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Steve slapped the rattling AC, trying to kickstart it, but instead it gave all out. With one pathetic groan it stopped completely. Steve for a moment stared at it, not believing that the thing really died on him like that. It was the only thing that kept him alive in this building.
“Christ,” Steve muttered, wiping off the sweat from his forehead. “Shit.”
It was at least 90F outside, and inside his shitty apartment it was at least 100F. It was ridiculous how hot it could get here and how his little place was able to hold so much warmth inside.
Why did they move here again?
Robin had ditched the apartment already, rather hanging out at her girlfriend’s place where it was bearable.
Splashing lukewarm water in his face to cool down for just a fucking second, pushing fingers through his wet hair, Steve looked in the mirror. Looking at his stupid fucking flushed face for wasting money on his car instead of that stupid rattle in his AC that had been going on for a few months already. The thing dying on him right when he needed it the most was his biggest miscalculation in ages.
Indiana had been hot, but it was different compared to the heat here. Steve had pulled the curtains shut, but felt claustrophobic real fast. Grabbing his wallet and keys, Steve decided to cool down somewhere else than this shitty building. For a moment he thought about the rooftop garden, but honestly, the beach sounded better.
With the elevator still broken, Steve took the stairs down and right around the corner, he almost bumped into someone and came face to face with Billy. Wearing really short shorts and a crop top. He was hot and Steve blushed, feeling even warmer than he did leaving his apartment.
“You look like you’re in a hurry,” Billy smiled, pushing his hair behind his ear. Steve just loved everything about him. He shook his head, “no plans, fucking AC died on me today.”
“Told you so,” Billy grinned. “You knew it’d happen.”
“Rub it in, yeah?” Steve grumbled, but lingered. Billy leaned against the wall, arms folded. “So? What’s the plan? Robin busy trying to find the manual, and you’re buying tools?”
Steve groaned, Billy cackling, “you’re making fun of me, right?”
“Babe, of course.” Billy smiled back. “So, what’s the plan?”
“Robin left a couple of days ago already, and I can’t deal with it anymore, so I’m leaving.”
“Where to, pretty boy?”
“I’m making up as I go.”
“Can I join you?”
“Only if you stop laughing at me.”
There was that sweet sharky smile on Billy’s face, pointing a finger to himself, “me? I wouldn’t.”
“You ready to go?”
“Ready as ever, babe.”
Steve regret the moment they left the building, everything too bright and of course the sunglasses were still in his apartment. The sun burned, making him want to go hide again. “Christ, how is anyone holding up?”
“By not going out during noon, for example, like we do.” Billy poked him, never getting enough of teasing him.
“I thought- maybe the beach?”
“You’re questioning me?”
“I don’t know, it’s just too fucking hot.”
They both stood in the doorway, not taking the step into the boiling hot streets.
“You just came outdoors, right? Was it worth it?”
“Depends on what you’re gonna do,” Billy chuckles, “how much are you willing to pay me? I was so fucking close to my fridge when you took me.”
“I fucking didn’t, you basically offered yourself to me.”
“You didn’t specify where to, pretty boy.”
“The beach?”
“Ready to get blisters from the sand?”
“What about- the shopping mall?”
“With screeching monster kids running around sugar high?”
“We could just drive around? There has to be a good place somewhere.”
“I think we’ll burn ourselves on the seats, might even melt.”
“Christ. Why did I even move here?”
“Because you like me.” Billy answered, then looked at Steve with a glint in his eyes and Steve laughed back and stepped back, pecking him on the cheek, closing the door.
“I didn’t know that. But you got a point. You might need to show me how much you like me.”
“Or… you’re gonna be a good boy and show how much you love me.” Billy whispered hotly in his ear.
“Your or my place?” Steve licked near his ear, a bit on the look out but it’s quiet in the stairway. Good. They can play this out for a little bit more.
“Is that even a fucking question,” Billy laughed, Steve could feel his grin against his skin, “mine, or do you feel like playing a bit? Meeting in a gay sauna? Hm?”
“I need to cool down,” Steve groans, “you’re making all of this worse.”
“Or- I could be your hot mechanic, trying to fix your AC, getting some fun sexy payment in return.”
Steve's heart was pounding so hard in his chest that Billy had to hear how excited he was, didn’t know he was into that.
“Yes, please,” Steve hissed in Billy’s ear. “I’d love to play that.”
“Give me five minutes, princess. I’ll be at your door.” Billy slapped Steve’s ass as he slid away, to run upstairs.
Steve followed him quickly, taking his turn to go back into his apartment. He quickly grabbed the sluttiest shortest clothes he could find before waiting at the door for Billy to arrive.
A knock on the door, and Steve was quick to open the door, seeing Billy, hair up, showing off his muscles, holding up his stupid tool box. Still wore the crop top, fucking show off. Steve loved it. He leaned into the door, batting his lashes, “I’m so happy you could come so last minute. I’ve been having such a hot day.”
“Can see that,” Billy looked him up and down, entered the apartment so they could play this game behind closed doors.
“We can talk about the price later,” Billy winked, moving to the living room, actually going to the broken AC. He crouched down and unplugged the machine, screwing off the top, like he’s fucking knowing what he’s doing.
“What do you think is wrong, sir?” Steve played, voice a bit high and faked distress. “I’m just so hot.”
How long would they even going to play this, Steve felt himself chubbing up by the thought of being railed by Billy the mechanic, with or without doing actual work.
Billy put down the screwdriver and lifted off the top and then looked in. There’s a silence, one that isn’t played. Billy’s head turned around, looking straight at Steve, “when did you clean this?” All serious.
“Sir, I don’t know.” Steve acted, twirling his hair a little.
Billy shook his head, “Steve- not playing.”
It fell silent again, Billy glaring at him, and Steve finally snapped out of his role, frustrated.
“What?! Do you actually have to clean it? How was I supposed to know?”
“Oh my god, babe. You need to- how long have you been living here?”
“It wasn’t that bad!”
“The rattle was bad! And then it broke down.”
“I just kept on forgetting okay?!” Steve exclaimed, “it wasn’t that bad either.”
Billy’s hand came out of the AC holding a handful of cloudy dust. “I think this says enough.”
“That’s fucking gross!”
“Your whole AC is blocked! Did you- oh, yeah, no- of course you didn’t clean the filters. Oh my god, Steve. How are you even allowed to live on your own?!”
“I have Robin!”
“She’s just as bad as you, worse even for fleeing the apartment.” Billy kept on digging into the AC, sweat pouring on his back, Steve’s sweating. It’s unbearable in the apartment. Billy kept removing parts, cleaned out and put the filters back in.
Steve waited, leaned in the windowsill, still hard, but more frustrated for Billy taking the job way too serious. “Can we just keep playing?”
“Oh, I’m playing Harrington, doing my job.”
“You’re no fun.” Steve complained, hating to be called Harrington, now arms crossed. “This isn’t a role play game.”
“I’m saving you a lot of money doing this for you,” Billy wipes sweat off his face, his crop top is soaked and not leaving a lot to the imagination. “I’m guessing; you don’t have AC’s in Indiana.”
“How did you know? I don’t think they even have screwdrivers there.”
There’s a bit of a suppressed smile on Billy’s face, one that finally broke the tension. “You serious? You’re hopeless.”
“At least I have you, my big strong mechanic man” Steve smiled, trying to rail Billy back into their very short role play. It started feeling a bit awkward, watching Billy work the machine, cleaning it all out and finally Billy plugged back in the AC and turned it on, and the rattle was gone, and it blew cool air again.
“You betcha. I’m expecting a little bit more than some fun time between the sheets, you owe me at least a fucking dinner, you disaster. Oh my god.”
The air around them started to cool down slowly but gradually, but the heat between them was just starting. Steve grins, as he tugs off the top off Billy kisses him. “I’ll let you fuck me in front of the AC if that’ll make you happy?”
“It’s a start,” Billy grinned, chasing Steve for another kiss.