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talesfrom-theupsidedown · 1 year

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Closing Time [Billy Hargrove x gender neutral!reader]

Summary: When a sleepy stranger walks into the diner where you work late at night, you thought nothing of it. Until the stranger becomes a regular, you finally get his name, and start to get curious about his story, He doesn’t feel so much like such a stranger anymore. Suddenly you’re compelled to help the man, offering whatever little you have to offer. Will he take you up on it? [canon; takes place between S2 & S3]

Word Count: 2.6k

Warnings: a bit angsty. Mentions to injury and abuse, nothing specific.

Song inspiration: Closing Time by Semisonic

Author’s note: As usual, I just want Billy to have someone in his life that he can turn to and feel safe with okay??? So I heard this song and came up with this story. Please let me know your thoughts. <3

________________________________________________________

“Sir?”

No response.

“Excuse me, sir?” you said a little louder this time, leaning into the booth.

Still nothing.

Reaching out a hand, you hesitantly placed it on the shoulder of the sleeping man and shook him slightly. “Sir, I’m sorry but we’re closing.”

That did it. The curly-haired blond shot awake with a start, fear splashing across his face before he realized where he was. You had immediately retreated from his space once he was awake.

“I’m sorry, sir, but the diner is closing,” you repeated again.

The man’s eyes darted about the empty booths surrounding him before he focused on your concerned face. He ran a hand down his tired face and nodded.

“Right. Sorry,” he uttered quietly, hand reaching into his pocket for something.

This wasn’t the first time the handsome but chronically exhausted man with the curly blond mullet had showed up at the diner late at night. And more often than not, you’d noticed he would drift off to sleep in a booth despite the harsh overhead lights and him drinking copious amounts of coffee poured by you.

It was the only thing he ordered most nights: black coffee almost by the gallon. As the diner began to close around 1am, he would pull out a few crumpled bills and some change to pay for the coffee. He always gave you a generous tip, which immediately endeared you to him. The man always came alone in his growling muscle car and over time he started to prefer a certain booth with cracked red vinyl seats and spotted formica tabletop. It also happened to be in your usual section of tables. Coincidence, probably.

You started to look forward to his visits, the bell jangling over the door bringing your head up in hopes that it was him. But then he came in with a bloody lip one time. Later, it was a cut above his eye. You might have pegged him as a boxer or something but his flawless knuckles said otherwise. It wasn’t your place to ask, but…you worried. About a stranger. Ridiculous.

As he dropped the expected crumpled bills and some coins on the table, you watched as he yawned once again. Your heart lurched.

“Hey, wait,” you spoke up before your brain had even caught up.

The man looked your way and paused.

“Why don’t you sit a minute and have another cup of coffee? Gotta wake up a bit. We don’t want you wrapping your pretty car around a tree cause you drifted off,” you proposed, hoping your tone was light enough to be taken as a joke.

“Um…” he hesitated, patting his pockets.

“No charge,” you assured him. “It’s the last of the pot and would get thrown out anyway,”

That convinced him. “Okay. Thank you.”

You sighed in relief. Walking around the counter, you grabbed the pot, a clean mug and a saucer. Setting it down before him, you poured the dark liquid and started to walk away.

“Would you mind—“ he began, then pausing.

Turning back to the man, you offered a smile. “Yes?”

“C—could you maybe stay a minute? Make sure I don’t fall asleep again before the caffeine kicks in?” he requested, having trouble meeting your eyes.

“Sure,” you replied. “Give me just a second.”

Walking around the counter again, you poured the last inch of coffee down the sink and rinsed the pot before grabbing a plastic tray full of all the salt and pepper shakers you’d already gathered from each table. You carried the tray over to his table and then returned again to lift a bus tub of half-full ketchup bottles that clinked together as you walked. Setting the tub down, you slid into the booth across from the man and resumed your end-of-day tasks.

“Thank you,” he spoke softly.

“Not a problem,” you said with a smile. “It’s nice having company for the boring tasks.”

He returned your smile, then watching as you began to unscrew all the ketchup bottles and turned half of them upside down to drain into the bottle below. The most common term for this was called “marrying the ketchups”, which you found funny. While gravity did it’s job, you loosened all the salt shaker tops and began to use a paper funnel to fill them.

“Y/N, right?” his deep voice and the question surprised you, then you looked down at your plastic name tag still pinned to your shirt.

“Yup. And you are…”

“Billy.”

You nodded. “It’s nice to meet you, Billy. You’re not from around here, are you?”

Billy shifted in his seat, quiet a moment.

“I just meant, um…I noticed your California license plates. Plus, this is a small town,” you explained.

He clenched his jaw, nodding once in confirmation. “Yeah. Moved to the next town over, Hawkins, last Fall.”

“Makes sense,” you muttered, keeping your hands busy.

Billy sipped his coffee, staring out the window into the darkness for a few silent moments.

“How long have you worked here?” he asked.

“About two years,” you replied, keeping your focus on the salt shakers. “Started picking up shifts after school to help pay the bills.”

He nodded, cupping the coffee mug with both hands and staring into its depths.

Keeping your hands moving, you switched to the pepper shakers. You almost expected him to ask you to expand on your statement, but to your surprise, he didn’t. As if…he already understood.

“What brings you all the way out here in the middle of the night?” you asked.

He shrugged a shoulder. “Just for the coffee,” he jested with a hint of a smile and you returned it. “And sometimes…I just need to get out of the house. Go for a drive to clear my head.”

“I get it,” you said with a nod.

You finished screwing on the tops of the now-full pepper shakers and started to do the same with the ketchup, and then a second pair of hands was helping. Billy grabbed an empty inverted ketchup and set it aside before screwing on the lid of the full bottle.

“You don’t have to do that.”

Billy shrugged again. “For the coffee.”

Once you both finished, you stood up from the table and lifted the salt and pepper tray. You walked to each booth and returned one of each to the tables and with a glance you saw that Billy was doing the same for the ketchups. You ducked your head and hid the smile on your lips. Tasks accomplished, you returned the tray and bus tub to their spots behind the counter.

“Thank you for the help.”

“Thanks for the coffee,” Billy replied, digging a hand into his tight jeans and fishing out his car keys. “I’ll see you around.”

“Yeah. See you around, Billy.”

You followed him to the door. He stepped out into the cold and you turned the lock behind him. Watching as he slipped into the drivers seat, the growl of the engine roared to life and your gaze followed until you lost sight of brake lights around the bend.

________

Billy’s late-night visits were sporadic but frequent. Sometimes you caught a smile or two, other times Billy was quiet and withdrawn with his head hanging in an attempt to hide an injury. Your heart sank each time the second Billy showed up, but a selfish side of you were still just glad he had come around to the diner.

He seemed to stay awake a little more over time, making attempts at conversation whenever you came to refill his coffee cup. There were still a couple times a month when he dozed off and you nudged him awake. You continued to wonder why he preferred a dingy diner for sleep rather than his own bed at home, but it wasn’t your place to ask.

As the clock came around to closing time, you often offered the last dregs of coffee to Billy for his drive home and maybe even the occasional piece of pie that crumbled when you tried to serve it to a customer. He always insisted to pay but you waved him off, claiming you’d eaten enough pie for a lifetime by now.

Billy didn’t hesitate to assist you in any of your closing tasks, although you always assured him he didn’t have to. You’d even approached him with the possibility of a job so he could get paid to do such menial tasks. He thanked you, but wasn’t sure he could be reliable enough. Another curious piece of the puzzle from this mystery man.

One night, you carried the coffee pot to what you now referred to as Billy’s table and slid into the seat across from him. Billy’s arms were crossed on the tabletop and his handsome face was resting in the crook of his elbow. His eyes fluttered open at the sound of your movement.

He sat up, glancing over at the clock above the counter. “Sorry. I should go.”

A thought occurred to you. “I have a couch.”

Billy’s eyebrows shot up in surprise and confusion.

“I—I mean, if you’re ever too tired to drive. You’re welcome to crash on my couch. It’s not far and I figure the odds aren’t in your favor the more you drive drowsy down these dark roads,” you muttered, avoiding his gaze as you filled his mug one last time.

He was quiet a moment, wrapping his hands around the cup as he gazed into the steaming, dark liquid. “Thank you. But I don’t want to put you out. I should go home.”

You nodded. “Of course. It wouldn’t be a bother at all, but no pressure. The offer still stands.”

Billy gave you a smile as you slipped out of the booth and set out to finish your end of night tasks.

You never mentioned the offer again in Billy’s next few visits and then he didn’t come around for a few weeks. Part of you was disappointed but then you hoped that maybe Billy had finally escaped whatever situation he kept running away from in the middle of the night. You resigned yourself to probably never see him again, until one night just as you were outside locking the door, about to head for home.

A familiar growling engine got louder and the blue Camaro turned into a parking spot in front of the diner. Billy stepped out of the car, moving slower than usual. As he stepped closer, the light of a nearby street lamp finally illuminated his features. Billy’s left cheekbone was bright red and beginning to swell while a hand was holding the right side of his ribcage.

“Billy? Wha—“

“Hey, Y/N,” he said, his bright blue eyes blinking repeatedly to fight back tears. “Is that couch offer still open?”

Startled a moment, you nodded. “I—yeah. Yes, of course. Let’s go.”

Double checking the door was locked, you stepped down the stairs and lead the way around the corner and across the street. A glance behind you told you Billy was following behind. You slowed your pace, letting him catch up and so he didn’t have to struggle.

“I’m just up the street,” you told him, pointing to a four-plex at the end of the next block.

Billy nodded, barely glancing up before he dropped his head again.

The pair of you walked on in silence a few more minutes before reaching the staircase that led up to your apartment. You climbed and Billy followed, pausing as you slipped your key into the lock and opened the door. A flick of the light switch illuminated your small but cozy apartment. You were suddenly embarrassed by the untidy state you had left it in this morning.

“Sorry, I should have cleaned up a little more…” you trailed off, grabbing a few magazines off the couch and pair of shoes from the entryway. “Come in. Make yourself at home.”

You quickly shuffled down the short hallway and tossed a few more items into your bedroom. On the way back, you stopped at the small linen closet and grabbed a pillow and a couple blankets, then depositing them on the couch for Billy.

The man was still standing in the entryway, looking uncertain.

“Have a seat, Billy. If you want,” you offered.

Walking into the adjacent kitchen, you grabbed a dish towel and a ziplock bag before filling it with ice. You also poured a glass of water and tucked the aspirin bottle under your arm before carrying it all into the small living room. Billy had finally taken off his jacket that was now draped over the couch’s arm and the man was seated gingerly on the edge of the cushion. Depositing the glass of water and bottle of aspirin on the coffee table, you held out the ice pack toward Billy. He blinked a few times before accepting it.

“Is there anything else you need? There’s not a lot in the fridge but you’re welcome to anything in the kitchen. Bathroom’s down the hall to the right. I have to be up early but don’t feel like you have to rush out on my account. Just lock the knob on your way out,” you told him, matter-of-factly.

You waited a moment, watching as Billy’s gaze remained on the ice pack in his hands, the clink of ice the only sound in the room.

Billy finally spoke, his voice quiet. “You’re not going to ask?”

Hesitating a moment, you took a seat in the chair perpendicular to the couch and weighed your words.

“Of course I wonder, but…I don’t want you to feel like you have to share if you don’t want to. You’re welcome to stay here whether you share an explanation or not. I’m here to listen if or when you’re ready.”

Billy inhaled a shuddering breath and nodded, blinking rapidly at the moisture in his brilliant blue eyes. A rogue droplet trailed down his cheek before he raised the ice pack to the swollen cheek, staunching the tears.

“Why are you doing this?” Billy asked, his voice wavering with emotion. “For me?”

You let out a sigh, shrugging. “Because I can. It costs me nothing to help another person. Because…I’ve been in a similar situation and wish I had somewhere safe to go back then with no strings attached.”

Billy nodded again, letting out a sniffle.

“Get some sleep, Billy,” you requested, rising from your seat and heading to bed.

“Thank you.”

You barely caught his soft words, but paused just a moment to look back and met his eye with a smile before drifting off to bed.

_______

In the morning, you crept quietly toward the bathroom and then the kitchen to make coffee, trying to avoid waking your guest. One glance at the empty couch told you Billy had already left, though. Your heart sank, hoping he had felt comfortable enough to at least get a little rest.

The blankets were folded already with the pillow on top. Walking to the sink, you spotted that the towel you gave him was now dry and the few dirty dishes you’d left in the sink were now washed and drying in the dish rack. Perhaps as a form of payment?

Shaking your head at the unnecessary but still appreciated action, you reached for the coffee maker and thought of the mysterious man who you’d let into your home last night. You still didn’t know what in his life brought him into yours, but you couldn’t help but be grateful.

And if he ever needed a place to rest again, well, you hoped he’d remember that you might just have an empty couch to offer and a listening ear.

__________________________________________________

So? Thoughts?? I just wanna give Billy the biggest hug. :(((( He deserves the world. I have thoughts about more of this story and the reader’s backstory. I might write it if there’s interest. I’d love to hear any feedback or thoughts on this story. I’m still working on Sink or Swim, my Billy series but I hit a wall and decided to jump on this idea. Love you all.

Tag list is still open, for those interested.

Billy Tag List:

@every-dayiwakeup @feelmyroarrrr @someonehelpshit @ria132love @sebbytrash @withahintofpestoaioli @nogitsunbae @ickypuppi3 @billys-bitchh @prettybillycore @bee-1n-space @bunniesofsteel @mindingmyownbusiness @averagestudent03 @let-love-bleeds-red @gracethieved @spacial-universe

#billy hargrove x reader #billy hargrove x gender neutral!reader #gender neutral!reader #billy hargrove #billy hargrove angst #billy hargrove fic #billy hargrove fan fiction #stranger things fic #stranger things fan fiction #talesfrom-theupsidedown fic

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every-dayiwakeup · 2 years

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Let Me Squish

Tw: fluff, body insecurities (Billy), extreme cheesiness (Steve)

Also this is a companion to the Gravity fics 🙃

********

You could always count on Steve Harrington to be incapable of doing something either incredibly brave or incurably stupid. Which was why instead of tackling his math homework, he was currently chasing his shrieking boyfriend through the Harrington "palace" with grabby hands.

"I said NO," Billy yells dramatically, socked feet slapping the hardwood floor, his curls a bird's nest atop his head.

He's almost cute enough to distract Steve from his objective. "You can't run forever, babe!"

"Watch me!"

"Please?"

"You do know I have to see your face for those damn puppy dog eyes to work, right?" Billy says wryly.

"Are you picturing it?"

"I'm trying to manifest my boyfriend's sanity."

"C'mon, Bills, just a poke!"

"No! I told you-"

Steve tackles Billy, and they fall onto the couch. Billy gives him his best intimidating glare, his strawberry cheeks undermining him.

"Can I squish?"

Billy scrunches his nose up. "Why? So you can make fun of the fact that I don't have abs anymore?"

Steve's grin falters. "I would never. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

Billy sighs, averting his eyes. "You didn't. I just... don't understand what's so great about my belly." He prods it disdainfully, eyes stinging in shame.

"Well, it happens to be a part of someone I love very much, who also happens to be a fucking Barbie doll-"

"The pregnant one."

Steve doesn't laugh, nor does he buy into Billy's forced smile. "Are you happy, Billy?"

The blond blinks at him, bewildered. "Of course, Steve! I'm sorry if I don't show it enough-"

"You do, honey. If you want to lose a few, I'll be your biggest supporter. But Blue... Blue look at me." He tucks a hand under Billy's soft chin, and Billy sniffles. "You are, and have always been enough."

"E-even with a muffin top?" Billy hiccups.

"Especially. You asked why I love your tummy so much. Well, besides the fact that it's fucking sexy, it means you're happy. Happiness is my favorite look on you, Bills. You wear it so well."

Billy sighs again, but his eyes look less cloudy this time. "Fine, you cheesy shit, you can squish. But if those hands go any lower, Mister..."

"Scouts honor."

P.S. Steve's hands went lower 😉

*******

Tags:

@suspiciouslackofclowns

@geormenia

@emeraldwitches

@jaethecreator

@shawgrove

@wixterirox

@namorian

@magellan-88

@m0isttoenails

@whoringrove

@polaris-ursae

@phishyie

@shipworm

@spaceboxkitty

@talesfrom-theupsidedown

@flayedintheusa

@harringroveho

@harringroveheart

@harringrovetrashh

@justan-0-t-h-3-r

#short but sweet #harringrove #my fics #chubby billy has my heart #steve you smooth son of a bitch #chubby billy hargrove #i just love him ❤️#billy x steve #harringrove imagines #harringrove fic #steve how dare you #dishonor on you #dishonor on your family #wait billys your family #dont do that

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ariesbilly · 2 years

Note

Hey! For angsty Billy songs I just thought of one. 90s cause I’m on the older side too. 🤪 “Ghost” by Indigo Girls. I have a potential plot line for a fic where Billy haunts Steve from the Upside Down kinda and the lyrics just fit for me. Plus it says “to be weakened like Achilles/ with you always at my heels” and we KNOW Achilles was gay af. Also Indigo Girls are long-term lesbian partners. All the gay. 😁

— @talesfrom-theupsidedown

can i be honest i dont know nothing about achilles lmfao every time someone makes a reference i just nod my head and scroll along kfjdbs

anyway i would like to read that fic if you ever wrote it! im sad!

#briana answers things

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talesfrom-theupsidedown · 2 years

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Sink or Swim [Billy Hargrove x GenderNeutral!reader] Ch. 1

Summary: Working at the local Snack Shack at Hawkins Pool wasn’t your dream but it’s a decent summer job before college. It did come with a perk of being in proximity to the recent California transfer and resident asshole, Billy Hargrove. Having a nice view of the handsome blond was good enough, but when circumstances lead you to an encounter with Billy and then a chance to become friends, perhaps even more, you can’t stay away. Maybe Billy Hargrove isn’t such an asshole after all. [Canon with a variation]

Warnings: eventual mentions of abuse, smoking, alcohol, sexual themes.

Word Count: 2.8k

Author’s Note: I’m so freaking excited to finally be sharing this story! Please let me know your thoughts! Reblogs and comments are much appreciated. :) I will also be adding each chapter to AO3 and Wattpad shortly after this posts, if you prefer to read over there. I’ll be posting under the username @avengerofyourheart , which is also my main blog here on tumblr. Love you!!

Part One Part Two>>>

Sink or Swim Series Masterlist

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The first official encounter you had with Billy Hargrove was unexpected, brief and…surprisingly sweet. Every one after that seemed to be moronic (on your part) and…embarrassing.

Naturally.

Getting a job at the Snack Shack at Hawkins Community Pool wasn’t your first choice, but it was just for the summer. In the fall, you were headed to college and would get to leave your small town behind. In the mean time, you would be selling junk food to your former classmates and their younger siblings every day. Awesome.

Billy got a job as one of the lifeguards, which wasn’t much of a surprise. From what you could collect through gossip floating around the high school, the mullet-wearing, muscled, Camaro-driving asshole was a former surfer from California, so the position fit him. And despite confirmation of his prickly personality, you weren’t mad about the sight of Billy in nothing but a pair of red swim trunks, sunglasses, and a whistle around his neck.

Hot damn.

Billy never knew you existed in school, since you were less than popular and ran in different circles. Not surprising. You saw him around, though, even sharing a few classes together. He seemed bored with school and didn’t really try but somehow still got passing grades. Billy was the athletic type, enjoying gym class but especially basketball. Or maybe it was just fun for him to mess with King Steve Harrington, and it was enjoyable for you to witness at times as well. Knowing Steve all your life, you agreed that he could stand to be taken down a peg or two. The bigger the hair, the bigger the ego and Steve’s had grown exponentially the past few years in both regards.

Then there was graduation and the idea of freedom and new beginnings. But first, you had to survive the summer.

During employee orientation just after school let out, you were there and Billy showed up late as one could expect. A few days of training followed with you learning all the equipment in the Snack Shack and which scoop was the correct portion for every item. Not exactly rocket science. At the same time, the lifeguards were getting CPR certification and practicing rescue drills. Looked like more fun than you what you were doing.

Billy tended to hang back from the group during the vocal instructions, sometimes smoking a cigarette when he probably shouldn’t be. But when it came to the practical learning, he was all in, practicing CPR on dummies and “rescuing” his co-workers during drills. His swimming was strong and for timed rescues he did the best. Huh. Perhaps he’s not so apathetic about everything as it would seem.

Once the pool opened, you were given morning shifts at first, which was fine but the Snack Shack was not that busy until kids started begging their parents for lunch. Time crawled when there wasn’t anything to do, but it did give you a chance to peek at the happenings at the pool. Swimming classes were early, before the pool opened to the public. Most of the time you were just setting up so hearing the gaggle of six-year-olds arriving had you glancing over to see what was up.

Billy Hargrove was quite the enigma. Given his reputation, yes, he could be an asshole at times. During public hours when he was in the chair, he had a tendency to blow his whistle and yell across the pool at the supposed offender, often threatening a permanent ban. Well, that’s one approach. It did seem to do the trick, though. At least they knew he was serious and it could be said that personal safety was a serious matter that justified a heavier-handed method.

During those early mornings twice a week, though, when Billy was surrounded by tiny kids in water wings and swim suits with little skirts attached, he almost…transformed. He spoke softer and smiled more than you thought him capable of. It was really sweet, watching him explain what he wanted the kids to do while on dry land before even getting in the pool. He forced the parents to stay across the way and out of ear reach, knowing that he could still get their attention should one of their precious little ones need to go to the bathroom or something. Billy didn’t seem to want the parents hovering, otherwise. Makes sense.

The little ones adored him, surprisingly. Listening to his softer, gentle instructions when one of them was crying or lifting them up to sit on the side for a short break. Being small and learning a lot of new, scary things at once could be overwhelming, you assumed. Billy gave each one of them a high-five at the end of lessons and a few even gave him a hug.

One morning, you had just opened the metal gate at the counter and turned around to grab some tongs when you heard a voice behind you.

“Hey.”

Turning to the sound, you were surprised to see Billy on the other side of your counter.

“…hi?” you replied, startled.

“So, I’m sure you’re not open yet but could I trouble you for a popsicle? I got a little girl with a skinned knee and parents on their way. I promised her one if she’d quit crying. I can’t handle crying kids,” Billy said gruffly. Although you had seen evidence to the contrary, you just nodded.

“Sure. Flavor preference?” you croaked out through a suddenly dry throat.

“Nah. Whatever you have. I don’t have my wallet with me but I can swing by later and—“

“Don’t worry about it,” you interrupted, handing him the frozen treat. “Emergency popsicles are on the house.”

“Oh. Okay. Thanks.”

Billy offered a tight smile and walked away to a tiny girl seated on a lounge chair wrapped in a towel, the saddest expression on her face. She was trying to be brave but her body was still shaken by a sob every few moments. Billy crouched down to her level and handed her popsicle, now distracted enough for him to disinfect and bandage the skinned knee. Huh. So Billy did have a soft side, if maybe not for anyone his own size. Interesting.

A week or two later it was abundantly clear that whoever was closing up the Snack Shack was doing a shit job and it just made your job harder in the mornings. Nothing was properly cleaned and ingredients weren’t prepped like they should be. After a gentle mention to your supervisor, somehow the solution was that you would be switching to the late shift so the job would be done right. Because properly training and disciplining your co-workers was little too much work. Great.

You mourned the loss of the slow mornings and peeks of Swim Instructor Billy for a moment, but you got over it. Afternoon shifts were crazy busy and at least the time passed quickly. You hadn’t seen Billy come by since that first morning, but that was to be expected. Since then, you had your duties and he had his. Interaction with him just never really happened.

Until it did.

One night after the pool closed, you had pulled down the metal gate at the snack shack counter and were finishing the last of your clean up. Suddenly, music began to play from the direction of the pool. Peeking out the side door in curiosity, you spotted Billy with a boom box, music now blaring from the lifeguard tower. He climbed down and went about his evening checklist as the sun began to set.

Once the pool closed, the last lifeguard was in charge of cleaning the pool, properly arranging the lounge chairs even though they would be shifted within minutes tomorrow morning, and sweeping leaves off the deck. While many of the other lifeguards often bitched about the responsibility and would do a half-assed job, Billy seemed okay with it. Oddly enough, he did it well and without complaint. The music probably made the tasks more bearable.

Returning to your own closing tasks, you finished wiping down all the counters, washed the dishes to let them air dry, and the last item on your list was taking out the trash. You could dump it on the way out so you gathered your backpack and stowed away your apron and visor. So stylish.

Backpack slung over one shoulder, you tried to carry a rather heavy trash bag in each hand while also opening the side door and making sure it was locked. Once you stepped outside, though, a peculiar sight quickly distracted you.

To your surprise, the supposed asshole and lifeguard extraordinaire, Billy Hargrove, was currently lip-synching while using a push-broom as a microphone stand. Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell” blasted from the speakers as the other Billy before you head-banged to the beat and pumped a fist into the air as the words “More. More. More…more, more more!” rang out across the empty pool deck. As the chorus ended, Billy raised his face to the sky and jumped in place, his handsome features sharpened by the blue light emitting from the pool. A wide smile stretched across Billy’s face as the makeshift mic stand became an electric guitar in his hands.

Entranced by the sight, you unconsciously shifted the weight of one of the trash bags and lost your grip, knocking over a stack of empty buckets. Smooth.

The sound caused Billy’s head to whip toward you and his posture stiffened, eyes shifting around for other witnesses. Gathering your senses, you finally let the door close behind you and raised your free hand in an awkward greeting.

“Sorry, I—“

But nothing else came out.

Dammit. Giving up at an attempt in human communication, you picked up the trash and hauled ass toward the parking lot. The short glance backward that you allowed yourself showed that Billy was back to sweeping, his head down. Your heart sank. For a split second you got to see another side of Billy. Maybe what everyone else has said was a ruse. What was Billy like when no one else was around? You sure felt free enough to be yourself in the safety of an empty space. Or that you thought was empty. Unintentionally, you had intruded on that and ruined Billy’s moment.

Sigh.

Maybe you could make up for it…

Tossing the trash bags in the parking lot dumpster, you walked over to your nearby bike, unlocked it, and rode home with the evening’s exchange running on rotation the whole way home.

_______________

A few days later, you got a chance to act on your plan when it was just the two of you closing up again. If your intruding on Billy’s post-work jams made him uncomfortable, then it was time to even the playing field.

By humiliating yourself.

Finishing up your inside projects first, you then headed outside to place the patio chairs on top the tables in preparation of sweeping your own area. Billy spared you a glance upon your appearance but quickly returned to his attention to ridding the pool of leaves and dead bugs. His boombox blared music once again, playing songs from the local rock station.

Heart pounding, you started to sweep and waited until a familiar sang came on. Soon the band Foreigner blasted from the stereo. Perfect. Abandoning your task, you bobbed your head to the beat as the first lyrics began.

“Well, I’m hot-blooded, check it to see

I’ve got a fever of a hundred and three

Come on, baby, do you do more than dance?

I’m hot-blooded, hot-blooded.”

Lip-synching in an exaggerated manner, you spun around with the broom in your hands and taking a page out of Billy’s book, chose to use it as a microphone. You jerked your limbs about, perhaps to be taken as dancing, and dove into the second verse.

“You don’t have to read my mind,

to know what I have in mind.

Honey, you ought to know.

Yeah, you move so fine,

let me lay it on the line.

I wanna know what you’re

doing after the show.”

Having gotten lost in the moment, you finally took a glance in the pool’s direction to see Billy standing in place, the pool net loose in his grip. Was that a smile you could see on his face? Bingo. You finished out the song with some air guitar and a windmill or two, leaning against a table to catch your breath as the last notes of Foreigner ended.

To your surprise, you heard clapping and you whirled around to see the sound coming from Billy. Now feeling the humiliation of your little show, you weren’t sure what to do now. Finally settling on an awkward bow in reply, you then ran back inside the Snack Shack to stow away your apron and grab your bag. Aiming to reach the parking lot and be gone by the time Billy appeared, you thankfully succeeded. You rode your bike down the street and around the corner just in time to hear the easily identifiable Camaro roar to life.

Perhaps your next encounter with Billy wouldn’t involve personal embarrassment. The possibility was unlikely at this point, but one could dream.

____________

The next week, you were having one of the worst days ever at your job so far. Some kid spilled a soda all over your counter and down onto the floor and the most you could do in the moment was throw down some towels. By the time you got a break in customers, you were left with a solid, sticky mess. Your manager also hadn’t staffed enough people for the weekend so you had to fend for yourself once again.

No one else had taken out the trash and had instead piled up bags by the side door so you were taking one of multiple trips out to the parking lot long after closing. Lifting the dumpster lid with one hand, you chucked one bag inside with the other but as you raised the second bag, a sharp metal edge caught the plastic and ripped. Of course it did. The 6 inch hole began to spill out its contents of half-empty soda cups and chip bags. At least it wasn’t the bag full of food scraps.

“God-fucking-DAMMIT!!” you screamed at the top of your lungs, dropping the bag to the pavement.

“Oh, shit,” you heard from you behind you.

Turning swiftly to the sound, you spotted Billy Hargrove with car keys in hand, fresh from a shower.

Perfect. It had to be him who was still around.

Once again embarrassed, you glanced at the mess around you, including a half-full lukewarm soda cup that was open and now soaking into your shoe.

“Sorry, I—“

Nothing else came out. Once again, you couldn’t progress in communication any further in his presence. Picking up the bag but upside down, you finally got it inside the dumpster and started collecting the trash that had fallen out. From your crouched position, you suddenly saw another pair of hands helping.

“You don’t have to do that,” you managed to squeak out.

“It’s no big deal,” Billy replied, tossing a few items in the dumpster and then holding the lid for you to throw in the last of it.

“Thank you.”

Finding the courage to meet his eye, you discovered you were only a few feet from Billy. You’d never seen him that closely. Damp curls framed his face with bright blue eyes catching yours and a cautious smile on his lips. Damn, he was cute.

“I’m Billy,” he said, offering his hand.

“Hargrove,” you finished his name. “I know. We had two classes together last year.” You almost accepted his shake but remembered what you had just touched and pulled away.

“Right,” Billy replied, sheepish. “Remind me?”

Catching on, you shared your name.

“Y/N,” he repeated. “Of course. Nice visor.”

The blond flicked the bill with one finger, unsettling the visor on your head.

You huffed out a laugh, tugging it back on. “Yeah, well. Not everyone can pull off the look. I consider myself lucky.”

Billy burst out a genuine chuckle, causing a warm, happy flip in your stomach.

“Well. I’ll see you around, Y/N,” he said, walking backward toward his car.

“Yup. Bye.”

You received the gift of watching Billy’s backside in motion for a few moments before you had the sense to stop staring. Time to finally finish this hellish workday and go home.

_______________________

Part Two>>>

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Thoughts??? I just love a softer Billy, okay? He deserves all the good things, starting with maybe...a friend? I guess we’ll see. :D Also I know Hot Blooded was in a ~certain scene~ but I’m choosing to take it back, mmkay? I’d love to know your thoughts on this fic! Reblogs, comments, etc., are very much appreciated. You can even send me an ask if you’d like! I appreciate youuuu. :)

Also if you want to be added to my tag list, please let me know!

Billy tag list:

@every-dayiwakeup @feelmyroarrrr @someonehelpshit @ria132love @sebbytrash @withahintofpestoaioli @nogitsunbae @ickypuppi3 @prettybillycore

#billy hargrove x reader #billy hargrove x gender neutral!reader #billy hargrove fic #billy hargrove fluff #billy hargrove #lifeguard billy #stranger things #stranger things fic #william hargrove #stranger things fan fiction #reader x billy hargrove #sink or swim fic #talesfrom-theupsidedown fic

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talesfrom-theupsidedown · 2 years

Text

Sink or Swim [Billy Hargrove x Gender Neutral!reader] Ch. 2

Warnings: eventual mentions of abuse, smoking, alcohol, sexual themes.

Word Count: 3.1k

Author’s Note: Soft Billy is my kryptonite and I make no apologies of how sweet he is in this chapter, okay?? I can’t get enough! I hope you’ll enjoy it. :D Please let me know in the comments what you think of this chapter!! I appreciate you!!

<<< Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three>>>

Sink or Swim Masterlist

________________________________________________________

A strange but nice companionship grew between you and Billy when you both had closing shifts. Good tunes, some goofy moves, and the time passed pleasantly until you left for home. Somehow it evolved into you both requesting the later shifts, independently.

One evening, you had the particularly enjoyable task of scraping dried gum off the bottom of the patio tables and chairs. The Snack Shack didn’t even sell gum. Who was bringing gum to the community pool? Disgusting. So there you were, ass parked on the pavement with a table on its side and a butterknife in hand. The rock music played on as you glanced over at Billy as he checked the pH levels of the pool water. Something about safe levels of chlorine, you weren’t really sure.

Focused back on your task, you were surprised to hear a loud splash and looking over in time, you spotted Billy’s head breach the water. In two long strokes he reached the far end of the pool and proceeded to swim laps to the other side. The rhythmic splashes of his strokes accompanied the music as you continued scraping. So gross. Thankfully, you were wearing gloves. You might have taken a few short breaks to crane your neck and follow the easy flex and stretch of Billy’s hard-earned muscles. His golden, tanned skin moving through the water was a sight to behold. Glorious.

Shaking your head, you had finished one table and moved on to the chairs when suddenly the splashing stopped. Curious, you peeked over and saw…nothing.

Huh.

No sign that Billy had exited the pool. His towel was still on a nearby lounge chair. Turning back to the upturned chair, you tuned your ears for any sound other than the song playing and…still nothing.

Curiously officially piqued, you dropped the butterknife and stood up, taking slow steps toward the pool until you spotted Billy. Perfectly still.

Underwater.

Panic filled you, your head swiveling to see if someone could somehow assist you, although you knew no one else was around. The seconds ticked passed and instinctively, you stepped to the edge of the pool with fingers on your apron to remove it when finally, Billy pushed off from the pool bottom with both feet and blasted to the surface.

Startled, you stepped back from the edge. Billy wiped a hand down his damp face and spotted you.

“Hey,” he said with a surprisingly easy smile, then catching your expression. “What’s wrong?”

“I…I thought…” you began, then shaking your head. “Nothing. Never mind.”

“No, tell me,” Billy gently coerced as he swam to the side nearest you. “What’s up?”

Billy rested his folded arms on the pool deck, his muscular biceps looking even larger. A few curls had already started to spring up and dry on his forehead. Adorable.

“I just…you were down there a while. That’s all,” you stammered, avoiding his gaze.

He would not be deterred, however, as his smile stretched even wider. “So, what…you were worried about me? Thought I’d drown?” he teased softly.

“N—no. Of course not,” you huffed out a dry laugh.

“Cause, you know…I’m a pretty good swimmer,” Billy smirked.

“Yeah, no, of course. I know,” you said, taking another step backward. “I’m just gonna…” you trailed off, thumbing in the direction of the patio.

“That’s sweet though,” he continued on. “Your concern for my well-being. Gotta say, it’s a rare feeling. Not sure how many people would notice…”

You held your breath, waiting for the end of that sentence. But it never came.

“I’m trying to maintain my lung capacity for surfing. Some waves toss you so fucking hard, you don’t know which way is up for a while. Helps if you can hold your breath until you know which direction to swim,” Billy explained. “I’ll get back to the coast again soon, even if it kills me…”

His gaze was off in the distance then, a look of longing in his eyes. Your heart went out to him. Being transplanted from beautiful, sunny California and plopped down into landlocked podunk Indiana had to be quite the letdown.

“Do you swim?”

The sudden left turn in conversation jarred you, letting out a long breath. “Um…not really. I mean, I can swim. I have a suit in my locker, but I just…you know. Don’t usually get the urge to…you know. Swim.”

That was smooth.

“Right,” Billy replied with that handsome grin. “You should join me.”

Eyes wide at the surprising invitation, you glanced down at the apron and gloves you still wore. What a sight you must be to Billy’s eyes.

“Thanks, but I’ve got to finish…” you gestured behind you. “Maybe another time.”

Billy nodded, his curls bouncing with him. “Sure. Open invitation.”

You offered an awkward smile and turned away. A quick glance backward told you that Billy had returned to swimming laps, this time the backstroke.

Damn. You had chickened out. That was your moment. Frustrated with yourself, you were determined not to let an opportunity slip past again as you attacked yet another disgusting, dried glob of gum.

__________

Another few days and you heard a splash just as you were finishing clean up for the evening. Mentally prepared this time, you smiled as you hung up your apron and visor before changing in the privacy of the Snack Shack. You’d kept your swim bag in there rather than the lockers in anticipation of this opportunity, determined not to blow it this time.

Stepping out in your swim suit, Billy’s back was to you as he tread water at the deep end. Here goes nothing.

Gathering your courage, you ran the last few feet toward the pool and yelled, “Incoming!” just as you leapt into the air and formed yourself into a cannonball.

The water was cooler than expected, but in a pleasant way. The day had been exceptionally warm. Kicking to the surface, you were met with a smiling Billy. Now, that’s a sight you’d give almost anything to experience on a daily basis.

“Nice form,” he teased with a grin.

“Thanks. I’ve been working on it,” you volleyed back.

Billy chuckled.

File under: new favorite sounds.

“The pool looks great. Well done, Mr. Hargrove,” you complimented with a mock salute.

He bowed in response. “Thank you very much. You’d be surprised the stuff I find in the filters at the end of the day…” Billy trailed off with a look of horror.

You grimaced. “I can imagine. And I’d like to keep it in my imagination cause if you tell me, I’ll probably have to leave immediately for a bleach shower.”

A loud, echoing guffaw came out of the mouth of Billy Hargrove. Because of you. Something warm and squishy expanded in your chest, resulting in a goofy grin on your lips. Making Billy laugh was now your singular goal in life.

“Yeah, I’ll spare you,” Billy replied.

“I appreciate it.”

There was silence between you for a moment, so you leaned your head back to enjoy the water and the odd sensation of weightlessness. Memories of your childhood popped into your head, coming to this same pool with your family and meeting up with friends. Daring each other to dive into the deep end, playing tag or Marco Polo. Good times. Simpler times.

Sinking down into the water until your nose was submerged, you blew some bubbles. Cause you were a grown-ass adult now and you could. Floating on your back then, you attempted what you thought was a backstroke until your hand struck the side of the pool and you began to tread water again.

“Did you have swimming lessons as a kid?” Billy piped in.

You shrugged. “Yeah? Just enough to tread water and doggy paddle. Enough not to need water wings or constant supervision. Why? Was my backstroke not as flawless as I thought?”

Billy chuckled again. “Um…there might be room for improvement. Did you…would be interested in lessons?” he offered, catching you off guard.

Part of you wanted to jump at the chance of more time with Billy, but still. You hesitated. “Thanks, but…it’s not a good look to be learning to swim with a bunch of six-year-olds.”

“That’s not what I…actually, I thought maybe we could do private lessons,” Billy offered, taking a few skillful strokes through the water until you were only a few feet away.

You were…shocked. Honored. Intrigued? Confused? Something to that effect.

“Wow, that’s um…kind of you. I don’t think I could pay your rates, though,” you said, avoiding his gaze.

“I didn’t—“

You interrupted, suddenly feeling stupid and nervous about the whole thing. “Besides, I’m sure it’d be a waste of your time. I doubt I’ll be swimming much after this summer. Unless you count frigid Lake Michigan,” you huffed out an awkward laugh.

Time slowed to a crawl as you waited for Billy’s reply to your word vomit.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

“Oh,” he said, as more of an exhaled. “Chicago?”

Unable to resist a smile, you nodded, finally braving a glance his way. “Yeah. I’m going to the University of Chicago in the Fall.”

Billy’s eyes shot open wide, impressed. “Wow. That’s…congratulations. What are you studying?”

This was the harder question, lifting a single shoulder of yours in response. “Not sure yet. I got an academic full-ride scholarship so I’ll figure it out when I’m there, I guess. I still need to pay for living expenses and my hope is to save enough for a car before I go. It’s driving distance. Far enough to feel independent but close enough to drive home for holidays.”

That was your reasoning, anyway. Chicago was a huge city, though, and you were suitably nervous and excited.

Billy nodded appreciatively. “I didn’t realize…” he trailed off, running a thumb across the edge of the pool deck.

“Didn’t realize what?” you asked anxiously.

“That you were such a nerd,”Billy teased, huge grin on his handsome face.

“Shut up,” you maturely replied. “Some of us have to even out the number of meat-head jocks in the world.”

Billy laughed, sending a splash in your direction. You retaliated, resulting in a few minutes of nothing but cascading water and laughter.

“Okay, truce! Truce!” you called out, hands in the air in surrender.

Billy did the same with a smirk. You both caught your breath, clinging to the edge of the pool to give your legs a break.

“What about you?” you asked, holding his gaze.

Billy dodged the question. “What about me?”

You gave him a pointed look. “You know…plans after this summer? The future? School, work, life, et cetera.”

He snorted. “Of course you used the phrase ‘et cetera’.”

“Shut up,” you muttered again, waiting patiently.

Billy brought both arms up to rest on the pool’s edge as you’d seen him do before. Placing his chin on his bicep, he stared out at the empty lounge chairs, gathering his thoughts.

“I don’t know,” he finally admitted, head turning to meet your eye. “I can’t…I mean, I’m not really looking much further into the future than next week just to keep me from losing my fucking mind. I’ll probably just be stuck around here, working odd jobs. Maybe a trade school. It’s fucking depressing.”

You nodded soberly, but still curious. “Why stick around? You mentioned going back to California at some point. What’s stopping you?”

Another pause. You watched his back muscles expand and contract with a deep breath. Closing the distance a bit more, you mirrored his position with arms on the pool deck, your head tucked into your elbow facing him.

Billy held your gaze a long moment, searching your face for…something. “Do you ever hold on to a memory so tightly that you’re almost afraid that it’s not really how you remember it? Like, the colors wouldn’t be as bright as you pictured or the moment wasn’t really as happy as you thought?”

Nodding, you remained silent.

“That’s how I feel about California. Or parts of it, at least. Maybe by going back I’d just be fucking up the good memories I do have. Or they’d become repeats of shitty memories, ruining something good. If I leave it as a dream, then maybe it can still be as good as I remember it.”

You barely breathed, afraid you’d spook this moment away.

Billy shook his head, pushing away from the wall to tread water. “I also have Maxine to watch over, the little shit.”

A smile curled the corners of your lips. The spunky redhead had visited the pool a few times during the summer and while their interactions did seemed heated, you saw how he carefully watched over her and her friends. Max even came over to the Snack Shack for a soda one day. It had to be hard to be forced into a family by the decisions of your parents. It’s one thing to grow up with siblings but to have them thrust upon you without a choice, well, that’s quite another. Billy had his way of showing that he cared, though.

“She’s a spitfire, that one,” you replied.

“Pain in my ass is what she is,” he scoffed.

You let the moment settle before speaking. “What’s the ocean like?”

Billy whirled his head your direction in surprise. “You’ve never seen the ocean?”

Shaking your head, you shrugged. “All our family vacations were road trips to visit extended family. Never more than a couple hours away and still landlocked. I hope to make it there someday,” you said, not mentioning a specific coast or state but California was a niggling possibility in the back of your mind.

“God, its…endless and gorgeous and constant but somehow always different, too. Each morning brought a new challenge in waves and some days I’d get thrashed while surfing, but then you get this one perfect ride and…you’re hooked. It’s worth all the salt water you’ve swallowed and coral scrapes,” Billy spoke softly, almost reverently. The expression on his face was one of longing and awe. You could almost feel how much he missed it.

“But it’s not just the big waves. I miss laying back on my board and just feeling the ebb and flow of the current. The constant movement of the ocean, it’s…soothing. I’ve fallen asleep that way more than a few times, possibly waking up with a sunburn,” he chuckled. “I’ve never slept better than after a long day of surfing.”

God, he was so sweet in that moment. So open. Did any one else know this Billy? Why were all the rumors of a tough, asshole, womanizer? Sure, some of that could be true but “sweet” or “kind” were not his usual descriptors. The more you got to know the true Billy, the more convinced you were that the hard exterior was just a ruse. A mask for the world. What had happened to make him feel like he had to hide this way?

Those questions seemed like too much prodding, however, despite your constant curiosity.

So you came up with a really stupid idea that would hopefully make this man before you smile. Your goal in life, of course.

“Lie back in the water,” you told him.

Eyebrows drawn together in confusion, Billy tilted his head. “What?”

“You know, float on your back with your eyes closed. Right there,” you instructed, waving your hands toward the middle of the pool. He still looked dubious, but swam to where you indicated.

“Why? What’s going to happen?” Billy asked.

“Do you trust me?” you asked.

He blinked, tongue flicking out to lick his lips. His answer came in the form of the man lying back in the water. You guessed that was enough of a yes. One last glance at you and Billy took a deep breath before closing his eyes.

Moving into position in the shallower end of the pool, you did the stupid thing and launched yourself straight up out of the water and purposefully crashed back to the surface on your side, causing a ripple of water toward the floating Billy. You were far enough away not the splash him, but he still got the benefits of small waves. Again, you breached the water and splashed down to the side. And then a third time. You caught a smile on Billy’s handsome face, eyes still closed. Mission accomplished.

But you were caught the fourth time. As you stood up out of the water, Billy was no longer floating, instead staring at you with a grin, eyes wide open. “What the hell was that?” he laughed, amused.

Rubbing water off your face, you shrugged. “Sending waves your way. We used to play ‘jumping whale’ or something when I was younger, seeing who could make the biggest splash. Figured it could have a similar effect.”

He shook his head, still grinning. “That was weird as shit, but…thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Billy held your gaze a moment longer, that much concentrated attention causing heat to rise in your cheeks. Something about the moment made you panicky.

“I should go,” you blurted out, heading for the stairs.

“Right, yeah,” he says behind you.

Looking back, you receive the gift of watching Billy pull himself out of the pool with those functional muscles that you were starting to like quite a lot. You might have also been blessed with the sight of those red swim trunks plastered to his shapely behind like shrink wrap. Swoon. You nearly missed the step onto the pool deck.

Gathering your swim bag and towel, you hurried to the locker room, showered off, and changed quickly. You’d reached your bike just as Billy locked up the building and headed for his car. Straddling your bike, you chanced another look to see him toss his own bag in the passenger seat and climb inside. The signature loud engine roared to life and tires squealed as Billy pulled the Camaro around to head for the street. Feet on the pedals, you were shocked and nearly fell over when the muscle car stopped within feet of you.

Billy rolled down the window, his curls still damp from a shower. “Hey, um…not that you would, I don’t think, but if you could not say anything I’ve shared tonight…I’d appreciate it,” he said, avoiding your gaze.

“Oh. Yeah, no, of course. I would never…I mean I don’t have anyone else to tell anyway,” you assured him in your self-deprecating way.

He huffs out a dry laugh, muttering, “Me neither. So, you know. Thanks. See you later.”

“Yeah. See you,” you replied, watching the Camaro growl onto the road and out of sight before you gathered yourself enough to pedal home.

____________________________

Chapter Three>>>

_________________________________________________________

Listen...did I fall for a co-worker who coincidentally happened to be a curly-haired blond surfer from California at a previous job in real life???.....maybe. :D Was I equal to or possibly more awkward as the reader is in this story? Definitely. ha! Yikes. It’s fun to use that life experience as inspiration, though. It’s a common thread in my writing, actually. heh. Anywho! How sweet is Billy?? I can’t even handle it. I lub him. Please let me know your thoughts on this chapter! I’d love to hear from you. I adore you all. <3

Tag list is open! Let me know if you’d like to be added.

Billy tag list:

@every-dayiwakeup @feelmyroarrrr @someonehelpshit @ria132love @sebbytrash @withahintofpestoaioli @nogitsunbae @ickypuppi3 @prettybillycore @bee-1n-space @bunniesofsteel @mindingmyownbusiness @ashtons-chest

#Billy hargrove x reader #billy hargrove #Billy hargrove x gender neutral!reader #gender neutral!reader #billy hargrove fic #billy hargrove fluff #billy hargrove headcanon #lifeguard billy #stranger things fic #stranger things #stranger things fan fiction #talesfrom-theupsidedown fic

114 notes · View notes

talesfrom-theupsidedown · 2 years

Text

Sink or Swim- Ch.3 [Billy x GenderNeutral!reader]

Summary: Having a nice view of the handsome blond while working at the Hawkins pool was good enough, but when circumstances lead you to an encounter with Billy and then a chance to become friends, perhaps even more, you can’t stay away. Maybe Billy Hargrove isn’t such an asshole after all. [Canon with a variation]

Warnings: None for this chapter! Swearing, I guess? ha.

Word Count: 3.1k

Author’s Notes: Alright, y’all! This is where you’ll start to see some variation from canon. :D I hope you’re ready! There’s lots more fluff and awkward flirting coming your way. I kinda love it! I hope you will too! Please let me know your thoughts, my lovelies! <3

<<<Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four>>>

Sink or Swim Masterlist

__________________________________________________________

The next day, you were finally getting a breather from customers when you looked out to see Heather climbing down from the lifeguard tower. You rolled your eyes, well aware of what came next. The line of lounge chairs to the left of the tower was occupied by middle-aged women with young children swimming, but their focus was instead on the locker room door. The women primped and adjusted their posture just before Billy walked out the door and into the sunshine.

Gross.

Not Billy. The women. Billy wore his usual red swim trunks but today he also had on a white tank top with the Hawkins Pool logo plastered on his chest. He slipped his usual sunglasses on as he stubbed a cigarette out on the red brick wall before heading for his post.

“Afternoon, ladies,” you heard him say over the screaming and splashing of children.

“Hi, Billy,” the women answered in unison.

You resisted the urge to gag outwardly.

A few customers arrived then and you were back at work.

Hours later, the pool was closed and you were wrapping up the last of your responsibilities for the evening. As usual, music was blasting. Billy had a spray bottle and rag in hand, wiping down the lounge chairs. It had to be done at least once a week because all the sunscreen, sweat, and chlorine would leave stains over time. Yuck.

Intent on taking out the garbage, you walked out the side door but spotted Billy lying in one of the now-clean lounge chairs. Abandoning your task, you walked toward him and commandeered the chair next to Billy, laying down while still in your apron and visor. His head turned at the sound, offering you a half-smile before he turned back to staring into the distance.

The silence stretched out comfortably as you listened to the music, the lapping water, and wind rustling through the nearby trees.

“Not swimming tonight?” you finally asked. The best opener you could come up with after wracking your brain.

“Nah.”

You nodded, listening as a new song was announced by the DJ on the radio. You knew the song but the artist escaped you. The chorus came up and you decided to make an ass of yourself, singing along with exaggerated head bopping and hand gestures.

“She’s just a devil woman,

With evil on her mind.

Beware the devil woman

She’s gonna get you…”

Billy smiled with amusement, choosing to join in. You both sang the lyrics you knew and did ridiculous moves without leaving your lounge chairs. As the last chords rang out, you both laughed while meeting eyes.

You couldn’t let a good moment last, though.

“Speaking of ‘devil women’…how’s Mrs. Wheeler and her coven?” you asked, raising your eyebrows at Billy.

The blond rolled his eyes, looking away. “They’re just bored of their dull lives and even duller husbands. Doesn’t hurt if I give them a little thrill,” he shrugged with a grin.

You scoffed at that, gazing out at the pool. “Yeah, okay. I just think it’s a little creepy. I mean, Nancy’s basically our age. All I’m saying is that if it were MISTER Wheeler perving after someone like Heather, I don’t think people would be so okay with it. Would you?” you asked, looking Billy’s way.

Billy was turned away, brows furrowed. He was a silent a long moment.

Panic gripped you, thinking you’d overstepped. “Never mind, I’m sorry, I don’t know what I’m talking abo—“

“No,” he quickly interrupted. “You’re right. I hadn’t really thought of it like that…” Billy trailed off, raising a hand to chew on his fingernail. A nervous habit you had noticed.

Taking off your visor, you let it fall to the side while you scratched your head. Billy took it as an opportunity to snatch the visor and take a closer look at it.

“Billy, it’s probably all gross and smells like fried food, just…give it back, come on,” you urged him.

He saw this as a moment to lighten the mood, yanking it out of your reach every time he offered it to you with a smile on his face.

“Here, just take it,” he teased, keep it out of your reach until you stood from the lounge chair. He did the same, taking a few steps toward the pool and threatening to drop it into the water.

“Seriously, Hargrove. Hand it over, I need that for tomorrow.”

“Last name basis, huh? It’s serious now,” Billy grinned.

Making a swift attack, you lunged for the visor while throwing an elbow into Billy’s side, causing him to drop it but luckily onto the pool deck. You couldn’t care less, though, because the man had folded in half, clutching his side after your soft strike. He truly looked liked he was in pain.

“Billy? Are you okay? I’m sorry, I didn’t think it was that hard, I—“

“No, it’s fine,” he grunted out, straightening his posture. “Just a sore spot.”

You bent down to pick up your visor while Billy collected his cleaning supplies, still wincing at the movement. Lingering a moment, you blurted out the first thing that came out of your head.

“Any plans for the Fourth of July next week?” you asked.

Billy’s eyebrows raised, surprised by the change in subject, and then he shrugged. “I don’t know. Max will probably want to go to the carnival with her friends. Not really my scene, but…”

“Yeah, mine either. The fireworks will be pretty cool, though, I hear. Actually, I…” you paused a moment, gathering your courage. “I had a friend in school with a great view of the fireworks from their farm. They’re out of town this year, but I was thinking about heading there before dark. You know…good show but less people. Do you…want to come?”

You held your breath, so sure The Great Billy Hargrove had better things to do in his spare time, but after a few seconds he smiled with a nod.

“Yeah. I’m up for that.”

“Yeah?” you couldn’t help but grin. “Okay. Cool. Well..I should finish up,” you said, gesturing to the Snack Shack behind you.

Billy nodded, waving goodbye with the rag in his hand.

Taking out the trash seemed like a much easier task with a hangout outside of work to look forward to. With Billy Hargrove.

_______________

The days leading up to the Fourth passed unremarkably except for one thing. While Mrs. Wheeler and her gal pals weren’t mentioned again, you did notice a change between them and the handsome lifeguard. Billy’s greeting was cordial to the older women, but he didn’t seem to open up opportunities to chat or linger. You even saw Mrs. Wheeler climb out of the pool and approach the lifeguard stand while Billy was on duty one day. Unlike previous encounters, Billy stayed in his chair rather than climb down and further the conversation. His gaze remained on the rest of the pool with his replies short, a tight smile on his face.

Interesting.

When America’s Independence Day arrived, the pool was closed for the holiday so you spent it with your family with an eye on the clock. The anticipation of the upcoming night had you nearly jumping out of your skin. There may or may not have been a closet explosion as you tried on nearly everything you owned in search of the “perfect outfit”. Billy had never seen you in non-work clothes. Well. Not since school and not since he started paying a little more attention. Possibly.

You really didn’t want the questions or interrogation of Billy picking you up at home, so you might have fibbed to your family and said you were going to the carnival and meeting friends there. Instead, you planned to meet Billy in the swimming pool parking lot. Billy roared into the lot right on time, opening the passenger’s side door by leaning through the car from his own seat. You placed the bag of snacks you’d brought along in the back seat next the Billy’s cooler filled with drinks. Well coordinated, of course.

“Hey,” you said in greeting, climbing into the passenger seat and clicking on your seatbelt.

“Hey,” Billy echoed, offering a smile. “So, where are we going?”

He followed your directions toward the outside of town. Arriving at the empty farm, Billy pulled down the long dirt driveway and cranked the wheel to park in the direction of the upcoming fireworks. He cut off the Camaro’s engine but then turned the key halfway again to leave the radio playing. You both climbed out and while you grabbed the bag of snacks and cooler, Billy popped the trunk and pulled out a blanket. He laid it out on the hood of the Camaro and then took the cooler from you before placing it in the middle.

“Hop on,” he gestured, indicating for you to get on top of his precious vehicle.

Eyebrows raised in surprise, you hesitated. “You sure?”

“Yeah,” he smiled, walking around to the drivers side. With his back toward you, he placed both hands on the edge of the hood and pushed himself up to sitting on the classic car. Billy swung his legs up until he was lying back on the windshield, the blanket acting as protection from the paint job most likely. And maybe for comfort, since the engine still retained some heat.

You followed his lead, although much less gracefully. Finally in a lounging position, you laid your head back with your gaze at the sky. The sun was setting with clouds painted pastels of pink, orange, and purple. It would be fully dark in less than half an hour and the fireworks would then begin. Opening the bag of snacks, you showed Billy the selection of chips and candy you brought. Billy did the same, opening the cooler.

“I got beer and soda. Which do you want?”

“I’ll have a beer,” you requested.

He nodded, plucking out one of the bottles and popping the top with one of his keys before handing it to you. Billy chose the same, opening his own beer and clinking the glass bottle against yours in “cheers” before taking a long gulp. You took a sip as well, trying in vain to keep your gaze away from the beautiful man only inches away who also smelled really good. Not that you minded his usual aroma of chlorine.

Billy wore a white button-up shirt paired with a casual denim jacket. His usual well-fitting jeans were showing all his best assets and you couldn’t decide if these or the swim trunks were your favorite on Billy. Although, he looked good in anything, honestly. Past his long legs, he wore Converse tennis shoes instead of the heavy black leather boots he preferred most of the school year. Billy was distractingly handsome, those blond curls framing his masculinely beautiful face in the fading light.

The DJ on the radio announced the next few songs during something called a Block Party where they played a block of songs all by the same artist or band. A familiar song began to play but you couldn’t place where you’d heard it. You tapped your toe to the beat, though, as you sipped your beer.

“Shout, shout, shout at the devil…” you sang along, at least the only lyrics you knew.

“You like Motley Crue?” Billy asked, head turned your way.

You shrugged. “Yeah. I don’t know a lot of their stuff but I recognize this one from somewhere…” you trailed off, then snapping your fingers when the memory came to you. “A party! Halloween last year.”

Billy frowned, cocking his head. “Tina’s party?”

“Yep.”

He shook his head. “I was there, too. I don’t remember seeing you.”

“I’m not surprised,” you said with a sigh. “You were otherwise engaged, Mr. Keg King,” you teased.

He turned his head away but you caught a hint of a smile. When Billy turned back, his expression was serious. “I’m sorry. I wish…I wish I had known you better then.”

You met his gaze. “It’s okay. Nothing to apologize for. Everything in good time, right?”

“I guess so, yeah.” He smiled softly, letting the silence hang a moment before he redirected the subject. “Shout at the Devil is a great song, but they’ve got better stuff.”

“Oh really?”

“Hell yeah,” he assure you, turning to face you as he went on a long, passionate tirade about the band’s big break and which members had been there from the beginning and which albums he liked best.

The information was for sure interesting but what you loved even more was how engaged and intense Billy was when he felt comfortable to share what he loved. Billy’s bright blue eyes lit up and he talked with his hands for emphasis. It was absolutely adorable. He took a break for a moment, reaching for the Marlboro Reds in his pocket.

When Billy looked back your way, he must have caught an odd expression on your face.

“Why do you do that?” Billy asked, cocking his head.

“Do what?”

“Why do you look at me with that little smile?” he clarified, lighting a cigarette between his lips.

“Sorry,” you muttered quickly, pressing your lips together tightly.

Billy exhaled a cloud of smoke. “Never said I didn’t like it.”

Shifting your view out toward the sky, you thought a moment.

“I guess...you surprise me. Learning more about you makes me smile,” you admitted, dropping your gaze to focus on your fidgeting hands.

The silence stretched until you finally braved a glance his way. His expression was surprisingly soft, eyes holding your gaze.

“I like getting to know you, too.”

You resisted the urge to glance away. Feeling brave, you reached out and plucked the cigarette hanging from his lips and brought it to your own, taking a long drag. He watched as you exhaled out through your mouth, then returning the cigarette to his parted lips that closed around it. Billy put it between two fingers after another drag, still meeting your eye.

“I didn’t know you smoked,” Billy said, voice strained as he held the smoke in his lungs.

“I don’t, really,” you answered, the words coming out more husky than planned. Could be because your throat was burning a little. Or perhaps you were breathless from such extended eye contact with a beautiful man.

Smoke escaped through his mouth and nose, his features barely visible in the falling darkness.

“It’s probably not that helpful for your lung capacity, though,” you jabbed.

Billy released a loud chuckle, bright smile across his handsome face. “Yeah, maybe.”

He held the cigarette out to you and you took it, fingers brushing his. This exchange went back and forth, sharing and exhaling and the brushes of fingers that became more and more deliberate as the glow of ash became the only light with which to see each other’s faces.

Suddenly the sky exploded with a blue flash of sparkles, startling you both out of your shared reverie. You might have even jumped at the loud boom that followed. Glancing back at Billy, he had a look of surprise but it quickly eased into a smile, which you returned. He opened the cooler again, offering you the same two choices. You grabbed another beer but Billy chose a soda, which you appreciated. He was driving later, after all. He also picked a bag of chips from the snacks, opened it, and offered a few to you.

The fireworks display was amazing, lasting about twenty minutes with varying colors of exploding lights and sparkles. At least that asshole Mayor Kline was truthful about something. You and Billy made the odd comment about a particularly good firework but it was too loud for conversation. Instead, you sipped and snacked until the grand finale had ended and the night was once again quiet. All that was left was smoke in the air and the smell of sulphur.

You sat in silence a moment, letting your hearing recover.

“Not bad,” Billy finally spoke into the darkness.

“Yeah,” you sighed, feeling the letdown of knowing the evening was soon coming to a close.

The radio continued to play on, now broadcasting a Scorpions song. Rock You Like A Hurricane. You couldn’t help but feel your cheeks warm at the subject matter.

“So, I was thinking…” Billy began, shifting on the hood of his car, “maybe we could—“

But he was interrupted just as the radio quickly shifted from music to an emergency alert.

“Breaking news in Hawkins. There’s been a fire at the newly-built Starcourt Mall. We’re still awaiting more details but it seems like the damage was extensive and there is word of injuries and possible fatalities. So, check in with your loved ones. We’ll update you as we receive new information. Stay safe and Happy Independence Day.”

Shocked into silence a moment, you had sat up during the broadcast and Billy had done the same.

“Holy shit,” you finally uttered.

“Yeah,” Billy exhaled.

“Um…you were saying something?” you finally remembered what interrupted the news.

Billy shook his head in the low light. “Right, it’s…uh. Never mind. It can wait. Kinda feel like I should check in at home…maybe go get Max from the carnival.”

“Yeah, I should get home, too.”

You both hopped down from the hood and you lifted the snacks and cooler so Billy could stow away the blanket in his trunk. Climbing into the passenger seat, you watched Billy as he slammed the trunk shut and slipped into the driver’s seat before starting the engine. He found his way from the farm and back to the swimming pool parking lot with only minimal directions from you. Putting the car in park, he turned toward you.

“Well, I had a good time,” he said with that soft smile you were beginning to recognize and love.

“I did too. Thanks for coming with me,” you replied.

“Sure. I’ll see you tomorrow? You’re working, right?”

Some sort of winged creature had taken flight in your stomach.

“Yup,” you confirmed, a little too giddy. “I’ll be here. See you then.”

Climbing out of the car, you walked toward your bike and then watched as Billy offered a wave and then peeled out of the parking lot.

That had gone…surprisingly well, you thought as you climbed on your bike and pedaled home. You were curious what Billy was trying to say earlier, but hopefully you’d be able to find out when you saw him at work the next day.

Except you didn’t.

____________________

Chapter Four>>>

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Oops. Cliffhanger! :D Sorry, I had to! How sweet was that little maybe-date to watch the fireworks?? And we can all agree that Mrs. Wheeler is super gross and SOMEONE had to say it! Right?? In my mind, Billy avoiding her and that fateful drive might have changed the course of season 3′s events. Yes? Hmmm. I guess we’ll see what happens! :D I adore you all! Please let me know your thoughts, I’m a thirsty hoe for comments and feedback.

Tag list is open, if you’d like to be added let me know!

Billy tag list:

#billy hargrove #billy hargrove x reader #billy hargrove x gender neutral!reader #gender neutral!reader #reader x billy hargrove #stranger things #billy hargrove fic #stranger things fic #stranger things fan fiction #billy hargrove fan fiction #talesfrom-theupsidedown fic

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