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Jonathan pushes back.

Billy doesn’t.

Jonathan doesn’t get hit.

Billy does.

Jonathan has Joyce Byers, who would never take that abuse - got them out of that situation, and away from Lonnie. Taught him to stand up for himself.

He had time to recover, away.

Billy had his mother - and both she and Billy both got the shit beat out of them, until she couldn’t take it anymore and ran. Alone. Leaving Billy there.

He’s never known anything else.

Having a Joyce makes a difference.

Being taught you’re nothing makes a difference.

His mother ABANDONED HIM!!! His stepmother lets him get beat!! He takes abuse for Max and honestly I wouldn’t doubt he does it for his stepmother too and the gentlest thing he’s known since his mom left was when El put her hand on his cheek and just that small moment of understanding was enough for him to sacrifice himself for this girl he didn’t know and her friends and his sister WHO HE LOVES BY THE WAY and UGHHHGHHHGHHHGFGHHH

✧ Broken ribs suck. You don’t just “walk it off.” Breathing hurts. Laughing hurts. Existing hurts. Characters with rib injuries won’t be doing heroic sprints.

✧ Concussions aren’t instant naps. Dazed vision, nausea, dizziness, maybe even personality changes, but they’re not going to collapse neatly like in the movies.

✧ Blood loss is sneaky. It’s not just about dramatic pools of blood. It’s dizziness, confusion, and the body getting cold as circulation tanks.

✧ Adrenaline lies. Someone can take a serious injury and not feel it until the fight’s over. That “I didn’t realize I was bleeding until later” trope? Very real.

✧ Twisted ankles are brutal. One bad step and suddenly running is off the table. Even walking hurts like hell. Perfect way to ground a chase scene.

✧ Burns linger. Even small burns hurt more than most people expect. Blisters, infection risk, constant pain, it’s not just a cool scar later.

✧ Dislocated shoulders = useless arm. Characters can’t keep swinging a sword or firing a gun. They’re basically fighting one-armed until it’s fixed.

✧ Shock is a thing. Pale skin, trembling, rapid heartbeat, and eventually disorientation. A character might not even realize how bad their wound is.

✧ Stitches aren’t magic. Getting sewn up is painful and recovery takes time. They’re not instantly battle-ready after a needle and thread.