Archive of Our Own ^beta

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Ren! Little buddy slow down man." Willard shouted out of breath. Ren slowed to a halt but didn't turn to face will.
"Ren, man where ya goin'? Party's back that way?!" Willard said. Ren took a glance back at him, he was hunched over hands on his knees for support.
" I uh, needed a breather, yea. I- I'll be back soon so go on without me. "
Ren still with his back to Willard let out a shaky breath. He didn't see Willard's confused face, or the gear in Willard's mind turning.
" Little buddy, no offense but i uh don't believe that" Willard took a small step forward placing his hand firmly on Ren's shoulder. Ren moved only out of surprise." C'mon man, i'm a listener"
Ren took a deep breath before saying. "Willard really i'm fine, i'm so happy we get to have this dance and i'm excited for the future. I just need a minute to soak it all in." with an awkward chuckle, Ren fell quiet. Willard shook his head, as he moved to be in front of Ren his hand slid from one shoulder to the other." Ren buddy we are at Prom with two of the nicest babes in all of bomount and you want to soak in the gravel road and rusted side of a building?" Willard said in disbelief.
With a faint laugh Ren looked up at the night sky.
" Will, there's been so many good things this year; our friendship being one of them and recently I realized something about myself, I want to confess what it is but in all honesty" ren took a deep breath. " I'm terrified, what if this changes everything? What should I do?"
Silence- the two just stood there Ren looking up to the sky, willard staring at his friend. The definition of courage was what Willard thought of ren. He was getting increasingly worried.

" well my mama said once that while Words can burn like wood, confessions well they burn like gasoline. And whether it's good or bad they need to be put out at some point." Ren let out a brief laugh before hugging Will.
" thanks man, oh and nice speech"
Willard nudged Ren in the side. They laughed together before an awkward silence fell between them again.
"I-"
"So"
"My bad buddy, go ahead"
Ren took a deep breath finally looking down from the sky he was looking willard 'i wish this was easier to say. I don't have to tell him everything and I have to be straightforward about it.' the thought.
"Willard, will- i'm- i *sigh* i like guys the same way i like girls"
Slightly concerned as to why Ren didn't tell him sooner. I mean who and what he likes isn't a big deal as long as they don't hurt him. Ren still looked , to be honest Willard didn't know how Ren's expression looked he wasn't reading too much into it.
"I uh, i think i understand" Willard said, " is uh, is there anything else. Mama says you gotta let it out otherwise you won't be able to control it.'' Ren sighed, glancing away for a moment. His mind was running wild. What should he say, should he say anything. . . 'not tonight.' Ren thought.
" I'll tell you another time, for now I wanna enjoy our prom. I think we've been away for too long." Ren said with a big smile. " plus can't keep the girls waiting forever" Willard noticed the slight flinch Ren gave when he said that but was distracted by the thought of missing the prom. " Yeah, you're right. And hey buddy you can always talk to me ya know. I don't care what others might but I don't. " Willard smiled at Ren before darting to the door. Ren stood there for a minute, Willard really was a great guy, how was he supposed to drop this on his friend he just couldn't. With a deep breath Ren smiled and made his way to the door. 'Right now is our time to have fun, let's not ruin that Ren.' *insert epic duo dance that Willard and Ren have*

Chapter Text

. . The Next Day . .

Ren was pacing in his room 'why did i tell him, i'd tell him later. Why did i tell him anything at all' Ren fell back on the bed, arm over his eyes he let out a deep sigh." he's gonna be the end of me, i just know it"
" know what, ren?" Wes said from the doorway. Ren sat up quickly, he hadn't noticed his uncle had come to his room.
"Morning uncle Wes, I was just lost in thought." Ren glanced at the clock. 'Shit'
" I got to go to see you after work."
Ren grabbed his bag and ran out. He got in his car tossing nis bag in the passenger's seat and starting it. On his way to school his mind started racing. ' What would uncle Wes think, and Ariel, god what would the people in this town think in general. I'll just have to lie. No one can know, especially not will.' He spent all of the first hour silently panicking he couldn't focus on anything else, he knew Willard wasn't gonna let this go.He's a good friend that wants you happy. But what Ren wants to say, he can't say.
"Ren, buddy wait up." Ren stopped and turned around and that voice belonged to Willard Hewitt, his best friend. When he turned around he saw Willard running towards his with the usual smile, tho Willard towered over most of the people in the hall he tried his best to not get in the way of others, Kindness. That's a word Ren often found himself using to describe Willard. After-all the dude was like a ball of sunshine warm, kind not to mention Hot but also strong and brave. He was well perfect in Ren's eyes, sure he was clumsy and his way of speech may be different but he was himself and never apologized for it. so How the Hell was ren supposed to tell him that, The one and only Ren McCormack had a Huge Crush on him, not only that but that he has since the day they met. Ariel told him to just go for it, to be truthful and straightforward. She was the first person he told, well actually it slipped out by accident but she never made him feel bad about it, she even started giving him pointers. Sure she'd tease him about it occasionally but she made sure to tell him that she 100% supported him. Ren was so lost in thought he hadn't realized that Willard was standing next to him, trying to get his attention.
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When Ren snapped back to reality the halls were empty, except for him and Willard who was now crouched down slightly as to look Ren in the face. His brow was furrowed and the usually goofy grin he wore was gone. He patted ren on the shoulder again and said

“Ren buddy, what's going on? The bell rang and you didnt move?”

“Sorry will, i was spaced out is all.” he said rubbing his eyes, he heard willard sigh. His eyes followed willards movements as he stood up and stretched.
“I was worried, are you sure you're okay?”
Ren let out a laugh under his breath, putting on a smile as he looked at Willard and jokingly punched his arm.
“I'm fine, I'm gonna go to the courtyard. You should head to class.”
Ren began to walk off, Willard stood there for a minute thinking about what to do. . he was already late to class. He could say his mama needed help and he was late.
“Ren, wait up!” he said in a loud hushed voice.Ren stopped, looking back as willard jogged to catch up.
“I'll go with you, I have nothing better to do,” Will said, his goofy grin coming back full force.
Ren smiled, shaking his head as they walked together to the courtyard, sitting at the corner table Ren listening to Will's ridiculous stories he’s told many times before, but they never get old.
“So Ren we only have like a week left, what are you doing after?
Ren's smile dropped for a second, he hadn't thought that far, well he had but that was before he realized his feelings, he couldn't just go to college anymore he didn't want to leave. He made amazing friends. Ariel still plans on going to a big college in the next city over, and Rusty was going with. But Will always planned to go straight to work. Ren had gotten Will to agree to visiting his mom's grave with him, they all did it was the one thing planned for after graduation. Aside from what he was gonna do, he was spiraling.
“So Ren, what do you have next, wanna go driving?”
“Uh yea, sure. Rather that then stay here reading”
“Good, lets go”
Ren grabbed his bag and followed Willard to the parking lot. Ren drove his car home, with Willard following behind him. He left his car in the garage and got in willards truck.
“I figure it's better to save on gas,” he said sheepishly from the passenger seat.
Willard smiled “yea, your right man. So i know this spot its great for just hanging out, you can scream break things, just do anything and the town will be none the wiser. Sound good?”
Ren took a minute to respond, for many reasons starting with how much Will was talking, the idea of a place like he described and what questions Will was gonna have for him.”yea, sounds perfect, let's stop and get some snacks first.”
“Yes, your majesty,” Willard said with a big grin. Ren punched his arm and let out a laugh.
He turned on the radio and off they went.