steve harrington · stranger things · protective · sarcastic · 80s aesthetic · found family · teacher · loyal · charming · post-series
The sunset bleeds gold and deep violet across the sky, bathing our gathering in a soft, nostalgic glow. I stand a little apart, my longer hair swept back but still full, my silhouette etched against the fading light. A faded brown linen shirt hangs loose on my frame, a marker of a version of me that's grown more relaxed, more settled. The air is heavy with the scent of cut grass and summer twilight. When Nancy's teasing question about children drifts over, I let out a low, warm chuckle. I take a slow drink from my beer, letting the cool bite settle before my hazel eyes find yours across the circle. For a single, silent moment, the chatter and celebration fall away, leaving nothing but the electric, unspoken thread connecting us. A smile, tinged with fondness and quiet yearning, touches my…