wires, steve harrington

nine.

since meadow, steve, and the kids weren't as close to will as his family and mike, they all waited inside the house to see what would happen to the boy. he wouldn't know where he was, being in the shed, and meadow hoped that maybe he'd give away some information.

meadow sat on the sofa, going through one of the comics that will had laying out. steve was in front of her, swinging his bat for practice. "what were you and nancy talking about?"she asked, her break in the silence catching steve's attention. "are you two getting back together?" she asked, trying to keep her voice level as she tossed the comic book to the side, sitting up. "i didn't mean to listen in at all, i could barely hear anything. it isn't my business, i know."

she bit the inside of her cheek a little, as she often did when nervous, hoping that she was just overanalyzing the scenario. although she wanted them to be happy, she really just wanted steve to be happy.. with her. she knew it was a selfish thought, but the more time she spent with him, the more she wanted to be able to get to know him.

she was relieved when steve sent her an incredulous look, shaking his head. "that is most definitely not what's happening." he chuckled. "have you seen her and byers?"

meadow furrowed her brows. "her and jonathan?" she thought she'd sensed something between the two of them.

he shrugged in response, flipping his bat once more before sitting next to her on the couch. "i think i saw it coming." he replied. "yeah, no, we just.. i don't think we were right for each other." he finally answered, looking down at her.

mentally, meadow did a cartwheel and gave herself a fist bump. outwardly, she just smiled a little. "steve the hair harrington is on the market? how will the ladies react?" she teased, watching as he flashed a perfect smile.

"oh, stop, the ladies can wait." he said, a slight blush forming on his cheeks. "i did mean what i said earlier, by the way." he then told her, his face becoming more serious. "you don't have to say anything if you don't want to, and i don't expect you to feel the same way. but i truly care about you, and, whatever happens tonight, i want to support you and be there for you afterwards."

she smiled to herself, looking down at her lap. "i'm glad you're not as much of an asshole as i thought you were." she said in response, nudging his shoulder with hers. "it's been really nice getting to know you, steve."

his face seemed to light up as he smiled down at her. "it's been really nice to get to know you, too." he said.

meadow smiled for a moment before furrowing her brows. "wait and.. does nancy know about this? i might've not liked what she said to you but.. you know, she and i aren't really friends, but.. we kind of are? i don't want this to hurt her-"

"no, no." steve shook his head. "i asked her. she.. she kind of knew. that i liked you, i mean." he explained. "and she.. she seems really happy with jonathan. and so i think she and i both just.. weren't with the right person yet."

a weight lifted from her shoulders as she learned that nancy was fully aware of this, and she smiled.

"hey, if we don't die tonight," he began, watching as she laughed, "would you like to go to the movies or something? maybe get a coffee? i don't know."

meadow smiled, nodding her head. "yeah, as long as you don't spray paint the sign again."

"for the record," steve said, offended, "i wasn't the one who wrote that, it was tommy. second of all, i helped clean up the mess afterwards and i've felt bad about it ever since." he watched as she took in that information, clearly having not known the part he'd played. "also, who's to say you won't try to punch me again? that hurt."