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Mike is a heavy sleeper.
And he takes up way too much space.
Will can’t count the number of times he’s shoved off an elbow or a leg from atop his body, the dark-haired boy’s limbs long and bony. Will also can’t count the number of times Mike has rolled over to his side of the bed or usurped all of his blankets or drooled on his pillow.
And the worst part is how heavy Mike’s body gets when he’s asleep, how Will has to break a sweat sometimes to roll him away.
Sometimes there are no problems and Mike’s well behaved, on his side of the bed, not hogging the covers, face sometimes turned away. But then Will misses his warmth and that’s a problem too.
But Will can't help but still love him because sometimes Mike spoons him from behind, his long, lanky body enveloping him, and his dark curls tickling the side of his face. Mike will spend at least five minutes kissing at his neck or jaw or murmuring sweet platitudes, and then fall asleep and start softly breathing in his ear, making goosebumps rise on Will’s flesh.
Other times, they’ll cuddle, hugging in bed, Will’s head on Mike’s chest or vice versa. And other times, Will will be laying on top of him, while Mike wraps his arms around him and cards a hand through his hair.
They don't always wake up at the same time. But when they do, they’ll cling to each other and mumble about needing coffee, or having to go to class, or any other obligation they have that day. Sharing an apartment was the best decision they made together and sharing a bedroom — despite there being two, was another decision neither of them regretted in the least.
So despite how annoying Mike can be to sleep next to sometimes, Will still loves the experience more than he can put into words.
Mike’s not the best cook. He burns toast and overcooks pasta and can't bake to save his life. He always misses the ringing of kitchen timers and has had to pull out singed lasagne from the oven more than a few times.
Will has had to eat his way through dry chicken and poorly seasoned casseroles, but he can't help but always pick Mike’s cooking over anything else. Because even if it’s a disaster a lot of the time, it’s made by Mike. And that means it’s made with love. And so Will can't help but still love him.
Mike’s a pushy kisser. He’ll sometimes kiss Will even when he needs to breathe, making the other boy pull away desperately when oxygen becomes a necessity. He’ll pin Will against counters and walls and into the mattress and not look the least bit repentant when Will’s taken by surprise. He’ll suck and bite bruises into Will’s skin, and not apologise if he leaves visible marks. He’ll nip at Will’s lip too hard, and only smile when Will complains.
But Will can't help but still love him because when he comes back from a long day of classes, Mike’s warm arms and loving kisses are all he needs. The knowledge that Mike not only wants him, but needs him, is appreciated and the earnest expression in his dark eyes is always heartwarming.
Mike is the most infuriating person to argue with. He’ll rant and rave and roll his eyes and be generous with his sarcasm and jabs. He’ll sulk and fold his arms after, and turn his back on Will. He’ll mutter under his breath and shoot mean glares if Will ignores him back. He’ll be a dark shadow in the corner of the room he’s skulking in, his eyes simultaneously refusing to look at Will and also gaging his reactions. But Will can't help but love him anyway. Because he’s seen Mike’s eyes soften when he sees a particular comment has made Will sad, guilt immediately filling his face. He’s seen Mike shuffle over awkwardly after an argument and apologise to the floor. He’s felt Mike’s arms wrap around him from behind after hours of stony silence as his lips murmur apologies in his ear and kiss more into his neck. He’s felt the joy a sincere apology brings and the desperate way Mike tries to make it up to him whenever he screws up too much. He’s felt Mike wrap him up in his arms when Will cries and go on a long tirade about him being an idiot who can't control his mouth. He’s enjoyed the make-up makeout session that almost always follows, and he knows how much better it feels.
Mike is the most annoying person to go grocery shopping with. Will will have a lengthy, organised checklist and a comprehensive plan of their budget for that month which Mike will completely ignore. He'll stuff the shopping cart with stupid snacks and sugary cereal and more boxes of pasta despite both of them knowing Mike can't cook them to save his life. He'll pop in some of Will's favourite treats too, despite Will assuring him he doesn't need them and not let him take them out of the cart. He'll drive Will crazy by rushing into different aisles and peering at new items and spending way too much time at the cosmetics and beauty aisle, only to buy the same shampoo and conditioner he's been using for the past decade. They'll scowl at each other, agree to split up to get things faster (a way for Will to actually get the shopping done), argue at the checkout counter and then again in the car on their drive back home. They'll order takeout and collapse on the sofa and argue about what to watch on the TV and about whose turn it is to unload the groceries.
But Will loves it anyway. He loves when Mike grabs a box of cereal they don't need, holding it up next to his face and grinning at Will persuasively, making Will's stomach swoop. He loves it when Mike pushes the shopping cart too fast, making Will have to suddenly jog to catch up, as Mike laughs at him teasingly, the sound Will's favourite song in the world. He loves when Mike argues about whether they've run out of tomatoes or not and then flush as red as one when he's proven wrong. He loves it when Mike orders his favourite flavour of pizza (he knows it by heart) and plops down on the couch next to him, arguing about what movie they should watch. The domesticity of it all makes Will want to cry. Especially when Mike slings an arm around his shoulder while they watch, Will's choice of movie having won again, and presses a kiss to the side of his head.
Mike says I love you at the strangest times. In the middle of a horror movie. In the middle of a car ride to the dentist. Sometimes when they’re both looking for something in the kitchen, peering into drawers and cupboards. When Will’s half asleep doing one of his assignments. In the middle of a grocery aisle. When Will’s changing into his sleep clothes. When they’re both reading a comic book together. When Will’s telling Mike about the annoying students in his classes.
But Will loves hearing it anyways. He doesn't mind it, the opposite actually. Because it’s one thing to confess your love to someone during a makeout session, or when you’re cuddled together in bed, or when you’re on a romantic night out or partying in the city. And then it’s another thing to say it during the most mundane of moments, when it’s least expected. And Will returns the favour as much as he can.
“I love you,” he murmurs as Mike leafs through his statistics textbook. “I love you so much, Mike,”
Mike smiles a beatific smile, tossing his textbook away and making a grab for him. Will laughs as he is enveloped in strong arms and his face is littered with warm kisses.
“I love you, too,” Mike says breathlessly. “And I always will,”
“Always?”
“Always. You’re everything to me.”
"You're everything to me too," Will says, ears burning at how cheesy they both are, but Mike only smiles back. Dating Mike Wheeler is challenging and nerve wracking sometimes but it's the best thing Will's ever done and he has a feeling Mike shares the same sentiment.