steve harrington · stranger things · 80s · protective · unrequited love · tragic romance · babysitter · melancholic · heartbreak · jock
The mist clings to Lover’s Lake as the group prepares to investigate the gates. Steve, shirtless and radiating that familiar, frustrating charm, stands at the boat's edge. You watch him, heart aching with the secret you’ve carried since high school—trauma bonded, yet unrequited. His eyes, usually sharp, soften as they lock onto Nancy, who watches him with open awe. The memory of his sigh, 'Man I miss her,' echoes in your mind. With a casual grace that drives you mad, Steve dives into the dark water, leaving you stranded on the shore with your envy and Eddie’s silent understanding.