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“Get off me!” Mike exclaimed, slapping at the hand Dustin had thrust into his mop of raven hair. The blond boy grinned, taking pleasure in Mike’s discomfort. He ruffled it up some more, before eventually ceasing his torment as the lunch bell rang. Will followed behind Mike as the four of them exited the classroom, with Lucas at the front. He watched the way the red embarrassment slowly faded from Mike’s cheeks, though the annoyed frown never did.
The second time someone touched Mike’s hair, it was Lucas. They’d been playing rock paper scissors to determine who would be on first in their game of it, and Mike had lost.
“Better luck next time,” Lucas said, messing up the already slightly unruly curls like he was parenting a child.
“Whatever,” Mike grumbled, shrugging the other boy off. “And stop doing that. You know I hate it,” Lucas laughed, before jogging off to get a head start. Dustin and Will followed soon after.
Mike walked into AV club and Will noticed two things. One: he was somehow even prettier than usual, wearing the blue and white knitted jumper Will had gifted him for Christmas years back on top of a dark blue polo. His eyes seemed even more captivating, scanning the party before eventually landing on Will as Mike offered a small smile. Two: there was something pink and sticky in his hair. Will grimaced, realising it must be gum, and Dustin snorted a laugh.
“What?” Mike questioned, “Is there something on my face?”
“More like in your hair,” Lucas replied. “Come here,”
“No,” Mike shook his head, backing towards the door.
“Come here Mike, you’ll never be able to get that out by yourself,” Dustin began moving towards the frightened boy. Mike turned and made to run, but Dustin was too quick. He grabbed him by the handle of his backpack, and Will watched and laughed as Mike struggled whilst Lucas and Dustin began unpicking the glob of gum from his usually clean hair. He considered going over to help, but immediately decided against it. It was too close, too personal. It was hard enough to keep his feelings hidden without actually touching Mike. Physical contact was crossing some sort of invisible line Will had drawn for himself when it came to Mike Wheeler.
That was at least, until the two of them were walking home together three days later. They were talking about some new comics Mike had managed to get for cheap, making plans for Will to come over soon to read them together. Will turned to smile at Mike, when he noticed his hair was falling all in the wrong places. Will supposed it was the wind from earlier. He stopped walking - causing Mike to do the same - and instinctively reached out and began flattening the strands down with one hand, moving bits from side to side until his bowl cut (growing out slightly better than Will’s) was back to its usual self. He didn’t notice the way Mike had fallen silent, this time not protesting against the touch but instead studying the way Will’s tongue poked out the corner of his mouth in concentration. Will paused for a moment, finally coming to his senses.
“Oh, sorry,” He apologised, immediately drawing his hand away as if burnt. “I know you don’t like that,” Mike simply stared at him some more, before shaking his head in an attempt to pull himself back to Earth after whatever feeling had just overtaken him.
“Don’t- You don’t have to apologise,” Mike assured him quickly, “I didn’t mind,” Will flushed at that.
“But I thought-”
“Anyway, lets get home before your mom has a fit,” Mike cut him off, smiling and throwing an arm around Will’s shoulders as they began to walk once more.
He couldn’t stop thinking about it. Mike and Will were sprawled lazily across Mike’s bed, holding comics above their faces. They were the new ones Mike hadn’t read yet, and up until now he’d been very excited to. His mind was on other things, however. More specifically: how Will’s hand had felt in his hair. He should’ve hated it. He really, really should’ve. Should’ve pushed him away like he had Lucas and Dustin, said something along the lines of ‘I’m not a child!’ and scowled at the following laugh. But this was different. This was Will, and it felt good. He wanted to feel like that again. He had to.
“Will?” He began, quiet and unsure.
“Hm?” The shorter boy replied, head falling sideways to meet Mike’s gaze. Mike flushed, sitting up. He fiddled with a page of his comic, rubbing it between his fingers.
“Uh… could you maybe… play with my hair? Like you did before, I mean,” He forced out, refusing to look anywhere but at the superheroes printed in bold colours in his hands. It must be so easy for them. Will took a while to reply, leaving Mike to sit in tense silence whilst he considered it.
“‘Course,” He finally answered. Mike looked up at him then, seeing the brunet smile softly back. Will patted his lap.
“Come lie here,” Mike did as he was told, albeit rather awkwardly. He shuffled forwards a little on the bed, before lying down with his legs outstretched and his head on Will’s lap.
“Comfy?” Will asked, looking down at Mike. His comic had been abandoned to the floor. Mike nodded slightly.
“Very,” Will smiled again. Slowly, he lifted a hand and pushed it into Mike’s dark hair. The taller boy smiled, eyes closing automatically. Will sifted through the soft strands, taking in the scent of Mike’s shampoo. Mike sighed as Will continued gently making his way through Mike’s hair, no part left untouched.
“Is this okay?” Will asked as he started carefully teasing out the knots. Mike hummed in agreement.
“Feels really good,” He admitted sheepishly. Will continued with the encouragement fresh in his mind. Eventually, Mike fell asleep. Will could tell by the way his breathing evened out that he had. Still, he didn’t stop. He could now study the sleeping boy’s face without fear of being caught, those hazel eyes flickering open and landing on him with the expression of disgust which would surely be there should Mike ever find out who he- what he was. He noticed how much more relaxed the boy seemed in his sleep, expression calm and unaffected by whatever hardships the day had brought. And, eventually, Will managed to drift off as well, lying back against the mattress with his hands still in Mike’s hair.
And if they woke up in the morning with their limbs tangled together and Mike’s head pressed against Will’s neck, neither had the strength to move.