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sp0o0kylights · 27 days

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Wayne takes in a Beat to Shit Steve Harrington after Starcourt as n Owed Favor to Hopper Part 4

Part Three: link

First Chapter (parts 1-3 on tumblr) on A03: Link

The kid was madder than a wet hen.

Just as slippery as one too, when he got like this--music pulsing like a living thing to signal all his rage and upset.

Not like Wayne hadn’t expected it.

He just wished it wasn’t quite so damn loud.

The music had started up almost immediately after Eddie had stormed to his room, startling Steve awake and nearly making Wayne curse for it.

Normally it was a good thing--music meant Eds was willing to listen instead of heading for the hills.

Normally, they didn't have a house guest who looked like he'd gone ten rounds with a bear.

They had a routine for this, was the thing and the music was a key part of it. It worked all the edges off for Wayne, and he'd long figured out that about thirty minutes was a the perfect length of time for Eddie to stew before he could actually talk things through.

Given the hand Harrington put to his forehead, Wayne wasn't eager to give him that thirty minutes.

Not when Steve deserved little peace he could have.

Unfortunately, so did Eds.

Still.

Strutting through the door and demanding to talk right now was a bad move and so, with a sympathetic look given to Steve, Wayne did what he did best

Gave space.

Let Eddie rage, as Wayne got up and shuffled about the kitchen.

Pulled out the soft earplugs he pretended weren’t there for Eds to steal (playing that damn loud guitar all the time could not be good for his ears) and offered them to Steve, before making two cups of what Wayne privately thought was the Munson “chitchat” drink.

One cup of hot water, one packet swiss miss, a small amount of maple syrup drizzled in, topped with little marshmallows they reserved for these types of situations.

Wayne took his time with it, thinking through what he wanted to say.

‘I understand that this is a screen door on a submarine kind of situation...’

Nope.

‘Son I know you hate listening to anyone for anything but this is serious...’

Absolutely not--that would end up with the boy bolting for sure.

‘Ed’s, I love you but could we please turn Ozzy off while we talk? That man wails louder than any damn cat I have ever met.’

That one was purely self indulgent, mostly because the wall was starting to shake.

Wayne put the finishing touches on the cocoa before staring at both of them.

Perhaps if he stared the Garfield mug in its eyes hard enough, the right words would come through.

They did not.

He kept trying, standing there long enough for the cocoa to reasonably have cooled and for Eddie’s song to flip over to something with more screaming in it than singing.

Wayne supposed that this was the hardest part of being a parent. You just didn’t get to have the magical one liner. The right thing to say at just the right time.

The joke that would ease all the tension and let things progress forward nice and easy.

Instead, you got to fumble your way through the dark with a flashlight up your ass and hope you were going in the right-ish direction. Ideally without making things worse.

Wayne was here though, and that had to count for something.

(Knew it counted for something--because Eddie was still here.

They had cleared hurdles far higher than this when it came to trust. They’d get through this too, come what may.

Steve too.)

“Can I just ask,” Eddie started, aggressive as always when Wayne finally gave in and entered his room, feeling all sorts of awful for the migraine Steve had to have, “what the absolute fuck is happening?”

Sure as fire he was sitting on his bed, leg bouncing a mile a minute.

An unlit cigarette hung between two fingers, looking a little chewed on, but otherwise undisturbed--as it should be, because one of Wayne’s few rules was that smoke stayed outside the house.

“You could.” Wayne said loudly but agreeably, as he turned himself around and dropped down next to his kid.

Held out the Garfield mug, and was happy when it was taken from him.

“Figured you might have other things to say, though.”

Likely a lot of things.

It was as good an opening as any, and his kid didn’t disappoint, launching right to it.

“Why is he here and not at a hospital?”

‘Here’ was punctuated by Ed’s hand winging towards the door, and while it wasn’t the righteous fury Wayne expected, it was at least, an easy answer to give.

“Steve has some people looking for him. Bad people. Hospital makes him an easy target.”

Wayne was still talking loud. Could only hear Eddie himself because he was looking at the kid’s lips more than he was actually hearing his voice.

Eddie took that in, swallowing it about as well as he’d swallowed anything he hadn’t liked.

And thank the stars above, he finally reached a hand out and turned the music down. Not a lot--Steve wouldn’t be able to hear them over all this--but enough that Wayne didn’t have to struggle.

“We’re hiding him from the cops now?!” Ed’s spat.

“Cops know he’s here. Hopper’s the one who asked me to take him.” Wayne reminded him, because it was the truth.

Not the full truth, but given how Ed’s pissed off half the local PD on a good day, Wayne absolutely did not want to see his nephew take on Federal Agents.

(Particularly not the kind who were going ‘round killing kids.)

“So--what?” Eddie yanked hard on his hair, a gesture that looked less intentional and more like he was trying to fight his own anger down. “Hopper just called you up and said ‘Hey, we had a whoopsie with the rich kid, the hospital’s not safe anymore. Can we stash him with you for a few days?”

Wayne nodded once, slow-like.

Always remembered how too fast movements had made Eddie flinch and jerk back when was littler, and given the way Steve was looking, figured it was a good time to be cautious again.

“He did.”

“And you just--agreed? Just like that!?”

“I did.”

He pretended not to see Eddie boggle at him at the simple admission, so furious that he seemed to struggle for words when he normally had too many to say.

Wayne took advantage.

“We did talk a bit more than that, I’ll admit.”

Ed’s scoffed. “About the weather I’m sure.”

“‘Bout trust.”

Eddie blinked at that.

“Trust.” He echoed flatly.

“What have I always told you? People like to ask you to trust them, but you they don’t get to have it until--”

“They provide proof or a reason.” Eddie finished with an eyeroll. “So which did Hopper provide then?”

Wayne took a noisy sip of his coca. Smacked his lips a little before saying: “Both.”

Didn’t bother to say anything else, because he knew Eddie would finish the thought for him.

“One of them was me, wasn’t it.”

Eds didn’t say it like a question, but Wayne hummed in agreement anyway.

He wasn’t gonna shame his boy, but he wasn’t gonna sugar coat Eddie’s involvement in this either. Not when he’d already admitted that was half the reason Hopper had gone to Wayne to begin with.

“No one is expecting Steve to be here.” He said, seeing the chance to hammer home the most important part of this entire shitshow. “So long as no one finds out he’s here, he’ll be safe. Everyone will be safe.”

Steve from the Feds who were hunting him for while he was busy being involved in shit he couldn’t control and Eddie because he had a mouth that most people didn’t like.

Not small town people anyway, and absolutely not authority figures with guns.

“Who’s even after him?” Eddie was theatrical as always, hands waving away as he talked. “Did he make a deal with the mob? Piss off some other rich guy? I know it’s not anything drug related, I’d have heard about it by now.”

After years of experience, Wayne knew exactly how far to lean away to stay out of range, too used to his nephew talking with his entire body.

“That’s his story to tell ya, Ed’s. It ain’t mine. Same way it ain’t my place to tell him your story.”

That at least got the boy to think for a minute. Put down that frustration he carried with him all the time, and use the brain they both knew he had.

“How long is he staying here?”

Wayne shrugged. “Don’t know.”

Eddie sighed and mockingly mimicked Wayne, taking an obnoxious slurp of his cocoa. “The neighbors are going to notice if he’s here more than a few days. The trailer park isn’t exactly big.”

“They didn’t notice that time you decided to make fireballs with the cooking spray and about blew up half the driveway. Don’t think they’re gonna notice someone being quiet in the house.”

Eddie snorted, and probably rolled his eyes again, not that Wayne could see it given the kid was looking into his own mug as he thought it all through.

Wayne sat with him as he processed.

Eds worked at his own pace with things, and while life at large might be against that, Wayne was happy to let him do it. Found it easier that way, then trying to poke and prod and force him like so many father figures did.

Wayne’s patience was rewarded not even a full minute later, when Eddie turned to him and asked;

“What if he finds out?”

This in a quieter voice. An unsure one--words and body hunching in a way unlike the Eddie the world outside knew, but very much like the little boy Wayne had brought inside his home.

It took Wayne a moment to connect the dots--he’d been speaking out of the place parents and authority figures often do, and in doing so hadn’t thought much of the fact his nephew had a real secret.

The kind small town minds didn’t like--and would kill him over.

This all wasn’t about Wayne taking in Steve, he realized abruptly. It was that Steve being here meant Eddie couldn’t be himself.

Could not relax in a place he was accepted for who he was, because Wayne knew and made sure Eddie understood he was wanted here, had a place here, regardless of who he loved.

Now, Wayne had gone and removed it.

‘Shit.’

“He won’t.” Wayne said.

Knew that wasn’t enough, and so, promised: “But if he does, I’ll make sure he understands his safety here relies on your own.”

Ed’s chin jerked in a nod, the two of them sitting in silence for a moment before the boy did as he often did when he wanted a hug but felt too awkward to ask for one, and tipped himself into Wayne’s side.

“Thanks old man.” Eddie whispered into his shoulder and not for the first time, Wayne wished things were easier for the poor kid as he put his mug in one hand and hugged his kid with the other.

Hoped that in the future, it would be.

Even if he had to force everyone and everything coming after him--and now Steve--to do it.

(Wondered vaguely, how bad it was that he was already getting as protective as Steve as he was of his own kid.

Probably very, given his kid clearly hated Harrington.)

xXx

Wayne took the first night of Steve’s stay off.

He wasn’t the type to use his PTO lightly. Was used to rationing it for any possible thing Eddie might need him for.

A night up sick when he was younger, to a night spent chasing him down during some of their bad spots--but the last year or so Wayne had slowly realized he hadn’t had to use it much.

He was still careful with it though, precious as it was, and was thankful for it now as it ensured his nephew didn’t murder their house guest.

Or at the very least, didn't sit there pecking at him.

The kid might've failed English a few times, but he had a real gift with words and an even better one with insults.

(Wayne wasn't quite clear on what all the "King" jabs were about, and absolutely did not get why Steve looked far more hurt at the comment about his "sad ass floppy hair" but given the increasingly flat look Steve was throwing Eddie's way, Wayne figured it couldn't be anything good.)

Thankfully a pointed reminder about Steve's injuries had finally gotten them all some peace, enough for Harrington to drop back to sleep--and for Wayne to realize he looked a little too dead while he did it to be comfortable getting any sleep himself.

The kids chest barely moved, and that it ate at Wayne’s until he got up and shoved a hand under his nose.

Felt his breath, and told himself the poor sod was fine.

Hurt, absolutely, but alive.

Over and over again, until the sun had made its rotation in the sky, bringing the morning with it.

‘Better than nightmares, I suppose.’ Wayne figured, as exhaustion scraped at his eyelids.

Those Wayne knew, would come later. When Steve’s brain caught up to the rest of him, and stopping dumping survival chemicals through his battered body.

He'd given up on sleep entirely sometime around 1 am, and now he sat at his small kitchen table, writing out a medication schedule for Harrington so he and the kid both knew when he could have his next Tylenol.

Wasn’t even halfway through it before Eddie made his typically late appearance and blew through his door.

Had his back up from the moment he’d stepped a foot in the kitchen and it didn’t take a genius to see he’d worked himself into a snit again.

Unfortunately for him, whatever scenario that imaginative brain of his had cooked up fell flat to the reality that was the poor kid on the couch.

Steve Harrington was one a hell of a sight.

Didn’t help that he was doing his level best to make himself as small as possible, curled deep into Wayne's ancient couch.

The blankets covered the ribs and hid away most of the damage, but there wasn’t much Steve could do to hide the shiners on his face--or the marks around his neck.

Not when they’d grown worse overnight, practically inviting questions.

It was almost laughable how quickly Eddie ate whatever words he’d prepared, mouth awkwardly chewing around them as if they were tangible.

The less-than-sneaky looks he threw at the younger teen were equally amusing, and if Wayne wasn’t trying to peace keep, he’d have given in and chuckled when Eds split attention caused him to pour half his coffee into the sink rather than a cup.

Looked utterly lost when, after finishing putting his coffee together and grabbing some junk food thing that absolutely was not a breakfast item, he came to stand awkwardly at Wayne's shoulder, openly staring as Steve blatantly ignored him.

Eds didn’t know what to do, and Wayne couldn't blame him.

Seemed to keep thinking he was going to encounter a boy that likely no longer existed, and whose blood tinged specter just made things sad.

Shit like this, Wayne knew, took a man’s ego and warped it, shaping it to something else entirely.

At least for Steve, it seemed that getting wrapped up in whatever mess he had had shaped him for the better, instead of pretzeling him into something worse. That, Wayne thought, spoke to the boy's character more than anything he’d done prior.

(It helped to know what Hopper tolerated and what he didn’t. That he’d vouched for Steve in the same way Wayne knew he’d vouched for Eddie, even if Eddie didn’t yet realize the cop he antagonized so much would do that for him.)

That didn't erase the history his kid had with Harrington, though.

Wouldn't stop him from seeing the old Steve, first.

‘Don’t you got school?” Wayne asked when he decided Ed had stared enough.

“Yeah, yeah.” Eddie waved him off, trotting out the door. “Bye old man, house parasite!”

It was clearly a jab, meant to nettle, but Steve barely acted like he heard it.

Wayne rolled his eyes.

“Goodbye, Eds.” He said firmly, much of a warning as he ever gave, and fondly watched his nephew scuttle out the door.

Turned to see how Steve was taking things, and was once again given a reminder that Steve wasn’t doing a hell of a lot other than feeling his injuries.

“I think I promised you a game, son.” Wayne said gently, startling Steve out of the distant, dim look he had trained on the wall.

It wasn’t a lot to offer in terms of a distraction, but it would have to do.

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writer-in-theory · 2 years

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Hearing Steve mention he was a certified lifeguard in s4 made me think about him and Billy being coworkers.

Steve who had worked at the pool since he was 15, worried he'd never be able to step foot in the water ever again after what happened his junior year but finding odd comfort in protecting others from the water when he knew what had happened to Barb the one time he wasn’t watching his own pool.

Steve who got along great with the manager even if the guy was a little lazy, who teased and got teased by Heather Holloway every shift they’re together (but he knows she likes him because she once kicked Tommy out of the pool for legitimately making fun of him for getting beat by Jonathan Byers). He’s got a good gig here, and he’s excited for one more summer of it after graduation.

But then he walks into his first shift and who’s there? Billy Fucking Hargrove in those tiny red shorts Steve also stood in, smirking at him as Steve prepared to take his shift in the chair. "Fancy seeing you here, Harrington. You followin' me or something?"

"Fuck you, I worked here first."

And so began the more dramatic workplace rivalry to ever exist in Hawkins. Everyone knows about it, and some of their classmates even show up to the pool at shift change just for the chance to catch a fight. For some reason his manager always seems to schedule them together anymore, and Steve could lose it. No fists ever fly, but they do prank each other and throw the nastiest words they can without being fired. Billy swaps out Steve's shorts for a pair a size too small, leaving him terrified to even move in the chair without them riding up his thighs. Steve responds in kind by stealing Billy's clothes out of his locker and leaving them in the sauna all day so they're soaked by the time Billy needs back in them.

Steve is sure there's no one more abrasive and horrible as Billy Hargrove, but then the kids are dragging him to the pool on his one day off that week from the place. Billy was working that day, but it wasn't as the main lifeguard. No, that day Steve got to see Billy teaching a swim class of all fucking things. And there he is, gently guiding toddlers in the water, getting them comfortable and unafraid of being the shallows. Any abrasiveness is gone, all sharp edges filed down to dull, nonharmful little things as Billy smiles, laughs, and encourages these kids. And Steve is taken aback, he can't stop watching that radiant smile, this soft side of Billy that he'd never been allowed to see anymore.

And well, maybe Steve doesn't prank him on their next shift together.

#harringrove #harringrove headcanon #steve x billy #s3 au #stranger things #billy hargrove

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thekatebridgerton · 9 days

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For the reverse tropes ask: reverse fake dating for Philoise

Okay so I made it a Reverse fake dating S3 Philoise au

Anthony sighed looking over at his family as he reviewed the guests for their next dinner " Baron Honeywell, Lady Astley, Madame Olsen, oh and for tonight's dinner the man who Eloise paid off to pretend to court her, will also be showing up so I want you all to be perfectly polite"

" I've said it before he's actually courting me !" Eloise snapped

"Of course he is" Daphne patted her shoulder

" We're just wondering how much you paid him to promenade with you" Hyacinth added " Sir Phillip doesn't look like he's strapped for money "

"I didn't pay him off! He asked me to promenade, it was his idea to dance with me at the Cowper ball" Eloise huffed

" We believe you sister, he also brought you flowers voluntarily" Benedict hummed "And whatever blackmail you have over him will never leave this room "

" Fine, Eloise didn't pay him off, I make a correction " Anthony rolled his eyes, but before his sister could thank him for defending her he continued "the man Eloise blackmailed into faking a courtship" The rest of the family made various humms of understanding

Eloise eye twitched, looking dangerously like she was about to punch someone " is it really so hard to believe that we actually like each other?"

Her siblings looked at each other and shrugged "Yes"

" You have to admit El, Sir Phillip is so normal and you are so.... You" Colin said gesturing to all of her being

"Hey what's that supposed to mean?!!"

"We don't mean to offend sister, it's just that you do tend swear off marriage in front of every man you meet" Francesca tried to explain gently " And Sir Phillip has two young children, that's not exactly a spring bachelor"

" He also likes gardening, medicinal tea brewing and estate management" Kate piped up ticking off her fingers " And you... The last time you picked up a flower arrangement pamphlet you used it as a cover to attend a political rally "

" He's a good boxer, and a good marksman but dislikes practicing both" Simon pointed out, seemingly being the only one who had actually spent time with Sir Phillip "You on the other hand almost got yourself shot chasing leads of lady Whistledown"

" You're fresh off a scandal, he's fresh off a failed marriage, admit it Eloise, there's no way you're actually courting" Colin pointed out cynically

" But we are! And I see that we don't have a lot in common but I do like him, I like him a whole lot, and I like his children" Eloise protested " why won't you believe me? he's been trying really hard to win you all over because he also likes me"

"Of course he does and just in time to make people forget about the political rally business" Violet Bridgerton announced entering the drawing room giving Eloise a wink " Sir Phillip has been the picture of the perfectly devoted suitor, whatever threat you have him under, it's certainly working" she said giving Eloise a proud pat in her shoulder

Eloise sighed, how could she convince her family that her relationship with Sir Phillip was real without revealing that they've been bonding over the loss of their loved ones and a secret love of banned books, in fact most of the things Eloise talked with Sir Phillip would either land her in scandal sheets again or in jail. But he was an avid listener and answered all her questions, no matter how impertinent or illegal. She was teaching Sir Phillip the finer points of social interaction because he seemed to be worse off than her when it came to facing crowds, while he taught her about the things he'd learned in University, Eloise didn't think they were that badly suited and welcome his courtship openly.

The problem lay in the fact that nobody believed they were actually courting! By this rate Phillip would propose and everyone would still think it was a ruse. God help her

An: I had so much fun writing this one

#bridgerton #s3 au #philoise #sir phillip crane #eloise bridgerton #sir Phillip x Eloise

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ellewritesandrants · 1 year

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I was inspired to write some insecure Billy and Steve afraid that the other would leave so here you go!

Billy’s just so used to being left behind or abandoned that he expects it which is why it’s odd for him that Steve sometimes looks at Billy as if he’s the one who’ll be leaving. Sometimes, Steve gets into these moods where he just pulls Billy into his arms and drags them either to the couch or their bed, clinging onto the blond so tightly almost as if he was begging the blond not to go.

Billy was bewildered because, if anything, it should be Steve who should want to go. Billy was a mess, even before this whole thing with the Mindflayer and that just made it all so much worse. Before, Billy could hide behind muscles and charisma and now, he was a shell of his former self, spooked at the weirdest things and incapable of looking at himself in the mirror.

It had been a wonder for Billy to wake up in a hospital bed, with Steve’s hand tightly gripping his not only because he’d thought he was going to die when he faced that monster but because he’d thought Steve had replaced him with Robin before he found out that Robin was a lesbian. Billy had fought, not only for his sister and her friends but also to protect Steve because he didn’t ever want to hurt Steve again after that awful night at the Byers where his paternal trauma was triggered.

When Billy had woken up, it was Steve’s hand that kept him grounded. It was Steve’s stories that filled his day. It was Steve’s presence that made him want to keep living so it didn’t make any sense why Steve would even worry about Billy leaving. Didn’t he know that Billy was sure thing for him but that he was too good for Billy?

Not only did Steve open up his heart and also his home to Billy but the brunet had taken care of him, dealt with him through the ups and downs of his recovery. Even through the moments he’d wished he’d died, Steve had been his rock keeping him grounded. Sure, Billy was recovered now according to the hospital but he could never go back to being the same person he used to be.

Billy hadn’t even been able to get behind the wheel of his baby yet. It had been fully restored months ago, just waiting for him to make the engine purr but even just being inside the car stirred up memories of the monster that controlled him and he hasn’t been able to get himself to move past it, relying on Steve mostly for rides if not walking to build up the stamina he’s lost. He could never stay out too late or go anywhere near Brimborn or the Holloway’s house. It brought up bad memories and sent him spiralling.

Even the thought of touching a person had reviled him for a long time after waking up, with Steve and El being the only ones he didn’t hate touching. Max was the first one he forced himself to familiarize with again, after promising his little sister that he would take this second chance to be a better brother. He’d eventually forced himself to do the same to Max’s friends and Susan since he didn’t want anything to do with the Billy who killed dozens of innocent people and he wanted to at least try to be someone Steve deserved.

Steve often told him that he was surprised by how insecure Billy really was and how amazing he was to have recovered so quickly but Billy didn’t really think he was all that amazing. If he was, he wouldn’t have killed all of those innocent people. He wouldn’t have had his father killed after the government scientists realized Neil was abusive and therefore, a threat to extinguish in order to keep their new subject. If he was as amazing as Steve thought he was, there might even still be a chance he deserved Steve.

The truth however, would always hurt. Billy didn’t deserve Steve. Steve deserved happiness. Steve deserved love. Steve deserved everything good in the world and there was absolutely no was Billy could ever give that to him, even before he became the wreck he was today. Steve deserved someone whole who could give him the big family he’s always wanted and someone he truly loved. Steve deserved better than him and while Nancy Wheeler wasn’t all that better because she cheated on Steve, Steve loves her and Steve deserves the opportunity to love who he really wants without the baggage of Billy.

That was why Billy had jumped on Mrs. Byer’s offer to take him with them when they moved to California. It would allow Steve to pursue the person he really wants while giving Billy enough space to lick his wounds. It wasn’t Billy leaving Steve. It was Billy giving Steve the chance to be happy and that’s why he didn’t get why this argument was even taking place.

“You’re going with the Byers to California? Why, Billy? I thought you were happy here.”

“I am!”

“Then why are you leaving?”

Billy wanted to lie and make up some excuse about him needing space or sunlight to recover but he couldn’t do that, not to Steve.

“Because you’re not happy with me here.”

“What the fuck are you talking about, baby?”

“You didn’t think I’d notice? Stevie, you only really ever smile and laugh around your friends. You make jokes with them and you play around and you get to be a teenager with them. The minute you’re with me, you’re stuck taking care of me.”

“Because I want to, baby. Don’t you realize that?”

Steve tried to reach out but Billy only moved further away. Billy scoffed.

“You’re just saying that. Look, Steve, you deserve to be happy and I think you’d be happier without me here.”

“What? That’s complete and utter bullshit.”

“No, it’s not. I’m a mess, Stevie. I’m a shell of my former self. I weigh probably 140 pounds soaking wet, I’m covered with scars and I get triggered by the simplest things. I’m dead weight, extra baggage. I didn’t deserve you back then and I definitely don’t deserve you now. You deserve someone who’ll make you happy.”

“And that’s you, baby.”

“Don’t lie to me. Everyone and their mother knows that it’s Nancy.”

“Nancy? Where the hell did you get that from?”

“I saw you and her the other day and I know she’s the first person you ever loved. She can give you the big family you want and don’t even try to tell me that you don’t want that. With me gone, you can get her back and be happy.”

Steve pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath before he took Billy’s hands in his.

“Fuck, darling, you’ve got it all wrong, okay? Nancy wanted to meet up because she wanted to say goodbye. She’s going with the Byers too since she got into the same college as Jonathan. And as for the big family, yes I won’t lie, I do want that but the 6 shitheads we’re usually in charge of are more than enough for me right now. I do want to eventually adopt some kids or even have some of my own but I can do that with you.”

“But you don’t have to!”

“Why not, sweetheart? I want to do it with you.”

“I don’t deserve you, Steve.”

“Stop trying to tell me what I deserve. Why are you trying so hard to leave me?”

Billy couldn’t stop the tears from falling.

“Because I don’t want you to regret me. I don’t want you to waste the next how many years taking care of me and eventually getting sick of me before you finally realize you deserve better than me.”

I don’t want you to leave me like my mother did.

“Fuck, baby, if anything, you deserve better than me.”

“What the fuck are you talking about, Steve?”

“I lied to you and hit you first that night. Everything could have probably been avoided had I told you the truth earlier. Our fight, your posession, everything. It’s all my fault for not telling you. Hell, I was the one who wanted to keep us a secret from everyone until you were possessed by the Mindflayer and that’s why I didn’t know what was happening until I saw you at the mall. You deserve better than my fuck ups.”

It was Billy’s turn to hold Steve’s hands in his.

“Fuck, Stevie, it’s not your fault. You didn’t know about my dad back then and we don’t know if my knowing would have changed anything. You were the only reason I bothered to live when I woke up. Every single part of me hurt but the look of relief on your face kept me motivated to keep going because I wanted to keep seeing you even if it would be the last time. You take care of me better than I take care of myself and you’re so patient and understanding with me. It’s not your fault, babe. I didn’t even know you blamed yourself for this, Stevie. It’s not your fault.”

“If you say so. Y-You do know I didn’t date you out of some misplaced sense of guilt, right? I’m here because I want to be, because I love waking up in the morning holding you. I love messing around in the kitchen with you. I love being able to take care of you and spoil you the way you deserve. I love you, Billy and I know I don’t say it enough but I love you.”

“I love you too, Stevie.”

“Does that mean you’ll stay?”

Steve looked so hopeful that Billy didn’t have it in him to leave. If Steve wanted him here, Steve would have him. As long as Billy was wanted by Steve, Billy was willing to fight the voices in his head that told him he wasn’t enough.

“I guess so. I’m sorry for trying to leave, Stevie. I promise I didn’t want to. It’s just, I thought you needed me to.”

Steve pulled Billy in for an all encompassing hug and Billy melted into his lover’s embrace.

“Don’t ever try to leave for my sake again. Now you know that I both need and want you in my life and as long as you’re willing to stay, I’m willing to have you here with me.”

Billy couldn’t help himself.

“Even if it means forever?”

“Even if it means forever. You’ve got me whipped, Hargrove and I don’t ever want to be free.”

Billy groaned.

“You’re such a sap, Harrington.”

“Ah, but I’m your sap.”

#billy hargrove #billy hargrove au #harringrove #steve harrington #billy deserved better #billy hargrove deserved better #billy x steve #ellewritesandrants #billy hargrove redemption #billy hargrove angst #harringrove angst #harringrove fic #s3 au #billy hargrove needs a hug

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ghostlynimbus · 2 years

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s3 au where the mindflayer gets into billy but just... for some reason it can't really control him.

like at first the mind flayer thinks things are working, but it actually turns out that the things it was trying to make billy do were actually just things billy decided to do anyway

and the mindflayer just thinks he needs more time or to try harder or whatever to break billy and take over but just... nothing is working. by the time the mindflayer decides fuck it "i'll find a more convenient pawn" it discovers to it's horror that it can't voluntarily leave billy either.

billy still gets the heat aversion and the super strength and healing, and he's just like 'huh, that's weird' and continues on with his life.

Billy & the mindflayer:

youtube

#billy hargrove #the mindflayer #stranger things #s3 au #fic idea #video #vine #Youtube

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fiveapocalypse · 1 year

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Faust and the Devil.

AU of S3 where Five makes a deal instead of Allison.

@lookingforhappy @distracted-milkshake @assaily @aka-tua-braindump @tinned-beef @frozenwafflesagain @space-ghost-with-the-most

He’s sitting there, in that armchair of his, without a single care in the world just like he’s always done. The only difference is that he isn’t writing in that journal of his, and his body looks aged, weathered. All the wrinkles on his face spell out the time he’s been alive, far longer than most, far younger than many. They sit on opposite ends of each other, legs crossed, eyes stony, but it is only Five who feels like the world is on his shoulders, pushing him down, suffocating him, and Reginald simply sits there, staring at him through his monocle. “You’re a thorn in my side, old man,” Five spits. He’s had enough. He’s always had enough. And yet, here he sits, conversing with a man who strapped him down to a table and— “and I’d really fucking like it if you could just disappear with the rest of the world.”

Reginald raises a brow at him, not moving from his seat. “Do not say your emotions so boldly out in the open, Number Five.” His eyes narrow. Five hates how he gulps and digs his nails into his palm. “It has already cost you your life once, do not let it cost you it again. You know as well as I do that your temperamental and impulsive behavior will only get you killed in the end.” Five grits his teeth until he can feel a headache coming on.

“Why the fuck did you call me here?”

He has things to do. Siblings to save. Even if they hate him. Even if he’s the most vile person to exist. He has to save them. He has to— “I have a proposition for you.” Head whipping towards the man he’s called ‘father’ his entire life, Five sneers. The man merely stares at him. “You’re searching for a way to save the world, are you not?”

“Save my family,” Five corrects, fingers twitching. Each pulse of the kugelblitz makes his stomach twist, sweat dampening his forehead, mouth going dry. “The world is just a byproduct.”

“Foolish child, you cannot possibly think that dooming the world will save you.”

“Well what the fuck do you suggest? Save the world and have it doom us anyway?”

“Help me with project oblivion,” Reginald starts, holding a hand up when Five stands up from his chair, eyes glowing blue, “and I can assure you that your siblings will be safe and happy just as you’ve always wanted.” He knows he shouldn’t trust him, he knows he shouldn’t take the bait, but then Reginald sighs, looks down and whispers oh so carefully. “After all,” he says slowly, glancing up at him, “I too have family I wish to save.”

The words are like a slap to the face, a punch to the stomach, and Five takes a deep breath, stomach churning, electricity sparking around him. His eyes flicker around, nails tearing at the skin of his palms. “What are you talking about?” He hisses, stepping forward, flexing his fingers. “Stop being so cryptic or I swear to god I’ll turn you into a suit of bones right here without hesitation.”

“Have you always been this temperamental?”

“Fuck you.”

Reginald only sighs, shaking his head, wiping his monocle. “Project oblivion is to reset the world,” he says, now looking Five directly in his eyes. “To whatever we desire, to whatever we can imagine. All you have to do is listen to me, listen to me and perhaps your family may live their lives once more.” The man stands up, hand on Five’s head, fingers in his hair. It makes Five freeze, breath catching in his throat. Reginald was never one for hugs. For support. But he leans into it anyway, and everything crumbles when the man speaks again.

“After all, you don’t want to make the same mistake twice, now do you?”

#the umbrella academy #five hargreeves #five hargreeves centric #five hargreeves the boy #reginald hargreeves #S3 AU #remember when I had that AU where five makes a deal instead of Allison

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