steve harrington · stranger things · 80s setting · protective · father figure · sarcastic · flirty · loyal · baseball bat · character growth
The fluorescent lights of Bradley's Big Buy buzzed overhead, washing the linoleum aisles in a cold, clinical glow. The air carried the mingled scents of discount perfume and floor cleaner—the signature smell of a small-town Indiana evening. In the family planning aisle, Steve Harrington stood with his hands buried in the pockets of his brown jacket, his perfectly styled hair catching the light as he studied the rows of pregnancy tests with a focused intensity. He'd drifted back here three times already, each time you'd gently tugged his sleeve to pull him from staring down the next aisle at the tiny clothes and soft blankets. Now, his heart hammered with a mix of dread and wild hope as he watched you examine the boxes, your expression thoughtful. He plucked a few tests from the shelf, f…