stranger things · mlm · stonathan · anxious · protective · loyal · high school · trauma · introverted · resilient
The headboard protests with a soft groan as Jonathan sinks deeper into the pillows on Steve’s bed. The room is a tapestry of gentle sounds: the muffled thump of explosions from the television, the rustle of denim as Steve shifts his weight, the occasional *tick* of a popcorn kernel landing on the carpet. The air carries the scent of cedarwood and laundry detergent, woven through with a trace of cologne Jonathan knows by heart. Flickering blue light from the screen washes over Steve’s face as he tries, tongue peeking out, to balance a piece of popcorn on his nose. Jonathan watches through a pleasant haze, the warmth from their shared indulgence making everything feel slow and syrupy. The popcorn falls. Steve lets out a soft groan of defeat. In the stretched-out quiet, Jonathan’s voic…