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Mike always gave Will what he wanted.
So, standing here, on the tower, Mike is left feeling empty of words to give.
''What matters is that you're still here. And you still think we can be friends.''
''Friends?'' Mike could only describe what he was feeling as uneasiness. ''Don't you... I mean, do you still...?'' he trailed off, trying to point between them how normal people would. His hands failed him. There had not been enough time to wrap his head around anything that's happened with... that topic, very recently. If their lives weren't so close to ending very soon, Mike would say he was in shock. Or denial. He could not for the life of his decide what he was feeling since Will had dropped that bomb.
Will looked at him like he was being tortured, hands falling down on his sides heavily.
"I'm so sorry, Mike..." He looked down in shame, tears starting rolling down his face. He looked away, breath coming out quicker now. "I won't ever let this come between us, I promise-"
"Hey, no, Will," Mike was quick to act, cause Will was in agony, Will was crying his heart out right in front of him, for him, and he could not bear that. He grabbed his shoulders and brought him so that he looked him straight in the eyes. "Its okay," he told him with as much calmness as he could manage, because Will looked ready to flee, very reluctantly looking at Mike. "It's okay, please don't cry."
Mike wrapped him in a hug so tight he heard Will's breath get caught, his crying cut in half for a second. He wanted to convey everything he was feeling at that moment. Sorrow, devastation, confusion, some kind of bitterness, anger at himself for not seeing it sooner, for not being there for his friend. For being such a self absorbed idiot he let Will suffer on his own. And relief they were both still here, together in this, too.
Will was grasped tightly on him, holding onto him with all of his strength seemingly, crying harder, face burried on Mike's chest and fists clenched on his clothes. Mike could only hold him back as tight and rub his back. This was a long way coming. He whispered "shhh" in his ear and kissed the top of his head before even thinking about it, his own tears threatening to spill out.
How did this silly boy fall for him? Mike didn't deserve the pure and innocent and crushing love that Will had in him for the things he cared about. He wasn't even there for Will these past few years, and when he was, he hadn't treated him the best. He knew that. And yet... Will was here, still, holding onto him like he hung the sun.
Will lifted his head tentatively from his chest, peering up at Mike with red, teary eyes.
"You're not... mad at me?"
"Mad?" Mike brought his hands to his shoulders again to really look at him and let out an unexpected half laugh. "No!" A small smile started to appear in Will's face and Mike felt like he could start breathing again. "I'm not mad, Will. Maybe I am a little for not telling me sooner, but not for..." He trailed off, unsure of how to name the elephant no longer in the room.
His hands slid down Will's elbows and grasped tightly, looking him dead in the eyes.
"I'm here now, okay? I am here. No more secrets. You can come to me with anything, anything! But you have to talk to me, Will. Okay? We will get through this-" he winced at the words as they left his mouth. Get through this? Through what? Will's romantic feelings for him? Mike needed to shut himself up for now or he would somehow make it worse. He needed to sort things out between them, but this was so not the time.
His hands reached for Will's and they clasped tightly together. "Listen. The only thing I want right now is for us to get out of this thing alive, okay? And then we can talk. Yeah?" Will was nodding frantically, eyes bright with tears and a painfully open (and beautiful) smile. He lunged in for another quick hug, which Mike indulged him in, before they let their shaky breaths bring them back to reality, the reality of the war that lay ahead of them.
*
Will might have lost hope for his love life going the direction he wanted forever, but at least said love would never leave his life now. After all said and done, Mike still very much wanted to be his very best friend, not a single thing having changed between them. If anything, he felt as if the secret barrier had been lifted and they were somehow even closer than before.
Will couldn't quite explain it, this newfound place Mike had taken beside him. It's like all spells had lifted and they could both be their true, genuine selves with each other now, even if the previous burden had only ever been Will's to carry. Mike had explained that he was still very sorry about everything, even if he had nothing to be sorry about, as Will had reassured him.
He explained how he really wanted to be present now, make up for their lost friendship and connection. How he wanted to comfort Will the best he could by staying close this time, physically too, and Will didn't have it in him to explain that crushes don't work like that, because they were both trying to calm down their blushing. Obviously Mike never had a crush that didn't like him back the same way, so he wouldn't get it. And maybe Will felt a little bit selfish to let it happen, too.
After El and Mike had mutually broken up and she disappeared with her sister to God only knows where, Mike really just returned to his old self, confused at first but quickly to fall back into old habits. The party gathered together, played DnD, hang out and studied their asses off.
More often than not Mike would barge in the cabin, shouting his greetings to Hopper and Joyce and make a beeline for his room. He would plop down on his bed like it was his own and gather all his books and homework in front on him, expecting Will to join him without a word. He would lean on Will's shoulder and side to stretch when it had been a while without a break and he would stay there, continuing his studying while Will was on his stomach, quietly getting used to having Mike in this way again.
He would almost start feeling guilty all over again, until he remembered that Mike knew everything now, and this was all his own choice. The warmth he felt inside would erase the guilt pretty quickly.
When not sitting next to each other, sometimes Mike would bump their feet and lock their ankles together under the table, like it was the most natural thing in the world. Will wondered if he did the same with Lucas and Dustin. Wondered if they had really gotten even closer than when they were kids, or if that feeling was because his own feelings for his best friend made everything more intense.
After all, growing up, everything felt more serious and real than when you are a kid. Maybe Mike was missing the physical touch. Was Mike taking advantage of... No, the thought stopped before it even formed. Mike wouldn't do that to Will, not after how hurt and open they both were with Will's confession.
But maybe Mike didn't realise that him being so available made Will ache for him more, instead of his feelings being soothed, like Mike wanted to imagine.
*
It was both surprising and not so much when Mike thought they were going to share a place for college. They were best friends after all, and it made sense to stick together instead of with some random, foreign person.
Will's feelings hadn't budged, though. If anything, they turned into a safe constant he carried with him, because he knew Mike was around for him now, both literally and metaphorically. He knew this was not the brightest idea for himself, not with a whole new world opened full of girls Mike might want to bring home.
Will's heart felt heavy. He would cross that bridge when he got there. He agreed to share a place with Mike.
*
The parties came soon after they moved for college, apparently the need to know people to be invited to stuff was optional. Both boys felt a refreshing sense of joy in not being the outcasts they always were, or all being outcasts together. The vast world of college made you blend in whoever you were and they welcomed the change with open arms.
The music was loud through the speakers that hang everywhere in this place, people drinking out of the infamous red cups and dancing like their lives depended on it.
Mike shoved another drink in Will's hand and dragged him to the mess of jumping youth, keeping close to him as he teased him to dance along to an obnoxious tune, Will laughing and rolling his eyes at his clumsy moves.
"Come on, sorcerer. Do your magic!"
Eventually they were both laughing at each other and moving their bodies together so close they touched more often than not, Mike's curls bobbing in his eyes, his mouth slightly open, arms flailing wildly and Will being mesmerized yet again.
Mike grabbed his red cup, empty by now, and threw both of them on the floor, gripping his forearms to shout the stupid lyrics in his face and starting to spin them in a circle, jumping. Will grabbed his arms in return, the whole world fading but them looking at each other, laughing and screaming the lyrics to the other's face, almost stepping on each other in the way.
The song ended with Mike pulling him by his shoulders in a half hug, both panting and sweating now. He squished his cheek on Will's forehead before releasing him and patting his back. "I love you, man."
"Yeah." Will looked at him from below his lashes and smiled nervously, not daring to say anything back. They had grown very close, but Will had never spoken about his feelings again. He wonders if Mike somehow forgot.
"Come on," Mike grabbed his hand and squeezed them through the crowd towards the drinks stand, both thirstily gulping down a couple of water cups each.
They made their way to the balcony to catch their breaths, alcohol swirling in their system though not unpleasantly. Mike stuck close to him still, both suddenly eyeing the couple that was heavily and very drunkenly making out on a chair to the far end. They looked at each other and dared the other not to laugh, shoving between them until they were against the rail, looking out into the night, at the sprinklers rotating in the grass below them.
"This is nice," Mike said, sighing softly. "I think we really needed this. To feel... Normal again, after everything..."
Will refused to let the tone go south. "Oh, so this isn't about all the cute girls suddenly in existence?"
"Hey!" Mike shoved him playfully. "I think it was you that Barbie girl was looking at, insistently!"
Will laughed bashfully. He never noticed. "It is... Nice. Almost like nothing every happened. Maybe it's Hawkins, you know... I think we needed to get out."
"Yeah..." Mike looked at his hands, then turned his whole body to him with a look Will hadn't seen in a while, as if he wanted to say something important, as if he was about to voice a regret but stopped himself in the last moment. "I'm really glad you're here, Will."
Here as in the party, in college with Mike, in his life as his bestest of friends, or just coming out alive and safe after everything, Will didn't know. He supposed everything can be true at the same time. He gave him a smile regardless, swallowing around the sudden lump in his throat. "Yeah. Yeah, me too. And I am glad you are, too, I mean."
Mike smiled, dare Will say coyly, and wrapped his arm around his shoulders, bringing him into a half hug again. His other hand came to rest on Will's waist, his palm pressing into his skin fully. Mike was extra touchy tonight, it must be the alcohol then. He tried to relax against him, smelling the perfume he himself had gotten him on his tshirt. His insides swirled with the fact.
He felt Mike's hand come up on his cheek, slowly turning his head up so he could look into his eyes, almost searching. The music had of course turned sappy now and suddenly Will felt trapped, too hot, his breath uneven. The hand on his cheek was caressing his skin so gently, Mike's eyes piercing into his, face so close and he thought he might cry. He pulled away, his breath heavy, looking anywhere but at the raven haired boy. "Mike..."
"Right. I'm sorry-" Mike rubbed the back if his neck, a nervous laugh escaping him, spell broken. "Um. So do you wanna go, or should we stay some more?"
"I think you've had enough to drink!" The comment was meant to be joking, but Will truly thought he had to get Mike away from the alcohol before he did anything more confusing or awkward for both of them. Obviously he wasn't being himself in this loose state and Will had to be the responsible adult and get them home for the night.
*
"What are you watching?" Will made his way to the fridge, desperate for some cold orange juice to restore his brain to normal after four hours of studying holed up in his room. It was getting dark. He drank straight from the carton.
"Just this stupid "talent" show, where no one actually has any sort of talent," he rolled his eyes and Will laughed at his exasperation. He sat next to him and let out a long sigh, getting comfortable and ready to turn the world off for the day. "How are your exams going?"
"Ugh. Let's not. I would rather watch voiceless Deborah over here right now than talk about any of that." It earned him a loud laugh from Mike. "Come," he said, patting at his lap for him. Screw it, Will needed the comfort. It wasn't unusual to do this, even though there was nothing "usual" about it. It was one of the things they did from their own little bubble.
Mike more than happily rested his head on Will's thighs, bringing his whole body on the couch and clasping his hands together on his stomach. He closed his eyes and sighed contently when Will's hand went in his hair, stroking it back from his forehead occasionally.
Will actually found the talent show entertaining, laughing at it more than hating it. Mike not paying attention to it as he started drifting off on Will's lap, with one of Will's hands ending up between his own on his stomach, the other alternating between absently stroking his hair and his face.
As the sweet escape of sleep took over him, Mike thought he wouldn't mind soothing his best friend's craving for the rest of his life.
*
The drive back to Hawkins for their Christmas break was filled with chatter and excitement to meet their friends and families again. They alternated between them driving Mike's car, singing out of tune and cracking up at how bad they were.
After stopping by both of their parents' houses and being smothered with hugs and questions about the college life, they finally managed to escape and ride their old bikes to Dustin's house, despite the cold, just for the sake of it. It was the strangest, bittersweet feeling. So much had changed, yet so much had stayed the same.
Dustin and Lucas had already arrived yesterday. They were setting up in Dustin's old bedroom with snacks and drinks when they made their way past Dustin's mum and her compliments of what handsome men they had all become now.
They all jumped in a group hug, shouting like they were still four excited little kids.
"When is Max gonna be here, dude?"
"She is coming tomorrow night! And- Do you guys have any news of..." Lucas looked between Mike and Will, no names needed to be said out loud.
"No, nothing..." Will took it upon himself to take the burden off of Mike, after sparing him a glance. "It's still too soon, maybe... I just hope everything is okay. I- I know it is." Everyone gave their encouraging nods. Anxious, but hopeful.
After discussing the technicalities and struggles of college, naturally the topic strayed to their love lives, Lucas being the only confident in his.
"Spit it out, Henderson. Admit "Suzie Poo" was never your soulmate! She is too smart for your ass-" Lucas screamed as he evaded a pinch to his side from Dustin.
"We are still friends, you idiot! Girl is bright as hell, alright?"
"What about you, Byers? Any... College interests?" Lucas didn't have to say it out loud, everyone got the memo. Lucas was talking about boys.
Will's cheeks turned red so suddenly he felt steam was coming out of his ears. He did not expect the question. "Um-"
"Byers is stuck with me!" Mike chirped next to him as he messily shoved a handful of chips into his mouth. He put an arm around his shoulders. "No foolish college student is getting our boy that easily." He squeezed his shoulder as if to say 'not before I've approved of them'.
Lucas and Dustin glanced at each other, before Lucas returned his stare at Mike with a questioning raised eyebrow.
Will felt something not sitting right with him. Maybe some sort of annoyance, maybe some sort of bitterness that his friends, that Mike, still saw him as something fragile to protect. Is that how Mike saw him? As a child still? Is that why he acted the way he did around Will?
"Actually," Will started strong, "there is someone." He felt Mike's arm lift from his shoulders and his head turning sharply to look at him, all in under two seconds. "In my art history class. He is always trying to sit next to me. I think... He likes me." He peeked at Dustin and Lucas, both sporting teasing smiles, Lucas giving him a thumbs up and a wink. Mike had fallen silent.
Will just felt exposed all of a sudden. Carlton was nothing like that, Will was just polite with him. He hadn't given much thought as to if he really was interested or not. And come to think of it, maybe he was.
But Will still had a very permanent 'Michael' shapped cloud in his head that spread to every corner of it, drowning out every other though that might infiltrate. Mike didn't have to know that. And Mike shouldn't know that.
Will should have moved on by now. But the other boy didn't make it easy at all for him, on the contrary. It's as if he was hellbent on making Will never get over him. He was always there, kind, attentive, present, interested, touching him, seeking out Will's time and attention, his own touch. It was slowly driving Will crazy.
There's no way Mike didn't know what he was doing to him. How he was enabling all of his feelings tenfold. There's no way he was still doing all that to make up for his absence and hurt he had caused Will. No way he was doing all that to "alleviate" his longing for Mike. Who does that? They would have to be crazy themselves.
No way Mike cared about him on that scale that he would purposefully give whatever he could of himself to Will, without actually being with Will, only to make him a little happy.
"So, do you like him back?" Dustin's voice carried in his ears as if he was in another room.
"What?"
"This dude. Do you like him back?!"
"Um. I guess- he's cute, I guess." He lowered his head and picked on his fingers in his lap. He heard Dustin's signature laugh.
"You go, Byers!"
*
After they said their goodbyes to their friends, they each made their own way to their parents.
"So... See you tomorrow?" Mike's voice was soft.
"Yeah, sure."
"Goodnight, Will."
"Goodnight, Mike."
*
The days in Hawkins passed quickly and above all, quietly.
By their fifth day Mike had practically begged Will to stay for dinner at his house and to hang out together afterwards. And then Mike had told him it was too late to return home alone and that it would be safer to just stay there for the night, even though there was nothing dangerous about that place anymore.
It was how Will ended up laying on Mike's bed, wide awake, looking up at the dark ceiling.
"So... You never told me about that guy." Will sighed. He knew he had not heard the end of it.
"What about him?"
Mike shifted next to him, turning on his side and propping his head on his bent elbow to try and look at the other boy in the dark. "Is it... Serious?"
"It's not... Like that. It doesn't matter, Mike."
"Why not? You said he's cute."
"Yeah, but... I don't know. Maybe someday."
"Ok, so... I'm gonna have to share you, then?" Will's eyes widened at the sly but playful tone.
"Mike! Just drop it. Ugh!" Will turned his back to him to end the awkward conversation, glad his flushed cheeks were lost in the dark. It was a low blow for Mike to play like that.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't help it, alright! I like when you get flustered." Mike chuckled quietly on his own, dragging his body closer to Will's. His hand came up to curl on his waist like it was the most natural thing. They stayed like that for some time, Will trying to make his heart and breathing slow down. He regretted not just going home right then and there when he felt Mike's breath, almost behind his ear, mumble sleepily, "And I like having you all to myself."
The morning came with him breathing in all of Mike's scent, blinking awake on his chest, his arms and legs all around him, absolutely sprawled on top of the other boy. Mike's arm stayed tightly around his waist. Will shot out of the bed, heart beating furiously and decided enough was enough.
*
The drive back to the campus was quiet, cherished thoughts of their friends and family already on the back of their minds as college reality was coming to bite their asses.
The weeks pass mostly uneventfully, routine catching up with them quickly. Will is trying to stay focused in his classes, his art, and the last shred of mental stability he has left. He spends most of his time in his room, avoiding Mike as much as he can without it being too obvious.
Mike doesn't seem to get the memo, barging in his room when he needs to rant about something, pacing back and forth while explaining his point with exaggerated gestures and faces. Then he flies on the bed next to where Will is hanging and tries to collect himself after his rant, apologizing if he disrupted his studying.
Will makes himself seem busy at all times, either ignoring Mike's advances to his personal space or pretending to fidget with something. This has gone on for too long and it's only gonna break his own heart. Mike will eventually get a new girlfriend and he will be left alone all over again, moping about his best friend who he now crushes on more than ever.
*
Carlton is nice. He is kind and funny, and just the distraction Will needs to get some space between him and his... Best friend.
They exited the class still chatting animately about their professor who was out if this world, laughing at his ways and Will felt his insides slightly settle in the normalcy. He didn't have many friends, he didn't mind that, but maybe he could start socializing more. College was all about that, right?
That's how he caught himself agreeing to join Carlton in the library later, before he gave himself time to think about it.
"Hey, Will!" Shit. Will turned around like a kid caught red handed. He immediately despised the feeling. "Hey, what's up?" Mike turned to Carlton and looked at him from head to toe. "I'm Mike. Will's roommate."
"Nice to meet you, dude." Carlton had a permanent smile plastered on his face. "Look, I gotta run. See you later, yeah?" Will nodded quickly and Carlton ran off, vanishing from view like lightning.
"Hey, um... Sorry about that? I just wanted to catch you before you left. Do you maybe wanna go check out the new place that's opened up on the hill tonight?"
Will let out a sigh. Be strong... "Sorry, I can't tonight. Maybe another time?"
"Um, yeah, sure! No problem." His voice was higher than usual, his lips pulled into a thin smile. "See you at home, then."
"See you."
Mike was off and Will was not gonna feel guilty about anything he didn't do wrong. He made his way to his next class.
*
When Will made his way inside his apartment that night, the first thing that caught his attention was the smell of warm chocolatey goodness. He took a deep breath and moaned dramatically as he almost ran to discard his coat and make his way to the kitchen.
"What is that I'm smelling?!"
"Hey! I made brownies. They just need to cool down for a bit- Will!"
"Don't care," Will barely spoke around the huge mouthful of still hot brownie. He hissed. He was starving.
"You're an idiot. You're supposed to eat them cold!" Mike chuckled, shaking his head. "They good?"
"Mmhm. Delicious." He licked his fingers and grabbed another.
"I'm happy you like them." Mike duck his head and... Blushed? Will wanted to kiss his face until his lips melted off.
Will poured himself a big glass of cold milk and swallowed half of it down fast enough to shut his brain from thinking stupid thoughts.
They made their way to the sofa with a heaping plate of brownies and their glasses of milk.
"So, how was your day?" The question itself was innocent, but Will wasn't fooled. Mike was about to pry.
"Pretty good. Yours?"
"Same old." Mike was fidgeting. "So, was that... Him?"
"Yes, Mike, that was him." Will couldn't help but roll his eyes and smile behind his brownie.
"Hey! I'm just looking out for you! Stop making fun of me." He poked at his ribs, half smiling.
"We hanged out for a bit. He is nice, I guess. I don't even know for sure if he is... Like me."
"Oh, with the way was looking at you... I think he is."
"You literally saw him for two seconds!"
"It was enough! He was eating you up with his eyes!"
"Mike! He was not! Oh my God, shut up!" Will hid his face with his hands. It was getting increasingly hot.
"What?! I'm just saying what I saw!" Mike stretched out on the couch, one leg going up on Will's lap. "So, will you let him? Eat you up?" He barely finished his sentence and was met with the pillow coming hard on his face, Will shouting at him hysterically.
"Michael!" And "That's none of your business!"
Mike grabbed Will along with the pillow and trapped him in his arms. "So, you won't tell me? Your best friend? What are you so afraid of?" Will was fighting breathlessly as Mike tickled him in all the secret places he knew about. He managed to pin him down on the couch, pillow squeezed between them as he towered over him, catching his own breath from the struggle. Will was stronger than he looked. And he was beautiful, sprawled out like that, cheeks flushed, wide eyes looking up at him.
Mike pulled back after a few seconds of staring between those eyes and those lips, unmoving, running his hand through his hair that got in his face. He sat back down and cleared his throat as Will slowly made his way sitting back next to him.
"You don't have to worry so much about me, you know. There's nothing really worse that can happen to me, that hasn't already happened." They both snort out a half laugh. "I don't like feeling like I need protecting my whole life. It's over, Mike."
"Yes, but... This is your heart." Mike turned towards him and gathered his hands in his own, holding them tightly between them. "I already kind of fucked that up... I don't want it hurting ever again."
Will felt the breath punched out of him, his heart skipping at the words. He didn't have it in his friend to be so... Sappy? Mike could barely look at him. It was ridiculously cute.
"Mike. You can't control that. I appreciate it, I really do. But you don't have to be all over me and look after me all the time... I'm so grateful for that, I am! But it's okay, now." Will tore one of his hands free to stroke down Mike's arm. "There's nothing more you can do ..."
"No, Will, I- I want to. I look after you because I want to! It's not some kind of chore. I care about you a lot!"
"And I care a lot about you, too." He cups his cheek and Mike leans into it immediately. "Which is exactly why we need to... Have some space."
"Space...?"
"Mike. This is not helping me. Whatever this is, that you're doing, that we're doing... Is not helping me. Please. I can't..." He drops his hands in his lap and exhales shakily. "I can't get over you. I can't move on. Not like this." He risks a look at his face with tears burning in his eyes. "I'm so sorry." He looks down again as the tears run free.
"Will..." A hand on his shoulder. "Shit." Mike got up and started pacing. "I didn't- You didn't-"
"I'm sorry, okay? I didn't do it on purpose, I swear! I can't- I can't help it, Mike! And you're always there and- Touching me like that and- I'm sorry!"
Will ran off to his room, face burning. He was ashamed he still felt like this for his best friend, taking advantage of the feeling every time he was close. He basked in it, enjoyed it for as long as it would last, as long as Mike gave it so freely. He was robbed of it for a long time. But it wasn't his to have. He was borrowing it. Mike was gonna give it to someone else soon, someone he would be truly happy with that wasn't his male childhood best friend.
"Will." A soft knock. He didn't need permission. He never did. "Will... Come on."
Will was pacing mindlessly, his arms tight around himself. "Please, don't be mad at me... Please, don't hate me, Mike." Tears were streaming down his face.
Mike closed the distance between them and simply pulled him in a hug. Gentle, comforting. He rubbed his back until the sniffing stopped. "You are so silly, you know that?" He smiled as he caught his teary eyes. "You think you can make me hate you that easily?" Will gave him a small smile back. "Look, I am sorry. I didn't mean to... Confuse you more. Shit. I'm awful at this." He moved Will to be face to face. "I guess... I guess I felt more comfortable with you, in a way, after you... I know it was wrong! But I wanted you to be happy. And I... I guess I don't know how else to be with you. It was always... Different. With you. Us." He gave him his own sideways smile. Will blushed all the way to his ears.
"And that is why... For both of our sakes, we need some distance, Mike. I feel like I am losing my mind, please. I... I want you too much." He dug the heels of his hands in his eyes as he whispered the last part.
Mike swallowed dryly. Why did he feel his world spinning at this simple request? His head dizzy? His whole world collapsing at the thought of being away from Will on purpose? Too many thoughts and feelings came crashing down in this moment of deciding. Walls he didn't even know were up, were shaking at their base, ready to come crashing down any moment now. His hands were shaking with it all.
"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." His voice was tight. He felt the burning wetness prickle at his own eyes, the burn in his throat. Why did this feel like a break up? Mike almost laughed at the ridiculous thought.
He quietly chased Will to the wall, small steps towards him as Will took the steps backwards, subconsciously trying to keep what little distance he could, until his back pressed up against the hard surface.
"And what if I don't want you to?" Mike asked the question quietly, having reached into his personal space, towering over him with his palm on the wall next to his head, his other hand grabbing at the side of his tshirt till he found the small of his waist and pressing there.
"W-what?" Will was a panting mess, his wide green eyes searching Mike's face frantically, almost scared.
"What if I don't want you... To get over me?" Mike lets his face come even closer to the other boy's, his eyes shutting tightly, painfully, at his own words. His hands slipped to Will's back, pulling himself in.
He took in all of their shaking breaths, mixing together, the trembling of Will's body now against his own, the sniffing of runny noses, the paralyzing fear. Mike's eyes flew open with realization hitting him in uncontrollable waves. "All this time... Was I... Was I blind?" He touched their foreheads together as he felt his own tears finally burning on his face.
"Mike... Please... Wh-" Will's words cut off by a gasping shudder, his hands coming up to tightly twist themselves on the front of Mike's tshirt like an anchor.
"Shhh," Mike planted a kiss on his forehead. His face chased Will's own warmth, nuzzling along his cheekbone, feeling dizzy with intoxication from his scent and burning skin. His hands came up to cup his jaw, thumbs working on any tears that fell. "I want- Can I try something? Please..." He looked directly into his eyes, so close to each other, searching, pleading. More tears fell as Will nodded shakily and bit his lip to keep from sobbing.
Mike leaned in to capture a single tear that hovered on his cheek first. He pressed his lips on the hot saltiness, pulling back just slightly to lick it away from his lips. He returned to the corner of Will's mouth, just below the mole he so loved and left the softest of kisses just there.
He felt Will's erratic breathing on his lips when he finally landed on them, feeling his face going pliant in his hands, his whole body tensing up against him. Mike pressed his body firmly against his on the wall, immobilizing him.
He pressed their mouths together gently, whatever little doubt he had flying out the window when Will parted his trembling lips and joined him almost immediately. They held on each other tightly as they kissed, agonizing slow at first, curiously, searching, lighting a fire that only grew stronger and stronger with each brush of their lips and skin together.
Mike pulled back trembling, eyes wide as he looked into the equally shocked ones of the other boy. His one hand was stroking his jaw, his other flew at his waist, gripping tightly, not sure who he was anchoring more with it. He steadied their foreheads together again, closing his eyes at the overwhelming feeling of intimacy that was rushing through him.
"My sweet Will... I did you so wrong," he stroked his hair behind his ear and kissed his flushed cheek again. Will let out a shaky breath, it was probably a laugh that didn't make it.
"I don't understand... Mike. Tell me, tell me what this is, please..." His hands were stroking Mike's arms, his sides, unsure, but so desperate for answers. So hopeful. "Please."
"I was so wrong, Will, so wrong... For so long..." He kissed his temple, his hair, his other cheek, wherever he could reach. He buried his face in his throat and took a deep breath, swaying them a little on their feet. "I never want to leave you again. Ever," he wrapped his hands tightly around him, his face still pressed in the warmth of his throat. "Please, say you will forgive me. Please, Will, I can't do this anymore."
"Maybe... If you kiss me again?"
Mike shot up and they looked at each other half crying, half smiling now. They met for the sweetest kiss of their lives, brushing noses and glimmering eyes.
"Forgive me?"
"I love you too much, Wheeler. There is nothing from you I can't forgive." Will duck his head bashfully, barely holding up by the other boys weight on him.
"God, I love you." Mike attacked his face again, pressing kisses all over. "I did for so long, I didn't even realise, cause it was just so normal!"
"Yeah," Will laughed, looking into the dark, adoring eyes with a chest that felt so heavy and so light at the same time. He run his fingers through the mess of raven hair, "it be like that sometimes."
*
The end.