Princess bubblegum

The fluorescent lights of Scoops Ahoy hummed with their usual monotonous rhythm, a stark contrast to the chaotic symphony playing out in Steve Harrington’s chest. Another sweltering Indiana afternoon was giving way to a surprisingly cool evening, but the heat between him and Princess was a different kind of oppressive.

Princess, as in the radiant, sweet-as-cherry-pie Princess, was currently leaning against the counter, a half-eaten sample of pistachio ice cream forgotten in her hand. Her laughter, a melodic chime that could make even the most cynical customer crack a smile, was directed at something Robin had just said, but her eyes, those captivating, deep brown eyes, kept flicking to Steve. And every time they did, a jolt, like a minor electrical surge, ran through him.

"Alright, alright, settle down, you two," Robin said, wiping down the counter with a practiced, almost bored, flick of her wrist. "We're running low on Rocky Road. Steve, you're on refill duty."

Steve, whose current duty felt more like ‘stand here and try not to look like a lovesick puppy,’ snapped to attention. "Right. Rocky Road. My specialty." He winked at Princess, a quick, almost imperceptible gesture, but she caught it, her lips curving into a secret smile that made his stomach do a little flip.

Their affair, if you could even call it that, was less an affair and more a series of intensely thrilling, highly illicit moments stolen from the mundane. It had started innocently enough, a shared laugh over a particularly absurd customer, a lingering touch as they passed in the cramped confines of Scoops Ahoy. Then came the late-night phone calls, whispered conversations filled with a giddy anticipation that neither of them had felt in years. And then, the kisses. Oh, the kisses.

They were everywhere and nowhere. In the back room, amidst the towering stacks of empty ice cream tubs. In the supply closet, the scent of industrial cleaner doing little to mask the intoxicating aroma of her skin. Even once, daringly, in the freezer, the icy air doing nothing to cool the fire that ignited between them. Each kiss was a desperate, exhilarating act of rebellion, a secret shared only by them, hidden from the watchful eyes of their friends, who were, ironically, often just a few feet away.

Dustin Henderson, Steve’s self-proclaimed best friend and the self-appointed manager of their social calendar, burst through the door, followed closely by a perpetually cool Lucas Sinclair. "Harrington! Buckley! We need a status report on the ice cream situation! Operation: Movie Night hinges on it!"

"Relax, Henderson," Robin said, rolling her eyes. "We're fully stocked. Unless you're planning on eating all of it yourself."

"A distinct possibility," Dustin replied, grinning. He spotted Princess. "Hey, Princess! What's good today?"

Princess, ever sweet, offered him a sample spoon. "Try the Butter Pecan. It's surprisingly good."

As Dustin and Lucas debated the merits of various flavors, Steve found himself glancing at Princess again. She was a breath of fresh air in his often-complicated life. Unpretentious, kind, and with a laugh that could chase away any gloom. He knew he was falling for her, hard. And the thrill of their secret, the danger of being discovered, only amplified his feelings.

He headed to the back, ostensibly to retrieve the Rocky Road. The back room, a cluttered space filled with spare napkins, syrups, and the general detritus of an ice cream parlor, was their usual haunt. He heard the door creak open behind him a moment later.

"Need a hand with that, Captain?" Princess's voice, soft and teasing, sent a shiver down his spine.

He turned, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Only if that hand comes with a side of you."

She laughed, the sound muffled as she closed the door behind her. The fluorescent lights back here were even harsher, reflecting off the metal shelving, but they did little to diminish her glow. She was wearing her Scoops Ahoy uniform, the ridiculous sailor outfit somehow making her look even more adorable.

"Careful, Steve," she whispered, stepping closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Someone might hear you."

"Let them," he muttered, pulling her into his arms. The scent of vanilla and something uniquely her own filled his senses. Her body, warm and soft, molded against his.

"You're incorrigible," she breathed, her hands coming up to cup his face.

"And you," he said, lowering his head, his lips brushing against hers, "are irresistible."

The kiss started slow, a gentle exploration, then deepened quickly, a hungry, desperate claiming. Her lips were soft and pliant, tasting of pistachio and something sweeter, something uniquely hers. His hands tangled in her hair, pulling her closer, as if he could absorb her into himself. The world outside the back room, with its noisy customers and demanding friends, faded into a distant hum. There was only Princess, only him, and the electric current that arced between them.

A sudden, loud thud from the main parlor made them jump apart, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. Princess’s cheeks were flushed, her lips swollen from his kiss. Steve’s hair was a mess, and he knew his own face was probably a tell-tale shade of red.

"Steve? Princess? Everything okay back there?" Robin's voice, laced with a hint of suspicion, called out.

They exchanged a frantic glance, a silent communication of panic and amusement. Princess quickly smoothed down her uniform, running a hand through her hair. Steve tried to compose himself, though his heart was still hammering against his ribs.

"Just... just restocking, Robin!" Steve called out, trying to sound nonchalant. "Heavy tubs, you know how it is!"

"Right," Robin replied, her tone still unconvinced. "Well, hurry it up. Dustin's threatening to try the 'mystery flavor' if we don't get the Rocky Road out soon."

Princess giggled, a tiny, almost inaudible sound. Steve felt a surge of affection so strong it almost hurt. This, this stolen moment, this delicious danger, was what made their secret so intoxicating.

He grabbed a tub of Rocky Road, hoisting it onto his shoulder with a grunt that was more for show than necessity. Princess opened the door for him, and as he passed, her fingers brushed against his, a quick, almost imperceptible touch that sent another jolt through him.

Back in the main parlor, Dustin was indeed eyeing a tub labeled 'EXPERIMENTAL FLAVOR – DO NOT EAT.'

"Don't even think about it, Henderson," Steve warned, setting the Rocky Road down with a thump.

"Where were you guys?" Lucas asked, taking a scoop of vanilla. "Sounded like a stampede back there."

"Just wrestling with the tubs," Princess said smoothly, her composure remarkable. "They're surprisingly heavy."

Steve admired her poker face. She was good at this. Better than he was, that was for sure. He could feel Robin's eyes on them, a knowing glint in her gaze. Robin was observant, almost too observant. He knew it was only a matter of time before she put two and two together. The thought both thrilled and terrified him.

Later that evening, after the last customer had left and the neon lights of Scoops Ahoy flickered off, Steve and Robin were doing their closing duties. Dustin and Lucas had long since departed for their movie night, leaving the two of them in the quiet hum of the empty mall. Princess had finished her shift earlier, leaving Steve with a lingering sense of anticipation for their next secret rendezvous.

"So," Robin said, breaking the silence, her voice deceptively casual as she counted the cash register. "Rocky Road tubs don't usually growl, do they?"

Steve froze, his hand halfway to wiping down the counter. "What are you talking about?"

Robin looked up, her expression unreadable. "Oh, nothing. Just wondering why the 'heavy tubs' sounded suspiciously like... well, like someone was trying to muffle a giggle."

Steve's heart skipped a beat. He tried to play it cool, a skill he'd honed over years of being the King of Hawkins High. "Giggles? Maybe you're hearing things, Buckley. All these late nights are getting to you."

Robin raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing on her lips. "Maybe. Or maybe I just have really good hearing. And a keen sense of when my best friend is acting like a lovesick clam."

Steve spluttered. "Lovesick clam? What are you even talking about?"

"Oh, I don't know," Robin said, leaning back against the counter, her arms crossed. "Could it be the way you two suddenly disappear into the back room every fifteen minutes? Or the way Princess's lips are always a little redder after she 'helps' you with the 'heavy' tubs? Or perhaps the way you look at her like she's the last scoop of cookie dough in the entire world?"

Steve felt his face flush. He was busted. Well, almost. Robin hadn't explicitly said anything, but her implication was clear.

"Look, Robin..." he started, choosing his words carefully. "It's... complicated."

"Complicated?" Robin scoffed, though there was a hint of amusement in her voice. "Steve Harrington, the king of uncomplicated relationships, is suddenly in a 'complicated' situation. Do tell."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We're... seeing each other. Sort of. In secret."

Robin burst out laughing, a loud, uninhibited sound that echoed through the empty mall. "A secret affair? You two? Oh my god, this is gold! I knew it! I knew something was up!"

"Shhh!" Steve hissed, looking around nervously. "Keep your voice down! No one's supposed to know."

Robin finally managed to compose herself, though a mischievous glint remained in her eyes. "Why the big secret? Are you afraid Dustin will demand a detailed report on your 'romantic endeavors'? Or that Lucas will try to give you 'cool' advice on how to woo her?"

"No," Steve admitted, "it's not that. It's just... nice. Having something just for us. Something that's not for public consumption. Plus," he added, a little sheepishly, "it's kind of thrilling."

Robin shook her head, still smiling. "Thrilling, huh? You and Princess, sneaking around like teenagers. I must say, Steve, I'm impressed. I didn't think you had it in you."

"Hey!" Steve protested. "I'm a man of many layers."

"Clearly," Robin said, a genuine warmth in her smile now. "So, how long has this 'thrilling' secret been going on?"

"A few weeks," Steve confessed. "It just... happened. We have this crazy chemistry, you know?"

Robin nodded. "I've noticed. It's like watching two magnets try to resist each other. It's actually quite adorable, in a sickeningly sweet way."

"Thanks, I guess," Steve mumbled. "So, you're not... mad?"

"Mad?" Robin snorted. "Why would I be mad? I'm just surprised. And a little jealous that you two are having all the secret fun. But seriously, Steve, I'm happy for you. Princess is great. She's sweet, she's smart, and she actually makes you laugh for real, not just that fake 'King Steve' laugh."

Steve felt a genuine smile spread across his face. "Yeah. She does."

"Just promise me one thing," Robin said, her tone suddenly serious. "Don't break her heart, Harrington. She deserves better than that."

"I won't," Steve promised, his voice firm. "I really like her, Robin. A lot."

Robin gave him a knowing look. "I can tell. Now, are you going to stand there all night reminiscing about your secret kisses, or are you going to help me finish closing so we can actually go home?"

Steve chuckled, feeling a lightness in his chest he hadn't realized was missing. Having Robin know, having her support, was a relief. Maybe their secret wouldn't be so secret for much longer, but for now, it was theirs. And the thought of Princess, and the next stolen moment, filled him with a giddy anticipation that made even the fluorescent lights of Scoops Ahoy seem a little brighter.

The next day, the air in Scoops Ahoy crackled with a different kind of energy. Steve was acutely aware of Robin's knowing glances, a silent acknowledgement of their shared secret. But it was the subtle changes in Princess that captivated him. Her smile seemed a little brighter when their eyes met, her touch a little more deliberate when they brushed past each other.

Dustin and Lucas were, as usual, oblivious, engrossed in a debate about the latest Dungeons and Dragons module.

"Seriously, Lucas," Dustin was saying, gesticulating wildly with a waffle cone, "the Vecna stat block is completely broken! There's no way a level 12 party could take him down!"

"You just need better strategy, Dustin," Lucas countered, taking a leisurely lick of his chocolate ice cream. "You always rush in like a barbarian."

Princess, who was serving a family of tourists, caught Steve's eye and winked, a quick, almost imperceptible gesture that sent a jolt through him. He winked back, a secret language passing between them.

The afternoon wore on, a flurry of scoops, sprinkles, and the incessant jingle of the cash register. Steve found himself looking for opportunities, for a moment, any moment, to be alone with Princess. The back room was out; Robin was too sharp. The supply closet was too risky.

Then, a stroke of genius.

"Hey, Robin," Steve called out, "I think we're almost out of those little plastic spoons. I'll go check the storage room in the back of the mall."

Robin, who was currently trying to explain the difference between sorbet and sherbet to a particularly confused customer, waved a dismissive hand. "Fine, go. Just don't get lost in the labyrinth of horrors back there."

Steve grinned. The 'labyrinth of horrors' was actually just a dusty, forgotten storage room, rarely used by any of the mall's tenants. Perfect.

"Princess," he said, turning to her, his voice carefully casual, "could you, uh, give me a hand? Those boxes of spoons can be surprisingly heavy."

Princess's eyes sparkled with understanding. "Of course, Steve. Anything for the Captain."

As they made their way through the bustling mall, a sense of exhilarating anticipation built between them. They walked side-by-side, their elbows brushing occasionally, a silent current of electricity passing between them. The sounds of the mall, the distant chatter, the faint music from the arcade, all faded into a pleasant background hum.

The storage room was at the very end of a long, dimly lit corridor. Steve pushed open the heavy metal door, revealing a cavernous space filled with forgotten furniture, dusty boxes, and the faint smell of mildew. The single bare bulb hanging from the ceiling cast long, eerie shadows.

"Cozy," Princess whispered, a playful glint in her eyes.

Steve closed the door behind them, plunging them into a delicious semi-darkness. Only the faint light filtering in from the cracks around the door offered any illumination. He turned to her, his heart thudding in his chest.

"I think," he said, his voice a little hoarse, "we can probably find those spoons later."

Princess laughed, a soft, melodic sound that filled the dusty room. She stepped into his arms, her hands coming up to rest on his chest. "I think you're right, Captain."

He lowered his head, pressing his lips to hers. This kiss was different from the ones in the back room of Scoops Ahoy. Here, in the forgotten corner of the mall, there was no fear of being discovered, no hurried urgency. It was slow, tender, a deep well of affection and longing. Her lips were soft against his, her body warm and pliant in his embrace. He tasted vanilla and something sweet, uniquely her.

His hands tangled in her hair, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss. Her fingers found their way to the nape of his neck, her touch sending shivers down his spine. The world outside the storage room ceased to exist. There was only the feel of her against him, the taste of her on his tongue, the soft sighs that escaped her lips.

They broke apart, breathless, their foreheads resting against each other. Princess's eyes, even in the dim light, were luminous, filled with a mixture of desire and a playful mischief.

"You know," she whispered, her voice husky, "this is probably the most exciting thing that's ever happened in this room."

Steve chuckled, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "I'd like to think so. And I'd also like to think we'll be making a lot more exciting things happen in here."

She smiled, a radiant, heartwarming smile that made his heart swell. "I'd like that very much, Steve."

He kissed her again, a lingering, tender kiss that promised more. Their secret, their stolen moments, were becoming an essential part of their lives, a thrilling undercurrent that made the mundane feel extraordinary. And as he held her close in the dusty, forgotten storage room, Steve knew, with a certainty that settled deep in his bones, that this was just the beginning. Their crazy chemistry, their hidden affair, was a story he never wanted to end.