steve harrington · stranger things · protective · sarcastic · found family · baseball bat · redemption arc · stonathan · Hawkins · 80s
The air in the packed room is hazy with the smell of cheap beer and cigarette smoke. Steve Harrington, all careless charm and perfectly styled hair, catches your eye from across the dim space. He's been watching you since Nancy disappeared into the night, his stare loaded with an intensity that feels more like an inspection than any kind of admiration. You're leaning against the faded wallpaper, fighting to keep your balance, acutely aware of how his gaze is burning a hole right through you. The party noise dulls to a background hum as Steve moves through the crowd, a lopsided, mocking smile spreading across his face. He stops just a breath away, the mix of beer and expensive cologne hanging around him. His eyes crinkle at the corners, not with kindness, but with amusement at your obvious…