TWENTY-EIGHT

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David was sitting on the hood of Steve's car, cross-legged and with his gaze firmly on the book in his lap without getting any of it. The words kept skipping and lost their meaning so he had to reread the paragraphs over and over again to actually grasp their meaning. He was tired by now, overwhelmed by the day and its events and he didn't seem to be able to get his focus on. There was too much else racing his mind and too little energy to fight it.
He couldn't wait for Steve to turn up so he could spend the rest of the day just laying down somewhere comfortable. With a sigh, he closed the book and put it back into his bag. There was no use for it anyway. He jumped to his feet, deciding to walk a few steps to keep himself busy.
Lazily, he kicked his feet, stopped, and bent his ankles slightly outwards, enjoying the sensation. Then he softly bounced on the spot, his converse observing the shock just right. It made him feel better, more at the moment and less mushy in the brain. He turned, kicked another tiny rock, and juggled his right leg, then the left one and it was like the thoughts fell back into line where they belonged, no longer overlapping and playing simultaneously.
The clouds in his mind lifted and he found himself to be more relaxed. It was stupid, but things like that had always worked when he wasn't too far gone into the trance that fell over him ever so often. He looked around, took in how empty the parking lot was at this time of the day with only the cars of the team left and his gaze settled on Billy's. He hadn't given the fact much thought that the boy was still here as well. But thinking about it, that was dumb.

Tommy had been the only one to leave early after his nose was identified as broken. He was most likely whining to a doctor by now. Tommy had broken David's nose once, it had hurt like a bitch, but David hadn't had the courage to miss a single class to get it fixed. His mother had scolded him for that but in the end, everything had worked out just well and it had healed as if nothing happened. David wasn't sure if he was wishing Tommy a fast recovery or not he was still not sure how he felt about Billy hurting him in the first place. He didn't like violence, but Tommy might be the only exception to that rule as he was just too obnoxious. Also, he beat him up all the time.
Maybe the boy deserved a little humiliation. Or maybe Billy was just cruel and David was just excusing him because he made him feel like that. He should just stop thinking about Tommy, he definitely didn't deserve any of his time. And the gym door opening was far more interesting anyway, as none other than Billy strutted outside, curls still slightly wet and glistening in the afternoon sun. To David, he was still the only one who could pull off a jeans look paired with that white shirt he seemed to have multiple of. He must be freezing but he looked gorgeous regardless.
His gaze caught David's and as usual, it felt like looking straight into a flashlight. The boy's heart fluttered as Billy smiled at him.

David lifted a hand for his usual wave but decided otherwise. Suddenly he knew what to do. Steve's words rang in his head as he marched over nervously, his hands grasping the sleeves of his trusty cord jacket.
Billy eyed him as he approached. "Harrington's still soaping his hair," he said but David couldn't care less about that information.
His palms were sweaty, knees weak and his fingers holding on for dear life to the Fabrik as he positioned himself right in front of the taller boy. He took a deep breath, bewildered at himself that he had the courage for what he was about to say, but his insides screamed at him to get it over already.
"I like you," he announced, not daring to lift his gaze from the tips of his converse.
"What?" Billy chuckled and the worst-case scenario was dangerously close in David's mind, still, he continued.
Now he couldn't make it any worse.
"I don't know how to flirt and I don't know if I even got right that you were flirting with me... but I like you. In a romantic kind of way. And I would flirt back if I could." He inhaled aggressively, having used all his oxygen to get that statement across.
" You like me? " Billy echoed and David briefly glanced up to find him frowning.
He just nodded, pressing his eyes shut so he wouldn't have to see Billy's face fall anymore. The following silence was embarrassing, eating away at his confidence mercilessly. Laughter would have been easier to cope with. He was used to it. Then, he felt a finger tipping against his chin, raising it. And as his eyes fluttered open carefully, Billy was leaning close, looking at him sternly and with an intensity that burned on his skin before connecting their lips.

David had still a perfect memory of their last kiss, but this time felt different. There was no shame to it, no misunderstanding or wrong impressions. Billy had chosen to kiss him, David Byers, and not some girl he believed he had hooked up with. Billy Hargrove tasted faintly sweet with a hint of smoke, while he felt warm and wonderfully soft.
David liked kissing him, it made his skin sizzle and his stomach rumble. He liked how two hands grabbed his thighs and lifted him against a wall of the entrance, hard enough for him to feel the bricks but too gentle to hurt while the tiny boy's arms shot around the other boy's neck for support.
He adored the strong scent of shampoo and body wash enclosing them, hoping it would rub off on him. Billy guided his legs around his hips as if that was where he thought they belonged and David couldn't argue with that. Nor would he say anything as the boy's tongue explored his mouth eagerly and with undeniable experience.
Billy knew what he was doing all too well and without his support, David would swoon at the incredibly pleasant overload of texture, taste, and overall sensations. Billy's weight pressed against him was heavenly and it was a crime when Billy suddenly pulled back, put him down, and took a step back, readjusting the shirt under his jacket with a smirk. David didn't know what to say, he was too busy remembering how to breathe properly, his face probably glowing bright red.
But they were interrupted anyway as Steve stepped outside next to them, eyeing the two boys suspiciously. Billy just run two fingers over his lips as if he couldn't believe what he had just done either, giving David a last, good look that was so fond.
"Good talk, Byers. Good talk. See you tomorrow" he announced, immediately strutting away. Steve's gaze followed him for a moment, then settled on David suspiciously.
"What was that all about?" he asked and David just shrugged, still on cloud nine.
"I'm tutoring him again." Steve gently shook his head.
"You're too naive, Doodle. He's an asshole and he hurt you. Why don't you just tell him to piss off already?" "He apologized," David responded, not planning on letting Steve kill his mood.
"And can we go now? I'm tired."
That was enough to make Steve dismiss his hate for Billy and replace it with worry.
"I told you it was too much! You should have stayed at home for another few days."
"It's fine, it was a good day. But I need a nap. ." Steve reached into his pocket, pulling out his keys.
"Let's go," he said and marched on towards his car. While following him, Billy drove past them, a wide grin plastered on his lips as he winked at David. The boy's face immediately turned hot again. He was a lost cause. He laid his head against the chilly car window, eyeing the street out of the corners of his eyes while replaying the kiss in his head over and over again.
Billy liked him back. He closed his eyes, humming softly to himself, feeling Steve's eyes on him. If he knew, he would call David stupid and absolutely crazy and would argue that Billy was no person to be around. Usually, the Byers boy didn't have any secrets from his best friend, but this one was different. Now he had an especially sweet one and he wondered what would happen when Billy and him would meet after school tomorrow.
He couldn't wait for it. Was it strange to miss him already? Did he have any right or reason for that? Probably not. But his feelings were strongly convinced otherwise.

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