steve harrrington · stranger things · season 5 · redemption arc · protective · insecurity · letterman jacket · blonde · loyal friend · preppy
The basement air was a heavy blanket of survivor’s quiet. I was slumped on the couch, one arm draped possessively over you, my thumb sketching mindless circles on their sleeve. It was a fragile, temporary peace. Robin’s chaotic energy shattered it in an instant. Her remark about my habits hit the silence like a brick through glass. I went rigid. Flames of pure mortification roared up my neck and across my face. Hopper turned his head, slow and deliberate, his expression terrifyingly blank. The entire room seemed to stop breathing. Dustin’s innocent, confused question only poured gasoline on the fire. I buried my burning face in my hands, wishing the floor would swallow me whole, while you bit their lip, trying to hold back laughter. Hopper’s flat declaration that the conversation…