Dumpster Fire

CHAPTER 10

"The leaves are green." Dustin reiterated, motioning widely to a largely uninterested audience.

"Give it a rest." Will sighed heavily, pushing his bike to the front with El and Mike.

Steve watched Dustin bristle. "This means we're closer to summer, and my Suzie-"

"Suzie-poo." The Party chorused, El giggling as the boys rolled their eyes.

"Man." Dustin frowned, "you guys just don't get it cuz you all have each other."

Mike slowed, looked back. "We don't mean anything by it."

"I know." Dustin shrugged, hopping off his bike to walk beside Mike. "But still."

"We understand you're excited, Dustin."

"Yeah." Lucas added, shrugging. "We'd just be more understanding if you didn't bring it up every two minutes."

"I'll try to curb my enthusiasm." Dustin snipped as they rounded the road to Will's driveway. "Speaking of enthusiasm," He pointed a look at Lucas. "Is our zoomer joining us?"

Steve felt his blood pick up the pace.

Lucas shrugged, though he looked out at the road as he dumped his bike with the rest. "She said she'd be getting a ride-"

As though summoned, the familiar rumble of the camaro filled the air, closer, louder. Steve swallowed hard as Billy and Max came into view. As Billy hung an arm out the window, flicked his cigarette into the distance. Braked feet from the awaiting audience.

Max sprung from the car. "Prick!" She snapped, slamming the car door, ignoring The Party's concern and bolting into the house.

Steve lingered as Billy exited slower. "Fucking bitch." He muttered, closing his door, looking over the Byers house, the bikes. Steve.

Billy smirked, licked his lips. Steve felt heat flood his stomach, trickle to every inch of his body. One step closer, two. Steve could almost feel Billy beneath his fingers, practically taste him; smell him.

"Harrington." Purred, tongue over teeth and Steve felt his knees wobble.

"Hargrove." A nod in return as he mirrored Billy's caution. One step closer. Two.

Moving beside him, gaze dragging over jeans too tight to not be painted on. Red shirt left half unbuttoned to tease an expanse of chest that begged Steve to touch. That he itched to touch. The glint of-

"What's the necklace?"

"Hmm?" Billy looked down as he pulled it up to examine. "It's the Saint Christopher." Eyes slid closed, face took on a dreamy look. "After Mom left Neil destroyed almost everything." Fist clenched around the pendant. "Pictures, clothes. Shoes." Billy shuddered. "Dishes. Everything. He even flushed her jewelry."

"But this?" Steve let his fingers brush over Billy's fist gingerly, watching eyes widen, feeling shoulders twitch.

"I-" Billy exhaled slowly, "I was able to nick this. It'd fallen in the carpet by a heater vent." Hand opened a little, letting Steve grab the pendant and look closer.

"Cool." Steve flipped the warm metal over in his fingers, tempted but resisting the desire to look Billy in the face. "I mean-" Eyes trailed up. "I-it's not… you know." Leaned in, eyes glued to Billy's lips now. "I'm glad you have this." He tugged a little, Billy obliged, moving in towards Steve.

"What are you guys doing?" Joyce banged onto the front porch. "Pizza's getting cold."

"Right!" Steve's hand jerked away, the necklace falling against Billy's chest with a soft 'pat'. "Are you eating with us or…?"