Chapter Text
Steve poured another shot of tequila for the bachelorette party that had walked in less than an hour ago and already consumed the better part of his evening. He knew he shouldn’t complain — they always tended to tip well. But something about the woo’s of joy was slowly getting on his nerves.
Maybe he was just a downer. They were celebrating a soon-to-be bride's happiest day ever. Steve was probably just bitter because he was single. He made sure he had a fixed grin on his face when serving them, regardless.
He had more or less come to terms with his perpetual singleness.
It was a little harder since Robin was gone for a six-month stint in Germany so now the house was depressingly empty. Her job was cool, she loved being an interpreter, but Steve didn’t like how often it meant she had to leave — even if he was very happy for her. Everyone else he knew in Chicago — which wasn’t a large number of people anyway — was much too busy to hang out frequently.
Nancy and Jonathan were first-time parents, devoted to their young daughter, which didn’t leave much time for him. He loved Aubrey to pieces, and he adored spending time with her; he was even her godfather, but it was quite different from adult conversation. At least Nancy and Jonathan were coming out with him tonight after their date night; they were going to see a blissfully adult show and get very drunk. He needed a night off from wallowing about his feelings. He was sure they could use a night off, too, from the significantly harder job of raising an actual human child.
Being single and lonely made things harder. But it wasn’t worth dating. He used to try to meet people, but it never worked out. He couldn’t even pretend like he didn’t know why — he’d been hung up on Eddie for so long. It was pathetic.
He could only let his unrequited feelings torpedo three relationships before throwing in the towel. It might’ve been ten long years since he fell in love with Eddie, but his feelings weren’t getting any weaker. Eddie lived hours away, stuck in sunny Cali with the rest of his bandmates, but any hopes of getting over him were dashed by the way his traitorous heart jumped whenever they’d reunite in Hawkins annually for Christmas.
It also didn’t help that Eddie had called last week, telling him he was seeing someone. It was his first serious boyfriend — the first time he’d even told Steve he was dating someone at all — though Steve was sure he’d dated before. Some part of Steve had always held out, hoping that maybe one day, things could work out between them. But he now had to face reality — Eddie was unavailable, and as long as Steve liked him, Steve wouldn’t be able to form a sustainable relationship either.
It was just hard seeing everyone else paired up and content while Steve was alone.
A man in a suit flagged him down. Steve loved serving people who were there with their work — they always tended to tip extravagantly as a display of wealth.
“What can I get you?” Steve asked.
“One old-fashioned,” the man responded curtly.
Steve stirred the sugar cube rapidly, pouring bourbon and sticking an ice cube in the glass with aplomb. He could make this in his sleep. There were really only a handful of drinks that people ordered and many were meditative and calming to make.
Working at the bar used to be so fun in his 20s, but was significantly less joyful the older he got. The thing about working in a bar was that it was the same every day. Sometimes the monotony was nice — he was rarely stressed the way Nancy would get before a press deadline — but there wasn’t much excitement with it.
That was part of growing up, he supposed. Responsibility and stability were rarely exciting. He used to think he was so adult back when he was in Hawkins. It was a side effect of fighting for his life so often and for feeling responsible for so many teenagers. It wasn’t until he moved out of his parent’s house that he really grew up.
It was the same for all of them. Now, Jonathan and Nancy had to schedule time to have dinner by themselves. That was adulthood for you.
Though it was nice to be able to talk to so many people at work. Everyone had a story to tell, and there was no one they liked confiding in more than their bartender.
“Hey, Steve,” his coworker Beth called out, holding the phone towards him. “You’ve got a call.”
Steve picked up the call, a little anxious. Leftover instincts from the Upside Down taught him that unexpected phone calls were rarely a good thing. “Hello?”
“Hey, Steve,” Nancy said, sounding a little frazzled. “I’m so sorry, but I’m gonna need a raincheck for tonight. Our babysitter just called and said she’s feeling a little sick, so we need to go back home and I don’t know if I can get another sitter in time.”
“Hey, relax. It’s fine. We can hangout whenever, Nance. Sorry you had to miss dinner too,” Steve said, swallowing his disappointment.
“Well, at least we didn’t order yet. We just got to the restaurant,” Nancy sighed.
“Maybe you can get some takeout and re-create date night at home,” Steve suggested.
“Maybe. We might just order a pizza.”
“Well, give Aubrey a kiss for me,” Steve said.
“Will do. Maybe you could come over instead?” Nancy offered.
Steve shrugged. “It’s okay. I don’t want to mess with her bedtime. I’ll be fine.”
They had better things to do than babysitting a heartsick 30-year-old. Steve needed to stop intruding so much, anyway. He’d been over far too many times this month. If he was going over, he might as well go when he could be useful and take a load of stress off their shoulders rather than give them something else to worry about.
“Fine. But, if you get lonely, you can come over. You don’t even have to call,” Nancy said.
“I know. Thanks, Nancy,” Steve said.
“Bye, Steve,” Nancy said. He heard Jonathan echo the statement in the background.
Steve hung up the phone, a little bummed by the change of plans. He mostly felt bad for Jonathan and Nancy, though. Steve knew they’d been looking forward to this almost as much as he had. He should offer to babysit this weekend; maybe they could go on date night or get a nap.
“One more round for the table,” one of the bridesmaids squealed, beckoning him over. Steve nodded in acknowledgement, stopping himself from groaning aloud. This shift felt endless though it wasn’t even 7 PM yet.
Steve poured their drinks out, bringing them over to their table. He’d cut so many limes over the last hour; his fingers would be permanently citrus-scented at this rate.
“You’re like so pretty,” one of the peppy blonde bridesmaids said. She was probably the same age as Erica; which was to say, young enough for Steve to be totally disinterested.
Steve smiled uncomfortably. “Thanks.”
She put her hand against his lower arm and leant forward. “Are you seeing someone?”
Steve sighed and didn’t answer, backing away quickly. A variant of this conversation occurred near daily, though he frequently flirted back for better tips. He used to like putting effort into his appearance and took pride in being desirable, but he was over it by now. Turns out working at a bar was the worst place to be if you wanted to remain single.
“Hey, Steve,” Beth said, “How about I take over that table? You look like you’re about to lose it.”
“Thanks,” Steve breathed out. This was something he’d done happily for his female co-workers — it wasn’t unusual for a group of inebriated men to get sleazy quickly, but he never needed a save before.
He stayed busy behind the bar, waiting impatiently till the clock hit 10:30. Steve signed out, grateful that his shift was over. He looked back at the bride to be in her metallic sash and felt a pang of longing. He wished he had someone who loved him unconditionally like that.
Steve took stock of his tips. He’d be able to make rent without dipping into his bank account this month. He didn’t like using his dad’s money, but wasn’t stupid enough to pass on it entirely. It’s not like he’d notice the difference anyway, and the money just sat in his account otherwise.
He drove home, pinching the skin between the fingers to stay alert. Steve blared music, forcing himself to sing along even though he was a little too tired for it. He didn’t want to nod off at the wheel.
He undressed, stripping off the grime of the day, once he got home. The stench of alcohol always sets in after a shift even though he hadn’t been drinking himself. Steve had no reason to get ready anymore. He wasn’t going out alone, and he certainly wasn’t going to drink alone either — that was a harmful coping mechanism that he’d left long behind in his early 20s.
Steve sunk into the couch and idly turned the tv on. He liked having the news on as background noise to keep him company. The house got too quiet otherwise.
On a whim, Steve dialed the phone, hoping Robin would be awake.
Steve grinned when the phone was picked up. “Hey, Robin.”
“Dingus! How’s your night going?” Robin asked, sounding far too awake, considering it had to be early morning for her. Damn time zones.
Steve smiled. “It’s been smashing. Absolutely wonderful. Made 30 cosmopolitans and 15 margaritas and only got hit on once.”
“Sounds very fulfilling,” Robin said.
“Oh, it was,” Steve said, “Aubrey’s sitter canceled, so the rest of my plans for the night are canceled too.”
“It’s a little sad how so much of your social life is dependent on a 1-year-old’s schedule.”
“I am quite aware. How was your day? Achieved world peace yet?” Steve asked.
“It’s 6 AM, Steve. My day hasn’t even started.”
“Oh, you know what I mean. How was yesterday, then?”
“Pretty great, actually,” Robin said, “Cute coffee shop girl asked me for my number.”
“Cute coffee shop girl! That’s so exciting, Rob. Can’t wait to see your coffee shop themed wedding in the future,” Steve teased.
“She might’ve asked for my number platonically, Steve.”
“No such thing,” Steve said, winding his fingers through the cord of the phone.
“I appreciate the optimism.”
“Anything else up with you besides your budding love life?” Steve said.
“Well, I’m still working my way through the documents I need to translate for the trial next week, but that’s kind of it,” Robin said.
“Hold that thought. Someone’s knocking,” Steve said, bemused. He slid the phone face-up onto the table so as to not hang up on Robin.
Steve went to the door cheerily. Guess Jonathan and Nancy found a sitter after all, though it was later than they would’ve come by. He didn’t get why they wouldn’t just open the door, though; they had a key and knew where he kept the spare to boot.
He opened the door and froze when he saw a police officer standing in front of him. Steve’s mind raced as he thought about any particular reason he could be in trouble right now. He hadn’t really gotten up to anything recently. He might’ve sped a few times but they didn’t arrest you for that, did they? Steve was spoiled from knowing the Police Chief back in Hawkins — things were much scarier in Chicago without any ins with the local police department.
The brisk October air hit Steve like a punch, making him focus on the cop in front of him.
The officer clasped his hands together solemnly. “Are you Steve Harrington?”
“Yes? What’s going on?” Steve asked. It couldn’t even be a routine check of some sort or a fluke if he knew Steve’s name.
“You’re listed as next of kin for a Nancy Wheeler?”
“Yes, she’s my friend. What’s this about?” Steve said, ignoring the slow sinking in his stomach.
“I regret to inform you that Nancy and her husband Jonathan were in a car accident 4 hours ago. She died at the scene. She wouldn’t have been in pain,” the officer said. His words came out slow and measured but Steve wasn’t hearing him right. He couldn’t be hearing him right.
His brain fizzled out. It was like he was seeing through a curtain. This wasn’t happening — this couldn’t be happening. After everything that they’d been through together, the dozens of monsters they’d fought, they couldn’t have died in a car accident. That was absurd. It wasn’t possible. Nancy Wheeler was invincible.
“Mr. Harrington?” the officer said.
“I’m sorry. Could you please repeat that?” Steve said, feeling distant from his body.
“Of course. Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers passed away this evening. I am so sorry.”
“Their baby? What about their child? Was she in the car?” Steve asked, desperate. He wasn’t sure if he could even bear the answer, but he had to know.
“She’s currently with the state,” the officer said, “They’ll bring her by sometime tomorrow since you are the only listed guardian within the state of Illinois.”
“Oh,” Steve said. He was sure that at some point in the future, he’d freak about the sudden jump of responsibility he now had, but for now, he couldn’t even think about that. He was just intensely relieved that she was okay, that she was alive, and then immediately guilty for being relieved. Nancy was dead. Jonathan was dead. How could he feel anything but sad?
“Is there anyone I can call for you?” he asked.
“No. No, that's okay. I’ll call her family,” Steve replied. He couldn’t stand anyone else having to hear this from a stranger. He would make the calls himself.
Steve let the door swing shut, flinching at the bang it made. He felt himself slide down against the wall. His breath sped up as he tried to process the information. It couldn’t be real. How many times had someone “died” in Hawkins only to come back perfectly healthy?
He felt like a pendulum swinging wildly between denial and grief. It couldn’t be true, but if it was — if Nancy and Jonathan were really dead, then what was he supposed to do? How was he supposed to just go on without them there by his side? Their lives had been intertwined for the last 13 years. They had a daughter. Nancy was up for a promotion. It was just so profoundly unfair.
He didn’t know how he was supposed to do this. Steve had never really suffered a loss before; nothing like this, at least. He just couldn’t comprehend the idea of never being able to see them again. He was supposed to see them today and now they were gone.
He would get up and call everyone and figure out what to do next in a second — but for now, he needed a minute to himself.