when you know, you know ; steve harrington

fifteen - almost, always

"Teddy, look at me!"

"What, Damon?"

"It's peaceful, isn't it? Being alone... just us."

Teddy smiled softly, nodding as she leaned her head against Damon's shoulder, comforted by the quiet.

"But, you just left me."

Her smile faded. She sat up straighter, turning to him. His face had twisted—no longer serene, but grimacing.

"You never really cared about me, right?"

Her brows pulled together, her heart sinking at the sudden shift in his voice. She shook her head, confused.

"What—"

"You're a disappointment, Dorothea!"

She flinched. The name hit like a slap.

"You never loved me, like I did! You ignored me for him! You fucking ignored your own brother—"

Teddy jolted awake, gasping for air like she'd been drowning. Her chest heaved. Sweat clung to her skin as she tried to calm her racing heart.

It felt real. Every damn time.

She wiped her face with trembling hands and collapsed back onto the bed, letting out a heavy sigh. Just another nightmare. Another one in the string she'd been having all week.

⸻

"Dorothy!"

Karen Wheeler's voice cut through the haze as the door creaked open.

Teddy sat up quickly, startled. Karen's eyes widened in concern as she stepped into the room.

"What's wrong, honey? You're wet as hell."

"I'm fine, Mrs. Wheeler, thanks for asking," Teddy replied, forcing a small smile. Her voice was hoarse. "Just a stupid nightmare."

What Karen didn't know was that it hadn't been just one.

"Here, Nance told me to hand this to you," Karen said, stepping inside and offering her a folded piece of parchment.

Teddy murmured a quiet "thanks," taking it. Karen gave her a gentle ruffle on the head before heading out.

She unfolded the note, recognizing Nancy's handwriting immediately:

⸻

Hey, shithead!
Reminder since you are forgetting things—
Be ready by ten. Steve will be there to pick you up for the pep rally.

Have a good day!
Nance :)

⸻

Teddy groaned as she stared up at the ceiling, dragging a hand over her face.

It had been a year since Damon's death. The wound still ached, but the Wheelers—Mike, Nancy, and sweet little Holly—had done more than enough to help her find her footing again.

And then there was Steve.

He'd never stopped showing up. Arcade nights, park strolls, even the movies she barely paid attention to—he was always there, trying to lift the weight off her shoulders.

But the more he tried... the more her heart clung to him.

Still, neither of them had said a word. Not about what mattered.

Steve's actions screamed it louder than anything—he cared. He cared deeply. But Teddy couldn't bring herself to cross that line. Not yet.

Because if things went wrong... she'd be the one to break him. And she wasn't sure she could survive that.