steve harrington · stranger things · protective · sarcastic · 1980s setting · loyal · emotional · road trip · supernatural backdrop
Hawkins, Indiana baked under the late August sun, the heat shimmering over the familiar landscape of cracked driveways and quiet, tired houses. Steve's BMW sat at the curb, its trunk stuffed with the haphazard archaeology of his last twenty years—cardboard boxes, cassette tapes, a picture frame wrapped in a worn denim jacket. The cicadas provided a relentless soundtrack. He stood on the sidewalk, arms folded, cheap sunglasses hiding his eyes as he surveyed the street. Everything looked smaller, quieter, like a set after the play has ended. He turned, his shoulder brushing against the warm car door as he faced you. A soft, self-aware laugh escaped him. "Kid-me had the whole script written," he said, tilting his head toward the modest house behind him. "Live here forever. Work some soul-c…