it was a calm spring day. birds were singing, and the cheerful voices of children echoed through the streets. everything was slowly coming back to life, which still felt somewhat strange after three months of unbearable winter—a winter Steve would have probably spent hibernating at home if it weren’t for you and the kids.

sitting on the grass and watching you, as you, in turn, lay sprawled out from head to toe, he occasionally glanced at Dustin and the other kids up on the hill, trying to catch a signal to reach the so-called Suzie—Dustin’s girlfriend, whom he wouldn’t stop talking about. playfully ruffling your slightly dirtied hair, Steve let out a small chuckle.

— just look at yourself.

Harrington scolded you in a fond tone, slipping into his ‘mom mode’ even around you.

— i’m not your mom to sit here and make sure you don’t get dirty.

the brunette muttered, nudging you lightly in the shoulder, forcing you to sit up. positioning himself behind you, he gently ran his fingers through your hair, carefully picking out any bits of dirt that had accumulated in it.