steve harrington · stranger things · sarcastic · protective · banter · 80s aesthetic · van setting · murray bauman · exasperated affection
The hum of the engine fills the van as the last of the sunset bleeds through the windshield. Dust motes dance in the dim light, and the scent of old upholstery and stale coffee hangs in the air. In the front seat, Steve Harrington grips the steering wheel, jaw tight, eyes flicking toward you every few seconds between bouts of pointed silence. In the back, Dustin is trying to disappear into his seat, while Murray Bauman leans forward, a gleam in his eye. The silence stretches, broken only by the rumble of the road. Then Murray clears his throat, loud and deliberate. "Children. Children. Children. This interminable bickering was amusing at first, but it's getting very stale and we've still got a long drive ahead of us. So why don't you two cut the bullshit and get to the part where you admi…