Chapter Text
It did take him a while to sort everything out and pull himself together after all the unsaid things. He didn’t want to invade his space, even though the answers to all those questions haunting him were probably within reach. He valued his own personal space too, but it didn’t change the fact that it kept him up at night.
He had a lot of letters too - ones he never sent to Mike - and there was no way in hell he’d want him to read them. But looking at it from the other side, with that quiet, almost sinful, tempting feeling somewhere deep inside… everything became so much harder when it seemed so simple.
That time passed surprisingly fast, even though it was exhausting and way more intense than the past few months.
Will sat on the chair by the bed, his hands resting on his knees, staring at Mike’s face.
Well… some things had changed since the last time he visited him.
Mike had more color in his face now, and just by looking at him you could tell he was more alive, like he had gotten some of his energy back.
When he saw his eyes open wider and the corners of his lips lift the moment he walked into the room, Will couldn’t stop himself from smiling. He probably looked like a complete idiot trying to fight it.
"Do you feel better?" he asked, watching as his dark eyes finally stopped drifting somewhere across the ceiling and focused on him.
"Still weird… but better," Mike admitted.
Will nodded, raising a brow as he noticed Mike scanning him from head to toe.
"Hm?" he muttered, following his still-moving gaze.
Mike smiled and, God… Will was literally melting, seeing that it was that genuine smile — the one that could only belong to him.
"I actually do feel a bit better… I didn’t really get a good look at you before. I remembered you differently… Dustin and Lucas were easier, they didn’t come when I was barely conscious."
Even though it was true, it was still a joke, so Will let out a quiet laugh, trying not to be too loud.
"Oh really? And how did you remember me??" he asked, trying to lighten the mood after their earlier meeting when he was completely shaken.
He thought about it and came to the conclusion that it wasn’t exactly a great "first impression." Even if everything was completely normal and Mike definitely understood — Will had always had a tendency to overdramatize.
Mike paused for a moment, squinting.
"Different…" he started quietly, trying to find the right words. "More… blurry…"
Obvious.
"A little uglier…"
That was not expected.
Will’s eyes widened as he looked at him questioningly.
Mike stayed silent. Will didn’t know what to say, but before he could figure it out, the boy laughed, his eyes narrowing with that soft smile.
Will still didn’t fully know how to talk to him… Mike didn’t even know that he had forgotten his voice too.
"Idiot…" he muttered, shaking his head but smiling back.
Mike winked at him and started playing with his fingers, resting his head against the pillow, looking at Will — relaxed, his body loose.
"Was I always an ‘idiot’?"
Will rolled his eyes, remembering all the times Mike had been arrogant and loved to tease him.
"You were… Getting worse every year."
Mike looked way too pleased with himself.
"See? First thing that stuck with me!"
"I always said it’d be hard for you to get rid of that…"
It was kind of shocking that even now their conversation flowed so naturally, like they still fit together perfectly.
"Were YOU ever an idiot?"
"Never." Will answered a bit too quickly. Mike just raised his brows in disbelief and looked up at the ceiling, nodding.
"Sure…"
Will let out a breath, resting his chin on his hand. His body, just like Mike’s, relaxed.
"Maybe this is kind of an unfair question but… did you remember anything yet? I mean… ANYTHING?"
Mike shook his head. Their eyes met again.
"It’s okay…" he smiled. "Don’t overthink it, it’s a normal question."
Will shrugged, staying quiet, waiting.
"I definitely remember my mom… some of my dad… umm…" he paused, searching through his thoughts. "I remember school…"
Will exhaled through his mouth, tensing up.
"God, I’m sorry…"
Someone else might’ve taken it as offensive, but Mike just smiled wider.
"Come on, it’s not that bad… and… I remember someone else. I don’t know if I’m making it up but since yesterday I’ve been thinking about a girl…"
Will smiled, the answer coming to him instantly.
"Oh yeah… probably El."
Mike looked at him, curious.
"I have a girlfriend?"
An absurd question… and at the same time exhausting. Will loved El with his whole heart, she was like a little sister to him, but still — a wave of jealousy hit him immediately.
He had known Mike since kindergarten. Almost his whole life.
And El? Way shorter.
Will knew exactly where that need to be "more" came from, but he wasn’t bold enough to show it or say it out loud.
He shook his head.
"No… I mean. Well she WAS your girlfriend… a while ago. You broke up pretty long ago… but you’re still friends."
Mike thought about it, still a little confused, then shrugged.
"Yeah… if not her then someone else!" he laughed.
He was really in the mood for jokes today… even worse ones than before he lost his memory. Will both loved and hated them. His face twisted slightly, showing just how painfully lame that was.
"If you say so…"
Mike stopped laughing and suddenly asked, way too confidently:
"And you? Do you have a girlfriend?"
A girlfriend…
Will froze for a second.
"A girlfriend… um…" he whispered, not sure how to say it.
Mike had accepted him once, during his coming out, but for some reason it felt just as hard again.
"No… I don’t," he shrugged, cutting it short. It was the simplest answer he could give.
"Then why did you hesitate? Are you in love with someone??"
Well… it did squeeze his heart, but after all those years he got used to it — even worked through it in therapy — so he didn’t spiral like he would’ve before.
"Maybe."
"Maybe…" Mike repeated, sighing. "Damn, you’re so mysterious…"
"You’ll have to accept that…"
Mike shook his head. Silence fell between them.
Mike looked like he was trying to piece everything together.
And Will?
He thought about the question…
He thought, but didn’t want to think.
So it was the perfect time to ask something else.
"Do you remember how I told you that when you get discharged, you’ll need someone to take care of you?"
Mike nodded.
"Yeah… I remember that. That didn’t fall out of my memory… why?"
Will smiled, moving his chair a little closer.
"And do you remember how I said we’d see each other a lot?"
Mike looked away, trying to recall it.
"Yeah… I think so…"
"Well. There’s someone who’s going to stay with you."
Mike reacted faster than expected. He smiled — dumb and soft at the same time — and Will felt butterflies instantly.
"Seriously? Who? Do I know them?"
Will pouted slightly, pretending to think.
"Hmm… I don’t know."
Mike raised a brow, already desperate like a kid.
"YOU don't know? I don’t know ANYTHING! Literally NOTHING… Will, you’re messing with meeeee..." he mumbled.
It was kind of funny… He was softer than before, and Will actually liked annoying him.
"A guy. Some guy."
Mike sighed, closing his eyes.
Will didn’t want to drag it out.
"Some ugly guy…"
"Ugly? What—" Mike frowned.
Finally, his expression dropped. He looked… disappointed.
"Oh…"
Will laughed.
"Oh." he mocked.
Mike stared at him blankly.
Will’s heart sped up.
What the hell was that reaction…?
"Uh… is that okay?" he asked. "Because if you don’t want—"
…
Mike suddenly nudged him lightly and laughed.
"I’m messing with you… Honestly I kinda hoped it’d be you. I like you more than the others."
Will’s breath caught.
God… that sounded way too sincere.
"Jesus, don’t scare me…"
Mike laughed again.
"Now that I know how fun it is to mess with you, I’m not stopping."
"You’re stupid…" Will muttered, nudging him back.
Mike calmed down, taking a deep breath.
Will knew he shouldn’t be too loud or energetic, but seeing him laugh put him into this weird euphoric state.
"You’re pretty caring… more than others. More than my mom… We must’ve been really good friends, huh?" Mike said, looking at him through his lashes.
Will nodded softly.
"I’m afraid you read me too well…"
"So what are we gonna do at home?"
Will let out a quiet laugh.
"We’re gonna fix you."
Mike rolled his eyes.
"And something fun?? You’ll show me what we used to do? Or photos? Or… we’ll get to know each other again? Or hang out with Dustin and Lucas?"
Will thought for a moment.
"Maybe?"
"You’re an idiot…"
Will laughed.
"You learned a new word from me?"
And that’s how their conversations went. Pretty normal… almost familiar.
Over the next few days, Will told Mike about their D&D campaigns, lake trips, embarrassing moments… small details that not only helped his recovery, but slowly brought them closer again.
Mike was a little different, but still had something of his old self.
He even met Dustin and Lucas once, but it was definitely still too much.
Day by day, he got stronger, until he was finally discharged.
Mrs. Wheeler was overwhelmed, apologizing, trying to take everything on herself, but Will knew sending Mike to his father would be a bad idea.
A very bad idea.
He felt stupid, like a freak, refusing everyone’s help — but it felt like his responsibility.
And so they stood in front of Mike Wheeler’s house, where not long ago Will had been sweating buckets to get everything ready for his arrival.
He looked at Mike, who had managed to get out of the car on his own, using some of his strength to push off the side.
At first, he stood on the sidewalk, staring at the building, while Will went to the trunk and pulled out the hospital bag and other important things.
"It looks… weird," he finally said in a quiet, disappointed voice.
Will softly sighed and stood next to him.
The car drove off, and he looked more closely at his face.
"Why weird?"
Mike furrowed his brow and shook his head, confused.
"I don’t know… yeah… gray."
Well. Will would have argued, if it weren’t for the fact that just a few days ago he had had exactly the same reaction, and nothing had changed since.
But he didn’t want Mike to think that too.
"Gray? Come on… it’s not that bad. When there’s at least two people there, it’s actually pretty nice."
Will moved forward, and Mike followed him.
"But I lived there alone?? How the hell didn’t I get my ass handed to me… Damn. Maybe I’m a psycho but I don’t even know it yet…"
Will stopped, bit his lip, and clenched his fists as he started searching his pocket for the keys.
He knew exactly what the truth was, and honestly, you could literally say he DID get his ass handed to him.
"Yeah… psycho," he whispered, repeating after him, sliding the key into the lock. He turned it.
He opened the door and let Mike go in first.
He looked at Mike standing in the doorway. His breathing calmed, his heart beat faster, but this time with actual joy, not fear.
The sight of his smile, his calm gaze, and the way he walked on his own through the house made Will feel… light. Like a small weight had lifted off his shoulders.
And even though he knew the days ahead wouldn’t be easy, he was ready. For himself. For Mike. For this weird, gray house that suddenly seemed a little brighter.
Mike looked around and leaned against a cabinet in the hallway, waiting for Will to follow. He seemed unsure what to do with himself.
Will went inside, closing the door behind them, and looked at his face.
Mike immediately smiled and started asking… a lot of questions:
"So, what are you going to help me with?"
Will smiled and looked at his jacket.
"You can take that off."
Mike looked confused when he didn’t hear an answer to his question. He looked down where Will was staring, and after a moment, he understood.
"Ah, oh… yeah… sorry," he muttered awkwardly and began taking off his outer clothes. His movements were slow, as if each one was deliberate.
"Well… I’ll help you with your meds… daily stuff… I’ll make sure you don’t lose focus or trip," he chuckled softly.
Mike looked at him with a small smile.
"Cool… I guess I can trust you."
Will chuckled quietly under his breath.
"You can, Mike…" he shook his head and took the jacket from him, hanging it on the rack. "Really… you can."
After a moment, he turned to him and just watched him quietly…
"And um… well… if you want, I can sleep on the couch, but ideally, I should stay in the same room with you for at least the next few nights…"
Mike looked at him, questioning.
Will met his gaze.
"Because, you know, if that bothers you…"
Mike looked away, quietly laughing.
"Wow… we’re gonna sleep in the same bed?"
What…
What.
Will’s eyes widened… He felt something warm in his stomach, and his mouth opened.
"WHAT…? NO, NO… NO…"
He blushed.
He was being stupid, didn’t even know why—usually just a question…
He didn’t want to show it, but his usual skill at hiding emotions failed him today.
Mike burst out laughing.
"We’re not? If not, then why do you act like we’re sleeping in the same bed?" he said, completely casual. "It’s just one room. No big deal."
"It’s just one room," came out so easily, while in the past, when he had lived in the Wheeler house, Mike had made him sleep in the basement because it was "weird."
"But it’s gonna be weird, sleeping with a stranger but not a stranger in the same room… I mean, it’s not even logical… it’s weird that you know me and I don’t know you."
Mike’s silliness didn’t help at all… Will didn’t know if he was less serious because of another injury or something else, but it definitely surprised him.
"Yeah, Mike… it’s really weird…" he said in a resigned tone. "Come on, you’ll see the house and relax."
Mike laughed stupidly.
He showed him around the house, pointing out rooms. Mike complained a bit, but Will understood perfectly, because most of the time he agreed with him anyway.
He showed him his bedroom, and Mike recognized some bands on the posters. They spent a lot of time talking about them and about the bands Will liked, and the types of music.
The day went by quickly, considering they arrived quite late.
Will found an old inflatable mattress somewhere in Hopper’s basement and had brought it earlier to the apartment, placing it on the opposite side of the room from Mike’s bed—not too close, but not too far either.
Night fell outside, and Will went upstairs into the room.
Mike looked quite tired and overwhelmed… well, it had been a lot for one day, very intense.
Will sat next to him on the bed, handing him a glass of water and a pillbox.
"Take all of these now…"
Mike nodded and took the glass. He just sat for a moment, staring at the water swaying slightly in his slightly trembling hand.
"You’re not gonna kill me tonight, right William?"
Will quickly inhaled, holding it for a moment, a shiver of embarrassment running down his spine.
"God… DON’T call me William, Michael."
Mike laughed and looked at his face with slightly squinted eyes.
He would probably continue his stupid jokes in the morning, but apparently, he had no energy left.
He raised the glass and swallowed the pills.
Will watched his throat move as he swallowed the water and how his hands trembled slightly.
Once he was done, he rested his hand on his knee and stared ahead, thinking about something.
"Actually, it’s weird here… I remember some things, but I don’t remember why I remember them."
Will smiled at him lightly, soothingly.
"It’ll get better…"
Mike wrinkled his nose in a strange way Will hadn’t seen before. Honestly, it looked even kind of cute…
"Should we get flowers for the house?"
Absurd. Absurdly weird and silly… Will widened his eyes, amused.
"You’re so random, Mike… Why flowers? Where did that even come from…"
Mike sat quietly, as if it didn’t register for a moment, but then he perked up:
"I don’t know… it would look nicer. Don’t you think?"
"I never thought you were a flower person, Mike…" he said suspiciously, the only thing in his mind being those pathetic flowers he had for El at the airport.
Mike smiled faintly at him, and Will returned the smile.
"Let’s go to sleep, Mike… okay?" he stumbled, clutching the edge of the blanket and playing with it. "And… if anything happens, or if you want anything… you can wake me… or tell me. Okay? At least try to trust this ugly stranger a little…"
Mike shook his head.
And well… Will felt relieved. He didn’t know if it was justified, because a lot of work still awaited them… But he felt they were on the right track. The sight of his faint, slightly revived smile day by day was like a treasure to him, and the help he could give him felt sacred and rewarding.
And yes, Robin had been right. Maybe he was too good for this world, but he did it for MIKE, and he truly would be willing to sacrifice himself, do anything for him.
He was ready to do anything for him. Even if it meant watching Mike rebuild his life from scratch—
and learning where his place in it all was again.