"Hello? Can I help you?" Susan asked, walking over to join Billy at the door.

"Mrs. Hargrove? I think my dad spoke to you on the phone last night. I'm Steve," he said politely, holding his hand out for her to shake.

"Yes. It's nice to meet a friend of Billy's," Susan replied. She seemed nice, but timid. Exactly the kind of person who could be taken advantage of by someone like Billy's dad. Before his dad had considered him a lost cause, he'd pointed out the kind of people he'd target during company parties, when he wanted something done. Susan probably wouldn't take too much effort to influence, if you knew the right things to say.

"Sorry to stop by unannounced, but I wanted to drop off this jacket that Billy left over at my house," Steve said, holding up what he brought.

"Is that Billy's? It doesn't look familiar," Susan said, looking at Billy for his response. Billy's look of surprise had shifted into one of grudging respect. Maybe he would actually start believing that Steve would keep his word.

"Nope, it's not mine," Billy answered, shaking his head.

"Actually, I think this might be mine," Steve laughed, almost smacking himself on the head but deciding against it. That would hurt. "Sometimes my mom gets me clothes and doesn't tell me, so I don't recognize them. I was worried Billy would be without his jacket, just as the weather is starting to take a turn."

"That's so nice of you," Susan said with a smile. A polite, slightly air headed boy was what he was aiming for and he was pretty sure he'd nailed it so far. Non-threatening and not too annoying.

"Nah, it's nothing. I should probably get out of your hair though."

"Would you like to come in for a drink?" Susan offered.

"I wouldn't want to impose."

"Nonsense. I've got lemonade."

"Well, can't say no to that," Steve chuckled, nodding his acceptance. Billy was rolling his eyes behind Susan's back, but Steve ignored him. Just because Steve's charm came from a place that was much more wholesome than Billy's, didn't mean it was any less impressive.

He followed Susan into the house, glancing around the rooms. It all looked normal enough. And he didn't see any signs of Billy's dad, which was nice. Buttering up the better parent alone would be easier. And Steve wasn't sure if he had the restraint right now to not sock the man in the nose. He was still a bit hyped from the chaos of the past day.

"You have a lovely home," Steve complimented Susan as he sat down at their kitchen table. "You can hardly tell you just moved in. It already feels so warm and welcoming."

"Thank you. It's been a bit of an adjustment, but I think we're finally settling into town," Susan replied, setting a glass in front of him. "I like how quiet it is." Steve took a sip of his drink, trying to hide his reaction to that. Hawkins was anything but quiet these days and he was still confused as to how more people didn't know about what went on.

"Hey Steve," Max greeted, walking into the kitchen and giving him a look he couldn't quite read. She wasn't the type to give anything away, in the short time he'd known her. But he'd like to think that she did more than just tolerate his presence at this point. Friends might be a stretch, with all of the kids really, but maybe someday.

"Max."

"How did you and Maxine meet?" Susan asked. "Your father didn't really explain on the phone last night."

"Max goes to school with a few kids I look after," Steve explained, sticking as close to the truth as he could. Saying that he met her in an old junk yard while they were laying out a trap for a monster dog wouldn't go down well. "I took them to the arcade last night and they ran into each other. It was a sleepover night, so we invited her along."

"That's so nice of you to include her. I know how hard it is to make friends in a new town."

"They're good kids. Bleed me dry at the arcade and use up all my gas, but still good," Steve laughed. None of that was true, but he wouldn't be lying if he said it sounded nice. How had he gone from seeking out the coolest parties to wanting to hang out with a bunch of kids?

"Such angels," Billy smirked, leaning up against the kitchen doorway.

"When Billy showed up, I invited him along as well. It was nice having someone my age around this time. I don't have any siblings and I've sort of outgrown my high school friends. And we just sort of hit it off." There was definitely hitting involved.

"That's great. I really want things to go well in Hawkins," Susan said, before staring down at the table in embarrassment. Did anyone talk to this woman and actually listen to what she had to say? Did her husband control her just as strongly as he did his son? How had Steve gone from only having to look after himself, to feeling responsible for a group of kids and a whole family?

"I'm sure it will. There are some good people in this town who will help you with whatever you need," Steve said sincerely. He was still learning that himself, but he was becoming more sure of it after last night. Susan looked at him carefully, before glancing up at Billy and Max. Was he coming on too strong? He knew from experience that people bristled when they thought that family secrets were coming out into the open. But Steve had to put it out there that Susan wasn't alone, if she ever decided enough was enough. All Steve could do was keep being a presence in Billy and Max's lives, until at least he witnessed something he could act on.

"Whose car is that parked in front of the house?" an angry voice called from the front door. It felt like the temperature in the room immediately went down a few degrees. Steve saw Billy's shoulders hunch up, before he purposefully made himself relax. Max moved the tiniest bit closer to Steve's chair, but didn't say anything. Susan quickly smoothed out her clothes, before plastering a wide smile on her face. Steve had seen her smile earlier and it looked nothing like this. This was forced.

Steve steeled himself for this first interaction. He'd dealt with more stressful situations. Having dinner with the Hollands, while knowing their daughter was dead, was way harder than this. The only secret he had to keep this time was the fact that he knew the man was a piece of shit.

"Neil, honey, we have a visitor," Susan replied, moving to intercept her husband as he walked into the room. Billy slid further into the kitchen, taking himself out of the line of fire. Steve stood up, not wanting to feel like he was at a disadvantage. His dad's lectures had been so much worse when he'd been able to loom over him. The man didn't bother anymore and Steve was taller than him now, but he'd never forget how small he'd felt.

Steve was expecting more when he finally saw the man. He couldn't really judge anyone else's boogeyman, since it was rarely only about what they looked like. But if Steve had seen this guy on the street, he wouldn't have given him a second glance. Maybe that was why it was easy for him to terrorize his family. If he'd been seven feet tall with hulking muscles and a permanent scowl, people would take notice. The scowl was there, but everything else was frustratingly normal.

"Mr. Hargrove? Steve Harrington, nice to meet you," Steve greeted, thrusting out his hand for the man to shake. Neil only hesitated for a moment, before reaching out and giving Steve's hand a squeeze. Steve knew this game too, thanks to his dad. Who knew his own shitty parentage would help with someone else's? He squeezed just as firmly as Neil, keeping eye contact with the man. Not too much to try to assert dominance, but enough to show he wasn't submissive. "I'm a friend of Billy and Max."

"Really," Neil grunted, flicking his eyes toward Billy. "I don't remember your name being mentioned before."

"It's a recent friendship, but I have a feeling I'm going to be around a lot more often."

"Is that so?"

"My parents are always busy, so I get kind of bored at home. It'll be nice to have someone new to hang out with."

"And what exactly are they busy with?" Neil asked, giving him a once over. Steve knew what kind of impression he gave off, with the clothes he wore and the car he drove. He'd started to shy away from using it to his advantage, but not right now.

"A little of this, a little of that. My dad does business stuff, which goes way over my head. He's always flying all over the country and having meetings with important people. And my mom is pretty much involved with every community group in town. You have an issue with the city council or a question for the school board, she's the one you call." Even though Steve's parents weren't around for him, they still had a high standing in Hawkins. When they were in town, they were involved in everything, making sure they didn't lose their clout. Not everyone got to know them, but everyone knew of them. And now Neil knew that while he may have had power in his house, Steve had power and influence in the town. In reality, his parents probably wouldn't give two shits about anything that happened to him, unless it could damage their reputation. But no one else needed to know that.

"Maxine and Billy spent the night at his house, remember?" Susan said, wringing her hands a little.

"Right," Neil smirked, nodding his head. "You know, I don't really appreciate my kids making plans without clearing it with me first. I like to know where they are, to make sure they are safe and sound."

"Of course. And my apologies, Mr. Hargrove. I would never want to overstep," Steve said, putting absolutely no remorse in his voice. Seeing this guy pretend to care about his kids, when it was really only about control, made him want to throw all caution aside and go nuts. Maybe Hopper would take pity on him and let him out of jail early.

"Your dad already apologized for all that. It wasn't your fault," Susan said kindly. Steve wanted to tell her to not bother sticking up for him, but he wouldn't be able to get away with that. He didn't want her to incur the wrath of her husband for him. Steve was more than willing to take whatever the man wanted to dish out. He had somewhere safe to go at the end of the day. They didn't.

"Personal accountability is a characteristic that a lot of people lack."

"Oh, not me. I take responsibility for all of my decisions. As a man, I want to be able to look at myself in the mirror at the end of the day without shame. Not everyone can do that."

"Hey Steve, want to come to my room and help with a bit of homework I've got?" Billy asked, pulling on his arm. That snapped Steve out of his anger fueled daze and he let an easy smile slide onto his face.

"Sure," Steve agreed, letting his eyes linger on Neil for just a little bit longer. "Again, it was so great meeting you both. I look forward to seeing a lot more of you all." Billy didn't let either of them answer, if they were even planning on it, pulling him by the arm out of the room. Steve let himself be led, following Billy down the hallway until the other boy shoved him into his room and closed the door behind them.

"What the hell was that?" Billy hissed, bumping him with his chest.

"I don't know. I just really, really wanted to punch that guy," Steve whispered. He understood why Billy wanted to fight people all the time. If he couldn't hit his dad, he needed to hit something.

"Welcome to the club," Billy snorted, shaking his head. "He gets pissed because of that display and takes it out on me, I'm taking it out on you."

"That's fair," Steve conceded. He really didn't want to make things worse for Billy and Max, but he hadn't known quite the right way to handle that situation. You could plan as long as you wanted, but once you were actually in it, instincts took over. And Steve's new instincts were to put himself in the line of fire and protect.

There was a sudden knocking at the door and Steve immediately pushed Billy to stand behind him. He'd done the same with Max in the old bus when the demodogs were about to come inside. In that brief moment, he'd been sure that his bat wasn't going to be enough if they all decided to attack at once, but he'd been completely willing to sacrifice himself if that meant the kids had a chance.

"Can I come in?" Max asked through the door. Steve let out the breath he'd been holding, then stepped aside for Billy to move past him. Billy gave him a curious look, before opening the door.

"What do you want?" Billy grunted. Max shoved her way inside, jiggling her backpack.

"I'm going to do my homework too."

"You know that was a lie."

"And now it's not," Max shot back, plopping down on the end of the bed and pulling out her supplies. Billy glared at both of them, before closing the door again. Steve grinned, walking over to the bed and laying down on it, making himself comfortable. He really hoped the sheets were clean, but he tried to push that concern away.

"Make yourselves at home," Billy sneered, crossing his arms.

"Thanks, pal," Steve smirked, rolling from side to side. The bed actually was pretty comfortable. Billy started cursing under his breath and puttering around the room, but Steve and Max paid him no mind. If he really wanted them gone, he would've booted them out by now. Billy just didn't want to admit that he enjoyed their company.

Billy eventually settled on the floor with his back against his closet. Steve knew he was taking up too much space, but his fatigue was catching up to him. Those hours of sleep he'd gotten last night weren't nearly enough, especially after this recent rush of adrenaline he'd had while talking to Billy's dad. He'd just rest his eyes for a couple of minutes before he made an excuse to go back home. Steve didn't want to overstay his welcome. He'd accomplished his goal of showing Billy that he was in this friendship for the long haul, but he didn't want to go overboard. Just a few more minutes.