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“Why does Will always get what he wants?’ Lucas complains as they approach the park. “I don't think normal seventeen-year-olds still go to the park,” Lucas added.
Max swiftly swatted Lucas’s arm.“ Will doesn't always get what he wants. Just let him play on the swings and stop complaining.” Max angrily defended Will.
Lucas let out a groan before he went to the slide.
Mike joined Will on the swings.
“Having fun?” Mike asked.
“Yea, just wish we had more snow cones,” Will complained.
“Mike say no! He’s had enough.” Lucas yelled.
“Hate to say it but I have to agree with Lucas,” Dustin screamed from the bench.
“Sorry Will, but no more tonight.” Mike laughed.
“One more?” Will begged.
“Sorry, but no,” Mike stated.
“Please, Mike.” Will pleaded.
Mike shook his head looking away from Will because he knew if he looked at Will he would fold.
When Mike noticed that Will wasn't begging anymore he looked over at him. Will somberly swung his feet.
“Don't be like that Will.” Mike groaned.
Will didn't answer as he looked over into the forest next to them.
“Will answer me,” Mike spoke sternly.
“Mike stay strong. Don't let him get more.” Max laughed from across the park.
“William,” Mike stated.
That earned some gasps from Dustin, Lucas, El, and Max.
“I just want a snow cone.” Will moped.
“No,” Mike stated.
Will got up from the swing a walked over to the rock climbing.
“Will.” Mike groaned as he got up to follow him. “Will, don't give me the silent treatment.”
“Sorry,” Will whispered.
“Well, we lost him.” Dustin joked.
“Guys, Will and I will be right back,” Mike stated as he grabbed Will’s hand.
Mike and Will walked to the snowcone machine a few stores down.
“Mike can really not say no to Will.” Dustin laughs.
“Well don't act like Will is all innocent. He makes sure Mike doesn't say no.” Lucas laughed.
“I mean I would do the same. Mike is devoted to Will and I would overuse that too.” Max joined in.
“I think they're adorable. The way they are in love with each other but won't tell the other. Im glad Will finally found the one because I know Mike did not treat me like that.” El joked.
“They're so in love with each other,” Max mumbled as she saw Will and Mike approach again.
Will looked happy with his hands around a snow cone. Mike shrugged.
Will plopped down next to Dustin.
“Your lucky but that's your last one.” Dustin joked. “So how is it with Mike?” Dustin whispered.
“I'm pretty sure he’s straight,” Will whispered back.
“I'm pretty sure he isn't. You make him extremely happy though. It's good to know he’s happy though. After the quarry, he was never the same.” Dustin whispered then slapped his mouth.
“What quarry thing?” Will asked.
“I wasn't supposed to tell you.” Dustin panicked.
“Well, you did so just tell me,” Will begged.
Dustin quietly whispered the story to Will. Will’s jaw dropped as the realization hit.
Will jumped up.
“We should head home guys,” Will yelled.
Everyone nodded since the sky was already dark black.
“Wanna walk with me, Mike?” Will asked already know the answer.
Mike nodded.
Will didn't know why Mike always walked him instead of Lucas home because Will’s house was across town and Lucas lived in his neighborhood but he didn't question it this time.
Will lead Mike down the cold empty streets. All the way back to the quarry.
“Why are we here?” Mike asked with a laugh.
“I just wanted to go to one more place with you.” Will mustered a smile.
“Why the quarry?” Mike asked with a geeky smile.
“Mike we have to talk.” Will sighed.
Mike’s face dropped thinking Max and Lucas had told Will his secret.
“About what?” Mike asked more concerned this time.
“Why you would do that?” Will’s voice trembled.
“Woah- Woah what do you mean?” Mike asked pulling Will into his chest.
“You’re so stupid why would you try to do that? You never told me either. Why wouldn't you tell me?” Tears threatened to leave Will’s eyes. He slammed on Mike’s chest as he spoke.
“Will, calm down I don't know what you're talking about.”
“You jumped off.”
“Yea for Dustin and that was years ago.”
“No, but that isn't the worst part. I mean it was pretty stupid since most normal people wouldn't do that. It's the fact you still go here. You stand at the ledge not even scared if you fall. Then everything clicked. The reason you never cared to get hurt was because ‘you were careless with your life. You don't truly care do you?” Will took a deep breath. “You wish that someone could make the choice for you but no one will so you just take the thrill of being reckless with your life.” A beat went by. “Well, I’ll make the choice. I want you alive. I want you to stop being irresponsible. I want you to start acting like you want to live. Don't put yourself in harm's way just for the thrill. I want you to never leave me. For God's sake, Mike, don't leave me in this shitty world without you. We are Mike and Will. I can't take life without you.” Will gasped for air.
Mike was dumbfounded.
“Will,” Mike whispered.
Will suddenly regretted everything he said. He thought it over and felt responsible in some kind of way. Will pushed his way out of Mike’s arms.
“I think we should start getting home.” Will stated as he wiped his eyes.
“Yea, your mom might start to worry,” Mike added.
Mike started walking next to Will.
“Mike, I live across town.” Will laughed a very fake laugh.
“I always walk you home.”
“I want you to get home early. I don't want you to walk across town for me.”
“Will, I don't care how late I get home. I want you to be home safe.”
“Mike, get home.”
Will started walking toward the empty road but was quickly stopped. Mike grabbed Will’s wrist.
“Please don't walk away, I don't want you to go home mad at me. Please just communicate with me.” Mike pleaded.
Will knew Mike never wanted Will to go to sleep mad at him. It’s always been like this. Every time Will and Mike had gotten in a fight Mike would apologize and fix the issue before nightfall.
“Let's talk about this tomorrow.” Will requested.
“What’s going on? Why don't you wanna talk about it anymore? You bought it up.” Mike asked as his grip on Will’s arm got tighter.
“It was stupid to bring it up. Let's go.” Will sternly answered.
Will tried to move but Mike’s grip got tighter.
“Mike, you’re hurting me.”
Mike dropped Will’s hand.
“Sorry,” Mike mumbled.
Silence filled the air. Will took this as a sign to walk away.
“Will, please,” Mike whispered.
Will kept walking.
“Why are you doing this.” Mike cried.
Will instantly stopped walking. Will turned around to see a hunched-over, crying Mike.
“I'm sorry, I won't try again,” Mike whispered through his tears.
“Was it my fault?” Will asked.
“What?”
“I went missing so I couldn't prevent this.”
“It wasn't your fault.”
“Mike, I'm sorry-”
“It wasn't your fault! It wasn't even close to your fault. You saved me. Why would you think it's your fault?” Mike’s voice got louder.
“Dustin told me that your parents were giving you a hard time about me and how something shifted in your behavior. He told me that when they found my fake body in the quarry you started going here more often. So please, Mike, when I say this be truthful. Was this my fault?” Will begged.
Will didn't allow tears to fall out of his eyes. It was foolish to cry over something he started.
Mike took a few steps toward Will till they were oddly close. Mike cupped Will’s face in his hands and caressed his cheeks with his thumb.
“It wasn't your fault,” Mike whispered.
Will finally melted into Mike’s touch.
“Then why’d you do it?” Will asked.
Tears aimlessly left Mike’s eyes.
“I don't know,” Mike answered.
Will wasn't satisfied with this answer. Will swiftly backed away from Mike.
“Bullshit.” Will proclaimed. “Utter bullshit,” Will added emphasis on the Bullshit.
Will started walking to the main road. He didn't know what to do. How was he supposed to help Mike with this? He had to sleep on it. It's all he could think of.
Will stopped once again. He didn't know why but it was like his legs weren't working anymore.
Will suddenly started sprinting to Mike.
He stopped in front of Mike oddly close once again. Out of breath. He placed his hands on Mike’s face and without thinking, He kissed him.
Will quickly pulled back before Mike had even rendered what just happened.
“You're a foolish man,” Will spoke with a large voice crack.
Mike looked at him confused for a moment but that was quickly replaced by his signature grin.
Mike grabbed Will’s face and kissed him. A long kiss. A kiss both boys had been longing for. A kiss both boys had dreamed about for years but never acted on.
“Am I your foolish man?” Mike cheekily asked.
“You’re extremely cheesy.” Will groaned.
Mike sheepishly smiled as he pulled Will in by the waist.
“My moms probably worrying so much.” Will joked.
“She can wait a few seconds. I’ve been waiting for this for years.” Mike laughed.
“Years?” Will yelled. “And you never tried to ask me out?” Will asked with a large smile.
“I could say the same about you.”
Mike grabbed Will’s hand as they started to finally make their way to the empty, cold road but this time the road didn't feel as cold.