Brain Rot

(ʘ‿ʘ✿) “what you say ‘bout me”

the original post

Now, Billy is somewhat able to mask this by leaning into anger, which I think is absolutely a fear and preservation response to the fact that Neil abuses Billy and regularly degrades him with homophobic language that all center on pointing out that Billy's femininity is weak (and therefore, by extension, crying is weak-- you can read more about Billy, crying, and gender non-conformity here). I do believe that if Billy didn't cover up the fact that he wants to cry with anger, we would be seeing him cry a lot more. Which also goes to say that in the canon-divergent world in which I write Billy surviving the Mind Flayer and getting out of Neil's grip to be in a space where he can heal, he's going to cry more often as part of his healing process from years of trauma and grappling with the persona versus the self.

(there's a lot and it's in no particular order)

Baby Steps by Thei

A baby. He’s holding a baby. There’s a baby in Billy’s hand, and Billy – seventeen years old – is suddenly a father.

lamp-bright rind by nagdabbit

Billy spies on his cute neighbor, his cute neighbor doesn't know how to cook. Luckily, Billy can do something about that.

and i swear (we were infinite)

(A Vietnam War AU.)

If Snow Loves the Trees and Fields by nervoussis

El thinks about it for a minute. Then; "Boys can be stupid sometimes." "Yeah," Billy says miserably, like. That's the understatement of the century. He and Steve. Together and separate. So dumb. "But they are only stupid because they don't know how to talk about the warm stuff in their bellies, they are worried that if they let the warm things free, they will die out in the cold." El continues in that soft, soothing way of hers. "Maybe your Steve does not love this Nancy person in the same way that he loves you. Maybe he loves--" Billy can't handle this. "He doesn't love me." Max takes the phone away. "Do you really believe that or are you scared of what it might mean to you if he does?"

cherry pie by brawls, ToAStranger

Billy Hargrove lives for summer. Endless sunshine, heavily chlorinated pools, roaming ice cream trucks, and unencumbered freedom? There’s nothing better. Even being stuck in Hawkins can’t ruin the summer for him. He eats it up, devouring every day whole.

i'll be his and he'll be mine

Steve had wanted their honeymoon to be as silly and sickeningly romantic as it could get, but unfortunately, the two-week all-inclusive luxury romance package isn’t refundable. Steve could definitely use a breather and he's not about to throw five thousand dollars down the drain like that, so of course he's going to go. He's just not sure why he invited Billy to come along.

Softer Round the Edges by NotEvenCloseToStraight

Four weeks after Starcourt, Steve buries his broken heart in a box alongside a pile of blurry Polaroids, love letters from a secret relationship and the keys to a wrecked, blue Camaro. Four years later, Steve's car breaks down in the middle of nowhere California. The mechanic at the closest shop has blue eyes and blond hair… and a name tag that says Billy Hargrove.

Negative Harmony by E_D_osbourne

Billy only needs one thing in life, and that's knowing Max is safe. Neil stays off his back, Susan can quit compulsively cleaning the house out of stress, and Billy can sleep at night knowing Max is in his nest, safe and sound. He doesn't expect to start to feel that same need extend towards her little pack of runts. And he certainly doesn't expect to have to fight Steve Harrington over it. OR: Secret omega Billy has a soft spots for shitheads.

Back in Business by transcryptidone

Growing up, Steve always knew he wanted to be a dad. As a teenager, he aspired to a camper van with six little nuggets. A whole family together for a full family vacation, no sudden phone calls or business emergencies. Now he's working long days, raking in cash, and divorced. Facing the prospect of starting all over and fueled by the worry that it's too late to have what he's always dreamed of, Steve decides to make use of a high-end surrogacy service, one that offers a mate experience.

Taking Notes by Thei

Billy and Steve switch bodies.

break (like waves) by residual

‘We’re good together,’ Harrington says to the darkness above. Not a question. Matter of fact. He turns to Billy, a smile sweet enough to make Billy want to do something reckless. Something stupid. ‘I’m telling you, heartbreaker. We’re gonna be unstoppable.’ Billy wants to ask. If he means tomorrow. If he means just for the game. Wants to ask if he means forever. He’s never wanted anyone to mean forever before.

don't you try me now by whenyouwishuponastar

In which Steve writes for Purdue’s monthly newsletter and, in his final year, gains a relentless troll in the comments section. Robin tells him not to feed the troll, but that’s impossible—this guy is dead meat and it’s so on.

blood in my eyes by whenyouwishuponastar

In which Steve Harrington grows up watching ink tell a story on his skin. It’s far from a nice story, but Steve can only watch, hope and wait. After Billy Hargrove strolls into Hawkins High, Steve knows the pain and heartache are worth it. But Billy Hargrove hasn’t ever had a nice story.

for want of a nail by sepulchralsmile

Instead of getting there in October, Billy Hargrove rolls into town at the end of November; complete with a broken arm, a head full of stitches, and some newly-refreshed fear of his father. There he meets Steve Harrington: the preppy dreamboat who seems content with hating Billy's guts on sight and is determined to ignore him for the rest of the year. Billy's never been easily ignored, though, and Steve is about to really learn what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. or, another season 2 AU that occupies my mind rent-free

When The Sun Saw The Moon by Memessavedme

When a Blood Moon appears over Hawkins on the 4th of August 1985 Steve doesn’t think much of it, that is until he wakes to the sound of his parents downstairs, Christmas decorations throughout his home and a calendar telling him today is in fact the 23rd of December 1984… No matter how he got there, he decides he has to stop the 4th of July from ever happening but to do so he has to befriend none other than Billy Hargrove to stop him from falling victim to the Mindflayer. Except, is the summer of ‘85 inevitable or can he save Hawkins from it’s impending future?

Star Stuff by justaluckybug

“Yes,” says Robin seriously. “Your love life is a 90s rom-com train wreck because You’ve Got Mail is my girlfriend’s favorite movie, and I’m God.” “I knew it,” says Steve. Steve’s falling in love with an anonymous astrology account, which would be the worst of his problems, if it weren’t for his girlfriend, who’s probably (definitely) cheating on him; his useless best friend, who is Not Helping; and Billy Hargrove, who hasn’t done anything wrong, specifically, but whose stupid hair and stupid face make everything gross and terrible all the time.

despite the loss that set me free by HowCleverOfYou

Steve gets trapped in the Upside Down. Three months later, some things have changed.

How Much Clearer Can I Be by toomanysharks

OR Five Times Billy Tries to Woo Steve Using Different Love Languages and One Time He Finally Uses His Words. Featuring everyone aged up so they can all be working in an office together, for no good reason other than 'I wanted to.'

High Horse (I Ain't Gonna Fence You In) by yllwhornet