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On the 31st of October 1984, Steve Harrington kissed Jonathan Byers for the first time. His happy-turned-extremely-unhappy relationship sank faster than the RMS Lusitania after being torpedoed by the Imperial German Navy U-20 U-Boat submarine, which, by the way, sank in only 18 minutes. That night, at Tina's Halloween party, Steve found solace in the presence of the school's lone wolf. Jonathan came to check in on him after witnessing his argument with his girlfriend. Or better yet, him and their relationship being relentlessly called "bullshit" by her.
Deep down, Steve always knew their relationship would never work. Nothing was ever the same after everything that happened in 1983. And that includes his view of Jonathan. To Steve, Jonathan was a weirdo and a freak. But after fighting, getting ass beaten by Jonathan, and fighting an interdimensional monster together, Steve came to a horrifying realization—that he is a jerk. He was downright cruel when he made those comments about Jonathan's family. That guilt was eating him on the inside. How could he call the Byers a bunch of screw-ups? How could he mock a dead little boy? How could he call Jonathan a "Queer" in front of everyone? Steve had to fix that.
On Monday, the 14th of November 1983, Steve went to Radio RadioShack to buy Jonathan a new camera and some fancy lenses. The clerk, a kind man named Bob, offered Steve a nice price for a Pentax. On Christmas, however, he chickened out and instead asked his girlfriend to give the camera to Jonathan out of fear that Jonathan would reject the present. He would eventually tell Jonathan the truth about the camera on the 10th of September, starting a new chapter in their lives—friendship.
As their friendship grew, so did the rift between Steve and his girlfriend. A rift that eventually turned into a chasm. Concurrently, Steve grew even more comfortable with Jonathan, sparking a maelstrom of emotions and conflicted feelings in him. Still, he kept firm with his girlfriend, not wanting to crush her heart—at the expense of having his own heart crushed when she called him bullshit. He loved, he really did, but on that day, Steve decided to let go and let it die. Let their relationship die and move on. And he did.
Now a free man, Steve got closer to Jonathan, expressed his feelings for him—and so did Jonathan. They were in love. But both decided not to rush it. Steve was still slightly shaken from the breakup, and Jonathan had his little brother to look after. So Steve waited. He waited the entire month of November—a painfully long month, because resident aggressive asshole Billy Hargorve ruined his handsome face. Also, Jonathan was livid when he learned of what happened and insisted that Hopper keep Billy in jail. The asshole spent a night in a cell at the PD. Jonathan wanted to leave him caged for the rest of his life.
One trip through some dark tunnels and a fiery gate closed later, everything went back to normal. Ish. Steve went back to school, doing what he could best to avoid his now ex-girlfriend. But at least he had Jonathan. His... Friend? Best friend? Friend with benefit? Colorful friend? Friend of the male sex? His... Something.
But Steve's had enough. He doesn't want Jonathan to be his something. He wants Jonathan to be more. He wants Jonathan to be his... Well, the B-word.
And today, on the 7th of December 1984, Steve Harrington will have his shot. Someone (Dustin) tipped him off that Jonathan would be alone at home tonight—Will is going to Lucas' house for a sleepover, and Joyce is going out to the movies with Karen and Claudia. Steve knows for a fact that Jonathan will be locked in his room, listening to music, already in his pajamas, and reading some weird book, sorting through his newly taken pictures, or sketching in his notebook.
Steve parked his burgundy-colored BMW two blocks from the Byers household and sneaked into their property. He peered inside Jonathan's room through the windows, seeing the cute boy lying on the bed, his feet up, wearing yellow and black pajama pants and a white sweater. Soft music plays inside the room—it sounds like Johnny Cash—his attention focused on a book. Steve tapped the window three times with his nail, and it was enough to make Jonathan jump in surprise. His frightened, wide-eyed expression, so cute in Steve's eyes, made him chuckle softly. He grinned and waved at him through the window.
Jonathan huffed slightly, blowing a strand of his hair off his face, and rolled his eyes. He turned off his music and set his book aside before opening the window for Steve.
"Steve," He said, raising an eyebrow as Steve stumbled while trying to climb. "What are you doing here?"
"Heard your ma was single. Figured I should have a shot," Steve replied with a playful smirk and a wink, which only made Jonathan groan and grunt. The taller boy laughed heartily, adjusting his hair. "I'm here for you, dummy. Obviously. Oh, and by the way..." Steve turned back to the window and bent down to grab something that he had left outside.
As he did, his red sweater rolled up slightly, revealing a portion of his ass. And Jonathan thought his ass white white. Steve's is as white as a sheet of paper. That ass hasn't seen sunlight since the United States' embarrassing defeat in Vietnam. Focus, Byers! Jonathan shook his head, averting his attention from Steve's ass as the other boy straightened himself, showing Jonathan a small bouquet and a box of fancy chocolates.
"Got these for ya!" Steve flashed a charming grin and extended his arms for Jonathan to take the gifts.
Caught off guard, Jonathan blinks, regaining his senses. He takes the presents, the tip of his fingers brushing against Steve's, sending a jolt of electricity through his whole body.
"T-thanks," He blushes. "What's the occasion?"
"You," Steve's charming grin widens. "You're the occasional, Jon."
Jonathan blushes a deep shade of red at that. He stutters, not knowing what to reply. Nor what Steve meant with that.
Seeing his confusion, Steve tries to clarify. He clears his throat, leaning against Jonathan's desk.
"I... Actually came here because I have something I wanted to tell you. A-Ask you, actually."
"Yeah?" Jonathan raised an eyebrow, still holding the flowers and chocolate.
Steve takes a deep breath and adjusts his hair and clothes. Alright, Harrington, now's the time. Now chickening out. No stuttering. No thinking about Jonathan's cute, round ass, kissable lips, soft cheeks, fluffy hair, beautiful eyes, or—
"Steve?"
"Uh?" Steve blinks. Crap. He zoned out. Accursed hot Byers genes, always distracting him. Steve coughs, feeling his cheeks going rosy. Remember what you told Henderson at the train tracks, Harrington; the key with girls is just act like you don't care. It drives them nuts. Then, you just wait until you feel the electricity. Feel that and then make your move. Be stealthy, like a ninja— wait, Jonathan's no girl. Will that work with him? And frankly, Steve feels like there's an entire thunderstorm inside of him right now. He feels like he can power the American supercontinent with the amount of electricity he has inside his body. Ah, screw that bullshit! Go ballistic, Harrington! Full-on kamikaze! Like the Germans! Tora! Tora! Tora!"I was wondering if you wanted to go out on a date with me tomorrow?"
He said it! No turning back now. Either Steve gives his heart and soul to the man of his dreams, or he goes home and adopts six cats.
Jonathan's mouth parts ever-so-slightly as Steve utters that. He knew sooner or later they would have to talk about their feelings, and now that the Upside Down is gone forever, the moment came.
"O-oh... Uh..." He scratches the back of his neck, chewing on his lower lip as his cheeks grow hot. "I... I would like that... Yeah."
Jonathan's never been on a date before—except that one "play date" he had with little 4-year-old Holly Wheeler when Karen asked him to babysit her for a few hours, and the little girl declared Jonathan her boyfriend. They had a nice movie date watching 101 Dalmatians. Sweet little girl fell asleep in Jonathan's lap after the first 35 minutes. Though he has a feeling this date with Steve is a bit more serious.
The younger boy clears his throat before continuing.
"So... Uh, where are we going?"
"O-oh," Steve winced internally. Crap, he didn't have a place planned. "How about... Enzo's? My treat? 07:00? I'll come pick you up?"
Jonathan nods, a timid smile threatening to form on his lips.
"Enzo's. 07:00. You come pick me up."
At seeing Jonathan's soft smile, Steve's smile widens like that of a lovelorn fool—which is a perfect definition of Steve Harrington right now.
"Great." He smirks triumphantly. "Enzo's. 7:00. I pick you up."
"Right."
"Right."
There's a pause. Silence. Neither of the boys says anything after that. Steve pats his hands on his jeans, pursing his lips.
"So... Guess I'll..." He gestures for the window.
"Wait!" Jonathan steps forward, grabbing Steve's hand before he can take another step. He can't just let Steve go away. The guy just came here for him. He can't let Steve go. "You... Uh, want to stay for a while? Watch a movie? There's... Popcorn. I think."
Popcorn? Pfft. Popcorn is not the snack Steve has in his mind. It's Jo—
"Sure!" He grins and nods, squeezing Jonathan's hand in his. "What are we watchin'? Oh, you have Escape from the Witch Mountain?"
Jonathan blinks in surprise.
"Uh... Yeah, we do. You... Like that movie?"
"Hell yeah!" Steve's grin broadens, and he takes the lead, tugging Jonathan along. "C'mon, man! I love that movie!"
"Okay, okay." Jonathan chuckles and lets Steve drag him to the living room.
The TV illuminates the dimly lit living room of the Byers' house. The boys sit close, sharing a blanket and a big bowl of popcorn. But in all honesty, both Steve and Jonathan's attentions are focused on each other rather than the movie.
Jonathan can hardly believe he's watching a movie with The Steve Harrington, whereas Steve can't believe the boy he's infatuated with is mere centimeters away from him. Their pinky fingers are even touching.
After a few minutes of silence, Jonathan speaks.
"So... Why did you decide to come here now?" He turns to glance at Steve, cocking his head slightly to the right. "Like... Why now of all times?"
The other shrugs, swallowing a mouthful of popcorn.
"I just... Thought now was the best time. I mean, you were busy with your little brother, and we had all that... Weird inter-whatever-dimension crap to deal with. And I didn't want to bother you with more problems. So I waited.
"That's... Very thoughtful of you, Steve," Jonathan smiles, his eyes flickering down to their close-by fingers. He takes a small breath and moves into action, gently interlocking his pinky with Steve's on the couch.
'Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!' Steve's brain goes haywire at the physical contact. Jonathan is touching him. Jonathan Byers is touching him. Jonathan Alexander Byers is touching him! Focus, Harrington! Now is the perfect time to fulfil your mission! Deep breaths and punch it!
"I... Actually came here to invite you for a date because..." He swallows a lump forming in his throat. Damn, why is asking boys out so much difficult than asking girls out? Maybe it's because boys are hotter. Jonahan is certainly a Mount Vesuvius-level of hot. Steve feels like getting third-degree burns just by staying next to him. "The flowers, the chocolate, the date... I... Jonathan..." He raises his head to look up at Jonathan.
"Yeah?" The other whispers back.
Now is the time.
"I..." Steve licks his lips. "I really... Really... Want to ask you if... If you..."
"If I...?"
Say it, Harrington. Say it now, or forever shut your mouth.
"If you want to..." He locks his eyes with Jonathan's. "If you want to be my boyfriend."
He said it. The seven magical words. Now all that is left is for Jonathan to reply. And change their lives forever.
Jonathan's jaw falls, and he feels all his nerves go limp. Someone is asking him out. No, not someone, Steve Harrington. And Jonathan knows the answer to that.
Because it's been on his head for almost two months now.
The answer is...
"Yes." Simple and curt, but carrying so much power and meaning.
Steve can hardly believe it. He said yes. Jonathan agreed to be his boyfriend. On instinct, Steve leans forward, squeezing Jonathan's hand in his while his other hand shoots up to gently grasp Jonathan's chin. The other boy's breath hitches at the contact and leans forward as well, meeting Steve halfway as their lips connect perfectly, as if they were made for each other.
It's magical and unlike anything Steve's ever felt before. Boys are not just hotter than girls, but they kiss better, too.
It's official, Steve Harrington and Jonathan Byers are dating. They are boyfriends, finally.