Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

“El why didn’t you consult me? I would’ve given you way better advice!” Max asks, offended.

“Nah” Lucas grins “you would’ve cheered on the fake dating plan”

“Maybe” Max admits “but I’d be smart enough to have her fake date me instead - that way Jenn would still get jealous but she would know she’s got a chance cause I’m a girl and boom – love confession ”

“That is actually … not a bad idea” El muses.

 “Yeah!” Lucas chimes in “Except for the fact that we are dating!”

Max rolls her eyes as Lucas gives her an incredulous look.

“And how does this plan help me with Will?” Mike complains “You expect me to what? Date Lucas?”

“Woah” Lucas turns his look on Mike now “slow down there tiger”

“No I would’ve just told you to confess because for god knows whatever reason Will’s obviously completely in love with you - you absolute idiot” Max hisses at him – looking at him like he’s missed a 10ft tall stop sign.

Oh. 

Mike malfunctions for a full minute.

“Wait - you really - you think so?”

“I know so” she says, tone unwavering.

“Yeah man, the only person more obvious is you” Lucas scoffs.

“You both knew this whole time?” El asks in shock.

“We had a good feeling…” Lucas says, looking smugly at Max.

“And you don’t …” Mike starts softly, struggling to get the words out “…care that we’re … you know”

“…different” El supplies, giving Mike’s hand a reassuring squeeze, though he can tell she’s hanging out for this answer just as much as him.

“You really think that after all the shit that we’ve survived - everything we’ve fought together - that we’d kick you aside because of who you love?”

Lucas asks so sincerely that Mike can feel his eyes burning – embarrassing. He gives a shrug and El just smiles nervously.

“That’s bullshit” Max says “we love you guys”

“Thanks” Mike sniffs – fuck “that’s…”

“We love you guys too” El grins

There’s a tender silence for a moment - it’s abruptly broken by Max again.

“Now that we’ve covered that, you guys have gotta tell them the truth”

“Tell who the truth?” Dustin arrives with new sausages in hand, followed closely by Suzie, holding a box of waters.

“Santa clause! That Holly’s not real” Mike stammers “- I mean that - Santa isn’t - to Holly”

Lucas mouths ‘smooth’, sending Mike a wink.

“She not a bit old too still believe in Santa?” Dustin enquires, placing his sausages ever so carefully into the camp esky.

“Yeah but she just milks it so my parents give her more presents on Christmas”. 

*****

Will is tired when he returns to the campsite, feeling a bit motion sick from either the car ride back or more likely the emotional whiplash of the past week. One thing he’s learned for sure now is that hope is dangerous, much more than resignation. He unloads the group’s snacks and refreshments with Jenn as Dustin and Suzie rejoin the others by the now lit fire with the rest.

“You don’t know what you saw” Jenn continues as soon as Suzie is out of ear shot “maybe they were having a friendly embrace…”

“They’re dating Jenn” Will laments “every embrace from that point becomes labelled as decidedly unfriendly”

“Yeah but we’re dating too and we’re just friends”

“You know that’s completely different”

“Maybe! Or maybe not!” Jenn insists “just think Will, maybe we just need to try harder and-”

Will slams the trunk a little too hard and Jenn flinches back, dropping an apple from the box of snacks as she does.

 “-Jeez”

“Just stop!” Will spits out, unnaturally sharp “I can’t play this game anymore of like – will they, won’t they? It’s - it’s just messing everything up”

Jenn dusts the dirt off her fallen apple “It’s not messing everything up Will” she responds, “I’m being optimistic – I mean you’ve been wearing his jacket all day”

Will flushes with embarrassment.

“Well your optimism is just - it’s too much sometimes”

“Will…I know you’re scared but we’re in this together-”

“No, I’m in this for you” he snaps “I never wanted to fake date – or to lie to all my friends or – or for any of this”

“So everything’s just all my fault now?” Jenn’s own voice starts to raise.

Will feels a bit guilty now but he just can’t stop, it’s like word vomit - he’s held in all the hurt and now it just keeps coming.

“No! But things were definitely less complicated before we met – I mean Mike and I were probably closer than ever before I became friends with you –then he became all distant and moody”

“Did you ever think why that is?!”

“Probably because he knows I’m being a hypocrite, choosing a girl over my friends just like he did”

“How are you guys going with the schnackeroos?-”

“It’s not my fault that Mike doesn’t like you back!” Jenn shouts.

Will stops, heart dropping to his feet. So does Jenn, with a gasp, throwing her hand to her mouth, and so does Dustin who stands a metre away from them in shock – eyes wide and mouth fallen open.

It’s an awkward and extremely tense silence that fills the air now. Will feels sick with the anticipation of what comes next. He decides he should speak first.

“Dustin it’s not what it-”

“You…” he starts dumbly, pointing to Will and then behind him to the campsite  “and…” he points back to Jenn now “but her… and you … with … I don’t - it’s not – what?”

“Jenn and I aren’t really dating” Will supplies – hoping to ease some of his confusion.

“… no power couple?” He asks helplessly. 

“Uh…no”

“So I didn’t help … at all?”

“No you didn’t” Jenn says apologetically.

“So I was forcing Will on to you when the whole time” he looks to Will again “you liked … Mike?!”

“Yeah…”

Dustin takes off his thinking cap and runs a hand through his hair.

“Oh god” he shakes his head “next thing you know Steve’s gonna tell me he hasn’t asked Robin out yet because she likes women”

Will shifts uncomfortably, tugging at the sleeve of Mike’s sweater.

“Wait” Dustin comes to a sudden realisation “but the two of you like made out the other night”

“Wasn’t real” Jenn smirks.

“What?!”

“I’m really sorry Dustin” Will chokes.

Dustin looks at him wide eyed, then he comes over to Will immediately and hugs him quick but tight then releasing him with a pat to the back.

“You don’t have to be sorry buddy” he says earnestly “we stay true to ourselves okay? I’m sorry you didn’t feel like you could be with me”

“I know I can now” Will nods “and I should’ve before”

Dustin shakes his head.

“No, I should’ve made the effort to show you. Instead I was an idiot and pushed you, but you’re my best friend alright?”

“Yeah” Will gives a teary chuckle “and you’re mine”

Then Dustin takes a step back and looks at Jenn.

“I still don’t know how you come into this but – you two were arguing before so um… I’ll let you get back to that”

He then proceeds to take the box of snacks Jenn was holding and heads back to the site, after shooting Will one last reassuring smile.

“Will” Jenn starts quietly.

“It’s fine”

It wasn’t fine and Will felt sick.

“No…no” she rushes out “it’s not – I can’t believe I just did that…if it were anyone else-”

“-Yeah it could’ve been worse”

Jenn bites her lip, clearly unsure of how to proceed, so Will does instead.

“I shouldn’t have snapped in the first place”

“I…I get it though, I know I’m a bit much”

“No…Jenn”

“It’s fine Will…let’s just give each other space tonight…and if you want to tell everyone about us – the truth I mean, and how I forced you into it all, I’ll understand and – I take full responsibility”

Without another word or a moment to let Will get one in – she walks back to the site. Will is speechless, feeling small and unsure. If he was having emotional whiplash before – he most certainly was now. He reaches down to pick up the box of drinks next to the car, feeling lightheaded, and walks glumly back to join the group.

******

El could tell right away that something had happened between Jenn and Will. They’d come back only just separately but it was a big shift from the couple she’d seen sitting on top of each other back in the diner. Now, Will sat all the way on the other side of Dustin and Suzie, meaning there was a whole other couple in between him and Jenn. El was sometimes not the best at understanding social situations, however she knew the people closest to her and how to read them. She could tell Will was heartbroken about something, and that Jenn felt guilty. She tried not to let her evil mind rush to conclusions of a possible break up – even worse tried to stop the flashing thoughts of why? And holding hands with Jenn and watching her eyes light up as she skipped her final stone. She knew that a break up was highly unlikely out of nowhere like this though – so it must have been something else.

When she looks to Will again, he’s staring into the fire, eyes glazed over like he’s not even really there, her stomach churns with waves of guilt. Maybe she should go over and check on him – but then Jenn is scooting her chair closer to her’s and El’s stomach is swooping for a different reason.

“Hey” Jenn whispers.

“Hi” El whispers right back.

“I think I really ballsed things up with Will and…” she sighs “you’re really the only person I wanna talk to” 

El’s cheeks feel hot at the insinuation but the mention of her and Will trumps out. 

“What did you do?”

“I…” she looks around guilty “I can’t tell you, but just know that I didn’t mean to hurt him. Really he’s my best friend. My only real one – I mean … besides you of course”

“It’s okay, it is different, I understand” El gives a small smile, hoping it covers up the sting she’s feeling.

“I just…I care about him so much”

“Care” El mutters thoughtfully.

“Sorry?”

“You…do you not love him?”

Jenn looks shocked at El’s conclusion.

“No I do! I really do” Jenn says “he’s special to me. He and I have…a bond – one that I’ve never found anywhere else and I just really can’t lose him”

El nods, looking to her brother.

“He is very special”  she agrees, no bitterness underneath “I know what it is like to have a bond with him – in a different way, but when I met him I knew. Anyone who is in his life is lucky. I love my brother and I…I like you so I hope you can work it out, I’m sure you will because he is very forgiving and it is obvious he…cares for you as well. Why wouldn’t he? You’re funny, very smart and giving and-”

“Alright alright” Jenn giggles “I’m cool I get it”

“Jenn, you’re extraordinary”

Jenn swallows, eyes unblinking.

“Extra ordinary” El supplies, hoping to convey the right message “Bitchin”

Jenn breaks into a giggle again.

“Bitchin?”

El’s joining her giggling too now.

“Yes” she gasps, controlling her laughter “my sister used to say that about really cool people”

Jenn stops.

“Wha- how did I not know you had a sister?”

“She lives in a different town but I see her as often as I can, she’s from a different type of family, I do not really talk about her with others ”

Jenn seems to be studying El, the way she’s looking her over and El squirms slightly under the gaze.

“I feel like there’s still so much I have to learn about you” she says softly “that I want to learn”

“We have time” El smiles.

“Yeah”

Jenn’s smile mirrors her own, cautiously open and El feels a pull so strong she wants to close the distance right here. So she does the closest thing she can think of and turns fully in her chair, leaning over and pulling Jenn into a hug. Jenn stiffens slightly at first and El thinks back to her and Max’s earlier conversation about personal space – but then she leans closer, melting into the hug. It feels to El like taking a deep breath after you’ve been drowned. She knows deep down that she really did love Mike – but she had not realised until now that it was supposed to feel like this. Something so strong and tangible that she could feel it in her arms – pulse beating in the palms of her hands as they wrapped around the girl in front of her. Something as simple as a hug with Mike was, sweet… nice. This was something…extraordinary.

Jenn pulls away first – she always does. El tries not to let show the disappointment that swallows her. They could not stay like that forever of course, but she wishes they had. Jenn does not pull away abruptly like all those other times though – now she pulls away slowly, eyes never leaving El’s as she does, a hand brushing softly across El’s arm as she breaks free. The fire spurts and sparks and then the flames fly high – too high and everyone scatters back. Dustin falling backwards on his chair and stacking it. Jenn clings onto El’s arm, pulling her back with her.

“ARGH!” Lucas shouts out, jumping into Max’s arms.

El blushes bright red and not from the heat – oops. She focuses on the flames and the fire immediately shrinks back to normal, everyone sighing with relief. She’s never been so out of control with her powers, not since that night with Hopper in the cabin, not until this week. She needs to get her emotions under control. Everyone settles back into their seats, sighing in relief.

“Sorry” El apologises to the group sheepishly.

She notices Will in particular, eyeing her closely.

“What for?” Jenn frowns.

“Uh” El gulps, right.

El’s saved by Mike who stumbles closer holding a bottle of some sort of alcohol. 

“Sorry, I tipped some into the fire” He lies easily, shrugging it off  “accident”

El tries to give him a subtle, but grateful nod. He returns it.

“Idiot” Jenn scoffs.

It’s not really malicious but it’s the wrong thing to say – Mike bristles immediately and El is already tensing.

“Jesus it was a accident!” he snaps “don’t even get me started on you tonight”

“What?”

“You’ve obviously gone and hurt Will after giving me a full on lecture about what I did to him”

Jenn ducks her head in shame, shrinking in her herself and not looking ready for a comeback.

“Mike” El warns him, tone hard “that’s enough”

Mike is tense, clenching his jaw and tightening his grip on the bottle in his hand but he meets El’s eyes and she glares right back – long enough that he sighs, and stomps away to a further chair. He slumps into it and turns so he’s facing Will – he watches him, eyes full of concern. El turns to her brother as well, he still hasn’t looked up from the fire and El now notices he hasn’t touched his food either, plate discarded on the floor by his chair. Something really must be wrong.

*****

“Attentionnnnn!!!!” Max calls out loud – hands cupped over her mouth.

Everyone looks to her as she stands, red hair looking extra fiery in the blowing wind.

“I think it’s time for a little never have I ever”

“Boo!” Dustin calls back.

She walks over to him and shoves his hat down over his face.

“No objections?” She asks “great!”

Dustin pulls his hat back into place grumpily, but Suzie give him a kiss on the cheek and he smiles easily again.

Will tries to focus his attention on Max as she guides the game, but his vision keeps doubling between her and the fire. The red seems to mold together and blur. He blinks hard and focuses harder, ignoring the feint ringing in his ears as he tries to hear the question.

“Never have I ever pl—d — s —”

Everyone takes a sip or puts their hand up except Jenn. Lucas looks at Will.

“You put your hand up for yes if you don’t wanna drink”

Will frowns.

“Sorry what was the question?”

“Never have I ever played dungeons and dragons” Lucas raises a brow.

“Oh” Will swallows dryly “sorry, didn’t hear”

“S’alright, Max was just using it as an example anyway”

Lucas gives Will a small pat on the shoulder and turns back to the group, it makes Will feel uneasy so he focuses harder.

“Okay!” Max grins devilishly “never have I ever made up a stupid lie and tricked all my friends”

Will definitely heard that. He locks eyes immediately with Jenn, he’s seeing two of her but he knows she’s looking back before she ducks her head guiltily and avoids his gaze. He notices she doesn’t take a sip or raise her hand and so he stays silent too. He completely misses whatever everyone else did but it seems like he missed something because Lucas is now standing.

“I’ll ask the next one!” He announces loudly, as if cutting someone off – it rings in Will’s ears.

Will holds his head in his hands, fingers to his temples.

“— feelings that I —”

El, Jenn, Mike, Max and Lucas all raise their hand.

“— have I — ever — in love”

Everyone raises their hand now. A few glances to Will as the only one not to makes him shift in his seat, thinking this question must have been an important one. Unfortunately when he shifts he loses his vision again, only seeing the reflections of the firelight and faces blurring together again. The guilt was consuming him, how could he have done this – lied to all his friends and made a full of him and of Jenn. All of this for something he would never even have. He feels bile in the back of his throat and considers that should probably get an early night. He resigns himself to stay seated though, to not draw attention – so on the next question he raises a hand like nothings wrong and hopes the question wasn’t something embarrassing, since he could barely hear it.

*****

Mike is struggling to keep his attention on the game when Will looks about one gush of wind away from completely disappearing. His concern for the boy grows with every second that he blatantly ignores the game and questions being asked. Speaking of -

Max and Lucas are playing dirty, it has to be obvious to everyone now, even if they don’t know why. Everytime either ask a question they look to Mike and El with a smirk or an urging eyebrow raise like – “go on! Confess!”.

Only because their questions are so specific everyone else starts asking specific answers too as if to see who can prove they’ve done the craziest thing. When Jenn asks “never have I ever been forced to go skinny dipping with the cheerleading squad”, nobody gets time to ask Will why he raised his hand because Max is jumping in to ask another targeted question, clearly frustrated that her game had gone off topic from her original plan.

“Never have I ever pretended to date my friend”

Mike’s eyes widen in surprise, never having expected such a direct call out. That little shit – Max smiles ear to ear, looking around exaggeratedly like she’s waiting for someone to jump out of the woods and say ‘yes I have’. He exchanges a look with El but then realises he’s not the only one reacting oddly to this question. Jenn’s mouth has fallen open, Will’s eyes are alert and his head is up, as if this is the only question that has been worth his attention.

“Do you know what I know?!” Dustin whisper shouts to Max.

“What do you know?” Max seems taken aback now.

Mike’s head is spinning – does everyone already know? He looks back to El again - there’s nothing else for it, they’ll have to come clean. He stands abruptly, before he can lose his nerve.

“There’s something that you all should know”

Mike closes his mouth as fast as he opened it – looking at Will who’d just spoken – that was supposed to be his line. The group watches Will curiously but before he can speak, he wobbles slightly on his feet. Mike moves before he even processes what’s about to happen and Will keels forward almost into the fire but instead into Mike’s arms. Mike grasps him tightly around the waist and tries to set him back down on the chair but Will’s eyes rolls back and he begins to convulse – Mike had only seen him like this a few times before.

*****

Mike was the first person there and it was as if everyone was waiting on his permission to act. Jenn had gotten up immediately, ready to go right over to Will when almost everyone had given her a look and a small shake of the head. She stands back with El, never having seen anything like this before – and not just what was happening with Will, but the way everyone acted about it, everyone was shocked sure, but they didn’t seem nearly as horrified as Jenn felt.

“Lucas!” Mike shouts, still holding on to Will tightly, even as he shakes madly “move the chair – Dustin put a blanket down”

The two boys move swift as anything, then shuffle back allowing Mike to lay Will gently down on top of the blanket. He’s still convulsing, like he’s vibrating from every atom in his body. Jenn grabs hold of El’s hand.

“What’s happening to him?” She asks loudly, her voice trembling.

“We need to call an ambulance” Suzie shrieks, clutching Dustin’s arm tightly now.

No one responds, just watches on as Mike sits on the ground and holds a seizing Will by the shoulder.

“There’s no phone near enough” Jenn answers “we’ll have to drive him to the hospital ourselves”

Again, no one does anything.

“What are you people doing?!” She shouts “he needs help NOW!”

“Mike?” Lucas says gently “maybe he really does…”

“No” Mike shakes his head “this has only ever happened to him for one reason! No hospital is going to help – we just need to – to reach him”

“I don’t understand how this can be happening again!” Max’s voice is wobbling in a way Jenn has never heard it “and we’re not even in Hawkins so if it is him then how-”

“The enchanted waters” Dustin and Lucas recite together, looking at each other with dread.

“What the hell are you guys talking about?” Jenn tries to cut in.

“On the brochure” Lucas directs his answer to Mike – ignoring Jenn.

“It was called the lake of enchanted waters” Dustin finishes “because the lake was said to be like a magical battery”

“Right” Lucas nods “it enhances power that is already possessed by the holder and if you don’t know it’s there – well look at what’s been happening with El – and if Will was feeling anything while he was here, he probably wouldn’t have said anything, you know how he is”

“He felt something when we first got here” Mike says, the realisation seeming to dawn on him “he brushed me off but if that’s all true…”

“It sounds like a bunch of bullshit from your dnd campaigns to me” Max says.

“No it’s real” Lucas assures her.

“The lake was experimented on by this lab in the late 60s, that’s why—”

“You brought us to a campsite that the lab had experimented on for a holiday!” Max shouts.

“Not the lab – just a lab” Lucas tries to placate her.

“And it was only a small snippet of the brochure” Dustin defends “it was all just rumours”

“El used to be a rumour! Stolen children, a cursed town, the upside down all used to be a rumour” She shoots back “what were you guys thinking?!”

“This is not helping” El joins in sternly.

Jenn has no idea what the hell is going on – nor has she had an opportunity to get a word in. She’s grateful to know Suzie seems just as confused as her, at least she’s not the only one. Jenn dares to move in closer to Will and Mike, just slightly and not letting go of El’s hand. She’s close enough to hear mikes soft reassurance.

“Will it’s okay” he murmurs, eyes red and cheeks stained with tears “I’m here, I’m here, can you hear me? Will?”

“I can go in” El says, letting go of Jenn’s hand and kneeling on Will’s other side.

“No” Mike looks up “If your abilities are enhanced too then you could hurt him”

“It has only acted up when I do not control my emotions” El states plainly, placing a hand on Will’s chest and ignoring Mike’s flinch at the contact “I am in control now”

Mike nods in agreement and El closes her eyes.

“What the actual living hell is going on right now?!” Jenn finally snaps.

Max shushes her.

“Don’t shush me!” She hisses “you all sound like lunatics and Will needs medical attention”

“Jennifer” Max bristles “shut. up.”

Jenn had never been so confused and so offended.

“We’ll explain later – but El needs quiet” Dustin whispers apologetically.

“Oh – El needs quiet!” Jenn laughs bitterly “oh great okay”

El opens her eyes and zeros in on Jenn.

“Jenn” is all she says and so she shuts up – but she will need answers soon.

El closes her eyes again and….Will stops shaking. Everyone seems to lean in closer – Dustin sighs with relief. It’s silent for a good minute and then – Will sits up with a gasp.

“Will!” Mike envelops him in a hug.

Will’s eyes are enlarged and confused, but he clutches to Mike tightly. Jenn lets out a breath.

“Are you okay?” Mike sniffs, pulling back slightly but still holding Will close.

Will’s breathing is still too fast and he’s shaky but he wipes Mike’s tear off his cheek and chuckles weakly.

“I’m okay” he smiles softly.

Mike smiles back, nodding and it’s like the two have forgotten anyone else is there. As Jenn looks around, everyone watches them with similar looks of fondness. What had she missed here?

Lucas hands Mike some water and he lets go of Will to allow him a small amount of space to drink and recollect himself.

“I think…I’m gonna …lay down” Will says, beginning to push himself up.

He stands and Mike stands with him, eyes full of concern and hands twitching like he’s itching to reach out again. Will stumbles slightly and Mike’s there in an instant, holding him up.

“Sorry…lightheaded”

“It’s okay” Mike smiles reassuringly at him “you should rest”

Jenn steps forward, arms outstretched, not noticing how everyone winces at the action.

“Here I’ll help-”

“I got him!” Mike snaps, then softer “I got him”

Jenn takes a step back and everyone watches on as Mike helps Will to his and Jenn’s tent. Lucas shrugs helplessly at Jenn.

“Best to stay out of it where those two are concerned” he says.

“Right…” she mutters “so now can someone explain?”

“Yes, please” Suzie agrees, having found her voice again and turning on Dustin.

Dustin takes her hands in his.

“Suzie poo, do you remember that time I told you that you helped saved the world?”

******

Mike unzips the tent, still half supporting Will with an arm around him. He can feel Will trying to push off him and stand on his own but his strength is severely diminished.

“Just stop struggling, I’ve got you”

Mike pulls up the flap of the tent with his free hand and helps Will inside — rather awkwardly as he has to crouch and keep supporting him at the same time. Will’s eyes keep opening and closing slowly like he’s only halfway here, so Mike doesn’t let go of him fully as he lays down, he holds the back of Will’s head and slowly and carefully places it on his pillow, then he tucks Will into his sleeping bag and because the boys eyes have been closed for a good minute now, Mike reaches out and delicately brushes his hair from his face. Mike notices that Will has built up a cold sweat on his forehead and he’s filled with a wash of dread once again. Why was it always Will? Would he be okay staying here? Was he ever just going to be safe? Will’s eyes open slowly and Mike realises his hand is still frozen in his hair, so he pulls it back quickly.

“Thank you” Will whispers sluggishly – eyes already closing again.

“For what?”

“Taking care of me” Will smiles slightly.

“Always” Mike whispers.

Will opens his eyes again and Mike takes this as his que to leave.

“I’ll um” he points to the tent exit “leave you”

Mike turns to go, not really wanting to when he’s tugged gently back by Will’s hand around his wrist.

“Wait” he murmurs, voice hoarse and quiet but Mike still hears it – he could never have missed this “would you…stay with me?

Mike looks to Will, his eyes are suddenly a lot more alert than they were a few moments ago and he’s trying hard to keep his head up. He looks scared and pleading – it’s something Mike never wants to see in his eyes again.

“Of course” Mike replies softly.

He zips up the tent and Will shuffles over so Mike can fit beside him. It’s a tighter fit than sharing with El so Mike struggles to keep out of Will’s space – lying flat and staring at the ceiling of the tent, arms strictly stuck to his sides. Well…this was new. Even when the boys were young they’d never been allowed to share a bed during sleepovers, so this was…definitely different. Mikes not going to lie and say he hasn’t had dreams exactly like this – well almost exactly, the two of them were usually a little closer and more comfortable. Mike tries not to think about the fact that Jenn and Will have been sharing this bed as a couple for the past few nights already. Oh … Jenn, she’s not going to have a place to sleep tonight – actually screw Jenn. Mike doesn’t even care, and Will wanted him here. Not Jenn. Or – or what if he did want Jenn here and Mike had just pushed her away because he was selfish and wanted to be the only one to protect Will when what Will really wanted was his girlfriend to be here and comfort him.

Will shivers slightly beside Mike and Mike adjusts himself so he’s on his side – still keeping as much distance as possible, which isn’t a lot.

“Will? What’s wrong?”

Will is facing away from him, on his side, so Mike can barely hear his response but he can guess it was some lie like ‘I’m fine’. Mike takes a breath and then decides to push aside his own stupid feelings and just be there for his friend like he always used to be. He reaches out with a hand to the arm and turns Will to him. He goes willingly, turning all the way over and facing Mike now. Not with his eyes though, he keeps his eyes strictly down, like they’ll reveal too much.

“Hey” Mike whispers, placing his hand just below Will’s chin now and  tilting his head up.

Will’s breath audibly hitches and Mike removes his hand quickly, hoping he hasn’t crossed a line. Unshed tears well there in Will’s eyes and without thinking Mike moves forward, pulling Will into him. He knows it’s what the other boy needs when he grips Mike back and sobs into his chest. Mike rest his head on top of Will’s and strokes his back gently.

“It’s okay…it’s okay”

Will gives a small nod, his breathing slowing the longer they lay there entwined. After a while their breathing starts to sync…

“I’m sorry” Will breathes, calmer than before.

“Don’t be sorry”

“You don’t have to stay if-”

Mike leans back, but only just slightly, moving a hand Will’s jaw, thumb softly stroking his cheek where they’re stained in watery tracks. Will’s cheeks burn but Mike ignores it.

“Will. I’m staying”

Will takes a second but then he nods, leaning into Mike’s touch. Mike has to fight down the squirming in his stomach. He pulls Will back in and impossibly closer, face basically consumed by Will’s hair.

“It felt like I’d lost control again” Will admits.

Mike pulls him closer.

“I hate that feeling…like my body, its not, my own”

“It wasn’t him” Mike tells him “it was just your old connection being messed with – it’s still you in there…its just like – you know when you put two magnets together and they’re the same so they overload and bounce off each other. That’s like what happened with you and the lake”

“The lake?”

“Yeah…it has its own properties – or something – I guess and so you get too close and you react to each other, so you were just subconsciously reacting with like – I dunno your emotions, like El has been too - but now that you know, you can control it yourself – consciously. If that … makes sense?”

Will is quiet for a little bit but then he nods again.

“Yeah… I guess that makes sense”

His voice gives away how unsure he still is so Mike pulls back again and sits up – he can’t help the smirk that creeps onto his face at Will’s noise of protest.

“Miss me already?”

“Shut up” Will huffs an embarrassed laugh, cheeks growing pink “it was just – warm”

Mike softens, “sorry, I just thought we could try something”

Will raises his brows and it’s Mike’s turn to go red.

“Like – with your connection – your abilities” he babbles quickly.

“I don’t have abilities Mike, just a creepy tie to the hive mind”

“Maybe, but the hive mind is gone right? You felt it die and we all saw it. It was different this time – so if the lake only enhances powers already there then it has to be coming from you. Nothing else”

Will nods along with a frown, like he’s thinking about it but Mike doesn’t give him time to respond he just beckons Will forward.

“Here, sit up”

Will does as he’s told, though a little groggily still and crosses his legs so they’re both now mirroring each other, knees to knees. Mike places his hands over Will’s eyes.

“Close your eyes”

“Mike” Will laughs, pushing his hands away.

“Close them” Mike insists.

 Will closes them but not before rolling his eyes alongside a poorly hidden smile. Mike takes Will’s hands, hoping Will can’t feel his racing pulse in his palms.

“Okay focus, I’m thinking of a memory and you have to try and find me there”

“I have no idea how to do that”

“If Henry could do it and El can do it – then you can too”

“So you’re just gonna let me into your mind?”

Mike gulps, okay so maybe it was a bad idea.

“I trust you”

Mike watches the corners of Will’s mouth twitch upward and his cheeks go rosy again. He has to force himself to focus back on the memory. Will scrunches up his face in concentration. He scrunches it tighter and tighter.

“Are you concentrating or taking a shit?”

“Eugh! Mike shut up” Will groans.

Mike grins.

“Maybe you need like the radio signal like El”

“I don’t have a radio on me do you?”

“Obviously not”

Will cracks open an eye.

“This was your plan”

“Okay! Close your eyes again and I’ll improvise”

Will sighs and closes them again.

“Krrrkcrrrrkcrrrr krrrrcrkkrr tch tch krrr”

“Mike what the hell are you doing?”

“I’m being the radio”

“You’re such an idiot” Will tries not to laugh “just – shut up”

Mike waits silently for him, not letting go of Will’s hands and keeping his mind firmly on the memory. It’s probably a few minutes later that Will gasps.

“What the hell”

“Do you see anything?”

“I see us, like us right now”

“Woah – weird”

“Very”

“Okay, but that’s good, that means something is working, try focusing on me somehow”

“Yeah…alright”

Mike feels a warm tingle on his right shoulder and shivers slightly. Okay, he thinks, focus, Halloween, ghostbusters, Will’s smile, a stomach ache from too much candy, Will’s smile, his light.  

Will opens his eyes.

“Did it…not work?” Mike asks.

“Crazy together?”

Mike beams, grinning like a mad man.

“You found it!”

“Yeah” Will grins “I found it”

Mike squeezes his hands.

“I can’t believe it! You’re amazing”

Will smiles, ducking his head. 

“I dunno about that – but it was pretty cool” he admits.

“So – do you feel in control?”

“Yeah, I think I do”

“Good” Mike gives Will’s hands another squeeze for good measure – hoping to convey how proud he is.

“Thank you” Will sighs, squeezing back - his shoulders relaxing.

“Anytime”

“I probably still need practice though because the memory kept going a bit funny when I was in it”

“Oh, how?”

“I don’t know, it was almost like glitching - it’d be normal and I’d be watching like an observer and then I’d just get flashes of like my face zoomed in like on my lips or something and then sometimes it’d be like I was glowing or there’d be a light on me or something which was really weird”

“Oh that’s…yeah that’s weird” Mike swallows “it was probably just a lot tonight – you should rest”

“Oh…uh yeah okay”

Mike let’s Will’s hands go, feeling them get slippery as he begins to sweat.

They both lay back down awkwardly. Mike taps his fingers atop his stomach, picking up a pattern. He couldn’t even control himself for a few measly minutes?

“Are you alright?” Will breaks the silence again.

“Yeah”

“Cool”

He tries to turn over and get comfortable and Will does the same, both of their legs bumping together.

“Sorry-”

“-Sorry”

They both chuckle nervously and move over again, once again knocking into each other.

“Not much room”

“Yeah”

Mike moves again and accidentally knees Will.

“Shit – sorry”

“Your legs are just too long” Will groans.

“Hey! Your legs aren’t that much shorter than mine”

“Okay but yours are like lanky and gangly”

“Way to kick a man’s ego”

“You literally just kicked me – like physically”

“Let’s not rehash the past”

“You’re insufferable”

“And you invited me in your bed so…” Mike leans in so his face is close to Will’s and wiggles his brows suggestively.

Will puts his whole hand over Mike’s face and pushes him away, with no real vigour behind it. Mike grins toothily at him and Will breaks into a smile, then he looks down, fiddling with the bottom of his sweater – Mike’s sweater, nervously.

“Maybe if we should just…uh, well you know – like before, just cause…it’s cold and everything…”

“You… want to…”

Will nods eagerly and so – not needing to be told twice or at all, Mike slips his arm over Will’s waist and pulls him in close. Their legs tangle together like its natural and they’ve done it a million times. Mike wishes they could do it a million more times.

“Is this okay?” Mike whispers.

“It’s perfect”

Mike feels the rush of heat go to his face and he’s grateful Will can’t see it.

“Yeah”

Mike doesn’t go to sleep right away, he waits until he can hear Will’s breathing level out. He won’t waste tonight if it’s the last he’ll ever get with Will. So he stays there, holding Will and drawing soft circles on his back. When he knows for sure that Will is sleeping, he lays his own head gently down, leaving a kiss in Will’s hair and finally closes his eyes. He’s safe, they’re both okay, and god does Mike love him so fucking much.

*****

The group had explained everything like a bedtime story they’ve told one too many times and then went off to bed. Jenn sat alone by the dying fire, still completely horrified by everything she’d been told. On top of that – her bed had clearly been stolen and she definitely didn’t plan on sharing with Mike and Will.

Will…oh Will. If everything the others had told her is true, her friend has been through so much more than she ever knew. It made sense now the way he and El would dance around topics sometimes…it’s made Jenn sick to her stomach. Everyone in this group she was with tonight had gone through unimaginable traumas and somehow they’d still allowed her to come into their group – as if she’d earned it. These people were obviously brave – heroic! What has Jenn ever done but cover up, lie, run away, and even now as she sat here thinking about others awful lives she was just using it to wallow in her own self-pity. The fire finally dies out completely.

“Jenn?”

She looks up to see El standing nearby, edging closer.

“I don’t think Mike is leaving anytime soon” she says.

“Yeah, doesn’t seem like it” she chuckles, looking back at her tent, the torch light clearly turned off at this point. Curious…she smirks a little to herself  “guess it’s the dirt for me tonight”

“Or you could stay with me”

Jenn’s glad that the firelight is out so El can’t see how horribly red she just went.

“Thanks, I think I’ll take you up on that”

She follows El to her tent and ducks inside, she can immediately pick out whose side is whose. One is extremely messy snd screams Mike Wheeler, and the other is tidy and barely unpacked. The only thing untouched by Mike’s mess is the mattress. Jenn notes the separate sleeping bags but doesn’t comment on it.

El pushes Mike’s aside and unzips her own so it lays out like a big blanket.

“We can share mine”

“Great” Jenn nods, gulping hard “who knows where Mike’s been”

El laughs and Jenn feels a rush of satisfaction as she tucks herself in beside her. This does not have to be weird, she tells herself, although she kind of wants it to be. She lays so she’s facing the girl next to her and props herself up with her elbow. El looks up at her, head on the pillow.

“So here’s the thing” Jenn starts “I’m not super tired, in fact I’d say I’m more awake than ever and I have like a lot of questions”

El props herself up too to match Jenn.

“Okay” she nods “you can ask”

“Right…” Jenn bites her lip “well, see now I don’t really know where to start”

How do you even ask someone about something like this? Like – so how did you find being locked up and experimented on for majority of your childhood and also you have powers, and also do you maybe like me too? Jenn was way out of her depth here.

El smiles, eyes crinkling.

“Take your time”

“I mean wow – monsters and the government and-” Jenn stops “wait…is the government still after you?”

“No” El shakes her head “the good ones took over after I helped them destroy the upside down”

“Okay…that’s good then”

“I can finally learn to live a normal life” El says wistfully, like living the average teenage girl life is a dream she never thought she could fulfill – a fantasy, and maybe it was to her.

“I’m happy for you” Jenn smiles, finding El’s hand under the covers and interlocking them with her own. El smiles back shyly and then it falls slowly.

“Some things about me will never be normal though, I am different, I’m still learning to fit in”

“Fitting in is boring and overrated – trust me, I know”

“I never really did fit in, even in the lab I was always the weakest, and it made me a target”

Jenn feels her stomach drop as El mentions ‘the lab’ so naturally, but it wasn’t natural at all. What kind of monster creates a program like that?

“I’m so sorry that you had to go through all that”

“It’s okay”

“No. It’s not. It will never be okay” Jenn says firmly “but you are brave. Probably the bravest person I’ve ever met”

El’s face falls a little more.

“I am not a superhero, I can do things and I’ve helped my friends but they helped me too and that is how we won”

“No, El – I mean don’t get me wrong that’s super cool that you can do all this stuff and hell yeah you’re brave for fighting those monsters but – I just meant for everything you’ve been through, you’re brave for still being here, for still being kind and giving, and for trusting people again. That’s really brave”

“Oh…thank you”

“It’s true…and thank you, for trusting me, I’m so grateful that you did, and that we’re friends”

“Me too”

“…you know” Jenn smiles “when I said I felt like there was still so much to learn about you – understatement of the century”

El huffs a laugh, both girls getting more comfortable now, laying on the pillows. Jenn brings their interlocked hands to eye level so she can shuffle closer.

“I have another question”

El just nods.

“So El is short for Eleven?”

“Yes, Mike came up with it”

“And your real name – or the name your mother gave you was Jane?”

El nods again but she gives a small, fond smile this time. Jenn considers this.

“…I like Jane” Jenn muses.

“Me too” El admits. 

“Would it be okay if I call you that?”

“Of course” Jane beams, eyes lighting up softly.

“Jane and Jenn, could be a bit on the nose…or it could be fate”

“What is…fate?”

“Meant to be – like planned out and written in the stars”

“I don’t think that’s possible”

“I didn’t think that magic powers and monsters were possible so all bets are off”

They laugh softly together and Jenn feels so taken by the girl laying just inches in front of her. She looks at Jenn with such a stripped down expression, like she’s an open book and Jenn is being beckoned to read it – even though this girl has held back so much and been through things so many people could never understand, she holds such an innocence and vulnerability. Jenn wants to aspire to be more like that, less defensive or even bubbly, just real, because Jane is real, she’s so real and she’s right here in front of her, her hand in Jenn’s. Jenn looks down at their hands and softly brushes her thumb their, over the back of Jane’s. She thinks back to earlier and wills herself to be brave like her.

“Hey Jane?”

“Yes?”

“You know what Lucas was saying earlier about your…powers, acting up with your emotions?”

“I do”

“Okay, maybe I’m crazy but…I feel like I’ve noticed a few things that have happened when you’re … with me, and I just thought that maybe – well, maybe things like that fire tonight, weren’t a coincidence”

“They weren’t”

She really was always so direct.

“I- yeah, good, I hoped you’d say that because the fire…I felt it too”

Jane doesn’t respond straight away and Jenn immediately wants to kill herself. Shit shit shit. What if she’s completely misread everything and she didn’t even –

“You did?”

“Yeah, I feel it every single time I’m with you”

Jane’s mouth falls softly open and Jenn can see it now, she truly lets herself see the admiration there, the awe. It’s must be a mirror image of Jenn every time she looks at the girl before her. She looks so soft there and warm, her wavy hair falling all over the pillow underneath her, her doe eyes looking slightly up at Jenn and driving her mad. She’s actually so adorable and – beautiful is not a strong enough word –  that Jenn might have to turn and scream into her pillow or grab hold of the girl and shake her and hold on to her and never let go. The torchlight behind her makes her look like some sort of angel – not that Jenn believes in them, though she may now. Jane’s eyes drift lower now and Jenn definitely catches that. She brings their joined hands to her lips, eyes not leaving Jane’s and presses her lips softly to her hand, testing. Jane follows the action with her eyes and they go even wider then Jenn thought the girls doe eyes could go, cheeks flushing instantly. Jenn’s eyes float to the girls pink lips and she licks her own, holding her breath. 

“Oh god” Jenn breaks with a sigh “please can I kiss you?”

The other girl doesn’t even respond, clearly thinking along the same lines, she leans in and meets Jenn halfway. It’s a slow, small brush of the lips and they’re pulling away too quickly, Jenn doesn’t even open her eyes, she just savours it and then dives right back in. She pulls Jane in closer with their locked hands and guides her hand until the other lets go in favour of holding Jenn’s face in her hands. Jenn allows her now free hands to explore and they find their way to El’s waist, pulling her impossibly closer. Now this is what she always expected kissing should feel like. She could finally understand what her friends used to gush about and it was so sweet. This wasn’t something small it was big – so big Jenn was struggling to keep hold of it. Jane was soft and so warm, Jenn couldn’t help but keep chasing the heat as it rushed through her and back to the girl in her arms, like a real fire lit between them. She smelled of wood smoke and lilac shampoo, her hair kept getting tangled in her hands and she’d make small gasps as they pulled apart and came back together. Jenn wanted to memorise every little detail so she could carry it with her forever.

After a while the girls were so rolled around there legs tangled and they dropped right off the blow up mattress beneath them. Jenn’s head dropped back on the floor and Jane pulls back, basically on top of her. Jenn groans and holds her head.

“Ow”

Jane snorts, watching her from above, hair falling down almost into Jenn’s eyes but not quite long enough. Jenn looks up at her and she can’t help it – she laughs and then they both can’t stop laughing and Jane falls onto Jenn, their laughter mingling. They both try to shush each other but it just ends in another round of uncontrollable giggles.

“I…think” Jenn gasps “I have…a…concussion”

Jane just laughs harder so Jenn pushes her up by the shoulders and she rolls over back on to the bed, stifling her laughter, but not well. Jenn joins her back there and they both tangle back together, grinning like complete idiots.

“…so” Jenn starts, nudging her nose with Jane’s “we should definitely do that again sometime”

She giggles and nudges Jenn’s nose back.

“Yeah, I’d like that”

They lay there like that for a while, Jenn twirling one of Jane’s curls and Jane tracing the shapes of Jenn’s face. It feels so intimate and still so innocent – like exploring a whole new world for the first time, one you never imagined you’d find, but god did you hope you would.

Jane yawns and Jenn catches it a second later.

“It’s late” she whispers.

“Yeah” Jenn smiles softly back.

The two girls share a look and fall closer together, ready for sleep. She closes her eyes, content but before Jenn can completely shut off her mind she thinks of the only other person in her life that’s ever made an impact on her and left her as fulfilled, she thinks of how she can’t wait to tell Will –

“Hey”

“Mm?”

“Mike’s stupidly in love with Will isn’t he?”

“Yeah”

Jenn can hear the grin in her voice without needing to see it.

“Will’s in love with Mike isn’t he?”

“Yup” Jenn pops the ‘p’.

They snigger knowingly and then Jenn notices the time from the red light of Mike’s portable alarm. 12:00. She tilts her head just so and kisses Jane’s cheek gently.

“Happy thanksgiving” she whispers.

Not long after the girls drift off into a dreamless sleep.

******

Thanksgiving morning

Will wakes up feeling warm and fuzzy in the way you do when you just had an amazing sleep. It’s not a feeling he’s particularly used to so it takes him a second to blink out of it and realise his situation. When he does he looks down to see two arms wrapped around his middle and a leg hooked between his, like he’s being held in a protective bear grip. That’s when he remembers. He feels his hands tingle as his heart beat picks up. So this happened. Mike was holding him and had been holding him all night. It was safe to say Will had never been so confused in his whole life. The Mike that he saw last night was more like the old Mike than he had been in such a long time, but there was also something more there, more affection, more… in his eyes, something that made Will feel queasy and excited all at once. There was a need there, like maybe he wanted this just as much as Will did.

Selfishly, Will didn’t want to move a muscle incase he did and Mike woke up – moved away and told him last night was all in his head. The sad thing is he’d believe Mike if he did, it just all felt so unreal. Then there was the other thing that made Will feel selfish and completely wracked with guilt – El. If she knew what Will really felt right now, what he was doing, she’d hate him and she would have every right to. This is what pushes Will to slowly and gently start removing Mike’s hands from his stomach. It’s a shame Mike was already awake or Will might’ve gotten away without a notice from the other boy. Mike must see Will try to move his arms off and so he releases him, rolling over and stretching. Will sits up as he does. Mike slowly pushes himself up too and Will can feel him watching him closely.

“Sleep okay?” Mike’s voice is notably not as husky as it should be for someone who may have just woken up.

Will nods but takes a second to look back, worried for how he’ll hold himself together at the sight of an unkempt Mike Wheeler whose just woken up in his bed, holding him. He clears his throat.

“Do you mind giving me a sec?” He asks “I just wanna change out of this”

Mike takes a minute to answer and Will almost looks back at him.

“Sure, okay” he replies finally, brushing softly past Will to step outside.

Once he’s alone, Will takes Mike’s sweater off like it’s burned him and changes, making sure to put his own jumper on top and folding up Mike’s sweater neatly. He then makes his way outside too, where Mike is patiently standing in wait. He looks down at Will’s change of clothes and frowns as he’s handed back his own sweater.

“Sorry, I should’ve given it back earlier” Will says, hoping he can avoid an explanation.

Mike shakes his head.

“Will I-”

“You should probably check on El”

“What – why?”

Will doesn’t know why Mike’s looking at him like he’s the weird one. Shouldn’t you want to check on your girlfriend after staying the night away from her? Something seems to click for Mike and his expression darkens. It was sad to think about how well the two of them used to understand each other, but recently and now in this moment, it felt like they were just like the magnets Mike was talking about last night – just rebounding right off each other and never truly connecting. Mike was sad though, that much was clear. Did Will say something wrong? He just didn’t know anymore.

A loud zipper breaks the boys attention and they turn towards the sound. Jenn and El stumble out of the tent, giggling, El is pulling Jenn out, hands in hers. 

“It’s too cold” Jenn whines through her grin.

They shush each other as they laugh like they’re trying not to get caught. Weird, Will thinks as he stands watching the interaction. Jenn allows herself to be dragged out into the chilly morning air and then she pulls El closer, towering over her just that little bit.

“You know this means you have to warm me up right?”

Wait what?!

Then El is leaning in and they’re – kissing.

What the fuck?

“Are you kidding me?!” Mike yells.

The girls jump apart in shock, only now seeing the boys. The two look to each other, shock slowly wearing off and then they grin.

“Good morning” El smirks, eyes full of mirth. Jenn holds her free hand to her mouth, poorly suppressing her laughter.

“Good morning?!” Mike hisses “good morning?”

“It is morning isn’t it?” Jenn says, looking around as if for the rising sun.

“What the- what the hell El?” Mike stammers.

Will feels crushed for him. He can’t imagine what he must be feeling right now – to find your girlfriend cheating on you after you spent one night away from her. Will could never have expected it from her either. He was starting to suspect maybe El could like Jenn back and he would’ve been happy for them, really, but this was just low.

“What do you mean?” Is how El replies.

Will can’t believe she isn’t understanding what’s wrong here.

“You really couldn’t help yourself for one night?”

“And you could?” El counters with a snort.

“Yes I could and I did!”

El falters – looking between Mike and Will in confusion.

“You mean…nothing happened with-”

“- No!” Mike cuts her off frantically, waving his hands as if to shush her, then he lowers his voice “and I thought we would maybe talk about this and come clean first”

Okay, Will is very very confused.

“Sorry - come clean about what?” He asks.

“And you!” Mike points at Jenn “what are you thinking – galavanting around with another girl while you’re still with Will!”

Jenn’s mouth falls open.

“Woah – hold on –” she starts.

“Shouldn’t you be more concerned about your own girlfriend?” Will turns on Mike.

“You’re defending her? –”

“I’m not defending her I’m just saying –”

“I can’t believe you did not tell him Mike!”

“Well I didn’t really expect this to happen El!”

“Happy thanksgiving!” Jenn shouts with jazz hands like – ‘surprise!’

Will had completely lost track of the days at this point so it being thanksgiving was news to him.

“Okay tell me what?” Will demands.

Mike turns to him looking helpless, mouth open and a hand in his hair.

“I- look – now isn’t the time”

“I think now is a perfect time” Jenn buds in.

“Stay out of this –”

“Like I have a choice” Jenn scoffs.

“I’m sorry Mike” El says, and sounding genuinely so “we both just assumed that if you two spent the night together…”

She doesn’t finish the sentence but Will knows what she’s implying – he looks to Jenn in shock.

“Did you tell her?!”

“You told her?”

Mike and Will ask their respective partners at the same time, then stop – turn to each other in shock.

“WillandIwereneverdating and neitherwasJaneandMike – okay bye!” Jenn says in a rush and then drags El behind their tent and towards the lake’s trail. 

They…huh? Is all Will’s brain supplies him with as he blinks dumbly after the two girls. Neither was Jane and Mike…neither was Jane and Mike…neitherwasjaneandmike. He uses his last bit of coherency to tell his head to turn back to Mike. The other boy is watching Will carefully, with the level of scrutiny one might expect of a scientist uncovering a new discovery.

“You were never dating Jenn?” He asks finally.

“Uhh…no” Will concedes “I can explain though –”

Mike is already moving towards him, he reaches out and grabs hold of Will’s wrist, dragging him similarly to how Jenn did to El earlier.

“Mike what are you doing?”

Mike keeps guiding him along the trail until they reach the edge of the tree lining before the clearing they park in. He drops his grip on Will and spins around looking wild.

“Mike?”

Like a man possessed, Mike approaches Will fast and determined – he grabs him by his biceps, holding him sturdy and crashes his lips into Will’s, hard. Will lets out an embarrassing squeak of surprise and doesn’t have enough time to react before Mike is pulling away, face still close and hands running up Will’s arms now to his shoulders, his neck, running along his jaw and cupping his face in his hands like he’s something precious. Will shivers, holy fucking shit. Mike’s eyes are imploring and desperate as they search Will’s own.

“Please tell me I’m not reading this wrong” he breathes shakily.

“You’re not” Will breathes back, shaking his head “you’re not”

Mike’s face seems to flood with relief and with a rush of exhilaration, Will grabs hold of his waist, pulling him in and meets his lips again. They meet each others desperation and energy with vigour, it’s messy and Will’s not even sure he’s doing it right but it feels so good. Will wants more and he pushes further, maybe a little too far because Mike knocks right back into the tree behind him. Will pulls back immediately, an apology on his tongue.

“Oh my god - I’m so sorry are you okay?”

Mike is flushed all over, red rising along his neck into his nose and cheeks, his mouth is slack open and his breathing is heavy – he doesn’t look hurt, he looks…awestruck. He brings Will back into him with a hand at the back of his neck.

“Holy shit” he whispers into Will’s lips and then connects them once more.

Will doesn’t protest, he just allows Mike to kiss him and he kisses him back. It’s a feeling nothing will ever compare to – something that needs to be captured in some form of art, a painting or sculpture. Something that would stand the seasons and the tests of time. Speaking of time – Will has lost track of it.

He couldn’t tell you how long they had been there, exploring each other and clinging to one another, before they both pulled away – foreheads leaning together and all but panting. Mike runs his hand through Will’s hair and then tilts his head so he can look at him – his face searching. Will knows he must looks a mess at this point but seeing just how undone Mike is too he can’t seem to find it in him to care, so he lets Mike take him in.

“I love you” Mike confesses.

Will’s lungs stop working and he could swear he feels his stomach flipping over.

“You do?”

“Was I not clear enough?” He chuckles softly.

Will’s throat constricts and he feels the tell-tale sting that means he’s tearing up. 

“I guess you did deliver the message pretty well” he chuckles himself, but it comes out a bit strangled – still he pushes on after a deep breath “I love you too”

Mike’s own eyes are glistening now with matching tears but his smile is so wide no one could mistake it for anything other than pure bliss and relief.

“Thank god” he huffs, before kissing Will again – softer this time and more assured.

Their tears mix into their kiss and it’s a little gross and wet but they both laugh into it – teeth knocking. Will doesn’t think he’s felt anything close to this before in his life and he knows now that his heart will forever be full and that his heart, the one he needs and always will – needs him too.

******

Thanksgiving night

The party sit around the fire one last time, enjoying their shitty excuse for a thanksgiving meal on shitty plastic plates with shitty cheap drinks and Lucas’ shitty taste in music playing over the speaker. It’s absolutely perfect.

Will is brighter than any of them have seen him in a long time and every time he laughs Mike just watches him with a shit eating grin on his face like he’s won Olympic gold. He also seems pretty pleased with their interlocked hands as he fiddles with Will’s fingers like a toy and Will just lets him.

Dustin just about had a stroke when he found Jenn and Jane by the lake that morning and then he had another when they all walked back to the site to find Lucas had tripped over and dropped all his freshly made sausages – “AGAIN?!” he had shouted. The girls had tried to help him clean them up but by then the damage was done.

The rest of the day they’d all spent in the water. Some were hesitant at first to get in the supposedly magical lake, but then Max and pushed Lucas in and so it was a free for all. She couldn’t help but gleam proudly as she watched Mike and Will together in the water – and rolled her eyes when she watched Mike check him out for the zillionth time and realised how obvious he had truly been from the start. Though she didn’t spare too much time on the other couples because she was too busy spinning Jane around in the water and then brutally beating Lucas and Max at chicken – definitely without the help of Jane’s powers!

Truly it was one of the best days of Jenn’s life. Max had later confided in Jenn that she was rooting for her and Jane from the start and soon the two of them were bonding over their love of Blondie and Kate Bush. For the first time Jenn felt really included – and now that she didn’t have to pretend, she realised how welcoming and lovely these people really were. She couldn’t believe that she got the girl and she was so happy – but she knew there was just one last thing that needed to be fixed, something just as important.

“Hey, I’ll be back okay?” She tells Jane.

The other girl nods with an understanding smile and Jenn leaves her but not without a quick peck for the road – just because she can. She grins giddily to herself, wondering if those nervous butterflies are ever supposed to subside or if they’re terminal. Then she makes her way over to Will.

“Mind if I borrow Will for a minute?” Jenn directs her question to Mike, too nervous to face Will on his own – scared of the answer.

Mike looks to Will who looks back and they seem to have some telepathic communication that Jenn’s not caught up on because Mike turns back with an answer as Will starts to get up.

“Just a minute” he warns her.

She gives him a salute.

“Scours honour”

Will and Jenn make their way away from the group towards the outskirts of the lake. They walk in silence and it’s not their usual comfortable one. When she thinks that they are far enough away, Jenn sits down on the shore of the lake, bringing her knees up and resting her arms there. Will joins her, sitting down.

“I’m really happy for you” Jenn says, sending him a genuine smile.

“You too” he smiles back, knocking his shoulder slightly into hers in a friendly gesture.

It releases some of her tension and she sighs.

“I’m really sorry about our fight the other day and about how careless I was with your personal stuff – that was really out of line”

“Thank you” he says “I know that you didn’t mean it, and I was being an asshole – I mean it turns out you were kind of right about that whole ‘friendly embrace’ stuff so…”

Jenn grins.

“Yeah I guess I was huh?”

The two laugh softly.

“We’re kind of just complete idiots aren’t we?”

“Oh totally” Jenn agrees “but you know, there’s no one else I would wanna be an idiot with”

“That’s the worst thing you’ve ever said” Will chuckles.

“I’m trying to be sweet!”

“Well stop – everyone knows I’m the sweet one”

Jenn shoves him – hard and he has to catch himself, but he’s laughing.

“That’s a bunch of bull” Jenn scoffs.

Will rubs his arm where she pushed it dramatically.

“You’re right - you’re definitely the sweet one” he replies sarcastically.

Jenn rolls her eyes.

“Fine you are – but I’m the smart one because no one with a brain and two eyes would’ve missed how Mike looks at you”

Will blushes bright red and he ducks his head.

“… it’s not that obvious”

“Are you kidding me?!” Jenn howls “that boy is practically undressing you with his eyes 24 hours of the day Will! He’s obsessed with you”

“Says you!”

“Yeah well, I’ll admit that I do it though” Jenn smirks.

Will rolls his eyes fondly and then after a moments consideration he grins bashfully.

“You were right though, he does love me…like a lot”

“No shit Sherlock – he wouldn’t even let me touch you the other night ‘I’ve got him! I’ve got him!” She mocks.

“He’s protective…”

“No, it is sweet” Jenn admits.

They share another smile and it goes silent again but this time it’s comfortable – like before.

“…and El?” Will breaks the silence “I’ve really never seen her seem so like…free - she’s usually so tied down to all her guilt, like she still has some responsibility to hold us all up but…I can tell it’s not like that with you. I’m really really happy for you both”

“Will I’m really happy too”

“I know”

“But I want us to be okay – you’re my best friend”

Will softens and he throws an arm around her shoulders and she rests her head on his.

“You’re mine too” he says but then lowers his voice to a whisper even though there’s no one around “just don’t tell Dustin or Lucas or Mike I said that”

Jenn breathes a laugh.

“I guess I can share you”

“The party likes you a lot, you know” Will tells her “we can all share I think”

Jenn feels hopeful that he’s right and as they sit, leaning on each other like they’ve been doing from the start – she can finally breathe freely, knowing she’s gained more than just a best friend or a girlfriend here. Then she remembers something and groans.

“What?” Will laughs.

“I’m gonna have to tell Helen and Kelly that we broke up”

“So?”

“You don’t understand Will they’re gonna have so many questions and they’ll never believe we’re just friends now”

“Let them think we’re dating then” he shrugs.  

“Excuse me!” comes Mike’s voice as the boy comes stalking over with Jane at his side “it’s been longer than a minute”

“Jeez you’ve got him on a tight leash don’t you Wheeler?”

Mike scowls at her and she just laughs, jumping up to hook her arm around Jane’s who smiles widely at the gesture. Will gets up too and Mike meets him halfway with an outstretched hand which Will takes. The four of them make their way back to the others – Mike and Will leisurely, strolling hand in hand under the moonlight and the girls a little faster as Jenn drags Jane alongside, skipping all the way – making the other girl laugh at her childish antics.

She stops them just before the fire, ducking behind a tent and stealing a kiss, leaving Jane adorably flushed. Jenn takes her in just like she’s been doing since she met her, she knows sooner or later (she’s probably already there) she’s going to be in deep.

“You are so beautiful” Jenn tells her tenderly because someone has to tell her.

Jane leans in again, kissing Jenn this time.

“You are too” she says against Jenn’s lips and she’s the one flushed now (as if she wasn’t already).

Then they slide their hands together – a perfect fit and join the rest of their friends – Jenn’s friends, Mike and Will not far behind now. Whatever Jenn was – lucky was an understatement, but she knew what she was grateful for this thanksgiving and for once, the list was long.