Unhinged | S. Harrington| B. Hargrove | Stranger Things

Promises

Charlie almost tackled Billy with a bear hug. He hugged Billy like there was no tomorrow.
He tried to speak but all that came out of his mouth was a small sob. Billy immediately tightened his arms around Charlie. He hid his face in the crook of his neck and breathed in his scent.

"I'm so mad at you right now." Charlie spoke through tears.

"I know." Billy muttered.

They held each other for a long until Charlie pulled back and walked to Billy's bed. He sat on the edge with his head in his hands like he had committed a sin. Billy sat next to him.

"I'm fine." Billy tried. Charlie looked at him with red glossy eyes.

"Don't lie to me."

"You have to report this." he turned towards Billy and took his hands in his own.

"We can go to my dad. He can't just get away with this -"

"Charlie stop!" Billy placed a hand over the Hopper's mouth. "If I wanted to get police involved, I would've done it earlier. I can handle this."

Charlie huffed and hung his head. Billy sighed.

"Forget about me for a second. How have you been?"
Billy asked bringing his hand to Charlie's chin to make him look up.

"Were you worried?" Charlie half smiled.

Billy didn't answer at first. Charlie sighed.
"I was joki-"

"Yes." came Billy's one syllable answer. The blonde looked into Charlie's eyes. His gaze so intense the Hopper had look away.

"I was worried about you. We had a fight... you were so scared...of me." he said the last part quietly.

Billy had realized he was becoming exactly what he didn't want to be - his father. It all started with the shouting with his father too.

"Say something." Billy insisted.

"I'm not going to lie to you. I'm not okay. But it's not your fault or anything."
Charlie sighed. He closed his and took a deep breath. He made himself more comfortable on the bed, and leaned against the wall. Billy followed suit.

"I haven't been okay in a long time. Ever since... Never mind it's a long story."

"I have time." Billy carefully took Charlie's hand and held it firmly. Charlie smiled at the gesture.

"I was always a strange kid. I didn't have friends and didn't get out much. Sarah was my friend." his voice faltered. But he cleared his throat and spoke

"When she...died....I had no one. My parents were unable to cope with the lose of their favorite child. Yeah, they lost their daughter but I lost my sister too. My mom was always distant to me, I was closer to my dad and... I always thought she just wasn't that affectionate... but then Sarah came and... I realized - I was never the child they wanted. I was the accident. She said it to my face. Then she left." At this point Charlie had tears streaming down his face. Billy almost stopped him.

"I don't even know if dad would've taken me with him if he had a choice. Then...then we came to Hawkins and dad's drinking got worse. Not so surprisingly I didn't fit in here. But I had no one to turn to, not at school, not at home."

Charlie spoke with his throat tightening. He knew if he broke down now, he might never stop crying.

"In the car, last week, I didn't hear a word you said. I just wanted to crawl under my bed, shut my ears and eyes and....hide."
He closed his eyes at the painful memories.

"I don't plan on being around for long." he said, eyes almost lifeless. Billy almost flinched at the words. His grip on Charlie's hand grew tighter as if that would keep him going.

"Atleast I didn't. But now...I want to live. That's why I decided to get help. Carol did see me at Ms. Kelly's office. I've started therapy and...i don't know." he shrugged.

They didn't speak for a few moments. Charlie leaned his head on the blonde's shoulder. He closed his eyes and waited until he was calm.

"I won't hurt you again. I promise." Billy said suddenly. Charlie raised his head to look at him.

"I won't hurt you, Charlie."

Charlie leaned in and pressed his lips to Billy's. The Hargrove didn't hesitate a second before kissing him back. It wasn't hungry or lustful. It was affectionate.

Billy really thought he lost Charlie forever. He didn't care that his father was beating him up because he felt like he deserved it for hurting the one person who was on his side.
No matter how angry he was, Charlie would never do anything to hurt him and Billy knew it.

"That's sealed then?" Charlie chuckled. And how much Billy had missed it.

They patched up Billy's injuries. Then lied in each other's arms for some time. Until it was time for Charlie to go. He didn't want to leave. Especially knowing, Niel was going to be home soon. Billy didn't want to let him go either. But if his father saw them, they'd both be dead.

They kissed. Again and again, buying time with each kiss. Then Charlie left without looking back and Billy watched him go.

Charlie came home to a dead silent home. He almost panicked. But El was there in the living room in front of a switched off TV.

"Let me fix that for you." Charlie said, smiling.

"You look happy." She said.

"I feel better, yeah."

They watched TV together, until Hopper came home. The three of them sat at the dining table.

"Dad?" Charlie begun. Hopper hummed.

"I'm gay." his voice was monotonous and he didn't look up from his food. His didn't even know why he said it. But his dad was trying to be a better father, and this was one thing that ould decide what kind of father he was.

"Saw that one coming." Hopper momentarily looked up at his son and at El. She was watching the conversation curiously having no idea what they were talking about.

"You might want to explain that to her." Hopper said to Charlie, who just winked at El and smiled. She smiled back.

"I will, when it's time."

Hopper ruffled Charlie's hair a little and he smiled. When they finished Charlie went to his room and El followed him.

"Want me to put you to bed?" He asked her. She nodded.

"Okay, come on."

El lied down and Charlie pulled the cover over her. He kissed her hair.

"What is it?" He asked, seeing the gloomy look on her face.

"See Mike?" Sha said lowly. Charlie sighed.

"Soon, okay? I know you miss him and he misses you too."

El nodded.

"Let me see what I can do to make soon - very soon."
El returned his half smile and snuggled into her duvet.

Charlie went to his room and lied on his bed. Thoughts about a certain blonde consumed him. And he fell asleep dreaming about the Hargrove.

A/N : I know this chapter was short but the next one is gonna be longer. I've been focusing on developing the relationships of the characters so far, now wee entering the more canon parts of the show. Starting with Halloween party.