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kaizenkhaos · 15 days

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Back to Beginnings

Thanks so much to @mangywayway for the hand over ^^ Here's my contribution to the @harringrove-relay-race. Second year participating and looking forward to seeing everyone's contributions <3 My fic this year is focused on Billy and Steve going to California for a basketball match. Back to Billy's home town where he's not only faced with some of his past but also a bright future. This is also based on some of the story beats from Volume 6 of one of my favourite sports graphic novel series, Fence. Over to the wonderful @sepulchralsmile for the next contribution to this relay race :3 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Okay everyone, get on the coach please!" The boys jostled each other playfully as they fought for the right to be at the back of the bus. Billy on the other hand couldn't really care for it. His mind not only fixed on the game ahead of them, but on the fact for the first time, he'd be going back to where he was from. Facing the school he'd have been at if his dad hadn't dragged him away to Hawkins. If his mom hadn't just....upped and left him. He didn't have a clue what his life might have been like, only he couldn't imagine it being like this. He'd have been able to stay with Argyle and his friends. He'd have been able to continue to surf and go to the beach every day. Carefree. He would have been able to see his mom's beautiful smile, her flowing dress and big white hats as she joined him on the sand. Instead he was stuck with a sarcastic step sister. A quiet as a mouse step mom and a dad who he swore got meaner as the years crawled by. California had used to be a haven for him. A safe place with his mom and the waves and the breeze which he missed so much. Everything in Hawkins felt stale in comparison. Like it was just browns and greens all merged into a mess and not the bright colours or freedom he associated with California. The beach and the sand. But then there was also the...feelings. The truth was, California felt like both a blessing and a curse deep down. He really wanted to return but at the same time, it felt like home had been ripped away a really long time ago.

Steve Harrington on the other hand, he didn't have those worries. Cos what did wonder boy have to worry about? His perfect hair? His big house with the private pool? Fine cuisine? The guy had everything but the Captain position. And the guy for some reason didn't seem to be vying for that. He seemed to be just fine, hanging out with Tommy Hagan, bantering with the guys. To be fair, Billy liked their Captain. Ross Patricks was not only a good guy but he'd really turned the team around. Brought them up to standard, made them a force to be reckoned with. Pity he was a senior. Billy knew this competition was final call for Ross. One final chance to show that he could take a team to victory. It would certainly seal his chances too; he knew teams were already interested in Ross but being at the top of the High School League would set him up well for that NBA place he so wanted, and in Billy's opinion deserved. Steve on the other hand, had his head stuck in a different place. His dad being out of state again meant he'd been home alone for a week before finally this trip had come around, And boy had he been counting down the days. Tommy had helped, staying over with him a couple of nights when Carol was busy. Carol joining them other nights so that Steve was rarely alone. He'd been struggling recently with loneliness and what he thought of as the "sads" so he appreciated them keeping an eye on him. He'd tried to swim and train too, in the moments he'd been alone, but his mind hadn't been into it. He also had other concerns too. His growing and apparent crush on a rival of his. Master Billy Hargrove. Him and Billy...well they at first hadn't seen eye to eye at all. They'd been rivals, vying for the same position on the Hawkins Tigers basketball team. Hargrove had also gotten it into his head somehow that Steve was also desperate for the Captain spot. He wasn't. Basketball wasn't really his sport of interest, but as his dad had ruined his chances of making it in baseball, basketball was the next best thing. He had swimming too. But that was more a lone sport than a team one and he'd not wanted any more time in his head than necessary. So he'd made extra effort to get on this team. In the end both him and Hargrove had made the cut. Steve spending more time on the bench but he was slowly getting more play time. And Hargrove? Well he was centre stage most matches and Steve had to admit; the guy had talent. His three score technique was flawless. And as then as a team? They worked pretty damn well. It had been slow progress but the pair really had something going on and more and more they were working together rather than against each other. And whilst Steve hated to admit it, it felt rather nice. -------------An hour later-----------

In the dorm room, the boys were already staking their claims to bunks. Their bags shortly joined by their bodies as they slammed down on their chosen spot. Looking around, Billy noticed how Harrington had beelined for the right hand corner and of course had taken the top bunk. Typical, but it also brought a smile to his face. Yeah people could say it was the whole King thing and maybe it still was a little but Billy also knew something different. A slight twist to it. Steve knew, through the pair having shared the same room for the past year when at away games, that Billy sometimes suffered from night terrors. So the bottom bunk was safer for him, in case he rolled out and ended up on the floor. Less distance to fall, less chance of injury. And so when he finally got to him, he nodded up to Harrington who was taking a moment to rest. A thumbs up from him and Billy was slowly opening his bag on his newly claimed bunk. Laying out his kit and clothes, toiletries, Billy lined it all up carefully. Checking that he had everything and that he'd not have to venture to a store to buy anything during their down time. That would suck; even having to go and buy something stupid like a toothbrush would totally blow the mood. Waste valuable rest time. But thankfully nothing had been missed and Billy could breathe easy. Relax. And actually face this town without preoccupations. Well....sort of. As the others started to group and pair off and move out, Steve hopped off the bed and went to do the same. Nodding to a small group that included Hagan and Ross before turning to Billy, and seeming to think better of it. Moving a little closer to him instead and waiting for the others to go. For once, the King, almost seemed nervous. Standing still next to him but tapping his foot a little. Not in impatience but almost like it was involuntary, and as Billy turned, he looked almost shy? Nah. Steve Harrington shy? Never. The man didn't even know what shy was. "Well," Steve started, looking at the door and then at Billy, a hand going to the back of his neck. "Seeing as we have time to kill, I thought we could go to the beach."

Billy watched as the rest of the room cleared out, his eyes on them before going back to Steve. What an assumption to make. But under his skin, his heart was starting to race. His cheeks already feeling heated. Would this be the moment? The moment he'd been thinking about over and over recently? "And pray tell Harrington, what do you plan that we all do whilst there?" An unusual silence descended before Steve shrugged, his hand now going onto his hip and then added, "Oh I wasn't planning on inviting the others. Thought it could just be me and you." It was only when they finally got out into the corridor after Steve had patiently waited for Billy to repack and zip his bag up, that it became clear, why. "Just us.....?" Billy blinked, actually taken aback. Nah, it was a hang out. Stop with the nonsense Billy. But the way Steve looked at him and then scratched the back of his neck. Face starting to actually flush and his eyes darting away. Well holy shit..... "Wait...is Steve Harrington asking me..." "To have a nice romantic walk with him on the beach?" The other chuckled, but the hand didn't move off the back of his neck and Billy realised, oh shit. Yeah. Yeah he really was. "Yeah I guess I am man. If you wanna....." "Yes. Yes I do. Can I.....can I go and get changed?" Billy gestured at his outfit, chuckling before Steve joined in. Him leaning against the wall as Billy shook his head and laughed. About time, about freaking time. What had taken them so long? Fear! Embarrassment? A misunderstanding? It didn't matter now. It was happening. It was real. "Sure man. See you in 20? I'll go and do the same.

------------40 minutes later--------

This wasn't where he'd imagined going whilst back here. In fact, he'd planned not to. But the offer from Steve, to actually spend some time with him, was too good an opportunity to miss. The guy had even dressed up a little and so Billy had too. A nice black shirt and jeans combo. Hair nicely in curls, the little one he so loved flicking out the front. And Harrington…well he always looked great. Today rocking up in a red t-shirt and jeans and one of his many pairs of Nikes.

"So what's it like being back?"

"Strange….." And it was. Really really surreal in fact. Like part of him had stayed on this beach all this time. But thats not what he said back to Steve. Instead, he snorted, glancing back at the other guy and grinning.

"Don't tell me you only invited out here to get my backstory."

"No but I mean….. If you wanna tell me a bit about yourself, it would be good. I don't really know you man." Steve then chuckles in turn, "other than knowing you have quite the thing for my leg."

"Well you seem to like putting your ass there," Billy grunted, though with no malice and a playful tone. Still grinning as he fully turned to face Steve who'd parked himself on the sand. Billy elected to join him.

"Cos you keep getting closer enough that I can feel your breath on my neck."

"Well quit wearing your pretty boy cologne to basketball matches then."

That set them both off. Laying back, they cackled together in the sand. Holding onto their ribs until it hurt to breathe. Billy feeling like his spirit was lifted. It shouldn't be so funny. In fact it wasn't, but there was just something about this easy banter that seemed to have gotten to both of them.

Soon though, a familiar figure in the distance soon had his mood plummeting. Him bolting up right as Steve slowly got up beside him. A look of deep concern Billy rarely show on his face.

No…it…it wasn't. It wasn't her. Their silhouette had just so similar that for a moment, he'd thought it was. And that….hurt. It stung so deeply and he looked away for a moment. He didn't want Steve's pity or sympathy but, he wasn't going to get it if he didn't try to at least explain.

"My mom…..she left when I was little. Troubles with my dad. Fighting, shouting you know all that shit." He waved a hand in the air as if it didn't matter, but Steve could see it did. It really mattered. Whatever Billy was about to say was clearly hard for him to spit out.

"I thought she'd come back for me you know. After she'd settled. That's what she'd said she would do man. I used to ring her and. Well you know that Susan and Maxine are in the picture and she's not. So you can figure out how things turned out."

"Shit man….."

What could he really say to that?

"Yeah…but hey. You know."

Steve kept looking at him. Wondering where the sudden bitterness had come from. Should he say more? What could you say to a guy who'd just told you he'd been abandoned by his own mom? Left in a household known for heinous things? He'd heard the rumours after all. Seen the bruises. Billy's dad was a prick of the highest order and Billy? He wasn't the best but he didn't deserve to be treated worse than shit under someone's shoe.

Looking out at the waves, Billy could feel the rage building. But the waves also brought with them a familiar scent, which filled his mind with a strange comfort. Let him calm down a little but erased none of the bitterness from his voice.

"It's not like you'd get it. I mean, you're the King of Hawkins High. Golden boy extraordinaire."

"It's….."

Billy stared out to the ocean, his eyes tracing over the horizon as he waited for Steve to continue. He might have seemed more interested in the landscape to the casual bystander, but he was listening. There was something about Steve's tone which had caught him off guard. Was the King of Hawkins High struggling? What did he have to sound so down and out about?

"My dad. He's this high and mighty business man. Has his own company as you know. But everyone thinks that it's all sunshine and roses and it's just….such bullshit."

The way Steve seemed to chew on the words, to Billy, was like the guy has a bitter taste in his mouth. Like he's just sucked on a lemon and would do anything to get rid of the taste.

"It's so easy for people to look at the big house and think everything is okay. But when the house is empty and your own voice echoes from the walls… Everyone just sees the image man. Even those who I really thought didn't just want me for that."

He'd not expected any of this. Nevertheless from Steve Harrington of all people. But didn't it just go to show what happened behind closed doors? Billy was internally kicking himself. He should have known there could be more to things. He knew better himself. To have placed Steve in a box he didn't belong, it didn't feel right. Guess rich kids could really come with their own issues which money really couldn't buy their way out of.

"I'm sorry man. Really I am," he sighed, looking over at Steve who looked small than Billy had ever seen him.

"That freaking sucks. Families…they're meant to be there for us. They're meant to protect us but more and more I hear people say how theirs fail them. That it ain't like it is in the movies. Makes me wonder if it is for anyone."

"I….I dunno man. I see it from time to time." Steve shrugged, his eyes on the sand and Billy found himself moving closer to him. Wanting to take Steve in his arms. Because it's clear that Billy had stumbled over something which the other had been hiding for a really long time. The way Steve was now visibly struggling, like if he didn't't hold onto himself, he'd just fall apart. And Billy doesn't want that for him. He wanted to do something.

"I know of a place."

Steve looked up, big hazel eyes like a puppy. Billy wished he could take it all back. The thoughts, the cursing. Even though Steve would never know all of them, he can see in the way he looked at him that he knows some of it at least.

Steve Harrington may not have the top grades but he wasn't stupid and Billy knew that. Noone got to the top of the social ladder through stupidity and it's rare that the most popular kid was also the smartest. And they didn't need to be.

"A place that has the most amazing sundaes."

"You…eating sundaes?"

"Don't sound so surprised Harrington. I know I'm in peak condition but a fit guy can still indulge you know."

That had Steve snorting, rolling his eyes as he drew an arm across his face and then pushed himself up off the sand. More looking like the guy Billy knew than the scared, sad kid who Billy now feared lurked behind the doors of the house he knew did not contain all he'd thought it had.

Patting Steve gently on the shoulder before getting up, walking with him, side by side, Billy felt a shift between them. But not in a bad way. It may have not been the romantic walk Steve had wanted. But it was the walk they had both needed. --------Twenty minutes later--------------

As soon as Billy walked into the sundae store, it felt like walking back in time. The decor had been slightly modernised. A fresh lick of paint, different materials and brand new booths and a shining floor. But the layout, the colour scheme? It was all still just like the last time he'd come here. All blues, yellows and whites, with big booths in the middle and small ones around the sides.

And there she was, the woman herself. Owner and main waitress. A familiar face after all this time. And over there near the window had been his spot. The place he'd always gotten to with his friends. A spot right next to the window and a fantastic view of the ocean.

"William? Oh my heavens, it really is you!!"

Maisie trotted over to him, arms around him and a big kiss on both cheeks. Which Billy would have minded from other people but not Maisie. She was one of his favourite people in this whole town and so in a rare moment, Billy hugged her back. Not caring if Steve found it strange or weird. Finally a face that he saw home in here.

After letting Billy go, Maisie stood in front of Steve, like a mother seeing a new partner for the first time. Scrutiny written on her face before smiling in approval and saying "Now whose this handsome young man William?"

"Steve Harrington. He's my date," Billy grinned, all the while watching Steve for his reaction. Which was pretty much what he expected; a cool grin. But what he didn't expect was the flash of shyness in his face before it fluttered away.

Nodding to the window seat, he then added, "'m okay taking my usual spot Mais?"

"You can have any seat in the house my dear," she beamed, stepping to the side to let Steve through. "Lovely meeting you dear, I'll be right over to take your order."

"Nice to meet you too Maisie, real nice place you have here."

Always the freaking charmer. But Billy just smiled, leading the way over to the table. Excitement bouncing in every step. Steve seemed to really like the place and that meant a lot. He'd hoped, no, prayed Steve wouldn't turn his nose up at it. Think it was beneath him and he hadn't. Another assumption smashed.

He couldn't stop staring. This was ridiculous.

Sat here with and his tiny ice cream whilst he was here with his favourite sundae. Cream and chocolate and banana and glory. That wasn't the ridiculous part though. It was just being here. With Steve. Their legs barely touching under the table but feeling like electric. The way the guy looked up at him from time to time with those soft eyes and something under them which made his heart pitter patter. Like that rabbit out of the deer carton, which he couldn't remember the name of right now. Because he still can't believe that finally they'd gotten to go out on a date. And despite the way his heart ached due to the events of earlier, he wouldn't change it for the world.

He knew Steve better than he ever had done. Never would he have thought they'd be more similar than their love for basketball and cars but it turns out that beneath the surface, the pretty boy had a lot going on. And Billy wanted to find out so much more. Know about about the guy under the crown. Who Steve really was. Not the mask or the image. The real freaking deal.

"DUDE!"

Drawn out of his thoughts and staring, his spoon stuck in a scoop of chocolate ice-cream, Billy's head spun towards the entrance. He'd would recognise that voice anywhere in the world. One of the guys who had had such an impact on his life. His brother from another mother and the guy who he'd been hoping to see more than anyone in Cali. Argyle. His best friend, his amigo.

"Amigo!!"

Big hugs, high fives and chatter was what surrounded the group as Steve sat at the table. He'd watched the four guys approach and then Billy jump up hastily to greet them. Smiling softly at the scene, he listened to them catch up in fast forward. It must be nice to reunite after all this time. Shame they couldn't stick around for longer.

Billy was positively glowing, something which Steve didn't see in Hawkins. A light in his eyes the town clearly extinguished. Steve wondered what it was like to have to leave a place where you clearly belonged to be shoved somewhere so alien and unfamiliar. He'd lived in Hawkins all of his life after all. Glimpses of other places coming from holidays and the few business trips he'd been taken on before he became the man of the house more often than not. Expected to be responsible, to do the right thing.

It felt like in different ways, they'd both been robbed of something but in this place, maybe they could just put that aside for a moment.

"And whose the handsome amigo you have here then?" Argyle gestured, a white smile as wide as the guy's face as he tilted his open cap towards Steve.

"This is Steve and well, just had to show him the sights whilst we're here."

"The sights huh? Well if I don't see you amigos at Surfer Boys pizza at some point whilst you're here, I'm going to be so sad."

"Can't ever have that man." Another high five and then Argyle and the others nodded. A friendly smile to Steve before the group turned to find their own booth. Giving the pair some privacy again.

Steve smiled, looking back at Billy. His friends, they seemed so different from who the guy hung out with usually. Or rather, maybe Hawkins just didn't provide the right people for Billy. Maybe these were his people and the others were just ones Billy was stuck with.

It didn't matter though right now. Those people were far away and they were here. Scoffing away ice cream by the sea. "I can't believe you're able to just tuck that away," Steve jested, gesturing to Billy's toned physique. Billy looking down at himself and then pointing a spoon at Steve's meagre amount.

"Well you could have had a sundae of Kings but instead you went with whatever that is."

"The best god darn ice cream I've had."

This takes Billy aback, so much that for a moment he just stared. Sat back in some kind of awe or something; he wasn't even sure what it was later when he was pondering on the bus. Steve sleeping at his side. It just meant something more than Billy thought it would. Hearing such praise from Steve Harrington himself. Whose sat there tucking into his scoop of bannofee whilst scanning the place. He's intrigued, he's happy and Billy? He's happy too.

This place may have only been a sundae place to some, a place to get ice cream and chill. But for Billy it was a solid part of his history. A place where he felt safe from the drama at home. Where him and his friends regularly came and Maisie would let them try all the new flavours. He'd even got to name one, and that was one of the scoops he now had in his sundae. And he knew now, if he ever got another chance to name anything else here, he'd name it after the guy in front of him. Whose now making his heart melt with that soft smile, which then turned into a smirk,

"Get over yourself Harrington," Billy scoffed, flicking ice cream at him and then grinning. The King of Hawkins trying to dodge it and failing miserably.

Yeah….He'd totally misjudged Steve. He was an ass, but Billy would give anything to keep this feeling he had right now. For Steve one day to be with him.

And Steve? He can't stop smiling. This place, it was like a calm cave out at sea. It was simple, it was clean. It was the sort of place he could imagine writers and artists coming to . Gazing out to the nearby beach and taking their time. Man, Hawkins had not a patch on this place. No wonder Billy missed it so much.

No wonder it felt like he was finally seeing the whole guy here rather than the persona and mask. His friends had seemed like the kinda people who would do anything for Hargrove. Would stand by his side because of him, not his status, not his looks. They were true friends, amigos Billy had called him. And he'd not heard Billy use that term sincerely in Hawkins. It was more a insult, a threat and not an endearment.

Like something someone would say to demean or mock. But with those people, it wasn't like that. And he'd also never seen Hargrove so calm or vulnerable.

The funny thing was, despite having never been here, Steve felt it too. A freeness which made Hawkins feel choking. He didn't have to be the King of Hawkins here. He didn't have anything to prove out on the beach or here with a sundae. Even if Hargrove had teased him on his choice of ice cream. It didn't matter. It wasn't like he was trying to provoke him. More like they were both in on the joke.

So back went a little bit of ice cream, splat straight onto Hargrove's shirt and the other guy scoffed, rolling his eyes and dramatically putting his hand to his hand.

"My most precious polo! How will I ever recover?"

Steve snorted into his ice cream, tempted to flick more ice cream at him as Billy grinned and left the mark on him. Like a badge of pride. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Race ya."

The pair jumped in sync off the steps down to the beach. Billy shoving Steve playfully out of the way as he ventured to find the quickest path. Sand was tricky to run in but over the years Billy had grown a talent. He knew how to bounce, how to stride and which parts of the beach was his friend. Steve on the other hand, well he didn't have such advantages or luck apparently. Bumbling around and now going face first. Billy throwing back his head and laughing in triumph, spinning on his heels. Arms crossed and grin bare as he waited by the water line for the other to finally join him. Bent over, hair flopping down towards his feet. Still pretty. Still one of the most handsome guys Billy had laid his eyes on.

And still an ass. One quick shove and Billy was down, right on his ass into the water. The salt water quickly seeping through to his boxers. The little shit.

Another quick shove and Steve was over, now also in the water and laughing before they both jumped up, then they were off again. Tugging at each others' jeans and shirts. Smiling like this was the best thing in the world. Falling over one another and rolling around in the sand laughing. Brushing themselves off and then running again. The sun warm enough to dry them off and not leave them with wet asses for the journey back to the dorms.

"I swear, these better dry before we get back on that coach Harrington." And that's when it hit them. They were meant to be back at a certain time and it was time for the coach, shit! The pair looked in horror at each other. How could they have forgotten? The school they were staying at was on the outskirts of town, almost outside it and they'd all been dropped off by the team coach this morning. If they weren't picked up, it was a long long way back. They had to hurry.

They were late. They were so late that Billy feared that maybe the bus would have already left. The feelings of worry boil up onto the surface as they dashed, Steve's hand in his. He wasn't sure when they linked hands but he didn't care. He does know Steve can feel the tension in him, the way he ran his fingers over Billy's knuckles and then stopped him. Pulling him towards him at a rate which made Billy stumble. A soft embrace before Steve took the lead. The final dash before they got to their destination.

Their hands fell apart as they got in visual sight of their coach. She wasn't looking impressed at all. Hands on her hips and looking at her watch as they approached, nodding to the bus.

As Steve passed, she glanced at him a look of warning and as Billy did, she put her hand out. Stopping him in his tracks.

"I know it must be hard, being back here. I need your head in the game. But if that helps, then…" She gave a soft smile, a nod in Steve's direction that no one else sees but Billy. "I'll look the other way. For now."

#harringrove relay race #kaizen's writing kreations #harringrove #this has been so much fun to write #love Fence and Harringrove so why not put them together with a twist #thanks so much for letting me participate again <3

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kaizenkhaos · 4 months

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Over the Airwaves: A Harringrove Xmas Fic

Okay so you know how it goes. You see a post reblogged from a fellow Harringrover (if that's the term...hmmm...I'm not sure but hey ho XD) and all of a sudden the mind gremlins go yes....do it. Write a nearly 4K fic inspired by it. Or kinda. It's more adjacent to it. In this case, I saw a post reblogged by @avalonlights about Michael Buble and that sent me down a rabbit hole of Robin and Steve hosting a radio show and a certain someone or someones ringing in with requests. Though it does give me ideas for another fic for later or maybe next year now XD So Merry Christmas everyone! ^^ Wherever you are and whatever you're doing, have fun, stay safe and for those of you who struggle during this time of year, my thoughts are with you. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Four Days before Christmas Day...

"And that was 'So This is Christmas' by John Lennon. Coming up, we have the much beloved listeners' request section. But now, here's a few words from our sponsors." It was the run up to Christmas and Steve was working. Like every god darn Christmas he could remember since finishing at Hawkins High. Sure, the money wasn't bad and it stopped him from sitting alone in a big house, wishing that he could just chill in the pool and forget about the rest of the world, but….there was just somethin' about this time of year that set his teeth on edge. Maybe it was cos his parents had once again gone away from the holidays, leaving him with a Christmas tree laden with presents but no one to see him open them. Maybe it was the fridge full of food which they'd left for him which he'd stuff in the oven and try and not forget about. Or maybe it was the fact that each and every year, someone had actually asked him over to their place. And he lied about having somewhere already to go. Cos he didn't wanna be a burden, ruin a good time. If he was gonna be miserable, he'd be miserable alone. He was so tired of putting a brave face on things. But maybe what he really needed to do was bite the bullet and say yes. Being alone the past years had sucked.

Four days until the day of the most wonderful time of the year. According to many and that one song which they kept being asked to play most days. Christmas songs were the bread and butter of the airwaves for Radio Hawkins in December, most DJs chosing to play different varieties but some of the songs remained the same. The staple diet of a nation ready for the holidays and to eat and drink more in the name of good old Saint Nic. Steve and Robin had been given the afternoon slot, just before the prime time DJ, and so were kinda the warm up act before the main event. It meant that they could get away with playing some obscurities but overall, it was more the popular stuff, both classic and modern as well as the old curveball to keep them on their toes.

"Line one dingus, you're up to bat." It didn't matter that they were no longer the sailors hauling scoops at Scoops Ahoy, dingus had stuck. But it wasn't in the manner in which he'd been labelled at first. Now it was more affection than insult, just one of the many insider jokes and banter the pair now had.

Nodding, Steve looked over at the producers, giving the good old thumbs up and it was time for his sultry (and apparently sexy according to some listeners) tones to smooth over the airwaves.

"And we're back with more holidays hits right over the air waves at Radio Hawkins. And the section, as Robin said before the break, we all know and love. It's time to hand over to the listeners and the recommendations for your Christmas tunes." Looking at the board, he selected the button nearest to him and with a smile, started with, "Hello there dear listener, who do we have on line 1 today?"

"Hello. Can I request a song for all of the Hawkins Life guards out there? " "Sure thing, and what can we play you today?" Oh wasn't that a oh so familiar voice and a glance over at Robin told him that yep, she'd cottoned onto who it was too. They didn't even have to leave a name and they knew it. Steve wondered how red Robin was gonna get before the song would end, even before the voice continued and sealed the deal. "Could we have 'Santa baby' please Mr DJ." "That we can, thanks for your call." As the line went dead, Steve leaned over to the console to locate the song in question. Now he knew it was one which had been covered a hell of a lot; apparently one of the most covered Christmas songs ever. But no doubt the main DJ of the night would play some up-beat version and what was wrong with a bit of Eartha Kitt? "We're going with the original version?" Pulling her headset off, Robin was getting a raised eyebrow, as if this was something unexpected. She knew his leaning to the classics for these sorts of things but maybe she thought their audience would beg to differ. Although, that did make him think of…. "Yeah 'course. Why, should I have gone for the sexy Michael Buble version?" "No. Steve. Why do you…" Bingo. Deep, deep red is the result to his poking, as he made kissing noises at her and she looked like she'd have thrown a pillow at him if she had one at her disposal. Instead she just leaned over and nearly set him off his chair. An act that had the producers snorting and Steve grinning from ear to ear. Once he was straight and level back on his chair. Last year, Robin may have dragged him onto the stage for karaoke on their second work's night out together. It had been a small town bar, pretty cosy and most locals but they seemed to have known the radio station folk, so there was no hostile staring. Santa Baby had been the song Robin had chosen but not for the reasons he thought at first. Both a bit drunk, he'd just thought it was an updated upbeat version for them to stumble through. Then Robin had done a 180. No longer as shy as before but like a shot of confidence had come over here. Sassy, confident and damn…. If she'd not come out to him a couple of years previous and let her feeling about him known, that would have a time which he had gotten him paying attention. But as it was, he worked out real quickly what had caused the change, or rather who. Turned out a certain life guard had shown up, on their own work's do and yeah. Robin had already scoped her out and the song? It had been for her. It had turned out, as they'd found out later that night, the feelings had been mutual. Steve had slipped away to give them some privacy and the rest….well. They'd been dating for a year now, but every time that version of the song came on, Steve wouldn't let her live it down and Robin didn't let him get away with it.

"You're such a….." The song finished and a smirk is what Robin is faced with as she gives him that face and took over hosting duties. Whilst making it so very very clear that he was gonna pay for this later. Or one day. Who knew when, but she'd seek her revenge and he'd pay his due.

Three days until Christmas Day…

He was surprised they were both not hung over. A night out with Heather and her swim team, and member of his old swim team and many, many drinks later had left both him and Robin going home late and just about getting ready enough to be able to be coherent on the air. It had taken Steve an embarrassingly amount of time to work out their set lists and he swore at times he was getting the shakes for some reason but they were working through it. Him and Robin, the dynamic duo. They'd made the bad days work at Scoops and here, as tight as ever, they'd carry each other through it. Just as they had each other on the way home. "So, we have another caller on line two. What's your name and what can we play for you this afternoon?" They'd admittedly had some banging tunes already this slot. Some golden oldies; some Slade, some Wizard. Some modern ones and some not so Christmassy tunes too. Probably from someone who either didn't like Christmas all that much or just wanted to give others a breather for a moment. After playing a bit of T-Rex and Prince, the songs had morphed back into the season and Steve was now ready to hear what the last request of the session was gonna be. A pause on a line. This happened from time to time. When there was a bad line, a disconnect or when people just didn't know what to say, or how to start. It happened more often than he'd thought when he'd started here three years ago. Nerves on the airwaves, the thought of so many ears hearing your every word. Steve got it. He'd been the same when he'd started. Now it felt as natural as breathing. Steve patiently waited for the caller to say a word or hang up. "Santa's little helpers." Giggling floated over the line and yet another familiar sound reached Steve's ears. A sigh away from the microphone as he rolled his eyes at Robin to just get a grin back. Eyes carrrying as much mischief as the kids on the line. Well, it had only been a matter of time before one of the little shits got through. He was kinda surprised at who it was though. "Hello there Santa's little helpers. Hope you're keeping warm up there in the North Pole. What can we play for you?" "What's the North Pole?"

"Can we have 'Driving Home for Christmas'. Please."

Yep it was them and Steve just smiled, Robin shaking her head but still with that mischief in her eyes. Had she set them up to this? He had no idea if she actually had; he knew she wouldn't reveal her hand yet if she had. Or maybe it was the other who had spoken who'd decided to do it. Those two were thick as thieves after all. Either way, Steve leaned back to his microphone, the song now lined up to play.

"Sure thing. Here's 'Driving Home for Christmas' for Santa's Little Helpers. Thanks for calling."

Two days….. It had been a mistake. Two nights out in a row? He should have been able to handle it. Drink never used to be a problem. But today both him and Robin were definitely paying for it. She called it the hangover from hell but worth it. He was just wondering when the hell he'd turned his headset up. Every sound felt like it was echoing inside of his head. The only saving grace was that some of the staff on the other side of the glass had also been out, what with it being the works do, so they were all collectively on the bus together. Just trying to get through another shift before their beds came a-calling. "Line number three, thanks for calling. What's your name and what can we play for you this afternoon?" This time the voice was clearly using some sort of changer. Subtle but there seemed to be a distortion on the line which felt neither like the phone line or signal and clearly wasn't caused by a human voice. Catching Steve's glance, he hovered his finger over to the line button, just in case it turned out to be some prank caller who they'd have to boot off the air pretty quickly. Wouldn't be the first one, sadly probably wouldn't be the last. "Hi, name's "Christmas Princess" and I'd like "Last Christmas" by Wham please. Love your show, thanks for taking my call." "No problem at all Christmas Princess." He knew Robin was looking over now and he knew how; he didn't have to see it. If it wasn't written all over his face in clear sight, then it was that she knew him and his history well enough that she could feel what he was going through. This song….stung. A lot, and he knew it wasn't aimed at him or anything, but it was…such a shitty Christmas song in his opinion. Full of heartache and sorrow and memories of Christmas past. Memories of her and the special someone he wished he could have given his heart to. And the word Princess….god it remembered him so much of that asshole. Not even in town no more, could be a thousands miles. To Steve, he never was away. He was always there in his head, in his heart and he felt the whole thing stumble.That tell tale of a rip occuring again, and the feel of a soft hand under the table. Steve blinked out of his thoughts and daydreaming, looking over at Robin and the producers who were pointing at the blinking "Live" sign. Smiling at everyone, Steve hoped nothing he'd been thinking had shown on his face. One look at Robin, and he saw that it had. Damn. Him and Robin had spent so much time talking about their crushes that he was so relieved when one of them got lucky. She wanted it for him too, even if she shared his opinion on his crush (being an asshole). She wanted Steve to be happy and he wanted to be finally too.

"And that was Last Christmas. Sorry to all of you trying to avoid Whamhalla. Better luck next time folks. Now who'd we have on line six."

Christmas Eve It was Christmas eve, one last shift until Christmas Day, which turns out this year, he actually wasn't gonna be spending alone after all. He'd not realised until this morning that there were several voice messages for him at home. All of which had come from the Hendersons. Mrs Henderson had happened to bump into his mom in the supermarket or some place, and she'd let on that not only would they be out of town but Steve would be staying behind. Something about work and a boring business meeting his dad had which they didn't wanna drag him along to. So of course, the first phone call had from Mrs Henderson, asking him if he'd like to come over for xmas. The second had been just a check in and polite check in. A "It's okay if you'd rather be alone but if you could let me and Dusty know, that would be appreciated." The final one had been Dustin telling him that if he didn't come around to his on Christmas Day, then his mom was gonna bring them around. Apparently his mom must have had a change of heart; Steve not finding out the why until much later on. Outwardly he'd been annoyed, rung back. Got Henderson on the phone and huffed a "Fine Henderson. Let your mom know we already have a turkey," before putting the phone down. But as Robin started to work out which lines they were gonna to be taking calls from first and he worked through the playlist they'd already arranged for the session, Steve realised that really, now the day was actually nearly here, he was relieved. So god damn relieved that it wouldn't be another meaningless Christmas. He even felt a little bad about his tone on the phone. He should have sounded grateful, not like he was doing them a favour. Something to apologise for when he saw them in person. No more time to dwell on that though as he was on main host duties today and so it was his turn to man the lines. Nodding to Robin, she hit a button and put the caller through. Steve wondering what the next Christmas 'masterpiece' in which they would be asked/forced to play would be. "Over to line four. Hi there, what's your name and what can we play you this Merry Christmas Eve?" "Yeah, hi. This is that guy with the Camaro. I want to request a song for someone special. It's that Mariah Carey song. You know, the popular one." No……no no no. It couldn't be. It had to be….someone else right? But no. He'd know that voice anywhere in the world. The inflexion in his words, his choices, his tone. Of all the god damn people to phone in and all of the times too. And of all of the god damn shitting songs he could pick. Why this one and why this. God Damn. Station. Maybe to be fair he didn't know. He'd been gone since Starcourt. Whisked away as soon as he was well enough. Had gone to catch some sun and never come back. At times Steve wished he would have stayed like Max had done. Maybe he'd have at least had the chance to say he was sorry. Maybe he could have made things right between them. "You there amigo?" The words echoed around in his head, before a little nudge from Robin brought him back around. Concentrate….he had to just treat this as another caller. Them as anyone else who wanted a song. It didn't matter how he felt about it; he had a job to do. "Yes, sorry that guy with the Camaro. All I want for Christmas is you right?" "That's the one."

The sound of a smirk in his voice made Steve want to throw up.Throw down his headset and go cry in the staff room.He'd not felt like this in so long and it was really darn hard for him to keep it together right now.But he had to. ON with the show and then he could let it all hang out when he got home. Away from the peering eyes, away from anyone's expectations of him. Then he'd be fine for when Mrs Henderson picked him up. None the wiser. "Sure man, we'll put that right on for you. Hope that special someone likes it." "Thanks man, I know they'll be listening."

Another gut punch and it was like the Byers House all over again. All he needed was a plate smashing over his head. A squeeze of his hand and Steve takes a deep breath before slipping the headset off again. Robin quickly joining him and gently putting his and hers down on the console. "Steve….." "It's okay Robin. He's probably come back to see Max for Christmas" And this special person of his. A tight lump was gripping his throat. He hated this. All of it. Most of the staff here knew about him and Robin and it didn't bother them. It hadn't stopped them from rising up the ranks, given them their own show. Some people in Hawkins would still be reviled if they knew about the pairs' sexualities but here they were safe. And he was pretty sure some of them knew about the golden haired Cali boy that he held such a torch for. Hell, one of them had even found his mixtape in the car once. Asked him about it and then reassured him that he was okay. That it was fine. He had a friend who was gay and he was going to their wedding. That had been several months back, the first person at work Steve had even told. It still didn't make this any easier. He'd gotten worse at hiding his emotions. The dam was breaking and he was struggling to stop the water now. Luckily though, the caller was gone before the song played out and Steve managed to say a hurried thanks before Robin skillfully took over the air for the last song. Gestured for him to go and take a breather. The producers nodded and let him go, didn't mind the fact he'd had to head off early. He'd wanted to say thank you to all their listeners, to wish them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year as they wouldn't be back on the air until after the first, but he just couldn't right now. And they all knew that. Smoking hadn't been on his mind for a while, but now he fished around the bag he brought out from his locker to find the packet, slightly crumpled in a side pocket. God he needed this. God he needed….apparently a lot of things. A hug, a smile, reassuring words. A good turkey dinner and a warm fire, and family and laughter and….. At first, he ignored the buzzing of his phone. Probably just a message or a spam call or somethin'. It rang off fast enough to be either so he just stood there. Leaned against the wall and took the longest drag that he had in a real long time. Before off went his phone again, pulling against his jeans. Maybe it was Mrs Henderson. Maybe there'd been a change of plan or she needed to make sure she had the right gravy. She did like to make a fuss and always made him feel so welcome. The thought of which is what made him pull his phone out eventually. It wasn't right to keep her waiting. He'd already missed her calls and not rang her back, something else he really needed to say sorry for. But it wasn't her name that had flashed up on his screen. It was Max. Okay, that….didn't make the most sense but maybe she just wanted to wish him a Merry Christmas or….shit no, something hadn't happened had it? He'd….he'd better pick up. "Max?" "No need to sound so worried pretty boy. She's fine. Snuck out with Lucas somewhere. Probably the arcade. Dead romantic like that." Holy….shit. He couldn't stop himself from sliding down the wall, only feeling over the back of his jacket once his ass had hurt the floor. Hargrove…what the shit. He really was back in Hawkins and apparently had Max's phone on him. "Also before you lecture me, yes she has my phone. Didn't think you'd pick up if it was a strange number or anything. So, you like the song choices?"

"Song choices?" Wait choices….. Steve's face must have done a whole range of different motions as emotions rode from pillar to post. He'd rang in before. Several times. But when and…. how many times? What had he requested, other than that damn song today. The voice changer….so he'd been the shit requesting freaking Last Christmas. Now another emotion straddled the rest of them. So, was this some kinda sick joke, a wind up, a play to get him on air? He couldn't think straight. He never could around Hargrove but wasn't this typical of him? Wasn't this the usual hair playing behaviour he should have expected? Wasn't this why he liked him? Shit…. This could not be happening.

"Ah come on man? Santa baby, Driving Home for Christmas….George Michael and freaking Mariah Carey. You know how much cred I've lost just requesting that song man." "Ah great. Yeah, it totally makes sense now. You putting others up to ring mine and Robin's show and make me feel like a complete ass" "Woah woah woah amigo. No no no." A snort and then that lower tone that always made him feel like he was about to split in half. "Did you even listen to what I said to you? Listen to the lyrics of any of those songs. And here was me thinking you were a fellow music lover Harrington." Listen to the lyrics? About wanting someone, coming home to them, the whole giving someone their heart and shit and…..but it was for a special someone. All I want for Christmas is…..oh. "Get the hint yet?" His eyes darted upwards as the shadows crept over him. A familiar smile now above him. Shining ocean eyes which he thought he'd never see again. And the sound of an engine in the background and playful chatter. Max and Lucas at the arcade his ass.

"Hi there pretty boy. Look whose come back for Christmas." ……….

#harringrove #billy x steve #harringrove xmas fic #kaizen's kreations #inspired by others' posts

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