Love Is A Battlefield (A Stranger Things/Steve Harrington Fanfiction)

Chapter Seventy-Seven: Ready For Anything

Steve helped me push the coffee table out of the way and drag our mattress into the center of the living room so that we could at least attempt to get some sleep, but also be aware if and when the police scanner went off, alerting us of Fred's death. 

I finished my tea and then took a long, hot shower before changing into my pajamas. Steve was making the bed when I came out, trying to make it as comfortable as possible. I leaned against the doorframe of our bedroom, layin my head against it as I watched him set up my pillows just the way that he knew I liked them. Once he was satisfied, he stood up, putting his hands on his hips and blowing out a breath as he surveyed his work. It wasn't until he seeminly decided that he was satisfied that he looked up at me. He smiled, crossing his arms and turning to face me.

"Feel better?" He asked. I nodded, using the towel around my neck to squeeze the excess water out of my hair.

"I always do after a shower." I moved over to stand in front of him. He nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, I remember...when they're not giving you third-degree burns, that is." I bit my lip.

"I still have a scar from that." I pointed out. He raised his eyebrows.

"Seriously?" He asked. "How have I never noticed that?"

I shrugged and he came around behind me, lightly pushing up my pajama shirt to reveal the round, jagged burn scar that still resided there. He reached up, lightly running his fingers over it, prompting me to close my eyes. He let my shirt fall, trailing his fingers down my sides just as he had when he was attending to that very same wound last year. This time though, he wrapped his arms around my waist, hugging me from behind. I wrapped my arms around his, leaning my head back against his shoulder. 

"I'm sorry I've made your life so crazy." I whispered. He shook his head.

"My life got crazy before we got together, remember?" He asked, pressing his lips against my jaw. "And if you recall, I signed up for this. You're worth that to me." I smiled, remembering the last time I'd said those words. 

"I know," I said quietly, "Its just...sometimes I wonder if maybe your life wouldn't be so complicated if you'd just...ended up with Nancy."

"What?" He pulled back, turning me around to look at him. "You want me to have ended up with Nancy?"

"No, of course not," I answered, "But you know...she's going to college soon. She'll get to escape of of this and with me...there's always going to be something that lingers. It'd be easier, that's for sure."

"Do you honestly think I care about 'doing what's easier'?" He asked. "Do you have any idea how many monsters I would take on if it meant just one second with you?"

"Steve-"

"I'm serious, Riley!" He said sternly. "Don't get it twisted, you are easily, no contest, the best thing that has ever happened to me. You...you made me feel ok working a minimum wage, dead-end job, and not being able to give you a big house because the only thing you cared about was me and building a life with me. What makes you think that you and your monsters are any different? I don't care about any of that, I just want you, however I can get you. I wouldn't change anything about our life, if only that I would've gotten to know you a long time ago."

"I love you." I said quietly, "So...its only natural that I would want what is best for you, but what if...what if that's not me-"

"It is!" He replied, grabbing my arms. "Now please, stop talking like this, you're freaking me out!"

"Ok, I'm sorry," I stepped forward, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him into a hug, "I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to freak you out, its just...its been a long, exhausting, and emotional day, that's all. I'm sleep deprived."