Work Text:
“Pink, babe? Oh hell no!!”
Billy scoffs, blue eyes narrowing as he stares down at your soft pretty face. His tan muscular body flexing beneath a tight white tank top as he leans against the kitchen counter.
“Please Bills… ! It’s just the spare bedroom!” You try to sound all sweet and cute, batting your eyelashes up at him, giving his bicep a little squeeze, which usually works, but today Billy wasn’t having any of it. No way was he painting any room in his house, the house you two worked so hard for, scraped and saved every last penny to buy, PINK.
“We're painting it a manly color. Somethin’ classy, ya know? Was thinking we can paint it, I don’t know, red or black maybe. Put in one of those black lights, maybe hang up some beer lights." Ocean eyes glancing down at your cleavage as you lean into his muscular chest.
You scoff, rolling your eyes “That’s classy? We don’t live in a bar, Billy." It’s your house too, damn it. Why does he always have to get his way? It's just one room.
"Yeah well, we don’t live in a dollhouse either, babe," he huffs, jaw clenching. His face softens as he grips your chin gently, an amused look suddenly crossing over his handsome face.
“Baby, I’d do just about anything for you, ya know that. But I draw the damn line at making my house look like toddler’s room,” he leans down and kisses your nose.
"Please Billy?” You give the puppy eyes one more try. Pink is your absolute favorite color and you have always wanted a pink room, since you were a little girl. Now that you finally owned your own home, well, you wanted it even more.
He smirks, rubbing along your lips with his thumb. “Don't give me that bullshit pout, it ain't gonna work.” He pushes off the counter walking over and pouring coffee into a mug.
“Look... I said no. It's bad enough I have to sleep with those damn flowers on my sheets every night." He snorts.
“Fine, be that way. I have to get to work." You huff and keep pouting. At this point it's just your face, it's not even purposefull.
"So what are you doing today on your day off?” You ask grumpily, changing the subject. Billy usually had Fridays off and spent it fixing up your new little house. It needed a ton of work, which is the only reason you two were able to afford it in the first place. Needed a new roof, carpets torn up, plumbing and electrical work done and Billy said he could do it all himself. Plus it's in the shittest part of town, but neither of you cared because it's all yours. Finally able to move away from your parents and feel like actual adults. You were so lucky he was such a handyman.
After pouring his coffee he leans back against the counter, getting a kick out of watching you sulk. You were cute when you were pouting, most times he couldn’t resist you, would never tell you that though. No way in hell he was going to cave on this one. He was the man after all. He watches you with a smirk on his lips. Your arms folded over your chest. He takes another sip of coffee, eyeing your cleavage again. God you’re making this difficult.
“Well, baby, gonna run some errands. Pick up the tiles n' shit for the bathroom from the hardware store.” Finally answering your question. Puts his coffee cup down and saunters over to you, wrapping his thick arms around your waist. Nuzzles his cold nose into the crook of your neck, kissing you lightly. “Some yard work maybe, gotta clean up out back, it’s a real jungle out there, do some weeding. You know…shirtless, maybe get all sweaty.” He smirks against your skin, his voice dropping low and sexy.
You're fuming inside. But him... his smell... his mustache tickling your neck. His body so hot against you. He voice so deep, smooth like honey, sending a wake of goosebumps down your side. You feel yourself starting to melt into him, losing yourself. Just one kiss... a hot, sexy, wet kiss goodbye. Not going to see your man for 8 plus hours. Just one. You're trying to stay angry and not give in. You're just so achingly hot for this man of yours, it's insane the power he has over you. But no! You're not letting this one go. You softly push against his pecs, begrudgingly walking away and grabbing your purse off of the kitchen counter.
“Well, have a nice day!" You say, flat and one note, as you head towards the door.
He chuckles deeply, watching you, eyes locking in on your beautiful ass as it sways in your work skirt. In a few quick strides he catches your wrist and twirls you towards him. “Aww, don't be like that, baby." His other hand tucks a strand of your hair behind your ear, slowly brushing his thick fingers across your cheek. God, why does he have to do this to you. Why can't he just let you be mad at him. He's so damn needy.
His slightly chapped lips touch yours softly, coating them in your lipgloss. His thick tongue is quickly inside your mouth, dancing against yours despite your best efforts to fight against it. He pulls away, little string of spit connecting your lips to his. "There. That's better. Couldn't have my baby mad at me all day." His thumb brushing against your pink, kiss-swollen lips one more time, wiping away any wetness left behind and also smearing your lipgloss.
You sigh in frustration and turn to leave when you feel Billy's hand hitting hard against your ass, the sound echoing through your tiny unfinished kitchen. The sharpness making you gasp. You turn, looking at him angrily but you just can't stay mad at him. A slow smirk spreads over your lips, as you shake your head, looking at his stupidly perfect face. He wins. You turn away with another sigh, rolling your eyes as you head out the door.
A smug grin over his face as he watches you go. Missing you already. Knows you love him. For the first time in his life, he's sure of that.
As the door closes behind you, Billy gives a little chuckle, running his hand through his messy morning unwashed curls, shaking his head at what he's about to do. Grabs his keys and as soon as he's sure you're gone, heads out to the Camaro instead of his truck, she's so much faster.
Twenty minutes later he's walking through Hawkins local hardware store. Above his head a sign reads "In Business Since 1902". Hawkins is such a shit little town, wishes you two were in California right now. Someday. It's part of your plan. Just not yet. One thing at a time.
His eyes scan the rows of paint cans, picking up a nice satin finish for the walls of your spare bedroom. He looks around, making sure no one's looking at him, doesn’t need anyone knowing what color he’s picking out, as he searches through the paint swatches, finally finding the softest, most delicious delicate bubble gum pink he can find. He smirks to himself, knowing this color is exactly what you would have picked out yourself. You're going to love it. Making you happy was all he ever wants to do. His man cave dreams on hold for now.
Back home, Billy spends the entire day transforming the sparse spare room, muscles flexing as he rolls the softest bubble gum color onto the smooth walls. Ratt blaring from the boombox sitting on the bare wood floor. He sings along, slightly off key, but no one's home so he belts it out loud. Every so often he steps back, admiring his handiwork. He grins at how nice it's coming along. As the first coat dries he heads to the kitchen.
His famous chili. Okay, famous to you anyway, since you and Max are the only two people he's ever made it for. Doesn't take much to whip it up. Thinks it would be perfect for dinner. Loves to cook on his days off, especially now that he's away from Neil. Likes to try new recipes. Misses the amazing food choices in California. Years of Susan's lack of culinary skills, he couldn't wait to get out of that house and finally eat good food again. He tries to remember some of the recipes his mom used to make, but sometimes he doesn't like to remember her too much. This one though, he made it up himself through experimenting, using you and Max as guinea pigs. Gathers the ingredients, onions, beef, tomatoes, his own secret spice blend and that one secret ingredient... beer.
The Billy Hargrove from even just a year ago would never have painted a room pink for some chick, or fuck.. made her dinner... or had a secret spice blend. Sometimes he can't believe you two did this together. Fell in love, bought a house. Seemed like something he never thought about doing, ever. Then he met you and everything changed. The hold you have over him, it seemed to have come out of nowhere. Being with you just always felt right, felt like home. He heads back to finish the second coat as the chili simmers on the stove.
Meanwhile, you are having the day from hell at the restaurant where you work part time. There was a massive lunch rush that turned into a dinner rush, a constant stream of demanding customers and a kitchen that couldn't keep up. Your manager was on your ass because you covered for a co-workers mixup, not wanting her to get in trouble on her first week. By the time things finally died down you were utterly exhausted, your feet sore, your back was an aching mess, and your patience shot. Fridays were like that sometimes and you hated it, but the tips were good, even in this small town. Plus you knew after this you had the whole weekend with your man. You were wiping down the last table, glancing at the clock, just a little longer.
He hears you come in the front door and closes the lid on the pot. Strides over to you, knowing immediately you've had a shitty day.
"Hey baby." He murmurs, voice so soothing you could cry. You squish your face immediately into his hard chest, breathing him in. His arms around your waist, holding you close. He's so strong, so solid, you melt against him. He's your rock. You and him against the world.
"Rough day, sweetheart?" He asks, brushing your hair back from your face. "I made chili, maybe that'll help." He chuckles softly, rubbing your back up and down.
"Mmm smells so good." You mumble against him. "I'm starving.” You sniff the air. “What's that other smell?" It's chemically and you assume it's from whatever project he's been working on around the house.
His soft blue eyes sparkle when you tilt your head up towards his face, resting your chin against his chest. He grins, a self satisfied look crosses over him. You furrow your eyebrows slightly. He takes your hand in his, interlacing your fingers together, and leads you to the spare bedroom.
As you both get closer to the open door, he stands back and lets you go in first. Watching your face, waiting to see your reaction.
"OMG! Billy!!" Your hands fly to your open mouth in complete surprise and you start to cry, you can't help it. You turn to him, only now really noticing the paint stains over his thick fingers and on his tank top. You were so distracted by your own tiredness you totally missed them. Not only did he paint today, but it's the most perfect shade of pink you could ever imagine.
You hear him chuckling softly, stepping closer, wrapping his arms around your waist from behind. You admire the fresh pink color and love how it changes as the sun sets outside the open windows. He pulls your back flush against his chest, resting his chin on your head as you look around the room. It’s perfect. Exactly the color you wanted. He knows you too well.
"You like it, baby?" He asks, big hands squeezing your hips.
"Billy, I love it! But..what happened to your man cave?" You turn and look up to him, kissing his stubbly chin. You love that he doesn’t shave as obsessively as he used to, love that his hair is getting longer, love that he's so tough on the outside but he has a soft under belly.
He laughs. "What can I say? Guess just want to make my girl happy."
He kisses your soft lips, his hands moving up, slowly caressing your face. Pulling back he realizes he's gotten pink paint all over your cheeks. He huffs at the streaks of bubble gum pink on your pretty skin as he gently tries to wipe it off with his thumb, only making it smear even more. He shakes his head.
"Sorry babe, got some paint on ya." A soft smile tugging at his lips.
"Guess I match the room now." You giggle up at him.
"Pink is definitely your color, pretty girl." He nips at your lips playfully.
"Hmm... well... that's too bad. Guess maybe I should go in the shower. You know, wash up. I mean... I might need a little help though, you know, getting it all off? You were the one who made the mess after all." You say playfully, suddenly not tired anymore.
"Mmm, I think you're right, baby. Since I am the one who made the mess, it's only fair to you that I am the one to clean it up." He smiles, his tongue pushing against the inside of his cheek.
"Such a messy boy." You playfully scold, shaking your head at him.
He chuckles deep. "You ain't seen nothing yet."
Your hands come up to grip his tank top, feeling his hard muscles underneath the cotton, the way they flex and move as he kisses your mouth, all messy and hot, delicious, like only he can.
You push his pecs away, softly. "Billy, thank you. For painting the room for me. I love you so much." You smile up at him.
"Love you too baby. Just want to make you happy, give you everything you ever wanted." He breathes in deep.
"Thank you for loving me, even though I am a messy, angry, stubborn dick sometimes."
"Sometimes?" You tease.
His mouth is on yours again in a beat, hands sliding down to your thighs, thick fingers digging into your softness. He lifts you up, and you wrap your legs around his hips, locking your ankles together behind him. As you continue to kiss he starts walking you toward the bathroom, so you can show your man just how grateful you are that he's sacrificing his man cave just for you, and show him how much you really love him.