to spend together.”

Steve seemed to ignore the comment. “Shouldn’t you be at dinner?”

“I had to take a business call, I’ll go soon.”

“The same type of business call I overheard the other month?”

“I wish you would stop bringing that up.” Clyde snapped. “You know for a fact it meant nothing.”

“And yet you’re still hiding it from mom.” Steve angrily pointed out.

“I’ll tell her in my own way, it is none of your concern!”

“I’ll tell her if you won’t!”

“You do that and I send you to military school. You’re on thin ice Steven, best to not fall through.”

There was a pause.

“And take that bracelet off you look like a fucking girl.” Clyde hissed.

“I’ll see you later.” Steve cooly said.

Clyde hummed in response, the glass clinking again. Steve stormed into the kitchen before she had a chance to hastily leave. His eyes widened upon seeing her.

“I-I didn’t mean to listen I’m sorry.”

His jaw was clenched. “Let’s just go.” He muttered blazing past her.

She hurried after him as they left through the front door.

“Steve?” She called out as he walked ahead of her up the drive.

She grabbed him by the wrist forcing him to stop and look at her.

“What?” He sighed.

Nothing had really prepared her for this situation, she was usually great at giving advice but now she found herself speechless. So instead she settled for tightly winding her arms around his neck, he stood there limply.

“It’ll be okay.” She murmured.

“No it won’t. How can it ever be?” He whispered pulling away. “I-I don’t wanna talk about it can we just go to the party?”

She gazed at him in concern. “Are you sure that’s a good-“

“Can we please just go to the stupid party?” He snapped, eyes welling up.

She knew he was upset and probably didn’t mean it but she still felt a twinge of hurt.

She nodded. “Sure of course we can go.”

He took his bracelet off and slipped it into his pocket, she didn’t mention it.

When they arrived at the party she struggled to fully relax knowing how much pain her best friend was in every time he laughed slightly too loud at a joke or a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. She was surprised to find that Tyler’s friends didn’t end up being all too bad. Then again anyone was a major upgrade from him! Just when she was starting to have fun someone suggested they play truth or dare, Tyler snarkily remarked to Steve that he hadn’t played that game since the sixth grade. They were all sat in a circle, Steve was sat in the circle opposite her, he’d been avoiding her since they arrived. She fidgeted on the floor trying to get comfortable.

“Hey mind if I sit here?” A girl about her age asked Steve.

“Yeah, feel free Margo.”

The girl-Margo giggled at him as she sat down next to him, he gave her a bashful smile. She felt she should dislike Margo but her cute outfit was making it challenging to do so, she really wanted to ask where she’d gotten her skirt from.

“Truth or dare?” Tyler asked her.

“Truth.” (Name) cautiously said.

“Have you ever kissed anyone?”

“You know what skip me.”

“No skips.”

“Well no..I haven’t.” She admitted.

Steve finally stopped ogling Margo and looked to her.

“You’re kidding right? You’re what 14…” Tyler laughed.

She wished the ground would open up and devour her, like one of those giant sandworms from Dune, she’d recently read it.

“Steve I’m gonna give you a dare.” Tyler told him.

“Aren’t we going around the circle?” Steve replied, dread knotted in her stomach knowing where this may be going.

“It’s my party, my rules. And I dare you to kiss her.”

Her heart speed up, as she finally made eye contact with Steve, they were both in total abject horror. She didn’t hate the idea of kissing him but she was not about to have her first real kiss in front of a bunch of strangers.

“No.” She told Tyler.

“What?”

“I said no.”

She saw Steve let out a sigh of relief.

“Why.”

“Because I don’t want to.” She said with a glare.

The room grew tense as Tyler glared back at her, he let out a huff. “Steve, you’ll just have to kiss someone else.”

Steve looked around the circle, she hoped it would be anyone but- Margo leant forward and quickly kissed him. (Name) grit her teeth as they both pulled apart smiling shyly at one another. There were a chorus of ooos at the sight.

Tyler lightly punched Steve’s arm. “Not my sister man, Jesus!”

“She kissed me, I don’t know what to tell you.” This made Margo chuckle.

“See it’s not so hard.” Tyler smirked at her. “You don’t have to be such a fucking baby.”

She got to her feet. “I’m done, Steve are you coming?” She asked.

Steve glanced to Margo for a moment who had linked her arm through his. “I think I’ll stay actually..I’ll see you back home though yeah?”

Her chest felt constricted as she stared at her friend, she was too furious to even speak. She turned her back to the group and left the room as people snickered at her. She waited outside for a few minutes in case Steve changed his mind, but he never came. Humiliated and exhausted she gave up and went home.

When she arrived back at the house, she found Vivienne awake smoking outside the front door. “Sweetie how come you’re back so early?”

“I was tired.” She lied.

“Is Steve still at the party?”

“Yeah I think so...”

“Did you guys get in a fight?”

“Sort of, his friend was picking on me and he wouldn’t leave with me..”

“That boy.” Vivienne sighed. “I’ll have a word with him.”

“No, no it’s okay please don’t!” (Name) exclaimed. The last thing she wanted was to look even more uncool than she already felt.

“I’m sure you’ll make up tomorrow.” Vivienne assured her, she took a final drag of her cigarette then stamped it out with one of her wedges. “Come on hunny let’s get you to bed, everything feels better in the daylight.”

She nodded forlornly as Vivienne put a comforting arm around her.

“Doesn’t Clyde hate you smoking?” (Name) asked.

Vivienne waved a hand. “Believe me he’s done worse.”

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

The next day came and Steve never apologised, if anything it felt like he was avoiding her. If he wasn’t going to bother with her then she wouldn’t with him! However, following three excruciating days of distance she’d finally had enough. One morning after breakfast, she caught him on his way to go surfing. She was reading by the pool and put her book down when she saw him. “Hey.”

“Oh hi.”

She held the book to her chest. “Where are you off to?”

He lifted up the surfboard, bracelet still gone. “Thought I’d go whilst the beach was nice and empty.”

There was a silence between them that for the first time felt uncomfortable.

“I’m gonna go..” He started to walk away.

“Wait.” She blurted out, he stopped. “I-I feel like you’re avoiding me.”

“I’ve been busy.”

“That’s a lie, you just don’t want to be friends anymore!”

“It’s not that I don’t want to be friends with you-I just think we need some time apart..” He faltered.

“Time apart? I should be taking time away from you with how you treated me at the party.”

“Look Tyler was out of line but that’s just what he’s like, it was a joke.” He explained irritation strong in his voice.

“I thought jokes were meant to be funny.” She snapped. “You should have stuck by me, I’m your best friend.”

“I’m sorry that I didn’t want to leave a good party because you were being fucking sensitive.” He snapped back.

“You know what Steve take as much space as you want, go be friends with that dickhead Tyler for all I care.”

He gave her a dirty look. “Grow up.”

“Says the pussy who nearly cried last night.” She hissed.

Hurt briefly flashed on his face, she wished she could take it back as soon as she said it.

“I didn’t mean that I’m sorr-“

“Just leave me alone okay?” He icily said.

When she was later alone in her bedroom she removed her bracelet and threw it into her bedside draw, slamming it closed.

The argument meant Steve spent the rest of their 14th summer off with Tyler and Margo. (Name) kept to herself, no matter how dull it was at times. She wanted to reach out but didn’t know how long it would be before she could.

One night in September it felt like it was time. She prayed he would pick up figuring it was late afternoon in Indiana, he would hopefully be back from school. Instead, she was met with the monotonous voice of Clyde Harrington.

“Hello?” Clyde asked.

“Hi Mr Harrington is Steve there?”

“Ah it’s just you. No he’s at basketball try outs.” He explained not sounding pleased in the slightest to be speaking with her.

She sighed. “Can you ask him to call me when he’s back?”

“Very well.”

She didn’t want to stay on the phone any longer than she had to.

“And-tell him I hope he’s enjoying high school, I know he was nervous.”

Clyde snorted. “My son nervous? Nonsense he’s made of stone like his old man.”

Despite how angry she still was with Steve she was annoyed to hear his dad speak about him in such a blasé’ manner.

“I think there’s more to him than people realise.” She replied bluntly.

“Watch your tone, or I’ll be having a word with your father.” He said gruffly. “Is that all?

“Yes-bye.” He hung up before she even had the chance.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

Steve never called her back and just like that they were no longer friends. It was like a punch to the stomach. By the next summer any remanence of the sweet guy she’d known had been erased. They’d begun to butt heads over the stupidest things: who got to call shot gun, who got the last piece of dessert, who knew the most about some inane topic.

As the years went by she grew used to hanging out on her own in the summer. Her routine changed without Steve in it, for one she was getting through twice as many books. The summer they were 17 he bought a vinyl player for his bedroom which made any reading she wanted to do in her own a challenge. He had been testing her patience more so than the previous few visits to the house. It had been three full years of arguments and snarky looks that had led her to banging on his door mere seconds away from strangling him.

Steve opened his bedroom, peering down at her in disinterest. “Yeah what?”

She gave him a blank stare. “You’re serious right? The music Harrington.”

Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours blared from behind him. “What music?”

“Always with the sarcasm.” She rolled her eyes. “Can you just turn it down?”

“What’s the magic word?”

“What?”

“The magic word.”

“What are we six?”

He smirked. “No but you’re acting like it.”

“If I say please will you turn it down?” She sighed.

“Sure.” He agreed.

“Fine. Please will you turn it down?”

He pondered for a moment.

“No.” He said before slamming the door in her face, she heard him laugh from the other side.

“You’re fucking insufferable!” She seethed kicking his door.

The summer only grew worse when she discovered Steve’s friend from home was coming to visit. It was a guy named Tommy, Vivienne had hesitantly described him as “very spirited.” He was probably spirited in the way of pulling the wings off flies, if Steve’s friendship with Tyler was anything to go by.

Tommy arrived in late July and would be staying until the end of August. She first met him at dinner one night. Steve and Tommy were the last to dinner, Steve was late for basically every meal. They looked as if they were in the middle of some elaborate story when they appeared at the table.

“I swear to god you crack me up!” Tommy laughed lightly shoving Steve’s shoulder.

They sat down at the table and Steve struck up a conversation with her parents, she had to give it to him that despite their differences he really knew how to charm them. It was obvious in how highly they spoke of him shaking their heads at what a shame it was the two weren’t as close anymore. She smiled a little to herself at how easily he was making her dad laugh.

“You got a nice smile there.” A voice said to her.

She looked up Tommy was staring straight at her.

“It makes you light up in a real pretty way.” Tommy smoothly told her.

“Thanks.” She replied, pleasantly surprised at the compliment.

“Anytime gorgeous.”

Steve frowned at both her and Tommy. “Stop being gross man.” He said to his friend in disgust.

She raised a brow at Steve “So someone flirting with me is gross?”

He gave her an exasperated look. “You know that’s not what I meant.”

She speared some broccoli with her fork. “Yes it was.”

“Stop trying to pick fights.” Her mum sighed at her.

“Sorry.” She muttered focusing on her dinner.

There was a pause. “As if you even know what flirting is.” Steve teased her.

Her grip on the fork tightened as she lifted it up. “Is it flirting if I shove this fork into your eye?”

“You’re utterly enchanting you know that?” He sarcastically said.

“That’s enough out of both of you.” Clyde warned. “Can you try get a long for five minutes?”

After a minute or so of the conversation returning to normal, she looked to Steve and secretly flipped him off a gesture he kindly returned.

“Hey hunny.” Vivienne said to her narrowly missing the exchange. “Have I told you about the event the country club are putting on?”

“What event would that be?” She asked.

“They haven’t done it in a few years but they’re putting on some charity gala towards the end of August. Loads of kids your age usually go, you should seriously think about it, I bet you’d have so much fun. Steve could even be your date!”

She let out a snort. “Steve really?”

He was pretty cute it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to have him on her arm. Provided he stayed quiet the whole time.

“I’m a prize catch you could do much worse.” He said through a mouthful of food.

Tommy grinned at her. “I’m kind of with her on this one, sorry buddy.” Steve rolled his eyes.

“Anyway no pressure at all, just something to think about. We could even go shopping, just us girls.” Vivienne said giving her a wink.. She loved her mum but wished she was as fun as Steve’s.

Vivienne poured herself another glass of wine, spilling a few drops on table.

“Go easy love you’ve already had three glasses!” Her mum laughed.

Vivienne grinned and waved a hand. “Relax, we’re just celebrating Tommy’s first night here!”

Everyone laughed apart from her and Steve.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

Later that night she was sat with her feet dangling in the cool water of the pool. She hadn’t been able to sleep, the suffocating humidity making her toss and turn.

“Mind if I join?”

She glanced up to see Steve stood next to her, cigarette and lighter in hand.

“Yeah, go for it...” She said confusion lacing her tone.

He sat down next to her and lit his cigarette.

He offered the cigarette and she took a drag. “Thanks...” She handed it back to him.

“Do you see the constellation there?” He said pointing high in the sky.

She squinted, still perplexed about what was happening. “No I can’t see it.”

He leant closer to her, she felt the warmth radiating from him. “Just look where my finger’s pointing.”

She followed to where he was gesturing to. “I can see it now.” She told him.

“That one’s my favourite, it’s the Hercules constellation, it’s one of the larger constellations.” He explained. “Did you know it’s got one of the brightest cluster of stars?” He smiled to himself as he took a deep drag.

Seeing him so earnest for the first time in years, made her soften a little towards him.

She sighed. “Steve, what’s going on?“

“It’s bad again.” He slowly said.

“What is?”

“What do you think.”

She suddenly understood. “Right your mum.”

They’d never really spoken about Vivienne’s issues with drinking, it was something they’d silently acknowledged like every time she accidentally broke a glass at dinner or tripped up.

“Have you spoken to her about it?” She asked.

“I’m not doing that again, I tried it once we just got into a huge blow out over it.”

“And your dad?”

He gave her a wry smile. “No chance of that! He can’t be bothered to engage with it since he’s the entire reason it’s even happening.”

“He cheated on her again didn’t he?”

He nodded. “Yeah. How did you know?”

His forehead looked pinched she wanted to reach over and smooth it. She clasped her hand pushing the thought away.

“Remember when we were like 14 and I overheard that conversation between you and your dad, yeah then.”

“I-I remember that night.”

“Me too.” She said quietly, then drew in a deep breath. “I’m really sorry about calling you a pussy for nearly crying, that was shitty of me.”

“I probably deserved it.” He joked.

She wondered if he would take the chance to apologise in turn to her for, but the moment passed and he didn’t.

“Why confide in me? Why not Tommy?”

His face softened. “I just wanted to talk to someone who understood.”

Her lips parted as she stared back at him, she wished she didn’t still care so much about him.

“It’s late I should go to bed.” Her voice cracked as she spoke.

“Night.” He told her, as she stood up.

She smiled weakly in response. “Night.”

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

The next day Vivienne took her into town to pick out a dress. From how animatedly Vivienne was speaking to her you��d never guess she was suffering through her husband’s infidelity.

“Vivienne is everything okay with you?” She carefully asked her.

Vivienne kept her eyes on the road as she drove. “I’m great, I’m about to go shopping with my favourite gal.” She replied affectionately.

“Are you sure? I’ve been getting this feeling that something is off..”

They stopped at a red light.

Vivienne glanced over at her. “You’ve gotta be more clear sweetie.”

“Did something happen with Clyde?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Subtlety be damned she thought!

“He cheated on you!” She exclaimed.

Vivienne’s face became sorrowful, the light turned green, they didn’t move.

“I’m gonna speak to you as an adult now, okay? My husband isn’t perfect he’s made god knows how many mistakes.” She briefly closed her eyes. “But the life he’s provided me with is good, safe and if you grew up the way I did security is everything. I have a place in the community, I have a son who needs me. So if it means having a husband that has the occasional fling then I’ll endure it.”

“But what is any of that worth if you’re unhappy?”

Vivienne didn’t respond. A car aggressively honked from behind.

She started to drive again. “Do you mind not mentioning this conversation to Steve?” She asked.

(Name) nodded. “Yeah of course.”

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

The conversation after a few minutes returned to normal, mainly Vivienne talking at her about what discounts the store offered and what style of dress would suit her. By the time they reached the store she was relieved to be away from the suffocating atmosphere of the car. Vivienne saw a friend of hers also shopping in the store and went to go catch up with them. (Name) flipped through the different dresses on the rails, when she stopped at one that caught her eye.

“That’d really suit you.”

She looked up to see Margo a little further down the rail a dress slung over her arm.

“Thank you.” She said intrigued as to why Margo was suddenly speaking to her.

Margo seemed to be able to read her. “I realised we’ve not talked much before...”

“No not really, I do appreciate the compliment though.” She said warmly. “Are you going to the gala as well?”

“You mean being dragged against my will by my mother, yes I’m going.”

“I don’t know it could be kind of fun, we get an excuse to dress up cute and it goes to charity, could be worse.”

“I can always spike the punch!” Margo joked.

“I’m going to be sticking with you for the night then. Out of curiosity why talk to me now? I mean we’ve neighbours for years.”

Margo considered this. “My brother’s fucking annoying and I noticed Steve’s not hanging around you much these days.” (Name) deflated at the mention of Steve. “And I guess I felt bad about what happened when we were younger…I’m sorry.”

“It was a long time ago and also not your fault, please don’t worry about it!”

“Even so I’m sorry for kissing him, it was obvious you liked him.”

“What me like Steve? I mean I can hardly stand him.”

“I don’t know about now, but that summer I mean come one! You were so devastated I kissed him you had to leave the party.”

“I left the party because your brother excuse my language-was being a prick.”

Margo nodded. “My brother is a prick, but you have to admit that it bothered you.”

It had really bothered her, only a few years later had she realised why it did. However to confess to it out loud would make the pain of that memory even greater.

“Anyway.” She said changing the subject. “Did you want to hangout sometime before the ball?”

“Sure.” Margo grinned. “By the way, if it’s any consolation me and Steve only lasted about a month.”

She let out a laugh as Margo waved goodbye to her.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

“You’ve really never been to a beach bonfire?” Margo asked her.

“No, I never really had anyone to go with. They’re not going to burn me at the stake are they?”

“Not on my watch! Trust me it’s a really chill crowd you’ll like them I promise.”

“I’ll take your word for it but I’m leaving if I see a stake.” She joked.

Margo snorted. “My god how old were you last time you went to a party?”

“Literally three months ago when I was back in London. I promise you I do actually have friends just not in Martha’s Vineyard.”

Margo swatted her arm. “We’re friends now aren’t we?”

(Name) pretended to think for a moment. “I can vaguely recall meeting you. What was your name again?”

“Ha Ha you are hilarious.”

Her and Margo had hung out a lot over the past few weeks and she had to admit it was 10 times more fun than mooning about the villa reading some old paperback.

They finally reached the beach, there was a clump of teenagers crowded around a roaring fire, stolen beers in hand. She tugged at the neckline of her black mini dress beginning to worry that this was a bad idea.

“These are a few friends of mine.” Margo said introducing her to a few people who gave her friendly smiles.

“Hey.” She said to the group.

“Where are you from?” A girl asked her.

The guy next to her elbowed her. “Where do you think genius?”

“Don’t worry you’ll get used to the accent.” Someone said from behind her.

She turned to see Steve with Tommy in tow. They hadn’t spoken much since their short conversation at the pool.

“I think this beach might be a little small for your ego Harrington.” She mocked.

Tommy laughed at the joke causing Steve to glare at him.

He regarded her carefully. “Why are you even here? Didn’t think this was kind of your thing?”

“How would you even know what my thing is?” She said dryly.

Steve smirked at her and was about to respond when Tommy cut in. “I know what my thing is, it’s pretty girls in little black dresses.”

Steve’s smirk was completely gone.

Margo wrinkled her nose. “I think I just threw up in my mouth.” Steve gave her a small smile. She nodded at him and he nodded back at her.

What Tommy said was such a line but she was having fun.

She faked disappointment. “I actually think this may be more of a midnight blue, that’s not a problem is it?”

“Not all.” Tommy grinned. “Doesn’t stop me from wanting to go get a drink with you.”

“Sure, let’s go.” She said before turning to Margo. “Do you mind if I go hangout with him for a while?”

Margo gave Tommy a side long glance. “Have a good time, but I’ll be keeping an eye on him.”

“I’ll be fine.” She promised her friend. “I’ll see you later okay?”

Margo smiled at her and rejoined the conversation with her friends.

Steve stared at (Name). “What?” She asked.

“Nothing.” He muttered.

She followed Tommy to a cooler where he took out a can of beer and handed it to her. He cracked open his own.

“So are you gonna let me take you to this dance then?” Tommy asked, he took a swig of his beer. “I figured it was best to be upfront, you seem cool and I’d like to take you.”

“You’re sure you’re not taking me just to piss off Harrington?” She teased.

“Why should it bother him, he’s got his pick of the ladies.”

Something twisted and sliced into her stomach. She covered her displeasure by sipping at her beer.

“What do you like to do when your back in Indiana?”

“That’s a very open-ended question.”

“I meant like what do you do for fun?”

He grinned at her. “All kinds of trouble. Hawkins is a small town you have to make your own fun, there’s only so much basketball you can play and school you can endure.”

“Are you on the basketball team with Harrington?”

“For now. If he doesn’t get his grades up next year coach’s gonna cut him. It’s a shame he’s a great player, not the brightest tool in the shed though.”

She furrowed her brow. “I disagree, I remember he made some maths championship thing a few years back.”

Tommy snickered. “What back when he was like 10 and math was like 2 + 2? He’s always forgetting essays and skipping class. Not even a community college will end up taking him.”

“I happen to think he’s pretty fucking smart so.” She said sharply.

Tommy smirked at her. “I didn’t realise you had such a hard on for him.”

“I-I don’t have a hard on for anyone.” Her voice wavered. “And unfortunately that extends to you.”

“So no gala for us then?”

“That depends on if you keep making snide comments.”

Tommy put his hand to his chest. “Hand on heart, I will be the nicest son of a bitch you’ve ever met if you just let me take you.”

She looked at him sceptically.

“I swear!” He said. “What’ll take for me to convince you?”

She smirked as she thought of a fitting way for him to redeem himself. “You have to strip off in front of everyone and run into the sea.”

There was no way he would do it-Tommy begun to tug off his clothes.

Her jaw dropped. “You’re actually doing it..”

People noticed him and start to wolf whistle and clap the more he took off.

He was now stark naked. “I’m trying to win a date with a very pretty girl.”

She laughed in shock as he threw her a wink and went running into the sea. It looked like she had a date for the charity gala after all!

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

The sun piercing through her blinds the next morning stole her from any sleep. She slipped on a bikini and with a coffee in hand decided to face the day since she was already awake. When she made her way to the pool she was surprised to see Steve was already there, lazing on a lounger, lost in the music from his Walkman. She settled onto one of the sun loungers, leaving an empty one between them. She lay her sore head on the plush cushioning of the lounger. She regretted that extra beer she’d had last night. He noticed her sit down and put his headphones around his neck the music droning out from them. He had a sudoku book in his lap, one page was completed the other full of random sketches.

“So, you’re going to the ball with Tommy then?” He asked curiously.

“You don’t beat around the bush do you.” She said, opening the magazine she’d bought outside with her.

“It’s odd you’d settle for someone like him after binging all those old romcoms growing up.”

“It’s odd you’re this bothered by one date to some country club event.”

“I would’ve taken you.”

“That’s a lie, because you never even bothered to ask me Harrington.”

“You didn’t even give me the chance to ask!” He said in mock disappointment.

She slapped the magazine down. “What’s your agenda here huh? You had a chance to take me and then you didn’t, why is this bothering you so badly?”

“Because he’s a dick okay.”

“But he’s your friend how can you just say that about him?”

Steve sat up straighter. “Tommy’s the guy you toilet paper the principal’s office with not the guy you go to a charity gala with.” She rolled her eyes, he took off his sunglasses. “He’s cheated on every girl he’s gone out with okay. Last year it was my friend Pammy, this year it’ll be you.”

She shifted in her seat, uncertainty kicking in. “Well-what does it even matter it’s only going to be one date.”

He gave her a wistful smile. “Because you of all people deserve the best one date.”

Her head felt light at the compliment but she snapped herself out of it when she remembered who was saying it to her.

“I’m going out with Tommy and that’s the end of it okay?”

“I did try and warn you, but it’s your choice to make.” He said in disappointment.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

The night of the gala came around, she studied her reflection in the mirror as she applied one last coat of lipstick. The dress was a gorgeous cerulean, the same shade as the sea on a particularly bright day. She ran her fingertips across the silky fabric, it flowed like water under her touch.

There was a knock at her door, she glanced to her clock it was most likely Tommy since he’d said he call on her at about 6. Despite the warnings she was excited to go. She wasn’t expecting to fall in love tonight but she’d have a good time!

The door opened except it wasn’t Tommy behind it, it was Steve. He seemed stunned as he took in her appearance, her face grew hot.

“Are you going to say anything?” She shyly asked.

Steve shook his head. “Yes-yeah, you look really-“

Tommy with impeccable timing made his way to her door. “You look really sexy.” Tommy told her.

She glanced momentarily to Steve who went from being dazed to irritated.

“Thanks... Shall we?” She asked Tommy.

Tommy held his arm out to her and she took it.

“We’ll see you there man.” Tommy called to Steve over his shoulder. “He’s riding with his mommy and daddy.” Tommy remarked to her, oozing of condescension.

They’d only been at the event for half an hour before Tommy was whipping out his flask and spiking their punch.

“Here.” Tommy said handing her a glass of punch.

She took a sip and winced.

“Can’t handle your drink?” He cackled.

“No I can!” She coughed. “I just didn’t expect you to pour in so much.”

“How else are we gonna make it through this event? This thing is nearly as dead as my hometown.”

She pursed her lips. “I think the gala’s pretty great.”

And it was, the ballroom was decorated beautifully, people were dancing and laughing, everyone but them seemed to be having fun.

“I’m giving this another twenty, then you’re on your own okay?”

She thought of some way to salvage the evening.

“Why don’t we go dance?” She suggested.

Tommy considered it for a second then nodded. “Yeah okay.”

They moved to the dance floor, the music of the band vibrating through the floor. He placed one hand on her upper back as they danced.

“You know maybe we should go somewhere more private after this.”

She tilted her head. “You mean like getting some food at a diner after the gala?”

He chuckled and gave her a sultry look. “You’re so clueless it’s adorable.”

“I’m not so sure what’s clueless about that.” She said defensively, even though she knew.

He leant in closer to speak into her ear. “Enough of the games baby, don’t you wanna go have some real fun.” His hand trailed down to rest on her lower back.

She pulled away from him but he kept his hold on her. “I’m not going anywhere or doing anything with you.”

“But what else has this been leading to between us? I thought the point of tonight was to hook up.” Tommy said lowering his voice.

“I thought we were just going to hangout and dance, not just go off somewhere and fuck?!”

“Come on don’t be so naïve of course that’s what was going to happen, especially with how you’ve been teasing me for the past few weeks.” He snapped.

“That was just some light flirting and even if it’d been more that doesn’t entitle you to sleep with me.” She hissed.

“I didn’t realise you were such a prick tease.”

She let out an angry laugh. “I’m not a prick tease, you’re just a dick.”

His grip tightened on her. “Enough messing me about let’s go.”

“No.”

“Seriously this is ridiculous!”

“I said no Tommy.” A few other dancing couples started to look their way.

“Come on you fucking slut.” Tommy snarled.

As soon as he said those words she stamped down hard on his foot, he yelped in pain releasing his grip on her. She dashed off the dance floor, dozens of eyes staring after her.

“Where the hell are you going?!” Tommy yelled after her.

She ignored him as she hurried out of the room, her vision clouding over as she weaved her way through the masses of people. In her haste she accidentally banged straight into someone, she was both relieved and humiliated to see who it was.

“You know how to make an entrance.” Steve laughed but he grew concerned when he saw how distressed she was. “Hey what’s the matter?”

The room suddenly felt too crowded and loud, as if every soul in the room knew about the conversation she’d just escaped from. She was too upset to even speak.

“Do you wanna go get some air?”

She nodded.

She was glad she’d bumped into Steve and not any of their parents. He carefully guided her through the rest of the room and out into the country club gardens. They walked a little away from any partygoers.

“What-what happened?”

“I can’t believe him.” She said quietly.

“What did Tommy say to you?”

She let out a shaky breath. “What didn’t he say? I refused his very sweet proposal to have sex and so he called me a prick tease then a fucking slut. I knew he was no prince charming but wow.”

Steve didn’t speak for what felt like minutes, his face was darkened by a silent rage. “And where did you last see him?”

“On the dance floor.”

“Brilliant, if you’ll excuse me.”

“Wait don’t do anything here!” She panicked. “Not at least until we’re home.”

“And why shouldn’t I?” He asked eyes blazing.

“Because your dad is in there with mine, and all their smug friends. If you start giving someone a bloody nose you will never hear the end of it.”

“I don’t care.”

“Well I do.” She argued.

He sighed. “Fine, but as soon as we’re back home I’m gonna punch him so hard all his teeth fall out.”

“Good.” She agreed sitting down on a bench. “You’re not going to gloat that you were right and I was wrong?”

He sat down next to her. “Nah I think I’ll let you off the hook just this once.”

“I just feel so embarrassed, because I believed for five minutes that someone was actually interested in me. Do you think I’m stupid?”

“No, I don’t think you’re stupid at all, I think that you’re 17, you liked someone and they ended up being an asshole. He should be embarrassed not you.”

She smiled at him sadly. “Thank you, Steve.”

He raised his brows at her. “You just called me ‘Steve’ for the first time in like three years.”

“Slip of the tongue, don’t go getting used to it.” She joked.

“That’s a shame, I miss hearing you say it. There’s a lot I miss.” He admitted.

“Me too.” She gently replied.

They both took each other in properly, he looked so breath taking in his suit it made her chest ache.

“For what it’s worth I didn’t even really like Tommy like that, I just enjoyed the attention.”

Their hands brushed and she saw his eyes briefly flicker to her lips. “He should’ve given you the respect you deserve, you look really beautiful and it shouldn’t be wasted on a guy like that.”

“You know the other day when you said to me that I of all people deserve the best one date? What did you mean by that?” She asked gazing up at him.

He placed a hand on her cheek. “Let me show you.”

Her eyes flickered closed as she begun to lean in.

“I mean wow this is unbelievable.” Tommy sarcastically said.

Her eyes flung open and she pulled away from Steve.

“You won’t fuck me but you’ll fuck him? The guy that can’t even read.” Tommy snorted.

“Tommy that’s enough.” She snapped.

“The hell did you just say?” Steve said getting to his feet and grabbing Tommy by his collar, this made Tommy laugh.

“Steve come on he isn’t worth it, let me talk to him.” She sighed.

Steve glanced to her and after a moment released Tommy, shoving him away so hard he nearly fell to the floor.

She walked over to Tommy. “You need to leave, okay? Head back to the house, pack all of your shit and go find a hotel.” She commanded.

“You know he has a girlfriend right.” Tommy said ignoring her.

“What?”

“Harrington’s got a girl back home, she’s cute too.”

She forgot about Tommy and turned round to Steve.

“You have a girlfriend?” She slowly asked.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Yes. I only told friends from school, I didn’t want to make a big deal of it by involving my parents.”

She strode away from them without saying anything. She heard Steve call out her name but she kept moving.

“Come on, please we can talk about this!” He exclaimed.

She stopped and glared at him. “A girlfriend, you have a girlfriend and you were going to kiss me?!”

He looked at her guiltily. “I’m not saying it was right, but her and I have been on the rocks for a while. She was probably going to end things when I went back home.”

“But you’re still with her now!” She yelled. “Maybe it isn’t perfect between both of you but she is still your girlfriend. What’s her name?..”

“Nancy..”

“Well Nancy deserves better than you kissing another girl and I deserve better than to be some secret holiday fling.”

“You know you’re more to me than that.”

“If I was you would’ve done this the right way.” She cried.

“I can’t be like you okay and over think everything constantly. So maybe the timing wasn’t amazing but at least I was finally up front about how I felt.” He snapped.

“There’s nothing honest about your feelings, if there was we would discuss why we’re no longer friends.” Now the tears finally slipped down her cheeks. “I know that you haven’t had it easy with your parents and I’m sorry about that but I don’t recognise you anymore. That boy I met when I was eight years old never would’ve done this to me.”

He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I-I’m trying really hard to be better but it’s hard, it’s so hard.” He said voice splintering.

“I don’t want to hear anymore excuses, I’m done Steve.” She wiped at her eyes. “Do me a favour and tell my parents I went home because I felt ill.”

“Can I at least walk you out?”

“No. Please just leave me alone.”

He forlornly nodded. “Fine.”

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

By the next day Tommy was nowhere to be seen, he’d either listened to her or Steve had forced him out. The remaining few days of the holiday Steve and her completely avoided each other, it was like that summer they were fourteen except so much worse. She had made sure to hangout with Margo before she flew home and apologised for disappearing from the event.

Her family left a day before his and they could hardly make eye contact. She said her goodbyes to both Clyde then Vivienne who enveloped her in a hug. Then came Steve, neither of them were sure what to do or say, their parents were all busy talking amongst themselves.

“I know that everything between us isn’t great right now.“ Steve nervously began. “But you have to know how awful I feel..”

She folded her arms. “That still doesn’t change what you did.”

He nodded. “I know.”

His eyes were deep with sadness, she stared back at him in complete and utter pain.

“We need to go now if we want to beat the traffic.” Her dad called to her.

“Just a second.” She replied, before turning her attention to Steve. “A piece of advice, you once told me that I needed to grow up, maybe you should do the same.”

His mouth opened but no words came out, she gave him one last glance then went to the car, little did she know that would be the last time she would see Steve Harrington for 6 long years.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

#fluff #steve harrington #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x fem!reader

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rosewaterandivy · 10 days ago

Text

give you my wild

Summary: our coming of age has come and gone

Pairing: eventual s.h. x f!oc Sloane Schuyler

W.C.: 1.1K

Themes: WASPs, silver spoon Steve, Harrington parents mention & POV, weddings, and the like.

A/N: oh, y’know, thinking about rich people and their houses on the Vineyard.

Richard Thomas Harrington didn’t hold much stock in the trivialities of faith— prayer, destiny, whatever you call it, and they did not deter him along life’s path.

Unfortunately, on this fine autumn day as they closed up the summer house on the Vineyard, the Harrington patriarch knew one thing with absolute certainty. And it was simply this:

Karma was a bitch.

It wasn’t an uncommon sight to see various families on the beach, it was Martha’s Vineyard after all, and the Harringtons just so happened to be hosting a wedding this weekend.

The house was positively swarming with people— caterers, bartenders, florists, not to mention the event planner and her staff. So, like any sane person, he’d poured himself a glass of scotch and headed outside to avoid his wife’s frenetic energy.

In fact, the Harrington patriarch had just gotten himself settled in an adirondack chair out in the dunes when a high-pitched screech rends the air. A jubilant laugh followed, soaring above the crashing waves of the eventide.

He leans back in the creaking chair, and takes a solitary sip from his glass watching the scene unfold.

A small child accompanied by a woman, mother or nanny who’s to say, runs and stumbles in equal measure as the tide comes in. Tiny feet skittering along the water’s edge, tittering and giggling in gleeful abandon.

Thomas didn’t allow himself saccharine indulgences that often, but maybe the occasion had him feeling sentimental. Everything was running too well, certainly there had to be a catch. The other shoe, as it were.

While he hadn’t been the most present father in his son’s life, weekends at the Vineyard were a non negotiable as per his wife, and, over the years, he had come to readily agree.

The scene before him now wasn’t unlike his own memories of Steve at that age, maybe two or three give or take, tearing off like a hellion down the coastline and giving his mother a near heart-attack.

“Tom,” She’d say in thinly veiled aggravation, gesturing toward the waning image of their toddler with a cigarette in hand, “Would you see to it that he doesn’t drown, please?”

And so it fell to him to wrangle young Steve, sandy feet, riotous hair and all. Back when he was still at an age to revel in his father’s attention, staring at him in fascination as Tom picked him up with ease and set him atop his shoulders.

Tiny fingers would wind their way into his hair, free of its gel and product in the briney summer air. His son’s laughter would float on the wind as it whipped where it pleased, his own hair taking to the summer sun with ease and growing long.

Charlotte insisted that during the school year the boy’s hair be kept short, both for propriety’s sake as well as for practicality. Apparently, she had the hardest time taming it and had visited every hairstylist in her Rolodex in an effort to wrangle it.

Eventually, she’d worn her husband down and Tom diligently brought Steve to his own barber, who had cut the hair and shaved the faces of at least two generations of Harrington men by now.

“He’s got a bit of a wave back here,” Maurice had said, combing through the boy’s hair. “Only comes out when it’s this long or when it’s wet, I’d imagine. See how it kinda curls here? And there?” His fingers prized a lock of hair for Tom’s perusal. “Kinda like how yours did back in the day.”

“Well, whaddya know.”

Steve squirmed slightly in his chair, having been as quiet and still as a toddler could be for the better part of twenty minutes.

Tom knew his son took more after Lottie than him, you could see it in the eyes and face mostly, but there were a few Harrington genes, if you knew where to look. And the hair was a dead giveaway.

Clapping Maurice on the back, he said, “Let’s shape it up then, and leave it a little longer.”

He smiled, lips pulling taut as the boy met his eyes in the mirror. He winked, causing Steve to giggle and kick his feet, swaying slightly in his booster seat on the barber’s chair.

“It’ll be our secret, right bud?”

But now, Tom only shakes his head and takes a deep sip from his scotch. That may very well have been the first secret he’d had Steve keep, but unfortunately it wasn’t the last.

Too lost in his own recollection, he doesn’t notice the blur of arms and legs careening toward him. And a toddler, pulled from the depths of his memory, plops to the sand at his feet. He finds himself blinking and fumbling for his glasses because this is all too—

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry!”

A young woman, no older than Steve, makes her way across the dunes, hair coming loose from her ponytail and whipping about her face.

“She normally doesn’t tear off like that—” She raises her face in apology, eyes blowing wide as they clearly recognize the man before her.

“Not at all,” Tom replies with a good natured chuckle, “They’re a lot at this age, from what I remember.”

The woman nods meekly, swallowing audibly, her eyes never meeting his. She crouches down toward the toddler, arms open wide, hands opening and closing in a beckoning gesture.

“C’mon sweetie, time to go!”

Her voice has taken on that higher pitch reserved for babies and pets, and he’s shocked to not find it annoying. He remembers Lottie baby talking Steve driving him up a wall.

The little girl with her handful of sand, slowly looks from Tom to her mother and back again.

There’s an approaching sound of footsteps from behind them, the house, he can only assume. Which can only mean one thing—

“Tom, you need to shower before the rehearsal dinner. I’ve already laid your suit out on the—”

Charlotte Harrington is, for all intents and purposes, an unflappable woman.

She had to be in order to bag and marry the most eligible bachelor of WASP high society. Always poised with never a hair out of place, nevermind when Tom stayed later at the office. Mitigated any future dalliances by accompanying him on work trips, no matter how long. And learned to keep her composure and bite her tongue until behind closed doors.

But now?

“Absolutely not.”

Tom glanced behind him at his wife’s surely accidental slip-up. It was dawning on him that they may know these people, and her rudeness wasn’t warranted.

“Lottie,” He scolded, before turning back to the woman in front of him. “I apologize for my wife Miss—“

“Mom! Dad! What’re you still doing out here?”

Tom didn’t fail to notice how the color drained from each woman’s face. How the younger scrambled to pick-up her charge while the elder turned about-face to intercept her son.

“Steve!” She greeted, tone bordering on simpering. “Où est Camille?”

He rests a hand against the back of his father’s chair, artfully dodging his mother’s evasive maneuver. Seeing the half-drunk scotch, he plucks it from his dad’s hand and downs it in one go.

“Thanks, old man,” He says, dropping the glass back into his palm.

Tom doesn’t even bat an eye, too busy discerning the tension between his wife and this oddly familiar young woman. Lottie worries her lip between her teeth, eyes carefully avoiding the toddler perched on her mother’s hip, her face now buried in her dark hair.

Steve, thankfully, is rather oblivious to the whole thing. His father’s creeping calculations, his mother’s artful avoidance.

“Hey Sloane,” He greets with a nod and a smile. “Did you get settled in the cottage?”

“Hi Steve,” She replies with a smile, “And yes, we did.” Her daughter mumbles something into her ear prompting her to glance back and drop a kiss to her forehead. “Just waiting for Ed to arrive.”

Steve’s about to reply with something to the effect of ‘taking his sweet time, no doubt,’ when he’s interrupted by his father.

“Sloane,” He ponders aloud, “As in Schuyler? Your Tess and James’ daughter?”

“That’s me,” She confirms, “Hi, Mr. Harrington, congratulations on the wedding.”

“I haven’t seen you since…”

“Yeah, it’s been a while. White House Correspondents’ dinner—”

“Three years ago.”

Oh, there it is. The other shoe.

Tom was wondering when it would drop.

“We go way back,” Steve unhelpfully adds, “She’s Eddie’s—”

“Co-parent.”

Tom slowly removes his glasses and massages his temples. “So,” He says, “That makes this…”

“My daughter, Blair.”

“Steve, dear, can you please check on Tommy? I sent him to get ice an hour and a half ago.”

“Uh, sure.” He says, only slightly suspicious. His mother knew better than to send Hagan out on an errand. He dips his head toward Sloane, “Nice to see you, thanks for coming out.”

“Oh, of course. Wouldn’t miss it!”

An uncomfortable silence follows as the three assembled adults watch the groom make his way back into the house. Lottie clears her throat loudly, causing Tom to wince.

He turns to his wife, only to find her flush with embarrassment and lip nearly bloody. He deeply regrets letting his son polish off his scotch in this moment.

“Charlotte.” His voice is measured and precise, his eyes stare past her at a point on the horizon. “Please tell me this isn’t your doing.”

Sloane tenses briefly, readjusting her hold on Blair who’s nodded off on her shoulder.

Her silence said it all really.

Tom was a businessman, and a good one at that. The Harrington’s had made their mark in publishing long ago, and he’d cemented it by ushering them into media. Newspapers around the country ran under their tutelage, nothing escaped the notice of their Pulitzer winning reporters.

Problem-solving was never an issue for the Harrington patriarch, nor was the ability to count past nine.

This Eddie may very well be the “co-parent” of this child before him now, but it was clear as day that he wasn’t the father.

Sloane’s hand came up to brush a few errant locks from her daughter’s sleeping face, and sure enough, there was something in her that hinted toward those Harrington genes.

“Tom, I—”

He shushed his wife with a raised hand and rose from the chair, proffering the empty glass onto her.

“Go back to the house, make sure everything is running smoothly.”

Sloane watched the scene unfold in front of her, the elder Harrington handling his wife, giving her some menial task to occupy her time. He takes a step toward her with a nod toward the cottage, the request clear.

“Miss Schuyler and I have some things to discuss, I’m sure you understand dear.”

Ever the gentleman, Richard Thomas Harrington guides her down the dunes and to the cottage, a polite hand hovering at her waist. But he finds himself preoccupied with the sleeping toddler in her arms, her riot of hair curling and waving in the sea breeze.

Karma, it would seem, most certainly was a wiley sonovabitch.

#steve harrington x reader #steve harrington fanfiction #steve harrington fanfic #stranger things fan fiction #stranger things fanfic #steve harrington x oc #s.h. x sloane schuyler

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