Archive of Our Own ^beta

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"Alright Will, I know you haven't seen her in a while but your aunt kate is going to Maine for a new job and I think you should go with her. it would be good for you to get away from everything that's going on, okay?" Joyce smiled, looking at Will from the counter she was standing at. Will nodded, being fine with the ordeal.

Which is how we got here. the car ride to the mansion.

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The car ride to the mansion was awkward. Will's aunt was his father's sister, and even though his parents are divorced his mom and aunt are on good terms. Kate respected the decision that Joyce made to divorce him because she took care of Will in the aftermath of some things that happened when Lonnie was drunk. Will and Kate haven't seen each othow.er sincuse Will was eleven so they had a lot of catching up to do. "So.. how's school?" Kate asked, not taking her eyes off the road. "it's good. I'm still friends with Mike, Dustin, and Lucas. the guys I told you about who played D&D with me a couple of years ago." Will paused. "oh yeah, and I made two more friends, E- Jane and Max." He almost slipped up and called Jane Eleven in front of his aunt, which he didn't want to happen. "okay." Kate nodded. The rest of the ride was silent. When Will saw the house he was in awe. it was a bit run down with vines and had a gothic architecture vibe.

Kate and Will got out of the car and walked to the garden. There were dolls in some places. "Flora leaves her toys everywhere, don't be surprised if you find a mermaid in your toilet." A sudden voice said. Kate and Will looked at the woman who was talking. "You must be Mrs.Grose," Kate said. "Yes." Mrs. Grose started walking to the kitchen. Will and Kate were behind her "so is it just you and Flora?" Kate asked. "Yes, it's just me and her while Miles is away at boarding school. The children's parents died." Mrs.Grose said. "May I ask how?" Kate asked. "Car accident. Flora watched it happen." Katee nodded. Will was looking around the kitchen. "That smells good." Kate said, watching Mrs.Grose. "yes. I used to make it for Flora's father when he was younger." Mrs.Grose mentioned.

"You've been with the family that long? That's quite the commitment-" Kate said. "It's an honor, is what it is." Mrs.Grose looked at Kate. "Now. I'll show you and.." Mrs.Grose forgot Wills's name. "Will." Will looked at her awkwardly. "Yes. I'll show You and Will your rooms." Mrs.Grose started to walk down the halls. "It's pretty quiet in here." Kate joked. "All better to hear you scream when you get lost." Mrs.Grose shrugged. "Was that a joke?" Kate asked. "No." Mrs.Grose walked to Kate's room first. "Alright, this is where you will be staying, Kate." She opened the door. "This? For me?" Kate walked in. Mrs.Grose nodded, then walked back out. She walked further down the hall. "And this will be where you're staying." Will walked inside the room, examining it.

The room was a door over to Miles' room, it had a canopy bed and 2 side tables on each side with one at the end of the bed. The walls were a cream color and the bed was a burgundy red. There was a bathroom connected to the bedroom. "This is beautiful, thank you." Will smiled, sitting on the bed. "Where could I find Flora?" Kate asked. "Oh, near the stables." Mrs.Grose said, walking back to the kitchen. "Will, do you wanna go see Flora with me, or do just stay here?" Kate leaned against the doorframe. "I'll just stay here and take a nap, thanks." Will nodded. "Okay, wanna talk later then? It's been a while since I've seen you." Kate asked. "Yeah, sure." Will yawned.

Kate nodded and walked away. Once Kate was away he started rummaging through the bag he had. He thought the house was really beautiful so he decided to start sketching it. After a while, he comes to the kitchen to eat. "So I was thinking me and Flora go out for ice cream before our lesson," Kate mentioned. "Oh no. Flora doesn't leave the estate." Mrs.Grose replied. After a bit of talking, it was clear that the idea died. "So when does Miles get home?" Will asked, remembering the name from earlier. "In a couple of weeks to a month, at least." Mrs.Grose answered. After a while of talking dinner was finished and Will went back to his room.

Will remembered the talk he was gonna have with Kate. "Oh well. We can talk tomorrow." He shrugged. He walked into the bathroom, and turning on the shower. He turned the water to a setting hotter then usual, just as a small thing he does for reassurance. Once he was done he settled into his bed. He turned off the lights, putting the blanket over himself. In the middle of the night, he heard his door open. When he heard it open he sat up immediately, sitting on the corner of the bed. "..sorry." the figure that was standing in his room walked out, closing the door behind him. Will calmed himself, falling back to sleep again.

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Will had another nightmare. Kate walked into his room in the morning to find him curled up in a ball, whispering to himself. "Hey- Will are you okay?' Kate walked over to the bed and sat on it. Will looked up at her. Will nodded, staying silent. "Oh Will." Kate sighed as she started rubbing Wills back gently. Will started to cry silently, leaning on her. "You don't have to tell me about what happened, okay? Just come to me when something like it happens." Kate hugged Will, then stood up. "Now, I'm pretty sure breakfast is done. Go get dressed and we can eat okay?" Kate gave Will a light kiss on the forehead. Will nodded, standing up. Kate left the room, shutting the door behind her.

Once Will was dressed, He walked to the kitchen. He saw Flora, Mrs. Grose, Kate, and a boy who looked strangely like Mike. He sat down next to Kate. "Sorry about last night, Didn't mean to scare you." The guy who looked like Mike apologized. Will nodded, looking down at his food. "So Miles, Mrs.Grose said you wouldn't be back from school for at least a month." Kate mentioned. "yeah, I got out early." Miles started eating. Flora looked over to Miles. "How about we teach Kate and the other guy how to ride horses?" She smiled. Will heard her say 'the other guy' when referring to him. "My name is Will." He corrected her.

"Oh, okay." Flora said. "Yeah, we can teach them. If they're up for the challenge." Miles smirked. Kate smiled. "I'm up for it, what about you Will?" Kate looked at Will. "I'll try." Will shrugged. So this is where we are now. Will, Kate, Flora, and Miles are at the stables. Kate was currently riding a horse in circles, while Flora and Will were off to the side. Miles was in the middle, instructing Kate on how to treat the horse and ride it correctly. He was whipping the horse more than needed. Once kate was done riding, "Do you really need to whip the horse that much?" She asked, sliding off. "Yes. That's how quint taught me. It's a strong animal." Miles crossed his arms. There was an awkward silence for a couple of minutes. "So. Will's next right..?" Miles asked. Will nodded, walking over to Miles. Kate walked towards Flora. Will started to struggle onto the horse and instead of how Miles taught kate, he taught will differently. Miles Climbed onto the horse behind him. 

Miles basically hugged Wills back, as he directed his hand movements. "Hold the reigns like this." Miles spoke into Wills ear. He put his hands over wills, guiding them. Wills face was flushed red, as he wasn't exactly paying attention. The horse started moving slowly. Miles rested his head on wills shoulder "good job." Miles hummed, smiling softly. Will nodded, glancing over at him.