Chapter Text
William Byers, there was a million words that could describe him. But it was still hardly enough.
He was average height for his age, but he still looked and felt small compared to everyone else. He was quiet. Too quiet. Almost mute, but he obtained quite a bit of knowledge.
A lot of kids called him a nerd, but he took pride in that. He'd rather be called something that compared him to being smart than something worse, way worse.
His favourite colour was clearly yellow. His backpack and shoes were a pale shade of it. Almost a cream kind of colour. Darkened with age.
His eyes were green, most of the time. They seemed to darken sometimes. Lose light.
His hair was- a different story. It was neat and well kept but, he needed a new hairdresser. He loved his mom and he loved that she cut his hair for him but- it wasn't going to work out anymore.
His brother left for college and, he will admit, being the only child was exhausting. He didn't realise just how much Jonathan had done for the small family.
But now it was all up to him.
He would have to stay up late at night incase lonnie made another random appearance in the middle of the night, trying to break in for a place to stay when things were bad with his girlfriend. He was easy to deal with though. All he had to do was turn him away.
But nothing could've prepared him for when his best friend had biked all the way to his house, in the rain, at 3am. And the reason for it was enough to make him pull him inside.
"Mike, what are you- wait- are you okay?" He was crying. It was odd for Mike to cry. He rarely ever did.
"Yeah- sorry. I know it's late but- I knew you'd be the only one awake.."
"What happened?" his voice was quiet. Soft. Mike would even call it adorable.
"My mom and dad- they're arguing- over me- cause I- I told them something dumb and I just.. I can't be there anymore.. I'm sorry.." the story just made Mike cry more. He wasn't just hurt or in pain. He was broken. Letting down his invisible shield to the only person he had ever really trusted.
"Oh- Mike.. come on" Will gently took Mikes arms, pulling him in and kicking the door shut. He wouldn't even give Mike time to breathe before he pulled him into a tight hug.
Will wasn't affectionate, Mike was. And Will would come out of his comfort zone for Mike whenever it was needed. And right now. It was really needed.
"What did you tell them?" It was barely a whisper, only just audible. The only other noise was the hum of fridge.
"I- you'd hate me.. it was enough to make them hate me and- I don't- I can't- I'm sorry" his voice was broken. The words barely came out. They were hard to understand. But Will understood perfectly.
Mikes eyes were focused on the floor. His head was pounding and his sight was foggy. Even if he had dared to pull his gaze from the maroon rug, he would barely be able to make sense of Wills features, both because of his foggy vision and the fact that the only light that was on was emitting from Wills room at the end of the hallway.
But Wills gaze was strong on Mike. And if Mike had looked up, looked at him, been able to see his friends face, the expression plastered on Wills face would just be enough to make him break even more. And neither of them wanted that.
Mike was soaked.
Will took it upon himself to help him remove his jacket, he wasn't in the right mind to do it himself.
He guided Mike to the bathroom, grabbing a towel along the way. He sat Mike on the side of the bath and begun drying his hair. Neither of them said anything. But now Mikes eyes were focused on Will. He could make sense of things again.
"Let's go to bed, okay? We can talk about this whenever your ready. I'll listen. I'll always listen. And I'd never hate you, for anything. I promise"
That made Mike smile. Not much but it was reassurance. Will could never hate him. He could tell him. Possibly. Maybe one day. But he was tired. And broken. And- numb. He felt numb.
Will would have to make that better in the morning.
Getting Mike to bed wasn't hard. He knew the way. He's walked through that hallway millions of times. In the dark. With his eyes closed. Backwards. Once, he even did it drunk.
Sleeping in Wills bed was new. Sleepovers weren't really a thing for them anymore. And even if they did, they would sleep in the living room so they could watch movies.
It was comfy. The mattress was soft. Possibly even foam. And the blanket was warm, just like how Will liked it. Enough space for them both to fit comfortably. Not too close to eachother to make it awkward, but not too far apart to feel eachothers warmth.
A light was left on. It didn't light up much of the room. But the glow lit their faces up. Illuminated them. They could see eachother. They could see eachothers expressions.
Mikes was a heart shattering expression. A mix of pain, fear and guilt.
Wills was calm, caring. And most of all, an invitation for Mike. For him to open up and spill all of his embarrassing secrets. Everything that he's ever thought or felt.
And he would do just that, but he knew that everything he had built. That they had built. It would all tumble. Shatter into a million pieces.
"Goodnight Mike"
"Goodnight" he smiled to the green eyed boy before he turned onto his back to try and sleep. Will stayed facing Mike. He wouldn't dare, not even a second, to take his eyes off of him. Because he feared that if he did, Mike might just disappear from his reach.
Neither of them felt tired anymore, but they didn't move or say anything. They silently decided that it might be best.
———————
The morning rolled around pretty quickly. Mike had fallen asleep, but Will couldn't. He used a lamp by his desk to draw. But now that the sun was up he could use the natural light. He thinks it compliments his work better than artificial light.
It was still pretty early in the morning, but Mike woke up. He sat up and rubbed his eyes, taking in his surroundings.
The walls were a pastel yellow. Film and music posters planted randomly on the walls. A tree, right outside the window. And a boy, sitting at a desk, drawing away. He smiled. Will looked so peaceful. And it was rare you got to see him draw first hand. That was something he liked to do alone.
"Do you want me to make breakfast?" Wills voice was quiet. Tired even. Mike paid it no mind.
"No. What are you drawing?" He moved next to Will, kneeling next to the desk. Will shrugged, "how can you not know?" A small laugh escaped.
"It's just a doodle, Mike" Will gave it to Mike, a smile plastered on his face, "take it"
Mike looked at it. There was way too much detail for it to be a doodle. And under further admiration of the soft lines, he realised that Will had been drawing him. Mikes cheeks flushed.
"I- is this- me?"
"Your easy to draw"
Mike looked at Will now, his cheeks virtually glowing, "you- have more?"
"O-oh uhm- y-yeah- but- I don't know- they aren't good-" Wills face flushed over. Mike would have no way of telling if it was embarrassment or not.
"Show me. Please" Mike lowered his voice, soft. Gentle. His Will voice. If Will didn't know better, he would swoon over it.
He pulled out a notepad from under his desk, hesitating before handing it over to Mike.
His expression was something Will could not read, Mike looked through the drawings. Feeling a whole new wave of emotions. They were all him. Will had a whole notebook of just him.
"It's- wow- they're really good" his smile was huge. His cheeks were red. This made Wills expression change, it went from a nervous wreck to a smile brighter than the sun in a matter of seconds.
"Thanks. You should keep them. For your folder"
"How-" there was no need to even finish that sentence.
"Dustin told me about it. Do you really have all of them?"
"Every single one"
It was true, Mike had a folder. Multiple folders. Of the drawings Will had given him over the years. From crayons with childish doodles, to fine pencil markings with matured shading. Skill hidden in the pages. But what Will had done, drawing Mike so effortlessly, that was new. It was better than any of his other work.
Maybe Mike was just easy to draw.
"Thank you. For keeping them. I would've thrown them" he chuckled and turned back to his desk. Now comes to think of it. None of Wills work was anywhere to be seen. Mike had all of it.
"Maybe we could- go look at them all? Together."
"Okay. How much is there, are we gonna make a day of it?"
Mike laughed now, Will just smiled, "maybe. There's loads. Not just one folder"
Will seemed shocked. Even he didn't realise how much he had drawn. His mouth was open, only slightly. But Mike couldn't help himself but think about how soft Wills lips would be-
'Wait- no- Mike. Don't do this to yourself. He'll hate you, remember? Just like your dad'
Will sensed a change in mood, "I'll go make breakfast" he touched Mikes hand before going to the kitchen, looking back at the other boy before leaving the room.
Mikes gaze never left where Will was sitting.
But it didn't take long for the phone to ring. For Joyce to pick up. And for a car to pull up in the driveway.
Great.
"Is he okay? I didn't even realise he was gone" Karen seemed panicked. She always cared. She'd always love him.
"He's fine. He's in Wills room" Joyce tried to calm her down. But the footsteps grew closer, and a soft knock was placed on the door.
'Go away, mom'
The door opened, "oh Micheal. I'm sorry" she hugged him.
"Please go.." it wasn't loud enough for him to hear. But she heard it. Of course she would.
"Micheal- come home. Me and your father- we all need to talk. Okay? Nancys coming home and we're all going to talk."
"Wh-why does she have to be a part of this?" His voice grew louder, sadder. Will appeared in the doorway, neither of them noticed.
"This isn't about- it's something else."
"I-is it because of your argument?"
"Yes"
"Then it is!" Tears were threatening to escape. What could Mike have said to cause a family meeting?
"Micheal- it's no-"
"It's my fault, mom! You argued because I like guys! Why should it matter to you?!" He wasn't yelling. But he wasn't being quiet about it either.
Mikes mom was going to respond, but was cut off by the sound of plates hitting the ground. Exploding into a thousand pieces. The breakfast Will had made was now all over the wooden floor.
They both looked at him. Panic set in on Mikes face. Shit.
"Will- just- I- shit!" Mike stood up quickly and tried to bolt for the door, but his mom had a grip on his arm.
"Micheal.."
"Let me go.. please"
She glanced between him and Will, "talk to him first, okay?"
Will couldn't move. He was shocked. Maybe if he just stood there, they wouldn't see him?
Mike shook his head, tears forming in his eyes. Threatening to pour down his face any second.
His parents knowing was one thing, but his best friend was a whole other.
"I'm going to Lucas' house" his voice was quiet. Empty. He didn't want to let his emotions out.
"Mike" it was barely a whisper. Will's hand reached out for Mikes shoulder. A small movement but enough to Make him look in wills direction.
A small expression appeared on Wills face. One that said that everything was okay.
"Talk to me when your ready. And if you want I can forget what I heard for now and act surprised when you tell me"
"But you- you already know.. I wasn't- I didn't want you to know" the tears fell, Will caught them.
"It's okay, Mike. I don't think any different of you. Why would I? Your my best friend" a soft smile emerged onto Wills face. And like always, Mike soon smiled too.
"You don't have to stay. And- you don't have to talk to me. But go home. Your mom obviously cares about you so much.. just go with her and come back whenever you need."
Mike hugged him, "okay"
When Will hugged back, Mike pulled him closer. He didn't want to let go. He didn't want to leave. He wanted to talk to Will.
Not his mom or dad. Just Will. But right now, they both had messes to clean up. So it was time to go.
Will took a hold of his hand and gave him a slight nod. Mike wasn't sure what he was trying to say, but right now he was too scared and embarrassed to ask.
Mike turned back to look at his mom, she took that as a sign that he was ready. She left and Mike followed, notebook in hand.
Will looked at the mess he had created on the floor and sighed. He should've walked away. He shouldn't have listened to their conversation.
———————
"So" the drive was quiet, too quiet. Karen didn't turn the radio on unless verbally asked. Mike was too busy looking through the notebook again, taking in all the small details, "him?"
"What?" He looked at his mom.
"Is he the boy you like?"
"No- no- well- I don't know.. maybe?" Mike was still confused over his feelings. He'd always hated opening up. But sometimes he needed help to understand himself.
"Your dad used to look at me the way he looks at you" Mike looked down at the notebook.
"What look?"
"Like he only ever wants to be around you for the rest of his life."
"He- he doesn't see me like that- we're just friends.."
"So you do like him?"
"Yeah.. and I hate myself for it.."
Karen pulled over the car, really quickly and turned to look at him, "no. Never do that. Never hate yourself for being in love. You don't get to chose when and who you fall for. Got that? If you like him then it's meant to be. Even if it's not forever."
Mike felt like crying again. But there weren't any tears left.
"He draws me- he just said I'm easy to draw but.. it could mean something- right?"
"Maybe. When you go back, maybe you could talk to him. I'm sure he wants to talk to you. Understand you" her hand rested on his cheek and she kissed his head. Mike took in a shaky breath.
"Dads leaving.. isn't he?"
"Micheal-"
"You took your ring off." he turned to look out of the window. Away from her.
She took that as Mike not wanting to talk anymore. She drove home, in silence. Mikes tears had finally decided to fall. He wasn't making any noise. He wasn't moving at all. He sat there, motionless, letting the tears he had bottled up all these years fall. He felt helpless. Guilty. He had torn his family apart.
When they got back he went straight to his room, Nancy was already home.
He heard them talking to her, but it didn't take long for that to turn into an argument and for Nancy to excuse herself to Mikes room.
She knocked, quietly. "Mike.. are you okay?"
'Leave me alone'
"Whatever's going on down there isn't your fault"
'Yes it is. Stop lying to me'
"They've been arguing like that for years"
'Shut up Nancy..'
"I'm staying all week if you need to talk.."
He didn't want to talk. He'll just mess everything up more.
He pushed his desc chair under the door handle before packing a bag with clothes. Maybe if he left everything would be okay.
He broke open the floorboard in his closet and took the money he had been saving up.
He slid his window open, taking one last look at his room. It hasn't changed much in years. He's never really been himself. He climbed out the window. His bikes still at Wills house.
He took in a deep breath. It was time for a new adventure. He took one last look at his lifelong home, before Making his way to Dustin's house. Lucas lived right next door so he didn't want to risk his parents finding him. Especially not straight away. That would just be more embarrassing then running away.
He got half way there before deciding that his house was probably risky too. He didn't want to go to hoppers cabin. The woods weren't a place Mike felt safe. So he decided that his best option was Max's trailer.
————-
"Micheal- open the door!" His mom was trying to get in. The chair wouldn't budge.