Chapter Text
It was like every other ordinary crawl; Hopper going into the upside down, Dustin and Steve driving in the SQWK van locating hopper, Joyce making sure everything is set in motion and monitoring, Robin, Jonathan, and Nancy either looking over weapons or planning their next crawl, and lastly Mike and Lucas doing whatever they can to help. Oh and Will as well, but Joyce, is always overprotected of him not wanting him to assist.
Everything went as planned, well besides the fact this could be over their 70th crawl and still not having found Vecna, everyone returned safely and founded out a bit more info on the upside down and military. Even though this crawl was considered a "fail", everyone seemed to be relived, calm for to say. It’s stressful enough knowing there's a dark evil wizard roaming underneath where they live, but another pile of stress when they're the only ones really looking for him, hunting to kill him.
"Maybe he's, I don't know, dead?" Lucas said abruptly from the sofa in the corner of the room. All eyes that were once facing the diagram from the other side of the room landed on Lucas. He uncomfortably adjusted in his seat.
"We would've known if he was dead, there would be signs showing if he died." El said seriously as she stared at Lucas with a fixed look.
"I sensed him back when we got here from Lenora," Will said as he slowly stood up walking towards El. "He..he was hurting, but not completely dead. If he was dead, I would know." Will added to El's response.
"Sheesh, guys I was just saying-" "Yeah but what if he's dead and there is no signs? We could be looking for a dead man at this point!" Steve chimed in, cutting off Lucas from what he was about to say.
"No, Will's right. Remember Will was connected to the hive mind, which is Vecna, and if he felt him so he could still be linked," Jonathan said protesting against Steve.
"Meaning..?" Steve questioned with a hint of annoyance.
Jonathan rolled his eyes as he reverted his vision from Steves direction, "Meaning, if he's connected he should know or not if he's dead or alive." "Yeah, but still-" Steve started raising his voice before he was cut off.
"Stop. Both of you," Nancy said while glaring at both Jonathan and Steve. "But yes, Jonathan's right. We have Will, and he would know or not, right?" She said, as she slowly raised her voice to make sure everyone was listening. Everyone nodded, then turned to Will as he nodded "yes" as well.
It was like this almost every crawl: a fight between Jonathan and Steve. Everyone was surprised they held out this long of the crawl without a glare or comment, but it was expected sooner or later. And also that's mostly the reason why their jobs are never together, or just near each other’s presence.
“Okay, Okay! It seems like we all had a rough night, so let’s pack it all up and start heading home.” Hopper hollered trying to maintain peace and sanity for everyone. Some seemed to grumble, and others sighed with relief as they can finally go home. As everyone else were packing up, also trying to keep peace for the last few minutes, Nancy had other plans.
She quickly started tapping her foot against the hard cement floor, a habit she got over the years while she was thinking, trying to come up with a way she could force Steve and Jonathan to somehow get along. Just make them resolve their problems, or even make them friends, but it wasn’t that simple. Their history of hating, or maybe just disliking, each other is pretty deep, so to just shove them in a room and force them to make amends would be impossible! Unless..she did really push them into a room of some sorts and make them sort their shit out. Nancy thought how smart she is.
She looked up and made eye contact with Steve. She thought Steve would be the easiest to convince, or actually control into somehow helping her with her plan. Even if Jonathan is her boyfriend, he’s the one who is actually hating in this relationship more or less than Steve. Just because Jonathan hates him, he doesn’t really have anything to hate Jonathan back on, but anyways Steves to kind for that so he’s the perfect guy to resolve their problems.
Steve gave a confused look when Nancy gave him a high grin, but with deceiving eyes, as she walked up to him. Steve knew something was up, because normally if Nancy came up with a misleading idea, or actually any idea at all, she makes that face. Jonathan, too, seemed to notice Nancy and her mischievous looking grin, but caught off as she strolled over to Steve, whispering something he’d never expect.
“You either have something really crazy planned, or you’re smiling because of how handsome I look.” Steve teased as he crossed his arms while Nancy made her way over to him.
2She hummed with agreement with a soft laugh, “Hmm, maybe, maybe not.. But I have a favor. Or more like a task? Feeling up to it?” Nancy questioned with a convincing look.
“Either way you cant say no or back away because Im technically forcing you.” Nancy added as her face shifted from her grin to a dead glare.
“Woah.. Okay, I will complete this “task” don't go pulling your guns on me now.” Steve said obliging, trying to crack a smile back into Nancys cold stare.
“Okay!” Nancy said relived, “Now it’s real simple, just go up to Jonathan, over him a ride back to your place. Excuse something like, “it’s so full at the wheelers, and you could use a break” yada yada. Secondly, please just try to be friends or make some amends, apologize, just do anything we really need the peace. Also have fun! Even though it might be kinds late, watch a movie, try and bond for the sake of the crawls, and everyone’s sanity!” She exhaled, and looked back at Steve with plead-ful eyes.
“Wait Nance, so you’re telling me I-“
“Yes! Oh and compliment him or something, he likes that kind of attention.” Nancy said, purposely cutting Steve off so he wouldn’t ask.
She gave him two thumbs up and walked out, leaving only Steve and Jonathan. Jonathan was waiting for Nancy, since he’d ride with her, but it seemed like she brushed it off, making Jonathan stay.
Steves face felt slightly warm, slowly getting hotter, but it’s normally cold down in the “basement”. He turned towards Jonathan who was just standing there, which then also turned toward Steve leaving them to make eye contact. Steve let out a long sigh, cringing as he walked in the direction of where Jonathan was.
Steve combed his hair back with his hands, and again let out a sharp sigh as he tried to gather up all his lost confidence over the years so he could say this one line. Just the thought of someone saying this, made him cringe, but again having to say it to the one and only Jonathan Byers was on a whole level.
“Hey, wanna have some fun, pretty boy? Im driving.” Steve said with full confidence, trying to make sure he checked all the boxes Nancy required. Tell/ask to ride with him, check. Have some fun, well technically asking him, but still, check. Lastly compliments? Double check. “I think this mission will be easier than I thought.” Steve thought to himself proudly.
“What..?” Jonathan said with the most propounded face, it made Steve giggle a little bit. His face seemed to redden up, which left Steve surprised, not knowing that what he’d say actual work. Besides from Jonathan’s funny looking face, that made the edge of his lips twitch, wanting to smile. Something inside hi felt warm again, even though it normally feels cold, but it’s almost winter so why shouldn’t it feel like that. But this was.. different, a more comforting warmth—but it was probably nothing, just nothing.
“Do wanna ride home with me tonight?” Steve said repeating himself more clearer.
“Wait, wait. What.. why?” Jonathan said with an almost disgusted face. “I mean out of no where, you’re asking to take me home? When either my mom or Nancy, honestly anyone can? And, and.. we hate one another so-“ Jonathan let out a long defeated sigh as he started shaking his head.
“First of all, i dont hate you. Second, I said ride home with me, like to my house.” Steve said like it was the most oblivious thing in the world as he watched Jonathan get more agitated.
“With you? Go home with you..? And you don't hate me..wow,” Jonathan scoffed as he put his hand on his head, “Now what? Huh, are you going to suggest we become friends, buddies now?” His voice cracked slightly and he started looking so fed up.
“I mean, yeah? Sort of…Man, we really need to fix all the shit that has been building up between us don’t you think? If not just for ourselves, but the people around us. Do you know how much extra pressure it is for the others during crawls just over our little arguments?” Steve bluntly says as something mad starts stirring inside of him.
He couldn’t get mad, or start a fight, not now. No matter how uncooperative and annoying Jonathan could be at times, he needed to cool off. So he took a long, deep breath, and exhaled before looking back up at Jonathan with pleading eyes.
Jonathan looked like he was about to say something, but held back. His dark eyes held onto Steves soft pleading eyes before letting out a sigh, more softer and quieter than before. They both stood there in silence, not knowing what to say, or what move to play.
Steve didn't want to stand there all night in the cold silence of the sqwuak, so he decided his bribing skills could come in handy right about..now.
“My mom, she has some photography magazines and books since I know you liked that stuff last time I checked.. and uhh, I have a large TV so we could watch a movie or something?” Steve said trying to convince Jonathan to accept. He started thinking hard just so he could remember something that Jonathan might like so he would agree, but his mind went completely blank.
He looked back up to see Jonathans face, and his dark eyes squinting at him. Steve let out yet another defeated sigh… until he remembered what Nancy told him to say!
“Look man, I know living with a house full of people, especially your family and on top of that a second family whose house you have to live in could get, stressful. It could be a lot not living in your own room, or house anymore and always being bothered by everyone without getting a second to yourself. Just take a look at my offer as a, retreat. And anyways I think everyone else left, so it’s sleeping here or going with me, your choice.” Steve said as he shrugged his shoulders and gestured toward to the door.
Jonathan gave him one last nastily look before finally giving in and letting his body relax. He headed up the stairs to the exit of their secret meeting place for crawls. He sighed one more time before finally responding to Steve, “Ill go, it beats sleeping in the cold dusty couch down hear.” He grumbled as he slid the secret door open back into the actual sqwuak office.
Steves lips formed a smile as he hurried on after behind Jonathan, grabbing his keys out from his back left pant pocket.
They both made it into Steves 1983 BMW. The usual maroon brown seemed sadder and darker at night, but the sqwuak sign gave a vibrate reflection of color. The inside was like anyone other car: dark and boring with a hint of dust that was slowly growing from over the years.
It was just as Jonathan could’ve imagined, but the seats were surprisingly comfortable and the grayish tan made it seem more warmer. Even though the car was freezing from sitting in the cold Hawkins air, Jonathan seemed to pay it no time. There old house, the one here in Hawkins, was always cold in the fall and winters, so I guess he just got accustomed to that type of temperature.
“Can I up the air heater?” Steve asked ad what it sounded like his teeth were starting to chatter.
“I don't mind.” Jonathan said softly as he put on his seatbelt.
“Well I hope you do mind, it’s fucking winter and it’s cold.” Steve said as he blasted up the heater in his car. He scoffed, but it didnt come out annoyed or angry, but teasing.
“Yeah whatever.” Jonathan mumbled as he layed his head against the car window, feeling the nice cold air radiating off from it.
The ride was smooth with a slight cradle movement from the wind, the tires made it seem like the road was glass, until they hit a pothole. It made the car jerk forwards and bump the trunk down. Jonathan, who was to the point of almost passing out, hit his head against the window, and was jerked forward along with the car. Steve as well was jerked, almost hitting his head against the wheel, let out a long hiss.
“Oh- ow..fuck.” Jonathan said hastily as he sat upwards rubbing his head.
Steve grunted slightly turned his body, placing his hand on the glove compartment to try and see what they hit. He turned back to face the road and rolled his eyes. He sat upwards rubbing more straight and turned his face to look towards Jonathan.
“You good man?” Steve said as his eyes wavered between Jonathan and the road.
Jonathan looked up at him still rubbing the side of his head. His eyes seemed to wander around Steves face not sure how to respond. “I.. Uh yea, yea im fine.” He said quickly glancing away, dropping his hands down near his knees.
Steve shifted in his seat tilting his head down like a twitch as he gripped the wheel tighter. The thought of Jonathan’s deep eyes looking through his face, looking so lost made him feel - uncomfortable. The feeling of being needed to be recognized or seen wasn’t really an issue for him, well he thought. He’s been popular mostly all his high school year and probably middle school, his dad is rich so all opportunities have him plated to him - he's basically a nepo-baby. But Jonathan, his eyes seemed so redeeming and warm. Through the cold black looking reflection was Steve, not feeling of resentment, lust, or annoyance, but a clear image. Perhaps the feeling of discomfort was actually some sort of empathy. Maybe this friendship might work better than what Steve originally thought.
Steve kept glancing back at Jonathan, hoping his eyes would meet his again for that warm feeling again.
Meanwhile Jonathan was laying his head on the seat buckle, slowly crouching his body together in the corner of his seat. He felt awkward knowing that he was so in depth lay looking at..Steve. He was just honestly tired, wanting to go home, even though it might not be his home its way nicer than having to go home with Steve, him of all people. But Steve was - right. He did need a break, a breather from piling on top of the wheelers in their house and holding in the stress of not being able to open up to someone. Of course he had Will, his mom, and of course Nancy, but he didn’t want to way them down even more. That’s what he tells himself, but in reality he doesn’t want their pity or opinion just someone to listen and not care. After hearing Steve sounding like he could sympathize with him and could grasp what he was feeling, maybe opening up to him won’t be to bad. He still needs to think it over just in case because regret doesn’t die.
The way back to Steve’s was long and silent. The silence was hard like a brick, solid and rough. No one stepped up to start conversation, but what really was there to talk about. And it was rough knowing that they had to sit like that for what, another 15 minutes? And also knowing it might stay like that when they reach Steve’s house.
Jonathan wasn’t like Will, always being able to break the silence even though he’s normally so quiet, which they both have in common. Being silent - Jonathan always would stoop low, be off to side, he liked being quiet not the talkative one. But if he wanted to survive the rest of the night, he might as well start talking.
He let out a soft sigh, alerting Steve making him somewhat turn his head towards him. Jonathan repositioned in his chair, surprised from Steve quick response. He lifted his legs slightly pressed against his chest as thought of something to make conversation of.
Jonathan pressed his lips together along with a clicking noise from his tongue. He could hear Steves loud gulp like it was on speaker, but the car was so silent you could hear a pin drop. Even with the heater on it was kinda tuned out.
“So, you mentioned movies,” Jonathan started, his eyes wandering around the car thinking of how to keep leading this conversation, “So what movies do you have?”
In the corner of his eye, Jonathan could see Steve blinking blankly probably not knowing how to respond. He then slightly turned his head to face Jonathan, but still keeping his eyes on the road. “I said we could watch a movie didn’t specify which one though.” Steve retorted as he raised his eyebrows. Jonathan was left speechless, but also embarrassed. He turned his head fully to actual look at Steve as he kept on driving. “So, you tricked me first of all saying we could watch a movie, totally not knowing if you even have a movie or something to watch?” Jonathan interpreted with an astonished face. “Well.. No, I do know I have movies, but I just don’t know what they are.” Steve responded. He glanced over to look at Jonathan, but met with his eyes making them have eye contact. They both let each other hold the eye contact before Jonathan quickly looked away to warn Steve theres a red light up ahead. He swerved his head back and stomped on the break.
“Uhh, yea sorry man.” Steve whispered as he tilted his head away from Jonathan. Jonathan looked straight ahead, “So, I'm guessing you don’t really like movies.” He said more accusing than asking. Steve finally fully turned his head facing forward. He gave Jonathan a few glances before sighing. “I mean, yea I do! I just never have the time.” He said sheepishly. Jonathan rolled his eyes and made a “yea of course you don’t” face. “You worked in a family video store, for like what? A year?” Jonathan mocked. Steve cocked his head toward Jonathan, but still keeping his eyes on the road. “Did Nancy tell you that?” Steve groaned. “It’s not like it’s a secret. “Jonathan’s eyes widen, and a grin grew on his face, “Did all the girls line up at the door, waiting just to rent movies from you…?” Jonathan responded with a giggle. Steve’s eyes grew, “Did Robin tell you that?”Steve seconded. Jonathan let out another small laugh. “For your information, Robins the one who said that not me.” Steve responded profoundly. They then finally reached into the drive way.
The house was dark and desolate. Both Steve and Jonathan hoped out from the car, not wanting to sit for another minute. Steve dug in his pockets, pulling out what it looked like house keys. He reached for the door trying to insert the right side of the key in. A cold breeze pasted by them, giving Jonathan shivers. He there his hands up to his arms. Rubbing his arms for warmth, he felt something in his jacket pocket. As Steve was still trying to get the keys to unlock the door, Jonathan pulled something out from his pocket. Jonathan’s eyes looked up at Steve’s head as he finally turned the knob to open the door. “Have you ever smoked a joint before?” Jonathan questioned. Steve was already a step in the door, but took it back turning fully to face Jonathan. “I’ve drank alcohol, smoked cigarettes. I wasn’t that bad of a kid to do marijuana.” Steve winced. His eyes met with the bag Jonathan was holding up. His eyes widen slightly and his jaw dropped. “No one’s home right?” Jonathan grinned. “You little asshole.” Steve’s eyebrows furrowed, but his lips were forming a smile. He turned around and nodded his head inside to Jonathan. The door shut behind him, and the house brought a dim light.