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On a dark and cloudy day in Hawkins, Indiana, 1986. Will Byers is hanging out with his friends, Mike Wheeler, Lucas Sinclair, and Dustin Henderson. While in Mike’s basement, they sit spread out around the room, Mike and Will on the couch, and Dustin and Lucas in the chairs around it. Mike is leaning on the arm of the couch and yawning, while Will stares at him and sighs.
“What are we supposed to do? I don't know how we're gonna fix the whole Upside Down leaking into Hawkins thing, and Vecna could totally attack us at any moment,” Mike moans, putting his hands over his eyes and leaning back into the couch. Will touches the back of his neck as the hairs on it stand up straight.
“He won't for a while, I can feel he's still really injured. He's weak, but you're right, he's still there. Every day he's getting stronger, and it scares me,” Will explains. Mike suddenly sits up and looks at Will, concerned.
Mike reaches out and places his hand on Will's shoulder gently, replying, “It's ok. We won't let him hurt you… or anyone. El can protect us.”
Will smiles awkwardly at the mention of his sister, but puts his hand on top of Mike's in appreciation.
“Yeah, I'm not sure what we'll do, but Susie might be able to help us figure out a smart plan," Dustin suggests with a shrug.
“Seriously Dustin? Susie can't help us with everything you know," Lucas interjects, crossing his arms and sighing. "Sorry… I'm just upset about Max, it's not personal."
“We know Lucas, it's alright. Let's just try to find a distraction to pass the time,” Mike responds with a sympathetic smile.
Will abruptly asks, "Do you guys wanna play D&D?” Dustin facepalms, Lucas rolls his eyes, and Mike just looks down at the floor awkwardly.
Some time passes, Lucas and Dustin get picked up and taken home, only Mike and Will are left in the basement. Will is drawing at the table near the stairs, and Mike is laying on the couch. Mike slowly sits up and leans his head over to look at Will, scribbling away, his back facing Mike. I wonder what he's drawing , Mike thinks. He's so cute when he's drawing. His eyes widen at that thought. Um, that's not what I meant, I-uh. Mike swallows in hesitation. Eventually he stands up and walks over to Will.
“Hey, whatcha drawing?" He asks, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing much, just doodling some D&D stuff,” Will replies, not looking up at Mike.
"Cute- I mean cool,” Mike fumbles, looking away from Will in embarrassment. Oh God, why did I say that?! I'm so stupid! Mike internally freaks out as the brunette boy glances up at him with confusion, but shrugs it off. That's strange, Will thinks to himself, but it was probably nothing.
After Will gets driven back to Hopper’s cabin by Jonathan, Mike goes up to his room and lays down on his bed, just staring at the ceiling. What's wrong with me? He thinks. *Knock, knock* Mike sits up suddenly when he hears a knock at his door. Nancy opens the door and greets Mike.
“Hi, how are you doing?" She asks, walking over to Mike and sitting down next to him on his bed.
“I'm alright, I guess," he replies shyly, “It's just- I don't know… I think I should break up with El.”
“Oh, why's that?" Nancy tilts her head slightly, and looks Mike in the eyes. He blinks and looks away.
“It's not that she did anything wrong, she didn't, it's just- I don't think I really like her like that. You know? We were kids, and I don't know if I really wanted her to be my girlfriend for the right reasons," Mike explains.
Nancy questions, “What was the reason then?"
“I thought it was what I was supposed to do. I wanted to be normal. And Lucas was making me think that maybe I did like her, and I was worried about Will, and… I don't know,” he rambles.
“You wanted to be normal? That's pretty out of character for you,” she responds.
“I know, I know. I just- I didn't want to be even less normal than I already am,” Mike answers. “It's Will."
Nancy tilts her head again and raises an eyebrow, remarking, “Will?... Oh, Will. Did he tell you he likes you?”
Mike is taken aback and shouts, "What, no! What are you talking about?”
"Um, I don't know. What's the problem with Will then?” Nancy questions. Mike stares at the floor, but Nancy turns his head towards her gently and looks him in the eyes. "What is it, Mike?”
He starts tearing up as he mumbles, “I like him, I like him a lot, and I don't know what to do." Nancy pulls him close to her and hugs him, patting his head.
“Aw, it's ok, everything will be ok," she reassures.
At Hopper's cabin, Will and El are having their own conversation in El’s bedroom. They're sitting across from each other, cross-legged on her bed.
“I need to break up with him," El states, “We're just not good together. And I don't know if I actually love him in that way. I think we will be better as friends."
“Huh, that's fair. I'm sorry things didn't work out with you guys though," Will replies, reaching out and holding El's hand. He smiles sympathetically at her, and she smiles back. “Would you be mad if I said I like him?"
"You like like him?” she asks. Will takes a deep breath and nods. “No, I'm not mad." She smiles sweetly.
"Thank you, El,” Will responds, squeezing her hand gently and smiling.
Later that night, Mike is standing in the bathroom, staring at himself in the mirror. I need to change something, I need something different. He picks up a pair of scissors and cuts off a clump of hair. *Snip, snip, snip* He looks down at the counter and the floor, at the piles of fluffy, black hair, then back up at himself in the mirror. Yeah, I like this. Mike runs his hand through his new short hair and smiles. New hair, new me.
The next day, Mike and El meet at Hopper's cabin, talking in her bedroom. Mike walks around the room nervously, while El sits on her bed.
“Mike? Are you ok?" El asks, looking up at Mike.
“Yeah, there's just something I need to tell you," he replies, fidgeting with his hands.
“Oh, me too," El reveals. Mike sits down next to her, and takes a deep breath.
“We should break up," they both state. Mike starts chuckling slightly and El giggles.
“I hope we can still be friends," he adds. She nods, then hugs him softly.
“I'm glad we are friends," El says.
When Mike walks out of El’s room some time later, Will is there, sitting on the couch. They both look at each other with blank expressions, breathing synced up, silent. Wow, Will is so pretty, Mike thinks. Mike is really gorgeous, Will imagines. They stare for a few seconds, until Will breaks the silence.
“You cut your hair," he remarks.
Mike replies, “Yeah, I did. I guess I just needed a change."
"What did you and El talk about?” Will asks. Mike opens his mouth to speak, but hesitates.
“We broke up," he finally answers.
“What? Oh, I'm so sorry," Will responds, standing up and walking over to Mike. Now only standing a few inches apart, Mike looks down at the floor nervously, and Will gets fidgety. They both look back at each other, staring into each other's eyes.
“Why did you lie about the painting?" Mike questions, now looking serious.
"What? I-I…" Will stumbles, unable to answer. Mike tilts his head and raises his eyebrows slightly, waiting for a response. “You talked to El about it?" Will takes a deep breath and looks down at the ground shyly.
Mike replies, "Yes. She told me she didn't know anything about it. Why'd you lie and say she commissioned it?”
"I don't know, I was trying to make you feel better and help fix things between you.” Will responds.
"Really? That's why? Friends don't lie Will!” Mike shouts before eye rolling and walking away.
"Mike! I know, I didn't mean to!” Will calls after him. The black haired boy turns around and looks at Will.
"What do you mean? You can't just lie like that by accident. I don't understand, I'm going home.” Mike says, turning back around and walking out the door. Will slumps down onto the couch, holding his head in his hands. Why did I say that? I'm so stupid.
Later on, Mike is sitting in his room alone. I need to go apologize, he thinks to himself. At the same time, Will is biking to Mike's house to say sorry. Mike walks downstairs, and Will gets off his bike. The boys both walk to the front door and take a deep breath. They grab the door handle and open it, surprised to see the other staring back at them.
“Mike, I'm so sorry, I should've explained myself better-"
“I'm sorry Will, I shouldn't have gotten so mad at you when you were just trying to help-” They both smile and start laughing. Mike invites Will inside and they go up to his room. Mike closes the door.
“Will, I need to tell you something," he states.
Will replies, “Ok, I actually need to tell you something too.”
"Oh, you go first,” Mike responds.
"No, you mentioned it first,” Will insists. The boys stare into each other's eyes and breathe deeply.
Will starts, “I-"
"I'm gay!” Mike interrupts. Will's eyes widen.
“Oh. Wow… Me too,” he reveals. They stand silently for a few seconds, staring into each other's eyes.
Finally Mike says, “Really? I had no idea."
“Huh, it feels like everyone knows, I don't think I was very good at hiding it," Will replies.
“Yeah, but you know me, I'm clueless," Mike adds. They both laugh and blush, when suddenly Mike grabs Will's hands. “I like you, Will… a lot.”
"Wait, really? God, you have no idea how long I've been dreaming of hearing you say that,” Will whispers, tearing up a bit.
"You have no idea how long I've been wanting to say that. I truly love you,” Mike states, pulling Will into a hug and holding him close.
"I love you too," Will responds, tears running down his face. Mike starts crying and laughing as he pulls back from the hug and looks at Will. He glances down at his lips, and slowly leans in. Will leans in as well, and their lips touch. It's warm and soft, but passionate, and Mike pushes closer to Will with more force. The tension that's been building between them is finally released in this moment, holding each other and finally feeling their lips interlock.
They both pull away slowly, lingering in the kids as long as possible. They look into each other's eyes and smile, as Mike pulls a small folded piece of paper out of his shirt pocket.
“I never gave this to you, because I was too scared and embarrassed. But I guess I can now," he whispers, handing the letter to Will. He gently unfolds it and scans his eyes over each and every word. As he finishes reading, the words repeat in Will's head, “Love, Mike."
One day, Mike is at Lover's Lake, thinking about the state of Hawkins and the Upside Down. Will walks up to Mike by the lake and sits next to him, putting his arm around him.
“You know, Lover's Lake has never really had any lovers associated with it… until now,” Will remarks, smiling at Mike sweetly and kissing his cheek. Mike smiles back at Will and grabs his hand, standing up and pulling him excitedly to Reefer Rick’s abandoned house.
"I love being your lover. Now, let's go be crazy together,” Mike whispers.
"Yeah, crazy together,” Will replies as they walk through the door together and close it behind them.