Chapter Text
As the boat gently glided back to the shore, the air was filled with the soft sound of waves lapping against the hull. The sun began its descent, casting a warm golden glow across the water, transforming it into a shimmering canvas of colours. An image Will was eager to paint into his book.
Laughter and chatter from the group faded into a comfortable silence, each person lost in their own reflections of the day's adventures.
The engine's hum gradually dulled, giving way to the soothing sounds of nature – the distant call of birds and the rustle of leaves in the evening breeze. The scent of saltwater blended with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers, enveloping them like a cosy blanket.
As they approached the dock, the first hints of twilight painted the sky in shades of pink and lavender. Many leaned over the sides, trying to catch one last glimpse of the underwater world, where little fish darted playfully beneath the surface, blissfully unaware of the memories being made above them.
Finally, the boat bumped softly against the amber grain, and the boat’s deck became a flurry of movement as everyone stood up, stretching their legs and gathering belongings.
Grinning at one another, still buzzing from the experience, eager to hold on to the carefree spirit of the day even as they stepped back onto solid ground.
Will came to a halt, watching the group quietly fade away into the distance. Inhaling deeply through his chest, he turned to catch a final glimpse of the sun as it dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in vivid hues of orange, pink, and purple. The warm light cast a soft glow over the beach. The cool evening breeze carried the faint sound of chatter from the people perched on the sand around him. It was a beautiful reminder of the day’s end, igniting a soft feeling of peace.
Will let himself soak it in, not know what the night would bring.
He'd rather be at one with the streaks of colour in the sky than the torture that was the night.
The sun slipped beneath the horizon, and before Will knew it, the quiet glow of evening had given way to the buzz of New Year’s Eve- lights strung up, music drifting through the air, and the group settling into the night’s celebration.
Dustin had planned their trip to coincide with New Year’s. He insisted that they step into the New Year together, with bonds tightening and free of heavy hearts.
So that’s how Will wound up in a camping chair, sagging down to the floor as the weak fabric struggled to support him. A lukewarm vodka-and-cranberry in his grasp, something he hoped would soften the edges.
He flinched, drink sloshing in his cup as he felt arms grip onto his shoulders.
“Willll…are you SO excited it’s NEW YEAR'S EVE!” a high-pitched, unmistakably slurred voice rang in Will’s ears.
Will saw a deep shade of burnt-orange hair crowd his vision; he pushed it out of his face with his fingers. He couldn’t help but chuckle at the state Max was in.
“Max. How much have you had to drink?” twisting in his chair to get a better glimpse at Max.
“Humph, like onlyyy two”, she cheesed.
Will raised his eyebrows in question. “Really, Max? I don't think I believe you.”
An unmistakable tune filled the air, and Will knew he wouldn’t escape being dragged to dance by Max and Jane.
Will felt Jane and Max tug at his arms with brute strength. Sighing in defeat, he got up and was dragged into the clearing.
'I can see it in your eyes'
He couldn’t help but smile as Jane and Max sang in his face, swinging his arms around to get him to join in.
Rolling his eyes, he reluctantly joined. “Walking down a crowded avenue”
The two girls squealed, letting go of Will’s arms to dance, swaying their bodies to the beat, arms raised, toothy smiles.
Will couldn’t help but roll his hips, head bobbing side to side alongside the beat.
He felt hands tentatively brush his hips, turning his head, pulse quickening, only to be met with Carlton’s face beaming down at him.
Will pushed his back into Carlton’s chest with too much force to be accidental. Carlton got the hint and snaked his hands around Will’s waist.
As Angel kept playing, they swayed softly; it was a kind of intimacy Will had once wanted with Mike before he was hit with the reality that Mike would never have the same love for him.
It was Mike’s voice that cut through his spiral.
“Hey, why don't we head down to the beach? It’ll be way cooler than us moping around here. Just us, the stars and some ocean waves. It’ll be perfect!”
Will jumped out of Carlton's arms quickly, not wanting to be caught in someone else's embrace. Carlton gave him a puzzled look, raising his brows in a silent " You okay?"
Will responded with a tentative nod, keeping his gaze directed at the ground as he brushed past Mike to follow the others who had already sprinted off toward the beach.
It seemed that they were not the only ones celebrating the New Year at the beach; voices carried from down the long stretch of golden sand, undeniably full of joy and excitement.
Will settled between Carlton and Mike, pulling his knees to his chest as he listened to the waves lapping at the shore and felt the sand rubbing against his skin. He raised his gaze towards the dark abyss of the sky, which was speckled with stars.
It was a quiet kind of beauty that Will knew he had never encountered in the city's pollution of light.
Jane jumped into Will’s field of view. “Alright guys, I reckon we share some of our favourite moments from this year before it ends.”
Will glanced at Mike; it was automatic, as if he needed Mike's approval to feel comfortable joining in.
He gazed back at Will with a tenderness that hinted at something deeper, simmering just beneath the surface.
They all settled into a comforting rhythm, sharing stories and teasing each other about their silly antics. It was the absolutely perfect way to end their first year without fighting for their lives.
Max was doubled over, clutching her stomach. “ Oh my god, Will. Do you remember when Mike got so drunk he sang Head Over Heels?”
Will flushed at the memory of being serenaded by a slurring Mike at a karaoke bar. He let out an airy laugh, holding back a smile as he heard Mike threaten Max about bringing that up again.
That all stopped when he heard Lacy; his chest tightened as she spoke. “ Mike, you should sing it for us!”
Will sighed in annoyance and turned to see what Mike had to say, only to meet his stare. There was a brief pause as he noticed Mike's face pale, his eyes wide with concern and his mouth agape. It felt as if Will could see Mike's brain working in real time, a flicker of recognition crossing his face. In that moment, Will realised that Mike had sung the lyrics to him indirectly that night, and it was affecting Mike in a way he couldn't quite understand.
Mike broke their eye contact, dropping his gaze to the sand, where he ran his fingers through it. With a faint grunt, he finally spoke. "Ah, yeah. I would rather not repeat whatever happened that night."
Will felt a sudden tightening in his chest, as if an invisible hand gripped his heart. A rush of sadness caused his heart to stutter.
Mike didn’t want that connection they’d had that night again, by the sounds of it; he never would.
Will felt tears burn his eyes, letting out a shuddering breath as he turned to look at the night sky; the world seemed to fade away, leaving only a shimmering cascade above. The beach stretched out before him, a soft expanse of sand coll beneath his body. Will took another deep breath, inhaling the salty scent of the sea. The water glimmered under the moonlight; it was inviting, its murky blanket a cover for Will to hide beneath.
He didn’t know if it was the ocean's pull or the pull of his emotions that led him to stand up abruptly, stride closer to the water, and tug the shirt over his head before diving in. Letting the water's chill wash over him, he surfaced, face to face with a black-haired boy, hair plastered to his face as he flashed Will a toothy grin.
“Oh, hey, Carlton”
Before he could respond, someone tackled Carlton from behind, bringing his and Will's faces inches away. Will averted his gaze to Carlton's hands gripping his waist, trying to keep them steady; feeling a thread of tension rise between them as they grew closer.
Will ducked his head, grateful that the sky's darkness hid his flushed cheeks.
His quiet gasp lifts Will’s lips as a brush of fingers under his chin gently forces him to look Carlton in the eyes. Tenderly, Carlton swept back a stray hair plastered across Will's face, licking his lips as he did so. His eyes darted back and forth between Will’s own, as if he were trying to communicate with him silently.
Their moment was shattered as a wall of water hit them square in the face, causing them to both splutter in surprise. Will whipped around to see who the perpetrator was.
Mike glared back, arms folded across his chest, brow raised, and mouth curved into a smirk.
Will huffed. “Seriously, Mike?”
Mike mocked light heartedly. “Seriously, Will? Come on, the countdown is about to start”
Will hadn’t realised the others were also in the water. They were huddled together, speaking in hushed voices, far away from where he and Carlton stood.
Carlton shrugged, and the two padded their way over to them.
Jane’s eyes lit up as Will trudged in. “Just in time, we have 15 seconds left!”
He gave Jane a half-hearted smile. “Yay…”
Will shuddered, the cold finally catching up to him, no longer buoyed by the adrenaline of the moment before.
10...
Will frantically looked around; he knew the tradition, he knew people kissed when the clock hit twelve.
He mentally coupled everyone together: Max and Lucas, Jane and Dustin, Him and Carlton. The only two left were Mike and Lacy.
That’s when it hit him; he didn’t want to kiss Carlton. As much as he valued their connection, he didn’t feel the intensity that Will shared with Mike.
9...
His breathing sped up; he couldn’t do it; he couldn’t kiss Carlton. Even if it was just a harmless peck, Will’s heart belonged to the boy he’d known since he was five.
8..
Will swore he could see Mike watching him.
7…
Water rippled around Mike as he slowly waded through the water.
6…
Will’s breath caught in his chest. He isn’t seeing this right. Mike can’t be moving towards him, could he…
5…
Voices grew louder, excited at the prospect of the New Year within their grasp.
4…
Will turned to Carlton, eyes pitiful. “I’m sorry, Carlton. I can’t”
3…
Carlton smiled back, understanding as he looked between Will and the boy making his way over.
2…
His heart froze in his chest, a shocking stillness leaving him breathless.
Will felt a tight knot of jealousy twist deep in his stomach as he saw Lacy dart through the water, her movements fluid and urgent.
1…
Mike met Will’s eyes; they were dejected, as if he knew what Will would witness.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Will watched as Lacy grabbed Mike’s face with both her hands, raising onto her tiptoes. Mike’s hands steadied her at her waist as Lacy brushed their lips together. Her eyes were closed, and soft sighs released from her lips.
Will felt the ground beneath him sink.
He tried to swallow, but it proved impossible from the tears welling in his eyes. He clutched his aching chest, right over his heart, feeling it breaking underneath his flattened palm.
The boy he was infatuated with was kissing someone else, someone who looked just like him, but was a girl.