Work Text:
Nov. 30
Billy rolls his eyes as another cheesy song starts blasting from the radio in the corner of the too-cramped living room. He nurses a glass of punch while leaning against the wall, not sure he wants to sit in case he finds a chance to make a break for it to have a smoke. Who throws a party to welcome the month of December? He has a sick feeling this is only the first of many gatherings. Joyce Byers is trying to wring every bit of Christmas joy she can out of this season. He isn’t sure why he agreed to go, but he had nothing better to do. Max, the jerk, told their parents they had both been invited. He tries to find something interesting about the nerd group surrounding him and comes up short. There is nothing good to focus on, in his opinion.
His attention shifts as the front door opens, and the moody group of losers start talking over each other with excitement. Steve Harrington walks in, looking as put together as always. Billy’s hand tightens around his glass when Max rushes to Steve and hugs him. It’s followed by Steve’s quick ruffling of Dustin’s curly hair and a side hug to Will.
He cringes at the fond smile shot Nancy’s way and the nod of acceptance to Jonathan. It riles Billy to see King Steve being submissive and accepting to a pair of assholes like them, but he supposes that is their business. Steve’s arrival gives Billy all the distraction he needs.
He sneaks outside and fumbles in the bitter cold to light up his cigarette. Hopper walks out just in time to disrupt his peace and quiet he gets with that first long pull. He ignores the man as he lights his own, jealousy pooling in his stomach as Hopper seems to find the relaxation that Billy had been seeking.
“So, didn’t think you’d stay,” Hopper says.
Billy glances toward him and then away. The truth slips out. “My dad expects me to babysit my sister at all times so here I am.”
Billy reminds himself not to snap in defense when Hopper inevitably questions him about the fight with Harrington, the signs of which are still in the tiny kitchen a few feet away, if you look close enough.
“Heard a rumor that your dad might be a bit rough. That true?”
Billy’s eyes widen and his world turns sideways, his gaze draw to Hopper. That’s unexpected and a bit jarring. He’d kill Max if he had proof that she was the one who opened her big mouth. She shouldn’t know anything about it. And if she does, there’s no reason for her to care.
“Oh? Where’d you get that idea?” Billy frowns as his hand trembles when he brings the cigarette to his lips again.
Hopper shrugs and turns to lean his hip against the railing so he can talk to Billy face-to-face. “Someone who asked me to check into it. So, I’m checking into it.”
Billy shakes his head. “Tell whoever it was to mind their own damn business.”
They smoke in silence and Billy keeps his gaze on the darkness beyond the driveway, where the warm light from the windows of the house doesn’t reach. He attempts to ignore that he can still see Hopper facing him in his periphery. Billy clears his throat and flicks his cigarette out to the yard, facing Hopper again to ask a question that is part curious and part challenging. “What could you do about it anyway?”
“Professionally or personally?”
Billy arches an eyebrow. “There’s a difference?”
Hopper sighs. “Professionally, I need proof. So, I’d tell you and Max to tell me anything that happens immediately and, if there are bruises, then I’d get pictures, build a case and get the two of you out of that house. I’d go there tonight to warn your father that I’m watching. I’d make certain that your mother knows- “
“-Stepmother.”
“If she hides his behavior, she’s just as guilty.”
Billy mulls over this for a bit. “And personally?”
Hopper takes his time to light another cigarette, taking another impressively long pull before blowing it out slowly. Billy dares to hope and hopes that he’s hiding how nervous he is.
Hopper meets Billy’s eyes. “Personally, I beat the shit out of the man in front of his coward of a wife and tell him if he ever lays a hand on you again, I’ll put him in the ground. Dead first, if I’m feeling generous.”
Billy briefly considers telling Hopper the truth, but he won’t break up Max’s family. She’s not Neil’s target, and she loves Susan. Despite their differences, Billy can’t be that person in her life. He’s already a villain to a lot of people, her included. He won’t give them more to hate about him. He decides on a half-truth. “He says mean things to me, I guess, yeah. You know, like calls me a fa- uh, queer and stuff.”
Hopper’s gaze doesn’t waver. “And if it’s true, would he do worse than say shit to you?”
Billy shrugs. “Does it matter?” He scoffs as he understands the implication. Men like Hopper can’t be trusted. Regardless of how hard he ignores what he wants or how many bitches he takes to his bed, his thoughts will fuck him over every time, to people like him. “Oh, I get it. Yeah, that would matter to you, wouldn’t it?”
Hopper’s brows draw together. “How do you figure?”
“Because if I say I’m not gay, then you’ll try to say I’m some sort of queer basher because I consider it cruel that he says that shit to me. But if I say that I am, then I’m not worth your trouble. Yeah, it’s cool. I get it.”
“Whoa, I get that you don’t know me well, but-”
“I know your type,” Billy interrupts and shakes his head. He doesn’t want to hear it, and he doesn’t want to acknowledge the false hope that bloomed in his chest a few minutes ago.
“Look, I don’t care who you like in your bed. You’re a kid and you don’t deserve to get hit, and you don’t deserve to be called names.”
“You don’t speak for the masses, and I’ll bet you that nobody cares for a kid who is gay.”
Hopper frowns. “I care. I’m not going to judge you for being gay, Billy.”
Billy feels the panic rise. “I’m not! But if I were, nobody would care. I’ll prove it.”
Hopper laughs, knowing the others well enough to confidently say that it wouldn’t be an issue with anyone inside. “How you gonna do that, kid?”
Billy shrugs. “I’ll find a way.” He glances at his watch. “I gotta get Max.”
He crushes the last of his cigarette under his boot and heads inside, Hopper close behind. He sees something that will help him to prove his point to everyone that he’s not worth anyone’s time.
Steve Harrington is standing near the kitchen and right above him is Billy’s answer to everything. Billy stalks over to Steve with a purpose and everyone’s conversations slow and stop. Steve tenses and his eyes go to Billy, who hates himself a little more when he sees the fear in Steve’s eyes.
Jonathan says something about backing off, but Billy grabs Steve by the back of the neck and slams their mouths together. Steve gasps in shock and Billy takes the opportunity to lick into his mouth. He pulls back before he can register his own shock at wanting to continue, then points up to the ceiling above them. “Mistletoe.”
He turns and walks past a shocked group of kids and adults and ignores the knowing smirk on Hopper’s face. “Max. Now.” Max says some quick goodbyes and runs to catch up. The silence of the others is proof positive that nobody cares about a gay kid from Cali.