You're still penniless and covered in dirt, dumbass. [ Steve reaches up and wipes at a smudge on Billy's face. It isn't quite the coal dirt he has before, but he feels it makes his point.
But he isn't disputing that last bit. He has got it bad. ]
God, shut up. [ Steve laughs as he leans in, but turns his head rather than meeting the kiss. He gets one hand on the back of Billy's neck and the other on his arm, feeling the need to touch him as much as possible. ]
[ Alright, now he thinks Steve is playing coy on purpose. He growls, pulling him in and kissing him roughly on the neck, sucking a bruise into the skin.
Just his way of saying 'you're mine, Harrington, and don't you forget it'. ]
I'm glad I found you, period. [ He kisses Steve along his neck more, nipping at his skin a little though he only leaves the one hickey. ]
Even if it meant moving to Hawkins. That was worth it. [ Even if I died in Hawkins is implied. He's not sure why he feels so strongly, but he has something with Steve he doesn't think he'd have anywhere else, no matter how long he lived for.
The 'l' word is on the tip of his tongue, but he doesn't find it yet. ]
[ If Steve's noticed Billy's lost any muscle definition he doesn't show it, pulling his shirt up and getting a hand on any part of him he can reach. Billy is warm and familiar and right here and when Steve gets to thinking later he's going to realise that the epiphany he had a few days ago was right, talking to Mike about Will-- he's fallen for Billy hook, line, and sinker.
But right now, in the moment, he just tilts his neck and holds Billy closer.]
'm glad you showed up, too. Even if you gave me stitches.
[ He gave Steve stitches back home. He beat the shit out of him again for the crime of trying to help him out when he first got here.
The thought makes his stomach drop. The fact that he's had the exact same mindset that made him lash out against Steve very recently towards other people makes it even worse. He hasn't entirely changed. He just cares for Steve now. ]
I know. [ Steve turns his face, brings their noses together. ]
You're doing so good already. Putting up with me and the kids and just-- [ He's on the verge of kissing Billy when he turns his head, kisses down his neck instead. He doesn't have the words for how proud he is of how hard Billy's trying. ]
No, why? You growing another 'stache? [ That's got to be what Billy's asking about, right? After a few more kisses, Steve pulls back to have a look. It takes a second to focus properly. ]
Because I touched something with my bare hands when I got here and this doctor on the network said I shouldn't. [ You know, when they got here a week ago. And Steve's been totally fine since then. ]
[ For a moment Steve goes still, frowning faintly into the middle distance. Two totally reasonable courses of action are in front of him. He's not exactly sure how to pick.] I-
[ But then he leans in, laying one right on Billy. Doing what he's told is the right thing to do, clearly. ]
[ He smiles, returning the kiss. ] There. See, it's fine.
[ In the back of his mind it is pretty weird that Steve took what some random doctor said that seriously, but Billy likes being able to reassure Steve, too.
He breaks away and falls back onto the bed. ] You're so tense. Come on, just lay down and relax with me for a while. [ He holds out his arms so Steve can lay on his chest. ]
[ Steve's more than happy to comply, spreading himself across Billy with a deep, relaxed sigh.
Except that he can't quite completely relax; there's tension deep down inside him that a sigh can't completely erase-- and that sets his forehead wrinkling. To make up for it he kisses Billy again. ]
[ He holds Steve close to his chest, stroking his hair. ] If all that Titanic nonsense was real, do you think you'd have run away with me if we made it to America?
[ Probably not, but it's fun to imagine a universe where they eloped together. ]
[ Steve should relax, he's been told to after all. But his hair is totally gross after not being washed for over a week and it's stressing him out that Billy's touching it.
He lets out a breath, trying to will away the tension in his shoulders. ]
What, and miss out on keeping you around as my mistress?
Give you some private lessons. [ He continues massaging Steve’s shoulders, trying to help him relax. Just because they’re here doesn’t mean they don’t deserve some nice quality time. ]
No running, though. I’d hate to have to ban you from your own pool.
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[ He notices the lack of a return kiss, but for now he assumes Steve is just teasing him. ]
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But he isn't disputing that last bit. He has got it bad. ]
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[ He leans in for a kiss on the lips this time. ]
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Just his way of saying 'you're mine, Harrington, and don't you forget it'. ]
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Honestly, though-- he's just into Billy and anything he does. Except kissing right now. ]
'm glad I found you on that big dumb ship, even covered in all that coal.
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Even if it meant moving to Hawkins. That was worth it. [ Even if I died in Hawkins is implied. He's not sure why he feels so strongly, but he has something with Steve he doesn't think he'd have anywhere else, no matter how long he lived for.
The 'l' word is on the tip of his tongue, but he doesn't find it yet. ]
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But right now, in the moment, he just tilts his neck and holds Billy closer.]
'm glad you showed up, too. Even if you gave me stitches.
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The thought makes his stomach drop. The fact that he's had the exact same mindset that made him lash out against Steve very recently towards other people makes it even worse. He hasn't entirely changed. He just cares for Steve now. ]
I'm gonna be better than that. I'm really trying.
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You're doing so good already. Putting up with me and the kids and just-- [ He's on the verge of kissing Billy when he turns his head, kisses down his neck instead. He doesn't have the words for how proud he is of how hard Billy's trying. ]
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...Is there something on my face? [ He wipes his mouth with his sleeve as best he can while Steve's still necking him. ]
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No, uh. No. Don't see anything.
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[ He waggles his tongue, like he always does whenever Steve's got him in a mood. ]
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I can't kiss you, dumbass. [ There's an unspoken duh in his voice. Like this should be totally obvious to everyone right now. ]
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Why can't you kiss me?
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Because I touched something with my bare hands when I got here and this doctor on the network said I shouldn't. [ You know, when they got here a week ago. And Steve's been totally fine since then. ]
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[ But then he leans in, laying one right on Billy. Doing what he's told is the right thing to do, clearly. ]
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[ In the back of his mind it is pretty weird that Steve took what some random doctor said that seriously, but Billy likes being able to reassure Steve, too.
He breaks away and falls back onto the bed. ] You're so tense. Come on, just lay down and relax with me for a while. [ He holds out his arms so Steve can lay on his chest. ]
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Except that he can't quite completely relax; there's tension deep down inside him that a sigh can't completely erase-- and that sets his forehead wrinkling. To make up for it he kisses Billy again. ]
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[ Probably not, but it's fun to imagine a universe where they eloped together. ]
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He lets out a breath, trying to will away the tension in his shoulders. ]
What, and miss out on keeping you around as my mistress?
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You'd have to let me crash at your place, then. Maybe a shack out back by your pool.
[ Because that version of Steve definitely also had a pool. ]
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Hire you as my lifeguard.
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No running, though. I’d hate to have to ban you from your own pool.
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cw gay slur
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