when you know, you know ; steve harrington

nine ─ madly

After loading Steve and Robin into the mini car, Teddy gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles pale as the kids scanned the dimly lit path ahead. Every corner they turned, every echo that bounced off the underground walls, made her pulse race.

"What is wrong with them?!" Erica asked, her voice edged with alarm as she twisted in her seat to look at the two groggy teenagers in the back.

Teddy helplessly shrugged, eyes flicking to the rearview mirror. Robin was mumbling something under her breath, and Steve just... grinned at nothing.

"I guess they're drugged," she muttered, cringing as she turned slightly in her seat to glance behind her again.

"Teddy, watch out!"

Before the warning fully registered, the car lurched violently to the side, crashing into a stack of metal tins. The impact jolted them all, followed by a collective groan.

"I'm sorry, is everyone alright?" she asked breathlessly, turning to check the kids, who slowly nodded, dazed but okay.

"What about you guys back there?" Dustin asked, concern etched in his voice. No response. He quickly hopped out, flinging open the back door—only to be met with dazed stares from the duo.

"They're fine," he muttered, half-relieved, half-exasperated.

"Come on, we gotta go!" Dustin ordered, urgency taking over.

Soon enough, Teddy, Dustin, Erica, Steve, and Robin found themselves stumbling toward the elevator. It was chaos incarnate. Steve, in his drugged haze, attempted to surf on the moving cart, arms outstretched like he was on some beach in Malibu. Teddy face-palmed, watching the absurdity unfold—but she couldn't stop the smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

Steve's laughter—genuine, unfiltered—hit her like a wave of nostalgia. It was that same kind of laughter they used to share when they were kids, sneaking candy from the gas station or mocking horror movies late into the night. Her heart fluttered at the memory, but it ached too. Because that smile wasn't for her anymore. Not this time.

Teddy sighed softly and forced a small smile before glancing away.

"You have to press that button," Steve instructed again, watching as she fumbled with the controls.

Teddy groaned, placing the controller on the table and folding her arms like a grumpy child. "I'm bad in this anyways. It's your turn, Steve."

"Hey... just try once more," Steve said, his voice gentle with encouragement. "I'm sure you'll be doing good."

Teddy shook her head. Her mind was made up.

Steve looked at the controller. Logic told him to just take it, let her be, but his gaze drifted to her once more. She looked so distant. Detached. Like she'd built a wall just high enough to keep him out.

"Screw this," he muttered and scooted closer, fingers brushing hers as he took her hand.

Teddy blinked in surprise, brows still drawn in that stubborn frown.

"I'm bored. Why don't we play something together?"

"Nah, you can play in that cool stuff," she muttered, glancing away.

"I don't wanna play in that," he replied, so honestly it made her pause. "I wanna play with you."

He reached over and rubbed her arm gently. She giggled—caught off guard by the ticklish sensation.

"Stop," she said, swatting at his hand, but Steve grinned mischievously and went for her sides.

In seconds, they were both giggling like kids again.

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"What did I tell you?! Eighty-eight hours per mile!"

Steve and Robin slumped in a few empty seats, still floating somewhere between reality and dreamland, drugged and entirely useless.

"We wanna watch it!" Robin argued as Steve passed her a bucket of popcorn.

"Then watch it!" Dustin snapped, already walking away. "Whatever you do, don't go anywhere."

"Fine, dad!" Steve called back, voice dripping with sarcasm as Robin burst into giggles.

Teddy watched them from a short distance, about to follow Dustin and Erica when she suddenly felt a grip around her wrist.

Before she could react, she let out a soft squeal as she was pulled backward—landing directly on someone's lap.

Steve's lap.

Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest as she scrambled to get up, but his arm looped around her waist, holding her there. One hand came up to brush her cheek. Her legs dangled awkwardly off his thighs as her face flushed scarlet.

"You look like my Teddy," he whispered, voice thick with emotion. Her breath caught at the way he said it—my Teddy. His thumb gently traced her cheekbone as she stared into his eyes, glistening beneath the low light of the theatre.

"I wish she was here, though," he murmured, gaze flicking up to meet her blue eyes. "I miss her."

His grip softened. That was her cue.

She quickly rose, not saying a word, throat tight as she returned to her seat next to Erica.

The younger girl narrowed her eyes and nudged her gently. "What's wrong?"

Teddy shook her head. "Where's Dustin?"

"He's gone to get help, apparently."

Teddy nodded absently, but her eyes strayed. She turned toward the row where Steve now sat with Robin. The two were sharing popcorn, laughing, caught up in the film like nothing else existed.

She could stare at him forever.

The way his eyes lit up at the sight of the time machine onscreen. The subtle scrunch of his nose when he laughed. The way his lips curled into that boyish smile that could melt her heart like it was still fifteen.

God, she was still in love with him.

And maybe she had been the second she saw him in Scoops Ahoy—older, taller, a little bruised by life, but still her Steve.

"Hey! Where are they?!" Dustin's voice yanked her from her thoughts.

Teddy looked around quickly. "Oh, they're—"

Her words caught in her throat as she turned to the side.

Two empty seats.

Gone.

"I swear I saw them there..."

—

Comment down your thoughts!!!

I love writing Steve and Teddy's past—it's my favorite kind of emotional whiplash: fluffy and angsty.

What do you guys think? Should their story end on a heartbreak or a slow-burn happy ending?

Also, if you're into Harry Potter, don't forget to check out my other two books!

And please, ship name suggestions for Teddy x Steve are highly welcome!!

Love you guys always,

With love,
T<33