Chapter Text
Hazel colored eyes stared at the situation in front of him. His hometown. Split in pieces by the man , the monster that kidnapped him in 1983.
Next to him, Will felt Mike, the boy he knew since kindergarten. The boy that he fell in love with. The boy whose life began when Will wasn't in it anymore. Mike tensed up and Will thought for a second that Mike was going to hold his hand. But no. His dark brown eyes stayed focused on the catastrophe in front of them or the figure before them, Will wasn't sure which one was true.
The figure in front of them was El, his sister, the girl that saved him numerous times and probably the solution to this.
Probably. Definitely.
Who else than El would fix this ? Will and non existing powers. Yeah sure. He hasn't laughed like that in a while.
But in all seriousness. While everyone is going to be important for the solution, Will had a feeling that his role wasn't going to be a big or important one. His role is to support everyone else as best as he can.
And he is going to do that. Even though he isn't as important as others ,he is going to make sure no one else feels alone or left behind like he did; like he does.
He isn't even sure he is going to see the end of this fight. He couldn't explain it, if you asked him, it was just a gut feeling. But too often a gut feeling turned out to be correct. Especially his mothers'. He wasn't sure if he wanted it to be true or false.
The boy hopes that it is going to end happier than the last fight. Will isn't even sure if he means the fight against Billy and the Mindflayer or this one against Vecna.
Will somehow knew that the start of the end was starting. He somehow knew that after this there wasn't going to be more problems caused by the Upside Down.
But, was it because they were successful or because they were dead and the Upside Down won.
Will shivered at the thought, yet he was weirdly relieved.
" Okay let's go back" Hopper grunted and started walking towards his cabin. His mom and El quickly followed him. After a few seconds Jonanthan and Nancy quietly went after them.
Will felt dark brown eyes on him. He moved his head and made eye contact with Mike. He slightly nodded the direction the rest went and waited for him to move. A certain kind of frown painted on his face. A mix of worry, an ‘are you ok, you can talk to me, trust me’ kinda expression and if Will didn't know any better he would say love.
But he knows better. He learned his lesson. Roughly a year ago.
If Will would be the same boy a year or so ago, he would have thought that Mike's eyes were filled with this kind of mutual adoration.
But this Will knows better now. He knows that Mike was, is and will never like Will the same way as Will likes Mike. He knows that Mike loves El. He knows that the importance of their friendships disappeared for Mike. He knows that Mike's life started the day he wasn't in it.
A familiar feeling filled his neck. Goosebumps filled his neck but Will kept his hand down, not wanting Mike or anyone else's attention on his connection to the other side. Even though he realizes only Mike is still there, the rest was already too far ahead to even notice.
So he painted a small smile on his face, nodded at Mike and the two boys followed the rest towards the cabin.
Not knowing what is going to come for them.
Hopper and Joyce were already inside the cabin together with El. Jonathan and Nancy however stood in front of the house, waiting for their younger brothers.
Will was surprised to see the two of them very close together, but he soon realized they were in a deep discussion. Will hoped for a not so bad reason. He knew that Jonathan was hiding something from Nancy and that his brother got two acceptance letters for different colleges.
He noticed them by accident, but Jonathan doesn't know his younger brother knew. The younger boy is confused. He knows neither college was his dream college. NYU. That's where he always wanted to go.
But it apparently is in their blood to sacrifice something for someone they love.
His eyes drifted towards the taller boy in front of him and a knot formed in his stomach. Will quickly averted his eyes.
He said his words, poured out his whole heart and proceeded to sign it with a different name.
He doesn't deserve to feel bad or sad or disappointed or heartbroken about this. It was his choice to hide behind El's name. Mike and El deserve to be happy together without him ruining it.
The last four quickly join the others inside, with Joanthan and Nancy joining in on a seemingly important discussion between Hopper and his Mom.
Mike on the other hand seemed conflicted, like it seems he wants to stay beside Will, on the other hand he is staring at El, like they are having conversations in their heads.
Will goes back to the flipped sofa, softly shaking his head as Mike disappeared with El in her old room. Of course he didn’t want to stay beside him. Of course he would choose El over him.
And Will understands it. He does. It would just be nice to not have his heart ache every time he is reminded of what he can’t have. Of what he never can’t have.
With a deep sigh Will throws his head in his neck, closes his eyes and throws his arm above it.
He was tired. He was tired of the push and pull of El and Mike. He was tired due to their drive back to Hawkins. He was tired of being in hawkins. He was tired of the upside down coming back. He was tired of being alive, if he was completely honest.
With that in mind he fell into a light slumber without actually meaning to do so.
As Will opened his eyes again, he felt worse than before. Like the nap was the worst idea he ever had in his life. His head hurts a bit, but not a concerning amount. His throat was dry and needed some water. His neck also hurt due to his sleeping position. All in all he regretted the nap he didn’t even want to take a lot.
While rubbing his eyes he noticed that El and Mike joined the others in their discussion. The best thing to do would probably be to join the rest.
With that Will stood up, stretched his limbs and walked quietly to the others.
As he stepped closer, two pairs of eyes as well as two heads turned to him. Both had worry written across their faces. Both have familiar brown eyes. Both people who he used to tell everything, without it being forced.
Will meet their eyes with a small, tired smile. While Jonathan returned the smile and turned back to the conversation, Mike's eyes lingered on him.
The older boy feels his cheeks grow warm and he breaks eye contact. Will steps closer and Mike finally turners back towards the others.
"So to summaries. We will meet again tomorrow. With the rest of the party and talk more about what happened this week. I think we all need the rest of today to rest" finished Nancy the conversation.
The others nodded and Will felt a bit rushed. Did he really miss their whole discussion? Well it's not like he can change something now, but in the future he will hopefully be more helpful.
Nancy nodded to Joyce and Hopper. "El and Hopper will stay here. Mike and I will go back home. What is with the rest?" Nancy asked with her eyes staying on Joyce.
Apparently there is still some tension between her and Jonathan. Will looks to his brother, but he doesn't show any reaction.
"I am going to stay here, if that's alright with you two" Jocye answered, not really noticing the tension between her son and Nancy. But Jonathan didn't say anything and just nodded.
"We have the basement and a guest room for you two,if you want to stay with us?",Nancy suggested in a slightly nervous tone, towards the Byers brothers.
"If that's alright with you and your parents", Jonathan replied in a similar tone, but his eyes stayed on Will, silently asking if he is okay with this decision or if wants to stay in the cabin.
Will, unsure about if there really was any alternative, nodded.
El stared at him, with a pensive look, like she wants him to stay here, but how should he help her. He was just her stupid brother that is in love with her boyfriend.
She is probably just sad that he is leaving with Mike and Mike can’t stay with her there in the cabin. That’s it. Probably. Definitely.
Will send her an understanding half smile which she returned, the sadness still deep in her expression. This will probably won’t leave her for a while. At least it will stay with her until Max is back.
“Good, then I say, we leave now and all get the rest which we all definitely need after what happened and will happen.”
With that Nancy sent a nod to Hopper and Joyce as a farewell and softly squeezed El’s shoulder as she left the cabin. Mike follows after her, giving both adults a small nod as well, and Will expects a small kiss shared between the lovebirds but to his surprise Mike and El both don’t really look at each other as he exits the cabin.
“Well we both better go too, or they leave without us.” Jonathan bumped his shoulder lightly and together they go to follow the Wheeler siblings, but get stopped by their mother. She hugs them both tight. Just like they had when they met again, only hours ago.
“You two take care and behave at the Wheelers, okay” she said after a while, with a thigh smile.
‘Oh’ went to Will heads. Apparently his mother did notice the tension between everyone.
Jonathan sends her a tired smile and leaves the cabin with a nod.
As Will turns to follow the rest, his mother pulls him back in a thigh hug. That was something she did a lot after he first came back from the trip to the upside down.
“The second you don’t feel good, or anything, even the smallest thing, even if you don’t think it’s important, you say it, ok.You mention it to someone and we will fix this together. You aren’t alone in this. Promise me, you won’t do something stupid, okay” his mother whispered in his ear. Her soft voice filled with worry and love and tears. “I love you so much, okay, baby. No matter what, sweetheart. Don’t forget that”, she continued quietly as she began to dissolve the tight embrace.
Will only could nod. He didn’t trust his voice right now. A lump is filling his throat and tears gathered in his eyes. He missed his mom so much this past week. Even if she hovers and coddles him. Even if she forgot his birthday.
“Yeah, I promise,” he whispered in tearstained voice. With that he finally follows the rest outside and towards the Wheelers home.
Knowing he is going to break that promise to his mother sooner or later.