Take Me Back (Deja Vu) -- For @crawlingbackwards

[california_dreaming]

Hawkins, Indiana. Friday, June 30th, 1995.

Ten years ago to the day a young lifeguard was kidnapped by her coworker from the pool, an act that ultimately led to hear death. Ten years and one day ago, the life of a particular asshole from California had been changed forever. Later on he'd blown out of town, not looking back, unable to face the horrors that the now infamously cursed town had in store.

A bit under a year later he read newspapers about a state of emergency that almost made him get back in his beat Ford Escort and drive back. But no. Nothing could ever get him to go back to that hellhole. That's what he told himself.

Hilarious that ten years to the day that his life had been ruined he had done just that, holing up in a hotel for some sleep to recover before what would be yet another life changing weekend in the cursed town. His ten year high school reunion. Hell, Billy didn't even know for sure just how the invitation had gotten to him. Someone must have found his contact information, because it had come and for a laugh he'd agreed.

Mostly because it was long past due when he should check in on Max, and he'd heard she might be in town checking on Susan. The drive was nice too. Good for inspiration. He'd taken it slower than the trip back to California, stopping at points with great views, hauling out a sketchbook, and getting ideas down on paper when he needed it. Never knew when some small detail would create something beautiful. Or terrible. Worked either way. Still gets into town, crashes on the couch in Susan's place after a meal (she'd actually gotten a bit better at cocking, who could have expected it), and then prepares for what comes next.


Billy Hargrove knows how to make an entrance. Has already made one in this small town before, but he does it now for old time's sake. Waits until he'll be half an hour late, so he can ensure all eyes are on him. If he's going to be back in this place of nightmares and memories, he wanted to live out some of the good ones. Which means tearing into the school parking lot in his blue and white Chevy Chevelle, engine roaring, music blaring. Barely anyone is outside of the school building, already headed into the gym, but the few who are...

Oh the looks he gets. They know this entrance. They know what it means. And before he even gets out of the car he knows there are whispers. But he does get out, smooths his fitted and well worn jeans over his legs as he does so. Back then he'd be in some shirt he hadn't bothered to do up all the way. These days he's still too mindful of old scars, choosing instead to have one where he can have the sleeves up and the buttons all done, like self respect. After a moment to psych himself up he gets out and makes for the gym.

"Well damn, Carol, you sure aged like fine wine," he says as he comes to a stop at the check in desk, smiling down at her. She looks so shocked. Like she can't believe he's here. Neither can Billy. But he keeps smiling and she reaches for a badge that is really deep in the box, like no one expected it to be needed.

"You too," she says as she hands it up. "Like what you did with your hair."

Billy reaches up, considers the curls. They're bleached more blonde than ever from all the sun back home, just as changed by California as he had been. But when he touches it he almost laughs. Apparently he'd forgotten to pull his hair out of the sloppy bun he'd put it in earlier while helping tidy a bit around Susan's place. Even reaches for the tie when Carol shakes her head.

"Oh no. Leave it like that," she grins. "You look tasty."

And Billy laughs as he accepts the passed over name tag so he can affix it to his shirt.

"When have I not been a snack?" he asks before nodding to Carol. "See you inside later."

Then he heads past her into the gym and feels the eyes turning on him.

Billy Hargrove had come back to Hawkins High School. Now he just needed to make it through the night. Maybe it would be easier this time, because so much of the old arrogance and steel had been worked off of him, just leaving a softer, happier man in its place.

Comments

Brave to assume...

[california_dreaming]

"Oh you have it bad," a voice teases from the door of his bedroom. Robin had long since given up a sense of privacy with Steve.

So of course she had come in after seeing that.

Robin please xD

[crawlingbackwards]

"Jesus-" Steve mid changing just freezes and drops back onto his bed with a hmph. "Really? This couldn't wait until tomorrow?"

Of course it couldn't, this was Robin and if anything he owed her for looking at Lizzie for so much longer than he expected.

[california_dreaming]

“What, you want me to save it for when sudden sexy house guest and curious daughter are both awake?” Robin asks, smirking to herself. No, that doesn’t sound like a good plan at all.

[crawlingbackwards]

"I mean no," Rolling his eyes Steve just waved to invite her in, pulling his legs up onto the bed. "Alright, have at. Get it out of your system."

[california_dreaming]

Robin moves to the bed and bounces onto it.

"So, before you two got here... did you..."

She eyebrow waggles.

[crawlingbackwards]

"what? No!" Steve hissed, rolling his eyes before grabbing one of his pillows to rest his arms on in his lap. "We just went to the hotel out by the Steel Works, to pay the cancelation fee for his reservation. We didn't do anything."

There's a bit of a pause.

"Aside from like a lot of flirting. Like a lot."

[california_dreaming]

Robin definitely chuckles over the pillow in the lap. You hiding something there?

"And that time between when you called me the first time and when you came home?"

[crawlingbackwards]

At least for now, no he's not hiding anything it's just more comfortable like this.

"Honestly? We went out for coffee. Sat and caught up mostly, he's so different than before." Steve shrugged as he looked at his best friend. "Like he's actually gone to therapy and seems to really be happier."

[california_dreaming]

Robin considers that with a nod to herself.

"Well, he seemed good enough. And I suppose if you're going to hook up with a guy, you could do worse than someone who is hot and not sticking around."

[crawlingbackwards]

"I really don't think we're going to hook up." Steve shook his head. "He's just out of a relationship, plus he's here to visit family? I don't know. Besides, you know I don't bring one night stands home."

[california_dreaming]

Robin rolls her eyes. Yeah, she'll buy it.

"And you kissed him just for shits and giggles?"

[crawlingbackwards]

"I mean...." Steve sighed, slouching as he thought about it. "I'm blaming how tired I am and the fact he asked."

[california_dreaming]

"Yeah, that's definitely it," Robin laughs. "I'm sure it's definitely like that. And you aren't going to just be making doe eyes at him the whole time he's staying here."

[crawlingbackwards]

"Oh I probably will, that doesn't mean anything is gonna come from it." Rolling his eyes Steve just sighed.

Okay, he wasn't going to fight it if something did happen but...he wasn't sure how much he was actually looking for a hook up. Especially with Billy Hargrove.

[california_dreaming]

Robin rolls her eyes.

"If Eddie was here, me and him would be making so many bets," Robin laughs.

[crawlingbackwards]

"Yeah yeah yeah, I know you two would." Laughing quietly Steve sighed. "Eddie'd be unbearable too. At least there's only one of you."

"Look, I really don't think there's a whole lot that's gonna come from this. But if I'm wrong you can make fun of me for it later."

[california_dreaming]

"I'm not someone that can be easily replaced or duplicated," Robin smirks. Then she shoves at Steve. Fuck a guest bed. She's going to sleep in here and gossip with him.

"I'm going to make so much fun out of you. You have no clue how he was staring at you, Steve."

[crawlingbackwards]

"That's one way to put it," There's a disgruntled sound that's more for show than anything before he's flopping back onto the bed and shifting to get under the covers, pillow tucked under his head as he reached for the bedside lamp. Only to freeze.

"Wait, what?" Billy had been staring at him? "When?"

[california_dreaming]

"When you came up the stairs, Dingus," she laughs. "Staring after you like you were a piece of cake someone was taking away from him."

[crawlingbackwards]

"Was he?" No, no he did not sound hopeful at that.

...

Okay maybe he did a little, still why wouldn't he be? Billy was attractive, could understand things that Steve wasn't allowed to talk about to others, and this new version of him that showed up was nice.

"Look, I'm just saying I doubt Max with even let him have any time for a hook up."

[california_dreaming]

Oh yeah, he sounded hopeful, and Robin snickers.

"He's staying here at night, Steve. Sounds like you've got plenty of hours without anyone else around."

that moment when I realize I never gave Lizzie an age--

[crawlingbackwards]

"Says you, I also have a curious five year old who might make for a really awkward night time explanation." Shifting a bit he elbowed her side playfully.

"Talk about the easiest way to turn a guy off."

I mean, we had a clear range.

[california_dreaming]

"See, but you have a secret weapon. An aunt who can 'sneak' her out for ice cream," Robin grins.

Yes, she'll facilitate.

there is that

[crawlingbackwards]

"Robin...I might think you were trying to convince me to sleep with Billy Hargrove." Rolling onto his stomach with a laugh Steve buried his face in his pillow, glad that the dark hid the color rising in his cheeks.

[california_dreaming]

"I'm just saying when it ends up coming up, you know you can call me to help out. And you haven't gotten laid in a while Steve. Something with no strings wouldn't be bad."

She's getting more sex than him. This is a problem.