Chapter Text
"You don't love me?"
It was at that question, directed at a shit-faced Nancy, that Steve Harrington slipped. But obviously he didn't know what just happened, all he knew was that Nancy didn't love it and now he just felt really small and vulnerable all of a sudden. He wanted to cry and sob and kick and scream but he knew deep down he couldn't. He just couldn't ruin his almost ruined his reputation. So he held it all in and stayed strong but strong doesn't mean not-hurting.
"'s Bullshit"
Nancy slurred at him, keeping the eye contact. Steve left then and there. He needed too. Before he kicked and screamed into the oblivion.
As Steve was walking out of the bathroom in a tiffy, He bumped into a soft-eyed Billy Hargrove. Not that Steve noticed that anyway.. he was to busy keeping his gaze to the floor.
Steve tried to get away from him before he got beaten up by the blondie but he didn't. Billy didn't even call him 'princess' in that stupid tone of voice he always used.. he just... tilted Steve's head up by the chin and looked him in the eyes, soft blue eyes meeting brown glassy ones. Steve then and there decided he hated eye contact and would try to avoid it the best he could.
Billy sighed as Steve pulled his head away from Billy's hands, stepping back from him. He really didn't want to be beat up again. He felt so small and vulnerable and he didn't feel like he could fight Billy.
Much to Steve's horror, Billy clicked his tongue and grabbed his wrist softly but it looked as if he was dragging Steve to anyone else who saw them: none of them did. Either too drunk or love struck by their partners that they didn't care at Billy and Steve... and damn did it feel great to not have all eyes on Steve for once
Billy 'dragged' Steve to the backgarden of the house tea party was being taken place in. He sat Steve down on the floor and crouched in front of him, a small soft smile grazing the blondes lips.
"Hello" Billy said in one of the softest and caring tones Steve had ever heard him speak in.
In reply, Steve did a little wiggle in his spot on the floor, making Billy smile fully but it wasn't one of his intimidating smiles.. it was more friendly looking.. more genuine looking
"Stevie what made you slip?" Billy asked, heading straight into the questions he needed to hear the answers of.
How did Billy know Steve slipped? Well it's simple, like this:
Billy was minding his own business, having had enough with the other high schoolers and told them to leave him alone for a bit. Obviously they knew not to ask why. Billy felt a gust of pride when they just fled away from him. Once they left, he just decided to get as wasted as possible.. well more wasted than he was.
It was at his 5th scoop of 'pure-fuel' that he felt.. odd. Like his buzz had just been wiped away from him completely. His hands felt tingly as he went back to his normal not-drunken state of mind.. well, as normal as Billy Hargrove could get, that is.
Then, he smelt a scent he hadn't but smelt before.. but he felt as if he did. It was weird really, it smelt sweet and familiar but at the same time totally different and as if he hadn't smelt this scent at all. And it wasn't as if it smelt bad, it was sweet and it smelt.. soft? Like if you put the scent of everything cute and pastel-y into one jar and mixed it up together then you would get that smell. Billy didn't know how to feel about it. He did like it yes but Billy Hargrove did Not do cute and soft.. he was somewhat the opposite in his own mind.
It was when someone bumped into him that he realised where the scent was coming from. Steve Harrington. But.. why? Could anyone else smell his scent? They weren't acting as if they could. Was this a Hawkins thing? Why didn't anybody inform him of Steve's sweet-smelling illness disorder thingy.
When Billy saw that the shorter one wasn't looking to him, he sighed and tilted his head up by this chin. fear was coated in his glassy eyes but also.. child-like innocence was there too. Billy didn't know what came over him but he instantly felt the need to protect him. To guard him from everyone else in the room.
"Steve, are you okay?"
Billy asked, a sentence he never thought he would ever say to the Steve Harrington. Apparently Steve didn't hear as he just continued to stare into Billy's eyes, fear dancing in his orbs. It was clear he wasn't okay. Billy clucked his tongue for his own stupidity and gently grabbed him around the wrists, careful to be gentle but to look as if he was hurting him. Which he wasn't. He didn't feel like he could after he saw the look in this big brown doe eyes.
Billy pulled the boy to the backyard, away from everyone else. Bolt gently sat Steve down onto the floor, careful not to hurt his bum or something. Billy crouched in front of him, trying not to look as much over him but also try to look protective.
"Hello" Billy tried to keep his voice soft for the baby- Wait baby? When did he start calling him that? Oh shit Steve slipped and Billy must've.. imprinted on him. Or his body did. But only caregivers imprinted on littles.. shit Billy was a caregiver. And he hadn't Sven taken the test.. neither of them had. That was later on in the school year. Shit. Billy took a breath and somehow kept his cool.. on the outside.
"Stevie what made you slip?" Billy had to ask. He had to know what triggered it and why.
Steves face fell. He must've realised what happened also. Oh god was that the right question to ask?
Steve sniffles and waved his hands around as he spoke, as if it would help him speak correctly "Nanshy.. she-she telsh me I'm-Im Bullshhit.." Steve had a lisp and it was the cutest thing ever to Billy. Billy understood though.. kind of.
"Well guess what, Muffin? I don't think your bullshit at all. I think your the cutest Muffin in the world" Billy smiled softly and spoke just as soft. Steve looked up at him and sniffled
"Really?" His voice was small and innocent. Billy loved him.
"Really." Billy leaned in and kissed him on the top of the head, making Steve squeal and giggle. Billy wiped his tears away. He knew Steve wouldn't remember this when the aged back up so he might as well take it while he can.
"Billy.. can we leathe?" Steve lisped out and made grabby hands for Billy. Billy nodded and helped him up. He knew Steve wanted him to carry him but he couldn't with everyone around.. or maybe he could.. no that was stupid... but it might work. No. Billy wasn't going to ask Steve to pretend to act passed out so Billy could put him over his shoulder and pretend as if he was going to do something bad to him just to get him home.. he couldn't.
Steve whined quietly as Billy 'dragged' him by his wrist past everyone at the party. As soon as they got into Billy's car, did Steve stop whining and look around the car, fascinated with it for some reason. Not that it was anything fancy to the older Steve, but to the younger Steve's mind the car was amazing.
Billy smiled at that. He knew he shouldn't have imprinted on him but it wasn't his decision in the first place. He just hoped Steve wouldn't slip anywhere near him again. He couldn't risk both of their reputations to be ruined just because of their stupid biology.