steve wakes up because the bed is shaking.
not violently, just this tiny, rhythmic movement. like someone’s breathing too hard. he blinks blearily, rubbing his eyes, and turns over to see billy sitting up against the headboard, the little bedside lamp casting a warm glow over him.
at first his mind’s in the gutter but then he rubs his eyes and…and billy’s… crying?
not full-on sobbing, but his eyes are glassy and red, his jaw tight, and he keeps wiping at his face, as if he was trying to pretend it was just because of allergies or dust.
steve’s heart jumps straight into panic mode.
“billy?” he croaks, sitting up. “hey, what… what’s wrong baby? was it a nightmare? are you hurt? did something happen? bee, talk to me. are you okay?”
billy jumps like he didn’t expect steve to wake up. steve doesn’t process the way he quickly slams his book shut, he’s more concerned about watching his boyfriend wipe his face again more aggressively this time.
“i’m fine,” he mutters, voice thick. “go back to sleep.”
steve squints at him. “you’re crying.”
“you are, and it’s okay bee”
billy glares into his puppy dog eyes, but it’s hard to look intimidating when his eyes are sunken and shiny.
steve scoots closer, checking him over like he expects to find a wound. “did you have a nightmare? billy, talk to me. come on, we spoke about this.”
billy groans, dragging a hand down his face. “steve. i’m fine. it was…it was just the book.”
billy looks away, thumbing the cover steve now realises is in his lap.
“yeah.” his cheeks go pink.
steve stares at him for a long moment.
“oh my god,” steve whispers, delighted. “you’re crying over a book.”
billy’s ears go red. “shut up.”
“no,” steve says, already laughing. “no, this is incredible. this is…this is the best thing i’ve heard all year!”
billy tries to shove him, but he’s too embarrassed and too tired and steve just leans into it, wrapping an arm around him.
“steve,” billy warns, voice cracking a little, “i swear to go-”
“what happened?” steve asks, eyes sparkling. “did your favourite wizard die? did the knight fall in love? did the magic sword break? did the-”
“-maybe the tragic hero sacrificed himself for the greater good?”
billy groans again, burying his face in his hands. “i hate you.”
“no you don’t,” steve says, tugging his hands away gently. “you love me. and you love your little fantasy books.”
billy sniffles, an actual sniffle, and steve’s grin softens into something warm and fond.
“hey,” steve murmurs, brushing a thumb under billy’s eye. “i’m only teasing you… it’s kinda cute.”
billy glares half‑heartedly. “this is not cute.”
“nooo you’re right…it’s adorable!” steve says, leaning in to kiss his temple. “my big tough boyfriend crying over fictional characters.”
billy with a heartbroken look mutters something that sounds like “they weren’t supposed to die,” and steve has to bite his lip to keep from laughing again as fresh tears well up in his eyes.
“awww come here bee,” steve says, pulling him down so they’re lying together. he rubs one hand over his back in smooth circular motions and the other scratches billy’s scalp softly.
“you can tell me what happened.”
“okay, then i’ll just keep guessing until you break.”
billy groans into steve’s chest. “fine. i’ll tell you. but if you make fun of me-”
“i would never,” steve lies, already smiling.
billy sighs, defeated, and starts explaining the plot, voice soft and thick with leftover emotion. steve listens, stroking his hair, occasionally making dramatic gasps or whispering “no way” just to watch billy get flustered.
and when billy finally finishes, wiping at his eyes one last time, steve kisses his forehead.
billy punches him in the arm. gently.
and steve laughs, pulling him closer and kissing all over his blotchy face.
“i love you too,” he says.
and billy, still sniffling, still embarrassed, still warm and soft in steve’s arms, mutters “yeah. whatever.”
sooo…any ideas on the book?
