Chapter Text
Another morning, another disoriented Will Byers.
Exhaustion was starting to eat at him. His mother, frantic as ever, kept trying to get him to talk to her.
“Honey, I just need to know if there’s anything I can do to help you.”
Will saw the pain in her eyes when he dismissed her over and over again. He didn’t know why he wasn’t telling her; in fact, his heart was pleading with him to open his mouth and spill it.
‘I keep dreaming about monsters, Mom. I’m dying every night.’
But the words wouldn’t reach his tongue. He couldn’t utter the words; he couldn’t give speech to his fears, it unmade his vocal cords like acid.
He had to tell her; what if those creatures came back for him? What if these nightmares were warnings? But he knew, in her worry, she would seek help. Professional help.
He couldn’t bear to sit in that sterile room and be examined like an illness. He couldn’t stand the thought of being prodded and stung like he was some paranormal occurrence.
The doctors didn’t even call him by his name. He was a contaminated patient. He was file number whatever.
They’re just nightmares; they’ll be over anytime. Will repeated these words like a mantra instead.
They can’t hurt me; they mean nothing. He thought them over and over as his mom sighed in defeat and kissed him on the top of his head. Will could feel her shaky breaths as she hugged him, arms tense as she held his head between her arms.
Even Jonathan tried to pull the words out of him.
“You can talk to me, Will. You know that, right?”
Will nodded, but kept his eyes on the trees fusing into one another as the car drove past.
Today, the music was quieter. Will couldn’t stand the silence.
Blood, cold, his choked screams into the void. His weak, damaged hands. His tired legs; he couldn’t keep running much longer.
When he got to school, he didn’t even bother pretending he was present today. Of course, Mike immediately noticed. His soft, worried voice flooded Will’s ears as they made their way to class. He wanted to cry, to run away, to grab Mike by the hand and drag him somewhere quiet.
He couldn’t stand the bright lights, he couldn’t stand the chatter around him, he couldn’t stand the stares. Zombie boy; an anomaly, the lost boy.
Even Lucas and Dustin were asking him about it now. A concerned hand on the shoulder, an offer of distraction; Will wasn’t even registering it.
He followed them around, though. His eyes never left the ground, and his hands stayed steadily clasped around his backpack straps. He walked wherever they led, he sat whenever they sat, he stopped whenever they stopped. He didn’t utter a word, he didn’t make any decision. He was just there, like a ghost.
The bell rang during their second-period break. Will didn’t even notice they had wandered to the schoolyard. He didn’t have to look up to feel the crowd brushing past them as they ran back to class. The party turned around, and so did Will. They were near the bushes; Will felt a twig catch in his sleeve as he turned. The little wooden thing scratched against his skin. He stopped for a moment. He brought a shaky hand to release the branch from his jacket. The courtyard was almost empty now; his friends were nearly at the foot of the stairs.
Once he was free, he took another step. It crunched. His breathing caught in his throat. He didn’t move; he couldn’t. He swore he heard the trees rustle behind him; he heard dry branches and leaves crunch with every heavy step of something. His palms ached with a phantom pain, feeling hot liquid spilling onto his forearms.
He wanted to run, to save his life, but his feet wouldn’t budge. He was frozen. The monster screeched behind him. He was going to die.
“WILL!”
Mike’s tight grip on his shoulders shook him out of his trance. Will looked up, lips trembling and eyes wide with terror. Mike’s face was right in front of him. His expression read nothing but alarm. His eyebrows were knit together, and his eyes were scanning Will’s face.
“M-Mike?” Will felt his wavering voice escape him.
“Are you okay? What happened?” Mike’s voice was panicked, agitated. He wouldn’t let go of Will’s trembling shoulders.
The frightened boy looked around. Sunrays were shining through the foliage of the trees surrounding the schoolyard.
“Mike! Is he okay? What is it?”
Lucas and Dustin were standing right behind Mike, concern twisting their expressions.
Something clicked behind Mike’s eyes.
“He’s alright. Go ahead, we’ll be right behind you guys.” Mike said, not looking away from Will’s frantic eyes.
“Are you sure? You don’t think we should call Mrs. Byers?” Lucas’ worried voice came from behind Mike’s unwavering stare.
Will immediately drew his gaze to Lucas, his eyebrows scrunching tighter together as he looked at Mike once more. He couldn’t speak, but Mike could read his eyes better than any book.
‘Please, don’t tell my mom, please.’
Will’s breathing was heavy, pupils consuming his big, frightened, wide eyes.
“No, no, I think he just needs a moment. Go ahead, I’ll stay with him.” Mike spoke again, finally turning his head to look at the two remaining party members.
They just nodded, even if they weren’t fully convinced.
“Tell us if he needs anything, please.” Dustin said as he grabbed Lucas’s sleeve and turned, walking up the stairs and into the hall.
Mike turned his attention back to Will, whose breathing was still loud and unsteady.
“You’re here, Will, you’re here with me.”
A tear escaped from Will’s left eye, staining his cheek as it fell.
Mike winced ever so slightly, then let go of one of Will’s shoulders and brought his sleeve up to Will’s cheek. He wiped it away with the gentlest motion.
Will’s breathing began to slow down, his eyes no longer darting around the schoolyard; they were now fixed on Mike.
His expression began softening, but Mike could tell he was still shaken.
“Come on, follow me.” Mike grabbed Will’s left hand with his right and began guiding him somewhere.
“W- where?” Was all Will managed to say.
“Don’t worry, just trust me.”
That was pretty much all Will knew how to do. He trusted Mike more than anyone in the world, so he didn’t protest as he was guided through the school grounds.
Mike pulled him all the way to the kid’s playground, an old, familiar swingset greeting him as they got closer. Mike finally let go of his hand as he stopped right in front of it. He eyed it for a second before sitting down on the swing right in front of Will.
He signaled with his open hand at the other seat, the one to Mike’s right, urging Will to take it.
He obliged, slowly grabbing the chains as he lowered into the swing.
They sat there, rocking back and forth ever so slightly. Neither of them spoke; they just existed around each other in comfortable silence for a few minutes.
“Hey, do you remember these swings? We used to come here all the time back then.” Mike said, eyes fixed on the grass beneath him.
Will could hear the slight smile on his face.
Of course Will remembered; they were some of the happiest memories he had.
They replayed like an old movie in his mind.
A small, freckled boy approached him, asking if he wanted to be friends.
Will immediately knew he could trust him, knew he was different, just like him.
They became inseparable, going everywhere together. Will treasured those memories, thanking whatever force brought them together on that sunny day.
He felt a sad smile creeping up on his face, breaking the frown that previously felt eternal.
“We would compete to see who would fly the highest after jumping. I think I’d break my legs if I tried it now.” Mike had a full grin now.
Will chuckled softly.
Mike immediately turned his head towards the sound, eyes surprised as if he couldn’t believe he’d managed to make Will laugh. After his initial disbelief, he chuckled, too. He was determined to make Will feel better.
“You’d always win. There was a time I thought you were actually tapping into some magic powers or something.”
“Powers? Me?” Will finally met Mike’s gaze, a grin now plastered on his lips. His eyes were still a bit watery, but he looked more at ease.
“Who knows, you’re our cleric for a reason.” Mike teased.
Will laughed softly again, squinching his eyes as his smile reached them.
Mike’s expression read as nothing but endearment as he looked at his best friend.
“I don’t have any powers, Mike, I’m not El.” Will’s smile faltered for a moment.
Mike’s smile fell, too.
Will only ever heard about her whenever the guys bragged about the super-cool things she could do, or when they retold a story like they were the leads on an action movie.
Will barely remembered her face; he had been too weak when she came to him like an apparition. For a moment, Will thought maybe his body had finally given in to the cold, or maybe the monster had gotten him in his sleep, because he swore he saw an angel.
“Your mom, she’s coming for you… Just hold on a little longer.”
He would never forget her words, the way she held his hand, even if he felt no warmth.
But he also knew how much it had affected Mike.
Will could see it in his eyes; Mike missed her terribly. They tried not to touch the topic too much; he’d go quiet, eyes darting to the floor, or to his supercom. He still kept the little fort she’d slept in in his basement.
At first, Will thought maybe Mike was just grieving, but then it kept going, and it made something ugly twist inside Will’s chest.
He tried to blame it on anything else; maybe he was just a little mad because sometimes Mike’s supercom was unreachable as he tried to somehow contact El. But it wasn’t because he was jealous, it was because what if a code red happened and Mike wasn’t answering the com! Or maybe he just got a little sad whenever Mike’s expression turned bittersweet as they talked about the day Will came back; the day El disappeared. He wasn’t jealous because his best friend’s mind was occupied by a girl when he was supposed to be focused on Will. No, he would never admit to that, because that meant he was a selfish, ungrateful guy.
He hated that he felt that way, because he’d forever be grateful to El for having practically saved him. And he would never, ever be mad at Mike.
His body tensed up as he realized what he’d said.
He noticed the way Mike’s gaze fell to his lap.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to-”
“No, no, it’s okay.” Mike was quick to correct. “Hey, listen, why don’t we get out of here?”
He looked back at Will, eyes still a little sad.
“Oh, uh, and go where?” Will asked, feeling a bit guilty for having brought the mood back down.
“I don’t know, to my house, if you want.” Mike shrugged.
“Won’t they call my mom if they notice?” Will asked, gesturing his head towards the school building.
“Um, well, do you think Jonathan would cover for you if you told him?”
Will thought about it for a second. He didn’t want to worry Jonathan or his mom any more than they already were, but he truly didn’t want to be here right now.
“I guess I could ask him.” He finally said.
“Alright, how about this. I'll go tell the guys so they don’t freak out, and they can tell the teachers that we’re sick or something. Meanwhile, you go ask Jonathan, sounds good?”
Will’s heart did a little backflip. Something he always admired about Mike was how easily he came up with a game plan, how easily he could lead the way.
He couldn´t help but smile a little.
“Yeah, sounds good.”
Mike got up first, offering his hand to Will.
The latter took it, letting himself be helped up by Mike’s steady hand.
“Whoa, dude, your hand’s really cold.”
Will hunched down a little. He didn’t know why he felt a bit embarrassed.
“Sorry.”
Mike raised an eyebrow at him.
“It’s alright. Come on, let’s do this.”
They went opposite ways as Mike ran straight to the classroom Dustin and Lucas were in, and Will went looking for Jonathan.
He wasn’t quite sure where he’d be, but he eventually spotted him.
He felt nervous walking around the near-empty halls on his own. He missed Mike’s all-encompassing presence around him.
Jonathan spotted him through the door’s glass panel as Will peeked nervously. The older Byers stood up immediately and crossed the room in a few long strides. Will saw him mutter something to the teacher without looking away from Will.
Jonathan stepped out of the classroom and closed the door behind him.
“What is it? Did something happen?” Jonathan hurriedly asked.
Will denied with his head before opening his mouth. He wasn’t sure what he was even going to say.
“I just- I don’t feel too well.”
He said, but he probably didn’t sound convinced enough.
“Do you need me to take you home-”
“No! No, I mean, I wanted to- uh.” He didn’t know how to pose the question.
“You want to leave, but you don’t want to go home, is that it?”
His big brother just knew him too well. Will was grateful that he didn’t need to explain further.
“Yes.”
“And you want to go where, exactly?”
Jonathan already knew the answer, but he asked anyway.
“To Mike’s?” Will asked, squinting an eye slightly.
Jonathan considered this for a bit.
“Alright, how about this. I take you guys there, and I don’t tell mom you ditched school,” He began. “But, you have to tell me what’s going on with you.”
Will froze for a moment. He felt the tiniest sliver of anger in his stomach. Why would Jonathan try to bargain with something like this?
“You don’t have to tell me right now, just- promise me that you will. Deal?”
Will thought about it for a few seconds. Maybe Jonathan would forget about this, right?
He nodded hesitantly, slowly.
“Will! I found you- Oh.” Mike’s voice came from behind Will. He had just rounded the corner at the end of the hall.
“Mike! Uh, is it all right if Jonathan takes us? You know, so they don’t call my mom?”
“Oh, um, sure.”
The three of them walked to Jonathan’s car in silence. When they got in, Will sat at the front with his older brother, while Mike sat silently in the back. His bike was wedged between him and the front seats.
Jonathan looked at the dark-haired boy. He could tell the little Wheeler was annoyed that Jonathan had interrupted his and Will’s alone time.
It was somewhat endearing.
When they finally got to Mike’s house, Will immediately went to help Mike in his struggle against his imprisoned bike. When they finally pulled it out of the car, Jonathan sent Will a sweet smile and drove away.
Not a moment had passed when Mike had already grabbed Will by the wrist and dragged him towards his basement.
Mike led them down the stairs and to the couch, where he flopped down into the cushions, pulling Will down with him. Will let it happen, giggling softly as he landed with a small thud.
Mike let go of his wrist at last, lying back on the couch.
“So, what do you want to do?” He asked casually as Will slowly relaxed back into the couch.
Will shrugged.
“I don’t know, you?”
Mike shrugged as well.
Will shivered a little. There was no real reason for Will to be cold; it was the middle of September.
Mike caught it, of course he did.
He brought a hand to Will’s forehead.
“Dude, you’re still cold!” He exclaimed as his hand lingered for a moment.
Will was staring at him disconcertedly; he didn’t know what to say.
“S-sorr-”
He was interrupted by Mike as he quickly stood up and made his way to a pile of blankets right next to El’s fort. He grabbed one from the top of the pile and made his way back to Will.
“You need to stop apologizing for things out of your control,” Mike said as he draped the blanket around Will. He tucked it under his thighs and behind his arms. Will sat there, still unmoving, as Mike finished his work and sat back down.
He sprawled on the couch again, but this time their legs were touching.
“Better?” Mike asked genuinely.
“Yeah, better.” Will replied. He looked dumbfounded.
His eyes couldn’t help but dart to El’s fort every now and then. Even if his body was warming up, he still felt a pit in his stomach. Why had he brought her up? Now, Mike was all mopey, too.
“Hey, sorry for getting all weird before.” Mike’s voice drew Will’s attention back. “When you mentioned El, I mean.”
“I didn’t mean to-” Will began, but Mike cut him off again.
“You shouldn’t be walking on eggshells around me, Will, it’s not fair for either of you.”
‘Either of you.’
Will felt guilty again. The truth was, he always felt guilty when she was brought up. He didn’t just feel jealous, he felt a terrible, all-consuming guilt. El had disappeared while trying to help him and his friends. No one ever blamed him for it, of course, but he’d put the pieces together. Everyone was relying on her to find Will, to communicate with him, to protect them from the monsters. They would never have been put in those situations if he’d never gone missing. Or if he’d died in there.
He hated the thought. It made him feel even guiltier. He couldn’t imagine the pain his mom and Jonathan would be in. He couldn’t bear the thought of his friends grieving him, of Mike…
But maybe El would still be here.
His mom and Hopper wouldn’t have gone to the lab that night, the officials wouldn’t have cornered El and his friends in the school, and maybe-
“I’m sorry, Mike.”
His voice was breaking; it was small and guilt-ridden.
“What? For what?”
“For being here instead of her.”
His mouth moved before he could stop himself. His eyes were watering again. He didn’t mean to say that; he knew it wasn’t fair.
Mike looked shocked as he looked at Will. His eyes were fully wide and his mouth agape.
“What? Will, no. Don’t say that.”
Now he looked hurt, and Will hated himself for it.
“Don’t ever say that, okay?”
Mike sighed as he looked down for a moment, like his shoe would give him the words he was looking for.
“Listen… I miss her, like, a lot. She was my friend, and she saved our lives… she saved yours.” He paused again, like he was collecting his thoughts. “But she did what she had to do, and now you’re here.”
Mike looked into Will’s eyes again.
“Will, I’m so happy you’re here. I wouldn’t trade you for the world, and I mean that.” His gaze was deep, serious, and Will’s heart was growing warm.
“When you disappeared… I thought my life was ending. So don’t ever say stuff like that again, okay?”
Will said nothing; he just stared.
“Okay?” Mike repeated. He needed Will to say it, to understand.
“Okay.” Will’s voice was small, quiet, but it sufficed.
They sat there in silence for a while. Eventually, Mike got up to grab a comic and handed it to Will.
The tension in the room dissipated with each turned page.
They were reading together, heads touching as they scanned the pages. Sometimes Mike said some witty quip, and Will giggled. Sometimes, Will would comment on how a certain panel was illustrated, and Mike wholeheartedly agreed with whatever the take was.
When a page was particularly violent, Will got a bit sweaty; he tried to conceal his shaky breaths as best as he could. Mike didn’t comment on it; he just pressed his arm harder into Will’s and brought their heads closer, his hair tickling Will’s cheek.
At some point, Will might’ve fallen asleep, because when he opened his eyes, the room was considerably darker, only illuminated by the lamp in the corner. He felt a weight on his shoulder and a mop of hair under his cheek. He looked down, only to find Mike breathing steadily into his shoulder. He was sound asleep, mouth slightly agape as he rested his head against Will.
Will didn’t move, he didn’t say anything, he just stared at his best friend for a couple of minutes. His cheeks warmed up, and so did his heart. He loved Mike so much, and he loved spending time with him. He felt too comfortable to move, too at ease.
He rested his own head back on top of the sleeping boy’s, carefully, trying not to wake him up. He took in the way Mike’s hair was soft against his cheek, the way his shoulders rose and fell nearly imperceptibly as he breathed. Will closed his eyes again, letting the in and out of his favorite person in the world’s breathing lull him back to sleep.
He was woken up again by a loud sound.
The door to the basement opened as Karen Wheeler yelled into the staircase.
“Will, honey, your brother is here!”
Both boys startled awake, heads knocking into each other slightly as they jumped apart.
“Ouch!”
“Ow.”
“Sorry.” Both boys mumbled as they rubbed their heads and eyes.
“What- Did we fall asleep?” Mike asked, sleep still invading his barely open eyes.
“Looks like it.” Will replied, stretching his legs as he inhaled deeply.
Mike looked at his watch, widening his eyes before looking up at Will.
“Jesus! We slept for like 4 hours!”
“Really?”
“Yeah!”
“Woah.”
Will slowly got up, stretching once more to try and shake off the sleepiness.
Mike imitated him.
Both boys walked up the staircase sluggishly, clearly still half-asleep.
They opened the door, and Jonathan was standing outside his car. He was leaning against the hull while talking to Nancy.
When the older boy spotted his little brother, he turned to look at him with a smile and a wave. Nancy looked back, too, smiling sweetly at Will as she tilted her head.
“What’s going on with them?” Mike said as he scrunched up his nose.
Will laughed at his disgust, shrugging as he began to step towards his brother.
“Wait, Will.”
The hazel-eyed boy turned at the mention of his name. He looked up at Mike expectantly.
“I had a good time today.”
Will smiled genuinely.
“Me too. And thank you.”
“For what?” Mike tilted his head as he asked.
“For being there for me.” Will replied earnestly.
Mike grinned as he said, “Of course, always.”
“All right, buddy, let’s go.”
Will turned to look at Jonathan when he spoke. He wished he could stay with Mike longer, but he knew a lot more planning (from his mother, especially) was required for that.
Will nodded, turning his head one last time towards his best friend, who was leaning on his doorframe.
“Goodnight, Mike.”
“Goodnight, Will.”
Will didn’t stop smiling for one second as Jonathan drove them back home. It was soft, small, and genuine. It was pure, like nothing ever really was in Will’s life anymore.
Jonathan hadn’t forgotten their deal, but Will looked so peaceful as they arrived home that he decided it could wait for another time; he didn’t want to make Will’s mood drop again.
He watched as his little brother sat with a contented smile on his face at the kitchen table, eating the full toast with peanut butter that their mother had put in front of him. The air felt lighter for the first time in three days, and all of the Byers relished in it.
That night, as Will closed his eyes, he imagined a soft mop of hair brushing against his cheek as he fell asleep once more.