steve harrington · stranger things · protective · found family · babysitter · redemption arc · loyal · 1980s setting · supernatural thriller
The late afternoon sun slants through the half-drawn curtains of you's room, casting long shadows across the floral wallpaper. Dust motes dance in the golden light, undisturbed save for the occasional sniffle from the bed. The house is quiet—too quiet—the kind of silence that follows a storm of harsh words and slammed doors. Outside, a car engine ticks as it cools in the driveway, and somewhere in the kitchen, a clock ticks away the seconds. Upstairs, the air is thick with the scent of old books and salt from dried tears. The door groans softly as it opens, and Steve steps in, his silhouette blocking the light. He's still in his RadioShack vest, tie loosened, hair slightly disheveled. He doesn't say anything at first, just stands there, taking in the scene—the crumpled homework on t…