how to mend a broken heart

eight

hey! sorry for taking so long to update <3 thank you so much to everyone who's stuck around
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will was extra aware of how gay his room looked. no photos or posters of women were hung in his room. only band posters of men, photos of his favourite male celebrities and pictures of him and mike from back home. however, matteo didn't comment on it. he simply sat down on wills bed. "your rooms almost as cute as you." matteo said throwing will a cheeky smile.

will blushed turning around to put his stuff down. he went to let the cats out of the kennel but matteo reached out gently, stopping him.

"byers we should probably go get supplies first, they don't even have a litter box".

will did not miss the fact that matteo said we, knowing it would ensure even more time with the other boy.

"uh yeah you're right" will said, drawing back flustered.

"cmon, there's a pet store near your place, we can walk there" matteo said grabbing wills hand and tugging on it.

will froze, staring at their intertwined hands

"you okay byers?" matteo asked, jerking will out of whatever daze he was in

"yeah... yeah sorry" will said letting go of matteos hand and walking out of his room. he could see matteo frown as he let go and felt a twinge of annoyance at himself.

matteo quickly rearranged his expression into a smile and sped up, following will.

will stopped at the kitchen, opening up their cupboard to where their money was stached. however again, matteo placed his hands on wills, stopping him.

"will" he said, using the boys first name for once which threw will off a bit.

"you don't have to pay for this, i've got it"

"no no- you can't" will said shaking his head and reaching up for the money but matteo pushed it out of reach.

will glared up at the other boy. "seriously?" he whined, matteo simply laughed and tugged on wills arm, leading him towards the door. "cmon kid we should get going so we don't miss dinner"

"bye mom!" will called out as they walked out the door, matteo could hear joyce faintly call back an i love you before will slammed the door shut.

will couldn't exactly read matteos expression but it seemed jealous.

matteo, the pretty, rich, smart, popular boy was jealous of will byers? the weird kid?

"you and your mom are close" matteo said. it sounded like more of a statement than a question

"yeah she's the best"

"i miss my mom" matteo said softly

will stopped walking and turned towards the other boy, "what happened to her?"

"she passed away a few years ago. now it's just me, my sister and my dad"

will reached up and touched one of the bruises on matteos face softly. matteo flinched a way but eventually settled into wills touch. "is this from your dad" will whispered

matteo nodded, not meeting the other boys eyes.

"my dad used to do that too" will stated, pulling his hand away from the taller boys face. "let me fix these up for you when we get home"

"no you don't have to im fine will"

"i want to." will stated and then continued walking. "and hey... matteo if you ever need a place to stay, my home is open. come over any time okay?"

"thanks byers" matteo said with a smile, brushing the hair away from wills face out of habit.

will sighed. he could not let this turn into another situation like him and mike. he didn't even know if matteo liked boys and here he was getting attached. again.

"you okay will?" matteo asked his voice sounding concerned

"yes i'm fine" will said with a very unconvincing smile and with that the two boys continued their route to the pet store.