Chapter Text
Wilson smoothed down the sleeve of his shirt for the fifth time. It was already perfectly neat, pressed that morning, but his fingers twitched and needed to be kept busy when he was nervous. The science department office was quiet, too quiet, florescent lights humming above him as his neatly stacked portfolio sat on his lap. Beside him sat Brando, back pressed against a hard plastic chair with his arms crossed, looking like he could've been carved out of stone. He wasn't nervous - not visibly atleast, he never was. But, his thumb tapped against his forearm in a steady rhythm, a tiny tell only Wilson would notice.
"You're going to be amazing,"
Wilson whispered, leaning closer to him in a voice with such softness that always disarmed Brando, even when he tried to stay detached.
Brando cut his eyes towards him, the corner of his mouth twitching, "So are you." Wilson blushed, his smile curling into something soft and shy. He'd been hearing Bran's steady reassurance ever since he started university, and still, they landed like new every time. Across the hall, the secretary peeked in, "Mr. Reyes? They'll see you now."
Brando stood, adjusting his jacket, broad shoulders filling the doorway. Before stepping inside the office, he hesitated, only a flicker as he leaned down close enough for only Wil to hear.
"Don't fidget." he said, low and firm, the protective kind of command that made Wilson's heart flutter instead of bristle. Wilson nodded quickly, eyes wide, hands instantly still.
Brando dissapeared into the office.
Twenty minutes later, Wilson's name was called. His heart thudded against his chest as he went into the office, but there, against the wall, Brando was already sitting, his interview finished as he caught Wilson's eye and gave him a nod that was both steady and grounding as if to anchor him.
"Mr. Hale," the principal greeted, "Tell us why you want to teach biology here."
Wilson's throat went dry as his rehearsed speech evaporated. His eyes darted back to Brando. Brando's expression didn't change, but his hand rested against hus knee, tapping twice. Their signal since university: "I'm here. You've got this."
Wilson inhaled slowly. His voice came out softer than he wanted, but steady and honest in it's own way. "I've always been fascinated by science, I really love it so much," he began, "but more than that... I love showing people that the world is a lot softer than they think it is. That things make sense even when they feel too big." He glanced at Bran again, a tiny smile tugging at his lips.
"And I think students need that kind of reminder."
The room went quiet.
Someone scribbled a note as Wilson's cheeks flushed.
When the interviews were done, they stepped out into the sunlight together. Wilson exhaled, finally letting his shoulders drop. He reached out and tugged at Brando's sleeve until their hands found each other again, holding on longer this time.
"I was terrible." Wilson muttered even though he was smiling.
"No," Brando said simply, like there was no doubt on his mind, giving his hand a tiny squeeze. "You were you, and that's all they needed."
Wilson ducked his head, cheeks flushed, hearts racing for reasons that had nothing to do with the job interviews. He leaned closer, temple against Brando's shoulder as they walked towards the car.