Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The party sat at the dinner table, lasagna-stained plates in front of them, and talked about their plans now that they’d graduated.

“I can’t believe I’m leaving for New York in the fall,” Will said as he sipped his glass of water.

“Yeah. I’m scared to leave Hawkins to be honest.” Dustin agreed.

They sat with the words. They were all a little scared of the future. Hawkins and everything they’d experienced in it was all they knew.

“Well, this can’t be it, right?” Lucas asked, breaking the silence. “I mean you’re all going to be gone by the end of summer. We have to make the most of it. Starting tonight!”

“Well, I only had that one campaign planned.” Mike said, eyebrows furrowed.

Max laughed. “Geez, Mike, there’s no way D&D is the only fun thing you can think of.”

“Well, what were you guys thinking?”

Like a lightbulb had gone off in all of their heads, besides Mike’s, they looked at each other with grins growing on all their faces.

“Stacy’s party.” They said in unison.

“Let’s do it!” Dustin stood quickly, collecting everyone’s dishes and taking them to the sink.

Lucas and Max looked at each other and stood too, ready to go instantly.

Mike and Will stayed in their seats, giving each other a hesitant look.

“Is that really what you want to do tonight?” Mike asked him.

“I don't see why not?” Will shrugged. “I think it could be fun.” He stood, giving Mike a smile before joining the others.

“Well, fuck me then.” Mike muttered to himself before standing as well.

They asked Jonathan if they could use his car since he was staying over with Nancy. Lucas didn’t want to risk his parents finding out he was going to a party when he’d only asked for permission to be at Mike’s. Will didn’t have a car, he wasn’t going to need one much in New York. Max had Lucas as a chauffeur and Dustin had Steve for his. Mike used the family car when necessary but he still didn’t have one of his own. So Jonathan’s it was. He reluctantly agreed after the party gave him puppy dog eyes and begged him, telling him how it was one of their last nights together. He never had much of a choice after that.

“I’ll drive.” Lucas volunteered, Will tossed the keys to him.

Max sat in the passenger seat, putting their favorite radio station on.

Dustin, Will, and Mike squeezed into the back seat.

Will was suddenly nervous. He’d never been to a real party before. And at least a third of the people there had made fun of him once during their school years. His leg bounced at the thought. He let out a breath, trying to think positively, bopping his head to the music.

“Hey, you okay?” Mike asked him, putting his hand on Will’s thigh, causing him to stop shaking his leg.

Will’s face went warm at the touch. “Uh—yeah. Yeah, I’m fine. I’ve just never been to a party before. Not like this one anyway.”

“Yeah, none of us have. But, hey, at least we’ll be there together, right?”

“Yeah, together.”

When they pulled into the street of Stacy’s house there were lines of parked cars trailing down the block.

“Holy shit.” Dustin said. “There’s no way she even knows this many people.”

“This is going to be bitchin’!” Lucas said as he found a parking space.

They hopped out of the car and walked eagerly to the house. They could see the colorful lights moving around and hear the blasting music as they approached.

“How do I look?” Dustin turned to Will, posing for him.

“You look good.”

“Good?” Dustin’s eyes widened. “I look good?”

“You look…great?” Will tried again.

“That’s better.” He fluffed his hair, “You think Stacy will talk to me again?”

“I don't see why not.”

“Thanks, Will.” Dustin patted him on the back as he walked ahead, standing straighter.

“What was that all about?” Max asked him with a grimace.

“I think he’s gonna try it out with Stacy.”

“Wow, I guess graduation really does change people.”

When they got to the house there were a few people out front. Girls fixing their hair before entering, guys shotgunning beers, couples making out near the bushes.

“Holy shit. This is just like the movies.” Will said, amazed at the sight.

“Do you think we’ll actually have fun?” Mike's voice dripped with judgement. “I already counted three people throwing up in the grass."

“Let’s just keep an open mind.”

When they walked into the house the room erupted with cheers. A group of people they’d never properly spoken to went up to Dustin and complimented his speech. Calling him badass and legendary. They ended up whisking him away to treat him to a beer. Leaving the rest of the group with confused looks.

“So much for sticking together.” Mike said under his breath.

“Let’s grab some drinks.” Lucas suggested.

Will and Max agreed quickly. Mike was more reluctant but eventually he went along with it.

They filled their plastic cups with a red liquid that was in a jug labelled “Jungle Juice”. 

“Cheers.” They said, clinking their cups together and taking a swig.

Mike grimaced at the taste. “Jesus, that’s strong.” 

“I think I like it.” Will said, taking another sip.

The song changed then, something upbeat and electronic sounding. Max’s eyes widened immediately.

“Oh my god, I love this song!”

“Shall we?” Lucas bowed with his hand out for her to grab.

“You’re such a dork.” She rolled her eyes, but she grabbed his hand anyway and they moved to the dance floor.

“I swear we said we were staying together!" Mike complained. "Or did I just imagine that?”

Will smiled at his annoyance. “Come on, let loose a bit, Mike. This might be the only real party we ever go to. Or at least together.”

Mike sighed. “Yeah, you’re right. I guess I just hate new places…and people”

“Maybe we should go dance?”

Mike laughed at that. Will raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, you’re being serious.”

“Yes, Mike, I’m being serious.” Will gulped his drink down.

“I don’t dance, Will.”

“Me neither. But there's a first time for everything.” Will replied as he refilled his cup to the brim.

Mike gave him a bewildered look.

“Fine then, I’ll just third wheel Lucas and Max.”

He left to find them, leaving Mike alone in the kitchen.

“Hey, you’re dancing with us!” Max yelped in excitement.

“Finally getting you out of your shell right before you leave. What a waste.” Lucas pouted.

Will felt embarrassed at first, he only ever danced when he and the party snuck wine coolers or old beers and listened to music in the basement. Or back in Lenora when El begged him to dance with her after she’d watched Footloose one too many times. But then he realized that everyone was shit-faced and not paying attention to him at all. So he decided not to care about anyone else. In his mind it was just him and his friends. They stayed there for what felt like hours. The past ten songs were fast and loud. He could feel the bass thump in his chest. Max and Will’s hands were in the air, flowing with the music. Lucas was grabbing Max's hand and twirling her every few seconds.

“I’m gonna grab another one. You want more?” Lucas told them.

“Yes, please.”

“Duh.”

Lucas saluted and walked off to grab them drinks.

Will and Max continued dancing. There were dozens of bodies around them, swaying their hips, bumping, and grinding. Will and Max rocked back and forth, spinning around each other.

“Your beverage, my beloved Zoomer.” Lucas handed Max her cup when he got back.

“Thanks, babe.”

“And for the sorcerer.” He deepened his voice, jokingly.

“Thanks.” Will nearly chugged it. He knew it was out of character. But he needed a distraction. He was unsure of what was to come for him. He was going to be moving to a huge city, where he had no friends, and no experience. He’d been feeling this twisting in his stomach ever since he got his acceptance letter from his first choice art program. He was excited of course but he was equally if not more terrified. Plus, as he was swaying to the music, there was that aching feeling in his heart at the thought that El should be here with them. She loved dancing.

The party, and the fuzzy feeling he had gotten by the third cup of alcohol he had was just what he needed to forget it all for a few hours.

“Where’s Dustin and Mike?” Max asked Lucas.

“Dustin’s sitting with Stacy and a few other girls talking about his speech. I think they’re actually digging him.”

“That’s surprising.”

“And Mike?” Will asked.

“I saw him rearranging the snack setup in the kitchen.”

Max let out a snort at that. “God, he doesn’t have a chill bone in his body.”

Will laughed too, looking toward the kitchen to catch a glimpse of Mike. His vision was slightly blurry, probably from all the alcohol. By the time the song ended his cup was empty again. A slower song started, couples began to pair up.

“I need a refill. You two want another?”

“Nah, I’m feeling it already.” Lucas replied, as he brought Max in closer.

“No thanks, Will.” Max replied as she leaned her head on Lucas’ shoulder.

Will nodded and left the dance floor. He spotted Mike reading the nutrition facts on a bag of chips on the counter and shook his head with a giggle.

“Are you on a diet or something?” He asked Mike as he approached.

“Nope, I just felt like a loser standing alone in the corner.”

“So, reading a chip bag seemed cooler?”

Mike huffed a laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, I guess there's no way for me to seem cool in a setting like this.”

“You’re not having a good time?”

“Not really.”

“Maybe you would if you left the kitchen.” Will teased him.

“Okay, yeah. I admit I haven’t given it a fair shot.” He chuckled.

As their laughter died down, their eyes stayed glued to each other for a moment too long. It was starting to become a common occurrence, Will noticed. He never commented on it. He decided it was probably just his mind playing tricks on him because he’d been in love with Mike for years.

The eye contact always made his heart skip a beat, like his body couldn’t downplay what his brain kept trying to ignore.

“Will, we should talk—”

“Hey, Will, right?” A voice interrupted Mike. Will turned his head towards the voice, a guy wearing a denim jacket and long dark hair was there.

“Uh—yeah.” Will glanced at Mike before fully turning away from him.

“I thought so. We have art together. Or—I guess I should say had now that we graduated.”

“Oh, yeah, you designed the tiger shirts for spirit week, right?”

“Yeah, I’m Anthony!”

“Those were awesome by the way.”

“Thanks.” He replied with a grin, his eyes flickered to Mike then. Will followed his line of vision, noticing the odd expression on Mike’s face. It was tense, unreadable. “Sorry, did I interrupt something?”

“No, not at all.” Will answered.

“Okay, I just wanted to let you know that I loved your final painting. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.”

“Wow, thanks. Yeah, it was honestly the hardest thing I've ever made but it’s also my favorite.”

“Mine too.” Anthony smiled at him.

Will felt his face flush. Was he getting hit on?

“Do you want a refill?” Anthony pointed at his empty cup leaning closer to him. “I’d love to get you one.” Will was definitely getting hit on. He felt Mike’s posture shift behind him. He didn’t dare look at him.

“Um—Yeah! Yeah, I actually came over to grab one but—” Will glanced at Mike who held eye contact with a quirked eyebrow. “I got distracted.”

“Great! Let’s grab some more of that jungle juice. It’s amazing.”

Will hummed in response and followed Anthony to the pitcher, not sparing a glance at Mike. Will knew if he looked at Mike and he gave him the slightest hint to stay, he would. It was pathetic and frankly, he was tired of waiting for something that was never going to happen.

Anthony grabbed Will’s cup to refill it and grabbed himself a cup as well.

“Cheers!”

“Cheers!” They hit their cups together and knocked the drink back.

“So, what are you doing now that high school’s over?” Anthony asked.

“I’m going to school in New York.” They had to speak loudly and into each other’s ears to hear over the music.

“That’s awesome. What are you studying?”

“Art.” He replied.

“I should’ve known.” Anthony smiled. “You’re super talented.”

“Thanks. So are you.” Will sipped from his cup. “What about you, what are you doing?”

“I’m going to school for engineering.”

“Really? You don’t seem like the engineering type.”

“Probably because I’m not. But my mom says after college I’m guaranteed to find a job. So, that’s what I’m doing.”

“Well, I guess that makes sense.”

“I guess so.” He shrugged. “Hey, do you want to get out there?” Anthony nodded toward the dance floor.

Will gulped before answering.

“Sure.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, let’s do it.”

Anthony grabbed him by the wrist, pulling him to the dance floor. The action made his heart race. The songs that played were funky and fast now. Nothing that would cause an uproar about them dancing together. And Will had a lot of alcohol in him at this point so he wasn’t sober enough to worry about that. Anthony rocked and shook his shoulders in rhythm with the song. Will did the same with a sway of his hips. They were having fun. They were moving closer. Will liked the feeling of the alcohol running through his body. He felt electrified and everything around him was spinning. He felt so alive.

“This is so fun!” He yelled as Anthony flipped his hair around.

Will felt a hand close around his shoulder, he turned to be met with Mike.

“Mike, you finally decided to join?” He slurred.

“No.” Mike sent a glare in Anthony’s direction. “And I don’t think you should keep dancing either.”

“Wha—why not?” he pouted.

“You’re drunk, Will. Come on, let's get some air.” Mike dragged him out into the front yard, he sat him down on a bench that was closer to the tree line a few feet away from the house.

“I wanted to keep dancing with Anthony.” Will complained.

Mike sat next to him with a huff. “I know you were having fun but you need to be careful.”

“I’m not that drunk.” Will argued. Mike gave him a judgmental once over, making Will’s face flush. “Fine, I’m kind of drunk. But isn’t that the point of parties?”

“Maybe, but I want to make sure you're at least coherent.”

Will groaned.

“Here, have some water.” Mike offered Will his water bottle.

“I don’t want water.” Will draped himself over Mike, unconsciously. He could feel the way Mike’s breath quickened at the action. “I want more jungle juice.”

“No more jungle juice for you.” 

“Pfft. Who are you, my mom?”

“No, I’m your friend. You're best friend, who cares about you.” Mike reasoned.

Will’s shoulders slumped. “Right. My friend.”

“I am your friend, Will.” Mike’s eyebrows furrowed.

“I know that.” Will said quietly. “I know.

“Will you please drink some water?”

“Why am I the only one getting cut off?” Will argued. “What about Dustin, Lucas, and Max? You're not moderating their alcohol intake.”

“I promised Jonathan I’d take care of you.”

Will let himself relax against Mike again.

They sat there for a few minutes, Will’s eyes lightly closed and Mike stared at the way his long eyelashes kissed the pink of his cheeks.

“Do you think Anthony likes me?” Will asked, suddenly. Eyes opening and looking up at Mike. Mike looked away quickly, feeling caught.

“Uh—I don’t know. Have you guys spoken before this?”

“Little exchanges here and there in class but not much.” Will groaned as he sat up slightly. “He did look at me a lot though. I would feel it in class and I'd turn around and he'd be staring right at me.”

Mike felt tense. “Well, at least we know he likes looking at you.”

Will stayed quiet for a moment before speaking.

“You like looking at me sometimes.”

“What?” Mike’s eyes widened at the implication. Was he that obvious?

“Yeah. I catch you staring at me sometimes and I think: What more does this guy want from me?”

“What do you mean?”

Will looked him in the eyes. “You know what I mean, Mike. There’s no way you don’t.”

“Will—”

“Can you just promise me something?” he interrupted.

“Whatever you want.”

“Just…don’t forget me like you did when I was in Lenora.”

“I never forgot you, WiIl.”

“It felt like you did.” Will’s eyes were bright. “I hated it.”

“I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”

“I know. You never do.”

They fell silent again.

“I promise.” Mike put out his pinky.

Will intertwined their pinkies. “Okay.”

After a few more minutes of sitting in the cool air, Will stood, unstably.

“What are you doing?” Mike questioned as he tried to steady him.

“I’m going back inside.” Will smirked. “There’s a party in there, you know?”

“Will, I think you’ve had enough partying for tonight.”

“No, I was having fun.” Will started walking away. “And Anthony’s probably waiting for me in there.”

Mike grabbed his wrist, stopping him.

“Will, you’re going to get yourself in trouble.”

“By who? I’m not a kid anymore.” Will yanked his wrist back.

“Why are you doing this?” Mike suddenly turned serious.

“Because I want to keep having fun.”

“No, I mean all of this, Will. You always said you hated drunk people. That you would never get drunk because it would make you feel like your parents.”

Will sighed. “Shut up.”

“No, I’m serious, you're acting crazy!”

Will’s shoulders tensed at Mike’s sudden raised voice.

“Sorry, Will. I just—”

“Maybe it’s just in my genes.”

Mike froze.

“I am Lonnie’s son after all, right?”

“Don't say that.” Mike’s voice lowered.

“I’m not acting like him, am I?” Will’s face paled as he said it. He looked sick. “I don't ever want to be like him.”

“Of course not, Will. Never. You’ll never be like him.”

“I’m sorry. I guess I just want to feel…free. Like a real teenager, you know? I never got to have that. I didn’t get to have anything.”

“Will, please—”

“I just—I wanna go back inside and dance with Anthony."

“Will.” Mike warned.

“I think he might like me.”

“Will, you can’t dance with him!” Mike told him sternly. 

“Why not? Lucas and Max are still dancing inside.”

“But they’re not—they’re not two boys, okay?”

Will scoffed. “That’s such bullshit!”

“It is! I agree. But it’s the truth, Will.” Mike explained. “And I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Well, maybe I don’t care anymore. I don’t care if I get hurt. I don’t want to hide anymore.”

“You have to, Will.”

“No! Actually, I don’t! I’m tired of never having any control over myself.”

“Come on, Will. Let’s just go home.”

“No thanks!” Will waved Mike off and made his way inside.

He tried to find Anthony but he didn’t see him.

“Will.” Mike called out as he followed him.

“Where’d he go?”

“He probably left, come on.” Mike reached for him but he slipped away.

“No he wouldn’t have left without saying bye.”

Will trailed all around the house looking for Anthony. He went upstairs to the bedrooms and Mike stopped him again.

“Are you seriously going to check these rooms?”

“Yeah, what if he got tired and fell asleep.”

“I promise you, Will, no one in these rooms are sleeping.”

Will shrugged and went down the hall anyway.

He jingled one of the doorknobs. Locked.

He went to the next. Locked.

He went on to the next and the door opened wide.

“Holy shit!” Will gaped.

“Oh my god!” Stacy yelped, covering herself with a blanket.

“Will, get out of here!” Dustin yelled, throwing a pillow at him.

“Will, let’s go.” Mike grabbed him, covering his eyes as he did so.

“I’ll lock the door.” Will giggled, twisting the lock as he spoke.

“Jesus Christ.” Mike pulled harder.

“Congrats, Dustin!” Will said as he closed the door behind him.

“You see what happens when you don’t listen to me?”

“Yeah, apparently you get lucky.” Will laughed. “Good for them.”

“Okay, that’s enough.”

“There’s only one more room.”

“No, Will, come on.”

“Last one!” Will pushed the door open. The room was empty.

Mike rubbed his temples. “He’s not here, Will.”

Will walked in and sat on the edge of the bed. “This is all your fault, Mike.”

“What is?”

“That I’m so fucking lonely.” 

Mike knew Will was drunk and he shouldn’t take any of his words to heart. But this felt real. It felt true. And not just because Anthony left. No, there was something else written in between the lines.

“Please don’t, Will.”

“Anthony left because you dragged me outside!”

“Who cares about Anthony?”

“I do!”

“No, you don’t!” Mike’s jaw tightened. “You’ve never mentioned him before and all of a sudden you care about him?”

“Well, not really. I just—Is it so horrible for me to want one night where I can dance with someone who likes me?”

Mike calmed a bit at Will’s words.

“No, it’s not.”

“I want one night where I don't feel like I don't deserve to have fun or be happy.” Will sniffled, “That’s all.”

Mike watched Will quickly wipe at a tear that fell down his cheek.

Mike had a love-hate relationship with Will crying. He hated that it meant he was sad. But he loved how his cheeks got all rosy, and his eyes got glossy. He looked…pretty.

Mike let out a deep breath and put his hand out to Will.

Will looked at his hand then up at his face with a questioning look.

“What are you—”

“Can I have this dance?”

Will searched his face to see any sign of joking. There was none. He was completely serious.

“I thought you said—”

“I did. But you’re right. We should have at least one normal night together.” Mike smiled softly. “So?”

Will tried to fight his own growing smile. “You’re the worst.” He put his hand in Mike’s.

“Nah, you love me.”

Will smile wavered a moment. “Yeah, I do.”

They stood there for a moment, hand in hand.

Mike’s Adam’s apple bobbed visibly.

The song changed, making Will’s head snap to where the music was rather than to keep staring at the boy in front of him.

“Let’s go. You love this song.”

Will nodded and they ran down the stairs full of laughter.

Mike was a horrible dancer. But he didn’t care. He flailed his long arms around and did a poor attempt at the robot. Will laughed. Mike loved the sound. He would continue to make a fool of himself if it meant he got to hear it again. Will, on the other hand, didn’t look like a fool at all. He was moving his body to the music fluidly, his hips swaying, his lips forming a smile. Mike couldn’t take his eyes off of him. Will was entrancing.

“You finally got Wheeler to dance?” Max’s voice was beside them suddenly, making Mike stop staring at Will’s figure.

“It’s a graduation miracle!” Lucas joked.

Will threw his arms around both their necks. “Ugh, I love you guys so much.”

They threw a glance at Mike who shrugged, sipping on the drink he and Will were now sharing.

“We love you too, Will.” Lucas replied.

“Oh and guess what?” Will giggled.

“What’s up?”

“Dustin and Stacy were totally getting it on upstairs.”

“What!” They both gaped at him.

Will went back to dancing. “Yeah, I think I saw her boobs. Or...at least one of them.”

“Oh my god. You walked in on them?”

“It was an accident.” He giggled.

“That’s really a graduation miracle!” Lucas said with a happy laugh.

A few songs later Dustin appeared, dancing his way over to them.

“Dustin, you dirty dog.” Lucas joked.

He smiled, face going red. “What can I say? The ladies love me.” He high fived him.

“You two are disgusting.” Max grimaced.

“Hey, Will, you ever heard of knocking?” Dustin ignored Max's comment.

“You ever heard of locking the door?” Will shot back quickly.

“Fair enough.”

They went back to dancing together and yelled along to the songs. Jumping around until the floor shook. They were finally having a night where they didn’t think about their shared traumas. A night where they just sang along horribly to the blasting music.

That was until the cops showed up.

“Cops!” Someone yelled.

“Shit, let’s go.” Mike grabbed Will’s hand and hauled him out of the house. The rest of their friends followed. Running to the car breathlessly.

Mike’s mind was fuzzy by now. He was feeling the alcohol but he knew he was probably the most capable of driving at the moment still. Mike grabbed the keys from Lucas, and hopped in the driver’s seat. Speeding off without looking back.

“This is just like the movies." Will repeated his thought from earlier, putting the passenger window down to stick his head out and whoop.

“He’s absolutely wasted.” Max laughed.

“Jonathan and Joyce are going to kill us.” Lucas said.

“You’re forgetting Hopper. He wouldn’t even feel bad about killing us.”

“We can’t take him home like this.” Dustin said.

“Yeah, he can stay at mine, hopefully he falls asleep quickly.” Mike agreed.

Mike couldn’t help but watch the way the wind blew through Will’s hair. The street lights scattered across his face as if they were spotlights. His head tipped back exposing his pale neck. Mike had to remind himself to keep his eyes on the road.

Mike pulled into the Wheeler’s driveway and said bye to Dustin, Lucas, and Max. He made sure they made it into Lucas’ house next door before guiding Will into his own.

“Woah.” Will laughed as he wobbled inside.

“Keep it down, please. It’s three in the morning, my parents will kill us if we wake them up.”

“Okay.” Will giggled.

Mike decided Will would cause the least disturbance in the basement. He walked Will down the stairs carefully, making sure he wouldn't tumble down. He set up the couch for Will with pillows and blankets.

“Here, take it.” He passed Will his bottle of water.

“Okay, but only because I doubt there’s any jungle juice here.”

Mike couldn’t help but laugh at how ridiculous he was being.

He sipped the water slowly. Mike watched intently as he did.

“Did you enjoy your night of being a real teenager?” Mike asked curiously.

“I actually did.”

“I didn’t peg you for the partying type.”

“I didn’t peg you for the buzzkill type.” Will poked at Mike.

“I’m not a buzzkill, I was actually getting pretty buzzed. I just wanted to make sure everyone was safe.”

“Yeah, I know. Mike the brave. Mike the heart of the party. Always so noble.” Will smiled as he leaned on him.

Mike’s heart thumped in his chest.

“It’s okay to have fun, you know?” Will told him quietly. “It feels wrong sometimes, for me too. But, my mom and Hopper say the best thing for us is to live our lives to the fullest.”

Mike shook his head as if trying to block the words from reaching him.

“Apparently, they think that’s what El would have wanted.”

“Well, we’ll never know will we?” Mike spoke through gritted teeth.

“I guess not. But I like to believe that over anything else.”

Mike sighed, trying not to get in his head like he always did.

“You okay down here?” he eventually asked Will.

“You’re leaving?” Will’s voice was disappointed.

“Just up to my room.”

“No, you should stay.” Will suggested. “We can have a sleepover. Like we used to. We should do that as much as possible before we’re doomed to adulthood.”

Mike chuckled.

“Please.”

Mike didn’t need any more convincing. Especially with Will looking at him like he needed him to stay. And saying please with that whiny voice that made Mike’s stomach flip.

“Okay, yeah, I’ll stay.”

He made a pallet bed by the sofa. They both laid in their respective spots. Staring at the ceiling.

“Do you ever regret it?” Will whispered.

“Regret what?”

“Being my friend.”

“What? Of course not. Why would I?”

“Because it’s all my fault. Everything that happened, everything and everyone we lost, it all started with me.” Will’s voice cracked.

“None of it was your fault.” Mike reassured him. “You were just a kid.”

“So were you. And because you wanted to be a good friend to me you lost so much. We all did.”

“I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

Will peeked over the couch at Mike then, eyes glossy.

“I’m sorry.”

"Don't be.”

“But I am. Sometimes I wish I would’ve just stayed lost you know. Save everyone the pain.”

“Will stop saying stuff like that, seriously. I don’t like it.”

“Okay. Sorry.”

“And stop saying sorry.”

“Okay.”

They stayed silent again. Mike’s brain was racing. He felt like if he ever wanted a real answer to the question he’d been thinking about for the past year, right now was the perfect time to ask. He got up from his bed and moved to sit on the edge of the couch. Will raised up on his elbows, slightly confused.

“Will?”

“Yeah?”

“Who’s Tammy?” Mike willed himself to ask.

“Who?”

“When you—when you came out to us, you said something about having a crush on someone. You called him your Tammy. But…I don’t think I know a boy named Tammy. Was he from Lenora?”

Will rolled his eyes at his words. “His name wasn’t Tammy. It means something else.”

“What does it mean?"

“Just…that he doesn't like me back.” Will laid back down. “And that I don't need him to love me to accept myself.”

“Well, whoever he is, he’s an idiot. You don’t need him.”

Will laughed, bitterly. “I wish that was true.”

“It is. If he couldn’t see you for how great you are, then he’s a stupid loser.”

“Yeah, he really is.”

They stayed silent.

“I’ll come visit you." Mike spoke quietly. "In New York I mean. I’ve always wanted to go.”

“Yeah, I’d like that.”

“And you can come visit me.” Mike suggested.

“Of course.”

“And we can both come back here to visit.”

“Hopefully.”

“Hopefully?”

“I have a lot of bad memories here, Mike. I think it would be good for me to stay away for a while.”

Mike didn’t respond.

“All my good memories here are with you.” Will met Mike’s gaze as he said it.

Mike’s breath hitched. This wasn’t new to him. Will could say something, or smile, or simply look at Mike and he would completely malfunction. He’d been trying to ignore it but with all the emotions of graduation, growing up, and leaving Hawkins, it was hitting him harder than ever. Like this might be the only chance he would get.

And the little bit of liquid courage he still had in his body was making this seem a lot simpler now.

“Will, I—I’m not your Tammy am I?”

Will’s eyes squeezed shut. “Can we not do this, Mike?”

“Will—”

“I don’t want to ruin everything. Especially not now. We only have a few months left together.”

“You won’t ruin anything. I promise.”

Will’s eyebrows furrowed.

“Did you really get drunk? Is that why you’re saying these things?”

“No, Will. I’m not drunk. I’m saying these things because I mean them.”

Will shook his head. “Go to sleep, Mike.”

Just once, is what he told himself. All he needed was to feel it this once. One time to get this out of his system. To get Will out of his system.

Mike hesitated—just for a second.

But that second was long enough for him to think about how this would change everything. Long enough to think about how he wouldn’t be able to shove this truth that he had kept hidden for so long back inside. Long enough to be afraid.

“Fuck it.” 

Mike surged forward. His lips met Will’s, and his brain didn’t feel fuzzy anymore. Everything seemed clearer than ever. He pressed eagerly against him. Will pushed back fiercely, hand going to hold Mike’s jaw. Mike put his hands in Will’s hair, trying to get impossibly closer. Letting out a sigh into his mouth. They finally pulled apart for air and stared at each other silently.

“Mike?” Will’s voice sounded distant despite them still being so close.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I know that you’re not—”

“Not about this, Will. For everything else. I’m sorry I put you through so much. I didn’t even realize at first.”

Will looked down at his lap. “Did you—Did you only kiss me because you feel bad for me?”

“What? No!” Mike said quickly, lifting his chin to make eye contact. “I kissed you because…I wanted to.”

Will searched his eyes.

“I really wanted to. I have wanted to for a while now.”

Will let out a shaky breath before leaning back in slowly. Slow enough to give Mike the chance to push him away if he wanted.

But he didn’t.

Instead Mike grabbed his face and kissed him with hunger. Moving closer to him, wanting more. It was something out of his dreams. The dreams he’d wake up from and groan at because he knew he wasn’t supposed to want it.

But how was he supposed to not want Will?

Will was gorgeous and kind and braver than Mike had ever been.

Will was perfect.

“You’re beautiful.” Mike voiced his thoughts in between kisses. Will didn’t reply with words, he only pulled Mike in and kissed him harder.

Mike knew he’d probably regret this in the morning. He knew that he probably just threw away over a decade of friendship. He knew that if his father knew what was happening in his basement right now he’d set fire to the whole house to rid it of the immoral act.

But he didn’t care about that.

Not with Will’s lips moving against his. Not when the lips he stared at with shame were finally pressed against his.

So burn it, he thought. Set fire to the house, set fire to the whole goddamn town. I’d stay here with Will and let the flames lick up my body until I was only ash if it meant a few more moments of this.

But nothing burned around them. 

He still felt the heat, he still gasped for air as if he was suffocating.

But it felt good. It felt right.

He felt alive.

Chapter Text

Will woke up the next morning with a slight pounding in his head. He sat up with a groan, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

He looked to his right and immediately stiffened.

The sight of Mike lying on the floor next to him made everything from the night before rush back at once.

They’d talked.

They’d kissed.

And Mike was still here the next morning. He was here. He didn’t leave after kissing him. In fact, he pulled back and stared into his eyes. Mike called him beautiful.

His breath quickened as he scrambled out of bed, tiptoeing around Mike and into the bathroom.

He thought for a moment as he washed his face that maybe he imagined it. Or that maybe Mike was just drunker than he seemed and didn’t know what he’d done.

He heard Mike grumble as he woke up on the other side of the bathroom door.

His heart started racing as he listened closely. He heard the rustling of the blankets and then Mike’s footsteps padding across the floor, coming closer to him.

Shit.

Will wondered if he could just hide there forever.

The doorknob jangled as Mike tried to open it.

Will leaned his forehead on the door, closing his eyes tightly.

“Will?” Mike’s voice rasped. The sound of him saying Will’s name in that voice made him hit his head softly against the door.

Will hesitated before answering. “Yeah… I’m here.”

“Are you going to be long? I think I’m going to whiz on the floor, I have to pee so bad.”

Will unlocked the door and turned the knob, opening the door wide enough for him to exit.

He stared at Mike for a moment. It felt so different now that he knew what his lips felt like kissing him. It was as if the eye contact made Mike remember what they’d done the night before. He gulped audibly, staring back at Will.

“Uh—go ahead.” Will finally broke eye contact.

“Shit, yeah, sorry.” Mike rambled as they moved past each other.

Mike stared at him again before looking down and closing the door harshly.

Will flinched at the sound.

“Shit, shit, shit.” He whispered to himself.

He ran up the basement stairs to the phone, immediately dialing Lucas.

It rang three times before he picked up. “Hello?”

“Hey, is Max still there? I need to talk to her. Like now.” Will rushed the words out.

“Is everything alright?”

“Yeah, of course. Why wouldn’t it be?” He lied.

“You sound like you're panicking. My brain hurts trying to keep up with what you’re saying.” Lucas’s voice sounded scratchy.

“Are you hungover?”

“Abso-fucking-lutely. Are you not?”

“No. Just really need to speak with Max.”

“She’s not hungover either.” Lucas said. “How is that even possible? You guys drank more than I did, I’m pretty sure.”

“So she is there?”

“Yeah, so is Dustin. He’s probably worse than I am right now.”

“Great! I’m coming over. I’ll bring some aspirin or something.”

“You’re a godsend.”

Will hung up and threw on a pair of Mike’ slippers that were near the front door. He grabbed the aspirin from the medicine cabinet and ran out of the house.

He went over to Lucas’ next door, knocking quickly.

“Those better be for Lucas and Dustin. They’ve been complaining all goddamn morning.” Erica said as she eyed the pill bottle in his hand.

“Lucky for you, they are.” Will told her as he walked in.

“Thank the lord.” She rolled her eyes.

Will walked to Lucas' bedroom and opened the door without knocking. Sure enough there was Dustin rubbing his forehead with a groan, Lucas laying his head on the pillow with his eyes shut as if he was trying to block them from any light, and Max flipping through a magazine with her feet up on Lucas’ drawer.

“I have come to put an end to your suffering.” Will announced, holding out the pill bottle.

Lucas sat up quickly, grabbing the bottle and twisting the cap open. “The light hurts.”

“It’s evil,” Dustin agreed.

“Finally, someone came to save me from these idiots.” Max stood.

“I actually really need to talk to you.” Will told her.

“Okay.”

“Like, one-on-one.”

“Okay, let’s go out back.”

They left the boys inside and walked to the open air of the backyard.

“So, what’s up?” She asked him.

“I think I fucked up.”

“Oh god, what happened?”

Max knew that Will was in love with Mike. According to her, it was obvious. He panicked when she first told him that. After the initial panic, he started going to her with all his rants about how gone he was for Mike. After El’s death they got even closer than before. El was a sister to both of them, and they found a sense of comfort in each other’s hurt. They started having sleepovers where they’d listen to and dance to music, talk about boys, talk about El, and talk about their trauma, nothing was off limits between them. What Will loved most about Max was how honest she was. Ever since he went missing, he felt like everyone was trying to shelter him, Max never made him feel that way. Whenever they spoke about how being Mike's friend was starting to feel like torture to Will's heart, she always said something along the lines of “That’s what you get for falling in love with that idiot of all people.” Will knew she loved Mike, they all loved each other a lot. But she and Mike acted like siblings in the way they always teased and made fun of each other but would do anything for the other. Max was always happy to listen and help. Deep down, Will wondered if it was because it reminded her of talking about boyfriend problems with El. He didn’t like to think too much about that.

“I—” Will stopped himself.

Could he even tell her?

Would her knowing make things weirder between him and Mike? Would Mike be angry if he knew he told her?

“Spit it out, Byers!”

“Fuck.” Will let out, frustrated. “If I tell you something, will you promise me you won’t tell anyone anything? Like this stays between us.”

“Promise.”

“Swear on your life?”

“I swear on my life, Will,” Max said earnestly. “Now talk, you’re scaring me.”

Will let out a shaky breath. “I had my first kiss last night.”

Max let out an excited gasp, sitting up straighter. “Oh my god! Congratulations!” Her eyebrows furrowed. “Wait, why are you freaking out about that?” 

“Because of who I kissed.”

“Well…who was it?”

“I don’t know if I should say.”

“Why not?”

“Because until last night I thought he only liked girls!” He blurted out. “And I’m very much not a girl.”

Max nodded in understanding. “So he’s never given you a signal or anything, but he kissed you back?”

“Worse.”

“Worse?”

“He kissed me first.”

Max’s eyes widened. “Okay, yeah. That’s…shit.”

“What do I do?”

“I don’t know.” Max shrugged. “Do you like this guy?”

Will looked out in front of him, not able to look at her anymore. “Yeah, I do. A lot.”

“Like more than Mike? Maybe you can finally get over that dickwad.”

Will’s face tinted pink at the sound of Mike’s name. And of course, Max noticed.

“No,” she gasped. “It was him? It was Mike!”

“Quiet down.” He warned her.

“Holy shit.” She whispered. “Was it like a quick peck or like a full-on kiss?”

“More like a full-on make-out.”

“Holy shit!” She said again, louder than before.

“What do I do, Max?”

“Did he say anything after?”

Will thought back to Mike’s words.

I kissed you because I wanted to. I really wanted to. I have wanted to for a while now.

You’re beautiful.

“Yeah.” He answered shortly. “But I saw him for, like, two minutes this morning and…”

“And?”

“He didn’t mention it at all. He just told me he had to whiz.”

“Jesus Christ.” Max chuckled. “Did he actually use the word ‘whiz?”

“Yeah.”

“I will forever question your taste in men.”

“Did I ruin everything?” Will ignored her comment. “It was so awkward this morning, I honestly wished that I could just disappear…again.”

“Why would you have ruined everything?”

“I don’t know. For letting him?”

Max sighed. “I wish I had better advice for you, Will. But I think the only thing you can do is talk to him.”

“That’s the last thing I want to do right now.”

“What do you want to do then?”

“Hide...forever.”

“Well, you can’t do that.”

Will groaned. “I don’t know if I can just go back to normal after something like that.”

“I’m not sure there is any way to.”

Will felt helpless, confused, like he was going crazy.

And next door, Mike felt even worse.

Mike heard Will’s quick footsteps go up the stairs and the basement door shut.

He groaned at the sound.

After washing his hands, he stared at his reflection.

Did he look different?

That’s a stupid thought. It’s not like kissing someone made your face change.

But he felt different.

He touched his lips, he could still feel the way Will’s fit perfectly against them.

Fuck. What is wrong with me?

Mike didn’t know the answer. That made him angry. 

He stared harshly at his reflection, as if he were glaring at someone he hated. Maybe he did.

He splashed cold water on his face and exited the bathroom back into the basement.

Mike picked up the blankets and pillows, tidying up down there, trying to buy himself some time before going upstairs and seeing Will.

How was he supposed to act?

What was he supposed to say?

Mike sat on the couch, elbows on his knees, as he thought about it.

He could say it was because of the alcohol, but that would be a lie.

He could say he didn’t mean to, that would also be a lie.

He could say he was just curious, which wasn’t totally a lie, but it also didn’t make it less…weird.

So he decided he’d just have to say nothing. That felt a lot safer.

“Mike! Breakfast!” Holly called to him from upstairs.

He didn’t have more time. He would just have to face Will and what he’d done.

Mike gave himself a set of rules before going up the stairs.

1. Don’t think about it.
2. Don’t look at him (especially at his lips).
3. Don’t say it out loud.

He went to the dining table to see everyone but Will there.

“Where’s Will?” He asked before anything else. No good morning or hello, he didn’t have time for that when it felt like his world had stopped spinning.

Jonathan’s head snapped up quickly. “I thought he stayed with you?”

“He did. But—” But I ruined everything by kissing him last night. “He must’ve left a little bit ago. He was here just earlier this morning.” 

As soon as he said it, there was a knock on the front door. Mike stood up fast, so fast that it startled the others.

“Sorry.” He apologized as he went to get the door. He opened it up to see Will in front of him.

“Oh, hey.” Will greeted awkwardly.

“Hey.” Mike’s mouth suddenly felt dry at the sight of him. “Uh—there’s breakfast.”

“Okay.” Will walked in, past Mike, and to the table quickly. Mike’s chest tightened at the interaction. Or the lack of interaction—that feels more accurate.

They didn’t make eye contact, speak, or sit close together like they usually did.

At one point Holly was asking Will about tips on her art, she’d taken to using him as an art teacher recently, and Will’s voice softened as it always did when he spoke to her. Mike’s heart wrenched at the sound of it.

He imagined Will using that voice on him between breathless kisses. How it would sound saying his name. Goosebumps raised on his skin all over his body at the thought.

When everyone finished their breakfast and dispersed from the table, Mike stayed still. Not sure what to do or where to go.

Holly dragged Will up to her bedroom so that they could draw together, Mike took that as a sign to hide away in his own room.

He sat on the edge of his bed, toying with a Rubik's Cube, staring at the wall in front of him.

Mike knew he wasn’t…normal, to say the least.

He had an inkling for a while now, but he always pushed the thoughts away. It’s not that he thought being queer was bad or anything. He didn’t care about all that conformity propaganda, and his best friend was gay, so who was he to judge? Plus, judging would be hypocritical considering how his mind would stray and imagine certain scenarios that weren't exactly straight. Especially when he was around Will. It was more so that he wasn’t sure how to navigate any of it. He remembered the first time he dreamed about it. About him.

Mike and Will were sitting in the WSQK. The same night Will became a real sorcerer. They were left alone, sitting on opposite sides of the couch.

“Thank you for saving me, Will,” Mike said, eyes trained on Will.

“Don’t thank me. You would’ve done the same.”

Mike shook his head. “You looked so…magical.”

Will’s cheeks tinted that pretty pink color that Mike loved.

“Shut up.” Will replied shyly.

“I don’t think I can. You were majestic. I’ll never be able to shut up about that.”

Will broke eye contact shyly.

“I can’t believe you did that. It was the best thing I’ve ever seen.”

“It wasn’t even like that. I just—I knew I had to save you, Mike. And I had to do everything and anything in my power to do that.” Will finally looked at him again.

“Thank you,” Mike said again.

“I already told you not to say thank you.”

Mike stared at the gorgeous boy in front of him.

“Let me show you then.” Mike moved so they were sitting close now.

Will gulped. “What?”

“Let me show you how thankful I am for you.”

Mike put a hand on Will’s thigh, pupils dilating at their closeness.

“Okay.”

Mike kissed him on the lips with a sigh. Then he kissed down his jaw to his neck, making Will whine.

He felt guilty for days after he woke up from that dream. He could barely make eye contact with Will without feeling like he’d somehow confess that he’d dreamt about him in that way, that he woke up flustered and ashamed, and that his body reacted in ways he never wanted to confess out loud.

So, yes, he had an idea that he had some sort of attraction to Will. It would be crazy to deny that fact after all the other dreams he’d gotten of Will. But it wasn’t just that. It wasn’t just lust. He’d had dreams about waking up next to Will, holding his hand, and living in New York together more than anything. That was the scarier part to him. If it was purely lust, at least he could try to blame it on teenage hormones, but what could he blame his feelings on? What could he blame the giddiness he felt inside whenever Will looked at him on? Or the way he looked for Will in every room, like he couldn’t exist without his presence. Or the way he found himself unconsciously yet purposefully bumping shoulders, grazing hands, and leaning closer. He could only blame it on himself and that word that made him sick to his stomach when it was put in the same sentence as his name. Mike didn’t have any problem with gay people, he had a problem with himself. And that was the most difficult obstacle he’d ever had to face.

The day went fast as Mike sat in his bedroom thinking about everything he wanted to rid from his mind.

“Mike, the phone’s for you!” His mom called from downstairs.

“Coming!”

Mike trailed down the stairs and went to grab the phone. “Hello?”

“Mike, you need to get over here.” Lucas’ voice said from the other line. “Dustin’s going to tell us about what happened with Stacy.”

He chuckled at Lucas’ words. “I think I can guess what happened.”

“Also, apparently Max read in a magazine that drinking more alcohol helps with hangovers, so we’re going to test that theory. My parents and Erica left, so the house is ours, and the liquor cabinet is unlocked.”

“That sounds like a horrible idea.”

“I’ve definitely heard worse.”

“Okay, I’ll be over in a few.” He was about to hang up, but before he could, Lucas said the last thing Mike wanted to hear.

“Make sure you bring Will.”

“Yeah, of course.”

“Okay, see you in a bit.”

Mike let out a deep breath before going upstairs to Holly’s room. When Holly took Will to draw with her, she usually held him hostage for hours. It didn’t seem like he minded much, though. Mike was practically dragging his feet as he went down the hallway. He reached the door and cursed under his breath before knocking lightly.

“Come in.” Holly’s voice called out.

Mike pushed the door open to see Holly and Will hunched over a long piece of paper with the beginnings of what seemed to be a thessalhydra drawn onto it. Ever since Holly got into drawing and D&D, she’s been Will’s biggest fan. Besides Mike, of course.

“Hey, that’s pretty cool.” Mike complimented the drawing.

Will’s hands stilled at the sound of his voice. But he didn’t look up at Mike yet.

“Thanks!” Holly smiled. “Will’s doing the harder parts. I’m still not that good.”

Will looked up from the drawing to look at Holly. “Hey, that’s not true. You’re super good! Better than me at your age, for sure.”

Holly’s smile grew at that.

“What’s up? Is Mom calling me or something?” Holly turned back to her brother.

“Uh—no. I actually came up here for Will.”

Will finally looked up at him. Mike felt his stomach flip.

“Oh,” Will spoke. “What did you need?”

He seemed just as nervous as Mike felt.

“Lucas called. He said we should go over to his house to hang out.”

Will’s face changed into an expression Mike couldn’t decipher. “Oh.”

“Yeah, apparently Dustin has a story to tell.”

Will huffed out a laugh despite himself. “I bet.” He stood up from his spot. “We’ll finish this later, Holly.”

“Okay.” She replied as she began to put her colored pencils away.

Mike walked ahead of Will as they left the house. They were silent the whole time until halfway to Lucas’ house, Mike let out an exhale and scrubbed his hands down his face before turning to Will abruptly, making Will bump into him.

“Shit, sorry.” Mike apologized, steadying Will. “I just—I guess I wanted to—Fuck, I don’t know, Will, I just don’t want things to be weird between us.” He rambled.

Will let out a sigh. “Mike, can we not talk about this right now? I don’t even know what to say and—”

“I know, and I’m sorry about that.”

“Stop, Mike. Let’s talk later, okay? I can’t do this right now.”

“Okay.” Mike agreed, but he didn’t turn or continue walking. He stayed looking at Will.

“Mike.”

“I just don’t know how to act normal after we—” Mike paused, He’d said too much, too loud, too publicly. “...after last night.”

“Me neither.” Will replied, with tight lips.

Mike nodded. At least this wasn’t only confusing for him. He could always rely on Will to make him feel like less of a freak.

He finally turned and continued their short trip to Lucas’ house. When they arrived, Lucas opened the door with a grin.

“The cleric and the paladin have finally arrived!” He waved them in.

Mike and Will smiled in return, walking in to see Dustin and Max sitting on the ground, debating something that Max was probably right about, holding glasses with dark liquor in them. Eventually they all sat in a circle with glasses of rum and Coke in their hands.

“Okay, Dustin, are you going to tell us what happened with Stacy last night?” Lucas wiggled his eyebrows at him.

“Yeah, how’d you manage that?” Mike teased him.

“Shut up, asshole. Girls dig me apparently.” Dustin gave him a playful shove.

“Girls plural is a stretch.” Mike shoved him back.

“Says you,” Dustin shot back. “It seems like you’d rather keep getting action from your hand than ever trying it with a girl.”

The group laughed, but Mike didn’t find it funny at all. The words made his chest feel hollow. What was he trying to imply by that? Mike wanted to say something that would make them stop laughing. Something along the lines of: Well, when the only girlfriend you ever had died right in front of your eyes only a few months after you broke up with her, it’s kind of hard to get back into the dating scene. But he didn’t. His friends looked happy. Will looked happy, despite whatever the fuck was happening between them right now. So, fine, he’d let it slide this time. He forced himself to laugh with them.

“So after Stacy and a bunch of her friends got me a drink, we sat down at a table, and they were asking about my speech and if Principal Higgins had taken my diploma away or something. I told them that he threatened to, but that I told him that was against my First Amendment right—"

“That didn’t happen.” Will interjected.

Dustin shrugged. “They don’t have to know that.”

“You’re so annoying.” Max snorted.

“That is beside the point, guys.” Dustin waved them off. “Anyway, as I was saying before I was rudely interrupted. Everyone went to dance at some point, but Stacy stayed at the table with me. So, I kept talking to her. I asked her what her plans are, and she told me she wants to go into nursing. I told her that it seemed really cool and that I believed in her. I guess not a lot of people respond that way to her, so she seemed really grateful. And then we just kept talking, and she told me she wanted to go change out of her heels because her feet were hurting. I offered to grab them for her so her feet wouldn’t sting going up the stairs, but instead she told me to just help her up.”

“Smooth.” Lucas laughed.

“I know, right. I honestly didn’t think much of it until we were up there and she invited me into her room and closed the door once I got in. At that point I was just thinking, "Holy shit, this is happening." Then she told me I could sit on her bed. She took off her shoes, then she walked over to me and sat in my lap, and we started kissing. Then we started making out. Then—” His face turned red.

“You’re blushing, Dusty Bun,” Will teased him.

“Shut up, Will. I am not.”

“You so are,” Max agreed.

“You two are a nightmare.” Dustin said before continuing. “Anyway, we laid down, and she took her dress off, and well—I’m pretty sure you guys can guess what happened after that. It was going pretty well, I would say, until Will fucking Byers’ drunk self opened the door wide open.”

Will covered his face with his hands. “Oh my god, that was so bad.”

“You think?”

“To be fair, the door was unlocked.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.”

“If it’s any consolation to you, I think I’m more embarrassed about it than you two are.”

“Dude, you said congrats to me.”

“William Byers, no, you did not!” Lucas cackled.

“He did! If Mike wasn’t pulling him away, I think he would've come in and given me a high five.”

“I was so drunk.” Will shook his head. “I’m so sorry.”

“Eh, it’s fine. Once you locked the door, we just kept going, so…”

“Ew. I don’t think I want to hear anymore.” Max wrinkled her nose.

“Moral of the story. Stacy and I had a good time, and she gave me her number after. Best party ever.”

Lucas clapped loudly, telling the others to join in. They did with a few tipsy giggles as Dustin stood and took a bow.

“Hey, Will, who was that guy you were with last night?” Max asked him with a devious smile. She and Will shared a look as if Will was begging her to stop talking.

“There was a guy?” Dustin gave Will an inquisitive look.

“Not really.” Will answered with a blush going up his neck to his cheeks. Mike hated it. Max watched his face, a quirk of her brow made him clear his throat nervously. Max had a habit of being able to read people like no one else could.

She turned back to Will. “Yes, there was. That tall, tan guy with long hair.”

“Yeah, Will, don’t try to deny it now. You two were dancing together for a while. What’s his name?” Lucas chimed in.

“Uh—” Will hesitated.

“Will, if you think we don’t want to hear about it because he’s a guy, that’s not true at all.”

“No, I know. That’s not it. I just—” He gave the quickest glance over at Mike. They shared eye contact for less than a second before Will continued. “His name’s Anthony.”

“Oh, Anthony from art class?” Max questioned. “You’ve mentioned him before.”

“No, he hasn’t,” Mike mumbled under his breath. He didn’t think anyone even heard it, but of course, Max did.

“What’d you say, Mike?” Her lip quirked up slightly.

“I said…that he hasn’t mentioned that guy before. He barely even knows him.”

“No, he has. To me at least. He’s the one who you always catch staring at you, right? The one who gave that long interpretation of your project in class?”

Will was quiet for a moment; Mike was staring at his side profile with furrowed eyebrows.

How come he never mentioned him to me before? He thought.

“Yeah. That’s him.”

Lucas clapped a hand on Will’s back. “Go, Will! What happened? Did you get his number?”

He couldn’t even answer before Dustin threw in another question. “Did you finally have your first kiss?”

Will’s posture straightened. Mike’s shoulders tensed and he felt his heart race in his chest.

“I—I don’t—Uh—We just talked and danced. That was it,” Will answered after a moment.

“Well, I’m sure there will be more parties. Stacy was telling me there’s a lot planned this summer before everyone goes off to college. Maybe you’ll see him again.”

“Yeah, maybe. He is pretty cute.”

“I think I need more alcohol.” Mike stood up quickly and strode to the kitchen.

He held onto the counter tightly, squeezing his eyes shut.

What did Dustin mean before?

Was Will really hoping to see Anthony again?

Was last night the only time Mike would ever get to kiss him?

The last thought made his brain hurt.

“Hey, are you alright?” Max’s voice brought him out of his thoughts.

He turned to look at her, eyes cloudy.

“I don’t know.” He confessed quietly.

“Is this about…Will?”

“What? No! No, it’s not.”

“Are you sure?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because, Wheeler, you only ever act like this when it comes to him.” Max told him. He knew she was right about that.

“I just needed a moment.”  He grabbed the rum, “and it's my turn to get drunk.” Mike took a gulp straight out of the bottle. Making a sour face at the taste, but it was worth the burn if it would turn his brain off.

“Drinking isn’t going to fix whatever’s going on inside of you. Trust me.”

“It’s a temporary fix.” Mike told her as he walked past her back to where everyone was sitting, taking the bottle with him.

The night blurred together for him after that. He had taken to drinking straight rum, and he hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast, so the liquor was hitting him pretty quickly.

They ended up starting a game of never have I ever. He had no idea what it was, but he was drunk by then and was willing to do whatever his friends suggested.

“Everyone put up ten fingers,” Max instructed. “When it’s your turn, you’ll say, ‘Never have I ever…’ and then say something that you’ve never done. Anyone who has done it has to put a finger down. Whoever puts all their fingers down first loses.”

“Sounds easy enough,” Dustin commented.

“I’ll start.” Max put her ten fingers up. “Never have I ever tried to keep a deadly creature from another dimension as a pet.”

Everyone laughed and looked at Dustin, who put a finger down with an eye roll. “I was thirteen, for god’s sake.”

“I’ll go,” Lucas volunteered. “Never have I ever jumped off a cliff.”

Mike chuckled as he put down a finger. “I would say that was a pretty noble act.”

“Stupid but noble,” Lucas remarked.

“I’ll go.” Dustin looked at his friends as if choosing a target. Then with an amused look, he announced, “This one’s a double whammy.”

“Hurry up already.”

“Okay. Never have I ever technically died.”

Max puts four fingers down, leaving her middle finger up at Dustin. Making the group laugh. She put her fingers back up and left one down before asking, “Wait, how is that a double whammy?”

“Because Will also technically died.”

Will’s face scrunched up. “No, I didn’t.”

Mike snorted. “Yes, you did, Zombie Boy. There was a funeral and everything.”

“Okay, fine.” He put a finger down. “But it’s my turn now.” Will continued. “Never have I ever…been walked in on.”

Dustin put another finger down. “This isn’t fair.”

Max and Lucas snickered as they both put a finger down too.

“What? You guys too?” Will giggled. “By who?”

“Robin. Poor girl. It was that time we all slept over at Steve’s after movie night.”

“Oh my god, I remember that. You two went missing, and we all played rock paper scissors on who had to check if you guys were okay.”

“I guess Robin lost.” Lucas laughed.

“Thank God,” Mike uttered. “It was between me and her.”

They all laughed together at his relieved expression.

“Okay, my turn now,” Mike said amidst their laughter. “Never have I ever…broken a bone.”

Max gave him a sharp look as she put a finger down.

“Maybe you should put three more down. One for each bone, you know.”

“Fuck off, Wheeler.”

They all collectively cackled again.

“Never have I ever been kidnapped.”

“Wow, Max, thanks for bringing that up.” Will joked as he put a finger down.

“Never have I ever skipped Lucas’ basketball game.” Lucas said on his turn.

“You’re never going to let us live that down, are you?”

“Absolutely not.”

The game went on for a little while after that.

“Never have I ever had to break out into song while saving the world.”

“That was totally not my fault!”

“Never have I ever been in a coma.”

“You are so dead.”

“Never have I ever asked to use a gun and not noticed it was a flare."

“How was I supposed to know?”

“Never have I ever been broken up with by the same girl at least eight times.”

“Whatever, it was worth it.”

“Never have I ever gotten superpowers.”

Will put his finger down. “You wish you were cool enough to get superpowers.”

Mike’s mind wandered back to when the demogorgon that was about to kill him froze in the air. The way its bones cracked in all sorts of directions. How Will looked as he used his powers to protect him. How good he looked when he wiped the blood from his nose. He really needed to stop thinking about that so often.

Eventually Will lost after they all started using his unique experiences against him. Never have I ever been possessed, never have I ever had an exorcism, never have I ever had a bowl cut. He laughed through it all, thankfully.

“New game?” Dustin suggested. “How about truth or dare?”

They all agreed, and the new game began.

“Truth or dare, Dustin.”

“I’ll go with dare.”

“I want to hear it, Dusty Bun.” Will mocked Suzie’s voice.

“What?”

“I dare you to sing your famous number.”

“Jesus Christ." Dustin sighed before starting to sing Never Ending Story with no enthusiasm as his friends laughed at his expense.

“Truth or dare, Lucas.”

“Truth.”

“What did Erica find under your bed that one time?” Dustin asked when it was his turn.

“I meant dare. I choose dare.”

“Truth or dare, Mike.”

“Truth.”

“What were you writing about last time that you wouldn’t let anyone see your notebook?”

“I was writing a campaign! I couldn’t let you guys see what I was planning.”

Max looked at him skeptically but didn’t push any further.

He was lying, of course. He was writing about another dream he’d had of Will. It was one of those dreams you just have to write down because you never want to forget it.

“Truth or dare, Max.”

“Dare.”

“I dare you to switch shirts with Will.”

“Why am I involved? It isn't even my turn yet? “Will complained.

“Just do it.”

“Whatever.” Will pulled his striped shirt off and threw it at Max.

Mike watched without thinking. His Adam’s apple bobbed harshly at the sight of Will without a shirt on. He definitely grew up. His frame was lean but strong at the same time. His arms and his chest are broad now. Mike forced himself to look away.

Max went into Lucas’ room to put on Will's shirt and came back to throw hers at him.

Will pulled it on, and Mike looked again, hoping that since he had a shirt on now, he could look at him without his mouth basically watering. But no, it didn't work. Because Max’s shirt was one of those short shirts that show your stomach. Mike eyed the way it fit him like it was made for him, it showed the dip of his waist and the stretch of his pale stomach, it was tight around his biceps. Mike was so distracted by him he hadn’t noticed everyone was waiting for him to ask Will.

“Sorry, I was just thinking of truths and dares.” He lied. “Truth or dare, Will.” 

“If I choose dare, will the dare be to switch my shirt back?”

“Absolutely not,” Mike answered too quickly. Alcohol made him a lot bolder, it seems.

“Then, I choose truth.”

"What’s your type?"

“What?”

“Come on, Will, why are you acting like you don’t understand my question?” Mike pushed.

Will gave him an odd look. “Physically or personality-wise?”

“Both.”

“Well, I guess personality-wise I like someone who’s passionate—”

“Passionate?” Lucas gave a suggestive look.

“Not like that. I mean, like passionate about something. Like if he’s passionate about art, music, sports, college, or whatever it is, but to have something they care about.”

“What about writing?” Mike was too drunk at this point to restrain himself from all that he wanted to say.

Max snorted at his obviousness and Will’s surprised expression. Dustin and Lucas didn’t seem to be sober enough to put two and two together, thankfully.

“Uh—yeah, writing too.”

“What else?”

“I would want someone funny.”

I’m funny. Sometimes at least. Mike thought.

“And caring.”

He’d always cared for Will like no one else could.

“And to get along with my friends and family.”

Easy.

“And to be understanding. I don’t know if I could ever share everything that I’ve been through, but at least understand that I have been through stuff that makes me a little…different.”

Will wouldn’t even need to make me understand. I was there for it all.

“Physical things aren’t like my main focus. I guess I like taller guys. And I like dark features better, I think.”

Check and check.

Will and Max shared a look before Will groaned quietly. “That’s my answer. I don’t know what else to say.”

“Sounds like that Anthony guy is perfect for you.” Lucas winked at Will.

Mike felt something bubble up inside of him. Anger, maybe.

Will chuckled nervously, leaning back on his hands, the shirt rising up higher, showing a wider expanse of his body.

Mike gulped.

Jealousy, he decided. That was the feeling. Even though it definitely wasn’t Anthony who had Will sighing into his mouth the night before, the suggestion made Mike’s pulse quicken.

“Truth or dare, Dustin.”

The game was suddenly interrupted by the sound of a car pulling into the driveway.

“Shit.”

“Lucas, I thought your parents were staying at your grandma’s tonight.” Max’s eyes widened.

“Yeah, I thought so too.”

Everyone got up and scrambled to rinse the smell of alcohol from their cups, throwing the now-finished bottle of rum under Lucas’ bed and swishing mouthwash to make their breaths smell less like liquor.

Lucas’ parents and Erica walked in as Will and Max were still washing the cups.

“She makes the best peach cobbler, I swear.” Mrs. Sinclair was saying as she approached the kitchen. “Oh, hey babies. I didn't know you were here.” She greeted Max and Will.

“Hi.” They greeted shortly, scrubbing the cups harder.

“Don’t worry about the dishes, I’ve got them.”

“No, it’s no problem.” Max smiled at her. “It’s the least we can do, Sue. Now, you’ve got less to do.”

“Oh, Max, you are such a sweetheart.” She gave her a side hug.

“Finished.” Will said as he put the last cup to dry. “I think I should get going.” He faked a yawn. “It’s pretty late.”

“Ah, well, you and Michael make it home safe, alright? I know it’s only next door, but you still have to be careful.”

“Of course. We always are.”

“Cute shirt, by the way.” She complimented. Max was holding a laugh beside him.

“Oh, thanks.”

Max and Will rushed to Lucas’ bedroom, where the rest of the boys were whispering about how they almost got caught.

“Lucas, you asshole.” Will elbowed him in the ribs.

“Ouch. What did I do?”

“Your mom just complimented my shirt.” He gestured toward the shirt exaggeratedly.

Max finally let out the laugh she was holding in.

“It suits you.” Lucas snickered.

They talked for a bit longer before Dustin had fallen asleep on the floor, Lucas was yawning, and Max was taking long blinks.

“Okay, I’m calling it. Just looking at you guys is making me feel tired.”

“Yeah, I'm ready to go home.” Mike stood up from his spot.

“Alright, we’ll see you guys tomorrow.” Lucas waved to them.

Mike and Will left the house quietly so they wouldn’t wake anyone up. They were silent on their way back home. It was less of an awkward silence now because they were still slightly tipsy. When they got inside, Will grabbed a bottle of water and went to hand Mike one.

“It’s okay, I still have a new one in the basement.” Mike told him as he went down to the basement. It was true, but he also just wanted an excuse to have some more time with Will. He sat on the couch Will sleeps on and sipped his water.

“Do you think Lucas’ parents will notice that their whole bottle of rum is gone?” Mike let out a laugh.

“If they do, let’s hope it’s after we leave for college.”

They both knew there was something that needed to be addressed between them. But neither of them had the courage to start that conversation.

“Hey, do you want to keep playing truth or dare?” Mike finally asked.

“After having to trade shirts, I don’t think I want to do any more dares.”

“Okay then, truth or truth.”

“Truth or truth?”

“Yeah, we’ll just ask each other questions.” Mike shrugged.

“Sure. You go first.”

“Truth or truth, Will.”

“I don’t think you actually have to ask, Mike. There’s only one option.”

“Just choose.”

“Truth.” He answered with a playful eye roll.

“Are you scared to go to New York?”

“Obviously. I’ve never even been there besides the campus tour and when I went to visit Jon. But I’m also excited. I think I need a fresh start, you know.”

“Yeah.”

“Truth or truth, Mike.”

“I think I’m going to go with truth,” Mike replied sarcastically.

“Do you really want to study business?”

Mike scoffed. “No. Of course not.”

“Then why are you going to school for business?” Will followed up on the question.

“Because my dad’s paying for me to go to school. And he definitely would not be supportive if I told him I wanted to be an English major.”

“But do you really want to commit to a major you have no interest in? You’re going to spend years on a degree and then the rest of your life working in business. If it’s not something you really want to do, I think you should consider switching.”

“I don’t know.” Mike cracked his knuckles. “I think I—I didn’t really think so far ahead into the future. I mean, we were nearly dying every fucking day, and I had other things to worry about than college and careers and whatnot. And after that I was…sad. Too sad to think about a future, I barely feel like I deserve one sometimes,” Mike said honestly. “It’s hard to think about that kind of stuff when the world is crumbling right in front of you.”

“I know. I feel the same a lot of the time. But I guess I also feel like since I’ve suffered for so long…I deserve a little happiness. A little freedom.”

“I don’t think I’ve reached that conclusion yet.”

Will hummed in response.

“My dad just told me to do business. He said he’d pay for my whole college career, and I had no other ideas, so I just went along with it. I’ll still write, of course, but that’s a hobby, not a career.”

“You sound like your dad.”

“Please don’t say that.” Mike grimaced.

“You do.”

“I just need to be realistic.”

“Do you think I’m not being realistic?”

“Not at all. I think you’re going to go to school and become this famous artist that makes pieces people pay millions for. I have no doubt about that.”

Their eye contact was intense as Mike said it. They held it there, challenging each other to break it. Neither of them did.

“I think the same about you,” Will asserted.

“You’re just biased.”

“Why would I be biased?”

“Because you—”

Mike snapped his mouth shut before getting the words out. He wasn’t even that drunk anymore, it was fading away now, but it was like his mouth couldn’t hold back his thoughts anymore.

Will broke eye contact. "Because I what?”

“Love me.”

Will shook his head but not in denial. “Two things can be true at the same time.”

Mike's head was spinning. His brain felt fuzzy again, but not because of alcohol this time. 

He cleared his throat. “Truth or Truth.”

“Truth.”

“Am I your type?”

Will’s eyebrows furrowed. “Jesus, Mike. What are you even asking right now?”

“You have to answer.”

“Mike…” Will huffed, putting his head in his hands. “You’re the only person I’ve ever wanted. So, yeah, I guess you’re my type.”

It was as if there was truth serum injected in their veins. Maybe it was because they were leaving for college soon. Maybe it was because they needed to get everything off their chests. Maybe it was because that kiss changed everything for them.

“Good,” Mike replied boldly.

“Truth or truth?”

“Truth.”

Will hesitated before asking. “Did you like kissing me?”

“Did it not seem like it?”

“I’m asking the questions, Mike,” Will deflected. “Did you like kissing me?”

Mike licked his lips at the mention of the kiss. “I loved it.”

“Good.”

Mike felt his heart start to race. The tension in the room was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

“Did you? Like it?”

“Yeah, I did.”

Mike nodded, staring at Will’s plump lips as he spoke.

“Truth or truth, Mike.”

“Truth.”

“Do you want to kiss me right now?”

Mike nodded again, wordlessly.

“Do you?” He shot back, already leaning in. Their noses brushed as Mike waited for an answer. He wouldn't do it again if Will told him not to. He’d pull away even though it felt like his soul was reaching for Will’s.

“Yes,” Will whispered against his lips.

Mike crashed their lips together. Their teeth crashed. It was messy. It was perfect. Mike held the back of Will’s head, as if he’d disappear if he let go. Will pushed forward, making them fall backward. They breathed in each other’s mouths, not wanting to pull away for air. Breathing each other in like oxygen.

Mike heard that nagging voice in his head. The one he heard any time he thought about Will like this.

This is wrong.

No one is ever going to look at you the same.

You’ll always be a target if you do this.

“Mike.” Will gasped against his lips in satisfaction.

The thoughts were gone instantly.

Chapter Text

Will felt like all of this was just a figment of his imagination.

That he’d imagined the first kiss, Mike’s words, the second kiss, and the way they’d fallen asleep holding each other close last night.

But when Will fluttered his eyes open in the morning, Mike was already awake, still holding him, watching him sleep.

Will didn’t move or speak at all. He was afraid that if he did, it would shatter whatever was between them.

But then Mike leaned down with that damn smile, and he kissed him.

Again.

Will sat up slightly and kissed back without question.

“Good morning.” Mike whispered in the small space between them.

“Good morning.” Will smiled shyly against his lips.

“How are you feeling?”

“Amazing.”

Mike chuckled. “I meant because we were drinking last night. Are you hungover at all?”

Will shook his head. “I feel okay.”

“Okay,” Mike replied, pressing another kiss to Will’s lips.

Will’s brain was going a thousand miles a minute.

Is this actually happening?

When they pulled away, Will stared at Mike, searching his face.

“What are we doing?” He asked him, genuinely.

“We’re kissing.”

“Why?”

“Do—do you not want to?” Mike asked, panic in his voice.

“No, I do. I just—I’m not sure why this is happening.”

Mike created distance between them.

“I couldn’t get you out of my head. I wanted to kiss you. No, I needed to kiss you. So, I don't know, I just did.”

“But why did you want to, Mike?”

Mike laid down, staring at the ceiling. “I told you, I wanted to for a while now. I just never had the balls to do it. Until the other night.”

“Because of the alcohol?”

“No, Will.” He sighed. “Because of you.”

Will laid back down beside him. “I guess I’m just a little confused.”

“Yeah, so am I.”

“You know that I’ve had feelings for you for, like, years, right?”

“Kind of,” Mike said quietly.

“Kind of?”

“Before I knew you liked guys, I thought we were just closer than other friends were. I didn’t think too much of it. But then you told us, and it was like everything clicked in my brain.”

Will thought for a moment before speaking. “Do you—do you like me?”

Mike blinked at him. “Will, I kissed you two nights in a row.”

“I know. I just—I’ve been in love with you for years and up until two nights ago, I thought this was impossible.” As soon as he’d said it, Will’s heart stopped. It was one thing to kiss or make out and to say that you like someone. It was a whole other thing to say you were in love with someone.

Will sat up quickly, ready to jump out of his spot and run away. But Mike put his hand on top of Will’s hand that was placed between them.

“I didn’t mean to say—”

Mike cut him off with another kiss, holding Will’s face gently. This kiss felt different. It wasn’t messy or confusing or sweet. It was raw and passionate. It was something neither of them could find the words to describe.

When they pulled apart, they leaned their foreheads together, breathing shallowly. Mike was quiet for a long moment.

“I—I am too,” he whispered.

Will separated from him, shaking his head. “Don’t say that, Mike. Not if you don’t mean it.”

“I do mean it.” He intertwined their fingers. “I do.”

“I’m sorry, but—I don’t know if I can believe that.”

“Why not? You said that you were in love with me. Why can’t I say it back?”

“Because you’re you, Mike. I’ve pined after you for years, and you’ve only ever seen me as your friend. And now I’m just supposed to believe you love me?”

“Yes! Because I do love you.”

“Oh my god.”

Will had dreamt about Mike saying those words to him. But hearing him say it now made his stomach twist.

“Mike, are you even gay?”

“Does that matter?” Mike shrugged.

“Yes! Of course it does!”

“Well, I—I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

Mike let out an annoyed huff. “I do know. I just don’t feel I need to say it out loud to make it true.”

“Mike, if you can’t even say it out loud then—”

“Fuck, Will, yes! Yes, I am.” Mike admitted, his hand clenched into a fist. “I’m gay.” He whispered. Will didn't answer right away. The words hung in the air between them, heavy and irreversible.

Will opened his mouth to speak, then closed it.

“Just say whatever you’re thinking, Will.”

“Sorry, this just makes no sense to me.”

“Why not?”

“Because you had a girlfriend!”

“I don’t want to talk about her.”

“You never do!”

“I was the worst to her, okay? I was a horrible boyfriend!” He seethed. “She deserved so much better, and I ruined her only fucking shot at romance before she died.”

Will scrubbed a hand down his face. “I didn't mean to make you talk about her before you were ready.”

“I’ll never be ready, Will. I made her life more miserable than it already was.”

“No, you didn’t.”

“And you know why I did?” Mike ignored him.

“Mike, you didn’t.”

“I couldn’t love her how I was supposed to. Not the way that I—that I love you.” His eyes were clouded with tears. “I tried so hard to push all that I felt for you away. I tried so hard, but I just couldn’t. And I knew it was fucked up, but…I stayed with her because if I left her, then I’d have no more armor. I would have nothing to protect me or to hide behind.”

“Mike—”

“But we did break up.”

“What?”

Mike nodded. “A few weeks after we came back to Hawkins from California, she was still upset about how I never said it to her.”

“Said what to her?”

“That I loved her.” He sniffled. “I never said it, Will. She brought it up when we got back, and I said it to her then, but she said it didn’t feel right. It didn’t feel like when Hopper told Joyce, or Jonathan told Nancy, or Lucas told Max. So we ended things. We didn’t say anything to anyone because we didn’t want it to be a big deal, but it was a big deal to me. The only thing that made me feel normal was having her as my girlfriend. And I knew that without her, I’d just be losing my mind over you.”

Will let out a deep breath, grabbing Mike’s clenched hand and unclenching it for him, slotting his fingers between them instead. Mike looked at him with teary eyes, slouching his body against Will’s. Will rubbed his back in comfort.

“How long have you known?” Will asked after a moment, trying to change the subject because he couldn’t ever bring himself to think about El without spiraling and going nonverbal for days.

“That I’m…gay? Or in love with you?”

“Both, I guess.”

“I think I realized I loved you before I realized I was gay, if that makes sense.”

Mike squeezed Will’s hand.

“I knew that it was different with you. I didn’t feel the same sense of need or protectiveness or care for anyone that I feel for you. At first I thought it was because we were best friends, but then…”

“Then?”

“Then I started looking at you differently. I’d catch myself staring at you, your smile, your eyes, your arms, your lips, your everything. And when we’d be too close or when we’d make eye contact, my heart would beat so fucking fast it would genuinely worry me sometimes.”

“And that’s how you realized?”

“Yeah, and with that came the other realization.” Mike’s face dropped.

“Are you…okay with being—”

“Well, it’s not like I can change it. Trust me, I’ve tried. A lot.”

“So, no.”

“I can’t tell anyone,” Mike said quietly. “I won’t. I just can’t be that, not out loud at least. But I also can’t deny that it’s true. It lives inside of me.” Mike’s face was hard, overtaken with something along the lines of anger.

“I used to hate it too,” Will told him. “I still feel…wrong, sometimes. But it gets easier at some point, I think.”

“Will, all I know is that kissing you—it makes me feel less like I need to hate myself for it.”

Will nodded in response.

“I really do love you. I know it might feel sudden to you because of everything that I’ve said in the past, but it’s not sudden at all for me. I just finally had the courage to do something about it.” He squeezed Will’s hand.

Will stared at their joined hands. “Are you sure about this? Because I’ve been waiting and wishing for this to happen for years, Mike. I can’t take it if this is just some kind of coping mechanism for you.”

“Coping mechanism? No, that’s not it at all. I love you. This is the most sure I’ve been about anything in my life.”

Will’s eyes met his, as if looking into his soul.

“Okay.” Will smiled at him.

“Okay?”

“Yeah, okay.”

“Okay, you love me?” Mike asked with a grin matching Will’s.

“Yes.”

“Can you say it?”

Will rolled his eyes playfully. “I love you, Mike.”

Mike’s smile grew impossibly wider. He pulled Will into him, peppering his face with kisses, making him laugh. He finally landed on Will’s lips and kissed him eagerly, sweetly, lovingly. Mike broke away for a moment, caressing Will’s face.

“I love you, Will.”

Will laughed incredulously. It still didn't feel real. But Mike’s hand in his was warm and grounding. His other hand was holding Will’s face in adoration. Will wanted this more than anything. He pulled Mike’s lips back to him quickly.

“I love you.”

“I love you.”

They murmured against each other as they kissed. Mike ran his hands down from Will’s face to his waist, holding him tightly. Will grasped at Mike’s shoulder in return.

The crackling sound of the walkie-talkie they always left in the basement or Mike’s room loudly rang. Will pulled away slightly to check, but Mike brought him back.

“Just ignore it.” He whispered.

“Okay.”

But the crackling sound started again, and this time it was followed by Lucas’ voice.

“Mike, Will, do you copy?”

They continued making out, not responding to their friend on the other line.

“MIKE, WILL, DO YOU COPY?” Dustin screamed into it.

Mike groaned, finally letting go of Will, and got up to grab the walkie-talkie.

“What do you want?”

“What took you so long?”

“Can you just tell me what is so important that you had to kill my eardrums?”

Will chuckled from his spot, he hadn’t moved, and he was still dizzy from the feeling.

“Steve invited all of us to hang out before Robin, Nancy, and Jonathan go back home.”

“Okay?”

“So, get your swimming trunks on and be ready by one.”

“Alright, yeah, we’ll be ready by one.”

“Cool, see you in a bit!”

Mike turned to look at Will and smirked. “It’s only ten.”

“Yeah, Mike, I can read the time.”

“So that gives us what…three hours?”

Will raised an eyebrow at Mike’s words. “Three hours to do what exactly?”

“Whatever we want.”

“What do you want to do?”

“I want to keep making out, Zombie boy.” Mike walked back to where Will was sitting.

“And who says I want to make out with you, Frog Face?” Will teased back.

“I know you do.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“How?”

“Because you love me.” Mike stretched out the word love.

“Do I?”

“Yup! And I love you. And I think we have a lot of making out to catch up on.” Mike leaned down to catch Will’s lips. Will laughed against his lips and laid back, pulling Mike with him. They rolled over so they were lying on their side as they kissed.

Eventually, Will’s lips felt sore, and he pulled away despite Mike’s sound of detest.

“Are you seriously trying to make out for three whole hours?”

“I mean, I would like to, yes,” Mike reasoned.

“Aren’t you tired?”

“I don’t think I can ever get tired of this.” Mike pecked him near his lips.

Will gave Mike a weary look. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“Am I—am I any good? At kissing?”

Mike gaped at him. “Yeah, Will. You’re really good.”

“You’re not just saying that?” Will’s cheeks were tinted pink now. It took everything in Mike not to kiss them until they got even redder.

“No, you’re amazing.”

“I’ve never kissed anyone before...all this.”

“I know, I’m sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?”

“Because I made your first kiss weird for you, I bet. I just kissed you without asking, and then I avoided you for hours the next day.”

Will shrugged. “We’re making up for it anyway, right?”

“Yeah, exactly.” Mike chuckled. “And I’m being honest, Will. You’re very…skilled.”

Will pushed him lightly. “Shut up.”

“What? You asked.”

“Whatever.”

Mike gave him an inquisitive look. “Is it not good for you?”

“It is!” Will said quickly. “I just don’t want to be like a lousy kisser or anything.”

Mike eyed Will’s anxious demeanor. “You’re not, Will. But if you’re worried about it, then, you know what they say, practice makes perfect.”

“You’re ridiculous.” Will scoffed.

“You want to learn how to French kiss?” Mike’s hands went back to hold Will’s waist. “I can teach you.”

“French kiss? Like when people kiss with their…” He didn’t finish his sentence, his blush returning.

“Tongues, Will. It’s not that crazy, I promise.”

He would sound weird if he said it out loud, but Mike liked knowing he was the only one to ever have Will like this. The first one to kiss his plush lips, hold his waist, and hear the sounds of contentment he made while kissing him. He liked knowing Will was his and only his. And he wanted to show him everything he knew, which realistically was not a lot either. There was only El, who he obviously had only kissed, and then that girl last year when he was sad and lonely. They’d done more than kiss, but they hadn’t gone all the way. He wasn’t sure it would work for him, especially considering he was picturing Will the whole time the girl had her tongue in his mouth and her hand working on his length. If it weren’t for the images of Will popping in his head, he was sure he wouldn’t even have gotten hard. But he doesn’t have to imagine anymore. Will is right here, in front of him, his tongue poking his cheek like he’s already imagining Mike’s in his mouth.

“You can teach me.” Will finally replied.

Mike nodded, squeezing Will’s waist to signal him to scoot closer. He understood, of course. His chest was rising faster than usual, making Mike chuckle.

“Will, it’s really not that scary.”

“I just don’t want to mess up.”

“We don’t have to do this.”

“I want to.” Will assured him.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, just tell me what to do.”

Mike’s hand trailed from Will’s waist up to graze his jaw.

“Just follow my lead. It’s really just about going with the flow.”

“Okay.”

Mike leaned in, tilting his head to peck Will’s lips. He started kissing him like usual, just soft, closed-mouth kisses. After a few more pecks, he gently ran his tongue along Will’s bottom lip, asking permission to continue. Will opened his mouth slightly, inviting Mike’s tongue inside. That alone made Mike’s pulse quicken. He stuck the tip of his tongue into Will’s warm mouth, exploring it like he’d thought about so many times before. Will let out a quiet sigh at the intrusion, pulling Mike closer by the back of his neck. Mike traced the tip of Will’s tongue with his own, circling around it. Will’s tongue moved slightly, following Mike’s movements. It was Mike’s turn to let out a sound at the feeling. They continued like that, swirling their tongues around, breathing into each other’s open mouths, and letting out quiet sounds. At one point, Mike caught Will’s bottom lip between his teeth lightly, causing Will to let out a high-pitched gasp.

“Holy shit.” He said between heavy breaths after pulling away for air.

“You like it?” Mike asked, licking his lips.

Will flushed. “Yeah, I do.”

“Me too. You’re a natural, Will.”

Will chuckled, his chest slowing. “Maybe we should start getting ready now.”

“It’s only been one hour! I wanted three.”

“That has to be impossible.”

“Maybe we should find out.”

“Jesus, Mike.”

“What? It’s not my fault you’re hot.” Mike leaned back on his hands.

“I’m hot?”

“Oh, don’t act like you don't know. There’s no way you don’t notice the way everyone stares at you.”

“They don’t.”

“What about that girl Amelia from school?”

“The cheerleader?”

“Exactly the one. She’d nearly be eye-fucking you during those stupid pep rallies.”

“That’s not true.”

“It so is. Didn’t she ask you out in the spring?”

“No.”

“Will.” Mike gave him a knowing look.

“Well, she asked me if I wanted to hang out, but that doesn’t mean it was like a date or anything.”

Mike scoffed. “You are so oblivious.”

“You want to talk about obliviousness?”

“No, actually, I fear I’ll lose that battle.”

“You think?”

“The fact of the matter is you're the hottest person in Hawkins, and I am going to make it my personal mission to make sure you know it.”

“The hottest person is definitely a stretch.”

“I don’t think so.”

“What about Steve? And Stacy? And Lucas?”

Mike glared at Will. “You’re fucking with me, right?”

“You don’t think Steve’s hot?”

“I mean, yeah, he’s good-looking.”

“And what about Stacy? She’s super pretty.”

“You think Stacy is hot?” Mike gave him a look of bewilderment.

“I’m gay, not blind.”

“And I’m sorry, did you also say Lucas? Like our Lucas?”

Will let out a snort. “You should’ve seen your face.”

“You are such an asshole.”

“I do think they’re hot, it wasn't a total lie. I just didn’t realize how jealous you get.”

“Shut up, I was not jealous,” Mike said defensively.

“Whatever you say.”

“Well, how would you feel if I were calling other people hot?”

“Mike, I’ve literally watched you have a girlfriend. I’m sure I’d survive.”

“I have no idea how you did that. I was ready to strangle that douchebag at Stacy’s party for taking you out to dance.”

“You mean Anthony?”

“What other douchebag took you out to dance?”

“You.”

“Haha, you are so funny,” Mike said sarcastically.

“He was sweet, he was not a douchebag.”

“Are you trying to make me jealous now?”

“No, I’m just saying.”

“Well, stop saying it.”

“Are you telling me to shut up?”

“I’m telling you that you just had my tongue in your mouth, so I don’t want to hear anything about this dumb guy.” The corners of Mike’s mouth quirked into a devious smile.

Will bit on his own tongue slightly at the look. “I think you’re the hottest guy in Hawkins.”

Will’s words made Mike still for a second, then he leaned in and kissed him slower this time. “That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.”

Mike pressed another kiss to Will's lips, then to his cheek, then to his jaw, and down towards his neck. Will happily let him, he’d never felt anything like it before. Mike sucked lightly on his skin, making Will’s mouth drop open and his eyes close.

“God, Mike.”

He moved his lips to a spot closer to Will’s Adam’s apple and sucked harshly. Will let out a loud whine, his eyes opening wide at the sound of it.

“Shit, okay, that’s enough.” He pushed Mike away gently.

“Are you sure? Sounds like you were enjoying it?”

“That’s so embarrassing.” Will covered his face with his hands.

“I liked it.”

“Of course you did.” Will pushed Mike down as he got up and walked to the bathroom. Mike heard the shower start, and he laughed. He could only imagine how cold the water was.

He decided to go upstairs and take a shower too and get his things ready for Steve’s later.

When he’d gotten out of the shower and gone back downstairs to the basement, Will was on the phone.

“You’re going right?” He asked. “Okay, can you bring me some swim trunks and a change of clothes for after?”

Mike gathered that he was talking to Jonathan over the phone.

“Thanks, I’ll see you later.” He hung the phone back up.

“You want some breakfast? Or I guess it would be brunch.”

“Yeah, I’m starving.”

They went upstairs, the house was empty. Everyone was off doing something of their own. Mike and Will sorted through the fridge and pantry.

“Want to make pancakes?” Will asked.

“Yeah, that sounds perfect.”

Will made the batter while Mike buttered up the skillet and turned it on.

“Watch this.” Mike said as he went to flip the pancake with only the pan and gravity. He failed, obviously. It landed on the floor with a quiet thud. Will laughed loudly, and Mike cursed as he tried to clean it up.

“Hey, they’re almost done. You should grab us some plates.”

“Okay.” Will grabbed two plates, two forks, two butter knives, and the syrup. He set them up at their usual respective spots next to each other. He liked doing this. It felt like they were a real couple, cooking pancakes, setting the table, and eating breakfast together. It was all he ever wanted. Will sat in his spot and waited for Mike. He eventually brought the plate of pancakes to the table and sat next to Will.

“If these aren’t good, don’t blame me, you made the batter.” He said as he put two on Will’s plate and then put two on his plate.

“Mike, what’s with the shape of mine? Were you running out of batter?” Will chuckled.

Mike gaped at him. “They were supposed to be hearts.”

Will laughed loudly, and Mike nudged him playfully.

“They’re cute.” Will poured syrup on his pancakes and cut a piece. Mike did the same.

“Cheers,” Will said.

“Cheers.” Mike touched their forks together. They took their bites and looked at each other as they chewed. They both hummed in satisfaction.

“They’re actually good,” Mike commented. “I’m not going to lie, I thought you might’ve messed it up by adding banana to the batter.”

“It’s called creativity, Mike.”

After they finished and cleaned up after themselves, Mike grabbed his clothes, and they grabbed towels before going over to Lucas’. He was already in the car, listening to James Brown. Mike and Will sat in the backseat, there was no use in ever taking the passenger seat because as soon as they’d go pick up Max, they were kicked out from the seat almost immediately.

“Do you have any music from this decade?” Mike joked.

“Hey, these are classics,” Lucas argued back.

“I like it.” Will bopped his head to the music.

Eventually they switched to the radio as they got closer to Dustin’s house. Lucas beeped, and Dustin came out only seconds later with two towels, a bag full of clothes as if he was leaving home for the whole week, and a round pool float.

“Geez, Dustin.”

“I’m a prepared man, okay?” He scooched into the backseat, the pool float was half on Dustin’s and half on Mike’s lap.

“You couldn’t have put that in the trunk?”

When they arrived at Max’s place, Lucas got out of the car and went to the front door to knock.

“Wow, I see where his loyalty lies. He just beeped at me to come out.” Dustin scoffed.

Mike and Will laughed at his pettiness.

“Hey, losers.” Max hopped in the front seat.

“Always a pleasure to see you, Maxine.” Mike rolled his eyes.

“Yes, I know I’m your favorite person, Michael.”

When they got to Steve’s house, they parked next to Jonathan’s car. Dustin didn’t even knock when he reached the front door, he just pushed the door open and ran out to the backyard, where he could hear music playing. The rest of the party followed, and sure enough there was Steve and Robin seeing who could swim across the pool the fastest, Nancy and Jonathan playing water volleyball, and Vickie lying on a chair tanning.

“Incoming!” Dustin dropped his things and jumped into the deep end, causing a big splash.

“Jesus, Henderson, you could’ve landed on me!” Steve yelled at him before jumping on his back and dragging him underneath the water.

“Hey, guys!” Robin waved to them.

“Will, I put your clothes on the chair inside.” Jonathan told him, not looking away from the ball.

“Okay.” Will went back inside to change into his pool clothes.

“The last one in the pool has to buy us pizza!” Lucas yelled as he took his shirt off and ran into the pool.

Max and Mike gave each other a look before they both threw their shirts on the floor and ran, pushing to sabotage each other. Apparently Max has a pretty strong push because she made Mike lose his footing and fall.

“Thanks for the pizza!” she laughed as she jumped in.

“I could have died!” He exaggerated.

“No, you wouldn’t have,” Nancy interjected.

Will walked out to see Mike still sitting on the floor. “What happened to you?”

Mike looked up to see Will in nothing but yellow swimming trunks. His pale skin on display for him to see.

“Uh—I—” Mike stammered.

“He fell on his ass trying to beat me into the pool.” Max answered for him, noticing how badly he was struggling.

“Why?”

“Because the last one has to buy us pizza,” Lucas repeated.

“Oh.”

“Yeah, so you should probably get in, Will,” Robin encouraged.

“Shit, wait.” Mike struggled to get up, but Will was already speed-walking to the pool. Mike grabbed him by the legs, holding him there.

“Let go, Mike!”

“Nuh-uh.”

“Kick him!” Max suggested.

“I’m not going to kick him.”

“Oh thank god.” Mike let out a breath of relief.

“Unless you don’t let go of me.”

“I say kick away!” Dustin teased.

“Okay, shut up, that was a lapse of judgment.” Mike complained, still holding on tightly to Will’s legs. Will kept moving toward the pool despite Mike weighing him down.

“Michael Wheeler, let go of me right now!”

“Never!” Mike maneuvered so that he was half standing still, holding onto Will.

“Mike, I’m going to fall!” They both fell into the water at the same time, still grasping at each other.

“Asshole!” Will splashed him once they went up for air.

Mike splashed him back, starting a splashing war between everyone.

Vickie let out a yelp when water landed on her in the process. “Holy shit, that’s cold!”

“Might as well get in, Vic!” Robin waved her over.

“I’m supposed to be tanning.”

“That’s no fun.” Robin got out of the water, walking toward her and standing in front of the laid-back lounge chair.

“Robin, you better not.” Vickie warned.

“But I love you, and I really want a hug.” Robin crawled up to her and laid her wet body on Vickie’s.

“I—You’re freezing!” Vickie complained, but she still grabbed Robin’s cheeks and kissed her with a grin.

Everyone went back to their own conversations as it happened. Almost everyone. Will was watching them with a sweet smile. He loved their relationship, and he wished for one like that whenever he witnessed it. While Will was watching them, Mike was watching Will’s hopeful expression. He gulped at the way Will was watching them. Mike loved Will. He knew that, and he’d already told him. But he wasn’t ready for any public displays of affection or even telling anyone about them, or more so, about him. Sure, his friends were okay with Robin, Vickie, and Will, but Mike felt like it wouldn't be the same for him. Something was always in his head telling him that he wasn’t good enough for acceptance. He would have to talk to Will about it at some point, he decided.

Eventually Vickie did get in the pool, and the group started a game of Marco Polo. They chased each other around the pool, Robin nearly drowning three times in the process. Mike was going after someone and heard their sharp intake of breath as he got closer. He would recognize that sound anywhere. He always had.

“Get back here, Will.” Mike swam after him with his eyes closed.

“He’s cheating,” Nancy called out.

“No, I’m not.” He yelled back as he tried to follow the sound of Will getting away.

“Then how’d you know it was Will?”

Mike froze for a second in the water. It’s not like he could say he recognized him by his breathing alone. He’d done it before, but that was a long time ago, before it was weird to say something like that.

“Marco!” He ignored her and continued.

After a few rounds they were all tired, sitting around the pool, just talking. Dustin was telling the others about Stacy’s party and how he got her number. Nancy and Jonathan grimaced at his story of how he had lost his virginity, they’d known him for too long to not be weirded out by the idea.

“And then Will walked in!” Dustin told them.

The older group’s eyes widened at him.

“You must be scarred for life.” Robin snorted.

“Yeah, what was a worse experience if you had to choose, getting possessed or walking in on Dustin getting it in?” Steve asked.

“Definitely the latter.” He said sarcastically.

“Wait, did you join or something?” Vickie snickered.

“Wha—gross! No!”

“Then what’s with the hickey?” She pointed to his neck.

“Hickey?” Jonathan raised an eyebrow at his younger brother.

Will quickly placed his hand over his neck. “I don’t have a hickey.”

“Yeah, you do! I just saw it.”

“That’s—no.”

Jonathan swam closer to him. “Let me see. Move your hand, Will.”

He shook his head.

Everyone laughed at the interaction.

“So, you do have one?”

“No.”

“Then why are you hiding your neck?”

Will looked away from Jonathan in embarrassment, his eyes landing on Mike briefly. He looked terrified.

“Fine.” He moved his hand, and everyone moved closer. And, sure enough, there was a reddish-purple bruise on his neck.

“You have a hickey!” Robin cheered.

“This is so embarrassing. Can we stop this?” Will covered his face with his hands.

“Uh—No! We need details.” Nancy giggled at his reaction.

“It was nothing."

“That doesn't look like nothing.” Steve commented.

“Who was it?” Vickie asked.

“No one.”

“So, it was a ghost?” Lucas tilted his head at him.

“This is ridiculous.” He looked over at Mike again, just barely. Mike’s whole body was rigid, his jaw tight, his eyes looking away from everyone else.

Dustin gasped. “Oh my god! It was that boy Max said you were with, right? Antwon or something?”

Mike felt something in his chest twist. He didn’t like the implication that Will was with someone that wasn’t him. He hated it, really. But at least if they thought it was someone else…they wouldn’t think it was him.

Mike’s face changed then, as if he’d gotten an idea.

“Anthony,” Mike corrected. “His name was Anthony. Right, Will?”

They made eye contact, and Will’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. Mike raised his eyebrows, telling him to go with it without having to say it. “Yeah, Anthony.”

“Why didn’t you tell me anything?" Jonathan crossed his arms.

“It wasn’t that big of a deal. He just asked me to dance, and we kissed.”

“That looks like more than just a kiss.” Robin guffawed.

“Okay, so we made out. And I guess we got a little carried away, but that’s it.”

Max squinted her eyes at him as he spoke. She obviously knew he was lying.

“How did we not notice before?” Dustin shook his head in disbelief.

“Are you two like a thing now?” Vickie asked.

“You better not be, I haven’t even met the guy.” Jonathan gave him a warning look. “Maybe you should invite him to dinner.”

Before Will could respond, the sound of the water splashing around as Mike exited the pool interrupted.

“I’m going to go order the pizza.” He said, wrapping a towel around him before storming inside.

“What’s up with him?” Steve looked around at the group in question.

“Probably just feeling left out because he gets no action.” Robin joked.

“I’m getting out too. I’m hungry, and you guys are asking too many questions.” Will said as he pulled himself out of the pool.

“We’ll talk about this later.” Jonathan told him as he walked away.

Will went inside to find Mike, who was sitting in the dining room.

“Hey.” Will sat next to him.

“Hey. I ordered the pizza, it should be here in thirty,” Mike replied casually.

Will nodded. They fell silent for a few minutes, both of them unsure of what to say.

Finally, Mike whispered. “I didn't even realize I left a mark.”

“Me neither.”

“Now, they all think you’re with fucking Anthony,” Mike said passive aggressively.

Will perked up a bit. “Well, if we told them…about us, then they wouldn’t think it was him anymore. They’d know it was you, and that we’re—” He didn’t finish that sentence. Will wasn’t really sure what they were. They’d made out on three separate occasions, they had feelings for each other, but they weren't exactly boyfriends, were they?

“Will, no one can know.” Mike didn’t look at him as he said it.

Will swallowed. The words landed like a heavy blow. His eyes fell to the ground. “Oh.”

“I just can’t.”

“But they’re all fine with me, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“I’m not telling anyone anything.” Mike shut him down.

So definitely not boyfriends.

Will stayed silent again. He knew firsthand how scary this was. But he still felt his heart get heavy. He felt Mike put his hand on top of his and looked up at him. Mike wore a sad smile and gave him a questioning look. As if asking if what he just said was okay with Will. Maybe if Will wasn’t so far gone for him, he could tell him that he didn't like the idea. But Will had wanted Mike for the longest and more than anything. He thought that if he was patient and made Mike feel more comfortable, he would eventually be open to telling their friends and family. If Will loved him hard enough, maybe Mike would find it in him to love Will out loud. Because even if this was the most he could get—secret hand-holding and stolen kisses—he’d take it. He’d take whatever he could if it meant in the quiet hours of the night he could be with Mike. He would take this and only this, if it meant there was the slightest chance that Mike could love him the way he always wished for.

So eventually, Will nodded in reply.

And told himself this would have to be enough.

Chapter Text

It had been over a month since graduation, and the party was spending as much time as possible before everyone went their separate ways, they only had a few weeks left together and they wanted to make the most of it. Will was spending time with his mom and Hopper because she was way too emotional about him leaving for college even though she was also going to move to Montauk, and the most exciting part, for Will at least, was that he and Mike were in a great place. These past few weeks he had slept over a lot at the Wheeler’s. Joyce told him he should stop so that he wouldn’t be imposing on them, but Mike insisted that it was fine and that they just wanted to spend time together before they leave. So, Will was staying in Mike’s basement once again, not every night but pretty often. Ted gave him weary looks during breakfast on the mornings after he’d stayed over. It scared him at first, but Mike assured him that it was just his dad being a dick. But Will was convinced he was figuring him out.

“So, William,” Ted spoke suddenly, shocking Will because Ted never spoke during breakfast or directly to him in general. “You’re moving to New York, I hear.”

Will gulped his food down quickly so he could reply. “Yeah, I’m going for college.”

“Which college?”

“Cooper Union.”

“That one’s pretty prestigious, isn’t it?”

Will nodded. “It’s not like an Ivy or anything, but it has an acceptance rate of less than ten percent.”

“And they’re letting him go for free,” Mike added, still chewing his food.

“Right, you’re a scholarship kid.”

“Ted,” Karen warned him.

“It’s actually just something the school does. They let the students attend for free because they believe that everyone should have a chance at a good education no matter how much money they make or what demographic they are.”

Ted hummed in response, taking a sip from his orange juice. “And you’re going for engineering?”

Will pushed his food around on his plate. Mike noticed his discomfort and touched their legs together under the table in comfort.

“Uh—art actually.”

“Art? You’re getting a free education, and you chose to study art?”

“Ted!” Karen warned again.

“It’s okay,” Will said, “I love art. I always have, and I would rather get my degree in something that I will always be happy to do than go into something just because it’s supposed to make money. Art is what I see myself doing, so I’m doing it.”

Mike watched him in amazement. His father was always either silent or offensive, there was no in-between. But no one, besides Nancy a lot of the time, actually said anything back to him. It was refreshing to see. It also really made Mike want to kiss Will. Who could blame him? Will was perfect.

“You don’t think it’ll be hard to get a girl out there as an art major? Everyone’s going to think you’re a pansy.”

Karen’s and Mike’s eyes widened at Ted’s words. Will’s face was hard. He knew Ted suspected he was gay. He’d been one of the first people to make those types of comments about him, besides his own father.

“Well, luckily I'm going to New York because I’m interested in art, not girls.”

Ted scoffed and went back to his newspaper.

Karen was glaring at Ted and then gave Will a sorry look, to which he just gave a wry smile back. Mike, on the other hand, was sitting uncomfortably straight in his seat, his shoulders were tense, and he quickly pulled his leg away from Will’s. Will gave him a questioning look, but Mike didn’t even make eye contact with him, he just went back to eating his breakfast. He could feel the warmth where Mike’s leg had been suddenly feel cold. Will tried to catch his eyes, but Mike wouldn't look in his direction.

Will let out a sigh. “Excuse me.”

He stood from his spot, taking his dishes with him. He walked into the kitchen and threw away the remaining eggs that were on his plate and washed it clean. He was scrubbing harder than he needed to, and he made sure the water was burning hot. It hurt his hands and made them red. Maybe saying Mike and Will were in a great place was a bit of a stretch. The good times were good, like when they’d sit in Mike’s room with the radio on as Mike wrote and Will drew, or when they’d go to the movies together alone, or when Mike would sneak down to the basement late at night so they could sleep and wake up together, and how they’d kiss once Mike was down there, all lips, tongues, and heavy breathing.

But then there were the bad times. Like how Mike would keep him at arm’s length around anyone else, or how when they went to the movies alone Mike bought seats that have one in between them and would eventually move to the one next to Will only once the went lights down, or how Mike would join conversations about girls right in front of Will and then would lie to his friends to drag Will away to make out in the bathroom, away from everyone.

Will would be lying if he said it didn’t hurt or if he said he didn’t want more. But he didn’t want Mike to feel pressured at all, and he didn’t want to seem greedy for craving more when for so long Mike was all he wanted.

Will heard footsteps approaching, and he stopped scrubbing so hard, turning the water off, steam coming from the sink. He turned, expecting Mike, but he was met with Mrs. Wheeler instead.

“Oh, hi.”

“Are you okay, Will?” She asked him earnestly. “I’m sorry about Ted. He can be a little…old-fashioned.”

Will knew that Karen knew he was gay. Joyce and Karen were very close after all these years, and she was also very attentive. Nancy must’ve gotten it from her.

“I’m fine.” He shrugged.

She gave him a comforting smile. “I know you are. You always are, even after everything. New York better be ready for you.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Wheeler. I appreciate it.”

“Of course, Will. And don’t listen to anything Ted says, you’re always welcome here.”

He gave her a small smile back. Mike walked into the kitchen then, his dirty plate in hand.

“Are you guys having a meeting in here or something?” He joked.

“I was just telling Will I know he’ll thrive in New York.”

“Yeah, no doubt about that.” Mike grinned at him. Will wondered if he knew just how much he could get away with as long as he flashed that smile at him, because those few words and that damn grin made him forget why he was upset in the first place.

Mrs. Wheeler grabbed the plate from Mike’s hands. “I’ll clean this up. You two go do something fun.”

“Thanks, Mom!”

Mike and Will ended up in the basement again, listening to the radio and talking about a party Stacy invited Dustin—and by extension them—to. 

“Apparently Stacy’s friend has a pool table, and they play for money at parties.” Mike said with his head in Will’s lap.

“I will not be participating.” Will snorted as he played with Mike’s hair. “I suck at pool.”

“Well, I’ll win for us. Then I can use the money to buy a plane ticket to see you in New York once you get settled over there.”

Will didn’t like talking about him leaving for New York. He and Mike were finally getting their time together as…whatever it was that they were. And he’d be leaving by the end of the month; he just hoped this time the long distance wouldn’t ruin them like it had when he’d gone to Lenora. The only thing that kept him hopeful about it was Mike’s reassurance that they’d make it work and eventually he’d switch majors and move to New York too.

“Well then, I guess I have no other choice but to cheer you on.”

Mike smiled at him gently.

“I love you, Will.”

“I love you too.”

“No, but I'm crazy about you.” Mike shook his head. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.”

Will smiled back. “I’m crazy about you too.”

Mike sat up and kissed Will on the lips sweetly. Will kissed at that same pace for a few minutes before deepening it. Mike put his hands on Will’s waist, pulling him closer. Will let go of Mike’s lips and moved to his neck, sucking on the spot he’d learned made Mike whine like a hurt puppy. He loved the sound of it. Mike leaned his head back, giving Will better access to his neck. At first, it was Mike who initiated everything, but now that Will had gotten more comfortable and more…needy, it was all just a blur of them both wanting each other. Will bit lightly on Mike’s skin; he’d never done that before. Mike let out a moan at the feeling. His last bit of resolve was gone; he pulled Will into his lap, licking into his mouth passionately. They were sighing into each other’s mouths, hands touching and rubbing wherever they could reach. At one point, Mike sucked on Will’s bottom lip. Will let out a high-pitched noise, and his body rolled forward. The movement made them both freeze in place; it caused friction in between them, right where they needed it. They both let out a loud gasp, staring into each other’s eyes. Mike looked down between them and then back up to Will’s face.

“Can you please do that again?” His voice rasped out.

Will nodded, not being able to formulate a sentence in that moment. He slowly rocked forward again, the same feeling from before returning.

“Fuck.” Will let out.

Mike caught his lips and stuck his tongue back in. He grabbed Will’s hips and moved them himself, needing to continue. Will started rocking his hips on his own; Mike’s hands stayed in place anyway. Mike let out another whine, the ones that drove Will insane. He ground against him harder and faster, wanting to hear Mike again.

“Oh my—fuck, Will!”

Will kept going, chasing that feeling that was making his mind fuzzy. That feeling he’d only ever felt when he thought about Mike while touching himself at night. He wondered if Mike ever did the same. The thought alone made him let out a moan.

“Keep going. Keep going,” Mike chanted, his eyes closed and his eyebrows knitting together.

Will couldn’t help but let out another sound as he watched Mike’s face contort in pleasure. Mike was close, and Will wasn’t far behind. After a specific sharp movement of Will's hips, Mike’s mouth dropped open and his body went stiff.

“Holy shit!”

“Did you—”

Mike nodded. He opened his eyes to look at Will’s face that was tinted pink; his hips were still rocking, needing release. A matching blush rose to his cheeks. “Are you almost—”

“I’m so close.”

Mike took that as a personal mission to make Will feel as good as he’d just made Mike feel. He rocked his hips in rhythm with Will’s, pulling his hips to meet his.

“Mike!”

“I know, baby.”

The pet name made Will’s brain reel. That was all it took. “Fuck!” He dropped his head into the crook of Mike’s neck, letting out whines into it.

They stayed there, holding each other, bodies covered in goosebumps, and minds blown.

“Jesus Christ." Mike breathed out, incredulously. “You okay?”

Will hummed in reply, lifting his head to look at him. “I love you so much.”

“I love you more than anything.”

After that day Mike and Will found themselves in similar situations more often. They stuck with what they knew, the making out and the grinding; sometimes they would use their hands, but only over clothes. Everything was only ever done over clothes. Will was still too shy for any undressing, which Mike was understanding of.

And luckily, everyone had stopped asking about Anthony only a week after the pool party. Mostly because Nancy and Jonathan had gone back to college. But both boys were relieved. Mike was relieved because he was tired of hearing everyone talk about how Will should go for Anthony, and Will was relieved because he hated lying to the people he loved.

Max saw right through it all, of course; one of the nights that Will stayed at his own home and not at Mike’s, he invited Max for a sleepover.

“Will, Max is here!” Joyce called out to him.

Will put his current drawing of El away. He found himself drawing her a lot. He drew her with long hair and different outfits he saw on other girls that he thought she would have loved; he drew her as their mage, dancing around with Max, or how she looked as she watched Will draw. It made him feel sad though, because it was all just memories or things that weren’t real. But it also made him feel better to be able to see her again, even if it was only on paper. He had lost one of his favorites months ago, a painting of El in a meadow surrounded by different shades of purple flowers, but a few days later Hopper had to stop at the station before taking Will to school. He asked Will to go inside to his office to grab something for him, and when he did, he saw it, pinned low on the wall right next to Hopper’s seat. He smiled at it, touched it lightly with his fingertips, and never mentioned it again.

“Hey, come to my room.” Will waved Max over.

She followed him into his room and closed the door behind him. Luckily, with Max, Hopper never yelled at him to keep the door 3 inches open.

“Sorry, my room’s a little messy; I started packing a bit.”

“Pfft. You’ve seen my room, Will. This is definitely not messy.”

Will chuckled and took a seat on the bed; Max plopped down beside him.

“So, are we going to address the elephant in the room?” Max asked him.

“What do you mean?”

Max gave him a knowing look, and he sighed.

“Did you think I wasn’t going to notice how weird you and Mike have been? Or that I would somehow forget that you two made out after graduation.”

Will shook his head. “No, I obviously knew you’d bring it up at some point; you have, like, a sixth sense of this stuff.”

“It’s called being a girl. We have intuition.”

“Okay, well, we’ve just been hanging out.”

“Hanging out?”

“Yeah.” Will shrugged.

“What do you do when you hang out?”

“The same things as always.”

“And what else? I told you, Will, intuition, so don't try to lie to me now.”

“Okay, fine, we’ve been making out and…some other stuff.”

“Finally.” She smiled. “I swear the tension between you two is so thick you could choke on it.”

“It’s been nice. I’m really happy.”

“That’s good; I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks.”

“So, how do you like having a boyfriend? Especially since you’ve been in love with this idiot for years now.”

Will played with a loose thread on his comforter beneath him. “I like it.”

Max looked at him skeptically. “Okay, that was not convincing at all. What’s going on?”

“He’s…not my boyfriend.”

“But I thought you said you two hang out and make out and whatever other stuff that means.”

“Yeah, we do. We’re just not boyfriends, I don’t think.”

“You don’t think?”

“Well, I don’t know; we haven’t really put a label on it or anything.” He pulled the loose thread out. “He’s just not ready to come out yet, so we’re just—”

“Hanging out?”

“I guess so.”

“Will, that’s…kind of depressing.” Max looked at him with furrowed eyebrows.

“What? No, it’s not. I told you I’m happy.”

“You two are only ever together in secret? That sucks.”

“Kind of, but I’m happy that I have at least that.”

“That’s called settling.”

“It’s called being in love and making sacrifices for the person that you love. And he loves me too, he told me.”

“Of course, he loves you; I’ve seen it with my own eyes, no matter how much he tries to hide it. But that doesn’t make this right.”

“He’s not hiding.”

“Yes, Will, he is.” Max reiterated. “And that’s unfair to you.”

“I’m not going to pressure him into doing anything he’s not comfortable with.”

“Are you happy?”

“It’s enough for now. Eventually we’ll be open about it.” Will said what he’d told himself repeatedly when he felt sad about it.

“That wasn’t my question, Will.”

Will loved Max, but sometimes he hated how she could see through him so easily.

“I am but—”

“But?”

“I can’t help but feel like he’s ashamed of me or something. And it hurts when he’s actively trying to cover it up. It makes me feel like I’m doing something…wrong.”

“Have you talked to him about this?”

“No.” He looked back down.

“Why not?”

“I’m scared that he’ll pull away completely.”

“He won’t. Just like it was obvious you’re in love with him, it’s painfully obvious he’s in love with you.”

“I just don’t want to risk it.”

“Will, like you said, you’ve wanted this for a long time; don’t you want to feel secure in it?”

“I do, I just don’t know how to do that without scaring him away.”

“Unfortunately, I don’t think he’s ever going away.” She chuckled.

“I’m also terrified because we’re going to have to do the whole long-distance thing. It’s going to be miserable only seeing each other every few weeks.”

“If Lucas and I survived a two-year coma of long distance, I’m sure you two will be okay.”

Will let out a breathy laugh. “Yeah, I guess so.”

“Now, what do you mean by other stuff?” She wriggled her eyebrows at him with a grin.

Will’s smile grew, and heat rose to his cheeks. “You can’t tell anyone, okay?”

“Promise. Now, what has gone where so far?”

“Okay, this conversation is over already.”

“Nope, I’m the only one you can talk to about this, and I really want to know, so spill.”

Lucas and Mike came over the next morning. Lucas to pick Max up from Will’s house and Mike to hang out. Joyce insisted they eat breakfast together before Max and Lucas left, so they did. Hopper and Joyce sat on one side of the table, Max and Lucas on the other, and Will sat at the far end opposite Mike.

“Mrs. Byers, can Will stay over at my house on Saturday?” Mike asked.

“Sure, that’s fine. Any plans?” Joyce answered easily.

“Party at Anne’s house.” Lucas replied, sipping from his mug.

Max kicked his foot hard.

“Ow!”

“A party?” Hopper asked.

“It’s not really like a party-party; it’s more like a small hangout with a few friends.” Max lied.

“Is that so?”

“Yup, just us and like four others and some pizza.”

“Will?” Hopper turned to look at him.

Will hummed in reply.

“Is it just a few friends and some pizza?”

“Uh—yeah. Yeah, it’s not like a rager or anything. I mean, look at us. Do we seem like we’d get invited to a party like that?”

“You three maybe.” Hopper gestures to Lucas, Max, and Will.

“Wow,” Mike said in mock offense. “Is no one going to disagree?”

“I would invite you to my party, Mike,” Joyce told him.

“Thanks, Mrs. Wheeler.”

“Who is Anne?” Hopper asked, ignoring Mike entirely.

“One of Dustin’s friends,” Will answered.

“Last name?”

“Miller.”

“Doesn’t her family live over on Lochn’ora?”

“Yeah, I think so.” Lucas nodded.

“Then it’s definitely a party-party; I’ve had to send units out there for noise complaints dozens of times.”

“Shit.”

“Will, you’re going to a party?” Joyce questioned.

“If that’s okay?”

“Of course it is.”

“Will there be alcohol?” Hopper continued his interrogation.

“No!” All four of the young adults said in unison.

“Wow, really convincing.”

“We won’t drink any.”

“That’s a lie.”

“Okay, fine, that’s totally a lie, but we’ll have a designated driver.” Max reasoned.

“Who?”

All four of them eyed each other.

“Rock, paper, scissors?”

"Jesus Christ."

“Will, you’re not drinking alcohol, are you?” Joyce crossed her arms.

“No, it’s not for me.”

Hopper gave him a skeptical look, and Will turned away quickly.

“It’s okay with us, right, Hop? Just make sure you’re responsible.”

“Fine, fine. But if anything goes wrong or your driver falls through, call the sheriff's department; I’m working late on Saturday.”

“Yeah, of course.”

After breakfast, Lucas and Max went on their way, Mike helped Joyce clean up, and Will was left with Hopper, who was studying him in silence.

“Is—is everything okay?” Will asked.

“Yeah, just thinking.”

“About?”

“What could go wrong at this party?”

Will let out a breath. “It’s just a party. You’re telling me you never went to a party in high school?”

“Of course I did. That’s exactly why I’m worried about you going to this party. I know what happens at parties.”

“Well, I would say that I’m really responsible. Plus, I’m going to be with my friends.”

“You’re responsible when you’re not under the influence, but once alcohol is in your system, responsibility goes out the window.”

Mike and Joyce came back from the kitchen and sat with them wearily.

“What are you two talking about?” Joyce looked at Hopper for an answer.

“I’m going to give a lecture about safety at parties.”

Mike groaned. “Seriously? We’re not dumb.”

“All teenagers are dumb.”

“We’re technically adults.”

“Well, adults are dumb too, so listen to me,” Hopper started. “I’m not going to tell you not to drink; I know it’s inevitable, but don’t be stupid about it. Don’t drink anything you didn’t pour yourself. Don’t leave your drink unattended. Don’t go anywhere with strangers. Stay together. Whoever came to the party with you leaves the party with you. Don’t do drugs, especially if they’re from a stranger. Do not pressure anyone or let anyone pressure you into having sex.”

“Oh god.” Will covered his face.

“I’m not finished.” Hopper continued. “Consent is key; silence or not an explicit no doesn’t mean yes. If you find yourself in a sexual situation and you want to stop, you can do that; just because it started doesn’t mean you have to continue, and that goes the other way around too. If you are planning on having sex, be safe, use protection; you don’t want to get anyone pregnant—"

Will snorted with a loud laugh. “I’m sorry. It’s not funny.”

“Protection isn’t just for contraceptive purposes, okay? It also protects from sexually transmitted diseases and infections, so even if you technically can’t…conceive, you still have to use protection. And lastly, don’t drink and drive.”

He raised his eyebrows at Mike and Will, waiting for a response.

Mike nodded.

“We understand,” Will replied.

“Anything you wanted to add, Joyce?”

“Have fun.” She smiled, nudging Hopper in the ribs jokingly.

“Okay, yeah, thanks.” Will stood from his chair. “We’re going to my room.”

“Alright.”

Will and Mike entered the room, closing the door behind them.

“Hopper is a complete control freak.” Mike chuckled.

“He’s just protective; he wants to make sure we’re safe.”

Mike lay on Will’s bed, patting the spot next to him, signaling Will to lie with him. Will went over with a smile. The private moments where there was no fear of being seen or caught were his favorites. He wished they could just be that way everywhere.

Mike played with Will’s hair gently. “Does it feel…weird?”

“What?”

“Hopper being your step-dad or whatever.”

“He’s technically not until they get married, but I think my mom said they might just have a small ceremony sometime next fall when we’re on Thanksgiving break.”

“He is, though. He’s been with your mom for years now; you guys have been living together for the past two years; he’s protective over you.”

“I guess it feels different. I’m not used to having, like…a good father figure in my life. The closest I ever had is Jonathan, but I also feel like that’s not fair to him.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s a whole other layer of pressure for him.”

“But with Hopper?”

“I’m glad that he’s that figure for me now. He cares a lot about me, my mom, and Jon. He’s a good man.”

Mike stared at the ceiling. “Yeah, he is.” His voice sounded odd, unlike his usual self.

Will turned to look at him. “Are you okay?”

“The other morning, during breakfast at my house, when my dad was saying all that…stuff.”

“Yeah?”

“I was so scared.”

“That’s okay.”

“It’s not. I didn’t even defend you or anything. I always do; I never care who says it or if I’m going to get beat up because of it. I always protect you. But this time I just couldn’t. I think it’s because I’m scared that if I defended you, it would seem too close to home or something. Like, he’d know right then and there that I’m…disappointing him.”

Mike’s hands were at his sides now, as if the mere mention of his father made the sweet caresses suddenly feel sinful.

“Mike, you're not always going to be there to defend me. I can fight my own battles.”

“I know you can. You’re a goddamn sorcerer, Will; I know how powerful and magical you are.” He turned to face Will.

The comment made Will blush; he could still remember the way Mike looked at him when he first harnessed Vecna’s powers. Will was ready to conquer the whole world for him if it meant Mike would look at him that way again. Luckily, he didn't have to do that; Mike was looking at him the same way now.

“But I was fully there and capable, and I just…didn’t.”

“It was intimidating; I don’t blame you.”

“But that’s exactly it. I was intimidated, me. You were the one getting slandered, and I was the one who was scared. It’s pathetic.”

“It’s natural. I used to panic any time I even heard the word gay,” Will comforted. “I still get scared when I speak to someone, and they give me that look or say something that tells me they have me all figured out.”

“I just don’t want to be so fucking scared all the time.”

Will thought about Max’s words from the night before. “Maybe, if you—if we told just our friends about us, they’re obviously going to be supportive, and then you’ll feel better.”

Mike turned to lie on his back again, looking away from Will. “I can’t.”

“But, it would just be Max, Dustin, and Lucas. They won’t judge you.”

“How can you possibly know that?”

“Because they don’t judge me.”

“But what if that’s because it’s just words right now? You said you’re gay, but there’s no visible proof. You’re not holding hands, or kissing, or saying “I love you” to some guy in front of them. It’s easy to be cool with it when it’s not in your face.”

Will’s heart felt like it was sinking. He’d never thought about it that way. And he hated that Mike did. And he hated that Mike said it out loud. And he hated how it made him feel.

He was silent, unmoving. Mike let out a loud sigh. “I’m sorry. I don't mean that they don’t support you or anything. I just—it’s something I think about.”

Will sat up slowly, still not speaking.

“Will?”

He audibly gulped.

“Hey, Will, I didn’t mean it. It came out harsher than I meant it.” Mike’s voice softened to the voice that was reserved only for Will since they were children. He sat up and reached for Will's shoulder.

Will swallowed before speaking. “Do you think they'll think it’s…disgusting? If they find out.”

Mike felt his heart shatter. Will had come a long way; he’d finally been becoming more confident in himself and his identity. And Mike just threw away all that Will worked so hard to get.

“You’re not disgusting.”

“But if they get too close. If they see it happening in front of them, like you said. Will they feel uncomfortable or weirded out?”

“I hope not.” Mike’s voice trembled. “But, I’m personally not ready to find out.”

“Okay.”

“I’m sorry.” Mike held his hand, bringing it up to his lips and kissing Will’s knuckles.

“Okay.”

Mike wished he could take back what he’d said. Will wasn’t looking at him, he wasn’t smiling, and he hadn’t accepted his apology.

Mike decided he’d have to figure something out. He would figure something out for them, because Will deserved to be loved in a way that Mike wasn’t sure he was capable of yet. Something that would allow them to be together and not be hated for it. Even if that meant changing the whole goddamn world, he would do it no matter how long it took. If it meant rewriting every scripture that deemed their love a sin, he would do it until his hands were numb and cramped, until the only god anyone could ever worship was Will, so that when Mike devoted himself to him, it could never be seen as wrong again. He’d rewrite history for him, he’d create a future for them, he’d do anything for Will.

Anything but share this shameful secret of his.

Chapter Text

Mike wasn’t ready to leave Hawkins. More than that, he wasn’t ready to be apart from his friends and family, especially Will. It scared him to think that he’d be living alone, away from everyone and everything he’d ever known. Of course, he wasn’t moving too far away from home; he could go back pretty often, but Will was right before—Hawkins held a lot of pain for them, and he should have some distance from it.

Mike was in Will’s room one day while Will helped Hopper with something in the yard. They hadn’t really spoken about what happened the other night, when Will suggested that he and Mike tell their friends and Mike made it seem like they would never accept them, and by extension, never accept Will. He knew it wasn’t okay; for a few days Will was distant, and he wouldn’t hold Mike’s hand in their private moments as he usually did. Mike had only said sorry again. Not for what. Not with reassurance. And Will had accepted it anyway. That made him feel worse. Will was the kindest and most forgiving person he’d ever known, even more so when it came to Mike. He’d make it up to him though. He promised Will he would, not out loud, to himself only. Mike looked around Will’s room, at the posters of his favorite bands and movies, the knickknacks and art supplies, and his new sketchbook that Mike bought for him a few weeks ago. Mike had gone through his drawings before; he was the only one Will had ever let do that, but he hadn’t done it recently. The first one that caught his eye was of El. She was wearing that unforgettable smile of hers, her eyes full of life; it was hard for him to remember it was just a drawing. Will had captured her essence better than Mike could even remember it. He didn’t like to remember any of it anymore. He flipped to a drawing of Max and Lucas sticking their tongues out at each other. Then Dustin holding his shirt open at graduation, revealing his Hellfire Lives shirt. Then to a drawing of Max braiding El’s hair. Then Jonathan, Nancy, Steve, Robin, and Vickie huddled together as if posing for a picture. Then Hopper proposing to Joyce in Enzo’s. Then to portraits of Mike. His face was on display, his freckles across his face in a way that told him Will had their placement memorized. Mike, with a pen and notebook in his hand, writing about something no one would ever read. Mike smiling in the way he knew he only really smiled at Will. Mike’s face screwed up in pleasure, his head tilted back, his mouth hanging open; that one made heat rise to his face. He flipped to the next one, expecting himself once again, but it was Will’s silhouette he was looking at now, his hand desperately reaching out in front of him, reaching out to a door that looked all too familiar to Mike. His closet door, he realized, with a hand reaching out back to Will, wearing his watch. The hands barely missed each other, fingertips inches away from grazing. His stomach turned. He put the sketchbook down where he’d grabbed it from originally and sat back on Will’s bed to wait for him. He felt fidgety. His leg bounced. His knuckles cracked. He could imagine Will drawing it, hunched over, eyes wet. He needed to leave. He felt trapped. He got up and walked out of Will’s room and out the front door, where Will was helping Hopper.

“Hey, sorry, am I taking too long?” Will asked him as Mike walked closer to him.

“No, you’re good. I’m just going to head home though. I forgot my mom was making my favorite for dinner tonight.”

“Oh.” Will gave him a confused look. “Are you sure? I thought you said you were free all day today?”

“Like I said, I forgot. I’ll see you later though.” He waved to Hopper and walked away quickly. He got into his car and hit his head against the steering wheel in frustration.

He knew it must’ve hurt Will. Having to hide himself away just because Mike was a coward. But he also knew that Will loved him enough to do it. That fact didn’t make him feel any less guilty. 

The problem was that Mike had seen the way queer people were treated, and he’d heard what people said about them. He heard it in school hallways, on the street, from his dad, from Lonnie Byers, and from people who directed it at Will like a loaded weapon. He had seen it all, and it terrified him.

Growing up, “gay” was the word people used when something was broken, stupid, bad, or unnatural.

It had never meant love.

As far as Mike knew, being gay was the worst thing you could be. So, when he started to notice how much his mind strayed to Will, how much he caught himself looking at him for too long, or how his heart skipped a beat when Will smiled at him like there was nothing he could do wrong, he tried to push it away. He tried to ignore it, or hang out with El more so he could avoid Will entirely, even kissed her in hopes of being cured, but it never went away. Will was all he thought about. It was pure admiration, it was love, it was…wrong.

It made him want to run and hide when he realized he was the thing everyone hated.

He told himself it was just a phase or that it was just because it was Will. He told himself it was nothing. But the shame and the embarrassment and the hurt were too prominent for it to not be real.

Mike knew he wasn’t homophobic or anything. He didn’t have a problem with anyone being queer, and he always stood up for Will. But for some reason he couldn’t accept that part of himself. He couldn’t look at it too closely without feeling like his skin was too tight on his body. When Will came out, Mike felt his whole world go quiet. He heard the words come out of Will’s mouth, and he didn’t move an inch. He waited until someone else spoke or embraced Will before he did. Just in case they weren’t accepting. In case someone spit sharp words at him, or walked out and didn’t look back, or didn’t want him around anymore because of it. But that didn’t happen; instead, everyone that mattered was okay with it. He wanted to cry at their reaction; he felt relief run through his body. But it wasn’t enough to get rid of that sickly feeling inside of him.

Mike started the car and drove off quickly. He drove in silence, with no music to distract him from his thoughts. He got to his driveway and parked the car horribly, then impatiently entered his home and went up to his bedroom, away from everything and everyone else. He stared at his closet door, the one that Will was reaching toward in his drawing. He stared at the cracks and scratches it had earned through the years, as if someone had tried to break out of it—but never fully committed.

Mike went to bed that night without eating or leaving his room again. He didn’t deserve to be around anyone. He needed to be locked away from the world. His perverted, immoral thoughts needed to be kept in the cage that was his mind. He needed to be away from the pressure of being someone he couldn’t be. He tried so hard to not be this. But he couldn’t help it.

He needed to do something. What exactly? He wasn’t sure. He wanted to punch the stupid closet door or slap himself for being this way; he wanted to run back to Will. He didn’t do any of that. Instead, he wrote. Writing was one of the only things that made him feel normal. He started to write a campaign, trying to make his brain think of something else. But his mind kept wandering back to Will, as it always did. He scribbled all over the campaign he had started and flipped to the next page with a frustrated groan. He put his pen to the paper, and the words poured out of him.

He is all that I want

All that I love

All that I fear

All that I cannot be

He is a dream I was never meant to have

He is a picture of perfection

that I must pretend not to see

He is a temptation I try to turn away from

But I never get far

I smile at the sound of his name

My eyes search for him in every room

Sometimes it feels as if I am made of him

I am also made of shame

But my heart beats for him anyway

It knows something I am too afraid to say

I tell myself that it is wrong

I tell myself it is sin

I tell myself I will stop

But I never do

I cannot love my boy

Because I am one too

And the world creates monsters

of people like us

If they had seen what we survived

They wouldn't fear our love

I have begged

I have prayed

That one day I could have him

Because he is all that I want

All that I love

All that I need

He reread it over and over again. He was the only one who would ever read it. And he still felt exposed. Mike shut the notebook closed and buried it in the bottom of his desk drawer, as if doing so would bury the truth.

The next few days blurred past. Friday night the party gathered in Mike’s basement to play D&D. Mike had finished writing a short campaign; he wasn’t sure he’d finish a longer one in time before leaving. Dustin was going to Georgia on Monday, Will was leaving for New York on Tuesday, and Mike was going to Chicago the week after. Max and Lucas were staying in Indiana, but that still meant he wouldn’t be seeing them every day as he usually did. It all felt so final.

“Just roll already!” Dustin yelled at Lucas impatiently.

“Okay, I will!” Lucas shot back. He brought the die in his hand close to Max’s mouth. “Blow on it.”

“Gross.”

“Shut up, it’s for good luck.” He insisted. Max rolled her eyes but leaned forward to blow on the die anyway. Lucas dropped it onto the table; they all leaned in, watching it bounce a few times before settling.

“Twenty!” Lucas grinned in excitement.

Will threw his hands up in the air. “Yes!” Max high-fived him with both hands.

“That’s it, that's the final blow, right, Mike? We killed him?” Dustin asked.

Mike’s eyes scanned his DM binder; his finger tapped his chin as if he was deep in thought about it.

“Come on, Mike,” Will complained.

“The sword strikes the creature perfectly. Going straight through his armor and his heart.”

“Because I’m awesome,” Lucas interjected.

“Because you rolled a twenty,” Dustin corrected.

Mike lowered his voice, looked around the table, and continued. “The forest is silent. Nothing but the sounds of your own breathing and the beginning of your eternal glory.”

“You’re welcome. I carried that fight,” Lucas gloated.

“You got lucky,” Mike said.

“If anything, Max won that for us. She gave us the luck.” Will added.

“If she wins, I win, duh.”

They laughed together. Mike watched the way Will’s face stayed spread into a smile even after the laughter died down. Will caught him, and his smile changed to a shy one at the realization he was being watched. Their eyes lingered on each other before Mike broke away to join the conversation his other friends had started.

“So, who’s the designated driver tomorrow?” Max asked.

“Not me, I leave on Monday, and I was the only one actually invited.” Dustin argued.

“Okay, asshole. So not Dustin.”

“I can be DD. I have to be sober enough to win at pool anyway.” Lucas volunteered.

“No argument from me,” Mike replied. He was fully intending on getting drunk at the party. He needed to feel incoherent for a few hours after all the sour thoughts he’d been having all week.

“I thought you were trying to win at pool too?” Will asked Mike.

“I could beat Lucas blind; a little alcohol won’t stand in my way.”

“You wish, Mike.” Lucas scoffed.

“Should we start our own bet?” Max whispered to Will as the other three argued about who would win.

“Five bucks on Mike.” He replied.

“You’re on, Byers.” She stuck her hand out for him to shake. “May the best boyfriend win.”

Will chuckled before shaking her hand. It made him giddy to hear her call Mike his boyfriend. Even though they technically weren’t, they were something along those lines. He liked the implication.

“Well, I’ll be too busy with Stacy.” Dustin smirked.

“I do not want to hear about whatever it is you’re planning to do.” Will grimaced. “Please lock the door this time.”

“Whatever, Will. I bet if that guy who gave you a hickey was there, you wouldn’t be such a prude.”

“I’m not a prude.”

“You so are.” He teased. “You never want to tell us about it.”

“That stuff is private,” Will mumbled.

“Hey, maybe we can find you a guy there. Just to have a little fun before you go off to New York.”

“Okay, that’s enough.” Will waved him off.

“Yeah, Dustin, not everyone is the fling type,” Lucas defended.

“Well, I didn't think I was either. Until Stacy.”

“So, she’s just a fling?” Mike questioned.

“Yeah, we talked about it; we’re just hanging out before I go, no strings attached.”

Will’s eyebrows furrowed slightly as the group continued speaking about the party tomorrow night. 

Were he and Mike just a fling?

Is that why Mike wouldn’t commit to anything?

Why he wouldn't tell anyone about them?

They couldn't be, he thought. They said they loved each other. Flings don’t do that. At least he didn't think so.

When the group left the house, Will stayed with Mike.

“Did you like the campaign? I usually don’t like one-shots, but I wanted to make sure we got it done before Dustin leaves.” Mike sat next to Will on the basement couch.

“It was great. I loved it,” Will answered. “It did feel a little sad though.”

“Sad?”

“Yeah, that was our last D&D game before we all only get to see each other on holidays. It’s sad to think about.”

“Then don’t think about it that way.” Mike pecked Will’s lips.

Will smiled into it. “You better beat Lucas at pool tomorrow. I bet Max five dollars you’d win.”

“Ye of little faith.”

“It’s a battle of the boyfriends. You better not embarrass me,” Will teased. He hadn’t meant to say the whole boyfriend thing. Well, actually, he sort of did. He wanted to see if Mike would be repulsed by the idea, if he’d deny it right away.

“I’ll do my best.” Mike replied, not addressing it.

Will’s smile faltered slightly. He tried to shake the feeling. “Lucas will have the sober advantage, so you really have to focus if you want that money to come see me in New York.”

“I can see you in New York with or without winning.”

Will shrugged. “It’ll feel more earned this way though.”

Mike huffed a laugh.

Will was studying Mike’s face; Mike could tell he was thinking about something that he wasn’t sure if he should share.

“What’s up?” He asked.

“Nothing.”

“Will, I know you better than anyone; I can tell when you’re thinking about something. What is it?”

Will let out a nervous sigh. “Do you think that I’m…” He paused before continuing. “A prude.”

Mike huffed a laugh. “Seriously? Is that what you’re thinking about?”

“I shouldn't have said anything.”

“It’s fine, Will. And no, I don’t think you’re a prude.”

“But Dustin—”

“Doesn’t know how good you make me feel.” Mike cut him off.

Will’s face went red. “Don’t say that.”

“It’s true. And Dustin doesn’t know how hot you look when you’re in my lap.” Mike pulled Will closer to him by the waist. Will got the hint and moved to sit on Mike’s thighs, right where Mike always wanted him. He left open-mouthed kisses down Will’s neck. Will sighed at the feeling; his hands went to the hair on the nape of Mike’s neck, pulling on it ever so slightly. It was gentle, but it still made Mike’s breath hitch. He liked that. Mike sucked on the area on Will’s neck that always gave him the reaction he yearned for, the gasp and the unconscious movement of his hips. Mike’s hands, still on Will’s hips, pulled them to move against him in the rhythm that they both always became a moaning mess from. Mike continued to kiss and suck on Will’s neck as they rubbed against each other. Mike slowed slightly when he felt Will’s hand trail down between them; he looked to see Will’s fingers playing with the button on his jeans. Mike stopped abruptly. His breath caught, not from fear, but from the realization that if they did this, there was no more pretending.

“What—you—” He couldn't even get a sentence out.

“Can we take them off?” Will asked in a way that seemed so innocent it was almost impossible for Mike to remember what he was asking.

“You want to take…my pants off?”

Will’s face flushed. “If you want to. I know I’ve been kind of weird about taking my clothes off, but—I think I’m okay with it now. With you.”

Mike’s mouth went dry. His jeans tightened at Will’s words.

“Or not. That’s fine too.”

Mike hesitated, only for a second, before the want overpowered everything else.

He shook his head, a dark look on his face. “Take them off for me.”

Will’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and his fingers worked the button on Mike’s jeans and then unzipped them. Mike lifted his hips and helped pull them down to his knees, kicking them off the rest of the way. His hard-on was much more visible in his blue boxers. Will’s eyes traced the outline of it.

“Your turn?” Mike asked cautiously, not wanting to pressure Will into anything he wasn’t ready for. Mike had tried to take Will’s shirt or sweats off a few times now, but Will always grabbed his hands and brought them back to his waist. That was okay with Mike. He was in no rush. They had forever together; he would wait an eternity if Will asked him to.

Will nodded, his eyes boring into Mike’s with want. Mike undid the button on Will’s pants, stopping to give him a questioning look again. Will gave him another nod. Mike pulled the zipper down and caught the sight of Will’s erection straining against his grey boxers. He gulped at the sight. Will lifted himself slightly so that they could pull his pants completely off. Once they were dropped to the floor, the boys resumed their position from before. Will moved his hips, and they both moaned loudly at the feeling; it felt even better with less clothes on. Mike lifted Will’s hips, his hands now on the curve of his ass that Mike loved to stare at. He positioned Will so that he was sitting directly on his boner, and he thrust upward.

“God, Mike.” Will tipped his forehead to rest against Mike’s.

“It feels so good like this.” Mike thrust again. “So—fuck—good.”

Will’s breath quickened as Mike continued his movements. 

“More.”

The word made Mike’s hips stutter. He wasn’t going to last long; the feeling of Will’s ass pressed against his hard dick was driving him crazy. But Will wanted more, so he was going to give him more. He removed one of his hands from Will’s waist and gripped his soft thigh. Will’s head dropped to watch Mike’s hand as it moved from his thigh closer to his bulge, making Will whine. He rubbed his palm against it.

“Shit,” Will groaned.

Mike played with the waistband of Will’s boxers. “These too?”

Will’s eyes were dark. “Yes.”

Mike dipped his hand in and gently grasped Will’s cock. Will hissed at the feeling, his eyes glued to where Mike’s hand disappeared under the grey cotton. Mike felt restricted by the fabric; he squeezed Will’s waist with his other hand, making Will look up at him.

“Can I?” 

Will’s pupils were blown; Mike could only assume his were the same. “Please.” 

Mike pulled Will’s length out of his boxers; the weight of it in his hand and the sight of the red slick tip made his mouth water. Will looked away, feeling self-conscious at the way Mike was staring at it. Mike moved his hand slowly, stroking upward.

“You’re perfect.”

Will let out a high-pitched whine. The compliment and the feeling of Mike’s hand spreading the pre-cum as he jerked him off had him shaking.

“So beautiful.” Mike sped up, watching the way Will’s mouth fell open with a silent moan.

“Kiss me.” Will brought his hands to cup Mike’s face. “Kiss me, Mike.”

Mike kissed Will eagerly, his hips twitching upward.

“Oh my god.” Will gasped into Mike’s mouth. “I’m going to cum.”

It sounded filthy coming out of Will’s mouth. He always used other words or his movements alone to signal Mike he was close. The dirty words egged Mike on, stroking faster and thrusting harder.

Will wasn’t even kissing Mike anymore; he was only letting whimpers out into Mike’s mouth.

“I love you.” Mike whispered against Will’s jaw.

Will let out a lewd moan as he spilled onto Mike’s hand. Mike’s eyes widened, not only because that was the sexiest thing he’d ever experienced, his hands were sticky with Will’s cum and the sound was so obscene he already wanted to hear it again, but also because of how loud it was. He hoped his parents and Holly were up in their rooms so that there was at least a whole floor of the house between them. Will let out shallow breaths and tiny whines as he came down. His hand was in the crook of Mike’s neck as he did.

Mike rubbed Will’s back with his clean hand. “You alright?”

Will didn’t reply, his breath still coming out quickly.

“Will?”

“I think I went to heaven for a moment there.” Will replied shakily.

Mike chuckled, leaning away to see Will’s face. His face was tinted pink, and his mouth was slightly open still; he was a masterpiece.

“You’re so fucking hot.” Mike pushed a piece of his hair out of his face.

Will pulled Mike’s head toward him and kissed him harshly. Mike was still hard; if he’d kept going for three more seconds, he was sure he would’ve come too. Will pulled on his hair again; Mike let out a groan.

“Do you like when I do that?” Will giggled.

“I love it when you do that,” Mike answered honestly.

“Weirdo.”

Mike rolled his eyes and made a move to stand. 

“Wait—” Will furrowed his eyebrows. “Where are you going?”

“I need to wash my hand.” Mike pecked Will on the corner of his lips. “And jerk myself off in the shower while thinking about what just happened.” Mike laughed shyly. His laugh was cut off by a moan. Will shifted back and rubbed Mike’s still hard penis through his boxers.

“I can do it for you.” He suggested. “It’s only fair.”

Mike cleared his throat. “You don't have to, Will.”

“I want to.” Will continued his movements. “Really bad.”

Mike’s breath hitched. He wanted this, he’d been dreaming about it for some time now. But something inside him stirred in a way that made him hesitate. He pushed the thoughts away. He needed to feel Will’s hands on him. “Okay.”

Will pulled Mike out of his boxers. He tried not to stare and be weird about it, but Mike’s dick was a beautiful sight. It was long and veiny and pale, except for the tip, red and begging to be touched. He didn’t know how to do this but Mike didn’t either, and he still managed to make Will see stars. He wanted to return the favor, but he only knew what he liked when he touched himself. He decided that was better than just staring at Mike’s cock, so he grazed his thumb over the sensitive tip, earning a loud cry from Mike. Will stroked up and down as Mike had done to him, slowly but with enough pressure to make Mike continue to let out grunts of pleasure. He moved a little faster now, watching Mike’s face to guide him. If the sounds Mike was letting out were any indicator, Will was pretty sure he was doing well. Will twisted his hand, and as he stroked now, just like he liked doing to himself, his other hand stayed on Mike’s tip because Will could tell that got him going.

“Jesus, Will.”

“Good?”

“Understatement,” Mike panted.

Will moved forward, using the way Mike’s mouth hung open as an invitation to lick into his mouth. Mike hummed into Will’s mouth, his tongue barely able to keep up; he was too distracted. Will continued twisting as his other hand that was on Mike’s tip went up to yank on his hair roughly, pulling his head back so Will could suck on the now exposed skin of his neck. Mike twitched in Will’s hand, his mouth going slack.

“I’m cumming!” Mike’s hips started moving, bucking up into Will’s hand at a rapid pace. It felt too good, too intense; the view of Will’s hand around his penis was an image he never wanted to forget. Will removed himself from Mike’s neck to watch as Mike spurted white streams of cum into his hand. He licked his lips as he watched. “Holy fuck!”

Will didn’t pull away as Mike continued thrusting into his fist. Mike was slightly embarrassed at how quick he came and how much. Will was staring at him in amazement, though. He finally stopped his movements and went limp, his eyes shut as he leaned his head back, trying to catch his breath.

“I love you too.” Will finally said back as he removed his hand and kissed Mike on the jaw.

Mike was staring at the ceiling now, his mind hazy and his body still feeling overwhelmed.

“I’m going to take a shower.” Will kissed him again before standing and walking to the bathroom. Mike looked away from the ceiling for a moment to watch Will’s half-naked figure as he moved around the room and into the bathroom.

Mike heard the shower start and stared at the bathroom door. His breathing finally slowed, but his thoughts scattered in every direction. 

For a moment, he sat there in the quiet and let himself believe that this could be enough. That loving Will, like this, in secret, could last forever.

But Will deserved more.

More than hiding.

More than being loved only in private.

Fuck, he shouldn’t have done this.

It wasn’t their first sexual encounter, but this felt different. More personal. Skin on skin, hands touching their most private parts. Will finally felt comfortable enough to show Mike his most vulnerable self—and his greed got the best of him. The guilt seeped into him. He wasn’t guilty because of what they’d done. He was guilty because of what he couldn’t do. He couldn’t tell anyone about them. He couldn’t give Will what he deserved without feeling like he’d lose everything. He couldn’t even stand too close to him in public. He couldn’t say the word “boyfriend” out loud, but he could whisper I love you in the dark. And yet, here he was anyway, letting Will get him off. He felt like he was taking advantage of Will, or more so Will’s love for him. This was his breaking point, he had felt euphoric just moments before, but now he felt like the worst person alive. The sound of Will humming in the shower made Mike’s eyes sting.

He was a bad person for wanting this.

But he loved Will.

And Will had just said I love you back.

Mike was going to ruin this.

Chapter Text

Will wasn’t sure what he did wrong. He thought he’d done a good job, that Mike liked what they did. But once Will got out of the shower and went back into the basement, he was gone. He went up both sets of stairs between the basement and Mike’s room. The bathroom door was wide open down the hall, so Will knew he wasn’t taking a shower. He went to Mike’s door and twisted the knob. It was locked. His hand flinched back from the doorknob as if it burned him. They’d done this before, where they would separate to freshen up after, but every time, Will would go upstairs and the door would be unlocked, and Mike would be in bed already, waiting for them to fall asleep together. But not this time. He didn’t want Will after this time. Will stood in the dark hallway for a few minutes, debating on knocking, but he knew better than to put himself where he wasn't wanted. He went back down to the basement reluctantly. He lay on the couch, the one that he and Mike had shared so many times, in pure moments and in intimate ones, and stared at the ceiling, his hands clasped on top of him, as if he were in a casket and was about to be buried.

Maybe Mike didn’t like what he looked like undressed.

Maybe he didn’t do it right.

Maybe Mike realized whose hands were on him—and wished they weren’t.

Maybe he wished the hands on him were daintier, softer, with painted nails at the tips of them.

Maybe Mike was repulsed by it—by him.

Will felt his eyes well up with tears, and he wiped at them with a sniffle.

He hoped that he was just overreacting.

He hoped Mike still loved him.

The next morning Will left before breakfast, he wasn’t ready to face Mike again yet. He used Mike’s old bike to get home, he breathed in the fresh air as he went through familiar streets. Despite his worry and confusion, he felt somewhat relaxed as the summer air glided across his face. He was going to miss this, he realized. Even though Hawkins was the setting for all his hurt and trauma, it was still home.

He left the bike out front and entered through the front door of the house. Hopper and his mom were sitting at the table, sipping coffee and cutting into Eggo waffles. Hopper used to avoid even looking at the yellow box of frozen breakfast, but now he could enjoy them in the morning. Will took that as a sign of healing. 

“Good morning.” He greeted as he entered the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee too.

“Good morning.” They greeted back.

“Are you hungry?” His mom asked.

“Not really, just need some caffeine in me.”

“You look tired.” Hopper pointed out.

“Gee, thanks.” Will brought the mug to his lips. The liquid burned his tongue, but he didn’t react.

“I’m just saying. Are you sleeping at all when you're over at the Wheeler's?”

“Yeah, I am. We just sleep late sometimes. We’re trying to spend as much time together as we can before we all leave.”

“Well, don’t tire yourself out too much. You’re still have a lot of packing to finish up,” Joyce interjected.

“I know.”

She skimmed over his frame. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine, Mom.”

She gave him a knowing look. “It is scary to move, but we’ll be closer once we get to Montauk. Plus, Jonathan will be back in New York soon too.”

He was scared. But he also wanted to start somewhere new, where he wasn't Zombie Boy, or the boy who went missing, or the queer freak. He would just be Will Byers, a regular college student.

“I’m okay. I guess it’s just a little overwhelming.” He obviously couldn't tell them about his other problem: Mike was avoiding him, or at least that's what it felt like.

“We’re both leaving for work in a bit, so make sure you lock up before you leave.”

“Okay.”

He finished his cup of coffee and went to his bedroom, throwing himself back on the bed with a frustrated groan. After an hour of just lying in bed as his mind raced, he decided to call Max.

“Hello?” Her voice was full of sleep.

“Can you come over, Max?”

“Depends on what you’re feeding me, I haven’t had breakfast yet.”

“I have eggs and bagels. That’s all I can offer.”

“Better than what I have. I’ll be over in a bit.”

Max showed up a while later, in sweats that Will assumed were Lucas’ and a shirt that looked oddly familiar.

“Is that my shirt?”

“You never asked for it back after truth or dare.” She explained.

“Well, I have yours too. We can switch back now.”

“Nah, I think I like this one better.”

Will shrugged. It looked better on her anyway.

“Did Lucas drive you?”

“No, my mom’s off today, so I brought the car. In case you forgot, I knew how to drive before any of you.”

“Not well, from what I heard.”

“I’ve improved.”

“Sure,” Will teased. “You want to help me pack?”

“Did you invite me over to do hard labor?”

“You don’t have to help. You can just keep me company while I do it.”

“Why isn’t Mike helping you pack?” Max questioned. ”One of the main perks of having a boyfriend is letting him do everything for you.”

“Well, first, Mike isn’t my boyfriend.”

“Which still baffles me,” Max commented.

“And second…things are kind of weird right now.”

“Ah, see, this is why you asked me to come over.” She sat on Will’s bed and leaned against his pillows. “So what happened?”

“Well, last night, after everyone left, Mike and I…did stuff.”

“Wow, right after we left? Have some decorum, Will.”

Will locked his bedroom door and went to sit by her. “I just feel like maybe he didn’t like it or something.”

“Okay, if you want help, I’m going to need more details. Like gruesome details.”

Will stood up and pressed play on his radio on his desk to hopefully block out any of the conversation from reaching outside of his room. He sat back down, and Max had an eyebrow quirked at him.

“So? Did you guys like do it?”

“No, nothing like that. We just...used our hands.”

“You’re freaking out about a handjob?” She giggled.

“We’ve never done anything underneath clothes. It was a big deal to me, okay?”

“Yeah, okay. So, did you hurt him or something?"

“No, I—I actually thought he liked it. Like a lot, he, um—it was over pretty fast.”

“God, I wish I could make fun of him for that.”

Will continued. “But it was more like afterward. I said I loved him, and I kissed him, but he didn’t really kiss back. And then I got out of the shower, and he was gone, which he usually doesn’t do, but when he does, I just go up to his room, and he’s waiting for me.”

“But?”

“But his door was locked.”

Max nodded.

“Am I being dramatic?”

“I’m trying to think.” She stared forward as if she was really mulling it over in her brain. After a few minutes, she spoke again. “Yeah, I think I'd be pretty pissed off.”

“Pissed off?”

“Yeah, you mean to tell me I just gave you the best handjob of your life—”

“I don’t know about that.”

She waved him off. “And you have the audacity to run upstairs and lock your bedroom door after so I can’t go in? Yeah, I’d be angry.”

“But, I’m not angry. I feel like maybe I did something wrong. Or maybe—I don’t know—maybe he wished it was a girl doing it or something.”

Max gave him a sorry look. They sat in silence for a few moments, minus the soft music playing on the radio.

“Is he fully gay?” Max asked gently. “Or is he, like, in between?”

“I don't know. He said he’s gay, but I don’t know if he meant it as a general statement or like he only likes guys.”

“Well, he’s only had one girlfriend before, right?"

“Yeah, but remember last year, when he was super depressed and he went out with that girl like twice?”

“I remember.”

“Well, he told us that they made out and that she also…gave him a handjob.”

“Did he say he liked it?”

“The way he described it, I think so.” Will sighed. “I don’t know if that got into my head, knowing that someone else—a girl—had done that for him. Or if he’s actually being weird.”

“He seem to be having a good time last night?”

“I mean, yeah. It was like…a lot.”

“A lot?”

“Of…you know.”

“Okay, no—way too much information.” She grimaced.

“Sorry. But does that mean anything?”

“I have no clue, but I don't want to think about it.”

“Okay, fine. So, what do you think?”

“I mean it sounds like he liked it, so I don’t think you did anything wrong. Maybe he felt insecure or something?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Maybe you are just overreacting.”

“Maybe.”

“If you want clarity though, just talk to him.”

Will let out a deep breath. “Yeah, I probably should just do that.”

Max gave him a wry smile.

“Now, help me pack. I’ll buy you a milkshake later.”

Max’s smile turned into a real one. “Bribery works on me, Byers. Let’s start packing.”

They got tired and bored after an hour and a half. They went out of the kitchen, where Will cooked up the intricate meal that was Eggo waffles and syrup.

“Bon appétit.” Will put the plate of waffles in front of Max.

“Gracias.”

“That’s Spanish.”

“Well, I don’t know French.” She cut into the waffles.

“Me neither.”

They ate in silence for a while. At one point Max started fiddling with her fork. Will noticed her fidgeting hands.

“Don’t tell me I screwed up making Eggos.”

Max let out a weak laugh. “No, they’re great. I just—it feels weird going to college and everything without El, right?”

Will suddenly struggled to swallow his food. “Yeah, it does.”

“Do you think she would have wanted to go to college?”

“I don’t know. School wasn’t a great experience for her. But she’s not one to back down from a fight, so maybe she’d try again.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

They needed to stop doing this. Trying to create a future for someone who was never going to have one. It was just sad.

Will’s leg started to bounce. He thought about El, about how much she loved all of them, and about how she sacrificed herself. He had felt angry for a brief time after it happened. He just couldn’t wrap his head around why she would do it, but he couldn’t be mad at her for long. She was his sister, and the only person who knew what it felt like to never feel in control of your life. So, if that’s the choice she decided to make, even though he didn't agree with it at all, he wouldn't hold a grudge against her for it. But he still wondered if she was scared. If she had thought about it for enough time—or if she just did it. If she regretted it when it was already too late. If anything was ever going to feel the same again.

“Do you think she’d be upset?” Will heard his voice ask without thinking.

“About what?”

“Me and Mike. Do you think she’d hate me?”

Max shook her head quickly. “She’d understand. I think she already kind of did.”

Will thought back to his conversations with El. Her reaction to him coming out. All the times she’d catch him staring at Mike.

“Yeah, she’s smart.”

“And you two are obvious.”

“I hope she knows that I wasn’t like—trying to compete with her for him or anything. I was okay with him being hers if that made them happy.”

“I know that, and I’m sure she does too.” Max put her fork down. “Or did.”

The past tense made Will’s heart drop.

He cleared his throat. “Are you excited for the party?” He changed the subject.

“I am actually. Not to sound like a sap, but I’m really going to miss all of us being together all the time. I feel like I lost so much time while I was…in the coma.”

“We have all the time in the world together now.”

Max smiled at him. “I need to study you or something.”

“What? Why?”

“Because no matter how much you're struggling, you always seem to know what to say to people. I’m going to need that as a psychology major. At some point I’m going to have to stop saying, 'Who cares? Just do whatever you want.'”

“Yeah, definitely can’t say that to the wrong person.” Will chuckled.

Hours went by as they spoke about everything under the sun and continued packing Will’s things. Will was engaged in the conversation, of course, but he still felt odd about Mike. He hadn’t even called or anything. He always called.

“Okay, let’s get you dressed for the party so we can go to mine and I can get dressed.”

“The party starts at eight. It’s three.”

“Yeah, and we both have to get ready, and I’m hungry again.”

“Maybe I should’ve picked out my outfit before I packed half of my clothes away.”

Max giggled. “Yeah, that would’ve been smart.”

“It doesn’t even matter what I wear. It’s not like I’m trying to impress anyone.”

“Not even, Mike?”

“Fine, one person.”

“Let me pick an outfit for you. And you can pick mine.”

“Are you going to make me look stupid?”

“No. I’m going to make you look hot.”

“Mike thinks I’m hot already.”

Max snorted. “Yeah, if those knit sweaters get him going, I can only imagine how he’d react if he saw you in something like…” She flipped through his half-empty closet. “Ooh. This.”

“That’s just a button-up shirt.”

“But I have a vision, okay?” She threw the shirt at him. “Now, where are those Wrangler jeans you have, the ones that make your butt look good?”

“Have you been checking me out, Max?”

“On occasion.” She joked as she went through his drawers. “Found them.”

Will grabbed an undershirt and changed into it; he grabbed for the button-up, but Max swatted his hand away. “What are you doing?”

“Where are your scissors?”

“In the drawer of my desk.”

Max grabbed the scissors and laid the shirt out, cutting a few inches off from the bottom.

“Okay, not too short. It’ll look like I’m wearing your shirt again.”

“Oh come on, Mike was obsessed with it. That’s partially why I don’t want it back. Who knows how you two defiled my poor crop.”

They laughed as Will put the now semi-cropped button-up on; he was about to button it when Max gave him a threatening look. He dropped his hands to his sides, and Max rolled the already short sleeves up a bit higher, cuffing them at the bottom.

“Now put on your jeans and that belt.” She pointed to a belt that was poking out of one of his moving boxes. “I’m going to grab something to drink while you do that. Want anything?”

“I’m good.”

She left the room, and Will switched to the jeans and buckled the belt, smoothing down his clothes.

“Come out when you’re done!” Max called to him.

He walked out of his room and did a spin for her. “Is it how you envisioned it?”

She grinned against her glass. “I’m a fucking genius.”

Will went to look at himself in the full-length mirror in his parents' room. He did look different than usual. He looked…cool.

“You kind of are a genius.”

“Thanks, I know.” She gloated. “Now let’s go get some food, and get me dressed next.”

He put his shoes on and wrote a note for his mom and Hopper saying that he left and that he would be sleeping over at Mike’s. Will drove them to Benny’s Burgers to grab some food on their way to Max’s house. They sat in a booth and ate their food, talking about who will win the bet tonight, and shared a milkshake. Will wondered if, to any strangers, they seemed like a couple. He realized how much easier it was to do something like this with Max, who’s his friend, than if he were to do it with Mike, even though he’s also just his friend, at least in everyone else’s eyes. For a moment, he understood why Mike wanted to keep that illusion up. Will tried to imagine himself having a girlfriend, sitting in a booth with her, sharing a milkshake and stories. But it didn’t work. It should have felt right, but he could never feel the way he feels about Mike for a girl; it didn’t feel true to him. When they finished eating, they hopped back in the car and drove to Max’s house. Her room was less messy than usual; it was never dirty, just always notably lived in. She had a lot of pictures framed in her room, some of her and El, some of her and Lucas, some with Will, and others with the full party minus El. He didn’t know how Max could see those every day and still go on.

“I’m going to give you options to choose from because I don’t completely trust you with choosing my outfit.”

“Not fair.”

“Boo-hoo.” She went through her closet, grabbing different shirts and jeans and shorts, putting them together in sets. Eventually she ended up with three options laid out on her bed. “What are we thinking?”

Will looked over each outfit. “They all look good.”

She groaned. “God, I hate guys sometimes.”

“Okay, okay. That one. Green is your color.”

“Good. I was hoping you would choose that one.”

Max got dressed and put the lightest amount of blush, mascara, and lip gloss on. Eventually Lucas showed up at her front door.

“Beautiful as always.” He greeted her and gave her a sweet kiss. Will smiled at the gesture.

“What about Will? I dressed him.”

“I can tell. I’m so used to seeing you in band tees and sweaters.”

“Do I look stupid?” Will felt self-conscious now.

“No, you look good. Really handsome.”

“Thanks.”

“Alright, let’s go pick up Dustin. I was outside of his house earlier, but he said he needed more time, so we came here first.”

“More time to do what?”

“Mike thinks he’s shaving just in case.”

“Ew.”

“Mike’s here?” Will asked with a sense of urgency.

“Yeah, he’s in the car.”

Max gave him a look, telling him to go talk to him. “Lucas, can you help me find my belt with the silver buckle on it? I can’t find it.”

“Sure.” Lucas went into her room, already rustling through her things.

“Go.” She whispered to Will. He nodded and walked out of the house. He could see Mike in the back seat, staring out the window.

“Hey.” Will said as he opened the door to slide in next to him.

“Oh, hey. Sorry, I was zoned out.”

“You’re fine.”

There was an awkward silence between them; Will's stomach twisted.

“Can we talk?”

“About?”

“Last night.”

Mike finally made full eye contact with him. “Yeah, sure. What’s up?”

“Did you—did you not like it?”

Mike’s eyes widened. “What? Of course I did.”

“Then why were you acting so weird after?”

“I wasn’t,” Mike denied.

“You didn't kiss me back, and you left before I got out of the shower, and you locked me out of your room.” Will listed.

“I didn’t mean to. I was just really exhausted, so I fell asleep. I must’ve locked it by accident.”

The way he said it felt rehearsed, as if he had had this conversation in his head already.

“So, I didn’t do anything wrong?”

“Not at all, Will. We’re fine.”

Will didn’t fully believe it. “Okay.”

Mike grabbed his hand, intertwining their fingers. Wil looked at their hands; it shouldn’t have made him so happy, the smallest bit of affection outside of the basement or one of their bedrooms. But it made him break out into a smile and squeeze Mike’s hand in reply. They were okay. They had to be. Because if they weren’t, he didn’t know what he would do.

Lucas and Max walked out of the house moments later. Mike dropped Will’s hand quickly, sitting up straighter and further away.

That was the shortest moment of happiness he ever had.

It vanished the second Mike let go.

They drove off to pick up Dustin, who came out of his house with the biggest grin on his face.

“What’d you do, full-on bald or landing strip?” Mike teased.

“You will never know.”

The friends laughed together as Lucas began driving to the party. Will felt Mike press his thigh against his; he looked up to see Mike smiling at him. Will couldn't help but smile back.

They had to park fairly far again when they arrived.

“Okay, seriously, there’s no way they even know this many people.” Dustin commented.

“I feel like there aren't even this many people our age in Hawkins.” Lucas added.

“Well, all I know is that all these people are about to see you get your ass kicked at pool.” Mike pushed Lucas lightly.

“Nope, I think you have that mixed up. I’m winning.” He pushed him back. They ended up pushing each other and giving sarcastic comments to each other the rest of the walk there. Max, Will, and Dustin all rolled their eyes at them. They finally stopped as they approached the house. Mike slowed his pace to be in the back of the group with Will.

“You look really good, by the way. I wanted to tell you since I saw you walk out of Max’s house.”

“Thanks. You look good too.”

Mike shook his head. “I could never measure up to you.”

Will nudged him gently, a blush rising to his cheeks.

They entered the party and beelined for the coolers with drinks in them. They grabbed beers and fruity drinks and sipped on them together, except for Lucas; he drank a coke. They watched the people around them for a moment, the people dancing, the others playing beer pong, some playing pool, and others taking shots. They were unsure where to go.

“Well, Dustin, the only one who was actually invited, what should we do?” Max asked him.

“I don’t know, dance?”

“Mike and I are going to the pool table.” Lucas told them, already eyeing the ongoing game. “You want to watch, babe?” He asked Max.

“Watch a bunch of guys aggressively hit balls with a stick? No thanks. We’ll be on the dance floor.” Max grabbed Will’s arm and dragged him to the dance floor.

Mike, Lucas, and Dustin went to the pool table and watched the game. A guy with blonde hair and a shirt way too big for him walked up to them. “Do any of you want to play? It’s ten dollars to play, and it’s a tournament. The winner gets all the money.”

Lucas and Mike looked at each other before nodding at the guy, grabbing cash from out of their pockets.

"What about you, valedictorian?"

“No, thank you. Have you seen Stacy by any chance?”

“She was with Anne and Gia in the den last time I saw her.”

“Okay, thanks,” Dustin replied, already walking away.

“Wait, you’re leaving?” Lucas called after him.

“I’ll be back; I just need to finish some business.” Dustin winked at him.

“When did Dustin become a harlot?” Mike joked.

“He’s all grown up,” Lucas fake-cried.

Lucas won a few rounds against some other guys, knocking them out of the competition. Mike went and did the same, still doing well despite being three drinks in now. Finally it was down to Luas and Mike.

“May the best man win.” Lucas stuck his hand out for Mike to shake.

“So I shall.” He shook Lucas’ extended hand.

This was the longest game they’d played so far. Mike would hit a ball close to a pocket, and Lucas would block it with one of his solid ones, ruining Mike’s shot. Eventually they were both down to one ball. Mike’s yellow striped ball was perfectly lined up with the blank one. Lucas’ green solid ball was at a bit more of an angle, but he was going first, so if he made it in, he had an advantage; even if he didn’t make it, he was still going to get the ball further from Mike’s so that it would be tougher to get in. There was a group of people watching now, making this a lot more intimidating than it really was. Lucas hit the white ball perfectly, causing his green ball to fall into the pocket.

“Yes!” He cheered, as did a few people on the sidelines.

He then went to where the white ball was now, attempting to hit the eight ball in order to win. “Middle left pocket.” Lucas called his pocket. 

He hit the ball and missed. Some of the crowd groaned. Mike was up next; luckily, the white ball ended up where he had a fair shot at his yellow ball. He hit lightly, making sure not to get the white ball in with it. He made it in, and the crowd cheered. The white ball ended up at a weird angle; in, he took a few minutes, feeling the anticipation of those around him.

“The bottom right pocket.” He called out, and the crowd made a sound of confusion.

That was probably the furthest pocket to hit. But Mike was confident in his choice. He hit the ball with more force this time, making it bounce off the corner of the table and head straight for the black ball, hitting it just right for it to land in the pocket he called. The crowd cheered loudly. Lucas flipped him off, and Mike returned it with a smile. The guy with blonde hair handed Mike the winnings, and the crowd cheered again.

“Here you go. For your time and effort.” Mike teased Lucas as he gave him his ten dollars back.

“Keep it. You won fair and square.” Lucas pushed the money away.

Mike put the bill in Lucas’ shirt pocket and patted it. “Good game.”

The pool table was taken over by people who wanted to play for fun now. Mike and Lucas went to grab another beverage, passing the den on the way.

“Hey, Mike, wait!” Dustin called out to him. Mike stopped and redirected to where Dustin was sitting. Lucas went to get another Coke and to find Max.

“Hey, did you not find Stacy?”

“I did; she’s right there. But her friend, Gia, asked if I could put in a good word for her.”

“For what?”

“Hello? She thinks you're cute, for some odd reason. And she wants to get to know you.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that.”

“Why not?”

“Because, Dustin, I’m leaving in, like, a week; there’s no point in getting a girlfriend or something.” 

And I’m in love with our best friend, he thinks.

“She’s leaving soon too. Trust me, she doesn’t want a boyfriend. She just wants to hang.” Dustin wriggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Mike looked toward the girl that was whispering in Stacy’s ear, obviously about him.

“I don’t know, Dustin.”

“I told her you’d be interested.”

“Why?”

“Because she’s a pretty girl who wants to make out. So, I just assumed you would be.”

He should be.

Mike had no real reason to say no. At least not one that he could share.

“Okay, I guess I can talk to her.”

“Good luck!” Dustin encouraged him.

Mike walked over to the girl who he’d only ever seen in passing at school. Stacy saw him approaching and smirked before leaving her side and going to sit by Dustin. Gia watched Mike approach with a smile.

“Hey, I saw you won the pool tournament; pretty cool.” She batted her eyelashes at him. Mike’s head was reeling; there was a popular cute girl flirting with him, and all he could think was that Will’s eyelashes were longer and prettier.

Mike cleared his throat. “Yeah, it’s a lot of math and science, actually.”

“Math and science?”

“Yeah, angles, distance, and force. It helps.”

She giggled; it didn’t sound genuine. “You must be really smart.”

“I’m alright.”

“Henderson was telling me that you’re going to the University of Chicago.”

“Yup, a business major.” He wasn’t sure why he was trying to impress her; he really just wanted to go watch the way Will looked as he swayed on the dance floor.

“Nice. I’m going into communications.”

“That’s cool.”

Mike knew the conversation wasn’t the best, but it didn’t even seem like Gia cared. She was still smiling at him.

“Hey, Gia, come play!” One of her friends called from further into the den. Mike turned to look where she was waving her over to. There was a group of guys and girls sitting around in a circle, a glass bottle in the middle.

“Oh, spin the bottle. Want to play?” Gia asked him excitedly.

“Uh—” Mike hesitated, looking for someone to save him from this situation, but Dustin was gone now, and his other friends were dancing. And Gia was watching him expectantly.

“Don’t worry, if the bottle lands on a guy, you get to spin again.”

Something about the assumption that he wouldn’t want to kiss a guy made him feel…safe.

Hidden in plain sight.

“Yeah, okay, let’s play.”

She grabbed his hand and led him to the circle. Her hand felt odd in his. It didn't feel correct. It didn’t feel like Will.

“Okay, Anne, since it’s your party, you start,” Gia told her.

Anne smirked and spun the bottle.

And so the game began.

On the dance floor Will was having the time of his life; he and Max were twirling around each other and jumping around like a couple of idiots. Not caring who was watching.” Lucas showed up with a pout.

“What’s up with you?” Max teased him.

“I lost.”

“What? Lucas, I told you you had to win!”

“Ha! Five bucks, Mad Max.” Will stuck his tongue out at her.

“Whatever, Lucas, give him five bucks.”

Lucas put five dollars in his hand without question.

“Hey, where’s Mike? I have to thank him for earning me this high reward.” Will said sarcastically.

“I think he's in the den with Dustin." Lucas shrugged.

“Alright, I’ll be right back, losers.”

Max stuck her tongue out at him as he did before.

Will wasn’t exactly sure where the den was; he trailed around the large house, and he made sure this time not to open any doors to any rooms. He had learned this lesson.

“Hey, have you seen Mike Wheeler?” He asked a girl who had just lost a game of pool.

“Who?”

“The guy who won the tournament.”

“Oh, the skinny guy with black hair?”

“Yeah.”

“He’s over there with Gia playing a game, I think.”

“Thanks.” Will went in the direction the girl had pointed; he walked towards the sound of whooping and cheering, assuming someone had just scored at beer pong or something. He stopped in his tracks when he spotted Mike.

He had his hands on a girl's cheeks, bringing her face close to his; the girl grabbed Mike’s face back, speeding up the process and making their lips meet. The whooping continued around Will; he watched in horror as Mike moved his lips against hers.

He didn’t look scared at all.

Not here in front of all these people.

Not with her. 

Will turned quickly, speeding out of the den and towards the front door. The music was blaring loudly behind him, and people were still laughing and cheering. It made his brain hurt.

“Will, are you okay?” Max asked as he passed by her.

“I have to go.”

“What? Why? Where are you going?”

“Have fun. I’m going home.”

Will stormed past her. He took long strides as he passed the lines of parked cars. There was a phone booth at a gas station not too far from there. He didn't have change, so once he got to the store, he had to buy a pack of gum to get coins to use. He put a quarter in and listened to the line ring with tears in his eyes.

“Hawkins chief’s department, how can I help you?”

“Hi, it’s—it’s Will Byers. Is Chief Hopper still there?’

“Chief, your son’s on the line!” She yelled out before talking directly into the phone again. “He should be picking up soon.”

“Thank you.”

Hopper’s voice took over almost instantly. “Will? Where are you calling from?"

Will let out a shaky breath. “Joe’s Quick Mart out here near Lochn’ora.”

“Why? Are you okay?”

Will sighed. “Could you come pick me up?”

“Will, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I just need to go home.”

“I’ll be there in a few minutes. Don’t move from where you are.”

Will sat outside on the curb, letting tears slide down his cheek. He heard tires screech, and Hopper’s car was speeding towards him, the lights nearly blinding him. Will stood from his spot and got into the passenger seat, buckling his seatbelt, not sparing a glance at Hopper.

“Will?” Hopper’s voice was gentle and careful.

The tone reminded him of the tone Mike used for him since they were kids, the one he used to comfort him when he was sad or scared. The tears streamed down his face faster, and he finally let out a loud sob.

Hopper took his own seatbelt off and moved to wrap his arms around Will’s shaking frame.

“It’s okay. You’re okay. You’re with me.”

Will was crying loudly. He couldn't even find it in him to be embarrassed or wipe his tears. He was heartbroken.

“Will, please just tell me that nothing bad happened. If something happened to you or someone did something, you need to tell me now.”

Will shook his head against Hopper's jacket. “No,” he rasped out.

“Are you sure?”

Will nodded, sniffling.

Hopper was watching him worriedly. Trying to get some sense of what was causing Will to break down like this.

“Can we just go home, please?” Will finally let out a sentence through fast breaths. It hurt to speak with how much he was crying, his throat felt tight.

“Okay, we’ll go home.”

Sobs wracked Will’s body the whole way home. He could feel Hopper glancing at him every few moments, as if checking if he was still alive.

When Hopper parked outside of their home, Will jumped out of the car, slamming the door behind him. He ran inside into his bedroom and locked his door, his back sliding down it as he fell to the floor; his eyes were flooding, and his hands were shaking.

“Will, I’ll leave you alone if you want, but please just talk to us when you’re ready. We’re worried about you.” His mom’s voice sounded from the other side of the door. He must've woken her up with how loud he was being. He stood up quickly, unlocking and twisting the doorknob. Joyce caught sight of him, and her eyebrows furrowed.

“Oh, sweetie.” She opened her arms, and Will crumbled into them. Needing his mother’s comfort. 

Needing everything to stop hurting so much.

Mike stood from his spot in the spin-the-bottle circle when he noticed Max fuming at him. He walked toward her, eyebrows drawn together in confusion. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“What game were you just playing?”

“Uh—spin the bottle.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s fun?” Mike shrugged.

“What about Will?” Max asked angrily. Her tone made Mike’s eyebrow quirk up as he realized what she was asking.

She knew.

“He told you?”

“I figured it out, asshole.”

“Where is he?”

“He’s gone. He left because I’m assuming he saw you making out with some girl during spin the fucking bottle, idiot.”

“Fuck,” Mike cursed, squeezing his eyes shut in frustration.

“What were you thinking?”

Mike rubbed his temples. “I wasn’t!”

“Don’t try to make excuses now.”

“I need to talk to him.” Mike stormed out of the party. Max went to grab Lucas and Dustin, who had just gotten back downstairs with a pleased look on his face.

“We’re leaving already?” Dustin asked, disappointed. His face changed to one of worry when he noticed Mike’s tense posture.

“Mike, what’s wrong?” Lucas studied his figure with furrowed brows.

“I need to find Will.”

“Max said he left earlier.”

“Left with who? Where'd he go?”

“I’m pretty sure he called Hopper,” Max answered.

“Pretty sure? You don’t even know if he made it home safe or anything? What kind of friend are you?”

“Okay, Mike, calm down. Stop yelling at her.” Lucas defended Max.

“Don’t try and blame me or make me feel like shit for what you caused, Wheeler!” Max crossed her arms in front of her.

Mike’s breath was heavy and rapid. “I need—I need to see him.”

“Let’s go home. We can call him there.” Dustin advised Mike.

“No, that's too far. Does Anne have a phone?”

“Of course she does.”

“Upstairs?”

“I don’t know; it’s not my house."

Mike went back inside, up the stairs, and into the bedroom that had a pink “A” painted on it. Luckily it was empty, and there was a phone sitting on the bedside table. He punched in the number he’d memorized by now, hearing the dial tone ring. Once. Twice.

“Hello?” Joyce’s voice sounded from the other side.

“Mrs. Byers?”

“Mike?”

“Is Will there? Did he get home safe?”

“Yes, he’s here.” She replied softly. “Did something happen at the party? He came home…distraught.”

Mike’s throat was closing in. “I think he just got sad because he’s leaving soon.” He lied.

“I don’t know. It seems like more than that. I’m really worried about him.”

“Could I—could I talk to him?”

“I don’t think so, Mike. He’s locked in his room now. I think he needs some alone time.”

Mike sniffled. “Okay.”

“Thanks for checking in. You’re a good friend, Mike.”

Mike squeezed his eyes shut, trying to hold the tears that were threatening to fall back. “Of course.”

“Bye, and stay safe.”

Mike hung up and stared at the wall full of magazine covers in front of him, trying to regulate his breathing, trying to stop the tears.

“Hey, let’s go home.” Lucas’ voice broke him out of his trance.

Mike nodded, not able to let any words out.

Dustin spoke the whole drive home, trying to distract from whatever was going on, hoping to make Mike feel better. But it was no use.

“We’re here,” Lucas said as they pulled into his driveway. “Do you want to stay over at my house? Max and Dustin are.”

Mike knew by his tone that he was really saying: I don’t trust you being by yourself right now.

“No.”

“I think you should,” Dustin attempted.

“No.”

“You two go inside. I need to talk to him.”

Lucas and Dustin gave each other a look, Max raised an eyebrow at them, and they scrambled out of the car. When they were left alone, Max was glaring at the side of Mike’s face.

“Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

“I fucked up, Max. I really fucked up,” he finally rasped out.

“Do you know how shitty this is?”

“I know.”

“Do you know how much Will has put aside his feelings to make you feel comfortable?”

“I know.”

“Do you know how fucking in love with you he is?”

“I know.” Mike’s voice cracked. “I know.”

Max’s hard demeanor cracked for a moment. “Mike, you love him too. I know you do. And I understand how it can feel hopeless in your circumstances.”

“No, you don't."

“Not exactly, no. But Lucas and I get weird looks and whispers all the time.”

Mike hadn’t even thought about that before. Hawkins wasn't the most progressive town, and Mike knew Lucas got comments here and there as one of the few Black people in town, but he always saw Max and Lucas as the perfect couple. How could anyone be against that?

“It’s hard to navigate stuff like that, but if you love him and you want to keep him in your life, you need to man the fuck up.”

“I don’t know if I can,” Mike admitted.

Max shook her head in disappointment. “Then stop hurting him.”

“That isn’t fair. Why can’t I have him and my dignity?”

Max scoffed. “If you think you're losing your dignity by loving him, then you don't deserve him at all.”

Mike pushed the car door open and slammed it behind him, walking over to his house. He had enough of that conversation.

Once he made it inside, he ran up to his room and locked the door behind him. He stared at the painting Will had made for him some years back, the one that made Mike suspect that there was something more than a friendly feeling between them. He studied the way the colors were carefully stroked onto the painting, the attention to detail, and the heart on Mike the Brave’s shield.

Will had always loved Mike so much. It pained him that it took him so long to realize it.

He was going to make this right. He was going to apologize and tell him that he loved him and that it was a mistake.

He was going to fix this because that’s who they are. 

They were unbreakable.

Will would understand. 

Once he hears Mike out, he’ll understand.