#vibe check au harringrove

[shieldofiron]

Vibe Check

Part 1, Also on Ao3 here and tumblr here

Parties suspend all the regular rules. Girls who are sworn enemies stumble out of the bathroom arm in arm, giggling. Steve catches a glimpse of Nancy Wheeler making a drink for Heather Holloway and he was pretty sure they hated each other.

"It's the vibes," Argyle says.

"Theta House parties are just the best," Eddie shrugs, "can't help that we're the best."

But at the moment, Steve is trying to imagine how he's going to feel about this the next day.

"I lost fair and square, Harrington," Billy's voice sounds like a sawed off shotgun. And it's true, he did lose beer pong. But Steve can't quite connect in his mind how they got from there to here, tequila pooling in his belly button, lime in his mouth. Billy's supposedly the loser in this situation, right? So why are Billy's eyes sparkling.

Chrissy shakes salt down Steve's chest, and he knows he's gonna be sticky tomorrow.

Billy rests his hands on Steve's hips, and his thighs spread automatically, triggering cheers from their audience. The pong table sways beneath them, or maybe that's the shot Steve took earlier, the one Billy fed him while cooing.

Billy slots between his thighs, and Steve's chest tighetens.

The tequila is warm, but Billy's mouth is hot, tongue digging into Steve's belly button, sliding up along the path of salt that Chrissy made. Steve closes his eyes against the swaying spinning room when their lips meet around the lime, and Billy sucks, pulling it into his own mouth and lingering, lips just touching the edges of Steve's open, panting mouth. He pulls back, something unreadable on his face, his hands still stroking the skin on Steve's hips.

He pulls the lime free and turns back to his audience, rousing a cheer from the crowd. For a moment Steve feels kind of panicked, cold and bereft suddenly, but Billy grabs his hand, pulling him up to sitting.

"Ready for another round, Harrington?" Billy's eyes sparkle, and his thumb brushes the back of Steve's hand, setting off sparks. "Maybe I'll win, this time."

It's just the vibes, the party atmosphere, that has Steve nodding along. He wants to spread Billy out on the table and do a shot off of those perfect abs. You know. For the vibes.

---

Thanks to everyone who fed my frat boy obsession but especially @ginandtonic714 for telling me about frat boys doing shots off each other's bodies.

[camaro-and-smokes]

Bookmark rec

Thank you @ihni for coming up with this idea and tagging me :)

Rules: Pick (at least) ten fics from your AO3 bookmarks, and post them with links and a note of why you like them or why you picked them (alt. your bookmark comment). Then, as tradition goes, tag ten people. Or something, whatever, I'm not your boss.

So here's my list. I'm horrible in describing WHY I particularly like something because I hate analysing fanfics. But I can assure you that each and every one on this list has risen tons of emotions in me. Happiness, sadness, compassion, pain and so on - all that good stuff. And my god HOW MANY AMAZING FICS I HAD TO LEAVE OUT!!! Check out my whole bookmark list for more.

-----

come a little closer (i want you to stay a while) by hazel1706 (12k / Harringrove/son-ish) I honestly don't know what to say about this fic. Not because it's bland but because I've read this...*checks history*... 30 TIMES OVER THE LAST 7 MONTHS. They wrote this for me as a gift in Harringrove Holiday Exchange 2022 and I've never read anything that matches what I like to read/write so perfectly as this fic does. There's pining and there's lemon and so many things going on inside the heads of the characters and and and... Mostly Harringrove with Harringroveson undertones + genderqueer Billy. It has everything I love and need and it's perfection. 💜

The Flatshare by CallieB (47k / Harringrove) Billy moves in with Steve and there's only one bed. But they haven't even met. The idea is so intriguing and unique that it just drew me in immediately.

First to Burn by boltblum (76k / Harringrove) Au where Billy moves nextdoor to Steve, and they grow up as friends. I'm bad in reading long fics bc I can't concentrate but this one kept me hooked throughout. And in the end made me sob uncontrollably.

Cherry by LazyBaker (58k / Harringrove) Billy has gender issues. That right there is like catnip for me, can't help it.

Hands Off the Merchandise by mounrtheantagonist (3,6k / Harringrove) This was the first fic I read that had Billy in lingerie in it. A new kink (men in lingerie) has never been unlocked so quickly as what it did when I read this.

love me the way you love water by lutes_and_dandelions (23k / Harringrove) Six chapters of pining. No other explanation needed.

Shit-faced by SunshineWarrior (8,3k / Harringrove) I'm a sucker for drunk confessions. And this is all about those.

Running scared by Thei @ihni (1,9k / Billy Hargrove) An embarrassing confession coming up in three, two, one: I love Transformers. *Hey! We don't always choose what we love, okay?* So, this has those vibes and I absolutely love this fic.

If I only Told You by CrossedQuills (68k /Harringroveson) Just. Amazing. I think I've read this too at least twice if not more.

within me, an invincible summer by bigdumbbambieyes (48k [WIP] ( Harringrove) This is just incredible. Billy wakes up after Starcourt with a new heart. So many painful and lovely things in this one.

And one extra because I just can't leave this out:

Like Magnets by Pondermoniums (53k [WIP] / Harringrove, Hellcheer) What if Steve and Billy had teeniest tiniest chibi dobbelgangers... This is so cute in so many levels that you have to read it to understand.

Who to tag... No pressure: @destroya2005 @discodeviant @disdaidal @lovebillyhargrove @shieldofiron @spaceofentropy @dragonflylady77 and anyone else who wants to share!!!

[jellyfishloveletterghosts]

Check out the gifts I was gifted in the last two Harringrove Holliiday exchanges and give them some love.

I'm down on the daydream (that sleepwalk should be over by now) - Some lovely post season 3 soft Boys learning each other.

Travel Companion by Antarc - This one is a whole beautiful vibe featuring courtship in a magical world.

And because I'm not above a lil self promotion on occasion, the two gifts I made for my recipients the last two as well.

Care and Feeding - werewolf Billy comes to town and sets his sights on Steve.

Everything I Do Is To Bring Me Closer To You - royalty au with Magic and childhood friends to lovers.

[klayr-de-gall]

“Shut the fucking door, dipshit!“

Next Chapter is out!

I would say, being sexually confused and flustered might not work out for Steve here today. But who knows~

[Masterpost]

[ghostlynimbus00]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Let’s spread the self-love 💖

AH thank you for thinking of me and including me!

When I was planning how to answer this I was like pretty sure I only have like 5 fics so I figured I'd just choose all of them, but I just checked and I have 15 fics? When did that happen??

Anyways...

Unconventional (Haikyuu!!, Asatananoya, E, Soulmate AU, Complete) This fic is old and I dont like a lot of the writing at this point, but it was my first really big project and it will probably always hold a fond place in my memories because of that.

What Happened to Draco Malfoy (Harry Potter, Drarry, E, A/B/O, Complete) This one is another older fic of mine, but it is by far my most popular. I also got married while I was working on this fic and people still leave comments on it congratulating me on the wedding and that makes me really happy.

Cinnamon Spice (Stranger Things, Harringrove, M, A/B/O, 1/?) Even though I've only posted one chapter of this so far I like this idea a lot and I'm having a lot of fun working on the next chapters. I love A/B/O and this one is just a (relatively) straightforward exploration of that. Hopefully with lots of hurt/comfort (emphasis on the comfort) and found family vibes.

It's Not The Sky I'm Asking For (Stranger Things, Harringrove, M, A/B/O 1850s Homesteader AU, 1/?) I'm having a lot of fun with this one, its a setting/AU that I think is fun.

Words Unspoken (Stranger Things, Harringrove, M, Mute!Billy AU, 6/18) I'm having a lot of fun exploring this idea, and the structure/method of this fic is different than things i've done in the past and that's been an interesting writing exercise.

[yikesharringrove]

Happy Trans Billy Week!

Day 3: Bakery/Chef!au

@transbillyhargrove @blurbwitch

Harringrove

-

BIlly is ftm, Stevie is mtf

-

“At least just try her stuff. She’s really good!”

Robin was trying to sell Billy on her friend, again.

He had been working his ass off opening this cafe, had been interviewing professional bakers around the city for it. And Robin wanted him to hire her friend. Who baked for fun.

“And she’ll work in house! You would just have to pay her a salary, not give her a cut of everything sold.” Billy rolled his eyes.

“But then I would have to buy all the shit for her to bake everything.”

“But you’ll make bank on her stuff. She makes these little doughnut things, but they’re double fried and made with like, puff pastry.

“So not a doughnut at all.” She slapped his chest.

“Fuck you. People would pay like, five whole dollars for one ‘a those. At least just try.”

“Fine. Have her bring me some samples of stuff on Monday. I want cookies, coffee cakes, specialty pastries, crossiants, and whatever that not-doughnut thing is.” Robin grinned at him.

-

Robin came in on Monday trying to awkwardly bring a giant box into the cafe.

“Stevie couldn’t make it. She had a doctor’s appointment or something. But anyway, here’s what you asked for.” She placed it down on a table, pointing at everything.

“So she made chocolate chip cookies, gingersnaps, snickerdoodles, and teas cookies, croissants, coffee cake, carrot cake, chese cake, that doughnutty-thing, actual doughnuts, brownies and lemon bars. I think she didn’t sleep for like, four days.”

Billy was impressed. It was a good spread.

“She also made me bring a loaf of sourdough in case you’re doing like, toast stuff. I said you weren’t, but I think she feels bad for not being here.”

They tried everything.

And unfortunately, is was all fucking delicious.

“Fine. She’s fucking hired.” Billy made a list of everything he wanted to sell, thought maybe the delicious not-doughnuts could be a bit of a speicality, new flavors every week. “I’ll need a comprehensive list of ingredients, and she’ll probably have to check out the set up we got here.”

Billy hadn’t really wanted an in-house baker, but he hadn’t ripped out the ovens, proving drawers, coolers and counters in the back, so he supposed it would work out okay.

“And tell her I want an in person meeting within the next few days.”

-

Billy was scrubbing out one of the ovens in the back when he heard the bell above the door.

“Sorry, we’re closed,” He called.

“Um, I’m Stevie Harrington? I’m Robin’s baker friend? You said I should come see the space?” Billy got up with a groan, stretching until his back popped.

“You tellin’ me, or askin’.” He pushed open the back door, smirking at the girl standing on the other side of his counter. She was tall, had much fucking dark hair, falling almost to her ass and big round eyes.

“Telling. I’m sorry I couldn’t be here yesterday. That appointment was important. Billy shrugged. “I have a list of ingredients for you. I figured how many of each item per day, and broke it up into waht I would need weekly and monthly, since I don’t know how you’re planning on ordering everything.” Billy nodded at the neat handwriting.

“Your stuff was good. I was thinking for those double fried things, we could do a new flavor every week. Make them a bit of a specialty.” Her cheeks went a little pink.

“Thank you. I’m so glad you liked everything, and decidded to give me this opportunity.” He smiled at her.

“You’re talented. Come see what I got.” She followed him to the back, her eyes going wide as she looked at the industrial ovens. “This place was a bakery, so we’ve got everything you should need.” The old owner had passed away, didn’t have anyone to leave the bakery to.

“Oh, this is perfect. When’s opening?”

“We’re four weeks out. I was planning on ripping all this out, so it has to be cleaned, but everything else is ahead of schedule.” Stevie opened an oven, peerinf inside.

“They’re not too gross. The old owners tool good care of everything.” She took of her jacket, was left just in her pretty dark blue dress. “I’ll help you clean.” She smiled at him as she took the cleaning supplies from him, getting to work scrubbing down the oven.

Billy played some music as they worked, chatting lightly to one another.

“So, how’d you end up in Seattle?” Billy had shot straight up here after graduating hisgh school, didn’t want to leave the west coast, but wanted to go somewhere different. Stevie had mentioned being from a small town in the midwest.

“Just kinda needed a fresh start. Robin and I moved out here together about six years ago, now. She went to University of Washington, and I jsut wanted to live somewhere interesting for once. Plus, it’s just better for me here.” Billy nodded.

“Me too.” She smiled at him. She had put her dark hair into a messy bun to keep it out of her face, and Billy had gotten her an apron to keep her dress neat.

“What made you want to open a cafe?”

“Well, I mean, it’s Seattle.” She laughed. “But I also just liked the idea of running my own business. Building something from the ground up. And I like the vibe of cafes. They’re just in between places. You can come alone and just hang out.”  Billy had gotten many comfortable mis-matched chairs and placed them amoungst the tables and chairs. He wasnted it to be cozy. He had bookshelves on one wall, thought he could even have a take-a-book-leave-a-book kinda thing goin’ on.

“I think that’s really nice.”

-

Stevie started coming over everyday to help him clean out the kitchen. Somteims she would drag Robin, but more often than not, it was just the two of them, scrubbing everything out, listening to music and talking about random things.

But one day Stevie didn’t come in, didn’t call Billy to let him know, didn’t send Robin with a message.

Billy thought he was frustrated that his employee was missing, but really, he was just worried.

She looked tired the next day when she came in, her hair up in a messy ponytail, was wearing baggy jeans and a sweatshirt.

“I’m so sorry. I promise that will not happen again.” She had gotten right to work.

“Look, I don’t mind if you need personal days, just call me. Let me know.” She nodded at him, her eyes were bright. “Are you okay?” Her lip trembled.

“I’m sorry. I just, sometimes I have such bad days, and I can’t stand to look at myself, and I don’t want anyone else to look at me. And you’re always so nice to me, and I, I didn’t want you looking at me with your pretty eyes. I knew I would fucking fall apart.”

She was kneeling on the floor, fucking crying as she scrubbed at the proving drawer. Her make up was beginning to run just a bit.

Billy grabbed a fw paper towels, sitting down next to her.

“You wanna talk about it?” She shook her head.

“You wouldn’t understand.”

“Try me.” She wiped at her esys, smudging the dark makeup underneath. He took the paper towel from her hands, wiping up streaked makeup.

He was staring into her big dark eyes, noticed the soft honey gold in them, the forest green.

“Is it okay if I kissed you?” Her gaze dropped to his lips.

“Yeah,” she breathed.

Billy leaned in, kissing her softly, keeping it slow and chaste.

He pulled back, dabbing at her eyes again.

“I’ve wanted to do that for a while. I’m sorry, that probably wasn’t the best timing, I just, I really like you.” Her lip trembled.

“The reason, the reason I was feeling so bad yesterday was, was because everytime I speak to my parents on the phone, they call me their son.” She swallowed hard.

“The last time I spoke to my dad, he called me his ungrateful bitch of a daughter. I get it, Stevie. I really do.” Stevie whimpered, another tear slipping out.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t, didn’t know if I could tell you.” He smiled at her, wiping her eyes one last time, kissing her cheek.

“That’s okay. You don’t have to tell anyone anything.” She gave a watery laugh.

“Thank you, for being kind to me.”

“You’re a good person, Stevie. You deserve kindness.” She smiled at him, pulling back to take a deep breath. “And I meant what I said. I really like you. I’d like to take you on a date, if that’s okay.”

She nodded vigorously, ponytail bouncing.

“Oh, yeah! I had the biggest crush on you since I walked in here. I mean, Robin’s been trying to set us up for like, months.” BIlly raised one eyebrow, giving her a lopsided smile.

“Are you serious? Is that why she was so insistent on me trying your stuff?”

“Well, and that fact that I’m a damn good baker.” He laughed. She was grinning as she moved back to scrubbing the drawer. “She’s gonna be so smug. I can already hear her. Stevie, I TOLD you that you would love him. He’s JUST yout type.” Billy grinned iwder.

“And what is your type?”

“Beefy assholes that’re way smarter than me.”

[the-closested-bisexual-himbo]

Okay take a moment to appreciate the perfectiooooon of this song and really all of theirs (“Rebounder”) and “Harmless” songs on there this playlist for Harringrove I made and pinned for yall slaps YALL are just mean 😪

If nothing else just check these out

PLEASE LIKE I FOUND SOME GOODIES WTAF!?!? Also the song “you’re killing me” is Billy’s fuckin angst life song AHHH YALL PLS CHECK OUT MY PLAYLIST FOR THEMMM ITS GOT ALL THE FEELS FOR THEIR LIVES SEPARATELY, TOGETHER, EVERY AUs/CONCEPT YOU CAN THINK OF FUUUCK!!!! Wi-will ya pls just-*points to playlist post*

IM NOT SENSITIVE YOUUU ARE!!!!!

“oh you don’t like that? OR DO YOU JUST NOT LIKE MEEE!?!??!?!!!” Okay, FUCKIN FIGHT ME THEN!!!!!!

WHAT MORE DO YALL WANT FROM MEEEE!?!???!!!?!

I tried I fuckin tried giving you my best but you didn’t want iiit

The only like my playlist got is from a bot I was so happy and then 😑…. Time to spiral. I hope you’re happy.

So like I don’t know like ugh… pls check out the playlist or like whatever man 😣🤷🏻I’m not gonna cry about it in my room.

[shieldofiron]

Vibe Check Part 3: Quid Pro Bro

The Frat Boy Au, Part 3

Read Previous on Ao3 or tumblr.

Steve wakes almost falling out of a chair.

He blinks, looking around the empty lecture hall and then finally looking up at the girl who’s still shaking him.

“Hey, yo, I’m up, I’m awake!” He wriggled out of her iron grip.

“You have to leave.”

“When did I pass out?”

The girl scoffs rolling her eyes hard, “Like halfway through the lecture, dingus. You snore, by the way.”

“I do not!” He snapped. Billy’s never said anything, and they’d roomed together all of last year.

“Oh yeah,” she nodded, crossing her arms. “Drool too.”

Steve just began to gather his books, “Why are you even here? Just let me drool.”

“I’m the TA,” She smirked. “And I didn’t want to be caught grading your absolutely half baked paper.”

“Yeah,” he smirked right back, giving her a little of the patented Harrington sparkle. “A likely excuse.”

She just huffs, heading back to the front of the room and gathering some papers, “you try to help a guy.”

“Want me to walk you home?” He glanced at his watch. “Kinda late.”

“I live off campus.”

“Your car, then.”

She blinks at him, “you’re not getting in my pants.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m gay.”

“And I’m just offering a walk home,” Steve shook his head, “you try to help a girl.”

She pauses, “you’re serious. You don’t have to do that.”

He nods, “yeah I am, dude, it’s like 9 pm. I’m not gonna let you walk home alone.”

She’s pretty, short hair sort of messy around her freckled face, which morphs slowly from a scowl into a more confused expression.

“Okay, I guess.”

“You thought I would just leave you in the lurch?”

“Not-“ She just laughs and shakes her head. “Fine, dingus. Prove to me that frat boys aren’t all the same.”

“We’re not!”

“Your taking a nap during the lecture non withstanding. Like it wasn’t even during a film day.”

Steve massaged the back of his neck, “My neighbor at the house has this girlfriend, she’s like a banshee. We didn’t sleep at all last night.”

She swung a multicolored patchwork tote bag onto her shoulder, “Can’t you just outbang him? Fight fire with fire?”

Steve’s brows rose as he scrambled to shove his notes into his backpack. “Whoah, I didn’t expect you to say that!”

She giggles, “I’m a TA not a nun.”

“Fair enough. How do you get to be a TA anyway?” He holds open the heavy metal door as she sails past, her tote bag hitting him hard in the solar plexus as she did.

“Sorry,” She says. “You take enough of Herman’s classes that he starts to remember your face. It’s a blessing and a curse, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. And the pay is dismal.”

“You get paid too?” He followed her down the hallway and out into the brisk fall air.

“I thought frat boys had all the money for keg parties and togas and house dues and lawsuits…”

“Not all of us,” He scoffs, as if he isn’t absolutely the exact type of guy she’s talking about. “It’s always good to let the brothers know about stuff like this.”

She rolls her eyes, “I can’t believe you actually talk like that.”

“What? Brothers?”

“Yeah,” she raises one shoulder. “Isn’t your boyfriend one of your brothers? Isn’t that a bit creepy?”

At first he thinks it’s the fall wind. That whooshing sound.

“What?” He realizes he’s frozen, locked to the spot in his adidas slides, staring at a tree rather than her.

“Oh,” She falters in her skipping. “Did you two break up?”

“Who are you talking about?”

“Uh, I don’t really know his name but he used to walk you to class last semester for Women in Film? Blonde guy with the curls? He has an embarrassing and frankly dated 80s thing going on?” She blinks at him. “God, you did break up. I’m so sorry, Steve.”

“How… wh… we’re not boyfriends,” he finally manages to stutter after a few seconds of autumn-chilled silence.

“Oh,” Her expression morphs into pity and it’s fucking awful. “I get it.”

“No, no I… we’re not like that at all. Billy and I are roommates. We’re…” he couldn’t bring himself to say brothers, his mind still scrambled. “Friends.”

“Oh.” She tips her chin down. “Sorry. My mistake.”

After another stilted second, they start to walk again with purpose towards the parking garage.

But she keeps sort of glancing over at him. Like she’s checking.

“We’re just friends,” He repeats after a moment.

“Got it.”

“Nothing going on there.”

“Okay.”

“And we’re straight.”

“Interesting how that came up last.”

“I’m fucking serious. We’re just friends.”

“Got it. Broken gaydar. It happens,” She shrugs, and he tries to do it too. Just like… no big deal.

But he can’t seem to stop wanting to say it. They’re just friends. How could anyone read them as anything else.

The more he thinks about it the funnier it seems. Of course nothing is going on, it’s so crazy that she thought so. He’ll have to tell Billy, even though the idea makes him feel like he has a nest of angry scorpions in his stomach.

Finally, they turn sharply for the nearest dorm, just past the garage near the theatre building.

“I thought you said you lived off campus.”

“I thought you might be a serial killer. I don’t know which one of us is more disappointed.”

He laughed through his choked throat. “I’m Steve, by the way.”

“I know. You’re Steve ‘the Hair’ Harrington. You’re the party chair for Theta House and you’re like,” she puts on a silly high voice, “so cute.”

“And straight.”

“And straight, that too,” she giggles a little nervously. “I’m Robin Buckley. We’ve had classes together for two years.”

He rocks back on his heels, “you did the John Waters short for Dr Casey’s class. That shit was legit.”

“That’s me,” She smiled, “sorry about confusing you and you’re friend earlier. You’re just so… anyway. See you next time.”

“See you next time, Robin,” He says.

The whole way back to the house he can’t shake the feeling. Like a leaf blowing on the back of his leg he’s jumpy, sure he’s feeling spiders and skeletons.

He whips out his phone and dials the first number he can think of. Surely it will all just seem like a joke tomorrow. A harmless mistake.

“Hey,” Billy picks up on the second ring.

And it’s like all the words in the world have dried up in his throat and he can’t speak for the corpses. He just makes a little aborted wheeze.

“Stevie? What’s up?” Billy asks.

“D-do… do I snore?” He asks, not even sure where that came from.

“A little. But it’s cute. Why, is some girl giving you grief?”

Steve is so nervous he just up and disconnects the call. The wind blows at the name of his neck and his whole body breaks out in goosebumps.

[shieldofiron]

Vibe Check

The Frat Boy Au, Part 2 - Rated M for UST

Read Part 1 on Ao3 or tumblr.

Billy missed this view. Their room is still only half unpacked, a wreck after they'd stumbled in after the first week of school party, but it has the most important thing in it.

Harrington is asleep, body flung across his bed, his shitty blue comforter bunched around his waist. The early morning light is slanted across mole studded skin, and his long dark lashes flutter.

As do the butterflies in Billy's stomach.

He reaches out with itchy fingers, flinging the comforter up and catching a tantalizing glimpse of Steve's ass in the light as he straddles Steve.

He smacks it lightly, playing Harrington's ass like bongos, hot under the collar when Harrington yelps, jolting for a second up into Billy's hand. He can't really resist grabbing hard, leaving a handprint behind when he has to pull back to avoid Harrington's swinging arm.

"What the fuck asshole?" Harrington pulls the comforter over himself like a chick in a bad romantic comedy, holding it over his tits.

"Wake up, Pretty Boy, we're gonna miss breakfast!"

"I'm hungover as fuck, I'm not going to breakfast!" Harrington flops back to the bed. "Did you hear that screaming last night?"

Billy grins, "Looks like Eddie's mystery girl stuck around."

Steve groaned, "I have to find my earplugs. Last year she kept me up practically every night"

Billy wagged his tongue for a second, "Come on pretty boy, get up, they're making the breakfast burritos you like downstairs. Plus we can see if after a YEAR of dating Eddie finally has the balls to bring his girl to breakfast."

Harrington just covered his face with his arm, "Give me 10 minutes. God, you're such a freak."

"I'll save you a seat," Billy threw his favorite letters over his head, snuggling into the sweatshirt's warmth. "Missed you over the summer, Pretty Boy."

"Missed you, dickwad. You better save me a seat."

Billy nodded, catching another glimpse out of the corner of his eye as Harrington threw off the covers and sat up. But he headed out swiftly, a spring in his step that had been missing all summer, even though he was back in Indiana, aka God's armpit, rather then lounging at Argyle's parents beach house.

Speak of the Devil.

"Ay, brochacho," Argyle threw his arm around Billy's shoulder. "How's the plans for pledge week going?"

"Ask me when I'm not hungover as fuck, Prez," Billy rolled his eyes.

"Yeah," Eden is lounging in the doorway, already looking meticulous in dark lipstick and a full outfit. "Didn't you see how many body shots he took off of Steve?"

Billy just stuck out his tongue at her, getting a certain finger in response.

Argyle snakes an arm around her waist and tows them both forward, "Play nice. C'mon, lets get something to munch on, I'm starving."

The house is lowkey a wreck, even the dining room. Billy can vaguely hear Jason Carver whining down the table that they ought to clean up before the house cleaners got here Monday, just to show house pride. Before Eddie shoves the business end of a burrito in Carver's mouth, grinning when Carver sputters and spits. There's no sign of the screamer that haunts Eddie and Carver's room next door, only the two of them pissing each other off while joined at the hip.

The table's filling up fast, and there's more than one friend or girlfriend or hook up sitting while a brother stands.

"You better be sitting there to save it for me, dick," A whisper shimmers across Billy's skin, and he doesn't have to turn to see that it's Harrington. He knows him by the mint of his mouthwash, by the smell of his hair product, by...

Billy turns and smacks his own lap, "Best seat in the house, princess."

Patrick's girlfriend Chrissy titters nervously on Billy's other side when Steve just huffs in response, his free hand fisting at his side.

"Come on, Pretty Boy," Billy rubs his thigh, "Saved it for you."

Steve slams down hard, clearly intending it to hurt. But Billy doesn't mind, gets a hint of that hair product and mint mixed with the party grime of the night before, hidden under a freshly laundered polo.

Billy snakes a hand around to Steve's stomach, almost laughing himself when Harrington's abs flex under his hand. He wonders if he was puking up in their bathroom. He wonders if Harrington was making use of that morning wood that Billy caught a glimpse of.

He has to take a deep breath of that Steve scented air, curling his hand into Steve's waist while Steve ignored him, digging into his burrito with all the table manners of a feral cat.

It didn't matter how many times this summer he'd caught the perfect wave, or how many times he'd gone out with Argyle, or gone home with someone else. It was stupid, being stuck on a straight guy.

But that had been Billy's reality ever since he'd seen Harrington's big brown doe eyes blink at him during rush week. He was down bad, following Steve to Theta even though he'd been offered several other fraternities hungry to snag his excellent grades and prestigious scholarship cred.

It all didn't matter when he could barely think about anything else. Did he impress Steve? Probably not. Did he have a chance? Not one in hell.

But he had this, hand on Steve's waist. He had mornings sleeping next to him if not with him. Maybe one day he would think he'd thrown his college experience away on this.

He tickles Harrington, who jolted, slamming his knee into the table and glaring at Billy. But he's sinking into Billy's soothing touch, his spine melting a little as Billy rubs slow circles over his hip.

This would have to be enough for now.

[shieldofiron]

Vibe Check Part 4

No Pain, No Gain

The Frat Boy Au, Part 4

Read Previous on Ao3 or tumblr.

Steve is acting weird, and the worst part was, Billy doesn’t have any time to figure out why.

He was squirrelly, darting away from Billy’s hand if he so much as reached up to brush his bangs off his brow. Billy would normally take that as a sign Steve was stuck on some girl, except Steve kept coming back to their room night after night, faithfully.

And it was rush week and then pledge week, and all the while Billy is itching, ready to tear his own skin off. He needs a moment alone with Steve, just a second. Maybe he’s done something wrong, gotten too friendly, but he can fix it.

The pit in his stomach grows with every day that passed. No one else seems to notice anything except for Eden, who’s been shooting them both odd looks.

But instead of having a heart to heart he desperately needed, they’re lined up at the edge of the woods behind the house, and Billy is giving Pledge Sinclair a firm and uncompromising look, and then sliding his eyes purposely to Steve.

“Now, we got a lot of numbers on ya, brochachos,” Argyle nodds to the laughing brothers. “So we’ll do something to level the playing field. You can choose one brother to play for your side.”

The pledges huddle together a little, one of Sinclair’s nerdier friends whispering rapidly and pointing at Jason, then Chance. Sinclair just shook his head.

“We pick Billy,” Sinclair says firmly, with a cocky eyebrow Billy’s way.

Billy rolled his eyes, “Alright, alright. You’ll still lose, but you’ll lose with style at least.”

“Alright the rule is to capture the flag, and to keep ahold of all your flags,” Argyle pulls his ribbon from his hoodie pocket. “No excessive tackling but if you get another brother on his knees he has to give you a flag. Team with the most flags at the end of an hour is the winners.”

The pledges are jostling and laughing when Billy walks over, but they shouldn’t be.

Because as Argyle blows the whistle Steve takes off like a shot, sliding under the arm of a big pledge in one smooth motion while the rest look on in shock. He swerves and disappears behind a large tree as the rest of the brothers scatter.

“Okay, Okay, huddle up,” Sinclair gestures to the rest of the pledges.

“What was I trying to tell ya,” Billy huddles next to him, giving his not-quite-little-bro a soft punch, “Now we’re gonna lose.”

“No we have a plan,” Sinclair nods to one of the other pledges, “Billy told me Harrington is the strongest player. So we’re gonna use the best bait we know. Billy.”

Billy rolls his eyes. They should have just picked Steve and gone for the gold. Steve was a dancer out there, and he often didn’t need to get someone on his knees to…

Billy stuffed his hands in his pockets, ignoring the shiver running down his spine, “Fine. Tell me where you want me.”

And that’s how Billy finds himself guarding a decoy flag that the pledges had rigged up. From a distance it almost did look right, he had to admit it, the t-shirt fabric was similar enough to the blue ribbons in their pockets to fool someone. He hoped.

But that fabric is whipping around wildly now with a harsh wind. It was getting darker, and at this point Billy was about to write off this whole strategy. The air prickled with electricity, making Billy more on edge than ever. Fuck this, he just wants to be upstairs, smoking up or waiting for Harrington to come home. He didn’t ask a lot, but he didn’t sign up to be rained on.

Lightning flashes as he feels a strong kick to the back of his knees, and he almost goes down, grappling with his attacker for a fumbling moment, half turned away.

“Just go down nice for me,” The voice in his ear soothed his nerves more than bothered him, but he yanked at Steve’s sweatshirt anyway.

“Shut the fuck up,” Billy laughs nervously, twisting so that they face each other. They were about the same size, Steve had maybe an inch on him and he doesn’t fully press the advantage, but kicks at Billy’s legs again, trying to get him down on his knees. Billy shoves back hard, and they both almost topple over into the dewy grass.

Billy looks up into Steve’s eyes. They hadn’t been this close in weeks. Close enough to count the lashes around those pretty brown eyes. Steve has his hands on Billy’s bicep, and another on his waist, searching his hoodie for ribbons. It was only an illusion but the touch feels like it burned, like it was scorching Billy from the inside out. Billy licks his lips, shoving at Steve again, but weaker this time. Softer.

Lightning flashes, and Steve lets go, stumbling back. Without his support, Billy finally does fall, not a graceful fall to his knees but more of an awkward flop.

He looks up at Steve, who’s breathing heavily. He’s just staring down at Billy like he’d never seen him before. Like they were strangers.

“You want my flag,” Billy says. Not like it’s a question. Not like Steve would touch him for any other reason. Hadn’t been this close in weeks.

Steve pauses for a second, and then he nods slowly. Like he has to think about it.

Billy reaches down and unzips his fly, pulling a ribbon out.

It’s a weird thing to feel, when their fingers touch. Electricity in the air, all around. And thunder, in the distance.

Steve looks down at him with that weird look again, and then he backs up a step, stumbling, and falling into a run. Not towards the sound of other players, or Argyle’s whistle. Steve is running hell for leather towards the house and Billy is right behind him.

Fun fact this is based on a real life game my husband used to play with his frat brothers, swear to God.

[shieldofiron]

Can't wait to share more of the frat boy au with you all. I said more smut this year and it's going to just be a slow slide into total indecency