Chapter Text
CHAPTER 9: BF&BF AND BF&GF
July 4, 1992 - Hawkins, Indiana
The Byers and Hoppers decided to visit Hawkins during the Fourth of July weekend. Will invited Andrew. Andrew wanted to take a break from the hectic city life a summer before their senior year got hectic. It helps that New York City is a humid hell during this time of year.
Smoke curled from Hopper’s grill as he flipped burgers with unnecessary aggression.
“Those are gonna burn,” Joyce called.
“They’re not burned. They’re charred. There’s a difference,” Hopper muttered.
Karen leaned toward Joyce. “He says that every year.”
Max kicked at the dirt near the fire pit. “I still don’t get why I’m sitting here.”
Will shrugged, gesturing subtly toward Ted Wheeler.
“It’s easier.”
Max followed his glance. Ted was watching them.
Will was an open secret at this point, and Ted wasn’t a complete idiot.
“He’s literally staring,” Max whispered.
“I know.”
“That’s not easier.”
“It’s… quieter.”
Andrew leaned forward. “You want me to switch?”
Will shook his head. “No. It’s fine.”
Andrew didn’t look convinced.
Then Mike arrived.
The conversation shifted instantly. Ted stood up before anyone else.
“Well! Rebecca! Good to see you.”
Rebecca smiled politely. “Mr. Wheeler.”
Karen pulled her into a hug. “You look lovely.”
Holly ran straight into her arms. “Rebecca!”
Nancy joined them. “How’s the internship going?”
“Busy,” Rebecca laughed. “But good.”
Mike lingered slightly behind her, hands in his pockets.
Will noticed.
He also noticed Mike didn’t look at him.
Not once.
They continued in conversation about school, work, and family.
Mike excused himself to unload the things Rebecca’s dad brought to appeal to Mr. Wheeler.
Mike set down a cooler near the porch.
Nancy followed him.
“You okay?” she asked quietly.
“I’m fine.”
“You’re smiling too much.”
Mike laughed. “That’s… not a thing.”
“It is when you’re doing it like that.”
Mike looked toward Rebecca laughing with Karen.
“She’s nice,” Nancy said.
“Yeah.”
“You like her?”
Mike hesitated.
“She’s… good.”
Nancy studied him.
“You don’t say good about people you like.”
Mike didn’t answer.
It should be fine since it’s been three years since…El…. It should be normal for my brother to move on. Nancy thought, but she could tell that Mike was being “perfect” way too perfectly.
Mike spent most of his time between school and the library typing on his second manuscript, but he made time for his girlfriend and his family. But it all seemed surreal.
To Will, he didn’t sense anything off about it. He genuinely thought Mike was finally over him, moving on, and living a “happy,” “normal,” and “straight” life. Maybe what he thought that was he felt about Will was temporary, of course it was, he thought.
Across the yard, Andrew leaned closer to Will.
“You’re watching him.”
Will blinked. “No.”
“You are.”
Will exhaled. “I’m not.”
Andrew tilted his head. “You went quiet when he showed up.”
“I always go quiet.”
Andrew didn’t smile.
Will stared at the fire.
Andrew’s jaw tightened slightly.
“Okay,” he said.
But his voice wasn’t relaxed.
“Hey there,” They both looked up to see Mrs. Byers handing Will a letter.
Will opened it.
Andrew read the letter over Will’s shoulder. “You got picked again?”
Will nodded.
Andrew exhaled through his nose. “Same program. Same class.”
Will didn’t answer.
Andrew tilted his head. “Do they even look at the rest of us?”
Will glanced at him.
Andrew smiled. “Relax. I’m proud of you.”
Will nodded.
But something about it felt… off.Will stood up first, trying to shake off the feeling.
“I’m gonna grab more drinks.”
Andrew followed immediately. “I’ll come with you.”
Max glanced up. “You just got drinks.”
Andrew shrugged. “We’ll get better ones.”
Will didn’t question it. He just nodded and headed toward the door.
Mike watched them leave.
He told himself not to.
But he did.
The screen door shut behind them. Their voices faded. The quiet settled back in.
Mike stared at the fire, jaw tight.
Max nudged him. “You okay?”
“Yeah… Just tired from the trip here.”
He didn’t look up.
He imagined them outside. Laughing. Standing too close. Maybe Andrew’s hand on Will’s back. Maybe…
Mike pressed his thumb into his palm.
He smiled when Nancy said something. He nodded when Hopper passed him a plate. He laughed half a second too late.
He didn’t look toward the door again.
Outside, Will slowed once they reached the end of the driveway.
“You didn’t need drinks,” he said.
Andrew shoved his hands into his pockets.
“I know.”
Will frowned. “Then why—”
“Tell me about Mike.”
Will blinked. “What?”
Andrew looked at him.
Will went still.
“You have feelings for him?” Andrew added quietly.
Will exhaled. “It was… a long time ago.”
Andrew waited.
“For a second,” Will said, “I thought maybe he did too.”
Andrew’s jaw tightened.
“But he didn’t,” Will continued. “He was just… confused. He has a girlfriend now. It’s obvious.”
Andrew nodded slowly. “You’re over it?”
Will hesitated.
“…Yeah.”
Andrew studied him. “You didn’t tell me.”
“I didn’t think it mattered.”
Andrew looked back toward the house. “It matters if he still matters.”
Will swallowed. “It doesn’t.”
Andrew nodded. “Okay.”
They started walking back.
Andrew spoke again, quieter this time.
“I just don’t like the way he looks at you.”
Will frowned. “He doesn’t.”
Andrew didn’t argue and opened the door.
Mike looked up when they came back.
Andrew pulled his chair closer to Will.
Mike noticed.
He took a long sip of his drink and smiled like nothing hurt at all.
July 10, 1992 – Paris, France
Ari took extra courses and internships in the last two years to graduate on time while focusing on his manuscript, which was still in the writing stage. He was going to spend his last summer before Dante finishes his studies in France as a graduation gift to himself. They both planned to head back to El Paso after sightseeing with Dante. They also heard Will and Andrew might be in town for one of Will’s upcoming exhibitions. Turns out, the art program they all participated in was also meant to help them get discovered, and Will had the most impactful art pieces showcased. Dante wasn’t shocked about the news, but he was a bit disappointed he wasn’t chosen, which only made him look into his own work and dig deep into himself. There was something extremely raw, painful, and freeing about Will’s pieces.
Will invited everyone, including Mike, to his exhibition. Mike responded with “I’ll think about it.”
Back in the exhibition, as the night ended, Will thanked his visitors. He noticed someone had dropped their hardcover book. Will looked down to pick it up. "The Crownless Road" by M. W. Alder.
The cover was worn. He opened it.
A note inside:
"If you find this, never forget to discover, venture, and be brave. Be brave."
Will traced the ink with his finger.
Andrew leaned over. “You keeping it?”
Will nodded.
“Yeah.”
Andrew smiled. “Looks like something you'd like.”
Will closed the book.
“…Yeah.” It was signed by the author, M.W. Alder. Will realized he probably wouldn't see the book's owner again, even if he tried, so he decided to keep it and read it.