Mr. Harrington Has a Crush
Pairing: teacher Steve Harrington x female reader
Summary: Steve is trying to keep his cool around you but fails in every way possible.
Warnings: flirting. secretly dating Steve. fun. kissing. yearning. no use of y/n.
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The problem starts with the kids noticing. Middle schoolers are horrifyingly observant when they want to be.
And unfortunately for Steve, his students have apparently decided his emotional downfall is this semester’s group project.
It begins during fourth period.
Steve’s halfway through explaining baseball drills to a group of deeply uninterested seventh graders when the gym doors open behind him.
You step inside carrying a stack of folders against your chest. “Sorry,” you say softly. “Front office said Coach Wilson left these in here?”
Steve turns around automatically and immediately smiles. Not even on purpose. Just instant and warm.
“Oh, yeah.” He walks over quickly. “I can take those.”
You hand him the folders with a grateful little smile. “Thanks.”
“No problem.”
There’s a tiny awkward pause. Not uncomfortable, just the kind filled with things neither of you has figured out how to say yet.
Then you brighten suddenly. “Oh! I finished that documentary you told me about.”
Steve lights up instantly. “Seriously? What’d you think?”
And that’s it. That’s the fatal mistake. Because suddenly you’re both standing there in the middle of the gym talking excitedly while thirty middle schoolers stare in dead silence.
You’re animated now, hands moving while you ramble enthusiastically about historical inaccuracies and costume design.
Steve watches you like you personally invented happiness. And behind him ... a thirteen-year-old whispers: “Oh my God.”
Another kid gasps quietly. “Mr. Harrington has a crush.”
Steve nearly chokes to death.
You blink. “What?”
Every student in the gym suddenly becomes fascinated by literally anything else.
Steve whips around. “Okay! Wow! Everybody run laps immediately!”
Groans erupt instantly.
You stare at him suspiciously while he avoids eye contact with the intensity of a wanted criminal. Then slowly very slowly - a smile starts pulling at your mouth.
“Oh my God,” you whisper.
Steve points at the students dramatically. “Children are evil.”
Your smile grows wider. “You have a crush on me?”
Steve’s face goes bright red instantly. Several students audibly lose their minds. “RUN LAPS,” Steve yells desperately.
You absolutely do not let him live it down. Not even a little.
The next morning Steve walks into the teachers’ lounge and nearly drops his coffee when he sees a sticky note attached to his thermos.
Hope your crush has a nice day :)
He whips around immediately. You’re sitting at the table grading quizzes while trying very hard not to smile.
“You’re unbelievable.”
“You’re dramatic.”
Steve pulls the sticky note off with exaggerated offense. “You weaponized office supplies against me.”
“You survived.”
“Barely.”
You laugh softly into your coffee cup. And Steve ... God. There it is again. That warm aching feeling. Like his life got brighter the second you walked into it.
You’re still shy in crowded rooms. Still quieter around other teachers. But with Steve? You soften more every day.
You start stealing fries from his lunch without asking. He starts bringing you coffee every morning exactly how you like it.
You wait for him after staff meetings. He carries your grading boxes without being asked.
And every single person at Hawkins Middle School notices. Especially the kids.
One rainy afternoon, Steve finds you in your classroom sitting on top of your desk while a group of students crowd around listening to you tell some dramatic historical story.
“And then,” you say intensely, “Napoleon literally crowned himself.”
The kids gasp. “No way.”
“Yes way.”
“That’s kinda iconic.”
You point at the student immediately. “Thank you.”
Steve leans against the doorway smiling to himself. You spot him instantly and your whole face changes.
Softening immediately, like your heart recognized him before your brain did. It hits Steve so hard every single time.
“Mr. Harrington,” one student says loudly, “are you here because you miss her?”
The classroom erupts instantly. You hide your face in embarrassment.
Steve places a hand dramatically over his heart. “You know what? I try very hard for all of you and this is the respect I get.”
The kids laugh. And while they’re distracted you glance at Steve again with a tiny smile and fond eyes.
Something gentle and certain passing quietly between you. Home.
That’s what this is starting to feel like.
Later that evening, the school empties slowly around you both. Rain taps softly against the classroom windows while you organize papers at your desk.
Steve sits in one of the student chairs watching you. Completely lovestruck.
“You know,” you murmur without looking up, “staring is weird.”
“I’m appreciating.”
“You’ve been appreciating for like ten minutes.”
Steve grins lazily. “You’re cute when you organize things.”
You laugh softly. “You’re cute when you bother me for attention.”
His chest does that stupid warm thing again. Then you finally glance up. And your expression softens immediately when you see him looking at you. Not lustful, just deeply, terribly admiring.
“What?” you ask quietly.
Steve shrugs one shoulder. “I dunno.” His voice turns softer. “I just really like you.”
The sincerity in it makes your heart stumble. You set your papers down slowly. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
Rain hums softly outside. The classroom glows warm gold in the evening light.
And suddenly Steve looks almost shy. “I think…” He rubs awkwardly at the back of his neck. “I think meeting you made me happier.”
Your eyes sting unexpectedly. Because he says it so simply. You walk toward him slowly until you’re standing between his knees. Steve’s hands settle automatically at your waist. Warm and familiar.
“You make me happy too,” you whisper.
His face softens instantly. Then he tilts his head up slightly. “Kiss me?”
Your heart absolutely melts. It's not demanding or assuming, his words are just sweet.
You smile. “Okay.”
And when you kiss him this time, slow and smiling and warm in the middle of your empty classroom Steve kisses you like someone grateful life surprised him with something good.
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Thank you so much for reading! All interactions are highly appreciated 💙
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