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mike and will walked into an abandoned house, the smell of ashes following them. mike put his hands on his hips and examined the living room. “this isn’t too bad … i think we should stay here for a while!” will looked around. debris was scattered across the floor, and he swore he could hear a rat scurrying across the hard wooden floor. “it’s … a house alright.” will placed his gun down on the couch and sighed. “it’s getting late, mike,, we should sleep,” will said as he looked at mike. mike simply nodded. “i’mmm gonna go find bedrooms n stuff!!” will nodded as mike skipped off.
will walked to the kitchen and looked for any kind of non perishable foods he could eat. he was malnourished, all he wanted was an actual meal. he eventually found a granola bar, and closely examined it for any signs of mold or bugs. he didn’t find anything, so he was able to eat it. it was okay, he thought, mike was gonna cook food the following day anyways. he walked out of the kitchen as mike ran into the room. “dude— there’s only one bedroom with one single bed .. this is so gay…..” will sighed. “it’s better than nothing,” he replied with a yawn. the two walked up to the bedroom and shut the door.
will sat on the bed, watching mike carefully as he lit a blunt. “mike, you’ve been smoking way too often.. are you okay?” mike blew smoke into wills face and giggled as will coughed. “why would i NOT be fine?” will rubbed his arm and held his breath for a moment. “i’m just— worried,” mike stared at him blankly for a while, before patting his shoulder. “i’m good, man! jeez, you worry a lot!” he put his blunt out and stretched. “lets go to bed, but don’t get too close, alright?” mike said, laying under the covers near will. “..alright,” will said, laying down. deep down, will didn’t believe mike was truely okay. but he slowly relaxed. everything was going to be okay.
until later that night, around 4 AM, when mike jolted awake in a cold sweat. he looked around. will was fast asleep, his back turned towards mike. he got up and walked to the living room. he felt weak and lightheaded. he sat on the floor in front of the old couch and pulled his knees close to his chest. his breathing was fast and panicky. he felt himself start to spiral. he checked all of his pockets until he eventually found his lighter. he ripped his hoodie off and threw it across the room, then flicked his lighter multiple times until he was met with the small flame. mikes arms were covered in little burn marks and scars. he had done so good at not harming himself, he didn’t want to ruin it. but he was out of control. he put the lighter up to his arm and winced as it burned his arm. he wanted to stop. he felt tears in the corner of his eyes. he blinked them away, his whole body trembling badly.
mike stared at wills firearm on the couch, his eyes wide as he thought for a moment. he wanted to grab it, he wanted to get rid of this pain. but will couldn’t live by himself. the urge was so strong. will probably wanted him dead anyways, why would he care? what if will really was better off without him? he reached for the gun with shaky hands, his eyes fixated on it.
then, mike heard the floorboard squeak, followed a small yawn. “mike…??” will yawned out before the taller boy could scoot away from the gun. the two locked eyes. mike was visibly unwell, his trembling body visible from afar. will walked over to him, not saying a word as he kneeled down. mike looked away, he didn’t want to break character. “i’m fine—“ he felt wills gentle hands rubbing his sore arms. his face was red from both embarrassment and admiration. “what happened, mike?” will said in a gentle but stern tone. mikes gaze averted away from the shorter boys. “i— it’s nothing!” will shook his head, planting a small kiss onto mikes arm. this caused mikes face to turn a deep red. “you’re okay. it’s okay.” mike was frozen in place. he wanted to scoot away, he hated showing emotion, especially in front of will. but he just couldn’t move. his arms hurt, and he was so tired. but the way will caressed his arms ever so gently, his expression more calmer than usual … he made mike feel way better.
he looked back up at will as tears poured down his face. will placed a hand on mikes cheek and wiped his tears away with his thumb. “are you okay enough to go back to bed?” will asked softly. mike thought for a moment before nodding, watching as will slowly got up to get his sweater off the ground. he got up, his legs trembling as he held onto the closest wall. will walked back over to him and led him to their shared bedroom.
they entered the room and mike instantly collapsed onto the bed. it was colder than usual, and he was shivering. he felt will lay down right next to him, and then the covers covering the two. he shut his eyes, letting will wrap his arms around his shivering body as he got comfortable.