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Alright, I've finally got an idea to tell you guys about! Sorry it's been a while since I've posted anything original. Anywho, here it is.
Okay, so. I like to imagine Steve speedrunning his character development after season one ends. It starts with him realizing that he isn't what Nancy needs in a relationship. He says to her, "Look, just give Jonathan a bit more time, ok? I can tell that you'll be happier with him than with me."
So that happens. Then, Steve realizes two things:
Steve Harrington wants to help people.
Steve Harrington wants to be nothing like his father.
So the first thing he does is start applying himself to his studies as best he can. I personally headcanon that Steve is dyslexic, maybe with ADHD, and very much a kinesthetic learner. It takes special tutoring from Nancy and Jonathan-the unexpected honors student-for Steve to find a way of studying that works for him.
The next thing Steve does is decide to get a job so that he can move out of his parents' house as soon as he turns eighteen. He starts looking for jobs, and decides that he'll work at least two: one that's purely for getting paid, and the other for helping people.
Course, after the fight with Jonathan, Steve was well aware that he was absolute shit in a fight. So being a cop was out of the question. An EMP was a possibility, but Steve, while not necessarily squeamish, has a hard time getting things out of his head. If he saw a particularly gruesome injury in the field, he'd have nightmares for weeks.
Eventually, Steve decides to go for firefighting. It just feels right for him. His coaches are listed as references on his application, and he applies at the Hawkins Fire Department, as well as Melvald's and Family Video. Melvald's is the second job that sticks. And by some miracle, he manages to get a job at the fire department. So that entire year between st1 and st2, Steve is working his ass off, both to help people and to get out of his parents' house.
He manages to get enough money to move out right after his 18th birthday, April 29, 1984. He's been working himself half to death between work, school, and the sports that are still fun, and it's definitely not healthy, but he's helping people while being nothing like his father, so it's fine. Of course, he really couldn't care less when Billy Hargrove rolls into town, and he maintains a vague awareness of Eddie Munson because the kids play d&d (yeah, this is a harringroveson au as well, cause I just can't help myself).
Anywho, I'm going to leave it there, cause I'm not sure how to tie this au into st2. If anyone else has any ideas, feel free to reblog this with a continuation! Comments and likes give me great happiness!