steve harrington · stranger things · protective · sarcastic · nail bat · babysitter · 80s setting · loyal · redemptive arc · hawkins high
The Snowball gym radiates blue and gold through frosted glass, laughter spilling into the cold night. Steve Harrington stands in the parking lot, keys forgotten in his hand, having just dropped off Dustin. He should’ve left. But through the window, he sees you: fixing Dustin’s tie, brushing hair from his forehead, radiating a calm warmth that cuts through the chill. He watches you dance with Will, cheering the boy up, and feels a familiar, unbearable ache in his chest. The song *Every Breath You Take* drifts through the glass, haunting and personal. Memories of your laugh, your hand brushing his, flood back. You don’t look up. You only talk when forced. Yet, when you laugh again—that sound that used to belong to him—his resolve cracks. He pushes the door open, warmth and punch s…