MIKE POV-

However, back in the dining room, the ravenette had a perfect view of the kitchen, able to see everything as he seethed with anger; never once had anyone raised a hand at him and gotten away with it. He glared at the brunette, knowing he wouldn't let this go unpunished once they reach the car. The weight of the argument weighing heavy on him as his intense gaze burnt holes in the back of Will's head.

Just as the tension seemed to escalate and seemed as though actual steam may emerge from Mike's ears, Richie scooted closer, sitting on the chair between them closing the gap, tapping his brother on the shoulder. Startled, Mike tilted his head to face his twin with a death glare.

"Woah their tough guy, you look like you're gonna explode," Richie teased, trying to break the uncomfortable tension.

The ravenette shot his brother an annoyed look, not in the mood, "Can you not?" he grumbled; obviously annoyed.

The glasses boy felt his playful demeanour fade as he saw the serious expression, "Seriously, what's going on with you? You've been so prissy all day... more than usual." He asked, his tone now genuine.

Mike's frustrations resurfaced, "Nothing is going on!" he replied, attempting to sound convincing.

But Richie wasn't an idiot, he knew something was definitely wrong; perhaps it was twin telepathy, or maybe because he heard parts of the argument in the bathroom; he knew something was suspicious.

"I heard you two arguing before," the glasses boy said, crossing his arms, "I know you're actually forcing him to be your boyfriend," he whispered, not alerting their father's attention as Ted played with Holly.

But the ravenette flashed with anger, not appreciating the interference. "Mind your own business!" he retorted,

Richie scrunched his face, a worry painting his mind as it overpowered his general jocular attitude, "A-are you hurting him?" he questioned firm, afraid of the answer he might get back; he didn't know of Mike's criminal activities and thought that the ravenette had hurt one of his poor friends to play the part.

"This has nothing to do with you," Mike spat, clenching his jaw tight, feeling cornered and frustrated.

"It's my business when I see you're hurting someone, especially if its Will." Richie countered; his voice filled with concern as he whispered the last sentence.

"Oh that's rich coming from you!" The ravenette furrowed his brows, "Like you didn't try to corner him in the bathroom! What were you planning on doing to him if I never came to help."

"...Nothing." The glasses boy added sadly

"What?" Mike furrowed his brows, not believing that.

"I wasn't gonna do anything to him!" Richie sighed, "Listen I was just making sure you weren't paying him or that he was just using you for money... I know how much that hurts!" he admitted, remembering the wounds of his past relationship.

Mike's eyes widened at the revelation, never knowing why Richie and his previous boyfriend mysteriously broke up, "Is that why you and Connor...?" he questioned, unsure whether it was appropriate to bring it up.

The glasses boy simply nodded, thinking back, "But I know I shouldn't have done what I did to Will... but please, I beg you don't hurt him!"

Mike simply did not say anything, not able to tell Richie the whole truth behind the situation; it wasn't as though Mike had actively sought to cause pain to the brunette only doing so if it was fully needed; in that case, perhaps it was justified,

Just then, a sudden voice filled the air; a childish, girly chuckle. Both Mike and Richie turned, seeing their little sister Holly run up to Will in the kitchen, card in hand. The ravenette watched intently; analysing every part of this interaction.

"Will! Will! Look what I made for you!" the young girl exclaimed, her eyes sparking with excitement.

The brunette, although seemingly having no expression on his face, turned to Holly as his face lit up with a small smile, crouching down to receive the card. "Wow, thank you, Holly! You made this for me?"

The young girl nodded eagerly, "Yes! It's for being such a good boyfriend to my brother and making him smile!" she said proudly presenting the card.

"Thank you for the card Holly! It means a lot to me!" Will said, warmly hugging her as Karen softly smiled noticing the pair.

The ravenette observed the interaction between Will and Holly, feeling a small inkling of remorse. He knew the brunette was genuinely being kind and affectionate to his little sister; it wasn't forced or unnatural. Mike could tell that was the real brunette shining through.

For a moment, the ravenette's ruthless demeanour softened; perhaps it was the way Will interacted with his family who he adored so much, or the way Holly and Will laughed together. He saw his little sister beam with joy; she was the person he felt the most protective of in life and... she was going to Will.

But just as quickly as the flicker of compassion surfaced, Mike hardened his resolve again; the glassy look returning to his eyes as he knew of the dangerous path laid before him. He couldn't let Will go now even if he wanted to... he knew too much; including his family and friends; there was no way out for the brunette except for stay with him forever or... die.

While in thought, Will and Karen returned with the desserts; Holly following close behind, tugging on the bottom of the brunette's shirt. The atmosphere remained tense as always as Richie scooted back to his place to allow Will to sit back in his seat.

Will took the seat in the middle, glancing at both boys by his side with an unreadable expression; it was clear he felt uncomfortable and violated by both of these boys; he didn't want to sit in between them. The awkward silence swayed in the air, a testament of their unresolved tension.

Karen noticed the strained atmosphere and exchanged a concerned look as she scanned the faces of the boys before her, knowing something must have happened the three of them, but didn't want to pry in front of the rest of the family.

"Let's dig in everyone!" The blonde woman said, trying to break the tension with a cheerful tone.

As the group started to dig into their desserts, Karen attempted to initiate light-hearted conversation, talking about plans for the future and other miscellaneous family stories. Richie added his own witty comments trying to ease the awkwardness that lingered in the room. Seeing Karen made Will happy; almost like a maternal figure he never had. Will joined, if only partially, "The desserts taste so good Mrs Wheeler!

"Oh, thank you Will," the blonde woman smiled, a bright grin on her face, "You should come over one day, and I can teach you how to make it!"

"Really?" He smiled bright, always wanting to learn how to make desserts among other sweet treats, but due to his father regarding cooking and baking as 'girly activities', it was strictly forbidden in their house.

"Of course! You're always welcome here." Karen nodded enthusiastically,

"I can teach you how to make cookies!" Holly added, rising her hand in the air,

"Yay!" Will said in a childish tone to match the little girl's energetic personality.

However, Mike remained distant, not adding anything to the conversation; lost in his own thoughts. His mind raced with thoughts of what to do with Will, although he couldn't bring himself to look at the brunette by his side. He closed himself off completely; just ready to get back on the road and to California, but now he had to deal with this whole lunch date for a while.

---- 3:21 PM ----

As the lunch drew to a close, Holly's energy bounced off the walls, running up to Will; her eyes gleaming with excitement. The brunette crouched down to her height as Holly wrapping her arms around him into a warm hug, "You're the best!" she exclaimed with a bright smile,

Will couldn't help but chuckle at the infectious enthusiasm, momentarily forgetting he was basically a kidnaping victim. Returning the hug with a gentle squeeze careful not to hurt her, he replied, "You're pretty amazing yourself Holly," his heart warming by the affectionate gesture.

"Woah Holly, I guess we all know your new favourite!" Richie teased.

"Can you pick me up Will... Please?" the little girl asked, her eyes sparkling with hope.

The brunette couldn't resist the sweet request and happily obliged, effortlessly lifted her into his arms, holding her securely as she squealed with delight.

"How did you do that so easily?" Richie furrowed his brows,

"Hmm? It's easy... I guess I'm stronger than I look!" Will added,

The glasses boy jokingly rolled his eyes; curious, he grabbed Will's arm and felt his muscles, causing a look of amazement to paint his face "Shit, you've got muscles like a superhero!"

"I don't know about that..." The brunette bashfully smiled modestly; not used to being complimented like this.

Karen joined in the amazement saying, "Well Holly really seems to be enjoying it! She adores you a lot!"

Mike watched from the side, a mix of emotions swirling within him. Part of him irritated by the affection that Will was receiving by everyone in his family, but another part couldn't deny how happy Holly seemed in that moment.

A few minutes pass as Will put Holly down, unable to help but smile at her infectious energy. Richie then tapped his shoulder, looking sheepishly as he sighed, seeing the small boy take a step back, "Can- Can I talk to you?"

"Oh um... okay." Will mumbled

"Hey, I'm sorry about earlier... in the bathroom... I was just being overprotective of my brother." The glasses boy admitted, the sincerity evident in his eyes.

The brunette appreciated the honesty but not sure if he could trust it, "Um... it's okay; I get it, I guess," He replied with an awkward face.

Richie visibly relaxed, grateful to hear the understanding, "Thanks man. You're pretty cool, you know?" he said, feeling more at ease.

"Thanks!" Will smiled, "You're not too bad yourself," he mumbled.

"But I am really sorry!" the glasses boy repeated, genuinely feeling guilty.

"I know... I understand you were looking out for Mike!" The brunette nodded; he couldn't erase the past, but he could at least take heed of his apology.

Richie quickly nodded in return, brightly smiling, "It's a shame Eddie wasn't able to come here today! I think you and him would have gotten along well." he added, genuinely excited by the prospect.

"Is Eddie your friend?" The small boy raised his eyes as his curiosity piqued.

Richie hesitated for a short moment before speaking, "He's my boyfriend," He whispered bashfully, "I-I haven't told anyone yet so..."

"Don't worry! I'll keep this a secret," The brunette raised his eyebrows, "I promise!"

"Awesome! I'll talk to Eddie! Maybe we could all hang out together sometime!" the tall boy gushed.

"Yeah! For sure!" Will smiled, but knowing he would probably never be able to meet them again; still having no clue what Mike wanted to do with him.

Karen and Ted then approached Will giving him a warm hug, almost knocking the breath out of him, expressing their desires to see him again. "We had so much fun meeting you today, please comeback soon." the blonde woman sighed.

"Yes! You're always welcome here!" Ted added, echoing his wife's sentiment as he pulled Mike from the side to join the hug.

The ravenette rolled his eyes annoyed, and just wanting to be let go from this tight hug. The ravenette couldn't help feel his annoyance flair up again; feeling jealous and discomfort, unable to process his emotions clenched his jaw, wanting to leave the gathering as quickly as possible.

Letting go the family walked him outside, and without another word, Mike grabbed Will's wrist leading him to the car, but surprisingly this time, clutched his left arm; the one that was not aching; whether by accident or by choice.

Opening the car door, Mike went to the passenger side, throwing the small boy in; handcuffing him to the seat yet allowed the cuffs to be loose enough that it wouldn't be clamping deep into his skin; Will noticed this, but didn't say anything in fear of getting it tightened.

As the ravenette jumped into the driver's seat and after waving to his family, he turned toward the brunette with a sigh and a frustrated voice he said, "I'm sorry about the kiss." 

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2117 Words

Stay Safe <3