how to mend a broken heart

ten

"hey boys" joyce called from the living room where she was watching some drama tv show. "dinners on the stove"

will reached up to grab a plate, exposing a tiny part of his belly. matteo felt his eyes drawn to it. will glanced back, noticing matteos eyes on him.

matteo, for the first time seemed flustered. his cheeks red. "you need better fitting shirts byers" matteo said, turning away and dishing up a plate.

will not knowing how to respond just glanced over at the other boy. matteo pulled himself up and sat on the kitchen counter. facing will.

"yknow, it's been forever since i've had a proper meal like this". he stated, glancing at his full plate beside him.

"it's just pasta and a salad" will said with a frown

matteo laughed, however it came out sadder than he intended to. "yeah exactly. it's been forever"

will unsure of what to say simply placed his hand on matteos and squeezed

as matteo looked into byers warm eyes he realized that this boy, was the best thing to happen to him

"now byers, what's the plan for tomorrow" he said jumping off the counter and walking to the kitchen table. from the look on his face it was clear he was hoping for an invite for the rest of the weekend.

will bit his lip, "i mean you can stay for as long as you want.." he said glancing at his mom who have him a quick nod

"really?" matteo said, sounding soft, almost letting will in for a second but just as quick as his defence slipped, it was back up and he turned away from will. he quickly stuffed his mouth full of food and stared down at his plate.

the rest of the dinner was awkward and silent, neither boys said more than two words to eachother until they were back in wills room and will was sitting on his bed, staring at his hands. heart pounding. he didn't know how to talk to the other boy. matteo was so guarded, yet in need of help that you could see he was suffering if u paid attention. so will avoided matteos gaze until the boy spoke up.

"hey byers uh, i really appreciate this, you letting me stay here. i don't know many people who would have, it means a lot knowing someone has my back" matteo rambled, his words all coming out in a rush.

will finally glanced up, meeting the other boys gaze. the bruises lining his cheeks even more pronounced in the sunset light. matteos eyes were vulnerable. filled with tears, he was squeezing his fists so hard that will could see blood starting to form between his fingers. byers reach out and unraveled matteos hands, not caring if the other boys blood was on him. "you're not alone anymore" is all will said before leading matteo to the bathroom, cleaning his hands gently. matteo sat in silence simply staring at the other boys hand against his. this was the closest thing to affection matteo had gotten in a long time.

"tell me about yourself byers" matteo said moving closer to the other boy

will blushed, matteo was so close that will would barely have to move to kiss him. "uh... what do you wanna know?"

"well i don't know much about you at all, just that your bestfriend is mike from hawkins and that you're good at art" he stated

will smiled, "i mean theres not much to know about me" he lied, his mind flashed to the upside down, the horrors that haunted his memory at night. it's one of the reasons he felt mike was so perfect for him, they'd been through it all together, matteo, he would never understand.

matteo sighed and leaned back. "cmon byers, you mentioned your dad, and mike, and back home. theres a lot to know."

will walked back over to his bed, matteo followed closely behind. that sat beside eachother on wills small twin be. "so my dad left when i was fairly young... he wasn't the best person. he well he treated me the way your dad treats you, but he mainly treated me like he did because he thought i was gay. and mike he was my bestfriend, he kinda hasn't been ever since he started dating el though"

matteo sat in silence for a minute and when he finally spoke he said, "it hurts when dads are right"

will frowned unsure of what he meant at first but then he realized what matteo meant. "you are too"

"eh," matteo simply replied. "i swing both ways"

will just nodded and glanced over at the other boy

"was mike just a friend to you" matteo asked quietly. will froze in shock, no one had ever caught onto how he felt towards mike before, not even his closest friends or family.

"i was to him" will said softly. it was the honest truth, mike was never just a friend to will but will would always be just a friend to mike.

matteo patted wills shoulder, "being stuck in the friendzone is a pain in the ass especially when they date your step sister"

will laughed, "you speaking from personal experience diaz?"

"nah just anyone who really wants to know you can tell pretty easily how you feel towards that boy"

"how i felt" will corrected him

it may have been just will seeing things but matteo smiled at those words slightly, as though they were a relief.

"anyways" matteo said standing up abruptly. "i'll sleep on the floor tonight byers"

will grabbed matteos hand stopping him, "no you can take my bed, i'll sleep on the floor."

"oh cmon byers let me be a gentleman for once won't you?"

will let go of the other boy, rolling his eyes, "okay fine, but tomorrow night i'm on the floor"

"oh with me?" matteo said with a wink

will simply sighed and climbed into his bed, kicking off his clothes and quickly slipping into sweats.

"goodnight will" matteo said softly

for the first night in a long time, will fell asleep with a smile on his face.