Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Shit, I can’t believe it’s already time,” Mike muttered, half panicking as he pulled his gray tux jacket from his closet. Max was in his bathroom, the door ajar, leaning towards the mirror with a concentrated expression as she attempted to pin her hair back. “I swear I just bought this dumb jacket.” He pulled it on over his pale blue button-up, joining Max in the bathroom. 

She was wearing a mint green prom dress that fell below her knees embroidered with subtle flowers. It fit her perfectly, the color complimenting her bright hair. Mike on the other hand-

“I look stupid.” He groaned. Despite his longtime envy of Will’s broad swimmer’s shoulders, the jacket’s shoulder pads just looked wrong on him. His gaze drifted further down to rest at his hips and he swallowed with distaste. He always hated new clothes and the way these new gray slacks hugged his thighs made something sick in his gut curl. 

Max rolled her eyes. “You don’t,” she turned to look him up and down. “You clean up nice, Wheeler.” 

Mike chuckled. “Really.” 

“Don’t make me say it again. Hurt enough the first time.” Max grumbled, slipping another bobby pin into her hair. “Besides, it’s just prom.” 

Mike gaped at her. “Just prom?” He shook his head. “Just prom?” 

Max sighed. “Your junior prom, blah blah blah. It’s only a big deal when you’re a senior.” 

“It’s always a big deal.” Mike groaned and sank to the floor with his head in his hands. “Besides, it’s my first dance with him.” His voice got quiet. He’d recently noticed the way his voice buzzed when he spoke in a low tone, and relished it. “It’s stupid, but what if it’s awkward? What if our outfits don’t match? What if people bother us?” Mike also realized that despite his voice dropping, he still sounded exactly like a whiny teenager. 

“Mike.” Max said, half paying attention-half admiring his finished hair. “I’ll personally beat the shit out of any jackass who tries to mess with you or Will.” She sighed. “And he was the one who asked you, remember? He definitely wants this. Besides, he’s all over you.” 

Mike felt his cheeks flush and started to mumble something like shut up, when his phone buzzed. He pulled it from his pocket. It was Will. ‘ We’ll be at your place in half an hour :))’

Mike smiled a little. ‘ Can’t wait :)’ he replied, but a sort of nervous anxiety was settling into the pit of his stomach. 

“Will’s getting here in thirty,” he informed Max, tipping his head back to meet the wall. 

These last few months with Will and his new friends had been the happiest he’d been in ages. At first he clashed with Max, back when she’d been simply ‘Lucas’s girlfriend,’ but he soon found they actually had a lot in common. Max was good at putting up with Mike’s bullshit. ‘

She was also the only one at school besides Will who Mike had told about being trans. 

Mike knew how damn lucky he was to pass and to have access to the healthcare he needed. And it wasn’t like Mike was trying to hide it per say, but going stealth was the only way to live safely as a trans teenager in a town like this. It’s one thing to be gay, it’s another to also be a- 

Tranny. The voice of a middle-school bully rang through Mike’s head and he swallowed. Lucas and Dustin wouldn’t care, he didn’t think. Maybe they wouldn’t totally get it, but they were pretty liberal people, right? 

Right?

Mike couldn’t risk losing them. He took a deep breath and stood to face the mirror, running a hand through his curly black hair. He’d cut it recently and apparently Will liked it because when he’d seen it for the first time he’d slammed Mike against his door and kissed him so hard that Mike had seen stars. 

Mike loved his nose. He loved the sharp prominence of it, the way it arched elegantly and sloped down to meet his cupid’s bow, how it subtly masculinized his face. 

Mike wrinkled said nose as he spotted a zit on his chin and groaned. Of course. “Max-” he whined.

Max shushed him, typing something into her phone. The Ayesha Erotica that had been blasting from it ceased. “You’re fine. It’s gonna be fine.” 

“Fine? Look at this huge fucking zit.” 

“Honestly, Mine?” She glanced up at him. “Will’s so in love with you I doubt he’ll notice.” 

Mike flushed again. They still hadn’t said I love you. 

Or had sex.

Mike swallowed at the thought, a mix of excitement and anxiety churning in his stomach. Mike and Will made out every chance they got, and it was heavenly. Will was fucking unbearable with his mouth. But every kiss had been getting more heated, more desperate recently. 

Last week, Will had gotten his license. He’d picked Mike up, parked in an abandoned parking lot, and Mike had blown Will in the back of Will’s new (more like Jonathan’s old) car. It had been awkward and fumbling and incredible and the look on Will’s face when he’d come had been playing unfiltered through Mike’s mind since. Mostly at unfortunate times such as during his pre-calc quiz and at the dinner table. 

And tonight, prom night, typically meant sex. So yes, Mike was, of course, overthinking everything. 

Mike wanted it. Yeah, he was a teenage boy, of course he did. But he was scared and had no idea what he’d be comfortable with. They hadn’t talked about it much, besides Will’s nervous making sure Mike was okay with everything and Mike’s laughing reassurance that yes, in fact, he wanted this more than anything and was mostly just scared of what Will would think of his body. 

Not that he said that last part. It wasn’t that Mike was worried that Will would take one glance at him and laugh or something, Will would never do that. Mike was instead terrified that Will would fuck him and end up completely unsatisfied. He’d lie, tell Mike he’d loved every moment of it, but secretly wish he’d never have to do it again. 

That was the last thing Mike wanted. 

“Mike, you need to chill the fuck out.” Max was still working on her makeup. Mike realized he’d been spacing out at himself in the mirror for ages. 

“I’m chill.” Mike forced a smile. “So chill.” 

“Then go grab Will those flowers you mentioned.” 

When the doorbell rang Mike was ready. Not really, but that’s what he told himself to keep sane. 

He opened the front door and oh, god. Will stood there, looking stunning in a pale yellow-green button up and dark grey vest. His hair was still a little damp and soft and his eyes sparkled. He held a bouquet of what looked like paper flowers in one hand. “Hi,” Will said quietly in that stupidly pretty voice, beaming at Mike.

“You look really good,” Mike blurted. They’d been together for three months now, but the sight of Will still left Mike flustered and blushing. 

“You do too.” Will said softly. “Shit, Mike, you’re handsome.” 

Mike thought he might die. Was he really handsome? 

When Will looked at him like this he could almost forget the way his hips stuck out just enough to be noticeable and how his pants fit his thighs oddly. He could almost forget the boyish but also vaguely feminine roundness of his cheeks. 

“Did you make those?” He asked, changing the subject and motioning towards the flowers. 

Will nodded, holding them out. “It was my first time trying so they’re not perfect, but-”

“Jesus, Will.” Mike breathed. The flowers were a sort of origami, daisies and sunflowers and roses and they were so damn detailed Mike had no idea how Will had managed it with paper. “These are amazing, you’re so fucking talented.” He leaned forward and pressed a chaste kiss to Will’s lips. “Thank you.”

“Okay, okay, break it up,” Lucas Sinclair stood beside them with a grin on his face. He was wearing this incredible red tie with his tux, all angular and artsy. Mike thought it was awesome. “Where’s Max?” 

Mike rolled his eyes. “Probably still upstairs.” He was sure she was still at the mirror working on her lashes or something. He rarely saw her so invested in her makeup, but she’d mentioned it needed to be perfect tonight. So much for just prom. 

Lucas shot them a thumbs up and bounded upstairs. Mike turned back to Will and held out his own bouquet of green and yellow carnations. “They’re carnations. Yellow cause it’s your favorite and green cause, y’know-”

“Oscar Wilde, I know,” Will finished for him, looking a little teary eyed. “Mike, I-” He shook his head and just grabbed the back of Mike’s neck to draw him into a solid kiss, right there on his front porch. Mike responded immediately, wrapping his arms around Will’s waist to pull him closer. “You’re the fucking best,” Will mumbled into Mike’s mouth and before Mike knew what was happening, Will was pressing him up against the wall. 

Mike’s brain went blank for a moment. He kind of went crazy when Will did that, manhandled him like that, it was damn hot. And then Will was sliding a hand underneath the hem of the back of Mike’s shirt and Mike’s heart skipped a beat and what if he tries to touch my chest what if- 

The door slammed open and there Karen Wheeler stood, right in front of Lucas and Max. Will and Mike immediately pulled away from each other, spluttering, Will’s face a lovely shade of red. 

Mike’s mom stared at them, mouth agape, the precious Polaroid camera she’d tormented Mike with every birthday and school dance for years forgotten in one hand. Lucas and Max were laughing silently, falling into each other. 

Karen pulled herself together enough to speak. “Humor me and let me get some photos, okay boys?” She turned to Lucas and Max. “You two get in too.”  

Boys. Mike smiled, albeit awkwardly. The validation of his mother was worth so much more than she probably knew. The two of them didn’t always have the best relationship, but Mike was proud to be her son. Watching her take initiative against his dad during their divorce and standing up to get Mike and his sisters out of that household gave a younger Mike new respect for his mother. Mike was proud to be her son. 

Still a little red, Mike crowded in between Will and Lucas, wrapping one arm around his boyfriend’s waist and the other around Lucas’s shoulders. 

The shutter clicked, and they were off, riding into the nightmare that was Mike’s mother’s Polaroid obsession. 

-

 Will pulled into the parking lot of their local diner, utilizing a three-point-turn to back into one of the only open spaces as the Psychedelic Furs’ ‘Love My Way’ blasted from his car’s speaker. 

(There’s an army on the dance floor, it’s a fashion with a gun my love)

Prom night was unsurprisingly busy: their classmates milled about, packed into almost every booth and table of the diner. Mike could see Max and Lucas already walking into the restaurant and hoped their other friends had already grabbed a booth. 

(In a room without a door a kiss is not enough)

When Will had turned the engine off, he put a hand on Mike’s. “We don’t have to be couple-y or anything in there. Whatever you’re comfortable with.” 

They still weren’t open about their relationship to many people. But tonight would change that. Mike swallowed. “I want this, Will.” He said firmly. “You’re amazing and you’re my boyfriend and I want people to know.” 

(I follow where my mind goes)

Will smiled and squeezed his hand. “We got this.” 

Mike nodded. “Hell yes we do.” 

“And if it’s horrible we’ll just go back to your place early and watch horror movies and de-stress,” Will said. 

Go back to his place. Mike swallowed and nodded. 

“My vote’s for Nightmare on Elm Street again.” Will said, fiddling with his keys. 

Mike groaned. “Will, you know what young Johnny Depp in a crop-top does to me.”

Will raised his eyebrows. “Should I be jealous?” 

Mike grinned slyly. “Maybe?” 

“Would it help my case if I really did go as him for Halloween?” Will asked. “I’m sure I could find that exact top on Etsy or something. I’ll bet Jane might even help me make it.” 

Images of Will in a crop-top flooded Mike’s mind and he felt himself go visibly red. “I might actually die,” Mike mumbled, falling forward into Will and burying his face in his boyfriend’s shirt. 

Will wrapped his arms around him, giggling. “Is that a yes?” 

“Only if I get to go as Freddy and torment you all night.” Mike shot back, picking himself up to kiss Will. 

(Love my way, it’s a new road…)

They made their way to the diner from there, laughing and bumping into each other. They said hi to a few familiar faces in the restaurant (Will’s art friends, a guy from Mike’s biology) and gave the more notorious ones a wide berth (the football guys and their girlfriends). 

Mike realized as they approached the booth their own friends had claimed, that they were the last ones to show up. Max raised an eyebrow. “Where were you two? Lucas and I left Mike’s place at the same time.” 

“Ooooh,” Dustin chimed in. His hair was impressively hair-sprayed. “A rendezvous in Will’s new car?” 

Will rolled his eyes. “Not new. Still smells like weed.” 

Mike laughed. “Absolutely true.” 

Jane, Will’s sister, stood to give them both quick hugs. “Ignore them.” She was wearing a beautiful lavender dress. “We’re glad you’re here.” 

They slid into the booth beside her as Dustin began explaining how he was going to set up the perfect atmosphere later tonight to facetime his long distance girlfriend Suzie and have a make-shift prom of their own. Mike didn’t exactly want to know what that entailed. 

When the waitress finally popped up again, Mike was starving. “I’ll get the fried chicken sandwich, extra fries and an Arnold Palmer.” He motioned to Will. “He’ll get the grilled cheese, side salad, and a vanilla milkshake.” The waitress, a pretty girl in her early twenties who already looked over-worked, nodded and took note of his order. 

Will tapped Mike's shoulder. “Yeah?” He responded, taking a sip of the water the waitress had just set on the table. 

Will’s eyebrows were raised and a huge grin was spreading across his face. “You just ordered for me,” He said slowly. 

Mike blinked. “Was that not what you wanted? You get the same thing every time we come here so I just thought-” 

Will laughed. “It’s exactly what I wanted, Mike.” He was still wearing an impossibly bright grin. “It was just really cute. Thank you.” He glanced around before pressing a chaste kiss to Mike’s lips. 

Lucas groaned and shook his head. “You guys are so-” 

Max interrupted him with a smirk. “You want one too?” 

Lucas smiled a little. “Maybe-” 

Dustin waved his hands around. “Break it up, break it up. Jane and I do not need to hear all this.” 

Max gave Lucas a quick kiss anyway. 

“Anyways, as I was saying, Lucas,” Dustin continued, “Apparently Mr. Horner was caught buying weed from that freshman Hudson Smith in the staff bathroom. That’s why he’s on ‘sick leave’- and a freshman, really? He must’ve been desperate.” Dustin scoffed. 

 “And who’d you hear this from?” Max asked skeptically. 

“Adrien Gonzales,” Dustin responded, and Max raised an eyebrow. “He’s a reliable source!” He argued, throwing his hands in the air. 

“It’s true,” Jane offered. “I sit next to him in homeroom- he talks about everyone to everyone but he doesn’t make things up.” 

Lucas groaned and sunk into his seat. “Why couldn’t this have happened two weeks ago when Mr. Horner gave my class that awful test that tanked my entire grade? Now we’re gonna be stuck with this stupid sub for the rest of the year who actually cares about us doing our work but somehow not enough to help us understand it.” He let his head fall to the table. “Can I drop pre-calc this late in the year?” 

Dustin looked at Lucas with pity. “You’re definitely better off not dropping any more of your classes, Lucas.” Dustin reminded him. Lucas had already dropped APUSH in favor of a free period to practice basketball with a couple other guys on the Hawkins High team. 

Mike reached across the table to pat Lucas on the shoulder as the waitress returned with a tray of drinks. Mike’s Arnold Palmer, Cokes for Lucas and Max, Sprite for Jane, Root Beer for Dustin, and, of course, Will’s milkshake. Mike immediately reached for it, but Will had god-like reflexes and slid it just out of his reach. 

“Don’t even think about it, Wheeler.” Will took a long, delicious looking sip, teasing him. Mike pursed his lips and crossed his arms over his chest. 

“I don’t even want it that bad.” He grumbled. 

Will laughed, taking another sip. Mike watched the way his stupidly pretty mouth bit at the straw and something in his stomach twisted. 

“There’s whipped cream on your nose,” Mike pointed out. 

“Lick it off,” Will joked. 

Mike went red. “You’re really fucking gross, Byers.” But he reached a hand forward to swipe it off all the same and Will gave him the sweetest smile. Mike took this as his chance to sneak forward and steal a sip of the shake. Will gaped at him before swatting at his shoulder. Mike laughed, leaning into him. “Sorry, darling.” 

The food arrived, and Mike was simply ravenous. 

By the time the group jostled out of the diner, it was already seven, exactly when prom was set to begin. We’ll just be fashionably late, Mike had pointed out to a worried Jane. It’s lame to be there early anyway. 

Will blasted Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” as soon as he started the car, pulling out of the parking lot effortlessly, reminding Mike that he needed to study for his permit test. He’d driven with Nancy two or three times and was absolutely trash. Will didn’t need to know that though. Mike was happy having his own personal chauffeur as a boyfriend. 

(oh, thunder only happens when it’s rainin’) 

Mike was also content just staring at his boyfriend as he focused on the road. The way his nose sloped and his eyebrows furrowed, the mole just above the right of his mouth. His hands, gripping the wheel. His soft eyes and long, fluttering lashes. 

Will glanced over and met Mike’s gaze. He sent him a small smile and Mike’s heart skipped a beat. He loved that damn smile. He couldn't believe they were doing this, going to prom together. 

He remembered their first date, just a few days after that fateful night at Will’s place. They’d gone out to dinner and discovered that they both liked mushrooms on their pizza but hated pineapple. They’d gone to see some new action movie, which had sucked. But Mike couldn’t’ve cared less because the theater was mercifully empty and they made out somewhat clumsily the entire time. Mike had forced Will into a photo booth afterwards to blow ten bucks on two photo strips, but it was worth it because now Mike could wake up every morning to see a strip of his boyfriend laughing, eyes bright. 

They’d decided to keep it on the downlow for a while. It was their thing. But after a week without a word, Mike and Will made the mistake of smoking some of Jonathan’s weed with Dustin and let it slip. And, of course, within the next few days the rest of their small group found out. And Mike had felt surprisingly okay with that. 

Now even more people were about to see them walk into prom together. Will parked a few blocks away from Hawkins High in the lot of some skate park. It was already dark out, but the breeze was warm. 

Will straightened Mike’s tie and brushed a strand of hair from his eyes. These gentle touches always left Mike unfairly flustered. “You ready?” He said, voice low and affectionate.

“Yeah.” Mike swallowed. “But what if-” he sighed. “I dunno. This just isn’t California.” Mike was embarrassed at how nervous he was. He wanted this more than anything, but he knew what it was like to be laughed at for being queer. Homophobic comments, like transphobic ones, were humiliating and horrible. Mike knew this. 

Will cupped Mike’s face. “We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. Remember that. Nightmare on Elm Street is a totally awesome compromise.” 

God, Mike loved him. 

Mike loved him. 

“We’re doing this.” Mike said firmly, kissing Will quickly. 

They walked along the park towards the school, passing a group of stoners standing smoking in the half pipe. As they made their way through the school’s parking lot Mike noticed countless couples hanging around the building and walking into it- he hadn’t even known their school harboured so many romances. 

These many romances included him and Will.

Sometimes that was still crazy to him. 

As they neared up the stairs to the gym, doors bordered with purple and white balloons and a huge hand-painted banner, someone jogged up, slapping Mike on the back. It was Julien Lee, a guy who sat next to Mike in his creative writing elective. He had unruly hair and mischievous eyes and was currently wearing a half-unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt. To prom. Of course.  

“Wheeler!” Julien grinned at Mike, dapping him up.  That simple act of masculinity was incredibly euphoric. Stupid how so many random things were. “And…?” Julien looked towards Will. He was chewing on a toothpick. 

“Will Byers,” Will said with a smile. Julien shook his hand vigorously, introducing himself. 

“You boys have hot dates?” Julien asked. 

Mike and Will shared a look. Mike swallowed and reached out to grab Will’s hand. Better start somewhere. “We’re here together.” He said. 

Julien’s eyebrows raised a bit but he just nodded. “Cool. I’m afraid I’m a bit of a bachelor tonight.” He said sheepishly. 

Mike let out a breath he hadn’t known he was holding. They were fine. This was fine. Will squeezed his hand, familiar and strong. They chatted with Julien for a few minutes before the boy said his goodbyes and ran off to meet his friends. 

Mike swallowed, hard. He smoothed down the front of his shirt. He took a deep breath. Then another. “Let’s go.” 

They made their way through the gym doors, Super Bass blasting throughout the room. This wasn’t some awkward middle-school dance- people were actually dancing. And they didn’t seem embarrassed. They were just having fun before the inevitableness of graduation- an event that was either just a couple months or a year away. 

Mike and Will stood in the entrance for a moment, hand-in-hand. Nobody turned their heads to stare like in the movies. Mike felt a burst of relief snake up his spine. Nobody cared. Not really. 

“See?” Will smiled gently. “We’re good.” 

They spotted the rest of their friends in the corner and they made their way over, receiving a few curious glances from random students. Nothing more, nothing worse, nothing malicious. 

“Good, we were starting to fear you’d bail out last minute,” Lucas handed Mike and Will two paper cups of what looked like fruit punch. 

Mike wrinkled his nose. “What’s in this?” 

Dustin grinned cheekily. He made a show of leaning forward and said in a stage whisper “tequila.” 

Mike rolled his eyes and shot the drink back, wincing slightly. The punch-to-alcohol ratio was definitely off. 

He glanced at Will, who was staring at his cup oddly. Oh shit. Will had always had problems with alcohol due to his past with his deadbeat father. He didn’t talk about him much but Mike knew Will’s biggest fear was turning into Lonnie. Mike also knew that was never possible. 

Mike set a hand on Will’s shoulder, feeling a little bit guilty for drinking. “You don’t have to do it- I’m sure Max’ll happily take it.” 

Will gave him a small smile. “I’m all good.” He swallowed the drink in one gulp. “I’m trying to get past all that.” 

The opening beat to Dancing Queen blasted through the gym, and Will’s eyes lit up. 

“We’re dancing,” he said, dragging Mike towards the dance floor. 

And dance they did. The DJ (some senior) played an expectedly extensive mix of genres but it was all decidedly dance-worthy. Everyone danced with everyone and as time flew by that dancing merged into a sort of mosh.

 Mike was separated from his friends then, lost in the exhilarating crush of bodies. His eyes flickered around the crowd, searching for Will. He found him, hands in the air, eyes closed, face flushed. He looked so oddly at peace, and that surprised Mike a little. He also looked really damn good. And suddenly all Mike wanted was to kiss him. 

He pushed his way towards his Will, tripping over somebody’s foot and almost falling flat on his face. Instead he fell straight into Will, who had this stupid smile on his face. 

“You better be glad I’m always here to catch you.” Will said with a laugh. He brought his lips up to Mike’s ear, breath warm against his skin. “You wanna get out of here for a minute?” 

Mike shivered, hard. “Yes.” 

They stumbled out of the gym, through the men’s locker room. They laughed, bumping into each other playfully as they searched for a deserted hallway. They found one, and Mike knew what was happening, Will was surging forward to kiss him, hands cupping his face. Mike groaned into his lips, arms wrapping around Will’s waist. His hands pressed at Will’s lower-back before carefully slipping lower. Will made a small sound at the action and something in Mike’s stomach twisted.

 “God, you looked so good dancing,” Mike breathed into his mouth. They could still hear the music blasting from the gym, albeit tinny. “I couldn’t handle it.” 

Will went red, pulling away slightly. “I’m all sweaty.” 

“That’s why it’s weird,” Mike joked. “Nobody looks perfect dancing in a nasty pit of people, but somehow you pull it off.” 

“So do you.” 

Mike bit his lip. “Shut up.” 

“Mike, I don’t think you know how damn gorgeous you are,” Will responded, voice going soft. He brushed his thumb gently over Mike’s bottom lip and Mike kinda wanted to collapse right there. “I love you.” He said, low and honest and-  

Mike couldn’t breathe. Holy shit. Holyholyholy-

Will’s eyes widened like he’d only just registered what he’d said, and let go of Mike completely, immediately starting to talk. “Listen, a slow song’s playing. Let’s go dance.” His voice was nervous, he turned and began to walk the way they’d come. 

Shit, he thought Mike didn’t want to say it back. 

“Wait, Will-” Mike caught up to him, grabbing Will's arm as he strode up the hallway looking distraught. “Will, I-” 

They stopped in their tracks as they rounded a corner. 

Two boys were standing in a secluded hallway, locked in a slow dance that looked more like a teary embrace. It was obviously a very private moment. Mike glanced at Will, moving to back away, but his new dress shoes squeaked obnoxiously on the tiled floor. He cursed under his breath. 

The boys sprang away from each other immediately, panicked looks on their faces. Mike recognized both boys from the school musical which he’d gone to see the week before with Will. 

The taller, broader blond one with a botched bleach-job was part of what Max had dubbed “the pretentious, asshole, semi-jocks.” So of course Mike remembered being somewhat surprised when he’d played the lead in the musical. He, admittedly, had a great voice. His eyes were wide and he looked half terrified and half plain ready to skip this joint and sprint home. 

The shorter guy looked less panicked, more nervous. He had fluffy brown hair and olive skin and Mike thought he recognized him from Will’s AP Visual Arts elective. He’d had a smaller part in the musical but he’d been hilarious. 

“Um. Will, and- I don’t know your name, we’re not, uh-” The shorter one stammered, glancing at the other guy- who was still dead silent- trying to find the right words and obviously failing. “Could you not-” 

Mike held his hands up. “Hey, shit, we’re sorry for walking in on you, you guys are totally fine.” He looked at Will before wrapping one arm around his waist. “We’re not going to tell anybody.” 

Will nodded, leaning into Mike. “Your secret’s safe with us. We get it.” 

The taller boy seemed to almost deflate in relief. “Cool. Thank you.” His voice was small and Mike felt awful. He knew the consequences this guy would face if his friends found out he was dancing with a boy. He didn’t have the luxury of being friends with amazing people. 

Mike was friends with amazing people. A spark of anxiety curled in his gut anyway. Mike had been so careful about his friends (outside of Will and Max) not finding out about him being trans. He’d done his best to skip out on any trip where swimming sounded like even a remote possibility. He tiptoed around the topic of childhood masculinity. He’d made the switch from wearing binders all the time to using tape whenever possible- which worked really well for him and was both more discreet but also so much more comfortable. Which was good. 

But what was he trying to hide, really? Keeping it like some big secret just stressed him out, which was silly especially when there was a good possibility that they already knew. They were amazing people. And it was a big part of who Mike was. He was just so damn scared.  

Mike hoped these two boys could find some sort of solace in each other. 

“Of course. Good luck, guys.” Will smiled gently, turning to the shorter guy. “I’ll see you on Monday, Ollie.” And they left the two boys to themselves. As soon as they were alone, Will let go of Mike and faced him, looking deadly serious. “Look, I-” 

“I love you too.” Mike blurted. “So much.” 

Will’s face melted into a dopey, relieved smile. “Thank fucking god, Wheeler.” He pulled Mike into a tight hug. “Thank fucking god.” His voice broke. 

They could hear the music better from here, and the slow song wasn’t over. “Let’s just dance here.” Mike whispered, and Will nodded, wiping his eyes. Will wrapped his arms around Mike’s neck and Mike’s slid around Will’s waist again. They began to sway back and forth, somewhat awkwardly. “I’m so glad we’re here,” Mike said quietly. “I love you.” He said again just because he could, and Will’s face lit up. 

“You’re so damn cheesy.” Will giggled. 

“Can’t escape that, love.” Mike tried. 

Will stared at him for a moment. “Dude, seriously.” 

Mike wrinkled his nose. “Dude?” he said incredulously. 

“You better start calling me ‘love’, like, all the time.” 

Mike grinned, stupidly happy. “Hm. I’ll think on it, bro.”

-

When Mike and Will finally found the party again, they were sitting in the bed of Lucas’s truck. 

Dustin sighed as they approached. “How are you two always late?” 

Jane raised her eyebrow at them. “My question is how these two are still stuck in the honey-moon phase.” She shook her head. “It’s been months. Mike, you live at our house.” 

“Isn’t that more married-couple vibes?” Dustin pointed out. 

“We love each other very much, my dear sister.” Will said with a gleeful grin. 

“Ew.” Lucas dug around in some bag. “Nerds Ropes or Snickers, you two?” 

Mike sighed. “No Reeces?” 

“Since when did you like Reeses?” 

“Since Will.” Mike smirked, catching Will’s eye. Since the night they’d binged Lord of The Rings and eaten an entire package of Reeces in between making out and it had been kind of gross but also kind of awesome. 

Lucas made a face and tossed them the chocolate bar. 

“Oh my god, guys I forgot.” Max slammed her hands down on the roof of the truck and her boyfriend winced. “I saw Troy Walsh dancing with that girl Jenny Miller in the corner.” 

“Jesus, didn’t she break up with Jason Micheal last week?” Dustin asked. 

“I swear she was just dating that kid August.” Jane nodded. 

Mike didn’t know any of these names. 

“Look, usually I don’t condone people like that, but-” Will chuckled darkly. “Troy is gonna get played.” 

Mike laughed. “Totally deserves it too.” His voice cracked hard on deserved. “Jesus, fuck hormones. Can’t believe I pay for this shit.” He joked before realizing exactly what it was he’d said.

Oh fuck. 

 He guessed this was happening now. 

Dustin looked at him, mildly confused. “What do you mean?” 

Mike swallowed. “I’m trans.” He braced himself. “I take, um, testosterone.” And he didn’t exactly pay for it, his family’s insurance covered most of the costs. 

Realization dawned on Dustin’s face. “Ohh. Cool. I mean, I know I wouldn’t pay a dime to go through puberty again either, man.” He looked at Mike in sympathy. 

Mike chuckled, relief flooding him again. 

Lucas slung an arm around Mike. “Thanks for telling us, Wheeler.” 

“Yeah,” Max agreed. “That’s hard to do.” 

Jane smiled at him, definitely clocking the remnants of anxiety on Mike’s face. “We love you, Mike.” 

“Very much so,” Will said quietly, looking at Mike proudly, and Mike’s head swam. 

“I love you guys too.” Mike said softly. Tears stung behind his eyes. Jesus. He hadn’t cried in a while. 

“Group hug?” Dustin said, holding out his arms. 

Mike barreled into him, wrapping him in a tight embrace. Dustin laughed, and after a moment the rest of the party joined them, laughing and muttering softly. 

Mike knew shouldn’t second guess himself so much. He knew that now. His friends weren’t horrible people. And although the fear that they’d treat him differently now was still bubbling in the back of his mind, a weight felt like it’d been lifted off his back. He relaxed 

Shit, Mike was a lucky guy. 

After another half hour of joking around aimlessly, Lucas kicked them out of his truck. 

“We have important business to attend to,” Lucas slung an arm around Max’s shoulder as they slid into the front seat of his old Ford, and Max swatted him on the arm. 

“Not if you don’t shut the hell up, Sinclair.” 

“We should probably get going too,” Will said, catching Mike’s eye. 

Dustin wolf-whistled, raising his eyebrows up and down. Mike flushed. 

After saying their goodbyes, Mike and Will made their way towards the skatepark parking lot. They were relatively silent. Mike kept his hands clenched in his pocket, digging his nails into his palms. Prom was over. Mike had no more time to overthink exactly what was going to go down now. This wasn’t like the movies. In the movies the protagonists always slid easily into sex like it wasn’t the most nerve wracking on earth. 

“Tonight was amazing.” Mike said, as Will unlocked his car. “Thank you.” 

Will didn’t open the driver-side door. Instead he stepped towards Mike and slid a hand into his hair. Mike shivered, learning into the touch. “Thank you. I just went to prom with a guy.” Will said with a smile. “And everything was fine. Tell thirteen year old Will that, he’d freak.” 

Mike thought he just might break. Shit, he loved Will. 

“This means so much to me, Mike.” Will leaned forward to press a chaste kiss to his lips. “So much. And I’m so proud of what you did tonight, telling everyone. That must’ve been so damn hard.” 

Mike flushed, vague affection laced with nervousness snaking up his spine. “It was nothing. I don’t know why I thought they’d immediately get weird or something.” He sighed. “Guess they still have time to.” 

Will pulled him into a tight hug. “They won’t.” 

Mike melted into his arms. “I love you.” 

“I love you too.” Will whispered, eyes sparkling, and then they were kissing. Soft and slow. Will’s hands tangled in Mike’s hair again, tugging, and suddenly Mike decided that this definitely wasn’t the time to overthink everything. And then Will was kissing into his mouth and Mike thought maybe he couldn’t think at all. 

Mike gripped Will’s hips, pulling him closer. Will laughed against his mouth and before they knew it they were pressed up against the cool metal of the car, desperate for closeness. 

Mike didn’t have closeness growing up. His family was not affectionate with each other. He wasn’t used to being close with his friends. He wasn’t used to friendly hugs or a comforting arm around the shoulder. Until a few  months ago, he’d never even kissed anybody. 

Now all he wanted was to be close to Will. So why was he so damn nervous? 

After a few more moments Will shifted away from Mike to open the back door of the car and, grabbing Mike’s wrist, slid in. They took a moment to pull off their jackets before tumbling into each other again, giggling. 

Now the angle was different. Mike was on top of Will, practically kissing him into the seat. Will’s hands slipped under the hem of Mike’s shirt to splay out against his back. He shivered hard at the touch, glad he’d decided on binding with tape today instead of a binder, glad because of how Will’s fingertips pressed deliciously into his bare back. 

What are you doing? What are you doing? You haven’t talked about this, you don’t know- what if he wants you to take your shirt off? What if he looks at your thighs and makes a face and-

What if he sees a girl? 

Why can’t you just get a hold of yourself?

It’s only sex. 

Mike shushed himself, beginning to kiss down Will’s throat. “Shit, Mike.” Will murmured, nails digging into his back “You’re so- you’re so damn good at this.” Mike focused in on one spot, sucking a bruise into the right side of his throat, and Will groaned. He sounded so… so helpless, but in an extraordinarily good way, and Mike liked it. A lot. 

With a burst of wild confidence, he thrust his hips down against Will’s, a hot sort of pleasure slipping through his gut at the contact. Will whispered his name almost desperately. 

What if he’s disgusted when you take your clothes off? 

Mike felt sick. He took a deep breath and suddenly the car was spinning. Everything was spinning and his breath was coming short and fuck fuck fuck why did he always have to ruin everything? 

He pushed himself off of Will, falling against the car door, disoriented. “Mike, hey, Mike.” Will’s voice was soft and concerned. 

Mike opened the door, stumbling out into the crisp night air, basking in it while he caught his breath. He felt a hand on his arm and jumped a little. 

“Mike.” Will’s eyes weren’t annoyed or angry, just worried. 

He cared. 

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” Mike said miserably. “I just don’t know-” 

“Hey, hey.” Will shook his head. “There’s nothing wrong with you. I love you, and there’s nothing wrong with you. And we don’t need to do anything you don’t want to.” Will went a little red. “I wasn’t actually thinking of doing anything tonight.”   

He wasn’t? Mike swallowed. “I don’t think- I don’t think I know exactly what I want yet.” He bit his lip. Why was this so hard? 

“And that’s okay. Look, we don’t ever have to do anything at all. Not if you’re not comfortable with it. I’m happy with that. I’m happy to just be with you.” Will reached forward to squeeze Mike’s bicep. 

Mike felt a little teary. “But I want to, I really do. And I liked, um, what we did the other night.” He blushed furiously. “I liked that a lot.” 

Will grinned cheekily and nudged him. “I did too.” 

“And I know I want to do things like that. More.” Mike laughed a little then sighed. “I just doubt everything, you know? I feel like it’s somehow gonna make you think of me as-”

A girl. 

“-less of a guy, if you see me. Like really see me.” Mike whispered, voice breaking. “Fuck. I’m worried you won’t like it.” he admitted, almost inaudible. 

“Mike, you’re gonna be my boyfriend no matter what you look like. You’re a guy, sex isn’t gonna change that. I promise.” Will frowned and pulled him into a tight embrace. “And all I want is for you to like it. Fuck what I think.”

“But it matters what you think!” Mike protested. “A lot!” 

Will slid a comforting hand through Mike’s hair. “If it’s with you, I’ll like it. I like everything we do.  And if it makes you feel better, I’ve thought about it a lot.” He went a little red. “And I’ve liked thinking about it.” 

Mike flushed, stomach fluttering. “Well now I have to live up to your fantasy-Mike.” He grumbled half-jokingly. 

“You’re real, I like real-Mike better,” Will laughed, pulling away to hold Mike at arms length. “Hey, I’m okay with anything. I just want to be with you.” 

Mike thought he might really cry. 

“Whatever being with you means.” 

Yeah, a tear might’ve slipped down Mike’s cheek. But Will was reaching forward to brush it away as soon as it fell. 

“Even if I don’t want to take my shirt off?” Mike asked feebly. 

Will smiled softly. “Even if you don’t take anything off.” 

“But I want to,” Mike reaffirmed quickly. “I really do. Just not yet.” 

“And we’ll talk first. Figure out what we both want.” 

“Yeah.” Mike felt something in the back of his throat clench as he stared at his boyfriend. His perfect, sweet boyfriend, who loved him. And Mike felt like the luckiest guy in the world. “I love you, so much.” He blurted. 

“I love you too, Mike Wheeler.” Will pressed a sweet kiss to his lips. “Now let’s get back into this damn car before we freeze both our asses off.” He slid into the driver’s seat. “You still up for Nightmare on Elm Street?”