EPILOGUE

c. summer of 1985

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ABOUT TWO YEARS, Grayson finally felt at peace. After the fall of 1983, everyone thought they were safe from otherworldly creatures and alternate dimensions. However, then Halloween '84 took place. Grayson remembered those days like it was yesterday. He especially remembered finding out that Steve was involved in everything again and had attempted to save the world of Hawkins without letting his boyfriend in on it. Despite his efforts, Grayson still found himself smack in the middle of the mess. Some good did come out of it, though, like the fact that Steve and he now had a kind-of adopted little brother in the form of the sweet little Dustin Henderson.

But that was months ago. Now, it was June and they had bigger issues than blood-thirsty monsters: College. Grayson had gotten into his dream college miles and miles away in California and Steve, well, Steve hadn't gotten into anything besides his father's business. So, now they fought. A lot.

"Let me go with you!" Steve shouted, the two currently in another skirmish over this subject. "I don't know why you're so against this, Grayson! There's nothing here for me beside you and once you're gone, well, nothing."

Grayson's heart broke a little at his boyfriend's sad, puppy-dog eyes. "Steve, you know I just don't think it's a good idea! What if we break up? We're forced to live together, see each other. It would be so much easier if you just stayed here."

"What in the world makes you think we would break up out there? This is one of the first real arguments we've had in two years and you think a change of location is gonna tear us apart?" Steve looked offended and honestly, heartbroken, "Why can't you have that faith in us?"

"I do, it's just..."

"Just what, Grayson?" Steve asked, starting to get angry rather than sad, "Is it... do you not love me anymore? Were these last two years for nothing? Just spit it out. I'd rather you break up with me now than when you're a thousand miles away wishing you could hook up with other guys."

The boy sighed deeply, grabbing his boyfriend's crossed arms and pulling him closer. "It's not that, it'll never be that. There's only one person I want and that's you, you know that. The only reason I'm scared we'll break up out there is because I'm going to be so busy and irritated with school and other things that I'm scared that... you won't wanna be with me anymore, that you'll get bored with me. That's why I don't want you to come to California with me. Sorry for not telling you, I guess."

With those words, Steve softened and immediately pulled his boyfriend into his arms. He kissed him softly on the forehead before leaning into his shoulder. "Grayson, baby, I could never want anyone else besides you. I know this is... bold to say the least, but you're, you're it for me, Gray. I've known it since that summer two years ago. It used to scare me, the feelings I had for you terrified me to no end, but I know now that no matter what, you're my forever."

Grayson chuckled, yet there was a small sadness to it, "How can you say that? We're just kids, Steve, I mean, I don't know why you could even say something like that about someone like me."

It was funny how quickly this argument had shifted into Grayson's own pity party, but that was how things often went for him. Except most of the time, Steve had already slammed the door and was never able to really see how terribly Grayson felt.

"Someone like you?" Steve asked in disbelief, "You mean someone amazing and caring? Someone who has loved me no matter all the shit I dragged him through? That kind of person? Gray, I know you're my forever because I've loved you since the day we met. Sure, I didn't know it then, but I know it now. You and me, we were meant to be forever and you know it. California is just another step towards that. I want to go with you because I don't want to lose you, not the other way around. Just, at the end of August, let me be sitting next to you on that plane, not kissing you goodbye at the airport, okay?"

Grayson felt warm tears slide over his cheeks, but they were not tears of sadness, in fact, they were the opposite. He pulled away from the hug only to kiss Steve gently, wrapping his arms loosely around the boy's neck as he pulled him somehow closer than they already were. When they pulled apart, Grayson rested his forehead against his boyfriend's, a deep sigh leaving his lips.

"You're my forever, Steve Harrington," he laughed lightly, kissing him again, "You're it for me. Come to California with me, I can't imagine it without you. I can't imagine anything without you."

Steve smiled brighter than he ever had, "I'd love that. I love you, Grayson."

"I love you, Steve."

yikes it's really really over now. honestly, that kind of makes me wanna cry because I started and restarted this story so many times i never thought i would finish it. i know this story is a mess and i'll definitely have to go back and edit it at some point, but now im just happy that i've finished something. thank you guys for being patient with me and this story and thank you for supporting it and loving it!! ahh okay this is really over im shook