It started with that uniform of all things. That damn, stupid uniform he hated putting on every single day and parading around in it in a mall full of people. It was pretty much like any other day, mindlessly slinging ice cream for endless streams bratty kids. That was until about half way through the day as his back was turned mopping up the counter with a wet rag between rushes.

"Nice outfit"

He was used to people teasing him about the childish looking clothes. But that voice made him turn around and hope that his ears weren't flaming red like he thought they probably were.

"Hi Nancy" Steve said, turning around and putting on the best smile he could. It wasn't easy; all summer he'd been forced to come face to face with his former classmates. All of whom were getting great jobs or were going to college in the fall. And where was Steve? Working in an ice cream shop because he was too stupid to get in anywhere. He hated it...the best he could hope for was to exchange a bit of small talk with Nancy, give her her order and get her out of there before she could realize what a loser he was now.

She gave him a sweet smile, almost like the ones she used to give him when she still liked him. "I like that outfit. Makes you look like a cute little boy" she said, clearly amused.

Steve flushed. Great...That was just the look he'd been going for trying to pick up women all summer…

Steve didn't know what to say so he just said "Yeah...I hate it" a bit resentfully, hoping she'd just order soon and get out.

Nancy leaned her elbows on the counter, moving in close so she could whisper "I thought you'd like it since you said you like to feel like a little boy" she said, grinning widely.

Steve felt his whole face heat up. Oh God, not THAT...

"That was a long time ago. I was drunk...didn't know what I was saying" Steve muttered, looking around the shop, glad no one else seemed to be paying attention.

That wasn't entirely true. He DID remember that night in little bits and pieces. He'd drunk entirely too much and woke up the next morning hungover. He hadn't remembered anything until Nancy had called him later that day and told him she'd liked how affectionate he'd gotten the night before. Naturally he assumed that meant making out and getting handsy which was usually what happened when he got drunk. But then it had hit him. He remembered lying against Nancy, trying to climb into her lap. His voice had gotten progressively babyish and he thought he recalled calling Nancy 'mommy' at some point. He was mortified...he'd begged Nancy not to tell anyone. The last thing he needed getting around school was that he was childish or that he had mommy issues. Nancy had promised not to tell and she hadn't, she'd never even brought it up again. Until now...

"Really?" Nancy asked quirking an eyebrow, "I thought you meant it. And I thought maybe I could do something about it."

Steve felt like his heart was stopping inside his chest. His stomach lurched because he was sure she couldn't mean what he thought she meant. All those fantasies where he'd imagined being held and taken care of in a way he dared not express were just that; fantasies...That stuff didn't really exist. And even if it did for some people it didn't for someone like him.

"Uh...what are you talking about?" Steve asked, feeling a lump growing in his throat. It was best not to say anything; he'd probably made some crazy assumption and if he mentioned it she'd think he was crazy. It was best to let her do the talking.

"I always thought the way you acted that night was really sweet...really cute "Nancy admitted. "You seemed so vulnerable...it was so unlike how you normally are. It made me want to give you whatever it was you needed. But you didn't want to talk about it again. So I left it...but Steve you just seem so...sad. Unhappy...lonely. I couldn't forget that anymore"

Steve felt the lump in his throat grow bigger. Definitely not because he wanted to cry or some dumb shit like that. But because he was embarrassed; he WAS unhappy, desperately so, but he thought he was doing a better job at hiding it. Clearly not if even his ex-girlfriend could see it.

Steve leaned in. "Nancy, you don't have to worry about me. Really...I don't need pity" he said, maybe harsher than he should have. But he didn't want anyone's pity especially Nancy's and especially on this subject.

Nancy wasn't offended or fazed like he thought she'd be. She just shrugged. "Hey, I didn't say anything about pity. If anyone's being selfish it's me. I want to take care of you. I want to see that side of you again. Sounds like it's all about what I want."

I want to take care of you...something deep and needy squirmed inside Steve, pushing aside all his barriers. He should be arguing but he couldn't. "What exactly...would you ….do?" Steve asked, barely daring to hope, his voice barely a whisper. Any minute he expected to wake up because, seriously, this had to be a dream.

Nancy grinned widely. "Come to my room after work and find out" she said mysteriously.

That phrase brought a whole deluge of memories, ones that were lost to him now. Climbing up to Nancy's room for a whole different reason...he didn't want that now (well not TOO much) but he had to ask.

"What would Jonathan think about that?" He asked, crossing his arms over his chest. He wasn't THAT guy, he wasn't a creep. Not anymore at least.

Nancy held up her hands. "Hey, I have no bad intentions. If you've got YOUR mind in the gutter then you've got no one to blame but yourself, Steve Harrington" she teased.

Steve laughed nervously, glad it wasn't anything like that, and glad he hadn't misunderstood her. "No I don't...I was just...checking" he said.

Nancy was still grinning at him when a group of kids care in behind her to order. "I'll see you later," she said with certainty, smiling at him one last time before walking out without even ordering. That made Steve wonder if she came here just to tell him that. What was she planning? How LONG had she been planning it? Had she really come all the way down here just for this? Suddenly, his legs felt weak….

The rest of the day was excruciatingly long. Luckily it was Saturday, their busiest day, so he kept busy but his mind was far from work. He kept messing up; he forgot to give some people their change, overcharged a few, dropped several cones, over filled milkshakes...he tried to focus more but all he could think about was Nancy and what she had planned. Desperately, he tried to bring up more memories of that drunken night to see how much he might have revealed to her but it was pointless. He couldn't remember anything.

Steve has never cleaned up and closed shop as fast as he did that night. He practically ran through the darkened, deserted mall to his car and peeled out of the parking lot. It was only when he got half way there that doubt began to creep into his mind.

Maybe he shouldn't be doing this. He wasn't exactly the type to be vulnerable and open with people. He was alarmed just by the fact Nancy could see as much as she did. What exactly would she see about him tonight? Would she ask him questions? Demand to know why he was such a freak? The very idea made him sweat. She had wanted to do this but then he began to wonder and worry she'd see too much….. think he was pathetic and weak and sad. He didn't want her or anyone to think that about him. She might have thought he looked cute in his little sailor outfit but maybe she'd regret him coming over after she realized how pathetic he was.

On the flip side he began to worry this was a trap. After all, why would Nancy suggest something like this out of the blue? It didn't make any sense. It'd been years since that night; what had suddenly brought it up? Did he really give off that desperate of vibes that she remembered one stupid drunk night all that time ago? And honestly, what was she getting out of it? No woman wanted some guy who was desperate and needy. He began worrying he'd go all the way over there and she wouldn't even be there. He imagined her and Jonathan sitting around laughing at what a big baby Steve Harrington was. He shuddered…..

He knew he was being irrational but that didn't stop him from sitting his car parked outside her house for way too long, sweaty palms grasping the steering wheel. He'd almost convinced himself to leave, his stomach churning with anxiety when he remembered.

"You seemed so vulnerable...it was so unlike how you normally are. It made me want to give you whatever it was you needed….."

The way Nancy had said those words, the sincerity in her voice and the openness in her eyes...he could tell she was being honest. She really wanted to help him and she really saw how he felt deep inside where he wouldn't let anyone in. How long had it been since he'd felt anyone looked at him and saw him, really SAW him? Too long, he thought, feeling a wave of sadness. Could he really let her in? The idea scared him…..letting people in always ended up hurting him. But he looked up at Nancy's window, bright with light and welcoming. And something inside him tense and worried unraveled at the thought of what was behind it; understanding…..caring…warmth….. Feeling a burst of confidence, Steve opened the door of his car and made his way across the lawn.