It took Tim a long time to fully calm down after the intensity of their first kiss. Willy waited patiently by his side, leaning against the tire barrier of the karting track. He didn't push or tease, he simply gave Tim the silence he needed, knowing exactly how monumental that moment had been for him.
Tim finally took a deep breath, running a hand through his messy hair, a faint blush still painting his cheeks. "Sorry about that... I just need a second to gather myself, and then we can get on with our day. What's your next plan, Captain?"
Willy smiled gently, relieved to see the familiar spark back in Tim's eyes. "Don't apologize. I understand you perfectly. How about we go bowling and have pizza?"
Tim tilted his head, a playful, arrogant smirk instantly returning to his lips. "Bowling? Are you specifically choosing games where you know you'll easily lose to me?"
Willy scoffed, turning toward the exit. "No, I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."
"Okay, look, I promised you that I'd do whatever you wanted today," Tim said, jogging a few steps to catch up and walking right beside him. "Let's go play. But I have to warn you I was the undisputed bowling champion back in my school days."
Willy rolled his eyes, though his heart felt lighter. "It's statistically impossible for you to be the absolute best at everything, Tim."
"Hey, it's not my fault that I was born perfect," Tim praised himself smoothly.
In moments like this, he always acted like an idiot completely in love with his own reflection. But as they reached the parking lot, Tim's smile softened into something a bit more bittersweet.
"Actually, I wasn't born perfect," Tim murmured, his eyes tracking the gravel beneath their shoes. "I was just always so buried in tasks that I didn't have time to let my mind wander. My childhood was basically a checklist. I played different sports, studied foreign languages, read endless books, drew until my fingers cramped, and worked hard. That's the real reason I'm good at everything. I never gave myself permission to stop."
The more Willy got to know Tim, the more he realized just how heavy and isolating the boy's childhood had been. He had a fractured relationship with his parents, spent most of his life entirely alone, and threw himself into exhausting levels of perfectionism just to keep his own dark thoughts at bay. Hearing this, it was no wonder Tim suffered from agonizing insomnia and ongoing health issues. His body was simply paying the price for years of survival mode.
Willy stopped walking, looking at Tim with a wave of profound emotion. "I really wish I had met you sooner, Tim."
Tim blinked, caught off guard. "What? Did I actually just hear a soft confession from the ice king?"
Willy felt a bit exposed, but he didn't back down. "It must have been incredibly difficult for you... growing up like that."
Tim's gaze softened, and he stepped closer, gently brushing his shoulder against Willy's. "Don't look back at the past, Willy. The important thing is that you're with me right now. And you can choose to stay by my side from now on."
Willy was constantly amazed at how Tim managed to maintain such a bright, positive exterior despite the psychological scars he carried. Most people would have shattered under that kind of isolation. Standing there, Willy found himself appreciating and respecting the boy so much more than he ever thought possible.
"Let's go play," Willy said, clearing his throat to hide his emotion. "Otherwise, we won't make it. We both need to get home early tonight. The evening traffic will be brutal, and if we get too exhausted, we might oversleep. Remember, we have an early morning flight for the international tournament tomorrow, and the absolute last thing I want is to be late for boarding."
"Lead the way," Tim smiled.
Despite leaving the karting track as quickly as they could, luck wasn't on their side. Twenty minutes into the drive, they found themselves completely gridlocked on the main avenue.
Tim slumped in the passenger seat, his stomach letting out an audible growl. "I'm so hungry. Why is there always an ungodly amount of traffic in this city?"
Willy suppressed a laugh. He was quickly learning that Tim became an aggressive complainer the second he got hungry. "We're stuck in the middle of the lane, Tim. There's literally nothing we can do but wait."
Tim sat up, his sharp eyes scanning the side of the avenue. "I don't think so. Hey, can you pull the car over and park in that empty slot near the corner?"
Willy checked his mirrors. "Okay... but what exactly are you planning to do?"
Tim winked. "Just trust me. I know exactly how to bypass a traffic jam."
Willy reluctantly maneuvered the car into the tight parking spot and turned off the ignition. The moment the doors unlocked, Tim happily bounded out of the car, standing on the sidewalk and waiting impatiently for Willy to join him.
"Where are we going?" Willy asked, locking the vehicle.
"Right over there," Tim said, pointing across the plaza to a sleek, modern glass building with a row of high-end motorcycles parked out front.
Willy's eyes widened. "No. Absolutely not."
Tim teased, "Why? Are you scared, Captain?"
"I'm not afraid," Willy defended himself, crossing his arms. "I just highly prefer the structural safety of a car."
"We're going to be sitting in that metal box for another hour, Willy," Tim reasoned, tugging at his sleeve. "The motorcycle lane on the bridge is completely empty, and we'll get to the lounge in ten minutes. Plus, I'm an expert rider." He gave him a suggestive wink.
Willy narrowed his eyes. "Now is definitely not the time for your flirting, Tim."
Tim gasped with mock innocence, a massive smirk spreading across his face. "Um, I was literally just talking about my riding skills on a bike, Willy. It's really not my fault if your mind is wandering to bad thoughts."
Willy sighed, completely defeated by his antics. "Forget it. Even if I agreed, I highly doubt a luxury dealership like that rents out motorcycles for an afternoon."
"Who said anything about renting?" Tim asked casually. "I've been looking for an excuse to add a new motorcycle to my collection anyway."
Willy stared at him, flabbergasted. "Are you insane? Don't just throw away a fortune on a whim!"
"I already told you, I've been working and investing my own money since I was a kid," Tim countered, leaning in with a playful grin. "When you officially become my husband, then you can dictate my financial budget and tell me what I can or cannot buy. But until then, let me shop in peace."
"And who exactly told you that I want to be your husband?" Willy shot back, his voice rising in an embarrassed, defensive tone.
"Oh, please, don't be so sure of yourself," Tim laughed, walking toward the dealership doors. "Yesterday, you treated me like your worst enemy. Today, you held my hand and confessed that you like me. By tomorrow on the flight, you'll probably be my boyfriend, so logically, the husband part will happen right after."
"That is total bullshit," Willy muttered, his face burning as he followed him inside.
"Let's wait and see if you still think it's bullshit by Tuesday," Tim challenged over his shoulder. "We'll find out soon enough."
Willy shook his head, completely bewildered. "How did we even jump from buying a vehicle to marriage? What is wrong with your brain?"
"You're the one who kept arguing about the budget," Tim chuckled, stopping in front of a stunning, matte-black sport bike. "Come on, let's wrap this up. If we're late for packing tonight, you're going to be complaining the entire way to the airport tomorrow, and I really don't want to hear it."
Within fifteen minutes, Tim had smoothly handled the paperwork and transaction. He strapped on a spare helmet provided by the dealer and threw a leg over the powerful machine, looking up at Willy. "Are you ready for a little bit of adrenaline, Captain?"
Willy reluctantly climbed onto the back, his hands carefully finding purchase on the seat frame. "I am entirely unprepared for this."
Tim reached back, taking Willy's hands and pulling them firmly around his own waist. "Just remember that you will always, always be safe with me, Willy. I will never let anything happen to you."
The ride was fast, the wind roaring past them as they bypassed the sea of stagnant cars on the bridge. The moment Tim pulled the bike into the bowling alley's parking lot, Willy practically threw himself off the seat, his boots hitting the solid pavement with a heavy thud.
Willy took off his helmet, breathing a sigh of relief. "Thank God. We are actually alive."
Tim pulled off his own helmet, staring at him in utter disbelief. "Are you kidding me right now? You are such a drama queen, Willy! I literally drove at a snail's pace the entire way here. I have never ridden a bike that slow in my life, and you're telling me you were terrified? You drive your sports car so fast that sometimes I genuinely think we're about to take flight!"
"Because a car has four wheels and a steel frame!" Willy countered.
Tim paused, observing the slight tremor in Willy's hands, and his teasing expression immediately melted into genuine realization. He stepped forward, taking the helmet from Willy's hands.
"Hey... Willy, you have to tell me when you're genuinely afraid of something," Tim said, his tone completely earnest. "You don't ever have to force yourself to do something you hate just to make me happy. I will never, ever force you into something you're uncomfortable with. You just have to communicate with me."
Willy looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm... just not used to expressing my feelings out loud. I usually keep things to myself."
"I know. I noticed that a long time ago," Tim said softly, reaching out to gently touch Willy's arm. "If I hadn't been so forward and told you that I liked you, you probably would have carried your feelings to the grave without saying a word. I know changing that habit won't be easy for you, but try it. For me."
Willy looked into Tim's sincere eyes and felt a defensive wall crumble. "I promise... I'll try."
Tim smiled brightly. He knew better than anyone how terrifying it was to lay your vulnerabilities bare, but from now on, he was going to be right there to help Willy navigate it.
"If you're feeling a bit better, let's go inside," Tim said, his stomach growling again. "I am starving."
Willy laughed. "Yeah, let's go. I'm incredibly hungry too."
They headed into the venue, immediately ordering a large pepperoni pizza to their lane before setting up their bowling profiles on the digital screen.
Tim picked up a shiny ball, spinning it in his hand. "Are you ready to face absolute defeat, Captain?"
"Not a chance. This time, I'm going to destroy your winning streak," Willy smirked.
Tim let out a melodious laugh. An angry, competitive Willy was honestly the cutest thing he had ever seen. "Alright, let's make a wager. This time, if I win, my wish is for you to let me stay over at your place tonight."
Willy countered, "And what happens if you lose?"
"Then... you have to stay with me at my place," Tim grinned wickedly.
Willy stepped up, placing a firm hand on Tim's shoulder, a look of disbelief on his face. "Now you're just blatantly cheating the system. Both options have the exact same outcome."
Tim lowered his eyelashes, looking up at Willy with a pout and wide, pleading, sad eyes. Willy immediately averted his gaze, trying with all his might to resist the weaponized cuteness. Tim noticed the hesitation and took a step closer, invading his space. They truly were like a cat and a dog, constantly circling each other.
Willy let out a defeated groan. "Fine! If you win the match, you can stay over at my house tonight."
"Perfect. So I'm officially staying at your house tonight," Tim cheered.
"You talk about a massive game for someone who hasn't even thrown a ball yet! Let's play," Willy challenged.
As it turned out, Tim hadn't been lying about his school days. It wasn't difficult for him to secure the victory, finishing the final frame with a spectacular strike. He was so ecstatic that he started doing a ridiculous little victory dance right on the polished floor.
"I think today is officially the day all my wishes come true!" Tim beamed.
Willy leaned against the ball return, shaking his head. "You are such a liar, Tim. You explicitly told me in the car that today was about fulfilling my wishes, and it somehow turned into a day completely dedicated to yours."
Tim stopped dancing immediately, realization hitting him. He walked over, looking genuinely apologetic. "Ah... Willy, I'm sorry. It's really not my fault, though. Sorry for being so incredibly perfect at sports."
Willy scoffed, though a smile slipped through. "Enough. I am so tired of hearing about your perfection." He knew if he didn't stop Tim's teasing now, he'd end up getting flustered again.
"Okay, okay," Tim chuckled. "What do you want to do next?"
Willy went quiet for a moment, contemplating. He wanted to test something. "Let's go to the university campus."
Tim blinked in confusion. "What? The university? At this hour on a Friday night? Why on earth would we go there?"
"Shall we go down to our club range?" Willy suggested, a challenge in his eyes. "Unless... you think you can't beat me at a standard target shooting match?"
Tim's playful expression dimmed slightly, a boundary firmly setting into his features. "Sorry, Captain, but you'll have to wait until the summer to find that out."
"Until the summer?" Willy repeated, completely lost. "Why would I wait until then? I want to settle it now."
"The national selection competition for the top ten rankings is in the summer, Willy. Did you forget?"
Willy had been so consumed by Tim's presence that he had completely lost track of the seasonal schedule. "There are still eight or nine months left before that tournament. I want to find out who's better right now."
Tim shook his head, his tone unyielding. "I can't fulfill that wish. Choose something else."
"Why?" Willy pushed, narrowing his eyes. "Are you suddenly afraid that you'll lose your streak to me?"
"I'm not afraid of losing," Tim said softly, looking Willy dead in the eye. "I just... I don't want to compete against you in shooting before the official tournament. I won't do it."
Willy stared at him, sensing the immense gravity behind Tim's decision. He didn't entirely understand the underlying reason for the restriction, but he chose to respect the boundary Tim was drawing. "Fine. Shall we just go watch a movie together instead?"
Tim's face lit up instantly, the heavy mood vanishing. "Okay! But absolutely no horror movies. If I watch something scary, my mind will replay it and I won't be able to get a single wink of sleep tonight."
Willy smirked. "But you're staying at my place tonight anyway, remember?"
"Oh, true," Tim grinned flippantly. "Okay, let's watch a horror movie then, and I'll just sleep with you."
Willy's ears turned a violent shade of scarlet. Tim was already so used to this reaction that he deliberately dropped those double-entendre comments just to watch Willy lose his mind.
Tim laughed, nudging him. "I mean... we'll sleep in the same bedroom, obviously."
"Please, I beg you, do not talk like that when we are around the other club members tomorrow," Willy muttered, covering his face.
"I can't promise you that, Captain," Tim hummed, walking toward the exit. "Because your reactions are incredibly cute, and I am officially addicted to them."
Willy stood there for a second, wondering how on earth he had fallen so hard for this ridiculous person.
They pulled out their phones to check the local cinema schedules but quickly ran into a roadblock. The only available showtimes for the movies they actually wanted to see were late at night, which would ruin their sleep before their early morning flight to the international competition.
"Let's just hit a supermarket, buy a mountain of snacks, and watch something at your place," Tim suggested.
"Sounds like a plan," Willy agreed. "But wait... how are we going to get both vehicles back to my house? We came on your new motorcycle, but my car is still parked across town."
Tim hadn't even thought about the logistics. He paused, then quickly pulled out his phone and dialed a number. After a brief conversation, he hung up and smiled. "Problem solved. My friend will come by and pick up the motorcycle. We'll take a taxi to my car, and then we can drive to your place."
"Should we wait outside the dealership for your friend to arrive?" Willy asked.
"No need. The taxi will be here in five minutes," Tim said, walking over to the bowling alley's manager counter. He smoothly left the motorcycle keys with the manager, sent a quick text to his friend with the location details, and ushered Willy outside.
Within twenty minutes, they had retrieved Willy's sports car and were cruising down the highway toward Willy's neighborhood.
"Are we almost home?" Tim asked, looking out at the city lights.
"Yeah, about fifteen to twenty minutes," Willy replied.
"Let's hit that supermarket over there," Tim pointed. "We need chips, popcorn, and a lot of soda."
They pulled into the store lot, quickly grabbing everything they wanted, before finally arriving at Willy's address. Willy parked the car in the underground garage and helped Tim carry the heavy grocery bags up to the main entrance.
When Tim stepped onto the property, he stopped in his tracks. It was a stunning, modern-style two-story house complete with a pristine, lit swimming pool in the courtyard.
Tim blinked, looking around the massive foyer. "Wow... Willy, do you seriously live all alone in a massive house like this?"
Willy set the bags on the kitchen island. "Yeah. Why do you ask?"
Tim walked over, a sudden seriousness in his eyes as he looked at him. "If you don't want to live alone anymore... we could always live together."
Willy froze, a plate in his hand. "Are you seriously planning to move in with me already? We just had our first kiss a few hours ago."
"Yes," Tim said honestly, stepping closer until he was standing right across the counter from him. "When I'm with you, Willy, the noise in my head stops. I feel genuinely good. I woke up happy this morning for the first time in years because I actually slept peacefully next to you. I want you to always be by my side."
Willy went completely silent, the vulnerability of the statement catching in his throat. He didn't know how to articulate the whirlwind of emotions inside him.
Seeing his silence, Tim offered a comforting, reassuring smile, stepping back to relieve the pressure. "I know you're not ready for all of this yet, Willy. You don't need to give me an answer right now. Come on, let's go watch something."
Tim gently took Willy's hand, his fingers intertwining with his, and led him into the spacious living room. Willy turned on the television, then went back to the kitchen to arrange the snacks on plates and pour the sodas. When he returned, Tim was already curled up on the massive plush sofa in front of the screen.
"What should we watch?" Tim asked, scanning the streaming menu.
Willy sat down right next to him, opening a bag of chips. "Choose whatever you want, Tim."
"Okay, let's go with this one." Tim clicked play.
As the opening credits began to roll, Tim naturally leaned over, resting his head comfortably against Willy's broad shoulder. Willy shifted slightly, wrapping an arm around Tim's shoulders to pull him closer into his side.
The movie had barely gotten past the introductory scene when Willy noticed the weight on his shoulder grow heavier. He looked down and smiled. Amidst the safety of Willy's home and the warmth of his presence, Tim had already fallen fast asleep.