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William drives calmly through the suburban streets, the radio playing softly in the background. He doesn't even know what song is on. His mind is too preoccupied at the moment.
Rick's parents had been updating him on Rick's condition. He'd spent a few months in the GDA's medical center being...rebuilt. William had wanted to visit him throughout his recovery but the GDA was super strict about who could enter their facilities. Everything is so hush hush there.
Mrs. Sheridan called yesterday to tell him that Rick had had a few days to settle in at home and could use another familiar face right now.
William was so relieved to hear that Rick had finally recovered physically. But he predicts that emotionally, he's in for an even longer journey. William is still messed up about what happened, so he couldn't imagine what Rick would be feeling. If he thinks about it too long he could cry.
He parks the car and takes a deep, steadying breath. Rick's been through so much, William has to at least put up a brave front for him.
He walks up a little concrete path to the Sheridan family's front door and gives a tentative knock. Moments later, Rick's mom (He assumes it's Rick's mom. They've only spoken on the phone until now. What a weird circumstance to meet your boyfriend's(?)–Are they boyfriends?–mom for the first time) answers the door.
"Hi, Mrs. Sheridan. I'm–"
"William," she says with a smile, immediately bringing him in for a hug. That must be where Rick gets all the hugging from, he thinks fondly.
"Thank you so much for coming," she says sincerely.
"Of course. I've...been wanting to see him. And thanks for keeping me in the loop," William replies.
She nods. Mr. Sheridan comes in from another room and shakes William's hand.
"He's up in his room right now. You can go right up and see him if you'd like," Mr. Sheridan tells him.
"Yes, thank you," William says and starts walking up the stairs.
He finds Rick's room easily. The door is open and Rick is sitting at his desk. He looks the same as he did before the incident. Those GDA doctors worked wonders on him.
William is kind of nervous. It's been so long since the last time they saw each other. And he doesn't know what state Rick is in, if he'll even want to talk right now.
"Hi," William says softly.
Rick swivels around in his chair immediately.
"William!" He stands up and pulls William into a tight hug.
William hugs back and damn it, now he's crying.
They separate and William wipes his eyes. Rick moves to sit on the bed, so William does the same.
Now William feels like he has so much to say, but he wants to give Rick the chance to speak first.
"I missed you," Rick tells him warmly.
"I missed you too, so much," William replies.
"It's so good to be home. Sleeping in my own bed. Not hooked up to machines in a white room," Rick says.
"I'm so sorry, Rick. I wish I could've saved you like you saved me. I wish I had gotten to you sooner," William says miserably. "Thank you, by the way, for saving me and Mar–Invincible."
"I know Mark is Invincible," Rick says.
"Oh."
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. And...I've had a lot of time to think about what happened to me. I did have regrets. I thought, 'If I just hadn't gone to the store that night,' or 'If only I was stronger, faster, then maybe I would've been able to escape Sinclair before...everything.' I can't dwell on those 'What ifs' anymore. It happened, it's over, and I'm here. I gotta go forward, not back," Rick says.
He looks William in the eye, "And you did save me. You went into the sewers for me. You brought me to my senses. You made sure he didn't get away."
William is glad Rick doesn't seem to be stewing in regret. He nods and takes Rick's hands in his own.
"So, what are you gonna do now?" William asks.
"Go back to Upstate," Rick answers.
"Wow. So soon?" William is a bit surprised.
"It's been long enough. I want to go to school and get my degree like I was doing. He's not gonna take that from me," Rick says, determined.
William nods in understanding.
Rick hesitates, "I...know you've been checking in on me. And I really appreciate it. But I'd understand if you...just wanted to be friends now."
William was wondering what page Rick was on regarding them. He didn't want to be the one to push the subject. Does Rick not want a relationship right now? It would suck but William would totally understand.
"Is that what you want?" William asks.
"I want whatever you'll give me, William. You didn't sign up for this baggage when we met," Rick says, looking down at their hands.
William tightens his hold on Rick.
"I really like you. That hasn't changed. I didn't wanna pressure you, you've been through so much. But if you want this, I do, too. When I was alone at school, I kept thinking that I always saw us going to Upstate together. Like, together together," William admits.
Rick's eyes widen at that. He gives a small, sad smile, "I'm different now. My body is different. I..still get nightmares. I don't wanna be a burden to you."
"I know it won't be the same. But I want to be with you through this," William replies.
Rick wraps his arms around him, William does the same.
"Okay," Rick says quietly.
After some time, Rick asks, "Can I kiss you?"
"Please do!" William answers.
Rick chuckles and tilts William's head up to bring their lips together.
William smiles and sighs into the kiss, wrapping his arms around Rick's neck.
They pull apart and William rests his forehead on Rick's.
"When you do come back, your room is all ready and decorated for you," William says.
"Thank you," Rick smiles and kisses him again.
They spend the rest of the day wrapped up in each other, William telling Rick what he's been up to at school and what drama he's heard about, Rick sharing some of what he could remember from being in the hospital.
William is just so glad to have Rick back in his arms. He's such a sweet guy, William feels lucky to have landed such a kind and–let's face it–hot guy.
Rick didn't deserve what happened to him. Getting back to some semblance of normal will take time. But William is ready to be there with him through all of it.