welcome

Kisses like those were rare for House, not just from Wilson, but from all.

After the kiss with released House told his boyfriend, exactly how he got away with faking his death. Wilson’s face distorted in anger.

 “How are you supposed to live huh? How are you gonna buy a house, buy a car?” He asked his boyfriend, he took a breath as House spoke over him. 

“I don’t care about that Wilson. A dead man can’t go to jail-“ He takes a pause, avoiding eye contact with his boyfriend, whose eyes widen.

 Not because of fear, because he could see House was trying to be vulnerable- and he was.

“I’m not trying to spend months behind bars without knowing if you’re alive or not.” He admits, his blue eyes glazing Wilson’s dark ones. 

“I’m not going to let you die without me in the room. Without me holding you.” 

House’s eyes almost seemed glazed with tears. His blue watercolored eyes, not framed by tears. Like a Picasso painting framed with gold. House took one more deep breath before speaking, Wilson did not dare to cut him off on his words.

“I’m not going let you- the man i seem to love and care about, die alone. No, not if i ca help it.” 

He tells Wilson, his cane wobbled underneath his arm, he was so..open right now- and Wilson liked it.

This wasn’t like a puzzle House loved to solve, and creat. 

This was House. No walls, or boarders protecting him- just him and his true emotions.

“I know..I know.”

Is all that escaped Wilson’s lips before pulling house in another hug.

From that day forward House and Wilson spend days and nights together, driving through American checking things off Wilson’s bucket list. 

Even the craziest things, were done- like how Wilson and House both signed up to be stripers for a night.

The bridesmaids to the bridal party loved them, or the young twinks that kept shoving money in their ass for a lap dance.

Or House’s favorite memory on the bucket list “Steal something: a store, person.”

House could remember this one like it was a few months ago- maybe because it was, or maybe because it was awesome.

We now see the couple at a diner eating, with a sheet of paper they look over reading, as each take bites of their breakfast, and sips of coffee.

 “Hm, what about this one? Adopt a cat or dog?” Wilson says excitedly reading one off his bucket list. It’s been nice, just spending time together, not a care in the world, almost made them both forget that Wilson was slowly dying. 

“That’s stupid.” House said bluntly to his boyfriend, before taking a bite out of his eggs. 

“How is that stupid House? I haven’t seen you say anything” Wilson retaliated to his partner. 

“First off, you’re allergic to cats. And secondly, you’re dying, remember? Dog would become attached to something that’s gonna die in a few months.” 

“Well what do you suggest we do? Steal an elderly woman’s purse? Rob a convenience store?!” Wilson quickly asks his boyfriend.

 A smirk grows on House’s face. And this grin meant nothing good.

“No, no, no, NO! House we are NOT robbing a convince store, or anything in general!”

“OH, why not?! Scared of fun?”

House asks him crossing his arms and leaning back in the booth’s chair 

“I’m scared of ‘fun’, once it becomes illegal” Wilson states taking bites out of his breakfast, as House flagged over the waitress for the check.

“Your scared of being caught, like your always are. Hence, why you never cheated on any of wives, like- Taub.”  He says digging in his wallet and putting cash on the check, and getting up.

“You’re dying for christ sake! Fucking live a little!!” He yells at him before limping away on his cane to their bikes that waited for them outside the diner. 

Wilson with a sigh followed House. “Fine! Want me to live a little? Let’s go rob a convenience store!” He tells House throwing his arms up as he sees House already seated on his motorcycle. With Wilson’s words he smirks.

“THAT’S THE SPIRIT!!” He yells out making people walking in, and out of the diner look at them. House gives Wilson a quick peck before making their way to the nearest convenience store.

Long story short they succeeded- partly. Not before getting hit with a  bamboo broom by an old, small, homophobic, Vietnamese woman. Thankfully House and Wilson managed to talk to the woman’s much younger son, and he found the situation funny, yet felt sorry for them. 

“I can remember it like it’s yesterday Wilson”

He says holding his weak boyfriend in his arms.

Wilson now has deep bags under his eyes, his hair- or what’s left of it very thin. His clothes drenched in sweat, as he let House hold him softly. 

“Yeah” He mutters back, not without a cough afterwards. “That Asian woman not happy about it.”

“Well at least i got some new pornos.” House says half jokingly. 

He soon stops his laughter seeing Wilson’s coughing fit grow worse and worse, the worse it’s ever been. He closed his eyes and held him, taking in breaths of his sent.

“House..i..” He cuts himself off with another few coughs

“I think it’s time House”

“Stop doing that shit. You did it last week, can’t pull on over on me this time!” He jokes with sass, yet her partly ment it.

“No House- I mean it..for real this time.” He took a deep breath. “I can feel it.”

He sighs as House held him closer. 

“Okay.” Is what he mutters, as tears fall from Wilson’s eyes. 

“I’m not ready House. I thought i was. I’m not..” He cries to him, as House wipes his tears with his thumbs. 

“No one is Wilson, no one is.” He tells him kissing his tears and worries away. 

“No House. I’m not ready..i can’t..the list isn’t even complete!”

“It’s as much as we could do, hun”

“Im sorry House..” 

“For what?”

“For not listening to you. I should have done chemo! We would have had years together, maybe actually has time to adopt a dog!” He cries to him. 

“Or cat” House jokes softly, wiping a tear away, as he tilts Wilson’s head up. 

“Yeah..or a cat..” He whispers against his lips.

“I love you Gregory House.”

“I love you too James Wilson”

The kiss soft yet, passionate. Something that you only see in movies, or shitty rom-coms.

Soon House realizes that Wilson isn’t kissing back. His lips already feel cold.

He withdraws his kiss, and touches his fingers to his neck. 

No pulse.

Tears shred from his eyes, like thick icy rain dripping from the blue sky at night.

House holds Wilson for a bit longer, before getting up com the bed.

He walks over the safe that laid inside the motels closet. 

With a few simple clicks of the keypad, it opens to reveal a gun.

House had kept this gun away from Wilson, afraid he would get mad at him, or turn it in the police so he wouldn’t do anything stupid.

With tears fogging up House’s bison he picks up the gun, walks over to Wilson’s cold body, giving his forehead on last kiss. He sat in the chair across from the bed, looking at Wilson between his tears.

He lifts the gun up to the side of his head, and pulls the trigger. 

BANG!

Is what echoed out into the dark, immediately people dialed 911. 

Medics, and police  arrived to the scene. 

Two men dead.

One by cancer.

And one who couldn’t live without his best friend, and  best lover.

“So- what do you want to do Will? Heard a new store opened few days ago. It’s an art store!” He tells the boy kindly with a smile as they walk side by side. “Really?! Haven’t heard.” He replies with a smile, and small blush. “Can we go look at it, i’ve been running out of some stuff after El used some paint- and whatever she used- to make a ‘Happy Birthday’ sign for Hopper” 

Mike lets out a laugh as he points to the direction of the art store. “Yeah, i think it’s over here!” He says grabbing a hold of Will’s wrist, and softly dragging him a few steps then letting go.

Both boys try hiding their blush.

“Man, i still forget that you and El are officially siblings now, since your mom and Hopper got married” Mike say trying to rub off, and move on from the hand holding as they continue their journey. “Yeah- It’s been nice having Hopper around. But he’s a bit strict sometimes.” Will says thinking back on a couple of things Hopper has done to make sure El is safe. “He once caught Johnathan smoking! It was crazy! He went full BEAST COP MODE!!” Will explains excitedly with a smile. “WHAT?! No way!! I’m surprised they haven’t found out sooner- what happened?!” Mike asks with a smile. Both walk as Will explains his story with a smile and laughter. Mike watches with awe,  listing intently. 

Oh how he loves his smile. The brightest one in Hawkins. His laugh that was loud. The laugh that he wasn’t scared to show. His voice that was smooth and soothing, he could listen to him forever. A voice that could put him to sleep. A voice that he wishes could hold him. 

Hold him? 

“what- Will’s just a friend..”

Mike tells himself shaking the thoughts out of his head

“But…maybe he can be more..something’s been different between us. A good different. I mean, when we hold hands, or touch- it’s nice.”

“MIKE?!”

Will yells shaking him a bit.

“What, huh?!” He mumbles shaking his thoughts away once again.

“You were zoned out, or something- are you okay?” Will asks placing a hand on his shoulder as they stop for a moment. 

Mike glances at his shoulder with a small smile. “Yeah, yeah! I’m okay, just exhausted from last night. Nancy was talking my ear off about everything and anything” He says as Will takes his hand off his shoulder to continue walking.

“Oh, okay- HEY! Is that the store you were talking about?” He asks pointing to a store with a big sign reading, ‘Art & Stuff’ 

“Yeah, yeah it is! Come on!” Mike says before grabbing Will’s hand and dragging him along to enter the store.

Inside the store was art supplies where ever you look, with hand made pieces on the wall that are purchasable. 

“Woah.” Both say in unison, Mike didn’t like art that much, but the store was still cool looking. “Where too?” He asks Will, looking at him with a smile. Will then drags him along left and right looking through every aisle. 

Once in the paint aisle, Will talks about new paintings he want to do, but a lingering thought clings to the back of Mikes mind. It’s been there for quite awhile now. Like an itch you can never reach.

“Will.” Mike cuts him off suddenly, but not rudely.

“Yeah Mike? Something wrong?” He replies holding a canvas, and a basket of painting materials in his arms.

“no, nothings wrong- well i mean kinda..” He starts off rubbing the back of his neck, how does he even go about asking this?..

Will patiently waits for Mike to say something.

“That painting you made a few years back. The one with all of us, as our D&D characters..The one El asked you to make.” Mike starts off nervously speaking a bit faster than usual. “Yeah, what about it Mike?” He asks cluelessly, tilting his head.

“Eleven didn’t really ask you to make that panting…did she..” He question came out more like an answer. 

This question been in the back of his mind forever, almost since he got it from Will.

“Mike..I..” “Just answer it Will- I’ve been wonder for a while now. She didn’t ask you to paint that for me. it was you. All you.” He says his voice now a bit softer than before. Will’s eyes widen, he didn’t want Mike to know the truth- it would only make this awkward between them. It already been awkward between them- why though? 

Why when it’s them alone was it awkward? Why does their palms get sweaty? Why dose Mike always seem to mess up, and stumble over his words?

“Do I make him uncomfortable? Does he not want to be my friend anymore” 

Will thinks to himself breaking his jumble thoughts.

“Will?..”

Mike asks quietly, not knowing what’s going through his friends head.

“Yeah- im good.” Will says quickly as he try’s to silence his thoughts, as they pound against his head, drowning out voices of others- even his own.

“The painting..?” Mike asks again with a cough.

Will straightens up, and clears his throat

“You got this Will..here goes nothing.”

Will thinks to himself before speaking to Mike.

“Yeah- the painting, it was me.” He says with a sigh, almost as if he was ashamed. 

He is ashamed.

But before Mike could get another word in, Will cut him off and continued speaking- yet fastly this time. A habit he picked up from Robin.

“It’s just that when I was going to give it to you, you and El were going through something. And we’re still dating at the time, it would have been awkward! I didn’t want it to be awkward, and i wanted you and El to be happy together! So i just kinda gave her the credit even though it hurt me!…It still hurts Mike, and i don’t know why..Maybe it’s because things between use been tense, or maybe it’s because of my feelings about things..i don’t know-maybe it’s  because i have feelings for you Mike..i’ve always had and it’s never gone away. Maybe that’s why it hurts so bad…“

Will took a deep breath, and sighed. It felt good to get it off his chest. It was like being freed from his shackles. But, the it hit him. He told Mike his feelings, his big fat gay homosexual feeling towards Mike.

His mind starts to run again, and run faster this time. Mike stood there still processing what Will had just said, the feelings he poured, and layed out in front if him. 

Will took his silence as a bad thing- he obviously doesn’t feel the same way.

“I’m sorry Mike- i..i better just go. Didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable- I’m sorry.” 

He says before laying his stuff down on the ground and walking off, making his way to the exit of the small shop. Tears in his eyes his feet picked up pace beneath him and carried him

through the mall, to an empty movie theater.

Mike followed closely behind him. Pushing open the cinema’s door he saw Will silently crying.

“Will..”

He says softly entering, the movie fading into the background.

“Will, i didn’t mean to react like that- I just didn’t know what to say. I’ve been thinking- a lot actually, and about us too.” 

His words makes Will look over at him as both are now sitting on the floor infront of the big bright movie screen.

A soft tear trickles down his cheek and Mike’s thumb slowly catches it delicately.

“I guess I didn’t know what to think of my feelings towards you- I really like you Will, your’e my best friend. I just don’t understand my feelings- but I do now.”

His voice is soft, and honest. You can tell he’s being genuine by the look on his face, a smile spreading across his lips, as his palm goes to rest on Will’s jaw. His thumb tenderly stroking his tear stained face. 

“My feelings for you Will- there more than I can put into words. I like you Will… no- I love you. It’s clear to me now- I’ve been in love with  you Will.”

These words make Wills eyes widen, he scans his face looking for any type of sign that can show him he’s joking- he’s not. He’s telling the truth.

 A smile plays on his lips also.

“Really..?” He asks him, making sure he’s not pulling some suck prank.

A nod comes from Mike as his smile boils down softly.

His chocolate brown eyes scanning Will’s emerald hazle ones, then his soft lips. Will reciprocates the gesture.

Their heads coming closer, as dose their bodies- their bodies so close no room is left. Their lips parted, until they connect like a missing puzzle peice. 

The kiss soft, loving, passionate, and pure. 

Once broken, Mike gave him that stupid grin he gave Will all the time, and Will did the same- just as he did all the time.

Mike’s smile grew bigger and bigger, until he pecked Will’s lips again and again dragging giggles and laughter from him.

“Okay, okay!!” He retorts with a smile shoving him playfully. Their eyes lock once more.

“I love you too Mike.” Will says to him with a soft smile, their fingers moving coser and close until their hands intertwine with one another.

“I love you too Will.” He breathes out, this was like weight lifting off his chest. It took him so long to finally accept who he was, and who he loved. 

The two just remain sitting on the ground of the empty theater’s floor, embracing each others warmth. and talking completely forgetting about their friends.

Their friends run around the mall like mad men looking for the pair, even splitting up again: Max with Lucas, Eleven with Dustin.

Dusting yells into his walkie talkie asking for Mike, or Will to reply- but to no avail, no reply.

“We have not checked the movies.”

“Why the heck would they be there?! To watch fucking John Lennon’s sex tape?!”

“Who is that, and what’s a sex tape?”

“John Lennon is a Beatle- a band member. And i’ll tell you what a sex tape is later, movies first” 

Eleven than shrugs pulling Dustin towards the movies, and entertaining every theater until they land on their prey.

Their eyes lock in on Will and Mike talking and laughing hand in hand on the floor.

“HOLY SHIT!! you! him!! WHAT THE FUCK DID WE MISS?!”

Dustin yells making a scene, soon his yelling attracts Max and Lucas.

“What’s all the yelling for? Did you find them”

Max groans entering with Lucas trailing behind her.

“Will and Mike are dating.” El says bluntly, not caring for the homosexuality that lingers in the air.

“I fucking knew it! Been waiting for y’all to release each-others feelings.” Max says as she nudges her boyfriend.

“wait- your guys aren’t mad?”

 Mike asks standing up from the floor, as Will dose the same, hands still interlocked.

“Dude mad? We’ve been noticing how awkward you guys been.” Lucas chimes in, earning a nod from the two girls but a confused look form Dustin.

“WAIT?! You guy knew, what did i not pick up on?!” He asks angrily

“It’s been obvious”

El says looking at Dustin and giving her brother and Ex a smile- almost as an approval, or a way to tell the she’s not mad. The two smile back.

“Okay whatever- let’s just get ice cream or food..im starving” Dustin says walking out of the theater with El beside him messing with his walkie talkie, and the rest following along trailing out.

“I could go for some pizza” Lucas says walking rubbing his stomach, as his other arm slings around Max’s shoulder, as she nods along in agreement.

“I could eat, you?” Will asks Mike as they are the last to follow

“Yeah, i could eat. Maybe ice cream for dessert!” He says with a smile as he still grips Will’s hand. But before they exit he gives on last kiss, before letting go of his hand and exiting.

Maybe things would be normal for now on. No more awkward. Just love.