the unexpected | steve harrington

the monster and the superhero

part one

The night freaked Daphne out to no end, after Dustin explained to the group Vecna and used him as a metaphor for whatever this thing is. That's what they called him. It was set. But Daphne's head was spinning as Steve drove the group back to their houses, dropping Daphne off to pick her car up and following her home with Dustin in tow, ensuring they got in safe. Despite her protests that she was fine.

Steve could tell she wasn't fine, and he wasn't quite sure why he cared all that much. He'd barely spoke to Daphne before this, but there was a small hold that was growing as she settled in on a permanent place in his mind.

Daphne locked her car, Dustin jumping out of Steve's and waving goodbye to him as he walked to his house. Daphne offered him a wave too, following her brother, but instead Steve jumped out his car.

"Hey, hey," he called after the teen, "Daphne." he clarified as Dustin opened the door, Daphne shoved her hands in her jean short pockets and turned on her feet.

"Yeah?" she asked, watching as he jogged up towards her, his hair bouncing as he did which made her stifle a laugh, chewing on the inside of her cheek.

"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, which took her aback. Daphne took in a breath between her teeth, rocking back and forwards on her heel. "It's a lot to take in and uhm, I just wanted to- you know- check in."

"I'm fine, Steve," she put on a exhausted smile, "my heads just..." she used both hands to mimic an explosion around her head, "you know?"

"Yeah, you- you'll get used to it," he shrugged, not really knowing what else to say, or how to make the conversation longer. Despite him for some reason wanting it to be longer. "He'll be fine," he nodded to the house, "Dustin, he's tough. I mean, not in the physical sense but-"

Daphne laughed at Steve as he began rambling, teasing Dustin still as though he's his big brother.

"You're cute, you know that?" Daphne choked slightly as she said it, cursing herself immediately as she flung her head back trying to think of how to save it. "I mean, what I meant to say is-"

"You think so?" Steve flirted with a crooked smile, "well, you're cute too." he joked and she stifled a laugh as she glanced towards the house.

"I should-" she pointed to her house, pursing her lips as he nodded.

"I'll pick you guys up tomorrow," Steve noted and she shrugged.

"I can drive if you-"

"No, nuh uh, no way," Steve shook his head as he turned on his heel to his car, "I've seen you drive. We don't need to worry about any curse when you're in front of a wheel." Daphne scoffed in response. "Tomorrow. Here." he pointed to the spot he stood on with a smile and she nodded, saluting him.

"Yes, sir." she joked, turning back into her house.

Daphne walked back to her house suppressing a grin, enough to make her cheeks hurt as she turned to give him a last glance, seeing him watch through his car door to make sure she got into the house safe.

Although she wanted to sleep, as soon as the door opened, Dustin appeared from behind the curtains where he had been watching his older sister and best friend converse on his lawn. A sickening feeling brewing in his stomach.