Chapter Text
Will realizes it’s only him and Mike in the room now. Alone.
Both are still seated on the couch, a restless atmosphere looms over them, both waiting for the other one to speak first.
Will can feel his heart pounding in his chest, his ribcage barely keeping it inside. He tries to think of what to say next, but his thoughts come to a sudden halt when he feels something on his hand.
It’s Mike’s hand, fingers wrapped loosely around Will’s. Before Will could even try to make sense of what is happening, Mike clears his throat. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Mike is now making eye contact with Will, desperately trying to figure out what is going on inside his head. “You know I wouldn’t ever be disgusted or even see you differently because of it. I mean- we’ve known each other for so long.” Mike says with his ‘Will voice’, hoping it would make Will feel safe enough to open up to him.
“Mike, I...I couldn’t tell you, because…” Will is trying to get the words out, but they keep getting caught in his throat.
Mike realizes there’s something more to this, so he tightens his grip on Will’s hand and decides to speak, hoping it would make it easier for Will. “You remember the painting you made? The one you said El commissioned?” Mike asks gently, hoping he’s not making it worse by asking questions.
Will lets out a chuckle, “How could I forget? I spent week after week painting that for you-“ Will realizes he might’ve said too much.
“For me?” Mike asked, “El said you were painting it for someone you like…” a small frown forms on Mike’s face while he is slowly trying to figure the details he’s spent an increasing amount of time thinking about lately.
Will’s whole body goes tense. It’s come to a point where these questions are unavoidable. Should he just come out with it and tell the whole truth? But he doesn’t want Mike to feel awkward, uncomfortable or even disgusted when he finds out that Mike’s the one he’s been in love with all these years. Will closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, thinking of how Robin’s bravery has lead her to Vickie…and that, maybe if he’s brave enough, this could be Will’s chance to finally confess his feelings to Mike?
“Mike…El didn’t commission the painting from me. I bet she doesn’t even know what the painting is all about. I…painted it for you. I wanted to give it to you at the airport when you visited California…but when the ‘hug’ you gave me felt so weird, I decided to just keep it to myself for a while.” Will looks at Mike’s face taking in all this new information, waiting for him to maybe say something.
Nothing.
Will continues, “I made the painting for you, Mike. Because you’re…you’re the person I like. I’ve liked you ever since I met you, but I was too scared to sa-“ Will’s words fade away as he feels Mike’s hand letting go of his and wrapping around his waist. His other hand follows. Will isn’t sure what’s happening, but being the subject of Mike’s embrace could never be a bad thing.
Will hugs him back, his face almost buried in Mike’s neck. He starts quietly sobbing at the thought of his fears being empty all this time. His fear of Mike’s repulsed face after hearing his best friend has a crush on him. Or the sting of distasteful words about his identity, similar to those of his father.
Instead, he feels joy and satisfaction. He finally feels accepted by the one person whose acceptance he needed most.
“Sorry about what I said…that one time after our D&D fight…in the rain.” Mike slowly lets go of Will and a look of guilt appears on his face. “I know it hurt when I said something about how it’s not my fault that you don’t like girls…I was mad and I took out all my feelings on you, even though you didn’t deserve it.” Mike confesses. He lets out a sigh and rests his face in his hands. After a few seconds, he looked back up at Will. Hesitation, fear, uncertainty and shame are all plastered on Mike’s face.
Mike takes a deep, shaky breath. “I…think that- uhm…I think maybe I might feel…the same way that you do…? I don’t really know if I like girls, but…I think…” Mike glances at Will’s anticipating, curious, and almost hopeful face for a second before he grabs Will’s face and kisses him. For a second, Will is confused and shocked all at once, but doesn’t hesitate to kiss Mike back. Will drags his fingers through Mike’s hair like he’s always wanted to do, but never in his life did he think that his wish would ever come true…at least not in this lifetime.
“I think I like you, Will.” Mike says, followed by a crooked smile. Will cannot believe what he’s hearing. His smile grows as he says “I guess it was actually your fault I don’t like girls after all.” After a swift moment of silence, they both burst out laughing. Will takes Mike’s hands and intertwines their fingers. They lean forward to let their foreheads meet. They stay there for a few seconds, taking in all the emotions and thinking of how perfect this moment is.
“I love you, Michael Wheeler.”
“And I love you, William Byers.”
“HEY GUYS, WE NEED TO GO! WE DON’T HAVE ALL DAY!” an annoyed voice yells from the other room, interrupting them. Hopper.
Mike rolls his eyes jokingly and makes a ‘blah blah blah’ motion with his hand. Will burst out laughing again. A big smile appears on Mike’s face as he realizes that he has really missed Will’s laugh, especially because he hasn’t heard it as many times as he’d like to because of all the recent events.
They slowly reach for each other’s hands and intertwine their fingers once more. A reassuring smile can be seen on both their faces and nod as a means to say “Let’s do this”
They hurry back to the other room and Will’s first thought is ‘Wow, Robin is going to freak!” as he walks next to Mike Wheeler, hand-in-hand like he’s always dreamed of.