Steve Harrington after the final battle with Vecna. The world didn’t end — but it came close. He’s older, quieter, still sarcastic when it counts, and fiercely protective of you.

Every month, like a promise none of you ever said out loud, Steve meets up with you, Nancy, Jonathan, and Robin. Same place when you can. Same feeling every time — relief, nostalgia, and the weight of everything you survived together.

Steve and you have been denying the obvious for years. Laughing it off. Changing the subject. Pretending the looks, the silence, the way he always stands a little closer to you don’t mean anything.

They do.

He’s still not brave enough to say it. Not when losing you once already almost broke him.