history ~ billy hargrove

chapter 1

hey i just wanna say, as much as i love steve rogers, THIS is america's ass

Athena sat on Tina's dryer, careful not to dent it (as if she could, being as small as she is). she had seen Billy pop up and was trying to work up the courage to talk to him, she knew him not answering wasn't his fault now, but there was so many more questions swirling throughout her mind as of tonight. she wasn't quite sure he'd be able to answer most of them.

she had the door closed but knew it wouldn't stop Billy from coming through, not like she wanted to.

the Hargrove boy walked past the outside of Tina's laundry room, hearing someone kick their feet lightly while lightly singing time after time by cyndi lauper, a newly famous artist. Billy could recognize the syllables coming out of her mouth, he'd know her sweet voice anywhere.

slowly, Billy walked into the room and closed the door. the first thing he saw were the big red cowboy boots she was wearing, kicking back and forth in the air because her legs were too short to reach the ground. he looked up to her face, and noticed some sadness set in her eyes and her mouth into a frown.
he knew that she was probably drunk, so he decided not to start a conversation with her as of yet. instead, Billy just opted to sit on the sink next to her. as Billy sat down, Athena finally had processed he was next to her again, within reach of her being able to touch him again, to love him again.

she looked up at Billy through her eyelashes. in the corner of her eyes she noticed him smirk, that annoying, devilish smirk she loved to kiss off his face so often back home. he noticed the frown on her face turn into a small smile, lighting up her face and crinkling the side of her eyes.

they both said nothing, instead each leaning towards the other, his head on top of hers, and her head on his shoulder.

"been a while, huh Billy" Athena spoke.

Billy said nothing. instead, he realized it was turning late, almost too late for his girl to be outside alone. he knew she chose to walk to Tina's party, she never once decided to take her bike or accept a ride from him back at home. she hadn't changed.
Billy had and internal battle going on inside his head, talk to her, or leave the talking to later. finally making up his mind, he knew that he wanted to talk to her when she was sobered up (and when he was too, admittedly). so Billy grabbed the water he had and drank the rest of the bottle, finally sobering up enough to safely drive, he had only had one drink, but he had to be sure.

Billy lightly brought his hand to Athena's and, as she didn't reject it, but brought hers closer slowly, clasped it and started guiding her towards his car without a word. she knew he could always be trusted, she had put her trust in him from the start, never once looking back.

she fell asleep in the car and he hadn't the heart to wake the beauty in his back seat, sprawled out across the three seats. he put his keys in his hand and slowly scooped Athena in his arms and took slow, careful steps, as not to wake her. he locked his car with his keys, all while still holding her, and sneaked in to the front door, almost slipping into his room when Susan caught him. Susan was good, she wasn't his mom, no one could replace her, but she never blamed him for anything or went to hurt him like his dad did.

that's why, when Susan came out of her and Neil's room, Billy froze and waited for Neil to be notified. thankfully, no such thing happened, Susan nodded lightly and winked at Billy, almost as if she knew who the girl in Billy's arms was. he nodded his head towards her and mouthed a gracious 'thank you' before he tiptoed to his bedroom.

once he got inside he pulled his covers down and put Athena in his bed, and, being careful not to wake her, put her in one of his ac/dc shirts he remembered she loved, and took off her red boots. soon as he did that, Billy undressed and put on his regular sleep attire, a pair of boxers, and turned out the light. glad he kept the window open at night, he was then proud when Athena had cuddled closer to him for warmth.

nuzzling her cold nose into his chest and him kissing her on the top of her curly head of hair, they went to sleep together. finally reunited and not ready for what could be happening tomorrow.