when you know, you know ; steve harrington

six ─ teddy's tragedy

The quartet stepped into the hidden chamber, their footsteps muffled by the cold concrete. A strange metal box sat at the center of the room, almost humming with mystery. Steve cracked it open—only to find another box nestled inside. And that box? Another one, this time lined with four knobs. Or buttons. Or... whatever the hell they were.

Teddy leaned forward, curiosity tugging at her fingers.

Steve caught her wrist, eyes wide. "What are you doing?"

She blinked. "Opening it?"

"Yeah, no. Stay away from this," he said, pulling her back protectively.

"Oh, come on! Lemme try it this time."

"This isn't a toy, Teddy," he said, staring at her like she'd just suggested juggling grenades.

"No—"

"Teddy, babe," Robin cut in from across the room, tone dry. "Mind standing over here before we waste another decade watching you two flirt like it's your side gig?"

Steve and Teddy both turned the color of ripe tomatoes. Teddy tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear and stepped away, heart thudding as she avoided Steve's gaze.

Robin grabbed her arm. "Let's leave Mr. Protective and Sir Genius to it."

Just as Steve reached for the knob, Dustin held him back. "Step aside."

"No."

"Seriously, dude—step back."

"No! If you die, I die," Dustin said with all the drama of a loyal sidekick.

Steve blinked, stunned. The room fell silent.

And that's when Teddy felt it—that weird ache in her chest. A reminder. Steve had a new best friend now. Someone else he'd die for. Just like how they used to be.

"Fine," Steve muttered. He twisted the knob, revealing a glass vial filled with some ominous green liquid.

"What the hell is that?" Teddy whispered, eyes fixed on the glow.

"No clue," Steve said, inspecting it with narrowed eyes.

That's when the rumble started.

"Okay, no one panic, but... did the room just move?" Dustin asked, inching toward the door.

"I felt that too," Teddy said, her pulse quickening.

"Let's just grab the goo and go," Robin suggested, but before they could act, Dustin was already at the controls.

"Which button opens the door?"

"Press open door, genius," Erica snapped.

"I am pressing open door!" Dustin shrieked, mashing the buttons like a maniac.

The group dissolved into chaos.

Teddy's stomach twisted. Something wasn't right. The lights flickered, alarms clicked—then the doors slammed shut.

"Shit," she hissed. "Shit, shit—!"

She lunged past Steve and Dustin to hammer the 'open' button herself, but it did nothing.

A deep groan reverberated through the room.

And then the floor dropped.

Teddy screamed as gravity betrayed her. She lost balance, falling—only to be caught by Steve's arms as they were thrown against the far wall. His back slammed into it, bracing her weight against his chest. They held on tight, hands clutched around each other's waists, knuckles white.