when you know, you know ; steve harrington

fourteen - what remains

"Close it now!"

And just like that, it was over.

The chaos, the screaming, the monsters, the fear—it had all come to an end. Hawkins was quiet again.

Teddy, Dustin, and Erica stumbled their way back to what remained of the Starcourt Mall. The once-vibrant shopping center now stood in ruin, a smoldering skeleton of steel and ash. Emergency lights flashed against the smoke-filled sky, casting eerie shadows over soldiers, firefighters, and police officers scrambling to restore order.

Teddy's eyes searched frantically—please be okay, please be okay, please. And then, through the dust and devastation, she saw him. Steve, bruised and breathless, standing beside Robin. Their eyes locked across the distance.

Relief flooded her chest.

She took a step toward him—only to be yanked back by a hand on her wrist. She turned, confused, just in time to see Steve freeze, his expression shifting in an instant. Her breath caught as she followed his gaze.

Richard.

Her father stood there, eyes wild with grief and rage. Before Teddy could speak, his hand cracked across her cheek.

"You monster!" he shouted, voice breaking. "He's dead!"

Teddy reeled, the sting of the slap nothing compared to the weight of his words. "What...? Who...?"

"Damon!" her father choked out, fists clenched. "You killed my son! You took him from me! Mrs. Byers told me everything. You went back, didn't you? You always go back! And now he's—" his voice shattered mid-sentence. "He's gone. Just like your mother."

Teddy stood frozen, her hand pressed against the growing bruise on her cheek. She couldn't speak. Couldn't think.

Richard's voice dropped into something far more venomous.

"You take everyone from me. You—you curse, Dorothea Sterling."

Her knees nearly buckled beneath her. Steve stepped forward instinctively, but froze when Richard turned on him.

"And you!" Richard snarled, jabbing a finger at Steve. "You're the reason! That cursed boy—every time she's with you, someone ends up in the ground!"

"Father, stop!" Teddy begged, tears streaming. "Please—don't do this—"

"Shut up!" he bellowed, grabbing her by the forearm so tightly her skin blanched beneath his fingers. "You're a disgrace, Dorothea! I never want to see you again. Do you hear me? Never!"

Then came the words that broke her.

"I wish it was you instead of my son."

He turned and walked away.

Just like that.

Her father was gone.

And with him, the last of her family.

Teddy collapsed to her knees, choking on sobs. She didn't even notice the arms that wrapped around her until she heard the voice.

"Hey... I'm so sorry," Nancy whispered, cradling her gently. "I'm so, so sorry, Teddy."

Teddy didn't respond. She looked up, dazed, searching again—until she found Steve. He looked torn apart. Helpless. Ashamed.

He stepped closer, slowly, like she might break if he moved too fast. Nancy gave her one last squeeze and slipped away, mouthing "I'm here."

Steve knelt in front of her. His fingers, trembling, brushed gently across her bruised cheek.

"Teddy... I'm so sorry," he whispered. "It's my fault. I shouldn't have—"

"Please," she cut him off softly, her voice raw.

He didn't argue. Instead, he pulled her into his arms, holding her tight against his chest, like she might disappear if he let go. She buried her face in his shoulder, tears soaking through his shirt.

He looked up at the night sky, eyes shining, wishing—begging—to take her pain as his own.

⸻

THREE MONTHS LATER

People say time heals. But for Teddy, time had only made the silence louder.

Damon's room was untouched. Her father had returned to California without a word, leaving her behind after the funeral, as though losing one child meant forgetting the other.

But she wasn't alone. Nancy had convinced her parents to let Teddy stay with them. The Wheelers had become her safe haven—a place to land while her soul tried to mend.

That evening, after checking in with Nancy, Teddy found herself standing outside Mike's room, hesitant.

"Hey," she said gently, leaning against the doorframe.

Mike turned in bed, face stained with tears.

"Can I come in?"

He nodded, wordless.

Teddy stepped in and sat beside him, her voice hushed. "I'm sorry for intruding."

"No," he said quickly. "Don't be. Damon was... he was really good to me."

Teddy blinked away the sting in her eyes. "Yeah?"

Mike nodded. "That week he stayed here, he couldn't stop talking about you. That's how we all found out who you were."

She smiled softly, eyes glassy. "That kid..."

She fell quiet for a moment, then cleared her throat. "Actually, I came to check on you. Nancy said you've been having a tough time. El, Will... they were your people. It's okay to miss them, Mike."

That was all it took. The dam broke.

Mike leaned into her, head resting on her lap as he sobbed. "I miss them," he whispered. "They were my best friends. And now they're just... gone."

Teddy ran her fingers through his hair, her own tears threatening. "They're not gone. You'll always carry them. They'll always be with you."

"Thanks," he sniffled.

Then, quieter: "Damon told us about you and Steve, you know. That you used to be a thing."

Teddy laughed weakly. "Of course he did."

Mike wiped his face and looked up at her. "So, are you? You and Steve... back together?"

Teddy leaned back, staring at the ceiling with a heavy sigh. "I don't know. I... I need time."

Mike smirked. "Well, I'll tell you one thing—he's completely in love with you. Like, painfully obvious."

Teddy blushed, looking down at her lap.

"I smell a new bond forming," came a teasing voice from the doorway.

Nancy.

"And I smell jealousy," Mike shot back, grinning. "She's gonna be the best big sister ever."

"Big words, Wheeler," Teddy teased, smiling for the first time in days.

"Oh, it's on now," Nancy said, stepping inside with a mock glare. "But be warned—I've had years of practice being awesome."

"We'll see who wins," Teddy laughed, her heart just a little lighter.

⸻

In that moment—surrounded by laughter, memory, and something close to love—Teddy realized something.

She was broken, yes. But she wasn't alone.

And maybe, just maybe, that was enough to start healing.

—

Alright, hello?

Guess who's back with a brand new chapter!

To compensate with my delay, I'll upload another chapter as well