Kids ~ Current Joy

[playingtough]

WHO: Hargrove and Max
WHERE: Peanut Party cockpit,
WHAT: Sibling catchup
WHEN: After Max's return
WARNINGS: Potential Stranger Things spoilers



Well, Billy had gotten the message on his little device when Max showed up, but he's horrible at trying to type things back on it. It's easier to find the other person anyways.

Or, it should be easier to find them. Somehow it seems like Billy and Max just miss each other as he hunts for his sister, checking various places with no luck. The gold hoop with the blue sea glass twinkles in the light against his hair as he searches, growing more and more frustrated as he turns up nothing.

Damn it.

Swinging by his room to pick up the Walkman, Billy heads into the cockpit. It's one of his rooms he likes to hide in and cool off while pushing buttons and flipping switches. Something to hep get his mind off of frustration. He's already had one episode like that, with some ceramic rubble from the plate still by the door where he had thrown it.

Comments

[madginger]

That's just how much damage there is to undo in a life post-Neil. Max understands that much.

She frowns at the cake pointing and gives Billy a level - not entirely serious - glare. With an eye roll, she takes a forkful and shoves it in her mouth. Even while munching on it, she huffs out, "Happy now?"

Max at least finishes bit in her mouth and swallows, before she places the fork down, and lifts her hand.

"Deal. He shows up here, he's yours, first. As long as I get the leftovers. I owe him, too." And if he was dead before she even got that chance, well, Max isn't going to complain. Much.

[playingtough]

Billy is thankful that Max doesn't have nearly as much shit to work through because of Neil. He's glad she can admit outright that she likes both girls and guys. He's about to remark about it when she gives him some sass and eats cake.

"Yeah. Don't make a mess in my cockpit." Their cockpit.

He takes her hand and gives it a little squeeze. A little shake. Sealing the deal. It almost feels like another truce he has to keep, but he can do this one. Just let Neil show up. He'll by the lone occupant of a cemetery.

Billy keeps his hold on her hand, keeping her there. Those blue eyes fix on hers and he seems... nervous.

"I do," finally comes from him. Then he clarifies. "Like guys." That's strained and whispered. It's been a secret so long that it takes a lot of effort to get the words out. The truth out. Max was the first one he said it outright to. No beating around the bush and people putting the pieces together. No, he's telling her.

[madginger]

Max is thankful for that, too, but her focus is on Billy, at the moment, especially.

"Our cockpit," she wastes no time correcting him on the heels' of Billy's words.

The handshake gets a grin from her, and she shakes his hand back. "Deal, then. No take backs." But her spirited response should make it clear she's not holding him to this one the same way as no violence to her friends, no hitting her, or the expected personal growth. Neil's never going to show up, anyway. He better not, at least.

She's about to take another bite of cake when he says 'I do,' which causes her to stare at him, until - beat - he explains.

Billy didn't have to tell her, is the highlight. She already suspected, and didn't expect him to say it just yet. Max could tell Billy has a lot to work through before he might be ready to say the words out loud. She just wanted him to know she figured it out, and he had a place to go when he was ready. Max just wanted Billy to know she has his back, and she's safe, for all of their struggles and fights.

For a second, Max just stares at him as the fork slips back to her plate.

"Told you," she says, eyes still wide, "you're strong." Stronger than Neil is the unspoken part.

Max leaves her seat to wrap her arms around Billy's shoulders, if he lets her, and just hug him, to give him acceptance to the realization and words.

[playingtough]

Right. Their cockpit. Both of theirs. Billy could share.

(Maybe.)

He doesn't have to tell her, but saying it... it helps. Because he's never said it outright before and it loosens one of the knots because it's truth and truth is freeing. It hurts a little, trying to undo that knot, but Billy does it for himself and for Max. They could be safe places for each other because that's what good siblings did, right?

"I'm not as strong as I can be, but I'll get there."

Then she's out of her seat and wrapping around him and Billy lets himself sink a little into it. "Brat," comes the name with some affection in it. Billy lifts his arm to return the hug. He's not going out to proclaim it to everyone, but man. Billy feels free.

(Or, free-er in this case.)