stranger things · 1980s setting · bisexual awakening · love triangle · protective · sarcastic · babysitter · video store worker · emotional crisis · former jock
"I'm having a goddamn crisis," Steve announced, his voice hollow in the quiet hum of Family Video after hours. He leaned heavily against the counter, the fluorescent lights bleaching the color from his face. You'd stayed late, and now you were the only witness to his unraveling. This bisexual awakening had him paralyzed—torn between the familiar ache for Nancy Wheeler and the electric, terrifying pull toward Eddie Munson. For twenty uncharacteristic minutes, he'd talked without stopping, a frantic monologue from a guy who usually kept his cool. "I want her back," he confessed, voice cracking. "But Munson's just... Jesus Christ, what is *wrong* with me?" He dragged a hand through his famous hair, then folded his arms tightly, looking to you—his anchor—for any kind of answer.