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"What's got you so down?" Eddie asked, bumping his shoulder against yours.
Both of you had been ordered to attend the Christmas party being held in the Wheeler’s basement on Christmas Eve night. You weren’t exactly in the Christmas mood, but you also knew that you didn’t want to disappoint any of the party by not showing up.
You frowned at Eddie before taking a sip of the beer Robin had placed in your hand just moments before.
"Nothing," you lied, shrugging your shoulders.
Eddie scoffed, bumping into you again. "You're a terrible liar."
You glared at Eddie, wondering just when the hell he had gotten to know you so well, but you knew. You had only been friends with him since March, but you had a bond that would last a lifetime.
You had been there to clear Eddie's name when your best friend Chrissy died. Both of you were there when she went into her trance and both of you saw her die. It was traumatic and horrifying, but while Eddie ran in fear, you stayed behind with the body of your best friend, begging her to get up, foolishly hoping it was all some cruel prank.
The cops didn't want to believe you at first, but you cried and pleaded and swore up and down that Eddie Munson didn't have anything to do with Chrissy's death. You told them everything about what happened. Chrissy was worried and nervous, not sleeping, and complaining of headaches. You told them about her coming to you and confessing that she wanted something, anything to make it go away. She just wanted to get better.
Eddie Munson had been the obvious answer to all her problems.
Chrissy wanted you to go with her to meet him, and when she surprised you and Eddie by asking for something stronger, you joined her at Eddie's trailer on the night she died. You remembered the lights flickering, staring at them in concern, before you turned to ask Chrissy if she thought there was a power surge. You hadn't expected Chrissy to be floating and you certainly hadn't expected the excruciating thing that happened next.
The police didn't want to believe you at first, but you finally convinced them that Eddie was innocent.
Jason Carver, on the other hand, couldn't be convinced at all.
Chrissy's death had plunged you and Eddie deep into the craziness that was plaguing Hawkins. When other students from Hawkins High, including Steve Harrington of all people, had shown up asking questions, you ended up getting a crash course on the Upside Down and girls with superpowers and evil labs full of evil scientists.
You weren't sure if you quite believed what was going on, but you figured you were in it now, whether you wanted to be or not. So, if you could somehow avenge Chrissy's death, then you were going to take it.
Even though you had already graduated Hawkins High just the year before, your friendship with Chrissy had withstood not seeing each other every day. You called each other every night and you gossiped and hung out at least three times a week. She was like a sister to you, and you would have done anything to bring her back.
Since you couldn't raise the dead, you settled for teaming up with a bunch of other teenagers along with Eddie and vowed to help take down the monster who stole your best friend from you.
When you set upon the War Zone store to stock up on supplies to bring into the Upside Down, you weren't prepared for Jason to corner you. There was a smirk on his face as he pushed forward, forcing you back until you were pressed up against a shelf of hunting knives.
"Well, well," he said, watching you. "What's got you so interested in hunting? You've never been the type before."
Even though you would never want to admit it, you knew Jason. Very well.
Just the year before, you had been stupid and drunk at a Christmas party hosted at Jason's house. He wasn't yet dating Chrissy and you found yourself upstairs in his room, just the two of you, alone. The next morning, he acted like you barely existed, and by the time a new year was dawning, he was dating your best friend.
It was one of the only secrets you ever kept from Chrissy and it was the reason you hated Jason more than anyone else in Hawkins.
"Go away," you snapped, trying to push past him.
"Oh, I don't think so," Jason argued, refusing to budge. "I didn't take you for the type to hang out with a murderer. Much less one who murdered your best friend."
"He didn't kill Chrissy," you growled, practically baring your teeth at Jason in anger. "I was there, okay? You really think I would have stuck up for him if he did?"
"I don't know," Jason mused, a mocking tone in his voice. "Maybe you're fucking him and sticking up for him to keep him around. God knows getting you underneath me wasn't good enough to keep me around. There’s got to be something in it for him and for you."
You felt a flash of hurt and anger roll over you. Your hands clenched into fists at your sides and you pressed yourself further into the shelves behind you. You wanted so badly to lash out at him, but that was what he wanted. He wanted to get you all riled up, because he thought you were hiding something about Chrissy's death. And you were, it just wasn't quite what Jason expected.
If Jason didn’t believe you about Eddie being innocent, then he sure as hell wasn’t going to believe that some nightmarish demon from another dimension had killed his girlfriend.
"Fuck off," you hissed, wishing that you never had to see Jason ever again.
"Not until you admit it," Jason breathed, his voice calm and complacent in a chilling way. You couldn't help but think for a moment that Jason was a veritable sociopath before he pushed in even closer. "Admit that Munson killed Chrissy. And you helped him cover it."
You couldn't quite control the impulses, then. You reached out, your palm stinging from where it made contact with Jason's face. "You don't know what the fuck you're talking about."
"You bitch--" Jason started, before he was roughly pushed away from you.
You were surprised to see Steve suddenly standing between you and Jason, his hands out to prevent Jason from getting any closer to you.
"Harrington," Jason sneered, sending a quick look your way. "Are you screwing him now? Won't be long until he realizes--"
Jason didn't get to say anything else, because Steve pushed him again, sending him careening back into a rack of hunting jackets.
"Let's get something straight, Carver," Steve said, advancing on him. "You don't look at her and you sure as hell don't speak to her. You got that?"
Jason chuckled, the sound dark and wicked, before he shook his head. "You're gonna regret that," he spat before he left, throwing you a sharp, angry glance over his shoulder.
Steve turned around to look at you once Jason was gone. There was a soft, concerned expression on his face that had you practically melting inside. You had never considered yourself the type to play the damsel in distress, but there was something about Steve stepping up for you, protecting you, that started your slow, but steady fall into love.
You had always admired Steve in one way or another. His popularity had waned, but he only turned out to be kind and loyal and fair. Once he started hanging out with Dustin Henderson, he seemed to turn into a whole other person, and while you had always had the slightest inkling of a crush on him, it wasn't until everything happened with Vecna and the nightmares of the Upside Down that you started to really get to know him.
Miraculously, all of you had managed to survive Vecna and the Upside Down coming to Hawkins. When Eddie almost died, you had lost it, and it had only been Steve that brought you back to reality.
"Hey, hey," Steve called, turning you to face him. "He's going to be okay. You got him out in time," Steve assured you, both of you drawing looks from the nurses at the front desk.
You had been worriedly pacing up and down the waiting room, ignoring all the other people in the room. Eddie had been bloody and unconscious when you managed to drag him out of the Upside Down. But he had been alive. Breathing. There had been hope as you yelled yourself hoarse, begging him to stay alive, as you and Dustin Henderson pushed and pulled him into the back of an abandoned car.
You didn't remember much of the drive to the hospital or watching them rush Eddie away, all you could think was that he better be alive so you could kill him yourself for being such an idiotic martyr.
It wasn't until Steve was there that you snapped out of your worry. There was something about Steve that put you at ease, loosening the knot of anxiety you carried with you in your chest. He calmed you in a way no one else seemed to and you desperately wished he would stay with you just so you could feel like a person again.
In the months that followed, you grew closer to every member of the party. Eddie quickly became one of your best friends and you were welcomed into the fold of teens and kids who had fought for years to keep everyone in Hawkins alive.
Now, the first Christmas after Hawkins fell apart, you were finding it hard to care. You didn't feel whole, because there was a pit welling inside you, leaving you empty and wanting.
"Hey," Eddie whispered, "Christmas isn't over yet, y'know? It’s not even here. Maybe your gift is still on its way. Good things come to those who wait and all that nonsense." A smirk appeared on Eddie's face as he leaned in closer to you. "Santa's still got to make the rounds. Have you been a good girl?" He asked, waggling his eyebrows at you.
You rolled your eyes, pushing him away. "Shut up," you grumbled, unable to keep an answering smile off your face.
Eddie always knew how to make you laugh, even at your lowest, and you loved him all the more for it.
You set down your drink before standing up. Eddie shot you a concerned look, but you shook your head, waving him off. "Just need some air," you claimed before patting him on the shoulder, passing him on your way towards the door.
Eddie stuck out his foot, acting like he was going to trip you, barely ducking the swat you aimed at his head. You felt lighter as you stuck your tongue out at him on your way out the door.
You shivered as you stepped outside, the chill of the air stealing your breath for a moment. Your nose slowly started numbing from the freezing blanket that descended on you the second you left the Wheeler's house, but you didn't care. Everyone inside was so happy and you just weren't there, so far removed from everyone around you that you couldn't stand it.
You were happy for your friends. You really were, but even in the middle of a party surrounded by them, you felt so painfully alone.
"Hey," Steve said, startling you enough that you almost tripped.
You glanced over to see Steve standing in the shadows cast by the Wheeler residence, sipping from the beer in his hand as he leaned up against the side of the house.
"Sorry," Steve said, and you could just imagine the adorable, bashful expression on his face.
"It's okay," you whispered, moving to join him.
"Why are you whispering?" Steve whispered in turn, glancing around, suddenly alert.
"No reason," you answered, letting your voice rise a bit. "It's just..." you trailed off, gesturing towards the scene before you. The rest of the street was quiet, lit up by Christmas lights, the night still.
"Yeah," Steve answered, still whispering. "I get it."
You stood there with Steve for a few moments in silence before he held his beer out towards you, wordlessly offering you a sip. You took it from him, pressing your lips to the bottle, fighting off a shiver of pleasure at the thought that Steve's lips had been where yours were now.
You took a drink before passing it back to him, nodding in thanks.
"So," you started, glancing over at Steve. "What are you doing out here when everyone's in there?"
Steve settled you with a small, amused smirk. "I could ask you the same thing."
You pursed your lips, shrugging your shoulders as you looked away. "It doesn't feel the same, you know? It just doesn't feel like Christmas. A year ago, before I knew about any of this shit, I was at a different party." A year ago, you didn't know about monsters or superpowers. You didn't know about nightmarish demons and that your best friend wouldn't make it through spring the next year. You didn't know anything, but now standing here with Steve, you were glad to be let in on Hawkins' ghastly secret. You would have given anything, even your own life, for Chrissy to be alive again, but to know that there was a reason that the town was so fucked up went a long way towards settling the uneasiness inside of you. Most of the town was convinced an earthquake had rocked Hawkins apart, but you knew better. And because of that, you were just the slightest bit more prepared for what would happen once Vecna resurfaced with his army.
"Yeah," Steve sighed, considering you. "We survived, but at what cost? What's going to happen by this time next Christmas? Will we even still be alive?"
"Yeah," you breathed, feeling like a weight had been lifted off your shoulders. Steve understood. Steve got it. A year ago, you had been having sex with Jason, and now he was dead, the town was torn apart, and you were standing out in the cold with a guy you were in love with, even though he was none the wiser about your feelings.
You had been able to ignore the chill creeping inside you until a gust of wind had you swaying on your feet, your teeth beginning to click together as you shuddered.
"You're freezing," Steve observed, finishing off his beer before dropping it into the garbage can that was left just outside the garage door. "We should get back inside."
You thought about going back inside where it was warm and everyone was bright and happy and you couldn't pretend any longer. You shook your head, as much from the cold as in answer to Steve's proposal.
"Okay," Steve mused, before he reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out his car keys. "Want to go sit in my car?"
"Yes," you immediately agreed, realizing it was exactly where you wanted to be.
"Come on," Steve beckoned, leading you towards his car. He held the passenger door open for you, even going so far as to close the door for you once you were inside his car. The last time you were in Steve's passenger seat, you were on the way home from visiting Max in the hospital with the rest of the party. She was recovering, slowly but surely, after Eleven managed to pull her mind back from out of Vecna's hold along with the help of a girl named Kali.
Vecna was still out there and the world was still threatening to burn down around you, but you felt right when you were in Steve's car, by his side, and listening to him softly hum along with the radio.
"You're okay to drive, right?" You asked, finally thinking about your safety and the beer Steve had been drinking ten minutes after leaving the Wheeler house.
"Yeah," Steve answered, shooting you a grin. "That was my only drink of the night," he admitted, turning his attention back to the road.
"Good," you said, nodding, smiling to yourself as you looked out the passenger side window, watching a snowy Hawkins pass you by in the dark.
Steve reached out to turn the dial on the radio up, blasting Jingle Bell Rock. Steve sang along softly under his breath, and by the time Brenda Lee's voice was fading, you were smiling at Steve. Here, in his car, he was so carefree. Steve was usually sweet and a bit goofy, looking out for everyone around him, a pillar of righteousness and protection. But now, with his guard down, he was downright adorable. There was a warmth spreading through you that had nothing to do with the blast of the car's heater and had everything to do with your feelings for Steve.
"What?" Steve asked once the song was over, looking suddenly self-conscious. There was a small bloom of red on his cheeks as he tapped his fingers nervously on the steering wheel. "Am I a bad singer or what?"
"No," you answered, firmly shaking your head. "It's just nice listening to you, is all," you said, feeling a jolt of pride shoot through you when Steve's blush darkened.
"Oh," he said, his voice soft and a bit awestruck.
"So," you started, not wanting to embarrass Steve any further. "Where are we going?"
Steve shot you a conspiratorial look before he shook his head. "You'll find out," he said, not bothering to elaborate.
You usually would have hated not getting an answer, but you trusted Steve completely. He had done more than enough to win your trust over the past year, and you knew he would never do anything to hurt you. Not intentionally.
It wasn't long before Steve was turning onto a gravel road and pulling the car to a stop.
"The quarry," you mused, not entirely surprised. It was quiet, like the rest of Hawkins, but largely untouched by the curse of Vecna. While the center of town had fallen into ruin, the quarry was far enough away that you could almost pretend it was a different town entirely.
"If you don't like it--" Steve started, but you cut him off.
"It's perfect," you assured him, reaching out to lightly put a hand on his arm in reassurance.
"Okay," Steve agreed with a nod. "Cool," he breathed, before he glanced out the windshield. He glanced down, and it was only then that you realized your hand was still on your arm. You pulled it away and Steve made a quick, disappointed noise of protest before he reached out to grab your hand.
It was warm and perfect in yours, shooting a little thrill through you. You felt your face flush and glanced out the window, trying to hide your delighted smile from Steve. From the way he squeezed your hand, you were sure he saw it anyways.
"I don't think I ever thanked you," you found yourself saying, not sure where the courage to bring up that moment came from, but knowing it felt right.
"For what?" Steve asked, shooting you a confused glance.
"When you stepped up for me...with Jason," you clarified, not wanting to bring up exactly what Jason had said during that confrontation, but hoping Steve got the hint.
"He was wrong, you know? For what he said about you and what he did to you. No one deserves that, but especially not you. You're..." Steve trailed off, a blush returning to his cheeks.
"I'm what?" You asked, turning to look at Steve. You were trembling now and it had absolutely nothing to do with the chill of the air outside the car.
Steve turned to look at you, his expression open and vulnerable, as a shy smile tugged at his lips. "You're Y/N," he answered, shrugging his shoulders. "Smart and dependable and amazing." He reached out a hand, cupping your face, and brushed his thumb lightly over your cheek. "Beautiful," he whispered, meeting your eyes, letting you see everything he was feeling in that moment. "You're amazing."
You felt your breath hitch, words and feelings tying up in your throat, fighting for their chance. You didn't know what to say or do or think, but a quick glance at the time displayed on the radio decided everything for you.
"Steve," you whispered, leaning forward. Steve's eyes briefly dipped to your lips, his eyes widening in anticipation, before he leaned in towards you. "Merry Christmas," you told him, finally feeling brave enough to press your lips to Steve's just as midnight struck.
Later, after Steve dropped you off at your house with a kiss and a promise to see you later, you had to admit, even if only to yourself, that maybe Eddie had been right all along.
Maybe good things really did come to those who waited.