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The summer heat blazed on, one of the hottest summers in Hawkins, and Billy’s last concern at the moment. Billy had caught Steve crying which is how they currently found themselves sitting in Steve’s car at the quarry, having a smoke. It took a lot of convincing from Billy’s part because Steve is stubborn like that.
After a long silence, Billy finally spoke up. “You wanna talk about it, pretty boy?”
Steve stayed silent, staring off in the distance as he tried to swallow back his tears. He never wanted to admit this to his friends, much less Billy of all people, for fear he’d never hear the end of it but Billy was acting nice enough for him to open up.
“I just- feel so lonely sometimes,” he mumbled before adding, “Do you ever feel like you have no purpose?”
Billy was about to respond but Steve continued. “I just do the same thing over and over again. I get up, go to work at Family Video for 8 hours, go back home, watch TV and do the same thing the next day. And on the days I’m not working, I just pig out in front of the TV or drive around town.”
That’s when the waterworks really kicked in and Billy had never seen him like this before, not even during upside down shenanigans. He was always the stoic one, the first one into battle and Billy lo- it was one of the things he admired a lot about Steve. Billy moved a bit closer to Steve in an attempt to comfort him.
“Steve-”
“Robin is at college,” and Steve looked so angry, whether at himself or at his life, Billy didn’t know.
“The kids are all grown up now so they don’t need me anymore,” he sniffled, the tears coming down once again. “So now, What the fuck am I supposed to do? I don’t know what I want to do with my life, and my dad won’t get off my ass about it,” he hit the steering wheel hard, his eyes red.
“Steve-”
“I just feel so fucking stuck, Billy, and it fucking sucks!”
He hit the wheel again, as he continued to cry and sob, and Billy wanted nothing more than to hold his pretty boy’s hand and tell him everything will be okay, but he couldn’t even if he wanted to do so desperately. They were just friends, but it pained him to see Steve like this, and that’s when it hit him that he cared about Steve even more than he thought he did before.
“Steve-” He waited to see if Steve had anything more to say, once he saw Steve stayed silent, he continued.
“The kids love you, Steve. You always complain that they call you all the time for help and that you have to pay collect each time but you do it anyway. Clearly, they still need you and care about you, no matter how old they are. I know you don’t see Robin as much as you used to, but I bet she still calls you all the time, right?”
Steve turned his head and looked him in the eyes for the first time since they came here which encouraged Billy to continue. Billy almost got lost in those big dumb Bambi eyes again. He really needs a map next time to not get lost in them.
“What I’m trying to say is you’re still needed, you’re still wanted. I know it sucks you don’t see them as much as you used to but -“ he couldn’t believe he was about to say this.
“If it’s any consolation,” his voice shy. “I know I’m a bit of a jackass to you most of the time but if it helps,” he turns away from looking at Steve and mumbles. “I care.”
Steve just stared at him, and the growing silence did nothing to soothe Billy’s nerves. Had he said too much? Is Steve going to laugh in his face now?
“Sorry, what did you say?” Because Steve could not hear what Billy had said earlier.
Billy sighed. “I said I care, Steve. Okay. I care about you, and I’m kind of glad you didn’t go to college right away.”
Because Billy didn’t go either, he’s been too busy saving up money for it, and after starcourt, he had missed the deadline for a scholarship. Having Steve all to himself for all these years without the brats hanging around, were some of the best years of his life.
Suddenly, it clicked for Steve. “Wait, hold on. You- you like me?” Looking a little too stunned to speak more than that. He was still trying to wrap his head around what Billy had just said.
“Please don’t rub it in,” the blonde ran a hand over his face. “And you better not say anything to the shitheads or your fine ass is grass, you hear me?”
Steve threw up his hands in a show of peace but he couldn’t help but throw in something of his own. “You think my ass is fine?” A soft smile on his lips.
Billy’s heart did a few leaps now that Steve was smiling again. He did that. He made Steve smile and it was more than he had hoped for after Steve’s crying session. He faced the window, and hid his own smile from Steve.
“Yeah, yeah, but don’t let it get to your head, pretty boy,” he replied. “You know my ass is better,” and again he didn’t know what compelled him to say the following to Steve as well.
“But yeah, I’ve had a stupid crush on you since we met,” shut the fuck up, hargove. What are you doing?!
It’s like he couldn’t control his mouth or the word vomit that was starting to spew on this day of all days. He only wanted to comfort Steve, not confess his feelings for the guy.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Steve replied, with the softest of voices. He leaned in to grab Billy’s hand, and Billy let him. It felt so nice, and they fit perfectly together.
“I don’t know, I just figured you weren’t into guys, let alone someone like me.”
“Well, I’m into both.”
“Into guys and girls?”
“Well, yeah, that but I’m also into you Billy,” he pulled Billy closer even though it was uncomfortable to sit next to each other in the front seat. He played with one of Billy’s curls.
“Really, Harrington?” He couldn’t believe what he had just heard. It felt like Christmas had come early. “You mean it?”
“Yes, Billy. I mean it,” he kissed Billy’s hand which sent a small shiver down Billy’s spine. “I care about you, too. A lot. And you’re right, you caring about me does help,” Steve replied with a soft smile. “Thanks.”
“Anytime, princess,” he replied as he let Steve touch his hair, his own eyes falling closed, relishing the feel of Steve’s touch. “You feeling better?”
“Much better,” Steve smiled.
“Good, can we make out now?”
Steve just laughed as he pulled Billy in for a kiss. “Such a romantic.”
As they kissed, Billy couldn’t help but feel glad that he had caught Steve crying. As for Steve, he may have lost some things as he has gotten older, but he has gained something, too. A new hope, and maybe even a new love.