Billy, on the other hand, has spent most of his life since his mom left staring at this stupid red string.

At this thin red line that's supposed to attach him to someone who will love him in spite of everything.

Wondering who's on the other side.

Will they love him enough to stay? Despite his flaws? Will he drive them away like his father did his mother?

He never mentions it to anyone, but he thinks about it a lot.

So in '84, he's hyper aware of it pulling tighter the closer they get to Hawkins.

And he's looking at everyone they meet in Hawkins with a critical eye.

And is frozen when he first meets King Steve 'The Hair' Harrington.

That thin red line connecting them from across the parking lot.

There's his soulmate, so close.

His soulmate who only has eyes for the brunette next to him.

His soulmate who doesn't seem to realize Billy exists.

It ruins all the fantasies, dreams and hopes Billy had used to cope with his life.

The rage that welled up inside him the more he learned about Steve became nearly impossible to ignore. With no outlet and a soulmate who didnt seem aware of him, it was no surprise when he finally did something.

Shoving him around on the court, staring him down at Tina's party, beating his ass outside the Byers.

And not once did Steve look at him with any recognition.

Not until El.

Steve picked Dustin and El up from the Snow Ball, promised Hopper he'd get her home safe.

Billy picked up Max.

And from three rows away, El followed the line of red, flickering in and out of her sight.

From Steve, to Billy.

Steve forever oblivious, and Billy forever forlorn and angry about it.

"Steve," She grabbed his hand, finger tips brushing the red string, making him tense, making them both shiver. "Your line."

Steve jerked his hand back, "Yeah, I know it's there."

El shook her head, grabbed his hand again, and pointed over to where Billy was sitting in his Camaro, blue eyes locked on them.

Steve narrowed his eyes, squinting and focusing to see the red string he mostly ignored.

And felt his stomach sink as it finally came into view.

There were so many emotions in Steve in that moment. Confusion, frustration. A little bit of anger.

His soulmate had beat his face in, had threatened his kids.

How was he supposed forget all that?

Could he even forgive that?

Was he destined to an unhappy relationship like his parents?

Steve averted his eyes, broke away from a sky blue gaze that he was drowning in.

He took El's hand, gently pulling her fingers from the line of red he no longer wanted to see.

He needed to leave.

Now.

"Come on, let's get you home before Hopper gets worried."

El didn't fight, but she did turn her head to watch Billy and Max across the parking lot.

Watches Billy's slack expression twist into something angry as his Camaro roars to life.

She catches and holds Max's gaze and held it until Steve and Billy pulled out in different directions. She tried to read Max, to maybe see if the red head might have insight El did not, but all she caught was confusion.

Steve refused to talk about it the whole ride to Hopper's cabin. He continued to refuse to talk about it on the way to Dustin's house after.

He went home and stole a beer from the six pack in the fridge, sat on the edge of the pool he'd avoided since shit with the upside down happened. Smoked and drank, and tried not to think.

Billy dropped Max off at the house, didn't even get out. As soon as her door closed, the Camaro roared to life and he flew down the dark quiet street.

He ended up at the quarry, too keyed up to sit in the car. Iron maiden blaring from the speakers as he passed around in the dark, smoking and wishing he had something better. Or someone to take all the pent up energy on.

Now Steve knew, and all he'd done was stare and drive away.

Ran away.

The back alley they fell in was dingy and grimy in a way that Jean didn't expect. She hadn't been thinking much when they'd been hit by the beam, too focused on Kitty, and stemming the bleeding from her right temple. She'd heard Scott yell for her and smelled the distinct sulfur scent from Kurt, but nothing else registered. And now she didn't know what to do. It was only her years of training and practice that allowed her to keep her calm.

Gone was the smooth chrome of the danger room, and in its place, were brick walls and concrete ground, dumpsters and at her back, a tall chain link fence. Over head, fire escapes and murky windows. She imagined it was a setting that could fit in nearly any city, if you wanted to find it. But it wasn't where they should be.

She was still kneeling on the ground with Kitty's head cradled in her lap. Kurt was in front of her, one hand on her, his tail curled around Laura's waist just behind him. He looked disoriented, his eyes unfocused, and body trembling a little. He'd tried to teleport them out of the crossfire, but it seemed to have been too much. Slowly, he withdrew his hands and knelt down as well, looking like he might collapse.

"Kurt, are you okay?" Jean asked, reaching one hand out to steady him. He leaned into the touch but didn't respond verbally, merely nodded his head and ran a hand through his hair. That was a definite no, but there wasn't much Jean could do just yet.

Behind Kurt, Laura stood at the ready. She had been poised to attack Scarlet Witch before they'd been hit, and the new surroundings did nothing to soothe the battle ready teenager, regardless of no obvious enemy in sight. She was tense, half crouched, claws out and eyes narrowed as she tried to get her balance.

Taking in everything she could, Jean acted. With her hands on Kurt and Kitty, she couldn't actively reach out to Laura, so she did the next best thing, sending calming thoughts to brush against the agitated teen, and calling out to her, "Laura, I need your help here."

Using telepathy on Laura was always a risky move. It sometimes set her off more, but there weren't a lot of options here, so Jean kept trying. This time it seemed to have a positive effect. Laura's body relaxed, and she looked over her shoulder at them, likely taking stock of the situation as well. Turning fully, Laura moved to help Kurt straighten himself, letting the blue furred teen lean on her as he stood, "We need to find shelter first."

"Kitty's head-" Jean's words were abruptly cut off by the sound of ripping fabric. Her eyes widened a bit, watching Laura rip a long strip from her tee shirt. She was the only one no in uniform, and the jagged tear of her shirt made her look a bit more wild than usual. Jean took the clothe when it was offered though. It was just long enough that she could wrap it around Kitty's head twice. It wasn't the best, but it would do for the moment.

"The watch is busted."

Jean looked up to see Kurt rubbing his head, body pressed tight against Laura's, while she inspected the broken cover of his holowatch. "I'm going to look for cover nearby, you three stay here."

"You can't go alone." Jean pressed, not wanting to let Laura wander off. She was sure Laura would be safe, but it was out of protocol to let a teammate go off alone without back up in an area they didn't know. They had no idea where they were, or if the people here might be hostile or not.

Shifting, Laura helped Kurt sit back down, letting him lean on Jean instead. He did so, ducking his head and prodding at his watch. Kitty hadn't yet stirred, and Jean worried a hospital might be in order. They didn't have any ID on, no money to call for help.

"Blue isn't in a state to leave this alley, and if something happens you have the best chance at keeping them unseen. I'll be back in fifteen minutes." with that, Laura turned and headed towards the dimly lit street, not waiting to give Jean a chance to say anything.

"I could try and keep an eye on her." Kurt offered weakly, but looked relieved when Jean shook her head. If someone saw Kurt they might get the wrong kind of attention, and until they knew where they were, it was much too big a risk.

"I'm sure she'll be fine. We just have to trust her."

So finding this gate blocking his path was quite the distraction.

However, worse than the gate that should not be there... was the things that were being held captive in the kitchen by the gate.

Lovino could count three puppies from where he stood in the doorway. There was one laying under the table, chewing on a ball, and two others rolling around the linoleum, seemingly intent on besting each other in whatever they were doing.

He was not a pet person. He didn’t have a cat, or any birds, and he didn’t even let Antonio bring that dumb turtle over anymore. The only person who ever really got away with any animals, was... well, Feliciano had stashed a kitten here once, but it had been short lived, and Lovino had made it clear it wouldn’t happen again.

And now there were puppies rolling around his kitchen.

“You’re home!”

Lovino turned to see his boyfriend coming out of the bathroom, with yet another puppy stashed in his arms. There was a goofy grin on Gilbert’s face, his glasses a bit lopsided, and his shirt spattered with soapy water.

“I didn’t think you’d be home so early, Liebe.” Gilbert stopped by Lovino, leaning to kiss his cheek, before he bent at the waist, leaning down to gently drop the damp puppy into the kitchen with the others. It shook, sending a few droplets of water off, before it hurried to the two that were still rolling around. The one under the table seemed intent to join the game now too, leaving the ball to rush head first into the other three.

If Lovino were not so baffled, and so very angry, he might had admitted that this was cute. Instead, he just locked a glare on Gilbert, and held it until the Prussian’s grin slid away from his face, and he actually looked a little apologetic.

“Why are there dogs in my house?” Lovino finally asked, voice not yet rising, but his anger was obvious.

“Well...”

Lovino’s eyes narrowed, and his voice rose a little as he repeated the question.

“I found them.” Gilbert finally said. He didn’t sound particularly apologetic about it now, but he did at least look a little sheepish, “They were in a box by the grocery store. ‘Free puppies’. I couldn’t just leave them there.”

“Yes, you could.” Lovino responded, knowing it wasn’t true. Gilbert had such a weak spot for cute things, and really who left dogs in boxes on corners anymore? He wondered idly if the other had even remembered to get the groceries he was supposed to get.

“I couldn’t!” Gilbert snapped back, annoyed now, himself. “Who knows what would have happened to them. They could have been left there to starve.”

Lovino retorted quickly, “Why didn’t you take them to the shelter on Cherry Street? They would have taken them in!”

“Matt has enough animals in there right now. Besides, I can find them homes.”

It was left unsaid that Gilbert would want to keep one. Lovino didn’t need to hear it, to know that the other was intent on it. They had discussed pets before, Gilbert was always talking about getting one, and Lovino had entertained the idea of a bird, since he knew Gilbert had loved the one he’d had when they were kids living next door to each other. But a dog.. four puppies, it was too much and Lovino refused to have anything to do with it.

“Take them to the shelter.” He snapped, turning to walk away from the kitchen, “I am not taking care of puppies!”

Moving up behind him, Gilbert slid his arms around the irate Italian, pulling him back, and kissing the back of his neck, “You don’t have to. I’ll take care of them, and I’ll look for homes. And if I can’t find any in a week, I’ll take them to the shelter.”

This was a lie. They both knew Gilbert wouldn’t take the puppies to the shelter. He’d already said that it was full, and Lovino was sure that Matt and Angie both were overwhelmed with it. But that didn’t mean he liked it. Even so, he leaned back, couldn’t help enjoying the contact.

“I’m not cleaning up after them.” Lovino stated seriously.

"You don't have to." Gilbert promised, kissing just behind the other's ear, "I'll clean up after them, and feed them, and walk them. All you have to do, is not kill them."

Ludwig looked up from his scroll, to glance across the room where Erika had settled by the window. She had been sewing when he’d last look, but the shirt she had been mending now lay forgotten in her lap, hands resting over the soft material.

Outside, fat drops of water fell to the ground, making the leaves and branches of the tree their home sat in shake. It hadn’t looked like rain earlier, and Ludwig had been so distracted with his work that he’d not even noticed when it started. If his sister had not mentioned it, he likely would not have noticed. As it was, he didn’t know what to say in response. His eyes turned back to his scroll after a moment, looking over enchantments he had to have memorized before his lessons tomorrow with the grand elder.

“Gilbert isn’t back yet.” Erika spoke again, a hint of worry in her voice.

Ludwig sighed, and left the scroll on the table, knowing he wouldn’t be getting anything done if she was worried. Instead, he made his way over to where she was seated, “He’s probably over at the Vargas’ tree.”

Her tiny head turned, one long blonde braid falling from her shoulder as she locked her seagreen eyes on him, “Do you think he’s okay? He always gets in trouble when he goes out with Lovino...”

“I’m sure they’re fine.” He reasured her, reaching out to pat her head. He wasn’t sure he believed that, though. It was true that Gilbert got in trouble, Lovino’s presence didn’t really effect it. But he didn’t want to worry her more, the small fae was always so prone to worrying about all of them. “If you’re done sewing, why don’t you go check on Vash, he’s been quiet for a while. Take him something to eat?”

There was silence for a moment, as Erika thought this over, and then she got up, giving a small nod, before leaving the room. Vash would keep her busy for a while, Ludwig knew, hopefully until Gilbert made it home. Looking out the window, he frowned out at the rain as it fell, a curtain of gray so thick he couldn’t see far beyond the leaves. He would be more worried himself, if his older brother didn’t always come back in mostly one piece.

Huffing, Ludwig went back to the table. He stared down at his scroll for a while, trying hard to focus on the symbols and small text explaining each spell. It was much harder to focus now, however, with his mind on his brother who had yet to return. His eyes were drawn to the window, watching the rain outside, as he listened to the sound of Erika and Vash talking somewhere deeper in their tree. Somewhere further in, there was the sound of music drifting from Roderich’s room. It would have been soothing if Ludwig could force his attention away from the worry that maybe Gilbert had gotten himself into bigger trouble than he could get out of- again.

Nearly half way across the forest, the source of his worry  stood on a tree branch with a scowl on his face. Gilbert’s plan to sneak into the human’s house had been a bit of a flop. They’d knocked over something and caused a crash that had sent the humans within rushing to see what it was, and he and his partner had almost gotten caught. It wasn’t a big deal, really, they hadn’t been caught, and neither were hurt- and they’d gotten at least part of what they’d gone for. But Lovino hadn’t stopped bitching about it since they’d settled in a tree to avoid the rain.

“We could have died, you fucking idiot!” Lovino snarled from his spot, sitting with his legs dangling over the branch. His wings kept fluttering behind him, trying to dry off.

Rolling his eyes, Gilbert huffed, “We didn’t die, and we didn’t even get seen.”

“But we might have! That was the dumbest fucking plan ever.” The auburn haired fairy snapped, not looking up at the pale one standing nearby, “Just in and out, you said. Bull fucking shit.”

There were other complaints to be made, and Lovino continued on, muttering under his breath. “If you could have kept that damn bird under control we wouldn’t have gotten in trouble. But no, you let it do whatever and we nearly got caught while in the fucking ice box. And all for what? A jug of fucking milk and some sug-”

The foul mouthed fairy’s mouth clenched shut as pale fingers slid into his hair. Lovino hated having his hair touched, but it was always the first thing that Gilbert touched. And as much as he hated to admit it, the other’s touch, his fingers sliding through damp auburn locks, actually did soothe some of Lovino’s anger and anxiety.

“Milk that we’ll both enjoy and sugar that Erika and Roderich will use to make a cake, that both of us, will also enjoy.” Gilbert stated knowingly, before sitting down beside the other.

Lovino hunched forward, letting his wings fold at his back, and looked away. He wouldn’t admit that both sounded really good, especially after all the trouble they’d gone through to get them.

The pale fairy leaned, brushing their sides together, and Lovino didn’t say anything. So Gilbert grinned and kissed his cheek, “Besides, we got you some of those tomatos you like so much.”

“If we hadn’t, none of it would have been worth it at all, Bastard.” Lovino responded stiffly, “I would have left your ass there. I only stuck around for the tomatoes.”

Gilbert laughed, so Lovino knew he hadn’t been taken seriously. Which was good, because even as he said it, he didn’t really mean it. Sure the small red tomatos were really good, and he looked forward to them, but he wouldn’t have just left Gilbert there. Especially knowing the other wouldn’t have been able to get back to the window and his stupid bird on his own. It was too far for a wingless fairy to make it before humans came rushing in.

An arm slung over the darker fairy’s shoulders, and Lovino leaned back into the contact, still not looking over at the other. “It’s still your fault we got caught in the rain, jackass.”

Gilbert just kissed his shoulder again, and gave him that shit eatting grin, “We can fly back on Gilbird.”

The bird tilted it’s head to look at them, black eyes locking on them for only a moment before it went back to primming a little. The saddle on it’s back standing out in stark contract to it’s pale yellow feathers, and the bags already strapped to it mostly ignored.

“No way am I getting on that fucking thing. It’d probably drop us both.”

Gilbert sank his hand back into the other’s hair, and just grinned as Lovino leanned into the touch. He kissed the side of the other’s head, and ruffled his hair a bit. “Well, we’ll just have to wait for the rain to stop and your wings to dry.”

It would take a while, though fairy wings were small, they were notorious for taking a long time to dry. They both had homes to get to, and family’s who would worry about their long departure, but it wouldn’t be the first time. Gilbert could have easily used this time to point out that it was Lovino’s own fault for not wanting to ride on Gilbird’s back, they could get home so quickly then, even in the rain, but he didn’t. Instead, he pulled Lovino so the other was leaning on him, and settled in to sit and watch the rain.

Huffing, the darker haired fairy let himself be positioned, and if he snuggled closer, neither said anything about it. Neither of them would. Just like neither would mention the few kisses they’d shared through the afternoon, or how comfortable they were just sitting there together in mostly silence.

In fact, her memories of her father were limited at best. At the age of 15, when she closed her eyes and tried to imagine him, he was like a blurry photograph. She remembered his blond hair, and big hands, and deep voice. But she didn't really remember doing anything with him, not after she made Bobby. She remembered her mom a bit, though. Her hair was flame red, like Timmy's, and her eyes that same soft blue all of them had. She used to tuck Melvin in and read them all stories... she used to yell a lot and pull on her hair when they used their powers. She cried a lot. She made chocolate chip cookies that they got to eat as dessert and after preschool.

When they got on the bus, Melvin remembered her mom kissing her forehead and telling her to be a brave big girl, to look out for her brothers and be good for the Titans. She put them on the bus, and told them that she'd loved them, for them to remember that.

At the time, Melvin didn't think much of it. She was six. It was an adventure. It was a big girl trip. She was scared and excited and with Bobby there, she'd known they'd be safe. At fifteen, she didn't know what to think of it.

How did one accept love from a mother who'd sent them away? Not only that, but a mother who, when the Titans called to get confirmation of when to bring Melvin, Timmy and Teether home, had told them she couldn't take them back. A mother who didn't want them.

For a while, she resented it. She would for a long time still. Until she grew up, likely. Until she had kids of her own, and found how hard it could be to raise a child with a super power. She would wonder how her mother had managed with no powers of her own. Melvin wouldn't forgive her mother. She would never forgive her. She couldn't.

But she would understand it. At least a little.

At fifteen, all she felt was resentment towards a mother her brothers couldn't remember.

Melvin had shown them a picture once. A faded, worn little photograph that had been tucked away in her pocket during their adventure to the monastery. She didn't remember that clearly, not as much so as the kiss on her forehead and the 'I love you'. But it was there, and she'd kept it. It was a bit torn, a bit ruined. Their dad's face was gone, but their mom was still intact. Holding Teether, and grasping one of Timmy's hands with her free one, Melvin just in front of her. All smiling at the camera, happy.

Timmy had shown vague signs of remembering. She'd seen it flicker in his gaze, the recognition. But Teether didn't. Not even a little. He'd told her once, that he only remembered Raven and the other titans. Living at the tower.

Melvin wasn't sure if she was sad, or relieved, or jealous. Possibly all three.

Timmy didn't want to talk about it at all. Ever.

They hadn't grown up badly. Melvin was sure some people worried about it- she remembered when Batman found out, he'd been concerned. A plethora of older heroes had come to see them and check on them, but mostly, didn't have any important roles. There had been a few social workers, too. They'd wanted to make sure that the kids had everything they needed, but didn't have anywhere to place children like them, and the monks couldn't keep them forever.

Melvin's childhood was filled with adventures. There was training to control her powers, there was school, and a lot of people who came and went. She shared a room with her brothers for a long time, but for those first few years, they all slept in Raven's room. It was creepy sometimes, and they weren't allowed to touch anything, but it became a safe place for them.

They had Starfire to kiss their boo boos, and Beastboy to make them laugh, and Cyborg to make them cool toys. Robin taught them to defend themselves. Raven became "mom". Sometimes they went and stayed with Más and Menos at Titans East, and Speedy taught Melvin how to use a bow, and Bumblebee helped her do her hair.

They enjoyed their lives, it was an odd mix of normal and not. They had a family, though unorthodox, they got adventures and downtime, and friends at school who thought they were 'sooooo cool'. But, Melvin wondered sometimes.

What would it have been like if her parents had kept them. What were they up to now? Did they ever have more kids? Were they happy?

Would it have been nicer to be normal?

In the long run, she supposed, it was better not to think about it too much.

Her mom hadn't wanted her, even if she'd loved her. She didn't know if her father had. Dwelling on it could, and had, only led to pain.

She had thought of asking Robin, now Nightwing, for the contact information they'd had for her parents. Finding them wouldn't be hard for a Titan... but she couldn't bring herself to.

She was scared to face them. To see the people who'd left her at the age of six with a bunch of teenagers.

So, she never asked. She filled her days with school and hero work. Her nights with homework and training. When she felt like she missed her mom, she sought out Raven. They'd have tea and talk, about anything and everything.

It made her feel better.

It reminded her that she was loved. Not just by Raven, but by everyone. Her family was weird, and they hadn't been ready, but they were family and she couldn't ask for a better one.