#harringrove on their first date but steve’s late

[harringroveera]

Steve, answering the phone: Hello?

Billy: Where the hell are you, Bambi? This place is fancy and I don't know which fork to kill myself with!

[dragonflylady77]

i got you a whole flower shop

A Harringrove Valentine's Day fic I wrote this afternoon

present for @shieldofiron and also @lovebillyhargrove

oh and it's on ao3

Steve walks into a florist shop on Valentine's Day but his plans change after he gets a text not meant for him and he finds himself faced with Billy freaking Hargrove looking like every wet dream Steve has ever had in the past fifteen years since he finished high school.

“Sorry, I’ll be right with you.”

Steve made a vague noise of acknowledgement, too busy staring at the message he’d opened as he’d stepped into the first flower shop he’d spotted.

“Can’t wait to see you tonight baby. I’ll tell Steve I have to work late. Love you x”

He blinked a few times but the words didn’t change. The text was clearly not meant for him. Or maybe it was, he rationalised. That was one way to break up with your boyfriend without having to have the conversation.

He ran a tired hand over his face and put his phone back in his pocket. He wouldn’t need flowers after all. He tried to remember how much stuff he’d left at Jamie’s place during the few months they’d been dating and wondered if there was anything he’d miss if he didn’t get it back.

“I am sorry but it turns out I don’t actually need flowers after all,” he said, his eyes floating over the various buckets of colourful blooms in front of him.

“Am I dreaming or is that you, Harrington?” The voice sounded surprised and familiar and Steve turned around to face its owner.

“Hargrove?” Steve said in shock, stepping closer to the counter. He hadn’t seen Billy Hargrove since graduation fifteen years ago. “What are you doing in Chicago? I always thought you went back to Cali…”

Billy shrugged and Steve took a moment to really look at him. He still had those light brown, almost golden, curls that Steve had always wanted to run his fingers through, piled high in a bun, his face fuzzy with scruff, blue eyes trained on Steve. That part at least was familiar. Steve let his eyes move down, taking in the white tee, tight across the front under the black apron with the shop’s logo on it, Billy’s biceps bulging when he crossed his arms over his chest. Steve’s mouth felt very dry all of a sudden and hoo, was it always this hot in this store?

Billy raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He did, however, run that tongue of his along his bottom lip, another familiar sight, one that resonated inside Steve’s chest, in a place he’d been ignoring for years.

“Um, sorry, didn’t mean to…” Steve fumbled, fidgeting with his fingers. Fuck. He was being so awkward for no reason. He was usually a little bit better at human interactions.

“It’s okay, pretty boy, I know my good looks can be distracting,” Billy replied with a chuckle and Steve felt his face heat up. “To answer your question, my car broke down outside of St Louis and I realised I’d been kidding myself. There was nothing in Cali for me anymore. And I couldn’t leave Max alone with Neil.”

“Ah. I-I heard about him but Max never said—”

“I told her to keep a secret. Couldn’t risk Neil finding out. I made it back to Indianapolis on the Greyhound. Met a nice lady on the bus who offered me a place to stay for a while. Worked my ass off in a bunch of different jobs. Mona and her partner kinda adopted me, so when they moved to Chicago, I followed.”

“That’s why Max went to college in Chicago, isn’t it? Because you were there too?” Steve asked, a few things making more sense now that he knew about Billy.

“Yep. Got her out of the dorms too. She loved it at Mona’s as much as I did.”

Steve smiled. He was glad that Billy and Max had gotten away from his asshole father. He had only managed it himself recently, after more than a decade of working for his dad, being belittled every time Richard Harrington was in the office, no matter how good Steve actually was at doing his job. He’d jumped at the chance when he’d seen that job listing in Chicago and he’d cherished forever the memory on his father’s face when he’d handed in his resignation.

“That’s great, Billy,” he finally replied, and meant it.

“What about you, princess? What brings you to the Windy City?” 

“Oh, I live here too. Been here about three years, I think. I don’t have to tell you how good it felt to be able to tell my dad I was leaving and he could shove it.”

“Ooooh, go Stevie! Always knew you had it in you.”

Steve laughed and shook his head. “Took me twelve years but I got there in the end…”

“That’s what matters.” Billy grinned. “So, what are you after? Roses for your girl, on account of the day? Or something more original?”

“Oh, um, I, um…” Steve sighed. “I was gonna get flowers for my boyfriend, but after the text I got before, I don’t think I will.”

“Boyfriend?” Billy was staring and Steve realised he probably needed to elaborate a little.

“Yeah… My best friend Robin helped me realise some important things about myself after high school. She made being queer in Hawkins a lot easier. We were flatmates for ages then she moved to Chicago to be with her girlfriend. You know her, actually, Heather? Holloway?”

“Oh. Wow. Yeah, I remember Heather. So you’re…”

“Bi. Yeah.”

“And you have a boyfriend.” The way Billy said it, it wasn’t a question.

It left a bad taste in Steve’s mouth. He got his phone out of his pocket again and sent Jamie a text saying they were over.

“I had a boyfriend.” Steve snorted. “Whoever he meant to text when he texted me can have his cheating ass.”

“You don’t seem too cut up about it,” Billy said, his eyes roaming over Steve and Steve found that he liked it. All at once, memories of basketball training and all the posturing and looks Billy would send him in the showers and hallways of Hawkins High took on a different flavour. All the pet names Billy used to call him when they were teenagers… the same ones he’d used a couple of times in the past ten minutes they’d been chatting.

“I’d only been seeing him for a couple of months, wasn’t anything serious.” Steve decided to take a chance. He crossed his arms and leaned forward on the counter. “It does mean I am now free tonight…”

Billy mirrored his actions, the smile on his face genuine and warm. “Is that so, pretty boy?”

“Uh huh… yanno, in case anyone was wondering.”

“That’s certainly pertinent information.”

“I thought so.” Steve leaned a little closer, smiling when Billy did too. “What time does this fine establishment close?”

“Right now,” Billy replied, without a glance at his watch as he removed his apron and set it on the counter next to them.

“Really? Won’t you get in trouble with your boss for closing early on Valentine’s Day?”

“I’m the boss and I have a hot date,” Billy said with that smirk that had always made Steve’s blood boil. Only now he could name that emotion for what it was: lust. There was something else in Billy’s eyes, something more magical and durable.

“Anyone I know?” Steve asked, his heart beating double time in his chest.

Billy didn’t reply, instead he rounded the counter and came to a stop in front of Steve with a grin. He cupped Steve’s face with both hands and breached the last inches separating them, bringing their mouths together. Steve moaned, his hands on Billy’s wrists to hold him there. He opened his lips to Billy’s questing tongue the second he felt it, pouring all that he was feeling into the kiss, and getting it back ten fold.

Steve let go of Billy’s wrists to grab his waist and dragged him closer. He couldn’t get enough of Billy, hands roaming up his back and down to cup that ass Steve had been dreaming about for months after high school, sparking his bi awakening.

“Fuck, Billy, I’m sorry it took me so long to find you again,” Steve said, breaking the kiss to catch his breath, resting his forehead against Billy’s.

“S’okay, Stevie, you’re here now,” Billy said, dipping his head for a quick kiss. He buried his fingers into Steve’s hair and locked eyes with him. “Never letting you go now I’ve got you, though, I hope you know that.”

“Fine with me,” Steve said as he wrapped his arms around Billy’s middle, delighted to feel Billy’s hard body against his. 

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Steve. I don't know what flowers you like yet, so I got you a whole flower shop.”

Steve laughed as Billy locked up for the night then they went up to the apartment Billy was renting above the shop where Billy cooked them dinner. Then they spent all night in bed, worshipping each other, and it was the best Valentine’s Day Steve had ever had.

[lovebillyhargrove]

Tommy Hagan is a simple guy. Hawkins born and bred, knows this town like lifelines on the palm of his hand. College after graduating high school? Nah, not for him. He's gonna work in his dad's local business. Farm machinery. He's fine with that. One day he'll definitely be Hawkins Mayor, and Miss Carol Perkins will be his wife. Been dating this girl for three years now.

His friends? He knows everyone, and everyone knows him here. However, his best friend is Steve Harrington, something of a Hawkins elite. Tommy doesn't care about the status, he's known Steve for ages, went to daycare in diapers with him for god's sake. So many toys played with, places around Hawkins visited together. So many parties held, cigarettes smoked, things gossiped about, fights fought and memories shared. So much booze drunk, always together.

Best friends forever. They literally know everything about one another. Seen each other's junk like a thousand times. Swimming pools, locker rooms, you know how it happens.

Tommy's got a secret that's he's never ever going to reveal, to anyone. He loves his girlfriend. Crazy about that snarky bitch. The way she pops her gum and rolls her eyes, man. Totally gonna propose to her one day.

The secret though? Well .. First and foremost, he's no homo all the way. It's just that sometimes he thinks that his feelings for Steve are not purely of friendly nature.

A crush ?? Come on, that's not .. Don't say it like that, dude.

Harrington has always had so many girlfriends. A real motherfucking heartbreaker. Looks so good, has money to burn, and daddy gave him the poshest car. Only lately Steve has started seeing that Wheeler princess. Tommy hates her. A perfect student, a good girl. Fucking good alright. Turning Harrington into a pussy-whipped spineless loser. If you ask Tommy, she's got him on a pussy-diet.

A harringrove au where Billy is still to move to Hawkins. Everything is fine before he storms in here, like a fucking hurricane. Tommy has everything under control, exactly until the moment when Hargrove's blue camaro rolls into Hawkins High parking lot.

*couldn't choose the moodboard i like better

To be continued

[keroujack]

For the harringrove prompts!! Billy and Steve being friends, how do you think Billy comes out to Steve?

when billy comes out to steve, i don’t think he actually says anything. at least, not much of anything. i think it’s sort of. an accident

they’re at steve’s house. it's late in the afternoon. billy’s just finished his shift at the pool, steve’s just finished his shift at the video store.

they're out in steve’s backyard, in chairs next to the pool. side by side. stretched out long and sort of sleepy. wearing soft shorts and old basketball t-shirts

the sun’s halfway down so billy has his sunglasses pushed up into his hair. has a magazine in one hand and a beer in the other

steve gave up on his magazine fifteen minutes ago. just some cosmo robin gave him before he left because she wanted him to take some stupid quiz and report back, but he hadn’t really been reading it. couldn't really focus on it. gave up on it after he realized he’d read the same page five times and couldn’t remember a single word of it

so steve’s lying on his side, arm tucked up under his face to pillow his cheek

he’s looking at billy, because he doesn’t feel like reading, and because it’s late in the afternoon and the sun’s going down and he’s feeling sort of sleepy.

there’s nothing else to do, so steve just looks at billy. starts at his feet and lets his eyes drift up from the cross of his ankles to the knobs of his knees to the flat of his chest to the cut of his jaw

billy looks. soft. like this. with the 7 PM summer sun on his cheeks. with freckles down the line of his nose, skin tinted pink and slightly burnt from too many hours with the water reflecting up at him

billy looks so soft like this, and steve can’t help but think of six months ago. but think of the billy that burned bright red, that liked to put his foot down on the gas and get the camaro up to 80 down quiet side-streets and smile blinding white at whatever new girl happened to be on his arm that week

“what ever happened to kelly?” steve wonders. he doesn’t really know why. he doesn’t really care, except for the fact that it’s late in the afternoon and the sun’s going down and he’s feeling sort of sleepy, and billy’s right there, and steve kind of wants to hear his voice

but billy doesn’t flinch, doesn’t even look over at steve when he says, “who?”

and steve huffs a laugh when he says, “kelly,” again. like repeating himself will jog billy’s memory.

but repeating himself doesn’t jog billy’s memory. billy lets him know that with a lifted brow. a question hidden in the crease between his eyes.

steve’s thinking about laughing again when he says, “you know. kelly,” for a third time. and billy's expression doesn’t move an inch. “you went on a date with her like, two weeks ago, didn’t you?”

the tension in billy’s face doesn’t ease. if anything, it’s like the purse of his lips goes tighter. like his hand is tightening on the magazine, if the way it crinkles and creases is anything to go by

“it was one date,” billy says. he barely opens his mouth to say it, and his voice is firm. his eyes are still locked on the page in front of him. “haven’t seen her since.”

steve makes a sympathetic sound in the back of his throat. nods a little, cheek rubbing against the inside of his arm. “nothing there, huh?”

billy huffs, not quite a laugh, but not. not a laugh. “not really.”

steve gets that. he's had his fair share of shitty first dates

“what about angela?”

billy’s whole brow knits. “what about her?”

“i don't know,” steve says. and genuinely, he still doesn’t know. except for the fact that he’s a little curious now, but he doesn’t need to tell billy that. shrugs as best as he can with his arm beneath his head. “you took her to prom, right?”

“right,” billy says. but that’s all billy says. he lets the word hang there, leaves it there

steve waits a long beat before he says, “so?”

“so?” and billy’s voice is still even, but steve can tell that it’s strained. can hear it in the way it’s pulled at the edges, just the slightest bit higher than normal

“i don’t know,” steve says again. “i just thought you might be into her if you brought her to prom or whatever.”

“well i’m not.”

“okay.”

and steve should drop it. billy's knuckles are white now, with how hard he’s holding onto the magazine. his eyelashes are going a little crazy with how hard he’s blinking

steve should drop it, but he has no idea what he said wrong. he has no idea what’s got billy wound so tight.

he just wants to understand. it's the only reason he takes a second to think back and remember-

“jennifer.”

“what.”

“jennifer,” steve repeats, watches the blue of billy’s eyes come and go while he blinks. starts to wonder if curiosity might kill him the same way it did that cat. “what was wrong with her? you seemed to get along pretty good at tommy’s party over february break.”

billy flinches. “there’s nothing-” he starts, and he pauses to swallow, hard, “-nothing. wrong with her. i just didn’t- there just wasn’t anything there.”

his voice has lost some of its edge, steve notices. it’s less sharp now, less sure. if it’s anything, now, steve might almost call it hesitant

steve hesitates, too. before he throws out another name.

“what about sarah?”

he doesn’t bother to elaborate. he doesn’t offer up that billy ate lunch with her for three weeks because billy’s already shaking his head

“i don’t know”

“you don’t know?”

billy tries to snap when he says, “that’s what i said, isn’t it?” but his voice is still too slow. his cheeks are more red now than pink. steve can’t tell if he’s mad, or annoyed, or embarrassed, or- “what’s with you right now?”

“nothing,” steve starts, “i’m just trying to figure out-”

the words die on his tongue

because billy looks over at him. because that’s the moment billy finally chooses to look over at him

and billy’s eyes are wide and round and so fucking blue and steve realizes now that billy doesn’t look mad. he doesn’t look annoyed or embarrassed. he looks-

well.

steve’s only ever seen somebody’s eyes look like that one other time in his life. the first time robin looked at him after she said tammy thompson.

like she was waiting on the edge of a razor blade. like she was waiting for him to laugh and puke and spit in her face because she’d just told him she was-

“oh.”

it’s soft, the sound that leaves steve’s lips.

billy doesn’t move, except to breathe. just barely

like he’s waiting on the edge of a razor blade.

“you figure it out?” the question’s little more than a whisper, but steve’s got goosebumps on his skin.

he nods. “I think so,” he says, little more than a whisper

billy nods, too. and there’s something resigned in it. in the way he squares his chin, in the way his chest rises and falls

in the way he asks, “you want me to go?”

but steve’s quick to say, “no,” and he watches billy’s eyes go wider for having heard him. impossibly so. like he doesn’t quite believe it

gives steve no choice but to reach his leg out to nudge at billy’s shin. but to touch him. to pinch him and tell him he’s not dreaming.

billy’s still quiet, as quiet as steve’s ever seen him when he looks back down at his magazine. when he opens his mouth to wonder, “you gonna quit bugging me now?”

steve kicks his shin again, has a smile pulling at his lips when he says, “never.”

knows it was the right thing to say when it makes billy laugh. a surprised sound that starts in the chest and sings its way up.

steve’s already planning stupid things to do so that he can hear it again

and twenty minutes later, when he’s halfway to dragging billy’s chair into the pool, and billy’s laugh is ringing in the backyard, and his arms are flailing, and his eyes are bright with a smile, steve looks at him and thinks, oh

steve looks at billy, and all he can think is.

oh.

[neonponders]

For @chrisbitchtree​ !! 💋🍦

Thank you so much for donating to Harringrove for Turkey AND thank you so much for your patience, omg lol

Read on ao3 here ~

• • •

“When should we tell them?”

“We don’t,” Heather answered. The hard candy of her lollipop clattered against her teeth as she moved it from one cheek to the other with her tongue.

Robin blinked softly, following it before she remembered what they were talking about. “Steve’s my friend. I’m not leaving him to the whims of Billy Hargrove.”

“You’re nicer than me,” Heather disregarded.

“I thought you and Billy were friends.”

Heather looked at her over the rims of her sunglasses. “Where are you going with this?”

Robin looked back at the boringly empty Scoops Ahoy parlor. Slow days were a blessing and a curse. “You’re just in it for the show. I was too, back when I thought Steve was a total lady killer.”

Heather snorted. “I knew Steve was a sweetie way before you did. Don’t worry. Once the ruffled alpha feathers finally relax, they’ll see each other for what they are.”

“Disgustingly horny for each other?”

“Two alphas wanting to bone each other’s brains out isn’t disgusting…so long as they keep it out of my work hours. I don’t care where they get nasty, just stay the hell away from the pool. Draining and cleaning is a nightmare.”

Robin smirked and offered, “If it takes less than a month, I’ll trade jobs with you for a day.”

Heather looked at her, silently processing the offer. “You really think it’ll take them that long to be in each other’s pants?”

“Steve’s sweet but Hargrove only has so many strikes until he’s out of Harrington’s good graces.”

“Yeah but…hormones? The nose knows?”

Robin snorted. “I’ve seen first hand that Steve is predictably clueless and weirdly smart when I least expect it.”

Heather sighed an agreeing sound. “Billy surprises me too. He turns up his jean hems and irons them down.”

“You’re surprised he’s a diva? With that car?” Robin teased. “Have you seen his hair?”

Heather countered, “For a guy who’s trying to have all the peacock feathers of a war-prized veteran, he’s…soft.”

“I’m gonna need you to elaborate on that.”

So Heather did: “Usually it’s the girls who are supposed to teach the kids’ swimming lessons. Don’t get me started on that—”

“Regardless of second gender?”

“It’s old world bullshit,” Heather fumed and continued, “but it’s Billy. Billy’s the best one with the kids.”

Robin adjusted her position in the seat. It was going to be a real bummer whenever someone came in wanting ice cream, but for now, she enjoyed her extended break. “Steve’s the same. I never would have assumed he even liked kids, but the only people who ever visit him are next semester’s freshmen.”

Heather perked up. “The ones Billy’s sister is friends with?”

“Max,” Robin informed. “They’re all fine, I guess. In an…obnoxious freshman way. Max is the most tolerable of the bunch.”

“And she spends more time here than at the pool…” Heather contemplated aloud.

Robin felt inclined to correct, “She spends more time in the theater. Steve lets them into the R-rated films through the staff hallways.”

Heather dropped the stick of her lollipop into an ice cream cup and concluded, “A late night mall date sounds like just the thing.”

Robin stood up and disposed of the cup in the trash bin as she refuted, “I’m not friends with Billy’s sister, and the idea of recruiting a kid so her brother can screw my coworker gives me a bad taste.”

“Okay, prudish,” Heather scoffed. “What to you suggest?”

Robin smirked as she rotated to lean back against the glass, refrigerated case. “I’m so glad you asked.”

• • •

Steve sighed heavily, blunt fingertips scratching his neck as he mentally willed customers to keep walking past Scoops Ahoy. For some reason, all of Hawkins had him on their radar, and where was Robin to witness his ability to draw people into the store?

Steve needed to get laid. Between the internal itch of his body and him fidgeting near his glands, his throat was slowly becoming a red beacon. A dark blue, stupid sailor costume was not doing him favors in concealing it. And it was just his luck that he had to work solo on such a busy day—

“Wow. Do you want a cream for that rash?”

He frowned at none other, than Robin approaching the counter. Dressed in casual clothes, she pointed her stoic glare at him, but he’d developed a skill at reading her.

“You hate this place way too much to be here on your day off. What gives?”

She leaned on the counter with all the familiarity of someone used to being on the other side of it. “Word on the street is that Billy Hargrove is in the parking lot.”

Steve stared at her, visibly processing that until countered, “Robin. That’s not a rumor. You just saw him on the street on your way in here.”

“Whatever. Are you gonna make a move, or what?”

“Oh? A move?” His brows flew up towards the white sailor’s cap on his head. “Like the other move you suggested where I use the community pool’s gymnasium?”

“I didn’t know you could get ring worm from the gym,” Robin defended.

“No, I wouldn’t expect a band geek to know that.”

“You don’t need to go for my throat. At least it got you and Billy talking.”

“Yeah, because it was so thrilling for our first somewhat polite conversation to be him teasing me about the rancid gym. And he was right.”

Robin pursed her lips to the side and recalled one of Heather’s tactics. “Well he gave you nail polish for that, didn’t he?”

Steve’s eyes narrowed on her. “Buckley. I always knew band geeks can’t keep secrets—”

“The hell does that mean?” she recoiled.

“It means someone told him I needed to suffocate some ringworm on my skin!” Steve paused as his eyes darted over her. Steve might’ve been oblivious to her preferences until she spilled about Tammy Thompson, but damn it, that had been the key to a lock that was Steve figuring her out forevermore.

“Heather. You and Heather—!”

“They work together!” she shushed. “I had the best resource to help you with your dead end crush—”

“I am never a dead end,” he huffed. “Tammy Muppet Thompson is a dead end.”

“Okay,” she drawled in a hiss.

“Nothing stays at band camp! You squealed to Heather!”

“Why would I have supported your crush on Hargrove if I didn’t know you had a chance?”

That brought Steve up short. “You know he likes me?”

Robin’s dark blue eyes went wide. “Where did that get lost? Was it how he salivates around you so much that his tongue wags? That he brings you ice pops from the pool despite you working in an ice cream parlor? He behaves like it’s Florida or California, walking in here wearing only his swim shorts!”

“It’s hotter than hell outside, half the town is shirtless. Maybe if you’d told Heather to tell Billy that my favorite flavor isn’t cherry, I would’ve been impressed.”

“We’re always out of maraschinos because you eat them,” Robin countered. “What’s your favorite flavor?”

A deeper voice answered, “Caramel apple.”

Steve’s red neck blossomed up through his cheeks as Robin froze. Steve recovered faster, “You did say he was outside.”

“I thought we had time,” she bit out. “He takes so long to go anywhere, letting people look at him.”

“Are you two a package deal? Because I’ll need to read the fine print,” Billy remarked as he approached and placed two wrapped ice lollies on the counter.

Robin glanced at the green apple flavor boasting caramel sauce inside before she asked, “How long have you been here?”

“Long enough for all your customers and half the GAP to hear about you meddling in my sex life, thanks. Heather’s shifts for the rest of the month depend on how fast you can run.”

Instead of leaving, Robin smirked at him. “How about I take the rest of this shift, and you take the dingus to the pharmacy.”

Billy’s features flattened as he looked Steve over, not having considered him to be ill. He found the source quickly enough, sharp blue eyes riveted to his throat while Steve otherwise handed Robin his Ahoy sailor’s cap. However, she grasped it and frisbee-tossed it through the back room window.

“Screw company policy.”

“Oh-ho, look at you,” Steve sassed, shimmying his way around the counter.

They had to pass each other as she took over his shift, and her features pinched into a grimace. “You smell like a BLT. With pickles on the side.”

“My favorite,” Billy crooned, almost too quiet to hear.

A wave of heat swept over Steve, causing Robin’s eyes to roll while Billy’s nostrils widened. “God, get out of here before someone thinks we have salted caramel as a topping. You’re disgusting.”

“Maybe if you spent your time with Heather gossiping less and getting laid more, you’d sing a sweeter tone,” Steve finished, ice lollies in hand as he waved Billy through the staff door to the back room.

Billy’s composure lasted about as long as it took them to walk through another door to the hallways networking the back of the mall, and for the two of them to glance at each other. Billy’s hand slid over Steve’s lumbar, feeling his fellow alpha jump a little as the heat of his hand seeped through the sailor uniform. “Outside, pretty boy. You might lose your job if your scent lingers like that.”

“Why do you talk like that?” Steve blurted, shoving open the door to the outside. Hawkins was hotter than ever, and the lollies dripped condensation through his grip.

“Like what?” Billy countered, in the same husky tone as he let Steve back him up against the conveniently parked, maroon BMW. A good thing, indeed, that he’d worn a shirt today; the hot metal made him reach for one of the ice pops in Steve’s hand.

“Like you’re growling but shy.”

Billy pulled the wrapping apart to expose the green pop with murky innards promising caramel sauce. Instead of answering directly, he knocked his leg against Steve’s. The natural humidity on their skin made them stick, just for an instant, deliciously together. Billy liked the friction of their leg hair together. “And why’s it taken you this long to stand up to me?”

“I’ve always stood up to you. I just didn’t realize you liked being courted like this—that’s insane.”

Billy had bitten right through the corner of the green lolly that was threatening to melt into slush any second. His head tipped backward, a fast gesture to spare his teeth from the cold chunk in his mouth. “It’s ninety-eight degrees, Harrington, and we haven’t even reached today’s high yet.”

“You’re telling me,” Steve said as he raised the other lolly to the back of his neck. Billy’s tongue moved around his mouth, eyes resting way too long on Steve’s crimson neck. The poor guy was clearly in the cusp of a rut in the thick of July. It was a damn shame, for Billy’s cool fingertips found the edge of an inflamed gland and Steve vocally sighed at the tickling relief.

“You might actually need an ointment for this.”

Steve huffed and shoved the lolly—now ice pack—underneath the hair on his neck. “I get sweat rashes in the summer. This hair comes with a price that my glands pay.”

“Uh huh,” Billy purred, watching Steve’s mouth connect with the top of his ice cream and how his cheeks hollowed while he sucked the caramel out. A thread of sauce followed Steve up before he licked his lips—

Billy chased after it, licking sugar off of Steve’s lips between their kiss before Steve pushed his sweet tongue into Billy’s mouth. Billy’s fingertips found Steve’s chin and cheekbone, holding him in place while he switched sides. Their noses bumped together and Billy smiled against Steve’s overeager pursuit of his mouth. Getting teeth instead of lips made Steve complain, “Do I really smell like a BLT?”

Those doe eyes looked huge across the distance of their breath. Billy shamelessly gripped the red knot of the Scoops Ahoy ascot and pulled Steve’s uniform off his skin so Billy could press his nose against a collarbone. In his other hand, green apple juice dripped over his hand.

“Not yet, at least. You busy this weekend?”

The artificial highlights in Steve’s hair beamed in the summer sun as a dopey smile lifted his tired face. “I sure hope so. You mean with you, right?”

Billy nodded his head toward the car behind him. “We’ll take my car, before the heat takes you out.”

“What’s wrong my car?”

“I can’t drive home smelling you.”

Billy watching Steve’s throat move as he swallowed. “Yeah. Yeah, sure.”

[starkstruck27]

Harringrove Week Day 1

Prompt(s): Billy's favorite hang-out spot

Dialogue Challenge: "Did you keep the receipt?"

Word Count: 1,111

Tw(s): Implied sexual content, Implied/referenced child abuse

Billy’s head hurt. He always had a headache, it seemed, but the more pissed off he got, the more it hurt. And right now, he was monumentally pissed off. It was too cold for it being this late in March, and the thin denim jacket that he’d grabbed on his way out the door was doing little to keep him warm. The only thing that kept his hands from contracting frostbite was the cherry of his cigarette and the flame of his lighter when he went to light the next one. He’d promised Max that he’d try to quit smoking, but right now, he was too upset to remember.

You see, it was Billy’s birthday. And for the first time in a long time, it had been a good one. Max had woken him up and made breakfast for him and their parents, so he wouldn’t have to. She then shoved a pair of movie tickets in his hands and told him to have fun on his date, adding in a wink, because even on his birthday, she would never stop teasing him for falling for her babysitter. Billy rolled his eyes and shoved her a little as she went, but he was smiling, and he thanked her.

When he did meet up with Steve, he couldn’t wipe said smile off his face. They went into the theater and saw The Aviator, though, if they were being honest, they weren’t as concerned about the movie as they were with each other. After the movie, Steve took him back to his place and made a fancy lunch, some kind of pasta dish that had a bright green sauce and almost entirely too much cheese to not be considered a dairy product in itself, but it tasted good, and after all, Steve had made it for him. 

After lunch, Steve cleaned up the dishes and told Billy to relax in the living room while he cleaned up the leftovers. Billy was flipping through the TV channels, trying to find something interesting, when Steve walked back in, carrying two cupcakes on a plate with those big, number-shaped candles on them to make the number 18. He sang the Happy Birthday Song for him and sat beside him, holding out the plate and telling him to make a wish. Billy thought for a second, mostly to humor Steve, but soon he made his wish and blew out the candles, and Steve grinned as he put the plate on the coffee table and removed the candles from the cakes. He handed one to Billy and started peeling the wrapper off of his own, and when Billy sunk his teeth into the soft cake, he ended up getting a bit of the blue frosting on the tip of his nose. Steve giggled but leaned forward to kiss it away, and before they knew it, the treats were forgotten and they moved the party upstairs for a little while.

Billy wasn’t sure how long they were asleep for, only that when he woke up, it was to an empty bed and the sound of the shower running in the other room. He went in there and joined Steve, inciting a very memorable round two in the shower that was hardly enough room for one person, let alone two. 

After they’d gone back downstairs, Billy finally saw the time. It was almost 6, and Billy knew he had to be home for dinner, so he kissed Steve goodbye before beginning to gather up his things. It wasn’t until he’d reached for the doorknob that Steve’s face brightened up and he told him to wait a second, he had one more thing for him. He ran from the room and returned a minute later with a small, navy blue box with a gold ribbon on top that covered the entire lid. 

“Happy Birthday, baby,” Steve said, and handed him the box. “I hope you like it.”

Inside the box was a very expensive looking watch. It was gold and had a pure white face, with inky black numbers and a hole in the face so that you could see the gears working. It made an audible ticking noise and when Billy took it from the box, he saw it had a dark brown leather strap, as well as a gold buckle to fasten it to his wrist. 

“And turn it over, look at the other side,” Steve added when Billy didn’t say anything.

Billy did as instructed and turned the watch over in his fingers, and he saw something engraved in the gold. It was a small, three line poem, and it read, “My heart is a star / Born for the first time in your / Gorgeous nebula”. Just underneath that, there was an X, and beside that, a dash and the letters S. H. 

“I know it’s kinda cheesy,” Steve said, scratching the back of his neck.

“I love it,” Billy interrupted, “Steve, it’s… It’s the best gift I’ve ever gotten.” 

He let him fasten the watch on his wrist, and just before he left, he kissed him as hard as he could. 

“I love you, you know,” Billy said, and Steve grinned.

“I love you, too. Now you better hurry home, I don’t want you to be late. Happy Birthday, my love,” he replied, and with one last kiss, Billy was gone.

His homecoming had not been pleasant. It never was really, and why should it change on his birthday? He was only home for about ten minutes before he was storming out again, without his keys and with his new watch in his pocket. It was getting dark, but he knew the way to his favorite hangout spot by heart. It was an old hunting stand in the woods, accessible by an iron ladder and with just enough space for one or two people to sit comfortably. He’d found it a while ago, and he loved to sit up here and smoke, which is what he was doing now.

“I thought I’d find you here,” Steve said, climbing up the ladder.

“I assume Max called you?” Billy asked, stubbing out his cigarette.

“Yeah, she said you ran off before dinner. What happened?” Steve sat next to him, giving him his scarf to help with the shivering. Billy swallowed and pulled the watch from his pocket, or rather, the pieces of it.

“Did you keep the receipt? I hope so, because my dad decided I didn’t deserve something so nice,” he said, sighing. Steve didn’t seem mad, but Billy wouldn’t blame him if he was. He should’ve known that just one good birthday was too much to wish for.

[ariesbilly]

hello hello hello

just wanted to ask you about your favorite harringrove fics, and if you could link them? please?

i've been searching through the tag on ao3 lately but it's flooded with hate and even abusive billy stuff, which is ridiculous. 

so if u could link some good ones, that would be amazing!!

im so glad im still back in like 2019 in the ao3 tag lmfao

here’s whats in my bookmarks:

paper rings (E) - Dustin bets Steve he can't get a date for Mike's wedding.AKA the What's Your Number au nobody asked for

i'm saucing on you (E) - Steve wants a ticket to the biggest party on campus; Billy's got one with Steve's name on it.(Or, Steve has a crush, and so does Billy, and everybody's tired of their history of mutual pining.)

wind in the wires (M) - “If I could move, I would kick your ass.”

“I know, I’m sorry.”

“Just fucking tell him.”

Will’s breath rattles. “Are you going to tell him?”

And they’re talking about two different people. Billy knows, knows Will knows, meets those teary, red-rimmed eyes with a scowl.

“You’ve got until your mom finishes selling that fucking house to do something. So fucking do it, alright? Don’t cry here like some bitch. I can’t fix your problems.”

riches & wonders (M) - Steve's teetering on the edge of something, all alone. His eyes meet Billy’s. They’re teetering on the edge of something, together.(or a handful of the bricks that build steve and billy a home.)

We Slip And Slide (NR) - Pure indulgent post-S3 fluff, including but not limited to the discussed concepts of: - Billy moving in with Joyce - The Jonathan/Billy friendship we all need - Grouchy Hopper - Jonathan and Billy smoking weed together and arguing about music. Because punk and metal are two different things. BUT they unite against Steve’s taste - Robin and Jonathan being excellent wing-persons - Hop and Billy teaming up against Mike to protect El - Shovel talks all round - Robin being clever and eating popcorn - The you rule/you suck board

This Too Shall Pass (NR) - Steve cries at night. Every night. And every night, someone comes to help.

the mountain should crumble to the sea (T) - One second he’s staring down a black abyss, begging and screaming to be let out, and the next thing he knows, Billy is in Steve Harrington’s bedroom, shirtless and laying on top of the covers. What in all fuck is going on? OR The one where no one really dies.

That Douchebag Steve Harrington (E) - The Hargroves come to Indiana one year early. The town of Hawkins is all abuzz about its first missing persons case in decades, but all Billy cares about is figuring out how much Steve Harrington really wants to date the stick-in-the-mud Nancy Wheeler and whether he can stop that from happening.

so many ways to talk about longing (M) - Steve wakes up--in a pool lounger--to Billy Hargrove looming over him. Billy pushes his sunglasses down and Steve thinks sleepily that it must be so that Steve gets the full impact of Billy’s narrow-eyed glare. “Harrington,” Billy says. “We’re fucking closed.”(or, three times Billy doesn't let Steve touch the radio and one time he kind of does).

Take Me with U (E) - Billy bobbled a bit as he stood to mind the fire on unsteady legs. He tripped over his own feet then flopped back on his ass, his back pressed to Steve’s legs, laughing, face flaming with embarrassment. Steve threw his other leg over Billy’s shoulder, his calf pulling Billy back for a moment. “You gotta serve your penalty now. Too drunk. Two minutes in the box, Hargrove. Stay put.”

Billy wrapped his fingers around Steve’s ankle, on top of his jeans. “That’s what I get for trying to be light on my feet like you.”

“Callin me light in the loafers?”

“I’m callin you a pussy.” Billy’s hand remained on Steve’s ankle. His back was still pressed against Steve’s shin, and his fingers started to drift under the hem of Steve’s jeans -- touching a small bit of skin underneath. Maybe he should not be doing this. Maybe Steve wouldn’t like it.

But the moment Billy shifted forward, Steve tugged Billy back into place with the leg that was flung over Billy’s shoulder -- pulled Billy’s back tight against Steve’s leg. “Stay.”

i hear the secrets that you keep (when you’re talking in your sleep) (T) - Billy’s there the way that he’s a lot of places nowadays, sort of absent-mindedly, like he’s not sure how it happened or why and is going somewhere else in his mind anyway.

Steve watches him more than ever now, and Billy rarely watches back.(or five times billy really needed some sleep, and one time he needed something else entirely)

i'll carry you home (E) - It’s been five days since they left Hawkins. They ride through meadows and woods, chasing the taste of freedom, stealing kisses, and pushing on as they get closer and closer to their happy ending.

i’m no maid marian and you’re no robin hood (G) - Billy snaps his fingers and says, “Prince Harrington, prettier than any princess in all the kingdoms.”

Take a Good Look You're Bound to See (that you and me were meant to be) (T) - Billy adopts a dog. Steve really, really likes the dog. And maybe - just maybe - he really really likes Billy, too.

Firestarter (NR) - He has completed his mission. Now, Six sits alone in a small room in Hawkins Lab and waits for his handlers to give him his friend back. Experiment!AU

break up with your girlfriend ('cause i'm bored) (E) - @umissedconnections: Bambi eyes. m4m. i was rippin cigs in the sae p-lot. u made urself puke 2 make room 4 more beer. incredible? ur my hero PLS say ur into guys * Steve finds he has a secret admirer who's continuously hitting on him via his university's Missed Connections Twitter account. // Tommy and Billy are the worst roommates ever.

the ongoing trials of two idiots in love (E) - Five times they fucked up Valentine's Day and one time they got it right.

I’ll fall for you soon enough, I resolve to love (M) - Billy is ignoring Steve, Steve is trying to find his footing with Billy, and a demodog needs to be buried.

meet me in the woods tonight (E) - There’s something in the woods of Hawkins, Indiana.

go west, young man (E) - Steve and Billy move to California after graduation. They decide to take their time getting there, driving across the country in Billy's Camaro. Along the way, they learn a thing or two about growing up, friendship, love, and each other.

Under the Covers (M) - Steve is (maybe) a little bit still in love with Nancy Wheeler and (maybe) trying to figure himself out-- between the night terrors and the babysitting and the general weirdness that is Hawkins, Indiana-- before he graduates. Billy Hargrove fits in there somewhere (probably).

wicked little town (E) - The summer after graduation stretches before Steve, seemingly endless and utterly empty. He can't remember ever being this bored in his life. But when he runs into Billy one night, after hearing a rumour about him at a party, it feels like summer might not be so boring after all.

in the darkness i will meet my creators (T) - "What's wrong?" Jane mumbles.

"I need you to take me to him."[or, the fucking fix-it for s3]

what a wicked game you played (to make me feel this way) (E) - Billy knew Steve Harrington would ruin him. Steve knew Billy Hargrove was nothing but trouble. They never expected it to end up like this.

the skater and the rich boy (T) - It's the summer of 1977 and the drought in California is in full force. Lawns go unwatered and swimming pools sit forlorn and empty. Around Venice and Santa Monica, skaters take advantage of the empty pools, breaking into backyards to skate like no one has before. When Billy Hargrove—a skater who splits his time between his job at a surf shop and skating with his sister, Max—breaks into Steve Harrington's backyard, it might turn out to be the best thing he’s ever done.

I'm a Rebel Just for Kicks (T) - Steve couldn't believe he was having to spend his Saturday with his ex-girlfriend, her new boyfriend, his friend-turned-pain-in-the-ass, and Billy fucking Hargrove. Steve couldn't think of a group of people he'd like to spend less time with than them. Hopefully, the next six hours won't be too bad.

and heres what im currently reading/recent reads... as if this list wasnt long enough lmfao

you're cold (and i burn) (E) - Move on. Let it heal. Maybe that’s why Steve said yes when Max asked him to help move boxes out of Billy’s room after the dust settled. He could hear her voice. Too many. Too heavy. Just like his wounds. His grief. Too many. Too heavy.(Or, Steve steals the glass ashtray from Billy's bedside table and things start to go bump in the night.)

With Your Long Blond Hair and Your Eyes of Blue (M) - Billy leans back and sweeps his hands through his hair, gathering it back from his face and any danger of dipping into the food. Steve watches, frozen to the spot as he produces a tie from his pocket and secures it all up in a messy bun at the top of his head. Steve’s entire world stops moving.

[discodeviant]

HARRINGROVE FLIP REVERSE IT DAY 6: Fake Dating Trope Subversion | Teen | 6.2k

DEVASTATED that this is late, but I'm happy with the final result, so it's better that I took my time instead of rushing it lol. Fun lil teacher Steve dynamic for the soul <3 Please enjoy!!

Read the Full Fic on AO3 Made for @harringrove-flip-reverse-it!

Preview below!

Billy has always had his fair share of inappropriate crushes.

An older gentleman passing through from Los Angeles, random tourists at the beach with heavy accents and eyes that he’d have liked to pick apart. One client at the auto shop he used to work at whose AC relay he had to fix, and who returned time and time again to buy coolant. Crushes that he knew were never going to happen, and that he never cared enough about to try. There were hot guys all over San Diego, though few ever truly caught his eye.

Even fewer were a part of his daily routine.

“Max, get the hell up, or you’re walking!”

“Hold on, asshole!”

Billy didn’t mind driving her around, really, but it was only September, and he thought he would lose all of his hair before May. A month since Max hit high school was a month where the pseudo-dad charade was amped up to one-hundred, and he was in for one hell of a ride until she graduated.

It was coming up on one year since it had just been the two of them. Working two jobs since he was fifteen and hiding the money from his dad was the only reason Billy had been able to afford his own place at all, let alone be deemed fit to take over as Max’s legal guardian. He was twenty-four with a clean, safe apartment and steady income, and despite ceaseless arguing that they hadn’t quite gotten over yet, Max was on his side. She would have been no matter what.

“I’m leaving!”

“Jesus Christ, Billy—“

She was still brushing her teeth by the time he revved up the car, worked the engine a few times for dramatics, and grimaced when she spit into the grass. “You are so fucking gross, Max,” he said when she got into the passenger’s seat, idly spinning the wheel of her skateboard.

“Says the guy with cigarette breath.”

Billy laughed; he couldn’t argue there.

Between the radio and forgettable chatter, rides to school were far too loud for eight in the morning, but that was their thing. It was so different from how things used to be, they didn’t care. They liked it that way. Just an obnoxious guy and his more obnoxious step-sister having the time of their lives before something went wrong again, but that would be later’s problem.

Right now, Billy’s problem was pulling up to Sunny Oaks High School without giving himself away by sticking around so Mister Harrington, Max’s biology teacher, could wave hello. It happened once on the first Thursday—maybe he’d recognized Billy from the tour—and the flip in Billy’s stomach was familiar and far too strong. Mister Harrington was one handsome fellow indeed: tall and lean with the most gorgeous brown hair Billy had ever seen. It made his heart race and his face heat up, but that was something he just couldn’t fucking afford, so he got into the habit of letting his tires screech before the door even closed all the way.

It was a crush. One of those based purely on appearances, because he had yet to speak to Mister Harrington. He only heard from Max how much fun he was, that he explained things well and never gave pop quizzes. Apparently he was funny too, which definitely didn’t add to Billy’s narrow image of him in the slightest. Billy didn’t think about him telling some stupid taxonomy joke and laughing while the class watched with confused frowns, or chuckling to himself while grading papers when he came across a particularly wrong answer.

Billy would be over it by the next week.

Okay, by the next month.

Okay, after parent-teacher conferences, because then he would actually speak to Mister Harrington and learn of all the reasons why he was unattractive.

It should have been easy to wait outside the classroom by himself, reading a book to avoid the real parents with spouses and other kids and respectable jobs. It should have been easy to smile, introduce himself, shake a hand with the same charm he’d used since puberty started working in his favor, but Mister Harrington—damn him—made it so much harder. Up close, Billy noticed the moles dotting his cheek and chin and neck and arms—and, god, it was impossible.

Continue Reading on AO3

[chrisbitchtree]

The One Where Billy Saves The Day

Harringrove Week Day 3

Prompt - Stood Up

1.2k

***

Billy zipped his jacket up a bit higher, trying to fight the chilly wind and snow as he waited in line outside the Hawk for a ticket to see The Breakfast Club. He took a drag off his cigarette, trying to avoid being seen, because for one, he didn’t need anyone knowing that he was seeing The Breakfast Club, forget that this was actually his third time seeing it, and two, he didn’t want anyone to know he was alone on a Friday night.

He'd declined Tommy’s invitation to a party in the woods by the quarry so he could have some alone time. Some alone time with John Bender. He hadn’t been able to get him out of his head since he’d seen the movie the first time, two weeks prior, on a date with Angela. She’d tried making out with him, but he kept pushing her off, captivated by what he was seeing on the screen. Bender was not only smoking hot, but he also reminded Billy a lot of himself, and it was comforting.

Now though, just as Billy was about to get to the front of the line undetected by anyone at school, he noticed Harrington standing alone in front of the posters advertising upcoming releases. He had his arms wrapped around himself and a frown on his face, and if Billy wasn’t mistaken, there were tears running down his face. Unable to resist the other boy, against his better judgement, Billy left the line to walk over to him.

“Harrington, what’s up?” He said, sliding in next to Steve, bumping his shoulder with his own. He turned to the brunette, and yep, he was definitely crying.

Steve turned to him, trying to discretely wipe at his eyes. They’d been on better terms since their fight the previous November, sometimes sharing cigarettes while they waited for the kids outside the arcade or sharing a seat on the bus on the way to an away game, but Steve still eyed him warily. “What do you want, Hargrove?”

“Can’t a guy just check in on a pal?” Billy replied, trying sound jokey and casual, and not fully succeeding, his true concern bleeding through. He offered the other boy a cigarette, and Steve took it, a grateful if watery smile on his face. Once Billy had lit it, for him, he took a drag, letting out a little sigh.

“I feel stupid crying about it, but I’d asked out this girl from a couple towns over. She was supposed to meet me, but she never showed up. I was just looking forward to it, you know? I’ve been in a slump since Nancy ended things, and I thought this might be the beginning of my comeback.” The tears had started again as he spoke, and Billy resisted the urge to wipe them away for him.

“Remember Harrington, it’s like I said before, there’s plenty of bitches in the sea. Your time will come. For now though, any interest in seeing The Breakfast Club with little ol’ me? My treat.” He gave the other boy a wolfish grin, finally succeeding in making him laugh.

“Sure,” Steve said, shrugging as he took one last drag off his cigarette before stubbing it out. “It’s not like I’ve got anything better to do. Let me buy your ticket though. To thank you for being so unusually nice to me.”

“Nah,” Billy said in return. “If our first date goes well, you can treat me to fries and milkshakes at the diner late.” He threw in a wink to make it seem like a joke, even though there was nothing he could want more than to have Steve Harrington’s undivided attention for any length of time.

“So, what were you doing here anyway?” Harrington asked, turning to him as they got back in line.

“Uh, I was just walking by on my way to the record shop when I saw you looking so lonely. I couldn’t let you stand there and cry alone, now, could I?” Steve seemed to accept that, smiling at his words, and Billy let out a quiet sigh of relief.

They bought their tickets and entered the theatre, thankfully snagging two seats in the back row, Billy’s favourite place to sit. Steve seemed unsure of what to do with his arm, placing it on the arm rest between them, then in his lap, then crossing his arms.

“It’s ok, pretty boy, we can share.” Billy said, leaning into his space. Steve smelled nice, like fancy cologne, with a hint of soap underneath, mixed with something that was uniquely him. Billy wanted to bottle it, so he’d always have it, no matter where he went.

Steve nodded, bending his arm so he took up half the armrest. They watched the movie mostly in silence, looking at each other and laughing quietly at the funnier parts. Between Steve next to him and John Bender on the screen, Billy felt like he was floating on a cloud.

All too soon though, the movie was over, and the lights were coming back up as the credits rolled. They waited for the people beside them to file out, then made their way to the lobby as they chatted about their favourite parts.

Once they’d made it outside, Steve turned to him, fiddling with his car keys. “So, Hargrove, was I good enough date to be allowed the pleasure of taking you for those fries and a milkshake? I can drive.”

Billy nodded, grinning. “You’re not a half bad date, Harrington. You don’t try to talk to me through all the good parts, so I’ll allow it. Lead the way.”

When Steve turned the car on, Drive by The Cars was playing on the radio. Billy just about melted at the romance of it all. How had his night taken such a sharp turn that he’d ended up on a quasi-date with Steve Harrington?

They drove in silence, letting Ric Ocasek’s voice fill the car. When they got to the diner, they shared a cigarette, passing it back and forth, sparks shooting up Billy’s arm every time their fingers touched. They spent a couple hours at the diner, talking about anything and everything, enjoying the promised milkshakes and fries. Billy hoped that that stupid girl was a distant memory for Steve.

At some point, as they talked, Steve’s leg came to rest against Billy’s and he didn’t move it, letting his warm weight settle against Billy’s thigh. Billy was pretty sure he’d be ok if he died like that, pressed up against Steve Harrington.

Eventually though, since all good things come to an end, Steve glanced at his watch, realizing it was almost 1am, and telling Billy he’d better get him back to his car so they could each go home. They shared another cigarette before they got in the car, and when they were almost finished, Steve turned to him. “You know, Billy, I’m almost happy I was stood up. This was really fun. Maybe I could put that search for other bitches in the sea on hold for a while and we could do this again?”

Billy grinned so wide it felt like it might crack his face in half. “You know, pretty boy, I can be a pretty big bitch.”

Steve’s laughter in response to his comment was music to Billy’s ear.

[ihni]

AO3 FIRST LINES

Rules: Post the first lines of your last 10 fics posted to AO3 (Sort by date posted.) If you have less than 10 fics posted, post what you have!

tagged by @discodeviant and @weird-an, thank you!

All of these have been for @harringroveweek and @harringrove-flip-reverse-it btw, which has been amazingly fun and creative events!

~~~

Billy was already waiting by the mailbox when the postman came. (Mr. Peterson next door)

“This is going to be so awesome!” (Over the edge)

Neil Hargrove up and left his wife and his wife’s daughter four months after his son died in the mall fire. (Sharing clothes)

Hawkins is in mourning. (Memories)

The names Hargrove and Harrington were right after each other on Mrs. Wolfe’s list of students, and Mrs. Wolfe always paired everyone up alphabetically. (Pairing up)

The best thing about Billy’s best friend Heather was that she was fierce, loyal, protective, sassy and never shied back from speaking her mind. (Boys, Beards and Best Friends)

“Ow, ow, ow, what the fuck?” Steve hissed and tried to escape. (Pulling pigtails (no, not like that))

Steve swore under his breath as he lugged the heavy box up three flights of stairs. (Wanna stay for (a microwave) dinner?)

Billy had explicitly stated that he didn’t want a celebration. (The best gifts are the ones someone put some thought into)

The party was winding down. (Late night talk)

~~~

Tagging: @callieb @cherrydreamer @lazybakerart @mourntheantagonist @platypanthewriter @billyharringson and @robthegoodfellow

[bigdumbbambieyes]

AO3 FIRST LINES

Rules: Post the first lines of your last 10 fics posted to AO3 (Sort by date posted.) If you have less than 10 fics posted, post what you have!

tagged by @billyharringson & @robthegoodfellow 🤍

-------

“As always, there’s pain.” - within me, an invincible summer | Harringrove, M

“Most of the guests have left by now, and the ones that remain will let themselves out shortly, so Steve glances over at his boyfriend who’s rinsing out his beer cans at the kitchen sink.” - After Party | Harringrove, E

“He’d quietly watch Steve walk on by at school, pressing his lips together to hold back the words that desperately wanted to slip from them.” - (Forever) Valentine | Harringrove, T

“steve finds a piece of paper in his locker between classes.” - Pretty Words, Pretty Boy | Harringrove, T

“Billy hates the single white button-up he has in his closet. It’s too formal, too stiff, too much. He wore it to Neil and Susan’s shotgun wedding and hasn’t touched it since.” - tabula rasa | Cunningrove/Calicheer, T

“’I can’t be here long, but I had to see you before I left.’“ - Forget-Me-Nots | Harringrove, G

“It was never going to be easy. Billy knew that much.” - Midnight Runaway | Harringrove, E

“Well, there goes another one, Steve thinks with a sigh, his brows pinched and upturned.” - Season of the (Love) Witch | Harringrove, T

“Billy knew that the worst part about his anxiety was the way it made his stomach feel.” - Remedies | Harringrove, G

“Jesus fucking Christ.” - A Gentle Nudge | Hellcheer, G

----

i’m waaaaay too late with doing this so i’m sure a lot of people have already done it!! if you haven’t and want to, please tag me so i can see it! 🤍

[kaizenkhaos]

Little late again but Day 9 of Kinktober sees the boys discovering a kink which they seem to both enjoy. Might expand on this one day as it's one of the things I do think could be good fun to explore with them ^^

Day 9 (Praise Kink - Harringrove)

He's a good boy. That's what he'd told Billy the first night Billy had stayed over at his. Watched as the other teen's face had screwed up in frustration as Steve lay on his bed, staring up at those long curls. Those blue eyes which had then rested upon Steve's. Cursing him for saying such things when they were drunk and it was clear they both wanted to go further but couldn't. Because who knew where it would lead. Where it would end up and whether they'd perhaps regret it in the morning. For many a reason.

But now Billy had well and truly turned the tables. Several dates in. Several nights of fun and passion. And Steve was once again laying flat on his back, watching as those arms planted onto the wall and Billy leered down at him. Licking his lips and giving him that grin which made Steve's skin crawl. But in a great way, a real great eye. He didn't even need to look into a mirror to what his own expression was like. How his eyes had diluted as Billy had slowly stripped. One by one, each item of clothing carefully taken off. The buttons painfully slow, the zip almost making Steve sweat. All the while Billy muttering those two words back at him. The words which he knew was definitely a throw back. He was getting to know Billy well enough to know that the teen didn't forget stuff earlier. It was all stored up there, with lyrics to Metallica and his various insults that he liked to fling in the directions of people that displeased him.

Billy wasn't quite how Steve had thought he was now he was seeing past the veil, but it seemed like the feeling was mutual on that front. Billy also seemed surprised by some of the things Steve did. Like the way he was so careful with his scars. How he always asked how his day had been. When he cooked and actually managed to make some different things other than his usual lasagna.

It seemed like both of them were full of surprises. But this, well, this had been hinted at from the start.

But maybe they'd underestimated how much they'd both be into it. Just a little.

[billys-spliff]

Fic Ideas Based on Songs Pt. 1

Degrassi High (1989-1991)

Eighties (1985) -> Music Video

Caitlin x Claude [do they even have a ship name?]

- Canon change where Claude didn't abandon Caitlin at the factory.

Their vandalism didn't do much as it was quickly cleaned off, but the activists have more ideas. While it's not the first time Caitlin has published something underground, it's finally time to create Degrassi High's first zine!

Clean (1990) -> Music Video

- Canon change where Claude's suicide method was via cutting and not gunshot.

Snake finds him in time to stop the bleeding before it's too late. Snake and Claude become friends. When things become bad again, Snake tries his best to help his friend with his self harm issues.

Stranger Things (2016-present)

Disclaimer: I wasn't caught up at the time of writing these

Leave in Silence (1982) -> Music Video

- Billy leaves home after a particularly tumultuous encounter with Neil.

Lie to Me (1984) -> Live Performance

Harringrove

- Billy's known for pumping and dumping, but his focus has been on Steve for longer than expected. Steve tries to cope with his new seemingly one-sided crush.

People Are People (1984) -> Music Video

Harringrove

- Steve wants to understand why Billy hates him so much.

A Question of Time (1986) -> Music Video

Billy x gn! reader

- Billy's the new kid, meaning all of the attention is on him. However, the addition of another new kid causes his plans to change: the cute new kid needs protecting. (Do they really though?)

Stripped (1986) -> Music Video

- You've never seen Billy cry before. Not until he told you the real reason behind all the bruises.

Here Is the House (1986) -> Live Performance (acoustic version) [Martin's live version is what made me like the song tbh]

- El struggles with knowing how to help Max after seeing her and Billy's past memories.

Dressed in Black (1986) -> Live Performance [why am I only just now seeing this omg]

- Billy x tradgoth!* reader

Billy looked on in awe when he saw you without makeup on for the first time.

*at the time it wasn't called goth but you know what I mean. Also the traditional label obviously isn't necessary in an 80s context either but I was just trying to ensure time-period accuracy bc I'm annoying

Never Let Me Down Again (1987) -> Music Video

Harringrove

- Steve was abandoned by his so-called "friends" Tommy and Carol at a house party after overdosing on cocaine. On his way to the bathroom, Billy happens to find Steve lying down alone in a bedroom. Recognizing the signs of overdose, Billy helps him out and saves punishing Tommy and Carol for a later date.

[claracivry]

Hello Clara! I've got a little question for you, since I'm very curious about it: what do you think of Eddie and Steve as a couple? Do you like them together? just wondering, I swear I come in peace, too many people fighting over silly stuff like this lately, I feel the need to clarify ahahahah

ps: I love your whump fics by the way, I had to tell you!!

Hi, anon!!

I'm glad you like my whump fics!! It's my favourite genre and brings me so much joy, I'm glad there's other people enjoying it :)

Now, my thoughts on Steddie 😬 I come in peace too! Please don't shoot! I hope I don't get cancelled and lose all of my readers but. When I first saw the show, I didn't see it. As a metalhead who doesn't date, I saw Eddie and was like "hell yeah why be into boys or girls when you can be into heavy metal 🤘🤘🤘🤘"

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with the ship, but there's something about the shipping community that bothers me, is almost aggressive? Like going "if you don't like this ship you're either blind or homophobic!!!" is something that I profoundly dislike, like it's okay to have your ships but don't step on other people?? I think the fact that you have to say "I come in peace" in this message perfectly illustrates that. There's a lot of discourse and I hate discourse so so much. So yeah, that bothers me.

If you read me, you probably see that I love gen more than any ship. I wrote that much about umbrella academy because it was a bunch of siblings and ships were never central to the story or the fics. I sometimes love a very popular ship (Geralt and Jaskier in the Witcher) and other times I don't see it/ship it (Johnlock from way back in superwholock times). Is very rare for me to get reeeeally into a ship, so when the whole majority of fics is eaten by ships, it kinda bothers me, too.

And this was a thing before Eddie in this fandom, too! I would go to try and find some Jonathan whump and it would be all Harringrove where Jonathan was mentioned in one line. If all the whump fics are about feelings and romance Imma be pissed, I can tell you that. And this happens a lot with Steddie, I will see a promising fic about Eddie being sick and it'll be all couples fluff and romantic feelings. Does everything have to be romantic?

Also, I am a little petty bitch. Seeing gen fics getting two kudos and something very similar get two hundred because it has Steddie bothers me. I don't think it's fair. And again, the discourse, like you said, the fighting, is annoying. We write content because we want to have fun, right? It's not supposed to be a lesson in morality, Jesus. (That's why I love rarepairs, there's usually zero discourse)

Without all the drama, I think Steve and Eddie could be cute. I like the notion of Steve never having thought of boys in that way but being unable to tear his eyes off Eddie. I like the poor guy x rich guy thing, and how they could idk explore what each other's lives have been like. And let's face it, they're hot. They're friendly. Could be nice but sadly, the whole... vibe around it just bothers me.

And also, the fact that there's so little whump without Steddie. Like I said, petty little bitch.

So yeah, them as couple? I don't ship it, but the couple is cute. But the actual shipping community has ruined it a bit for me. If there's anyone out there who feels this way too, I would love to chat!

Thanks for asking, hope you don't mind my long and non-shippy answer! And I sure hope people continue to read me despite this :/

Clara out ;)

[neonponders]

Saw you were looking for some harringrove prompts so hello 👋 idk if you have talked about this before but who goes in for the first kiss? I always think it would be Steve because Billy has been so forced to repress and avoid his feelings for boys in order to stay safe but also I think it’s so hot when Billy is unabashedly all over steve always

I think it would be Steve too haha I think Billy would be all eyes, words, hands, like everything BUT just laying a damn smooch on this poor boy.

Steve twirls-his-beloved-in-the-school-hallway Harrington is the perfect pairing for Billy because he's like the same....but opposite. Billy might talk and talk and talk but Steve is ACTION. Steve has smooched him and sauntered down the hall before Billy has even realized he stopped breathing four minutes ago.

Steve twirls an ice scraper in his hand on his way over to the Camaro because somehow Hargrove drove to school with frosted windows (I can't imagine Great Lakes areas having snow days, rip). Which means Billy finishes the day and walks outside to find all of his windows scraped clear of ice.

Steve's the one manhandling Billy by his mouth and rear jeans pockets into empty bathrooms during class, kissing Billy like he's a dying man and Billy's got the elixir of life.

And Steve's the one doing the scary things like breaking into his house because Billy was late for a date and Steve's not leaving until he knows Billy is safe and gets told by Billy's own mouth that Steve should go home.

Steve doesn't go home. Steve's the one with a bat full of nails.

Maybe I like scary Steve 🤝 romantic Steve.

.

Send me Harringrove thoughts, prompts, comments, etc. <3

[cherrydreamer]

Been looking at RadBadgesUK on Etsy, one of my favourite places to get queer badges (plus a load of other awesome activist ones) and of COURSE my mind went Harringrove-y too, because that's me now.

So please excuse the slight advertisement for a wonderful business.

But just imagine Robin and Steve and Billy living somewhere they can be a bit more out and proud. Maybe Steve hasn’t quite worked out that those warm, tingly feelings he has for Billy go beyond friendship, so naturally Robin has to have one of these pins in her collection:

And of course Steve can’t resist buying this one for her when he spots it in a basket on the counter of a cute little shop in their new neighborhood...

And then after a little bit, after a few stoned chats with Robin and a few drunken kisses with Billy and a few late night realisations, Steve comes back to their apartment with this one pinned to his windbreaker...

And Robin smiles at him, thinking he’s just being a good ally again, but then she looks a little closer, and finds he’s added a couple more to his collection too...

Cue hugging and squealing and lots more bi pride gifts from Robin and then eventually Steve gets another badge.  

THIS one...

Which Billy hands over after they’ve been dating for a few months. He’s all awkward about it too, pretty much just shoving it into Steve’s hand with a mumble while blushing the whole time. Steve has to read it a couple of times before the meaning clicks, and then he’s grinning so big and bright and pinning it right under his ‘Bi Pride’ badge, but not before he pulls Billy in for a long, heated kiss and a whispered suggestion that has him blushing even more.

And then there's Billy's collection (TW for f-slur, used in a reclaimed context under the cut)

He has more, of course. Lots of anarchist and anti-racism ones and even a few feminist ones that Robin ran out of room for. But these two are his favourites.

The first one was a present from Steve, he picked it up when he got Robin’s maple syrup one . Billy can't quite articulate why he treasures it so much. It's more than it just being a gift from Steve, it's something about the attitude, the way it's so him, they way Steve understood him so well even before they were together, back when they were just friends, flung together through crazy circumstances and cheap apartments and a shared desire to get away from a stifling small town. 

The second one Billy buys for himself, he had to have it as soon as he saw it, and he makes damn sure that he’s wearing it whenever he goes back to Hawkins to check on Max.  He rocks up to Cherry Lane flanked by Steve and Robin and with that badge pinned to the collar of his jacket, right where Neil’s hands have grabbed him so many times before. And Billy’s still nervous every time. Terrified. But Steve kisses him right before they get out of the car, and he squeezes Billy’s hand as they walk up the path, and he whispers, ‘You’ve got this. I love you.’ and then taps on the badge just as they reach the door, and that’s all Billy needs to give him the confidence to knock.