MIKE POV-

When the door closed behind the brunette, Mike exhaled, a breath he didn't realise he was holding. He knew he was acting impulsively for a criminal; that is never good, but he couldn't help it.

Now he needed to choose some clothes for Will to wear; he couldn't wear his old clothes as the one's he had made the small boy itchy. He wanted to do something nice for once, and on the plus side it would probably stop the brunette from complaining or taking his shirt off again; Mike thought back to the times when he had seen Will's chest and... his face turned red again.

Shaking his head of those thoughts, he walked over to the closet staring at his array of clothes; despite living in California, he would frequently stay over at El's house between rounds of criminal activities; it was sort of like tradition. Every few weeks he would pop in, only for a day or two. It was wise for him to keep a small selection of clothes here; El's guest bedroom was essentially Mike's vacation home.

The doe-eyed girl also had a room in Mike's house, for when she made trips home to visit her family; she stayed in Mike's home, as a sort-of best friend sleepover.

Picking some clothes for the brunette, he looked for something that would suit Will and be in his size. He tried to visualise Will in his head, picking up a T-shirt, a plain black one. Despite being shorter than the ravenette, Will was still more muscular and the clothes that he gives might fit more snug onto the brunette's body clinging to it. He held it up momentarily, throwing it onto the bed, satisfied with his choice.

Next, he grabbed a pair of sweats, a pair worn out yet soft, not too tight or restrictive. He thought about Will's comfort, how he always seemed jumpy in the scratchy dress-shirt Mike had forced him to wear. The ravenette's fingers brushed against the cotton, feeling its texture. He nodded to himself and set them aside.

He hesitated before choosing a hoodie; it was one of his favourites; it was dark blue, with a cozy and enticing feel. In a weird twist, the ravenette imagined the brunette wearing the oversized hoodie, and how the fabric would drape over his shoulders almost blushing at his own thoughts.

With the outfit chosen, he laid out everything neatly. The T-shirt, the sweats, the hoodie, and even a fresh pair of socks. He wanted to show that he cared a little bit; that he wasn't evil. The ravenette glanced at the clothes one last time, a small smile spreading on his face and a warmth fuelling within picturing the brunette in the clothes he chose.

Stepping into the hallway, he felt a mixture of nervousness and excitement. He knew that Will was in the shower and would take a while; he hoped the small boy like the clothes he chose. The ravenette flushed a small faint red as he entered the kitchen where El was making herself a cup of tea.

Hearing footsteps, the doe-eyed girl flipped around, her eyes twinkling with mischief, "Everything go okay in there?" attempting to hide her giggling, knowing her earlier intervention helped.

Mike cleared his throat, playing it cool, "Yeah... no problems at all."

"Is Will still wet?" She asked in return; a dumb smile on her face aware of the joke she made.

"Sorry?" the ravenette blurted, almost choking on his own saliva.

"From the car wash?" El chuckled, knowing exactly the double meaning to what she was saying but loved to tease her best friend. She gave an amused smile, reading him like a book.

"Do you wanna help me set the table for lunch?" she questioned,

"You should really go for a shower!" He scrunched his face in reply, "You're dripping on the floor."

"Let me finish my tea," she complained, taking a seat at the kitchen table, "I'm too tired right now."

Mike tilted his head, taking a seat opposite, "Hey can we actually talk about something... serious?" he asked, his voice uncertain yet determined.

The doe-eyed girl stirred her tea, her expression curious, "Sure thing, what's on your mind?" she smiled, taking a small sip.

The ravenette hesitated for a moment before taking a deep breath knowing that she would only make fun of him for what he would admit, "Earlier, when you mentioned... me possibly liking Will?" he whispered the last part. "Umm- I think, you might be a bit right,"

El doesn't flinch, already knowing this information, "Woah, tough guy over here catching feelings," she laughed at her own joke.

The tall boy couldn't help but roll his eyes at her teasing, "Yeah, very funny, but just so you know I have a plan!"

"A plan?" The doe-eyed girl's expression morphed to be serious, actually interested in how her best friend was going to go around this whole situation.

Mike leaned closer to El, motioning her to do the same. His voice lowered to share his unsettling plan, looking back to ensure the brunette hadn't left the shower yet, "I was thinking... What if I could make Will feel like he has no other choice but to be with me? I mean I have resources, connections... I could create situations where he only has to rely on me, and then he might develop feelings on me out of necessity."

El's eyes widened, her mouth hanging open. Lucky she wasn't drinking tea, or she may have spit it out in disbelief and worry, "Mike!" she said stern, "That's not right! You can't force someone to have feelings for you. What the fuck are you thinking?"

The ravenette's gaze was intense, his determination steady, "I know it sounds extreme, but I've done worse in the past. This is nothing compared to that."

"And what if you get tired of him?" El proposed

"I won't." Mike shook his head, slumping in his seat.

"You met him four days ago! You're not thinking straight. You know nothing about him!" El emphasised, her voice holding a firmness that matched her concern. She was fine when she supposed this was a small crush, but now that Mike was suggesting full-term kidnaping and toxic behaviour, her attitude changed, "And what about his friends? His family?"

"He told me he didn't feel like going home and I don't think he has any friends." The tall boy simply replied, crossing his arms.

"Mike! He won't actually be loving you; it'll be some sort of weird attachment because you'll be messing with his mind." She placed her cup down, furrowing her brows in disgust, "You'll be manipulating him, and what if he never feels the same way? Huh?"

The ravenette's frustration was palpable, "I'll force him to like me then! And besides it's not like I can let him go anyway... he knows too much; I'm basically killing two birds with one stone!"

"So you're suggesting, manipulation and keeping him in your dingy basement until he loves you and lets you do whatever you want to him?" The doe-eyed girl spat

"He won't be in the basement..." Mike mumbled, "I'll just lock him in the house and slowly-slowly he'll warm up to me!" he explained seeing no fault in his plans.

"Mike!" She said stern.

"What else can I do? I always get what I want and right now, I want him! And if this is the only way to make it happen..." the ravenette scrunched his face

El intercepted, her tone urgent, "You can't do that to someone; it's immoral, even for a criminal." She pointed at him, "If you want Will to like you; like really like you, you must be genuine and treat him with kindness and respect. I know it's hard to change but if you like him, show him with your actions."

Mike's jaw clenched, his stubborn persona returning, battling against the growing realisation that he needed to change. "What else can I do? It's not like I can have a relationship with anyone else because of my job; Will knows what I do, and this is the only way to make it happen."

El listened, fixing her gaze on the ravenette, being serious, "Do you really think that's something Will would like?"

The ravenette pouted, shifting uncomfortably under El's gaze, "I know, I know." he repeated himself, "I just need to think."

The doe-eyed girl's expression softened, realising the small struggle within Mike, "If you really like him, treat him like how you want to be treated! Be a friend to him, and maybe things will develop over time."

The tall boy hesitated for a moment, not really swayed by her words but deciding to agree, "Yeah I guess, I'll try." he mumbled,

"That's all I'm asking for... promise me you won't hurt him to get him to like you." El passed a reassuring smile,

Mike nodded again, an unreadable expression on his face; almost as though he was contemplating something, "I promise,"

The doe-eyed girl's smile widened, "Good! Now set the table, I think I'll have that quick shower now." she chuckled, finishing her tea, always believing her best friend's promises. Patting him on the back, she walked away from the boy to the hallway, stepping into her own room.

Mike followed her with his eyes, crossing his fingers behind his back. Despite the promise he made, he knew he had a long way to go to make things right with Will; sure, he would eventually do all the things El said, but he couldn't shake his determination to get what he wanted quicker...

This wasn't obsession, he knew what obsession was, this was the constant feeling of needing someone by his side, and that person just happened to be the brunette; they were both always lonely and if he already had a crush on Will... why not make it happen? If he wanted Will to like him, the easiest plan was to force him, no matter the cost. 

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1682 Words

Stay Safe <3