The sun hit Billy's face and he knew they were in San Diego. Back in California.
It was what Billy needed after having to learn to navigate high school blind.
The hardest part was the braille. Surprisingly though Steve and Max also took the time to learn.
Steve had been his rock since the attack by Neil. Each day it was harder and harder to say goodbye for classes or goodnight when it came time for bed.
He was trusting someone, something he had never experienced before. He didn't mind Steve guiding him around new places or reading things like homework to him at home.
Billy also knew he felt something else for Steve. A warm feeling that made him want to just cuddle up beside him on the beach and lay there holding each other feeling the cool ocean breeze against their skin.
He was glad when Max told him that Steve said he would drive her, Lucas, and himself to California.
He was concerned about Max sharing a room with a boy but Steve was on top of it and got a suite with two rooms. He would share a room with Max while Steve bunked with Lucas.
Of course, Max and Lucas weren't too happy but they bit their tongues and agreed to the terms.
Honestly, he was upset as well because he wanted to share a room with Steve. But he was on vacation with him so he was happy and smiling.
Steve looked over at Billy and smiled. He liked Billy's smile and it was plastered on his face. He hadn't seen him smile like that since they started back at school.
Though the bullies were quick to stop bullying him when they found out he could still deliver an ass-kicking without his site. He even kept his spot on the basketball team.
He checked the rearview mirror and smiled at the site of Lucas and Max asleep with their heads on each other.
It was perfect. Kids in the back sleeping while he drove them to an amazing vacation. The one thing that confused him more than anything was that he was glad it was Billy who was next to him.
He never thought about being with a guy for a lifetime. He had slept with Tommy but that was more of a quick romance that fizzled out.
But now he wanted this to be forever. To be his life until he died peacefully next to Billy in old age.
Steve shook himself out of that daydream. He knew for a fact the big tough guy next to him was probably straighter than a ruler.
"Hey Harrington I might not be able to see but I can feel the car swerving a bit. Trying to get us all killed" Billy said, snapping him back to the task at hand, driving.
The rest of the trip to the hotel was quiet. Billy had placed his hand on Steve's knee when they swerved and was about to remove it when Steve placed his free hand on top. And there it stayed until they reached the hotel.
"Will you guys just kiss already?" Max said sleepily from the back seat.
Both men blushed scarlet red making the two in the back laugh.
Out of nowhere though Billy put his hand around Steve's head and pulled him in for a deep sensual kiss earning a gross echoing in the back seat.
When Billy was about to let go, Steve placed his hand behind Billy's head and held him there.
Neither man wanted to break the kiss but they both had to breathe and so they finally did.
"I knew it. You and Dustin owe me $20 bucks each" Max said laughing.
Billy and Steve laughed and ushered the two in where they got the keys to their suite and headed upstairs deciding after so long in the car they would bring stuff up later.
That night after they had food and the two kids called their friends back home the four of them just lounged in the common area until it was time for bed.
Billy gave Steve a tender kiss goodnight while Max and Lucas kissed each other good night and started to head to one of the rooms together.
But before Lucas and Max could go beyond the threshold, Steve took Lucas's hand and guided him to their room.
Billy then had Max guide them to their room.
Both being met with grunts and pleas that fell on deaf ears.
"Tomorrow will be fun. We will see Argyle and then head to the beach where I can try to teach you three to surf" Billy said getting into his bed.
The light snoring from the other bed made him smile. He was glad she was finally getting some real sleep and God knew he needed some as well.
And with that Billy closed his eyes and fell into a peaceful sleep.
In the other room, Steve was reading a book that Robin had suggested while Lucas was working on a character sheet for their Dungeons and Dragons game.
Steve wished Robin could've joined them but he was also kind of glad none of the others did. He wanted this alone time with Billy.
"Does Billy not want me with Max? I don't think he likes me because I'm black" Lucas said out of nowhere.
Steve put down his book and sat up looking straight at Lucas.
"I'm not going to lie, that was an issue for him at first but he's grown to care for you. I hope the two of you can talk alone while on this trip.
He loves you with Max but neither of us are going to let two fourteen-year-olds sleep in the same room. We were that age once you know" Steve said ruffling Lucas's hair.
"We wouldn't do that" Lucas argued but the look on Steve's face said that conversation was over.
"Good night mom," Lucas said sarcastically. "Good night son" Steve replied with a laugh and they both fell asleep.