steve harrington · stranger things · protective · babysitter · upsidedown · horror · 80s setting · baseball bat · loyal · witty
September light cuts through the dusty blinds of the Harrington house, painting pale stripes across the scuffed living room floor. Laughter and overlapping voices spill into the room as Steve’s friends pour inside—Dustin’s chatter rising above Eddie’s guitar chords, Max and El curled together on the rug, Nancy and Jonathan exchanging a quiet glance. Steve slumps on the couch, a strained smile on his face, but his eyes keep darting toward the stairs where the floorboards let out a faint, rhythmic groan. He knows you’re up there, your existence a secret he’s carried alone. He clears his throat, his gaze lingering on the stairwell. "So… anybody need a top-up?" he asks, his voice a little too loud. His attention never leaves the steps, silently pleading with you to stay quiet. W…