It's been a whole year! A whole year of this story, and I'm barely done!

Alright, so this is a new chapter. An actual new chapter, that'll probably end up being edited later as I keep cleaning this story. For now I want to celebrate because I've loved writing this fic. I know I'm constantly wrestling with ideas, but at the end of the day I love this fic. In this update, we've got a conversation between two exes. A dickish dad, Steve stressing, Jonathan complaining about Nancy's habit of bursting in when he's developing film, a smidge of Dustin being Dustin, and Veronica suspecting something about someone.

Veronica's POV

40 Minutes Earlier

I woke up this morning with a pit growing in my stomach. It's different than, uh, this past November. It isn't "hair on the back of my neck standing up, danger-danger Will Robinson, the Red Coats are coming, uh-oh guess the Demogorgon is coming for dinner." It took me a full cup of coffee to realize it's because Steve's parents are back.

So with a forlorn sigh I finished my second cup of coffee and got to cleaning my room, the bathroom, and making sure the couch is comfortable enough for Steve to sleep on. I knew he'd show up today sooner or later.

Which is why I open the door as soon as I hear an engine pulling into the driveway, only to find a blue Camaro parked behind the Falcon. Billy Hargrove stumbles out, keys clutched in one hand as he smears blood across his face with his other. He looks nearly as bad as Steve did, when, you know - my ex went full Jack from The Shining.

"The hell do you want?" I call out, shivering as a gust of January wind blows past my face.

Billy grabs at his ribs. "I just… I didn't know where else to go."

"Vicki's. Or Nicole's. Tommy's for sure." I remind him, voice empty of all emotions.

"Yeah, well, I didn't." Billy grumbles. "Look, I know I promised to stay away, but… I really do need your help. Please." He grits his teeth, like that word is more painful than his injuries.

"Fine." I growl back. "But you stay on the porch. And when I say go, you leave. My boyfriend'll be here any minute. You know, the one you almost killed?" I storm back into the house, closing the door behind me as Billy limps up the stairs.

A few moments later, I return with a couple of ice packs, a First Aid kit, and a bowl of water with a few towels. Billy's leaning against the railing, holding his ribs. With methodic fingers I lift his haphazardly buttoned shirt, wincing when I see the bruising on his torso. I feel at his warm skin, checking for what I remember feeling the last time I had a cracked rib cage. "It doesn't feel broken. Ice it, we'll wrap it after. Hold it." I order, shoving an ice pack into his hand. He presses it to his ribs and winces.

"If you're wondering -"

"I wasn't."

"You should see the other guy." He tries, Billy winking my way while he huffs in pain. I scoff and wipe the blood of his face.

"You mean your dad?" I throw back, cleaning out a cut on his forehead with some rubbing alcohol before taping some gauze over it. "I'm sure he's in one piece. Your knuckles aren't bruised. May want to fix that before you see your friends - sorry, followers. I have a tree out back you can face-off against."

"Baby girl -" He hiss as I roughly dab under his nose.

"I'm not your baby girl. In fact, I'm not your anything, just your ex."

"Because I messed up."

"'Messed up'?" I laugh, but it's not nice. "Forgetting one too many dates, that's messing up. Forgetting an anniversary, a birthday - no, you didn't mess up. You nearly killed my best friend because you're a possessive asshole who thought I was something to win. And worse than that, you attacked a kid because, what, he's black? And that's after you 'pretended' to run my little brother over. Face it, dickwad, you fucked up."

"I know! Shit, I know!"

"Well, at least have the balls to admit it!" I shout back. "Stop making excuses and acting like it was all some big joke, 'cause it wasn't. Those are real people you hurt, people that matter."

"Yeah, I know!" He repeats, this time in a defeated tone. I snort and fix the next bandage, then begin to wrap his ribs. The bowl of water is no longer clear, instead it gleams as red as the soiled towels. Billy just watches me as I work. "Jesus."

"What?"

"Nothing." He huffs derisively. "It's fuckin' nothing, Veronica."

"You know what I think?"

"This'll be rich."

"I think you're scared. No, scratch that, I know you're scared. We did talk between rounds of sex, remember? I told you my shit, you spilled your secrets - I'm not your latest hookup is my point, Hargrove."

Billy scoffs. "I'm not scared."

"Yeah, you are. You're terrified of your dad, any sane person would be - maybe you're not a complete psycho after all." I shake my head and hold up another ice pack, gently pressing it to his bruised face. "You're terrified of your old man. Your mom left you behind, on your own. And I think you thought the only way to survive was to 'adopt' your dad's beliefs. Act like him, spout whatever bullshit he was spitting at you back out at whoever pissed you off. And I think eventually, you started to believe it. Face it, buddy, you're just like him, now. You treat Max the same way he treats you. Maybe not physically, because he doesn't seem to like the idea of her being bruised up like you - but mentally. Emotionally. And since you can't get physical with your hatred towards her, you focus it on other people, on the people your dad would if he was your age."

"Wow, didn't know I was seeing a shrink. Then again, you've got a lot of practice." He hisses as I shove the ice harder into his beaten skin, and my tongue licks over my teeth. "Sorry."

"Yeah, somehow I don't forgive you."

"So what would it take, huh?"

I pause, the ice pack hovering over Billy's cheek. "Huh?"

"How do I get you to forgive me? How do I get you -"

"'Back'? You don't. Not like we were. Never like what we were."

"Then as a friend, huh? How do I get you to be my friend?"

"You can start by apologizing to your sister. Don't throw in the 'step'. She's still your sister, that means you watch out for her the way you should, not the way your dad's trying to make you. What happens when he decides you're not enough, huh? What if he goes after Max, even Susan? He went after your mom, he's not going to stop at you."

"So, what, I tell her my dad's the anti-Christ? She'd never believe me."

"Yes. She needs to know. And while you're at it, you can apologize for being a colossal dick."

"But baby girl, I have a-"

"Steve's bigger." I reply, shrugging. "I'm not lying. He is."

"So that's why you're with him. He doesn't have much else going for him."

"Except for his big heart, and his bravery, and how protective he is of my brother and the kids. All of the kids." I list off, counting the reasons with my fingers, Steve's face overtaking my brain.

"And if I changed? If I acted like that?"

"I'd still choose Steve."

Billy deflates at my honesty. "What if I hadn't? What if I was the good guy? What if I was who you thought I was before?"

I pause again, closing my eyes as memories of our time together flips through my mind like pages in a worn-out book. "I don't know, Billy. I don't like to think about 'what ifs' anymore. It isn't healthy." Opening my eyes, I sigh and go back to icing his face. "You did make me happy, though. You were there for me when I needed someone like you. You helped me, Billy. But -"

"It wasn't enough. I'm not enough."

"Being 'enough' isn't the point, so let that shit go. Let's say I forgive you; I still won't forget what you did." With another sigh, I shift the ice pack to his other cheek. "Just… focus on being a better man. Not for me, or any other girl. For yourself. Apologize to you sister, keep her safe from your dad. Apologize to Lucas, and try to get it through that thick skull of yours that a person's worth in life has no correlation with the color of their skin. Apologize to my brother and the kids for scarring them for life - you know they haven't biked down that path since? And it ain't got nothing to do with it being winter, jackass." I shoot at Billy, who has the decency to look away, guiltily gnawing on his lips. "Lay off Steve, and apologize for nearly killing him. I'm not asking you to go out of your way to be his friend, just don't be a complete dick. And most importantly; apologize to yourself for letting the old you become… this. Because I think the person I was with was that boy."

"Veronica -"

"Oh, I'm sorry, is telling you that you need to take responsibility for the things you've done too much?"

Billy laughs, but holds his ribs a second later. "A little, yeah."

"Well, suck it up, buttercup." I roll my eyes and keep icing his bruises. "Alright, I'm almost done -"

A car door slams and I jump, having been too focused on my conversation with Billy. With a turn of my head I see Steve storming up the driveway, Beemer parked by the sidewalk. "Get the hell away from her, Hargrove!" My boyfriend shouts, before his focus turns on me. "What the fuck is going on, Roni? Why is he here?"

"Whoa, whoa, baby." I hold out my hands and stand up. "He got in a fight, alright? Just showed up. I couldn't -"

"Couldn't what? Huh?" Steve made a face. "Couldn't tell him to go? Couldn't kick him out of the house?"

"Technically, I'm not in the house, Harrington." I close my eyes and groan under my breath.

"Shut up, man! Just keep your mouth shut, asshole!" Steve roars over the wind, advancing towards my slowly rising ex.

"Steve! Hey, baby, it's okay. I'm okay. He hasn't done anything, alright? I'm fine." I rush down the stairs to take my boyfriend's hands, but he steps around me to grab the collar of Billy's shirt, forcefully tugging him in the direction of the Camaro.

"Look at you, King Steve. Finally acting like a man! Protecting your property, huh? Worried Roni's finally remembered who the better choice is?"

Steve growls and shoves Billy against the driver-side door, arm holding his chest down. "Don't call her that." My boyfriend warns, finger pointed in Billy's bruised face. I desperately grab at Steve so he'll back away, but he glares so hard I can't do anything but stop. "You promised, remember? You said you'd stay away from her. This isn't staying away from her. Go." He orders, nodding down to the car. Billy looks at me and I nod, but I quickly shift my gaze to a heavily panting Steve. "It's okay, Billy. Try not to get yourself in trouble again." My voice isn't as light as I tried to make it, but his shoulders relax and he climbs in the car, driving off like the Devil.

A few moments pass before Steve finally deflates, hunching in over himself. "Steve, baby?"

"I -"

"Shh." I whisper, taking his hands in mine.

"I'm sorry." He apologizes. I shake my head.

"No, hey. If your ex was like Billy, I would've done the same. I promise you, I didn't ask him to come here, okay?"

Steve shakes his head, seeming to come back to himself. "Hey, whoa, no. I trust you. I was just - you know what, no. I'm a little pissed. Why didn't you tell him to fuck off? What if he tried something, what if he hurt you?"

I tilt my head, letting go of his hands. "He wasn't going to hurt me." Steve raises his eyebrows. "You really think I'd have let him hurt me?"

Steve snorts and shakes his head. "Guess not."

"I can handle Billy Hargrove." I smile and reach my hands up to hold Steve's face. "But right now, I'm more worried about Steve Harrington, the best damn guy I know." He sighs and nods, and I tug down his face so our foreheads meet. "Why don't we go inside, huh?"

"Okay." He whispers.

"But pull your car into the driveway, alright?"

He grins and kisses my nose. "You got it, Princess."

"I'll deal with the uh, blood." I wrinkle my nose and he snorts, and I watch him go back to his car before I rush up the stairs, doing my best to gather the mess Billy and I left. Cursing when I drop the First Aid kit, a hand reaches out and grabs it just before it can clatter on the floor. Steve straightens and holds it up.

"You know, you don't have to do everything on your own."

"Of course not. I have you." He grins and kisses my cheek, holding the door open as we enter the house.

As Steve tells me about his dad, I do my best not to pretend it's John Harrington's blood-filled water I'm draining in the sink.

His and Neil Hargrove's.

"I just don't get it. Like, what's the point of basketball?" Dustin keeps grumbling as I lead him towards Nancy's spot on the bleachers. Jonathan's closer to the court, taking pictures for the newspaper.

"Fun. I guess. I don't get it either." I tell my little brother, shoving him in Nancy's direction.

He looks back to gape at me. "But you've gone to, like, all the games!"

I glance towards the court, blushing. "I wasn't exactly paying attention to the game, D." I admit, rolling my eyes when he starts making kissing noises. "Shut it, you little shit."

"Vera, leave Dustin alone." Nance defends my brother as we sit, sending him a charming little wink. Dustin blushes, the tips of his ears definitely turning red, even though they're hidden under his thick curls.

"Why does everyone always take his side?" I grumble, pouting as I watch the crowd. Vicki and Nicole send me nasty grins as they hold up their signs for Billy, and I roll my eyes in response.

"Because I'm the cute one." Dustin declares, getting a giggle from Nancy and a snort from me. My snort grows into a laugh when I ruffle the top of his head and his hat comes tumbling down, Dusting fumbling to catch it. "I hate you, Leia."

"I love you too." I hum back, rolling my head as the gym continues to fill up. The cheerleaders prance up to the court and I wave to Tina and Heather Holloway, both pumping their pom-poms in my direction. My eyes zoom left and connect with a bored Robin's, who's blowing bubbles with her gum and watching the pep squad closely, particularly Tammy Thompson. My eyes narrow on the taller girl's.

She's usually watching Tammy, come to think of it. Like that time the day before Halloween, or last month when the cheerleaders were flouncing around during the pep, or -

Oh. No. Wait… no. Yes? Maybe.

Look, I don't care. My momma didn't raise me to hate people for who they love, even if the rest of our mostly small-minded town has a different perspective. Me being right or wrong doesn't actually matter; Robin and I may not be besties, but she's a good friend and people at our school can be dicks.

The other girl finally notices she's being watched, and there's a split second where I can see her go pale. Unsure of what to do, I send a tentative salute her way before quickly returning my gaze to the court.

"Oh."

"Hmm?" I look at Nancy in confusion, and she nods down to the entrance to the gym. John and Kathleen Harrington are ushering themselves to the front seats, looking out of place in their fancy suit and dress. I haven't seen either of Steve's parents in a long time - at least, not up close - but I can tell from here that he's got his dad's hair and his mom eyes and long legs. Still, he lacks their cold detachment.

Neither of his parents glance at each other as they sit, their backs straight with Kathleen's arms crossed over her chest. I wonder just how Steve convinced his mom to come to the game - I knew his dad was going to be here regardless, but he'd told me she was going to use tonight to "see some friends."

He was sure she meant "call up the same private investigator that discovered John's first affair."

"Did you know they were coming?" Nancy asks.

"John, yeah. Not Kathleen."

My best friend just hums, distracted when Jonathan sends her a smile and me a brotherly wink. I roll my eyes but continue observing the Harrington parents, taking note of how John eagerly shakes hands with men I can only assume are the scouts Steve's been huffing about.

"On one hand, Roni," He'd said Monday as he drove me home from archery, "it means I can get into college. Which wouldn't be the end of the world. And it'd get dad off my dick. But on the other hand, I'm just doing exactly what he wants me to do. I can't keep playing by his rules, gorgeous. I don't want to end up like him."

This was between arguing about what happened Saturday morning, of course. We don't lie to each other, not anymore. I told him exactly what Billy and I spoke about, so - you can imagine it's been a tense few days for us.

"You okay?" Dustin asks, finally getting my attention. I frown guiltily, realizing I haven't been paying attention to him.

"Sorry, yeah. The game should be starting soon."

"Thank God. I love Steve, but this shit is boring." A few classmates glare his way, clearly enthusiastic fans. I only raise an eyebrow and they freeze, clearly registering their aiming deadly eyes at the Ice Queen's baby brother.

I snort and do my best to ignore John and Kathleen's presence, throwing an arm around Dustin's shoulders as Nancy leans into my side. "Tell me about it. He's lucky he's pretty. I'm missing Highway to Heaven."

"You hate that show." Nancy reminds me, and I grin cheekily, though I know the humor doesn't reach my eyes. I'm tense for Steve, I know just what this game means to him.

"Yeah, but it's still better than this shit."

Dustin rolls his eyes, perking up when the mic turns on and Greg the Sports Guy gets to commentating. The lights in the gym get dramatic and all eyes are on the court, waiting for the game to come in. I hold my breath as our cheer squad does their thing, hands clasped in anticipation as the guest team is announced, then ours. Steve bursts onto the court last, a skip in his run and his hair a pre-game wild mess. I cheer as loud as I can, mouthing "I love you" when Steve's eyes meet mine. He nods, pointing to me before holding up two fingers.

Then the game begins, and I do my best not to break my brother's hand, Nancy an anchor as she squeezes my shoulder.

You got this, baby. You got this.

3rd Person POV (Steve's)...

Steve storms out of the gym, the sweat on his skin drying as soon as he's hit with an icy blast of wind. Duffle slung on his shoulders, he sidesteps patches of ice in his sneakers as he makes his way to his car.

"Steven!" His father's sharp yell has him faltering, and he nearly slips before righting himself. "Steven, don't you walk away from me!" He stops at his car, turning to lean against the hood of the Beemer coolly. His dad storms up to him, and Steve catches his mom shivering as she daintily walks to her husband's sports car. "What the hell was that?" John Harrington hisses, voice harsh enough that it isn't drowned out by the celebrations erupting out of the gym, Steve's teammates and their friends jeering and taunting the losing team.

"It's called winning, dad. We won." Steve sasses.

"I meant with those scouts. I worked hard to get them interested, Steven! You know how many calls I had to make? How many assurances I had to give when they saw your grades? Do you know what it's like to have a fuck up for a son?"

No, dad, I don't, he thinks, trying not to explode.

Steve doesn't have a chance to defend himself, anyway, cause John Harrington just keeps laying into him. "And all those passes?! What, you too much of a pussy to take the shot yourself? All you did was show them you're not a leader - you're a follower. You're a Harrington, Steven. Act like it."

Steve glares back. "That's not what the scouts said, dad. They said 'you're a strong player and a good captain.'" His dad scoffs and looks away. "They also said my heart's not in the game. Not like, uh, some of the other guys." Not like Hargrove, is what they also said, Steve reminds himself.

"You just need to apply yourself more, son." His dad brushes it off. "Listen, I have some more guys I can call. Evan at Dartmouth said he can make the next game."

"Dad -"

"And next week you'll take charge. I'm sure today must've just been off for you. Fighting with your girlfriend?" Steve didn't have a chance to answer. "I think I saw her. She's blonde, right? Was sitting next to the Wheeler girl?"

"Yeah."

His dad smirks. "I see. Dating your ex's friend, hm? I was just like you when I was your age. Don't worry about being tied down too soon, Steven. Before you know it, you'll be in college. And let me tell you, those girls are an upgrade." His dad claps him on the shoulder, then squeezes too tight for it to be fatherly affection. "Next game, take charge. Don't give those scouts a reason to take an interest in that mullet-wearing, rat-looking trash. I better go, your mother's waiting for me." His dad claps his shoulder once more before strutting over to his car, leaving Steve on his own.

He doesn't have to look over to see his dad peeling out of the lot, probably taking his mom to a late night "I'm sorry I've been screwing other women again" dinner. He just hears the screeching of familiar tires, one last "screw you" from his dad. In the distance, he makes eye contact with a distracted Tommy. Just before his ex-best friend is pulled into a conversation with Carol and Drew, the freckled boy flashes him a worried thumbs up. Steve shrugs and Tommy nods, attention shifting.

His shoulders relax as a familiar young voice rings over the celebrating crowd. Dustin is practically skipping between Jonathan and Nancy, and Steve frowns when he notices Veronica is missing. He finds her a few moments later, softening when he realizes she's not far behind. Her hands wave in the air as Tina throws back her head to laugh, Tammy Thompson nearby with Heather Holloway behind the two girls. Steve smiles, noticing even from here how open his girlfriend seems. She's come a long way from who she used to be, and while she has her frosty moments Roni's allowed herself to be, well, happy.

"I'll see you tomorrow, girls!" Roni's voice rings, and he grins as she does her best to carefully maneuver the icy patches covering the concrete beneath their feet. For someone who's killed interdimensional monsters in the blink of an eye, she's a real klutz. "Hey, sorry! Ah, shit." She nearly fumbles, laughing as Dustin catches her and slides instead. "Sorry, Dusty."

"I told you not to call me that in public." Steve hears Dustin complain, the boy smiling brightly as they finally reach the eldest teen. "Great game, Steve. I mean, I don't understand a thing that happened, but you did great!"

Steve snorts and ruffles Dustin's hat-covered head. "Yeah, yeah. Thanks, man."

"Ignore the little shit, baby." Roni knocks her little brother's shoulder and comes up to him, and soon enough Steve's wrapped into a tight hug. The way she squeezes, the kisses she pecks onto his bare bicep despite how much he must stink - it's exactly what he needs. Adding the fact she knows exactly what's happening in that usually-empty head of his, Steve has to close his eyes not to cry with relief. "You were amazing."

"Thanks, Roni."

"I got some nice shots, man. Totally front page material." Jonathan grins, voice as soft as usual. Steve snorts.

"I never thought I'd see the day when being buddies with Byers would help me maintain my popularity." Steve teases, and Jonathan laughs while Nancy rolls her eyes. Still, there's a smile on her face, and it grows when Roni turns in Steve's arms, her head resting against his chest.

"Like you need any of us for that, Steve. It was a good game, though. Congratulations!" Roni steps aside so Nancy can hug Steve, and he smiles as he pats her back, glad they're finally really in a place where they can be friends without any awkwardness.

"Thanks, Nance."

"Of course, Steve." She lets him go and takes Jonathan's hand. "We'll see you tomorrow morning. I think someone's eager to get his photos developed before school."

"Yeah. Especially if it means you won't be barging in to ruin them. Again." Roni laughs at her best friend's grumbling, quickly hugging the other couple.

"Chill, Johnny. Your precious pictures will be safe now that you can get your shit done in the shed." Steve's girl jokes with the Byers boy, who rolls his eyes and presses a brotherly kiss to the top of her head. After a few more goodbyes the two were on their way, and Steve could focus his attention on his girlfriend and the kid who'd somehow become one of his closest friends.

"Ready to head out?" He asks, and Dustin yawns.

"Hell, yeah. No offense, but sports are super boring." Steve rolls his eyes and Roni grins.

"Move it, D." Dustin scrambles into the backseat of the Beemer, but before Steve can climb behind the wheel Roni takes his hand. "I love you." She whispers, and he exhales. "I'm so sorry, baby."

"'Bout what?" He tries to play dumb - dumber - and Veronica gives him a soft smile. The residual tension continues melting.

"How about you shower at mine tonight, yeah? I need some loving."

He grins and kisses her pout away. "I gave you some between fourth and fifth."

"Mmm, but that was so long ago."

"Alright. Your mom home?"

"Not till later. She has that dinner -"

"Right, yeah. Sorry. Forgot you told me already."

"Hey." A small callused hand cups his cheekbone. "It's alright."

Steve nods and kisses her forehead. "Come on, let's blow this popsicle stand. Before Dustin steals my car."

Roni snorts and leaves his grasp. It takes an extra few moments for Steve to follow her in, ears still ringing with his father's words.

3rd Person POV (Steve's)...

"Dude, you take longer showers than Leia!" Dustin calls as soon as he sees Steve. The older teen flips him off, drying his hair with a small towel as he enters the kitchen. Sweaty uniform replaced with his school clothes, Steve's already starting to feel more like himself.

"Dustin Henderson, you spent three hours in the bathtub just last week." Roni admonishes her little brother, then happily kisses Steve's cheek as she finishes serving up leftover spaghetti and meatballs. "You smell so good, baby."

Steve grins as Dustin gags, wrapping an arm around his girlfriend's waist to lay one on her. It lasts almost a minute, and in that time the youngest teen has shoved half a slice of garlic bread in his mouth. Steve laughs as Veronica scolds her little brother, and takes a seat at the rounded table. Veronica scoots her chair closer to his, leaning against his side as they eat, listening to every scientific theory Dustin had explored with Mr. Clarke that day, and while Steve didn't understand a word the kid was saying, it was loud enough to keep John Harrington's voice at bay. At least until Dustin yawned and left to go talk to his friend.

"You know, the only reason why he's being so loud is to drown us out." Veronica comments as she joins Steve on the couch, slipping to lean against his chest while his legs brace her smaller frame. "We could make sure his efforts aren't in vain." She suggests, and he looks down to see an evil grin taking over her face. He snorts, and distractedly runs his hands over the slight food baby she gained from eating nearly half the bowl of pasta. She groans as he rubs. "Thank you. My tummy hurts." She grumbles cutely, and Steve laughs.

"No one told you that you had to accept Dustin's dare."

"And lose my honor? I think the fuck not." Then she turns in his arms, their chests pressed together. "My dumb decisions aside… what happened?"

Steve pauses. "Hmm?"

"With your dad, baby. And the scouts." She gently presses. "Look, we don't have to do this now, but I don't want you going to bed thinking you've - I don't know - failed. Because you haven't, you played amazing -"

"The scouts said I'm good." Steve admits, interrupting her. Veronica sits up and grins, legs crossing awkwardly between her boyfriend's open limbs.

"That's great! Right?" She asks, and Steve looks away when he recognizes the look in her eyes. "Oh. Oh, Steve."

He inhales and closes his eyes. "Yeah. Good, not great. They said I lack heart, that they're looking for someone more like 'that Hargrove kid. He's got some real fight in him.' Dad's pissed, of course. But hey, on the bright side he called Hargrove the 'mullet-wearing, rat-looking boy'. It almost made up for the other shit he spewed my way." Steve growls, opening his eyes but refusing to look at his girl. She just knows him too well, sometimes. As much as he knows her - hey, you're bound to learn some stuff after pining, or whatever, from afar for six years. "I can't fucking stand him, Roni. And then during halftime Hargrove kept preening like some sort of parakeet." Veronica makes a noise like she's about to correct him, but to his relief she stops herself. He doesn't want her to become an unnecessary target for his bottled up anger. "I can't fucking stand him, Roni. Either of them."

Roni doesn't speak. Instead she stands up and holds out her hand, waiting for Steve to reluctantly take it. He lets her pull him into her room, and she keeps the door open a few inches. Steve plops down on the foot of her bed, hands grabbing the soft comforter beneath him while she stands in front of him, leaning casually against the back of her desk chair. "You're still pissed about Saturday, huh?"

"No." Steve tries to deny, but he deflates when she quirks an eyebrow. "Yes."

"Steven -"

"Don't." He almost shouts, but turns it into a hiss instead. He winces when he realizes he sounds exactly like his dad. "Shit, I'm sorry."

"No, no. I should probably stop calling you that." Roni looks down, her arms crossed. "Sometimes I forget I'm not the only person constantly saying it."

"I like the way you say it." Steve reassures her. "It's the only way I like it said. Like I'm something worth being worried about."

"You're worth everything, baby." It slips out of her so easily he can't help but believe it. She clears her throat. "I get why you're mad, I do. But there are things about Billy that… he needs some help." She tries to explain, tone helpless. Steve scoffs.

"Roni. He's not the kind of person you can save."

Veronica looks away, arms crossing over her stomach. He instantly winces. "I'm not trying to save anyone. Not anymore."

"Fuck. Babe, shit. I'm sorry. I didn't - I just… God, I just feel -"

"Like this is all bullshit." She tenses and Steve flinches, remembering a similar conversation with a very different girl. "Your dad. Hargrove. They're bullshit." He nods, trying not to look away. "But not us, baby."

"I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry. The last thing I wanted to do was start a fight. You're not who I'm angry with."

"Hey, I know. I'm sorry, too."

Steve sighs. "You really want to be friends with Hargrove?"

He watches Roni breathe, nibbling on his lip as her fingers twitch anxiously. "I might. If he does change. But I'm not waiting for him to figure out how to be a decent fucking human being. Thanks to that night, I know exactly who he is. I also know who he can be. So it's not about saving him. It's just about giving him a push in the right direction. Not just for himself, but for Max, and for Lucas, my brother, the kids… you. And if he doesn't change, well, that's on him. And you can bet if he comes after any of the people I care about again, there are some arrows and a knife with his name on them. What, did you think I want more than just friendship with him?" Steve looks down at his knees. "Oh, Steven." Roni exhales, but he refuses to meet her gaze. Her small hands reach out and envelop his. "Baby, I just got you. I'm not letting you go, not after how long I've been waiting for us to be us. Okay?" Steve nods, only looking up when she lets his hands go.

"What's wrong? What're you looking for?" He asks as he watches his girlfriend rummage around her desk, and she waved him off.

"A surprise. I was going to give it to you next week, but I figured - ah, fuck - you more than earned something good. Plus, maybe it'll get it through that thick head-of-hair of yours that my heart is yours." She croons back, but it's honest. "Got it!" He snorts, lighter and more amused than his previous little huffs, and watches with a slow-growing grin as she slams the bottom drawer of her dresser shut and turns, smiling over at him as bright as the sun. Her hands are behind her back, and she walks back to him with a little hop in her step. "Okay, close your eyes and hold out your hands. And no peeking!" She orders. He nods and does as she commanded, his eyebrows twitching as he confusedly gropes the piece of paper placed in his grasp. "Alright, open." He first focuses on her happy - yet anxious - expression, then his eyes wander down to the envelope he's been gifted. Open, he easily pulls out two tickets, his eyes bulging a little when he reads what it says.

1985 THE BIG TOUR 1985

WHAM!

VALENTINE'S DAY

THURSDAY FEB. 14

BEACON THEATRE
2124 BROADWAY NEW YORK CITY

"Holy shit." He whispers. "What - Roni, really?"

"Is it not okay? I mean, I figured we could have some fun. I've never left Indiana, but I remembered you mentioned liking New York that time you got to visit."

"Roni, these are tickets to see Wham!." Steve finally says, having found his voice.

"Mhm."

"On Valentine's Day."

"That's correct." Roni nods.

"Princess, you hate Wham!." He reminds his girlfriend, waiting for the punchline.

It never comes. Instead he gets a shrug. "Yeah, but you love them. I can suffer through one concert of theirs if it means I get to spend time with you. You're worth it." Steve's jaw opens and closes, and he flushes when he realizes he's completely speechless. Roni's entire face is one pleased smile. "We'll probably get a shit-ton of detention for skipping, and I haven't figured out what I'm gonna tell mom, but it'll be fun. Besides, I've saved up more than enough money, and you deserve to be spoiled. I was thinking we can leave Tuesday morning, then come back on Saturday. I haven't booked a room yet, but now that you know we can figure it out together. Unless it'll just get you in trouble with your dad, then I can just get a refund -"

Steve's voice may not be working, but his mouth's still fully operational. It takes one step to reach his rambling girlfriend, and less than a second to lean down and kiss her hard enough to dip the blonde back. He moans as her fingers tighten in his still-damp hair, his arms tightening around the small of her back. "I love you. So damn much."

"And I love you. Don't you ever doubt that again." She whispers up to him, her eyes closing. Steve presses their foreheads together, watching the way her thick lashes flutter.

"How can I? You bought us tickets to see Wham!." After a couple of moments he rights them, his arms still around her waist. Her hands have trailed down from his hair to his forearms, and Steve watches in shock as a tear slips down her cheeks.

"You listen to me, Steven Theodore Harrington, and you listen good. No matter what happens with college, your dad, Hargrove - hell, even basketball, I am always going to love you, and I'm always going to be yours."

"You sure about that? It's an awfully big promise." Was this how Veronica felt last week, when her head was full of doubt? Steve shudders as Roni rubs her thumbs over his elbows, echoing the same vow he'd swore the week before.

"Oh yeah? Watch me, baby." Roni reaches up and wraps her arms around his neck, pulling him into a warm hug. "I love you, and I'm here for you. Now, how about we cuddle on the couch for a bit. Pop in a movie - Return of the Jedi's always fun."

"It's the teddy bears." Steve suggests, and he smiles when his girlfriend laughs loudly, the sound growing as he yub-yubs.

"Perfect. And I'll have my own Teddy to cuddle with. Come on - and for fuck's sake, put those tickets away, we don't want to lose them!" She orders. He salutes her and watches Veronica skip out of the room, placing the now-closed envelope on her dresser. With one last sigh Steve walks out the room, leaving his troubles behind.

He's got someone more important to focus on, anyway.

I hope you enjoyed this little anniversary present! Thank you for sticking with me for a whole year, it means the world to me. Please take care of yourselves out there.

All my love,

Charmedlion22