Chapter Text
Will, bless him, does not bring it up while he and Mike continue to regrow what was once lost. Instead, they talk about the little things, current favorite books, movies, tv, etc. How did this event go? How was that class? Nerves around failing a class. It is more than small talk, but it still feels superficial at times, something in their conversations lacks true personality.
“What are your plans for Thanksgiving and Winter break?” Mike asks. It’s the first time either one has really asked anything about Hawkins.
“I think I am going home for Thanksgiving, definitely going back for Christmas,” Will says, not looking up from the piece he is working on. “What about you?”
“I’m gonna stay. Robin and Steve are staying up here, so I’m gonna stay with them for the break. Probably work a lot too.”
Will hums in acknowledgment. “I hope it is nice.” He thinks for a moment, then adds, “If you see Jonathan, tell him to come home. Mom misses him.”
“I will.” A beat of silence follows. “I’m sorry for dragging him into this mess. I didn’t mean for anyone but Nancy to know, I didn’t know they all would live together.”
Will shifts in his chair, not knowing what to say. “You weren’t actively seeking him out, it was not anyone’s fault that you happened to come across him. If I ran away I wouldn’t want Nancy ratting me out either.”
“I still feel bad though. I mean, he’s your brother, he shouldn’t have to keep a secret like that from you. It was wrong.” Mike’s face burns from embarrassment.
“Mike,” Will spin around in his chair. “It happened, and it is circumstantially understandable. Get out of your head and pay attention to whatever work you’re doing so that you're not behind and doing work over break.”
“I’ll try,” he says with a half-hearted smile. The truth is, Mike is anything but worried. Rather, he thinks this may be the saddest he has ever been. Sure, he knew this day would come, having to spend holidays he once looked forward to alone, but he did not realize how soon it would come. Nancy will be going back and spending some time with their parents and Holly. Oh, Holly. She does not deserve any of this.
“Hey, Will?” Mike’s voice comes out far meeker than he intended.
Will turns around, curious to what Mike could want from him. “Are you alright, Mike?”
“Yeah um,” Mike’s voice is so tight he wants to kick himself out of fear of sounding stupid. “Can you tell them, not like they’re going to ask, the party I mean, if I can still call them that, that I’m sorry and I hope they're doing well. Just don’t let it get back to my parents. I can’t imagine the world of trouble I would be in. But I miss them all, and I don’t want them to be totally in the dark, that was never the plan. I just. I don’t know.” He takes a breath, trying to sort out the words in his head. “I don’t see a world in which I regret what I did, you know my father, our town. But I feel gutted in a way I don’t deserve to feel, all things considered. And I know it’s bad, but I just can’t help it.”
“You do not have to feel sorry for being upset about something. Yes it hurt, but you were hurting and that doesn’t have to negate your feelings. We all make choices that cause negative emotions, but Mike you naturally will feel those negative emotions too. I already forgave you, I am sure, when given the chance, the rest of the party will too. So if they ask, I will tell them the superficial things about you, and I will keep your secrets safe with me.”
Mike realizes it's the closest they have come to talking about It since it happened. He gets up and pulls Will into a hug, murmuring a “thank you” so soft Will barely catches it. Will puts his arms back around Mike and holds him close.
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The two breaks go by quickly for Mike. He works and works and works, has dinner with Steven and Robin when they are all home, and does some Christmas shopping. For Nancy and Jonathan, he gave some records and other albums. Robin got some new glasses for the house, fancy ones. Mike struggled on Steve’s gift, but ultimately settled on some nice . Will is getting the most elaborate gift of all, though. Nice pens and a new sketch book, the fancy ones Will had been muttering about a few weeks back when he had come back from one of his six hour drawing classes. All his extra shifts went to that, and he has no regrets for the cost, he just hopes Will likes them.
He sits at his desk, writing cards thanking everyone for the past year and wrapping Will’s gift. Just as he is finishing with Nancy’s thank you letter, the door to the dorm clicks open, and he comes in.
“Will!” Mike says, perhaps a little too excited for most people.
Not for Will, whose smile beams bright at the sound of Mike’s voice. “Mike!” He says back, rushing into him for a hug.
They embrace like nothing has ever happened, like nothing ever changed between them. Mike is thankful for that, but feels off about it. It is ironic, but something about the total lack of acknowledgement bugs Mike, like they have not let themselves properly understand each other in their new lives. He cannot be bothered that much though, as this means more to him than any sort of conversation.
Will pulls back and looks at Mike, studying his face. “How have you been? I’ve missed you.”
Mike feels his face flush and a shy smile creeps onto his face. “I’ve been good, working a lot. I’ve missed you too.” He moves to his desk to grab Will’s gift. “I, uh,” His face burns and he feels too shy to meet Will’s eyes. “I got this for you.” He hands Will the gift, and turns away to prevent himself from seeing any sort of disappointment or disdain on his face.
He hears the soft tearing of paper and a small gasp come from Will. “Mike,” he says softly, “these are beautiful. How did you know? How did you afford them?”
“I worked a lot over break. There wasn’t much else to do. And I knew because I remember you talking about them a little bit ago. Someone in your class or something had them and you seemed so excited about them so…” Mike trails off, feeling embarrassed and like he spoke too much.
“Thank you, Mike. Truly. They’re beautiful.” Will puts the gift on his desk and begins to rummage in his bag. “I have a gift for you too. Here it’s,” he hands a small bag to Mike. Inside are also pens, beautiful ones with glass blown detailing, and a small notebook. “I hope you like them. They’re for your writing, you know.”
“They’re beautiful. Will, thank you.” He puts a hand on Will’s arm and a small voice in the back of his head wants to kiss him silly. He hopes it does not show up on his face. Instead, he opts to drag Will into a suffocating hug. Mike’s height on Will is just enough to where he can bury his face into Will’s hair and give him an indiscrete kiss there.