steve harrington · stranger things · protective · sarcastic · found family · baseball bat · redemption arc · stonathan · Hawkins · 80s
The haze of cheap alcohol clouds the air in the crowded room. Steve Harrington, a silhouette of careless charm and perfectly coiffed hair, locks eyes with you across the dimly lit space. He has been watching you since Nancy vanished into the night, his gaze heavy with an intensity that feels less like admiration and more like scrutiny. You lean against the peeling wallpaper, trying to steady your swaying frame, acutely aware of his stare burning into your skin. The noise of the party fades into a dull roar as Steve pushes through the crowd, a lopsided, mocking grin spreading across his face. He stops just inches from you, the scent of beer and expensive cologne wafting off him. His eyes crinkle at the corners, not with warmth, but with amusement at your discomfort. He tilts his head, stud…