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It's very rare that anything can beat a view like this one. Bright, glittering stars that are too many to count in the endless sky surrounding them, joined by a silver full moon. The sight is breathtaking, one that people see and want to capture in art that doesn't come close to the real thing.
Tonight, however, the sky has met its match with Mike Wheeler. It seems to accept its defeat with grace as it shines down on the boy, making his skin glow with moonlight. His side profile is beautiful, his lashes, the line of his nose and his jawline all painting a picture of perfection that is Mike.
Just then, Mike turns his head and the most beautiful smile in the world works its way onto his face. It feels like everything else fades into the background when something so alluring presents itself right there, for it to be taken in completely. Mike Wheeler is stunning, and Will Byers is an absolute fool for him.
"Stop staring at me, you dork. Your face is gonna get stuck with that stupid grin," Mike jokes with a light slap to Will's shoulder. Will keeps the grin anyway, not following a single word the other had said. His skin buzzes under his shirt where Mike's hand had landed, warmth spreading around the area.
"Is that so bad? A small price to pay if it means seeing you, if you ask me," Will shoots back, satisfied when Mike gets that bashful smile on his face before he turns his head in an attempt to hide it away. Will knows exactly what he looks like even if he's not facing his direction so he doesn't protest it this once.
They've been doing this for a while now, sneaking away at night to spend time together under the blanket of stars above them. It's no easy featーJoyce Byers' ears are practically trained at this point for even the slightest disturbance and Will swears she has developed some sort of sixth sense when it came to him after everything they'd been through.
He'd been caught more than once getting out of bed, covering it up with going to the bathroom and then waiting for his mother to settle back into sleep again before setting off to meet up with Mike. He felt bad lying to her, especially after everything he'd already put her through.
Upon seeing Mike's figure waiting for him, though, all of the guilty thoughts disappeared from his mind completely to be swiftly replaced by thoughts of Mike instead. It didn't seem as hard for Mike to sneak out as it did for Will, the other always being there waiting by the time Will arrived.
Nobody else knows about their little rendezvous and they wanted it to stay that way. The endless teasing they would have to go through if any of their friends found out and inevitably told the rest of the party did not sound particularly fun. Their friends could no doubt go on forever despite being in their own relationships.
Besides, it was invigorating to have their own secret between them. It made Will feel closer to Mike (even though they were already very close in the first place) and it was something special for Willーsomething that he always looked forward to without fail. This was a place and time just for the two of them.
"Yeah yeah, just look up and be quiet would you," Mike mumbled, lowering himself until he was on his back. Will copied the action, his eyes finally meeting all of those little specs above them that spread as far as their eyes could see, highlighting the darkness behind them that was space.
Will didn't think Mike would like them as much as he learned he did, considering everything. Will had grown afraid of the night and of being alone after all of his experiences, and it had taken a lot to even start getting over the fear. He supposed, they were together so maybe that's why it was okay.
Will might not ever like the stars as much as Mike seemed to, but they did have fond memories like this night and so many others attached to them. The stars would forever remind him of Mike, how they made his eyes look like they were sparkling because of his gaze at them.
It was so, so cheesy that Will had never admitted it to Mikeーeven for the purpose of making him blush, but in his mind, the stars dotting the sky had even reminded him of the little freckles that covered Mike's cheeks and nose. Will could see them from here, even in the dark.
"I think this is going to be a problem, Mike. How am I ever supposed to find a view pretty enough to pay attention to when you come along?" Will asks, reaching for Mike's hand to lace their fingers together. It's a feeling he will never get enough of.
"Thinking of picking up poetry, are we? Isn't being an incredible artist enough for you?" Mike laughs, squeezing their joined hands. He's too cute and Will feels like his heart is going to overflow with affection. He could listen to that laugh all night if the two didn't have to go back home soon.
It's nothing too special. It's just laying there on the hard ground, not doing much but talking and being in each other's presence, but it feels like so much more. There's nothing like being with Mike, no matter what they're doing. Will's favorite person is right there and all his, if only for a few moments.
And Will definitely doesn't know anything about poetry. He can think up a terrific campaign when they play DnD, but he has no skill with literature outside of that. When Mike's around, his mouth just seems to work itself without a thought and a bunch of sap starts falling out. Who could blame him when Mike Wheeler is the subject?
Mike turns his head then, and leaves a little peck on Will's cheek that starts to turn red as he pulls away. He may usually be the one flustering Mike and loving it, but he had his own weaknesses too, which Mike loved using against him. Especially when he was at a disadvantageーlike he was trying to win an undeclared battle of who could embarrass the other more.
They were alone and it didn't matter anyway, but they always laughed as they fought over it before leaving. Well, Will was definitely not going to lose tonight when it was even more beautiful than usual, or at least Mike was. Though he supposes he feels that way every time he sees the other, feeling more and more fond as time goes on.
So Will turns over, too, staring straight at Mike whose smirk quickly fades when he sees how close they are. Will knows that Mike is weak to Will staring at him and the lack of distance will break him down even more. A little squeak comes out of Mike as Will puts his hand on the side of Mike's face, stroking it with his thumb. For good measure, he also tucks a little lock of hair behind his ear.
"Stop, oh my god, you're so embarrassing," Mike exclaims, rolling away from the other boy. Will smirks at his victory, satisfied at the reaction he got. Before he can even proclaim his win, though, Mike is suddenly back and he plants a quick but firm little kiss to the corner of his mouth before he moves to stand.
Will is left in a state of shock on the ground and he's sure his face must look pretty funny because Mike laughs loudly when he gets a look, and exclaims that he wins as he runs away, back towards his house. Will wants to protest that he can't just leave, giving him no chance to one up the action, but no sound comes out and he has to admit to himself that yeah, Mike wins this time.