Chapter Text
Hearing the deafening roar of a Camero pulling into the dusty driveway was the icing on the cake to the terrible evening Steve Harrington was having. There weren’t many in Hawkins who he couldn’t charm his way out of a conversation with, yet Billy Hargrove was one of them. He didn’t know why he had an issue with the Californian, but the boy seemed to go out of his way to irritate him whenever they interacted. It didn’t make sense. He didn’t think he’d done anything to incite such hatred, but all of their encounters, brief as they were, pointed to that being the case.
Whatever.
It didn’t matter. All that mattered was that the irksome blonde was here, and there was no way any semblance of a conversation would go over well. The only thing that made the moment even worse was hearing Mike Wheeler in the background, bickering with the other brats about how they needed to prepare for their little suicide mission to the tunnels; it was the same mission Steve had explained, in copious detail, wasn’t going to happen. No amount of bitching was going to change his mind. He rolled his eyes at the memory of the younger Wheeler trying to act domineering with him like an alpha. It was like the pup was trying to make him submit through sheer force, and it was laughable. Steve might be an omega, but he was used to dealing with much worse than Mike Wheeler.
They had far more pressing issues to deal with.
“Shit, he’s probably here for me,” Max admitted, her voice wavering. It was full of fear instead of her usual confidence.
Her words made sense. The kids had families that loved and cared for them, and it was getting late. Their parents would probably start worrying about them soon, though Billy never struck him as the kind to care for his step-sibling. While Steve could understand that his fellow teen was here to bring Max home, that wouldn’t be happening. His job was to keep the pups safe and together, and the feisty redhead was part of their make-shift pack. She was staying.
“Right, listen up, you little dipshits,” Steve started as he turned from the window to stare them down, crossing his arms before he continued. “Keep your voices down and stay hidden. I’m going to go deal with him.” He pointed towards the Camaro through the window, doing his best to sound confident and stern.
There was something about Billy that he couldn’t quite put his finger on. The boy hated him, yet Steve seemed unable to act his regular collected self around him. Every time they spoke, he fumbled over his words and acted like a bumbling fool, which he could admit wasn’t too far off from the truth, but he swore he usually hid it better. The alpha just flustered him. It made him uneasy because nobody ever caught him off-guard so quickly. It was like the blonde knew how to get under his skin, so Steve went out of his way to put as much distance between them as possible.
Not tonight, though. Steve had to protect the pups. He promised Nancy and Hopper that he would keep them safe, and that was what he planned on doing.
The kids nodded before shuffling to hide behind the large sofa. Even Wheeler joined in, slowly strolling towards them with a pout on his lips. Steve didn’t care if the brat hated him so long as he did what he wanted. He trusted the others to stay quiet and hidden.
He went outside before he could convince himself otherwise. It was stupid to seek the alpha out, but it was necessary. His eyes immediately zoned in on the enigmatic teen. He watched as Hargrove exited the Camaro, his muscular build exemplifying the pompous confidence the blonde always seemed to carry. It was ridiculous, though Steve would act the same way if his body was that sculpted. He watched as those lips carefully turned into a smile the moment their eyes connected, a tongue peaking out to trace across pearly white teeth. There was something undoubtedly alluring about how that tongue moved, and Steve wished it was easier to drag his eyes away.
Why did Billy always move his tongue like that whenever he was around? It was distracting.
Forcing his eyes elsewhere, he watched as the curly-haired teen stripped off his leather jacket, revealing a burgundy dress shirt which was only half-buttoned, showcasing the smooth golden skin beneath. It made for an impressive sight, though was Billy allergic to wearing anything sensible? His wardrobe was too much sometimes, though Steve forced himself to shake his head at that thought. It wasn’t helpful. He had a mission and was ready to hold his stance and send the boy away before something more sinister came to visit. There was no guarantee that they had seen the last of the demodogs, and the longer they stood outside, making noise, the more likely they were to get attacked.
“Am I dreaming, or is that you, Harrington?” The alpha tossed out, those pretty blue eyes roaming over his body.
It was uncomfortable feeling the boy staring at him like he wanted to devour him. The last thing he wanted was to get into a fight, but he could never truly get a read off the other. He kept his eyes on the blonde, watching as he reached into those too-tight jeans, pulling out his signature Marlboro smokes and lighting one before focusing back on him, his tell-tale smirk painting those lips.
Steve rolled his eyes. He hated that smirk. It made him feel like the boy knew something he didn’t, like he was an idiot, and it was beginning to piss him off.
“Yeah, yeah, don’t cream your pants.” He shrugged.
He didn’t have a chance to think of a better comeback, but his words seemed to amuse the other teen. Billy let out a chuckle under his breath with a quick shake of his head as he took a few confident steps in his direction. Steve held his ground, keeping his eyes locked as the boy took another inhale of his cigarette. He could feel those striking eyes glued on him as the alpha blew smoke in his direction.
“What are you doing here, amigo?” The boy crudely demanded as he raised his eyebrows in question, expecting an answer.
Steve wished he could take Billy on in a fight. He knew that he couldn’t; their brief yet brutal encounters during basketball practice proved that, but he couldn’t stand there and let the alpha intimidate him. Not when he had kids to protect. If he could beat down a demodog, he could survive this.
Hopefully.
He refused to cower and walked towards the brazen teen, closing off their distance and stopping when only inches separated them. Their eyes met in a challenge, but Steve refused to back down simply because Billy was bigger, stronger, and meaner.
“I could ask you the same thing, amigo,” Steve answered rudely in spite. He knew how to be bitchy when the situation called for it.
Now that they were so close, it was impossible not to become aware of the distinct scent of rut pouring off the boy. It was thick in the air, polluting it, and he couldn’t believe it took until now to notice. It was like a dark cloud of seductive musk distorting the boy’s usual scent of pine needles and cinnamon with a hint of burning smoke. As reluctant as he was to admit, he liked the scent. Billy smelt good every day, but now? While in rut? It was overwhelming, and Steve couldn’t pretend he wasn’t affected.
What the heck was Billy Hargrove doing out while in rut?
It worsened a bad situation, but he couldn’t say he was shocked. It made sense with how his life had been going the past few months. He couldn’t help but grimace, taking another inhale of that appeasing scent. It was breathtaking, and a tiny part of him, the omega part, wanted to roll around and cover every inch of his body with it. The more he smelled, the clearer it became that the rut wasn’t just starting. It hadn’t caught the alpha off-guard. No, the temperamental teen had come here knowing his condition.
What the hell?
“Are you in rut?” Steve questioned, his eyes tightening on the other.
He did his best to keep the fear out of his voice. He wasn’t scared, but he had heard horror stories about alphas in rut. He would be a fool if he wasn’t apprehensive about the situation, especially given he was an omega. Billy was unpredictable on a good day, but now? While in rut? Dangerous didn’t quite cut it.
“I mean,” he veered off, raising a hand and scratching his neck nervously. How did one ask that question without coming across as a jerk? He didn’t think it was possible and knew the answer wasn’t any of his business, but it had to be asked. “What the hell are you doing here, Hargrove?” He settled with before crossing his arms over his chest, trying to look authoritative.
His questioning didn’t seem to upset the younger teen. The blonde took another drag from his cigarette, his blue eyes focusing on the crumbling house behind him. It felt like Steve was ignored for an eternity before the boy exhaled heavily. When Billy finally gazed at him again, it was with a curious look on his face, like he was studying him, which only added to his overall anxiety. He was about to comment and tell Billy to take a picture of him because it would last longer. The way those pretty eyes inspected him, clearly with approval, made him uncomfortable. Before he could speak, Billy took another half-step toward him, his hand held out, effectively stopping him from saying anything.
“Looking for my sister. A little birdie told me she was here.” He sighed like the words meant nothing to him.
Oh.
There was no way Steve was letting Billy leave with Max. It was not happening, and he knew this before talking with the alpha. Him being in rut only solidified his opinion. They may have been step-siblings, but there was no way that the burly teen was in any condition to take care of a pup. This close, Steve could see the sweat pouring down stubbled cheeks, and he noticed how that burgundy shirt clung to him in a way that wasn’t completely natural; his rut was only going to get worse. He suspected that Billy wasn’t apt to listen to anything he had to say, not in this condition. That didn’t mean Steve wasn’t going to try. He had to try.
“You should be locked in your bedroom right now, Hargrove, not out here.” He stated firmly, not lowering his arms.
Wasn’t that the truth? Nobody in their right mind would want to deal with an alpha in rut. If Billy had any sense left, he would turn around and go home. Steve suspected the boy was in his right mind, at least for the moment. Those stunning eyes were still an impressive shade of blue, not a hint of red clouding them. If they were red, he might have to take a different approach, but the logical (if that even existed) side of Billy should still be in there.
His words instantly affected the blonde, the boy letting out a dark chuckle before taking another inhale of his cigarette and stepping towards him.
“Why? You volunteering, princess? I can think of quite a few things you and I could get up to in my bedroom.” He teased, tongue waving around tantalizingly outside of his mouth the moment he smiled.
Steve was aware of the danger they were all in, but that didn’t stop the blush that instantly covered his cheeks or how his eyes zoned in on that traitorous tongue.
Billy was attractive; it was something he noticed the first day they saw each other. Steve didn’t feel much attraction towards guys. There was the odd fantasy or two, but he considered himself primarily straight. Hargrove was determined to be the exception, which made their interactions all the more frustrating.
Out of all the guys he knew, why did the arrogant and egotistical blonde have to be the one he was attracted to? Yet even with all his disdain, he couldn’t help but wonder how soft those lips would feel against his own. Billy had full lips. Would they feel soft and sweet, like a girl? Like Nancy? Or would they feel different? It was an exciting thought. The alpha was broad and full of bulk, too. No way that body wouldn’t feel good against his leaner frame, right? He already knew Billy liked to push him around, and a small part of him got a thrill out of that. And that tongue! He could feel the flutter in his stomach as he imagined how nice that tongue would feel against his body, licking and tracing his most intimate areas.
It would be hot. Everything about Billy was hot.
Realizing where his thoughts were going, Steve quickly shook his head, snapping himself out of it.
They were talking about Billy Hargrove, the same asshole who had made his life a living hell since his arrival in Hawkins a month ago. The boy hated him, and he despised him back. The rut and these stupid pheromones were making him act illogical, forcing him to like somebody he should, naturally, hate. He needed to work on putting some space between them before he did something he regretted. That would be the intelligent thing to do.
His thoughts must be obvious. He could feel Billy eyeing him up without hesitation, those eyes taking in every bit of his form before the arrogant teen let out another haughty laugh.
It irritated him.
“Fuck off, Hargrove.” Steve shot back, wishing that the alpha would just leave. His words lacked the bite he was hoping for.
“Nah, don’t think I will. You, though? I’d love to fuck you.” The blonde asserted with a playful smirk.
There was no hope in hiding how red his cheeks were, not with the heat pooling in the pit of his stomach. Those words shouldn’t be turning him on, yet he could feel the beginnings of slick start to form. It was pathetic, and he had to bite his lip to hold back the needy whine that threatened to escape. There was no doubt in his mind that the rut was causing him to act this way. He had never been this close to an alpha in rut, Nancy always choosing to spend hers alone rather than with him. It just wasn’t something he was used to. He wasn’t unaffected by that delicious scent either, something he knew the alpha was aware of, but it was only to be expected, right? He hoped, at least.
It would be embarrassing when they ran into each other in the halls next week. Billy wouldn’t be saying these things to him if he wasn’t in rut. It was confusing that the prickly teen was saying all this while he was still somewhat in control, but Steve was attributing everything to the rut. Just because the alpha was still in his right mind didn’t mean that his actions had to make sense.
Not wanting to focus on whatever was going on between them, Steve defaulted back to the reason they were talking in the first place.
“Your sister isn’t here,” he sighed, ignoring how his body was acting. “Don’t even know her,” he added casually, hoping to appear disinterested.
It wasn’t a complete lie. Steve only met the redheaded brat today.
Billy shook his head, obviously not believing him.
Whatever.
It was the only answer he was willing to give, and he watched as the alpha took one final drag out of his cigarette before tossing it to the ground, quickly toeing it into the rocks before turning his focus back onto him. Steve could feel how those gorgeous eyes continued to trace over his body, the boy not being subtle about checking him out. It continued to infuriate him, but the alpha shifted then; he abruptly seemed to snap out of his blatant admiring as he straightened his back. Clearly, Billy was falling more into his rut, given how easily distracted he was. He was tempted to make a comment before the boy let out a huff and spoke.
“Small, redhead, bit of a bitch?” He raised his eyebrows in expectation.
That did describe Max, but Steve wasn’t keen on admitting that. Dustin had a crush on her, so he wanted to be kind. Not that there was anything wrong with any of those traits. Max was a bit of a firecracker, but it was charming, unlike her step-brother. From how things looked in the junkyard, she might even have something going on with Lucas. It was cute, though not any of his business. Playing dumb for now still seemed the safest option.
“Doesn’t ring a bell. Sorry, buddy.” He said with another shrug of his shoulders.
That caused a reaction as Billy stepped away and turned his attention to the house behind them for the second time that evening. Steve was also tempted to look behind but settled for praying that the kids weren’t being the self-sacrificing idiots they were known for. If he turned to look, he would be proving the lie, so he kept his eyes on his partner, doing his best not to notice how well that shirt framed his muscles. Billy was so fit, and he had to stop himself from reaching out and touching. Was it so bad that he just wanted to touch and feel? He could also spy the pendant the boy always wore, settled nicely between two solid pecks. It stood out with the sweat gleaming off that tanned skin, and Steve wondered if he could get away with leaning forward and licking some of the sweat from him. He would be quick, and he just wanted a tiny taste.
Billy looked incredibly tempting this evening, and it was messing with his head.
Steve tossed those thoughts aside as the boy looked back toward him, his mood suddenly changing for the worse. His scent, which until now had been musky and sweet, changed to something disgusting, almost like burnt coals or some type of sour fruit. It didn’t take him long to realize that the blonde was angry, and he was immediately on edge.
“You know, I don’t know, Harrington. This whole situation? It’s giving me the heebie-jeebies.” The alpha shot out.
Heebie-jeebies? What, were they twelve?
Steve couldn’t help laughing even if now wasn’t the time for jokes. He stood firm and refused to back down despite the anger blistering off his fellow teen. If he didn’t play dumb right now, they would be in for a world of trouble.
“Yeah? Why is that?” He threw the question back.
“My 13-year-old sister goes missing all day, and then I find her with you in a stranger’s house, and you lie to me about it.” Billy spat the words out, all anger and aggression, his crystal blue eyes flashing bright red for the briefest of seconds.
Shit.
Steve could feel his heart rate immediately pick up, his mind screaming danger, danger, danger.
He had to be careful.
Billy had a point. Given he was in rut, Steve could imagine his instincts were going haywire, and Max, someone in his pack, was here with people he didn’t know or trust; he wasn’t unreasonable, but Steve had to send the boy away. The last thing they needed to deal with was a hostile alpha in rut. Weren’t the demodogs enough? Despite his instincts pleading for him to soothe the alpha, to agree with him and make him happy, Steve continued his denial.
“Man, were you dropped too much as a child or what?” He questioned, letting out a small awkward laugh in a foolish attempt to lighten the situation. He doubted it would work, but it was worth a try. “I don’t know what you don’t understand about what I just said. She’s not here.”
“Then who is that?” Billy said, pointing back towards the house behind them.
Steve felt his heart skip a beat. When he turned his head back towards the house, he could see the tops of the kids’ heads poking through the open window.
Idiots.
Realizing they were seen, the heads instantly disappeared, but it was too late. Max, especially, wasn’t hiding anything with her bright red locks.
Damn it.
Steve was confident that if Billy didn’t kill him, he would murder each pup himself. When he looked back toward the blonde, the alpha gave him a look that could only be described as smug.
“Uh,” he started awkwardly, meeting those bright eyes and trying to fumble out an answer that didn’t make him look like the liar he very much was.
He didn’t have a chance to say anything before Billy took a final step towards him, closing their distance and standing directly before him. Steve tensed up, expecting to be hit or shoved away, but he was shocked when the boy merely pressed into his space, calloused hands reaching and gently resting on his hips. Confused, he was about to protest before Billy leaned forward and rested his head against his neck, those soft lips teasing against scent gland as the alpha started to breathe him in, a low rumble at his throat.
Steve stood still, not knowing how to react. Nobody had tried to scent him before. He knew he should push the blonde away because they were undoubtedly crossing a line, but Steve couldn’t deny that he enjoyed feeling those hands on him. Being pressed so closely against another person felt spectacular. It had been a while since anyone touched him so tenderly.
Since he presented over the summer, Nancy hardly wanted to do anything remotely intimate. That should have been his first clue that he was bullshit, but denial was easier. Billy seemed to like his scent, which was flattering. He could smell how that glorious scent improved, changing from the angry, burning sourness to the musky pine sweetness he was used to. It didn’t hurt that the boy had yet to stop the almost possessive growl leaving his throat as those hands travelled and caressed his waist. It was flattering to know somebody liked his scent and maybe even his body. Nancy had always said that he smelt too sweet and that being around him for an extended period was off-putting.
Thinking of Nancy wouldn’t do him any good, and Steve leaned back, forcing the other boy to look at him head-on. The alpha still had his blue eyes. They were stunning, blue like an ocean sea, which fit with what little he knew about the Californian. He had never taken the time to admire them before, but they were attractive and added to his appeal. Steve couldn’t say he didn’t find Billy deeply attractive. This close, he could count the various freckles dusting across pointed cheeks; he found it delightful. He knew it was foolish, but he leaned his weight against his partner, wanting to feel those talented hands elsewhere on his body.
Having the alpha so close and smelling desirable was messing with his brain. He could feel the heat radiating off the boy and in combination with his scent? It was intoxicating. Since the blonde had no issues smelling him, Steve did the same in return, tilting his head down into that neck, where the scent was most potent, and taking a whiff of it.
Billy smelt magnificent. Steve didn’t think he would ever get sick of his breathtaking scent and was ashamed as a low noise escaped his throat. Knowing that the alpha was getting enjoyment from him was clouding his mind. He would never act like this if it weren’t for that. They may not be doing anything more than scenting, but his body was beginning to react. He felt slick start to leak from him, soaking into his boxers freely. It was humiliating, and he blamed the rut. His body would never react this way to Billy Hargrove if the rut weren’t a factor. The boy would never touch him if he weren’t in rut, either. Even with that knowledge, he couldn’t hold back a whimper as those hands lightly squeezed against his stomach, talented fingers teasing the area where his shirt was tucked into his belt. He could feel a pleased hum escaping those lovely lips when the boy nosed against the shell of his ear.
“Smellin’ so good for me, princess.” Billy sighed before lips ghosted over his earlobe.
Steve felt a shiver run through his body, and he was sure the alpha knew it was because of him. It was also clear to him that the boy was talking about more than just his scent with those words, but that didn’t matter. He didn’t protest as one of those hands teasing beneath his belt moved until it rested on his ass. Billy paused momentarily, testing the waters, and when Steve didn’t shrug him off, he groped against him, those long fingers pressing and digging into his cheeks. The alpha wasn’t subtle with his intent, yet it didn’t bother him. His omega was pleased that he was being touched so intimately, especially by someone he was attracted to. He wanted those hands and fingers everywhere. Feeling encouraged, he moved and rested his hands on broad shoulders, his fingers toying with soft blonde curls.
Billy definitely knew what he was doing. It should piss him off, but he found the confidence to be a turn-on. Steve could hear the snort that left the other, and instead of touching him more, like his omega would have demanded, the boy trailed his hands back up his body until they both rested on his chest, just below his shoulders. They remained in place as Billy took a step backwards.
The action puzzled him, and Steve met those blue eyes.
The alpha didn’t seem turned off, so why did he step away? Was he not being good? Nancy had implied he wasn’t a good omega and told him he was bullshit, so he was unsure. Needing a distraction, his eyes lowered, focusing on those beautiful lips. They looked rather enticing, especially since they were still so close to one another. He wondered if Billy wanted to kiss him; he would let him if he tried. It would be enjoyable, and Steve loved kissing. With that thought on his mind, he wet his lips and noticed how those handsome eyes followed the movement of his tongue. The alpha definitely wanted to kiss him; he was sure. When the boy leaned in, Steve didn’t try to mask his disappointment as Billy rested his face against his neck instead of his lips, inhaling his scent deeply.
“Sorry about this.” He whispered.
Steve didn’t have a chance to figure out what the boy had to be sorry for before he felt hands suddenly pushing roughly against him. The force sent him flying to the ground and landing harshly on his back, the wind being knocked out of him. Stunned, it took him a moment to recognize Billy towering over him.
What?
The pain of being shoved hurt, but the hallowing emptiness in his core was worse. That kept him on the ground, the pain of rejection hurting more than any shove ever could. His alpha didn’t want him and didn’t like him. That was why Billy pushed him away, and he was foolish for ever thinking otherwise. Why would anyone ever want him? Even in rut, he had an alpha reject him. What kind of omega couldn’t entice an alpha in rut? A bullshit one; it was why Nancy didn’t want him, and she was right.
Steve was a fucking fool, and this is what he got for lowering his guard.
Glaring up at the blonde, he did his best to hide his pain and focused all his anger on the other. Billy didn’t seem to care as he looked down at him with glee.
“I told you to plant your feet, but please keep ignoring me. I’ll never get sick of seeing you on your back for me, sweetie.” He teased with a wink.
Those words caused the rage to boil over inside him, something he was confident the other could smell. He watched as that handsome face contorted into a grimace at the sudden change in his scent. It only lasted a moment before the illusive teen studied him, that grimace turning into a look of pure want and desire. It served to piss him off further. At this point, he was ready for a fight. He knew there was no way he could win, but seeing the alpha hurt and in pain would be worth it. He wanted to rip that arrogant smile off those lips.
When he moved to get up, Billy leaned downwards, planting a firm hand on his chest and forcing him in place.
“Stay here. Please. Don’t follow me.” Billy pleaded, his gorgeous eyes sparkling in the moonlight.
The words confused him, but Billy seemed genuine and almost remorseful. There was no anger in his scent, only sadness. It didn’t make sense, but it didn’t change what he had done. Steve was livid and didn’t have a chance to respond before the alpha stormed off in the direction of the house, leaving him behind to stew in his thoughts. Despite all the logic in him telling him that he had to go after Billy, that he needed to protect the pups, he couldn’t force himself to get up.
He swore he was going to kill Billy Hargrove.