· 7 min read
Retro Love: A Steamy 80's Romance - part 1
Chapter 1: A Fake Date Turned Real Connection
‘Come on, YN, it’ll be fun,’ your best friend promises, dragging you to the cozy restaurant for your ‘fake date’ with Steve.
You can feel her excitement radiating off of her as she chats excitedly about how Steve has been asking about you and how this would be a perfect opportunity for you two to get to know each other better.
You, on the other hand, are a bundle of nerves.
Your heart flutters in your chest as you smooth down the bright pink ruffles of your vintage dress, paired with a pair of black fishnets and white heels.
You hope that Steve won’t think you look too over-the-top or weird, considering your love for 80s fashion.
The restaurant is adorned in warm, golden lighting, with soft jazz music playing in the background.
The atmosphere instantly puts you at ease as you sit down at a cozy booth with a view of the lush garden outside.
You order a glass of wine to calm your nerves and wait for Steve’s arrival, trying not to think about how awkward this could potentially be.
All of sudden, your thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the door opening, and you turn your head to see Steve walking in, looking dashing in a retro-inspired outfit.
‘You look…
wow,’ he stammers, his eyes wide with admiration.
You can’t help but blush at his compliment, feeling oddly shy under his gaze.
Your initial interactions are slightly awkward as you both try to find common ground and make small talk about the weather and school.
However, once Steve compliments your vintage outfit, genuinely curious about where you found it, the conversation starts to flow more naturally.
You’re surprised by his punctuality and manners, a stark contrast from what you expected from the popular heartthrob of Hawkins High.
Over dinner, you both engage in playful banter about your favorite 80s movies and music, the conversation flowing naturally as you discover shared interests and preferences.
You find yourself laughing more than you have in a long time, feeling comfortable around Steve in a way that surprises you.
As dessert arrives - decadent chocolate fondue with strawberries and marshmallows - the conversation turns to deeper topics.
You share stories about your families, dreams for the future, and personal struggles, all while feeding each other bites of the delicious treat.
The chemistry between you grows stronger with every passing moment, making it hard not to get lost in his deep blue eyes.
‘I’ve always wondered what it would be like to date you, YN,’ Steve confesses, his eyes searching yours for a reaction.
You’re taken aback by his candid statement, unsure of how to respond.
Part of you wants to believe that this could be the beginning of something special, while another part remains cautious, wary of getting hurt in the process.
You debate whether or not to address your growing feelings for Steve and risk rejection or keep them hidden, afraid of ruining the friendship you’ve started to build.
But as you look at him across the table, his eyes filled with vulnerability and hope, something inside you shifts.
‘Let’s see where this goes,’ you say, your heart pounding as you raise your glass for a toast.
Steve smiles back at you, nodding in agreement, and clinks his glass against yours.
Your decision has been made; the journey ahead is uncertain, but filled with excitement and anticipation.
As the night draws to a close, you find yourself lost in thought about what lies ahead for you both.
The cliffhanger of what will happen next hangs deliciously in the air as you exit the restaurant, Steve’s hand gently guiding you through the door and into the starry night.
A Growing Connection and Intensifying Desire
“Race you to the arcade!” Steve challenges, his eyes shining with excitement as you both ride your bikes through Hawkins.
You feel a rush of adrenaline course through your veins as you accept the challenge, pedaling faster than ever before.
You’re not one for competitions, but something about racing alongside Steve fills you with energy and determination.
As you zip past each other, exchanging playful jabs and laughter, you can’t help but feel a growing sense of comfort in his presence.
The quaint, nostalgic town of Hawkins whizzes by as you race towards your destination: the bustling arcade that serves as a sanctuary for the youth of this small community.
It is here where friendships are formed, rivalries are born, and memories are etched in time.
The thought of sharing such an experience with Steve brings a smile to your lips.
As you reach the finish line, you find yourself inches ahead of Steve, claiming victory with a triumphant grin.
Tossing your bike onto its kickstand, you high-five each other, your palms meeting in a celebratory gesture that lingers for just a moment too long.
The electricity between you is undeniable, your eyes locked in a silent exchange of emotions.
Stepping into the arcade, you’re greeted by the flashing lights and familiar buzz of excitement.
You both waste no time in picking out games to play, challenging one another to tests of skill and coordination.
With each game conquered, your competitive spirits soar, fueling the fire that burns between you.
At the Pac-Man machine, you manage to edge Steve out by just a few points, much to his chagrin.
As you exchange high-fives once more, this time your fingers brush against each other, sending shivers down your spine.
Your eyes meet again, and for an instant, it feels as though the entire world has faded away, leaving only the two of you in a bubble of shared excitement and connection.
“You’re amazing, YN,” Steve says, his gaze intense as he tucks a loose strand of your hair behind your ear.
His touch is gentle but deliberate, causing heat to rise in your cheeks.
You’ve never felt more appreciated or understood than you do in this moment with him.
As the night wears on and the arcade empties, Steve suggests heading outside to watch the stars.
With a contented sigh, you agree, eager for another chance to spend time together away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Under the starry sky, you both share your dreams and fears, your bond deepening with every shared secret.
Steve reveals his aspirations to leave Hawkins behind in pursuit of a greater adventure, while you confess your struggles with self-confidence and your desire to step out from behind the veil of anonymity you’ve created for yourself.
The conversation is raw, honest, and intimate - one that transcends the boundaries of mere friendship.
Your heart yearns for more as you feel the connection between you growing stronger by the moment.
As your hand brushes against his, you feel a jolt of electricity.
“We should head back,” you suggest, your voice barely a whisper.
The intensity of your attraction is overwhelming, and you need some time to process everything that’s happened between you tonight.
Steve nods in agreement, his eyes conveying a mix of understanding and disappointment.
You both know that something has changed between you - the barriers have been broken down, leaving only the vulnerability of an honest connection.
As you make your way back to your bikes, you can’t help but wonder where this newfound closeness will lead.
The night air is cool and refreshing as you ride side by side, lost in your own thoughts about the evening’s events.
The emotions that course through your veins are a mixture of excitement, trepidation, and desire - all pointing to one thing: your relationship with Steve Harrington is evolving into something more profound than mere friendship.
As you part ways at the end of the night, Steve lingers for just a moment longer than necessary.
“See you soon,” he says softly, his eyes holding yours in a promise of what’s to come.
You nod, your heart racing with anticipation as you make your way home.
The slow burn has begun, and you can’t help but wonder where this newfound flame will lead.