16 and in love ; w. byers

16 and in love ; 1 - 3

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"do you think being gay is wrong?" the question was soft, but it felt like it suffocated nathan. he laid next to will on his bed, his hands shaking as he tried to think of the most appropriate answer.

"no." was all he could muster, terrified of his friend's reaction. "good." will muttered, his eyes focused on the ceiling above.

"how are you feeling?" nathan asked, his eyes trained on the ceiling fan as it spun. "the calmest i've felt since... it happened."

will still hadn't fully talked about his week in the upside down, he was too shaken up about it even to this day, but he also didn't want his trauma to define him. he wanted so badly to move past it.

"that's good." nathan nodded, despite neither boy looking at each other, it just felt natural to nod at that. "i need a cigarette." he groaned, sitting up slowly. "can i- try it?" will asked, startling both of them. he hadn't even fully realized he was asking until the words left his lips. "yeah sure, but we gotta sit on the roof otherwise my mom will freak." nathan grabbed his jean jacket, sliding it over his shoulders. the boys climbed out of his window and onto the lower roof covering his front porch. they sat next to each other, sharing a cigarette.

will hadn't expected to enjoy it as much as he did. he felt so happy. sitting next to nathan and smoking felt so natural. like he was meant to do this. so he did, taking the pack from nathan's jacket and lighting his own cigarette instead of stealing hits off of nathan's.

"i didn't take you as the kind of guy to break this many rules in one night." nathan teased, smoke seeping out of his mouth as he spoke. "i think i deserve it, after everything." will shrugged, flicking the ash off the end of his cigarette.

he leaned his head on nathan's shoulder, who didn't stiffen up or even react, besides a small smile.

once they finished their cigarettes, they climbed back in the window, throwing the buds into the trash can.

"hey nate?" will asked, sitting down on nathan's bed. "yeah?" he responded, sitting at his desk with his homework out. "do you- uh. fuck. can i- fuck." will sighed angrily as he tried to get the words out. "take your time." nathan assured softly, starting to solve trigonometry problems.

"i'm gay."

"i figured." nathan shrugged, not looking up from his math. "what? how?" will asked, his eyebrows furrowing. "well, most straight guys don't ask 'hey do you think being gay is wrong' so i just figured you were testing the waters." nathan explained, his shoulders stiff. "oh." will breathed out, slowly blinking.

"i don't mind, if that's what you were scared of. who you wanna fuck is none of my business." nathan assured. will stared at him from behind, his long curly hair almost reached his shoulders by now, and his earrings were obvious as they dangled - little guitars.

"ok." will nodded, shaking his head before pouring more rum into his glass.

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will had expected being drunk to feel a lot worse than it actually did. he expected to lose his coordination, to slur his words, to be angry. but right now, all he felt was bliss. as he curled up next to his sleeping crush, he felt nothing short of pure joy.

in his sleep, nathan rolled over to face will and slung his arm around the other boy's waist, a soft hum subconsciously leaving his throat as a smile formed on his face.

will felt his cheeks turn pink, but he didn't let the opportunity to slide closer to nathan pass him by. their faces were inches apart as will tried to fall asleep, but the thought of connecting his lips with nathan's wouldn't leave his brain.

but nathan was asleep, and they were drunk. he would be taking advantage of his friend's vulnerability if he kissed him. it would be wrong. so will shut his eyes and just tried to stop thinking.

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