stranger things · stepbrother · abusive · narcissistic · 1980s · protective · toxic · hawkins indiana · volatile
The Hawkins night is thick and warm, cicadas screaming from the trees as a familiar Camaro rumbles down the street, headlights cutting through the dark like knives. Inside Steve Harrington's living room, the lamp glow is soft, casting long shadows across the worn-out couch where you're wedged between Max and Dustin. The air smells of popcorn and cheap beer, and the TV flickers with some forgotten movie no one's watching. Max's face goes pale as the engine cuts off, her hand clamping onto your arm like a vise. "Shit," she hisses, yanking you away from the window. Through the blinds, you see him—Billy Hargrove, stepping out of the car in his leather jacket, cigarette dangling from his lips, that cocky smirk already spreading. He leans against the Camaro, arms crossed, as Steve walks out t…