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Preparing for the inevitable, agonizing death, accepting what is about to come, but that death never arrives. Through the fiery haze, past all of the bloodshed, he sees him. The world seems to stop for a moment as the flashing lights highlights his features. He’s done the impossible, and even among the chaos, he looks at him with so much pride and joy because he knew it was possible.
Mike replays the scene, it’s the only thing he can think about; he replays it while bringing Will’s limp body to the car, on the way to The Squawk, and now, as he watches over an unconscious Will. His eyes scan over Will, seeing the scratches and dried blood. Mike remembered that he doesn’t look any better, he hasn’t had the chance to clean himself up, even though it’s had to have been multiple hours with Joyce asleep in a nearby chair. Mike can’t risk leaving Will’s side, he won’t risk it. All he can do is sit with Will and his thoughts.
Mike notices a cut or scratch on Will’s face that’s obscured by hair. Mike can’t help it, he has to check, so he slowly brushes his bangs aside, hand resting on the side of Will’s temple. Now he’s holding Will’s face in his hand, and it feels natural, like this is the way it’s supposed to be.
As he’s examining the wound, Will shifts a little. Mike immediately removes his hand, but still remains close. He sits with anticipation, adjusting himself so he’s right in front of him. Will’s brows furrow a bit before his eyes flutter open, but not completely.
“Will! Will!” Mike’s voice is hushed but still has a sense of urgency. He begins to gently shake his shoulder to ensure Will stays awake.
Will only replies with incoherent mumbling as he shifts and tries to push himself up into a sitting position. When able, Mike immediately grabs Will’s other shoulder to help him up.
“Here, uh, let me get you a bottle of water,” Mike stumbles over both his words and himself as he gets up and books it to find some water.
Mike returns with a bottle of water, “Here,” he says breathlessly before he flops onto the couch beside Will.
“Thanks,” Will replies, there’s a beat of silence before he starts again, “How long was I out?”
“I think it’s been a few hours.”
Will’s eyes widen as he turns his head to face Mike, “That long!?”
“I mean what did you expect?” The playfulness in Mike’s voice returns.
“I figured it hasn’t been that long because you still look like a mess,” Will teases back.
“Hey!” He can’t stop himself from laughing, “Excuse me for staying to watch over you to make sure you’re okay!” They both heat up a little, a simple phrase of endearment shouldn’t have that effect, but it does.
Will suddenly pushes himself up off of the couch and Mike can’t help but feel a little disappointed. Mike’s disappointment doesn’t last long, “Aren’t you coming?”
Mike’s confused, “Where?”
Will lets out a laugh, “To get cleaned up, your cut looks like it should be cleaned too,” and Mike immediately scrambles off the couch.
They find a wash rag and a sink after a bit of searching. Mike lets water soak into the rag under the faucet.
Will holds out his hand, waiting for the rag, “My face isn’t that bad, I can do it myself,” Will smiles.
Mike hands over the rag, then heaves himself up onto the counter, and stares ahead. He realized that his first intention was in fact to help Will. Now that left to his thoughts, his mind drifts back to a few hours ago. He replays the scene again, this time noting his own reaction. His heart was already pounding in the face of death, but seeing Will somehow sent it racing rapidly.
Mike’s thoughts are interrupted by the running water from the sink, he sees Will walking up to him with the rag in his hand. Will stops in front of him and begins, “I’m gonna need for you to sit on a chair so I can see your cut better.”
Mike can feel the heat rising within him, he tries to ignore that. Moving on, “I can clean my own face,” Mike points this out but immediately regrets it, he could’ve had Will cupping his face.
“I don’t trust you to do it yourself properly,” the comment was kind of mean, but Mike’s just relieved that Will’s still going to help him.
Mike dramatically scoffs in response as he pushes himself off the counter — struggling to hide how giddy he actually is. He eagerly grabs a nearby chair and adjusts it so it sits in front of where Will is leaning against the counter, he sits down expectantly.
He doesn’t miss how Will hesitates first before tilting Mike’s head up a little to face him. Mike shudders a bit under Will’s cold touch, he hopes Will doesn’t notice that, or notice the warmth radiating from Mike’s skin. Mike can barely feel the sting of the rag against his cut because all he can focus on is Will’s hand holding him. He knows he’s staring, but he doesn’t have time to care, just time to admire. He can tell Will knows too by the way his mouth twitches up, turning into a small smile.
Then, Mike feels the cold of the wet rag and Will leave. Mike snaps back into reality and sees Will turn back around with a bandaid. Oh, right, the cut.
Just like that, Will’s hands are back in place as his thumb holds one end of the bandaid against his cheekbone, and the other is placing down the other end. Will keeps his left hand on Mike’s cheek as he brushes his hair out of his eyes with his right. His hand lingers for a second before it’s eventually cupping Mike’s other cheek, and he leans slightly closer. They stay like this for what feels like forever, Mike’s sitting with anticipation. He can’t even tell if he’s breathing or not when Will’s face is inches from his.
Because Mike Wheeler can’t help himself, he glances down at Will’s lips. Before he can go back to maintaining eye contact, he feels those same lips against his. And wow, Will is soft and gentle, and Mike doesn’t know how that’s possible because just hours ago, Will had killed a monster, with no hesitation, to save his life.
it stops just as quickly as it started, he opens his eyes to see Will backing up, he looks scared. Now he’s rambling about some nonsense about how he’s sorry or something. Mike couldn’t care less about an apology, Will doesn’t have anything he needs to apologize for. He stands up out of his chair to be level with Will.
Will’s still rambling when Mike moves his hands to hold Will’s face, and he pulls him in again. The kiss is more desperate this time, because they could’ve had this a while ago, Mike could’ve had Will this entire time. Will’s hands find Mike’s upper arms and holds him firmly. Mike’s hands find the back of Will’s head and neck, running his fingers through Will’s hair. Their lips fit together like a puzzle piece, and it feels natural.
They’re still entangled together when they break the kiss, Mike’s arms rest on Will’s shoulders and Will holds them there. Mike feels like he’s in a dream, but he doesn’t dare ending this moment just so he can pinch himself. They stay like this for a while, just staring at each other, trying to catch their breath.
“what’s with the big cheesy smile?” Will chuckles and can’t stop himself from mirroring Mike’s grin.
“Am I smiling?” Mike’s genuine surprise brings them both to a fit of laughter.
Will interrupts the laughter, “As much as I want to continue this, I think we should actually wash up, and find some clean clothes,” it’s then that Mike remembers his current situation outside of just Will.
“Oh, yeah,” Mike rests his head on one of Will’s shoulders and hides his face, “I kind of completely forgot about that.”
“God, you’re such a dork,” Will lets out another chuckle.
The two begin walking, and as they do so, Will intertwines his fingers with Mike’s. He gives Will’s hand a light squeeze and continues walking, and they’re both grinning ear to ear.