SOLAR ECLIPSE - stranger things

-019-

Luna was exhausted, both physically and socially. 

The three of the had been walking all day, which didn't go well with Luna's low exercise routine. She also wasn't used to the amount of talking steve did. 

On top of the relationship advice, he gave he also revealed his hair routine, discussed his favourite song, talked about his plans for the weekend and even tried to explain the rules of basketball to Luna.

Dustin seemed a lot more frustrated about the teen's constant talking, Luna just wasn't used to it. Jonathan had really been her only friend for a while and the two weren't very talkative people. 

Despite it being draining, Luna did enjoy talking to Steve. He was a lot more energetic than anyone he had talked to, so it was refreshing to her. 

Finally, Dustin stopped showing the two the old junkyard. Steve lowered his glasses. "Oh yeah, this will do. This will do fine" Dustin and Luna gave each other a smile. 

Once they reached the old bus, they all dumped the meat into a circle. 

Luna looked up when she heard a yell "I said medium well" Lucas called out jokingly. 

"Who's that?" Steve asked obviously referring to Max. Luna gave Max a little wave to which she returned. Luna liked max and was happy to see her. Steve and Luna both turned to Dustin who still hadn't answered, just staring at Max. 

Luna's eyes lit up as she whispered "She's the one he likes"

---

Luna watched Lucas and Dustin crouch behind an old car. They were having a heated argument, though they kept their voices to a whisper. 

"Hey, could you help me with this" Max asked the girl, trying to carry some scrap metal. Luna nodded, walking over and grabbing the other end. 

'So is what Lucas said true, or is it just a really elaborate prank" 

"Sorry I don't know what Lucas told you" 

"About the Demogorgon and Will" 

"Yeah, it's real. I know you won't really believe us till you see it, but please still stay safe" 

Max nodded. "You know your too cool to be hanging out with them right?" 

 Before the two could continue their conversation they heard a loud bang from behind them. Max jumped and Luna stood herself in front of her fighting pose. Luckily it was just steve. 

"Hey dick heads, why are the only people helping me Luna and this random girl." And with that Steve ushered them all onto the bus.

—

Luna sat next to Steve on the bus. It was still somewhat light outside, though the sun was setting, and all the kids were up at the top of the bus. "

So how do you know the kids?" Steve stated, trying to make small talk. "I live next to Dustin. You saw that our houses were next to each other yesterday" Steve blushed 

"Yeah, yeah. It's cool that you... take care of them and shit" Luna just nodded her head. "Hey, are you upset with me?" Steve asked abruptly turning to Luna. Before she could answer he continued by ranting 

"I mean I know I used to be a real jerk to you but assumed after the party and stuff we were friends now. Like I thought on the walk today we got along but now, you want to talk to me" 

Luna shook her head "'I'm not upset with you" she simply said 

"Then why won't you talk to me?" 

Luna took a deep breath "I've only had one friend most of my life and that was Jonathan. Of course, I had the kids and Nancy, but I don't get to see them as much. Jonathan and I aren't very talkative people, so I'm not really used to.... Long conversations. I like your conversations, I just don't know how to respond like your friends used to. I'm not as interesting" Steve scoffed.

"Well, first of all, I've known Tommy and Carol for most of my life and neither of them has fought an interdimensional monster and investigated an evil lab, so you're much more interesting than them." Luna slightly smiled at this "And you know what, you don't need to talk. I can do the talking for the two of us. If you didn't already work out I have trouble shutting up" 

This time Luna actually smiled, something Steve had never seen before. It made him happy to see her like this, he felt a heat in his chest and a flutter in his heart. Suddenly he got insecure 

"But like I'm not saying you're not allowed to speak. Speak all you want, it's not like you need my permission to talk or anything-" 

"I understand steve don't worry" He sighed a breath of relief and the two smiled at each other. 

"So can you explain to me what dribbling the basketball means again"

---

It was getting late now. Steve had laid down, head in Luna's lap, playing with a lighter as the girl just watched out the window. 

The two now had the company of Dustin and Max, who had both gotten bored of staying at the top of the bus. 

"So you really fought one of these things before?" Max asked, still somewhat sceptical about the information she had been told. 

"Several times" Luna admitted as Steve just nodded his head. 

"And you're like 100% sure it wasn't just a bear?" Before either teenager could respond, Dustin took over. 

"Shit, don't be an idiot. Okay? It wasn't a bear" Both steve and Luna raised an eyebrow, but for different reasons. "Why are you even here if you don't believe us? Go home" 

Max rolled her eyes and headed up that ladder. "Someone's cranky. Past your bedtime?" 

Once Max left Luna spoke up. "That wasn't very nice Dustin" 

Steve shook his head. "No no, that's what he needed to do. He's showing her he doesn't care" "I don't care" Dustin interrupted. 

Steve only gave a wink. "Why are you winking steve? Stop" Suddenly the three heard a loud growl come from outside the bus. They turned to look out to the night trying to find the Demogorgon. 

Finally, Luna saw the creature. "There it is" Luna whispered to Steve.

"It's not eating the meat. Why isn't he eating the meat" Steve stressed.

"Maybe he just isn't hungry?" Luna suggested 

"Or maybe he's sick of cow" Dustin continued 

Unconsciously Luna grabbed Steve's hand, trying to provide some sort of comfort for herself. What she didn't know is this sparked something in Steve. He couldn't just leave her alone in the bus. 

Steve started to back up, slowly slipping the lighter into Luna's hand. She looked down at it with a raised eyebrow. 

"Steve, steve what are you doing?" Dustin asked

"Expanding the menu" 

---

Luna had never met someone as reckless as Steve Harrington. 

She had just watched him try and fight an interdimensional creature with a single bat and then save an entire group of kids single handily. 

He truly was stupid, yet there she was, patching him up before they journeyed to follow the same creatures that almost killed him. 

"That was very reckless" Luna stated as she cleaned Steve's hands. 

"Yeah but I looked cool didn't I" Steve chuckled

"Yeah you did" Luna stated causing steve's face to erupt into a blush. 

He was expecting some sort of sarcastic remark, like the ones he would get from most of his friends. The sincerity caught him off guard. 

Before he could say anything Dustin interrupted their moment (one Luna didn't realise they were having). 

"Stop being weird teenagers and let's get going" 

And with that Luna walked off, not evening looking back to see the Harrington boy give the death glare to Dustin.