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“You have to learn to shoot, Mike, over,” Will’s voice came crackled and distorted over the walkie.
“Why? Over,” Mike groaned from where he was sprawled out on his bed. He knew the other boy’s answer before it came.
”You know why. The amount of shit that goes on in this town you’re bound to need it sooner or later,” Will sighed, “I just- I want you to be safe. That night when the demogorgon got me, all I had to defend myself was Lonnie’s gun. Granted, I wasn’t exactly able to use it, but if it was you in that situation you wouldn’t stand a chance. Just try. Please. Over,”
Mike shut his eyes tight. He knew he had to say yes.
Usually, Mike would’ve jumped at any opportunity to spend time with Will. That was at least, before him and El broke up a few months ago and he came to the rather shocking realisation he was, in fact, in love with his best friend. Him and El had mutually agreed they just weren’t right for eachother anymore, and though it did hurt, it wasn’t nearly as bad as he thought it would be. After that Mike caught himself looking at Will’s lips a few too many times for it to be purely accidental, imagining how Will’s slightly smaller hand would feel in his own, picturing Will’s reaction if one day he finally gave in and slid his hand into Will’s fluffy hair- yeah. Not great. Ever since he had begrudgingly come to terms with his crush he had been avoiding him like the plague.
”Alright,” Mike gave in. “I’ll do it. But you have to bring the gun. Over,”
He could hear the smile in Will’s voice as he replied,
”Great! I’ll be there soon. Over and out.”
Mike opened the front door to Will smiling nervously on the other side. He gestured to a brown satchel slung across his chest.
“I have everything,” He said, “Should we go?”
Mike shut the front door behind him and followed Will down the road and towards the woods.
They made light conversation as they walked, about how Will was settling in now that Joyce and her family had moved into Hopper’s cabin, and about how the town was recovering from the gates. It wasn’t the same. Ever since that excruciatingly awkward hug in the airport Mike could tell something had changed in their dynamic. He sometimes wondered if Will was aware of Mike’s feelings for him, if he perhaps had known before Mike had himself. That thought was far to scary to entertain, so Mike settled on an easier one instead. It’s probably just puberty.
Soon enough, they reached a clearing in the woods. Mike watched as Will produced three tin cans from the satchel, stacking them in a piramid atop a tree stump at the edge of the clearing. He then walked back over to where Mike was standing in the center of the patch of grass and pulled a rifle and some bullets out of the bag, before dropping it at his feet.
”Now, watch me,” Will said, and Mike watched as Will loaded the gun with practiced ease, before bringing it up to his shoulder and pointing the end towards the stack of cans. He stared down the barrel of the gun before staying absolutely still for a few seconds and pulling the trigger. The crack of the gunpowder reverberated through the forest, and Mike watched the bullet rip through the air and knock one of the bottom support cans off the log, sending the whole tower toppling. Will smirked. Mike should not have found the whole thing as attractive as he had.
“Impressive,” Was all he could manage.
Will reset the cans, handing the gun to Mike.
“Now you try,” He instructed, “Do you remember how to load it?” Mike nodded. He wouldn’t look up, he knew he’d only get distracted if he did. He fumbled with the bullets, and Will laughed lightly beside him. He reached out and placed one hand over the top of Mike’s, gently guiding the bullets into the slot. Mike tried to concentrate, he really did, but oh my god his hands are so warm. As quickly as the contact came, it was gone again. Mike tried to aim the rifle with the same smooth action as Will had, and failed miserably. He groaned.
”It’s no good. I’m shit at this,” He said, turning to face Will.
The shorter boy had an unreadable expression on his face. He was deciding something, Mike knew that much.
”Try again,” He finally said. Mike did. Will’s hands came to rest on his hips, and Mike’s breath caught in his throat.
”You need to turn more sideways,” Will supplied as the reason for his actions. He pushed against Mike’s sides gently until he was happy with how he was standing. Mike expected him to pull his hands away. He didn’t.
”Now try and aim,” Will said. Mike raised the rifle so it was sitting just below his shoulder. Will reached out with one hand, the other staying firm on Mike’s hip. He let out an annoyed noise when he couldn’t reach the gun and stepped closer. Mike’s cheeks flushed red as Will pressed his chest to the taller boy’s back and leaned his head over Mike’s shoulder, now able to reach the gun. He raised it up a little, before pointing the barrel at the can target. Satisfied, he let his hand slip down until he was holding Mike’s wrist, keeping just enough pressure there to ensure the rifle stayed still.
”There,” Will murmured, and Mike was surprised by how quiet he’d suddenly become.
“And… fire!”
Mike pulled the trigger. The top can toppled over and fell to the ground with a thud.
”Yes!” He exclaimed, lowering the gun. Will’s hand travelled with his.
”Ha! I knew you could do it!” Will replied, hiding his smile by pressing his face into Mike’s sholder. Mike could feel the brunette’s hot breath against his neck. He shivered. Seeming to only now realise their position, Will pulled away. Mike frowned at the loss of contact.
”Right, you should practice on your own now,” Will said, hurriedly resetting the cans. The cold air seeped across his back. Just once. Just once Mike wanted to be close to his best friend without that terrible guilt racking his body.
“Uhm… actually, maybe you could help me get the last two? Just to be sure,” He asked. The silence that followed was terrible. He was about to apologise, say something along the lines of that was a stupid idea, when Will spoke up.
”Yeah, why not,” He smiled. Mike held his breath as Will pressed their bodies flush together once more, curling a hand around Mike’s hip and the other bringing the rifle up to Mike’s eyeline. Mike leaned back into the touch.
“Whenever you’re ready,” He said. Mike pulled the trigger. Another can toppled to the ground and Mike grinned.
”Good job. Now try by yourself,” Will said, watching as Mike prepared to protest.
”Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere,” He said, placing the hand that had been steadying the gun back on Mike’s hip. The taller boy blushed furiously.
Carefully, he brought the rifle up to his shoulder and stared at the target. He waited for a moment, steadying himself. Will’s grip tightened. He fired. There was a sharp bang as the bullet collided with the final can, sending it hurtling backwards. Mike punched the air, Will cheering. He spun around to look at his best friend and immediately forgot everything he meant to say. Christ, has he always been this pretty?
Mike stared into Will’s chocolate eyes, so close to his own. His gaze was pulled down, if only for a second, before flicking back up again. Will noticed.
”Okay, so you’re a natural,” Will smirked. “Lets give you a challenge,”
Mike watched in confusion as he produced three more cans from the bag by his feet, setting them up with the others in a tower now six cans large.
“You have to shoot the cans,” Will began as he made his way back over to Mike. “And I have to try and distract you,”
Mike sucked in a breath as Will snaked his arms fully around his middle.
”O-okay,” He stuttered. He could feel Will nodding.
”Starting now,” Will said.
Get it together Mike. He cursed himself as he lifted the rifle up once more, steadying it as best he could. It definitely didn’t help that Will was currently clinging to him and Mike had never felt so warm. Shakily, he pulled the trigger. It just skimmed the edge of the highest can, but still managed to knock it off. Thank god. Missing on the first round would be embarrassing. Mike had no idea what was going through Will’s mind at that moment, but he’d ignited a pool of hope in Mike’s stomach, which felt as though it was about to suffocate him.
”Close one,” Will murmured, and Mike could feel his lips against his ear. He faltered, if only for a moment. He could feel the smile tugging at Will’s lips. He pulled the trigger and sent the second can toppling.
”I was going easy on you,” Will said. What could possibly be more distracting than this?
Mike quickly found out. Just as he was about to take his third shot, Will slid a hand into his dark hair. Mike closed his eyes. Oh my god. Will continued running his hand through the curls as Mike took his third shot. He had been aiming at the next one on the top of the pile, in no way wishing this was over, but somehow hit one of the supports instead, sending two cups into the ground. He cursed inwardly.
“Damn Wheeler, you’re good at this,”
Mike didn’t trust himself to speak. He was in no way prepared for what Will did next.
Steadying himself to take the shot, Will suddenly grabbed a fistful of hair and pulled, not harshly, to expose Mike’s neck. He paused for a split second, considering weather this was the right move, before making his mind up and pressing his lips to the soft skin there. He pulled away seconds later.
“W- Will- Oh my god-,” Mike breathed, rifle forgotton and hanging limp at his side.
”Say the word and I’ll stop,” Will whispered.
”No! God- No,” Mike stuttered. Will smirked. He pressed another, longer kiss to Mike’s jawbone, drinking in the gasps the taller boy made.
Mike attempted turn, but Will quickly stopped him.
“Nope, not until you hit every can,”
Mike groaned. Will peppered the skin of his neck with open mouthed kisses. Mike waited, eyes shut tight, until Will pulled back slightly. He rose the rifle in record time and fired. Direct hit. One can to go.
”You have no idea,” Will confessed against Mike’s skin, “How long I’ve been waiting to do this,”
Mike fired the final shot. Direct hit. He dropped the rifle and turned around quickly, eyes immediately scanning every inch of Will’s flushed face. They smiled giddily. Mike stared unashamedly at Will’s lips. He cupped Will’s face with his hands and kissed him. Will practically melted, their eyes fluttering shut. Mike turned his head to get a better angle and god, this feels so right. Will wrapped his arms around Mike’s neck and tugged him even closer, if that was at all possible. He licked the seal of Mikes lips. Mike gladly let him in.
Finally fulfilling his fantasy, Mike slipped a hand into Will’s stupidly soft hair. He combed through the strands, careful not to be to forcefull. Will smiled into the kiss, exhaling through his nose. So that’s how he’d react. Mike thought to himself. He grinned. They both broke apart. Will pressed his forehead against Mike’s, their breathing uneven. Mike liked the way Will’s lips looked now, slick and bitten-red after he’d kissed him.
“I told you shooting wasn’t that bad,” Will said, a challenging look in his eye as he stared back at Mike. Mike rolled his eyes.
“Oh, shut up,” He replied, before connecting their lips once more.