Hush •Byler•

2

No more than a few hours later, Will began to whimper and move around in a fitful sleep. Mike was quick to wake to his friend's movements.

“Will,” Mike shook the smaller boy. “Will wake up.”

Will's eyes shot open, his breathing erratic and body trembling. He looked at Mike and grasped his hand tightly for comfort.

“What is it?” Mike questioned, his voice full of concern. “What happened?”

“It was a nightmare,” Will's voice shook and broke, he was close to crying but didn't want to in front of Mike. “You were there. We were walking and then all of a sudden, I lost you and I was alone and scared. I kept calling your name but you were just gone.”

“I'm right here,” Mike gave Will's hand a reassuring squeeze. Will smiled at Mike's gesture, still a little worked up. Mike took note of this and decided to take action by wrapping his arms around Will's slim waist and pulling him close, not minding the fact that he was pretty much straddling Mike's lap. “I've got you.”

“I see that.” Will put his arms around Mike's torso and buried his face in Mike's neck.

Both boys felt giddy with the other's closeness. They liked it more than either would like to admit and didn't want it to end. Thoughts of how wrong it was to be this close to another boy were distant whispers to them, gone from their minds and not able to reach their ears.

Will was the first to break the silence that had set over the room. “Mike?”

“Yeah?” Mike's voice came out quiet, nearly a whisper.

“I -well- is this okay?” Will stammered.

“Is what?” Mike questioned.

“What we're doing,” Will clarified.  

“I don't see why it wouldn't be,” Mike assured the worried boy. “All we're doing is sitting together.”

“We're just really close is all, ” Will said. “Like really close.”

“If you're uncomfortable just say so.“ Mike was beginning to grow impatient now with Will.

“I'm not uncomfortable, that's the thing,” Will stated, looking up into Mike's eyes. “I like being this close to you but I shouldn't.”

“Really, Will, what's wrong with it?” Mike rolled his eyes before meeting Will's eyes once more. “It's not like we're kissing or anything.”

“But what if we were?” The words rushed out of Will's mouth before he could even think. When he realized what he had just said, his heart felt like it had nearly stopped and his eyes grew wide. “I-I mean.”

“Do you want to kiss me, Will?” Mike asked. Will began to protest but Mike cut him off. “Sometimes I want to kiss you. You just make me feel weird and I want to act on it but everyone has always told me it's wrong so I don't do anything but the feeling is so strong, Will. I don't to feel this way but it won't go away. I like you, Will.”

“M-mike I-” Will was cut off once again by Mike, only this time the Wheeler boy used actions instead of words. He pressed his lips firmly against Will's. Will wanted to resist but he enjoyed the feeling too much.

Mike pulled away slowly, a devilish smirk coating his features. “Woah.”

“Yeah,” Will agreed with a nod. “Woah.”

“But it's wrong,” Mike stated in disbelief. “Boys are supposed to kiss girls and boys that kiss other boys are dirty fags.”

“Don't say that.” Will bit his lip, a nervous feeling setting over him. “We aren't fags.”

“But what's so bad about it?” Mike asked. “Why can't we do This? I don't get it, Will.”

“I don't know.” Will looked down

Mike's mind was racing, trying to find any real explanation why he couldn't kiss boys, yet he couldn't find a single one. “I don't get it…”

“I don't either,” Will said quietly.

“Then let's make a deal.” Mike perked up and put his hand on Will's checking, making him look so they could be eye to eye again. “Since we both don't see an issue in this and we both like each other, we can be together in secret.”

Will pondered over Mike's proposal for a few seconds before nodding, “deal.”

“Seal it with a kiss?” Mike smirked. Will giggled and gave Mike a small peck on the lips.