Chapter Text
November 16, 2026, 8:45pm.
Eventually, mike came to the car where will was curled up
.
“Hey, will.” Mike said as he climbed into the car.
….
“Will?”
“Mmhmm.” Will muttered. He heard mike let out a long sigh. “Well, that’s good, glad your alive.” He said, trying to lighten the mood. Not the time Mike.Will lifted his head and locked eyes with mike. god, he felt like drowning.
He looked so perfect, beautiful.
They sat like that for a few minutes. Just staring into each other’s eyes. Hazel eyes, staring into more hazel. eyes almost identical, except will has a speck of green in his.
Mike was the one who broke the contact, head spinning around to the steering wheel (weird habit...), and cleared his throat.
“Well, I, uh. I offered you to come over and stay at my place for the night” Mike rubbed the back of his neck. “Only if you want, of course.” Mike reassured him. “I told Jane and Johnathan. So, the offer is on the table if you don’t wanna be at…your own home.”
He knew what Mike meant.
Will opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again. Rethinking his sentence.
“Uh, yeah, I’d like that...” will replied, voice quiet and barely audible, but apparently loud enough, because here he is.
Sitting up in the back seat.
Gaze out the window.
Still not able to cry a single tear.
On his way to mikes house.
This I’ll be a fun night.
———
They got inside and heard Karen screaming for mike, “MICHAEL!!! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU??????” (God is she loud.) “IM RIGHT HERE MOM!!!” mike screamed just as loud, back at her. They heard fast footsteps running towards them, a worried mother came into view. “Mike, where the hell were you???? You left without telling us!!” Karen sighed “I was worried sick.”
Karen had rollers in her hair, and was already changed into her pajamas.
Mike shrugged “I had to pick up will,” will did a little wave, trying to smile, but failing, horribly. Turning into a grimace.
“I don’t care! You need to tell us why, or where you’re going before you go!!” She scolded him. mike groaned “mom, you don’t understand, this was REALLY imp- “before he could finish will interrupted “I’m sorry Mrs. wheeler it was my fault, I called mike to ask him to pick me up.”
I mean, it kind of was his fault, wasn’t it? He could’ve called anyone else, and they would’ve come for him. Mike looked down over to the shorter boy, he looked like he was about to murder everyone in sight. “The fuck you mean it was your fault?? How could that be your fault???” will was startled. He jumped back a little, feeling sick, nausea in his stomach.
He Despised being yelled at, even if it was over something stupid. Wow, will, you’re so good at this. Make the person you care about most upset with you. Awesome. Oh, uh, sorry mike...” wills head turned to the ground. mikes eyes widened “no, no, hey, I’m sorry that was my bad.” Mike put his hand on wills shoulder, for reassurance. It made will feel a bit better.
Karen looked confused, eyebrow quirked up “boys, what’s going on?” she demanded. mike looked at will, took his hand off of wills shoulder, put it against wills ear, and whispered “do you wanna tell her? Or should I?” wills gaze, went from his shoes, to back at mike.
His eyes.
Wills bit the inside of his cheek. “Can you?” he whispered back, barely audible, mike stared back into wills eyes, “okay, you sure?” mike asked softly, almost as if he talked any louder, the world would collapse. Will nodded “alright, if you’re sure.” He broke the contact and looked over to his mother “Joyce and hopper got into an accident.” Mike didn’t hesitate at all, didn’t faulter in any of his sentences. “And hopper is okay. Which sucks.” Mike chuckled. humor is how mike deals with big topics like this, at least, that’s what will has gathered from being around him for years (more like studying him at this point, but there was NO way will would admit that)
“That’s good. So, then what’s the big commotion about?” she questioned.
will flinched. mike instantly put his hand over back to wills shoulder. “Well, um… Joyce she… “he glanced at will for a second before scrunching his face up, staring over to his mom, tying to give her the hint
She looked so lost. “Joyce what? Spit it out Michael.” “She died” wills voice was hoarse, and sharp. Mikes head turned around to face will. Mike looked at him as if he was god himself, as if to say that was brave will. Karen pulled her hand up to her mouth, horror spreading all over her face. “Oh, my god, will, come here.” She pulled will into a small and short hug, with will pulling away quickly. Will should’ve felt something, but his emotions stayed the same-empty.
“Alright mom, will is gonna stay for the night. He can stay in my room.” mike told her, trying to get past her.
“Yes, anytime you’re welcome here, will.” She said, not letting them in yet. “Thank you.” Will muttered, not wanting to say anything else.
——
They made it up to mikes room, standing outside his door. “Okay, a little warning, it’s a little messy.” Mike said as he slowly creaked open the door.
Biggest understatement of the year.
When the door finally opened, will was finally greeted with mikes disgusting room.
There was clothes on the floor, on top of his closet, and somehow. SOMEHOW. On his fuckass ceiling fan (the does that even happen, Michael….).. There were notebooks all over on his desk, pencils on the floor, and just, really, shit everywhere. He had a few posters, on his walls, some Chappel roan, and one. Billie Eilish (skinny). He had also had a “one way” sign pointing to his closet? (whatever the fuck that means…)
“Oh,” will murmured “its…” will tried to find the words for this-well, what this was. Mike popped his head up from wherever he was. “Disgusting?” mike suggested. will gave mike a look “I was going to say, it was…” will thought for a second, trying to remember what he was going to say. “yeah no. it’s disgusting.” Mike laughed, a sound that will wished he could hear forever. “HA!’” his head fell back, only neck visible.
They got further into mikes room, with will ending up sitting on the edge of bed, and mike still standing.
The black-haired boy looked over at will, fidgeting with his sleeves, like usual. “Uh, about sleeping situations,” he glanced at the bed. “I can take the floor, and you can sleep in my bed if you’d like.” Will nodded, he was about to protest, but he didn’t have the energy to do so. Mike opened his mouth, as if to add something, but closed it back up, and went to go retrieve his sleeping bag.
As soon as the door shut. Will was alone. With his thoughts. Once again.
His head was pounding, He couldn’t think straight. Too many voices overlap. He closed his eyes, as if that would stop anything. Will was overwhelmed; He needed to breathe.so he did that. And it became worse. breaths coming out hoarse, and shaky. He searched all in his head for a way to make him feel better. Will listened and tried to hear the voices individually. He listened until he heard a voice that made him break. It was Joyces. Her voice is usually soft and sweet. But right now, it was cold and harsh. Will, why weren’t you there? You could’ve helped me. Will went paler than snow. He broke. It started out with a single tear, then turned into sobs. He sat there, quietly bawling. Pulling his hands up to his face, trying to muffle the cries.
“I’m sorry mom.”
Arms wrapped around him.
Will’s eyes widened.
Mike was holding will. Hugging him. He could feel mikes body heat against him.
He gently pulled his arms around mikes torso, nuzzling his head into mikes neck, mike pulling him in even closer.
That made will cry harder.
He sobbed and sobbed, until he couldn’t anymore. After a few minutes, and wills crying slowly coming to a stop, Mike pulled away, not leaving though, just sitting next to him on the bed shoulder damp from tears. After a few seconds and will calming down a bit, Mike finally says something, an of course it was the stupidest question ever.
“Will, are you okay?”
Will looked up at Mike like he just said 1+1 is sixteen. He wanted to say “of course not you idiot.” But for obvious reasons, he didn’t. Mikes voice was soft and calming, reassuring, even. So, why would he make him worry even more? After all, Mike has already done so much for him today. So instead of that, he said: “yeah…i-I think-at least now I am…” will looked down at his hands “probably.” He added. Mike stood up from the bed, blankets shifting a bit. “Well, I think I am about ready to sleep. How about you?” will nodded. “Would you like to borrow a shirt or something to sleep in?”
yes. Will very much did. He loved mikes clothes, they were always to big, even on will-not to mention they were comfortable too. “uh. No, I’ll be all right. I can just sleep in my shirt, ill be okay.” idiot. “Are you sure? Not even a sweater? I know you get cold at night.” Mike looked at wills eyes, and will could’ve swore he saw Mike glance at his lips, but he must have imagined it…
mike was right. Will got very cold at night. Like, freezing cold some nights, five layers shivering. “Umm. Sure.” Mike shuffled around his room searching for a sweater, finally finding one and throwing a sweater at him “is this good?” will nodded. He stood up pointing at the door. “Uh, can I go change in the bathroom?" will asked “Sure, if you want to.” Mike responded, still looking through his closet.
Will walked across the room door and opened it. The bathroom door was across the hallway. He quickly shuffled towards the bathroom. When he got to the door it was closed. Will knocked on the door gently.
“Hello? Is anyone in here?”
No answer, guess no one is in there.
He slowly opened the bathroom door, and made his way into the room. Will turned his head to look in the mirror. Just staring at his reflection. Tear stains cover his cheeks, proof of what just happened. Will thought of cleaning that off but was too tired to care. he pulled his shirt off, Slid into the sweater, and washed his hands. Will sighed “I’m so tired” he muttered. And walked out of the room. Feeling the nice hard wood floor against his feet.
When he made it back to mikes room, he opened the door slowly, in case a tall boy was still changing. He found mike writing on the floor. The boy looked up from his notebook, catching will staring at him. He closed the notebook quickly and put It on his lap.
“hey, is the sweater comfy?” yes. It was. Will loved it. It was cozy, and soft on his skin. perfect. “Yeah, thanks mike.” Will tried to smile. And failed (again). Mike got up off the floor and made his way to the sleeping bag he placed on the floor earlier while will was in the bathroom (or so will assumed that’s what happened, as will was in the bathroom at that time).
“Hey, mike?” mike walked over from his sleeping bag, towards his desk and placed the notebook on top of the mess
“Yeah?”
will walked towards the bed and sat down. “thANk- “. mikes head dashed toward will, a huge grin plastered across his face. As Will reddened, mikes grin turned into a smirk. “did.” He pulled his hand up to his face covering his huge smile. “Your voice just crack?” trying not to laugh. “Shut up...” will murmured trying to cover his face with a pillow he found on the bed. God he wanted to fade into darkness.
“Heh, anyway- you were asking me something?” Mike mentioned, wiping the tears from the corner of his eyes.
“Thank you”
“For what?” mike asked. will brought his head up, from the pillow. tears forming in his eyes. “Letting me stay here. It..it means a lot to me, Mike.”
“Oh, uh.” Mike looked away “its no problem.” He murmured. Not making eye contact. will thought he saw a little blush on mikes cheeks, but it must have just been his imagination. after all, it’s late, and he’s tired-no exhausted after today.
It was quiet for a little while. Will didn’t like it. The awkwardness was killing him.
“Hey, um, we should probably go sleep now, I’m kinda tired.” Mike told will. Finally, breaking the silence. “Yeah, uh, good idea.” Will replied.
Mike walked over to his half open sleeping bag and slid into it. will doing the same (except with the bed of course. Theres no way he could share a bed with Mike that would be ridiculous... right?) “Well, night will.” Mike said with a yawn.
“ I hope you get some sleep. And if you need anything, just ask, or wake me up. Okay?” will looked over at mike and nodded. “mkay, try to sleep. Ill be here for you, anytime.” “Okay. Thank you again for everything. Today has been..” he could feel tears trying to break their way out of his eyes. “A lot..” will brought his hand up to his hair and ran it through.
Mike just smiled. It felt like sunshine, warm, cozy, and calming. Will flushed red a little, luckily, mike didn’t seem to notice.
After a few minutes of silence, Mikes eyes fluttered closed, his lips slowly parted so you could just barely see his two front teeth, barely, but still there, and drifted off to sleep.
Cute. will thought. And he copied mike.He almost fell asleep. Almost. Until. She came back. Joyce.
You’re such a failure.
Wills’ eyes darted open. Frantically looking all over the room. He pulled himself up, still hearing Joyces voice whispering silently in his ear about how bad he is.Pulled the covers off, and walked over towards the bedroom door, tiptoeing, so he didn’t wake mike up (God forbid that happen). Will went towards the stairs quietly (a weird skill he has) and took a step down the stairs.
He ended up going to outside in front of the door. Not leaving. Not crying. Not really doing anything. Just. Standing there. Listening.
Hawkins was quiet at night. Peaceful. Will always went outside when he felt uncomfortable, worried, overwhelmed, or just upset in general. It helped, calm him. Let him think. Will inhaled a breath. “Its okay, will. Calm yourself. You’re fine.” Will sighed.
He has probably been out here for five minutes. Just sitting in silence. Listening to the rustle of the fall leafs on the trees, listening to the animals settling in for sleep. he was starting to calm down a bit, and Joyce’s voice went away.
Until the door slammed open and hit his head.
“OW-SHIT-“ will brought his hand up to his head where the damage was. He turned his head around to see who hit him, and to his shock it was no other then Mike himself. worry plastered on his face. “Oh my god mike, don’t do that...” will said, grimacing at the pain in his head. He’ll probably have a pretty bad headache, but nothing major.
“Will. Thank God you’re here. I woke up and went to check on you, but you weren’t there so I panicked.” Mike sighed with relief.
“Why are you talking like that. You sound like my mo- “will stopped realizing what he almost said. He had forgotten for a moment everything that happened the following day.
Mike and will went silent for a minute, until mike broke it. mike looked up into wills eyes “why are you out here?” will looked away and stared at the moon and stars. Pretty he thought. “I-…I like going outside when I need to think. It… clears my mind… you know? I dunno...” will felt something brush against his shoulder. He turned his head to see mike looking at him, eyes full of stars... “Yeah, I-I know what you mean. Its… nice…” they stayed like that for a moment. And it was nice. Peaceful.
“Mike,”
“Yeah?”
“Can-… can I have a hug?”
it was quiet. Will turned a little red “im-im sorry, i-that was a stupid que- “one moment mike was staring will, the next his arms were wrapped around him. “It’s not a stupid question, will. Today was…a lot. And it’s okay to be vulnerable.” Will’s eyes burned. “It’s okay to want a hug.” Will started crying. Tears rolling down his cheeks like a waterfall.
They stayed like that for a little while, just embracing each others warmth.
“Okay, how about we go back inside. Im fucking FREEZING” will almost laughed. Almost. They went inside. Up the stairs. Through the hallway. And in the bedroom. Mike yawned. Will looked over to the clock
12:25 pm
It was late. But will wasn’t tired.
“Hey mike?” mike turned his head “yeah? What’s up?” “Do you have any books?” mike tensed.
“Uh, y-yeah.” He slowly turned around, kinda like an animatronic. “w-why?” He questioned obviously trying to be nonchalant and failing. “Could I read one?” mike bit his lip and fiddled with his shirt sleaves. “uh, yeah, but, uh, I don’t think they’re your type of novel…” will was intrigued “oh, could I still see one?” mike nodded slowly, and made his way towards his bookshelf.
“Hmm…this? no… hm? Whats th- “mike straightened, grabbed the book and threw it under his bed so fast, will couldn’t even see the cover art. (Although it looked to have two people? And a blue background.)
Will was interested in that book.“what was that?” He asked genuinely curious. mike didn’t look at will, as if he was ashamed “oh, uh. Nothing.”
It obviously wasn’t nothing. But honestly he didn’t care anymore to pry.
Mike continued shuffling through the bookshelf and groaned. “UGH WHY ARE ALL MY BOOKS FUCKING GA- “will looked at mike with a confused look, slightly nodding his head to the side. “I mean- fucking…gaping James books?” Mike sorta asked and said at the same time. “YES! Gaping James!! My favourite author…?” mikes face scrunched up a bit. He was a terrible liar. Will didn’t care what he meant by “ga-“ He just needed something to distract him from… well everything.
“Ahh, yes here we are! The house in the cerulean sea this is a good one!!” mike exclaimed. “And not too smutty, or gay…” he muttered under his breath “what was that?” will asked “nothing!!!” mike climbed onto his sleeping bag and will slide into mikes sheets, pulled the covers over his body and opened the book.
ONE
“Oh dear,” Linus Baker said, wiping the sweat from his brow. “This is most unusual.” That was an understatement….
Will continued to read. Hooked after reading each chapter. Dying for more. The way the author, wrote, was… almost, magical. Like he was right there with will, telling the story to him, in many details, with strong, emphasis, and different describing words. He has gotta say; mike knows his stuff I wonder if his other books are like this…he thought.
Before he’d even realized it, it was 7:30 am and will was on the epilogue. “Holy, shit… its 7:30 already...? damn” he muttered, bringing his hand to his face, to wipe his eyes. Will could hear shuffling on his left, and saw mike, slowly waking up.
“Mm? will? what”r you doin’ her’?” the freckled boy slurred. It was so fucking adorable. The way his hair was sticking out everywhere, the way his eyes were half open, but you could still see how beautifully dark the hazel was, his freckles, oh my god his freckles. Will has seen this sight many times, but it still takes his breath away every time he sees morning Mike. “Hey, mike.” Will said blandly.
Once the black-haired boy was more awake, he stood up and took his shirt off. Ever so oblivious to what wills reaction would be.
Will on the other hand was burning red. He has seen Mike without a shirt on before, but that was before…that happened.
“MIKE-WHAT ARE YOU-?” will yell-whispered, he did not want to face the wrath of Ted in the morning. “Changing…?” mike said, looking over to the very flustered boy as if this was common sense.
“OKAY, WELL AT LEAST LET ME LEAVE THE ROOM-“will hissed at mike.
He got up on his feet, at walked out, had on flustered Cheeks.Shut the door, and immediately went to the bathroom, speed walking his way there (thankfully no on was in there.). When he got in, he shut the door, locked it, and turned the tap on. Will sighed “how can someone be so fucking oblivious” he took a face towel, and put it under the tap, bringing it up to his face to cool down. “I swear,” will whispered under his breath “he’s gonna be the end of me…”