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It wasn't supposed to happen for another week. Usually, it's regular and predictable.
But hell, sometimes you can't see it coming.
Will didn't notice the signs until it was too late. Feeling warmer, needing affection and closeness more often, his senses heightened and alert.
There hadn't exactly been a preheat, so there was no certain way to tell. Will is used to his body telling him exactly what he needs, but he hadn't had this happen in a while.
So when his heat arrived full-force, he felt like he was thrown in a bathtub full of ice. Except the tub was on fire. And the water was burning.
It's not unexpected for heats to be unpredictable in adolescence, but Will's have been normal for a while.
And now, he's a mess in the corner of the basement, blankets and pillows and a few of Mike's clothes, all arranged carefully on the floor. And Will is in the middle of them, trying to calm his breathing.
He doesn't bother to clean his nest up whenever his heats are over, so Mike also doesn't always know when Will is going to just burrow there and barely come out. But he does notice.
And Will hears a knock at the basement door. Which is weird, because it's the basement. But he answers anyway.
"Yeah?"
"Will? Can I come in?" Mike's voice comes out muffled.
"Yeah, of course," Will sets his head back down on the soft fabric and waits.
The door opens slowly, and Will only sees the upper half of Mike's face as he peeks around the corner. Then, he finally enters fully and walks a little closer.
"Hey," Mike says, gently. His ears are slightly lowered, but not tense. Just soft.
"Hey," Will says from the blankets.
"I noticed you've been staying in here longer. Everything okay?" Mike's eyebrows pinch together.
"Um," Will stammers. "Not really."
"Oh. What's wrong? Are you hurting?" Mike sits down on the floor, a few feet away from the nest.
"Not right now, no," he reassures. "It's just..." His hands worry at the edge of the blanket, and he eventually trails off.
"Hey, talk to me," Mike's expression is soft and careful.
"It's stupid. It just came out of nowhere, without even getting into preheat." Will says, annoyed, and turns onto his back. His voice comes out quieter. "It wasn't supposed to come for another week."
"Oh." Realization seems to dawn onto Mike, because he relaxes and his shoulders lower significantly.
"Yeah."
"Well, I thought I was imagining it," Mike admits, and it makes Will turn his head toward him.
"What do you mean?" He asks, confused.
"I mean, your scent started changing. And you were staying closer, but didn't start nesting early like usual, when you're going into preheat. So I thought it was just me," Mike rambles with a shrug.
Will's brows furrow a little. He looks at the ceiling. "Yeah, that makes sense. I'm just not exactly used to it being like this."
"Yeah, it's usually regulated, isn't it?"
Will hums in agreement. Mike thinks for a moment.
"Well, it's not something bad."
"Huh?" Will glances at him.
"I mean, it's normal for it not to be on schedule sometimes, right? And it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you."
"I know, it's just a bit frustrating," Will sighs.
"I know," Mike whispers. "But it's okay."
Will takes a deep breath, trying to control the way he can feel Mike's scent more intensely, and the need coiling in his body.
"Do you need some space?" Mike asks gently.
Will looks at his own hands, resting on his stomach and fidgeting with themselves.
"Yeah, I think so."
"Okay. Need me to bring you anything?"
"Uhm," Will thinks. "Not right now. Thank you, though." He returns Mike's gaze, a bit more calm.
Mike gives him a soft smile. "No problem."
Will returns the gesture, and Mike shifts a bit closer just to press a gentle kiss to Will's forehead. Then, he simply stands up and leaves with a quiet goodbye, shutting the door slowly behind him.
And Will realizes, in the silence, that he feels a little lighter.
Mike knows him. Mike knows how scary heats can be for him, and he knows when Will needs space, and he doesn't make a problem or a big deal out of it all. He doesn't make it even worse than Will already feels it.
And Will cannot be any more grateful for that. For the boy he grew up with, now loving him completely and softly, with the most care Will has ever witnessed in a person. Because Mike isn't controlling, and he isn't overprotective. He knows Will is completely capable of anything, even as a bunny. He just still chooses to treat Will with as much care as he can muster.
What's frustrating is Will's body trying to get even more affection and touch, every time he's in heat. They're sixteen, still healing from all of the trauma, still navigating their love as it is, in a homophobic town.
But then Will notices how much he wants Mike close, closer than ever, how he craves a feeling of intimacy more than they already have, how he craves to be touched and loved in every way.
And sometimes, he catches himself wanting it, and stops himself. Because he already has so much more than he could ever ask for. Needing more somehow feels like he's just selfish and greedy. Like he's already taking more than he deserves.
Mike doesn't see it that way. At least, that's as much as Will believes.
But the boundary sits between them, communicated and firm.
No going further. Not until we're both on the same page, and a bit more healed from everything.
Which Will still stands by, stubbornly. Because he is not, in fact, healed from everything. Vecna might've fucked everyone up a bit, but it destroyed Will, and it killed a part of him for good. Years on end, ever since he was twelve, they've fought, and fought, and survived. And now that it's finally over, they have to deal with the emotional consequences of it all.
Like not being able to sleep, for Mike. Like not being able to eat, for Will. Like not knowing if you want something or just consider that you should do it, for both of them.
Physical intimacy is a big thing for both of them. For Will, it's vulnerability of every kind, and for Mike, it's the terrifying ordeal of accepting love given to his body.
They've discussed it before, when their relationship had just bloomed. Up until then, Will handled his heats on his own, with the overwhelming need for Mike to at least love him the same way. He used to cry so much, and had to lie that it was because of any cramps he may have had. And now that they're in a relationship, it feels like Will needs even more, despite already having more than he deserves.
The whole situation of it all is overwhelming. So much so that Will only realizes he's crying when a tear rolls down his temple and into his hair.
Heats also have this thing where they make him want the floor to swallow him whole and keep him safe from it all, or maybe kill him.
A small sob escapes him, and he turns on his side to bury his face in the blanket as he cries quietly. The way he learned when he was a little kid, and never unlearned.
*•●•☆•●•*
A while later, when the tears have finally ended and the sobs have burned out, Will simply lies in his nest, covered with a blanket, staring at the ceiling.
His thoughts have run in circles and hit dead ends and smothered him carelessly, but now it's quiet.
Quiet enough to feel blank. Quiet enough to hear the footsteps upstairs, and quiet enough to hear the house settling, and the wind blowing.
And in the middle of it all, Will feels incredibly alone. Logically, he knows he isn't. Not physically, and not emotionally either. But heats leave him isolated and undisturbed, alone with his own thoughts.
Before he can feel even worse, a knock on the door startles him, and a familiar voice on the other side.
"Will?"
"Come in," Will says, after clearing his throat.
The knob gets turned and the door opens, and Will sees Mike come in with a bag of snacks and a comic book in his other hand. His ears are perked and his tail is wagging happily behind him.
"Hey," Mike says with a bright smile. Will can't help but smile back. "Can I come closer?"
Will thinks for a moment.
"Yeah, actually. Come in here," he invites Mike, and scoots over to make room.
Mike immediately moves to set the bag and comic book down just outside of Will's nest, in reach. Then, he lays down next to Will, careful to leave a little space between them that Will can close at any moment. Which is exactly what Will does the moment Mike settles onto the blankets.
Mike wraps an arm around him, and Will quickly relaxes in his embrace, surrounded by his warmth and scent. He feels Mike press a firm kiss to his hair, tucking Will's head under his chin.
Instantly, Will starts rubbing his face against Mike's neck. Not gently. He hears a laugh bubble in Mike's chest, and feels his arms tightening around him.
"Are you scenting me?" Mike giggles.
"Mhm," Will hums, not interrupting his action.
Mike's tail makes a thumping sound as it wags against the floor.
"Okay, okay, wait," he says through a laugh, slightly nudging Will to face him.
Will immediately stops, trying to detect any discomfort in Mike's smell.
"You don't want it?" He asks softly, leaving Mike's neck.
"No, no, it's not that," Mike smooths his hair back softly. "But do you need it?"
Need?
"Need what?"
"Need me to scent you. Does it help?"
Will's cheeks flush slightly in embarrassment. His eyes widen for a second at the realization that he does, in fact, need Mike to do that. And at the realization that they don't exactly scent each other that often.
The only times they do it is when they're especially close and comfortable, safe and full of love. There are rare moments like that, where they only hold each other quietly and mutually scent each other.
Will always finds himself purring in those moments, despite being a bunny. Those are the moments he feels loved the most.
He buries his face right back in Mike's chest.
"Hey, hey," Mike coos, stroking Will's hair gently, though the wide grin on his face is audible. One of Will's floppy ears twitch at the sensation of the hand moving slowly through his hair. "It's okay. I love doing it."
Will hums, embarrassed. Then, he adds a small nod against Mike's shirt. It's nice and warm there.
In his turn, Mike gives another kiss to the top of Will's head, and shifts away from him a bit.
"Come here," he whispers, making them face each other, before he wraps both arms around Will and shoves his face in his neck. Then, he basically does the same rubbing Will did to him, except against his neck, right at his scent glands.
It's a dangerous act, and Will knows it. He can tell by the warmth blooming low in his stomach and the pressing of his legs, but he wills his body to calm down. They don't usually scent each other during Will's heat or Mike's rut exactly because of this.
Mike continues to gently rub his face in Will's neck, holding him close, and his tail keeps wagging behind him. His ears are completely flattened backward, but not out of fear or intimidation. Just fondness and care. Will thinks he looks absolutely adorable like this. He doesn't catch the smile on his own face.
But the longer Mike keeps going, the worse Will's insides twist and turn, and the heat coils deep and low in his stomach. The same need returns, stronger now, and he finds he can't just force it down.
So when Mike presses just a little bit harder into him, Will promptly pushes him away, scared to ruin it all.
Mike stops that exact moment, sensing discomfort and fear in Will's scent. His tail stops wagging.
"Will? You okay?" His gaze fixes on Will, watching intently.
"Yeah, yeah, don't worry," Will nods, and he shifts away, putting a few inches of space between them.
"What happened?" Mike's face twists into concern.
"Just... a lot," he admits quietly.
And then Mike realizes. From the way Will curls up slightly and the sweet smell in the air, he realizes he may have made Will's body react too strongly to the heat he's already trying to wait out.
"Shit, I'm sorry." Mike's lips press together. He also scoots away.
"No, it's okay," Will tries to reassure, but Mike won't have it.
"No, Will. I already knew you felt uncomfortable because of your body's instincts, and I only made it worse," His ears lower in guilt.
Will's eyes shine, and he feels dangerously close to crying again, so he shoves his face into the pillow underneath his head.
"I hate heats," his voice comes out muffled and weak.
"I know," Mike sighs.
"No, I really hate heats."
Mike stares at him for a moment, and Will can tell by the silence.
"What do you mean?" Mike asks gently.
He presses harder into the pillow, like it might absorb all of the shame from his needs and instincts.
"I keep wanting to do more." His voice catches on the words.
Mike doesn't answer.
"I keep—" he tries to find his words. "I always feel the need to get even closer and go further," Will admits shakily. "And it's stupid, because I know we agreed not to do it. But my body doesn't listen. It just... wants." He sounds frustrated and genuinely regretful.
"That's okay," Mike answers, still as softly as ever.
Will finally turns his head just enough to peek at Mike.
"I mean, it's not like you can control it. We agreed to wait until we're feeling better, not to never want it until then." He says like it's just matter-of-fact.
"Yeah, but it feels like I should be happy with what I have already." Will worries a bit of fabric between his fingers.
"And aren't you? I mean, happy with what you have."
Will thinks for a moment.
Of course he is. How could he not be, with his favorite person?
"Yeah, I am."
"Then that's all that matters."
That makes Will stop for a second. It's not something he expected.
"What do you mean?" His brows pull together.
"You can want more. Your body can want more. Hell, you can ask for more. But what matters is that you're happy now, as you already are."
The space between them isn't that big, and yet it feels like it's not even there.
"I am," Will's eyes fill a little.
"Good," he gives him a tiny smile.
Will returns the gesture.
"And for the record," Mike starts. "I also want to go further. I just don't know if either of us is ready yet."
That gains a laugh from Will, now covering his face with the blanket. Mike also laughs, fondness written all over his expression.
Will's worries don't immediately fade. They never could. But they quiet a little, with the help of voicing them, and Mike helping ground him to reality.
A tear slips from his eye, but Mike swipes it away gently. Will scoots closer on his own. They're still smiling, still happy, still okay. Still them. Heat and all, worries and everything.
"I love you," Mike whispers, cradling Will's cheek in his hand. "No matter what."
Will's lip wobbles slightly. "I love you too, Mike."
And he's overtaken by love, letting it fill his senses and wash away the shame.
Mike leans forward slowly, giving Will time to pull away if he needs. But Will only closes the space, letting their lips meet in a soft kiss full of vulnerability and reverence.
They stay like that for a few moments, simply connected, until they pull away just to look at each other. Mike rubs his thumb under Will's eye, and Will holds onto Mike's shirt.
Then, Mike's expression turns a bit more playful.
"By the way, I saved that comic for your next heat. I already read it earlier."
"Thanks," Will grins, face scrunching, and his ears twitch a little.
Mike stares at him for a moment, quietly, and squints his eyes.
"What?" Will asks.
"I'm gonna get you something to eat," He blurts out and hurries up to the stairs.
"Oh my god, Mike," Will laughs fully, bringing his hands to his face.
"Shut up! I'm taking care of my favorite person!"
Will giggles, and listens closely to hear what happens upstairs. He registers a clinking of dishes and a dangerous sound that seems to be something breaking, and then Mrs. Wheeler's voice scolding Mike. Will can't help but smile at the ruckus.
He lets his hands fall away, and he turns his head to see what Mike brought him. The bag of snacks is still there, some kind of chips they had in the pantry, probably hidden away from Holly, and the comic book right next to it.
Will picks it up and scans the cover, pretty and glossy. He opens it only to finds that on the edges of every page are countless comments written in ink by Mike. Things like "cool move!" or "look at the art!!" or even "the dog is funny"
Will can't help the smile on his face, and the way his heart swells. Because maybe heats aren't that lonely after all. Maybe he can want things, and have instincts, and feel too many emotions at once.
But he's still loved, with it all. Still loved, by the boy he's known his entire life.