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Tuesday, December 18th
“Okay everyone, please be seated,” Mr. Donovan said, clapping his hands together. “I would like to announce that it’s time for Secret Santa! Please, take one piece of paper and pass others down your row. Then put your names in here,” He said, patting Santa’s hat, sitting on his desk.
“You’re going to have to pull one paper out of the hat at the end of this class.” Mr. Donovan put his legs on his desk and threw his arms behind his head, relaxing. “And I will get some goddamn rest…” He muttered under his breath.
Now, Steve wasn’t really in the mood for any of this. His mind was rough on him last night, wouldn’t even let Steve close his eyelids without showing him terrible flashbacks and nightmares from the past.
Steve barely managed to get an hour of sleep. He looked like hell and wasn’t in the mood for arguing with the teacher, either. So. Steve chose the safest option. He just wrote his stupid name on that stupid piece of paper and put it in that stupid Santa's hat.
He returned to his seat, running a hand through his hair, then palming his face. Steve let out an annoyed sigh.
“Pretty boy woke up on the wrong side of the bed today, huh?” Steve snapped his head up, knowing damn well who that voice belonged to. Billy Hargrove stood right next to him, fiddling with a piece of paper in his hands. Grin spread on his face. It was gonna be a long, long day.
“Jeez, give me a break, Hargrove.” Steve huffed, rolling his eyes.
“Whatever, Harrington.’ Billy laughed, patting his shoulder and going to Mr. Donovan’s desk to put his name in the hat.
When everyone was finished they proceeded to the class. Steve wasn’t a very religious person, but when he lay in bed last night, covered in cold sweat and feeling anxiety climbing up his spine, he thanked God and Mr. Dononvan for not giving them any homework.
He closed his eyes, hiding his face in his palms. Steve didn’t even realize that he had drifted off until he heard the bell ringing. Well, shit! He stumbled out of his seat and walked to the teacher's desk. There was only one piece of paper left. He took it in his hands and unfolded it.
Billy Hargrove.
Steve’s eyes widened. It has to be a joke. He looked up, studying his surroundings. He spotted Billy, gaping at his paper. He looked as frustrated as Steve felt.
It was gonna be a long, long week.
Tommy walks next to Carol when someone’s hand pulls him from out of the corner, right into the pantry.
“Hey, what the fuck?!” The room's dark and tiny and Tommy tries to pull his arm out of a stranger's grip until someone turns the lights on. It's just Steve.
“Goddamnit, Harrington! What is wrong with you?” Hagan lets out a huff.
“Okay, listen. I know that we're not remotely close anymore but,” Steve paused, a desperate look in his eyes. “I need your help.”
“Yeah? And what do I get from this?” Tommy snarls, crossing his arms and grins.
“I- I don't know, man. Would you please do it for old times’ sake?” And he has to admit, Steve looks desperate. Tommy lets loose, huffs again, and rolls his eyes.
“Fine,” he says, leaning against the wall. “What is it, man?”
Steve squirms and tugs at the hem of his shirt. Tommy can’t recall the last time he saw Steve shy or embarrassed even.
“I’m Billy Hargrove’s secret Santa.” He blurts out and squints his eyes. Tommy couldn't help but laugh and laugh and laugh .
Sunday, December 23th
Steve was holding a list in his hands. “Okay, let's see,” he says, huffing. “He likes cars, Stephen King, playing ball, and…scorpions.” That last one was weird. Steve never took Billy for an insect guy. Tommy wasn't very specific about what Billy liked and Steve was just standing here, at the mall, looking for something to buy for that stupid Santa thing and he was tired and he didn't even wanna be here and–
“Well, well, well, Steven Harrington,” Oh. Oh shit. The universe must’ve been having a blast by pranking him, because what are the odds of meeting–
“Hi, Billy, what brought you here today?” Steve mumbled, his voice quiet.
“Shopping,” Billy says, tucking his hair behind his ear. His eyelashes and brows were still sprinkled with snow and frost as he just walked inside. He looks. Pretty. “And what are you doing here, Stevie-boy?”
“Ugh, same I guess.” They just stood there, staring at each other, and Billy was smiling at him. Actually smiling. Not as smug as he always wears at school. That made Steve's heart skip a beat and he felt butterflies in his stomach and forgot how to breathe and he–
“Okay, ugh, gotta do that shopping, yeah? See ya around, Harrington.”
“Yeah, yeah. Shopping. Right.” Steve murmurs, as Billy slaps his shoulder and walks away, humming along to “Last Christmas” playing in the speakers. ”See you, Hargrove.”
Steve walked into the bookshop, his heart’s still racing in his chest. He couldn’t have a crush on Billy Hargrove, could he?
But it would certainly explain the way his heart fluttered when Billy smiled at him just minutes ago, or the way his stomach sank every time at basketball practice. Would also explain why he was at the mall searching for gifts. And Steve didn’t even like Christmas.
Billy liked Stephen King and apparently, Steve liked Billy so-
So buying ‘Carrie’ for him felt like a good option.
Steve wandered around the shop, seeking it and looking for something for himself. Wasn't a big fan of books but. Might as well start reading them.
He walked to the horror books aisle and started rummaging through the bookshelves as an assistant approached him.
“Hello, I’m Fred and how can I help you today, sir?” He asked, holding his arms behind his back. He looked like he was Steve’s age. The boy was wearing glasses, a vest, and an ironed shirt with short sleeves. His hair looked like someone spilled oil on it and then tried to comb it. Add crooked teeth and bad posture and you get your typical nerd.
“You know, uh, I've been looking for ‘Carrie’ and–”
“Oh my god, ‘Carrie’s’ like. Ten years old.” Fred sighed and rolled his eyes so hard, Steve thought they might roll back into his skull. “Sorry, sir. I see you're shopping for Christmas, so let me recommend you something better. Are you buying for yourself or a friend?”
“He's not my friend but–”
“Okay, so Is he a big fan of Stephen King's works?” Fred started looking through shelves, searching for something. Something that is not “Carrie”, Steve figured.
“Okay, here's something that your friend would actually enjoy.” The boy declared, shoving a book into Steve's hands. “Pet Sematary” said the book cover. “Came out last year but it's really good, sir. Bestseller, Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel, so. Yeah, I'd say I recommend it.” He looked almost excited, like someone was buying this book for him. Steve wished that he could love his job the way this boy does.
“Oh–okay. Okay then, I'll take it. And he's not my–”
“Okay, sir, it'll be nine dollars and ninety-nine cents.” The boy concluded.
“Oh, great! Thank you.” Steve said, making his way to the counter, as he tried to avoid an assistant who looked slightly terrifying with that smile spread on his face.
Scorpions. Tommy specifically mentioned that Billy liked them so.
Steve was looking for something scorpion-related. He went through various shops and thought about buying a scorpion encyclopedia or something, but he bought a book already.
Steve was already heading for the exit, disappointed when he noticed it . A massive but at the same time elegant ring in the shape of two scorpions, holding a large black sapphire with their pincers. That was. Perfect. He didn’t even think twice before buying it. He didn’t have to care about the price either since he was buying it with his dad’s credit card.
“Someone’s girlfriend is gonna be happy to have this.” said the lady behind the counter. Steve was about to object but then realized how weird that might sound. Oh, no, I'm buying it for a guy from school who I refuse to call my friend but might in fact have a crush on him. Yeah, no, not a chance.
“Yeah,” Steve mumbled blankly, taking a pretty little box from the cashier's hands.
Tuesday, December 18th
How come he got Steve Harrinton’s name of all people? Steve Harrington that he’s been having a full on gay crush since day one. The Golden Boy Steve. He doubted that he could afford buying gifts for him. It felt like Steve had it all. What’d Billy offer him? He would need some assistance. Tommy , Billy though, Tommy would know better.
Tommy walks next to Carol when someone’s hand pulls him from out of the corner, right into the pantry.
“For fuck’s sake, if you do this again, I swear to God Har—“ He turns the lights on. He stops mid sentence. It wasn’t Steve.
“Oh, hey Billy. ‘Sup?” Hagan squirmed uncomfortably, trying to sound nonchalant. That was. Weird, Tommy thought. Thought that maybe there was some kind of a joke going on that he wasn't aware of.
“Okay, listen here, pally. I'm Steve Harringron’s secret Santa and I need your help. Ya dig?” Tommy just stood there, processing. He couldn’t help but laugh and laugh and laugh.
“What’s so funny, Freckles?” Billy said, clenching his fists.
“No, nothing, ugh,” Hagan scratched his head, coughing and trying not to laugh at such coincidence. “I can help with that.”
Sunday, December 23th
The mall was crowded. Of course it would be crowded two days before Christmas. And of course Steve Harrington was also there to buy presents. Billy approached him while his legs were shaky and his heart was skipping several beats.
“Well, well, well, Steven Harrington,” He didn’t want to sound mean. It’s just every time he talks to Steve he forgets every nice word that he knows. He does what he’s taught best. He’s being mean and cocky.
“Hi, Billy, what brought you here today?” It’s like a punch in the guts. His name from Steve’s mouth is something that Billy will never get tired of.
“Shopping,” Billy says, tucking his hair behind his ear. His face is red from the cold and embarrassment. “And what are you doing here, Stevie-boy?” He was so damn obvious with his crush on Steve. Pet names, crave for a touch. Always as close as possible. Yet Steve is fucking oblivious, it seems.
“Ugh, same I guess.”
“Okay, ugh, gotta do that shopping, yeah? See ya around, Harrington.” He was walking away. Fast. Breathing hard and sweating like a pig. It was embarrassing. But who can blame him for blushing like a girl when those big brown eyes were staring right at him? And those pink plump lips, opened, just a little bit like they were begging to be kissed and kissed and kissed.
Okay. Okay. He needed to buy those presents. Tommy said that Steve liked The Cure and had a CD player in his car.
Billy went to the record store, knowing exactly what he was going to buy. The Cures album The Top came out earlier this year and Billy really fucking hoped that Steve haven’t bought it already.
He also hoped that it would be worth the look on Steve’s face when he gets it. CD’s were really expensive. Really expensive. And Billy spent his weekly allowance on it, but again. Should be worth it.
He was on his way out since he couldn't afford buying anymore gifts, when he spotted Steve again. He was standing in front of the counter, and Billy wanted to approach him, only.
“Someone’s girlfriend is gonna be happy to have this.” said the lady behind the counter.
“Yeah,” Steve said, taking a pretty little box from the cashier's hands, with a small smile on his face.
Oh. Of course. He was buying some expensive gifts for some girl in their class. Probably Missy Cooper, or Chloe Valentine or Leslie Winkle or–
Billy doesn't want to know. He stumbles on his own legs, getting the hell out of the mall.
Monday, December 24th
Steve was surprised to find The Cure CD in his locker. No one knew he liked them, except for his close ones. No one also knew that he had a brand new CD player in his car that he got as his birthday gift. He thought that maybe his secret Santa was someone that he knew well. Also thought that he didn’t share any classes with Nancy or Jonathan or Tommy. That was. Weird.
He snatched a CD and carefully put it in his backpack to deal with it later.
Billy opened his locker and he almost let a smile spread on his face. His secret Santa got him a new Stephen King’s book. It was decorated with a bow and a note that said ‘Merry Christmas’ on it. The handwriting seemed familiar. Billy couldn’t afford such things as books, he always borrowed books from a library and of course no one's going to donate a book that came out just this year to a library. Billy was beyond happy and still let a small smile spread on his face.
“Carol! I need to tell them! They’re so dumb and love-struck, they can’t see what’s right in front of them!” Tommy complained witnessing Billy smiling at his new book.
“Give them time, honey,” Carol murmured, patting Tommy’s shoulder.
Tuesday, December 25th
Steve wanted to give Billy the ring personally. He got too scared and put the book in his locker with some help from Tommy. Tommy also promised to get Hargrove to Steve’s locker today. Steve was leaning on his locker, clenching the little box in his pocket. It strangely felt like he was going to propose.
The school was empty on a Christmas morning and that’s exactly what Steve was counting on. And maybe he spent a little to much time on his hair and on his outfit and—
And then Billy appears from around the corner. Looking crisp and clean. More than he usually does. He was wearing a blue shirt unbuttoned to his navel, his hair was combed into a messy ponytail since he hadn’t cut his hair in a while. And those tight jeans of his. Oh my God those jeans were so tight on his–
“Hey, Harrington,” Billy greeted. He didn’t sound mean which was a good sign, Steve thought.
“Oh, hey Billy!” Well, shit. Steve was nervous to put it mildly. His hands were shaky and he was tapping his foot. “I, uh, I wanted to give you something. Personally.”
“Why would you give me anything personally, Steve,” Billy said, smiling at him. And Steve’s heart skips one-two-three beats. He might be having a stroke.
“I’m your secret Santa, Billy,” He said, a small smile spread on his face. Billy’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“No– There’s no way,” Billy looked around as if it was a prank and a bunch of people were about to jump out of the corner.
“Yeah, I was surprised too but–”
“No, Steve, because I’m your secret Santa.” He said, staring at Steve as if he saw him for the first time. They just stood there, gaping at each other much like they did at the mall two days earlier. They start giggling, awkwardly at first, but then they actually started to laugh.
“What are the odds, huh?’ Billy says, stumbling on his own words.
“I know, right?” Steve answers. His face became serious. Now, he has to give Billy the ring. And he’s definitely not proposing. “So uh, i wanted to give you this,” He handed Billy the box.
He took it with a shaking hand and opened it, just staring at the content of it.
“Tommy said you liked scorpions so I got you this.”
“Ye– Yeah, the band,” Billy replied. Steve facepalmed. Jesus Christ. The band! Of course!
“Oh,” Steve breathed out. He felt so, so dumb. Even more dumb than he usually does. He wanted to run away, change states, or better; melt into the floor.
“Are you…proposing to me, Steve?” And that’s a punch in the gut, Steve thought. Though not fair, you can’t just ask that.
“I could be, if you wanted me to,” He answered instead, trying to sound nonchalant.
“Let me propose back, then,” Billy said, pulling his petrol from his pocket. “Your plastic ones are shit.” He said, crossing his arms, trying to sound nonchalant too, but his lips were quivering in an attempt to not smile. And Steve–
He didn’t even smoke that much but it felt important. To him, to Billy. He took the lighter.
“Now look up and fucking kiss already!” Someone shouted. Tommy they though. Of course it was Tommy.
“Did you fucking set that up, Hagan?” Billy shouted back at Tommy who was peeking from the corner.
“I did, you’re welcome, by the way!” Someone’s hand pulled him back. Carol they though. All they heard after that was Tommy’s whining and Carol’s giggles.
They look up. There was a mistletoe hanging right above them.
“Oh.” They breathed out in sync looking at it. They look back at each other.
“So, uh, you wanna do this or what?” Steve questioned awkwardly.
“More than you can imagine.”
And maybe they will have to find Tommy and Carol later to actually say thank you, and maybe they have to be more careful, it’s Hawkins, Indiana still but.
They can deal with all that later, it doesn't matter because Steve’s kissing Billy, and Billy’s kissing him back, running his hand through brunette’s hair.
And maybe, Tommy is a good matchmaker after all.