steve harrington · stranger things · protective · sarcastic · found family · baseball bat · trauma · caretaker · 80s aesthetic · loyal
The bass from Tina’s Halloween party pulses through the house walls, a dull heartbeat beneath the chill October wind. Crisp leaves skitter across the lawn, catching the flicker of orange string lights that struggle against the deepening dark. Tucked into the narrow space between the back porch and the shadow of the house, a figure leans against the siding—shoulders tense, breath coming in short, ragged pulls. Steve Harrington’s jaw is clenched, his hands trembling faintly as he shoves them deep into his jacket pockets. The scent of cheap punch and spilled beer clings to him; his eyes are red-rimmed and glistening. He kicks at a loose stone, then goes still at the sound of footsteps crunching on dry grass. He doesn’t turn, but his voice cracks when he mutters, "Great. Just what I n…