“Seriously, though, Pat.” Ben had his concerned expression on, so much like their dad’s it made Patrick want to laugh. “I wasn’t sure about you two at first, but you both seem happy, so I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks.”
Ben shoved at Patrick’s shoulder, pushing him toward the door. “Now go say bye to your boyfriend. I have plans to get him drunk and drown his sorrows about missing you.”
Patrick’s chest ached at the reminder, but he walked out onto the path, waving as he went. “Okay, I’m going. Text you later.”
Will waited at the car for him, leaning up against the passenger door, looking well used and sleepy. His hair was all over the place from earlier, and Patrick smiled as he walked up to him.
“You might want to do something with your”—Patrick gestured to Will’s hair and his creased T-shirt—“everything. Ben’ll never take you to the pub looking like that.”
“And what do I look like?” Will pulled him close, dropping his head to kiss along Patrick’s throat—another thing Patrick was going to miss.
“Like you’ve just had sex.”
“Mm-hmm, well, that would be because—” He bit down a little, and Patrick moaned.
“Yeah, whatever. I don’t care.” He tipped his head to the side, and let Will mark him up. They didn’t do this a lot—it weirded Ben out—but Patrick wanted it now. He wanted the bruising to last and remind him of Will every time he looked in a mirror.
He hummed as Will kissed up the side of his neck, and along his jaw, finally meeting Patrick’s lips. Patrick closed his eyes, slipped his hands around Will’s waist, and tried to burn it all into his memory.
“You better get going, or your mum’ll be wondering where you are,” Will said, drawing back just enough to speak. He rested his forehead against Patrick’s and showed no signs of letting him go.
Patrick sighed. “I’ll see you in two weeks, yeah?” It took all his willpower to stand up straight and take a step back, putting some distance between them.
“Definitely. I want to see this new place you and Sean are moving into.”
Patrick huffed as he fished his keys out of his pocket. “You’re gonna be sorely disappointed.” He almost dropped them as Will pushed off the side of the car and cupped his face with both hands.
“I’m going to be anything but disappointed.” Will kept him there, never taking his eyes of Patrick’s, until it was obvious they weren’t just talking about Patrick’s new living arrangements. “Okay?”
“Yeah, okay.”
Patrick didn’t want to go, but the sun was already low in the sky. “Bollocks, I’m really fucking late,” he said, glancing at his watch. He’d have to text his mum and warn her, but she’d understand. She knew all about him and Will. “See you soon.”
“Two weeks. And call me when you get home tonight.” Will kissed him once more and then dropped his hands.
Patrick walked around to the driver’s side and got in. He glanced in his mirror as he drove away, seeing Will watching him go, and although it hurt to leave, Patrick couldn’t help but feel a stirring excitement at what lay ahead for them.
What started out as a two-week casual thing had turned into so much more, and Patrick knew it was only going to get better.
