I Don’t Understand

Indie canon non-compliant Billy Hargrove RP Mun is 30+ Expect NSFW content, Minors DNI DO NOT REBLOG MY ROLEPLAYS OR YOU WILL BE BLOCKED

[puppetoffthehook]

Just tell the nurse you slipped and fell // It starts to sting as it starts to swell // She looks at you, she wants the truth // It's right out there in the waiting room with those hands // Lookin' just as sweet as he can

Never again

———————

Multi-ship and OC friendly

21+ only to interact

NSFW topics will be written and discussed

Semi-selective

House Rules || Epitaph || Verses || Drabbles || Playlist

Promo images made by @theolderhenderson

[puppetoffthehook]

Billy scoffed. To him this wasn’t even that bad. He’d still had the sense about him to cover his seat with a towel to not risk blood in the upholstery. The only reason he did what Max asked is because if his dad goes to jail he has nowhere to go. And she had been freaked out by it. He’d never let her see the aftermath up close before. Not when it was fresh like this.

“Whatever you say, Steve-o.” The blonde moved to the bathroom and took off his shirt, wincing as the semi-dried sticky blood peeled away from his skin. The wounds were deep enough to bleed but not need stitches. He straddled the toilet backwards and sat with his arms resting on the tank. “Let’s just get this over with. I got a six pack and the lake callin’ my name.” And the idea of Steve touching him even just for the caring of wounds was making him nervous, fingers fidgeting and biting his lips to try and get that energy out.

[holmesdepot]

Steve had expected some resistance, or at least a smart ass remark. The fact that neither occurred set his teeth on edge, because it told him this was even more alarming than Max made it seem.

Sure enough, the moment Billy had his shirt off, Steve found himself frozen in the doorway as it hit him how extremely unprepared he had been for what he'd signed up for. He understood that Billy's dad hurt him - he hadn't expected it to be like this, even with how scared Max had sounded on the walkie.

Swallowing thickly, he grabbed the first aid kit from under the sink and a cloth while he was at it, opting to wet that down and start by cleaning up the mess that had been made of Billy's back as carefully as he could. He was quiet, unsure if it was his place to say anything - but the longer he worked the sicker he felt.

"You know - " He halted, but then pushed on, "If you wanted to press charges, my godfather's a lawyer. He'd take this for free." Not only as a favor for Steve, but because there was no way Klaus would charge a teenager for a case against his own dad, not like this.

Recognizing he might be kicking an explosive here, he added quietly, "There's enough shit going on without you and Max having to go home to something like this." If something like this could even be called a home.

[puppetoffthehook]

At first Billy just sits in silence, teethe gritting against the pain in the welts on his back that Steve is cleaning so meticulously. He’s waiting for the inevitable though there’s two options of which it’ll be. Either the other teen is gonna throw a goddamn pity party for him because he has to know this was his father’s belt at work here. Or he’s going to tear into the blonde about how he deserves it because he’s such an asshole all the time.

Not like he doesn’t know he deserves it. Why else would he have given up trying to report him after the first time when Neil’s friend in force told him it was his own fault? Why else would he grin and bear it, trying to work through the pain every day without drawing attention? And telling Max to keep her mouth shut since she found out.

“And where do you suggest I go while I happily tear my family apart, huh? We don’t all have Daddy’s fat wallet to rely on.” He tried to convey anger but he’s just.. tired. There’s a rawness to his words but the fire inside is dim from just how much he doesn’t have the option. “If I press charges and they’re not immediately disregarded because it’s just my dad’s form of discipline, then I’m risking uprooting Max’s life again.”

Billy sat up a little straighter and turned his head to be heard better. “I’m almost an adult. If I get out in the system now then I get kicked out in a few months and I’m on my own. Could probably figure it out but I’d rather have some cash first. But let’s say by some act of God that Neil gets sent to prison. I don’t think Susan can afford that house alone. Where would they go?”

[zoomingupthathill]

[]Make a deal with God.... Indie Selective Maxine Mayfield from Netflix's Stranger Things Bee est. 2022

Credit : @jjcre8

[puppetoffthehook]

If this song was in the 80s it would’ve played at Billy’s funeral and during his death

[puppetoffthehook]

Don’t mind my stupidly short curtains, I got the wrong size and I’m stubborn

[puppetoffthehook]

I’m over here being super gay about Rhea Ripley and trying to stop myself from buying the doll they made of her😩 MAMIIII NOTICE ME

[harbek]

I saw a post about Billy Hargrove's blackened veins resembling cracked porcelain, and my immediate reaction was

kintsugi that young man!

Basically:

WIPs and info under cut:

Clip Studio Paint 4 for most of the painting, Photoshop for colour adjustments and tweaks. Finally got PS back, but I'm still enjoying painting in CSP more, just for the colour blending honestly.

And my trusty Wacom Intuos 4 tablet, which, happy birthday to it, recently turned 16 years old. Amazing value tbh.

Took about 6-7 hours? I've been trying to do slightly rougher work, partly because I don't want to over-render everything, and partly because I have 5 unfinished works from the past few months. The ADHD problem of getting bored once I'm 90% done has really been kicking my ass, so I'm trying to find a way to finish things quicker and be less perfectionist.

Oh yeah and I finally watched Stranger Things! Infuriating show with incomprehensible messaging, but great character concepts and actors, so of course I came out of it with a new blorbo.

[anderson-residence]

@puppetoffthehook “Who did this?” (Insert angry big brother here)

Send “Who did this?” for your muse to discover my muse with a black eye or a busted lip

Mayson's hand went to the black eye that, honestly, he had forgotten about. It didn't hurt anymore unless you touched it. "Don't be mad, Billy. It was an accident, if that's what you're worried about." He shrugged.

"I talked Noah into playing a game of get away. He accidentally elbowed me in the face when I had him pinned on the ground... ah... but see that was also....? Like after I tackled him and he accidentally bit his lip all bloodied. It wasn't as good as either of us had expected. We didn't mean to hurt each other."

[puppetoffthehook]

The blonde took a deep breath to calm himself. Doing like his therapist said and maintaining calm breathing while affirming to himself that things were okay. It was an accident, he got it from playing too rough. Nobody hurt him on purpose. He let the breath out with a sigh.

Billy looked at the other boy; his brother’s new friend from that island he can’t remember the name of. He’ll look it up later and feel dumb about forgetting. First he has to check on his brother. “It’s a fun game but the fun comes from having at least one person know exactly what they’re doin’, kiddo. We haven’t played it with you guys a whole lot so you’re not as practiced. Gotta be more careful.”

[puppetoffthehook]

Billy wouldn’t admit it around anyone else but when Max had gone running out of the house it hadn’t been his dad’s ire he’d been afraid of. Even with what the others said about the gate being closed and nothing to fear, he had imagined a pack of those creatures coming after her and had gone chasing after his sister the second his dad had gotten distracted.

Normally he wouldn’t have bothered with the car because as fast as she is, he can still catch up to her eventually. But something tells him they’re going to need it. Especially when he finally gets ahold of her and holds his sister to his chest and she fully breaks down. He can understand why. Things are worse at home now than they’ve ever been before. She’s seen how both of their parents really are and it’s not like it’s easy to ignore.

Similar to how he’s always tried to hide his tears around Max, he’s only ever seen her close to tears a few times. Like when they were kids and she was learning to skate. Having to teach the twerp how to clean and bandage the wound because she was about eight or nine and usually had her mom to help. She tried so hard to be tough then. Has been since they first became family. Billy hugged her a little tighter.

“I know.. I hate them, too.” He replied in as soft a tone he could. “I’m sorry. We have to go back eventually but… you’re kinda hard to find when you wanna be. So how about we go somewhere for a bit just.. just to get away from them for a while.”

[holmesdepot]

Max felt her breathing starting to even out a little, even as her throat continued to burn in that awful way it did every time she found herself close to tears ( or worse, actually crying. ) He wasn't fighting her, and that combined with the sense of reassurance she felt as he held on did make her feel a little less like she was flying apart at the seams.

Forcing herself to take a long, deep breath, Max held it before letting it out slowly. Hearing Billy say he hated them too - it helped. It made her feel less dramatic, and stupid, for trying to get away at all. It wasn't like she didn't know she had to go back - she was a minor, it wasn't like she could just get a job or something - but it was vindicating, to know she wasn't alone in seeing their parents for what they were.

Even though Billy got the worst of it by far, Max sometimes wondered if he thought it was fucking normal or something. She hadn't been able to fathom why he still seemed to care about his dad - but after what her mother had done, and all she hadn't - Max wondered why she still cared about her, and understood at least a little.

She took another breath and let it out, then, "Okay." It was quiet, and a little rough, but it was surrender in its own way. "Let's go somewhere." Lifting her arm, she wiped her face of tears, then, "Anywhere's better than here, anyway."

Max knew she would go back, and without complaint, after this. She just hoped they didn't go back too soon.

[puppetoffthehook]

Maybe it’s just knowing that things were very close to being totally over not long ago, or even just the stress of balancing it all but Billy wanted to try and be at least less of a dick to Max. Sure she did shit like run away from home and other things that got him in trouble but she was just a kid. A kid that was struggling because he was a dick to her from the jump and their parents were awful people. Who wouldn’t wanna run from that?

And he knows it’s confusing that he just takes what his dad dishes out. Plenty of people would look at that situation and call child services. It’s what he’s known since he was a kid and now he’s old enough that the system wouldn’t help. All he can do is wait it out til he can afford an apartment or something.

When Max pulled away from the hug he dropped his arms, clearing his throat awkwardly. The hug had been spontaneous and now he didn’t know what to do with himself. “Well, we could go throw rocks at fish in the lake. Or sneak into a movie. Or throw toilet paper at the Wheelers’ house.”

[anderson-residence]

@puppetoffthehook from here

"Once you get your license you can drive yourself to school but until then you still need to drive with a licensed adult in the car." It was just the rules, kid. "But I'd rather it be me or one of your older brothers."

[puppetoffthehook]

The teen punched the air excitedly. “Yes!! Just another month or more and I’m flying solo! Well, except for the kids. ‘Cause I can totally drop them off too so no one has to ride the bus anymore! There’s plenty of room for the Trio and Johnny and I can shove Steve in the trunk!”

[puppetoffthehook]

Kinda feel like shit cuz I have more time for this than ever but I’m still struggling with my meager amount of drafts meanwhile there’s people on here with 80+ that can get them pumped out in a few days

I wanna write, too. I just can’t seem to focus enough on it.

[anderson-residence]

@puppetoffthehook from here

Lana launched herself into Billy's arms, no doubt finally feeling safe for the first time that afternoon. A large sigh rumbled through her tiny body. "Oh but Billy, won't Steve be mad? You're gonna miss a lotta work today and because of me. What if he gets mad at me or you? I don't want him to be mad just because of all this..."

[puppetoffthehook]

“He won’t be mad, Lala. Steve knows I’ve gotta be a good big brother and help you out when someone causes trouble.” He gave her a gentle squeeze to try and ease her worries. “Speaking of trouble, did they let you go to the nurse for this? Because if they didn’t they’re gonna be in trouble.” The fact the little bastard was pulling hard enough for the girl to bleed should’ve been a sign to the teacher this wasn’t just childish teasing.

“And if nothing else I’ll sue the brat’s parents and the school for letting him hurt you.” He said as he pulled back, giving her a smile the boy would be able to see. One that barely hid the malice he was feeling toward a young boy willing to cause his sister pain.

[puppetoffthehook]

@alwaysxinxtrouble continued from X

It was a risk, saying it so soon in this weird new space they were in. He’s been trying to bury these feelings for years, though, and he can’t keep doing it anymore. Not when he’s scared of how much his mind might not be his own. Not when he’s held together by pain and scar tissue. The fucked up nerves in his scarred hands caused his fingers to twitch like they always did when he was starting to get nervous.

“Never really hated you.” He spoke quietly, like his old boisterousness would destroy this fragile moment for good. “I hated that my dad took me from the ocean and brought me here because he wanted this conservative small town to make me straight. I hated that instead of that working, I saw you in the parking lot on my first day and thought my heart was gonna punch through my ribs.”

Poor choice of words given the giant scar on his chest but who could blame him? He shook his head, chuckling with no real mirth. “You don’t have to lie to me, Steve. After everything between us in the past, there’s no way you would give me a chance… I dunno why I even tried..”

[alwaysxinxtrouble]

Steve hesitates—but only for a second. Then he closes the distance. His hand finally bridges that gap, fingers wrapping around Billy’s—not tight, not forcing it, just there. Steady. Real. Like he’s making the choice instead of talking around it. “I’m saying…” Steve starts, voice quieter now, a little rougher around the edges, “…I want to try. With you.”

His grip shifts slightly, thumb brushing once against the back of Billy’s hand, grounding more than anything else. “Not pretend the past didn’t happen,” he adds, meeting his eyes. “Not ignore it. But not let it be the only thing that decides what happens next either.” A small breath leaves him, something nervous threading under the certainty.

“I don’t know exactly what this looks like yet,” Steve admits. “But I know I don’t want to walk away from it without even seeing what it could be.”

[puppetoffthehook]

His fingers were still jittering and Billy hoped to a god he didn’t fully believe in anymore that Steve wouldn’t think he was trying to shake him off. Was this some kind of dream? It had to be, right? No way would Steve Harrington would give a guy like Billy Hargrove a chance like this. They might not be enemies anymore but to say he was willing to see how things went..

“I swear if you’re fucking with me I’m gonna drown you in the lake.” Because aside from a dream what else could it be? Even if Steve sounded sincere he knew better than to blindly trust this. “I don’t like being open about shit if it leads to being the butt of a fucking joke.”

[puppetoffthehook]

“Maybe you don’t need it but you do deserve it.” Billy would not be moved on that feeling. His boyfriend has been through so much shit in the past few years and he deserves to be told how loved he is. Plus he’s always secretly loved the sappy cute shit, he’s just never experienced it.

“I just want to make sure you never feel unappreciated again. You’re kinda one of two reasons I’m even still around so I owe a lot to you.”

Billy melted in Steve’s hold, nuzzling lovingly against his chest. The heartbeat under his ear where he chose to rest his head helped to soothe him. “I’m just glad you realized finally that I was pulling your pigtails. Not the best way to show I liked you but it was the only way I knew how.”

[hawkinsbizarre]

Steve smiled and stroked his hand over Billy's head lightly, his eyes on his boyfriend. He kissed the top of Billy's head as he rest it on his chest. "You don't make me feel unappreciated. I promise." He said softly. "And you owe me nothing Billy. This relationship is not about owing anyone anything, we are equals in this relationship." He smiled.

He then laughed "Glad I realised, or glad you finally gave up trying to get me to like you by beating the crap out of me?" He teased lightly and wrapped both his arms around Billy, kissing his head again and smiling.

"Well, I am glad we both woke up and realised what it was we both needed and wanted." He replied.

[puppetoffthehook]

Billy curled closer with a pleased hum in his throat. He can’t help thinking that that’s the problem; he’s not used to being equal with anyone. He’s always tried to project being better even when he felt inferior. Or in the case of his ex and his father.. just take the abuse for being lesser and hope it led to being cared for. But Steve? Steve sees him as on the same level. A person worth the softness of this moment and so many more. Sometimes it’s a little suffocating just because Billy’s scared to lose it.

“I won’t pretend I even knew what I was hoping to achieve. I still regret the worst of it. Never wanted to hurt you but couldn’t seem to keep from doing it.” How Steve grew to love him anyway he’ll never know.

[bitterbound]

Guys like iconic musicians - Freddie Mercury, Ozzy Osbourne and David Bowie 🔥

[lovebillyhargrove]

Billy 🖤

[puppetoffthehook]

Too relatable