King

You've Got A Friend In Me

A loud thud is what woke the two boys.

    Billy's eyes snapped open and he felt Steve shoot up off of his chest. In the doorway stood Max and Eleven, and Max had just thrown her books onto the desk to her right. This was on purpose of course to startle them, to assert her and Eleven's presence. Somehow that felt like the lesser of the possible awkward greetings in her mind.

"Guys I can explain-" Steve started in a panic.

"Nope. I'd rather if you didn't." Max said cringing, shuffling by with Eleven close in tow.

Steve and Billy sat on the couch, unmoving and in shock. Neither moved until they heard the door of Max's bedroom close.

"Fuck..." Billy sighed out, slipping out from under Steve.

Steve's eye followed Billy as he walked into the kitchen, running his hand through his hair. Pushing himself up, he followed, then leaned against the door frame.

"You ok?" He asked quietly.

Billy sighed again, back to Steve with his hands on the counter. His head dropped.

"Yeah. Yeah I'm alright."

He turned around to face Steve, leaning his back side against the counter now. "I'm sorry, shouldn't have fallen asleep." He added.

"No, don't be sorry! It's fine man, really." Steve replied, stepping towards Billy. "I had a good time..." he looked down at the floor.

Billy stepped forward, his calloused hand came up to slide around the back of Steve's neck, holding firm yet gentle pressure on it, as Steve's eyes came back up to meet Billy's.

"Me too." He replied, relieved. They held eye contact for another moment, not saying anything. Steve rested his hand on Billy's wrist, which was still brushing his jaw. Billy felt heat rising up into his face before stepping past Steve, almost in a hurry.

    He knew if Max and her friend hadn't come back home so early, he would've just taken that opportunity to kiss him. Probably more, if he was being totally honest with himself. Billy hated how easy this felt, getting comfortable around Steve. He hated his guts from the moment they met, but everything was so much different now. He couldn't help but wonder if the other boy felt the same. As Billy stewed on his thoughts, he started shuffling through cabinets, grabbing things and started a pot of coffee.

Steve still stood in pretty much the center of the kitchen, awkward and unmoving. It took Billy a moment to really realize this.

"You can sit down, ya know." He laughed a little, smirking at Steve, gesturing to the small table that sat in the corner, spatula in hand.

"Oh yea, thanks." He muttered out, taking a seat.

    He sat on the chair backwards, so he could rest his arms and chin on the back of the chair to watch Billy being all domestic, making him coffee and breakfast. It fascinated Steve actually, to watch Billy like this. He had never thought of Billy anywhere other than school or at parties, a tough character, really. He knew of course he had a 'normal' life just like anybody else, but he still couldn't help but to be intrigued. It was like Billy was in his own little world right now, scrambling eggs, adding salt... Steve blushed, gosh he felt stupid, and giddy... He had a crush for sure. He hates the term 'crush' but didn't know how else to describe it, he liked the feeling he got when he was around Billy.

He hadn't felt like this in a long time. Not since N-

"Here," Billy placed a plate of scrambled eggs on the table by Steve with a small mug of coffee. "Sorry I couldn't do more, we are a little low on groceries right now, but uh...yea, enjoy." He said, paused and then turned around to get his serving, before joining Steve at the table, sitting opposite to him.

They ate quietly for a couple minutes, the sound of forks tinking against the ceramic plates being the only sound.

****

    At some point Max and Eleven came out of the bedroom and were watching TV. Billy had just finished dishes as Steve emerged from the bathroom, hair brushed back and dressed for the day. Billy had never changed his clothes from the day before, but he had a rats nest for hair at the moment, and decided to go clean himself up as well. He walked past Steve, placing his hand reassuringly on his shoulder as he walked by him to his room, shutting the door behind him.

He watched Max and Eleven for a moment before opening his mouth to speak, but Eleven cut him off before a word could come out.

"We aren't going to tell anyone Steve." She said plainly, looking at Steve with a small smile. Max leaned forward so she could see Steve past her friend, mimicking kissing noises. The two girls laughed, Steve smiled.

"Thanks guys. I appreciate it, really."

    Billy then walked out pretty fast behind Steve, opening the door gesturing for Steve to go out. Steve stepped outside, squinting a little as the bright morning sun hit his still sleep-heavy eyes. He raised a hand to cover the bright light. Billy closed the door behind them as they stepped down the steps walking to their cars. Billy paused, looking down the sidewalk, at a man laying in the grass of one of the neighbors houses. Steve hadn't noticed yet, opening the door of his car to get in, before he saw Billy walking over to the comatose man.

He jogged up behind Billy. "What happened?" He asked as he came up besides Billy, who was kicking a empty Jack bottle to the side.

"It's Neil. I gotta get him inside." He said numbly, bending down and grabbing the older man by arm, stringing it across his shoulders, pulling him up. Steve hurried to the other side to mirror Billy's actions, so they were both carrying the man, who let out a tired groan.

"A friend of yours?" Steve asked, struggling with the dead weight.

"My dad." Billy replied, wincing, embarrassed.

Steve didn't say anything, he was sure Billy probably preferred it that way.

    Up the steps and through the door, they carried Neil through the house to his and Susan's bedroom, flopping him on the bed. Steve straightened his back and started to catch his breath. He watched as Billy untied Neil's boots, pulled them off and tossed them to the side. He then pulled his dad up higher onto the bed, resting his head on their pillows, before tossing a throw blanket over him. Billy stood for a moment before gently pushing past Steve, expressionless as he left the room. Steve stares blankly at Neil. He hadn't met him before, hell never even knew what he looked like until today. Seeing the way Billy looked half the time, he expected something different. Someone big, intimidating, a monster.

But Neil was just a man.

The rev of Billy's Camaro made Steve jump. He slinked out of the bedroom, leaving the door ajar as he left. He briefly made eye contact with Max and Eleven as he passed, worried looks on their faces.

Steve pulled his car keys back out of his pocket and then walked over to the passenger side of Billy's car, lightly tapping the window. Billy rolled in down, leaning over to see Steve's face.

"Hey," Steve said, offering a kind smile. Billy's face remained stern. "I really had a good time. I want to see you again soon. Alrighy?"

Billy's eyes widened, then his face turned to relief, as he smiled that damned cocky smile of his.

"Alright." He replied. Looking away from Steve he shifted into first gear, pushing his sunglasses over his eyes.

"You will." Billy added, Steve stepped back as the car rolled forward, headed down the road.

Steve walked over to his car and got inside. He looked in his rear view mirror at himself, and he was smiling. Smiling like a fucking idiot.

Steve was so screwed.