Since I'm getting into Zachbilly recently. I like to hc that Billy had internalized homophobia or is scared of being openly gay. Simply because of his childhood past and being afraid that he would be considered a terrible person for being gay. And also that he keeps feeling genuine romantic attraction for Zachary all the time. He just couldn't help but want to be close to Zach as much as possible. It's just that he can't do so without normally hanging out with him or else it would be considered weird. He keeps thinking about Zach all the time, that's why he gave Zach the NES Godzilla game he got from trading.
But when he got all the information about it in the epilogue from the NES Godzilla Creepypasta. He immediately just felt guilty and couldn't hang out with Zach as much. He just couldn't handle being the cause of Zach's suffering in anyway. And everything that happened to him basically added to his internalized homophobia and viewing gay people like himself as bad. He's probably cried about it.
Oh also I like to imagine that Billy had to cuddle with a sad depressed Zachary once and immediately blushed and didn't know what to do besides hold Zach in his arms NGL.
The marker was repeatedly tapped against the whiteboard, Billy walking back and forth before it as Melissa watched from his couch, the both of them thinking.
He stopped and clapped his hands together, "So! What's the plan for this date so far?"
"Take Zach to the carnival tonight, give him some flowers, have a great time, and give him a hundred kisses on the ferris wheel!"
Billy laughed, "I didn't say a hundred kisses- but if it makes Zach happier, it's fine by me!" He looked over the yellow and orange sundress she was wearing, "Wait, I thought you said you'd wear a different dress?"
She blinked, "Huh? Which one?"
"The black and purple confetti one you showed me a picture of last week. What's up with that?"
"Oh! That one! It hasn't come in the mail yet... They didn't have one that fit me when I saw it."
"Hm... Well, don't worry too much about it. I'm sure Zach would think you're pretty no matter what!"
Melissa's whole face nearly became pink. "Oh... really?"
"No duh, of course he does! He'd have to be a real dumbass to not think that!"
A smile spread across her face. Of course Zachary had always loved everything about her, and even said so after he'd worked through the flustered mess he'd always become around her, which always made her laugh.
In return, she loved everything about him.
"True, he does always say that I'm beautiful... Wait! Do you think I should pick him up and fly him around?"
"Like, reveal your angel wings and all?"
"No, no- Zachary would love it, but everyone might freak out..."
"Sorry Mel, can't do that kinda stuff over here unless you want some government guys hunting you down."
She watched him write the idea down and then cross it off next to a barrage of other ones. "How about... I just pick him up and carry him on foot? He likes when I do that! What do you think?"
"I dunno- why do you wanna do this so badly?"
"I like how happy it makes him, and I really want this to go well!"
"Trust me, whether I'm involved or not, it'll be great. So, what're you gonna do?"
"Be the greatest girlfriend in the world, and have a good time with Zach!" She waved as she stepped through a portal, right at Zachary's apartment, "Wish me luck!"
"It's gonna be amazing! Trust me!"
*****
The sun glowed over the carnival as hundreds of people laughed and ran about, like every day of summer was more freeing than the last.
Though every other area looked crowded, Zachary was just happy that the stand areas were relatively empty, even if there were still people going every which way.
He sighed as he leaned on Melissa's shoulder, at least he had room to breathe here... he really shouldn't have eaten before going on that coaster, it was way too fast...
"Zach? Are you okay? You're not sick, are you?"
He shook himself, snapping out of his daze and looking to her, a hand on his shoulder.
"Huh?"
"You look tired. Do you wanna go home already?"
"No, no! I'm fine! I haven't been to one of these in forever. There's like, twenty things I want to do and I don't know where to start-"
He watched as something lit up in her eyes.
"Like what? A new ride or a snack you want to try? How about that spinning one we saw earlier? Or maybe that strength test, or one of the dart games?"
"Oh, that one's at the top of the list!- Race you over there!"
"I'll beat you there!"
Melissa rushed after him as he bolted up from his seat, quickly catching up halfway there and scooping him in her arms as she ran.
"Whoa, hey- put me down!" Zachary chuckled as she spun him around, part of him wishing that she'd keep going for as long as she wished. "Hahahaha- Melissa! St-o-op it..! Hahahahahah- What's all this for, silly?!"
She smiled as she heard his laughter die down, "Nothing, nothing! I just really like your laugh! It's really nice."
"C'mon, stop it..." He smiled and looked away, feeling his face burning up already, "Are we winning a giant plush, or what?!"
"You bet we are! And I'm your lucky charm! Ooh- how about that one?!" She put him back on the ground, leading him to a stand with various different plushies. "What do you think?"
He looked over the scattered dart boards and the wood that obscured them, cracking his knuckles, "Hm... Yeah, I think I can do it! Bring it on!"
Of course, Billy had all the faith in the world that this would be nothing but smooth sailing. But he just needed to see for himself how well it'd go, even if it was a bit creepy to technically be spying on them. Only once.
He watched through the crowd as both of them were handed a few metal darts. "Gotta get three hits to win a prize! Y'think you could get a bullseye or two?" The mustached stand owner dared.
Melissa immediately hit a target. Dead in the middle, without hesitation.
A huge smile spread across Zachary's face and Billy had to keep himself from laughing in excitement. "Oh my God!- Did you just do that?!"
"I think I just did! Want to see me do it again?"
"Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it!"
"You haven't taken your turn yet!"
"Aw come on, I'm terrible at these games-"
"You still suck at them?! At least give it a try!"
Zach began laughing, "Okay, okay, okay, I'll try..." He carefully aimed the dart and threw it, hitting the third ring from the middle with a thunk.
"Ooh! See, you got a lot better! At least you're not hitting the wall this time..."
"You remember that?!"
"Yeah, you missed every target after betting all your snacks that you'd win."
"Oh my god..."
She threw her next dart, smiling when she hit another bullseye. "Heheh- now it's your turn!"
Without thinking, Zach threw his next dart, hitting the edge. "Damn. Maybe these are too tough for me..."
"Oh really?" The stand owner pressed a button behind the counter, making the targets move about. "How's this one for a challenge, lassie? Think you can handle it?"
Melissa thought for a moment, "Zach, can I borrow your dart?"
"Uh, sure?" He handed it over and watched as she carefully observed.
Billy shook his head. There was no possible way she could actually hit targets moving that quickly, especially with a heavy dart-
Thunk!
Thunk!
Zachary's jaw dropped as the angel happily clapped her hands. How was she so amazing?! The stand owner stared, she'd hit both bullseyes...
"My, oh my- looks like we've got a graaaand winner! Go on and pick your prize, my lucky dear! You too, boy!"
Melissa cheered as she picked out a colorful bear plush, and Zach picked out a rabbit and held it close as they continued on, hand in hand as she lead him to yet another ride amidst the crowd.
*****
Roller coasters, spinning rides, sharing a funnel cake, nearly winning a strength game- they'd done nearly everything there they could think of.
Billy felt his heart nearly soar at how well this was all going, at how happy they both were just to be with one another.
It was back like when they were kids, when all was good in the world and all had to worry about was each other. That's all that they really needed, even after all of these years.
Melissa laughed as she helped Zach off the second spinning ride of the evening, leaning against her as his head still spun.
"Whoa! Are you doing okay? Too much spinning for you?"
"Yeah, yeah... Ugh- too much, too much..." He mumbled, chuckling.
"But it was pretty fun!"
"Heheh- definitely was!" He shut his eyes and hook himself once the dizziness wore off, "Whoo... So, any other prizes you want to win?"
She looked across the carnival, past attractions, snacks, and various stands, briefly spotting Billy hiding among the crowd. He gave her a thumbs up and a big smile.
Sometimes she wondered what kind of thoughts ran through her crazy friend's mind...
She looked back at Zachary, who was smiling at her.
She got an idea, one that she was sure Zach was going to either laugh at, or absolutely love.
"Well? See anything?" God, his smile was so adorable...
"Huh... I don't know..." She cupped his face in her hands, "I can see that I've already got the greatest prize in the whole universe with me."
Holding Zach's face, she watched as it became entirely pink and he began smiling like an idiot. Something in his mind short-circuiting in happiness as she leaned down and gently pulled him into a kiss.
He hugged her as he melted into it, feeling as if the whole world around him faded away. Like they were temporarily let into Heaven just for a moment. It was just the two of them, despite it all.
No music, nor cheering...
Not even the feeling of the ground below them, or the warm summer air.
Just this light feeling-
Billy exploded out of the bush he'd hid in, raising his fists triumphantly,
"FUCK YEAH! HOME RUN, BABY!"
Melissa jolted back as Zach snapped his attention towards him, embarrassed. What the fuck was Billy doing here?!
"Billy?! Why are you-?!"
Melissa saw it before anyone else, before she could even yell for him to run.
Then both of their hearts dropped the very next second.
Just barely out of the corner of his eye, a flash of orange flame burst into thin air. A crimson, distorted face twisted into pure, unadulterated rage coming at him.
Sharp, spider-like legs ripped through reality at blinding speeds. His cheering immediately stopped as glowing pupils paralyzed his very soul.
The next thing Billy knew, he was crashing through wood and fabric, rough ground scraping his back and legs as he was slammed into the dirt and nearby people screamed and ran in panic.
The whole world was spinning once he opened his eyes. A demon, whose face he'd never forget, had it's claws at his throat, holding him down on the inside of a carnival stand.
"You... pest...!" It seethed, its deep and distorted voice echoed, dripping with malice. "Do you think it's funny to do this to me..?!"
"Red, what the hell are you doing?!" Melissa shouted over all of the nearby panic.
"Oh God- Billy!-"
Red?
That's why he looked familiar... it was the same monster that tried to kill Zach years ago. From those screencaps of the game he'd given him.
If Melissa was meant to be gone, yet wasn't, who said the same couldn't be for this beast?
Billy forced out a laugh, "Do I think what's funny? Making sure their date goes alri-"
"No! Zachary...!" The Hellbeast clutched his head and tightened his hold, "Every time Melissa does anything- his brain goes stupid! Do you think it's fun having to listen to that?!"
"Oh... You can't like, disconnect it?"
"You think I haven't tried to do that?! I can't!"
"I dunno man, why do you gotta take it out on me, huh?"
"You're the dumbass who's making it worse with all of your cheesy romcom ideas!-"
"That doesn't mean you have to damn near kill me over it right in front of them! Oh, and scare the shit out of everyone here!"
Zachary's shouting broke through all of his wrath, "Red, whatever you're pissed about isn't worth killing him over!-"
The Hellbeast's eye twitched, before he closed his eyes, took a breath... and let go of Billy. Stepping away as his anger was reeled back. For once, maybe this stupid soul had a point...
"Fine..."
Nearby people were now starting to gather around, pointing and trying to take pictures of him. His pupils flickered, the photos would be incomprehensible.
"Billy! Are you okay?!" Zach shouted as he and Melissa rushed to Billy's side, helping him up the best they could.
"I am so, so, so sorry for all of this! I- I didn't know he'd do something like this."
Billy leaned on her for support, his scraped up legs shaking slightly. "Nah, it's good. But hey, at least I can scratch 'encounter a demon' off my bucket list!"
She sighed as he laughed to himself. "What're we going to do with you...?"
"Hell if I know, but patching me up would be a pretty cool start!"
"Yeah, we have to find you a first-aid kit, man..."
"Here." Just as Zach had begun looking around, the Hellbeast tossed one to him before vanishing in a blur of flame.
Melissa and Billy continued to joke around and tease as Zachary put bandages over the cuts and scrapes on his legs. Once done, they helped him to his feet and made sure he was fine.
But they were confused, what was he doing there?
He laughed a bit at the question, resting on a bench and watching the rides, "Huh? What do you mean, am I not allowed to enjoy the fair just cause you guys are dating here?"
"Well no, you just scared the daylights out of us with all of your cheering..." Melissa then looked confused, "Wait, you weren't watching us, were you?"
"No, no, no! Not at all! Not at all! I thought I could probably enjoy the fair with you guys, if that's cool and all!"
"You sure? Nothing hurts?"
"Oh this? This is nothing!"
"Uh, yeah, but don't your legs and back hurt from all of that? You're lucky Red didn't kill you with all of that force..."
"Pfft- nah, I'm fine! I got bones of gold! If you two can survive some crazy shit, so can I! Bet on it!"
"Oh really? Then I challenge you to see who's better at darts, Mr 'I-can-survive-anything'! I dare you!"
"Billy, Billy- you really don't want to! She's way too good at it, I swear!"
"Then you go first, Zach! You're waaayyy better than me...!"
"What? No I'm not!"
"Then race you there, dart-stinker!"
Zachary laughed as she and Billy ran after him through the crowds and past countless rides under the setting sun. It was just the three of them, like it was all those years ago.
