Chapter Text
"What should we put here?"
“Hmm… Another trap.”
“ Another one? Seriously? Mike, you're sadistic.”
“I'm not sadistic! We just can't go so easy on them!”
“Maybe we should? We almost lost a player last session because of how many giant wasps you added! Our first session, Mike!”
“Fine, fine… Okay, how about a new non-player character.”
“Why not. What are you thinking?”
Mike got a sly look on his face. “How about… A paladin and a cleric, who block the path ‘cause they're too busy kissing —”
“ Mike Wheeler—”
Will pushed Mike's face away playfully, and the two shared a laugh. The boys had been preparing a map of a labyrinth for their new D&D campaign, one that the two of them hosted together with some new and old friends. They laid across Mike’s bed on their stomachs, leaning against one another as they giggled at Mike’s bad joke.
“I don't know about that one,” Will said. Although, his smile swiftly faded into a more forlorn look. “No. We can't. We can't add that.”
Mike looked at his boyfriend with soft concern. “Hey, Will… I was totally joking. We don't have to put anything in the game that you don't want.”
Will sighed. “I know. Thanks. It's just… that'd actually be funny, if only everybody knew, y'know.”
“Yeah. Yeah, I know.” Mike grasped Will’s hand.
The pair hadn't come out about their relationship to many others. Their closest friends knew—Lucas, Dustin, Max, El—but their new ones certainly didn't. And everybody who did know had to swear not to tell anybody for any reason. Will hated that. He hated keeping such a huge part of him secret from the world, all because the world hated one form of love. It was nothing short of despicable.
The two shared a moment of silence. Mike squeezed Will's hand lightly. He often did this to show he cared, when words wouldn't cut it.
“One day, I think we can tell them,” Mike began. “I guess, at some point, whether we like it or not, we're gonna have to tell a lot of people about this. Not just our D&D group. Our extended family, future coworkers, all that. And I guess not everybody's gonna like it, but that's just life.” Mike used the hand that wasn't holding Will’s to run his fingers through his boyfriend's hair. Will looked at him.
“It doesn't matter what people think. Nothing and no one is ever gonna make me stop loving you, Will. Cause I really, really love you.”
Will smiled, tears welling up in his eyes. “Thank you, Mike. I needed that. I love you too.”
Mike sat up and motioned for a hug, which Will gladly accepted.
“But, you know, I feel like the D&D gang would be cool with it, honestly. They're nerds. Nerds are pretty notoriously gay,” Mike added. “I mean, like… think about it. Nicole totally likes girls. She asked if she could seduce the evil sorceress last session as soon as we introduced her.”
That made Will laugh. “Okay, okay… good point.
Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Mrs. Wheeler stepped halfway through the door. “I hate to interrupt, but Joyce wants Will home to help with dinner. She just called.”
“Aww, really? Just five more minutes?” Mike felt like he was a kid again, begging for more time during his old playdates with Will all those years ago.
“I don't think Joyce has five extra minutes. Plus, it's going to get dark soon, and I don't think she'll like you biking home after sunset, Will.”
“Right,” Will replied. “I guess I should go.”
Mrs. Wheeler smiled and left the room. Will got up and packed up everything he had brought over, swinging his green tote bag over his shoulder.
“Stay safe, Will. Let's plan some more tomorrow.”
“Yeah, maybe tomorrow we'll actually do more planning than kissing, huh?”
“No promises.”
Will smiled, and gave Mike a quick kiss. “Alright, fair. See you tomorrow.”