Billy Blue Klein Introduction
Full Name: William "Billy" Blue Klein
Nickname/s: Billy, Bill, Blue, BK, Klein, Baby Blue
Faceclaim: Lewis Pullman
Gender // Pronouns: cismale // he/him
Age // Date of Birth: 31 // July 17th
Hometown: Blackstone Ridge, Texas
Occupation: Reporter/Columnist at Blackstone Bulletin
Neighborhood: Lakeside
Time in Blackstone Ridge: Entire Life (other than 3 years out of state for college)
Trigger Warnings: Domestic Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Homophobia, Abandonment, Depression, Mania, Bipolar Disorder
Biography:
Born in Blackstone Ridge on a bright summer's day, the youngest of three siblings (one brother, one sister). Grew up in Lakeside and will always have a deep affinity for the Lake.
Growing up, there was a lot of shouting in the Klein-Murray household, but only ever from his father. Billy tried as hard as he could to drown it out.
He became aware, pretty early on that his family life wasn't normal, nor was it particularly stable. His father never laid a finger on them, so as to not leave a mark. But he was mean, and made sure to espouse his beliefs whenever and wherever he could. One of the ones that consistently hit Billy was his father's deep-rooted homophobia. It stung, if even for the fact that Billy believed everyone deserved to love and be loved. But it became the code of conduct, enough that he almost started to believe it.
As refuge, Billy turned to sports. Though he was young, he joined the local T-Ball team and it turned out, though he was scrawny, he had a good, strong swing. As he grew up, this morphed into a devout love for the game of baseball, and Billy worked his way up, becoming Blackstone high school's shortstop.
Before that, though, things drastically changed when Billy's dad up and left. It was a financial burden, sure. But things were lighter, there, for a while. Billy leaned on his siblings, took his mother's last name and started to relax into family life that felt fueled by the community.
Back to baseball, Billy grew into somewhat of a prodigy. He was fast, and as he grew up, he got a lot stronger. College scouts started to come to town to see him play, and for the first time in his young life, Billy felt a future on the horizon.
He also fell in love with writing during this time, but he kept that a bit closer to the chest. Baseball took up most of his time, and though he was kind to a fault, he took his spot in the social hierarchy of high school seriously.
This was only furthered by his father's former opinions, long gone though he may have been, and the thoughts that would occasionally creep in, painting an attraction towards some of his teammates. He shook those stray thoughts away with vigor, traumatized by his paternal influence and the rumor mill that could so easily turn against him.
It was also around this time that he experienced his first true dip into depression, which was quickly followed up with a foray into mania. Billy felt unstable, but he pushed it down, chalking it up to normal high school highs and lows, the stress of trying to perform. He skipped getting diagnosed, prioritizing the work he had to put in to remain on top of everything.
He got a full-ride scholarship to UVA, finally getting out of the sleepy Texan town and moving further north to Charlottesville, Virginia.
He loved it there, loved the mountains and the girls who gave him attention and the Literature classes he could take and how much his baseball team took him in. He joined a fraternity, Sigma Chi, and felt at peace. He kept his problems locked away, and played the perfect part of kid coming into his own in college.
He was going to go pro, he just knew it. He had so much promise, a stellar GPA, a robust social circle and he finally felt like he could handle it all... and then everything came crashing down around him.
During his junior year, he realized he had a crush on one of his frat brothers, and it ate at him like a disease, sending him further and further into his spiraling thoughts until the depression set in. He couldn't outrun it this time. He started skipping practices and ditching classes, because he couldn't confront himself, which is what true help would require.
The warnings came and went and soon, his scholarship was revoked, and he was unceremoniously kicked off his team, his true ticket out of Texas. The manic bender that ensued was terrifying and damaging, and Billy had no choice but to get a diagnosis, start therapy, and return home, his proverbial tail tucked between his legs.
He took a year off and moped. He moved back in with his mom. He learned how to garden and play guitar. He started running a lot more. He cried a lot, journaled, processed.
He then dusted himself off and enrolled in the local Community College, earning his Associate's Degree in Writing.
It was then that he really fell in love with it in a meaningful way again, starting to write for the Bulletin.
Years out, he's the top Reporter and a columnist for the paper. He lives in his own house out in Lakeside, and has some room for a garden. He lives with his Bernese Mountain Dog (1 years old), Scout, is in therapy, is not only surviving but actually starting to thrive.
He's still regretful of how life played out, how he squandered his potential and chances. Life is simpler now, back in his sleepy hometown. But he has learned to live with how it shook out, and he's trying, every day, to find peace in all of it.
Headcanons:
Massive fan of the Texas Rangers. Very occasionally growing up would make it out of Blackstone to see them play in DFW. It was always his biggest dream to play Shortstop for the Rangers.
First time he even thought of a man as attractive was watching Han Solo in Star Wars. There was something about a young Harrison Ford.
Scout is his best friend. He got her a year ago when a local in town had puppies to adopt, and he fell in love instantly. She's grown a lot in the year and is deeply loyal, and kind. Taking her on walks is one of Billy's favorite parts of the day.
Is tremendously close to his mother. He believes she is the strongest person on Earth, and thinks the absolute world of her. She remained unflinching and protective throughout his childhood with Billy's father, and once he left, she made sure her kids were truly taken care of, relying on community to make that possible.
Massive sweet tooth. Constantly craving baked goods. Has a drawer of candy stashed at his desk at work, especially now that he doesn't have to keep in tip-top shape for baseball.
Feels very safe by the water, which is why he initally moved into a place in Lakeside instead of being closer to work. Now he's doubly happy he did so Scout has room to play.
Has made peace with his bisexuality and has started to explore it, though he has remained somewhat closed off to genuine attempts at dating over the 10 years since returning to Blackstone. There have been moments, here and there, but he has truly prioritized healing on his own first and foremost.
Never intended to become a journalist per say, but loves writing and this job would pay him to do it.
Still goes down to the Baseball Diamond in town sometimes to reminisce. He's mostly through the immediate pain in recalling how things played out, but sometimes still feels a bit tender about it.



















