Chapter Text
Willy knew that this was either the best idea ever or would ruin everything.
Well, ruin it more than it was already.
But he needed to be at the airport in two hours, so it was do or die time. And Alex didn’t call him overdramatic for no reason.
“Zachary Hyman, I need to speak with you.”
All heads in the café turned to look at him, patrons and baristas alike. When the man didn’t emerge from the back, he decided to continue. In for a penny, in for a pound.
“Fine, here it goes. I don’t believe in fate, but I also don’t think things happen by accident either. I think I’m exactly where I am because I’m meant to be. That Mitch and I were supposed to switch apartments, and that you and I were supposed to meet.
“Because in twenty-five years, I’ve never felt the same way about anyone as I have about you over the last three weeks.”
The baristas were whispering to each other and glancing back towards the kitchen. Still no sign of Zach, but he was on a roll now.
“You never cared who I was, and never took advantage of me over my last name. You knew who I was, but I was always just Willy to you. And- fucking dammit, Zach, I’m not good at this but I’m not ready for this to be it. I want to spend the next however long trying to make you as happy as you’ve made me, if you let me.”
He could feel the tears on his cheeks, but he wasn’t done yet. “I’m also willing to walk away, if that’s what you want. To get on that plane back to Toronto and let these past few weeks just exist as a memory. It’ll hurt, I’ll hate it, but I’ll do it if that’s what you need me to do to let you be happy.”
A moment passed, then two.
Still nothing.
He wiped at the tears with his sleeves, doing his best to ignore the pitying looks. This wasn’t his proudest moment, but he refused to feel shame.
Willy took a deep breath to steady himself, already backing towards the door. The silence was answer enough.
“I hope you find your happiness.”
“You- you really meant all of that, didn’t you?”
He almost missed it as he was halfway out the door. But there was Zach coming from the kitchen, around the counter, looking wrecked and like the best thing the Swede had ever seen.
“In Banff. Here. You meant it.”
Willy came back into the café, hyperfocused on the guy in front of him. He swallowed thickly. “How could I not? I really did just try to be your friend, Zach. But falling for you was easier than breathing.”
They were standing so close; it would be nothing to reach out to touch. Except even now, he wasn’t sure if he was allowed.
“William Nylander, you better be fucking serious.”
He remembered the saying that sometimes, it was easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission. With that in mind, he fisted his hands in Zach’s shirt and pulled him into a searing kiss. Any worry was short-lived as the kiss was returned, one hand on his waist and another in his hair.
There were catcalls and whooping that made him remember that he was in a crowded space, but Zach’s beaming smile made it all worth it.