Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The world was ending. 

Well, probably, anyway. 

Everywhere he looked there was panic and fear, the ground was crumbling and cracking open. It was hell on Earth, literally. 

He'd been through this before, he kept telling himself. He had survived a week in that hell, if only just barely. But he did. Will wasn't so sure about his chances this time. 

Fifth time's a charm, right? 

It's not like he meant for any of it to happen. He'd only gone out for some fresh air, as the cabin had gotten so jammed pack full of people he couldn't breathe. Then there was Mike, constantly staring at him and avoiding El for some reason or another. 

That only added to his annoyance. 

So yeah, he needed a second alone. 

Maybe it wasn't the best idea to go to the woods for that when, you know, the world was ending. 

"What're you doing out here?" 

Will turned around to see Mike frowning at him, a curious look on his face as he leaned against one of the trees surrounding them. 

"Are you okay?" He spoke again, when his initial question was met with silence. 

Will considered his question. No, he wasn't. He was freezing, exhausted, and constantly felt that cold pinch at the back of his neck that flooded his whole body. 

"I'm fine, just..." Will shrugged. "I needed a second."

"Right." Mike stepped closer, pushing himself off of the rough bark behind him. "Me too. It's crowded in there."

"You could go to El's room, I'm sure she wouldn't mind the company." Will kicked at a rock, carefully avoiding his eyes. His tone came off snarky, something he wished he had better control of. He wasn't mad at El, not in the slightest. Mostly, he was angry with himself, annoyed that he still couldn't shake his stupid feelings despite having 'ripped off' his metaphorical bandaid. 

So much for that, when Mike steps even closer and he feels butterflies erupting traitorously in his stomach. So stupid. 

"I think she would mind, actually." Mike snorted, shaking his head as he toed the dead leaves under his feet. 

Will sighed at his tone, looking at him with a bored look. "Don't tell me you're already fighting again. I'm not trying to be a jerk, Mike, but we've got some more serious stuff to worry about right now. Plus, I'm out of relationship advice."

"Well, it's a good thing there's no relationship for you to give me advice on then." Mike leaned on the tree beside him, a closer one this time. "And you're not a jerk, you're right. I shouldn't be worried about that right now, a-and I'm not. Really, Will, I'm not."

Will furrowed his eyebrows, looking up at him with a frown. "Are you kidding me?"

"Considering it'd make a pretty stupid joke, I'd say I'm not." Mike sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. 

Will shook his head, running a hand trough his hair. "I thought you loved her?"

"Turns out, I'm kind of shit at deciphering what my feelings mean. Real shocker, I mean, you've met my parents. They're the pinnacle of displaying heathy emotions." Mike pushed off the tree and took a step towards Will, closer and closer. He wanted to rip his own hair out. "Thought you weren't worried about my relationship problems?"

Will gave him an annoyed look, taking a step backwards away from the other boy. "Considering it has to do with my sister, I think I'm kind of required to care a little."

"It was mutual, Will. I mean, it was her idea, but I agreed. She's not in love with me and I'm not in love with her." He explained, frowning down at the other boy. "We're done for good this time, have been for two weeks."

"Then what the hell was all of that at the pizza place?" Will asked, narrowing his eyes at the taller boy. "You said you loved her like a million times, you said your life started when you found her in the woods?"

"I don't understand, why are you mad at me?" Mike took a step forward, furrowing his eyebrows at the shorter boy. 

"God, you're such an idiot." Will scoffed, shaking his head and stepping backwards yet again. What was he not getting? "Do you not remember what else happened the day you found her in the woods? 'Cause I think it was pretty memorable, at least it was for me."

Mike screwed up his face as he processed his words, soon his face fell as he gaped at him. "Will, I-"

"No, Mike, I'm glad to finally hear just how much I mean to you, I mean, really? Everyone thought I was dead, but you find your girlfriend in the woods and suddenly your life begins. Poetic, really, I think I heard a line like that before. Something about the ‘best thing you've ever done’?" Will let out a humorless laugh, his throat burning. 

"Will, come on, you know I didn't mean it like that! I'd never say anything to hurt you!" Mike took a step toward him, reaching out to grab his shoulder but the other boy jerked it away. "Where is all of this coming from? I thought we were fine?"

God, he hated himself. He loathed himself. He wished he would just shut up, tell Mike it's fine and go back to the cabin to sulk in some corner alone. Maybe he'd join El and they could sulk together. 

"Oh, really?" 

Maybe not. 

Will glared at him, the anger bubbling out of him beyond his control. He really wished he could shut up and smile and offer Mike advice like he always does. Good old Will the Wise, the quiet and thoughtful friend who would let someone hit him with a semi truck so long as everyone else was happy. 

But he was too tired and too cold and too goddamn angry at the world to hold his tongue this time. He'd regret it later. 

"Will, please-"

"It's not my fault you don't like girls." Will spat, his hands shaking at his sides. "Was that supposed to make me happy? Was that supposed to make me feel good, Mike? Because to me, it sounded an awful lot like Troy. Like my dad. Like every other asshole who mocked me all my life. But it was you, Mike. It was from you and that made it so much worse."

Mike put his hands up, his face crestfallen as he spoke. "Will, I'm sorry, okay? I'm an idiot. I was an asshole that whole summer and I'm sorry! I'm so sorry and I know it's not enough to say, but please, let me fix this."

Will shut his eyes, turning around as he crossed his arms over his chest. He had to calm down. He'd embarrassed himself enough. "I'm sorry, I don't want to fight, Mike. I just wanted to be alone. I don't want to talk about this anymore."

"Do you forgive me?" Mike asked, his voice soft as he looked at him guiltily. 

"Mike, please." The shorter boy hugged his arms around his sides, a tired tone to his voice. "I don't want to talk about this anymore. Just leave me alone."

"Will, I swear, I'll do anything to make it up to you." Mike was practically begging now, his eyes wide and panicked. 

"Mike, it's fine." Will bit out, his eyebrows pinched as he tried to avoid looking at his face. He couldn't. He couldn't bare seeing his expression right now. 

"It's not fine, Will!! Look at me! Please, just look at me!" Mike reached for his shoulder, his hand grasping him gently but firm. 

He was on fire. 

"Just leave me alone!" Will pulled away harshly, as if he were burned. 

Before he could process the moment, his foot was caught in the ground and he was losing his balance as if he was being pulled back, falling backwards. 

He'd expected a harder impact, he expected the twig and rock covered ground, but his fall felt nothing like that and when he looked up, Mike was gone and he was alone. 

Spores fell gently around him as toxic air choked his lung as he laid still on the freezing ground. He caught sight of the vines surrounding him and felt his heart drop. 

He was in the Upside Down. 

"Mike?!" He called, quickly climbing to his feet. "Mike?!"

His breathing came in short bursts of air, panic rising in his chest as he spotted the gate he had somehow fell through. 

His chest felt tight as he felt his whole body shake. It couldn't be real, it couldn't be happening again. He had to wake up, he would be in Lenora and everything would be fine. None of it was real. 

Will choked out a sob, his knees buckling as he tried to make it to the gate. "Please, no..." He felt as if he was being pulled back, his limbs not cooperating as he fell to his knees, pulling them to his chest as he tried desperately to catch his breath. 

Then something else came through gate. 

"Mike?!" Wills own voice filled his ears as soon as caught sight of the boy, he was up on his feet in seconds and running to him despite the painful sting in her lungs.

"Will?! Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Mike grabbed his shoulders, yanking him into a hug. "Fuck, Will, I'm so sorry."

"I'm okay, it's okay. Let's just get back to the gate, okay?" Will pulled back, grabbing his wrist to pull him to the—

Wait.

Where was the gate?

"Shit."

"Shit?"

"The gate, it's closed." Will turned to look at him, his frown deepening. "It'll be okay, there's gotta be another way."

"Right, yeah, of course." Mike swallowed, panic rising in his throat. "Okay, maybe not! Will, what are we going to do? No one knows where we are! Oh god, fuck!"

"Keep your voice down." Will hissed. "Seriously, screaming isn't going to help us right now."

"Okay, okay. Sorry." Mike bounced on his the balls of his feet anxiously before following behind him as Will began walking back towards the cabin.

They walked in silence for a while, Will doing his best to keep his breathing steady as his hands gripped into fists. 

"I still feel like you're mad at me." Mike broke the silence, kicking a rock on the path and looking at Will with what can only be described as a pout. 

"Mike, is this really the time?" He crossed his arms, fixing Mike with an annoyed frown. 

"It's not good to go to bed angry." Mike reminded, his tone semi-joking. It was a method he'd used when they were younger and in the midst of a spat. It wasn't common for them to get angry at each other, but normally the joke would make a younger Will crack a smile and pave the way for immediate forgiveness. 

Something he was infamous for was forgiving Mike way too easily, Lucas and Dustin teased him for it and Max even tried to break him of it once or twice. 

"Good thing we're not going to bed then." He retorted, scoffing as he turned back around, heading up the cabins stairs. 

"So you are mad!" He called out as if he caught Will red handed. 

Truthfully, he was mad. He was mad that he was in this situation, mad that the Upside Down was ruining his life again, mad that his newfound sister was caught up in it, mad that his best friend felt more like a stranger than anything. 

Mad at the universe and the shitty hand it gave him. 

"I'm not mad, Michael. You're just annoying." Will grumbled, wiggling the door handle and groaning when it turned out to be locked. 

"You only call me Michael when you're mad." He pointed out, crossing his arms as if he had just cracked the case. 

"Do you want me to be mad at you?" Will turned to look at him, his eyebrows raised in challenge. 

Mike faulted, his eyes dropping to the ground and his body taking on a 'tail between the legs' look. 

"No. No, of course not." He sighed, leaning against the stair rail. “I just want us to be okay.”

"I'm not mad, Mike. Like you said, we're fine." Will rubbed a hand over his face. "I'm sorry I was mean. It's been a weird couple of days and now we're stuck here and it's overwhelming and everything with One is getting to me. I was being an asshole."

Mike took a step towards him, a small frown on his face. "You weren't being an asshole, Will. Everything is kinda fucked right now and you're handling it the best you can. You've been through enough without adding all of this on top."

Will caught his eye, his stomach twisting at the sincerity on his face. Regret hitting him harder than he expected. Why was he exploding at Mike when he was the one to check on him? Why was he digging up old graves and shoving the bones of past arguments in his face as some cruel 'gotcha' moment?

Guilt flooded his veins as his gaze dropped to his feet, wishing he could take back his venomous words. Change his tone a little, listen to Mike just a little more. Not step backwards into a portal to an alternate dimension and trap them both. 

"I still shouldn't have taken it out on you." Will looked up at him with a guilty expression. "It's my fault we're even in this mess."

"No it's not." Mike furrowed his eyebrows. "You fell."

"And you came after me."

"Exactly, I came after you. You didn't pull me, you didn't make me. I came because I wanted to." Mike shifted his weight on his feet, a softness covering his face as he spoke. "I'll always come after you, Will, always."

Will stared at him for a moment, his thoughts racing as he felt a warmth rise in his cheeks and chest. "Yeah, uh... Me too."

"Yeah?" Mike smiled, that damn smile he always does just for him that makes his stomach flip like a gymnast. 

"Yeah." He returned the smile shyly, his gaze dropping to the ground. "Of course."

They fell into an awkward silence outside of the cabin, the sound of feet shuffling filling the toxic air. He felt himself get lost in his head, his heart racing as he thought about how close Mike was. A twinge of annoyance at himself for his lack of prioritizing. 

"Hey, uh, you're bleeding." Mikes concerned voice pulled him from his thoughts. 

"Oh, shit." Will looked at his leg and sure enough, his pants were ripped at the knee and his skin was covered in blood. 

Will looked around, his eyes wide as he tried to think of something to clean up the blood before it drew something to them. Biting his lip, he lowered himself to sit on the stairs and grabbed the only semi-alive leaf he saw and wiped away the blood the best he could. 

As he began to dig a small hole with his hands, Mike spoke up again. 

"Sure hope that wasn't poison ivy." He joked lamely, shifting on his feet awkwardly. "That would suck."

"It's probably not. Poison ivy is shiny, plus it's mostly dead." Will shot him a look before he continued to dig into the solid ground.

"Are you trying to dig us out of here? 'Cause I don't think that's how it works." Mike looked over his shoulder. "And I don't think we'd fit."

"I know. I've been here before." Will replied with a sigh. "The Demogorgon is attracted to blood, I'm burying the bloody leaf."

"Oh." He sighed. "That's smart."

Will ignored him as he bit back a smile, packing the dirt over the bloody leaf before standing up, groaning when more blood trickled down his knee. 

"Hold on, sit down real quick." Mike pushed his shoulders down gently, dropping to his own knees and pulling off his shirt, leaving him only in his white undershirt. 

"What the hell? Put that back on, you'll freeze!" Will sat up straight, distressed as he grabbed for the shirt. 

"I'll be fine, I'm just going to stop the bleeding and then I'll put it back on."

"It'll attract the Demogorgon, Mike." Will frowned. "Just, god, I don't know! I'll use my own shirt."

"So you can get eaten? No way." Mike grabbed his leg, pushing down on the scrape firmly, his eyes darting up to Wills when the other boy gasps. His eyes soften. "I'm sorry."

Will looks away, shaking his head. "It's okay, just a scrape."

"Yeah, just a scrape." He repeats, reaching into his pocket with his free hand. He smiled up at him, a nervous smile that was just barely a stretch of the lips. "We'll be okay?"

Will met his eyes, teeth pulling at his lower lip before nodding. "It'd be stupid if I made it this far and died of a skinned knee."

Deflection, smooth one, Byers.

Mike visibly deflated, pulling a singular bandaid from his pocket and pulled it from the wrapper before smoothing it onto his knee. 

"I don't want you to rip off the bandaid." Mike said softly, under his breath. 

"What?" Will frowned, a confused look on his face. 

"Y-You said... About ripping the bandaid off, in the van." Mike cleared his throat. "I'm not stupid, Will. I...I didn't get what you were saying at the time, but I get it now. And I don't want you to push me away. I don't want to lose you again. You're my best friend, Will, you are the best decision I've ever made. This," He gestured between them. "This is just a scrape. We're gonna be okay. We'll make it out of here, kick Vecna's ass, and then we can go and spend the rest of our lives doing whatever we want. Together."

Will watched his face, chewing on his bottom lip as he willed his eyes to stay dry. Did he really get it? Did he see right through him, just like he always used to? Did he know?

"Will, I-"

Before he could finish, an inhuman screech fell on their ears, Will's face draining of color immediately. 

"We have to go." He got to his feet, pulling Mike up with him. "Come on, follow me. We'll come back when it's safe. We need to hide."

Mike nodded, the look on his face a clear reminder that he was in this with him. That he trusted him to get them through it. 

Together.

Chapter Text

They ran like hell through the woods, Will gripping onto his arm tight enough that he was certain Mike would have a bruise. 

Mike seemed to have recognized the area a bit at first, but after thirty minutes of running (dear god it felt like hours) his face gave away that he knew exactly where they were. 

"Castle Byers?" Mike whispered, trying desperately to catch his breath. Will have him a shaky smile. 

"Kept me safe last time." He lifted up the sheet and pulled him inside, the two boys huddled together as they listened to the Demogorgons screech. 

Mike grabbed his hand tightly, his entire body shaking as he looked to Will. He was terrified and he could tell that the taller boy was scared out of his mind just the same. 

"It's okay," He whispered, meeting his gaze. "We can find some weapons and then find a gate. The others will notice we're gone and come looking. If anything, El will find us. I know it."

Mike gave him a shaky nod, tightening the grip on his hand as he listened to the growling get further and further away. He sighed in relief, rubbing his hands up and down his arms for warmth. 

"You left your shirt." Will noticed, frowning at him. It was a stupid observation, obviously he'd left it as it was covered in blood and they had just narrowly escaped getting found by the Demogorgon that was then stalking around outside the fort. "Mike, it’s so cold here, you need..." He trailed off, pulling off his backpack before digging through it, pulling out a thin blue sweater and handing it to him. "It's not much, it doesn't get too cold in California."

"You must like it there then." Mike said softly, taking the blue sweater and pulling it on. It was a little short, but not too tight. Will gave him a small smile. 

"It's no Hawkins." He shrugged, earning a breathy laugh from the other boy. 

"Not such a bad thing. Look where Hawkins gets us." Mike looked around the clubhouse, his eyes softening as he took in the drawings and pictures. 

Nancy had explained to them how the Upside Down had been frozen in time the night Will was taken, something that was very obvious when he saw Castle Byer's completely intact and still decorated just how he remembered it. 

Mike picked up the picture of them from Halloween, smiling at it before a Polaroid caught his eye. He reached for it, bringing it close so he could see it in the dim lighting. 

It was from the night of the Snowball two years ago, Will and Mike grinning widely at the camera in their best outfits. Will looked over his shoulder, his heart clenching painfully as he smiled. 

"I always wondered where this picture went." Mike said softly, looking over at his friend. "I thought it was lost."

"It is now." Will looked down, his hands twisting in his lap. "I wish I didn't tear this place down."

"I wish I didn't make you feel like you had to." Mike rested a hand on his shoulder. 

Wills gaze flicked up to meet his, an argument on the tip of his tongue when Mike shook his head. He already knew what he would say, that it wasn't his fault and he couldn't have known. 

But it was his words that broke him, that made him feel stupid and more like a mistake than ever. That made him hate himself even more than he already did. 

So he stayed silent, his eyes locked onto the dark brown staring regretfully at him. 

"I've said it a lot today, but I really am sorry. For everything, but especially what I said to you. I was just...angry and confused and god, Will, I fucked everything up so bad with you. I'll never forgive myself for saying that to you." Mike dropped his hand onto Wills, squeezing it gently. "And I swear to god, when we get out of here I'm going to make it up to you."

Will smiled, squeezing his hand gently and nodding. "Promise?"

"I promise." Mike smiled, swallowing the lump in his throat before stuffing the picture into his pocket. "Not lost anymore."

Will watched him do it, his stomach swooping in the annoying way it always did when Mike did something especially sweet. It wasn't fair how easily he made him feel like that. 

He wondered why he flipped the switch so drastically. How they went from fighting in the rain to tearful goodbyes to never speaking, then Mike blatantly ignoring him or being so unbelievably awkward to...well, how he was being now. The apologies and the promises, the meaningful glances. It was a lot. He was so hot and cold, flipping a switch at any given moment. 

Will thought about Mike and Els breakup and suddenly it made sense. 

When El was gone, Mike was all about Will. He'd stayed by his side every second of every day. Then when El came back, Mike couldn't have care less about him. He'd ditched him more times than he could count. They fought, something they never really did before, minus a few normal childhood spats. 

But god, did Will feel stupid. Maybe he didn't realize what he was doing, maybe he wasn't purposely trading them out for each other. 

But that didn't make it hurt any less. 

"We, uh, we shouldn't stay here too long. If we keep moving, it won't get us. It only got me because I stayed in here waiting for my mom. Besides, we still need to get to my old house." Will let go of his hand suddenly standing up, clearing his throat. There was a time and a place for those worries and it wasn't here and it wasn't now. He'd be civil now and sort things out when they weren't in imminent danger. 

Mike scrambled after him, a confused frown on his face. "Your old house? Why?"

"I have things there. Things from last time." Will answered simply, pushing the curtain aside and stepping out cautiously before continuing. "We'll get everything and try to find another gate. I'd say we could skip it, but we'd never make it if we don't have anything to protect ourselves. Especially with One still around."

Mike nodded, standing up behind him. "Okay..." He scrunched up his nose. "What do you have at your house that will protect us? Kitchen knives? That candle holder?"

Will looked at him for a moment before snorting and shaking his head. He walked on ahead, only glancing over his shoulder to make sure the other boy was following. 

"You'll see."

*

"Where's Will?"

El turned around with a frown on her face, looking up at Joyce from where she was sat on her old bed. "Is he not with the others?" 

"I didn't see him." Joyce turned on her heels, making her way to the living room where everyone was sat either discussing plans or resting. "Have any of you seen Will?"

"Baby Byers is just taking a breather, Mrs. B." Argyle answered from his spot on the floor, laying with his head on a dirty pillow. "Poor little dude needed to mellow out, man. He looked like he was two seconds away from flippin' out."

The rest of the group sat up a little straighter as Joyce became even more concerned. "And he went alone? By himself out there?"

"Kinda, I mean the tall skinny one followed him after a few minutes, uh the other Wheeler. Little Wheeler." He shrugged, yawning. "Maybe they went to my van, tried some of my stash. Like I said, he needs to mellow out a little." 

Joyce furrowed her eyebrows. "What-" 

"When did they leave? Why didn't you say anything?" Jonathan spoke up, concern etched on his face. "It's probably nothing, right? Will's not stupid, he wouldn't put himself in danger like that."

Steve stood up, wincing as he stood. "He's the same one who told us to close the gate even though it would kill him, Jonathan. He's a bit on the self sacrificial side, is he not?"

Robin looked between the two with a confused frown. "Well, uh, not to interrupt or anything, but what exactly would he be sacrificing himself for? Like right now? He said himself that Vecna was hurt and I doubt he'd just go and venture into the upside down to catch him for a surprise wake up call. Like, don't get me wrong, it'd be totally badass-"

"Robin!" Steve hissed. 

"-but also totally stupid. And yeah, I don't think he's that dumb." She rambled, looking anxiously around the room. "Like brave dumb, not stupid dumb."

Dustin and Lucas shared a look. "He would have said something. Hell, Mike would've said something!" Dustin argued. 

"I can't imagine Will being stupid enough to go and try and fight Vecna by himself." Lucas agreed. "He wouldn't do that, and he especially wouldn't put Mike at risk."

"Will is not stupid." 

They all looked up to see El scowling from her doorway before making her way into the room. 

"Will would not do that. He would not go into the Upside Down to confront Vecna alone. He is brave but he is not stupid." She said firmly. "I will look for them, talking about him is not helping."

"Right, we didn't mean-" Steve started, stopping when El glared at him. "Sorry. He's not stupid. We know, but we know that he is willing to do a lot to help out."

"He is scared." El sighed, crossing her arms over her chest. "He has been through a lot with the Upside Down. I believe him when he says he went out to get air, he told me before he left." She looked to Joyce. "I thought he would be back by now."

Joyce swallowed the lump in her throat, looking over the group. "Can we please just find my boy?"

*

After a few minutes, Will walked towards his house, pushing open the door. He took in a sharp breath as he looked around at the mess his old living room has become, vines snaking across the floor and walls. Cold and scary, just like he remembered it from three years prior. 

"I kinda miss this place." Mike said softly, coming up behind him. "I remember playing in your backyard all the time as kids. Remember when Lucas dared you to climb the one tree and-"

"When I fell off and broke my arm?” Will snorted. "You have a weird choice of happy memories. My dad was livid after that." 

"Oh, yeah." Mike frowned, looking around the living room. "I forgot about that part."

Will looked over at him, sighing when he was met with his sullen expression. 

"We did have some good memories though." He bumped his shoulder with a small smile. "Remember when we stayed up all night watching Star Wars?"

"Which time?" Mike chuckled, the sadness melting from his face. 

"The first time, when we were eight." Will grinned. "My mom got so mad when she found us in the morning."

Mike laughed, bumping his shoulder. "Oh god, she kept telling us we were growing boys and that we were going to stunt our growth!"

"And then when you tried to make coffee and burnt it." Will snorted, looking up at him. "It was so gross."

"It was practically Jell-O!" Mike shook his head, grinning before nudging him a bit. "It was a fun night, though. We should do that again soon, just you and me."

Will tore his gaze away, pulling in a deep breath before nodding. "Yeah, yeah." He felt his smile slip away. He didn't want to be a placeholder for El, second best to his sister. He knew Mike said he didn't love her, that the breakup was permanent, but who's to say he wasn't lying. Just latching onto him until El wants to date him again. Hope was a dangerous thing, something he wouldn't let himself have. Not now. "Maybe."

Mike watched him, his own smile fading as he tilted his head down. "Will-"

"We need to get the supplies. The longer we're here, the worse it gets." Will interrupted, turning his back to the taller boy and heading towards his mothers room, digging in her beside drawer. "The last thing we need is us getting sick, which happens pretty fast."

Mike followed behind him, vaguely reminding him of a lost puppy. It would almost be funny, the 'leader' of their party following so close behind him, but all he could think about was getting Mike out of there alive and keeping him safe. 

No matter the cost. 

"Dude, why are you digging in your moms drawers?" Mike pulled him from his thoughts, a slightly grossed out tone to his voice. "Don't you remember what Dustin found in his moms nightstand?"

"Gross, Mike." Will scoffed, shuffling through books and random things shoved in the drawer. "Don't talk about my mom like that."

"I'm just saying, I don't want either of us to be scarred if we find condoms in your moms-"

"Mike!" Will hissed, fixing him with a sharp glare. "Please, shut up for like five minutes. And don't say condoms in the same sentence as talking about my mom!"

"I'm just saying!" Mike repeated, throwing his hands up in surrender. 

"High school made you gross." Will huffed, pulling a sliver and purple lighter out of the drawer and tossing it to him. "Here, that's for you."

"A lighter?" Mike asked, his face screwed up in confusion. 

"Hold on." Will shut the drawer softly, leading the other teen to Jonathans room before immediately digging in his brothers closet. 

"You were totally a snoop as a kid, weren't you?" Mike asked, the smirk so evident in his voice that Will didn't even have to turn around. "How else would you know where all this stuff was in your mom and Jonathan's room?"

"No I wasn't! Just..." Will shrugged. "Bored and curious. Besides, Jonathan didn't care. I was usually in here looking for tapes."

"Sounds like something a snoop would say." Mike quipped. 

"I don't remember you being this annoying." Will said over his shoulder, though he was struggling to hold back a smile. 

Damn him. 

"You wound me, Byers." Mike slid down beside him, looking up at him. "Strike gold yet?"

Will rolled his eyes, pulling out a can of aerosolized body spray and tossed it to him with a weary smile. He still remembered the first and only time Jonathan used it. It had stunk up the whole house so bad they had to leave for a few hours. 

Not ideal, but how picky could one be while making an at home flamethrower? 

"Holy shit, you want me to..." Mike gaped at the smaller boy. "Did you do this before?"

"No, but I saw it in a movie." He answered, pulling himself out of the messy closet. "Better than a kitchen knife or candle stick?"

"Totally." Mike grinned nervously. "What about you? You have another lighter somewhere?"

"Nah, something better." Will gave him a small grin before heading to the back door. "Watch out, okay? If anything comes, run back inside into the crawlspace. The one you got stuck in the one New Year's Eve."

"You just wanted to bring that up." Mike rolled his eyes halfheartedly. 

"I'm serious, Mike." Will looked up at him. "I'll be right back, but if anything comes you need to run."

"I'm not...I'm not leaving you, Will!" Mikes face was now completely serious. "No. I won't."

Will pinched the bridge of his nose. "Fine, then stand outside the door." He said, grabbing his wrist and dragging him out to the shed. "Just hang on for a second while I check in here."

"Right." Mike leaned on the outer wall of the shed, inching closer. "You know, new people own it now."

"Mom said it was a young couple." Will looked over his shoulder, pulling open the shed door. 

"Yeah, they're assholes." 

Will turned to face him with a quirked brow. "Why? What'd they do?"

"Well, a couple months after you moved I came here and was just, you know, hanging out in your yard...and they kicked me out and threatened to call my mom and the cops." Mike huffed, crossing his arms. "It's not like I was doing anything illegal."

"Trespassing is illegal, Mike." Will chuckled a bit, leaning in the doorway. "I'm surprised you'd come here and not that cabin if you were missing El."

Mikes face flushed slightly, emotions conflicting on his face as if he couldn't decide if he was going to respond. 

"That's because I wasn't missing El." He said slowly, digging his hands in his pockets nervously. 

"Oh."

"Yeah." He looked over at him, a nervous smile on his face. "I wasn't lying when I said Hawkins isn't the same without you. I thought coming here would make it hurt less."

"Did it?" Will tilted his head, hating the way his heart pounded at each word Mike said. He couldn't be stupid, this was stupid. 

He'd forget all about him as soon as he had El back just like before. 

"Kind of, until the lady hit me with her broom." Mike joked lamely, clearing his throat a bit. "I think it made me feel worse, really. I just...I really missed you, Will."

Will dropped his gaze to the dirt beneath his feet. He was being stupid, letting himself get sidetracked by Mikes words. He had to focus. 

"Yeah, you said that." Will responded, hating himself for how harsh it came out. "I should..." He gestured to the shed and Mike gave him a curt nod, hardly trying to hide the hurt look on his face. 

Will sighed, closing his eyes for a moment before taking a step towards him, almost putting a hand on his shoulder before retracting his hand awkwardly. "I'm sorry. I missed you too, Mike. I'm just..."

"Stressed?" 

"Yeah, stressed. It's not easy being back here. I...I'm scared, Mike. I'm scared of what going to happen. If One realizes we're here or if something happens to you..." He trailed off, chewing his bottom lip. "Mike, I really don't want to lose you but last time I wasn't strong enough to get out of here and if I get you hurt then-"

"Hey, I'm not going to get hurt and neither are you, okay? We're in this together, remember?" Mike grabbed his shoulder.  "I'm scared too, Will, I'm fucking terrified. With everything that's going on right now, it'd be crazy not to be. But I'm not going to let anything happen to you. We're going to get out of this. I trust you, Will. I trust you."

Will nodded, a small sense of determination on his face. He could do this. He could get them out of here. 

He was going to make it. 

"Alright, let's go then." Will said, making his way into the shed and shuffling around the work table. 

Mike peaked in, his head tilted in curiosity. "Tools?"

"Something like that." Will said, grabbing the rifle of the wall and quickly loading it before turning around and gathering all the ammo off the shelves. 

He cocked the gun, pulling the strap on and putting it over his shoulder before turning to the door, meeting Mikes eyes. 

"What?" He asked, tilting his head at his expression. 

Mike stood in the doorway, his eyes wide and mouth agape. His cheeks were flushed as he stared at Will in either awe or shock, he really couldn't tell. 

He assumed the latter, he was known for avoiding most weapons like the plague, violence (outside of video games of course) being something he was not a huge fan of. 

"When the hell did you learn to do that?" Mike sputtered out, finally gaining control of his voice again. 

Will snorted, shaking his head as he headed out of the garage. "Hunting trips with my dad." He said over his shoulder. 

"You hate hunting." Mike frowned. 

"I also hate my dad." 

"Good point." Mike cleared his throat. "So, guns? You know how to shoot things?"

Will rolled his eyes with a small smile. "Better than Jonathan at least." 

"I just can't believe I didn't know! I've always known everything about you!" Mike grumbled behind him. 

"Evidently not." Will retorted, adjusting the strap on his backpack when another screech filled the air. "Shit, get inside." He grabbed Mike's wrist and pulled him inside. 

"What the hell was that? That didn't sound like a Demogorgon!" Mike scramble after him, stumbling inside as Will quickly shoved him and himself in to tiny crawlspace in the living room. 

"Bats." Will answered in a hushed voice. "They'll try to bite you, it isn't too bad but they come in packs."

"Shit." Mike muttered. 

"They'll pass, just be quiet." Will shifted, frowning then Mike pulled in a sharp intake of breath. "This is a really tight squeeze, I'm sorry."

"Uh, it's fine, completely fine." Mike wheezed. "Will..."

"Hey, just breathe, it's gonna be okay. They'll go away, they always did." Will whispered, trying to keep his voice as comforting as he could. 

"No... Your elbow is right on my, uh, stomach and I really can't breathe." Mike rambled out, it would almost be funny if they weren't is serious danger.

"Shit, sorry!" Will whispered sheepishly as the growls and screeched got louder. Mike grabbed his hand tightly and offered him a shaky smile. 

God, he needed to get out of there.

Chapter Text

"It's been three goddamn hours, Hopper! The sun's already going down and what? You think they just ran away?!" Joyce shoved a finger into his chest. "My son did not run away!! Something's wrong!!" 

"Joyce, please, you're not listening to me. Teenage boys do stupid things-"

"Will is not stupid!!" El glared at him. "I cannot find him or Mike. If they just ran away I could find them." She crossed her arms, her stare unwavering. 

"I don't know, kid, Mikes pretty damn stupid and your brother tends to do whatever the hell he says!" Hopper returned her glare, his temper getting the best of him. 

"Hey! Mike's my brother, asshole!" Nancy crossed her arms, watching angrily from her spot by the counter. "He wouldn't put Will in danger like that!"

"Maybe they just ran away together, secret lover style." Murray suggested, the group going completely silent as they stared at him. "Oh, please, don't tell me I'm the only one who noticed the tension!"

The silence didn't last long before arguments continued throughout the room, everyone feeling the frustrations of the day settle on them like heavy weights. 

"Everyone shut the hell up!!" 

The room went silent, all eyes turning to look at where the annoyed voice came from. 

Erica put her hands on her hips, glaring at the group. 

"I know damn well you are all more or less grown ass adults and two minors are missing! El can't even find them, which if you remember, she can find anyone, anywhere, anytime. So can you all please get your goddamn heads out of your asses and focus on what actually matters?! Like the fact that they could damn well be dead but all you can do is sit here and yell at each other?!" She fixed them with a look that could kill, her eyes narrowing as the group shifted uncomfortably. "That's what I thought, I swear you'd think I'm the only one with any damn sense."

Joyce dropped her head in her hands, shaking as she tried to calm herself. "I'm sorry."

"No, Mrs. Byers, not you." Erica sighed. "You have a reason to be crazy seeing as last time this happened, Will was dragged to the Upside Down. The rest of y'all need to calm the hell down so we can find them."

"She's right." Lucas looked at his sister apologetically. "We need to talk about the possibility that they did go to the Upside Down."

"They wouldn't-" Steve tried to interject, Dustin quickly raising his hand to shut him up. 

"Shut up, no they wouldn't. Not on purpose. But you got dragged into a gate, did you not?" Dustin raised his eyebrows at him, the older teen sighing in response. 

"Wait, so you think they both accidentally got sucked into a gate?" Robin asked, frowning. "Sorry, but that's kind of a long shot."

"No, I'm saying Will has the worst luck of anyone I've ever met. He probably went out for air, Mike followed him because Mike can't be away from him for more than five seconds without freaking out like Mrs. Byers did when he first went missing (sorry, Mrs. Byers, but it's true.) and Will got sucked into the gate, then Mike, being the idiot he is, jumped in after him." Dustin rattled off, pacing back and forth. "Thus, El not being able to use her mind powers to see them because Vecna, the son of a bitch he is, probably put a block on them. Which means they're probably is a shitload of danger and us sitting around yelling at each other is, as Erica said, really fucking stupid." 

The short teen stopped pacing, looking at the group with raised brows. "Any questions?"

"That's just a theory." Hopper began arguing, El quickly cutting him off. 

"He could be right." She said, frowning as she walked towards Dustin. "You think he could be blocking me?"

"It makes sense, doesn't it?" Dustin looked around. "Look, it's the best we've got to go off of because I know my best friends and they wouldn't just leave us. Mike and Will would never do that."

"He's right, they aren't like that." Lucas crossed his arms, looking to Joyce who nods quickly. 

"Will wouldn't leave us," She agreed, running a shaky hand through her hair. "And I've known Mike since he was five years old, he's been stuck to Wills side for ten years. There's no doubt in my mind that he'd follow him, if Dustin's right."

No one seemed to argue with her, so she sighed and nodded. 

"Alright, that's settles it then. Let's bring our boys home." 

*

"Fucking bats, really?" 

"How many times are you going to say that?" Will sighed, his legs propped up on the wall just above Mikes shoulder, the taller boy leaning on them with an exasperated look, looking up at him through his bangs. His own knees pulled up his chest. 

Will looked away, willing himself not to flush at the way he was looking at him. Who gave him the right anyway?

Who the hell looks at their friends that way? He had to be imagining things, maybe the air was making him delirious.

"You never mentioned bats." Mike huffed, fiddling with a loose thread on Wills pant leg. 

"Quit it." Will shook his leg, leaning his head back against the wall and shutting his eyes for a moment. "I outran them mostly, the Demogorgon was scarier. And the Demodogs. Besides, it never came up." He answered, glancing down to see Mike gazing at him strangely again. "What?"

Mike snapped out of whatever trance he was in, shaking his head with a slight flush to his cheeks. 

Will must've been droning on again.

"It's quiet." He says after a moment, Mike finally meeting his eyes with a nervous nod. 

He felt a twinge of guilt. Mike must be terrified, obviously he was familiar with The Upside Down, but he'd never been in it. Not really, unless you count the tunnels. 

"I'm sorry I got you into this." Will spoke again, his voice softer. "I promise, I'm going to get us out."

Mike frowned at him, his head tilting and eyebrows furrowed. "Will, stop apologizing. If anything, it's my fault for being such a douche this past year."

"But-"

"No, Will. I won't...I won't let you apologize or feel guilty for being mad that I was a bad friend. I promised we were in this together and then I left you. I'll never forgive myself for that." He let his gaze fall to his bent legs. "I'll never forgive myself for losing you, Will."

"You didn't lose me." Will rested a hand on his knee, their eyes locking as he opened his mouth to continue, a loud screech interrupting his thoughts. He paled. 

"Will-"

"We need to go. They're getting too close." Will grabbed his wrist, pulling him out of the crawlspace and swung his gun around his body so it was ready in his arms. A thought occurred to him as he thought back to the Christmas lights. "We need to get back to the cabin, there's gotta be a way in."

"What's at the cabin?" Mike asked, his hands shaking as he held the can and lighter tightly. "More hiding spots?"

"No, something better. Last time I was here, I was able to communicate through the lights. My mom will get it, but we've gotta get in." Will said over his shoulder as he walked cautiously out of his house. The screech didn't sound too close, but he knew staying in one place too long was risky. 

"Right, and if they're not there?" He sped up his steps, looking down at him anxiously. 

"Then we wait for them to get back." Will answered, slowing his pace slightly, looking to Mike with a small smile. "My mom probably noticed I'm gone by now, so she'll be on guard enough to notice right away."

"It's a good idea." Mike says, a reassuring smile pulling at his lips. "It'll work, I know it will."

Will returned his smile, his heart clenching at the trust in his eyes. He gripped his gun tighter and nodded. 

It had to work. 

They walk cautiously through the woods, Mike sticking closer to his side than he had originally. Will leaned into it subconsciously, his mind drifting to their previous conversation. 

Maybe Will was just filling El's spot for now, but maybe, just maybe, Mike wanted him back too. The way things were before. He'd always want more, but it was better than losing him all together. He'd be careful, let go of the hope in turn for something better. Compromise, getting Mike in some way rather than lose him completely. 

God knows losing him would just be too painful. 

"I forgive you." He said softly, the only sound around them was the soft crunch of leaves below their shoes. 

"Huh?" Mike turned his head to him, tilting his head. 

"I forgive you." Will repeated, turning to meet his eyes. "For the summer. For California. For everything. You don't have to apologize anymore. I forgive you."

Mike was quiet for a moment, his pace slowing until he eventually stopped, his eyes never once leaving Wills. 

"Mike-"

He didn't get a change to finish his thought before he was pulled into a tight hug from the taller boy. They stood there for a moment, and Wills mind must've been playing tricks on him because he swore Mike took in a shuddered breath. 

"I promise, I'll be better." Mike said into the crook of his neck. "I won't let you down again, Will. Crazy together, right? I didn't forget. I'll never forget. I promise."

Now it was Wills turn to have his breath hitch. The closeness, the promises. It felt like them from before. When their friendship was unwavering, indestructible, built on childhood innocence and promises of forever. Before life complicated it. Before they lost each other. 

"Yeah, yeah. Me neither. You're my best friend, Mike. We both promised to go crazy together. Both of us." He agreed softly just as Mike pulled away from the hug, his eyes gazing right into Wills with just a hint of a smile on his face before his gaze lowered for a moment to just below his nose before returning to Wills eyes. He must be imagining things, because it almost looked like he was looking at his-

"Will, I know it's a bad time, but I really have to tell you-"

A twig snapped nearby, another screech filled the air. Will tensed and readied his gun as he turned his eyes to where he'd heard the sound, Mike sighed before shaking his head. 

"What...what is it, Mike?" Will looked back towards him, his hands shaking as he lowered the gun back to his side. 

"Nothing, it doesn't matter. Let's just get to the cabin, yeah?" Mike gripped his wrist, disappointment evident on his face. Will felt the same disappointment, confusion clouding his brain for just a moment before nodding. 

"Yeah, let's go." 

They trudged through the woods cautiously, their weapons out and ready for any surprises. 

Fortunately, they made it to the cabin without any issue, quickly checking each (annoyingly) intact window to find all of them locked. 

"Brick!"

Will turned to see Mike waving the red block at him. "What?"

"I've got a brick." Mike shrugged, tossing it in the air and catching it. "Haven't you always wanted to smash a window in?"

"No, Mike, I can't say I have." Will snorted, looking up to the window. "It'll be loud, but it'll work. No louder than a gunshot, I guess." He thought for a moment before an idea came to him. A way to soften the blow. 

Will walked back to the front of the cabin, grabbing the shirt Mike had discarded earlier, turning on his heel to walk back to the window. Upon turning, he slammed back into Mike who smiled sheepishly. 

"Geez, Byers, clumsy much?" He joked, eliciting an eye roll from the other boy. 

"You were in my bubble, Wheeler." Will walked past him, shirt hanging in his hand. 

"Oh? Your bubble?" Mike followed quickly, still wearing that same stupid grin that made Wills heart beat just a little faster. 

"Yes, my bubble, my personal space bubble." Will suppressed a grin, failing when Mike began poking the air around him. "What the hell are you doing?" He just barely held back a laugh. 

"Popping your bubble. No bubbles allowed in alternate dimensions." Mike stated as if it were a written law. "Rule of law."

Will laughed, humoring the boy by making a popping noise with his mouth. "Happy?"

"Thrilled." Mike grinned, throwing an arm around his shoulder. "Now what's the plan, Captain? Gonna wear my dirty shirt? 'Cause that kinda goes against the whole blood drawing in the Demogorgon thing we talked about."

"Gross, no." Will snorted, stepping up on a jutted out log next to the window and spreading the shirt out over the glass. "Like a silencer." He grinned. 

Mike grinned back, lifting the brick before lowering it and pulling off his sweater. 

"What are you-"

Quickly he stuffed the sweater over Wills face. "So if the glass flies it won't hurt you."

"Smart."

"Team work." Mike grinned, stepping back before tossing the brick into the glass, a muted shatter filling their ears as Will peeled the sweater off and tossed it back to him. 

Mike pulled it back on, shivering a little bit before grabbing a stick and knocking off the rest of the glass. Will threw him a smile, hopping up and climbing into the window, offering a hand to pull him up. 

"This feels like back when we'd play Adventurers in your shed."  Mike grunted as Will pulled him up, the smaller boy catching him as he stumbled into the cabin. 

"Stakes are a little higher than my shed." Will steadied him, grabbing his shoulders to keep him from falling face first into the broken glass. 

"Yeah, a little." Mike shrugged. "Not by much though, there were so many spiders!"

Will shook his head with a laugh. "Oh yeah, I'd take a Demogorgon over a daddy long leg any day."

"That's what I'm saying!" Mike grins and Will almost forgets just how much danger they're in. "I swear I saw like twelve black widows."

How did it feel this easy? How was this fair when he knew for a fact that as soon as they got back, Mike would go at straight back to El and forget all of this. It would be the same as before with the distance and fighting, breakdown of their friendship and leaving him crying all alone just like before. 

Okay, maybe he was being dramatic. He'd obviously remember most of it, but he doubted anything would change. Mike was straight. Mike wasn't in love with him. Will ripped off the bandaid, it was time to move on. 

It was time to go. 

"Are you okay?" Mike asked softly after he'd gone quiet. 

And fuck him, really. How could he always tell? How could he sense when he was breaking down when he'd do his best to school his expression to complete neutrality? It just wasn't fair, but he couldn't help but love him just a little more. 

"Yeah, yeah. I'm good, just...follow me. They're probably in the living room." Will walked past him, pulling his bottom lip between his teeth. 

He needed to focus. Why the hell was Mike so distracting? The longer they're here, the weaker they'll get. He had to focus on the task at hand, not relish in the fact that Mike Fucking Wheeler is not ignoring him for once. 

God, he was pathetic. 

He ran a hand through his hair, pushing his bowlcut back and out of his face as he knelt before a lamp. He looked up from where he was knelt on the floor to see Mike staring at him strangely again. 

Weird. 

"What?" Will tilted his head, confusion clear on his face. "Do I have something on my face?"

"No! N-Nothing!" Mike said quickly, his cheeks turning just a little pink. "It's just... Your hair, it looks good like that. I can't remember the last time I saw your forehead." 

Will snorted loudly, covering his face with his hand before dropping it, pointedly not looking at the other boy. "Upside Down goo makes for good hair gel, I guess." He shrugged, turning his attention back to the lamp. 

"Yeah, totally. Funny." Mike muttered, turning around and heaving a sigh. 

Also weird. 

He shook his head. Mike had been acting weird the entire time they'd been trapped there. Even before, in the cabin with all of the staring and following him around. Will furrowed his brows in though.  He'd talk to him about it later when they weren't in literal hell. 

Focus, Will, Jesus!

Will shook away the thought, bringing his hand up to the light, hoping to god it would work this time. 

The light glowed, brighter and brighter as Will focused, voices quickly surrounding them as he flickered it on and off. 

"What the hell?" Dustin's voice rang out through the room, relief immediately filling him as Mike stared at him intently. 

"Oh my god, Will? Will, baby, is that you?" 

Will could've cried in relief, his mothers voice smoothing some of the tension in his shoulders. He knew she'd notice. He knew it. 

An idea popped into his head, he quickly got control of the lights and flicker out a message. 

... - - - ... (sos)

"Morse code! He's using Morse code! Get the chart!"

"God, I love you, Lucas." Will choked out, waiting for them to understand his message as he flicked it out once again. 

"You're in danger?"

"No fucking shit, Steve." Mike knelt beside him. "Tell him he's a dumbass."

"You tell him later." 

-.-- . ...

"Yes?!" Dustin shrieked, his footsteps loudly ringing in a pace."Is Mike with you?"

Will flickers out another affirmative, looking over to Mike for a moment before adding another message. 

... - ..- -.-. -.-

"Stuck." Els voice is soft, concern evident in her tone. "Will, what happened?"

Will sighed, quickly flickering out another message. 

..-. . .-.. .-.. / .. -. - --- / --. .- - . / -- .. -.- . / ..-. --- .-.. .-.. --- .-- . -.. / --. .- - . / -.-. .-.. --- ... . -.. / -. --- - / ... .- ..-. . / .-.. --- --- -.- .. -. --. / ..-. --- .-. / .- -. --- - .... . .-. / --. .- - .

"Slow down, Byers! We're not all geniuses here!" Steve spoke up again, clearly frazzled."What did he say?"

"Fell into gate, mike followed, gate closed, not safe, looking for another gate." El translated, sighing softly. "Hold on, Will. We're going to get you out of there."

Will stomach twisted at her words, quickly reminded of the first time she spoke to him and what happened right after. He believed her, he trusted her, but it didn't take away the sheer terror of the situation. 

 "See! I told you they wouldn't just run away!” Dustin yelled again. 

"Murray was also wrong about the secret lovers thing." Lucas added. 

"Oh, we'll see about that!" Murray said before letting out a yelp, clearly being hit with something. 

Will felt his face flush and Mike avoided his eyes. Oh great. Way to make things awkward. Thanks, Murray. 

"Honey, ignore them. We just got back from looking for you, Nancy and Jonathan are still out looking for a gate. Could you get to one of the gates at the field? Or the big one downtown?"

Will slapped his palm on his face, how could he have forgotten about that? He cursed under his breath. "We'll try that."

Mike made a quiet noise of agreement. 

He flickered the light to send another affirmative, swallowing the lump in his throat before adding another message. 

.. -- / ... --- .-. .-. -.-- / -- --- -- / .. / .-.. --- ...- . / -.-- --- ..-

It was quiet for a moment as they decoded the message, a sniffle from his mom making his chest feel tight. 

"It's okay, baby. Don't apologize, it's not your fault. We're gonna get you home, okay? I love you too, I love you so much, baby. You too, Mike. I promise, I'm going to get you both."

Will felt a squeeze on his shoulder as he blinked away the tears in his eyes. He looked over to see Mike gazing at him, a sad smile on his face. He leaned into the touch opening his mouth to speak when he felt cold rush down his neck, his eyes widening in terror as Mikes face dropped, seeing his hand raise to touch the back of his neck. 

The light shined brighter on his own, steadily growing brighter before the bulb busted entirely. The voiced of their friends and family grew panicked as they tried to make sense of the explosion. 

Will slowly turned around, his grip tightening around his gun as his eyes lifted to meet the intruder. 

"William Byers." He spoke, a cunning grin upon his face. "I've been waiting for you."

Chapter Text

The second the bulb shattered, all hell broke loose. 

The lights in the cabin began flickering furiously, similar to strobe lights, burning brighter and brighter as second ticked by. 

"I know this is like a creepy cabin in the woods, but this isn't supposed to happen, right?!" Robin grabbed onto Steve's arm tightly, the other teen wincing at the pain. 

"No, Robin, the lights aren't supposed to go berserk!" Steve snapped. "What the hell is going on?!"

"Something's wrong." El was frozen, her eyes wide as the lights flashed around her. "One." She looks towards the group. 

"What? You think it's Vecna?" Lucas turned to her, eyes wide. "We have to get them out of there, Will is full of trauma! No one has music there!"

Joyce covers her mouth as a sob breaks through, her whole body shaking. "No, no, no!! This can't be happening again!! Why is it always him?!"

Hopper gripped her shoulder, pulling her into a hug and holding her as she shook. "We need to get to a gate. We need to get them out now."

"H-He shouldn't be able to get them, he's weak! Will said he was weak and hurt and-!" Dustin paced yet again. "Fuck, fuck, fuck!"

Nancy and Jonathan burst through the door, eyes wide and panting. 

"What's going on?" Nancy asked, looking around at the lights. "What's happening?!"

"Is it Will?" Jonathan rushed over to his mom, fear crumpling his face. "Mom? Is it Will?"

"They've got him again." She chokes out. "They've got him."

The teen pulled her in, dropping his head on her shoulder, the lights still going wild around them as the others gathered supplies while discussing plans and ideas amongst themselves. 

"They know to go to the big gate, at the field. We just have to hope that they're there." Hopper said, taking a gun from Nancy. 

"I'm going in." Nancy looked to him, cocking her gun. Hopper began to protest, but before he could get a word in she fixed him with a glare. "My brother is in there. I'm going in."

"Alright. Joyce, boys." He looked to Dustin and Lucas already gathering their weapons (a bat and wrist rocket, respectively). "You stay here. Watch for more messages and radio in when and if they come."

"What?! No way!! Mike and Will are in trouble! You expect us to just sit here and wait?!" Lucas dropped his wrist rocket, glaring up at the man.

"We can help!!" Dustin stood beside the other boy, a similar displeased look on his face. 

Hopper took in an annoyed breath. "You are helping. Listen, this isn't a little game, this is-"

"We know is not a game, old man!" Erica crossed her arms, her chin tilted up at him. 

"What do you have to do with anything?!" Hopper turned back to the boys, glowering down at them. "Listen, you two keep an eye on Joyce and wait for Will to send more messages."

"I am not staying behind, Hopper!" Joyce grabbed his arm, glaring at him as he turned around. "My boys are in danger, I am fucking going!!"

Joyce shoved past him, snatching the gun from him and turning to the group. "Nancy, Jonathan, and Robin, you all go to the gate in the center of the town. Murray, Hopper, and I are going to the gate at the field. Steve, Robin, Argyle, Erica, and the boys are staying behind with El, here. You stay on the walkie talkies and keep us updated. No complaints, any of you." She gave them all a firm look, her eyes softening when she looked at El. "El, honey, I need you to try and contact them again. To find them, figure out anything you think will help."

El nodded, her chin wobbling just a little. "I'll do my best."

"I know you will, baby, I know." She took her head in her hands and kissed the top of her head. "We're gonna bring them home, I promise."

Hopper cleared his throat, slinging the shotgun over his shoulder. "Alright, let's go!" 

*

"I've been waiting for you."

His whole body filled with cold, heavy dread. Panic rose in his throat as he shoved Mike behind him immediately. 

He pushed the fear down, his eyes narrowing at the monster in front of him. He took a step back, Mike pressing close enough to him that he could feel him trembling. He felt a hand grab his upper arm, shaking hands gripping in support. 

Will thought back to the Mind Flayer, back to being thirteen and terrified out of his mind. How he stood in front of Him and screamed, how he stood up to it. Anger bubbled in his chest as he stared at him. 

He raised his gun, aiming directly at his head. 

"Oh, not this again." Vecna laughed, taking another step forward. "How did that gun work out for you last time?"

"Will..." Mikes voice shook as he tried to step forward, Wills arm shooting out to put him back. 

"Stay behind me." Will said firmly, not taking his eyes off Henry's. "What do you want?"

"I want you to join me." He took another step forward. "You are special, Will Byers. I've watched you for a long time. I've waited. Wanted. You've grown, you're ready."

"Too bad." Will spat, his mind drifting to Max and her broken body. How she looked in her hospital bed. What he did to her. "You hurt my friends."

He laughed again, stepping closer and raising his hands in front of his chest when Will cocked his gun at him. 

"Get back." He snarled, his hands shaking as he squeezed the trigger just ever so slightly. "I said, get back!"

Vecna looked behind him, watching Mike with a sinister smile. "Oh, what do we have here?"

"Leave him alone." Will said, doing his best to shield the taller boy from view. "He has nothing to do with this."

Vecna sighed, shaking his head. The vines on his body stretch and squelching grossly as he moved, tilting his head as he stared the boy down. 

"I was just like you, Will. Alone, ignored, pathetic. Unloved and unwanted. But you could be great. Powerful. You have it in you and I have the power to bring it out. You need me." He reached out, long fingers barely an inch from his face. 

Mike glared at him, his hands balled into fists and shaking at his sides. "You fucker!! Don't you fucking dare talk to him like-"

"Mike. Stop." Will clenched his jaw, his voice soft but firm with warning. He felt his chest tighten at the words, his face twisting as he turned his attention back to Vecna. "No."

"No?" Vecna's eyes widened slightly, mock shock on his face. "Without me you will be nothing. You know that you need me. You have a gun raised at me, but no courage to pull the trigger. You know that you want that courage. That power. I know who you are, what you feel, what you want. I know what you are, Will Byers." A sinister grin pulling at his lips are his gaze fell back on the taller teen before returning to the glowering boy. "I understand you, Will. A deep, true understanding. I'll make your pain go away. All you have to do is join me."

"Fuck you." Will squeezed the trigger, the gun going off just moment after he felt himself fly back, his back slamming against the wall before crumpling to the floor. 

"Will!!" 

He heard Mike screaming for him, he blinked blearily in his direction as a warm thick liquid dropped down his face. He felt large, warm hands cup his face gently, tilting his head up. His gaze met a pair of dark brown eyes, the concerned face of Mike Wheeler was just an inch away from his own. 

"Mike, run..." He rasped. "You have to run, please."

"No! No, I'm not leaving you, Will." Mike swallowed, shaking his head. "You've gotta get up, Will, please! Get up!"

Everything felt foggy as cruel laughter filled his ears. His head was pounding as he tried to push himself off the ground. He willed himself to stand, his whole body feeling heavy. 

"Stupid, naive boy." Vecna cooed, his footsteps growing closer. "I could give you everything you want. Join me. Join me and I will give you the world."

Mike disappeared from his line of vision, panic rising in his chest as he squeezed his eyes shut. He had to move. He had to. 

"Hey, asshole!! He said no!!" 

Will turned his head, looking up to see Mike standing red faced, his hands clenched into fists right in front of Henry. His stomach dropped, watching as Vecna's neck snapped towards Mike. 

"Oh, Michael." Vecna sneered, striding over to him until they were face to face. "Don't think I don't know your little secret too. I know all about you."

"Leave him alone." Mike swallowed, his glare unwavering despite the shake of his hands. "Leave him alone and take me!"

Will felt his throat constrict, his eyes widening as the the words processed in his foggy brain. The blood in his veins turned to ice, a deep chill running through him as Vecna's sick laughter filled his ears. 

"Mike, no!" Will tried to push himself up, Henry quickly turning to gaze back to him before pinning him to the tree. "Let me go!! Mike, run!! I swear to god, Mike, please!! Don't do this!!"

"I can't lose you again, Will." Mikes eyes met his, a glint of tears shining in his eyes. "Im sorry..."

Vecna laughed, raising his hand to Mike's face, his long fingers brushing against the pale skin. "You're weak, Michael. They're better off without you. Nobody needs you. That's what you want, isn't it? Somebody to need you? Pathetic."

"Just leave him alone." He gritted his teeth, glaring up at him. "Let him go home and do whatever you want with me."

"You're not the one I need." His hand covered Mikes face, a smirk pulling at his lips. "But it doesn't hurt to finally get you out of the way."

Mikes jaw clenched, his eyes widening before his head snapped back and his shoes lifted off the ground. A whimper falling from his lips as the tension in his bone grew. 

"What a waste, dying for someone who will never love you back." He said menacingly, watching as he levitated higher. "For someone who would never do the same for you."

Will watched in horror, watching as Mike's body rose higher in the air, his hair grazing the ceiling of the cabin. His hands shook, fury boiling deep down in his gut as he pushed himself off the wall. Hot flashes of rage rising throughout his body in a way he'd never felt before. 

"Let him go!!!" Will roared, the words ripping through his throat like blades. The lightbulbs surrounding them shattered, darkness covering them as the palpitating lights ceased. 

A thud rang in his ears as he stood, frozen in place. His eyes flicked to Vecna, who was thrown against the front door. The rage filled him once more upon seeing Mike crumpled on the floor, unmoving. 

His feet carried him across the room, his gaze never leaving Vecna's slumped form. He narrowed his eyes, the taste of metallic blood flooding his mouth as a warm wetness trailed down from his nose. 

In the back of his mind, he was freaking out. What was happening? How did he do that? When did it happen? What did he do?!

He pushed it aside as fury bubbled up in his chest, bringing him face to face with Vecna. 

"I am nothing like you." He sneered, eyes narrowing as the monster looked up at him. 

"You've discovered the power." Vecna said weakly, a choked laugh falling from his mouth. "Don't waste it, William. You can still join me. Your friends don't want you. They don't need you. Let them go, let them die. They'd leave you for dead. You need me, William. Don't waste your chance."

Wills face scrunched up in anger, his mind racing as he saw him trying to get up from his spot. For once, he let the anger control him. 

Vecna slammed back against the wall, his eyes wide as he stared directly into Will's. "You...need me, William..." He choked out, a sinister smile on his face. 

"No," Will spat, mirroring the motions he's seen El use, his hands outstretched towards Vecna. He contracted his hand, focusing all of his anger on the figure before him. 

He thought about that night, three years ago, when he was first taken. The terror he felt, the cold and the darkness. The fear and trauma it gave him and his family. His friends. He thought about the slug crawling up his throat and the Mind Flayer forcing itself down into him. The cold, the fear, the anger. The deaths. He thought of Bob Newby and the countless other people who's blood was on his hands, only at fault through his possessed mind. The Mall. Max. 

God, he thought of El, who lost so fucking much because of the thing in front of him. Rage burned through him, bursting throughout his whole body. 

"I don't need you, Henry." Will said coldly, his tone deadly as he focused harder. His teeth gritted together as he spoke. "You need me."

"You'll regret this." He choked out, his eyes rolling to the back of his head. "When...When they leave you again. When they...they forget you again."

"No, I won’t." Will spat. "but you will."

He felt the power rush through him, an involuntary scream ripping through his chest as the man before him screeched. The pain and fear and agony he had felt since he was a twelve year old kid, lost in an alternate dimension poured out with a force he never thought he'd be capable of. 

Then it was quiet. 

He was dead, his body bursting into a million different pieces right before his eyes. He did it, he fucking did it. 

His knees buckled, his eyes darting over to Mike before he took a few steps towards his curled up body. He saw his chest rise and fall, his steady breathing gave him enough evidence to know he was alive. 

Will let out a relieved breath just before he collapsed to the ground beside him, the world around him going completely dark.

Chapter Text

Warmth surrounded him around his middle, along with his right cheek as if someone was cradling his face. He leaned into the warmth, chasing it the best he could in his half-conscience state. His body felt heavy, like he hadn't slept for a few days whilst his head throbbed much like he had slept too much. 

The wind was warm against his face, stuttering every few seconds and there was an unsteady, sporadic drip of water on his face. Was it raining in his room? Maybe the roof was leaking? Did he leave his window open?

His bed shook slightly, making him wrinkle his nose in annoyance at the disturbance. Who was shaking his bed?

"I see you through the smoky air," He heard a shaky voice sing, off key like the singer was crying. "Can't you feel the weight of my stare? You're so close but still a world away." 

A sniffle filled his ears, filling him with even more confusion. What kind of tapes was Jonathan buying? Maybe this one was Argyles. 

"What I'm dying to say is that I'm crazy for you, touch me once and you'll know it's true" Will leaned his head against the warm pillow. It was warm, but kind of hard, a little bony? 

Wait, was that Mike? 

"I never wanted anyone like this it's all brand new, you'll feel it in my kiss, I'm crazy for you..." The singer trailed off and choked out a sob. "Will, come on, please wake up..."

Will peeled his eyes open, memories of what happened flooding back to him quickly. 

"Was that Madonna?" He asked drowsily, tilting his head back to be greeted with a red, puffy eyed Mike, his flushed face stained with tears. 

"Oh my god, Will!" Mike sobbed, pulling the boy in closer from where he was already cradling him and burying his face in his neck. "Oh my god..."

"Are you okay?" Will asked softly, the other boy pulling away before staring at him incredulously. 

"Am I okay?! I thought you fucking died!! Are you okay?!" Mike grabbed his face, his bottom lip still trembling as his hands shook against his cheeks. "Oh my god, Will, I thought I lost you."

Will met his tearful gaze, his own eyes beginning to burn. "I'm sorry..."

Mike choked out a laugh, the result was more of a sob than anything. "Don't apologize, you just...you just saved me. You saved us. You did it, you fucking did it."

Will let his eyes close for a second before gazing up at him with a tired smile. "I blew him up?"

"You sure did, Will." Mike laughed wetly, pulling him back into a hug. "God, I'm never letting you go. Like, ever. I'm going to fucking superglue us together. Please, never ever do that again."

Will hummed, resting his head against Mikes shoulder and letting his eyes shut once more. "You're a dumbass." He said softly, struggling to stay awake. 

Mike just heaved another breath, holding him tighter against his chest. He wondered how long Mike had been holding him, last he saw he was crumpled on the floor from when Vecna had dropped him. 

"Mike?" Will forced himself to stay awake, tired eyes finding Mikes wet ones. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"

"I'm okay." Mike smiled softly, relief filling his eyes. "God, I'm so glad you're okay."

Will held his gaze, his own smile mirroring his as he melted into the other boys hands. "Me too..."

"Will?" Mike spoke gently, cupping his cold cheek and pressing their foreheads together. "Will, I wanted to tell you-"

"Mike? Will? Are you there?"

The old radio against the wall crackled to life, startling both boys enough to get them back to their feet. Will leaned heavily on Mike, exhaustion still plaguing his whole body. 

He felt half dead and he was sure he looked even worse as he made his way over to the radio, Mike limping as he grasped onto him. 

"El?" 

"Will!" She sounded relieved, a loud sigh coming over the radio. "Are you okay? What happened? Did One hurt you?"

Will looked over to where he had been and sighed. "Not really, not as bad as we hurt him at least."

"Oh." El was silent for a moment, confusion clear in here voice. "I don't understand."

"I'll explain when I get home. Me and Mike are going to find the gates, see if we can get through." Will explained before frowning. "Wait, how can you hear us?"

"Spy." El said simply. "I could not find you until the lights exploded. Will, please answer my question. Are you and Mike okay?"

Will looked at Mike, a slight frown at his disheveled state leaning heavily against the couch, knowing he wasn't looking too great himself. Judging by the pain in his head and the itchy, crusty feeling on his forehead and hair, he knew he'd taken a bit of damage. 

But they were alive, that's what mattered.

"We're okay." He said softly. "We'll be home soon."

"Promise?" El sounded hesitant, but relieved. 

"Promise." Will replied, a gentle smile on his face. 

"Okay, mom and dad are coming to the gate to get you. They're looking for you now, try to get there fast." El sounded almost choked up. "I love you. Be careful."

"Okay, I love you too, El. I'll see you soon, okay?" Will swallowed the lump in his throat, pushing himself to stay neutral. 

"See you soon." She said softly before the static went silent. 

He looked up towards Mike, tilting his head a bit when he noticed the other boy watching him with a strange look for what felt like the millionth time. 

"What's that look for?" Will cocked an eyebrow, slumping against the couch before digging through his backpack. 

"You're just..." Mike trailed off for a moment, a small smile on his face. "You make a pretty good big brother. It's a nice look on you."

"I'm hardly older, Mike." Will looks over at him, a tiny smile on his face. "What I am is tired."

Mike gave him a small frown, grabbing him by the shoulders and making him sit down. "You're drained, Will. The same thing happens to El when she uses her…uh, powers, let's take a minute to recuperate before going to the gates. Vecna's gone, but everything else is still out there, you being dead on your feet isn't gonna help."

"You're right. You need a break too." Will sighed, glancing at him. "Here, take this." He pulled out two granola bars and pushed it into Mikes hands. 

"Where'd you get these?" He asked, furrowing his eyebrows at Will quiet laugh. 

"I found them in Argyles van." Will explained, opening the granola bar and taking a bite before his head lulled to the side with a tired smile. "I stuffed them in my bag so he wouldn't eat them all while he was high."

Mike leaned his head back, meeting his eyes as he ate his own bar. "You're sure these don't have weed in them?"

"No, I figured getting high in an alternate dimension with murderous monsters would be a really good idea." Will yawned. "Dumbass."

"You're mean when you're tired." Mike snorted, finishing off his second bar. "Think you'll be able to make it to the gate? It's a long walk."

Will nodded, though his body was not in agreement as his eyes slid shut. "Yeah, yeah... I'm good." His voice was just above a whisper as he leaned into the cushions. 

He jolted awake after a moment, looking to Mike who met him with soft eyes. He relaxed for a moment before he felt a hand on his cheek. 

"Get some rest, Will. I'll keep watch." He said quietly, pushing the bangs out of Wills face. "The gate will still be there when you wake up."

He wanted to argue. It wasn't safe, they were almost out. He wasn't a baby, he wasn't made of glass! He could walk to the gate, he'd be fine. 

But Mike's hand in his hair was quickly demolishing his defenses. He let out another yawn as his body leaned into the touch without his control. God, he was so tired. 

"Just...just a few minutes." He muttered, his head hitting Mikes shoulder just as he felt himself slipping away. 

"Don't worry," Mike whispered, wrapping a protective arm around him. "I've got you."

*

When he woke up, he was warm again. 

His brain still felt foggy, but he didn't feel nearly as weak as he opened his eyes, blinking blearily up at the raven haired boy beside him. 

"You're awake!" Mike grinned down at him, his eyes crinkling in the corners. "How do you feel?"

"Better." He gave him a small smile, sitting up fully and rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "No Madonna this time?"

Mikes smile dropped as he rolled his eyes. "Shut up! Not everyone is obsessed with the Clash. Besides, Nancy plays it all the time from your brothers mixed tape." He sighed, shaking his head before adding softly, “Besides, music always made you feel better so I thought it would help. My mom always sang to me when I was hurt or sick and-”

"It did help, Mike. I… Thank you.” Will gave him a soft smile, resting a hand on his knee for a moment before taking it away. “But when we get out of here, I'm making you a mixtape of good music for you to sing to me during the next near-death experience." He added, his voice teasing enough that Mike bit back his own smile. 

"I'll take the mixtape, but maybe let's not have another one of those." Mike nudged him a bit. "Speaking of not dying, are you ready to get the hell out of here?"

"Read my mind." Will pulled himself off of the couch, stretching and popping his back. "Getting thrown against walls sucks."

"Yeah, so does getting levitated and getting your ass dropped. My ankle is killing me." Mike complained, rolling his ankle with a wince. 

Will frowned, dropping down to his knee and grabbing Mikes leg. "Here, lemme look." He muttered, pulling up his pant leg before hissing. "Shit, Mike, that looks awful. Why didn't you say anything?"

Mike shrugged, looking down at him with a small frown. "I didn't notice it much, I...” His gaze evaded his own, drifting to the floor where they laid just an hour before. “Will, that really scared me. You weren't breathing and you wouldn't wake up, I wasn't lying when I said that I thought I lost you." 

Will met his eyes once more, his heart clenching painfully in his chest. His best friend bit his lip, pulling in a shuddered breath. His breathing was shallower as he swallowed. 

"Will, I..." Mike dipped his head down. "I was so scared. I don’t know what I would’ve done."

"I know, I'm so sorry." Will sat down beside him, the taller boy immediately pulling him into a hug and ducking his head down to an uncomfortable angle. He rested his head on his chest, letting out a breath as he heard his heartbeat. "It's okay, I'm here. I'm okay. We're okay."

Mike hummed quietly, staying like that for a moment before calming down enough to pull away. He looked back at him, his eyes still wet before giving him a slight nod. 

"Do you think you can walk?" Will looked down to the swollen ankle, concern etched into his features.

"Yeah, no, yeah! It's okay, I'll be alright, just a little slower. Let's just get out of here, yeah?" Mike sniffed, pressing his palms to his eyes and pulling himself up. 

Will bent down to grab his backpack, slinging it over his shoulder before grabbing his gun and doing the same. He shot Mike a small smile, sliding beside him and guiding his arm over his shoulder. 

"Lean on me, okay? Try to keep your weight off your ankle." Mike nodded, leaning into him with a sigh. 

"You make a pretty good crutch, Byers." He joked, throwing him a lopsided smile. Will didn’t miss the shakiness of it all, as if Mike was just barely hanging on. 

"Shut up." Will snorted, leading them to the door. He put his hand on the door handle before pausing with a deep breath. 

Mike stared at him, head tiled as he analyzed him. He wasn’t sure what the taller boy was looking for exactly but the weight of his gaze made his stomach twist. 

What exactly had Mike been trying to tell him all day? 

“Will?”

Will blinked, shaking his head and ripping his gaze away from his best friends eyes as he pulled the door open and looked out around the cabin. Why did he always have to make everything weird? He was being too obvious and it really wasn’t a good time to be pining over someone who obviously didn’t feel the same. 

He spared him what he hoped was a reassuring smile before walking down the steps, carefully walking as to let the other boy support at least half of his weight on him. 

They got just a few feet away from the cabin when the sound of splintering wood filled the silence around them, the harsh sound pulling their attention back to the building with horrified expressions. 

Where the cabin once stood was now just a clearing, the trees seemingly evaporating into thin air around them along with the wood that once made up his sisters former home. It didn’t make sense, how could it just disappear. 

Then it dawned on him. 

“The hive-mind is dead.” Will breathed almost to himself, turning his wide eyes to Mike. “We need to get out of here, now.”

Mike stared back at him, fear crackling across his pale face as he gaped. His eyes flicked back to where the cabin was and he nodded, taking his weight off the other boy before moving to grasp his hand. 

“Lets go.”

Despite Mike’s likely sprained ankle and what Will was sure was a concussion on his end, they ran through the slowly evaporating woods as fast as their feet could carry them, their hands gripping to one another as a lifeline towards the direction of downtown. 

He just hoped to god the gate would still be there. 

Chapter Text

The spores choked them as they ran through the trees, weaving in and out as to not slam face first into the bark. Their lungs filled with the ashy substance faster as they tried to steady their erratic breathing. 

Will didn't understand why this was happening. If the Hive-Mind was truly dead, as it was supposed to be, why would the world be collapsing on itself?

From beside him, he heard a panicked yelp, his arm shooting out to grab Mike before he could fall to the ground. Mikes eyes were wide with terror, his irises shining black in the dim lighting. 

Something felt wrong. 

"Vines!" Mike choked out. "The vines, Will!"

His eyes fell to Mikes feet, his stomach dropping as the vines wrapped themselves around Mikes leg. 

"Shit!" Will cursed, grabbing the lighter and spray can from Mikes hands and quickly flicking the lighter on. "Stay still! Just trust me!!"

Will looked to his eyes briefly, his breath catching when he caught sight of just how much Mike trusted him. He swallowed before immediately turning to spray the fire at the vines, flicking the lighter on and pressing down on the nozzle. Their ears were met with a horrible screech, one that would've sent Will into a state of panic had he not already been freaking out for the past however many hours they'd spent in the hellscape. 

The vine released Mikes ankle, the lanky boy falling into Will with a choked breath. 

"I fucking hate this place." He grumbled. "I'm never running again when we get out of here. I swear to god, we can sit in my basement for the rest of our lives and never move again. Or wherever there's a couch or bed or-"

Will couldn't help the hint of a smile that grazed his face, wiping the sweat off his brow. "As great as that sounds, we have to survive first. C'mon, tell me about your future later." He teased, grabbing his arm once more and running through the rapidly decaying trees. 

Mike flushed, quickly moving to catch-up to Wills footsteps. "Right, yeah. My future." He cleared his throat quietly, carefully avoiding anymore vines. "I really don't think the hive mind is dead, Will."

"Me neither. Something else is wrong. I... I feel it." Will looked over at him, sweat pouring down his bloody forehead, leaving long, wet streaks of diluted blood down his face. "Something feels wrong, off. More than before." 

Mike glanced at him, struggling to keep up with his quickening pace before grabbing his hand. He intertwined their fingers and almost instantly, Will felt relieved. 

Which was stupid, considering they were literally running for their lives at that very moment. 

"We'll figure it out." Mike panted, still winded but clearly doing his best to push through the general discomfort of not only running, but breathing in such toxic air. The ashiness left a dry feeling in the back of Wills throat, something he was sure the other boy felt just as much of not worse considering just how little he was used to rigorous exercise. 

Will wasn't athletic by any means, but he could run. Running was something he didn't mind too much, it didn't require the aggression of football, the focus of basketball, or the upper body strength of weightlifting (Is that even a sport? He didn't know.). He almost enjoyed running, the way it helped clear his mind. He almost signed up for track back in Lenora until he backed out at the last minute. 

California wasn't nearly as close minded as Hawkins, but if anyone found out about him? They wouldn't want to share a locker room with him. He could already hear the nasty slurs he would've been met with, a thought entirely unwelcome as he quite literally ran for his life. 

He caught Mikes eye, the pained look on his face damn near breaking his heart. He knew his ankle looked bad, the vine yanking it probably didn't help too much. They were still so far from any of the gates, but with how winded Mike looked, Will couldn't help but worry if they'd make it. 

It wasn't like they were in the position of taking a break, not unless they wanted to get torn apart by whatever the hell was happening behind them. 

He tightened his grip on his hand, pushing on as the toxic wind whipped his face. His hair was coated with the spores and despite the rigorous exercise he was currently doing, he was freezing. Chalk full of heavy, cold dread. 

Fuck. 

He slowed down to a stop, his entire body frozen and eyes widened in horror. He turned to meet Mikes fearful expression, his face twisted in horrified confusion. 

"Will, we have to keep running, we're almost there!" Mike grabbed his shoulders, his voice frantic. "Will, what's wrong?"

Will swallowed, his hands shaking at his sides as his eyes burned furiously. His whole body was shaking now, the sweat on his face dried into a sticky mess, mingled with the dried blood that caked his forehead and down his right cheek and nose. He met his eyes slowly, unable to will himself to quicken his movements. Time slowed down, the sounds of splintering wood and destruction filling their ears as the world caved in all around them. 

"It's not dead." Will spoke, his voice trembling with a fear only comparable to the first time he was stuck there. "Mike, I was wrong! The hive-mind isn't-"

His voice was cut off by a sickening scream. Will wanted to cry in that moment, just give up and sink into the ground. Let it be over. God he was so goddamn tired. 

But when a demobat flew down close above Mikes head, the fear and terror in his veins hardened. He couldn't give up, not now. Not with Mike just barely holding on. 

"Get down!" Will called, swinging his gun up as Mike dropped to a crouch. He pulled the trigger, shooting the bat down expertly before turning and shooting another one. 

Mike covered his head, eyes peaking out watching as Will took down the horde of them with a mix of horror and fascination. 

The bats rained down on them, Will standing tall in front of Mike as he cocked his gun. The blood from the demonic creatures splattered all over his face and body as the bullets exploded their bodies. 

It felt like hours when they all finally dropped, Will still gripping his gun as he waited for more to show up. When it stayed quiet, Mike finally stood up and stumbled towards him. 

"Jesus Christ, Will!" Mike grabbed his shoulders, his face flushed and eyes wide. "Holy shit! Are you okay? Did any get you? Oh my god!"

"I'm fine, it's alright." Will took his wrists gently and lowered them. "We need to get out of here, okay? The gate can't be far. We need to get to the gate."

"Okay, yeah, fuck." Mikes hands shook in his own, his eyes never once leaving Wills face. "God, I think I'm having a stroke."

"Mike, focus. I know you're freaked out, trust me, I am too. But we need to get out of here." Will said firmly, Mike seemingly snapping out of his thoughts. His cheeks flushed even darker as he nodded, letting Will yank him back towards the field.

Mike was noticeably slower, limping with all he had as Will navigated them through the scattered vines. Puffs of air falling painfully from his lips as he struggled to keep up his pace with Will, despite his legs being longer. 

Mike let out a groan when his foot caught on a rock, nearly sending him to the ground. A pained yelp escaping him as his ankle rolled again. "Fuck, sorry, god!"

Will glanced behind them, the destruction of what once was a parallel to Hawkins loomed over their heads, quickly catching up to them as they stopped running once again. 

"Mike, we have to keep going." He watched Mikes damp eyes flick over to him, his grip on his hand tightening. 

"I-I know, I know." Mike spoke through gritted teeth. "Shit, I think it's sprained or something."

Will gave him a sympathetic frown, his mind racing as his eyes shifted to see more trees collapsing in on each other. 

They were running out of time. 

"Here," Will turned around, motioning to his back. "I'll carry you, okay? We've got to go."

"What?" Mike gave him an incredulous look, shook evident on his face. "You can't carry me!"

"Mike. We don't have time to argue, just shut up and hop on my back." He looked over his shoulder. "Now, Mike!"

"Jesus fucking Christ," Mike muttered, stepping forward and wrapping his arms around Wills neck. "If you fall and get yourself killed I'm going to..."

"To what? Kill me?" Will raised an eyebrow at him as the other boy flushed. 

"No, I'll get myself killed too and I'll fight your fucking ghost." Mike huffed on his neck, jumping up to wrap his legs around his waist. "When the fuck did you get so...buff?" 

Will snorted, picking up the pace as he kept running through the quickly dissipating woods. "I'm not buff, Mike. Most people can lift more than a pebble without getting winded, you know."

"California made you buff and mean." Mike rested his chin on Wills shoulder. "I remember when I used to be the big and strong one."

"Okay, grandpa, talk to me when you can walk by yourself again." Will snorted, narrowly avoiding a vine in the process. "Now shut up before I get us both killed!"

"Right, right! Danger ahead and all that." Mike glanced over his shoulder, his face paling in the corner of his eyes. "Oh fuck, shit! Shit, shit, shit!!"

"What?!"

"Demodog behind us! Hold on to my legs!" Mike turned on his back, Wills hands flying up to grab his shins as he let his gun hang around his front. 

"Be careful!!" He chastised, picking up the pace and tightening his grip. 

"I'm trying!!" Mike yelled, his hands shaking as he grabbed the lighter from his pocket and aimed the spray can at it. The flame bursted to life, the aerosol causing the fire to shoot directly into the demodog's open mouth. The monster screeched before flying backwards, lying limp in their wake. 

"Good job! Thanks!" Will shouted behind him, earning a snort from Mike. 

"Anything for you, Will the Wise!" Mike turned, wrapping his arms around the boys shoulder. "Any closer?"

"I think we're almost there, I can see downtown through the trees ahead! We'll get to where my mom is and she'll be able to get us out! Just, hang on, okay?"

"Come on, Byers," Mike squeezed him just a little tighter. "You're gonna have to try harder than this to get rid of me."

Will felt his chest tighten just a little at his words, in any other situation he'd be smiling and struggling not to swoon. Now he was running off fumes and in pure spite of the whole Upside Down.

He’d save that one for later, when he wasn’t on the verge of death. 

They bursted through the clearing, Wills feet making contact with the cracked asphalt of the dilapidated sight that was downtown. The sight of the gate was almost enough to bring tears to his eyes.

The sigh of relief that hit his neck told him Mike felt the exact same way, pushing him even more to get to the center of the town. They just had to make it to the gate, they'd get out of there and figure out the rest later. 

"What do you mean, it’s not dead?" Mike finally processed, his body stiffening against Wills back. 

"The Mind Flayer. I still feel him." Will narrowly avoided a vine. "Vecna's dead, he's not controlling anything anymore. I-I think the Hive Mind is losing control, targeting us at random. No one's controlling them anymore." He spoke quickly through panting breaths. "We need to get out now."

Mike’s body tensed against him. “Shit.”

“Yeah, shit.” Will bounced a little to adjust the boy on his back, tossing him a worried look. He did a double take when his eyes caught the sight behind them. 

His face paled, cold sweat prickling at his forehead as he skidded to a stop, his entire body freezing like stone. His horrified expression causing the other boy to follow his line of sight. 

Beyond the small stretch of woods that had yet to be demolished was a wasteland, barren and empty for all but one thing. 

The Mind Flayer stretched across the horizon, approaching slow, but steadily. Mike paled all the same. 

“Will.” He spoke distractedly, his hands shaking around his neck. “Will, we have to go. Come on, man, we’ve gotta go.”

Will swallowed, blinking hard once and twice before turning and bolting in the other direction, picking up speed like he hadn’t ever before. 

He wasn’t just running away for himself anymore, he had Mike to worry about now. He had to get them out of there. 

“Hold on, Mike!” He pressed himself further, cocking his gun as a growl hit his ears. Without hesitation, he fired a shot into the open mouth of a Demogorgon that lunged at them. 

Mike let out a gasp, gripping him tighter as his whole body shook. A strange protective feeling washed over him as he felt his face buried into his hair. He cocked his gun again, narrowing his eyes as he skidded into the towns center. 

The gate was just a few feet ahead, a third of its original size and quickly shrinking. 

Their time was running out. 

“Here,” Will set him down, letting the boy lean on him as they approached the gate. “You climb in first, okay? I’m right behind you.”

“What?” Mike gaped, his hands gripping at Will sleeves. “No way, no! We go together, Will!”

“Mike-”

Just a few more steps would have had them homeward bound, just a few more seconds and they would’ve been safe. 

But things never work out just how they should. How he wanted them to. 

The first thing he felt was the slick flesh slamming against him, then the sting on asphalt ripping his sleeves and arms, pebbles imbedding in his palms. 

The third was Mike screaming his name, pure terror filling his voice in a way he never wanted to hear. 

He cursed under his breath, using every bit of strength he had to push against the Demogorgon, just barely avoiding its wide open mouth. His arms shook, muscles aching from the overuse of carrying Mike and general exhaustion. 

“Go!! Mike, go!!” He cried, turning his head away from the slobber that fell from the monsters mouth. He knew this was the end. He wasn’t getting out of this one. Not when Mike could barely walk, not when the lighter was caught somewhere under his back and his gun stuck between himself and the Demogorgon. This was his end. 

But it wasn’t Mikes. 

Mike began stumbling over, away from the gate. He was yelling, his face horrorstruck. Will couldn’t understand his desperate cries, not with the growling in his ears. Not with the vines that were creeping up around his legs and torso. 

He never had a chance. 

“Mike, go!” He begged, his vision blurring as he struggled to hold the monster away from him. If it was focused on him, Mike would have time to escape. If he would only take the fucking chance. “I’m sorry, Mike! I’m sorry, but you have to go!”

“Will!!” 

He swung his head in the direction of his name, the voice not belonging to Mike this time. Before he could process just who was screaming for him, a scream filled the air and the weight was ripped off of him. The Demogorgon thrown across the growing wasteland. 

The vines shriveled, dying away before he could even process their grip. He sat up quickly, his head whipping in the direction of the scream before he felt himself being yanked up to his feet and pulled into someone’s arms. 

“El,” He breathed, his heart still racing as he pulled her in closer. 

“Oh my god,” She pulled away, her hands cupping his face. “Are you okay?”

“Y-Yeah,” He nodded, tears prickling in his eyes just the same as hers. “W-We have to go.”

She nodded, grabbing his wrist along with Mike’s, who had been making a beeline for them. 

“Will!!” He cried out, nearly collapsing in his arms. “Fuck, oh my god.”

“I’m okay,” He soothed, his voice wavering as he steadied the boy, practically dragging him to the gate. “Come on, we’ll go in together.” He said, the toe of his shoe stopping just at the edge of the rapidly shrinking gate. 

“Together.” Mike replied shakily, his hands gripped Wills arm as El lead them down, pulling them through the goopy exit. 

Upon emerging, both boys collapsed to the ground, pebbles from the asphalt digging into their sides as El climbed to her feet. 

She turned, raising her hand and the gate began fusing itself together. She collapsed among them, each hand gripping the boys shoulders. 

“You are never going on a walk again.” She breathed, her eyes brimming with tears. 

“Never.” Will pulled her in again, burying his face in his shoulder. “Thank you, thank you for coming for us.”

“I will always come back for you, Will. You’re my brother. My family. I love you.” She pulled away, a shaky smile on her face. “Thank you for not dying.”

“I love you too, El.”Will gave a shaky laugh, yanking her in again before he felt himself being pulled in by another pair of arms. 

“Oh, baby!” Joyce cried, pulling him into her chest before pulling away to look up at him. “Oh my god. Are you okay? Are you hurt?” Her hand pushing back his sweat damp hair, eyes sweeping over his bloody face. 

He looked over at Mike, who was currently being crushed by El now, the young girl quietly reprimanding him as he buried his face in her shoulder. Hopper standing beside them, shooting him a relieved smile he couldn’t help but return. 

“I’m okay,” He swallowed, looking down at her with a shaky smile. “I-I think it’s finally over. It’s over, mom.”

Joyce let out a sigh of relief, a smile pulling at her lips. “Let’s go home then, okay?”

“Please.” Will buried his face in her shoulder once again, breathing in deeply as his mom held him. 

The ground rumbled, the red sky clearing up around them, the spores landing delicately around them slowing to an ultimate stop. 

He sighed shakily against her shoulder, hoping to god that it was really over this time. For good. 

Chapter Text

The air felt warmer, sitting beside the now close fissure, not a single mark scaring the cold, black asphalt. The skies were clear and void of any spores, unlike before when the Upside Down was spilling into their reality. Will touched the back of his neck, relief spreading through his chest as he leaned into his sister. 

He was gone. The connection was severed. It hadn't felt that quiet since before he was taken, even in Lenora he had still felt a little on edge at times. Now he just felt like himself. 

"Will?"

He looked up to see Mike staring at him, his head tilted in unabashed concern. He didn't have to ask his question out loud, he could see it just from the look on his face. 

"I'm okay, I just want to go home." He said quietly, offering a tired smile. He felt almost as tired as when he first woke up after getting back the first time, when he had quite literally died and been brought back. 

"Steve radioed, he's driving to pick us up. You shouldn't be walking on that, kid." Hopper glanced down at Mikes ankle, the skin around it swollen and purple. Will winced. 

"I'm okay, we can go-"

"Mike," He put a hand on his shoulder, the boys brown eyes snapping to meet his own. "We have time, okay? We're safe. We can wait."

Mikes shoulders loosened a little, his eyes looking a bit glassy as he dropped his gaze. "Right, yeah. You're right."

Will gave him a shaky smile, squeezing his shoulder gently. "Hey, when we get back-"

"Will!!" Jonathan's voice carried through the streets as he emerged through one of the alleys, Nancy trailing behind him. 

"Mike!! Oh my god!" Nancy pushed past her boyfriend, dropping to the ground and pulling her brother into a tight hug. "God, are you okay? You're such an idiot! Why would you do that?! Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?"

Mike pulled in a shuddered breath. His voice was barely audible to Will, trembling slightly as he spoke. "I couldn't lose him again, Nance." 

From the corner of his eye, he saw her hug him tighter. 

"You're never going on a walk alone again." Jonathan said before Will felt himself being pulled into his own hug, the older boy squeezing him to his chest before pulling away to assess his face. "You're bleeding, are you okay?"

"Vecna threw me into a wall." Will snorted, reaching up to touch the now-dry blood. "And some of it is monster blood. Dads hunting trips were actually good for something."

"Go figure, you got all the talent of the family." Jonathan joked, his hands still squeezing his brothers shoulder. "Can you stand?"

"Yeah, yeah. Just tired." Will sighed, looking back over to Mike. He was surprised to see him already staring back, an unreadable expression on his face. 

"I get tired too." El said softly, her arm wrapping around his shoulder. He looked to see her giving him a knowing look, sadness evident on her face. "You need to rest, it helps."

His mom frowned, eyes flicking between them. "Baby? What... How'd you beat him?"

Will felt his eyes sting, swallowing as the words got stuck in his throat. Guilt sat heavy in his gut as he looked at the tired, worried look on his mothers face. Now he was bringing yet another burden into his family, another connection to the place that had taken so much from them, especially her. 

Before he could say anything, the screech of tires filled their ears. Will was surprised to see Steve behind the wheel of the Surfer Boy Pizza van. 

He must've clocked Wills confusion because he stuck his head out the window, a relieved grin on his face. "I was going to take a normal car, but these brats insisted they see you both right away."

On cue, the van doors flew open, Lucas and Dustin flinging themselves out and tumbling into both boys, yanking them together. 

"God, we were so worried." Dustin muttered into Wills shoulder. "Never do that again, okay?"

"Is it really over?" Lucas asked, his arm tightening around Mike and hand squeezing Wills shoulder. "El said she couldn't feel or see him? Did you really-? Is he gone?"

"He's gone." Will answered softly. "He can't hurt us anymore. It's over."

Lucas let out s strangled, burying his face between both of their shoulders. "God, I'm glad you're both okay. I love you guys, we love you."

"We do." Dustin choked out. "I'm still mad at you for scaring us like that."

Will let out a choked laugh, his eyes stinging even worse now. "We love you too."

He glanced over at Mike, who hugged them all silently. His eyes screwed shut as he pulled in a shuttered breath. He looked so far from okay, Will felt his heart shatter just a little. He remembered feeling like that when he got back the first time. 

"We should get back." Will pulled away, looking up at the other surrounding them. "Mike’s hurt, he should really get home to rest."

"You're hurt too." Mike argued, his voice choked up and just a little broken.

"We'll get you both situated, okay? It's past midnight and the hospital is still overrun, so we'll take you in for your ankle in the morning. For now, we'll wrap and rest it." Nancy pulled her brother up, letting him lean on her. "Steve's gonna drop the Byers at the cabin, Lucas at the hospital to see Max, and Dustin's staying with him and Robin. We'll go home."

"No. I wanna stay with Will." Mike planted his feet on the ground with a wince. "I'm not leaving him."

"The cabin is only big enough for three people." El spoke up, looking over at Joyce. "I don't want to share a bed with Will, he's a bed hog."

Will met her eyes as she gave him a knowing smile. "I'll be okay with them, mom. Jonathan'll be there."

"Okay," Joyce pulled him into another hug. "I'll be by in the morning, okay?"

"Okay." Will rested his head on her shoulder, breathing in the smell of her perfume and cigarette smoke. He hated smoking, but the scent brought a sense of comfort when it came to the woman. 

Hopper lead them all into the van, quiet chatter surrounding them as Steve began driving back to drop them all off. 

Before he knew it, Steve pulled up to the Wheeler household. After his mom and El crushed him in yet another hug (along with Jonathan who had to go get Argyle from the cabin), he pulled open the van door. Before he could climb out, Steve pulled him into a bone crushing hug. 

"I'm glad you're okay, Byers." He said quietly, pulling away to squeeze his shoulder. "I'm here if you need anything, okay?"

"Thanks, Steve." He replied softly, giving him as much of a smile he could muster before heading back towards the house. 

He thanked whatever high power that may be out there that no one was awake, letting them slip into the house wholly undetected. Nancy had dragged them towards the upstairs bathroom, moving to get out the first aid supplied before Mike, not too kindly, kicked her out. 

"We're fine. We can get fixed up ourselves." He looked at her, the siblings seemingly falling into some kind of staring contest before Nancy's gaze momentarily flicked to Will, a smirk pulling at her lips. 

"Okay," She shrugged, a knowing look aimed at her brother. "I'll leave you two...to it." She threw a quick wink in Wills direction before slipping out of the bathroom, shutting the door.

"That was weird." Will looked to his best friend, the other boy sporting big red splotches on his cheeks. Also weird. 

Mike ignored him, silently gathering all of the first aid supplies before grabbing Wills hand and pulled him out the door, limping all the way to his bedroom. 

"Mike, I don't want to get blood all over your carpet." Will frowned, standing beside his bed and looking up at him, confused. 

"I don't care." He gently pushed him down in the bed, setting down the kit beside him before limping out the door. 

"Hey, you shouldn't be walking on that." Will went to stand before Mile came back in with a wet washcloth in his hands, pushing him back down. 

"Sit, please." 

He didn't like it, but of course he listened. When has Will ever said no to Mike?

Mike sat beside him, his good ankle tucked underneath him as he faced the other boy, his face pinched in yet another unreadable expression, something Will found incredibly frustrating as he used to be able to read him so well. At least, he thought he could. 

He winced as Mike pressed the warm cloth to his forehead, a soft apology came whispered from his lips.

"I went crazy without you, you know?" Mike broke the silence. 

"Huh?" Will tilted his head up to meet his eyes, a confusion look gracing his face. 

"Yeah, uh, when you went missing. I lost it, I just... I couldn't handle knowing that you weren't right there with me. Like you always were. I couldn't just call you or show up at your house and see you safe and happy and..." He trailed off, his eyes becoming glassy as he spoke, the cloth in his hand dripping water onto the carpet. "Y-You talk about yourself like you don't matter. You act like no one loves you, but that's not true. God, do you even realize how loved you are, Will?"

Will stared at him, his mouth slightly agape as he struggled to find any words. "I'm sorry." 

"No, no. It's not your fault, it's mine. I got distracted and scared and I pushed you away because I thought that if I lost you again, I wouldn't make it. And somehow, I thought it would be easier that way. If I just made you hate me." Mikes lip trembled as he spoke, bringing the now-cold washcloth up again to wipe away more of the blood. 

"I don't hate you." Will grabbed his wrist gently, his eyes never once leaving Mikes, even as the boy tried to avoid his gaze. "I don't. I couldn't if I tried. And, Mike? I really don't wanna try."

"Then why would you do that?" Mikes voice broke, his eyes finally dropping to meet Wills. 

His stomach twisted at the sight of tears in his best friends eyes. He always hated seeing him cry. 

"Do what?" He asked, racking his brain to figure out what he did. Did he overstep? Did Mike realize what he really meant with the painting? Did he know how he felt?

"How could you ask me to leave without you? How could you — Will, I never would have left without you." Mike pulled him back in, his hands clenching and unclenching in his lap. "I could never just...just let you die. That wasn't fair. That wasn't fair, Will."

"Mike, I'm sorry, it was...it was a — I thought I was going to die and I just wanted you to make it out. You have to understand that."

"I thought you were going to die too." He said, his voice choked up. "I thought I was going to lose you again and there was nothing I could do. Nothing."

"Hey," Will grabbed his shoulders, looking in his eyes. "It's over, okay? It's over and I'm okay and you're okay. We're gonna be fine, alright?"

"I can't lose you again, Will. There's no me if there's no you. I need you, I-I..." He looked in Wills eyes, his breathing inching closer and closer to hyperventilation as he struggled to speak. 

"Mike, breathe." Will instructed, his eyes wide and panicked. "Just breathe. We're okay. Just talk to me, it's just me, Mike. It's just me."

"I'm in love with you." He blurted out, his eyes wide as if he hadn't meant to say what he did. 

Will swore his heart stopped for a moment, his lungs constricting painfully as he stared back into the obsidian eyes of his best friend. Sweat pooled in his palms as he tried to pull air back into his lungs. The looks Mike had given him flashed through his mind, wonder and amazement at what he could do. The powers he discovered, something he never wanted. Another connection to the place that haunted his every waking moment and every night in his sleep. 

It was the same look he gave El. 

He tore his eyes away from Mikes, settling on gazing down at his lap. He wanted to get up and leave. He wanted to scream, to cry, to break everything in that goddamn room. He felt his heart shatter for the millionth time in his life. 

It wasn't fair. 

"No, no." Will found his voice, though it wavered like a ship in a storm just moments from breaking. "Don't do that. Please, don't say that. You're being cruel, you're being — you're being mean, Mike."

"Will, what are you-" Mike stammered, confusion and hurt pooling in his eyes. "Mean? Will, how am I-"

"I will not be Els replacement, Mike. I won't be her placeholder until she's ready to be with you again. I won't be her stand in while you wait." Will pulled his gaze up from his lap to stare into Mike's eyes, determined and broken and so, so damn pained. "I won't be your second choice. Not when I've spent my whole life putting you first."

He pulled himself up, brushing past the other boy. A hand grabbed his wrist, turning him around. Will met his eyes, breath catching in his throat when tears shined back at him. 

"Is...is that what you really think? That I'm, what? Using you as some supplement for El?" The hurt look in his eyes made him feel nauseous. "You really think that low of me that I'd use you like that?"

"Mike, no, I-"

"Will, I love you." Mikes hand slid down his wrist, enveloping his hand in a gentle grip. "I love you today and I loved you yesterday. I loved you when I was ignoring you, wishing I didn't love you because I knew how much I was hurting you. I loved you when I hated myself and everyone else. I loved you when you were losing your mind with the Mind Flayer, and when you were missing in the Upside Down. I loved you when I thought you were dead." His voice broke, horse with tears as he pressed on.

"Will, I loved you from the moment I asked you to be my friend, when we were five years old on the swings. You aren't a stand in or a replacement or a placeholder or whatever awful thing you're thinking, you're...you're everything, Will. You're my number one, the one I've always wanted no matter how fucking scared I was of wanting you. Of how scared I still am."

Will felt the tears streaming down his face, both of his hands now clutched in Mike's as he gaped at the taller boy. 

"I'm in love with you." He repeated, his words but a broken whisper between them. "I always have been and I always will be."

"Mike-"

"Please don't hate me." Mike dropped his forehead onto his, his eyes screwed shut.

"I can't." Will swallowed, squeezing his eyes shut as he pulled away and shook his head. "I can't do that to you."

"Do what, Will? Love me back?" Mikes voice shook, his words coming out as broken whispers. 

"I can't let you love me." Will looked up at him, wrapping his arms around himself. His heart was shattering. "I can't let you throw your life away, Mike. There's no future with me. I'm broken and I have so much baggage. I sleep with a nightlight because I'm too scared to sleep in the dark. I wake up screaming and I freak out in the cold and I-I have a connection to the place that ruined our childhoods. Our lives."

"I don't care about that, Will! I've never cared about that! I care about you!" Mike argued, his eyebrows furrowed as he opened to mouthed to argue more before Will cut him off. 

"No! You don't understand, Mike! There's no future with me! We can't get married, we can't have kids or ever have a life together! You could have all of that if you just...if you stayed with El! You could be happy!" Will choked back a sob, tears falling faster than he could wipe them. "I'm not worth it, Mike. You deserve to be happy. People like me? We don't get happy endings."

"I don't love, El, Will!! I love you!!" Mike grabbed his shoulders. "I love you and I know you love me too, I don't care about kids or marriage or anything but you! I care about you! I want to be with you, Will, not El, not some other girl. You!"

"You'll care about it one day!"

"Then we'll get married where it counts! I already want to be with you forever, that's more than my parents ever wanted with each other! I'll get you a ring, I'll get you a million rings! I'll-I'll wear a suit and we'll have a wedding with everyone we love and we'll be together forever. I don't give a shit what the government says, we'll be married where it counts."

"Y-You don't know what you're talking about." Will avoided his gaze. "You've seen the news, Mike. What they say about...about people like me. I don't want that for you. You don't deserve that."

"Goddammit, Will! Stop doing that!" Mike snapped, his hands pulling at his hair in frustration. 

"Doing what? Being honest?" Will argued, wanting nothing more than to move on from this.

"Acting like you're not worth being loved!!"

"Maybe I'm not!!" Will cried, his knees buckling where he stood before he stumbled back to sit on the bed. "Maybe I'm just not." He repeated softer, his shaking hands moving to cover his face.

"That's bullshit." Mike grabbed his wrists, gentle but firm as he held them tightly. "You...You think that you're this, this burden on everyone. That everyone sees you as like, a chore or something, but that's not true. You're Will Fucking Byers! You've survived the Upside Down twice, possession, killed the fucker that tried to ruin all of our lives, and you're still the kindest, most selfless person I know. You're the best person I know." The boy shook his head, before continuing softly. "You deserve to be loved, Will. You deserve to have a happy ending and I believe you will. I believe that. And I want nothing more than to give you that, if you just let me."

Will stared at him, the boy before him blurry from the tears pooled in his eyes. "Mike..."

"I love you, Will." Mike dropped his wrists, moving to cup his face gently in his shaking hands. "And I swear to god, I'll say it every single day until you believe me."

Will ducked his head, resting their foreheads together, just breathing. His hands reaching up to grab Mikes wrists, holding them gently where they still cupped his own face. 

"I believe you." Will whispered, raising his gaze to meet Mikes. Both boys had matching tear streaks down their cheeks. "I believe you." He repeated even softer. 

Mike let out a shuddery sigh, pulling the boy in for a hug and just holding him to his chest. "I love you."

"I love you too, Mike." He said, muffled into his chest. Before he could process it, he was being yanked away by a wide eyed Mike, the boy now gripping his shoulders. "What? What's wrong?"

"Say it again." 

Will let out a disbelieving laugh. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Say it again." Mike repeated, his cheeks bright red from crying or — well. "Tell me you love me."

"I love you." Will hardly even got the words out before he was being pulled in again, his heart leaping out of his chest as he felt warm lips press against his own. 

Mike was kissing him. 

His lips were slightly chapped and his face was sticky from all the tears, he was sure his face wasn't any better as he still felt the dried blood on some parts of his face where Mike had abandoned his mission to clean it all off. He didn't mind, though, as it was impossible to mind anything when Mike pulled him even closer, sighing softly against his mouth. 

All too soon, he pulled away, still cupping Wills face as if he was the most precious thing in the world, and maybe to Mike, he was. 

"I should've said that so much sooner." Will breathed, resting their foreheads together. 

"Yeah, me too." Mike grinned, his face looking so much brighter now despite the tear track stains on his cheeks. He was glowing. "Now, I'm never gonna stop. I'm gonna say it forever. I'll say it so much, you'll get sick of it."

"Not possible." Will grinned back, leaning in to steal another kiss. "Forever, huh?"

"Forever." Mike echoed, his smile softening. "Until we're old and grey and losing our minds."

Will felt his heart flutter at the way Mike looked at him, his chest feeling so light for the first time in a long time. Maybe even the first time ever. "I really do love you, Mike."

He saw as Mikes breath hitched and bit back a smile, hit with just how endearing he found it. Just another thing to love about the boy who's had his heart since before he even knew what love was. 

"I love you too." Mike whispered softly before capturing his lips again, making Will feel as if his head was spinning. 

There was still so much to do and so much to heal from. So much to discuss and figure out regarding the collapse of the Upside Down, the death of Vecna, and his newfound powers. They sat heavy in the back of his mind, something he knew he’d have to deal with soon, but not right then. 

Now, as he sits with the love of his life, dirty and exhausted from the living hell they’d spend the last day enduring, he felt nothing short of happy.

It was over. They were safe. They were in love. And they were going to be okay.