i just died in your arms tonight (it must have been something you said) by sweetenoughandfaraway
Chapter 11: The Same Sunset
He wants to tell Billy that he’s doing well, but he knows Billy’s weird about compliments, so Steve keeps quiet, instead casting Billy an encouraging smile. Billy huffs out a laugh when he looks over to see Steve smiling at him; Max looks up at him quizzically, trying to figure out what’s so funny.
“Harrington, you look like a damn pageant mom,” Billy teases, trying to bite back a smile but failing.
“Yeah, well, you’re doing a good job, so shut up before you ruin the moment,” Steve bites back, and Max throws her head back to laugh.
“Admit it, Billy, this isn’t so bad,” she says, tipping her head back to look up at him as she sweetly squeezes his hand.
Billy smiles at her fondly, like he just can’t fucking help it, and he nods. “It could be worse,” he admits, his grip tightening around Steve as he takes another hesitant step forward. Billy is definitely still unsteady on his feet, and they’ve probably moved a grand total of two feet, but it’s progress all the same, and Steve is just so fucking glad. He thinks back to holding Billy’s lifeless body in his arms, the dead weight of him, and he shuffles in closer, relishing in the feeling of the warmth of Billy’s very much alive body against his. Billy quirks an eyebrow at him but says nothing—when he turns away, Steve’s gaze lingers for a second longer, marveling at how long Billy’s eyelashes are as they sweep down to kiss his cheekbones.
For as long as Steve could remember, he had never really felt like he had done anything right. Before his parents had left for Europe, his dad had pounded it into his head that he was a failure, that he was never going to get into a good college or get a good job until he “shapes up.” But that hurts a little less now, because Steve knows that he did at least one thing right: He had saved Billy Hargrove’s life, to the fucking minute. When so often it felt like he was always one step behind, Steve had come through and acted quickly when it counted. Billy is here, walking in this hallway, blinking with those stupidly long eyelashes, because of Steve.
And as Billy glances sideways at him, a glimmer of gratitude cutting through the bright blue of his eyes, Steve feels really fucking proud.
Commission for @andihavelovedyoubeautifully and her amazing Harringrove fanfic!
