ocean eyes ✧ Billy Hargrove

[ 023 ]

Daphne's mind was a whirlwind as she drove through the darkened streets of Hawkins. She didn't know where she was going, just that she needed to be anywhere but home, away from the chaos of the drawings and the terror in Will's eyes.

She needed to clear her head, but it seemed that her subconscious had other plans. Before she realized it, she found herself pulling up to Billy's house.

She hesitated for a moment, her heart pounding. What was she doing here? It didn't make sense, but something deep inside her told her this was the right place to be.

She got out of the car and knocked on the door, her hand trembling slightly. There was no answer. She knocked again, harder this time.

Finally, the door creaked open, and Susan Hargrove stood there, looking a bit surprised to see her. "Oh, you're... Daphne, right? You're the girl that got Max home the other day. How can I help you?"

Daphne swallowed hard, suddenly feeling very unsure of herself. "Yes, that's me. Ehm... I was wondering if... if Billy was home?"

Her voice was shaky, the words coming out awkwardly. She wasn't sure what she was doing here, but it felt like the only thing that made sense.

Susan gave her a small, understanding smile. "You just missed him. He's on his way to the arcade, giving Max a ride. If you go now, you can probably catch up to them."

Daphne nodded, a mix of relief and anxiety washing over her. "Thanks. Sorry for the disturb and goodnight!"

She turned and ran back to her car, her heart racing. She didn't fully understand it, but she knew she had to see Billy. He was the only one who could calm the storm in her mind.

As she drove, she pushed the car faster, her thoughts swirling as she navigated the quiet streets of Hawkins. The urgency to find him grew stronger with every passing second, her knuckles white as she gripped the steering wheel.

When she finally pulled up to the arcade, she spotted Billy's blue Camaro parked outside, the engine still running.

Max was just getting out of the car, and Daphne could hear the loud rock music blaring from the speakers. The sight of the car brought a strange sense of comfort, and she felt her nerves settle just a bit. She watched Max walk into the arcade before approaching Billy's car.

Billy looked up as she drove over, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Byers, are you following me?"

"Always funny, huh?" Daphne shot back, rolling her eyes but unable to suppress a smile. "I went to your place, and Susan told me you were giving Max a ride. Can we talk for a bit?"

Billy leaned back in his seat, a playful glint in his eye. "Oh my god, of course, Your Highness. How could I ever refuse such a request?"

"Dumbass." Daphne laughed, shaking her head as she started the engine ready to follow him.

Billy sped off, with Daphne close behind. They weaved through the streets until they reached a familiar, secluded spot—Lover's Lake.

Billy parked his car by the water's edge, and Daphne pulled up beside him. As she got out of the car, she couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

"Lover's Lake? Really? You're trying to propose or something?" she teased.

Billy chuckled, shaking his head. "Funny much? No, I think this place is just so... peaceful. We all need a moment of peace, just to clear our thoughts."

Daphne looked out at the calm water, the moon reflecting off its surface. "This is just what I needed."

Billy turned to her, his expression softening. "What happened? You cared for me, now it's my turn."

Daphne let out a small laugh, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Wow, didn't know you cared so much for me. Well, my brother is sick, and this entire situation is stressing me out. My mom is freaked out, and Jonathan isn't even home to help her."

Billy listened quietly, his usual bravado melting away as he saw how vulnerable she was. "I'm sorry, Daphne. I can't even imagine what that's like. But you're strong, you know that? You've been holding everyone together, even when it's tearing you apart."

Daphne looked at him, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. "You're a lot deeper than you let on, Hargrove."

Billy smiled faintly, his gaze drifting to the horizon. "I've had to be. Since my parents divorced, everything's been so complicated and rough. But you... you made everything easier. You know what I mean?"

Daphne nodded, understanding more than she let on. "Yeah, I do. Life's thrown a lot at both of us, hasn't it?"

Billy sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah. But having you around... it's made me feel like maybe it's not all bad. Like there's still something good in all this mess."

The clouds that had been gathering overhead finally burst, and rain started to pour down on them. But neither of them moved, both too caught up in the moment to care about getting soaked.

"You know, Byers, you're the first person I've brought here. And you know why?" Billy said, his voice barely audible over the rain.

Daphne grinned, trying to lighten the mood. "Because I'm awesome?"

Billy chuckled, shaking his head. "Also, but no. You're the first girl to challenge me, not to fall right into my arms. That... that made me want you more. You're the first person to ever understand me."

Daphne's heart skipped a beat at his words, but she tried to play it cool. "Hargrove, if that's how you think you can impress me, i'm sorry but you're out of your—"

"Fuck this, I'm going to regret it anyway," Billy mumbled to himself, cutting her off.

Before Daphne could react, Billy closed the distance between them and kissed her. The kiss wasn't what she expected from someone like Billy—rough, passionate, and overwhelming. Instead, it was sweet and gentle, full of all the emotions they'd both kept buried for so long.

The rain poured down on them, but they didn't care. The world seemed to stop, leaving only the two of them in that moment.

When they finally broke apart, both were breathless and drenched, their cheeks flushed with a mix of adrenaline and embarrassment.

Daphne tried to break the tension with a smirk. "Well, Hargrove, that wasn't half as bad as I thought."

Billy grinned, the cockiness returning to his voice. "Hey! I'm a great kisser."

"Also modest," Daphne teased.

Billy's smile faded slightly, replaced by a hint of worry. "I have to pick up Max. If we're not home in a couple of minutes, my father is going to kill me. And you know I'm not exaggerating."

Daphne nodded, suddenly serious. "Yeah, hurry up. I don't want him to ruin that pretty face of yours."

Billy raised an eyebrow, his grin returning. "Pretty? My face is smoking hot."

Daphne rolled her eyes, laughing. "Yeah, sure."

They both got into their cars, and as they drove off in opposite directions, Daphne felt a strange mix of emotions. The confusion and fear that had been overwhelming her earlier hadn't disappeared, but there was something else now—a sense of connection, of understanding.

For the first time in a long while, she felt like she wasn't alone in all of this.