Chapter Text
ʎɐʍɐ ɹɐɟ ʇou sᴉ ʇsɹᴉɟ ǝɥ┴
The sun was barely rising, the neighborhood mostly quiet, except for the paperboy and his cycle. In the background of this quiet neighborhood, Steve usually would be seen jogging and doing his usual morning exercise routine. But that wasn't the case today. Today, Steve was panting and sweating in his bed, frantic, and trying to calm down.
Steve didn't really understand how it came out of nowhere, but that was one of the more visceral nightmares he's had in some time. More of a montage of possibilities that never happened.
Robin not getting up after the Russians beat her.
Steve not reaching on time to protect Nancy, Jonathon, and the kids from Billy and his car, seeing the car get crushed inwards in terrific force.
Demodogs breaking into the trailer and attacking Dustin, Max, and Lucas.
Steve just sighs and gets up to wash his face and cool himself down. He stares at himself in the mirror. These nightmares didn't affect him so strongly before. It was definitely more of a recent occurrence. Did something happen recently that was instinctively triggering his danger sense or something? Not that it affected his way of living or anything, just getting some shitty sleep being the only visible result.
He went back to his room and picks up the deck of playing cards he got from Robin a few months back.
"You fidget a lot dingus, and fidgeting with a lighter is kinda scary, especially in a video store filled with tapes."
"I am not going to accidentally set fire to the tapes."
"I'd rather just not take the risk. So fidget around with this instead." Robin throws him a brand new deck of cards. Steve looks at it in confusion. "What I am supposed to just shuffle them constantly?"
"Ah, but that's the beauty of it, do you know there are so many kinds of shuffles and tricks you can do with it."
He ended up picking up on a lot of it, especially to amuse Holly whenever he ended up babysitting her. Even the other tricks he learned were great for post nightmare calming sessions. The motion of it all just grounded him immediately. He did a riffle shuffle and watched the cards cascade like a waterfall. He did this a few times and then threw the top card from his right to the left hand. He flipped it over, and he was facing the King of Hearts.
There went whatever mood he had built up so far. Logically he knows that a deck obviously has 4 kings, they are pretty important cards after all. He'd been catching himself noticing it more often lately, and he really didn't need it staring back at him now. Steve just sighed and did another few riffles before finally calming himself to go take a bath. He needs to leave a little early today to pick up Max and Robin. Dustin said he had a call with Suzie so he would be going to school later.
PART 2 - IGNITION BEGINS
Steve was outside Max's trailer waiting for the redhead to come out. He began thinking about his coursework and assignments he needs to submit over the next few days. Though the spring break starting tomorrow would definitely mean the kids will want to hang out more, so he needs to keep spare time accordingly. Or maybe they might not. Dustin and Mike have been obsessing over Hellfire more and more, talking about this 'cool senior they have named Eddie'.
Dustin kept thinking Steve was getting jealous of not being the only cool senior but what Steve was feeling was much more complex. He remembered Eddie from his time in school, and he knew he definitely dealt with drugs in a small quantity at minimum. He had even seen some of his entries back at the station. Thankfully, from what he knows about him, Steve could trust the guy he never met to not brings drugs in any interaction with juniors like Dustin. He was pretty sure Eddie would have at least that much integrity. That didn't necessarily make things easier on his heart.
He hears a door open and looks to see Max finally exiting the trailer and locking it. Now there's another matter of contention.
Max has definitely been isolating herself from everyone again. Steve knew she has had off days, but it was getting up there among the worst he has seen her yet. It wasn't anything explicitly obvious, she still hung out somewhat with the trio in school. She still was allowing Steve to pick her up every morning. Plus she has been using the Walkman he gifted her for Christmas, though she was wearing it constantly. But the rides have been going more silent, she has been avoiding any DnD or movie sessions of the party.
Steve also knew she was starting to talk to Ms. Kelly, which he thinks should help in some way.
Max gets into the car without a word into the backseat, and just sits at the edge just staring out the window. "Hey Max." Steve passes her the sandwich he made, which she thankfully takes with a barely heard acknowledgment.
Steve didn't know how to approach this. He couldn't push and be forceful cause he knew for a fact that Lucas has been trying that slowly for some time, to very little result. Dustin and Mike probably didn't notice because they are in their Hellfire honeymoon mode, but Lucas, despite being heavily involved with basketball team this year, still noticed and tried to help when he can. They had passed each other looks of being lost whenever their paths crossed. All Steve could do really was just continue to be there for her and show up when she asks.
He switches the car on and drives off towards Robin's. The ride was silent again with exception of the radio song until they reached the Buckley house and Robin ran out of the house frantic like a wild animal. "AAH Steve, hit the gas, I still have to do a prep once we get there!" "You didn't forget anything right, cause I don't want to come back again midway." "I have everything somewhere on me right now Dingus. Just get the ride moving!" Robin stepped into the shotgun and Steve did as she asked and stepped on the gas pedal and soon, the Buckley house disappeared from the rear mirror.
Its already been a few minutes and somehow the ride is still silent. Steve looks in bewilderment at the usually talkative chatterbox still worrying about her uniform and looks in the mirror.
"Robin" he tried to call to no avail. "Robin...hey... ROBIN" he shook her into reality with one arm still on the wheel. "What?" "What's up with you? You are behaving weirder than usual today."
"Steve for God's sake, cut me some slack, please. It's 7:00 in the morning, we have the stupid pep rally, and I woke up looking like a corpse." Robin continued to keep adjusting her hair and apply lipstick.
Steve was just getting more confused by this odd behavior. Robin is one the people he knows who truly doesn't give too much gravity to look physically beautiful, or wear more than the bare minimum makeup. She is one the least self conscious people he knows. Not to mention that she is beautiful either way in his eyes at least.
He continues to stare before the clues lined up and finally clicked in his mind. "You’re worried about a pep rally? Do you really expect me to believe that?" "Yeah? So?" Steve laughed maniacally. Maybe he learned some her dramatics. "We both know what this is about." He was about to name the girl that captured his dear friend's heart when he immediately pauses his words.
Max is in the car, he sometimes forgets because of how quiet it gets recently. Max doesn't know Robin's preferences yet. But he didn't want to let Robin keep stewing in insecurity. "This is about... Victor!" There that sounds like a guy, not a girl right? Robin just looked at him with both alarm and amusement at what he just did. "It really isn't." "Well I think it totally is. You know what else I think?" "No idea but I am sure you will tell" "Good prediction, I think you have to stop pretending to be someone else when you are around... Victor. Just be yourself. Your fun and lovable self."
Robin did not look impressed at all. "Do you realize you literally quoting what I said in Scoops Ahoy back at me?" "Well maybe you need to listen to your own advice more often." Steve shot back amused. "Think about it. I listened and look at me. Boom! Back in business."
Robin was getting exasperated. "It's not the same thing at all. Plus, in what way are you back in business? I have it on record that you haven't been on a single date since Scoops Ahoy. You also smoothly deflected any flirting attempts made by any girl who tried back at the store."
"What?"
The fact that 'Steve the Hair Harrington' had rejected advances from girls was so bizarre it got Max out of her self isolation momentarily. The usually dull eyes seemed to have regained some semblance of life at that revelation.
"Why is this about me again? See I will go on a date again once I feel that spark again. I am not going to randomly go chasing that spark in every girl that is somewhat cute."
It seemed like Max was not done. "Please tell me this isn't a case where you are still pining over Nancy right?" Shit, even she felt that? Didn't mean that he was actually going to do anything about it. Nancy was happy with Jonathon and that's what matters. He will get over it eventually. But he can't admit that here. He also ignored Robin's teasing smirk. "Nancy is just a friend. A close friend. Don't go assuming narratives in your own convenience." "A friend right?" Steve frowned at the sarcasm but it was better than her just sulking in the back. "I would prefer we come back to the person in question here." Steve stared at Robin.
Robin was undeterred. "Like I said, it's not the same thing. You ask out a girl and she says no for some stupid reason, big deal. Nothing happens other than maybe your ego being a little bruised. I ask out the wrong... person? I'll end up being isolated. A pariah."
Max was getting more confused. "Aren't you underestimating your own appeal, and overestimating any consequences that happen?" Steve was the only one who understood the subtext. "That might be true if it wasn't for the fact that... Victor... is not the wrong person." "We don't know that for sure."
Steve decided to go for the offensive. "Yes we do. Victor returned Fast Times paused at 53 minutes and 5 seconds. You know who does that? People who like boobies Robin."
"Ew!" "Steve what the heck?" Multiple exclamations rang out from the other passengers that he promptly ignored. "What's the big deal? Vic... likes boobies and you... have boobies. Its perfect." Steve just got a smack from Robin and a kick to the seat from Max. Steve just sighed and turned up the volume on the radio, Object of My Desire playing melodiously.
Within a few minutes they finally reached the school, amidst an atmosphere of competition and cheer. All around them was the fervor of youth, slogans of 'Go Tigers!' flooded their vision in a sea of green and gold.
"All right girls, take care of yourselves, I'll see you later." God, he is not beating the allegations of being the group mom anytime soon is he. Robin just finger saluted as she stepped out, Max did the same but with a raised eyebrow. "Are you off to do whatever it is you do in the morning?" "Nope, coworker at the store had some work so covering for her this morning and she will take my evening shift." Robin perked up, "Right Ashley had the dental appointment." Steve nodded to that, and then by habit held out his fist to Max. Max noticed and thankfully still fist bumped before heading out.
He just sighed and looked at her navigating through the crowd and getting caught in a conversation with Ms. Kelly. "Robin, I know you can't do it always, but just keep an eye out when you can, alright? All the best for the band by the way." "No worries dingus, and thanks! See you later."
Robin ran off to the auditorium trying not to get crushed by the excited crowd of students. He just chuckled and was about to get back into the car when he saw a familiar face in cheerleader's uniform. "Chrissy!" He waved with a smile.
Chrissy Cunningham faltered as she was getting to the school and turned around towards the voice. On seeing him, she had a small smile as she walked towards him. "Hey Steve. You attending morning assembly as well?" "Can't. Have a shift at the video store. But I will be attending the match for sure. Lucas might be playing. Saw you and just wanted to say a hello." Steve paused and observed her for a moment. The makeup was well done but he could see feel a certain level of fatigue and paleness radiating from the cheerleader. "Are you fine and dandy? You look like you are running on fumes."
She looked shocked but sighed. "I thought the makeup covered it." "It did but you are talking to a former basketball captain after all. Just take care of yourself and don't get too stressed. I would offer you a Gatorade if I had one. I usually bring one." Chrissy just shrugged it off. "Its fine Steve, its final day so I'll just take a good long rest after today. I have to get going now, see you at the match." "Sure." She waved as she ran off. Steve just stepped back into the car and started reversing out to the main road.
The atmosphere was way too lively for her. The green, gold and white just flooding the vicinity. She just stood in the stands, trying to ignore the ruckus and the chose of the cheering crowd, trying to ignore Dustin and Mike arguing over who has the better girlfriend (so stupid). She ignored the random glances she knew were from Robin somewhere in the band group. Even when Lucas joined his team on the court, she didn't give him more than a cursory glance. The captain, Jason Carver, was in full spirits and maniacal energy by the sounds of his words. She barely paid attention hiss speech and would have continued to do ignore it if it wasn't for the next few lines.
"Think of Jack, of Heather, of Billy." What? She focused her attention immediately. "Think of our police chief Jim Hopper and all the friends we lost in the fire. What did they die for? For us to lose to some... some crap school?"
Is this guy for real? He is invoking their names and memories for a stupid game of basketball?! She just scoffed in her mind. Its at these times she begins to wonder about whether the school has collectively lost it. Back when Steve was the captain, she didn't think he would name any disaster victims in the same breath as a basketball game even in his most idiotic times. The school crowd didn't seem to mind apparently, cause they were emotionally charged and practically eating into his hands.
"Tonight! We will bring the championship trophy home!"
"How is that possible?" It seems that caught Dustin and Mike off guard. She turned to them in confusion. "Its called a tournament idiots. You win one game and then you go on until there's a team left." That gets Mike and Dustin in a frantic discussion about Eddie's campaign being tonight as well. She didn't care since she wasn't even a member of Hellfire. She tuned out the crowd again, getting lost in the music once more.
"... Can you remove your headphones dear?".
Max blinks at that. Right, she has the counseling session. She can't exactly remember the walk from the court till Ms. Kelly's office. She guesses she had seen Chrissy be awkward and fidgety at one point but nothing else seems to be coming to mind.
"Right. Sorry." She switches the Walkman off, keeping it safely by her side. Ms. Kelly just smiled and looked back at the report card in her hands. Oh great, we are beginning from there are we. "A C+ in English and a C in Spanish?" "Yeah." "Well that's not normal for you is it?" "I guess."
She didn't even know why she was attending these sessions, its not like it was giving her any sort of comfort or relief as they keep preaching about.
"How's your mom holding up? Still working those late hours?" "Yeah, she reducing the shift hours at Melvald's and got a second job." She doesn't tell her about her mom packing her bags the previous night after that foreboding mail.
Ms. Kelly just nodded before checking her notes again. "Steve has been dropping you as usual as well?" Max raised her eyebrows at that before realizing that she must have seen him in the morning. "Yeah he usually drops Dustin as well." "How has it been with Steve so far? Any tension?" "Not really, he has been helping without complaint really." "That's good, it's nice to see him step up to be an older figure for you. I hope you know you deserve that." Max just nodded dumbly, trying not to think of that line of thought, of Steve being more of a presence in her life than her shitty step family.
Ms. Kelly just made another note and then looked at her straight into the eyes. "Are you sleeping better nowadays? Any nightmares." Max puts her all into not showing the instinctive wince at the memory of the ridiculous nightmares she has been having of a flayed Billy, a screaming Billy in suffering and pain. "Nope."
Ms. Kelly just sighs and her face seems to soften. She touches her clock like pendant while trying to find the right words. "Max, what you went through... and are still going through... it's a lot for anyone let alone someone of your age. Its okay to not be okay." Max bristles at the comment on her age. She has seen things no normal teenager should was fine then. And of course she knew its okay not to be okay, Steve had been so patient with her when he told her something similar back then. Doesn't mean it's easy to actually put it in practice. Ms. Kelly continued, ignoring the tension "I can only help you if you are being truthful and open."
Max just stared back in detachment. "I am being open." She wasn't even lying, she was talking about things to this woman that she hadn't with the Party or with Steve anytime recently.
"Hey Max."
She jolts from her walk and turns around to see Lucas. God she really is zoning out a little too often. How did she get from the office till here? She focuses back on Lucas and pauses the Walkman.
"You back to your old habits Stalker?" "What no!" She clearly took him by surprise there. He shakes it off quickly. "I just wanted to give you this." He holds out a ticket. Her eyes narrow at the ticket, probably to the finals tonight. "I am not watching the game Lucas."
She starts walking again but it seems Lucas was a bit more persistent today as he followed in her pace. "Today is the biggest match. I know I have been on the bench until now but I have a good feeling about tonight." "Lucas you really care about this all a bit too much, don't you think?" "Maybe you should find something that you care about too."
She whirled around at that, facing him dead straight. Did he actually say that to her. "What the hell did you mean by that?" Lucas didn't even seem intimidated. "Max, lately its like you are not even on the same plane as us, you are just drifting about your day. Like... like a ghost. I know something's wrong." Max outwardly scoffs so that her panic doesn't show. He shouldn't know, he doesn't have to. He needs someone normal and safe, not someone who always gives her a hard time. "Something's wrong? What, just because we are not together, something's wrong? Lucas people change, that's what life does. It's that simple."
"Max, its not at all about us. You have been drifting from the party and those two are idiots for not noticing it. But you are starting to drift from Steve too." Max startled at that before growling. "What the hell is he saying around?" Lucas then dared to give her a pitying look. "Max, Steve would never say anything, to anyone. But he doesn't have to when I can see that for myself." Hot shame starts to fill her again, she needs to get out of here for the next class. "Whatever. Good luck for tonight." She doesn't let Lucas get another word in as she briskly walks away from him, like always.
She quickly gets into the washroom and washes her face. She needs the cool down. Really needs it. She looks at herself in the mirror and takes in a deep breath. Its after wiping her face that she hears the faint sound of retching from one of the stalls. It sounded like Chrissy.
"Hey are you okay?"
"What? Yes, I'm fine. Just need a minute"
Max just stared at the stall before shrugging and moving out of the washroom. Who was she to help when she was barely going through school with an alert mind today.
Nancy was cursing Pam's name over and over again. Leave it to her to somehow be able to break the one functioning coffee pot in the entire office. It had to happen on the literal last day before spring break, the day she was already pissed about Mike delaying her at multiple points that morning. She barely had enough sleep after an all nighter she pulled for drafting her own piece and she really needed that coffee.
Nancy's schedule has been looking really tight and tense for some time. She finally has the spring break coming up, so she can lighten the load a little with not having to deal with any classes and focus solely on the paper. She had around four detailed pieces ready for printing, dealing with Hawkins' issues that people don't usually talk about – The delay in insurance for many residents after the Mall Fire being the main topic. If only the people around her showed that level of love and focus for the paper.
She remembers telling Fred he needs to show a better spirit of journalism and start asking more questions, but this wasn't what she meant. She was busy trying not to get cornered by Fred's doubts and queries into her relationship with Jonathon and why he wasn't coming over for the break.
"He can't Fred." "Why?" "Because." "Because why?" "There are loads of reasons Fred." She was just trying to complete writing the comments of Pam's article with her pen. Ah, she didn't even realize which pen she was using. To be fair, it was a really good pen, no one can fault Steve Harrington for his taste.
She turns back to the ever inquisitive Fred. "Look, his mom works so he has to watch over his brother. On top of that, he is still waiting on his acceptance letter and he needs to be there when it comes." Fred starts correcting another draft while the conversation still takes place. "I can't believe that this boyfriend is so obsessed and nervous about his acceptance letter than he doesn't make the time to visit the most desired girl in Hawkins!"
Nancy looks up and just stares at him in annoyance. If it was anyone else, she might have thought they were hitting on her. Fred was a unique case to the point where he can say things like that without an iota of romantic intention. In fact, in her opinion, Fred seems to be a person who likes to enjoy other's love gossip but has no interest in finding himself in any relationship whatsoever.
"See you don't understand. He isn't like you. He is caring and compassionate. He loves photography even more than you. He is incredibly protective of the people he loves and doesn't ever back down from what's right. That's why I love him." She ignores the hollow feeling in her chest whenever she says that as of late. She tries her best to make her next line not sound like a lie. "Everything is perfect between us."
Fred scoffs at that and finally looks her in the eye. "Tell that to the version of yourself on the phone yelling at him constantly about forgetting details." She winces at that. It seems she needs to really watch her volume when calling him from the school. To be fair, the last few conversations have been getting worse, with Jonathon's attention seemingly on a downward spiral. She has a few guesses as to why that's happening, since she also gets a letter from El here and there.
Fred continues to look at her in an almost pitiful glance. "Either way, you need to really start looking into your relationship from a different angle. Speaking of angles..." Fred steps next to Candace and takes a draft next to her. He proudly showed it Nancy, more assured than ever. "I have a great alt article ready for tonight. Good thing I took a few more interviews than you suggested."
Suddenly the main door bangs open, getting the entire room's attention. There her brother stands awkwardly trying to look for someone. His eyes finally land on her and his face seems to immediately light up. "Nancy! Hey! Do you wanna join Hellfire tonight?"
Nancy could barely control herself at this point. "What the hell Mike? Also, no, I have things to do." "Come on Nancy, didn't you have fun being a Marksman. Why not have another go at it tonight with us? We really need one more to join." She just sighs at that, ignoring her peers' looks thrown at her. She did have a go once after hearing that the kids somehow convinced Steve to attend a session. Apparently it was his form of a Christmas present, which was really sweet in her opinion. Unfortunately for Mike, she isn't like Steve.
"Mike, I am not free tonight. Get lost before I come there and whack you in the face." Mike just curses and makes a move to exit. "Also, don't you dare call Steve, he already had enough on his plate this last week." Of course Mike doesn't seem to catch that. She barely holds in a frustrated growl. Fred turns to her confused. "Steve Harrington plays DnD?" Nancy chuckles at his disbelief. "He only attended two sessions so far. He still doesn't quite get the entire appeal."
Fred just looks back the main door in confusion. "Well your brother is going to be disappointed, I am pretty sure Steve will be coming to the finals tonight." Nancy looked at Fred in consideration. "That does sound like him, he would want to show up to support Lucas." "Well yes that, and I am pretty sure Jason gave Steve two tickets for the game and telling him to bring his date as well."
Nancy's hand jerks at that, the pen making its mark across the page. That was funny, she usually never made such a silly mistake while writing. She does have pride in her penmanship, and it's not like Steve having a date is an earth shattering idea. She ignored the narrowed eyes from Fred as she tries to make the mark less distracting on the written draft. "How on earth would you know that?"
Fred thankfully ignores her little faux pas as he pulls out his little notepad. "One of those extra interviews I was talking about was with Jason Carver. I asked him about his thoughts for tonight. He was frankly boasting about how he was confident and he wholeheartedly invited the former captain and his date via two tickets." Fred paused before flipping to another page "Jason's actual feelings about Steve are pretty complicated if the rumor mills have anything to say about it. So many conflicting accounts. One side says that he respects Steve as a good athlete and as the person who recommended Lucas into the team. Others say he is paranoid about Chrissy being most at ease around Steve rather than any other of his actual teammates, as well as him being a huge Billy fan himself."
Nancy sighs at that. Whether you were a fan of Steve during his 'reign' in Hawkins or not, no one could deny the raw athleticism and charisma he had in him. So it's not surprising that Steve has his fair share of detractors even now after he graduated.
What's surprising to her is the fact that Steve and Chrissy have pleasantly interacted enough that it got Jason paranoid. Is that why he was so insistent in Steve getting a date to the game? She didn't realize she was clenching her fist a little too tight. Phew, she didn't want to break the pen after all. "OK that's enough dilly dallying. Lets move to the next part of our actual discussion." Fred just nodded, shifting to the relevant page in his notepad.
"Where are we with the piece on the lesser known institutions around Hawkins?"
Steve is grateful for these low intensity hours he gets sometimes so that he can sneak in a few quick-study sessions with his notes. There was nice ambient store music playing in the background, the lights were a cozy neon and he was making great progress in his worksheets this time. Introduction to Criminal Justice doesn't seem as demanding when he got a little taste of it helping Flo at the station.
Mr. Johnson was in the horror aisle as usual, trying to convince himself that he can handle watching The Evil Dead before chickening out and exiting the store. Steve sighed at that and was about to rush after him to have a chat when the store phone rang. He immediately cleared his throat and picked up the receiver.
"Good Afternoon, this is Family Video, how can we help?" "Steve! Can you cancel your date tonight?"
Steve blinked at the voice he wasn't expecting. "Dustin? What happened?" "Answer the question Steve, can you cancel your date tonight?" Steve was genuinely trying to think back and see if he apparently accepted a date with someone for tonight. That's when Jason's boasting and parading came to mind. "Oh you are talking about the extra ticket I have? I don't have a date, you want to invite someone?" "Yes! Thank god, that means you can join Hellfire tonight right?"
Okay, this was just a series of questions back and forth without any response. "Dustin calm down for a second. Why tonight?" "Cause Eddie's final campaign is tonight. You are relatively new but you can handle things fast enough and we are missing a player. Please come through for us." Steve just kept combing his hair with his hands in frustration. "Henderson, Sinclair has a game tonight. You want me to abandon that and join you guys with Eddie Munson of all people? In fact, aren't you supposed to be leaving Hellfire so that you can support him."
Dustin then said some colorful words which got Steve panicking. He heard these from someone? "For god's sake Steve, Lucas is abandoning us for a jock session where we don't even know if he is getting off the bench itself. Also, you really need to work on your jealousy of Eddie. I can have older male friends other than you too." "Eww. Never say that, also really not true. You and Mike need to be there along with Max to support Lucas. It's the Party's rules of something right." "Oh wait yeah, Max isn't coming for the game, I can just ask her to come, thanks for nothing Steve." "Wait Henderson!" Too late, the excited kid had hung up the phone before Steve could complete his words. Max wasn't attending the game?
He couldn't even dwell on that long enough as the welcome bell chimes. A group of giggling girls walk in. Steve holds in a sigh and wears his practiced smile again. "Welcome to Family Video folks, what can I do for you today?" He will think of something after he finishes up with this group.