Joe Keery Imagines

Seeing Colors Part 2-Steve Harrington

Steve and my first date was pretty awkward. We tried to relax and get to know each other but it was hard to ignore the big S word: soulmates. Halfway through dinner, Steve sighed.

"This is awkward," he chuckled.

"I know," I smiled. "It's that stupid word and seeing color thing."

My breath got caught in my throat when Steve reached over and grabbed my hand.

"I think we can make this work," he said, his voice slightly dropping.

"Really?" I asked. "We barely know each other."

"Isn't that the whole point?" He pointed out, his voice going back to normal. He smiled as he squeezed my hand. "I know it might start off a little awkward but let's ignore the whole "soulmate" thing and continue our date."

After that, we finally relaxed. We spent the rest of dinner talking about our lives. He drove me home and even walked me to the front door. I went to unlock it but Steve grabbed my hand, turning me toward him. He grabbed my other hand and pulled me closer.

"I know things started off a little shaky," Steve said, "but I really do think we can make this work."

He leaned in and gently pressed his lips to mine. The feeling of fireworks was nearly impossible to ignore. We slowly broke apart with matching smiles.

"We're gonna make this work, Y/N."

* * * * *

It took about a week before things started to feel natural between Steve and me. During the summer, Steve worked at an ice cream shop in the mall. So I could be around him more and we could spend lunches together, I started working at one of the stores.

We spent every minute we could together. With every minute we spent, our bond got stronger. Soon, we were inseparable. In fact, we became just like those couples I used to make fun of.

As summer came to a close, I noticed Steve starting to act weird. He was in his head a lot more. We were sitting in the shop, sharing an ice cream Sunday and I couldn't take it anymore.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, making random designs in the leftover whipped cream.

"Why would something be wrong?" Steve chuckled.

"Steve."

I looked up at him and could see the look in his eyes. I stood up, grabbed our trash, and threw it away.

"Y/N," he sighed as he chased after me.

"What's going on?" I asked, quickly turning toward him. "I can't help but feel like you've been pulling away from me. Is this not working? Are we not working?"

Steve grabbed my hands, pulling me into his chest. "Of course, we're working," he whispered. "These past few months have been the best months of my life. Each one better than the last."

"Then why have you been pulling away?" I asked, my voice getting caught in my throat.

He sighed before pulling me over to a nearby booth. "Summer's almost over," he whispered, looking down at our intertwined hands. My heart sank when I figured it out.

"And I'm leaving for school," I mumbled. I scooted closer to him, using our intertwined hands to wrap his arm around my shoulders. I tucked into his chest, resting my head over his heart.

"I know it's not going to change anything," he sighed. "We're still soulmates but. . ."

"The distance won't be easy," I finished for him. I thought about it for a second, thinking about how happy I've been this summer. How happy Steve made me.

"What if I don't go?" I said, mostly to myself.

"Y/N," he sighed. I looked up to see him looking down at me. "You have to go to school."

"Not technically," I shrugged. I sat up, out of his arms, and played with my hands. "I could always stay here."

"Absolutely not."

"What?" I stuttered.

"You've talked about going away to school all summer," Steve explained. "You've talked about what you want to do, what you want to learn. You can't give all of that up, Y/N."

"Steve. . ."

"What kind of soulmate would I be if I let you give it up?"

"It wouldn't be for nothing," I said, looking down and playing with my fingers. I held my breath when I felt Steve reach over and gently lift my chin with his finger.

"I don't want to hold you back."

"You wouldn't be holding me back," I smiled. "You already gave me a future by being my soulmate."

Steve leaned in and pressed his lips gently to mine. It wasn't a deep kiss but it meant a lot. I broke the kiss and leaned my forehead against his.

"As much as I want a future with you," he whispered, "I can't be the reason you don't go off and become the best version of yourself."

"But you already make me the best version of myself," I said with a playful smile.

"Y/N," Steve sighed. "You planned to move to New York. Why are you so willing to give all of that up? Why are you willing to stay in Hawkins?"

"Because of you," I said under my breath.

Steve grabbed my chin and pressed his lips gently to mine. The longer our lips were pressed together, the deeper our kiss got. He slowly broke the kiss, looking into my eyes.

"I love you, Y/N."

My heart jumped into my throat. This was what I've wanted all of my life. This feeling I get when he looks at me. This feeling I get when he says those three simple words.

"I love you too, Steve," I said, my voice getting caught in my throat.

I giggled as Steve grabbed my face and kissed me. Our lips moved in sync as we pulled each other closer. He broke the kiss before we could go too far in the Scoops Ahoy booth.

"I promise," Steve gasped, "I will give you exactly the life you deserve. I'll give you a home. I'll provide for you. I'll give you children. I will give you everything you need and everything you want, Y/N."

"I never thought I would love someone as much as I love you, Steve."

"I never thought I would love someone as much as I love you, soulmate."