Alrighty gang. I just wanted to focus on the scene between Will and Chance when everyone gets back to the Squawk. So this is "alternate Shock Jock scene while 'Three to be exact' is happening."
(under cut for length)
While the others sit around the green room and chat, Will's drawn towards the front steps and a notable absence - at least to him anyway.
As Chance saw Will eviscerate a Demogorgon to save him, Will saw him make a point of pushing Mike out of harm's way. He feels like Chance should be there with them.
Excusing himself from his friends, he follows where his instincts lead him...
"Hey." He greets him warmly when he spots Chance sitting on the steps, waiting.
"Hey yourself." Chance replies as he stands up and pulls Will into a long hug with a kiss on top of his head. Will can feel a sense of relief when he lets himself relax into his boyfriend's embrace.
"You should be in there with us." Will tells him as if it's a universal truth. Letting his head rest on Chance's chest, he wraps his arms around his waist.
"Nah. Not sure they'd want me there." Chance counters, adding earnestly - "I just wanted to check and see that you're okay."
"I saw what you did. With Mike. I mean." Will admits as he pulls away when they both hear a noise out in the distance.
Just a fox they both figure. Because as quick as it's there, it's gone.
"Yeah. I um. Saw what you did too." Chance beams, bringing Will back into his arms while unable to hide the proud grin on his face.
"You were amazing, mahal." He exclaims, maybe it's the cool night air and the situation finally overwhelming him, but Will notices the slight glisten in Chance's eyes as he keeps talking.
"I guess our little talk this afternoon helped."
"Yeah. More than I think I needed it to, actually. Thanks." Will then kisses his boyfriend softly, briefly in case anyone were to follow him outside. He then admits.
"Not sure I could've pulled it off without you."
"Sure you could have." Chance counters, taking Will's face in his hands and letting his forehead rest on his boyfriend's while he adds -
"You didn't need me or Robin or anyone, really. That strength, that confidence that you could fight back. That courage? Hate to break it to you, syota, but all of that? That's all you." Then as their eyes meet again, Chance's words take on a much deeper meaning. Like he's sharing a secret he's never told anyone and Will's the first to hear it.
"Guess a part of me always knew there was something special about you. I just couldn't quite place what that was until now."
Now Will's hiding tears threatening to well up at Chance's sincerity, at Chance's pride in him. For the first time in what seems like his whole life he finally realises what it is to be seen, truly seen by someone for all that he is.
"You're not freaked?" Will asks.
"Nope. Not even close." Chance answers bluntly then as he lets out a deep breath, he finally lets down another wall between them as he confesses -
"I love you. Will." And now it's right out there in the open for the first time, and yet Chance can't stop. "I just... I need you to know that." Will watches him as his own heart skips a beat again and he can feel a pang start to swell in his chest.
"I..." Before Chance can say anything else, Will's kissing him again with an urgency as he throws his arms around Chance's neck and holds on to his boyfriend tighter.
"I love you too."
Once they both finally let their guard down enough, they're both wiping tears away from each other's cheeks between soft little kisses.
"I'm so proud of you, mahal" Chance assures him and holds Will to him for at least a few moments longer. Though Will's still determined to have Chance join them in the green room. With a sigh and a feigned look of defeat, they walk back into WSQK's green room.
"Thank you." Will tells him sincerely. "Just for everything, okay?"
"Hey, isn't that what boyfriends are for?" Chance teases and with his hand on Will's back they finally join the rest of the party who are still arguing about what Will's powers even are when Chance looks at both Lucas and Mike then announces with certainty.
"His powers aren't innate, If I'm right, what he's actually doing is draining it from the hive. It's sort of acting like a power conduit. Looks like it manifests itself in the same way Vecna's powers do." The two boys both stare while Will agrees as Chance corrects them both.
"Now. I can't be one hundred percent sure, but that technically makes him a Warlock."
Again Will feels seen but torn at the same time as he agrees with Chance but doesn't want to make a scene about it.
"How do you even know that?!" Mike spits, immediately doing away with any kind of pleasantries. Lucas on the other hand is more subdued.
"Because I can fuckin' read. Dipshit." Chance mocks Mike as Will takes a seat besides Lucas. Mike however isn't backing down, much to everyone else's annoyance in the room.
"Funny. I didn't think that a Neanderthal like you even knew how to read." Mike shoots back, thinking he won some battle of wits he's somehow concocted in his imagination. Chance however just flatly ignores him if not for Will's sake, then his own sake.
"You know, he did just save your ass, Mike. Least you could do is show Chance a little respect, man. Or some humility even." Lucas points out, wincing from the still fresh wound on his chest.
"Can we please just get back on track here, guys?" Joyce interjects.
WAITTT I LOVE THIS SO MUCHHH
