Joe Keery Imagines

Protective Act-Steve Harrington

"Over here!"

I helped Steve open the old storage container and ushered the kids inside. Once they were all safely behind us, we shut the door.

"What do we do now?" Mike asked.

"Hopper will be here soon," El said, struggling to catch her breath. "Right?"

"Exactly," I said gently. I walked over to her and wrapped my arms around her. "He can't be far behind. He knows we were being chased. He knows we were headed out of town. He knows."

"She's right," Steve jumped in. "I even told him where we were planning on hiding."

"We just have to wait," I explained.

We jumped and the kids screamed when we heard that creature outside throw itself against the door.

"It can't get in here, right?" Dustin asked.

Steve and I shared a hesitant look. He opened and closed his mouth, but couldn't think of anything to say to comfort them.

"These storage units are made of steel," I tried to reassure them. "We'll be safe until Hopper gets here. Until then, why don't you kids get some sleep?"

They looked at each other, fear in their eyes. "Hey," I said, making them and Steve look at me. "I'll stay up until Hopper gets here. That way, if that thing gets in here. . ."

"One of us will stop it," Steve added. "Y/N and I will take turns on watch. You kids get some sleep."

* * * * *

I looked over, feeling a little relief when I saw the kids were all asleep. I took a deep breath, looking down at my shaking hands. I heard some shuffling, but I didn't look up until someone placed their hands over mine. I looked up to see Steve smiling down at me.

"You doing alright?" He whispered.

"I don't know," I sighed. "We barely know what's going on. We still aren't entirely sure where Will is and Joyce is losing her mind every day. I feel like I'm not that far behind her."

Steve scooted closer to me and sighed. "Nothing's going to happen."

"I'm sure that's what Barb thought."

"Hey," he said gently, yet firmly. "Nothing is going to happen to you."

"But Steve. . ."

"No," he cut me off. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

I instantly noticed how he changed his emphasis. I looked up at him, studying him.

"I'm scared," I whispered.

He sighed as he snaked his arm around my waist, pulling me into his side. "It's okay," he said softly. "I'm scared too."

"You are?" I asked as I looked up at him again.

"Of course I am," he said, his voice dropping as he glanced down at me. "I'd be crazy not to be scared right now. We'd all be."

"Do you think. . . People are going missing every day. What if. . . What if one of us is next? We already lost Will. Then Barb. What if. . ."

"Hey," he said as he reached up and moved some hair out of my face. "I'll take care of you."

"Promise?"

"Of course I promise," he shrugged with a small laugh. "There's no way in hell I'm letting anyone take you away from me."

His eyes widened like he just realized what he said. He looked away, trying to hide his pink cheeks.

"I just meant," he stuttered, "we've lost a lot of people. I don't know what I would do if I lost you too, Y/N."

"I don't know what I would do if I lost you either," I whispered.

He looked back at me with a shy smile. Steve tightened his arm around my waist, inviting me to lean my head on his shoulder. A blush formed as he leaned his head on mine.

"You should get some sleep," he whispered. "I'll take the first watch."

"Okay," I mumbled sleepily. "Wake me in a few hours so we can switch."

"Will do."

He didn't. Instead, he woke me when Hopper found us.