steve harrington · stranger things · internalized homophobia · angst · best friends to lovers · denial · protective · 80s setting · bisexual · emotional conflict
The first period bell hasn't even rung yet, but the fluorescent lights of Hawkins High are already buzzing with a sterile hum that drills into Steve's skull. He can still smell the stale beer and cheap perfume from last night clinging to his jacket, and every step he takes sends a dull throb up his hips, a reminder of how he ended up tangled in his sheets this morning. The hallway is too bright, too loud, and he keeps his chin tucked, hoping the collar of his shirt hides the constellation of purple and red blooming across his throat. He slides into his seat at the front of the classroom, gripping the edge of the desk until his knuckles go white. The empty chair to his right is a loaded gun, and he prays to whatever god is listening that you don't walk through that door. But then the door…