Chapter Text
A/n: This is another 90’s Stancy AU, hope you enjoy.
Steve “The Coach” Harrington
Max, Lucas, Mike, Will and Dustin had all graduated last summer and fall had came- my first year as a baseball coach and sex education teacher. I was nervous about the classroom part but- I knew I would be okay. Logging out of my computer that day, I glanced up in the doorway and you would think I’d seen an angel. Standing there was Nancy Wheeler- her chestnut brown hair had grown out again, just like it was in her sophomore year with it falling loosely down her back- A printed grunge T-shirt on her torso, black jeans encasing her legs and some black ankle boots on her feet. Nancy wore a blue denim jacket, with a brown bag slung over her shoulder.
“Nance! What are you- what are you doing here?” The last he had heard, she had left for Emerson.
“I- hit a little bump in the road. So, I’m back in Hawkins.” Her head dipped ever so slightly but, she didn’t blush. If anything, she looked- uncomfortable. Steve could still read her like a book but, he wouldn’t comment on it. At least, not right now. Nancy would talk when she was ready. Before Steve could answer, Derek came bounding down the hall- stopped- looked at Nancy.
“Are you an angel?” Derek looked at her, craning his neck- both of the adults laughed, Nancy slightly covered her face.
“Oh, no. Far from that. I do appreciate the compliment, Derek. You don’t remember me? I guess my hair is a bit longer- Nancy. I’m Holly’s older sister.” Nancy easily smiles, still laughing a bit as she held out her hand.
“Oh. Well- you’re still very pretty.” Derek shook her hand.
“Don’t worry bud, the first time I saw Nance- I thought she was an angel, too.” Steve smirked, causing Nancy to roll her eyes.
“And I thought you were an idiot, Mr. Harrington.” Nancy would have to get used to that, she still couldn’t believe how far Steve had come. Steve did a double take when she called him by his last name- he was so used to her calling him Steve, anything else felt wrong.
“That almost feels wrong.” Steve chuckled.
“While you’re in this building, isn’t that your name?” Nancy gave him an amused look.
“But, you have never called me that.” Steve pointed out.
“There’s a first time for everything. Isn’t there?” Nancy smiled, making his heart skip a beat.
“Does Robin know you’re here?” Steve asked, surely his best friend would have told him.
“No. I’m dreading telling Robin- don’t get me wrong. I do love Robin but, she will drag the truth out of me. I don’t know if I’m ready.” Nancy got that familiar dismal look in her eyes- one he recognized well. The one she got after Vecna had taken her, as if something had frightened her…but it wasn’t as serious as the upside down. He knew that.
“Robin can be- intense. I understand. And Jonathan?” Surely she had told her other ex-boyfriend. Right? Steve couldn’t be the first- as much as he wanted to be.
“No. I haven’t spoken to Jonathan since we closed the upside down, he won’t even return my phone calls. I understand- I broke his heart. I’m good at that, you know better than anyone.” Nancy was sullen as she thought about the amount of pain she had caused Steve- then Jonathan. Steve frowned, how could she think that about herself?
“Nance, don’t go there. There are so many things you are good at- breaking hearts is not your specialty. You were going through a lot- we all were. Don’t beat yourself up, it’s time to forgive yourself. I have to get going- I wish I didn’t, but…I have baseball practice.” Steve grabbed her arm, not wanting to let go.
“Would it be alright if I watched you guys practice? I promise to be quiet- scouts honor.” Nancy held out her pinky, a smile on Steve’s face. Nancy Wheeler wanted to watch him teach a bunch of middle schoolers how to play baseball?
“Only if you have dinner with me.” Steve was going to try his luck.
“Oh, you are pulling out the ‘King Steve’ moves, aren’t you? Okayy, fineee. I guess I could spare a few extra moments for you.” Nancy gave an exaggerated eye roll, before Steve locked his pinky with hers.
“Yes. Well, I can’t completely lose my moves- I’m Steve Harrington.” Steve smirked at her, they walked to the baseball field and Nancy sat down on the bleachers, crossing her legs and watching the boys file in one by one. Every once in awhile, Steve glanced over at Nancy- to find her blue eyes actually trained on the boys, watching them practice like they were the kids they’d practically helped raise. Steve risked a smile, watching her before turning back to coaching.
“Who’s the girl?” A Hispanic thirteen year old named Marcus, asked Steve.
“She’s a woman, Marcus. She has boobs.” Another thirteen year old named Zachary pointed out, Steve pressed his lips together- reminding himself it was illegal to hit kids.
“Her name is Nancy, she’s a very good friend of mine- I would appreciate if you treated her with respect.” Steve kept a cordial tone but, the boys knew not to mess with him. Steve walked out to the bleachers, where Nancy seemed to be lost in thought- Steve placed a gentle hand on her knee and she jumped.
“I’m sorry.” Steve laughed, holding his hands up.
“No- it’s okay. I’ve just been a little- jumpy since I drove back from Boston. It’s not you.” Nancy shakes her head- as if she’s trying to clear her head.
“Hey- are you okay?” Steve asked seriously, brushing her hair back.
“Yeah. I’m fine.” Nancy nods but, he knew her. Steve always knew when she was trying to brush someone off or hide something but- he didn’t want to fight or scare her off. Steve let it go- for now.
“If you’re sure.” Steve was always gentle.
“Listen- I will talk to you. About why I’m acting the way I am. I know it’s probably- confusing. I’m sorry.” Nancy gave him a sympathetic look, he was always so kind to her.
“Nance, you don’t have to apologize- not to me. I just want to make sure you’re okay, that’s all I want. You take all the time you need, I know it’s hard for you to open up.” Steve didn’t want her to apologize for how she was feeling- not to him.
“Thank you.” Nancy managed a small smile.
“Are you staying at your old house?” Steve asked.
“I don’t know.” Nancy didn’t want to answer a bunch of Karen’s questions, she really didn’t- Steve must have seen it in her eyes.
“I actually bought a house- you can stay with me. I mean, if you want.” Steve shrugged his shoulders.
“Are you sure? What if you want to bring a girl home? That would be really awkward.” Nancy gave him a soft look.
“Simple. I won’t.” Steve shrugged his shoulders.
“Steve.” Nancy gave him a look.
“Nance, I don’t need to hook up with girls. I’m okay.” Steve put his hands on her shoulders.
“Okay.”