Chapter Text
At an early age, Will knew he wasn't born in a life that'd be easy for him.
From the start, he could tell his family was struggling. The head of the house left them with nothing more than debt and traumas, and Will always endured being left alone in his house until he reached an age that allowed him to work as a teenager in every convenience store that would let him work part time after school, seeing how responsible he was when he was only sixteen years old.
His family loved him, but he always had to stood by himself.
He grew up like that, only knowing that in his house, there were just forced to survive. No one truly lived there.
Now that he grew up, he went to college with an scholarship and he had his own life- but it wasn't any different from before; nothing had changed except for the fact that he had to mantain and live for himself while he was still learning how to survive. Every single dollar he made, dissappeared in no time. Also his food, and his art supplies for those little jobs he accepted when comissions were good enough to pay some bills and breathe for a while.
So did love.
It slipped through his fingers as fast as it came. It didn't even appear at all for him ever since he reached his twenties. It seemed to avoid him.
Will had time to have a crush on someone even being that busy? Yes. But not in the "conventional" way. Because to add to the equation, he likes men. Yes, he is gay. No one else knows except for his best friend, not even his mom or brother- they had a lot more worries to take care about, other than their youngest son and brother being homosexual and apparently, living in sin.
So, yeah. He was in love now. He was in love with that stupid senior guy he saw in a few classes, in the clubs he was in and around the campus.
And he was so- so down bad.
He found out in the most ridiculous, most stupid way anyone could find out that his love at first sight was someone who quickly became a close friend to him. One day when this amazing and gentle guy lend him a umbrella on a rainy day. God, it was so stupid.
Now, Will and his smal group of friends went out for drinks together after a successful project this said friend and crush had helped them with. He was only a few months away from graduating, so he'd already completed the whole process and was only being so accesible because Will was his favorite friend as he claimed; he'd taken him under his wing on Will's first day of university.
Tall, with curly hair and a smile that became all the more charming by the dimples on his cheeks. With deep brown eyes and a gentle aura that made Will sigh from the first day he saw him.
Carlton. Will's crush, and his weakness.
He entered the room at the last minute, arriving late, but Will could forgive him anything if he smiled at him like that again. He naturally sat down opposite a dizzy Will who didn't actually drink; he was the only one who didn't consume a single drop of alcohol, and yet, after seeing Carlton he felt like he was floating.
"Hey, Will."
"Hi."
That started an easy conversation. A banal conversation about how the project had gone and whether his help had been useful.
"Oh, you have no idea. You helped us like anyone else never did before." Will chuckled softly, stirring his cranberry juice. "I don't think I've ever felt so relieved."
Carlton laughed so brightly that Will's cheeks went instantly red and he didn't even had an excuse for that, except from the heat of the place. Which, to be fair, wasn't even hot. He was just a liar.
"Well, then I'll pay the bill today so you can all keep feeling happy" Carlton said with a wide grin as the others celebrated, delighted with their free meal. "Order whatever you want, Will. You deserve a great dinner tonight, for all your hard work."
"Thanks." He replied shyly... Although the truth inside his head was different, he didn't want to take advantage and be a burden to him, so- the juice was fine.
To be honest, Will wished he had more money. He wished he started randomly getting money. Like winning the lottery, or maybe having some old millionaire and almost dying man to fall in love with him and decide to support him- and, with how his situation was, that last one seemed closer to a possibility, especially when Max, his best friend, suggested it as a way to take them both out of their lack lf money.
Maybe she was right. If he did that, maybe he wouldn't be bothered and ashamed of ordering his favorite food because someone else was going to pay for it and it felt like he'd owe them something huge.
The evening passed without incident, and Carlton kept glancing at him.
Will couldn't help but feel that Carlton was giving him signals when his foot occasionally brushed against his calf, and when Carlton's hand brushed near his on the table, when he smiled and whispered a soft "sorry" whenever it happened.
He wasn't the only one who thought there was something there.
Max noticed; Max always accompanied him to his get-togethers with his friends- well, they were classmates, so there wasn't much more to say- but Max would glance at him from time to time even if they weren't close enough to talk about it because Lucas dragged her and stealed her from him. Will didn't know why Arts majors hanged up with other majors or maybe it was just Will who thought that was weird.
But Max kept glancing at him from across the table, noticing that they would look at each other and then look away when they caught each other staring. It was natural; it felt good, comfortable. Will's face was flushed throughout dinner, and Carlton continued chatting animatedly to him and the other people at the table.
But he kept looking back at Will every time, and he seemed to want to say something. So Will was brave in that moment when everyone else was too drunk to pay attention and Max went to the bathroom. That was it. That was the moment.
"Hey, are you okay?" Will asked, leaning slightly across the table toward him so he would know he was talking to him.
"Oh, yeah. No worries, man." The taller guy nodded at him, sure of himself and looking extremely good if someone asked Will. "Actually, I wanted to tell you something."
Oh. Oh. So... He actually had something to tell him.
The way Will's heart started beating was ridiculous, unstoppable, it was all Will could think about as he patiently waited for that handsome man to finally deign to understand that his nod meant he could continue.
"Okay, right. Uh-" Carlton laughed at himself, fidgeting with his hands. He kept them clasped on the table, playing with his fingers and avoiding Will's gaze. Oh God. "I've been meaning to tell you this because it's- kind of huge. It's important, you know? But, I don't know... I guess it just makes me nervous and I don't know where to start."
Will could have sworn that church bells were ringing somewhere nearby. And someone was shining a spotlight on his crush, making his smile brighter than ever, as were his eyes, which were looking at Will with a touch of hope and longing. Something in those eyes kept Will on edge.
"You can tell me anything." Will tried to encourage him, shyly placing a hand on Carlton's that was resting over the table drumming his fingers nervously, who smiled gratefully. "Seriously, you know."
"Yeah. Okay, I'm gonna say it." He nodded, gathering courage and sighing as the words finally came out of his tight throat. "I'm getting married."
So, the fucking bells were out somewhere near, but they weren't ringing for him.
"And I wanted you to know first because- we've been so close lately and you're such a good friend to me that, even my fiancé wants to meet you! She's-"
Every word he said pierced Will's chest, deep and hard, piercing through his back and deflating his organs like balloons. Devastated, Will could only smile and nod by default, because if he did anything else he would just burst into tears and it wasn't time for that yet.
Carlton was dazzling, seriously. He spoke of his engagement as if it was the most important thing in his life, and of course it was.
But why didn't Will know about this girlfriend before?
Why did she have to wait until they were engaged for her to want to meet him?
Why the hell was Carlton talking about him to her just now?
Each question was more unfair to his emotional well-being, so he blanked his mind and continued the night as if his friend and crush just didn't take his heart and crushed it against the floor.
Max noticed the change in his expression when he returned, but said nothing. Not yet.
She said nothing when Will made a pathetic excuse so he could leave, lying as he said that he was too drunk to continue. And they let him go, everyone else accepted the excuse because they were the ones who were drunk, while Will had barely even had a glass of water and a cranberry juice that wasn't even that good.
Carlton walked him to the exit, worried that he might get lost or something, without even realizing that Will didn't drink at all.
Were they really close enough to confide their engagement to him first?
Will didn't know what to think anymore; he only knew he didn't want to think anymore.
"Congratulations." Will said with his voice barely a whisper. "I didn't tell you before, but... It's obvious she makes you happy."
"She does. Thanks, dude." Carlton nodded euphorically, smiling now that Will had shown support for his engagement. "Do you want me to walk you home? I can-"
"No! No- it's okay. I can go by myself. I think you have a bill to pay back there." Will smiled at him once more, summoning the last of his strength to keep himself from breaking down. "Thanks, seriously. For everything."
For breaking my heart tonight before I could hold on to you any tighter.
Carlton went back to the bar, and Will was finally able to breathe. He inhaled sharply, shoving both hands into his pockets and breathing in the air that was starting to turn cold in that October he would probably never forget.
He wandered aimlessly, but apparently his mind had other plans because he ended up at the convenience store where he worked in.
It was his day off, but he couldn't even enjoy that.
Life was his worst enemy, and he didn't even like living it.
He grabbed a can of mocha coffee and a cream-filled bread he loved. When he paid the girl covering his shift, he realized those were the last coins he had.
He made a superhuman effort not to cry. Stupid money.
"Are you okay?" Robin asked, sounding genuinely concerned despite looking like someone who would make fun of his situation. "Looks like a truck ran over you and then you chased after it to apologize."
Nevermind. She was still there.
Will didn't answer her; he just shrugged, not wanting to talk because that was the last thing he wanted to do. He gave her a small nod before turning around and starting to walk away, just before bumping into something hard and seemingly taller than him.
No, it bumped into him.
When he reacted to look at what had happened, he realized his precious last snack for the week was laying on the floor, crushed by a pair of shoes that looked worth more than five of his salaries.
"I'm sorry." A voice said, low and steady.
"Will?" Robin called from the register, and when he turned to look at her, her expression changed. Now she really did look worried.
The man, with glasses and neatly combed hair, taller than Will and with a serious but gentle demeanor, bent down to pick up the coffee can and the bread that was now useless and had stained his shoes.
Will sniffed, shaking his head with a disbelieving laugh.
Life. Was. His. Worst. Enemy.
He started walking out of the store without saying a word, and the cold air hit him mercilessly. Now his heart was broken and he'd spent all his money on one last snack before he could afford another one before his pay day, and now he couldn't even enjoy it.
He had nothing. Literally nothing.
He started walking again, but he only took a few steps away from the store when some hurried footsteps followed him, quickly overtaking him and stopping right in front of him.
"Will, right?" The man said, a little breathless.
Now Will had a better look at him, and... He looked fancy.
Expensive, refined and delicated but masculine. Will could tell he was several years older than him, and also that he was now carrying a fresh cream-filled bread and a can of mocha coffee that didn't look as crushed as his soul like the one he first brought. He glanced at them for a second, then looked up at the man's face, who was staring at him as if he'd committed a crime against Will.
"Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going and knocked your things over. So, here. Take them." He held them out with both hands, giving Will an opportunity to have his precious snacks back.
Will didn't have any more energy left to even feel embarrassed, so he simply took them.
"Thank you." He said, nodding to him before starting to walk again.
Or trying to, because the man intercepted him again, extending a hand in front of him.
"I'm sorry, but you look miserable."
Huh. Unbelievable.
"Excuse me?"
"I mean–" The man adjusted the turtleneck he was wearing, looking at him somewhat uncomfortably. "Is there anything I can do to help you feel better?"
Why did he care, to begin with? Will was exhausted and now some man wanted to make fun of him?
"You dropped my things." He said, shrugging. "I was upset at that. Now I've got them back."
"And you're feeling better?"
"Yes."
"That doesn't sound sincere."
"How could you know?" Will frowned, already feeling the last pieces of his patience flying away. "I'm fine."
"What do you need to feel better right now?"
Will couldn't help but laugh at that question. He considered it, really thought about it; what would put him in a better mood, what could it be? Money? He definitely needed a lot of it.
Just money, in stupid amounts.
"A boyfriend." He ended up saying it, just to make sure the guy would feel uncomfortable, as older people usually did, and he'd watch him walk away.
Except that, he didn't.
"That's it?" He asked with an incredulous laugh that was too soft to be directed at a stranger. "From how sad you looked, I thought it would be something deeper."
"I could have something deeper-" He nodded, completely serious. "-If I had a boyfriend. But I don't."
The man laughed again after he'd finally understood his words, lowering his head, but his gaze traveled from his feet to his upper body, almost scanning Will from head to toe.
"Is that all you really need?"
"Yes, Mr. Stranger who's being so persistent." Will walked around the taller man, leaving him behind. "So, now that you know- thanks, I'll be going."
But the man continued to follow Will, behind but close, very close with those legs that seemed too long and made his steps stumble everytime he tried to walk faster to leave him behind but it was just impossible. He only managed to take a few more steps before stopping abruptly, causing the man to bump into him from behind, startling him.
"What do you want?" Will turned to him once more making the man stop and look at him with his brows lifter. Will knew he sounded annoyed. "It hasn't been my night- and I don't want some strange old man following me around for some even stranger reason."
The man laughed, wincing at his words. "Old man?"
Will just stared at him with his face expressionless.
"Okay, fine. Fair enough." The taller man extended his hand.
Will saw it as a peace offering but he still hesitated to take it. Even so, he did it. He shook his hand and stilled when the man didn't let him go quickly. He looked down at their joined hands and it felt... Weird. What was that about?
"My name is Michael Wheeler, but you can call me Mike."
"Oh, I see. Mr. Wheeler." Will said. There was no way he was going to obey what some stranger had to say. Finally, Will pulled his hand back, freeing himself. "Well, you know my name. I don't know how this helps, but it's nice to meet you, I guess?"
Mike's laugh– ahem, Mr. Wheeler's laugh came out again, this time more confident and louder. A laugh from someone who probably had never worried about whether he had enough money for dinner at night, probably.
"Yeah, okay. I know it wasn't a great way to start." He nodded, and Will raised his can of coffee in an impromptu toast to show he agreed. Mike saw him open the can and take a sip, so he decided to continue. "Actually, your sad expression caught my attention."
Will almost choked on his drink.
"What?" He coughed, covering his mouth with the sleeve of his hoodie. "Yeah, you really had some weird reasons."
Mike laughed again, shaking his head. "I just wanted to help you."
"Help me? Why?" Will asked, already unwrapping his bread. He didn't have time to wait, his fridge was probably empty anyway. "Ah. I said I need a boyfriend. Do you have a handsome son you'd introduce me to?"
"What?" Mike asked, his frown deepening.
Maybe Will had gone a little too far.
Maybe he wasn't as old as Will thought. But what else could he do? He couldn't take any more of that day, so he had to make the most of it. But he didn't answer, he just took a bite of his cream-filled bread under Mr. Wheeler's thoughtful gaze.
"I don't. But I do think I can help you with that."
It was the second time Will had choked that night, and he hoped that the third time would finally end his suffering. He coughed a couple of times, hitting his own chest with his fist.
"What?" It was his turn to ask that.
"I want to help you feel better, since I saw you at the store. You seemed sad." Mike crossed his arms over his chest- maybe flexing a little, yes, showing off his wrist covered with a Rolex that shone intensely. "And if all that you need is a boyfriend, I wouldn't mind to be him."
"Can you-" Will stared at him for a long moment, trying to find the right words.
He remained in silence as he took another bite of his bread, thinking, looking back at that man that was probably going insane in front of him because that was something he'd never imagined that could happen to him.
"Can I what?"
"Can you tell me how old are you?"
Mike laughed at the question, smiling in a way that made Will's chest feel light for a split second. Then he turned his head, looking around.
"Can we talk about this somewhere else?"
"If you're going to suggest your fancy house, just give up. I know how this things end up."
"Sorry, but it's the only acceptable place I can think of."
Will rolled his eyes because he knew it. He fucking knew it.
There was nothing else he could lose that night if he agreed to go out with someone who was probably twice his age and would possibly make him spend the night in his sheets.
What else could possibly happen?
Or even better, what if that was his chance to meet a stupid millionaire who would fall in love with him and take him out of poverty? Oh, he had to get things started. Max would be so proud of him.
"Fine." Will said finally, finishing his drink and dessert because he wouldn't be able to enjoy them alone anyway.
"Yeah?" Mike asked again, taking another step closer to him.
"Yes. But if you changed your mind, it's fi—"
"No." Mike told him quickly, taking Will's wrist in his larger hand. That was interesting. "I didn't. Let's go, my car is nearby."
Will let himself be led by a man who, curiously, saw his broken expression and decided he wanted to help him in an instant, taking him who knew where, to do something he didn't know but no longer cared about.
Life was miserable, and Will didn't know how to do anything other than endure what happened in his life and then carry on as if he didn't store every bit of pain inside his heart.
So, maybe if he could get something he actually wanted just once, just maybe, he could feel a little less miserable.
Even if it was just for one night.