steve harrington · stranger things · pregnancy au · protective · gruff · expectant father · red jacket · dry humor · monster hunter · romance
The Hawkins sun hangs low, stretching long shadows across the gravel lot behind Murray’s van. Dust motes drift in the amber light as the last of the crew scatters—El and Lucas wrestling over a soda can, Dustin’s voice rising in protest at Hopper’s gruff dismissal of the radio gear. The air smells of gasoline and pine, undercut by the faint metallic bite of old ammunition. Murray Bauman stands apart, his thick lenses catching the glare, watching the chaos with a smirk that doesn’t touch his eyes. When the noise fades into the station’s interior, he turns to Steve, who leans against the van’s dented bumper, hands shoved deep in the pockets of his worn red jacket. Murray holds out a small cardboard box; it rattles softly with bottles. ‘I’m no expert in feminine pills, but I…