My Harringrove Relay Race Piece!
Pure sfw romantic fluff 💕
Carol got a flat tire and can’t make it in time.
So here Billy and Steve are.
Sat on the floor, ice packs in hand like weapons, the two of them working as a tactical team to keep Heather's brain from overheating. That's not how it works, but Billy’s ocd brain heard that cold helps her feel better after seizures on a hard day, and sort of ran with it.
Their best friend is epileptic, full time under the care of their other best friend. The boys are no medical professionals like Carol, but they’re functioning off of enough practical knowledge to be trusted to keep her safe.
Heather, however, doesn’t like feeling crowded.
Now that she’s responsive and relaxed again, propped up on some pillows, she complains, “Really, I don’t need babysat, you guys.”
Steve instantly backs off. He understands the feeling of overstimulation, comparing in his head the feeling of having a crowd around after a meltdown, blurry forms of faces getting too close.
Billy would. But his instincts are screaming at him to hold it in place. Keep her cool, or something bad will happen. Something he doesn’t even wanna think about.
He swallows his nervousness thickly, “We’ll stay ‘til Carol gets here to help you out.”
“You’ve said that a million times, bub.” Heather smiles softly, understanding, at the same time really trying to get Billy to understand she’s okay.
That makes him sort of sheepish. Embarrassed by the part of himself he always wished he could control. He forces a little smile too, “I’m not bothering you, am I?”
“Of course not, sugar lump. But Steve looks like he’s going to faint. And you look tired.” She gently pushes on his cheek to make him look at Steve, and yeah, he does look worn the hell out. Damn it. He’s spent too much energy caring for everyone else again. Billy would be drowning in guilt, if not for Heather’s reassurances, “I don't feel seizure-y anymore. I’ll be okay. I promise.”
Caught between two sides of his own thinking, Billy starts to chew the inside of his cheek. Not even noticing he’s doing it.
Until Steve interrupts, quiet to show he isn’t mad, just observing, “Bad stim.”
He always carries at least two chew necklaces for that reason. Usually his favorite cloth one, and a rubber one for Billy. The chewies hurt his own teeth, but he wears it anyways, just in case his Billy needs it.
And it is as well when Steve loops it off of his own neck, and places it over Billy’s, giving him an easy fix to the harmful chewing.
Appreciative, Billy kisses the palm of Steve’s hand as he puts it on him,
Watching the moment, Heather snorts a little laugh at them. “You two are so lovey-dovey. It’s disgusting.”
Billy rolls his eyes back, “Aw, you’re just saying that.”
In the short stretch of silence that follows, Steve decides to scoot a little closer and lay his head on Billy’s shoulder. At first, he thinks he might just want some affection, but the action suddenly reminds Billy of something.
“Do you wanna tell her?” He asks Steve, trying to be quiet about it.
She hears anyway. Propping herself up, Heather wiggles her brows, “Ooh, tell me what?”
“Promise not to have another seizure?”
“You know that’s not the way it works.”
“I don’t know… this is pretty big.” Alright, so maybe he’s nervous and stalling for time. So what?
Heather’s voice gets squeaky in frustration, “Just tell me, William!”
The anticipation is too much. Steve declares it himself, tapping his hands excitedly, “We’re getting married!!”
Grocery bags and car keys are dropped to the floor behind them. Carol’s home, and she has Tommy with her.
Billy and Steve will be the first of their friends to get married. It might help that they don’t have college or kids or budding careers in the way, but Billy’s proud of the achievement anyways.
Tommy flashes a signature cheeseburger smile and gives a thumbs up behind Carol, who herself shrieks, “What?! Tell. Me. Everything!!”
Everything including Billy dropping the ring under the couch and losing it, or Steve crying so hard he got the hiccups, and couldn’t eat the cookies Billy baked to celebrate?
He won’t say no, but they’re going to be here for a while.
Hope y’all liked this little snippet! And if you enjoyed this, I bet you’re all gonna love what our next poster has in store! So excited and thrilled to announce the very talented, very inspired- @nymphwriter!
