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Late day sunlight crept in slowly through Will's apartment window to leave the long, golden stripes across his small, neat living room. He'd only just finished putting away the mess of having made himself a cup of coffee on the countertop when he heard an abrupt knock at the door. Brow furrowing, he glanced at the clock—5:03 PM. People didn't drop by here. People he knew even less so.
"Leo?" he called out uncertainly, already knowing he hadn't arranged to meet anyone. “Sup,” Leo’s voice called back from the threshold, grinning like he’d been caught doing something mischievous. He was holding a skateboard under one arm, and the other hand was stuffed casually in his pocket. His hair was that slightly messy, sun-kissed mess that somehow looked effortless even in the fading light.
Will blinked, visibly confused. “You… you’re here?” "Yeah, figured I'd swing by," Leo said, walking in without so much as an invitation. "Don't worry, I have no ulterior motive… at least, not yet." He chuckled at his own joke, then tilted his head."Well… maybe one." Will's brow lifted, suspicious but amused. "Which one?" Leo shrugged against the doorframe. His phone buzzed and he scowled, loudly complaining and annoyed as he scrolled through it, lips pursed and an eyebrow raised.
Will frowned, unsure whether or not to inquire. He didn't. It wasn't like Leo would tell him anyway, and Leo's face said it all. After a couple of moments of the silence, Will stirred his mug in little circles. "So… why are you here?" he finally asked, his curiosity breaking through his reserve. Leo moved forward and spoke quietly, as though imparting a secret.
"I was thinking… perhaps you could come over to my place. Catch up a bit." Will bristled. "Uh… I don't know. I have… things to do here. "Things can wait," Leo replied suavely. "Trust me." "I don't know…" Will's voice trailed off. There was that old tug in his chest—half curiosity, half caution. Leo's smile didn't falter, though. If anything, it expanded. "You'll never know unless you come. It'll be fun. Promise," Leo said, eyes sparkling in a way that undermined Will's resolve. Will sighed theatrically, then agreed.
"Fine. But don't say this is a mistake." Leo's smile turned smug. "No mistakes, only surprises." The drive was muted, that usual whir of city streets, punctuated occasionally by the snort or growled irritation as Leo tapped at his phone. Will kept a steady eye on the road before them, as if not noticing the comically indignant face Leo pulled a half-fury, half-madness, wholly side-splitting. He remained silent, preferring to let Leo fume in private over his own theatrics.
When they reached Leo's building, the moment Leo emerged from the car, he caught hold of Will's wrist with an unexpected degree of force and started to pull him toward the stairs. Will tugged gingerly at first, attempting to move away. "Leo, wait—" “Nope. Come on, come on," Leo said softly but with a persistence, dragging Will up the stairs with a virtually childlike excitement. It had a muffled undertone, however, he wasn't shouting, but his excitement coiled Will's stomach.
He sighed softly, letting Leo pull him along. At the door to the apartment, Leo paused, glanced at Will, and smiled nervously. "Ready?" Will gave a small nod, and Leo pushed the door open. The very first thing Will saw was the color, a softer purple LED lights filled the room, bathing all in an almost otherworldly light. The apartment was spotless in that utterly impossible way that Leo's place always seemed to be, but strewn about the room were unmistakable signs of celebration: streamers, balloons, and a large banner reading CONGRATULATIONS, WILL!
They were all standing around, some who he didn't recognize, but soon his eyes adapted. Bianca sat on the couch arm, laughing with someone. Nico and Jason huddled together over a video game, their competitive atmosphere palpable. Piper had one leg propped against the couch back, laughing at something Jason said. And in the bathroom, Calypso was putting on light makeup, staring into the mirror with meticulous intensity. Will's mouth was dry.
"Leo." he panted, his tone filled with disbelief. "All for you," Leo breathed, creeping up alongside him. "You passed your exams, you've worked so hard. I just thought it was worth celebrating. So. here we are.". Will longed to grab him straight away, hug him tight and never let go. He could sense the heat emanating off him, the quiet, naughty pride in his smile. But before he could, a quick movement made him pause.
A woman, obviously familiar from somewhere, by Leo's half-exasperated response, stuffed a fork full of tomato sauce into Leo's mouth. "You could've killed me, Ma!" Leo complained, swallowing quickly. "Leo, you should start eating proper food. I'm preparing the sauce for spaghetti," instructed the woman with a smile.
Turning to Will, she added, "Hello, Will! I hadn't seen you since New Years! You're going to be a very good doctor." Will smiled, his face flushing right down to the base of his neck. "Thank you," he whispered, meaning it. The evening lingered lazily, filled with laughter, small conversation, and the clinking of glasses. Will found himself having drinks in sporadic places, something he never did. Generally, he was the one fulfilling the role of responsibility, caretaker to the group when they became too rowdy. But on this evening, apparently, he didn't care. When he downed his fifth shot, he felt odd with equilibrium, not drunk, not dizzy, just. comfortably unburdened.
He made his way to Leo's room finally, the commotion of the party blocked out by the closed door. Falling onto the bed, he groaned theatrically, laying a hand on his brow. Gods, this headache, he panted, bending into himself. A stir in the hallway drew his bleary eyes. He blinked, attempting to see. And Leo. Leo’s presence filled the room, and without thinking, Will shifted slightly, leaning into him. Leo sat next to him, then gently lay down, grinning. “Looks like you’re enjoying your party,” he said casually, though his eyes held amusement.
Will groaned again, words spilling out in a rush he couldn't contain, crazy, stupid, funny secrets he couldn't help but share. He shifted up a little, shoulders rubbing against Leo's, and Leo did the same, staying close. One of Leo's hands came to rest on Will's wrist, holding him grounded in the moment. Their legs touched. Will's heart thudded in his chest. Gods… what have I done to deserve him.
Before Leo could utter a word, Will acted on impulse, placing a light hand on the shoulder of Leo. Leo looked down, the smirk forming, prepared to return it, but then Will leaned forward, leaving a soft, gentle kiss on Leo’s lips. Will’s hand still rested on Leo’s shoulder, even as Leo pulled away with a sharp motion, almost as if startled. The flush in Leo’s cheeks betrayed him, despite the feigned irritation. “Uh—You’re drunk, Solace,” Leo said quickly, voice tight, trying to reclaim some composure, but the flush on his face betrayed his words. Leo’s eyes darted around the room, looking anywhere but Will’s eyes.
Will didn’t answer. He couldn’t. Everything in his head was tangled in the moment: how much he loved Leo, how his heart was impossibly light and impossibly heavy at the same time, everything he wanted to do with him, and the endless wonder at how he'd ever gotten so lucky to deserve such a person. Leo had been his best friend for so long, and he had just maybe ruined it. Will's brain was too tired to think about the outcome too much, his heart was pounding too intensely.
Slowly, cautiously, Will shifted and pulled Leo into a hug, soft enough to give him the space to push away if he wanted, but Leo didn't. Instead, they simply laid there, the muted hum of music from the living room taking up the silent space between them. Will's lips brushed against Leo's cheek in a gentle, almost shy touch, a quiet statement that said more than any words.
Leo stiffened, jerking his face away, but the embrace continued, uninterrupted. After a moment, Leo turned back to Will, and this time he didn't pull away. Will's face nuzzled into the hollow of Leo's neck, hair rasping gently against the edge of Leo's chin. He could scent the heat rising from him, the soft hum under his jaw. Leo's swallow was audible. Will's gaze lifted to Leo's. They suspended there, heartbeats synchronizing in the quiet room, until Leo's mouth finally brushed his.
The first kiss was tentative, uncertain, testing boundaries, each second deliberate. Will made sure to allow Leo every chance to retreat. Leo's kiss deepened gradually, grew just a bit more insistent, but never demanding, never taking without permission. The ardor grew, but always with space to retract, a silent trust building between them. Their bodies naturally realigned themselves, attempting to be nearer. Will moved slightly, and Leo slid beneath him. Leo's hands found the hem of Will's sweater, cool against his skin, lightly resting on his ribs. Will's stomach fluttered and warmed under the touch, heart racing.
The kiss deepened more in that same moment. Leo's hands wandered lower, coming to rest on Will's waist now, the motion deliberate, seeking. Will's legs tangling with Leo's made him blush, belly tightening nicely beneath the touch. One hand was soft on Leo's cheek, fingertips playing lightly over the skin, tracing lines with gentle interest. They quieted for a moment, inhaling the closeness. Will's breath was slow, serene, controlled, while Leo's was faster, jagged, edged with the intensity of his emotions.
Will moved, raising his other hand alongside Leo's head for balance, moving slowly from cheek to soft curls, fingers catching in his hair. Gosh… he's so amazing, Will thought, feeling the flush rise to his ears, heart pounding to explode out of his chest. And then, unavoidably, they shifted again, and were brought completely together, hands and lips exploring the cautious, dizzying new closeness. Will's careful restraint balanced Leo's barely-contained passion.
Every motion was unhurried, deliberate, a cautious ballet of permission and trust. Their lips met again on Leo's bed, this time fully, no hesitation, no waiting. Each kiss carried the heft of weeks of unspoken feelings, the comfort of friendship stretched taut into something entirely new, and the thrill of something forbidden and thrilling all at once.
They moved together as if they'd been practicing this dance their entire lives. Tender, passionate, patient, explosive in its own subdued manner. Time outside that room ceased to exist. Nothing else was important except the heat, the closeness, the pounding of hearts and breaths, the tangling of limbs and slow, deliberate hands. The kiss deepened and continued, each moment filled with meaning. Will’s mind seemed cleared up again. Well, barely. But definitely awake enough to quickly process and question, “I just kissed my best friend” and “I wonder how long he’s been feeling this way too.”