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will wasn’t planning on doing it after morning skate.
he’d thought about asking mack out maybe… next week. or the week after. when things felt less big and jittery in his chest. but then mack stepped off the ice, cheeks flushed, curls a little damp, and will kind of forgot how to wait.
he’d been standing near the edge of the tunnel, trying not to look like he was waiting . which he definitely was. the gloves in his hand were a little sweaty. he kept switching them back and forth, trying to act casual.
and then mack looked up and saw him.
“hey,” mack said, voice low and easy, like he hadn’t just lit will’s entire brain on fire.
“h-hi,” will stammered. god. off to a great start.
mack slowed as he approached, tugging at the strap of his helmet. “you okay?”
will cleared his throat, immediately dropping one of his gloves. “yeah. yeah, i just—i wanted to ask you something.”
mack looked curious, head tilted a little to the side. “sure.”
“so, uh—i was just thinking. maybe. if you’re not busy—after skate, or lunch, or—i mean, not lunch , but coffee? or like, we could walk, or—”
he trailed off, heart pounding like a drum in his ribs. mack was staring at him with this unreadable expression. calm. soft. completely unbothered, which somehow made will feel even more like he was falling off a cliff.
“you wanna get coffee?” mack asked.
will blinked. “what?”
“with me,” mack said, lips twitching like he was holding back a smile. “after we shower and stuff. coffee sounds good.”
will lit up. he could feel it happening. his cheeks, his ears—everything was on fire. “yeah. yeah! i mean—yes. totally. cool. okay.”
mack actually laughed. a real one, low and warm in his chest.
and then, because the universe wasn’t done killing will where he stood, mack added, “you’re kind of cute when you stutter, by the way.”
will made a strangled noise and immediately covered his face with his gloves. “okay. wow. rude.”
“i’ll meet you out front in, like, twenty?” mack said.
“okay,” will mumbled through the leather. “yeah. okay.”
and then mack was gone, walking down the hallway like he hadn’t just turned will’s insides into a full blown disaster.
⸻
he showered fast. too fast. burned his tongue on his travel mug because he hadn’t waited for the water to cool down. couldn’t find his other sock for three full minutes. his hands were shaking when he zipped up his hoodie.
but when he got to the front doors, mack was already there. hoodie on, curls still a little damp, eyes calm and steady.
he looked at will like none of this was scary.
they walked together. just a few blocks, nothing dramatic. but will’s heart wouldn’t slow down. he kept sneaking glances at mack out of the corner of his eye, taking in the way he walked, shoulders relaxed, steps quiet. like he was never in a rush.
will, on the other hand, was pretty sure he was vibrating with nervous energy.
“you get nervous a lot?” mack asked, like he could hear the buzzing in will’s head.
“god, yeah,” will said. “especially when i like someone.”
and immediately wanted to punch himself in the face. because cool . just say that out loud. no big deal.
mack turned to look at him, one brow raised. “you like me?”
he said it with zero judgment. just a soft, curious tilt. but it still made will want to melt into the sidewalk.
“you’re mean,” will groaned.
mack grinned, and it made will feel dizzy.
⸻
they got coffee. will ordered something ridiculous and sugary because he didn’t know how to function otherwise, and mack got something simple and black with oat milk. of course he did.
they found a corner table, away from the door, and will tried not to fidget too much as he settled in. but once they sat down, it got easier. mack didn’t talk much, but he listened like he meant it. and when will got carried away talking about his terrible cooking skills or how his mom still texted him “good luck!” before every skate, mack’s smile was soft and real.
he liked that smile. it made will feel steady. less like he was making a fool of himself.
at one point, their knees bumped under the table and neither of them moved. and that tiny thing, that bit of intentional closeness, made will’s brain go quiet in the best way.
“i could teach you,” mack said casually, when will was ranting about how he couldn’t even boil rice properly.
will blinked. “really?”
“sure,” mack said. “as long as you don’t burn my kitchen down.”
“no promises,” will said with a grin.
he didn’t want it to end. not even when their drinks were empty and the shop got louder. he wanted to stay in that little corner forever, knees pressed together, mack watching him with those soft eyes.
⸻
they walked back slowly.
it was colder now. mack had his hands stuffed in his pockets, shoulders hunched just slightly. will wanted to reach for him but didn’t want to mess anything up.
at the crosswalk by the arena, mack stopped.
“hey,” he said, quiet but clear.
will looked over. “yeah?”
mack’s gaze was steady. “next time, you don’t have to be so nervous. i’d say yes again.”
it hit will right in the chest. like he hadn’t been breathing right this whole time and now someone had finally opened the window.
“next time, huh?” he said, voice soft.
mack shrugged, one corner of his mouth lifting. “if you want.”
will nodded. “i do. i really do.”
and then mack reached out, slow and sure, and took his hand.
will froze for a second, just enough to burn the moment into his memory. the feel of mack’s fingers curling into his, warm and firm. the softness of it. the way his heart stuttered and then settled.
he squeezed back.
they stood there for a minute. in the cold. in the quiet. hands clasped between them like it was easy.
like it had been waiting to happen.