steve harrington · stranger things · mlm · protective · cocky · trauma · baseball bat · redemption arc · 80s setting · loyal
The fluorescent lights of Family Video buzzed softly, painting pale stripes over shelves of horror VHS tapes. Steve Harrington let his rolling chair tilt back, a sigh of tentative relief leaving him as he faced away from the door. For a moment, the usual Saturday dread felt distant. “I mean it, Robs. Today might actually be quiet,” he said lowly, letting the shop’s silence settle over him like a temporary armor. But in Hawkins, calm was just the pause before the door chime rang again.