So this is another AU idea I’ve had and introduced in my discord group but I thought I’d bring it over here for Stranger Things day since I didn’t have time to make anything. No Upside Down AU. Hopper is retired from the force and instead, he and El [who still ended up together under circumstances to be figured out later] live out in the country and raise horses. El is close with Max and the Party and, when Neil dies in an accident or illness or something, Susan is too afraid of Billy to let him stay with her and Max. Max thinks that's total bullshit and begs Hop to let him stay with him and El.
"He'll be eighteen in like a year and a half and he's like stupid strong! He can help with the horses and stuff!"
Hop is reluctant at first but agrees. He knows how broken the system is and he knows that nothing good will come of it for a kid already beat up and now mourning. So Billy Hargrove comes to stay on his farm. The kid's certainly got a chip on his shoulder but he's a hard worker and he doesn't give Hop a hard time. Still, he doesn't like that the kid flinches any time he laughs to loud or tries to clap him on the shoulder for a job well done. He doesn't like what that tells him about what Billy's been through. He does whatever Hop asks without complaint, "yes, sir" "no, sir" "anything else, sir". He keeps his distance though. Emotionally and physically. Doesn't speak unless spoken to, finishes meals as fast as he can before rinsing his plate and disappearing into his room for the night. It's like El all over again except El was quiet for not knowing how to interact with others. Billy was quiet out of fear. A fear that had been beaten into him.
But the one thing that brings Billy around, without fail, is the horses. He can never hear just what he’s saying but Hop hears him talk to them. He sees the horses respond to Billy as well. Particularly the young filly he boards for the Harringtons. The filly they bought for their son who seems scared shitless of her.
Steve is there one day prepared to "show it who's boss" like his dad told him. And he comes up to her, pretending his voice isn't trembling as much as his hands.
"Now, I am gonna ride you and that's that!"
He grabs the reins like an overexcited toddler would. The horse screams. Which makes Steve scream. Which makes the horse rear up and paw the air. Billy comes out of nowhere and tackles him out of the way just before her hooves come down on him.
Immediately, Billy goes to soothe the horse, making sure she's calm and back in her stable before he fucking reels on Steve.
"What the fuck is wrong with you!"
"Me?!"
"Yeah you! That's not how you treat an animal!"
"What are you even talking about! I didn't do anything! It just hates me! Last time it kicked me!"
"She!"
"What?"
"She's not an it, she's a she and if she kicked you, you did something to deserve it!"
Billy has to explain to Steve that horses are prey animals and they spook easy. Yes, they're big and strong but they're also extremely fragile and sensitive animals. So he teaches Steve how to interact with them. To be gentle, speak softly, tread heavily so they always know where you are, touch their flank as you go if you move behind them. Steve works beside Billy over the summer because he wants to get over his fear. He wants to ride his horse and treat her well. Billy expects the rich kid to get bored and ghost on him by week's end.
But Steve sticks it out. He's getting his hands dirty for the first time in his life. Every day sees him heading home more filthy and exhausted and fulfilled than he can ever remember feeling before. Hop starts inviting him to stay for dinner.
"If you're gonna pull some weight around here, the least I can do is feed you."
Steve leaves for the night and Billy's headed to his room when he almost smacks into El. Jesus. They need to put a bell on that kid.
"He likes you too."
"What?"
"Steve. He likes you too."
And Billy feels his cheeks get hot. What is she even saying?
"Uh... Yeah. I guess we're friends."
"He watches you when you're not looking. And he smiles a lot. And when you smile his heart goes really fast. Like Jim and Joyce."
Billy snorts at that. Because there's no way. No way in hell that rich kid Steve Harrington is into guys at all, let alone someone like Billy. "Yeah, okay kid. Whatever you say."
It's absurd. Completely irrational. They're not compatible in the slightest. I mean yeah, the guy's cute and all and he'd probably be a decent fuck with those pillowy, pink lips and legs as long as a summer day. And those lips were probably a dream to kiss. He wonders if Steve would sigh the way he does when he gets his feet in the pond after a long day's work or if he'd give one of those soft little laughs he does when the filly lips at his hair or shirt. He's gotten so much closer to her. The smile on his face when she let him ride her around the paddock for the first time was blinding. He was so happy. Come to think of it, with Summer ending soon, he should really take Steve on the trails, show him how to get around. There was a nice, open field he knew where the horses could graze and they could relax, maybe bring a lunch with them and- OH FUCK! WHEN THE FUCK DID THAT HAPPEN!
When did Steve Harrington get under his skin like this? When did he get into his heart like this?
