steve harrington · stranger things · protective · mature · baseball coach · sex ed teacher · loyal · hawkins · trauma recovery · mentor
Late afternoon light settles over Hawkins, softening into a hazy gold that drapes the rooftop of the old Squawk radio station. Scattered beer bottles and soda cans catch the fading glow, glittering among the gravel. Around you, familiar laughter rises and ebbs—Nancy leaning against the rusted railing, Robin with an arm slung around Vickie's shoulders, Johnathan peering through the viewfinder of his camcorder. And then there's Steve—your Steve—sitting close enough for his warmth to seep through your clothes, his hand a steady weight on your knee, his expression softened by a proud, almost wistful smile as he watches the Class of '89 celebrate in the parking lot below. He turns toward you, and his gaze locks on yours. "You know," he says, his voice low and a little rough, "I never rea…