Why was he holding his hand (when he's supposed to be mine?)

Chapter 13 - "It's Not Great"

Will had woken up and offered to watch a movie with David. They had cuddled on the couch till 2:45 when Will turned to David.

"The party should be here soon; did you want to stay? It might be nice to have a support system here if things don't go well."

David nodded looking concerned. "Of course, I'll stay. I'd like to meet the rest of your friends and of course I want to be your support system."
Will smiled appreciatively.

David still looked worried. "Do you really think things are gonna go badly?" Will shrugged his shoulders. "Honestly, I have no clue. People don't really talk about these things a lot so it's hard to gauge what someone's reaction is gonna be."
"If they're as good friends as you've told me they, are it's not gonna matter to them."
Will nodded trying to look like he believed David. The realization was sinking in that he was about to come out to almost all his friends. Could he handle this? His chest felt tight as his brain showed him images of his friends faces looking at him in disgust. He couldn't tear his imagination away from the idea and just stared at the wall in front of him. Then, a knock on the door. He could do this.

It was Lucas. Despite Will's anxiety now a wide smile appeared on his face. He didn't see Lucas very much. They had never been one of the closer friendships in their group but with Max and the Basketball team Will hardly ever saw him anymore. However, He missed his friend. Lucas had this sort of calming presence about him, this trustworthy aura. Will was grateful for this because a trustworthy friend was exactly what he needed now.
"Come in Lucas! How are you?"
"I'm doing great! We won our last game and guess what!" He looked like a kid at Christmas. Will felt a flicker of hope. Was it something to do with Max?
"Max squeezed my hand yesterday when I came to visit her."
Will's heart sank but he knew the look of hope on Lucas' face. He needed this to be a victory. So, he grinned wide and said "Wow! That's amazing Man!"
"I know! She's gonna wake up any day now I know it." Will nodded enthusiastically, he hoped for Lucas' sake that Max would wake up soon.
They arrived in the living room and David stood up smiling "You must be Lucas!"
Lucas politely changed his face from one of surprise to a welcoming one.

"Oh hey! Yeah, I am. Will must talk about me lots." He joked nudging will teasingly with his elbow. Will rolled his eyes.
"Lucas, this is my friend David. We met first day of school."
"Nice, Nice. Great to meet you man." Lucas flashed his charming grin as the doorbell rang.
"Just a second" Will said "Lucas why don't you tell David one of your fascinating basketball stories."
Lucas needed no further prompting and immediately launched into a story about some goal he had scored.
It was nice to see him happy.
He opened the door and there was -

Mike.
It was nice to see him. That was all, Will assured himself. Nothing weird about that. Just two friends saying hi. Though Will reminded himself this could very well be the last time they say hi. So he gave Mike a quick hug and said, "Hey Mike."
"Hi."
"El come with you?"
"Uuh no I haven't talked to her today."
Will gave him a quizzical look, normally they were all over each other in every moment of spare time. Weird. As they walked into the kitchen Lucas walked to greet them.
"Hey mike"
"Hey Lucas."
"Will, El called while you were opening the door, she said she's having a rough day and isn't up for people. Said she'll come over this evening if nobodies here anymore to see you. "
Now Will was worried, he would make sure to call El immediately after everyone left.
Everyone looked behind them in surprise as the door opens and Dustin came in.
"Hey guys."
"Jesus knock much." Lucas said teasingly
"Yeah, God Dustin you can't just waltz into people's houses." Will said following in.
They all laughed and headed to the living room. David said hello to everyone and then they fell into easy conversation. Will lamented silently as he realized it was almost like the good old days. Minus the fact that he had to tell them all he was gay, and he was so not pining over Mike Wheeler anymore.

"So guys..." He started lamely. Just that awkward start to a conversation had everyone stopping their conversations. "I actually wanted everyone to meet up here for a kinda important thing I have to tell you." He was about to continue when Lucas interrupted, "Oh my God Will are you pregnant." The whole group laughed (minus Will.) and after a few who's the father jokes Will continued. "No LUCAS" Lucas withered under Will's glare.

"It's that umm.
Well it's that I'm... "
Deep breath
"It's that I'm gay."
Only Mike's eyebrows shot up. Dustin and Lucas exchanged glances. "That's it?" Lucas asked.
Dustin elbowed him.
"I mean thanks for trusting with that and everything." He put his hands up defensively "'But like we've kind of known for forever.
"Yeah, Sorry to steal your big moment man." Dustin added.
Will stared at them stunned, "And you don't care?" Dustin and Lucas shook their head fervently "Course not."

Mike just stared at Will.
Will ignored that.
Dustin piped up "As long as your happy. And by happy, I mean find yourself a nice boy." Everyone laughed.

Except Mike.

"Well actually"
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
Will gestured lamely to David, who responded with a proud grin.
"WHAT!" Lucas and Mike that time.
Great Mike had dignified Will with a response.
"That's awesome Will!" Lucas said happily
"Thanks man" Wills said blushing in embarrassment but grinning at David who seemed very pleased that people knew about them.

"It's not great." Came an angry voice from a stony-faced boy on the couch.

What the hell
Lucas and Dustin immediately turned to glare at Mike. Will just panickily glanced to David, his new support system. It appeared he would need it.
Mike stood up angrily glaring at the group of boys obviously expecting an explanation from him.
"Look Will, I don't give a shit about you being gay or whatever, but you can't fuckin' date him." Mike angrily pointed to David who was now angrily standing up as well. "Sit down man." He warned. But Mike continued. "You met this random dude on Monday and all the sudden your obsessed with him? All the sudden he's giving you rides to school when I was the one who was supposed to be doing that this year? All of the sudden your all-goo-goo eyes for a dude who moved to town this summer?"

Will didn't even try to disguise the hurt on his face. He had really hoped this wouldn't have to happen. Dustin and Lucas switched between glaring at Mike who was standing up chest heaving from his explosive outburst, and giving pitying looks to Will.

David took a more proactive approach grabbing Mikes shoulder firmly, "Time to leave." Mike didn't even bother fighting back or looking at Will as he left.

Dusting walked over to Will who was staring at a spot on the wall. He wrapped his arms around him, and Lucas walked over and did the same.
"Fuck him" Dustin muttered
"Yeah, Fuck him." Lucas agreed
Will just let out a bitter hollow laugh.
Dustin exchanged a concerned look with Lucas and then motioned his eyes to the door and they both seemed to agree it was time to go.
"Is David gonna stay with you?"
Will nodded, still not speaking, still staring at the wall.
"We love you no matter what Will." Promised Lucas.
It took every ounce of Will's strength to pull his eyes away from the wall.
"Thanks guys, it seriously means a lot."

Lucas left giving a small smile to David who was headed towards the living room. Dustin pulled him aside before he walked over to Will and muttered "Take care of him, okay." David nodded eyebrows furrowed with worry.
He walked over to his boyfriend, still sitting on the couch and wrapped his arms around him. Will's body was stiff, and his breathing was irregular. David Swung his legs over the arm of the couch and pulled Will's body onto his in a comforting embrace. Will's body loosened and he sobbed. He let out sob after gut wrenching sob until it seemed there were no tears left in his body. Then they just sat there.