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Aw! I'm so glad you liked it! Also, I appreciate the reblog 😊

As for the movies, well, I referenced them to stay within the timeline, especially Pretty in Pink, since it was released that year. But I will say, they are definitely 80s movies through and through and everyone should watch at their own discretion. I remember the first time I saw Sixteen Candles I was on the younger side and thought it was out of tune from what I had seen up until then.

Anyhow, thanks again! 😄

A Stranger Valentine: Steve Harrington One-Shot

A/N: Greetings! So here it is! After a very long hiatus, I'm finally back with a little one-shot for Steve Harrington. It is my first in a while and I hope it won't be my last. I'm a little nervous about it, but I might as well just stop overthinking and go for it. And oddly enough, this just so happens to be my blog's 7th anniversary! I hope you like it!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Description: Steve puts himself out there on Valentine's Day. (3292 words)

WARNINGS: FLUFF!

Love interest: Reader

It was a nice, breezy, and all together, regular day in Hawkins. A somewhat busy Monday for some businesses, including the Family Video. Customers had come and gone. The shelves ripped apart; most rentals gone by the evening. Surprisingly, things had died down for a bit, giving Steve and Robin a breath. The bell at the door rang as a couple of customers exited, giving way to Dustin.

“Hey, Robin!” He greeted.

“Hey, nerd.”

“I don’t take that as insult, no matter how many times you call me it,” Dustin said.

Steve then appeared from the back room. “Okay Robin, make a note, we are out of When Harry Met Sally, Flashdance, Splash, Footloose, Sixteen Candles, and Back to the Future. I just went over some inventory and those are the ones most asked for and the ones we are out of for now.” He glanced over the counter. “Sup, Henderson?”

“Do you have The NeverEnding Story?”

“On a school night?” Steve said as he stood behind the counter. He reached for the bin of returned movies while he looked at his young friend.

“Yeah, Susie and I are gonna watch it together on Valentine’s Day while we talk on the phone.”

“You are guys are so weird,” Robin said.

“Those are your Valentine’s Day plans?” Steve asked.

“Well, there really isn’t much to do at a distance. Plus, it doesn’t help that Valentine’s Day is on a Wednesday this year.”

“Right. Also, Valentine’s Day is two days away, why are you asking about the movie today?”

“The NeverEnding Story is a beloved film. It could just as easily be on your little list of out-of-stock movies.”

“Doubtful,” Robin said.

Out of nowhere, a VHS box fell to the ground. The sound earned the attention of the trio by the counter. Then, a hand was raised from behind one of the shelves.

“Sorry, that was my bad.” Someone’s voice rang. Their head poked up as well.

“You’re good,” Robin responded.

Steve failed to tear his eyes away. He watched as the girl continued to scan the films, while she enjoyed the music that played on her Walkman. Steve was pulled out of his trance by Dustin who snapped his fingers in his face.

“Hellooooo!?”

“What? What?”

Dustin looked between the shelves and Steve. “You really shouldn’t stare, Steve. It’s rude.”

“I often tell him,” Robin said as she flipped through the pages of a magazine she usually hid behind the counter.

“I wasn’t staring,” Steve said.

“Oh, you were just ogling at Y/N,” Dustin said.

Steve’s head snapped towards Dustin. “You know her?”

“Uh, yeah, most people do.”

“Huh? I could have sworn she just moved here.”

“No, she moved back,” Robin added.

“What you know them too?”

“Duh, dingus.”

“How do you both know her, and I don’t?”

“Probably because you were too busy being King Steve.”

“Ugh!”

“Yup! Y/N was in your year,” Dustin said.

“How do you know anything about her?”

“She babysat Mike and I a couple of times.”

“And you know her how, Robin?”

“She tutored me in algebra.”

Suddenly, Y/N made her way over to the counter with a couple of films in hand, cutting the trio’s conversation short.

“Okay, I think that’s enough browsing for the day,” she said as she removed her headphones.

“Hey, Y/N!” Dustin smiled.

“Dustin Henderson? Look at you! You’ve gotten taller!”

“And you’ve stayed the same.” “Well, I think I hit my growth spurt too early and ran out quickly.”

“It happens.”

“Hi, Robin!” She glanced at Steve. “Hi, Steve.”

“Hey, Y/N!”

“Hi,” Steve said shyly.

Robin moved to the computer on the counter while Y/N handed the movies to her.

“How long will you be renting these for?”

“Um, you can put me down for two nights. Seems like you guys have been really busy, today.”

“Yeah, it’s been oddly hectic for Valentine’s Day week.”

“Oh, that’s right! Wednesday… is that why I couldn’t find a copy of Sixteen Candles?”

“Oh?” Robin looked at Steve. “No, Sixteen Candles?”

Steve shot Robin a disappointed look, realizing she never listened to him earlier. “Yeah, sorry. We’re all out of that one…” Steve told Y/N.

“No, worries. I just like to rewatch it every now and again.”

“Sorry,” Steve said.

“It’s okay.”

“Okay, you are set to go,” Robin said as she slid the movies to Y/N.

“Thanks. Well, I’ll see you guys around. Bye!” She locked eyes with Steve before she headed towards the door.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you this off your game since our Scoops Ahoy days, dingus.”

“Yeah, Steve, you were just there. Staring. Again!”

“What did you guys expect me to do with you two here?”

“Uh, act normal,” Robin said.

“I did act normal. She wasn’t really interested.”

“Maybe cause you were avoiding them.”

“I wasn’t avoiding them. They clearly aren’t interested.”

“I believe you just haven’t been trying hard enough,” Dustin said.

“I second that,” Robin said.

“When’s the last time you went on a date?”

“Ha!” Robin exclaimed.

“What? It hasn’t been that long.”

“It’s been a while. Actually, I don’t think you’ve dated anyone in the time that I’ve known you.”

“Come on! It has not been long.”

“Long enough.”

“Whether that’s the case or not, maybe you should just try. Why don’t you ask them out?” Dustin said.

“Because he doesn’t know how. He’s done nothing but stare at her each time she’s been in here.”

“I’m right here, Robin. Besides, I helped her the second time she came in.”

“You pointed to where the comedies were and practically ran away from her.”

“Fine, so I’m a little off my game. So what?”

“Maybe you just need to not think about it as much,” Dustin suggested.

“What do you mean?”

“Just ask her out. Let the words come out and don’t think about it too much or else you’ll psych yourself out.”

“Can’t believe I’m getting advice from Henderson.”

“Like that’ll work,” Robin commented.

“You’re not really helping,” Dustin said.

“Okay, how’s this for advice? Stop living in the past. You’re not the same Steve from high school, which means people don’t act the way they used to around you. The real world is different, and you are in it. So why don’t you just grow a pair and just ask her out! What’s the worst that can happen, that she says no? You’ve been rejected before, and you’ve lived. You’ll be just fine no matter the outcome.”

“Uh… okay, thanks.”

---

On Valentine’s Day, Family Video saw a lot of traffic from the moment it was opened. Girls came around in their little cliques and grabbed snacks to go with their choice of films like The Blue Lagoon, Endless Love, An Officer and a Gentleman, Flashdance, and more. These were also popular among the guys that strung along their girlfriends or the dates they had for the day.

Steve had finished shelving some of the returns before he made his way to the counter. Things had died for a bit, so he took the opportunity to stock some movies before more customers showed up. This would leave Robin with the inventory in the back. When he went to check on her, he found her lying back on a chair, a magazine covering her face.

“Of course,” he said.

The bell at the door rang, and Steve eyed the monitors on the desk in front of Robin. The footage showed Y/N, as she made her way to the counter. Steve felt his heart rate increase. He took a deep breath and exited the back room, immediately coming face to face with Y/N.

“Hey,” he greeted.

“Hi!” Y/N said as she fished some movies from her messenger bag. “I’ve come to return these.” She placed the films on the counter.

“Alrighty.” Steve reached for the films while he worked on the computer. He noticed two of the three titles: Cinderella and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Steve felt this was his time to make small talk. “Had yourself a Disney night?”

“Hmm?”

“A Disney night… Cinderella and Snow White?” He smiled nervously.

“Oh! Kinda. I had to babysit two little girls and as you can imagine they love princesses.” Y/N beamed.

“Right. And if you baby sit boys, what do you usually go for?”

“Easy. Star Wars. Or E.T. Dustin can testify to that.”

“Classic choices right there.” He saw the last title: Grease. “I’m guessing Grease is more of a personal choice.”

Y/N chuckled. “Yeah, you’re not wrong. I like to have one for myself for when the kids fall asleep.”

“Understandable. Uh, that’ll be four-twenty-five.”

As Y/N searched through her wallet for her money, Steve watched her for a moment. He took in her soft features and notice how delicate she looked. She pulled out a five-dollar bill and handed it to him. Steve charged the films and took out three quarters to give back.

“No movies for tonight?”

“Didn’t really have any in mind. Weirdly enough I got no calls to baby sit tonight. And I didn’t make plans so, right now I don’t know what the rest of the day holds.”

Robin’s words replayed in Steve’s mind. Grow a pair and just ask her. He thought. Now or never, Harrington.

“Listen, since you don’t have any plans for tonight, would you…” he cleared his throat and continued. “Would you like to go see a movie? With me? Tonight?”

“Oh… like on a date?” she asked.

“Uh, yeah—Only if you want…”

Y/N smiled at him. “What did you have in mind to go see?”

Steve swallowed. “There’s this new movie coming out… Pretty in Pink…”

“I’d love to.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. You had me at movie and now I’m even more excited knowing it’s to see Pretty in Pink.”

Steve chuckled. “Great. That’s great. There’s a showing at eight. Can I pick you up at seven-thirty?”

“That sounds perfect.”

“Awesome, so I’ll see you tonight.”

“I’ll see you tonight, Steve.” With that Y/N exited the Family Video.

Once she was out of sight, Steve couldn’t help but fist bump the air. It had actually worked. He asked and she said yes. Steve turned around and jumped when he noticed Robin just stood there.

“Jesus!”

She had a smug look on her face. “Told you so, Harrington.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Thanks.”

---

Funnily enough, Steve had forgotten to ask Y/N where she lived. Luckily, Robin helped him figure it out. He arrived just as he had told her; seven thirty on the dot. He popped a breath mint in his mouth as he walked up to the door. He combed his fingers through his hair, adjusted the jacket he had on, and rang the doorbell.

A minute passed before the door swung open to reveal Y/N standing opposite of him. Steve eyed her for a second before he swallowed so hard the breath mint went straight to his stomach. He could have sworn he heard Dustin telling him to stop ogling at the girl.

He snapped out of his daze. “Hey.”

“Hi. You alright?” She asked.

“Me? Yeah. I’m good.”

She smiled.

“You look great, by the way. Uh, beautiful actually.” Steve noticed her cheeks grew warm.

“Thank you.”

“Are you ready to go? I’m not rushing you, though.”

“I’m ready.”

“Alrighty, let’s go.”

Steve moved aside as she stepped out and locked the door behind her. They walked together to his car, and Steve picked up his steps to beat her to the passenger side. He opened the door and closed it after she climbed in. Steve then marched over to the driver’s side. As soon as he got in, he started his car, and drove on to the movie theater. The ride started off a bit quiet with both parties rather nervous about the date, not that they’d confess anything to one another. Suddenly, Steve turned on the radio and the catchy beat of Daryl Hall and John Oats’ You Make My Dreams Come True, came through the speakers. Steve caught on to Y/N tapping her hands on her lap in tune to the song, and so he left it on that station. After that, the ride didn’t feel as long. Before they knew it, the song finished when they arrived.

Steve made sure to get the door for Y/N and together they strolled over to the ticket booth. Being a gentleman, he bought their tickets, and the pair made their way inside. Steve eyed the snacks counter and turned to Y/N at his side.

“Would you like any snacks?”

“Uh, only you do.”

“I could definitely go for some popcorn. We could share?”

“Okay.”

“If you want you can get us some seats while I get the snacks.”

“Are you sure? I don’t mind going with you.”

“Yeah. Movie will start here in a bit so were gonna see plenty of people filing in and before you know it, the good seats will be gone.”

“Okay. I’ll see you inside.”

“Yeah.”

A few minutes later Y/N waved Steve over the minute she spotted him coming into the theater. Steve was hugging a bucket of popcorn while also holding a beverage on each hand. When he reached the seat next to her, Y/N stopped rubbing her hands on her upper arms and helped Steve with the drinks. She placed each one on the cup holders and Steve sat next to her. The lights dimmed and the screen slowly went on. Steve leaned a little closer to Y/N.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah. It’s just a little colder than I expected, and I totally forgot my cardigan at home.”

“Oh…”

“Yeah, but it’s okay.”

“Here, hold this.” Steve handed her the popcorn and proceeded to remove his jacket. He then extended it to her. “Take it.”

“What? No, Steve. I couldn’t.”

“You can. Take it, please.”

“Steve…”

“Please.”

Y/N took the boy’s jacket. Steve wouldn’t say it out loud, but he loved how she looked in it, even in the dimmed theater. She warmed up immediately.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“You’re welcome. Popcorn?” He whispered back.

“Yes, please. Thanks.”

Steve handed his date the popcorn and kept a small handful. The film started and the pair got comfortable in their seats. At one point during the movie, their hands bumped into one another when reaching for the popcorn.

“Sorry,” Y/N whispered.

“It’s okay. Some good popcorn.”

Steve shook his head as he watched the movie, the words echoing in his head. Some good popcorn? Idiot.

Mid way through the film Y/N slightly leaned her shoulder into Steve’s armrest. Steve took as deep breath and enjoyed the closeness. They would remain like that until the end.

---

As the pair exited the theater along with the crowd, Y/N gushed to Steve about how much she enjoyed the movie.

“I thought it was pretty sweet. Thanks for bringing me.”

“You’re welcome.”

As they strolled on over to the car, Y/N got a little closer to Steve.

“Why did you bring me?”

“What?”

“Why did you bring me to see this movie tonight? On Valentine’s Day?”

Steve stopped in place. “Oh, I- uh, I thought it was pretty obvious.”

She stopped as well and gazed up at him. “What?”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, that I… that I… like you.”

“That’s good. I like you too.” She grinned.

“You do?”

“I thought it was pretty obvious.”

Steve chuckled and nodded. He noticed a man at the street corner selling roses. Without saying a word, he started jogging towards the man. Y/N turned, and her eyes followed his figure.

“Steve?”

“One sec.”

She watched as Steve got a rose from the man and jogged right back to her.

Steve extended the rose towards her. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

She accepted it.

He continued. “I didn’t make a big deal of it because it’s only our first date and I didn’t want to freak you out.”

“I love it.”

They continued on back towards Steve’s car, not that far apart from one another. When they reached the car, Steve being a gentleman once again, opened the door for her to get in.

On their way back, there was a soft love song playing on the radio, which they both enjoyed in silence. According to the host, it had been requested by some lovesick caller. They pulled up slowly to Y/N’s home, and Steve turned off the engine. As they sauntered to her door, Steve realized he didn’t want the night to end. Sure, he had been a bundle of nerves the whole time, but even then, he enjoyed her company and thought her shyness was just adorable. When they reached the door Steve stayed on the second step, while she stood at the top. They were at eye level this way.

“Steve?” She said shyly.

“Yeah?”

“How come you didn’t ask me sooner?”

Steve took a deep breath. It was as if the date had only just begun again. “Honestly? I couldn’t muster the courage to ask you out.”

“What changed?”

“Robin gave me a harsh, but much needed pep talk.”

“And how did you decide on a movie?”

“It seemed like you love ‘em. I tried to hold Sixteen Candles for you cause you asked for it the other day. But then, I saw this movie had the same chick in it. So, I took a shot.”

“Molly Ringwald.”

“Huh?”

“The actress you’re talking about. It’s Molly Ringwald.”

“Right, yeah. That one.”

She smiled. “Well, I’m glad our first date was on Valentine’s Day. It will stand out from any future one’s.”

“Future one’s? You sayin’ you would go on a date with me again?” His heart was beating through his ears.

She played with the rose she held in her hand. “Only if you want to. I wasn’t sure if you’d ask again.”

“I do. I really, really do.”

“Then it’s a date.”

“Totally.”

The two stood under the moonlight for another minute, as if waiting for something else to happen. However, nothing did.

“Well, thanks again, Steve. I had a really great time.”

“Me too.”

“Goodnight, Steve.”

“Goodnight.”

Y/N smiled at the boy before her, one more time. She then turned to the door, unlocked it, and stepped inside.

“Bye.”

Steve waved softly at her and watched the door close. He stood there for a brief moment, kicking himself for not doing more to not bring the night to close so soon.

Suddenly, the door opened, and Y/N stepped in front of Steve in two quick steps. She placed a delicate hand on Steve’s right cheek, leaned forward, and pressed her lips to his.

Steve was stunned. His hands slightly hovered around her, before they came down to settle on her hips. He pulled her in a little tighter, relaxing into the kiss. He felt a warmth between them, as he savored her soft lips. He could still taste the movie theater popcorn.

After a moment, Y/N broke the kiss and took a step back. Steve’s eyes remained closed, and his hands lingered on her hips. He finally opened his eyes and gazed into hers.

“Wow.”

A giggle bubbled in her throat. She took another step back, but Steve couldn’t resist pulling her in by her hips and kissing her one more time. Steve broke the kiss on this occasion and saw as he had left her stunned this time around. As he gazed back at her, he watched as she began to take slow steps backwards into her home.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Steve.”

She then closed the door and lied her back against it, with a hand hovering over her lips. Steve couldn’t see this. Which meant she didn’t see him when he raised his fists in triumph.

A/N: Thanks so much for reading! Don't be afraid to let me know what you think! If you are interested in another Steve Harrington One Shot, I wrote one a while back. Here is the link:

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