The babysitters Chronicles.
Steve Harrington x male! reader
After the events of season 3, Hawkins has settled into a quieter routine. However, the threat of the Upside Down lingers in the background. You, Lucas' cousin has moved back to Hawkins to help out. While helping out, you meet someone who ends up being your teammate.
CW: Mild Language, emotional vulnerability, romantic themes, mention of past trauma, light angst.
We were under the same roof.
The summer had passed, but Hawkins was still settling back into some semblance of normalcy.
At least, that’s what your parents told you as they sent you off to stay with your cousin Lucas and his family.
After everything that had happened, it was clear you were needed, even if you weren’t sure what your role would be in all this.
Your first day in Hawkins was quiet, too quiet.
The kind of quiet that made you feel like something important was still lingering in the air. You hadn’t been around Lucas, Mike, Max, Dustin, or the others much before, so you didn’t know what to expect.
All you knew was that things had been... complicated. And now, you were supposed to help take care of the kids. Easier said than done.
The house you found yourself in was familiar, Lucas’ family home, but it felt different now, like the walls carried secrets you weren’t privy to yet.
The laughter and chaos coming from the living room was a clear indication that life here, though quieter, was anything but normal. You hesitated at the doorway, unsure of how to join the group, and whether they’d even care that you’d just moved into town.
The first thing you noticed was the noise. It wasn’t loud, not exactly, but it was constant.
Mike and Dustin were arguing over some ridiculous game on the floor, while Lucas and Max were half-heartedly attempting to referee.
The energy was almost too much; too many moving parts, too many voices, but it wasn’t unpleasant. Just... overwhelming.
Then, your eyes landed on him.
Steve Harrington, leaning casually against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest. His presence seemed to fill the room, not with the usual ‘king of the school’ bravado you’d heard about, but with something warmer;
He was part of the chaos, but he was also a quiet anchor in the middle of it. His eyes flickered over to you as you stood there, unsure of how to make an entrance, but instead of the usual dismissive glance or curiosity, there was a softness in his gaze.
“Hey,” he greeted you, his voice surprisingly calm amidst the rowdy chatter. He offered a small smile, the kind that didn’t try too hard but was somehow inviting.
“You must be the new guy.”
You nodded, not sure if that was the right thing to do.
“Yeah, that’d be me. I’m... staying with Lucas for a while.”
Steve’s expression softened, his arms uncrossing as he straightened up.
“I figured as much. Everyone’s talking about you.” There was no teasing or judgment in his tone, just a genuine acknowledgment.
You glanced at Lucas, who was still in the middle of breaking up another argument between Mike and Dustin, and then back to Steve.
“How do you... handle all of this?”
You asked, half-laughing at the mess in front of you. The kids were all loud, taking sides, making plans for whatever trouble they were about to get into.
Steve looked over at them with a small shake of his head, like he was used to it by now. “It’s... a work in progress,” he said slowly, as if carefully choosing his words.
“You get used to the noise. And the drama.” His smile grew slightly, and you could see how he effortlessly slid into his role as the unspoken leader of the group. “You’ve got your hands full now, though. This lot knows how to make a mess.”
“Seems like they’re good at it,” you commented, your voice dry, feeling the weight of the situation.
You didn’t know how you were supposed to fit in, how you were supposed to navigate being the new person here.
Steve gave you a knowing look. “Don’t worry. We all get thrown into the deep end at some point. You’ll be fine.”
His tone was light, but there was something reassuring about it, as if he genuinely meant it.
You weren’t sure what to say to that, so you just watched as he moved across the room, stepping into the chaos like it was second nature to him.
He bent down to break up a new fight between Max and Dustin, using his usual calm, but firm, voice to smooth things over. There was a practiced ease to his movements, like he had done this a hundred times before.
You stood there for a moment, observing him. He was different from what you expected, much more patient and steady.
You’d heard the stories, Steve Harrington, the former high school king, the one who had been through his own share of messes, but somehow ended up here, looking out for the kids.
He was more than just the nickname.
It wasn’t until you saw him glance back at you, that small, amused smile tugging at his lips, that you realized you’d been watching him a little too intently.
He raised an eyebrow, catching your gaze, and for a second, there was an unspoken understanding between you two, something fleeting but real.
“Okay, new guy,” he said, his voice a little more relaxed, like he was letting down some of his own walls.
“Want to team up? We can tag team this babysitting gig. Trust me, it works better when there are two of us.”
You didn’t know what made you agree, but there was something about Steve, something that made it easy to fall into a rhythm with him, even if it was just a simple offer to help manage the chaos.
You nodded, stepping a little further into the room.
“Sure,” you said, your voice quieter now, more certain. “I can give it a shot.”
For a moment, it didn’t feel so overwhelming.
With Steve, there was a quiet reassurance that maybe, just maybe, this would be easier than you thought. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, helping to take care of the kids and settling into Hawkins.
And maybe, just maybe, there was more to Steve than the stories you’d heard.
As the two of you began working together to keep the kids from escalating into more trouble, you couldn’t help but notice the small gestures, the way Steve made sure you were comfortable and involved, offering quiet smiles and half-jokes when the kids got too rowdy.
It was nothing big, nothing overt, but in that moment, you realized something, this wasn’t just babysitting.
This was the beginning of something new.
And even if it was just a small spark, you couldn’t help but feel like it had the potential to grow into something more.
The moment you agreed to help, you immediately regretted it.
Max had suggested they all play a game of Dungeons & Dragons, but somehow it devolved into an all-out war of opinions, everyone trying to one-up each other with the most ridiculous rules.
Dustin and Mike were arguing over whose character was the most powerful, while Lucas tried to keep them in check, but his attention was split.
Max, naturally, refused to be part of it at all, folding her arms and glaring at the lot of them as if she were too cool for the entire situation.
And in the middle of it all, Steve was... well, Steve.
His usual nonchalant attitude made him seem like this was just another ordinary Saturday for him.
He leaned back against the couch, one hand lazily draped over the backrest, while the other played with a half-empty bag of chips.
You glanced at Steve, silently pleading for help. He caught your eye, his lips twitching in amusement, but he didn’t offer any immediate assistance.
Instead, he was waiting for you to jump into the fray. You took a deep breath and stepped into the chaos, walking over to where Lucas and Mike were practically nose-to-nose, arguing over whether a roll of the dice was “totally unfair.”
“Hey!” you called out, a little louder than you intended. All heads turned toward you.
Steve’s gaze lingered on you for a moment, something almost like pride flickering behind his eyes as you took charge of the situation.
“Okay, seriously?” you said, raising an eyebrow.
“We’re gonna be here all day if you keep fighting like this. What’s the point of a game if you don’t even know the rules?”
Lucas shot you a grateful look.
“See? I told them it’s about having fun, not trying to win every single time.”
“I don’t always try to win,” Dustin protested, looking offended.
“But Mike’s character is completely OP. I mean, who even lets a wizard have that many spells?”
“Yeah, well, you guys aren’t playing right!” Mike shot back, completely missing the point.
Steve leaned in, clearly enjoying the drama. “Boys, boys,” he said, with a theatrical sigh.
“How about we agree that everyone can have their turn to be the biggest nerd, but nobody gets to hog the spotlight? Deal?”
You could practically hear the collective groan of annoyance from the kids, but it did the trick, at least for the moment.
“Okay, okay, fine,” Dustin grumbled, sitting down with a huff.
“Let’s just get this over with.”
Just as things seemed to calm down, a high-pitched shriek cut through the air.
Max had decided she was done with the game and was now attempting to sneak into the kitchen to steal the last of the snacks.
“Hey! Max! Get back here!” Steve shouted, moving with surprising speed as he jumped off the couch and chased after her.
You didn’t hesitate to follow, knowing the chaos would only escalate if someone didn’t stop it.
You found Steve cornering Max at the kitchen table, a small bag of pretzels clutched in her hands like she was about to make a getaway.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Steve asked, his voice amused but firm, his hands on his hips as if this were a routine.
Max rolled her eyes dramatically, holding the snacks out in front of her like they were a trophy.
“What does it look like I’m doing? Getting a snack. You guys have been hogging everything.”
“I don’t think I’ve seen anyone eating pretzels since last week, Max,” you said, crossing your arms.
“You just want to be dramatic, huh?”
Max flashed you a smirk. “If you’re gonna let Steve win, that’s your problem.”
You raised your hands in mock surrender.
“I’m just here to keep the peace, not to pick sides.”
Steve leaned in closer, lowering his voice as if he were sharing a secret.
“I’ll let you in on a little secret,” he said, his words only meant for you.
“She gets really feisty when she’s hungry.”
You raised an eyebrow, fighting back a smile. “Noted.”
Max huffed, crossing her arms, but Steve wasn’t letting her off that easily. He took the bag from her hands with a dramatic flourish, giving her a look of mock disappointment.
“You can have some, but you have to promise to play nice with the others. No more stealing snacks.”
Max rolled her eyes again but grudgingly nodded.
With the snack crisis temporarily averted, you and Steve returned to the living room, but not before you heard Dustin and Mike get into another heated discussion about which character was the best choice for their next round.
You exchanged a glance with Steve, who was clearly done with the constant back-and-forth.
“You wanna call it quits for the day?” Steve asked, leaning toward you with a grin.
You sighed, rubbing your temples. “I think that’s probably a good idea. They’re never going to agree on anything if we don’t step in.”
Just as you were about to suggest a break, the sound of crashing plastic echoed from the corner of the room.
You and Steve turned just in time to see Lucas trip over his own shoelaces, sending a bowl of popcorn flying across the floor.
The kids burst into laughter, and even Steve couldn't hold back a chuckle.
You couldn’t help but smile at the mess of it all, and for a moment, it felt like you were just another part of the family.
“You know,” you said, shaking your head,
“I can’t tell if I’m actually helping or just making things worse.”
Steve shrugged, his grin widening.
“Sometimes it’s about surviving the chaos, not solving it. Trust me, you’re doing fine.”
As the room settled into a familiar pattern of laughter and minor bickering, you realized that, despite the madness, it wasn’t so bad.
Steve had a way of making the chaos feel manageable, and it felt like, maybe, just maybe, you could get used to this.
The sun had begun to dip below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the room.
The chaos of the afternoon had finally settled into a comfortable lull, and the kids had either scattered to their respective corners of the house or fallen into a quiet, tired stupor.
The game was over, the snacks were long gone, and the living room now felt almost eerily calm in comparison to the frenzy that had come before.
You leaned back against the couch, the soft hum of a television in the background barely audible.
Max was sprawled out in one of the armchairs, her headphones in, while Dustin and Mike were attempting some quiet video game battle in the corner.
Even Lucas had found a moment to relax, reading through a comic book by the window.
Steve, on the other hand, had found a quiet corner near the window, arms loosely crossed as he gazed outside at the fading light.
His usual energy had settled, his expression softer now than it had been all day.
You watched him for a moment, the way the light caught the edges of his hair, how his gaze seemed far away, lost in thought.
It was the first time today that he didn’t seem like he was on high alert, ready to jump in and referee the next round of bickering. He looked... peaceful.
For a moment, you considered just letting him be.
But something about the quiet pulled you closer, a small voice telling you to take a chance, to say something.
you finally said, your voice barely above a whisper.
It felt strange to break the silence, but you did anyway. “You doing okay?”
Steve shifted slightly, as though your voice had brought him out of his thoughts.
He turned his head slightly, catching your eye. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he uncrossed his arms and sat up a little straighter.
“I’m good,” he replied, his voice low and calm.
“Just... needed a second. Been a long day, huh?”
You nodded slowly, relaxing into the cushions as you considered his words.
“Yeah, it’s definitely been... eventful. But, uh, it’s not so bad. You’ve handled it pretty well.”
Steve let out a small, almost embarrassed chuckle.
“I don’t know about that. Half the time I’m just winging it.” His gaze flickered toward the kids again, watching them interact with a small, fond smile on his face.
“But, I guess it works out. You’re not doing too bad yourself.”
You raised an eyebrow. “Me? I feel like I’m just getting dragged along.”
“That’s part of the fun, right?” Steve said with a shrug, still grinning a little. His tone was teasing, but there was a warmth there, too, a genuine appreciation.
“But seriously, you’ve got a good way with them. They listen to you, which is more than I can say for myself sometimes.”
You chuckled softly, shifting so you were sitting a little closer to him.
“I guess we make a good team, huh?”
Steve glanced at you again, his smile widening just a little. “Yeah, I think we do.”
His voice was quieter this time, more thoughtful. “It’s kind of nice, y’know, having someone to share all this with. Feels a little less crazy when it’s not just me trying to keep everything in check.”
You didn’t say anything right away, letting the words sink in.
You had noticed, of course, how Steve had a way of keeping things under control—of bringing a sense of calm to the madness.
But hearing him say it, hearing the vulnerability in his voice as he admitted he wasn’t always sure he had it all together, made you feel... closer to him, in a way.
Like you weren’t just playing along in his world, but that you were starting to share it.
“You know,” you said quietly, looking out the window where the last remnants of the sunset painted the sky in shades of orange and pink, “I didn’t think it’d be like this when I moved here. All the noise, all the... chaos.”
You laughed softly, shaking your head. “But it’s kind of nice. In a weird way.”
Steve followed your gaze, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked out at the fading light.
“Yeah. It’s nice. I think the chaos makes the quiet moments worth it.” He paused, the corner of his mouth twitching like he was holding back another smile.
“And... I think the quiet moments make the chaos feel a little less crazy, too.”
You smiled at his words, the weight of the afternoon finally lifting off your shoulders.
The world outside seemed a little calmer now, the house filled with the soft sounds of the kids in their own little worlds, and Steve sitting next to you, as relaxed as you’d ever seen him.
There was something comforting about this silence, the way everything felt in sync for once.
You didn’t feel the need to fill the air with conversation or distractions. Instead, you could just enjoy the moment for what it was, a brief, quiet pause in the midst of the whirlwind that had been your day.
Steve’s gaze lingered on you for a moment, and you met his eyes, a soft, unspoken understanding passing between you.
Maybe it was the way the evening light softened everything, or the way his presence just felt right, but in that quiet moment, you couldn’t deny it: being here with him felt... good.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Steve said, the words simple but meaningful, his voice steady and warm.
You nodded, a quiet smile curving on your lips. “Me too.”
The days after the babysitting adventure had settled into something like routine.
The kids were still as chaotic as ever, but with each passing day, you found yourself easing into the role.
There were moments of laughter, moments of frustration, and, more often than not, you found yourself alongside Steve, trying to juggle the madness.
It wasn’t so much the kids that had started to feel comfortable, it was being around Steve.
Somewhere between handling arguments over video games, calming Max down after she’d stormed off in a huff, and Steve always having just the right words to make everyone laugh or take a break, you’d started to notice something.
The way Steve looked at you wasn’t quite like it had been at first. It was subtle at first,an extra beat of silence when your eyes met, the small, easy smiles that didn’t feel forced, like they used to.
There was an ease in his presence now, a comfortable kind of quiet that you found yourself craving when the noise of the group became too overwhelming.
Today was no different. The kids were in the backyard, playing basketball, and you’d volunteered to stay inside with Steve, mostly because the sun was just a little too hot, and you both had been the designated “guardians of peace.”
You were sitting at the kitchen table, sipping on a drink, while Steve was lazily washing dishes, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
The rhythmic sound of water running, the occasional clink of plates, and the quiet murmurs between you two were almost soothing.
“So,” Steve said, his voice breaking the silence, “how’s school been? You surviving senior year?”
You glanced up from your drink, considering the question. “It’s been alright,” you replied, a small shrug following your words.
“I mean, it’s school. It’s nothing I can’t handle. But it’s... different, you know? Moving here after everything that happened... it’s kind of thrown me off. I feel like I’m still adjusting.”
Steve chuckled, wiping his hands dry on the dish towel.
“Yeah, I get that. Hawkins has a way of making things feel a little weird, right? Everything’s either too normal or too weird, never just... normal.”
You laughed softly, nodding in agreement.
“Exactly. It’s like one minute, I’m trying to figure out how to survive high school, and the next, I’m wondering if I’ll have to deal with some weird, otherworldly creature again.”
Steve smirked, tossing the towel aside and leaning against the counter. “I’m pretty sure that’s part of the charm of this place. You never really know what’s gonna happen next. Makes life interesting, I guess.”
The way he said it made you chuckle, and for a moment, it felt like you were just... talking.
Not about anything important, not anything heavy, but just sharing a moment of lightness, of understanding. It wasn’t often that you felt that way with someone, especially after moving to a new place.
But with Steve, it was easy.
“You know,” you said after a beat, “I didn’t really expect you to be this... chill.”
Steve raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.
“Chill? What, you thought I’d be some angry jock or something?”
You shrugged, trying to hide your smile. “I don’t know. It’s just—well, you’re different than what I thought you’d be.”
Steve laughed, shaking his head. “Yeah, I get that a lot. People usually think I’m all about the hair, the car, the ‘cool guy’ persona.” He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. “Guess I got that reputation, huh?”
You couldn’t help but smile, amused by his self-deprecating humor. “I mean, yeah, but there’s more to you than that.”
You paused, looking down at your drink as you thought for a moment. “It’s just... you’re not what I expected. But in a good way.”
Steve’s expression softened at your words, and for a moment, you both just stood there in the quiet of the kitchen, the noise of the kids in the backyard still distant.
There was something comforting about the silence between you two, something that felt like it was slowly pulling you both closer.
Steve shifted on his feet, his gaze never leaving you as he leaned in slightly, as though choosing his words carefully.
“Well... I’m glad to hear that. Honestly, I didn’t really know what to expect from you either when you moved here.”
You looked up at him, curiosity flickering in your eyes. “Oh yeah? What did you think I’d be like?”
He chuckled softly, his expression light.
“I don’t know, honestly. I thought you’d be like one of those people who just comes in, says ‘hi,’ and disappears. You know, all distant and stuff. But you’re... not like that at all.”
You smiled, a small, genuine smile that came naturally. “I’m not that bad, am I?”
Steve’s grin was playful, but there was something more behind it. “Nah. Not bad at all.”
It was funny, how easy it felt to talk to him.
The way the conversation flowed from one moment to the next, no forced pauses, no awkwardness. It felt natural, like the both of you had always been able to share this space.
The kids outside were getting louder, the ball bouncing off the ground, a few of them laughing at some sort of inside joke, but it didn’t matter.
It felt like you and Steve were in your own little bubble, and for once, the rest of the world didn’t need to intrude.
“I’m glad I’m here,” Steve said softly, almost as an afterthought, as he turned back to the sink, his fingers absently running over the rim of a glass.
“I mean, you’ve made things... easier.”
You watched him for a moment, the words hanging in the air between you two.
He hadn’t said anything too deep, but there was a sincerity in his voice that made your heart skip a beat
You were getting used to this, getting used to him being around, getting used to the quiet moments, to how easy it felt to just be in each other’s company.
“I’m glad you’re here too,” you said, the words coming out quieter than you meant them to.
For a moment, Steve didn’t respond, but the smile he gave you was enough. It was soft, almost shy, but there was something in it that told you he felt the same way.
It had been a long week, the kind of week that blended together, filled with the usual mix of chaos, laughter, and quiet moments with Steve.
Every time you thought the day would settle into something predictable, there was always a curveball, whether it was Dustin’s never-ending energy, Max’s occasional storms, or the endless basketball games in the driveway.
But, despite the noise, the moments spent with Steve felt different. Lately, you’d found yourself looking forward to them more than you cared to admit.
It was late on a Friday evening, and the kids had all scattered off to their rooms, giving you and Steve the rare chance for some time to yourselves.
The house was quiet, save for the soft hum of the refrigerator and the distant sounds of the night outside.
You were sitting on the couch, a book in your lap, your thoughts wandering far from the pages in front of you. You could hear Steve in the kitchen, putting away some leftovers from dinner, humming to himself absentmindedly.
The usual chatter and playful teasing had quieted down, and you realized, for the first time in a long while, that you weren’t focused on keeping things light anymore.
You weren’t just babysitting the kids or keeping the peace.
You were... drawn to Steve.
And it wasn’t just about the way he’d smile when he caught your eye, or how he’d laugh when you cracked a joke. It was the way he made you feel. Safe. Understood.
Like you were both in this together. Like this moment, this piece of life, was something worth holding onto.
Without thinking, you closed the book and set it aside, standing up and walking toward the kitchen, your steps slow but deliberate.
Steve was humming louder now, moving around the kitchen, but when you leaned against the doorframe, he paused and glanced over at you, raising an eyebrow.
“What’s up?” he asked, wiping his hands on a towel.
You hesitated for a second, not entirely sure what you were about to say, but knowing that it was time to say something.
Something that had been building up in you for weeks now. Something you couldn’t ignore any longer.
“I don’t know,” you said, the words coming out a little quieter than you meant them to.
“I guess... I’ve been thinking.”
Steve tilted his head slightly, clearly interested, but he didn’t push. He just stood there, waiting for you to continue, his expression soft and open.
“About... us, I guess,” you continued, your heart beating a little faster now.
“About how things have been. How... I’ve been feeling. And, I just—”
You stopped yourself, taking a breath. You didn’t know how to explain it, didn’t know how to put into words what had been bubbling up inside you.
But Steve, in his usual way, seemed to sense what you were getting at. His expression softened, and he took a step closer to you, his voice gentle.
“You mean how it feels like we’ve been getting closer?” he asked, his tone teasing but sincere.
You nodded, looking up at him.
“Yeah. I didn’t think it would happen this way, but... yeah. I guess I’ve been feeling it too.”
Steve leaned against the counter, letting out a small breath as he looked down at his hands.
For a moment, you thought he might change the subject, but instead, his voice softened, more vulnerable than you’d ever heard it.
“You know,” he began, “I’m not always this put-together. Like, I joke around and act like I’ve got it all figured out, but... I don’t. Not even close.”
The honesty in his voice surprised you, and you stepped closer, silently encouraging him to continue.
He glanced at you, his eyes searching yours for a moment before looking away again.
“After everything that happened with... the Upside Down, losing people, and just... everything,” he said, his voice faltering slightly,
“it messed me up. I tried to be the guy who could take care of everyone, who could keep it together for the kids, but sometimes... it feels like I’m barely holding on.”
You felt your chest tighten at his words.
It wasn’t often that Steve let his guard down like this, and hearing the cracks in his usual confident exterior made you realize just how much he carried on his shoulders.
“I don’t know why I’m telling you this,” Steve continued, shaking his head with a small, self-conscious laugh.
“Maybe because you’ve been there too. You get it, in a way that not a lot of people do.”
You reached out instinctively, placing a hand on his arm.
The gesture was simple, but it seemed to ground him. He looked up at you, his eyes meeting yours, and for a moment, the vulnerability in his expression was almost overwhelming.
“You don’t have to do it alone, Steve,” you said softly. “You don’t have to be the guy who always has it figured out. We’ve all been through a lot, and it’s okay to lean on someone else sometimes.”
Steve let out a small breath, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.
“Yeah. I think I’m starting to figure that out. Especially with you.”
The words hung in the air between you, and the realization of what he’d just said made your heart skip a beat.
He hadn’t said it directly, but the meaning was clear. You weren’t just someone he was confiding in. You were someone he trusted, someone he wanted to keep close.
“I’m glad I’m here,” Steve said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. “And I’m glad you’re here too.”
Your hand lingered on his arm for a moment longer before you stepped back, the weight of the moment settling between you. There was something undeniable in the air now, something unspoken but understood.
The connection between you two wasn’t just friendship—it was something more, something neither of you could ignore any longer.
Steve stared at your lips and cracked a smile.
It had been a few weeks since that quiet night in the kitchen when everything changed.
You and Steve hadn’t spoken directly about what happened, but the air between you was different now.
The small moments lingered longer, the playful touches and glances felt heavier, and the teasing banter was layered with something unspoken. Something real.
The kids, of course, hadn’t noticed anything, too caught up in their own world of campaigns, arcade games, and adolescent drama.
But you noticed. Steve noticed. And, slowly but surely, the dynamic between you two shifted into something neither of you could name just yet.
The first time it hit you was at the arcade.
It had been Max’s idea to gather everyone, and somehow, you and Steve had been roped into chaperoning.
The kids scattered the moment you arrived, racing to their favorite machines and leaving you two by the snack counter.
Steve leaned casually against the counter, sipping a Coke, his hair as perfect as ever.
You couldn’t help but smirk at how effortlessly he pulled off the whole "cool guy" look.
“You know,” you said, nudging him playfully,
“you’ve got a serious reputation to uphold. Babysitter extraordinaire, hero of Hawkins… how do you handle all the pressure?”
He laughed, a genuine, warm sound that made your chest tighten.
“It’s tough, but someone’s gotta do it,” he quipped, taking another sip. Then he glanced at you, his expression softening. “I mean, it helps having backup now.”
The way he said it, so casually but with a weight that told you he meant it, made your stomach flip.
You looked away, pretending to focus on the kids in the distance, but the warmth creeping up your neck betrayed you.
“Backup, huh?” you replied, your voice teasing but quieter now.
“Guess that makes me your sidekick.”
Steve nudged you back, his shoulder brushing yours in a way that felt deliberate.
“Nah, more like my boyfriend.”
The word hung in the air between you, and for a moment, it felt like the entire arcade had gone silent.
You glanced at him, and the small, knowing smile on his face made your heart race.
“Boyfriend, huh?” you murmured, trying to sound nonchalant but failing miserably.
He shrugged, his smile widening. “Yeah. You know… someone I can count on. Someone I can... trust.”
The intensity of his gaze made your breath catch, and you felt like you were teetering on the edge of something big.
But before you could respond, Dustin’s voice cut through the moment, shouting for both of you to “hurry up and come see this!”
Steve chuckled, the spell between you broken but not forgotten.
“Guess duty calls,” he said, giving you a quick wink before heading toward the kids.
You followed, your chest still buzzing from the exchange.
The second time it happened was during a late-night drive. The kids were all asleep in the back of Steve’s car after a long day at the pool, and the quiet hum of the engine filled the silence.
You were sitting in the passenger seat, your head resting against the window as the streetlights flickered past.
Steve glanced over at you, his hands steady on the wheel.
“You okay?” he asked, his voice low.
You turned to him, smiling softly. “Yeah. Just… tired, I guess.”
He nodded, his eyes flicking back to the road. “It’s been a long day.”
There was a pause, and then he added, almost hesitantly, “You know, I’ve been thinking… I like this.”
“Like what?” you asked, genuinely curious.
He said, gesturing vaguely. “The quiet. The… normal. After everything we’ve been through, it’s nice, y’know? Just driving around with you. Feels... right.”
Your heart skipped a beat at his words, and you couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah,” you murmured. “It does.”
The rest of the drive was quiet, but the air between you was charged, every glance and shared silence saying more than words ever could.
The third time it happened was at the Wheeler’s basement, during another one of the kids’ chaotic campaigns.
The two of you sat on the couch, watching the kids argue over strategy, your shoulders pressed together.
Steve leaned in close, pretending to whisper about the game but letting his breath tickle your ear, sending a shiver down your spine.
“Think they’ll ever figure it out?” he teased, his voice low and warm.
“Doubt it,” you replied, trying to ignore the way your pulse quickened at his proximity.
He pulled back slightly, his eyes meeting yours, and for a moment, the world around you seemed to fade.
You could feel the tension building, the unspoken feelings between you growing harder to ignore.
Before either of you could say anything, Lucas shouted in triumph, breaking the moment.
Steve groaned dramatically, leaning back against the couch, but his hand brushed against yours as he did. Neither of you moved it.
It was moments like these, small, fleeting, but deeply significant, that defined the slow burn of your relationship.
Every shared look, every playful touch, every quiet conversation brought you closer, inch by inch, until the line between friendship and something more was barely there at all. And though neither of you had said the words yet, you both knew they were coming. It was just a matter of time.
The night was still, the stars scattered across the sky like someone had spilled glitter over velvet.
You and Steve were sitting on the roof of your house, a favorite spot you’d both discovered during one of the kids’ sleepovers.
The chaos of the day had finally settled, leaving behind a peaceful quiet that you’d grown to cherish in moments like these.
Steve sat beside you, legs stretched out, his hands resting on his knees as he gazed up at the stars.
He looked calm, content, but there was something in his posture, his fingers tapping absently against his leg, the way he kept glancing at you from the corner of his eye, that told you he had something on his mind.
“You ever think about what’s next?” he asked suddenly, his voice soft but clear in the stillness.
You turned to him, caught off guard by the question. “Next?”
“Yeah, like... after all of this. The kids, Hawkins, everything.”
He gestured vaguely to the sky, his lips quirking in a small, self-conscious smile.
“I don’t know. Sometimes it feels like this town is all I’ve got, y’know? Like I’ll always be Steve Harrington, babysitter extraordinaire.”
You chuckled softly, nudging him with your shoulder.
“You’re a little more than that, you know.”
He smiled at the nudge, but the vulnerability in his eyes didn’t waver.
“I don’t know. I guess I just... I want more. Something real. Something that makes me feel like... I belong.”
His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning.
You felt your heart ache at the openness in his voice, the quiet longing he rarely let anyone see.
“You do belong, Steve,” you said after a moment, your voice gentle but firm. “To the kids, to this place... to me.”
The last part came out before you could stop it, but you didn’t regret it.
It was the truth, and it was time to stop dancing around it.
Steve turned to you, his eyes searching yours, and you could see the moment your words sank in.
His lips parted slightly, like he was about to say something, but instead, he just stared at you, his expression unreadable.
“I mean it,” you continued, your voice quieter now.
“You’re not just... some guy who keeps the kids out of trouble. You’re more than that, Steve. You’re... everything. To them, sure, but to me, too. And I don’t want you to think you’re not enough, because you are. You always have been.”
Steve blinked, his breath hitching slightly as your words settled over him.
Then, slowly, a small, almost disbelieving smile began to tug at the corners of his lips.
“Do you have any idea how long I’ve wanted to hear something like that?” he asked, his voice soft, almost like he was afraid to break the moment.
You smiled back, your chest tight with emotion.
“Maybe as long as I’ve wanted to say it.”
There was a beat of silence, the kind of silence that felt full instead of empty, as if the world itself was holding its breath.
Then, Steve reached out, his hand brushing against yours before lacing his fingers through yours.
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way before,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Like... like I finally found someone who sees me. Not just the guy who drives the kids around, or the guy who screws things up half the time. Just... me.”
You felt your heart swell at his words, and without thinking, you leaned closer, your free hand resting lightly on his arm.
“I see you, Steve,” you said softly, your eyes locked on his. “I’ve always seen you. And I—”
The words caught in your throat, but you didn’t need to finish them. The look in his eyes told you he already knew.
He leaned in, his forehead resting gently against yours, and for a moment, the world felt perfectly still.
“I think I’m falling for you,”
he murmured, his voice trembling slightly but filled with sincerity.
You closed your eyes, your heart pounding in your chest.
“I think I already have.”
The confession hung between you, weightless and freeing all at once.
Steve pulled back just enough to look at you, his expression soft but filled with something deeper, something you couldn’t quite put into words.
Then, with a tenderness that made your breath catch, he leaned in and pressed his lips to yours.
The kiss was soft, unhurried, and filled with all the emotions that had been building between you for weeks. It wasn’t just a kiss, it was a promise. A promise that this was real, that whatever came next, you’d face it together.
When you finally pulled back, Steve smiled at you, his cheeks flushed but his eyes shining with a happiness you’d never seen before.
“So,” he said, his voice teasing but warm, “does this mean you’re my boyfriend for real now?”
You laughed, shaking your head as you squeezed his hand. “Yeah, Harrington. I guess it does.”
And as you sat there on the roof, your hand in his, the stars shining above, you knew that this was just the beginning. The beginning of something real. Something that finally felt like home.
Credits: The Steve Harrington border I used was made by me, but the blue border was made by: kodaswrld!! Go and support them 🫶🏽