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Steve somehow got Rowan to open up more that same day, and he couldn't help but feel proud. When it was time for them to close for the day until the night shift arrived four hours later, he asked if Rowan wanted to be taught how to do such.
"What?" Rowan asked as he shrugged his coat on. "Oh, I already know how to. I've worked here before."
Steve froze, the keys in his hands jangling from the sudden pause in motion. "Wait, really?"
"Yeah, I was one of the first employees when they first opened the Hawkins branch. I would've been a manager if I hadn't quit," he scoffed, making a duties list for the next shift. "Imagine that pay."
"Then why did you quit, dude?" Steve asked, flinging his hands upward incredulously. Rowan huffed, looking down.
"Listen, my family sucks. My mom made me because she's controlling like that." Steve stared at him, caught off guard by the revelation. "But I don't care. I came back because I was tired of not having any money or freedom."
"Bad home life then, huh?" He tried to smile. Rowan looked at him pointedly, chuckling at his innocent expression. He might've found it cute if under different circumstances.
"I'm a transgender, pansexual, Latino boy in Hawkins, Indiana. In America. I don't have the best life in general." Rowan didn't expect Steve to say much else, so he grabbed the handle of the front door and got ready to make his way home.
"I'll make it better," Steve suddenly spluttered. It made Rowan turn in complete surprise, and he nearly stumbled when met with the white boy's sincere expression. "I promise."
They watched each other carefully, before Rowan turned away with a smile.
