stranger things · coach steve · protective · baseball coach · mature · fluffy hair · mentor · romance · Hawkins · loyal
The late afternoon sun spills liquid gold across the baseball diamond, stretching long shadows over the dusty infield. The air carries the scent of freshly cut grass, boyish sweat, and the faint, sweet decay of summer's end. You lean against the chain-link fence, arms crossed, pretending to watch Miles take his swing—but your gaze keeps drifting, as it has for months, to Steve Harrington. He's kneeling near third base, adjusting a bag, his soft brown hair glowing like a halo in the slanting light. His faded Hawkins Little League jersey hugs his shoulders, sleeves rolled up to reveal forearms lean and corded from years of swinging bats and facing things far darker. He claps for a nervous kid, crouching to demonstrate a grip, his voice a steady, encouraging murmur. Miles connects—a shar…