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You could say that Will was always the lamb to the slaughter. Being taken at a young age, constantly being hurt, being possessed… and that’s not even the half of it.
Which is why, when he finally got out, he was happier than he had ever been his whole life.
There was only one thing— or rather, person missing.
Mike Wheeler.
Will thought he had moved on from his old childhood crush, but that never happened. Even when he was dating someone else, Carlton, his thoughts were always on the one who comforted him the most, from the start.
Will’s currently living in New York, attending NYU just like his brother did.
He is in his last year of it, living in a nice and cozy apartment. Most days he would spend out, either doodling comic strips for his intership or at an art class.
He got into a sort-of rhythm, waking up, going to his classes of the day, coming home, drawing, dinner, sleep, repeat.
He was doing this as normal on a sunny day in March 21st the day before his birthday.
It was a normal day, his rhythm flowing, when he finally sat down to draw. He was humming to himself, when all the sudden,
“KNOCK”
He tilts his head, figuring it must have just been a delivery man.
“KNOCK”
He puts his pen down, heading to his door, he looks through the peephole, opening the door fervently.
“Mike?” He whispers, his eyes softening instantly.
In one second, Mike’s hands have wrapped around Will’s, almost crushing him, screaming words of excitement. “Will! Oh I thought I had gotten your dorm wrong, well, clearly not, anyway, how are ya bud?”
Will steps back, stunned. If he was in a cartoon, dazed stars would be above his head.
“Hi, Mike, been a while,” he says, still recovering.
“Happy early birthday!” Mike says with a massive smile on his face.
Mike then drops his bag, digging for something, pulling out a wrapped box. “Open it.”
Will brings it over to his small couch, before carefully unwrapping it.
Mike watches intently, and the second Will gets it open, notices a glimmer jumping to his eyes.
“You.. you got me an art set? With.. with professional pencils, a model.. and.. colors?” He says, a grin spreading across his face.
“Yeah, Will, I guess I did,” he says with a laugh.
“Sorry if I’ve been moving too quickly, I know I just got here, it’s just we haven’t seen each other in so long and I just really needed an escape from work, so I’m really-“
“It’s fine. I’m glad you’re here. I was worried I would have to celebrate my birthday alone again.”
Hours go by, filled with just the sound of them chatting, a sound welcomed by Will’s ears, who has really been lonely all this time.
As the night goes on, though, a sweat builds on Will’s brow. If Mike has no place to go, he will have to stay with him.
Mike doesn’t know Will is still plagued with nightmares, gut-wrenching ones, the ones that tear your insides out then put them back together all in one night.
The talking slowly comes to a stop, their exhaustion getting to them.
“It’s getting late. Do you want me to sleep on the couch or..?” Mike asks softly.
“You can take my bed. I’ll sleep on the couch. It’s no big deal.”
“Nuh-uh. You do NOT deserve couch treatment. I’ll sleep on the couch, you on the bed,” he replies.
They bicker like little kids for a while, before Will eventually gives in.
“Fine. But only for tonight,” he whispers, a soft smile growing on his face.
They both get ready for bed, Will settling on the couch. He probably won’t sleep tonight, too scared for Mike to get worried for him becuase of his night terrors.
Will slowly gets lulled into a soft slumber, against his wishes.
It’s silent for a while, both of the boys being relaxed and at peace.
That is, until, Will wakes up screaming. He shakes and he trembles, screaming, becoming a disgusting mess of tears and snot like he does every night.
He tries to quiet down.. but he just can’t.
He hears shuffling in his bedroom. Mike rushes out, turning on the lights. His eyes search the room before falling on Will.
He rushes over to Will, eyes going all over the place, trying to figure out the problem.
Will doesn’t notice, too lost in his own mind to realize much other than the fact that he can hear himself scream somewhere far away.
Mike begins shaking Will, nervous. “Will? Will? Wake up! You’re okay! Wake up!”
Wills eyes snap open, the nightmare fizzling away like sand against the tide.
“W-What?”
Mikes worried eyes meet Will’s bleary ones.
“You.. must have been having a nightmare.”
“Oh.”
Tears continue running down his cheeks, his crying intensifying.
Mike quickly pulls him into a hug, sudden but not unwelcome. “You’re okay. It’s alright.”
Will basks in his attention, knowing he’ll regret being vulnerable later, but calming down in the meantime.
He let out a shaky exhale. “I’m- i’m so sorry. I..” he mutters into the other boy’s shoulder.
“It’s alright. Have you.. been having these? Nightmares, I mean?” He asks back, concern in his voice.
“I guess..” Will says, nudging out of Mikes grasp to look at him.
“That’s.. that’s not okay. I mean, I know we were all plagued, but it’s not fair.. you should have said something.”
“I’m fine. It.. it’s fine,” Will replied, slightly snippy.
“Do you want me to stay here tonight? Or.. come to my (your) bed?” Mike says, not seeking anything else but comfort for his friend.
“Uh.. no..?” Will asks, but even he realizes how unsure he sounds.
In a quick instant, Mike throws Will over his shoulder, bringing him to his bed with a hearty laugh. “I guess I was right,” he says in a sing-songs voice.
Will laughs, his tears gradually fading away.
Mike laughs, but then realizes, “Er.. do
you want me to- stay here?” His face gets bright red as he says that.
“Don’t go.” Will mutters, his face getting equally as red.
Mike clambers beside him, stiff as a wood board.
They each fall back asleep, their breaths turning into soft snores.
Will opens his eyes, immediately feeling two arms wrapped around him. He gets up with a jump, shrieking slightly.
Mikes eyes open, confused, but his face is one similar to a tomato. “Oh- I- sorry,” he mutters.
A sordid aura fills the room, but Mike fizzles it out with a soft laugh. “Do you have classes today?”
Will nods, beginning to pack his bag. His hand stops as he scoops up the art kit Mike got for him, shoving it in the bag. “Do you have to go
home today..?”
Mike shakes his head. “My flight out is three days from now, I was wondering if.. you could have me until then?” He says, with a cheesy smile.
Will nods softly.
The day goes smoothly, along with the night. The same thing occurs again, Will getting freaked out, but Mike calms him down and gives him the comfort he needs to sleep.
Will is falling back into the place he tried oh-so hard to scramble out of. He’s falling for Mike again. It’s the soft nudges, the gentle smiles.. everything.
The next day, Will softly creaks open the door to his apartment, attempting to surprise Mike.
He hears Mike talking, though. Peculiar.
As he peeks in, he sees Mike swirling his phone cord around his finger, talking to.. someone.
Will sneaks in, eavesdropping.
“Yeah, man, I’ve been staying here and it’s been great, I just.. I haven’t said it yet,” Mike says, biting his lip.
Said what? Will wonders.
The person on the other end must have replied,
Mike letting out a chuckle.
“I don’t think he knows yet. I hope not. That would be embarrassing..”
Will steps out of the apartment, before knocking obnoxiously loud and walking in.
“Hey, Mike!” He says, putting his bag down.
Mike quickly hangs up. “Sorry, I was just calling Dustin.”
Will nods. “I have a late class tonight, my teacher had to postpone.”
Mike stifles out a giggle, planning something.
Will tilts his head, before brushing it off.
Later, Will leaves, coming back almost two hours later.
As Will steps through his door, he hears soft music and a nice dinner, candles filling the room.
Is this a date..?
Mike comes out from kitchen, singing along to whatever song is playing. He sets down two.. steaks.
“Surprise!! I made us dinner. I’ve secretly been taking cooking classes and.. figured it was a good birthday dinner, hm?”
Will blushes, nodding, losing his words.
Mike leans in, realizing how flustered Will is. “What, nobody ever taken ya out on a date?”
Will shakes his head, making Mike chuckle.
The aroma of the steak is sweet but garlic-y, the tender meat filling Will’s mouth as he chews happily. “I’ve never had food this good in.. ever!”
They eat the rest of their dinner quickly, in silence. They don’t have time to talk between bites.
After the dinner, Mike stands up. His cheeks are flushed, as he pulls something out from behind him.
“I.. I made this for you. Will, I.. I didn’t really come here just to see you. I came here because, well, well, because..”
“Because I love you. It took me a long time to realize it, but there’s been a void in my life since I left. Since I left you.”
Will blushed the entire time, not letting Mike finish as he smashed their mouths together, feverishly.
“Mike,”
“Will,”
They pull apart, a goofy smile on Mike’s face.
Will smiles back.
Will realizes something, though. “You have to go.. tomorrow.”
Mike nodded sadly. “Unless..?”
Will nods. “I really, really need another person on rent, and if you’re here, I.. I would be happier than ever. But don’t you have college?”
“I decided to skip a year, focusing on my writing.”
Will laughs happily.
Will and Mike live out their lives, Will becoming an art teacher at NYU and Mike becoming a literature and writing teacher at the same college. They’re extremely happy together, owning a home with 2 dogs and a cat. They still struggle, sometimes, as always, but Will has never been more relaxed in your life.
Their life was troublesome and terrible before, but now.. they’ve made the most of it.
And they’re not coming back.