Chapter Text
Hawkins is split into fourths. People are evacuating as soon as they can get all their belongings together. People are scared. Ever since Vecna has cracked open their dimension, everything has been… off.
Will sits alone in the Wheeler residence, mindlessly rubbing at his neck and bouncing his leg nervously. Everyone else is off doing something more important. Will normally wouldn't mind being alone, but he just felt… odd. He didn't want to be alone.
He thinks and he thinks over everything he was told. The Upside Down was currently bleeding into his world, and who was he to sit around and do nothing but acknowledge it?
If you would've told Will Byers five years ago that this was where he would be at now, confessing his love for his best friend through someone he considered as a sister, trembling as hell leaks through dimensional portals; he’d probably start bawling.
Will feels selfish. He feels selfish that he's trying to take away Eleven’s boyfriend; his childhood best friend. William can’t stop thinking about Mike. Mike, Mike, Mike. Sometimes, he wishes that boy wasn't so oblivious and that maybe he felt the same way… but he doesn't. He loves someone that isn't, and never will be, him. He loves El, his bright and shining sister. El loves him . They're happy together. So happy.
So why?
Why does Will want to take that away from them?
Before Will can think any further, there's knocking at the basement door. He jumps a little, wide eyes darting up the stairs. It opens, his brother Jonathan peering through with a small plate. Jonathan dares to smile.
“Hey, buddy.” He greets as he cautiously steps down the wood planks, shoes gently knocking against it. He approaches his little brother and holds out his dinner. “I dished you up some of Mrs. Wheeler’s famous chicken pot pie. I haven't seen you up to eat today, so I thought I would bring it down to you.”
Jonathan sets down the plate in front of Will and places his calloused hands into his jean pockets. Will looks up and fakes a nimble smile, nodding slightly.
“Thanks.” The younger slowly takes the plate into his hands and stares at it, then glances up at Jonathan. The teen is staring at him, but the moment they make eye contact, he looks away. Will frowns slightly, eyes back on the plate. He picks up the fork and pokes at his food slightly.
Jonathan can’t think of much to say, so he just gives the other a pat on the shoulder and goes, “Enjoy your food,” before exiting the basement and leaving Will all alone with his thoughts again.
Or so he thought.
Mike gently knocks on the railing to let Will know he's there and makes his way down the steps, skipping the last three by jumping. He walks over to Will and reluctantly takes a seat next to him.
“Hey.” Wheeler greets, hands folded together and eyes trained ahead.
“Hey.” Byers returns, eyes focused on Mike. “Why aren't you up with everyone else?” Will asks curiously, slowly taking a bite of his dinner.
“I’m just checking in. With everything that's going on, Jonathan suggested visiting you.” Of course he did.
Will frowns faintly upon the news that it wasn't Mike's original idea to say hi, but brushes it off and looks the opposite direction. “What about you?” Byers brings up. “How are you doing, Mike?”
Mike laughs a little. It’s not heartily or an honest laugh, it's bitter and cold, but not directed toward Will. Thankfully. “I’ve seen better days. With the Upside-Down bleeding into…” Will stops listening to Mike after a bit.
He stares down at his plate and focuses on the steam rising from the dish. He nibbles at his lower lip until he tastes a faint metal and bites on his tongue instead. The Upside-Down had always been a rough topic for Will. Now that it's currently mixing with his dimension, he's afraid; afraid that he won't be able to escape like last time.
A hand is placed on his shoulder. He jumps. “You okay?” Mike questions, face a little concerned. “You look pale.” He notes after staring at Will for a few seconds.
Suddenly, Byers has the urge to throw up. He quickly stands up, hand covering his mouth as he rushes to the upstairs bathroom. He hardly makes it, having to shove past a lot of people to get there in time. He wretches into the sink and lowers his head, body quivering.
Will earns a good two minutes of silence before there's a knock at the door. “Will? Are you in there?” It's Mike again. Will would’ve opened his mouth to respond if he didn't start throwing up again. “Hold on, stay here. I’ll go get my mom.” There's quiet footsteps and then Byers is left alone once again.
Will stares at himself through the mirror, eyes heavy and dark. He lets out a small sigh and starts to rub at his eyes. He groans as a surge of pain washes over his head, placing his hands on his temples and wincing. Suddenly, a cold tingling feeling takes control on the back of his neck. Instinctively, he places a hand onto it and shudders.
“Will.” A dark, distorted voice says from behind him. His eyes widen and he snaps around, expecting something much more frightening than Mrs. Wheeler with a pale and a rag.
“Will?” She repeats, placing a hand on his shoulder softly. “Are you okay? Mike told me you weren't feeling well.” She pouts and motions for him to sit down as she wets the rag. He does so, shaking fearfully. Maybe he's just anxious.
“I hope it wasn't my cooking that made you sick.” She rings out the rag and hands it to Will, setting the pale down next to him as well. “I’ll set up the couch for you so you don't have to. Just sit tight for a few minutes, alright? I’ll be back.” And then she exits the bathroom, waving Holly away as the curious girl tries to get a look at Will.
Will doesn't even think of thanking Mrs. Wheeler. His mind is focused somewhere else. He crosses his arms and rubs them nervously as he bounces his leg in thought.
He shakes his head and grabs the sides of his head as another major headache comes on. He groans in pain. Will lets out a loud whimper of agony and falls onto his knees, gripping at his head as his face contorts painfully.
He shakes his head, warm tears starting to spew from his eyes and roll down his face. He bites down on the rag harshly, trying not to make much sound as he prays this will pass over soon. It’s like something's tugging at his consciousness. No, not tugging, ripping . He screams into the fabric, finally giving in and collapsing to the floor.
“William Byers. ” A brooding voice grumbles as he lays on the floor, limp. A cold hand with an odd texture grasps his shoulder. “ I am so glad that we can meet again, though I’m afraid not for long .” Will starts to silently sob, placing his hands over his ears and weeping. “ Don’t cry. You’re time of redemption has nearly arrived. In one day's time, Will Byers, I will meet you once more. I look forward to seeing The Spy himself.”
Will cries harder as the hand on his shoulder tightens. It moves up to his temple, gracefully gliding against his skin. The boy shakes his head desperately, wanting to scoot away from the monster. The moment they make contact with his right temple, Will gasps and opens his eyes.
He’s not in the Wheeler bathroom anymore, instead tucked in a comfy bed with his brother sitting on the edge of a bed with a nervous look. He instantly lights up upon seeing the sight of Will awake. “Hey, buddy.” He greets as he moves closer. “You passed out in the bathroom. Me and Mike here-” Will looks over to where Jonathan points and sees his childhood best friend staring at him with a little smile he only gives Will and offers a small wave.
“Brought you to my room to rest.” Mike finishes his brother’s sentence. “Do you think you’ll be able to be here alone, will that be okay?”
“Um-” Will’s too shaken up to think. He glimpses over at Mike Wheeler, who's been staring at him for quite some time. His cheeks heat up a little and he glances back to his brother. “Could you maybe get me a glass of water…? I have a dry throat.” He uses it as an excuse to tell Mike what he saw.
Mike silently nods and exits the bathroom, leaving Jonathan and Will alone. Will almost instantly sits up, pressing his hands into the bed to assist him. Jonathan attempts to protest, but he is quickly hushed.
“I saw something. In the bathroom.” Will starts shakily. “I don't know who else to go to.” He watches as Jonathan slowly becomes more serious via facial expressions and shuffles closer.
“What? What did you see?” He tilts his head to the side a little, eyes focused on his little brother full of concern. Will stays silent, looking away to try and recollect his thoughts.
“It was more like hearing something… I-” He opens his mouth to speak but nothing comes out. He knows he heard something. Or, he thinks he does. Will is trying as hard as possible to remember the voice, but it's foggy and he doesn't know what to say next. He closes his mouth and shakes his head.
“Nevermind. It was probably Holly, or someone.” Will shakes his head and looks away from Jonathan, who's continuing to stare at him worriedly. The door opens and Jonathan lets out a small sigh, scooting back to the end of the bed, but placing a calloused hand on Will’s knee to let him know that it's alright and he's there.
“I got your water.” Mike enters the room and places the glass on his bedside. “Feel better soon, okay? I’ll be downstairs with El. She's gonna try and locate Vecna.” Will mouths an ‘okay’ and watches Mike leave again.
He sighs and slumps back down onto his back, staring up at the ceiling and frowning. He runs a hand through his hair and turns over, grasping onto a pillow and pulling it closer to him.
“I’ll be over there on the chair, alright? Tell me if you need anything.” Jonathan stands up and offers Will a small smile, then heads to the navy chair in the corner and sits down, thinking.
The smell of Mike's cologne is strong in the bed. He never was able to fully relax before, but now? He feels like he's on cloud nine. He doesn't even know what he was worrying about and that's fine by him. He hesitantly rests his eyes and gets comfortable, face dug into the pillow with only one thing on his mind.
Jonathan bounces his leg nervously as he watches Will sleep, occasionally stirring and murmuring to himself quietly. He knows something is wrong. He can feel it. He and Will know each other. They each know when something is bugging the other, and right now, Jonathan knows something is wrong with Will. If he saw something he wasn't able to muster up the courage to speak about, then it must be bad.
He’s seen the look of unspoken fear on his little brother's face so many times it's practically all he can remember when he thinks of Will. He’s always scared or facing a personal problem he doesn't want to bother anyone with. He never speaks out. He never bothers to “burden” others with his problems.
Jonathan rests his head in his hands and thinks, rubbing at his face, sighing. The dreadful recollections of two years ago where Will got possessed by The Mind Flayer- or he supposes it was Vecna doing all the work now, enters his thoughts.
“Jonathan?” A soft voice says from the doorway. Nancy was peering into the room. She smiles as they make eye contact. “You- um, doing alright in here?” She looks over at sleeping Will and hesitantly enters the room. “Food is still warm downstairs. If you want it.”
“Uh… I think I’m alright.” He sits up a little and stands up, walking up to Nancy. “Will just isn't feeling well and I don't want him to wake up alone.” Jonathan rambles, head turning to glance at Will. “He’s a little shaken up after… everything so I thought he could use some company.”
Nancy smiles fondly and leans forward to peck her boyfriend's cheek. “When he wakes up, I can bring some medicine for his nausea and he can rest for a while, okay? I’ll see you in a bit.” She allows Jonathan to kiss her goodbye before she leaves and leaves the Byers brothers alone.
Mike enters his room to grab a few comic books off the shelves he hasn't touched in a while. Jonathan was downstairs talking with Joyce and Hopper, so that just left him alone with Will.
He piles up the thin paper in a neat stack, not thinking much of the boy in his bed. Wheeler takes the last one, sets it on top and clutches the stack to his chest, turning around to leave when he notices the other shaking drastically in the bed. He slowly lowers his comics and raises his eyebrows.
“Will?” He walks around the bed and looks down at the other's face. It’s morphed with something along the lines of fear and distress. Mike places a hand on Will’s shoulder and gently shakes him. “Are you okay?” He doesn't wake up. There are goosebumps on the back of his neck and he's whimpering quietly.
Mike immediately sets down the comics and starts shaking his friend. “Will!” He raises his voice. “Will wake up!” Footsteps are running up the stairs as Mike continues to shake the other aggressively. He hears his door slam open and he turns his head.
“He isn't waking up!” Mike shouts, standing up to face Nancy, Jonathan, Steve, and Dustin. The four rush in and surround Will, and chaos instantly ensues. Believing Will was about to fall in the same fate as Max, someone throws a walkman at Nancy, but it isn't needed.
Will snaps awake with a small gasp, body drenched in cold sweat. He looks around at everybody surrounding him with fear. “What…?” He murmurs. “What is happening? Why are you all looking at me like that?”
“We thought-” Dustin pants, fanning himself and gasping for breath after running across the house. “We thought you were under Vecna’s Curse. We panicked.”
“Are you okay?” Jonathan moves forward to check up on his little brother. “You’re well? You’re alright?” He checks for anything harming Will.
“No,” Byers breathes. “Bad dream. That's… that's all.” He’s pulled into a hug from Jonathan and returns it. Steve mutters something to Nancy and exits the room quietly.
Mike is staring at him with a look of suspicion. The moment Will looks at him, he looks away and over at Dustin.
One by one, everyone except Jonathan leaves. The older brother moved a chair to the side of the bed and is slowly handing Will his medicine. It reminds him of when he was taking care of Will when he was really young and sick with the stomach flu. Joyce wasn't able to stay home, so it was just them two. When Will was feeling better, Jonathan allowed him to sit up and draw, and eventually play with his smaller toys. They stayed home all day, playing with Will’s legos or drawing make-believe characters, excitedly showing them off to each other.
That was before all this happened. Before Will was kidnapped and taken into the Upside-Down, forced to flee and hide from a deadly beast for a solid week; before Will was possessed by the Mind Flayer and nearly ended Hawkins. Before Vecna. Before everything . It was unfair. It was stupid. It was cruel, but it wasn't their choice. He just wanted his little brother to start feeling better.
“Take it slowly.” Jonathan warns as Will attempts to down the liquid. “You don't want to choke.” Will hums and slows down, setting down the measuring cup and making a bitter face. Jonathan laughs a bit and ruffles the younger’s hair.
“It’ll go away in a second. Just hang on.” He smiles at Will and leans over. “I always hated that stuff. Too strong for my liking, y’know?” Will giggles a little, but then falters and frowns. Jonathan’s smile is wiped from his face and he leans closer. “What’s wrong?”
“I keep hearing someone… and I don't know who.” Will whispers after a minute, crossing and rubbing his arms. “And I’m scared, because I can't remember what the voice sounds like now, but I know I heard it.”
“Are you hallucinating or is something happening?” Older Byers asks seriously, dark eyes trained on his younger sibling.
“I- I can't tell if it's because I’m sick or what.” Will crosses his arms and turns his head. “I’m just worried with… everything.”
“C’mere…” Jonathan moves onto the bed and carefully pulls Will into a hug, not caring if the other got him ill or whatever. “I won’t let anything happen to you, got that? Neither will the others. And I know you won't let anything happen to us either, okay? I’m your brother. I take pride in being your brother. I’m not gonna let anyone or any thing take you away from us again, understand?”
Will slowly nods, tears forming at the corners of his eyes now. He hugs Jonathan back tightly, silently crying into his shoulder.
Brothers united once more.
Mike is sprawled out across the couch down in the Wheeler basement, flipping through Will’s art he kept throughout the long years, seeing how he slowly progressed. He stops at the last page and closes the binder. Wheeler sighs quietly and looks a little to his left where he had set Will’s painting. He smiles a little and gets up to go pick it up gently and sit down on the couch. He unfurls the piece and stairs over it one again, taking in every detail that he can.
“ El commissioned me. ” Echoes throughout his mind. At first, he doesn't think that much of it. Then the thought enters his head. In their shared letters, El didn't know what Will was painting, but Will said she had, which means one of them was lying. Recently, El had been lying about being friends with Angela, her bully. He ponders further. El wouldn't know about this stuff, would she?
The harder he thought, the more endorsed in the painting he was getting. What would Will's reason to lie be? Then he remembers back into El’s letters, claiming it to be for someone he might've loved romantically.
Before he can question it further, the basement door opens. “We need you up here, Mike.” It’s Dustin. “We need your input on where we could possibly find Vecna.” The rest of his family (besides Nancy) had left to go help the neighbors. Mike sighs quietly and cautiously rolls up the painting, setting it back where it laid previously and lazily walking up the stairs.
“As far as we know, the portals haven't opened yet . If they did, we’d all be dead right now.” Robin explains for Nancy.
“Which means that Vecna is waiting.” Steve looks over at Robin for confirmation, but the girls only shake their heads lightly. Steve frowns in disappointment, hoping that he would be right.
“He’s too hurt right now to open them himself.” Nancy continues as Mike sits down at the table. “Which means he’s dormant and hiding somewhere, but not in the Creel house. He’s elsewhere, but the thing is; we don't know where.”
“Well, where could he be?” Mike asks from the table. “Surely there's been places he’s related to that he can cower at, right? Think about it. The Creel House was his home. It makes sense he stayed there.”
“That's the problem, we don't know.” Steve murmurs from the counter. “We’ve been trying to locate places Vecna’s connected to, but all we’ve thought of is the killing locations. We can't explore those because they're cracked in the ground and we aren't able to get into there, so right now we have nothing.”
“Do you think that maybe, just maybe, Vecna could be hiding within someone?” Dustin suggests, sitting next to mike. Everyone turns their heads toward him. “Think about it. No one would be able to find him if he's hiding within a person.”
“But who?” Robin questions, looking around for any faces of ideas. Nobody has any, but Jonathan and Mike are appearing more grim than everyone else. She suspects they know something the others do not.
Silence overtakes the room as the teens think hard, together all coming up with every idea a person could have and then brushing them aside since it didn't fit right. Suddenly, Nancy raises her head, eyes wide.
“Where’s Eleven?”