byler SMUT i found on ao3 | 2

[ xvi ] yearning

CREATOR : notaboogeyman

WARNINGS : no archive warnings apply

RATING : explicit

WORD COUNT : 5780

It was shaping up to be a productive Saturday afternoon for Will who had sequestered himself in his workroom. He was currently adding some details to a painting that he was working on and had his sights set on finishing it up within the hour.

Taking a step back to survey his work, Will reached for his coffee mug and sighed contentedly.

The image, which almost looked as if it was protruding from the canvas, contained a pair of disembodied hands that were blooming from a dark background and reaching out to the viewer. The fingers on each hand were slightly curled as if in a desperate grasp and Will couldn't help but be impressed with his final product.

Will figured that he would add a few more highlights and then seal the canvas with a glossy lacquer before notifying the art gallery that his submissions for the upcoming show would be ready early next week.

Just as he was about to set his mug down to carry out the finishing touches, he heard the front door of the apartment open and shut and footsteps padding along the linoleum in rapid succession.

"Will!" Mike called out. "I have something that I think you'll like."

Will felt a happy flush spread across his cheeks. Mike had moved into his apartment recently after a messy, drawn-out breakup with Eleven and despite constantly reassuring Mike that he wasn't intruding, that his company was cherished and his half of the rent appreciated, Mike was frequently going out of his way by shouldering more than his share of household chores and bringing Will gifts and trinkets of gratitude.

"In here!" Will called out, setting down his mug and picking up a damp rag to clean off his paint splattered hands.

Toeing the door open with his boot, Mike appeared with what looked like a hand-picked bouquet of flowers in one hand, a vase in the other hand, and a brown paper bag that he was holding in between his teeth. He had such an earnest look on his face that Will couldn't help but let out an amused laugh.

"What?" Will asked through his laughter, gesturing towards the flowers.



"Okay, listen," Mike started, setting down his offerings on the side table, "I know it's a bit cutesy but when I was riding around earlier I saw these on the side of the road and thought your work space could use it."

Mike's face had flushed considerably during his explanation and Will's heart couldn't help but clench like a fist. Taking a brief glance around the room, Will couldn't deny that the only touch of colour to be seen came from his paint supplies.

"No, yeah, they're great," Will replied earnestly, "thanks, I'll find a spot for them."

"Sweet. I'm gonna heat up some of this food for lunch," Mike said, picking the paper bag back up, "how do you feel about curry?"

"Sounds great, I'm just gonna clean up here first." Will said as he jerked his chin towards the open tubes of paint.

With a nod, Mike closed the door and padded off to the kitchen.

After a few moments, Will could hear the sounds of him unpacking their food and puttering around to prepare their lunch.

Will had to bite at his lip to keep a grin from spreading across his face as he walked towards the bouquet. The flowers looked uncommon and he could see why they piqued Mike's interest. Similar to poppies, the petals were a bright red and wrinkled like lip skin and the centre of each flower contained a small bulb.