𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘-𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑 - spill, steve

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 𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐕𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐁𝐈𝐍 had seen this happen to Scarlet before; they'd seen the few times her body would begin to shake until she couldn't stand upon her own two legs. The times when her chest would heave with every little breath she took, as though oxygen was simply refusing to flood through her body.

 Robin had been terrified the first time; it had been the first sleepover she'd had in a very long time; Robin was never exactly popular and all the friends she had made, had the misfortune of incredibly strict parents wrangling them inside their homes by nine PM sharp. So when it had fallen to dusk and Scarlet was still propped atop Robin's bed, feet kicking back and forth as they bobbed to some old music and smacked down their playing cards... Robin had suggested that she stay the night.

 Scarlet had positively jumped at the chance, and by the time twilight had settled like a blanket over Hawkins, she'd been swamped in some of Robins's old clothes — a sweater that had a hole in the cuff and a pair of sweat pants that had to be rolled and rolled and rolled just so that Scarlet wouldn't trip down the stairs.

 But Robin's home had always housed flickering lights and appliances that would cut out if the entire street had their lights blaring within their homes... everything had fallen dark, televisions flashing off, lights fizzling out... Scarlet had been in the bathroom with the door bolted shut.

 She couldn't feel for the light switch, she couldn't escape and every single time she turned around, her arms or legs bumped into the wall of the tiny bathroom. She had descended into the very same state as she was inside the elevator.

 All Robin had heard was choking and sobbing, her heart had lurched so very painfully as she'd sat there twiddling her thumbs at the edge of her bed with no parents home... until she remembered that the lock to the door could very easily be unscrewed from the outside — Robin had sprinted to the shed outside, hands grappling for anything she could possibly use.

 When the door had been opened, the lock well and truly abandoned on the floor, Robin had swallowed at the sight. Scarlet had tucked her head between her knees, rocking back and forth like a child missing their mother. She had reached out, but in the end, Robin couldn't do much to snap her from the nightmare — she called Steve.

 This time, there was nothing they could do to help her; the elevator was falling and with every step that both Robin and Steve tried to take, they'd only be sent crashing into the wall, or toppling to the ground in a painful little heap.

 But when the elevator jolted to a heavy stop, sending Steve tumbling into boxes, sending Erica and Dustin to the ground, each of them groaning as they bumped skulls and as Robin clattered into the wall, knocking her elbow... Scarlet was finally spared from her own mind. She too had felt the effects of their crash landing; Scarlet had been sent backwards, the back of her skull colliding with the wall she'd slid down... she could feel the trickle of blood already.

 But there was no time to worry about a little dribble of blood slipping through her hair, for the dam finally broke, her chest finally cleared, and all she could do was gasp.

 Steve was groaning, calling out for Dustin as a box landed on his body. Erica was still crawling to her feet, rather thankful that the helmet she'd brought along was still on her head. Robin was leaning against the wall, shaking off the blur that passed through her vision... Scarlet let her head rest against the metal wall of the elevator, her chest rising and falling so ferociously that it hurt.

 For the entire time they'd been plummeting, all she'd heard was the voice of Brenner, she'd felt the sting of his hand, the jolt of electricity that he'd send through her skin... as though he was right in front of her, punishing her once again.

 But it wasn't real. None of it was real anymore, and yet Scarlet could never really tell the difference between reality, and the images her mind brought to life.

 There was the sound of skidding shoes, the heavy thud thud thud of hastened steps... and then a shadow drifted over Scarlet, prompting her eyes to crack open.

 Steve had no pity in his eyes, just genuine concern. His hand hovered in the air, tentative — he could still remember the slap he'd received when he'd tried to grab her just as the elevator began to fall... but she nodded this time, her eyes finally clear.

 His fingers found her cheek, his thumb wiping away something warm... the remnants of the tears that had flooded from her eyes. He hated this. Hated that even after everything she'd been through, even despite taking freedom for her own... she still had to suffer... and there was nothing he could do to help her.

 He couldn't ask if she was alright, no, Steve was smart enough to know that was a dumb question to ask, so he merely slid his fingers down from her cheek and curled them around her hand. It only took a light tug to prompt her to crawl to her feet, assisted heavily by Steve.

 Scarlet stumbled into him; the room was still spinning and there were still splotches of black fading in and out of her sight, but Steve only held her there. No words, no prattling with pity, he just held her for a moment.

 "Is —" Robin tried, her voice shattering like a fragile mirror, "Is everyone... okay?"

 Scarlet, even despite the pain flaring at the back of her skull, even despite the rattling heart within her chest, managed to mumble a little retort, "Peachy, Rob."

 Steve, however, wasn't as content to pretend as though they hadn't just been sent to the depths of hell all because Russians couldn't make their buttons work. His cheeks blistered, "Yeah, Robin! I'm great!" His voice became unnaturally high, and even Scarlet took a step away from him, eyebrow higher than heaven as he suddenly began to pace, "Now that I know Russians can't design elevators!"

 He stormed over to the control panel and — just as he'd done with the light switch back in Scoops Ahoy — Steve practically assaulted it. His fingers flammed down on the buttons until finally, he balled his fist and used all of his might... nothing happened.

 Robin leaned her weight on one leg, watching as Steve continued onwards even despite the lack of... anything at all happening, "I think we've clearly established that those buttons don't work."

 "They are buttons, they have to do something!"

 Scarlet peered around the rooms, arms still tight around her torso... she trailed her sights over the multitude of boxes, all containing the capsules of green liquid; some had fallen over, toppling to the ground. There wasn't much else in sight, the boxes, the buttons and a little slot for a key card. Oh.

 "We need a keycard," Scarlet muttered, joining Steve's side as she poked the little divot where one would slide the card; perhaps the buttons had simply been installed for the delivery guys. Maybe there was a switch that the Russians used only when that delivery time had approached... only to shut them off the moment they knew that the only people entering, would have their nifty little card in hand. It made sense. It was just an extra layer of their security.

 But what that also meant... was that their little group of kids and teens, would have to wait until they were back on the surface, and the delivery time was due. Quite obviously, there were some glaring problems with that; starting with the fact that the Russians would likely come to retrieve the stock already within the elevator... and would likely shoot them all on sight. Hell, even if by some stupid miracle, they managed to get to the surface at all... there would still be guards waiting by the entrance of the elevator, overseeing the delivery.

 There was no way out.

 That little revelation didn't really quell the panic that had already been brewing within her stomach. But if the others hadn't caught on to that train of thought... she wouldn't speak of it. Scarlet cleared her throat, turning her back on the lock, "It's an electronic lock, they had them in —" Robin cocked her head, and Scarlet swiftly got back on point, "We need a keycard to open it, my guess is that the buttons only work when the Russian's want them to... to grant access to the delivery guys? But if we don't have that keycard..."

 "We're stuck in here." Dustin finished, his voice grave.

 They settled into silence, each of them finally and firmly grasping the fact that they were, essentially, trapped in a tiny little box with a bunch of mysterious green liquid, merely waiting for the Russians to come and... well, they all tried not to think about that.

 Erica, however, clearly had her priorities straight. The girl hopped from the boxed she'd been perched upon, her flashlights glaring around the room, boring into Steve's eyes as Erica chose him as her victim, "Just so you nerds are aware, I'm supposed to be spending the night at Tina's, and Tina always covers for me. But if I'm not home for Uncle Jack's party tomorrow and my mom finds out you're responsible, she's gonna hunt you down, one by one, and slit your throats."

 She failed to notice the flare of irritation within Steve's eyes, nor the way his fingers curled into his palms.

 Scarlet sighed, toppling backwards until she landed on one of the boxes; perhaps they should have all been taking a little more care when using a box stuffed with odd green liquid as their stools... but they'd worry about that when the time came.

 She knew that Mrs Sinclair wouldn't do a damn thing to them, especially if Scarlet showed her face. Erica's mother would likely reprimand her little girl, offer an odd look to her company, and invite Scarlet inside for dinner... that's just how she was. But now, as Erica continued to babble on, screaming and squawking whilst Scarlet's head continued to pound... she truly thought about sending just a tiny little wave of crimson through the little girl's mind — just a tiny bit. Enough to, perhaps, send the girl into a peaceful little nap, if only for ten minutes... but that would be bad, right?

 Scarlet would have flinched when Steve slammed his hands upon a stack of boxes... if she hadn't been expecting it. Steve often voiced his thoughts, even if nobody around him cared to listen, he liked to mutter under his breath and spill the worry on his tongue. He had been doing that... but sometimes, just sometimes, it was all a little too much.

 His worry, his irritation... it would bubble and froth until it overflowed and he couldn't keep it hidden any longer.

 He knew something like this would happen; he knew they were rushing headfirst into danger once again... yet he'd let them, and he'd let two kids be dragged along with them. He wanted to kick himself for not learning, after everything that had already happened less than a year prior; sure everything might have turned out alright, but that was only because Scarlet and her super-human powers had been there to keep them safe.

 Sure, she was with them right now... but once again, she'd be the one forced to face things alone... to kill the people that spotted them. How could he live with that?

 Steve exploded, "I don't care about Tina! Or Uncle Jack's party! Your mom's not gonna be able to find us if we're dead in a Russian elevator!" His cheeks were bright red, growing close to the very shade that Scarlet would prompt from him with her teasing.

 He could feel his cheeks burning, the tips of his ears scorching... hell his fingers felt about ready to snap like twigs as he dug his nails deeper into the box he leaned over.

 Erica blinked, not another word passing through her mouth.

 He was seething until Scarlet joined him. She had only ever seen him acting this way just once before; back when they'd had a little squabble over who would be better at protecting the children, whether they should have stayed back, or gone through those tunnels. Steve... he didn't necessarily have a level head, but his blow-ups and yells were few and far between — he didn't want to be like his dad, after all.

 Her fingers coiled around his wrist, a gentle touch to coax his rage away. He blinked, eyes stooping to the warmth bellowing over his flesh, then they trailed upwards, past the blue band on her wrist, past the patches she'd sewn onto her shorts, the little sun printed on her tee, and finally to her face.

 He breathed out unaware that Robin had to smother a smile at the way he'd practically deflated beneath Scarlet's touch, and his attention swiftly snapped to Dustin who clicked his fingers and pointed high. 

 He'd spotted the little grate in the ceiling, "What if we climbed out?"

 Scarlet was all too eager to get out of the room they were trapped within; each passing second made it feel as though the walls were slowly closing together, threatening to pop them like balloons. She dropped her hold on Steve, and for once, she saw his face fall at the action... her heart warmed.

 "I'll go first." She chimed, lips finally curling into a small smile. She couldn't wait to finally feel as though she could stretch her legs without tapping against the wall, and so she trailed forth and swiftly assisted Dustin in making a little set of steps to climb with the boxes around them.

 They piled them high, and though the makeshift staircase swayed ever so slightly, Scarlet was more than happy to scale it as swiftly as possible. The grate above was easy enough to lift and shove aside, and her hands soon grabbed tight to the roof, heaving herself high.

 The moment she was upon solid ground... or rather, their little death trap, Scarlet reached a hand back through to the elevator, willing Dustin to take hold as the boy climbed free, Steve soon followed suit.

 The air around them was damp, the scent of burning wafting free... though that was likely due to their swift descent into hell itself. Still, Scarlet peered upwards whilst Steve and Dustin did the very same... their hopes were soon squashed like a bug beneath a boot. The elevator shaft was... beyond long. The light's around them illuminated the metal running up and down the walls, but even still, they couldn't even see the top.

 It was hopeless.

 Dustin shook his head, a swift curse falling from his lips as he jammed the toe of his shoe against the grate they'd removed. He had to bite his lip to keep from yelling out in minute pain... and Steve, he spelt out the obvious for them all, "I don't think we can climb that, Henderson."

 He'd been the first of them to speak, and as though the elevator shaft was mocking their futile hopes and prayers... Steve's voice echoed around them, beating against their ears relentlessly.

 They'd fallen too far, and there was no way out.

 Steve was... he was scared. He'd settled himself on the ground, fingers deftly picking at the laces on his shoes, trailing one along the lines of the soles... Scarlet had left the two boys behind, hopping back down into the elevator below just to make sure that Robin and Erica were alright even despite the grimace she'd pulled at the thought of stuffing herself into the room once more.

 He'd watched her go, eyes soft with creases surrounding them, but then, when her head of curls and the colourful clips that pinned her fringe down were gone from sight, he sighed, quite defeatedly.

 They had always spent long periods of time around one another; from Steve finding a home on the cabin's couch until he finally awoke the next morning, from being up at the break of dawn just to explore something new together, only returning once the twilight had descended.

 But now that he'd finally caved and admitted the way he felt... it was harder. When he'd been pushing those feelings he had away, when he'd simply blink and turn away whenever he'd find himself leaning a little too close, staring at her pouting lips a little too long... it was easier to accept. He'd pretend he didn't like her like that because then he wouldn't have to think about rejection.

 Now those feelings were too hard to ignore; especially when they were thrust into danger once again. None of them knew how things would turn out — they were just a bunch of kids, after all. So to think that they might never escape, to think that they'd have Russians storming after them with guns cocked... it was hard to ignore those settling feelings for Scarlet; because, surely, admitting them and getting rejected was better than dying without words unsaid?

 He shook his head, trying to coax away Dustin's relentless words spoken to his walkie, trying with all his might to contact someone, anyone. Steve couldn't admit them; if his parents couldn't love him... if Nancy never did... if his former friends had all simply been by his side because he had been King... then why the hell would Scarlet ever gift him such care and affection?

 He was growing frustrated, that much was clear from his white knuckles glaring up at him, fingers digging into the bare skin around his scuffed knees. He hated feeling this way, feeling so... so worthless.

 He snapped at Dustin, "Seriously, Henderson! Can you stop? What, you think that Petey the mall cop is gonna rappel down here and save the day?"

 Dustin spun on his heel; he'd been trying the walkie for fifteen minutes straight, but not without reason. They'd been trapped away for so damn long that the mall had opened for the day — they'd been gone all night. God, his mom was going to freak.

 But if the mall was open, then there was a higher chance of someone finally responding, a chance of them actually getting out alive.

 While Steve couldn't have known that, — Dustin and Erica were the only ones prepped to the nines and wearing their watches — he was acting like an ass. He'd snapped twice already, and while Steve Harrington was easy to rile and even easier to tease... Dustin couldn't understand why he was the one catching the brunt of it.

 "All right," The boy snapped back, "Why are you acting like such a dick after getting to spend so much time with Scar?"

 "Jesus Christ, would you stop with that!"

 "Nope."

 "Henderson —"

 "You like her!" Dustin cut him off, somewhat enjoying the way Steve's cheeks flushed again. He was like a little kid — he was like Mike whenever Eleven was mentioned, "Actually... I'm pretty sure that you, Steve Harrington, are in love with her."

 "Dustin, please... just — just stop."

 The dreaded L-word. The very word that Steve would so frequently toss around; to his mother, his dad many years ago... hell he'd said it to Nancy only after a couple of weeks. But not once had Steve Harrington ever heard anybody say it back, and actually mean it.

 Even as a kid his father would keep his eyes on his paperwork acting as though he hadn't heard his son at all. His mother would bob her head as though she were a robot, merely repeating the words he'd said, only with no twinkle in her eye and no emotion on her tongue. Nancy had called him bullshit, called his love bullshit, and their relationship bullshit.

 Dustin was right, though. Even though Steve had tried so very hard to protect himself, to keep that stupid word from echoing in his head whenever he looked at Scarlet... he loved her. He knew it was stupid, he knew he was stupid; falling in love with somebody within mere months — but he couldn't help it.

 Dustin had paused. Steve never used his first name — it was some weird thing to make him seem as though he didn't care for them as much as he did, to try and sound like a stern babysitter rather than a caring older brother.

 So the sound of his name on Steve's tongue had made Dustin fall silent, peering ever closer, "Oh — Oh man." He muttered softly, "You do, don't you? You love her."

 When Steve looked up, he knew he looked a state — pathetic, even. His eyes drooping in defeat, his back slumped, fingers anxiously prying at any thread he could find. But with the concern on Dustin's face, the absence of any mocking at all... Steve crumbled entirely, "Yeah, I do. How could I not? I mean — I've never met anybody who laughs at the dumb shit I say, somebody who calls me out when I'm insensitive — and she actually teaches me how to be better, you know? She doesn't care that I'm not smart, that I can't spell or read things properly because the letters just... they just move when I look at them. Instead of laughing at me, she'll read something to me, or she'll write something out for me to copy."

 Steve had let the dam break, and it seemed that there was nothing left to hold the flood waves back, "She calls every single night when she's home, just to make sure my dad hasn't —" he swallowed, and Dustin dropped his gaze, "She actually cares about me — I don't know why, but she does. She..." He had to pause there, because oh so suddenly, there was a tightening sensation at the back of his throat, a slow haze covering his sight, "She kinda... she kind of gave me a family, you know? Hopper's this gruff guy, and sure I think he'd murder me if I ever treated her wrong, but he looks out for me more than my dad ever has. Even Eleven, she's like a little sister to me. Scar — She's given me so much."

 His cheeks had grown hotter than Hawkins. His heart pounded against his ribcage... and he couldn't even meet Dustin's eyes. He felt like he'd spilled a secret he never should have told. Scarlet was his best friend, and he just had to go and fall in love with her.

 Dustin crept forwards, his steps light enough that only a light little thud sounded out with each pace. He settled beside his babysitter — the teenager that he looked up to, not that he'd ever really voice that aloud. Dustin... he didn't know what to say, for Steve had never been so open before. He never mentioned his dad or allude to the things Mr Harrington did, he never — actually, Dustin couldn't really recall if Steve had ever delved into his feelings before.

 Dustin removed his cap, fiddling with it just so that he had something to stare at, "I'm — I'm sorry.

 "Huh?"

 "Look, I knew you liked her, it's — it's really obvious, dude... But I guess I just didn't think you felt like that." Dustin knew Steve would likely run from his next words, but he had to say them, "You have to tell her."

 "I can't, Henderson." Steve sighed, his face buried within his hands. Even his fingers were scorching, as red as his cheeks, neck and ears, "She's my best friend... and it's not like it was with Nancy — with her, I could just say things, I guess I had the confidence to. But Scar? It's like I'm scared about everything I do, because what if I scare her away? What if she sees the person I used to be? She's had too much of a shitty life to settle for... for me. She deserves better, and I — I don't know if I could handle her rejecting me."

 Dustin could understand that part, at least. Even so, Dustin knew that there was no chance in hell that Scarlet would reject him... and even if she did, she wasn't the type of person to cut Steve off entirely. She cared about him, like Steve had said; they were best friends.

 "Dude," Dustin said, sliding his hat back atop his springing curls, he watched as Steve tugged on a thread of his shorts, pulling it until it fall off, only to move his twitching fingers to his shoelaces, tying and untying them repeatedly, "Tell her. You're not gonna lose her — you really think that Scarlet would... what? Leave you in the dust just because you like her? Nah, no chance in hell. Even if she doesn't feel the same way — which I'd bet my entire jar of pocket money that she does — she cares about you too much to let you go... who else would she bully with Robin?"

 Steve might have chuckled at that.

 "Oh, and the whole..." Dustin mocked him then, finally. Steve had been waiting for it, "She deserves better than me! Why not let her decide that, huh?"

 Steve's fingers trailed through his hair, strand upon strand falling onto his forehead, brushing his lashes. He couldn't help but want to smile at Dustin's words, even if his stomach was as tangled as a bunch of wires, for the boy was acting strangely... sagely. His words sparked the smallest of flames within Steve, a slight bout of courage. He wanted nothing more than to imagine telling Scarlet exactly how he felt, only to watch as a tinge of red finally spread over her cheeks... but. No. No buts.

 Steve spoke before he could think, "Okay."

 "Uh okay? Okay, what?" Dustin coaxed.

 "I'll tell her." There. He'd said it. Now he'd never be able to go back on his words, not when Dustin had been the one to hear them. He knew the boy would poke and prod him, with a stick if need be, until he followed through. Steve swiftly parted his lips once more, his words firm as Distin grinned, "When we're out of here."

 Dustin didn't need to add anything more, for his work was well and truly done. He'd never let either of them live it down if he was the very reason for them finally spilling the way they felt about one another. He simply couldn't wait. Plus... not that Dustin would ever tell them, but Steve and Scarlet... he thought they were kinda meant for each other. The boy who got his ass kicked, and the girl with superpowers. The somewhat dumb former jock, and the smart big sister to a cluster of kids.

 It made sense.

 Steve could already feel the buzz in his gut rising, the mere prospect of looking Scarlet in the eyes as he finally let his feelings for her spill free. He was petrified... but once it was done... it was done, right?

 So he'd tell her. He had to. It was too hard to keep denying things, it was too hard to brush away the flush he'd get when all they did was hold hands... he'd do it.

 As soon as they managed to escape the Russian Hell-hole, that is.

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29-02-2020

edited version: 18-10-2022

:･ﾟ★ screaming, crying, throwing up, jumping into an elevator shaft, sliding down the wall... i hope you all enjoy the way i've added on to steve as a character, the added backstory, more mentions on how everything has affected him etc, i just love him, and i love that i kind of flipped their train track scene; now it's dustin's turn to give love advice <3

also, yes, i think it's very in character for him to fall in love very quickly, just because he craves it so much :(

don't forget to let me know what you think; and remember that i now require a particular number of comments and feedback before i consider releasing the next part (this is just to ensure people remain engaged and supportive, as well as to allow me to see what you all enjoyed most!), and please do NOT leave comments telling me to update; they'll be ignored and you'll be muted, much love <3

s4 yellow jumper!steve supremacy. lemme get on my knees rn baby girl.