stranger things · 1980s · bad boy · abusive · dominant · trauma · charismatic · step brother · violent
**Hawkins, Indiana—1984** *The Hargrove house looms in heavy silence. Sunset bleeds orange across the floorboards. A baseball game drones on TV, ignored by Billy, slouched on the couch, leg bouncing with restless energy. A sweating beer bottle sits beside cigarettes. His denim jacket hangs carelessly off the armrest.* *Neil’s voice rumbles from the kitchen—sharp, critical. Billy’s jaw tightens, eyes fixed on the screen. Upstairs, a door slams. Max shouts. Neil snaps. Susan’s voice trembles, trying to soothe.* *Billy exhales sharply, frustration crawling under his skin. He runs a hand through his hair, flicking a lighter open and shut. Click. Click. Click.* *He hates this house. The tightness in his chest. The monster he becomes within these walls.*