#bimbat

Billy turned off the Camaro, staring at the cabin in apprehension. The last time he’d asked for directions he ended up getting into a fight with Steve Harrington. But now he’d needed to ask directions on where to find said man. It wasn’t like he came to apologize or anything, he just wanted to know why Harrington moved outside of town all of a sudden. So he’d asked, and Little Wheeler reluctantly told him that Harrington had moved out to an used cabin that Harrington’s parents had but never used. Billy didn’t like it out here, it was unnerving in some way. It was sunset because it had taken him so long to find this place and now the trees were dark and casting shadows.

“Asshole.” Billy murmured to himself, “There’s nothing to be afraid of.” He got out of the car but stayed behind the open door. Harrington was gonna ask why he was there for sure and Billy was trying to think up an excuse. His fingers tapped the top of the car door, hitting against the window. He could just say that he just wanted to check out Harrington’s new digs. It was the perfect place for a house party, being out in the woods and all. Now set on his excuse, Billy nodded to himself and moved away from the door. He froze when he heard the tree branches rustle. He glanced around, anxious. The branches moved again. Billy edged closer to his car, glad the door was still open. Then he heard chirps, but they didn’t sound bird-like. Then suddenly something flew out from the trees and Billy yelped, dropping into his car. The thing landed on the roof of the car and Billy slammed the door closed. He panted as he heard it scratching at the roof of the Camaro and then it poked its head down to look through the window. It was bat, and looked pretty big too. Billy swallowed.

He’d never admit this, but he didn’t like bats. He was afraid of them, actually. When he was a kid, he and some friends had tried spelunking a cave near his hometown. They ended up getting swarmed by bats flying out of the cave. Billy had been left alone during the swarm and it had freaked him out. He’d been nervous around bats ever since, couldn’t even approach a bat house at the zoo for fear of the creatures. And with one so close to him, he was starting to hyperventilate. He covered his head and tried to calm down, closing his eyes to block out the sight and of the little monster just outside.

There’s nothing there, there’s nothing there... Billy continued to repeat the mantra to himself. Slowly, his breathing was going back to normal. As long as he didn’t think about it or look outside, he was okay. He took deep breaths to help steady himself. Then, out of nowhere, a sharp whistle broke through the air. Billy’s head shot up. There, on the cabin’s porch, was Harrington. In one hand was a banana and the other was at his lips, likely having been used to make the whistle. There was some scraping and then the bat on top of Billy’s car flew over to Harrington. It was the size of Harrington’s chest. It hung from his shoulders as the brunette fed it the banana. Billy swallowed. He tried to keep taking deep breaths as he got out of the car, leaning on the door for support.

“You babysitting bats now, Harrington?” Billy was glad his voice stayed steady and didn’t give him away. He eyed the creature with some anxiety, which thankfully wasn’t climbing as long as he stayed away from it. Harrington didn’t seem happy to seem him. The feeling was mutual.

Billy sat at the table eyeing Bimbat, who was curled up against Steve’s chest. Out of all the bats at the sanctuary, Steve’s personal pet was the worst. Sure, Bimbat wasn’t actually Steve’s pet but it wouldn’t leave Steve alone so that was technically how the sanctuary got started. And for some fucking reason, it had gained an affinity for Billy Hargrove. Every time Billy would come by it would fly out to see him and the blond would panic and get in his car. It was only after so much work that Billy was able to even get near the bats now, but Bimbat was not a creature Billy thought he would ever get close to, with how much the flying fox loved to go straight to him.

“Don’t give it that look.” Steve said, glaring.

“What look?” Billy’s eyes briefly flicked to Steve before settling on Bimbat again. Billy didn’t trust the little monster.

“You have that look you get whenever Bimbat comes out to see you.”

“And?”

“Bimbat only wants to be friends! It can’t help it if you don’t wanna be friends.”

“Then I just wish it would stop flying at me every time I come over. What does it even want from me, anyway?”

“Bimbat always comes when called or when there’s food.” Steve eyed him, “You sure you aren’t hiding an apple somewhere in your pockets?”

“Of course not.” Billy gave him a look, “I never bring any food because I don’t plan on spending the day surrounded by flying rats.” Steve gasped and held a hand over Bimbat’s ears protectively. Billy snorted at the gesture.

“It has sensitive hearing! Take that back!”

“Sorry, Bimbat.” Billy rolled his eyes, “But seriously, give me an actual reason about why that thing keeps coming at me. You know everything about bats, so how do you not know?”

“Hmm...” Steve stared at Billy, brushing a hand through Bimbat’s fur. The flying fox gave a small chirp and out of habit Steve reached over for the bananas. They were Bimbat’s favorite fruit. He fed a piece to the bat and then looked at Billy. His eyes lit up in understanding. “That’s it!” Steve was grinning wildly, “Bimbat likes your hair! It thinks your hair is bananas!”

“What?”

“Seriously! You’ve got blond hair, which Bimbat thinks might be related to bananas or something. It’s never seen a blond person before, so it probably thinks your hair is either made of bananas or tastes like them!”

“You’re not serious?” Billy made a face. He didn’t like the revelation. Steve shrugged.

“Hey, unless you’ve got a better explanation, it’s the best we’ve got.”

Bimbat: *sees a small box*

Also Bimbat: *big as Steve's chest*

Bimbat: *tries to get into the box anyway and gets stuck*

Bimbat: *squeaks for help*

Steve: *hears the cries and comes running* Bimbat? Bimbat what did you do?!

Bimbat: *squeaks*

Steve: *gets Bimbat out of the box* See, this is why you're called Bimbat. Why did you ever think that was a good idea?

Bimbat: *gives Steve the Sorrow Eyes look*

Steve: ...I hate how that makes me love you more. How do you keep making me love you so much? Damnit Bimbat.