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029. 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴.
𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐒𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐀𝐖𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐒, Lori Philbin would have never imagined herself sitting on the back steps of a stranger’s house kissing Steve The Hair Harrington, in the dead middle of the night. But there they were, intertwining themselves between strings of confusion, hatred and shattered hearts— catastrophically tangling their invisible strings while the world practically burned on the other side of their closed eyelids. There was something so enrapturing about kissing in a time like this, pretending like there was nothing wrong for a few long, blissful moments. A few moments where nothing mattered but the feeling of his lips on hers.
She felt the warmth of his hand on the side of her cheek, as he pulled her closer on the back steps. Her body was pressed to his in the cold November air, his other hand keeping a firm grip on her back— their body heat radiating off of one another. He moved his lips against her own, smoothing between the delicate creases and savoring every little bit of every little movement. She tasted like cheap alcohol, but as the minutes went on, and as he pulled away to place a kiss on her jaw— a small hint of cherry lingered on his tongue.
She let out a heavy breath as his mouth tore from hers, moving towards the line of her jaw for just a moment. His lips pressed to the skin of her jawline, fast but delicate, wanting but careful. He made it to the space between her ear and her neck when she pulled him back— softly bringing her lips to his once again. It was not lust; it was nothing near lust. The lingering feeling of his kisses on her jaw did not leave the impression of lust in any way— and the more he kissed her, the more that realization tore up her stomach.
She’d been kissed before. She’d kissed people before. It had only ever happened at parties, sometimes drunk, sometimes sober. She had kissed people just for the fun of it, occasionally. She’d never really felt lust before, but somehow, deep down— she knew that this, kissing Steve Harrington, was not just lust.
It was not just for fun. It was not because she was a little bit tipsy.
She’d been kissed before, but never like this.
Her fingertips bathed in the softness of his hair, and her other hand held onto the collar of his jacket as if he were going to dissipate at any moment. His lips tasted of a faint sweetness, subtle and soft. She thought of all the times she’d thrown insults at him, all the times hurtful words fell past her lips— and now those lips were on his and she couldn’t think of anything harmful at all.
He let out a quiet groan. The sides of her lips trickled up in a smile from the vibration of it. He kissed her through the smile, smoothing together repeatedly— in a slow motion, but with urge. It was so quiet, nothing could be heard but their breathing and the howling wind in the distance— the wind that ruffled her hair and caused them to latch onto one another for more warmth. His hands were warm on her body as they traveled, the heat of their kisses warmed their faces, and the burning fire inside her stomach kept her cozy all around.
Every time their lips parted and reattached, something foreign crackled in the pit of her stomach. She was too consumed, too enamored, too completely and utterly whelmed in the feelings Steve Harrington was causing her that she couldn’t even think about anything but him. Her stomach was fluttering uncontrollably, turning upside down, practically exploding with fireworks every second. She couldn’t get enough of it. She’d never felt anything like it before and she knew that she didn’t want the feeling to go away. She wanted to feel like this forever.
Steve’s hand cupped her jaw with delicate desire, and his hand settled on the curve of her waist. They were both in the blanket now, huddled close to one another with it wrapped around their shoulders. Truly, they didn’t know how much time had passed since they started.
He was first to pull away after god knows how long. Immediately, he missed the taste of her lips and the feeling of them— and it took almost everything not to just press his mouth to hers again.
Her eyes remained shut, simply basking in the rush. Her lips stung, in the best way. Her chest was inhaling and exhaling rapidly, breathless.
His eyes fluttered open. He saw that hers were still closed. Slowly, he trailed his gaze around every part of her face while still keeping a hand on her cheek— thumb gently stroking her cheekbone. He looked at the perfect bridge of her nose, the shape of her eyebrows that curved perfectly above her eyes— and her eyes, once she opened them, he knew that he’d be mesmerized by their color, allured by their endless depth. He looked at the curve of her lips and the red tinge to them, the plumpness from swelling. And her hair, falling in the most perfect places around her eyes.
His mind flicked back to when they’d been on the dock at the lake. He thought about how much she’d told him, about how absolutely breathtaking she looked in the sunrise glow, how mesmerizing she’d looked with the necklace around her neck under the jewelry shop lights— and suddenly he realized how desperately he’d wanted to kiss her then, on the docks. How desperately he’d wanted to kiss her all along. It struck him like a punch to the gut.
Slowly, and trying to steady his breathing, he trailed his hand from her jaw up to her temple. Her all along. Behind her shut eyes, she inhaled sharply as the tip of his finger grazed the cut on her forehead ever so delicately— smoothing over the band-aid so very carefully. All along. He pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
Her eyes fluttered open.
The second his eyes met hers, she felt a rush soar through her veins, and the fire inside her stomach blazed just the same as when they’d been kissing. His lips pulled up in the slightest, softest way at the sight of her eyes staring back at him. They were still only inches apart, noses nearly touching.
Steve swallowed, and took in a breath to ease his lungs.
“Would you hate me even more,” he whispered, as he moved his finger from behind her ear, down to her mouth, “if I said you’re beautiful,” he trailed his finger all the way across her swollen bottom lip— just like he did before.
“Yes,” she breathed out.
“Then hate me,” his soft brown eyes met her own, looking at her honestly. “Cause’ I can’t sit here like this and not admit that you’re beautiful, Lori.”
Her real name echoed in the back of her heart, and hit much harder than the stupid nickname he always used. Her heart made a jump, and her stomach tightened in a knot. Heat rose to her cheeks.
Steve’s lip pulled up in a grin as he studied her face, “You’re blushing,” he whispered. A grin pulled at the corner of his mouth.
“Shut up, Harrington.” she rolled her eyes. But she’d never, not once, rolled her eyes and smiled at the same time. “You’re not slick.”
His hand slid off the curve of her waist, and settled on her leg.
She chewed on the inside of her lip, feeling the lingering aftertaste of his lips. “Does this change anything?”
The question burned her, but still, she said it.
“Change anything in what,” he breathed out, his bottom lip trapped under his teeth.
She swallowed, and mustered up the word, “Us,” she said.
“We can be whatever the hell you wanna be, Philbs.” he said, honestly.
Her heart skipped a beat at that answer. She didn’t know there was such a person that could answer the difficult questions in the most perfect of ways— in her ways. And she certainly never pictured that person to be Steve Harrington. But there he was.
She couldn’t help but lean in, attaching her lips to his once more. It satisfied the rushing in her veins, and eased her mind as soon as his lips found her own. His fingers grazed her chin, angling her head up more.
She pulled away after a few kisses, missing the feeling of it already. He bit down on his bottom lip and stared at her, really looking.
She locked eyes with his, and his own softened then, before jerking his head back every so slightly. Just a simple twitch.
“C’mon,” he whispered softly, referring to the door.
She let out a long sigh— and suddenly she felt like she never wanted to leave that moment. Just like the docks. She wanted to sit there on the back steps, wrapped up in the same blanket, underneath the stars, with him for as long as they could.
His hand was around her elbow, gently bringing her to stand as he rose to his feet. When she stood up, feeling her knees ache, they were standing with the blanket wrapped around both of them— bodies to one another. He couldn’t help but smile down at her once more, trying to savor the feeling of his hands around her waist, her hands on his chest and the lingering rush of what they’d just done.
The steps creaked as she finally turned away, stepping up the last step. As he unraveled the blanket from around himself, she leaned down and grabbed the bottle of alcohol. He wrapped the remainder of the blanket around her shoulders to keep her warm, watching as she took one final sip.
Not even thinking about it, she handed him the bottle as she reached for the door. It creaked as she turned the knob and pushed it open, feeling Steve’s body close behind her.
The first thing she saw when she lifted her eyes off the floor was her cousin. He stopped in his tracks by the dining table, looking as if he was heading for the door anyways, but they got there first.
“Oh hey, Hagar,” Lori suddenly smiled, as she stepped over the threshold.
Dustin’s eyebrows narrowed when Steve stepped in behind her.
She didn’t realize she’d stopped walking until Steve’s hand placed itself on the back of her waist, delicately pushing her forward a step as he shut the door behind him.
Dustin’s eyes traveled from the goofy look on Lori’s face that she couldn’t wipe away, to the bottle of alcohol that Steve was now placing on the nearest countertop. Steve payed no mind, and grabbed a towel from the stove to wipe his cold his hands.
Dustin looked back to them. “What’s that?” he asked, but seemed like he already knew the answer. “Lorraine Philbin, were you drinking?”
“Why are you assuming that it was me?” she scoffed. “Dustin Henderson.”
“Why wouldn’t I assume it was you,” Dustin answered. Then his face contorted, “How responsible of you two, one half of our guardians is now under the in– ”
“Hey,” Steve interjected, speaking calmly. His eyes widened, as if saying ‘take it easy on her’. “She only had a little bit. Isn’t that right, Philbs?” he nudged her when she didn’t answer.
“Right.” she immediately blurted out.
Steve ran a hand through his hair. “Besides, I bet you don’t blame her considering all the shit she’s learned in the last forty-eight hours.” he said to Dustin, as a warning.
Dustin paused, and stared at him. His eyebrows narrowed. Then he looked to Lori, who was biting on her bottom lip, clutching the blanket tight around her body and avoiding his eyes. He looked back to Steve. Dustin could feel the mood in the air, and he could certainly see the chemistry circulating in the air between the two teenagers. And they were standing there, looking guilty.
“Oh my god,” his eyes went wide. “Oh— my god!” His voice rose in realization, and he darted his eyes to Steve, then back to Lori, back to Steve. “Is this what I think it is? Steve— did you kiss my cousin?!”
Steve let out a scoff of disbelief, and looked away, “Oh-kay, look—”
“No! You guys were totally just making out!” Dustin shoved his hand towards the door, darting his eyes between both of them. “Steve!?” He looked to his cousin, “Lori?!”
“I thought you were only good at science,” Lori let out a small laugh, turning to look up at Steve.
He nudged her back to shut her up.
“That’s my cousin, man!” Dustin groaned.
Before Steve could defend himself, voices rose in the other room. The kids were talking, Mike was ranting about something but Lori’s brain was too fogged to register.
Dustin’s attention was suddenly grabbed, and he turned his head towards the living room when Mike finished speaking. His shoulders fell.
Quickly, he looked back to Steve and Lori. “We will continue this later.” he said sternly, and then turned away. “Frickin’ teenagers.” he shook his head at them. Then he switched his attention, “Demo-dogs!” he corrected Mike, as he stepped towards the living room.
Biting on the inside of her cheek, Lori slowly looked up to Steve beside her. She shifted on her feet, the uncomfortable mood in her stomach swirling— or was it the alcohol? Or both. It was both. Steve caught her eye, and softened his gaze. Then as he took a step forward, his arm rose and his hand smoothed around the curve of her elbow for just a second to motion her along with him to the living room.
Lori nearly twitched. After what they’d just done, every contact, every little touch, every click of their eyes together felt like a spark— the flick of a lighter just waiting to ignite in more flames or start a goddamn blazing fire. And she wanted every bit of it.
As she approached the living room, a few careful steps behind Steve, she noticed the feeling in her head. Well, the absence of a feeling. She felt light, airy, and like there was so much more room to think. As if someone uncluttered her brain just a little bit— and shoved the rest to the side in its same big, impenetrable cluster of fear and information. But it felt like there was a breeze that could circulate in her head now, and she wasn’t sure if the alcohol had done it, or the kiss had done it.
But the alcohol was working its magic now.
Steve approached the kids, already knowing what they were talking about. He had the towel in his hands, tossing it from one hand to the other.
“Listen, dude…” he stopped in front of Mike, “A coach calls a play in a game— bottom line, you execute it, alright?” he said, while rubbing his arm with the towel.
Lori twisted her eyebrows together. “There’s no way you’re comparing this shit to basketball?” she asked, dumbfounded.
She might have just kissed him, but kiss or no kiss, she still thought he was the biggest idiot ever. The only thing that seemed to change was the fact that now, maybe her jokes and insults came from a more lighthearted place. Maybe.
He turned and glared at her, a look that said you should be backing me up. “We’re on the same team.” he whispered.
She scoffed, and a little giggle slid up her throat, “Does Farrah Fawcett spray affect brain capacit—”
“Yeah, okay,” Mike interjected, agreeing with Lori. “First of all this isn’t some stupid sports game— and second,” he paused, “We’re not even in the game, we’re on the bench.”
“Righ— you— we…” Steve stammered, nodding. “So my point is,”
Everyone stared as he thought to himself. His lips searched for words.
He gave up. “Right. Yeah, we’re on the bench, so, uh…” he tossed the towel over his shoulder, “There’s nothing we can do.”
“That’s not… entirely true,” Dustin spoke from behind them.
Lori slapped his shoulder with the back of her hand. “Don’t finish that idea.”
“I mean, these demo-dogs, they have a hive-mind,” he said, while rubbing his arm for comfort. “When they ran away from the bus, they were called away.” he stared at Steve.
“So if we get their attention,” Lucas pointed, as he thought to himself.
Max looked up to him, “Maybe we can draw them away from the lab…”
“And clear a path to the gate,” Mike said lowly, with realization. His eyes grew wide.
“Yeah,” Steve put his hands out, “And then we all die!” he said, loudly.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Lori stepped forward, “Let’s just stay on the bench.”
Everyone stared at her.
“I like the bench.” she continued, blinking, “The bench is safe, the bench is so safe. Why would we leave the bench? People die when they leave the bench, alright?”
Max and Lucas narrowed their eyebrows at her in confusion. But she couldn’t notice.
“Well that’s one point of view,” Dustin said, speaking so calmly it was concerning.
Steve crossed his arms and looked at the kid. “No, that’s not a point of view, man, that’s a fact.”
Mike gasped, and then he was quick on his feet to start walking. He squeezed between Steve and Dustin, walking fast. Lori scoffed immediately followed him with narrowed eyebrows.
“I got it!” Mike called.
“Hey, where d’you think you’re going, shortstack,” Lori called after him, her arms crossing.
Lori turned the corner of the kitchen to see Mike crouched down in front of the fridge, his hands on the tunnel drawings. She stopped behind him, arms crossed, and a second later she could feel Steve behind her.
“This is where the chief dug his hole,” Mike explained, sounding like he was on the brink of a revelation. “This is our way into the tunnels, so…”
Lori stepped back as he stood up, squeezed past them and rushed to the hallway. They were slow to follow him, but still eager.
“Stop moving so fast!” she called out, and placed her fingers on the sides of her head. “I can’t fuckin’ keep up with you little shits moving around like bugs,”
“Does the alcohol make you crabbier?” Dustin said with a roll of his eyes from in front of her and Steve. “And even more vulgar?”
Lori extended her arm and flicked the back of his head. He whipped his head around and reached up to touch it, glaring at her.
“Here, right here!” Mike announced, pointing at the ground in the middle of the hall. “This is like a hub— see how all the tunnels feed into here?”
Lori and Steve smoothed into the group of kids, next to each other as Mike knelt on the ground.
“Oh my god, what is with you kids!” Lori exclaimed, completely baffled by their lack of self-awareness. “I mean, seriously, I’ve had enough of you children making these ludicrous decisions—”
“How would we get down?” Mike completely ignored her, looking up at his friends. “You think the hole is still there?”
“What hole, by the way,” Lori asked. She couldn’t help it when a smile broke out on her lips, and her chest rose in a chuckle, “Ha-ha, what hole—“
Steve nudged her arm for her to stop.
“Hopper dug a hole in that rotting pumpkin patch a few days ago— said there were some sort of tunnels down there,” Dustin answered for her, speaking so quick that the information almost passed her by. “Or something like that, Will drew em’—” he cut himself off, returning his attention to Mike on the floor.
“Pumpkin patch?” Lori’s lips departed, and suddenly she wasn’t in a joking mood anymore.
The pumpkin patch.
It rang in her ears.
She was right all along. So, why didn’t it feel good?
Mike’s eyes grew wide, “Maybe if we set this on fire…”
Steve turned right around. “Oh yeah? That’s a no.” he ordered, pointing to the tunnels.
“The Mindflayer would call away his army,” Dustin realized.
Lori and Steve made weary eye contact.
“They’d all come to stop us!” Lucas added.
“Hey!” Steve called from behind them.
“So we circle back to the exit!” Mike looked up.
“Guys,” Steve took a step forward.
Mike continued, “By the time they realize we’re gone—”
“Hey,” Steve tried again, but they were speaking over him.
Lori placed her head in her hands and rubbed her temples. Her mind was back to racing. “You guys, please s—”
“—El would be at the gate!” Max finished.
“Hey— hey, hey!” Steve shouted, as he clapped his hands, and all eyes turned to him. He placed his hands on his hips, “This is not happenin’.”
Mike protested, “But—”
“No, no, no, no, no,” Steve denied him quickly, “No buts. We promised we’d keep you shitheads safe and that’s exactly what I plan on doing,” he glanced to Lori.
Dustin looked at her.
Steve put his finger down, “We are staying here, on the bench, and we’re waiting for the starting team to do their job— does everybody understand that?” he looked around.
Mike scoffed, “This isn’t the stupid sports game!”
Steve took the towel off his shoulder, pointing it in Mike’s direction sternly. “I said does everybody understand that!” he demanded. He took in a breath, “I need a yes,”
It went quiet for a few moments, where none of them agreed.
Dustin turned to his cousin, “Lori,” he pleaded, as the last option.
She looked back at him, her face struck blank. “We promised the chief that we wouldn’t let you kids leave the house,”
“And since when do you follow orders?” Dustin retorted.
“Since your life was on the line,” she bit back immediately at those words, speaking honestly. “You understand that?” She pointed her finger at him, strongly.
His lips departed and she stared right at him, letting her words sink in. She wouldn’t be able to live with herself if something happened to Dustin under her watch. Or better yet, if something happened to Steve.
“And yours,” she pointed to the kids, “Steve’s, and mine,” her eyes lingered on Steve for a bit longer than expected. “I can’t let anything happen to you, got that?” she spoke generally, but stared right at Dustin and Steve, “Alright? So we’re staying on the fuckin’ bench whether you shitheads like it or not.”
That made the room go quiet again.
A few moments passed, until Mike stood up— about to say something, maybe to suggest another plan.
But he never got to speak because a loud, roaring engine broke the silence — and headlights beamed through the windows behind them.
𝙅𝙐𝙇𝙄
my whole body aches for them
i’ve never written anything more beautiful than this kiss scene and i’m so absolutely in love with it
also lori and dustin <3
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