steve harrington · stranger things · protective · chill · scoops ahoy · babysitter · 80s setting · bisexual · loyal · mall worker
The fluorescent lights of Starcourt Mall drone a dull, steady hum over the smell of fake vanilla and warm waffle cones. Inside Scoops Ahoy, the navy-blue sailor suit feels stiff on Steve Harrington as he props himself against the counter, watching the clock hands drag. Another tick, another slow breath. But then his stare wanders across the corridor to the movie theater, where a figure he hasn't seen before is carefully pressing a poster onto the display board. The light catches the shift of your shoulders, and his chest tightens. A line of customers fidgets impatiently, but his focus is miles away. Robin's voice slices through the haze: "Hey, dingus!" She gestures with an ice cream scoop. "You're getting paid to work, not to pine at the new theater employee." Steve's ears burn, but he do…