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mack had changed shirts three times already.
first it was the navy button up. then the white t shirt with the small stitched logo on the chest. then back to the navy, but untucked. then he stood in front of the mirror for a full minute before tugging it off again and going for a plain black long sleeve.
his hair looked fine. his jeans fit. the weather was good. they weren’t going anywhere fancy, just that cozy italian place will liked, but mack still felt like every single part of him was a little bit wrong.
too much. or not enough. or both.
he sat on the edge of the bed and pulled at the sleeves of his shirt, fingers twisting the fabric until it stretched.
the front door opened a minute later, quiet but familiar. will’s voice followed, light and casual: “babe? i’m here. sorry i’m a little late, i couldn’t find my keys—”
his footsteps stopped when he turned the corner and saw mack sitting there.
“hey,” will said, softer now. “you ready?”
mack didn’t look up right away. “i don’t know what to wear.”
will blinked. “um. you’re wearing clothes now.”
“i mean- yeah.” mack tugged at the sleeves again. “i just. i keep changing. i don’t know. everything feels off.”
will crossed the room and sat down next to him without saying anything. he didn’t reach out, just let their shoulders touch.
mack looked down at his knees.
“i feel like i’m trying too hard,” he muttered. “or not trying hard enough. i don’t know. i just wanna look good next to you.”
will blinked. then turned his head, slowly.
“baby,” he said. “you do look good. like. unfairly good.”
mack rolled his eyes.
“no, seriously,” will said, more urgently now. “you could wear literally anything and still make me feel like i’m the one dating out of my league.”
mack looked skeptical.
“i’m not just saying that to make you feel better,” will added. “i mean, i am trying to make you feel better. but it’s also just true.”
mack let out a quiet breath. “i just keep thinking… what if people look at us and think i don’t fit?”
“fit what?” will asked, tilting his head.
“you,” mack said. “i mean, you’re funny and confident and you have cool clothes and you always know what to say. and i’m just…”
will waited, but mack didn’t finish the sentence.
he reached out then, finally, and hooked his fingers through mack’s. “you’re just you ,” he said. “which is exactly what i like. you don’t have to be anything else.”
mack didn’t answer, but he squeezed will’s hand a little.
“also,” will said, eyes sparkling, “this shirt? the black one? it’s driving me a little crazy. in a good way.”
mack groaned. “stop.”
“no, i mean it.” will grinned. “you’re all long lines and soft edges and your collarbone is kind of illegal.”
mack hid his face in his hands.
“plus,” will added, teasing now, “you smell good. and i know you only do that when you like someone.”
mack peeked out through his fingers. “you already know i like you.”
“yeah,” will said, leaning in close, “but it’s nice to be reminded.”
they sat like that for a moment, quiet and close.
mack exhaled slowly, some of the tension leaking out of his shoulders.
“you sure i look okay?” he asked.
will bumped their knees together. “you look better than okay. you look like mine.”
mack went quiet again, but this time it was softer. full of something warmer. he glanced down at their hands still linked together, then leaned over and pressed a kiss to will’s shoulder.
“okay,” he said. “i’m ready.”
will stood up and offered his hand. “then let’s go. pasta and wine awaits.”
mack laced their fingers together and let himself be pulled up.
he still felt a little unsure. but will kept looking at him like he was something worth seeing.
and that helped.
a lot.