Chapter Text
One.
Willie stands in front of the gymnasium doors and takes a deep breath, listening to the muffled music of Julie and the Phantoms coming from inside.
Alex doesn’t know he’s here. When Flynn informed them that they’d be playing another school dance, Alex immediately assured Willie that he didn’t have to come. They settled on a plan where Alex would leave after their set, and then he’d come over to Tía’s and they’d watch movies together.
It was a really good plan, but Willie wanted to surprise Alex, so he scheduled three extra therapy appointments and asked Tía to take him shopping for a new suit.
He thought he’d be more nervous when the time came, but he’s honestly okay. He’s been making good progress in therapy, and the promise of surprising Alex with a wonderful and meaningful night far outweighs the threats in his mind. Plus, Alex has been putting so much pressure on himself to plan the perfect first date that Willie decided to put him out of his misery.
He waits outside the door until he hears the band start “Stand Tall”, which they always use to close their sets. One more deep breath, and then he pushes open the doors. The crowd of students heightens his anxiety a bit, but he keeps his eyes fixed on the stage at the front of the room. On Alex.
He’s about three-quarters of the way to the stage when Alex spots him. At first the drummer frowns, as if he’s not sure he’s actually seeing who he thinks he is. Then Willie gives him a small wave and a smile erupts on Alex’s face. He puts a little extra energy into his drumming, and Willie is honestly shocked all the students around him can be dancing when this spectacle is happening on stage. Willie can’t tear his eyes away.
The band hits the final chord of “Stand Tall” and the students cheer.
“Thank you, we’re Julie and the Phantoms,” Julie says.
“Tell your friends,” Reggie adds with a wink.
Flynn takes the stage back to DJ the rest of the dance and suddenly Alex is sliding off the front of the stage and wrapping his arms around Willie.
“Hey, Hotdog,” Willie laughs.
“What are you doing here?” Alex asks.
Willie pulls back and gestures to the scene around him. “I came to see if you’d be my date to this lovely school dance.”
Alex beams, but then something crosses his mind and his smile slips a little. Willie knows that look well enough to know he’s had some anxiety-provoking thought.
“What’re you thinking?” Willie asks.
“This is a date,” Alex groans. “We can’t say this isn’t a date.”
“Do you not want it to be?”
“No, I do!” Alex grabs Willie’s hands. “I just—“ he lets out a frustrated little huff. “I had a plan, it was just supposed to be a surprise. There’s this Warhol exhibit opening at the museum next week. They’re showing the Marilyn prints; I was going to take you after hours to see it.”
Willie presses his forehead to Alex’s. “That sounds perfect. But you know what else was perfect?”
“What?”
“When I ran you over with my skateboard. When we screamed in a museum together. When you took me out for ice cream with Carlos. All the times we’ve gone to the beach and the skatepark and concerts and movies.” Willie puts a hand on Alex’s cheek and runs his thumb along his cheekbone. “I told you a long time ago, Alex. Any time spent with you is perfect. I don’t need a perfect first date to prove it when I’ve been in love with you for so long.”
Alex places a hand over Willie’s on his cheek. “I love you too. I wanted everything to be perfect because we got off to such a rough start, but—“ he looks around at the beautifully decorated gym, at his friends dancing with each other across the room. “This is pretty perfect.”
“So,” Willie grins. “Will you be my date?”
“Yes,” Alex laughs. “Absolutely yes.” He pulls Willie into a kiss.
Willie pulls away and raises an eyebrow at Alex. “Well?”
“Well, what?”
“Aren’t you going to ask me to dance?”
Alex frowns. “Are you sure?”
Willie looks into Alex’s beautiful blue eyes and know he’s never been more sure of anything in his afterlife. “I’m sure.”
Alex searches Willie’s eyes for any sign of hesitance, but when he finds none, he smiles. “Well, then. Can I have this dance?”
“You can.” Willie grabs Alex’s hand and pulls him out onto the dance floor.
Willie slips his arms around Alex’s neck, and Alex’s find their place around Willie’s waist. Alex pulls him close, swaying in time to the music. Willie lays his head on Alex’s shoulder, and he’s never felt safer.