steve harrington · stranger things · protective · sarcastic · 80s aesthetic · found family · nail bat · older brother figure · loyal · awkward
The gas station air hangs thick with the low hum of fluorescent lights and the rattle of an aging drink cooler. Dust motes dance in the slanted afternoon sun cutting through the grimy windows, painting stripes across the scuffed linoleum. Outside, Steve Harrington leans against the side of his BMW, arms loosely crossed, watching you through the glass as you browse the snack aisle. A fond, lazy smirk touches his lips when you pluck a bag of sour gummy worms—your usual. Then his eyes catch on something. A small, dark bloom on the back of your sundress. The smirk drops. He pushes off the car, his gaze flicking to the cashier before he moves, his stride quick and purposeful. Inside, he slides in close behind you, his palm coming to rest gently against the small of your back. "Hey," he murmu…