• The Best Hargrove • Steve Harrington x Reader •

Chapter Three

A/N
Heyy so this chapter was originally longer, but my dog stepped on my lap top accidentally closing the app without this chapter being saved, so I apologise if this chapter is a bit rushed, but this is like the third time I've restarted it sooo... enjoy :))

You were walking back and forth and listening to the Russian tape for what felt like the 100th time, and it was only 30 minutes later that you started recognizing words. "Wait, that last part one more time?" Dustin does as you say and plays that sentence again. "Okay, that word" you signal him to stop. "It's pronounced 'dly-nna-ya'" you inform and Dustin repeats. "Which is spelled 'd'.." you rush over to the paper and start writing. "The..The chair looking thingy!" you take a look at the board and copy each letter until you finally have a full sentence.

You rush over to the little window. "We've got our first sentence!" you tell Steve. He turns and rushes over to you excitedly. "Wait, seriously?" you nod. "The week is long" you mock in a Russian accent. "Well, that's thrilling.." Steve looks disappointed. "I know, but, progress!" you pat his cheek a few times before leaning back inside and shutting the window.

___

After a few long hours of translation and listening to that tape, you've finally got your code. "The week is long, the silver cat feeds when blue meets yellow in the west.." you all read the Russian text on the board in front of you in unison.

"I mean, it just, it just can't be right!" Steve states as he finished locking up Scoops Ahoy. "It's right" you deny his statement. "Honestly I think it's great news!" Dustin rejoiced. "Oh yeah? Great news how? I mean, so much for being American Heroes.. it's total nonsense.." Steve chuckles before catching up to you and Dustin who had already began walking. "It's not nonsense, it's too specific, it's obviously a code." Dustin seemed to be in deep thought. "What d'ya mean a code?" Steve asked cluelessly. "Like a super-secret spy code.."

"That's a stretch" Steve argues. "I don't know, is it?" you turn to look at him. "Wha-- you're not seriously buying into this, are you?" he looked at you like you were some sort of alien from outer space. "Listen, just for kicks, let's entertain the possibility that it really is a secret Russian transmition.. I mean, what d'ya think they were gonna say, 'fire the warhead at noon?" you try and entertain him a little bit as you swing your hat around. "Exactly" Dustin agrees.

"My translation is correct, I know that for sure, so.. 'the silver cat feeds' why would anyone talk like that unless they were trying to mask the true meaning of their message?" Dustin agrees once again. "And why would anyone try and mask the true meaning if it was somehow sensitive?" Gosh, you felt like a genius right now. You look at Dustin. "So, I guess that confirms your suspicion.. evil Russians!" you fake an excited look. You turn around, only to see that Steve had trailed behind the two of you. "Where's Steve?" Dustin interrogates. You turn around fully to see him kneeling in front of one of those kiddie mall rides.

"Steve? Steve what are you doing.." a confused look makes its way to your face. All that can be heard from him is the noise of coins clattering against each other. "Uh.. it's quarter! I need.. do you have a quarter?" he continues to count his coins. You chuckle as you trot over to where he's sitting. "Heh.. sure you're tall enough for that ride?" you tease. "Quarter!!" he yells. "Relax, Harrington, I'm just joking" you reassure as you toss him a quarter and he clasps it in between his hand with the others.

He inserts the coins into the machine and signals for you to come closer and listen. After a while, you notice that the music coming from the ride is the same one playing in the background of the Russian tape. "Holy shit.. the music, the music!!" Dustin places his bag down and begins to take out the tape. He plays it so you can hear the music for comparison. "This code, it.. it didn't come from Russia, it came from here!" Steve informs.