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Will stared at the ceiling, his eyes wide and his heart beating fast. He hadn’t been able to sleep for the past few nights, every time he closed his eyes, he was back in that horrible place. It was dark, with flashes of red light over the black clouds, the only thing keeping the small boy safe was a tent that he had made when he was smaller, Castle Byers.
Will took a breath and tried to close his eyes, ignoring the aching feeling. He needed sleep. His fever had been running high, this illness of his had been dragging him through the depths of hell. He felt his breathing quicken, nerves settling in as they usually did when it came to the subject of sleeping. He gulped and felt a sense of sleep come over him.
Wills eyes opened, seeing a cloud of black in front of him in the shape of a massive monster. He whimpered and turned around, running as fast as he possibly could to somewhere as safe as he could think of. Home was a long way, the police station was closer.
The young boy cried, hugging his knees as the sound of rumbling came closer to the police station. He was tired, unbearably tired. His eyes drooped, his body shaking and tensing from trying to keep him awake and stable. He sobbed.
Will awoke suddenly, gasping and springing up in his bed. He looked around quickly at his surroundings, taking in his drawings on the walls, the posters, and his desk with papers and crayons littering it. He sighed and put a hand on his head, suddenly becoming aware of the booming headache and sweat.
”Will?”
Will peaked out through his hand beside his bed, Mike Wheeler looking up at him from the floor with concern in his eyes. He had forgotten that Mike had come to stay with him.
”Did you have another nightmare?”
Mike asked, getting up from the floor and sitting down beside Will on his bed. Will sniffled and nodded, putting his hand down, refusing to look away from his legs. He didn’t want to face Mike with such a sad face, such a scaredy cat expression. His best friend frowned and put a hand on Wills hand.
”You wanna talk about it?”
He asked softly, his voice still slightly gone from just waking up. Will gulped and shook his head slowly, intertwining his hand with Mikes to make himself feel safer. He always felt safe with Mike around, no matter what.
Mike nodded and leaned over to grab a glass of water Wills mother, Joyce, had set there before they went to bed. He offered it to Will, slowly taking his hand away so the other boy could grab it with both his hands. While Will took a drink, Mike noticed that his hands were shaking, also noting that a stray tear had fallen from Wills eye.
”Hey, you’re not alone ok?”
Mike said sternly, wanting to make sure Will knew that was a fact. The youngest Byers boy nodded softly and set the glass that was now half full on his bedside table, looking back at Mike with his eyebrows furrowed. He felt like such a whimp for crying over some stupid nightmare. Mike seemed to sense it, but he knew telling Will that he was strong, or even brave was just going to make him sound like Joyce, and that was not something Will wanted to hear from anyone other than her, his brother, and maybe Bob.
”Mike…”
Will mumbled, his voice soft. He avoided his best friends gaze, looking down at his hands. Mike hummed, waiting for Will to continue, to which Will had already fallen embarrassed with what he was about to ask—it would be stupid, beyond stupid…but he needed it, he really needed to feel safe.
“Can you—can you lay up here with me?”
Will asked, gripping his blanket. Mike blinked and looked away for a moment, not that he didn’t want to, but he didn’t want to seem to eager to agree. Truth be told, Mike had wanted to ask if that was something Will wanted ever since he started sleeping over a few days ago–but he didn’t want to make the boy feel like he was somehow being viewed as weak.
Will quickly shook his head and opened his mouth to say a quick ‘nevermind’ but Mike stopped him, looking back at him with a gentle smile.
”Yeah, I will.”
Wills eyes widened for a moment. Mike didn’t give him time to say anything before he climbed up further on the bed and got under the covers, making sure not to bump into Wills legs with his own. Mike was glad they were both small enough to fit, seeing as it was a pretty small bed in itself. Will looked at Mike, his eyes swelling with tears.
Will couldn’t risk saying anything, he didn’t want the flood gates to open. He simply laid down, his eyes glued to the ceiling again like they had been earlier in the night. Mike followed along, lying down as well. They stayed silent for a moment before Mike turned and looked at Will while laying on his side.
”I’m just right here if you need me, ok?”
Mike said softly. Will nodded and looked over, taking a deep breath before turning over to his side as well. This all felt odd, but so right at the same time. Will hadn’t felt safer than right now, the only other time being when Joyce would come and lay with him for a while, holding him in her arms while whispering comforting words.
Will took a chance, leaning forward and putting his head closer to Mikes. Mike put his head on Wills, hesitantly putting an arm around the terrified boy.
”Mike?”
”Hm?”
Will closed his eyes, his worried face suddenly going limp and calm.
”Thank you.”
Mike smiled and nodded, watching Wills face while the boy gently stepped forward into a deep sleep. Mike closed his own eyes after a moment, comfortable and happy that he was able to help Will in such a way.
”Goodnight Will.”