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Mike wasn’t a fighter.
There was once a time where Mike, at the ripe age of nine, had fought back,
“What a fairy, that’s why your dad beats you!” A boy shouted as he held a squirming will tightly by his collar
Mike couldn’t believe his eyes, but it only got worse when he saw the blood trickling down wills nose
He charged at the bully, tackling him to the ground and clawing at his face
After the event, in the principals office, Karen told him, ‘worse things happen when you resort to violence’
The worse thing being- well, pulled out of school for two weeks.
And in a way, it was, because for two weeks of being out of school AND grounded, he couldn’t protect will.
That saying was planted in his head, instead of fighting, he’d resort to being argumentative to bullies, or better yet, not saying anything at all.
case in point, mike wasn’t a fighter, because bad things happen when you fight back apparently.
“Yea, walk away, wheeler. let’s hope that when the next earthquake happens and takes him out, he’s not born a—“
“It’s not a crime to defend people- or yourself son..he needs to know these things Karen, i don’t want a son who’s a doormat- a punching bag who takes every insult and punch thrown at him ” ted argued,
A heated argument had lit up between Karen and ted, it was when mike was twelve and came home was a massive bruise on his cheek after travis had shoved him a little too hard and his face collided with the flag pole outside of the school.
Mike wasn’t a fighter, but it wasn’t a crime to defend himself, or the people he cared about (according to his father)
So, that’s why, Mike is currently in the middle of the school hall, in a circle of students with Christopher Stuart.
“Mike don’t-!”
Someone said, but it was too late, a sneer was plastered across mikes face, and then He threw a punch at Chris.
_________________________________
It seemed like as time went on, Hawkins just got worse in wills case,
The town was riddled with cops and army soldiers, everywhere you looked, there was atleast one.
The gates seemed to be sealed for now, but time was short, vecna was becoming stronger, and it was becoming quite frequent that the gates would burst open, and the creatures from the upside down would come out.
Will, at the time of coming back to Hawkins, thought it couldn’t get worse then this.
Obviously he was wrong.
For starters, vecna was still in his mind, and it seemed like he still had a little control over it.
Then, he was forced to live at the wheelers with Jonathan, something he really wasn’t too keen on doing, for their safety and his sanity (yes, he would much prefer el to fling him across the state if he were to become possessed then to possibly put the wheelers in jeopardy.)
Then, for some reason (will had thought, if there was a god, he was surely wholeheartedly laughing at him)
he had to go back to school.
The Byers had been entirely against this
Jonathan and Joyce had wanted to watch Will 24/7, especially after realising vecna was still connected to him
And will just didn’t understand why anyone would have to go to school during this, it was ludicrous.
But, they lost their arguments, Joyce had managed to be convinced, Jonathan kept his mouth shut, and all will could say was “that’s such bullshit”
And in true, angsty teen fashion, took himself to the basement and laid under his covers.
In all honesty, it wasn’t about maths or waking up at 6am,
It was the fact that this was Hawkins , a small town where nearly everyone knew the Byers story.
And when Karen’s neighbours had saw Joyce visiting the wheelers, they clocked that that was Joyce Byers, and the two boys coming out to greet her were her sons, everything just crashed down.
word got around, Its Hawkins, why wouldn’t it.
Will could pinpoint the exact moment the news had spread, when eyes stared warily, and whispers surfaced.
‘Joyce byers? The one with the abusive husband?’
‘Will went missing..don’t you know?’
‘Will, her son, had been presumed dead, they pulled out a body and everything’
‘I heard their dad beat them because they were queers’
Will missed California already.
Sure, Nobody knew him, he didn’t have friends, and sometimes people would shove past him, not in a bullying way, they just..didn’t see him.
But He didn’t care, he preferred being the art kid who was practically invisible as opposed zombie boy, who was supposedly queer (and they weren’t even entirely wrong, he did die and come back to life, and he was in-fact, gay.)
Will wasn’t sure why his brain cursed him to think of the fact that it SURLEY couldn’t get worse then this.
But Hawkins wasn’t a town that changed much.
Same people, same problems.
Or in his case right now, same people, worse problems.
He didn’t have to introduce himself to the class as a new student, but it didn’t take long for the talk to go around,
Soon enough, the nickname zombie boy had graced his ears for the first time in two years.
That was only the beginning
He could deal with petty nicknames, he remembers constantly telling the party to pipe down, because it didn’t bother him
(It did)
Slowly, it became worse, as Will expected, because Jonathan wasn’t exactly bully-less when he was seventeen.
It was particularly when people clocked that will hung around his party, who had apparently gained a bad reputation since Chrissy’s death.
He would get shoved down, sometimes his locker would be broken into and cleared onto the floor, while ZOMBIE BOY was etched onto it, sometimes the jocks would follow him to the shelter and taunt him,
These were all things he endured as a child, but it had never gotten as bad as it did now.
Will had been shoved face first into a locker hard his head didn’t have a chance to spin before Christopher had him by the collar.
Just an hour before this, the group of jocks were being especially idiotic in science class, and of course, one of them knocked over a beacon that had spilt onto wills homework
Will.. wasn’t entirely sure what happened, one minute he was being told “no hard feelings right?” The next, a pain cut through his head, and a small fire had erupted on the teachers desk next to one of the glass beacons, causing them to shatter.
By this point the teacher came in, and seeing that the only one who wasn’t in his chair was Christopher, he automatically got the blame.
Christopher urged will to tell him that he didn’t do it, but will stayed silent.
“You think you’re funny? I bet you fucking pulled that stunt you little dweeb”
Will met his eyes, trying to stand strong “I didn’t do anything.” He said firmly
“Listen here Byers” he said, finally letting go of wills jumper
“You try that shit again and you’ll be being found in that quarries lake for the second time” he said darkly, shoving Will back once more before walking away.
A few hours later, The principal had called Will into his office and they spoke about what happened, Will lied and said he didn’t see what happened, which still put Christopher in deep shit, but he didn’t really care, He hoped he’d get pulled out, but he’d apparently only god a warning and a slap on the wrist.
_________________________________
A day later, Will sat with the party in the lunch room, talking about all sorts of different plans.
“What’s that?” Dustin asked out of the blue while munching on his sandwich
Will looked up at Dustin, raising a brow “Hm?”
“On your forehead” Dustin pointed out
This prompted mike to lean over and sweep wills bangs out the way
A gesture that quite literally made wills heart flutter 50+ times.
“What the fuck.” Mike deadpanned
“What-!” Will started, touching his forehead, the pain was instant, it wasn’t unbearable, but uncomfortable, like tooth ache.
He had forgotten all about that (now he knows why he had such a bad headache last night.)
“Dude how long have you had that bruise? It looks painful.” Lucas grimaced
“I- um, I’m not sure..?” He stared down, but he could feel mikes gaze burning a hole into him.
“Who did it.”
If mikes tone of voice could kill, will would probably be pronounced dead.
“Mike it’s fine- it doesn’t even hurt” he tried
“Was it Christopher?” Mike was standing up his voice picking up volume
“It-.. yes..” will confessed in defeat
Mike clenched his teeth, pulling himself away from the group.
Will detangled himself from the table, trailing behind mike
Mike stopped in the hallway, turning to will
“Why did he do it.” Mike demanded
“He-“ will sighed “something weird happened in science, and the teachers blamed him, and he told me to say something and I didn’t, and I guess that pissed him off” will confessed
“But it’s not a big deal!”
“Yes it is!”
“Mike come on- I don’t think he even meant to shove me that hard, and- I could just tell the teachers!” Will explained frantically
“You didn’t though. You didn’t even tell me.” Mike said with a pained expression
“Mike— I’m, sorry.. just..please, don’t do anything stupid, come back to the cafeteria” will pleaded
Mike turned around, walking away from will. His fists were balled, and his face flushed red with anger.
“Mike!” Will called out, about to follow until a hand grabbed his shoulder
“Will?, I’d like to speak to you in my office” ms. kelley said sweetly
Will furrowed his brows in worry, staring towards mike as he continued to walk down the hallway.
_________________________________
Mike rushed down the hallway heavily, his head low, eyes dark, and his breathing uneven
‘It’s not a crime to defend someone, I don’t want my son to grow up a doormat’
His fathers words rang through his ears
Who fucking cares anyway?
Mike thought, sharply turning a corner, in the distance, distinct banter was heard down a hallway.
Mike just couldn’t stand it.
Will was a saint in his eyes
And angel, who despite being put through hell, and having his wings tarnished, still stood tall, his glow never diminishing.
So why does he suffer? Why was it always him? Abused, bullied, kidnapped, traumatised, possessed, being used as a puppet for vecnas sick game
It wasn’t fair
It wasn’t fair that Will has to go through all of this while the people that hurt him live happily ever after.
So Mike decided he would be a fighter today. For will.
The bell rang, and students came flooding out, but mike knew exactly where his target was.
As he turned another corner, Christopher and his group came into view.
Mike let out a harsh exhale as he approached them,
“Hey!” He shouted, making a beeline up to Christopher.
Mike was just a few inches taller then him, so he stood tall, attempting to appear more threatening.
“Uh oh, the satanic worshippers here” Christopher chuckled wickedly as his friends laughed around him
“You hit will.”
His face slowly grew amused “oh- you’re here about your boyfriend!” He hollered
“What the fuck is your problem? You seriously are pathetic you know that?” Mike hissed
Christopher tutted, shoving mike lightly, not enough to make him loose his balance, but to put a slight distance between them.
“You wanna talk about being pathetic? I’ve heard all about you and will, how he’s hidden behind you for YEARS! THAT is what’s truly sad.”
Christopher wrapped an arm around mike “I’m just toughening him up you know? He can’t always walk around with those sad big eyes, and a ducked head, it just makes you wanna pummel him.” He murmured
He retracted his arm, and forcefully shoved mike away from him
“Mike!” Will called out though the sea of students
“Speak of the devil” he quipped
Will broke through the crowd, drawing closer to mike “Jesus- I was so worried”
Mike took two steps towards Will until Christopher started speaking again
“Yea, walk away, wheeler. Go to your little bitch, let’s hope that when the next earthquake happens and takes him out for good and he’s not born a faggot in his next life“ Christopher snarled, shoving mikes shoulder firmly
Mikes lips pressed together tightly, his chest tightening
“Mike..” wills voice was muffled as he spoke
“Mike- don’t-!” Will shouted,
It was too late, he had turned around quickly, his fist colliding with Christopher’s jaw.
Like moths to a flame, Students gathered around the two in an instant, cheering ‘ fight! Fight! Fight!’ Around them
The jock staggered, then grinned. “alright.”
Although mike was taller, it was clearly evident that Christopher was much stronger then him, he gripped mike by his shoulders like he was nothing, ramming him into the lockers,
White pain burst across Mike’s skull, He gasped, then a fist drove into his ribs. Another across his cheek.
And of course it hurt like a bitch.
Mikes never been in a fight, not like this. all the pain being inflicted on him right now fucking sucked.
Mike clawed across his face, shoved him back, and swung wild. His knuckles split against Christopher’s lip. He tried to throw another punch but Christopher blocked by the fourth swing.
He grabbed mikes wrists, twisting them forcefully, earning a pained wail from mike
He kicked him down the the ground held him there.
“ This -“ punch “ is what happens- “ punch “ when you get in my fucking way! ” Christopher’s spit hit his face with the last blow.
Mike coughed out, his head was pounding, he could taste blood in the back of his throat, and his vision was splotchy
“ Ike— mike! Oh my god- Get off—!” He heard wills voice, muffled in the background, frantically trying to get people to stop holding him back.
His vision cleared
Will. His Soft glow amongst the chaos. His wings, tears that made his face shine unlike any others.
And that fucking bruise.
It.wasn’t.fair.
Mikes jaw clenched, his breathing ragged
He shoved upward, grabbing Christopher’s collar, and drove his forehead into his lip. Blood trickled down it, Christopher cursed, distracted for one moment too long.
Mike charged, hammering him back against the lockers. Punching him, Once. Twice. Again and again, and again. Each hit heavier, sloppier, fueled by fire in his chest.
“MIKE STOP IT!” Will shouted,
Hands grabbed at him, Will’s hands, pulling, desperate.
Mike yanked his arm free, drew back for one more swing-
“Mike please! You’re gonna get-!” Will suddenly yelped,
-then his elbow slammed into something else.
A low ring of “ooooh..”’s rang out from the circle of students around them
Mike looked back, and his heart plummeted.
“Worse things happen when you resort to violence”
Will was on the ground clutching his face, soft groans escaping his lips
His face.
“That’s more like it wheeler!” Chirstopher berated loudly, spitting blooded mucus on to the floor “You can’t defend fags like him forever! Either Beat ‘em or join ‘em!”
Mike gave no second thoughts, rage exploded in his chest, he moved fast, his fist colliding directly with Christopher’s nose, sending a sickening crack across his face.
A guttural scream erupted from him as he stumbled back, blood spewing down his chin.
“You broke my fucking nose! What the fuck is wrong with you?!” He shrieked
Mike didn’t look back.
He dropped down to will, hands shaking as he pulled him up.
_________________________________
All Mike could hear was white noise as he staggered down the hall with Will locked onto his arm
He slammed open the bathroom door, went straight to the sink, and grabbed a cloth. His hands shook under the cold stream as blood spiraled down the drain.
“Mike”
How could he let this happen? He hurt Will. Never in a million years has he laid a finger on him. Not even as a joke.
He wrung the cloth out and turned. Will’s bruise was already blooming across his cheekbone, purple bleeding into red. His eye pinched at the corner.
Mike reached for him but Will slapped his hands away.
“MIKE!” Will shouted, cutting through the white noise.
“Stop it! Jesus Christ- give me that.”
Will snatched the rag, and turned the tap to hot, running it under the water.
His chest heaved. “What the hell is wrong with you? I told you not to- God Mike!” He fumed
“I’m sorry” Mike said quietly
Will spun, towel dripping in his hand. His anger cracked at the edges when he saw Mike’s tears sliding down his face.
“…sit.” He moved Mike inside a stall, voice softer now.
Mike obeyed, numb. He leaned into Will’s touch as warm towel pressed against his face
Will brows knitted together as he carefully wiped mikes face, he had a small gash on his lip, a cut on his eyebrow, and his nose was streaming, not to mention the bruises that splotched around his face(and no doubt his chest.) and he didn’t even want to look at his knuckles.
Mike stared up at will,
He looked so beautiful to him. the bathroom light, just barley flickering above him, looked like a halo above his head.
of course it did, because Will was an angel.
“Im so sorry.” He repeated, in a groggy tone as more tears escaped his eyes
Will tilted his head sorrowfully “Hey, I’ve been through way worse then this, I’d be disappointed if an elbow to the face were to be the end of my world” he chuckled dryly
Wills attempt at humour fell dull as mikes frown only deepened
He shook his head. “It’s not fair. I tried to help and just- fucked it up.”
Will sighed, his hand running down mikes cheek
“I’m.. grateful, that you stood up for me mike, that you always do, but this— i’m only bruised, meanwhile you’re giving el a run for her money” he smiled sullenly as he swiped at the blood that slowly trickled down mikes nose
Mike seized wills wrists “no you don’t understand- it’s not fair. You shouldn’t be going through any of this!, you shouldn’t be dealing with bullies and all of this with shit with the upside down- it- it shouldn’t be happening! Not to you! It’s not fucking fair will!” He shouted, his breathing quickening
Suddenly, will pulled Mike into a hug before he could breakdown completely.
Mike shakily wrapped his arms around will tightly, letting himself sob into his chest.
Mike he wondered, if he were to hold him tight enough would they fuse into one, and stay like this forever? Mike would never let him go, he’d keep him safe.
“You know why i always say it’s not a big deal?” Will asked, resting his head onto mikes
Mike hummed in response
“Because I know you’ll always be there no matter what I go though” he said quietly
“You were there when my dad was being an asshole, with the upside down, when I was sad, and now- with all of this happening, you’re here, you’re always here, even when we fall out, you always somehow make you’re way back to me”
“It makes it easier, you make life easier for me during all of this mike, but it’s not because you fight bullies, it’s because you’re you ”
“And I need you mike, I need you to stay with me, not to do stupid shit like this, that puts you at risk and gets you hurt, because that hurts me, so much”
Mike pulled back, his eyes glistening as he stared at will again
I need you
Mike stood up quickly, catching Will by surprise
“I- are you okay-“ he cut Will off, crashing his lips into wills
Will pulled back in shock, but after mike gave him a confirming look of Yes, I meant to do that , Will swiftly caught his lips again,
It was desperate and messy,
Some would say this was a hellish first kiss, their teeth knocked together a couple of times, blood from mikes face smearing into kiss, and mike was so tall, Will was struggling to even keep up since he was on his tippy toes.
But it didn’t matter, the two were in heaven.
Wills lips were smooth against his, they breathed in sync, mikes hands found their way under wills jumper, roaming around his bare torso while wills fingers tangled in mikes hair, electricity bouncing between them, and mike couldn’t get enough of it.
Mike pulled back, breathless, moonstruck. He dipped to Will’s neck, planting kisses, and small bites-
“Mmh- mike” Will moaned softly, and Jesus, mike was literally reeling, seeing stars, it could’ve been because he was slammed into the floor, but it also could be because he’s experiencing everything he’s ever dreamed of right now.
The light above them had stopped flickering, it buzzed slightly and shined brightly
“Mike.” Will laughed weakly, pushing at his shoulder.
but mike just continued to kiss around his neck
“Hey- come on, you’re still a bloody mess”
Mike stopped, slightly dazed
“Is- was that okay?”
Will grinned, pushing mike back down onto the toilet and giving him a peck on his lips “it.. was more then okay”
The buzzing light steadied, casting them in a pale glow as Will dabbed at Mike’s face again. Mike just stared at his angel. At Will.
The boy who needed him
_________________________________
[epilogue ]
After the events of the fight, Christopher was suspended from Hawkins high entirely, he had a three strike warning and the fight was the third. And, well, since he did more damage to mike, he got into more trouble.
Will and Mike weren’t let off Scot-free either, The principal labeled Will an “accomplice,” so they were both benched for a week with piles of extra homework, which yknow, given hawkins circumstances, wasn’t the worst thing in the world.
All in all, everything was going fine.
Though- there was one thing Mike wasn’t entirely sure about, and it was their relationship status.
A week ago, Mike had kind of just- kissed Will.
Of course, he’s had a crush on Will since forever, but he didn’t even ask will if it was fine to kiss him, they didn’t talk anything out, Mike was literally buzzed up on adrenaline, and then will said he needed him, and then his mind went on autopilot and he dove in.
Now, Things weren’t exactly awkward between them, just a little timid and unclear.
__________
Mike bounded down into the basement and threw himself onto wills bed for twentieth time today.
“Hello, Michael” will said in a cheeky tone, glancing up from his sketch book and meeting mikes gaze
“Hello William” Mike echoed, a tight smile plastering his face
“What might’ve brought you down here again ?”
Mike rolled onto his back, looking around the basement walls where all wills drawings hung
“What? I can’t visit my favourite person multiple times a day?”
Will paused his drawing for a minute, turning to mike “Hm.. no, I suppose it’s fine..how’s your face?” He questioned, pushing away from the desk and going over to the bed
Mike grimaced, bringing his hands up infront of him, his knuckles were still pretty fucked up, though the cuts on his face had been reduced to scabs.
“Better, I picked the scab on my eyebrow though.. it just feels weird” he furrowed his brows, staring up at will
Will leaned close, inspecting his face “Yea, I can also tell you picked the one on the side of your head you liar” he tutted flicking mikes temple,
“ow-! That hurt!” He said dramatically, earning an eyeroll from the other boy
Will laid beside mike, their faces levelling with each other.
“Me and Nancy didn’t spend half an hour patching you up just for you to pick at everything.” he said seriously
“It’s kind of hard not to when I’m on my own”
Will raised a brow “oh? So I should start sleeping in your room? Better surveillance?” He teased
Mikes face turned a bright shade of red, his mouth falling agape
“I mean- i wouldn’t- that’s not a horrrible- yknow-“ he stammered choking on his words
Will laughed aloud “I’m kidding Mike, that would be— well, not weird but- since we’re- um..” will was next to stutter on his words, trailing off as him and mike stared into each others eyes
“..Will?”
“Mmhm?”
“Are we- uh— cool?” Mike mentally slapped himself. Smooth.
Will tilted his head, smile curved, “why, yes Mike, we are infact, cool.”
Mike groaned, throwing his hands over his face
“That’s not what I meant to say! I mean like- oh my god..”
Will propped himself up on his elbows, smiling at mikes flustered state
Mike slid his hands down, peeking at will “Yknow when we..um,”
“Kissed?” Will finished for him
Mike uncovered his face staring at will
“Yes-!..yes. look..”
Mike took a breath, mentally preparing himself
“was that like.. okay? Do you even um- like me?”
“Yes” will said slowly “it was okay, and.. I do like you”
Mike spoke carefully, as if his very voice was walking on eggshells
“Okay..for how long?”
Will exhaled, averting his eyes from mike
“Honestly? I’d say since I met you, but if I had to pin point exactly where I realised I was IN love with you..” will paused for a moment, tracing the palms of his hands.
“During eighty-four, you said that thing, about going crazy together, and I guess I had that, yknow, ‘ oh shit’ fluttery feeling in my stomach” he said with a small smirk
Mikes breath hitched as he gazed at will, while wills eyes stayed on the ceiling
“You liked me for that long?”
Will nodded slowly
All mike could think was idiot.
idiot idiot IDIOT.
will had been pining for the likes of HIM for YEARS, While mike pulled away, drowning any feeling of being different by making out with el and hoping it was just a phase
God he felt so stupid.
“Do you?” Will said quietly, cutting through mikes thoughts
“I- huh?”
“Like me?”
Mike spluttered, sitting up quickly, causing Will to recoil slightly
“Of course I do!”
He raised his brows and shook his head lightly, as if to say “go on?”
Mikes body tensed while blush slowly crept on his face
“Um, much like you, it was during eighty four, when I told you to dance with that girl at the snow ball..I didn’t understand it at the time, why I felt so sad seeing you with her, and then next year, just before you guys were leaving for California, I got the uh— ‘oh shit’ feeling you were talking about”
Wills eyes widened as he took the information in, then he closed them, and slapped his hands on his face
“ Jesus chirst” he said in exasperation
“Pretty unbelievable?” Mike chuckled
Will lifted his hands, looking incredibly bewildered
“I thought you were gonna say you realised recently! I literally thought you hated me at one point Mike!” He exclaimed
And Mike, could’ve shattered into a million pieces.
“What-! Why would- I could never, ever hate you! Why would you think that??”
Will turned to him “it’s just- you never called..” he said, tone soft
“I know- we spoke twice, but that was it, el was getting letters every three weeks, you can’t blame me for thinking-“
Will was suddenly cut off by mike, throwing himself off the bed and running upstairs, which left will in a state of confusion for a split second until, as soon as Mike was up those stairs, he was down just as fast, with a shoe box in hand.
He sprang back onto the bed, slamming said box down.
Will couldn’t help but smile at mikes franticness “Mike what-“
“First of all- I did call, I called nearly everyday, but it never came through because of Joyce’s job..I stopped trying after like.. the fourth month- because I guess I thought you hated me too? It just forgot about me” Mike ranted, while his hands fiddled with the box on his lap
“Secondly..I um- I wrote you”
Will sat up, his eyes wide “what-! when?? I never got any letters”
A beat passed
mike stared down “I never sent them.. I found myself overthinking every time my pencil touched the paper, sometimes it just.. didn’t sound right, I wanted it to be perfect for you, and then other times I was borderline confessing my feeling in them.. so..” Mike explained, trailing off as he hesitantly slid the box to will, and pretended like the lamp across the room was the most interesting thing in the world.
Will took it and opened it carefully, inside, sat piles and piles of letters, there were few neat sleek pieces, while most of them looked like they’d been crumpled and then straightened out.
Will took a few out, skimming over them.
“Mike..” will said gently, his hands delicately gliding down the letter
“I wish you sent these..and I’m sorry, about phone, I didn’t hate you at any point either” Will frowned, trying his absolute best not to cry,
The letters were so sweet, so desperate, so.. Mike. he couldn’t believe he would ever feel this way about him- he didn’t think was..suffering this much without him.
Mike pulled his eyes away from the lamp and back to will
“Well.. I just wanted you to know that I didn’t hate you, I never have”
“I’m glad..thank you for showing me mike” will smiled, going back to reading the letters
Okay he thought reel it in wheeler
Mike straightened, clearing his throat
“So.. would that mean- that in the near, o-or far! future, you’d possibly- maybe- perchance…want to be my boyfriend?” He said quickly
Silence, a stretched one.
Mikes brain began running a marathon.
moving too fast- abortabortabort!
Will put the letters back neatly and shut the box “I’d prefer the now, instead of the future, but yes, I would want to be your boyfriend” will said shyly
The two stared at each other for a moment,
Mike scanned wills face, searching for any sign of doubt- or a lie, in wills face, but all he saw was the softest, sweetest look in the world.
“Can- can I kiss you?”
Will blushed, pursing his lips “you don’t have to ask” he whispered
They leaned in, lips brushing soft this time, steady, Calmer. (Less bloody) Mike ended up on top of him, both of them smiling into the kiss until they finally pulled apart for air.
“I love you” Mike breathed out
Will swallowed staring up at mike, the glow from the dim basement light haloing from behind mikes head.
he looked like an angel in wills eyes.
“I love you too”