Chapter Text
The plan is decided after another hour of arguing, catching up, arguing again, a dozen voices overlapping, interrupting one another, adding and contradicting. Will's head is getting dizzy when he's trying to comprehend it all: the wormhole, the children in the Abyss, the exotic matter, the merging of worlds. The crazy idea Steve, of all people, comes up with doesn't even seem so insane in the light of everything else that's happened over the past three days. Climbing a tower to save the lost children and defeat the evil force that's taken them... It does sound like a damn fairytale. Maybe they'll have a crack at a happy ending, too.
Will doubts, though, that there are usually any bombs in fairytales. During the discussion he sticks closer to William and sir Michael; they listen in without interfering, but Will doesn't like the little gasp evading William's lips at the mention of the bomb, and he doesn't like the sorrowful, concerned look sir Michael shoots at Jane at the same moment even more.
Will eavesdrops shamelessly on the words they whisper to each other while everyone else goes over the plan, polishing the details and defining the necessary preparations.
"It's just like-" Sir Michael chokes on his words.
"It is, my darling. I fear it is."
"We can't let it happen. We can't let it happen again."
"We shan't. Not this time," William glances at Jane. "She's so young."
Will touches sir Michael's hand, his movement slow and careful; he doesn't want anyone else paying attention to this conversation.
"What's wrong?"
William answers him with a soft shake of his head.
"Nothing," he says, his voice wistful, "Nothing we cannot fix."
"You said... Again. What does it mean?" Will insists.
"Hey, dragon's lair?" Dustin raises his eyebrows, his arms crossed, as he stares at their group. "Anything to share with the class? A prophecy or something?"
"Prophecies are not to be meddled with, my dear bard," William smirks, "Although you seem to forget this within a minute after every time I say it."
"My faith in your victory is strong," sir Michael declares, "But the strategy you're going to put into action brings up the memories of our own final battle."
"All we can say on the matter of its outcome is... Obvious, naturally. You see us standing here, do you not?"
This little affirmation manages to lift everyone's mood.
"Chop-chop, children, no time to waste!" Murray claps his hands, and everyone goes to set their own matters: collect ammunition, map out the plan, change into more fitting clothes.
Hopper insists those who's just returned from the Upside Down should get at least an hour of sleep while it's still possible. Even Nancy is too tired to refuse. She snuggles on the couch with Jonathan; Will closes the door on them. Dustin and Steve collapse into a makeshift bed of pillows and one blanket. They all need this rest, little as it is.
Jane and Kali go outside the building to rehearse their mental connection they need to invade Vecna's mind.
Will reaches sir Michael before he and William can follow them.
"You didn't answer my question."
"Forgive me, my sweetness," sir Michael says softly. For the first time, his eyes don't meet Will's. "I cannot."
Will gulps. It is an answer enough.
He looks at William, pleading.
"Is she going to be alright? Please."
William nods, clasping one of the small leather bags attached to his belt in his palm.
Sir Michael takes Will's hand and presses it to the fiery scarlet heart on his breastplate.
"I give you my word. We shall do everything in our power to keep lady Jane safe."
"Not just because you ask. I share you desire for the well-being of our lovely sister whole-heartedly," William sighs. "She's endured so much evil. No less than you have."
"More," Will whispers.
It's the main reason he could never be actually mad at Jane. He's been envious, and he's been jealous, and he wished desperately he's had Mike the way she has, but he could never hate her. He could never wish ill upon her. Not after everything she's been through. She deserved a good life. A happy life.
"Pain isn't a tournament, young one," William smiles; there's a sadness in his gaze, one of an old man. "Forgive us. We have to converse with Jane before the sun reaches the horizon. It's a matter of utmost importance."
Will looks at the clock when they walk out. It's a little over an hour until the sunset. A little less than two hours before the assigned time of the final mission.
There're many things to resolve.
Will dutifully proceeds with his task of tuning the walkies to a perfect pitch for the connection not to fail once the team Lab and team Tower separate. He helps Lucas bring some boxes with weapons up the stairs, too.
"Won't you stay? I mean, here, with Max?"
"No. We need every man on the ground, right? And she can- She can take care of herself. She'll be safe here. No one's found our base of operation in a year and a half. It's not going to happen today." Lucas sighs and shakes his head, as if trying to drive his own worries away. Will can't imagine how hard must it be for him to separate from the one he loves so much, mere hours after she's returned to him. "Besides, you're coming. No demo will stop us," Lucas smirks and clearly tries to emulate Mike with his exhilarated, "Sorcerer."
It doesn't sound the way Mike has pronounced it at all. Lucas doesn't sound mocking, and he captures the intonation, too, but it's just... different. It lacks a certain edge of the tone, or, maybe, something written entirely on Mike's face, but Lucas's impression falls flat.
Will still chuckles.
"Uh, how many times are you going to repeat it? I'm not."
"Yeah, man. You've got beaten on the sorcery field. By yourself, no less," Lucas scoffs and scratches at his perfectly healed, scarless chest. "I'm not sure that demo hasn't got me. They look like a fever dream. Full on Merlin and king Arthur style."
Will's chuckle grows into a full smile.
"Are you mad cause your DnD version couldn't make it?"
"Nah. I'd be too powerful for this world to withhold. I'm two levels higher than you."
"Yeah, well... I think I've just leveled up."
"It doesn't count!" Lucas laughs.
It's great to see him laugh. He hasn't even smiled in a long, long time.
"You're such a dork," Max pulls Lucas away. "Don't listen to him, Will."
Will politely averts his eyes as they kiss.
He makes his way down to the basement to check if there's anything else he can help with before everyone gathers again to go over the plan one more time and it will be time to load the truck and set off.
"How's your thingummy, Wheeler?" Robin's voice, although tired, comes with an upbeat.
Mike, who's already changed into his stupid military outfit, explains the mechanics of the "Upside-Down-Destroyer" – that's what Dustin called the idea of the bomb, – and Will lingers behind the corner, trying to catch a moment to lure Mike away. They do have to talk – to settle it all – before the departure.
"Bronski Beat?" Robin scoffs.
"I built it, right? I get to pick the record!"
"Su-ure, Mr. Detonator. I just- Didn't mark you for the type."
Mike chuckles.
"It's a good song."
"Uh-huh. But it's not nearly saving-the-world grade of good."
They keep bantering over the choice of the record; Will's heart turns in his chest. If he wasn't picking on any signs before, he definitely picks on this one.
He's trying to decide the right way to hint Robin that he needs a moment alone with Mike when he glances at the clock again.
Oh. Time does fly by when you're not waiting anymore.
"Mike?" He calls, straight-forward, stepping from behind the corner.
Mike jerks his head up. A faint smile touches his lips.
"Yeah?"
"We should go. Right now. The sun's setting."
"Shit."
Mike glances at the device before him.
"See?" He says to Robin, "There's no time to change the record. It's gonna work just fine."
She just rolls her eyes, and then, when Mike stands and shortens the distance to Will, she jests frantically, pointing at Mike, shrugging, winking and giving Will a thumbs-up, all in a span of four seconds. Will just smiles; she's picked on Mike's choice of music too, it seems.
Sir Michael and William are outside. William holds Jane's hands in his, a soft smile on his face, tears glistening in his eyes. Jane nods with the same expression on her face. She doesn't look so tense anymore, despite the danger they're all about to dive in; in fact, she looks more relaxed than she's ever done in the past eighteen months.
For the first time ever, Will notices there is a strange likeness between her features and his own. Somehows it's easier to put in place when it's not a reflection in a mirror.
"Thank you," Jane says quietly, "Thank you for all."
She covers a strange amulet hanging from her neck before quickly shoving it under her swimsuit once she notices Mike and Will standing on the porch.
It doesn't escape Will that Kali has a pendant around her neck, too. Jane takes her hand and goes with her to the field, further from the radio station, without saying a goodbye.
William smiles at Mike. They nod at each other, and Mike positively grins. Will wonders why, but he has no time to ask; sir Michael takes his hand.
"I know this realm is not like ours. Its cruelty is uncomprehendable to me, since we come from a land that endorses love above all. Will," he pauses, lowering his head to level with Will, "Heed my words. You may come with us. I promise, my love will be enough for both of you," sir Michael smiles, confident as ever, "If that's what you decide."
"No!" There's an expression of pure panic on Mike's face. He gasps before blurting out, "Don't! Just- Please, don't go. Will?"
Will gives Mike a long look.
It's hard to understand why this proposition would trouble him so. Both Mike and sir Michael must know Will wouldn't abandon his family, his friends when they need him. And he could never abandon Mike. Even the idea of it goes against everything Will believes in.
"Wasn't planning on."
"So I've said," William smiles subtly. "You have everything you need in your own realm, young one."
Mike sighs with relief. His shoulders drop a solid inch when he does so.
"We must say our goodbyes," sir Michael pronounces solemnly.
"What's going on?" Dustin pokes his head out of the door. He yawns, the short sleep lingering to him, and shakes his head. Lucas bumps into him, his hand in Max's. They all step out.
"Are you leaving?" she says, "Already?"
"We must," William confirms, "Our time here has reached its measure."
"It's been an honor to know you in this realm as much as it is in our home one, my friends," sir Michael smiles.
"Thank you," Max chokes out, pursing her lips into a suffocated smile.
"Yeah. Thank you."
"Shit. I only got to know you!"
"I'm going to miss you," Mike says, his voice soft.
"Me too," Will whispers, "So much."
"You won't see us again," William states, locking his eyes with Mike's, "But I shall always hold you, all of you, dearest in my memory."
Will's eyes sting with tears. He manages a little smile as he shares a look with sir Michael. Protection of his aura will be gone within moments, but Will is going to keep it forever in his heart. A memory of the kiss, a shadow of love they share in another world, and, above all, a faint, still unsure, but resilient hope for love in this world, too, that they've given him.
"So shall I."
"Step away now," William nods, "It's not safe to stand in proximity to a closing portal."
All five of them cluster on the porch, their backs pressed to the door. Will shudders when his knuckles brush against Mike's. Mike flinches for a second. And – it lasts barely a moment, but it is there – his hand grips Will's fingers, giving them one gentle squeeze.
The sun touches the horizon. The air buzzes, first sparks of the portal shimmering with yellow and purple dots forming a spiral in the air.
"It is ready," William says.
Sir Michael puts on his helmet, the blue plume atop it a bright smear on the faded hue of the sky.
"Fare well, my friends."
William touches the spiral in the center, his fingers moving through it, following an intricate pattern. When he's done with the incantation, he puts his hands on sir Michael's shoulders. Sir Michael wraps his arms around William's waist, the shield in his hand protecting William's back.
They press their foreheads, William's bare skin against the metal of sir Michael's helmet, as the bright yellow light spreads from their chests slammed together.
For a moment, the world freezes, silent and motionless. Then, in a single flash, he portal closes with a snap and a wave of wing strong enough to rustle the trees.
Will blinks away his tears.
"Goodbye," he whispers.
"They seemed... close," Dustin squints, the process of piecing something together written clearly in the wrinkle on his forehead.
"Sure," Max suppresses a laugh, covering her mouth with her palm, her cheeks wet.
"No fucking wonder," Lucas smirks. He shoots a quick glance first at Will, and then at Mike, and his smile changes somehow.
Will glances at Mike, too. He's standing there, looking at the exact spot sir Michael and William have just disappeared from, and he looks... flustered. Not angry at all, and definitely not grossed out. Soft blush touches his high cheekbones. He's so beautiful in the rays of the setting sun; something clenches in Will's stomach.
They return to the SQUAWK basement. Others join in after a few minutes. Over the walkie, Erica confirms the preparations to intervene the Mac-Z are completed according to plan. Mike walks the whole group, except for Jane and Kali, through the stages of the plan one more time.
One last crawl.
One last fight.
One by one, everyone goes up to load the truck that's finally arrived with all the necessary supplies, to drink coffee and get themselves ready.
Will grasps Mike by the wrist, one step up on the stairs. They only have a quarter of an hour before the plan is set in motion, and, really, there's nothing else to help with but settling their own matters.
Will needs it desperately. Will needs his heart unshattered by worries, by doubts, by more fears, by more hopes that might just prove to be false – and even if William was wrong, even if there haven’t ever been any signs, even if Mike rejects him – Will needs this weight off his shoulders. Will needs it to be strong enough to resist Vecna; Will needs it just in case. What if his connection to the hivemind is still strong enough to affect him once the fight is over and they win? What if the Mindflayer particles still roam his body, and once the Upside Down – wormhole or no – is destroyed, once the connection is severed forever, once the mind dies, the host dies too? What if it's his last day? What if it's his last chance?
Will can't afford to take this secret to his grave. He needs Mike to know he was – is – will be forever – loved. It doesn't matter if it ruins them.
"Mike?"
Mike stops, staring down at their hands touching. He doesn't recoil.
"Yeah?"
"I need you to- to hear something, okay?"
"Like... now?" Mike glances up the stairs, at Will, up the stairs, at Will again. He takes a step down.
"I'm sorry," Will realizes he still has his hand on Mike's wrist and releases his grip.
Mike catches his fingers mid-way. He squeezes Will's palm in his and doesn't let go.
"Yeah. Okay. We can talk. It's okay."
Will manages a smile. The fingertips of his left hand, the one not held by Mike's warm and comforting palm, tremble. Just a bit.
"I have to say- something. In case I- In case I don't make it out this time."
"No!" The protest in Mike's voice is so brisk Will's chest tightens. "Don't say that. You're making it out! I'm making it out! Everyone's ma-"
"Mike," Will shakes his head, "We don't know, right? With the hivemind and all, we can't be sure."
"We can. We know. We know, Will! You're- You're a sorcerer, a real sorcerer. You're gonna kick Vecna's ass and you're not going to die there."
"Please, Mike, just- Let me say it, okay?" Will's breath comes out in sharp, shattered gasps. It's a little easier this time, but it's still scary. For a moment, Will wonders if it's gonna be scary every time for the rest of his life; if the world's ever going to change. "I- I know we haven't been really close for a- a while now. And all these months, between Vecna and the military, everything, it's been a mess and I- I- I-"
Will gasps. He looks down at their clasped hands. It's so nice to feel Mike's touch again.
They used to touch all the time when they were kids. With Mike, he's always been held. His hand in Mike's. Their knees pressed together when they played Atari, or watched movies, or were simply talking, whispering little silly childish things into each other's ears. Mike's arms around his body in a hug. Their bodies entangled on sleepover nights, when Will always felt too cold or too scared sleeping alone in Mike's basement, too vast and dark compared to his own room at home, and Mike always climbed on the couch with him, and eventually Will fell asleep listening to the stories Mike made up just for him, or future campaign plans, or long rants about the comic he's had read recently, or anything else. Anything at all. Will's always felt safe with Mike's voice in his ears: Mike's soft snoring or Mike's ramblings, Mike's sighs of annoyance at everyone else or Mike's laughter.
It's always been so easy to love Mike.
Then they grew up. And it wasn't so easy anymore.
Will doesn't remember the moment their constant touching stopped. He can't place the date of the last sleepover they've ever had in his memory.
Neither does Will know the day when what he's felt towards Mike stopped being right. When the sweet innocent bond turned into this perpetual desire for more, this persistent need for sharing a unique, unusual, unfitting for friends kind of intimacy. When he first thought of kissing Mike. When he first dreamt of dating Mike.
In a way, those thoughts were always there. Will had to accept he was simply always in love with his best friend.
But Mike stopped being his; Mike had – for god's sake, Mike has – a girlfriend.
It's been a torture to see Mike slip away from him and into Jane's embrace. It's been a torture to see Mike hug her, kiss her, hold her, ramble to her, spend all his time with her, write endless letters to her in Lenora while all Will's got was exactly seven envelopes with messages so short they would've been better called notes.
It's hurt to see Mike dismiss him. It's hurt when Mike was barely able to hug him. It's hurt to argue. It's hurt, and hurt, and hurt, and still, Will hasn't hesitated a second when he urged Mike to make his love confession to Jane. Because it was Jane, Jane with her door always opened, Jane with a nightstand lamp's light on every night, Jane who's been crying herself to sleep, Jane who always smiled at him so genuinely, Jane, his sister, Jane whom he couldn't hate.
So Will put his hopes down. And he's tried to keep them down throughout every month after the return to Hawkins. He resisted every temptation to be closer to Mike. He refused to share Mike's room for the while his family was going to stay with the Wheelers, despite Mike offering it not once, not twice, but four times in a row. Will only agreed to spend some time together when there were other members of the party, or Jane, or Holly, or anyone else at all.
Not really avoidance. Self-preservation.
The horrid anxiety attacks Will's been having every crawl while he's been sitting in the SQUAWK basement, useless, and Mike's been right there, mere feet from the military base filled with people with guns and the gaping wound of the gate to the Upside Down, has already hurt enough.
It's really been a mess.
"Will?" Mike's voice, soft and quiet, pulls Will out of his thoughts. Mike lowers his head ever so slightly, leveling with Will, and looks him in the eyes. "I'm listening, okay? I'm here."
"Yeah," Will chokes out, "I- I mean- It's been a mess. And I know I've made an even bigger mess with what I've done just today. But I- I want, no, I need you to understand why, okay?"
"Okay."
Mike runs his thumb across Will's knuckles. It's grounding; it's also so, so mesmerizingly pleasant.
"I shouldn't have kissed him. I'm sorry. It's just- I've always wanted-"
Mike shakes his head. Violently.
Will gulps and closes his eyes.
Here it comes.
Now, his best friend is going to say something about how it's impossible, how boys shouldn't kiss boys on the mouth. Or at all. Or he's going to say how it's wrong, too. Or he's going to say that it's okay, but he's not like this. What are the chances, anyway? Maybe it's all coincidences. Maybe Will is wrong about all the little things he thought to be signs, the looks they've shared, and the occasional touches, and all the conversations they've never seemed to finish before something else interrupted them, and everything sir Michael and William has said to him, and even the record Mike's just picked. Maybe it's just Will, and Mike is just his Tammy. Someone he could never have.
Will takes a long deep breath and fires away. No need to stretch out his own misery.
"The truth is, I didn't want to kiss him. It was wrong. I'm sorry. I wanted to ki-"
"No!" Mike squeezes Will's fingers so tight it almost hurts. "Wait. I know you want to say it, but just- Wait, okay?"
Will blinks in confusion.
"You shouldn't be sorry. Hell, you shouldn’t be sorry at all. It's me who has to apologize. I've been- I've been such a jerk. Worse, I've been a total self-absorbed asshole. I freaked out, and it was- It was ugly. And wrong. Of me! Not of you!"
"I- I get it. It probably wasn't an easy thing to see."
"It's not that. I mean, yeah, it was a shock at first, but it was all a shock. I'm still processing everything that's happened this day, this whole DnD portals and us from another world thing."
Will chuckles.
"It's really been a crazy experience."
"Totally. But- I'm glad it was. I'm glad it all happened, 'cause I feel like my eyes has just been opened and now I can- Now I know things I thought weren't ever possible may actually turn out to be! So, you shouldn't be sorry for kissing... me."
The last word escapes Mike's lips with a breathy, soft undertone to it.
Will's heart races. He feels blood rushing to his cheeks, his ears, his neck. He opens his mouth to ask why when Mike lands a final blow.
"I broke up with El," he blurts out.
"Wh- What?"
"Actually, it's more that she broke up with me, really, so it's kind of a mutual decision?"
"But you love her," Will squints, trying to understand with his mind the meaning his heart has captured straight away.
"No. I mean, I do, but it's different. It's not what I thought it was. I just- I care for her. I love her like a friend. Because that's what she is to me. A friend."
"But you've said," Will's voice gets weaker, "In California, and then, in that pizza place, you've said-"
"I know," Mike sighs. "I know. And I felt it, too. I thought what I feel, the- the love I feel is for her, but it wasn't. It never was."
"I don't understand," Will whispers.
Mike takes a deep breath. Will notices how close they're standing only now, when the hot air of Mike's exhale lands on Will's chin.
"We've known each other for so long. All of our lives, right? And I always like to think that I know you, and you know me, like- Really know. But there's one thing you were wrong about. Ever since we were six."
Will frowns. It's sometimes hard to follow Mike's speedy train of thought, especially when he's nervous; and he is. Will sees it in the way Mike's pupils are dilated, in the way his lips are parted a little even when he's not saying anything, in the way he breathes in a shaky, unsteady pattern, in the way his thumb keeps caressing Will's knuckles – and it's driving him insane.
"In fact, I am a coward."
Will opens his mouth to contradict this obviously false statement. Of course not. Mike's been protecting him his whole life. Mike's fend off the bullies at school the best way he only could. Mike's always distracted Will when things were bad at home with his father, and Mike's made sure Will was smiling at the end of every day. Mike's cared for him. Mike's never made Will feel like there was something wrong with him in a way everyone, even his mom, have done. Mike's been so, so brave, going on these crawls every second week, and even more so barely a day ago when they were at the Mac-Z. Will isn't sure he'd even be alive to unlock his own powers if it wasn't for Mike's protection.
Will is going to say all of that, and more, but he's stopped by the pleading look in Mike's eyes and the way he slightly shakes his head and the soft but sure pressure of Mike's fingers on Will's palm.
"No, I am. I am. I've always been a fucking coward. But, I guess, it's... okay. 'Cause I have to admit it first. I have to accept what I've been before to be able to change. To be better. It's like- I have to repent for it, you know? So I can finally become who I should be, who I really want to be. Become what you saw me as," Mike takes another half a step forward, and now there's barely an inch of air between them, and, god, it's getting hot in here. Will can barely think with the pulse beating in his temples when Mike whispers, "In your painting."
Will's heart flips. The painting. That damn painting.
"I know El didn't commission it. I was an idiot for believing it in the first place, really, cause why the hell would she? She doesn't even like DnD!"
Will squints and purses his lips. Time's ticking, and he hasn't said what he's wanted to say, and now he has to explain the mess he's made with his pitiful attempt to cover his feelings with El's.
"I- I'm sorry I lied."
"Don't be," Mike says curtly, "I mean, yeah, it could've been so different if you hadn't, but we can't change it now, right? What I want to say, Will, is- I loved what the painting meant, okay? I loved every word you've said back in that stinky van, and I felt so, so inspired. Like I could move mountains. I still feel it every time I look at it."
"You just don't know," Will looks down. Would Mike still be inspired if he really recognized the painting for the love confession that it's been all along?
"No, I do," Mike's voice softens even more. He's almost whispering, "I do. So, when I said that thing to El, that's what I was thinking about. Your painting and your words. You saying that I'm the heart and that- that you need me."
"Mike," Will shakes his head. He tries to yank his hand from Mike's, but his grip in unexpectedly strong. "How long have you known that I-"
"About three hours or so?" Mike chuckles dryly.
"I- I'm sorry."
"Stop being sorry," Mike snaps, but he doesn't raise his voice even a little bit, "I don't want you to be sorry. It's- It's beautiful, what you painted. I mean, not that it's me-" He scoffs. "Shit. I can't say it right, can I? Whatever comes out of my mouth doesn't even compare to the things he's said to you. The knight-me."
"You've... heard?" Will swallows hard. "How much of it?"
"Like-" Mike squints, a flash of guilt on his face, "All of it?"
"Oh."
Damn. Will thought Mike's only walked in on the kiss, not... not everything else that's happened before. He feels so stupid. So ashamed. He still evades meeting Mike's eyes.
"Will," Mike calls, a sudden tenderness in his voice giving Will goosebumps on his arms, "Look at me."
Mike squeezes his palm still, but his other hand moves up, cautiously, like in slow-motion, until it touches Will's face and cups his cheek.
Will lifts his gaze. Mike's cheeks are plastered with reddish dots of a nervous blush. It's strange to see him like this; it's the first time.
"So. Today. After I finally got it about the painting and after I've heard, and, well, saw you with him, I've been wondering- About what if, maybe, you still... need me," Mike gulps, his adam's apple twitching notably.
His gaze is still fixed on Will as he keeps speaking, and, suddenly, Will can't breathe.
Oh.
It can't be happening.
"I know I've been a jerk. Back then in Lenora, and before, and, like, on a thousand different occasions, but I promise, I promise I can be better. For you, I will be better."
Can it be happening?
"And I know that I'm not that great, I'm not Mike the Brave for real, not in the way you've turned out to be a real sorcerer. I mean, I get it if after kissing the cool paladin version of me you wouldn't want anything to do with the real loser me at all."
Is it really happening?
"And maybe I'm just so bluntly dumb and late as I always am, and for you it's all over already and you don't feel like that anymore, but I- I've always felt like that. I was just too scared to say it. I'm still scared. Maybe I'll always be scared, but it doesn't have to stop me anymore."
Is what's happening it?
"But I just- I want you to need me, Will. Because I need you. So much. You're the best thing in my life. The only thing that's not entirely fucked-up, too. With you, I always feel like I'm at the top of the world. Just- When you're close to me, it all seems... so right. And when- when you're not, I don't feel like I'm even myself anymore. You've said I am the heart of the party, but what I want is- What I want is to be your heart. To be with you. I- I love you. I think I've always loved you, since the day I saw you on those swings. It just took me a while to- to understand."
It is happening.
Mike takes a deep, shallow breath.
"Say something. Tell me to fuck off if you want me to. It's okay," Mike whispers. He nods and smiles, just the corners of his lips curling up. "But I just- I know I'll still love you. I'll love you forever. Even if you don't need me."
Will blinks away a single tear.
Mike's thumb rolls over Will's cheek, wiping it in a soft, tender motion.
"I need you, Mike," Will takes one final step towards Mike, the tips of their shoes touching. "I always will. I'll always love you."
Mike's unsure smile grows into a full-blown grin. It's beautiful. He's beautiful. His dark eyes also gleam with little beads of tears.
"Can I-" Mike he leans a little closer, his nose less than an inch away from Will's. "Can I kiss you?"
"Yeah," Will chokes out, his breath catching between a laugh and a happy, tearless sob, "You can."
Mike lets go of Will's hand to put both his hands to Will's cheeks, cradling his face in the gentlest way, fingers barely pressing on the skin.
"I won't break if you kiss me, you know?" Will murmurs, smiling.
"I know. I just- I try to appreciate the moment."
Will wraps his arms around Mike's shoulders, his fingers clutching at his collar. His whole body pulses with pleasure. That's it. That's what he's been waiting for his entire life.
Mike bows his head, reaching for the kiss, and the distance between them comes undone.
Mike's nose bumps into the side of Will's.
"Fuck," Mike hisses through his teeth.
"It's okay," Will chuckles, "I still love you."
Will tilts his head, and – finally – their lips meet.
It's clumsy. Clumsy and wet. They're slamming their mouths together, fighting over every movement, adjusting to each other.
And it's fucking perfect.
Will closes his eyes, his eyelashes fluttering, and melts into the sensation of Mike's lips on his.
His head buzzes with pure euphoria as Mike's hand slides down to the back of his neck, pressing Will even closer.
Slow and unsure, Mike sucks on Will's lower lip; Will feels his knees get weak and wobbly, and he leans on Mike more, steadies himself with the valiant support of Mike's arm wrapping around his waist, his knee slipping between Will's thighs as if he senses the exact moment Will needs it.
Will pulls Mike's stupid beanie off and runs his fingers through his hair, buries into the silky dark locks. And it's a fucking bliss when his fingers get stuck inside a tangled curl, and Will tugs on it gently, and Mike gasps and moans into Will's mouth, the sound low and deep, resonating in Will's throat.
It's better than any dream.
Mike parts his lips a little more to let Will run his tongue along the line of Mike's smile Will knows by heart, over the tips of Mike's teeth, slide it into his mouth. Will tastes Mike's spit on the tip of his tongue, and, fuck, it's sweet, and, fuck, it's all he wants to taste ever again. Inside his chest everything grows tense, and hot, and twisted with the vehement longing for more, more, more.
When they both pull away to gasp for air, their lips still brushing over each other, a bare, tender touch, soft and weightless, Will opens his eyes. Mike's cheeks are rosy with blush that makes his faint in the sunless autumn days freckles pop out brighter. His thick eyelashes are wet from unspilled tears, and, god, he's so gorgeous Will can't help stealing one more kiss, just a swift touch of lips lasting a second.
Mike's nose nuzzles at Will's cheek. He grins, his hand buried into hair on the back of Will's neck, and licks his lips like he's still trying to feel the aftertaste of Will's mouth on them, and it is enough to drive Will insane.
They breathe in unison, shattered little gasps, the shared air between them hot and dense, their foreheads pressed together, for a few more moments.
"Cool," Mike whispers, and then he laughs over his own words. Will catches his laughter with his lips, and it tastes like starlight. "It's really cool."
"Yeah," Will chuckles, his fingers mindlessly caressing Mike's face, thumb stroking over his jawline. "Cool."
Mike purses his lips.
"You know, I want to do this forever. But we, ugh," he winces like it's painful to say it, "We gotta get up there."
Will just nods. He leaves a quick peck on the tip of Mike's nose – just because he can – before finally taking a step back.
His heart is still racing. He's flustered, and Mike doesn't look better one bit, with his reddened swollen lips, his feverish blush, his hair even more tangled than it usually is.
"You look like such a mess," Will chuckles.
"Well, I think you look stunning. You're the most beautiful being in the whole world."
It's definitely Will's turn to blush.
Mike pokes his beanie lying on the floor.
"Shit. I didn't even notice."
Will shrugs.
"Good riddance. You look silly wearing this."
"Really?" Mike raises his eyebrows. "I thought I look like a soldier."
"You're not a soldier," Will chuckles, "You're a knight."
Mike gestures and lowers his head in an exaggerated bow.
"Oh, excuse me, sir, for not being in a possession of a freaking helmet."
Will bumps his fist into Mike's shoulder, giddy and playful.
"You don't need it. You've never needed it. It's just you."
Grinning like a madman, Mike kisses Will on the cheek and takes his hand again, intertwining their fingers.
"I love you," he says one more time.
"Ew," Lucas's voice sounds like thunder from up the stairs. "You're so unbelievably cheesy."
"And you're being late. Again," Max adds from behind his back. "Some things never change, right, Wheeler? Get out of my basement."
Will stands, Mike's hand still clenching his, they both frozen with the dread of being caught, as she strolls down the stairs and past them.
"How long have you been standing there?" Mike snarls, grimacing. He moves to cover Will's frame from Lucas's stare, his movement almost instinctive.
"Long enough," Lucas just sighs and waves his hand, "C'mon, guys. We really gotta go. You'll catch up on kissing later."
Will feels another weight fall off his shoulders; a relieved smile spreads on his lips. He exchanges one more glance with Mike, and, slow and a little uncertain at first, his lips also curl into a smile.
No one else seems to comment on them being late, but Will notices how Jonathan chuckles approvingly at him standing close to Mike in the truck, how his mom huffs with a little smile, how Jane squints and then gives him a reassuring nod.
Half-way up the tower on the ascent to the Abyss, when they stop to get a sip of water, Mike doesn't say anything. They just stand there, together, elbows pressed to each other as they lean on the railing and stare down at the view of the Upside Down, catching their breath from the climb, for a whole minute.
Mike takes Will's hand and presses it to his lips.
A single moment before they have to get up and face the final battle.
"It's gonna be fine. We're gonna be fine, you know?"
Will glances at the wretched, cold and dark terrain underneath them one last time.
"Yeah. I know."
This time, he is ready. Ready for all the trials to come – during the upcoming fight and later, when it's over and they, undoubtedly, win.
For dark wizards and dragons, but for bullies and morons, too. For monsters and goblins and curses and cults; for college applications and essay deadlines, and late nights, and early mornings, and spilled coffee, and big city lights, and part-time jobs, and paint stains, and fingerprints in ink, and sharing a room in an endless sleepover for the rest of their lives, and growing up, and growing old, and growing into each other.
With Mike's hand in his, nothing is impossible.
It is a whole life ahead.
A whole new adventure.