#sleepy billy

[a-romantics-guide-to-life]

Billy!! 📚

AWW A BEDTIME STORY WITH BILLY!!! ngl, cried a bit writing this

Sometimes, you hate going to sleep. Having to sleep on the tiniest cot imaginable next to the broadest man imaginable? It had its perks but sometimes it was the worst. Like, when you’re already set up in bed. And then Billy tries to squeeze in next to you. “Baby, love o’ my boring lil’ ol’ life, will you please scooch over.” Billy’s rough stubble scratches your neck and his tired, rough, voice scratches your ear.  You grunted, “Billy just get in bed-uh.” You swivel your body to face him, Billy’s pillow– which you were clutching in your arms– wrinkly from where you pressed your face. Billy smirked, snatching his pillow from you, stripping into just his underwear. He climbed into bed next to you, maneuvering you to lay on his broad, naked chest. Your hands wander the plane of his chest, the heat of his body warming your body. Billy started to hum, the sound tempting you to sleep. His hand rubs against your side, warming you even more. Billy always ran hot while you ran cold which was perfect for Billy who liked sleeping mostly naked and you who fell asleep in the warmth easier. “Billy, will you tell me a story?” You kissed his pec, planting your cheek against his muscle. “Whatever for darlin’?” “Your voice. Your humming and singing is amazin’, don’t get me wrong, but your voice.” You look up at him, kissing his stubbly chin. “It's magical Billy.” You knew exactly how to make Billy melt to your touch and saying his name is that wispy 3 AM voice of yours was one of Billy’s greatest weaknesses. “Sure pretty mama. I know just the story.” You smile, wiggling your body into the most comfortable position making Billy laugh. “I’m ready baby.” “Alright. Now, ya’ can’t go ‘round telling this story t’just anyone, okay darling.” Once you nodded, he continued. “Once upon a time, there was this lil’ boy named Will. Now, this boy wasn’t just any boy, he was a lonely, bad, evil man. He shot down anyone and everyone just to survive. “Will walked the Earth lonely and tired, always beggin’ for salvation. His Ma had taught him that but the boy hadn’t done it until that point because of how downtrodden the cowboy was. “And then, he was saved by an Angel. She had hair, silky smooth. A voice so kind and soothing that the evil man couldn’t help but want to snatch her up for himself. The Angel had snatched him up too, the cowboy. She kissed his scars away and made all the hurt and bad go away, even when the bad man didn’t see her everyday. “And Will was so thankful and grateful that the Angel had blessed him, so he made sure to love her as she loved him. Even if the Angel didn’t intend for it, the cowboy made sure to give her everything he had. And forever, will that bad cowboy love that Angel.” Billy kissed the top of your head, “the end.” “Are you sure that’s the end, Mr.Cowboy?” “Well, sure it is. What else am I missin’ Angel?” You climb up on top of him, kissing Billy softly as you take his tired jaw into your loving hands. You press your forehead against his, “That Angel couldn’t love anyone else more than she loved that cowboy.” Billy smiled against your lips, “I love you too.”

[stranger-rants]

After he’s released from the hospital, Billy spends a lot of time sleeping. He falls asleep easily during the day, and he only wakes in the middle of the night if his pain medication has worn out. Steve can tell when that happens because Billy will start whimpering, especially after trying to get himself up to take more pain medication. That’s when Steve will turn on a light to go grab his bottle of pills and a glass of water. He’ll help Billy sit up and fluff up Billy’s pillow while he’s at it. Then as soon as Billy’s medicated and tucked in, he’s out like the bedside lamp Steve turns off next to him. The problem is that Steve is not great at falling back asleep once he’s awake. He can’t resent Billy for needing it, but he’s exhausted, too, and he’s got to get up early to bring Robin to school and get to work and- and-!

It just never ends, and Steve finds himself awake all night until dawn. When he gets home from work the next day, Billy asks if he can sit with him on the couch. Steve sighs. He’s got dinner to prepare. He should probably do some laundry. But Billy’s got this soft look on his face and he can’t say no to that. Steve sits down next to Billy, the TV at a low volume, and Billy leans his whole body weight on Steve’s shoulder. The quiet inhale exhale and rise and fall of Billy chest signifies that he’s fallen asleep again. Steve shifts so they’re a bit more comfortable, laying himself down with Billy on top of him like a weighted blanket. Steve tries to think about what it is he had to do before he sat down, but nothing comes to mind. His eyelids feel heavy and Billy feels warm and Steve feels himself drift off.

It would make quite a cute photo, which is exactly what Robin says to Jonathan when he joins her and Nancy in dropping off food to Steve and Billy’s apartment. Robin has a spare key, and they periodically do this as a thank you for saving our lives kind of thing for Billy and a please slow down and take care of yourself thing for Steve. Jonathan does snap a photo before they leave after much begging from the girls, hoping neither Billy nor Steve get too upset by it. Months later they get a copy of the photo for their anniversary - Sleeping Beauties ‘86. In it, Steve’s drooling and Billy’s face is smooshed against Steve’s chest. It’s embarrassing but sweet, and Steve will treasure it as a reminder of the best nap he ever had.

[thebumblebeetumbletree]

I'm Sorry and

I Love You

July 4th, 1985

"I'm sorry," Billy whispered, his words muffled as blood leaked around the words. Max kneeled beside him, either oblivious or uncaring of the blood and monster goo that slowly seeped into her shorts. Billy opened his mouth to say something– anything, but the words wouldn't come. None that mattered anyways. 

'I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Sorry…'  the words wouldn't escape, and wasn't that ironic? He finally wanted to apologize– to make up for everything he'd done and said, and yet…and yet it was meaningless. What was the point of saying anything? His vision was going blurry around the edges, like he'd looked too long at the sun, and Max was a halo of orange at the center.

It reminded him of a cool night in December. Another time where the look of concern was replaced with one of contempt. Instead of a bat ready and waiting to meet its mark, her hands were filled with blood. 

His blood. 

Billy was dying. 

He wished he could've said something to Max. To Steve. 

He wished he could've said I'm sorry and I love you. He didn't know which one deserved the apology and the admission.

I love you, Steve. I'm sorry, Max.

Both…probably. 

I love you, Max. I'm sorry, Steve.

Definitely.

July 4th, 1986

They'd spent the afternoon napping. Steve hadn't planned for it to happen, nor had he suggested the idea. But the summer heat, and noon-high sun had swamped them with exhaustion. Billy had been up since the first rays of sunshine, his night terrors a constant shadow in the dark bags under his eyes. 

Steve had woken up to a slight pressure against his forehead, dry lips receding enough to say a quiet, "go back to sleep, Stevie." 

He hadn't. 

Instead, Steve stumbled to his feet and coaxed Billy into taking a walk down the road. The morning mist hadn't yet dispersed by the time they hit Mrs. Rodney's house and had to turn back, her little schnauzer already up and waiting for the poor mail boy to toss the morning's newspaper. 

They'd made it back to the house before the sun had fully reached its peak, the morning not yet hot, but the promise of humidity could be felt in the air. Billy already had his hair up, the stray strands curling even more where they laid against his tanned skin. 

"M'gonna clean the pool," Billy had said, before proceeding to do just that. Steve had felt compelled to say something- he'd seen Billy doing that yesterday, and the day before that. He knew you didn't have to do it every day, but then he remembered. Billy needed those simple tasks, something for his brain to focus on instead of the scars that shined like lightning bolts across his arms and danced up his chest. 

He needed normalcy, a routine. 

Steve could give him that. He didn't want a repeat of the nights where Billy tossed and turned, his anxiety ridden brain too amped up for a restful sleep. He didn't want the days after Billy's recovery in the hospital, the confusion and fear. The shock of being alive. 

He especially didn't want the apologies. Neither had Max, she'd practically lost her mind the fifth time Billy had said I'm sorry and I love you. Steve had to hold her back from accusing him of being a monster in disguise. Again. 

When Billy turned to him and said it. Well, Steve had just about keeled over. He hadn't expected the apology for something that'd happened months ago, and he definitely hadn't been prepared for Billy's heartfelt, I love you. 

He'd had to step back from the situation and take some time. Robin had called him a pussy. Steve hadn't disagreed. 

In the end, Steve had realized a few things about himself. And came to the conclusion that Billy did it for him. A lot. 

And so, when it was going on two hours of Billy cleaning the spotless pool, Steve had enough. With a glass of lemonade in each hand, Steve coecred Billy into taking a break. They started off side by side, shoulder to hip on one of the many lawn chairs Steve's parents owned. It hadn't lasted long.

They found themselves tangled together as their ice melted and mellowed out the tartness of the lemonade. The skin of their chests stuck together by a thin layer of heat sweat. 

That had been three hours ago. Now Steve lay on his back with Billy between his thighs. His hand rubbing soothing strokes up and down Billy's spine. Billy's own hands were wedged underneath Steve's knees, keeping them slightly off the cushion. 

"Hey, Billy?" Steve gave a gentle nudge with his knee. He waited a moment for a reply, but none came. He gave another bump, and this time Billy released a small noise. Somewhere between a purr and a growl. Steve wanted to kiss him. 

The sound of fireworks could be heard in the distance, a soft poppoppop. Steve hoped the faire wouldn't wake him, but he didn't have to worry, Billy was out. His body limp, allowing Steve to just look. 

He could see the freckles that only the summer days could bring out. His back muscles rippling with every deep breath he took. His lashes fanned out, casting a dark shadow across his cheekbones. And through it all, interspersed between hard earned muscles and wheat-blonde hair, Steve could see scars. The scars. Upside down scars. And they were beautiful. 

Steve ran a single finger up the largest one. The one that had nearly taken this away. Billy shivered as Steve's fingertip hit a particularly sensitive spot.

It was the fourth of July. A year since Starcourt Mall. Steve still couldn't believe how far they'd come and how close they'd been to never having this. They didn't celebrate the fourth, not like others, not anymore. Instead, they spent the day like any other. And Steve loved it. He loved Billy. 

Steve let out a sigh, a warm feeling settling low in his belly. "Hey Billy," he whispered, scraping his nails through the hairs at the nape of his neck. Billy gave a short hum, his eyes still closed and his body lax. "Happy fourth of July." He waited a second before leaning back and saying to the sky, "I love you."

Billy's grip tightened and Steve felt him press a sticky kiss to his thigh, "love you too, pretty boy."

It was probably the best fourth of July Steve could remember. 

[okaybutlikeimagine]

What if Billy was having a sleepless night and being loud and stuff and Hop was tryin to get him to shut up and go bed

Ohmygod poor, sweet, darling dear Billy this 100% would happen.

i dunno if this is exactly what you were talking about, but i guess i just needed some sweet fluffy things in my life, so here we are ♥

I’ve mentioned this a couple times, but i have a major headcanon that Billy has a very hard time sleeping. I talked about why he might be afraid of sleeping bc it used to be dangerous for him, and then him just having a hard time sleeping in general bc of residual fears and nightmares and stuff. My headcanon/fanon/etc is that Billy fought monsters w/ Steve bc IMAGINE. Lots of people have talked about it and i subscribe to it and that’s what happened and no one is going to tell me otherwise.

Anyway, Billy has nightmares. Like, lots of nightmares. He sleeps light bc he’s afraid of all of the things that go bump in the night, and it’s sad, but that includes an angry father looking for a reason to be even angrier. Looking for something to take it all out on and finding it laying there, wrapped in bed, unable to put up a fight…

anYWAY

Billy wakes up pretty often in the night, and he’s pretty good at being quiet, considering the house he grew up in. But some nights he doesn’t wake up in full and some nights he falls out of sleep as slowly as he slipped into it, and then he’s lying on the bed like a starfish and craving water like its air.

So he’s stumbly! Awake Billy is coordinated and smooth. Sleepy Billy is a newborn deer trying to understand how limbs and joints work for the first time.

so just imagine sleep ruffled Billy, curly hair frizzy and askew from a fitful sleep and eyes droopy as he stumbles over to the kitchen, doing his best to make it there without hitting anything but it’s dark and the moon is only illuminating the kitchen and their little table by the door and he grabs onto the couch for support but-

“Mmmph.”

He grabs onto Hop’s face by accident.

“Wha-?” Hop grumbles, swatting at the air as Billy shuffles his way into the kitchen.

And Hop is basically useless when he first wakes up, yes, but now that he has 2 kids he tries his hardest to force himself into wakefulness when he’s woken up in the middle of the night bc he can’t bear to think of something happening to either of them. So he shakes his head and sits up with so much effort and so many grunts and groans and he turns to see-

“Billy?”

Billy grumbles, opening a cabinet and reaching in slowly.

“Billy, stop. What do you need?”

“Nothin’ just shh…”

“No wait-” Hop starts, shoving himself up off the couch with a loud grunt. “You’re gonna-”

A glass shatters.

“Break something.” Hop sighs, eyes scrunched shut.

And Billy is panicked. Heart racing in his still-drowsily confused state as he looks at the broken glass on the ground.

“Alright, head to bed.” Hop says on another sigh, placing a large hand on Billy’s shoulder.

Billy jumps. Because he’s drowsy and nervous and on edge and-

“Sorry, sorry, sorry I-” Billy’s mumbling quickly, worry in his eyes that Hop just wants to put to rest.

“It’s alright, kid, you’re fine just go back to bed.” Hop says, pushing Billy towards his bed gently. “I’ll get you your water.”

And he does. That night and a couple nights later and the week after that until Billy stops going into the kitchen himself and instead taps Hop’s shoulder and asks in a sleepy grunt and it’s like he’s a child and he feels stupid when he wakes up and realizes that Hop got him a glass of water but… it’s…. It’s nice. Reminds him of his mom. And waking up to a glass of water on the ground next to his bed is just nice.

And one night, Hop is the one tossing and turning, groaning and sighing and Billy wakes up to see Hop stumbling around.

And he’s up fairly quickly, awake from a need to give back, before he grabs Hop’s shoulders quickly.

“Woah there, go sit back down.”

Hop grunts.

“Yeah yeah, shut up and sit down. I got it.”

And Billy grabs Hop a glass of milk, warming it up and placing it on the coffee table next to the couch.

Hop grunts again, the corners of his mouth turning up just a tad.

“Yeah, you’re welcome old man.” Billy says with a grin, patting Hop’s shoulder before walking back to his bed and falling back into the covers.

[letshargroovetonight]

billy can never stay awake during movies when steve pops them into the VCR at night.

billy inevitably begins flopping around a bit until his head is resting in steve’s lap and steve’ll run his hands through billy’s curls. steve stops after he thinks billy’s been lulled into sleep.

“billy? are you asleep?” he asks quietly, running a thumb over the curve of billy’s cheek.

“mmmmm” billy hums in response, nuzzles his head into steve’s thigh.

steve’s heart surges with pure affection for the boy dozing off in his lap.

billy murmurs something and steve brushes the hair back from his face, sees his eyes are still closed.

steve let’s him sleep on.

[wheels-of-despair]

The Sleepy Billy Series (Billy Knight x You) Bonus: Lazy Sundays

Sunday was your favorite day of the week.

Nowhere to be. Nothing to do. No reason to get out of bed 'til noon.

You liked waking up a little early. Your best sleep always came after looking at the clock and happily dozing off again, spirits instantly elevated by the knowledge that you didn't have to leave your cozy bed yet - or the warm body lying next to you.

This particular Sunday morning, you woke up at 9:47.

The sun streaming through the curtains gave the whole room a soft, warm glow. The sheets were crisp and clean and smelled like summer. You and Billy always changed them together on Saturdays. You went all out for your Sunday morning lie-ins.

You smiled, knowing you had several hours of the best kind of rest ahead of you, and turned toward Billy with the intention of snuggling closer and going back to sleep. But when you saw how the rays illuminated his skin, bathing him in sunlight, it took your breath away.

He looked like an angel. His messy hair, sticking up in every direction, glows like a halo with the help of the sun. His mouth, which has been known to drool occasionally when in a particularly deep slumber, was slightly open. The sheet had worked its way down around his waist, his broad back on full display. The scars of an unfortunate childhood caught the light in a way that made them look silver and almost otherworldly.

You reach out as if to touch him and make sure he's real, but think better of it, not wanting to risk waking him yet. You withdraw your hand and resume watching him in silence. His scars shimmer in the sunlight as he breathes in and out at a calm, steady pace.

You couldn't take your eyes off of him.

Some time later, Billy begins to stir, as if he can feel your gaze. He cracks an eye open before it occurs to you to pretend to be asleep.

You've been busted, but he looks so perfect, you don't even care. A smile spreads across your face as you watch him get his bearings. He squints at the clock and moans, moving closer to throw an arm around you and bury his face in your neck. You laugh quietly and let him maneuver you like a human pillow. Once he's comfortable again, head on your chest and an arm around your midsection, your fingers begin to glide up and down his spine.

The next time you look at the clock, it's 12:26. Billy's awake, his head now resting on your stomach. He's pulled your shirt up a little to draw patterns on your skin with his fingertips. You unsuccessfully try to stifle a yawn. He looks up, knowing you're awake.

"Mornin'," you say sleepily.

"Afternoon," he corrects with a smile.

You let out a huff, accompanied by a playful roll of your eyes. He grins. You shoot him a look of mock annoyance that quickly turns to admiration as you run a hand through his still-messy hair.

"What's for breakfast?" you ask, stretching yourself under him, causing your shirt to ride up farther.

"You," he replies, nipping at your exposed stomach with his teeth. You shriek, which only encourages him. He laughs, peppering your body with kisses and nibbles as you half-heartedly try to fend him off.

Breakfast could wait another hour.

(C'mon, like I was really gonna end this series with a sick fic.)

[wheels-of-despair]

The Sleepy Billy Series (Billy Knight x You) Prompt #20: Burying them in blankets when they're cold.

"Hey." You sit on the side of the bed and smile at an exhausted Billy, who's been down for two days with a cold from hell.

"How are you feeling?" He scrunches his very red nose.

"Can you sit up for me? I need you to take your meds." You show him a handful of pills, both of the prescribed variety and the over-the-counter kick-this-cold-in-the-ass kind.

He lets out a quiet groan but sits up, leaning back against the headboard. You select a mostly-full bottle of juice from his collection on the nightstand, open it, and hand him the plastic. He takes it, and you extend the hand full of meds. He picks up his pills from your cupped palm one at a time and swallows them in order of largest to smallest, chasing each one with a significant amount of liquid.

It's always a struggle to get him to drink when he's sick, but you're so impressed at how compliant he is, you consider tossing a few Tic Tacs in his next cocktail. He'd probably be too tired to notice anyway.

"Why don't you go ahead and drain that so I can toss the bottle?" With a sigh, he downs the rest of his juice and hands you the empty bottle. One down, twenty to go.

"Think you can eat something?" He shakes his head a fraction of an inch.

"Can I do anything for you?"

"M'cold," he mumbles. He's already under four blankets, but you guess one more wouldn't hurt. You get up to grab another and he scoots back down into the mattress. You shake out a fuzzy plaid throw and drape it across the vaguely Billy-shaped lump.

"Better?" He nods sleepily, his eyelids growing heavier by the second

"Okay," you kiss him on the forehead. "I'm gonna let you get back to sleep. Do you need anything?"

"Are you going?"

"Not very far," you smile, tucking in the blankets around his shoulders. "I'm working from the living room and watching a pot of soup. Let me know when you're ready for sustenance."

He nods slightly, already beginning to drift off.

[wheels-of-despair]

The Sleepy Billy Series (Billy Knight x You) Prompt #19: Watching them sleep.

You creep into your flat after another long night at the office, wondering if Billy is still awake. You always call and tell him not to wait up when you know it's going to be a late one, but he only listens about half the time. Not that you mind. You'd spend every minute with him if you could.

Tonight, the bedroom light is still on. You lock up, ditch your shoes and coat, and proceed quietly anyway. Just in case. When you finally reach the doorway, your hand quickly comes to cover your mouth before a sound can escape.

Billy has used every pillow in the room to make himself a nest on the bed, and fallen asleep in it. He's wearing thick socks, gray sweats, and a blue hoodie that's so faded and full of holes, you can barely see the logo that once adorned it. It's his favorite. His back is propped up by a wall of his pillow nest, but his head leans forward, mouth slightly open. His glasses are centimeters away from falling off the tip of his nose and onto the open book on his lap.

It's the cutest thing you've ever seen.

You take out your phone and snap a picture. Just for you.

After staring at him for what felt like far too long, mentally cataloguing every little detail of the scene before you, you pad over and sit on the side of the bed. You reach out to slide the glasses off his face, and his eyes open with a sharp intake of breath.

"What's the time?" he mumbles sleepily.

"It's late, sorry it took me so long," you say softly as you pick up his book, mark his place, and set it on the nightstand. You place his glasses on top of it.

"Let's get you under the covers, it's gonna be a cold one tonight." He's too tired to argue, so he lets you pull him up and dismantle his perfect pillow nest. Once everything's back where it belongs, including Billy, you reclaim your seat on the edge of the bed and smooth out the blankets covering him.

He's putting up a good fight, but sleep is winning this battle. You brush his hair back and kiss his forehead, and when you pull away, his eyes are closed again. You smile to yourself, taking another moment to admire the beautiful soul before you.

Five minutes later, you've washed your face, put on pajamas, turned off the lights, and crawled in beside him. He rolls over to wrap an arm around your waist and bury his face in your neck, nudging and nuzzling until he's comfortable, then lets out a satisfied moan.

It's the second cutest thing you've ever seen.