Archive of Our Own

“I told you to plant your feet.”

Despite getting the wind knocked out of him, Steve’s heart felt like it was going to leap out of his chest as he watched Billy Hargrove storm into the Byers’ house. He was panicking for multiple reasons. First, the fate of Hawkins (maybe even the world) was resting on a twelve year old girl’s shoulders. Second, the kids were determined to help her even if it meant risking their own lives and most importantly Steve’s. And now the cherry on top was Billy. Steve knew if he didn’t get up off the ground soon Max or Lucas was good as dead. 

Finally gaining his breath back he picked himself off the ground and went racing towards the house. His shoes slid on the gravel for purchase. Steve basically fell through the door he was running so fast. When he came crashing through he saw Billy about two seconds away from choking Lucas out and several pairs of frightened eyes. 

“You are so dead, Sinclair. You’re dead.”

“No.” Steve interrupted. “You are.” 

He took the first swing. 

His hand was already hurting from colliding with Billy’s face. Steve had hoped the punch would have been enough to stop Billy but he wasn’t surprised when it didn’t. His cackling sent a chill up his spine and now he was gearing for a fight. 

“Looks like you got some fire in you after all! Huh? I’ve been waiting to meet this ‘King Steve’ everyone’s been telling me so much about!”

Billy took a wild swing but Steve saw it coming and ducked before throwing his own. With every hit he threw Billy laughed more and more and seemed completely unfazed despite his bleeding nose. The kids watched in horror as Billy smashed a plate over Steve’s head then punched him again and again. 

“No one tells me what to do,” he growled as he gripped onto Steve’s jacket. Billy gave him one hell of a headbutt which sent him stumbling back into the kitchen. The kids were continuously screaming at Billy to stop. 

Steve was having a hard time staying upright now. His head was starting to spin and he swore he could see two Billys storming up to him instead of one. Billy wound his fist in his shirt and pulled him forward only to repeatedly punch him. 

“We have to do something!” Steve thought he could hear Dustin yell. 

Steve tried pushing Billy off but Billy kept his hands firmly in his shirt. They pushed and pulled each other around and continued to wrestle. Billy let out a growl and gave Steve another headbutt before ramming him into the Byers’ refrigerator. Steve smacked the back of his head hard against it then crumpled to the ground unconscious. 

The kids screamed. “Steve!”

Billy stood victorious only for a second before the Byers’ fridge opened from the forceful impact and something large rolled out of a blanket and hit the floor with a heavy thunk.

Billy’s eyes widened at the strange creature. The thing looked like its face was more mouth than anything and filled with hundreds if not thousands of razor-sharp teeth and slimy drool. 

“What the hell!?” Billy took a step back and slid on a broken shard of the plate which caused his legs to slide out from underneath him and hit the floor. He scrambled back on his elbows and his heels refusing to break eye contact with the monster in front of him. 

“Steve! Steve!” Dustin was the first to crash down next to Steve followed by Mike and Lucas. “Steve! Steve! Can you hear me! Wake up buddy!” Dustin was shaking him desperately. 

Billy couldn’t believe the kids seemed to be completely unconcerned that there was some mysterious creature laying next to them. They were all too wrapped up on if Harrington was ok. 

“What the hell is wrong with you!?” Nancy’s squeaky younger brother yelled at him. 

“Me?!” Billy challenged. “What the fuck is that thing?!” He was starting to push himself up when Max’s shout interrupted. 

“Hey!” She was holding a bat with nails puncturing through. Billy ignored her. “I said hey!” This time she swung the bat down between Billy’s legs and a little too close to the nether regions for his liking. 

Him and all the boys grimaced. 

“Leave my friends alone!” She demanded.

Billy narrowed his brows at her. “What is that thing?” 

“Leave, Billy.”

“No. What is that thing? What the hell is going on? You’ve been gone all day and I’m the one gettin’ in trouble for it so you’re gonna tell me what the fuck is going on.” Billy stood up and towered over her but Max held her ground. “Let’s try that again,” he leaned down closer. “What. Is. That?” 

“A demo-dog.” Dustin answered. 

“What?” Billy squinted at him. 

“A demo-dog,” he repeated. “It’s like a demagorgan but smaller. And on four legs. Kinda like a dog. Demagorgan. Dog. Demo-dog.” 

“What is this? Some kind of fucking joke.”

“It’s not a joke,” Max said. She knelt down with the boys who were still fussing over Steve. She moved his head so it was resting on her knees. 

Billy bit down on the inside of his cheek. King Steve might have been popular in high school but why were all these kids so concerned with him. How did someone like Steve even get involved with a bunch of kids, let alone his sister.

Seeing Steve unconscious on the floor with his hair falling into his eyes and all these kids, his sister included, worrying over him made a tiny pit form in Billy’s stomach. 

Maybe he had gone too far. Sure he was angry. He was angry at Max for disappearing. He was angry at his dad for blaming him and beating him because of her. And he had been mad when Steve lied to him about Max. But now seeing the creature and weird mess in the Byers’ house made him believe there was something else going on. 

Billy whistled for their attention. “You. Mop Top,” he pointed to Dustin. “Explain now.”

“We’re not explaining shit to you!”

“Mike!” Dustin yelled at him. 

“We’re not!” Mike pressed. 

“This is top secret! We can’t just share it!” Lucas said as he scooted closer. The three boys and Max huddled in to discuss. 

“Guys,” Dustin rolled his eyes. “He’s already seen the demo-dog. He knows something is going on.” 

Billy placed his hands on his hips. “Yea I know something’s going on because you knuckleheads don’t know how to goddamn whisper!” 

“We’re not telling him!” Mike insisted. 

“Agreed,” Lucas nodded. Max stayed quiet. 

“We don’t really have a choice now,” Dustin said. “He’s seen a monster! And! He could be useful.”

“What?!” Max, Lucas, and Mike all shouted. 

“Useful?” Lucas’ voice cracked. “Are you crazy!!”

“Steve’s out and we need muscle power. Come on guys. You have to admit we’re lacking in the strength category.” 

“Strength!?” Mike baffled. “He almost killed Steve! He’s psycho!”

“I can hear you!” Billy grit his teeth. 

“I think Dustin has a point.” The boys looked at Max. “He could help and he’s already seen the demo-dog. You explained it to me and I believe you. You can explain it to him.” 

“Alright,” Dustin nodded. “But we gotta make this fast.”

The explanation went surprisingly well. They caught Billy up to the present and he didn’t ask any questions. 

“An alternate dimension,” Billy ran a hand down his face. “Just when I thought this place couldn’t be a bigger shithole.” He huffed. “So Superfreak Girl closes this gate and it’s all over?”

“Yes,” Dustin answered. 

“Don’t call her that!” Mike spat. 

“Alright. Let’s make a deal,” he looked at Max. “I help you out you help me out. You listen to me when I tell you to get home. You’re ready to go when I pick you up. And Dad doesn’t find out about him,” he cast his gaze to Lucas. 

Lucas stiffened up. “What’s that supposed to mean.”

“Our dad’s a Grade-A asshole who has certain expectations on how things should be. He’s not exactly open minded.” Billy stared off and clenched his fist at the memory of their interaction earlier in the night. “He’s racist and  cruel.” 

“And you’re not racist?” Lucas had his arms crossed as he waited for Billy’s answer. 

“What? No! I’m- I—“ Billy cut himself off. Thinking back on his interactions with Lucas he could see how he came off as a total racist asshole. “What I said and how I acted was out of line.” He watched as Lucas’ skeptical gaze slightly softened. Billy took a breath. “I’m sorry.”

Max’s head whipped up upon hearing Billy’s words. She had never heard him apologize before. 

“I shouldn’t have let his ideals influence me.” Billy looked back down at Steve and suddenly he felt sick. “I don’t want to be like him.”

“Then prove it,” Lucas softened his tone. 

“We need to finish getting ready,” Mike said. “We’re running out of time!” The boys scrambled to grab everything. 

“What about him?” Max said looking down at Steve. 

“I got him.”

“What?” She raised an eyebrow at Billy. 

“He should be waking up soon and I am not dealing with this shit alone.” He stepped forward and reached under Steve’s knees and back. He lifted him up in a bridal carry. 

Steve was light in Billy’s arms. His head was still slumped and resting against Billy’s chest. He could see the bruises forming on his bloody face. Steve’s hair was still falling into his eyes. Billy could see all his freckles and moles and practically count his fanned out lashes. 

“Are you gonna keep staring or are we gonna go?” Dustin’s voice broke his concentration. The four kids stood waiting at the door. 

Billy bounced Steve into a better grip. “Let’s go.”

The boys were piling all their gear in the trunk of Billy’s Camaro as he held onto Steve. Mike and Lucas were bickering over who would sit shotgun and be in charge of the map. 

“Here.” Billy looked over to see Dustin holding out the ax the Byers used to chop firewood. “You can use this.” He paused briefly. “‘Cuz you’re a Barbarian.”

Billy took a step forward. “Ex-fucking-cuse me!?” 

“Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Relax!” Dustin held out his hands. “That’s a compliment. That’s your class type.”

Billy scrunched his eyebrows. “What.”

“Your class,” Dustin shrugged like it was obvious what he was talking about. “Your D&D class. I’m an Artificer. Mike’s a Paladin. Lucas is a Ranger. Will’s a Wizard. And El is our Mage,” he explained. “Actually, I’m thinking Max could be our Speedster. And you’re the Barbarian.”

“I have no idea what this is.”

Dustin scoffed. “It’s a game!” 

“We don’t have time for this,” he shook his head. “Put that in the trunk before you kill yourself,” he nodded his head at the ax. He turned on his boot heel. 

With his back now turned to him, Dustin made a face. “Touchy.” 

Lucas sat in the front with the map while Mike, Max, and Dustin climbed in the back seat. Carefully Billy maneuvered Steve so he was laying across their laps. 

“Just—“ he huffed. “Just hang onto him so he doesn’t go flying.” Dustin held onto Steve with a vice grip. Billy got in the front seat and took off with squealing tires.  

—

Steve’s head was still spinning but slowly he was coming back to consciousness. He blinked a few times but wherever he was was dark. Slowly a can of gasoline and a face came into view. 

“Nancy?” He mumbled. 

Mike looked down at him with a confused face. Now he was getting his bearings, he could make out fleeting flashes of light and felt something lumpy and boney digging in his back. Something cold was being pressed to his throbbing forehead. He reached up to touch it. 

“No don’t touch it.” His hand was moved away. “Hey, buddy. Ssh. It’s ok. You put up a good fight. He kicked your ass but you put up a good fight. It’s ok. You’re ok.” Dustin’s voice seemed to be echoing all over. 

“You’re gonna make a left.” Lucas’ face came into view. Steve realized they were moving. Fast. He tried to pick himself up to see more.

“Wha—” Steve choked out. “Wha’s going on?” 

“Relax!” Dustin tried. “It’s fine.”

They were definitely in a car. “Oh no no no no no.”

Mike leaned forward. “I told you he’d freak out!” 

Max cut in, “well it was better than leaving him there!” They were picking up speed now and Steve was starting to feel queasy. 

“Whoa! Slow down! Stop the car! Stop the car!” 

In the front seat Billy started laughing. “Relax, princess!” 

“Oh my god,” Steve gasped. 

“Turn left!” Lucas shouted over the commotion. “Turn left!”

Billy cut a hard left and almost took out a sign. Everyone started screaming as he kept cackling. Dustin was holding onto Steve tightly so he wouldn’t go flying. Steve scrunched his eyes close and braced himself against the front two seats. He thought his stomach had gotten left behind. 

Billy continued tearing down until they reached the pumpkin patch. The pit was coming closer and closer into view but he wasn’t slowing down. Right before they reached it he cut the wheel and they skidded into a perfect stop. 

“That was awesome,” Dustin said mesmerized. Max simply rolled her eyes, she was over Billy’s NASCAR impressions. As soon as they stopped Mike was already barreling out of the car along with the rest of the kids. Steve laid in the back seat another beat trying to get his head to stop spinning. He stumbled out of the car and held himself up against the car door and roof. 

“Oh no,” Steve grumbled when he realized the kids were following through with their crazy plan. “Absolutely not. We’re not doing this. Hello!?” He yelled to get their attention. 

“Pipe down, Harrington,” Billy walked around the car and into view. 

“What?” Steve scrunched his face in confusion which caused it to hurt more. “What are you doing here?”

“While you decided to take a nap your little goon squad over here filled me in on the situation.”

“A nap!?” Steve scoffed. “You knocked me out!” 

Billy shrugged with fake innocence. “They needed more man power so here I am.”

“So…” Steve was trying to wrap his head around what Billy just said. “So you…”

“I know about the Upside Down and the weird demo-dog thing in the fridge.”

“The fridge?” His brain was finally catching up. “You saw the thing in the fridge?”

“Yea. After you hit the fridge and hit the deck that creature-thing-monster-whatever fell out.”

“You pushed me!”

“Whatever. Anyways, now I know why this place sucks and why Max’s friends are freaks.” Billy looked Steve up and down. “Still kinda weird how you got involved. Who would have thought Nancy “The Princess” Wheeler would have brought this all on. And King Steve stuck around.” 

Steve was grimacing at him. “You stuck around too.”

“Well one of us has to make sure no one dies. If my step-sister comes home with so much as a scratch on her suddenly I’m to blame.”

“But—“

“We’re ready,” Dustin came up holding the ax and a backpack with Steve’s bat sticking out of it. He had swim goggles on and a flowery kitchen towel over his face. 

“Oh no,” Steve shook his head. “No no no! We are not going down there!”

“Steve!” Dustin yelled. “A party member is in need and we need to help them!”

“Dying is not worth it!” 

Billy took the ax. “You’re not gonna die, sweetheart,” his voice dripped in sarcasm as he rolled his eyes. “Not while I’m here.”

“See,” Dustin gestured. “We got backup.”

Billy snapped his head to him. “I am not backup,”

“Fine,” he huffed. “We’re a team. A party.” He held out the backpack for Steve. “Come on.”

“I promised I’d keep you guys safe.”

“Then keep us safe by coming with us!”

Steve let out a long exhausting sigh. “Fine.”

Max came up to him with a red bandana and another pair of goggles. She turned to Billy. “We uh kinda ran out of things for you.”

Billy snorted then started removing his leather jacket. He unbuttoned his shirt and slipped it off. 

“Whoa!” Dustin cried. Him and Max both looked away. “What are you doing?”

“Relax.” Billy folded the shirt and wrapped it around his face then put his jacket back on. He opened the front car door and fished around in his glovebox until he pulled out a pair of sunglasses and fingerless gloves. He slid both on then picked up the ax. 

Dustin thought he looked like some kind of comic book hero while Steve thought he looked like the biggest tool on sight. 

“You do know it’s a tunnel, right?” Mike was making a face at Billy. “Are you even gonna be able to see in those?”

Billy flicked Mike in the forehead causing him to flinch. “Worry about yourself, string-bean.” 

He marched to the hole where Lucas had finished setting up the rope and crouched low.  Steve and the rest of the kids came up behind him. Steve squatted down to his level. Billy thought his goggles looked stupid. 

“Just for the record,” Steve said to him. “I think this is a horrible idea.” 

“Don’t worry, princess.” Steve didn’t need to see his face to know he was smirking. “You can hold my hand if you get scared.” Billy lifted his glasses just so he could give him an obnoxious wink. He rested the glasses back into place then dropped into the tunnel. 

“Max,” Lucas said. “Your brother’s crazy.” 

She sighed. “I know.” 

If Billy was crazy than so was Steve because he followed him straight down. 

The tunnels were cold. Wet. And despite the bandana around Steve’s nose he could smell how retched it was. White particles floated around the tunnels, they were gross and flakey and it reminded him of when he would get a sunburn that’d peel. 

“Holy shit,” he exhaled. 

“Well this is fucking lovely,” Billy grimaced and lifted his boot after something made a squelch sound. He had a flashlight in one hand and the ax over his shoulder. 

“Oh yea,” Steve agreed sarcastically. “Real great.”

The rest of the kids dropped in behind them. Mike had the crayon-drawn map in one hand as he looked at the labyrinth in front of them. 

“Ok I’m pretty sure it’s this way.”

“Are you pretty sure or are you sure?“ Dustin questioned. 

“Yes! I’m one hundred percent sure!” Mike snapped around. “Just follow me and you’ll know.”

“Whoa whoa whoa whoa! Hey hey hey,” Steve stepped forward. “I don’t think so. Any of you little shits down here die, I’m getting the blame.  Got it, dipshit? From here on out I’m leading the way. Let’s go.” The sooner they got this done the sooner they could get out of this creepy place. “Come on! A little hustle!"

The kids followed single file behind Steve while Billy took up the rear. He’d keep watch to make sure nothing lurked behind them. They marched forward. Billy couldn’t believe all of this was below Hawkins. Even after seeing the demo-dog and the explanation Billy was still skeptical, but seeing all this he was convinced. 

Max looked around with her flashlight. “Jesus,” she whispered. “What is this place.”

“Let’s keep moving,” Steve blazed ahead. 

Billy watched as the kid with the hat, Dustin he recalled, stopped and started gazing at some weird puckered opening in the ceiling of the tunnel. The strange mouth gave Billy the chills, 

“Hey,” he started. “We should keep mo—“

He didn’t get a chance to finish his sentence because the mouth blew out a vat of those strange white flakes. 

Dustin started screaming bloody murder. 

Billy ducked and tried to cover his own face from the blast. Dustin was throwing himself to the ground still screaming. The kids came barreling back through the tunnel. 

“Dustin!” 

Steve plowed through them and saw Dustin on the ground and Billy crouching low. “What happened!?”

“It got in my mouth! Shit! It’s in my mouth!” He kept screaming before pulling down the towel covering his face to he couldn’t try and hack it out. 

“Oh shit.” Steve was a dead man. He looked at Billy for help who looked like he was struggling himself. 

Dustin hacked a few more times then spit. He then looked up to the party. “I’m ok.”

They all started grumbling. 

“Are you serious? What an idiot,” Max turned her back. 

“Very funny,” Steve deadpanned. The kids kept trekking ahead while Billy stood up. “You good?” Steve gave him a little head nod. 

Billy pulled down the shirt and hocked back to spit. The glob almost hit Steve’s shoe. 

“Ew!” Steve side stepped. “Dude! Gross.”

Billy scoffed and gave him a smirk. “Oh I’m sorry next time why don’t you be the one to get inter-dimensional jizz on your face. Would you like that, princess?” 

“Shut up.” Steve put his hands on his hips. “You sure you’re good?”

Billy popped his jacket collar. “Fine.” He gestured forward. “After you, sweetheart.”

The party stayed closer together as they trekked forward. Steve glanced at the map when they came to an opening. 

“Ok, Wheeler,” he said. “I think this is your hub.”

Billy whistled. “Holy shit.” It definitely looked like a monstrous death lair full of wet vines and gross goo. 

Mike nodded to them. “Let’s drench it.” 

They made fast work of drenching the hub with gasoline and weed killer. Anything flammable. When they could start to smell the chemicals through their masks and over the Upside Down funk, they knew it was time. 

Steve and Billy crouched low to admire their handiwork. 

“We gotta get out of here fast,” Steve said. 

Billy looked over his shoulder at the kids. “We light this up; you run like hell. Got it?”

“Got it,” the nodded. 

Steve and Billy pulled out their lights and flicked them to life. Billy could just make out Steve’s Bambi brown eyes behind the lenses. 

“Ready?” He asked. 

“Ready, Harrington.”

They lobbed the lighters and the place started to instantly blaze. 

“Alright go!” Steve hollered and the kids all took off. Billy was quicker on his feet and practically hauled Steve up. 

“Come on!” Billy was the faster runner despite Steve’s longer legs. He was leading the pack now as Steve held up the rear. 

They were on their way back when Steve felt something catch his foot. 

“Aah!” He hit the ground as one of the slimy vines lashed around his legs tightly. Steve squirmed trying to get loose. 

Billy’s head whipped around at the sudden yelp. “Steve!” He watched in horror as he was getting dragged down the tunnel. 

Steve cried out, “Billy!”

If this was any other time they would have realized they had called each other by their first names. 

“Hang on!” Billy tore after him and then the kids. Steve clawed at the ground in a feeble attempt to stop himself from getting dragged. 

As Billy got closer Steve reached out a hand. Billy locked a hold on Steve’s skinny wrist and he held onto Billy’s jacket sleeve desperately with both hands. He dug the heels of his boots in and grunted. Billy was strong to begin with but the rush of adrenaline was helping him against the vines pull. 

“Don’t move,” Billy ordered. He held the ax out with another hand. 

“You’re gonna cut my legs off!” Steve yapped. 

“I said don’t move!” Billy raised the ax and Steve screwed his eyes shut. He let out a battle cry and brought the ax down on the vine. With one clean cut Steve was free. 

The sudden release from the vine caused Billy to fall back as he kept pulling. Billy grunted as he hit the ground and Steve landed partially on top of him. 

Billy’s bare chest was heaving. “I got you. I got you,” he said breathlessly. 

“Holy shit,” Steve was panting. 

“You ok, Harrington?” 

“Holy shit! That was crazy!” Dustin had his hands in hair under his hat. 

“You just took that thing out!” Lucas had his hands in the air. 

“Your class is totally Barbarian,” Dustin looked at Mike and Lucas. “He’s totally a Barbarian. Right!?”

“Oh totally!” The both nodded along. Max rolled her eyes. Boys. 

Billy took another deep breath and realized he was still hanging onto Steve. He put a little pressure on Steve’s chest and tried to lift which signaled him to get off. Steve flopped off him still trying to catch his breath. Billy got up on his feet then held out a hand for him to take. Steve let himself be pulled up. 

“You good?” Billy said with his hand still gripping Steve’s. 

“Yea.” His grimace was hidden behind the bandana. “That sucked.” 

Billy snorted. He was about to make a snide comment when they were interrupted by a demonic growl. The kids gasped and Billy and Steve followed their gaze to see one of the demo-dogs had crept up the tunnel. 

Instinctively, Billy pushed Steve behind him and held him there with his arm. The other hand had the ax trained on the creature in front of them. Steve pulled out the bat from his bag. 

“Wait!” Dustin stepped forward. 

“Hey! You got a death wish or something, kid!” Billy snapped. 

Steve tried to take step forward. “Dustin!”

The rest of the party was calling after him. “Dustin!” “Dustin, get back!” “Get back, please!”

“Trust me,” he held out a hand. “Hey, Dart.”

Billy couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “We’re all fucking dead.”

“SSH!” The kids hushed. 

“Hey, buddy. It’s me Dustin.” 

Billy watched in utter disbelief as Dustin talked to this thing like it was a beagle and not a monster who could tear his face off at any second. He even got down low and started pulling chocolate out of his bag. 

“He’s insane!” Lucas whisper shouted to which he got shushed. Billy agreed with him and was still ready to swing if “Dart” decided to attack. 

When Dustin thought Dart was distracted he flagged them forward. Carefully Max and Lucas tiptoed around followed by Mike. Billy went next as Steve hung back a little with Dustin. Billy suspected they had the closest relationship. 

“So long,” Dustin almost sounded sad as they headed back down the tunnel. They were almost back to where they dropped in when the ground started shaking. 

“Whoa!” Steve held his balance. Billy came up from behind to steady Max. More growls and shrieks of the demo-dogs echoed through the caverns. “Oh shit.”

“They’re coming!” Mike cried. “Run! Run!”

“Go go go go go go go!” Steve pushed Dustin and Lucas along. 

Billy made sure Max didn’t fall behind. When they reached the rope they skidded to a stop. Billy held out his hands to boost her up. 

“You next, Sinclair!” He grabbed Lucas by the legs and lifted him into the air. Above ground Max grabbed his hands to pull him up. Steve hoisted Mike up and he climbed out with the help of Max and Lucas. When it was Dustin’s turn he put either foot on both of Billy and Steve’s hands who then lifted. 

“Up and at ‘em, Harrington!” Billy held out his hands to lift him. Steve only hesitated for a second before placing one foot in his hold and both his hands on Billy’s shoulders to get more leverage. 

More shrieks were heard and the ground started rumbling. 

Steve looked down the tunnel. “Oh shit.”

“Come on!” Billy shouted. 

Steve snapped his head back to him. “What about you? You’ll never make it!”

“I can take ‘em.”

“No you can’t!” Steve dropped his foot. 

“Guys come on!” Dustin, Lucas, Mike, and Max were all shouting. “They’re getting closer!” 

“Go!” Billy ordered. 

“I’m not leaving you!”

Billy let out an exasperated groan then raised his ax. Steve had his bat in a matching ready-stance. When the creatures came into view all the bravery was starting to dissipate. They stepped closer together. Billy’s heart was pounding and the kids were still screaming. He took a deep breath then wrapped an arm around Steve’s waist and pulled him close. The kids shouldn’t watch both of them die right? And it wasn’t his fault Harrington refused to leave him. He had to keep him safe now. 

 Steve grabbed onto his leather jacket. He thought for sure Billy would be able to feel his heart beating out of his chest. The first of many demo-dogs turned the corner and Steve buried his head into Billy’s neck.

Billy scrunched his eyes shut and squeezed Steve tighter. If this was the end at least he wasn’t alone. 

But nothing ever came. 

Billy gasped as he saw and felt the demo-dogs streaking past them. Steve pulled away to see them go by. 

“What?” Billy gasped.

Up above Mike was peering down. “Eleven,” he concluded. 

As the dogs went tearing by Billy pulled Steve in closer and kept his hand firmly on his narrow waist. He still had the ax ready. Steve had an arm looped around Billy’s shoulders. A few of the dogs got a little too close for comfort and Steve was suddenly being pressed even closer. Billy’s hand felt like it was almost burning. 

“I got you, pretty boy.” Again, Steve could hear the smirk in voice. 

Soon after the dogs had all blown through and Steve could peel himself off Billy. Both of them were still breathing heavy. 

“That was insane,” Steve panted. 

“It’s done now. Come on, I’ll help you up,” Billy’s tone was softer as he hooked one arm around Steve’s calves and lifted. Steve placed both his hands on his shoulder for balance but it wasn’t like he really needed it. Billy’s strength was rather impressive that he could lift him with such ease. All the kids helped drag him out of hole. Steve turned down to offer Billy a hand but he had no problem hoisting himself out. 

They all stood peering down the hole and breathing heavy. 

“It’s over,” Steve sighed. He pushed up the goggles and pulled down the bandana so he could take deep breaths of fresh air. His adrenaline was starting to crash and he was practically leaning into Billy. 

Billy perched his shades on the top of his head and pulled down his shirt from his face. He didn’t mind Harrington leaning into him. The weight was almost comforting and keeping him grounded. 

“She did it,” Mike sounded relieved. The kids started pulling off their gear. 

Dustin threw his arms around Lucas and Max. He smiled triumphantly. “We did it!”

Billy’s mind was still running a thousand miles per hour but one thing did cross his mind. He knit his eyebrows down at Dustin. 

“So was that thing your pet or something!?”

He let out a nervous laugh. 

—

That night after reconvening Hopper made sure everyone got home safely. Billy would never have said it but he was more than grateful when Hopper walked him and Max up to their doorstep. He explained to their dad some made up situation that they had been involved in a case and that Billy and Max had been a big help. Susan was beaming with pride while for once Neil looked at Billy like he wasn’t gum stuck to the bottom of his shoe. 

After that night him and Max started getting along better. Almost getting his balls taken off by baseball bat filled with nails and torching an inter-dimension tunnel will work wonders. They’d called it truce and still picked on each occasionally but nothing out of the ordinary for a big-brother-little-sister-relationship. He didn’t mind driving her around. Sometimes getting out of the house was nice. Her friends were still super dorks but now they would wave to each other when he picked Max up and dropped her off places like the arcade. 

And Steve. 

They’d barely spoken in the month leading after. Billy only saw him in passing moments usually in the hallways. Exchanging fleeting glances and longing gazes. Every time it looked like one of them was about to say something but words died on their lips and they would duck away too shy to speak. Even basketball wasn’t quite the same. It was all down to business now. No more teasing or roughhousing or even flirty little comments. 

The only time he really even saw Steve was in his dreams. It seemed most nights Billy would wake up in a cold sweat after having a nightmare about the tunnels. Steve was always involved. Sometimes he’d be forced to relive Steve getting dragged away by killer vines and calling out for him. Except this time Billy could never catch up. Other times he would be too late and he’d be haunted by Steve’s dead body laying still on the tunnel floor. Those were the worst. The kids would be crying and screaming at Steve to wake up or at Billy for not saving him in time. 

Sometimes Billy was the one die. Usually in the last attempt at getting out of the tunnel, he’d lift Steve out of the hole and get attacked by the demo-dogs. As awful as those were he’d still prefer waking up because he died and not because Steve did. 

Once in a blue moon he’d get a happy ending. Steve would still cling to him as they made it out of the tunnel. Sometimes Steve would hold his hand or arm as they trekked through. If Billy really thought about it for long enough he could remember what it felt like to have Harrington pressed so closely against him or hear his voice ringing in his ears as he shouted “I’m not leaving you!” In these dreams Billy would take down all the demo-dogs with ease and Steve would look at him amazed with those big brown Bambi eyes. Billy would respond by holding him against his chest and giving him some flirty comment. 

Billy blamed it on the fact he had been watching Star Wars that night when one of his dreams got exceptionally weird. Much like in Return of the Jedi Billy found himself in Jabba the Hutt’s palace. Except Jabba was half morphed with one of the demo-dogs creating the horrific visual of a slug body and flower-like face full of razor teeth. Chained to the creature was Steve, metal bikini and all. Billy stood in very Han Solo-esque outfit and a blaster strapped to his hip. Dustin’s voice was coming from R2-D2’s body and Billy swore he could hear some of the other kids voice’s coming from droids and other aliens. 

After a daring rescue that left Steve clinging onto Billy with one leg raised high and peeking through the slit of the skirt as they swung across to safety, Billy woke up hard and realized; he was fucked. 

—

It was the night of the Snow Ball and Billy almost wanted to laugh at Max for worrying about what she looked like. His step-sister was anything but girly. He watched from the doorframe as Susan finished braiding back part of her hair. He had already been commanded to drive her there and drive her home. 

Their drive was fairly quiet besides Billy’s mixtape playing. Max stared out the window with her chin propped in one hand. They pulled up to the middle school and she lingered on the door pull. 

“Don’t be nervous.”

Max whipped her head around. “I am not nervous!” She barked. 

“Oh yea?” Billy challenged. “Tell that to your leg,” he glanced down to her jittery knee. 

“Shut up!”

“You know, I could go in with you,” he offered sarcastically. Max looked horrified. 

“Hell no!” She pushed open the door and stomped out. Billy shook his head and smiled to himself. He knew that embarrassing her would work. 

The lot was pretty much barren besides a few cars in the employee section. Most parents were seizing the opportunity of a kid-less Friday night. He pulled away and found a parking spot out of sight. It would be easier to just hang around than be home. He had a stash of beer and cigarettes in the glovebox. Billy was about to crack one when he saw a familiar BMW pull up only slightly fashionably-late.

In the front seat he could see Steve and Dustin talking. He was probably giving him advice on girls. Their conversation carried on for a few more then Dustin got out of the car. Billy snorted when he saw his hair styled back in a Steve-like imitation. Well, as close as his wild curls would allow. He lingered around the drop off zone and Billy’s heart started picking up. He should go talk to Steve. Despite it being a whole month from that night Billy had never properly apologized to him after beating him unconscious. 

Don’t be a pussy, Hargrove! His subconscious yelled. He grabbed one of the beers and left his car. He marched over with determination. Steve was still watching the door when Billy tapped on his window with the can. Steve turned and saw him then cranked his window down. 

“Hargrove?” He looked confused. 

“Hey, Harrington.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Oh you know,” he shrugged. “I’m Maxine’s personal chauffeur.” Steve’s mouth quirked up a little and Billy felt butterflies start to stir. “You?”

“Henderson,” Steve pointed in the direction of the school. 

“That your sidekick?” Billy teased. He shook his head. There was an awkward pause. “So I uh,” Billy looked down then back up, “I got two of these.” He held up the beer can. “You wanna?” He gestured to his cad with his head and whistled. 

This time Steve fully smiled. “Sure.” He pulled his car into another spot then followed him back to the Camaro. Billy fished the other beer and a pack of cigarettes out of the front. He handed it to Steve and took in his outfit. He had on light washed jeans to match his preppy red sweater with the sleeves pushed up. Billy was dying to tease him. 

“Cute sweater, Harrington. You’re mommy pick it out for you?”

Steve looked down at his shirt then back up with a smirk. “No. Yours did.” 

“My mom’s dead.”

“Oh shit!” Steve looked horrified. “I am so sor—“

“I’m messing with you, Harrington,” Billy smirked and ran his tongue over his teeth. He gave him a little push too. “I mean she is dead but it’s ok. It was a long time ago.” He sat up on the hood of his car.

“That sucks, man. I’m still sorry.”

Billy shrugged. “Don’t be. Besides it was funny. I haven’t heard King Steve crack a joke in ages.” He took a swig of his beer. 

Steve sat on the hood next to him. He kept his gaze on the can in his hands. “I feel like I don’t see you that much.”

“I see you everyday.”

“I know. But it’s not like- like before…” he stopped. 

“Before that night?” 

Steve looked up and met his gaze. Billy’s eyes were always intense. “Yea.” 

Billy sighed and looked down at his boots. “Look, about that night I—“ he cut himself off. “I’m sorry, ok.” Steve straightened up a little but he still tilted his head like a confused puppy. “I’m sorry that I bashed your head with a plate. And that I beat you up. And knocked you out.”

“Not to mention drag me unconscious to the one dangerous place I didn’t want me, or the kids, to go.” 

Billy gulped. 

Steve chuckled. “Now I’m messing with you.” He bumped his shoulder. “It worked out in the end. And we kept everyone safe.” He paused and looked down a little bashful. “You saved my life.” Billy’s heart started to pick up after his comment. “So thank you.”

Suddenly Billy’s fingers found their way to Steve’s hair. 

“W-what are you doing?” He stuttered. 

“Making sure I didn’t scar that pretty boy face of yours,” Billy said inspecting his forehead. “After all that’s all you got going for you.”

“Jerk!” Steve shoved him and Billy started laughing. “I’ve taken down monsters twice! And I make a pretty damn good babysitter!”

“Oh yes,” Billy rolled his eyes. “How could I forget?”

“I guess you’re just a dumb blonde.”

Billy gasped. “Dumb blonde?!”

Steve shrugged and fake frowned. “Must be all that salt water stuck in your head too.”

“You better watch it, Harrington!”

Steve leaned in. “Or what?” 

“Or I’m gonna beat your ass again.”

Steve snickered and pulled back. He took a long swig of his beer. “I’m sooo scared.” 

Billy punched his arm playfully and they both started laughing. There was a pause as they sipped their drinks. 

“Do you miss it?”

“Hmm?” Billy hummed. 

“Do you miss it? California?”

Billy took a long chug. “All the fucking time.” 

“I’ve never been out of Hawkins,” Steve admitted. 

“What?” Billy snapped forward. “No way!”

“Well I’ve been around to a few close areas and visited family and what not. But no,” he shook his head, “I’ve never really been anywhere. My parents go places but… Not me.”

Billy didn’t like the idea of Steve meandering in his palace all alone. 

“Would you ever leave?”

Steve looked up at the stars. “Maybe. Probably. I wanna get one of those big RVs and drive around the whole country.” Billy smiled. “What about you?” Steve looked back at him. “Are you gonna leave when you graduate?”

“Yea, probably. I don’t have any reason to stay,” Billy finished his beer and started fishing in his jacket pocket for a lighter. 

“Oh.” Steve paused. “What if you did?”

“What?” He stopped fidgeting to look at Steve’s chocolate eyes. 

“Had a reason to stay.” 

Billy huffed and tried to brush it off. “If I did then maybe. Maybe not. Cross that bridge when I get there.”

“Hawkins isn’t all bad.”

“You’re kidding, right?” Billy’s hand hovered over his cigarette pack. “There was literally a tear into another dimension where crazy killer monsters crawled out of and killed like a shit ton of people!”

“Ok besides that!” Steve pushed him and grabbed a cigarette from his pack. “You haven’t even seen snow yet.” 

“How do you know I’ve never seen snow?” Billy held the cigarette in his teeth.

“‘Cuz. You’re still tan. Like super tan,” he squinted at Billy’s chest where his shirt was unbuttoned. 

He pulled his shirt and jacket down a little more to show off more of his skin. “I think you like my tan.”

Steve rolled his eyes. “Yea right.”

“Don’t worry, Harrington, one day your pasty white ass can look like this too.”

Steve shot back, “oh so you’ve been looking at my ass?”

He started to panic but Steve began to laugh. Billy shook his head and lit his cigarette. Steve held his cigarette in his lips and leaned closer for Billy to light it. Billy cupped his hands around Steve’s cigarette and sparked it to life. He had only fantasized about a moment like this. The gesture seemed intimate and he was a little too eager to have pretty boy Steve Harrington close like this. 

Steve sat back up and took a drag. 

“I didn’t take you for a smoker, Harrington.”

He shrugged. “I don’t often.” 

“Don’t wanna disappoint Daddy.”

Steve shoved him. “No, man. I just don’t want to end up like a chimney like you.”

He blew his smoke in his face. Steve fanned it away while Billy smiled with his tongue peeking out. Steve pushed him again. They sat in silence for a few. Billy watched as a small shiver ran up Steve’s spine. He slipped his leather jacket off and draped it over his shoulders. Steve flinched. 

“What are you doing?”

“You looked cold.”

“I looked cold?” He balked. “You’re like barley wearing a shirt!” He jabbed a finger at his bare chest. Billy felt like he had shot him with lightning. 

He shrugged nonchalant. “I got California blood.” Steve rolled his eyes and scooted closer so he could drape the jacket across the both of them. Billy tensed. He felt like he was on fire where Steve was pressed against him. 

“There,” he had a small smile. 

The last time they were this close they were both in the tunnel with their faces covered. Now Billy could truly admire Steve’s beauty for all it was worth. His lashes were long and his brown eyes looked like pools of swirling chocolate and honey. He wanted to poke him in every single beauty spot he had. Which was a lot. Billy imagined they trailed his entire body. 

They remained in silence. Billy finished his cigarette and watched Steve finish off his. His long fingers held it gracefully. Steve took one last big inhale and exhale then stubbed out the bit on the hood. He wiggled away from Billy and the jacket so he could look at him face on. Billy felt cold from the inside out without his body-heat. Steve was looking down and trailing a finger along the ridge of the hood. 

“About that night,” he started. He looked back up at Billy through his lashes. “I wasn’t mad. I mean I was at first but… I had already forgiven you.”

Billy couldn’t find words. His heart was beating so loud he could feel it in his ears. He licked his lips to say something but Steve kept going. 

“You didn’t have to stick around. But you did. And you made sure the kids were ok. Made sure I was ok.”

“I knocked you out cold—“

“—just let me finish!” Steve raised his voice. “I just wanted to say thanks. Again. For helping. We couldn’t have done it without you. And I probably wouldn’t be standing here today if it wasn’t for you.”

“Don’t.” Billy clenched his jaw. “Don’t thank me.”

“Why not?” Steve tipped his head causing his stupid perfect hair to fall over his brow.

“Because! I almost killed you that night! If that demo-dog didn’t fall out of the fridge I might have.”

Steve put a hand down close to his leg and leaned in. “But you didn’t. You stayed.”

Billy let out an exasperated groan and looked away. 

“I know you didn’t apologized until tonight but I just wanted you to know that I had already forgiven you.” 

Billy felt a lump in his throat. “You shouldn’t have.”

Steve sat back offended “Why not?”

“Because.” 

“Because why? Because you beat me up?”

“I had no reason to.”

“Sure you did.” Billy looked at him like he grew a second head. “You were upset. You were already upset when you got to the Byers’. I’m guessing I was the outlet.” 

He bit down on the inside of his cheek. He wouldn’t look at Steve. “My dad. He’s… He’s a real piece of work.”

“Did you get in a fight before?” Steve asked softly. 

Billy kept his gaze down. “Something like that.”

“I’m sorry.”

Billy looked up at Steve and he might as well been punched in the face because the look Steve was giving him hurt. Those big brown puppy eyes were full of sorrow and his head was tipped ever so slightly. 

“Don’t.” He snapped. 

Steve was taken aback. “What?”

“Don’t fucking look at me like that!” Billy pushed his chest and hopped down from the hood of the car. Steve opened his mouth but Billy cut him off. “I don’t need your pity!”

“I’m not—“

“Yes you are!” He closed in on Steve’s personal space. “I don’t need your rich bitch pretty boy pity, Harrington!” 

Steve flinched back. He held his lower lip from wobbling. “Screw you!” He shoved Billy out of his way and got off the hood. “Screw you, Hargrove!” He didn’t mean for his voice to crack on the end. He was trying to get as far away as possible. 

Steve’s heart hurt. He had thought him and Billy finally had some kind of breakthrough. That they could go back to joking around and enjoy each other’s company. That he had finally got him to open up a little. Steve was yelling at himself. He shouldn’t have gotten his hopes up.  

Billy felt his chest constrict. “Wait! Steve, wait!” He chased after him. “I said wait!” He grabbed Steve by the wrist. 

“Let go!” He pulled his wrist free. “You’re a jerk, Hargrove! I know we haven’t spoken much in the past month but after that night, after everything that happened, I thought we were friends, ok?! It’s not pity! I care about you!” 

Billy held his jaw firm.

“You push away anyone who would want to get close to you.” 

Billy grabbed him by the belt loops and pulled him flush to him. “Then get close.”

Steve shoved off his chest. “Stop! Stop doing that! Stop the teasing! Stop the touching! And the flirting!” He shook his head and took a few steps back. “I already had one relationship end ‘cuz of lies and pretending and bullshit! I’m not doing it again. I don’t wanna play this game.” His voice wavered and he stormed away. 

“Wait!” Billy found himself chasing after him again. Steve stopped and huffed with his back turned. Billy caught him by the hips and yanked him back into his chest. 

“Billy—“

He cut him off with a kiss. 

Steve let out a little surprised squeak but his eyes fluttered close as Billy held him tight. They held the kiss until they both ran out of air. Billy broke away panting. 

“It’s not a game.” His lips were always red but now the color seemed impossibly rich compared to the blue of his eyes. “It’s not a game, Harrington. You drive me fucking crazy all the time! I don’t want to push you away. I want you close. I want you so fucking close.”

It was Steve’s turn to kiss him. He brought his hands up to hold Billy’s jaw. He was only a little taller than him so he tipped his head up and used his height to get a better angle. 

Billy slid his hands up the back of Steve’s sweater. His palms were burning against his skin and Steve gasped at the sudden contact. Billy seized the opportunity to slip his tongue in his mouth. Steve took a deep inhale and mimicked his actions. 

Billy couldn’t help but to moan as Steve licked inside his mouth. Hungry for more he squeezed Steve closer and bit down on his bottom lip. Steve pulled away breathless. 

“Wait! Wait! Wait!” He gasped. 

“Come on, Harrington. Don’t kill the fucking moment.” Billy dove back in. As much as Steve wanted to keep kissing him he pulled away. 

“I’m serious. We can’t do this here. We’ll get caught.”

Billy started dragging him back to his car. Steve temporarily melted into the kiss then snapped back to his senses. 

“Wait no!” Billy snuck in one last wet smack. “If we’re gonna do this we’re gonna do it properly,” he knitted his brows in a serious expression. “My parents aren’t home this weekend and I got pizza, beer, and a heated pool.”

Billy kissed the corner of his mouth and smirked. “If I didn’t know any better I’d say you were asking me on a date, Harrington.” 

“Maybe I am.” He let Billy kiss him again and again. 

“Wait.” Billy stopped. “What about the fricking kids?”

“I think I have an idea about that,” Steve winked at him. “Follow me.” 

Billy followed him across the lot. As much as he wanted to hold his hand he restrained himself. Steve had been right, it was already risky of them to have an impromptu make out session in the middle school parking lot. 

On the other side of the lot Joyce Byers and Chief Hopper were waiting around smoking. 

“Hey, Mrs. Byers,” Steve greeted. “Chief,” he gave him a head nod. Billy would let Steve do the talking. He didn’t think his charm would have much effect on Joyce Byers and sure as hell not Jim Hopper. 

“Hi, boys,” she smiled warmly. “What are you two doing here?”

“Oh you know,” he smiled. “Dropping off Max and Dustin. We kinda ran into each other.”

“Oh how nice,” she tutted. 

“Actually can we ask you a favor?”

“Sure, sweetie. What is it?”

“Would you mind driving Max and Dustin home?” 

“Of course! You boys don’t wanna be stuck here on a Friday night,” she scrunched her nose playfully. 

“Thank you!” Steve beamed. “Oh and um would you mind giving Mrs. Henderson and the Hargroves a call? I figure it would sound better coming from you than us.”

Joyce’s smile softened. “Sure.”

“I can give you change!” Steve shoved his hands in his jean pockets. Billy followed suit in his jacket. 

“Oh don’t worry about that,” she waved them off. “You two go have fun.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Byers!” Steve gave her an enthusiastic wave as they already headed back to the car. 

“Stay outta trouble!” Hopper hollered. “I’m looking at you, Hargrove!” 

Joyce chuckled and brought her cigarette back to her lips. “They make quite the pair, don’t they?” 

Hopper shook his head but he was smiling none the less. 

—

Billy thought Steve drove too slow. He followed behind to the Harrington house and whistled to himself when he saw King Steve’s palace come into view. 

“Wow,” Billy whistled again. “Nice digs, Harrington,” he said to Steve as he got out his house keys. Steve barely had the door open before Billy was busting through behind him. 

“What are you—“

He cut him off with a kiss and Steve’s back hit the door. He let out a surprised “mmm” then slowly melted under Billy’s touch. Steve’s hands found their way to Billy’s shoulders and slid his jacket off without breaking their pace. They both stumbled toeing their shoes off eager not to pull apart. Billy slid his hand up his red sweater and felt Steve’s firm stomach. Steve’s breath stuttered a little. 

“Ticklish are you?” Billy chuckled as he rested his forehead against Steve’s. 

“N-no!”

Billy pinched at his stomach and Steve jumped. Billy laughed which earned him a punch to the bicep. Then Billy squatted down so he could grab Steve around the legs and throw him over his shoulder. 

“Eep!” Steve was embarrassed by the less than manly noise that escaped him. “What are you doing?!”

Billy held his legs firm to stop him from kicking and rested a hand on Steve’s ass. He carried him over to the couch and set him down a little forcefully. He crawled over Steve and had his arms on either side of his head. He ran his fingers through Steve’s hair. It was always so shiny and perfect. 

“You’re so beautiful,” Billy’s voice was low and husky. He lowered himself down and Steve tipped up his chin to kiss him. Steve tangled his fingers in Billy’s curls. When he pulled on it he let out a groan. 

Billy deepened the kiss. Their noses would bump and they would bite at each other’s bottom lip. Steve liked to kiss slow. He’d slip his tongue in and out of Billy’s mouth and listen to the wet sounds their lips made. He tightened his grip on Billy’s hair which got another reaction from him. Billy was panting now and getting a little desperate. He pulled away for air then started kissing and sucking down Steve’s neck. 

“Billy,” Steve gasped. He turned his head more and let go of his hair. Steve’s hair tickled Billy but he didn’t care, he kept his face buried in his neck. “Billy.” Steve started to sit up so Billy leaned back. 

“I like it when you say my name, pretty boy.”

Steve grabbed onto Billy’s shirt and pulled it out of jeans. He went to unbutton the rest but Billy was too impatient so he ripped it open and threw it across the room. Steve ran his hands up Billy’s chest then around to his back as he dove back in for more. He kissed him long then peppered his jaw and down his neck with kisses and nips. Billy gripped onto Steve’s hair and threw his head back when he sucked on his collarbones. 

Billy’s chest was heaving as Steve pulled away and looked up at him through his lashes. He crossed his arms at the hem of his sweater and went to pull it off. 

“Wait!” Billy grabbed his wrists. “I like this.” The sleeves of Steve’s preppy sweater had fallen down and were now partially covering his hands. Billy found his way to Steve’s belt and undid the latch. “These can go.”

In one fluid motion Billy ripped the jeans off Steve’s legs, socks included. Steve was looking at him with wide eyes. Billy thought it was disgusting how adorable yet sexy Steve looked at the same time. He wrenched Steve’s legs around him and ran his fingers up his calf to the back of his thigh. Steve placed one hand on his chest and the other on the back of his neck as they continued swapping spit. Billy hummed in content as he slid one hand up his sweater and along his back. 

Steve pulled away and chuckled. He rested their foreheads together. “I thought you liked this sweater.”

“I do.”

“Then why does it seem like you want to take it off?” Billy stayed silent as Steve grabbed the hemline again. Very teasingly he pulled the sweater off and dropped it. Of course his hair fell back into place perfectly. 

Steve leaned forward and started palming Billy through his jeans. “I think I want these off.”

“Fuck, Harrington.” Billy couldn’t breath. He let Steve undo his belt, button and zipper. Steve traced along the edge of his waistband which was sending him up the wall. It was no secret what kind of effect Steve was having on him. The more he teased the harder he got. Billy finally had enough and got up from the couch so he could yank his jeans off. 

Steve propped his hand in his chin and smiled as he watched. His eyes gazed his body up and down. He stood from the couch and sauntered up to him. Billy almost dropped to his knees then and there. But Steve passed him by and walked to kitchen. 

“What?” Billy said dumbfounded. “You’re gonna leave me hanging?”

Steve grabbed a bottle of his dad’s scotch and two glasses. “Oh, honey,” He looked over his shoulder with a flirtatious grin. The pet name went straight to Billy’s dick. His eyes roamed down his body. “There is nothing hanging.” 

Billy strode over and took the bottle from his hand. He pressed himself against Steve. “Then what are we waiting for?” He popped the top off and took a long chug. He wiped his mouth where he dribbled.

Steve smiled and took the bottle from his hand and a long slow drink. “I thought we were gonna do this properly. Drink a little. Go for a swim.”

Billy scoffed. “Oh something’s gonna proper happen if you keep teasing, Harrington.” He grabbed him around the waist and brought him so their hips were grinding together. Steve shuddered at the friction. Billy’s hand found it’s way to his ass.

Steve tipped his head and batted his lashes. “You ever tried doing this in a pool?”

Billy shook his head with a smirk. He tightened his grip on his hips and lifted him up. Steve wrapped his legs around Billy’s waist and his arms around his neck. Billy kept a firm hold but it didn’t stop him from chasing down Steve’s lips. 

He carried him to the sliding door and with one-handed ease slid it open to the patio. When he stepped outside Steve squealed from the night air nipping at his bare skin. 

“Eeesh! It’s cold!” He wrapped around Billy tighter for warmth. 

Billy chuckled and walked them over to the edge of the pool. It was steaming from the contrast in temperature. 

“Don’t worry, princess. That’s about to change.”

Steve was expecting a kiss or something but instead Billy chucked him into the deep end. He came up gasping and sputtering. 

“Hargrove!”

Billy kept laughing and lowered himself into the water. He swam up like a shark and grabbed at Steve. “What happened to calling me Billy?”

Steve shoved away and splashed him. He huffed and looked away. “You don’t deserve a Billy.” 

“Aw come on, sweetheart,” he slid his hands up Steve’s back and held him close. “Don’t be like that. Maybe if you hadn’t kept teasing.” 

“You’re a jerk.”

“Maybe.” Billy batted his lashes. “But you still like me.” 

Steve thought Billy’s eyes looked mesmerizing against the glow of the pool. Eyes that could put oceans to shame. He curled his fingers in his blonde locks and kissed him. “I do.” His hand found it’s way to the inside of Billy’s boxers. Billy forgot to breath. Steve whispered in his ear. “But I like seeing you like this more.” 

They stayed out in the pool as long as they could pressed together with roaming hands and lips.  The weightlessness of the pool made it easy to bob along in the waves caused by their rocking and grinding hips. They both came undone in the waves but eventually the winter chill sunk in. 

Steve shivered as he held onto Billy’s hand as he led them back inside. They toweled off but he was still shaking. 

Billy grazed a hand up his raised skin which only caused him to tremble more. 

“You’re cold,” Billy looked at him with a certain gaze. He leaned in close so Steve could feel the heat from his breath. His curls tickled his ear as he whispered. “I think I know I way we can warm up.” 

Steve didn’t say anything but he took hold of his hand again and brought him upstairs. “This is my parents room,” he said pushing the door open then flicking on a lamp. Inside was a king sized bed and a fireplace. He turned on the gas and the flame flickered to life. He turned back to Billy and waited. 

“We should probably get outta these wet clothes.” Their wet boxers were clinging everywhere and leaving little to the imagination. 

They had already seen each other naked multiple times for gym class and basketball. And they both had gotten rather handsy in the pool. But this time it felt so different. It was intimate. 

Billy turned around and gave Steve his privacy. He dropped his own and heard shuffling on the bed. He looked to see Steve waiting. In the low light and orange glow of the fireplace he thought he never looked more beautiful. 

Billy crawled next to him and placed a hand on his cheek. “You are so beautiful, Harrington,” he whispered. 

“So are you, Hargrove.” Steve’s eyes fluttered closed as he leaned in to kiss him. Their pace wasn’t quite so horny as before. It was slow and romantic. Passionate. Steve stopped and stuttered a little. “I-I’ve never done this before. N-not with…” He was peering up through his lashes. 

Billy kept a hand on his jaw. “Don’t worry.” He guided him down so he was laying on his back. “I’ll take good care of you.” 

—

That night was the best sleep Billy had gotten in a month. This time he didn’t wake up from a single nightmare. 

He laid on his back as Steve was curled in his side and using his chest as a pillow. Steve had an arm wrapped around Billy’s midsection while Billy’s was stretched across Steve’s back.

Most nights Steve had no trouble sleeping. Sure he had dreams about the Upside down and demagorgans but they weren’t all bad. Almost every time he and Billy would come out alive with the kids. Sometimes Steve would be the one to save Billy but most times he would be the one to swoop in with his ax to save the day. He’d scoop Steve up in one fluid motion and give him a wink, even in his dreams Steve’s heart would be hammering. 

Steve was the first to wake up. The late morning light was creeping through the curtains casting a halo glow over Billy’s golden curls. He nuzzled into his chest more and closed his eyes again. He wished every morning could be like this and every night could be like the last. 

“Good morning, gorgeous.” Billy’s voice was always low and a little rumbly but in the morning it was exceptional.

Steve looked up at him to see he had one eye cracked open. “Morning.” He picked himself up on his elbows so he could give him a kiss. 

Billy started snickering. 

Steve knit his brows. “What?”

“You should see your hair,” Billy dragged his fingers through the mess. “Who would have thought Steve ‘The Hair’ Harrington could look just as shitty as the rest of us in the morning.”

Steve scoffed and smacked his chest. “Excuse you! People wish they looked as good as I do in the morning!” He let out a hmmph for good measure. “You should see your hair.”

Billy moved his arm behind his head and batted his lashes. “Well maybe if someone wasn’t pulling on it so much last night.” His Cheshire grin made Steve turn a lovely shade of red. 

Billy tangled his fingers in Steve’s hair and brought him back down for a kiss. Steve hummed happily against him and smiled. 

“You know,” Steve began staring into his crystal blue eyes. “The shower has room for two.”

Without a word Billy snatched Steve’s legs out from under him and picked him up in a bridal carry. Steve wound his arms around his neck and let himself be carried to bathroom kicking his feet and giggling the whole way. 

When Billy arrived home in the late afternoon he lingered around Max’s bedroom. She was sitting on her bed reading. 

“So,” Billy broke her concentration. His grin grew mischievous. “Did you kiss him?”

Max raised her eyebrow and gave him a pursed smile. “Did you?” 

Billy’s face fell and rushed off to his room. Max smiled to herself and pulled out her walkie-talkie. 

“This is Red Leader.” She paused before squealing. “They totally kissed!”

—

It was a week later when Billy found himself standing next to Max on the Byers’ front porch steps. All the kids were having a sleepover at her house and a D&D session. Max and Lucas had convinced him into getting Mrs. Byers a new place. She seemed like a decent person based off their brief interaction the week prior, but Billy would be lying if he said he wasn’t nervous after hearing the extreme lengths she went to get Will back and taken care of. 

When the door swung up they were greeted by her smiling face. “Hi, guys! Party’s all here!” She waved them in. 

“Hi, Mrs. Byers!” Max said politely. Billy stood frozen for a second so she elbowed him hard in the ribs and cleared her throat. 

“Hi. Um.” He swallowed and held out the plate, the red bow was Max’s idea. “This is for you, ma’am. I’m really sorry I broke your other one… And made a mess of your home. It won’t happen again.”

Joyce took the plate and gave him a gentle smile. “Aren’t you sweet. You’re forgiven.” Billy felt himself blush. “Now come on in!” Max hiked up her backpack and entered the house. 

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow.” Billy turned on his heel but Joyce grabbed him by the jacket. 

“Oh no! Where are you going? Come inside! We got pizza and drinks! Help yourself.”

“N-no that’s ok,” he tried to protest but she was already dragging him inside. 

“Don’t be shy!” She led him to the kitchen and started fixing him a plate. If she didn’t have her fingers locked in his jacket sleeve he would have bolted. Joyce plopped him down at the dining table next to Steve Harrington with two slices and a pile of homemade pasta salad. 

“I see you got suckered into staying too,” Steve said with a mouthful of pizza. 

Billy leaned in to whisper. “She’s strong for someone so small.”

“Tell me about it.” 

The kids came running in from somewhere and started setting up the table for their game. 

“Sweet, everyone’s here,” Dustin started laying out the mat. 

“I’ll be in the other room, you kids let me know if you need anything,” Joyce did a little shuffle with her hands. “Jonathan, you good?”

“Yea, Mom, we’re good.” Billy hadn’t even noticed he and Nancy were sitting on the couch in the living room. He and Steve continued to eat as the kids set up the game around them. Mike was at the head of the table getting his campaign notes ready. 

“I’m sitting next to Steve,” Dustin announced. He squeezed his chair next to him. Lucas sat on the other end across from Mike while Max, El, and Will sat across from Billy, Steve, and Dustin. Mike only looked slightly peeved he couldn’t sit besides El. 

“Ok, here’s everyone’s characters,” Mike started fanning out papers. Max and El were working as a team since it was both of their first times playing and it was still a little confusing for El. Billy and Steve both squinted at the papers in front of their persons. 

“We drew up characters for you too!” Dustin smiled toothlessly. 

Steve and Billy looked at him. Looked down at the papers. Looked at each other. Then back at him. 

“Wait what!?” They both said with mouthfuls of food. 

“Yea, you guys are totally playing with us,” Mike said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. 

“I didn’t agree to this!” Billy growled. 

“I don’t know how to play!” Steve’s eyebrows shot to his hair line. 

“Come on!” Mike huffed. “We need more people for the campaign!”

“Jonathan and Nancy are boring and won’t play with us either!” Dustin complained. 

“They’re too busy kissing each other and making googoo eyes at each other!” Lucas started making fake kissing noises. “Oh Jonathan! Oh Nancy!” He mocked in a high pitch voice. 

“I can hear you!” Jonathan yelled from the other room. 

“You were meant to!” Dustin hollered back. 

“It’s easy. We made you characters and figured out all your traits. See,” Mike pointed to the top paper. “Will even drew everyone!”

Billy held up his character sheet to see the title Barbarian and a hand drawn version of himself in a Viking-esque outfit decked out with a red cape, fur, and giant battle ax. He raised an eyebrow at the quiet kid next to Mike with a serious bowl cut. 

“You drew this?”

“Yes,” Will said softly. 

Billy nodded. “It’s pretty good.” He didn’t see Will look down to hide his red cheeks. 

“Wait a minute!” Steve waved his hand around. “Why is he cool and I… have cat ears!?”

Billy looked over his shoulder to see Steve’s character. Low and behold the version of him did in fact have cat ears. He started laughing and pounded the table. 

“Real cute, Harrington,” Billy wiped at a tear. 

“Hey! I didn’t pick it!” 

“You’re a Ranger! You’re super cool!” Dustin defended his honor. 

Billy plucked the character sheet from his hands. “Too bad you don’t have much intelligence.”

Steve snatched the paper back. “Gimme that!” He stood up so Billy couldn’t take it from him again. He narrowed his eyes at the stats. “Hey! Why don’t I have intelligence!?”

Billy batted his lashes at him. “I dunno, Harrington. Why don’t you tell us?”

“Shut up!” Steve shoved him. 

Billy took his hand. “Come on. I’m only teasing, princess.” He pressed a kiss to his knuckles. Max and El squeezed each other’s arms while Will had stars in his eyes at the interaction. 

Steve pulled his hand away and tried to hide his blush. “What are—“

“See,” Billy cut him off. “It says here you’re a prince,” he tapped the paper. 

Steve ripped it from him and squinted at the words. He rolled his eyes and huffed. “Of course I am.” 

“Sit down so we can start playing!” Dustin pulled him down by the sleeve. 

“You know I have no idea how to play this,” he said to him. 

“We’ll go slow. It’ll be easy,” Mike held up his papers to begin. 

The campaign was somewhat familiar. The boys had cooked up a fantasy version of their recent adventure in the underground tunnels fighting off demagorgans and other nefarious creatures. Both Billy and Max seemed to pick up the game well. El wasn’t struggling to keep up with her help. Max also had a knack for rolling high numbers. When Lucas tried to accuse El of using her powers she simply shrugged and shook her head. But when the boys were too engrossed in the game to notice Max and El would giggle to themselves. 

Steve wasn’t so lucky. He seemed to always wind up in trouble. Not to mention he struggled with the point system. He’d have both Billy and Dustin leaning in to help explain. Eventually he got himself captured by goblins. 

Steve pouted with his arms crossed. “This is stupid.”

“This is part of the game,” Mike whined. 

“Well the game is stupid.” 

“Don’t worry, princess,” Billy looked smug as ever. “I’ll come save ya.”

“We’ll come save you,” Dustin leaned over to shoot Billy a glare. 

In the end Billy was the one to rescue Steve and Will the Wise was the one to defeat the final boss which was the Mind Flayer. As the kids cleaned up the game Jonathan and Nancy made popcorn for their movie. 

The kids arranged their sleeping bags and blankets out on the floor while the teens took over the couch. They went with a scary movie, of course, but not too scary for El. Mike seemed quite content with her leaning against him with their fingers tangled together. Lucas had offered to share a blanket with Max if she got scared. That earned him a hard punch in the arm. 

“Ow!” He rubbed the sore spot. Billy snorted at him. 

“I’m not scared of anything,” Max boldly announced. She did inch closer to him though so they could share. Once they were all situated Jonathan hit play on the VCR. Nancy leaned into his side. 

Billy sat on one end of the couch with his arm propped on the armrest. Steve was on his other side. He was scared to pull him close and offer his side like Jonathan and Nancy. Joyce had welcomed him in her home and the kids seemed to pay no mind to their flirty jokes and comments during the game, but Billy was still nervous. So he held still and kept his eyes on the screen. 

Ten minutes in and he felt a warm weight press into his side. He glanced to see Steve curl up on the couch and tuck into him. Cautiously, Billy draped and arm along his back. Steve melted into the touch and so did Billy. Neither of them realized they were drifting off. 

When the movie finished everyone started shifting so they could get ready for bed. 

“Look,” Will said as he saw the two of them snuggled up and fast asleep. He couldn’t help the warm feeling growing in his chest.

“Wait,” Mike made a face. “They like each other?”

The Party started snickering. Lucas scoffed and Dustin hit his chest. “Keep up!” He whispered shouted. 

Max rolled her eyes. “Boys are so slow,” she grumbled to El who giggled. A smug smile grew on Max’s face and she sat up a little straighter. “I told you. They totally kissed after Snow Ball.” 

Nancy and Jonathan gave each other a knowing look. They did a lot more than kissing that night.