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will felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, like there was nothing vecna could use against him anymore. he felt much more confident going into this fight than he did before, knowing the people he cared about the most accepted him for who he was.
at least… that’s what he hoped.
mike had been acting weird. tense, avoiding his eyes, but then will would feel him staring when he thought he couldn’t see him. he wanted to bring it up but they didn’t have any time to themselves.
except now. they were tucked on the other side of the tower, the first ones up as everyone else was still climbing and being helped up. will needed to clear the air before they went into this fight. he couldn’t have himself be distracted by this — not now.
will glanced over at mike, clearing his throat quietly before he spoke up. “so— mike, i… i just wanted to— are we still friends?” he had mulled over what he was gonna say for hours, but in the end, only managed to blurt out the stupidest question he could think of. of course, they were still friends. that would never change, right? it was an obvious answer.
will thought, it was an obvious answer. that’s why the silence that followed it was gut wrenching. he could feel his heart drop down to his feet, the familiar sting of tears in the corners of his eyes, a tremor taking over his hands again.
“oh.” stupid, stupid, stupid.
it was as if that was the first moment it hit mike what his silence must’ve seemed like.
“will.” mike whispered out quietly. will opened his mouth to apologize, because of course it was his fault, of course he shouldn’t have made him feel uncomfortable like that right before they could possibly lose their lives. selfish and stupid.
suddenly, will felt himself being pushed back till he was pressed up against the tower, a hand covering his mouth as the other gripped his waist.
“not now. ask me whatever question you want to ask me when we make it out of this alive. please… ” his voice was breathless and desperate, eyes searching will’s teary ones before they glanced down instinctively at will’s lips, only to see the back of his own hand.
“mike—” will’s voice was muffled by his hand, but just as breathless, his heartbeat pounding in his ears as he stared up into mike’s eyes. the corners of mike’s mouth quirked up slightly, before he leaned in to press a kiss against his fingers, just above will’s lips.
“i promise, you’ll get the answers you deserve. i don’t want it to be like this.” mike’s voice was rough, emotion choking him up as he pressed a kiss to will’s forehead.
will was standing there, wide eyed with disbelief. the only thing he could manage to do was pinch himself and mike simultaneously.
“ow! will, what the hell!” mike jumped back, rubbing his arm and looking as sulky as ever. will burst into incredulous laughter.
“sorry! sorry, i just—” wanted to make sure this wasn’t a dream.
“i know.” mike’s expression softened to pure adoration, a look will was so familiar with, it ached when he could finally put a name to the emotion. he reached out to squeeze will’s hand gently.
“let’s finish this together.”