HARRINGROVE FIC REC:
Unfinished gems edition.
I only recently got into Harringrove this year, but I've read a lot of Harringrove fanfiction and I wanted to spotlight some amazing fics that this fandom has produced that are unfinished. Some of these seem to be abandoned, some are still updating, but either way they're all still an absolute treat to read.
A prayer for which no words exist by Celoica E ~ 51k
Honestly, this was the fic that inspired me to want to create this list, because I thought it'd be such a shame if people didn't read it just because it's currently unfinished. I love the intimacy between Steve and Billy that's built up, as well as Hopper's involvement with Billy. I love a Billy that's rough around the edges and volatile, and this delivers.
Tokens of Affection Series by freezefawn E ~ 20k
In this, Billy and Steve are FWB and Billy's much better at communicating his feelings for Steve through sexual actions and small gifts, rather than words. It's an interesting character study of Billy and his issues with intimacy.
Lo/Hi by FreshAfterDark & Nastea E ~ 47k
It's set right after the events of season 2. After one night where Steve goes to Billy to buy weed, they start getting high together in Billy's car and things take off from there.
Rivals (make the best lovers) Series by hoppnhorn E ~ 22k
This is a Motogp AU where they're rivals- Steve is the established rider while Billy's the up-and-comer nipping at his heels and pissing him off every step of the way. So much fun banter between them, and sexy, too. Also, the series is marked as not complete, but the end point for the last instalment can definitely serve as a satisfying ending for the series.
Falling for you in hawkins, Indi-fucking-ana by LazyBaker E ~ 294k
I know that everyone recommends this, but as someone pretty new to the fandom, the word count combined with it being unfinished was pretty intimidating at first, and I put off reading it for quite a while. So, I wanted to add it to this list to encourage others who were maybe feeling the same as I was initially. This has one of my absolute favorite dynamics between Billy and Steve out of all of the fic I've read. They feel like they're coming directly off the screen, and it's so beautifully written. The buildup of their friendship and the slowburn tension of their romance is just exquisite and so intimate and real. A fandom classic for a reason!
Put up your dukes by runraerun E ~ 8k
Billy and Steve start up a fight club to get their excess energy out, and things get spicier from there. I love how antagonistic Billy is written in this, it feels very true to character, and the brief glimpse of his vulnerability at the end of the chapter is so perfect. I really hope there are more chapters of this in the future, but if not, it really does work well as a one-off, too.
The Sea Series by delcatty E ~ 143k
This is a 3-part series, with parts 1 & 2 being finished. Part 1 is called 'TIDES' and is a great season 2 rewrite with Billy and Steve getting together, and part 2 is called 'BARRACUDA' and is a season 3 rewrite with established Harringrove and Flayed!Billy, so although the third part is unfinished, there's a lot to delve into and enjoy with this series.
Maybe there is a beast by harringroveheart M ~ 280k
This fic is still updating, but it's so long that there's plenty to catch up on in the meantime. The writing in this is just fantastic, there's something electric about harringroveheart's style that just draws you in. Another fic that has A+ characterisations of Billy and Steve, Billy's internal repression is so well portrayed and the clever motifs that run through the story make me excited to reread it when it's all finished, as I'm sure there's loads I've missed the first time around as it's such an intricate fic. Also love the Billy/Robin dynamic. I really flew through reading this despite the length, and am always so excited to read the next update.
There's a gap where we meet by Stervrucht E ~ 36k
Another great fic where it's very much fighting as foreplay. I love how this has played out so far, the push and pull between Billy and Steve is delicious and feels very in-character, and the scenes are just filled with sexual tension. I really hope there's more of this to come 🤞 Also, check out Ster's art for Harringrove (and Steddie) on her tumblr linked above, it's absolutely incredible.
Spin Me Right 'Round Series by robthegoodfellow E ~ 165k
This is another series where each part serves as a rewrite of a season, with part one, 'Sideways', being a rewrite of season 2, while part two is called 'Upside-Down' and is a rewrite of season 3. Part one is finished and part two is currently unfinished, but part two comes in at over 100k words, so there's still so much to enjoy. I love the writing and the group dynamics are so much fun in this story. I'm forever sad that Billy never got to be part of the group and stir things up, so this excellent fic definitely scratches that itch. I especially love the interactions between Billy and El in this one.
