Billy doesn't move the entire time that Steve is gone, dead asleep for the first time in a long time, barring the last night of his heat. When the alpha rouses him, he's slow to wake at first but then startles, jolting upright and letting out a pained noise.
"Hey, whoa, whoa...you're safe, Billy." He said, settling next to him and
moving the food over where Billy could reach it. "Come on, eat something
okay? I've been watching the time. You're still good." He reached out,
touching his shoulder.
"You alright?" He stroked through his hair again. He knew he shouldn't be
so sweet, but he couldn't help himself. He really cared about Billy and he
wanted him. Wanted to be with him.
Billy doubled over slightly, holding his aching ribs for a moment before finally sitting up right once more and taking the offered food.
Steve's doting but Billy can't bring himself to mind too much right now. He's in pain, tired, hungry and stressed and it's easy to let the alpha take care of him. He'll deny it until he's blue in the face if anyone asks about it.
"Yeah. Just sore. Thanks for this." He indicates the food.
"You know I don't mind. Its my fault you're banged up like this." He said
quietly, shrugging a shoulder and looking sad about the statement.
"Anything else I can get you? Should probably send you home with a few pain
killers." He snacked on a few of the chips, sighing.
"If I knew you'd be okay I would just have you stay the night. I know you
could use the sleep." He said, tilting his head.
"Neil was pissed. I don't know if he was madder that an alpha stood up for his useless omega son or that he lost or if it's just because I'm an omega and you could smell it. But he was pissed." Neil was always mad at him for something but last night had been something entirely new.
"Pissed or not...it was worse because of me. I just...I wanted him to stop.
I wanted him to never touch you again. I still don't want him to." He
leaned into him, pressing his forehead against Billy's temple. "I just want
to protect you."
Even if Billy wouldn't appreciate it. The only reason he'd called out for
Steve was because he'd been the only one there during his heat. Surely he
wanted someone else. They were just friends.
"Steve, it would have been worse anyway. I forgot my suppressants and the stink of omega was all over me. As far as he concerned, I'm a disgrace." It was probably why he liked Max so much more than him.
"I'll be fine, Steve, really." He knew the alpha just wanted to protect him and he'd have to be blind to not realise that Steve wanted more from him than what they had. But for as long as he was under Neil's roof -so until he was 18- there was no way it was possible.
"He's a fucking idiot." He mumbled, shaking his head and sighing quietly.
He just looked at him, nodding a bit.
"Pretty sure we both know you won't until you're out of there, but either
way...I'm gonna help as much as I can. You know you can come over here
anytime you need to." He smiled, very lightly nudging his shoulder. "Now,
I've got some done. Since tomorrow is Saturday, want to come over and
finish it up?"
Yes he was, but Billy didn't feel like getting any further into it right now. Instead, he focused on eating and let himself enjoy the scent of a safe alpha.
"Steve? Nothing changes, yeah?" Because their definition of being there was probably entirely different. As long as he was under Neil's roof, under his guardianship, there was no way they could be more.
And beside, Steve was still under the influence of his heat hormones and he'd decide that dealing with Billy's shitty attitude wasn't worth having access to his ass.
At that he nodded, pulling away and smiling sadly. "Yeah. I understand.
Doesn't mean I'm not gonna care." He said anyways, ignoring the hurt he
felt.
Steve took it as something completely different nevertheless. He was going
to do everything he could to try and make it easier for Billy either way.
He would help him get away when he could, let Billy rest here and just hang
out.
"Alright, let me go get those pain pills. Don't need you getting in trouble
for staying too late." He said, pushing himself up and turning away.
The scent of Steve's hurt fills Billy's nose and he sneezes. There's guilt there but he doesn't know what to do about it.
When they're at the front door and Billy is about to leave, pain pills shoved in his pocket and keys in his hand, he leans into press a kiss to Steve's lips. It's probably a tease but he doesn't mean it to be.
He makes a sound at the kiss, blinking before he cupped Billy's cheek and
pulled him into another kiss. It was soft and sweet and far, far too short.
"Yeah. Call me when you wake up, okay? If you want to come over early I can
make us a pretty good breakfast. Maybe lunch too." He said, smiling as he
leaned against the door frame.
Billy could just keep on kissing Steve. But the time for olive branches is over. He has to go and face his reality and hope his father just isn't in the mood for him tonight.
"Yeah. Or I'll just head over. Depends on what kind of mood Neil is in."
He licked his lips, nodding and watching him. "Yeah, sounds good. If I'm
still in bed, key is..." He slipped his fingers around a slight lip on the
outside door frame, tapping and letting Billy hear the sound of metal on
metal.
"Right here. Just let yourself in and help yourself to anything you like."
Billy watches where Steve reaches for, memorising it so he knows where to find it in the morning when he's no doubt half asleep and desperate to get out of the house and away from his dad and Susan.
"You might regret that when I eat everything in your fridge."
"Just leave me something to eat, okay?" He asked, smiling before squeezing
his arm. "And try to take it easy tonight whenever he isn't fucking with
you." He murmured, still really reluctant to let the other leave.
He did though, waving to him before sighing and shutting the door. He shook
his head before he set about cleaning up some. He showered before he went
to bed, ending up burying his face in the pillow where it smelled like
Billy.
"Yeah. I can probably manage." Maybe he'd be able to cook something for Steve before he got up. "I will."
He smiled at Steve and reached out to squeeze his arm, before he finally ducked out the door and took off back to his own home and the cold sheets that didn't smell of his alpha.
Steve smiled as he watched the kids move around, piling up birthday gifts
of all shapes and sizes on the table in front of Billy. Things had really
changed since the Flayer. Billy had changed. He seemed to really like
having the kids around and he also had enjoyed spending much more time with
Steve.
Everything was going really well. Joyce had gotten them a cake and they'd
also got ice cream and burgers and chips. Music was playing and everyone
was having a great time.
Until he heard him. Neil stumbled in, drunk. How he knew they were at
Steve's...well he didn't really know how, but he'd found out. The man came
in and started spouting off immediately. "Oh look, my omega slut son
finally turned 18." He snapped, moving closer. "Guess you can spread your
legs to every alpha who looks your way now, huh?" He moved over as Steve
and the kids stood and watched.
After the Flayer, Billy hadn't been the same. He'd spent most of his time with what had become some kind of dysfunctional family, especially Max, Will and Steve. He and the alpha had been spending his heats together before the Mind Flayer but since El had broken him out of it's control and brought him back to himself, he hadn't had a single one and he knew he was due.
He was trying not to dwell on it while they were all there celebrating him turning 18. There were gifts, cake, fries and other snacks. He was feeling well and truly spoiled in a way he hadn't since his mum.
The whole thing came to a screeching halt when they heard Neil thump his way into Steve's home, drunk and slurring as he through the same usual insults at him. He stands straight away and it's a mistake when his dad corners him against the wall and he feels himself flinch. Neil grabs him by the jaw and presses him into the wall, breath reeking of alcohol as he gets up into his face.
"You let him breed you yet? Gonna let that alpha knot you and make you his little house bitch?" Billy knows he means Steve and it stings. The tears fill his eyes and one escapes no matter how much he tries to keep it in.
"Stop." He sees Joyce grab Hopper out of the corner of his eye but neither of them see Steve coming.
Billy is 18. Billy is 18 and free and he never has to worry about going
home to Neil again. Those are the thoughts running through Steve's head as
he crosses the room, vision tunneling in on the other alpha as a low growl
set up in his chest.
All the kids immediately cleared out of Steve's way, El herding them to the
other side of the room just in case though none left. Everyone wanted to
see this.
"I don't know who the hell you think you are coming into my house, but this
ends. Now." He snarled, grabbing Neil by the collar of his shirt and
dragging him away from Billy. He turned the older alpha, slamming him hard
against the wall and getting up in his face.
"I have spent the last year waiting for the moment that I can kick your ass
for every single time you've ever hurt him. After today, you will never,
ever touch him again. And I promise you, you come near him or me or mine
again..." He motioned to the kids standing across the room.
"A beating is what you'll wish you get." He started in, punch after punch.
He was furious and so very, very done with this man. "He was your SON!" He
screamed, feeling bone and cartilage crunch beneath his fingers. He'd
broken the man's nose and probably his jaw. He was bleeding profusely by
now, but Steve wasn't done. "Him being an omega...he is beautiful and smart
and all you ever did was treat him like garbage! You don't deserve your
family! Its no wonder your first wife left you! You piece of shit!"
Everything that happens is a blur. Steve tears Neil off of him and he’s immediately pulled away and out of reach by Joyce and Nancy. El herds the other kids out of reach, except Max, who comes to stand at Billy’s side, squeezing his hand and letting him squeeze her’s in return.
And Hopper? Hopper looks like he’s letting Steve get this out of his system because by the time he steps in -Jonathan coming to the assist- to pull Steve off his dad, his face is mangled and covered in blood and there’s a good chance Steve has busted a knuckle.
The chief and the photographer are struggling against him and Billy just wants all of this to stop.
Steve fought against the two until he heard Billy's voice. Until he heard
that he was needed and all the fight left him. He moved away from Hopper
and Jonathan, immediately pulling Billy into his arms.
He was actively ignoring the pain in his hands, ignoring the bleeding from
his knuckle. He didn't care at all about any of that. Just about his omega.
"I'm sorry." He whispered into his hair, lips pressing to his temple and
cheek, sighing. "So sorry. I just...I lost control." He murmured, closing
his eyes.
He could hear Hopper taking care of the situation, escorting Neil out of
the house as he shifted a but and pulled Max into the hug as well. He felt
someone coming up behind them, heard Joyce speak. "Neither of you are going
back to that house."
Billy let himself be pulled into the hold, pressing close and gripping tight at the back of his shirt. It’s all just too much, such a shitty end to an otherwise awesome day and Billy wanted nothing more than to curl up in bed with the alpha and forget what had just happened.
Joyce is confirming that she won’t let them go back to him and Hopper is taking his dad away in cuffs, bloody nose and all. The rest of the kids are muttering away to each other about what happened.
“It’s okay, Steve. It’s okay.” It really was. Steve hasn’t committed murder, he didn’t have to go back to his dad, his alpha was here. It would be okay. “It’s okay.”
Steve kept his eyes on Hopper and Neil until they were out the door and
down the sidewalk. Then he stroked Billy's hair back from his forehead. His
attention turned to the kids, keeping his voice soft as he said it might be
best if they all just went home for now. "Y'all can come back tomorrow and
Billy'll open presents then. Today has been a little much for him."
And for all of them he wanted to say, but he kept his mouth shut further.
Instead he nudged Max, motioning her over. "Hey, babe, go with Max upstairs
okay? Think you should lay down. I'll be up there in just a minute. I'm
gonna get things a little cleaned up." He pressed his lips to Billy's
temple, closing his eyes and whispering in his ear. "I love you."
Max steps forward and takes Billy's hand, tugging him away at Steve's instruction, but not until Billy's finished squeezing his alpha tightly. He kisses Steve once more before he let's his sister lead him away to a chorus of 'goodnights' and 'happy birthdays' as they leave, sad smiles on their faces.
Billy offers them a weak smile in return and follows Max up the stairs to Steve's room -their room- and stands guard outside the door as he strips off and climbs into bed, calling out to her that it's okay to come in. Steve doesn't follow up for a good little while, but when he does, he'll find Max and Billy curled up together and whispering quietly.
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"Shit! Sorry."
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"Hey, whoa, whoa...you're safe, Billy." He said, settling next to him and moving the food over where Billy could reach it. "Come on, eat something okay? I've been watching the time. You're still good." He reached out, touching his shoulder.
"You alright?" He stroked through his hair again. He knew he shouldn't be so sweet, but he couldn't help himself. He really cared about Billy and he wanted him. Wanted to be with him.
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Steve's doting but Billy can't bring himself to mind too much right now. He's in pain, tired, hungry and stressed and it's easy to let the alpha take care of him. He'll deny it until he's blue in the face if anyone asks about it.
"Yeah. Just sore. Thanks for this." He indicates the food.
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"You know I don't mind. Its my fault you're banged up like this." He said quietly, shrugging a shoulder and looking sad about the statement. "Anything else I can get you? Should probably send you home with a few pain killers." He snacked on a few of the chips, sighing.
"If I knew you'd be okay I would just have you stay the night. I know you could use the sleep." He said, tilting his head.
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"Thanks, but we both know I can't do that."
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"Pissed or not...it was worse because of me. I just...I wanted him to stop. I wanted him to never touch you again. I still don't want him to." He leaned into him, pressing his forehead against Billy's temple. "I just want to protect you."
Even if Billy wouldn't appreciate it. The only reason he'd called out for Steve was because he'd been the only one there during his heat. Surely he wanted someone else. They were just friends.
Thats what made it harder.
"I know. Still wish you could."
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"I'll be fine, Steve, really." He knew the alpha just wanted to protect him and he'd have to be blind to not realise that Steve wanted more from him than what they had. But for as long as he was under Neil's roof -so until he was 18- there was no way it was possible.
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"He's a fucking idiot." He mumbled, shaking his head and sighing quietly. He just looked at him, nodding a bit.
"Pretty sure we both know you won't until you're out of there, but either way...I'm gonna help as much as I can. You know you can come over here anytime you need to." He smiled, very lightly nudging his shoulder. "Now, I've got some done. Since tomorrow is Saturday, want to come over and finish it up?"
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"Steve? Nothing changes, yeah?" Because their definition of being there was probably entirely different. As long as he was under Neil's roof, under his guardianship, there was no way they could be more.
And beside, Steve was still under the influence of his heat hormones and he'd decide that dealing with Billy's shitty attitude wasn't worth having access to his ass.
"Yeah, I'll be over."
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At that he nodded, pulling away and smiling sadly. "Yeah. I understand. Doesn't mean I'm not gonna care." He said anyways, ignoring the hurt he felt.
Steve took it as something completely different nevertheless. He was going to do everything he could to try and make it easier for Billy either way. He would help him get away when he could, let Billy rest here and just hang out.
"Alright, let me go get those pain pills. Don't need you getting in trouble for staying too late." He said, pushing himself up and turning away.
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When they're at the front door and Billy is about to leave, pain pills shoved in his pocket and keys in his hand, he leans into press a kiss to Steve's lips. It's probably a tease but he doesn't mean it to be.
"See you tomorrow?"
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He makes a sound at the kiss, blinking before he cupped Billy's cheek and pulled him into another kiss. It was soft and sweet and far, far too short.
"Yeah. Call me when you wake up, okay? If you want to come over early I can make us a pretty good breakfast. Maybe lunch too." He said, smiling as he leaned against the door frame.
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"Yeah. Or I'll just head over. Depends on what kind of mood Neil is in."
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He licked his lips, nodding and watching him. "Yeah, sounds good. If I'm still in bed, key is..." He slipped his fingers around a slight lip on the outside door frame, tapping and letting Billy hear the sound of metal on metal.
"Right here. Just let yourself in and help yourself to anything you like."
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"You might regret that when I eat everything in your fridge."
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"Just leave me something to eat, okay?" He asked, smiling before squeezing his arm. "And try to take it easy tonight whenever he isn't fucking with you." He murmured, still really reluctant to let the other leave.
He did though, waving to him before sighing and shutting the door. He shook his head before he set about cleaning up some. He showered before he went to bed, ending up burying his face in the pillow where it smelled like Billy.
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He smiled at Steve and reached out to squeeze his arm, before he finally ducked out the door and took off back to his own home and the cold sheets that didn't smell of his alpha.
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Steve smiled as he watched the kids move around, piling up birthday gifts of all shapes and sizes on the table in front of Billy. Things had really changed since the Flayer. Billy had changed. He seemed to really like having the kids around and he also had enjoyed spending much more time with Steve.
Everything was going really well. Joyce had gotten them a cake and they'd also got ice cream and burgers and chips. Music was playing and everyone was having a great time.
Until he heard him. Neil stumbled in, drunk. How he knew they were at Steve's...well he didn't really know how, but he'd found out. The man came in and started spouting off immediately. "Oh look, my omega slut son finally turned 18." He snapped, moving closer. "Guess you can spread your legs to every alpha who looks your way now, huh?" He moved over as Steve and the kids stood and watched.
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He was trying not to dwell on it while they were all there celebrating him turning 18. There were gifts, cake, fries and other snacks. He was feeling well and truly spoiled in a way he hadn't since his mum.
The whole thing came to a screeching halt when they heard Neil thump his way into Steve's home, drunk and slurring as he through the same usual insults at him. He stands straight away and it's a mistake when his dad corners him against the wall and he feels himself flinch. Neil grabs him by the jaw and presses him into the wall, breath reeking of alcohol as he gets up into his face.
"You let him breed you yet? Gonna let that alpha knot you and make you his little house bitch?" Billy knows he means Steve and it stings. The tears fill his eyes and one escapes no matter how much he tries to keep it in.
"Stop." He sees Joyce grab Hopper out of the corner of his eye but neither of them see Steve coming.
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Billy is 18. Billy is 18 and free and he never has to worry about going home to Neil again. Those are the thoughts running through Steve's head as he crosses the room, vision tunneling in on the other alpha as a low growl set up in his chest.
All the kids immediately cleared out of Steve's way, El herding them to the other side of the room just in case though none left. Everyone wanted to see this.
"I don't know who the hell you think you are coming into my house, but this ends. Now." He snarled, grabbing Neil by the collar of his shirt and dragging him away from Billy. He turned the older alpha, slamming him hard against the wall and getting up in his face.
"I have spent the last year waiting for the moment that I can kick your ass for every single time you've ever hurt him. After today, you will never, ever touch him again. And I promise you, you come near him or me or mine again..." He motioned to the kids standing across the room.
"A beating is what you'll wish you get." He started in, punch after punch. He was furious and so very, very done with this man. "He was your SON!" He screamed, feeling bone and cartilage crunch beneath his fingers. He'd broken the man's nose and probably his jaw. He was bleeding profusely by now, but Steve wasn't done. "Him being an omega...he is beautiful and smart and all you ever did was treat him like garbage! You don't deserve your family! Its no wonder your first wife left you! You piece of shit!"
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And Hopper? Hopper looks like he’s letting Steve get this out of his system because by the time he steps in -Jonathan coming to the assist- to pull Steve off his dad, his face is mangled and covered in blood and there’s a good chance Steve has busted a knuckle.
The chief and the photographer are struggling against him and Billy just wants all of this to stop.
“Steve! Stop! Please? Steve I need you.”
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Steve fought against the two until he heard Billy's voice. Until he heard that he was needed and all the fight left him. He moved away from Hopper and Jonathan, immediately pulling Billy into his arms.
He was actively ignoring the pain in his hands, ignoring the bleeding from his knuckle. He didn't care at all about any of that. Just about his omega.
"I'm sorry." He whispered into his hair, lips pressing to his temple and cheek, sighing. "So sorry. I just...I lost control." He murmured, closing his eyes.
He could hear Hopper taking care of the situation, escorting Neil out of the house as he shifted a but and pulled Max into the hug as well. He felt someone coming up behind them, heard Joyce speak. "Neither of you are going back to that house."
She was talking to Max.
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Joyce is confirming that she won’t let them go back to him and Hopper is taking his dad away in cuffs, bloody nose and all. The rest of the kids are muttering away to each other about what happened.
“It’s okay, Steve. It’s okay.” It really was. Steve hasn’t committed murder, he didn’t have to go back to his dad, his alpha was here. It would be okay. “It’s okay.”
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Steve kept his eyes on Hopper and Neil until they were out the door and down the sidewalk. Then he stroked Billy's hair back from his forehead. His attention turned to the kids, keeping his voice soft as he said it might be best if they all just went home for now. "Y'all can come back tomorrow and Billy'll open presents then. Today has been a little much for him."
And for all of them he wanted to say, but he kept his mouth shut further. Instead he nudged Max, motioning her over. "Hey, babe, go with Max upstairs okay? Think you should lay down. I'll be up there in just a minute. I'm gonna get things a little cleaned up." He pressed his lips to Billy's temple, closing his eyes and whispering in his ear. "I love you."
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Billy offers them a weak smile in return and follows Max up the stairs to Steve's room -their room- and stands guard outside the door as he strips off and climbs into bed, calling out to her that it's okay to come in. Steve doesn't follow up for a good little while, but when he does, he'll find Max and Billy curled up together and whispering quietly.
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