Chapter Text
Steve was pretty sure he was on the verge of a panic attack.
It seemed to always happen when the gang was all together.
Because when the gang was all together, it meant that there was a monster they had to take down.
He kept his hands placed firmly on his hips to prevent them from shaking as Dustin went on his tangent about his compass not working and the magnetic frequencies, saying something about there being yet another gate to the Upside Down.
Hadn’t they already closed all of them? How the hell could there be more?
Sometimes he really hated living in Hawkins. Though he was grateful for the friends he had made over the past few years who had helped him realize he could be more than some popular jock, he sometimes longed for a day when Skull Rock was just a hookup spot and not the rendezvous location to discuss how to take down a monster who was taking out teenagers left and right.
“I think…you’re asking me to go into Mordor,” Eddie said pensively, and Steve’s brows furrowed, anxiety replaced with confusion.
What the hell is a Mordor?
“Dustin!” a voice called out from behind and everyone whipped their heads around, Dustin letting out a small screech in fear. “Dustin? Where the hell are you!”
Wait, Steve knew that voice…
“Holy shit, Y/n?” Dustin exclaimed as you came into view.
You stood atop a fallen tree trunk, hands moving to your hips same as Steve’s, glaring at Dustin.
Steve stared at you, mouth open as if trying to form words. What the hell was the beloved Hawkins babysitter doing-
“What the hell are you doing here?” Dustin asked, taking the question from Steve’s mind.
“Yooo, Y/n!” Eddie shouted with a smile, running over to pull you into a tight bear hug. Wait, miss princess was friends with alleged cult leader Eddie Munson? What the hell was happening. Your hands moved from your hips to hug him back, and though you smiled back, Steve noticed that you were still a bit annoyed. “Man am I glad to see you.”
It was so strange seeing you with such a serious expression on your face. He had only ever seen you with this goodie two-shoes smile whenever you passed him in the hallway, one that made it seem like you couldn’t hurt a fly.
This look? The one you gave Dustin when Eddie pulled away? Steve had to fight the urge to take a step back from the threat that wasn’t even directed towards him.
“Do you have any idea how worried your mom is?” you went on, looking at Lucas, whose eyes went to the ground in shame. “Your mom, too, Sinclair! There’s been three attacks and you all just think it’s okay to be out and about without letting anyone know where you are?”
“How did you even find us?” Lucas asked.
You pulled out a walkie that matched theirs. “I’ve been on your frequency for hours. I finally heard correspondence between you and Eddie to meet you at Skull Rock and headed straight over.”
“Okay, wait a minute,” Steve cut in, hands in the air to dramatically stop all conversation. He looked at Dustin with a hurt expression. “How come she has a walkie and I don’t?”
Dustin just shrugged. “It was part of the agreement.”
You cut in, looking over at Steve. “Unsupervised trick-or-treating, trips to the mall, sneaking into R-rated movies through the back door of the ice cream shop-”
“You knew about that?” Steve asked, wide eyed.
You shrugged, giving him a knowing grin and he found himself totally captivated by the expression.
“I know everything, Steve Harrington. Anyways,” you turned your attention to the device. “They boys and I agreed that as long as they checked in, we could keep their solo trips a little secret. They get to have their fun, and I get paid to do nothing. But y’all broke the pact today and I had to snoop.”
Dustin sagged, shame painted across his features. “Sorry, Y/n.”
You walked over and rested a hand on his shoulder. “It’s fine, Henderson. Just let me take you, Sinclair, and Max home so that your parents can stop harassing me about where you are.”
He shook his head vehemently. “We can’t leave. We have to follow the compass!”
“We’re going to Mordor,” Eddie cut in, and you turned to him, confused.
Okay, good, Steve though. I’m not the only one who doesn’t understand that reference-
“I’m supposed to protect these kids, Ed, and you want me to take them into Mordor?”
…God dammit.
“Listen, Y/n/n,” Robin cut in. “This thing? Killing Hawkins students? It’s big. And it’s bad. The adults have no idea what the hell is going on.”
You smirked. “When do they ever?”
“You could come with us,” Lucas offered. “It's really dangerous, though.”
Your arms crossed in front of you, one brow raised as if you were intrigued.
“So you’re saying that whatever you’re doing might kill you?” The kids shrugged and you shook your head. “Is this something that I can talk you out of?” Their heads bobbed side to side and this time you nodded, uncrossing your arms and jumping off of the trunk onto the ground. “Alright, then. I’m in. Someone’s gotta keep you safe.”
Steve scoffed. “Hold on, hold on, hold on,” you looked over at him, expression slightly amused at his confusion. “You’re just going to let her join the gang? Like that?”
Dustin and Lucas exchanged glances. “She could actually be a huge help.”
You cocked your head to the side with a smug smile at Steve that caused a whole mess of emotions to weave together in his brain.
“Listen, Y/n,” he said, shaking his head, walking up to you. “We appreciate the sentiment and all, but I think this is a bit above babysitter pay grade. Besides, I’m the one around here that keeps the kids safe.”
Your eyes narrowed. “Is that a challenge, Harrington?”
“No,” he said, “It’s a get out of jail card. So that you can go home and not have to worry about this.”
You chuckled. “Listen, buddy, these are my kids, and my responsibility. You think I’m going to ruin my reputation and hourly rate by not making sure I get them home safe and sound? No way. I’m coming.”
“You should listen to her, Steve,” Dustin said as he approached the two of you, patting Steve on the back. “Y/n doesn’t take no for an answer. Besides, we’re wasting time arguing.” He lifted his compass and started moving. “Fill her in as we go!” he yelled to the group.
Steve watched Dustin walk away for a moment before returning his focus on your piercing stare, suddenly lost in the way they sparkled under a ray of sunlight peeking through the trees.
That moment was ruined as soon as your smug expression somehow turned even more smug.
“Let’s get going then, Harrington,” you said before turning on your heel and heading toward Nancy and Robin. Robin wrapped an arm around yours and leaned her head on your shoulder and he heard her sigh out a boy am I glad to see you.
Steve was stuck to his spot for a moment, still trying to understand what the fuck just happened. He turned when he noticed Eddie standing by his side, a look of admiration on his face.
“Who the hell is this girl? Isn’t she just a babysitter?” Steve asked.
Eddie giggled, shaking his head. “No way man. Y/n is the most badass chick to ever exist. You should see her when she plays DnD. Total savage.”
Steve had no concept of reality anymore.
~~~~~
It was nightfall by the time you all reached Lover’s Lake.
Eddie’s face had gone paler than the moon shining above when he explained that this was where Patrick was killed, pointing out to the water.
“We gotta go out there,” you said, moving toward the closest boat. “Right where it happened, I imagine.”
“Okay now hold on,” Steve chided, blocking your path to the water with crossed arms. “Why don’t you stay on shore and take care of the kids? Since you claim you’re so good at it and everything.”
You smirked. “Have you ever considered taking up babysitting, Harrington? You’ve definitely nailed the protective mom vibe.”
He glared at you, biting the inside of his cheek to fight back a smile from breaking through his annoyed facade.
“I may not have any idea what is happening with Vecna or the Upside Down or whatever,” you went on, way too casually considering the circumstances, “But I did work as a camp counselor for three summers in a row, meaning I know how to navigate a water vessel and am CPR-certified, have lifeguard experience, I’m also a karate instructor-”
“Okay, well I was a lifeguard and am CPR-certified, too! And I’ve fought shit like this before!” He was stuck on the karate instructor part, though.
“Great! So maybe having two people who know what they’re doing in the water while we find a gate to Hell is a good thing?”
He couldn’t argue with that. Just simply deflated as he moved to help you push the small boat into the lake. Robin and Nancy hopped on while Eddie stayed with the kids.
You turned and pointed at them once you stepped into the boat. “If things go south, you run, okay? I got my walkie so go find a home base and we’ll catch up with you.”
Four heads nodded and you took a seat, moving to grab the paddles but Steve quickly took them first and started rowing.
You rolled your eyes.
A few minutes later, Nancy told Steve to stop. You all stood as you flashed the light over the compass, which was now spinning in circles.
“We’ve reached our destination,” you murmured, and Steve swore he finally heard a hint of fear in your voice.
He looked over the edge, pulling off his shirt.
“I’ll go check it out and let you know if I find something,” he said, grabbing a light.
“I’ll come with you,” you offered, moving to take off your jacket.
Steve turned to start what felt like his hundredth argument today, but paused as soon as he saw your face. Gone was any trace of annoyance or smugness. All he saw was concern, eyes wide and pleading. Like you didn’t want him to do this alone.
His gaze softened, and he gently touched your arm. “I’ll be okay. Your job is to keep the kids safe, right? You can’t do that while also swimming to the bottom of the lake.”
You bit your bottom lip. “But who’s going to keep you safe?”
Something in his heart bloomed and he gave you a small smile. “Okay, we’ll make a deal like you did with the boys, alright? If I’m not back in sixty seconds, you can come save me.”
You breathed out a small laugh. “Promise?”
He nodded. “Promise.”
With that, you took a step back, holding up your wrist to show him your watch. “Sixty seconds, Harrington.”
His brows jumped up and down as his grin turned cocky. “Better get moving, then.”
~~~~
It was the longest sixty-three seconds of your life.
As soon as your watch hit :50, you started pulling off your jacket, not wanting to waste any time.
When it hit a minute, you stood at the edge of the boat where Steve had just stood, looking over to the shore quickly to check on the kids one last time before you prepared to jump.
At 1:03, he emerged with a gasp, and you quickly crouched down to check if he was okay.
His arms wrapped over the boat, a big smile on his face that immediately calmed all of your anxieties.
“I found it,” he said, looking at you with pride.
You beamed, palm moving to his muscular forearm. “Good work, Harrington. Now can you please get back in here before you get hypothermia?” Your hand moved to extend toward his to help him up.
He chuckled, hand locking into yours as if it fit perfectly. “And you say I’ve nailed the protective mom vib-”
That was all he could get out before his head was ripped below the surface.
Whatever had him was so strong you nearly lost your grip on his hand, but you held on tight as your body collided with the edge of the boat, arm feeling like it was going to be ripped out of its socket.
“STEVE!” you shouted, trying desperately to pull him back up, but it was no use. You turned to Robin and Nancy. “Help me!”
They were by your side in seconds.
“Grab his arm!” you commanded, and when you felt their hands securely around his arm and wrist, you slowly let go. Luckily, it seemed like Steve hadn’t been pulled down further….yet.
“I’m going after him,” you said, scanning the boat for your flashlight. One in your hand, the light flashed over a hatchet in the corner and you grabbed it. “Hold onto him tight.” You didn’t wait to see them nod before jumping into the cold water.
You pointed the light at Steve’s terrified expression, his body trashing. His eyes met yours briefly before he looked down at his leg.
At the thick, alien looking tentacle wrapped around it.
You didn’t stop to think as you swam forward, moving the flashlight between your legs and holding onto Steve’s calf for support.
Then, with every ounce of strength, you swung.
The water lessened the level of impact your hatchet made against the tentacle, but when you pulled the weapon back you saw that you had made a decent cut into whatever monster this was.
Said monster let out a screech that you knew would haunt your nightmares for years to come.
Still, you kept going, bubbles erupting out of your mouth as you screamed with your second swing, pushing with all of your might with the hatchet.
Like an elastic, the tentacle broke apart with a snap and recoiled down to the surface.
Without hesitating, you moved the flashlight and hatchet under your left arm, then used your remaining strength to push Steve up by the feet to the surface. Your head was growing fuzzy from the lack of air, but you kept pushing until he was out of the water.
Seconds later, you were falling into the boat, the two of you sputtering and gasping for air.
You sat up quickly, eyes locking onto his.
“Are you okay?” you asked, wiping the hair out of his eyes.
He coughed a few times before nodding. Robin and Nancy worked on unwrapping the remaining tentacle from his leg and he hissed with pain.
You grabbed his hand and squeezed. “You’re alright, Steve. You’re safe now.”
Your brows furrowed when he started shaking his head, still trying to catch his breath.
Then, he started giggling, and your brows nearly melded together in confusion.
“I cannot believe you just jumped into monster-infested waters and hacked at an alien tentacle as if you’ve done this a million times before.”
Your face relaxed, and suddenly you found yourself laughing along with him at the ridiculousness of it all, hand still in his.
“What can I say, Steve?” you said once your laughter subsided. “I’m a really good babysitter.”