Bandom One-shots book 3

I Didn't Want a Party, I Just Wanted You (Izzy Stradlin x Steven Adler)

Set in 1987

Steven's POV

"Izzy's gonna love this," I grinned, arms spread out like I was presenting a masterpiece. Balloons. Streamers. Drinks. Cake. People already half-drunk. It was perfect.

Axl groaned behind me.

"Steven, I told you. He hates surprise parties."

I waved him off. "C'mon, man. Everyone loves a party. It'll cheer him up!"

Axl didn't look convinced, but I was already halfway to the door, flipping the lights off and signaling for everyone to get quiet. The second the door creaked open—

"SURPRISE!"

Izzy stood frozen in the doorway. Eyes wide. Shoulders stiff.

And then—without a word—he turned around and walked out.

Just like that.

The party fizzled fast. Slash muttered something and grabbed a bottle on his way out. Axl gave me that I told you so glare before chasing after him.

And me?

I stood there, heart in my throat, balloon string in one hand and guilt hitting like a crash cymbal in my chest.

"I'm such a fucking idiot," I mumbled.

I waited about ten minutes. Then I said screw it, grabbed my jacket, and headed for Izzy's room.

Izzy's POV

I don't even remember how I made it back to the apartment. My ears were ringing, my jaw was locked, and my chest felt like it was caving in.

I hated surprises. I hated attention. And I especially hated being cornered in a room with that many people.

I just wanted a quiet night. Maybe a cigarette. Maybe Steven's stupid laugh filling the room while we watched something trashy on TV.

Instead, I got sensory overload with a side of party hats.

So I sat on my bed, legs tucked up, trying to breathe.

Until a knock came at the door.

"Iz?" came Steven's voice, soft and cautious.

I didn't answer.

The door creaked open anyway.

He peeked in. No goofy grin this time. No wide-eyed excitement.

Just guilt.

And softness.

"Hey," he said. "I didn't mean to ruin your birthday."

I looked away.

"I just thought... maybe it'd make you happy."

I sighed. "I don't like crowds, Stevie. I never have."

"I know that now," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Axl tried to tell me, but I didn't listen. I just wanted to see you smile."

I finally looked at him. Really looked at him. His messy blonde hair. His worried eyes. His hands fidgeting like they always did when he felt bad.

"You wanna know what makes me smile?"

He perked up just a bit. "What?"

I reached out, took his hand in mine.

"You. Just you. Sitting with me, being stupid, holding my hand. That's all I need."

Steven blinked.

Then broke into the softest, sweetest smile I'd ever seen.

"You mean it?"

I nodded. "I'm happy when I'm with you, Steven."

He stepped forward, cupped my face with his calloused hands, and kissed me like I was something precious.

And I let him.

Because I was.

To him.