#will byers x reader series

[munsonson]

𝐇𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟏『••✎••』

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: 𝘌𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘴 𝘶𝘱 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯'𝘵 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘜𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘣𝘪𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘴.

𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠(𝐬): 𝘌𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘦 𝘔𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘰𝘯/𝘍𝘦𝘮!𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳, 𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘰𝘯/𝘍𝘦𝘮!𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠(𝐬): 𝘈𝘯𝘨𝘴𝘵, 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 2.4

This shouldn’t hurt as much as it does. 

Things could’ve ended far worse than they actually did. Hell, most of the couples in their school tended to make breakups as dramatic as possible, normally painting one half of the relationship as some kind if irredeemable monster, if not to paint them as this sympathetic martyr, than just to save face that it actually hurt. 

In her case, Eddie Munson told her they just weren’t a good match and he wanted to be friends again instead. That was as healthy as they could possibly get. And in the best case scenario, too, she’d still be able to have him be a part of her life. She didn’t think she could stand the thought of seeing him in the halls and not being able to acknowledge him. 

She’d fallen hard and fast for Eddie, embarrassingly so. 

Given the heavy duty of designated driver for the little hooligans she’d somehow decided to adopt with Steve Harrington, she’d gotten accustomed to waiting in the high school parking lot, her nose pressed into the creases of her current novel while she waited for them to finish their important campaigns, all procured from the brilliant mind of Eddie Munson. 

She’d known him before then, too, but only in passing. He’d often make a big spectacle of himself in the cafeteria just to bug the other students, and he held the record as super senior. But she’d never even talked to him until she saw him walk the boys out after a seemingly successful campaign, his arms wrapped tightly around Dustin and Lucas’ shoulders as he praised them.

He’d acknowledged her when he got to her car. 

“My fair maiden,” he’d said, “I apologize for the delay.”

She’d blubbered out some kind of half-hearted response, good enough to make him laugh, and that made her heart go a million miles a minute. 

It didn’t take long before she’d gotten the courage to ask him out, even if it was just for coffee. He was surprised, but he agreed. 

It had been nice, he even drove her home after. She probably should’ve seen the signs then because he didn’t suggest a second meet up, she had instead. And he’d agreed.

It was about a month before they made themselves official, in Hawkins High language, practically married. But it really just meant she got to hold his hand between classes and get quick kisses goodbye when it was time to separate, somehow always on her cheek than her lips. 

She’d thought their dates were fun; it was a lot of pressure since he always left it up to her, never having any other idea than lounging about her home and just watching TV. But she was the one who thought of renting movies for horror marathons, figuring it was up his alley. She thought of bowling and drive-in theaters and picnicking near the quarry for its desolate atmosphere, another thing she figured was right up his alley. 

But things came to an underwhelming end when Eddie approached her at her locker on some random Thursday to tell her things just weren’t working out and he wanted to stay as friends. Despite how much even that had hurt, she agreed. She didn’t want to make him do anything he regretted. 

She could still be friends with him, happily so. That meant she could still sit with him at lunch, hear his outlandish tales, and be able to admire him from afar, even if she was no longer able to touch him and hold his hand. 

“Be honest,” she’d heard Gareth say as she approached with her tray, “what really happened? You know, most guys woulda killed to be able to take her out, the fact she stuck around for months is surprising enough.”

Eddie shrugs, chewing absentmindedly on a pretzel he’d brought. She would pack him lunches when they were together since he always forgot and resorted to eating prepackaged things instead. Since they broke up, it seemed like old habits really did die hard. 

“To tell you the truth,” he starts rather dramatically, “no substance. Pretty face, nice voice, real sweet, but God, boring as all hell.” He runs a hand down his face. The other boys seemed surprised. Dustin and Mike share a look, but say nothing, clearly waiting to hear more. Because there was no way it could be just that. There had to be more. They knew her better than anyone, had been through so much with her. What could be the real reason Eddie broke things off?

“And?” Dustin coaxes.

“And what?”

“Dude, seriously?” Mike scoffs. “She wasn’t interesting enough for you?”

Eddie shakes his head. “Look, she’s a great gal. And I know you guys are super close, which is awesome, but we just weren’t the best match. And I felt like shit that she was putting in all of the effort when I wasn’t interested. Now she’s free to...I dunno...find someone boring, too.” He sniggers, elbowing Jeff beside him trying to get him to laugh, too, but he could see how upset Dustin and Mike were. 

Luckily, for her sake, they didn’t notice her standing there, having overheard everything. Spinning right back around, she’d ditched her tray onto one of the trash bins before leaving the cafeteria completely before there was a chance anyone could see her tears. 

God, it shouldn’t hurt as much as it does, she thinks again. He was more than welcome to have his own opinion, but why did it have to be something like that? 

He was right, she wasn’t exactly Chrissy Cunningham or Heather Holloway, being this huge spectacle that made every new day more exciting than the last. All things considered, sometimes too much excitement frightened her. Having risked her life at least once a year for nearly four years now made her yearn for the more simple things. It was stupid of her to think Eddie would want the same. Eddie Munson, who liked to make scenes in the cafeteria and rock out in a bar with his band. He didn’t crave the simplicity of life like she did.

She didn’t go back into that cafeteria for the remaining of the lunch period. In fact, she’d decided to skip the rest of the day completely, knowing she shared three periods with Eddie and right now she really didn’t want to see him. She just wanted to get away, leave herself to her own thoughts to try to calm down. 

Well, that really only lasted for ten minutes because she found herself pulling into the small parking lot into Family Video. She spots Steve’s car at the far end and knows he’s inside. It was childish of her to go running and crying to Steve Harrington, who she knew would take her side and say all the cruel things about Eddie that she couldn’t bring herself to because she really just needed someone on her side right now. Aside from Dustin and Mike, of course. She wouldn’t forget how they jumped to her defense. 

The little bell rings at the top of the door as she walks in, startling Steve into consciousness, who seemed to be snoozing on the edge of the counter, drool pooled across his forearm. He wipes feverishly at his face and blinks unfocused in her direction, trying to situate himself quickly into his customer service face.

“Welcome to Fam-Jesus, you scared me,” he cuts himself off when he at last realizes it’s her. Confused, he turns to glance at the clock hung up on the wall. “Don’t tell me school’s out already? You beat Robin here.”

“No, I’m playing hooky,” she shakes her head, unsteadily moving towards the counter. 

“What? You? I’m sorry, am I still dreaming?” Steve asks dramatically. “Since when do you, of all people, ever skip class? I’d sooner believe Nancy doing it than you.”

“Just...needed a break s’all,” she says with a shrug, looking around. “Keith not here?”

“Nah, he’s off today. Something about a new graphic novel he’s been dying to get. Says he’d have to wait overnight just to get one of the first editions. I don’t know, I don’t really listen to him unless he’s handing over my check,” Steve said. She leans up against the counter, trying to act casual. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, why wouldn’t things be okay?”

“Well, for one, having to clarify that things are supposed to be okay when asked if everything’s okay is a pretty big indicator that things aren’t, in fact, okay.” Steve says with a laugh. “So everything’s not okay, then?”

“Everything’s okay,” she lies. “I just...can I ask you something?”

“Yeah?”

She isn’t sure how to come out and say it without sounding stupid. Better, she can’t figure out a way to come out and say it without sounding completely pathetic. But this was Steve, he was the king of asking her embarrassing things. He even called her once at three in the morning to ask how long you were supposed to leave cookies in the oven for. The follow up question was how to get the burnt smell out before his mom came home. 

“Am I boring?”

Steve tilts his head. “Huh?”

“Am I boring, Steve? Am I boring?”

“No? Who gave you that idea?” Steve snorts, like he thinks it was a foolish thing to ask. “Whoever it is clearly hasn’t seen you handle a crowbar.” He was referencing when she’d nabbed a crowbar from the junkyard lot to fend off the demodogs with him, all to protect the little ones in the bus. She doesn’t want to remember that right now, not when it makes her feel cold inside. 

“Nobody, I just...I dunno, I just think that maybe I’m not as exciting as, like...you o-or Rob or Nancy or, hell, even Jonathan.” 

“Nonsense, you’re a badass! True story, you know I wouldn’t say that about just any...” Steve trails off, finally really looking at her. “Hey...hey, why are you really askin’ me that? Something happen? Someone say something to you?”

“No, Steve, I was just asking.”

“You’re lying,” he accuses. “Who was it, was it Byers? Nancy? Not Robin...”

“No! No, Steve, they didn’t say anything, please just drop it. I shouldn’t have asked.”

Steve’s face eventually relaxes, having realized he knew exactly who she was talking about.

“Munson.”

She shakes her head. “Stop it, Steve.”

“What did he say? I thought he just wanted to be friends, where’s all this coming from?” he asked. There were too many questions being thrown at her. She doesn’t want to cry, especially not in front of him, but as soon as she feels her cheek dampen that was it. Soon she was burying her face in her hands and trying to stop the little whimpers from coming out.

She doesn’t notice Steve leap easily over the counter. He pulls her close, shushing her quietly. 

“Hey, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you upset,” he says. She sniffles, wrapping her arms around him. He’s petting her hair, kissing the crown of her head, trying his damndest to get her to calm down and talk to him. He was the perfect person to come to, she now realizes. Her subconscious knew Steve was the answer.

When she finally stopped crying, he at last let her go, giving her some space.

She rubs the tears from her eyes and wipes the tears on her jeans.

“Want me to kill him?” he asks jokingly. She laughs. He smiles again. “What happened? Can you tell me now?”

She told him what Eddie had said, the real reason he’d broken up with her and how she ran from the cafeteria and came here. Steve was reasonably upset, but he didn’t want to make it all about pounding Eddie into a pulp, he knew she needed her friend right now and he was prepared to be just that.

“Hey, screw him,” Steve scoffs, throwing an arm over her shoulders and pulling her back into his chest. “You’re far from boring, believe me, and honestly if you ask me you could do so much better than Eddie Munson. The guy picks his nose. I saw him once. It was gnarly.”

She’s laughing again, playfully hitting him. 

“Thank you, Steve,” she says, “I’m sorry to dump all this on you, I just needed someone to talk to, you know?” 

“Well, you came to the right guy. I can’t tell you it gets much better from public humiliation, but I can tell you that you find much better shit to focus on. Like this obviously stellar job. Robin. My new stereo I saved up for. And...well, you.” He playfully flicks her nose. She wrinkles her nose and swats his hand away. “Eddie doesn’t know what he’s talkin’ about. But I know he’s gonna kick himself in the ass when he realizes he lost a girl like you.”

“Yeah, you’re just saying that ‘cause you’re my friend.” 

“Not true, I also wanna bug you for your famous cookies.” Steve winks.

“I can bring them to you tonight, then.” she said, patting his arm. “I should get going. Um...you clearly are very busy and I don’t wanna keep you from doing your job.”

“I know, such a bad influence. The gateway rebellion was skipping class. Now it’s job defiance,” Steve chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck. “Hey, um...if you want, when you come by tonight, maybe you could stick around? Was gonna rifle through the back, borrow some flicks to waste my evening away. Free to join me if you want? Robin flaked out on me, says she’s doing some band practice with Vicky. Didn’t ask for details.”

She thinks about it and smiles. “Sounds like fun. Girls’ night.”

“Invitation rescinded!” Steve shouts, turning away. 

“No, I’m kidding, I’m kidding, stop!” she protests, giggling. “I’ll bring cookies and pizza, Steve. I’ll be there.”

“Alright, then,” Steve said. “Um...hey, don’t worry about Eddie, alright? He’s just being a dick. And honestly, apart from his relationship with the rugrats, he’s still gonna be a dick. He missed out on a girl like you. Clearly he’s a martian.”

“Doesn’t mean much when I’m from Hawkins. But thank you, Steve. I’ll see you tonight,” she says, squeezing his hand and finally leaving the store back to her car. She left feeling much lighter than she had going in. He was right. Forget Eddie. If he thought she was so boring he clearly didn’t need her around him. She had other friends, friends like Steve.

Smiling to herself, she climbs into the driver’s seat and turns the key into the ignition, hearing the engine roar to life.

Things would be just fine. 

[stevesgother]

realistically i know this would never happen because the duffers are very detail oriented about the time period accuracy of the soundtrack, BUT what i would not give for a montage or scene of some sort to I Know The End by phoebe...i would pay real united states dollars. that song is so st coded.

[certifiedlovergirlsstuff]

The Battle of Starcourt Mall

pairing: steve harrington x female byers!reader

WC: 6.8K

warnings: cursing, blood. think that’s it…

summary: the final boss level

A/N: ALL PARTS UNDER THE TAG -The Byers Harrington Story-

so what i’ve decided to do is stop this chapter after the fire and since the last like ten minute take place three months later i’ve decided to use that for my in betweens. kinda weird ik BUT THIS IS MY FIC I DO AS I PLEASE!!!!

@alecmores​ 🫶🏻 the best proofreader

series masterlist / steve harrington

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It was a scene from a horror movie.

Tears of blood dripped from El’s nose as she continued her wails of pain, her screams filling the empty mall. Beneath the skin of her injured leg, something squirmed restlessly. It pushed at her flesh, trying to break to the surface and it was only making her cry and squeeze Mike’s hand tighter.

“What is that?” Erica leaned in for an inspection. “There’s something in there.” Was Mike’s simple answer. 

El screamed higher, “No!” “Jesus Christ,” A mutter from Dustin’s lips.

Jonathan pushed off the floor and talked over El’s vocals, “Keep her talking. Keep her awake, okay?” And he ran off to the food court.

El’s chest was panting slower and her eyes blinked slowly a few times. Mike started to shake her shoulder, “Hey, hey, hey. Stay awake, stay awake.” He looked to Dustin for assistance, “Let’s get her on this side, on this side.”

Nancy and Steve rushed to aid their help, El now leaning her back on Mike’s chest. “You know, it’s not actually that bad,” Robin spoke for the first time after five minutes, a new record for her. “There was a… The goalie on my soccer team, Beth Wildfire, this other girl slid into her leg and the bone came out of her knee. Six inches or something, it was insane.” Everyone’s eyes were on her, wondering why she was telling this story.

“Robin,” Steve called her. “Yeah?” She breathly exhaled as she looked at him. “You’re not helping.” “I’m sorry.”

You looked up when Jonathan came rushing back, his sneakers squeaking on the polished tiles. He held a kitchen knife and a wooden spoon in his left hand. “Okay. Alright, El?” A courtesy question. “This is gonna hurt like hell, okay?”

Her sobs shook her petite frame, “Okay,” Wrapped in snot and tears.

“Need you to stay real still.” He used the calm adult voice that he pulled on you and Will if either of you got hurt. He slipped flimsy prep gloves on his dormant hand. “Here, you’re gonna want to bite down on this okay?” Passing the spoon into Mike’s outstretched hand and he placed it between her teeth as she bit hard.

Jonathan held the knife and lowered it slowly to the wound. “Holy shit. Holy shit.” Dustin repeated as Jonathan sank the sharp point into her infected wound. Her screams were still loud even with her mouth muffled. 

“I’m gonna be sick,” Talking to yourself with sweaty hands holding the queasiness inside. Steve’s larger stature blocked the gruesome sight from your tired eyes. A hand pushing your face into his chest. The noises, El’s screams, and sobs mixed with everyone’s gasps or whines echoed in your eardrums. You couldn’t see what was happening after the cut was made, but it wasn’t any better. Nancy screamed Jonathan’s name and he yelled back, “Stop talking! God damn it!”

Then El’s cracked and tired voice, “No! Stop it!” Grunts followed with a whimper, “I can do it.”

You moved your head when everything grew silent. You were still tucked into Steve as you watched El sit up and stretched out her right arm over the bleeding wound. Her arm shook from all the energy that was being spent from her, all eyes watching as she hurt herself. Her screams grew in volume as the unknown was wiggling away from her telepathic grasp. They grew loud in frustration that the lights flickered and the glass from Levi’s display shattered to pieces, Steve turned your body away from the specks.

With some more steam power, El was able to grip the unknown and tug it out of her body. It was a small thing, almost looking like charred flesh as she held it in front of her face. With a grunt she threw it a foot away, all of you just watching as it slowly crawled further away. No one made a move to finish the job as you were all stunned when Hopper stomped a giant black boot hard into the creature.

And there stood an odd trio. Joyce, Hopper, and some bushy-bearded balding man (who was dressed in some short shorts) you didn’t know.

Only took one minute max before your brain kicked into gear. You untangled yourself from Steve’s protective hold and took one, two, three hesitant steps as you croaked, “Mom?” She moved away from the taller men and you rushed forward into her open arms. You almost knocked her over with the force of missing her touch and gentle pets.

“Oh, my sweet girl.” She shushed you and held you tight. Salty tears webbed your lashes together and marked her flannel top. You almost worried she was a mirage, a figment of your tired and bruised brain to keep you calm in a stressful moment. But she was real, you could tell by the way she held you tighter and tucked her face into your neck.

“I’ve missed you.” A whispered confession. “I’ve missed you too, honey. I’ve missed you too.”

Her hands grabbed your upper arms and pulled you away, motherly touches pushed loose hair and flyaways. Her palms cupped your cheeks like you were fine china as she examined your Russian party gifts. “What happened to my beautiful girl?

Your bottom lip wobbled as you joked, “Russian bullies. It’s been a long day, Mom.” Her open brown eyes started to gloss over with wet tears and you couldn’t have that. So you jumped to ask, “Where- Where have you been? And-” You looked over her shoulder to look at the unknown man beside Hopper, “-Who is that man?”

Her tangled curls swung with the motion of her head while peeking at the men and then back to you, “Oh, uh… Also Russian stuff.” You couldn't help the high raise of your mouth as you sputtered, “Wh-What? More Russians?”

“Uh…Why don’t we all go sit down? All of us and just go over everything.”

-

“The Mind Flayer built this monster in Hawkins, to stop El, kill her, and pave a way into our world,” Mike spoke with his hands while giving the simple details of the events leading up to tonight for their group. Nancy also pitched in, “And it almost did. That was just one tiny piece of it.”

Everyone congregated by the turned-off fountain, standing in a circle. Hopper and El sat on the wooden bench beside the structure as he held a wet paper towel to her forehead and she sipped quietly on her straw. Joyce sat next to her as she rewrapped the wound closed. And even though you knew the time wasn’t right for couple displays, you couldn’t help but sink into Steve’s arms as he held you to his chest. His chin rested at the crown of your head as you held his hands in their infinity hold.

“How big is this thing?” Hopper asked. His eyes checked over El as Jonathan answered “It’s big. Thirty feet, at least.”

“Jesus,” You whispered just imagining something that huge. Probably takes up the whole space of the mall where you’re all talking. “It sorta destroyed your cabin,” Lucas tacked on. You heard the deep sigh from Hopper and Lucas’, “Sorry.”

“Okay, so, just to be clear,” Steve’s chest vibrated into your back with his talking, “This… This big fleshy spider thing that hurt El, it’s some kind of gigantic…weapon?” Your scalp tingles from the movement of his chin.

“Yes,” Nancy replied quickly. Her features turned a bit annoyed and you wanted to get defensive with her. But Steve continued to ask his question about this…fleshy monster. “But instead of, like, screws and metal, the Mind Flayer made its weapon… with melted people.”

“Yes, exactly.” Her permed hair hits her face. You felt Steve shrug his shoulders, “Yeah, okay. I- Yeah, I’m just making sure.” He tugged you even closer into his body. You gave his hands three squeezes.

“Are we sure this thing is still out there, still alive?” Joyce questioned. “El beat the shit out of it,” Max pointed out, “But, yeah, it’s still alive.” Disappointed evident in her tone.

“But if we close the gate again-” “We cut the brain off from the body.” “And kill it. Theoretically.” Will, Max, then Lucas finished the single train of thought.

Everyone went quiet again. They were probably thinking of the next plan of action, the attack plan to bring the demon to the ground. You were just hearing white noise and staring blankly at all the different shoes as you tried to blanket Steve over you. You were so close to the end, you had to keep reminding yourself about that, it’ll be all over tonight and everything can go back to its relative normal.

A loud shout of, “Yoo-hoo!” Bounced in the empty space followed by paper rustling. Steve turned the both of you at an angle to see that the mystery man, Murray, was waving yellow papers in the air. He bypassed the group and stopped in front of the dining table as he slammed the papers down. He looked over his shoulder and frantically waved his arms while yelling, “Class! Over here! Over here!” And everyone internally groaned as you took the short trip.

You stuck near the back, Steve leaning over your shoulder as the both of you looked down at the lined paper to try and make sense of the drawing before your eyes.

“Okay, this is what Alexei called “the hub”.” You wanted to ask who this Alexei was but stayed quiet. “Now, the hub takes us to the vault room.” Murray slid his finger down the drawn path.

“Okay, where’s the gate?” Hopper inquired. Murray took a moment before, “Right here.” Pointing at a different section on the paper map. “I don’t know the scale on this, but I think it’s fairly close to the vault room, maybe fifty feet or so.” Dragging his pointer finger from end to end.

“More like five hundred.” Erica’s snarky voice stopped the adults as she walked toward them. “What, you’re just gonna waltz in there like it’s commie Disneyland or something?”

You noted the raise of Hopper’s brows at Erica’s tone and Murray vocally asked, “I’m sorry, who are you?” “Erica Sinclair. Who are you?” Sassying the bald man back. His expression was plain and simple as he said his first and last name.

“Listen, Mr. Bunman,” Purposely mispronounces his last name, “I’m not trying to tell you how to do things, but I’ve been down that shithole for twenty-four hours.” Turning away from Murray and directly looking into Hopper’s eyes, “And with all due respect, you do what this man tells you, you’re all gonna die.” Hopper’s brows scrunched in the middle.

You would say she’s exaggerating, but knowing what was down there, they didn’t know what they could be walking into. Their schematics were just based on one person’s view, not knowing the actual distance from room to room. So yeah, they would be in danger.

“I’m sorry, why is this four-year-old speaking to me?” “Um, I’m ten, you bald bastard!”

“Erica!” Both you and Lucas called for her to stop. Shocked by all this language she most likely learned from the boys. “Just the facts!” Defending herself to her brother.

“She’s right.” Dustin stepped beside her, taking her side. “You’re all gonna die, but you don’t have to. Excuse me. Sorry, may I?” Pointing at Murray’s paper. The man flashed a sarcastic smile and shook his head with a, “Please,” Tacked on.

Dustin and Erica took a seat at the table, Dustin grabbing a pen from his pocket and pointing at a square box. “Okay, see this room here? This is a storage facility.” He circled it. “There’s a hatch in here that feeds into their underground ventilation system.” He then took the pen and drew a line to the over end of the paper, “That will lead you to the base of the weapon.”

“Wait, sorry.” Suddenly speaking up, eyes on you. “Was this where the two of you went when we got taken?” Just needed clarification. “Duh,” Was Erica’s only answer. “Okay. Continue.” Stepping into Steve’s chest, his arms thrown over your stomach.

“It’s a bit of a maze down there, but between me and Erica, we can show you the way.” Full seriousness in Dustin’s words as the two nodded together.

“You can show us the way?” The tone of voice he used was a mix of confusion and amusement. Two kids acting all high and mighty with more information than the adults. Dustin held a hand towards Hop, “Don’t worry, you can do all the fighting and the dangerous hero shit, and we’ll just be your… navigators.”

One nod of his head before a simple, “No,” fell from his lips. And this was exactly the reason you wanted Hopper to know about this from the beginning. “Nope.” A second confirmation at the two before he walked away. You were so happy you didn’t have to be the adult in the situation anymore.

Everyone split up into their different groups until it was time to fully split up. You, Robin, and Steve walked to Hut Sam. All of you hopped onto the counter, Robin with her legs crossed as she held her ankles and leaned her head to the wall. You and Steve sat near the end with your legs mindlessly kicking the air, Steve’s left hand in your grasp as you played with his fingers, specifically his marriage finger.

“Hey,” The single word ghosted your ear. At normal speed, you moved your attention away from his rough hand and moved your eyes onto his damaged face. Your right hand moved to touch the side of the swollen eye, the pads of your fingers touching him as if he was fine china. One wrong move and he’ll break into millions of tiny pieces. “Oh, my Stevie.”

He moved his head quickly so he could plant a lingering kiss on the heel of your hand before fully leaning into your touch. “I’m sorry. Again. For this.” He slipped two fingers under the hem of your shorts, his thumb sat on the scratchy material. 

“I forgive you.” At this point you truly do. It seemed no matter what you could have done, the horrors of Hawkins will always find a way to pull your group of family back into its pull. “I just… I just want you to listen to me. How I’m feeling when it comes to getting involved. Don’t disregard my feelings, you and I, along with everyone, have some sort of trauma they’ve taken from this. And you might hide it or joke about it, but you know I suffer because of it every day or night.”

Steve made sure he was looking directly into your eyes, his hand holding your thigh. “I know, I will. I got swept up in- in- I don’t even know. But if you need to, slap me, hit me, yell at me. Anything to make sure it gets through my thick skull, I don’t want to be the cause of your pain and sadness.”

Both of you sat in silence, hands touching any space of skin. You moved your hand from his cheek and used your thumb and index finger to hold Steve’s chin and pull him to you. It was a press of chapped lips before it moved to a slow dance that ended too short for comfort. Steve gave a quick peck before fully leaning away, a pleasant smile as he was bathed in the neon of pink and purple.

“Lovebirds!” Your heads snapped in the direction of the shout. Dustin waved a hand frantically and you both knew it meant there was a mission to be conducted. Steve moved first and grabbed your hand to pull you behind him. Dustin threw a set of keys that Steve was able to catch mid-air, “What’s this for?”

“Car out front,” Hopper stated. Dustin, Erica, and Robin were already heading in the direction of the front doors before the two of you caught up. You yelled, “See you later!” To everyone you were leaving behind.

Steve pushed the door open and then whistled, “Oh, man, now this… this is what I’m talkin’ about!” Excited about the open cruiser.

“Toddfather?” Robin questioned as the both of you spotted the license plate. You grimaced while walking to the passenger side. “Oh, screw Todd! Steve’s her daddy now.” He jumped into the driver's seat while you processed his words.

“Did you just talk about yourself in the third person?” “Did he just call himself daddy?” Robin and Erica are questioning your boy. You still needed to process the way Steve called himself daddy.

“Ew, gross. (Y/n), you better not be into that.” Robin whacked your shoulder from behind. You could only shake your head.

“All right, where are we going?” Steve turned the engine on. “Weathertop,” Dustin said over his shoulder. Steve turned in his seat, “Weather-what?”

“Just drive!” “Okay. Jesus!”

Steve threw his arm behind your seat and reversed the car before changing to drive and speeding out of the empty parking lot.

-

You weren’t sure how long the drives had been so far, but you know you’re far away from Starcourt now. The wind was wiping your sweaty hair into knots, smacking your eyes, and getting stuck in your mouth. Steve had a radio station turned to twenty, loud enough over the howling wind.

“Jesus, how far is this place, man?” Steve’s hands squeezed and loosened the leather steering wheel.

“Relax. We’re almost there.” Was Dustin’s only answer to Steve’s question. The older boy sighed and you noted the quick eye roll before he stepped hard down on the gas. Car going ninety in a sixty-five.

“Suzie must be pretty special, huh?” Robin shouted over the different sounds to talk to Dustin. “I mean, if you built this thing and lugged it all the way to the middle of nowhere just to talk to her?”

You turned in your seat, left side pressed to the leather so you could see everyone in the backseat. Robin is in the middle with the two kids on either side.

Dustin grinned at the mention of his Suzie. “I mean, nobody’s scientifically perfect, but Suzie’s about as close to being perfect as any human could possibly be.” And the sweet answer made you coo at the young ‘love’.

“She sounds made up to me,” Erica added her two cents. “Does she sound made up to you?” The words pointed at Steve then you.

“No, of course not!” Quickly saying your answer, even if you still weren’t one hundred percent. Steve stayed quiet as he looked your way and into the rearview mirror. As discreetly as you can, you backhanded his outer thigh.

“Why are you hesitating, Steve?” Dustin leaned forward. “I’m- I’m- I’m not! I’m not!” Shifting his hands, one on the wheel and the other in the air flinging about. “I think she sounds real. You know, totally, absolutely real.”

He looked your way and you widened your eyes to silently communicate, “Really?” Your scrutinizing of Steve’s words was shut off when Dustin shouted, “Left. Turn left.”

“There’s not a road here.” Nothing but fields of grass. But Dustin was insisting, “Turn left now!”

“Jesus! Hang on!” Steve’s right hand held your thigh as he turned the wheel sharply on his left. Everyone was thrown from the quick force and then jolted from the bumpy road and the wired fence the car drove through.

“Whoa! Henderson, where are we going?!” “Up!”

The radio song was fitting with the lyrics syncing to the situation. The car was going up a steep hill and it was slow as it got higher.

“Oh, Jesus!” “We’re not gonna make it!” Robin yelled in your ear. Steve pressed the gas to the floor. “Yes, we are. Come on, baby. Come on, baby!” And if you weren’t stressed your mind would have gone to places from the last few days.

When the car reached the peak the engine strained under the gravity and dirt. Steve stomped the gas pedal multiple times, “Come on! Come on!” Grunted under his breath. The tires just screeched from the revving. “Guess the Toddfather had its limitations.” A mindless comment as you looked toward Steve. And sighed then shut the car off.

Everyone hopped out of the car and trucked up the last couple of feet. Your thighs burned and chested huffed, never one for the exercise of any sort…well only the fun kind.

“I hate this. I hate this. I hate this.” Wasting your breath just to grumble your vendetta.

Two hands are pushed into your back to keep your feet moving forward. You already knew it was Steve but his comment, “Come on, baby. So close.” Cause shameless flutters in your lower stomach and you swore your knees almost collapsed.

“Sounds like you’re talking to the car…daddy.” A teasing grin painted your sweaty and flushed cheeks. You heard the scuff but knew Steve enjoyed it from the squeeze to your back.

“You guys are gross. There are children present. Me included.” Robin chided as she passed the both of you.

As you reached the tip top there stood the radio tower, Ceribro. Dustin sprites forward to grab the walkie. He held the side button down and called, “Bald Eagle, this is Scoops Troop, do you copy?” He released the button and there was nothing, he repeated the call. “Bald Eagle, I repeat, this is Scoops Troop, do you copy?” Steve quietly paced back and forth.

Just as Dustin was getting ready to repeat the code it crackled with “Yes, I copy.” You all chuckle with relief, everyone moving into a tight circle.

“Call sign?” Dustin asked. “Dude, you’re gonna annoy him.” Having noticed the tone of voice through the radio. But Dustin didn’t care and Murray called back with, “Bald Eagle.”

“Please repeat.” “Bald Eagle. This is Bald Eagle!” Murray shouted.

With a winning smile, “Copy that. Good to hear your voice, Bald Eagle. What’s your twenty?”

“We reached the vent. I’ll contact you when I need you. Until then, silence.” He must have been so happy about that.

“Roger that, Bald Eagle. This is Scoops Troop, going radio silent. Ten-Ten, over.” Steve patted Dustin’s shoulder as he stood up.

You walked to the side, separating just by a foot, lowering yourself to the ground. Pulling your knees up you wrapped your arms to hold them close as you plopped your forehead to your knees. You were so tired, mentally and physically. If you had the money you would look into people that you could talk to, vaguely, about everything. Maybe you could barge one from the government?

The sound of footsteps caught your attention, but you didn’t turn your head. You had a feeling it was Steve and he would know to give you a few minutes of quiet even if you wanted his presence.

You dropped your left hand into the grass, a silent gesture if he was paying attention. And he always was. A second later he slipped his hand under yours, palm to palm, and curled his fingers in. Neither of you said anything, not wanting to or needing to at this moment. Just enjoying each other, that was all you needed.

“We should do star gazing as a date night. What’d ya’ say?” Steve pulled your linked hands up and pressed three kisses to the back of your hand, two on your knuckles.

You turned your head, ear, and cheek pressed into the scraped skin of your knees. Steve leaned his head forward, hair flopping over his forehead and into his eyes. He didn’t bother pushing it away, he kept his loving gaze zeroed in on you. Wanting your opinion, a reaction, you weren’t sure, but you gave him both.

“Would you make it super romantic, lover boy?” Teasing smirk to your scratched and bloody features.

He rolled his eyes, “Duh. What kind of boyfriend do you take me as?” And it unintentionally felt like a loaded question. And you knew it was the aftermath of Nancy, he needed constant reassurance. Whether he made it obvious or not, you will always give it to him.

In an awkward shuffle, moving your knees and twisting your body, you now sat in front of Steve. You held your empty hand out and did a ‘give me’ motion and he happily dropped his other hand to you. Like he did earlier you kissed his knuckles, multiple times until you heard that sweet-deep chuckle. You love when you make him flustered.

“Steve Harrington,” A kiss to his index finger to punctuate his name, “You are the best boyfriend I’ve ever gotten. And! And I know what you’re gonna say, “You’ve never had a boyfriend”, first of all, that means nothing.” A kiss to his middle, “Second, and this might sound horrible if I can’t word this right, but… I’m happy Nancy got time with you first.”

His brows scrunched in the middle while he wore a small pout and he tilted his head like a lost puppy. “Uh… Yeah. Yeah, that doesn’t- It’s not bad! Just doesn’t make the most sense?” He ducked his chin to his chest.

“Stevie…” You added a squeeze to his hands so he would look at you again. “You know how you were in high school. A total douchebag with only a sliver of gold in his heart.” And he didn’t disagree. He just bit into his bottom lip as you continued. “When you were with Nancy after the whole thing happened. It’s like… you bumped your head. Nudge in the right direction for your emotional growth.”

“There’s a joke in there that I want to make, but I won’t for your sake.” Lips curling to stop a stupid boyish smile at an inappropriate joke. You just sighed, “No. Go on, oh funny one. Say it aloud.” Also excited to hear it.

“You’re my nudge for emotional growth.” “Oh! That’s- That’s so horrible! Just bad.”

Your giggles mixed as you leaned toward each other. When they died off and you both went quiet you couldn’t help as you whispered, “All the girls you’ve been with have made you the one I love. I get to see the real Steve Harrington. Every crack and jewel.”

His eyes softened while the ends of his lips turned up, “Another joke. But…That was…I love you.” A declaration as he moved his lips onto yours.

A pretty good star gazing date as you thought to yourself while smiling into Steve’s pink lips.

“Mr. and Mrs. Byers, we have a problem!” Robin shouted into the night. You dove in for one more lightning kiss before Steve pulled the both of you up and back to your group and the tower.

“What’s the problem?” Seeing how Dustin and Erica were listening intensely to the quiet radio and Robin had her arms crossed while biting at her thumb.

“There’s an emergency.” Erica relaid, in a nervous tone. That didn’t bode well for you. “Who's in trouble?”

Loud cracking from the walkie stopped any answer from them and heard the shout of “Scoops Troop, do you copy? We require evacuation! We’re trapped! Help!” And the line went dead. Loud roaring was the last thing heard over the transmission.

The shouting of Mike’s voice over the crackling comm sent chills down your spine and blood rushing through your veins from the animalist yell. When you looked back to the horizon with your eyes set on Starcourt, the lights were flickering. Just like that November day back in nineteen eighty-three, when you faced the Demogorgan.

“We gotta help them. We gotta go!” Shouting to everyone and mostly to yourself to kick you into gear. Beat-up converse carried you down the steep hill, almost tripping over yourself. Forgetting you didn’t hold the keys to the car, you yelled for Steve as you threw yourself into the driver's seat.

“Woah, hey I can-“ “Steve, just give me the damn keys!”

He stood for a second before sitting in the passenger, Robin tagging along in the back. The engine roared to life as you hightailed it back towards Starcourt.

-

“Is that-” “Billy’s Camaro.”

The Toddfather was waiting on the far side of the parking lot. The Wheeler’s hatchback was stationed in front of the mall and Billy’s car wasn’t too far away, the headlights beaming into the night. He was revving the engine, smoke billowing from the exhaust. Nancy stood like a waiting soldier, her arms held high as she held a gun, her aim steady.

“I need you guys to hold tight,” A quick command before you stepped down on the gas just as Billy launched forward, straight to Nancy and everyone. 

“(Y/n), I don’t think this is a good idea!” Robin’s shaky plea passed your ears. Knuckles turning white from your death grip, mentally preparing for the impact. Steve’s hand fell on your thigh and squeezed the flesh, his blunt nails digging into your skin. “Baby, this is a stupid plan! But I love you no matter what!”

“I love you too, Steve! No matter what!”

The nose of the cruiser crashed into the passenger side of the blue Camaro, the two spun out until you turned it to a stop with the wheel and brake. It was like a shot went off beside your ear, a loud ringing that drowned everything out. Your heart was beating out your chest, quick and swallow pants puffing from your lips.

“Is everyone okay?” Shakiness to each letter. From the whiplash, your neck ached as you slowly turned to face Steve. He too was panting from adrenaline with his eyes set forward, then he looked your way. He loosened the grip on your thigh, you didn’t even notice. “Please don’t ever drive again.” Joking to take away the severity of the moment, you just nodded in compliance.

“Robin? Alive?” “Ask me tomorrow?” A weak thumbs up to her question.

The moment of catching breaths was interrupted by the horrific roaring coming from the mall. All three of you pulled yourselves up and leaned forward for a better view. “Oh, shit!” Robin exclaimed at the giant fleshy monster that climbed on the roof of Starcourt. You wanted to vomit from all the different emotions running through you.

Honking from a car turned heads. Nancy leaned through the window and shouted, “Get in!” All of you hurried to the trunk, legs, and arms knocking into each other while being crammed into the small space. Steve, being the last one beside you, shouted for Jonathan to start driving.

With tires screeching on asphalt, you peeled out and back to the road. The monster followed, it was quick and slow in its steps, keeping you within sight but only a few steps behind even with the car going one hundred.

Your heart was beating in your ears as you kept your eyes locked on the flesh monster that was tailing the Wheeler wagon.

A loud static filled the car and then two voices followed. “Dusty-bun, do you copy?” “I copy, Suzie-poo. It sounds much better now, thanks.”

“Dusty-bun?” Steve couldn’t help but repeat the nickname that the very much real Suzie called him. And you couldn’t help but follow with, “Suzie-poo?”

“Okay, so, listen, do you Planck’s constant?” “Do you know the Earth orbits the sun?” And you heard Dustin snicker over the comm. It was cute, but not the right time.

“Okay, so I know it starts with two sixes, and then a… w-what is it?” “Okay, let me just be clear on this. I haven’t heard from you in a week, and now you want a mathematical equation that you should know so you can…save the world?” “Suzie-poo, I promise, I will make it up to you as soon as possible.”

There was a short lull and then she replied, “You can make it up to me now.” “What?” Dustin’s voice went serious. “I want to hear it.” And you weren’t sure if you wanted to hear it.

You could hear the slight panic in Dustin’s voice as he spoke back, “Not right now.” “Yes, now, Dusty-bun.”

“Suzie-poo, this is urgent.” You were getting sick of the nicknames. You looked at Steve and Robin, “What do you think she’s asking him to do?”

Steve shrugged, “Probably something nerdy and gross mixed.” Robin didn’t as Suzie radioed back, “Yes, yes, you’re saving the world, I heard you the first time, but Ged is also saving Earthsea and he’s about to confront the shadow. So this is Suzie, signing off.” Very stubborn in getting her way.

Dustin hurried in, “Wait, wait, wait! Okay. Okay.” His end went silent for about thirty seconds and then- “Turn around. Look at what you see. In her face, the mirror of your dreams.”

“Am I concussed?” The abrupt question fell from your dry mouth. “Are they singing?” Needing to know you weren’t the only one hearing this.

Robin and Steve shared a look before dumbly nodding their heads. You looked to the front of the car and everyone was quiet. You couldn’t see their faces, only Will’ since he was turned at an angle and you saw the clear look of confusion painted over his features. You wonder if Hopper and Murray were hearing this musical number.

And the monster was still chasing the station wagon.

Suzie and Dustin sang in sync until the final note, Dustin ending off with a giggle. “Planck’s constant is 6.62607004.”

“You just saved the world.” “Gosh, I miss you, Dusty-bun.” “And I miss you more Suzie-poo.”

“Ugh, gross. They sound just like you two. You’ve rubbed off on him, Harrington.” Robin groaned as her head hit the window.

Steve scuffed, “Me? Why just me? There are two of us in this relationship.” “Well, he is your best friend.” Teasing him with a smirk.

Steve shook his head and didn’t follow up with a comment, his eyes out the window then yelling to the group, “It’s turning around.”

“What?” Nancy and Jonathan look over their shoulders. “It’s turning around!” Steve repeated.

“Maybe we wore it out,” Lucas suggested. “I don't think so. Hold on.” And Jonathan wiped the wheel hard and headed back to the mall.

-

The car jolted to a stop. Every one climbed out and grabbed the boxes of fireworks from the roof, you led them to the back entrance and typed in the door code. A beeping noise prompted you to pull the handle and usher them inside.

“Okay, so the plan is to get to the second level, spread out, and start setting them off. Don’t stop for a second, just go.” Lucas huffed his idea to everyone.

By the time your group spread out, you with Robin and Steve to the far left, the mind flayer was in the middle of the mall. It’s looming figure looking down at Billy and El. The lights were flickering and flashing as it growled and groaned. There was a high-pitched hissed and a tentacle limb stretched forward.

Before it could reach El a firework was thrown and hit the monster in the back. You heard Lucas’ voice as he yelled, “Flay this, you ugly piece of shit!” It prompted everyone to start setting them off and throwing bombs.

“Hey, asshole! Over here!” Steve yelled before throwing his lit cannon. It fell into the creature's mouth and exploded. You and Robin threw your fireworks one after the other.

If it wasn’t such a scary situation, the private display was beautiful. The different colors and shapes brighten the already colorful mall. The roars are mixed in with the high-pitched singing of explosive powders.

Your throwing arm started to wear out quickly but you had to push yourself through the soreness setting in. You couldn’t see what was happening down below and didn’t know if El was safe or still in danger and out of reach for help. But you had to push that away, you were helping her in this moment, distracting the monster from attacking her.

It felt like hours but must have only been thirty minutes or so before you were out of fireworks. You started to panic when less light and noise filled the space. “Last two!” You yelled as you flung your lit stick forward.

Steve grabbed the walkie and radioed to Dustin, “Dustin! We’re out of time!”

A few more fireworks went off and then they stopped. The only sound was your heavy panting in your ears filled with the monstrous roaring of the flayer.

“What do we do? What’d we do!” You yelled at Robin and Steve. They both pant with open mouths and just stared at you and then at the floor below.

As you looked down you could barely make out Billy standing in front of El, keeping her blocked from view. The monster screeched and roared then shot its mouth limb towards El, but Billy stood in the way and took the talons. Two more attached to his sides before several more limbs dug themselves into his body. You could hear his screams.

And the screams of Max as she watched her shitty step-brother die before her eyes.

Little flames flickered from tiny fires on the bottom level. Everything was static and quiet until the flesh monster started to roar even louder if possible. It started to thrash, its body slamming into your side of the railing making Steve pull you into him as the both of you with Robin fell to the floor.

With one final roar, it collapsed to the floor before the lights stabilized and the fire engulfed its skin. It was over. The battle was over and won.

“Hey, hey. It’s okay, just breathe.” Steve whispered into your ear. You didn’t notice that you were shaking and breathing in shallow intervals, almost making you pass out. You clung to him tighter as you closed your eyes and inhaled his scent which was mixed with sweat and gunpowder.

With the quiet lull of silence followed multi and fast footsteps that carried voices shouting over each other. Steve pulled the both of you from the floor and looked over the bent railing with Robin at your side. Dozens of soldiers with guns raised caused your heart to spike, was it more Russians?

But when they started shouting commands in English you knew you were safe. Everyone was evacuated from the building and led to the ambulances waiting outside for all of you to get checked. You and Steve for sure needed it the most.

You waited beside Steve as the nurse was looking over his face and gave him some meds for pain. They walked away to check on the others leaving the two of you alone. Steve threw one side of his blanket over your shoulder and pulled you close.

“I love you. So fucking much.” He muttered into your hair. You wrapped your arms around his stomach and held him gently. “I love you too. Out of this world much.” You felt his body move with a laugh, “Not a competition…but I would win.” And you laughed but didn’t retort back.

Your eyes flitted to the chaos of moving bodies. Three different groups of workers dressed in uniforms mixed. In a small opening you saw Will running towards someone and when you saw who he ran into tears started to sting your eyes.

Again that night, you pulled away from Steve and took off running to your mom and younger brother. “Mom!” You screamed into the night air.

Her head looked up and a teary smile spread across her face. They both opened their arms and you slithered into their warm embrace. “You’re alive. You’re alive.” A quiet mantra to yourself, she just squeezed tighter.

With your eyes open and over Joyce’s shoulder you could see El walking around. By herself and looking everywhere with confusion and worry screaming out in her body language, you pulled away from Joyce so you could look into her eyes and ask, “Where’s Hopper?” And she could only close her eyes and tiny whimpers fell from her lips.

He didn’t make it. El was alone once again.

Reluctantly you released your mom and walked to El. She was twisting her hands together anxiously, head swiveling in different directions. And you knew the person she was looking for wasn’t coming back for her.

“El…” Just saying her name and trailing off. She sniffled while turning your way, her eyes watery and bloodshot. She bit into her bottom lip and you could tell she was trying not to cry.

“Oh, sweetheart.” And she launched herself into your chest. Your arms take a second before holding her tight in your embrace. Her petite frame shook with rough cries and your skin tickled with the dropping tear drops falling from her eyes. You didn’t know what to say, you could only repeat, “Oh, sweetheart.”

-

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*striked out means tumblr cant find you*

[lovelyatomicpeace]

Beyond the masks, charapter two

Meeting under the rain

November 7, 1983

Bip

Bip

Bip

The sound of the alarm clock echoed throughout the room too loudly for those early hours, causing you to whimper under the mound of blankets where the high-pitched sound of the alarm clock made its way through the morning silence, like an annoying insect that insisted on disturbing your sleep: the room was shrouded in a halo of darkness, with the curtains barely up, allowing very little light in. With a sigh of resignation, you reached out an arm and grabbed the alarm clock, turning it off firmly. That sound boomed in your head like a drum, but at least it was over. You looked up to look at the time: 7:45. It wasn't bad.

You kicked off the covers and got up slowly to rest your feet on the marble-cold floor and yawning, you dragged yourself into the bathroom to look at your reflection in the mirror: two large dark circles under your eyes widened: you hadn't been able to sleep the previous night as you had so often since that night…

"Ew," you muttered, running your tongue over your white teeth: you needed coffee, but you knew you couldn't make it otherwise you would have wasted your time: slipping on a pair of jeans, a black long-sleeved shirt and sneakers with one last glance at your reflection you hurried down the stairs, grabbing your coat by the sleeve. You preferred to take your bike to school, finding a spot in that parking lot was impossible, better hell. You look again at the watch on your wrist

8:00

"Shit!" it was super early when you woke up and it didn't take you long to get ready, why are you always late? You pedaled as fast as you could is relatively on time you arrived at the building dropping your bike in the bike rack, under everyone's gaze. You couldn't afford to be late again Professor Williams, from geography class, would surely not spare you an afternoon in detention today.

The school was like an island in chaos. The voices of students and teachers mingled in a constant buzz, like the waves of a stormy ocean. You got lost in the crowd, trying not to attract too much attention, the bell rang like an alarm siren causing the crowd to dissolve, In an instant, in the direction of various classes. You ran to get to class on time and managed to slip inside the classroom just before the door closed. The professor gave you a stern look, but decided not to comment on your late arrival, reciprocated by your toothy smile.

The room was full of people talking to each other incessantly: some were scribbling in their books, some were noisily tapping their hubby on the desk in time to the music, and then there were Tommy, Carol and Steve Harrignton: their eyes fell on you the moment you crossed the threshold.

Why was there no mutual affection between you? Well this no one could know, least of all you but of one thing you were certain to throw the first stone was them.Luckily for you, not that you feared them, they could not say or do anything because williams began the class.

You sat at the desk and although you tried to concentrate there was something that distracted your attention like a persistent and annoying thought: The previous night you had been plagued by a nightmare, worse than the other times that made you wake up suddenly having the feeling that someone was watching you from afar, even now the sensation seemed persistent to you and became more and more incisive: almost by instinct you turned around, to see the eyes of the last person you expected pointed at you

Harrington

He had those silly striped shirts that only someone like him could wear (and that only Nancy could like so much) and that hair...well...worse than other days...

You returned his gaze, which was not interrupted at all, arching your eyebrow as if to ask him an intrigued question: why was he staring at you?

At some point, your thoughts were interrupted when the professor asked loudly, "Y/n, did you understand the question?" causing you to turn around in front of him under Tommy and Carol's giggles: all eyes turned to you, waiting for an answer you could not formulate

Great

The sudden knock on the door caused, fortunately, the guys in the classroom to change the direction of their gaze: the door opened allowing the police chief to enter: he was much bigger than you remembered him, with two thick mustaches framing his face and the big cowboy hat covering his head. He positioned himself quite wearily next to the teacher's desk; you were looking out the window many other times police officers from the station came to the school to organize, as they called them "friendly inspections," but today it was for a different reason…

"Y/s can you follow us outside?" Thundered the voice of Hopper deep making you turn sharply toward him with your eyes out of their sockets.

Now everyone was looking at you....

The lights outside the room were stronger making you close your eyes a little to adjust again: you had your eyebrows lowered so far downward that by dint of holding the position your head had begun to hurt in whirling thoughts. You didn't realize that you had exited the building and reached the middle school nearby

What? To the middle school!!!

Those four have been up to another one of their own, if they've done it big I swear to them...wait why call me?

You arrived outside the president's office, and to allow you in, Hopper threw the door wide open: sitting on the white couch in the large, brightly lit room were Mike, Lucas, and Dustin, and Will? Where was Will?. Standing by the studio curtains there is Joyce who continued to nibble her fingers anxiously

You could tell something was wrong

"Guys well..." the principal began, "Will...unfortunately didn't come home last night. Is mom thinks he's missing..." the principal continued in a calm voice.

What?

Will was missing? I took him home.

Thoughts of the previous night resurfaced in your head making the sudden sense of nausea grow even more. Hopper started asking the boys questions with a threatening attitude from which, however, he was able to glean little information, as usual they were all talking at once and nothing could be understood. Then the noises in the room ceased and the gazes turned to you.

You were seized with remorse

"What about you? What can you tell us?" Hop asked questioningly-you looked at Joyce with tears at the edge of your eyes, the whole situation seemed so surreal.

"I...I..." you stammered "I was the last one to see Will...well to walk him home like I always do" caught up in the agitation

"And..." he incited you.

"Nothing, he took his bike out of the trunk and went inside, I wouldn't have left if he hadn't" you said casting a glance at Joyce seeking her reassurance...silence fell in the room

Of course it wasn't the most a mother could expect from an investigation to find her son, but they knew you had no other information that's why they let you out of the room and in a hurry too.

Once outside you didn't know what to do: getting back to class was surely the least of the problems Williams could put all the notes he wanted on you as well; right now the problem was another Finding Will.

Dustin paced back and forth in the dimly lit hallway, and by his side Lucas rested his head in his hands

"and now what do we do” croaked Mike.

"Well here we have to find our friend" said Dustin as if it was something normal, of course you knew it was right but the idea did not appeal to you at all in fact it was synonymous with danger

"No, no, no wait guys, you, WE, are not going to do anything at all. I know Will is your friend , but the police are enough!" At that moment the adults left the room: you left the 3 alone so you could approach Joyce, stopped her by the arm and looking into her eyes you said:

"Will will return home, I swear I will do everything I can to find him..." as if to apologize and let her know you were not involved in this whole situation: Joyce leaned forward to exchange a hug with you that you were reluctant to give at first.

A weight had been lifted off you; at least her mom had faith in you, and that was already a big step forward.

She put her hand on your cheek and with a flickering smile walked away along with as Hopper, leaving you alone with the three little boys, again: they looked at you almost pleadingly, you understood that they would not easily get rid of their idea, and bringing your arms crossed over your chest you huffed resignedly

"Into Mr. Clarke "s office, now," Mike ordered.

Running behind them you reached the darkened study: locked inside the children began to confabulate and you watched them curiously, "Assuming Will was kidnapped or escaped, he must surely have lost something in the Mirkwood" explained Mike

"The what?" You asked seriously intrigued but squaring only 3 disapproving glances

"The forest of the lord of the rings" said Lucas as if it was a matter of course.

"Oh well sorry..." you admitted raising a hand.

With a snort Mike resumed speaking "if we really have to find him we have to start from there he can't be far away" indeed he had a point, you were sure you too could find him nearby

"We'll look for him tonight" said the leader of the group.

"Whoa, whoa tonight? How are we going to tell your moms that they surely won't let you out, huh?" They looked at you almost pleadingly knowing what they were getting at

"Oh no, absolutely not. You're not going to use me as an excuse, we understand..."

"We know you want to find him as much as we do, we heard you tell Joyce. I don't have the clavicles but the ears do," Dustin admitted, interrupting you.

And again looking at them you couldn't refuse

"Alright...." you hissed getting smiles from everyone

What a mess you got yourselves into....

After the encounter with the police you had returned to school only to pick up your bike and pedal home again: you couldn't go back inside under everyone's stares and say what had happened, you didn't even know if you could. You would spend hours in your room not even touching a morsel of food (although you had not eaten breakfast): the hole in your stomach was too big to allow you to consume anything. The more you thought that the night before you should have stayed with Will the more guilt plagued you and with it the bile rose in your throat

Why did you leave?

Perhaps also caught up in the excitement the hours passed quickly and darkness fell again on your cluttered room

A slight buzzing interrupted the tranquility and then a metallic voice recited:

"Gold boss, gold boss here do you receive me?…. I repeat gold boss here, do you receive me? Over" Dustin's voice hissed through the walkie talkie the 4 children had given you in Christmas 1981

"YES" shouted you, Lucas and Mike from the other end of the device in different parts of town.

"Well you should say step before closing communication others..."

"Stop it Dust," Lucas's voice: when I crack a smile, the first of the day.

"The operation Will can start" this was the signal you were waiting for from Mike, you jumped out of bed and running out you got on the saddle to reach his house, you had opted for the bicycle because otherwise the car would make too much noise outside their house. You arrived pedaling as fast as you could: you had to catch Mike and meet up with the other two toward the end of the road.

You arrived outside their house where the boy was already waiting for you and before you left you noticed the figure of a boy, younger, climbing, awkwardly, to the window of Nancy's room: you couldn't believe it.

If only you had brought your camera with you, you would have been able to capture this surely embarrassing moment: the king of Hawkins high hanging awkwardly from a window. You let go a laugh that had stuck in your chest causing him to turn sharply to notice your presence

"Seriously Harrington..." you said laughing and earning a grimace from him.

"Fuck y/s" you rolled your eyes and pedaled away.

The photo spot in your backpack was definitely a reminder....

Albeit slightly late you arrived at the two boys and got only scolding from Dustin, "Keep pedaling Henderson," you told him to get him to stop talking, under silent thanks from the others....

A short time later you arrived at the gates of the woods you left your bicycles on the asphalt: the rain had begun to beat hard on the ground making the smell of wet earth rise to your nose, which you didn't mind at all; what bothered you most was being soaked from head to toe, to follow those boys who didn't even have a trail. You had been walking nonstop for half an hour, and what's more, without finding that it belonged to Will

Suddenly, however, the sound of a broken branch made your ears perk up; you turned toward the boys, who had remained behind you, bringing your index finger straight to your nose and lips to let them know that they had to shut up at once

And so they did...

With your flashlights pointed forward you approached toward the area where I noise was intensifying and with it the beating of your heart against your chest…

From behind the leaves appeared a little girl: she might have been the same age as the 3, perhaps a year younger. She had very short hair that was almost shaved to nothing, only a long yellow T-shirt that barely covered her slender game and her eyes closed from the annoying light coming into her face

Do you think that site stood in a while observing her, weirded you is scared her....

"Guys I think the mission can end here," you said without an edge of emotion: fortunately this time the children shared your thought, earning you everyone's approval. As they walked away to return to their bicycles you extended a hand toward the strange little girl in front of you: surely you would not have left her in the rain…

She rested her little fingers in yours and together you returned to the bike

What a night that would present itself…

Guyss here there is the second part of the story i hope u can enjoy it😎

[quixoticall]

Look At Us Now

A Story in Four Parts

18+ mdni

Summary: Everybody knows famous 80s pop rock band, The Downsides, but no one knows the reason behind their mysterious breakup at the height of their success. Rumors of love triangles, infidelity, drug addiction and more than one onstage fight have swirled around for years following the band’s split in 1989.

Years later, one determined journalist is uncovering it all through a series of interviews that will finally reveal the truth.

pairing: s.h. x fem!reader, e.m. x fem!reader, j.b. x n.w., r.b x n.w.

warnings: It's the Daisy Jones and the Six!AU, Enemies to FWB to lovers, Love triangles, sex, drugs, rock and roll, etc., fake relationships, slow-burn, pining, ANGST, bad parents all around (this is going to be long and messy), smut.

Prologue

Tape 1: This Could Get Ugly

Tape 2: A Hope Like You

Tape 3: Let Me Down Easy

Tape 4: We Could Make a Good Thing Bad Join the TAGLIST

[aprilludgate357]

take on me

steve harrington x original character

"Say after me It's no better to be safe than sorry..."

Gracie Williams used to think she had the best and easiest job in the world. Getting paid to play Dungeons and Dragons and hang out with a couple of middle schoolers was something she could do in her sleep. But when Will Byers went missing, babysitting took on a whole new level of difficulty. Gracie would still say it was the best gig she could have though. And while she may have resisted it at first, steve harrington joining her on the job wasn't the worst thing in the world either.

season one!

episode one: the vanishing of will byers

episode two: the weirdo on maple street

episode three: holly jolly

episode four: the body

episode five: the flea and the acrobat

episode six: the monster

episode seven: the bathtub

episode eight: the upside down

[stranger-marauders]

i could never let you go

pairing: steve harrington x reader

summary: Lena had a dream. It wasn't much, but it was a dream, dammit. And she didn't think it was too much to ask for, either. She thought that her mother and her fiancé, however, might have thought otherwise. Lena had wanted to know who her father was since she was a little girl. She’d never known who her father was. She’d been begging you for a name ever since she could remember just so she could know something about him. In fact, every single time she’d asked about him, but you had always grown cold and made her drop the subject. Lena knew you meant well, but it didn’t ever stop her from wondering. That was why she had invited the three men that could have potentially been her father to her wedding: Steve Harrington, Jonathan Byers, and Eddie Munson. She would stop at nothing to figure out who her father was, even if it almost drives you, her mother, crazy in the process.

warnings: heavily inspired by mamma mia!, literally it's a mamma mia! au if you don't like mamma mia! just scroll, use of y/n, language, smut, single-mom struggles, she/her pronouns, cheating, alcohol, having no dad struggles, steve is sam carmichael so iykyk, minor jancy

word count: 23.1k

masterlist

prologue: i have a dream chapter one: honey, honey chapter two: dancing queen chapter three: lay all your love on me chapter four: voulez-vous chapter five: one of us chapter six: the winner takes it all chapter seven: i do, i do, i do, i do, i do (9/2)

[crucifiedkiss]

◌ೆ୧　 ͢YOUR MAILBOX HAS MAIL ♡

𓈒⠀⠀⁺⠀𝜗 crucifiedkiss ╱ m. list 𝜚

　　　　　　　　　all titles are songs ♡

𝜗୧ ּ݂⠀💌 your mailbox has letters from crucifiedkiss ﹗

 ﹙SHOW — PJO﹚  🌊 ˖ ׁ ⁩

　　　⏤　 METEOR SHOWER ★ 9.21.24 ★ P. JACKSON HCS　　╱　　cw: show!percy (i havent read the book(s) ...), season not specified, fluff, ooc (proudly), water && swimming, kissing (underwater), extremely cheesy/cringey type loveㅤ♡ㅤgn!reader

　　　⏤　 WASTED SUMMERS ★ 9.22.24 ★ P. JACKSON DRBLS　　╱　　cw: show!percy (i havent read the book(s) ...), season not specified, 'x' and '&' because its not necessarily romantic or platonic, drabbles (drbls), one-sided love, manipulation/playing with feelings, toxic relationship/love, angst, ooc, crying, based off the song 'wasted summers' by juju<3ㅤ♡ㅤgn!reader

 ﹙SHOW — ST﹚  🩸 ˖ ׁ ⁩

　　　⏤　 CUPID ★ 9.26.24 ★ P. JACKSON DRBL ++ HCS　　╱　　cw: show!percy (i havent read the book(s) ...), season not specified, requested by 🦇anon ♡, ooc (proudly), not much plot, kissing (obv ..), fluff, silly teenagers being silly teenagers, drabble (drbl) ++ headcanons (hcs), drbl is pre-dating/before dating, YAPPING SO HARD IM SO SRRY 😭😭ㅤ♡ㅤgn!reader

　　　⏤　 I WANNA BE YOURS ★ 9.19.24 ★ W. BYERS HCS　　╱　　cw: wills season not specified (?), fluff, mentions of s1 events, kissing ('kiss attack'), and i think thats all ??ㅤ♡ㅤgn!reader

　　　⏤　 GLUE SONG ★ 9.20.24 ★ M. WHEELER HCS ++ DRBLS WOA　　╱　　cw: fluff ++ light angst, accidentally dialouge heavy, headcanons (hcs) && drabbles (drbls), ways of affection (woa <- love languages), mentioned byler :P, seasons not specified (?), LONG !!! (i had 22 lock IN), mentions of mileven (not hating !! some ppl just rlly hate that ship 😓), liking someone whilst already dating someone else ++ hints at breaking up, alcohol ++ drugs, implications of abuse, bad parenting, ooc ???, etc. .. overall cute tho !!ㅤ♡ㅤgn!reader

 ﹙MOVIE — TGF﹚  🪶 ˖ ׁ ⁩

　　　⏤　 GLUE SONG ★ 9.20.24 ★ B. PAVLIKOVSKY HCS ++ DRABBLES WOA　　╱　　cw: fluff ++ light angst, accidentally dialouge heavy, headcanons (hcs) && drabbles, ways of affection (woa <- love languages), mentioned byler :P, seasons not specified (?), LONG !!! (i had 22 lock IN), mentions of mileven (not hating !! some ppl just rlly hate that ship 😓), liking someone whilst already dating someone else ++ hints at breaking up, alcohol ++ drugs, implications of abuse, bad parenting, ooc ???, etc. .. overall cute tho !!ㅤ♡ㅤgn!reader

[harrywavycurly]

Texting Fiancé Eddie Part 90: The Wedding🖤

TikTok: HERE

Masterlist: HERE

A/N: I’m not crying, you’re crying. It’s finally here….the Munson Wedding, and don’t worry I have a wedding video and a post of Dustin’s speech and Wayne’s note that’ll be posted soon. But this is the last update for Texting Fiancé Eddie Munson. But don’t worry Husband Eddie will be making his fist appearance soon, thank you all for the love on this series it’s meant so much to me💖

[damn-stark]

Chapter 2 For the first time

Chapter 2 of Stargirl

A/N- Don’t you just love happy chapters!

Warning- Swearing, angst, fluff! SLOWBURN, talks of alcohol, Billy, long chapter.

Pairing- Steve Harrington x fem!reader, male!oc x fem!reader

Episode- 2x02-2x04

(Let me know if you want to be tagged)

————

Eddie’s here! He’s actually here.

He honked but the music could be heard in the distance before then, and it only got louder as he got closer.

How is he not deaf?

“Okay,” you exclaim and snatch your purse from your desk to run out of the room. “He’s here, bye daddy!”

“Wait!” He exclaims from his office. “Wait!”

You come to a sudden stop right above the stairs and turn around slowly to face him now coming out of his office.

“You know the rules,” he says, but up until this moment you have never heard of any sort of rules.

“Rules?” You query.

Your dad nods and leans his hand against the railing. “Don’t drink and drive, come home at…12?”

He’s asking how authoritative.

“12:30?” You push this bed time.

He averts his gaze and thinks for a moment before he sighs and nods. “Fine.”

You smile proudly.

“And don’t sneak boys in,” he adds one last rule.

“Dad,” you grumble.

He chuckles. “I’m being serious, baby. I don’t want you pregnant at graduation.”

Your eyes go wide. “Dad!” You exclaim and throw your arms up in disbelief.

He snickers and points downstairs. “Go. Have fun. And say no to drugs.”

You roll your eyes and finally continue down the stairs. “How can I grow my business if I can’t try any?” You joke.

“Dealers don’t try their own patch.”

You smirk back at him as he follows you out the door. “Thanks for the tip. But really we said our goodbyes, goodbye.”

Your dad opens the front door for you and follows you outside. The moment Eddie sees him walking out, he lowers the music and seems to throw stuff in the back of his grungy car. When you climb inside, your dad holds the door open and seems to intimidate Eddie, because he goes very still and very formal.

“Hello Mr…” he pauses and waits for your dad to say his name.

“Rowan,” your dad introduces himself without his last name. He always seems to do that when he doesn’t have to give it. “Call me Rowan. You’re Eddie, right?”

Eddie tucks strands of hair behind his ear and his breaths sound ragged.

“Well Eddie, you take care of my girl.”

Oh god.

“And one more thing.” Your dad says and leans in closer with a serious expression on his face. “You two stay away from Hawkins lab, got it?”

It’s so weird hearing him be so authoritative with you. He’s never been like that before—and sure it’s because he never had the reason to.

“Yes sir!” Eddie exclaims and nods.

Your dad hits the top of the car and steps away, “okay that’s all. Have fun you two!” He closes the door, letting Eddie drive off in silence until you’re out of the driveway and driving over the street.

“Music requests?” Eddie asks and takes his eyes off the road to glance at you.

You watch the street and don’t meet his gaze until you have an idea. “Queen!”

Eddie blinks and returns to watch the road. “No, okay! I do have requests.”

You scoff but don’t argue, you enjoy the music he puts on.

“So why the Hawkins lab rule?” Eddie probes. “I mean its not like we were ever going anyway, it’s off limits, but why the insistence?”

You feel his stare, but you avoid his gaze and share only what you can. “He thinks there’s evil in that lab. That’s all. He's…superstitious.”

He hums. “Well,” he changes the subject. “The only thing he should worry about is how drunk you’ll be going home!”

Should you be afraid by that statement? Or excited?

Both? Both!

Howbeit that excitement seems also nonexistent when you enter the party, there’s people in every perimeter of the house, it was hard to maneuver through the dancing bodies. The music booms so loudly in your ears that if you stay still for a second it feels like the pounding music moved your body. And let’s not mention the stares, when people noticed the new girl walking in with her super senior friend, they stared hard.

Their gazes traveled your bodies, pierced in you and judged you.

Usually you didn’t care what people thought, but that was because you were mostly surrounded by adults. But now? It’s all people around your age, or exactly your age. They're people you’ll see everyday, potential forever friends, a potential boyfriend. Their judgment does scare you. It makes you want to go back home; you can watch a scary movie with your dad like you usually do on Halloween. You can eat pizza and popcorn and fall asleep on the couch after watching some comedy or animated movie to ease your fears after watching the horror flick.

But no!

You wanted this party experience, drinking other beverages besides a cup of wine. You want to dance to the music without caring who’s beside you, kiss boys, have girl friends and gossip in the corner of the room. You’ll tolerate this, you can!

“Come,” Eddie shouts over the music. “Let’s get drinks!” He moves through the crowd and carves a path that quickly begins to close, making you have to push through to not get lost in the sea of bodies. When you reach the kitchen it’s a lot lonelier, thankfully.

“Here, try this,” Eddie says and pushes a can of…beer in your hand.

You’ve never had beer before. “Okay,” you don’t hesitate to agree as you reach for the can.

“Take it slow,” he warns. “If its your first time drinking.”

You lift your gaze off the beer can to meet his brown eyes. “I’ve had…vodka and tequila.”

Eddie scoffs in amusement and nods. “All right, well it’s kind of the same.” He turns and searches the strangers fridge without shame, whilst you pop open the can and pull the can to your lips.

Of course you hesitate as that odd smell hits your nose, but how fun will this party be if you don’t at least try it. So, after a deep breath you take a sip, and right as the bitter taste hits your tongue your nose scrunches in disgust as no part of you likes what’s in your mouth. You only swallow because you don’t want to spit it out.

When it’s down your throat though you gag. Eddie hears, and without turning around he reaches back and motions you to hand it to him, so you do gladly do and he doesn’t hesitate to drink out of your beer can.

“Here,” Eddie says and walks around you to reach a bowl with some kind of red drink that has steam over the surface. “You’ll like this better.”

You lean forward curiously. “Why is it smoking?” You query.

Eddie grabs a cup and dunks it in the drink. “Well because,” he begins to explain, but when he scoops some of the red drink he faces you and shrugs. “I wouldn't have the slightest idea. Effect maybe?” He says and hands you the cup.

Well…you’ll take that.

“Well,” you retort. “If I die just know my dad is a CIA agent, so…” you trail off and raise the cup in the air before you take a long sip.

Unlike the beer the red drink is a lot sweeter, better tasting, so you don’t make faces or want to throw up.

“Cool, your dad hunts aliens,” Eddie throws out excitedly.

You lower your cup and blink in confusion. “No?” you answer slowly, not knowing if he’s joking. “No. He does other boring shit.”

Eddie laughs and nods. “Cool. But anyway, Richie Rich let’s go dance!” He grabs your hand and pulls you in the mix of the dancing crowd.

Now dancing is something you know how to do. Maybe not well, who knows, but you do that without shame. Even as your breath turns fast and your heart begins to pound. That fear that had riddled you washes away. Maybe it’s because of the drink you keep refilling, or just the fun atmosphere in the dance floor that sweeps you off your feet, but all you feel is glee. At this very moment the worry of being judged was completely gone. And your dance partner never changes.

You could probably dance all night to the music, but you did need to use the restroom and get more to drink.

“All be right back!” You shout at Eddie near his ear so he’d hear.

Eddie leans in and shouts back. “Need me to come with?”

You shake your head. “Nah, I’ll be back!” You go and come back from the bathroom with ease, but when you’re on your way to refill your drink, someone wearing a leather jacket over nothing blocks your way.

“Hey, you’re the new girl, y/n, right?”

Billy. The creepy guy from before.

“Yeah,” you nod and feel your body stiffen. “Yep, that’s me.” You don’t care for him so you try your best to move past him, but he doesn’t move, or get the hint.

“Let’s go dance and maybe find ourselves in my car,” he says so fucking boldly.

It should scare you, but it disgusts you and makes you uncomfortable. So you right away go defensive, it’s your best weapon. “If I wanted to go out with a washed out jock I would have gone to a community center!” You shoot him a sweet grin before you shove past him and attempt to once again get your drink.

Alas, just before you can even step foot in the kitchen a hand wraps around your arm and yanks you back around.

“What did you say bitch?” Billy spats out with actual spit splashing on your face.

“I said!” You shout even as you begin to feel fear once again at the sight of his threatening glare, his scowl and the grip around you. “I said you’re nothing but a creepy washed out jock! Need me to spell it out for you? Or say it in a different language? I’m fluent in four!”

Billys scowl deepens and his grip around you, a complete stranger tightens and hurts.

“Look here, new girl—”

“Hey! Hey, hey,” a voice cuts in before Steve Harrington gets in between the both of you and shoves Billy back gently. “We got a problem here?”

Thank god.

Billy's glare burns into you, and you hold his gaze even if you’re filled with fear.

“No,” Billy deadpans and drags his eyes to Steve. “But why don’t you mind your business next time.”

Steve stays quiet and watches Billy walk away before turning to face you. “Nice costume.” He says without addressing what happened.

Is he trying to make you feel better?

If so it’s helping, but why does he have to be the one who helped you?

Not like it should matter, again, he’s taken.

“Right back at you…” you pause and look him and down and hide your smile as you recognize his costume right away. “Cool guy number three.” You tease to instead try and help this…crush go away.

Steve blinks in confusion before he glances down at his costume and rolls his eyes. “I’m Joel Goodson. Risky business!”

You knew that.

“What are you? Recreation of Adam and Eve?”

You glance at your David Bowie inspired costume and laugh. “No, I’m David Bowie, in his, The 1980 floor show, but that was funny.” You spat sarcastically and hold his gaze for a second too long before rolling your eyes and searching around the crowd until you find who you’re looking for, Nancy by the bowl of smoking alcohol.

“Nancy!” You call out and run over to her. “Hey! I didn’t expect to see you here! Nice costume!”

Nancy picks her cup out of the bowl and smiles sloppily. “Thanks, you too! Are you here alone?”

You shake your head and glance at the dance floor, noticing at that moment Eddie parting through the crowd to reach the kitchen too. “No, I’m here with a friend!” You dip your cup in the punch and just as you pick it back up Nancy grabs your hand and grins at you.

Yeah she grins at you, but she looks drunk.

“They’re playing this flipping cup game,” she says excitedly. “Let’s go! We can be a team.”

“Nancy—”

“Let’s go! Eddie come on man!” You cut Steve off by encouraging her and then letting her pull you outside.

You hadn’t been outside yet, you heard the ruckus and saw glimpses of what was happening, but you haven’t come out until now with Nancy. And honestly it’s not so different from inside, they’re both filled with drunk people.

Except outside they’re playing games. Games you’ve seen before but never been able to be a part of because of your age.

“Okay,” you shout over the music to your group as you get closer to the table of people playing a drinking game. “How is this played?”

“Easy,” Eddie says, making you lean closer to him to hear better. “There’s two teams, two people per team, first person has to drink two cups of beer one at a time, and then flip them on the edge of the table until they land right up as they go. The next person does the same. Whichever team lands all their cups right up first wins.”

You tilt your head as you watch one player spit out all the beer they had just chugged. “Sounds…easy enough,” you mumble and share a worried glance.

Eddie shoots you an assuring grin. “It is.” He steps back with his hand clasped behind him. “Your turn good luck!” He pulls his arms forward and pushes you towards the table.

“Y/N and I are on a team,” Nancy lets the girl in charge of the game know.

Albeit the girl smirks mischievously and shakes her head, “sorry, but my rules are rules. No same gender teams.”

Well isn’t that sexist?

“Nancy,” the blond girl says excitedly and pulls her across from you. “You’re with Jacob. You, new girl are…” she trails off and clicks her tongue as she searches for a competitor. “Ah!” She exclaims and grabs Steve. “Harrington you’re with the new girl.”

Great the cute guy.

“But,” Steve mutters in protest. “I’m not playing.”

The girl lets him go when he’s brushing against your shoulder, and shoots him a so what face expression. “It’s just two cups. Are you a wuss now or what?”

Steve sputters and looks honestly offended. You watch him glare at her before he blinks and glances at you. Albeit you quickly look away and don’t let him see how nervous you now are by how close he is.

“You have played this before right new girl?” Steve probes.

You watch the girl fill the cups just below halfway and shake your head. “Nope, but doesn’t seem so hard.”

Steve sighs and you feel his breath on your cheek as he leans closer. “Just…take long drinks, don’t hold it in. You’ll choke.”

You draw in a deep breath and nod slowly. “All right.”

“Flipping should be easy enough,” Steve adds. “Win.”

You draw out a long breath and nod stiffly. “Easy enough.” You then turn your head and face him to offer him a fist bump. “Come on, for good luck.”

Steve glances at your fist and sighs before he gently taps it, hiding his small smirk.

“Get ready teams!” The girl exclaims, pulling your attention to the cups and then Nancy right across from you.

Steve is going first so you have time to prepare, kind of.

“Youll do good,” Eddie mutters behind you. “Just chug.”

“Go!”

Steve quickly snatches his first cup off the table and doesn’t take long to drink all the beer. The guy across from him finishes at the same time, so they both lean in towards the table and begin attempting to flip their cups.

Much like in your other games, you don’t take long to grow anxious and desperate, you watch Steve with your nails in between your teeth. “Come on Steve! Pull the cup closer to the edge man” You exclaim and lean forward as if that would help him win, or make you look better.

It doesn’t.

No matter though because Steve lands the cup first and moves on to his last cup, causing you to have your hand ready for your turn.

When the guy across from Steve flips his first cup, Steve finishes his second beer and begins flipping. This time your heart begins to pound and you hold onto Eddie’s arm with one hand as you watch Steve flip his cup and fail.

Nevertheless, just as the second guys begins to flip his second cup, Steve lands his last cup and now the turn moves onto you. “Remember don’t hold it in,” Steve reminds you as he steps towards you. “Don’t smell it either. Think of it as water.”

Bitter water.

You take the cup and try not to, but the scent still crawls in your nose and threatens to make you fail. But you do as Steve says, you also look at him and watch him direct you to swallow.

This beer isn’t as bad as the other one, but it’s still terrible, but you have to hold it in. And thankfully you finish the first cup and begin to flip the cup, noticing Nancy was now chugging her beer like water, making this a close game now.

Yet just as she’s finishes you manage to land the cup first. “Haha!” You laugh and turn to grin at Steve. “I did it! I did it!”

“You did!” He matches your energy. “But go.”

You nod. “Right,” you breathe out and turn to snatch the cup, realizing Nancy lands the cup now, so just you come face to face.

Time seems to move slower now as the fate of this game depends on you, but you don’t falter, you suck it up and swallow all the disgusting beer and begin to flip the cup. You flip and flip, Nancy begins to mirror your actions, bringing a crowd around the table.

Each second brings forth nothing. Not until you finally flip your cup one more time harshly out of desperation and land it on the surface, bringing a conclusion to this game.

“We won,” you mutter and turn to face Steve. “We won!” You exclaim.

“You did it!” Steve exclaims before you both harshly highfive repeatedly out of excitement as if it was practiced. “See I give great advice! I’m a great coach!”

You roll your eyes and snicker. “Sure, sure, but it was of course my good luck bump.” You grin wider. “Told ya.”

Steve snickers and rolls his eyes. “All right, all right. Sure it was you. Did they teach you how to chug at homeschool or?”

You scoff. “Yeah, no, my new teacher. He’s like kinda of cool.”

“Oh, is he? Tell me about him,” he grins and points to himself.

Yet before you can answer Eddie throws his arm around you and pulls you to his side. “What did I tell you, huh?!”

You turn and face him to fist bump. “Come on now Richie rich,” he says smoothly and takes your hand to pull you away.

“Wait,” your voice gets drowned out though, by the music and the crowd, you look back to the pair that you were with and see Steve chasing after Nancy back inside. So instead you give up and follow Eddie to a barrel—keg, it’s a keg he says.

Like the beer it’s not so good, and unlike the beer you just chugged, you throw this all out the moment eddie pulls the nozzle out of your mouth.

“It’s all over me,” you groan and wipe the beer off your chin. “Gross.”

“You were doing so good,” Eddie mentions and takes a napkins off the table and pushes his hand towards you, but realizes that you aren’t that close yet so he just puts the napkins in your hands. “Go wash up. I can take you home after.”

You sigh in disappointment and head to the bathroom. “Yeah, okay.” You begin to wipe the beer off your chin as you push past warm bodies. When you reach the bathroom, it’s unfortunately occupied. “Great.”

“They’re arguing,” someone says.

You blink and look across from you, noticing a guy dressed as The Terminator; he had on a leather jacket over his exposed torso thats…gleaming with water? Sweat? Whatever it was, it made his dark skin glimmer under the yellow light and it caught your eyes. He also had on sunglasses with one of the lenses decorated by a badly drawn red circle.

“Terminator?” You point out.

The guy flashes you a smile and nods. “Yes!” He claps “You’re the first person to get that! Everyone thanks I’m a biker.”

You scoff in disbelief. “It’s not hard to guess…” you point to the red eye. “Unless you're like a biker with the stop light reflecting off the lens.”

The guy holds your gaze with a frown before he huffs. “That’d be lame. You’re what? David Bowie.”

You mirror his previous grin. “Yes! No one has caught that!”

The guy shrugs. “Very easy. Which by the way props, you’re cool. First costume I’ve seen that is actually creative.”

You giggle. “Thanks, last minute.”

“Yeah, or you were waiting for this exact moment.” He guesses exactly right.

You shrug smugly. “Maybe I was.”

The guy shoots you a half smile before he pushes himself off the wall. “Zion,” he reveals.

You blink in disbelief and find yourself flustered. “Y/N.”

“I’m new too you know,” he catches your attention. “Well,” he chuckles. “I was, in the fall. I just came back to Hawkins from a boarding school in Washington DC.”

“I just got here from London,” you say in an accent, making Zion snort.

“That,” he says and clears his throat. “Was terrible,” he also imitates a British accent that now makes you snort.

“Why did you—” he gets cut off though as the door gets thrown open, startling him and you.

As you look to the bathroom you see that it’s Steve storming out. He slams the door shut and doesn’t notice you there, he just stomps away, but comes back and faces you but averts his gaze.

“Nancy, she’s in there, take her home.” He sputters out and then just leaves, leaving you and Zion to share awkward and confused look.

“Excuse me,” you tell him and then rap your fist on the door. “Nancy? It’s me, y/n. Do you need help?”

There’s silence for a bit before you hear slurred muttering. “Come in.”

You open the door and find her uselessly wiping her white stained shirt. You’ve been around drunk people and seen them to know she herself wasn’t in a stable mindset. “Nancy,” you say and approach her to grab the towel from her hand. “That’s not coming off. Ever. Why don’t we uh, try puking huh? So you can be somewhat sober?”

Nancy stumbles to the bowl and falls to her knees. You quickly fall behind her and pull her hair back.

She throws her head forward but then begins laughing. “I can’t. I can’t!” She shoots up and almost hits your chin, but you throw your head back and follow her up.

“Some water then? Then we can take you home?” You suggest patiently even if your own head is spinning.

Nancy shakes her head. “No. Let’s party some more.” She begins to stumble out, so you throw the towel on the sink and follow her out. “Nancy, the party is almost over, it’s a school night let’s go.”

She opens the door and walks out quickly, but you’re more sober so you catch up to her and grab her arm and pull her towards you.

“Whoo!” She exclaims happily. “Let’s dance!”

You laugh softly, catching Zion approach the both of you. “That’s not a good idea,” you let her down easy. “Later,” you lie and look to the dance floor for Eddie, but can’t find him anywhere. “Uh, for now let’s…”

“I can take her home,” someone with a soft and timid voice interjects.

You blink and look ahead of you, spotting some creepy guy with light brown hair in front of you with no kind of costume whatsoever.

“Uh,” you breathe out in confusion. “I can do it,” you quickly snap in her defense. “Thanks though.”

“I know where she lives—no,” he stammers. “I just mean I know her, we’re friends and her brother and mine are friends, I’ll take her home.”

That still doesn’t convince you. What if he tries to take advantage of her?!

“Y/N,” Zion interjects. “It’s okay, it’s Jonathan, they’re friends I vouch for him.”

You look at the guy you just met and then at the creepy guy and hesitate, but who are you to question him, you are new.

“Okay,” you mumble and let this Jonathan guy wrap Nancy’s arm around his shoulder. “But I’ll call her mom when I get home, if she’s not home, I will find you.”

Jonathan lets out a nervous laugh and nods stiffly. “Okay.”

You narrow your gaze on him and watch him walk Nancy out of the house. Yet before they can walk out Nancy turns and points at you. “Let’s hang out, okay? We should go shopping! I haven’t gone shopping with someone beside my mom in a while.” She shares sloppily.

She’s drunk so you shouldn’t get your hopes up, but you do get excited. “Yeah, that sounds nice. Let’s plan it tomorrow at school?”

Nancy throws her thumbs up and then lets Jonathan proceed to walk her out. And out of concern you follow them out and watch him walk to his car and put her inside, you don’t leave your spot until he’s driving away.

As soon as you get inside you spot Eddie dancing very close with some girl dressed as KISS. Great.

Now you’re third wheeling, and you have only drank and kissed no one.

Sure it wasn’t like some goal to do tonight, but it would’ve been cool since it’s your first high school party. It would’ve been a cool milestone.

“Hey.”

You look up and see Zion walking out of the bathroom.

“Want to get out of here?” He asks, catching you off guard.

“I,” you part your lips and swallow thickly. “I need to go home. My dad is expecting me soon.”

That was so lame!

“I can take you home then,” he doesn’t fret. “I have a cool bike—dirt bike!” He corrects himself. “You get to smell the great outdoors and get home.”

You glance at Eddie. He’s now making out with the girl.

“Okay,” you give in. “Let me let my friend know.”

Quickly before he can change his mind you run past people and luckily find Eddie pull away from that girl to let him know with signs that you were leaving. He doesn’t get it at first, but after a couple tries he comprehends, and you’re out of the party.

“I only have one helmet,” Zion lets you know as he walks you to his red dirt bike. “But you can wear it, if you want.”

“Well if you’re risking your life without one I will too,” you say.

Zion scoffs lightheartedly. “Okay then. But just so you know my dad is a cop so he can clear my name. Make it so I didn’t do shit.”

You narrow your gaze and challenge him. “My dad would know, he’s like an agent. Ex agent.” You keep his cover a secret.

Zion climbs on the bike and then meets your gaze with shock. “No shit really?”

You nod smugly. “Yeah, so he’ll probably find out. Just saying.”

Zion smiles a bright smile—or at least that’s what it looks like for you. His smile is nice.

“Just hang on, okay?” He says and pats the empty space behind him.

You’ve ridden a motorcycle before….except it was with your dad…not a cute guy.

Should be—not the same…okay.

You let out a small breath before you get on behind him, you don’t know what to do with your hands, but he carefully grabs one of them and wraps it around his torso.

“Now, the same with the other one please,” he says. “Because I really do want to get you home in one piece.”

You swallow thickly and slowly wrap your right arm around him, feeling now how warm he is, and how good he smells. You then tell him where you live and he drives.

And just like he mentioned before you do smell the great outdoors, you smell the trees, that specific scent before it’s going to rain, cow manure. You smell the products he puts in his curly hair sneaking in your nose, and just fresh air. The cities are so polluted that the air doesn’t smell great at all, but here where the air isn’t polluted the air is sweet in your lungs.

It doesn’t beat the crispy air going down to Argentina where you can see the ice caps, but this is close. This is liberating almost.

“Damn so you’re the family that bought this house,” Zion points out when he rolls to a stop close to the front door. “I thought some old people lived here. But hey, you know I know a cool spot nearby we could go to.” He smirks. “Some day. Just me and you.”

You can’t help your smile from turning timid. “You’ll have to call me for that to happen.”

Zion leans back on his seat and his smirk deepens before he pulls out a gum wrapper from his pants pocket, and a black pen from his jacket pocket; which is quite odd because if you have a pen with you then also carry something to write on.

But regardless he hands you the wrapper and you can’t help but giggle at the attempt. “Nice. I don’t have anything so give me your hand.”

Zion doesn’t hesitate and drops the back of his hand on your palm, letting you take the pen from his other hand to write your number on his palm. “Call me when you get home,” you let him know.

“Oh,” he says teasingly. “So you want me to call you right away? I was going to leave you waiting.”

You give him back his pen and look at him with a pointed glare. “Do that and I’ll never talk to you.”

Zion laughs softly and shoves his pen back in his coat pocket before leaning forward and grabbing his motorcycle handles. “I’ll call you then…when I get home, uh, let me know when you…”

“When I get home?” You finish his sentence. “Ring, ring, I’m home.” You snicker.

Zion let’s out a nervous laugh and shakes his head. “Right. Well I’ll call you then, but I expect you to be waiting, kicking your feet and everything.”

“Kicking my feet?” You laugh.

Zion nods. “Yeah like the girls in the movies.”

You playfully roll your eyes. “Well I’ll be waiting.” You begin to walk back and flash him a sweet smile. “Drive safe. And goodnight.”

“Goodnight, y/n,” he whispers.

You linger your gaze on him for a second longer before you turn on your heels and walk to the door. Just as you open the front door, a distant light crawls out and Zion revs his engine, causing you to peer back and realize he was still watching you. He didn’t drive away until the door behind you closed.

How sweet. How very sweet…

No kiss…which bummer, but he seems like he’s worth the wait.

As of now though, you take your shoes off at the entrance and follow the sound of the tv in the living room.

You expect to see your dad watching the tv and lost in his work, but when you walk in you catch your dad passed out on the couch, and some old comedy movie talking to itself.

There’s papers, newspapers and clippings all over the coffee table, leaving no room for food. Has he eaten at all? When he’s so caught up in work he forgets that he’s human and needs to eat. Let’s hope tonight wasn’t one of those nights.

Tonight though it does look like it will be an uncomfortable night for him because you can’t carry him upstairs. A small blanket will have to suffice.

And it’s while you’re covering him with a blanket that a newspaper headline catches your attention “BALD REBEL CHILD BREAKS DOORS WITH HER MIND. TRICK OR RUSSIAN EXPERIMENT IN OUR MIDST?”

Bald rebel child? Please there must be something more creative out there.

You approach the coffee table and pick the article off the table to skim the page until you find something else. “My son swears he saw a bald girl lift his friend in the air. Why would he lie about that? She even made him pee himself in front of the whole class to be cruel.”

Are these…the anomalies your dad was so crazy about?

You put the newspaper down and reach for another one about Hawkins Lab, but just before you can touch it your dad startles you.

“I couldn’t sleep until I knew you were home,” he says groggily.

You lift your head and peer back at him with a teasing smile. “Oh really? Is that why you’re out here?”

He hums in agreement and follows after you as you now head to your room.

“How was the party?” He asks with genuine curiosity.

This time you grin back at him. “Fun. It was very fun.”

Your dad smiles softly and wraps the blanket tighter around him. “That’s good, babygirl, so…you meet anyone? Cute guys?”

You squint and look away with a smile.

“No?”

You giggle.

“I can pretend to be your mother.” He tries to make you gossip with him.

You shake your head lightly. “Yeah, if that's the case I can actually call her.”

Your dad scoffs. “That’s if she’ll answer. Where is she at anyway? Paris? The moon?”

You peer back at him over your shoulder while you reach the top and leave it unanswered. “I can talk about the party tomorrow if you make me breakfast.” You click your tongue and reach your bedroom door. “Goodnight. And go to sleep.” You open the door and yell back at him. “You can’t work right if you’re tired!” You close the door and hear his voice retreating down the hall.

“Yeah, yeah. Goodnight!”

Once you’re inside your room you throw yourself on your bed and smile at the ceiling.

Can this be it? Can this town give you your life experiences? Can Zion be your first boyfriend or fling?

Steve is cute, he’s like your dream guy, it’s odd really. Being around him feels natural like you’ve been friends forever. Your stomach flutters, but he’s taken. Nancy is a nice girl and can be your friend, you don’t want to ruin that.

You have to let him go.

——

*THE NEXT DAY*

It’s nice having friends, having someone else beside your father and those few acquaintances that you met along your journey.

However, as of now it’s only Zion, Nancy is…flakey. You would’ve thought that how things went last night she’d actually stay true to her word, but you haven’t been able to even see her at all today.

You called her home like you said you would after the party, her mother answered and assured you that she did get home. You came to school trying to check up on her, but she isn’t even here.

Maybe she just doesn’t want to be your friend…you can accept that fact, you’ll can make girl friends amongst your soccer teammates, but Nancy gave off a good vibe—

Maybe you’re just trying too hard?

Well even if you are, you’ll just check on her after last night and leave it at that, it’s up to her if she wants to be friends.

“Come I saw him walking over here,” you tell Zion as you’re in search of Steve to ask him about Nancy's whereabouts.

“Okay next question,” he adds as he hops off the sidewalk and lands on your side. “If you had to pick three movies, which ones would they be?”

You scoff softly and blink to look at him. “You already asked last night.”

Zion blinks and shoves his hands in his pockets whilst his eyebrows knit together. “Did I?”

You giggle. “You were all slow and groggy, so Im assuming you were falling asleep.”

Zion looks at you with confusion for a second before he pulls his hand out of his pocket and snaps his fingers. “No no no, that’s where you’re wrong. You were the one falling asleep because when I asked that question my dad then came in telling me to get off the phone.”

You think for a second before you hit your hand against your face and share an embarrassed smile. “That’s right! Well,” you say and look over at him again. “My three favorite movies are Footloose, Carrie, and The Evil Dead. Yours?”

Zion glances at the sky and hums as he thinks, so you snap your fingers and playfully pressure him. “Come on, come on, life and death!”

Zion jumps and claps his hands. “Fuck, uh, The Shining, The Terminator and uh, Jaws!”

“Hm, that’s a good list,” you compliment him and look out to the parking lot for Steve.

However, as you step in the parking lot you actually see the girl you’ve been looking for all day with the guy from last night! And they were getting in his car!

“There she is,” you point her out to Zion as you pull him to a stop. “Getting in Jonny’s car.”

“Jonny?” Zion mumbles. “Who’s Jonny?”

You briefly meet his gaze. “Him.” You point out.

“Jonathan, that’s Jonathan.”

Same thing.

“Well they’re leaving together so, pft,” you blow out air. “She’s been avoiding me.” You sigh and turn to walk back inside.

“Don’t stress yourself about it,” Zion says to assure you. “Nancy is a nice girl, but she lost her best friend last year, Barbara, she…” he trails off and whispers. “She went missing after there was a leak at Hawkins Lab.”

Wait…wait! That girl is the same one your dad mentioned went missing. That was Nancy's friend?

Interesting.

“She’s probably just being cautious,” Zion continues to say. “Just be patient.”

You peer back and watch the car Nancy got in drive off. “Yeah,” you sigh and squint your eyes with curiosity. “I’ll be patient.” You roll your head ahead and then get an idea so your worry brushes off. “We should hang out tomorrow after school. I have a lake in my backyard, or we can uh go somewhere else.”

Zion grins, and you suddenly feel embarrassed.

“If you want, you don’t have to,” You stammer out. “I think I’m coming off too bold.”

Zion shakes his head. “No, no. I like it. But tomorrow I can’t, I work, maybe we can hang out Saturday afternoon? I get out early, we can hang out after that?”

You let out a relieved sigh and nod. “Yeah, I’m free that day. Lucky you.”

Zion chuckles. “Oh are you? Busy schedule?”

You hum in agreement. “Between me watching tv, and annoying my dad I got a full day.”

“Well you can annoy me.”

You meet his gaze and squint your eyes trying to laugh at his corny joke, but his smile begins to wobble seconds before you both burst out laughing.

“That shit was corny,” you tease him.

Zion covers his mouth and nods. “Yeah. I heard it and it was too late. You just make me nervous.”

You smile shyly and avert your gaze, catching Steve in the distance with his head down, a deep and melancholy frown on his face, and tears gleaming in his eyes?

Now you wonder what happened between him and Nancy last night.

——

Just like Thursday, Friday wasn’t filled with so much excitement, the school was mundane, which you do like but nothing much to note; Eddie asked if you wanted to join his band, but you don’t have any musical skills, so that was a sad pass. Oh! And Nancy didn’t come to school after leaving with that guy…whatever his name is.

So did she and Steve break up?

You’ll find out somehow.

Regardless, your dad isn’t home so you’re alone, bouncing the soccer ball in the living room.

Did Steve and Nancy break up? Not that you’d try to make a move with Steve….maybe not. You’re just curious.

Nevertheless just as your mind is getting lost in thought a knock raps on your door. It can be a variety of people, like your uncle Jim, or…well that’s all you can think of.

Maybe it’s that Russian girl that broken the door with her mind? Wouldn’t that be funny?

Alas when you open the rectangle window on the middle of your front door it’s no girl, or uncle, it’s Steve Harrington.

“Uh, hey,” you greet him, catching his wavered attention and causing him to be shocked.

“Oh, you live here?” Steve asks and looks around as if wondering if he got the wrong house.

You nod. “Yeah.” You raise a brow and can’t help your curiosity. “You’re here because?”

“Well I didn't come to see you so don’t get excited,” he counters, making you roll your eyes. “I came to drop this off from my mom,” he says and lifts a circle cardboard box. “She does real estate as her hobby or what not, so she wanted me to bring this to your dad.” He pushes the box towards you, so you carefully reach forward.

“My dad isn’t here now but I’ll let him know, tell your mom thank you.” You let him know as you take the box of some good smelling baked good.

“I will,” Steve waves as he begins to walk off. “See ya.”

“Wait,” you stop him before you can even think.

Steve stops in his tracks and turns around slowly to face you.

You put the box down on the table by the door, and then lean out the window. “My friends are busy tonight, Nancy doesn’t answer, do you want to hangout?”

Steve blinks in confusion and then tilts his head up. “Me?” He asks. “Why?”

You shrug. “I’m trying to make friends, it’s Friday and well the town is new to me, the city isn’t far, why not be stupid teenagers for tonight?”

Steve blinks again this time he looks a bit in disbelief though. And he doesn’t answer right away, he swallows thickly and looks at you for a lingering moment before he responds. “Yeah, sure…let’s be stupid teenagers.”

.

.

.

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Tagged- @middle-of-the-earth @x-theolivia @redskull199987 @lilyhw1

[suffering-and-happy-about-it]

Sriracha (Masterlist of non-canonical chapters)

Description: Going to a party at Steve’s, getting hammered and high didn’t seem like a much of a good idea after the local chief of police finds you vomiting all over his blazer. As a punishment, you’re supposed to replace their secretary Florence while she leaves for her two-month vacation. And ever since that night, your life turned upside down.

Pairing: Jim Hopper x younger fem!reader

Author's notes: This masterlist is dedicated to chapters written before ST season 4 premiered. They were loosely based on the hints dropped by teasers, trailers, and memes. I've since written a one-shot following the ST season 4 canon, but I'd like to make these chapters available for reading and enjoying. They follow the ending of season 3, aka I'll Be Watching You (Sriracha, Chapter 31.)

Read here:

Season 3 (Summer/Winter 1985):

Chapter 32: Cold on the Inside Chapter 33: Long Lost and Found

Connections to Season 4:

Chapter 34: Vietnam, New York & Hawkins Chapter 35: Stories, Tales & Facts (Part 1.) Chapter 36: Stories, Tales & Facts (Part 2.) Chapter 37: Proving The Point Chapter 38: New Conditions Chapter 39: Boys & Girls Chapter 40: The News Chapter 41: An Unexpected Visitor Chapter 42: A Not-so-pleasant Visit  Chapter 43: I Like Surprises Too

[certifiedlovergirlsstuff]

The Bite

pairing: steve harrington x female byers!reader

WC: 5K

warning: cursing, vomit mention, steve being hard on himself. yall im terrible at these.

summary: are we out of the woods?

A/N: ALL PARTS UNDER THE TAG - The Byers Harrington Story-

ONE MORE CHAPTER THIS SEASON!!!!!!

@alecmores​ i threaten them sometimes ( dont worry)

series masterlist / steve harrington

previous chapter  next chapter

“I think I’m gonna be sick.”

Realizing that your group wouldn’t be able to outrun the Russians, Dustin snagged one of their transport cars. And with you being a little inebriated, you were thrown in the back with Robin and Steve giggling their asses off while Dustin drove shakily with Erica in the passenger seat.

“Jesus, slow down!” Steve yelled as he bumped into the paneling, a hand keeping him upright. You leaned your head against his shoulder with your eyes closed trying to quell the hurricane storming your head.

“Yeah, what is this, like, the Indy 500?” Robin slurred. “It’s the Indy 300,” Steve corrected. Though Robin was insisting she was correct, “No dingus, it’s 500!” “It’s 300!”

“Shut up!” A harsh snap of your mouth. They were quiet for a moment and you were ready to apologize when Robin said, “Let’s say a million.” And they were back to laughing as idiots.

You weren’t sure how fast Dustin was driving this tiny truck or what its top speed could hit, but you heard Erica yell his name and suddenly the car lurched forward flinging you into Steve and some of the car. Everyone groaned from the sudden impact. “You guys alright back there?” Dustin turned in his seat as he asked. More groaning was his answer.

The door opened with Erica and Dustin waving their arms. “Come on. We gotta go, now.” “Come on! Get out!” “Let’s go!”

“Geez! Can we stop yelling?” Pushing yourself up and grabbing at Steve and Robin to pull them forward. “A little help would be nice.” Irritated that they were yelling but not helping with dragging them out.

You stumbled on your feet, Steve tripping to the ground after you and Robin leaning against the truck. You pulled Steve up and threw one arm over your shoulder to help carry some of his weight. “This sucks,” He whined. “I know, baby. I know.” Arm wrapped behind his waist and moved into the elevator.

Once everyone was in, Dustin swiped the keycard and pressed the buttons. The door closed and hummed to life as it hit speed going up. Steve and Robin were acting like unsupervised children, whooping and hollering giddy. Steve standing on a red moving cart with Robin pushing it side to side. “Hey! You look like you’re surfing!” “Surfing! Yeah!”

You stood beside Erica as both of you plus Dustin just watched them. “They seem drunk?” Erica noted. “Why would they be drunk? (Y/n)’s not drunk and she was in the same room as them.” You stayed quiet. You didn’t feel drunk, you were feeling high and you can tell it was slowly wearing off. 

You stepped forward when Robin jerked the cart the wrong way and Steve fell off causing him to roll into some boxes. She laughed and yelled, “Wipeout!” And giggled like a maniac.

Both you and Dustin rush to Steve’s aid. You check over his head for any bumps, smoothing his hair back and Dustin rests his palm on his sweaty skin. “He’s burning up.” “You’re burning up,” Steve mimics.

“Hold him down.” “What?” Confused by Dustin’s request. “Hold him down!” He repeated as his fingers moved to Steve’s eye. “One sec, one sec, one sec. Steve, Steve.” You held his wrist down, but he still was a lot stronger than you, trying to push away your grip. “God, no.” 

“Stevie, it’s- it’s okay.” Hoping to calm him down. He still wiggled against your hold as Dustin peeled his lids apart and you saw how blow his pupil was. “His pupil is super dilated,” Reporting the issue to Erica. “Maybe he’s drugged.”

You released his wrist to hold his cheeks. “Stevie-” He booped the tip of your nose with a finger, lips pulled into a wide smile. He did the same to Dustin as he snapped his finger at attention. “Steve, are you drugged?” Steve scoffed, “How many times, dad? I don’t do drugs. It’s only marijuana.” Poking a finger at Dustin’s cheek.

“This isn’t funny, okay? I need to know what they did to you.” Dustin continued trying to get a straight answer. Steve only chuckled and booped his nose again, head rolling around in your hold. His red eyes stared at you before mumbling, “Pretty.”

“(Y/n), what did they give to them? To you?” Seeing as your coherent understanding of the severity of the situation. The pad of your thumb rubbed delicately at the swollen skin of Steve’s eye, “They- They injected us with- with something. All the same thing, but I- I feel different.”

“Are they gonna die on us?”

“We all die, my strange little child friend.” You looked over your shoulder to Robin who sat down and twirled her hair. Her bleary bloodshot eyes and dazed smile, followed by her ominous words brought shivers up your spine. “It’s just a matter of how… and when.”

Furrowed brows pointed to Dustin. “They’re gonna be looking for us up there, so I need you to tell me where you parked your car.” He turned to Steve looking for an answer.

“Oh, can we make a pit stop at the food court?” “I would kill for a hot dog on the stick.” Robin leaned her head back with her statement. Steve just whistled in agreement.

“Once we are safe, all the hot dogs on the sticks you want. Just tell us where the car is parked, Stevie.” Hoping his brain would start functioning correctly instead of shorting out. His puppy dog eyes rounded on you, and you knew that was a sign he did something bad.

“Uh-oh.” He sounded like a child. “Uh-oh?” Dustin leaned in.

“The car’s off the board. They took the keys. The Russians, they took the keys.” Hands grabbing at his empty short pockets. “Like, forever ago.” His bad news was punctuated with more squeaky laughter. “That’s a bummer, right?”

You closed your eyes and dropped your head just a bit. Of course, they took his keys. Clammy fingers tingle your cheeks and brows, sweeping to your ears. Heading tilting up just a bit to look through your lashes and see Steve pouting at you. His long fingers played with the loose, sweaty front pieces of your hair while you tucked some of his light parts behind his ear.

“Are you mad?” A deep and quiet inquiry. You were quiet, thinking over which answer is best for this moment. Your thumb scratched over the growing stubble from his last shave as you looked back to his swollen and bloodshot eye. It made you sting with the knowing sign of tears, you were mad, you had a right to be mad when no one wanted to listen to any of your thoughts about this whole thing. But right now, wasn’t the time to blow up in his face again, you were mad and will wait to have a collected conversation when the both of you are home.

So you tucked your bottom lip under your top teeth as you shook your head, “No, no.” Stroking more of his hair, “I’m not mad, just tired.” Steve stared at you, his hands had slipped to sit on your thighs and he squeezed just a bit. He didn’t look too convinced, but it didn’t matter.

“Come on,” Letting go of his face to grab his hands, “Let’s get up. Almost there.” You had to tug most of his heavyweight forward. He was more stable on his feet now, swaying for just a moment but then signing a thumbs up with a dopey smile.

“Okay, when we get out there we need to figure out a plan home.” Dustin stood in front of the door and he had his hands sitting on his hips. “(Y/n), why don’t you call your house and see if anyone’s there? Since no one was answering my transmission…”

“We were underground, there was no signal where the elevator was. Besides you nerds always have those things on, it gets annoying.” Erica stated to Dustin. He just rolled his eyes.

The elevator came to a stop with a jolt then the doors opened. You felt like a giant weight leaving your shoulders knowing you were back in a public space, out in the open air. Dustin and Erica walked forward and they were quiet, as were you. Robin and Steve were the last to exit and their voices filled the night.

“Holy shit!” Steve exclaimed. “Oh, my God, that tastes so good. Ah!” You turned around just as Robin stuck her tongue out. “Steve, can you taste the air?” They were behaving like children experiencing their first winter snowfall. “I taste it! I taste it!”

You ignored their antics when you heard the gate opening and you saw two guards, dressed black grabbing their guns. Dustin and Erica backtracked for Steve and Robin while you ran to open the door. “Okay, okay, okay! Woo!” Robin is still high off her ass while she and Erica run into the service tunnel. “Why are we running?” Steve asked Dustin as they passed you. You yanked the door shut as you followed behind, sneakers squeaking on the linoleum flooring.

“Where are we going?” Huffing breaths hoping Dustin had a plan since he knew this space better than you.

You didn’t get an answer until Dustin stopped at one door and slowly opened it. Robin and Steve swayed on their feet and giggled quietly. You saw Dustin look left to right before calling the all-clear. One by one in a line. Dustin, Erica, Robin, and Steve with you last sticking close to the dark purple walls, rushing over the patterned carpet. Rounding a corner and seeing the Back to the Future poster, you knew now. Dustin led you to the movies, a crowded spot to hide in.

“Steve- Steve, no that’s! Ugh!” Trying to push your boyfriend along as he scrambled to grab a trashed bag of popcorn. He just hummed pleasantly.

Dustin threw the double doors open wide and you were greeted by the voices of Doc and Marty. “Oh! What did I tell you?! Eighty-eight miles per hour!” Dustin led your group to the front row where there were a few open spots.

He pointed a stern finger at Robin and Steve, “You two sit here.” They complained as they slumped down. “Dude, these seats blow,” Steve spoke around his trash food. “Then don’t watch the movie.” You could tell he was getting tired of babysitting them, a taste of his own medicine.

“We wanna watch it,” Robin argued. “Then watch it!” Dustin raised his voice loudly causing a man in the row behind to shush them, Robin and Steve shushing back.

“Whatever you do, don’t…go…anywhere.” Making sure they got the message. Steve teased back, “Fine, dad.” And Robin snickered at the joke. Dustin didn’t say another word as he and Erica crouched passed people to the other end of the row.

Not thinking anyone was planning to leave during the movie, you sat on the last step and then leaned against Steve’s chair. You winced while wrapping your left arm over your stomach, your adrenaline wearing off causing the aching from your beatings. The booming film score pounded in your head with the bright screen hurting your eyes. Your limbs felt so heavy, that feeling when your body is naturally shutting down for sleep or accidentally taking a big hit of weed.

So before you could force yourself to stay awake and alert, you were knocked out.

-

Loud commotion and flashing lights behind your lids were your greetings as you were being rudely shaken awake. You were groaning and ready to complain towards Steve, thinking you were home and in bed. But instead of home it was the movie theater and instead of it being Steve shaking you, it was Dustin with Erica just over his shoulder. They both shared frantic expressions and when you took note of the two empty chairs you already knew what his question was gonna be. “Where are they?”

You could only open and close your mouth like a goldfish before you abruptly stood from the step and rushed out of the room with the kids behind you. “Okay, let’s split up. There aren’t many options in and out of the closed mall.”

Your sweep of the theater was quick, they weren’t anywhere. And you should be able to spot them easily, they’re wearing sailor outfits in a sea of normal attire. You walked through the exit and into the mall, hands on hips as you scanned possible hiding spots. A hearty sigh while leaning your head back to stare at the ceiling.

Little white dots and artificial stars in the brick building beamed down. “Wow…” The longer you stare the brighter they get, starting to twirl into a cyclone of heavenly light that was making you queasy and dizzy. “Oh, wow…”

Feet sprinted you to the nearest women’s restroom. You were too preoccupied with not throwing up on the floor that you missed the shocked then concerned looks of Robin and Steve. You made it to the third stall and hurled small chunks into the toilet, barely any food in your system at this time it was practically only liquid and dry heaving. Small shakes set into your shoulders as tiny tears stuck to your lashes, abdomen doing mini crunches with your heavy huffing. A helping hand held your hair away from potential damage and their warmth set into your back as they rubbed up and down, side to side, or just in an endless circle.

“Oh, baby.” Your Steve came to your rescue. “It’s okay, just get it out.”

A whimper from your slick lips, “Stevie…” You weren’t sure why you were calling out to him or what you had to say to him. Maybe just wanting to say his name and have him respond, which he did easily. “I’m right here, baby. Right here.” And he continued to rub your back until you were sure everything was gone and you flushed it away.

Steve’s arms wrapped over your stomach and with a gentle tug pulled you against his chest. His chin sat on your shoulder and he tucked his face into your neck, lashes fluttering your pulse point. Your eyes closed in contentment with a pinch to the front of your brow, hands seeking Steve’s on your body, holding onto them like your life depends on it. A clownish frown downturned your lips as you tried your hardest to keep crying at bay, okay with the baby drops falling here and there on your oily skin. 

“Is she okay?” Robin’s rough voice filled the space. Steve moved his head and you copied the action so you could see eye to eye. His eyes swam with such sorrow and pain it made you feel sick again. He reached a tentative hand out, hesitating before brushing the pad of his thumb over your jaw and cheeks. You assumed dark bruises were slowly blooming on your skin after this past hour or two. He then took his pointer finger and softly ran it on the bridge of your nose, flinching at the feather touch.

“No… she’s not.” A delayed reply for Robin and almost a defeated sigh from him. “Baby, oh my baby. I’m sorry.” His mouth twisted into a grimace. He saw them earlier in the night, he was still sober when you reentered the room, but looking at them with just a few inches of space apart…

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Voice cracked on the third sorry, his hands couldn’t keep still. Going to your cheeks then shifting to your shoulders then finding their new spot on your cracked hands. Steve’s fingers slotted through the in-betweens, waffling your hands tight as he pressed kiss after kiss to the tops.

“I couldn’t protect you. I’m a shitty boyfriend.” His eyes are hidden from view by his diary hair. You gasped at his words, “Steven Harrington, don’t ever call yourself a shitty boyfriend. Especially in front of me.”

You shook his hands off and cupped his cheeks to push his head up. He looked tired, defeated and you couldn’t stand the sight of the boy in front of you. You leaned in as you moved his head forward just a bit, a firm kiss pressed to his forehead. Trying to convey too many words into a simple action.

You pulled back and gazed intently into his heavy eyes, “Steve, it was a terrible situation that we were able to get out safely. The kids are unharmed and the drug is out of our system, it’s fine now.”

He circled your wrist, “If we just-” You stopped him with a kiss, not caring that both of you would have a vomiting mouth, just need him to pour your love into him.  A kiss that was nothing like the one from earlier in the day or your first. It was one where either or both of you are tired from the day, your body giving out the second it hits the mattress, contemplating if sleeping in your day clothes is worth the discomfort and if you’re okay with a pimple popping up in a day from not doing your skincare. How your hands still seek each other out in your drunk-sleepy state, Steve still managing to cage you into his chest with his nose in your hair and hand at your hip. Having a mumbled pillow talk about your day if the two of you weren’t attached to the hip that day, puffs of air from noses in exchange for belly laughs. It was a kiss that was being done blind, both eyes closed and searching out the bullseye in the dark even though the map was memorized. Slow, simple, something grounding and normal; just a firm pressing of lips that followed up with a tiny rhythm before it was enough to satiate you for the night.

You ignore the dull throb from your nose, taking care of Steve was more important. “Let’s just wait until we’re home, clean and in bed, before sorting everything out. It can wait a little longer.” Reassuring him, letting him know that you’re not as mad as earlier, but you have more words to speak. He nodded his head and whispered, “Okay,” Then pressed kisses to both of your palms.

The neutral bubble popped with the banging sound of the door. You both turned to see Dustin and Erica at the threshold, Robin behind them, must have slipped out sometime after she spoke. You could tell Dustin was completely exasperated with all three of you for running off and it was confirmed with his firm, “What the hell, guys?”

-

With everyone sober and coherent Dustin worked on a plan to get out unnoticed. Trying to find different modes of transportation to leave the mall behind since Steve was the only one with a car, and he was against the idea of breaking into his own BMW.

“Well, the movie should be over by now. We just blend into the crowd, leave the mall, and… I don’t know, hitchhike home.” Robin scratched her head as she paced.

Erica caught an attitude, “You want to walk…home? Yeah, I’m not doing that.” Arms crossed as she popped a hip.

“Well the buses don’t run this late and Robin has a bike, but Steve always drives her or us home when it’s this late. And he isn’t willing to sacrifice a window-“ Steve cut you off at your claim. “I don’t have the money to fix a window.” “I could talk to Eddie-“ He scoffs, “Munson, yeah, I'm good.” You weren’t sure why this was a sudden fight and it was making you sad and angry again.

“Guys!” Dustin yelled before your argument could be blown out of proportion. “We’re gonna get out of the mall with the crowd and hit the road. End of discussion.”

A sigh was all you gave as Dustin went to the door and took peeks into the lobby. You caught Robin’s eye and she scrunched her brows with a meek jerk of her chin, a silent ‘What the hell was that?’ and you just shook your head, pushing it away as if it wasn’t important.

With everyone walking to the door, Steve tugged at your belt loops to keep you back. You were prepared to brush Steve off, but he spoke first with a mumbled, “I’m sorry. I don’t want a fight.” You thought about just brushing him off, but you didn’t want a fight either and both of you are just cranky at this point. “I know, Stevie. We’re just tired.” Flashing him a simple smile as he squeezed your left hand.

“Lovebirds, come on.” Robin called. Dustin’s head was poking through the opening and he held a hand up, “And…blend.” They moved forward, Steve linking your hands and pulling you behind him.

Your group keeps pace with the people chatting about the movie, Steve keeping his head down and your hands clasped. “Well, shit, that worked,” Erica commented to Dustin. “Of course, it worked. Now we just have to get out of this place  and home sweet home, here we come.”

“Uh, Dustin?” “What?” Steve groaned a bit, “Yeah, we might not wanna go to your house.” “Why?”

Steve licked his lips, “Well, I might’ve told them your full name.” Dustin looked over his shoulder, shocked. “What is wrong with you?”

You came to Steve's defense, “He was drugged. He has loose lips when intoxicated.” You could tell Steve was gonna say something when Dustin just asked, “So?” That made Steve stutter, “So?”

“So, you resist. You tough it out. You tough it out like a man.” Dustin acting like he was the one in that scary room with unhinged Russians ready to kill him, instead of the vents snooping around. Steve scoffed, “Oh, yeah, it’s easy for you to say.”

“Guys?” A single word from Robin. All your eyes clocked on the two men from outside asking and checking IDs. You all stopped and everyone parted to the sides, Steve pulling you closer. “Abort,” Dustin declared. The men spotted your group and started forward. “Abort. Abort.” Dustin enforced as he made sure everyone turned around and pushed through the crowd.

With your hand still in Steve’s, he made sure you didn’t get lost. Feet were halted at the escalators with ropes closing off the stairs. You looked over your shoulder and saw how they were getting closer, so just told Robin to slide down the middle. One by one you each went down, Robin, Dustin, Erica, you then Steve following up the rear.

There was enough time to find a hiding spot the top level filtered out and the Russians took a long way down to the bottom level. Dustin pointed all of you in the direction of the food court and he jumped over the Great Cookie counter. You gave Erica a boost over as Robin crawled on the red countertop, Steve held your hips as he pushed you forward, and you dropped to the floor with him beside you. 

“What do we do?” Erica whispered. Her small chest panting. You weren’t sure if there was a way out, you could hear movement, but it sounded like more than the two you saw so they brought backup and you knew they had guns. If you could go through the back maybe, but still, you were easily outnumbered and overpowered.

As your safety blanket, you intertwined your hand with Steve’s and held it close to your racing heart while holding your breath. Eyes closed and speaking to the angels in your head, wishing for any sign of help coming to your aid.

A car alarm starts wailing and it brings all of you to gasp quietly. You didn’t dare look over the counter suspecting it was a trap. The alarm kept blaring and then you heard a loud crash combined with people groaning. When the alarm stopped and felt like the mall was silent all of you slowly pushed off the floor and over the counter. Russians lay on the floor with blood bleeding from wounds and a promotional car was damaged on its side where it was pressed into the Hot Dog on a Stick counter.

Hearing squeaking footsteps all of you looked to the upper level and hidden in the neon glow of store lights, the kids with Jonathan and Nancy stared from above. A wet hiccup of happiness at seeing your brothers safe and alive, as everyone headed to the closed escalator and climbed down. You were the first to rush over the counter and meet them halfway.

Mike had one of El’s arms over his shoulder as she limped with him towards Dustin who shouted as he laughed, “You flung that thing like a Hot Wheel!”

Jonathan and Will both rushed at you and it made you stumble back from their fast impact. It still shocked you that Will was practically the same height as Jonathan, both their chins digging into your shoulders with one arm behind your back. Your arms were thrown over their shoulders and your palms held the back of their heads, tears splashing your cheeks and shuddery breaths as you composed yourself.

“Oh, I’m so happy you're safe. I was so worried.” Petting the back of their heads to calm your shakes. “Where have you been? I just assumed you were at Steve’s.” Jonathan pulled his head away causing your hand to fall to his shoulder. His mouth dropped a bit, his eyes taking notice of your blood and bruises, “What happened?”

“Russians.” Jonathan and Will shared confused and worried expressions at your word. “I’m guessing something equally as bad has been happening above the surface since El’s limping.”

“Yeah, it’s bad. As in bad bad.” Will widened his eyes, not going into detail on what the bad bad was. You didn’t care, you were just happy your brothers were safe and within arms reach. Jonathan looked over your shoulder and his expression hardened, “Hey, Harrington. Wanna tell me why my sister looks to be in a similar state as you? Huh?”

Turning around you saw a sheepish Steve standing close, his hands messing with the bottom of his shirt. He licked his lip and looked at his shoes before backing up, “It’s- It’s my fault. I- I couldn’t…I didn’t listen. Shit, I brought a freaking ten-year-old into this when she didn’t even know. I’m- I’m a fucking idiot.”

“Damn right, Harrington.” “Jonathan, stop!” Automatic backhand to his head, once again mad that Steve and someone were calling him names. They needed relationship therapy at this point.

“Yeah, sorry to interrupt the sweet reunions. But I don’t understand what happened to that car.” Robin, along with Erica were the only ones out of the loop on El and her powers. Not wanting Robin mixed into this has finally crossed its line, there’s no going back after tonight. “El has powers,” Dustin threw a thumb at the quiet girl. 

Robin stuttered, “I’m- I’m sorry?”

“Superpowers. She threw it with her mind. C’mon, catch up.” Steve acting like this wouldn’t be mind-blowing news to Robin who knew nothing about the dangers of Hawkins. Erica pointed at her with new clarity, “That’s El?” Never actually met her, but possibly heard about her from Lucas.

“Who’s El?” Poor Robin. You were gonna point her out when Nancy spoke, in a tone you took a bit harshly. “I’m sorry, who are you?” Again you were gonna introduce her, but Jonathan easily said, “Robin. (Y/n)’s friend.” “And a coworker at Scoops with us.” Connecting her to Steve.

“She cracked the top secret code.” Dustin awarded her. “Yeah, which is how we found out about the Russians. And why we look like shit by the way.” Steve’s sarcasm winning out.

“Wait, seriously? Those were Russians?” Max blurted in confusion. “Some of them,” Erica looked back at them with indifference on her face. “What are you talking about?” Lucas persisted.

“Didn’t you hear our code red?” Dustin questioned. “Yeah. Couldn’t understand what you were saying,” Mike noted. Dustin groaned, “Goddam low battery.”

“How many times do I have to tell you with the low battery?” And you couldn’t help but to bite back the little grin at Steve acting like such a big brother towards Dustin. “Well, everything worked out, didn’t it?” It reminded you of times when Will was just a baby, you and Jonathan little toddlers.

“Worked out? We almost died.” Erica was not happy about Dustin’s look at the situation. “Yeah, but we didn’t, did we?” He sees the glass half-full side. “It was pretty damn close,” Steve added his two cents.

Everyone was busy arguing about the Russians and the gate. You took the time to look at each kid to check them over for any damage done, everyone looking to be in perfect condition. When you didn’t spot El beside Mike you leaned past Steve to see her in front of the next store, her steps slow and body hunched in. You walked away from the group and reached a hand out to touch her shoulder, “El? Sweetie?” Her hands reached up to hold her ears and she turned slowly for you to see the dark red blood sliding down her nostrils, hitting her top lip. Her knees buckled and she fell like a sack of flour.

“El! El? El!” Grabbing her waist quickly to stop her fall. You placed her gently on the ground as everyone crowded around. “What’s wrong with her?” Erica quietly asked.

“What’s wrong?” Mike asked El. Needing to find the root of her problem. She cried, “My leg. My leg.”

Nancy pulled her pants up and Jonathan unwrapped a bloody bandage around her calf. Her skin was stained red, almost orange in the fluorescent glow, with a swollen spot on the top. You held a hand to your mouth, the injury making you feel queasy just looking at it. And to top it off, something was crawling beneath the skin.

“Oh, God.” Muffled into your palm.

El continued to wail and groan, some tears slipping from the corners of her eyes and falling into her hair. “El! El, are you okay?” Mike shook her shoulders as he leaned over her. Everyone was worried and getting emotional, not knowing what was happening and the next course of action to take.

El screamed at the top of her lungs.

-

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*STRIKED MEANS TUMBLR CANT FIND YOU*

[fanficsfromyesteryear]

𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐁𝐎𝐃𝐘❜𝐒 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐌𝐄

⟶ 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟒 ////////////////////////////////////

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prologue | chapter 1 | chapter 2 | chapter 3 synopsis: there’s a new monster terrorizing the small town of hawkins, indiana, and it’s not one from an alternate dimension. with halloween quickly approaching and everyone’s nerves already on edge, the last thing anybody wants is a prankster serial killer running amuck, but alas, hawkins’s residents aren’t exactly known for getting what they want, are they? warnings: major(??) character death, mentions of animal death, violence, language tag list: @maackiimoo​

         “What are you looking at, creep?” Carol snapped, gaze trained on the hunched figure across the hall.

         Jonathan’s gaze slid from Nancy, just beyond Carol, to the accusatory redhead with furrowed brows. He opened his mouth to stutter out an excuse, but Eddie stopped him.

         “Don’t listen to her,” he muttered, barely paying Carol any mind as he scribbled in an open notebook.

         With a nod, Jonathan pulled another textbook from his locker and shoved it into his bag before focusing on Eddie again. “What’re you working on?” he asked, eager to change the subject.

         “Campaign stuff,” Eddie answered with a shrug, but as Jonathan leaned over for a peek, he angled the paper away. “Top secret campaign stuff.”

         Carol scoffed. “You saw what happened to Billy,” she told Tommy H., who flanked her. “No way he killed himself. Everyone was at that party, too, so it could’ve been anybody, but my money’s on one of them.” Her gaze was still trained on where Eddie and Jonathan were now turning to leave, and Carol moved as if to follow them, but Tommy grabbed her arm.

         “You think they’re cold-blooded killers, and you wanna go start something with them?”

         “Well—”

         “Carol!”

         Y/N and Tina pushed their way past Tommy, Y/N throwing her arm around Carol’s shoulders as they neared. “Meeting in the bathroom,” she announced, already beginning to urge the redhead toward the ladies’ restroom.

         Tommy H. started to trail after them, but Tina interjected, palm to his chest as she nudged him back. “Girls only,” she clarified, grinning mockingly before joining the others as they pushed through the bathroom door.

         Carol stood at the mirror, rifling through her bag on the sink for her Chapstick, while Y/N checked beneath the row of stalls in search of any indication that they weren’t alone. At last, she announced, “It’s clear,” to which Tina smiled and produced a cigarette from her pocket, bringing it up to her lips. Y/N passed her a lighter and entered the nearest cubicle, taking up post against one wall and leaving space for Tina to follow suit.

         “You should really be more careful who your friends are,” Carol said, at last breaking the silence that had settled over them, save for the sound of Tina exhaling a cloud of smoke before giving the cigarette to Y/N.

         It had been the elephant in the room for weeks now, that Y/N had taken a liking to Eddie Munson. Carol and Tina didn’t think he was good enough, but they’d bitten their tongues for her sake—it wasn’t their business what Y/N did when they weren’t around to stop her, but Billy’s death had struck fear and an odd sense of determination into Carol, and the mysterious phone call she’d received was the kick to the pants she needed to meddle in what she considered “problems” that weren’t even hers to solve.

         “What’s that supposed to mean?” Y/N asked, peering around the door at Carol’s reflection, the warning glare that Tina sent the redhead going unnoticed. “I’m friends with you—is there something I need to know?”

         “I’m serious, Y/N! You know, I’m surprised you can stand to be around Eddie after what he did to Billy.”

         “Woah! Back up.” Y/N shoved the smoking stick into Tina’s grasp. “Eddie didn’t kill anyone. I was with him, like, all night. Just because someone has different interests than you, doesn’t make them a murderer or give you the right to call them one.”

         “I don’t know,” Carol pressed. “He likes that weird game they’re always talking about in the news. He could be a Satan-worshipper, for all we know—he sure looks like one.”

         Y/N scoffed. “Nancy’s Wheeler’s little brother plays D&D. That doesn’t prove anything.”

         “He’s probably a freakshow, too, then.” Carol heaved a sigh, fingers working to fluff her hair. “Back me up, Tina.”

         Tina had fallen silent for the duration of the exchange and wasn’t looking to get involved now. While she’d agreed with Carol’s points a couple of days ago when they’d first talked about it after Eddie had dropped by her house to pick Y/N up, Carol had no tact. It was one thing to be concerned for a friend but another to point blame and confidently accuse someone of stabbing another classmate to death, and personal biases aside, Tina couldn’t bring herself to do such a thing. As Tina waited for a half-assed excuse for an exit to the conversation—at the very least, a change in topic—to come to mind, she flicked the cigarette into the toilet, foot lifting to press the handle. The water swirling in the bowl reflected her turbulent thoughts, but at Carol’s insistent, “Well?” she started, “I—”

         The door of the stall next to theirs flung open, effectively cutting Tina off before her embarrassment could, and Y/N reached out, grabbing the closure to their own compartment and yanking it closed in the case a teacher had entered their midst.

         “What the hell are you supposed to be?” Carol asked. “You’re a little late—Halloween was last week.”

          Y/N and Tina exchanged a quizzical look, but before they could voice their curiosity, Carol said, “Hey! What are you doing? Get away—” Her angry words fizzled out into a pained screech, though the noise was muffled—by what, the girls didn’t know, and they didn’t dare ask. Instead, they waited with bated breath, hands clasped over their mouths and panic clawing at their throats like a wild beast desperate to break out of its cage as they listened to their companion struggle against her assailant. At last, Carol’s body slumped to the floor with a soft thud, and Y/N and Tina expected to be next, both of them shifting their weight to lean on the door in a poor attempt to keep it bolted shut, but the threat never came.

         Only silence.

         “Are they gone?” Tina whispered, her voice shallow and broken.

         Y/N nodded. “I think so.”

         Timidly, Y/N stepped out of hiding to find that they were alone. Carol laid on the tile, a red puddle oozing out from beneath her limp form. Behind Y/N, Tina’s scream alerted her added presence, but Y/N was hardly able to muster a reaction—all she could do was stare. This wasn’t her first dead body, and at the rate things were going, it probably wouldn’t be her last.

         As Tina ran out into the hallway, calling for help, Y/N ambled along numbly in her wake. Several people rushed past, knocking into her, and she nearly fell if not for the strong hand that reached out to steady her.

         “You okay?” Eddie asked, dark eyes blown wide with concern.

         Y/N shook her head. “Carol—somebody killed her.”

         Eddie’s brow furrowed, and his mouth fell open to speak, but down the hall, Chrissy called Y/N’s name, her words accentuated by frantic footsteps and a bouncing, blonde ponytail. Once she was within reach, Chrissy clutched onto Y/N’s arm, pink fingernails digging into the thick fabric of her sweater’s sleeve. “Let’s get out of here,” Chrissy urged. “This place is giving me the creeps.” Then, sensing she’d interrupted something, she turned to Eddie. “Do you need a ride? I’m sure Jason won’t mind.”

         Jason scoffed as he walked by, clutching Chrissy’s shoulder and tugging her away. “He doesn’t need a ride,” he countered. “I’m sure the Freak can take care of himself.” Jason glanced back to his girlfriend’s prior companion with an impatience in his cold gaze. “Y/N, are you coming?”

         Y/N hesitated, gaze darting between Eddie and the couple. Finally, she said, “I’m sorry. I’ll call you later, okay?” and jogged to catch up with the pair of jocks.

                                           ────── 〔 ☠ 〕─────

         The shrill tone of the telephone went unnoticed by most in the room, save for the woman sat at her desk, flipping mindlessly through a magazine. At the first ring, she exhaled, pushed the book aside, and slid her small notepad over into its place, pen already poised in her grip to jot down a message by the time she answered, “Hawkins, P.D.”

         Florence rose to her feet, shuffling around the corner of the table in front of her, and diligently strode down the dimly lit hallway. She paused at the shut door of the Sheriff’s office, knocking once out of forced politeness, then entered without an invitation.

         Jim Hopper’s muddy boots were propped precariously on the corner of his messy desk, chair leaned back as he licked off the donut glaze that had crusted onto the fingertips of his right hand, his left prying open the blinds for a clearer view of the tree line behind the station. He started at the woman’s sudden arrival but gained composure quickly with a dissatisfied grunt. “What is it, Flo?”

         “Carol Perkins is dead.”

         “Shit,” Hopper muttered, righting his seat. He threw back the rest of this morning’s coffee—cold from lack of attention—and stood, grabbing his coat and hat. “Where is she?”

         “They found her over at the school.”

         Hopper burst out of his office with Florence in tow as she returned to her spot in the office. The man threw on his coat as he strode toward the door, drawing the attention of some of the others as they took in his hurried state.

         “Where ya goin’, Chief?” Powell asked, hand slowly creeping toward his hat as an unspoken question of whether or not he should be accompanying Hopper.

         “The high school,” Jim answered. “A student died.”

         “Jesus,” muttered Officer Callahan. “Another suicide?”

         Hopper paused his movements, fingers stalled on the doorknob. “I’m not so sure it is.”

                                          ────── 〔 ☠ 〕─────

         “I let it happen.”

         The muted strumming of guitar strings halted as Eddie shifted on the floor to get a better view of Y/N. “What?”

         “Carol,” Y/N explained. “I was there. I heard her getting attacked, and I didn’t do anything to stop it.”

         Eddie tilted his head, studying her. Y/N was perched at the edge of his bed, her fingers fiddling anxiously with a loose thread at the hem of her sweater. If she didn’t stop, she’d unravel it, but she didn’t appear to care. A deep furrow had taken up residence between her brows and didn’t show any signs of budging, the corners of her mouth turned downward to match. She stared at the space beside Eddie, one of the only bare sections of his wall, as if afraid to meet his eyes, that the information she’d just revealed to him would somehow negatively alter how he viewed her.

         Setting aside his instrument, Eddie hesitantly scooted over until he was sitting crisscross on the carpet in front of Y/N. “It’s not your fault,” he began. “You know, I can’t think of anyone outside of a comic book that would’ve done anything other than what you had. We’re only human, and there’s nothing wrong with being scared.”

         “That’s all I am, though,” Y/N answered, a tearful crack in her words. “Every day now, I’m scared, and I don’t even know what I’m scared of.” She inhaled sharply. “Maybe Carol was right. We shouldn’t be friends.”

         No matter how much Eddie had braced himself to hear Y/N utter that sentence, it hadn’t done anything to soften the blow. He’d allowed himself to become too comfortable, something he’d always been wary of when it came to letting new people into his life, and she’d stolen his breath with a punch to the stomach when he wasn’t looking. No. Eddie had been punched in the stomach before, and this felt worse.

         “Oh,” he said. “Okay.”

         Y/N gave a helpless shake of her head, strands of hair catching in the dampness that now coated her reddening cheeks as her sadness overcame her. “I think I’m cursed. Everyone close to me keeps dying, and I can’t—I don’t want you to be next.”

         Eddie’s lips twitched. Oh. “Don’t worry about me,” he assured, risking a timid smile. “I’m tough. I mean, you heard Carver today—I can take care of myself.”

         “You shouldn’t have to.”

         “Well, sweetheart,” Eddie said, “that’s a risk I’m willing to take.” He reached up, hand finding purchase on the side of Y/N’s face. His thumb brushed away water droplets as they trailed along her skin, urging her to meet his eyes. “If you’ll let me.”

         “I can’t ask you to do that.”

         “I know.”

         He was going to anyway.

         As the sun sank toward the horizon, the shadows cast through Eddie’s thin curtain grew longer, reaching toward the opposite wall of his room and threatening to creep down the short hallway toward the kitchen. The seemingly endless lull in conversation that had settled over the duo was ended only when Eddie pointed out that it was getting dark. “C’mon, I’ll take you home,” he said.

                                         ────── 〔 ☠ 〕─────

         The front door had barely slammed into place when the phone started ringing, its demanding calls bouncing off the walls of the dark, empty house.

         “Jesus Christ,” came an irritated mutter.

         Steve had been with Dustin Henderson for hours of his life that he’d never get back, spent in a vain search for the boy’s supposed cat-eating lizard. He was tired—the teen wanted nothing more than to take a shower, scrub the dirt from his hair and wipe the grime from his face, and crawl into his inviting albeit cold bed.

         “Hello?” Steve asked, pressing the receiver to his cheek.

         “Remember me?”

         “Look, buddy, I don’t have time for your bullshit tonight.” Steve moved the speaker away from his ear, phone angled back toward its cradle, but the voice crackling from the other end was still audible, and what it said stopped him in his tracks.

         “I’ll take that as a yes. It’s a good thing, too, because I haven’t forgotten you. That future deadbeat and the girl were just bumps in the road, but your time will be here soon enough. Better keep that bat handy, Harrington—never know when you might need it. Not that it’ll do you any good, of course. You won’t see me coming, just like poor Barbara in that swimming pool of yours. At least you’ll deserve it.”

[iliveonteaandbooks]

•A Steve Harrington x Reader Mini Series•

Camping Trip Pt. 1: Car Ride Gone Wrong

Steve Harrington x Reader

Series: Pt. 1

Summary: Steve and you decide to take the boys for a small camping trip for a few days. But during the car ride, things go a little...downhill.

Genre: Angst - ish?

Language: English (English is my first language btw)

Requested: Yes/No

Warnings: Language, yelling

Word count: 925 words

A/N: I normally don’t use strong language in my writing but this is Stranger Things; I mean c‘mon. I had a lot of fun writing this. This is also my first one for Steve; bear with me:) I love feedback on my writing, so please feel free to comment. Requests are open for other fandoms as well! Oh, and I do not own you, Stranger Things, the characters or the actors that portray them, or any of the gifs I use. Credit to the owners. Thanks! <3

MASTERLIST

"Are we there yet?" groaned Dustin from the back of Steve's car.

"What?" you semi - yelled, over the loud music coming from the radio.

"ARE. WE. THERE. YET?!" yelled Dustin.

"Quit yelling man!" barked Steve looking unto the mirror above.

"Well your girlfriend's deaf as hell and can't hear shit!" Dustin yelled back.

Steve chuckled.

"Are you not going to defend me?" you cried lightly hitting hitting his arm and suddenly sitting up.

Steve merely, shrugged, putting his sunglasses back on.

You scoffed putting your feet back on the dashboard.

Steve glanced, annoyed (slightly) but said nothing about it.

"Back to the question." sighed Lucas.

"Honestly, like a married couple." rolled his eyes Mike.

"Well, according to the map we still have another two hours."

A chorus of groans and sighs erupted from the back.

"Don't blame me. If Steve hadn't taken a wrong exit back at the interstate," you looked sheepishly at Steve. "We would have been pulling up by now."

Everyone looked at Steve.

"I did not just hear that. Who agreed to drive you dipshits for five ef'ing hours? Huh? I really don't have to do this, you know."

"In the meantime let's play a game!" you offered cheerfully. "I spy." you began. But a series of:

"I'm out."

"Here she goes.

"Here we go."

"Yeah, no. Not happenin'."

"No thanks." erupted from the back.

And a quiet "Nope." from Steve. Which was a mistake from Steve's side.

"STEVE!" you yelled. "That's mean."

Pouting, you turned around and stared out the window at the never ending fields and trees; arms crossed. You even took your feet off the dashboard.

"Aw. Babe. C'mon. I didn't mean it like that. Don't get mad at me?" he pleaded taking off hiss sunglasses and giving you his best puppy eyes.

You weren't looking at him though.

"No you jerk." you mumbled.

He started poking you trying to get out at least a giggle or maybe even a smile. But you slapped his hand away.

Forgetting he was on the road, he turned towards you with both hands.

"EYES ON THE ROAD!" the kids yelled together making you quickly turned around.

"Steve!" you yelled, your voice filled with worry and urgency. Afraid for everyone's life.

The car was swerving. On a highway.

He quickly grabbed the steering wheel saving the car from crashing into the truck ahead of you.

You guys were now stuck in traffic. Great.

"Jesus Christ!" you yelled. From relief of course.

"Oh. My. God." he breathed rubbing his temples.

The kids were having none of it.

"What the hell dude?!"

"You about almost frickin' killed us!"

"Are you insane?!"

"Eyes on the road next time. Jeez."

"I have to agree, Steve. That was a close one." you said.

"Yeah, Steve. Even your girlfriend agrees."

"QUIET!" yelled Steve suddenly and all of you immediately quieted down. "I'm sorry, okay?! I was an accident. You think I meant for this to happen? To 'kill' us all? She," he pointed a finger at you. "distracted me." he shouted.

"Yeah, Steve blame it on me." you shouted back. "No one," you indicated around the car, "asked you to start poking ME! Or start trying to hug ME! Maybe, just maybe, you should keep your eyes on the GOD-DAMN ROAD!" you yelled now.

"Guys!" yelled Mike.

He was unnoticed.

"Well then you shouldn't take things so seriously and make a big deal out of everything!" he shouted.

"How dare you! Do you realize how crazy you sound?"

"GUYS!!!" yelled Mike again while the others watched you like a tennis match. "GUYS! YOU ARE GOING TO WAKE UP WILL!"

"Probably to late for that." muttered Lucas, to which Steve just rolled his eyes.

You two immediately stopped.

Suddenly, you became interested in the worn out map. And Steve stared out the window keeping one hand on the wheel.

"Well, this is awkward." deadpanned Lucas.

Both you and Steve turned to say something but noticing this, immediately turned back around.

Not only were you stuck in traffic with a bunch of boys and a jerk, you were now in a fight with Steve. A ridiculous one at that. Great. Just Great. Wonderful. This is so stupid, you thought.

This is really, truly not how you wanted to spend your camping trip.

A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed this as much as I did! Pt. 2? Maybe? Let me know in the comments. Thanks! <3

[aprilludgate357]

chapter four: the body

steve harrington x gracie williams(eventually) word count: 7463 summary: will was dead... or was he. in what wasn't her finest moment, gracie finds oddly finds comfort in an uexpected someone. everything wasn't making any sense anymore but gracie was willing to blindly hope that both barb and will were still alive. its funny what a little hope, some christmas lights, and a girl who can telepathically communicate through a radio can do.

GRACIE HADN'T YET COME TO TERMS WITH EVERYTHING THAT HAD HAPPENED THE DAY BEFORE. It was the day after Will had been found in Lover's Lake, the same day Barbara disappeared. She’d been unable to sleep the entire night, plagued by the image of Will lying pale and motionless. Her mother had tried to get her to talk, but Gracie refused, retreating inward. She’d barely said a word to anyone since last night, and she had no intention of remedying that anytime soon.

While Gracie had planned to skip school and continue mourning, the police had called her down to the high school, wanting to interview both her and Nancy at the same time.

So that's how she found herself in the empty school cafeteria, sitting next to her mother, Nancy, and Mrs. Wheeler, with two officers seated across from them.

"This argument you and Barbara had—what exactly was it about?" asked Officer Powell, a man Gracie had never seen before.

He held a notepad, diligently writing down everything Nancy and Gracie told them. Except Nancy had done most of the talking since Gracie hadn’t even been there the night Barb went missing.

"It wasn’t really an argument," Nancy explained. "Barb just wanted to leave. I didn’t, so I... I told her to just go home."

"And then what?" Powell prompted.

"Then I went upstairs to put on some dry clothes," Nancy said, carefully omitting the fact that she stayed the night.

"And the next day, you both went back and... saw a bear, you’re thinking?" asked Officer Callahan, who sat next to Powell. Gracie recognized him as the officer who had accompanied Jim when they interrogated the boys about Will's disappearance.

"I don’t know what it was," Nancy admitted, her voice wavering slightly.

The officers turned their attention to Gracie. "Did you see it?" Callahan asked.

"No, but I trust Nancy. What she saw—it wasn't like anything in this world. But... we think it took Barb," Gracie explained, hoping they would take her seriously.

But the officers exchanged a glance, their disbelief evident. "But you didn't see it," Callahan repeated, making Gracie's frown deepen as he scribbled something down on his notepad.

Trying to make their story more plausible, Gracie added, "But we saw the track marks, like she’d been dragged off into the woods."

"You need to check behind Steve’s house—" Nancy urged, desperation creeping into her voice.

"We did," Powell replied monotonously. "There’s nothing there. No sign of a bear. And no car."

"What?" Gracie straightened in her seat, her confusion growing. The car had definitely been there when she and Nancy had gone back.

"We figure that Barbara came back last night and then took off, went somewhere else. Has she ever talked to either of you about running off? Leaving town, maybe?" Callahan asked.

"No!" Both girls answered in unison, their voices firm with conviction.

"No, Barb wouldn’t do that, ever," Nancy insisted, as Gracie looked at the officers, disgusted by their suggestion that Barb would just run away.

"We're telling you, that thing took her," Gracie repeated, her voice trembling with frustration, but her words were once again met with skepticism.

"She wasn’t maybe upset about the fact that you were spending time with this boy?" Powell asked, now addressing Nancy directly. "Uh, Steve Harrington?"

"What? No!" Nancy exclaimed, her eyes widening at the mention of Steve. This revelation also caught the attention of Mrs. Wheeler, who looked at her daughter in surprise. Gracie had almost forgotten that Nancy had yet to tell her mom about her boyfriend.

A few weeks ago, telling her mom about Steve had seemed like the biggest problem Nancy had. Gracie would give anything for it to be like that again.

"Maybe she was jealous because she saw you go up to Steve’s room?" Callahan pressed, continuing to prod.

"It wasn’t like that," Nancy quickly assured him. "Steve and I are... we're just friends. We... we just talked."

Gracie looked up at her friend, wondering why Nancy wasn't telling the police the whole truth. Was hiding her relationship from her mother more important than giving the police the information they needed to find Barb?

Gracie didn't say anything, but she could feel a fire slowly building up inside her. This entire situation was infuriating. She was angry at Nancy for not being honest with the police. She was angry at the police for not taking their claims about Barb being taken seriously. But most of all, she was angry at herself because somehow, she'd failed Will as a babysitter and Barbara as a friend. She was angry because not only had she lost them, but she couldn't save them either.

Standing up from her chair, Gracie could feel her breathing growing heavier, her chest tightening with rage. The abrupt sound of her chair scraping the floor caused everyone to look up at her as she glared at Powell and Callahan.

"So that's the best you got, huh? That Barbara was a jealous bitch who was petty enough to run away? That's how you're gonna let people remember her? What you're gonna tell her parents?" Gracie asked, her voice shaking with anger.

"Gracie!" her mother yelled, but Gracie didn’t care. Tears began to blur her vision as her rage boiled over.

"You don't care about Barb. Neither of you do," she sneered. "As long as the case is closed, you don't care if you find her at the bottom of the lake just like Will! If you did, you'd listen to me when I told you that she was taken. That thing took her, and if you don't believe me, then good luck following your useless leads."

Gracie didn’t wait for a response. She turned on her heel and ran out of the cafeteria, her mother’s profuse apologies to the officers fading into the background as she bolted down the hallway, wanting to get as far away from them as possible.

The empty halls were a blessing; she didn’t want anyone to see her like this. Her only focus was reaching her locker as soon as possible. Quickly unlocking it, Gracie grabbed a pack of cigarettes, quickly going behind the school avidly avoiding the yard where P.E was taking place.

Leaning against the brick wall, Gracie took out a the pack, lighting one before quickly placing it between her lips. Gracie wasn't proud of the habit she had acquired, in fact, she barely did it. But in moments where she was so upset, she couldn't help but allow herself some leeway.

Taking a deep puff, Gracie closed her eyes, allowing herself to be overtaken with her anger and despair over Barb.

So lost in her own thoughts, Gracie didn't even hear footsteps approaching her until she heard a familiar voice that forced her to open her eyes.

"Smoking kills you know." Steve said, dressed in his P.E uniform and a towel around his neck.

"Did I ask?" Gracie asked, taking a puff as she looked momentarily at the boy before turning to look at the front again.

Laughing at the girl's response, Steve didn't expect anything less than a biting response from the girl. "Rough day?"

Dryly laughing, Gracie looked down. "Yeah, you could say."

Steve stayed quiet for a second, and Gracie thought that he had finally gone away, closing her eyes to enjoy her time alone.

"Mind spotting me one?"

So that's how Gracie found her self side to side by Steve on the brick wall, each taking a puff of smoke.

"They just don't care you know?" Gracie said, venting her emotions to the last person she'd thought she ever would. "I mean, its just so stupid to think that Barb ran away. I mean, you knew her... kinda, and I mean, do you think she'd run away?"

"Definitely not." Steve immediately answered with complete honesty, "She's way to boring for that."

Giving him a slight shove, Gracie rolled her eyes, "She's not boring okay?"

"Right sorry." Steve apologized immediately regretting his choice of words. "You know, I'm sure she's fine. I mean, its Hawkins you know? Nothing bad happens around here."

At that, Gracie had to hold in her laugh, knowing the exact opposite to be true due to the most recent events that had occurred so far. Still, he found his menial attempt to still be somewhat comforting.

"Thanks Harrington." Gracie said, with a small smile on her face.

"For what?" Harrington asked laughing, "For taking your cigarette?"

Shaking her head with a chuckle, Gracie dropped her cigarette to the ground, smothering it with her foot. "For not being a complete ass for once."

Cocking his head to the side, Steve let out a smile once again not expecting any other response from the girl, "Any time Williams."

Before Gracie could even respond, they suddenly heard a thundering voice from the across the school yard. "Harrington, Williams, is that you guys? You better not be smoking on school grounds!"

"Oh shit." Steve mumbled, quick to put out his cigarette too before quickly following Gracie who had already started running away from the school P.E teacher.

------

Gracie decided to skip the rest of school after her unexpected run-in with Steve. While she wanted nothing more than to seek solace in her bed, she couldn’t bring herself to go home, knowing her mother was probably waiting there to berate her for being so rude to the policemen. She thought about heading over to the Wheelers to see Nancy or Mike, but neither seemed like a good option—Nancy and her mother were likely fighting about Steve, and Mike was still mourning Will.

Thinking about Mike and the rest of the party, Gracie wondered how they were all coping. She had told them yesterday to call her if they needed anything, but she hadn’t heard from any of them since. In fact, for the first time in forever, her walkie-talkie had gone completely silent after they demanded she meet them at Lover’s Lake. Gracie assumed they all needed individual time to process their grief, just like her.

With nowhere else to go, Gracie decided to head into town, busying herself with a few errands to keep her mind off everything. She went to the library, the pharmacy, and now the local grocery store, stocking up on Eggos—Eleven’s favorite food. After grabbing a box of ice cream pops, she made her way to the cashier, when she suddenly overheard a commotion from outside.

Recognizing the voices, Gracie walked to the front of the store and peered out the window, her eyes widening when she saw Joyce and Jonathan Byers screaming at each other on the sidewalk. Telling the cashier to keep the change, Gracie grabbed her Eggos and ice cream, quickly making her way over to the Byers.

Just as Gracie walked out of the store, she heard Jonathan frantically throw his hands in the air, yelling, "Do you even hear yourself?"

"I know it sounds crazy," Joyce shot back fiercely, a wild look in her eyes, "I sound crazy! You think I don’t know that? It is crazy! But I heard him, Jonathan. He talked to me! Will is—he’s calling to me!"

By this point, a small crowd had formed around the two, but Gracie didn’t even notice, Joyce’s words echoing in her head. She didn’t know if it was denial, grief, or just pure madness, but it couldn’t be possible. Gracie was done trying to believe that a miracle had occurred and that Will wasn’t dead. She had foolishly let herself believe that with Eleven, and she wasn’t going to do it again—not when she’d seen Will’s dead body herself.

Joyce’s loud voice snapped her out of her thoughts. The woman was still ferociously yelling, "And he’s out there, and he’s alone, and he’s scared, and I... I don’t care if anyone believes me! I am not going to stop looking for him until I find him and bring him home. I am going to bring him home!"

With that, Joyce stormed off, leaving Jonathan behind. "Yeah, well, while you’re talking to the lights, the rest of us are having a funeral for Will! I’m not letting him sit in that freezer another day!" As his mother’s figure retreated, Jonathan suddenly became too aware of the crowd that had formed around him.

"All right, show’s over," he announced coldly, about to storm off when he spotted Gracie. Embarrassed, Jonathan didn’t know what to say after what the girl had just witnessed.

Gracie was at a loss for words too. For a moment, the two just stared at each other, neither sure how to react after seeing Jonathan, who had always been so reserved, go completely ballistic alongside his mother.

Jonathan rubbed the back of his neck, breaking the silence. "Gracie, I uh, I didn’t see you there."

Gracie awkwardly held out the box of ice cream pops. "I was just in the grocery store when I heard the, uh... yelling."

Wincing at her choice of words, she kicked herself, unsure of what else to say. After a moment, she asked, "Are you okay?"

Jonathan shook his head with a dry laugh. "Never better, actually."

"Stupid question. Sorry," Gracie quickly apologized, mentally kicking herself again. Of course, he wasn’t "okay." His brother had just been found dead. None of them were okay.

Jonathan sighed, guilt creeping into his voice. "No, I’m sorry. You were just trying to be nice. It’s just my mom—she’s really not taking this well. She’s not taking it at all, actually."

"Yeah, I heard," Gracie admitted. "She thinks she can communicate with him through lights?"

"Basically, yeah." Jonathan nodded, looking exasperated. "I know it sounds crazy."

Gracie shook her head, letting out a small laugh. "Surprisingly, it sounds pretty normal compared to some things that have happened recently."

Jonathan furrowed his eyebrows. "So you believe her, then?"

Gracie paused for a second before admitting, "I—I don’t know. Sometimes it’s nice to just believe. It makes things easier."

"We found his body," Jonathan argued firmly, unable to take another person feeding into what he saw as nonsense. He already thought Hopper had entertained his mother too much.

"I know," Gracie sighed, unable to look past the undeniable proof of Will’s demise. "Look, just give her time. Everyone grieves differently, and she’s probably just in denial."

"This has been going on even before they found the body," Jonathan said, wishing his mother’s behavior was simply part of the five stages of grief. "I mean, she’s created this entire narrative with this monster taking Will, walls opening and closing, the lights, I mean—"

But Gracie had stopped listening, freezing in the middle of his sentence. "Wait, what did you just say?"

------

Quickly leaving a thoroughly confused Jonathan behind, Gracie wasted no time hopping back on her bike, rushing straight to the Wheeler's house.

As soon as she reached their front lawn, she jumped off her bike, leaving it on the sidewalk, and quickly ran up to the door. She wasn't even going to bother knocking, about to barge in when the door suddenly opened, revealing Nancy, who also seemed to be in a rush.

"Gracie!" Nancy exclaimed, surprised but relieved to see her. Stepping outside, she quickly closed the door, not wanting her parents to overhear. "I was just about to go see you—I need to tell you something."

"Me too," Gracie cut in, sure that whatever she had to say took precedence. "Let me go first."

As quickly and precisely as she could, Gracie recounted her conversation with Jonathan, up to the point where he mentioned his mother seeing a faceless monster.

"I mean, she said it took Will. And if it’s the same creature you saw, maybe—"

"It took Barb," Nancy finished, shock evident in her eyes. "We were right. I mean, it can't be a coincidence."

"That's what I said," Gracie agreed. "Jonathan said he was going to look at caskets, so if we wanted, we could meet him there to talk."

Nancy laughed, unable to believe the irony of the entire situation. What were the odds that both of them had found evidence that Barb was taken? Confused, Gracie asked, "What's so funny?"

Shaking her head, Nancy assured her, "No, it's not that. It's just... seeing Jonathan is exactly what I was going to suggest." Instead of explaining further, Nancy took out a taped picture from her bag. Gracie quickly recognized it as the complete picture of Barb sitting by the pool that Carol had previously ripped.

"What—"

"Just look at the side," Nancy cut her off. Gracie's eyes immediately widened. There in the corner was a black blur, faintly shaped like a creature.

"I just taped the picture together, and I mean—what if it's the creature?" Nancy explained. "What if this is it?"

Folding the picture back up, Gracie demanded, "We need to go see Jonathan right now."

Nodding, the girls were about to step off the front porch and rush to the car when the door suddenly swung open, revealing a very annoyed Lucas, Dustin, and Mike.

"Gracie, where the hell have you been?" Dustin asked, shocking Gracie with his presence. She had thought they were all mourning separately today, as she hadn’t received any calls on her walkie-talkie.

"What—"

"We've been calling you all day!" Mike interrupted, not even letting Gracie finish. "What the hell?"

"I didn’t get anything!" Gracie defended herself, quickly taking her walkie-talkie out of her backpack. Upon further inspection, she took out the batteries, shrugging. "The batteries must have died."

"Oh, the batteries just died!" Dustin said in mocking sarcastic tone. Turning back to Lucas and Mike he repeated, "Did you guys hear that? Well then that's okay, it isn't like we called a code red. Let’s go." He finished, tugging her back into the basement where Eleven was already waiting.

Looking at Nancy, Gracie turned back to the boys. "Look, I’m kind of in the middle of something—"

"It's fine," Nancy quickly assured her, noticing the desperate looks in her brother and his friends' eyes. "I can go see Jonathan myself. I’ll come back later to tell you about it."

"Are you sure?" Gracie asked after a moment of hesitation.

Nodding, Nancy smiled. "Yeah, don’t worry about me. You have a job to do."

"Did she just call us a job?"

Ignoring Lucas, Mike jumped between the two girls before Gracie could respond, pushing the girl back into the house. "Okay, you heard her. She’s good by herself. See you, Nancy!"

"Mike, what the hell—"

But the boys didn’t give her time to finish, slamming the door the second they got her inside. "No time to explain," Lucas said, quickly dragging her down to the basement with Mike and Dustin close behind.

"Also, where does Nancy keep her makeup?" Dustin said from behind her.

Gracie barely had time to process what was happening as the boys hurried her down to the basement. The intensity of the situation with Jonathan and Nancy's discovery was still fresh in her mind, but the urgency in Mike, Lucas, and Dustin's voices made it clear something serious was going on with them too.

As they reached the basement, Gracie caught sight of Eleven sitting on the couch, her expression distant but determined. The tension in the room was palpable, and Gracie’s anxiety spiked.

"Okay, seriously, what’s going on?" Gracie asked, glancing between the boys and Eleven.

"Will’s alive," Mike blurted out, eyes wide with a mix of fear and hope, “Look I know it sounds super crazy but you just gotta-“

“I know.” Gracie cut off, suprised but not at the idea that Will was alive but how the boys had come to that conclusion too, "I-I mean I don't know know, but I believe it."

“How do you already know?” Dustin asked, all four boys confused as to how Gracie had known what they had only found out this morning.

Shaking her head, Gracie didn’t want to concern her friends with Barb, who they hardly even knew, “Long story. How do you know?” She asked still confused.

Lucas held up a walkie-talkie. "We heard him, Gracie. He called out to us through this. It’s real. He’s out there."

Gracie’s mind raced, the pieces slowly coming together. First, Jonathan's mention of the monster, then Nancy's picture, and now this. It was all connected somehow, but the how still eluded her.

“You heard him talk?” Gracie asked her head spinning, “He picked up his walkie talkie?”

“Well not exactly.” Mike explained, “Eleven was playing around with the walkie talkie, and somehow she picked up on him breathing.”

“Are you sure you weren’t just on the wrong channel or something?” Gracie asked, having yet to see Eleven’s powers yet, still skeptical to it all.

“It was Will! Look, right now she can only pick up on his breathing but earlier he was singing that stupid song he always does.” Mike exclaimed, Gracie immediately knowing what he was referring to. Will had shown her the song right after Jonathan introduced it to him, Should I Stay or Should I Go. Even thought Gracie already knew the song she pretended not to, seeing how happy Will was to show her something knew.

“It’s not about the channel.” Lucas continued, “It’s almost like she was channeling him.”

“Like Professor X.” Dustin added on, the boys nodding their heads at the analogy.

Looking towards Eleven, who was still sitting on the couch Gracie asked, “Can she do it again?”

“The signal or something is too weak.” Mike said shaking his head, “We need to get her to a stronger radio.”

Gracie’s heart pounded in her chest. "Okay, so what’s the plan? How do we find him?"

"Well if you replaced your damn batteries and picked up one of our thousand calls you would know.” Lucas scorned, Gracie waving her hand in dismissal at the his grumbling

“I’ve got a plan, but it’s a bit unconventional." Dustin cut in, knowing that they didn’t have time to place blame

Gracie raised an eyebrow. "Unconventional how?"

“Mr. Clarke’s Heathkit Ham Shack.” Dustin answered with a proud grin at his idea, “That's why I asked about the makeup. We need to make her look… normal and sneak her into the middle school. So are you in?”

Looking over at Eleven, Gracie looked back at the boys with determination. What was another leap of blind faith anyway. "Okay," Gracie said, taking a deep breath. "Let’s do this.”

------

The group quickly sprang into action, with Gracie leading Mike and Eleven upstairs to search for Nancy's makeup. As Gracie opened Nancy’s vanity drawer, she found the familiar makeup box nestled inside. Meanwhile, Mike and Eleven had made themselves comfortable by the window, quietly chatting. Gracie pulled out the box and called over her shoulder, "Alright, nothing too fancy—just a bit of blush should do."

But when she turned around, she noticed neither of them was paying attention. Instead, they were absorbed in their own conversation. Mike was speaking softly, while Eleven listened with intensity.

The sight brought a smile to Gracie’s face. She had always known that Mike had a soft spot for Eleven, but it wasn’t until now that she truly saw the connection they were building. It was as if, in the midst of all the chaos and danger, they had found something precious—a bond that went beyond just friendship.

Gracie had never really considered the possibility of any of the boys having crushes. To her, they were still the same kids who would rather spend their afternoons playing Dungeons & Dragons in the basement than engaging in anything as mundane as a romance. But now, seeing the way Mike’s face lit up whenever Eleven smiled, she realized how much they had all grown through this ordeal. It was sweet, in a way that tugged at her heart.

Deciding to give them a moment alone, Gracie quietly placed the makeup box between them. "I’ll head back downstairs with Lucas and Dustin to find some clothes. Mike, you got this?"

Mike nodded, his eyes darting nervously from the makeup box to Eleven. He wasn’t exactly confident in his makeup skills, but the chance to spend a few more minutes alone with Eleven was worth the challenge. As Gracie left the room, she shot him a teasing wink, and she didn’t miss the way his cheeks flushed pink in response.

Down in the basement, Gracie found Dustin and Lucas huddled in the corner, rummaging through boxes of the Wheeler family’s old clothes. The basement was dimly lit, with the faint smell of dust and old cardboard filling the air. The boys had already pulled out several items, tossing aside anything that wasn’t useful.

"Any luck?" Gracie asked, kneeling beside them to join the search.

"Not yet," Lucas replied, frustration edging his voice. "But we found a wig. Dustin, show her."

Dustin held up a blonde wig with a flourish, and Gracie’s eyes lit up with recognition. "Oh, that’s Nancy’s old Cinderella wig! She wore it for Halloween when we were kids. I was Belle."

Gracie smiled at the memory, recalling how she, Nancy, and Barb had dressed as princesses for Halloween year after year. Nancy had always been Cinderella, with her blonde wig and sparkling dress. Gracie had chosen Belle, with her brown hair and yellow gown. And Barb…

The smile faltered on Gracie’s face as she remembered Barb, who had always insisted on being Merida from Brave, with her natural red hair cascading down her back. Barb had worn that costume for years, loving the fierce independence of the character.

The memory hit Gracie like a punch to the gut, but she fought back the tears that threatened to spill over. If there was even a chance that Will was alive, then Barb could be too. She had to believe that. She had to hold on to that hope.

Gracie was snapped out of her thoughts by Lucas, who triumphantly held up a dress he’d found at the bottom of a box. "Gracie! How about this?"

She looked up to see Lucas holding a pink long-sleeve dress, one that she instantly recognized as one of Nancy’s old ones. Lucas held it up to his chest, striking a ridiculous pose as if he were modeling it. The sight made all three of them burst into laughter.

"That’s perfect," Gracie said, still chuckling.

They brought the dress upstairs to Eleven, who quickly disappeared into the bathroom to change. The hallway outside the bathroom was quiet, the kind of stillness that only comes in the calm before a storm. Gracie leaned against the wall, her mind racing with everything that had happened that day.

"Do you think this is going to work? Any of this?" Lucas asked, breaking the silence. His voice was laced with doubt, his usual skepticism coming through. Out of all of them, Lucas had always been the most cautious, the one who questioned everything. He had been the most hesitant to believe in Eleven’s abilities, the most reluctant to accept that there might be another explanation for Will’s disappearance.

Gracie took a deep breath, her thoughts heavy. "It has to."

Before they could say anything more, the bathroom door creaked open, and Eleven stepped out. The transformation was stunning. Dressed in the pink outfit and wearing the blonde wig, she looked almost unrecognizable.

"Wow," Dustin whispered, his eyes wide. They all stared, amazed at how different Eleven looked.

"She looks—"

"Pretty," Mike finished for Lucas, his voice soft with admiration. The word seemed to hang in the air, drawing a shy blush from Eleven and knowing smiles from the others. Realizing he’d spoken out loud, Mike quickly added, "Good. I mean, you look pretty good."

Despite the correction, Eleven’s face lit up with happiness. She walked over to the nearest mirror, taking in her reflection with a mixture of surprise and delight. Mike followed her, staying close as if he couldn’t bear to be apart from her for even a moment.

As Dustin and Lucas exchanged amused glances, Gracie playfully swatted the back of their heads. "Cut it out. I think they’re cute."

"No way," Lucas grumbled, crossing his arms in defiance.

"Yeah, girls are gross," Dustin chimed in, and the two boys fist-bumped in solidarity.

Rolling her eyes, Gracie crossed her arms over her chest. "One day, you two will have crushes too, and you won’t think it’s so gross."

The boys responded with exaggerated gagging noises, making Gracie laugh. She left them to their antics and walked over to join Mike and Eleven, who were still admiring Eleven’s new look in the mirror.

Standing behind Eleven, Gracie couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the girl’s happiness. It was a rare moment of joy in the midst of everything they were facing, and it warmed her heart to see Eleven so pleased.

"Pretty," Eleven murmured quietly, her eyes still fixed on the mirror. Then, she glanced at Mike’s reflection and added, "Good."

Gracie shook her head fondly and knelt down beside Eleven, their faces close as they both looked into the mirror. Gently adjusting the wig, Gracie smiled and corrected her softly, "No. Just pretty."

------

Gracie was stunned by how much had happened in such a short span of time. Before the school day had even ended, she had been interviewed by the police, had a startling conversation with Jonathan, confirmed everything with Nancy, and now found herself sneaking back into Hawkins Middle School with the party to find a radio so Eleven could try to contact Will.

As they crept through the dimly lit hallways toward the AV room, the loudspeaker crackled to life above them. "Attention, students," the principal's voice echoed, "there will be an assembly to honor Will Byers in the gymnasium now. Do not go to fourth period."

Gracie felt a pang in her chest. It was heartening to know that the community was mourning Will, but all she could hope was that their efforts today would prove that the assembly wasn’t necessary—that Will was still alive somewhere out there.

"Remember, if anyone sees us, look sad," Mike instructed, the rest of the group nodding as they remembered they were supposed to be mourning their missing friend. They finally reached the AV room, but when Mike tried the handle, it wouldn’t budge.

"It’s locked," Mike sighed, causing a chorus of groans from the others.

Dustin turned to Eleven with a hopeful grin. "Hey, do you think you can open it? With your powers?"

Before Eleven could respond, Mr. Clarke appeared around the corner, catching them off guard. "Boys? The assembly is about to start," he said, eyeing the group suspiciously as they tried to play it cool.

"Gracie?" Mr. Clarke asked, puzzled when he noticed her with the boys. "Shouldn’t you be at the high school?"

Caught off guard, Gracie quickly scrambled for an explanation. "Oh, h-hi, Mr. Clarke!" she stammered, giving him a sheepish smile. "I’m their babysitter, and their parents wanted me to stay with them all day because, you know... we’re just so sad about Will."

"So sad," Lucas echoed, quickly swapping his grin for a frown in an attempt to sell the story.

Fortunately, Mr. Clarke seemed to buy their less-than-convincing act. "That’s really kind of you," he said, smiling warmly at Gracie. "You’re a good babysitter." Gracie mumbled a quiet thank you, relieved that he hadn’t caught on to their deception. "Well, the assembly is about to start," he continued, turning back to the boys.

"We know," Mike replied, his tone appropriately somber. "We just need some time alone."

"T-to cry," Dustin added, stumbling over his words.

Mr. Clarke nodded sympathetically. "Yeah, I get it. I know how hard this is, but let’s just be there for Will, okay? And then... the Heathkit is all yours for the rest of the day. What do you say?"

With a wink, Mr. Clarke tossed Gracie the keys to the AV room. The group exchanged triumphant grins, nodding eagerly at the arrangement.

That’s when Mr. Clarke’s eyes landed on Eleven, and he cocked his head curiously. "I don’t believe we’ve met. What’s your name?"

"Eleven—"

"Eleanor!" Mike quickly interrupted, cutting off the confused girl. "She’s, uh, she’s—"

"His cousin," Gracie chimed in, seeing Mike struggle to come up with a lie.

"Second cousin," Dustin added, as if that somehow made it more believable.

Regaining his composure, Mike continued, "She’s here for Will’s funeral."

Mr. Clarke’s expression softened as he looked at Eleven. "Ah, well, welcome to Hawkins Middle, Eleanor. I just wish you were here under better circumstances." Eleven mumbled a small thank you, but Mr. Clarke pressed on, "Where are you from exactly?"

"Bad place—"

"Sweden!" Gracie exclaimed, once again cutting off Eleven. "Mike’s got a lot of Swedish family," she explained, with Mike nodding fervently in agreement.

"She hates it there," Dustin chimed in, and suddenly everyone was talking over each other, trying to make the story stick.

"Cold!" Lucas added, eager to join in.

"Subzero," Dustin affirmed.

A bit surprised by their frantic explanations, Mr. Clarke simply shrugged and smiled. "Shall we?"

The five of them quickly followed Mr. Clarke toward the gym, eager to escape what had felt like an interrogation. As they approached, Gracie could already hear the principal droning on with his speech. His words were as generic and uninspired as she had feared: "At times like these, it is important that we come together as a community. We come—"

Suddenly, Dustin pushed open the gym doors, and the five of them were met with hundreds of eyes staring directly at them. The entire student body and faculty were seated, their faces a mix of sorrow and confusion as they turned to see who had interrupted the solemn event. It was like one of those nightmares where you suddenly find yourself in front of a crowd in your underwear—only this time, it wasn’t a dream, and it was just as awkward.

"Abort," Dustin whispered urgently, he and Lucas instinctively stepping back, but Gracie grabbed the backs of their shirts, preventing them from retreating.

With a deep breath, she steered them into the gym, walking through the rows of seated students until they found an empty spot. The principal continued his uninspiring speech as if nothing had happened, but Gracie could hardly focus on his words. "We come together to heal... we come together to grieve..."

This was going to be pure agony.

------

"...Will Byers’ death is an unimaginable tragedy. Will was an exceptional student and a wonderful friend to all of us."

Gracie could hardly believe the principal was still droning on. It felt like an eternity had passed, and yet he was nowhere near finished. Sure, she appreciated the gesture of the assembly—at least on the surface. But it was hard to take seriously, knowing that many of the same people now shedding tears had ignored Will and the boys' complaints about bullies at lunch. This whole assembly felt like a performance, a way for the school to pretend they cared when, in reality, they hadn't done much for Will when he was still here.

As Gracie scanned the faces of the students around her, all she saw were expressions of boredom and indifference. It made her stomach churn.

Mike, clearly just as fed up, muttered under his breath, "Look at these fakers."

Lucas nodded in agreement. "They probably didn’t even know his name until today."

Suddenly, laughter broke out from a group to their left. All five of them turned to see who could be so disrespectful during the assembly. Gracie immediately recognized them—Troy and his friend, the same boys she’d had to reprimand more than once for bullying her kids.

"Who cares about this? This is so stupid," one of them mocked.

"Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah..." the other joined in, their snickering growing louder.

Gracie felt bile rise in her throat, but she kept her composure, refusing to make a scene again. Eleven, however, muttered under her breath, "Mouth breather," earning nods and murmurs of approval from the rest of the party.

Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of the assembly. The students and teachers wasted no time jumping to their feet, confirming to Gracie that their concern for Will was little more than a façade.

Before she could fully process what was happening, Mike stormed over to Troy, his face red with anger. "Hey, Troy! You... you think this is funny?"

Troy turned to Mike, unfazed and smirking. "What’d you say, Wheeler?"

Mike’s confidence faltered for a second, but he quickly found his voice again. "I saw you guys laughing over there. And I think that’s a really messed-up thing to do."

Gracie and the rest of the party caught up with Mike, standing by his side. She didn’t stop him, proud that he was standing up for Will without resorting to violence—yet.

But Troy and his friend only sneered, the larger boy scoffing, "Didn’t you listen to the counselor, Wheeler? Grief shows itself in funny ways."

Troy, ever the taunter, added, "Besides, what’s there to be sad about, anyway? Will’s in fairyland now, right? Flying around with all the other little fairies. All happy and gay!"

Gracie had to physically restrain herself from doing something she’d regret. As a high schooler, getting into a fight with a middle schooler wouldn’t end well, no matter how deserved it was.

But Mike wasn’t bound by the same restrictions. He glanced at Gracie, almost as if seeking her approval. She gave him a nod, and that was all Mike needed. He marched up to Troy and shoved him hard, knocking him to the ground.

"Yeah, kick his ass, Mike!" Gracie cheered, but she should have known that a push was about all Mike had in him. Troy quickly scrambled to his feet, eyes blazing with fury. "You’re dead, Wheeler! Dead!"

Gracie stepped forward, ready to handle the situation. "Now listen here, you little shi—"

But her words caught in her throat as Troy suddenly froze in mid-stride, his eyes wide with confusion and something else—fear.

Everyone around them went still, the crowd of students that had gathered unsure of what was happening. Gracie’s eyes widened in realization as she noticed a dark stain spreading down the front of Troy’s pants.

"Dude, Troy peed himself!" someone from the crowd snickered, and that was all it took for everyone to burst into laughter.

Even Gracie couldn’t help but join in, along with the rest of the party. Dustin chortled, "Holy shit!" Gracie didn’t even have the heart to scold him for his language, too busy glancing at Eleven, who was wiping her nose with a satisfied smile.

Gracie realized that this was the first time she'd actually seen Eleven use her powers. Uptil then she had simply taken the boys' words for her abilities but not only what she had done been funny as hell, but it also installed faith and hope to the possibility of truly finding Will and Barb.

Still chuckling, Gracie grabbed Mike’s hand. "Let’s get out of here." She quickly gathered the boys, pulling them out of the gym before any adults could intervene. While it had been fun to watch Troy get what he deserved, they had more important things to focus on now.

Now, they were going to find Will.

------

As quickly as they could, the party rushed back to the AV room. Gracie, familiar with the space from countless afternoons spent with the boys, quickly found the light switch. She’d been in this room more times than she could count, but today felt different—today was going to trump all those other times by a milestone.

The group gathered around Eleven, who sat in front of the Heathkit. Mike immediately started adjusting the radio, tuning the frequencies with an intensity that kept the rest of them silent.

“Now what?” Dustin asked, breaking the silence, his confusion mirrored by the others, except for Mike, who seemed to know exactly what was supposed to happen.

“She’s gonna find him,” Mike answered, still focused on the radio. “Right, El?”

Eleven didn’t respond. Instead, she leaned forward, closing her eyes. The boys instinctively took a step back, giving her space as the room filled with static from the radio. For a moment, nothing happened—just the crackling hum of static filling the tense air.

Then, suddenly, the static grew louder, the frequency shifting erratically. The party unconsciously leaned closer, eyes wide with a mixture of awe and fear. “She’s doing it,” Mike grinned, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and disbelief. “She’s finding him!”

“This is crazy,” Dustin breathed, echoing the astonishment on Gracie’s face. She was too stunned to speak.

Lucas, however, remained skeptical. “Calm down. She just closed her eyes.”

But before Lucas could finish, the light above them flickered and sparked before going out with a sharp hiss, plunging the room into semi-darkness. Everyone gasped, the suddenness of it making Gracie’s heart race.

"Holy..." Dustin whispered, as Gracie placed a hand on her chest, trying to calm her pounding heart. In the eerie quiet that followed, a strange clanging sound emerged from the radio, pulling everyone’s attention back to the device.

The clanging grew louder, rhythmic, like heavy footsteps echoing through an empty space. Gracie’s mind raced—what could it be? Was it... something stomping?

“What is that?” Dustin asked, but no one could answer, all of them equally transfixed and terrified by the sound.

Then, cutting through the clanging, a child’s whimper echoed from the radio. Gracie’s heart leaped to her throat. She knew that voice—she would recognize it anywhere. It was the same sound Will made when he fell off his bike last year.

“Mom?”

There was no doubt in her mind now. The voice belonged to Will Byers.

Lucas, finally convinced, gasped, "No way!"

“Mom... Mom!” Will’s voice trembled through the speakers, and the entire group sprang into action, their initial shock replaced by a desperate need to communicate.

“Will!” Mike called out, leaning closer to the radio. “Will, it’s us! Are you there?”

“Can you hear us?” Lucas shouted, desperation lacing his voice. “We’re here!”

But there was no response from Will—just more frantic pleas. “Hello? Mom?”

“Why can’t he hear us?” Gracie asked, her voice trembling with fear. The terror in Will’s voice twisted her stomach into knots.

“I don’t know!” Mike cried, just as distraught.

Will’s voice grew more frantic, “Mom, it’s coming!” The urgency in his tone sent a cold shiver down Gracie’s spine. She remembered the faceless monster Nancy had described. Was that what was after Will?

“Mom! It’s like home, but it’s so dark... It’s so dark and empty. And it’s cold!” Will’s voice echoed through the small room, each word a dagger to Gracie’s heart. Dustin, visibly shaking, clung to Gracie’s side, and she quickly wrapped an arm around him, trying to provide some comfort even as her own fear mounted.

Suddenly, a low growling sound began to accompany the clanging, growing louder and more menacing by the second. It was followed by a screech that made Gracie clap her hand over her mouth, tears spilling down her face. Whatever it was, it was alive, and it was after Will.

Run, Will, run! Gracie thought desperately, but the words refused to leave her lips.

Time seemed to stretch on endlessly as they listened to Will’s terrified pleas. Then, with a sudden, sharp crack, the radio’s circuitry shorted out, the device bursting into flames. The boys yelped in shock, but Gracie was quick to react, grabbing the nearby fire extinguisher and dousing the flames. The Heathkit was ruined, but that was the least of their concerns.

The fire alarm blared above them, and Gracie knew they had to get out before anyone caught them. Turning back to the boys, she saw them huddled around Eleven, who had passed out from the exertion.

“El, are you okay?” Mike asked, his voice thick with worry, but there was no response.

“Here, help me get her up,” Gracie ordered. Mike carefully lifted the small girl from the chair. Gracie took Eleven from him, throwing her over her shoulder. She moved quickly, ushering the boys out of the AV room and into the hallway, the fire alarm still wailing.

As they made their way out of the school, Gracie’s mind raced. She was overwhelmed with emotions—relief that Will was alive, but also a deep, gnawing fear. Whatever had been making those horrible noises was with Will. And if Will was trapped with it, was Barb trapped with it as well?

One thing was clear: Neither of them were safe. And while Will might be alive now, their time to save him or Barb was running out.

[stranger-marauders]

i could never let you go

one: honey, honey mamma mia! au

chapter summary: One day before Lena's wedding, you begin helping your daughter make preparations as guests arrive on the island.

chapter warnings: use of y/n, language, absent father, single-mom struggles

word count: 3.7k

series masterlist | masterlist

Before anyone knew it, the day before Lena’s wedding was here.

Lena hadn’t imagined that the time between her sending out invitations and her wedding date would have passed by so quickly. It hadn’t quite hit her how quickly those three months had gone by until her best friends Jenny and Sarah arrived at Pinestead Island that afternoon, just a day before her wedding. Everything about her wedding had all very quickly become real, and for Lena, the thought of marrying Leo forever became more and more exciting with every passing moment.

Whenever Lena finally saw her two friends, after hours of delay, both girls took her into a hug quickly, nearly squeezing her to death.

“Jenny! Sarah! Where have you been?” she asked, finally letting go of them both. “I thought you’d get here hours ago.”

“What a journey!” Jenny said. “Guess who left their ticket on the kitchen table.”

“We said, ‘We have to get on this plane. It’s our best friend’s wedding tomorrow,’” Sarah explained, trying to make herself look better.

“Sarah!”

“Lena!” she argued back. “If you would’ve been as stressed out as we were, you would’ve left your plane ticket on the kitchen table, too!”

“I’m sure,” Lena replied, not wanting to fight her on the subject.

“We made such a fuss,” Jenny further explained. “We had to get on that plane! It’s not like we were going to actually miss your wedding over something so stupid.”

“I actually told the lady that we would fly in the luggage compartment if necessary and she let us go.”

Lena shook her head. “Wow. All for Leo and I’s wedding. Amazing.”

“Speaking of him, where is he? Your Leo? We are dying to meet him.”

“How’s your mom? I bet she’s going nuts over this wedding.”

Lena almost laughed—Jenny didn’t even know the half of it.

While she loved you, you certainly had been doing everything you could and more for this wedding. Part of your daughter was scared that you would absolutely lose your mind before tomorrow night because of everything going on, and that was without you knowing what she’d done.

“Yeah, well, listen,” Lena started, “I’ve got a secret and I can’t tell anyone else.”

“Oh my God!” Sarah shouted. “You’re pregnant!”

“No!” she exclaimed in response.

At least, Lena hoped she wasn’t pregnant. She was not ready to be a mother at twenty, and she certainly didn’t think you would be ready to be a grandmother at forty-two. That, of course, provided that you 1) didn’t have a stroke or 2) didn’t kill her first.

“No, Jesus, I’m inviting my dad to the wedding.”

“Your dad?”

“You mean you’ve found him at last?” Sarah asked.

“Kind of? Not exactly?”

Whenever Jenny and Sarah gave her both confused looks, she sighed. Lena had come prepared to explain everything to them.

“Every time I’ve ever asked about my father, all my mom has ever said about it was that it was a summer romance, and that he was long gone before she realized that she was pregnant with me. Whenever she finally told me that I wasn’t allowed to ask about it anymore, I’d always kind of accepted the fact that that was all I’d ever really get to know about him.”

Jenny and Sarah’s attention was quickly snagged to her hands, specifically the diary that she was holding in her hands.

“But then I found this in my mom’s desk.”

Jenny gasped. “Lena! You’re not supposed to go around reading your Mom’s diary, especially if it’s about her summer romance!”

“If anything, she should be snooping in your desk and reading your diary,” Sarah said.

“But look!”

Lena showed the inside jacket of the diary to the two girls where your name and a year were located in your handwriting.

“See what that says? 1990. The same year she fell pregnant with me. Don’t you see?”

“I don’t know, this still seems like snooping.”

“Oh, it totally is, and I don’t regret a second of it. You know how she won’t talk about my dad, says she can’t remember any of that night? She’s full of it!” Lena, of course, began to read passages of the diary out loud to her friends. “July seventeenth. What a night! After the show, Steve rode me over to the little island not too far from the mainland. We danced on the beach, and kissed on the beach, and… dot, dot, dot.”

“What?” Jenny asked, confused.

“Dot, dot, dot,” Sarah repeated. “It’s what they did in the olden days when they had sex.”

“Steve’s the one,” Lena said, wanting to ignore Sarah’s comment about her mom having sex. “I know he is. I’ve never felt like this before about anyone.”

“So this guy Steve’s your dad?” Sarah asked.

“The plot thickens,” Lena countered. “Steve told my mom he was going home to get married.”

“Ugh! Dick!” Jenny exclaimed. “Typical shitty man! No wonder your mom didn’t want to talk about him. He broke her heart.”

“I know,” she said. “He sounds like a dick, but he still could be my dad.”

Without any more comments on Potential Father Candidate Number One, Lena continued to read your diary, and Jenny and Sarah huddled closer around her, almost as if to double-check everything that their friend read from your diary from long ago.

“August fourth. What a night! I was still feeling depressed about Steve, but after the show, Jonathan rented a motorboat, and I took him over to the little island. One thing led to another and… dot, dot, dot.”

“Jonathan!” the other two girls shouted. “So could it be him, too? What happened to him?”

“I don’t know, but the plot thickens even further,” Lena said, flipping to another page in the diary. “August fifteenth. What a night! Eddie turns up out of the blue, so I said I’d show him the little island. I must need my head examined after this summer. But he was so sweet, I couldn’t help it, and…”

“Dot, dot, dot!” all three girls shouted, nearly squealing and giggling at the thought.

“So, to answer your question, yes! After all these years, the sperm donor has a name,” Lena said, somewhat pleased with herself. “Well, three names. Steve, Jonathan, or Eddie.”

“And they’re all coming for the wedding?” Jenny asked.

“Yes!”

“Jesus Christ, Lena,” Sarah said, seemingly anxious over this situation her best friend had put herself into. “Do they know?”

“What do you write a total stranger?” Lena asked. “Come to my wedding, you might be my dad?”

“I mean, you could have written that.”

“Jesus Christ, no! They think my mom sent the invitations. And after what’s in here, I’m not surprised they all said yes.”

“Oh my God, Lena,” Jenny said. “Are you sure about this?”

“Yes! I want the perfect wedding, and I want my dad to give me away,” she replied without hesitation. “It’s what I’ve always wanted.”

“Well, let’s hope it’s a wide aisle,” Sarah said. “I can’t believe your mom was able to get all that in just one summer.”

“Are you really surprised?” Jenny asked.

“Actually, no, not really. Lena’s mom is pretty cool.”

“Yeah, well, speaking of my mom, we’ve got to keep her out of the way. She can’t know what I’m doing or else she’ll kill me.”

“She’s bound to find out sooner or later,” Jenny stated.

Lena, however, wasn’t having it. Considering how things ended between you and these men, especially Steve, she didn’t want to imagine what would happen to her if you found out about their presence on the island. She had to figure out who her father was before you spotted any of the three men on the island. With that thought process, that also meant she had to find a place for them to stay and get them to stay without seeing you, all before her wedding. Shouldn’t have been too difficult, right?

“There’s a part of me missing, and when I meet my dad, everything will fall into place. I’m not going to give my mom the chance to scare them off before I’ve even gotten to know them. And with any luck, I’ll know my dad straight away.”

“Yeah, and what if you don’t?”

“Then I’ve got twenty-four hours to figure it out, right?”

Jenny and Sarah could only sigh as they followed their friend back to your villa. They both could only think how terrible of an idea Lena had come up with, and now there wasn’t anything they could do about it.

You had been sitting on the dock of your villa for hours.

Realistically, you knew it hadn’t really been that long, but you felt like you’d been standing on that dock forever, only waiting for your friends to arrive. You could only explain your impatience by your typical lack of downtime. While you loved sitting on the dock, looking out onto Lake Michigan, you normally didn’t have any time to do so. There was always so much to do around the villa that you didn’t really have time to relax, unlike the other people on Pinestead Island.

The boat that you were waiting on to arrive carried your two best friends in the entire world: Nancy Wheeler and Robin Buckley. The two of them had gone to college with you years ago, graduating in the year 1990. Even though they were both your best friends, you never got to see the two of them, mostly because they had both become so successful over the course of twenty years while you were stuck on Pinestead running a shitty villa. You truly were living the dream.

Robin was extremely rich. While she had come into much of that money by herself, as she spoke four languages and translation services were, apparently, greatly appreciated all over the world, she had also married rich three separate times to three extremely wealthy women. You weren’t quite sure that she’d ever get married again unless another woman did something to truly woo her. Until then, you didn’t think there was any chance of Robin Buckley ever being a bride again.

Nancy, on the other hand, hadn’t ever been one for love. Other than the occasional fling here and there, she had remained extremely focused on her journalism career, which had taken her all across the world. Because of that, she had always remained successful, and Nancy had even managed to release a few books over the years with her own findings. As far as you were concerned, you didn’t ever expect Nancy to find a person she liked enough to settle down with, never mind to marry. You didn’t think Nancy would ever find love—in a way, maybe the two of you were the same.

Whenever a boat finally docked in front of you, leaving two women trying their best to pull their luggage out of the vehicle, you began to run from the other side of the dock.

“Well look what the tide’s washed in!”

“Hey, for one night!” Nancy shouted back.

“And one night only!” Robin added.

As you reached them, all three of you shouted, “It’s Y/N and the Dynamos!”

Robin and Nancy hugged you tightly, almost as if it was the last time they’d ever get to see you. In a way, you liked it. You never got to see them, and it was nice to feel loved by someone other than your daughter and her fiancé.

Whenever Nancy pulled away from the group hug, she chuckled. “So, how’s the mother of the bride?”

“Oh, great now,” you replied. “God, Robin! Eight years!”

“I know, I know,” she said sheepishly. “Blame it on a penchant for jet-setting millionaires.”

“Yeah, well, it’s not your fault you’ve been busy.” You sighed. “While you’ve been off exploring the world, I’ve been chained to this place. I feel like I’m constantly fighting with our stupid fucking bank manager.”

“I pity the poor bank manager,” Nancy replied.

Before you could say anything else, Lena ran down the dock. “Aunt Nance!”

“Oh my God, Lena, I swear you get more beautiful every time I see you. Do I get a hug for coming all this way?”

Lena, of course, didn’t make Nancy fight her for a hug. Instead, she threw her arms around her surrogate aunt and took her in tight. Whenever she finally let her go, Robin stood across from her sheepishly.

“I bet you don’t remember me,” she said softly, not knowing what to say.

“Of course, I do, Aunt Rob!” Lena exclaimed, quickly pulling her into a hug.

“Aw!” you said, getting somewhat emotional as you four began walking to the villa. “Look at my baby, her whole life ahead of her.”

Lena laughed. “Mom, I’m getting married, not joining a convent.”

“Well, in my day, they didn’t get married at twenty,” you replied.

“No, in our day, they didn’t get married at all,” Robin added. “Unless you were marrying for money or something.”

Neither of you was wrong. Even still now, neither you nor Nancy had ever gotten married, nor had there truly ever been any attempts to. Robin, on the other hand, had gotten married three times, each time to a “crazy rich bitch,” as you and Nancy liked to call her former wives. Nonetheless, there hadn’t ever been a beautiful love story for the three of you, nor did you think there would be for a long time.

That was why you couldn’t figure out for the life of you why your daughter wanted this wedding.

“A white wedding! I don’t know where she gets it from.”

“Don’t blame me, Y/N! It wasn’t my idea,” Leo said as he walked up the deck.

You knew it wasn’t Leo’s idea either, which was why you hadn’t ever blamed him, nor would you start to now. You knew that if he was given the opportunity, he would skip the ceremony, go to a courthouse on the mainland, and backpack with your daughter across the world without a second thought. In fact, he’d expressed that exact scenario to you many times as he helped you do work around the villa. His future with Lena, in his eyes, didn’t require her in a white dress. All he wanted was her, and he was okay with that.

Lena was a lucky girl. Maybe she didn’t have everything in the world, which you had always wished you could have given her, but she had a mother and a fiancé that loved her more than life itself. As far as you were concerned, Lena had her entire life ahead of her. 

You knew that you and Leo both would move mountains to make sure that Lena could have exactly what she wanted. That was the only reason you were both going through with such a big wedding in the first place.

“Girls, meet the leading man for tomorrow evening,” you said, stepping out of Leo’s way. “Leo, this is Nancy and Robin, my best friends in the entire world.”

“Hi!” Leo greeted. “I’ve heard lots about you both from Lena and her mom.”

“I’m assuming it was the bad stuff,” Robin said, somewhat jokingly. “I hope it was. It makes us sound much more interesting.”

Before Leo could answer, two of his groomsmen joined them.

“Where’s the 2–4s, eh, Leo?” one of the young men asked, who always seemed like such young boys compared to you.

“Sorry, what was that?” Robin asked, confused.

“He’s from Toronto,” the other boy explained.

“My name’s Pepper,” he explained.

“Because… you’re burning my mouth and destroying my intestines?” Robin asked, still confused.

“No, because he gets up your nose and is a pain in the ass.”

“Pepper and Eric are supposed to be my bar staff, waiters, boatsmen. You know, the general help. Except generally, they’re absolutely no help at all,” you said, somewhat bitterly. “Speaking of that, don’t you have any work to do considering, I don’t know, there’s a wedding here tomorrow?”

“Sir, yes, sir!” Eric and Pepper shouted in sync, quickly scurrying off the front lawn before they could truly feel your wrath.

You smiled once they had left your line of vision. “They always think I’m gonna fire them. I like it. It keeps them lively.”

“I see that,” Nancy said. “Glad to see you haven’t changed much.”

Before anyone could make any comments about how you treated your staff, Robin exclaimed, “This place is beautiful!”

“Leo is the only reason it looks half as good as it does.”

“Why? What have you been up to?” Robin asked him.

“You haven’t been here too long, have you?” Nancy asked.

“No,” Leo started, “I came here from Chicago during my gap year to escape my parents. I loved it here so much with Y/N and Lena that I’ve never gone back.”

“Why?”

“I was tired of dealing with them. Abusive assholes, you know. I was tired of being in their world.”

“But you should see what he’s done to my world,” you explained. “He’s gotten me online!”

“You?” Nancy shouted, almost as if she couldn’t believe it.

“Email, wired up, buckled down.”

“You’ve got to move with the times, Y/N. No more dollar stacks under the mattress,” Leo said, somewhat teasingly.

“Yeah?” you asked. “Just invest me a machine that’ll make beds. Then I’ll be happy.”

“Oh, stop, I know you,” Lena argued, smiling brightly. “You’d still run behind it and do it all again.”

“Are you joking? I’d be more than happy to put my feet up when the boat comes in.”

“Speaking of boats,” Nancy started, “I’d sink that old wreck you’ve got hung up on the dock.”

“Sink it?” Leo asked, somewhat confused.

“I mean, it doesn’t look like it’s in too great of condition,” she explained.

“Well, that eyesore’s gonna be my floating casino,” you replied.

“What?”

“Leo and Eric are transforming it into a millionaire’s paradise.”

“Just imagine it: sailing around the islands, gambling under the stars. Sounds great, doesn’t it?” Leo said.

“Gambling millionaires?” Nancy asked. “There might be a few of your ex-wives aboard, Robin.”

“Don’t think so,” Robin explained. “Last time I checked, none of them are millionaires anymore.”

“Well, millionaires or not, it’s our next project. I’m hoping it’ll put me up in the millions with you both,” you said. You then looked at your daughter, speaking to her. “I’m taking them out to the house. You and Leo gonna be all right by yourselves?”

Lena giggled. “I think we’ll be okay, Mom.”

As the three of you entered the villa, leaving the two of them behind you, you sighed as you took Robin and Nancy up to your room.

“I thought you didn’t want tons of tourists here,” Nancy finally said.

“Not tons, definitely not,” you replied, “but, you know, a few more, at least, would be nice.” You quickly changed the subject. “Okay, now, the thing about the toilet, if it doesn’t flush right away, just go and come back in a while, and it should…”

You sighed again. You couldn’t even believe what you were saying. Your millionaire best friends were here and the toilets didn’t work. Of course, nothing in this place really worked, but guests still came nonetheless.

“Nothing works around here, except for me. I’ve been running this hotel for fifteen years, and I’ve never had a day off.” 

Whenever you opened the window for some fresh air, the shutter fell off of it, presumably rotten to the hinges. You told yourself internally to add that window to the list of repairs that needed to be made around the place. The shutter itself, though, nearly missed one of your employees.

“Oh my God! Sorry!”

Whenever they waived, not truly caring because, at this point, things falling off the side of the place wasn’t even a surprise, you sighed again.

“What’s wrong?” Robin asked.

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

“No, what is it?” she repeated, almost as if she was going to make you talk about your feelings.

You knew better than to fight Nancy or Robin on such a thing. They both knew you better than anyone, and they certainly weren’t going to let you suffer internally. At the very least you could tell them what was going on and they would make you drink the problem away.

“It’s stupid.”

Nancy shrugged. “Okay? Let’s hear it.”

“I don’t know, it’s just… It’s too bad I couldn’t have married rich or something,” you said, somewhat regretfully. “I mean, I know that that’s, like, borderline sexism and just overall really shitty of me to say, but I mean it. It would be nice to have a nice guy with a bunch of money that could take care of this place for me, just so I can have just a minute of peace.”

“Sounds nice, actually,” Nancy said.

“Yeah, except for the man part,” Robin retorted. “If you need money, Y/N, you know that I’m more than willing to help you.”

“Oh, Rob, you know I’m not gonna take your money.”

“You wouldn’t be taking it, it would be a donation. I could even use it as a tax write-off!”

“Donation or not, I’m not taking it,” you replied. “No, I… I’m just whining. You know me. Complaining just like always.”

Robin only sighed in response. 

She and Nancy both wished that you would have let them help you. Part of them wanted to simply force you to let them help out around the place, but they both knew that you would be miserably embarrassed if they did that to you. You had never been one to take handouts, and you wouldn't start now.

Because of that, they thought that they would both leave the thought alone.

“Let’s not think about that right now,” Nancy said. “I mean, come on, your daughter’s getting married tomorrow! Let’s go have fun.”

Even though you hesitated, you knew, more than anything, that you wouldn’t be able to handle the next few hours sober.

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