“i thought it’d be messier in here.”
the way will said it was so simple, so matter-of-fact, that chance couldn’t help but let out a snort as they sped just fast enough down cornwallis to blur the trees they passed. “no, please, tell me what you really think,” chance deadpanned, but he was smiling, fingers flexing against the steering wheel.
“i’m serious.” will perked up a little, his first date jitters settling a little at how easy this was starting to feel. “i was surprised when my feet weren’t immediately kicking away pop cans-“
“excuse me, hey-“ chance raised the hand closest to will, almost defensive as will laughed, bunny teeth and all. “i’ll have you know i take great care of my baby.”
“riiight.” will drummed a bit on his own lap, one hand after the other. pat pat. “your “sick as fuck thunderbird”-“
“damn straight, byers.” chance barked out a laugh as will quoted him, reaching over to squeeze the giggling teen’s thigh. was his grip always so- “i take care of what’s mine.”
chance’s touch suddenly felt searing as those words burrowed into will’s brain like a woodland creature. i take care of what’s mine.
and just like that, will found himself lost in thought, wondering when he’d qualify; when chance would officially consider him his. did he already? did he ever plan to?
was he even worthy of it? did he want to be? was it safe?
“will.”
the shorter snapped out of it, his gaze landing on the graffitied back door of benny’s old diner. he swallowed, looking back over and woah, was chance always so close-?
“there you are.” chance had a smirk on his face, but his gaze held more concern than anything. “you spaced out on me.” his thumb ran back and forth over will’s jeans. “you’re not having second thoughts, are you?”
it was clearly meant to come off as a joke, but it fell flat. chance was nervous about what he’d say, will realized, a bit surprised by the revelation. “second thoughts? no- no, of course not..” will shook his head as he spoke, sitting up more in his seat.
he swallowed, pausing, unsure of how to explain his yearning, anxious train of thought to the (intimidatingly) handsome guy who was currently staring into his very being.
the same handsome guy who seemed to notice his struggle and swooped in to save him.
“… was it the ‘mine’ comment?” chance squinted, almost wincing at himself with a lazy smile. “was that too forward?”
will‘s heart skipped a beat. he got him.
“no-“ the shorter blurted, honestly, quickly, afraid of sending the wrong message. although, it was only night one-
will wasn’t used to this-
was this weird? was it too fast-?
“i liked it.” will continued anyways, wanting to feel like a boy on a date rather than a coward. “i did, i just- i wasn’t entirely sure if you meant it that way, or-“
“i meant it.”
will paused at his blunt honesty. chance leaned in closer.
“i take care of what’s mine,” he repeated, softer. he seemed to draw will’s eyes into his own like magnets. will had a deep desire to plunge into them. “i’ll take care of you.”
having trouble dropping more lines of defense, will glanced at the abandoned diner’s door once more, trying to force himself back down to earth. “.. it’s only date 1.” this feels fast. this feels too good to be true. i don’t trust it.
“there’ll be more.” chance’s easy confidence cut through will’s doubt like a knife through butter. will whirled to him, stunned. chance smirked, dashing. dangerous. “i mean, sure.. this may only be date 1, byers, but i intend on keeping you around.” as long as that’s what you want, too.
will looked down at the hand that never once left his thigh the entire conversation.
after a moment, he squeezed it with his own, fast, reassuring, grounding, before opening his door without a word and sliding out of the passenger’s seat.
i want that, too.
