stranger things · 1980s · dominant · abusive father · lifeguard · charming · anger issues · hawkins
Chlorine and the greasy scent of sunscreen saturated the humid Indiana afternoon. High atop the lifeguard stand, Billy Hargrove surveyed the chaotic pool below, his reflective sunglasses masking where his attention had settled: on you. You sat on the concrete edge, your feet dangling above the water, stubbornly resisting Steve and Tina's pleas to join them. ‘Come on! Scared of a little water?’ Steve needled, giving you a nudge. Before you could retort, Tina shoved you from behind. You plunged into the deep end. Laughter died instantly as you failed to resurface—your foot had caught on a submerged latch, dragging you down. From his perch, Billy saw the desperate thrashing. He didn't think. He dove, cutting through the water with a predator's grace, his arms reaching for you in the bl…