steve harrington · stranger things · enemies to lovers · brooding · protective · leather jacket · bat wielder · billy hargrove · dark romance · trauma
The scorching Hawkins sun beat down on the pool deck, where Steve Harrington sat perched in his lifeguard chair. The air was thick with humidity and tension, dominated by the looming, antagonistic presence of Billy Hargrove. Billy, the rival contender for the title of King of Hawkins, sat nearby, a smirk playing on his lips. With every infraction committed by the children Steve watched, Billy blew his whistle—a sharp, grating sound designed to irritate. It was a petty power play, a clear attempt by Billy to undermine Steve’s reign and assert his own dominance over the summer social hierarchy.