MIKE POV-

---- 4:52 PM ----

Malnutrition, dehydration, stomach cramps.

The ravenette mentally replayed the ailments the doctor had told him. He sat at Will's bedside in the hospital, his elbows resting on his knees, watching the rhythmic breathing of Will's chest; he couldn't imagine how much pain Will was in, no wonder he was annoyed all the time. The room was quiet, save perhaps the beeping of machines and the occasional shuffles of nurses making their rounds. Will slept in the bed, an IV bag inserted into his arm.

The brunette's eyes opened; his features as delicate as an art piece. Mike sat up straight after not moving for hours; he didn't know how he let Will get in this state, he should have been more attentive. "You're awake." Mike whispered, his voice gentle,

Will blinked slowly, his gaze unfocused before travelling to look at the IV in his arm, the thin tube connecting to a bag hanging beside him, dripping fluid into his body.

"The doctor said you were malnourished," Mike continued, his voice gentle, trying to find the right balance. Will didn't even respond, turning his head away, his eyes cast downwards, avoiding Mike's gaze. The shame clear on his face.

"Come live with me for a bit... or I can stay at yours," Mike suggested, being the only one to fill the air.

"Why are you doing this?" Will interrupted, his voice barely above a whisper. His words carried weight, it wasn't anger or annoyance, rather confusion and weariness, "Do you pity me?"

Mike paused, thinking of the correct words, he reached out, placing a hand on the edge of the bed, leaning closer. "Is it weird for me to take care of you? Maybe I just want to,"

"That's what I mean! Why?" Will's eyes flickered toward the ravenette, his expression holding resentment, but cast only to himself,

Mike sighed, he had been trying so hard to reach out, to help Will see that he wasn't alone, but it was like talking to a brick wall. The refusal mixing with his adrenaline from earlier, swirled into a tone that was slightly harsher than he expected. "I'm just trying to help, if someone is being nice to you why can't you just accept it? Why are-"

The ravenette paused, taking a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. This wasn't helping, he knew that. Mike was just worried, and it turned into frustration. After a moment, he spoke again, but this time, soft, and in control, "Look, these type of thigs happen, sometimes life just sucks. It throws stuff at you that is too much of a burden for one person to handle alone, and that's why people want to help, and take care of you for no particular reason."

The brunette sat up slowly, sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at the drip in his arm, "I just want to go home," he muttered, looking away from Mike.

Mike sighed, glancing at the almost full IV bag beside the bed, "The doctor said to finish the bag first, then we can get you something to eat. I'll make sure it's not spicy this time!" He added, trying to lighten the mood as he stood up, sitting on the bed next to Will, a soft hand on his shoulder.

Will didn't say anything, side-eyeing him, his fists clenched in his lap; it was clear Will wasn't in the mood for jokes. "No. I just want to go home."

"Ok..." Mike replied hesitant, "Then I will take you home."

"I can go by myself," Will said defensive.

"I don't want you collapsing out there, I can't carry you twice," Mike responded, his eyes soft, "How about we get ice-cream too, huh?"

"You sound too excited by the prospect of ice-cream," Will muttered, still confused by Mike's actions,

"It's not the ice-cream I like... it's you." The ravenette said slowly,

Will became quiet once more, looking away, but this time his ears tinted red; was he still sick? The pair sat in silence, taking in the sound of beeping and shuffling. Mike stayed by Will's side, watching every drip of the IV, thinking of what to do next.

---- 6:32 PM ----

By the time, Will and Mike stepped out of the hospital, the sky was turning a golden shade. The pair walked side by side, both consumed by their own thoughts. Will paid for his own hospital bill, Mike didn't even try to offer as it seemed like the brunette would burst into tears if Mike even made the mere suggestion.

But Mike remembered to buy some food, food that could be stored and kept for later so Will can eat it. He carried the plastic bag in hand.

Approaching Will's house, Mike groaned upon seeing Troy casually leaning against his motorbike, arms crossed, smirking; almost as if the worry Troy had earlier vanished the moment he saw the brunette conscious again.

"You're finally back," Troy joked, pushing himself off the bike, his attitude in full force, "You're late Mike," he said, completely ignoring Will, almost as if all he wanted was a reaction from them.

"Why are you still here?" Mike said cold, while the brunette by his side just stared.

"You need a ride home, don't you?" The bully pouted fake,

"What ride?" The ravenette chuckled mockingly, "You don't have a license."

"Fine then you can drive me," Troy shrugged, swirling his keys in his hand.

"And why would I do that?"

"Cause you drove me here. You're basically my chauffeur now." The bully chuckled at his own joke, glancing sideways at Will, clearly fishing for some reaction. He was shameless, but he was the reason Mike was able to get here on time.

Mike opened his mouth, but was cut off by a very tired and disinterested Will, simply looking at the two of them, "Mike? I thought you were staying at mine tonight?"

That was unexpected. "Huh?" The ravenette furrowed his brows.

"Didn't you say that earlier?" Will tilted his head, despite his tone.

Did he? Of course, Mike had mentioned it earlier, but he didn't think Will would necessarily agree. But if he mentioned that point now, then it would just make the situation awkward; it didn't matter, it's the weekend, Nancy would understand if he called. She didn't really worry considering he was older now; in fact, she probably worried Mike would cause trouble for others.

"Are you two dating?" Troy questioned, casually interjecting with a smirk.

"Do you ever stop asking questions?" The ravenette raised his brows.

"Hey! I'm just saying what I see!" The bully shrugged, "Why else would you be so chummy?"

"Just go... and try not to hit anyone." Mike grumbled,

"Yes sir," Troy sarcastically replied, walking to his bike, but then he called out again, this time to Will, "And by the way, another one of those art exhibitions you stole from my sister is next week, isn't it?"

"I didn't steal it." Will said adamant.

"Yeah?" Troy shrugged mockingly, a fake pout on his face, "Well, break an arm." He said with complete serious, changing the saying to a threatening tone. He mounted his bike, revving the engine dramatically taking off. Troy sped off into the woods, the sound of his engine getting quieter.

Before Will could even think of saying anything, Mike said what he was thinking, "He's an asshole,"

Will walked to his porch, reaching the handle to the front door, only to find it wasn't there, "Mike, did you break the handle?"

The ravenette grimaced, rubbing the back of his neck nervously, "Sorry... I'll pay for it to be fixed,"

"It's fine, you did it for me," Will replied, pushing the door,

"Still," Mike muttered,

"I said I'll pay for it!" Will snapped, his tone slightly louder than usual, clear he didn't want any help with it... he was the stubborn type.

Hearing that, Mike hesitated for a moment before asking, "So you really want me to stay the night?" teasing, trying to lighten the mood,

"I just said that to get Troy to back off," the brunette swallowed the lump in his throat, "I don't care what you do."

"Oh, really?" Mike chuckled, "Then of course I'll stay. I just don't want you to be uncomfortable."

"I wouldn't have asked if I felt that way," Will replied, walking into the house,

Mike exhaled, Will was a feisty person, but when he saw the back of the brunette, he remembered what the doctors said, 'Malnutrition, dehydration, stomach cramps,' Mike followed concerned, "How about I cook you something?"

"What's there to cook?" Will replied, almost sarcastic, "Just the stuff you brought... but power's out," Will said quiet, seemingly embarrassed by what he said, walking around the room, lighting candles,

Now it made sense why the light didn't switch on earlier. Mike checked the fridge seeing it virtually empty. He wasn't sure if this was a good sign- No food was wasted, or a bad sign- implying that Will hadn't been keeping up with his basic necessities- no wonder he passed out. Closing the fridge door, Mike decided to check the water. He turned on the faucet and watched as a steady stream flowed out. At least the water was still working.

"Pot noodles it is!" Mike said, placing the plastic bag on the table.

"What? But I don't want to eat," Will muttered, turning his head,

"You passed out, I'm taking care of you," Mike crossed his arms,

"I'm not a patient," Will argued.

"You're my patient," Mike announced, adding emphasis to the word 'my'. He thought in return he would hear a sarcastic remark or something about how Will wanted to make his own food, but he didn't push back any further.

The electricity didn't work so Mike rummaged the cabinets until he found a saucepan, filling it with water. He tore open three packets of noodles, making sure to double-check the label to confirm it was not spicy; they wouldn't want any more surprises this week. As the water boiled on the gas stove, Mike glanced over at Will who was sitting at the table, looking tired and confused.

Once the noodles were done, Mike divided them into two servings, a double portion for Will with one for himself. He set the plates on the table and sat down across from the brunette.

Will blinked at the portion size, "Why do I have so much?"

Mike grinned and pushed the larger portion closer to him. "You need the extra food after everything that happened today."

Will stared at the noodles, his expression a mix of confusion and disbelief. "You didn't have to..."

Mike waved it off. "Just eat, okay? You've got to get your strength back."

Will looked up at the ravenette for a second before eating his food, making no complaints for the rest of the meal. The pair would occasionally glance at each other, the atmosphere a tad awkward, but they were more focused on eating. After their bowls were licked clean, Mike walked over to the sink, placing the dishes inside.

He scrubbed the utensils, glancing over his shoulder at Will, the candle illuminating his face at the table, "So, what type of person do you usually befriend?" he asked casually, trying to make conversation, remembering his sub-mission to make Will friends.

Will paused, raising an eyebrow at the question. "Why are you asking me stuff like that again? First it was people I like, now its friends. It's... weird, you act like a parent."

"Parent?" Mike paused for a second, pondering the sentence, "I am not old!"

"How are your parents? You know, for you to be like this?" Will asked abruptly, but his words weren't cold like usual, he seemed curious,

The ravenette let out a dry chuckle, "They are usually out the country for business... but I heard they settled near the beach now; opened a cafe. They didn't take us with them- me and Nancy were never part of their plan."

Will's eyes softened, he thought Mike had a loving support system, considering the way he was: bold, outspoken, nurturing. He never expected to hear this type of backstory from him.

After a brief silence, Will spoke, "My mom's in prison,"

The words made Mike freeze; his hands laced with soapy water; that piece of information was never handed to him in the dating sim. He turned to face the brunette but didn't say anything, letting him continue,

"For a crime she didn't even commit. My dad should've been the one locked up, not her." Will's voice was bitter, looking down at his hand, "But even when they were younger, they would fight, all the time." Continuing, "I only started painting to get away from it all. So, the reason I don't have friends is cause... who'd want to be friends with a kid like that?"

"Why not?" Mike questioned soft,

"Sure, we wear the same uniform, but we are different. There were people I'd like to know but what would I even talk about to them? That my dad gambled this month's rent? That my brother is smoking cannabis again?"

"Will-" the ravenette tried to stop Will's swirling thoughts.

"Mike? What would you do?" Will looked up at Mike, his eyes the most vulnerable they'd ever been,

The ravenette thought for a second, every time the brunette spoke, he saw similarities in them; as if someone was holding a mirror up to him. However, Mike had took all that resentment, pain and sadness, and turned it into anger, beating up those who angered him. Mike dried his hands with a towel, walking over to Will, wrapping his arms around him, hugging tight. "Just this."

Will tensed at first, not used to the sudden closeness. But slowly, he let himself relax, if only for a brief moment.

Then, a draft from the door blew the candles out, plunging the room into complete darkness. Mike chuckled, breaking the heavy silence. "Will?" Mike whispered into Will's ears, "How are we going to shower in the dark?"

Will let out a harsh breath, pushing Mike away, But not with the same sharpness as usual, "Damn you," he muttered,

But in the darkness, Will looked down at his hands... he was smiling,

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2315 Words

Stay Safe <3