Chapter Text
1. The Basement
It's bright this morning, the sun is shining, and Mike Wheeler is trying not to panic. He's 16 years old, he shouldn't have to worry about this type of thing, but here he is, worrying about how to kiss his boyfriend for the first time. He groans loudly and grips his hair in his hands as he thinks it over. He's been going out with Will for 1 month already, after carefully dancing around each other for what seems like years, they should've kissed by now, at least Mike thinks so.
Mike feels like he's gonna go crazy if he keeps thinking about this, but it's hard not to, just look at Will! Mike still can't believe that he managed to confess his feelings to Will, but here they are, 1 month later! Mike groans again and rubs his face with his hands before removing himself from his bed, it's getting close to the time he told the party to come over for their almost routine hangouts. He lazily slides out of bed and rustles through his clothes before pulling on jeans, a t-shirt, and sliding on his converse before heading into the bathroom to finish getting ready.
A quick glance at the clock on his way downstairs shows 10:23AM, nearly time for everyone to start showing up. Mike is in the kitchen, making some toast, when there's a knock on the door, soon revealing Lucas. They say their hello's and a quick hug before going back to the kitchen together and getting food while they wait for everyone else. "You live right by me and yet you wait until you're in my house to eat, unbelievable." Mike says sarcastically, taking a seat at the island while Lucas grins and nods his head. "Uh, obviously? Food that's not yours is always the best, didn't you know?"
Mike just shakes his head and huffs out a chuckle. Their breakfast goes by quickly with small talk and soon enough, another set of knocking is heard. Mike goes to get it while Lucas cleans up. At the door is the rest of the party, Dustin, Will, Max, and El. They all pile in the house in a chatter of greetings and hugs, Will being the last one inside. He stops in front of Mike and smiles up brightly, cheeks glowing faintly as he brings his arms out for a hug which Mike gladly reciprocates, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of Will's head. All of Mike's overwhelming thoughts about pulling Will close to him and just leaning down, bringing their faces close until their lips molded together are gonna have to be happy with that, for now.
Mike pulls back slightly, not wanting to let go just yet, and grins back at Will. "Hi." Will's smile hasn't left his face, his cheeks are colored a light pink now. "Hi."
It feels almost impossible for them to look away from each other, still wrapped up in each others arms, but all of the loud talking and laughter coming from the living room breaks them out of the near trance like state. They make their way into the living room, where everyone had settled and Dustin was talking about the new Nightmare On Elm Street that had come out.
El was clearly not a fan, stating that it was too scary. "I don't see how you guys like those movies, they're so gruesome." She cringes slightly, shaking her head as she sits behind Max and starts to braid her hair. Dustin pipes in almost instantly, "Um, because it's awesome? Freddy Krueger is a horrible person, yeah, but you have to admit.. he's kind of awesome. Invading people's dreams and killing them? That's so cool!" Max deadpans at Dustin, rolling her eyes sarcastically. "Yeah, murdering innocent people is so awesome, I see what you mean, Dustin." Dustin throws up his middle finger jokingly before turning to Mike and Will, who have just been standing there watching with matching looks of amusement on their faces.
"What about you guys? What do you think about the movie?" Moving in closer to the rest of the group, Mike sits on the couch with Will following shortly after. "Uh, I'm not sure, I haven't seen it yet." Will shakes his head, "I haven't had time to watch it, either." Dustin groans, "Seriously? Am I the only one that's seen it? Lucas?" Lucas shakes his head as well, "Sorry, man, I haven't either, my mom won't let me go to the movies after I failed my last test. I'm sure it was good though!"
El giggles at the look on Dustin's face, "None of you are my friends, I don't even know who you are anymore." He sighs dramatically, "I bet Steve has seen it."
Everyone moves on quickly after that, instead talking about starting the new DND campaign that Mike had spent all month creating. Mike perked up at that, "I think it's gonna be the best one yet! It took me forever to get it right." Everyone lets out noises of excitement and soon enough, they were all in the basement. Dustin and Lucas were setting up the chairs and the table, cursing Mike for not doing it before everyone arrived, but Mike just stuttered and a blush rose on his cheeks. He is not about to admit to fantasizing about kissing his boyfriend for the first time, so he just flips them off and makes the excuse of waking up late, which is a huge lie because he could barely sleep with all of his thoughts of Will invading his mind.
The game is set up quickly, but before they could sit down, Max brings up food and drinks, stating that they won't have to pause the campaign halfway through to get some. Dustin volunteers to go shopping for it, and Max and El invite themselves with him. With that settled, it's just Lucas, Mike, and Will.
Mike is seated on the couch with Will and Lucas is looking over the game. "What kind of stuff is in it this time?" Lucas asks, briefly turning his head towards Mike. Mike just shakes his head, "Nope, not telling, you're not getting any spoilers this time." Lucas blows a raspberry at him before glancing around, "Oh, shit, I forgot my notebook at my house, I'll be right back, guys." Lucas rushes out the back door and suddenly all Mike can think about is how he can feel the heat radiating off of Will's body, aware of how close they are on the couch. Mike clears his throat and twists so he's facing Will, admiring his features silently before Will turns as well. "How have your art pieces been going?" Mike asks, he's always loved Will's art, if his basement walls and the giant binder under the couch were saying anything.
Will smiles, happy to share his progress. "It's been good, I finished my landscape one yesterday, it's just been drying. The one of all of us as our DND characters is turning out okay, I'm a little intimidated if I'm being honest, but I think it'll turn out great!" Will grins, his eyes are shining as he talks, Mike could get lost in them so easily. "I'm glad, I can't wait to see it, I better be the first one!" Mike states, finger pointing into Will's chest. Will giggles and nods, "Of course, you'll be the first to know, promise." He speaks softly, holding out a pinky for Mike to link his own with. "You're always the first to know. I'll make sure to bring it next time, or if you want to come over to my place." Mike nods happily and links his pinky with Will's, kissing his thumb before pushing it forward. He watches Will kiss his own thumb and then press it to Mike's, sealing their promise.
Will brings his hand back, but doesn't move far, grabbing Mike's other hand to slide their fingers together. He rests their linked hands on his knee, and watches his thumb rub small circles into the side of Mike's hand. Mike's breath catches slightly as he looks over Will's face, still somehow in disbelief that this boy is his. He wants so badly to just lean forward and close to small distance between them, his eyes drift down and watch as Will sticks his tongue out slightly to wet his lips, mouth opening to say something, but pausing. Mike can't help but flick his eyes up again when he notices the hesitation, meeting Will's hazel eyes, slightly wide in surprise. Mike is confused at first, not sure what the problem was, before he realizes that Will just caught him staring blatantly at his lips. Mike clears his throat again and glances away before looking back, suddenly unable to make eye contact for longer than a second. "Um, what-uh-what were you saying?" His voice cracks slightly and he cringes internally. Will smiles briefly, eyes flicking between Mike's, almost like he was trying to read deep into his mind. Mike manages to keep eye contact, repeating 'it's just Will, it's just Will.' in his head, it's nothing to be worried about.
Will scoots closer, just barely, their knees were already almost touching but the full contact is something that Will is searching for. Will's eyes flicker down, so fast that Mike would've missed it if he wasn't already looking so intensely. Now it's Mike's turn to feel shocked, 'does Will want this too? He wants to kiss me?' Squeezing Mike's hands gently, Will brings his other hand up to push back a stray black curl that was sticking out, tucking it behind Mike's ear before gently placing his hand on Mike's cheek. Will could feel the heat coming off of his face and can't help the shy smile that creeps its way on his face. "Mike.." He speaks softly, suddenly aware of how quiet it is in the basement, worried that if he speaks too loud, it'll break the spell that was cast between them.
Mike barely responds, a small questioning hum is all that escapes his lips, too focused on the feeling of Will. Will's hands holding him so gently, his body heat, his breath gently hitting Mike's face, his eyes boring into his very soul, leaving him feeling open and vulnerable, so willing, so trusting.
Will can't seem to speak either, voice caught in his throat as he glances back and forth between Mike's eyes and his lips, "I.. I'm-" Mike finds himself nodding, he has no idea why, but it seems to be the right thing to do, because Will is swallowing nervously and then his face is inching closer. Mike inhales sharply, reaching up with his free hand to place it softly on Will's cheek, mirroring each others position. He leans forward as well, their eyes falling shut as the distance between them grows smaller and smaller.
Their noses bump gently into each other.
An embarrassed yet giddy laugh escapes them both, and they open their eyes again to figure out the angle, but they don't pull away, keeping the small distance between them.
"Sorry-"
"Sorry-"
They both chuckle, cheeks burning in embarrassment now at the whispered apologies. Mike tilts his head to the right, just slightly, and watches as Will does the same before they're immediately leaning in again, the awkwardness dissipating quickly as their eyes fall shut and they can feel each others breaths on their lips, shaky and excited.
Their lips barely graze each other before the sound of loud footsteps can be heard from the top of the basement stairs. They jolt away, both at the feeling of almost kissing and also in fear that someone might see them. Eye wide and breaths uneven, they soon see Lucas running down the stairs with a notebook in hand. "I found it, finally! The little shit was hidden under my bed for some reason."