G O N E |Harringrove|

5 - Teaming Up

Dacre Mongomary is so hot wtf. This mans beauty should be illegal, who let him be so handsome.

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The first sip of coffee woke him up, the second got his brain functioning  properly, and the third gave a jolt to his memory.

Steve stared into the murky blackness of the coffee in disdain as he realized his fatal mistake. He always knew he wasn't the brightest bulb in the package, but at least he should've thought of how idiotic it was to invite Billy 'effin Hargrove into his house.
Steve kept stealing glanced towards the hallway leading to the house double door entrance and staircase. Eleven padded into the room, surprising the unaware Steve. He could've crossed a hurdle with how high he jumped.

"Everything okay?" Her soft voice filled the silent room.

Steve nodded and disposed of his now empty coffee cup, into the sink. "Yeah I just–" He ran a hand down his face. "You want pancakes?"

Eleven lit up like a Christmas light. She eagerly tip toed towards Steve and tugged at his shirt. "What about Eggos?"

"Sorry kid, don't have em. Pancakes are the next best thing, and trust me when I say; I can make a mean pancake."

The small girl frowned. "Pancakes? Mean??"

"Oh, yeah, that's another way for saying good."

She looked thoughtful. "Hopper said the boys who bothered Mike and Dustin are mean. How can mean be good?"

Steve struggled to interpret the saying in a way that Eleven would comprehend.

"I'll be honest with you, kid. I don't know why the saying works that way, but that's English y'know. It's strange. I don't understand it too much either" He stiffly chuckled, well aware of how much of a problem the English language posed towards him.

He retrieved the pancake mix from the pantry. "Hey, could you get the eggs and milk from the fridge?"

Eleven nodded eagerly and  practically bounced to the fridge. Once she opened it, she hesitated, looking around for the correct materials.

"The eggs should be in the top left, the milk might be in the middle." He paused thoughtfully and then continued, "You want chocolate chips and blue berries?"

"uh-huh" She grabbed the correct materials and placed them near Steve on the kitchen island, observing his movements carefully.

Steve honed in on what he was doing, soon becoming unaware of the world around him. Eleven followed his movements like a lost puppy.

"I didn't peg you for the domestic type Harrington. Those pancakes for me or the kids you raising?" Steve jolted, the pancake that he was currently flipping sadly flopped onto the floor as Eleven made a noise of discontent.

"Can't you just– I dunno, leave, buy something at a local diner, maybe never come back while you're at it. Just a suggestion. We're not friends Hargrove, hell we're nowhere close acquaintances either." Steve grunted out the words, his shoulders taught in a position that achingly reminded him of his own father.

Billy placed a hand on his chest in mock hurt. "Why would I waste money, when there's perfectly fine food right here? Plus, there's nothing like getting to know someone over a little food." Billy winked. "You can count this as a date if you want pretty boy. I'm guessing you haven't got much action since Wheeler."

"Sorry, but I don't date criminals. The whole bad guy persona is a total turn off" Steve muttered lowly, but loud enough for Billy to hear.

"Sure thing Harrington whatever you say, but that door was open, and where I see opportunity–" He lowered his voice "I take it" He ran his tongue across his teeth.