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The playground was quiet, bathed in the soft glow of the late afternoon sun. Will’s stomach flipped as he waited near the swings.
“…I don’t know if I can say it,” he admitted, voice trembling.
Mike stopped pacing, turning toward him. “…You don’t have to rush,” he said, soft but firm.
Will took a deep breath. “…I like you, Mike. More than a friend. I’ve been trying to ignore it, but I can’t. I… I just had to tell you.”
Mike blinked, then a small, genuine smile spread across his face. “…Will… I like you too. I’ve liked you for months. I didn’t know how to say it. And I didn’t want anyone else to know yet.”
Will’s chest tightened. “…So… we’re on the same page?”
Mike stepped closer, brushing a strand of hair from Will’s forehead. “…Yeah. But we’ll have to be careful. Sneak around. Nobody can know yet.”
Will exhaled, relieved. “…I can do that.”
Mike pressed a gentle kiss to Will’s temple. “…Good. Just… us. Alone.”
Will leaned into him. “…Just us. Alone.”
For a few minutes, the playground was theirs, silent and perfect. They were alone now.
⸻
A few days later, during free period, Will and Mike slipped through the hallways behind the gym. They ducked into an empty classroom to hide, crouching behind a row of shelves.
Suddenly, a familiar voice cut through: “Hey! Mike? Will?”
Will froze. Dustin was standing in the doorway, holding a snack. He couldn’t see them but suspected they were here.
Mike called, “…schoon project!” while Will pressed himself as far back as possible. Dustin frowned for a second but shrugged and wandered off.
Will exhaled shakily. “…That was way too close.”
Mike smirked. “…Worth it.”
They were alone now.
⸻
That evening, dinner was unusually quiet. Karen, Mike’s mom, gave him a long look. “Mike, you seem… distracted. Everything okay?”
Mike’s gaze flicked toward Will, sitting across from him. “…Yeah. School stuff,” he said quickly.
Will brushed his knee against Mike’s under the table. Karen’s eyes lingered, but she let it go.
Later, at Will’s house, Joyce asked casually, “…Spending a lot of time with friends?”
Will nodded. “…Yeah. Just…yeah.” he said.
The tension was there, —they were just careful, hiding their closeness.
⸻
A few days later, during recess, Will and Mike were walking down the hallway when they spotted Robin and Dustin coming toward them.
“Mike! Will! Wait up!” Robin called.
Mike grabbed Will’s hand instinctively. “Run!”
They darted into an empty stairwell, hearts pounding. Holding on to one another’s hand. Mike pulled Will along, trying to stay quiet. When they reached the top floor, they ducked into a small supply closet, pressing themselves against the wall to hide.
Mike wrapped his arms around Will, pressing him gently against the side of the shelf to keep him hidden. “Stay close,” he whispered.
Will shifted slightly—and bumped against Mike’s chest. Both of them lost balance and tumbled onto the floor, tangled together, hearts beating.
Will laughed nervously. “…I think we’re alone now,” he whispered.
Mike held him tighter, chest against chest. “…yeah.. alone now,” he murmured.
They stayed pressed together for a few moments, breathing hard but laughing softly. The world outside the closet faded, leaving just the two of them, alone now. The beating of their hearts was the only sound.