The Black & White ~ A Harringrove Story

4 - Keep This Between Us

'Harrington?!' Billy exclaims with disdain. 'Of all the people I could run into in these godforsaken woods, it had to be you?'

'Oh, believe me, Hargrove, the feeling's mutual,' Steve shoots back. 'Preying on the weak as usual?'

'You've got some nerve! I'm out here trying to find Max.' Billy's nostrils flare. 'But you? Out here alone? I bet you're up to something shady.'

Steve rolls his eyes. 'For your information, I'm looking for Dustin and Lucas. They're missing. They're probably up to their usual secret-club shenanigans in this forest.'

Billy snorts. 'So, you're their babysitter now?'

'At least I care about someone other than myself. But you wouldn't know anything about that, would you? Wait ...' A realisation dawns upon Steve. 'You're saying you're here for the kids, too?'

'Yeah, seems like it.'

With their mutual goal acknowledged, the two continue their search. They make their way deeper into the woods, side by side, with neither willing to lead or follow the other. Every few steps, they glance at each other sideways. The memory of the previous confrontation intrudes upon Billy's mind, and he tenses.

'Why did you come here alone?' Steve asks, breaking the silence.

Billy smirks. 'Worried about me?'

'Just seems stupid, that's all.'

The canopy overhead casts long, foreboding shadows on the ground. After walking for a while, and passing the same gnarled tree four times, Billy's temper explodes, 'Damn it, Harrington! This was your bright idea? To follow this trail and walk in circles? Now, look where it's gotten us!'

Steve huffs. 'Me? You're the one who insisted on taking that left turn earlier, genius! If you weren't so damn stubborn, we wouldn't be in this mess!'

Billy grabs Steve by the collar. 'You think you're better than me, King Steve?'

'I don't think, Hargrove. I know.'

Steve's retort is the last straw. Letting his rage take over, Billy lunges at Steve, aiming a vicious punch at his face. Steve quickly sidesteps, causing Billy to stumble, but Billy is relentless. He turns swiftly, launching another attack. Steve's hand catches Billy's wrist, trying to pin him down. Billy uses his weight to his advantage and forces Steve to lose his balance.

The forest floor is uneven, littered with leaves and branches. Every step is a potential misstep. They wrestle, each trying to find an advantage over the other. Steve strikes Billy's gut with his knee, but the pain only increases Billy's fury. He grabs a fistful of Steve's hair, pulling his head down and delivering a harsh elbow to his back. Steve grunts in pain, but twists out of Billy's grip, landing a solid blow to his cheek.

The dance of violence goes on, with the two evenly matched in their ferocity. Blood smears their faces, sweat drips from their brows, and the weariness of the prolonged fight starts to show in Steve. Billy swings a heavy-handed blow, catching Steve off guard and knocking him to the ground. Steve tries to get up, but Billy straddles Steve, pinning his wrists to the ground. His face nears Steve's.

Steve takes hard swallows of air. 'You got me this time, Hargrove,' he rasps.

Billy's chest heaves. He doesn't utter a word. He only regards Steve, trying to comprehend the tumultuous mixture of emotions coursing through him. The intensity of the fight, the close proximity of their bodies, and the lingering tension all combine, pushing him into a new realm.

There's a sudden switch in the atmosphere, a shift from combat to desire. Billy's anger morphs into something else. He reaches out, his fingers entangling in Steve's hair, drawing him towards him, and their lips meet in a fierce collision.

Every sensation is deepened by the backdrop of the woods, and the knowledge that they are entirely alone.

******

Steve strokes Billy's back, pulling him close. Every time their lips part, even for a brief moment, they're quickly drawn back together.

Steve shouldn't feel attracted to guys ...

He gasps, knowing that it shouldn't feel so good.

The scent of the woods melds with Billy's musky scent. His hands roam Steve's arms and down to his hips. A warmth settles in Steve's core, and his fingers dig into Billy's hips. Billy's body on top of his is a comforting heaviness. 

Their bodies, previously moving in aggressive opposition, suddenly synchronise.

In the conservative town of Hawkins, being gay is taboo. Society—starting with his own father—would turn against Steve.

How could he resist?

Steve has been wearing a mask of heterosexuality, imagining for far too long, how it would feel to kiss and touch another guy.

But Billy Hargrove?

Well, truth be told, Billy left an impression on Steve shortly after he met him. Not only was Billy incredibly attractive, but he also reminded Steve of the person he used to be. Steve used to act like an arsehole, a bully, too ... but he changed.

Billy disengages, unleashes a long and deep breath, and lies down by his side. 'Well, Harrington ... that was ... unexpected.'

Steve raises his brows. 'Is this always how you like to settle your differences?'

Billy faces him, propping himself up on one elbow. 'Well, if it was, then I'd pick fights a lot more often.'

Steve's lips curve into a half-smile. 'Seriously, though ... what did just happen?'

Billy clicks his tongue. 'As much as I'd like to stay here and dive deeper into ... whatever this was ... we still have people to find.'

Steve sighs and nods in agreement. 'Right. We can't forget why we came here in the first place.'

Pushing himself up, Billy extends a hand to help Steve to his feet. Their fingers entwine and linger that way for a moment.

'We need to keep this between us,' Billy says. 'If anyone found out— '

'—I know,' Steve says.

Billy exhales. 'Let's find the kids, and then get the hell out of these woods.'