—seven days. [ iv ]
pairing: max verstappen x manager! reader.
summary: as the third time world champion, max verstappen's manager, you function on the belief that whatever max verstappen wanted, max verstappen shall get. but this time, after four years of working as his manager, you can't give him what he wants anymore and that was to stay.
warning/s: sexual content but it's nothing too explicit. also angst angst angst.
author's note: NOT BETA READ. NOT EDITED. also, lemme know what u guys think!! would love to read it honestly. it was what had been keeping me inspired.
tags: @whatamidoingwithmylife-ramdom @eugene-emt-roe @bellezaycafe @barnestatic @theseerbetweenus @wcnorris @notyouraveragemochii @lpab @vildetry06 @a-beaverhausen @formula1mount @loloekie @alucardsdaddyissues @leclercdream
masterlist.
You have three philosophies in life.
Pussies do not get the good stuff. If you want the good stuff, don't be a pussy.
Hard work will pay off one day. In the meantime, work hard but don't work too hard. You work smart and make it seem like you're working hard so by the time your “hard” work pays off, you’re not too tired from working and still have energy to enjoy your reward, you know? Does that make sense?
Whatever Max Verstappen wanted, Max Verstappen would get.
Now let us focus on philosophy number three. It's a shitty philosophy to have, but when you're working as the manager of Red Bull’s golden boy—after Sebastian Vettel, of course—that philosophy sort of becomes the job description. It's your job to give whatever Max Verstappen wanted, whatever he needed.
When he asks you that question, sounding so innocent as if he hasn't just yanked your entire world off its axis by saying those words, your first reaction is to pull up the middle finger. Fuck you, Max. Max is an asshole for asking you that. Max is an absolute asshole for asking you for a kiss. For the five years you've worked for him, he should already be aware of the power he holds over your head. Should be aware that you'll give anything he'll ask. That's why he should be careful with what he's asking from you.
Said asshole has the audacity to pout. He resembled the pet duck who lived in your Abuelo's farm that you were very fond of in your childhood. Her name was Maria and she was a menace. Your Abuelo even tied a pink bow to the duck’s neck so it could be easily recognizable. A 181-cm tall, broad-shouldered, blond-brown-haired Dutch duck with a blue-eyed gaze that will never fail to make your bones tremble and your heart stutter once you let yourself stare at it. You can put a bow around his neck, too, like what your Abuelo did to that duck. Then, use the bow to choke him in a way that is definitely not sexy or kinky but in a way that screams murder, murder, murder.
“That's not nice.”
“‘M not a nice person.”
“You're a nice person, you just don't do nice things.”
You give him a weird look.
“If you weren't a nice person, you would not be here with me right now,” he continues, in a manner that made him seem like a hundred-old sage imparting wisdom. “But you're here and you're not leaving and you're not hurting me so you're nice.”
His words cause something rotten to bloom in your ribs, “How are you so certain that ‘m not gonna end up hurtin’ you? For all you know, I'm gonna use this billiard stick to make you a human skewer right now.”
He laughs. God. The sound is absolutely beautiful that it terrifies you.
“You're you, [Name]. You would never hurt me.”
In a sense, he's right. You will never hurt him. Not intentionally, at least. If you wanted him to hurt, you'll be leaving right now and flying to Texas the same way Kelly did in Abu Dhabi. Because, for someone like Max, nothing in this world is more painful than to be left alone when all you yearned for is someone to be there for you.
“So……will you?” he asks again. “Will you kiss me?”
He's drunk, your brain reasons. Your fingers gently reach for his jaw—very angular, you belatedly realize—and Max chases the warmth of your skin. He does not know what he's asking, your brain reasons again. You tug him towards you and your mouth meets his, immediately registering the taste of the beer on his tongue. He’s stupid, your brain added. I’m stupid, too, you argue mentally and pushes him against the side of the billiard table and toss your stick to the floor and let yourself take everything from Max Verstappen. Fuck you Max, you think with finality. Your brain replies: You’re also fucked.
He took what he wanted from you. Every day. Every single day. He will ask and you will give. Now, it is your turn to take. One last time before the inevitable goodbye that you know will break both of your hearts.
Anger. Frustration. That's what you feel right now. Anger because this is going to make things more complicated for you and goddammit, why are you making things hard for yourself? Frustrated because you’re not supposed to do this but you cannot fucking stop. Thank fuck you resigned before pulling this shit because this is soooooo unprofessional.
You read somewhere that said something like all people are driven to the point of eating their gods after a time. And is this situation not a perfect demonstration of this? Max is your god. Max was your god. And you are going to devour him—fueled by five years of frustration and anger and a series of why, why, why didn't you talk to Horner? Now it's too late because I'm leaving all because you didn't talk to fucking Horner.
You've forgiven 2021. 2022 made your grudge grow. And you're not stupid to continue staying after his 2023 victory when it's clearly not happening—the dream that will be given to you with Max's power. You will never forgive yourself if you stayed here and be continuously reminded of what you could become, what you failed to become.
Max is surprisingly pliant under your hands. A rare occasion. One would expect Max Verstappen to take the lead because that's what he did in the race tracks. A 20-second lead from everyone else. He's also the type to just do whatever he wanted, you know? And people would let him. Because he's Max Verstappen.
Dominance. Total dominance.
“Wait,” he squeezes your arms and you do not hear him clearly the first time because you're so concentrated on his lips and how it feels and tastes against yours. “Wait, wait. Slow down.”
You pull away and you hear him take a gasp of air, “Somethin’ wrong?”
He looks so beautiful like this. Beneath you. Lips swollen. Blue eyes wide with desire. Hair perfectly messy. Grip on your arm so tight that you're sure will definitely leave a hand-shaped bruise tomorrow.
“Can’t breathe,” he says with a light laugh and you resist the urge to violently bash your head against the billiard table because what the fuck? That's not good for your heart. It's too… too… adorable. Max is not supposed to be an adorable person.
You suck in a breath and lower your head until your forehead meets Max’s firm chest.
“Fuck you,” you mumble.
“Hm?”
“Nothing.”
You raise your head and meet Max’s eyes, the culprit behind your insanity right now.
(Your Abuela said that blue eyes were just blue eyes. Until you fall in love with someone with blue eyes and blue becomes a color that consumed your world whole. You appreciated the sky more because it reminded you of his eyes. You appreciated the color of the seas more because it reminded you of his eyes. Blue became the color of love.)
Now what? Do you continue or…?
“Can you do me a favor?”
“Do you even need to ask?” you deadpan. Max’s hands circle around your waist and he gently guides you away from him. He dusts his shirt once he has fully risen from the billiard table before his hand finds yours. Fingers intertwining together, he leads you out of the entertainment room.
Your heart drums with anticipation. Numerous questions circle around your head but it all disappears in a flash when Max brings you to the room where you found him that morning. You wince when you walk past the broken door.
Yeah…
Making a payment plan will be hell. You're unemployed at the current moment, too. The first thing you have to do when you land in Texas is find a job.
He makes you sit on his bed, the soft mattress dipping down on your weight. You can only stare at him, brows furrowing in confusion and a question sitting on the tip of your tongue that you are yet to voice out. Max makes a beeline to his closet, throwing it open and procuring a box.
A box.
He walks back to you, dropping on his knees and that action makes you panic. Then, Max opens the box, pulling out the most gorgeous pair of five-inch block heels you have ever laid eyes upon and gently slips them onto your feet. The straps have pearls and satin bows and it has tiny white diamonds, elegantly cut, as the centerpiece. Not even the YSL Opyum heels you own can compare to its elegance and beauty.
You almost kick him in the face because you do not expect that he’ll do that.
I bought shoes and they don't fit her. Max has told you. You feel bile rise up your throat.
The shoes. They fit you. Perfectly. As if it was made to be yours. As if it was bought to be yours. As if he was thinking of you, who is nothing but his manager and somewhat friend, when he bought the gorgeous heels instead of Kelly Piquet, his fucking girlfriend of three years whom he had been living with in this fucking penthouse, and parenting little P with.
“They're perfect,” Max whispers and he looks up with that smile playing on his lips. You feel tears sting your eyes and you press your lips into a thin line before moving your gaze away, blinking rapidly.
Max is doing this because he thought you were Kelly.
“They're custom, you know? They're the only pair in the world.”
His words make the taste of bile a hundred times worse. You stare at the shoes on your feet as if it's a sin to have the shoes fit you. No wonder Kelly is mad at Max. If Leo has commissioned custom heels with another woman in mind and got your shoe size wrong after three years of being together, you'll feel hurt, too.
You feel the need to apologize to Kelly. Maybe a quick message to her IG? You also follow each other’s private account.
“You’re thinking,” he says and his voice snaps you out of the rabbit hole known as your thoughts. “What are you thinking?”
“Nothin’,” you lie. The feeling of wanting to puke intensifies so you grab Max by his collar and plant your lips against his to push back the imaginary bile stuck on your throat and from there, the situation escalates to the point that clothes are removed. One by one. When you reach to unstrap the heels, Max grabbed your wrists, almost panicked.
“What are you doin’?” you ask.
“Don't take them off please.”
Whatever Max wanted, Max would get.
Your name built a home in Max’s mouth, the syllables rolling off his tongue with ease at every pleasure he felt, while your fingers explore every inch of Max’s skin. You're only allowed to watch back then. Now, you're allowed to touch.
Hearing his whimpers and little groans and shudders—all done by your hands—you feel nothing but satisfaction. He chants your name like it's a prayer and you're his god and if that is not love then you do not what is.
You wait for Max to utter Kelly’s name midway.
He never did.
“What are you doing?” his voice is groggy with sleep. After doing it, he immediately passes out. Weak ass bitch. You're still waiting for the horror once the realization of what you’ve done sinks into your system. The annoying headache, too. For now, none of them have arrived yet. Probably because you still have enough alcohol in your system to numb things out for you. While waiting, you're on your phone.
Ha, it's past 12 midnight now. You have three days to tell Max before you fly to Texas.
“Talkin' to someone,” you reply cryptically. His brows knit together.
“Who?”
“Just Logan.”
“The American in Williams?”
You roll your eyes, “Yes, the American in Williams.”
You notice how his arms on your waist tighten, pulling you a little closer to him, but you say nothing. This action causes flowers to bloom in your lungs and you hope he hasn't noticed how your breath hitched.
“Why?”
“He’s my friend. Friends talk,” you deadpan.
Logan Sargeant is an absolute sweetheart. He reminds you a lot of your little brother and you both share the same sentiments regarding the feeling of being unwelcomed in Formula One. You suppose he has it worse though. Nobody in the grid really makes an effort to befriend the young racer and you're fifty percent sure that the fact he's American made a contribution to that.
None of the other racers even follow him on Insta.
“Well, what are you two talking about?” Grumpy and bratty Max is back. Welcome back, asshole.
“He’s in Texas right now and he was askin’ if I was back home, too. Said we should grab a drink together. I promised to show him around Austin.”
“You never invited me to Austin.”
“Why would you even go to Austin?” your nose scrunch a little. “You visit your mother for Christmas.”
He rolls his eyes.
“You're befriending too much racers.”
“Excuse me? I only have Logan as a friend. Charles, too, by extension because he's your friend,” you point out. “Checo and Daniel and Yuki and Liam because they work with you.”
“And me.”
“You're not my friend.”
“What am I then? Your dog?”
“I work for you.”
“You work with me, not for me,” he corrects.
You do not know why your heart skipped a beat at that.
“I’m just trynna be a good friend here and you're bein’ unreasonably grumpy,” you try to shift the subject to save your own sanity. “None of you even tried to befriend Logan.”
Max abruptly reaches for his phone on the bedside table and unlocks it. You watch as he opens his Instagram, the public one, and added Logan's account. You gape. He switches to his private account and searches for Logan’s account in your profile's list of followers and adds him, too.
“What the fuck, Max?”
“I’m befriending him,” he says simply. “I’ll invite him over if he ever comes by in Monaco during the off-season.”
You blink.
“Now say goodbye to him and go back to sleep.”
He tosses his phone to the bedside table and turn his back on you in a manner that reminded you of a very petulant child.
You glance at your phone only to see Logan’s freaked out messages.
logan: HE FOLLOWED ME??!? ON BOTH ACCOUNTS???
logan: AM I SEEING THINGS? HAVE I ACCIDENTALLY SNORTED DRUGS??!
logan: maybe it's the texas heat??
logan: *sent a screenshot*
logan: MAX VERSTAPPEN INVITED ME TO HIS PENTHOUSE??
you: congrats child
logan: is this your doing??!?
logan: are you with him now?
logan: wait that's impossible, itd be 2 am in monaco now there's no way youd be together rn
If only he knows.
you: how bout we talk later once the sun rises here in monaco?
you: or maybe once i arrive in the us?
logan: sure sure
you: stay safe out there kid
logan: HE JUST FOLLOWED ME I CAN DIE HAPPY
You toss your phone aside and inch closer to Max, looping your arms around him and falling asleep in his warmth.
Your phone rings and it's not the Max Max Max Super Max Max ringtone. It's the default one.
Mama, the caller ID indicates. 4:31 AM is written on the upper right corner of your phone screen. You press the answer button.
“Your Papa…… It was a dangerous call. He needs to see you before he… He might not make it.”
That alone is enough for you to jump out of bed. You scramble to grab last night’s clothes and slip them on. Fuck, they still smell like alcohol.
“Hey, hey, what's wrong?” Max, who's rudely awakened when you abruptly jumped out of bed, looks so lost and when he sees you run your way out of his bedroom and to the stairs, he panics. The poor man panicked. He falls down the bed and runs after you, having the decency to only grab a towel to cover his lower half. He stops you, grabbing your wrist just as you're at the lowest step of the stairs.
“Wait, where are you going?” his voice is still rough with sleep and he's aggressively rubbing out his grogginess from his eyes. You stop, letting out a breath that you don't realize you're holding before turning around to face him. Then, the guilt rushes in. Max looks so…you don't have the words to describe it. His hair is a mess and he still looks sleepy but he also looks wide awake and kind of panicking and confused.
This is a face that's equally endearing and heartbreaking. You can't believe this will be the last time you'll be seeing him. You're still supposed to have three days left but now it's cut short and you—
You'll miss him.
“Sorry, baby,” you come up a few steps and cup his cheeks, bringing his face down so you can kiss his forehead. His hand comes up to lay on top of yours, eyes fluttering close.
“Where are you going?” he asks again.
“Texas,” you reply. “Dad… he… 'Twas a bad call and I need to see him. I need—I need to go home now.”
This is the reality of being family with a firefighter. You're always in danger of losing your father in one of the calls. And that is happening now.
Max understands because he knows your father's line of work.
“Do you need me to come with you?”
You shake your head.
“Then, I’ll drive you.”
“No,” you shoot him down quickly. “You drank last night. It’s dangerous.”
“I’m not drunk now.”
“Max,” you breathe through your nose to calm yourself down. “I’ll take the next flight available to the US. You stay here.”
“Take my jet.”
“No, Max,” you say. “Thank you for the offer but you’ll use the jet when you visit your mother.”
“I can fly commercial,” he squeezes your hands. “You don't want me to drive you. You don't want me to come with you. At least take the jet.”
You open your mouth to protest.
“Just take the jet, please, [Name].”
Whatever Max wanted, Max would get. So you nod your head slowly because it looks like he'll argue just to get you seated in his jet. And you'll argue with him if it was any other day but not today because you need to leave quickly. Time is becoming too precious. You can lose your Dad any second. You just wish you can see him and talk to him before he went.
“Okay.”
You pull away, whipping around to head to the door but Max doesn't let your wrist go. You turn back to him.
“What is it, Max?”
“Text me when you land in Texas?”
“Of course.”
“One last thing. Wait here.”
He runs back to his room and you tap your foot impatiently, eyes trained on the mismatched shoes that covered your feet. Max returns not even five minutes later and now, he's wearing clothes and he’s carrying the shoe box from last night.
You swallow the lump on your throat.
“Take this with you.”
With shaking hands, you take the box.
“See you around, [Name].”
“Goodbye, Max.”
It's a good thing that you spent the entire morning yesterday packing because this makes everything smoother for you. It is a little past 5 am now and the outside world is still enveloped in total darkness. You gaze at the apartment one last time, three suitcases in tow. The keys feel heavy in your hands as you lock the door behind you.
In the middle of your apartment living room sits a lone shoe box with a letter that says: Sorry, Max. I can't steal more from Kelly.
Beside the box is a folder.
An unfinished guide on becoming Max Verstappen’s manager. (I’ll have the final copy printed, binded, and sent before the 2024 pre-season. Haha, I’m channeling my inner Toto Wolff.)
The first paper you’ll see after you open the folder reads:
Max, I know you’d be the one who’d find this one day. By that time, I’ll be in Texas already. I don't know if I’d have told you that I resigned already. If I didn't, that's because I’m a pussy. Sorry.
Anyways, I will say this as straightforwardly as I can because I think I had been a pussy long enough.
I resigned, Max. I won't be your manager by 2024 and honestly, I am worried. Not for you, of course. You’d win WDC whether I am your manager or not. That's how good you are. I am worried for your future manager. I’m afraid it would take someone with guts like me to work for with someone like you. A powerhouse manager for a powerhouse athlete.
Inside, you can find the following things:
How to bake my abuela’s special cheesecake.
How to make Red Bull vodka
How to make Max’s favorite pasta for lunch
List of Max Verstappen’s favorite places in each city
How to iron Max Verstappen’s clothes
What to do when Max accidentally sets the kitchen on fire
What to do when Max has a bad race
How to protect Max Verstappen from angry Hamilton fans
How to deal with a drunk Max Verstappen
Etc…
I will still be watching your journey, not from the Red Bull garage but from another continent. We worked five amazing years together and now it is time for us to fly on different skies. As much as I liked working with you, you can't be the only one reaching your dreams. Don’t worry, I’ll always reach out.
Thank you, Max. For giving me a home. I’m not talking about the apartment. I don't believe that home are establishments. Home is the people you love and Max, you are someone I love.
In the last page of this folder, you’d see a handmade bracelet tucked inside. It's small and it's made of cheap beads and I do not care if you don't think it's worthy enough to be worn on your wrist. Not even going to be offended. It's dirt compared to the Cartier bracelets you wear everyday. I bought the beads while roaming in Brazil and I just thought I’d make you one.
I cannot give you any gift that you already cannot buy with your money so I went ahead and made this. Money cannot buy anything made by my own hands.
Thank you again, Max.
And I’m so fucking sorry.
Please don't be angry.
I love you.
You watch the sun rise inside Max's jet as you fly over Monaco to Texas.
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I knew you'd linger like a tattoo kiss | Epilogue
Warnings: none. this is just pure fluff. possible allusions to steddie x reader but don't tell roe I said that
Pairings: Previous Steve Harrington x fem!reader | Eddie Munson x fem!reader
Summary: This is the end. Or the new beginning.
A/N: @hellfire--cult thank you for working on this story with me, bestie. It would have never been the same without you, you really helped me create something great. The last line? Perfection bby, thank you so much🫶🏻 i love u
series masterlist
-
2 years later
Hawkins, 1987
Sunlight peeks through the blue curtains in the large bedroom, the sound of cars driving through the streets fills the silence in the apartment, the smell of paint, fresh bed sheets and the vanilla candle that was lit for the first time last night, all mingle together. Both opened and unopened boxes are all across the room. Most of the clothes – jackets, sweaters and flannels are already in the closet. The dressers are decorated with books, pictures and a lone mug that was forgotten yesterday morning. A diary and a new lamp are decorating the bedside table.
Silent tiptoes echo against the hardwood floor before they disappear again and reappear on his thick blanket, the faintest purr and the softness against his skin pulls him out of his deep sleep.
A smile tugs at his lips when the little ball of fur snuggles against his bare chest.
“Hey there… Cat,” Steve mumbles, groggily.
The black kitten meows at him.
“Yeah, yeah,” he murmurs, opening his tired eyes. “You’ll get a cool name soon, don’t worry, dude.”
He strokes his back, gently. Smiling when he starts to purr as he moves closer to him.
A yawn falls from Steve’s lips, he runs his fingers through his hair, he looks over at the clock. He raises his eyebrows in surprise, it’s 6:46am.
“Look at you, I don’t even need an alarm anymore,” he mumbles.
Cat meows at him, standing up on all paws, he suddenly digs his nails into his chest as he stretches.
“Ow!.. Yeah, no, we don’t do that on humans, buddy,” he mumbles as he picks him up, giving him a kiss on the head, before he puts him down on his pillow.
Steve throws the covers off himself, stretching his arms out before he gets up and walks over to the window, he opens the curtains and takes a look outside before he walks over to the closet, picking out some clothes for the day.
“Gonna take a shower and then make breakfast for the princess,” he says to his new buddy, as though he would answer. He looks back at him to find him staring with his head tilted. Steve chuckles, “yeah, don’t tell her I called her that, she’d probably punch me.”
After a long shower, he makes his way into the kitchen, he feeds his cat before he gets started on the breakfast that he cooks for Robin and himself every morning. He sips on his hot coffee, bobbing his head to music that plays from the radio that he bought a few days back as he stirs the scrambled eggs.
Robin walks out of her room moments later, with messy hair and a very tired look on her face, she makes a stop in the bathroom before she joins Steve in the kitchen.
“Morning Dingus,” she grumbles as she pushes past him. She grabs her favorite mug from the cupboard and pours the freshly brewed coffee into it.
“Morning, Robby,” he chuckles. “How’d you sleep?”
“Like shit,” she mumbles, walking over to the fridge, she opens it and grabs the creamer. “I need coffee so so bad.”
Steve scrunches his face up at her, watching her pour tons and tons of creamer in.
“I don’t know how you can drink that, it’s too fucking sweet, Robin.”
She rolls her eyes at him, taking a sip from it, she closes her eyes and nods. “No, this is exactly what I need. Flavored goodness to wake me up in the morning.”
“Yeah, it’s the overload of sugar that wakes you up, not the coffee in there,” he chuckles as he points to her mug. “It’s bad for your teeth.”
“It’s not an overload, you’re just a grandpa.”
“Why? Because I don’t like creamer?”
“No, because you don’t like sweet stuff.”
“Not true, I got sugar in my coffee.”
She snorts, leaning against the counter, she holds her mug against her chest, “yeah, how much? A sprinkle?”
He takes a sip of his coffee, shaking his head at her, “nope, two teaspoons.”
“Oh wow!”
He rolls her eyes at her, placing his hand on his hip, he turns back to the stove.
She chuckles at his pose, “you know, you’re like a real mom – cooking breakfast for me, telling me to be safe even though I’m dating a girl, telling me that sugary stuff is bad for my teeth.”
He waves her off, “yeah yeah.”
She laughs, walking over to their kitchen table, she sits down and reaches for the newspaper, “hey, where’s your little buddy?”
Steve uses the spatula to point at the couch, “buddy is sleeping.”
Robin straightens her back, looking over to where he’s pointing, she finds the tiny kitten sleeping on the fluffy blanket she left there, last night.
Her eyes soften and her lips pull into a pout, “he’s the cutest little thing I’ve ever seen – I’m so happy you kept him.”
“Not like I had a choice,” Steve snorts, though his eyes are soft as he looks at his little buddy. “Dustin forced me to keep him.”
“Don’t act like it wasn’t the birthday present you ever got,” Robin says, glancing at him.
Dustin and Max thought it was a great idea to adopt a kitten for his 21st birthday. He didn’t exactly have a choice but to keep him – besides, Steve fell in love with the cat the moment he held him in his hands.
“Yeah, I love him. I don’t have a name for him yet though.”
Robin shrugs, “you didn’t like any of my suggestions. I guess he will stay ‘Cat’ forever.”
“No, he won’t,” Steve shakes his head as he walks over to the table, placing both plates on the table before he walks back to the counter to get his cup of coffee.
“That smells good,” Robin smiles at him, pulling the plate closer and reaching for the fork, “thanks mom,” she teases him.
He flips her off as he sits down across from her, making her chuckle.
She takes a bite of the toast and digs into the eggs, getting lost in her thoughts as she chews her breakfast.
Steve looks at her, watching the way she raises her brows before she holds her finger up, like she does every time whenever she remembers something important.
“Oh! I just remembered, Lizzy told me that someone’s moving in next door!”
“Really?” He asks, furrowing his brows at her.
“Yeah, some couple.”
Steve frowns at her words, dropping his fork, he reaches for his mug.
“Damn, let’s hope they’re nothing like the couple in the last apartment building,” he says in disgust.
Robin and Steve lived across the street in the old building for almost two years and almost every night, they’d both have to wear earplugs to avoid hearing them moan and scream.
“They were horny rabbits,” Robin laughs in amusement as she continues eating, totally unfazed by those memories.
“Yeah, like you and Chrissy,” he mumbles, glaring at her. “I hope the walls here are thicker than in the last apartment.”
Robin blushes at his words, though she keeps the teasing smile on her lips. Excitement rushes through her when she thinks about her girlfriend, who is currently away for college.
“You’ll find out next week.”
“She’s coming to visit?”
“Mhmm.”
“Cool,” Steve nods, smiling at her. “Alright, I’m gonna clean up the kitchen and you should start getting ready for work or the manager will kick you out.”
She snorts at his words, rolling her eyes at the teasing look on his face.
“You’re the manager, Dingus.”
“Not yet, Robs.”
“Yeah, well you’re almost the manager.”
“Almost, yeah.”
-
It’s the beginning of September, the last days of summer are going strong. It’s not as hot as it was in July or August, but it’s still very warm. The afternoon sun shines into the store, the soft breeze from outside touching his skin as he passes by the open door.
It’s a slow day at Family Video and Steve spent most of his time stacking up new tapes. Frowning every time he passes by Pretty in Pink, he came to hate the movie, simply because he gets asked about it at least five times a day – and because Robin and Chrissy force him to watch the movie with them, all the damn time.
He’s organizing the shelf in the back aisle, fixing all the tapes that have been put back unevenly.
He furrows his brows when he hears Robin’s whispers as she seemingly talks to someone at the front, though he doesn’t take a peek to look who it is, he figures that she’s using the phone to talk to Chrissy as always. Keith almost caught her during one of her phone calls – she came up with a lie and he of course had her back, Keith didn’t seem to believe that she was talking to a customer who was asking for a very specific movie, he also didn’t believe Steve when he told him that said customer calls all the time, but he brushed it off, surprisingly. He must have had a good day, otherwise he would have fired them both probably.
He almost flinches when he feels someone tapping his shoulder – he didn’t even hear the footsteps.
“Excuse me? – Can you help me find Pretty in Pink?”
It takes him a moment.
He almost groans in annoyance at the mention of that movie but then his eyes widen and his heart leaps to his throat. For a second he thinks that it’s his mind playing tricks on him but when he turns around, his eyes widen even further and his lips curl into a big smile.
The same eyes that were filled with tears after the last goodbye two years back, now stare at him with happiness and excitement in them.
You are here.
You came back.
“I– Dolly?!” He gasps as he looks you up and down, like he can’t believe that you are truly here after being away for so long.
“Hi, Stevie.”
You’re looking at him with a smile on your face as you take in the sight of him too.
It’s almost been two years since you had last seen each other.
Two years since you have left Hawkins.
You look happy, you look beautiful, even more so than before. Your hair is even longer now, styled perfectly, long bangs are framing your face. Your lips are cherry red, it suits you well. You’re wearing a short sundress, your sun kissed skin is glowing beneath the sunlight that shines into the store. He can smell your perfume, it’s a new one.
You look amazing, healthy and at peace.
Snapping out of it, he drops the tape he was holding, not caring where it lands. He takes a step forward, he wraps his arms around your waist and picks you up, twirling you around as he holds you tightly.
A squeal falls from your lips before you start laughing, you wrap your arms around his neck. Hugging him back just as tightly.
“I missed you so fucking much!” He exclaims, squeezing your waist. “I’m never letting you leave again.”
“I missed you too, Steve.”
He missed your voice too – you called him on his birthday but this is different.
You giggle, letting go of him when he puts you down again.
He squeezes you one more time before he pulls away from the hug, still smiling for you, unable to tear his eyes away from you.
“Hi,” he whispers.
“Hi,” you smile, giggling again.
You take in the sight of him. He changed, somehow he appears even taller to you than before. His shoulders are broader, his hair is longer, a light stubble on his cheeks. He looks older, in a good way. But most importantly, he looks content, he looks happy and that makes your smile even bigger.
He blinks, he opens his mouth to speak again but he is stunned, completely caught off guard.
He takes a deep breath, running his fingers through his hair before he puts his hand on the shelf next to him.
“I– wow, I can’t believe you’re back,” he says, shaking his head. “And you, you look amazing.”
You look down at the floor, smiling at his words.
“Thank you. You do too, Steve.”
Your eyes meet his again when you look back up.
“Thank you,” he smiles as his eyes soften.
He gets excited, too excited at the thought of seeing you around town again. Hawkins hasn’t been the same since you left. It was weird at first, places that you have always gone to, suddenly seemed so lonesome and lifeless, despite the people around them. You were just gone and he hated it.
“W-Wait, are you back for good or are you just visiting?”
You shake your head, “no, we’re back, for good.”
Steve can’t begin to describe how happy he feels to hear these words. He missed you, he missed his best friend.
There are so many things he wants to ask, so many things he wants to tell you but he is just too stunned.
He looks over your shoulder, “where’s Eddie?”
“He’s talking to Robin, wanna go say hi?” You smile.
“Yeah, let’s go,” he nods, putting his hand on your shoulder. “So, did you guys plan to come back here or was it spontaneous.”
“Both. We just kinda made that decision spontaneously, back in July. It’s been nice to live in a big city and travel around whenever we had the chance to but we missed everyone here,” you pause, smiling when your eyes meet Eddie’s as you and Steve make your way to the front desk. “Even Eddie, can you believe that?”
He chuckles, knowing how much Eddie always cursed about this town.
“Do you have a place here already or are you staying with your mom?”
You shake your head, “no, Wayne helped us find an apartment and Enzo was happy to offer Eddie a job again.”
Steve nods, smiling.
“And you?”
“Oh, I got an interview tomorrow at the new coffee shop here!” You explain, excitedly. “We checked it out earlier, it’s so cool! They sell books and records!”
His eyes light up, his lips curl into a smile, “it’s a good place, they make good coffee there.”
“Do you go there often?”
He nods, “yeah and so do Max and Lucas, they go there to study – like every afternoon,” he chuckles.
“Really?” You ask, your eyes lighting up.
“Yeah!”
“Cute,” you smile. “But uh, let’s not get too forward, maybe I won’t get the job.”
He pats your shoulder, giving you a soft smile, “nah, you’ll get it. You love coffee, books and music. They gotta give you the job. – But hey, if you wanna stack up VHS tapes all day, this place will look for a new employee soon, so if you’re interested,” he offers as his smile grows wider. “I’m gonna be the manager soon.”
You both stop at the counter and Steve places his hand on his hip, smirking a little.
Your eyes widen at his words, “no way! That’s amazing, Steve!”
“What’s amazing?”
At the sound of his voice, Steve tears his eyes away from you and looks over at Eddie. He takes him in just like he did with you – it’s almost odd to see him without his signature leather jacket or his vest, his skin a little less pale than usual. He notices the new tattoos on his left arm and how his hair is slightly longer than it was when you both left. Unlike the last few times they had seen each other, there’s not a single negative emotion lingering in his brown eyes – no insecurity, no jealousy, no fear. Eddie looks happy, just like you do.
“Hey man,” Steve nods at him, not even needing to force a smile this time.
“Hey Steve,” Eddie nods, smiling back at him and offering his hand to him.
They shake hands, taking in the sight of each other. There’s no tension between them, not anymore.
“Steve is gonna be the new manager here soon!”
Eddie’s eyes widen, he chuckles at your excitement and smiles at Steve, “congrats, man! That’s nice.”
“Thanks, Eddie.” Steve smiles.
Robin looks between them as she leans against the counter with her arms crossed over her chest, smiling at the two men.
Eddie wraps his arm around your shoulder once he lets go of Steve’s hand. Giving you a smile when you press yourself against him.
“Well, this is nice,” Robin snorts, clapping her hands together as she looks between both men. “You finally got a guy to hang out with, Steve,” she winks at him.
He snorts at her, rolling his eyes. “I got a guy.”
“Who, cat?”
You snap your head towards Robin before your eyes lock with Steve’s, “Cat? You got a cat?”
He chuckles at the excitement in your eyes. “Yeah, Dustin and Max got me a kitten for my birthday.”
Your eyes widen as a gasp falls from your lips, making both him and Eddie chuckle.
“Yeah and he still doesn’t have a name!” Robin exclaims.
“Oh my god! A kitten?” You pout as your eyes soften.
“Yeah, he’s really cuddly too. You’re gonna fall in love with him,” Steve smiles.
Eddie chuckles at his words, looking down at you, “she falls in love with all the cats, Steve.”
“Yeah, that’s why she fell for you,” Robin snorts.
Eddie furrows his brows, “what?”
“You give off cat energy, Eddie. Always hungry, hissing at everyone and clingy with just that one person.”
Eddie’s lips part, confusion flashes in his eyes but he’s amused by her words. He wraps his arm around you tighter and kisses your cheek in response, making you giggle.
“See,” Robin chuckles.
“Oh.. yeah,” Steve mumbles. “You’re onto something, totally reminds me of Cat–”
“Cat is the poor kitten he hasn’t named yet, by the way,” Robin interrupts him, glancing at the both of you.
Steve rolls his eyes but continues, “cat waggles with his tail when he hears Metallica on the radio.”
“You got a rockstar cat!” You laugh.
“Can we meet the little rockstar?” Eddie asks, surprising Steve.
He was unsure of how Eddie would react if he tried to be your friend again, fearing that he would have a problem with that or try to keep you away from him out of fear that he might try to get you back. He didn’t expect Eddie to be the one to make the first move though but it puts a smile on his face.
“Yeah, of course! You two should come over tonight so we can catch up.”
“Yes!” Robin says, excitedly. “You can tell us all about your fun adventures!”
“That would be nice,” you smile. “I missed hanging out with you guys.”
“Yeah, me too, surprisingly.” Eddie snorts.
“Don’t act like you didn’t cry over us every day, Edward,” Robin teases him, looking between you two. Her eyes suddenly flash with curiosity. “Hey wait, where are you two staying?”
You and Eddie share a look, smiling at one another before you turn back to her.
“Wayne helped us get an apartment! We moved all the boxes in and some of the furniture from our old place earlier,” Eddie explains, moving his hand to the small of your back. “The place is just around the corner.”
“It’s cool, we love it. And the landlord is a really nice lady.”
Robin and Steve slowly turn towards one another, sharing the same look as realization dawns on them both.
Lizzy, the really nice old lady, told Robin about the couple that was moving in next door just last night.
Steve purses his lips, slowly looking back at you, “w-wait..”
“Umm, your landlord doesn’t happen to go by the name of Lizzy?”
Eddie raises his brows at them both, nodding.
“Yeah! She was sweet and she complimented me – oh! And she told me how much her husband looked like Eddie when he was young!” You giggle.
Steve’s lips part in surprise and Eddie almost wants to laugh at his expression until Robin opens her mouth.
“Wow, she must’ve had two husbands then because apparently Steve also looked like her husband!” She says, chuckling as she takes in the confused looks on your and Eddie’s faces.
Steve pinches the bridge of his nose, mumbling something under his breath as his cheeks flush red at Robin’s comment.
“W-Wait what?” Eddie stutters, tilting his head at her. “How do you – huh?”
While your boyfriend takes longer to realize what is going on, it only takes you a second to understand that your landlord is also Steve’s and Robin’s landlord.
“So.. you are the couple who’s moving in next door?” Steve waves his finger between you and Eddie.
“Next door?” Eddie mumbles. “Didn’t you – wait, I thought you still lived in that apartment next to Radio Shack?”
You nod at his words, you thought the same thing.
Steve and Robin share a look, both sighing at the mention of their old place.
“Yeah, we moved out of that one two weeks ago, it was a shithole, honestly.”
Robin nods with her eyes wide. Tapping her fingers against the counter, “yep.”
You and Eddie chuckle in confusion, taking in their ‘traumatized’ faces.
“What was wrong with that place?”
“Oh, it’s a long story!” Steve laughs, scratching the back of his neck. “We’ll tell you all about it later.”
“Yes! We’ll order some takeout, have a couple of drinks and you two can tell us all about Chicago!” Robin smiles.
Excitement rushes through you. You missed your friends, you missed Robin and Steve.
Eddie squeezes your arm, he looks down at you.
You meet your boyfriend’s loving eyes, he nods at you.
A smile tugs at your lips, you lean your head on his shoulder and turn back to your friends.
“We’d love to.”
Steve’s eyes light up, he smiles at you, clapping his hands together.
“You’ll get to meet cat!” He chuckles.
Robin chuckles at his excitement, she runs her fingers through her hair, “Steve and I are gonna order the food!”
“And we’ll get the drinks,” Eddie winks at her.
She clicks her tongue, winking back at him.
Steve chuckles at them, he looks back at you, “alright then, neighbors,” he says with a funny look on his face. “I’ll drop by your place after work, gotta see and make sure that you didn’t get the better apartment.”
A laugh falls from your lips, “we totally did, Stevie.”
“You wish,” he smirks.
“The place is a mess, we gotta get some stuff done.”
“Like what?” Steve asks, looking at Eddie. “I can help.”
“Nah, it’s fine. I got it,” Eddie smiles, though he appreciates the offer.
“I’m off this weekend, so if you need anything, let me know.”
You’re pleasantly surprised to see them getting along with each other.
Time has passed, things have changed, feelings have changed. But nonetheless, you expected more tension between them – you are happy that it’s not the case.
And as they fall into a conversation, you and Robin smile at each other, knowing that things will be different this time.
-
Steve’s and Robin’s place is a little bigger than yours and Eddie’s. It’s colorful, not overwhelming though, it’s comforting and cozy. String lights are hanging from the ceiling, posters of Indie bands on the living room walls, pillows and blankets on the couch, you remember seeing those on Robin’s bed in her old room at her parent’s place.
Boxes of takeouts, drinks and snacks are all across the small table. Music plays in the background.
You’re sitting on the floor, a box of polaroids in front of you, a smile lingering on your face as you look through the pictures that were taken in the past two years.
Robin is next to you, telling you the stories behind every picture.
“He is such a cute little thing,” Eddie coos at the kitten in his lap, chuckling when he digs his claws into his shirt, using it to crawl up on his chest. Cat purrs as he rubs against Eddie’s face. “Damn, you’re making me want a cat too.”
Steve takes a sip from his beer, leaning back on the couch, “you should get one, they’re adorable.”
“Can’t believe you didn’t name him yet.”
“Yeah, everyone has been suggesting names!” Robin exclaims, looking away from the picture of her and Chrissy. “He hates every single one!”
Steve rolls his eyes at her, “they just don’t fit, Robby!”
“I fear he’s gonna be Cat forever,” Eddie pouts as he pets him.
You put the last picture back in the box and stand up, smoothing down your skirt and Eddie’s shirt that you changed into after your shower earlier. You sit down next to Eddie, snuggling against his side – the moment you do so, Steve’s cat makes his way towards you, jumping into your lap and looking up at you with his green eyes.
Your eyes light up, your heart soars in your chest as you pick him up and pull him closer, setting him down on your chest.
“Hey there, little buddy,” you whisper, smiling as he snuggles deeper into your chest, purring as he digs his claws into your shirt. “You are such a sweet little angel.”
Eddie chuckles, reaching his hand out to pet his head.
“You love those boobs don’t you, Cat?” He smirks. “I do too. They’re so fun to play with.”
“Eddie!” You gasp.
Robin laughs at his words and at the flustered look on your face.
Steve shakes his head, snorting.
“He is a very innocent little thing,” you coo at the kitten, scratching the spots behind his ears, he keeps purring, closing his eyes as he lays his head on your chest. “Oh my god, I love him.”
Eddie smiles down at you as you lay your head on his shoulder, he wraps his arm around you.
Steve leans his elbow on the headrest, looking between you and Eddie, the way you are so natural and comfortable with each other – it’s nothing new to him, you have always been like that with one another, maybe slightly less touchy.
The look in Eddie’s eyes as nothing but pure love and adoration as he laughs when Cat licks your nose.
You giggle, scrunching up your nose and closing your eyes.
He can’t describe the feeling in his chest at this moment, but seeing you so happy, seeing the love between you and Eddie makes him feel at peace.
Two years ago, he let go.
A part of him will always think back to it, back to you and to what you both had.
But he let go, and it’s good like this because he still got to keep you in his life, maybe not like before, but he is happy with what he gets to have now.
You left and you both lived separate lives.
But you came back and you’re here again.
And maybe, you both can go back to how things were before you crossed the line and left behind a friendship that you both mourn.
“Hey Dolly?”
You turn your face towards him, looking into his warm eyes, “yes?”
“Do you have some name suggestions?” He asks. “You always named the stray cats so..”
A smile pulls at your lip, “hmm.”
Robin reaches for the bowl of popcorn on the table, placing it on her lap, she begins snacking as she shoots you a look, “I’m warning you, he’s gonna hate all the names.”
“Shut it, Robs.”
She flips him off, causing Eddie to chuckle at their interaction.
You hum as you look at the black kitten on your chest, “void.”
Eddie snorts, “that’s a good one.”
Steve sighs, shaking his head.
“He rubbed off on you,” he mumbles, nudging Eddie’s shoulder. “What would the child, innocent and pure 10 year old Dolly name this cat?”
You giggle at him, turning away to look back down at him.
“Hmm… Stevie!”
Robin and Eddie laugh at your name suggestion.
“What?”
You look over at Steve, who’s staring at you like he’s waiting for you to continue.
“Not you. The cat! Call him Stevie – he gives off Stevie energy.”
Steve scrunches his whole face up, “I am not naming the cat after me! Seriously, do you guys even try?”
You all laugh at the disapproving look on his face.
“Ozzy,” Eddie shrugs.
“Huh?”
“Ozzy Osbourne,” Eddie says to Steve. “You know, from Black Sabbath?”
Steve stares at him with furrowed brows and downturned lips. But as he watches his cat claw his way out of your lap and jumps over Eddie to get to him, he looks up at him, yawning as he settles in his lap.
“Ozzy,” Steve murmurs, petting him. Steve smiles when he starts purring. “Yeah, I think he likes that one.”
“Is that a yes?”
Steve’s eyes meet Eddie’s, a smile tugs at his lips. “Yeah, shit.. you got a name, buddy,” he chuckles as he looks back down at Ozzy.
Robin claps her hands, “finally!” She cheers. “Wow, I can’t believe you let Eddie name the cat.”
“Does that mean you’re both his parents?” You ask, giggling.
Eddie snorts, pulling you closer as he smirks down at you.
“Sure, but I got full custody of my child,” Steve jokes.
Two years back, Steve would have rolled his eyes at your joke but now he just laughs and plays along.
You have noticed how much he changed.
Your last moments with him, before you left, weren’t the happiest. He was sad, heartbroken and lost. But now he seems content, happy. Even after his failed attempts at dating again, he doesn’t seem sad or heartbroken over it. He told you about his horrible date experiences with Heidi and Amanda – and he didn’t seem pained while he was talking about it, he was amused, that’s all. He tried dating and he gave up, not because he wasn’t ready but because he is just not looking for love or a relationship – ‘It will happen when the time is right.’ He said.
He is more relaxed now, calm and he seems more confident with himself. You like seeing him this way, he deserves to feel comfortable with himself.
“A cat is good training for kids someday,” Robin says, leaning back as she throws popcorn into her mouth.
“Oh really? Do you want kids?” Eddie chuckles.
Robin shakes her head with wide eyes, “hell no. I’m not Steve, he’s the one with a car full of kids.”
“Do I look like I have a bunch of kids?” Steve mumbles, confused.
“Yeah.” All three of you reply in unison.
“You have six kids already.”
He rolls his eyes but chuckles, “they’re not even kids anymore!”
“Maybe you can babysit their kids soon,” Robin wiggles her brows as she nudges her chin at you and Eddie.
“Oh my god,” you groan, shaking your head at her.
Steve suddenly frowns, blinking as he stares at you and Eddie, “wait, where’s your bedroom again?”
“Huh?”
“Your bedroom, what side is it on? Cause our last neighbors were fucking like rabbits!”
“Yeah it was disgusting!” Robin mumbles.
“You’re one to talk!” Steve glares at her. “I have to wear earplugs every time Chrissy comes to visit, they’re fucking rabbits too.”
She grows red, rolling her eyes at him.
You laugh at the flustered look on her face.
“Yeah, I hope you still have those earplugs,” Eddie chuckles. “Our room is right over there.”
Robin groans loudly as she looks at the wall he’s pointing at.
Steve sighs.
“We got kicked out of our last apartment because we fu–”
“Eddie!” You punch his arm, cheeks feeling hotter than before as you shake your head at him.
Steve and Robin stare at you both in disbelief.
“No, I swear. They kicked us out cause we were too loud,” Eddie says proudly, while you continue shaking your head.
“And you will get kicked out a second time if you don’t keep quiet,” Robin points at him with a glare.
Steve laughs, shaking his head as he brings up his drink to his lips.
“Time to use the ball gag, baby,” Eddie smirks.
Steve chokes on his beer, eyes widening at Eddie’s words.
“Jesus fucking christ, Eddie!” You gasp, burying your face in your hands.
Robin laughs loudly, throwing her head back.
“God damn,” Steve coughs, furrowing his brows at you. “I thought you were a good girl, Dolly.”
Eddie snorts at that, looking over at Steve to see him smirking.
You glare at them both, but you can’t even hide how flustered you are.
“Robin, help me out.”
“No, I’m having too much fun here.”
Rolling your eyes, you push Eddie’s arm off and get up with a sigh, “I need another drink,” you mumbled under your breath as you leave the living room in a haste. You hear their snickers even when you enter the kitchen, you can hear Eddie saying something that makes Steve groan and Robin laugh even harder.
You shake your head but a smile tugs at your lips.
You reach for the handle on the fridge when your eyes fall on the picture next to the many magnets. Your smile transforms into a softer one. It’s an old picture of Steve and you.
You remember that day, it was his birthday, his sixteenth birthday. His dad had gotten him the BMW. The moment he had gotten those keys, you grabbed your polaroid camera, you wanted to take a picture of him and his new car but Steve had pushed the camera into his mom’s hands and asked her to take a picture of the two of you in front of his new ‘baby’.
You were still best friends at that time. Steve's arm was wrapped around your shoulder, you were wearing a cardigan that was way too big for you, it hid the pretty dress you were wearing underneath. You looked so happy in that picture and so did he. You were smiling into the camera but Steve was looking at you with a big smile on his face, eyes that were still shining with happiness and love.
“You looked so small standing there in your cardigan.”
You flinch, looking back in surprise.
Steve is leaning against the doorway, looking at you.
“You scared me,” you chuckle, putting your hand on your chest.
“I’m sorry,” he smiles as he walks into the kitchen. “My mom gave me this picture when I moved out.”
“Oh, that’s where it was!”
He nods.
“Yeah. I remember how excited I was to go for a drive and forced you into the passenger seat,” he says, chuckling at the memory. “She put that picture into an album.”
You smile, looking down.
“You ever miss those days?” He asks, leaning against the kitchen counter with his arms crossed. “When we just got into high school, we'd just drive around, listen to music, go to the movies..”
“Eat junk food, gossip about the bad hair styles in the magazines,” you add, laughing.
“Exactly,” he nods.
“Yeah, sometimes. Cause back then things were simple and we were just teenagers who still lived in that safe little bubble.”
“Yeah,” he sighs but he smiles at you.
“I kinda miss talking shit about bad hairstyles,” you laugh.
He nudges your shoulder with his, “hey, we can still do that. I mean with the addition of Eddie and Robin now,” he chuckles as his eyes soften. “Eddie is… kinda.. cool now. I think we’ll get along better now.”
Your gaze softens, eyes shining with happiness.
“That’s all I wanted,” you whisper.
You wanted your best friend back in your life and you wanted your other best friend, your boyfriend to get along with him. But you knew that it might not ever be possible, because sometimes, time changes nothing – you hope that it did in this case, though.
“You know, I’m kinda excited to have you as my neighbor.”
Your eyes flash with surprise, your lips twitch. You weren’t sure how he would actually feel about this, having you and Eddie as his neighbors.
“Really?”
“Yeah, I can bother you all day now,” he smirks. “And Eddie too. I’ll blast pop music every night.”
A laugh falls from your lips, “don’t mess with Eddie, he will come over with his guitar,” you chuckle. “His electric guitar.”
He snorts.
“I’m not even kidding,” you giggle as you think about all the performances Eddie had given to you – sometimes wearing nothing but boxers while you laid in bed, watching him with a smile on your face.
“I believe you,” he chuckles. “It’s Eddie we’re talking about, he always loved his dramatic performances.” He refers to all the speeches your boyfriend had held on the lunch tables in the cafeteria.
“He really did.”
Steve watches the way your eyes glow with love as you think back to the times where you and him would watch Eddie jump around on the lunch tables. Had someone told him back then, that Eddie would end up being your boyfriend and he your ex boyfriend, he would probably have had a mental breakdown over it or maybe he would have laughed, not believing that you would end up with a metalhead instead of him.
When you left, he spent a lot of time wondering what would have happened if he never left you.
Would you have still met Eddie?
Would you have been the one to leave him the way he left you for her?
Was everything supposed to go this way because you and Eddie were always meant to be together?
So many what if’s had haunted him for a long time after you left but not anymore.
He made peace with everything, a long time ago.
He loves you, he always will.
You will always have a special place in his heart as he will have one in yours.
And seeing you so happy and in love with Eddie, doesn’t fill him with pain anymore, it fills him with joy because this is what you deserve – to love and to be loved ten times more.
And even if his wishes from the past didn’t come true, he is still happy because even after everything, you came back and he gets to have you in his life again.
You still wear his locket and he still wears your wristband – you are still special to each other, you are still best friends.
You left behind your first love but you never left your friendship behind.
“You know, I was a little worried that you forgot about me,” you tease him.
His eyes flash with sadness, a soft smile appears on his face as he takes your hand in his.
“I could never forget you, Dolly,” he whispers, squeezing your hand. “You’re my best friend.”
A breathy laugh falls from your cherry red lips, your bangs fall in front of your eyes as you look down for a moment.
“You’re my best friend too, Stevie,” you whisper, looking back up.
You both smile at each other, eyes filled with happiness and a love that you carried for one another as kids.
As you stand there and look at one another, you know that everything is okay now, everything is good.
There is no sadness between you both anymore, no tears, no pain, no heartbreak.
You’re both okay.
You’re both happy.
This love will last forever.
He lets go of your hand and brings it up to your face, pinching your cheek as 10 year old Steve would do.
“Come on, Dolly,” he teases, laughing when you swat his hand away, just like 9 year old Dolly would do. “I’ll race you to the living room.”
You roll your eyes at the cocky smirk on his face as he starts to walk backwards.
“You know I’m faster than you.”
“Oh, are you?” He chuckles.
“Yes, I am.”
Before Steve can even react, you move past him and push him back a little before you run out of the kitchen, laughing loudly when he groans.
He runs after you, reaching for your elbow but you push his hand off and bolt into the living room.
“Eddie, help!” You giggle.
Your boyfriend straightens up, watching you with an amused look on his face as you run past Robin and hide behind the lovechair.
“No, help me! She plays dirty!” Steve exclaims.
“Is that true, sweetheart?” Eddie smirks, his brown eyes flashing with mischief as he stands up.
You shake your head, pouting.
Eddie chuckles at that, moving towards you, while Steve walks towards you on the other side.
Your lips part as you watch them, eyes widening when they glance at each other with smirks on their faces.
“You’re teaming up on me!? You’re my boyfriend, you’re supposed to protect your princess!” You giggle as you start walking backwards. Glancing at Robin who watches the three of you in amusement while Ozzy sits on her lap, looking between the three of you.
“Are you good princess or bad princess, right now?”
Steve furrows his brows, looking over at your boyfriend, “why do I have a feeling that this means something dirty?”
“Because it is,” Robin gags.
You and Eddie smirk at each other – but your smirk quickly falls when Eddie suddenly lunges forward, you turn around, trying to run but he wraps his arms around you, picking you up with ease, “got ya, baby,” he whispers in your ear and kisses your shoulder and then your neck, making you giggle softly.
“She’s definitely bad princess, right now.” Steve snorts.
Eddie pulls you back towards the couch, holding you tightly as his fingers dig into your waist, making you squirm beneath his touch.
“Well, I captured the bad princess,” Eddie jokes, murmuring into your hair.
You giggle, your heart fluttering at the feeling of his hands on your skin. You place your hands over his, laughing when he pulls you down on the couch with him.
“Hold on tight to her,” Steve chuckles, smiling at Eddie.
Eddie tightens his grip on you in response, smiling when you turn around to face him, your smile mirroring his. His heart flutters in his chest – just the way yours does as you look into your boyfriends beautiful eyes.
“I always will.”
Robin looks between you and Eddie with a smile on her face. A strand of Eddie’s hair gets stuck on your eyelash, making you both laugh when he tries to pull it away. She looks up at Steve, he watches the two of you and for a moment, Robin fears that old wounds will be ripped open again, that even after two years, she will have to hold him again while he cries because he won’t ever get you back the way he had you before – but, the smile on his face isn’t faked, it’s very real and it isn’t a sad one.
“Hey Steve?”
Steve tears his eyes away from you and looks at Eddie.
“Yeah?”
“Do you wanna watch Pretty in Pink with us?”
Robin laughs, watching Steve’s face contort into annoyance.
“No!”
Eddie and you giggle at the look on his face.
“Anything but Pretty in Pink!”
“Anything?” Eddie raises his brows.
“Yeah.”
“But what if I wanna watch Pretty in Pink with you, Stevie?” You pout.
“Yeah,” Eddie chuckles, cupping your cheeks with one hand, he squishes them slightly. “Can you really say no to that cute face?”
He sighs, tilting his head as he looks at you.
“I can already tell, you two are gonna be menaces, even more so than Robin and Chrissy!”
Robin scoffs, rolling her eyes at Steve.
“Nah,” Eddie shakes his head, letting go of your cheeks, he pulls you closer. “You’re gonna love us.”
Steve sits down on the loveseat, smiling when Ozzy jumps out of Robin’s lap and runs towards him, he leans down and picks him up when he sits down by his feet. He pulls the kitten into his lap, letting him snuggle against his chest.
“Will I?” Steve asks, frowning playfully.
“Oh yeah,” Eddie chuckles, kissing your cheek.
“You definitely will, Stevie.”
You lay your head on Eddie’s shoulder and you look around, happy to be in a room with your favorite people. Excitement lingers inside of you, to be back here with Eddie, to settle in for good this time, to see your friends again – to see Eddie and Steve getting along, to see Robin and Chrissy together again, to hang out with Heather and Argyle again.
You place your hand over Eddie’s left hand, playing with the silver band on his finger – the one that matches your own, the one you put on each other’s fingers that one night in Vegas.
And you look around the room again, the conversation as trivial as possible. Your boyfriend and your best friend getting along – when two years ago this would have never happened.
It’s happiness, pure and absolute happiness and you are hoping that it will stay that way.
“Dolly, tell Eddie that Fleetwood Mac is superior to Iron Maiden, please!” Steve says with a smile, and you can’t even answer as you feel your eyes burn slightly from the joy your heart is feeling.
Yes.. now you are sure that this happiness will linger forever.
Like a tattoo.
-
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