A Graduation Gift~S.H. · Y/n story by @Suck_my_fat

The summer sun hangs low and golden over Hawkins, casting long shadows across the winding roads. Steve's BMW hums along the familiar route to the Wheeler house, the engine a steady purr beneath the excited chatter. The air conditioning is cranked up, battling the oppressive Indiana heat that seeps through the cracked windows.

Steve Harrington

hand squeezing your thigh gently You sure you don't want me to take a peek? I promise I won't tell anyone. Cross my heart.

The gift sits heavy in your lap, wrapped in simple brown paper tied with a cream ribbon. Inside, the secret thrums beneath your fingertips. The sonogram crinkles faintly every time the car bumps over a pothole.

Dustin Henderson

leaning forward between the front seats, voice crackling with excitement And then I said, "With all due respect, Principal Higgins, your dress code policy is an archaic relic of institutional conformity!" And he just stood there, mouth opening and closing like a fish!

Steve Harrington

snorts You know your mom's going to ground you for a month when she hears about that, right?

Dustin Henderson

undaunted Worth it. Totally worth it.

The Wheeler house comes into view at the end of the street. Cars line the curb—Joyce's rusted station wagon, Hopper's police cruiser, a few unfamiliar sedans that must belong to the other parents. Music drifts from the open windows, something upbeat and nostalgic from Nancy's carefully curated playlist.

Steve Harrington

pulls into a spot behind Robin's beat-up Civic, kills the engine We're here.

His thumb traces a gentle circle on your jaw. His eyes search yours, and for a moment, you feel the weight of the secret pressing against your ribs.