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Driving to school with Steve is one of your favorite things.
A moment of peace and happiness before your dreadfully long day of school. A day that barely involves your sweet boyfriend. The only time you see each other is lunch or if you’re lucky during periods.
Steve even got the two of you some breakfast food to munch on before school. Always so thoughtful and kind. One of his hands grip the wheel as the other shoves a bagel into his face, crumbs landing on his perfectly fitted jeans. Your hand also has a bagel in it, with less crumbs falling, and the other is on Steve's neck. Playing with the head on the nape of his neck, he loves your hands on him at any time. Some band is on the radio but you can barely hear it through Steve's muffled voice.
“And you’d think she would give me a good grade. I mean I barely skipped that class.” It’s good that you’re so in love with Steve that you don't find him utterly disgusting for this, seeing the dough in his mouth as he talks.
He’s talking about his recent essay that he didn't do too well on. You’ve told him countless times that you’d help him with it but he’s weirdly defensive about it. Not wanting any help from you. Maybe it’s because he doesn't want his girlfriend looking at his bad grades, which is fair. But even after you voiced that you won't have a hint of judgement he still said no. And now he’s complaining about a bad grade.
“I know, I think she’s just a harsh grader.” You say trying to be supportive, helpful even.
“Shes a pain in my ass is what she is.” Steve sighs, pulling into a spot right by the front doors of the school. A lucky spot but only if you get there early enough to grab it.
Because he spent the whole drive eating and talking his bagel is almost gone, leaving you with one half of yours left. You’ll offer it to him because he's already having a bad day and it hasn't even really started. And when he asks you if you’re sure you’ll show him how you haven't even finished the one still in your hand. Both of you sit there eating and watching the kids that walk into the building.
–
You’re lucky that the day has gone by somewhat quickly. It’s already lunch and Steve is sitting at the table, talking to Tommy as he waits for you. When you make it to him he feels arms around his shoulders and he doesn't need to even look up to see who it is. Your manicured nails and the bracelet he bought you for christmas is all he sees and it’s proof enough.
“Hey baby, how’s class?” He asks as you sit down next to him.
“You’re right, Mrs. Smith is a total bitch.” You don't even bother hiding the eye roll and sigh that comes out of you.
All Steve does is laugh, along with opening his lunch to share with you. And when you're in the middle of hearing Carol talk about a girl from the cheer team you feel a presence behind you. Carol stops once she notices the person isn't going away, it’s what makes you turn around.
“Steve, can I talk to you for a sec?” Nancy asks.
He freezes at just the sound of her voice, letting your hand slip through his as he gets up. She takes him into a corner of the cafeteria, the more isolated area. You want to watch, to try and read her lips and see what they are talking about. But you don’t, instead you turn back to Tommy and Carol just to see they are already watching Steve and Nancy. It would be horrible for you to ask them what's going on right?
“Can you tell what they're talking about?” You whisper.
“Nope, Harrington looks a little shocked and Nanc looks like some kicked puppy.” The way her nickname rolls off his tongue makes you feel a little light headed. Like the past that involved her is still here, buried beneath everything Steve's built with you.
“She always looks like that.” Carol giggles.
They aren't the best to be asking such important things. When you turn your head over your shoulder to quickly get a glance of what's going on Steve's already walking over to you guys.
“Is she okay?” You ask.
“Yeah, yeah she just needed some advice is all.” He gives you a nod and asks Carol to resume her story.
It has you feeling whiplash over what just happened. His ex who he hasn't talked to in months just walks up to him and he listened to her with no issue. There was no push back or resentment, just an understanding of what she needed. And even worse he won't tell you the full details of it. Steve Harrington who tells you all of the gossip happening in the school, obsessed with it more than you.
Little did you know that wouldn't be the last time Nancy Wheeler interrupts you and Steve.
–
It was the weekend and you were at Steves. The two of you were laying in his bed and he was telling you about a new movie he wants to see with you. Mentioning that it has the romance you like and the comedy he likes. Your head laid comfortably on his chest as his hand traps you in. You could fall asleep but you don't want him to think he bores you, it’s honestly the opposite. His voice is so calming and gentle. How could you not feel so cozy and sleepy?
If it weren't for the loud doorbell that rang through the house you probably would've slept. But Steve just had to go answer it, thinking it was the mail or a package. When a few minutes passed and he still wasn't back you mustered up the strength from your warm spot to go look.
Before you even went downstairs you heard Nancy's voice. Steve is trying to whisper and her soft voice is already meeting him there. You can't hear every word but something about having trouble with Jonathan, needing Steve's help. It’s hard to make out but even then you find her weird. Why can't she go to her friends about this? Why is your boyfriend the person she goes to when they don't even talk? When Steve says goodbye and shuts the door, you run back to his room and get under the covers.
“Was it a mail man?” You ask, voice fluffy and sweet.
“Yeah, wouldn't stop talking to me.” He says letting out a huff in faux annoyance and a big grin.
That night you were stuck in your head. Keeping secrets was new for Steve, normally he tells you everything and enjoys hearing your feedback about it. He probably knows your feedback about talking to his ex wouldn’t be very good. Still if you can’t have conversations like this how will you two survive in a relationship. There’s worse things to talk about and if he can't come to you when someone asks for his help it’s downhill from there.
When you wake up the next morning you tell Steve you aren't feeling well. That somehow, overnight a headache has formed and your throat hurts. That you simply must go home so he doesn't get sick.
“Y’sure you don't wanna say? I’d take such great care of you I swear.” His arm is wrapped around your torso as you put your shoes on but you're stuck in your ways. Slipping out of his grip and heading to his car before the keys are even in his hand.
He drives you home with no fuss. A little pout here and there about how much he’ll miss you even though you’ll see him the next day for school. But you need a minute to think, to try and not lose your mind over something that's probably not even that important.
But when he leans in for a kiss and you let his lips meet your cheek he starts getting a feeling. And when you shut his car door without looking back and waving at him he starts thinking. Chalking it up to how horrible you really must feel, that tomorrow he’ll pack a soup for lunch knowing that you won't do it yourself.
–
The next morning the routine follows, he picks you up and drives the two of you to school. He talks up a storm and you listen offering tid bits here and there. But your energy is off and he can feel it. When you two get out to walk to class it seems like it’s hitting you even harder. Much worse than yesterday, as if you fell deeper into whatever hole you got stuck in. Your arms are crossed and you aren't leaning into him. An awkward and stiff position making Steve remove his arm from you.
“Are you sure you’re okay? Maybe you should go and head back home.” He asks as you put things away in your locker, repeating the words you spoke to him earlier.
“I’m fine Steve. Just drop it, I’ll see you at lunch.”
And with that you’re on your way to class. Now Steve’s thinking it’s more than a sickness, because he’s seen you sick. You were quick to get help from him and even begged him to stay with you. And when he did leave you told him everything along with frequent updates. Now he's starting to think that it’s got something to do with him.
His case doesn't get much better either, because Nancy comes back again during lunch. Needing to take Steve away to talk. It only makes you shrink more, getting lost in your head with what is happening between the two of them. Like if Nancy and Jonathan break up, maybe she wants Steve back. And then he gets rid of you and goes back to his first love, an easy fix, like something that never even happened.
When Steve comes back he continues to act like nothing ever happened, unbothered by her constant questions. His hand rubs your back and you hate how your body melts into him. He says something and it goes past you, only a shake of your shoulder gets you out of your head.
“The bell rang. Do you wanna hang with the nurse for the rest of the day?” The way he says it almost makes you break. He sounds so caring and truly worried for you.
“S’okay only two more classes.” You nod, his hand still remains on your back, soothing circles that instantly calm you down.
Those classes go quickly, and before you know it you’re back with Steve in his car. His hand resting on your thigh as you look out the window. There’s no talking, only the hum of the engine and some music that you don't know the words to. Steve wants to ask you what's wrong, why you’re so out of it but he thinks it will just get you more upset. He should just be patient and caring for you right now.
However, when you tell him to drop you off at your house he can feel his patience wear off. The whole ‘sick’ thing sounds a lot more like you’re sick of him and he doesn't even know what he’s done wrong. And when he’s parked in front of your house and you’re taking off your seatbelt he pops the question.
“Can you please tell me what's going on, what is it that you can't tell me about?” You almost want to laugh at the irony. How crazy he’s going because you aren't communicating with him.
“I really don’t want to talk about it Steve.” The last thing you want to do is blow up at him, all the rage and questions you've had to keep together ready to explode. So instead you remain sitting in his car with your arms crossed.
“Yeah, you really haven't been wanting to talk about anything these past few days have you.” This time he’s the one that lets out a laugh. Except it’s not because it’s funny, his voice remains low and he shakes his head.
“You know it’s really crazy that you bring that up Steve because it seems like you’ll just talk about anything except what you’re doing with Nancy Wheeler.”
“What? What am I doing with Nanc?” Again with the nickname. Like they are just so close that even when they go without contact they can still remain harmless. Unbreakable.
“I don't know it’s quite literally all I’ve been thinking about! Why she’s asking you for help or why you lied to me when she came over to talk. Trust me I wish I could tell you what you’ve been doing with Nanc.” Her name feels just as bad saying it as it does hearing it. Venom coats your tongue in a heavy way and before you spew anything else out you leave his car. Shutting the door even louder than the day before to make your way into your home.
Steve leaves after a minute or two of you leaving. Unsure what to do with this new information you gave him. He didn't know you knew that Nancy came over, and even worse that you've been thinking about them. Truthfully Nancy just wanted to talk to him about Jonathan because Steve will tell it to her straight. He honestly doesn't care about them so whatever happens, happens. It’s what gives her a clear mind about the situation. But now not only is he having to hear Nancy's problems he has to hear how she's causing you two problems. Steve thinks she must be bringing her curse onto you and him.
The thing is you are stronger than Nancy and Jonathan, better in every way. Maybe you lack a little communication here and there but what relationship doesn't every now and then? Unlike Jonthan, Steve is determined to fix things between you two immediately. Already thinking of things to make it up to you.
The whole drive home he kicks himself for how he didn't realize this would affect you. How weird it must be to see your boyfriend talk to his ex, he understands your point. And the fact that you felt you couldn't talk to him about it makes him feel even worse.
Flowers felt too small, nowhere near enough. He gets you flowers for opening the door for him. Perhaps a nice dinner to explain things could be nice. But maybe you aren't feeling up for that. It needs to be big, something he doesn't do normally that will show just how sorry he is.
It’s why you hear music coming from your front yard later that night. You’re up reading and Steve knows this, he has your routine down to a science. Instead of crawling through your window like he normally does he’s outside with a speaker on his shoulder. You don't even know it’s him, but the thought of someone out late at night with loud enough music to wake the whole neighborhood makes you get up.
When you open the window, the music gets even louder making you wince hoping your parents don't wake up, you then see Steve. He’s singing the bridge but you can barely hear him over the music. Once he notices you're seeing him he puts on a whole performance.
Falling to his knees pointing at you as he sings the lyrics. Pointing at himself when the words “I was wrong” pop up. His antics get a laugh out of you. If anyone from school saw this he would tell you to hide him forever but apparently that’s nowhere near important right now.
By the end of the song he’s way closer to you and you don't even realize you're smiling so big until you feel your cheeks hurt. A hand covers your mouth as to appear unfazed but the smile reaches your eyes. He’s being extremely cheesy right now and you feel like you’re in some rom-com. Barely believing that this is your life and this is what your boyfriend is doing.
Once the song ends a few seconds of silence pass until it tries to replay, only getting a loud ‘shhh’ from you and he finally turns the music off.
“How was that?” He asks, completely out of breath from all the movement he just did. Hands resting on his knees to hold him up, the speaker lying on its side next to him.
“I think you’re absolutely insane, Steve Harrington.” It comes out with a giggle which brings a smile to Steve's face. The first time he’s heard that sound in days he couldn't even begin to explain how much he missed it.
You raise up your window to open it more so his body can fit through. He’s quick to do it too, not wanting to waste a second for you to think it over and break up with him.
“I cannot believe you just did that, you do know people are sleeping right?” You ask as you sit on the edge of your bed, hands on your cheeks to try and stop your smile.
“It couldn't wait till morning, I had to come and talk to you.”
“And what if I was already asleep?” You tease, arms behind you to hold your body up.
“You’re never asleep by this time, you stay up too late reading.” He responds, walking over to stand in front of you. Your head tilts up to see him and he can see your red glossy eyes, it breaks his heart even more.
“I’m really sorry honey.” He starts. “I should've told you about Nancy, I swear nothing's going on. She wanted to talk to me about Jonathan and I didn't care. I think she saw that and wouldn't give up on it. I promise nothing's going on with me and her.”
“I should’ve just asked you about it instead of keeping it to myself.” Your eyes land to your hands, picking at your nails. Not wanting him to see the tears that build back up on your eyes.
His hand reaches for your jaw to bring your attention back on him, looking into your eyes. “No, no baby I should've told you and that would've stopped this whole thing. M’sorry I promise it won't happen again. Forgive me?”
Playfully, you tap a finger against your cheek as if to think about your response with a hum. His hand rests on his hip as he waits for an answer but he lets out a loud groan. Almost too loud of a groan that would make you shush him but instead you get up on your knees to be eye level with him.
“I forgive you.” You answer, placing a kiss to his lips.
His whole body relaxes as he sighs into the kiss. He’s missed your kisses, he doesn't remember the last time he went this long without them. It’s like the air got knocked back into his lungs. His hands go to your waist as he deepens the kiss, a squeal comes out of you when you almost fall back but Steve’s got you.
“Can you stay the night?” Your eyes are big and he can see how happy you are that things are back to normal.
“Of course honey.” He gives you one last kiss before getting himself ready for bed, which really just involves him discarding his jeans and t-shirt.
When you wake up Steve will tell you just how great he slept, you next to him all happy.