#what if Steve isn't so oblivious and Billy is flirting with him?

[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...

[dreams-of-wings]

Impossible (6/8)

Imagine Billy Hargrove with a Mixed Race/Biracial S/O

Warnings: Racism, swearing, homophobia, homophobic slurs, mild violence, you throw hands a lot, angst.

Masterlist

You stay blocking the window sill for a bit cuz you enjoy seeing him squirm.

Honestly, he is bad at this whole climbing thing and he's struggling to not fall on his ass.

You finally let him in after he almost falls.

You're laughing your ass off while he's climbing through your window and simultaneously having a heart attack.

"It would have been less of a hassle if you used the door."

"I didn't think your parents would be happy if someome like me came knocking on their door asking for you."

You raise a brow at this, someone like him?

After a minute it occurs to you.

"Oh you mean a violent, racist, douchbag, with a reputation that surpasses the devil?"

He frowns.

Contrary to popular belief, Billy Hargrove is very self aware, and very self conscious about himself, his actions, and his self worth.

He doesn't like being an asshole but it's all he knows.

He low-key is afraid of growing up to be like his father.

Even though he has that nagging voice in the back of his mind that's telling him he's already as bad as his dad, if not worse.

He hides it all under a mask of confidence, booze, and cigarettes.

It still doesn't make his actions okay.

You snap him out of his thoughts.

"What?"

"I said my parents are out of town."

Now that he's in your room you noticed that Billy looked shaken up.

Billy Fucking Hargove, for once didn't have a scratch on him, but he looked like hell.

You question him.

It takes a while but he finally answers.

His dad got pissed at him because Max wasn't home, and he came hoping she would be here so he could drag her home.

You convince him to let you come along, because he is pissed and you know how he can get.

He caves and lets you tag along.

The next stop was Lucas' House.

Neither Max nore her son were there, but she said the kids all loved to go to Mike's house to play games.

Next stop is the Wheelers residence.

You dont know what's being said between Mrs. Wheeler and Billy, but knowing Billy and being able to read his body language- well. It takes everything in you to refrain from rolling your eyes and honking his horn (though you fail at not rolling your eyes).

I mean come on you guys are looking for Max, this is not the time to be flirting.

Fuck he went in.

You audibly groan and contemplate jacking his car to go look for his sister yourself, unfortunately he has the keys and you dont know how to hotwire a car.

Finally, he's out.

You forgive him because he comes out with a cookie in his mouth and has another one in his hand, which he gives to you.

"Hell, yes!!"

What?

Who the hell turns down food? And cookies at that. Home made cookies. And they're fresh.

Last stop was the the Byers house.

Fuck, Steve is there.

"Stay in the car."

"What? No!" Like hell you were going to let him beat up your friend.

"Stay in the fucking car!"

Steve seems both angry and hurt when he notices that you're in Billy's car.

You can't really hear what's being said, it's all muffled.

You panic a bit when Billy shoved Steve and you worry they'll start fighting.

"Shit!"

You burst out the car when you see Billy storming for the door, but stop to help Steve.

"Why the hell are you driving around with him?"

"He came to my place first, looking for Max and I offered to help him. What'd you say to piss him off?"

Steve gets mad, thinking your taking his side, and for the second time that night you find yourself rolling your eyes. "Why did you tell him you didn't know her? I tutor Max and her friends, and you babysit her friends, and you and I hang out, of course you would know her?"

You both stop arguing when you here a loud crash from inside the house.

"Damn it!" "Shit!"

You both walk in just in time to hear Billy threaten Lucas.

Fucking excuse you, Billy???

Steve decks him across the face, Billy taunts him, and this time an actual fight breaks out.

You try your best to get them both to stop fighting, but neither of them will listen to you, the voice of reason.

When Billy has Steve pinned to the floor and keeps punching him over and over again you finally get physical.

You tackle Billy off him while he's oblivious to his surroundings and use your hands and knees to pin his arms to the ground.

"What the fuck is your problem, Billy?!"

You've never seen him look at you so angrily, probably because he feels a bit betrayed.

He somehow manages to roll you both over so now your stuck underneath him.

You flinch when he draws his fist back like he's going to hit you, but the next thing you know- there's a syringe sticking out the side of his neck.

"Holy shit!"

He gets up to go after Max, but promptly falls.

Your a bit shocked by Max's outburst.

Now her, you have never seen that angry before.

When they leave, you stay behind to look after Billy and move him to couch

He isn't happy when he wakes up.

He's actually really fucking pissed.

But he's still a little groggy from sleep and the drug (mostly the drug) so it's funny.

Help this child, he thought he was getting off the couch normally, but turns out he just rolled off and onto the floor face first.

Your freaking out and laughing all at once.

Slurred, "What the fuck's so funny?!?"

He needs aspirin and water like a hangover.

He falls asleep again after you get him back onto the couch, and you fall asleep on the floor propped up against the couch in a sitting position.

You don't wake up till the kids get back (Max wakes you up).

The both of you manage to get Billy to his car. He still asleep like a log.

You go to your place, and they spend the night - Max was worried their dad would be even more angry if they woke him up, and even more so if he caught you helping Billy and Max into the house.

The next morning was very #Domestic.

With You waking up to find Max already up and looking through your cabinets for food.

Suprise, you end up making breakfast for everyone!

Max wanted chocolate chip pancakes, so chocolate chip pancakes she shall get.

No suprise, Billy wakes up while you both are making the sausages and bacon.

Full plate of eggs, bacon and sausage, and pancakes for everyone! Yay! 😀

Honestly the best morning the two of them have had for a while, but you won't catch either of them saying that outloud.

Max leaves to hang out with the others.

Billy still seems mad about the previous night.

"What, are you going to pout all morning? All day?"

"I dont pout."

"Oh I'm sorry, what would you prefer to call it- sulking? Brooding? Plotting my death?"

He tries to hide a snicker and lightly shoves you.

Going back to school the following Monday felt weird after everything that happened over the weekend.

You tried asking Steve what was up with all the drawings in Will's house, but he wouldn't budge.

Of course you tried asking Nancy and Jonathan too, but they acted like they didn't know anything.

The next few weeks were full of practice tests and prep assignments for finals.

You saw Billy less and less because you were hitting the books.

Sure he knew you were probably in the library, but after that weekend he wasn't sure how to go about interacting with you, or if he should do so anymore at all.

He kinda feels like you picked Steve over him.

He pops buy on Wednesday and almost gives you a heart attack. He's not surprised that you've been working yourself ragged, and your not surprised he hasn't even touched a text book (let's be honest, Billy doesn't strike me at the type of person to take notes in class, just pull out a pencil and paper to look like he's interested and go about his day).

Your freaking out, because finals but he doesn't flinch because you're like the smartest person he knows.

"Oh c'mon," he's managed to take your precious notes away, "You'll be fine, you're only stressing yourself out."

"Billy, I need those!"

"No you don't," He starts acting like he's reading the notes outloud, but he's getting the facts and formulas all wrong.

You correct him several times, and have actually started to chase him around the library.

Finally he closes the book after your sure you must have chased him around at least twice, "See, I told you. You don't need to study, you know this shit."

You both got kicked out of the library, again.

Billy is banned, but the librarian gives you one last chance...starting tomorrow.

You sigh in defeat, "Alright you proved your point, now give me my notebook back."

You reach for it.

"Nah," He raises it above his head so you can't reach it. Asshole.

Tommy and Carol show up and they think he's picking on you.

Neither of you sees them.

Tommy manages to snag the notebook, gives you an obnoxious laugh when you reach for it, and tosses it to Carol

"Give it back, shit face," Your mood went from playful to pissed in point zero seconds.

"What are you going to do about it, Heinz?"

Lord help you, you're about to throw hands again.

Billy snatches the book back and hands it to you, before looking at Tommy and Carol with a very stern expression.

"You idiots got anything better to do, huh?" He takes a few steps towards Tommy and for every step he takes, Tommy backs away.

Carol is distracted, which allows you to snatch your notebook back. She reaches for it again but you slap her hand away.

The message was very clear for them, so they take their leave and retreat back to wherever they came from.

Billy has lunch with you and manages to get you to skip the rest of school with him.

You don't want to miss during dead week, but the whole fiasco during your study period in the Library got you thinking- you need a break.

You also don't want the absent strike.

"You're such a goodie-two-shoes."

Peer pressure sucks.

You convince him to give you 30 minutes after the late bell rings to show up.

You go to class, set up your desk, the late bell rings, teacher calls role and marks you present. 7 minutes have passed.

You feign being ill.

It really wasn't hard. You just acted more tired than normal, threw in a couple "I have to stop what I'm doing because I have a headache," gestures. You even put your head down for a minute. You sit in the front so your body language is easy to pick up on and the teacher allows you to go to the nurses office when you ask. 12 minutes have passed.

When you get to the nurses office you throw the pass on the desk and storm into the private bathroom - closing the door behind you, before forcing yourself to dry heave. 27 minutes have passed.

You convince the nurse that it must be something you ate that's making you sick.

She gives you a pass and let's your teachers know you're sick and have gone home.

You meet Billy outside the school 30 minutes on the dot, he's surprised you actually came, and even more surprised that you lied well enough to get the teachers to excuse you for the rest of the day.

Of course you're upset when you see Tommy and Carol in the back seat, but you just roll your eyes and brush it off before climbing in shot gun.

Tommy and Carol are mocking you before you even get in.

"We didn't know the, mutt was coming along."

"How nice of you to bring something to entertain us, Billy."

Your looking at Billy through the corner of your eyes as he starts the car.

He waves you off, "Dont mind them."

You have no idea where you're going, or how long it will take so you pull out a book to read.

Before you can even open it, Carol snatches it from you, "What's the Nerd reading?!"

You roll your eyes again.

Tommy snatches it from the red head, "Stephan King. Christine."

"What's it?" Carol pipes up again, "Sappy romance novel?!"

"Wow, you both are actually uncultured, " you snatch the book away from Tommmy, "I'm impressed," and keep it out of his reach by out stretching your arm towards the dash, "Did it take all three of your brain cells to read that?"

Tommy tries to get his hands on you now, but you smack them away.

"Alright, alright!"

The three of you look surprised at Billy, "If you two don't quit your shit," he looks to the rearview mirror, "I'm kicking you out."

The rest of your ride was uneventful.

You arrive at Tommy's house.

His parents are also out of town.

But he lives in a large house with a pool and bar.

They're having an end of the year party and whoops you got dragged along.

You hadn't planned to be doing this with your time so you resort to studying more, much to Billy's behest, and Tommy and Carol's attempts to distract you.

You sit outside on a lawn chair next to the pool while they get everything prepped for the night.

Not much happens till it starts turning dark out, Billy calls you for help with something and when you leave you don't notice Carol and Tommy going for your stuff.

You can imagine your suprise when you find you stuff had been emptied into the pool.

Notebooks, text books, pencils, pens, erasers, even the book you were trying to read on the way.

You look up when you hear Carol laughing as she rounds the pool in your direction, and you see Tommy throw your bag in the pool.

"Are you fucking serious? What are you twelve?!"

Before you can react, Carol shoves you into the pool.

"And that's how you get a book worm to swim!"

You somehow manage to keep your cool, gathering your stuff and putting them on the edge of the pool away from Tommy and Carol. Though you didn't know why you bother, you can tell the ink is smeared and the pencil is faded now, only thing possibly salvageable was your pencils and your reading book, but even that was debatable.

You climb out and sit at the edge.

You feel physically uncomfortable

Your clothing is sticking to you.

And it's basically summer already so the air is hot and a little damp. You look up to see Billy storming out of the house.

"What the hell is going on?!"

"Relax, Billy, we were all just having a little fun, right?" Tommy looks at you like you're afraid of him so you're going to agree with him.

Yeah, no.

"Fuck off," you chuck your biggest text book at him.

None of them knew how well a text book could fly till it hits Tommy in the gut.

Go you! Bonus points for nailing him with the corner.

Your trying to wring the bottom of your clothes out when Tommy comes up from behind you and tries to grab you by the back of your head.

"Hey!" Billy is quickly making his way over to the both of you.

Carol tries to stop him, but she is poetically shoved to the side and subsequently falls into the pool.

You manage to elbow Tommy in the balls but the pain only makes him hold on harder.

"You little-"

He doesn't get to finish because he's promptly punched in the side of the face. You quickly back away from the edge incase Carol gets anymore funny ideas.

Billy helps you up and ushers you into the house.

"Sorry..." He sounds awkward, "About them."

You look at him with a deadpan expression, "Billy Hargrove, apologizing," you sigh with attitude, "pinch me. I must be dreaming."

He grits his jaw, "Don't you start being a smart ass with me- it's them who keep giving you crap!" He started raising his voice.

"Yeah, yet you still keep them around," you make your way over to the sink to keep wringing out your shirt and shoulder check him on the way, "Honestly, I don't even know why you keep them around- at least you have your reasons for being an asshole." You take off your shirt -much to Billy's suprise- so you can properly get rid of the water. Let's face it, a soaked shirt sticking to you like a second skin doesn't leave much to the imagination anyways, "Reasons," you turn to look at him for emphasis, "Not excuses," you turn back to the sink, "but understandable reasons nonetheless." You lay your shirt out flat on the kitchen's large counter to air dry (it's too dark and humid outside for it to dry any better outside anyways), "But they're just assholes because....because...." You sputter and shake your head, "I don't know, probably because they know they won't ever amount to anything better in their lives, so they figure they might as well tear down as many people as they can on their way to fucking nowhere."

You turn and look at him with an aggravated huff and cross your arms. Unfortunately Carol and Tommy walk in at that moment.

"You trashy mutt!"

"Stupid whore!"

"You really think, Billy's that desprit?!"

For a second you were confused. Then you remembered you didn't have a shirt on.

You roll your eyes again before throwing your still wet shirt back on.

"And what the hell Billy?! You really gonna' side with this half-breed?!"

Fuck this.

Fuck Carol.

Fuck Tommy.

And you know what? If this doesn't change, fuck Billy too. You dont need or deserve this.

You storm out the back door, gathering your things and shoving them in your dripping bag before walking around the side towards the front. Billy quickly runs out the front door to meet you outside.

"I'll take you home."

"No."

Billy calls your name and he almost sounds tired.

His tone is what makes you pause and turn around.

"Please."

You raise a brow and swallow your pride as well as your snarky comments, "Fine."

The party commences and goes on without the both of you.

Billy isn't quite sure what he enjoys more, being out and partying or enjoying a relaxing evening indoors, heavens knows he can't relax at home.

Max surprises the both of you by stopping by to visit.

The three of you hang out in your living room flipping through channels and eating popcorn.

Billy eats the least pop corn out off the three of you and opted to have some carrots and grapes less than half way through the first movie.

Billy is totally a health buff.

"Are Carol and Tommy really that bad?" Max mistakenly asked about your day.

"They have absolutely no redeeming qualities."

Max doesn't hide how she shoots a glance at her brother, 'And that fool does?' Is basically what her expression asked.

Billy glares at her from the couch opposite to hers and bites a carrot like it's her head.

You're covering your laughter with your hand.

From now on all my Imagines will be tagged by their titles, series, and parts! Hopefully this will make it easier to find a specific imagine if your looking for it. For example, anything relating to this series is tagged with "impossible", the series itself is tagged as "impossible series" and each individual part is tagged as "impossible pt.[1/2/3/etc.]"

Another example: part one is tagged as "impossible pt.1"