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Will stepped into his bedroom, feeling fresh from the shower he had just taken. He wasn't quite sure what he would be doing today. Though since it was summer he was sure there would be something he could find to occupy his time.
When Will sat down on his bed, he reached over to his nightstand and picked up his phone. There was a text from Richie, Mike's twin brother, he had missed.
Richie: Wanna go hang out at the mall for a bit?
Will smiled slightly to himself. Richie usually wanted a trip to the mall to complain about his and Will's love lives. Richie had had a crush on their friend Eddie for quite some time, and Will had long ago fallen in love with Mike. This summer, the two of them had realized both of their infatuations and had started bonding over them.
Oddly, it was somewhat cathartic to talk with Richie about his feelings for Mike. While Richie looked exactly like Mike in every way (save the glasses that Richie wore), he was almost the exact opposite of Mike. Richie was loud and boisterous, whereas Mike tended to shy away from expressing himself, instead opting to get his feelings out on paper. Richie also had a potty mouth, and while Mike was known to drop a curse word every now and then, practically every other word out of Richie's mouth was a curse word.
Still, being able to talk about his feelings for Mike, and hearing Richie's feelings for Eddie, was therapeutic in a way. Richie always listened to him without judgment and Will did the same for him. While it wasn't quite the same as hanging out with Mike, Will appreciated his friendship with Richie all the same.
Will clicked on the reply bubble to respond to Richie's message.
Will: As long as you don't complain too much and we get ice cream.
He included a wink face emoji to make sure Richie knew he was just joking around. Really, Will didn't mind Richie talking about his feelings for Eddie. But he could go a little overboard every now and then.
Will was unsurprised when Richie responded almost immediately.
Richie: Haha, Willie Will ;) Yes, I'll get you your favorite ice cream. I'll see you in a little bit, yeah?
Will: Sure thing, Richie. See you soon.
Will hadn't been so happy to reach Starcourt Mall. The heat was nearly unbearable today and riding his bike in the heat was like shoveling coal on the Titanic. He wouldn't have been surprised if his whole body was covered in sweat and he groaned slightly at the prospect. He locked up his bike as quickly as he could before he hurried inside. He let out a breath of relief when the cold air from the air conditioning hit him, immediately cooling him down.
Will whipped out his phone to let Richie know he had made it to the mall. Richie replied with a thumbs-up emoji and told Will to meet him at the Spencer's store, located on the top floor of the mall. Will made his way over to the Spencer's store, and found Richie inside flipping through the posters the store offered.
"Hey there, Willie Will!" Richie exclaimed when he saw Will. He pulled Will into a tight hug.
"Hi Rich," Will said, grinning at Richie. "How you doing?"
"Just fine, Willie Will, my non-existent love life aside."
"Yeah, same here."
Richie and Will spent about twenty minutes shopping at Spencer's and other stores in the mall. They both bought some rainbow bracelets; they had come out to all of their friends some time ago, and of course all of their friends were supportive. Both Will and Richie hadn't really expressed themselves in a way that was public, so the bracelets, they both thought, were a stepping stone to that.
When they finished at Hot Topic, Richie turned to Will.
"How about that ice cream, Willie Will?"
"You read my mind, Rich."
"Excellent!"
Will laughed as he followed Richie over to Scoops Ahoy. Their friends Steve Harrington and Robin Buckley could usually be found working at the ice cream parlor together and they were always willing to give out free ice cream to The Party whenever they visited the mall.
Today, Robin was greeting customers and taking orders, which meant that Steve was in the back making the orders. Privately, Will was a little relieved; Steve could be obnoxious when taking their orders and it always took longer with him because of that.
"Hey, guys, how are you doing today?" Robin asked when they reached the counter.
"Pretty good, Robin, thanks," Will said, giving her a smile. Robin had been the one to encourage Will to come out to his family and friends, and she had a special place in his heart. He would be forever grateful to her for pushing him to be his authentic self.
"What'll it be, boys?"
"I'll take a hot fudge sundae," said Richie, licking his lips.
"And I'll do the Reese's pieces milkshake," Will said.
"Oooh, good choices," Robin said. She turned around and yelled into the kitchen. "Hey Dingus! Hot fudge sundae and Reese's pieces milkshake for our babies!"
Steve groaned slightly. "Which ones?"
Robin lowered her voice just so Steve could hear her.
"The gay ones!"
"Oh, okay, good I don't feel like giving Henderson dating advice today," said Steve.
Robin rolled her eyes as she turned back to Will and Richie.
"They'll be ready in just a minute," she said. "I'll bring them to you."
"Thanks, Rob," Will said.
"Yeah, thanks, and thank Steve for making them."
"Eh, I'll take all the credit," Robin said, winking at the boys.
Will and Richie found themselves a booth to sit down. Richie ran off to the bathroom to freshen up while Will waited for their order to arrive. By the time Richie got back, Robin was walking up with their ice cream.
"Okay, one sundae for Richie, and one milkshake for Will," Robin said. "Some good ice cream for my favorite baby gays."
"Thanks," Will and Richie said, sounding a little subdued.
"You guys okay?" Robin asked, frowning slightly. "You guys seem a little quieter than normal."
Will and Richie shared a glance. Will shrugged at Richie, who spoke up for both of them.
"Oh, we're just musing about our crushes not liking us back," Richie said. "Little depressing, you know."
"Well, what makes you think they don't like you back?" Robin asked as she sat down to join the boys.
Will scoffed. "I don't think it's possible for anyone to return my love. Every guy I've crushed on is either straight or otherwise out-of-bounds like M..."
Will shut himself off as he realized he was dangerously close to revealing his feelings for Mike. Robin looked at him with a curious expression on her face.
"Will, you don't have to be scared, you know I won't tell anyone," she said.
Will nodded. "Right, I know that. Sorry, Robin. It's just that me and Richie are the only two people in the world who know this." He took a deep breath. "I have a crush, no scratch that. I'm in love with Mike. I have been for a while."
Robin reached across the table and patted Will on the arm while he impatiently wiped a tear away.
"I don't know how to tell you this, Will, but this isn't Mike you're sitting with," Robin said.
The three of them burst into laughter. Once they started, they found it difficult to stop and spent a good minute laughing at Robin's joke and then laughing at the way they were having trouble stopping. Finally, they all calmed down and caught their breath.
"Yeah, yeah I know," Will said. "Richie's just been my shoulder to cry on while I pine over his brother."
"Eh, that's nothing," Richie said. "Willie Will here has been amazing when I've ranted about my crush on Eds."
"Little Eddie Kaspbrak has your heart, huh, Richie?" Robin asked thoughtfully. "Huh, that certainly checks out."
"What do you mean?" Richie asked, frowning slightly.
"Let's just say I've seen the way you two act around each other, and it's high time one of you admits your feelings for each other. You too, Will."
"What?" Richie and Will exclaimed.
"Please don't tell me you guys have gone all summer thinking your love is unrequited." When neither Richie nor Will responded, Robin shook her head. "Oh boys, boys, boys. Are we blind? Surely you guys have to know that Mike and Eddie love you guys just as much as you love them?"
"No way!" Richie exclaimed.
"Did they tell you that?" Will asked.
"They didn't have to," Robin said. "I've seen the way you guys act around them. It's been painful watching you all dance around your feelings when you're around them. You both look at them like they hung the stars and they both look at the two of you in the same way. I thought for sure you and Mike would be dating by now, Will, and you and Eddie would be dating, Richie."
"Holy shit," Richie said. "You're not fucking with us, are you Robin?"
"Of course not. Eddie loves you, Richie. And Mike loves you, Will. You guys definitely should go for it. Follow your hearts. You'll be happy that you did. I promise."
Robin smirked at the shocked looks on Will and Richie's faces. She stood up from the table and picked up the tray she had brought their ice cream on.
"Go and get your men, boys," she said. "Make sure you both bring them here for a date once in a while."
Richie got up and dramatically saluted Robin before she turned and walked away, howling with laughter at his antic. Richie sat back down, looking happier than Will had seen him in quite some time.
"So how bout that, Willie Will? Looks like we may get our love, after all."
"Yeah, I guess," Will said, still sounding unsure.
"You all right?"
"Yeah, I mean, I'm just nervous about telling Mike. What if he says no?"
"Then I'll kick his ass, Will," Richie said with a grin before his face turned serious. "But for real, though, Will, I don't think he'll say no. I think he'd be happy to have you as a boyfriend. You guys have always been so close since you were 5. I can't imagine him even wanting to be with anyone else."
"I hope you're right, Richie."
"I know I am, Will. And now that we've gotten our gay pep talk from Robin, I'm feeling a bit more confident about telling Eddie how I feel. I think we ought to take them on a double date that they don't know is a double date and we can tell them afterward at our house."
Will nodded, his mind started to put together how he was going to talk to Mike.
"Yeah, that sounds good."
"You promise you'll talk to Mike?" Richie asked. "I want us to do this together, Will. We're gay best friends, so it makes sense we get our men at the same time."
"I promise, Richie."
"This movie should be amazing!" Mike exclaimed when the four of them reached their seats in the theatre.
"Yeah it will be, Mike and Ike and not just cause I'm here to enjoy it with you," said Richie.
"Shut the fuck up, Richie," Eddie said, somehow managing to keep any bite out of his tone the way he always did. "If you spend this whole movie talking, I swear to god I'll end you."
"All right, all right, Eds," Richie said, holding up his hands in mock surrender.
Mike rolled his eyes at his brother's antics and turned to look at Will.
"Thanks for inviting me, Will," Mike said, speaking in the soft voice he always reserved for Will. "It's good to hang out with you. Been too long."
"Yeah, it has, Mike," Will said, hoping to keep the anxiety out of his voice. He was already starting to panic about everything not going to plan.
"It's gonna be fine, Will," Richie whispered into Will's ear.
Will nodded at Richie before he turned his attention to the front of the theatre. The movie was about to begin and Will found himself getting excited. Although this was a horror movie, he had been looking forward to seeing it ever since Mike had sent him the trailer via text and had excitedly demanded that he and Will see the movie when it came out.
The movie was more suspenseful than anything. There were a handful of jump scares, but nothing too bad. At least until the finale of the movie. Will could feel his heart pounding as the heroine was tracking down the killer and he unconsciously reached over to his side and rested his hand on Mike's.
Will froze when he realized what he had done. He turned to look at Mike, who was looking at him with a soft expression on his face. Will glanced down at their hands, as if silently asking if it were okay. In response, Mike took Will's hand in his own and laced their fingers together. He gave Will's hand a small squeeze and Will had to swallow down the lump that had just formed in his throat. Mike smiled warmly at him before returning his focus to the movie, his hand never leaving Will's.
Will glanced over at Richie and saw that Richie had his arm around Eddie. Eddie was practically shoving himself into Richie's side to avoid seeing what was going on in the movie and Will had to suppress a snort. Evidently he wasn't the only somewhat oblivious one.
"Did you have fun watching the movie, Eds?" Richie asked once he and Eddie had retreated to his bedroom back at the Wheeler house.
"Little too scary for my liking, but good overall."
"Yeah, I could tell you were a little scared during the finale with the way you were practically cuddling me."
Eddie blushed at Richie's words. Richie couldn't help but think "Cute."
"Sorry if that was too much, Richie," Eddie said, stammering over his words. "I...I just, I was freaked out by what was going on in the movie and I..."
"Eddie, relax," Richie said, reaching over and gently grabbing Eddie's shoulders. Together, the two of them took a deep breath and Richie saw Eddie visibly calm down. "Better?"
"Yeah. Thanks, Richie."
"You're welcome, Eddie," he said. He sighed deeply. It was now or never. "To be honest, I loved it. I always love it when you turn to me if you're scared or you need someone to talk to, Eddie. I've always loved it. It's one of the many reasons why I love you."
Eddie blinked.
"You love me?"
Richie nodded. "I have for a long time, Eds. I love you so much that it hurts. I'm sorry if I've been distant with you this summer, but I was just scared of being around you, Eddie. I didn't want you to think I was being weird around you, so I started hanging out with Will more and more. I was just scared of who I am. But now I'm ready to accept myself and tell you just how much I love you. And I understand if you don't feel the same..."
Eddie held up a finger to Richie's lips and Richie stopped talking, staring at Eddie with wide eyes.
"Of course I feel the same, Richie," Eddie said. "I've always loved you, even before I knew what that meant. It's always been you, Richie. I love you; I love you so much, Richie."
"Thank god," Richie said before he leaned forward and pressed his lips to Eddie. Eddie kissed back enthusiastically, which took Richie by surprise. He thought for sure this kiss would be a little messy, but it seemed like second nature to the both of them. They held each other gently while they kissed and Richie could swear his heart was swelling with all the love he felt for Eddie.
When they finally broke apart, both of them were nearly out of breath.
"Wow," Richie whispered.
Eddie snorted. "Yeah, wow."
"Sorry about grabbing your hand like that in the movie theatre. I don't know what came over me."
"Hey, you don't have to apologize for that, Will," Mike said, staring at Will as if he were staring directly into Will's soul. "To be honest, I kinda needed that too. It helped me remember that you were there with me."
Will smiled at Mike, feeling tears start to well in his eyes. Mike was looking at him in such a way that Will was almost positive his feelings were returned. He took a deep breath and decided to go for it. It was now or never.
"Do you remember the day we met?" Will asked.
Mike nodded. "The first day of kindergarten."
"That's right," said Will. "I remember being so scared and so alone that day. Everything seemed so scary to me that I wanted to run away and never come back. And then we had recess and I was sitting there at the swing sets. You came over to me, and you were alone too. I had seen you in class and I had wondered if you already had a bunch of friends. You seemed so much more confident than I was.
"You came up to me and you asked. You asked if I wanted to be friends. I didn't even need to think about it. I said yes. I said yes. It was the best thing I've ever done, Mike. You've always made me feel safe and protected. You've never made me feel like a mistake, the way the world often makes me feel. You make it all better, Mike."
Will took a deep breath and he looked deep into Mike's eyes. Mike was staring back at Will with a curious look on his face.
"I love you, Mike. I love you with all of my heart. I've known it for a long time and I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I was just scared that you didn't feel the same way about me, but I have to put myself out there, Mike, even if you don't feel the same way."
"Wait, Will," Mike said, finally speaking.
Will swallowed down a gulp and stared back at Mike. He could feel himself trembling and only stopped when Mike reached over and put a hand on his knee.
"Me asking to be your friend and you saying yes is the best thing I've ever done, Will," Mike said. "Being your friend is the best part of my life. You make all the bad things go away, Will. I can't imagine my life without you in it. And in case it's not already clear, I love you too."
"Oh, Mike," Will said before he leaned forward and cupped Mike's face and pulled him in for a kiss.
Will could have combusted right then and there. His heart exploded with every positive feeling he had ever felt and it was because it was Mike. Mike and Will. Will and Mike. Two best friends since the first day of kindergarten. In love with each other and not realizing it until now. Will could swear fireworks were shooting all around them and he felt nothing but love through his whole body.
When they finally broke apart, both boys were smiling softly and were blushing.
"I can't believe you love me too," Will said, a little breathless.
"I'm just glad you said something first. I probably would've chickened out if I had tried to tell you myself."
They laughed.
Later, Will and Richie met in the kitchen, where they were preparing snacks for Mike and Eddie and them to enjoy during a movie. They had texted each other to let each other know they had both confessed and were dating their lovers. This was the first time they had seen each other.
"Did you guys get busy?" Richie asked, waving his eyebrows suggestively.
"Shut up, Richie," Will said, grinning in spite of himself. "We may have made out quite a little bit. Which I'm sure you and Eddie did too."
"That's a state secret, Willie Will."
Will pulled Richie in for a hug. Richie looked taken aback.
"I'm happy for you guys," Will said. "You guys deserve the world."
"Thanks, Will," Richie said, sounding uncharacteristically quiet. "I'm happy for you and Mike, too. You guys make a cute couple. Not as cute as me and Eds, of course."
"Gee, you can't be serious for more than five seconds, can you?"
"Nope!" Richie said proudly.
Will laughed as he returned to preparing the snacks. They were ready in about five minutes and they carried the snacks into the living room, where Mike and Eddie were sitting on either side of the sectional. Richie joined Eddie and curled up next to him while Will sat down next to Mike, lacing their fingers together and giving him a kiss on the cheek.
Mike pointed the remote at the TV to get the movie started. When the movie studio's logo appeared, Richie spoke up.
"So, when does the orgy begin?"
"Shut up, Richie!" exclaimed Eddie, Mike and Will.