Chapter Text
October 2025, Indiana University
“It’ll be fun, I promise. Maybe we’ll even see some old friends, you never really know at these parties.”
Carlton looks up and down at Will with a pleading smile. He doesn’t wanna go to this. If anything, he’d rather die than go to another one of Carlton’s fraternity ‘funcs’, as he calls them.
“You know I hate parties. Never been my thing.” Will says.
“But this one’s actually gonna be fun. We’re pairing with AEPHI tonight so everyone’s going to be there. This is like, a once in a lifetime opportunity. Who knows, maybe you’ll even see some of your high school friends?”
Will’s high school friends. By that, he means Mike Wheeler. The Mike Wheeler he was in love with for 6 years. The Mike Wheeler who ghosted him after being his best friend since kindergarten just because he’s gay.
Will never told Carlton he was in love with Mike. He brushed him off as his childhood best friend who grew apart from him. Because now, Mike means nothing to him.
“I don’t know, I mean, I guess it’d be fun to see some old friends, but I’m just worried it’s not my type of scene.” Will tells Carlton, who has a slight smile on his face.
“Will, I want you there. You’re my boyfriend. It’d mean the world to me that you’re there. If all of my friends can show off their girlfriends to everyone, I wanna be able to show off my boyfriend as well.” Carlton pleads.
“Fineeee. But only because I love you.” Will tells Carlton, perking up a little. “I really couldn’t have asked for a better boyfriend, could I.”
Carlton pulls Will in for a kiss, and Will’s heart pounds. He always imagined it would be Mike he’d be kissing. However, Mike doesn’t matter anymore. Mike wouldn’t do half the stuff Carlton does for him.
Carlton pulls away first. “I’m so glad I went to The Bluebird that night. My life started the day I met you, Will.”
Will’s eyes light up. He remembers the night clearly. Will’s welcome week friends begged him to go to The Bluebird bar with them to test out their fake IDs, and as much as he didn’t want to go, something inside him told him he needed to go.
In line, Will thought he saw Mike. His same fluffy black curls, the same height, the same jawline, everything. Will locked eyes with him, and he looked back. After 3 times, Carlton came up to Will, told him he thought he was cute, and the rest is history.
“Mine started too. It really did.” Will says with a soft smile.
“Love you Will, I’ll see you tonight!” Carlton says with a smile.
“Love you more, do you need me to show you the way out?” Will says, shooting a smile back.
“You know I’m bad with directions, give me another tour.” Carlton laughs.
Will’s been through so much in his life, but Carlton erased all his anxieties. Carlton makes him feel like the best possible version of himself. So of course he’ll go to his frats’ dumb party. What’s the worst that could happen?