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Will checked the time again and decided it was an ok amount of early for their meeting. He snuck out of his sleeping bag and tent, leaving a peaceful Mike still asleep. Once out he found Max already sitting there.
"Your early" he said
"Never too early for Gay Time, plus my leg was giving me some trouble."
Max was still recovering from the whole vecna thing, but she had gotten cleared for the trip. He is glad, without her he wouldt have anyone to have several late night meetings with. She often do things like this. Got places early and left late so they didn't see her struggle.
"Did you tell Steve?"
"...No. it's late, well technically early, and he always worries so much."
"Yeah" Will sat down next to her, normally they would walk around, but not if her legs were giving her trouble, "I think he is allowed to worry though."
"You always have to be right don't you."
"I am Will the Wise," he says mouth splitting into a smile.
"Sure. Now enough about me, anything new?"
"Umm," he is going to tell her today, he promised himself, "not new, but sometime to tell you"
"Ok, something bad."
"Yeah, it's that- umm fuck-," he takes a breath,"I cut myself, like on purpose"
He watched as Max's face twisted in concern. She glanced down at his wrists, covered by yet another flannel, then back at his face.
"Shit, how long?"
"Um, longer than I would like to admit," he tries to push down the tears threatening him.
"Well, glad you told me" she seemed to think for a second while staring at Will's wrist. Her face hardened with determination,"me too"
"Really?"
"Since- well my dad at first and then you know," she shrugs her shoulders.
She ment Billy. Will realized that Max had shit that even the group didn't know about. He knew more than most, about her shit dad, some Billy things, and the homophobia she faced and that wasn't even including the upside-down stuff.
"You clean?" She asked braking him out of thought.
"What- Oh just a day though."
"Just a day. But that day feels like fucking forever"
"Holy shit has it. I didn't realize until now. It's like just a constant little thought, but I told Steve I would try."
"Steve knows? He like, freak out on you?"
"Yeah, he saw them last night, but didn't freak out. Just kinda cleaned them and talked to me," Steve seemed fine telling Will about his own struggle but it didn't feel right to tell Max. That would be something Steve could do if he wanted to.
"That really help?"
"At least a bit, got me to calm down in the moment. Trying to get better now, so?"
"How? Like it's hard to just stop. I've tried before and it just didn't stick."
"Max, you should talk to him, it helps. I promise"
"I can't Will, he has got enough to worry about. And you can't tell him."
"I wouldn't, you know that. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't."
"He worries enough. I'll work on it, just don't tell him."
"Deal, give me your blade."
"What? No. I'm not giving by blade to someone who just said they would stay clean."
"And I can't let someone trying to get clean have one." He countered
"I- no- give me yours"
"Can't, gave it to Steve"
"Shit- but what if-"
"Nope, give it to me and I will give it to Steve."
Max just glared at him. He could tell she was trying to suppress emotion, her legs were better she might have already ran away, but he needed her to take this first stop like he had. Alright maybe he wasn't an expert in recovery, still wanting to stop was first. And maybe forcing her to give the blade away wasn't exactly the same as what he did, but it's the thought that counts.
"Fine."
Max digs a razor blade, very similar to one Will used to keep, out of her pocket. She gently sets it in his hand, although she looks seconds away from snatching it back.
"See not so bad?"
He knew it was bad. Having one back in his hand was tempting already. I would just take a second, pain would fill his mind and block the emotion constantly trying to drown him.
Instead, he shoves it (carefully) into his flannel pocket, turning back to Max.
She grabs his now empty hand, lacing their fingers together. This has become more and more common between them, small touches, holding hands, the occasional hug. Max never seemed keen on physical touch at first, but as they got closer she allows it more often.
Will loves the physical closeness. Nothing seems as bad with Max. She protects him, and he protects her.
"Is it bad I already miss it?" She barely whispers.
"I don't know."
Max seems just fine with his answer, relaxing further into his shoulder. The two sit like that for a long while, heads eventually resting on top of eachother. Very little talking happens, but they don't need it. Sometimes Gay Time is just time for them to truly and fully be themselves. Letting the mask they are forced to hold up every day drop as much as possible. Being close without judgment from the group.
"They are going to be up soon," Will whispers, nearly asleep with his head on top of Max's.
"Fuck them, I'm comfortable."
"You should go get some sleep."
"So should you."
"Only one of us has our gay crush in the tent."
"All the more reason to go see him," she says, and he can hear the smirk.
He sighs, but doesn't move. Mike will be there another time.
"Maybe I like it better here, you're much nicer."
"The difference is I'm funny-mean and he's an asshole."
"He's not an asshole," he says through laughter.
"You could do much better."
"I've heard."
"You should have found a cute Cali dude."
"Was a little busy being depressed."
That wasn't completely true. There had been guys he liked, ones that maybe even liked him. But there was also Mike, who at the time was dating his sister, but he liked him all the same. His stupid hair, and that dumb smile Will couldn't get out of his brain. Maybe Mike could be an asshole sometimes, but he was also Mike.
"It's not too late, there has to be someone, anyone, better than Michael Wheeler ."
"He's getting better."
"Oh, so you standards are only the first circle of hell now."
"Shut up," he buries his face into her hair, "Let me braid your hair."
It's currently in a low pony(probably to keep it out of the way), but she usually braids it. Will learned mostly for El's benefit, but now on bad days he does it for Max.
"You're deflecting, but yes."
"I'm not deflecting," he says to deflect.
He lifts his head and they both turn sideways so Max's back is to Will. He sits criss-cross applesauce and she leans back onto her elbows, practically in Will's lap, but it's the best for when he is starting the braids.
He finishes one side quickly in their silence. Max is lazily tapping a rhythm on the bottom of his shoes. Just as he starts the second braid, their peace is broken by the sound of a zipper. Both of their heads snap up to the tents. Normally, this is when Max moves away, retreating a small distance from him, but not today. She relaxes back into him and he takes the clue and continues the braid.
Mike steps out of the tent Will left hours ago, looking slightly lost. Will catches his eye and he walks over to the two.
"What are you doing?" There's a slight look of disgust on Mike's face that Will can't pinpoint.
"What does it look like, you idiot. He's braiding my hair."
"Why are you in his lap?"
"I don't know, maybe it's comfortable. I'm comfortable. You comfortable Will?"
"Just fine," Will says, although he can't look up.
He knows Max is doing it just to rile up Mike. For some reason shit like this bothers him, and she takes every opportunity to capitalize on it.
"You can go next if you'd like."
"Wha- no! How long have you been out here?"
"Can't remember exactly. Will?"
"Didn't look at the time before I left, no clue."
He ties off the braid, running his hands across her head, following to the braids. She looks up at him and smiles, the sly knowing smile. Alright maybe he also enjoys annoying Mike sometimes. Whenever he is affectionate towards Max, he can practically feel Mike's eyes stabbing him. Maybe he's got a thing for her.
"I'm gonna get Steve up."
"Let them sleep, not their fault you're up early," Will says. He knows for a fact Steve was up late cleaning up and he could venture to guess the others wouldn't like a wake up call.
"Fine," Mike stomps over to a bench not far from their spot of the ground pulling out his phone.
Max moves off her elbows, but only to drop her head fully into Will's lap. She stretches out her legs, poorly hiding a wince.
Will doesn't mention it and grabs the ends of her two braids, messing with them. He brushes them across Max's face who immediately swats away his hands, giggling slightly. He hears an angry breath for Mike and has to suppress a laugh. He can see why Max does this all the time, but part of him does feel sorry for him. Max doesn't even try, letting her laugh ring out.
"What's so funny overthere?"
"Nothing just- Will-" she makes eye contact with him and he loses it.
They're both laughing. At how easily Mike got made, and at each other. At some inside joke that no one but the two of then will ever get.. Max's face turns red and he's sure his doesn't look much better.
"What is going on out here?" Steve asks, poking his head out the camper door.
"Ask those two," Mike grumbles, sending them into more laughs.
"Right well at least you two are in a good mood."
"Just peachy," Max says, starting to calm down.
"Alright you two have fun."
"Steve wait-," Will tries to stand up, then realizes there is still a head in his lap, and quickly moves it out of the way, " I need to tell you something."
"Sure bud, what's up."
Will glances at Mike, then his wrists and then back to Steve's eyes hoping he wouldn't have to spell it out.
"Oh, uh. Wanna come inside? No one else is awake."
"Sure. I'll be right back Max."
Max reaches her hand out then falls limp playing dead, then bursts out laughing again.
Once the door closes behind him, Steve turns serious.
"You ok? What do you need?"
Part of Will wants to break down and cry. Steve was ready to drop everything in a second for him. But that's not what he is here for.
He grabs the blade offering it to Steve, "Don't think I can trust myself with this."
"You're ok though?" He questions while setting the metal piece off to the side.
"Yeah, for now. Watch Max today, she won't admit it to you, but it's it's bad joint day."
"Thanks Will and I'm proud of you. Watching out for Max and coming to me."
"Just don't helicopter, she'll figure out I'm feeding you info."
"I would never."
Will rolls his eyes. Steve is always hovering, but maybe he's allowed to sometimes.
"Don't roll your eyes at me. Now go, have fun and be a teen."
"Fine, Mom."
With that Will quickly leaves the camper, again joining Max on the ground. Today feels like it might turn out alright.