Imagines

Steve being a father-figure

A/n: This was inspired by @/formallery on tumblr. Please make sure go check out their work and give it some love.

‧₊˚🖇️✩ ₊˚🎧⊹♡📼📺🧇🔦🚲📺

The Harrington house was louder than any normal Tuesday would be.

Steve noticed it halfway down the hallway as he carried the laundry basket and almost tripped over Lucas's shoes... again. He could hear arguing happening in the living room (possibly Dustin and Mike), and could hear the TV's volume getting louder, knowing it was Max's doing.

Steve took a deep breath before exhaling.

Of course it was.

"Steve," (Name) says from the kitchen, not looking up from the counter. "If you say their names like that, they'll think they're in trouble."

Steve furrowed his eyes, opening his mouth to speak, but closed it. He always thought that (Name) was a mind reader of some sort. There are times that (Name) could have powers like El.

"I wasn't even going to say anything." Steve says.

"I know you weren't going to say anything but you thought it very loudly."

Steve drops the laundry basket by the couch and runs a hand through his hair. The kids were eveyerwhere.

Lucas and Mike were on the floor with a map spread out between them.

Dustin was lying upside down on the armchair.

Max was sitting too close to the TV, cross-legged.

"Max, you're way too close to the TV. Backup before you go blind." (Name) said from the kitchen.

Max rolled her eyes but still moved away from the TV.

Steve formed a small smile as he watched the interaction between Max and (Name)

And El was sitting beside Will, quiet as if she's trying not to take up any space.

Steve caught this and something tighten in his chest.

(Name) appeared behind El and Will and loudly kissed their heads, making both smile.

The others turned their heads seeing this, as they opened their mouths to say something they were quickly shut down as (Name) went around and kissed each of their heads, even Steve got a kiss on the head.

"Okay," (Name) says calmly, clapping once. "Let's turn down the volume before the neighbors think we're running a summer camp here."

The kids grumble but it works.

Steve watched the way Will leans a little closer to (Name) without knowing. He saw the way El's shoulders relaxes when the room gets quieter.

No one pointed it. No one had to.

Steve clears his throat. "So, who's hungry?"

Everyone's attention was caught.

Max squints her eyes at him. "Didn't we eat like... an hour ago?"

Steve shakes his head. "Those were snacks. This is dinner. Both are in different categories."

(Name) smiled at Steve.

"Is it going to be real food or is it going to your version of real food." Dustin asks.

Steve dramatically asks. "I will not be slandered in my own house."

(Name) clears her throat.

"I mean our house," Steve corrects himself.

(Name) nodded and shoots him a look that says don't make it a thing.

The kids split up after that. Some went to the kitchen, some to the table, some pretending they weren't hungry at all. Steve pretend not to notice when Will lingers behind.

"You okay, buddy?" Steve asks, soflty.

Will nods, hesitantly before nodding again, like he's trying to convince himself.

(Name) appears at Will's side without making a deal of it. "You can help me stir," she says. "Or you can sit there. Either's fine. It can get very lonely there sometimes." (Name) teased in the last part.

Will chooses to sit on the chair at the counter, giving (Name) company. Steve looks away because something about the choice feels important but doesn't look too deep into it.

Later, when the food has been devored, the arguments has shifted to whose turn it was to do the dishes.

Steve finds himself leaning against the doorway watching them all exist in the same page. A small smile formed on his face, seeing the small version of them when they were kids. Tears formed in his eyes, seeing how far the kids have come along.

(Name) came up from behind him and rubbed his arm, knowing she was seeing what he was seeing. She placed a small kiss on his arm and leaned her head on his arm.

Though it was messy, loud, and exhausting. They both knew they wouldn't change a thing.

Not even when Max complained about the rules.

Or when Dustin asks if he can stay longer.

Not even when El quietly asks if she could come back tomorrow.

Steve knows they weren't babysitting anymore.

The "babysitting" has become something heavier. Something that he doesn't want to end.

He looks down at (Name's) eyes and could see she was tired but so was he but neither of them say no.

Because they knew they wouldn't trade this for anything else.