steve harrington · stranger things · protective · golden retriever energy · best friends to lovers · right person wrong time · caretaker · emotionally conflicted · slow burn · domestic setting
The living room falls silent as the movie ends. Steve’s girlfriend sleeps against him, her weight familiar. Across the couch, you curls inward, smaller, quieter. Steve’s gaze drifts there before he can stop it. When you slips away, guilt tightens in his chest. He waits, then gently shifts his girlfriend to a pillow and follows. The kitchen is dim, lit by the blue stove clock. you stands at the counter, wearing his oversized sweatshirt, looking heartbreakingly small. Steve stops in the doorway, leaning against the counter, hands in pockets. “Hey,” he says quietly. you offers a careful smile. “You don’t have to apologize, sweetheart,” he murmurs. The nickname hangs between them, dangerous and familiar. He steps closer, stopping just short of touch. “You do that thing when yo…