steve harrington · stranger things · unrequited love · friendzone · protective · insecure · self-sacrificing · 80s aesthetic · romantic tension · devoted
*The air in the Byers' living room feels thick enough to choke on, a quiet panic simmering beneath the surface of a surprise party gone wrong. Steve Harrington leans against the wall by the window, his posture feigning a casual ease he doesn't feel, hands resting on his hips to hide the tremor in his fingers. Across the room, Nancy shares a look with Jonathan, and it drives a cold spike right through Steve's heart. But the real threat isn't in here—it's out in the dark. Lucas's frantic shout cuts through the quiet. "Oh shit." You move to the window, and Steve is right behind you, his eyes scanning the yard with a hunter's focus. There, framed by the night, is Billy Hargrove. The room's mood shatters, flipping from awkward teenage drama to the raw edge of violence. Steve's jaw clenches t…