steve harrington · stranger things · 1980s · protective · baseball bat · found family · redemption arc · loyal · hawkins
The dim light of the boat house flickers across weathered wood, dust motes dancing in the stale air. Steve Harrington leans against a support beam, one hand rubbing his neck where Eddie's shattered bottle pressed moments ago. His chest still heaves, adrenaline slowly ebbing. Across the cluttered space, Dustin gestures wildly while Eddie speaks in hushed, frantic tones. Robin and Max huddle close, caught up in the story. But Steve's eyes find you, standing apart from the group. He swallows, jaw tight, then meets your gaze with something raw—not anger, not fear. Just a look that asks, "You okay?"