G O N E |Harringrove|

3 - Surprise Vistor

Steve was in a stasis like state. Not exactly asleep, but not really awake either. His mind felt like it was dipped underwater, his thoughts sluggish and barely present.

Just as he was nearing a fully asleep state, the un-oiled creak of his front door shocked him awake. His blankets fell onto the carpet as he shot upwards, his shirt riding halfway up his torso.

As his stood up to investigate, he made careful and deliberate movements to avoid waking the sleeping girl on the floor beside him. She was cozied up in a sleeping bag, and Steve would feel extremely guilty if he were to wake her.

Steve tip-toed around the eleven sized lump on ground, avoiding the floorboards that made the loudest creaks when disturbed. He hadn't made it to the double doors when something launched itself at him, pinning him to the ground. His panic shifted into overdrive, his instincts automatically jumped to the conclusion of  "demodog!".

Swinging a blind punch, his fist surprisingly connected with a rock hard surface which felt something like a chin. A human grunt of pain sounded above him as Steve manipulated the heavy lug above him so he was above the mystery attacker. Grabbing what he presumed to be their collar, he positioned his fist near what he assumed to be their face, ready for another punch if necessary. "You got 30 seconds to explain yourself, or you'll be finding a nail bat gorged between your eyes" He hissed the words at the attacker.
The second half was a bluff. Steve just didn't have it in him to kill someone. His conscious was already disturbed enough as it is.

"Christ Harrington, I didn't peg you for the killer type. I thought princesses didn't like to get their hands dirty. Watch the eyes by the way, they're one of my best features.."

Steve's grip loosened once he registered who that familiar voice belonged to, but not by that much. His fist lowered slightly.

"The hell? Why are you in my house Hargrove? Y'know I could get you arrested for breaking and entering?" He didn't concern himself with the taunts.

Billy barked out a laugh. Steve could see him clearly, now that his eyes had adjusted to the darkness. 

"Breaking and entering? That door was unlocked, I didn't break shit."

Steve rolled his eyes even though Billy probably couldn't see the gesture. "Yeah, but you could've broken something when you charged into me like a dog. That's not how you greet someone in their own home. Were you raised in a barn Hargrove?

"Thought it would be funny to give her highness a scare. It was funny till you socked me in the jaw– then it became hilarious." Billy cackled like a crazy person, and at this point Steve was halfway convinced that Billy really was insane.

The lights flickered on as a tired and messy haired Eleven walked into the hallway. She stared down at the mess of limbs in confusion. "Steve...?"

With the lights on Steve could finally get a good look at Billy's California tanned face. His cheek had a blossoming violet bruise forming, while his lip was split. Both injuries weren't present that afternoon, and Steve definitely didn't cause those within the time frame he had Billy pinned down.  Billy's electric blue eyes stared back with an intensity that Steve felt forced to look away from. Getting up from his position atop of Billy, he brushed himself off and turned to acknowledge Eleven.

"Hey kid, m' sorry I woke you" The girl blinked her half hooded eyes.

"Is..that a bad man?" She pointed at Billy who had the audacity to give her one of his fox like smiles in return.
Steve recalled when Dustin told him about the time he, Lucas, Mike and Eleven, "ran away from the government dudes". Eleven didn't hesitate to thrash them, and the last thing Steve needed was a dead Billy Hargrove on his hands. Hopefully Hopper worked out that kind of response, teaching the misguided girl how overly aggressive actions aren't necessary. Still, Steve preferred to be cautious about it

"Er- No, it's all good kid, I have it handled. Look, you go back to sleep and I'll talk to you bout it in the morning, okay?" Billy was starting to pull himself up off the wooden floor.

Eleven silently nodded, her messy curls bouncing with the movement.  She rubbed her tired eyes with one hand. "Promise?" She asked while yawning.

Steve nearly forgot about her obsession with promises and lies. "Uh, Yeah, sure thing."

Once Eleven was out of earshot, Billy's smile dropped. He jabbed his thumb towards the area Eleven was standing. "The hell is up with that kid? You collectin' freaks Harrington?"

Steve felt a twinge of anger deep inside him, but made an effort to stay calm and mindful. "No, she's uh. She's a good kid, it's just that her uh dad..."

Steve trailed off not wanting to give up too many details, which was purely out of respect for Eleven. It was her past, not his, and he didn't have the right to share it.
A dark look overcame Billy's face, and something that seemed like recognition briefly flashed in his eyes.

"Anyway, if you're not gonna tell me why you're here, I suggest you make like a tree and leave. I have places to be...couches to sleep on." Shit, he sounded really lame.

Billy froze, looking slightly conflicted. "Right, about that. Y'see Max and the rest of weirdo gang seems to have some obsession involving you."

Steve tilted his head, unamused. "Tell me something I don't know Hargrove. What does that have to do with anything?"

Billy grunted, and dug his foot into ground looking irritated. "I'm getting there, don't get your panties in a twist Harrington." Steve flushed.

"Anyway, you need to tell me where the red headed bitch scrambled off to"

Steve's brain stopped working for a split second as it registered the meaning behind the words. He pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling more than annoyed. "Right– So let me get this straight, you broke-"

"I entered, you didn't lock the door dumbass-" Billy corrected him

"–right, whatever. You, entered my house without permission, tackled me to the ground like a football player, and then insulted the kids I look after, all because you need my help to find your sister?"

"Step sister." Billy corrected him yet again, but made no comment about Steves summarization.

"No."

Billy looked like he was going to strangle Steve on the spot. "What. Why the hell not?"

Steve hummed, making his face look thoughtful. "Well I can list a few reasons off my head right now on why I shouldn't help you." He paused, "But it's mostly because I'm incapable of helping you. I don't know where the hell she is."

The two stared at each other, both refusing to look away. To Steve's surprise, it was Billy who broke contact first. "Well this was a fucking waste then." He turned tail and left the house, slamming the door he entered through, behind him.

Steve sighed tiredly as he locked the door.