Shadows of the Night •a Stranger Things story•

Can I Get You a Beer?

June 28th, 1985

Hawkins, Indiana

Steve Harrington and Chris Hopper are on the bunk in the living room of the Hopper cabin. Chris's bunk bed was her space. Her bunk bed had a curtain hiding the lower bed, where she spent most of her time relaxing, reading, working on homework, or where she would go to hide from her father and little sister if needed. This didn't happen very often. She had a bookshelf, about four feet tall, next to her bunk bed, where she could just barely cram all of her books and little trinkets. She shared a closet and dresser with Eleven.

Steve sighs from across the bed. He's reading a magazine, although not truly interested in what he's reading.

Chris turns her attention away from her own book. It's research on multiple universes and dimensions. She stares over at her boyfriend, whose hair is disheveled from being pressed against a wall the majority of the day. When Steve and Chris spend time here at the cabin, the two of them are usually incredibly cramped together on the bunk bed or the couch. There isn't much space for four people here, even if one is only a visitor. There's hardly enough space for two.

Knowing that Steve probably needs more room to stretch his legs, Chris curls up a little more, her body aching slightly. She gives Steve a tiny smile.

"Christine," he mumbles. Chris knows that this is his way of asking for attention.

"Yes, Steve?"

"Come lay with me?" he pouts, opening his arms up for her to fit in next to him.

With a slight shake of her head, Chris's eyes travel over to Eleven's room, where the door is open just about three inches, and music is playing from behind it. Eleven is hanging out with Mike. In fact, that is just about all Eleven does. The only time Chris sees either of them without the other is when one of them has to peel themselves away from the other to use the bathroom, or when it's getting close to passing curfew.

Mike has been here every day at the beginning of the day since summer began. It's been driving Hopper crazy, and even Chris a little crazy, too. Even she doesn't spend this much time with Steve, whom she loves madly. However, Chris refuses to make this her business. Eleven is a young girl, and she has a chance at a normal life for the first time ever. No one wants to take that away from her.

"You know the rules."

"Rules," Steve scoffs. "I'm an adult. What rules apply to me?"

Chris smirks. "Well, you know. There's the law." She nudges his leg with her foot teasingly. "My dad would never let you over here again, Steve. He barely tolerates it when the two of you are over here at the same time," she says, referring to him and Mike.

Steve huffs to himself. "Why can't we spend more time at my house? My parents are never around. I practically have the place to myself." Steve shifts over to her, burying his face in Chris's neck. His hair brushes against her shoulder and cheek, causing her to shiver a little. She giggles slightly as Steve breathes in and whispers, "And a bed much bigger than this one."

Chris pushes Steve gently away from her as she hears the sound of her father's truck pulling up to the cabin. She stretches a little and bookmarks her reading as her father walks through the door. Hopper removes his cap, nodding his head to Chris and Steve.

"Night off?" he asks, his voice rough. Steve bobs his head, and Chris agrees. Hopper continues, "I see, uh, Mike's still here?"

Chris nods. "Has been since this morning."

Hopper's eyes travel towards the door to Eleven's bedroom. It's pretty quiet inside. "Hey," Hopper groans, his voice loud. Steve and Chris share an anxious look. "Hey! Three-inch minimum! Leave the door open three inches!" Hopper hurries toward El's bedroom, where the door slams shut forcefully. Hopper rattles the door knob, shouting now, "El, open this door."

Steve slowly climbs down the bunk, offering his hand to Chris, who takes it and lowers herself down to the floor as well. They make their way to the front door, where Steve grabs his shoes.

"Open the—" Hopper manages to get the door open. Mike and Eleven are hanging out on opposite ends of her bed, reading magazines. A very likely cover for the fact that they were kissing most of the night under Chris's watch. Chris will hear all about it later.

"I should go," mumbles Steve. "I'll drop Mike off."

Mike hurries out of Eleven's room as Chris kisses Steve's cheek goodbye. Mike is hiding a smirk as Hopper narrows his eyes upon the boys. His face is red with anger; his eyes are dark. This is a dangerous look. Chris swallows, swatting Mike in the back of the head in a warning. He grumbles to her, rubbing at his head as Steve and Mike exit the house without many words.

Chris locks the door behind them, turning to face her father. "Can I get you a beer?" she asks, moving toward the fridge with haste.

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In honor of me seeing Djo in concert last night, I figured I'd finally post the first chapter of season 3.
I hope you all enjoy and thank you for those of you that continue to stick around for the story, it means a lot.
As always, don't get stuck in the Upside Down

• Kate