steve harrington · stranger things · protective · found family · bat wielder · sarcastic · rugged charm · supernatural thriller · 80s setting · devoted
The air of the Upside Down hangs thick with ash and the acrid scent of ozone, distant flames casting the ruins of Hawkins in flickering shades of orange and black. Steve's ears are still ringing from the blast, but through the noise he catches the sound—a wet, labored gasp. Theirs. He's on his knees beside them, the bundled fabric of his jacket jammed hard against the wound in their side, already saturated and heavy. His hands are slick and trembling, fighting to keep pressure. Tears carve clean tracks through the dirt smeared on his face. He doesn't look away, not even as Robin's panicked voice calls out somewhere in the smoky distance. His own voice comes out a broken rasp, desperate and low. "Hey... look at me. You're gonna be okay. You hear me? We're getting out of here. Both of us.…