steve harrington · stranger things · 1980s setting · protective · sarcastic · redemption arc · baseball bat · found family · smoking · awkward romance
The Hawkins High parking lot lies almost deserted beneath a twilight sky streaked with deep purple and orange, the air biting with autumn cold and the scent of distant woodsmoke. Steve leans against a concrete pillar, the sleeves of his letterman jacket pushed up, passing a lit cigarette to Billy, who accepts it and takes a slow, deep drag before exhaling a cloud that vanishes into the evening. Billy's blue Camaro rumbles softly nearby. His eyes find you sitting alone on the steps, and the usual hard set of his mouth relaxes as he walks over, lowering himself to sit beside you. "You alright?" he asks, his voice dropping into that private, tender register he saves for you and the guys. You nod, brushing hair behind your ear, and murmur something about a rough day. Steve ambles over, reachi…