He hated it all. Every bit of it. He couldn't stand it. There was literally nothing worse than the dreaded bus journey he had to take from college every day.

Billy longed to be back in his car. His precious Camaro. The car that was wrecked and makes him panic every time he looks at it...

His pride and joy after all.

He hated that even something as simple as his car was tainted by that day. That dreaded day... the day when nothing would ever be the same again. The day that everything shifted.

The day he died...

And then didn't.

He can't remember how the doctors had even said they brought him back, his months long coma not lending him much clarity in the first few days of waking up. Luckily Max was there to help him through it all, his own father long gone and his step mother falling into a depression no one could help her step out off.

He always ended up thinking about that day as he rides the bus, his eyes glazing over as he awkwardly slots himself into the thick plastic seats. He prays that someone doesn't want to sit next to him. He didn't want someone getting too close to him, their clothing scraping against his as the bus jostles mindlessly. He should find the swaying relaxing but he honestly hated it. It reminded him off that moment... Being lifted up into the air... Eyes darkening... Facing doom...

Billy shivered. He needed to think about something else. Literally anything else. He needed a distraction.

So he tried to focus his eyes on the road outside. He watched as cars strolled by and people wandered the streets without a care in the world. They didn't know what was lurking in Hawkins. They had no idea. People were completely clueless about the pure horrors that lurked just on the outskirts of the town.

Billy didn't know how people could be so stupid. How could they not see the lies the government spread about the mall? How did no one wonder how the fire actually started? Why did everyone just accept what they were told, swallowing it down without any complaints?

It really made him mad. He needed the truth. Needed to know more. He couldn't just sit by idly. So that's why he did what he did. He took the hush money and used it to find out whatever secrets they have. He couldn't do it on his own and he figured having the backing of a academic institution behind him would get him much further than just an man with a never ending anger.

So he spent the majority of his time looking into any little details he could get about the so called 'mall fire'. It was pretty much all he did, every assignment revolved around it and it filled his head more than he would like to admit. Bus rides like this kept his mind wandering back to it, he couldn't stop thinking about it.

The bus wasn't too busy today (thank god) so he didn't have to worry about anyone getting too close. He just let his mind drift as the bus travelled down familiar roads which he longed to leave behind.

After minutes, the bus finally pulled into Maple Street. Billy knew that this was his stop, another day another struggle back to his house on Cherry Lane. He hated the walk back but it beat walking the whole way, he guessed. So he took his time, glaring at anyone who dared to tut at his pace as he shuffled off of the bus. One old woman in particular had been glaring at him the whole trip, staring at him as he walked. Even when he got off of the bus he could feel the woman's glare through the window earning her a middle finger as he stood on the pavement. He loved the incredulous look she gave him.

The bus pulled away after that without any fanfare, kicking up dust and rocks in it's wake. Billy coughed, the gravel scratching his throat as he breathed in at just the wrong moment. He looked both ways on the pavement then up at the sky, eyes closing before he rolled his shoulders and began to walk down the long stretch of road towards his hell of a home.

A few months ago this walk wouldn't have taken him too long but now it did. He kept his hands wrapped around his stomach, the long baggy sleeves of his sweatshirt hanging from his arms. The sun beat down on him as he walked, sweat beading on his brow. The sweatshirt was definitely making him too hot but he couldn't really find it in him to care. He could see his house now, determination brewing in his chest as he continued on.

He had to physically force himself not to look over at the Camaro parked at the end of the road. He wouldn't look at it. It would just make him sad. So he chose to ignore it. Ignore it all.

That was better for him.

He hobbled silently up the stairs, taking a deep breath as he reached the top. He dug around in his pocket, finding his set of house keys and slotting them into the door. He frowned when he tried to turn the key, the door not unlocking but rather jamming each time he turned it. He knew exactly what that meant.

He swung the door open, "Maaaax." His voice was higher than normal, a sing song quality to it as he stepped into the house. He could feel eyes on him as soon as he stepped in but he didn't look over at the sofa until he had locked the door behind him. "Why you home shitbird?"

He looked over at the sofa, shocked to see not one but two sets of eyes staring back at him. He knew Max was home but he didn't expect her friend El to also be sitting there watching him. It felt like he was walking into an intervention, both women studying him as he set his keys on the small side table and slipped his shoes off painfully.

"I'll ask again. Why are you here shitbird?"

Max spoke softly, "Power cut. School got sent home early."

"Yeah?" He played along. "That explain why I saw loads of kids at school on my way back?"

"I could ask the same for you." Max didn't even try to defend herself, deflecting it back onto him.

"I'm an adult I can do what I want." He said, rolling his right shoulder as he walked over to the chair in the living room. "And anyways I couldn't be bothered with it anymore. Just wanted to come back."

"Is it flaring up again?" Max asked. Billy nodded. She stood up, making her way to the kitchen silently.

Billy felt a little uncomfortable being around El. It wasn't her powers that made him uncomfortable it was just that he struggled to forgive himself for what he had done to her. And he hated that she had seen parts of him he shared with no one. What made it even worse was that she showed him a never ending supply of forgiveness and understanding. El would do whatever she could to help him and Max and he couldn't understand it. Wasn't even sure he wanted to understand it. It had taken him months to get to this point, to the point where he was fine with Max helping him out. He had spent too long getting certain messages from Neil that it became really difficult for him to accept help.

El just sat and watched him, her eyes unwavering. He used to find it disconcerting but once he realised that the girl had never been around enough people to realise her scrutinising gaze was off putting he just chalked it up to her being observant. She didn't want to upset him and she really wasn't trying too. He had to force himself not to read too much into it and just accept it for what it was.

Yet he would be lying if he didn't say he was happy when Max came back into the room, breaking the silent tension between him and El. She was carrying a small glass of water and a handful of his many pain killers and medication given to him by the hospital. He tried to get himself back up to sitting upright but the cushions had swallowed him up, his tired joints not giving him much help. He grunted in pain as he shuffled until El stepped over and placed a hand on his back to help guide him upright.

He nodded his thanks, grabbing the glass from his step sister and swallowing the tablets down one by one. El kept her hand on his back as Max stood vigil by his side, her eyes lasered in on the pills. Once he had taken the final one he opened his palm up, letting his sister see he had taken them all. She sat back down with a roll of her eyes, not wanting to admit that she was happy with him taking them all without complaint.

It took El a moment longer before she too let her hand go, letting the man sit back in pain. He shifted around as she sat, his eyes shut. He sank back into the cushions, a breath of air huffing out as he tried to relax. He knew the painkillers would only take a moment to kick in so he waited.

He could hear the kids breathing softly, feeling their eyes on him as he lay. He didn't open his eyes as Max spoke, "You good?"

He huffed. "Great." He cracked his eyes open to look at the pair. "You want to try again for why you're here?"

"Powers out." Max explained at the same time as Eleven said.

"We beat Jason Carver up."

Eleven's words made Billy sit up, his eyes wide as he stared. "You did what?"

Max shook her head, crossing her arms over her chest as she glared at Eleven. "What the hell dude?"

"Friends don't lie." Eleven explained, her tone filled with innocence.

"We agreed we wouldn't say anything." Max fumed.

"He asked." Was her only explanation.

"Damn straight I did." Billy interjected. "What does she mean Max? What did you do?"

"Nothing." He stared at her as she refused to back down. "Nothing he didn't deserve."

"Damn it Max..." He tried to sit up again. "What did I tell you last time this happened?"

Max didn't keep quiet with that, snapping back at her step brother as Eleven looked on silently. "It was nothing."

Billy looked at Eleven, the girl breaking under his raised eyebrow. "He was saying bad things. Bad things about you."

Billy sighed as he rubbed his face with his hand tiredly. "Max..."

"I couldn't just sit by. We both couldn't." Max defended herself. "He doesn't know what he's talking about!"

"Exactly! So why let it bother you?"

"Because he has no idea! They shouldn't be making fun of you!" She exclaimed. "They wouldn't be laughing if it was them!"

"Do you think I really care about what Jason Carver thinks of me?" Billy scoffed. "Him and his lame ass brother can take a hike."

"They were laughing at your injuries. At the way you act. He was getting told things from his brother and then taunting me with it. I can't stand there and do nothing!" Max explained as Eleven fidgeted.

"His brother got put in his place once again today don't worry about it." Billy said, eyes rolling as he shifted.

"What? What did you do?" Max questioned him now, appreciating the chance to deflect something back onto her brother.

"Nothing you wouldn't do, apparently." Max rolled her eyes as he spoke. "And anyways this isn't about me. This is about finding out what I've got to cover you for once again."

"You don't have to cover for anything." Max scoffed.

"Oh yeah? Who's around here to parent you, hmm? Cause it sure as hell ain't your mother." He said. "And Neil isn't here to force it into your head so I have to be the one to speak to the teachers when they call... Should I be expecting a call, Max?" He took her silence as an answer. "Did any teachers already speak to you about it?" Once again she stayed silent. "Damn it Max. Did you have to skip out as well?"

"Did you want me to stay there and make it worse?" She snarked, this time taking his silence as an answer. "Thought not."

"Hey!" He snapped, pointing his finger at her. "You don't get to be like that."

"Just saying..." She muttered, not intimidated by his attitude anymore.

"Well you can just say what exactly you two decided to do today either now or I can find out when your teachers ring." Billy closed his eyes as he breathed through the pain, his chest tightening as he spoke. "Your choice."

The pair watched him, not sure whether or not they should intervene and offer him another drink. But Max knew he wouldn't admit he was truly in pain and she did feel bad about causing him excess stress so she decided to just bite the bullet and confess. She knew he wouldn't do anything, not anymore. "He was telling his friends about what his brother said you walk like during the day. They did it infront of me and El and I snapped. I couldn't take them laughing at you. I pushed him into the lockers and he called you a freak and a coward. With that El pushed him too, he fell to the floor. One of his friends put their hands on El so I swung and hit him in the face. Jason got up and hit me in the side of the head but I punched him back. People were starting to gather and we could hear the teachers coming so we ran. Didn't want to get caught."

Billy didn't actually expect his step sister to come out with it that easily and he felt himself growing more and more frustrated as she spoke. "He hit you?" His voice was low, reminding the pair of what he used to be like before the mind flayer. She nodded. "I'm gonna kill him." Billy started to move, sliding himself up and off of the chair.

Max stood up, putting her hand on his chest lightly. "Sit back down. You don't need to go and fight him."

"Hell yeah I do. No one does that and gets away with it."

"He didn't get away with it." Max said. "Besides it won't look good for you beating up a high schooler."

"So he can hit a girl and get away with it?" Billy hissed, not moving. "That's bullshit and you know it."

She nodded, "I do."

"Then let me go Max."

"No." She refused to move. "Please don't Billy. You can say something another day but not today. You just got in."

He studied her, watching for any trace of discomfort or dishonesty in her face. He really wanted to go back to the school and teach the kid a lesson. He wanted to do what old him would have done and swung first, asked questions later. He needed to assert himself, prove to everyone that he wasn't a push over. He was still the king of Hawkins dammit.

But on the other hand he was trying to be a better person. Trying not to slip back into his violent tendencies. He was trying to prove to himself and to Max that he was more than his father. And he knew that this moment would help prove he was getting better. That he was letting go of his anger and aggression. He didn't want to, he really really didn't want to, but he knew that he had to trust her and let her handle it.

So, after a moment, he nodded before sinking back into his seat. Both girls breathed again, not even knowing that they had stopped whilst he fumed. He couldn't stop thinking about it, he really wanted to teach the kid a lesson. He was starting to get irritated with the pair looking at him so he knew he had to get them off of his back for a moment.

"Go take the car around the block." Billy said, motioning over to his bedroom. "Key's are where you left them last time."

Max loved being able to drive her brothers car, even if it was just for a few minutes to keep the brakes from binding on. "You sure?"

"Yup. Just be back in ten." He huffed, watching as Max bounded out of the living room and into his room. He could hear her rustling around for a moment before she came back out with the set of keys in her hand. "Take El with you too. You girls relax for a bit. Can sit somewhere if you want. Just don't get caught."

Max nodded, hesitating by the door as both girls stopped. "Are you sure you're good, shithead?"

"Yes, shitbird, I'm good. Go on, get out for a bit. I'll start making dinner when you come back in. Are you staying over tonight El?"

El thought for a moment, "If that's okay."

"Do you need me to ring Joyce?" He asked. She nodded. "I'll do that then. Make sure you come back in one piece, okay? Anything happens and you hightail it back here. Don't be a hero. Keep the door locked. Don't get out unless you're here."

The sincerity in his voice wasn't missed by the two girls who were slowly becoming more used to his kinder more caring side. Max had become very used to this version of her brother, the one that wasn't a raging man constantly. El felt a connection with him that was forged that day in the mall. She knew that he wasn't a bad person, just someone who had a lot of bad experiences. She still felt really grateful for him saving her and it did still fill her with guilt that he was injured because of her. Especially after losing Hopper it was nice to make a strong connection with someone else.

"Thank you." El said softly, her voice quiet.

Billy waved his hand at the pair, "Go on. Get."

Both girls did what they were told, leaving Billy alone in the empty house for the first time in what felt days. He rarely got the house to himself, finding it really difficult to get Max away from his side if it wasn't for school.

He understood why she was so clingy now. She had seen him die. He never thought the two of them would have a relationship at all after the last few years of hating eachother but very slowly they've managed to patch up their past behaviour. He never really hated Max. He was just frustrated with it all. His bond with Max was the strongest he had ever had aside from his mother. Yet that was so long ago that Billy couldn't really remember what it was like to have someone you trusted fully.

Billy had no idea how Max had gone through everything she had before the Mind Flayer had got him. She was the strongest person he knew. How could someone put up with all of that and him at the same time? He really didn't know.

Not to mention the fact that she had also had to deal with Neil living under the same roof as them. Luckily, when Billy was in a coma the man ran for the hills and hadn't been seen since. If it wasn't for the very large hush money Billy got he knew that they wouldn't be able to pay for the house anymore. Susan was no help, choosing to find random men and staying out all night rather than dealing with her grief and finding comfort in those at home. Billy barely saw the woman anymore. He actually had a suspicion that she came home when he was out just to avoid him as much as possible. He guessed it was because he was a reminder of what she had lost.

He didn't really care. He could easily look after Max. He had been doing it for years so what was a few more? He just had to finish finding out and exposing the truth here before he would take them both back to California. Away from this nightmare. Somewhere, if Neil ever did show his face again, he would never find them. Billy never truly trusted the fact that he was gone. Fully expecting one day to wake up with him standing above him, ready to shout at him for something he hadn't done.

He was just thankful that Neil never cared to check up on him once he was admitted to hospital. Max had told him that when they took him in and started to operate the paramedics had told Neil that he had died but they'd managed to get a heart beat back. It was pointless saying anything else to the man, only hearing that his son was dead and finding that enough reason to leave. He ran and never looked back. Probably never even thought about them again. He took everything he could and left them.

Billy thought about this a lot. Especially times like this when he struggled to get out of his chair and over to his bedroom. He was glad Neil couldn't see him anymore. He was sure that he would be told to move on, to forget about it all and act as if nothing had happened.

But what hadn't happened? Billy still had foggy memories of the Mind Flayer. He hated remembering. It's why he always found himself digging around in his side chest of draws, pulling out his cigarette box with shaky fingers and sticking the cigarette in his mouth before even putting the box down. Lighting it up sent relief into his system, his mind slowing down as the nicotine entered his body.

His room was still the same it had been before. He still had everything he used to have yet felt no need to ever engage with any of it. Cigarettes were really the only thing he never wanted to remove from his life. Pretty much everything reminded him of something he desperately wanted to forget.

His eyes drifted over to the mirror next to his wardrobe. He barely even used it anymore. He didn't care how his hair sat or what he looked like as he left for college, he never went to parties anymore so he really had no use for it. The only thing he did use it for was what he was currently doing - looking at his scars as they healed.

His entire stomach and chest were covered in large thick white lines where the skin was trying to heal but couldn't quite repair itself. There were still scabs, small specks of blood pooling out from them from time to time as he moved. Lines around his chest formed a large circle, proving that he had indeed had the Mind Flayers arm buried in there. He was never sure how to feel when looking at them. He knew Max panicked whenever she saw them. He knew she pitied him for them. He didn't need her pity nor did he want it.

He was glad that most people stayed out of his way. He might have gotten better with Max but with the rest of the world he still struggled not to snap at people. His mind drifted over to earlier that day in his class. The woman who he was now forced to work with. He gave her another hour before she would be asking to get a new partner. She couldn't help him anyways. He deliberately didn't go and meet her in the library. He didn't want to work with her. He just wanted to research alone - not even Max was privy to everything he had found out so far.

If he wanted to continue brooding all day he was sadly not able to, the phone ringing sending him back to the present. With his cigarette still alight he shuffled into the living room, finding the phone hanging up on the wall.

"Alright alright..." He muttered as he got closer to the phone, taking a deep breath before taking it and holding it up to his ear. "Hargove residence."

"Can I speak to the parent of Max Mayfield please?" A curt woman asked.

Billy groaned internally, he knew exactly who this was. "Hello Mrs Patrick. Billy Hargrove speaking."

"I need to speak to her parents. Is Susan or Neil around?"

"No ma'am. It's her brother again." Billy tried to be friendly, already bored of the conversation. "Can I help you with anything?"

"Max got into a fight today at school. She hasn't been seen since." Her tone was to the point, her voice grating his already waning patience.

"You've lost my sister?" He knew this was his opportunity to wind the normally pompous woman up and he wouldn't miss it for the world.

The scoff that she sent his way did bring a smile to his face knowing it had worked. "No. Of course not. She left the school property. She is no longer our responsibility once she does that."

"So she's out there wandering the streets alone with no one looking for her?" He laid it on thick, enjoying hearing her indignation at his insinuations.

"Excuse me, Mr Hargrove -"

Billy cut her off, "That's my father. I'm not Mr Hargrove."

"Well then, Billy, tell your parents that Max is to be suspended if she does that again. A student cannot be fighting." Her voice was much harsher now.

"They tell you why she was fighting?" He asked, leaning on the wall for support.

"She started to punch another student without being provoked." She said, pausing as he laughed. "Excuse me, is there something funny?"

"Sorry it's just that the victim is being blamed. Max did nothing but defend herself and if she comes home telling me what happened again then I guess she'll just have to be suspended. She isn't going to get hit without hitting back and I told her that myself." His voice left no room for disagreement. "She isn't going to not hit back."

"So she is home then?" Mrs Patrick questioned.

He was bored of her now, the pain in his est blooming with the pressure of standing awkwardly for too long. He had to get her off of the phone. "I'll be sure to pass on your message, Mrs Patrick. Thanks again." Billy didn't let her respond, ending the conversation there as he put the phone down and hung up on her.

He took a drag from his cigarette, rubbing his head trying to will his ever brewing headache away. He looked up at the clock sitting on the wall above the stove.

2.35pm

He huffed, pushing himself up off of the wall and rolling his shoulders. He had to start dinner and give Joyce a call. He shuffled back into his room, finding one of Max's hair ties on his dresser. He shoved his hair up into a messy bun, keeping it off of his face as he got to work.