𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒
❥ 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.
Summer, 1537
England
Your mom and dad never were in love. Not really anyway. Of course, they insisted that the kind of love you were looking for didn't really exist. It was either be forced to marry a man you didn't know, or be shunned and most likely made a kingdom pariah.
Honestly, being a pariah didn't sound like the worst option..
"Mama, why must you force me to marry this man? I do not even know him! What if- What if he's insane and ends up murdering me? What then?" You argued, ignoring the way your mothers patience seemed to be cracking agonizingly slow.
"He is not a murderer, Y/N. Now, you can either sit there and look pretty or I will see to your mouth being sewn shut." She threatened, and you knew better than to call her bluff.
With an eye roll you leaned back in your chair as your maids continued prepping you for your date with some prince you'd never even heard of.
And just like you'd expected, the date had not gone well in the slightest. The prince, who's name you could not seem to even remember, was quite possibly the most boring person you had ever met. He didn't seem to have any kind of... personality. No hobbies, No talents, No nothing. Just nothing.
What kind of life would it be to be married to someone who can't appreciate the world like you do? And you knew that this man most definitely did not.
Your Mother and Father did not seem to share your sentiment though, because they were already planning the wedding.
You furrowed your brows as they gushed about the prince, "We- I do not even know this man. I will not be forced into an unhappy life just because that's what you both think is right! I will not do it!" You seethed.
Your mother seemed stunned into silence, her eyes glazing over icily, until they no longer held any warmth. If they ever even had.
"Go to your room." She said strangely calm.
You huffed, "No! I am not done-"
Your mother fixed you with a glare, "If you know what's best for you, girl, you will get your face away from me. You will marry him, the arrangements have already been made. Now, go."
Your mother seemed to shatter whatever hope you had for your future with just one sentence. You will marry him, the arrangements have already been made.
Your eyes immediately began to tear up and you quickly made your way through the castle to your bedroom. Frantically, you threw yourself onto the bed and sobbed.
This could not be happening. What about... What about-
There was a knock at your window, but it didn't startle you. You had been expecting it. Your limbs felt like butter as you hauled your body to open the window for him- for Steve.
Your Steve.
"Hello, Princess." He said slyly, but once he noticed you failed to give your usual retort to his pet name, he immediately knew something was wrong. Something had happened.
"Y/N..." He said softly. He reached a warm hand out to your shoulder, hoping to catch a glimpse of your face. When he did, he felt his heart shatter into a million peices.
Your face, usually flushed with life and love for the world, was flushed with something else today. Tears. Cold, salty tears.
"What happened?" He asked frantically, hands reaching out to cup your face, though your eyes remained downcast even as he held you.
You choked on a sob as you finally confirmed both of your worst fears, "They did it." You sniffed, "They've officially found me a suitor."
Steve's world felt as if though it were crashing down at your confession. The both of you had known this day was coming, that you would not be able to live your life in peace. You both knew that eventually, your secret bedroom rendezvous would have to come to an end. And it seemed they finally were.
Steve stiffened slightly. He wanted to be brave for you, to be brave for the woman he loved so, very dearly, but his own facade was crumbling.
He bit his lip, his hands falling from your face down to your waist, "We'll figure it out. I know we will-" He began, but you cut him off with the shake of your head.
"It'll never work." You choked out. Steve's heart shattered for the second time tonight.
"Please," He began, "Run away with me, be with me, I... I love you. I love you more than i've ever loved anything in this whole world. You are my sun. You are my moon. You are everything to me- I don't know if- if I can live without you-"
"You will." You interrupted. Your fingers finding purchase on the apples of his cheeks. "You will live. If not for yourself, then for me. Even if this is the end of my life as I know it, I will not let it be the end of yours." You said, tears brimming in your eyes once more.
"But, just, promise me this," You whispered, and Steve nodded, nose brimming a red color. "Anything." He breathed.
"In the next life, please, find me."
May, 1944
New york
The streets were bustling with activity. You'd just arrived in New York, all the way from Virginia. With the war continuing to rage on, one of the country's biggest hotspots for journalists had slowly became the big apple. And you were determined to build a name for yourself here.
The handles of your suitcases were heavy on your shoulders as you attempted to make your way through the humungous crowds. The cars buzzing past put you on edge a bit, but the people... God, there were so many people. How were you supposed to do anything with this many people-
You shrieked as someone collided into you, your suitcases dropping to the floor with a sickening clap.
Your hands threw themselves out as you attempted to catch yourself, but two broad hands found purchase on your waist before you could hit the ground.
"Are you okay, ma'am?" The stranger asked. Once you found your footing again, you quickly bent down and grabbed your bags, doing your best to ignore the way your cheeks swelled a pretty pink color with embarrassment.
"Yes, yes I think-" Brown. Your senses were filled with a honey- no was it chestnut? Either way, it was beautiful. But also familiar. The sudden familiarity you felt once you'd looked at the stranger was like an itch you couldn't quite reach. Somewhere, deep in your soul, you knew for a fact you knew this man. But how?
The man seemed to feel it too, because his whole demeanor suddenly changed. His shoulders slumped a bit and he grimaced as if he was in pain. He seemed to catch himself though, and just as quickly as his face had changed, it did again. "I'm so sorry, ma'am." He said, "Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?" He asked.
You giggled and shook your head, "It was an accident. There's no need to worry about it." You said, a sickeningly sweet smile etched across your face.
You and the mystery man stared at each other for what felt like ages. The steady rush of the crowd blurring around the both of you, until the only thing your mind could focus on was him.
Though, once someone shoulder checked him, you both seemed to snap out of the trance. The man cleared his throat, and you pushed a stray piece of hair behind your ear. With a tip of his hat and a tight smile, the man was off, and you were quick to follow suit.
The both of you continued in opposite directions, but something felt wrong. It felt like... like you were making a mistake. Before you knew it you were turning around, but it seemed the man had the same idea.
You both nearly bumped into each other again, practically chest to chest. He cleared his throat as you snickered, "Could I..." He stammered, "Could I have your name?" He asked.
August 1945
New York
The hospital was dimly lit, the feeling of death lingering in the air. You tried to hold back your tears as best you could, really you did. Steve always said he hated when you cried, so you did your best to not do it in his final moments. But, still, the dam has broke.
"Y/N, my love," He whispered, shaky hands reaching out to hold you one last time. "Steve..." You sniffed.
It really wasn't fair. The two of you had begun a relationship and there had been instant sparks. It had felt like fate had pulled the both of you together, like you were meant to be. Of course, logically, you knew there was no possible chance something like that could be true, but deep down, you really did believe it.
When Steve had been drafted into the war, your blood had ran cold. No matter how many times Steve reassured you, no matter how many letters he sent, you knew he wouldn't be coming back. And you had been right.
"Steve, please," You cried. Steve wiped your tears away, and you brought your hand up to hold his as it stroked your cheek.
Steve just smiled. Steve was dying, and he smiled.
"I love you." He whispered.
"Promise me," You sobbed, "Promise me in the next life, you'll find me."
November, 1983
Hawkins
Steve should've know you'd do this. You, always so selfless. And now- you're dying. And it's all Steve's fault.
If you would have asked Steve the beginning of his junior year of high school what he thought of you, he would have said that you were some weird loner girl. He would've made fun of you with those dickheads Tommy and Carol, and he wouldn't of even had second thoughts about it.
But then, Steve had barged into the Byers house on that fateful night when he was introduced to the Upside Down, and his view on things changed. His view on you changed.
You, of course, were still wary of him during your senior year. Even when he sent you warm smiles and tried to show you that he wasn't King Steve anymore, you still tensed at the sight of him- and honestly, it hurt him. He knew he deserved it though.
So when Nancy broke his heart on halloween night, and he found himself suppressing sobs outside some run down gas station, the last person he expected to comfort him was you.
You had held him as he drunkenly sobbed into your shoulder, you bought him some water to sober him up, and you took him home. After that, you started to warm up to him.
You started to return his waves and his smiles, even sometimes sending him one of your own. You didn't mind it when he asked you for help with his homework, in fact, you offered to tutor him.
So when Dustin called him about some creature stuck in his cellar, he had been more than thrilled to see you there as well.
"You two dipshits are the only ones who I could find to help me." He had complained. Steve had scoffed in annoyance, "I swear to god if this is some stupid prank-"
"It's not a prank!" Dustin defended.
You had insisted you come down the cellar with him, claiming it was dangerous for him to go down there alone. He argued with you on it, explaining how he could take of himself, but you insisted. And so he unknowingly found himself starting a cycle of him insisting you stay behind, and you simply refusing.
One of Steve's favorite, but worst memories of you had been from that very next day. None of you had expected Billy Hargrove to be a problem that night, and yet he was.
You, in all your braveness, had stood up to him as soon as he attempted to lay a hand on Steve. You pushed him, yelled at him, called him names- Steve remembers thinking that you were truly something else. Until Billy had had enough of your shit and knocked you into the china cabinet hard enough to leave you concussed and bruised.
Steve remembers the rage he had felt watching you slowly crumple to the floor in defeat. He had attempted to finish what you started- but instead Billy had beat him to a pulp.
Then there was that time you both worked at Star court together.
This was when your friendship had finally blossomed into what it was today. After the events of halloween, you both badly needed someone to be able to go to for comfort. So you found each other.
Starcourt, even with all its horrors, had brought Steve so much joy. Joking around with you and Robin, helping the kids sneak into movies, it was all just a blast.
Then the Russians happened and you had nearly been killed. You, him, and Robin had all been kidnapped and tortured. Your cries of pain still plagued his nightmares. Having to sit helplessly as the Soviets tore through your soul bit by bit was the worst moment of Steve's life.
Once the Russians deemed your bodies had been broken enough and they left the three of you alone, you, thinking that this would be the place you die, confessed to Steve that you were starting to fall in love with him. And Steve had been silent.
Robin, quickly lied and said that Steve had passed out, and he had no issue going along with it. But hearing your feeble "oh" and the way your shoulders slacked even more made Steve feel guilty. Because he was falling in love with you too. But Nancy had really done a number on Steve, and he was scared. Scared that you would realize you deserved more and better and... you'd leave him. Just like she did. And Steve wasn't sure if he could handle that.
Once you had all been rescued and thrown into a war with a flesh demon, Steve was reminded of your stupid hero complex. You had thrown yourself right in the middle of it, throwing firework bombs and taunting the monster. When Eleven had been kidnapped you were the first to attempt to run and save her. Steve knew it would be a suicide mission though, so he grabbed you and held you. Despite all your kicking and screaming and sobbing- he held you close.
And now... you were here. Max is cursed, people in hawkins are dying, and there's a new threat that's nothing like any of you have ever seen before.
When Steve had been pulled into the water, you had jumped in right after him. You fought off the monsters as hard as you possibly could and yet you still lay here in front of him- dying.
You had been fine for a while, adventuring with the group and never complaining of any pain. Steve shouldn't noticed how you sucked in your lower lip if you moved to quickly. He should've noticed the sweat beginning to build up on your forehead. He should've fucking noticed.
When you fell against the mattress in the real world, he should've seen how it knocked the breath out of you.
But he didn't. And now you were here, laying in his arms in Eddie Munsons trailer.
Nancy had just woken from whatever spell Vecna put her under, and just as she had woken up- you had fallen down. He could still hear the thump your body made when it hit the ground.
"Shit- Y/N!" His knees immediately hit the carpet next to you and he hurled you up into his arms. Robin quickly began listing yoir shirt to expose the wounds that they had covered earlier, which had long since soaked through the makeshift bandages.
You began to cough and choke on your own blood, your body convulsing in pain.
"You're okay. You're okay. You're okay." Steve chanted softly, signaling for someone to call an ambulance. Eddie seemed to get the memo- and dashed for a phone.
"Steve..." You said hoarsely.
"You're not gonna die. I won't let you die.." He said, his grip on you tightening slightly. The rest of the group could barely stand to watch the scene in front of them. All of them knowing all too well about the feelings the both of you harbored for one another.
"It's okay..." You sighed out. Steve shook his head, his tears begging to roll of his cheeks and hit your hairline.
"You're gonna be okay." He sobbed out.
"Promise me," You said, "I'm the next life, you'll find me."
You awoke to the soft sound of beeping.
Groggily, you looked around the room. You were met with the sight of pristine white countertops and machines.
You were slowly made aware of the weight on the side of your bed, a head. Steve Harrington. His hair is sticking up in places, and his cheek is squished against the sheets. You take a metal picture of the sight.
Carefully, you shake him awake. “Steve..” You coo softly. Steve immediately jumps up, eyes wide. You’re eyes widen in shock at the sudden movement. You both sit and stare at eachother before Steve is practically lunging at you. His large arms embrace you in a hug, and his tears damped your shoulder.
“You’re awake…” He hiccups. “Never do that again.”
You smile and hug him tightly, “I promise, i’ll never leave you again. But you have to promise me, that no matter what happens, you’ll find me in the next lifetime.”
Steve smiles and squeezes your hand tighter, “I promise.”
May, 2005
Chicago
“Be careful Dean!” You call out to your son, huffing slightly at the way he seems to ignore you. “He’s thirteen honey, he’ll be okay.” Your husband, Steve, reassures you. Your six year old daughter huddled safely in his hold.
Your bite your lip anxiously, “I know that. I’m just worried about him going out into town by himself.” You say.
“He’s not by himself, he’s with his friends.” Steve reassures you. You roll your eyes, “You know what I mean.”
Steve chuckles and kisses you on the cheek, “How about we go in that shop?” He suggests, “Maybe it’ll help ease your mind.” He explains and you gladly accept.
The shop is tiny, but it’s practically overfilled with different antiques.
You looked at the counter, and your met with the sight of a tiny cardboard box. Above it, there’s a sign that says: Photos, ¢25 each.
You take a peak inside and find many different pictures of old timey photos, but one catches your eye. It’s a picture of a couple from the forties. The man is dressed in an army jacket and appears to be heading off to war. The woman, who you assume is his lover, stands next to him and gives him a kiss in the cheek. They both hold giant smiles and lovesick gazes. But the one thing that catches your eye, is their uncanny resemblance to you and Steve.
“Honey,” you call, “Come look at this.” Steve makes his way over happily, your daughter playing with something she found. “What is it?” He asks, and you show him the photo. Steve simply smiles.
“I told you i’d find you in every lifetime, didn’t i?”
❥ 𝐢 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝! 𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐬!
