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There wasn’t any real reason for them to be in the kitchen -it’s not like either of them could eat- but there was something about it that drew Willie in, and Alex, caught in his orbit, followed. Maybe it was the way the golden sun filtered through the window when it was late-afternoon, or maybe it was the way it felt like a home; There on the counter were a few papers of Carlos’ homework, by the sink sat some leftover cups and a mug inscribed with ‘Best Dad’ that Reggie had found one day and then had just brought to the house. On days where the band practiced, you could hear the music and singing through the air, they way it was muffled giving it a spectral and haunting feeling to it, no matter how upbeat it was.
In the end it didn’t really matter; It was the place Willie most often was, and in Alex’s eyes that’s all it took. They would spend the day on walks or exploring closed buildings, slipping in and out of public libraries and coffee shops to people watch, and then head home, sometimes crashing in the garage, sometimes making their way inside to the kitchen.
On garage days the whole band was normally there, Julie partway on Luke’s lap, Reggie leaning backwards against her so she could mess with his hair, and then Alex and Willie joining in to cuddle or talk, or play games. Alex was grateful for the way the boys had forgiven Willie (despite it not being his fault), and how quickly they had welcomed him in. Julie had done the same when she met him, and gave him a nose-scrunching smile when she said ‘So you’re Alex’s Willie’ and he responded by blushing furiously and glancing at Alex before giving a bashful smile and a ‘yeah’.
And so Willie had become part of the group, and despite Julie not being able to touch him unless one of them was touching Alex (something about souls bonding and the magic Julie had), she was still able to see and hear him whenever he was around and made it a point to include him. It was reassuring, to know how much Julie not only approved of, but cared for Willie.
But, thought Alex as he watched Willie hop slightly to sit on the Molina’s countertop, kitchen days were probably his favourite. It was just him and Willie, Willie and him when they were in the kitchen, two boys who’d never had the chance to love like this before, and who were now soaking up their chance while they had it.
Willie swung his legs slightly and Alex smiled fondly as his boyfriend excitedly rambled about something, his eyes glittering and his hands moving agitatedly in his lap, the way he did when he was trying to keep from gesturing too big. His cheeks were flushed and he looked more at ease then he had for a while.
“- and it’s crazy because scientists aren’t even sure that a planet is causing the anomalies!! It could be a black hole, or a-”
Alex smiled wider and nodded, never taking his eyes off of Willie. He imagined it was like how a sunflower always faces the sun; He just couldn’t look away, not when Willie feels safe enough to ramble, not when they’re both together, in love. Not when it’s Willie, because Willie is his weakness, he thinks.
‘I still would have followed you’
It should've scare him, how much he meant it, but then he’d have to be afraid of how genuine Willie’s voice had been when he’d said he’d do anything for him, and that’s just something that doesn’t compute. How could he ever be afraid of Willie? Willie and his open smile and kind heart, Willie and his screaming in museums and skating in famous people’s pools. Willie, his Willie.
And suddenly it struck Alex, just how safe Willie made him feel. He didn’t ‘fix’ Alex, and he still gets anxious even when Willie’s there to hold his hand, but... there’s something so magic about the way he can hold Alex’s heart in his hands without Alex worrying that he’ll drop it.
And then Alex was striding across the kitchen and stopping in front of Willie, hands reaching out to take Willie’s in his own, eyes searching, quietly whispering ‘is this alright?’
They’d kissed before, and each time Alex felt shooting stars ricocheting through his chest, but it’s important to him, it’s so important to him that Willie knows he has a choice. Because for so long Willie didn’t have a choice for anything.
Willie’s gaze was burning him, and his expression, so fucking fond and happy, filled him with warmth.
“Yes,” Willie says, and it’s like a prayer.
Alex breathed and leaned forward, Willie’s legs on either side of him as leaned up slightly against the counter where Willie sat, Willie’s hands in his own, fingers tracing across his knuckles, Willie’s eyes staring into his own, Willie Willie Willie.
And then it was Willie’s breath feathersoft on Alex’s cheek and lips, Willie’s lips grazing his-
They were interrupted by the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs and Alex gave into the urge to give a hearty eye-roll when he heard Reggie talking animatedly to Ray, who couldn’t hear him.
Abruptly the chatter stopped and Alex turned his head to see Reggie smiling at him and Willie, seemingly unfazed that he had just walked in on a private moment.
“Ah,” Reggie said, nodding sagely and bumping his elbow through Ray’s side, “To be young and in love, am I right?”
Alex rolled his eyes again.
“Fuck off Reg, I’m trying to kiss my boyfriend.” Maybe his voice came out more petulant than needed, but when he turned back Willie was looking at him entertained, if a bit confused, and he melted.
“Yikes ‘Lex, it’s a good thing hanging with Ray always helps me feel better, because your words hurt me.” He turned to Willie and gave a wink, “You’ve got him wrapped around your finger.” And then he bounced after Ray, already starting on another story.
Giving one last eye-roll, for good measure, Alex turned to face Willie again.
“Hey,” Willie murmured, grinning, “You know I love you, right?”
“Yeah,” Alex whispered back, leaning closer to Willie again, letting their lips press together before his words are fully out.
“I know.”
Later they will go out to the garage, hand in hand, and join Julie in teasing Luke about some small thing, and Reggie will sprawl across their collective laps and Julie will tell them a story about when she was a kid. Later they will go, and be with other people, but for now it's just them.
Alex and Willie, Willie and Alex.