Quiet Before the Thunder

Mike finally looked up, and really looked at Will, "I don't want to lose you. I'm not ready to call it anything yet, but...I want to be close to you. I want to figure it out...if you'll let me."

The silence was thick, but not cold. 

Will swallowed, he was quiet for a long beat, "You don't have to say anything just because I did," he finally said, "I meant it. I still do. But I don't want to force you into something you're not ready for."

Mike shook his head, "You're not forcing me." he paused, "You helped me see something I've been too scared to admit. And... if I'm being honest?"

Mike smiled, a little crooked, a little shy, "I think maybe I've loved you too. Just...I didn't know that's what it was."

Will blinked, heart pounding. And this time, he didn't cry, he just smiled, soft and stunned and a little shaky.

"Okay," Will whispered.

Mike's hand reached for his, slow, tentative. 

Will didn't pull away.

They sat there on the edge of the bed, hands loosely intertwined, saying nothing, but finally feeling like everything might be okay.

Or at least, it could be.

Mike's heart was pounding, but not from fear anymore, from hope. It was fragile and new, but so real.

He loves me. And maybe he always has.

Mike thought back to all the times they'd shared, inside jokes, late-night talks, that look Will always gave him, like Mike was his whole world.

And I was scared to admit I felt the same because...what if it changed everything?

But now, looking at Will, his soft eyes, a small, and a hopeful smile, Mike realized maybe it didn't have to change anything at all. Maybe it just meant they could be even closer.

Mike let out a slow breath and squeezed Will's hand gently.

No matter what happens, I'm not letting go.