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The gang were all piled around the table for Thanksgiving in 2004. It was the last Thanksgiving the party would share before becoming parents. Mike and Will had a baby on the way, and Suzie just announced her pregnancy.
“Congrats,” El squeezed her hand.
Suzie swallowed her mash potatoes, smiling. “We’ve been trying for a while. But, we wanted to keep it a secret until we knew for sure.”
“How far are you?” Mike asked.
“Ten weeks,” Dustin answered for his wife. “It’s gonna be twins.”
The room erupted into cheers, laughter and confusion.
“Hell, yeah,” Lucas patted Dustin’s back.
“You guys are going to be great parents,” Will told them.
“Just don’t let the babies anywhere near Max,” Mike added.
Max imitated one of Mike’s offended gasps. “Whatever do you mean, Training Wheels? I am so pleasant.”
“I’m still not over the birthday present you got Will in 1988,” Mike crossed his arms.
Suzie looked at them with confusion. “What did she get you?”
Will sighed. He knew rehashing the story would upset Mike. But, Suzie wanted to know. And, hey, Mike would still be pissed after he dies. So, what’s the harm?
-
“You have to open mine, now,” Max handed Will a bag.
He had received really nice gifts from everyone. New paint brushes from El, a new sketchbook from Dustin. Mike took him on a romantic date the night before. Lucas got him new D&D dice.
He was actually rather scared to open Max’s gift. In the year she had been living with the Wheelers, she pulled relentless pranks on Mike. Which also meant Will was getting pranked by association. She managed to put itching powder in Mike’s bed one night. Mike got so mad at her because Will ended up with a rash that sent him to the ER.
Another time, she put hair dye in Mike’s shampoo. His hair was green for six weeks. It took a lot of affirmation and reassurance from Will for Mike to know he still loved him.
Will rolled his eyes when he opened the bag. He pulled out a T-shirt, refusing to show the group.
“What does it say?” Dustin asked.
Will shook his head. “It’s nothing.”
Max laughed. “It’s hilarious. Come on. Show us!”
But, Mike beat him to it. He instantly started crying when he read it.
“What?” Lucas looked worried.
Will turned the shirt around, with a sigh. It read: Slut for ugly boys.
“What the hell, Max?” Will yelled. “You have to stop bullying him.”
“It was funny,” She defended.
“It is not,” Will fought back, wrapping his arms around Mike and pulled him into his lap. “Hey, I love you so much. I think you’re the most beautiful person in the entire world.”
Mike only cried harder.
“Baby, please stop crying,” Will kissed his head. “It’s just a novelty shirt. You are not ugly.”
Across the room, there was a faint whisper from Max, “I thought El said ‘friends don’t lie?’”
Unfortunately, Mike heard her. His tears were making his neck itch at this point.
“Really, Max?” Will glared at her, before turning his attention back to Mike. “Don’t listen to her.”
El was trying to hold back her laughter. So was Dustin. Lucas was honestly pissed at Max, because he knew Mike would be crying for a while.
Will kissed Mike’s temple. “Can you stop crying? It’s a shirt, Mike. You know how beautiful you are to me. I’m so insanely attracted to you, it’s not even funny. You’re so cute.”
Mike looked over to Dustin. “Dustin, am I cute?”
“You know I don’t like boys,” Dustin shrugged.
“But you think Will’s hot!” Mike argued.
“Everyone thinks Will’s hot,” Dustin defended.
Mike turned to Lucas. “Lucas?”
Lucas laughed. “Yeah, Will’s hot.”
Mike shook his head. “No, am I cute?”
Lucas shrugged. “Sorry, Mike. You’re not my type. But you aren’t ugly.”
Then, El chimed in. “That’s saying something, since he likes boys.”
Mike just cried harder.
“You guys are no help!” Will growled. “Michael, look at me.”
And, who was he to resist? He looked up lovingly at Will, tears still falling down his cheeks.
“I am so in love with you,” Will said, honestly. “You are absolutely perfect. There’s no one else in the entire world who could make me feel the way you do. You are the definition of what I find attractive, okay?”
Mike nodded. “Okay. Promise?”
Will chuckled. “I promise,” he said, poking out his lips.
Mike met him halfway for a quick kiss. He instantly felt better. Kissing Will always made him feel better.
-
“I can totally see Max doing that,” Suzie breathed. “Like, I can hear the entire conversation in my head.”
“God, you’re such a bitch,” Mike said to Max.
She winked at him. “Will still has that shirt in your closet,” she told him.
Mike gulped. “N-no he doesn’t.”
Will facepalmed himself. “Really, Mayfield? Why would you say that?”
“You really still have it?” Mike started to cry. “So, you really think I’m ugly?’
Vigorously, Will shook his head. “I do not still have that shirt, and you are perfect.”
“I saw that shirt in the laundry last week,” El pointed out.
Mike’s eyes widened.
Will annoyingly got up out of his chair and stomped to their bedroom. He returned with the shirt, and turned it around. Instead of saying ‘slut for ugly boys,’ ugly boys was crossed out and it now said, ‘slut for Mike Wheeler.’
Mike beamed at Will. “Babe, when did you change it?”
Will smiled, sitting back down next to his husband. “The day after Max gave it to me. I only wear it on laundry day.”
Mike kissed Will hard. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Will kissed him again.
“I mean, you are kind of a slut for me,” Mike winked.
Will pinched his ear, earning giggles from everyone at the table.
“OW!” He loudly exclaimed.
“Be quiet, and eat your turkey,” Will scolded. “And, do not make a joke about stuffing anything. I will break up with you.”
Mike nodded. “Yes, Sir.”