#kaizen's writing kreations

[kaizenkhaos]

Back to Beginnings

Thanks so much to @mangywayway for the hand over ^^ Here's my contribution to the @harringrove-relay-race. Second year participating and looking forward to seeing everyone's contributions <3 My fic this year is focused on Billy and Steve going to California for a basketball match. Back to Billy's home town where he's not only faced with some of his past but also a bright future. This is also based on some of the story beats from Volume 6 of one of my favourite sports graphic novel series, Fence. Over to the wonderful @sepulchralsmile for the next contribution to this relay race :3 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Okay everyone, get on the coach please!" The boys jostled each other playfully as they fought for the right to be at the back of the bus. Billy on the other hand couldn't really care for it. His mind not only fixed on the game ahead of them, but on the fact for the first time, he'd be going back to where he was from. Facing the school he'd have been at if his dad hadn't dragged him away to Hawkins. If his mom hadn't just....upped and left him. He didn't have a clue what his life might have been like, only he couldn't imagine it being like this. He'd have been able to stay with Argyle and his friends. He'd have been able to continue to surf and go to the beach every day. Carefree. He would have been able to see his mom's beautiful smile, her flowing dress and big white hats as she joined him on the sand. Instead he was stuck with a sarcastic step sister. A quiet as a mouse step mom and a dad who he swore got meaner as the years crawled by. California had used to be a haven for him. A safe place with his mom and the waves and the breeze which he missed so much. Everything in Hawkins felt stale in comparison. Like it was just browns and greens all merged into a mess and not the bright colours or freedom he associated with California. The beach and the sand. But then there was also the...feelings. The truth was, California felt like both a blessing and a curse deep down. He really wanted to return but at the same time, it felt like home had been ripped away a really long time ago.

Steve Harrington on the other hand, he didn't have those worries. Cos what did wonder boy have to worry about? His perfect hair? His big house with the private pool? Fine cuisine? The guy had everything but the Captain position. And the guy for some reason didn't seem to be vying for that. He seemed to be just fine, hanging out with Tommy Hagan, bantering with the guys. To be fair, Billy liked their Captain. Ross Patricks was not only a good guy but he'd really turned the team around. Brought them up to standard, made them a force to be reckoned with. Pity he was a senior. Billy knew this competition was final call for Ross. One final chance to show that he could take a team to victory. It would certainly seal his chances too; he knew teams were already interested in Ross but being at the top of the High School League would set him up well for that NBA place he so wanted, and in Billy's opinion deserved. Steve on the other hand, had his head stuck in a different place. His dad being out of state again meant he'd been home alone for a week before finally this trip had come around, And boy had he been counting down the days. Tommy had helped, staying over with him a couple of nights when Carol was busy. Carol joining them other nights so that Steve was rarely alone. He'd been struggling recently with loneliness and what he thought of as the "sads" so he appreciated them keeping an eye on him. He'd tried to swim and train too, in the moments he'd been alone, but his mind hadn't been into it. He also had other concerns too. His growing and apparent crush on a rival of his. Master Billy Hargrove. Him and Billy...well they at first hadn't seen eye to eye at all. They'd been rivals, vying for the same position on the Hawkins Tigers basketball team. Hargrove had also gotten it into his head somehow that Steve was also desperate for the Captain spot. He wasn't. Basketball wasn't really his sport of interest, but as his dad had ruined his chances of making it in baseball, basketball was the next best thing. He had swimming too. But that was more a lone sport than a team one and he'd not wanted any more time in his head than necessary. So he'd made extra effort to get on this team. In the end both him and Hargrove had made the cut. Steve spending more time on the bench but he was slowly getting more play time. And Hargrove? Well he was centre stage most matches and Steve had to admit; the guy had talent. His three score technique was flawless. And as then as a team? They worked pretty damn well. It had been slow progress but the pair really had something going on and more and more they were working together rather than against each other. And whilst Steve hated to admit it, it felt rather nice. -------------An hour later-----------

In the dorm room, the boys were already staking their claims to bunks. Their bags shortly joined by their bodies as they slammed down on their chosen spot. Looking around, Billy noticed how Harrington had beelined for the right hand corner and of course had taken the top bunk. Typical, but it also brought a smile to his face. Yeah people could say it was the whole King thing and maybe it still was a little but Billy also knew something different. A slight twist to it. Steve knew, through the pair having shared the same room for the past year when at away games, that Billy sometimes suffered from night terrors. So the bottom bunk was safer for him, in case he rolled out and ended up on the floor. Less distance to fall, less chance of injury. And so when he finally got to him, he nodded up to Harrington who was taking a moment to rest. A thumbs up from him and Billy was slowly opening his bag on his newly claimed bunk. Laying out his kit and clothes, toiletries, Billy lined it all up carefully. Checking that he had everything and that he'd not have to venture to a store to buy anything during their down time. That would suck; even having to go and buy something stupid like a toothbrush would totally blow the mood. Waste valuable rest time. But thankfully nothing had been missed and Billy could breathe easy. Relax. And actually face this town without preoccupations. Well....sort of. As the others started to group and pair off and move out, Steve hopped off the bed and went to do the same. Nodding to a small group that included Hagan and Ross before turning to Billy, and seeming to think better of it. Moving a little closer to him instead and waiting for the others to go. For once, the King, almost seemed nervous. Standing still next to him but tapping his foot a little. Not in impatience but almost like it was involuntary, and as Billy turned, he looked almost shy? Nah. Steve Harrington shy? Never. The man didn't even know what shy was. "Well," Steve started, looking at the door and then at Billy, a hand going to the back of his neck. "Seeing as we have time to kill, I thought we could go to the beach."

Billy watched as the rest of the room cleared out, his eyes on them before going back to Steve. What an assumption to make. But under his skin, his heart was starting to race. His cheeks already feeling heated. Would this be the moment? The moment he'd been thinking about over and over recently? "And pray tell Harrington, what do you plan that we all do whilst there?" An unusual silence descended before Steve shrugged, his hand now going onto his hip and then added, "Oh I wasn't planning on inviting the others. Thought it could just be me and you." It was only when they finally got out into the corridor after Steve had patiently waited for Billy to repack and zip his bag up, that it became clear, why. "Just us.....?" Billy blinked, actually taken aback. Nah, it was a hang out. Stop with the nonsense Billy. But the way Steve looked at him and then scratched the back of his neck. Face starting to actually flush and his eyes darting away. Well holy shit..... "Wait...is Steve Harrington asking me..." "To have a nice romantic walk with him on the beach?" The other chuckled, but the hand didn't move off the back of his neck and Billy realised, oh shit. Yeah. Yeah he really was. "Yeah I guess I am man. If you wanna....." "Yes. Yes I do. Can I.....can I go and get changed?" Billy gestured at his outfit, chuckling before Steve joined in. Him leaning against the wall as Billy shook his head and laughed. About time, about freaking time. What had taken them so long? Fear! Embarrassment? A misunderstanding? It didn't matter now. It was happening. It was real. "Sure man. See you in 20? I'll go and do the same.

------------40 minutes later--------

This wasn't where he'd imagined going whilst back here. In fact, he'd planned not to. But the offer from Steve, to actually spend some time with him, was too good an opportunity to miss. The guy had even dressed up a little and so Billy had too. A nice black shirt and jeans combo. Hair nicely in curls, the little one he so loved flicking out the front. And Harrington…well he always looked great. Today rocking up in a red t-shirt and jeans and one of his many pairs of Nikes.

"So what's it like being back?"

"Strange….." And it was. Really really surreal in fact. Like part of him had stayed on this beach all this time. But thats not what he said back to Steve. Instead, he snorted, glancing back at the other guy and grinning.

"Don't tell me you only invited out here to get my backstory."

"No but I mean….. If you wanna tell me a bit about yourself, it would be good. I don't really know you man." Steve then chuckles in turn, "other than knowing you have quite the thing for my leg."

"Well you seem to like putting your ass there," Billy grunted, though with no malice and a playful tone. Still grinning as he fully turned to face Steve who'd parked himself on the sand. Billy elected to join him.

"Cos you keep getting closer enough that I can feel your breath on my neck."

"Well quit wearing your pretty boy cologne to basketball matches then."

That set them both off. Laying back, they cackled together in the sand. Holding onto their ribs until it hurt to breathe. Billy feeling like his spirit was lifted. It shouldn't be so funny. In fact it wasn't, but there was just something about this easy banter that seemed to have gotten to both of them.

Soon though, a familiar figure in the distance soon had his mood plummeting. Him bolting up right as Steve slowly got up beside him. A look of deep concern Billy rarely show on his face.

No…it…it wasn't. It wasn't her. Their silhouette had just so similar that for a moment, he'd thought it was. And that….hurt. It stung so deeply and he looked away for a moment. He didn't want Steve's pity or sympathy but, he wasn't going to get it if he didn't try to at least explain.

"My mom…..she left when I was little. Troubles with my dad. Fighting, shouting you know all that shit." He waved a hand in the air as if it didn't matter, but Steve could see it did. It really mattered. Whatever Billy was about to say was clearly hard for him to spit out.

"I thought she'd come back for me you know. After she'd settled. That's what she'd said she would do man. I used to ring her and. Well you know that Susan and Maxine are in the picture and she's not. So you can figure out how things turned out."

"Shit man….."

What could he really say to that?

"Yeah…but hey. You know."

Steve kept looking at him. Wondering where the sudden bitterness had come from. Should he say more? What could you say to a guy who'd just told you he'd been abandoned by his own mom? Left in a household known for heinous things? He'd heard the rumours after all. Seen the bruises. Billy's dad was a prick of the highest order and Billy? He wasn't the best but he didn't deserve to be treated worse than shit under someone's shoe.

Looking out at the waves, Billy could feel the rage building. But the waves also brought with them a familiar scent, which filled his mind with a strange comfort. Let him calm down a little but erased none of the bitterness from his voice.

"It's not like you'd get it. I mean, you're the King of Hawkins High. Golden boy extraordinaire."

"It's….."

Billy stared out to the ocean, his eyes tracing over the horizon as he waited for Steve to continue. He might have seemed more interested in the landscape to the casual bystander, but he was listening. There was something about Steve's tone which had caught him off guard. Was the King of Hawkins High struggling? What did he have to sound so down and out about?

"My dad. He's this high and mighty business man. Has his own company as you know. But everyone thinks that it's all sunshine and roses and it's just….such bullshit."

The way Steve seemed to chew on the words, to Billy, was like the guy has a bitter taste in his mouth. Like he's just sucked on a lemon and would do anything to get rid of the taste.

"It's so easy for people to look at the big house and think everything is okay. But when the house is empty and your own voice echoes from the walls… Everyone just sees the image man. Even those who I really thought didn't just want me for that."

He'd not expected any of this. Nevertheless from Steve Harrington of all people. But didn't it just go to show what happened behind closed doors? Billy was internally kicking himself. He should have known there could be more to things. He knew better himself. To have placed Steve in a box he didn't belong, it didn't feel right. Guess rich kids could really come with their own issues which money really couldn't buy their way out of.

"I'm sorry man. Really I am," he sighed, looking over at Steve who looked small than Billy had ever seen him.

"That freaking sucks. Families…they're meant to be there for us. They're meant to protect us but more and more I hear people say how theirs fail them. That it ain't like it is in the movies. Makes me wonder if it is for anyone."

"I….I dunno man. I see it from time to time." Steve shrugged, his eyes on the sand and Billy found himself moving closer to him. Wanting to take Steve in his arms. Because it's clear that Billy had stumbled over something which the other had been hiding for a really long time. The way Steve was now visibly struggling, like if he didn't't hold onto himself, he'd just fall apart. And Billy doesn't want that for him. He wanted to do something.

"I know of a place."

Steve looked up, big hazel eyes like a puppy. Billy wished he could take it all back. The thoughts, the cursing. Even though Steve would never know all of them, he can see in the way he looked at him that he knows some of it at least.

Steve Harrington may not have the top grades but he wasn't stupid and Billy knew that. Noone got to the top of the social ladder through stupidity and it's rare that the most popular kid was also the smartest. And they didn't need to be.

"A place that has the most amazing sundaes."

"You…eating sundaes?"

"Don't sound so surprised Harrington. I know I'm in peak condition but a fit guy can still indulge you know."

That had Steve snorting, rolling his eyes as he drew an arm across his face and then pushed himself up off the sand. More looking like the guy Billy knew than the scared, sad kid who Billy now feared lurked behind the doors of the house he knew did not contain all he'd thought it had.

Patting Steve gently on the shoulder before getting up, walking with him, side by side, Billy felt a shift between them. But not in a bad way. It may have not been the romantic walk Steve had wanted. But it was the walk they had both needed. --------Twenty minutes later--------------

As soon as Billy walked into the sundae store, it felt like walking back in time. The decor had been slightly modernised. A fresh lick of paint, different materials and brand new booths and a shining floor. But the layout, the colour scheme? It was all still just like the last time he'd come here. All blues, yellows and whites, with big booths in the middle and small ones around the sides.

And there she was, the woman herself. Owner and main waitress. A familiar face after all this time. And over there near the window had been his spot. The place he'd always gotten to with his friends. A spot right next to the window and a fantastic view of the ocean.

"William? Oh my heavens, it really is you!!"

Maisie trotted over to him, arms around him and a big kiss on both cheeks. Which Billy would have minded from other people but not Maisie. She was one of his favourite people in this whole town and so in a rare moment, Billy hugged her back. Not caring if Steve found it strange or weird. Finally a face that he saw home in here.

After letting Billy go, Maisie stood in front of Steve, like a mother seeing a new partner for the first time. Scrutiny written on her face before smiling in approval and saying "Now whose this handsome young man William?"

"Steve Harrington. He's my date," Billy grinned, all the while watching Steve for his reaction. Which was pretty much what he expected; a cool grin. But what he didn't expect was the flash of shyness in his face before it fluttered away.

Nodding to the window seat, he then added, "'m okay taking my usual spot Mais?"

"You can have any seat in the house my dear," she beamed, stepping to the side to let Steve through. "Lovely meeting you dear, I'll be right over to take your order."

"Nice to meet you too Maisie, real nice place you have here."

Always the freaking charmer. But Billy just smiled, leading the way over to the table. Excitement bouncing in every step. Steve seemed to really like the place and that meant a lot. He'd hoped, no, prayed Steve wouldn't turn his nose up at it. Think it was beneath him and he hadn't. Another assumption smashed.

He couldn't stop staring. This was ridiculous.

Sat here with and his tiny ice cream whilst he was here with his favourite sundae. Cream and chocolate and banana and glory. That wasn't the ridiculous part though. It was just being here. With Steve. Their legs barely touching under the table but feeling like electric. The way the guy looked up at him from time to time with those soft eyes and something under them which made his heart pitter patter. Like that rabbit out of the deer carton, which he couldn't remember the name of right now. Because he still can't believe that finally they'd gotten to go out on a date. And despite the way his heart ached due to the events of earlier, he wouldn't change it for the world.

He knew Steve better than he ever had done. Never would he have thought they'd be more similar than their love for basketball and cars but it turns out that beneath the surface, the pretty boy had a lot going on. And Billy wanted to find out so much more. Know about about the guy under the crown. Who Steve really was. Not the mask or the image. The real freaking deal.

"DUDE!"

Drawn out of his thoughts and staring, his spoon stuck in a scoop of chocolate ice-cream, Billy's head spun towards the entrance. He'd would recognise that voice anywhere in the world. One of the guys who had had such an impact on his life. His brother from another mother and the guy who he'd been hoping to see more than anyone in Cali. Argyle. His best friend, his amigo.

"Amigo!!"

Big hugs, high fives and chatter was what surrounded the group as Steve sat at the table. He'd watched the four guys approach and then Billy jump up hastily to greet them. Smiling softly at the scene, he listened to them catch up in fast forward. It must be nice to reunite after all this time. Shame they couldn't stick around for longer.

Billy was positively glowing, something which Steve didn't see in Hawkins. A light in his eyes the town clearly extinguished. Steve wondered what it was like to have to leave a place where you clearly belonged to be shoved somewhere so alien and unfamiliar. He'd lived in Hawkins all of his life after all. Glimpses of other places coming from holidays and the few business trips he'd been taken on before he became the man of the house more often than not. Expected to be responsible, to do the right thing.

It felt like in different ways, they'd both been robbed of something but in this place, maybe they could just put that aside for a moment.

"And whose the handsome amigo you have here then?" Argyle gestured, a white smile as wide as the guy's face as he tilted his open cap towards Steve.

"This is Steve and well, just had to show him the sights whilst we're here."

"The sights huh? Well if I don't see you amigos at Surfer Boys pizza at some point whilst you're here, I'm going to be so sad."

"Can't ever have that man." Another high five and then Argyle and the others nodded. A friendly smile to Steve before the group turned to find their own booth. Giving the pair some privacy again.

Steve smiled, looking back at Billy. His friends, they seemed so different from who the guy hung out with usually. Or rather, maybe Hawkins just didn't provide the right people for Billy. Maybe these were his people and the others were just ones Billy was stuck with.

It didn't matter though right now. Those people were far away and they were here. Scoffing away ice cream by the sea. "I can't believe you're able to just tuck that away," Steve jested, gesturing to Billy's toned physique. Billy looking down at himself and then pointing a spoon at Steve's meagre amount.

"Well you could have had a sundae of Kings but instead you went with whatever that is."

"The best god darn ice cream I've had."

This takes Billy aback, so much that for a moment he just stared. Sat back in some kind of awe or something; he wasn't even sure what it was later when he was pondering on the bus. Steve sleeping at his side. It just meant something more than Billy thought it would. Hearing such praise from Steve Harrington himself. Whose sat there tucking into his scoop of bannofee whilst scanning the place. He's intrigued, he's happy and Billy? He's happy too.

This place may have only been a sundae place to some, a place to get ice cream and chill. But for Billy it was a solid part of his history. A place where he felt safe from the drama at home. Where him and his friends regularly came and Maisie would let them try all the new flavours. He'd even got to name one, and that was one of the scoops he now had in his sundae. And he knew now, if he ever got another chance to name anything else here, he'd name it after the guy in front of him. Whose now making his heart melt with that soft smile, which then turned into a smirk,

"Get over yourself Harrington," Billy scoffed, flicking ice cream at him and then grinning. The King of Hawkins trying to dodge it and failing miserably.

Yeah….He'd totally misjudged Steve. He was an ass, but Billy would give anything to keep this feeling he had right now. For Steve one day to be with him.

And Steve? He can't stop smiling. This place, it was like a calm cave out at sea. It was simple, it was clean. It was the sort of place he could imagine writers and artists coming to . Gazing out to the nearby beach and taking their time. Man, Hawkins had not a patch on this place. No wonder Billy missed it so much.

No wonder it felt like he was finally seeing the whole guy here rather than the persona and mask. His friends had seemed like the kinda people who would do anything for Hargrove. Would stand by his side because of him, not his status, not his looks. They were true friends, amigos Billy had called him. And he'd not heard Billy use that term sincerely in Hawkins. It was more a insult, a threat and not an endearment.

Like something someone would say to demean or mock. But with those people, it wasn't like that. And he'd also never seen Hargrove so calm or vulnerable.

The funny thing was, despite having never been here, Steve felt it too. A freeness which made Hawkins feel choking. He didn't have to be the King of Hawkins here. He didn't have anything to prove out on the beach or here with a sundae. Even if Hargrove had teased him on his choice of ice cream. It didn't matter. It wasn't like he was trying to provoke him. More like they were both in on the joke.

So back went a little bit of ice cream, splat straight onto Hargrove's shirt and the other guy scoffed, rolling his eyes and dramatically putting his hand to his hand.

"My most precious polo! How will I ever recover?"

Steve snorted into his ice cream, tempted to flick more ice cream at him as Billy grinned and left the mark on him. Like a badge of pride. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Race ya."

The pair jumped in sync off the steps down to the beach. Billy shoving Steve playfully out of the way as he ventured to find the quickest path. Sand was tricky to run in but over the years Billy had grown a talent. He knew how to bounce, how to stride and which parts of the beach was his friend. Steve on the other hand, well he didn't have such advantages or luck apparently. Bumbling around and now going face first. Billy throwing back his head and laughing in triumph, spinning on his heels. Arms crossed and grin bare as he waited by the water line for the other to finally join him. Bent over, hair flopping down towards his feet. Still pretty. Still one of the most handsome guys Billy had laid his eyes on.

And still an ass. One quick shove and Billy was down, right on his ass into the water. The salt water quickly seeping through to his boxers. The little shit.

Another quick shove and Steve was over, now also in the water and laughing before they both jumped up, then they were off again. Tugging at each others' jeans and shirts. Smiling like this was the best thing in the world. Falling over one another and rolling around in the sand laughing. Brushing themselves off and then running again. The sun warm enough to dry them off and not leave them with wet asses for the journey back to the dorms.

"I swear, these better dry before we get back on that coach Harrington." And that's when it hit them. They were meant to be back at a certain time and it was time for the coach, shit! The pair looked in horror at each other. How could they have forgotten? The school they were staying at was on the outskirts of town, almost outside it and they'd all been dropped off by the team coach this morning. If they weren't picked up, it was a long long way back. They had to hurry.

They were late. They were so late that Billy feared that maybe the bus would have already left. The feelings of worry boil up onto the surface as they dashed, Steve's hand in his. He wasn't sure when they linked hands but he didn't care. He does know Steve can feel the tension in him, the way he ran his fingers over Billy's knuckles and then stopped him. Pulling him towards him at a rate which made Billy stumble. A soft embrace before Steve took the lead. The final dash before they got to their destination.

Their hands fell apart as they got in visual sight of their coach. She wasn't looking impressed at all. Hands on her hips and looking at her watch as they approached, nodding to the bus.

As Steve passed, she glanced at him a look of warning and as Billy did, she put her hand out. Stopping him in his tracks.

"I know it must be hard, being back here. I need your head in the game. But if that helps, then…" She gave a soft smile, a nod in Steve's direction that no one else sees but Billy. "I'll look the other way. For now."

[kaizenkhaos]

You're Imagining It...(Oh Really?)

So I saw a post a while back (I tried to find out and honestly struggled so will link if I ever come across it again), about Steve telling Robin that Billy was coming into Family Video to flirt with him. Yet no one would believe him. So this is my take on how things went down ^^

"You're imagining it."

Steve looked over at Robin, arms full of videos before putting them down carefully on the counter. It wouldn't be the first time they'd fallen all over the place. And speaking of not being the first time… The conversation Steve and Robin were having at that moment was a broken record. For the past week, a certain blond haired someone had been visiting the store every single night. Sometimes for and with his sister, scanning the aisles for the latest action or adventure movie. Other times alone, picking up stuff for Max but also at times himself. It had been an interesting insight into both Max's and Hargrove's tastes but that wasn't the thing that had gotten Steve's attention. It's that Hargrove's attention, when he'd not been scavenging for films and snacks, had been solely on Steve. It hadn't mattered who else was serving or had been on shift; every single time Hargrove had come sauntering up to him. Beelining across the store as soon as he laid eyes on him like the god damn Halloween party. If there'd been toilet paper around, he swore the guy would have brought that over too.

Robin wasn't sure how many times she would have to say it for it to finally sink in but Steve certainly wasn't getting the message she was telling him. He'd gotten it when she'd come out to him and told her about her crush but with this? It's like his delusions were full fledged and had no intentions of flying the nest. And it was sad. There were so many girls making eyes at Steve which Robin would love to stand a chance with, yet here he was, fawning over possibly the worst guy for him. Hargrove was brash, abrasive and not the type of guy Robin wanted her best friend to date, but apparently Steve either couldn't see that or had a real thing for bad boys. Robin personally had never seen the appeal.

Steve was mere seconds away from saying exactly what was on his mind to Robin, his eyes veering her direction, when yet another customer came through the door. A welcoming smile plastered itself on his face as he welcomed the young mom and girl in the store, watching as said mom was dragged off to the kid's section. The whining about wanting the latest Princess movie making him chuckle. He was ashamed to admit it but…the new one was actually kinda good. Animation wasn't the best in places, a little bit janky and the dialogue was definitely better in the last one. Holly had been obsessed with the series when he'd been with Nancy a couple of year back; knew every word to every song, or as near as damnit. The way she'd said some of the words made him smile, even after everything that had happened since. He did miss that, though not the looks Mr Wheeler used to give him when he'd caught Steve singing along.

"No, Robin…Listen. It's always one movie, return for next day. Always said in that voice and with that god darn smile. And the gum smacking! Come on Robin, you know what that means when they do that. It's attention grabbing, like that girl the other day…"

"Yeah but she was making you goo-goo eyes and even hitched her skirt up at one point. Steve, I just…." Robin sighed, knowing it wouldn't be the last time. Steve wasn't going to get it out of his head; this idea that Billy Hargrove, Number One Pain in the Ass of Hawkins, has the hots for him and that everything he now did was suggestive in some fashion. Not that it was school yard pig tail pulling to piss him off.

As if summoned by them talking about him, along came the man of the hour. Again alone and this time kitted out in his classic denim jacket, white top and tight denim jeans, he sauntered in like the guy he was. One with the air of no care in the world, cigarette hanging out of his mouth, white top tight to his chest. Steve tried not to stare as Robin sighed, finding something else to do other than watch Steve act the fool and Hargrove scanned the store. Like he'd never been in here before and didn't know the floor plan like the back of his head by now. Steve knew Billy wasn't stupid and the way he slammed his car around the town…yeah this guy had maps in his head, all planned out. And it's not long before their eyes met, over the aisles like some cheesy rom-com, and here he came. Shark like grin, glint in eyes, hands in pockets. Strolling over with long strides and then draping himself over the counter. Elbow out, hand on cheek and the tape appearing like magic.

"Not bad man. Not the best of your recommendations but passable. A 5 out of ten, just because I'm feeling generous."

"Well aren't I honoured?" Steve huffed, opening the cassette case to make sure it was rewound before slipping it back into its case and adding it to the pile. Ignoring Robin's side eye as she swiftly whisked it away. "So what you on the market for tonight? More babies in bikinis or is it cops and robbers on steroids?"

"Careful Harrington, there's children present," Hargrove sniggered, nodding at the young mom and girl who had been heading to the counter and were now diverting towards the snacks. Talk about worst case timing.

"Nah not on the market for either. Maxine is after that Ferris Bueller film? Something like Day Out. I told Maxine I don't want her and her dumb ass friends getting ideas. It's meant to be about skipping school from what she's told me."

"Yep and sticking it to the man."

"Dad'll have my hide if she starts with that." A mutter aimed at the counter but Steve picked up on enough to raise a slight brow before he schooled his face again. Hargrove's ocean like eyes latched on his like a heat seeking missile.

"Got anything else that might be a fitting substitute?"

Where he'd gotten the gum from, Steve wasn't sure, but now Harrington was leaning across the counter. Gum swirling around his finger…geez was Robin really not seeing this?! How was this any different to the girl who'd been chasing him two nights ago? "Well I mean…." He really needed to concentrate and so chose a spot just between Hargrove's eyes instead. "Could always go with Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure? School vibe but has some awesome music in it and some history to boot. Could always pass it off as an educational film."

"Smart move Harrington," Hargrove winked, looking over his shoulder to gauge which shelf he'd need to look for it on before turning back to him. "I'll do that. Guess Hagan was right on more than one thing about you. Way more than just a pretty boy."

What the hell had Tommy been saying to him….oh off he went, to get the video and giving Steve just enough time to get his wits about him….

"And what might those….be.." Steve just shook his head as Hargrove sauntered off. Video in hand, ass in those tight jeans which made Steve's eyes go down before he pulled them back up again.

The next day Nancy was trying to convince him, just like Robin, that he was just imagining things. That his dreams were merely that and that… "He's just winding you up Steve. You know what he's like and he's probably put there with Tommy, laughing about it."

"Yeah sure," Steve muttered, his eyes going from Robin to Nancy before he turned his back on the pair to go and use one of the computers. There were records to be updated and he couldn't stand to be around the conversation for any longer. He wasn't imagining it. He knew when someone was flirting with him and Hargrove was flirting. The whole nine yards. He kept coming back. Trying to get close to him, being suggestive. His eyes on Steve as soon as he spotted him. He was acting like a girl with a crush but everyone was saying he was the one like that.

"Harrington!" The girls look over at him as he strides in. Today he's decked out in his life guard gear, clearly having dropped in on the way to work. What with him being on early shift and Hargrove usually came in before work. Afternoon shifts at the weekends, morning shifts in the week so he'd be around to get Max. "Great film recommendation man. Didn't realise you had such refined taste."

"Yeah yeah, what you after today?" Steve tried to play it smooth, watching as Hargrove did the whole leaning on the counter gig he did. His eyes firmly on Steve as he tilted his head from side to side. As if trying to weigh him up. Wondering if he'd gotten under Steve's skin. Nope. He was just acting nonchalant so Robin and Nancy might take him more seriously in the 'he is hitting on me' case.

"What's with the attitude all of a sudden? I've been a really loyal customer recently Harrington." Yeah a real royal pain in the ass. Seeing Steve's raised eyebrow, Hargrove decided to just cut to the chase instead, rising slightly up from the counter but elbows still firmly planted on it. "So Maxine wants something to watch with St….Lucas. Somethin' not too mushy or soppy but you know…."

"Somethin' like Grease maybe?"

"What's that about? Sounds like a kitchen drama."

He smirks as if he's being funny but Steve just ignores him. "It's a high school musical about kids falling in love and all that jazz. I mean…it's a little mushy but has some neat tunes in it, plus some nice cars." "Huh. Okay. Not sure if I wanna listen to some kids whining for two hours but we'll give it a shot. Better not let me down Harrington. Those good looks may save your ass for some but not me amigo. If this movie sucks, you owe me dinner." A pause before that shit eating grin came back and Steve could feel the guy's eyes on the back of his head as he went to find a copy. If they dared say anything about him being delusional now, he was gonna scream...

[kaizenkhaos]

This is my contribution to the Harringrove Relay Race! ✨

Gift Giving: A Priest/Demon AU story Based on mine and Simplydes' Priest Billy and Demon Steve AU, this is a short xmas fic about Steve having an idea for a present to make for Billy ^^

It didn't really make the most sense to him but he was trying. The fact he was actually sat here, items ready, ideas set and was about to get started, that was the main thing...right?

Since coming to the Human Realm, the upper layers of this world called Earth, Steve the Incubus Demon had learned so many things. How humans used bits of metal and a thing called "paper" in exchange for other items. How they used objects (which he still called monsters) to cook and lived in dwellings that didn't react well to open flames. How their winged creatures weren't fast enough to avoid a curious and hungry little Imp.

And how two needles of this thing called "wood" and this material called "wool" could be turned into the most beautiful of things.

Steve had gotten the idea for Billy's present when they had last been to the mall, wanting to find some things for Steve for their camping trip. Whilst going through a shop designed to sell such things, he'd seen all this clothing which the Humans used for what they called "winter", or as Billy had also explained to him, for areas which got much colder than here.

Steve got the concept of cold....kinda. Despite the myths, Hell did in fact freeze over in some parts and he and his family had travelled to a few of them before.

But the cold meant extra layers for humans. Not all of them apparently were like furnaces like him and many of his Demon brethren. Humans also didn't have thick skin or fur to help them with that sort of thing either. Unlike some of the animals up here, they seemed very poorly equipped.

And so as Billy had explained to him the different clothing, the hats, the gloves the scarf, the idea came. He already knew Billy liked to receive gifts, as much as the Priest was humble and all that. He knew also that the thought behind the gift was also important to Billy. Even more than the presents.

Since the pair had come to a common understanding (and much more than that), Steve had wanted to repay Billy for his kindness. His compassion, his....everything. He was just the nicest person. He looked out for others. Cared for them and rarely did anything for himself. He was getting better at that, with Steve's not-so-gentle nudging and encouragement, but Steve still felt that the priest just didn't put himself high enough up. So if he wasn't going to treat himself, Steve would do it. In any way he possibly could.

Armed with Billy's laptop and sat at the table, the young Demon had his tongue firmly between teeth, as he worked the needles in and out, trying his best to follow a video tutorial on how to make a scarf.

This was his fourth attempt.

The first had been an utter disaster of tangled thread.

The second, a certain mischievous Imp had interfered, playing with the ball and then ending up in a mess even worse than what he'd himself had made beforehand. It had taken a while to untangle V, especially around his tail and wings, and after some play and a little nap, he'd managed to bundle V up in a blanket and get him to go to sleep. No mischief could be done if the little Imp was in slumberland.

The third attempt had gotten him to a few rows, a huge achievement but then he'd managed to mess up a few stitches somehow, so had tried to unpick them. But on doing that, he'd gone a few stitches too far, forgot how many stitches he'd gotten along and then he just decided to start again. After all, the numbers seemed to be important and he didn't want to get it wrong.

His claws would clink and click against the needles as he concentrated harder and harder as the scarf came to life in his hands. It was a dark red, almost maroon, with a little bit of a metallic sheen. He'd not really known what he'd been looking for when he'd been getting the wool. Just stared for ages and ages until someone asked if he needed help. They'd been really helpful, helping him choose the right thickness of wool, the right needles for someone like him who had never done this "knitting" before. And after a lot of deliberation over the colour, he chose red. V certainly approved of it too. Trying to play with the wool as soon as he's gotten his pesky little self into the bag he'd brought home. He was sneaky like that and like a cat, loved bags and boxes. And apparently take away tubs.

He smiled as he thought about that, pausing to cast off and start another row. Another red object V liked. He would even sleep in the chicken tubs and scream at them when they'd have to throw it out because it was stinking the place up. V loved chicken as much as he and Billy seemed to as well.

Back to the knitting. More rows, more clinking. Steve yawned and put the needles down. He was tired, the day was dragging on and soon Billy would be back home and he'd have to put it away. It seemed a shame too. He was so close. It wasn't....the thickest of scarves but it would be a good start and once he got better, he'd make him another one. Maybe one day he'd even be able to make him a jumper.

Now that would be a goal.

But right now, he could do this. Make it more. His hands started to move again as he yawned. More and more and more..... And then he was done. He wasn't sure how long he'd been sitting there, doing things over and over before he ended it off and then sat there staring at what he'd managed to do. He'd done this. By himself. With help of course from this Kind Human on the Internet.

But....he'd actually been able to make Billy something.

The breath caught in his throat as, with shaking heads, he slowly put the needles down and then gently picked up the scarf between his hands. And it looked so.... beautiful to him. So thick and warm looking and Steve couldn't help but see the swell of pride within his heart. Hopefully Billy would like it. Hugging it to his chest, Steve then carefully rolled the scarf up and slipped it into a small gift bag he'd bought to put under the tree. Usually he'd just put the present somewhere the person could see it but Christmas, as with birthdays, seemed to be a time when Humans liked to hide their presents. So the bag went under the tree and Steve went to hide the knitting items. Wanting for his creation to be a surprise for Billy and then accidentally spoiled by him leaving things out

The laptop was quickly shut down and moved back to its place and sitting on the sofa, Steve quickly dozed off, his eyes dropping before he was off to Dreamland just like his little Imp beside him.

He didn't even hear Billy come home, or see his eyes light up as he saw the little red bag nestled under the tree in the pile of presents which were for him. He didn't see Billy slip off his jacket and shoes and pace over to him, gently sitting next to him and putting his arm around him. The Demon softly shifted in his sleep and ended up in his arms. He didn't feel how Billy stroked slowly through his hair, kissing the top of his head before turning on the TV and making sure the volume was on low.

He didn't know what Billy had planned for Christmas as much as Billy didn't know what Steve had planned for him. But both of them were going to have some really nice surprises.

Please look forward to the awesome work from the next contributor, @greyghoulclub ^^ I know I am :D.

[kaizenkhaos]

Billy’s Birthday Bonanza: Fic for Thursday 23rd of March ^^

Edit: Now with the date fixed XD Based on some discussions between myself and simplydes on AU ideas, I thought I��d write a little fic as a start off for Billy’s Birthday Bonanza week hosted by the lovely folk over at @harringroveweek It’s Billy’s birthday whilst at university studying to become a doctor, but Steve isn’t taking no for an answer when it comes to plans, and he’s devised a cunning plan..... World: College AU Characters: Doctor Billy and Doctor Steve (based off mine and simplydes’ AU characters ^^) POV: Doctor Billy  Word Count: 1,111   --Spring Break and Room mates--

Did you keep the receipt? is the first thought Billy had when he saw that Steve Harrington was not only standing in the centre of his room on his 19th birthday but was holding out two shining tickets to something which Billy had never been to. A baseball game. It was an irony. He used to play back in high school whilst in Cali. Sweat it out on the field every Friday with his friends and teammates. These days, he didn't have much time for many things other than study or placement. His thoughts purely on getting to his goal, to the one thing he was now working towards. Becoming a doctor. Helping people. Giving back to society in a way people may never think him capable of. Finally being able to get out of that house or rather not having to return. It's not that he didn't socialise or go out. He did, with his coursemates and now with this guy, as well...he was a boxer and Billy had taken it on himself to be his doctor. It was good practice as Steve did like to get himself into quite a number of scrapes. But the last thing he'd have expected at all was this. A present from him.

So this had taken him aback. Steve had his usual cocky air to him, the tickets waving softly in his hands. That lean in his stance, that easy air compared to Billy's which was more rigid. More guarded. Looking up before he closed the gap, grabbing Billy's hands, and placing the tickets within them. Smiling before he stepped back again. Back to where he'd been in the room before. The same old stance and grin. But it was funny because was it Billy or did he look kind of nervous? Like he knew what Billy was going to say but wasn't going to put it out there himself. As if he wasn't really looking forward to the answer either. It was strange. Since when did Steve care so much about things like this?

"These are for Saturday." The tickets fluttered in his hands as he slowly wafted him up and down. Trying to think what to say. A polite refusal and a way to hand them back without offending the guy too much. "I study on Saturdays." And Steve knew this. He'd been around long enough. Just like Billy knew that Steve usually trained on Wednesdays and had fights on Fridays. Fights which Billy usually was at when not on placement.

"You're already studying on your birthday man," was the response that came back at him, a stern eye roll and crossing of the arms. The stance more rigid now, more ready for combat. Here they go. The sigh which was building was already threatening to hammer its way out of his chest.

"Yeah because I have a test on Monday." He knew where this was going. The same way it had been going for the past few weeks. Steve would whine about him not going out. About him always studying. About how for a doctor he didn't take his health seriously. Which he did. He took regular breaks, stretched every hour. Kept hydrated, ate healthily and ran three times a week. Was in the gym other days for a couple of hours. Medical podcasts on his phone as he rowed and did his weights. So he did do something other than study. But it wasn't enough of Steve. The fact he was considering even having a donut as a substitute cake for his birthday hadn't been enough.

Steve had still said he should have a full-ass cake. A chocolate one at that. And he'd borked at the idea, frowned and sighed and just gone back to his books until the guy had let him be. But he'd still been thinking about it moments and hours later. Why? He wasn't sure but he'd had an uncomfortable feeling about it all and he'd not been able to sink it. It had been a case of all work and very little play recently. What would he say to a patient who just wanted a piece of cake on their birthday when the rest of their life was walking down Health Avenue? Would he tell them no?

Down at the gym later, it would occur to him why. The guy actually cared. In his own way. Clearly, he just wanted the cake and a good time, but the fact he'd not only found out when his birthday was (probably by looking in his wallet or some nefarious means) but had also gone out of his way to do this. To get an extra ticket. Or maybe he hadn't but still. He'd given it to Billy and not one of his own mates. Yeah, it wasn't his idea of fun. He didn't think. Watching sports had never really been his thing. But it was a nice thought. A kind gesture and he didn't think out of everyone in this life, it would come from Steve Harrington. Yet there he'd been.

Back in the present, the guy was now leaning by the doorframe, his black eye healing nicely and his bottom lip still split but also on the mend. Sometimes Billy had thoughts about that lip that were something else. Other times it wasn't just his lips he would be thinking of....the tickets. He needed to focus on them. The darn tickets, which felt like they were burning his hands.

He'd not even hinted at the guy he'd wanted to do anything and he was realising the more and more that he was sat there, the fewer reasons he actually had for not going.

When had he ever really celebrated his birthday? Really celebrated? His 18th had been a quiet affair and this...it would be something different.

Looking up, the sigh finally diminished as he slowly rose and put the tickets on his desk, on top of his diary. Which Steve knew was code for, to add later. He didn't even have to look over to know the smug grin on his face. But as he did finally glance over his shoulder, he noticed how Steve's stance was a lot more relaxed than it previously had been. It was a relief for him. He was happy that Billy was going with him. Or at least wasn't going to argue about it.

"See you at 5 on Saturday."

The smile that he was on his face didn't leave the room until much later. His earphones in as he did his studying. Might as well get caught up now.

He had a game to go to on Saturday.

[kaizenkhaos]

Billy’s Birthday Bonanza: Sunday 26th March

Day 4 for @harringroveweek’s Billy Birthday Bonanza and it’s over to Vampire Steve and Werewolf Billy for a birthday unlike any Billy has had before. World: Wolf and Bat Boy AU: Werewolf Billy and Vampire Steve (based off mine and simplydes’ AU characters) POV: Werewolf Billy Word Count: 3,003 TW: for more mature themes (such as sexual including biting kink) and language, mention of Neil Hargrove, brief werewolf shifting description, mixed species relationship Finally, a bright night. A welcome change, especially on a night like this one. The weather in Hawkins had been beyond temperamental recently and the closer it had gotten to the Full Moon, the more tense Billy had gotten. He hated wet Full Moons. The heaviness of his fur, the feel of the water just clumping it down. The way he looked like a massive shaggy carpet running around the place. No thanks. It was different when it was a choice; when he chose to throw himself into the river to bathe or swim. Yeah he still looked like a wreck of course, but a wreck with a purpose. But getting caught in downpours on the way to the meeting place? Awful. Even worse in winter when the trees were bare. No cover, no shelter and all rain focused on him, or so it always seemed. At least now it was spring. The trees had started to bud again but it would still be a while until the blanket of leaves would be reinstated. So any showers could still catch him but at least he wouldn't risk freezing to death for another few months.

Very minimal cloud cover was also what he loved to see on these nights. The moon casting its silver light down through the trees, bathing the whole place in that natural path he loved to follow. The softness of the soil underfoot, the smells of freshness all around. There was a very light breeze stirring the branches of the woods that at one time had felt so foreign. Now it felt like home and when it wasn't raining,  Full Moon was a time he actually looked forward to. The tension in his bones finally lifting. The freedom to be truly himself and spend that time alone that he'd constantly be robbed of during the days spent in human form. Even in his apartment, he didn't really feel himself yet. Like the outside world still had eyes staring in. Like his father's influence had never truly left him, even though he'd never stepped foot in the place. Billy was away from him at last but in his mind, he was still very much there. Not that he'd admit any of this to the pack. There were a lot of things he'd not admit to any of those guys and girls. Like the fact that tonight was not just a night of change but of celebration for him. It was his birthday but none of them knew that. And none of them would get to know. It was a night for him, not for a bunch of strangers who were forced to give a fuck. Billy was definitely the lone wolf persona. Both in human and were form. He wasn't actually a people person, not when he didn't have to be. He could chat and groove, socialise and mingle like the best of them. The whole wolf in sheep's clothing bullshit. But given the way he chose to dress, the way he presented. The way he cruised around town with the sorta music the locals seemed to take an aversion to, he didn't really fit fit in. He was pretty so he was tolerated. He was beautiful so he was adored. His silver tongue bought him favours and girls, but recently that had grown less and less important. Like tonight. The eyes and opinions of the other pack members' meant so little to him as there was someone out there who did. And he wasn't a werewolf or a were in general. He was supposed to be his enemy, but as always Billy had found a way to cross the line. To be the person who pushed at boundaries and blurred them. Fuck it all and fuck them all. That after all was who he was on his way to see. And nothing and no one was gonna get in his way. it was that old cliched bullshit of a war. Werewolves versus Vampires. Funny how the media had gotten somethin' right for a change. Not that Billy paid all that attention to that. That kinda literature bored him, the movies even more so. An American Werewolf in London was the closest he'd gotten to somethin' he could stick, and that was because he'd been mostly polite around Steve. Okay....it was pretty decent, but this was another thing Billy didn't like to admit. Except under duress, because it was funny. And Steve was used to his attitude, seemed to like it. He didn't seem to like placid dogs, preferring the most feisty and fighting ones, so Billy was happy to comply. Happy.....in the arms of a vampire. Who'd have thought? And who'd have thought that his birthday would be spent with him. It was crazy. That that one night at the pub, that chance encounter had lead to all of this. Going back to his place, that cab ride....the nights they'd spend together afterwards. The "getting to know yous" and then that moment when he'd found out why Steve had seemed so...unnatural. He'd fallen for a damn vampire. And a Master one at that. A Protector of others in Hawkins and the surrounding area. He was the guy not to piss off and Billy felt relieved that he'd not been on that side of him. There was enough stories floating around to know some of what Steve was known for, and had done. They'd spoke about it once and Steve hadn't confirmed or denied any of it. Like him, he was sworn by oath and even sharing each others' beds didn't give either of them license to spill secrets which weren't theirs to tell. It wasn't worth their stakes in their groups or their lives, and they were risking the second by merely associating with each other anyway. Steve probably more than him. Yeah, he'd chased out of town and have to find another pack but Steve? He'd be staked for sure, seen as a traitor to the cause and used as an example. But the guy, he seemed pretty chill about anything. That smirk he gave, the cocky one, as he'd tell Billy that and whisper those sweet words in his ear as he.... Yeah best to not think about that right now. Later. Once they were somewhere safer. Once they were somewhere more private. Or not. Sometimes Steve liked to be more dangerous and chose the risky places. A public bathroom, the back alley of a bar..... Once they'd even done it on the bonnet of someone else's car. Whilst they were asleep inside of their house. Steve didn't seem to really give a shit about that sort of thing but Billy had grown to trust him despite that. He saw how careful Steve checked things. How in tune he was to his surroundings. He may look carefree but Billy knew he was still on alert, and that he was also trusting him to call out if he heard anything. Smelled anything. A combination of both their enhanced senses meant they had all bases covered. They just had to make sure they never became too distracted in them situations. At their homes though? At Billy's they had to be quieter, but at Steve's, they would really go off the chain and often did. Billy had had to shift more than one to get rid of the vampire bite marks. Cursing the bastard as he sat there and laughed. So what did he do? Bit him back of course. Steve seemed to be a dab hand with concealing wounds after all. So the bastard could do that. Until Billy realised the guy would heal too. It had taken a bit of fun out of it first, until Billy realised what it meant. Now he covered the guy in bites whenever he got a chance, and sometimes Steve wore them out. Like the risky bastard he was. Treading carefree through the woods, the only sounds being his feet hitting the floor, a sense of peace came over Billy which had been evading him in recent times. When alone, he'd always felt on edge. Like something about to snap. With Steve, he'd started to unwind. After he'd realised what was going on between them and that Steve wasn't about to hand him over to his side. Or try some vampy bullshit on him. He knew he had more tricks up his sleeve than he'd show and was potentially more powerful too. Guy didn't show all of his cards, so neither had he. But slowly they had both been opening up to one another and the more Billy did, the more he found the pain eased. He'd never really thought of himself as needing or wanting to be with another. But this felt.....maybe not right, but somethin' he couldn't really describe. Somethin' which he'd not felt since his mother had jumped ship and left him to drown. Maybe that was it.... Maybe he was stopping him from sinking so far down now. Too much to think about on his birthday though. So he focused on his surroundings. The lack of sound and the sky. And began to search it for the man who he knew would soon be here. Sometimes he forgot how small the guy could get, given that he wasn't exactly the smallest guy. He wasn't exactly the biggest either; neither of them were. Billy was a little broader and Steve was a little taller. But as a bat? Steve was freaking tiny. He wasn't one of those big bastard bats with the huge wingspan or anything, but one of those smaller fluffier bats. The type you could still see cast as a shadow over the moon and you could still spot them. But the bastard moved so darn fast that at times, he thought he'd imagined him. Thankfully though, this time he spotted him right away. Swooping through the trees and then settling on one. Doing somethin' before gliding down and fluttering in front of him. The grin on his face appeared there before he could school it. His eyes betraying the glee he felt on seeing him. Okay, little bastard bat. You got me. This. One. Time. If the bat could sass, that it would be doing. The glint in its eyes somehow cocky like the vampire underneath, as he perched onto Billy's shoulder. A bump to his neck and then a chatter as they advanced further together into the woods. Good timing as always. The pull of the Full Moon was now starting to get stronger and stronger and Billy could feel it calling to him. Pulling out his skin and bones as if they were on wires, all hooked up and being tugged. There was a few particular spots he liked to go to shed his clothes and tonight was a spot nearby. Near a small artificial lake which had been created to attract wildlife. It was one of his favourite spots and he knew also that Steve loved it. He'd be off chasing bugs as Billy changed and that was fine. He knew his full attention wasn't on that and he was doing it to blow off some steam. So once they got there and he started to strip, he watched the bat do his thing. Feeling those beady little eyes on him, as more and more skin came on show. As the bat munched and then dived to the floor. The familiar shadow and smoke being cast out as the vampire finally revealed himself. Just in time for Billy to start folding his clothes. Fancy that for timing. The bastard knew not only how to make an appearance but how to make a show of turning up. The smoke wasn't necessary, he just did it cos he could. "I see you've been working out again." "Never stopped." The goose bumps on his skin only increased as the vamp closed the gaps and took him in his arms. Soft velvet suit against his tanned skin, gleaming in the light. Steve knew what this kinda thing did to him. The sweet words, the compliments. He'd stopped pretending it didn't have an impact on him. It seemed to get the vampire off more, and the words definitely soothed his own ego. "Good. Never stop." A sweet kiss and then two hands on the side of his face. Eye to eye. The swirling ones of the vamp's and then a smile. He blinked, feeling his own shift back. Calling the Wolf again. Little bastard. Only Steve could ever get away with that. "Happy birthday my Wolf," he grinned, showing fangs as he stepped back. A hand on his tie as he started to shift it to the side. Billy's eyes trailing down as it was slowly removed. The suit jacket moved aside to show the treat underneath. Shit, he was gonna kill him.... As quick as the tie was flicked onto the pile of clothes Billy had shed, the bat was back, swooping low on the ground as Billy growled and laughed. A guttural then wolf like noise before bones cracked. Fur sprouted and the Wolf started to run. Two legged, morphing and shifting as the bat fled into the night. Low down still. A chase. Billy loved this aspect of the night. Usually packs would do this together, but Billy loved nothing more than to do this with Steve. Sometimes Steve would run beside him. Other times, it was this, and as it was Billy's special day, Steve had chosen the form he loved the most for this. It was one of the other times they could be like this together. Their true forms. Themselves, free from their human constraints. Those flesh suits they had to wear to be like everyone else. Paws next hit the floor as the Wolf finally fully shifted. Blonde fur sweeping in the breeze, shining golden in the light. A sharp contrast to the small black speck gliding over the ground. Occasionally flying around his head, teasing. Taunting in jest. A playful  snap of his jaws was how he answered. Letting him land on his ears, his head as they continued their journey across the woods. Eventually they would get to their destination. To where he wanted to spend as much time as possible with Steve before that fucking sun would come and ruin their fun. Not that he really thought about that in that moment. His eyes and ears purely out for the bat. The squeaks of happiness. The location of anything and everything around them. There was no one else around; they were safe and away from anyone else. Any other pack or vamps. The night and woods was truly theirs. The lake was like a mirror that night. The moon beautifully plastered across it as the pair slowed down. Steve now perched on top of Billy's head, nestled within that soft, soft fur and tickling him. The little feet occasionally stroking before he slid down and sat on the floor. Soon replaced with the man himself. Staring up at the sky before his eyes rested back on Billy. His Vampire. His love. And the one person that he'd wanted, more than anything, to spend his day with. Lying down by his side, the Vampire soon gave him his promised gift. Or at least one of them. Slowly taking one ear then the other. Massaging them between his hands. A soft kiss on the muzzle and then belly rubs. Slow and sensuous. The Wolf stretching underneath him. Looking up at those eyes which sparkled with mischief but also adoration. Affection. Something Billy had come to realise that he did deserve. In shovel loads and Steve did certainly do that. Back on his front and the Vampire laid by his side. Let him sniff him, slowly lick up and down his neck. Huff in his hair and then snuggle up to him. One giant wolf wrapped around a smaller vampire. Reverse spooning from the usual. He was usually the smaller spoon, much to his protesting. But on nights like this, he got to be the big spoon. Steve being more submissive than he usually was. The bastard was so dominant, he practically bled it. But Billy didn't mind so much. The switch was reversed often enough that it was fun and Billy had a great time. It had taken a while for him to realise that Steve genuinely did too. That he wasn't just a number on a list to him. And tonight, it was clearer than ever that they were perfect. As they were and for each other. After a while, the pair started to star gaze. Somethin' Billy had never shown an interest in before Steve, but now he appreciated the beauty up there for what it was. That and he loved to hear Steve's voice, especially in moments like this when his own was gone. Steve sometimes made up the most bullshit stories about the stars, the various constellations, but he always told him the truth afterward. And tonight he told him about Lupus. His star constellation. The stars not for any were but for him, the birthday Wolf. More bullshit, but Billy felt the stirring of his heart, the tears which would usually pool in his eyes burn against them. He never really got all emotional, not in front of Steve, but tonight? Fuck it.  It was his birthday and he could cry if he wanted to. Feeling the vampire's eyes on him, he turned to him. An unusually soft smile as Steve slowly reached out to him and swept away the wet fur from around his eyes. He'd not even realised the tears had leaked out. He didn't even know he could cry as a wolf. "Did your wish come true?" Blinking, Billy looked up at the sky. It was somethin' they'd spoken about beforehand. Whether Billy would make a wish this year. He never usually did but this year, yeah he had. And yeah. It most certainly had.

[kaizenkhaos]

Harringrove Flip-Reverse It Challenge ^^

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ It's finally here and I can unleash these fics into the world, woo hoo! Thanks so much to @harringrove-flip-reverse-it for the wonderful prompts for this week. Here's my fic for Monday. I also have fics planned for Wednesday, Friday and Sunday :D

CW: sexual themes ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Monday 27th March SFW: School Project

"How much longer do I need to carry him for Harrington?!"

It shouldn't be funny. It really shouldn't, and he knew that he would get into so much shit for finding it so. But there was something about the scene which made Steve wish he had a camera on him. Maybe it was the lumbering around as if he'd just gotten off horseback. Maybe it was the cursing and the occasional grunts of disapproval. Maybe it was how he looked overall. Maybe it was all of the above. But what he'd have given to have a polaroid of this moment to smirk at for years to come. To smile at in times where smiling seemed hard to do. Glancing over his shoulder, Steve smirked at an increasingly pissed off Hargrove marching a short distance behind him. White flour bag strapped to his chest by a thick harness and the most grumpiest look on his face that Steve had seen in a while.

It was day 2 of their school project for Mrs Glass' class and it seemed like already Hargrove wanted to shift full parental responsibilities over to him. Not that that was gonna happen. They'd already agreed Monday, Wednesday and Fridays were his days and Hargrove would have him Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Sundays were a free for all at the moment, over which neither could agree on. So today was Hargrove's turn to carry the baby and attend to its imaginary needs. Saying that, the smug look on Steve's face, the glint in his eyes, were probably another cause for Hargrove's foul mood. Because as soon as the teens had been paired up in class, they'd been making things difficult for each other. For example, he'd nearly dropped the baby twice yesterday. Admittedly, yeah one was his own fault but the other had been deliberate sabotage by Hargrove who'd let go way too early and left him hitting the deck rather than the baby. Visions of white powder and a disapproving tut and 'F' from the teacher had played in slow motion as he'd just managed to catch him, to sniggers from above. Bastard. Clearly didn't give a shit about their grade. At least that's what Steve thought. The guy might not give a shit about detention either for messing around but Steve wanted to actually get something higher than a C at some point this year. Wanted to bring home a card which didn't go straight in the trash. He was sick of seeing that look on his dad's face when he merely glanced at the card and then either tore it up or put in straight in the kitchen bin. As if that's what he thought that's what it was worth. Not the paper the ink had been scribbled on.

"Come on man, it's just around the block," he grinned, motioning to the corner with his head and then continuing down the street casually. Hand in one pocket, cigarette in the other. Still keeping distance between him and Hargrove and the "baby". He even made sure the wind wasn't blowing in their direction. Hargrove though. He'd nearly set fire to the baby yesterday when lighting up. Just shrugged and put the baby on the table like the bag of flour it was. "Shouldn't av gotten the baby so close Harrington. Irresponsible parenting man," was the response he'd gotten after shouting. Irresponsible parenting geez…like he wasn't familiar with that concept. And who'd been the one putting fire near paper. Jesus.

Now finally at his, Steve dug the key out of his pocket, opening the door and smirking as Hargrove strode quickly through it as if he didn't want to be seen dead the way he was. "After you ma'am."

A hefty swipe and Steve was left sans cigarette, staring at Hargrove as he barged past and beelined straight for the kitchen. Not even stopping to take off his shoes or anything, and the cigarette was still lit. Great.

"Hey no smoking in here! Or around the baby! Jesus…." Banging the door shut in frustration, Steve quickly slipped off his Nikes, hurrying through to the kitchen and leaning on the doorframe. Expecting carnage. If Hargrove had done something stupid like stubbed a hole in the baby or ditched him on the counter or something, it was gonna be his turn to be pissed. It was bad enough that he had to work with him with the first place. Without even thinking about the complications their teaming up was causing.

Like seeing Hargrove sat there in his kitchen the way he was was doing things to him that it really, really shouldn't have been. Apparently for now, Hargrove had decided to play nicely. A window had already been thrown wide open and the now extinguished cigarette was behind his ear. Not a spot on the baby to be seen. Sat casually on one of the chairs, he'd pulled it out so he could casually drape himself over it, carefree with the baby now on his lap. Derpy marker drawn face staring directly at Steve. Their eyes met for a moment before Hargrove's headed south and then shot back up, a great grin where a smirk had been as he leaned further back. Studying Steve with amusement before looking around. Then he spotted it and Steve looked away as a full throttle laugh blow out of Hargrove, who after grabbing the baby, stood up and started to make his way to something on the floor. A Moses basket.

"Holy shit Harrington." Hargrove's snorts continued as he now started to scan the room as if looking for more baby paraphernalia. "Something you're not telling me pretty boy?" "Shut up man. Mom brought it down from the attic so it would look like like I was taking something seriously for once in front of my dad." A partial lie. The first part but not the second. His mom had been too preoccupied with packing last night to even notice the flour baby or acknowledge her son. His dad however had at first making the same assumption as Hargrove seemed to have done. That there was a real baby out there with a piece of paper that had Steve Harrington's name on it. But when he'd finally noticed the school project, he'd just muttered something about his son finally taking something seriously for once and then had walked out to sort the car.

"So defensive man. Maybe you do need this more than me." A smirk, but Hargrove only tapped the cigarette. Not making any attempt to hand it back over. Not that Steve really cared at all. The other teen loved to try and get under his skin, in any way he could. But he had plenty more where that came from. So what was one? He was soon driven to finding another though, heading back out into the hallway to go and find his cigarettes. Hargrove's eyes burning on his back. Snatching up his jacket, he rooted through all of the pockets to find his pack and then paused. He didn't even have to turn around to know Hargrove was now stood right behind him. He'd not even heard the guy coming.

"Relax Harrington," Hargrove chuckled as Steve slowly turned around, an unimpressed look on his face. Seriously did this guy not know personal place? He was stood way too close for Steve's liking. "Baby's down for now. Nice and cosy." That shit eating grin just drew an eye roll from Steve who managed to nudge his way out with his shoulder and made his way back to the kitchen. Like hell he trusted Hargrove's word. He'd probably stuff him in the sink or something. But on looking in from the door, he saw that nope. Hargrove had actually proved him wrong and wasn't actually just yanking his chain. The baby was safe and sound in the Mose blanket. Little face peering out from the blanket and Hargrove's denim jacket, which somehow Steve hadn't even noticed the other had taken off. "You gonna have to trust me man. Can't be watching me all the darn time."

Spinning on his heel, Steve was met with Hargrove being way closer than he had been before, causing him to brush up against him in a manner he'd tried to avoid. Had he not been so darn fixated on making sure the other teen had done what he'd said he had, he wouldn't be in this mess. Now trapped up against the doorframe with nowhere to go. "Feels like you could do with relaxing in more ways than one." "Bite me." That shit eating grin, those narrowed eyes as one hand came over his head. It was so hard to not stare at him. Not notice that his shirt was done down like it always was. Showing off his chest in a way Steve had really tried his hardest to not stare at. Darn it was hard and well, he could feel the effects it had had despite his best not to. Instead though, he concentrated on staring back, fire in his eyes as the other finally chuckled and shook his head. Lips now brushing against Steve's ear. "Don't tempt me." He couldn't breathe. It was like the world shrank to a pinpoint and then he was gone. A whole chasm between them as Hargrove studied him, practically pushing himself up against the door so Steve could keep himself upright. Shit. The vein in his neck was pulsing, as if it was waiting to be bitten. To be torn into, and the look that crossed Hargrove's face suggested that maybe he was thinking the same thing. The other teen's stare draping over his neck before looking downwards. Shit, shit, shit. He couldn't move his leg fast enough, the snigger telling him he'd been seen. Not like Hargrove couldn't have felt him earlier

Don't tempt him….what the hell…. Fucking little…that look now saying that Steve should be more careful with his words. His own look swirling in warning and something else which he didn't want to be seen. Too late. Hargrove had taken the look and twisted it, using it as a challenge. Almost looking as if he was gonna take it as an invite. But he didn't. Just leaned against the fridge and watched him. Well Steve wasn't in a submissive mood or in the mood for this bullshit. Either Hargrove's or his own. What the hell was going on with him today? "Hormones giving you hell huh?" It was a slight cackle, a tone which Steve didn't appreciate as the other teen continued to stare him down. But it was more hunger than anything that Steve now saw. His own eyes now darting across the heated blues which were spearing him. Making him feel like he was still pinned against the door frame. Steve didn't really know where this was going but as Hargrove just stood there. His look saying nothing more than, well King Steve. Your move. -----------------------NFSW Incoming in 3, 2, 1 ;)-------------------

Bang

The door slammed against the wall, echoing into the hall as a whirlwind of limbs and a back up against it announced the arrival of the two horny teens. Steve briefly pinned against it, fierce lips tugged at Hargrove's before he was pushed into his room. Hands hastily grabbing at fabric and hair as they both clumsily made their way to his bed. It seemed that after many shower "incidents" and much hair pulling, things had finally come to a head. That they were finally doing something about the testarone (sp) filled rivalry which had ruled their days. Just probably not in the way that most people would have expected or wanted. But fuck them. Who else needed to know?

If anything, it was Mrs Glass' fault for putting them together in the first place.

Falling onto the bed, shirts were soon on the floor. Pants being worked down with as much haste as their kissing. Their hands fondling anywhere they could reach. So much time wasted when they could have just got on with it, or maybe it hadn't been. Maybe the tension had been required for them to get to this point. Would either of them made a move otherwise? In this town? Yeah right. It was behind closed doors where they were safe. Not at school, not in the car park. Not even up at the quarry. Here. With his parents gone and no Hargrove-Mayfields about to walk in on them either.

"Top drawer, on the right." No arguments for a chance. Just the other teen pushing off him, finally shedding his jeans and chucking them onto the pile of their clothes which had been rapidly growing. Leaving Steve just in his boxers and Hargrove in his chain. Cigarette tossed onto the desk as he started to rummage through the drawer.

"Lube?" "Should be same drawer."

A pause and then a smirk as Hargrove threw him a knowing look over his shoulder and a bit of cheekiness in there. "All out Harrington." There were a couple of packets now in the other's hand. His ring catching the light as he moved slowly back over to the bed. Widening grin as he saw Steve's look. The way he now stared at him without hiding but a tiny bit of shame. He'd been certain that he still had some packets left but maybe he'd thrown them for being out of date or somethin'. "'Tis fine. I got a better idea anyway." Knees either side of Steve's waist, the teen leaned over him. It didn't matter he was the shorter, he still seemed to tower over him. Hands on the wall and pushing himself up as if he was about to start to do press ups on him. Staring down with eyes that caught his own and made him swallow hard. The look from his dreams. Cos yeah, he'd dreamt about something like this. Maybe even jerked himself off to it. It had made him feel ashamed but the feeling it had given him had been worth it. And now, being here, having him actually on his bed….. It was like he was dreaming all over again. He didn't even realise how zoned out and lost thinking about his fantasy he'd been until a surprisingly gentle hand reached under his chin and tilted it up. Eyes now staring as if into his very soul. "You didn't hear a word I just said did ya?" A shake of his head and a hearty small laugh from Hargrove, who shook his head in turn. Flicking blonde hair over his shoulder before turning his attention back onto Steve. Amused as all hell but there was a brightness to his eyes which hadn't been there before. "Wanna help me out with the lack of lube issue Harrington?"

Now it was Steve's turn to chuckle, sucking in his bottom lip. Not sure really how to respond. Put it this way, it wasn't a no. It was just the fact he couldn't get over how ridiculous this all was. They were supposed to be downstairs doing a dumb assignment, writing in the journal that they were meant to. Keep. Not up in his bedroom about to do each other. It was crazy, it was madness and the more he thought about it, the more he thought this may have been one of the dumbest things he'd ever done. He knew it was his dick talking, it had to be, but bizarrely, this also felt right. "I' ain't getting' on my knees for you." "Ain't expecting you to. Though it'll just make it harder for you man." Harder? Oh the connotations of that and boy was Steve's mind in the gutter. Smiling up at the other, he merely watched as Hargrove started to move towards him, itching his backend up bit by bit until he was practically sat in Steve's chest. Making him come face to face with the massive dick which he'd tried to always divert his eyes from when they'd showered together. When they'd been dressing in the changing rooms and Steve had had to stare ahead to stop himself from even snatching a glance. He'd already seen that Hargrove went commando. The lack of brief or boxers in his clothes pile when they did gym and basketball had told that story. But he'd not known if it had been all the time or not. Now he figured that it probably was the first. And apparently he also used cologne….down there. Because it felt musky but not in the way he had imagined it, or smelt on his own hands after he'd finished giving himself one. Who the hell….never mind. Hargrove did. That was the quick answer to that one. Hopefully his dick wouldn't taste bad then. He didn't imagine that he actually used it on his dick …did he?

"Liking the view down there?" An eye roll and then his eyes glanced upwards. Amusement of course was what he saw but he realised that whilst he'd been musing about things, Hargrove hadn't taken his eyes off of him. He'd been watching and he wondered if now he was about to get down to business, actually do this for the first time in a while, if he would continue to watch. Only one way to find out. His tongue flickered across his lips before he raised his head a little to meet soft skin. Running his tongue and down before drawing his tongue out to lap slowly. Feeling the heat on his cheeks and the gaze down on him as he heard a groan above him and a slight shiver, before Hargrove steeled himself again and tilted his head up a little.

"That's it pretty boy."

There'd been a time when those words would have bristled. Caused his skin to prickle in a way that said fight. But now it was prickling through anticipation, as he placed his tongue back on and started to work it. He needed to be all wet after all but why make it a quick job. Hargrove seemed to like it slow, given his reaction and were they really in any hurry? Depended how impatient Hargrove was he guessed. Maybe the teen wouldn't appreciate it. But as before, he could only try and find out.

[kaizenkhaos]

Billy’s Birthday Bonanza: Saturday 25th March

Day three of Billy's Birthday Bonanza for @harringroveweek

 AU time! This time, hot off the press with Cyberpunk AU Boys. Me and simplydes’ newest addition to our AUs ^^ 

Billy is a freelancer, taking on jobs that comes his way in a future Hawkins. Steve is a Federal Agent who having suffered a horrific accident is half cyborg after being saved and fixed by a team consisting of Nancy, Robin, Fred and Keith (not in this post but who knows what the future might bring ;) This fic is set on Billy’s birthday and involves a job which may not go quite to plan... World: Cyberpunk Boys AU Characters: Freelancer Billy and Federal Agent Steve (based off mine and simplydes’  AU characters) POV: Freelancer Billy Word Count: 1,234   --Just a "Quick" Birthday job-- 

 It's just a job. But of course Harrington is gonna be a massive pain in the ass about it. Stood there smoking his cigarette casually as Billy pulled up to the sidewalk. His hover Camaro purring sweetly as the blonde takes one look at the brunet and rolled his eyes. Something Harrington usually does to him. Well with one eye. The other one...yeah let's not talk about that one. Still gives him the heebie jeebies.  It was Billy's birthday, his 18th so he didn't wanna be messin' around. He had a six pack, a holo and pizza waiting for him at home. So in and out and then home was the plan. Nice and easy, hence why he'd taken the job. He'd have blown it off otherwise.

It's a quick job. Go check at Malvard's Android store after a report of some suspicious activity around the area. Parts theft has been at an all time high recently and for whatever reason, Hawkins has become quite the target. Billy couldn't work it out himself. It was still as dull as what he'd listened to on the history casts. Even the gorgeous blonde on the holo hadn't spiced things up at all. Hawkins had been dullsville, bar the incident between in the 1980s but who knew if that was true. Sounded like some bullshit right outta one of the kid's DND games. Would be just like them to make somethin' like that up. Idiots. Creeps. He kept telling Max to stay away from them but she kept going back. Even when she said she didn't. He was quickly growing tired of that attitude, just like he was with Harrington taking his sweet ass time now.  "Wrap it up Harrington. This store ain't gonna check out itself. "  "Yeah yeah man....whatever."  Climbing into the Camaro, Billy distinctly heard the whir of Harrington's right arm as he held it out to pull down the door. His cigarette still very much lit and that creepy eye of his growing a solid green colour. Billy wasn't sure on how much of the guy was mech now and how much was the original Harrington body. But he knew the percentage kept going up. The guy didn't talk about it so Billy didn't ask but...he couldn't help but wonder; what exactly Harrington's role was in all this. Billy was just a freelancer, going from town to town, from job to job. But Harrington....he reeked of somethin' more.  "Not in here man, what do I keep telling ya?" Crushing the cigarette in his metal hand, the ball appeared in the ash tray which promptly and silently slid shut. The guy just rolling his normal eye at him before staring out the window.  "Jesus you're so uptight on this sorta thing. She doesn't have lungs man." "Yeah but I do." Steve then turned to him, eyebrow perked. "Since when were you so concerned about your lungs?" Since the doctors had given him some not so great news. But he wasn't gonna tell Harrington that. They didn't share stuff like that. The silence which draped over the car continued until they arrived at the scene. All looked quiet but Billy knew that that could be a bad sign and as soon as Steve went to grab one of the laser rifles that Billy kept in the stash, he knew there was trouble.  "They're around the back. Three of them. Going through the parts inventory. Looks like they're after somethin' big. They're armed. Two laser rifles and a machine gun. Wearing armour and somethin' I can't see through. We're gonna need the cutters."  "Need to take your 'little friend'?" Steve just looked at him with that 'are you shitting me look?' before saying "I don't need another friend, I've got my own." And that's all Billy needed to know. He's upgraded since they'd last seen each other then. That would certainly come in handy. He grabbed the so called friend anyway out of the stash alongside his trusty pistol and his  own life rifle before sliding out the car. Tapping her twice to put her into stealth mode before following Steve. The guy was already tapping somethin' on his arm. No doubt preparing his little friend. Oh this was gonna be a blast. The massive grin appearing in Billy's face as he watched the guy go up to the door and hold his arm up to it. Click click done. Malvard's really needed to upgrade their security. He needed to talk to Joyce about that. But later. The door opening signalled off their little friend. Oh he was learning.  "One for you man," Harrington winks as Live Wire from Motley Crue began to burst through the building, the guys in there yelling and all hell breaking loose. They honestly didn't have a chance against him and his most cyborg "sidekick". But he liked to make them think that they did. So at first he didn't even go for his rifle. Just shot a couple of seemingly careless shots around the corner whilst Harrington did that weirdly effective thing he did. Somethin' no one still expected after all this time. They never looked up. So the guy would climb up the walls and take them out from the ceiling. Quick but effective. Billy was just the distraction and that's how he liked it. He was good at it and lo and behold, the guys were in fact distracted. Running towards him with their rifles cocked and as Billy took aim at their kneecaps, the three of them went down. Easy as pie. They didn't ever go for their guns or shoot back. Which should have been the first warning sign. The second one and when he knew for real somethin' was wrong, was as soon as Steve didn't join him like he usually did. Once the job was done, he usually came straight back. They'd debrief, jest and then be on their sweet and merry way to grab their pay cheque.  "Yo Harrington, what's the deal man...."  The shutters. He heard them even from here, a good distance and he hadn't ran so fast across a place as the music died out and he skidded to a halt at the now wide open entrance. Shutters completely up and the place open wide. Harrington had gone. No doubt gone after the real deal and it didn't take Billy long to notice what had happened. The inventory had been its own distraction. The other guys must have been far enough away that Harrington didn't catch them in his sweep but close enough that they'd been able to get in and out just like that. It was premeditated. Preplanned and executed to perfection. An inside job? It certainly smelt like it. He'd need to check with Joyce to see if there were any new hires on her list and also to see what models she had in stock. Because a quick glance showed they'd not taken any of the new ones. They'd come for somethin' specific.  As he slowly worked down the line, Harrington reappeared. Eye flashing bright blue and then red as he approached. He'd obviously not been able to catch up with them but Billy knew Harrington. Not all was lost. "Gonna wanna check in with the bank" he said softly, already fine-tuning his arm. "They've got a heist planned and I know exactly when they're gonna hit it." 

[kaizenkhaos]

Billy’s Birthday Bonanza: Friday 24th March

Another day, another AU for @harringroveweek. This time, it’s mine and simplydes’ Divine Boys AU where Billy is a Priest and Steve is an Incubus Demon, sent to Earth to corrupt the Priest as part of a contract.  But they fell in love instead. The Mate day which is mentioned is the Demon version of marriage and V is an Imp who belongs to Steve’s family but is mostly tied to Steve. He comes to visit on Earth and takes a big shine to Billy ^^ World: Divine Boys AU Characters: Priest Billy and Demon Steve (based off mine and simplydes’ AU characters ^^) POV: Priest Billy Word Count: 666 --90 Years and I'm as happy as can be-- The cool air was flowing through the window as Billy sat on his bed. Bible in one hand, soft hair in the other. Looking over to the side, his smile still radiated that same love and affection he'd had for so many years for his Demon companion. Now sound asleep after their terrific day. It had started with a kiss. A special kiss and then the Demon leaping up to get his wheelchair. A special trip, he'd said. Eyes beaming as Billy had slowly managed to sit up. Waiting patiently as his partner came in with the wheelchair stacked high with cards and presents. The priest overwhelmed and joyed by the amount of love the parish still choose to shower him with. Even many years after retirement. A trip. Down memory lane as Steve pushed him slowly down the beach front in Cali. They'd come home.

 It had been twenty years now. Billy had retired at 70, leaving the parish in the capable hands of young priest Mayfield, who his flock loved dearly. It was good that things had moved in and now women were readily accepted. That had been his seventieth birthday treat. This was his ninetieth. The sea air had reinvigorated him for a while. The old bones had started to fail him over the years. His legs too weak to now walk far along. But his wheelchair and lovely Demon made it so freedom was still an option. Today they'd wandered far. Stopping at Billy's favourite restaurant. A kiss on the cheek from his favourite waitress and a diner filled with well wishers, decorations and his favourite cake. What more could he have asked for? Even V, their little perma baby Imp was in his best behaviour. Wearing a little suit and tie and giving Billy the biggest hug and snuggles when placed on his lap. They may have had their differences over the years but the Imp knew when to behave. And after the celebrations, he continued to be as good as gold. Napping peacefully alongside Billy as Steve took them both home. The back of the wheelchair full of bags stuffed with even more cards and presents. Billy so happy and filled with joy that the tears had flooded our without him even knowing at first. Max and the Hawkins crew had all made it. So far for them to come and yet they'd done it. For him. They'd given and received some of the biggest hugs of the day. The biggest reserved for the man at his side. The one who he'd fallen for all those years ago and hadn't looked back since. It didn't matter that the man he'd paired himself with wasn't Human. For years only his dearest and nearest had known and though they'd had concerns of course, seeing what Steve was like. How him and Steve were, froze all doubts. Steve's family had taken him in as their own and he'd finally felt at peace. Something he'd been searching for before. Steve's family had also paid him a visit. Appearing at their house with gifts from Hell. Fruits and treats and all of Billy's favourite things. Hugs around before V was transferred and the pair were left alone. For the final hours of Billy's day to be spent together. Just how Billy liked it; in each others' arms. Feeling the other stir, his ocean blue eyes, still as bright as in his youth, peered over at the sleepy Demon. A yawn, showing sharp teeth and Billy chuckled. Now Steve was home, he was back in Demon form. Tail lazily wrapping around Billy's arm, soft and gently. Amber eyes glowing up at him and those neon like blue marking on his skin flaring. Billy's red ones, their marriage markings, flaring in response. Their room light up in that blessed light as their eyes met. Like it was their Mate Day all over again.  "So, did you get what you wanted?" "I already had that, Steve. Right here."