Chapter Text
Chapter One (Mike’s PoV)
Sometimes it still aches, the wounds that are over a decade ago. Will’s disappearance in ‘83 when they were all just innocent boys, and everything that followed subsequently. Everybody else moved on, spread across the country. Nancy’s at The Herald, Dustin’s getting his PhD with El, Lucas and Max are engaged, Will’s in the Big Apple. All as Mike foretold the night they graduated Hawkins High.
And exactly as he foretold, Mike’s still stuck in the past. In every story he tells, in every dream, every nightmare. He can’t escape. It doesn’t help that he’s been limited contact with Will for the past few months, and the loss of his best friend’s constant presence wasn’t improving his mental state. Mike adjust’s the strap of his messenger bag as he exits the cab. He slams the door behind himself and tilts his head up to read the sign above the bar. Treasure Trail. Possibly the only gay bar in a 500km radius. No, definitely the only gay bar in a 500 km radius.
Mike stands on the curb for a minute, still debating whether or not this is a good idea. The cab’s already driven off, tail lights bright against the dusky sky.
Shit. There goes his ride. Just one drink. He’ll sus it out.
This is the closest he’s ever gotten to actually going inside the bar, too afraid to be spotted, too scared of accepting this part of him, worried about what he’ll find. With a deep breath, Micheal Wheeler pushes the blacked out door open and enters. It’s dark. The colourful lights pointed toward the dance floor is the first thing he notices, along with the low sound of one of Bowie’s playing. There’s not many people in here, but Mike supposes that it gets more packed later. This is a good jumping off point. Just him, the bartender, and a few stragglers. He’s faced demogorgans, he can handle a drink. Mike chooses a seat on a barstool close to the entrance, an easy exit if he needs it. The bartender approaches, and her appearance is jarring compared to the prim and proper women he’s used to. She has a bright mullet, and her face and ears are glinting with silver piercings.
“What can I get you?” She asks him, her expression neutral.
Mike’s too busy staring at her eyeliner to hear her. “Huh? Oh- whatever’s easiest.”
An amused smile tugs at her lips, and Mike squints at her name tag. Andy.
“You’re new. Gin and Tonic?”
“Yes please.”
As he drinks, Mike stays sitting alone. He doesn’t speak to anyone but Andy when he orders another drink. And another. One drink turns into two, until he’s not sure how many he’s had exactly. The bar starts filling up, warm bodies dancing to the DJ’s greatest hits. Mike simply watches, taking in his new environment. The way everyone seems so loose and free to express themselves in the dim establishment ignites a small flicker of hope in his chest.
The grunge-style music and alcohol start to take effect on Mike, his head starting to ache with a familiar migraine. He sets his half finished drink down on the wooden bar top, the condensation pooling at the bottom of the glass. Time to pay and get out of here. Mike turns his head, seeking out that more than slightly intimidating bartender. His eyes find Andy further down the bar, talking to a man Mike definitely recognises. He would know those eyes, that mole, that hair…. Anywhere.
Mike’s heart stops, and his breath catches in his chest.
Why is Will Byers here and not thousands of kilometres away in New York?
Mike withdraws into himself, ducking his head and staring at the bar. He prays to God that Will didn’t see him, that Andy will hurry up so he can flee. Part of him feels guilty for not wanting to talk to Will at the moment, but it’s nothing personal. Sitting in a gay bar, drinking alone, was just not how Mike wanted his secret to get out. He turns his head to the side, trying to catch another glimpse of Will. The other man looks grown up, confident. Not much like the small boy that Mike spent every minute with. Mike supposes that he probably looks different too, now that he is a young adult. He looks away from Will quickly, catching himself staring at the other man’s new haircut. He really can’t be seen at this bar, that would entail a conversation that he really doesn’t want to have.
Screw it.
He can come back tomorrow and settle his tab then. He needs to get out of here. Mike stands up and darts through the crowd to the door, exhaling a sigh of relief as he pushes it open. Just when he thinks he’s free, he makes the mistake of looking over his shoulder. Pressed against Will’s back is a tall man with dark hair and a warm smile. His hand is around Will’s waist, who looks absolutely content chatting away.
Fuck.
Next Day
Even though it’s the absolute last place Mike wants to be right now, he has to pay last nights tab after running away.
What a great Paladin he is, he can’t even face his best friend of nearly 20 years. Although, they haven’t spoken recently, so it’s not like they’re the closest they’ve ever been. Part of him aches for their childhood, when things were easy and they just played Dungeons and Dragons. Still, he’s not ready to label himself to the world, even to Will. It’s stupid, he knows. If there was any of his friends that would understand, it would be Will. It’s just different with Will, it’s always been different.
The bell above the door chimes when Mike pushes it open, and Andy looks up from cleaning glasses. “Here to pay?”
Mike nods and approaches the counter, wallet already in hand. “Yeah, sorry I didn’t last night. Something came up.”
Liar. The only thing that came up was a surge of anger at the sight of some guy with his hands on Will.
Andy nods. “It’s cool. You seemed uncomfortable last night. First time?”
“Was it that obvious?” Mike asks dryly, handing over a signed cheque.
“Painfully.” A smirk tugs at the corner of Andy’s mouth.
Great, now he’s got some chick smirking at his discomfort. “Yeah, well.”
“Will I be seeing you again..?”
“Mike. And maybe.” Probably not.
“Mike” She repeats. “I’m Andy.”
“You’re wearing a name tag.”
“Smart ass.” Andy shoots back quickly, throwing Mike off balance. Hospitality workers are never usually this blunt or unfiltered.
Mike huffs a disbelieving laugh. Maybe he should come back later, if only to interact with Andy more. And maybe he’ll see Will again… he’s not sure how he feels about the prospect of that.