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Valentine’s Day was only a few days away and Steve was excited for what he had planned for him and Jonathan. He was going to take him out of town and to a nice restaurant, and then to a plush hotel where they’d spend a few hours relaxing in the pool before going upstairs for bed. He wanted to treat them to a night outside of Hawkins and away from all the demon stuff.
A couple weeks ago, Steve and Jonathan both went over to the Wheeler’s house with The Party for a game night. The adults were surprised that they were asked to come along, but they happily accepted the invite. Everyone was gathered around the dining room table, chatting while Mike set up the board game.
Dustin was sitting to his left and Jonathan to his right, Nancy on the other side of him. Steve was talking to the kid about the newest issue of Fantastic Four that just released when he overheard Nancy and Jonathan’s conversation.
“You’ve never gotten flowers from anyone?” Nancy asked, surprised.
Jonathan shook his head. “No, why?” he responded.
“I got flowers every other week from my ex,” she told him. “Steve must be slacking.”
They both laughed and moved on, but that stuck with Steve. He felt bad now that he knew he should’ve been getting Jonathan flowers. Sure, he’s given his exes flowers, but they were all women. He never thought that it would be a nice gift for a guy.
He waited a few weeks, not wanting Jonathan to think it’s because of his and Nancy’s conversation—even if it was prompted by it. It was a week before Valentine’s Day and Steve drove over to Jonathan’s house with a bouquet of roses in the passenger seat. He got out of the car, grabbing the roses and making sure to fluff them out to make them look as impressive as possible. Not that he needed to do much, but he always felt that Jonathan deserves so much more than he gets.
Steve hid the bouquet behind his back and walked up to the door, knocking on it three times. He adjusted the way he stood to make himself look as put together as possible. Steve wore his best outfit for this, even though they weren’t going out, since he knew that he made a pretty picture in dress pants, a button-up shirt, and a vest. Jonathan made sure to let him know how good he looked whenever he had to wear a semi-formal outfit like that. Add a large bouquet of vibrant red roses on top and he’s impossible to ignore.
Jonathan opened the door and looked at Steve up and down, trying to figure out what the occasion was.
“Hello, love,” Steve said as Jonathan closed the door behind him.
“Hey,” Jonathan said, putting his hands on Steve’s shoulders and closing the gap between them to kiss him.
Steve smiled against his lips and pulled away just enough to speak. “I have something for you,” he said.
“Ooh,” Jonathan said, teasingly. He backed up a step.
From behind his back, Steve produced a stunning bouquet of flowers. Jonathan’s jaw dropped when he saw it and he covered his mouth in shock. Steve smiled at his reaction. “Some beautiful flowers for my beautiful boyfriend,” he said, knowing it was cheesy, but knowing that Jonathan loves cheesy.
He saw Jonathan close his mouth and his lip quiver. “Steve,” he said quietly, holding his hands out for the flowers. Steve heard his voice break and handed him the flowers, hugging Jonathan from the side so he wouldn’t damage the roses.
Hot tears rolled down Jonathan’s face as he looked at the bouquet. “I love you,” Jonathan said quietly. Steve kissed him on the top of the head and said it back.
After a few moments, Jonathan pulled away. He wiped at the tears running down his cheeks and laughed, embarrassed by his reaction. “I told my mom I would do the dishes tonight,” he said, telling Steve that he had to go.
“You better get on that, then,” Steve said jokingly, letting him know that he’s not mad that he has to leave already.
Jonathan laughed through his tears. He looked at Steve and leaned in to kiss him again. “Thank you,” he whispered against his lips.
Steve kissed him again and smiled. “I love you,” he whispered, “so much.”
“I love you, too.”
They stayed holding each other for a minute longer before Steve had to break it, not wanting to get Jonathan in trouble with his mom. “You better get back inside before Mrs. Byers chases me off.”
Another laugh from Jonathan. “Yeah, sorry,” he said, separating from the other man.
“I’ll see you tomorrow?” Steve asked.
Jonathan nodded, not trusting himself to not start crying again if he opened his mouth. He turned around and walked inside, hoping to find a vase to put the roses in. When he closed the door, Steve got in his car and drove home.
Jonathan went back into the house and closed the door behind him, leaning on it. His lip quivered and his eyes stung, signaling that he was about to start crying again. He held the flowers in front of him and shut his eyes.
“Jonathan?” his mom asked, seeing him standing at the door crying. “Baby, what’s wrong?” Joyce came up to him and cupped his cheek in her hand, wiping off tears with her thumb.
He hiccoughed and sniffled before responding. “Steve brought me flowers,” he said, a huge smile breaking out on his face.