The Fall of the Aftons

022: William Afton

William made a choked-off noise, despising how vulnerable he was. His cheeks were on fire and the brick was cold on his back covered by a thin sweater. He was pinned to the wall, Henry holding his shoulders down on the chilly surface.

"William Vincent Afton, what on earth are you doing? Why are you ignoring your closest friend?" Henry asked. He was half joking, half serious. He chuckled, making William suddenly feel nervous. Henry made an extremely intimidating person when he tried, even though he was two and a half inches shorter.

"I thought you'd hate me for hurting you," William muttered as he turned his head so Henry wasn't in his line of sight. But Henry took his hand from William's shoulder and used it to lift his head, forcing the two of them to make uncomfortable eye contact. 

"How could I ever hate you, Will?" Henry frowned, making William feel bad. "We've been friends since we were infants!" William tried to look away again, but Henry did the same thing as before. The hurt in his friend's deep green eyes made him feel even worse. "Seriously, Will, what made you think I could hate you?" He looked so concerned, William couldn't help but hate his childish actions.

William gently pushed Henry off of him, not wanting to be intimidated anymore. But he immediately regretted doing so when he saw his injured friend backing away, doubled over, clutching his stomach. 

"Shit. I'm so sorry, Henry, I didn't mean--"

Henry put up his hand, telling him to shut up. "No, it's my fault," he told him once he was standing upright again. "I shouldn't have held you against the wall like that. I should be the one who is sorry." He smiled sheepishly.

William looked at his feet. He still felt guilty.

Henry stepped closer and lifted William's head. He was frowning again. "Is something wrong, Will?"

William refused to make eye contact. "I feel bad for hurting you," he mumbled.

"We've both hurt each other numerous times," Henry replied.

"But that was when we were, like, nine, and we were just horsing around! We never meant to hurt each other. It was always an accident!"

Henry grabbed William's shoulders. "William, what you did was an accident, too! It's really okay. You didn't mean it. Your intention wasn't to hurt me. It just happened." He sighed and let go of William. "Now stop your babyish sulking and come on. There's someone here you'll want to see."