Work Text:
Dustin hated grocery shopping. Seriously, he did. He hated it when he was practically forced to go inside the store with someone for one thing, and then they didn't actually leave until hours later.
And unfortunately, Steve had dragged Dustin into the grocery store. Again. Although, Dustin didn’t put up much of a fight this time because Steve was having a somewhat bad day already and Steve wasn't- we’re not gonna talk about that.
Dustin himself was on another aisle different from Steve. The store was pretty big so in order for Steve to find Dustin he’d have to yell, literally or however come find Dustin himself. Which would take probably a good 30 minutes in a store like this.
Dustin couldn’t help his sweet tooth, who could? Which was why he ended up on the ice cream aisle, choosing a flavor. Because although Steve was mad, if Dustin asked, Steve would still buy him something. Like always.
Dustin’s hand grazed over the fridge in front of him before he pulled it open slowly, eyes glazing over the strawberry shortcake flavored ice cream in front of him. He smiled to himself and went to pick it up.
In the corner of his eye he could see someone join him, they were standing behind him now. And for a second Dustin thought it was Steve, but Steve had a cart with him and Dustin would’ve seen it. Besides, this person was way too close.
“Uh, can I help you?” Dustin asked, not daring to remove his gaze from the stuff in front of him. He would feel too uncomfortable to turn away and face whoever was behind him. He wished Steve would magically appear on the aisle.
“Long time no see, Henderson.”
Dustin froze, chills running down his spine. And not because of the freezer in front of him. He recognized that voice and jesus- Dustin wished he didn’t. But he did and Steve wasn’t here to get him out of this situation. Dustin cleared his throat awkwardly and finally accumulated enough strength to push himself up and close the fridge door, turning around to face Billy.
“What do you want?” Dustin asked, his voice trying to come out intimidating but more so shaky instead.
Dustin did a quick glance around them, only to notice they were the only ones on the aisle. Possibly the only ones in the store by now since it was so late. They were supposed to be in here for a late night snack thing.
“Can’t say hello to an old friend?” Billy asked, sarcasm full in his tone. His eyes glazed over Dustin which made the boy uncomfortable. Dustin shivered.
“I need to go.” Dustin muttered, sliding past Billy and trying his hardest to walk quickly towards the aisle exit. He didn’t get too far away before there was an arm being thrown around his shoulder. He felt a hot breath in his air and he heard the sound of a soft chuckle.
“Come on Henderson. What’s the matter? I just wanna talk to you. I mean it.” Billy whispered into his ear, pulling him impossibly closer.
“Billy please. Let me go- I need-“
“What? What do you need? Steve? Could’ve sworn I saw him on a couple aisles over. Maybe we could swing over there, say hello. I’m sure it would be a pleasant surprise.” Billy mocked, his mouth so close to Dustin’s neck that the boy thought he would lick it.
Dustin instinctively moved his head away from him, whimpering. Billy found amusement to that, chuckling again as he gripped Dustin harder, forcing the boy to walk with him. Dustin fought in his grip, but he couldn’t get anywhere. Of course he couldn’t, he was weak.
“Billy-“
“Relax, Dustin. Not gonna hurt you.”
Another whimper eased its way out of Dustin’s throat and Dustin found himself somewhat embarrassed but he didn’t ponder on it too long. He was too busy focusing on where Billy was taking him.
They walked for what seemed like hours and Dustin thought this was it. He thought he was going to be kidnapped out of a store. But they turned onto another aisle, the one Steve was on who was putting something into his cart.
Steve slid the item into the bottom of the cart and suddenly got the urge to look up. Once he did, his heart stopped in his chest and Steve could’ve sworn he saw nothing but red. He could feel heat rising in him.
“Steve..” It was a small mutter and Steve knew the boy was scared. He could tell by the way Dustin was looking at him too. He could see the need for Dustin to be by him in the boy's body language.
Steve took a deep breath to calm himself and his eyes moved her to meet Billy’s who was staring at him with a smirk on his face.
“Y’know Harrington, you shouldn’t leave your boy toy around. Anyone could just snatch him up and hell, I might just have to take you up on that offer.”
Billy spoke confidently, emphasizing his sentence by tugging Dustin closer to him who winced. It took everything in Steve not to charge at him.
“Billy, let him go man.” Steve muttered, getting impatient. The look Billy was giving him was driving him insane. Billy was mocking him with his eyes.
Billy leveled himself with Dustin to whisper into the boy’s ears, although maintaining eye contact with Steve. “Do you wanna go, Dustin?” He asked sarcastically as he lifted himself back up pulling a cigarette from his pocket with his other hand.
Steve could only watch as Dustin choked on a sob. Steve’s anger was becoming unbearable at this point. Billy raised an eyebrow.
“Doesn’t seem like he wants to join you, Harrington.”
“Gotdamnit Billy, let him go.” Steve growled, stepping closer towards the pair only for Billy to step back with Dustin.
“Look Steve-O. It wasn’t even supposed to go down like this. I was supposed to threaten you, beat you up but, what else can I do when I see someone you love standing right in front of me so freely? Bonus points if they’re cute.”
Steve clenched his jaw, a vein making an appearance and almost popping out of his head.
“Do whatever the hell you want with me but you let him go. Now. What do you think the employees will do when they see this whole thing?”
Billy tilted his head at Steve, taking his statement into consideration. He paused for a bit, thinking before he mumbled out a response. “I’d rather not.”
Steve had enough, he practically ran towards the two of them but stopped suddenly. His eyes widened as he found himself staring down the barrel of a gun which was pointed straight at him.
“Pretty sure the security cameras caught sight of this already so, I’m gonna take Dustin, we’re gonna go on a little adventure and you’ll see him when you see him. Got it Steve-O? Yeah, I think you do.”
Billy finished his sentence and walked backwards with Dustin, his gun still trained on Steve. Dustin was sobbing now, dragging in Billy’s hold on him. Steve tried to hold his own tears back. He hated not being able to do anything.
“It’s okay, Dustin. It’s okay! I’ll be right behind you, you hear me?”
A few employees came to investigate the situation, gasping when Billy’s gun landed on them, making them back up instantly. Billy kept his gun trained back and forth between the employees and Steve until he was out of the door with Dustin.
One of the employees scattered to call the police while Steve immediately took off in a sprint towards where Dustin and Billy exited. When Steve arrived outside he saw Billy throwing Dustin into the passenger seat of a car. He watched as Billy hurried over to the driver's seat and Steve never moved any faster.
Just as Billy was about to get in, Steve grabbed the back of his collar pulling him from the car and onto the ground. the gun in Billy’s hand sliding against the ground. Billy landed on his back and Steve didn’t waste a second to jump on top of him, throwing punches left to right. He didn’t stop punching until Billy was bloodied and practically wheezing to breathe.
Steve’s knuckles were swollen but he ignored the pain, stumbling up and towards the passenger seat of the car, opening the door. Dustin immediately sat up and pushed himself into Steve’s arms, crying into him. Steve hugged the boy against him protectively, petting and kissing his hair.
“It’s okay, I got you. He can’t hurt you, I promise. I promise okay?”