In the morning, the harsh buzz of the alarm on Willy's phone cut through the quiet room. He could barely open his heavy eyes, his head throbbing with a painful hangover. He immediately fumbled for the device and turned the alarm off, terrified the noise would wake Tim. When he glanced down, Tim was still sleeping peacefully beside him, completely undisturbed, as if he hadn't heard a thing.
Willy carefully slipped out from under the covers, quietly left the apartment, and hurried back to his own place.
Every Saturday, his family gathered at their parents' house, a long-standing tradition. It was the only day of the week they could all realistically meet due to their chaotic schedules, so being late was not an option. Fortunately, his taxi arrived quickly. As soon as Willy settled into the back seat, he pulled his phone from his pocket and found an unread message from Tim.
"I'm sorry I left without saying goodbye. You were sleeping so peacefully that I didn't want to wake you. I'll meet you at the airport tomorrow. Don't forget we have an early morning flight."
Willy stared at the text, a faint smile tugging at his lips before he slipped the phone away.
When he finally arrived at his family home, the house was surprisingly quiet. Only his older brother, Miles, was in the living room.
"Hey," Willy said, looking around the empty hallway. "Where is everyone?"
Miles looked up from his laptop. "They called and said they couldn't make it. Mom and Dad got called into the company for an important executive meeting they couldn't postpone. And the second the twins heard that, they bolted out the door to meet their friends."
Willy groaned, tossing his keys onto the counter. "If I'd known, I wouldn't have dragged myself all the way over here either."
"Good thing I didn't tell you then," Miles smirked, closing his laptop. "I actually wanted to talk to you anyway."
Willy raised an eyebrow, a sudden wave of suspicion hitting him. "Oh, let me guess. Logan already told you everything, didn't he?"
Miles chuckled, leaning back against the sofa. "You know Logan doesn't hide anything from me. My little brother is finally in love. Honestly, I can't believe you're all grown up."
"I don't want to talk about it," Willy muttered, shifting uncomfortably. "I don't even understand what's happening myself yet."
"If you want, I can help you figure it out," Miles offered, his tone softening. "Give you some older brother advice."
Willy turned back toward the front door. "I'm leaving. I am definitely not having this conversation with you."
"I'm your brother, Willy! Why are you so embarrassed?" Miles called out, laughing.
"I'm not embarrassed!" Willy fired back.
"Don't lie to me. Your ears are bright red right now," Miles teased.
Unable to take the teasing any longer, Willy practically ran out of the house, his face burning.
Truthfully, his relationship with Miles hadn't been great lately. They barely saw each other anymore. Willy, Miles, Seb, and Alex used to be completely inseparable, but ever since Miles graduated from university and took on corporate responsibilities, he had been constantly buried in work. Willy always tried to connect with him during their rare family dinners, but it never seemed to work out. He understood that Miles had adult responsibilities and a serious relationship with Logan but he still missed his brother terribly. If they were as close as before, Miles would be the first person he'd turn to about Tim.
Willy took a taxi back to the downtown lounge to pick up his car, which he had left there the previous night. He could barely remember where he had parked it in his hazy state. But as he approached his vehicle, he noticed someone leaning casually against the driver's side door. A sudden spark of genuine happiness hit him when he realized who it was.
"Hey," Willy said, his pace quickening. "What are you doing here?"
Tim looked up, a bright, effortless smile breaking across his face. "I knew you'd come back to your car early. Want to go somewhere?"
Willy hesitated for a split second. He had a million things to do before their flight tomorrow, but deep down, he desperately wanted to spend more time with Tim. He wanted to understand the boy behind the mystery.
"Okay," Willy agreed softly. "But where to?"
"Anywhere you want," Tim replied, stepping away from the car. "Today, I'll do whatever you say."
Willy raised an eyebrow, a playful challenge entering his eyes. "Are you serious? Even if it's something you completely hate?"
Tim loved challenges, he was the type of person who never backed down from a dare. "Are you trying to challenge me, Captain? Like I said, I'll do anything but on one condition. Whatever I have to do, you have to do it too."
He held out his hand. Willy firmly shook it, but instead of letting go, Tim used the grip to pull Willy a step closer.
"Just so you know, I've never lost a game in my life," Tim murmured, his eyes locking onto Willy's. "And I don't intend to lose to you, no matter how much I like you."
Willy's heart did a sudden, violent flip, but he kept his composure. "Don't forget that I'm the number one shooter in the country, Tim. I don't lose easily either."
Tim leaned in even closer, his breath brushing against Willy's skin as he whispered in his ear. "I'll take that first-place spot from you soon. But don't worry... you'll always be number one in my heart."
Willy felt his face burn instantly. His heart raced against his ribs. No matter how much he tried to deny it to his friends or his brother, he liked Tim. The more time they spent together, the clearer and undeniable it became.
Willy quickly stepped back, trying to mask his flustered state. "We'll see about that. Let's start with the karting track down the highway."
Tim blinked, a bit surprised. "Karting? Alright, let's do it."
"Why? Scared?" Willy taunted.
"I'm not afraid of anything," Tim shot back, his competitive streak flaring up. "Let's go."
Willy unlocked the car, but Tim bypassed the passenger side and opened the driver's door instead.
Willy frowned. "Where's your car?"
"Why drive separately and waste fuel?" Tim reasoned smoothly. "I came here by taxi. Today, you're my personal driver."
Willy couldn't argue with that logic, especially since Tim had spent the previous night taking care of him while he was drunk. He slid into the driver's seat, and Tim buckled up next to him.
As they merged onto the main road, Tim turned down the radio. "Let's play a game so you don't get bored behind the wheel."
"What kind of game?" Willy asked, keeping his eyes on the traffic.
"Yesterday, I promised you that you could ask me anything and I'd answer honestly. Let's do a question-and-answer exchange."
"Okay," Willy agreed, seizing the opportunity. "First question: Why did you really join our university's shooting club?"
"You already know the answer to that," Tim said effortlessly, leaning his head back against the seat. "To take your place. I'm here to win."
"Then I'm asking another question," Willy countered.
"Hey, that's cheating!" Tim laughed.
"It doesn't count because I already knew that answer. It wasn't a real question."
Tim rolled his eyes, a fond smile gracing his face. "Fine, fine. Ask something else."
Willy smiled, savoring the small victory. "Why are you always so alone, Tim?"
The playful atmosphere in the car shifted slightly, turning quieter. Tim stared out the window at the passing trees. "I don't have a good relationship with my parents. My father was always buried in his work, and my mother was constantly sick. I spent most of my childhood left to my own devices. I got used to being alone... but lately, I'm realizing I don't want to be anymore."
Tim caught the sudden look of profound sympathy on Willy's face and quickly waved his hand. "Hey, don't look at me like that. I really am used to it. Anyway, my turn: Where were you running off so early this morning?"
"At my parents' place," Willy answered smoothly. "We meet up every single week. But today was a bust, only my brother Miles was home."
"It's a good thing that you still have a family that shows up, even if they miss a day," Tim said softly. "Your turn."
"Why is winning this specific national competition so important to you?" Willy asked.
"To fulfill a promise I made a long time ago," Tim said, his tone turning distant for a split second before he shook it off. "Do you have any other siblings besides Miles?"
"Yeah, the twins," Willy sighed, though there was warmth in his voice. "They are absolute, unadulterated chaos."
Tim laughed. "I can only imagine how loud your house must get."
"Even now, when we all manage to get together under one roof, it's completely unbearable," Willy noted. "What about you? Any secret siblings?"
Tim paused, his gaze dropping to his hands. "No. That's probably why I'm so spoiled."
"Well, that definitely explains your dramatic personality," Willy joked, trying to lighten the mood.
"Hey! I'm actually Grandma's favorite," Tim said proudly. "She's the one who supported me and helped me achieve everything. I'll take you to meet her someday. I know she'll absolutely adore you."
Willy felt a strange warmth spread through his chest. "Maybe I'll end up becoming her favorite instead of you."
Tim gasped dramatically. "Are you already trying to win over my family, Captain?"
"No," Willy smirked. "And hey, that counts as your question."
"You're cheating again! I'm done playing with you," Tim pouted, crossing his arms.
"As you wish," Willy chuckled.
Tim stayed quiet, but his restless nature meant the silence didn't last for more than a minute. "Willy? Why didn't you ask me about my nightmares? Or about my health?"
Willy slowed the car down as they approached the karting venue's entrance. "Because that's your story to tell, Tim. You'll tell me when you're ready, and I'm not going to force it out of you."
Tim stared at him, his eyes suddenly shimmering with an unshed layer of emotion. "Thank you," he said, his voice barely audible.
Willy parked the car and turned off the engine, looking over at him. "Are you about to cry on me?"
"No," Tim shot back immediately, sniffing.
"Right. I'll believe you," Willy smiled gently. It was clearly the first time in Tim's life that someone hadn't pushed him for answers, and the relief on his face was palpable.
They stepped out of the car and headed to the track, the roar of small engines filling the air. After securing their helmets, they lined up at the starting grid.
"How many laps are we doing?" Tim shouted over the engine noise.
"Ten laps," Willy yelled back, lowering his visor. "If it's a tie, we do one sudden-death lap."
The race was brutal and fast, both of them refusing to give an inch, drifting corners and overtaking each other constantly. By the end of the tenth lap, they crossed the finish line practically neck-and-neck.
After they parked the karts and pulled off their helmets, Tim wiped a sweat-dampened strand of hair from his forehead, breathing heavily. "So... where's my prize?"
Willy looked at him, confused. "We didn't set a prize. And besides, it was a tie."
Tim stepped closer, cornering Willy against the tire barrier. He reached out, his fingers lightly brushing against Willy's sleeve as he pulled him in. "I think we should continue exactly where we left off last night in my kitchen."
Willy's breath hitched, understanding the implication immediately.
"Willy, I want"
Tim didn't get to finish the sentence. Willy leaned down and kissed him.
Tim froze instantly, his eyes widening in pure shock as Willy's lips pressed firmly against his. It was sweet, firm, and filled with all the unsaid feelings of the past few weeks. This was his very first kiss, and as the world faded away around them, Tim knew one thing for certain: he wanted this exact moment to last forever.
Willy slowly pulled back, his eyes searching Tim's face anxiously. "Are you okay?"
Tim stood entirely still, his hand flying up to cover his lips, completely stunned.
"Tim?" Willy asked, a sudden wave of panic hitting him. "Say something."
"Sorry," Tim breathed, his voice trembling slightly. "I... I just didn't expect you to actually do it."
Willy looked down, rubbing the back of his neck, suddenly self-conscious. "Oh. I thought... I thought you wanted a kiss."
"No," Tim confessed, a breathless, beautiful smile suddenly breaking across his face. "I actually wanted to tease you and ask you to read me a fairy tale again... but this was the best reward I could have ever imagined."
Willy's face turned scarlet, completely embarrassed by his own forwardness. Seeing his reaction, Tim threw his arms around Willy's neck, hugging him tightly.
"I am the happiest person alive right now," Tim whispered into his shoulder.
"Can we... Please do not talk about this out loud?" Willy mumbled into Tim's hair, trying to hide his blushing face.
"No way. I'm going to talk about it forever," Tim laughed, hugging him even tighter. "You literally stole my first kiss, Captain. You're responsible for me now."
Willy let out a long sigh, though he couldn't stop the massive smile from breaking onto his face. He knew Tim would never, ever let him live this down.
After a quiet moment in the embrace, Tim pulled back just enough to look Willy in the eyes. "Can I ask you one last question? A real one."
"Go ahead," Willy nodded.
Tim's expression turned vulnerable, the playful edge completely vanishing. "What am I to you, Willy?"
Willy stared at him, his gaze tracing Tim's pale face, his messy dark hair, and those expressive eyes. He reached out, his hand gently resting on Tim's waist. "I don't know the exact label yet, Tim. But I know for an absolute certainty that I like you. More than I've liked anyone."
Tim's eyes crinkled as he buried his face back into Willy's neck, squeezing him tight. "Am I dreaming right now?"
"No," Willy whispered, wrapping his arms securely around him. "This is completely real."
Tim's heart raced with a pure, unadulterated joy. For the very first time in his complicated life, he truly believed that love had found him right when he least expected it.