December 23rd. 1985.
"Do we need any sprouts?" You ask Steve as you push the cart through the grocery aisle. It was the last time you'd have to get food for the Christmas period and your list was scribbled in haste right before the two of you got into the car to go to the store so you weren't sure if it was accurate.
"Hell no. Does anyone even like them? They're like... Eating farts." He shudders dramatically and you roll your eyes though the humor in response was clear in your smile. When he climbs into the empty cart, you do your best to hold it in place, half whispering half shouting at him, "Steve, what the hell--?!"
"My legs hurt. Push me." He lays back in the cart like it was a hot tub and lets out a dramatic sigh. You laugh, gaining the attentions of other shoppers who mostly tut and sigh though some chuckle along with you at his antics.
"Okay. You wanna be pushed?" You say in a taunting tone that has him perking up, turning to look over his shoulder at you at the veiled threat. "Now, listen--" He begins to say before you pick up speed, entirely amused by the way his fingers grip to the sides of the cart as you whip through the aisles. By now the store was mostly empty, so you had plenty of room to run and Steve lets out a string of regretful curses and pleas for you to slow down, though his laughter betrays him.
"But you wanted to be pushed-?" You say, swinging the cart around and making him let out a terrified sound, clutching desperately to the sides as he works hard not to fling free of the metal cage.
When you run again, you're so busy laughing that you don't notice how it slips free of your grasp. You're just a little too late in tightening your fingers and Steve struggles to try and reach out to grab anything to slow him down. "Hey--Woah! Shiiiit!" He yells as the wheel catches on a display and sends the cart falling and him along with it.
You couldn't breathe from how hard you were laughing. Tears were springing to your eyes in mirth as you fall around in your amusement. "Steve, I'm sor--" You try to apologise, wheezing laughter as he struggles to a stand. He should be mad, but the hilarity of it all has him laughing too, a hand rubbing at a spot on his arm that would absolutely be bruised come morning.
"Jesus, woman..." He breathes through a light chuckle, gently shoving you in a playful manner as you fall against him, stomach hurting from how funny you'd found it.
"Steve?" A new voice, unfamiliar and unsteady, draws you both back down to Earth as a slender girl with shoulder-length curls pushes her cart towards you both. Steve was busy picking up your own fallen one when she approaches you, a boy at her side that couldn't have been much older than her and had short brown hair.
"Nancy?" Steve says, steadying the cart once more, face paling. He reaches out to you, pleading silently for you to stand beside him and you do, fitting perfectly to his side as he drapes his arm around you.
The girl studies the encounter, an accusatory look shared between the two of you. "Hey, guys." Steve greets the two of them, the boy beside her sending an awkward wave your way. "We haven't seen you in a while..." The girl, Nancy, says. There was this air between them you couldn't understand, a silent emotion shared between her and Steve. It made you feel uneasy.
"Yeah, well. Been busy, you know?" He muses, his free hand coming in front to gesture to you. "This is my girlfriend, (Y/N). (Y/N), this is Nancy and her boyfriend Jonathan; they're... friends of mine." He introduces you and you offer a forced polite smile and small wave, unsure how else to greet them.
You recognised them then, in a similar way to how you'd recognised Dustin. They had been part of Henry's failed attempts also.
Your muscles tense against the memory, but Steve takes it as something else entirely, his hand gently squeezing your shoulder to reassure you everything was okay. "Nice to meet you," Nancy smiles and you return it with a mumbled, 'you too'.

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Surrender // Steve Harrington x Reader
FanfictionShe didn't know any better. Years of being raised by the evil entity that was once Henry Creel skewed her view of the world she once lived in. When Y/N is sent by him from the Upside Down to infiltrate those that so tediously continue to thwart his...