#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. 

[keeryhours]

Masterlist

Scream: The Hawkins Massacre Masterlist

More of a horror story than a romance, but features Eddie Munson x female! reader

Summary: It’s fall of 1990. The peaceful small town of Hawkins is shook to its core when a string of murders begin, and it’s up to the Party to solve the murders - and stay alive.

Warnings: (18+) Violence, blood, character deaths, smut, general horror movie vibes, check individual chapter warnings

Note: Inspired by the Scream movies, but not the same. This story features all characters, aged up because of the violence - Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, Max, and El are 18. Nancy, Jonathan, Robin, Argyle, Jason, and Reader are 22. Billy, Steve, and Tommy are 23, and Eddie is 24.

Act I - coming very soon

Act II

Act III

Act IV

Act V

dividers by @/strangergraphics

[allergictosoup]

i never used to be that invested in byler, kinda like ‘if it happens it happens’ type of thing, but you bitches on here have made it so it’s all i can think about. my thoughts consist of nothing else. you’ve ruined me. now i’m gonna be insufferable if they aren’t endgame. what have you done.

[stevesgother]

Little Red Lighthouse (Ongoing)

When you move away from your hometown and your best friend turned part time lover to get a fresh start, you realize independence and freedom isn't always what it's cracked up to be. When you return, will you be able to make amends with Steve after 5 long years apart? Or will the resentment have festered too deep?

Little Red Lighthouse

Strange

Part 3 - Coming soon!

[xspeter]

episode two: the weirdo on maple street

˚✧˚. summary: you meet a girl with a buzz cut, finally learn why Conner’s been ignoring you, and get into a blowout fight with your twin brother

m.list

wc: 6.1k

notes: “but kat! we haven’t even had any real interactions with steve yet! isn’t this a steve harrington story?” patience everyone, it’s coming i swear. but i meant it when i said slow burn.

You don’t know what you were expecting when you arrived at The Wheeler residence. Maybe some tears? Some yelling? You can say with full certainty though, that a girl wearing nothing but an oversized benny’s diner shirt and Ted Wheelers jacket all while adorning the cleanest buzz cut you’d ever seen was nowhere near the top of your list. In fact, it wasn’t even on the list!

She stuck out like a sore thumb in the basement, her breathing shallow and her face pale. Mike swallows, turning to look up at you. “We found her in the woods out by Mirkwood.” He explains, but you can’t get yourself to look away from her.

She’s soaked to the bone, her eyes glancing warily between the four of you. “Is there a number we can call? For your parents?” Mike asks.

Dustin looks at her wide eyed, “Where’s your hair? Do you have cancer?”

“Dustin!” You reprimanded.

“Did you run away?”

“Are you in some kind of trouble?”

“Is that blood?”

The girl's breathing quickens even more, and if you didn’t know any better you’d say she looked like she was going to have a panic attack. All of the boys' questions are probably overwhelming her, and honestly they were making you anxious as well. “Boys! Enough, okay? She's just scared, and cold.” You say sharply, effectively shutting them up.

You lean down so you’re eye level with the girl, cautiously placing your hand on her knee. She jumps at the contact, but doesn’t make any move to pull away. “Mike, get her something to change into.” You murmur.

He does as he’s told, jogging over to what you’re assuming is his clean clothes hamper. He comes back holding a blue sweater and grey sweatpants. “Here, these are clean.”

You take the clothes from him and hand them to her cautiously, “You must be freezing.” You murmur. She doesn’t reply as she takes them from you, her big, brown eyes never leaving your face, like she’s scared something will happen if she looks away.

Suddenly, she stands and lets the jacket she’s wearing fall back onto the couch. You stand back up to your full height as well, your knees cracking as you do. “The bathroom is over-” You attempt to tell her, but she reaches down to pull her shirt over her head before you can stop her.

The boys all instantly turn around, their eyes wide and cheeks red. “Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!” Dustin repeats.

Without thinking, you grab her wrist and stop her, and she flinches at the sudden touch. You swallow, letting her go cautiously and pointing towards the basement bathroom. “Let's change in the bathroom, okay?” You murmur.

She doesn’t say anything, just nods, and you sigh in relief as she follows you. She looks around the bathroom uncomfortably, and you reach to pull the door shut, but she stops you.

“You don’t want it shut?” You ask, and she slowly shakes her head, and then mutters her first word. “No.”

You smile, “Okay. We’ll leave it cracked, alright?”

Once more, she just nods, and you turn away from the now cracked door so she can change. You can see the boys all discussing something, but you can’t really hear them, something about Alcatraz?

Still, you don’t really care about whatever it is they’re saying right now, you just want to know how the hell they found this little girl. “Hey!” You call out to them, and they all freeze, turning to you with questioning looks. “What the hell is going on?”

The boys all exchange looks with each other, and Mike is the first to speak up after a moment of silence, his voice soft. “We found her while we were looking for Will.”

You wet your lips, trying to wrap your head around what they’ve said. “Looking for Will? Boys, it’s pouring outside-”

“So? If Will is out there in the rain why should we stop looking because of it?” Lucas defends, and your heart aches a bit for the boys. You hadn’t really thought about them at all today, you’d been so busy focusing on your family and yourself. It makes you feel like shit. You sigh, wrapping your arms around yourself. “You can’t look for Will if you get sick, or even worse, hurt.” You explain to them, “I know we’re all worried for him, but you can’t put yourselves into danger because you want to find him.”

They don’t say anything, and you don’t really blame them. You weren’t mad at them, you just wanted them to be more cautious. “Do your parents even know that you went?”

Dustin shakes his head slowly, and you just nod. Mike sighs, his wet hair sticking to his forehead and dripping into the floor. “Look, she can sleep here tonight.” He says, changing the topic back to the girl.

Dustin’s eyes go wide, “You’re letting a girl-”

“Just for tonight!”

You tug on your bottom lip uncomfortably, really there isn’t anything else you can do right now. You’d bring her home with you, but you aren’t too sure how you’d explain her to your mom, and you don’t really want to put the extra stress on her right now.

Mike continues, “In the morning, she’ll sneak around the house and ring the doorbell. My mom will know exactly what to do and she’ll send her back to wherever she comes from, and we’ll be totally in the clear! And tomorrow night, we go back out, and this time we find Will.”

Lucas and Dustin smile, their eleven year old brains thinking this is the best idea on the planet. Really, it’s not too bad, but you aren’t sure how much you trust that it really goes as smoothly as he makes it sound. Plus, no way they actually thought you would let them go back out there by themselves. “Yeah, that plan is great and all, but did you forget I’m here?” You questioned, “You’re not going out and looking for him unless you call me first.”

Dustin opens his mouth to argue, but you cut him off. “Nope! Look, I'm not stupid enough to think I can stop you guys from looking for him entirely. So, I’m going to come with you and make sure you guys don’t get hurt.”

Lucas crosses his arms over his chest, biting on his lower lip in thought. “It would be nice to not have to bike home.” He mutters, and Dustin hums in agreement.

Before anyone can say anything more, the girl walks out of the bathroom, now adorned in Mike's pajamas and hugging her old clothes to her chest. You quickly walk over to her with a soft smile on your face and lead her back to the couch. Mike wanders off to find something for her to sleep on.

“I don’t think we ever got properly acquainted, did we?” You mumble, letting her sit back down onto the couch. “I’m Y/N, and these three knuckleheads are Mike, Dustin, and Lucas.” You point to each other of the boys as you tell her their names. “You're gonna stay with Mike tonight, and then tomorrow his mom will find your parents.”

She frowns a bit at the mention of parents, like the word is foreign, but you don’t have time to dwell on it right now. You need to get the boys, and yourself, home.

She doesn’t say anything as you lead Lucas and Dustin out of the basement, but you can hear Mike talking to her while he gives her the sleeping bag he found.

After you fit the boys bikes into your trunk and let them clamber into the backseat, Dustin sits up so his head is right next to your headrest. “Do you think he’ll actually go through with it?” He asks.

You raise a brow, “With what? The plan?”

Dustin nods, and you just shrug. “Mike is smart, he’ll do what he thinks is best.”

Lucas scoffs, wrapping his arms around himself and leaning his head against the backseat window, “Wouldn’t want her in my house.”

–

The next morning, Jonathon is making breakfast for three instead of four. There’s a lingering tension in the air, and you can’t help the way you glance at the fourth, empty chair at the table.

“Here, I made breakfast.” Jonathon mumbles, going to set your Moms plate in front of her, but she gasps and takes it from him. “Be careful of the posters!”

“Yeah, okay, alright.” Jonathan murmurs, placing your own plate in front of you. The food looks appetizing, but you can’t really bring yourself to do more than pick at it.

“I can’t eat.” Your Mom mumbles, shoving the plate away and going back to staring at the poster you’d made last night.

“Can you atleast try?” You murmured to her softly, shoveling some eggs down your own throat in encouragement. She sniffles, shaking her head. “The Xerox place opens in, like, thirty minutes, and I don’t want you to go alone, Jonathon, so Karen’s going to take you.”

Jonathon just nods, but you cautiously speak up. “I can go with him.”

Your Mom just shakes her head, “No, no, I need you here with me. I, uh, we need what? 200? 300 copies?” Her words are moving a mile a minute and you and Jonathon can barely understand what she’s saying.

“Mom,” Jonathon attempts but she’s not listening.

“How much is a copy? Ten- ten cents?” She digs around in her purse for all the change she can find.

“Mom-”

“This is all I have-”

“Mom!” Jonathon reaches for her wrist, gently stopping her and ultimately forcing her to look up at him. Her eyes instantly fill with tears as she begins to use her free hand to hold her head.

Jonathon lets his head hang, releasing her wrist and in turn gripping the chair in front of him. “You can’t get like this, okay?” He says, and you all know it’s true.

She sniffles, a quiet sob leaving her, “I know- I know, I’m sorry.”

You grab her cold hand in your own, squeezing it. “It's okay, Mom.” You murmur, because it is. This is… unimaginable, and you’d be lying if you said you didn’t feel like you were going the slightest bit crazy either.

The heartbroken look on your Moms face kills you just the tiniest bit, you’ve never seen her look so broken in your life. You wish there was something you could do, like you could magically pull Will from thin air.

Then the thoughts come, the ones you’d been fighting off with a sword. How this was your fault. How if you’d just come home, if you hadn’t worked late, then Will would be here. He’d be home, and everything would be normal.

The only thing you and Jonathon can think to do is to continue reassuring your Mom that it’s okay, but even you don’t know if you believe that yourself.

A knock at the door causes your Mom to shoot up, the poster in her hand falling onto the floor. You pick it up, placing it back onto the coffee table as Hopper walks into your home. You resist the urge to snap at him, considering you’d called him as soon as the Police Station opened six hours ago and he was only coming to check in now.

“We’ve been waiting here for six hours.” Your Mom says, her whole body practically trembling in what you assume is anger.

Hopper doesn’t look the slightest bit remorseful, “Yeah, I came as soon as I could. A little bit of trust here, alright?”

You scoff quietly at his mention of trust. How could you trust a cop that couldn’t even bother to call back? Hopper glances at you, and you swear you can see the tiniest bit of pity in his eyes. He doesn’t say anything though, instead turning back to your Mom. “We’ve been searching all night. Went all the way to Cartersville.”

Your mom sucks in a shaky breath, “And?”

For the first time, Hopper looks remorseful. “Nothing.”

Your breath hitches, a hand coming to rest on your stomach while you grip the chair in front of you. You’re in disbelief that they didn’t find anything, not even a piece of clothing. It makes the hope you’d been holding onto dwindle just the tiniest bit.

Hopper smacks his lips, gesturing to your landline, “Flo says you got a phone call?”

You watch as your Mom explains the call you’d gotten last night, how she’d heard Will breathing on the other line. You can tell Hopper is skeptical, the way he chalks the whole thing up to a prank call, but you’d seen your Mom when it happened. She was scared, genuinely terrified. You don’t see how a prank call could cause that visceral of a reaction in her.

“You think I don’t know my own son's breathing? Wouldn’t you know your own daughters?”

Hopper goes silent at that, wetting his lips as he turns away from your Mom and looks to you. “We need to talk.”

Your eyebrows raise slightly, had he found out about the girl in The Wheeler's basement? Did she do something to Mike? You swallow, “What about?”

“Your friend. Conner.”

You lead Hopper to your bedroom, the only place you can think of to give yourselves the slightest bit of privacy. You couldn’t lie and say that the mention of Conner's name hadn’t immediately brought a weight down into your chest, making it nearly impossible to breathe.

Hopper closes the door gently behind him, and you plop down onto your bed. Your fingers grip the sheets, tugging them between your fingers nervously. You hadn’t been able to get ahold of Conner since you saw him at work the night Will went missing. Of course, it worried you, but you assumed… Well, you’re not sure what you assumed.

Hopper runs a hand over his face as he stands in front of you, he almost looks like he’s dreading what he’s about to say to you. He sniffs, “When was the last time you saw your friend, Conner?”

“Why are you asking me this?” You murmur, standing up from where you sit on your bed so you’re chest to chest with him.

Hopper sighs, “You know why, Kid.”

Your stomach drops. This had to be a joke, there was no way- no way that your brother and your best friend go missing on the same night. You don’t believe you could’ve angered anyone that much.

You let out a disbelieving laugh, eyes immediately filling with tears. “You’re lying.” You gasp out. It’s the only explanation you can come up with. One person you love going missing? God, that was hard to even comprehend, but two? There was no way.

Hopper shakes his head, “I’m not.”

“You are!” You scream, shoving your finger into his chest over and over again, “It’s not true! It can’t be!” Hopper doesn’t make any move to stop you, and you’re subconsciously thankful for it.

“They can’t both be- be gone!” You cry, guttural sobs spilling from your lips. You hadn’t cried this hard since you found out the news about Will, but you suppose with the news about Conner it’s all just become overwhelming.

Hopper wraps his arms around you, pulling you into his chest as you continue to fight against him. “Listen to me.” He mutters, placing a comforting hand on the back of your head and the other on your upper back. “I’m going to find your friend and your brother, alright? I promise.”

Slowly, your breathing begins to even out and your sobs begin to get softer. Hopper just sighs, giving you one final squeeze before letting you pull away from him. Your tears continue to fall, but not as violently as moments before.

“We’ve just gotta get through these questions.” He mutters, and you just nod, not even embarrassed at your break down.

“Okay.”

After Hopper leaves, it takes you a little bit of time to build up the courage to tell your mom about Conner. You're not sure how many heartbreaks she can take before she completely breaks.

When you finally do, she instantly bursts into tears. Conner wasn’t- isn’t, her son, but he’s been close to your family since you were both eight years old. Jonathon hadn’t said anything, instead grabbing his keys and leaving. He doesn’t say where he’s going, and frankly you can’t find it in yourself to care all that much.

Your Mom does her best to comfort you, but considering she herself needs comfort, it doesn’t work out all that well. Still, you accept her hug with open arms, crying onto her shoulder.

“They’re both okay, Y/N, alright? I- I know it.”

You just nod, sniffling slightly. Yesterday, those words had been comforting and had given you hope. Today, they just make you feel empty.

“I should go talk to his Mom and Dad.” You murmur. Your Mom just nods, giving you a kiss on the crown of your head before you leave.

The last time you had seen Mr and Mrs Donnelly was last week, for Conner's birthday. Their family always had huge birthday celebrations, because Conner was the only baby Mrs. Donnelly had been able to carry to full term, so a birthday was like an accomplishment in their family.

Another sob wracks through your body, but you’re quick to control your breathing and stop the oncoming flow of years threatening to escape. You don’t want to be crying when you see Conner's parents, you want to be strong for them.

When you approach the driveway, you notice that somehow the bright blue house seems dull. Honestly, the entire world felt dull, like all the color had been ripped out of it.

It takes you a while to exit your car and knock on their door, but you eventually do, biting on your nails the whole time.

When Mrs. Donnelly opens the door, the first thing you notice is how similar she looks to your own Mom right now. Her blonde hair is sticking up in places it usually doesn’t, and she’s nursing a lit cigarette in between her shaky fingers.

“Y/N.” She sighs out, immediately wrapping her arms around you and pulling you into a hug. You can’t stop the way the tears now spill from your eyes in big droplets, most definitely soaking into her shirt. She doesn’t seem to care either though.

“They’ll come home.” She murmurs into your hairline, “Both of them.”

You just continue to sob, your fingers tugging at the fabric of her shirt. “I’m sorry,” You murmur, “I’m so sorry.”

—

By the time you return home, Jonathon still isn’t back. Your mom is practically burning holes into the new phone she must’ve bought though, and she’s moved the couch so she’s sitting right in front of it.

She barely glances at you as you enter, and neither of you say anything as you make your way to your room. Your talk with the Donnellys had been very hard, and even a bit uncomfortable, honestly. They told you that Conner never came home from that shift, and you’d felt a crushing ton of guilt sit on your lungs.

You’d left Conner there alone, even though you’d had a bad feeling. Those awful voices begin to creep back into your mind, reminding you that what’s happened to Conner and Will was entirely your fault.

Still, you couldn’t help but feel sick to your stomach at the reminder that now two people had vanished off of the face of the earth on the same night. Did someone take them? Were they together? Subconsciously, you hoped that Conner was there to take care of Will wherever they were. Maybe then Will would be less scared.

You glance at your electric clock, realizing school has been out for thirty minutes. Mike should be home by now, and if the plan went as smoothly as he claimed it would, everything should be back to normal now. Or, at least as normal as they can be. Still, you had a suspicious feeling that she was still right where you’d left her last night.

Will and Conner going missing, this strange girl showing up in the woods… Everything was too weird right now. Did the girl have something to do with what happened to Will and Conner? Yesterday you would’ve said that chances are the two had nothing to do with each other, but now you weren’t sure.

Your thoughts are interrupted by the shrill ringing of your landline, and you practically dart towards it. You aren’t entirely sure who you’re expecting, but this time you aren’t exactly surprised to hear Mike on the other side.

“She knows.” He blurts out, not even giving you a proper greeting.

Your eyebrows furrow, so you’d been right about her not leaving, but what did he mean she knew? “She knows? Knows what?”

“She knows about Will.”

By the time you get to the Wheeler residence you know that Lucas and Dustin are already there, because their bikes are thrown across the yard hazardously.

You roll your eyes as you step out of your car, collecting both of the bikes and setting them against the only tree in the yard. You know firsthand just how expensive those things are.

Karen Wheeler opens the door for you with a warm smile, baby Holly sitting on her hip while she plays mindlessly with a Barbie doll.

“Y/N! I wasn’t expecting you!” She says, and you laugh nervously, tugging at the sleeves of your sweater as you think of some excuse. “Yeah, sorry. I just wanted to check on the boys and make sure they were doing alright.” It’s not exactly a lie, but it’s not exactly the truth either.

Karen nods, a small frown forming on her lips, tugging the slight wrinkles on her forehead down. “That’s really sweet of you, Honey. But… How are you doing? I mean, first Will and now Conner- I can’t imagine it’s been easy for you.”

Your breath hitches a bit. So, Conner's disappearance is public knowledge now too. You shouldn’t be surprised considering Tommy knew about Will just hours after he’d been officially reported missing, but it still makes your heart skip a beat in your chest. “Oh.” Is all you can manage to say for a moment. You clear your throat, “Yeah, um, I’m okay. Holding up the best I can, you know?”

Karen nods, placing a comforting hand on your bicep. “Well if you or your family need anything don’t be afraid to call us, okay?” You just nod, your eyes glancing at Mike at the top of the stairs. He waves at you, urging you to hurry up and come up stairs.

You give Karen a polite side hug and smoothly walk up the stairs, where you see Mike, Dustin, and Lucas all standing outside his room. Lucas looks shocked, Dustin’s smiling, and Mike looks worried. You narrow your eyes at them, placing your hands on your hips, “What happened?” The boys all glance at each other before Lucas and Dustin both begin to speak at once.

“She closed the door—”

“No, she slammed it—”

“Really, Dustin, that’s what you’re worried about?”

“I’m just saying!”

“She slammed the door shut with her mind.” Mike finished for them, and your eyes widened slightly. She closed the door with her mind? That wasn’t possible.

You sigh, shaking your head. “It was probably just the wind, guys.”

Dustin scoffs, “It wasn’t the wind, Y/N. Look, we’ll show you.” He barges into Mike's room, where you can see the little girl sitting on his bed. Her eyes immediately dart to you, and there’s remnants of blood under her nostril. It looks like she’d tried to wipe it away, but she hadn’t gotten all of it.

Dustin darts over to one of the many Lego sets Mike has on display from when he and Will built it last year, and you can see Mike itching to protest, but he holds back.

Dustin holds the house they had built together out in front of him and swivels his neck back to you, “Okay, watch.” He says, going to release it, but you stop him. You don’t think Mike would be very happy to watch it shatter on the floor.

“Dustin, let’s not, okay?” You say, taking the house from his hands. “I don’t want to be mean, but we’ve got a lot bigger issues at hand then her apparent powers.”

Dustin frowns, “But-”

You put the Lego House back where it was sitting on Mike's shelf, fixing Dustin with a hard look. The curly-haired boy rolls his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest.

You ignore his pouting, walking past him so you can crouch in front of the little girl. “Hi.” You say to her warmly. You’d be lying if you said she didn’t creep you out just the tiniest bit. A random girl with a shaved head and limited vocabulary? It was hard not to be nervous around her.

“Her name’s Eleven. El for short.” Mike tells you, and the girl- El- nods in agreement. Add named after a number to your list.

You nod, “Do you remember me, El?” You ask her softly. She swallows, slowly nodding, “Yes.” She says shortly.

You bite the inside of your cheek, “Okay. Good, that’s good.” You glance at Mike, then return your gaze back onto El. “Mike told me you might know something about my brother? Will?”

El is silent for a moment, her eyes darting from you to Mike, before she nod’s solemnly. “Lost.”

You resist the urge to gasp, instead letting out a shaky breath. “L-Lost? Where is he? Is he safe?”

El looks at you with eyes so wide you would compare her to a china doll. She shakes her head, wetting her lips before she says terrifyingly low, “No.”

Mike shudders, crossing his arms over his chest. “There’s something else,” He says. “She said that there’s bad men looking for her. We think they’re the same ones who took Will.” He explains.

Your eyebrows furrow. Bad men? So he was kidnapped. You look back to El, “What kind of bad men?” You ask her.

She sucks in a shaky breath, her tiny fingers forming a gun. She points it at her own head, and just as quickly drops it. But, you’re able to get the message.

That’s all the information you’re able to get from her, but it’s enough to fill you with a mix of dread and hope. Hope, because there was a chance he was alive. Dread, because you knew if that were true, it wouldn’t be the case for much longer. And if Will was alive, wouldn’t that mean Conner was as well? You prayed that they were at least together, able to keep each other safe.

As you make your way out of the Mikes room, you awkwardly find yourself face to face with Nancy Wheeler. You hadn’t actually talked to the girl since eighth grade, the last year before she decided playing with her brother was officially lame.

“Oh, hi.” You say, giving her an awkward wave. Nancy gives you a nervous smile, returning the wave. “Hey, Y/N. I’m sorry about Will and Conner. I’m sure they’ll find them soon.”

You tug at the bottom of your shirt uncomfortably, your gaze falling to the floor. “Thanks. I, uh, I hope so, too.”

You both just stare at each other in silence, until the sound of a horn honking outside turns your attention away. Nancy shoves her thumb towards the front door, beginning to slowly walk away from you. “My rides here, so… I’ll see you around?”

You nod, “Yeah, see you.”

As Nancy walks through the front door, you wait for her to leave fully before also making your exit. You don’t have any issues with Nancy, you just weren’t the same people anymore. She was dating Steve Harrington and hanging out with his possé of future highschool dropouts, while you were still dressing up for your little brothers board game.

Once you’re finally able to get back on the road, your thoughts easily drift from Nancy to Will and Conner. El said that Will was lost somewhere, but she wasn’t sure where. That could be good, right? If he was lost and not kidnapped or something like that. Lost things could be found when looked for hard enough.

Jonathon always said Will was exceptionally good at hiding, but you’d always thought that was because he just wasn’t looking hard enough.

—

By the time you get home the sun has already set, and your Mom hasn’t moved from her spot on the couch. You can tell she’s fighting sleep by the way she’s slouched over and her lips are slightly parted. You just look at her in pity, debating if you should tell her what you learned.

But, you didn’t want to get her hopes up when you didn’t even really know if El was telling the truth. After all, Will’s face was plastered all over Hawkins, it wasn’t that unlikely that she’d simply seen his face there and recognized him in Mike's photo. Still, you couldn’t help but think she was telling the truth. It was all just too strange to not be connected.

You softly shake your mom awake, and she practically jumps out of her skin at the contact. Her eyes dart across the room before they land on you, and her gaze softens just barely. “Oh, Y/N, you scared me.”

You mumble an apology, your hand falling naturally to her shoulder. “What do you say we get you to your bed?”

She shakes her head, her body already beginning to tremble again. “No, no— I need to be here if Will calls again.”

You tug on your lower lip, weighing your options in your head. You could leave her out here and watch her drive herself crazy, or you could convince her to go lay down in her own bed. “Look, I’ll stay out here and keep watch, and I promise as soon as I hear it ring I’ll come get you, alright?” She’s silent for a moment, as if she’s arguing with herself in her mind, before she slowly gives in and begins to let you lead her back to her room.

Just before you reach her bedroom door, the shrill ringing of the phone cracks through the silent house. Your Moms ears practically perk up as she darts for it. You just follow her, your arms crossing over your chest as she cradles the yellow landline to her ear.

“Hello? Who is this?”

She glances at you, her breathing heavy as her eyes immediately begin to fill with tears. “Will?”

Your own heart begins to beat faster as you step closer to her, “It’s Will? Is he- Is he saying anything?”

She lets out a quiet sob, “Will, it’s me. It’s mom.” She places her hand over her heart, “Talk to me. I’m here. Just tell me where you are honey, please?”

Suddenly, the lights begin to flicker, and you can hear a faint Mom? sound over the phone. Your hand immediately flies to your mouth, your jaw going slack. He’s alive.

“Will! Yes, it’s me! It’s mom! Where are you? Just—” Suddenly, the electricity spikes for the last time and you watch as your mom flings the phone onto the couch. “No, no!”

You reach for her, your own voice shaky. “Was it- Was it actually Will?”

She doesn’t answer, instead crouching onto the floor and sobbing into her hands. You can’t bear to watch it anymore. Your stomach begins to churn and you feel your lunch beginning to rise back up. You quickly run outside, hoping the fresh air might help you, and thankfully it does.

You're able to force your lunch back down, but you can’t quite build up the courage to walk back inside and face your Mom. You heard… Did you hear Will? You thought you did. Or were you just so desperate for him to be alive you imagined it?

Your stomach begins to churn again, but the sudden sound of music coming from Will’s room distracts you. You assume it’s your Mom going in there again. When she wasn’t staring at the phone she was usually in there, just sitting on his bed and going over the countless drawings he’d made over the years.

What you aren’t expecting to hear though, is the guttural scream that rips from the house. You immediately run back inside, “Mom?” You cry out, but she doesn’t respond to you. Instead, she practically flies out of Will’s room and takes you by the hand, dragging you back outside and into her car.

Once you’re sat in the passenger seat you once again bombard her with questions. “What’s going on? Why’d you scream?”

She doesn’t respond, her eyes practically bulging from her skull as she shakily forces the car on. Her gaze falls back to the flickering light in Will’s room, the song starting up once again.

“Mom?” You attempt again, but she doesn’t answer. It’s not until after she’s gotten out of the car do you hear any words from her, those simply being, “Stay here.”

Your mouth goes dry as you watch her walk back into the house with her head held high. Really, you’re at a loss. You don’t know why she freaked out so much, and you don’t know if it’s something dangerous or if she really has just reached her breaking point. Your fingers tap your thighs as you wrestle with what to do. If it is something dangerous, the last thing you want is for her to be in there with whatever it is by herself.

Just as you’re about to get out of the car to follow her, the blinding white lights of your twin brother's car enters the driveway. You can’t help the way your skin bristles at the sight of it.

You step out of your moms car, your feet crunching against the rocky driveway. Jonathon’s car squeals as it comes to a stop, his headlights slowly going out as he exits the vehicle.

“Where the hell were you?” You say exasperatedly.

Jonathon looks shocked at your tone, but he’s quick to come up with an explanation. “I was looking for Will.” He says, slamming his car door shut.

You scoff, “For ten hours?”

Jonathon runs a hand over his face, and it’s now that you notice just how exhausted he looks. His eyes are red and puffy from crying, and the dark bags under his eyes don't compliment it very well. His skin is a sickly pale, and he looks like he’s struggling to even hold himself up. It breaks your heart to see him like this, but you’re holding strong in your stance that he can’t just disappear for half a day without telling you where he was going. Especially not now that he was one of the only people you had left.

“I went to Lonnie’s.” He confesses solemnly.

Your lips tug into a straight line, your arms hugging yourself tighter. Your Dad hadn’t even bothered to call you and see how any of you were doing. You can’t say you don’t expect that kind of thing from him though. “And? What did he say?”

Jonathon just scoffs, kicking up some of the gravel on the driveway. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.” The hard expression on your face doesn’t change. “Well, while you were out, Mom got another call. And she’s really freaking out in there.”

Jonathon’s head snaps up so his eyes are meeting yours now. “She did? Was it Will?”

“I’m…” You suck in a breath, your lips twisting uncomfortably. “I’m not sure. It- It could’ve been.”

Jonathon shakes his head, “Could’ve isn’t enough, Y/N.”

You bristle at that, your eyebrows furrowing as you point an accusing finger at him. “You think I don’t know that?” Your anger feels like it’s flowing out of you in waves, all of it wrongfully directed at Jonathon. He's not the one you were truly mad at, but he’s the only person around.

Jonathon frowns, shoving his hands into his pockets— an anxious habit he’s had since you were kids. “I didn’t mean it like that.” He attempts to defend, but you’re hearing none of it.

“I mean, to be honest, Jonathon, it feels like you don’t even have any hope that Will is alive. Or Conner. So why even bother looking?”

“You know that’s not true—”

“Do I?” The tears are flowing freely now, and you don’t have the energy to try and stop them. You turn away from him, the wind making a shiver run up your spine.

“You’re not being fair, Y/N.” Jonathon whispers, so softly that your ears strain to hear it.

You sniffle, adjusting your arms against your chest. “Yeah, well, neither are you.” You spit out, walking through the open front door and leaving him outside in the cold.

[taglist: @inlovewithchriss @idkman5335 ]

[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😎

[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.”

-

taglist: @heartyhope / @preciousbabypeter​ / @dessxoxsworld​ / @piper3113 / @animiacorn​ / @burn1ngw00d​ / @drxwstxrkxy​ / @m-rae23​ / @noisyeggsmoneystatesman​ / @yournan69 / @thats-s0-ravenn​ / @ameliabs-world​ / @mayonesavegana​ / @gracella0709​ / @gengen64​ / @alecmores​ / @choclate32 / @stvrdustalexx​ / @redheadedfangirl​ / @agustdeeyaa​ / @yappydoo​ / @liberhoe​ / @hehehehannahthings​ / @ladybug0095​ / @sweeter-innocence-fics​ / @j-6o / @voteforevilthoughts​ / @harrysflowercrownrry / @ilovereadingfanfics / @sorrow-has-a-place-here​ / @80strashbag​ / @sunsumonner​ / @sweet1peach / @cierrajhill​ / @we-out- here-simping / @nix-rose-a / @x-theolivia​ / @stylesyourmine / @starkeylover /

*striked out means tumblr cant find you*

[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

[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

[keeryhours]

Teen Pregnancy Series Masterlist

Main Masterlist

Coming Soon

Steve Harrington

Billy Hargrove

Eddie Munson

Jonathan Byers

Gareth Emerson

Jason Carver

Jim Hopper

Tommy Hagan / Robin Buckley

Note:

I’m going to try to cover lots of different dynamics and situations in this series. I may even write different variations for some characters. If there’s something specific you want to see, let me know! Full credit for this idea goes to @fizzing-imagines and my banner as usual is made by the incredible @punkrockmlchael ᡣ𐭩

[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)

[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.

[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

[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