Tugging at the tight collar, Josh leaned against the window sill watching Will pace about the room. Rolling his eyes, Josh pushed off the wall and grabbed Will by the shoulders.

“Stop. I’m getting nervous watching you,” Josh flicked Will’s forehead. Instead of laughing, or giving him a snarky comment, or flicking him back, Will reached up and kept Josh’s hand from moving away. Taken aback, Josh didn’t have time to hide his surprise. 

Smirking, Will leaned his head into Josh’s open palm. Josh felt warmth emanate from Will’s forehead, the firm yet gentle grip unmoving. Slowly, he relaxed his hand and let his fingers fall into the dense hair textured with cheap pomade. His heart hurt.

“You’re getting married,” the words were laced with pain, but Josh smiled nonetheless. Will’s expression faltered slightly, but he smiled back. His thumb began to rub patterns into Josh’s wrist.

“Yeah,” was all Will could say. 

Suddenly, the door swung with furious velocity and slammed into the wall. Will glided away from Josh as he turned to the doorway. 

“Are you ready to get fucking married?” Ethan stood in the doorway with his arms crossed, Marty right behind him. Will flashed a confident smile and opened his arms.

“You know it!” the other two cheered, leaving the door open as they walked off. Josh silently stepped towards Will, patting him on the back as soon as he was close enough. 

“They’re waiting for you,” Josh said. Will turned back and opened his mouth, but he promptly shut it when his eyes flicked down to Josh’s pale yellow tie. 

“Your tie is crooked,” Will muttered, his hands reaching out to fix it.

“Pfft. It’s just a tie. I don’t really care too much about it’s crookedness or lack thereof.” Josh felt  himself being tugged forward, his eyes shifting up to Will’s. 

“I do.” His eyes were dark and murky and Josh was afraid. He looked away. Will sighed and dropped his hands to rest on the lapels of Josh’s jacket.

“You look good,” Will almost whispered. He turned and walked out the doorway, leaving Josh to follow behind. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~2 Years Ago~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Thank you to everyone who attended the ceremony. From the bottom of our hearts, we’d like to give you our deepest gratitude,” Jamie stood at the head table adorned in all white, her beloved husband by her side. 

“Yes! Go off!” Ethan’s voice cracked as happy tears streamed down his face. Josh laughed as he clapped for the couple. The chair to his right scraped across the floor as Will slid it out to take a seat. 

“What did I miss?” He downed the last few drops of his champagne.

“Not much, just a speech and a half. I think they’re--Hey, that’s my glass,” Josh reached out, but Will swallowed all the liquid in one gulp. 

“Damn,” Ethan exclaimed with a cheeky smile. Will slammed the glass so hard that Jamie looked over with a furrowed brow. Ethan gave her a shrug while Josh waved her off. She gave them a confused look but returned to her special day.

“Dude, you good?” Marty chimed from across the table. 

“Yeah, yeah. I’m fine,” sighing heavily, Will settled his head in his hands. 

“You need some water?” Josh held a small glass in his hand. Will exhaled sharply and looked at him.

“I’m going to propose to Peggy.”

Crash

“Holy shit!” Marty shot up from his chair. Josh’s legs felt cold and damp. His pants were soaked with ice water. Looking down, he couldn’t tell the ice chunks from the glass shards. 

“Oh my god, are you ok?” Will’s hands began to reach out, but Josh promptly pushed himself back and stood up. 

“Don’t touch me, there’s broken glass. I’ll be in the bathroom.” Despite the scene, only a few people looked over. Unfortunately, that included the bride. 

Locking eyes from across the room, Jamie looked more worried than upset. Josh only shook his head and gave her a thumbs up. 

The second he reached the bathroom, Josh desperately grabbed a towel and began wiping his pants. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Hot tears threatened to spill over. He bit his lip, drawing a tiny drop of blood.

“Fuck,” he muttered as the bitter taste of iron flooded his brain. The motion of his wiping became more and more violent, the friction burning his fingers.

“Fuck!” Josh hurled the towel at the mirror and he punched the counter. 

A few moments later, the door creaked open.

“Josh? Are you alright?” It was Will. Of course it was.

“Yeah. I think I might’ve cut my finger,” Josh lied. 

“Let me take a look.” Will’s footsteps echoed against the tile, every step getting closer to Josh. Spinning around, Josh held a hand up to stop him. 

“No, I’m ok. I’m ok,” Josh gave him a reassuring smile. Standing, unmoving, magnetic, Will took a breath.

“Should I do it?” his hands were in his pockets.

“Wait, what?”

“Should I propose to Peggy?” he asked. Everything paused. 

This could be it. This could be the moment. This WILL be the moment. Josh felt his heart soar. A ghost of a smile hid in his lips. Tell him. Tell him.

And then cold realization hit him like the ice water that he dropped on himself minutes ago. 

“You love her don’t you?” His voice was steady, almost automated. Will blinked and shook his head. 

“What? Y-yeah, of course I love her--”

“Then you should marry her.” Josh grabbed Will’s shoulders and forced the biggest smile he could muster. Holding back tears, Josh watched Will’s Adam's apple bob.

“You think so?” He asked in a weak voice.

“Yeah. Marry her, dude.” So I can let go of you.

Will grabbed Josh’s hands and squeezed. His eyes were unreadable, unattainable, impossible. Josh held his breath.

“You’d be okay with that?”

“Of course,” he raised an eyebrow and smiled, “It is your love  life after all. I don’t really care.”