#Steve Harrington x oc!henderson sister | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

dwobbitfromtheshire · 3 months

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A/N: Writing this mostly for me as a comfort since my dog just died, but I'm letting you guys enjoy it as well. It is mostly just a love letter to Steddie and miscommunications. You're going to see a little bit of my weirdness in this. Also, a little bit of a love letter to Trans people, too. I love trans!Eddie.

Leah Henderson stood in the mirror as she stared at her reflection. It was strange how she loved the way she looked, but at the same time, she's always doubted that anyone but her would ever find this attractive. She was wider than she was tall with boobs bigger than. . . Well, actually, she didn't think there was anything bigger than her boobs. Boobs. Boobs. Boobs! Leah giggled. What a funny word. She twirled around, her skirt flaring out and grabbed her boobs in her hands. Gah! Why were they so goddamn big? She flipped her curly auburn hair over her chest and boinged one of her curls before putting it over her lip like she had a mustache. Leah nearly screamed when there came a knock on her bedroom door.

"Leah?" Her brother's voice floated through the door. "You've been in there for a while. Are you sad because you knocked something over with your boobs again?"

Leah sighed but smiled fondly anyway. Dustin could be a nosy pain in the ass but he meant well. She opened the door, being reminded again that she was the same height as her much younger brother when they came face to face.

"No, butthead, that's not it," Leah said and pouted. "I miss Steve and Eddie. I kind of wish I went with them."

"Look, I miss them too, but we hang out with them enough as it is, especially you," Dustin said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" She asked with a scowl. "Aren't you the one who's always up their asses?"

"And you're the one who always interrupts their date night," Dustin said.

"I do not! They just started dating! They don't have an official date night yet!" Leah said. "They're the ones inviting me to hangout!"

"Leah, why do you think they went away on vacation? If you were there, you'd just make things worse for them and for yourself," Dustin said.

"You mean like I always do, apparently? They were so goddamn tired of me that they had to run away to fucking California to get away from like Joyce did, their own personal monster from the Upside Down?!" Leah exclaimed, tears in her eyes.

"Leah, that's not what I meant!"

Leah slammed the door in his face, locked it, and threw herself on her bed as she broke down in tears. Maybe Dustin was right. Maybe she always makes things worse. It's why Steve and Eddie left. It's why their father had left. It was all her fault. She ignored the knocking on her door and proceeded to cry into her pillow until she fell asleep. She continued to ignore Dustin for several days, and even on the day that Steve was supposed to return with Eddie. She had spent days agonizing in her room over it. She did spend too much time with Steve and Eddie, hoping for something that clearly would never happen. She decided to change that. She was almost out the door to leave for her date when Dustin stopped her.

"I'm so sorry, you know that's not what I meant. I was just trying to give Eddie and Steve the privacy that they deserve after all of the attention Eddie got," Dustin said, his lip quivering.

"I know, Dusty, I know you didn't mean it," Leah said with a sigh. "Look, we'll talk later. My date is waiting for me. I just need to move on. Just move forward from Steve and Eddie. They do deserve privacy."

"Why are you making it sound like they're your ex? Or maybe you're in love with them," Dustin chuckled, and Leah bit her lip as his face fell in realization. "Holy shit. You're in love with them."

Suddenly, the door burst open. Eddie strolled in with open arms, a wide grin on his face.

"We probably should have gone straight home first, but we wanted to stop by and see our favorite Hendersons. . . Well, don't everyone come running to greet us all at once," Eddie said. "What's going on here?"

Leah rolled her eyes and brushed by Steve as he was coming in.

"Jesus, what's her problem?" Steve asked.

"Who's that guy, and why is she getting into his car?" Eddie scowled, his face pressed right up against the window.

"That's her date," Dustin replied.

"Her what?" Steve and Eddie asked as they watched her drive off.

Steve whirled around, shutting the door, and placed his hands on his hips.

"Why was your sister so upset?" He asked, and Dustin winced.

"It's kind of my fault," he replied.

"What did you do, you little shit?" Eddie asked as he turned on him.

"It wasn't what I was implying at all, but it kind of sounded like I was implying that you ran away to California to get away from her but really it was the assholes in this town. And I might have said that it would only make things worse if she were there, but only like as a third wheel scenario. Those situations suck!" Dustin exclaimed.

Eddie shrieked, took off Dustin's hat, and began hitting him with it.

"It's the complete opposite, you asshole!" Eddie exclaimed.

"Stop! Stop!" Dustin yelled, and finally Eddie gave him back his hat.

"We're completely in love with her, but we thought it would freak her out if we asked her to join our relationship," Steve sighed.

"Oh shit! Oh. Shit, I fucked up big this time!" Dustin exclaimed.

"You sure did," Eddie glared.

"Look, she's going on a date with another guy thinking that you two want to be as far from her as possible, but the truth is that you two love her and she loves the both of you! I made her think that it was the worst thing in the world, but I swear, I didn't mean to hurt her," Dustin cried.

"We know you didn't, buddy," Steve said. "You need to calm down and tell us where they're going."

"She didn't say," Dustin said meekly.

"Okay. So, we either look all over town or we wait here," Eddie said as he paced the living room.

"There is a third option," Dustin said.

"Which is?" Steve asked.

"Call El and have her look for Leah," Dustin said.

"Nope! Not only would that be a violation of her privacy, but it would also be using El's powers for our own personal gain. Not very wise," Eddie sighed. "As much as I don't like it, we're just going to have to see what she decides when the date is over."

"And if she falls head over heels for this guy?" Steve asked.

Eddie sighed and placed his hands on Steve’s hips.

"There's no way she'd choose some stranger over Steve Harrington," Eddie replied. "No fucking way."

Leah sobbed as she walked home, shoes in hand. She should have known it was too good to be true. He was so nice to her, so understanding. He had been the first guy she had liked since Steve and Eddie, but she should have known that he didn't really want her. She prayed for rain to wash it all away, but it was a clear night, not a dark cloud in the sky. When she got home, her mother's car wasn't there reminding her that she was working the night shift. Eddie's van was still there, which meant Steve and Eddie were still there. Leah cursed her rotten luck. She couldn't let them see her like this, and she also couldn't go into the house like this either. She walked around the back of the house towards the garden hose, wincing when she bumped into the patio table. Leah wiggled out of her dress. She turned on the water and started spraying down the piece of clothing that was soaked in pigs' blood. Suddenly, the back door flew open, and Steve came out wielding a bat while Eddie held out a chair.

"Leah?!" Eddie and Steve yelled, immediately dropping their weapons.

"What the fuck happened to you?" Eddie asked.

"Okay, so, this looks bad," Leah said. "But this is isn't my blood."

"I don't think that makes us feel any better!" Steve exclaimed.

"Well, she's not hurt," Eddie said.

"It's pigs' blood," Leah said, rolling her eyes as she wrung out her dress. "Yeah, I think this is ruined. Probably my underwear, too. Can you guys fetch me my robe?"

Eddie and Steve sighed before sharing an angry look with each other.

"Carrie," they said together.

"Was it your date who did this?" Eddie asked.

"Yeah, turns out the whole thing was a joke," Leah laughed darkly.

"Name. What's his name?" Steve asked.

"It's - I'm not going to tell you," she replied and sighed. "It was just a prank. Can someone please fetch me a towel and a robe?"

"It was assault!" Steve exclaimed.

"Look, I just want to rinse myself off so I don't drip all of this blood all over the house, go inside, take a shower, crawl into bed, and have a good fucking cry! Okay?!" Leah snapped.

"Of course, baby," Eddie said softly. "I'll go get you those things."

Leah rolled her eyes and started taking off the rest of her clothes. She sprayed herself down and flipped her hair over to get that, too. Steve quickly turned around. When Eddie came back, he quickly yelped and put his hands over his eyes.

"Do I look that ugly naked?" Leah asked.

"No!" Steve and Eddie exclaimed.

"I want to bite your thighs," Eddie blurted out.

Leah blushed, having witnessed Eddie in action biting the things that he liked.

"Yeah, okay," Leah said awkwardly, unsure of what to do with that information. "Towel?"

Eddie blindly started to walk over to her. Leah sighed before walking over to him and slapped his hand away from his eyes. He yelped but handed her the towel. She dried herself off, and once she was finished, she handed Steve the towel. Leah turned around to find Eddie holding the robe open for her. She turned around and put her arms through. She felt Eddie's arm wrap around her waist, his fingers brushing against the skin of her belly, and he closed the robe before tying it off. He pulled her closed her hugged her tightly, brushing his lips against her ear.

"I'm so sorry, sweetheart. They're going to burn in hell for what they did," Eddie whispered.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"I'll dispose of your clothes," Steve said, kissing her cheek.

"Thank you," Leah said.

Eddie wrapped an arm around her and led her inside. Dustin caused them both to yell when he jumped out at them. He was holding out Tews. Leah held a hand to her chest, glaring at her brother.

"You know very well, Dusty, that Tews is NOT an attack cat," Leah replied.

"What happened?" Dustin asked.

"Ask Steve when he comes back inside," she said. "I'm going to go take a shower."

Eddie followed her to her bedroom, where she started pulling out a large black and yellow night shirt. Just then, they both heard the sound of Steve explaining what happened to Dustin.

"THAT SON OF A BITCH!" Dustin yelled.

"Where the hell are you going?!" Steve asked.

"TO COMMIT MURDER! HE WANTS TO SEE BLOOD?! I'LL SHOW HIM BLOOD!" Dustin yelled.

"I guess you don't want hot chocolate then, Conan," Steve said sarcastically.

"With the little marshmallows, please," Dustin said.

Leah bent over laughing as Eddie did the same. She walked into her ensuite bathroom before popping her head back out again.

"Could you come with me?" She asked Eddie.

"Into the bathroom or into the shower?" Eddie asked.

"Whatever you want to do," she shrugged.

Eddie followed her into the restroom and watched as she took off her robe before hopping into the shower. He stood outside the shower awkwardly for a moment, trying to decide what to do before he heard her sniffling. Eddie immediately stripped down and stepped into the shower. He turned her around and pulled her into her arms, cradling her against his chest. She cried for a while as he held her before she pulled back and looked at the scars on his chest.

"Do you miss them sometimes?" She asked.

"My breasts? Nope, not at all," Eddie grinned. "Why are you asking?"

"I don't know because sometimes I hate mine," she replied.

"May I?" He asked, motioning towards her breasts.

"Yeah."

He cupped them gently, holding them up.

"When you hold them, do they feel like yours?" Eddie asked.

"As mad as I get at them, I also love them, so yeah, they feel like mine," Leah replied.

"Whenever I held mine, they never felt like mine. I didn't hate them. It just felt like they didn't belong there, you know," Eddie said.

"Maybe they're somewhere out there helping a woman who's in a similar situation," Leah said.

"That's a nice thought," Eddie grinned softly. "I fucking hope so."

"After you told me and Steve, I kind of questioned myself for a while. I still am, and while I don't believe I'm like you, it's nice to question it, to not feel like you're just one thing, and maybe I'm not. There's just this fluidity to it, I guess, and when I look at you, I question myself, but in a very good way. I think it's so beautiful, and so are you," Leah said. "I'm really glad you're a part of my life, and I really hope that I didn't scare you and Steve off."

"You didn't, sweetheart, you could never," Eddie replied.

He leaned his forehead against hers and let the water wash over them, the conversation with it. Suddenly, Eddie leaned back again to look at her.

"You broke a glass with your boobs again, didn't you?" He asked.

"Eddie!" She snapped before sighing. "Yes."

Once they got out of the shower, they dressed and wrapped their hair up into a towel. Eddie winked and hip checked her on the way out of the bathroom. Steve was coming in with a tray of snacks and drinks as they were leaving the bathroom.

"I made hot chocolate and popcorn. I also got you those big marshmallows that you like," Steve said, placing them on the nightstand. "I grabbed some pretzels, too."

"Thanks, Stevie," Leah said.

"Do you want us to stay?" Steve asked.

"Do you want to go?" She asked.

"We always want you around, I just thought you knew that," Steve said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Yeah?" She asked, biting her lip.

Eddie plopped onto the bed and pulled her in between his legs.

"What our boy here is trying to say. . .do you want to be our girlfriend?" Eddie asked.

"You both want me?" She asked and he yanked her fully in to his lap.

"Hell yes," Eddie said.

Steve sat down on his other side, resting his head on Eddie's shoulder. Leah smiled when Steve pouted and widened his eyes.

"Please?"

"You don't have to beg. . . Unless you want to," Leah laughed. "Yes, I'll be your girlfriend."

Leah cupped Steve’s chin and gave him a kiss. She smiled as she leaned back, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

"Excuse me? Don't I get a kiss? I'm the one who asked?" Eddie asked.

"Hmm. . . Let me think about it. . . ," Leah giggled.

Eddie growled and pushed her back onto the bed as he began tickling her sides.

"You little minx," Eddie said and moved to kiss her but caught her cheek instead. "Leah!"

Leah giggled before pulling Eddie into a hard kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck. He broke the kiss and brushed her nose with his while Steve collapsed on her other side.

"I like your shirt. You look like a cute bumblebee," Steve said and kissed her cheek.

"It's new. I got it because it reminded me of you and Steve," she blushed.

"Do you hear that, Eddie? We have our own shirt," Steve said, his eyes lighting up.

"I heard," Eddie said, his own eyes twinkling.

"I love you both," Leah said fondly.

"I know," Eddie said seriously.

"Eddie Munson! You did not just Han Solo Me!" Leah gasped and pushed him off the back. "Take it back and tell me you love me!"

"I did tell you, baby," Eddie cackled from the floor.

"I love you!" She said furiously as she looked over the side of the bed.

"I know!"

"Eddie! Damn it!"

Leah grabbed her pillow and began hitting Eddie with it.

"You know, he did the same damn thing with me!" Steve exclaimed as he looked over the side with her. "Eddie, if you don't be honest with her, she's the only one who will ever get to see my bare ass!"

"I'll be good!" Eddie said, sitting up and cupping her face. "Sweetheart, you make everything so much better. You make us better, and we are so maddenly in love with you. . . I love you."

Leah smiled and cupped his face right back. She leaned forward like she was going to kiss him but paused right before his lips.

"I know," she whispered and Eddie pouted.

"I love you!" Steve laughed.

"You know, our hot chocolate is going to become cold chocolate," Eddie said, rolling his eyes.

So, now here they were, sitting on her bed drinking cocoa and tossing marshmallows into Eddie's mouth.

"I have to ask. When did you realize that you loved both of us?" Steve asked.

"Oh, that's easy," she said softly. "When my dog died a few months ago, and you guys never left my side. I don't think that I would have gotten through it without you. You only made it better."

"I came late into her life, but Shadow was a great dog," Eddie said fondly.

"We're never leaving your side again. . .I mean, within reason," Steve said.

"We have to go to the bathroom at some point," Eddie said, and Leah giggled.

And later that night, she fell asleep between the two men that she loved, her heart lighter than air and feeling like she could whatever horrors the world threw at her with them by her side.

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hoppers-babygirl · 1 year

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Beat his ass

Author: Hoppers-babygirl

ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/hoppers_babygirl

Word count: 2316

There was still an awkward distance between Cassie and Steve but that didn’t stop her from riding along with Steve, Dustin and a couple of his friends. Everyone knew she had been seeing Billy once Steve and Nancy got together but no one ever quite spoke about it out loud. That was until Cassie asked Steve to drive her over to his house. Things had been uneasy between the unlikely couple but Cassie tried her best not to let it show. It had been two weeks since Billy last spoke to her, she was sick and tired of his silence so she took matters into her own hands.

Steve stayed silent as he drove towards Billy’s house, his knee bounced anxiously on his free leg. It struck up a bit of anxiety in Cassie but she took a few deep breaths. After Steve dumped her for Nancy; Cassie and Billy started seeing one another, even though they were an unlikely couple, the pair enjoyed one another’s company. They dated six months before this air grew tense between them. Cassie never thought he would act this way toward her but she was wrong in the end. She assumed Billy heard that Nancy broke things off with Steve, maybe thinking that he would try to swoop in and take Cassie away from him but that wasn’t the case.

The matter of the fact is that Cassie grew sick, some days worse than before. She assumed it was just a simple cold, nothing more than the flu. Only she was wrong, after taking a test the liquid in the tube turned blue. Her stomach knotted up at the sight, causing her to fall to her knees in front of the porcelain bowl as she grew sick.

Eventually Steve pulled up to the all too familiar blue house, except he was pulled off on the side of the road, across from the house. Snapping from her thoughts she looked over, her brows pinched together.

Steve spoke up. “I know you just wanted a ride but I don’t trust the guy. I’ll stay here for ten minutes and if you don’t come out then I’ll leave. Just for my sanity, okay?” He offered her a small smile.

She took a shaky deep breath and nodded before slapping a fake smile on her lips. No one except Jonathan knew what was actually going on with Cass, which she was thankful for as she knew she could trust him with her life. Even now she felt guilty asking for this from Steve especially while her little brother rode shotgun but she had bigger worries to deal with right now and that’s what she was focused on. Taking another deep breath she actually opened the door and stepped out the car, her legs felt like jello but she couldn’t stop her movement. It was like she wasn’t even in control of her body as she walked up the little stairs and up to the door.

Cassie knew Max was home as she could see her bike still outside. It helped her feel a little at ease but soon her knuckles rapped at the door. Moments later Billy opened the door, his usual smirk not prominent on his lips as he took in the sight before him. Steve's car in the distance, Cassie in front of him wringing her hands and the dark circles under her eyes. He snorted and walked back down to his room to which Cassie followed behind him. “Hello to you too, Billy. Do you know that I’ve tried calling you for the past two weeks only to have Max lie to me? Because I know it's a goddamn lie.” She started in on him soon after closing the front door.

He began to puff on a cigarette and opened his bedroom door. “Listen little bird, it's over. Whatever you thought we had going on is over, you’re a waste of my time.” Cassie scoffed and crossed her arms over her chest. “You think?” She sassed back. He turned and blew the smoke in her face, making her turn away and let out a quiet cough. “I didn’t fucking invite you here. You showed up, princess.” His voice dripped with venom but when the smoke cleared Cassie could see the mark crossing his cheekbone but with his attitude he wasn’t going to talk about it. “Yeah well maybe if you knew how to pick up the phone then I wouldn’t have had to come here and tell you.” Her voice began to hush. “Tell me what? That you’re not gonna be my whore of the week anymore?” He replied as he began to slip a shirt on.

She shook her head, “I guess you just forgot the past six months then huh? That surely doesn’t add up to a week.” She replied just as harshly. Billy huffed out a breath almost like an annoyed bull would. “Get to your point or get the fuck out.” His voice had risen. Cassie assumed he and his father had a fight which only added to his annoyed attitude. “Look this isn’t the easiest to fucking say, okay?!” She raised her voice to match his. Anger and hurt welling up in her chest. Max must’ve heard their yelling and slammed her door shut which on some level helped Cassie calm down. One less set of ears to share the news with right now.

“I know we’ve been pretty careful about things but uhm… well it seems that we weren’t as careful as we thought. I’m pregnant Billy. I’m fucking pregnant and you’ve been ignoring me.” She finally let it out. Billy was the first and only person to know. Billy began to shake his head and pace his room. “I knew you were just like the rest. Just a stupid whore.” He muttered under his breath. Her heart fell to the floor. Sure she didn’t expect to be spun around in his arms and given a big kiss but to be called such harsh words as if this was her fault?

“I don’t give a fuck, Princess. Tell whoever else you’ve fucked that it’s their problem because you’re not going to make it my problem.” His teeth grit as he speaks. Tears formed in her eyes and her lip began to wobble. This caused Billy to laugh. “It isn’t a problem I made by myself. You know damn well that I’ve only been with you so there’s no need to try and deny that. Just because your father treats you like a piece of shit doesn’t-” Just like that she was on the ground on her ass. Cassie sat in shock on the floor for just a moment before the pain in her jaw really hit her. Her hands shook as she stood up on jelly like legs, one hand protecting her stomach. “Fuck you Billy.” She spat at him before she turned and began to walk out the house, Billy hot on her ass, wiping his face from her spit.

“You’re a stuck up little bitch. You opened your legs and got knocked up and now I’m supposed to care?!” He yelled as he followed after her, grabbing her wrist harshly. “Get the fuck off me!” Cassie screamed, tugging her wrist back to her body as tears now spilled down her cheeks freely. “I’m not the dumbass who bought cheap condoms!” She replied, still tugging her wrist from his grip which only tightened causing her to whimper. “Don’t think you’re getting a fucking thing from me. You laid on your back and took what I gave you.” He sneered.

By now Max slipped out of her room and outside unbeknownst to Cassie and Billy. Finally she freed her arm from his grip causing her to stumble back and hit her hip into the table that was in the hallway. She yelped and began to move back to the front door. Only to tumble to which Billy used to his advantage, he pinned her hips down as he straddled her and grabbed both wrists to slam her down into the floor causing her to curse out. Her head rang, she hadn’t ever seen Billy act this way with her before but he figured that he wasn’t really fighting her but the things that angered him. She squirmed underneath him and tried to get out his hold but instead he was steadily screaming in her face, her head throbbed so badly that she wasn’t even sure what he was saying but she could hear the high pitched scream. Both Billy and Cassie looked up, Max stood in the front doorway screaming at the sight only to be replaced by Steve.

There must’ve been blood as Cassie could see red streaks but they surprisingly hadn’t come from her head. Dustin helped her up with a devastated look on his sweet features. How the hell could he and Steve have known about the fight that was happening inside the house but she figured it was all due to Max’s scream.

Meanwhile Max had gone out her window as Cassie and Billy had their scream fest. Max hadn’t realized that no one except Cassie and Billy knew about the baby. But everyone sat with a shocked expression. Steve gripped the steering wheel and questioned Max about what was going on inside but Cassie’s scream sounded through the house causing Max to run back to the house and the others to follow along. Upon opening the door and seeing Cassie on her back pinned under a screaming angry Billy, Max let out her screech alarming the rest of the group. Steve, Dustin and Lucas jumped from the car.

Soon Steve had Billy by the shoulder pulling him off of Cassie. It was the first time Dustin had ever seen Cassie so scared, he ran over to her and helped her up off the ground. She looked sleepy but sad in a way. It scared Dustin to see his sister like this. Usually she was so sweet and funny, she had only ever seen her sad when they were younger.

Cassie sat up and wiped her lip, it was split and she hadn’t even realized that the slap from earlier had caused her lip to split open. Dustin tugged her toward the kitchen to grab a rag to clean the blood. The house was loud as Billy and Steve wrestled together, Max yelling at BIlly to stop it and leave her friends alone and Lucas trying to calm her down. Cassie sighed and wiped her lip clean and gave Dustin a hug, her other cheek rested against his head.

“I’m so sorry to have to see this bullshit.” She mumbled against his curls.

“Why didn’t you tell me first?” He asked quietly. His question confused her at first but then the realization hit her.

“Because he deserved to know. Or at least I thought he did.” She replied, his arms tightened around her as they hugged.

“Come on, we gotta get Steve out of here before he and Billy get too fucked up.” She kissed his forehead and led him back out to where the guys were fighting.

“Let's go Steve. It’s not even worth it. I just want to go home.” Steve shoved Billy away and threatened him which caused the other man to laugh. Max was in tears as Lucas ushered her out the door to which Cassie did the same with Dustin.

Now stood Steve, Billy and Cassie. She sighed, “I’m sorry I ever met you and I’m glad our child never will.” Her lip quivered but she turned and walked out the door, Steve trailing behind her after a few moments.

His hand on her back caused her to jump. “Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Are you okay? Is the- is everything okay?” He asked shyly. Great so everyone knew, Max must’ve heard their fight.

“I’ll be fine. Thank you for stepping in, if you hadn’t then who knows what could’ve happened. But I’ll probably make up some lies and go to the doctors just to make sure.” She shrugged and gently tapped her lip to check and make sure the blood stopped.

“You know, if you ever need anything, I’ll be there to help you. It’s the least I can do.” He gave her a small smile to which she returned.

“Thanks Steve, I’m sure I’ll need all the help I can get.” He pulled her into a careful hug. A much needed hug.

Eventually Steve took Cassie and Dustin home, but when Cassie climbed out the car Max followed. Lucas shrugged at Steve but he waited for the redhead.

“Hey Cassie… I know you’re never going to go around Billy anymore and I’m not really related to you like Dustin is but..” The young girl trailed off.

Cassie smiled and nodded. “You’re gonna be the best aunt ever, Max.” Cassie finished the girl's sentence which caused her to smile. She gave Cassie a quick hug and ran back to the car and got back in with Lucas before they drove off. Cassie went inside and cleaned up, making lunch for herself and for Dustin. Afterwards the siblings sat and talked and even watched a bit of television to try and make the day feel any bit normal.

A few weeks later Cassie went to the doctors, thankful her tussle with Billy hadn’t affected anything seriously. She would have a little scar on her lip but she didn’t care much about that. She was just glad to hear that her little boy was doing just fine. Even after getting bumped and shook around she was beyond relieved to hear everything was doing good. Even if she was doing it on her own. But she wasn’t really alone was she? No. She had a family that she was lucky enough to have as her support.

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gryfflepuffinthetardis · 3 months

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Prologue — 1979

Warnings: Implication of discrimination and discrimination by association

"Be a rebel. Be wild, child. Never settle. That's not your style."

Steve Harrington and Cassandra Henderson—best friends since diapers. Their fathers were friends in high school when Pan and Claudia Henderson still lived in Hawkins but not anymore because Steve's dad is an asshole. But they moved a few towns over when she was two until Dustin Henderson was born when she was four and then her parents got divorced... one would say because of differences but one could also say because they shared one specific similarity in which case they would then get a punch to the face if that said that to Cassandra's face. Cassandra moved back to Hawkins with her dad where she was reunited with Steve Harrington who was now five, but they acted as if there was no two-year time span of not seeing each other. When she was about eight, she started to get into a rebellious phase and when she was eleven, she gained the nickname "Cassie Dare" from how daring she was, as a play on "Cassandra", known by the school, most of the teenagers, the police, and pretty much anyone who happened to meet her because she usually left an impression. Despite this, most just called her Cassie as when people properly met her, they found that it was a bit awkward to say every time.

Her father knew she meant no trouble, in fact, he implored it as long as she kept her morals and the ones he taught her.

1) Never sell or betray out a friend or family

2) Never steal from small, independent businesses but from big chains (they can afford it, small chains cannot.)

3) Always show a man that you can be as sweet as candy and deadly as ice.

4) Be a rebel, not a criminal.

5) Do as much good as you can with your rebellion. Be like Robin Hood, angel.

6) Have fun and be happy.

And she did, she toed the line between "rebel and "criminal" despite many of the judgemental residents of Hawkins, decalring her to be a "criminal", a "born deviant" (to which she would point out meant she just deviated from social norms so she absolutely was that sometimes that wasn't what they were going for and Cassie was fully aware of this), a "miscreant", a "delinquent", a "hoodlum" or whatever word judgmental people for in or before the fifties threw around at those who acted out of what was considered normal, including Steve's parents after they "cut ties" with Pan Henderson, however this was only one reason she was heavily scuritnied by the older close-minded residents of Hawkins.

Some however, knew she was good at heart. She was always unwaveringly kind if you actually thought about her actions, she was selfless and always gave people a good story to tell after. She never tried to manipulate others into her rebellious acts, she looked out for what was best for other in their own self-interest.

Then she turned twelve and Steve Harrington had dared her to go into the mysterious Hawkins Lab on April thirteenth of 1979.

She just smirked at her thirteen-year-old best friend, "Is that really a challenge, Harrington?" She smirked, the mid-April wind blowing her auburn hair.

"Then impress me, Henderson." He smirked back.

Cassie scaled the fence, her feet just being small enough to fit into the holes in the fence before propping herself on top of the fence and looked back at Steve on that hill, giving him a thumbs up before dropping and landing on her feet, the force making her crouch down and touch her fingertips to the ground before swiftly standing up to her feet, her auburn locks bouncing before she pulled her black hoodie over her head and walking towards the wall to press herself against it and she disappeared from Steve's sight.

Steve Harrington didn't see her again for three weeks, no one saw her for three weeks. Three weeks of blaming himself.

Benny, an old school friend of Pan Henderson, took the trash out on May fourth when he heard a twig snap and he looked into the woods to see a shivering twelve-year-old girl with auburn hair and hazel eyes he recognized as his old school friend, Pan Henderson's daughter despite how pale and sweaty she was.

"Cassandra?" He asked as she stared at him as if she were doped up, her skin was pale and she was layered in sweat, she was swaying as if she were unable to see straight, disorientated and lost her coordination, her sclerae were bright red and glazed over, her breathing was deep yet shallow as blood-tinted tears fell down her face; then she collapsed.

When she awoke a few minutes later, she was deeply hungry, digging into a hamburger despite her being a vegetarian. Though she abandoned it halfway through after realizing it and switched to French fries after running to the bathroom to vomit it up out of guilt.

"ANGEL!" Pan shouted when he burst through the door albeit more dramatically than what was needed, ignoring the deputies behind him, protesting that they go first, having given them the middle finger while screaming curses at them.

"Daddy!" Cassie sobbed out, speaking for the first, she got up and ran to her father, sobbing into his chest as they hugged.

"Shh, shh, shh..." Pan shushed his daughter, soothingly, caressing the back of her head as she sobbed, "it's okay. You're safe now."

"Ma'am, I am sorry but we need to ask you some questions." The chief said, prompting Pan to turn abruptly to him and shout dramatically at him.

"WE ARE HAVING A MOMENT HERE!"

The official story was that Hawkins Lab had been oblivious to Cassie's breaking and entering until she had been “violently and recklessly” exposed to a chemical that had endangered her life and they couldn't risk anyone breaking in to get her without it contaminating them or worsening her condition so they lied when they asked if she had been seen.

The recently transferred and depressed Hopper had thought was just a bunch of bullshit as he gave them a deadpan look but the chief bought it so Hopper couldn't make a big stink about it even with the sympathy he was given even though they had lied to federal officers and if she had been exposed to a chemical why was she still in the same clothes. And why was there blood on her clothes?

Pan Henderson also called bullshit as he narrowed his eyes as the representative of Hawkins Lab, Mister Brenner with his arms crossed, glaring daggers at him like nothing could give him greater pleasure than for his snake rings to come to life and squeeze the life out of him, right here in the hospital where she had been sent due to starvation and exhaustion.

"I hope we can put this matter to rest." Brenner told Pan.

"To rest? You kidnapped my child and kept her in your lab for three weeks!" He shouted with cold fury in his brown eyes. Pan Henderson may have looked silly with his silly walk, red hair, and constant sunglasses but messing with his kids was a sure-fire way to get an oncoming storm coming your way.

"She broke in, we could sue." Brenner said, flatly.

"I don't think you know who I am." Pan growled.

"I know exactly who you are, Pan Henderson. And you do not want me as your enemy." Brenner said.

"And you don't want me as yours." Pan challenged.

Pan showed a much softer side when Cassie woke up, her hazel eyes looking exhausted but relieved.

“Hey, angel,” He smiled, having nothing but fatherly love in his brown eyes.

“Daddy.” She sniffled, “Where… where am I?”

“Hospital. You fainted from exhaustion.”

“What happened?”

“I don’t know.” He said, stroking her hair, gently, “But I’m going to find out even if it kills me.”

Steve Harrington burst into the hospital brought by his asshole father who was clearly not happy with how much his son cared for his female best friend.

When she thought back to the lab, she could just barely remember, she saw flashes of tiled walls and then flashes of a young girl around eight years old with a shaved head, and blood... lots and lots of blood, and then... pain. If she tried to remember too hard it hurt her head so badly that her vision would blur and would disorientate her.

Even though she had forgotten, she wasn't the same as she once was. Her smiles were no longer genuine, always hiding pain with jokes and smiles.

A few weeks later, her dad’s ambition to find out what happened got really serious to the point that she had gotten accustomed to waking him up because he had stayed up so late, trying to figure out what happened.

Then she had woken up in the middle of the night when the door slammed shut.

She ran out to see her father, sinking against the door, sobbing with his hands in his hair.

“Dad? Daddy?” She asked, running to him.

He looked up at her with illuminated brown eyes and he pulled her into a hug, tightly as if he were scared she’d disappear again.

“Daddy, what’s wrong?” She asked.

“I won’t let anyone hurt you or Dusty,” He cried, “Never ever.”

“Daddy…”

He shook his head, holding her tightly as his body near racked with tears.

When her brother and mother moved back to Hawkins and her father moved to Indianapolis, she stayed with her brother. She felt she needed to be in Hawkins for him. And she was right, four years later.

*Get ready for many David Tennant gifs. I know he's usually a love interest on this show but he has a really good dad energy to me. Like a fun but protective dad type.*

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marvelwitchergilmore · 2 years

Text

Talking About It

Summary: After spending the last few years ignoring the second half of her brother's town-famous duo, Connie is more than shocked to find him at her door - on a weekend noless.

This is a Steve Harrington x OC (but feel free to interprate yourself as OC)

Pre-S4 but Post-S3

Slight warning - mentions of nightmares/terrors

Might do a Part 2? What'dya think?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Connie first found out the truth about what happened to the family cat, not much shocked her.

A mall explosion that was actually due to some upside-down creature? Nothing. A kid going missing and contacting his mother through a bunch of Christmas lights? Just another Monday.

But the one thing that did shock her was a knock on her front door on Saturday evening when she wasn't expecting anyone.

Dustin's friends knew he was away for a week visiting Suzie at an anual camp get-together. Their mom was also away for a week after she won a get-away cruise at work.

So Connie was left home alone and wasn't expecting a soul.

That was only a fraction of why she was shocked though.

Taking hold of the baseball bat, she slowly made her way over to the door.

She made sure no shadow was seen under the door as she looked through the peephole but when she did, she was more shocked at what she found.

Not a dead cat. Not a D&D named creature. Not even the Pizza guy - not that she had order a second pizza.

What she found was rather the fallen King of her high school who was now the babysitter or her brother and his friends when they went in search for danger.

"Harrington?" Connie whispered, confused, under her breath before she unlocked the door and he turned back around.

"Good, you're in."

"Yes, I'm in. Dustin's not home."

"Yeah, I know."

Connie knitted her brows together. "Then what are you doing here?"

"Well, as much as Mail is so much fun, I'd rather not have to read another five page letter from your brother only to get the same words in phone call an hour later."

"What?"

Relaxing his shoulders, Steve explained. "Dustin is worried about you. He asked me to keep an eye on you."

"An eye on me? Why?"

"Well, and I'm just spitballing here so correct me if I'm wrong-"

"Happily."

"You've been having nightmares and not sleeping. Now, I'm no shrink, but I do know movies so, while you're up, you might as well watch them."

"...okay? Still doesn't explain why you're here. Why you? Dustin could have called anyone else."

"Apparently, I'm the best option since I managed to keep those shits safe for, like, three years. So? You gonna leave me standing out here freezing or are you gonna let me in?"

Connie thought on it for a moment.

Even though Steve and Dustin seemed to be inseperable, herself and Steve had never really spoken much before. They hadn't even known one another in highschool. They were never in contact. But whenever he was in school, she didn't much like him. He was an asshole after all. But Dustin always vouched for him that he had changed. And he wasn't wrong. Steve had kept Dustin and his friends safe - well, as safe as he could get them.

"Fine."

"Thank you." Steve said, raising his arms up as he held a plastic bag in each, lowering his head a little.

Moving aside, she allowed him inside, which was when he spotted her weapon of choice.

"What? You gonna attack me or something?"

"Just wasn't expecting anyone s'all."

Steve gave her a look. "Okay...?"

Connie moved back, locking the door behind him whilst he escaped into the kitchen to grab a few bowls for the snacks he'd brought. Dustin's letters were very detailed.

"So, since I'm here, you wanna talk?"

"You're not my shrink."

"Hey, I'm doing this as a favour for Henderson. And I don't really want him chasing me with a baseball bat because I didn't help his sister. So, talk."

Sliding onto one of the kitchen counter seats whilst Steve unpacked the bags, Connie folded her hands together.

"There's nothing to talk about. I've been having nightmares. End of story."

"End of story? Really?"

"Really."

"Okay, so...cold sweats, vivid images and shaking shivers are just something Dustin made up?"

"Wha..How did you-"

"His letters are very detailed."

Connie rolled her eyes. "Of course."

"So?...Look, we could go round and round in circles or you could just talk to me. I can be a good listener."

Connie kept his eye contact for a short while before sighing and giving in. "Fine."

"It's nothing major. Just my memory reminding me of things."

"Of what things?"

"Will going missing. That..thing eating the cat. The mall, Billy-"

There was a brief moment of awkward silence. "Billy and I were never close. In fact, I was ready to beat the shit out of him almost as much as you did. Maybe more. But when I saw that thing go through him...it was like it was in slow motion, you know. And it's not like it's the first death I've witnessed. You know. After all, Hawkins is becoming famous for it. Land of the dead and what-not. But it was the first that felt...real. Even if everything around us doesn't seem like it is. It was just so...real." Connie's mind seemed to wander for a moment before she finally snapped back. "I-I don't know. It was just a lot to process. I was fine for a while after - no nightmares, no nothing. But then we had fireworks at Halloween and the lights and the sounds...I guess they just brought back memories. One's I thought had gone."

"I get it."

"You do?"

Steve nodded, the pair now walking into the living room. "Sure. I kinda felt the same after those fireworks. We've all had a fair share of night terrors."

"Have they ever felt real, though? As if you're living it again. That you don't know if you have the opportunity to wake back up?"

This stunned Steve into silence. They all suffered with nightmares every now and then. Who wouldn't? People seemed to die left, right and centre when it came to the holidays. But they knew they were nightmares.

"It started with Dustin. I'd be dreaming of when we were kids with mom and dad setting off fireworks. He was only a baby, but it was one of my best memories of us. But then...I'd be back in the mall. And rather than El, it would be Dustin." Connie explained. "I knew they were nightmares then, but after that...it was like being stuck in time. I couldn't move fast enough until finally I came sliding around the corner and grabbed Max before she could go and throw herself into danger and get herself killed."

Then after a few moments of silence: "It just impaled him."

Steve didn't really know what to say. What do you say to someone when they've told you that? What do you say when you can see it in their eyes that they're reliving the moment as they talk about it? How do you make the pain go away?

So, after a long silence, Steve finally held up the movie case.

"Grease?"

"Sure."

And everything seemed to go back to a comfortable slightly new normal.

"I wouldn't have took you as a musical's guy."

"I'm not. But Dustin sent me a list he and Suzie put together. I figured we'd work from the top."

Connie gave a small smile. The first she'd done in weeks - months, maybe.

"Sounds like a plan."

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musings-of-a-college-dork · 9 months

Text

Oh, Pretty Woman...

Steve Harrington x Fem!Henderson!Reader

Word count: roughly 5.5K

Y/N Henderson has been away from Hawkins for a while…but she’s come home only to realize her long held feelings for Steve Harrington. So when he invites her over for their usual dinner making hang out, things play out a bit differently than usual.

Warnings: NSFW (mdni), terms of endearment, fluffy Steve, slight season 3 spoiler (Robin has a partner), one OC (Jude), very fluffy smut, watching of Pretty Woman, not proof read.

Author’s note: Ok this has been a long time coming BUT I wanted to make sure it was everything I wanted it to be before posting! Enjoy some very fluffy Steve smut!

Y/N had been pacing back and forth all afternoon. She was overthinking this. She was totally overthinking this.

“It’s just movie night and dinner,” she said aloud as she help up her outfit options, “Like you used to do…Stop being so…ugh.” Finally, she realized there was only one thing to fix this. She walked over, picked up her phone, and dialed the number she knew by heart.

“Hello, this is Jude?”

“Hey, it’s Y/N,” Y/N said as she flopped down onto her bed, knowing they would set her straight if she was spinning out about this and not seeing it for what it was.

“Holy shit what’s wrong?” They sat on their bed, hearing their friend’s heart beat practically echo through the phone.

“Nothing ... .ok um…” Y/N tried to think of how to start this, “You know Steve and I make dinner together whenever I’m visiting town?”

“Oh my god,” Jude sat back on their bed. “Yes? Are you seeing him?” Jude’s brows were raised as Robin came in to water the plants in their bedroom. “Seeing Steve I mean.” They whispered to no avail, because Robin heard everything.

“Steve?” She asked. Jude motioned for them to be quiet.

“Oh god is Robin there?” Y/N asked as she could hear another voice, wanting to crawl up in a hole because if Robin knew she was overreacting she was totally gonna tell Steve.

“Hang on,” They tried to comfort Y/N. “Robin, honey, I need a moment.”

“No, no it’s fine as long as she swears not to mention this to Steve, ever,” Y/N said, emphasis on the ever.

“No,” Jude said. “Robin, you know I love you. But I need a moment with my sister.” Robin nodded, ruffling Jude’s hair as she walked out of their tiny bedroom, closing the door. “Tell me.”

“Ok so Steve invited me over to do like dinner and stuff which we do a lot when I’m home since he can’t cook, well he couldn’t cook when we started,” Y/N rambled, “He’s actually really good now when he tries-”

“Okay Y/N, sweetie, get to the meat.” Jude was waiting with baited breath to hear what she said.

“I’m nervous,” Y/N finally admitted, “To go over. I’m nervous.”

“And….is this… a new thing? You said you’ve been going over for a while now.”

“Yeah the nerves are new,” Y/N said with a sigh as she moved to look at the outfits she had been deciding between, “I mean it’s the first time we’ve hung out in a while and…I wasn’t nervous then but I am now. I mean, Jude, I’ve been through every outfit in my closet, I’ve showered and like an everything shower, and….ugh!”

“Oh god, an everything shower?” Their tone, usually mocking, was warm. “Well…are you planning…well let me rephrase. Do you want something to happen tonight?”

“What?” Y/N asked, the thought suddenly coming to her mind, “I…oh my god…I….”

“Do you?”

“Yes,” Y/N said honestly, “I…I really hadn’t thought about it because I was so busy with stuff,” a lie, Y/N had thought about Steve every day, “but…it would explain a lot of things.”

“THINGS??” Jude sat up. “HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON?? THINGS??”

“I mean,” she thought for a second before going, “I don’t know! I mean I’ve always thought Steve was handsome, he’s a good looking dude, everyone thinks Steve is handsome. And like sure there have been little moments where I wondered, what if, but I…I never really thought about liking him in that way but…then we were making dinner for the first time and he got that little smile and…and I fell for him. Deep and hard and- well not like that! But I just…I’m smitten Jude!”

“I mean he has been a rock for you after everything,” Jude nodded totally following, “And he’s a good guy. He’s funny and awkward and charming and he…definitely cares for you. You two danced and-”

“But what if he’s changed his mind?” Y/N asked as she flopped down on the bed, “What if I go over there and he’s totally moved on and doesn’t feel the same way and now it’s like starting over from scratch or worse, what if he just wants to be friends and I have to bury it all down again?! Maybe he doesn’t feel that way and maybe he…I mean…I like him so much and I have since…jesus the seventh grade? On and off and…Jude what do I do?”

“Oh Y/N,” Their voice consoling, for once no mockery. “You gotta go for it. You gotta. You have something special with him whether it’s romantic or not. And look at Robin and his friendship. They are still super close even after he confessed his feelings. He’ll always be there for you.” Relief did wash through Y/N in this moment only to be replaced by a new kind of trepidation.

“Then what do I wear?” Jude cackled at their friend’s nervousness, finally indulging.

“What are your options?” Jude said through laughter.

The drive there was also easy with the radio on blast. Even the way up to Steve’s apartment was easy…it was knocking on the door that was hard. But she did it. And then she waited.

Steve jumped and blew out the candle he lit. It’s not like that. Well maybe it’s like that. But remember what you’ve practiced. Follow her lead. See where she's at and make sure she feels the same still. He jumped to get the door, swinging the towel over his shoulder before opening the door.

“Hey,” His jaw hung open slightly, seeing Y/N. Why the fuck did I blow out that candle? “You look beautiful.” Fuck that was way too forward. Can’t take it back now. He scratched the back of his head before backing up and letting her in.

“Thank you,” She said, her voice so much shakier than she wanted it to be as she struggled to meet his gaze. She came in and kicked her shoes off as she always did out of respect. The lights had been dimmed significantly and there was already something cooking, as the room smelled of rich vivacious flavor.

“Steve that smells incredible!” Y/N said as Steve shut the door, “What are you making?”

“ I just made Penne Rosa,” He shrugged it off like it was the most casual thing in the world. Y/N just turned and looked at him, narrowing her eyes.

“I leave for what…three months and suddenly you’ve gone world class chef on me?” She teased with a smirk, “Steve, there will be no point to me coming over if you can suddenly cook better than I can! Jeez.”

“Hey now Y/N, just accept that I am officially allowed to be better than you at something,” He grabbed the spoon and offered her a taste. Y/N was far too excited for a taste as she followed him into the kitchen. Steve dipped the spoon into the sauce, got a bit, and without thinking much about it blew on the spoon to make sure it wouldn’t be too hot before passing it over to her. Y/N beamed as she took the spoon and popped it into her mouth letting out a hum in reply.

“Oh my god that’s so good,” she praised.

“You like it?” He beamed. “ I can relax now.”

“Like it? Steve that is the best sauce I have had maybe ever,” she said with a little sigh, “Oh that’s so good, wow.” He watched her enjoy it, before having to distract himself with his sauce.

“The bread I got from a bakery because I didn’t have time to bake any. If you could cut some into slices that would be wonderful.”

“Of course,” she beamed, happy for a task to do as she pulled the bread knife from his drawer where she knew it would be, “So…have you been seeing anyone?” Steve dropped his spoon, splattering sauce on the ground.

“Oh god, I’m so sorry,” He exclaimed, immediately getting down to wipe his mess. “Uh, no. No I haven’t been. You?”

“No,” Y/N said as she passed him a paper towel, “I um…I haven’t been either.”

“Oh,” Steve stood up and slung his towel over his shoulder, watching her back as she intently cut the bread. “Huh.” He went back to his sauce, stirring for a minute before finally giving in.

“So,” Y/N turned to look at him again, facing him fully this time, trying to break the tension she had somewhat created though she was thankful for the relief that he was still single, “What else is new?”

“Same old, same old”. He turned off the burden, allowing the sauce to still cook without the fire. “Nothing much to do other than work. Things just aren’t the same without you here.” Y/N’s cheeks went red and Steve smiled, confidence surging through him that spark was still there.

“How’s my brother been?” Y/N asked as she watched him work for a moment, noting how at peace she felt here, with him.

“He’s the same as usual too,” Steve scoffed, “Cocky.”

“And who’s fault is that?” Y/N teased, “You gave him your hair products and since then-”

“Woah, woah, don’t blame the hair,” Steve said as he pointed to his favorite feature, “The hair is not the problem!”

“I’m just saying,” Y/N chuckled, “The hair and you being around boosted his ego…but it’s nice. Except the cat thing when he’s flirting.” Steve cringed at the memory of Dustin doing the “rrrrr” sound he so often did.

“Yeah I was kinda waiting for him to grow out of that.” The pair both fell into laughter at the thought of Dustin - someone they both held dear - only being brought back by Y/N asking, “Can I do anything else for you?”

“Just enjoy yourself,” He smiled at her. “Actually, if you could get the wine out of the fridge…..I might have splurged because you’re back.”

“Steve,” Y/N said as she cooed his name on her way to the fridge, “Don’t splurge on my account! I’m just happy to get to spend time with you.”

“Welp, I should have kept the receipt then.” He plated the pasta. “ Oh, speaking of splurging...you’re gonna hate this,” He smirked.

“Steve Harrington,” Y/N put the hand not holding the bottle of wine on her hip as she looked at him with mock scolding, “What did you do?”

“I got Pretty Woman, definitely not because it’s your favorite movie. I just happened to be available at Family Video and I had Keith hold it all day for me.” Y/N literally melted on the spot. She just looked at this man and she knew she was down bad. She had no words and could only smile at him, like he had hung the moon. “Y/N? Hello Y/N?”

“Well I mean,” She started, coming back to earth with a blush on her cheeks, “If you went through all that effort, I suppose we just have to watch it, now don’t we?”

“I guess so,” He handed her a plate. “Listen it’s a special occasion so if you don’t like the pasta we can order take out. I will not judge or be offended.”

“Steve, I will love anything you make because you made it,” shit, she thought, that was a lot…but I can’t unsay it. So she just walked over and set the bottle of wine down on the table and got two glasses - the only two he had - out of the cabinet. He brought both plates out to his tiny dining room table, practically only enough for two. But she was the only other person other than Robin who ate here, so it didn’t really matter. As they sat to eat, he couldn’t help but feel at peace. He couldn’t help but feel like spending the rest of his life in Hawkins wouldn't be so bad. Maybe getting out every now and then with her wouldn't be that bad. As long as they had a van to drive around in.

The pair finished dinner and Y/N was up, taking Steve’s plate to wash it before he could get a word of protest in.

“You cooked, I’ll clean,” she had said before he could speak, “That’s how this works.” He smiled, sort of relieved that he could rest for a moment. He chose to watch her do the dishes, not in a creepy way. You’re being creepy. He looked away, going to set up the movie.

“Is it okay if I start it? You might just miss the opening.”

“I am so sure I have this movie memorized by now so feel free,” Y/N called from the kitchen as she continued to clean, making sure everything was dried and put away before joining Steve on the couch.

Soon enough the two were invested in the action, Julia Roberts walking down the street to Pretty Woman, one of Steve’s all time favorite songs. He felt the couch shift ever so slightly as Y/N pulled her feet up, getting even cozier on the couch and moving closer to him as a result. He wasn’t sure what to do next. Should I put an arm around her?

“I love this song,” He said. Smooth.

“Me too,” she said with a nod. The next pan had the pair watching as Julia Roberts caught sight of the store she had been turned away from earlier in the film…the same attendant on shift.

“This is my favorite part,” Steve whispered.

“You have a favorite part?” Y/N whispered back.

“Of course I have a favorite part. This movie is iconic. How uncultured do you think I am?” He nudged.

“Well between dinner and your choice in film clearly I have given you less credit than you deserve,” she shot back with a smile. He turned to her, not expecting such a genuine statement, and watched the warm glow of the TV flicker against her face. It was soothing in a way. He felt a warm rise up into his face and quickly turned away. Get a grip Steve.

“Hi. Do you remember me?”

“No, I’m sorry.”

“I was in here yesterday, you wouldn’t wait on me.”

Steve sat up straighter, hitting her thigh with excitement.

“Oh my god, oh my god.” Y/N couldn’t help but chuckle at his excitement.

“Oh.”

“You work on commission right?”

“Ah yes.”

“Big mistake. Big,” The pair said at the exact same time. “Huge.” They looked at each other, their smiles faded and replaced with something else. Something deeper.

And with that, Steve shifted his position on the couch, grabbed Y/N’s face, and pressed a long awaited kiss on her lips, finally. He had been thinking about kissing her from the day she kissed him when they were in the seventh grade. A quick peck, a bet, not a real kiss. It wasn’t fair she had kissed him first and that it was so short, not even enough time to blink. He knew that someday when he got to kiss her again, he’d cherish every moment of it.

Y/N’s eyes went wide for a second, in shock that this was occurring before leaning in, totally reciprocating. She couldn’t help herself, deepening the kiss to prove it was real by placing a hand ever so slightly in Steve’s hair, her fingers running to his roots. Holy shit.

They moved closer and closer together, continuing to kiss, neither pulling away for air for fear that if they stopped for even a second the other would disappear back into real life once more. Y/N’s heart was beating out of her chest as both their hands wandered, trying to touch everything all at once but also so unsure on where to put their hands. At this point she was basically sitting just to the side of Steve’s lap but he wanted her, needed her closer. In one solid motion, he pulled her into his lap, his hands roaming her body. There was urgency to both of their movements, both allowing soft moans to fall at how nicely they fit together. As much as Steve wanted to treasure each and every second, kissing her like she was his life support, he couldn’t help his hands from coming to rest on her ass. He used the next leverage to pull them even closer into each other which drew a gasp from Y/N - finally making him pull away.

“You alright?” He asked breathlessly.

“God, yes,” Y/N moaned as she kissed him again, keeping her hands in his hair, “Fuck Steve, please don’t stop.”

“Fuck,” Steve swore as her begging without him even having to ask, instinctively grinding his hips against her. The whimper she let out had him on the verge and they were both still fully clothed. Her legs coming to wrap around his waist so that she could feel even closer to him was the nail in the coffin. He needed her. Now.

Steve broke away from the kiss only for a moment but Y/N didn’t cease, beginning to kiss up and down his neck until she found a spot that made him groan. She focused on it with a fervor as Steve brought his hands up to the top button of her dress since the whole thing was a button down. He kept his hands there as a “May I?” and when Y/N pulled back to nod at him, he didn’t hesitate. Steve went back to kissing her as he slowly unbuttoned her dress, bit by bit, wanting to not look until he was fully done. This proved to be a difficult task too but luckily Y/N helped him out, starting at the bottom as he made his way down. The second their hands met and the last button was undone, Steve couldn’t help but to break their kiss to look at her. His hands came to rest on her hips as he pulled away, sucking in a sharp breath. Steve had never been one to believe in God but to see the woman he had been chasing after for years undressed in his lap wearing lingerie- and Jesus Christ not just any lingerie. His favorite kind.

It was a light blue and mesh material, almost completely see through other than being covered in beautifully detailed lace flowers. Again, Steve Harrington was pretty sure he didn’t believe in God but seeing Y/N looking better than any porno he had ever even dreamed up - he was ready to start praying.

“Is…is it ok?” Y/N asked quietly as she looked at Steve, her hands moving to her lap as she fidgeted with them, unsure of what to do. “I wasn’t sure if you’d like it and I know I um…I don’t look like a lot of the girls you’ve been with but-” Steve kissed her so hard and fast, one of his hands moving from her hips to tangle in her hair in an effort to keep her from falling off his lap with the force he kissed her with. He needed her to know, to feel how much he wanted her. How much it had always been her.

“You, Y/N Henderson,” he whispered after pulling away, “Are the most stunning person I have ever seen in my life.” Y/N’s eyes went wide as she took in his compliment. How was this the same Steve she had known all her life? The Steve who didn’t know how to give genuine compliments so didn’t? The Steve who Robin constantly complained acted like a twelve year old boy and couldn’t say anything other than boobies?

“And holy fuck,” Steve swore as he brought his hands up to her waist, just underneath her breast as he ran his thumb ever so gently over the lace.

“You can touch me, Steve,” Y/N said gently as she brought her hand up to rest over top of his, “Please…please touch me.”

“Fuck,” Steve swore under his breath as he didn’t think twice moving his hand up to cup her breast in his hand, marveling at how she felt under his touch. Y/N ground her hips against his with a little whimper and he fucking lost it. He pushed the dress off her shoulders so she was truly in nothing but her underwear before pulling off his shirt, not wanting her to feel like she was the only one undressed. Y/N admired him as he did and felt her heart skip a beat. Steve had filled out. He had always been a decently broad guy but the second he had allowed himself to breathe and live his life instead of merely trying to survive from disaster to disaster he had grown softer instead of being lean muscle. The muscle was underneath but he had become a bit self conscious about the additional mass.

“Is that why girls don’t like me?” He had asked Robin as they passed a joint between them, “Because I’ve…”

“Nah,” Robin had replied with a shrug, “If anything that would help your case. Like the chest hair. Girls like you just fine, you just don’t like them.”

“That’s not true-”

“Yes it is,” Robin had cut him off, “Because none of them are Y/N Henderson.”

He had laughed then but as he had her on his lap, looking at him like he had brought the sunlight back to her dark world, he knew Robin was right. No one had ever compared to her, no one ever could.

“I’ve wanted you for so long,” the words flew from Steve’s mouth before he knew what he was saying, “You don’t even know.” He wanted to take the confession back, afraid she'd vanish despite the grip he had on her hips but she didn’t. Instead she turned her gaze back to his face and leaned in, going to press a kiss to his lips but she stopped just short.

“I know because I’ve wanted you just as much.” With that her lips connected with his again and it felt like the sky burst open. He pulled her closer than he thought possible, her hands coming to tangle in his hair as they kissed, rough and messy, teeth clashing as they both took what they had so desperately wanted. While Y/N was content with her hands tangled in Steve’s soft hair, Steve’s hands explored every inch of her exposed skin, one arm wrapping around her low back to keep the two of them rocking against each other with abandon. Y/N’s soft moans and the feel of her lips against his had Steve barreling towards the edge with shocking speed but he knew he didn’t want to finish still dressed on the couch. No, he wanted to be in her.

“Y/N,” He pulled away, the pair both breathing heavily, “I want to-”

“Me too,” Y/N breathed heavily as she looked at him, hands moving to caress his face and press kisses to his neck, “Your room?” She didn’t have to ask him twice, Steve’s hands coming to hold her ass as he picked her up. Y/N swore Steve took only three strides before she found herself pressed underneath him in his bed, his lips already back on hers. Her nails raked up and down his back gently and Steve wasn’t content with that. No, he wanted to be able to feel her, see evidence of this tomorrow, otherwise he wouldn’t believe it was true. His one hand came back to grasp at her one breast, tweaking her nipple roughly making her cry out in pleasure while his other hand trailed down to her underwear. The sheer material allowed him to feel just how wet she was as he trailed a finger up and down her slit, a gasp leaving her as her eyes flashed open.

“Shit,” He swore as he felt her, “So fucking wet. For me?”

“Yes,” Y/N said through gasps as she grasped him tightly, “For you Steve, all for you.” Steve would have smirked under normal circumstances but he felt so out of control all he could do was groan at her words and continue to feel her, rocking his hips against anything he could to try and relieve some tension from his body.

“Please don’t tease,” she begged him without the man even having to ask, “Please Steve, I just…want you now.”

“My fingers?” He asked between kisses and hickeys he pressed to her neck, taking the time to claim her as his.

“No, I want-”

“The answers are my finger or my mouth, baby,” Steve said as he pulled back, continuing to stroke his fingers along her slit, daring to dip just the tip of one in over her underwear but denying her more until she asked for it. “Can’t have anything else until you’re warmed up-”

“I am, I am, please Steve,” She begged, seeming to be on the verge of tears from how badly she needed him, “Can I…no more pants Steve. Wanna see you, all of you.” Steve wasn’t going to deny her a thing as badly as he wanted to finger her until she came around him, he would do whatever she asked. He climbed off of her and rose, bringing his hand to his jeans but Y/N moved and put her hand over his.

“Can I do it?” Steve’s mouth dropped open ever so slightly but he nodded as he closed it, moving his hands to her hips to give her full reign. She took his moment of submission to undo the button on his jeans, and then the zipper, before putting her hands through the loops and pulling them down. They fell to his ankles and he took a moment to step out of them, his hands on her hips pulling her into him as all that remained between the two was their underwear, allowing Y/N to feel Steve so much more than she had been able to before.

“Fuck Steve,” She swore as she brought her hand down to stroke him through his underwear causing the man to groan, “You’re so…wow…” Steve didn’t waste a second, kicking her legs apart a bit with his feet so he could bring his hand down to cup her sex once more, pushing her underwear to the side as he pressed a finger into her.

“Shit,” Y/N’s knees buckled a little bit at the intrusion and her grip on him stuttered.

“Lay down for me,” he commanded as he withdrew his fingers only for a moment, bring it to his mouth with a groan as she compiled, “Fuck you taste good.”

“Can I taste you?” Y/N asked as she laid in bed, his bed, and looked up at him with an angelic gaze.

“Not today, baby,” he cooed as he climbed on top of her, his fingers pushing her underwear aside again with ease as he slipped two fingers into her making her moan, “I’m already close and if you blew me, I wouldn’t be able to do what I really want.”

“And you want…?” Y/N asked between little gasps as he found that spot inside her that had her nails scratching into his back.

“Fuck,” Steve swore again as he burried his face into her neck as her hand moved inside his boxers, stroking him in earnest. “To be inside of you. Please.” Y/N moved her hand and brought both of her hands down to her underwear, pushing them off and kicking them to the ground as Steve stripped off his own. She couldn’t help but look at him, fully naked on top of her and looking like a Greek god.

“You’re so handsome Steve Harrington.” The honesty of her compliment had Steve melting as he reached into his bedside table and grabbed a condom out of the unopened box. Y/N took it from his hands and ripped it open with ease, slipping it onto him as he kissed up and down her neck.

“And you’re so beautiful Y/N Henderson.” Y/N smiled and allowed her one hand to come back to his hair, that combined with the way he stroked himself made him groan. He lined himself up with her entrance and ran his tip over her folds for a moment before remembering her beg not to tease - not that he could even if he wanted to. He was so desperate he knew the second she gave him the ok he would slip into her without a second thought.

“Can I-”

“Please.” Without another word, Steve began to press into her as gently as he could manage. The room turned into a mix of moans and swears as Steve fell to his elbows, bringing them impossibly close as Y/N’s nails dug into his back as she buried her face into his chest. The first few inches already had her so tight around him as he paused to revel in the feeling. Steve gently tangled his fingers into her hair to move her head from his chest, wanting to see her. Y/N must have caught on as she allowed her head to fall back on the pillow looking up at him in awe.

“You okay?” Steve asked as the hand that was in her hair moved to cup her cheek.

“Feels so good,” Y/N breathed out as she looked at him, her eyes watery from the feeling as she allowed her one hand to fall from Steve back and down onto the bed. “S’big.” Steve would have normally chuckled and made some comment about his ego being inflated too much but he couldn’t focus on anything except the way she felt around him and that he was less than halfway in.

“Doing such a good job,” He praised, trying to keep his voice even as he brushed some of the curls that had fallen around her face away so he could fully see her. “Too much?” She shook her head adamantly which made Steve smile. Seeing Y/N Henderson, one of the most composed and well spoken people he knew, reduced to nonverbal because of him was becoming his new kryptonite. He used his hand not bracing himself above her to hoist her leg over his hip, bringing them closer even still. He then took a moment to lace his hand with hers as he pressed her hand into the bed. Y/N was so distracted by this she didn’t even notice Steve pulling out almost all the way before fully pushing in. A soft moan slipped from Y/N’s lips as her eyes squeezed closed but that didn’t work for Steve. She was holding back. He knew it. And he didn’t want her to.

“Y/N, honey,” he spoke between kisses to her neck and lips and pretty much anywhere else he could reach, “Wanna hear you. Maybe some noise for me, hm?”

“But,” Y/N said as she looked up at him, her lust blown eyes blinking gently, “It’s embarrassing-”

“It’s beautiful,” he praised as he gently rolled his hips into her, getting her used to the movement and feeling, “Everything about you is.” Y/N melted and as she felt his tip prod that spongy spot deep inside of her she let out a real moan, her inhibitions slipping away with the pleasure.

“That’s it,” Steve cooed, “That’s it-oh fuck-” Steve swore as began to rock into her at a harder faster pace as he felt her clench around him. “So damn tight, fuck Y/N.”

“Steve please,” she whimpered as she pulled him closer.

“Yeah? That feel good?” He said, increasing his pace and making sure to press as deep into her as he could with each thrust. Y/N felt like she couldn’t breath, feeling like she could feel him all the way in her stomach. Steve clocked his too, their hands no longer laced together as Y/N had decided she needed one to scratch his back up and another tangled in his hair, so he was able to trail one of his hands down to where he knew he was in her. He pressed down and watched as Y/N’s mouth formed a little o, her eyes rolling back as he felt her cunt start to flutter around him.

“All the way in there, honey,” he cooed, through gritted teeth as he tried to hold off his own end until she had found hers. Keeping his hand there, he used his thumb to draw soft slow circles on her clit. That contrasted with the way he was fucking her so rough but with so much passion and praise had her teetering on the edge.

“Steve-Steve I’m gonna-”

“Let it go honey,” he whispered before pressing a firm kiss to her lips. “Cum for me.” And she did, hard. Her cunt clenched impossibly tight around him, her eyes squeezing closed and mouth forming an o in a silent scream as her release coated his lower abdomen.

“Holy shit-oh fuck,” Steve swore as he fell to his other elbow, not able to do anything more than let his release follow hers. He came with a high strangled groan - a sound Y/N was sure had come straight from the heavens had it not been so damn sinful. He slowed the pace of his thrusts as he rode out his orgasm but didn’t pull out as he all but collapsed on top of her before he realized oh shit I’m crushing her. He went to move but Y/N’s hands held his head to her chest.

“Stay,” her plea was a strangled whisper as she tried to catch her breath. And he did, knowing he’d never question her and her wishes, never for a second. He laid on top of her, their breathing syncing as he could feel himself soften, still inside her. He felt his eyes begin to droop and knew he couldn’t go to sleep no matter how comfy he was. Not until he had checked on her.

“Y/N?” He asked softly as he pushed up on his elbows to look at her. Her eyes fluttered open as they had been previously closed as she just took it all in while playing with his hair.

“Mhm?” She smiled at him, glowing with sweat and adoration. All words left him as he rolled onto his side, still inside of her and moved her to face him. He just wanted to hold her, that was all he wanted. So he did. Steve wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in so her face was nestled into his neck as he just took in the weight of her in his arms, memorizing every detail of this moment. He knew then that while this was the first night she’d rest in his arms, it wouldn’t be the last. This, Y/N was his forever.

Yay! I do love Steve very much and while I mainly have written for Eddie in the past, this idea kept coming back to me! Hope you all enjoyed and requests are open!

#stranger things x reader #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington smut #steve harrington fluff #steve x reader #steve harrington #steve harrington x yn #stranger things fanfiction #stranger things smut

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harringtonstilinski · 6 months

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Always The Babysitter - Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers

Author:@harringtonstilinski Characters: Steve Harrington x Olivia Henderson(OC) (eventually) Word Count: 3,008 Warnings: lil' bit of angst, lil' bit of fluff, not proofread Smut: no | yes; A/N: Hi, friends! Another rewrite series is upon us!! I'm so excited for y'all to read this one, and I hope y'all are just as excited!! If you are, please do not hesitate to reblog and give some feedback, whether it be in the reblogs, comments, or my inbox. As always, read at your own risk and enjoy 😊

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November 6, 1983. A normal fall night in Hawkins, Indiana. A Sunday night spent in the basement at my little brother’s best friend’s house. My brother is Dustin Henderson. His best friend is Mike Wheeler. They’re both here with their other best friends, Will Byers and Lucas Sinclair.

I’m Olivia Henderson, and I do not want to be here. You see, Mike has an older sister named Nancy. She and I used to be the best of friends… before she started dating my other best friend, but we’ll get to that later.

“Something is coming,” Mike said. “Something hungry for blood. A shadow grows on the wall behind you, swallowing you in darkness. It is almost here.”

I watched as all four boys playing a board game called Dungeons and Dragons, or D&D for short. They were all so immersed, I seriously think they all thought I left.

“What is it?” Will asked, almost excitedly.

I smiled at him, so happy to see him excited and happy about something, even if it was just a board game. He’d been through so much with his parents splitting and fighting all the time.

“What if it’s the Demogorgon?” Dustin asked.

I stood up from where I sat on the couch, moving towards the group.

“Oh, Jesus. We’re so screwed if it’s the Demogorgon.”

“It’s not the Demogorgon,” Lucas said, completely sure of his answer.

“It’s definitely the Demogorgon,” I whispered, face scrunched.

“Shut up, Liv,” Dustin said.

Slamming a gaming piece on the board, Mike said, “An army of troglodytes charge into the chamber!”

Lucas pointed at the board like he was right as my brother said, “Troglodytes?” with a smile on his face.

“Told ya,” Lucas chuckled.

Mike went serious as the rest of the group chuckled a little. “Wait a minute.”

I walked slowly around the table, as Mike thought for a moment. “Something is coming. Something hungry for blood.”

“Did you hear that?” Mike said, looking to his left. “That… that sound? Boom… boom… BOOM!” He slammed his hands on the table, the other three young boys jumping a little in their chairs.

“That didn’t come from the troglodytes,” I whispered, now standing behind Dustin. “That… that came from something else.”

Slamming another gaming piece on the board, Mike yelled, “The Demogorgon!”

The boys groaned as I chuckled.

“We’re in deep shit,” Dustin said, to which I smacked his hat off his head.

“Will, your action!” Mike said.

“I don’t know,” the young Byers boy exclaimed.

“Fireball him!” Lucas exclaimed.

“I’d have to roll a 13 or higher!”

Looking at Will, Dustin said, “It’s too risky. Cast a Protection spell.”

“Don’t be a pussy,” Lucas said. “Fireball him!”

“Cast Protection.”

Slamming his hands on the table yet again, Mike exclaimed, “The Demogorgon is tired of your silly human bickering! It stomps towards you. Boom!”

“Fireball him!” Lucas said.

“Another stomp! Boom!”

“Cast Protection!” Dustin said.

Looking up at me, Will asked, “Liv, what should I do?”

Shrugging, I answered, “I say cast Protection, but Fireballing sounds fun.”

“He roars in anger!” Mike yelled.

Everyone at the table started talking over each other before Will decided to roll the dice and yell out, “Fireball!” as the dice flew across the table and onto the floor.

The four of them quickly got up and started looking for the dice, wanting to see what numbers Will rolled. Dustin paced while saying, “Oh, my god,” over and over again.

“Mike!” Mrs. Wheeler yelled.

“Mom, we’re in the middle of a campaign!” the middle Wheeler said.

“You mean the end? Fifteen after.”

I looked at my watch with wide eyes, mouth agape after a second. “Shit. Dustin, we gotta go.”

“Why do we have to go?” Will asked.

“Because it’s a school night, Will,” I said, putting my jacket on. I looked at Dustin, watching as he put on his jacket as Will said, “Does a seven count?”

“Did Mike see it?” Lucas asked. “Then it doesn’t count.”

Not totally understanding the meaning behind that, I said, “Come on, boys. I can bring you back over next weekend for another 2 hour game.”

“It was 10,” Dustin said, picking up a box of pizza.

“You been playing for ten hours?”

Ignoring my question, my brother said, “Anyone want this?”

“No,” Will and Lucas said.

“Liv?”

I looked at the ceiling, thinking for a minute. “See if Nance wants it.”

“I thought you were mad at her,” Lucas said.

“Mad? No. Upset? Yes.”

“What’s the–”

“Don’t get involved,” Dustin said. “It’s complicated. Come on, Liv.”

Dustin and I walked up the stairs, and I immediately wished I hadn’t because what I heard made me want to rip my own ears off.

“Yeah, he’s cute,” Nancy said. “Barb, no. I don’t think so.”

Dustin waved at her, trying to get her attention. “Hey, Nancy. There’s a slice left if you want it. Sausage and pepperoni!”

I watched as Nancy rolled her eyes and told Barb to hold on before putting the phone down and walking over to her bedroom door… closing it in our faces.

“Do not let her bother you,” I said, the two of us walking down the stairs and to the garage door. “She’s just being a bitch.”

“There’s something wrong with your sister,” Dustin said as I closed the door behind us.

“What are you talking about?” Mike asked.

Will, Lucas, Dustin and myself all got on our bikes as Dustin said, “She’s got a stick up her butt.”

“Yeah. It’s because she’s been dating that douche bag, Steve Harrington,” Lucas said.

“Watch it, Sinclair,” I said.

“Yeah, don’t talk about Steve like that around Olivia,” Dustin defended. “Douche Bag was her best friend before Nance came along and she started becoming a real jerk.”

“She’s always been a real jerk,” Mike and I answered.

“She used to be cool. Like that time she dressed up as an elf for our Elder Tree campaign.”

“That was me,” I said, riding off with two of the younger boys. I stopped pedaling when I heard Will say, “It was a seven. The roll, it was a seven. The Demogorgon, it got me. See ya tomorrow.”

As soon as Will met me at the end of the driveway, I pedaled behind him after waving bye to Mike. When we made it to Lucas' house, he turned to us and said, “Goodnight, ladies and Liv!”

“Kiss your mom ‘night for me,” Dustin teased. He looked at Will and said, “Race back to our place? Winner gets a comic.”

“Any comic?” Will asked.

“Yeah.”

My chuckle turned into a laugh as Will started pedaling faster towards mine and Dustin’s house. Unintentionally, Dustin yelled, “I’m gonna kill you!”

“I’ll take your X-Men 134!” Will yelled, passing by our mailbox.

Dustin stopped, putting his feet flat on the ground. “Son of a bitch.”

I stopped beside Dustin, laughing, as I heard our mom yell out, “Livvie! Phone call!”

“I really wish she would stop calling me Livvie.”

Dustin chuckled as we made our way up the driveway, parking our bikes before heading inside, where I took my phone call in my bedroom.

“Yeah, hello?”

“Did you do the homework for Click’s class?”

“Hello to you, too.”

“Did you?”

I sighed, and hung my head. “Yes. But I’m not doing it for you?” I heard yelling on the other end of line. “Go before you get even more trouble for something you probably didn’t do.”

~~~

Since our mom works part time, she lets me take her car to school… but not on this Monday morning. I didn’t mind riding my bike, though. It was good exercise. When the boys and I made it to the high school, I stopped my bike and put it on the bike rack before bidding Lucas, Dustin and Mike a good day at school.

Right as I started walking up the school doors, I watched as Nancy Wheeler did the same. We smiled at each other a little, almost walking together like we used to. She went to say something before her friend Barbra Holland walked up.

“So, did he call?” Barb asked.

“Did who call?” I asked, acting oblivious. I knew exactly who she was talking about.

“Keep your voice down,” Nancy said, almost whining in her tone.

“Did he?” Barb inquired.

“Okay, someone has to fill me in,” I said.

“Barb, I told you, it’s not like that,” Nancy said. “Okay, I mean, yes, he likes me, but not like that. We just…” Nancy stopped at her locker, as did I. Our lockers were next to each other. “Made out a couple times.”

Barb mimicked her as I poked my head from behind Nancy, and said, “Will one of you please quit ignoring me and tell me who the hell she’s talking about?”

“Nance, seriously, you’re gonna be so cool now, it’s ridiculous,” Barb said.

“No, I’m not,” Nancy said.

“Hey, Olivia,” a random girl said.

“Hey, queen Liv,” another girl said.

I sighed, and closed my eyes. “Really wish they wouldn’t call me that.”

“Why?” Barb asked. “Because you got the nickname by association with Steve and now you two aren’t friends anymore?”

I held a finger out to her. “We never said we weren’t friends anymore. We just… drifted apart, is all. Happens all the time.” I looked at the back of Nancy’s head, gesturing to the younger girl. “Back to the task at hand.”

“You better still hang out with us, that’s all I’m saying,” Barb said.

“Us?”

“Yes. Us. I’m declaring you two friends again. But, Nance, if you become friends with Tommy H. and Carol–”

“Gross,” I mumbled.

“It was a one-time– two-time thing,” Nancy said, opening her locker.

I chuckled as Nancy put stuff in her locker before she grabbed a piece of paper in handwriting that I knew all too well.

Barb and I looked at each other before we said in unison, “You were saying?”

Nancy put the note back in her locker before closing it. She turned to face me, asking with her eyes if I’d meet her at the bathroom, to which I nodded my head and silently told her yes.

The only thing I heard before she walked out of the bathroom was the words to study in a stern, but almost playful voice by Nancy. When Steve opened the door a couple minutes after Nancy walked out, he and I locked eyes.

“I really hope you’re being careful with her,” I said. “She doesn’t need to have the reputation like all of your other cohorts. She isn’t like that.”

“Liv, I’m not–”

“You better not be. Don’t forget, I know where you sleep.”

He smiled a little, knowing I was right. I guess he decided to have some weird lame-ass comeback ‘cause he said, “Clothes get a little darker there, Henderson?”

When he looked over my head, I realized why he said that. Tommy H. and Carol.

“Yeah, well, I’d rather dress in dark clothing than dress like the ultimate geek,” I said. Turning to face Tommy H and Carol, I really didn’t want to waste my breath on them, so I just rolled my eyes and walked away.

“That’s right,” Carol said. “Walk away.”

Turning to walk backwards, I said, “Hey, Carol. Why don’t you stop being a bitch? Maybe then you wouldn’t have to beg for friendships from people that dress like nerds.” I walked straight to class, not thinking about them for the rest of the morning.

~~~

Third period. Not my favorite, but then again it was my favorite because that meant that lunch was next and all I wanted was to sit on the hood of Steve’s car and eat my lunch without him knowing.

When the Principal and Chief Hopper showed up at the door, knocking on it, my nerves went up about 100%. My first thought was Dustin, that something had happened to him. When the Principal called my name and had me follow the Chief to the Middle School, I kept quiet, not wanting to ask too many questions.

When we got to the AV room and I saw that Dustin was perfectly okay, I sighed in relief, hugging him when they entered the hall. The four of us followed Hopper to the Principal’s office, who joked that he never thought he’d see me in his office again.

Once the boys and I were sitting down on the couch, Hopper started asking his questions, and the boys started talking over each other.

“One at a time, alright?” Hopper said. He looked at Mike and asked, “You said he takes what?” “Mirkwood,” Mike answered.

“Mirkwood?”

“Yeah.”

Turning to Officer Callahan, Hopper asked, “Have you ever heard of Mirkwood?”

“I have not,” Callahan answered. “Sounds made up to me.” “No, it’s from Lord of the Rings,” Lucas said.

“Well, The Hobbit,” Dustin corrected.

“Here we go,” I sighed.

As Lucas and Dustin started their bickering, Hopper leaned forward saying, “What did I just say? One at a damn time.” Looking at Mike again, he said, “You.”

“Mirkwood, it’s a real road,” Mike said, before looking up at me.

I sighed and said, “It’s just the name that’s made up. It’s where Cornwallis and Kerley meet.”

Leaning back, Hopper said, “Yeah, alright, I think I know that–”

“We can show you, if you want,” Mike said.

“I said that I know it!”

“We can help.”

As the boys agreed, Hopper disagreed. “After school, you are all to go home. Immediately.” He looked at me and continued, “Make sure they don’t go biking around looking for their friend. No investigating, no nonsense. This isn’t some Lord of the Rings book.”

“The Hobbit,” Dustin said.

“Dustin, shut the hell up,” I said.

As the boys bickered, once again, Hopper looked at me and asked, “Do I make myself clear?”

“Inescapably clear.”

He stood up and looked at the boys, asking, “Do I make myself… clear?”

Once they all agreed, we were let go and Hopper walked me back to the high school, where his car was parked.

Before I walked back into the building, I turned and said, “Hey, Hop?”

He looked at me, pointedly, telling me to correct myself.

I sighed. “Chief.”

At his look of almost relaxation, I asked, “Do you think Will’s in danger or do you think something happened to him?”

He sighed, brushing his hand over his face. “I don’t know, kid. If he went home and then vanished, maybe his dad–”

“That piece of shit wouldn’t come back for his son,” I said, almost angry.

Hop sighed again. “Look, I’m just not sure. I’ll keep you updated. Get back to class.”

~~~

I looked at my phone, confused, as it rang. I picked the receiver, putting the earpiece to my ear. “Hello?”

“Can you come help me study?”

I sighed into the mouthpiece. “Nance. There’s a curfew in place because of Will missing.”

“Please?”

“Nance, I can’t. I can’t break the curfew.”

She sighed on her end. “You used to sneak out all the time.”

“Yeah. With Steve because we were both little shits,” I chuckled. I sighed, thinking it over for a moment. “Okay. I’ll come over–”

“Nevermind,” she said. “Steve’s here.”

“Don’t get caught,” I said, hanging up the phone. Dustin burst through my door a few seconds later, jacket and backpack on. “What are you doing and where are you going?”

“Looking for Will. You’re coming.”

~~~

Neither boy gave me a chance to try and explain why I didn’t want to go out looking for Will, but alas! Here I am. In the cold. Standing the barriers the police put up. Nice.

Getting off my bike, I mumbled, “You three are going to get me into some deep shit with the police.”

“Like you haven’t been in enough trouble with them already,” Lucas mumbled back.

“Watch it, Sinclair.”

“You feel that?” Dustin asked, a few seconds after a low rumble came from the sky.

I felt a raindrop on the top of my head, so I put my jacket’s hood on to protect my hair.

“I think maybe we should go back.”

“For once, I agree,” I said.

“No,” Mike said. “We’re not going back. Just stay close.” He and Lucas started going under the barrier while Dustin and I looked at each other, deciding that since we were both here and bound to get in trouble, we might as well just follow the other two.

I’m following three 12 year olds? Gross.

“Just stay on Channel Six. Don’t do anything stupid,” Mike continued.

The four of us started our hike into the woods in the torrential downpour happening, yelling out Will’s name, in the hope that he’d answer back.

“Will!” I yelled. “This isn’t funny! WILL!”

“I’ve got your X-Men 134!” Dustin yelled. “I really think we should turn back.”

“Seriously, Dustin?” Lucas said. “You wanna be a baby, then go home already!”

I walked up to Lucas and grabbed his jacket, pulling him back. “Would you quit being a damn bully? Look, we’re all scared! Dustin’s just not that great at hiding it. We’re going to stay searching for Will, even though Hopper told us to stay at home.”

“Did you ever think Will went missing ‘cause he ran into something bad?” Dustin asked. “And we’re going to the exact same spot where he was last seen? And we have no weapons, or anything?” “Dustin, shut up,” Mike said, more calmly than Lucas.

“I’m just saying, does that seem smart to you?”

Putting his hand back to stop my brother in his tracks, Mike said, “Shut up, shut up.”

That’s when I heard rustling and went to stand in front of the three pre-teens. We all turned to our left, not seeing anything. We, then, turned to our right, seeing what looked like a little boy in a yellow shirt, drenched in the rain.

Upon further inspection, the little boy turned out to be a little girl, and my big sister instinct kicked in like crazy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

prev | current chapter | next

season masterlist

series masterlist

series playlist

~~~

A/N 2: hi, friends! i hope y’all liked this, and it got y’all excited for always the babysitter. i’m working as hard as i can on it. again, please do not hesitate to reblog and give some feedback, whether it be in the reblogs, comments, or my inbox.

Additional Note: i know that some of y’all are waiting to see your requests, and i promise i’ll get to them. the writer’s block hit really bad with them. atb is the only thing i have motivation to write for at the moment. once i receive my ged, i’ll have more time to sit down and write them.

~~~

Forever / Everything Taglist: @stiles-o-dylan24 @stixnstripesworld @fandom-princess-forevermore @quanticobae @mischiefandi @kellyashcroft @lauren-novak

Steve Harrington Taglist: none yet!

If you’re tagged and didn’t want to be, please let me know.

~~~

*Please don’t post my writing anywhere else without my consent. The author of this work will always and forever be @harringtonstilinski.

All characters, story lines, and plot aside from y/n and her storyline & plot, are all of the work of The Duffer Brothers.

*These works contain material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited.

No part of these works may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher.

Posted on November 6, 2023 *Happy Stranger Things Day!*

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staygoldwriting · 2 years

Text

Masterlist

Here is my masterlist! Everything on here is and always will be pure fluff ❤️

✨ Please do not repost any of my works. If you see my work reposted on any other page or website, it is without my consent. Please notify me if you see my work elsewhere, and please make sure to respect my work and the work of all writers. ✨

This is my old masterlist page, but I will still update it regularly! 💕

Feel free to send a request if you wish, but please no smut!

💕 About Me

🦡 A New Marauder (Eddie HP au) A collaboration with @toomanybandstocare !

Series:

✨ Cousin Buckley (Eddie Munson x reader Steve Harrington x reader)

Prequel Part One Part Two Part Three Part Four Part Five Part Six Part 7 (Eddie) Part 7 (Steve) Part 8 (Eddie) Part 8 (Steve)

🌹 First Love (Eddie x Wheelerbestfriend!reader)

Part I Part II Part III Part IV (can be a oneshot)

💘 As You Wish (Eddie Munson x reader)

As You Wish Part 2 Part 3

🖤 “It’s the best job in the world caring for you” (Eddie Munson x OC Character (Sammy Gomez))

OC description Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (coming soon?)

Oneshots:

💚 Spa Night (Eddie Munson x reader)

🍫 Candy Grams (Eddie Munson x reader)

🐰 Bunny Garden (Eddie Munson x reader)

👻 Eddie the Brave? (Eddie Munson x Henderson!reader) (Halloween theme)

📼 Movie Lover (Eddie Munson x reader)

🦃 A Very Henderson Thanksgiving (Eddie Munson x Henderson!reader)

🏊 Coach Harrington (Steve Harrington x single!mom!reader)

🎄 Last Christmas (Steve Harrington x reader)

Requested:

🤘Sister Munson (Steve Harrington x Munson!reader)

🤘Sister Munson: The Sequel (Steve Harrington x Munson!reader

🐾 Puppy Love (Eddie Munson x reader)

🌸 Fools in Love (Eddie Munson x reader)

🎒 Locker Buddy (Eddie Munson x reader)

🍪 Cookies and Pop Tarts (Dad!Eddie Munson x Mom!reader)

🍹 Caribbean Queen (Eddie Munson x reader)

🎓 Third Time’s the Charm (Eddie Munson x reader)

🤔 Real Genius (Steve Harrington x reader)

😭 Crybaby (Eddie Munson x crybaby!reader)

🚿 Bad Hair Day (Steve Harrington x reader)

🐉 Will the Wise (Eddie Munson x reader) (Will Byers friendship)

🍦 Dingus in Love (Steve Harrington x reader)

😱 Vampire in Hawkins? (Steve Harrington x platonic!reader)

🍃 Beriogelir and Ithilwen (Eddie Munson x best friend!reader)

Headcanons

🐠 Swimming Lessons (Steve Harrington x reader) (platonic or romantic)

☀️ Sunny!reader x Eddie (headcanon/drabble)

#masterlist #staygoldwriting

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overlydramaticinephile · 2 years

Text

just one kiss.

Pairing: Steve Harrington x Fem! Reader (no physical descriptions)

Summary: Y/N happens to be falling for Steve but does he feel the same way? (pt. 2)

Word count: 3.9k

Warnings: Friends to lovers trope, based in the aftermath of season 4 but without the sad parts (the ending if y'know what i mean didn't happen like that), douche behaviour, mostly fluff though. Pretty much another teen movie vibes fic. some cursing. shy!reader but also kind of a mess!reader (English is NOT my first language)

A/N: Hi! Thank you so so much for reading Part 1 of Just one kiss. This is still inspired by The Oc season 4 (ryan x taylor) bc i love teen dramas and stevie needs more love in his life. THEREFORE, reader is like an OFC but not really, i say that bc there are a few mentions of her family. ALSO bc this is based on taylor townsend reader has some interesting characteristics but i love that character so much and idk i think it would be pretty cool to see a different kind of reader :)) so anyway if you made it this far...HOPE YOU ENJOY ILY

READ PART 1 HERE

It's been 3 days. 3 days since Steve last saw Y/N and he was feeling confused, to say the least. After that kiss, it's pretty much like what Y/N described. Arriving at Oz and everything popped into technicolor. It's a little cliche for his liking but even he had to admit it was pretty fucking weird that a simple kiss could make you question absolutely everything about a person. Because the truth is, 3 days ago Y/N was just the original not as cool babysitter, now…she was still that, but little things Steve noticed about her before started to be more present. He basically started to remember her existence and just the whole situation was killing him, he didn't know exactly what to do, so of course, he went to Robin. But since Robin wasn't home as in home in Hawkins due to some high school band trip, he was now faced to deal with the impossible task by himself.

Until…Dustin Henderson knocked on his door.

“Hey man,” said Steve not even fully acknowledging his presence, he had bigger things on his mind if you know what I mean...

“Well, well I couldn't help but notice you wanted to talk to Robin,” Dustin mentioned mocking offense.

“Uh-huh so?” Steve of course didn't realize he was kidding, he just started to think about Y/N and--

“Well, since she's out of town and she's probably gonna be moving out the next semester you're gonna need a new Robin. So, I thought I would audition for the job.”

“Oh, uh, yeah that's uh very thoughtful.” Steve didn't fully know if he was joking so he didn't try to say much about it.

“So, how does it work? do I ask you what's on your mind?”

“Uh, usually you just listen to me talk, and then I solve my problems on my own.” Steve deadpanned. That really is how it worked.

“Huh. Well, I couldn't help but noticed that you've been spending time with Y/N.”

Dustin of course loved her. She was the older sister he never had and if Steve and she ended up dating? Are you kidding me? That would be a dream come true for the kid.

“Really? Have I?” It started to feel like the universe was against Steve and the fact that he wanted to stop that growing pull towards Y/N.

“If we're gonna talk about girls, I am a far more knowledgeable resource than Robin. You know…because I have Suzie? I should pretty much give you advice all the time.”

“Okay. But you can't repeat this. Because if the real Robin found out I was telling the substitute Robin, a real secret…”

“It's in the vault.”

“Okay. I kissed Y/N. Or she kissed me. Anyway, there was a kiss and…”

“And now you can't stop thinking about her.”

“That is so cute.” Dustin couldn't help but laugh which caught Steve by surprise. What the hell?

“Pretty much.” Steve was waiting for Dustin to mock him. For some reason, he just seemed to find it hilarious whenever he talked about girls and tried to score them.

Steve narrowed his eyes trying to make sense of what was so funny. “Okay, Robin never does that.”

“Sorry, but it is. And so is she.” Why lie?

“Yeah, I know, just…me and Y/N?”

“After everything you've been through over the last few months, if something good happens, shouldn't you embrace it or at least be open to the possibility?” Hell, Dusty had some advice alright.

Steve couldn't believe he would be taking advice from a 15-year-old that spends most of his time playing D&D, not that there's anything wrong with that but you know…

“Yeah, yeah. I guess. Thanks.”

-----------------------------

It's been 5 days since Steve and Y/N last saw each other. Y/N was still on Steve's mind most of the time, but he decided to push the thoughts behind. He could name a million reasons on why this was a bad idea. But again, the universe seemed to not care about Steve and his reasons when he went to pick up coffee after his shift in the next-door establishment that had a bunch of little shops.

Pulling him out of his thoughts Steve heard her voice. The voice he so badly wanted to hear yet tried to forget about.

“Hi Steve.” said Y/N like nothing happened between them, like two regular friends saying hi to one another.

“I'm-I'm not here to see you. I'm just covering for Robin while she's gone.”

Steve's eyes widen, not here, not now, not anywhere to be perfectly honest. He didn't want to face her, so he did the most jerk thing to do in this situation and ran away, but not before answering her. He had that much decency.

“I gotta go. Can't talk.” he said putting his hand over the side of his face like trying not to see into those beautiful Y/E/C eyes of hers. Fearing that if he did, he wouldn't be able to leave.

“That's nice.” said Steve still walking away, hoping Y/N would give up the conversation.

“Sorry that I kissed you.” after those words came out of her mouth it's like that was all that Steve could now hear. All the background noise disappeared in a matter of seconds leaving him to face her once and for all.

“What? No, it's cool.” he said not even convincing himself.

“It's obviously not okay. You're totally uncomfortable around me now.”

“No, no. It's-- The kiss is not a problem.” At least that was true.

That seemed to relieved Y/N, like even though she was acting as if nothing happened, there was still something spinning at the back of her mind.

“Really? Good, because usually when I kiss a guy, it ends in tears. His, not mine. Because I'm a bit of a lip-biter. And, you know, sometimes I draw blood and...” and she started to ramble again.

“Y/N?”

“Yeah?” she cringed at herself for not learning when to stop talking or when it's too much information for that matter.

“What are you doing tonight?” said Steve in a moment of weakness and sincerity.

Y/N didn't seem to notice what his last statement truly meant.

“Oh, I'm updating my journal. It's kind of a collage really but with these--”

“Y/N, tonight. Are you busy?” Even though he liked to see her excited about these random things he was in kind of a you are making me nervous trance.

“ls that a yes?” Steve asked confused.

Holy shit thought Y/N. Was this actually happening?

“Oh.”

And with that it was like she finally completely reacted to what was happening. Not that was a good thing per se.

“Yes! it is a yes squared...in all caps with an exclamation mark and a smiley-face.” She said way too excited.

“A simple yes will do.” Steve smiled at her. How did he not notice before how cute she was when she got excited?

“Yes.” she answered more calmed now yet giving him one of the most bright and warm smiles he had ever seen. He wanted to capture that look on her face. Truth is she looked gorgeous and he wonder why she didn't smile more often and if he could make her smile more...

“Great, I'll see you tonight.”

“Do you just wanna come up to the comic bookstore?” said Y/N before Steve got to walk away. “There's a big TV, surround-sound, and many VHS.”

Steve thought that sounded perfect. A low-key night. The two of them. That should clear his mind. “All right. See you then.”

----------------------------------------

It had been 5 days since Steve and Y/N saw each other and, on this day, day 5, they were going on a kind of date, Steve's idea by the way.

Y/N couldn't help but tell her sister all about it and with that she decided to help her with her outfit. Sure, it was a casual date thing, but she still wanted to look presentable yet this time in her own style, not unconsciously copying Nancy Wheeler's outfits. No, this time around she would stay true to herself in every way possible. So, with that in mind she decided to wear this brown turtleneck with her washed denim levis that fitted her like a glove. She put on her favorite pair of snickers and did her hair in a casual style. As for makeup, a little blush and mascara never hurt anybody.

Steve showed up at the comic bookstore Y/N told him about earlier without knowing what to think, was this a date? was he trying something out? it was all just too confusing.

Meanwhile, Y/N was putting the VHS on after Steve told her she could choose the movie. He was hoping for something fun, something that would make his thoughts slow down, but it would probably be a chick flick if he was being honest.

At least that's what he thought. Because it was much worse.

“I mean, did you ever think that time travelling could be so beautiful?” said Y/N after Marty McFly got in the famous DeLorean.

Yeah, Y/N didn't know Steve had already seen this movie. Kind of at least. July 4th, 1985. One of the many days he almost died but this time around mainly because of the Russians and that trip him and Robin were in. What a day... anyway. Steve didn't want to mention it because that's not really something you bring up at a date. Or is it a hang out? Either way he wasn't really paying attention. Too many thoughts on his mind, he did have to seem present though.

“How many times have you seen this?” Steve asked trying to make small talk.

“I watch it every night. Helps me relax.” she said way too quick to be perfectly honest. Her eyes were glued to the TV and had one hand in and out of the popcorn bowl.

“Right.”

Steve was slowly losing his mind, he was not only watching the movie that was ironically playing on one of the most traumatic days of his life but aside from that, he couldn't stop thinking on his next move. Should he grab her hand? Put his arm around her shoulders? He went with the latter. And even though he couldn't really tell, Y/N was watching his every move from her side view. They finally locked eyes and started leaning towards each other to share one more kiss.

It was going great. Y/N closed her eyes feeling Steve's hot and minty breath until she didn't anymore. While she was waiting for the kiss, Steve was analyzing her and mentally thinking along the lines of what the hell am I doing? Kissing Y/N again? She’s cute and all but-

“Is everything okay?” Y/N spoke up after realizing that nothing was happening, and that Steve was still looking at her lips. She was feeling pretty self-conscious by now.

“I'm sorry.” Steve left his trance and got up from the couch feeling like he needed some space between the two of them right now.

“So that's a no.” Y/N was confused but mostly hurt. Now it was her turn to overthink, what had she done wrong? Was this a game to him? Or-

“I can't do this.” Steve started feeling overwhelmed. He basically wanted to run out of there, but he knew that he had hurt her bad enough already.

The sadness in Y/N face suddenly washed off and changed to confusion after a little thinking. “Okay. I've done my fair share of misreading signs in my life. But you asked me to hang out. You sat next to me. You leaned in with a slight tilt of your head.”

“I know, I know, and I'm sorry. You're a great girl. It's just, this is too weird.” Jeez Steve. Kill her with kindness?

“That makes me feel so much better.” Y/N stood up, ready to leave the place and avoid the guy as much as she could.

Steve eyes widen at the realization of what he just said and how wrong it sounded. “Me! Not you, me. I'm....weird.”

But by then Y/N was one foot out the door and probably pissed off so that went out great.

----------------------------------------

Day 6. Steve's fail date aftermath. He was hanging in his room going through does books Y/N had given him last week trying to get some work done when someone knocked on his door. Again.

He was expecting Dustin begging him for a ride when in reality it was one Eddie Munson. Now that, he wouldn't expect.

“Hey man. So, Dustin told me he came in yesterday and applied for the job of substitute Robin.”

“He may have.” Steve knew where he was going with this. It was no secret Steve and Eddie became friends after the Vecna situation, but he never expected him to actually care.

“Well, you know…if anyone's qualified, I think we all know it's me. I'm thinking the reason you didn't ask is because no interview was necessary.”

“It turns out. I may not have to fill the position. I handled the whole Y/N thing. Although it may be a little awkward for a while.”

“What happened?” Eddie's voice became a little defensive. He liked Y/N, she has always been nice to him, and she had killer music taste so, even though Steve and himself might be friends now, he might need to smack some sense into the boy if he hurts her in any way.

“Nothing happened.”

“Which was the problem for her.” Eddie could also read Y/N like the back of his hand so, of course it would be a problem for her, he knew about the little crush she had on Harrington.

“Yeah. But now I don't know. At first, I thought I was caught up in the whole Nance thing. Then I thought the problem might have been Y/N because she can be a little weird.”

That made Eddie laughs a little. He wasn't completely wrong but who wouldn't love a chick like that? “She's a touch eccentric.”

“But now I think the problems me. Maybe it's too soon.”

“So, keep it casual. You know, just tell her you need to be friends for now.”

“Yeah, that's a line every girl loves to hear.” Steve's mind went back to that fancy party they went to last week where he said he liked her as a friend. Beautiful words really.

“Well, if it's the truth, she'll understand.”

Steve let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. “Well, I don't have any other choice. So, I'll give it a shot.”

----------------------------------------

It was day 7. Officially one week after the kiss that started this whole mess. Steve went to visit Y/N at the gift shop where she worked part time. Hoping he would find her, give her the best explanation possible and maybe go and get some coffee if he was lucky that is.

“Y/N.” Steve entered the store all hopeful. One could almost see hearts in his eyes.

“Steve.” Y/N said dryly. Steve hated not hearing the honey-like voice that would come out of her mouth whenever she said his name before. But he gets it. He would be pissed too.

“Boo!” said Y/N mimicking a scary pose.

Steve was confused but gave her a warm smile remembering what Eddie said about her been eccentric.

“Didn't run away that time, so you must not be that scared of me.”

“Brad, Steve. Steve, Brad.” Of course, his name was Brad.

Oh. “Alright, look, I just wanted to come by and apologize about last night, and... And I didn't know you had company.”

This whole time Steve was focusing on the sound of her voice or how cute she looked in that outfit that he didn't notice the blonde standing next to her who was probably a jock.

“Brad.”

“Steve.”

Well, it definitely was awkward.

“I've been helping Brad track down this Michael J. Fox biography. It turns out that he watches Back to the Future every night before he goes to bed too.” said Y/N with a proud grin.

“Wow, that's--” again with Back to the Future, awesome.

“Kismet? I know. Maybe it's too soon to talk about fate, but...” Y/N was using all the dramatic romance tactics that she has seen on TV. The talk about destiny and soulmates. But that was all it was, talk. Not that Steve realized that.

“Yeah, anyway, I just wanted to see if you needed a ride home or anything.”

“Oh, I got my bike, thanks.” said Brad. How cute.

“Not you.”

“Well, that is very friendly of you, Steve. Since I'm assuming that's what you want us to be, just friends.” she's always one step ahead of him he had to give her that.

“Well, if you're cool with that.” mumbled Steve. He didn't know if he was jealous or nervous, but neither were a good option.

“All right, well, you know, I'll see you, then.”

“Steve Harrington, mon ami. Sounds terrif.” Y/N gave her hand to Steve to shake and get this over with. She wanted to seem like what he did, didn't affect her. That she had moved on.

“But Brad and I were just gonna hang out and order some takeout...so if you don't mind…” she was basically kicking him out. Not that he could blame her.

“Bye, friend.” said Y/N in that dry tone again. A tone that Steve got to hate.

“Bye, Steve. Nice to meet you, man.”

“Bye, Brad...”

----------------------------------------

It's been an entire week and Steve still couldn't get Y/N out of his mind. Which sucked for him, but the good news was that Robin arrived that day too, so at least he was excited to discuss different things with her again.

“So, the good news is, I think she likes me. Bad news is, I'm not sure if she still has a boyfriend.”

She must mean Vickie.

“What?” Steve had spaced out again.

“Vickie was at the trip. Stuff happened. I'm about to head over to her house.”

Then it clicked. Vickie and Y/N were neighbors.

“Can I come?” said Steve with this tone of anxiety all over him.

“I appreciate your interest, but I think this is a conversation just for the two of us.”

“ls Y/N gonna be there?”

“I assume so...”

“I like her.” Steve didn't hesitate this time. He had no excuses either.

“Say what now? Why would you even think that?” Robin was surprised. She was gone a week and suddenly he liked her back?

“Because I keep imagining her on roller skates…and washing windows with a big bucket of soapy water.”

“Dude, your fantasies are so pedestrian. A sudsy girl? That's so average.”

“Doesn't mean it's not hot.”

“I guess they call them classics for a reason.”

“Do you wanna drive or should l?”

---------------------------------

Steve entered Y/N's house which was full of teenagers. Was Y/N L/N having a party? Nope. Soon he realized it was her sister's birthday party. Still, that meant she must be in the house somewhere.

“Y/N? You here?” Steve decided to check the rooms, maybe she was hiding in there or watching Back to the Future again. He wouldn't be surprised but as soon as he opened the door to the next room, he heard a familiar voice under the covers of the bed next to some laughter.

“Steve?” Brad's head popped out of the duvet to take a better look at him.

What the fuck? “Brad, hey. Keep doing what you're doing. I was looking for Y/N, but clearly, she's--”

“Who's Y/N? Is this your boyfriend?” that's when another guy showed his face under the covers.

Steve was just confused by now but the larger issue at hand was, “Y/N isn't in there with you guys, is she?”

“Nope.”

“I barely even know her. She told me if I pretended to like her, she'd give me her employees discount at the shop. It's extremely rare.”

With that Steve felt the biggest relief. He wasn't too late.

“Okay. Um, what are you doing, man? I mean, I think Y/N really likes you. And your kind of leading her on.”

“Wait, she paid you to pretend to like her? Huh. That sounds like Y/N. All right, well, carry on.”

--------------------------------------------

Finally, after what felt like hours, he found Y/N in the kitchen, and he cursed himself for not checking there sooner.

“Y/N.”

“Steve.” That dry tone again.

“What are you doing?”

“Someone wrote I love poop on this poor guy's face. That kind of thing can scar you for life.” she said as she rubbed his forehead with a sponge hoping the sharpie would come off.

“No, what are you doing paying your gay friend Brad to pretend he's in love with you?”

“It's a little strange.” he couldn't help but say.

Oh, that.

“Well, what if I did hmm? What if I did rent a homosexual for the evening? And pay him with rare gifts from my employee discount? What difference does it make to you?” Y/N was now standing at his eye level making a serious face because she in fact was genuinely curious.

Y/N tossed her hands to her sides with desperation. “Well, so am l. Which is why you ran away from me last night.”

“No, it wasn't because you're strange.”

“You don't find me strange?” Y/N narrowed her eyes. That would be a first.

“No, I do, but it's not why I took off.” Well, never mind.

Might as well rip off the band-aid. “Look, I'm not really ready for a relationship right now. Or a girlfriend.”

“Girlfriend? Cart, horse. Aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself there?” Y/N scoffed.

“Well, I mean, just because I wanna spend time with you...doesn't mean that we have to get married.”

“I see.” Steve couldn't help but smile, it was like she was reading his mind.

“Look, you're a sweet, smart, great guy, Steve Harrington. And hot. Did I mention hot?”

Okay so now she got him fully blushing, his cheeks were turning red and he had that little smirk that could melt the hearts of a thousand people.

“So, whatever happens, happens.” look at her being all smooth.

“Y/N, that's--”

“Normal? Yeah. I have my moments.”

And with that they were going for the next kiss, the first kiss since last week. Their faces were so close together--

“You know, this is my first college bash. Have you ever played Seven Minutes in Heaven?” Poor Y/N didn't realize those weren't the games they played at a university party but Steve found it so adorable that he didn't want to burst her bubble of the world.

---------------------------------------

She drew him toward her with her eyes, he inclined his face toward hers when suddenly but surely their lips touched, this kiss felt more eager but passionate at the same time. They were fully making out by now and Steve was filled with the warm and fuzzy feeling he had the other day that he saw her smile. He thought—

“Okay, seven minutes are up. Said you wanted to take it slow.” said Y/N in a mocking but sweet tone.

“Yeah, well, I don't think eight minutes would be rushing it. Nine seems like a good pace. And- and ten is a nice, round number.”

Steve started to realize about the power she was slowly having over him, she could lure him back anytime she wanted he just had to be honest about it.

There will be a part 3 bc I want relationship progress! 😊 love you guys thank you so much for reading. Should I start a tag list? Comment if you would be interested! Okay bye! Have an amazing weekend and see you next week

FEEDBACK IS GREATLY APPRECIATED <3

#steve harrington #steve harrington imagine #steve stranger things #steve harrington x reader #joe keery #joe keery x reader #joe keery imagine #stranger things #stranger things x reader

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wisdomssdaughterr · 10 months

Text

PROJECT SUNSHINE CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR → THE RETURN OF THE DEMOGORGON

summary: steve harrington x oc

when another product of Hawkins National Laboratory escaped a long-survived nightmare alongside her sister, she crashed into one unsuspecting teenage boy and dragged him deeper into the dark mysteries that made up their hometown.

word count. 3.8k

warnings: cannon typical violence, child abuse, horror, gore, and depictions of mental illness. parts of this story were written pre-season 4 release. cannon divergence.

previous chapter ← → next chapter

Fueled by worry about the Code Red call from Dustin, Sunshine biked to the Henderson household in record time. She ditched her bike on the front lawn and hurried up the front steps before she tapped her knuckles against the door.

Less than a minute later, Dustin swung open the door with wide eyes. His hair was sticking up in odd directions and his cheeks were flushed. Wordlessly, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her inside the house before kicking the door closed behind them.

“Do you know how to get blood out of the carpet?” That was the first thing he said to her, spiking Sunshine’s panic through the roof.

She grabbed a hold of his shoulders and looked him up and down for any sign of injured. “Blood? Is it your blood?” He didn’t look hurt, but that didn’t stop her from assuming the worst had happened.

“No, no, no.” Dustin shook his head. He brushed her off and sheepishly ran a hand through his curls. “It’s…uh…it’s my cat’s blood. He was kind of, sort of, eaten…”

It took a moment for Sunshine to process his words. Eaten. Dustin's cat, Mews, had been eaten.

“Eaten by what?” asked Sunshine, unsure if she wanted to know the answer.

Dustin rocked and forth on his heels like he was contemplating his next words carefully. “You can’t get mad at what I’m about to tell you, okay?” Sunshine crossed her arms over her chest, bracing herself.

He continued, “I know I’m your favorite party member, and I-”

“Who said that?” Sunshine countered. Of course, she didn’t have a favorite, but if there was one party member that hadn’t given her a heart attack or that she was immensely worried about within the last forty-eight hours, it was Lucas.

“Am I not?” Dustin frowned. “Wait, then who’s your favorite? If it’s Mike, I swear-”

“Dustin!” she shouted, cutting him off. “What ate your cat?”

“Right. So, you remember my pet, Dart?” Sunshine nodded slowly. “Well, I may have lied to you guys when I said I didn’t find him in the bathroom.” The worlds tumbled from his mouth so quickly that she almost missed them entirely. Almost.

Sunshine said nothing, but she did glare daggers at the kid. A part of her wanted to yell, but she knew that wouldn’t get them anywhere. She didn’t want to yell or get angry, even if she felt the hot flood of feelings crawling up her throat.

Yelling was something the soldiers did back in the Lab, and every time it made Sunshine feel smaller than she already was. Kids make mistakes, like keeping a potentially dangerous monster that they found in their trashcan. That was why Sunshine was there, to help the party and keep her promise.

Under her glare and tense silence, he winced and continued to explain his situation. “I know it’s bad, okay? But he was scared, and he missed me. I thought you guys were being overdramatic, so I hid him under my hat until I left school. He was fine until I got home today. When I went to check on him, his case was broken, and he had grown a lot bigger. Then he, uh, ate Mews because…” he trailed off, guilty looking at a spot on the ground instead of at Sunshine. With a heavy sigh, he said, “Because I’m pretty sure he’s a baby Demogorgon.”

Sunshine felt dizzy. Her hand reached up and held onto her necklace so hard nearly tore it from her neck.

“Oh, my God,” she whispered.

For the past year, nightmares had plagued Sunshine that detailed nearly every way one of those creatures could have returned to Hawkins. She replayed that night at Jonathan’s over and over again, where she wasn’t fast enough, where Steve never came back, where one blow to Jonathan was enough to leave him crumbled on the floor, or where Nancy misstepped and was left to the mercy of bloodthirsty claws.

The nightmares were awful, but a small, optimistic part of Sunshine wanted to believe that’s where they’d remain, inside her head instead of before her very eyes. But there was a devoured cat somewhere in Dustin’s house and blood in his carpet, and her nightmares were beginning to unravel in real-time while she was wide awake.

Dustin chewed down on his lip and looked on the verge of tears waiting for her to say something, and she remembered she wasn’t the only one who came face to face with the Demogorgon. They all had seen the monster, and the kids had done so alone inside the middle school. Sunshine promised them she’d be right back, and she thought fighting the Demogorgon at the Byers would keep the kids safe. It hadn’t worked out that way. That time, she was not going to let them split up.

“Okay,” she breathed out. “Did you call Hopper yet?”

“I tried but he wasn’t at the station. No one had seen or even heard from him today, apparently. I called everyone but no one answered. You’re the only one who responded to my Code Red.”

Her stomach churned, but she tried not to let her panic show too much on her face.

“Where is it? Where’s Dart right now?” she asked, suddenly very aware that the monster was in Dustin’s home with them. She looked around the quiet living room and had her hands at the ready.

“I locked him down in the storm cellar,” said Dustin. “But I don’t know how long that’ll hold him. He keeps growing, and at the rate he is, I’m guessing he’ll be fully grown in the next few days.”

They needed help and they needed it fast.

“We should try their houses. Someone has got to be home, or their parents have to know where they went. I don’t think we can do this just the two of us.”

Dustin nodded. “When I called the Byers house, no one answered. But Mrs. Wheeler's line was busy. Maybe she knows where he or Nancy are.”

The two took off on their bikes toward the Wheeler's house. A little sunlight remained, guiding them across town with the help of the light breeze that pushed them along. It tossed Sunshine’s hair and turned the tips of their noses and ears red.

Dying trees pasted them in a blur of oranges and red, until they were replaced by neatly packed houses with polished lawns and Halloween decorations cleaned up in preparation for the incoming winter months.

A familiar house at the end of a cul-de-sac came into view, and they peddled fiercely until they entered the driveway. In a rush, they left their bikes on their sides on the front lawn and all but ran toward the front door.

Dustin knocked a few too many times until Mike and Nancy’s father, Ted, opened it with a blank expression on his face.

“Is Mike home?” Dustin asked, skipping any formalities.

Ted sighed, almost in slow-motion, and turned his head over his shoulder to peer back inside his home. He rose his voice and asked a shuffling Karen Wheeler in the next room, “Is Mike home?” Mrs. Wheeler’s voice was muffled, but Ted relayed her answer to Sunshine and Dustin. “No, he’s not.”

Dustin bit back a groan. “Do you know where he is?”

Ted asked his wife, again, before he said, “At Will’s.”

“No one answered there,” Dustin told Sunshine.

“What about Nancy?” Sunshine tried. “Is she home or do you where she is?”

The man had no clue where his children were. He asked his wife before shaking his head. “No, she’s not here either. Our children don’t live with us anymore, haven’t you heard?” Ted deadpanned.

Not in the mood for Mike’s father’s dry humor, Dustin muttered, “Son of a bitch. You’re really no help,” before he turned on his heel and sulked back to his bike.

“Language!” Ted Wheeler scolded with a huff before he glanced back at Sunshine, who still stood on the front stoop.

A forced smile made its way onto her lips. “Sorry,” she said. “If either of them comes home, can you tell them we stopped by?”

He grumbled out a ‘yes’ and shut the door.

Down the driveway, Dustin stood with his hands on his hips, disappointed at their dead end. “That was useless.”

“Maybe we should try the Byers next,” Sunshine suggested. There was a chance that the family had returned from wherever they’d been and maybe they knew how to track down Hopper. They needed all the help they could get if Dustin was right about Dart being a Demogorgon that, somehow, was still in their town.

Dustin shook his head as his attention was caught by something behind Sunshine. “No, we don’t have time for that.” There was a certain glint that he got in his eyes when he had a plan brewing, and Sunshine had learned to recognize the look before the kid even opened his mouth to lay out just what he was thinking.

“I know who’s going to help us,” said Dustin, before he took off past Sunshine and across the Wheeler’s front yard.

Spinning around, she shouted after him, “Who-” but her question was answered as someone got out of their parked car on the curb.

With a bouquet of roses in his hands, Steve rounded his car only to be stopped by Dustin.

“Are those flowers for Mr. or Mrs. Wheeler?” he asked Steve, who looked confused.

“Uh, no?”

“Good.” Dustin snatched the flowers from Steve’s hands and ignored the shout of protest that followed it. He tossed the flowers to Sunshine before he dragged both his and Sunshine’s bike toward Steve’s car. “Open your trunk.”

Steve shifted his focus onto Sunshine. “What is happening right now?”

Not getting the chance to answer him, Dustin said, “We’ll explain everything in the car. First, help me get these things in here!”

“Sunshine?”

Once again, Dustin interjected, leaving the bikes leaning up against Steve’s car and grabbing the keys from Steve’s hands too. “We have bigger problems than your love life right now.” Dustin unlocked the car and popped the trunk. He didn’t put the bikes in right away but instead grabbed something that was already in the trunk of Steve’s car.

The nail-studded bat Nancy and Jonathan had made last year, that Steve had used to beat the hell out of the Demogorgon, was in Dustin’s hands.

“Dude! Put that thing away-” Steve started to yell, rushing toward where Dustin stood.

“We’re gonna need this.”

“For what?!”

“We’re not one hundred percent sure, yet,” Sunshine finally said. “But we need help, and we’ll explain everything, but we need to hurry.”

There was a pause; Steve hesitated, looking between the flowers in Sunshine’s hands and the Wheeler’s house. After a beat, he sighed and gave in wordlessly, helping Dustin fit the two bikes in his truck before they all climbed into his car.

“Where are we even going?” Steve asked.

From the backseat, Dustin poked his head between Sunshine and Steve, leaning against the center counsel. “To my house. I’ll tell you where to turn.”

Pulling out of the Wheeler’s neighborhood, Steve drummed his fingers against the steering wheel and bounced his attention between the road, Sunshine, and Dustin, until he broke the silence that had befallen the car.

“Will someone explain to me what is going on now?”

“To make a long story short, I found a creature in my trashcan the other night and thought I discovered a new species that they’d have to name after me. But now I’m pretty sure it’s a baby Demogorgon and he’s trapped in my storm cellar. We need to figure out what to do with him before he escapes.”

Sunshine watched Steve carefully from the passenger seat. His fingers stopped tapping and instead, his grip on the wheel tightened just slightly. She could tell, by the way his eyes narrowed, and the corner of his mouth twitched, that he was trying to understand exactly what Dustin was saying.

“You mean, like, the monster we fought last year?” Dustin nodded in the rearview mirror. “How big was this thing?”

Using his hands, Dustin put his pointer fingers out and held them a couple of inches apart to roughly the size Dart was when Sunshine first saw him in the AV Club room at school. “First he was about this big.” He then moved his fingers farther apart to about a foot in length. “Now he’s this big.”

“And you’re sure it’s not like a lizard or something?” Steve asked, earning an eye roll from Dustin.

“It’s not.”

Steve persisted. “How do you know?”

“How do I know it’s not a lizard?” Dustin mocked, staring at the teen incredulously. “Oh, I don’t know, maybe because his face opened up and he ate my cat!”

Steve held his tongue, not questioning Dustin’s pet any further. The severity of their situation settled in the air and made it harder to breathe.

“Shit,” Steve said under his breath.

“If Dustin’s really right about this, we have to get rid of it.” Before it kills anyone else.

The second half of her thought went unsaid, but she knew that both boys understood it. The little creature Sunshine chased around Hawkins Middle was one thing, but a full-grown Demogorgon was not a task she believed they could take on alone, not without a solid plan at least. And a plan that was different than last year. They had to make sure the monster couldn’t vanish before they killed it.

They rode in tense silence the rest of the way back to Dustin’s house. Darkness had settled across Hawkins, swallowing up the last bit of comfort they had. The pitch-black sky stretched ahead of them, as did a long night of figuring out their next move.

Once they arrived, the group of three circled to the truck of Steve’s car to retrieve their bikes and nail bat, before they headed toward the storm cellar in Dustin’s backyard.

The door was locked shut with a heavy chain around the handles. The monster hadn’t broken through the door, which seemed like a good sign.

However, as they gathered around the door and listened, nothing but silence came from the underground shelter.

“I don’t hear shit,” said Steve.

Dustin assured them, “He’s in there.”

Using his bat, Steve knocked on the door, hoping to get some reaction from the monster, but there was no response.

“Listen, kid, if this is some sort of Halloween prank, you’re dead,” Steve said, shining his flashlight right at Dustin’s face. Dustin sputtered for a response before looking to Sunshine for help through the bright light.

Swatting Steve’s arm, forcing him to stop shining the light at Dustin, Sunshine backed up the kid’s story. “I believe him. If he says Dart’s down there, then he’s down there.”

Her words seemed to be enough for Steve because nodded and stopped his interrogating.

“The key’s inside,” Dustin said, already turning on his heel to head into his house. “I’ll grab it and be right back.”

The two teens were left alone in the eerie darkness of Dustin’s backyard, waiting to potentially come face to face with the monster that haunted both of them again.

Sunshine shivered and hugged her arms tighter around herself, keeping her eyes trained on the cellar doors.

“Do you really think it’s the same thing we saw last year?”

She shrugged. “I don’t want it to be, but Dustin wouldn’t lie about something like that. He saw it too.”

There were still scars on her arms from the monster; they were healed over and only visible if you really looked, but she knew they were there, even in the dark she could have pointed them out. Jonathan had a scar on his forehead from the coffee table that the monster threw him into. Steve had a scar across the bridge of his nose from where Jonathan had punched him. And Nancy had two scars in the shape of an X over her knee from when she fell in the Upside Down. They all had physical reminders of what happened, but in a way, they were all connected through the matching scars that littered their bodies.

She wanted to believe that once they all healed, that would be the end of it. Closed wounds, closed world. Of course, that wasn’t the case and Sunshine had a sickening feeling they were about to reopen all of their healed scars almost a year later.

“Well, on the bright side, at least we know what we’re dealing with this time,” Steve said. “And if the kid managed to trap this thing by himself, between the three of us I’m sure we can kill it, right?”

A bit of his optimism clouded her spiraling thoughts as she replied, “Right.”

Dustin returned with a key held tight in his palm before he tossed it to Steve, who unlocked the heavy chain around the door handles and slowly opened the cellar.

A small glow emitted from Sunshine’s palm, ready for whatever awaited them on the other side of the door. Dustin hid himself halfway behind Sunshine, watching and holding his breath until Steve had the doors completely opened.

Nothing jumped out at them. There were no snarling teeth or low monster growls that pierced the air. The three were only met with silence and a dark set of stairs.

Steve shined his flashlight into the cellar, searching for any sign of the creature, but they came up empty-handed. Sunshine did not doubt Dustin, but she began to grow increasingly worried about the absence of Dart. If he was hungry, he would have been waiting for them to open the door to pounce on them like prey, but he wasn’t there.

“He must be further down,” Dustin said, still lingering behind Sunshine and away from the cellar entrance. “I’ll stay up here in case he tries to escape and you two go down there and check it out.”

For a moment, it looked as if Steve was going to protest, but he didn’t have time to because Sunshine stepped through the cellar entrance and onto the stairs. The boards creaked under her step and a shiver ran down her spine at the dimly lit flight of stairs.

Taking a deep breath, she held out her illuminated hand in front of her and continued slowly down into the cellar.

Steve scrambled after her with a string of curse words muttered under his breath, one hand on his bat and the other on his flashlight as he followed close behind.

They descended slowly, carefully. Sunshine winced with each low growl of the wooden stairs and held her breath in fear of being greeted by the Demogorgon at any second. The thought of it waiting patiently for them to reach the bottom before it attacked clawed at her brain, and she wanted to retreat, but she couldn’t.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Sunshine and Steve scanned the cellar for the monster, but there was nothing down there aside from a couple of shelves of canned food and a dusty radio. The cellar was empty, and Dart was nowhere to be found.

Steve switched on the single lightbulb that hung from the center of the room and Sunshine let her light extinguish from her hand.

“He’s not here.” Sunshine wiped a drop of blood from under her nose with her coat sleeve. As much as she wanted to be relieved, her mind raced with all of the possible places the creature could have gone.

She began to wander around the room in search of some sign the monster had been there at all, but she didn’t get a few feet from the staircase before Steve said, “Stop.” Sunshine halted her steps and followed his gaze to a spot on the floor in front of her feet. “What is that?”

Using his bat, Steve picked up something off the ground. It was a clump of something that dripped with a thick liquid and was almost translucent under the dim light.

“I don’t know.”

They studied the substance hanging from the bat, but neither one of them had an answer for what it was, and something behind Steve caught Sunshine’s attention.

In the far corner of the cellar was a gaping wall ripped through the cement wall.

“Oh shit,” she whispered. The tunnel let straight out of the cellar and underneath Hawkins.

“Sunshine? Steve? What’s going on down there?” Dustin nervously shouted from the top of the staircase.

“Get down here!” Steve yelled back to the kid.

Dustin hurried down the stairs, but he stopped on the last step and slowly poked his head around the corner until he spotted Sunshine, Steve, and no monster. Then, his gaze wandered to the substance hanging from the end of Steve’s bat and his eyes widened almost cartoonishly.

“Oh shit,” Dustin whispered, echoing Sunshine from a moment ago. Then, he spotted Sunshine kneeling on the cement floor in front of Dart’s escape route. “Oh, shit!”

“He’s gone,” Sunshine sighed, staring down the dark, seemingly endless tunnel burrowed through the damp dirt.

“And he grew again.” Dustin examined the substance closely, scrunching up his nose. “He’s got to be close to full size now.”

Steve let the monster's shed skin fall to the ground and let his bat fall over his shoulder. “Now he’s God only knows where.”

“We need a plan,” Dustin stated as he placed his hands on his hips and gained that little glint back in his eyes. “And we need one fast.”

→←

Before the shit show that his life had become, whenever Steve Harrington found himself inside a girl’s house after the sun had set and her parents were asleep, he was sneaking in through her bedroom window. He certainly was not there to hatch a plan on how to catch a monster, and there was never a smart-ass child tagging along with him. But, in the past year, his life had taken a turn for the weird that led him to the Torres household after hours with the only intention of mapping out exactly how they were going to trap and kill another monster that a middle school had tried to keep as a pet.

Sunshine quietly closed her bedroom door behind them as Steve look at the bright and colorful decorations she had scattered around.

The walls were painted a pale pink and covered in posters and artwork, and nearly every table and windowsill held a potted plant. All of her shelves were filled with books, a mix of childhood fairytales and longer novels, and old photographs that he assumed her parents never removed from her bedroom after all those years.

Dustin lingered by the door, looking around too before he said, “I’ve never been in a girl’s room before.”

Steve tried and failed to stifle a laugh and Sunshine sent the kid an odd look as she picked up the clothes strewed about her bed until there was enough room for all of them to sit.

“Focus, please,” Sunshine said. “We need a plan, and we need it tonight.”

Dustin nodded. “We need to lure Dart to us, kind of like how you guys did last year with the Demogorgon.”

Out of habit, Sunshine drummed her fingers against her tattoo and cast her gaze onto the three numbers printed across her wrist. “It’s not attracted to blood like it was before. I tried that at the school when we were looking for it.”

“He went after Mews.”

Steve furrowed his brows. “Mews?”

“My cat. Dart was hungry for more than a candy bar. Which makes sense.” Steve wasn’t sure how much of that made sense, but he nodded along anyway. “Dart’s growing like crazy, and he probably can’t grow as fast without eating. If he keeps growing, he’ll probably graduate from cats and onto bigger things… people-sized things.”

“Great,” Steve muttered, blowing air from his cheeks. “So we lure it with food, but to where? If it can get out of an underground cellar, I don’t think trapping it inside a building is going to work.”

There was a beat, all of them trying to conjure something up, but Dustin figured it out first.

“The old junkyard!” he gasped. “It’s perfect! No one goes there, so we wouldn’t have to worry about someone seeing Dart and there’s all kinds of stuff there we could use to create a trap.”

“That’s great for trapping it, but what do we do after that?” Steve asked. Killing a monster wasn’t exactly a part of his skill set. His bat could only do so much damage.

Sunshine lifted her hand, so the palm was facing her and flexed her fingers. “I can try to kill him. It almost worked last time.” Her words felt heavy in the air, and they held a certain sadness to them.

It was still a fresh wound, everything that happened last year, despite the little distance that separated them from it. The death of Barb and Sunshine’s sister still rattled the group, but Sunshine and Nancy especially. The fact that it was practically happening again didn’t help either.

“No,” Dustin said, quickly, staring at them with wide, panicked eyes.

“What?”

Dustin’s eyes fell into his lap, and he began to speak in a softer tone, something closer to a child than a grade-A smart-ass who kept monsters in his storm cellar.

“I know you could probably kick this thing’s ass, but I think you should only use your powers on it if things go really, really wrong.”

Placing a gentle hand on Dustin’s shoulder, Sunshine shook her head. “It may be the only way to hurt this thing, Dustin. We don’t know-”

“No!” His voice rose, startling the two teens slightly. He sighed heavily and shook off Sunshine’s hand before standing up and slowly pacing back and forth across the room.

“There has to be another way to kill it. You can’t. You can’t because Eleven tried and we lost her. She used her powers, and i-it just took her away.” Dustin’s voice waivered but he continued, “And if Dart is a baby Demogorgon who's almost fully grown, we have to do something…something different this time.” He stopped pacing and gazed at Sunshine with a slight tremble in his chin. “We can’t lose you too.”

A sharp breath burned Steve’s lungs.

He was never filled on what had happened at middle school while they were at Jonathan’s, but he knew enough. They were offering up Sunshine the same fate as her little sister. Dustin’s words cut deep into him; they could not lose Sunshine; he had just gotten her back. She fit back into his life almost like she’d never left, and Steve felt like a missing piece of himself, his childhood, had wandered back to him. The last thing he wanted was to lose that.

It felt like another life that the two of them were connected at the hip; whoever Steve was at seven years old had since disappeared. Yet, having Sunshine back, running into her in the woods that night, Steve had a friend again. He had a real friend.

“Dustin…” Sunshine lowered her voice to a whisper and grabbed his hand, squeezing it between her own. “No one is going to lose anyone, okay?”

The kid let his shoulders fall and he fell back onto the bed, close to Sunshine’s side holding her hand.

“He’s right,” said Steve, clearing his throat. “We can figure out another way to kill it. The bear trap you guys set up before, it held it in place long enough to attack it. We just have to use something similar to your…” Steve trailed off, unsure of exactly what to call what Sunshine could do.

Luckily, Dustin butted in. “Your superpowers. What’s the closest thing to sunlight?”

“Fire,” Steve answered, earning a surprised but impressed look from the kid.

There was still a lighter in his glovebox even though he was trying to stop smoking. He wasn’t sure how something so mundane could kill a monster, but it was worth a shot. Even if it didn’t work, at least they weren’t putting that burden fully on her shoulders, even though she seemed more than willing to shoulder it.

“Okay,” she sighed. “We can try it but at the first sign of trouble, I’m stepping in. No one is getting hurt, okay?”

Steve knocked his shoulder into Sunshine’s, drawing her full attention. They sat close enough that he could see the little specks of gold in her dark eyes that made them look almost like they were glowing.

“That goes for you too, Sunshine,” he said, averting his gaze onto her ceiling, where a hundred little glow-in-the-dark stars were stuck. “It’ll work. I mean, it’s just a half-grown monster. What’s the worst that could happen?”

Tag List. @leptitlu @sattlersquarry @history-of-stories

#stranger things #steve harrington #stranger things fanfiction #steve harrington fic #steve harrington x original character #steve harrington x oc #dustin henderson #stranger things 2 #project sunshine

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skyfallslayer · 2 months

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Should We Stay or Should We Go? || Chapter One

-A ST Rewrite Feat. Steve Harrington x Henderson!OFC-

Main Masterlist || Series Masterlist

🎲Summary: On the night of November 6th, 1983, Stephanie Henderson decided to walk her little brother’s friend, Will, back home. However… they never arrive. Now, Dustin, Mike and Lucas, and soon the exception of the girl’s ex-best friend, Steve, must band together to find out what happened. Meanwhile, Steph and Will must fight for their survival in this nightmarish version of Hawkins, Indiana.

🎲Chapter Summary: On his way home from a friend’s house, young Will and his best friend’s sister, Stephanie, sees something terrifying. Nearby, their loved ones start worrying hysterically, all while Steve hears some unsettling news.

🎲Pairings: Will x Platonic!OFC; Dustin x Sister!OC; Slow burn! Steve x Henderson!OFC (Ex-bestfriends to Lovers); Slow burn! Byler

🎲Rating: Teen-Mature

🎲Word Count: 9,471

🎲Date: 3/12

🎲Warnings: Angst; Swearing; Implied Broken Friendship; Racist Comment; Talks of Kidnapping; Car Crash; Mental Strain/Breaking Down; Implying to Sex; Lying; Suicide Comment; Homophobic Comment/Calling A Person A Derogatory Word; Implied Death; Steve's 'Asshole Era. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!

(And let me know if I missed anything)

🎲A/N: Here we go folks. The official rewrite of episode one. Can't say it's perfect, might be a little messy, but think of it as it setting the whole plot up. Anyway, stay safe, and enjoy!

“It was a seven.” The words fell from his lips that would predestine this night. On the chilly night of November 6th, 1983, the small group of friends had gotten together to play their weekly game of DnD that was cut long short for being on a school night. Two of the boys had rode off on their bikes, away from the host’s house as the young brunette told his friend the truth.

The boy of the house, Mike Wheeler, turned his head, confusion on his face. “Huh?”

“The roll, it was a seven.” The brunette, Will Byers, replies, a frown on his face. “The Demogorgon, it got me.” He kicks the stand off and starts riding. “See you tomorrow.”

As his words lingered in the air, the garage lights flickered on and off that was forgotten with a shrug.

Young Will catches up quickly with the other boys, Lucas Sinclair and Dustin Henderson. The wind in their eyes and smiles on their faces, they continued to ride for many blocks, slowly coming unwind.

“Good night, ladies.” Lucas teased as he broke from the group for his driveway.

“Kiss your mom ‘night for me.” Dustin quips back, before facing the other boy. “Race you back to my place? Winner gets whatever my sister brings home this time.”

Will’s eyes light up from that. “Really?”

“Yeah.” Dustin says, not expecting for his opponent to take off immediately.

“Hey! Hey! I didn’t say ‘go’! Get back here!” But as he says that, he knows there was no stopping his friend. “I’m gonna kill you!”

Will chuckled and shouted, “Bring it to school tomorrow!”

Dustin hits the breaks, out of breath and frustrated as he replies, “Son of a bitch…” Meanwhile, his friend pretended he didn’t hear that as he rode down the street they dubbed ‘Mirkwood’.

Yes, he lived the farthest away from… anything really; His friends’ houses, his school, the nearby strip mall, pretty much everything that was ‘useful’, But he didn’t mind it. As long as his family was happy with their place he could go along with it.

So Will continued to ride, in his own head that was causing him to ignore when his headlight flickered off and on until his bike chain magically came apart.

The boy gasped and swerved in a jagged line, worriedness on his features as he used his feet to forcefully come to a complete halt. Stopping along the side of the road, he looked down, trying to figure out what the problem was. While doing so, he didn’t even notice a car had slowed and rolled its window down.

“Will?” The person in the vehicle said, catching him by surprise.

He was met with a familiar face, the fair skin, freckled nose, and dark curls tied back in a small pony was a girl he practically grew up with. Ironically, she was the older sister of the boy he raced, Stephanie Henderson.

“Steph?” He said, still shocked as he watched her get out. Those bright blue eyes of hers trailed to his only transportation and frowned.

“What happened to your bike?”

“Uh, chain broke. I think.” Will says, looking at it again, and then back at her. “You’re coming home late.”

“You’ll understand when you have a job and a crappy boss.” She smiles, softly. “Come on. Put your bike in the car and I’ll drive you.”

“What?” He looks at her in disbelief. “Are you sure? You came that direction.”

“You know I don’t mind. Besides, it’s quicker and safer than walking. Plus I’m sure your brother and mother would appreciate it.” She says, opening the back door.

“But what about your mom?”

“I called her already and told her that I’ll be a little late.” She gestures to the car. “Come on.” He smiles and puts the bike in before hopping in the passenger seat. She even spoils him by handing him a paper brown bag. “Cinnamon bun?”

His eyes light up. “Actually, Dustin betted me that if I beat him in a race back to his house I can have whatever you bring.”

“Then I guess they’re all yours.” She turns the car around. “So how was your campaign?”

“It was good until the end.” He takes a bite of the pastry. “I ended up getting beaten by the Demogorgon.”

“Remind me what that is again?”

“He’s a two headed demon prince. Very evil.”

“I see.”

Another bite and a small hum. “You should try playing it.”

She raises an eyebrow. “You think?”

“Yeah, it’ll be fun!” Now he was like a kid in a candy store. “You can be… our mage! A druid, or maybe even a ranger.”

She chuckles quietly. “I… have no idea what any of that even means. But uh… I’ll give it a shot. What’s the worst that can happen? I hate it?”

“Or you get eaten by a Demogorgon.”

“That’s true.” Steph agreed, and continued their light conversation until something strange started to happen. She watches as her headlights suddenly start to flicker. “What the?”

“Look out!” Will yelled, and her eyes snapped back up just in time to spot the bizarre looking figure in the road.

She gasps and veers off the road, foot slamming into the brakes as it rolled down and down into the woods, crashing into a tree. Now, it wasn’t that bad of a hit, more like a little thump, but still. A crash is a crash.

Stephanie lets out a pant, tiling her baseball cap back up to look worriedly towards her passenger. “Shit! You okay?”

“Uh…” He nods, a little shaken up, but looking unharmed. “Yeah. I’m good.”

Another pant and she looks around. “Who that fuck was that?!” She snaps, upset. “Who the fuck stands in the middle of the road at nine o’clock at night?!”

But as she was having her meltdown, Will was staring at the side mirror and paled. “Steph?” He says, terrified.

“What?”

“I think he’s coming.”

“What?” She followed his eyes to the mirror before turning around. Standing behind them a few feet away was the figure who made her heart sink at its unnaturally long arms, and fingers coming at a point. Now she starts pales. “That’s not a person.”

“Huh?”

She starts fiddling with the door. “Get out of– Get out of the car, now!”

Once they were both out, she snags him by the wrist and pulls him along, running as fast as they could, a few miles down, all the way back to what their destination was. As soon as they stepped a foot inside the Byers home, the family’s dog, Chester, started barking defensively as she told the boy to lock the door.

“Mom? Jonathan? Mom?!” He replies after finishing the task, but alas it seems like they were the only ones home.

“Ms. Byers?!” Steph yells out, biting her lip. “Shit.” She runs for the phone as he looks out a window and sees the figure approaching the house. She tries dialing 911, but all she receives on the other end is static. “What the fuck?!”

“It’s unlocking the chain!” Will yells, backing away as she takes a look. Sure enough, they watched the chain on the door slide itself across the track as the other locks started to turn (What in the fresh hell is going on?!).

“Come on!” She pulls him away, thinking the only thing they can do is protect themselves now.

They both run into the shed in the back, Will remembering what his mother had told him if something to this degree started happening, and begins loading the shotgun on the wall.

“Is that all you got?” She asked, searching around for anything else she could use.

“Y-Yeah.” He mutters, and frantically points the weapon at the door, trembling as the girl stood behind him, hands over his and shielding his body protectively.

“If that thing comes in, shoot it. I’ll hold you steady so you don’t fall back.” She says, and he nods (His body subconsciously pressing into hers out of fear and comfort).

But the next few moments were tedtious, hearing that thing growling, which got louder and louder, until it sounded like it was right next to them. Steph, who felt the wind get knocked out of her, was the first to turn around, eyes widened as she kept the boy behind her, feeling him clench her jacket.

“What the fuck are you?!” She screamed, the growling turning into screeching.

Then the light in the shed gets brighter and brighter– Until everything suddenly stops.

Then…

There was no one left.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

As soon as the sun touched his face, the boy reached over and shut his alarm clock off before it could even ring. Groaning and stretching, he was feeling extremely exhausted after being up so late (But last night was so fun, it was totally worth it!). Grinning a toothless grin, Dustin rolled out of bed, his clothes in hand as he strolls to the end of the hall for the bathroom. However–

He lets out a sigh and throws his head back at the door being closed. “Oh, my god. Phanie! I told you I needed to use the bathroom first on school days.” Seriously, how many times has he told his sister this? He doesn’t get a reply, and bangs on the door. “Phanie!! Are you listening?”

And on the last knock, to his surprise, the door creaked open. Being cautious, he poked his head inside finding the light was off and the room was unoccupied.

“Huh.” He said, looking around again. “Okay…” He quickly gets ready for the day, fixing his curls so his hat stays on, before adventuring back out. “Goodbye, sleepyhead!”

And once again, Dustin was shocked to find that now his sister’s room was unoccupied as well. The only thing present was their cat, Mews, who was curled up in a ball on the still perfectly made bed… with everything on it still looking the same in place.

What the? He thought, before heading for the kitchen where his mother was listening to the news.

// -And that’s it for News Center this morning. Thanks for joining us. Let’s hand off now to Liz at the news desk //

// All right, thank you, Donna. Turning now to local news, we’re getting reports of surges and power outages all across the county. Last night, hundreds of homes in East Hawkins were affected, leaving many residents in the dark. The cause of the outage is still unknown. We reached out to Roane County Water and Electric, and a spokesperson says that they are confident power will be restored to all remaining homes within the next– //

“Hey, mom, have you seen Stephanie?” He asked, ignoring the fact his mother was making him his favorite breakfast meal.

“Stephanie?” His mother, Claudia, asked as she slid him a plate. “No, I haven’t.”

“She’s not in her room.” He replies, taking a seat, thinking. “Did you see her come home last night?”

“Well, she did call me saying that she was going to be late, but I’ll admit, I dozed off before I heard her come in.” She notices her son’s worried expression, and smiles. “Oh, don’t worry, Dusty-buns. I’m sure she had to just pick up a friend for school. I can drive you.”

“No, I can bike, I just…” He trails off, not really hungry anymore. We always eat together.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Meanwhile, in another household. Joyce Byers was rummaging around her living room for her keys, cursing under her breath after every failed attempt.

“Where the hell are they?” She sighs. “Jonathan?”

“Check the couch!” Her oldest child said from the kitchen.

“Ugh, I did.” She moves the cushions around again, finally spotting them. “Oh, got them.” She smiles and comes over to give him a pat on the shoulder. “Okay, sweetie, I will see you tonight.”

“Yeah, see you later.” He says, finishing up the eggs.

“Where’s Will?”

“Oh, I didn’t get him up yet. He’s probably still sleeping.”

Joyce sighs, already leaving the room. “Jonathan, you have to make sure he’s up!”

“Mom, I’m making breakfast.”

“I told you this a thousand times. Will!” She claps her hands. “Come on, honey. It’s time to get up.” She pushes open his door only to find that his bed was empty. “He came home last night, right?”

Jonathan’s heart sank as he faced his mother. “He’s not in his room?

“Did he come home or not?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“No. I-I got home late. I was working.”

She gives her son ‘the look’. “You were working?”

“Eric asked if I could cover. I said yeah. I just thought we could use the extra cash.”

“Jonathan, we’ve talked about this.”

He frowns, looking away. “I know…”

“You can’t take shifts when I’m working.” She says, wheels turning in her head at where he could be.

“Mom, it’s not a big deal.” He makes eye contact again. “Look, he was at the Wheelers’ all day. I’m sure he just stayed over.”

“I can’t believe you.” She says, already grabbing the phone. “I can’t believe you sometimes.” She starts dialing the phone number she knows by heart and waits.

[ ‘Hello?’ ]

“Hi, Karen. It’s Joyce.”

[ ‘Oh, Joyce, hi.’ ]

Before Joyce could ask, she hears a ruckus in the background.

[ ‘Quiet!’ ]

“Was that Will I heard back there?” She asked, hopefully.

[ ‘Will? No, no, no, it’s just Mike.’ ]

“Will didn’t spend the night?”

[ ‘No, he left here a little bit after 8:00. Why? He’s not home?’]

Joyce tries to keep the panic off her face as she replies, “Um, you know what? I think he just left early for... for school. Thank you so much.”

[ ‘Okay.’ ]

“Bye.”

[ ‘Bye.’ ]

Joyce hangs up the phone, exchanging concerned glances with her eldest child.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Three out of the four boys rode to school that morning, chattering away about a certain person that’ll only end in sadness. Frowning as they slowed down to their usual bike rack that laid empty before them.

“That’s weird. I don’t see him.” Mike said, noticing the absent bike. Did he park somewhere else this time?

“I’m telling you, his mom’s right.” Lucas said, trying to be the reasonable one. “He probably just went to class early again. You know he’s always paranoid that Gursky’s gonna give him another pop quiz.”

“That’s true.”

“Yeah… pop quiz...” Dustin mumbled, being completely distant from the group.

Lucas sighs, rolling his eyes. “Dude, you still worried about your sister?”

“Well, yeah! I mean, why was she not home? We always eat breakfast with each other, how could she just skip out on it?”

“She’s sixteen, you know? You’re just overreacting. I’m sure Steph is fine.”

“I don’t man, this ain’t like her.”

“Dustin–”

“Step right up, ladies and gentlemen!” A bully, named Troy, announced as he came over with another boy. “Step right up and get your tickets for the freak show.” He smirks. “Who do you think would make more money in a freak show?” He pushes Lucas first. “Midnight–” Then Mike. “Frogface–” Then Dustin. “Or Toothless?”

The other bully, James, looks pensive for a moment before making his decision with a point. “I’d go with Toothless.”

Dustin’s cheeks flush out of embarrassment. “I told you a million times, my teeth are coming in. It’s called cleidocranial dysplasia.”

“‘I told you a million times’.” James mocks, and laughs.

“Do the arm thing.” Troy pressures, as Dustin takes a small step back.

“Do it, freak!” Deciding to just comply, Dustin cracks his arms with his collar bone, making him and Troy groan and recoil. “God, it gets me every time.”

Then the two of them push through the boys as they leave for class; The trio sending them a death glare.

“Assholes.” Luca scoffed.

“I think it’s kinda cool.” Mike said, trying to cheer Dustin up. “It’s like you have superpowers or something. Like Mr. Fantastic.”

Dustin chuckles. “Yeah, except I can’t fight evil with it.”

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Meanwhile, in the high school next door, Mike’s older sister was hustling inside, books in hand, acting all flustered. It especially didn’t help when her friend came over, grinning like the Chester Cat.

“So, did he call? The ginger girl, Barb, asked all giggly.

The sister, Nancy, shushes her looking around. “Keep your voice down.”

She nudges her with her elbow. “Did he?”

“I told you, it’s not like that.” Nancy blushes harder when Barb gave her a look. “Okay, I mean, yes, he likes me, but not like that. We just made out a couple times.

Barb raises an eyebrow. “‘We just made out a couple times’. Nance, seriously, you’re gonna be so cool now, it’s ridiculous.”

“No, I’m not.” She shakes her head while unlocking her locker.

“You better still hang out with me, that’s all I’m saying. If you become friends with Tommy H. or Carol–”

“Oh, that’s gross!”

“I’m just saying, you better still be friends with me. I heard that the King pushed a close friend out of his circle when he took the throne and–”

“Okay, I’m telling you, it was a one-time... two-time thing.”

She opens her locker, finding a note that read: MEET ME IN BATHROOM -STEVE.

Barb’s expression grew. “You were saying?”

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Before you know it, Nancy is having a make out session with the highschool’s King, Steve “The Hair” Harrington. The cocky bad boy that every girl fawns over, and the physic that every guy envies. If you wanted any kind of popularity while running around this place, you had to make a guarantee that he would be in your corner.

“Steve.” Nancy croaked in between kisses, making him hum. “I have to go.”

“In a minute.” He mumbled, nibbling at her neck as the school bell rings.

“Steve–” She nudged her way out from him. “I really, like seriously, I have to go.”

“Wait, wait, wait. Let’s…” He snags her bag, keeping her in place for a second. “Come on, let’s do something tonight, yeah?”

“No, I can’t. I have to study for Kaminsky’s test.”

“Oh, come on. What’s your GPA again? 3.999–”

“Kaminsky’s tests are impossible.”

“Well, then, just let me help.” He said, smirking.

She rolls her eyes with a smile. “You failed chem.”

“C-minus.”

“Well, in that case–”

“So I’ll be over around, say, like, 8:00?”

“Are you crazy?” Nancy shakes her head. “My mom would not–”

“I’ll climb through your window.” He insisted, all pumped up at the idea. “She won’t even know I’m there. I’m stealthy, like a ninja.”

“You are crazy.” She says, taking her bag back and starts leaving.

“Wait, wait, wait. Just…” He steps in front of her. “Okay, forget about that. We can just– We can just, like, chill in my car. We can find a nice quiet place to park, and–”

“Steve, I have to study. I’m not kidding.”

“Well, why do you think I want it to be nice and quiet?”

That got her to crack another smile. “You’re an idiot, Steve Harrington.” She replies, stepping around him. “Meet me at Dearborn and Maple at 8:00. To study.”

The school bell rings again, leaving behind a very satisfied teen.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

“Alright, class, I’ll be your sub for today.” The man explains, writing his name on the board. “I’m Mr. Dunwoody. If you have any questions, please refrain before I take attendance.” He ignores as some of the ‘cool kids’ snickered under their breaths and chuck paper balls around. “Uh, Barkley?”

“Here.”

“Brown?”

“Here.”

“Byers?” No reply. “Jonathan Byers?” He scopes the room, the seat in the back corner was absent. “No Byers. M’kay, uh, Davidson?”

“Present.”

“Evans?”

“Here.”

“Eubank?”

“Here.”

“Henderson.” No reply, he looks around – Yet another seat in the back unattended (And certain eyes following). “Henderson? Is a… Stephanie Henderson in?” His gaze shifts with the class’ and frowns. “No, okay. Uh, Harrington?” Silence. “Harrington?”

Steve blinks and faces forward, snapping out of his trace. “Uh, present.”

“‘Kay, uh–” He started shooting off more names, but the teenager wasn’t honestly listening. Something about that empty space (the space that seemed so far away now) didn’t sit right with him. And the gossiping in the background wasn’t helping his troubled mind either.

“Maybe grunge girl finally got the hint.”

“Oh, yeah. For sure.”

“Do you think the pressure made her drop out?”

“Drop out?” A laugh. “Maybe she took a dive off the overpass.”

“Guess we’ll have to check the news later for that!”

They laughed under their breaths and Steve’s hands started subconsciously squeezing his crossed arms. This shouldn’t bother him. It’s not like they’re–

He didn’t even realize he was turning around to say something if it was for Tommy’s hand snagging his shoulder. It, and he’s not sure if he can admit, hurt in a way he can’t describe. They both locked eyes, and Tommy shook his head ‘no’ just as the substitute finished calling out names, starting the soulless class.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

As usual the town’s head sheriff was strolling into his job late and looking like he’d been hit by truck after truck. His five o’clock shadow was strong and so were the bags under his eyes; Jim Hopper walks in with a lit cigarette in his hand, the receptionist amazed by his appearance.

“Good of you to show.” She said, as he passed by and gave a small nod to the other officers present.

“Oh, hey, morning, Flo. Morning, everybody.” He says, heading for the small kitchenette to pour himself some coffee.

“Hey, Chief.” Powell greeted with a grin.

“Damn! You look like hell, Chief.” Callahan replies, looking up from his game of cards.

“Oh, yeah?” Hopper spares him a look.

“Yeah.”

“Well, I looked better than your wife when I left her this morning.” His response made his brothers bust a gut as the elderly woman came over, trying to get his attention.

“While you were drinking or sleeping, or whatever it is you deemed so necessary on Monday morning, Phil Larson called. Said some kids are stealing the gnomes out of his garden again.” Flo explains, as he tries not to roll his eyes (or maybe he did?).

“Oh, those garden gnomes again.” He sighs, and picks up a donut too. “Well, I’ll tell you what, I’m gonna get right on that.”

Flo keeps a straight face, used to his antics by now. “On a more pressing matter, Joyce Byers can’t find her son this morning.”

He hums after taking a bite of the pastry. “Okay, I’m gonna get on that.” He starts walking away. “Just give me a minute.”

“Joyce is very upset.” She pushes, as he shakes his head.

“Well, Flo– Flo, we’ve discussed this. Mornings are for coffee and contemplation.”

“Chief, she’s already in your–”

“Coffee and contemplation, Flo!” He shouts as he leaves the room, and, due to not paying attention, is surprised to see Ms. Byers already waiting in his office. His jaw clenched. “Okay… Missing? I’ve been told.”

“Yes, missing!” Joyce says, watching him sit down and start typewriting a file out for her boy. Worriedly she waits for him to finish, even smoking bud after bud to calm the jitters. “I have been waiting here over an hour, Hopper.”

“And I apologize.” He says, trying to calm her.

“I’m going out of my mind!”

“Look, boy his age, he’s probably just playing hooky, okay?”

She shakes her head. “No, not my Will. He’s not like that– He wouldn’t do that.”

“Well, you never know.” He suggests, a little smirk growing on his lips. “I mean, my mom thought I was on the debate team, when really I was just screwing Chrissy Carpenter in the back of my dad’s Oldsmobile, so–”

“Look, he’s not like you, Hopper. He’s not like me. He’s not like most.” She explains, her face saddening. “He has a couple of friends, but, you know, the kids, they’re mean. They make fun of him. They call him names. They laugh at him, his clothes–”

“His clothes?” Hopper’s eyebrows shoot up. “What’s wrong with his clothes?”

“I don’t know. Does that matter?”

“Maybe.”

Joyce inhales deeply. “Look, he’s... He’s a sensitive kid. Lonnie…” God she could punch that man right now. “Lonnie used to say he was queer. Called him a fag.”

Another eyebrow raise. “Is he?”

“He’s missing! Is what he is.”

“When was the last time you heard from Lonnie?”

“Uh, last I heard, he was in Indianapolis. That was about a year ago. But he has nothing to do with this.”

“Why don’t you give me his number?”

“You know, Hopper, he has nothing to do with this. Trust me.”

Hopper’s body straightens, hands coming to rest on his desk to make sure she was listening. “Joyce, 99 out of 100 times, kid goes missing, the kid is with a parent or relative.”

Her eyes widened. “What about the other time?”

He blinks. “What?”

“You said, ‘99 out of 100’. What about the other time, the one?”

“Joyce.”

“The one!”

Hopper tries to deescalate again. “Joyce, this is Hawkins, okay? You wanna know the worst thing that’s ever happened here in the four years I’ve been working here?” He could hold back a small smile. “Do you wanna know the worst thing? It was when an owl attacked Eleanor Gillespie’s head because it thought that her hair was a nest.”

Joyce sighs. “Okay, fine. I will call Lonnie. He will talk to me before he talks to–”

“What, a pig?”

“A cop! Just find my son, Hop. Find him!”

And then came a knock on the doorframe, which happened to be Flo who looked apologetic this time.

“Chief, I’m sorry, I have another hectic parent. A Ms. Claudia Henderson is here to see you.”

“What?” Hopper said, and just before he could blink, a blonde woman came stumbling in, all nervous just like someone else in present.

“Hopper, I’m sorry if you’re busy, but–”

“Claudia?” Joyce said, standing up with surprise.

“Joyce?” Claudia’s face washes over with relief upon seeing her. “What brings you here?”

“It’s Will, I can’t find him.” She says, missing the way the other woman’s face lost all color. “And apparently he didn’t go to school either.”

“Well, what a coincidence. I can’t find my daughter, either.”

And then all eyes are now on the police Chief who was dumbfounded this was all happening at once. After a moment, he sighed and pulled Will’s form out of the typewriter before sliding in a new piece of paper.

“Alright.” He gestures to the chair. “Let’s hear your story.”

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

And then that’s how the police chief found himself at a middle school. His first “suspects” in this case was Will’s inner circle of friends. But what he wasn’t expecting while sitting in the principal’s office was the trio to be talking over one another frantically.

“Okay, okay, okay.” Hopper says, waving for them to stop which they did. “One at a time, all right?” He points to Mike. “You. You said he takes what?”

“Mirkwood.” Mike said, confusing him.

“Mirkwood?”

“Yeah.”

Hopper sighs, looking at his partner. “Have you ever heard of Mirkwood?”

“I have not.” Callahan shakes his head. “That sounds made up to me.”

“No, it’s from Lord of the Rings.” Lucas says, offended.

“Well, The Hobbit.” Dustin pushes as his friend rolls his eyes.

“Who cares?”

“He asked!”

“‘He asked’!” Lucas mocked which started their bickering again.

“Hey, hey, hey!” Hopper yells, getting to stop once more. “What’d I just say? One at a damn time.” He points to Mike again. “You.”

“Mirkwood, it’s a real road. It’s just the name that’s made up. It’s where Cornwallis and Kerley meet.” Mike explains, giving the Chief a picture now.

“Yeah, all right, I think I know that.”

“We can show you, if you want.” The boy replies, his friends agreeing with him immediately.

Hopper shakes his head. “I said that I know it!”

“We can help look.” Mike pleads.

“Yeah.” Dustin encouraged.

“No.” The boys try to protest, but he shuts it down again. “No. After school, you are all to go home. Immediately. That means no biking around looking for your friend, no investigating, no nonsense. This isn’t some Lord of the Rings book.”

“The Hobbit.” Dustin mumbles, quietly.

“Shut up!” Lucas said, elbowing him.

“Hey!”

“Stop it!” Hopper snaps, while standing up. “Do I make myself clear?” He gets no answer. “Do I make myself clear?”

Mike nods. “Yes, sir.”

“Good.” He faces the principal. “Sir, thank you for your time.”

“Wait!” Dustin cuts in, and makes the man groan.

“What?”

“What about my sister? You mentioned her earlier. What about her?”

“Kid, listen, your sister’s sixteen, and to be honest, I believe a teenager playing hooky more than your friend Will. Okay?” Hopper tried to leave again, but the kid wasn’t letting up.

“But Stephanie’s not like that! I mean, yeah, she doesn’t necessarily like school, but she always studies hard to get good grades. She’s a good noodle.” Dustin frowns worriedly. “Trust me, she would never skip school. I mean… did you even check the parking lot to see if her car was there? Or the mall that she works at?”

I guess… the kid did have a point, Hopper will admit that one. He locks eyes with his partner who shrugs.

“I mean, we might as well kill two birds with one stone while we’re here.” Callahan says, truthfully.

“Yeah, you’re right.” Hopper sighs. “Okay. So Dustin, did your sister have any… friends we could talk to?” Then they got quiet, looking amongst themselves. “What? No? She didn’t? Or–?”

“Well, not really.” Dustin admits, bittersweet. “I mean, she probably hangs out with us more than anything at this point.”

“I mean, she’s friends with that douchebag Steve.” Lucas said, upset.

“Was friends. Not anymore.” Mike clarifies.

“Was a friend?” Hopper asked, skeptical. “What happened?”

“Not sure. They were inseparable until one day they just… weren’t.” Dustin replies, which was the truth. He remembers seeing Steve around a few times as he grew up, but then one day his sister stopped going out and didn’t even mention him anymore. Then before he knew it, he witnessed first hand the boy’s ‘asshole’ attitude (Makes him glad that she wasn’t around him anymore).

“Okay, then. What’s his name?”

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

“Steve Harrington.”

Steve stopped himself from getting into his BMW to look who was calling him out. To his shock he found two police officers in his presence, and immediately felt sick.

“Um, can I help you, officers?” He asked, paying no heed to the passing stares from other students.

“I’m officer Hopper, this is my partner Callahan. We just want to ask you a few questions.” Hopper explains, as the teenager nods.

“Am I in trouble?”

“No, son. As long as you comply.”

“Okay.”

“Alright then, do you know a girl by the name of Stephanie Henderson?”

His heart sank again like earlier. “Stephanie?” Steve asked, his throat feeling tight (Why was his throat closing up?).

“Yeah. We were told by her brother that you guys used to be friends. Is that true?”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

“Have you spoken to her recently? Seen her?” Hopper asked, getting a shake of his head.

“Seen her? Yeah, I mean I see her everyday, we’re in the same classes, but I didn’t see her today.” Steve shifts his weight around on his feet. “As for talking, I haven’t spoken to her in years.”

“So you haven’t had any real contact with her?”

“No, sir.” Steve watches the two adults exchange glances which pique his interest. “May I ask what’s going on with her? Is she in trouble?”

“Not necessarily trouble, I would say. Her mom came down by the station earlier and reported her missing, saying she didn’t see her in the morning and when they called the school she wasn’t there.”

“If I’m being honest, son, she’s a teenager, she probably just wanted some time alone.” Callahan replies, with a half shrug. “Besides, everyone knows her mother’s a bit… out there. She tends to overreact.”

“There’s nothing for you to worry about, Mr. Harrington. We appreciate your time.” Hopper replies, bidding him a farewell as he begins to leave (but this wasn’t sitting right with the boy’s stomach).

“She never misses her classes though.” Steve blurts out, getting their attention. “Even now, even if we aren’t friends, I notice she never misses school. It’s completely out of her character.”

It really is though. Steve waited until the officers processed his comment, before nodding.

“Noted.” Was all Hopper said and they left, leaving him high and dry, wondering what was truly going on. He was so stuck in his head he didn’t even notice Tommy and Carol making their way towards him.

“Oooh, looks like someone’s in trouble.” Tommy coos, with a grin.

“What did you do, Harrington? Slash Tammy Thompson’s tires finally?” Carol asked, making herself laugh.

But Steve didn’t find this funny, instead his attention was turned back to climbing in the passenger seat. “I gotta go home.”

“What?” Tommy said, caught off guard.

“I gotta go home.”

“What? But you said we were going to the movies?”

“Maybe tomorrow I–” He couldn’t even think straight. “I’m sorry. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He shuts his car door as his name is being called, and quickly pulls away.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Along the Mirkwood road, the three officers were paneling out, surveying the area. Everyone was shouting Will’s name, except Hopper who nerves were shooting through the roof; So much so, he had to stop and pop a pill. These kinds of situations, especially evolving children, were hard for him to deal with. It reminded him too much of his own–

Wait a minute. Were his eyes deceiving him? Does actually see this or was this another one of his episodes?

But after triple checking, he finally calls the others forward. “Hey! I think I got something.”

He steps off the room, jogging a few feet into the woods. If it wasn’t for the daylight, he surely would have missed a huge clue that was being covered by a few shrubs and ankle deep piles of autumn leaves. Smashed into one of the sweet gum trees was a car, windshield cracked and lightly powdered in stray branches.

“I don’t remember hearing anything about crashes this morning.” Powell said, confused as he examined it.

Hopper’s keen eyes also caught something lying in the backseat and pulled it out. He frowns, his nerves spiking again. “This is Will’s bike.”

“His bike?” Powell asked, suspicious now. “You don’t think this was uh… a kidnapping?”

“It’s possible. But it doesn’t explain why the kidnapper would crash and abandon the car. Then leave evidence of the child behind.”

“Now, what a second.” Callahan said, perking up. “This is a 1975 Tan Ford Granada, the same car that Ms. Henderson said her daughter drives.”

Hopper’s eyes widen as he sets the bike down. “She also said that her daughter had a Journey keychain.” He opens the driver door, and sure enough, still in the dead ignition, there was a little band keychain dangling off her car key. “Shit.” He locks eyes with his partners. “Which way is the mall?”

Powell pointed in the direction that he feared the most. It was in the same direction the Byers’ house was. Now it was starting to make sense.

“What are you thinking, Chief?”

Hopper frowns. “Well, if you look at the bike, the chain’s broken. My guess, Stephanie was driving by and saw him on the side of the road, and offered him a ride home.”

“Then how do you explain the car being off road?”

He sighs, dreading for the answer (both in a good and a bad way). “I’m not sure.”

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Saying Joyce Byers was livid was probably not a strong enough word after being hung up on so many times. Why, out of the times she actually needed to talk to her ex-husband, he doesn’t answer the phone?! She could pull all her hair out from that man. No wonder they were divorced since he frustrates her so–

“Mom?” Jonathan said, standing up from the couch (He was currently making missing child signs for his brother).

“What?”

“Cops.” Sure enough, they saw many cop cars pull up, including a tow truck with a car none of them recognize.

“Is that his bike?” Joyce said, worriedly once she was outside. “And who’s car is that?”

“We found this in Stephanie Henderson’s car.” Hopper replies, sitting the bike down.

“Stephanie’s car?” Jonathan said, surprised. Well, I guess he shouldn’t be that surprise, ‘cause although they’re not exactly friends as one thinks they might be, given the situation, he knows her enough that she’s the type of girl to give you the shirt off her back if you need it.

“Our best guess right now is that she saw him on the side of the road and offered to drive him back. It makes sense since her mother told us Stephanie called to let her know she’ll be running late from work. And given the time stamp Will’s friends provided us, them crossing paths match up.”

“But that still doesn’t explain everything!” Joyce says, trying to piece this together. “Where did you find her car?”

He sighs quietly. “Down off the road, into the forest.” He starts walking away, motioning for his men to follow him. “Split up, fellas.” He said, once they were inside.

“Did it have any blood on it? Or– or what was the condition of the car? Did it slide off the road?” Joyce asked as she followed him around. “And why are you here instead of looking?”

“Well, he had a key to the house, right?”

“Yeah.”

“So maybe he came home. Maybe they both came home.”

Joyce scoffs, stepping in front of him. “You think I didn’t check my own house?”

“I’m not saying that.” He says, eyes trailing away upon catching something else. “Has this always been here?” He walked over and pointed to an indent in the wall.

“What? I don’t know. Probably. I mean, I have two boys. Look at this place.”

He suddenly opens the door to the backyard, the doorknob trailing directly to the spot of the mini hole. “You’re not sure?” He’s about to question it some more when the dog suddenly starts barking. He heads outside, finding Chester angrily staring down the shed. “Hey, what’s up with this guy, huh?”

“Nothing, he’s probably just hungry.” Joyce said, after following him out. She sighs and drags the dog by the collar. “Come on.”

But as they left, Hopper’s gaze was focused on the shed. Why was the dog so wound up from that place? Treading carefully, he goes inside, flipping the lightswitch on that buzzed lightly above. His eyes scaled the room, immediately noticing something. His fingers wrapped around the box full of shotgun shells, realizing it was half empty.

Empty? He thought, setting it down and heading for where the weapon would be stored. But the two hooks screwed into the wall were bare, and to a shock, when his fingers brushed where it should be, the light suddenly shut itself off.

Out of instinct his hand latched around a flashlight nearby, turning it on. He turned the light towards the door, wondering if someone was just screwing with him but… no one.

Okay… not creepy at all. He trailed it around, looking closely, nothing making him want to stand on his toes until he decided to turn around. That’s when he saw the back half of the shed was a mess, shelves torn off, boxes and objects thrown everywhere, some even being crushed under some kind of weight. Even the hair on the back of his neck stood up when he swears he could hear someone growling.

His heart was beating in his ears as he crouched down, looking around for anything. (Un)Luckily enough, there was no kid laying emotionless in the pile. He frowns, wondering what scared the boy so much that he went to grab a gun. And then–

Something shiny caught his eye.

He reached out and picked it up, a gold chain unraveled, showing off a heart shaped pendant with two initials carved into it.

S.H.

“Shit.” Hopper whispered, horrified.

“Hey!”

He shot to his feet, turning around to face his brother in blue. “Jesus!”

“What are you, deaf? I’ve been calling you.” Callahan said, before noticing how ill his boss looked. “What’s going on?”

“Fuck…” Hopper mumbled and started racing back outside.

“Are you sure you’re okay, Chief?”

“Listen, I want you to call Flo. I want to get a search party together, all right? All the volunteers she can muster. Bring flashlights, too.”

“Chief?” Callahan stops him before he goes back into the house. “Hey, you think we got a problem here?”

“I don’t think, I know.” Hopper shows off the necklace. “We’re going to the Henderson’s house.”

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Dustin watches with fear as the officers explain the situation on hand about his older sister. His mom of course was hysterical, giving the professionals a challenge to get answers out of her.

“Oh, who could have hurt my baby? And poor Will too.” Claudia sobbed into her handkerchief. “She’s always so kind to others, of course she would have offered him a ride.”

“Ma’am, I know you’re upset, and we’re sending a search party out as soon as possible. But I just need you to confirm that this is your daughter’s, then we can make this one big old case.” Hoppy explains, trying not to be snappy with his words. “Now–” He shows off the necklace. “Is this your daughter’s?”

Dustin’s eyebrows shot up through the roof. “She still wears that?!” He said, shocking both himself and the officer.

“What?”

“Y-Yes.” Claudia said, nodding. “That’s hers.”

“Thank you.” Hopper says, placing it in her palm. He spins his heels around to Powell. “Let’s go. We got two missing people we’re looking for.”

“Please find her.” She begged, getting his attention once more. “I can’t lose my only daughter.” But all she gets is a sad nod from him as he leaves, watching as all the cars pull off her driveway in a hurry. She sighs and then gasps when felt her son take the necklace away from her, studying it intensely. “Dusty, why were you so surprised she still wears it?”

“Don’t you remember who gave this to her?” He asked, slightly sour.

“Well, no.”

He sighs, and starts leaving the room. “It’s nothing.”

And it should stay that way.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Meanwhile, later in the day, a heated discussion was going on at the Wheeler’s house over a nice homemade dinner.

“We should be out there right now. We should be helping look for him.” Mike said for the millionth time tonight, extremely close to igniting the fuse in his own mother.

“We’ve been over this, Mike.” Karen said, drawing her attention away from her toddler. “The chief says–”

“I don’t care what the chief said.”

“Michael!”

“We have to do something! Will can be in danger.”

“More reason to stay put.”

“Mom!”

“End of discussion.” She snapped, silencing her son. But when one bird stops chirping, another one decides to start a tune.

“So me and Barbara are gonna study at her house tonight. That’s cool, right?” Nancy says, not an ask, but that of course gets shot down too.

“No, not cool.”

“What? Why not?”

“Why do you think? Am I speaking Chinese in this house? Until we know Will is okay, no one leaves.”

“This is such bullshit.” Nancy replies, dropping her fork.

“Language.” Ted chimes in, still munching on his food.

“So we’re under house arrest? Just because Mike’s friend got lost on the way home from–”

“Wait, this is Will’s fault?” Mike spat, sending daggers at his sister.

“Nancy, take that back.” Karen warned, as Holly started to get teary eyed.

“No!” Nancy scoffed.

“You’re just pissed off ‘cause you wanna hang out with Steve.” Mike quips, sending the whole room into silence. He swallows when he realizes he messed up (and how his sister looked like she was going to kill him).

“Steve?” Her father asked, finally tuning back in.

“Who is Steve?” Her mother asked, as her son decided to just roll with it anyway.

“Her new boyfriend.”

“You are such a douchebag, Mike!” Nancy yells, throwing the chair back and marching out of the room.

“Language!” Ted says, as Karen sighs.

“Nancy, come back. Come back!” She shakes her head, and cups her youngest cheek. “It’s okay. It’s okay, Holly.” She holds up her sippy cup. “Here, have some juice, okay?”

“You see, Michael? You see what happens?”

“What happens when what?” Mike snaps again, still in disbelief. “I’m the only one acting normal here! I’m the only one that cares about Will!”

“That is really unfair, son. We care.” And now his words drove his son away from the dinner table.

“Mike!” Karen yells after him too.

“Let him go.” Ted encourages, as his wife picks up their child.

“I hope you’re enjoying your chicken, Ted.” She says, then leaves herself.

“What did I do?” He notices he is truly alone now. “What’d I do?”

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Dustin was sitting on his bed, holding his sister’s necklace in his palm. It was a gold color chain with a dark red heart shaped guitar pick. It even had her initials scratched into it. Such a beautiful and expensive gift. However, he still wonders why she even still wears it. Especially since it was gifted by none of other then–

[ ‘Dustin, do you copy? It’s Lucas.’ ]

He perked up from the voice of his friend coming through on his walkie, and scrambled off the bed to his desk. “Lucas. What’s up?”

[ ‘Mike just called me. Says he wants to go out looking for Will.’ ]

“Looking for Will?” He gasps at how perfect this was. “We can look for Phanie too!”

[ ‘Steph? You mean she hasn’t come home yet?’ ]

“No! That’s what I’ve been saying!” Why don’t his friends listen to him sometimes? “So she’s out there, we have to go find her as well!”

[ ‘I mean, we can. But we’re biking over where Will was last–’ ]

“Oh, no. I got that! But…” Dustin frowns. “Wait. You didn’t hear?”

[ ‘Hear what?’ ]

“Oh, my god– Okay! Well, long story short, my sister wasn’t playing hooky like everyone thought.”

[ ‘What do you mean?’ ]

“According to the police, Phanie apparently gave Will a ride home before somewhere along the way, her car ended up in the woods. They found his bike in her car, and even found her necklace at his home. So, Lucas, my sister was with Will! It’s not just Will who’s missing! My sister is too! Together!”

He thought might have exploded his friend’s brain after the long silence he was given.

[ ‘Oh shit…’ ]

“Yeah!”

[ ‘We have to tell Mike this when we meet up. Don’t worry, man, we’ll find her too.’ ]

“And I have faith in us.” Dustin peeks outside his door. “My mom’s watching her shows right now to keep herself distracted. So we have a few hours.”

[ ‘Perfect. See you in ten.’ ]

“See you in ten.” He puts down the antenna, clenching the necklace in his palm. “Don’t worry, sis, we’re going to find you too.”

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

[ ‘I’m sorry.’ ]

He heard her apologize for the millionth time while over the phone. He can imagine her cute little face full of irritation (was that reason to be in love with a person?).

[ ‘My… dumb mother has me under house arrest until morning.’ ]

“Don’t sweat it, Nance.” He said, leaning against the wall while they talked. “You know… I could always be sneaky like a ninja and–”

[ ‘No, Steve. You know what my parents would do if they caught you?’ ]

He hums. “Um, congratulate me?”

[ ‘Steve.’ ]

Steve laughs. “Alright, alright. I’m joking. Uh–” He runs a hand through his locks. “We could… study over the phone?”

That was a good idea.

Right?

Her silence was making him worry. “Um, Nancy?”

[ ‘Sorry. I was thinking. It’s a tempting offer but… risky. I don’t want my parents eavesdropping.’ ]

“Do they tend to eavesdrop?”

[ ‘Steve!’ ]

“Alright, I’ll stop.”

[ ‘We’ll just see each other tomorrow.’ ]

“Of course we will.” He smiles. “As long as uh… the search for that Byers boy isn’t still going on. Heard they’re grabbing everyone in town.”

[ ‘Yeah. Well, it’s not just for him, l mean they’re looking for the Henderson girl too.’ ]

And there it is again.

The horrible, aching feeling in the pit of his stomach.

“S-Stephanie?” The air got trapped in his lungs (Why was it so hard to breathe?). “I thought Will just went missing?” It was just him, right? There’s no way she went missing too. And at the same time no less. “Right, Nancy?”

[ ‘No. From what it sounds like on the news I just overheard, she gave him a ride home, but her car was found abandoned with his bike in it. So… as of now, we have two people missing.’ ]

Stephanie’s really missing? Once again he’s asking himself that it shouldn’t hurt this much, right? It’s not like they’ve been acquitted in years, so–

[ ‘Steve? You there?’ ]

“Uh, um, N-Nancy I… I think I hear my parents. I… I-I got to go.” He said, slurring his words and could practically feel the strange look she was probably giving him right now.

[ ‘You okay?’ ]

“Y-Yeah. I’m… I’m good, I– I think it’s time for dinner.”

[ ‘Isn’t it kind of late for dinner now?’ ]

“Oh, you know, we Harringtons like to have it late. So, uh, pfff– I’ll see you at school tomorrow. Have fun studying.”

[ ‘Steve–’ ]

He hangs up the phone before she questions him anymore.

It just doesn’t make sense. They’re not friends any more so…

Why does it hurt so much?

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

The rain was coming down like a monsoon. Thunder was starting to rumble, lightning was lingering around waiting to strike. Speaking of waiting… The Byers were on their couch, rummaging through photos that touched their emotions.

“Jonathan, wow. You took these?” Joyce asked, amazed by them. “These are great.” She got her son to crack a smile. “Wow, they really are.” Then came the sniffles again. “I-I know I haven’t been there for you. I’ve been working so hard and… I-I just feel bad. I don’t even barely know what’s going on with you. All right? I am so sorry about that.” And then the sobs started coming from her child. “Hey, what is it? What is it, honey?”

He shakes his head. “Nothing.”

“Tell me. Tell me.” Joyce urges, rubbing his forearm. “Come on. You can–”

“No. It’s just…” Jonathan’s blank expression broke. “I s-should’ve been there for him.”

“No. Oh, no. You can’t do that to yourself.” She shakes her own head and gives him a gentle squeeze. “This was not your fault. Do you hear me? He is… close. I know it. I-I feel it in my heart.” She clenches the left side of her chest. “You just have to… You have to trust me on this, okay?”

He nods while leaning into his mother’s touch. “Yeah.”

“Oh, look at this.” She says, picking one where it was just Will and his cute smile. “Look at this one.” It makes them both quietly laugh. “I mean, that’s it, right?”

“Yeah. That’s it.” He smiles sadly. “W-We should… see if Ms. Henderson had any photos of Stephanie. Maybe we can make a poster together.”

Then her whole world gets thrown around when she hears breathing. “Will?” She chokes, eyes widening. “Will? It’s Will!”

“That’s a good idea.” And the phone rings and she shoots off the couch. She prays and prays it’s good news as she yanks the phone off the receiver. “Hello?” She answers, which happened to be nothing but static.

“Hello? Lonnie? Hopper? Who is this?”

Jonathan was by her side in a split second. “Mom, it’s Will?”

“Who is this?!” Joyce screamed when growling came on the other side. “What have you done to my boy? Give me back my son!” And whoever was truly on the other side, replied by shocking her with electricity. She shrieked and threw the phone away, her son picking it up right after.

“Hello? Hello, who is this?” Jonathan asked, the silence making him furiously hit the phone box. “Hello? Who is this?” He finally hangs up, turning towards his hysterical mother. “Mom, who was it? Who was it, Mom?”

“It was him.” She sobbed, as she was taken in his arms.

“Look at me, was it Will?”

“Yes!”

“What did he say?” Jonathan choked, as his mother reached for the phone, hoping they were still connected.

“He just breathed. He just breathed.”

“And was someone else there?”

“I–”

“Mom, who was there? Who was it?”

“It was him…” She wraps her arms around him, knees almost buckling at the emotional exhaustion. “I know it was his breathing. I know it was his breathing.”

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Meanwhile, in the deep depths of the forest, drenched head to toe, the trio was shouting until their lungs hurt, hoping to find any one of their loved ones.

“Will!”

“Stephanie!”

“Byers! Henderson!”

“Anyone?!”

Lucas sighs. “Guys, I’m starting to feel like this is hopeless.”

“Don’t be a big sissy.” Dustin says, getting ‘the look’.

“I’m just being realistic, man.”

“Well, stop being realistic! My sister and Will are missing, and they’re fine.” They have to be. He doesn’t know what he’ll do if they’re–

“Maybe…”

“Lucas!” Mike scolded, getting a shrug.

“What?” Lucas snapped. “I’m just saying. I mean, did any of you ever think Will and Steph went missing because they ran into something bad? And we happened to be going to the exact same spot where they were last seen? And we have no weapons or anything?”

“So?!” Dustin scoffed. “If it was any of us in their place, my sister and Will would be busting their asses trying to find us!”

“Really? How would you know that?”

“I just do!”

“Shut up!” Mike yells, facing them. Their jaws closed and he shushed them quietly. “Shut up and listen.” And then there was a faint sound of rustling. “Do you guys hear that?”

And then the rustling got louder and louder, the boys spinning on their heels and waving their flashlights around for any signs of life. Just as thunder roared and the spotlights moved to another side, that’s when they were practically blinding a person.

Although it was not Will or Stephanie.

It was another child, barefoot and in a shirt that was practically a dress.

Staring in amazed and confusion, the boys weren’t sure what to say except,

“What the hell?”

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

|| THE NIGHT BEFORE ||

The lights flickered back on with an audible gasp.

She heaved the strange tasting air into her lungs, eyes adjusting to the bright world before it completely went dim, like an eclipse was happening just overhead. Before she could question where she was, she felt someone tug on her jacket and gasp themself.

Stephanie whipped her body around, catching the sight of the young boy who was now having a bit of coughing fit. “Will?” She says, taking the boy by his shoulders, relieved to see him.

“S-Steph?” He choked, taking a moment to look around with his big cocoa eyes. “What just happened?”

Well that was the million dollar question. What actually happened?

She takes a moment to finally look around herself, realizing they were in the… same spot? Yeah… the same spot. They were still inside the shed, still holding the shotgun, but the only difference was no… what can you even call that thing they encountered?

“We’re still in the shed. But it’s…” Will crinkled his button nose at the sight. “Gross.”

Steph swallows, blue orbs landing on the door. “Stay behind me.” She lets herself push open the shed door slowly, heart beating like crazy as she luckily met with no scary creature. She shivered at the sudden drop in temperature. “Jesus, It’s freezing.”

The outside world seemed to be encased in a blue hue, the places around seemed to be tangled with vines and covered in something sticky. There was also a white powder that looked like snow, raining down from the dark skies above. A sky that didn’t even have moonlight like it did a few minutes ago.

Holy shit… She thought, before feeling around her head, worriedly. She then locked eyes with him and asked, “Did you hit your head when we crashed?” He shakes his head, fueling her emotions. So they weren’t dreaming or having a concussion. So what even is this place?

Where the hell are we? And in the distance…

A creature snarled…

While waiting for his orders from his master beyond.

(TBC)

A/N: 😬🤭🫣

-Taglist is Open-

@ladygrey03 @poppet05 @tooearlyforthis @lovesfics @lordzzz

@mirkwoodshewolf @sadbitchfangirl

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dwobbitfromtheshire · 2 years

Text

To the woman who has my heart:

A letter to the woman Eddie loves, read aloud to the people who despised him. Words he could not say outloud himself.

Warnings: r*pe, angst, grief, blood. A little bit of sadness.

18+ MINORS DNI

Grace Henderson stood up in front of the church, trembling with nervousness and grief. She also hadn't eaten much today, everything tasted like cardboard. She glanced down at the letter in her hands, the letter that Wayne had given to her moments before. He had found it amongst Eddie's things. Eddie, the reason they were all here today. Grace made the mistake of looking into the crowd. In the front row sat her brother and mother with Wayne Munson. She could still hear her brother's cries from both of the times that Eddie had died. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to stop the memory from coming forward.

Fire. Blood. The pile of bodies that stood before him. The smell of it all mixed together and she could feel bile building up in her stomach. The blood dripping from his mouth. They had deserved it. He had had said. To be torn apart like they were nothing? Their bodies raped and beaten? This wasn't her Eddie. Not anymore. The jocks hadn't deserved that, despite the fact they had hunted Eddie and tried to hurt his friends. Eddie wouldn't do something like that. . .

"Please," Eddie begged. "You have to do it. You have to kill me. I can't hold him back any longer. The monster inside me. He's crawling to get out. He doesn't care who he kills."

Grace opened her mouth to sing, to sing the same song that pulled him forward earlier from the depths of his mind. Hey Jude. Though it wasn't metal, it had been his mother's favorite song. His earliest memory of his mother had been her playing it all of the time when it had been released and singing it to Eddie when he felt sick or hurt, or angry. It had been his favorite song too and it had been the one to save him, to bring him back to her however briefly. The vampire that had stolen Eddie's body took down Vecna but now they had to stop Kas and close the gates once and for all. It was time to end this. A hand dropped onto her shoulder and she looked up at Hopper.

"You don't have to do this, kid," Hopper said softly and she shook her head.

"No, it has to be me," Grace sobbed. "It has to be."

It wasn't because Kas had marked her as his own, the throbbing bite upon her neck proof of that. . .she had to do this for Eddie. Grace looked into Eddie frightened brown eyes, the only thing that stayed the same. He didn't want to look like this deformed monster anymore. He didn't want to hurt anyone, never did. She has to end this for him and for everyone else because what if it had been Dustin that Kas had killed? What if? Grace continued to sing, placing a gentle kiss on his lips, and plunged the flaming stake into his heart. It burned her hand as she did so. The light in Eddie's eyes went out and he collapsed into her arms, as Kas melted away from him. . .turning into dust as the sun began to rise. Grace held Eddie's still body and sobs wracked her own.

"Eddie," she whispered. "Wake up."

Grace opened her eyes and found everyone sitting in the pews waiting for her to talk.

"Eddie Munson. . . ," she paused, clearing her throat. "Was so much more than everyone in this town thought he was. He wasn't a murderer. How could he be? He could never hurt a fly. I know, I know. The metal head who played the Devil's game. . .he couldn't hurt a fly? No, he couldn't. Instead, he pulled lost sheep under his wing and protected them from the storm. He was a man who was afraid that the woman he. . .the woman he loved thought of him like everyone this town did. . .a freak. She never did. I wasn't sure what to say today so I will read this letter of Eddie's and say the words for him that he never could say."

To the woman who has my heart:

Gaahh! I feel so tongue tied and I am not even speaking. See? This is what you do to me, Henderson. You make me feel like utter shit. I want to throw up and laugh at the same fucking time. My heart wants to explode from my chest whenever you walk into a room. You became friends with me and I still don't understand why. You were a good girl with decent grades and a better chance at a future than I did. You also had a foul mouth which I loved that I knew and everyone else in this damned town didn't. When you graduated and I didn't, I thought for sure that it was it for us but you stayed in town and I was overjoyed. I shouldn't have been because you deserve better than me and this God awful town who can't stand anyone who's different.

I could never tell you how I feel face to face. Never. I suppose that makes me a coward. I am sitting here writing this and laughing. Wayne probably thinks I'm fucking nuts. You once told me that you thought I was the bravest man you had ever met because everyone in this cursed town was too afraid of standing out, of being different. You said that I was never afraid of dressing the way that I want to, of listening to the music that I love, and saying whatever the hell I want to. Tell me, this, my Gracie girl, how come I can't tell you how I feel?

I think it's because I am afraid. Not because you might not feel the same way or because you might think that I am what everyone says that I am. It's because I know that you don't. I look into those wide gorgeous eyes of yours and know that you absolutely adore me for whatever reason. I know because everything I do makes you laugh, I mean like side splitting laugh and I know that I am not that funny. Oh my God, that snort of yours. . .that's so fucking adorable. I can't get enough of it.

I know that when you touch me you feel for me more than anyone else because I know that you don't do that for others. That time I heard Hey Jude come on the radio and you held me in your arms as I cried? I never wanted you to let me go. I told you about my mom that night. I think that I know now why I am so afraid. I think I am afraid of being loved so completely like my mom did, like my Uncle. . . I mean, how could anyone love me like you guys do. . .a broken freak who lives in a fantasy game. . .who can't seem to stay still for more than a minute? I mean, I am batshit crazy and the possibility that Grace Henderson might love me. . .impossible. I don't want to run anymore, my sweet Gracie girl. I think I will tell you over Spring Break with this letter and your favorite flowers. As long it's up to you, I hope that we spend every single day of Spring Break together. Until then. . .

Forever yours,

Edward Munson

Eddie Henderson

Eddie Munson

P.S: How is it possible that someone so lovely is related to a butthead like Dustin Henderson? Of course, I'm talking about your mother.

P.S OF P.S: Just kidding, all of the Hendersons are lovely people and I would be honored if I could join the family.

Grace looked up at crowd after folding up and placing the letter smoothly in her pocket.

"How is it possible that a man like that is even considered a murderer? He wanted nothing more than to be understood, to be loved as he is. . . and to live in the town where his mother did. . .to be loved by the people who once loved her. They couldn't see beyond who his father had been or the clothes that he wore. He was a man who loved, to be loved, and he loved more than anyone ever could. Eddie Munson will always. . .will always hold my heart."

Grace climbed down off of the podium and collapsed, sobbing into her mother's arms. It wasn't long before Dustin joined in, wrapping his arms around the both of them. What was surprising was when Wayne stood up and hugged all of them, kissing the top of Grace's head. The whole town was watching them now. When Eddie's name was cleared and had been announced that he actually been the hero who saved the town, hundreds flocked to give him a funeral he deserved. The church was packed and all eyes were on them. It was immediate family who went to bury him: Wayne, the Hendersons, and the Upside Down team. Grace leaned on her brother, her head on his, as they watched Eddie's body being lowered into the ground.

"Goodbye, Eddie," she whispered.

She watched the photo she had nestled in the roses as it disappeared along with the casket. It was a polaroid of Eddie's that he had taken of her before she graduated. She was leaning on her desk, smiling at him with both her eyes and her lips. Grace couldn't remember what he had said then but whatever it was, it made her happier than she had ever looked. He told her before he died that it was his favorite photo of her and now he was taking with him into the afterlife. She hoped he would carry it with him forever.

FIVE YEARS LATER. . .

Grace smiled at the headstone. She could do that now. . .smile. it had taken her a long time to get there but she could do it. It was still a little sad though and she never smiled like she had done with Eddie but she was happy. That was the important thing, that he would want her to be happy.

"The kids are off at college now. Can you believe it? We did good, I think. It was awkward between Will, El, and Mike for a while but they're with their respective others now. Nancy and Jonathan are married now so that's great. Jopper eloped. (Dustin calls Hop and Joyce that.) We've all tried to stay as close as possible and even though the gates are closed now no one wants to live there. It's a ghost town. We all try to keep an eye on it while trying to live our respective lives. It's hard to forget what happened so we don't bother trying. We use it to remind ourselves to live because others can't and to remind ourselves that it only made us stronger. . ."

Grace paused and looked down at her hands, feeling ashamed. She shouldn't be though. Tears flooded her eyes suddenly.

"I'm not sure why I haven't told you this before. . .afraid, I guess. After you died, I was a mess and I just fell apart. It wasn't fair that we didn't get enough time together. Everyone helped to pick up the pieces but the one person who was there for me most of all . . . was Steve. We got an apartment together and for a long time we were just roommates. . . just friends. I had spent most of my nights crying and Steve just being there for me. He held me when I had nightmares and I did the same for him when he had them too. He still gets embarrassed about his scars sometimes but I am there to reassure him and vice-versa. Eventually, overtime, we fell in love."

Grace paused again, openly crying this time. She couldn't tell if they were happy tears or sad tears.

"We live just outside of Hawkins, far and not too far way. We still worry sometimes. Robin and Steve still work together, platonic soulmates and all. . .They opened their own buisness together. I am sorry that I didn't tell you about Steve sooner but we haven't been able to get here much with everything and all. We are very happy and he loves me. . .he is so good to me. I love him with almost all of my heart. I think there will always be a piece of my heart that will always belong to you. Steve's alright with that. He understands. We got married, Eddie. We're having a baby. We want to name him after you. It's not that weird. Our family understands and we hope you do too. . . I love you, Eddie Munson."

Grace placed a hand on her swollen stomach and leaned forward to kiss the headstone. A hand dropped onto her shoulder and she looked up into the face of her husband. Steve smiled and knelt down beside her.

"Hey, man, I am not sure what to say to the man who's girl I stole," he said and Grace chuckled. "But I want you to know that I plan to spend every day of my life making sure she's safe, happy, and loved. No hard feelings, right?"

He fist bumped the headstone and helped his wife up off the ground, brushing dirt off of her. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder as they walked to the car. Steve glanced over at the headstone once more. The Upside Down was put to rest, Vecna was dead, but the scars that were given ultimately remained behind. . .a monument to what happened. . .forever etched in stone.

Here Lies Eddie Munson

Beloved, Friend, Nephew, and Hero

"Not all those who wonder are lost. . ."

The End

A/N: I apologize to anyone who is upset by this, I don't have enough money for your therapy bills. Also, notice how I didn't say that Nancy and Jonathan were necessarily married to each other. This also could imply to the others beside Joyce and Hop. It's up to your imagination who the others ended up with.

#stranger things #eddie stranger things #stranger things s4 #stranger things season 4 #eddie munson #eddie munson x sister!oc #eddie munson x henderson!oc #eddie munson fanfiction #dustin henderson #henderson sister #steve harrington #steve harrington x henderson!oc #joseph quinn #joe keery #vampire eddie #vampire eddie munson #kas!eddie #kas the bloody handed #kas theory

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kinghairington · 2 years

Text

stranger things fic masterlist

Steve Harrington

One-shots & Multi-chapter

original character (named) protect you into the black - one / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight / nine / ten / eleven / twelve / thirteen, part one / thirteen, part two / fourteen ; moodboard/playlist original character (unnamed) movie night (steve x henderson!oc, dustin) movie night 2 (steve x henderson!oc, dustin) confessions delicate x reader (unnamed) spring break (steve x henderson!reader) homesick (steve x henderson!reader, dustin) fire away don’t you forget about me rock and a hard place (steve x hargrove!reader) head over heels private eyes hold my heart (steve x henderson!reader, dustin) part of the family (steve x henderson!reader, dustin) reader has panic attack in the upside down

general found family

Headcanons

x reader (unnamed) body insecurities brother!steve meeting his sister’s boyfriend for the first time (brother!steve x sister!reader; family relationship) comforting!steve steve x deaf!reader

general & other characters steve and jane meeting for the first time (steve, eleven; gen) steve with a baby steve being a brother figure to max (steve, max; gen) swimmer steve personal headcanons (steve, family; gen) birthday (party, family; gen) sick from demobat bites steve (party, family; gen)

Eddie Munson

One-Shots

x reader (unnamed) love walks in let me take care of you locked out

Headcanons

halloween moving on without eddie (pregnant!reader) werewolf eddie (hints of steddie)

Robin Buckley

One-Shots

x reader (unnamed) i melt with you (robin x harrington!reader) our spot

Steddie

Headcanons & Blurbs

confession

Ronance

Headcanons & Blurbs

jealousy

Other Characters

general fics & head canons friends don’t lie (eleven x mike) first official date (eleven x mike)

Want something specific? Fic request info

You can also find my personal ST fic recs tagged as ‘st fic rec’.

a/n: Most of the Steve stories listed here were written and posted in 2017-2018. I've done my best to organize it in a way that you can find what you're most interested in, whether that's an OC or a reader. I cannot promise that these don't include descriptions of physical appearance and, as far as I can remember, I wrote with the idea that the sibling readers are biologically related to their siblings. Anything new will specify.

please let me know if any links aren’t working 💕

I don’t currently have a tag list, but I may start one if anyone is interested.

updated: 11/22/2022

#stranger things x reader #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x henderson!reader #eddie munson x reader #robin buckley x reader #writing tag

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gryfflepuffinthetardis · 3 months

Text

The Disappearance of Will Byers

"She was daring, she was dreamy. She was that cute little rebel that one never asked for but always wished for."

"Something is coming. Something hungry for blood." Twelve-year-old Mike Wheeler told his friends during the D&D campaign. "A shadow grows on the wall behind you, swallowing you in darkness. It is almost here."

"What is it?" Will Byers asked.

"What if it's the Demogorgon?" Dustin Henderson asked, anxiously and Will fell back in his chair, "Oh, Jesus, we're so screwed if it's the Demogorgon."

"It's not the Demogorgon." Lucas Sinclair insisted.

"An army of troglodytes charge into the chamber!" Mike exclaimed.

"Troglodytes?" Dustin smiled.

"Told you." Lucas chuckled and they all chuckled.

"Wait a minute," Mike said, softly. "Did you hear that? That... that sound? Boom... boom... BOOM!" He slammed his hand on the table for dramatic effect, something he picked up from Dustin's older sister. "That didn't come from the troglodytes. No, that... that came from something else." He slammed a figurine down, "The Demogorgon!" And the rest of the boys groaned.

"We're in deep shit!" Dustin exclaimed.

"Will, your action!" Mike shouted.

"I don't know!" Will cried.

"Fireball him!" Lucas advised.

"I'd have to roll a thirteen or higher!" Will pointed out.

"Too risky. Cast a protection spell." Dustin recommended.

"Don't be a pussy. Fireball him!" Lucas argued.

"Cast protection."

Mike slammed his hands on the table, "the Demogorgon is tired of your silly human bickering! It stomps towards you. BOOM!" Mike shouted.

"Fireball him!" Lucas cried.

"Another stomp, boom!"

"Cast protection."

"He roars in anger."

Their voices overlapped until Will rolled the dice, "Fireball!" The dice rolled off the table.

"Oh shit!"

"Where'd it go? Where is it?" Lucas asked.

"I don't know!" Will said.

"Is it a thirteen?" Dustin asked.

"I don't know."

"Where is it?"

"Oh my god."

Mike's mother, Karen started to shout for him, "Mike! Mike!"

"Can you find it?"

"No, I can't find it!"

Karen opened the door to the basement, "Mike!"

Mike looked up at her, "Mom, we're in the middle of a campaign!"

"You mean the end? Fifteen after." She left and Mike ran after her to plead for more time.

"Freaking idiot!" Lucas groaned.

"Oh, I got it!" Will exclaimed, finally finding the dice. "Does a seven count?"

"It was a seven? Did Mike see it?" Will shook his head. "Then it doesn't count."

Dustin gathered his stuff to head home when he picked up the pizza box, "Yo, hey guys. Does anyone want this?"

"No." They said.

Dustin headed up the stairs to Mike's sister, Nancy's room where she was on the phone with her best friend, Barb about a boy from school. Steve Harrington to be exact.

"Yeah. No, I don't think... yeah, he's cute. Steve. Steve's cute." Nancy said and Dustin bit his lip and narrowed his eyes. He wasn't a big fan of Steve and didn't see why his sister liked him so much. "Barb, no, I don't think he like-likes me. Barb, you're not..."

"Hey, Nancy." He called when she didn't notice him. She was a teenaged girl thinking about the most popular boy in school it'd probably be hours before she would notice him even with his large curly hair and adorkable smile. She looked over at one of her best friend's younger brother. "There's a slice left if you want it." He opened the box, "Sausage and pepperoni!"

Annoyed that he would dare interrupt her ultra-important phone call that she could easily have at school the next day, she told Barb through the phone, "Hold on." She walked to him with a sickly-sweet bratty in a teenage girl way smile and closed the door in his face.

They both knew if Nancy's other best friend and Dustin's sister were there, she'd smack Nancy upside the head so hard that her head would hit the wall for being so catty to her brother. Cassie Dare had a love for her brother that Nancy couldn't understand despite her having two younger siblings which was one more than Cassie had. Dustin was more than just a little brother to Cassie, he was her best friend. Nancy guessed that his rare genetic disorder did that as both her siblings were relatively normal health-wise, other than she was bewildered when she was told her mom was pregnant with Holly due to the fact that she had never seen anything resembling a spark between her parents.

He joined his best friends outside and told Mike, "There's something wrong with your sister."

"What are you talking about?" Mike asked.

Dustin headed to his bike, "She's got a stick up her butt."

"Yeah." Lucas agreed, "It's because she's been dating that douchebag, Steve Harrington."

"Yep, she's turning into a real jerk." Dustin nodded.

"She's always been a real jerk." Mike said like this was common knowledge.

"Nuh-uh, she used to be cool like my sister." Dustin said, "Like that time she dressed up as an elf and Cass dressed like a guardian dhampir for our Elder tree campaign."

"Four years ago!" Mike shouted as Dustin rode off on his bike.

"Just sayin'."

"At least, Cassie can balance time with us and the douchebag." Mike called, hoping his sister could hear him.

The party knew of Steve Harrington due to Dustin's sister, Cassie's friendship with Steve, but they didn't know him personally—how Cassie did. The real Steve. The one he tried to hide under a façade of douchebaggery.

Dustin was proud to say he had the coolest sibling in the party. She was badass, geeky, intelligent, and caring. She was sarcastic, mouthy, and loud like he was.

When they reached Lucas' house, he turned to his friend, "Good night, ladies."

"Kiss your mom 'night for me." Dustin teased and he turned to Will, "Race you back to my place? Winner gets a comic."

"Any comic?" Will asked.

"Yeah." Will took off, "Hey! Hey! I didn't say go!" Dustin shouted after him as he tried to catch up. "Get back here! I'm gonna kill you!"

"I'll take your X-Men 134!"

Cassandra Delphia "Cassie Dare" "Cassie" Henderson is wild, dangerous... insubordinate... Right here, folks. right here.

Cassie was in her room, dancing to Killer Queen by Queen from her boombox.

She had a love for the band that she shared with her father along with The Velvet Underground and Doctor Who and Bentleys and music. Her auburn hair bounced as she spun, dressed only in underwear and a long Queen shirt, and then... she gasped in pain as a headache formed as if she were trying to remember but worse, it was like something had happened elsewhere yet it still affected her, she stumbled back into her drawer, holding herself up with her elbows.

Her memory flashed images of children in hospital gowns dead with blood around them, blood ran out of her nose heavily which made her hand fly up to it, "Shit!" The images stopped as her knees buckled inwards and she fell down, grasping a hand to her head as she could hear a ringing sound in her ears until she heard a voice that grounded her.

A scream somewhat resembling a pterodactyl scream that told her that her little brother was home. "I'M GONNA KILL YOU!"

"I'LL TAKE YOUR X-MEN 134!" She heard Will Byer shout.

Dustin often forgot his key and as she had predicted there was a loud, furious, and rapid knocking at the front door screaming at the top of his lungs as if Dustin had been locked out for five hours, rather than five seconds, "CASSIE! OPEN THE GODDAMN DOOR BEFORE I FREEZE MY ASS OUT HERE! IT'S FUCKING FREEZING OUT HERE!" She unlocked the door before the neighbors started yelling at them for Dustin to shut up... again and threaten to call the police... again and actually call the police... again. Even without her brother's antics, her family was not the most loved in Hawkins due to her father. The auburn traumatized girl let her curly-haired brother in. "I lost my X-Men 134!" He complained.

"Yes, I think the whole neighborhood heard. Actually, I think all of Indiana and maybe some of Russia heard." She deadpanned as she shut and locked the door. "You hungry?"

"Nah, we ate pizza. I tried to offer Nancy some but she's a jerk now. Night, Cassie!" Dustin went into his room.

Cassie loved her brother more than anything, she had been four when he was born, and he immediately became the most important thing in her life for the rest of her life. She went to go to bed with the usual nightmares of the bloody corpses of those children.

In the morning, the phone rang and she got up from the table to answer. "Hello? You've reached the Henderson Household. This is Cassie Dare speaking." She said.

"Hi, Cassie. It's Joyce." Came Joyce's hoarse and worried voice.

"Hi, Joyce. Um, did you need something?" She asked into the phone.

"Will didn't happen to spend the night at your house, did he?" Joyce's voice asked nervously.

"Will? N-no. I heard him go by our house last night." Cassie said, getting a bad feeling in her chest. "Is-is he not home? Do you need me to come over?"

"No, I think maybe he just left early for-for school." Joyce stammered, "Thank you so much. Bye."

"Bye..." Then Joyce hung up and Cassie started to bite her lip as anxiety started in her. Will had been like a brother to her when she and Jonathan became best friends and more so when Dustin and he became friends. Will had actually been the one to bring Dustin into the party.

The boys biked their way to school as Mike informed them that Joyce, Will's mother called. Will wasn't there.

"His mom's probably right." Lucas reasoned, "he probably just went to class early."

"Yeah, he's always paranoid Gursky's gonna give him another pop quiz." Dustin said.

"How's Cassie?" Mike asked.

"Tried to pretend she didn't spend the night having nightmares." Dustin sighed, he had left earlier than her since she had a car and her driving honestly terrified him.

"Again?" Lucas asked.

"Give her a break, she was hospitalized by mysterious lab for three weeks." Dustin snapped at Lucas, "cooler than anything your sister's done, all she does is sass. Cassie is legitimately traumatized."

"How?" Lucas scoffed.

"DON'T YOU DARE BELITTLE HER TRAUMA!" Dustin suddenly scream, pointing his finger at a bewildered Lucas who was looking at him like, idiot!

"She tell you what it was about?" Mike asked, moving past this.

"No. I don't think she remembered but when I got to her room at two in the monring, she was nearly doubled over in pain from a migraine." Dustin said but before the boys could ask about it they were interrupted.

"Step right up, ladies and gentlemen." Troy, a fourteen-year-old bully exclaimed. "Step right up and get your tickets for the freak show. Who do you think would make more money in a freak show? Midnight, Frogface, or Toothless."

James pretended to think about it but let's be honest he had like two brain cells. If he actually did try to think, it'd probably cause him great exertion.

"I'd go with Toothless." He said, mimicking Dustin's lisp.

"Added bonus for his freak of a sister and your flamboyant father," Troy laughed.

"She is not a freak! She has genuine shock and trauma!" Dustin defended his sister, being as protective of her as she was of him, he also ignored the jab at his father, "And I've told you a million times, my teeth are coming in. It's called cleidocranial dysplasia."

"I told you a million times." James mocked.

"Do the arm thing," Troy demanded

"Do it, freak!" James demanded when Dustin hesitated, exasperatedly.

Dustin did the arm thing, pushing his shoulders moving forwards, being unusually close and his bones cracking, and the bullies groaned in delighted disgust.

"Gets me every time," Troy said and they pushed past the boys.

"You know maybe I should tell Cassie about them," Dustin said. "She'd kick their asses for that.”

"I think it's kind of cool." Mike tried to cheer Dustin up, "it's like you have superpowers or something. Like Mister Fantastic."

"Yeah, except I can't fight evil with it," Dustin said as the boy headed inside. "The best I got is a traumatized sister who thinks she's modern female Robin Hood."

"Wouldn't that still just be Robin Hood?" Mike asked.

Ignoring the anxiety that Joyce had given her, Cassie drove her father's Bentley, blaring Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. She was trying to drown out noises she kept hearing panicked breathing, screaming, whimpering, electricity sparking, thudding, and then bones cracking.

"Get the intruder!"

"No..." A young girl's voice said with the clear intent to protect.

She suddenly pulled herself back to reality when a horn honked and Cassie remembered, oh my god, I'm driving! She shook her head to find that miraculously she hadn't crashed but nearly did because she was at the turn, she turned into the high school parking lot. She could’ve changed so many lives, she shouldn’t even be driving, she was fifteen, granted her birthday was in a few days but still.

She had been sitting in her car in the High School parking for a full ten minutes, just staring at her left hand that clutched her steering wheel, tightly as she stared at her spinner rings her dad had given to her when her hyperactive symptoms started to appear. She had a mental disorder that was passed down from her father that made her naturally hyperactive and absent-minded, spinning her spin rings helped her focus somewhat. She had a large collection of spinner rings that changed along with her clothes everyday. Today, she had a ring with engravings of flowers and leaves and over it was a snake with a sodalite gem attached to it, a shooting star spinner ring, another snake spinner ring, a crown spinner ring, and yet another snake spinner ring.

Behind her eyes, she saw those children and then blood.

"Do not... worry..." A girl's voice said, softly.

Then she saw her father sobbing again, she remembered the days that followed, his ambition to find out what happened had been replaced by deep depression as he drank himself to oblivion and became very clingy of his daughter as if he were afraid someone was going to take her away from her.

Slam! Cassie jumped when Steve Harrington slammed his hand, cheerfully on the hood of her car. "Hey, Henderson!" She looked at him and the panic faded from her brown eyes. His brown eyes furrowed with worry, "You okay?"

She put on a fake smile, her mask, but Steve had always been able to see through it. He gave her a look, "Cassie."

She got out of her car and closed it and looked at him, "I'm fine, Steve."

He wasn't buying it, so he cupped her face, making her breath hitch in her throat, "Cassandra, you can tell me anything, you know that, right?" His King Steve façade cracked and her Steve shined through. The Steve she loved.

"Yeah, of course." She cleared her throat and stepped back , "Don't you have a note to put in Nancy's locker." She moved past him and he watched her leave.

"Right, Nancy." He whispered to himself.

She turned as she walked backwards, "And don't call me Cassandra, Harrington."

"Whatever you say, Henderson."

She stopped half-way across the parking lot and looked at the middle school. She could see Dustin, Lucas, and Mike talking to two older boys. She could spot her brother from a mile away, only one person in Hawkins had hair like that... but no Will. Something didn't feel right. She tilted her head, what was Dustin doing? The boys walked away and then Dustin was shouting at Lucas.

She was brought back to reality when a car honked and she looked to see Tommy H. and Carol in Tommy's car or as Cassie called it: The Douche-Mobile.

"MOVE, BITCH!" Carol shouted at her as Tommy H. gave her the middle finger as if she were the constant annoyance just for existing (none the less every time she opened her mouth).

She gave him a false smile and flipped them off with both her hands before walking to the school as Steve's gaze lingered on her.

She caught up with Barb and Nancy as Barb asked the dreamy teen, "So, did he call?"

"Keep your voice down," Nancy said as if she thought people were trying to overhear. Like they weren't totally invested in their lives up until the next scandal broke to distract themselves from said lives.

"Did he?" Barb asked.

"I told you. It's not like that. Okay, I mean yes, he likes me, but not like that." She said, clearly just wanting to overcomplicate things for drama sakes as Cassie rolled her eyes and pointed into her mouth, miming retching but neither girl noticed it.

"Or you could just be his next notch under his belt." Cassie said, bluntly, making Nancy's dreamy smile falter.

She stopped when they reached her locker and she started to unlock it, "we just... made out a couple times."

"'We just... made out a couple times.'" Barb mocked as Cassie rolled her eyes once out of Nancy's sight, "Nance, seriously, you're gonna be so cool now, it's ridiculous."

"No, I'm not." Nancy said, modestly but she fully agreed with her and it was already starting to go to her head, making Cassie want to bang her head against the locket door.

"You better still hang out with me, that's all I'm saying. If you become friends with Tommy H. or Carol—"

"Oh gross." Nancy scoffed.

"Back me up here, Cass," Barb said, nudging the brunette back to reality.

"Oh yeah, Carol and Tommy are total jackasses." She nodded and then pointed at Nancy, nearly hitting her in the nose as the blue-eyed girl crossed her eyes to look at it. "You become like them, and I will hurt you. Slowly and painfully. And then I bury your body and nobody will find it." She gave Nancy a sweet but psychopathic smile.

This was considered normal for Cassie Dare Henderson.

"Speak of the devil," Barb hummed, nodding past them.

Cassie then turned to see Steve leaning against his locker looking at her—no, looking at Nancy, surely, he had been looking at Nancy. Steve blushed when he saw that she was looking at him and then walked away.

Steve hadn't been looking at Nancy, he had meant to but got distracted by his beautiful best friend. Cassie had light brown hair that was just one the cusp between brunette and auburn, today it was in a half-fishtail braid, she was wearing a gold and black shirt with a clock on it and an Alice in Wonderland quote on it: "The hurrier I go, the behinder I get", a gold and black plaid skirt, black tights, and black boots with gold buckles.

Steve hadn't been looking at Nancy, he had meant to but got distracted by his beautiful best friend. Cassie had light brown hair that was just one the cusp between brunette and auburn, today it was in a half-fishtail braid, she was wearing a black hooded leather jacket over a bronze and black shirt that said: "Something wicked this way comes" with a skull with a knife in it under the writing, a bronze and black plaid skirt, black ripped tights, and black boots with bronze buckles. She wore colorful mixtape ear cuffs that didn't quite match her outfit but she considered another shout-out to her father other than the crown and snake spinner rings.

Then Cassie turned and saw him, he flinched, standing up straight and blushing, embarrassed to be caught staring at his best friend who then waved at him in a friendly manner.

WAVE! SMILE! DO SOMETHING, YOU IDIOT! He mentally screamed at himself, instead of doing either of those things, he stiffly turned and headed for the bathroom before Cassie started to brood, depressedly.

Real smooth, Harrington. His dad's overly critical voice sassed in his head.

Cassie was not popular despite her best friend being Steve Harrington, the most popular boy in school. In fact, she was the opposite, she was in Hellfire club with Eddie "the freak" Munson, and she dressed like and had the personality of a boy in the early eighties. She swore some people ran away from her.

Cassie was also painfully aware that her and Steve's relationship had been becoming increasingly strained with every year since he entered high school when he first became popular when he started to get tall and confident which coincided around when he adopted his douchebag attitude.

He started hanging out with the likes of Tommy H. and Carol who were the most toxic people she had ever had the displeasure of meeting in her entire almost-sixteen years of life. Literally thirty seconds after Steve introduced them, Cassie wanted nothing more than to punch them in the face until she heard something break.

She couldn't help but think that his popularity was more important than her. She honestly didn't see why he didn't break it off with her already, considering that Tommy H., Carol, Nicole, and the other sheep whose names Cassie had absolutely no interest in even attempting on learning, have straight up outright told her that if it wasn't for her, Steve would be even more popular.

She couldn't help but think that his popularity was more important than her but she couldn't bring herself to break it off. He was too important to her. Part of her was convinced the only reason he wasn't breaking up their friendship was because he felt sorry for her.

"Are you okay?" Nancy asked, noticing that Cassie seemed a bit distracted. Well, more so than usual.

"Did Joyce call your place?" She asked her.

"What do you mean?" Nancy asked, frowning at this seemingly random question and how they weren't talking about her love life anymore, because heaven forbid, her nonexistent love life and social status not be the only subject of importance.

"She called asking about Will. I guess he didn't come home last night." She confessed.

"She did call but I'm sure he's fine." Nancy shrugged. "Nothing ever really happens here..." She caught herself and looked at Cassie who just stared at her blankly for a long, long time. This went on for a while. With Cassie living Nancy a scathing, scrutinizing glare as Nancy awkwardly avoided eye contact, uncomfortable.

"So when are you going out with Steve again?" Barb asked, bringing them back to the original subject.

"I'm telling you guys, it was a one-time..." Barb gave her a look as Nancy opened her locker, "two-time thing." Nancy picked up a note in her locker with messy scribbling that Cassie recognized as her best friend's. There was deep jealousy brewing in her but she kept it quiet, which was rare for a Henderson. Her friendship with Steve and Nancy was too important to her.

"You were saying?" Barb asked.

Steve pushed Nancy against the bathroom wall as they made out before trailing his kisses to her jaw.

"Steve..." Nancy breathed.

"Hmm?" He hummed, distractedly.

"I need to go."

"In a minute." He mumbled against her skin.

The bell rang and Nancy glanced at her watch when Steve went back to her lips. "Steve... I really, like... Seriously, I have to go." Nancy said in between kisses before finally pulling away.

"Wait, wait, wait." Steve said, picking up her bookbag before she could and stepping to the other side of the bathroom. "Let's... let's do something tonight, yeah?"

"Uh... I can't. I have to study for Kaminsky's test."

"Right. Cassie told me." He nodded, the beautiful smile of his best friend flashing behind his eyes before directing his attention back to the genius brunette in front of him, mentally scolding himself. "Come on, what's your GPA again? Three-point-nine-nine-nine."

"Kaminsky's tests are impossible." Nancy said, reaching for her bookbag.

"Well, then just let me help." Steve tried, continuing to keep the bookbag away from her, teasingly.

"You failed chem." Nancy remembered as Cassie had told her.

"Damn it, Cassie." Steve cursed before during his charisma back on, "I got a C-minus."

"Well, in that case..." Nancy teased.

"So I'll be over around, say, like eight?" Steve suggested.

"Are you crazy? My mom would not—" Nancy protested.

"I'll climb through your window. She won't even know I'm there. I'm stealthy, like a ninja." Steve said, knowing if Cassie was there, she'd laugh loudly at this. While they had always been "partners in crime", Cassie was the stealthier one while he was always the clumsy one who she always took the fall for so he would not get in trouble with his much more strict yet more neglectful parents and as per her rebel morals passed down to her from her father.

"You are crazy." Nancy said.

"Come on, Cassie and I sneak into places all the time."

"You nearly get arrested every time." Nancy reminded him and tried to walk past him.

"Damn it, Cassie." He cursed and turned to her, "Wait, wait, wait. Just... okay, forget about that. We can just... we can just, like, chill in my car."

"Oh, yeah, who was the last girl you did that with?" Nancy asked, teasing but Steve answered seriously.

"Cassie." Steve said with genuine honesty and innocence, before changing the subject before Nancy asked him about his relationship with Cassie as he could tell she was about to do. Most girls were put off from his more than close relationship with Cassie, in fact he spent more time than necessary convincing girls that they weren't dating, no matter how much he wanted to. "We can find a nice quiet place to park, and..."

"Steve... I have to study. I'm not kidding." Nancy said, seriously.

"Well, why do you think I want it to be nice and quiet?" He said, allowing his true self to shine through just a little bit but it was still closed off as he was playing it off as charismatic.

Nancy smiled, "you're an idiot, Steve Harrington." She turned to leave but turned around at the last moment, "meet me at Dearborn and Maple at eight. To study." Then she left.

Steve smiled as the bell rang and he picked up his bookbag and sighed, "I gotta talk to Cassie about keeping my reputation in tact." He mumbled to himself and walked off, ignoring how just saying her name made him smile.

Cassie had homeroom with Jonathan but when she got there, he wasn't there. No Will. No Jonathan. A worried Joyce. Not a good mix. It was like when she had first come back from being missing and there were still hints of the anxiety it had caused Pan.

"Cassie?" Barb asked as Nancy came in. "You okay?

Cassie shook her head, faked a smile, and said, "Yeah. I'm fine."

Throughout the entire school day, she had this constant nagging feeling that something was wrong.

"HENDERSON!" Coach Johnson screamed in her face, practically showering her in spit and bad breath as she just gave him a bored and annoyed look like, how dare you interrupt my bored musing during your class. "Am I boring you?"

"Yeah actually." She deadpanned, making the class laugh, the only one she really registered was Steve's. "Do you mind?"

"You're doing free throws for the rest of the class!" He growled.

"Oh no. Free throws. This must be hell." She muttered, sarcastically and got up and walk at a drolly pace towards the basketballs as Steve hid his smile with his hand, watching her with loving eyes.

She spent the rest of the class, throwing basketballs into the hoop with better accuracy than Coach Johnson, Tommy H., and Carol had wanted.

"Looking good, Henderson!" Steve shouted, teasingly.

"You wish, Harrington!" She shouted back, turning to him, her braid flying as she turned to look at him. She turned but as she turned her vision flashed to seeing the basketball hit the backboard, flying back, and hitting her in the face, and then to another vision of it hitting the backboard, flying back and missing her.

Then she was back and the ball left her hands, hitting the backboard as both Steve and the vision had distracted her, it hit the backboard, bounced back, and too startled to move it smacked her in the head and knocked her down flat on her back.

Tommy H. and Carol laughed loudly as Steve cursed and ran to her side as she laid flat on the floor, sprawled out, her vision out of focus.

"Shit, Henderson!" He breathed, concernedly.

Cassie tried to lift her head, but it caused such throbbing that she dropped it, hissing in pain. She heard the girl's voice again along with her twelve-year-old voice.

"Name?"

"C-Cassie Dare."

"Come from outside?" The girl didn't seem to have a basic education given how she spoke.

"Yeah, yeah, my friend, he dared me to break in."

"Friend? What is friend?"

"And then there was this-this light and, oh shit, my head, my head hurts."

"Do not worry..."

"Cass, Cass, can you hear me?" Steve asked, frantically, pleadingly.

"Oh, my head." She groaned, sitting up and then her eyes landed on something bizarre. A ginormous snake morphing into the appearance of her father with black wings. "The fuck?"

"Shit, your nose." Steve said as Cassie felt blood rush out and when she looked back the oddity was gone.

"Gross." Tommy H. said and Steve glared at him like, I will hurt you.

"Shit, let me take you to the nurse." Steve said.

"No, you can't miss class." She groaned, her hazel eyes meeting his brown ones as she lowered her voice, "you can't afford it and you need to graduate to your senior year."

"I'll take her." Eddie Munson said, "Give me the excuse of leaving." Steve helped her up while giving Eddie a side-glare and letting him take her away as Steve continued to glare after him.

Somehow she was deemed as fine and was returned back to class. After school, she walked through the halls of the school to leave in a sort of daze but in a hurry to get to Dustin until she felt a hand land on her shoulder and she looked up, her eyes connecting with a familiar brown pair.

"Cassie?" Steve asked, concerningly. His true interior cracking through the popular douchebag exterior. "Are you okay?"

She blinked hard and shook her head and faked a smile, "Yeah, I'm fine."

Steve gave her a look like, that doesn't work on me. "Cassie, is this about... your missing time."

"Steve, I'm fine." She said, shortly at his oversensitive tone and pushed past him, somewhat coldly and ran to the middle school and she stopped when she saw a cop car there and saw Hopper and Callahan getting out.

"Shit." She muttered and ran to them. "Hopper!" She shouted, she literally hopped to a stop in front of them and said, "what's going on?"

Cassie sat with the boys as they all started talking at once, trying to explain how Will takes Mirkwood.

"Okay. Okay." Hopper tried to quiet them down.

"Boys!" Cassie shouted, and they quieted down, knowing better than to argue with her.

"Okay. One at a time, all right? You." Hopper gestured at Mike. "You said he takes what?"

"Mirkwood," Mike repeated.

"Mirkwood?" Hopper asked.

"Mirkwood." Cassie confirmed with a head nod and a casual one-shoulder shrug.

"Have you ever heard of Mirkwood?" Hopper asked Callahan.

"I have not. That sounds made up to me." Callahan told him.

"All words are made up." Cassie pointed out in a deadpan tone—the kind she usually had when dealing with Callahan as she gave him a smug smile.

"No, it's from Lord of the Rings," Lucas explained.

"Well, The Hobbit." The Henderson siblings said in unison.

"It doesn't matter." Lucas snapped.

"He asked!" Dustin argued.

"'He asked'!" Lucas mocked.

"Shut the hell up, Lucas!" Cassie argued as their voices started to overlap again.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Hopper spoke above them, "What'd I just say? One at a damn time." They quieted down as the Henderson siblings crossed their arms in an identical pouty manner. He then pointed at Cassie as she was the oldest. "You. What is Mirkwood?"

Cassie un-pouted and explained, "Mirkwood, it's a real road. It's just the name that's made up. It's where Cornwallis and Kerley meet."

"Yeah, all right, I think I know that—" Hopper mumbled to Callahan.

"We can show you if you want." Cassie offered, "My car's just across the street."

"I said that I know it!" Hopper said with an exasperated tone.

"But we can help look." Cassie said and she and the boys started to agree all at once, eager to find their friend.

"No, after school, you are all to go home. Immediately." Hopper demanded, "That means no biking around, looking for your friend, no investigating, no nonsense. This isn't some Lord of the Rings book."

"The Hobbit." Dustin corrected.

"Shut up!" Lucas said went to smack him, but Cassie grabbed his arm in a tight grip and glared at him with a death glare he was all but too familiar with, like, if you want to keep that hand, you better rethink that move, Ranger Lucas with the mere weapon of a slingshot?

"Hey, let him go." Hopper said, and Cassie let go as Lucas pulled his arm back. "Do I make myself clear?" Hopper stood up and then repeated, "Do I make myself... clear?"

The boys mumbled in confirmation while Cassie gave him a sarcastic thumbs up and smile before flipping her hand and giving him the finger with a very fake, sarcastic smile.

Cassie went back to the school to inform the principal why Jonathan won't be coming to his classes the next few days, she informed Dustin to wait in the car and if he wasn't when she got back she would hunt him down and drag him home by tying him to the top of her Bentley to which he gave her the middle finger. One could only imagine what it would be like when he entered high school with her.

That was often a thought that Steve had and hoped he wouldn't be held back to be around that all the time.

She walked out of the office when she heard footsteps approaching at a fast pace.

She spun around, an instinct of fear shooting through her, only to see that it was Steve approaching her, "Steve, what are you still doing here?"

"Basketball practice. Where were you?" He asked, frowning in concern hoping their little spat hadn’t made her mad at him.

She looked around, slightly overwhelmed at the moment as she stammered, simultaneously trying to answer Steve, "I, uh... um... I..."

"Oh, hey, Cass." He said, gently, walking to her and grasping her shoulder and cheek gently. “You can tell me anything; I’ll always be here for you.” His touch made her feel like all her anxieties just melted away as her eyes met his.

"Will's missing." She said, Steve looked at her, trying to remember who Will was, "Will Byers? Jonathan Byers' brother."

Only then it seemed to click. "Oh, well, I'm sure he's fine. Is Dustin okay? Are you okay?" Her heart warmed at his genuine concern.

"We're dealing." She managed a smile, but he saw right through that. He always had that talent; he knew when she was lying.

"You know if you need to talk..."

"Why would I?" She interrupted, defensively, giving him an icy look.

"Well, you know... It's just... the last time someone went missing..." He stammered.

"Yeah, well I'm fine now, aren't I?" She said, sharply, "I gotta go drive Dustin home, he's in the car and you know how impatient he is."

"Yeah." Steve didn't spend much time with Dustin but knew he could be very impatient.

They walked out and he said, "Hey, maybe we could do a movie night, say tomorrow? Maybe a double-feature. Maybe, Halloween and Psycho? And uh, that new horror movie will be coming out the eighteenth? Sleepaway Camp."

"I-I heard that it's problematic." Cassie noted, shifting her eyes away from Steve uncomfortably.

"From who?"

"My dad." She said, she didn't discuss her dad too much due to... situations. "So, Psycho for the psycho." She teased.

"No. Of course not. I don't think you're..." Steve became both flustered and blushed.

"Cool it, Steve." She pushed him, playfully, "I was just teasing."

"CASSIE! STOP FLIRTING WITH THAT HARRINGTON DOUCHEBAG AND GET YOUR ASS BACK IN THE CAR BEFORE I DRIVE MYSELF HOME!" A pterodactyl-sounding voice screamed that could only be her little brother as her car horn honked longer than necessary.

Cassie closed her eyes in embarrassment as her cheeks burned and reddened as Steve rubbed the back of his neck and muttered a goodbye to Steve and ran to the car, "I'm going to kill you!" She shouted at him and she saw Dustin in the driver's seat, "MOVE YOUR ASS!" She pushed him to the passenger's seat with her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

"The only way I could drive worse than you is if I made the car explode." He shouted back at her.

"You be quiet before I tie you to the roof! We're going straight home!" She shouted, pointing at him as Steve watched from the distance, still embarrassed.

"Why because I embarrassed you in front of Steve!" Dustin said, loudly—no, scratched that—screamed very loudly.

"Shut up!" Cassie hissed and got into the car and slammed the door and drove off, speeding past Steve with her cheeks flaring; she blinked her eyes and took some deep breaths, mentally cursing her younger brother as he loudly and verbally cursed her driving.

Steve watched her Bentley speed off and he sighed, smiling slightly before heading to his own car.

At the Wheeler house, Nancy had little to no sympathy to what was going on with Will's disappearance.

"We should be out there right now. We should be helping look for him." Mike begged.

"We've been over this, Mike. The chief says—" Karen Wheeler started.

"I don't care what the chief said!" Mike snapped.

"Michael!" Karen scolded.

"We have to do something. Will could be in danger."

"Cassie wasn't." Ted said, distractedly and Nancy finally looked up. Apparently being emotionally checked out was a family trait.

"She was exposed to dangerous chemicals and was hospital-bound for three weeks, dad!" Mike shouted at his father. "I'd call that 'in danger'!"

Karen didn't scold her son that time as she agreed with him but she turned to her son and said, "more reason to stay put."

"Mom!" Mike whined.

"End of discussion." Karen said, sternly. She looked at her husband who was about as useful in parenting as the drink he was drinking now.

Nancy decided that now was the best time to ask, trying to lie her way out of the house, for the very first time, "So... me and Barb are gonna study at her house tonight. That's cool, right?" Though she wasn't really looking for a "no".

"No, not cool."

"What? Why not?" Nancy demanded as if she couldn't possibly fathom why because it wasn't like a boy she had known for more than half her life was missing or anything.

"Why do you think?" Karen asked, "Am I speaking Chinese in this house? Until we know Will is okay, no one leaves."

The look on Nancy's face would make you think that it was the end of the world. "This is such bullshit!" Nancy cursed.

"Language." Ted scolded.

"So we're under house arrest?" Nancy scoffed, ignoring her father. "Just because Mike's friend got lose on the way home from..."

"Wait, this is Will's fault?" Mike scoffed at his sister.

"Nancy, take that back." Karen demanded.

"No!" Nancy said like she didn't think she was out of line. If Cassie were here, Nancy would have a broken nose.

"You're just pissed off 'cause you wanna hang out with Steve." Mike correctly accused.

Nancy glared at her brother, knowing that Cassie or Dustin most likely told Mike.

"Steve?" Her father asked.

"Steve who?" Karen asked.

"Steve Harrington, her new boyfriend!" Mike answered.

"You are such a douchebag, Mike!" Nancy whined like this was honestly the worst thing that had ever happened to her.

"Language!" Ted scolded.

"More of a douchebag than dating your best friend's boy?" Mike spat back. Anyone with eyes could tell that Steve and Cassie were in love with each other, guess Nancy was just stupid.

Nancy just scoffed and stormed off. "Nancy, come back." Karen called but Nancy ignored her, "come back!" She turned to her youngest, Holly, "it's okay. It's okay, Holly. Here, have some juice."

"You see, Michael? You see what happens?" Ted asked though no one knew to what he was referring to as it felt like he trailed off mid-sentence.

"WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WHAT!?" Mike shouted, "I'm the only one acting normal here! I'm the only one that cares about Will!"

Karen looked at her husband as he vaguely responded, "that is really unfair, son. We care." He couldn't even care enough to stop eating.

Mike slammed his hands down and stormed off.

"Mike!" Karen called.

"Let him go." Ted said.

Karen turned, glaring at her husband, "I hope you're enjoying your chicken, Ted." She snapped.

"What did I do?" Ted asked as Karen picked up Holly and stormed off. "What did I do!?" Grade-A parenting, Ted.

Cassie was on her bed, talking to her father on her Tardis table phone and for some reason she wanted to break Nancy Wheeler's nose for being a bitch.

"No, daddy, no one's seen him." She shook her head.

"Do you need me to drive down?" He asked, concernedly, fearing that Will’s disappearance may have had something to do with what he had found out and feared for his children’s lives.

"No, I don't think mom would appreciate that." He said.

"Right, because I cheated on her." He said, not loving what he had done.

"That and she doesn't exactly approve of your... life choices." Cassie rolled her eyes and then her walkie-talkie crackled to life with static. "One sec, dad." She rested the phone against her shoulder.

"Dustin, do you copy? Over." Mike's voice said.

"Yeah, I copy. Over." Her little brother's voice said.

"We're heading over to Mirkwood to look for Will. Over."

"Are you crazy? What if we get vanished too? Over."

"Don't be a baby!" Lucas said.

Out of all of her brother's friends, Lucas got on her nerves the most which how critical and skeptical he was.

"We are looking for Will. Period. He'd do the same for us. Over."

"Fine." Dustin groaned.

"Uh, daddy, I gotta make sure Dustin doesn't get vanished."

"Ri-right, be safe. I love you." Pan said, knowing that Cassie could defend herself given that he taught her to the best of his abilities.

"Love you too. Bye." She said and hung up the phone and picked up the walkie-talkie and said, "Did you boys actually think you could get away with this?"

"We've been caught!" Mike panicked, "Retreat! Retreat!"

"I'm coming with you all." She said. "Over."

"Why?"

"Because I'm not letting my little brother get vanished." She said, sternly. "I don't remember much of what it was like to be vanished but I know it wasn't fun." There was silence she knew they were cursing at her, she could hear Dustin's curses through the wall, "Yeah. I played the 'went missing' card. Now get over it, you little shits."

She pulled her blue raincoat and blue beanie and grabbed two of her pocketknives and two of her guns that her father had gotten her as he had taught her how to defend herself from a young age. She went to Dustin's room to find him halfway out the window.

"Uh..." He said, looking at her.

"Need some help there, buddy?" She teased and went to help him.

"Shouldn't you be telling to stay home, like a responsible older sister?" Dustin asked, not sure if he should be upset about this or not.

Cassie stared at him for a full ten seconds before breaking into laughter at this, "I am not a responsible older sister. I have a record. I have more pocketknives, guns, and other weapons than you could imagine." Then she gestured with her hand, "let's go." She walked out his room.

"Are you a secret psychopath?" Dustin asked before following but she didn't answer.

In Indianapolis, Pan stared at his phone (identical to his daughter's) for a long, long time as he bounced his leg with his hand tugging at his auburn hair but falling over his face. He hit the back of his head against the chair.

“Pan?” His bedmate for the night called, a woman named Sally or Sandy or something.

“Uh, rain check, darling. Don’t think I’m in the mood for tonight.” He called back to her and looked back at the phone. He murmured out, “Jesus, Cassie. What are you getting yourself into?"

The things he learned that night still haunted him but what haunted him even more was that he just left his children there, unaware. He and Dustin weren’t as close as he was to Cassie, but he still loved them. The most terrifying thing to him was something happening to either of them.

“Please.” He murmured, praying to whatever could be listening, “please, just let them be safe. Keep them safe. At least, give me that.”

She picked the boys up despite their protests only agreeing after she said threatened the run them over which they knew was a real possibility because she was not a good driver.

"You don't even have a driver's license!" Dustin shouted when she drove off from picking up Lucas.

"I turn sixteen in four days!" She shouted back at him as Lucas rolled his eyes.

When she picked up Mike, she heard a small noise and turned to see Steve trying to climb up the house to get to Nancy's window. He looked at them innocently, trying to play cool, like this was a totally normal thing to do and Mike rolled his eyes. Cassie stared at him for a long, long time before pushing Mike into the car, which triggered Dustin to complain loudly which entailed a long string of loud curse words.

She walked backwards to the front of her car, still looking at Steve who gave her an awkward wave. Anger stewed in her and she felt ashamed for feeling that way. She just gave him the middle finger and slid into the driver's seat and drove off as Steve blinked in confusion at her harshness.

Steve watched her until her car was gone before continuing to noisily climb up the house to Nancy's room. He tapped on her window, still thinking about Cassie. Nancy looked at him and he gestured for her to let him in.

"What are you doing here?" She whispered, "I told you on the phone I'm under house arrest now." Apparently, she still felt no guilt over blaming Will for disrupting her social life.

"I figured we'd just study here." Steve shrugged.

"No. No way." Nancy hissed.

"Oh, come on. I can't have you failing this test." Steve said and clumsily and nosily climbed in as he continued to speak, "so just... bear with me." The window rattled, "oh shit, shit, shit." He turned to Nancy, "what'd I tell you? Ninja."

"I thought you and Cass were 'partners-in-crime'." Nancy narrowed her eyes at him.

"If I'm being perfectly honest, she does most of the breaking and entering." Steve said and he flashed back to that dare and how terrible he had felt. How bad he still felt. She had almost died because of him.

"Steve?" Nancy asked, noticing the distant look in his eyes.

"I'm fine. She's fine now." He muttered and then gestured to her notecards, "so... studying?"

The party plus Cassie finally got to Mirkwood with the boys complaining about Cassie's driving. "I think my entire life just flashed before my eyes." Dustin groaned as he got out of the car. He hated his sister's driving.

Cassie rolled her eyes as she got out, she took her brother's hat, put it on her head and ruffled his hair. "Drama Queen." She said.

"You guys, you feel that?" Dustin said, looking up at the sky and a raindrop fell in his face, making him blink and Cassie smiled at how adorable her brother was. "I think maybe we should go back."

"No. We're not going back. Just stay close." Mike said, "come on. Just stay on channel six. Don't do anything stupid."

"Yeah, Lucas!" Cassie said and they headed into the woods, making Lucas scoff.

"Give me that back!" Dustin whined about his hat. "Hey guys, wait up!"

"Which polymers occur naturally?" Steve read.

Nancy looked up to remember, "starch and cellulous."

Steve turned to the next card, "In a molecule of CH4, the hydrogen atoms are spatially oriented towards the centers of—" Steve read these, not having any clue to what he was reading.

"Tetrahedrons." Nancy said.

"Wow. Jesus, how many of these did you make?" He asked, flipping through them.

"You said you wanted to help." Nancy told him.

"Not even Cass is this thorough." Steve said.

"Yeah, well, Cass kind of lives in her own world." Nancy shrugged and Steve's eyes darted up and he just looked at her, trying to decide whether or not she was being mean. Everyone in Hawkins High knew how protective Steve Harrington was of Cassie Dare Henderson. Jason Carver once called her "Patient Zero" and Steve threw a basketball in his face which made Cassie burst into laughter. "You know what I mean."

"Yeah," Steve moved on from the subject of his best friend before, "how about this? How about... how about every time that you get something right, I have to take off an item of clothing. But every time that you get something wrong..."

"Uh, pass." Nancy scoffed.

"Oh, come on." Steve teased, "come on."

"No."

"Come on, it'll be fun."

"No."

"During fractional distillation, hydrocarbons are separated according to their..."

"Melting point." Nancy said, matter-of-factly.

Steve flipped the card, "ooh, it's boiling points."

"That's what I meant."

"Yeah, that's not what you said." Steve teased and played with his collar.

"No." Nancy said.

"No?" Steve asked, playfully and sat up, leaning towards her, "oh, do you need... you do you need help?"

"No." Nancy said before Steve kissed her as Africa by Toto played in the background. Nancy laid back and Steve leaned over her, the kiss got more heated when Nancy broke the kiss, "Steve. Steve, come on."

"What?"

"Are you crazy? My parents are here." Nancy said, because that's where she drew the line, not blaming the disappearance of a twelve-year-old on the pause of her nonexistent social life.

Steve playfully looked around the room, "that's weird. I... don't see them." He said, sarcastically and he kissed her again as Nancy sat up, breaking it.

"Was this your plan all along?" She accused, "to-to get in my room and then..." She thought back to Cassie’s words, "get another notch under your belt."

"No. Nancy, no." He sighed, understanding why she would think this. He had a reputation for sleeping with girls, though the only girl he had ever slept with was Cassie and that was in a platonic way, though not so platonic in his head but neither Cassie nor Nancy needed to know that.

"I'm not Laurie, or Amy, or Becky."

"You mean, you're not a slut." Steve said.

"That's not what I'm saying." Nancy lied, shaking her head.

"You know you're so cute when you're lying." Steve smiled. "But you're no Cassie Dare Henderson when it comes to lying."

"Shut up."

Steve picked up a teddy bear and spoke in a toy voice, "Bad Steve. Bad. Don't do that to Miss Nancy..."

"You're an idiot, Steve Harrington."

"And you are beautiful, Nancy Wheeler." Steve said and went back to reading cards before she interrupted.

"Did you ever do this with Cassie?" Nancy asked suddenly and Steve faltered, he knew that this had to be coming. Ever since Cassie entered high school and everyone could see that they were closer than the average pair of best friends, he spent most of his time trying to convince people that they weren’t dating, no matter how much he wanted to be.

"Nance, Cass and I are just friends. Best friends." He said, not looking up.

"Not every guy's best friend is a girl." Nancy pointed out.

"She's not like other girls." Steve replied, almost wistfully but in a way that told Nancy he was done talking about his relationship with Cassie for the night.

About ten minutes later, it was pouring and Cassie suddenly heard a ringing sound. She stopped and stared around in complete bewilderment.

"Hello?" She heard Joyce's voice say. That's odd. She could hear kind of static. "Lonnie? Hopper? Who is this?" She heard the static fade to a breathing sound. "Will?" A sign of a true mother. "Will?" She heard an odd chittering and she froze. She could hear Joyce sobbing, "Who is this? What have you done to my boy? Give me back my son!" Then she screamed and it stopped.

"CASSIE!" Dustin screamed, shaking his sister. She inhaled sharply, looking at her worried brother. "Did you have an episode?"

"Yeah, I definitely had an episode of something." She said, nodding slightly before continuing without another word.

"Cass! You can't just have an episode and then walk off!" Dustin shouted, marching after her.

A little bit later, "WILL! WILL!"

"BYERS!"

"I GOT YOUR X-MEN 134!" Dustin shouted then he turned to the group, "Guys, I really think we should turn back."

"Seriously, Dustin. You wanna be a baby, then go home already!" Lucas snapped.

Cassie yelled, "BOO!" in Lucas' ear making him yelp and jump away. "Who's the baby now, huh?"

"Not funny!" He snapped, embarrassed.

"I'm just being realistic, Lucas!" Dustin said.

"No, you're just being a big sissy!" Lucas snapped.

This was why Cassie couldn't babysit both Dustin and Lucas anymore because Lucas kept on insulting Dustin which was a very good way to get yourself hurt.

She took a deep breath and reminded herself that Lucas was just the logical one and in a somewhat emotional state which was likely making him irritable and fussy.

"Did you ever think Will went missing because he ran into something bad?" Dustin asked, "and we're going to the exact same spot where he was last seen? And we have no weapons or anything?"

"Um, hello. Gun." Cassie said and waved her gun around.

"Whoa. Lucas shouted in alarm.

"Cassie! You can't just wave around a gun like that!" Dustin screamed.

Cassie was going to retort when she and Mike heard something.

"Dustin, shut up!" Mike said.

"I'm just saying, does that seem smart to you?" He asked.

"Dustin, shush." Cassie shushed, initally waving the gun haphhazardly at them, making them all squack and duck before holding it much more carefully as she slowly moved closer to the noise.

"Do you guys hear that?" Mike asked.

The boys their lights in the direction of the rustling, revealing a girl around the boys' age with a shaved head, wearing a Benny's t-shirt that was sopping wet. She was terrified and looked like she was going to start crying.

Cassie's mind flashed back to her missing time to a girl with a shaved head.

"Do not worry. I will help."

Cassie didn't miss a beat, she took her raincoat off and gave it to the girl.

"Here, come with us. We'll get you some dry clothes." She said, softly. The girl was hesitant so Cassie crouched in front of her, giving her a kind smile with kindness in her hazel eyes that was near foreign to the girl, "Hey, you're safe now."

But it wasn't her own safety the girl was worried about.

*Anyone catch the John Mulaney reference?*

*This story may veer away from Life is Strange because I keep wanting to have a story with precognition through hallucinations like another Steve Harrington x Henderson!OC story I read, "Alice the Amazing" but I don't want to copy.*

*Does anyone want me to add a gif of Thor using the quote that Cassie uses: "All words are made up."?*

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himbopatrol · 8 months

Text

Cherry Bomb // a Steve Harrington Love Story

Danny Henderson, looks like a punk, can be found at any underage disco. Snorts when she laughs, mom doesn't know she sneaks out, loves her little brother and will defend him with her life, when the song tarzan boy comes out in April of 85' it will become her favorite song, but don't tell anyone. "You look like you just rolled out of bed" "I did" Has a bad habit of smoking that she tries to keep secret from Dustin, but ultimately fails. Is a "cool girl" but also gets her face smashed into a locker, don't worry the smasher will have their head down a flushing toilet by next period. Get's straight A's, and is a star softball player. Oh, and is hopelessly, desperately, disgustingly, head over heels in love with Steve Harrington.

Moments in time and space usually between Danielle "Danny" Henderson and Steve Harrington

originally posted here

Pairing: Steve Harrington x Henderson!OC

Warnings: smut (eventual), sexual tension, lots of swearing, some stereotypical rude 80s teens, typical stranger things blood/gore, sloooooow buuurrrrnnn, i don't proofread

Minors Do Not Interact!

A slow work in progress, thank you for your support and patience. Likes, comments, and reblogs are always greatly appreciated.

Chapter 1 Below

Chapter One: Danny Henderson just really wants to avoid Steve Harrington

Tuesday, November 1st, 1983

Danny shut the door of her Volkswagen Rabbit, hands shoved in her pocket, the cold air cutting her cheeks. Her walkman blasting “Cherry Bomb”, she smiled at the familiar bikes of her little brother and his friends leaned against the side of the convenient store. On the other side were some unfamiliar bikes, but the same size.

Danny strutted into the store, as the bell rang with her presence she heard the familiar voice of Dustin, her little brother. Peeking down the candy aisle she saw Dustin and his three friends, Mike, Lucas, and Will. But there were two more boys in the aisle, she recognized them as a couple of shitheads that went to school with Dustin. Various insults and slurs were spilled, “Fairy freak,” one spat. Danny stepped into the aisle, one hand still in her pocket, the other pushing her headphones down. The faint sound of “Cherry Bomb” echoing through the aisle as the bullies stared at her from over Dustin and his friends shoulders. Dustin peered over his shoulder, a look of relief, then embarrassment crossed his face.

“Hi,” Danny smiled towards the bullies.

"Wha’d you want?” The first one spit.

“Well uh, ‘scuse me,” Danny pushed past her brother and friends. “Sounds like you're picking on these guys. Actually worse, you sound like you’re picking a fight,” Danny replied, standing her ground in front of them.

“Oh so they need some freak girl to protect ‘em?” He snickered. “What a bunch of pussies,” he grinned at his friend who laughed along.

Danny leaned down, to look him in the eyes. “I don’t really like bullies. I don’t like you. Or your idiot friend,” she smiled as she spoke. The bullies gulped as the other boys stared in silence at the confrontation. “You’re right though, I am a girl. I am also his sister,” she pointed her thumb back at Dustin who smiled. “Meaning,” she poked her finger into his chest, pushing him back, “If I see you,” poke again, “Or hear,” poke, “That you’re messing with him or his friends again, you’re dead,” she rolled back to standing straight, still holding her smile. “Got it?”

Both bullies steamed red in embarrassment, unable to look at her, some fear in their eyes. “Whatever,” one said. “Let’s get out of here,” he pushed his friend towards the doors of the store.

“Bye,” Danny waved.

“That was awesome Danny!” Dustin exclaimed, burying himself in her arms.

“Anytime kiddo,” she ruffled his head. “But really, if that little shit bothers you again, tell me,” she shook his shoulders. Danny looked towards the other boys. Will seemed relieved to see her, Lucas happy to see her, and Mike a little disgruntled. “He’s just some stupid jerk Mike, don’t let him get you down.”

“Whatever,” he scoffed. Danny could tell he was a little upset it was Dustin’s older sister saving him from the school bully.

“Listen boys, if anyone asks just say it was Mike who scared ‘em off,” Danny chuckled, squeezing Mike’s shoulder. The boys giggled along and even a smile appeared across Mike’s face.

“Okay,” he smiled through a mumble.

“Right, what are you weirdos tryin’ buy?” Danny clapped her hands together.

“Wait, really?” Will exclaimed.

“Yeah little man, I got paid today, you each can pick out two snacks, it’s on me,” Danny beamed. The boys started scrambling along the aisles.

“Awesome!” Lucas cheered. “Man, I wish my sister was as cool as you,” he added.

“I like Erica,” Danny retorted.

“She’s a baby,” complained Lucas.

“She’s cool,” she stated. “Pick your snacks dude. And as for you,” her eyes moved towards Dustin.

“What?” He mumbled with already opened candy in his mouth, holding a pile of candy to his chest.

“You’re doing the dishes for the rest of the week.”

“Deal.”

Wednesday, November 2nd, 1983

Danny was trying to pay attention in pre-calculus, really, but Steve Harrington sat right in front of her. His head was bobbing to the taps of his pencil and foot. His hair bounced along. Danny gripped her pencil and sank deeper into her chair. This is bad, she thought. But it only got worse as Steve’s head slightly turned to take a piece of paper from Tommy H. next to him. The teacher paid no attention to the students as she wrote random equations upon the chalkboard. Danny stared at the curve of his face and his smile. That smile. Tommy H. noticed her staring and raised an eyebrow at her, making Steve turn toward her. Danny quickly sat up, making too much noise and drawing too much attention, cheeks burning, knowing Steve was taking a look at her. She could see that he hadn't turned back yet, she pushed a hand into her hair to try to hide herself even more. Go away, go away. Finally, he turned, Danny lowered her head completely down onto her desk. This is really bad.

The bell couldn’t have rung sooner. Danny got out of the classroom as quickly as she could, completely avoiding Steve. She avoided him the rest of the day.

However, avoiding Steve Harrington would be considered hard to do when you have too many classes with him. An hour later she sat next to him in the science lab. The teacher had the brilliant idea of switching partners up that week.

“Hi,” he said smoothly, sliding into the tall stool next to her, tossing his bag aside. He was early, the bell hadn’t even rung yet.

Danny continued writing the warm up work in her notes, moving away from him slightly. “Hi,” she copied, without looking up.

“So,” he drugged out the word. “Tommy H. says you were staring at him in math,” he said softly. She finally looked at him. Bad idea. You see, he had these doe eyes that just absolutely did Danny in. Steve Harrington had called her a freak just the other day in front of his friends, but looking at his face, it’s like it didn’t matter. But then Danny registered what Steve had just said. That idiot thought I was looking at him. “I mean you should know he’s dating Carol.” Suddenly Danny’s face broke out into a wide toothy smile. Steve’s voice got quieter. “And I don’t really think you're his type.” He gave her a questioning look as now she was laughing, loudly. “What’s happening?” He finally asked. Steve never noticed how adorable her smile was, I mean yeah, she’s a freak, but man, those freckles, Steve shook the thoughts from his mind.

“Tommy H. thinks I like him?” She wheezed.

“I mean yeah, am I missing something?”

“Oh man, he really is an idiot,” Danny clutched her chest.

“But you were staring at him.”

“No I wasn’t,” Danny’s laughter finally died down.

“Well, then who were you staring at?”

“Don’t worry about it,” she smiled, the interaction had Danny’s confidence regained.

Don’t worry about it? What’s that supposed to mean? Steve thought.

Friday, November 4th, 1983

Danny quickly trudged through the hall, late and careful to avoid the usual routes of assholes, keeping her head down. She just wanted the day over with. She had one more class. One more class with Steve. Just as she was in the clear she ran into a warm body coming from the locker room. Her books scattered across the floor, the smell of an old sweaty gym shirt filling her nostrils.

“Shit! My bad,” an oh so familiar voice chimed.

“No, no, it’s okay,” Danny replied frantically.

The two of them began fumbling towards the ground, Steve gathering the books while Danny crawled around for the various papers. Just as Danny was rising to her knees, a hand shoved her back down.

“What’s up freak?” Came the searing voice of Carol, behind her Tommy H. laughed.

Danny rolled her eyes and looked towards Steve, who was hiding behind his bangs, obviously holding back words.

“What are you doing helping this nerd, Harrington?” Spat Tommy H.

“I don’t know, waste of time I guess,” Steve huffed, shoving the books into Danny’s arms. Danny stared at the ground.

“Let’s get out of here,” Carol insisted, pushing herself into Tommy H.

“Yeah, wouldn’t want to catch any diseases now would ya’?” Danny spat towards them. Tommy H. and Carol turned to walk to their classes or better yet the parking lot to ditch. Steve silently picked up the last notebook, her sketchbook, and politely, silently handed it to her. A look of pity in his eyes. He looked like he wanted to say something. Like he was sorry. “Forget it, Harrington,” Danny said instead.

She continued to avoid him during gym.

“Hey,” a soft voice said. Danny turned to see a tired looking Nancy Wheeler sitting next to her.

“Oh hey,” she smiled.

Nancy bit her lip, looking in the direction of Steve. Danny turned red and opened her sketchbook to take her mind off of it.

“He’s kinda cute isn’t he?” Her voice sounded like warm honey talking about him.

“Hmm?” Danny hummed, pretending she didn’t know what she was talking about.

“Steve Harrington,” she whispered, like if she spoke too loudly he’d notice.

“Oh,” Danny looked towards Steve. He was sweating, his hair sticking to his forehead. He looked so serious. “Yeah I guess,” she lied.

“I know I know, he’s preppy, he’s a jock. He’s different,” Nancy smiled. Danny couldn’t help but feel happy for her old friend, so smitten with someone.

“No, he's fine. I just want to make sure you’re sure about him,” Danny said quietly.

“I think so,” Nancy replied.

“I’ll kick his ass for you if you need me to,” Danny smiled.

Nancy laughed, “Thanks Danny,” she bumped her shoulders against hers.

“Ya’ know if you sit too long next to me people are gonna think you’re a weirdo,” Danny pointed out, looking around the bleachers.

“I don’t care. You’re my friend,” she sighed happily.

“You’re sweet Wheeler.”

“Are you aware of the campaign our brothers are doing this weekend?” Nancy asked, changing the subject.

“That I am, they're using my books,” Danny nodded, still doodling.

“They’re such nerds, just like you, I don’t know where Mike gets it from,” Nancy responded, a tone of sarcasm to her voice.

“Right, as if you didn’t dress up as an elf for their campaign just a couple years ago. Miss “I’ll only play if Danny plays”, he gets it from you, nerd,” Danny retorted, pushing into Nancy.

“Whatever,” she giggled.

Danny looked towards the entrance of the gym to see Tommy H. and Carol impatiently waiting for the bell to ring to steal Steve away. “Fuuck,” Danny sighed, ducking behind the tiny frame of Nancy Wheeler, nowhere near helpful.

“What?”

Danny coiled in and rolled in between the bleachers, laying down on the wood of the stairs, putting her sketchbook over her face in frustration. “It’s Tommy H. and Carol. They won’t leave me alone this week,” Danny mumbled, using her hands to speak.

“So?”

“So?” Danny repeated, propping herself onto her elbows, her book falling.

“You dragged Carol through the hall last week because she called me boring,” Nancy replied. “What are you afraid of?”

“One, my mom’ll kill me if I get suspended again, and two,” she glanced over at Steve. “I don’t know. I’m just not feeling it right now I guess, trying to be nice I guess,” she shrugged.

“Well then, if you’re not getting into any bar fights,” she teased, “wanna hang out with Barb and I tonight?”

“Eddie asked me to hang out tonight,” Danny sighed.

“He’s gross. Tomorrow?”

“Totally. And no he’s not.”

“He totally is.”

“Shut up Nance! He totally isn’t!”

“Who totally isn’t?” Harrington piped up, drying off his sweat with a towel. Danny looked back towards the entrance and the couple was gone. She looked back at Steve, and flopped back down into the bleachers.

“Oh! No one, hi Steve,” Nancy blushed.

“Hi Nance,” he smiled sweetly at her.

Kill me now.

#i.a.m #stanger things #steve harrington #joe kerry #henderson!oc #steve harrington x oc #steve harrington smut #steve harrington fanfiction #steve harrington fanfic #eddie munson #nancy wheeler #dustin henderson #steve harrington x henderson!oc

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saffloure · 2 years

Text

ೃ༄HIT DICE (II)

EDDIE MUNSON X HARRINGTON!OC

MASTERLIST

✧chapter two: the sword of damocles

↳ word count: 6,9k

↳ spoiler warning: season 1-3

↳ other warnings: I believe none! v fluffy

↳ mentioned songs/artists: The Smiths, Veteran of the Psychic Wars by Blue Öyster Club (reference), Live After Death by Iron Maiden (album), Heaven and Hell by Black Sabbath/Dio, Young Hearts by Commuter

↳ a/n: writing Stacy and Steve’s interactions brings me so much genuine joy… we love annoying siblings

The last week of November was rainy, although calling it rainy would be a grave understatement.

It was raining cats and dogs, heavens pouring out. Almost as if the sky above Hawkins split in two, vomiting all of its contents on the unfortunate townspeople.

One of them being Stacy Harrington.

Normally, Thursday's were quite busy for the dark-haired girl. Seven classes in a row followed by her science club meeting, only to later having to grab the groceries her mother was making her pick up each week. Today, however, having an AP chemistry test and not being able to park her car close enough to the grocery store was enough to completely diminish the crumbs of her already loop-sided mood. Her hairdo was completely disheveled, her clothes soaking wet. On top of that, she tripped over her untied shoes, shattering the juice bottle in pieces and destroying an aglet in her left boot in the process.

Now, the only thing Stacy dreamed of was to change into her pajamas and listen to The Smiths while reconsidering all of her life choices that had led to her today’s misery.

"I'm home!" she called loudly as she passed the kitchen door, only to hear no response.

Not surprising at all.

Sighing, she laboriously climbed up the stairs. The clinking sound of her bag's metal buckle resounded through the hallway when it accidentally slipped off her shoulder. With the appearance of a veteran of the psychic wars she opened the door of her bedroom. The only thing she had in mind was to slam her body on her fluffy bedding.

Yet, as it often happened in Stacy Harrington's life, nothing went as planned. And instead of relaxing in her warm bed, she let out a terrified shriek the second she noticed three silhouettes in her bedroom.

"Oh, for fuck's sake!" she screamed loudly, dropping her bag on the ground.

"Hey! No swearing near the kids!" the firm voice of Dustin Henderson reprimanded her.

Him and his two friends were already seated, each in a different place — Dustin behind her desk, Mike on the pouf near the window, and Lucas on her bed.

Shaking her head as she approached the boy in the Camp Nowhere cap, Stacy responded in a resilient tone, "What the he—! What the heck are you doing in my bedroom?"

"Well, as the matter of fact, we came here to see Steve," Dustin answered evasively, watching as his friend's younger sister took off her soaked jacket.

"Sorry to disappoint, but he's probably at work," Stacy replied, her face getting red the moment she noticed Lucas getting comfortable on her bed. "Sinclair! Get your shoes off of my sheets! Have some decency, dude!"

"They're not...!" Lucas tried to argue but the moment he noticed the visible mud on his sneakers, he corrected himself, "Sorry..."

"Believe it or not, we've already been at Family Video. No sight of Farrah Fawcett," Dustin explained, crossing his arms. "Robin says he went on a date."

"Again?" The tone in which Stacy responded caused Mike to chuckle. "Geez, you can wait for him if you want to," she added with a resigned smile.

"Actually, Stacy..." Mike stopped as soon as he started, noticing the morbid stare that had just made a return on her face.

"No. No way. Don't tell me he’s promised you something… again," she interrupted, watching all of the boys suddenly glancing at each other. Almost, as they were communicating through telekinesis.

"It's your lucky day, Stacy! You gotta drive us to the party meeting!" Dustin exclaimed in an excited tone that usually was so infectious it made others equally agitated.

Yet, this wasn't the case of Stacy this time.

"Don't you have a sister, who can drive as well, Mike?" she complained, tilting her head to the side.

"N-Nancy's busy."

"Guess what? So am I!" She threw her hands in the air, noticing Dustin standing up.

"Pretty please, Stacy! Just this one time," he begged in a childlike tone.

"Oh, don't make those eyes, Henderson. You look like your asking your mom to buy you a toy," Stacy sighed, simultaneously grabbing a denim jacket that was hanging from her chair. "You're fortunate enough I like you," she mumbled.

The moment she turned on her heel, she heard the three boys bursting out in excitement, muttering quiet expression of joy. She couldn't help but smile at their reaction. On the span of the past two years, they had ultimately grew on her. So much so, she stopped treating them as annoying neighbors and began to see them in a nearly friendly-like light. Heavy impact on the matter had the fact they had fought outer-dimensional monsters together… but now it was only a secondary thought.

"One more thing!" Dustin called after her before they walked out of her room. "Can you also pick us up?"

"You've gotta be kidding me..."

"It's pouring outside!"

As much as she wanted to throw an immature fit, claiming she had other, more important things to do, Stacy forced a smile onto her face, trying to keep her composure.

Four hours later, apparently driven by her own lenience, Stacy found herself on the school's parking lot, revising her biology notes just to kill time. It had already gone dark, the moon illuminating the town of Hawkins through the massive dark clouds.

However, it wasn't impatience that had cluttered up her mind just now. She had returned to the spot she dropped them off half of an hour early, just because of a merely real sensation that began to appear in her consciousness. It being the fact that it was Eddie Munson, who was the party's Dungeon Master.

She hadn't spoken to him for two weeks, ever since the unpleasant resolving of their last conversation. Stacy Harrington would have never admitted that, but that matter had become a reoccurring theme in her mind. In classes they shared, she caught herself glancing at Eddie whenever she got a chance. It wasn't the stare the girls tended to send their love interests, no. What was causing her to do so, was the indigestible guilt of not knowing how to start a conversation. Something within her claimed Eddie could get embarrassed by her. Maybe he didn't even fancy talking with her in the first place. After all, it was her, who forced their first meeting. Granted by the fact he could've agreed on it purely out of sheer politeness.

Stacy slammed her head on the steering wheel.

Why were social interactions the only aspect of her life she couldn't be confident in?

"Screw that," she murmured to herself, getting out of the car.

The unexpected outburst of her own bravery surprised her. Now, strolling through Hawkins High corridors, she shoved her hands into the pockets of her denim jacket, trying to maintain the shallow cockiness.

It didn't take a long time to locate in which classroom the Dungeons and Dragons meeting was taking place in. The contrary, actually, hence the sound of agitated high schoolers was quite audible in the empty school. Stacy took advantage of their investment in the game; standing by the repealed doors, she leaned on the frame, silently watching the party screaming in excitement as one of their members — Stacy recalled his name started with the letter G — approached the board.

"Hit dice! Hit dice!"

"Gareth the Great is under a fainting spell when the Basilisk sinks its fangs into his skin! He cries for help, or so he thoughts! His voice is already erstwhile... Only seconds share his body to join in!"

"Don't say!"

"Beware! Thy days are coming to inevitable end, Gareth the Great! You can only wait ‘till sweet death releases you from your impending doom!"

Stacy's eyes widened at the sight of Eddie Munson elevated posture. His dark locks falling down the sides of his face as he announced to the players the two possible choices they could make — save their friend or slaughter the beast. One contradicting the other. She remembered Gareth's name now. How could she not when he so frantically clamored for help?

It's just like theatre, Stacy thought to herself, subconsciously grabbing the doorframe when it was Dustin's time to proclaim the party's choice. Shivers came down her spine the second he gallantly stated they were going to rescue Gareth.

The thrill had not left her body since she started listening in. It simply couldn't. Not when Eddie Munson shouted, "The sword of Damocles has been lifted!"

It might have been stereotypical to never expect such a comparison from someone, who repeated his senior year. Not only that — Stacy couldn't help but smile how noticeable his investment in the game was. He appeared to be just in his element; almost as if there was no better place for him.

The game ended with the greatest closing monologue Stacy had ever heard. There was a sudden change in Eddie's demeanor when he asked the others to help him collect their stuff. Yet, the rest of the players seemed to still relive the events that took place, chatting between themselves with the most genuine expression on their faces.

"Is that Stacy Harrington?" The question asked by one of the boys she didn't recognize finally broke her out of the trance she had found herself in.

"Hi," she greeted the party in a quiet tone, suddenly feeling quite embarrassed. That's exactly when she felt the urge to cover it with a smooth, "Sorry for eavesdropping.”

"How long have you been standing there?" Stacy couldn't tell at that moment, but Eddie's reaction was awfully similar to hers.

"Not long enough, apparently," she answered with a soft smile, deciding to set her foot in the dimmed classroom. "You guys have never told me DnD was so gnarly," she added, glancing at the board they started to clean up.

"Either I must be deaf or Miss Hawkins really said our silly little game is cool," Eddie replied with one of his brows raised.

"Well, I've never expected it to be so... addictive to watch. But considering I've only seen the campaigns in Mike's basement I shouldn't have been surprised," she chuckled, taking a few steps towards Eddie. "Can I touch this figurine or will I immediately get possessed by your scary DnD monsters?"

"Possessed. Totally," Eddie smirked at her exaggerated question, yet still deciding to hand her out the figure. "It's hand painted," he did not fail to mention his own hard work.

The moment Stacy raised her eyes to look at his face, she noticed Gareth the Great giving him a quick pat on the back before saying goodbye and leaving the classroom. The gesture made her let out a single chuckle. She fairly recognized it as wishing Eddie good luck.

"I-uh, sorry for that. They can be quite..." Eddie felt the sudden urge to explain herself, yet was stoped by Stacy shaking her head rapidly.

"Don't be. It was funny," she giggled, her attention now fully absorbed by a cassette located on the edge of the table.

"What are you listening to?" she asked, it picking up and noticing the magnetic tape was hanging out of it. "What were you listening to?" she corrected herself, causing the corners of Eddie's mouth go up.

"It's a recording of Iron Maiden's concert... but the quality sucks. Each time it gets jammed on the third song."

"Which concert?" she asked while tilting her head.

"Stacy! You were supposed to just pick us up!" Dustin called loudly, visibly getting impatient.

"We're having a conversation here, shithead!" Eddie reprimanded him, his brows furrowing.

"Hey, don't bully Henderson. That's fucking rude," Stacy intervened, trying to maintain a serious face.

It was impossible, however, when Eddie looked down, nearly taken back by her response.

"Which concert?" she repeated her question, the sweetness returning to the tone of her voice.

"Uh, I don't know if it tell you anything..."

"Don't underestimate me, Munson. It's not like Iron Maiden is an underground band or something," she interrupted him, sending him a challenging smile.

"Live After Death," he finally replied, but noticing the increase in her blinking rate added, "I've warned you that..."

"Oh, come on! You haven’t even heard me out yet," Stacy giggled, amused by his timid reply. "I have that concert on VHS."

"Really?"

"Really," she confirmed, nodding her head. "I can lend it to you. You can stop by tomorrow after school."

"A-at your house?" Eddie muttered, although he couldn't tell how he did it. After all, he was completely awestruck.

"Where else?" Stacy chuckled, handing him back his cassette. "Gotta go. Apparently I'm a voluntary taxi today."

He watched her leaving the classroom and messing Dustin's and Lucas' hair when she caught up to them. As he had lost the sight of her, he slowly raised his hand to touch the place where Gareth patted him a while ago.

To be completely frank, it could've truly been his lucky charm. Especially when the next day, still not believing in what had happened, he knocked on the door of the Harringtons property.

"Oh? Guess who decided to show up!" Falsely offended tone of Stacy greeted him, her hands on her hips, her nose scrunched.

"Who else did you expect, buttercup?"

"Well, definitely not you since you’d decided to skip the last two lessons," she scoffed. "No wonder O'Donnell doesn't want you to pass her finals."

"Now, this..." Eddie smirked and pointing his judging finger at her continued, "...is exactly how I imagined you to be."

Stacy shook her head, letting him into her house, "Excuse me?"

"Ruuude," he whispered directly into her ear, placing his hands on her shoulders.

"Oh, shut up," she murmured, playfully nudging his side. "All that I'm saying is you're ought to take this shit a bit more seriously, Munson," she added, beginning to go up the stairs.

"You know, I came here for the VHS, not to be lectured," Eddie replied, following her right away. "Why do you care anyway? 'S not going to be anything new if I fail the finals," he added, his voice getting timid.

"I'm just worried. That's all," Stacy admitted, her cocky persona from a moment ago completely vanishing.

Worried.

Eddie couldn't tell why this word seemed so genuine when spoken by her. Moreover, he couldn't quite find the reason for her being worried about him in the first place.

Him. Eddie Munson. A freak. A person she supposedly had nothing in common with. A person people like her bullied.

And as much as Eddie wanted to surrender the heart-warming flattery — he couldn't. Not while still having some remains of his common sense.

"Oh, would you look at that," Eddie smirked, crossing his arms before the gallery wall in the hallway that led to Stacy's room. "You look like a sad raccoon on that photo," he added, pointing at the picture on which she and her brother were seated next to each other — both in collared shirts and matching Christmas sweaters.

It was the expression on the girl's face that made the photo absolutely comedic: her brow was furrowed, her arms angrily crossed. On top of that, there were remains of a sour grimace on her face — her smile that was making her appear nearly annoyed was probably forced by the influence of her mother.

"A sad raccoon," Stacy repeated in a scoff. "I look like I'm constipated," she corrected him.

"Well... That's another way to put it," he smirked. "Hey, who's that?" He pointed at another frame in which two girls in Halloween costumes were standing next to each other.

"Me and little Chrissy Cunningham," Stacy answered, a soft yet somewhat sentimental smile entering her face. "We used to hang out so much as kids... Our mums are best friends," she explained quickly.

"You don't now?" Eddie asked, quite surprised by her remark. He often saw the two girls chatting with each other during breaks, despite Chrissy being a junior and Stacy a senior. Therefore it was odd seeing the latter now looking away, her demeanor suddenly changing.

"Her boyfriend's a bitch," she spitted out with a slick grin. "I'm sure you know him..."

"Yeah. After all I'm so invested in the life of the Queen of Hawkins High," he rolled his eyes, however his sarcastic remark caused Stacy to giggle.

"Come on! Everybody knows Jason! He's the greatest douchebag our school's ever seen... and that's quite a title to be called by someone's, whose brother was claimed a first-class jerk for majority of his life," Stacy rambled, suddenly grabbing Eddie by the hand and pulling him towards the direction of her room.

"Oi! Careful here, buttercup! You're going to rip my arm off," he joked, praying Stacy wouldn't turn to take a look at him. He didn't even need to see his reflection to know his cheeks were bright red.

"You can live with just one arm," she dismissed his worries, seating him on her bed.

As soon as she left him — quite dumbfounded, to be honest — Eddie glanced over her bedroom, his eyes fixing on one of the bookshelves. At first, he thought there was a multitude of books with thin covers, arranged in coloristic order. It took his brain another while to process that, in fact, the bookshelf was not filled with books, but with vinyls.

"Your room is like a goddamn record store," he murmured under his breath, getting up to take a look at the record player located by the window.

Stacy didn't answer him as she was consumed with attempts to reach one of the boxes with VHS cassettes from the shelf above her desk. With a corner of her eye she managed to observe a smirk that began to dance on Eddie's face as soon as he noticed the record that was left in the player.

"Can I put it on?" he asked with sheer excitement, receiving a nod in reply. "I had no fucking clue your taste in music is that good," he muttered the moment Stacy's bedroom was filled by the opening of Heaven and Hell by Black Sabbath.

"I'm flattered," Stacy replied in a dramatic tone, only to cover how smitten she was with that mere general statement.

Even if Eddie didn't mean it as a compliment.

"Have you heard Dio's version of this song?" she asked after the first verse, making her way towards him. With a nod of confirmation from Eddie, she added, "Well? Which one do you like better?"

Eddie Munson's mouth opened agape.

"Do you really want me to choose between Ozzy and Ronnie James?" he questioned with a expression of true offense.

"Just for the statistics," Stacy declared innocently.

"You're mad, woman! You've completely lost your mind!" Eddie railed at her antics, his left hand theatrically swaying to finally rest in the middle of his chest.

"Anyone would after hearing Dio in '83," she teased him, fairly amused by his dramatic utterance, "Ozzy doesn't stand a chance."

"A blasphemy!" he let out a quiet shriek, his hand clenching in mid-air.

Stacy couldn't held back the burst of giggles that was incoming the moment their conversation started. Bending in half, she covered her mouth with the palm of her hand as she uncontrollably relapsed in peals of laughter. It took her another half of a minute to calm down and look at Eddie with eyes all teared up due to the tittering.

Her bottom lip trembled, unable to stop the unconscious smile when she chimed, "How come we only started talking a week ago?"

A rapid movement of Eddie's eyelids brought him back to reality.

"Well," he said, "it's kind of self-explanatory." He looked around Stacy's room, only to later point at himself.

"Oh, shush!" the brown-haired girl boomed, realizing Eddie was going to compare their differing social statuses once again. Noticing his fretful look, she reassured him, "It doesn't matter, it's just a shame we didn't talk earlier. You're hellaciously cool, Munson."

Eddie chuckled, watching Stacy throw herself onto her bed. His right hand traveled to his matted curls as he scratched his scalp.

"You're hellaciously cool, too, buttercup," he gushed, a wide grin taking up almost the whole space on his face.

He almost failed to noticed when Stacy patted a spot next to her, inviting him to sit on her bed. Her legs swinging from its edge and her torso resting flat on the cozy bedding.

This time, there was no hesitation in Eddie Munson's movements. A sudden streak of comfort hit him like a lighting as he took a place next to Stacy. Not a moment after, he felt his arm being pulled down, so as the two of them were bound to lay down next to each other, facing the ceiling. A sound of another Black Sabbath song from the same record synchronized with Stacy's tapping on the wooden bed frame. Her eyes were shut, a gentle look of perpendicular tranquility mixing with her tender smile.

Eddie couldn't help but to glance at her, turning his head slightly. Her whole appearance mesmerized him — so peculiarly serene, so graceful, Stacy contrasted with the thumping tones of loud metal song playing in the background. Because of that, the only thing that began to occupy Eddie Munson's mind at that moment was to come home and model a Dungeons and Dragons NPC after the ethereal aura Stacy was emanating with.

"Eddie?" Her subdued tone caught him slightly off guard.

"What's up?" he asked, watching her open her eyes.

"I really meant it, you know?" she whispered, turning her head towards him as he waited for her to continue. "The being worried thing," she explained quietly, placing her head on the palm of her hand.

"Oh?" Eddie exclaimed, his eyes, however, still focused on the ceiling.

"If you ever needed help with school and stuff... I don't really mind lending you a hand. That is, of course... if you want to."

Eddie's face completely sunk. He could've also sworn the blood in his limbs stopped circulating. Muttering almost inaudible "sure", he didn't feel the small smile appearing on his face. Focused on not behaving like an ultimate weirdo and destroying the peaceful atmosphere surrounding him and Stacy, he didn't noticed her face lighting up the moment he agreed on her proposal.

However, it had to be a week until Stacy's suggestion had a chance to be realized. Admittedly, the occurrence would have never seen the daylight if it wasn't for Stacy eavesdropping on a conversation that took place during her science club meeting. Eddie's math teacher came to gossip with Ms. Bailey — Stacy's biology professor— about the amount of homework the curly-haired Guild Master was due to hand in as soon as possible. Apparently the work had mounted on so tremendously, the two teachers made a bet between themselves as to see if Eddie was going to complete given tasks before the deadline. When Ms. Bailey stated that she believed he could do it, Stacy knew she was going to do everything in her power to help her win her little gamble. After all, she could shoot two birds with one stone — that being helping both her favorite teacher and the person she had grew so awfully fond of just recently.

Yet, Stacy Harrington's life wouldn't have been completed without having to fulfill her day-to-day duties, first. That why on a first Thursday of December she was making her way to her brother's work place, instead of taking care of her own errands.

The sound of Young Hearts by Commuter welcomed her warmly to the video store — and warmly certainly wasn't an exaggeration. The beginning of the last month of 1985 brought with itself nothing but unbearable wind and arctic freezing temperatures, comparing to what the people from Indiana were used to. Hence why the little brown skirt Stacy decided to wear was causing her legs to tremble from the cold she wasn't prepare to endure.

Yet, all of the feelings relating to her physical state evaporated as soon as she noticed her brother, fully invested in a conversation with a red-haired girl she recognized from her school.

"Steven! Mom says she won't put your socks in the washing machine unless you buy her gloves! She says she's too afraid she's gonna get infected with mycosis!"

The look on the girl's face was indescribably comedic. So much so it made it dreadfully difficult for Stacy to maintain a serious expression. As she muttered, "I gotta go," Steve leaned over the counter in hopes to stop her.

"Hey! Hey! That's not true!" he called out maniacally, however, it had only caused the redhead to speed up and leave the store the quickest she possibly could. "Come on, Stace! Why are you always like that?" Steve whined, covering his face with his hands.

"Because, dingus, if your future lover does not understand the siblings jokes, she's not the one," Robin explained for Stacy, sending her a smile of contempt.

"Ditto!" Stacy exclaimed cheerfully, pointing a finger-gun at her brother, "Besides, if I were you, I'd be so, so thrilled to see me," she added, grinning devilishly.

"Huh! Even if my life depended on you, I'd never be happy to see you," Steve responded sarcastically, watching Stacy trace a line down her cheek, imitating a tear falling down.

"Ouch," she mumbled in a falsely sad tone, leaning on the counter, "Even if I said daddy came home early today?" she added, noticing Steve's eyes beginning to sparkle up.

"No way!"

"Oh, I am as serious as dead man," Stacy whispered, taking her wallet out of her pocket.

At the beginning of each month, usually on the first weekend, Mr. Harrington used to hand his children in their allowance. This, however, had changed as soon as Steve decided against him and did not apply to college. Getting lucky with not being completely cut off the money, he needed to bear the consequences of having strict parents for the first time in his life. Thankfully, Steve wasn't left all alone. Especially not with a little sister like Stacy. Despite all of their bickering, despite all of their pointless fights, she was the one to offer to split her share of pocket money on two. All in all, her parents were less demanding when it came to her — being younger had its blissful pros.

"You guys freak me out more than the gap in Mrs. Click’s teeth," Robin sighed, placing the box full of movies on VHS before Steve and pointing at the display shelf right away, "Put it somewhere on there."

"Yes, chief," Steve saluted, walking up to the shelves and messing up Stacy's hair as he passed her by, "Thanks, booger. You can actually be nice sometimes."

Stacy scoffed, crossing her arms, "I don't know whatcha talking about. I'm always nice to you."

"Sure," Steve sang with an audible tint of sarcasm in his tone, adding, "Wanna go eat something after my shift? But we need to split the bill in half. I'm still broke as h..."

"No, I can't," Stacy interrupted him, simultaneously grabbing her bag.

"Why not? You scared off my date of the night, you're obliged to go with me now."

"I'm tutoring someone."

"You? Tutoring someone? Who?" Steve furrowed his brow, almost dropping the box he was holding to the ground.

"A classmate."

"Is it a boy?" he asked immediately and not waiting on her answer he went on, "Oh my god, Robin! Can you believe that? Stacy's going out with a boy!"

"Steven..."

"Look at her! All grown up now, going on a little date! What a shame if someone went there with you and complain about your dirty socks!" he rambled, overdramatizing his monologue. Noticing how his sister rolled her eyes, he gave her a nudge, "I'm just messing with you. Quit making that face."

"Sometimes I wonder which one of us is more malicious," Stacy mumbled, subconsciously smiling as she walked up to the exit.

"Me, duh," Steve stated, his voice resembling one of a high school girl.

Shaking her head, Stacy started the engine of her car, securing the books that were placed on the passenger seat. Through the whole ride, a wide grin kept being plastered on her face. Her fingers energetically tapped on the steering wheel to the sounds of the cheap mainstream song full of synthesizers. She couldn't help but dismiss the fact of how morbid that tune sounded. To be honest, Stacy couldn't really care less. It was the idea of spending time with Eddie Munson that was making her so unexplainably jovial.

Parking her car by the side of the trailer with the number he had given her yesterday, Stacy grabbed the textbooks she had brought with herself along the way. She didn't even need to knock on the door before she heard them opening. Just as Eddie was waiting for her.

"Hi."

"Hey," he greeted her, letting her through the door. Glancing at her clothing choice, he asked "Aren't you cold?"

Stacy smirked, looking down at her bare legs, covered only by sheer tights, hence the skirt was definitely not providing her any comfort, "Nope. Super cozy, actually."

Eddie shook his head, not believing a word he had just heard, "I have some beer if you want to warm up."

"Shitty idea, really. We are supposed to be studying," Stacy stated in a hushed tone as if she was telling him the most sacred, hollow secret.

Hands on his hips, Eddie smirked, turning his head towards the direction of his room. The trailer him and his uncle lived in was rather meager, therefore Stacy could clearly see almost his whole bedroom from where she was standing. Noticing her widened eyes fixed on the room, Eddie began to feel embarrassed. He had already visited her house, therefore he could easily compare the conditions they lived in. Without a doubt, his room was half, if not a quarter size hers.

"I-I know it's not ideal but..."

"Of course it's not," Stacy interrupted him, hugging the books she was holding. There was a mortified look in his eyes she failed to notice before continuing, "Your desk is non-functional at this point. Look, I know that those DnD figures need to be put somewhere, but we did agreed on learning math today," she complained, pointing at the cluttered up piece of furniture.

A weight had been lifted off of Eddie's shoulder when he heard the light-hearted response. It was that exact moment when he caught himself expecting the worst when it came to situation like those. Almost as he was afraid to make a bad impression on her. Odd, he thought to himself. Amidst everything, Eddie Munson was the last person in Hawkins to care about anyone's opinion. What differed now?

"Well, you can just move them to the side," he shrugged, suddenly regaining his usual composure. "'S not like they bite."

"The figures? Maybe not. But Dustin Henderson? That's a completely different story," Stacy chuckled, sitting on one of the two chairs Eddie had prepared for them.

"Oh, tell me more," Eddie smirked, separating each word to maintain the mysterious tone of the conversation.

"A year ago he tried to bury me alive after touching his freshly painted bard," she explained rapidly, rolling her eyes, "Then he got offended because I said playing as human in a fantasy-based game was for losers."

Eddie couldn't keep himself from laughing out loud at her claim, asking her in response, "So if you ever played... what would be your race?"

"Like a witch covered in warts," she blabbered out without a second thought, "...never mind. I don't think witches are a race."

Eddie smirked, glancing at her agitated face, "Nope. But we have elves for example."

"No, not that. Elves are supposed to be those ethereal nature-prone creatures and I want something... like, really fucking ugly," she confessed, her expression resembling Eddie's, "Don't laugh, I'm being serious! If I were to have a figure, I want it to be utterly disgusting! You know, just to lead people off-track and make them feel uneasy just by looking at it... Ah! A goblin! You have goblins, right?"

"Yeah," Eddie chuckled, covering his mouth with his tangled curls. The way Stacy was engaged in the conversation was nearly making him blush. "You should try playing sometime. I can teach you if you're up to," he offered, noticing her brow dramatically furrow.

"Speaking of teaching..." she grinned, opening up one of her textbooks, "...enough of the small-talk. We're doing math."

"You really do know how to kill the conversation," Eddie sighed, placing his chin on the palm of his hand.

"One of my goblin powers, you know," she winked at him, causing the both of them to laugh. "Now, focus. You'll insult my teaching abilities if you won't."

"Oh, I wouldn't dare," Eddie replied with false politeness, gaining a side stare from Stacy that reprimanded him better than any words would.

It took Stacy around twenty minutes to explain him the two first two types tasks. To her surprise, he had been nodding his head through all of her lecture. It was strange to her how he didn't ask her any questions, so she decided to put his skills into a test. The rules were simple — both of them needed to solve four issues then compare them. It so happened that their three first answers were identical, which caused an expression of surprise to came upon Stacy's face.

"Only the last one is wrong," she muttered, biting on the pencil she was holding.

"I... think you forgot to extract the root," he answered, showing her the correct solution on his calculator.

Stacy's mouth open agape as she took a look at her notes, admitting "Holy shit. You're right."

"This is one of those one in a lifetime achievements," Eddie smirked, "Who else can say they won a homework battle against Miss Hawkins?"

There was rather a long period of silence before Stacy collected her thoughts. By finally doing so, she said quietly, "Edds, it's not like I don't believe in you. I just... how did you..?"

"Helps having a great tutor," he shrugged, yet noticing Stacy's demanding stare, added, "Don't forget it's not my first time repeating senior year, sweetheart."

"So why don't you..." Stacy stopped herself in mid-sentence, hoping that expressive gesticulation would help her find the right words, "...why don't you put in effort equal to the one you put into your campaigns?"

Eddie let out a single chuckle, rolling his eyes, "Because I don't feel like it?" Again, it was that specific Stacy's stare that caused him to answer her honestly for the second time, "...because school's stressing the shit out of me."

His hushed tone made the tension in his bedroom abruptly unbearable. What added to that was the lack of response from Stacy. Meaning, she was waiting for him to continue.

"I... even if I know how to do those stupid math problems, I can't seem to focus on a test. Even with the same exact thing in front of my eyes! I just can't remember any-fucking-thing... And besides, I hate this goddamn place. I hate the people there. I hate the teachers. And I hate that my pea-brain is not fucking working... So that's why I skip classes. That's why I can't manage the deadlines, can't get even a mediocre grade... I-I..."

Only know he realized he had rambled on certainly more than he should. The idea of him confiding in Stacy Harrington made him stutter, almost as if his subconscious mind was yelling at him to stop over-sharing his high school experience. The experience that he didn't even consider as being relatable to her.

"Sorry..." he whispered, frantically avoiding meeting her eyes. His fingers fidgeted with the plastic calculator case as he tried his best not to look up at her.

"You are pissing me off, Munson. So much, in fact, I can't even put it in proper words," Stacy responded through the gritted teeth, her hands finding her way to the sides of Eddie's face. Gently placing them on their cheeks, she raised up his head. "Stop apologizing to me each time you say something not necessarily typical. Because if you think it'll make you look weird — it won't. You're just making it harder for yourself when it comes to dealing with it."

He didn't realize his eyes sunken so much into his face, they were causing him to appear like a cover of Iron Maiden's first album. One of his hands went up, only to drop by his side as he couldn't find the right words to express what he was currently feeling. Hence, in fact, Stacy Harrington couldn't put how he was feeling any better.

"I know this might be a cliché... but I... I do really think you're one of the most dashing people I've ever met. Everything about you, Eddie is so... captivating. I always thought talking with you was going to cause a kerfuffle between..." Stacy rapidly ended her monologue, realizing a sly smirk appeared on Eddie's face, deepening with each word she spoke.

The moment sheer confusion spread across her face, he couldn't keep his chuckle in any longer.

"Un-fucking-believable! You're laughing at me!" Stacy scoffed, half-offended. The other part of her, however, was highly susceptible to Eddie's infectious smile.

"I-no! It's just..." Eddie stuttered through the outbursts of laughter as he observed her face going entirely crimson red. "Dashing, captivating, kerfuffle... You use so much fancy words when you're trying to be serious. Especially the last one! It sounds like you're either a fucking German or completely wasted!" Eddie exclaimed, watching the multitude of emotions going through Stacy's mind and reflecting through the muscles of her face.

"Kerfuffle is a great word," she whispered on the verge of laughter. Her left hand raised once again, this time with a finger pointing at him. "Besides, I'm not the only one, who uses overly-dramatic language, Damocles," she defended herself, referring to the time she walked on his DnD meeting a week ago.

"Hey," Eddie smirked, flicking her nose. "Don't get upset. I didn't mean it as an insult... and to be honest I think it's kinda adorable," he admitted.

"Adorable," Stacy scoffed, looking away in attempts to cover her growing smile. "Have you ever seen an adorable goblin? I don't think so," she muttered with her eyebrow raised.

There had been a strange tingling Eddie began to feel as Stacy joked back. Just as if something was trying to force him to embrace her in a hug, ruffle her hair while laughing at her silly remark. At the same time, he was being pulled back to his chair as the second, more rational part of him, wanted to sit back and observe how her shining curls bounced back as she shifted her upper body in agitation. Hence, in fact, just the simple ability to spend time with her was making Eddie Munson the happiest he had recalled to be through this whole semester. Or maybe even a little bit longer.

"Eddie, buddy, what's that nice cherry Chevy doin' on our driveway?" A deep, raspy tone interrupted the interaction between the two high schoolers, causing their heads to turn towards the direction it was coming from.

"Uh, that's my uncle," Eddie murmured to Stacy ever so audibly.

"Didn't know you were having guests over," the middle-aged man exclaimed, wiping his hand on his slightly grayish T-shirt (that deliberately used to be white) before reaching it out towards Stacy and introducing himself, "'M Wayne Munson."

"Nice to meet you, I'm..."

"Oh, I know you. You're the little Harrington," he interrupted her, causing a wide smile to appear on her face.

"Yeah," Stacy chuckled.

The whole aura of Eddie's uncle was incredibly calming. His easy going presence and the way the words flew out of his mouth were making it easy for her to lean into the conversation.

"'Ya studying something, I see," Wayne pointed at the desk, simultaneously raising up a plastic bag with two white take-out boxes, "I'll leave your food on a table, but if you have told me you invited a friend, I'd..."

"No, that's all right. I've already had dinner." This time it was Stacy, who interrupted Eddie's uncle.

"Whatever you say, little Harrington," he smiled warmly, leaving the two alone in Eddie's bedroom.

"You can have some of my fries for... you know, all the effort," the Dungeon Master smirked, tilting his head towards the direction of their math notebooks.

"A fine method of payment, can't lie," Stacy shrugged with an amused expression. "But just to let you know... as soon as we finish eating we're coming back to solving math problems."

"Suuure," Eddie sang, quickly getting up from his chair.

"Eddie—!"

"What? What are you saying?" he called, leaving his room and leaning over the doorframe, "I can't hear you from so far away."

"Eddie Munson, I swear to god..!"

"I can't hear you!"

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