Middle Fingers Up // Billy Hargrove x Reader

𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝑻𝑯𝑰𝑹𝑻𝒀-𝑵𝑰𝑵𝑬

BILLY'S POV. THE DAY AT THE POOL.

Billy was on cloud nine, head in the sky and feeling at peace for the first time in a long time. Waiting had been tough, but fucking hell was it worth it in the end. After you left, he clocked out of his shift with a smug grin; mind set permanently on the events of last night and today.

He was even grinning the whole time he changed, when he officially clocked out - even saying goodbye to his team for once before leaving - and on the drive home. His dad was back, he could see that from the fact his car was in the drive, making Billy scowl at the vehicle. He was early. It wasn't the cars fault an asshole controlled it, but Billy hated anything and everything his father touched. Including himself. 

His grin still doesn't fully falter though, not until he steps through the door and is met with his father's fist smashing against his jaw. "You had that whore in my house?! You fucked her in my house-?!" 

Neil was furious, slamming the door shut behind his son and throwing him up against the wall. Billy was caught off guard and the daze from the sucker punch made him see stars momentarily. "No, sir.." He lies, in hopes to be let off but it was a stupid move.

If his dad was this enraged, it meant he had to know. But how-?

"That's it, spew your bullshit, William. I know the truth. Your poor mother went into your room to see if you were home and saw the used condom in your trash. Couldn't even be bothered to hide it; you're disgusting."

His voice was venom when he spoke and Billy tried his best not to comment on the fact Susan wasn't his mom. Not even close. "You're home sooner than I expected." He comments through gritted teeth, but is only met with another fist driving into his mouth. He can feel the sharp pain as his lip splits open, blood pooling and trickling down his chin.

"You will never have her back here again. In fact --" He cuts himself off, dropping Billy from his grasp and pointing a finger against his son's chest. Neil's own was rising with heavy, irate breaths and his cheeks were a hideous shade of pink that showed his restraint in not murdering Billy right there. "You two are done. It's time you grew the fuck up, William. You're breaking up with her."

"Absolutely not." He retorts, jaw tensing at the suggestion. Billy didn't understand love and probably never would, but what he felt for you came as close as anything ever would. He wasn't ready to give that up, so his response was blurted out on reflex before he could stop it and he knew when his father glared at him once more that he'd fucked up.

Neil doesn't say anything for a long time until he's punching Billy in the stomach once, twice, three times. Then once more for good measure until Billy is on the floor groaning, knees up to his chest in hopes to alleviate the agony in his muscles. It didn't work. 

He'd never seen his father this angry before and had never caught a beating like it. His vision was clouded from the attack on his face, his nose and lip oozing blood.

"If I tell you to do something, I'm going to make damn sure you do it. I've been too lenient with you; too nice to you. It's time to be stricter and put a stop to this - before that filthy little slut ruins your life." Billy's dad runs a hand over his face as he watches his son scowl at him from the floor. "I won't do it," Billy chokes out, clutching at his sides. 

He figured he wasn't ready to give you up just yet. Wasn't ready to go back to the numb bullshit he had before you. You gave him excitement and adoration, affection and trust. It was what he needed - any fool could fall in love, but what you gave him was far more precious than that. 

"That so?" Neil snorts, dropping to squat in front of his agonized son. He clutches the boys face, directing his gaze to look at him. "Either you dump her, or you're out on your ass, boy. That pretty face will only get you so far. Without me, without this roof over your head and your family to protect you, you'll be dead in a month and that's being generous."

"Good, I don't need shit from you." He spits back, blood splattering the carpet between the two of them from the blonde's busted lower lip. His eye was swelling from the earlier hit and he could only see clearly from the other one now. 

His father only laughs at him, humorless and bitter. "You say that now, but it's getting into Fall. When you're freezing cold and starving, you really think your little slut will hang around? You're nothing, William. I'm surprised you haven't seen it for yourself yet - you're just a scared little boy who acts all tough but has no backbone or life ahead of him. Who could love you? You disgust even me and I'm your blood, your father - do you honestly think she'll stick around when she figures it out for herself?" 

Billy was silent as he listened to his father, head aching from the abuse and whole body on fire, clouding his mind. He was all but choking on the coppery blood filling his mouth, spluttering anguished groans from the pain in his abdomen.

"Make it easy on yourself and do as I ask. Otherwise, these beatings are only gonna get much, much worse and I will make damn sure she knows it's her fault." He gives body to his words by standing up once more and digging his foot beneath Billy's chin.  "You really want her living with that on her conscience? Because I'll bet she won't and sooner or later she'll end it herself to save her precious boy toy."

"Monster." Billy chokes out, trying to ring his neck free from his fathers hold but it was no use. He was pinned and defenseless and he hated every goddamn second of it. Billy did feel that you were far too good for him, he always had - it was one of the reasons that drew him to the chase to begin with. He always wanted what he couldn't have. 

Now that you were together though, he'd even found himself waiting for you to wise up and realise you were better than him. Like his dad said, it was only a matter of time - right? 

All Billy knew right then was that it would kill you to see him in the state he was in now, broken and bloodied, all because he chose to be with someone his dad didn't like. If that continued? Who was to say what you would do? or how it would ruin you to see him beaten and bloodied just for being with you.

No, despite himself, Billy found himself reasoning with his father's words and finding truth in them. Regardless of how you made him feel, he couldn't watch as you began to resent yourself for his own father's power play. Ending things with you wouldn't be hard physically, but he knew it would hurt. Not just you, but him also. 

But maybe it was for the best. 

"I'm no monster, William, but you can keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better." He removes his foot from Billy's throat and takes a step back, folding his arms and still seething beneath the surface. "Susan, you can come out now. William has something to say to you." 

The woman in question peers out from behind the kitchen door, obviously awkward about the situation she was interrupting. "Billy, I--" She begins.

"I'm sorry, Susan." Billy murmurs but there was no emotion to it. His voice was monotone and empty, just like himself. That persona he'd perfected was on in an instant, separating him from his emotions so he could do what needed to be done. He wanted to give himself a few days to think about how to do it, but he would get the job done, and you? You'd be far better off without him ever being around you again. You could have a chance to get out and have the life you deserved without him and his piece of shit father bringing you down.

It felt like he was poison, damning everything good he ever touched. Yes, that was mostly his fathers fault for telling him just that since his mother left, but what if there was truth to it? Billy was destined to have a shitty life. You were owed so much more than that.

You, who was such a kind heart and gentle soul deep down. He wouldn't curse you to watch him being destroyed simply for having a heart and sharing it. 

It had to end.