#the st 90s heist fic

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Stranger Things ‘90s Heist WIP snippet

A bit from the current WIP, working title: The Stranger Things ‘90s Heist AU That Nobody Asked For (Now With Bonus Space Program Geekery).

Wednesday, September 24, 1997

AIM’s distinctive three-tone alert startled Steve out of his coding reverie. He took the opportunity to stand up for a minute from the desk in his guest-bedroom-slash-office and stretch. Felt a few vertebrae crunch; welcome to your thirties. The messenger window popped up on his monitor.

SpaceDust: Steve! Are you there?

Dustin, of course. That’s why Steve kept AIM running, even while he was working. The kids favored it over walkie-talkies the last few years. He sat again, started typing.

WorldsBestBabysitter: Yeah, what’s up?

SpaceDust: I need to talk to you. CODE RED, Steve.

The last code red had been Suzie breaking up with him for good, a couple of years ago. His current girlfriend — Stephanie? No, Stella — didn’t seem to be serious, but Dustin falls hard every time, poor kid. Steve took a deep breath, let it out, and prepared himself for the post-breakup sympathy talk.

WorldsBestBabysitter: Sure, buddy, go ahead.

SpaceDust: No, like TALK to you.

Steve raises an eyebrow at the screen. Dustin has had his phone number every place he’s lived since he moved out of Hawkins.

WorldsBestBabysitter: So call me.

SpaceDust: No, I need to TALK TO YOU, Steve, ohmigod.

Downstairs, there’s a knock on the front door.