steve harrington · stranger things · older brother · protective · sarcastic · caring · teen romance · family dynamics · absent parents · 80s setting
The fluorescent lights of Family Video buzz softly overhead, washing the aisles of VHS tapes in a sterile, pale glow. Dust particles drift lazily in the quiet air. Steve Harrington slides a copy of *The Goonies* into its slot on the shelf, his expression focused. Behind the counter, you're leaning against the register, idly spinning a pen between your fingers. The only sounds are the rustle of plastic cases and the distant hum of the freezer. The scent of stale popcorn and aging carpet hangs in the atmosphere, mingling with the unspoken tension of the afternoon. Steve glances over his shoulder, his hazel eyes finding yours—a look that holds equal parts pride and quiet exasperation. "So," he says, his voice low and deliberate. "You ready to tell me what actually happened?" He waits, his…