Harringrove

Harringrove is the slash ship between Billy Hargrove and Steve Harrington from the Stranger Things fandom.​​​​​

Canon
Billy Hargrove is introduced at the start of Season 2. His introduction to the series takes place with Steve Harrington watching him drive up to the school. Billy goes to school with Steve, Nancy and Jonathan and most High School scenes featuring Billy involve Steve in one way or another.

Billy is right away set up to be a human antagonist and the relationship between both characters is difficult from the start. Tommy H. introduces Billy to Steve at a Halloween party and Billy learns that Steve has stepped down from his role as most popular boy in school. Billy takes over, although Steve remains passive under the implications. Billy then plays roughly against Steve during basketball practice, pushing past him to shoot the ball. Billy offers a hand to help Steve up, giving him basketball advice and then pushing him back down, "You were moving your feet. Plant them next time. Draw a charge." Later in the showers, Billy tells Steve (in response to Steve and Nancy breaking up), “Don’t take it too hard, man. Pretty boy like you has got nothing to worry about. Plenty of bitches in the sea.”

After Neil Hargrove finds that Max is not home and admonishes him, he goes looking for her. After visiting Mrs Wheeler he drives up to the Byers residence and finds Steve stepping out of the door. Billy asks, “Am I dreaming, or is that you, Harrington?” to which Steve replies, “Yeah it’s me, don’t cream your pants.” Steve repeatedly tells Billy that Max is not at the Byers residence, upon which Billy sees her peer through the window and rushes inside.

Next follows the culminative fight between the characters, prompted by Billy attempting to assault Lucas Sinclair. Steve pulls him away and throws a few punches before Billy smashes a plate over his head, then continues to punch him until Steve is unconscious. At this point, Max steps in and injects Billy with a sedative before threatening him with Steve’s spiked baseball bat. While the kids take Steve with them in Steve’s BMW, it is unclear what happens to Billy.

Fanon
Harringrove has become the second most popular ship, and the most popular slash ship, in the Stranger Things fandom according to AO3.

Common Tropes in Fanfiction:

Hurt/comfort: Steve cares for Billy after abuse from his father, or Billy cares for Steve after nightmares about the Upside-Down.

Redemption: Steve tries to help Billy overcome his past, and current, abuse at the hands of his father.

Future-fic: Where Billy and Steve are older and reunite or are in an established relationship.

Fandom
AO3

Fanfiction.net
 * Billy & Steve on Fanfiction.net

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