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YOU ARE ON THE LINE WITH … STEVE HARRINGTON! | ‘let my love open the door’.

CW; if you DON’T enjoy children - this whole theme has children in it, steve being absolutely dumb starstruck by you, a sad birthday for little emory :(, few mentions of pronouns - but i try not to use much (if it makes you uncomfortable, you can always change it to what ever pronoun you’d like! always try to make it inclusive to everyone), r is mentioned to have long hair.

‘You may now ask Mr.Harrington a question.’ It’s a robotic voice of a woman - though she sounds kind.

“Where did you guys meet?”

It’s Steve’s turn to receive a call, fingers scratching at the stubble that had grown out these past couple of weeks - his brown eyes lift and watch as you giggle with Emory, her brown curls bouncing as she jumps back and forth.

“Well…”

It’s 1996 and it's Emory’s 4th birthday. She had insisted (cried and begged Steve really) for a birthday at the Hawkin’s local skating rink.

She was always mesmerized by the flashing sign outside and the posters that were hung up outside the stores with cute colors and shapes.

Who was he to say no to his little girl?

Erica Sinclair and Robin Buckley had come through with helping with decorating the small corner the rink had provided when he rented a full day of skating, eating sugary sweets, and cool music.

Nancy and Jonathan make it in time, little Henry tugging at Jonathan’s hair, blue slobber shines over his mouth and some on his chubby cheeks. Jonathan winces, hand coming up and pulling his hand from his hair, nom nom noming jokingly, causing the boy to cackle.

“I brought the much needed goody bags.” Nancy grins, shaking the box with the tiny plastic bags that were filled with things that the other parents are going to have to worry about.

“Oh, the parents are gonna hate me.”

Nancy grins. “That’s their problem to deal with.”

Erica stands back and nods at Robin who was trying to attempt a straight face as she stands on the step ladder, but her hands and knees shake with nervousness. She’s quick to make her way down.

“Where’s Emory?” Nancy asks. Jonathan lets out a yelp when Henry latches onto his hair again. Nancy shakes her head, reaching for the hair snatcher.

Steve smirks a bit, shaking his head. “She insisted on getting ready at Max’s. So, Max is going to bring her when she’s ready to make an entrance.”

“Live music and entertainment is here!” Eddie Munson is next to step in, arms lifting over his head as he makes his way towards the corner where the group had gathered now.

“You are not playing here.” Steve is quick to shut down the idea.

Eddie frowns, arms dropping by his side. “Why not?”

“Some of the parents won’t like that type of music in front of their little ones.” Robin points out, walking over and grabbing the box of goodies Nancy had made.

“But Steve doesn’t mind.” He points towards Steve.

“That’s because he doesn’t really mind-”

“Unless I have to quickly correct him on words.” Steve calls from over his shoulder, checking the pizzas.

“He’s your friend. The others are not.”

“Ouch, Buckley,” Eddie dramatically places a ringed hand over his heart. “You wound me.”

She grins and closes one eye, mimicking a bow and arrow, fingers spreading when she ‘lets go’. He drops to the ground.

“Ew, get up,” Erica crosses over his legs. “The floors are disgusting.”

Eddie chuckles, lifting from the ground. There’s a tiny gasp that is heard from the door before little Mary-Jane covered feet are running their way over.

“It’s perfect! Perfect! Perfect! Perfect!” She jumps, arms lifting towards Eddie, who, with no hesitation, lifts her up from the ground - glitter from her tutu sticking to his black shirt as he walks around.

Her eyes are wide as she listens to Eddie speak, little fingers that are painted pink with a coat of glitter over them press into her chubby cheeks when she sees the present table.

“Can I have one, Daddy?” She’s quick to look at Steve with wide eyes, lips poked out into a pout.

“After cake, okay?” He promises, looking at her. He grins, taking in her appearance now. She had insisted on wearing fairy wings too. He wasn’t about to say no on her special day - all except for the present.

She huffs, arms crossing over her chest as she looks at the bags. “Sorry, princess. But I promise, after cake, we can open.”

“Can we eat cake first?” She peeks over at him.

“Yeah, can we?” Eddie wonders aloud. Steve narrows his eyes at him with no malice.

“No,” He says pointedly towards Eddie, who lifts his shoulders and one of his hands in a defensive manner. “We have to have something before that, okay?”

She sighs, pressing an elbow to Eddie’s shoulder, cheek pressing into her palm. “Ooooo….kay.”

“Oh, I think I see the birthday girl!” There’s a cheery, unfamiliar voice who catches Steve’s attention - his eyes widen when they land on you, in a stupid uniform you hated - khakis and a tucked in polo shirt.

But you got to wear skates on the floor - a rule for the workers only.

You maneuver gracefully, almost like you’re floating, but on wheels. OBVIOUSLY, STEVE!!!

Robin makes him stumble from her elbow knocking into his bicep, blinking dumbly as he looks over at the short haired girl. “She asked you a question.” Robin strains the words through a toothy smile.

He blinks again, lips parting as he slowly turns and looks at you, realizing that you’re suddenly in front of him. How long did he black out for? Why is he acting like a total idiot?

You laugh softly and he thinks the sound would be enough to melt an ice pop like it melts his insides and turns all sticky and mushy. “I was wondering if you need any help?”

He looks back at the table, the you, and back at the table again, scratching at his temple. You smile to yourself when you notice the brown and caramel locks and how some curl inward by his temple.

He’s handsome, anyone could tell when they immediately look at the male. Perfect hair. A good sense of style. Pretty eyes with pretty eyelashes. Freckles.

“I-I think we got it,” He looks back at you and you notice the way he gulps. “I…We are waiting for her friends and some more family to show up.”

“Sounds like fun! Let me know if any of you need anything,” You let him know your name before rolling away, hair following behind you.

“Dude,” Dustin startles him - he never realized that Dustin and Lucas had showed up. “You totally bombed.”

“I did not,” Steve scoffs. He then tries to backtrack, hands landing on his hips. “I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”

Steve honestly wasn’t for sure why he, in Dustin’s words, bombed. He used to be so sure of himself when speaking to women he thought were attractive. But then you rolled in (literally) making his brain short circuit.

It’s weird to him.

“Sure you don’t.” Dustin walks over and places a unicorn bag by the other presents. Steve rolls his eyes when he notices how large the bag is. Uncle Duties, he had calmed before when he kept buying her small, random gifts that Emory keeps in the window sill and around her room. He couldn’t count the amount of times he’s stepped on a sharp D20 - whatever that is.

“Where’s Emory and Eddie?”

“She wanted to go wait outside for her friends,” Lucas says. “They’re both sitting outside on the bench.”

Steve nods, checks over everything once more, before walking past everyone and up the one step that leads towards the door. He pushes it open, stepping outside. “Whatcha doin’, lil Em?”

She swings her feet slowly, looking at the parking lot that was almost empty - save for the cars everyone showed up in for Emory’s big day and the workers inside.

“Waitin’ on everyone.” She fiddles with her fingers in her lap, eyes slowly blinking, lashes fluttering across her freckled cheek. Eddie is all aware of this situation, eyes quickly darting to Steve who looks over the parking lot.

There’s a small glimmer of hope when she notices a car pulling into the parking lot, sitting straighter as she smiles widely. Once it’s parked, she is slightly dejected when she realizes it’s Hopper and Joyce with El and Mike clambering out of the backseat and following behind with a couple of bags in hand.

“There’s the birthday girl!” Joyce clasps her hands together, making her way over and squatting down in front of her, pressing her finger towards her stomach, a small giggle escaping her mouth as she covers her tummy. “I love your fairy wings.”

“Thank you, Auntie Joy.” She turns slightly to show them off more. Eddie stands and maneuvers away from the group, nudging his chin so Steve can follow.

Steve glances at Hopper who waves his hand, motioning him to go on. He turns and follows Eddie behind the building - he’s being considerate of the others, pulling out a pack of Marlboro Reds. He offers one to Steve.

Steve glances around nervously before caving in and pulling a stick from the pack. He’s been stressed and this might do a little something to tide that stress over. Eddie lights him up first before passing it over.

“I don’t think anyone’s coming.” Steve blows out the smoke to the side, scratching at his forehead.

Eddie hums around the cartilage, before pulling it from his mouth. Smoke bellows through his nose. “I know that feeling - it sucks. But we can make it work,” He nods. “She already has a bunch of people here.”

“She was looking forward to spending some time with her friends outside of school,” He leaned against the wall, foot pressing flat against the brick. He shifts a bit from the uncomfortable feeling against his shirt. “Some of them even called and said that they would come.”

Eddie’s lips pull into a frown, nodding as he scratches at his cheek with his right ring finger and pinkie, opening his mouth to speak. There’s a squeak that cuts him off, both of their heads quickly turning and looking at who just came out of the back door.

It was you again - this time in run down black and white Chuck Taylors and a pack of Virginia Slims in hand. Steve’s eyes dart towards your hand before back at you. You quickly look at your hand as well, before bringing it around to your back, giving a nervous laugh.

Eddie smirks. “Didn't take you for a smoker.”

“I…I’m just…” You sigh. “I’ve been stressed. I just smoke half and always spray down and wash my hands before going back out.”

Steve chuckles a bit. “It’s fine,” He watches as you take a hesitant step forward with a small smile. You pull one out, slipping it between your lips and quickly lighting it. “I have a question.”

He doesn’t know what makes him blurt it out or what he’s even going to ask.

Your eyes flicker towards him, a small smile pulling at your lips when you pull the stick from your lips. He notices a small print of your lipstick around the white cartilage. “Yeah?”

Eddie glances between the two of you, eyebrow quirking in Steve’s direction when he seems to go dumb for a moment, stumbling over his words. Shaking his head, curls bouncing, he pats Steve’s chest, stubbing the cigarette against the brick and walking past the two of you.

Steve watches him past with a helpless look, lips parted as he huffs. You tilt your head.

“You seem like a nervous individual.”

“Huh?” You open your mouth to repeat but he catches on to what you say, wincing when he cuts you off - because he’d much rather hear your voice instead of his own. “Oh, wait. No, nevermind. No, I-I’m not a nervous individual,” His cheeks feel hot. Unless it comes to very pretty individuals.

“Thank you.” He blinks, staring at you.

“Did I say that out loud?”

You laugh softly, nodding. “You did.” He can’t help but notice how much prettier - if that’s even possible - you are when there’s a pink flush over your own cheeks.

“Sorry… I thought…I thought I kept that in my inner monologue.” He taps at his temple. You laugh loud now. It still melts his insides just like your small giggle he heard earlier and he finds himself smiling.

“So…” You have finally reduced to small giggles now. “You had a question for me, Steve?”

“You know my name?”

“I do. Your family inside was asking about you.” He curses under his breath because he legitimately forgot he was at the back of a roller skating building with a cigarette that singes his fingers. He quickly drops it to the ground, hissing and shaking out his hand.

“You okay?” You’re quick to step closer, dropping your own cigarette to the ground and taking his hand, inspecting the area. It wasn't a bad burn - not one where you take his hand in yours and pull it towards you anyway.

He stares at you, nodding quickly. “Yeah…Yeah, I'm okay.” Your eyes look up at him, noticing just how close you’ve gotten to this stranger. You drop his hand, backing away an inch.

You both stare at one another quietly before he’s quickly shaking his head and scratching the back of his neck that had turned warm.

“I was…I was wondering if you’d like to maybe…help? If not, that’s completely fi-”

“I’d love to help,” You smile softly. You have a small inkling of why he’s asking. “I can teach her how to skate.”

He smiles softly and nods. “She’d like that…yeah.”

“I’ll meet you inside then.” You wink, bending down and grabbing the cigarette that you’d dropped and burned out.

“See you inside.” He waves. He lets out a small huff when he hears the door shut, walking away.

“You didn’t bomb this time.” He yelps and jumps back as he looks over.

“Dustin. You’ve got to stop spying on me.”

Dustin grins. “You love it.”

🛼

Emory is passed out on the booth that has a crack down the middle. Eddie had gone out to his van and grabbed the flannel that he had in the front seat to cover Emory as everyone worked together to clean up.

Nancy and Jonathan had already left with Henry, Mike, and El. Hopper and Joyce had left because they turn in earlier than what they usually do, due to an early morning the next day.

All that remained was Robin, Erica, Dustin, Lucas, Max, Eddie, Steve.

And you.

You had stayed to help clean up, fairy wings that Emory had insisted for you to wear. You’d changed into your Chuck Taylor’s once again so your feet weren’t totally killing you tomorrow when you woke up.

“Alright, I gotta head back home. I have some homework to catch up on.” Dustin throws one last paper plate into the trash.

“Alright. Be careful.” Steve gives him a grateful smile, waving. He had a bit of blue icing on his finger.

“He’s my ride,” Erica points at him. Lucas and Max nod in agreement, yawning at the same time. “I call shotgun.”

“Was gonna let you take it anyway.” Lucas grumbles after her.

Dustin waves at Steve, following the group out. Eddie peeks over at you who sweeps up a small area. He nudges Steve’s shoulder with his, tilting his head slightly towards your way.

Steve glances at him before looking at you, then back at Eddie again. Eddie leans closer. “Get her number, or I will.” He whispers, walking off towards the booth where Emory lies, still snoozing away.

Steve could not let that happen, because when Eddie puts on a charm, it actually works.

He clears his throat, running a hand through his messy hair and walks over. “Hi.” He watches as you jump and spin around quickly.

“Hi.” You smile softly once you realize who it is.

“I…I have another silly question.”

Your interest is piqued and brows lift as you tilt your head. “What’s your silly question?”

“Could I - and please, feel free to completely laugh in my face and tell me to go - could…could I get your number, maybe?”

“Maybe?”

He thinks about that and shakes his head. “No…no, maybe. Just… could I get your number, please? I could take you out for dinner one night - as a thanks.”

You smile. “I’ll be back.” You walk past him, leaving him to quickly spin and watch you as you walk towards the counter, grabbing a pen and a post-it note. He smiles wide, watching as you walk back and hand it over.

“Call me tomorrow because I’ll be passed out as soon as I get home. Emory knows how to party.”

Steve laughs almost too loud, covering his mouth. It was a silly joke and he didn’t know why he laughed that hard.

“You like Enzo’s, right?”

You smile. “I love Enzo’s.”

“Alright. You… Me… Friiiii-” He pauses when you shake your head slowly at the mention of Friday. He squints his eyes. “Sattttturday night?” He finishes when he sees you nod your head in conformation at the mentioned day. “6:30?”

“Enzo’s. You and I. Saturday night. 6:30. Sounds like a date.” You smile at him softly.

“Sounds like a date.” He echos with a smile of his own.

“That sounds like an absolute movie.”

“It was. Definitely was,” He says. “This is also a cliche, but when we kissed, I swore I could feel the sparks between us.”

“Was it hard being a single dad?”

“Yeah. It was hard, you know. But having special people… finding someone special who will stay with you for a long time, I think I’m a pretty lucky guy.”

‘Your time with Steve Harrington is about up!’

“Well, thank you, Mr.Harrington. I hope you have a wonderful day.”

“Thank you.” Steve says, dropping the phone onto the receiver, standing from the chair and walking into the kitchen. He grins and leans against the doorframe.

When you notice him looking at you, you send him a wink and a kiss.

He does the same.

— @joshlmbrt 2024

🛼 thanks for reading. reblogs, comments, feedback, & requests are welcomed & deeply appreciated!

#SINGLE DAD STEVE <3333 #CHERRY YOU CRUSHED THIS

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