#billy hargrove is whipped five ways to sunday for steve harrington and that’s a fact

[sunnie-angel]

Harringrove Elvis AU

Okay so ever since I saw Dacre Montgomery in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, this AU just won’t leave me alone.

So picture Steve as Elvis. At this point in his career, he’s washed out of the movies, his star is on the decline, and now he’s doing a Christmas special aka an hour long home appliance commercial. He just doesn’t seem to get the opportunities to perform the music that makes him feel alive anymore. (I’m thinking Dr. Brenner would be a good fit for the financially abusive Colonel Parker, Steve’s manager)

Maybe Nancy’s Priscilla and Jonathan is Jerry Schilling (I don’t really see room for a Lisa Marie in this AU). Jonathan and Nancy are together and doing their best to support Steve but they aren’t really a part of showbiz so they don’t fully understand. The kids are all there as the Memphis Mafia but instead of a bunch of hangers on, they’re actually people Steve really likes and cares for. Everyone knows that Steve’s not happy but willing to take whatever opportunities come his way to keep supporting their lives in LA.

Max, who just so happens to have a step-brother in television, decides to do something about the situation. She introduces Steve and co to Billy and his business partner. Their first meeting is similar to how it goes in the movie, but Billy’s got a bit more snark and a bit more bite. This is a Billy who’s a few years out from under Neil’s thumb. He’s not so angry anymore now that he doesn’t have to live with his abuser and he’s built a career that he’s proud of. He’s gotten to a point where he and Max can have a good, if distant, relationship.

And from their first meeting Steve is hooked. Billy, with his stupid soft looking hair, his little neckerchiefs, and big sunglasses. Who pushes him to do more with his music, to make statements, and be true to himself. Who makes him feel like he can be more than a washed up singer and won’t take any of his bullshit excuses to hide his insecurities. Billy shakes up Steve’s whole worldview and doesn’t that just scare Steve?

Billy, of course, has been a fan of Steve’s way back since his first record came out. Steve was Billy’s sexual awakening thank you very much. At this point what Billy feels is mostly hero worship with a dash of lust trickling in. So when he gets that call from Max it’s like every dream he’s ever had has come true. But then Billy meets Steve and he’s everything and more. He’s not the same confident figure that dared the police to arrest him on stage for wiggling a finger, but there’s echoes of him still there. Billy can’t help but needle him, wanting to see the real King Steve buried under years of disappointments and insecurities. It takes Billy all of two meetings with Brenner to realize that he’s got Steve on a leash the same way Neil had Billy on his. And at that moment Billy understands exactly how Steve got to this point and is determined to get him out. It’s when they’re working in the the Christmas special that Billy realizes, oh, the way he loves Steve has changed. It isn’t the shallow kind of hero worship that comes from knowing someone from afar, but something a little more messy and a little more raw.

Cue the angst as Billy thinks that Steve and Nancy are together and Steve thinks he has no chance with someone like Billy. Brenner tries to use Steve’s anxieties against him to keep Billy and Steve apart, because as long as Billy’s around Steve won’t listen to Brenner. Billy has the brilliant idea to bring back Robin and Eddie, Steve’s old band mates, as part of the comeback special. With their help, Steve starts to get out the horrible headspace Brenner did his best to keep him in and get back his passion for music and life. Robin and Eddie have to suffer through both sides of Steve and Billy’s pining (they have a bet on when they get their shot together and realize their feelings are requited).

Finally, The people who love him get through to Steve and help him realize that he doesn’t need Brenner anymore. Billy and Steve get to go on their world tour and Billy FINALLY come clean to Steve about his feelings, fully expecting to be shot down and fired. What he doesn’t expect is the best kiss of his life in the form of one Steve Harrington realizing that he really gets his happy ever after.

[hunnywrites]

Growing Pains: Chapter One

Summary: Life is hard when you’re about to turn 18. It’s even harder when you realize you might be completely out of love with your long time boyfriend, and you can’t stop thinking about the new boy in town.

Pairing: Billy Hargrove/OFC, Steve Harrington/OFC

A/N: Happy Stranger Things day everyone! I’m so excited for this fic! We all know I love an Arcade Dreams AU. This is gonna be taking place in the summer of 85, because we all know Billy deserves a nice summer instead of the one he got. I’m also gonna be giving a name to Steve’s mom because she’s gonna appear quite a bit and honestly @ the duffer brothers give us more content with Steve’s parents. It’s also the first appearance of Hopper! Teddi! I hope you all enjoy it!

It was Sunday morning. Well, technically afternoon. If Teddi cracked one of her eyes open she could see the sun trying to shine through the ugly, off white, checkered curtains that perfectly matched the ugly, off white, checkered wallpaper that she hated. Teddi squoze her eyes shut and willed herself to go back to sleep. She didn’t want to look at the little digital clock on the nightstand beside her. 

As Teddi snuggled further under the plushy, dark blue comforter an arm snaked around her middle. She smiled as her back met a warm chest she hadn’t realized her body had been missing so much. “Rise and Shine, Teddi Girl.” her boyfriend, Steve Harrington mumbled into her hair. He combed his fingers through it gently in an attempt to wake her up. Heather Holloway had just helped her dyed it. They had bleached Teddi’s sandy blonde hair into an almost platinum white color. Steve called her Casper when he first saw it. 

Teddi groaned and buried her face into her pillow. “Five more minutes.” she complained.

“It’s past noon!” Steve laughed. “C’mon, Ted, this is our last summer of freedom. We should be outside doing stupid, reckless stuff.” Teddi didn’t want the reminder. They had graduated from high school only two weeks ago. Steve seemed to be resigned in the fact that he had absolutely no idea what he was going to do with his life now. He was content with working at Scoops Ahoy. And while Teddi loved her jobs at the arcade, video store and public pool, she couldn’t help but feel scared. She had no idea what she wanted to do with her life. 

Teddi rolled over, her nose almost touching Steve’s. “If you let me sleep a little longer we can always do something stupid and reckless in here.” she let out a giggle as Steve’s cheeks grew a bit pink.

“When you put it that way…” he said with a teasing grin. Steve leaned in to kiss Teddi, but she jerked away when there was a knock at his door. 

“Steve, hun? You awake?” it was his mom. Teddi tried to get out of bed as quickly as she could, tripping up on the comforter and falling to the floor before she started to get dressed. “I can make you breakfast before you head off to work. Is Teddi staying?”

Teddi’s eyes widened as she stopped in her tracks. “Um...sorry, Mrs. Harrington! I gotta get home before my dad gets worried!” she called, jerking her cut off shorts on. It wasn’t that Teddi didn’t like Steve’s mom. Kitty Harrington was one of the coolest adults she knew. She was super trendy and threw some great parties. It was an added bonus that she usually let Teddi and Steve drink at those parties. Plus Kitty adored Teddi. Steve told her she said that Teddi had spunk. 

Steve ran a tired hand over his face. “It’ fine, ma! I’ll grab something on the way to work. I gotta pick robin up anyways.” he rolled his eyes dramatically and smiled over at Teddi.

She pulled on her top, a lime green t-shirt that she had cropped herself and gave Steve a look like he’d grown a second head. How could he be so calm? “She knows that I sleep over?” she asked. 

“Oh, yeah. She was cleaning my room and you kinda left one of your bras…” Teddi groaned. “I can get it for you if you want. It’s down in the laundry room. She uses that Snuggle brand detergent, you know with the little bear-”

“Steve.”

“...Sorry. Are you okay?” he asked, walking over to her. His hands rested at her elbows. “Ted, she’s not mad or anything. I mean, technically speaking we’re adults,” he reminded her. “I mean what’s she gonna do, ground me?” 

Adults, Teddi thought sadly. She didn’t want to be an adult. Teddi shook her head. “I’m fine, sorry. It’s just...weird. Can you give me a ride home?” her van was back home. After she’d gotten home from work Steve had surprised her, knocking on her window and convincing her to sneak out for the night. Only now it wasn’t really sneaking out, she supposed. How boring. 

“Well, wait. You wanna go get lunch or something? Catch a movie?” Steve asked as he got dressed. 

“I thought you had work?”

“I don’t really. Do you wanna go downstairs and have brunch with my mom?” he shot a teasing grin her way. Steve had a point there. As much as Teddi liked Kitty, she definitely didn’t want to sit there awkwardly with the two of them while they all three pretended everything was completely normal. 

Teddi smiled thinly. “Right. As much as I’d love to I have to get to the arcade soon. And I have to make sure my dad doesn’t like...flip his lid when he finds out I was gone all night.” it was sort of a lie. Teddi had work that day, but it wasn’t until later that night. She felt a little guilty blowing Steve off. Like somehow she was doing something she wasn’t supposed to be doing. But just because they were dating didn’t mean they had to be around each other all of the time, right? 

The disappointed look on Steve’s face made her feel even worse. “Oh. Well, that’s fine. Maybe next time.” they made their way downstairs, Teddi trying to almost hide herself behind Steve as they passed by his mother in the kitchen. 

“Bye you two!” she called sweetly. “Teddi, say hi to your dad for me!” Teddi winced a little, turning and smiling tightly at her. 

“Will do, Mrs. Harrington.”

“Honey, I’ve told you a million times. After how long you and my Stevie have been together,” she pinched Steve’s cheek affectionately. Steve blushed, brushing her hand away and muttering out a Ma, stop. “You can call me Kitty.” 

Teddi let out a nervous chuckle. “Right, sorry. Sure thing, Kitty.”

“Come on, mom. We gotta go, okay? I’ll be back later,” Steve pressed a kiss to his mom’s cheek and pulled Teddi along behind him and out to his car. “Sorry about her…” he mumbled.

“Don’t be. I love your mom.”

“Yeah, but sometimes I think she lays it on a little thick ‘cause you’re her chance at grandbabies.” Teddi’s head whipped in Steve’s direction. He hadn’t even noticed. He was turned, looking over his shoulder as he backed out of the driveway. Teddi couldn’t believe how casually he had said it.

“Grandbabies? We’re having kids now?” Teddi asked with a nervous laugh. 

Steve looked over at Teddi, his mouth opening and closing while he tried to figure out what to say. “...No. No. I mean...maybe? Eventually? Jesus, Harrington, you have to learn to keep your mouth shut,” he muttered to himself. 

If Teddi thought really hard about it she could picture herself marrying Steve. She could picture him getting a cushy job at his dad’s company and the two of them buying a house down the street from Steve’s parents. If she thought even harder she could maybe picture a kid or two with her blonde hair and Steve’s big brown eyes. Now she felt nauseous. Teddi rolled down her window, pulling a cigarette out of her small, black backpack and lit it. She took a long drag, resting her head against her seat and shutting her eyes. 

“You really should quit smoking.” Steve said.

“You used to smoke, remember?”

“Yeah, until they had that assembly and brought in that black pig lung. It was totally gross,” Steve flashed Teddi a lopsided grin when she let out a soft laugh. He reached over, taking her hand in his, squeezing it gently. “Listen, let’s not talk about this kinda stuff anymore, huh? We’ve got plenty of time for all that. I still am a kid. I don’t wanna have any any time soon.”

Teddi let out a breath of relief and nodded. “Deal.”

When they pulled up to the little cabin she lived in with her dad and younger sister, Steve turned to her with a smirk. “You sure you don’t wanna skip out with me for the rest of the day? Last chance, Teddi Girl.”

Teddi’s nose scrunched up as she leaned in and kissed him. “Rain check, okay? I promise. I just don’t want my dad to worry.”

Steve brushed some of her hair behind her ear. “Alright, alright. I’ll hold you to it.” Teddi said her goodbyes, kissing Steve again and heading up to the porch. The wooden planks groaned under her boots, signaling to those inside that she was home. 

Jim Hopper was lounged out in his recliner that sat in front of the TV just like he always was on his day off. El was perched beside him on the couch, the two of them snacking on chips and salsa while they watched some old Gilligan’s Island reruns. When Teddi walked in they both turned to look at her. El looked at her with this secret little smile of hers. Like she had known exactly where her older sister had been all night and was enjoying the scandal of it. Hopper frowned at his daughter. He too knew where Teddi had been, and he definitely wasn’t enjoying the scandal of it. 

“Ooo, Gilligan,” Teddi said, plopping down onto the couch next to her sister. “Which one is this?” she was ignoring the way that her dad was practically staring a hole in the side of her head. 

“They got superpowers from vegetables.” El said, shoving a chip that was nearly too big into her mouth. 

“Nice. I love this one.” Teddi grabbed a chip, reaching over to dip it into the salsa. Hopper grabbed the jar and held it away from her. The two finally made eye contact. 

“Where ya been, Ted?” he asked, eyebrows raised. He knew. Teddi knew that he knew. No point in lying.

Teddi shifted a little in her seat. “...With Steve.” 

Hopper groaned. It was no secret that he hated the fact that his two teenage daughters were dating. It didn’t help matters that Mike Wheeler and Steve Harrington were two of the most annoying kids he’d ever met. “Do you remember when you came to live with me?” he asked. “You were ten and you said that boys were gross?” 

Of course she remembered. Hopper had adopted Teddi eight years ago. Teddi saw it as an act of fate. She’d grown up with awful parents. They didn’t love her or care about her. Her father had some cushy job that she had never really understood. Something about working with the mayor. Hopper had been working homicide cases in the city. When Teddi’s father, Greg, had been discovered as the main culprit behind one of Hopper’s cases they’d taken him into custody. Now he was in prison for a long time with no sign of parole. There had been an investigation into her mother, Bonnie, and when the police discovered she was definitely not capable of raising Teddi it was decided she’d be put into the foster care system. 

“I think this is a sign, kid,” he had said. “We’re both looking for a fresh start. So what do you say?” Teddi had decided to take the leap of faith. In the short amount of time she had known Hopper he had shown her more kindness than anyone else she had known. Plus, she thought it was funny how grumpy he was. 

Now, Hopper looked over at his two daughters and sighed. “El, you mind giving us a second?” El didn’t need to be told twice. She knew Teddi was about to get one of his famous “Hop Talks”. She hopped up from the couch, shooting Teddi a sympathetic smile before disappearing into her room. Cindy Lauper started playing on the other side of the door. 

Hopper patted the arm of the couch, silently asking Teddi to scoot over. She moved closer, letting out a small sigh. “Dad…” 

He held up his hand. “Look, I get it, okay? You’re eighteen. You’re not a little girl anymore. You don’t need to ask dad for permission...as much as I absolutely hate it. And you and Harrington have been together long enough for me to know he’s not going anywhere any time soon,” he rolled his eyes. “But next time, can you give me a heads up? With as little amount of detail as possible. Just so I can have some peace of mind?”

“Sure, dad. I’ll leave a note next time,” she nodded. 

“See? I can be calm,” he crossed his arms firmly across his chest, grinning proudly. “No yelling. No banning Steve from the house. It’s a whole new Hop.”

Teddi snickered. “Yeah, Joyce sure has made a lot of progress.” she teased. All in all, Hopper was pretty easy to deal with. There were times when he could be the most stubborn man on the planet. And there were times when Teddi pushed his buttons as hard as she could. But they were family, and in the end they always worked things out. Even if sometimes it meant lots of yelling and telepathic tantrums on El’s end. 

Teddi was silent for a moment while she thought about her conversation she’d had in the car with Steve. “...Do you think I should marry Steve?” she asked.

Hopper choked on a chip. He sat up, coughing and sputtering. His face had gone all red and he had some tortilla chip crumbs in his mustache. “Do I think you should do what?! Why- why would you ask me that? Has he asked you?” so much for the new Hop.

“Nooo, no. He just brought it up. I don’t know...it freaked me out, I guess. And his mom says I’m her chance at grandkids-”

“That woman drives me crazy.” Hopper muttered. 

“She says hi, by the way.”

Hopper only grunted. “You know what? New rule. You and El aren’t getting married until I’m dead.” he said firmly. Teddi shot him a look and he let out a loud sigh. “I can’t believe I’m about to have this talk, because you’re only eighteen...but if Steve is the person you’re supposed to be with, the person you marry and settle down with, you’ll know it. I know you two think you’re in love now, and maybe you are, but marriage isn’t something you just do because you think it’s what’s right. Believe me,”

“The person you marry should be someone that’ll stick with you no matter what. No matter how bad things get. They’ll see the ugliest side of you and they wanna stick around. And they might drive you up the wall sometimes, but it’s all worth it in the end. That’s the kinda guy you need to marry. And if it’s not Steve then you’ll find him...but hopefully not ‘til after I’m dead.”

Teddi rolled her eyes. “Dad,” she groaned. Suddenly she felt jealous of El. She had that sort of relationship with Mike, and they were barely fourteen years old. At one point she might have thought she had that with Steve. Now she wasn’t so sure. “...Thanks. That actually really helps.” 

Hopper rested his hands behind his head, fighting a proud smile. “It’s what I’m here for.” 

“So you’re not mad? You don’t wanna ground me or something?”

Hopper chuckled. “Ground you? Do you want me to ground you?” 

Teddi smiled thinly. “I know, it sounds stupid when I say it out loud…”

“Nah. I get it. But you have plenty of time to be a dumb kid...although I’d apprectiate it if you could leave boys out of the mix.”

Teddi rolled her eyes and smiled. “Yeah, I bet. Do you mind if I take El out for a few hours before my shift?”

“As long as there’s no Mike,” he muttered. Teddi scoffed. “...Just make sure she’s home by curfew.”

Teddi gave her dad a thumbs up. “Deal. Love ya, Old Man.” she grinned over at him.

Hopper grumbled, once again trying to hide a smile. “Yeah, yeah. Love you too, Kiddo.”

---

Summer time meant the Palace Arcade would be jam packed with kids. It seemed like every game had a line of tokens left by kids holding their place to be next to play. Teddi was bouncing back and forth between the prize counter and the floor. If she wasn’t taking change for tokens or trading in tickets for prizes she was fixing broken machines, replacing empty rolls of tickets and even mopping up a chocolate milkshake that Bradley Andrews slammed down onto the carpeted floors after losing at Qbert for the fifth time that night. Teddi banned him from the arcade for a week.

Things had dulled down for a bit. A lot of the kids were starting to funnel out and to their parents who were parked outside waiting to take them home. El and her friends were still there. They were in the corner taking turns at Galaga. Teddi watched on as her little sister happily played alongside Mike. 

“Can I get some tokens?” Teddi looked over at the red head who was standing on the other side of the counter, looking up at Teddi expectantly. She dropped three bucks and some quarters onto the counter top. 

Teddi eyed her carefully, taking her change. “...You’re new.” it wasn’t a question. Teddi knew every kid in Hawkins. She had never seen this girl before.

The redhead gave Teddi a look like she had started speaking in a different language. “...Yeah.”

“Did you just move here or something?” Teddi asked.

The girl shifted impatiently. “We moved here Friday.”

“Ooo, from where?”

“California.” she huffed.

“Nice! I’ve always wanted to go there. How come you moved here? It sucks here.”

“I know it does. And you��d have to ask my step dad. He sucks even more than Hawkins.” she smiled a little when Teddi laughed. 

“Well, I’m Teddi. I’m pretty much always here,” she nodded over to where Eleven was. “That’s my sister, El. Her and her friends are around your age, I think. They’re pretty cool kids. I mean if you’re looking for people to hang around with.” she offered. 

“...Max. And I’m not really...I kinda prefer being on my own,” she explained. “But, thanks...I guess.” she took the tokens from Teddi and hurried off towards the Dig Dug machine. The bell on the door rang, and Teddi looked up to see Steve walking in. He was still in his Scoops Ahoy uniform. 

Steve leaned across the counter to kiss her, Teddi’s nose filling with the smell of waffle cone batter and butterscotch. She looked up at him with a happy but tired smile. “They’re putting you through the ringer tonight, huh?” Steve asked with a chuckle.

Teddi groaned. “You have no idea. I don’t think my night can get any worse.”

“Oh yeah? Well, what if I told you I stopped by the food court after work,” he held up a white paper bag. “And got you one of those giant sugar cookies you like from Mrs. Fields?” he grinned, waving the bag out in front of her. 

“I’d say, Steve Harrington, you are the absolute love of my life,” she sighed happily, snatching the bag from him. Teddi was sure that she had put on a good ten to fifteen pounds since the Starcourt mall had opened that summer. But it was hard to say no to a sugar cookie with sprinkles that was as big as her head. 

Teddi took a bite, her eyes shutting and her head falling back as she let out a content groan. Steve laughed. “Jeez, I don’t think I can even get those kinda noises out of you.” He teased.

Teddi felt herself blush. She playfully pushed Steve. “Shut up. I’ve had a long da-” she was cut off by the sound of a horn out in the parking lot. It was loud enough that everyone inside turned to look outside, trying to figure out who the culprit was. Whoever it was, they weren’t letting up any time soon. Teddi let out an annoyed groan. She stomped outside, her eyes landing on a dark blue Camaro that was parked directly in front of the door.

She didn’t recognize the guy that was honking. He was her age, but he hadn’t gone to Hawkins High. “Hey! Douchebag! Do you mind? Lay off the horn!” she yelled. The boy poked his head out of his window and fixed a glare in her direction.

“Bite me, Barbie. Why don’t you mind your own?” he spat. What a dick, Teddi thought with a scoff. He looked Teddi up and down before flashing what Teddi had to admit was a charming smile. It still didn’t make her want to hit him any less. “On second thought, how ‘bout you hop in and I’ll do the biting?” he smirked.

“How about I shove my foot up your ass you-” Teddi lunged forward, moving towards the Camaro. Before she could step off the curb Steve caught her by the wrist. 

“Eeeasy there, Teddi Girl. Just ignore him, huh? Hey! Come on, dude. Lay off the horn will ya?” Steve tried to reason.

“Aye, aye, Skipper!” he called back at Steve, saluting him mockingly. 

“Billy, will you cut it out?” it was Max. She was standing next to Teddi with a skateboard in her hands. “Let’s just get out of here, okay?” she walked over to the car, shooting an apologetic and bashful look back at Teddi.

“I said nine, Max. It’s almost nine twenty. Susan’s gonna throw a bitch fit at me because your ass can’t be on time.” Billy spat as Max climbed in beside him. He didn’t look back at Teddi or Steve as he peeled out of his parking spot and sped off. 

Teddi glared at the tail lights of the Camaro until they were no longer in sight. Steve let out a short laugh. “Jesus, that guy’s an asshole, huh?” 

“Huh? Oh, yeah. A complete asshole,” she let out a loud sigh. “I gotta get inside and start closing up. Thanks for the cookie.” she stood on her toes to kiss him.

“Sure, sure. Hey, how about that rain check for the movies tomorrow?”

“I’m at the pool in the morning. I’ll call you after and see?”

“Deal. I’ll see ya later, Ted.” he leaned in to kiss her again before heading back to his car. Teddi let out a long, tired sigh and went back inside. She was glad to be rid of the night from hell. Her body was practically begging to crawl into bed. 

Joyce Byers pulled up outside, honking her horn once and waving. Teddi waved back, saying her goodbyes to Will, Lucas, Mike and Dustin as they all filed out and piled into Joyce’s car for a ride home. Only El was left. “Who was that boy that was honking?” she asked, drawing imaginary designs on the glass of the prize booth. 

“I think his name’s Billy. There was a new girl, Max, in here earlier and I guess he’s her brother. He’s a total asshole.” Teddi scoffed, thinking back to their interaction. 

El watched her sister carefully, that secret smile appearing on her lips again. “Oh.” was all she said. 

Teddi turned to look at her with a suspicious expression. “Stop looking at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“You know like what,” Teddi reaching into her back pocket, grabbing her keys and tossing them to Eleven. “How about you go turn on the van and stop trying to read my feelings, ET.” El only laughed, turning on her heels and hurrying out to the van. Teddi shook her head and let out a sigh. At least she wasn’t the only one that was intrigued by the new boy in town.