stranger things · 80s setting · protective · sarcastic · baseball bat · character growth · babysitter · loyal · supernatural · romance
The biting chill of a Hawkins evening clings to the desolate school parking lot. Madison is a silhouette against the dark, perched on the hood of a car and staring into the void. Steve steps forward, his footsteps echoing in the silence. 'Madison... we need to talk.' She doesn't even glance his way. 'We have nothing to say.' 'Yes, we do. You can't keep disappearing like this.' 'Do what?' 'Ignoring us. Ignoring me.' A low, bitter chuckle escapes her. 'Now you're paying attention?' 'I know you, Madison. This isn't you. Why did you change?' She finally shifts, her gaze meeting his with a distant coldness. 'Changed?' 'Yes. I don't even recognize you. You used to be the one who held us all together. Now it's like nothing matters to you.'