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Will ran out of Hopper’s cabin, that’s where the party had decided to stay to plan their next move against Vecna.
Inside, the others were sleeping, as well as Mike and El, who were cuddled together, it had been like that since they had found her.
It was raining heavily outside, it felt almost nostalgic. He hoped that it would hide the tears that were forming in his eyes. Will let his clothes get soaked by the rain.
He just couldn’t stand it anymore. He did everything to conceal his pain but once everyone was asleep it just hit him that he could never have a chance with Micheal Wheeler, his best friend.
And it was okay, because at least Mike and El were happy, it didn’t matter if he had to stand aside. Will Byers didn't think he was ever meant to find happiness.
He sat on the ground, right under the pouring rain, head in his hands. When he suddenly heard footsteps approaching, he was sure it was Jonathan, he had probably woken up and got worried when he hadn’t found him. So he got up quickly and turned around.
His eyes widened. The person before him was not Jonathan.
“Will, are you okay?”
Mike. It was Mike.
“Uh, yeah, i’m fine. I just needed some air.” Will replied, voice shaky.
But Mike knew his best friend.
“Will, you were sitting on the ground under heavy rain, and your eyes, they’re red… Will what happened?”
“Nothing happened Mike. I told you i just needed some air, now please go back inside… El needs you.” he said dryly.
“What? Will, just because El is my girlfriend doesn’t mean that i don’t care about you anymore! On the contrary… i care about you a lot. And i know that there’s something wrong.” Mike replied, Will knew he was being honest, but still.
“Oh do you now? You say this after you ignored me for a year, after you treated me like a rag doll. I’m so tired of pretending like it doesn’t hurt Mike. Do you wanna know the truth? Do you know what’s fucking wrong? Well, i can’t stand seeing you happy without me, it kills me. It kills me to know you don’t view me as your best friend anymore, it kills me to know that you joined another DnD party and it kills me to know that you will never see me as i see you.” Will let out all the things he had kept inside for far too long, he was sobbing by now, face full of sorrow. He turned pale, realizing what he had just said. He wanted to run away, escape from his problems, from Mike.
So he turned around, ready to start running.
Mike grabbed his wrist so hard that he had to face him again. He felt arms wrapping around him and a sudden warmth hit him.
“It’s okay Will, it’s okay” Somehow he managed to calm Will down.
“Will. This last year has been a total disaster. Ever since you left i started feeling weird. I knew that there was something missing but at the same time… i was afraid, it’s like i didn’t want to understand. I was so scared. I started to realize some things about myself and regarding the people surrounding me. Will i- i think i’m not in love with El. I care about her… so much but i don’t think i love her… that way.”
Will was shocked… how was that possible? He thought that Mike wanted nothing else but El.
a sudden pause.
”That day in the van Will, you were talking about yourself, right? And the painting, i know that El didn’t commission it.”
Will was speechless, he truly didn’t know how to reply to that. So he just did what he does best.
“I’m so sorry Mike, i’m so sorry. I’m so weird… i, i never should have painted that and i should have never talked about my feelings. I swear i will never mention it again and i understand if you don’t wanna talk to me anymore or think i’m disgusting and-“
Suddenly he was interrupted by soft lips pressing against his. Mike was kissing him.
Will let out a surprised noise and his eyes widened, he pulled away from the kiss. They both started at each other, eyes blown, face full of desire. Will grabbed Mike’s face and kissed him again.
Mike wrapped his arms around Will’s waist and held him. Will felt butterflies everywhere, his legs were shaking, he couldn’t believe this was actually happening.
When they separated, they were both smiling, their cheeks red.
“ I think i’m in love with you, Will Byers.”