#sun got socks to match his lil buddies

[cakesfunhouse]

a bunker au kissy b4 i eep

[barrysjumpsuit]

our little family - rafe cameron x barry

summary: while cleaning up after a storm, rafe and barry find a kitten, which barry insists they keep 

wc: 1.3k

warnings: drug use, profanity, soft barry, usual rarry stuff

a/n: pure unedited fluff

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The most recent storm had been a big one.

The screened-in porch attached to Barry’s trailer was no match for it, nor were the tarps they had pinned up. Water had seeped into the ratty old carpet, and all the chairs left outside had been blown over. Thunder shook the building, Rafe unable to sleep despite Barry’s arm slung over him during the night. His boyfriend stirred early to find Rafe reading a book that laid on the nightstand in the dim light from the battery-powered push light above the bed.

“You better’ve not lost my spot, Cameron,” Barry murmured, tightening his grip on Rafe.

“I would never,” Rafe scoffed, flipping the book to show Barry’s bookmark – an old Dollar General receipt – sticking out from the middle of the book.

“Couldn’t sleep? Barry asked, his voice still tired. Rafe looked down at him; his hair was messy, his face still squished against the pillow, gazing up at Rafe with a small smile.

Rafe just shrugged, putting the book down. “It’s a lot louder here than at Tannyhill.”

He almost said home, but realized that Tannyhill never really felt like home. Home was here, in a torn-apart trailer that in all honesty should be condemned.

Damn, who would have seen that coming.

After laying in bed together for another half hour, Barry pushed himself up, rolling over to push aside the curtains to peek outside. Rafe had gotten up at the first light, looking outside to survey the damage before returning to bed. “It’s a mess outside,” he told Barry quietly.

“You got any plans today?” Barry grunted, flopping back down beside Rafe, who just shook his head. “Good, cuz I think we got some work to do today, cleaning up n shit.”

Rafe nodded, leaning down to kiss Barry’s forehead before they both got up.

“Fuckin’ hate this shit, man,” Barry grumbled as his bare feet hit the wet carpet. He pulled down the tarps to reveal the carnage that awaited them in the yard. Luckily, the sandy soil had meant that there weren’t any puddles or standing water (outside of inside the trailer, of course), but the wind had done most of the damage.

Their bikes had been spared in the makeshift “garage” they made, somehow still upright. Rafe followed Barry into the yard and he began cleaning up the trash and mess of outdoor furniture while Barry checked on his boat.

Once Barry was satisfied, he came to help Rafe move the old couch that sat outside beside the trailer to where it would get some sun and hopefully dry off before it was beyond saving. Barry pulled the cushions off, tossing them into the yard, before they each took a side.

With a slight grunt, they lifted the couch, shuffling to move it. Once they started moving it, a small orange shape darted out from underneath the couch and disappeared through a hole below the trailer.

“The fuck was that?” Rafe asked, as Barry dropped his side of the couch.

“You ain’t ever seen a cat before, homie?” Barry asked, dropping to his knees and then stomach to look underneath the trailer. “You got a flashlight?”

Rafe pulled out his phone, but it was dead. He went into the trailer and grabbed a flashlight that lived on the kitchen counter; he went back outside, handing it to Barry, who used it to look under the trailer. “Hey, lil guy.”

“You’re worried about a cat?” Rafe asked, squatting down beside Barry.

“Hell yeah I’m worried about a cat, you see them mice inside?” Barry grunted, crawling to stick as much of his body inside the hole as possible. Rafe could hear him talking to the cat, his words muffled before he called out louder. “Rafe, can you pull away this siding?”

Rolling his eyes, Rafe did as he was told, pulling back the flimsy siding. Barry immediately wriggled inside, just his bare feet sticking out.

“C’mere, little bastard,” Barry called in a sing-songy voice, and Rafe couldn’t help but laugh. “Shut your trap, country club,” his boyfriend shot back. “This guy’ll be more useful than you when it comes to the mice.”

“What do you mean?” Rafe whined, peering inside. He could see the kitten hunched defensively a few feet from Barry’s outstretched hand.

“Because you never check the traps!” Barry’s flashlight was in his mouth now, pinched between his teeth. “Come here, buddy.”

The cat – it was small, so it must be a kitten – took a hesitant step towards Barry’s outstretched hand. It looked scrappy and was soaking wet. It took another step, and then another, until Barry’s hand darted out to catch the kitten by the scruff of its neck.

Barry hauled it out, the kitten wailing pitifully, sitting upright after he wriggled back outside. The kitten scrabbled at the air with its little paws. “Go get a towel.”

“What am I, your bitch?” Rafe asked sarcastically.

“Uh, yeah. I thought we’ve been over that.” Rafe rolled his eyes while Barry held the kitten out towards him. “You wanna hold this thing instead?”

Obliging with a sigh, Rafe went back into the trailer and pulled out an old towel, returning to Barry who was talking to the kitten in a soothing voice.

“Why don’t you talk to me like that?” Rafe muttered, holding the towel out to Barry. The kitten squealed as Barry wrapped it up in the towel, vigorously drying it orange fur.

Barry spent the rest of the morning infatuated with the kitten. He took it inside, opening a can of tuna and putting it on a slightly damp paper plate. After some hesitation, the kitten took ravenous bites, before jumping up onto the couch, curling up, and falling asleep.

“Ridiculous,” Rafe muttered, sitting cross-legged at the coffee table, a fresh line in front of him while Barry gently ran his fingers over the kitten’s fur.

“What should we name it?” Barry asked, ignoring Rafe’s attitude.

“Well, is it a boy or a girl?” Rafe asked, and Barry just shrugged. “We keepin’ this thing?”

Barry scoffed, rolling his eyes. “You really are dumb, aren’t you?” he retorted, looking at Rafe. “He’s part of our little family now, whether you like it or not.”

Rafe was taken aback by Barry’s words. Our little family, he said. When he put it like that, Rafe knew he had to be on board with the kitten.

“Uh… Coors? Miller? Budweiser?”

“You’re shittin me, country club.”

“I don’t know!” Rafe protested. “I’ve never had a pet.”

“Nah? No purse dogs in the Cameron house?” Barry asked. Rafe stood with a grunt and went to sit beside Barry; the cat was taking up a whole cushion, so he crammed in next to his boyfriend, his body pressed against his. Barry snaked an arm around his waist. “What about… Socks?”

“You’re shitting me,” Rafe said, using Barry’s own words against him. “Socks?”

“Look, he’s got little white socks!” Barry exclaimed, pointing at the kitten’s four white feet.

It did fit, and when Rafe looked at Barry looking at the damn kitten with that much affection in his eyes, he couldn’t help but not smile.

Leaning to rest his chin on Barry’s shoulders, Rafe reached out to gently pet the kitten. It let out a small chirp and moved under his touch, stretching before curling into an even tighter ball.

Rafe murmured, close to Barry’s ear, his lips tickled by his hair. “Socks it is.”

---

tagging barry’s baddies @starkey-babie @hartigays @pxisonoak @maybanksslut @seap1geon @bigdrewenergy

[steveusesfaberge]

Ice Cream and Cassettes

 Pairing: Steve Harrington x Byers!Reader

Request: Hey, could I have a Steve Harrington x reader where the reader is a Byers. They’re hanging out in her room and all but Joyce comes home so he as to try to sneak out of her room through the window like the “ninja” he is. Lmao. Jonathon spots him, doesn’t say anything, but does talk to Joyce/the reader. But then Steve and the reader meet up at scoops the next day. She tells him and he tries to make it up to her in a cute and cheesy way. Can’t wait to see what you write. Thanks!

Summary: Hanging out with your boyfriend isn’t a crime...yet, when he’s sneaking out your window in the evening - and your big brother catches it...yeah...that about sums up where Y/N is now. Steve’s stealth isn’t as flawless as he thinks it is...luckily, ice cream fixes every problem! Or...at least the cute sailor boy serving it can!

Type/Style: Requested, Imagine, female pronouns

Warning(s): Fluff, fluff, fluff, fluff...A bit of angst, overprotective Jonathan, bad dance moves, and a fluffy lil’ sailor boy...

Word Count: 6,400-ish

a/n: I had an absolute blast writing this! I got to jam to 80s hits while writing?? Heck yeah!! <3 I hope this request was to your liking!! This was sooo cute to write! :) 

I hope you like my take on the request! <3

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The music was deafening - Queen was blasting through the small room; the noise pulsing through the walls and silencing anything that wasn’t Under Pressure for the time being. Band posters hung all around the bedroom, accompanied by hundreds of Polaroids...(she was the kid-sister of Byers...what did you expect?), and enough stuffed animals that made Steve want to cuddle Y/N until her face turned blue (or red from embarrassment; he wasn’t gonna be picky). He was wearing his black shades (despite being inside - and the sun having gone down a few hours ago), Steve’s hair was messy and out of place as he danced across the carpeted space, yet The Hair Harrington couldn’t truly bring himself to care. He’d pop his collar ever now and then (like the cool kid he was), slick back his hair dramatically, pull a goofy-face, and portray the most unruly of choreographies...

Y/N wasn’t better off - she had her hair held up in a limp bun, y/c/h hair strands sticking to her forehead from a light sweat she’d worked up from dancing for the past hour or so... She had an oversized striped boyfriend shirt on (ironically, it was actually Steve’s...authentically branding it as a boyfriend shirt), a random graphic tee to match, and her blue jeans rolled just above her ankles. She had a pair of sunglasses on as well - though hers carried a quirky pattern of colorful geometric configurations. With every move that Harrington busted, Y/N had an even better (worse) one to counter.

There were photos littering the floor with a promise of I’ll pick them up later, and laughter was the only thing able to outdo the cassette player. Their shoes had been forgotten in the mix long ago, thrown to the side as they continued their party (only having Steve grin like a madman because Y/N’s socks were adorably mismatched, raising mid-calf, hiding beneath the fabric of her pants). Steve was bent over, hands rested on his knees for just a moment, catching his breath as he watched his girlfriend scurry across the room to the tapes, replacing it for a new one. He smiled at her state of bliss his eyes flickering to the cassettes - feeling proud to have been the one to buy at least, one-fourth of the large collection (Jonathan being the main source; he was the one to get her into keeping a collection as it was. Steve only fueled her addiction).

“What’s next, babygirl? Hit me with it!” He cheered, making a loud whooping sound, pumping his fist in the air. Y/N giggled breathlessly, a wide grin on her lips as she spun on her heels to face him, just as the music began to play (mind you, she was being careful when using it...it was not hers - she’d snuck the player from Jon’s room while he was out with Nancy...it wasn’t like he was using it...and while she had one, it was a portable; being much smaller, not as loud - and totally not apt for their jam session).

As the beginning of the song rolled in, Steve had the brightest smile on his face (God, she’d kill to just kiss him right now...but they did have a dance party on the line...it’d have to wait, she supposed).

She shimmed over to him, Steve grabbing her by her thin waist, pulling Y/N into him. She was pressed to a half-way dressed torso, his pink button-up having all the said buttons - undone, due to him getting rather hot in the small room - not that Y/N was complaining.

She comfortably placed her hands on his bare chest, tracing a heart on the exposed skin, right above where his actual one was. Steve hummed in response, winking at her with that dreamy Harrington suave style of his. Tapping his foot to the fast-paced song, readying his throat to scream the lyrics.

“If I--,” He began while leaving one arm wound around Y/N’s hips, the other coming up to point to himself. She laughed, filling in the rest of the lyric,”--I get to know your name!” Steve snickered at the way she lifted a hand, using her finger to write Steve in the air, then pursing her lips - crossing her eyes at him.

“Well if I, could trace your private number, babyyyyy,” he added, his tune off-key, and his words way too loud; dipping, at least, five octaves trailing off. Though Y/N could only see how perfectly straight his teeth were - admiring the way his lips articulated each syllable and how sexy his voice could be.

He held a “phone” up to his face, using the hand-gesture with a little shake, then blew a kiss to Y/N, while she dramatically spun out of his arms - reaching to catch the kiss.

“All I know is that to me!” Y/N sung while clutching her hands to her chest, throwing her head back in the process. Steve was bobbing his head to the music, his arms thrown out, his legs kicking out every once in a while (representing a flamingo on skates rather than someone attempting to dance, in L/N’a opinion).

“You look like you’re lots of fun—,” Steve proclaimed, pointing in her direction, chuckling as Y/N made her sunglasses wiggle on her face - pulling an adorable fish-face that shot an urge through his whole body to seize her and pepper her face and neck with kisses.

As the chorus trickled in, Steve was quickly grabbing for her hands. He began to spin her (a bit violently, but he was just really into the song), shouting the words as if she couldn’t hear them herself,” You spin me rightttt round, baby! Right round like a record, baby!--” In between her laughter, she joined him; the chorus being vocalized by the two in...a...harmony only perfect to their ears (and their ears alone).

Steve loved days like these; where there wasn’t a care in the world - the only thing to keep in mind being; what song to play next? He loved the way Y/N just let it all go - unraveling to reveal the goofball he’d fallen in love with oh-so-long ago... Of course, it’d taken some convincing for her to be his goofball - she’d known him throughout his...unmentionable phase...and her oldest brother, Jonathan, hadn’t always been his biggest fan. Though, after she got to know him, his Senior Year onward - they found out how much they had in common (along with the fact that Steve confirmed to be a complete dork).

Harrington was spinning her around as the song came to a close, and when the cassette stopped playing - a slight hiccup in its sound - they both landed on her mattress. Y/N rested atop him while she buried her face there; laughing. Steve was out of breath, but nonetheless, he laughed with her. Peals of their hilarity better than any song he’d ever heard.

“You’re so weird,” Y/N huffed after taking some time to collect herself. Her hands folded across his uncovered chest, her chin resting on the flimsy bridge her fingers built, entwined together to keep her head up. Steve fake pouted, using his arms as support for his own head, poking his tongue out at Y/N while she rested between his legs, half off the bed.

“Says you! You suck ass at dancing, babes,” he teased while reaching out to boop her nose. Only having her retract with a half-grin, half-grimace appearing on her lips - producing a soft noise in response to the cute look on her face.

Y/N sighed, unfolding her arms, pulling them around him, resting the side of her face on his chest - causing Y/N to look squashed against him. “It’s ‘kay, Stevers...we can suck ass together, ‘cause we both could use some dance lessons.”

Harrington grinned, lifting a hand to undo Y/N’s sloppy bun - her y/c/h hair falling down in a now deformed bunch. “What about that Jazzercise place at Starcourt?” he suggested with a growing smirk, seeing his girlfriend hold back a scoff.

“Pfft, so you can just stare at my ass all day? Yeah -- sure, buddy,” Y/N tittered while shaking her head.

Steve rolled his eyes and shrugged his shoulders, running his hands through her tangled hair (Y/N had tied it up for almost the entire day, so the feeling of his fingers combing through her scalp was heavenly...darling Steve, knew this too). 

“You’d be winning too, hun...I mean...it’s not like my ass is going anywhere. It’s like a win-win situation!” That only earned him an uproar of giggles.

Steve hummed happily at her fit, and wrapped his legs around her waist, keeping her in place. The squeal she objected, only egging him on.

“Steeveee! Let go!” Y/N demanded while trying to wriggle from his hold (she cursed his time playing basketball, his legs were unmoving...). By now, his hand had fallen away from her (somewhat) untangled hair and he only shook his head - keeping her still, clamped between his long limbs - holding her face up with one hand. He squeezed her cheeks together and she only sulked.

“Wet me goh, Steeev!” He gave Y/N a smirk, raising a dark brow at her cute attempt of: Let me go, Steve!

“Sorry, honey - I don’t speak gibberish.” Y/N groaned at his statement, whacking his hand away from her. “Steve Harrington! -- If you don’t let me go, this ins--,” her words and Steve’s chuckling was cut off when the sound of a car pulling up could be heard.

“Joyce?” Steve asked promptly, releasing Y/N, the girl slipping to sit on the floor as her boyfriend scrambled to get his things together. “Probably,” she replied, collecting his shoes for him while he clumsily buttoned his shirt up (he didn’t need it to look bad if he got caught).

Steve was now striding over, slipping his sneakers on with his usual awkward struggle; walking at the same time, towards her window (he regularly snuck in and out in when the situation called for it...this being one of them) - which wasn’t the best idea for a clumsy guy like him... “I’ll see you tomorrow, Y/N/N! Come see me at work?” He rushed out questioning her while pushing the pane up, his body turned to her as he stuck a leg out the opening.

Y/N shuffled to him and elevated his face - sharing a soft kiss before he departed. “Mhmm! Will probably wants to hang out there, anyways - heard him mention it this morning,” she explained while holding his bicep as he swung his other leg over (Harrington wasn’t known for his perfect balance after all).

Waving him off - she shut the window (though leaving it unlocked, as Steve often liked to come back - even when he really shouldn’t). As she watched his figure disappear from sight, she pretended she didn’t see Steve trip over his own two feet and she ignored the muffled curse of dissatisfaction he exhibited. Y/N then took the liberty to collect all the developed Polaroids from the floor - they were still scattered across her carpet, and she bent down to compile them.

Holding one between her fingers, she smiled at it - deciding to keep it by her bedside (maybe buy a simple frame to match) - as it was quite cute. Steve had his left arm around her shoulders, his right arm holding up a peace sign, as he smiled brilliantly at the camera. His shirt was unbuttoned only at the top, and Y/N had her head resting there by his collarbone. One hand holding the camera, the other wrapped around his waist.

Admiring the picture - Y/N drew it to her chest, sighing in content. Lost in her own little world; she examined and accumulated all the photographs for the next few minutes.

Most of the pictures she hung up, were either of her family, the kids, or Steve. She cherished all of them though, and they were fastened to the wall with some clear tape and the occasional thumbtack. It was Jonathan who had gotten her into photography - he’d take her to the darkroom in school after hours one day, and showed her how to develop the photos, how to turn negatives to positives, etc.

Eventually, he got her a small camera of her own - to go around taking photos as she pleased (Y/N kept it on top of her dresser for easy access). It was actually Steve who got her the Polaroid camera - his argumentation had been; what’s the point in doing all that other shit when this little baby does it all for you? The pictures ready in like...a minute and you’re done! He’d given it to Y/N as a present for their three month anniversary - in return, she had gotten him a necklace (which, Steve refuses to take off - he holds the silver chain like the secrets to the universe; precious and miraculous).

Y/N was neatly organizing the stack of newly made memories when her mother’s voice echoed down the hall. “Y/N? Sweetie? Could you please come here, and help me with the groceries?” Placing the stash of photos on her nightstand, Y/N answered while walking to the doorway. “Yeah! I’ll be right there, mom!”

Entering the kitchen, Joyce was already unpacking. “Hey, sweetie! How was your day?” Y/N was about to answer when someone beat her to it.

“Oh, I’m sure her day was fine - in fact, I just saw a ninja leaving the house!” Both women turned to see Jonathan leaning against the wall, arms crossed, eyebrows raised.

Y/N placed the cartoon of eggs away and rolled her eyes. “Ninja? I think you’re delusional, Jonny.”

Jonathan only huffed, tossing something down on the countertop between mother and daughter. Y/N’s y/c/e eyes widened. It was one of her and Steve’s Polaroids from this afternoon... This one, in particular, was of Steve pressing a kiss to her temple. He’d taken the photo, she knew by memory, and by the fact that it was a bit blurry (Harrington had never been a steady-hand).

“Look familiar?” Jon asked while carrying the orange juice to place in the fridge.

Joyce leaned over, examining the photo - not really seeing anything wrong with it (maybe questioning the brunette’s undone shirt - but the sunglasses they both flashed, had her think it was simply for aesthetic), even thinking it was cute. “What’s wrong with it?” Y/N asked while crossing her arms.

“You know, I’m not sure what the big deal is either - it’s just a photo, Jonathan,” Joyce added while trying to decide what to do with a few canned fruits.

The boy sighed. “The point is -- Steve was here, and he wasn’t supposed to be. He thinks he’s so sneaky leaving - but I watched him trip over nothing on his way out...”

Y/N tried not to imagine Harrington’s reaction to being caught - probably an uncomfortable cough and a side-glance away from her brother. Oh, hey man...just going for a walk...um...past your uh...house... probably on the tip of his tongue.

“How do you know that’s not an old photo, anyway?” Y/N pushed while walking to the wooden cabinets to put the cereal boxes in their proper spots.

“Y/N...I watched Steve drop this one on his way out,” Jonathan hissed,” And what didn’t you get about my comment on your day? Ninja, huh?” Joyce looked to her son, giving him the okay....cool your jets, bud. I’m the mother, remember? look.

“Is that true, sweetie? Did you have Steve over? You know I don’t mind, but we talked about having boys over when no one’s around.” Joyce reminded in that gentle way of hers.

Jonathan seemed to be rather smug and clearly sided with his mother’s easy scolding - Y/N shot him a glare.

“I mean...we didn’t do anything,” she defended weakly. Joyce bit her cheek, knowing that to sustain proper order in the Byers’ household, she’d have to distribute punishment evenly...

“Well, Y/N/N...you know the rules,” her mother stated shortly, placing a few apples in a large wooden basket, leaving room for oranges, and bananas.

The girl groaned and scratched her head. “I’m serious! All we did was listen to music and dance! I can prove it too - the cassette player’s in my room still, and you can call Steve - not like he’ll lie!” Jonathan pursed his lips at the last bit, ever the protective older brother. His eyebrows then knitted together.

“Cassette player? I thought you kept that in the ca--,” “We used yours because it’s louder than mine.” She quickly resolved.

“Oh - so not only did you break the ‘no boys/girls allowed when home alone’ rule -- but you went through my room as well?” Jonathan snorted.

Y/N’s eyes narrowed at the accusation, she placed down the lettuce that was to be used in tonight’s dinner. “It was sitting on your desk! I wasn’t going through anyone’s room! I figured - since all we did - was listen to music, it’d be okay! I’m sorry, I guess I was wrong!” Their voices were slowly climbing and Joyce had a hand up, silently telling them both to drop it... Neither heeded their mother’s warning though.

“Yeah, you did guess wrong,” Jon growled lowly.

“Oh, I’m so sorry -- cut the crap by the way, I know this isn’t about your cassette player...you’re just sour I had Steve over!” Y/N scoffed.

“So you admit it!” Jonathan stabbed while slapping his hand on the countertop.

“Okay, kids -- kids -- listen to your mother when she talks to you,” Joyce informed sternly, two heads turning in her direction slowly.

“Jonathan, you don’t need to talk to your sister like that,” her eyes dodging to her daughter,” And you -- you know the rules.” Y/N only held back a groan - as the rule implied things that Steve and she hadn’t done... “Okay, I’m sorry...I know it was wrong of me to take things into my own hands - but we seriously didn’t do anything, mom.”

Joyce believed her, she did (in her opinion, after meeting Steve; he was a charming young man with a good head on his shoulders...good head of hair, too) - but as a mother, she had to keep both children happy.

“I accept your apology.” Y/N relaxed at that. “But you broke the rules, sweetie...meaning--,” “I’m grounded, I know.” With that, she shot a glare to Jonathan and stormed off.

There had been plenty of times she could’ve snitched on him (she wasn’t an idiot when Jon said they needed him late after work...bullshit - Nancy needed him late after work). Y/N couldn’t believe Jonathan would throw her under the bus like that. Yet, that wasn’t even the half of it...it hurt to think Jon didn’t trust her.

They’d been through so much together, and he’d always had her back. The best big brother any girl could ask for... But...the second, she and Steve got together - it was like she was twelve-years-old again. Y/N felt like Jonathan was her father and not her eighteen-year-old brother...mind him, she was seventeen and completely capable of taking care of herself.

Hadn’t she proved that while fighting off demodogs in some far off junkyard? Or when she helped set up a trap for the Demogorgon? Or what about the time she punched Billy Hargrove in the face for cat-calling her and getting in her personal space? Jonathan treated her like...a kid.

It felt like Jon forgot all the things Steve had done for her, too... He saved her life when she’d been jumped by a stray demodog - if Harrington hadn’t been there, she’d have died. Y/N was sure he’d saved her life more than just that single point in time (Y/N only remembered it so prominently because it had been then, that she realized she loved him)... Or, all the times Steve offered to drive her home so she didn’t have to walk. Even when he put a drunk in his place after trying to drag Y/N off at a party (which Nancy had invited both Byers to...if anything, that one was Jon’s fault).

Steve had proved himself to be a good person with good intentions and a kind heart - and yet Jonathan was the most overprotective person she’d ever met. It was frustrating...she didn’t question Jon when he “snuck out”, or when he left randomly to go aid Nancy or attend to whatever was on his mind... Ugh.

She’d fallen asleep while flipping through the loose photos, planning to hang them up sometime tomorrow. Praying that things would get better by morning - though she knew that Jonathan would always be a bit...tentative after their fights. Along with the remainder of her childish lockdown, she wasn’t very pleased as she slipped into darkness.

“Y/N? Can you take me to the mall?” Lifting her head, the said girl looked away from the tape and pile of Polaroids scattered on her bed. “Where’s Jonathan?” She asked while turning back to find free space on her walls for the pictures.

“He already went to work,” Will replied while standing in her doorway watching as she (quite aggressively) tore a piece of tape from its roll.

“Mom?” “She left like...four hours ago,” Will answered, crossing his arms as he waited for her to agree.

Y/N sighed, running a hand through her hair, which was a bit greasy - as she had gone to bed upset and hadn’t taken the time to shower, nor even wash her face (Steve would always tell her the secret to great hair, was shelf-life...he’d go three or so days without washing it...it seemed to work for him...not so much for her).

“I would, but I’m grounded, right now, Will,” she explained with a bitter tone.

“Just tell mom you’re taking me to the mall,” he said while shrugging.

Y/N snorted. “She won’t let me leave the house - thanks to Jonathan.”

“What did he do?” Will asked while moving to hand her another piece of tape as she struggled to reach for it while keeping the photo in place.

“He’s being a hypocritical ass, that’s what he’s doing,” she seethed. “He...he caught Steve leaving yesterday and instead of just trusting me and letting it go - he told mom and then argued with me about it...”

“Well...I need to go to the mall - everyone’s waiting for me...you’re the only one who can drive...and technically, I can’t be alone... and you are the only available driver - who else better to watch me than my sister?” Will raised an eyebrow, Y/N narrowing her eyes at him - a small smile playing on her lips.

“I mean...being forced to the mall when you’re trying to be grounded like the good daughter you are - is a pretty harsh sentence. You’ll just have to watch six kids which is probably worse than sitting here - abusing tape.”

“Will The Wise...you never seem to fail me,” she smirked. The younger boy only laughed and shook his head, smiling as Y/N grabbed her keys, tossing them into the air to catch; ushering him out the door.

“Ahoy, stranger! Would you like to set sail on this ocean of flavor with me? I’ll be your captain...I’m Steve Harrington.” Of course, he had to greet his girlfriend like so...it was employee policy after all.

“Hey, Steve,” she offered while plopping herself at the nearest table, not even having to tell him that she wanted to try the newest ice cream, or that she was in a bad mood. He just knew.

“Here,” he said after a few seconds of getting her a small cone of rocky road and caramel dream - his brown eyes fixing on her irked state. “On the house, cutie,” he added while pulling the chair out across from Y/N. Steve flipped it to be backward (an unpleasant squeak to follow), and tugged off his dumb hat, straightening its edges in his hands as he leaned forward. His chestnut hair was falling into his view and his slight frown only had him look like an adorable chocolate lab.

“Thanks,” she mumbled while taking the cone, their fingers brushing (Steve used to flush like a manic back before they’d gotten together - he occasionally still did, and it only had her love him more).

He rested one arm around the rim of his chair holding his hat, the other having his elbow rested on the table, his palm cradling his chin as he looked at her in question.

“You wanna tell me what’s wrong?” He tested while cocking a brow, only having an intimation of the truth.

Y/N admired the marbled coloring of the custard before answering him. “Jonathan’s just being a jerk.” She expressed while sighing, taking a mouthful of ice cream as an attempt to cool her temper.

Steve’s eyes widened - realizing what she must be talking about. He rubbed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose as everything washed back from yesterday... He had been turning the corner of the house - having waited a few minutes for Joyce to be out of sight - when Byers pulled up in his own car. They’d locked eyes and Steve had stammered an excuse. Oh, hey - I was uh..I-I um, your sister...I was just...with her...keeping her company -- I mean, we didn’t do anything, or like...yeah. Just came over...c-cause she was bored...wait...I mean-- The brother hadn’t said anything, only crossed his arms and waited for Harrington to leave. Once Steve did - he could only pray that he didn’t make himself to be a bigger fool than he already was...he was certain that his grand speech was useless.

“Shit -- this is my fault, isn’t it? -- I’m sorry, babes -- I didn’t even hear him pull up. If you want I can talk to hi--,” She cut him off, taking his hand in hers. Giving a small smile. This was why she loved this dorky man so much...he tried his best even when the odds were stacked against him (heavily...as Jonathan didn’t quite like the idea of his little sister with an ex-heartbreaker).

“It’s okay. He’ll get over it, I need to apologize anyway...I know he’s just trying to protect me...but...it’s just a little irritating,” she said.

“Besides - I came here to keep an eye on the kids, I’m supposed to be grounded, you know,” she giggled,” I think sitting in an ice cream parlor with Captain Steve Harrington and his sailor outfit, is a fine enough suffering.”

Steve was glad she’d lightened up - while he nodded, he did make a mental note to grab Jonathan on his own... The brunette then smirked, of course - watching the kids was a pretty terrible punishment, indeed.

He clicked his tongue with a scoff,” Hey -- at least you’re not wearing it.” Steve pulled at the red tie around his neck and ran a hand through his hair, standing up as a customer walked in. He placed his hat back on and made a face.

“All hands on deck, Cap’in,” Y/N snickered, Steve only saluting her and rolling his eyes. It amazed her every time - how simply his presence and hearing his voice made everything one-hundred times better...

Throughout Steve’s shift, he tried to keep Y/N happy, smiling, and entertained. When he couldn’t - Robin was his stand-in. Both good friends as it was, so it wasn’t hard to do so. The kids even came in after some time of wandering around; ending with all nine of them surrounding the cash register and taste-testing the flavors with their eyes closed.

“Um, that weird cherry one?” Lucas hesitated while licking his lips, eyes squeezed tightly.

“I need a name, dingus,” Robin told while tapping her dry erase marker on her whiteboard (which had previously been used to mark Steve���s losing streak).

Max had her fingers crossed and was snickering with El - hoping that her boyfriend wouldn’t be able to produce a proper name. They’d split into teams; Lucas, Dustin, Mike, and Will...versus Steve, Y/N, Max, and El (Robin being their “host” choosing flavors and keeping score; along with making the difficult decisions of...if the answer was close enough or not).

“Dude -- how do you not remember this?” Dustin hissed while rubbing his face.

Mike only nodded vigorously, sighing loudly,” You tried this two days ago! You literally had to say the name to order it!”

“Just think about it, Lucas,” Will encouraged while Robin tapped her invisible watch - telling the three boys that if Sinclair wasn’t quick - they’d lose the point.

“Uh--,” “You have five seconds, kid.” “Uh-- Cherry...um” “Three” “Chocolate cherry? -- No wait, vanill--,” “TIMES UP!” Robin laughed while half the small crowd groaned, smacking Lucas on the head or expressing their disappointment verbally.

“What was it?” He asked while walking to the glass showcase.

El and Max were gloating, taunting the other team - to which Dustin claimed they were cheating; Steve works here! He probably eats this shit every day! To which Harrington denies, flicking Henderson’s face.

Actually, dipshit -- I have to, y’know, keep in shape... The curly-haired boy only gave a fake laugh and a glare. For who? Hargrove? Y/N? Bullshit!

The kids started bickering amongst themselves, and Robin clapped her hands to get their attention (everyone but herself and Y/N had been accusing one another... and sadly, Steve’s child-like mentality fell into that category of bickering children).

“Hey! Dinguses! You’re tied - it’s time for the final round, so shut up.” She rolled her eyes,” Steve may work here, but he’s a probably a handicap if anything - he doesn’t even know all the flavors we serve.”

Y/N snorted at that, fist-bumping her friend while her boyfriend floundered to defend himself. “What? I know the menu, thank you, Robin - we have chocolate, vanilla, uh, strawberry...that thing that Lucas just ate - oh, rocky road and caramel dream! I know that ‘cause it’s the special today--,” his girlfriend cut him off by scooting him out of the way. “Alright hotshot, take a seat to cool off. I’m about to win this for us.”

Steve only chuckled, rubbing his neck as his blush ran down his face; ears tinted a shade darker. Mike was whispering to the boys about how whipped Harrington was -- and the older boy had overheard, flipping them off when Y/N turned her back to them.

“Oh, we’re so gonna win! Guess we’ll be watching Sixteen Candles, losers!” Max quipped - high-fiving El. The boys all collectively moaned (all except for Steve who actually kinda liked Sixteen Candles...another reason they all made fun of him). The teams had been split purposefully - as movie nights were Fridays - and if Y/N wasn’t grounded, they were all planning on going to Harrington’s house (as per usual) to watch something together. Of course, they could never agree...always split one way, two ways, or three...heck - once there were five different ideas thrown out, and no one wanted to compromise...(Steve being the loving mother he was...gave in and everyone ended up sleeping over as had to go through five different movies...).

This week’s split was between Sixteen Candles and Return of the Jedi (even though everyone had seen the Return of the Jedi on multiple occasions. The boys just didn’t want to watch such a ‘girly movie’ which Steve defended in being pretty good). Last week they’d watched The Neverending Story, and since then, the boys wanted to watch one of their favorite movies for the nth time... But Harrington was bored of those teddy-bear things, El didn’t quite understand the whole Star Wars universe, Max wasn’t interested in it, and Y/N was tired of listening to Will gush about it at home... That, sealing their conflicting sides.

“Robin choose a hard one!” Lucas requested while glaring at his girlfriend.

“Oh, do -- this one,” Dustin whispered.

“No that’s too easy - Y/N’s tried like...all of them,” Mike cut in while scanning the flavors for himself.

“I mean...Sixteen Candles isn’t that bad,” Will mumbled - only getting glared at by his friends (if he sided now, then they’d be forced to watch the said movie without a fighting chance as that was the rule...with these stupid challenges if someone ended giving in - the other team automatically won...).

Y/N rolled her eyes before placing her hands over them and silently going over the list of ice creams she scanned almost every day (the menus suddenly spotting in and out, the list a bit foggy as she tried harder to remember them all).

The air was tense and everyone was on edge (luckily, the mall was closing soon so not much foot traffic was provided to interrupt this distinctive moment in Movie Night Fridays). Max and El were biting their lips, mumbling c’mon, c’mon - while the boys were all pointing in silent rage to the ice cream they thought Robin should choose.

There was a soft wave of whispers. A few outbursts - then silence like someone had calmed the storm...she wondered what was going on, questioning if she was going to be handed the small spoon or not...

“Guys? Robin? Y--,” the touch of soft, warm lips froze her words in her throat. Y/N immediately felt her cheeks flame. Her hands slipped away from her still closed eyes, and she wrapped her arms around a familiar figure.

Ews could be heard, along with a shut up, it’s cute. Steve cupped her cheek, keeping her face close while she played with the nape of his neck. Y/N could only focus on how he was smirking into the liplock like the little dork he was...

“Okay, that’s enough now,” Robin teased while capping her marker.

Steve pulled away, nevertheless holding Y/N’s body close to his own. He swept his thumb across her pink cheekbones and smiled with a toothy grin.

“I won’t be able to burn that from my mind,” Lucas gagged - earning a smack from Max.

“I’ll say... --that’s my sister,” Will grimaced. Mike only nodded in agreement, yet with El’s arms hugging him, he wasn’t quick to criticize.

“That’s my idol,” Dustin mumbled while scrunching his nose up.

Y/N stuck her tongue out at the children - and giggled when Steve rolled his eyes at them - waving them off. “Oh, please. I just schooled you all in how to treat your girlfriend.” His arms tightly wound around her waist.

The deal he’d made with them was you can all stay over at my house and watch all the movies you want - I’ll even by you whatever snacks you want - if you let me do this. They agreed, in the name of Harrington being a push-over and for all good junk food he’d blow his money on.

Robin left a shortly after (a plan to hang out with Y/N sometime next week) - leaving Steve to lock up and it left the eight of them to exit the mall together. Hand in hand with Steve, Y/N sighed in content. Sure...her mom would probably have something to say when she got home so late (though reassured by Will’s promise to stand up for her - taking her side), but it was impossible for her to feel anything negative while listening to Steve’s breathy, lasting laugh.

“Thanks, Steves,” she mumbled, using the simple nickname affectionately.

He smiled down at her, letting her hand go to wrap his arm around her, then reaching to place his hat on her own head (rewarded with a giggle).

“Oh? How come?” He asked while swinging his car keys on his index.

Y/N leaned into him, watching the kids walking ahead of them talk amongst themselves, in their loud, troublesome manner. “You made me feel better,” she clarified,” You always do.”

Steve wore a proud look - his (slightly flattened) hair still looking as perfect as ever. “Aw shucks, that’s real sweet of you, babes.” He pressed a kiss to her temple and then watched her for a second longer.

“I’ll talk to Jonathan -,” continuing even with Y/n’s eyes flashing protest,”- Maybe we’ll grab a coffee or something, and I’ll talk to him like an adult. Because I know I don’t deserve you, but I’ll love you anyway - and if it takes me manning up and downright asking for your brother’s approval...I’ll beg until I get it because I can’t live without you, Y/N,” he admitted sweetly.

El had overheard and awed, resulting in a blushing Harrington (he hadn’t thought he was that loud). Mike, Lucas, and Dustin were mocking him, professing their love to one another (eventually stopping because Max’s glares were not that welcoming).

“Don’t worry, Steve. You already have my blessing! So...that’s one brother down!” Will said while walking backward to talk. “My mom likes you - and she doesn’t really care as long as Y/N/N’s happy. And Jonathan just needs to realize you’re serious about her -- then you’re golden!” The kid’s words reassured his raging nerves (even with his cool facade, he had been fretting that because of the rift between himself and the eldest Byers...Steve wouldn’t be able to hold Y/N in his arms any longer...).

“Will The Wise...you’ve done it again,” Y/N smiled, laughing lightly at her brother’s kind support. Steve only tightened his grip on Y/N, confidence finding him as they stepped into the cool night. He understood why Jonathan was so worried...Steve may not be her brother - but he was her boyfriend, and would be just as worried if someone posed as a danger to his beloved.

“Alright, dickheads - who am I driving home?” He asked, clearing his throat.

When all the boys (minus Will) raised their hands - Harrington groaned. Pleading to trade for El and Max... while Y/N shook her head, claiming he shouldn’t have offered himself up like that.

“Stop by tomorrow, sailor,” Y/N told while pressing a goodbye kiss to his lips. “Jonathan gets home early on Wednesdays. You can talk to him then til your heart’s content.”

He smiled, pulling her into a crushing embrace. “Sounds good to me, babes...you think he’d want to join our dance parties? Or...no?”

----

a/n footer: gahh! That was pretty cute to write! I hope it’s okay! <3

Part 2 of Sunsets Back Home should be out soon! (hopefully, tonight/tomorrow morning because I stay up late writing...whoops)

Side Note: @novaddictx​ I’m sorry Tumblr is being mean to you XD I hope you get this tag...bahaha, give ‘em a piece of your mind XD <3 I’m glad you’re enjoying my writing as much as I enjoy well..writing it for you all!

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