Chapter Text
“Wheeler.” Mike is honestly impressed he doesn’t flinch. That much. But he knew this was coming. There was no way Hopper was going to let him get away with dating his son without some light threats. Especially considering Mike’s… history of dating his children. He can’t even blame him, the memories of his behaviour that summer with El have kept him up enough nights groaning from embarrassment for him to admit that the Chief’s mild disdain for him is far from unwarranted. But they were kids. Really, really stupid kids. And this is…
He glances over at Will, who’s rolling his eyes but fighting to keep a grin off his face, sunlight streaming down from his bedroom window creating a halo around him. Yeah, this is different. A very good different.
Hopper coughs pointedly and Mike sheepishly pulls his eyes away from his boyfriend. “Yes, Chief?”
“Come take a walk with me.”
Mike doesn’t bother arguing, only exchanging an ‘Are you gonna help me?’ look with Will. He’s wearing his usual angelic expression, but his eyes are shining with mirth. ‘You’re on you’re own.’ Betrayal. But he squeezes his hand before pushing him toward the door, so Mike can cope.
“Hopper, please bring my boyfriend back in one piece,” Will calls.
Hearing Will call him his boyfriend still makes butterflies rush to his stomach even now. He doesn’t know if it will ever stop honestly, this feeling of pure disbelief that he and Will are finally, finally, together. That he somehow had done something to deserve Will’s heart. He’s still floating on air enough that even the chief’s completely straight-faced reply of “No promises,” as he gestures to Mike to lead them out of the house doesn’t wipe the lovesick grin off his face.
The late December air leaves Mike wishing he’d grabbed his jacket, but he couldn’t imagine this would take too long. At least it shouldn’t if it’s anything like the last time Hopper lectured him. Though Mike would like to think they’ve both matured a fair bit since then. Hopper is less controlling, especially with Will. Though he absolutely treats him like his own, everyone knows Joyce is still calling the shots for her boys when necessary. He also hopes Hopper can see that Mike isn’t the bratty 14-year-old he once was.
“No sick grandma this time?” he jokes, hoping to relieve the tension that has built in their silent trudging through the forest. Hopper huffs, but Mike can tell he’s smiling.
“Do you really want to start this by reminding me of that day Wheeler?”
“I mean you haven’t locked me in your truck this time so I figure we’re already at a better start.” At that Hopper actually laughs.
“Fair enough,” he turns to Mike, an unreadable look on his face. “No one is locking anyone into this conversation kid.” Mike looks back, analysing him. His boyfriend’s stepfather. Someone he’d gained a grudging respect for somewhere in the war zone of the past few years. Someone who’s going to be in his life for a long time if either of them has anything to say about it.
“I know.”
They keep walking.
Eventually, they reach a fallen tree, Hopper dusting off some dirt and taking a seat. After a moment of hesitation, Mike does the same.
“So, you’ve made this a bit of a habit Wheeler,” he starts, finally getting to the point. “Dating my kids.”
“They’re great kids,” Mike counters, and Hopper nods.
“They are. They’re also sensitive kids. The world hasn’t been kind to them. Even more than the rest of us.”
“I know.”
“You haven’t been kind to them sometimes,” Mike inhales sharply, eyes glued to his feet, but doesn’t argue. “I won’t even pretend to understand this whole love triangle you had going on, but I know you were at the centre of a lot of drama these past few years.” Hopper’s tone is shockingly calm, but his words still sting with their truth. At the end of the day, all his problems with Will and El had one thing in common. Mike.
“I know I hurt them both. But especially Will. I mean, I think we can both see El is way better off not dating me,” Hopper nods with a small chuckle, whole-heartedly agreeing. “But Will is…” he trails off. How could any words in the English language possibly explain his relationship with Will? Over a decade of history, the best and worst moments of his life. Someone he’d lost countless times but who he’d always managed to find again. Someone who knew the parts of him no one else has ever seen. The love of his life.
“Will is?” Hopper pushes, still gentle.
“He’s my best friend,” Mike says carefully, trying to articulate the storm in his brain and the butterflies in his heart. “I think that’s what it all comes down to. He was my best friend before anything else, and that’s what will always come first. We know each other better than anyone. Better than ourselves, especially the last few years,” he swallows the lump in his throat, determined not to cry. Hopper pretends not to notice.
“So you know how to hurt each other better than anyone else too?” he concludes.
“Exactly. And with all the shit I was figuring out about myself, plus the whole end of the world thing, Will got caught in the cross-fire. And El, but I think she’d already figured both of us out by then, so she was ok.”
“But Will wasn’t?”
“No, not for a while,” Mike looks up at the trees, the fading light hopefully hiding the tears gathering in his eyes. “He knew who he was, but he still wasn’t ok.” And neither was I goes unspoken but he thinks Hopper hears him anyway.
“But he’s ok now?” Hopper asks, more serious than he’s been the whole conversation. Mike thinks back to an hour ago, laying next to Will on his bed. He was drawing something with one hand, the other gently carding through Mike’s hair, laughing brightly whenever Mike managed to distract him from his sketchbook. But even when Mike couldn’t draw his attention away, he was happy to just watch. The careful furrow of his brow, the delicate way his fingers danced across the page, and the lack of tension in his shoulders, finally gone after years of constantly being on guard.
“Yeah. I think he really is,” Mike smiles. “We both are.” Hopper studies him, then nods, seemingly satisfied.
“Ok, you’re good.”
“I’m good?”
“You have my blessing to date my son,” Mike scoffs, but Hopper cuts him off. “I’m not saying you were asking for it. Or that you need it, Will can date whoever he wants. But I’m giving it to you anyway.” Mike is shocked into silence, but the question is still clear. Why?
“You make him happy, kid. I don’t think I can ask for much more than that,” he stands up, dusting himself off and allowing Mike a moment to wipe the tears that have finally fallen.
“Well, he makes me the happiest so,” Mike shrugs as they begin to head back to the house. “It’s the least I can do.” Hopper smiles, ruffling Mike’s hair causing him to squawk and twist away.
“Alright, let’s prove to Will I didn’t just hide your body in the woods.” Mike only laughs.
“As if, he’d be too upset, you’d never do it. Besides, that was barely a shovel talk. You’re growing soft on me old man. I might even start thinking you actually like me,” his laughter only increases as Hopper grumbles, pushing ahead of him.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves Wheeler,” he calls back, equally teasing. “And don’t think you’re actually getting off that easy. I just figured my other kids had the real shovel talk covered.” At that Mike’s step falters for half a second because, oh god, Hop’s right. Jonathan and El are a thousand times scarier than Hopper could ever be. He is so screwed.
Hopper is still laughing at his expense when he finally deposits him back at Will’s door, who perks up noticing their return.
“No one died?” he smiles warmly, instantly turning Mike’s heart into a gooey mess that his expression must reflect, because Hopper glances at him and lets out an exasperated sigh, muttering “Not yet,” as he turns to go. Mike immediately goes to return to his boyfriend’s side, before Hopper gets his attention one last time.
“Wheeler.”
“Three inches Hop, I know,” Mike deadpans, rolling his eyes at Will. Hopper pauses, seemingly having an internal debate, before coming to an answer that appears to physically pain him.
“No, you’re 17. You can shut the door.”
“What!?” Mike and Will whip their heads around in almost comical unison.
“Well apparently Nancy was already sleeping over half the time at your age,” Mike gags at this, “so I don’t see why the rules should be any different for you two.”
“Really?” Will asks tentatively, unable to believe it but already grinning.
“Really. But you will only get one knock’s notice before I walk in and frankly Wheeler I’ve already seen you making out with my children enough to scar for life so please don’t let it happen again.” Mike winces, quickly nodding. “Also if that door is ever locked we’re back to fully open at all times, do I make myself clear?”
“Of course.” “Yes Chief.”
“Good. Dinner in 30 minutes, I assume you’re staying Mike?” Mike glances at Will questioning, before turning back.
“If I can, yeah.”
“You’re always welcome here sweetie, don’t be silly!” Joyce suddenly appears, walking past and patting Hopper on the cheek. “Now leave them alone, I think you’ve scared them enough for one evening.”
“He’s not scary Mrs Byers, don’t worry!” Mike calls back grinning, earning a glare from Hopper.
“I know! But he is coming to help me in the kitchen.” Joyce responds, laughing. Hopper sighs but turns to leave without complaint. Mike suddenly darts out into the hallway before he’s gone.
“Hop?”
“Yeah, kid?”
“Thanks.” That stops Hopper in his tracks.
“For what?” he asks, looking like he expects a trap.
“For wanting to protect your kids. Even if it’s from me,” Mike jokes, but his sincerity is obvious.
“Do you love my son?” Hopper asks. Mike blinks but doesn’t hesitate.
“I do. So much.” Hopper nods, smiling at Mike. He smiles in return, then heads back to Will’s room, closing the door behind him.
“All good?” Will asks as Mike finally snuggles back into him, sketchbook finally abandoned at his side.
“All good,” Mike affirms, gently brushing Will’s hair out of his face, before leaning in and kissing him soundly. Will hums against his lips appreciatively, arms wrapping around Mike’s neck but not bothering to deepen the kiss. They have time.
And a closed door.