Things To Hide In The Dark. (Harringrove)

Chapter Three.

Steve dropped Billy and Max back off at home hours later. It was dark, and nearing midnight. He knew he hadn't wanted to stay long, but Harrington was pretty good company. He felt better about being there than he did being at Neil's.

Billy was relieved to see Darcy in the driveway, seemingly unharmed, but it was the station wagon that unnerved him. Neil was home. This wasn't going to be good. He clenched his jaw and pinched his eyes shut.

"Thanks Harrington. See you around." Billy winked at him, not missing the blush that took a hold of Steve's face. Max disappearing into the house leaving Billy alone with Steve.

"No problem Hargrove. See ya." He replied, a nervous hand on the back of his neck.

Billy got out of the car and sauntered towards the house. Looking back to find Steve watching him. He smirked, blowing the boy a kiss. Steve shook his head and drove away. Billy loved to see him squirm. It was adorable.

He stepped into the one story house cautiously. It wasn't quite late enough for him to have passed out drunk, so he figured Neil would still be up, and he didn't need that kind of headache. Not right now.

He walked as quietly to his room as he could, trying not to alert anyone in the house of his presence. He made it to his room, hand on the doorknob when he felt a person behind him. His body stiffened and he turned to look at the man in the hallway.  Neil.

His hands were balled into fists and his eyes were wild with anger. For the life of him, Billy couldn't understand what he'd done wrong this time. Neil stalked towards him and Billy flinched back. This coaxed a sickening laugh from his shitty father.

"Such a fucking pussy. Everyone keeps talking about Billy the hero, but you're a fucking coward. Fucking faggott. All that I fucking do for this family and you're the fucking hero? Fucking bullshit. You're a fucking disgrace." He spat smacking Billy hard across the face.

Billy could feel his lip split inside his mouth, the taste of iron spread across his teeth. He didn't meet Neil's gaze, knowing he'd earn another slap, or punch, or maybe worse. He knew better that to challenge him.

"Get the fuck out of my sight." He told Billy, the malice in his words frightened him.

Billy quickly went into his room shutting the door behind him. He flicked on the light and allowed himself to breathe for a moment. He looked around his room, it being the same as when he'd left. He was thankful Neil didn't trash it or sell his stuff.

He took his clothes off, leaving him in his black boxer briefs, shutting off the light, and laid down on his bed. Careful not to further any injuries. He buried his face in the pillow and cried, his tears soaking through the pillowcase. His sobs hurt every muscle in his body.

He pressed his face further into the pillow, trying his best to silence his sobs. If he heard Billy, that slap would be only the beginning. Boys don't cry. Only fags like him do. He had heard these words from Neil more than he could count.

Billy fell asleep this way. In a puddle of his own blood and tears, and he had done this hundreds of nights before.

😫

Steve laid alone in his oversized bed. Looking out the window across the room, seeing the trees there. He sighed turning to look at the dark ceiling. The shadows crawled across it like waves as a car drove by.

He was lonely. Like always honestly. He hadn't seen his parents in almost a year. He got a card for his birthday that only his mother had signed. No calls, no letters, just lonely silence. 

He just wished they'd stop in. Tell him they love him once or twice a year. Say that maybe they're proud of him. Even if they're just proud that he hasn't burned the house down.