Work Text:
Will tosses and turns in his bed for what feels like hours. It started off by staring at his ceiling, the soft illumination from the moon now settling into a dark void of silence and peace. He doesn't feel any ounce of sleepiness, his mind racing with numerous thoughts and body still aches to be awake. Will turns to look at his clock, the glowing red numbers read "3:04am." With a heavy groan, he just kicks off the blanket over him and leaves his room.
He's careful to be quiet as he knows Mike is asleep. I mean who isn't at 3 in the fucking morning. Will pads across the floor until he reaches the kitchen and thinks about just getting a light snack from the freezer. Maybe a popsicle will soothe his mind right now. They always seemed to do the trick when he couldn't stop his jitters. He's come to realize anytime he feels anxious or has this random burst of pent-up energy, he reaches for a lollipop, popsicle, any hard candy to keep his mouth occupied.
Will opens the freezer and stands there thinking which flavor he should pick. He stands there pensive like picking a flavor is the most critical thing he'll ever do. Cherry, a safe option, but he doesn't really want that. There is orange, not really in the mood for that either. Grape... His shudders a bit, that would forever be his last option… Lime! Sour and sweet, that would ease his mood. As he was about to reach for the lime pop a voice was heard from behind him.
"Will? What are you doing up so late? Did you have trouble sleeping again?" Mike calls out.
Look, Will knows he shouldn't do this because it's never funny to anyone but him, but there is this small voice in his head telling him to mess with Mike. He's bored okay, so sue him if he wants to have a little fun.
Will doesn't answer Mike, he lets the silence linger for a few seconds before he turns slowly, too slowly for it to be natural. He keeps his demeanor flat and idle, trying his best to be unsettling. When he finally turns fully, he meets Mike's worried eyes.
"Uhh, are you okay?" It sounds weak, and he does feel a little guilty, wanting to break character, but he is too far into the bit to back down now.
Quiet but clear enough to be heard, Will opens his mouth, "He likes it cold."
Mike's face drops in an instant, his face gone pale, more than he already is, eyes flicking all over Will's face and body. Brows scrunched up, and his breath quickens a bit, panic rising quickly.
The silence is broken by Will's laughter; he's hunched over a bit and cackling at how mortified Mike looks. Mike, on the other hand, is not laughing, still staring at Will like he's fucking possessed, and it only makes Will laugh more because, oh my god, he actually fell for that.
"Will, is that really you? This is not a joke," Mike says in a meek tone still soft and gentle, that always melts will hearts.
"Mike, I'm just joking! Please loosen up a bit. I’m not possessed, I promise. Venca has been dead for two years already," Will says as his laughter settles into giggles.
Will was about to say more, but he was suddenly engulfed by Mike's arms, and his face was pressed against his chest. Mike's hands settle to his waist and his head lands on his shoulders. He feels his shaky breath on his neck and can't feel but shiver a bit.
"I was about shit myself. Please don't scare me like that again baby."
Baby.
Baby?
Did Mike just call him baby? Will is short-circuiting, Mike called him baby with such desperation as if Will was genuinely possessed, it made his stomach twist.
"I'm sorry I thought it would be funny." Is all Will could say as they stood there for a couple more seconds before Mike released him but still stayed close. One of his hands stayed on Will’s waist while the other settled on his cheek cupping it and he looked into his eyes.
"It's okay, but why are you up so late, you're normally dead asleep by this hour. Are you okay?" Of course, Mike is back to being concerned. There is never a moment where Mike isn't trying to make Will as comfortable as possible.
"I just couldn't fall asleep for some reason, didn't feel tired…wanted to get a snack to help me. Speaking of the freezer is still open, and we are wasting electricity." Mike chuckles softly at that. Will turns around and grabs his lime-flavored popsicle. This time he closes the freezer door.
As Will turns around, Mike intertwines their hands together. "Let's watch a movie, I’ll bring out the blankets." Will doesn't even have time to process before Mike guides him to the couch, plopping him down and going to his room to fetch a huge blanket they usually use when the party comes over to their apartment.
Mike picks a random movie they've watched a million times and settles into his space, shoulder to shoulder, thighs touching. There’s not a centimeter between them and Will loves it. He begins to eat his popsicle, already feeling the tension ease away with every lick and suck he does.
Once he's done, he leaves the sticky wet popsicle stick on the coffee table and settles back onto the couch. Mike's arm goes around his shoulder and pulls him in closer, which startles him a little, but he lets it happen. Before Will knows it, he's practically on top of Mike, like he's being cradled in his lap.
Again, Will doesn't really say anything and finds himself feeling drossy with sleep, his body finally settling down and relaxed.
Mike pushes him further into his chest and kisses the top of his head. "You really did scare me. I know it was a joke, but you have no idea how terrified I was. Don't want to lose you again." His voice is soft, that honey glaze tone only reserved for Will.
"You won't ever lose me, Mike, I promise. I'm sorry, I won't do it again," Will says softly in Mike's chest. He hears the small chuckle leave Mike’s mouth and how his chest rises and falls.
"No, it was funny. It just startled me, it's okay baby." Again, with the petname. Will gives a small whine before putting his head in the crook of Mike's neck and inhaling the intoxicating scent.
"I'm tired." Is all Will says before Mike is maneuvering himself to lay down and putting against him, so they are chest to chest. The couch is pretty small, but that doesn't stop Mike from trying to make himself as small as possible to give Will the most space. His arms find Will’s waist and starts to rub his lower back.
Will can't help but scoot in closer, Mike's chest bringing him the warmth and comfort that he craves. Mike brings his hand up to Will’s head and gently pushes into his chest. Mike's soft lips finding the top of his head again.
Will is drifting off into sleep, eyes heavy, breathing slowing down, body weak and fluid, but before he knocks out, he hears Mike ever so softly. "I'll always be here for you. If you ever have trouble sleeping, just knock on my door, and I'll be there in seconds."
Mike is so gentle, and Will knows he's just being dramatic right now with the silly joke but can't help his face rise with heat. Will buries his face further into Mike.
"Ok I will."
Mike rubs the back of Will's head, stroking it till he hears the soft huffs of breath on the side of his neck. Once he knows Will is finally resting, Mike lets sleep take over him as well.