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

[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.

[crawlingbackwards]

"Alright alright, I'll think about it. Now go to bed. I'm tired and you know there's gonna be a brat in here in a few hours." Grumbling from his pillow Steve pulled his part of the blanket up further before purposefully tossing the blankets over Robin's head.

"Night."

[california_dreaming]

"Oh hush. We both know I fall asleep faster than you."

Less nightmares. Not none, just less. And that's something. A lot of something. BUt she does curl up on her pillow and put her back against his.

"Night Steve."

[crawlingbackwards]

While he might complain some times, Steve would also admit that having his best friend there helped with his own nightmares. Having a warm person there who he trusted meant the world to him, it also made it a lot easier to fall asleep. Add to that the fact he was absolutely exhausted from the adventure that was that day, it doesn't take him near as long to fall asleep.

To the point it feels like he barely blinks before he's being woken up by the small form of Lizzie crawling into bed between himself and Robin. Looking at the clock he isn't surprised by the time and opts to just doze a little while longer. He'd get up and make them breakfast soon, for now he was going to soak in the warmth that was having his two favorite people, his family, close by and safe.

Granted it's not long before his own stomach is growling, making Lizzie laugh.

"Come on Liz, let's go make breakfast and let aunty Robin sleep, yeah?"

"Breakfast! Can we have pancakes?"

Getting up, Steve picked up the girl, making his way down stairs and into the kitchen where he set her down.

"Pancakes huh? Hm, yeah I think we can do that. How about you go color and dad'll make some us food." Patting the girl on the back he directed her to the messy kitchen table which still had crayons and coloring sheets on it from the day before. He'd have to clean the house at some point today. For now he was focused on starting breakfast...which also meant starting some coffee.

[california_dreaming]

Coffee smells, even 'in progress' coffee smells, are ultimately what bring Robin, yawning and groggy down the stairs.

"Pancakes?" she observes as she comes to hover by the coffee machine. "I'm guessing the princess made decisions this morning. Need any help?"

Because breakfast for four was a lot more work.

[crawlingbackwards]

"Yup." Steve nodded, getting the stuff out to make a full breakfast of pancakes, eggs, and bacon. Luckily it shouldn't be too hard, even easier with Robin helping.

"Sure, if you wanna keep an eye on the bacon? I'll start the eggs after everything else is done." Grabbing them both mugs, he hands two off to Robin and leaves one down in case the smell of food tempts a certain other guest down from where he was sleeping.

"Got new creamer in the fridge if you want any." Because while yes he could drink it black, that didn't mean he wanted to all the time.

[california_dreaming]

"You know I do," she says, trying to sound more awake than she feels. She'll always take bacon duty because it means she can get a bite of bacon first out of everyone. And yes, coffee is good.

As for Robin, she's fetching out a skillet for the bacon.

"It's a black morning," she decides. At least the first cup. So, any clue when your house guest wakes up?"

[crawlingbackwards]

Mixing the batter Steve takes a moment to make himself a cup of coffee with creamer and a little sugar before getting back to the task at hand.

"Well he was saying he's morning person but....no idea. Besides we were up pretty late." It's an easy rhythm to slip into, making breakfast and chatting while Lizzie sat at the table coloring and singing to herself.

[california_dreaming]

They were, and he'd traveled an insane distance over the day, so who knew how long it would take.

"Have you told the princess about the guest?" Robin whispers, looking back over her shoulder at the kid.

[crawlingbackwards]

"Not yet," Steve shook his head, glancing back at Lizzie before putting the spoon down. "Probably should before he wakes up, right?"

Robin help, there's a reason he doesn't bring guys home. This is one of them.

[california_dreaming]

"Probably. Because otherwise there is a stranger-"

"That coffee?" Billy asks as he enters the room, looking tired but strangely put together. Even in new clean clothes and with his hair tied nicely back.

"-waltzing right into the kitchen," Robin finished flatly. "Think there is any chance he can do pancakes while you talk to the princess?"

[crawlingbackwards]

"Righ-" Steve was about to go over to his daughter to do exactly that, until Billy literally walks in like he heard someone talking about him. "Shit, if you can take care of the first few I'll get the rest."

Turning he smiled at Billy with a quick good morning before moving over to Lizzie, who was currently staring at Billy with the biggest brown eyes before her dad pulled her attention back to him. Sorry Robin, you get to help Billy with getting his coffee and see if he knows how to start pancakes.

Crouched near Lizzie's seat, Steve explained in hushed words that the stranger was her daddy's friend who stayed the night and that he'd be visiting them like how grandma and grandpa did sometimes for the holidays. How he was aunty Max's big brother and was there to visit her.

She seems to look like she's thinking as hard as her four year old brain can possibly think before he asks her if that's alright with her and she nods.

[california_dreaming]

Good news, Steve. Plenty of time to talk to that adorable kid, because Robin foisted a mug of coffee on Billy (so pale with cream that you had to wonder if it counted as coffee anymore). And by the time Steve returns the batter for the pancakes is already finished and Billy has started cooking.

He almost seems like he isn't paying attention to them, but there is already one on the nearby plate, perfectly golden brown and flawless. Apparently there were other skills in the artist's playbook.

[crawlingbackwards]

When he's back at the stove Steve can't help but grin. "Seriously? Okay you need to stop being a catch."

Good looking, funny, and he can cook? Damn it Hargrove.

Damn even his first one is a little messed up or pale, maybe he missed it? He marvels for a moment before moving over to the fridge to pull out the eggs and get a bowl. He knew at least Lizzie was having scrambled eggs.

"How does everyone want their eggs?" While there's no room on the stove with the other two cooking at the moment, he can at least figure out how many eggs he needs to toss in the bowl to scramble and how many to leave aside for any other way.

[california_dreaming]

Robin raises her eyebrows at that. Does he even remember that she was implying this.

Meanwhile Billy just grins around his coffee mug.

"I've been living on my own for years, Steve. If I wanted pancakes, I had to man up and do them myself. Plus I did a stint as a short order cook. This isn't quite the same sort of cook top, but you give me a dinner and I could have three course breakfast for four done in about ten minutes."

He looks pleased to shock them though.

"You know how I like mine," Robin said, which meant more scrambled there.

"I like mine over medium, so I can handle them," Billy offers.