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Billy doesn’t know what time it is, but he knows it’s late. And raining. And cold. He tugs his thin jacket around himself as he trudges the all too familiar route to Stu’s house, the only person he could stand to see right now.
He makes it to the front door and runs up to it, banging on the wood heavily. Please be awake, please.
He lifts his fist to bang on the door again but it opens before he can hit it, revealing a surprised Stu clad in plaid pyjama pants and a Texas Chainsaw Massacre T-shirt.
“Billy?” Stu says, “what’re you doing here?!” Stu pulls Billy into the house without letting him reply, closing the door.
“It’s freezing!” Stu continues, “and you’re soaked through! Are you mad coming here in this rain?!”
“Didn’t have anywhere else to go.” Billy says, looking at the floor and keeping his arms wrapped around himself.
Stu cards a hand through Billy’s dripping wet hair, then places a hand under Billy’s chin to tilt his head up so they’re looking at each other. “What happened?”
“My dad, he-“ Billy stops to swallow the vomit that’s threatening to creep up his throat, “-he kicked me out, Stu.”
Stu frowns, “why?” He asks, hand moving from Billy’s chin back to his hair, brushing through it with his fingers tenderly.
“I told him.” Billy pauses, swallows again. “About me.”
Stu’s eyes go wide.
“No son I’ve mine will be a goddamn faggot.” Billy grits out through his teeth, impersonating his dad. “Literally threw me out and slammed the door in my face.”
“Oh, baby.” Stu sighs quietly, pulling Billy into a tight hug, not caring about getting himself wet.
Billy buries his face in Stu’s chest, holding back tears that are threatening to fall.
Stu holds him tightly for a long moment, letting their silence and the rain on the windows fill the air. Stu knows Billy won’t want to talk about it, so he distracts him.
“Let me run you a warm bath and we can watch a movie together, yeah?” Stu says quietly, one of his hands rubbing soothing motions up and down Billy’s back.
Billy nods against Stu’s chest. Stu pulls away from Billy but doesn’t go far, reaching down and taking his hand. They walk silently up to the bathroom, Stu slightly ahead as he pulls Billy by the hand.
Once in the bathroom, Stu gets the bath going and then turns to Billy. “Let’s get you out of these wet clothes, yeah?”
Billy simply nods and peals off his jacket and shirt while Stu kneels down to untie Billy’s boots and take them off, along with his socks. He then helps him out of his jeans and boxers and guides him into the almost full tub, turning the faucet off once Billy is seated.
Stu cards a hand through Billy’s hair, “want me to wash it for you?” He asks softly.
Billy nods again.
Stu stands and grabs the shower head from its holder, switching it on.
“Tilt your head back for me, darlin’.” Stu says. Billy does and Stu holds the shower head over Billy’s hair for a moment. The warm water is welcomed as Billy’s eyes drift shut.
Stu moves the shower head in front of Billy, kissing his shoulder to get his attention. “Hold please.”
Billy opens his eyes and takes the shower head off of Stu. Stu then stands to switch it back off and grab his shampoo.
Stu crouches back down and opens the bottle, squeezing some shampoo onto Billy’s head. He starts massaging it into Billy hair with one hand, placing the shampoo bottle on the floor with his other, not caring to put it back in its place, then starts using both hands to comb the shampoo through Billy’s hair.
Billy’s eyes slip shut again, enjoying the feeling of Stu’s gentle hands.
“Feels nice.” Billy rasps out quietly.
“Yeah?” Stu says, just as quiet.
“Mm.” Billy responds, letting himself fully relax into the sensation.
Stu stands again after a few minutes, turning the shower back on the crouching back down, taking it from Billy.
“Head back again, darlin’.” He says, pressing another soft kiss to Billy’s shoulder.
Billy tilts his head back without a word, eyes staying closed as Stu carefully washes the shampoo out of Billy’s hair.
Stu stands again once it’s done, switching the shower off for the final time and placing it back in its holder.
“I’m gonna go find you some warm clothes to sleep in,” Stu says, stroking Billy’s hair. “You’ll be okay for a few minutes?” He asks.
Billy nods. Stu leans down and presses a soft kiss to Billy’s forehead, “I’ll be right back.”
Once Stu is out the bathroom door, Billy’s father’s words echo loudly in his mind.
No son I’ve mine will be a goddamn faggot.
Billy curls in on himself, lifting his knees and wrapping his arms around them.
No son I’ve mine will be a goddamn faggot.
He buries his face in his arms, starting to shake.
No son I’ve mine will be a goddamn faggot.
The tears start to fall and the shaking worsens.
No son I’ve mine will be a goddamn faggo-
“I found these, hope they’ll be alrig-“
Billy is snapped out of the spiral when he hears Stu come back into the bathroom but he can’t make the crying and shaking stop as he lifts his head to look up at Stu.
“Oh, darlin’.” Stu says softly, crouching back down. One arm has the clothes thrown over them. He reaches forward with his free hand to stroke through Billy’s hair.
“Come on,” Stu says, leaning forward to kiss Billy’s forehead. “Let’s get you dried and warm, yeah?”
Billy nods, still sniffling as Stu helps him stand. Stu places a hand on his lower back as Billy steps out of the tub.
Stu places the clothes he’s holding on the side and grabs a couple towels, quickly wrapping one around Billy’s waist, using the other to dry his hair.
Billy keeps his gaze to the floor, the tears have stopped but he still lets out the occasional sniffle.
Once his hair is as dry as it can be, Stu throws it to one side and unwraps the towel that’s around Billy’s waist, using it to dry the rest of him. Once he’s satisfied, he reaches for the clothes. A pair of grey sweat pants and a comfy looking black sweater. Stu hands him the sweat pants and Billy pulls them on.
“Arms up.” Stu says, holding the sweater. Billy lifts his arms without a fuss and Stu gently puts the sweater on him.
“You look cute in my clothes.” Stu says, Billy smiles a little at that.
Stu reaches for a hair comb, “just gonna comb your hair.” Stu says, “you don’t want knots.”
Billy lets him comb through his hair in silence.
Once he’s done, Stu places the comb back from where he got it and takes Billy’s hand. “What movie you feel like watchin’?” He asks, stroking his thumb across Billy’s.
“Psycho.” Billy responds.
Stu smiles, “excellent choice as always.”
Stu pulls Billy out of the bathroom and into his room.
“Make yourself comfortable while I set the movie up.” Stu says, walking over to the small tv.
Billy pulls the cover off the bed, sits down and pulls his knees up to his chest.
Once Stu has got the movie going, he turns around and sees the way Billy has situated himself and frowns.
“I said make yourself comfortable, darlin’.” He says, getting into bed himself.
“Not comfortable without you.” Billy mumbles.
“Oh, sweetheart.” Stu says, laying himself down and opening his arms. “C’mere.”
Billy all but collapse onto Stu’s chest, pulling the covers with him. Stu wraps his arm tightly around Billy and Billy clings to Stu just as tightly. Stu kisses Billy’s forehead and they start actually watching the movie.
After a short while, Stu speaks softly. “I’m sorry about your dad.”
“S’not your fault.” Billy replies quietly.
“I should kill that bastard.” Stu grits out through his teeth. “I’d kill this whole town for you.”
Something warm twists in Billy’s stomach at that.
“Stu… I…” Billy trails off, thinking for a moment. Stu softy runs his hand up Billy’s arm and into his hair. Billy looks up at him from his place on Stu’s chest and Stu looks down at Billy, nothing but love and adoration in his eyes.
“Please don’t ever leave me.” Billy blurts out, gripping Stu’s shirt tightly. “You’re all I have and-… and if you left I’d-… fuck I don’t know what I’d do.” There are tears in his eyes again.
“Hey, shhh.” Stu soothes, reaching up and placing his other hand on Billy’s cheek. “I’ll never, ever fuckin’ leave you. You’re the most important thing in my life, darlin’.”
Billy swallows. “Stu, I…” he takes a breath, “I love you.” He whispers.
Stu feels himself start to well up then, tears threatening to fall.
“I love you, too.” He says, softly. “So fuckin’ much, you’ve no idea.” He leans in to place a soft but firm kiss on Billy’s lips.
Billy is smiling when they pull away, happy tears rolling down his cheeks. Stu uses his thumb to wipe them away.
Billy ducks his head back down and buries his face in Stu’s chest. “You’re such a good boyfriend, don’t deserve someone like you.” He mumbles.
“Hey, none of that.” Stu says, placing two fingers under Billy’s chin and tilting his head up to look him in the eyes. “You deserve the world and more, darlin’. I’m gonna spend the rest of my life being the best boyfriend you could ask for and one day, hopefully…” Stu leans in closer so their lips are almost touching, “the best husband you could ask for.”
Before Billy can even fully comprehend what was just said to him, Stu kisses him with all the love and care he can muster.
When they pull away, Billy has tears in his eyes again. “Really?” He asks, “you’d… you’d marry me?”
“In a heartbeat, darlin’.” Stu replies.
Billy buries himself in Stu’s chest again, clinging to him like his life depended on it.
He starts to fall asleep soon after, movie still playing, thoughts of his father drifting away into nothing. He had Stu, and it was all he would ever need.