steve harrington couldn’t stand you before this mess. you worked at the ladies workout place next door, and you always came into his shop in your shiny leotard, teasing him about his hat.

but dustin couldn’t fit through the vent. and dusty loved you, and everyone knew how flexible you were. so they caught you up. not on everything, just the russian messages, the secret room in the blueprints, what they’d seen the night before in the rain.

even robin loved you. steve moped in the corner all night once you four got stuck, but once you got captured things changed. everything after that was a blur. he’d saved your life, and now you’re sitting in the empty parking lot with him.

he swears his parents are coming, keeps telling you to go home, not to wait for him. the paramedics checked you both out, everyone’s safe, but you can’t seem to leave him. “stevie, they aren’t coming, are they?” you ask. you’ve called him that before, but never so sincerely. you wipe cold condensation from the ice pack on his face off of his cheek. he swallows. “they aren’t even in town.” he admits. “was just gonna drive home once you finally left.” he adds.