Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

William was holding his mother’s hand as they drove in the car silently. Today was the day he was moving. His father was moving somewhere closer for his job.

He sighed and held onto his mother’s hand gently, he looked at her dejectedly.

“Will, I know you don’t want to leave. But come on, this is a chance to meet new people, see new scenery and eat new foods.” Victoria smiled gently, her voice was soft as well.

She placed her other hand on top of Will’s. Her eyes were clear and affectionate, she loved her son dearly, you could see it in her eyes.

William nodded. He didn’t have anything to say, he didn’t want to refute his mother so he just nodded.

Victoria’s smile remained prominent on her face. She kept hold of Will’s hand as they continued driving to their destination.

Soon they arrived to a gorgeous mansion, it was huge. William didn’t pay much attention to the mansion. He was more focused with helping his mother than gawking at the big house with more rooms he could count or ever use.

William’s father Benjamin, walked into the house, not stopping to also aid in helping William bring his mother inside.

William also ignored the man and helped lead his mother to her room. She sat elegantly at the little table in her room and asked William for some tea.

“William, here.” Ben handed William some papers, “This is for your new school, your uniform is being delivered today. You start next week.” Ben then left with his secretary following closely behind.

William didn’t react he just held the papers in his hands, he took the tea and went back to his mother’s room. “Thank you dear.” Victoria sipped the tea joyfully.

William just sat at the other end of the small table and read over the papers. He was going to some rich fancy private school. He then disregarded the papers and went to chatting with his mother.

The first day of school rolled around quickly, William felt like this was to quick, he had just moved here and yet he was already starting.

William put on his uniform, a simple white shirt and black dress pants.

Knock, knock

William turned his head to the door, the knock was gentle. “It must be mother.” He thought, “Come in.” He spoke gently.

The knob turned and an elegant woman walked in, her hair long and black with hints of gray here and there, her face old yet youthful, she held herself up properly while she was quite petite it made her even more gentler with the smile adorned across her face.

William smiled at the woman and walked over to her, “Mom, are you here to see me off?” He gently grabbed his mothers hand while looking down at her, “I’m making sure you have everything, and yes you’re right, I wanted to see my handsome boy leave for school.” She pet William on the head, the boy had to lean down for his mother to reach.

She chuckled before quickly shooing him away, telling the boy to get to school. William laughed with her and gave her a hug and a kiss before he left, “Bye mom.” He bowed.

She smiled at him. “Don’t bow boy, and it’s see you later.” She waved at the boy and the secretary that was taking William to school.

The car ride to school was quiet, no one uttered a single word or made a single sound. It was just the slow breathing of everyone in the vehicle, just the two.

School.

William was being toured around the school by a short girl with long fluffy brown hair. “And finally this is the Canteen.” She turned to the boy and smiled politely, “Do you have any questions and if not how are you liking the school so far?”

William lifted his lips from a straight line to a slight smile, “No, and I think the school is fine. It’s larger than the last.” The girl nodded before her face lit up, “OH! I forgot to introduce myself, my name is Emma, Emma Emily.”

“William Afton. Nice to meet you Emma.” Emma beamed with joy. “Nice to meet you too William!”

He chuckled. The girl was just like his mother, always smiling and energetic.

He followed the girl back to his class. It just so happened they had the same class, she invited him to sit next to her because she conveniently didn’t have anyone sitting next to her.

For the entire class they just chatted and got to know each other, he found it easy to talk with Emma since she held some similarities to his mother.

After class William was in the Canteen with Emma and her friends, they were fine but he enjoyed talking to Emma more. As he was getting to know them more a boy came to sit next to Emma.

“Hey Emmie, and hey other people who aren’t more important than my sister.” The boy smiled at the others, he wore round glasses and had fluffy brown medium sized hair. He looked almost identical to Emma besides the fact he wore glasses and had freckles.

Emma hit the boy on the arm, “Greet them properly!” The boy winced and looked at the others with a pouting expression. “Hello everyone, and uh? You?” He looked at the oddball sitting at the table, William smiled slightly and introduced himself. “William, I’m William Afton.” The boy nodded and picked up his fork he was about to eat when Emma knocked it out of his hands.

“OW!” He cried in pain, “Damnit Emmie, what?” Emma looked at the other her face dead. “Introduce yourself idiot.” The boy groaned before quickly looking at the new kid William.

“Hello William, I’m Henry.” William just smiled slightly at the other, it was kind of awkward, he never really sat at a table full of people, nor was he ever in a situation like this. He’s met people who are just mean off the bat but it’s usually because he was popular and slightly more richer than them, but here he just started and someone already disliked him. He found it interesting.

They all finished eating before heading to their next classes.

Emma and Henry are walking with William out of the school, Henry is quiet not saying anything while Emma and William are doing most of the talking.

“Man, I like you Will, you’re nice and respectful unlike someone else.” She jabbed at her brother, “OW! Emmie, you gotta problem with me?” He groaned annoyed by Emma’s constant abuse.

William just chuckled a little, “Hey pretty boy got a problem?” William and Emma just laugh at him.

“See you tomorrow Will!”

“See you Emma.” He paused before speaking again, “And Henry.”

Henry just smirked, “Yeah that’s what I thought. No one can forget about the amazing me!” Emma hit him again.

William just chuckled.

Soon the car pulled up and William got in heading home.

At first he thought he wouldn’t enjoy going to school here but he was wrong. He met two interesting people. Henry and Emma, they were completely different from the people at his other school. Emma was just like his mother and Henry was just a dork.

William chuckled to himself.

The secretary noticed this odd behavior but didn’t say anything. He would just report it to Ben, William’s father.

“Will, how was your day?” Victoria was laying in her bed holding a book. She held the smile she always had whenever she looked at William, it was warm and gentle.

William quickly went to grab a chair and sit by her side. She noticed how eager the boy was to tell her all about his day. As soon as he sat down he began detailing his day.

Victoria just listened quietly, she was happy her son made friends. She was glad he wouldn’t be alone and only have her as a friend.

Chapter Text

It’s been three months and William was really enjoying the school.

At first he didn’t have a good opinion on Henry but after spending three months with him he began to like him.

“Willie boy, what are you doing?” Henry leans on the top of William’s head. “I’m studying Rich boy.” Henry then sat next to him and yawned.

“Impossible, how could anyone study at this time. And shouldn’t you have already been studying two weeks prior?”

William smiled, “I have been studying.” He remarked, “And I believe there is always time to study.” Henry scoffed before trying to take a nap. William grinned at this before he went back to studying while Henry napped next to him.

Emma then creeped up and began studying too. They were just chilling in there own world.

After school.

“Will, do you want this?” Emma handed William a piece of cake, “Thanks.” William placed the cake on his plate “Here.” He gave Emma a sandwich and fruit. “Awesome!” She took everything she had been given and ate it quickly.

“I got the ice cream!” Henry sat next to William and gave the other his strawberry ice cream and he gave his sister her mint chocolate ice cream.

“Thanks!” They both say simultaneously. Henry nods and everyone begins eating their ice cream and snacks.

It was almost night, the trio sat stargazing.

“Hey, Rich boy, Emmie, let’s spend the rest of our days together.”

“Sure, why not!”

“Whatever you say dear Willie boy.”

They laughed and continued watching the stars. They knew that they’d be friends for a long time, maybe not forever but for many more years to come.

“See you Rich boy, Emma.”

“Bye bye, Will!” Emma winked. “See you Willie boy.” Henry waved.

William made his way home and walked into the house. Instead of visiting his mother who was probably sleep by now he went straight to his room and took a shower before going to sleep.

A few days later and William is taking his mom out to visit all the places he went with his friends. Victoria is happy to visit these places and eat the foods they ate.

“Will, this is good! How could you not bring back any souvenirs?” Victoria glared at her son as she ate the most delicious strawberry shortcake ever.

William just grinned, “Sorry mom, that’s why I brought you out here to experience it first hand. I knew you’d like it.” Victoria nodded slowly looking at her son pleased.

William and Victoria just sat at the small bakery eating sweets and drinking tea.

While they both were enjoying themselves a hand tapped on William’s shoulder. “Willie boy? Who’s that?” It was Henry.

William looked at the boy and smiled, “Henry this is my mom, and mom this is Henry.” He gestured between the two. Victoria smiled gleefully.

“Hello, Henry! You must be Will’s friend correct?” Henry nodded, he grabbed a chair and sat next to William.

“Yep, Hello Misses Afton!” Henry smiled at the woman and shook her hand. Victoria was joyful and happy, “You have a sister right?” Victoria asked taking another sip of her tea.

“Yeah, but she is over at the park playing with our cousins.” Victoria smiled once more, “What a tight nit family!”

“Thank you.”

Victoria was pleased with the boys manners, she looked at William and nodded. She approved of the boy. William just chuckled.

“Oh, here she comes!” Henry pointed to the small girl, her hair was in a ponytail and she was wearing a yellow sundress. “Pretty.” William thought, “Hey Will, hello Miss!” She grabbed a chair and sat on the other side of the table next to William. “Hello dear, what’s your name?” Victoria spoke elegantly.

She saw the way William looked at the girl, he obviously liked her, this made her even more happy.

“My name is Emma, what’s yours Miss?” Victoria was also pleased with the girls manners and attitude, “Nice to meet you Emma, my name is Victoria dear.” Emma beamed.

After.

William and Henry were holding bags upon bags of things, all of this stuff were gifts to the Emily’s. At first the children refused out of the kindness in their hearts but Victoria just insisted and kept insisting, so they accepted reluctantly. Now the two boys were carrying heavy bags to a medium sized house.

“Thank you so much Mrs. Victoria!” Olivia thanked, she was the mother of Henry and Emma, she had invited Victoria and William in for tea and Dinner. Of course Victoria couldn’t refuse so she stayed.

“This is my dad and mom, my older brother, our pet dogs and finally me and Henry!” Emma was showing William her family photos. William wasn’t paying them much attention because he was more focused on glancing at Emma than looking at the photos.

He definitely liked her, but it didn’t seem like she saw him in that way, but that was fine with William. If they could stay together as friends then that was fine too.

“What are you guys gawking at?” Henry walked over and sat next to William, he leaned his head on his shoulder and looked at the photo album.

“Looking at old family photos!” Emma spoke up, “Wanna look with us?” Henry looked at Emma and pondered for a second. “How about we take a family photo today?” Emma was slightly confused.

“What do you mean?”

“Willie is like family to us and his mom is nice too, so why not take a photo with them? And y’know add it to the album?” Emma beamed at this suggestion.

“Uncle Corgi, go get your camera!” Emma ran into the kitchen getting her family together. Henry chuckled at this, he finally lifted his head off of William’s shoulder and looked at the other, “Welcome to the fam Willie boy.” He grinned.

William nodded and gave Henry a fist bump.

“Say Thank you Mrs. Victoria!” Uncle Corgi held up the camera.

“Thank you Mrs. Victoria!” Everyone smiled at the camera, Victoria was gleeful and happy and William was too. He whispered a small thank you to his mom as well, “Thank you mom..” Victoria was going to cry, this was the best day of her life. Besides the day William was born.

Click!

After the picture everyone gave her a group hug, she was happy, so so happy.

“Thank you everyone..” She mumbled through her tears, everyone then told her there was no need to thank them, she just cried even more.

After some time of calming down, the Afton’s were about to leave. Victoria was sitting in the car while William was talking to Henry and Emma.

“Thank you guys.” William spoke softly, the two Emily’s smiled and gave William a hug. “We love you dude!”

William was shocked but he gave into the hug, “Love you both too.” They let go of the hug and waved him goodbye. It was a good day for William and it was for his mom too. He was happy, a feeling he was only used to feeling with his mom, now he had another family. A family that loves him truly, just like his mom.

“Love you mom.” He whispered.

“Love you too son.” She replied.

Chapter Text

It has been half a year since William Has been friends with the twins, Henry and Emma. He would constantly go over and visit them, occasionally he would bring his mother as well. It was great.

His father didn’t really seem to care as long as William had good grades, and also because he was busy. He didn’t have time to care for his family.

“Victoria, this is delicious!” Victoria and Olivia were sitting in the kitchen eating homemade strawberry shortcake, William was reading right beside them. “Oh, Thank you Olivia, I’m glad you like it. It’s my son’s favorite!” She pet William on the head, this breaking the boy from his trance, he looked up slightly confused.

“Yes?”

Victoria chuckled and so did Olivia.

The girls went back to chatting over tea and cake while William went back to reading his book quietly.

“Oi Willie boy, me and Emma are heading out want to come?” Henry came into the kitchen fiddling with some keys, he looked to William waiting for his response.

William looked up and smiled at the other, he closed his book and slid it to his mom, “See you mom, I’ll be playing with the others.” He gave her a small hug and ran off to Henry.

Henry latched onto William’s arm and led him out the house.

Soon they arrived to the park they spend most of their time at. William was eating strawberry ice cream and other strawberry related items. Henry was playing with his dog and Emma was reading a book. It was peaceful.

Everybody then left after an hour of just chilling. “That was fun!” Emma exclaimed, the boys agreed.

They went back to the Emily’s house and had dinner.

William was taking a nap after dinner on the couch. Henry was laying on top of him while Emma was on the floor.

Victoria walked in on this scene and found it hilarious. She quickly went to go get Olivia and have her take a look. She also found it hilarious.

She went to go get her camera, and she took a picture.

The children were sleeping soundly, but they were all close to each other. William had one hand on Henry’s waist while Henry had his arms wrapped around the other, the hand William had that wasn’t around Henry’s waist was holding Emma’s hand.

The way they slept was weird, but none of them seemed uncomfortable sleeping like this.

Click!

The camera clicked. Olivia looked to Victoria and giggled.

A few days later.

“What do you think about Will and Emmie?” Olivia was making tea, she placed down the cups on the table and looked to Victoria for her opinion.

“I think it’s a great idea! They’ll look so cute together!” Victoria cut open the cake cleanly and gave Olivia a piece.

“I agree, and it seems the boy likes her as well.” Olivia went to grab the tea from the kettle and poured it in the two tiny pink cups. “Thank you dear, and it’s quite obvious, the boy couldn’t hide it if his life depended on it.” Victoria chuckled after making such statement.

Olivia chimed in as well, “I know right, he’s just like John, he was so obvious. I knew he liked me from the start!” she laughed. Victoria giggled along with the woman.

“Oh! Do you have the photos?” This made Olivia look up quickly, “OH! Yes I do, I even got you a copy of all of them!”

Victoria was pleased, she waited patiently for her friend to come back with copies of all the photos that were taken here.

The photo of when they first came, a photo of William, Emma, and Henry placing first in all their classes, and a picture of the kids playing at the park and finally the picture they took not to long ago.

Victoria beamed at these pictures, her son was happy, he had friends he loved and who loved him, they were not using him because he’s rich they are just people who want to be there for him forever into the future.

Victoria put the pictures in an envelope and put it in her purse. “Thank you Olivia.” She spoke softly.

“No problem Victoria.” Olivia smiled joyfully.

After that they enjoyed some cake and tea.

After.

Victoria was baking. It was of course her favorite cake, the strawberry shortcake. She was humming to herself as she was doing so.

“Victoria, why are you up so early?” It was Benjamin, he was wearing a black robe, black pants and black slippers. Victoria just looked at the man, she didn’t have her warm smile like she always held, she looked at the man coldly.

“I am making cake, I made some because I knew I wouldn’t be able to visit my friend for the next few days.” Benjamin didn’t say anything. He just made him some coffee.

“You and William have changed.” He spoke cleanly and surely. Victoria paused before she sneered, “Yes we have changed, so what? You also need to change. We are in a new environment.” She retorted.

Benjamin didn’t say anything. He took the coffee and left. Victoria finished making the cake and packed it in a box.

She then wrote a simple note and taped it to the box.

She sighed, her eyes wetting a little. She wiped them and sighed again. “Thank you so much Olivia.” She muttered. “Thank you and your family for taking care of my son, thank you so much.. please take care of him for me.” She was crying, it wasn’t loud nor quiet. Even though she was crying she still looked elegant and refined.

She put the cake in the fridge before going back to her room.

Ben came back out, he took the cake and gave it to Eddie. “Go deliver this to the Emily’s, if we leave it here it’d eventually get forgotten.” Eddie nodded and took the cake.

Some time later.

“William, get ready.” Benjamin was holding work papers while he looked at William telling the boy to get ready.

William had just woken up not to long ago. School was out so he didn’t know why he was getting ready but he did anyway. “Ready.” He was now dressed formally.

A simple white shirt and black dress pants, basically his school uniform. Benjamin didn’t say anything, he just got into the car. William followed suit.

He didn’t ask where they were going but he could guess, his mother usually was up before him, and by now she would be baking and testing out new recipes to take to Olivia but she wasn’t.

William sighed, “What was going on?.” He thought. Not soon after he was in the hospital. He was in the room his mother was in.

He already knew she was sick. That was the reason she never left her room, but it was getting better recently so she was able to explore.

William held onto his mother’s hand gently. And looked at her softly.

Victoria was smiling warmly at her son, she looked the same, small and smiling energetically, even though there was a possibility of her never being cured, she still smiled.

William began rubbing his eyes, trying to hold back the tears welling up in them.

“Don’t cry dear, it’s going to be alright.” She spoke softly, she wiped the boys tears with her thumb and continued smiling at him.

William just couldn’t understand how someone could still smile even though they could die any second.

Benjamin came back into the room with a doctor, Ben seemed indifferent about the situation.

William didn’t care about his feelings though only his mother’s.

“As we know Mrs. Afton has lung cancer, that has spread to her blood. We will try our best to cure her but please know we are still developing new technology to help cure cancer.” The doctor spoke, he was holding a clipboard occasionally writing something on it.

“We will commence treatment today, we will call you when she becomes stable. You can visit her every other day when she is not being treated. We will send Mr. Afton an email whenever she is not.” The doctor said.

William was still holding his mother’s hand as he listened to the doctor, all he wished for was that she could survive.

He gave her a kiss on the cheek before leaving with his father, William knew he would come visit whenever his mother whenever he could. He didn’t want her to stay here all alone.

Benjamin hadn’t said anything the entire time they were there and it didn’t seem like he cared. That woman was his wife, the person he’s supposed to love, yet he didn’t love her nor her child.

William gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, this man was no father, he hated him down to his bone. This man was neglectful to everyone in his immediate family but wasn’t for business, that was always on his mind, work. He never takes a break and spend his time with family, but every break he got he’d spend it doing more work.

William held his breath, he knew if he spoke now he would end up lashing out, he inhaled and exhaled before getting inside the car. His jaw stayed clenched the entire way home.

Once his mother was better he’d convince her to leave this man.

Chapter Text

Everything was going smoothly. The Emily’s would occasionally visit Victoria and William would as well, they had came over to thank her for the cake, she was glad they liked it and thanked William for taking it to them, William did not bring the cake to them so he thought Eddie must had.

it was almost the end of the year and he was getting really busy with school.

He wasn’t even getting the proper sleep, he would wake up sometimes at night from having nightmares of his mother not surviving. This would always make him cry and it was hard going back to sleep after.

Right now he was sitting at the park with the two Emily’s.

“Will, here.” Emma gave William some ice cream, it was his favorite. William didn’t have the heart to refuse so he took it. His friends were here for him, they were also experiencing similar pain like him, they also saw his mother as family, like an aunt.

He ate the ice cream slowly, the flavor of strawberries on his tongue only reminded him more of his mom, their favorite fruit. A tear had slipped just from the thought that his mother wouldn’t be able to eat strawberries anymore.

The Emily’s quickly went to petting his back and hugging him. He was happy he had them, because he knew if he was dealing with this alone he wouldn’t be able to do it.

“Hey it's going to be alright, I’m sure Mrs. Victoria will make it, she’s a strong woman.” Emma spoke softly.

William just nodded through his tears. The two Emily’s just continued comforting him.

It was a new year, William was now in the tenth grade along with his friends.

The treatment of his mother was still ongoing. He would always visit whenever he could, she was getting paler and thinner yet she kept smiling. It was breaking William’s heart.

“Willie, why don’t you stay with us?” Henry was eating the food from the Canteen, it was rice, chicken and some corn and oranges. Henry took the orange off of William’s plate as he spoke.

“Do you want to?” He asked. William just stared at the guy, actually pondering this suggestion.

“Sure, I’ll stay with you.”

Henry lit up. “Really!?”

William nodded. Henry slid over a bit and hugged the other. William didn’t react he was used to this skin ship now.

“Look the boyfriends are hugging!” A blonde haired boy said. He was pointing to William and Henry.

Henry just sneered at the guy, “Willie look at this idiot, he’s obviously trying to get on our nerves.” William didn’t say anything he just looked at the blonde boy.

The boy didn’t like being ignored or being made fun of so he yelled at them.

“I’m not an idiot and I don’t want to be called one by some fags!” he screamed.

Slap!

Emma was back, she had hit the boy on his head.

“Who the fuck do you think you are? Yelling at my brother and best friend?” Her tone was angry and her face was dead, she was rightfully pissed.

“Don’t touch me you bitch!” The boy yelled.

HIT!
SLAP!
Both William and Henry struck the boy.

“Don’t yell at her.” Both boys said simultaneously. They had angry looks in their eyes it was like if you said one more thing your head would be rolling.

The blondie screamed in pain, he held his head and ran dropping his food in the process.

Emma flipped the bird as the boy ran away. “That’s what I thought fuck face!”

Henry and William laughed.

After.

“William. Why did I get a call about you being involved in a fight at school?” Ben asked, he was sitting at his office chair holding up paperwork and reading over it.

William just looked down not lifting his head up to look at his father directly.

“Answer me boy.” He demanded.

“Because someone yelled at my friends..” He spoke through gritted teeth.

“So whenever your friends get yelled at you’ll start a fight?” He was mocking the boy and William knew it.

“No..”

“William if you keep acting like this you won’t be fit for the business world.” William bit his lip and continued looking down avoiding eye contact with his father.

“Got it?” Ben spoke.

“Got it.” William replied.

Ben sighed and calmed himself down, “Go visit your mother.” William nodded.

William exited out of the office and went to his mother’s her hospital room

A few days later and William was in the hospital with his mom.

“Hey mom I brought you some strawberries.” He had brought flowers and strawberries for Victoria.

“Thank you dear!” She spoke weakly, even still she held a smile.

William nodded and handed her the flowers and the berries.

She ate them happily. “Will, put the flowers on the window for me.”

William obliged.

The window had many flowers, they were all from the Emily’s, he smirked when he saw the little notes Henry and Emma left.

“Get better Mrs. Victoria! You’re a Queen!”
-Henry.

“Mrs. Victoria your cakes are the best! Please get better so I can eat all your delicious cakes!”
-Emma.

William chuckled at these notes and placed his flowers next to them, he’s brought countless flowers for his mom they were everywhere now he added another next to his friends.

“Will, how is school going for you? Have you thought about what college your going to?” William sat in the chair next to her, “It’s going fine and no not yet I’ll probably go to some rich fancy private college or something.”

Victoria nodded. “Well how have the Emily’s been treating you?” Victoria asked.

“They’ve been treating me very well, I’m thinking of staying with them for a few days, they live closer to the school and they’re basically my second family.” Victoria nodded and smiled wearily.

“Sorry I can’t be here every day, and that the times I do come here it’s very short.” He looked downcast. Victoria just chuckled at the boy.

“That’s fine dear, as long as you visit me it’s fine it doesn’t matter how long you spend here.” She smiled. “Come here and give me a hug.” She opened up her arms waiting for her hug.

William teared up and quickly hugged his mother.

“Get going now boy, go play with your friends.” She spoke softly. William nodded, he gave her one more hug before leaving.

Cough! Cough!

Blood sprayed from her lips. She grabbed a napkin and wiped her mouth and hand. She sighed.

Creek..

The door opened, it was Ben.

“What do you want Ben?” Victoria coughed.

“It’s time.” He vaguely replied.

Victoria grunted and wiped her mouth again. “It seems so.” She responded.

Ben walked over to her and sat down in the chair next to her. Victoria kept her eyes on the man and waited patiently for whatever he was going to say.

“Victoria. What is your final wish?” This was unusual, Ben never cared to ask such things, maybe it was because she was going to die he wanted to do something to not feel guilty.

But Victoria did not care, this was an opportunity to have her son treated better by this man, he wouldn’t listen to her ever until this situation.

“My wish is for you to take proper care of my son, to treat him with respect and see him as an equal, and… to be a father.” She looked at the man, her gaze strong.

Ben nodded.

“Did I make myself clear?” she asked.

“Yes.” He spoke quietly.

Victoria smiled and coughed again. She had one final question. “Why?” Ben got up from his chair and sat on the bed next to Victoria. “Because it’s time to change.. I’m quite late but I want to change, so I’ll do anything you ask of me. I promise.” His voice was soft and so were his eyes.

Did he really change? She was having a hard time believing it but that gaze, it was the gaze he held when they first got married. She coughed again as tears fell from her eyes.

Ben wiped her tears and helped her clean up the blood. “I’m sorry Tori.” He whispered.

He gave her a hug and she returned it, he kissed her and her hand, his eyes were red.

“Did you ever stop loving me?” Victoria spoke softly and wearily.

“No, I could never love anyone but you… I’ll try my best to take care of our son, I may not be as good as you but I’ll try.” He uttered through his tears.

The man who neglected his family had came back, maybe he realized his mistakes. But all in all he was slightly to late.

Victoria coughed a final time and wiped her mouth, tears falling down her frail face. She lay down on the hospital bed smiling.

“Take care of him Ben, and I love you both.” Those were her final words.

Ben was trembling, his tears continuous. He held her hand for God knows how long until the doctors came in.

Ben stood frozen, he had lost the woman who loved him dearly and even wasted her life away living with him. He was an asshole and he knew it.

He held his hand to his chest promising to himself that he’ll be a better father, and overall a better person.

This change wasn’t sudden, he was bound to change eventually but it was just to late. That night when he told her that they’ve changed, he’s been changing too.

Usually he would never let her go out and keep her bound to the house, he never let William stay out late and hang out with friends. But he was being lenient, he let them do whatever they wanted and never bothered them.

He was trying to be a better person, his secretary mentioned he needed to change his wife did too and his son may have not said anything but the fear in his eyes whenever he saw him. He knew he’d have to change.

He didn’t want to live in a cold house devoid of love, but it’s been like that for years. He just wanted to know why he changed, changed into a man consumed by work. This time he swore he’ll be a better person and parent.

Maybe it was also guilt but. He wants to change and he has to change.

Chapter Text

William was crying. It was after the funeral. The Emily’s had brought gifts and stayed for as long as they could before leaving. Olivia was especially distressed, Victoria was her best friend and almost like a sister to her. Because of that her death broke her.

Ben was sitting down near the casket. He was looking at it but it seemed his mind was somewhere else.

William walked over to him and sat beside him.

“Father, why did she have to go?” William looked to Ben for answers. Ben looked back at the boy, he didn’t have anything to say. He didn’t know how to comfort others nor how to comfort himself. “She had to go because it was her time.” He replied.

William didn’t say anything instead he just wiped his tears. Ben stayed quiet.

It was silent. No one spoke a sound, yet it was not awkward.

“I’m sorry William.”

William was shocked, he looked at the man confused. “What?” Ben looked at his son frazzled.

“I’m sorry William, I’m sorry for everything..” His voice was shaky and his eyes were wet, he was crying.

William didn’t know what to do he was surprised, the man he knew for being cold and not caring for anything but work was actually apologizing and crying.

“…. I don’t know how to respond…” William spoke.

“That is fine, you don’t have to forgive me now but I want to show you that I have changed, and that I want to be a better father and person to you.”

William blinked slowly and bit his lip, he exhaled and responded. “Ok.” That was all, a simple “Ok.” Ben smiled meekly.

A few days later.

William has been staying with the Emily’s. He hasn’t been home since the funeral.

“William, do you want strawberry jelly on your toast or grape?”

That was Terrance, Henry and Emma’s older brother. He had came back from Sweden to stay with his parents.

“Strawberry.” Henry he took the toast and put jam on it.

William chuckled, he didn’t have to respond, Emma and Henry even Mrs. Olivia knew him well. Terrance rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “Sorry?”

“No need to be sorry.” William said.

Terrance rubbed William on his head, “Thanks Will, you’re way better than Henry, kinda wish you were my real brother instead!” He stuck his tongue out at Henry.

Henry jabbed Terrance and removed his hand off of William’s head, “No touching and go eat your food weirdo.” Terrance laughed before going to make his plate.

“Sorry about him Willie.” Henry handed Will his toast. William took it and smiled.

“It was no big deal.”

Henry sat next to William and sighed. Emma and Mrs. Olivia were gone, they had went out to clear their heads. They were still upset about the death of Victoria.

“Hey, Will, do you like Emma?” Terrance walked out the kitchen and into his room with the food ignoring whatever the two boys were talking about.

William was a little shocked but he replied quickly and calmly. “Yes, I like her as a friend but other than that no. why?” Henry lit up a little.

“No reason.” William just nodded a little, he didn’t understand why the information was important.

Henry leaned over a bit and placed his head on William’s shoulder. “You should eat the rest of your food before it goes cold.” William nodded and continued eating.

…..

“William, your father has told me to come and pick you up.” It was Eddie, the secretary of his father.

William said his goodbyes to the Emily’s before getting into the car.

“Did something happen?” William questioned. “No sir, your father only wanted you to spend some time at home for a bit before going back to the Emily’s.”

William nodded.

At home William was met with a weird scene.

His father was wearing his mother’s apron and was holding a very messy looking strawberry shortcake.

“Happy birthday William.” Ben placed the cake down on the table and quickly went to the kitchen coming back with strawberry ice cream.

“Wh.. what is going on?” William was so surprised.

“I have never been there to celebrate your birthday so I wanted to, I decided I’d do it like your mother. She would make you a cake and give you ice cream, so I.. I thought maybe I could try that too.” He spoke.

William smiled. He ran and hugged his father, but then he quickly let go and stood back, “That was weird.” He thought, but Ben placed the ice cream down and opened his arms for a hug.

“I hope you like it, I tried to make it as identical to your mother’s as possible.” William couldn’t help but smile, he gave his father a hug and even the secretary.

They sat at the table eating cake and ice cream, even though it wasn’t as good as Mom’s it still was good.

Everyone and everything were different. Ben was trying to be a good father, and William was trying to accept said man. He may not have forgiven him but at this rate forgiveness seemed attainable.

“Thank you Father. And Eddie.”

“You’re welcome Will.”

“Yes, you are very welcome sir.”

They spent the rest of the night cleaning up the kitchen, William put up his mother’s baking supplies and placed them in the pantry.

“Will, would you be comfortable with me using your mother’s cooking supplies?” He paused, “I want to learn baking.”

William was surprised. “I think you could use it when you get a little better at baking first.” William said.

Ben nodded and then left, he would learn how to bake so he could use Victoria’s special baking supplies.

A month later.

William was in his father’s office.

“William, you are changing schools.”

“WHAT!” He yelled, what the hell did he mean changing schools!

Chapter Text

Sorry for not updating recently. School has been taking up to much of my time and I'm going through a rough patch right now so I probably won't update for a while. The Story should be finished either this year or by February. So don't worry I'll use any time I get for now to write, and I hope you enjoyed the first few chapters.

-Abyss

Chapter Text

And just like that William was whisked away to America and forced to go to another rich prestigious private school.

His father had never mentioned anything like this, he couldn’t even say goodbye to his friends. His uncle, a man he’s not familiar with but he is one of his mothers brothers; he took William back home with him in America.

William didn’t know how to feel, well he mostly felt betrayed. Here he thought he and his father were getting along but turns out no, not at all.

William clenched his fists and tightened his jaw. He glared out the window of the moving vehicle. He felt sick to his stomach and he couldn’t explain why but he knew he was angry. He had tried refuting the man but he was persistent, and he was already set to enroll into the school in two weeks.

William furrowed his brows and leaned on the window hoping this was all a dream and that he’d wake up soon. He sighed before glancing at his supposed uncle he probably only met once in his life.

The man did not pay any attention to William he was only focusing on driving.

He was starting school again. Here everyone knew he was some extremely rich guy. Don’t get me wrong the other school did too but they didn’t seem to care about his existence at all but here they all had a look in their eyes that pissed the Afton off. He tried to keep his calm, but everyone surrounded him, eyeing him keenly. They wanted connections.

This was the worst time of his life, all he could think about was how this didn’t make sense that he was transferring schools all of a sudden and about the Emily’s, his other family, his friends.

Just like that a year passed, he was now a senior in high school. No one had visited him. Not even his father.

But what could he expect? He knew that man wouldn’t come even if he begged.

William wiped his wet face and glared into the mirror.

His hair was longer and messier, his clear grey eyes were now clouded with indescribable emotions, his pale body was now even more pale, the boy was skinner too, you could practically see his ribcage when he inhaled or exhaled. He looked tired as well, it was evident by his prominent eye bags. The boy was suffering.

William sighed and threw the towel aside and went into his room. It was messy yet clean at the same time. There was only one space in the room that looked used.

A small bed, some books and papers along with clothes everywhere just in that one spot, everywhere else was untouched. Even though the room was so big it could be seen as a one floor mansion to some, it was mostly unused.

William trode over to his bed and sat on it. He picked up some book and flipped through the pages. He was uninterested but he treated what he was doing like it was a job, efficiently.

Soon he got bored and tossed the book, as soon as the book touched the floor the door creaked open. It was William’s uncle, Sebastian; the man was tall and menacing. He had short black hair and his eyes were black too, they were sharp as well. They were like an empty void; his mouth was thin and pursed. He pushed up his glasses and looked at William with no particular emotion in his eyes. He looked similar to his mother but if she had his father’s personality.

William waited patiently for the man to speak as he fiddled his with fingers, he was avoiding eye contact as much as he could, if anything this uncle was scarier than his father.

Yet the man didn’t say anything immediately. He just stared at the other while the other was trying their best to look away and seem unbothered at the same time.

“William.” His voice was clean and cold, it was like being talked to by an emotionless snowman, which is technically the case with every snowman if you think about it; the man crept closer into the room and folded his arms and spoke once again. “After this year passes you are going back to your father. I was only tasked to deal with you for this long.” He spoke coolly and calmly, he pushed his glasses up again and left he was uninterested in what William would have to say.

He spoke to William like he was some random stranger. William cursed the man internally. His face contorted from his rage and he slammed his fist into his bed. He covered his face with his hands and just thought.

He didn’t know what to feel, joy, sadness or excitement. He didn’t feel any of those. He laid his back on the wall and stared at the ceiling with nothing yet everything on his mind.

Soon it was late, William was just walking around the park in front of his uncle’s luxurious apartment. He was kicking stones and pretending that they were his father and uncle. As he was circling the park for the nth time a woman called out to him.

“Hey, you lookin’ for somethin’?” Her voice was seductive and soft. William couldn’t really tell what she looked like because it had gotten darker outside. But he could easily tell what this woman wanted, it disgusted him yeah but for some reason he just felt off.

The woman got closer to William wrapping her arms around his and rubbing her chest on him. William thought her behavior was like a dog in heat. William was used to looking down on people but for some reason he needed a place to get rid of this pent up anger, he sneered and cringed at himself before finally replying to the woman.

“How much?”

The woman smiled, it was easy to tell she was, even if he could barely make out the details of her face. “Anything equal to or over 60.” She whispered seductively, it was like poison. William found this situation amusing, was he really about to spend $60 on some random woman who he just met, it was stupid. But he didn’t care, his life was shit anyway, he’d rather do whatever he wanted while he was going to be to stuck here for another year.

So he followed the woman to a hotel willingly. And you can guess what happened next.

William never in his life thought he’d do something like this, have sex with some rando and smoke a cigarette after, it was like a movie. The woman was out cold while William was just sitting on the hotel couch smoking.

This was unlike him, yet it didn’t bother him. He knew he’d probably regret it eventually but right now he wanted to live in the moment.

He took a long drag of the cigarette before exhaling slowly. The gray smoke danced in the air. William just mocked himself inwardly. He didn’t feel good at all, what he did didn’t feel good either. He felt like shit. He got up and went into the bathroom to clean himself up again, he still felt nasty even though he cleaned himself countless times.

“William.” It was his uncle, he was standing in front of the door furious. He looked like he could kill a thousand people with his glare alone. Yet William didn’t feel horrified like he was when they first met, he felt rebellious, maybe he could thank the girl after all, or maybe not. He was punched, hard.

William had lost his balance and tumbled to the ground, he looked up at the man perplexed, he gave the man a look, the look that made him look like he was an innocent child who was wronged.

“William, where were you! Why do you smell like cigarettes!” The man yelled. This was the first time William saw the cold man angry, his temper was just like his mom when she’d get extremely pissed.

William didn’t say anything, he just rubbed his face, the weight of what he did finally crushing him, he didn’t even ask the girl if she had a STDs, what if he got HIV or AIDS. His hands fall to his side as his eyes go dark.

What the hell is wrong with me…

That night William was taken to a private hospital and checked for any sexually transmitted diseases. He was lucky enough to not have any. But he would still need to come back for further testing. William sighed in relief, but that relief was quickly washed away when he turned to look at his uncle.

“…” The man didn’t say anything. His face was cold, he never expected William of all people to do something so risky like this. And William was thinking the same, he never even thought this was a route he’d take. They both left the hospital quiet.

A few weeks passed soon after.

William was leaving from school when he was stopped. A woman had grabbed his arm and yelled at him, it was unintelligible he couldn’t make out anything she was saying, she was drunk. She was pointing and hitting William, while he just stood in shock.

People began to whisper and wonder, William didn’t like the crowd that was forming so he pushed the woman off of him as gently as he could, her nails left marks in his skin. “Who are you?” He questioned.

The woman sneered, “The woman you banged for $60.” She folded her arms and glared at him, when she spoke she made sure to speak loudly. William didn’t flinch, he acted like she was spouting bull and was just crazy.

This obviously pissed the woman off more, “You bastard after fuckin’ you I got pregnant! I jus’ thought I was sick until my girlfriend enlightened me sayin’ I was pregnant!” She barked at William hitting him again with her purse.

This time William reacted, he grabbed her wrist and stared dead at her. “I don’t play these types of games, you must be confused I’m not the guy you’re looking for.” The woman was frightened her body going limp.

William let go of her and walked away, when he got far enough he ran, he ran for his life. He was scared, what if he really did get her pregnant, but it could be a trick at the same time, she was a prostitute after all. He couldn’t think straight, he made it into the building and went straight to his room ignoring his uncle completely.

He stumbled to the bathroom and crouched over the toilet throwing up, it was sickening, he didn’t know why but it just felt bad. His uncle quickly ran into the room from the sounds of the loud vomiting. He quickly went to assist the boy rubbing his back as he vomited.

Soon after the continuous vomiting his uncle asked how he felt and if he knew the cause of his sudden sickness. William was shaking, he didn’t want to tell him, if he did he was afraid of being beat.

He's seen it before, when someone’s parent had burst into the school unannounced and beat some random kid, cursing at him for getting their daughter pregnant. William never thought his life would end up like that and never cared, but now he was scared.

He was trembling, he kept his head down while closing up, he was practically hugging his own body.

His uncle was patient, he was waiting for the boy to speak. Yes he looked like he always did, emotionless, but he still seemed like he was worried for him.

Through broken sobs William explained to his uncle how he may be a father. He held his breath and shut his eyes tightly, waiting for his beating. But it never came. Instead he was met with the sound of his room door slamming shut.

William regretted opening his mouth.

Not even a day later and his uncle was willing to talk to him.

“William. The woman, do you know what she looks like and do you have any information about her?” He pushed up his glasses and glared at William, his face was cold as ice and so was his voice, it was terrifying.

William just shook his head he didn’t know her at all, nor did he have any information about her. He was once again avoiding eye contact with him, he knows as soon as his eyes meet his, he’ll die on the spot.

His uncle didn’t continue the conversation. He just got up and sighed. “I’ll find her and have her get an abortion if she hasn’t already gotten one.”

Those words caused the trembling William to stop. His face darkened and his body went cold, “Do.. you really have to get rid of the baby..?” He finally looked up and made eye contact with Sebastian. The man just sighed.

After a long talk they decided they’ll do a DNA test, if the baby was indeed his they would keep them but if not, they’d sue her for harassment. William agreed after a few moments of silence.

William wasn’t ready to be a father but he didn’t want an innocent life to perish because of him, it felt wrong.

They found her, she was sitting at the park where William and her first met. After some persuading they got her to do a DNA test and they waited.

a month later they got the results. The child was William’s, he was slightly relieved but he also wasn’t, now he was a father. How was he supposed to tell this to his friends and his.. father.

The girl named Clara Schmidt was enjoying herself, after the confirmation that she was having William’s kid she and William were forced to live in an apartment under his uncle’s.

While Clara was living like a queen William was conflicted deeply and stressed, yet no one asked if he was ever okay. And in the blink of an eye the baby was born.

A boy.

William was told by his uncle that his father would be visiting him and his child, William was afraid, his father never once visited him, but now he does. It felt weird to him.

While William was waiting for the doctors to bring his kid back he began conversing with Clara. “Hey, William, you can have that child.” William was surprised what was she talking about, that kid is her child too.

She then elaborated, “I don’t want em, I don’t need em. You can have him because I have other things to do in life and being a parent ain’t one of em, I don’t have the money like you so I won’t be able to care for em, it’s best I let em go while I can so he won’t hate me in the future. And plus who would want a prostitute for a mother.” William stayed quiet as he listened to her.

He didn’t know what to feel but he agreed to take the child, Clara was pleased. She was still young, a college student who still had the future waiting for her but William did not care for her or her future, he only cared about his child, his son. Hopefully he can be a better father than his own.

Chapter Text

William was sitting with his son in his apartment, his father had just arrived to America and was heading his way.

William watched as Clara packed her things and walked out with her friends, she gave Michael, their son a kiss before leaving. The baby stared confused, Clara’s friends all gawked at the baby before giggling and leaving.

William stared at the innocent baby while the hubbub around them settled down. He smiled at him and gave him a kiss, Michael only stared.

Soon Benjamin had arrived. He looked worried and was sweating, it was like he ran here as fast as he could. “William are you okay?” His voice was trembling, and he looked pale. William on the other hand was holding his newborn son who was asleep peacefully in his arms, he was confused. What had Sebastian told him.

Ben almost collapsed to the floor as soon as he saw the child, he couldn’t believe it, someone like William of all people, it was so hard for his mind to grasp. He never thought William would be having a child this early on, especially with a woman he did not love. Ben stumbled his way into the apartment and sat on the couch, he needed to clear his mind.

“Father?” Ben had crossed his legs and pinched his nose bridge, his face was scrunched up, it was hard to tell if he was angry, upset or in pain. Ben sighed and raised his head, he locked eyes with William. “Explain.” William exhaled and hugged Michael gently.

“It all started…”

Ben was trying to hold in his anger, because none of this would have ever happened if he didn’t let William stay here, it was his fault his son became such a young parent. He at least wanted to become a grandpa when he was old and wrinkly but he wasn’t that old yet. He sighed and unclenched his fist, his white knuckles gaining color again.

Ben cleared his throat before speaking softly or he at least tried to, coming from him he still sounded overbearing, “Can I see him?” William was a little shocked, he expected his father to yell at him.

William hesitantly handed over his son, Ben held the small newborn in his arms and felt a mix of emotion but he felt his eyes water a little, he was a grown man, he shouldn’t be crying. He hugged Michael gently and looked up to William with a slight smile on his face.

“William what is his name?”

“Michael.”

Ben looked down at the child and smiled softly, “Hello Michael.”

William was feeling a little jealous because he knew his father wasn’t like that when he was a child—

“William this is how I held you when you were born, I was so excited back then.” What he had revealed had made William flinch, “Really?” He asked before he could even think. “Yes, sadly I lost the photograph when we had moved all those years ago.” William suddenly wanted to disappear, he was feeling jealous because of a child, not just any but his own. William coughed to hide his embarrassment before he smiled.

“I see, that’s nice. At least you loved me when I was a baby.” He muttered.

Ben smiled meekly, he handed Michael back to William, “Yes, and I still love you now.” Ben was sincere he wasn’t lying, he had no reason too, now all he wanted was for William to live his life however he wanted, he wanted to respect Victoria’s wishes.

William stood blankly, holding his son. For some reason those were the words he wanted to hear all this time but now that he’s heard them he didn’t feel anything, he just smiled and nodded his head. It wasn’t awkward or anything if anything it was peaceful and well, nice.

But then the beautiful moment was ruined when Michael decided to use the bathroom in William’s arm.

William suddenly thought that being a father was really hard.

Ben only laughed at the two, finding them amusing. “Here let me help.”

A father helping an even younger father, family helping family. It was nice. William felt happy, really happy.

“How are the Emily’s?” William asked as he put Michael in his crib. Ben smiled and looked over to William, “Did you not get their letters? But they’re doing good they miss you.” William paused, “Letters? What letters?” Ben was a little surprised, “Did you really not get any letters?” William’s shocked face was enough evidence that he hadn’t gotten them. “That means you probably never got any of mine either.” William ran his fingers through his hair and sighed.

So they didn’t abandon him, the letters just never reached him. So this entire time he was thinking everyone forgot about him but they didn’t. Ben had left the room to make a call to Sebastian to ask him where the letters had gone.

Soon Ben walked back into the room his face red with anger. “That bastard said he didn’t give you your letters because you had to focus on school, what type of nonsense it that?!” Ben was pissed. And so was William.

After a long heated argument with Sebastian, more like just yelling at him they finally got all the letters that were sent to William. Ben had taken Sebastian out the room to further give him a piece of his mind.

All these letters, they made William tear up a bit, everyone, they never forgot him. He took the box home planning to read everything.

He was happy.

Chapter Text

William had read through most of the letters, most of them were talking about how much they missed him and how their life had been going. They were just simple letters checking in on him and talking about events that happened in their life. It was sweet.

Until he got to some letters tied together. There were five of them, they was a smell to them a smell he recognized immediately, just a single waft of it and he knew it was oranges. He smiled, he liked oranges because they reminded him of Henry.

He gently removed the tie to the notes and shuffled around with them, looking for the first one.

The first one was dated two years ago. This made William’s heart pang. He had left Henry waiting for so long.

He gently opened it and read the letter.

“Hey William, it’s me Henry I’ve been wishing to see you for a while now, it’s not the same when you’re not around. Emmie was crying when she heard you left and I have to admit me too, I cried at the thought of never seeing you again. We miss you.

But guess what, me and Emmie found a college/university we plan to attend, we wish you could be here with us.

Henry.”

William smiled after reading that, it was just like the others but for some reason these felt a little secretive and well personal. He felt like a high school girl reading a letter her secret lover sent to her, he chuckled.

He then opened the next, it was two weeks after the other.

“Hey Will it’s me again, Emmie started dating this guy, I don’t like him. He’s very weird but mom seems to like him a lot.

I was talking to her about how much I missed you and she yelled for me to shut up, she was always like this but for some reason it was different. She’s going through her rebellious phase, she hangs out after midnight with her boyfriend and she even has the gull to yell at our parents, she even hit me yesterday because I brought up your name in front of her boyfriend. I don’t like this I just wish you were back here already.

Henry.”

William was a little surprised, Emma was always the kind cool one, but now she was rebellious and causing problems, it was very unlike her. He was unsure if he was there if she would still be the same as she was before. He sighed before he opened the other letter. It was sent last year.

“Will, I want to see you. It’s all different here, Terrence went back to Sweden not to long ago and Emmie has moved out and has been staying with her friends, I on the other hand am still at home. Mom and Dad have left for a vacation they are coming back in a few months, it’s so boring here all alone.

Yeah I have friends at school but it’s different I want you, I miss you. I wish you would come back quickly but it seems you probably will be in America for a long time.

Henry.”

William had nothing to say, it seemed the family was going through something rough, Henry sounded so sad in this letter, yeah it was very different from the other letters he received. He folded the letter back up neatly and put it in the stack of the other letters Henry sent. He then opened the next. It was dated for last year.

“Hey Will, it’s Henry again. I miss you so much, I don’t know how many times I’ve wrote that to you but I really, really miss you. I just want to see you and hug you. Emmie had a fight with her boyfriend and came back she’s very different. She has shorter hair, raggedy clothing and a meaner personality. She even stinks of cigarettes. I miss the old Emmie.

I hope your getting my letters, I hope you haven’t forgotten me..

Henry.”

There was a tear stain left on the paper, it hurt him, he wanted to hug Henry right then and there but he couldn’t, he had to wait a few months before he was set to depart back home. He sighed and placed the letter back, now for the last. It was dated a year ago too.

“Will, I have never thought to tell you about my feelings, but here I am. Telling you now. Yesterday while I was helping uncle Corgi fix his car Emma was arguing with her boyfriend, I ran over when he hit her and when I was fighting him Emma was screaming and telling me not to hurt him, then uncle Corgi had called 999. While we were all at the station Emma and her boyfriend continued fighting.

I was so upset I snapped again, telling her all my feelings, telling her how much I hated the new her how I hated this man she was dating, I even went as far as telling her I hate her, which is not true. Her face that was so angry changed to immediate sadness, I was just about to apologize until her boyfriend yelled at me. He called me a homo, a fag, he said all I ever talk about is my long distance relationship with you. He then got up and hit me, beat me uncle Corgi was in the other room he wasn’t able to do anything,

And Emma was still crying and mumbling to herself, the peelers had interfered and handcuffed the bastard.

I was so hurt, I was really hurt, after all the shenanigans at the station I went straight to my room and didn’t come out for two days. But that bastard is right, I am a homo, a fag, all of it. Will, I like you.

Henry.”

William didn’t know what to feel. He just sat silently re-reading the letter over and over again. The letter was crumpled and had tear stains all over it, his best friend had just confessed to him through said letter. William folded the letter gently and put it back with the others and tied it up again. Instead of putting it in the box with the others he put it in his suitcase.

When he is set to go back to England he’ll be in University and maybe he’ll see Henry again, but what will he do, Henry likes him but he doesn’t like Henry like that, well at least he thinks so.

He sighed, his head was a mess. He missed Henry and Emma too, but who did he miss more, he didn’t really think about Emma all that much while he was here if anything all his thoughts were about Henry, for example when he was eating lunch at his school and they had oranges and strawberries even though strawberries were his favorite he got oranges, and all he could think about was Henry. Maybe he did like Henry but he never realized it.

William sighed, he was feeling complicated. He just wanted this all to be over, he wanted to go see Henry look him in his eyes and ask him the burning question, “Do you really like me?” William fell on his bed and looked at the ceiling. Shifting positions constantly not finding a comfortable way to lay.

He finally was laying comfortably as he stared at his son who was napping beside him on the bed.

“Michael do you think Henry will still like me even though I have you?” His voice was shaky and his eyes were watering, what was he feeling? He didn’t know but he didn’t like this feeling.

“I wasn’t disgusted when he said he liked me, if anything I felt..,” He paused to gather the words, “relived? I just know that when he said he liked me I felt like something was lifted, like a heavy burden. Maybe I do like him…. yeah I like him..” He continued mumbling to himself.

It was confusing, how would they talk to each other, it would be awkward, but maybe he felt confident enough to send the letter because I haven’t been responding to any of the letters I got, maybe he thought I would never see it. William hugged Michael before putting him in his crib.

He got up and went for a walk, he needed to clear his head. It was getting cold perfect time for long walks.

Soon it was time to go.

Michael was old enough to travel in a plane so they could finally depart. William’s heart was thumping loudly, he was nervous and excited. But mostly nervous, he’s never been this nervous in his entire life.

He put Michael in his car seat and smiled at the boy. And Michael smiled back, Michael was a quiet baby completely different from his loud mother, it was nice, William did not know what he’d do if his son was like Clara at all.

The plane ride home was quiet. William hadn’t gotten any good sleep for the past few days because of excitement and nervousness but now that he was comfortable on the plane he quickly dozed off to sleep.

He couldn’t wait to see the Emily’s again, but he mostly couldn’t wait to see Henry again.

Chapter Text

The plane landed. William and Michael made their way off, William’s heart was beating like a drum. He wondered if Henry knew he was coming back and was waiting for him, because he knows for a fact if he is here, he’ll definitely fall for him if he already hasn’t.

As he made his way through the crowd to the exit he didn’t spot Henry at all. He was a bit disappointed.

“How stupid of me.. I knew he wouldn’t come, I hadn’t informed him of my arrival at all.” He muttered to himself, Michael seemingly noticing his father’s change in behavior, tugged on his clothes. William smiled at the baby, “Thank you Michael.” His voice was soft like a whisper, he was very thankful for his little one, who smiled back in response, maybe children were smarter than he thought.

While William was standing at the entrance of the airport talking to his son a car stopped in front of him. William assumed the person in the car was looking for someone else so when the windows rolled down William was pleasantly surprised, it was Henry.

William’s face had brightened, he was extremely happy to see the other. “Long time no see Will.” His voice had changed drastically, it had always been deep but it deepened over the course of two years, his hair was still fluffy and he still wore the same round glasses. William was so ecstatic to see the same Henry he always knew and loved… because of that he immediately forgot the person in front of him confessed their love to him via letter.

“You gunna respond or what?” Henry tapped on the wheel while staring at Michael, his face was.. complicated. It was hard to tell what he was feeling at that moment. “Ah sorry!” He choked, “Long time no see.” He was grinning from ear to ear, Henry nodded.

“Hop in.” he gestured. William put his stuff which was only one suitcase in the trunk of Henry’s car and put Michael in his car seat. “So, who’s the kid?” Henry was still tapping the wheel. “His name is Michael. My son.” His voice was slightly shaky but it was hard to notice, Henry on the other hand only nodded. This made William’s worries heighten.

“Congrats.”

“Thank you..”

After that the ride home was quiet, except for the music playing on the radio. Michael had fallen asleep, and Henry was nodding along to the songs, all songs that William remembered Henry liking. And one in particular he and Henry liked the most. “All I Have To Do Is Dream.”

This left a nostalgic smile on his face. He truly did miss Henry maybe even harbored feelings for him, if anything he was glad to be within his vicinity, he was happy just being near him. He loved the soft smell of oranges and the gentleness of his voice, his spotty freckles, and his emerald green eyes. He liked him, a lot. It wasn’t hard to notice at all.

He leaned his head on the window and smiled to himself, he wished this would last forever, Henry listening to his favorite songs while looking at him with loving eyes, it was something he truly wanted to happen. Just them, only the two, lost in their own little world.

….

“Will, wake up.” Henry was shaking William awake. William opened his eyes and rubbed them, he then groggily responded, “Thank you.” Henry nodded coolly.

William grabbed his things and was about to get Michael but Henry beat him to it. “I’ll hold him, you can just take your stuff in the house.” William was a little worried that Henry wouldn’t like Michael or Michael wouldn’t like Henry but that didn’t seem to be the case, Michael was just sucking on his fingers and making weird baby sounds at the other, while Henry just stared.

William didn’t want to think of anything so he just quickly ran into his old home, the mansion with more rooms he could ever count or ever use. He put his suitcase haphazardly on the floor before running out back to Henry.

“Thank you for holding him for me.” William took back Michael and held him gently in his arms. “Where’s his mother?” Henry finally asked the burning question that’s been on his mind all this time. William was hesitant to respond, Michael’s mother.. it was like he had a knot in his throat, he couldn’t say anything. He felt like if he said something good about her Henry will think he likes her and if he says something negative Henry won’t like him, his brain was running a thousand miles per hour,

then he finally spoke, “His mother decided she wanted to stay in America..” he didn’t elaborate any further. Henry who was patient the entire time nodded slowly. “Ok—" He was interrupted mid sentence, “Don’t get me wrong I don’t miss her or anything, she willingly chose to stay in America.” He was rambling, trying to explain himself. “I get it.”

He paused pushing up his glasses, “You must love each other enough to have a kid together.” He was tapping his fingers on his side, while avoiding eye contact with the other. William wanted to explain that he didn’t love her at all, but he felt if he said anything it’d hurt his chances with Henry.

“No..” He muttered. Henry wasn’t that far away from William so he heard him, he couldn’t tell what he said but he heard him, “hmm?” He looked at William not avoiding eye contact this time. “Nothing.” William responded, his voice low and quiet, he was upset. And he knew why he was upset but he didn’t like how he was upset for such a childish reason, he’s the one who brought this upon himself.

Then silence enveloped them. Michael did not like how everyone was quiet and in a bad mood. So he also was put in a bad mood. He wasn’t a whiny baby at all it didn’t suit him, but at this moment he wanted to whine. This was annoying he hated it. And he did what babies did best, cry.

This broke the silence completely. William, gently rubbed Michael’s back, and whispered in a soothing tone to the baby. “shh, shh, it’s ok. Papa’s here.” He comforted the child so easily, Michael had stopped whining and was now hugging his father gently. It was like William was a master at handling children, you’d think he had experience or something. Henry was honestly surprised, he didn’t expect William to be able to calm down a child like that quickly.

“You’re a good father Will. Sorry for being insensitive earlier.” Henry was looking down and smiling bitterly, it was hard to read his expression, it was like that their entire interaction from the airport to William’s home. He was unreadable.

“Thank you.” William was rocking Michael in his arms gently and slowly, the baby was now drowsy and on his way to sleep. Henry looked up and smiled at William. “I’m glad you’re back.” He pat William on his shoulder before getting in his car, “See you, Will.” He said bitterly along with a somber smile.

William couldn’t help but feel empty. He didn’t know why the other didn’t bring up the letters maybe he really didn’t want William to read them at all. He sighed and smiled back bitterly as well. “See you..”

What a bitter reunion.

….

William was visiting the Emily’s. When he arrived he also had brought Michael. They were enthusiastically greeted and invited in, as he entered Henry was sitting at the kitchen table eating some food and Emma was conversing with an old lady and sewing some scarfs. But when Emma looked up, her face had brightened immediately, she dropped everything she was doing and ran to William.

No words could describe how happy she was, she just stared at the other and began wiping the tears that were forming in her eyes. William had opened his arm holding Michael in the other, “Come on don’t be shy.” He was happy to see her again, she was his very best friend as well as Henry but he saw Henry differently compared to Emma.

She looked like a younger Henry now, her hair was short and fluffy like Henry’s now and then.

They hugged and William was introduced to Emma’s and Henry’s grandmother, the entire interaction Henry did not come over to them at all, instead after he was done eating he had disappeared somewhere.

After an hour or so of catching up William left Michael in grandma Patsy’s hands. He was going upstairs to look for Henry, and what do you know he bumped into Henry.

Henry had an awkward look on his face, he smiled at William but didn’t say anything. “Henry, I have to ask you something.” William pushed Henry into his room and shut the door behind them, Henry was a little flabbergasted and flustered, “Yes?”

He backed away a little to put some distance between the two. “Here,” He gave Henry the letter he wrote. “Why did you write this and give it to me? And are you okay, is Emma still seeing the bastard you talked about?”

Henry’s face darkened. He started sweating, he reflexively looked down and began fidgeting, he was tapping his fingers against his side at a fast pace. “I.. I, I’m sorry..” That was all he could say, he was “Sorry.” William sighed and decided to rephrase what he said.

“Do you like me?” He spoke as softly as he could. And was going to reach out to the other but hesitated and ultimately decided to keep his hands to himself. Henry on the other hand was panicking, he didn’t know what to say or do— “Henry I won’t hate you for liking me, if anything I’d be overjoyed..” He ran his fingers through his hair and looked at the other, even though the other was hiding away he continued to speak “That’s because I like you. I like you a lot actually…” This halted all actions from Henry.

“What.. What?” Henry looked at the other heavily confused, his face going from pale to a bright red, he looked like a strawberry. He couldn’t believe his ears, William, the man he liked, no loved also liked him. He almost stumbled to the ground. But William had helped stabilize him, “You ok?”

How could he be so nonchalant about this! He had just confessed his love to me, yet he’s acting like it’s some every day occurrence!

Henry was left stunned, just by William alone.

After calming down they sat at Henry’s bed.

“So.. you like me?” Henry was tapping his side while looking at William for confirmation. William nodded, “Yes, I like you, do you like me?” Henry nodded.

“So… what are we?” William gently caressed Henry’s hand and stared into the others eyes. Henry the one who asked, was flustered. “William..?”

“Yes?” He spoke lovingly, “I asked you something..”

“I know, I personally think we’re a couple, because we like each other.” He replied still caressing the others hand. Henry began staring at William’s hands before he looked back up to William’s eyes, “We’re a couple..?”

“Yes.”

“Ok.”

“I love you Will.” Henry was smiling softly. “Love you too Henry.” William had gotten closer to Henry, he was now shoulder to shoulder with him, but they were just staring into each other’s eyes, the room was filled with sexual tension.

William gently reached out and grabbed hold of Henry’s head, he gently pulled it to his causing their foreheads to touch.

Henry effortlessly removed his glasses and set them on his desk, he then turned back to William, a smile adorned across his face. They leaned in again and their lips touched. A quick little kiss.

William then pried Henry’s mouth open with his tongue, Henry was initially surprised but he let William take the flow. It was clumsy, both of them didn’t seem to know what they were doing, they were just engrossed in the heat filling the room.

William then pushed Henry down, they stared at each other while catching their breaths, then quickly they went back to kissing like animals.

They were so controlled by the moment they completely forgot about the people downstairs. Until a soft knock could be heard. The knock wasn’t to loud they hardly heard it, until it happened again but louder. This halted their actions.

“Yes!” Henry quickly put his glasses on and tried to steady his breathing. He even fixed his messy hair and even did so for William. He then muttered something under his breath before going to the door. “Yes?” he repeated.

He opened the door and it was grandma Patsy, she was holding a sleeping Michael. “Henry, I’m going home ok, here give William his little boy, and your mum and sister went out some time ago to go buy some groceries for dinner.” She smiled and handed Michael to Henry, she waved them a goodbye before leaving.

William walked over to Henry and wrapped his arms around his waist, he looked over Henry’s shoulder to see his sleeping child and smiled. He then looked to Henry, who was also looking at him, after some staring they kissed.

William was happy, so happy, happier than when he was with his mom. Henry was happy as well, very happy. They go back into Henry’s room and lay on the bed together.

William held Henry’s waist while Henry was cuddling Michael, they then went to sleep like that.

They were in their own little world, in their own little romance escapade.

Chapter Text

William was getting dressed, he put on a simple beige turtle neck, black suit trousers and a light brown trench coat. He styled his hair in a side part and sprayed himself in cologne. He stared at himself in the mirror for a long time, glaring at himself, it was hard to tell if he liked his look or hated it.

He then picked up a red box and put it in his coat pocket. He then exited his room and went into the living room to say his goodbyes to Michael and his father. He gave Michael a kiss on the forehead and he shook hands with his father and his secretary.

He straightened his coat and walked to the gate of the mansion where he waited for Henry to come and pick him up.

After a few minutes of playing with his fingers Henry arrived.

“Hey Will, hop in.” He opened the door for him while grinning from ear to ear. William gladly got in, and put his seatbelt on.

Henry had his hair tied back in a loose fitting ponytail, he wore a black button up, black suit trousers and a silver chain necklace. He emitted a soft scent of wood and ginger, not oranges this time.

“You look nice Henry.” He was smiling gently, “You look good too Will.”

Soon after, they kissed, it was small and quick. “Here.” Henry handed William a singular rose, William smiled, he then took the small red box from out of his pocket and bestowed it to Henry. “Thank you.” William smiled staring at the rose. Henry hummed in response, “You’re welcome luv.” He opened the box and inside was a silver watch and Aramis cologne.

Henry looked at William surprised, “Thank you Will, now I feel bad for only bringing you a rose.” He chuckled softly. “I don’t mind, I like the rose it’s simple, and you’re the best gift I could ever ask for.” His sappy words were like honey to Henry’s ears. “I agree, you’re the best gift I could ever ask for, I wouldn’t trade you for the world.” He was being sappy as well, William chuckled and gave Henry another light kiss. After that they departed to enjoy their date.

After watching a movie and walking around the park they used to spend their time at all the time two years ago, they go to a hotel and book a room with two beds.

As soon as they enter the room they began kissing, hard. William is pushed to the wall by the door, he is being kissed messily by Henry.

Henry’s hands travel from William’s face to his waist, he then brings their crotches together. William quickly unbuckled Henry’s belt and broke off the kiss to hastily unbutton his trousers and rip them off. Soon the pants came down. Now his parts were out in the open.

William followed suit and took off all his bottoms, they got on the bed and continued kissing and fondling each other.

Sounds William never thought he could make were escaping from his lips, same for Henry.

They rub and rub, until they’re squirming in pleasure. The heat was intense, they kissed even harder moaning through escaped breaths. Their bare skin spreading warmth to all parts. William flipped Henry over and raised his legs, opening them only a little so he could fit in between. He then closed them gently around him, and began rubbing and moving. Henry’s entire body turned a bright red, he was biting the pillow to hide his face and to hide his moans.

Soon they were relieved. Both parties were happy. They laid in bed for only a minute before heading to the showers together. After they were clean they went to sleep in the second bed with one another.

They cuddled close to each other and slept comfortably all through the night.

The next morning they went out to eat breakfast together. William had him a cup of coffee and Henry had tea, they ate biscuits, eggs and sausages. It was simple and delightful. After their breakfast they said their goodbyes, a long kiss this time not the quick little ones they’ve been doing but a proper long kiss.

Henry smiled and waved William goodbye before driving off.

William walked into his house and was greeted with the sight of his father drinking coffee and Michael sleeping in his arms. Ben looked over to him and smiled slightly. “Did you have fun on your date?” William was just about to head to his room until he heard this, he turned his head and smiled awkwardly. “I did, we had a lot of fun.” Ben nodded and went back to work, reading over documents.

William exhaled after closing his door. That was terrifying to William, Ben always looked so cold and nonchalant, and so was his tone whenever he spoke. It was scary to most if not all. He sighed before quickly changing to simple home clothes.

A loose white shirt and loose black trousers. He then picked up the single rose and put it in a cup until he got a proper vase for it. He fell back on his bed and smiled to himself. He hoped Henry liked his gift.

He enjoyed yesterday a lot, like a lot lot. He had fun playing with Henry, just thinking about it riled him up. He chuckled thinking about the faces Henry could’ve been making underneath the pillow. Soon the scattered sunlight made William drowsy, he blinked a couple of times before gently closing them for good. He smiled and drifted off to sleep.

He had a dream, a dream he hoped would come true. A grand wedding, him and Henry getting married. It was beautiful.