Chapter Text
the tv was on, volume low, something soft and colourful playing that mack wasn’t really watching but didn’t want to turn off either. he was curled up on the couch, hoodie sleeves pulled over his hands, flipping his silver fidget cube back and forth between his fingers.
click. twist. slide. flip.
click. twist. slide. flip.
over and over.
his eyes were on the screen, but his brain wasn’t fully there. everything felt just a little bit off today; like trying to tune into a radio station that kept slipping in and out of static. he didn’t want to talk much. didn’t really want to move. he didn’t feel bad, not really. just… quiet. will didn’t mind. he was moving around the apartment, grabbing his wallet, keys, mumbling to himself about something, maybe laundry, maybe his phone charger, and when he walked into the living room, he slowed.
“hey, sweetheart,” will said, voice soft. mack blinked and looked up slowly.
“you okay?”
mack nodded once. then flipped the cube again.
click. twist.
“okay,” will said, and smiled. he didn’t ask more. didn’t need to. “i was thinking of running out real quick,” will continued, grabbing a hoodie off the back of the chair. “i want those little croissants from the bakery down the street. the ones with the chocolate in the middle.” he looked at mack again. “you wanna come with? or stay here?” mack paused his fidgeting. he looked at the screen. then back at will. he didn’t speak, but he shifted, just a little, feet curling under him. his eyes softened.
“you wanna come?” will guessed, already reading it right. mack nodded. “okay,” will said, gentle and easy. “we’ll go slow. no rush.” mack set the cube down carefully on the arm of the couch. he stood, hoodie sleeves still over his hands, hair slightly messy from the couch pillow. will met him at the door and held out a hand. mack slid his fingers into will’s without saying anything.
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the walk was quiet, just the occasional sound of birds or passing cars. mack didn’t talk, and will didn’t expect him to. they walked side by side, hands still linked, and will made sure to match mack’s pace. unhurried, steady, soft. the bakery was small and warm, the kind of place that always smelled like butter and sugar. there were only a few people inside, and will gave mack’s hand a little squeeze before letting go. mack hovered near the display case while will ordered. he pressed his fingertips to the cool glass, watching the rows of croissants, danishes, and fruit tarts with careful eyes. he didn’t say anything, but he pointed once, and will followed his finger.
“one of those too?” will asked.
mack nodded.
“you got it,” will said, grinning.
they walked out with a small paper bag that smelled like heaven. will handed it to mack without question, and mack held it carefully in both hands, fingers still hidden by his sleeves. “you wanna sit at the park for a bit?” will asked as they turned the corner. mack looked up at him, then nodded. there was a bench tucked under a tree a few blocks from the bakery. they sat down together, close enough that their shoulders brushed. will leaned back, arms stretched along the top of the bench, relaxed and content. mack opened the bag and peeked inside.
“chocolate croissant for me,” will said, peeking too. “and your mystery tart, because i still don’t know what you pointed at.” mack pulled it out. it was one of those round little custard ones with raspberry on top. simple. soft. a little messy. will watched him eat the first bite, eyes crinkling fondly. “good?” mack nodded. then turned and held out a piece toward will, silent but sure.
“you sharing with me?” will asked, already leaning in. mack gently pressed the bite against his lips, and will took it, smiling as he chewed. “okay, that is really good.”
mack looked pleased.
they sat in the sun for a while, finishing their pastries slowly. will kept talking, little things, soft things. about the new playlist he made for practice, about the weird dream he had last night, about how mack’s hair was sticking up in the back and it was kind of cute. mack didn’t say anything, but he leaned closer, resting his head against will’s shoulder when he was done eating.
will went quiet.
they stayed like that for a long time. the paper bag crinkled in mack’s lap. the tree above them rustled gently with the breeze. mack’s eyes were half lidded, fingers tugging at the edge of will’s sleeve now, like he needed just a little more contact. “you’re doing good today,” will said softly, lips brushing the top of mack’s hair. “i’m proud of you.” mack didn’t answer, but he didn’t need to. he tilted his face just a little closer to will’s neck, warm and content.
the words weren’t there today, but the meaning was.
thank you.
i love you.
this is enough.