WILL POV-

---- 10:49 PM ----

Erica grabbed a box of matches from the kitchen as the brunette grabbed any flammable items he could. Wondering into the garage, he picked up a jerry-can stomping back to the living room, dousing it over Neil. This wasn't what they planned when they came here today; they didn't mean to kill him, but if the man recovered and told the police what happened? They surely wouldn't be let off so easily.

Upon looking at what they had done, they exchanged a little nod. The youthful girl struck a match, tossing it before promptly exiting the house and closing the door on the way out, because they weren't hooligans; they always close front doors.

The pair retreated back to the car; Erica carefully guided Will helping him into the backseat. She took a deep breath, attempting to calm the both of them. Even though the small boy said he was fine, the youthful girl couldn't be too safe; she needed to make sure Will arrived home. Luckily, she lived opposite Will; even though they went to the same college, they lived in different dormitories. Will lived in the boy's dormitory while Erica lived in the girls'.

"What's going on? Why are you so panicked?" Robin asked, her voice laced with concern.

Erica struggled to find the right words. "We need to go!"

"What? Why?" Steve turned around in his seat, but from the corner of his eyes, he noticed the small glow from the house, "What the Hell?"

Immediately the two in the back screamed, "DRIVE!"

The funky boy did as told. He asked no questions realising they couldn't waste time. The more they dawdle, the faster they would be connected to the murder and arson... at least that was another activity the brunette can add to his list of 'crimes'.

Steve pressed his foot on the gas pedal accelerating away from the scene hearing the tires screaching against the paved roads, mirroring their racing thoughts.

The silence in the car was palpable broken only by Robin, concern evident in her tone, "So what happened in there?" She asked, keeping her eyes fixed on the pair.

The brunette took a deep breath, his voice quivering as he retold the confrontation, placing a hand to cover his neck, "I asked him about him lying... and he got violent."

"Violent?" The blue-eyed girl's eyes widened, the words practically falling out her mouth.

"Yeah! That's when Erica stepped in!" Will replied hastily.

"And I'd do it again!" The youthful girl smirked, "He freaking strangled him!" Erica explained, throwing her hands in the air.

"Strangled?" Robin's eyes widened seeing the young pair nod, "We need to get some help!" she said, her voice full of concern.

Will managed a weak smile, grateful for his friends' support, "I appreciate it, but it's fine... And besides... I need to get flowers!"

His gaze met Erica's, seeing the confusion written on her face. "Flowers? Now?" She remarked, "Are you sure that's the best thing to do?"

"It's not like it's the first time I've been strangled..." He mumbled, remembering his past with a small frown. Robin knew about Will's past and so did Steve; they knew not to ask questions as it was something he didn't like talking about... he said he moved past it, but they weren't too sure.

Steve tightened his grip on the steering wheel, and while keeping both eyes on the road nodded in agreement, "Alright... we'll find a florist on the way and then we'll take you home!" he assured, his voice steady.

"Is no one hearing what I just said?" Erica retorted, "He was just strangled!"

"I'm fine Erica... I swear!" The brunette awkwardly smiled.

"If you say so..." the youthful girl rolled her eyes defeated, knowing no amount of convincing would sway the brunette.

As the car pulled up to a nearby florist, Will hurriedly rushed out the car until a tug pulled on his jacket, "Where do you think you're going like that?" the voice retorted, Erica smacked her lips, "You look like you got in a fight with a snake!" she rolled her eyes.

Taking the scarf from around her neck, she placed it around the small boy's throat; covering the marks around his neck. "Now we look presentable! Don't we?" she chuckled, patting him on the back and following behind.

The brunette perused the shop picking up different assortments of flowers, including; roses, hydrangeas, orchids, peonies and daffodils. But eventually he decided to buy a bouquet of carnations; they were pretty, and came in different colours. He hoped the person he would give them too, liked them... although it would be hard to know if they did...

He walked over to the cashier, paying for the flowers before strutting out; Erica by his side. Hurriedly they made their way to the car; the brunette filled with a sense of purpose. With flowers in hand, he settled into the backseat, the scent of blossoms filling the air.

The drive started again with Robin and Steve noticing the smell. The blue-eyed girl scrunched her nose; a fan of flowers, but not the smell. It always irritated her nose; and no, she was not allergic; the smell was just overbearing for her.

The drive continued, now accompanied by the fragrance of fresh flowers. Each member of the troop silently contemplated the events that had transpired, their quiet becoming deafening with each passing second; knowing that beyond everything that happened, they still have one another.

A few minutes passed as they reached the dormitories. The younger pair waved, saying goodbye to the older pair before taking a few steps away and seeing the car zoom from the car park.

As they waved, Erica's expression shifted, her gaze turning toward Will, concern etched on her face, "Are you okay, Will?" She asked softly, her voice filled with genuine care.

The brunette sighed, his shoulders slumping, "I'll be fine!" he replied, gingerly touching his injured neck. "And plus, I have this cute scarf to cover it!" Will smiled, striking a funny pose with the scarf throwing a loop over his shoulder as he strut off, skipping away from Erica.

"Hey, wait for me!" She giggled running over until they reached the buildings. It was time to split and go their separate ways, but their friendship deepened through the shared experience of the day.

They bid farewell, promising to check-in on one another. Will watched as Erica disappeared to her own building across the path. With a sigh he made his way to the revolving door, gripping the flowers in his hand. Today he didn't need to sneak pass security, so he smiled, using the elevator. In the lift, he looked down at the bouquet; it wasn't for him, nor was it for the apartment or Mike... it was for someone else entirely.

Ding! "Floor 4!" The elevator announced

The brunette fumbled with the keys of his apartment. With the bouquet in his hands, it was hard to get a good grip on the handle and be able to push it open. Eventually though, Will managed to unlock the door.

As he walked in ready for his daily lecture about 'the importance of coming home early' and 'calling when it's late', he sighed.

The ravenette was waiting with a curious expression. Will found Mike acting very weird; instead of acting how he would expect, Mike has been acting as if nothing happened after the confession. The brunette wished he would show some sort of reaction because it confused him... it also made him feel guilty; he wished the ravenette would say something so he could feel less selfish

He felt as though it was his own fault! It was his own problems for being unable to accept Mike... he didn't want another bad relationship.

"Hey Will!" Mike greeted; his voice filled with curiosity. "Where have you been all night? And why did you have flowers?" he stopped, pointing over at the bouquet.

The brunette hesitated for a moment, attempting to come up with a plausible explanation, "Oh, uh, I was just with Robin, Steve and Erica..." he replied vaguely, hoping he wouldn't press further.

The ravenette furrowed his brows, a hint of suspicion in his eyes, "With flowers?" he questioned, his tone cautious, "Did you go on a date? I won't get angry or anything if you are! I'm still your friend above everything!"

Will's heart sank, knowing he couldn't reveal the truth about what he was doing at night, and that combined with the guilt he felt from the rejection filled him. "No, it's nothing like that!" He replied trying to sound casual.

Mike's gaze shifted to the scarf around the brunette's neck, his eyes slightly narrowing. "And where did you get that scarf from? I've never seen you wear it before!" He asked, but a hint of jealousy creeped in.

"Oh... My friend gave it to me!" Will answered

"So, are you dating this 'friend'?" The ravenette questioned

"What? NO!" Will's eyes budged out his eyes, "Just friends!"

However, Mike's concern and jealousy overpowered him, his eyes wondering to the marks on the brunette's neck; the deep maroon marking his pale skin, "Will what happened to your neck? Who did that to you?"

The words shook the small boy, he forgot the strangulation marks. Instinctantly touching his neck, his throat tightened, "No... my friends' would never hurt me!" waving his hands around. "I just had a small accident, I'll be fine."

"You know you can talk to me, right? If someone or something is bothering you, or if you're in trouble, I can help!" Mike's voice soft, filled with genuine care. He knew something was wrong, the marks around the neck looked a lot like handprints; it was beyond clear that this was inflicted by someone else.

Will's heart ached at Mike's words, torn between wanting to tell him everything and keeping the truth hidden; he wanted to let a man into his life... but he couldn't, "I appreciate it Mike..." he replied, his voice wavering. "But right now, I just need some time to myself!"

And without waiting for a response, the brunette turned away heading to his room; the event of today bringing back painful memories. He knew he was hurting the ravenette, but couldn't risk hurting himself again. Closing his bedroom door behind him, the brunette leaned against it; a mixture of emotions swirling within him; he wanted to bang his head against the wall.

But taking a few deep breaths as he focussed on the bouquet still clutched tightly in his grasps. Tomorrow he would gift it to his best friend.

His best friend... in hospital. 

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1799 Words

Stay Safe <3