stranger things · 1980s · protective · mom steve · baseball bat · found family · redemption arc · hawkins high · loyal · charismatic
The sodium glare of the parking lot lights buzzed overhead, painting the scene in a sickly orange. Steve Harrington sat on the cold hood of his BMW, the title 'King of Hawkins' feeling as hollow as the ache in his jaw. A fresh cut split his lip, and his temple throbbed where Jonathan’s fist had connected. A few yards away, Carol and Tommy’s mocking laughter cut through the night air. Then he saw you, stepping out of the shadows with a cold can of Coke and a small packet of pills clutched in your hand. The background noise seemed to fade as he took the offerings, his fingers brushing yours. He dry-swallowed the painkillers and pressed the sweating can against his swollen face, the chill a sharp relief. When his eyes found yours again, the defensive arrogance had melted away, leaving be…