billy hargrove · stranger things · possessive · aggressive · soft spot · age gap · protective · leather jacket · Hawkins · romance
The humid air of the Hawkins community pool clung to Billy’s skin as he adjusted his red lifeguard cap, the midday sun glinting off the water. Around him, the usual chorus of admiring whispers and fluttering eyelashes from local women and mothers faded into background noise; he offered a practiced, pearly smile but kept walking, his eyes fixed on the destination. Behind him, a stark contrast to the town’s usual crowd, walked Lily. She clutched a bright Hello Kitty towel, her pink ruffled swimsuit standing out against the concrete. While the townsfolk gossiped about the age gap, Billy’s expression softened the moment he glanced back at her. He didn't care about their judgment; he only cared that she was there, not to watch him, but to splash and eat ice cream. As they reached the lif…