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Chapter Text

Sunday, May 21st 1985
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Here.."
Brando said, holding a bunch of blue bonnets he had just picked from the grass. Wilson sat up and smiled as he took them out of Bran's hand.
"Thanks." Will murmured, mindlessly twirling them in his fingers.
It was getting dark and they had just sprinted through the meadow like they used to do as kids, running, laughing, pulling on each other's arms to try and keep up, until Will tripped pulling Bran down with him. They landed in a heap in a nice patch of soft grass and pretty flowers. Now, Bran was sitting up trying to keep himself occupied on the flowers in front of him, but his mind, and his eyes, kept wandering back to Will. Will was lying back, propped up on his elbows grinning slightly at the flowers Brando had handed him. Eventually Bran gave up on trying and let his eyes rest on will, studying the way his dark curls framed his face, the way his lashes curled slightly at the end, the warmness in his brown eyes and the way his lips curved into a smile. He didn't know how long he had been staring but it felt like an eternity. Will turned to look at Bran, his mouth slightly open like he was about to say something but stopped when he caught Bran staring.

They stayed like that for a beat longer than was usual for friends to stare into each other's eyes. Eventually Bran cleared his throat and glanced back down at his hands. Will looked back at the flowers, cheeks slightly flushed.
"It's getting late.. we should probably start heading back." Will said.
"Yeah," Bran sighed "My dad will probably start wondering where I am.."
They stood up, brushing the grass from their jeans and started making their way across the meadow to the gravel road leading back into town. As they walked down the road they made light conversation about little things; what shows were on the telly, Wilson wanting a cat, Brando went on a rant saying that chocolate icecream was way better that strawberry whereas Will thought otherwise because strawberry was his favorite flavour.

After about fifteen minutes they neared Will's house and stopped to say goodbye.
"Tonight was fun." Bran said not making eye contact. Will grinned
"Yeah, it was."
Bran looked up and caught Will's eyes again, who in return let out a nervous laugh and Bran felt his cheeks go red.
"See you at school then." Bran said before pulling Will into a quick hug.
"Yeah see you Bran." Will smiled before turning and heading towards his front door, Bran watched him go, grinning the whole time.
Will stepped inside and made his way to the kitchen where he found his mum leaning against the counter reading a magazine. She glanced up as Will walked in.
"There you are Will i was getting worried."
Will looked down at the checkered kitchen tiles.
"Sorry.." he muttered.
Jess sighed.
"It's ok, just remember to tell me if you're staying out late."
Will nodded.
"Theres leftovers in the fridge, help yourself if you want." She gestured towards the fridge before looking back to her magazine.
"Thanks."

After eating some dinner Will headed up to his room. He kicked off his shoes, pulled on his favourite hoodie and sat down on his bed grabbing his guitar on the way. He started strumming some chords and humming a tune. After a while he reached into the drawer in his bedside table and pulled out his notebook then scribbled some words down before fiddling with his guitar again.

Bran watched Will go inside his house, grinning like an idiot as he started to walk home. When he got there he sighed as he stood on the doorstep and planned to just go straight up
to his room and try to avoid his dad.
'I'll just say I was out with Blake or something if he asks..' he thought. Bran opened the door as quietly as he could and started to walk down the hallway. He would have to walk past the lounge to get to the stairs and he could see the bright flicker of the TV coming from inside. He walked past the doorway as quickly as he could, but it wasn't quick enough.
"Brando."
Shit.
He paused.
"Yes.."
"Where have you been?" His dad shot him an accusing look.
"Out.."
Dan stared at him waiting for a longer answer.
"With friends." Bran finished.
"Which friends?"
He was about to answer when his dad cut him off.
"It wasn't that Wilson boy again was it?"
Brando stayed silent trying to think of something to say.
"Brando." Dan glared at him "You know how I feel about that boy. You shouldn't be hanging out with people like him."
Bran stared at the floor, he knew exactly what his dad meant.
"He's not like that dad.. why should it matter anyways neither am I."
'I think...' he thought to himself.
"I don't care Brando , I don't want you to see him anymore."
"It's not your fucking choice." He snapped and rushed up the stairs to his room, before his dad could say anything else.

He picked up the book from off his bedside table, sat on his bed and tried to read. But his mind kept wondering, wondering how this last week of school would go, wondering what kind of things would happen this summer, wondering about Wilson. What was he doing right now? 'Probably in his room..' Bran thought 'reading, drawing, most likely playing songs on his guitar.' He loved Will's songs, he'd only heard a couple but he thought they were amazing. He loved the way Will's voice sounded, the way it was so smooth and so sweet like honey but with a slight Texan accent. Will never really sang around him or his friends so he didn't get to hear it much. But he still loved it.

He loved the way he sang.
He loved the way he played guitar.
He loved his smile.
He loved the way he laughed.
He loved Will.
He always had.

Chapter Text

Monday, May 22nd 1985
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bran was getting ready for school, he was standing shirtless in front of the mirror trying to decide what shirt to wear as his dad yelled at him from downstairs, probably about something stupid. He rolled his eyes and picked a blue and black baseball tee then shrugged on his brown racer jacket, grabbed his bag and headed downstairs.
"Brando-" Dan started giving him a stern look.
"Not right now dad I'm running late." Bran said even though he wasn't. He grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl and headed out the front door without saying another word.
He was meeting Will for breakfast so he put the apple in his bag and kept going down the road.

Will was leaning against the wall of the cafe waiting for Bran. Getting breakfast was something they had done every Monday since they were 13. Now they were almost 17 and were about to finish their second to last year of high school.
As Will leaned against the wall he watched people walk past, looking at their outfits, their hair styles, their makeup, noticing all the little things. He loved doing that.
"Hey Will."
He turned and came face to face with a grinning Brando.
"Hey." He smiled. "Lets head in."
"Yeah c'mon."

They walked side by side into the cafe. The barista recognized them immediately and smiled.
"Hi Sally." Wilson said.
"Hello you two," she smiled. "I'm guessing.. one iced brown sugar and oat milk espresso, one vanilla cappuccino, a breakfast roll and a scrambled egg croissant?"
They grinned.
"Yep." Will replied. They had been getting the same order for the past five years and nothing was gonna change that now.

"One more week of school then it's summer." Bran said with a grin. Will's expression
shifted for a second.
"Yeah.."
Bran stared slightly confused. Before saying
"It'll be fun.. just like every other summer we've spent together."
"Mhm." Will nodded, forcing a smile. The truth was he wasn't going to be here for the summer, his mum had organized for him to spend a year living with his dad and he was leaving a couple days after the summer started. He hadn't told Bran yet. He didn't know why.
He went back to staring at his shoes, and could feel the guilt slowly rising.

"Wilson and Brando?" Sally called. Bran turned heading to retrieve the order, he had the feeling Will wasn't telling him something. He gave a polite nod and a thanks to Sally before turning back to Will. He walked back over and handed him his order.
"You okay Will?"
Will looked up with his eyebrows raised and half hearted smile.
"Y-yeah I'm fine."
Bran's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
"You sure? You know you can tell me if there is anything wrong."
They headed out of the cafe and started heading to school.
"Yeah I know thanks.." Wilson said "But really I'm fine."
"That's good then." He smiled at Will "Let's go see if we can find Liz and Cara before
school starts."
Will nodded.
"Yeah that sounds good."

Cara was getting impatient.
"We're supposed to meet at 8:30 now it's 8:40, why are they always late?" She said with a sigh.
Liz rolled her eyes.
"C'mon it's fine you know they get breakfast every monday.."
Just after she said that Wilson and Brando walked round the corner. Cara's face lit up as she saw them and she ran to greet them.
"Will! Bran! I haven't seen you ALL weekend! How are you!?" They laughed
"We're good, and it's good to see you too." Bran smiled.
"Hmm that's good then." She said, linking arms with them both and leading them back to where Liz was waiting.
"Hey Liz." Will muttered, grinning as she came to walk next to them.
"Hey Will. How was your weekend?" She gave him a soft smile.
"It was good.. me and Bran hung out yesterday and that's about it." He glanced over at Bran who was mid conversation with Cara.
"That sounds nice." Liz smiled giving Will a knowing look, in response he blushed slightly. He'd known Cara all his life, longer than he'd known Brando even. She was one of the only people who knew everything about him.
They reached school just as the bell rang for the start of class.
"Ugh we have english first." Bran whined. The others all sighed.
"Mr Maddoc is such an ass." Cara said, rolling her eyes, Bran tried to suppress a laugh.
"Yeah he is."
Will looked around, then muttered
"He is, but you can't say that IN school."
"Why not?" Cara pouted "He can't hear us so it's okay." She grinned and Will rolled his eyes. They entered the English room and went to take a seat at the back where they usually sat.

Mr Maddoc was rambling on about something boring and Will couldn't pay attention, none of them could.
Bran tapped Will's arm and he glanced down as Bran slid a bit of paper towards him, he looked at it.

On it was brans attempt at drawing a little angry mouse with arms, legs and a tie. there was an arrow pointing towards it with the words, 'It's Mr. M."

Will stared at it for a second, biting back a smile, Mr Maddoc did look very much like a mouse, he had a slightly upturned nose, beady little eyes and a wisp of gray hair on the top of his head. Bran cracked a grin and glanced over at Will who smiled back.

The next week went by in a blur. Until it was last period on Friday, the last day of school.
Wilson was in art class with Cara who was trying really hard to stay focused but eventually got distracted by a bug crawling up the window next to her.
"Will look at this bug." She turned to look at him, but he was staring at the paper in front of him, eyebrows furrowed.
"Will.. hello?" He glanced up at her. "You Okay?" She asked. Will looked back down at the table
"I.." he sighed. "I haven't told him yet.."
Cara looked confused for a second then her eyes widened.
"You haven't told Bran you're leaving?" She stared at him. "Will you have to tell him, you're leaving in three days.. why haven't you told him?"
"I dont know.. he was so excited for summer to come.. I.. I just didn't want to ruin it for him.."
Cara stared at him.
"I mean I get that.. Bran loves summer but now you've left it till the last minute to tell him.."
"I know, I know." Will said, frustrated with himself. "And now I feel bad about it.. I just didn't want to upset him..."
Cara stayed silent, glancing back out the window.
"It's gonna be fine Wilson. Don't worry." She shot him one of her sweet smiles.
"Yeah I hope.." he replied, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.

Eventually the bell rang for the end of the day.
Will and Cara rushed outside to wait for Bran and Liz. Will saw Bran walk out the door, he spotted Will and ran over to him barreling into him and pulling him into a tight hug.
"Bran!" Will exclaimed.
"It's summer!" Bran grinned.
Will smiled.
"Yeah.." Bran let go of him and placed an arm round his shoulders, then started talking to the others, but Will didn't hear any of it. His thoughts were swirling, filled with guilt. How and when was he going to tell Bran? He bit his lip and stared at the cracks in the concrete. Cara noticed this and sent a worried glance his way.
"Will?" Liz said. Will looked up.
"Hmm?" He replied.
"Ice cream? We're gonna go down to Corners, you wanna come?"
"I.. oh yeah sure." He smiled, his mood lifting slightly.

The four of them headed down the road towards the corner store, making conversation as they went.
"We should go see that new movie when it comes out." Liz said.
"Which one?" Bran asked.
"Back to the future!" Liz stated "it comes out in a couple of weeks.. it looks really good."
"Yeah it does." Cara grinned.
Eventually they reached the corner store and walked up to the window, taking turns to order their ice cream. Strawberry for Will, chocolate for Bran, vanilla with sprinkles for Cara and mint choc-chip for Liz.

They walked with their ice cream and sat down under a tree by the playground, talking about plans for summer and what things they were planning on doing. Of course Will kept quiet, trying to decide whether to tell Bran or not. But he couldn't bring himself to say anything.
Not yet he thought, not now.
He just had three days to figure out when the right time would be.

Chapter Text

Sunday, 28th of May
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was late afternoon and Will was packing, getting ready to leave tomorrow. His suitcase was half full and a tote bag was placed beside it, ready to be filled.

'Stupid, stupid, stupid.' He thought to himself 'I need to fucking tell him.. why havent i told him?'
He paused realising he was about to pack one of Brando's t-shirts, then sighed, placing on top of the other clothes in his bag.

There was a knock at the front door. He took a breath, he couldn't deal with any distractions right now, but made his way downstairs, along the hallway and to the front door anyways. He opened it, and there he was..

Bran.

Will's breath caught in his throat.
"Bran..? What- what are you doing here?" He said managing to compose himself.
"Oh.. I was just wondering if you wanted to head out.. y'know.. get some ice cream maybe..?"
Will stared.
"I- I mean yeah sure.." He stammered with the slightest hint of hesitation.
"Okay." Bran smiled and Will stepped out the door, pulling it closed behind him.
"So you wanna go get ice cream then?" Bran asked.
"Yeah... yeah that sounds good." Will said deciding that it was best to try and enjoy the moment.

They reached the corner store and ordered the flavours they always got, chocolate and strawberry. Bran paid for them both and they made their way down the road towards the playground. They decided to sit on the swings. So they sat, swinging slightly back and fourth, eating their ice cream and talking. Talking about anything that came to mind.
Eventually it started getting dark. Will sighed.
"It's so cold." He muttered, wrapping his arms around himself.
"You can use my jacket if you want." Bran grinned, already slipping it off his shoulders.
"You sure?"
"Yeah of course." Bran said, handing his jacket across to Will who pulled it on, cheeks flushed.
After twenty more minutes of mindless chatter they decided it would be a good idea to head back home. So the two of them started walking back. As they neared Will's house, his breathing sped up.
This was it. This was his chance. They were right outside of the house now and Will stopped.
"Bran.." Bran turned. "I- fuck.." he muttered. "Christ I don't know why I didn't tell you.."
"Tell me what?" Bran looked confused now. Will pulled on the worn selves of the jacket.
"I- I'm leaving.."
"What do you mean leaving?" Bran asked.
"Tomorrow.. to.. stay with my dad.." Will stared at some weeds growing out of a crack in the driveway.
"For.. How long?" Bran said with wide eyes.
"I..."
"Will.. how long?" Bran stared.
'Shit.' Will thought
"A year.." he whispered, barely audible.
"What?" Bran said, looking slightly annoyed now.
"A year." Will stated.
"A year-" Bran muttered, mostly to himself "Your leaving for a YEAR and you didn't fucking tell me until the day before you going to leave?" Bran asked. Will kept staring at the ground.
"Will?" Bran said slightly louder this time. "Why didn't you tell me?" He stared at Will.
"I.. I didn't want to upset you-" Will started
"Mhm, well good job with that." Bran muttered.
"Bran.." Will was properly upset now. "I wish I had, I really do.. it just never felt like the right time.. and.. I'm sorry I really am.."
Bran didn't say anything, Will looked up and made eye contact with him. He loved Bran's pretty blue eyes, and he hated seeing them look so sad.
"What time are you leaving..?" Bran asked, looking away.
"My dads picking me up at ten.."
Bran sighed.
"Look I'll try to come over but I have work from nine till three.. so.. no promises.." Will looked back down. "But right now.. I just need.. I'm gonna head.. home.."
Will glanced up.
"Bran... I'm really sorry.."
"It's fine, don't worry." Bran muttered, not making eye contact. "But I just need a minute.. i dont know.. but it's okay." He looked at Will only for a second. 'No it's not.' Will thought 'i didnt tell him because i was scared.. thats no fucking excuse..'
"Okay." He said. Bran placed a hand on his shoulder, any trace of the smile from barely five minutes ago had been completely wiped off his face. Will looked up at him, eyes prickling with the feeling of tears. Then Bran pulled him into a hug, not too long, not too short, but just the right amount of time, before giving him a sad smile and saying,
"See you Will.." then he turned and started heading down the road, glancing back to see Will standing there, wide eyed and on the brink of tears.

Will stood there watching as Bran walked away, his breathing sped up and he started overthinking. 'What if he hates me? Will he actually try to come tomorrow? What if he doesn't want to be friends anymore?' His thoughts went round and round like this as he walked up to the front door and went inside. He felt like he'd done something wrong. Had he done something wrong? Finding his way upstairs, he sat on the floor, leaning back against his dresser. Finally he started feeling tears falling down his face. He was feeling so many emotions all at once; the excitement of leaving, the regret of leaving, happiness to see his dad, saddness to leave his mum, saddness to leave his friends and anger at himself for not telling Bran sooner.
He put his head in his hands and cried.

When Bran got home he went straight to the kitchen for a glass of water, because his throat had gone completely dry. His mum was in the kitchen cooking something for dinner. She looked up as he came in.
"Hey Brando, I'm making pasta salad. Do you want anything extra on yours?" She asked but he didn't say anything. He was focusing on the fridge magnets, trying not to cry.
"Brando?" He turned. She saw the pained look on his face. "You okay baby?" She stepped closer. Bran glanced around checking to see if Dan was close enough to hear but he wasn't even in the room.
"Will's leaving.." he whispered.
"Leaving? To where?"
"Dallas.. to stay with his dad for a year.."
Kathy sighed.
"I'm sorry baby.. when is he leaving?" Bran looked at his shoes.
"Tomorrow.."
She was silent for a second.
"And you didn't know until today?" Bran nodded. "Why not?"
"He said he didn't want me to be upset when summer started.." Bran was so close to tears now.
"It doesn't look like that helped though did it..?" Bran shook his head. "Come here.." She said, Bran stepped into her hug and started crying into her shoulder. "It's okay Brando.."
"I've seen him basically every day since I was five.." he murmured.
"I know."
"And now I'm not gonna see him for a year.."
Kathy rubbed his back.
"You could always go and visit him there?.."
Bran was silent for a minute.
"Yeah I guess.." He said, taking a step back, wiping his eyes. "It's still not gonna be the same without him.."
"I know.. but he's gonna come back yeah?" He nodded. "Then all you have to do is keep in touch when he's away and then your friendship will still be the same when he comes back."
"Yeah..” Bran sighed. “I'm gonna go see him tomorrow morning, before he leaves.."

The next morning Bran was getting ready to leave for work, saving a bit of extra time to go and see Will.
"Brando.. you're leaving earlier than usual."
Dan said, walking up to him. Bran looked up from the sandwich he was making.
"Yeah.. I guess I just wanted to get there early today." He said with a half hearted smile.
"Mhm.." Dan sighed. "Do you reckon since you're so early you could help me move some boxes round to the front? Someone is coming to pick them up in a bit."
"I.. I really think I should go." Bran said.
"I thought you said you were early?" Dan said with a slight smirk. 'Oh fuck off.' Bran thought. 'I bet he fucking heard our convosation lastnight.'
"Brando?" The way Dan said it was almost threatening.
"I-" Bran started but Dan shot him a disapproving glare. "Fine.." Bran sighed.

After twenty minutes of helping Dan carry some boxes from the shed in the back yard to the front porch, Brando could finally leave, now with only just enough time to make it to the
corner store on time. He walked slowly down the road, Close to me by the cure playing through his walkman, he wished he could keep Will close to him.

After half an hour into his shift he already felt wrecked, he didn't sleep well last night, and now he just felt sad. Sad that he didn't get to say a proper goodbye to Will. He couldn't stop the tears welling up in his eyes, but he quickly wiped them away when Margot, the store owner, came into the room and told Bran that she was gonna head out back for a smoke. He considered asking her if he could have fifteen minutes off to run down and see Will, but she was super strict about the hours the employees worked so he decided not to. Then he realised there was a phone in the back, and since Margot was out he reckoned he had about five minutes. So he rushed into the back and picked up the receiver and dialed Will's number.

Over at Will's house, Chris was already there helping Will pack his bags into the back of the car. Liz and cara had just left after saying goodbye. Jess was inside when she heard the phone ring, she sighed before picking it up.
"Hello this is Jessica."
"Jess?" Brando answered.
"Brando?"
"Yes, yes it's me.. is Will still there?" He asked frantically.
"Yeah he is, they were just about to leave, do you want me to get him for You?"
"Yes please." On the other end of the phone Bran was leaning on the wall, fiddling with the wire and he heard a: "Wilson!" Through the phone and then,
"Hello?"
"Will?" Bran sprung forward of the wall.
"Bran is that You? I was just about to leave.."
"Yeah.. look I'm really sorry I didn't come over this morning.. I was going to but my dad made me help him with moving some boxes.. but I'm really sorry."
"Hey Bran it's okay.. I'm the one who should be apologizing.. about not telling you sooner.. I'm really sorry about that.."
"I.. It's fine." Bran muttered, Will could tell he was still upset. "I wanted to say goodbye.. and I hope you have a good time.. in Dallas."
"Thanks Bran.. I wish you could come with me..." Will said the last part almost silently.
"Yeah..” Bran paused, "y'know this is the first Monday in five years we haven't gotten breakfast together.." He looked at his shoes.
"Yeah it is.." they were both silent for a second.
"I'm really gonna miss you Will..." Bran whispered.
"I'm gonna miss you too... alot.." Will was so close to getting through the morning without crying but this was the final straw, and he let the tears roll down his flushed cheeks. "I mean it."

"Me too.." Bran sighed, not trying to stop the tears. Then he heard footsteps coming towards the front window. "Will I'm sorry, someone's coming.. I.. I need to go.." Will fiddled with the hem of his polo shirt.
"Okay.." Will whispered.
"Call me when you get there Okay..?" Bran asked.
"I will.. bye Bran.."
"Bye Will.. I miss you already.."
"Miss you too.."
"See you.."
"Yeah see you.." Will sighed as he put down the phone, leaning back against the wall he rubbed at his eyes trying to stop crying before anyone saw. He saw Bran's jacket from last night laying over the back of one of the chairs, he walked over and pulled it on over his polo. Then wrapped his arms around himself, swaying back and forth slightly as he let the tears subside.

"Will!" His dad shouted from down the hall. "It's time to go!"
Jess walked into the room, looking for him.
"Your dad wants to head off now.." Will turned to face her. "You Okay?" She asked, stepping forward. Will just shrugged.
"Bran called.." he whispered. Jess sighed.
"I know.. You think you'll be okay? With leaving?" Will shrugged again.
"I hope..."
Jess looked like she was about to cry too. She stepped closer, pulling him into a hug.
"God I'm gonna miss you so much." She said, Will's breath hitched.
"I'm gonna miss you too."
"Will?" His dad came round the corner. "We should head off now.."
Will nodded, wiping his eyes as they walked down the hall and out onto the porch. Jess pulled him into one last hug.
"I love you baby.." she placed a kiss on his tear stained cheek.
"Love you too mum." He whispered, pulling away. He sent a nod her way before heading down the steps and towards the car. He climbed into the passenger seat and Chris hopped in the other side.
The car pulled out of the driveway and started heading down the street. Will stared at the road in front of the car through puffy eyes as they drove away, away from his little home town, towards Dallas.

Chapter Text

30th of May 1985 - 16th of May 1986

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next year was like hell for the most part. It was so hard without Will. Brando stopped getting breakfast on Monday's and basically stopped eating breakfast all together. He found it hard to focus in class because usually Will would be sitting next to him but his spot had been taken by Brando's girlfriend, Laura. He didn't really know how he felt about her at first but had grown to like her more.

He had seen her at school a couple of times but had first spoken to her just after school started back up. He was working a shift at the corner store and she had ordered some ice cream with some friends.

"It's brando isn't it?" She had asked.

"Yeah." 

"I've seen you round school." Laura said, leaning on the counter.

"Oh yeah..?

"Mhm.. you should hangout with us sometime.. we need some more guys in the group, and you seem nice."

Brando looked up. He always tried to sit with Cara and Liz whenever he could.

"Yeah maybe.." He muttered, finishing up their order.

"Think about it." Laura said, taking her ice cream from him. "I'll see you at school then?"

Brando was silent for a second.

"I.. Yeah sure I guess.."

"Good."

The next day at school she had called him at lunch.

"Hey Brando." She said, walking up to him. "You wanna come sit with us?"

He glanced over at Liz and Cara who were mid conversation.

"Yeah... I guess.." Brando said reluctantly.

"Okay." She grinned, pulling him along to the table with her friends sitting round it.

After that it had become a usual thing, Brando sitting with them. Then he started hanging out with them away from school as well. Going to parties, hangouts by the lake and dinners at the local diner.

Then one day in mid November it was just Laura and Brando, out by the lake, skipping stones across the water and talking about college options. Eventually they sat down, side by side, the sun starting to set.

He turned to look at her, her face illuminated by the orange glow of the sky, she turned and met his gaze. Slowly leaning forward, she kissed him. He didn't pull away.

Eventually he asked her out on a date and they started seeing each other more often, which made his dad happy of course.

Dan was being even more of an asshole than usual. Everytime Brando looked sad or down he would tut and shake his head saying: "Oh you're not thinking about that Wilson boy again are you? You know that if he ever comes back he's not gonna remember you. He's gonna forget you Brando." 

Brando kept ignoring the things he said but slowly they started getting to his head, even the little comments like, "When are you going to see Laura next?" Or "Don't wear that shirt brando. It looks like something that Wilson boy would wear." Stop dressing like that. Stop doing things like that. Stop writing those postcards. Stop calling him. Stop having anything to do with him and people 'like him'. They were just stupid things like that, snide comments about his outfit or the things he did and how he looked.

And how Will would forget him.

Which Brando knew wasn't true, but after months of his dad telling him otherwise he started to have doubts, would Will really forget him? Would he still want to be friends? What if he didn't? 

Brando's thoughts swirled round like this almost daily, spinning into these big emotional spirals where he didn't know how to feel.

Dan had also started getting angrier quicker. Even at the smallest things he would shout. He started throwing things and lashing out.

He'd only ever hit Brando once, a few months after Will left they had a big fight. Brando had a bruise on the side of his face for a few days after.

None of his new friends knew about what Dan did, about how he shouted all the time and how he put him down all the time with his comments and telling him that he was doing things 'wrong' all the time.

Kathy didn't know either, as she was at work most of the time and was always home super late. Whenever she was home she was super tired so she didn't really pay much attention, until she came home one day to Brando crying, sitting on the kitchen floor, his knees pulled up to his chest and a purple bruise spreading up the side of his face. That night her and Dan had gotten into a huge fight. Brando was in his room trying to block out the yelling by blaring the smiths through his walkman and sitting on his open windowsill, leaning his head out so the cold air rushed past his face.

Ever since he had started sitting with Laura, him and Cara and Liz had started becoming more distant. Not enough to stop seeing each other completely, they hung out occasionally; going to the movies, helping each other with homework and other things like that.

Brando still called Willson and wrote him postcards, about what was happening and how things were going. Wilson did the same. He had put off telling Wilson about Laura for a while but eventually told him over the phone that they were seeing each other.

"Will.. you know that girl from school.. Laura? She sits with Markus and Luca?"

"Yeah.. why?"

"Ive started hanging out with them a bit.. their all nice, i think you'd like them."

"I.. okay.." Will hesitated. "Is.. is there... something between you and Laura? Is that why you haven't written that much lately?"

Brando paused.

"Will.. i.. yeah i guess there is.."

Wilson's heart sank.

"Oh." 

Brando could tell he was upset.

"Look Will i.. its not really a thing its more like.. i.. i dont know.. it hasnt been that long yet i dont really know.." he was just trying to make Will feel better, he didn't want him to be upset. 

"Brando. It's fine, don't worry. I.. I'm happy for you." 

'Brando.' Will didn't really call him that, it was always, 'Bran'. All the thoughts came rushing back in, all the things his dad had been saying. 'Why did he call me that? Is he angry at me? Of course he is. Fuck. Does he still want to be friends? I hope he does.. i dont know what I'd do if he didnt..'

The call had ended shortly after that.

Brando visited Wilson once. Only for a weekend. Wilson seemed like he was doing good; he went to a good school, made some new friends, August, Ashley and Mallory, and was enjoying staying with his dad. They'd spent these two days talking and catching up. Will had shown Brando around the part of Dallas he was living and showed him all his favourite shops.

But that was in October. After their call about Laura, Wilson had sent one last postcard on February third to which Brando had sent another back on February fourth. He didn't get a response until the sixteenth of may.

It was a Monday, the second to last Monday before graduation and he was slightly hungover from the party Laura had dragged him to the night before. 

She was always doing that, saying that one of her many friends was throwing a party and that they should go because it would be fun.

It was never very fun. He still enjoyed going to them but after the first couple it had started becoming like a routine: get a drink, socialize, pretend to be enjoying yourself, go sit and talk to people, play party games and repeat. Brando was tired of it. He was tired of all the people, it seemed like Laura knew just about anyone. She was always dragging Brando into conversations and getting him to talk to people when all he really wanted to do was be by himself, in his room, preferably with Wilson. But that couldn't happen.

He was getting ready for school, pulling his scuffed converse on and picking up his bag. He had opened the door and headed down the driveway when he saw something poking out of the mail box. He pulled it out. It was a postcard.

From Wilson.

He flipped it over, not knowing what to expect when he read it. He held his breath as he read Wilson's curvy handwriting.

Brando,

I'm coming back to the suburbs for the summer.

I've missed You kinda. Not a lot though.

P.S I may have "borrowed" your brown racer jacket for the past year. thanks.

- Wilson

He was coming back. Wilson was coming back. He grinned, this was the most thrilled he had felt in a long time. 'Do Liz and Cara know? I'm gonna go and find them.' He thought as he headed down the road. He didn't care that he was supposed to meet up with Laura and Markus, he was going to get breakfast from the cafe him and Wilson used to go to and then he was going to find Liz and Cara.

He arrived at the cafe and went inside for the first time in what felt like years, Sally spotted him immediately. 

"Well, well, well if it isn't Brando." She smiled as he walked up to the counter.

"Hey Sally." Brando smiled back. "Can I get a vanilla cappuccino and a breakfast roll?"

"Sure thing."

After Brando's food was ready he headed out the door and down to the picnic table where they all used to meet before school, and sure enough there was Liz and Cara, both sipping on iced coffees. Brando was ecstatic, he grinned as he walked over to them. They looked up.

"Bran?" Cara asked. "You finally decided to show up then?" She smiled.

"You Okay? You look like you've just received the best news ever." Liz said.

Brando pulled out the postcard and placed it on the table as he sat down.

"Close.” He smirked “Wilson's coming back."

Liz took a moment to process and Cara stared at him open mouthed.

"What?" Cara grinned and picked up the postcard. "Oh my fuck he is!"

"He is?!" Liz took the postcard out of Cara's hands. "Oh my god did he say when?"

"No.. " Brando sighed.

"This is amazing!" Cara exclaimed "We haven't seen him in AGES." They laughed.

"Yeah it's gonna be great." Brando muttered, grinning.

They arrived at school smiling and talking. After a minute the bell rang and they headed off to class, Liz and Cara to science and Brando to maths. Where Laura was waiting.

He sat down next to her.

"Brando." She turned to him. "Where the hell were you? You were supposed to meet us this morning."

Brando stared.

"Sorry I got breakfast in town and met up with some friends." He said blankly, trying to suppress his grin.

"What friends? And why didn't you tell me?"

"Because there wasn't time.. I didn't plan to meet up with them."

"With who?.. You don't mean Cara and Liz do you? I thought you stopped seeing them?"

"Well I had to tell them something, that's all." Brando whispered as the teacher had started talking.

"Tell them what?" Laura quietly snapped back.

Brando paused.

"Wilson's coming back." He smiled to himself."What? That weird kid you used to be friends with?"

Brando turned to face her, an annoyed look on his face.

"Dont talk about him like that. And we're still friends."

"So you're telling me you ditched us this morning to go and tell your stupid little friends that THAT boy is coming back?" 

Brando stared at her and furrowed his eyebrows.

"Yeah I did." He said sternly and turned to face the front and tried to listen to the teacher.

It didn't matter what Laura was saying, it didn't matter that she was angry with him, he didn't care even though he was her boyfriend. All he cared about right then was Will.

He was coming back and that's all that mattered.

Chapter Text

Friday, May 28th 1986
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was the morning of their graduation.
Brando was getting ready. He was going to get picked up by Cara's mum and meet Kathy there. Dan wasn't coming, of course he wasn't.
He held his cap and looked in the mirror. He received an acceptance letter to texas state yesterday. When he got home from school his dad was in the kitchen holding a letter, a smug grin creeping across his face.
He didn't need to think about that now. Now it was about the fact that he had actually gotten through school. He doesn't think he would have without Will.

Wilson had been busy over the past few weeks, since he had sent the postcard to Brando. Every time Brando tried to call it was always Chris that picked up saying that Will was busy. He had sent a few postcards and Will had sent some in return, none of them saying when he would be back though.

Will's graduation had been a few days prior. It was fun but he felt bad that he wouldn't spend the summer with his new friends. But he also felt happy because he was heading back to Georgetown, today.

Brando heard a honk from outside, he grabbed his bag and headed down the stairs, smiling. He passed Dan who gave him nothing except an expressionless stare as He headed out the door. He stepped out onto the porch and Cara ran up to him, pulling him into a hug.
"Brando!" They laughed "Can you believe we've finished high school?!" She grinned and they headed down the steps. "Liz is gonna meet us there and..."
She trailed off and turned to face him. "Are you going to stay with Laura and them when we get there..?"
Brando stayed silent for a second.
"I.. I mean I'm going to have to see her.. she's graduating too.. But I'm going to stay with you two at every chance I get." He smiled. "You two are basically the reason I'm here so of course I'm gonna be with you at our graduation."
Cara stared at him before pulling him into another hug. They made their way to the car and climbed into the back seats.
"Hi Celina, hi Sam," Brando uttered to Cara's parents, "Thanks for taking me." He smiled.
"Oh of course Brando, it's no problem." Celina turned to him, giving him a big grin.

When they arrived at school it was buzzing with students and adults getting ready to head inside. Liz and her parents were waiting off to the side. Cara ran to her and pulled her into a
hug. Brando smiled, how he missed this. They talked for a bit before it was time to head inside.

They all took their seats and the speeches and awards began. Finally peoples names were starting to be called up: Laura, some others Brando didn't really know, Cara, Liz and finally him.

"Brando Connell."
He stepped up on stage and looked out into the crowd and saw his mum sitting, smiling with the other parents. He walked along, shaking hands with the teachers as he went.
As he stepped off stage, Liz and Cara scooped him into a hug, giggling.
"We did it!" Liz exclaimed as they walked arm in arm with him, back to their seats. As they sat down again Brando saw Laura staring at him, a disapproving look plastered on her face. He smiled at her before turning away, back to Liz and Cara.

After the rest of the students' names were called and the final speeches were over, all the students jumped up and tossed their caps, celebrating the fact that they made it through high school.

Everyone found their way to parents and friends.
Laura walked over to Brando asking him to take some pictures with her and their friends. Of course Brando obliged but he sent a knowing look over to Cara before heading off with Laura. They didn't go too far, Brando could still see the other two, they were mid conversation with their parents, both laughing at something Cara's dad had said. He spent around 10 minutes talking with Laura and the others before he said he was going to see his mum.
"Yeah sure okay.." Laura muttered, sending him a split second look before turning back to talk with her friends.

Brando made his way over to Kathy who greeted him with a hug.
"Im so proud of you baby!" She said, her hands on his shoulders, looking at him. "You look so grownup." She smiled. "C'mon." She gestured over her shoulder. Brando smiled. They walked towards the others and Kathy started making conversation with the other parents. Cara and Liz were busy talking to other friends, so Brando stood by himself a couple of meters from everyone else.

'It's finally summer!' He thought as he fiddled with the sleeves on his gown. 'Once Will comes back it's gonna be even better.' He sighed, Wilson still hadn't told him when he was coming back. 'Hopefully soon.' Brando thought. He stared at his shoes, and the worn floorboards beneath them. He was lost in thought for a minute, then,

"Congratulations Bran."

He froze.
He recognized that voice anywhere.
He whipped round, taking a sharp breath as he did so.
And there he was, in a green and white striped polo shirt, baggy jeans that were slightly torn at the knees and a pair of scuffed converse, was Wilson.

Bran stared. Taking a moment to process what he was seeing.

"Wilson.." he muttered in disbelief. He pulled himself together, a grin spreading across his face, "Will!" He exclaimed as Will took a step towards him. Bran pulled him into a hug, arms around Will's neck. Will hugged him back, his smile growing.

They stayed like this for a minute, swaying side to side slightly, grinning.
"God I missed you so much.." Bran whispered as they pulled apart. Will stared at him, a smile plastered on his face.
"I missed you too, Bran.." Will said, his cheeks reddening slightly.

Wilson looked older and taller than the last time Bran had seen him. His shoulders had broadened and his face had become slightly more angled, more handsome. He now had one of his ears pierced, Bran noticed, seeing the singular silver ring in his left ear. His hair was shorter, only by a bit, his curls were still the same, it was now cut to hang more over the left side of his face. His eyes were the same, of course, still that gorgeous brown, but this time there was a weariness to them. Behind the grin on his face, his eyes looked heavy, like there was something unspoken he wanted to say.

Bran looked different too, Will thought, more grownup. His hair was a bit longer at the back and stuck out from behind his ears, he had some slight fuzz on his upper lip, like he hadn't shaved in a while. But he still had the same bright blue eyes and cheerful smile that could never cease to make Will feel butterflies swirl in his stomach.

Bran couldn't help but feel flushed at the sight of Will. He'd always found him pretty, but this was different. This felt different. Something was stirring inside of him, something he hadn't even felt with Laura, something he hadn't felt since Will left. He knew what it was, he wished he didn't. He didn't want to admit it. Not yet.

"You look great, Will." He managed to splutter.
"Thanks," Will said, not breaking eye contact. "So do you."
Bran let out a mix of a sigh and a laugh and smiled even wider, if that was possible.
"You should've told me you were coming back today." He beamed.

"Well if i had it would've ruined the suprise." Will replied.
"It was a pretty good surprise too.." Bran laughed
"Good." Will smirked.
Bran slipped his arm round Will's shoulder and opened his mouth like he was about to say something.
"Wilson!?"
Will turned as Cara bowled into him. "Oh my god, holy shit. your back!" Cara squeeled. Will laughed.
"It's good to see you too."
Cara pulled away and let Liz see him.
"Oh my god." Liz muttered as Will pulled her into a hug. "I can't believe it." She stepped back, taking it in.

They stood in a kind of circle, talking, laughing. Will shifted his weight so his shoulder brushed Brans. They stayed like that, standing shoulder to shoulder. They laughed at something Will said and Bran glanced up, past the others and locked eyes with Laura. He felt his shoulders sink as she stared at him then at Will then back at him, shooting him an expressionless look that made him want to melt into the floor right then and there. He turned red and looked away.
"I know we've all called and sent postcards but you three need to fill me in on EVERYTHING that has happened." Will remarked.
"Of course Will," Cara replied, "Even though nothing that exciting has happened."
Will hummed, sending Bran a look that only he caught, Bran knew what it meant, it was most definitely about Laura. How Will still felt upset about it and how Bran probably needed to tell Will about it even if he didn't want to know. Bran didn't know what to do about that, he liked Laura. A lot.

But he liked Will too.

"Are your parents here?" Will asked, glancing around. "I haven't seen them in forever."
"Yes!" Cara said linking arms with Will and started pulling him along. When Bran didn't move, Will glanced back and took a hold on his wrist, pulling him along with the others. "Hey mum!" Cara grinned, "look who we found!" Celina turned, as well as some of the other parents.
"Will?"
"Oh my god your back."
"Hey Will."
They let Celina, Sam, Kathy, Michelle and Stephan catch up with Will, as well as Liz's little brother Benjamin.
The whole time Will was holding onto Bran's wrist.

Bran could feel Laura's gaze digging into the back of his neck. Whenever he turned her way she was always looking at him, giving him this slightly disappointed, slightly knowing, almost unreadable look.

After about ten minutes the four of them pulled away from the adults and started talking to themselves.
It wasn't until a few minutes later bran felt a hand on his shoulder,
"Bran.." Laura asked leaning slightly closer, "Can you come and sit with us?" She gestured towards the others. Bran glanced at them and then back at her. But before he could say anything Laura interrupted, "oh and I'm guessing your Wilson then." She said blankly, staring directly at Will. At this, the mood between the group shifted slightly. "Bran said you were coming back." She linked her arm around Bran's. "How was it in.. Dallas, that's right isn't it? You know I would've stayed if I were you." Laura had a slight smirk on her face and Will stayed quiet, not knowing what to say. Of course he knew what she meant, she didn't like him.
"I'm sure it was much better there and you-" Laura started but bran cut her off,
"Laura."
"Fine." She rolled her eyes, "Can you come and hangout with us now?.." she gave him a look which obviously meant; 'and stop hanging out with THEM.' Bran stared at her then pulled her a few steps to the side.
"Laura c'mon.. i havent seen him in a year-"
"I don't really care, Bran.. this is our graduation. Not his."
"Laura-"
"No. You don't get to ignore me and not hangout with me at our graduation."
"Ignore you?" Bran was getting annoyed now, "I'm not fucking ignoring you." He kept his voice low, "My best friend since i was six has been away for a year and now hes back.. am allowed to talk to him for more that twenty minutes."
Laura stared at him before saying,
"I see the way you look at him, Bran."
He paused, eyes narrowing,
"What do you mean? What the fuck does this have to do with anything?" He asked. Laura just rolled her eyes.
"You know exactly what i mean Brando, dont fucking act dumb."
"No i dont know what you mean.." he sighed, she was right, he knew exactly what she meant but of course he wasn't going to say that. "Look.. I'm going to go and talk to him. I'll find you later." And with that he turned on his heel and headed back towards will.
"Brando!" Laura started before letting out an annoyed noise and walking back to her friends.

"Sorry.." Bran said as he got back to the others.
"It's fine." Will said bluntly. He looked slightly deflated, his shoulders were hanging lower and his hand was fiddling with his necklace, which was something he did when he was upset or nervous. Bran stepped slightly closer so his shoulder brushed against Will's. Will glanced at him and Bran gave him a soft smile, which made him feel slightly better.
"We were just saying that our parents were thinking about going out for dinner, do you and your parents wanna come?" Liz asked. Bran looked down.
"Yeah i think my mum would like that.. even if she didnt go would i still be able to go with you guys..?" He asked, cara nodded,
"Yeah of course.. wouldnt your dad want to go..?"
Bran sighed, ever since they were little they never really hung out at Bran's house because Dan was always getting annoyed at them if they didn't tidy up, or if one of them spilt something.
His friends knew to a certain extent the kind of things Dan did when he was angry and how he never showed any care in what Bran was doing unless he thought Bran was doing it 'wrong'.
"I mean he hasn't even bothered to show up to this so im guessing he wouldnt want to go for dinner either.."
Cara sighed,
"Sorry Bran.."
He smiled at her,
"It's okay.. we should probably be heading off soon before places get too full though."
"Yeah," Will added, "Bran, do you reckon Kathy can pick up my mum on the way?"
"Yeah that'll be fine.. does your mum know your back?"
Will blinked, then his eyes widened.
"Shit.."
Cara laughed,
"Did you not tell her?" She asked
"No.." he muttered, "Oh my god i forgot to tell her.." he let out a laugh and ran his hand through his hair.
"How did you forget to tell her?" Liz asked, a smile spreading across her face.
"I don't know.." Will whined, grinning.
"Well we should probably go and tell her then.." Bran smirked.
"Yeah we probably should.."

Will was humming along to the faint sound of Queen's 'Good old fashioned lover boy' that was playing from the radio of Kathy's rattly car. He was in the backseat and Bran was in the front, tilting his head slightly towards the open window so his hair lazily flapped around his face. They were nearly at Wills house now and evening was approaching so the humid air had cooled slightly. It smelled like summer, the lasting warmness of the sun, the soft smell of flowers and the tangy smell of freshly mowed grass all blended together to create one sweet smell, almost like caramel. It smelled like home.

When they pulled up outside Will house he could see Jess's silhouette through the kitchen window. Probably making herself dinner. Will sighed.
"I haven't seen her in a couple of months.." he said to Bran as they walked up the steps and onto the porch, as they did, the overhead light flickered on above them.
"Well I'm sure she'll be happy to see you then." He smiled as he leant on the wall next to the door frame. Will bit back a grin and rang the doorbell.

Jess was in the kitchen, shuffling around making herself a lasagne. She had the radio on in the background and was quietly singing along. Then she heard the doorbell ring, she wasn't expecting anyone over so she wondered who it was. The one person she wasn't expecting to see when she opened the door was Wilson.
"Will! What are you doing here?" She smiled.
"I completely forgot to tell you that I was coming back today.." he let out a shy laugh and Jess pulled him into a hug.
"Well it's good to see you baby.." She noticed Brando standing there, "hey brando." She smiled at him.
"Hey Jess," he grinned back, "me and my mum and Cara and Liz's parents are gonna go to the diner.. for dinner.. we can take you two if you want to come too?"
Jess looked at Will.
"Yeah that sounds great!" she said and went back inside to slip on her shoes and put her half made meal in the fridge.

Jess sat in the passenger seat this time so Will sat in the back, next to Bran. When they got to the diner, the others were waiting outside, they all headed in and managed to squeeze into a big booth. Bran was on one side, followed by Will, then Liz, Cara, Benjamin and then the rest of the parents. After the food had been ordered everyone was talking to each other and laughing. This was the happiest Bran had felt in a while, all the troubles with his dad and the things Laura said were set aside. He was focusing on the moment, on will, on his friends because that's what mattered right now.
Will was happy too, laughing at something Cara had said. He kept stealing glances at Bran, Bran knew he was doing it but he didn't mind, he liked it. Will sighed, he missed this. a lot. As much as he missed his friends from Dallas, nothing could beat this.
He wished it could be like this forever.

Chapter Text

saturday, May 29 1986 - sunday, May 30 1986

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was the day after graduation, the first day of summer. Bran was walking down the street towards Will's house. When he got there, Will was waiting for him, leaning on the railing of the porch. He was wearing baggy jeans and a loose tank top. Bran paused, his face reddening slightly. It seems like Will had been working out, his arms looked a lot more muscular than when he last saw him. 'Pull yourself together brando.' He thought to himself as Will walked down the steps to meet him.

     "Hey." Will said and they started heading to corners, where they were meeting Liz and Cara.

     "Hey," he didn't know what to say, "did you.. sleep well..?" He adjusted the polo cap on his head, Will glanced at him.

     "Yeah.. did you?"

     "Yeah kinda.. it was super hot last night though."

     "Mhm.." they walked in silence for a minute or two until Will spoke. "God this feels so weird," he laughed "We haven't spoken properly in ages."

Bran smiled,

     "Yeah.." they both shot each other embarrassed grins. They arrived at corners and cara and liz weren't there yet so they leant on the wall next to the window. The sun was directly in front of them so Will was squinting, trying to keep the sun out of his eyes. He glanced at Bran and reached up in an attempt to take Bran's cap.

     "Hey!" Bran giggled, as Will reached for it again.

     "Let me wear it!" he laughed, "do you want me to go blind from the sun?" Will joked, and grabbed at it again.

     "Ahh! fine, fine, fine.. you can wear it." Bran muttered. He pulled the cap off his head and reached over to will, positioning it on his head for him. Bran's hands lingered by Will's face, and pink bloomed across both their cheeks. They gazed at each other for a second.

     "it suits you." Bran whispered as he took his hands away and looked at the ground trying, and failing, to hide the redness in his face.

     "Well I think it looks better on you.. but.. im gonna wear it now." will smirked. Bran didn't know what to say, so he kept staring at the ground, his insides swirling.

     "You two are so cute." A voice came from behind them. Will and Bran spun round, and standing behind them, grinning were none other than Liz and Cara. who, most likely, heard the whole thing.

     "hi." Will's voice came out rushed, and higher than usual. Liz and cara gave each other amused looks. "how long were you-"

     "oh we heard the whole thing." Cara grinned.

     "mhm." liz added. Wil and Bran both went bright red. "We don't have to talk about it though."

     "i think we do-" cara started but liz shot her a look which meant, 'no we dont.. but we should.. but we're not going to right now.' Cara sighed, "well can we go get ice cream then?" She started walking towards the window, nudging Bran's arm as she walked past.

Bran glanced at Will and it looked like Will had the same idea, because when he looked over to Will, Will was already looking at him. They both tried to suppress smiles before following Liz and Cara to the window.

After they ordered, they headed down the road, not really sure where they were heading. No one brought up the thing about the cap, but Bran kept glancing at will, smiling to himself. Will could tell Bran was staring, but he didn't mind. Of course he didn't.

Eventually they ended up in a park. They sat in the shade of a big tree, talking about what their plans for the summer are.

     "Same as always," Cara muttered as she took a scoop out of her ice cream, "absolutely nothing. Chill, hang out with you three.. try not to stress about college."

     "Yeah that sounds like a plan." Bran said.

     "I thought you were planning to take a gap year?" Liz asked Cara.

     "Yeah.. still it could be good to look into options for later though." 

     "Mmm." Liz hummed.

Will stared at the ice cream in his hand.

     "I'm gonna take a gap year.." he stated. Bran turned.

     "Really? I thought you wanted to go to college..?"

     "Yeah I do.. I just don't know what I want to do.. plus," he shrugged, "I haven't actually applied for any so..."

     "Fair enough." Cara said, "Guess you're stuck here with me then." 

Will laughed,

     "Yeah I guess so." They smiled at each other.

The four of them were silent for a minute.

     "You know," Bran ate a spoonful of his ice cream, "I got accepted into texas state." He smiled.

Liz and Cara's heads both snapped towards him. And they both blurted out at the same time,

     "I did too!"

     "So did Liz!"

Bran stared at them,

     "Really!?"

     "Yeah!"

     "Oh my god!" They all started giggling.

   "yeah!" liz replied, "Omg i cant beleive it. i didnt even know you applied for it.. I thought you wanted to go to Texas A&M though?"

Bran looked at his hands, which were now fiddling with the empty cup his ice cream was in.

     "Mmm.. i did, i still do... but my dad wanted me to go to texas state so.."

Will glanced at him,

     "You dont have to do everything he tells you bran.. you know that right?"

Bran looked up to meet Will's gaze, his brown eyes freeing some of the tension from Bran's shoulders, he sighed,

     "I guess... but I kind of do have too though.." The others were silent, "I just don't want him to.." he paused, thinking about whether to continue.

     "Do what.?" Liz asked. The others all had concerned looks on their faces now. Bran looked at them,

     "It doesn't matter.." he said, looking away. Cara blinked at him,

     "It clearly fucking does."

     "Bran.. you know you can tell us anything.." liz added. Will didn't say anything, he just stared at Bran with this look that was full of worry. Bran locked eyes with will before taking a breath,

     "He.. he hit me last year.." he said almost in a whisper. "But its fine, im fine." He blurted it out too fast for it to be the truth. "Its was ages ago.. its stupid, i know.. i just.. dont want him to do it again..."

The others didn't know what to say.

     "Bran.." Will whispered, "you should've told me.." he leant over, pulling Bran into a hug. Bran leant into it, he didn't pull away, closing his eyes as he did.

     "Sorry.." he whispered.

     "Bran, you have nothing to be sorry about." Liz said as she placed a hand on his arm. "Your dad is a fucking asshole, hes the one who should be saying sorry."

     "Yeah.." Bran muttered.

Cara looked like she was about to explode,

     "he better never lay a fucking finger on you again i swear to god. I knew he was bad but what the hell."

Bran let out a shaky laugh,

     "God.." he muttered, "I don't know what I'd do without you three." He leant more into Will's arms, that had ended up settled round Bran's waist. He didn't mind, it was just them. He rested his head on Will's shoulder, Liz and Cara sent each other the same amused look from outside the ice cream shop.

After this, the conversation swerved away from parents and turned into mindless talking. They all settled back into the familiar feeling of each other, the feeling that they didn't have with any of their other friends. The feeling that they could say or do whatever and no one would care. It was a warm feeling, like summer, like a sweet hot chocolate in front of a crackling fire on a cold day, like the warmness of coming home after a long trip away. It felt good.

~~~~

The next day was sunday, it was boiling. It was around midday and Will was lying on his bed, his shirt discarded on the floor and his hair falling messily over his eyes. His window was wide open so his thin curtain was flapping lazily in the breeze.

He groaned and rolled over onto his side.

     "Why does it have to be so hot..?" He muttered as he sat up and rubbed his eyes. He picked up his shirt and made his way down to the kitchen, not bothering to put his shirt on because his mum had left for work already.

He sat up at the counter, eating a bowl of cornflakes, and an Apple, as he hadn't had breakfast yet. His shirt was loosely slung over his shoulder and he kicked his feet as he sat there.

After he finished his breakfast he got his guitar from his bedroom and sat on the couch, strumming a song and quietly singing along. After he finished the song he rested his head on his arm which was slung over the guitar. He sighed, his eyes focusing on the rips on his jeans. Then he heard a knock at the door. He took a breath before standing up, placing his guitar on the couch, and grabbing his shirt. He had it half slipped over his head by the time he reached the door and opened it.

When Bran decided to go to Will's house that afternoon, he wasn't expecting the door to be opened by a half shirtless Wilson. Yet there he was, standing on Will's porch watching Will struggle to pull his shirt on. Bran's face flushed yet again, filling him with that warm, familiar feeling that he didn't want to admit he liked.

Will froze, only one of his arms through the sleeves. His face went bright red and he quickly compiled his thoughts and hurriedly pulled the rest of the shirt on.

     "Hey." His voice cracked slightly.

     "Hey.." Bran replied, looking up at him. He blushed, lifting an arm to rub the back of his neck, "um.. I was wondering if you wanted to head down to the creek.. maybe. If you want..?"

Will paused,

     "I- yeah sure." He smiled, "come in, I'll just grab some stuff."

Bran was in Will's kitchen, leaning slightly on the counter, keeping himself occupied by flicking through a magazine that Jess had most likely discarded there that morning. Apart from Will's footsteps coming from upstairs the only other noise was the turning of the pages and the whirring of the fan that was perched on the counter top next to him. There were articles about whatever, recipes, pages about interior design and photos advertising different products. As he flicked through one caught his attention, a man modelling a jacket of some sort. 'He's kinda cute.' Bran thought to himself, bringing the magazine closer to his face.

He paused.

'What.' He thought as he shut the magazine, placing it back on the counter. 'No he's not. That was a guy. I'm a guy. I don't like guys.' he told himself.

When Will came downstairs he found Bran staring intently at a magazine, his eyes wide, but his eyebrows furrowed, and his cheeks pink. Will walked over to him.

     "You okay?" He asked, amused. Bran looked at him.

     "I- wha- yeah. Yeah I'm fine." He nodded with a slight grin, "You ready to go?"

     "Yep." Will nodded back, unsure whether to keep pestering bran. He decided not to and walked over to the sink to fill up a drink bottle. 

After Will had pulled on his converse they headed out the front door. Suddenly bran spun back towards will, grinning,

     "Do you still have the bikes?"

Will paused, a smirk speeding across his face.

     "Surely we must do.." He said before turning on his heel and heading round the side of the house, Bran close in tow.

Will fumbled with the lock on the shed, he managed to unlock it and tug the door open.

They stepped inside. It smelt dank and earthy, like no one had been in there for ages. Sure enough the bikes were where they always were. They managed to haul them out and then wheeled them round to the front. As soon as they got to the driveway, Will jumped on his bike and started forward.

     "I'll race you!" He shouted back, heading down the road.

     "Hey!" Bran yelled, grinning ear to ear, "not fair!" He started pedalling towards Will, beginning to catch up. As they made their way towards the outskirts of town, the houses became sparse until it was just trees on either side of the road. It smelled fresh and warm. It smelled like flowers and trees and all the other little things that made it smell like summer. 

They raced down the road, swerving side to side and laughing the whole way. Bran watched Will, his head back in a laugh and his hair blowing as he sped down the road. He smiled, he'd missed this, he'd missed will. So much and it felt so good seeing him again.

He remembered one of the other times they had biked down this road, one summer when they were 13. They were doing what they were now, whizzing down the road with no care in the world. Until, Will swerved to the side too much and fell off his bike, landing in a heap in front of Bran, who managed to stop just in time.

     "Shit! Are you okay Will?" He said as he leapt off his bike. Will groaned as he sat up. His knees, elbows and the palms of his hands were all scuffed and bleeding. Will rubbed his eyes with the back of his hands, trying not to cry. Bran crouched down beside him and placed a hand on his back. "C'mon.." he said, helping Will up and leading him over to the grass by the side of the road. Bran wheeled their bikes over and sat down next to Will. They stayed sitting there, talking, for another hour and never made it to the creek. When it started getting late they slowly headed back to wills house. 

That was also the same day when him and will were sitting on Jess's couch after dinner. They were watching the telly and fell asleep, his head slipping onto Bran's shoulder. It was .one of the first times bran had felt non-platonic feelings towards will. He still remembers the whole thing, the shitty cartoon show that was on the TV, the faded blue blanket that was loosely thrown over their laps, the way Will's hair tickled his neck and the fireworks that erupted inside his chest when Will leaned on his shoulder. 

Bran smiled to himself. They were almost at the creek now, so they turned off the road and headed down the dirt path that led there. When they got to the river they set the bikes down and headed towards the water taking their shirts off as they did so. Bran ran straight in and dived in headfirst with a splash. Will sat down on the grass, just next to the water, watching bran. He laid back slightly, resting on his hands as Bran made his way over to the opposite bank. 

     "Hey Will!" Bran called as he reached up and started to climb a tree, shimmying up the trunk and out along one of the branches. He sat down, his legs swinging below him, "watch this!" He picked himself up and jumped forward, falling into the water. Will grinned. When Bran popped back up he shook his head, making water drops fly from his hair. He laughed and waded back up towards will. Will already knew what was coming, he knew from the cheeky look on Bran's face. When he got close enough, Bran leant down scooping water into his hands and flicking it at Will.

     "Bran!" Will laughed.

     "C'mon I thought you wanted to go swimming." He said with a grin, still flicking water. Will shuffled away but Bran scrambled after him and grabbed his hands.

     "Finee." Will smiled as Bran hauled him up and into the water. As soon as he got the chance he pulled away and splashed a handful of water at Bran.

     "Hey!" Bran spluttered, wiping his eyes.

     "You did it to me first!" Will exclaimed, doing it again. Bran started splashing him back and soon it turned into a full blown water fight. Will lunged forward in an attempt to push bran over and in doing so slipped so he went down as well. He poked his head and shoulders above the surface and rubbed the water out of his eyes, but before he could even take his hands away, Bran was on him again. He leaped forward, pushing Will back into the water.

They both came up spluttering, holding onto each other's arms, and started laughing. Will didn't mean to but ended up pulling Bran towards him in an attempt to steady himself. They stayed like that, chests pressing together, water dripping from their hair, and their faces inches apart. Bran stared at him, wide eyed, unsure of what to do. Just like when he was thirteen, fireworks went off in his chest and a warm, buzzing feeling spread through his body. Will looked at Bran, at his cheerful blue eyes and nervous grin. He felt his cheeks heating up and saw Bran's do the same. 'I could kiss him right now.' Will thought, his thoughts swirled, 'but he doesn't want that.' Will pulled back, slipping out of Bran's grasp and heading back towards the grass. 

Bran stood there watching Will walk away. He rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks burning. 'Shit..' he thought, as much as he liked that, the feelings of doubt crept back in. Everything people could say or do if they found out that maybe, just maybe Bran liked Will more than a friend. Along with that was the fear of disappointing someone. Most likely his father. As much as he  disliked his dad he couldn't help but still want to love him, he wanted a father figure. Someone who loved him, someone who could help him with things, play baseball with him and teach him all the things he needed to know. Bran sighed and looked at the water lapping around his waist. Then he looked back up, at will, at the trees, at the sky, at how perfect this all was. He shook his head and started making his way back over to will.

Will sat down on the grass next to where they had discarded their shirts. He reached up and took a hold on his necklace, a small silver pendant, it was a tear drop with a star cut out of the middle. He couldn't even remember where, and when, he got it but that didn't matter. It reminded him of Bran, a tear drop for the fact that there was no way Bran loved him back and a star, stating the fact that loving Bran felt like magic. It always had, ever since he was a little, Bran made his whole day light up. He was always there for will, no matter what. He used to sneak will in late at night  after his parents had a fight, before they got a divorce. Nothing needed to be said, they would just lay there together, on Bran's bed. Sometimes they would quietly talk, sometimes Will would cry, telling him about what had happened. They were always sure to stay as quiet as they could, in order not to wake Bran's parents up.

Will sighed, his hand still fiddling with his necklace. He looked up at Bran. He looked at the way he was just standing there, waist deep in the water, with a look on his face which showed that there were a hundred thoughts rushing through his head. Will looked away, and grabbed for his converse, he started pulling them on. He reached up and ruffled his hair, trying to dry it slightly.

Bran made his way over to will and sat down next to him. Neither of them said anything. It wasn't an awkward silence, it was just warm and heavy, one of them needed to say something but neither of them knew what. Bran glanced over his shoulder, a grin cracking across his face. He turned to will,

     "Do you remember when you got stuck in that tree?"

Will looked to where Bran was pointing. It took a moment for him to remember. He let out a laugh,

     "Of course I remember," he smirked at Bran, "you were just there laughing and refused to help me." 

Bran grinned sheepishly,

     "I know, I know," he laughed, "I just found it funny how we had climbed it so many times and you still managed to get stuck."

     "Hey! You mean you climbed it so many times. That was like.. the third time I had." Will pouted and tried to hold back a smile, "and! The only reason I couldn't get down was because the branches were too far apart."

     "You mean you were just too short?" Bran nudged Will's shoulder and hopped up. He slung his shirt over his head so it was loosely hanging around his neck, and made his way towards the tree.

     "Hey!" Will called, trying to sound offended. He picked up his shirt and hung it over his shoulder before he scrambled up and followed Bran over to the tree. Bran reached into his pocket, pulling out a little folded knife. "What are you doing?" Will asked. Bran just smiled,

     "This is our tree now." He reached up and started carving letters into the bark. After about five minutes he stepped back.

                Wilson

                     +

                Brando

             Were here

That's what it said. 

Will smiled,

     "Now it's our tree."

Bran smirked,

     "Mmm hmm."

After that they went and sat on the grass, talking. Eventually they laid down on their backs, just watching the sky. Will stole a look at Bran. 'He looks so pretty..' he thought. They stayed like that for a while.

     "Hey Bran?"

     "Yeah?" Bran turned to him.

     "Why did your dad want you to go to Texas state? And not A&M?"

Bran paused.

     "I- well.. he went there so i guess he wanted me to go there too.. plus the business studies and shit is better there and thats what im doing."

Will sat up,

     "Did he not even let you choose your own courses?"

Bran shook his head,

     "No.. I dont know. He picked and told me what they were, business and law.. Or something.."

     "He wants you to be a fucking lawyer?"

     "Yeah.. i guess.." he sighed, "he said that it was so i could 'make good cash and help pay for his retirement' or something.."

     "Fucking asshole." Will muttered, "he can't push you around like that Bran and you know that."

     "Mmm.."

     "You deserve better than him." Bran was silent. "Bran.. you really do. I hope you know that." Bran gave a slight nod but kept his jaw set and his eyes on the sky. He sat up, 

     "Thanks..." he said in a whisper. Will nudged his shoulder with his own,

     "Im always here for you. If you need to talk. If you need anything, just ask okay..?" 

Bran looked to will, he saw the utter sincerness in his eyes.

     "Thank you will.." he turned back and leant his head to the side, letting it rest on Will's shoulder for a second, before he took it away and sat back up straight. Will blushed, even at that little touch. When Bran pulled away Will's shoulder felt warm and tingly. He smiled softly to himself.

A little while later they were laying back on the grass again, shoulders brushing slightly. They were talking about anything and everything. Will loved listening to bran talk, he was telling him about some of the things that had happened over the past year; the school baseball team he was on had won a big competition, what cassettes his mum had gotten him for his birthday, which was a few weeks prior, and honestly any other thing that came to mind.

When it got later into the afternoon they decided it would be best for them to start heading back. They picked up their things, Will pulled his shirt back on but Bran didn't, he just pulled it through one of his belt loops and let it hang by his side. Will noticed this and gave Bran a quick look up and down, 'he's fitter than last year..' Will thought, turning away.

     "Why does he have to be so fucking attractive? He's my best friend.." He quietly muttered to himself.

     "Did you say something?" Bran asked from behind him. Will spun round,

     "I- no.."

     "Mm okay." Bran smiled, swinging a leg over his bike and resting his arms on the handlebars. Suddenly Bran hopped up and started down the path.

     "I'll race you back Brooks!" He shouted as he shot up towards the road. Will took a second before saying,

     "Hey!" 

By the time they were both on the road, Will had managed to get ahead of Brando, pedaling as fast as he could. He let out a laugh and glanced behind him, he saw Bran's grinning face and it felt like the world melted away.

     "As if you could keep up with me Connell!" He turned and headed faster up the road, both of them laughing the whole way.

Chapter Text

Wednesday, 2 June 1986

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bran was laying on the couch, reading a book. He was tired because he hadn't slept well, and didn't feel like doing anything. 

Later in the afternoon he heard the phone ring and Dan's footsteps walking down the hall.

"Brando! It's Laura."

Bran sighed and sat up, sliding off the couch and heading out of the lounge to where his dad was standing with the phone. Bran took it out of Dan's hand without a word and watched as he slipped back down the hallway.

"Hey." He muttered.

"Bran! Look I know we haven't talked in a couple of days but Markus is throwing a party tonight. You know, like the start of summer party kinda thing and I want you to go with me."

Bran sighed, not loud enough so she could hear, because honestly, he didn't want to go. The party would be fun, even if it felt like the same old routine. He was just so tired and today it felt like his social battery was completely empty. Bran ran his hand through his hair and looked up at the ceiling. He let out a breath,

"I.. yeah sure.. I'll go."

"Okay! I'll meet you there at eight?" 

"Mm yeah.."

"See you Bran."

"See you.."

Bran sighed and made his way back to the lounge, where he sank back onto the couch. His shirt slid up at the back but he didn't care, the worn fabric felt rough against his back. He grabbed a pillow from next to him and gripped it with both arms, holding it close against his chest.

After sitting like that for a while he had a thought, 'what if Will came to the party too? That would make it a lot more fun.' So he decided to give Will a call.

Will was in the kitchen, helping Jess make lunch when he heard the phone ring in the lounge.

"I'll get it." He said as he headed into the other room. He picked up the phone and brought it to his ear.

"Hello."

"Hey Will.. it's Bran."

Will melted instantly and leant his shoulder against the wall, grinning to himself.

"Oh hey." He smirked.

"Um so I'm heading to this party at eight.. and I was wondering if you would want to come too.."

Will paused,

"I- maybe.."

"Pleaseee..?" Bran whined, Will couldn't help smiling even more, "it'll be fun." Bran grinned through the phone.

"Mmm.. fine ill go."

"Really?"

"Yeah, why not? if you're there it'll be fun wont it?"

When the call ended, Will sighed, did he want to go to this party? 'If Bran's going then it'll be fine.. right?' He thought, 'what if Laura's there? Of course she'll be there.. I bet she's the one who invited him in the first place.. no! It'll be fun! And I'm gonna go.'

At seven thirty bran was round Wilson's house. They were sitting on the couch psyching themselves up to get up and leave, but they were too preoccupied with the show that was on the TV. The sleeve of Bran's shirt was rolled up and Will was sitting there doodling all up his arm. That had become a thing between the two of them, they always had permission from the other to draw on each other's arms if they wanted. Even if it meant having random drawings on his arm for the next couple of days he didn't care, Bran loved the things Wilson drew and he always had.

By the time Will had covered most of Bran's arm in drawings it was nearly seven fifty. Bran glanced at his watch,

"It's nearly eight.. we should get going.."

Will sighed,

"Yeah... just let me finish this one." He muttered without looking up from Bran's arm. Bran grinned, biting down on his bottom lip slightly as he watched Will's concentrated face. "There!"

Bran admired his arm.

"It looks great Will." He smirked, will smiled back,

"Of course it does, it was done by me." He managed to give a little bow from his sitting position, they both let out a laugh. Bran hauled himself up, Will following close behind. still giggling they made their way down the hallway.

They were now standing by the front door, pulling on their shoes.

"Bye mum!" Will shouted down the hall and they opened the front door.

"Bye honey! Bye bran." She poked her head round the kitchen door frame, "You two stay safe Okay? Stick together."

"We know mum." Will groaned.

"I mean it. I want you both coming back in one piece."

"Bye!"

"Be back by eleven! And no girl's okay?" Jess paused, "or boys!" She smirked.

"wha- bye mum!" Will shouted back, slightly embarrassed about the 'boys' statement.

"Bye Jess!" Bran called.

"Bye!"

Bran couldn't stop thinking about what she said. 'Or boys.' How could she say it like it was a good thing? It was wrong.. guys couldn't like other guys. Right? Jess was one of the most accepting people he knew so it tracked out... but still.

He glanced over at will, the evening sun was radiating off his face and making his hair glow. The bubbling feeling in his chest started up again. 'Fuck!' He thought, 'It's wrong! It's not right.. i cant like him like that..' he stole another look, the gold light outlining Wills silhouette. 'Can I..?' 

He stared, shoving his hands into his pockets. 'He's so beautiful and so.. perfect.. and I want to like him like that. But I can't... But god I want to. I want to so bad..' he sighed.

It was at that moment Will looked up at him, and smiled. Not a big smile, a soft one, one that made bran tingle all over. His eyes said everything though, they had that honest, caring look about them. The look that Bran had become all too familiar with, the one that made him feel everything all at once, the one that made him feel worth something even if he didn't feel like he was, the one that never ceased to make him feel giddy inside.

His mind froze.

'Fuck.' He felt the heat rise to his face.

'I think I love him.'

They headed down the road, the evening air was thick and warm, the cicadas were loud and the sunlight was tickling the edges of the clouds with a dusty pink.

Will glanced over at Bran, at his dark blue button down, at his baggy jeans, at his scuffed Nike's, at his face and the way the setting sun made it look like it was glowing. In Will's eyes it made him look even more gorgeous. If that was even possible.

"You look good in shirts." Will muttered, not really meaning to say it out loud. He looked away, pink spreading up his cheeks. Bran glanced at him, mouth slightly open and his eyes wide. His face looked like someone had spread strawberry jam all over it. He felt the way heat rose into his cheeks and looked back down.

"I- thanks.." He said, he smiled to himself. "I would say the same for you but, you're not wearing a shirt..." He paused, "I mean- you are.. but not like a SHIRT shirt.. y'know..?" He reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. Will just turned and smiled at Bran's stuttering. "I- I mean..." bran started, "you look good in anything you wear.." He said that last part almost silently. 

Just like that, all the heat rushed back into Will's face. He bit his bottom lip, trying to suppress the huge grin that was trying to plaster itself across his face.

When they reached Markus's house it was already brimming with people. Bran looked back at Will, who had stopped in his tracks, clearly intimidated by the noise and bright lights that were coming from inside.

"Hey.." He walked over to Will and stood in front of him, "if it gets too much then we can leave okay."

"You sure? I wouldn't want to spoil your fun-"

"Will," Bran cut him off, "of course it's okay to leave. If you want to go, come find me and we'll go."

"Okay... thanks.."

Bran smiled at him and they headed towards the porch and up the steps. Where Laura was waiting.

"Bran! There you are. I was waiting, it's past eight y'know, and-" she stopped, catching sight of Wilson. She leaned in closer to Bran, speaking through her teeth, "You brought him?"

Bran didn't hesitate,

"Yeah.. He hasn't been to a proper party before so I thought I'd bring him along." He shot Will a small smile.

"Mm great." Laura muttered, rolling her eyes. She grabbed Bran's arm, "come on then." She pulled him inside.

bran glanced back at will, who was standing there with an unsure look on his face. he gave will a nod and a half hearted smile before laura had yanked him out of view. Will sighed before taking a breath and following them in.

inside was hotter than outside, it was loud, filled with talking and the hum of ABBA blaring out of the speakers. There were clusters of people all through the house, it seemed like word had gotten round. 

Will shuffled in after Bran and Laura, trailing them into the lounge where Laura dragged Bran into conversation. He stood awkwardly against the wall, watching as Bran got handed a drink and talked to Laura's friends.

In the next half hour Will watched Bran get handed drink after drink and get escorted around by Laura. Going from person to person, laughing, talking to them with no care in the world.

A couple of times he saw Bran's eyes flicker back to him. He would lean closer to Laura and whisper something, before attempting to make his way over. But Laura just tightened her grip on his arm and pulled him back.

It had to be at least ten thirty by now, will sighed. If he was going to be here for much longer he may as well get himself a drink. He leant off the wall and made his way into the kitchen. When he got there he leaned on the counter looking at the options. He settled on pouring himself some cranberry juice.

Someone leant over to him,

"You want vodka wi' that mate?" he asked in a slurred voice.

will picked up his cup,

"i- no..? no. thanks.."

The guy let out a mumbled sigh and walked out, leaving will alone in the kitchen.

He took a sip, he'd always liked cranberry juice, its tart, sour taste always gave him a buzz.

he sighed and leant back against the wall next to the fridge. He slid down slowly, until his knees were up against his chest. His grip on the cup tightened and he started tapping his fingers against it. His breaths quickened and he rubbed a hand across his face. 'what the fuck am i doing..?' It was summer. Out of all the things he could be doing right now, he was sitting on the floor of some random guy's kitchen. alone, while his best friend had left him and was probably out there having the time of his life or something like that.

Will groaned, taking another sip. It was so hot, even for ten thirty pm. noise bubbled out of the other rooms, loud and annoying. His throat felt tight and his eyes stung. god he hated this. Wiping his forehead he leant back and rested his head against the wall.

footsteps came closer until Brando staggered in, he looked tipsy and Will could see that his face was flushed pink even in the dark room. Bran walked over to the counter, and was reaching for a bottle when he noticed Will sitting in the corner.

"will..?"

"Mmm..."

"Wha.. what are you doing?" he slurred out. Will just shrugged. "d- do you.. you want to leave..?"

will stood up,

"I mean yeah.. it's not very fun is it..? standing alone in a corner for two hours?" he snapped, not meaning for it to come out like that. "Anyways you seemed like you were having fun.. and my mum wants us to go back together. So I guess we'll stay as long as you want, hmm?"

"Will.. nono no no..." Bran blurted. He walked over to where will was standing, "we- we can go.. or.." he rubbed his forehead, "i.. fuck.."

Will looked up a bran who scrunched his eyes shut.

"Hey.. look," he placed an arm on Bran's, "let's head outside okay..?"

"Mmm.."

They headed out through the crowded room and slipped through the front door. Now they were outside, it was cooler than Will had expected. It felt good.

Bran stumbled out after him and came to a stop. 

"Fuck I feel like shit.." He muttered. Will sighed and took a step closer.

"C'mon let's sit down then."

"Mm.. okay.."

Will pulled him along and they sat down on the curb. They were far enough away from the house so now the music was just a quiet hum.

Bran's head was pounding. He rested his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. They stayed like that for a minute, Will letting Bran have some quiet after the loudness of the party.

Eventually Bran looked up at will, at how the moonlight made it look like he was glowing, just like how the sun had hours before. This time it was a cool, dimmer glow. It was pretty.

"You can't do that Bran." Will muttered.

"D- do what.?"

"You can't invite me to something like this and say it will be fun when all you do is go ahead and leave me by myself for two hours."

Bran looked down and sighed.

"I- I'm sorry wi.. will." His words came out almost as one.

"It's fine." Will snapped, "though, maybe next time you could actually talk to me and not just pretend i dont exist okay?"

"I-"

"Look.. i dont want to say anything else about it.. okay..?"

"Okay.." 

There was silence for a minute. bran glanced at will again 

"y'know.. y.. you.. your so beautiful will.." Bran said, his voice still thick and slurred.

Will froze, his face heating up. Fuck. 'He doesn't mean it.. obviously. I mean he's drunk..' 

"Bran.."

"No.. I... I mean it.. y- you and me y'know.. we should.. totally- like yeah.. you know..?" Bran looked at will, an expectant look pasted across his face.

"Bran.. Stop it. You're drunk... you don't mean that.." God how much will wished he did mean it though.

"N- no.. will I do-"

"Stop. Just stop. Bran C'mon.. It's nearly eleven. My mum will want us back soon." He stood up and offered a hand for Bran.

"Th.. thanks.." Bran stumbled up and they slowly made their way down the road.

"M.. my dad will.. want m- me home now..." bran muttered.

"My mum said it's fine if you want to stay over.." after the things bran just said would he try and.. do anything..? If he stayed the night would that be such a good idea?

"I- i sh.. should go home.. I guess.."

"Oh.. are you sure..?" Will asked.

"Y- yeah.. i- i think my dad.. uhh.." he squeezed his eyes shut, he couldn't think of the right words. "Fuck.. why'd i fucking drink so much.." he stuterred to himself.

"Bran.. it's fine c'mon.. lets just get you home okay..?" Will took a hold of Bran's arm and pulled him round the corner.

"N- no.. i.. I can go myself.."

"Nope. I'm taking you, I don't care what you say, c'mon."

It must've taken at least 15 minutes to walk the short distance. But they made it to Bran's house just before eleven.

Will helped Bran into the porch and fished the spare key out from under the mat.

"Do you want me to go in with you?"

"No.. it's okay.." bran replied, "my dad might still b- be up.."

Will sighed.

"Mm okay.. well you're gonna go straight upstairs okay? You're gonna get some water from the bathroom or something and you're gonna get into bed and sleep."

Bran stared at him,

"Wh- why not the kitchen.?"

Will looked confused for a second,

"What? For the water?" Bran nodded. "In case your dads still up.. y'know.. he might not like that you're drunk.. and i wouldnt want anything to.. happen... so just head upstairs okay..?"

"Okay.."

Will quietly unlocked the front door, they stood there for a second before Will pulled him into a quick hug.

"See you later okay?"

"Y- yeah.." 

Bran stumbled inside, making his way upstairs as quietly as he could. Which, to be honest, wasn't very quiet. He did what Will had said, upstairs, water, bed.

He managed to kick his shoes off before he laid down. As soon as his head hit the pillow he was asleep. Knocked out by the alcohol that was still rushing round his system.

Will waited until Bran was properly inside before heading back to his own house. When he got there he silently slipped inside so as not to wake up Jess if she was asleep.

"Wilson brooks." She shot out of the lounge when she heard the door shut, "what time do you call this?" She muttered, a smile threatening to slide its way onto her face.

"Sorry.." he said as they headed back into the lounge.

"It's fine baby but it's past eleven.."

"Yeah.. not by much though."

She let out a chuckle, "Where's Bran?" She asked as they sat down on the couch. Will started untying his shoes,

"Hmm? Oh.. I took him home.."

"Ohh okay." Jess looked at him, something was off she could tell, but she didn't push it. "D'you have fun?"

Will hesitated just long enough for her to notice.

"Yeah I guess." He gave her a small smile, trying to make her believe it.

"That's good then.."

Will glanced at the small digital clock that rested on the coffee table. The blinking red numbers staring back at him, glowing bright in the dim room.

It was like it was meant to be,

11:11

Will sighed, his eyes fluttered shut, a slight grin snuck onto his face. 'God..' he thought, 'god Bran.. I wish you were sober

Chapter Text

Thursday, 3 June 1986

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Fuckk.." bran murmured, opening his eyes, his head throbbed. It was the day after the party and he'd just woken up. He felt like shit, this was one of the worst hangovers he'd had.

He leant over and reached for the glass of water from last night. He sat up and drank the rest. Reaching up he rubbed his eyes, trying to banish away the tiredness that lingered there.

He laid back down, one arm resting across his forehead, staring up at the ceiling. He didn't really remember much from the previous night. He remembered all the drinks he had, he remembered Laura... and will.. shit. 

What the fuck had he said to will? He remembers it slightly, sitting on the curb, talking, the moonlight, how pretty it made Will look.

He groaned,

"I probably said some stupid shit last night.." He rolled over onto his side and stared at the empty space where his brown racer jacket used to hang. 'Christ..' He thought, 'that was over a year ago.. guess it's his jacket now." He grinned at the thought of Will wearing his jacket.

They had always shared clothes, well at least Bran had shared his clothes with Will. He never really took anything of Will's.

A while later he managed to drag himself out of bed and down stairs. He slowly sat up, his head ached and his eyes felt heavy. Before he left his room he tugged off his shirt from the previous night and changed into a loose red sports top with the number eleven on the back, then stripped off his jeans and pulled on some gray track pants.

When he got down stairs he headed into the kitchen where his mum was eating some toast.

"Morning bran." She looked up as he walked in.

"Morning.." He croaked back, rubbing his eyes again and filling up a glass of water. Kathy glanced at him again.

"You Okay? You sound like crap."

"Mmm.. I guess I had a bit to drink last night.. but it's fine."

"You sure..?" kathy shot him a concerned look,

"Yeah."

He made himself some toast and sat at the table. His thoughts were muddled and fuzzy.

'Your so beautiful..' he paused.

shit.

That's what he said last night.. 'what the fuck did will think of that? Does he hate me now? It's totally normal to call your best friend beautiful.. right?' he sighed, 

"why the fuck did i say that..?" he muttered to himself, "i mean.. I'm not wrong..." he took another bite of his toast, chewing on the dry crust like it was the first thing he'd had to eat in days.

He sighed, his brows furrowed. 'I should call him..'

After breakfast he headed down the hall and over to the phone. Picking up the receiver he dialed the number he knew off by heart. Three rings, then,

"Hello..?" A groggy voice crackled through the ear piece.

"Will?" Bran replied, there was silence for a second,

"Hey.."

Bran was unsure of what to do, he looped his fingers round the cord and ended up taking a firm grip on it, like it was the last thing stopping him from spilling his guts and telling Will that he meant what he said last night. 

He took a breath,

"Um.. I just want to say sorry about last night..  uhh.. sorry I left you. I tried to come over and talk to you..."

Through the phone Will bit down on his lip, an expressionless look written on his face.

"It's fine." He sighed through his teeth.

"No.. You were right.. last night, I shouldn't have invited you if I wasn't going to actually spend time with you.. I did want to.. and I tried, I promise... but I'm sorry."

Will's gaze softened,

"Thanks.." He murmured.

"Mhm.. so how are you then?" bran asked,

"oh im... good... i guess. how about you?"

bran let out something between a laugh and a sigh,

"I feel shit.." he sighed dramatically. Will couldn't help but smile. "My head aches SO bad." He whined. Will grinned,

"Like a superache?"

"A superache..?"

Will laughed,

"Yeah y'know.. an ache that's super."

Bran smiled, his mood lifting.

"Thats one word for it."

They both grinned, Will could practically hear the smile in Bran's voice. His laughter drifted through the phone, spilling over Will like a tidal wave, it was all he needed for the worry about last night to be washed away.

They must've talked for at least an hour. Will loved the familiar rhythm of their conversations coming back, he loved the way it had become so easy to talk to Bran again.

Just then Kathy walked round the corner, she stopped when she saw Bran sitting on the floor, phone pressed to his ear, tangling the phone cord around his fingers and grinning like an idiot. She smirked at him.

"Brando Connell. You better not be using up my phone bill, hmm..?"

Brando stared up at her,

"No.. of course not.." he shot a sheepish grin at her. She just sighed,

"Not much longer though.. okay?"

Bran mumbled a response before tuning back into his conversation.

Kathy walked into the kitchen and leant on the counter, the sounds of Brando's laughter drifting through the door. She smiled to herself. 'God I haven't seen him this happy in ages..' she thought, 'he loves that boy so damn much. Even if he's too stubborn to realize it.. Wilson is his whole world.'  She sighed letting out a chuckle as she did so.

Brando tilted his head back against the wall, a smile curving across his face, big and helpless. His hair flopped lazily over his eyes and he held the phone loosely against his ear.

On the other side of the phone Will was doing the same, leaning against the wall, one arm holding his torso. His curls were falling over forehead and bobbing slightly in the breeze that

was blowing through the window. His head tipped back in a laugh, a wide, lopsided grin exploding on his face. 

Across the room Jess stole a look at Will, at the smile that was so big it threatened to jump straight off his face, at the way his cheeks were red and his eyes were bright and filled with such love that she'd only seen in them when he was with Bran. From the way Will had always talked about bran, even from when they were kids, she could tell there was something there. for will at least.

She knew about Laura, she knew that Brando would probably be too stubborn and never admit his feelings. She wasn't stupid, she could tell that Bran felt the same way. She could tell from the love drunk look in his eyes and the smile that always slipped onto his face whenever he saw Will.

She had talked about it with Kathy before. Kathy was the one who brought it up first. One night, a couple of years ago, when her and Bran had been round for dinner. Will and Bran had fallen asleep on the couch, resting on each other. They talked about how there was only ever going to be a small chance that either of them would admit to their feelings.

They could tell, parents could always seem to tell when it came to things like this. It was like a sixth sense that made it so they always knew things, most of the time figuring it out before will and bran knew themselves.

After it had been just over an hour bran sighed,

"Weve been on call for ages.. i should probably go before i use up the whole phone bill.." he let out a laugh.

"Yeah me too." Will replied.

"I'll see you soon then?"

"Yeah," Will smiled, "bye."

"Bye."

Bran stood up and set the phone down. He lifted his arms up and stretched, his back cracking. He sighed, still grinning.

Just then the doorbell rang, like the person on the other side had been waiting for Bran to finish his call. He rubbed his eyes and made his way over to the door. Reaching out, he took a hold of the door handle, the metal cool against his sweaty palms.

"Laura.. hey, wha- what are you doing here?"

Laura faced him, arms crossed and a blank stare on her face.

"Dont do that brando."

Bran paused,

"Do what..?"

"Act like everything's fine," she made her way inside and turned to face him as he shut the door. Bran had a confused look on his tired face. "Why did you leave lastnight?" She asked.

'So thats what this is about..' bran thought,

"I.. i dont-" he started,

"Dont say you dont know. Luka told me that Max saw you leave with Wilson."

They were silent for a second before bran uttered,

"He wanted to go home.."

"So you just left without telling me?"

"Yeah.." Bran mumbled.

"I don't understand you." She snapped back, "you act all good with me and then as soon as HE'S back we’re what? Are we even together? Because you certainly haven't been acting like we are."

Bran stared at her,

"I- what.. yes of course we're still together.."

"Then why don't you act like it?"

He stepped forward,

"I- i am acting like it.. look i- i know maybe i havent.. i dont know.." he reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. "Ive just been catching up with will.. I look.. I missed him so i want to see him.. is- is that not okay? Because i dont fucking know anymore." Bran sighed.

"It is fine but I just wish you'd spend more time with ME." She hissed, her voice rising slightly. "If you don't like what we have going on.. just say."

"No- no I do.. i-"

"Then act like it. Choose. Me or your petty little boyfriend hmm?"

Bran froze,

No, no, no this wasn't happening right now. It's a good thing Dan wasn't in. Bran scrunched his eyes shut, a million different feelings and thoughts were rushing round his head. Heat rose into his cheeks, a mix of embarrassment and anger. She didn't get to call Will that, no one did.

"Hes- he's not.. that.." He managed to stutter, not meeting her eyes.

"Sure Brando, you were practically holding hands at graduation- don't think I didn't see that. And the way you looked at him when you showed up to the party last night. He wasn't even doing anything and you looked at him like he was the most amazing thing in the world." She paused, her brows furrowed and her cheeks burning. "You never looked at me like that, not once."

Bran just stared at her, trying to make sense of the words she was throwing at him. His mind was racing and his breathing sped up, shaky breaths pushing their way out of his mouth. He closed his eyes again, just for a second, the feeling of tears prickling. 

No. Not now. No way could he cry right now. He never cries, at least not in front of anyone. He took a breath, the air was too warm, it felt like his lungs were burning, it felt suffocating. He needed to get out.

"I- I can't do this right now.." He choked out, leaning down to pull his shoes on. He reached for the door handle.

"What are you doing?" Laura snapped back, eyes narrow. 

Bran pulled the door open, stepped outside and headed down the steps towards his truck, Laura following behind.

"I just need to go."

"Go where?"

"I don't know! Somewhere!" He called back, not turning to look at her. When he reached the car he grabbed the handle and pulled it open, the afternoon sun bouncing off the dents that riddled its surface.

"This is exactly what I mean!" Laura practically shouted, "you're leaving, again! To go run off with your little Prince charming and forget about me?"

"For fucks sake." he muttered.

He turned to her, and for the first time since they met Laura saw tears running down his cheeks, reflecting the sunlight. Her anger flickered for a second. "I'm not gonna do that! I- I don't know. I just need to think." He swiped at his eyes.

"About what?" 

"I don't know!" He climbed into the car and slammed the door, shooting her one last sad glance before starting the ignition, pulling away and heading down the road.

Laura stood there, unsure of what to do. Anger pasted onto her face, she took a shaky breath. What the fuck just happened. 'Did he really choose him over me?' she thought, she didn't want to have done that. She didn't want to make him upset, she just wanted him to.. christ she didnt know what she wanted at this point. But, she knew she was always going to come second to Wilson, she knew from that moment three weeks ago. Bran came into class, a grin slapped onto his face, and told her that Wilson was coming back. There was such a bubbliness about him that she hadn't seen before.

It was then she realised that Will meant more to him than she ever had. In a way, she had known for a long time, the way Bran talked about him, all the Polaroids in his room. She guessed that there might be something more between them, but she kept that thought pushed down, she didn't want to think about it.

Until graduation rolled around and will showed up. She saw the way Bran had held him, for a good long minute, his arms round Will's neck. The way a smile jumped onto his face and his eyes lit up with such a glow it made her insides swirl.

It was so obvious, and she had been so blind. Fuck even if he never admits it.. Brando loves him. She knew that now, in some ways she wished she didn't but in the end it was inevitable. 

It would always be them, Wilson and Brando.

As Bran drove down the road his vision blurred with tears. He wiped at them, trying to focus on the road, he didn't even know where he was going, he just needed to go somewhere.

He choked out a groan. Tears still streaming down his face, hot and heavy, leaving glistening streaks down his flushed cheeks. 

He balled up a fist and using the heel of his hand he hit the side of his head out of frustration. The tears wouldn't stop, they just quickened. 

He let out an annoyed yelp and clutched the steering wheel tighter.

"Fuck." He muttered, he needed to pull over, he could barely see anymore. 'why the fuck am I like this? why can't I just be normal..?'

Eventually he parked at the side of the road. He took a minute, leaning his head against the steering wheel and tried to slow his breaths. He was so confused. He didn't know what to do anymore. Fuck, he liked will so much but he knew he couldnt, it was wrong and he knew that, everyone knew that.

After a while he was just sitting there. His forehead resting on the cool material of the wheel. His rattley breaths going in, out, in, out.

He sighed, sitting up straight again. He leant back and ruffled his hair. It was late afternoon and he was in the middle of nowhere. The sun was beating down, making its way into the car. 

He must have sat there for over an hour, zoned out, thinking about anything and everything. Eventually he decided to get out of the car, his feet crunching on the gravel that lined the side of the road. He sighed, shoving his hands into his pockets he slowly walked away from the car. Ten steps away, twenty, fifty, he stopped, looking out over the field that stretched out on his right side.

The evening sun made the grass turn a pale orange, like it was glowing. The warm breeze blew Bran's hair, his baggy shirt and the plants in front of him. His tired eyes took everything in, drifting from tree to tree, from the small farmhouse in the distance with the little tower next to it to the sunset. The pinks, oranges and yellows all faded into the dark blue that was creeping up behind him. Its light shone off the tower and trees in front of him.

He sighed, taking a breath and closing his eyes. Will would have liked the sunset, he had always found them exciting, pulling bran along whenever he saw one. 

Bran wandered off the road and down into the field, making his way over to the trees. When he got there he noticed a little stream running through the middle of them. He made his way over and sat on the grass next to the stream.

His hands found their way to some pebbles that lined the bank, he picked them up and started throwing them in one by one. Each of them making a plop as they hit the water, sending ripples out across its shining surface.

Soon it was dark and Bran had wandered around, thrown more stones and climbed a tree, anything to take his mind off whatever was happening in there.

Now he was laying on the grass, watching the stars slowly crawl their way across the sky. It smelled fresh and earthy from where he was, the soft trickle of water making its way past his head. He had been out here for hours, doing nothing. He realized no one knew where he was, he sat up, 'i should head back..' he thought. Standing up, he brushed himself off and started making his way through the trees and back across the field.

He fumbled for his keys and unlocked his truck. He climbed in and started the ignition, pulling out from where he was parked.

He didn't want to go home. He didn't feel like it. Dan would probably be back and barrel him with questions about where he had been.

So, when the entry for his street came around he didn't turn in, instead he turned down a street further down the road. Will's street.

He pulled into a park just down the road from Will's house. Stepping out he made his way to the front lawn. He paused, eyes flicking from the front door to the side of the house. He made his way round to the back and looked up toward Will's window, eyeing the rusty drain pipe that he used to climb when he was younger to get onto the small bit of roof that stuck out under Will's bedroom window.

He set a foot against the wall and shimmied up the drain pipe. Sitting on the edge of the roof for a second before standing and walking over to the window.

He peered in, his breath hitching as he did so. The bedside lamp was on, lighting the room with a soft orange glow and Will was laying on his bed, asleep, shirtless. Most likely due to the heat.

Bran slipped his fingers under the window and slid it up as quietly as he could. Will never locked it, he stopped after the first time Bran had snuck in. 

Bran sat on the window sill, looking at Will, at the way his curls hung over his eyes, at the way his chest rose and fell as he slept, at the way his lips were parted and at the serene expression on his face, all of the things you could only notice if you properly look at someone.

Bran pulled off his shoes before lowering himself onto Will's bed. He leant over and placed the shoes on the floor and started pulling at his sweatshirt, tugging it off over his head and placing it on the end of the bed.

He shuffled into a laying down position and placed an arm behind his head. He glanced at Will then up at the ceiling, his breathing steady.

Then he felt a weight slip round his torso. He looked down and saw Will's arm slung across his stomach. He froze as will shuffled closer, resting his head in the crook of Bran's neck. Bran didn't dare move, his face reddening.

Slowly he slipped his arm out from behind his head and let it rest around Will's shoulders, pulling him closer. He sighed, closing his eyes, a smile crawled onto his face as sleep tugged him away.

~~~

When Will woke up the next morning the sun filtered through the window and onto his face. He sighed, eyes still half closed. Then, he felt the steady rhythm of breathing coming from next to him.

He craned his head up only to be met with Bran's sleeping face. He froze. His mind raced as he stared. 

Should he pull away? His whole face flushed as he stared. It was fine, this was fine. It was good.

He smiled before turning back, he shuffled his head closer, leaning into the touch. This was nice, he had never really cuddled with bran before, not like this at least.

After a while he heard Bran stir and felt his breathing speed up. He looked up, Bran was staring right at him, a wide eyed look on his face. He started to pull away from will, averting his eyes.

"Bran.." Will whispered as Bran sat up, reaching for his sweatshirt. 

"No- no I'm sorry.. I shouldn't have snuck in.. I'll head home." He tried to get his shoes but Will grabbed his wrist,

"Bran, it's fine.. you don't have to go."

Bran looked away,

"Are you sure..?"

"Yes of course I'm sure," he tugged at Bran's wrist, pulling him up, "c'mon.. let's go get some breakfast hmm?" 

A tired smile broke out across Bran's face, this was perfect. The sun dousing everything in a warm golden light and Will's soft grip on his wrist was enough to make all his worries float away.

Will grinned back, pulling Bran towards the door. He didn't need to think about why bran had come, there must've been a reason, there always was. But he set that aside because this was enough, having Bran by his side was all that mattered in the moment.

Chapter Text

Sunday, 6 June 1986

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Will slipped his shoes on and headed out the door. It was late and Bran had asked him if he wanted to meet up at his work. Stars pinpricked the sky like silver glitter and the air was humid and fuzzy.

He was wearing his favourite baggy jeans and, he only realized when he was halfway there, he was also wearing Bran's shirt, a loose yellow-ish tank top. One that Bran had made himself by cutting the sleeves off it.

When he got there voices drifted over to him. One was Bran's, he could tell, and the other? He leant round the corner and saw Laura standing there, talking to Bran who was resting on the counter and half leaning out the window.

Laura had come to Corners to see if Bran was there. She wanted to say sorry about the other day, she did and now they were talking like it didn't happen. But it did and they could both still feel that the other one cared. Neither of them mentioned it after she had apologized.

Will stood half round the corner, looking at the way they talked and how Bran's smile was big and his laugh sounded so happy. Will's insides churned.

Laura saw him and for a moment her eyes flittered over to him, this time her gaze wasn't sharp, it didn't feel mean, it didn't feel like she was trying to prove anything. He stared back at her, her eyes were almost knowing, knowing about what? Why wasn't she shitty with him like he was before? He tried to shake the feeling that she knew something, he didn't know what, but he didn't like it.

She turned back, continuing to talk to Bran. Not saying a word about will. He sighed and leant on the wall, shoving his hands into his pockets. 

It felt like forever, forever of Bran laughing and talking to someone that wasn't him. He didn't want to but he felt jealous. It was stupid he knew that. But he couldn't help it, he liked Bran so much and knowing that he chose someone else over him hurt.

If he was going to have to wait, he didn't want to hear all that going on. He pushed off the wall and walked round the back to where Bran's truck was parked. He leant on the hood, folding his arms and staring at his shoes.

Tears pricked at his eyes and things started going blurry. Why was he like this? He fucking hated it. Sometimes he wished he wasn't like this, that he didn't like boys. But he does, he can't change that. He loves it too, he loves Bran and that makes him so, so happy. 

He just wished Bran loved him back..

It must've been another twenty minutes before he heard the door of the shop quietly shut and footsteps coming towards him. He looked up and saw Bran walking towards him.

"Oh hey will, I didn't know you were here," he smiled, "I forgot you were coming."

Will didn't say anything, just nodded before turning and walking toward the car door. Bran hopped in the driver's side, unsure why Will looked sad. Will climbed into the truck and shut the door, his eyes downcast, not looking at Bran.

One hand reached up for the pendant that hung round his neck, fingers brushing against the cool metal. He was sitting pressed up against the door and he was bouncing one of his legs up and down.

Outside it started raining, the soft pitter patter of raindrops filled the car. Bran took a hold of the wheel, he reached down to start the ignition but stopped, looking across at will. He wheighed his options, his mind racing.

Before Will knew what was happening he felt Bran's soft hand on his jaw, pulling his head towards him, closing the gap between their mouths.

It was a proper kiss, not a small one. One that was passionate and felt like it held all the things they didn't want to say. Bran's hand slid over to cradle Will's face and Will brought his arms up, his hands curling into Brando’s shirt like he never wanted to let go.

When they pulled back, they stared at each other. The air in the car was electrified and buzzing with all the unsaid words. Outside the rain had picked up and a flash of lightning struck the sky, flashing white across their faces.

Bran traced Will's jaw with his thumb. Both their faces were flushed and Will's eyes were wide. The only sound was their heavy breathing and the heavy beating of the rain on the roof.

Their eyes lingered on each other and for the briefest moment, Bran's eyes dropped back down to Wilson's lips. Will saw this and took it as an answer to the question that was swirling round his head.

He leant forward, his lips brushing against Bran's slightly before Bran pulled him closer, closing the gap once more.

One of Bran's arms held Will's waist, keeping him close. The other hand that was holding his face slid down, brushing past Will's jaw, settling on his shoulder.

Will's grip on Bran's shirt tightened. One of his hands let go, making it's way up to Bran's neck, fingers sliding into the hair on the back of his head. A sigh escaped Will's lips only to be swallowed up by Bran.

They pulled away, breaths heavy. Bran's hand slipped off Will's shoulder and went to take a hold of the steering wheel. He looked at will for a second, eyes flicking over his pink cheeks, his mouth and his eyes that are filled with such longing it's hard to look at them for too long without giving in.

He turned to the windscreen, pulling the rest of his body away from will.

"We- we should head back.." he muttered, glancing at will.

"Oh.. i- yeah... I guess we should." Will's voice was filled with dissapointment. He didn't know what to do, should he say something?

Bran started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. Will couldn't shake the feeling that there was something wasn't right, finally after years of waiting that all led up to that moment, that kiss, it finally happened. Bran had kissed him, and god if felt great, it made every single cell in his body tingle and a bubble of warmth burst in his chest, one that made him feel like everything was going to be okay.

Was it though?

Bran had just been talking with Laura, less than five minutes ago. If they were still together then why had Bran kissed him? Were they still together? He didn't really want to know.

Will was so lost in thought, playing what just happened in his head over and over, he didn't hear Bran talking to him,

"Will?" Bran asked, nudging his arm. Will snapped out of it, turning to Bran.

"Hmm?"

"I said, do you want me to take you home?"

Will's heart sank, of course he didn't want to go home. Not after what had just happened.

"Oh.. uh yeah sure."

He sighed, turning back to the window.

Bran glanced between him and the road,

"You okay?"

Will looked at him, mind racing. 'Am I okay? No! Of course I'm not. My best friend who ive liked for YEARS just kissed me and is now acting like it didn't happen?! When it did! Less that three minutes ago.' His thoughts were becoming frantic now, 'why is he doing this? He KISSED me and hasn't said anything about it. Does that mean he didn't like it? Why did he do it if he's still with Laura!? Fuck fuck fuck. What if he doesnt do it again...?' 

He paused, composing his thoughts,

"Yeah I'm fine." She shot a smile at Bran. fight or flight, those three words were swirling round his head. 'Should I tell him? Or let him believe it didn't happen?' He sighed.

"Thats good then.." Bran could tell something was up. He knew what it was, why didn't he say anything? He didn't know what to do, he had crossed a line and couldn't go back. Will had pulled him back so he obviously wanted it too. "We- were here.."

Will sighed,

"Thanks..." he sat there for a second before turning and reaching for the door handle. Bran grabbed at his hand,

"Will-" their eyes locked and the silence that followed was deafening. Bran interlocked his fingers with wills and looked down at their hands. "I- ill see you later..?" he looked back up at will, who just nodded in response. He pulled his hand out of Bran's and opened the door, sharing one last glance with Bran before disappearing up the driveway.

Will headed inside, closing the door softly behind him, his breaths were shaky and he slid down the door, sitting on the floor.

"Will! Is that you?" Jess poked her head into the hallway. "I made dinner, it's ready n- you okay..?" She noticed him sitting on the floor and sent him a concerned look. She walked over and crouched down next to him.

His arms were crossed and resting on his knees and his face was buried in them. He sighed, turning to look at her.

"Will.. what happened?"

Will's throat tightened, he choked the words out,

"I- I don't know.." He buried his head back in his arms.

Jess just crouched next to him, not really knowing what to do.

"Well.. whatever it is.. I'm sure it will all work out okay?" She reached over, placing a hand on his shoulder and giving it a quick rub. "Let's go and have some dinner, yeah? And go change that shirt while you're at it, it's all damp from the rain." She stood up and headed for the dining room, leaving Will alone in the dim hallway.

He slowly made his way upstairs and into his room pulling off Bran's top, he replaced it with a striped long sleeve and a knitted baggy sweater. Making his way back downstairs he paused on the staircase, why did Bran do that? Was it just out of pity? He wasn't sure.

"Why cant he just love me back..?" He whispered, the words hanging in the air, weighted and heavy.

Jess didn't mean to overhear that, she was going to check if he was coming back down for dinner. She stopped when she heard him coming down the stairs, she was about to call out to him when she heard him sigh, "Why can't he just love me back?" 

With that sentence all her suspicions revealed themselves to be true. So there was something going on there? And Will loved him, that she knew already. She turned back towards the dining room before Will could see her standing there. She let out a sigh, rubbing a hand down her face. 'Will that boy loves you so damn much and he always has.. it doesn't take a genius to see that.'

Chapter Text

Monday, 7 June 1986 - Thursday, 10 June 1986

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bran hadn't slept well, he had been kept awake by everything that had happened. His eyes were red and poofy, he couldn't remember crying though. He made his way downstairs, stopping when he passed the door to the lounge. Dan was already there, asleep with a beer bottle in hand.

'It's fucking eleven o'clock.' Bran thought, turning away, he stopped and looked back. On the coffee table was an unopened pack of cigarettes. He paused before making his way over, picking the box up off the table. He left the other opened one on the table. He turned and headed towards the kitchen.

He rummaged through one of the drawers and pulled out a battered match box. Both of the boxes in hand he walked out the back door and into the garden. He'd only ever smoked once or twice, at one of the parties he went to, he couldn't really remember it though.

Outside the air was heavy and warm even this early in the day. He pulled out a cigarette from the box and placed it in his mouth, then he struck a match and lit the end. Bracing himself he took a breath, the thick, smoky air getting pulled into his lungs.

It didn't take too long for him to start coughing. It stung his throat but felt good at the same time. The air that swirled around him was filled with the hot smell of smoke.

After a few more drags he got used to the stinging sensation and started to think it felt nice. It didn't hurt as much anymore and just felt kind of warm and fuzzy.

When he was done he stamped the cigarette out and slipped the box and the matches into his back pocket.

By the end of the day he had finished most of the box and later that night he walked down to the corner store to get a couple more.

When he walked in, the bell above the door jingled but the woman at the counter didn't look up. He walked down the deserted aisles, picking up an orange as he did so, he'd always liked oranges. He walked up to the counter, placing the orange on it.

"Uh.. can i get a couple boxes of cigs too?"

The woman looked up, turning to pick up three boxes off the shelf behind her.

"You over 18?" She shot him an uninterested but skeptical look.

"I- yeah..?"

She just shrugged and put everything in a bag for him. As he was walking out he stopped picking up a small silver lighter, "and this too." He returned to the counter and paid for the lighter before heading out.

~~~~~

Will was lying on his bed, his note book strewn open next to him. It had been nearly two whole days since Bran kissed him. Bran hadn't reached out or come over or talked to him at all. The sound of 'Tears for fears' 'Head over heels' was streaming out of the speaker on his desk. Very fitting.

He was starting to get worried, worried that they'd overstepped the other night. Questions kept flooding his brain, did Bran want that? Why did he do it? Why did he kiss me?

He sat up and stared out his window, the mid afternoon sun was lighting everything in a slightly hazy light. He leant over and pulled up the window, sliding himself out and taking a seat on the warm, sun-bleached roof. The air was still and all he could hear was the chirping of the cicadas and the birds, and somewhere in the distance a dog was barking. He sighed, rubbing his eyes.

He looked out towards the road, half expecting to see Bran walking over. He imagined Bran climbing up the drain pipe and joining him up here. That didn't happen of course.

Jess had been unsure of what to do after she overheard Will that night. She didn't just want to come at him with questions, he'd looked so fragile over the past few days, she didn't even want to say Bran's name in case he broke completely.

He spent most of the day lying in bed, only coming down for dinner. He didn't really say much when he came down.

~~~~~

The next day Will was still in bed well past mid day. Jess knocked on his door,

"Wilson?" She pushed the door open and saw Will lying in bed. "Will.." she walked over, sitting on the edge of the bed, "C'mon.. it's time to get up.."

He was already awake, he had been for a while, just lying there. It had been three days and he had heard nothing from Bran. He wasn't expecting to hear from him anymore, he guessed that Bran just didn't want to see him.

"Will baby, what's going on..? I'm getting worried. You haven't been right since you came home the other day."

Will glanced at her before sitting up and rubbing his eyes.

"I-" he sighed, not even knowing where to start.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.. I just want to know if you're okay?"

Tears welled in his eyes and he lifted a hand, trying to rub them away.

"He kissed me..." he said in almost a whisper, "and hasn't said anything since.."

Jess sighed, sympathy filling her eyes. So she was right, there was something going on between them. This was the first time Will had opened up to her about this.

"Im sorry baby.." she pulled him closer, her hand rubbing circles on his back. "Im sure it'll be okay.."

"You're not mad..?" He choked out, his voice shaking. She sat back and looked at him.

"Why would I be mad?"

"I- because im gay..." he whispered, looking away. Jess's expression softened and she reached for his face, turning his head to look at her,

"Of course I'm not mad Will.. i could not be more proud of you," she rubbed his cheek, "I love you so much and there is absolutely nothing that could change that.. okay?"

He stared up at her, his eyes welled up and tears started falling down his cheeks. Jess pulled him closer, wrapping her arms around him as he sobbed into her shoulder.

~~~~~

Bran sat in his bed, covers half pulled up around him. He glanced at the clock on his bed side table, it was well past 2 pm. He sighed, he should probably get out of bed.

He stood up and walked over to his drawers, reaching in he pulled out a shirt, one that he didn't recognize. He shrugged and pulled it on, turning to walk out of his room he caught himself in the reflection of the mirror that hung on his wall.

His hair was all over the place and stubble lined his chin. thick eyebags rimmed his waterline and his eyes seemed to have lost their usual light. The once bright blue now dull and empty. He sighed, It had only been four days, four unproductive days of sitting curled in bed too scared to face reality.

He stared as his thoughts clicked together, it was Will's shirt. How did it even end up at his house? He never wore anything of Will’s, yet here he was, wearing one of his shirts while feeling shit about being too scared to go and talk to him.

He looked away and headed downstairs for some food. After that he went back up to his room and sat on his bed, staring at the floor. He felt so many things all at once, it felt like torture. His insides swirled with confusion about how he felt, sadness and guilt about the fact that he had left Will hanging alone, again. But most of all? He felt scared, scared of what people would think or say, scared of his dad. He didn't know what he would do if Dan found out. Over the past year Dan had filled him with so much shit and self doubt he didn't know what to do. He hated the fact that he couldn't accept this part of himself, it just felt so wrong.

He had kissed a boy and that was wrong. It went against everything his dad had pumped into him. The whole thing felt so big, it loombed over him and followed him around like a shadow that wouldn't go away, even in the dark.

He only snapped out of his trance when he heard a knock on the door. He looked up as Laura walked in, a slightly annoyed look on her face. The first thing she noticed when she walked in was the thick smell of cigarette smoke and her gaze flicked to the open box and lighter on his nightstand.

He stood up,

"Laura- what are you doing here..?"

"Your dad let me in. You didn't show up so I came to see where you were." She said bluntly.

"Show up where-" he took a second, "oh shit. I'm sorry I forgot." He sighed, they had made plans to go out today, but he had been too distracted to remember.

"Sure.. I don't really understand what's going on, you've been so distant over the past few weeks I don't get it!" He shied away slightly as she carried on, "see even now im talking right to your face and its like your mind is somewhere completely different! I don't understand why you just won't talk! There's so many people out there and you're just shutting yourself off and acting like it's fine when it's obviously not. You're so closed off from everyone it's infuriating. I don't get how you think everyone is okay with that!"

He didn't say anything, he was surprised at how she had just come in and said all of that. He shut his eyes like he couldn't take it,

"I- im sor-" he started,

"No! You need to get your shit together Bran! If not for me then at least do it for him!"

Bran turned to her,

"Whats that supposed to mean?"

Laura rolled her eyes,

"Oh come on. Its so fucking obvious Bran and ive been trying to push it away but i cant. I can't do it anymore! I'm not dumb and neither are you so I know you know what I'm talking about." She snapped back. Bran turned away, tears pricking his eyes, he knew what she meant. "I dont care if your fucking lying to yourself i just want you to stop lying to me. I'm tired of being your second choice ever since he got back! So either you tell me what's going on or- or I'm leaving."

Bran froze, his mind short circuiting. He was trying to fight the tears that were threatening to start falling. Laura stood there watching Bran start to shake and not say anything.

"Fine. I guess I'll see you round Brando." She turned towards the door, reaching for the handle.

"Wait-" Bran stuttered, turning to face her. Laura snapped round,

"No Brando you don't get to do that! I said I was leaving and I will, I've given you multiple chances and you've blown all of them!" She took a step closer, "if your not gonna tell me what the fuck is going on with you then im done! I cant fucking do it. If you dont want to be with me then fucking say it and go run off with wilson or whoever the fuck you want! I just cant do it if your not gonna tell me the truth!" She was shouting now, pointing a finger at him, "I don't know what I did wrong? I'm sorry if I wasn't good enough for you but that gives you no right to push me away and lie to me!"

Bran blinked, that was the final straw, he snapped, tears pooling from his eyes. Sinking onto the edge of his bed he put his head in his hands. Laura stared at him, a bit taken aback by what had just unfolded in front of her. Bran's breaths were ragged and his whole body started shaking.

"Im sorry," he managed to choke out.

"Bran.." she whispered.

"Im sorry, im sorry, im sorry, im sorry.." his apologies turned into mumbles and his cheeks were flushed from the tears.

Laura took a cautious seat next to him and took a breath,

"Bran what's going on..?" 

She didn't want him to be upset. She hadn't seen him like this before and in a way it scared her, the thought that someone who was so happy all the time, so extroverted and who acted like he didn't give a shit what anyone thought, could now be sitting next to her crying like the world was ending.

Bran's response was muffled but cut through the room like a knife.

"I- i kissed him.. im sorry.." The words rolled off his tongue like sand, dry and scratching. His sobs came louder as Laura just sat there. 'Oh..' she took a breath, tears pricking at her own eyes.

Bran had changed, she knew that, the Brando she had met last year would never have admitted something like that. He was too full of himself and even though he didn't act like it, he cared too much about what other people thought, but now? He was softer, more open in some ways, but so, so closed off in other ways. She didn't want to admit it but she felt slightly proud of him. Proud of him for admitting something that seemed to scare him so much. He confirmed something she had guessed was true and now she just had to make him believe it as well.

She placed a hand on his back, before pulling him into a kind of sideways hug. She felt Bran's whole body tense, and his breath hitch.

"You- you're not angry at me..?" His voice came out wobbly. Laura sighed,

"Yes of course I'm angry Brando.. but i cant change how you feel.."

Bran leant more into her arms, his shoulders shaking.

"I'm sorry.." he murmured.

"I- i just wish you had told me.. i dont know.. i mean i kind of guessed." She gave him a little smirk. His eyes widened as he looked up at her.

"You- you did?" He pulled back, wiping his eyes on the sleeve of his shirt.

"I mean yeah.. I saw the way you hugged him at graduation. But I could tell before that."

Bran stared at her, the ghost of a sad smile lingering on his lips. He looked down, pulling his legs up onto the bed. "I'm sorry if i kept you from him.." she muttered.

Bran looked back up at her,

"No, no you have nothing to be sorry about. It's me who should say sorry.."

"You have.. loads."

Bran let out a sad laugh,

"Yeah.." there was silence for a second, "so.. what does this mean..? Between us?" Bran asked slowly.

"Bran.. I think we both know what's gonna happen." She smiled at him, it only just reached her eyes.

"Mmm.." 

"If you wanted we could still stay friends..?" She placed a hand on his arm. A small smile crept onto his face.

"Yeah id like that.."

"Same.." 

She took a breath, "look.. I don't care if you like boys and I don't care if you want to be with Will.. I- i want you to be happy okay? So if that means just being your friend then I'm willing to do that, but you need to pull your shit together and do what makes you happy okay?" She smiled at him, "I care about you.. Too much to just watch you waste something that could be good."

Bran was taken aback, he didn't understand how she could be so accepting. She had been shouting at him five minutes before and was now comforting him with words that made him feel like things might just be okay.

"Mmm.."

"I mean it Bran.."

He smiled back just for a second before a thought hit him and his smile fell.

"Wh- what will my dad think..?" He muttered, almost to himself. Laura looked at him, a confused look spreading onto her face.

"Your dad? What does he have anything to do with this?"

Bran paused,

"Oh.. nothing.. uh he just doesnt like Will.." his voice quieted, "or people, 'like him'.."

"Oh." Laura sighed, "well if he doesn't find out or do.. anything then it'll be okay right..?" Bran looked away, "...has he done anything?" She asked, he just shrugged.

"Yeah.. Last year.. but it doesnt matter.."

Laura stared at him,

"Im sorry."

"It's okay..." he muttered back.

A couple more minutes passed,

"Have you seen Will since.. you know.?" 

Bran shook his head.

"I feel terrible.. I just can't do it... i can’t fucking do it." He pulled his knees up to his chest, "im so fucking scared."

"I can tell.. but look if you want this, if you really love him-" Bran's head snapped up, his eyes wide. "And don't say that you don't, because you do, anyone who's looking can tell." Bran looked down, not saying anything against it, a small smile playing at his lips. "If you really love him then you have to get through this okay?"

He nodded. It felt so weird, Laura talking to him about this like it was the most normal thing in the world.

"And, if you want then i will be there with you.."

Bran looked up, his eyes glazing over. Nodding again he leant over and Laura pulled him into another hug.

"Im sorry." He muttered.

"It's okay Bran."

He just sighed, relaxing into her embrace. They had held each other like this loads before but this felt different, like weights had been lifted off both of their chests and they both finally knew the other for who they really were.

"If you want.. I could pretend when your dad’s around? Until you're ready.."

"That would be good, if you don't mind.."

"Of course." She said, pulling back, "Now,” She smiled, a playful look spreading across her face, “You need to go get your man." 

Bran laughed, wiping at his face.

"God it sounds so weird when you say it like that."

She smiled,

"Well it's true."

He grinned,

"Yeah.."

Chapter Text

Friday, 11 June 1986

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was late, just before dinner and Bran still hadn't said anything to Will. He sighed and walked into the bathroom, a towel tucked under his arm.

He reached over and turned on the shower, he stripped off his old clothes and waited for the water to heat up before stepping in. The hot water stung his body, but he didn't bother turning the heat down. He needed something that would take his mind off things.

After washing and shaving, he stepped out and wrapped a towel round his waist. He looked into the mirror, resting on the edge of the sink.

He was so fucking selfish. He knew that. How could he just leave Will with no answer? How could he kiss him, then disappear and not say anything about it? It was driving him crazy, like an itch he couldn't scratch.

'Am I selfish? Shit, I love him so much it hurts. I want- I want him.. But I can't if I'm to fucking scared to admit that he's my whole world..' He ran a hand through his hair, 'if I can't.. if I can't even admit it to myself then how am I supposed to admit it to other people..? I told Laura. The one person who I thought would care the most told me to go to him.. But I'm so fucking scared..' He looked up at himself in the mirror.

'What if he doesn't love me back? Im fucking terrified of what he could do. He could take everything away from me by just saying he doesn't love me back. I don't know what I would do if that happened..'

He rubbed his forehead and sighed. A headache spiked into his thoughts. Anything could happen when he talked to Will and he was so, so afraid to find out what it would be. So instead of facing it, he ran away, away from the thing he wanted to know the answer to so badly but also never wanted to find out in case It wrecked everything he was trying not to ruin completely.

He walked back into his room, pulling the door shut behind him. He pulled on some jeans, a million feelings pulsing through his body,

"Fuck!" He exclaimed, "why the fuck cant i do anything right?!" He balled up his towel and threw it across the room and in doing so, knocked a box off of his desk, its contents spilling all over the floor.

He stared at it, water dripping off his hair and his nose. Photos, polaroids, notes and little drawings were all scattered across the carpet. They all had something to do with will, collected from the years they've known each other. He crouched down, fingers brushing against the pile of paper.

He picked one up, a faded, cracked photo of them at the pool. He remembers the day, it was a couple of years ago, the start of summer. Cara had dragged them along and made Bran buy them all ice cream. 

In the photo he and Will were standing against the outside wall of the changing room. Will was just in his swimming shorts, his arms crossed and his tear drop necklace was glinting in the sun. Bran was next to him, he had already gotten changed, he was in a black polo and blue jeans, not very fitting attire for the heat.

~~~

"Thanks for the ice cream." Will smiled,

"Oh, your welcome," Bran piped back, shoving his hands in his pockets. He smiled before looking down at his shoes. He could feel Will's gaze lingering on him, sending all the blood rushing to his face. 

Just then Liz ran over with Cara's camera,

"Cara wanted me to take some photos." She grinned, pointing the camera in their direction. Bran leaned slightly closer to will, so their shoulders brushed. Will's face flushed and he sent a sideways glance at Bran.

Flash

Liz sent them a knowing look, a smile played on her lips. Will looked past her, to where Cara

was frantically waving at him. He sighed, an amused look on his face,

"Im gonna go see what she wants." He laughed before running off.

Bran stepped forward, standing next to Liz as the photo got printed out. When it was done cara held it up to the light,

"Can I see?" Bran asked and Liz passed it over to him. He held it lightly between his fingers, a grin spreading across his face.

"You keep it." Liz smirked,

"What? No- no Cara wanted them-"

"Bran you keep it, I know you want to. Besides, we can take more."

Bran smiled,

"Okay." He looked at the polaroid once more, eyes scanning over Wilson's features, he sighed, smiling and tucked the photo into his pocket.

"Now come here." She muttered, slipping an arm round his shoulder and pulling him closer so their faces smooshed side by side. Looking up at the camera they both grinned, eyes squinting in the sun.

Flash

It was a perfect day.

~~~

The tears must've started falling without him noticing. His breaths were shaky and his back, face and hair were all dripping with water.

"Fuck, my dad's right.." he muttered, rubbing his eyes, "I cant do it.. i cant fucking do it. I cant- i cant do anything right.." he pulled his knees up to his chest and covered his face with his hands, "im not fucking good enough.." he mumbled through a sob, "for him, for anyone." He just sat there silently crying into his hands, surrounded by memories from the past that seemed to make him even more frightened to face the future.

"What the fuck are you doing?"

Bran jumped and looked up to see Dan staring down at him. He quickly picked himself up, wiping the tears off his face,

"Nothing." He said too quickly. Dan stared at him, a look of disgust flashing across his face.

"What the fuck are you crying for?" He spat, "And what's this shit?" He thrust his beer bottle in the direction of the paper on the floor.

Bran grabbed a white t-shirt from his dresser and pulled it on, not bothering to dry himself.

"I said it's nothing." He muttered, his tone wavering but firm, dan just rolled his eyes before turning towards the door,

"Fuckin' baby." He snapped as he walked out.

Bran stood in the middle of his room, tear tracks staining his cheeks and his hair making his t-shirt wet. 'I- im not a fucking baby.. am i..?" He looked down,

"No. No I'm not. I need to see him."

Then he grabbed his shoes and pulled them on as he headed out of his room and down the stairs,

"Where do you think your going brando?" His dad called as he saw bran open the door. Bran turned to look at him only for a second, his eyes narrowing, before making his way outside, closing the door behind him.

Not missing a beat, he started sprinting down the road. His wet hair stuck to his forehead and was slowly making his shirt damp.

When he got to Will's house, he paused, and bent down, resting his hands on his knees. He took a breath and walked up onto the porch, the light flicking on in the late afternoon sun.

When he knocked the door was opened by Jess.

"Brando."

By the sound of her tone he knew she knew what had happened, he looked down,

"I- i need to talk to him.. please."

"He's barely left his room brando." Her voice was stern. He felt his face heat up,

"I.. i know.. neither have i..." he swallowed, looking back up, "and I feel like shit about it, about not coming sooner.. please.." 

Jess had known Brando most of his life, her and Kathy had been roommates in college. She had always treated him like her own. Even though she was annoyed at what he did, she looked at him now, tear stained with such a desperate, sorry look in his eyes, her defences shut down and she stepped to the side.

"C'mon.."

He stepped inside, the warm smell of Jess's cooking filled his nose and he relaxed a little as he followed her upstairs. They stopped at the top of the landing and jess leaned closer to wills door, knocking lightly against it,

"Will.?"

It was silent for a second before they heard shuffling coming from behind the door then the soft creak as the handle was turned. Will opened the door, bleary eyed and wearing a baggy blue shirt, red shorts and socks.

"Yeah-" he froze, seeing bran, "uh-"

He glanced up at Jess, who gave him a slight nod. He looked back to brando before staring at the floor.

"Um.. you can come in.." he muttered.

Jess sent a small smile to Bran before heading back downstairs.

Bran shuffled into Will's room, softly closing the door behind him. Will went to sit on his bed, hands brushing over the guitar that lay next to him, he picked it up. Bran stood in the middle of the room, unsure if he should sit down or not.

Eventually it was will who broke the silence, he looked up from where he was lightly strumming his guitar,

"Um.. your shirt’s wet.. you can use one of mine," he glanced at Bran, "i- if you want that is.."

Bran was a bit surprised at the fact that Will had barely spared him a look since he came in and somehow still noticed that his shirt was wet.

"Oh, i- are you sure?"

"Yeah.."

Bran took a step towards the dresser and fished into one of the drawers, pulling out a blue top with the number twelve written on the back.

"Is this one okay..?"

Will nodded,

"Yeah."

Bran pulled off his damp top and stood in front of the mirror for a second longer than what was needed. Will glanced up at Bran's reflection, a soft grin played on his lips as he looked. Unsurprisingly Bran caught him staring, sending him a grin back. He turned, throwing the balled up t-shirt at will who just managed to stop it hitting his face,

"Hey!" He laughed, Bran's smile grew wider as he turned back to the mirror. He slipped the blue shirt over his head. In the reflection behind him he saw Will look down at the t-shirt in his lap, his hand sliding into the damp fabric. Bran watched as his fingers held tightly onto the material. Will looked like he was trying to suppress a grin that would otherwise turn so big it would fly from his face.

He stole another look at Bran, the t-shirt was smaller on Bran than it was on him so it was tight around his waist, leaving an inch of his torso showing.

Bran took a cautious step over and sat on the bed, pushing himself up so he leant on the window. He glanced at Will, who seemed to have the same idea. They stared at eachother for a minute, taking eachother in. Both of them were trying to think of something to say but nothing came.

Will thought about it, the past four days were the longest time they had spent apart in years, not including the year Will was away.

Sheepish smiles tugged at both their mouths but eventually Will looked away, back down at the shiny guitar strings. Bran sighed, and turned to glance out the window.

All that was out there was a big green field, some bushy trees and the start of what was going to be a gorgeous sunset.

"Do you remember when we used to sit on the roof?"

Will looked up,

"Yeah.. we thought we could live out there when we were younger." He smiled, remembering the memory.

Bran laughed,

"We tried.. and failed."

"Yeah, we didn't even make it to dinner."

They were silent for a second,

"Do.. Do you want to go out there now..?"

"Oh," Will smiled, "Yeah sure."

Bran grinned, turning to slide the window open. He climbed out first, Wilson grabbed a blue and yellow jersey shirt and pulled it on over his t-shirt then followed him out.

They sat on the warm metal in silence, a warm silence filled with unsaid words.

"I remember the first time I tried to climb down the drain pipe and got stuck halfway." Bran said. Will grinned,

"Oh my god i remember that, you had to jump down onto one of the couch cushions my mum brought out."

They laughed,

"Yeah.."

Will glanced up at Bran, biting his bottom lip slightly. That was all it took, with that look bran knew what they both wanted, all the unsaid words blended into his action. He leant forward and kissed will, sure and strong. It took a second for Will to kiss him back, but he did, just as passionate as Bran.

Will pulled back as Bran leaned in for more, he looked up at Will as he pulled back too, a scared look on his face like he was worried he'd done something wrong.

He took a breath,

"Im sorry.." bran murmured, "i wish i came to see you sooner.."

Will looked at him and lifted his hand to cup Bran's cheek, Bran was surprised at first but leant into it, a sad look in his eyes.

"It's okay.. I know its.. scary."

Bran nodded,

"I wish it wasn't ..."

Will sighed,

"Me too.. but right now? It doesnt have to be.." he smiled, leaning in closer. He felt Bran smile against his lips. Will brought up his other hand to hold the other side of Bran's face and Bran's hands slipped onto Will's waist, pulling him closer. 

Will slid his hands into Bran's hair, looping them lightly around the back of his neck. Both their cheeks were as pink as they could get and everything around them buzzed with the electricity that was radiating off them. 

After a breathless minute they pulled back, only slightly. Will sunk down, resting his head on Bran's shoulder, his breath tickling Bran's neck. Bran looped his arms around Will's torso, holding him firm and steady.

The air around them felt brittle enough it could break at any moment. But it didn't, it held itself together, it stayed strong for these two boys who had just managed to find themselves again. It kept them locked in a sweet embrace, this was how it was meant to be. After all these years, they finally had each other in every single way they wanted.

They stayed like that for what could have been hours. The glow of the sky painting everything in a soft, picturesque light. Bran sighed, his fingers tracing slow circles on Will's back.

Will was now being only supported by Bran, His chest was too full, his hands sure and loving as they held Bran like he was the most amazing thing ever, which in wills case, he was.

He buried his head further into Bran's neck, his arms tight around Bran's shoulders, holding on like a life line. Bran reached up, placing one hand behind Will's head, stroking his hair, soft and repetitive. Will let out a breath that he seemed like he’d been holding in.

"I missed you.." Bran whispered against the top of Will's head.

"It was four days." Will smiled.

"Yeah four days of feeling terrible for not coming to talk to you." He sighed dramatically. Will laughed, pulling back,

"Well I'm glad you came.. even if it took a while."

"Me too.." Bran grinned back, leaning his forehead against Will's who leant in for another kiss, pressing his lips against Bran's. 

"You're so beautiful.." Bran murmured against his mouth. Will pulled back, looking at him, his cheeks burning pink.

"So you meant what you said after the party.?" He smirked, bran grinned,

"Of course I did, it's the truth." He reached up, running a hand through wills curls, he leant forward kissing him again.

Will laughed,

"Ahh, my mum will probably have dinner ready by now.."

"Aw no..." Bran whined, tightening his arms around Will and burying his face in the crook of Will's neck, "I don't wanna go." He muttered.

"You can stay, my mum won't mind."

"Really? That would be nice."

Will grinned,

"C'mon then." He slipped himself out of Bran's grasp and turned towards the window.

"Wait-" Bran blurted, Will turned, "we should take a photo.. if you want, y'know to remember this.." pink bloomed across his cheeks.

Wills grinned,

"Bran will always remember this but I'd love to take a photo." He scrambled in through the window and grabbed his polaroid camera off his desk.

"We need more photos of us together.. we don't have enough." Bran smiled.

"I think we have about every single kind of photo we could take." Will muttered as he climbed back out onto the roof,

"Really?" Bran asked, amused.

"Yes! We have beach photos, pool photos, some of us up in a tree.." he paused, thinking,

"Hell, I even have one of you biting my arm Bran." They laughed, Bran had forgotten about that.

"Still, we need more." He smiled, closing his eyes as he slipped his arms around Will's waist. Will leant his head on top of brans.

"Smile then." Will held out the camera and pointed it towards them. Bran glanced up at it and then at will, deciding at the last second to press a kiss against Will's cheek.

Flash

Still resting on each other they waited for the photo to be printed out.

"You keep it." Will smiled, passing the polaroid over to him.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, 'course."

Bran thought for a second,

"Well, we'll need one for you too then." He smirked, a cheeky look in his eyes and took the camera from will. Holding the camera outstretched, he used his other hand to turn Will's face towards his. Will grinned into the kiss, the camera flash lighting their faces in the evening air.

Flash.

Bran handed the photo to will,

"Aaand you keep that one." They smiled,

"Thanks.."

They climbed back inside and headed towards the door. Will looked at the photo in his hand, at the kiss and the smiles that were so big they could've jumped straight out of the photo. It was all he had wanted for so long. Years of waiting and yearning had all finally melted into today, into the kisses, into the words, into the way they held each other knowing there was a chance everything was going to be okay.

Will took a hold of bran's hand and pulled him towards the door, bran paused,

"Does your mum know..?"

Will turned to him,

"I- yeah she does.."

"Oh.."

Will stepped forward, taking both of brans hand in his own,

"She doesn't mind." He smiled,

"Oh okay." Bran gave a soft smile back.

Will's eyes narrowed for a second and his heart sank.

"What about Laura?"

"She came over yesterday.." bran squeezed wills hands,

"..and?"

"And shouted at me and I... started crying.. and then told her what happened and she said she guessed that there was something else going on between us.. and we broke up."

"Oh.. really?"

"Yeah."

"And she was okay with that?"

"I mean yeah.. she told me i had to figure my shit out if I really wanted this," he nodded towards will, who smiled. "And before she left she told me to, "go get my man." So.."

Will smirked,

"Oh so im your man?" He asked, an amused look on his face. Bran pulled him closer,

"You sure are." He leaned in, lightly kissing will.

They pulled back and Will bit his lip,

"Okay, okay C'mon dinner should be ready soon." Will bit back a grin, his face flustered.

"Mmm okay." Bran laughed as Will took his hand and led him out the door.

Jess looked up as she heard laughter and footsteps floating down the stairs. Will and bran bustled in, hand in hand and grinning like idiots. She smiled,

"So you two sorted things out..?" She leant on the counter.

Will glanced up, a sheepish grin on his mouth, he nodded,

"Mmm, well that's good." She said, sending him a knowing look.

Bran stared at her, half a smile on his mouth. He was holding Will's hand in front of Jess. His thoughts started rushing again. 'This isn't right. Shit shit shit, what is she gonna think? No.

Will had just said she didn't care. It's okay.' 

Even thinking that, even knowing that Jess didn't care and seemed happy about what was going on, he couldn't help but slip his hand out of Will's.

Bran put his hands on the counter, fingers tapping lightly against it. He looked over at Will who had turned and started setting the table.

Will started carrying the plates over, his brows furrowed slightly. What had that look been on Bran's face? It was stupid for him to notice, but he did, they way Bran's smile fell slightly and he let go of Will's hand.

It was fine. He was probably just over thinking it.

Bran walked over,

"Is there anything I can do to help?" He asked Jess, who was carrying a salad bowl over to the table.

"Oh no, bran it's okay, you just sit down. I assume you're staying?"

"Yes if that's alright."

"Of course." She smiled at him, a knowing look in her eyes.

Halfway through dinner and halfway through a conversation with Jess, Will had managed to interlock his pinky with Bran’s under the table. It locked them together, protecting them from all the things that could hurt them the most, apart from the biggest thing of all, each other.