#harringrove Rainbow Connection AU

[kaizenkhaos]

Harringrove Lovefest: Spaghetti and Meatballs

For the 13th, I decided to finally add to the Kids Rainbow Connections AU I started to write last year, inspired by @ratbastardbilly's amazing Rainbow Connection drawing. This time Steve is sad that Billy isn't allowed to come to his house for dinner. Well, if Billy can't come to the dinner, then the dinner will come to Billy ^^

"Come on sweetie….it's your favourite."

Steve looked down at his plate and sulked, arms firmly crossed. Bottom lip stuck out over his top one. A scowl on his face which drew his eyebrows into a tight 'V' shape. It was his favourite, his mom was right. But that wasn't why he was angry, or refusing to eat. It wasn't why he was sat here in silent protest. He was angry at Billy's parents. Billy was supposed to be here and he wasn't, because they wouldn't let him come. And now he didn't want the meatballs because he wasn't hungry.

"Eat your dinner Steve."

"Billy should be here."

His mom sighed and looked over at his dad who just shook his head in disappointment and continued to eat his food. No excuses, said his look to her. Their son was going to eat.

"No ice cream for you or Kermit if you don't eat your spaghetti. And two meatballs."

This was his dad being reasonable; there were four big meatballs on his plate. But it wasn't nice saying Kewmit couldn't have ice cream. He was being good. Steve hated it when his dad was mean to Kewmit too. He did that every time Steve did something he didn't like. It wasn't fair!

So Steve had no choice. He started on the meatballs first. Made with love by his mom as was the tasty tomato sauce which the spaghetti and meatballs sat in. Did Billy's mom make him things like this? Did she stand in the kitchen in an apron, looking out the window as she passed meat from hand to hand? Steve knew Billy really liked fish because he always chose fish fingers over anything else at school. But he knew little else about Billy's home life. He didn't talk about it. He clearly loved his mom a lot though and did talk about her a lot.

Two meatballs eaten and Steve had an idea! If Billy couldn't come here to eat the spaghetti, then…

"MOM!"

"Not with your mouth full!" his dad scolded, putting his knife and fork before and going to clean his son up, who had sprayed sauce down his chin. "Swallow then speak son."

"Yes Steve?" his mom said.

"Can I take Billy some spaghetti to school in my Kewmit box?"

She looked at his dad who just shrugged whilst straightening up Steve's tiger onesie hood and cleaning up the splatter from his son's face.

"Yes we can Steve! That's a wonderful idea."

She knew how upset he was about Billy, had seen his little face crease up in the car as he'd tried not to cry, He'd been good in front of Billy and his mom, made it look like it didn't bother him. But it did and later he'd cuddled into her as he'd sobbed about it. Billy had looked blank but Steve's mom wondered if he was just trying to put a face on like her son had.

She'd only sighed before because she knew how stubborn Steve could be and he hadn't been like this for a while. He'd been so good recently.

Steve smiled, a small clap as he looked over at Kermit, a plastic imitation of their meal in front of him on a small toy place. His dad was now back in his seat, happy that his son was back to clean and tidy.

"Leave some of that too please Kewmit. For Animal." When Monday came, Steve was excited. He ran to the car, Kewmit box bouncing against his leg as he jumped up to pull the door open. Climbing up and getting himself and Kerwit settled in their matching car seats. His mom smiled at her son's eagerness, locking up and putting her key in her bag. His son's happiness was infectious; she wished she could be there to see Billy's face at lunch when the two boys ate together. She'd packed him two sets of plastic knives and forks from his Muppets set and put the plastic food in a small box. This was all in Steve's little backpack and this is what he was now thinking about. Miss Summer let them sit on one of the blankets if they promised to not leave a mess. But spaghetti was messy, so they couldn't use the blanket, They could use the plastic table outside the playhouse instead. He would ask Miss Summer. Maybe they could have juice boxes too if they were really good. He liked the juice boxes at school as did Billy. And Animal really liked the juice boxes; he did a funny little dance which made Steve giggle and kick his tiger feet. ---At nearly lunch time--- "Mom made spaghetti."

"That's nice," Billy said, a small smile as he put away the cars. "Mom made fish fingers."

"We never have fish fingers," Steve sighed, closing the cupboard and looking over at Billy. "Mom doesn't cook things out of boxes." Billy wished his mom would cook things like Steve's mom did. That would be nice, but she didn't at the moment. Not enough time and Billy had noticed how tired his mom was. He knew the real reason why she didn't cook. It was then that he realised Steve had left the playhouse and was now outside, setting the table. Plastic knives and forks and plates like they're going to eat. Billy wanted to tell him it's not dinner time, but then Animal, who liked to look at everything, pointed to the clock. It was dinner time! Steve had also got juice boxes, which made Billy and Animal so excited. Steve was the best! He always thought about him and Animal as well as himself and Kermit. As soon as Steve opened the lid on his favourite lunchbox, Billy's eyes were a picture and Steve was so happy to see his best friend's face light up. Steve giggled and watched as Billy and Animal slowly took their seats, eyes still on the spaghetti and meatballs.

"Is that…"

"Yep. It's for us to share. You couldn't come to my house so I bwing the spaghetti to you. Mom said I could."

"You're the best Steve!" Billy wiggled a little in his seat as Steve put the lunchbox in the middle of the table so both of them could get the spaghetti. Meatballs too! Four, one for each of them. And their favourite juice boxes. Billy was so happy and as he picked up his plastic knife and fork, he smiled so happily at Steve. Steve really was the best and Billy was glad that he'd talked to him in the sandbox. He was glad Steve was his best friend and that Kermit was Animal's.

"Let's eat!"

[prettyboiiharringrove]

Harringrove AU // Steve && Billy watch Queer Eye

i try and make one headcanon and then this shit happens 

I HAVE NO SELF CONTROL

So for the sake of this it’s a modern au because I want like early twenties billy and steve

Okay but we need to talk about like queer eye is a seriously emotional show, and when it comes to being a queer person watching the show like it fucking hits you hard no matter the circumstances

So imagine being billy. Constantly thrown around, beat, spit on by his own fucking father just because he happened to be attracted to men. 

Growing up and not being allowed to show your feelings, so being a robot with the idea of fucking respect hammered into your head and then only knowing how to get your emotions out through fucking explosive outbursts

And then fast forward to meeting steve and them reconciling and getting the fuck out of Hawkins

And they’re in their own little crappy apartment in cali but billy and steve fucking love it, it’s tiny and they’ve got weird neighbors and you’ve got to call the maintenance guy like six times before he even answers but it’s theirs and no one is going to take it away from them

And billy is happy with steve, happy to hold his hand and call him his boyfriend, but the whole like pride thing is hard for him because what does he have to be proud of? Like sure he’s gay and maybe that’s not horrible but neil fucking Hargrove is still sitting in the back of his head so like he’s trying but he’s not all ‘rainbow happy’ (billy’s words) like steve is

It’s like three years before he can even get billy to go to anything gay pride related but billy does and he loves it because for the first time he feels completely safe in a room. He’d only ever felt that with steve

But billy still lives in his head most days, “it’s fine that we’re gay but can we not show it off”

Most of the time anything queer related that comes up he watches to humor steve because he figures it means something to steve, so they go through the fucking gay section on Netflix, and he lets him put a fucking rainbow bumper sticker on the car but some days billy still doesn’t know how to face being a big old homo and the only reason he’s okay with it is because he could never see anything wrong with loving steve. One look at steve and he’s at peace, because it’s legit impossible not to fall in love with steve Harrington, fucking asshole

So he plops down in the couch, his hair wrapped up in a towel, another towel on his waist, and he ignores steve groaning when he sits on the couch and gets it all wet, ignores steve bitching over billy stealing his nachos and says “what’re we watching?”

And steve says queer eye and billy just rolls his eyes and grumbles. And steve pauses it and is just like “the fuck is your problem?” and billy is like “I get it stevie, like we’re here we’re fucking queer, can we fucking move on?” and in the past steve would have started a fight because billy is being an asshole but over the years he’s learned that billy is just being a shit because it’s one of those fucking days, so instead steve scoots closer to him, shoves more nacho’s in his boyfriend’s mouth and says “just give it a chance asshole”

And let me tell you what starts out as billy making comments about how hot they are progresses into “fuck off harrington, you couldn’t be tan if you tried, you’re a total bobby. Jesus fucking Christ, accept it, this is like golden girls all over again!” “fuck off I’m blanche and you know it!” “you are rose, you fucking dumbass”

and then billy is constantly crying and steve only points it out three times, he knows because his shoulder is bruised in three different places, before he learns to just shut the fuck up and play the next episode

“baby why are you crying?” “I’m not, fuck off Harrington” “you just watched karamo propose, didn’t you?” “…no?”

speaking of karamo, they start buying so many bomber jackets, like they start to outnumber the amount of denim billy has in the closet it’s become that much of a thing

“steve if you put another facemask on me I swear to god I’m not fucking you for a year” “you know that music video they did?” “how the fuck is that relevant?” “well you haven’t seen it right? I figured we could watch it” “okay and?” “Antoni wears a crop top in it. I’ll be getting dick in like twenty minutes” “just give me the fucking face mask”

“I just got called ‘the avocado guy’s boyfriend’ trying to buy lube. You need to stop” “name one antoni inspired snack I have made that you didn’t like and I’ll stop” “I hate you” “That’s what I thought”

Steve rearranges the furniture constantly. They’ve had new curtains at least three times in the last month. “We can’t afford all this shit you keep getting, pick a design and stick to it” “calm down I know a guy” “jesus Christ Harrington, people say that about their drug dealer, not some guy who gives you fake plants and crystal paperweights” “You said I’m bobby, so let me be bobby”

“you said you wanted more shampoo right? what kind?...no steve they don’t have that kind...yes i fucking know, no sulfates...stop bringing jvn into this i knew no sulfates before that...yes i did...pretty boy we got tied for best hair in our high school yearbook, i’m surprised you didn’t know the no sulfates rule...no, you’re full of shit...oh fuck you and you’re fancy hair, wash it with dish soap for all i care...i am not apologizing!!...fuck you steve...yeah i love you too...OH MY GOD YES, NO SULFATES GOODBYE STEVE”

okay take us to season two coming out alright, and they promised each other they wouldn’t watch it without the other but billy is an impatient child and he was totally gonna play the “you watched the first couple episodes without me, we’ll just rewatch them calm down babe” card, flutter his fucking eyelashes

but then steve comes home to billy with his knees pulled to his chest crying, with the show paused on lil antoni’s face (my angel watching my angel) and he’s going to make a comment about billy being a little shit but then he realizes this is big

like this is billy is shaking and crying so hard he can’t breathe big so he sits down next to him, freaking manhandles billy into his lap and just tries to calm him down and when billy starts breathing normal steve is like “baby what happened, talk to me?”

billy has been having a bad week, max called him bitching about some crappy thing neil said not realizing how much it would fuck with billy’s head, that was Tuesday, it’s Friday, and steve knows that he still doesn’t feel better. He knew that billy crying was somehow connected to that too but he wasn’t sure what he’d missed.

“it’s stupid” is all billy says before hiding his face in steve’s chest again and honestly steve’s wasn’t surprised because billy gets like that and it sucks but he deals with it. 

He rewinds the show just a little, hoping that maybe that could help put some pieces together because what else is he supposed to do when he’s got a lap full of distressed billy Hargrove and Netflix as his only clue?

[Antoni] she thought her faith told her to judge somebody who’s gay. But she chose to see past that, and she saw the individual. She saw the person that her son is and she changed her mind. She says that it was a religious experience, but she made that choice. Not all parents do that.

Steve froze. fuck. his poor baby

She saw the person that her son is and she changed her mind.

Not all parents do that.

Their parents didn’t do that. Neil Hargrove didn’t do that. He let his hate determine his relationship with his son rather than let his son affect how he looked at the world. 

Neil didn’t love Billy and seeing a mother that put away her prejudice to love her son could be comforting, or it could make the sting of things like Neil hurt even more.

“aw baby” “told you, it’s stupid” “honey it’s not stupid, that’s not stupid at all”

Billy and Steve stay curled up like that for awhile, until billy stops shaking and the tears stop spilling and he’s exhausted. “come on, let’s get you to bed, we can watch this later” “no, wanna finish it.” “you sure?” “yeah, she’s nice, wanna see her happily ever after or whatever” “alright but new rule” “oh, and what’s that king steve?” “you’re not allowed to watch it without me anymore” “thought that was already a rule” “it is, but you’re a fucking brat so I’m just letting you know I mean it”

billy loves steve for making things playful instead of dragging out what had happened. they both knew billy was hurting, they knew why, and they also knew billy was not in a place to talk about it so steve held him, billy cried some more, they watched one more episode, and then they went to sleep in their bed in their room in their apartment where neil hargrove could never hurt billy again

Steve doesn’t point out that billy has gotten a lot better about expressing his feelings after watching queer eye. Casually mentions that the show means a lot to different people, a subtle hint that it’s okay to care that much without calling billy out for it

Also imagine the boys meeting the fab 5

billy thinks he’d be so cool with the guys but if he ever met the fab five he would cry so fucking hard and cling to steve shyly and billy is in a crop top and combat boots and he doesn’t realize that he’s clinging to steve until he feels steve squeeze his hip and “you look so hot today” “don’t worry, I used the waterproof mascara on you” all the reassurance and praise

he thanks them like a lot and blushes and it’s so precious billy is not a tough boii he is a shy boii

steve is a confident protective proud boyfriend he will show off his boyfriend and casually chat while giving billy time to calm down

omg but billy feeling more confident because of the boys so like he lets steve play around with makeup on him and do fancy stuff with his hair and like I said he wears crop tops omg matching crop tops crop top boyfriends

“you better French tuck that shirt or put on a different one” “steve when I said I liked it when you got bossy this is not what I meant” “WWTD” “I know I know, what would tan do? Speaking of, change your fucking shoes”

[kaizenkhaos]

Harringrove Rainbow Connection AU

Happy New Year!

A new year, a new fic ^^ This time a fic inspired by one of my all time favourite Harringrove art pieces, the Lovers, the Dreamers and Me by @ratbastardbilly

Part One

September 1972

Hawkins

Kindergarten

----Billy----

It wasn't California. The sand didn't seem nearly so soft. There was no calm sea wind or birds squawking as they flew towards the sea. There was no mommy here with her long flowing hair and bright smile. But it was still sand, and he had a jug of water which the teacher had provided. So Billy was happier than he'd have been without either near him. Happier than he'd been ever since he'd started here actually.

Sat in the Kindergarten's sand box, the water was there for when Billy wanted to make the sand more wet to make things with. A bucket and spade lying by his side, unused, as he used his hands to try and make a bird. It was going to be just a small bird, like the baby ones he'd seen on the beach. Because Billy wasn't sure if he'd have enough time to make a big one. So a small one would have to do. For now.

He did miss the beach, going there with mommy, carrying his surfboard and hitting the waves as soon as she gave the thumbs up. Hawkins didn't have a beach or waves. It had a pool but they'd not been there yet, having only recently moved into the house they'd been given. Or that's what mommy had said. Billy only really knew that daddy's job meant they had to be here instead of California. They weren't sure how long they would be here and Billy had sat in his car seat pulling a face at the different smells of the new place. Compared to the beach, the smells were definitely not nice to his nose. But none of the other kids seemed to even smell it, which Billy thought was strange. But maybe they'd never seen the sea or smelled nice things. Same as before now, Billy had never seen the countryside.

He didn't like it very much.

So the sandbox was like seeing a friend. Good memories and a place where he could make some more. Something which made Billy puff up his chest and feel some sense of pride about. The pride was as the young boy kept the sandbox tidy. Most of the other kids were messy and that made Billy feel cross but they'd learned that when Billy was around, to keep it tidy or even better, not go near it. So Billy had it all to himself most of the time.

Today was not going to be one of those times.

The door had opened whilst Billy had been busy with his sand bird, moving his hands around to try and make a wing. He still didn't notice anyone walking towards him until there was suddenly someone else in the sandpit with him and he froze. As if his daddy had caught him looking in mommy's jewelry box again. As if he'd done something wrong or maybe he'd got the time wrong. Maybe playtime was already over.

But it wasn't and looking over at the new kid, the first thing which Billy saw was the bright orange and black tiger outfit. Hands peeking out of the sleeves which had little paws attached to them but buttoned back onto the sleeves. The second thing Billy saw was that the kid was sleepy. He was rubbing his eyes as if he had just been asleep and once he opened his eyes, Billy saw how different they were from his own. His were blue. The new kid's eyes were somehow dark but not at the same time. Brown Billy thought the colour was, but there were also different colours in them, and the eyes were also big. As if the other was scared. Really the other was startled but Billy didn't know that.

"Rawr!"

The sound came out of Billy's mouth before he even thought about it. But the kid was wearing a tiger outfit. Which was a little bit strange given the other kids weren't dressed up today. So Billy thought that maybe he wanted to have others think he was a tiger. And Billy was happy to play along, if the other did think that. Mommy said it was good to be nice to the other kids, even if sometimes other kids might not be so nice to him.

Smiling, the other kid stopped rubbing his eyes. A smile on his face as he put his hands up, fingers curled up like claws and then growling back.

"Rawr!"

His eyes that had been sleepy now were big and bright, Billy smiling back as he didn't move but was clearly more interested in the other than his sand bird now. Curling his fingers too and swiping the air and growling again. An answer of a bright giggle from the boy coming out as Billy continued to growl and then giggled himself. It was a nice sound. Their giggles. They were light and happy and Billy couldn't help but smile more. The boy might be in the sand pit with him but Billy didn't care. He seemed like a nice boy and quiet too. Maybe he would be okay to stay here in the sand pit with him. As long as he wasn't messy.

The Tiger Boy just sat there, now chewing on his nails before he scooped up sand with one hand and let it run through his fingers before looking to his left. That's when Billy saw that the boy wasn't alone. He also had something green with him which Billy couldn't quite see all of. But soon he did, seeing a frog being placed in front of the Tiger Boy, who smiled at it before he pointed at them and looked at Billy.

" 'Tis Kewmit."

The way the Tiger Boy said his rs was strange to Billy but he said nothing. The kids talked different to him and his family and mommy had said this was normal. People may talk, she said, differently in different places. And that is okay. But the frog did make Billy frown. It had no legs and he was sure Kermit had legs. Long ones that dangled. He did like the Muppets, it was one programme daddy would let him watch. Though daddy wouldn't let him have a toy from it. So Tiger Boy was lucky that his mommy and daddy did let him have one.

Even with no legs, it was still Kermit though, and Billy thought it was cute. Was Kermit a Muppet the Tiger Boy really liked?

"Kermit the frog," Billy nodded, getting closer to the boy as the boy picked up Kermit and seemed to put him on his hand. Wiggling it a bit so Kermit seemed to almost fold in on himself but then he was back to normal. His mouth opening and closing and the Tiger Boy giggled again. Facing Kermit then towards Billy and starting to move his mouth again.

"Hi ho, Kewmit the frog here."

It sounded like Kermit! Billy smiled even more, moving closer as he stared at the puppet. It was like having the real Kermit right in front of him!

"Hi Kermit." Billy was now sat right close to the Tiger Boy, soles of the boy's trainers and the paws of the other's tiger outfit meeting. The Tiger Boy didn't seem to mind at all. He didn't move his feet or move away at all. In fact he just sat there, smiling still.

"I'm Billy."

"Hi Billy," the Tiger Boy said, looking at Kermit and smiling happily before looking at Billy. "I'm Steve."

"Hi Steve," Billy nodded, happy now he knew what the other's name was. Now he didn't need to actually call him Tiger Boy, like he had been doing in his head. Though it would be something which would stay with him for many, many years to come.

The rest of the time they were in the sandpit, they sat apart again. Billy going back to his sand bird and Steve, getting out of the pit and then coming back, was loading sand into a bucket which would make a castle once Steve had finished. And it had; one of the top parts had fallen off but it was a castle still, and Billy's pile looked a little like a bird. Something both boys seemed to be pleased about. Smiling at each other as they looked at their masterpieces and then each other's silently. Happy to just look and it was nice. Something Billy hadn't had with another kid in a while. It wasn't that he didn't get on with the other kids. He did and he often played with them too. Out in the yard, playing soccer and tag. But Billy also liked peace and quiet, something he often didn't have at home and that's why the sand pit had become an important place to him. That and the reading corner with all the great books the school had. And now, maybe he had someone to share those quiet times with. Maybe Steve liked to read too and maybe he'd like to play with him in the sand again.

Soon the teacher was calling that playtime was over. That meant story time and so Billy climbed out the pit, looking over at Steve who just sat there, waiting for something Billy wasn't sure of. So he just left the kid and Kermit there, walking slowly towards the area where they were told stories, as if he has all the time in the world. Still happy and smiling after that great playtime.

But when he got to the blanket area where the other kids were, Steve still wasn't there. He was still in the sandpit, waiting. And that confused Billy. Hadn't he heard the teacher say anything? Was that why he wasn't moving? He seemed to be biting his nails again now.So Billy did what he knew his mommy would say for him to do; he went back over to go and get him. Because no kid or his puppet should be left behind.

Especially at story time.

[kaizenkhaos]

Valentine’s Day: When Kids make Cards

Happy Valentine’s Day!! :3 A little ficlet I decided to write based on the Rainbow Connection Kids AU which I write (which in itself is based on @ratbastardbilly‘s wonderful Rainbow Connection Harringrove drawing). Crafts Day. The Kindergartens had them from time to time, usually on the run up to a big day. Mother's Day, Father's Day. Easter. Christmas. This time it was Valentine's Day, a day in which in most of the books Billy had read was a day where a boy sends a girl to say that he loved her. Then the girl would be happy. Sometimes, the boy would also give the girl a flower or chocolates or even a teddy bear. Sometimes there was also a small man in a diaper who would shoot the girl and boy with a hear arrow. Billy thought that that should hurt but they must be nice arrows. Cos neither of them died.

The teacher though, Miss Summer, said that their card didn't have to go to a girl. That Valentine's Day was for love of all forms. Billy wasn't sure what that meant at first but then she'd said how moms and dads could love each other and how they could also love their children. That made sense to Billy. As did love between friends. Billy had seen many friends who loved each other in books. And then there was love for animals and pets. Billy didn't have any pets but he knew that some of the other kids did and they spoke with so much love about them. He wasn't sure why his books didn't say all of this about Valentine's Day. But his teacher had made this easier for him. Now he wouldn't have to choose a girl in the class to send a card to. There wasn't anyone he loved there and he wouldn't want to upset anyone. Mom said it wasn't nice to do that. Glancing over at Steve next to him, he saw that maybe he was thinking the same thing. Steve wasn't making a card for a girl either. The big wonky sprawled letters of "MOM" going across the page from corner to corner in pink felt tip which was now also covered in glue. Glitter splashed onto the card and table, as dressed in his tiger outfit again, Steve tried to cover the letters in it and got more on the table than anywhere else. " 'Tis pretty Steve," Billy hummed with pride, watching as hands were cupped with some of the table glitter and into the air it went. More going on the card this time. "Thanks!" A loud clap as Steve brushed his hands off and then turned to look at Billy's card. Glitter had also made its way onto Steve's face and Billy giggled. He'd managed to get pink felt tip on his chin too. Billy wasn't sure how. "Yours is too. That your mom?" A small thin finger was pointed at a big stick figure in the centre of Billy's blue card. A stick figure with a skirt made from a triangle of green felt stuck over it. Smiling up at them, her long blonde hair was made from yellow wool, blue eyes of blue sticky gems he'd found in one of the plastic boxes next to them. "Yep," Billy nodded proudly, staring down at his mom happily and then pointing at the smaller stick figure holding her hand. This one had a wonky oval on its other hand and also had blonde hair but scribbled on in marker. It also had a big smile and blue gem eyes. "And 'tis me. That's my surfboard." "Suwfboawd?" "Yes." Another swift nod and then he looked at Steve, the smile still on his face. "For the surf. The waves in the sea." At Steve's look of confusion, Billy started to move his arm as if he was the waves themselves. It didn't seem to help much. Had Steve never seen the sea? Hawkins did seem a long way away. Maybe Steve had never been to California. It would be sad if he hadn't. The beaches were so soft and the water clear and so good for surfing on. Maybe one day he could ask his mom to ask Steve's mom if they could go to California all together. They would be able to make sand castles there too, like they did in the sand pit. Have ice cream. Laugh and play in the sea together. Him and Steve. That made Billy feel really happy. "They get really big sometimes. Mom doesn't let me on them ones. I can surf on the small ones. Really well."

Steve smiled back at him. It seemed like he didn't understand but Billy liked that Steve still listened anyway. Steve also didn't tend to talk much but Billy didn't mind that either. Kermit did talk a bit more though. "Your mom's pwetty." Another nod and Billy puffed his chest up. Yes. She was pretty, and friendly and a very nice mom. She was happy and smiley and everything Billy could ask for in a mom. Looking now at Steve's card, he saw that there wasn't any drawings of Steve's mom on there. He was instead drawing big purple flowers in the spaces not splattered with glitter. "What's your mom look like?" "Pwetty, also blonde hair. Mine is like my dad's." Steve pointed to his own head, and then continued to colour. His fist wrapped around the marker as he scribbled in the circles, sometimes going outside the lines. "She likes flowews." "That's why you drew them instead of people." "I can't dwaw people." Another look at Billy's card and Steve pointed at it with the marker. A small smile as his eyes looked over it again. "You can." Billy chuckled and then grabbed another piece of card about to show Steve how he could draw people too like he could, but then saw how he pushed his mom card away and grabbed Kermit. Putting him on his least messy hand and then pulling another card over. A green marker went into Kermit's mouth, the cap pulled off. "Whose Kermit making a card for?" A shrug from his friend and a quick "dunno" was the only answer Billy got before Steve seemed to get really stuck into what he was doing. Drawing a wobbly looking frog on the left side of the card, big eyes looking at them before starting to colour the frog in. It was a friendly looking frog, a bit like Kermit and for a while, Billy got lost in just watching Steve. Whose tongue was poking out as he finished the frog and then looked over at him, smiling again. "'Tis a good frog." "Yeah. It's Kewmit!" "Thought so." Then Billy sighed, the smile wobbling a little as he rested his elbows on the table. He wished he could make a card out with a puppet friend. But unlike Steve, he didn't have one and he didn't think his dad would let him, even if he asked. Especially the one who he wanted. "What's wwong Billy?" "Wish I had a muppet to make a card with." A pause and Steve shifted a little closer to Billy, who sighed again and stared at the table. It wasn't fair. He wasn't really allowed the toys he wanted at home. He had to have trucks and cars and things like that, which he liked. But since he'd met Steve, all he'd wanted was a muppet hand puppet. So he could play with Steve. So Kermit could have a friend too. Hearing Steve shuffle next to him, it wasn't until he looked up that he saw that Kermit was now right in front of his face. Being wiggled by his friend, who gently smiled before pointing to Billy's hand. Taking his left one gently and slipping Kermit onto it. "Kewmit says he wants to help you dwaw on the cawd too." Blinking, Billy sucked on his lip and then nodded. It was...so nice of Steve. To see he was so sad about this and then share Kermit like this. He used his other hand to wipe at his eyes and then looked at the ceiling. Thinking. What could he add to the card? There was another space to.... "I know what I wanna draw." "Go fow it! "No more encouragement was needed. Grabbing the pink marker which Steve had used earlier, Billy quickly got to work. One eye, two eyes. He didn't have anything to look at so it had to be from memory. But this Muppet was the one that Billy loved, always grinned at whenever he was on the screen. And soon he could feel Steve bounce around in his seat next to him, hearing the little squeaks of "I know who it is!" and "That's so good Billy!" before he put down the marker. Seeing Steve grab a handful of different colours and start to write something across the top of the card. Soon it became clear on what it was and then Steve got up. The word Friends was now written in bold, colourful and wonky letters above their drawings of Kermit and his friend, Animal. "Fwiends. Me and you. Kewmit and Animal." Nodding at Billy, Steve started to gather the boxes, concentrating on packing away the items. Billy knew he should help him but he was struggling to move. He felt...happy. So, so happy, but also like he was gonna to cry. Happy tears...but not in front of Steve. Steve would think he was sad. So he wiped at his eyes again and gently put Kermit down. Away from markers and glitter. Giggling, Billy gently took the card. Fwiends..his first friendship card. He wanted to keep it, take it home. But it was theirs, not just his and he couldn't be selfish. So beaming, he stood up and offering a hand to his friend, who was easily and fast becoming his best friend, said, "Let's put it in the playhouse. In the window." So they could always see it.