running in the streets all day

i don't wanna wait for our lives to be over. if it happened now, would you take it how you left it? this is give and take, so take your time, take me under. i wanna know, could you show me what i'm missing?

[williamlincoln-blog1]

kennedvs:

summer had always been a bittersweet moment for kennedy, even in high school she found herself settling in for a summer of long work days and fluorescent lighting. and yet, there was something about this summer that lit a new kind of excitement in her life. she’d finally finished the last of her final examinations in her online courses, and despite the distant call of her desk chair she couldn’t help but beam at the hustle and bustle about town at the first signs of summer. she would neither confirm nor deny the fact that the thought of spending another summer with her friend william had anything to do with it, and instead would focus on the coffee in his hand as he approached her. “i guess since you brought me coffee i should repay you with the absolute maximum amount of physical activity i have in me for a day,” she joked, smirking up at him before taking a long sip of her coffee. “that way you can tell me all about your exciting plans for the summer!”

william laughed when she made the comment about her energy. it was true, kennedy spent a lot of it on william. he couldn’t complain, though, he liked having her around. “it’d only be fair.” he insisted, handing over the coffee with a shot of carmel, just the way she liked it. he’d memorized her coffee order long, long ago. “other than working and spending every other waking moment by your side, i don’t have any plans.” he beamed over at her, the joking tone evident in his voice. “how about you, huh?” he asked. will looked around, seeing kids playing in a sprinkler in the park gave him an idea. “hey, you wanna head out to the lake? go swimming?”

[williamlincoln-blog1]

william walked through the square, the wind blowing so lightly in the may air, just enough to let the smell of the lilies wash over him. it was the first day of summer break for all of wilson and everyone seemed to be buzzing. there was a certain light about the city, everyone basking in the glow of the new opportunities that would follow them in the next three months. william, of course, was the same. wrapped up in his new found sense of purpose to make this summer one of the best ever. starting it off right, he walked up towards his friend with two cups of coffee, offering the one in his left hand out for grabs. “take a walk with me?” he asked with his ever present smile. 

[jarchieronnie]

#happy puppies

[williamlincoln-blog1]

kennedvs:

kennedy was grateful for will at the end of the day. and not just when he was spewing thoughtful words and reassurances. she was thankful that she had someone who knew who she was, loved the good and accepted the bad, and decided it was worth it to stay through it all. he was just so easy to be around, and kennedy knew it wasn’t easy to be her friend sometimes. she was dramatic, and she disappeared when things got hard. and yet he stuck around this whole time, and was her friend in spite of it all. she couldn’t imagine her life without him in it, and it was as scary as it was comforting. “i just hope i’m half as good of a friend to you as you are to me,” she admitted with a small shrug. her eyes closed briefly, allowing them to continue walking, a figurative moving on. “that’s what i tell gracie when she has a bad day,” she told him with a smile. “she gets really worked up about the small stuff. her best friend had lunch with someone else the other day and she came home in hysterics. i guess i should follow my own advice sometimes,” she admitted. “alright, tit for tat. tell me something about your life now. anywhere from something really sad or really happy, i can’t talk about me anymore.” kennedy asked, playfully nudging his side. 

“you are.” william assured her with a soft smile. there were little differences within each of his friends, things that he could share with one and not the other. feelings, thoughts... those were things he shared with kennedy. the two of them felt things on a deep, emotional level, more so than other people. they were more likely to take things to heart, and at times when it could all be too much, it was nice to fall back on someone who could truly understand what was wrong. there were no judgments, no teasing, just comfort and love. when she prompted him to talk about his life, will thought for a moment. “uh..” he drifted off. “i slept with cleo.” will said. “it wasn’t like, romantic or anything.” he assured her. “it was like, this one time fluke, like we both had to just get it out of our systems.” he said. will didn’t have romantic feelings for cleo and he hadn’t for a long time. will placed his hands in his pockets as he walked. “we talked about it and we both agreed we don’t really think of each other like that anymore, so.” he shrugged. 

[williamlincoln-blog1]

zcnder:

guilt started to spread through zander’s chest the longer and longer that he let william believe that his words were true — he didn’t want to lie to him, no matter what flight response his body was telling him to make at the moment, and he felt bad for doing so. he’s definitely sure he just dug himself into a pretty deep hole simply by not telling the truth, and there wasn’t a chance in hell that he’d be able to come back from this without risking a hell of a lot more than he wanted to and possibly making a fool out of himself. no matter how badly he wanted to admit that he was here for him, though, he couldn’t. he guessed it was better if william just didn’t know. he still did deserve that apology, however, and zander wasn’t chicken enough to at least give him that. “just …. everything, i guess,” he said, trying his best to be nonchalant about the whole situation. he started fiddling with the cuffs of his hoodie. “i had to leave, but, i - i should’ve called, or …. something. so i’m sorry.”

will felt as though he deserved some sort of explanation, but he knew that he couldn’t get all riled up about it. he didn’t want to let zander know that he cared so deeply that he left, even though it was the truth. for now, will would play it cool. he’d act as though nothing happened. because really, that was also true. they’d gone into this with the idea that there was nothing romantically connecting them. only, as soon as zander had left, will felt like he was missing something that he was never supposed to have in the first place. “okay.” will spoke simply at zander’s apology. he wasn’t sure what he was supposed to say. he certainly wasn’t going to tell him it was fine, because it wasn’t. “you don’t owe me anything. we weren’t together.” will told him with a little bit of a bite behind his words. he could try to be casual about it all, but that didn’t necessarily mean that was going to happen. 

[williamlincoln-blog1]

clco:

“not to, y'know,” cleo paused for a second, brushing her hair off her shoulder dramatically, “toot my own horn or anything, but ya girl booked a gig in portland next month.”

“cleo,” william mused, a look of elation on his face. “that’s amazing.” will spun her around in a circle before letting her down, the smile still ever present on his lips. “how’d you manage to do that?” portland was a big deal. he was proud of her. 

[williamlincoln-blog1]

zcnder:

the only thing that seemed to be going in zander’s favor right now was the dim lighting, making it nearly impossible to see the details of will’s expression as he spoke to him. really, he didn’t want to — something yearned in him to know if he missed him, even a little bit, but he told himself that was too much and squashed that thought at the bud. it wasn’t even his place to know, even if he would allow himself to imagine. he had to keep reminding himself that he was the one who left. “good,” zander nodded, tearing his eyes away from the outline of william’s figure and settling on staring at the pattern of the floor tiles instead. he didn’t look up when will asked who he was waiting for, but his heart started pounding considerably harder against his ribcage at the realization of being caught in lie, and his words got caught in his throats before he could even think of another excuse. he shrugged his shoulders, but he was sure it was hardly noticeable in the dark. “it’s - it’s fine, it’s not that big of a deal …. you don’t —” he exhaled a deep breath through his nose. “you don’t need to do any favors for me.” he fidgeted with the outer casing of his phone, before a hand went to pull roughly at the collar of his shirt. it felt too suffocating against his neck. a long silence on zander’s part had passed before he spoke again. “…. i’m sorry ….”

william looked down at his feet when zander did, unsure of what he was supposed to do with his hands. he was currently picking at the skin around his thumb nail, like he often did when he was nervous, but he had to stop when it started to bleed. will winced just in time for zander to speak again, distracting him. “oh,” he nodded his head. “okay.” zander was probably there to see someone else and didn’t want to hurt his feelings. that was probably for the best, anyways. he wondered if this was how all of his future relationships were going to go. one day, you’re close, then the next you’re running into each other like two strangers. at zander’s next words, though, will’s breath caught in his throat. “for, for what?” he asked, trying to remain casual about it all. will didn’t want to assume anything, and he didn’t want zander to think he’d stayed back here pining over him like some love sick pup, even if that was what had happened. 

[williamlincoln-blog1]

zcnder:

zander was hardly ready to admit to himself that he was here to find william, let alone ready to admit such to the other. it was …. a complicated situation, to say the least, and he fought with his own thoughts a lot before showing up, but now? now he just looked stupid, and he certainly felt stupid too. what excuse was he supposed to make that didn’t require him to hang his heart out on a line? he wasn’t even sure if will would believe him, anyway — after all, he did leave without a word. he had to have thought that he was hot shit if he could just show up out of nowhere like this. after a pause that was probably a bit too long, zander stammered out, “um, i was just — just around, i guess, just —” he waved his hand in an expressive motion in lieu of a concrete explanation. “waiting for someone.” waiting for you. somehow that felt sufficient enough, although he was positive that definitely wasn’t the right thing to say at all. he felt a little bit better saying it, though, a little less stupid, so he stuck with it. “— how, uh, how’re you?”

william stood in the darkened hallway waiting for an answer. if zander wasn’t already difficult to read, the fact that will could barely see him didn’t make the situation any better. when he revealed the reason he was there, will’s face fell a bit, though he hoped that it wasn’t as visible as it felt. why would zander be here for him? that made absolutely no sense. obviously, months later, william still couldn’t take a hint. “okay.” will said simply, unsure of what he was supposed to do with that information. he hoped that kennedy didn’t come looking for him. this wasn’t a situation that he was ready to explain to her. or anyone, for that matter. “i’m okay.” will spoke once again. he was trying to avoid the word vomit he often got when he was around him, but he realized it just made him sound stupider, to barely be saying anything. “besides, y’know... the storm and everything. who were you, uh, who were you looking for?” will asked hesitantly. “i can tell you if i saw them or not.” he added, just to be sure that they both knew he wasn’t asking for any other reasons but to help. 

[prettymysticfalls]

[williamlincoln-blog1]

zcnder:

zander had only been in wilson for around a week before the storm came rolling through town, but with just his luck, mother nature decided to fuck with him ( and everyone else ) the exact day that he finally mustered up enough courage to find william again. something that was hard to bring himself to do in the first place considering that he left so abruptly and never called after the fact, nevertheless with the added help of being stuck in the same building with him roaming around somewhere. he called his siblings first, though, before he even let himself process what predicament he found himself in — luckily they were safe back at his apartment and he could breathe with that knowledge, but now he had to face the very stressful realization that he was at a college he didn’t even go to, looking for a boy who probably moved on, like an idiot. he actively tried to find him, at first, but in the process he only managed to get himself lost, and he decided that it’d probably be best if he stayed in one place until he came across somebody helpful. so he was near the science wing ( it seemed ), trying to preserve what phone battery he had left, while also trying to occupy himself so he would stop freaking out and think something coherent. however, soon enough, his name was being called from a voice he recognized loud and clear and his head snapped up, his body betraying him by letting out a relieved breath at the sight of will. although that was about …. as far as he thought through. he didn’t know what he was supposed to say, or what he was supposed to do, because he didn’t even think he’d let himself get this far in the first place. but now he was with him in person and he was entirely too lost. “uh … hi,” zander mumbled, bringing a hand to sheepishly rub the back of his neck.

everything about this situation was confusing, and in that moment, william had no idea what he was supposed to think, let alone what was even going on. once he got confirmation that the man in front of him was who he thought he was, william took a step back, assessing the situation. “what are you doing here?” he asked, his voice a bit breathless. over the few months that zander had been gone, william had come up with so many scenarios in his head as to why he’d left him without a word. he’d thought that they were finally getting to a good place then, all of the sudden, nothing. not only did it not make sense for zander to be in front of him, but more so at the college. he didn’t take classes there and all of his siblings were far too young. maybe zander had another boy on the hook who was also trapped under the storm conditions. will wasn’t even sure if he wanted an explanation. in one sense, he wanted to know why, but if it was revealed that that it was will’s fault why he left... he wasn’t sure he’d be able to handle that. 

[williamlincoln-blog1]

 ( @zcnder )

as much time as william spent at the college, he was surprised that he didn’t know more people who were there. to be fair, it was lab day, where he was only there for about three hours in the afternoon and then left. the only two he’d recognized where mel and kennedy, who he’d left in the common room with his tablet, watching his downloaded episodes of the office. the generators were slowly starting to flicker, leading everyone to believe that the power would be completely out within the next few hours. it was out all over town, so they’d been lucky to have power for as long as they did. will decided that he needed to stretch out a bit, and frankly, his adventurous side wanted to explore the dark halls of the college when no one else was around. he’d just made it to the cafe when he noticed a dark figure leaning against a wall in the science wing, a figure he was all too familiar with. william furrowed his brows in confusion before walking down the hall, just a small amount of light from the windows lighting his way. “zander?” he questioned. he wasn’t hallucinating, was he?

[williamlincoln-blog1]

melaldcn:

“Alright, I guess I will. Don’t want some dumbo getting the comfiest couch” A little laugh leaves her lips. “I hope so, I hate being cold. At least they know that they are doing” Mel replies. At this point she was worried, she was worried about her mom mostly. “Yeah I know that, I’m just  a massive worry wort” Mel gives the boy a small smile. “I’ll try not too, of course I have! That’s the first thing I did. She said mom had her new boyfriend Jack round at the time, he’s looking after her”.

“that’s the spirit.” will chuckled, shaking his head at her. “i have an extra hoodie in my backpack, do you want it? until they get here?” will offered as they sat down. he knew that kennedy was around here somewhere, too. having more people around would calm mel. “see? i’ve met jack. of your mom’s boyfriends, he seems the most ... normal.” that was a good word for it. “they’ll be just fine, i’m sure of it.” 

[williamlincoln-blog1]

ellictism:

           having william’s undying support was always going to be a huge thing for elliot. he was strong, and he could make it on his own, but he cared so much about what william thought, and having william by his side for everything made him feel better about whatever was going on in his head. sure, most of that stuff william already knew, sans the drag, but he wanted to just get everything out. to say it out loud in one heap. he felt like moldy cheese so much of the time just stating who he was out loud made him feel like he was reclaiming just a little bit of himself. it made him feel good. and william assuring him of all these things, pounding it into his head that he made him happy— just him, as he is, that helped elliot. it was something he didn’t want to admit he needed, but he did. and he didn’t want to cry, but his eyes began to burn and he sniffed, ducking his head and using the far too long sleeve of the hoody to rub into his moistened eyes.   “ thank you, william. “   he sniffed, looking at him closely, as his best friend’s eyes were stuck to the fire. there it was. laid out in front of him just like he wanted. he wanted william to come clean on his own time and finally being able to hear it, elliot wanted to cry again. the fact was it was more than just sex, possible romantic attraction too that elliot didn’t quite know about before, and that had him aching. he wanted to sooth will, tell him it was okay. so he stood, and placed his untouched hot dog in his folded chair. walking over to will he sat right beside him, an arm wrapping around his shoulders and the other the back of his head, bringing him in closely to him.   “ you don’t need to have it figured out right now, will. “   he said quietly.   “ i’m just glad you told me. “   his fingers run through his hair in a soothing way.   “ i love you, william. i want you to be completely you. and i’m sorry he hurt you, you deserve so much better. “

william wasn’t sure why he’d had such a hard time telling elliot in the first place. charlotte had known since he and zander had begun seeing each other, but even then it was just because she’d been sticking her nose into places it didn’t belong. whatever feelings he had for zander, he didn’t want to be labelled, or put into a box the way that people did with elliot. william liked to think that he knew who he was, and he presented himself a certain way; even if it was all false in the end. will finally looked up when he heard footsteps in the dirt nearing him, only then did he realize that elliot was closing the distance between them and coming to sit down beside him. “i just don’t think i’ll ever have it figured out.” william shrugged his shoulders. it had all ended just as soon as it had begun. he’d been with cleo, a girl, since then. it was just a shame, zander and bettie had both left will’s life around the same time. it almost had him wondering what he’d done to drive them away. will let his head sink down a little lower so that elliot could comfortably run his fingers through it, sighing softly over the sound of the fire in front of them. “i love you too.” he spoke simply. “sometimes i don’t feel like i do, y’know?” will admitted, shaking his head. “i don’t know.”

[williamlincoln-blog1]

melaldcn:

Her teacher had told her to sit back down, Mel wasn’t having any of this. She wanted to get home. Her mom wasn’t like most mothers and Mel was just worried. She stands up to leave the classroom when her phone rings, “Yeah. I’m in music room 22B” She replies.

when she said 22b, will had a look around, trying to remember where that was in reference to where he was at in the student union building. “i’m gonna come get you, okay? stay right there.” he spoke. the storm was just getting awful, it’d be good to get her into the main building before the flooding got even worse. all of the main roads were already gone. wilson college, however, was up on a hill, so they had a little more time than everyone else. 

[williamlincoln-blog1]

kennedvs:

kennedy had always felt awful for complaining about her father to will, because a part of her knew that his situation was far worse. she could see her father again, even if she didn’t want to she had the choice. for a long time she chose not to talk to him about it, but she learned quickly that it did no good for either of them. it became a secret that she had to keep from him, a burdening tension that would put a strain on their friendship. for all that she hated expressing how she was feeling, she sure was bad at hiding it. will was there for her, and from then on out she knew better than to keep what was bothering her bottled up. when he began speaking again, kennedy stopped walking, facing him now. she really should have expected him to utter such kind words. will really was the nicest guy around at any given moment, and they’d been friends for so long that they’d become inexplicably fond of one another. and yet, she was dumbfounded by his kind words. “i –” she paused for a moment, trying to find the words to respond. she settled with a hug, something she really didn’t do too often but felt it was it was the only appropriate and conjure-able response. “i don’t deserve you sometimes,” she whispered as she wrapped her arms around her, willing herself not to cry.   

when kennedy stopped walking, will did the same. it was probably for the best, that way he could most definitely get his point across. he could understand why kennedy was comparing herself to her sister. it was hard not to, when your father left you at such a young age. kennedy didn’t deserve that. william would never leave her. suddenly she was in his arms. will let out a soft breath, wrapping his arms around her waist and holding her tightly. he and kennedy had never been the most affectionate of friends. more often, it was insults thrown back and forth that proved their loyalty and love to one another. but in situations like these, a hug was all that was needed. “you definitely do deserve me.” he promised her, pulling away slightly. he noticed a bit of a tear under her eye and smiled softly. william used his thumb to wipe it away and took her hand for a moment, leading her back towards their walk. “you’re gonna be okay, ken.” he assured her. “maybe not today, or tomorrow, but you will be.”

[jarchieronnie]

[williamlincoln-blog1]

kennedvs:

kennedy sighed softly, settling in closer to him as he wrapped his arm around her. “thank you,” she acknowledged quietly, eyes focused on the screen while she listened intently to his recount of lili’s antics. kennedy could only hope that she could forge a relationship half as good as will and lili’s with her own siblings as they grew older. “yellow roses, got it.” she said, making sure to make note of it for later. “now i have to upstage you in the flower department, just so you know,” kennedy teased, absentmindedly watching as jim and dwight bickered on screen. “she’s totally going to steal your thunder, lili is already a rockstar. adding sports to that? there’s nowhere but up from there,” she told him with a grin. “don’t worry though, because grace and matty are going to steal my thunder and then we can be washed up has beens together,” she teased, chuckling as she considered the thought. “totally going to be those old people at the retirement home talking about the god ole days,”

“oh, you’re trying to steal my thunder too? huh.” will chuckled. “can’t trust anyone these days, i guess.” he teased her, settling in and watching the screen. he’d seen this episode a million times, but the office was one of those shows where you could still laugh every time. they needed a little laughter right now. he made sure not to have the tablet too loud, so as not to attract lookey loos from around the room who may want to get in on the entertainment. this was not a viewing party by any means. “you think so?” he pouted when she said lili was going to take all of the thunder she could get. will wasn’t surprised. he knew his little sister was the bees knees, it was just a matter of time before everyone else came to realize the fact as well. “can you imagine?” he laughed. “you and me in our rockers, playing checkers in the middle of some common room. our siblings who are still, somehow wealthy and glowing, coming to visit and pity us once a month. how thoughtful of them.” he grinned. “seems like you’ve got it all figured out.”