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Carefully climbing the last steps, Will finally reaches the first resting point. He goes to stand next to Mike on the railing, making sure not to stand too close. They haven’t really spoken since his confession at the squawk.
“Here.”,Mike holds out the water bottle.
“Thanks.”, Will replies, ignoring the way Mike watches him take a sip. He hands him back the water bottle and the two of them face forward. For a moment they simply take in the haunting scenery. Or at least Will tries to. All Will can think about is Mike. Countless thoughts race through his head. Does he know? Should I say something? Fuck, what if he’s disgus-
“Hey, Will?”, Mike asks tentatively, interrupting his hurricane of thoughts. Will turns to face him, not quite meeting his eyes.
Before Will can say anything, Mike continues:”About what you said at the squawk earlier, I’m sorry. Not sorry for what you said. That came out wrong or not came out wrong! Just- “
Will starts chuckling, interrupting Mike's panicked rambling. “Jesus Christ.”, Mike groans embarrassed, burying his face in his hands.
“It’s okay “, Will laughs, gently putting a hand on Mike's shoulder. “No, it’s not Will.”, Mike says seriously, standing up straight. Startled by his tone, Will drops his hand from Mike's shoulder, again refusing to meet Mike's eyes. Will starts panicking, his hurricane of thoughts starting up again. Shit shit shit, I shouldn't have put my hand on-
A warm touch on his shoulder silences his thoughts. A hand. Mike's hand, Will realises. He looks up, finally meeting Mike's eyes. “ I- I’m sorry for not being there for you, for being so dense. All this time, you were hurting and I was to- too self-absorbed to even notice. I should’ve known better. I really am sorry Will.”, Mike apologies earnestly. And in his eyes Will can see, he really does mean every word.
Will smiles softly: “Mike, it’s okay. You don’t have to be sorry, it’s all in the past now. What matters is that you’re here now.”
“Y-yeah, um..”, Mike stumbles struggling to find the right words. His mouth opened and closed a couple of times. Like a fish, Will’s mind supplies. Mike apparently gives up trying to express himself with words and instead decides to pull Will into a tight hug. The hug conveying everything Mike was trying to say.
“Uh, I can’t really breath Mike.”, Will laughs strained, patting Mike awkwardly on the back.
“Oh yeah sorry. “, Mike apologises, gently pulling away from Will. He goes to face the railing again, fidgeting with his sleeve. Will does the same, about to start overthinking the hug, before he can, Mike turns to him.
“Hey, Will, can I ask you something?”, he asks hesitantly
“Yeah, sure anything”
“Earlier you mentioned someone named Tammy. Who is he? Do I know him? Or did you meet him in Lenora?”
“Oh”, Will laughs relieved, “No Mike, Tammy’s a girl.”
“What?”, Mike asks dumbly, “but I thought you dont like-“
“I don’t, but a friend of mine, she used to have a crush on her classmate Tammy . Thing is though, is that Tammy didn’t like her back, she’s straight. But regardless it helped her realise who she is and come to terms with herself. And eventually she was able to move on. So for me , Tammy is more of a metaphor. ”
“Oh ok”, Mike replies. Carefully picking his next words, he continues slowly : “ So, what you’re saying is that, uh, you had a crush on a guy and it helped you realise who you are? And you didn’t think he liked you back, so you moved on?”
“Uh yeah basically, except I know for sure he doesn’t like me. The fact that he has a girlfriend made it pretty clear.”, Will replies, refusing to meet Mike’s eyes.
“Oh”, Mike says.
A tense silence fills the space between them. After what felt like eons Will hears Mike whisper to himself:
“Oh”
“Oh”
Will’s heart stops. His palms are sweaty, the voices in his head getting loud. He’s looking away, trying to put some distance between himself and Mike without actually moving.
“Will”, Mike whisper softly
“Mike, please don’t.”, he begs
“Hey, Will look at me.”, Mike says gently. He grabs Will by the hands and pulls him towards himself, making Will face him.
Will looks down, eyes filling with tears of shame and fear.
“Up here, Will.”, Mike says with a small smile, gently cupping Will’s face, tilting his face up. Their eyes meet.
“I’m your Tammy, aren’t I?”
Will nods, unable to say anything.
“I don't want to be your Tammy, Will. “
“I’m sorry Mike, I didn’t mean to.” Will apologizes, closing his eyes, tears streaming down his face. He tries to loosen Mike's grip on his face.
“Will, look at me please.” Mike asks, wiping Will’s tears with his thumb.
Finally Will opens his eyes again, his gaze meeting Mike’s. Mike’s eyes are also glistening with tears.
“Will, I don’t want to be your Tammy, I want to be your Mike.”
“What are you saying?”, Will asks, unsure if Mike means what he thinks he means.
“I’m saying this.”
Before Will can say anything, Mike leans down, gently pressing his lips to Will’s.
Will freezes.
Mike quickly pulls away, face full of regret. “Shit, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. I mean you just- and the world is about to end, I mean fuck if it’s ending, why shouldn’t I kiss you but I should’ve asked be- mmph”
Will grabs Mike by the collar, smashing his lips against Mike’s. At first Mike’s hesitant, slightly discouraged by Will’s initial reaction. But that icy hesitancy quickly melted away to burning passion.
Mike maneuvers Will, so that the other boy's back presses against the railing.
Will reaches up, tangling his hands in Mike’s hair, trying to pull him closer.
Mike breaks apart the kiss, instead moving his lips slowly against Will's jaw, leaving a trail of kisses towards his neck. His lips stopping on that one sensitive spot where the jaw meets the neck, sucking and biting, with kisses in between to cool the sting.
“Oi you two, what’s taking so long?”,Steve shouts from above.
Will quickly pushes Mike off of him.
“Shit.”, he whispers
“Nothing, just taking a short break!”,Mike answers back, trying (and failing) to sound normal.
“Shit, Mike I think you left a mark.”, Will complains, while trying to fix his hair and cover his neck with his jacket.
“You’re cute.”, Mike laughs before pressing a quick kiss to Will’s lips.
“Come on.”, Mike says, grabbing Will’s hand and tugging him towards the ladder.
…………….
“Hey, Will, what’s that on your neck?”