Chapter Text
Hawkins knew that the Harringtons had a son.
And yet, he was rarely seen outside.
It was like that until he was twelve. Then, without warning, Richard Harrington sent his son abroad. People assumed it was because the child had presented as an omega—but the Harringtons never said a word. They began spending less time in town, coming and going infrequently. And Steve never came back.
When the family was occasionally asked about the boy, they said he was staying overseas for a good education. After all, they were wealthy. They would take advantage of every opportunity for their child—especially if the child really was an omega. An omega should be as accomplished as possible, shouldn’t he?
Besides, the Harringtons had always been distant. They were never particularly liked in town.
In time, people stopped talking about it.
The matter was forgotten.
---
Steve Harrington never went abroad.
When he presented as an omega during the evaluation, his father became furious. His mother felt ashamed. But being an omega was not Steve’s fault—not even a little.
His hair was soft and perfect, his skin pale and smooth. His facial features weren’t sharp, but gentle. He was unmistakably not an alpha. Because of that, his father believed he needed to be punished—and eventually turned into something useful.
That was why Steve was sent to Hawkins Laboratory.
He stayed there for six years.
There were eighteen children in Hawkins Lab. Steve was the nineteenth—but he was always kept secret. He was held in a room on the top floor. Experiments were conducted. He suffered a great deal.
In the end, he gained several abilities: telekinesis, mind reading, control over electricity, and the ability to see what was happening to others through their dreams.
Steve was smart. Too smart.
He managed to hide three of his abilities and only revealed his control over electricity. Every subject was supposed to have one power, after all—and all the others were alphas. Steve was an omega.
Omegas had a much stronger protective instinct.
Maybe that was why Steve was so powerful.
Then Eleven escaped. Steve was happy for her. Thanks to her, his knowledge of the Upside Down and Demogorgons deepened. And finally, his father removed him from the laboratory.
Hawkins Lab had been shut down.
---
So Steve returned home.
He would live alone.
His father’s rules were strict. He was not to draw suspicion. He was to spend his time studying. (In truth, Steve had learned many things in the lab.) He was allowed to go to the library. His parents would leave Hawkins again.
Before they left, his mother taught him how to cook a few meals and left him a recipe book. That—and the large amount of money in the house safe—were the only good things they ever did for him.
Then they left.
Steve was alone.
He had no one. His parents had never truly been parents. He had no friends. No one wanted to be friends with him. Steve knew this, because when he went out to buy soft blankets and plush toys to build an omega nest on his bed, he overheard people talking about the Harrington family.
Thankfully, they didn’t recognize him.
He was wearing sunglasses.
Still, he wasn’t going to hide. Being visible—properly visible—drew less suspicion.
And so Steve Harrington began his life in Hawkins.
---
…and Hawkins didn’t realize Steve Harrington had returned for a long time.
The first weeks were ordinary for the town.
The Harrington house was dark again. The lights would turn on briefly at night, then go out. No cars came and went. No party noises. The yard was left untended. No one expected warmth from the Harringtons anyway. People were used to it: distance, silence, money.
Steve knew this.
That was why he chose not to disappear—but to be visible in the right way.
He went to the library every morning. Same hours. Same table. Same shelves. Textbooks. Biology. Psychology. And old, yellowed volumes about dreams. No one looked at him too closely. He was thin, tall, quiet. He wore soft sweaters that covered his neck. His scent was suppressed, just as his mother had taught him.
Still, when some alphas passed by, they would hesitate—frowning without knowing why.
Every time, Steve controlled his breathing.
Counted his heartbeats.
Put the electricity to sleep.
Suppressing his powers was the most important thing he had learned in the lab.
Nights were harder.
The house was too big. The silence echoed. When Steve retreated to his room, he locked the door and carefully arranged the blankets around his bed. He lined the plush toys up side by side—so none would escape, so none would be missing.
This wasn’t weakness.
It was survival.
Sometimes he couldn’t sleep.
Sometimes, when he did, he slipped into other people’s dreams.
A child’s scream.
A cold room.
Blood hitting the walls.
When Steve woke and pulled his knees to his chest, his forehead would be damp with sweat. The lights would flicker from the electricity—then he would rein himself back in.
No one was supposed to notice.
Hawkins liked not seeing.
---
But things didn’t stay that way.
One day, as he was leaving the library, he heard bicycle wheels. Laughter. Loud, uncontrolled, childish.
Steve instinctively stepped back.
There were four kids. Watching from a distance. Curious—but cautious. One of them—the one with curly hair—noticed him. Their eyes met. The boy stopped.
Steve could have run.
But he didn’t.
He didn’t take off his sunglasses. He didn’t lower his head. He just stood there. He didn’t deny his existence.
The boy whispered something. The others looked. Then… they shrugged and rode on.
Steve finally let out his breath.
The shield had worked.
Still—that look… It was familiar.
The children in the lab had looked at him like that too. First with curiosity. Then with fear.
Steve Harrington had returned to Hawkins—but he wasn’t the same child anymore.
He had been born an omega.
Raised as a subject.
And now, he lived as a quiet, careful, dangerously powerful survivor.
The town didn’t know yet.
But Hawkins was bad at keeping secrets.
And Steve’s presence… sooner or later, would find its way into someone’s dreams.
Chapter Text
The day had actually started beautifully.
School had gone well, they had played D&D with Eddie, and then they had set off to go home. They were heading to Mike’s house, which was why Max hadn’t gone with her brother.
But of course… something had to go wrong.
“Mike… I don’t feel good.”
At Will’s voice, all of them stopped their bikes at once. The omega boy was standing a little behind them, and he looked drenched in sweat. That alone was enough to make all of them panic.
“Will, is your heat coming on?”
As he shook his head, Will got off his bike and slowly sat down on the ground. It was as if all the strength had been drained from him.
“No… it was last month, you know that. It’s not time yet. But after the Upside Down, I get sick easily.”
It was true. Will had been deeply affected, and it had damaged his secondary gender as well.
So what were they supposed to do now?
“We can’t bike home like this.”
Max and Dustin were already on either side of him, holding him upright. Mike and Lucas were alphas; they knew they had to stay back just in case, and Mike hated that.
“But how are we supposed to get there? Even if we do, all our families are working. There’s no adult who can help us.”
If they made it home, they could call someone—Joyce, obviously—but they were in the middle of the road. And that was making all of them panic, because Will had started to whimper in pain.
Just then, the sound of a car caught their attention. By sheer luck, the vehicle stopped right beside them, and someone stepped out. He looked like the guy they had seen at the library the other day.
“Hey—what’s wrong with your friend?”
The stranger’s voice sounded genuinely concerned. From the scent alone, Mike could tell he was an omega, and he stopped himself from growling at the last second.
“He’s sick. We don’t know what to do.”
The young man came closer, checked Will’s temperature, then took a deep breath.
“My house is nearby. If he stays outside like this, it could draw the attention of dangerous people. You two are alphas, right? Go and inform his family.”
Then he picked Will up. Dustin reacted quickly and opened the back door of the car, and they laid Will inside. Max immediately sat down next to him. The young man—whose name they didn’t yet know—got into the driver’s seat.
“Wait! Who are you, and where are we supposed to go?”
Mike called out as he climbed into the car. The other boy paused for a moment—it seemed he had just realized he hadn’t given his name.
“Steve Harrington. You probably know where my house is.”
With Dustin also getting into the car, they disappeared from sight quickly. Mike and Lucas were left standing there, stunned.
Steve Harrington?
Had he… helped them?
---
When the car quietly turned onto the Harringtons’ street, it was still light outside—but Steve’s shoulders hadn’t relaxed. He held the steering wheel tightly, glancing at the back seat through the rearview mirror.
Will was curled in on himself. His breathing was uneven. Max was holding his hand, while Dustin sat on the edge of the seat, unsure what to do. The scent that reached Steve’s nose was familiar: fever, fear, and suppressed omega instinct. Panic.
“It’s okay,” Steve said softly. “We’re almost there. You’re safe.”
Will cracked his eyes open. “I don’t know you…” he whispered.
Steve smiled—but not the kind meant for others. It came from somewhere deeper. “I know. But I understand you.”
As soon as they arrived, Steve got out of the car. Dustin had already opened the door before he could even think about it.
“Do you want help?” Dustin asked quickly.
Steve paused, then nodded. “Yes. But let’s stay calm, okay?”
He carefully lifted Will into his arms. Acting on omega instinct, Will clutched Steve’s collar without realizing it. Steve didn’t flinch. Instead, he slowed his steps.
The inside of the house… was unexpectedly warm.
The living room was large but empty, not much furniture. Still, soft blankets were folded neatly on the couch. Steve laid Will down gently.
“There’s water in the kitchen. Not cold—lukewarm,” he said, looking at Dustin, then turning to the red-haired girl.
“Can you stay with him?”
Max nodded immediately.
Steve went upstairs and returned quickly, holding a light-colored, worn but clean plush toy—a floppy-eared dog with slightly crooked eyes.
Dustin raised an eyebrow. “Is that yours?”
Steve hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. “Yeah. But today, it’s Will’s.”
He placed the plush on Will’s chest and draped a soft blanket over him. Will instinctively pulled the toy closer. His breathing slowed.
“Take deep breaths,” Steve said quietly. “I’m here. No one’s going to touch you.”
Will closed his eyes. “Am I safe?” he whispered.
“Yes,” Steve said without hesitation.
When Dustin came back, he took in the scene. He didn’t say anything at first—just silently handed over the glass of water.
“You… look like you’ve done this before,” Dustin said eventually.
Steve smiled faintly. “Some things you’re forced to learn.”
Dustin scratched his head. “Uh… usually… adults don’t really care about us.”
Steve looked at him—an honest, open look. “I do.”
That settled heavily in Dustin’s chest. “I’m Dustin,” he said quickly. “Dustin Henderson.”
“Nice to meet you, Dustin,” Steve said. “You did good today.”
Dustin’s face turned red. “Really?”
“Really.”
Just then, Will stirred slightly. His fever was starting to go down. Max let out a deep breath.
“He’ll be okay,” Steve said. “But we should inform his family.”
Dustin nodded. “Mike and Lucas went.”
Steve dipped his head. “Good. You can stay here until then.”
Dustin looked around. “So… uh… can we be friends?” he asked suddenly, without a filter.
Steve blinked, surprised—then laughed. A small, genuine laugh. “Yeah,” he said. “We can.”
Dustin grinned. “Awesome. Because I think you’re… actually really cool.”
Steve looked back at Will—curled up, clutching the plush, finally calm. Steve relaxed with him.
“Um… thanks.”
---
By the time headlights lit up the front of the Harrington house, it was already dark.
The first to stop was the police car. Jim Hopper slammed the brakes and got out, his face tense, shoulders instinctively defensive. Joyce’s car pulled in right behind him; she was already out before she’d fully shut the door, eyes locked on the house in panic.
There was a third car.
Billy Hargrove’s.
The engine cut off with an irritated growl. Billy slammed the door shut and stepped out, his usual hard expression in place—but his eyes were fixed on the house. He had to be worried about his sister.
A little farther back, Eddie Munson’s rusty van came to a stop. Eddie jumped out, hair messy, shirt half-tucked, the seriousness of the situation wiping away his usual sarcasm.
Mike and Lucas stood between the cars. Mike’s hands were shaking.
“He’s inside,” Mike said quickly. “Steve Harrington—he took Will to his house. He meant well, I swear.”
Hopper frowned. “Harrington?”
Joyce didn’t hesitate. “Is Will okay?” she asked, her voice breaking.
“He’s calm now,” Lucas said. “He gave him blankets, a plush… his fever was going down.”
Hopper thought for a moment, then nodded toward the house. “Alright. Nobody panic. Let’s see.”
Joyce knocked—but didn’t wait for the door to open. “Will?”
When Steve appeared in the doorway, the air froze.
Steve Harrington—but not as the town knew him. He wore an oversized sweater, his shoulders slumped. He looked tired, but calm. His eyes flicked to Hopper out of habit—not fear.
“He’s inside,” Steve said. “Mostly asleep.”
Joyce didn’t answer. She walked past him.
The living room scene was… unexpectedly peaceful.
Will was curled up on the couch, wrapped in soft blankets, a big floppy-eared plush in his arms. Max stood up immediately.
“He’s okay,” she said quickly. “Really okay.”
Joyce dropped to her knees and touched Will’s forehead. “His fever’s down…”
Will cracked his eyes open. “Mom…” he murmured.
Joyce pulled him into her arms, tears spilling freely.
Hopper scanned the room. Clean. Quiet. No sign of danger. But Steve… Steve made him think.
“Kids,” Hopper said, “are you all okay?”
“Yes,” Dustin said. “Steve helped us.”
Hopper turned to Steve. “Why did you do this?”
Steve didn’t look away. “Because he was sick. And there was no one else.”
The answer was simpler than Hopper expected.
Billy crossed his arms. “I came because Max was here,” he said roughly. Then he looked at Steve. “But I’ll admit… I didn’t expect this.”
Steve shrugged. “No one has to.”
Eddie cleared his throat. “Uh… we were playing D&D. If Will got sick because of that, and someone’s looking for someone to blame—” He looked at Hopper. “I’m here.”
Hopper raised a hand. “No one’s blaming anyone.”
The tension in the house slowly eased.
Joyce looked up at Steve. “Thank you,” she said sincerely. “Truly.”
Steve hesitated. “It’s nothing,” he said eventually.
Hopper stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Good things are rare in this town, Harrington,” he said. “But you did the right thing today.”
Steve nodded. “I just… looked after the kids.”
Dustin whispered, “Babysitter.”
Steve smiled—a small, shy smile.
Babysitter, huh?
That wasn’t so bad.
Chapter Text
A few days later, Hawkins Market was—as always—too bright, too loud.
Steve liked it that way.
The lights were harsh but honest. The shelves were orderly. People were… predictable. No one asked what he was thinking, no one stared too long into his eyes. You took what you needed and left. Simple.
He put pasta, canned soup, and apples into his basket. Then he stopped. Hesitated for a moment—and added a packet of hot chocolate mix.
It tastes really good, he thought.
The thought lifted the corner of his mouth without him realizing it.
“Well, look at that,” a voice said behind him. “Harrington’s still alive.”
Steve froze.
That voice… was impossible to miss.
He turned slowly.
Billy Hargrove stood there, his leather jacket looking wildly out of place in a grocery store. The man who parked his car like he was starting a fight now stood holding a carton of milk. Beside him was Eddie Munson—Metallica shirt, messy hair, and his usual easy grin.
“Was that a compliment?” Steve asked cautiously.
Eddie raised an eyebrow. “Coming from Billy? Fifty–fifty.”
Billy smirked. “After visiting your house, I figured you’d vanished.”
Steve shrugged. “Grocery shopping.”
Eddie’s eyes drifted to Steve’s basket. Pasta. Canned food. Apples. Hot chocolate.
“Well damn,” Eddie said. “Domestic, responsible, and sweet choices. A dangerous combination.”
Steve frowned. “Is that an analysis?”
“No,” Eddie said solemnly. “That’s appreciation.”
Billy stepped closer. Too close.
Steve’s shoulders tensed instinctively—but he didn’t step back. Billy noticed. His gaze lingered for a moment on Steve’s posture: tightened muscles, a body ready to flee.
“Relax,” Billy said quietly. “I’m not in your space.”
Steve blinked.
That… was not awareness he’d expected.
“The other day,” Billy continued, “Max came home talking about you. About how you carried Will. How you calmed him down.”
Eddie nodded. “The kids can’t stop talking about you.”
Steve gripped his basket uncomfortably. “They’re exaggerating.”
“No,” Eddie said softly. “They’re not.”
There was a brief silence.
The fluorescent lights buzzed. A shopping cart rolled past. Coins clinked at the register.
Billy tilted his head. “You’re an omega,” he said bluntly.
Steve’s heart sped up, but his face didn’t change. “Yes.”
“You don’t hide it,” Eddie said. “But you don’t announce it either.”
Steve gave a bitter half-smile, then shrugged. “There’s no need.”
Billy and Eddie exchanged a quick look. Like a quiet agreement.
“Look,” Eddie said. “We’ve been… looking for a third for a while.”
Steve’s brows knit. “Interesting topic for grocery store small talk.”
Billy laughed. “Relax. No offer. No pressure.”
Eddie lifted his hands. “Just… getting to know you.”
Steve looked at both of them. Two alphas. Normally, his instincts would be screaming by now—mapping exits, calculating danger.
But now…
He was just alert. Not afraid.
“I mean—I’m not exactly normal,” Steve said. “I could be a freak. You know that, right?”
Billy’s voice was rough, but his intent wasn’t. “Who is normal?”
Eddie smiled. “Besides, we like flawed things.”
Steve laughed despite himself. Short. Surprised.
“Are you flirting with me right now?” he asked.
Eddie winked. “Lightly.”
Billy shrugged. “Very lightly.”
Steve shook his head. “Didn’t see that coming.”
“The best things usually aren’t,” Eddie said.
They walked toward the checkout. Steve between them—but not trapped.
As the cashier scanned the items, Eddie glanced at the basket. “Hot chocolate.”
Steve shrugged. “Cold nights.”
Billy leaned in slightly. “If one day you feel like… sharing.”
Steve looked at him. There was no threat in his eyes. No possessiveness.
Just interest.
“Maybe,” Steve said.
That word… hadn’t come so easily from his mouth in a long time.
As they left the register, Eddie turned back. “Munson’s trailer gets loud on Friday nights.”
Billy added, “But it’s safe.”
Steve pushed the door open. Sunlight hit his eyes.
“I’ll think about it,” he said.
And this time… he realized he truly meant it.
---
Steve hadn’t been around much for days.
He hadn’t shown up at the library. He hadn’t passed by the market. Even the lights on his street were off most evenings. The kids noticed—especially Will.
Will felt better now. His fever was completely gone; his body had recovered. But that day still lingered in his mind. The soft blankets. The stuffed dog. Steve’s voice.
You’re safe.
He hadn’t forgotten those words.
“We should go,” Will said one afternoon as they sat at the kitchen table. “I want to thank him.”
Dustin’s eyes lit up. “Me too!”
Mike raised an eyebrow. “For what?”
“For everything,” Dustin said seriously. “And… I want to be friends.”
The sincerity of it stopped any teasing.
Max crossed her arms. “We’re not going empty-handed.”
And just like that, the plan began.
---
The cookie idea was Dustin’s.
Joyce let them take over the kitchen. Dough got everywhere. Lucas made misshapen cookies. Max deliberately left one in the oven long enough to burn it.
Will worked quietly on something.
It wasn’t an exact copy of the stuffed dog Steve had given him—but it was close. Brown felt. Little button eyes. Slightly crooked ears.
He attached a small note to it:
Thank you. – Will
Dustin wrapped his gift at the last minute. A small box. Inside was one of Steve’s favorite dice sets.
(How did he know? No one asked.)
---
Steve wasn’t expecting the doorbell.
The house was quiet that day. Too quiet. A book lay open on the table, tea gone cold. He sat on the couch, staring into nothing.
When the bell rang, he flinched.
Actually flinched.
For a moment, he didn’t move. Counted his breaths. Shut his mind down.
Then… he opened the door.
And froze.
Five kids stood on the porch. Dustin at the front, holding a large box. Will stood a little behind him, eyes bright.
“Hi,” Dustin said cheerfully. “We—uh—hope we’re not bothering you.”
Steve couldn’t speak for a few seconds.
“No,” he said finally. “I mean—no. You’re not.”
Will stepped forward. “I just… wanted to say thank you.”
Something softened in Steve’s chest.
“You didn’t have to,” he said, but his voice wasn’t sharp. It couldn’t be.
Dustin held out the box. “But we wanted to.”
Steve let them in.
---
The house changed within minutes.
Shoes lined up by the door. Boxes placed on the table. Laughter filled the corners of the room. Without realizing it, Steve refreshed the tea. Put out plates of biscuits.
Dustin offered a cookie. “They’re kind of lopsided.”
Steve took one. Bit into it.
“They’re great,” he said.
Lucas frowned. “You’re lying.”
Steve laughed. Actually laughed. “No. They’re really good.”
Will hesitantly held out the stuffed toy. “This… is for you.”
Steve looked at the toy. Then at Will.
“I gave you one like this.”
Will nodded. “I know. But… I didn’t want to give it back. This one’s yours.”
Steve’s eyes burned.
But he didn’t cry.
He took the plush with both hands. “I’ll… keep it.”
Dustin slid the dice box forward. “Friendship gift.”
Steve raised an eyebrow. “Is this official?”
“Yes,” Dustin said. “We’re friends now.”
Steve paused.
Then nodded. “Okay.”
That word… small, but powerful.
---
Later, they sat on the floor.
Dustin talked about D&D. Max examined Steve’s bookshelves. Lucas stood by the window. Will sat on the couch, gently stroking the stuffed dog.
“I like it here,” Will said quietly.
Steve felt like his heart might stop.
“Me too,” Steve said.
And for the first time…
he knew it wasn’t a lie.
Chapter Text
Steve had dropped off the books he’d borrowed at the library and was on his way home. There were more books waiting for him in the back seat, and he was already impatient to start reading them. On top of that, he had decided to bake a cake for the kids. He’d been invited to the Friday D&D meeting, and that felt… nice.
Of course, Steve still didn’t understand the game, but watching the kids play was enjoyable. He just hoped it wouldn’t be a problem for Eddie—since he was the one running it.
As he sighed and kept his eyes on the road, he noticed another car pulled over on the side. Two people were standing next to it, and when he looked more closely, he recognized Eddie and Billy. He hadn’t expected to run into two alphas so soon. The last time he’d seen them—just a few days ago at the market—they’d more or less asked him out on a date…
Curious, Steve pulled over and got out of his car, looking at the two young men as they turned toward him.
“Hey, hi. Is everything okay?”
He waved as he approached them, but at that moment they both seemed distracted.
When Steve got a little closer, the situation became clear.
Billy’s car was parked crookedly on the side of the road. One of the front tires was completely flat; the sidewall had collapsed, the rim almost scraping the asphalt. Eddie was crouched near the roadside, trying to put out his cigarette, while Billy stood at the back, yanking angrily at the trunk lid.
“Damn—” Billy tugged again. “It won’t open!”
When Eddie looked up and noticed Steve, a slow grin spread across his face.
“Well, damn,” he said. “What a surprise.”
Steve frowned. “A flat tire?”
“Blew out,” Billy said through clenched teeth. “We’ve got a spare, but the trunk’s jammed. Need a crowbar.”
Steve nodded without thinking. “I’ve got one in my car.”
Even to his own ears, it sounded strange how easily he said it. Like of course he’d help. Like standing on the roadside with two alphas didn’t make his heart race.
He went back to his car and opened the trunk. The crowbar was right there. When he turned back, Eddie was already walking toward him.
“Well look at you,” Eddie said—not looking at the tool in Steve’s hand, but at his face.
“Library boy and savior.”
Steve chuckled softly. “I just… have one.”
When Billy grabbed the end of the crowbar, his fingers deliberately brushed against Steve’s.
“Lucky us, then,” he murmured. “Sweet luck.”
The back of Steve’s neck warmed. Sweet?
This time, he didn’t pull away.
When the trunk finally popped open, Eddie threw his hands up in triumph.
“There we go! See that, Prince?” He glanced at Billy. “Omega magic.”
Steve raised an eyebrow. “Hey.”
Eddie immediately lifted his hands defensively—but his eyes were still amused.
“It’s a compliment, sweetheart. Don’t be offended.”
Sweetheart.
Steve’s stomach fluttered in a way he didn’t quite understand.
Changing the tire was Billy’s job. Eddie hovered nearby, offering advice—but mostly talking to Steve. Standing too close. On purpose.
“So,” Eddie said suddenly, “you free on Friday? D&D night.”
Steve smiled. “I’m invited. I’m baking a cake.”
Billy lifted his head. “Cake?”
“Now that’s important information.”
“For the kids,” Steve said quickly. Then paused. “But… if you’re there too—”
Eddie’s eyes lit up. “We will be.”
Billy finished tightening the tire and stood up, stepping closer to Steve. There was barely any space between them now.
“You don’t owe us,” he said. “We owe you, Harrington.”
Steve swallowed.
“Steve is fine.”
Eddie grinned. “Hear that, Rockabilly?”
“He gave us permission.”
Billy’s mouth curved into a brief, dangerous smile.
“Alright then,” he said. “Steve.”
There was a moment of silence.
The road, the wind, distant trees… and Steve’s heart beating far too fast.
Eddie stepped back, Billy opened his car door.
“Friday,” Eddie said, pointing. “With cake.”
Billy added, “And we owe you a crowbar, Sugar Prince.”
As Steve returned to his car, there was an unconscious smile settled on his face.
He wasn’t thinking about the books from the library anymore.
Just Friday.
—
Steve stood at Mike’s door holding a large storage container, taking a deep breath. When he rang the bell, the door opened within seconds to a woman he assumed was Mike’s mother.
“Hi, Mrs. Wheeler. I was watching the kids,”
Steve said with a polite smile. He really didn’t want to make a bad impression.
“Hello, sweetheart. Are you sure you were meeting today? Mike and the others left about an hour ago.”
Oh… had they? Steve hadn’t expected that. When he’d run into Dustin yesterday, he’d made it very clear that Steve shouldn’t forget today.
“I see… then I should probably go. I must’ve mixed up the dates.”
Mrs. Wheeler smiled and waved goodbye. Steve turned and walked back to his car. His lips trembled slightly as he got in quickly. He wasn’t entirely sure what had happened, but he felt hurt. They could’ve told him, couldn’t they? He’d given Dustin his home phone number.
Sighing, he started the car and headed home, trying not to think too negatively. Maybe something bad had come up. Or an urgent homework assignment. It could happen, right? He could call tomorrow and ask. They were still new to each other, and maybe they hadn’t been sure about a crowded game night.
Steve could understand that—even if it hurt.
He took deep breaths, trying to calm himself as he drove on, but then… he saw Billy’s car turning onto another road, with a group of kids on bikes following behind. Steve swallowed lightly.
So. No homework.
Okay then…
Even from a distance, he could make out Eddie next to Billy. Both of them had insisted he had to come to game night.
Steve sighed.
After all, his last name was Harrington. What else could he expect?
Steve tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
Don’t be stupid, he told himself. You might be misunderstanding.
But that familiar heavy feeling in his chest wouldn’t go away. It was something left over from the lab days—being forgotten, not being counted. Growing up didn’t make it disappear.
Billy’s car had stopped at the fork in the road. Eddie was leaning against the hood. The bikes were getting closer—kids. Steve slowed down but didn’t stop. Ignoring it felt easier.
Just as he was about to pass—
“STEVE!”
Dustin’s voice shattered his thoughts.
Steve slammed on the brakes.
The bikes screeched to a stop. Mike, Lucas, and Max were there too. Will stood a little farther back, bundled up in the jacket Joyce had given him. All of them looked panicked. Dustin jumped off his bike and ran toward the car.
“STOP!” he shouted. “Don’t go!”
Steve rolled the window down. He tried to smile, but it wasn’t very convincing.
“Hey… um… your mom answered the door. I thought you’d already left.”
Mike immediately cut in. “We did. Just not without you.”
Steve froze. “What?”
Eddie walked over to the car, arms crossed. Billy followed. Both of them were looking at Steve—but this time there was no teasing.
Dustin was out of breath. “The plan changed. My parents came home early, so we couldn’t use the Wheeler basement. We were going to Max’s place, but—”
He hesitated, his face falling.
“—we forgot to tell you.”
Steve’s throat tightened. Forgot.
Will stepped forward. His voice was soft but steady.
“We’re sorry, Steve. Really. I wanted to thank you.”
He held out a small paper bag. Inside was a crumpled card with crooked letters:
“THANK YOU, STEVE.”
For a moment, Steve couldn’t speak.
“Don’t think we didn’t want you,” Max said quickly. “We really did.”
Lucas nodded. “And… you said you were bringing cake.”
Steve got out of the car and grabbed the container from the back seat.
“I did,” he said quietly.
Dustin’s face lit up. “YOU REALLY DID?!”
Eddie whistled. “Well damn. The Prince keeps his promises.”
Billy grunted, but he was smiling. “Harrington, did you really think we’d let you miss this?”
Steve looked down at the container, then at the kids. The weight in his chest slowly loosened.
“I thought you canceled the invitation.”
Dustin shook his head. “No. We want you. Really.”
Will whispered, “You saved me.”
That broke Steve’s defenses completely.
He took a deep breath.
“Alright,” he said. “So… where’s the game?”
Eddie pointed down the road. “Our place. Garage. My mom’s out. No metal music, promise.”
Billy jingled his keys. “You don’t skip a cake D&D night.”
Dustin latched onto Steve’s arm. “See? It’s gonna be really good.”
Steve laughed—this time, genuinely.
“Okay,” he said. “But I still don’t understand the game.”
Eddie slung an arm over his shoulder. “That’s fine, Sugar Prince. Watching is enough.”
For the first time, Steve thought:
Maybe… he actually had a place in this town.
And that thought made Friday night truly beautiful.
—
D&D was confusing—but somehow wonderful. Steve had fun with the kids. He was embarrassed by Billy and Eddie constantly giving him nicknames, especially since the kids found it hilarious. When the night finally ended and he said goodbye, getting into his car, he drove home feeling genuinely happy.
What he didn’t know—yet—was about the small but dangerous Demogorgon nest lurking in the woods near his house.
For now.