Chapter Text
Mike woke up body aching. Turns out the floor is not the most confortable place to sleep. He slowly stretched himself awake and jerked up. He turned to look at the clock behind him. 12:30. Damn Mike thought. He turned only to be met by an empty bed where Will once was. The empty bed wasn’t that crazy. It was 12:30 after all.
He got up, pushing off Will’s bed for support. He dragged himself over to the living room where El watched tv while Joyce and Murray spoke to the side.
“Oh good you’re awake!” Joyce got up from the couch
“Here I made you breakfast, it might be cold. I didn’t expect you to wake up this late.”
Mike looked around, liking away the small trail of drool running from his lip.
“Will he uh. Went out with some friends.”
Joyce looked up at Mike and laughed a little.
“At least I think he did.”
Mike smiled and made his way over the plate with eggs on top of the stove. He set it down on the table and began to eat it.
Once most of the food on his plate had been eaten he noticed El had gotten up from her place on the couch and was making her way to her room. Before though, she glanced to look at Mike giving him the signal to talk.
Ever since the whole thing at the rollerskating rink had happened the both of them didn’t speak. Which confused Mike, I mean after all it’s not like he was the one making fun of her.
But he knew El was mad at him for whatever reason. And as her boyfriend, it was his duty to make it up to her. Right?
Throughout their whole relationship Mike had a hard time understanding her. He never understood girls in general, especially not one with powers. He was able to go to Lucas or Nancy for advice but it still sometimes left him confused.
In his mind girls are just complicated beings with way too many emotions. Especially back in Els face where she hung out with Max all the time.
Even then he was confused on why she had gotten so mad at him that one day at the mall. But it didn’t really matter because they ended up making up right?
And this time would be no different right? They would go and talk, Mike would just sit there and act confused and El would inevitably forgive him.
Mike finished eating his breakfast and thanked Joyce for the food. He washed up his plate and walked toward Els room.
He lightly tapped on the door and heard a small “come in” coming from the other side of the door.
he cautiously made his way into her room. He then realized he had never been in there before. But at least Els room reflected her personality.
A few doodles hung up on the wall along with a few paintings, seemingly Will’s work. Cute little trinkets occupying space in her bookcases. Colored pencils and school work covered her desk. And cute plushies decorated her made bed.
Mike admired the room for a few more seconds before heading a firm but soft “sit” he did as told and too a seat on Els bed as she walked over to her desk and sat facing away from Mike.
He sat there, patting his legs with the palm of his hands hoping El would give him something to say.
“So?” El spoke up breaking the silence
Although Mike hoped El would say something, what she said put him on the spot.
“Uh well you’re mad, seemingly at me.”
El scoffed.
“So then why are you here?”
“To uh..” Mike looked up to see El had turn around and was now staring at him. He swallowed hard and responded.
“To apologize..?” He spoke with more confusion rather than firmness.
El suddenly shot up from her chair with a stack of slightly wrinkled papers.
“Are you serious Mike?”
Mikes eyes widened “what?”
“I haven’t seen you in almost eight months and you get here and act uninterested and like you barely know me!?”
“What!? Of course I’m interested!”
“Really!? Because you can’t even look me in the eyes when you say that.”
Mike finally looked her in the eyes. she was right. He couldn’t bring himself to look her in the eyes. But before he had the chance to answer she waved the papers in the air.
“I mean do you even love me?”
“I-“
She threw a sheet of paper at his face and began reading the rest
“From Mike!” Another sheet thrown “From Mike! From Mike From Mike. You never say it. You can’t even wright it.”
“I- El you know I do though!”
“Do what..?”
“You know…”
El rolled her eyes. He couldn’t even say it now.
“Look Mike.” El sat back down, her tone suddenly softer but still firm. “Mike, our relationship has never been really strong.. at first it was good…puppy love. But I think it was just that. And we’re getting older and I live in Lenora and you live in Hawkins.”
Mike knew what was coming. He didn’t expect it though. He never knew El would go this far. I mean she did a while back but that was with Max’s help. But that he knows of she doesn’t really have anyone to tell her anything like that now. And knowing this is it hurt more that Mike expected.
“Mike I just don’t think this is going to be good any longer. Don’t get me wrong Mike I still love you but I think we can both agree when I say our LOVE love has gone away over time.”
Mike couldn’t help but think back to when they first kissed. He was so young and she was the first girl to show interest so he knew it must be love…right?
He felt a warm tear he didn’t know had built up run down his cheek. Although they loved each other very deeply and he’s loved their relationship. He knows she’s right.
He no longer feels the way he used to about her. No longer gets exited when he thinks about her or when he gets a letter. He thought he’d surely get exited when he saw her again but for some reason he didn’t.
He slowly looked up at her, trying to make eye contact through his foggy teary eyes only to see her with the same eyes.
Mikes voice cracked as he finally replied. “Yeah I… I guess you’re right I was just too scared to admit I guess.”
El half smiled through a quivering chin.
The feeling was weird. The love was gone sure but he was still sad. Kind of like leaving something behind, even if that thing was gone long ago.
“So I guess… you dump my ass?” Mike and El both laughed a little adding brightness to this sad room.
“Yeah..” El sniffled and let out another small laugh. “I guess I am.”
They both simultaneously stood up and crashed into a hug as they both half laughed half sobbed into each others arms.
“Can we still be friends though?”
“El… I’ve known you since I was like 7 even if we’re no longer together doesn’t mean we won’t stop being friends. You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
El let out a small laugh into mikes shoulder.
“Best friends?” She asked looking up at mikes red eyes.
Mike didn’t reply though, just hugged her tighter.
After a few more seconds of the hug they both stepped back.
“I still love you Mike. Platontickally”
“Platonically?”
“Yeah that!”
“I love you too El. Plathontickally”
He smiled at her before turning around and walking out of her room.
It finally happened. The bandaid was off. Sure it hurt like hell when it first got ripped off but now it feels good to have it off.
————————
Mike didn’t have to sit around for too long before Will was back home.
Mike sat in the living room thinking over a lot of things. But mostly thinking about what had just happened.
As he did though he heard the front door creak open. Obviously it was will, no one else had left the house.
Mike straightened up and busied himself with a magazine as to not look dumb just sitting alone on the couch.
As he stared at the pages of the random magazine whom he definitely had no interest in when he heard a far giggle coming from the front door. Not just any giggle though, a girls giggle. Followed by Wills sweet soft voice.
“Shh no one knows you’re here.” Wills was clearly trying to whisper but didn’t do a very good job as Mike definitely heard him.
Mike looked around the room as if moving his eyes would help him understand what was happening or at the very least help him hear clearer. But to what he deciphered so far was that Will was trying to sneak a girl in.
Before Mike could think for too long he heard the two of them clumsily walk toward the stairs. Based on their uncoordinated footsteps they were both clearly high.
Once they both made it to the start of the stairs Mike was able to get a look at who Will had brought. It was a girl with blonde hair and and interesting fashion choice from what Mike could see.
Before she walked up the stairs, she turned around and waved at Mike with a floppy hand. Like when a five year old attempts to wave
She turned and quickly made her way up the stairs without skipping a beat. Will paused and looked over at Mike as she ran up. As soon as they made eye contact Wills eyes widened cueing his legs to start running after the blonde.
One they both ran mikes thoughts started up again. Who was that blonde girl? And why did she look oddly…familiar? Where had he seen that face before. As he thought a memory of the roller skating rink popped back into his head.
It was the same girl that El hit! What was her name..? Angela! Wait… Wills friends with her? He invited her over! Does he know about her and El?
But most importantly Mike wondered why Will wanted her to come over in the first place. Could he possibly liked her. Could they potentially be dating..? Mikes heart dropped a little at the thought.
As if forcing his heart to jump back up Mike thought why should he care. It’s good that Will found someone he likes right? He just feels that way because Angela is a bad person right? Or maybe because him and Els breakup is still fresh?
Mike threw his head back on the couch and rubbed his eyes. He came to Lenora to be with the Byers but so far all he’s done is just mope around. All of them are busy with their own things so what is Mike supposed to do?
And surprisingly, Joyce didn’t even see Will bring her home because she was way too busy doing something very important with Murray Wich was starting to get suspicious.
But thinking was useless so Mike let his head relax onto the arm rest.
———————
Slam!
The sound of Wills door being aggressively slammed open startled Mike into waking up. He didn’t even realize he had fallen asleep but that wasn’t important at the moment.
He listened as angry footsteps stormed down the stairs and lighter ones followed.
“Don’t follow me!” Angela’s voice boomed with anger.
“I wasn’t planning on it” Will said, though his voice trailed behind.
Angela finally made it down the stairs and stormed out the door. Shutting it behind her with a loud boom.
A few seconds after Will made his way to the edge of the stairs and turned to look at the door. He turned to look at Mike but didn’t look for too long before looking away. Before he walked up the stairs he just rolled his eyes and shrugged.
Mike couldn’t figure out what had just happened but a wave of relief weirdly washed over him. He didn’t know he had the need to feel relief in the first place but he did.
——————
It was time to go to sleep and Mike was dying to know what had happened.
Any other time he could ask him freely. Back when they used to tell each other everything and there were no secrets. Mike wished they could just go back to that. Enough of this mysterious Will.
Once he was done getting ready for bed he walked into Will’s room to find he was already in bed with his Walkman in facing the ceiling.
One lamp lightly illuminated his room so Mike could only see half of Wills face. And god, he looked beautiful. Mikes eyes lingered over Wills features longer than he realized.
Will looked over and took one side of his headphones off. “Can I help you?”
Mikes eyes went wide as he blinked back into reality. “Uh I was just…I uh… do? I mean what uh gah” Mike rambled trying to figure out what to say. “What are you uh listening to?”
Will stared at him as if Mike had just asked him the most complicated question. Eventually he just turned around and Mike accepted defeat.
Mike needed down adjusting his make shift bed. Once he shifted everything to his liking he shuffled into the blanket and lay staring at the ceiling.
As he was staring at the ceiling suddenly a hand stuck out holding a walk man and headphones. Shocked, he stared at it for a second and grabbed it out of wills hands. He put the headphones on and clicked play. He heard the sound of a guitar playing and a faint drumbeat.
He listened for a little before finally saying something. “I like it, was is it?”
“The cure” Will replied coldly but at-least he replied
“So you do listen to them” Mike nudged his head toward the poster on the wall Wich will previously refused to admit he listened to.
“I guess, every now and then”
Feeling confident to keep up the conversation Mike kept talking “so then what do you mainly listen to?”
Will stayed silent. Mike couldn’t see him laying down but he could tell he didn’t want to answer.
“Do you still like the clash?”
“Yeah I guess”
“How about prince or something, everyone likes him.”
“Mm” Will hummed in an I dunno way.
“Yeah he’s cool I guess” Mike said to break the silence.
“Mhm”
“Hey so what happened” Mike blurted out faster than his brain could realize how bad of an idea it was to bring that up.
“With what”
Mike wanted to just say never mind but it was too late and he still wanted an answer.
“With that girl uh what was her name?”
“Angela?”
“Yeah her! You guys seemed good why did she storm out.”
“I…” Wills voice cracked slightly.
Uncomfortable silence grew again.
“Did you guys like break up or something?” Mike said in a half joking way.
“What? No it’s…Why are you asking me so many questions!?”
Mike was taken aback. Will had never raised is voice at Mike. He never needed to. That’s not the kind of friendship they had.
“I…I’m sorry I just…I was just asking”
“Yeah, well maybe!-“ Will stopped halfway through the sentence as if realizing what he was saying.
“We’re both are different people me and her”
“Oh”
“Is that all you wanted to know.”
Mike wanted to know more. How they were different, why he got mad when he asked if they had broken up, why he’s hanging out with such a bad person. But he knew Will didn’t want to answer so many questions.
“Yeah.”
“Ok”
Mike heard the blanked rustle as Will turned to go to sleep. Mike still had the Walkman but he didn’t give it back as to not bother will. Instead he just held it tight until he fell asleep.