HEART FLAYER | b. hargrove

CHAPTER 038.

1 WEEK LATER
August 2, 1985

Before anything else could happen between Arwen and Billy, she let them both have their own space for a little bit. She needed to sort out her own thoughts and feelings and take some time for herself. She spent the week with her sister or just alone. By the end of the week, she wasn't healed from everything by any means, but she craved Billy's company horribly. Arwen wanted to call him so many times throughout the week and it was getting unbearable. But he hadn't called her, so she reasoned that he probably was taking time for himself as well.

But tonight, El was at the Wheelers' house, having a sleepover with the other kids and she was alone. She sat on the couch, watching a movie, but the thoughts started to eat away at her again. The loneliness and emptiness of the cabin was crushing. She started to gnaw on her lower lip and could've sworn she kept hearing the thudding footsteps of the Mind Flayer outside. She'd checked the window about ten times before she finally caved.

She picked up the phone and called Billy. He picked up the call with a flat, emotionless voice.

"Hello?"

"Billy?"

"Ari." His voice filled with a bit more warmth now.

"Um... would you maybe want to come over? It's okay if not, I just -"

"I'll be there in ten."

And then he hung up. Arwen was a bit surprised at how willing he was, but she sat down on the couch and waited, trying not to fidget or pick at her fingernails from anxiety. Just like he'd said, he was there in ten minutes... or maybe even less than that. She jumped at the sound of the knock, but got up and let him in.

He looked well-kept and put together just like he used to, but the underneath of his eyes were dark. She shut the door and they just stood there in front of each other for a long moment. Arwen's lip trembled and she felt tears burn her eyes.

Concern washed over Billy's face and he held out his arms, which made her flinch.

"Ari... it's me. Okay? It's Billy. I'm not him." Billy said in the softest voice she'd ever heard. It came out a bit shaky. "Come here..."

Arwen nodded, knowing he was right, and tears began to spill down her face as she stepped into his arms. He let out a breath of relief as he held her tightly. He was trying to hide it, but she could feel his tears on her shoulder as she cried into his neck. She didn't realize how much she'd missed how he smelled until now. Billy was exactly what she'd needed.

After about five minutes of silently crying into each other, they pulled back and Arwen gazed up at him. She slowly reached a hand up to rest on his cheek and he leaned into it as if it was his lifeline. He stared down at her so vulnerably, his brows furrowed as he looked at her like she was the most precious thing in the world.

"I love you too." Arwen finally responded to what he'd told her all those weeks ago.

And Billy smiled. A big, beautiful genuine smile as more tears fell down his cheeks and he moved his hands to cradle the back of her head, pulling her into a kiss.

And there it was: that incredible feeling of safety and comfort that she used to feel around him before he was possessed. Their tears seemed to mix together as they kissed in a sort of bittersweet way. Billy was so very gentle with her, more than he ever would have been when they would kiss in the past. It made her heart ache.

They finally pulled apart, resting their foreheads against each other as they took a breath.

"I can't stay away from you anymore." Billy said quietly, his blue eyes looking almost pleadingly at her.

Arwen smiled, her thumb stroking his cheek. "Then don't."

"Thank God." Bill sighed out before he kissed her again.

She giggled against his lips, which turned into a surprised yelp as he picked her up and she quickly wrapped her arms and legs around him as he carried her into her bedroom. He settled her into the bed before he slid in next to her, puling her close against him so that he could hold her. Arwen was a bit taken aback at first, but she melted into his grasp very quickly. She closed her eyes as she rested her head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat.

She tried not to think too hard about how close he'd once been to being killed. She could have easily lost him that night and she'd be here with yet another hole in her life. She squeezed her arms tighter around him at the thought and it seemed like Billy had been having similar feelings as he returned the squeeze, burying his face into the top of her hair and letting out a breath of contentment.

"I missed you." Arwen eventually said.

"I missed you so fucking much." Billy responded with a little chuckle.

"Stay the night...?"

"Of course. You got some blankets I can use on the couch? Or would you rather I be in here on the floor?"

"No," Arwen leaned her head up a bit to look at him. "Here. With me."

Billy's eyebrows raised in slight surprise, but he nodded and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

They spent the next hour or so just talking and enjoying each other's presence before they both fell asleep, feeling more peaceful and safe than they had in weeks.