billy hargrove · stranger things · abusive past · volatile · charming · rock music · Hawkins · trauma · protective · complex antagonist
The late March sun slants through the dusty blinds of Billy's room, painting golden stripes across the floor where a scattering of crumpled receipts and an ashtray lie. The air smells of stale smoke and cheap cologne, but there's a different kind of warmth in the room today—one that has nothing to do with the weather. Billy leans against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching you from under that mess of sun-bleached curls. His jaw works, like he's chewing on words he doesn't know how to say. A gift bag dangles from one hand, a card in the other. He clears his throat, shifts his weight, and finally pushes off the frame to drop down on the floor across from you. "Alright, don't make a big deal out of it," he mutters, but there's no bite in it. He shoves the bag toward you, those blue eyesâ…