Young and Yearning (IT Imagines and Oneshots).

Stenbrough; Shy.

Bill - in a word was; secluded. He wasn't the boldest of guys. Sure, he had kissed Beverly Marsh in the seventh grade - but that all ended in the blink of an eye. Even as the stutter began to fade, his shy attitude remained as strong as ever. It was only when he began to see himself, did he gain a sense of pride.

One Winter night, Stanley Uris and Bill Denbrough were working on a Mathematics poster together. Every was like normal. Bill was bored, and Stan was invested. It was only when Bill got Tiny Dancer stuck in his head is when his boredom faded. Before he knew it, his humming turned to muttering - and the muttering turned to soft singing.

Unknown to Bill, Stan had ceased his flicking through a textbook to stare at his friend in awe - but to Stan, it was something more than that. What Stan didn't realise, was that what he was staring at Bill in - was infatuation. He pushed that feeling down, remaining distracted but turning back to the textbook. His eyes were glassed over, however. He couldn't make out a single word printed onto the shiny pages. Bill didn't pick on his unusual disconnectedness, but did cease his singing.

"I didn't know you could sing.." Stan said softly, breaking the piercing silence. Bill's eyes widened for a moment, before he shut them suddenly - embarrassment filled his body at an overwhelming rate.

"S-Shit.. you heard that?" Bill whispered, his hands clasped over his face - shielding the violent red shade it had become.

"No.. don't," Stan said quickly, standing from the bed and peeling Bill's hands off of his face, "It was nice. I loved it," He comforted the other boy. A small smile crept onto Bill's face, as he gave quick nod - before taking the textbook Stan had been flicking through and burying his face. The two remained silent for many more moments, before the shyness left Stan's body too.

"You should sing again..?" Stan said softly, almost under his breath. A lump filled Bill's throat. A lump that hadn't risen in years. A lump that seemed to have escaped after Pennywise in seventh grade. He chose not to speak, and instead shrugged - dismissing Stan's proposal. He watched in dismay as Stan's face fell, before he nodded quickly and distracted himself.

"..Sorry," Bill replied quietly, "I've never liked the way I - sound?" He admitted, to himself more than Stan.

"You should, Bill," Stan said nonchalantly, "It was beautiful."

The word had slipped out of Stan's mouth like loose phlegm.

"Mh.. Okay," Bill finally muttered, "What do you.. want me to sing?" 

Stan searched each corner of his mind, for the song. The song that would finally make Bill and himself come to terms with who they were. It came to him, just as Bill had sighed deeply and turned back to the textbook.

"Every breath you take," Stan said finally. Bill's heart warmed. One of his favourite songs. So much pain, so much emotions and so much love - all in four minutes and fourteen seconds. He nodded, and searched his own brain for the lyrics. Finally, he cleared his throat of the lump that had formed inside of it.

"Every breath you take.. and every move you make, every bond you break and every step you take - I'll be watching you.." He sang softly, mustering every ounce of courage he had inside of him. Stan lay back on the bed, listening to his best friend's beautiful voice - with his eyes closed, embracing every note and every octave that Bill strove to hit. He let out a deep shuddering breath, which caused Bill to stop.

"You okay?" He spoke huskily. Stan nodded, though his eyes had glassed over with tears - which fought to the end to fall down his face. Stan closed his eyes quickly.

"Yeah.. yeah. I'm okay," Stan replied gently, holding in a great sniff.

"No.. Stanny - what's wrong?" Bill asked concerned, taking a seat beside Stan. Stan pushed his fists into the bed and sat against the headboard - facing Bill, yet remaining silent. Bill intertwined their fingers, taking advantage of the silence. Stan allowed this, and felt in a state of pure euphoria.

"Bill.." Stan breathed deeply, "I'm so.. terribly, in love with you.."

Bill's eyes widened, as his face broke out into a joyous smile.

"Stanny-"

"And I understand if you don't feel the same way.. it's just - you had to know."

"Stan.." Bill spoke seriously, pressing his hand against Stan's cheek and moving their faces closer together, "I love you too."

The two shared a soft kiss. A gentle one. Not too forceful, yet not so passionate that either of them would feel uncomfortable. Any ounce of seclusion had risen from both of the boys' bodies, and was replaced with a feeling of pure happiness - pure euphoria.

The fear was gone.