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"I swear to fucking god, Will. I'll turn this fucking car around. Shut the fuck up!!" Lonnie yells at his son who sits in the passenger seat.
It's strange, Lonnie had offered to drive Will to the party, though Will is pretty sure it was on the way to whatever bar he was planning on crawling out tonight.
Will swallows hard, "I said I was sorry," he says firmly.
Lonnie's grip tightens on the steering wheel, his knuckles white.
"You're damn right you're sorry," he snarls, his eyes never leaving the road ahead. "Can't believe I got a queer for a son. You know? When your mum had you, I thought you would make up for Jonathan's sorry ass but I guess not." His dad mumbles, taking a drag of his cigarette as he drives.
The car pulls up to the house, music thumping in the background, lights flashing through the windows. Lonnie throws the car into park, not bothering to hide his disgust as he turns to Will. "Find your own way home. Be back by lunch tomorrow or else your mum'll kill me." he says through gritted teeth.
Will nods quickly, his heart racing as he fumbles with the car door.
The moment Will jumps out the car, Lonnie's speeding off.
The cool air of the night hits Will's face, a stark contrast to the suffocating heat inside the car. He stands on the sidewalk, watching the taillights disappear into the distance, his heart hammering in his chest. He takes a deep breath, trying to compose himself before walking up to the house. The music is loud, the bass vibrating through the walls, and he can hear laughter spilling out onto the lawn. He tries to push aside the fear and anxiety, focusing instead on the excitement of seeing his friends.
Will doesn't get parties, or getting high for that matter. He gets low most of the time.
But he tries, for his family. For his friends. For Mike. For the life he thought he had lost.
As he approaches the door, it swings open, and a group of kids he recognizes from school stumble out, their faces flushed and their laughter raucous. They barely acknowledge him as they pass, too caught up in their own conversations. Will steps inside, the smell of alcohol and sweat immediately assaulting his nose. The living room is packed with bodies moving to the beat, and he feels a twinge of claustrophobia as he navigates through the crowd. He spots Mike, who's face lights up when he sees him.
"Will! You made it!" Mike shouts over the music, giving him a quick hug and then hands him a drink.
"Hey, yeah I am." Will says, accepting the drink gratefully.
Mike's eyes scan Will's face, noticing the paleness of his skin and the tightness around his eyes. He's seen that look before, the one that says Will's staying at his dad's this week.
"You okay?" Mike asks, his voice concerned as he leads Will to a quieter corner of the room.
Will nods, trying to force a smile, "Yeah, just had a... rough day."
Mike's eyes narrow, knowing that "rough day" is code for "another shitty night with Lonnie." He squeezes Will's shoulder, "You know you can talk to me, right?" he pauses, "I'm here for you man."
El interrupts them, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she makes her way over. She throws her arms around Will in a tight embrace, "I didn't think you were coming!" she exclaims, her voice piercing through the noise.
Will hugs her back, feeling a little less alone in the sea of strangers. "Yeah, I had to get outta the house," he says with a small smile.
El pulls away and attaches herself to Mike's side, giving him a, frankly strained and awkward on her behalf, kiss.
Will throws back the rest of the liquid in his cup, downing the drink in one go.
The burn of the alcohol does little to dull the sharp edge of jealousy that slices through him as he watches Mike and El together. It's a feeling he's grown accustomed to over the past years, but tonight it stings more than usual. 'I'll be there for you' yeah, Will thinks, but you've gotta make some room.
Will's happy for El though, he loves his sister more than he pities himself.
Will excuses himself, going to get another drink from the kitchen.
He pours himself a cup, avoiding eye contact with anyone as he tries to blend in. The music is deafening, the lights are strobing, and for a moment he feels like he's back in the woods, the police lights blaring.
But he's not.
He's at a party, Jennifer Hayes, to be exact.
Her parents are out of town, and she's thrown the biggest bash of the month. Will takes another deep breath, trying to convince himself that he can do this, that he can have fun like everyone else. He makes his way back to Mike and El, who are now sitting on the couch, engrossed in their own conversation. He feels like he's intruding, but he doesn't have anywhere else to go.
He sits himself down next to his sister, though that doesn't last long as " I Wanna Boi" by PWR BTTM starts to play over the speakers.
El, feeling the electricity of the beat, jumps up from the couch, her eyes wide and pleading.
"Come on, Will! I want to dance!"
Will nods and then hesitates for a moment as he catches Mike's eyes.
Mike shrugs, "I'm all good. I think I'll look for Dustin." He smiles at the brunette reassuringly.
Will mirrors the smile and then lets himself be dragged to the makeshift dance floor.
El throws her arms around her brother's neck and pulls him into a fast dance, her body moving with the music in a way that's so infectious he can't help but get caught up in it. They laugh and stumble together, the tension of the evening slowly melting away.
But as the song ends and changes to "Boy's don't cry" , El graciously lets go of Will to dance with Max who must of appeared at some point in the former song.
And that's when he sees him.
A boy, about Will's age, with messy brown hair and a smile that lights up the whole room, cuts through the crowd and makes a beeline for them. His eyes lock onto Will's, and the next thing Will knows, the boy's hand is in his, pulling him away from El and Max.
"Come on," the boy says with a grin that Will mirrors, tugging him gently. "Let's dance."
The room swirls around them as the music takes over, the strobe lights casting a pattern on the floor. Will feels the weight of the world slip off his shoulders as he lets go of his fears and worries, moving with the rhythm of the music. The boy's hand is warm and steady in his, and Will can't help but feel a spark of something he's never felt before. They move together, laughing and bumping into others as they dance, the alcohol finally working its magic to loosen him up.
The boy, adorably, puts their joint hands above Will's head to spin him.
Will's stomach flutters as he feels himself being spun, the lights playing tricks on his vision. But when he opens his eyes again, the boy is still there, smiling at him like he's the only person in the room. And maybe, just for this moment, he is.
"I love this song!" Will says, dancing to the beat.
The boy smiles wide, their bodies moving closely together.
"It's a classic," he says, leaning in closer so Will can hear him over the music.
"I'm Will." The brunette says bluntly, mind fuzzy from the alcohol. He still manages to keep up with the beat of the next song that comes on though.
The slightly taller, brown haired boy smiles.
"I'm Chance."
The music switches to some Dominic Fike song, and Chance doesn't miss a beat, pulling Will closer so their chests are almost touching. Will's heart races, not just from the exertion of dancing, but from the unfamiliar warmth of another person pressed against him. He can feel the thump of Chance’s heart, matching the tempo of the music.
"You're a really good dancer," Chance grins.
Will blushes, "Well I dance so fast, so you've gotta dance real fast." He teases.
Chance laughs, the sound resonating through Will's chest, "Fair enough, I guess I'll have to keep up."
"You're doing pretty well so far." Will flirts, spinning Chance this time.
The room is a blur of faces and colors, but Will's eyes are only on Chance. They laugh together, sharing a moment that feels so free from the darkness that has been shadowing Will's life for so long.
Their eyes lock, and for a moment, Will feels like he's floating, like the music has wrapped them in a bubble that's just for the two of them. The rest of the room fades away, and all he can see is Chance’s smile.
And then, as if on cue, Chance leans in, his eyes searching Will's for permission. Will's heart hammers in his chest, and for a brief moment, he thinks about pulling away, retreating back into his shell. But instead, he tilts his head up, closing the gap between them. Their lips meet in a kiss that's soft and short but god, Will wants more.
When Chance pulls back, he looks just as star struck as Will.
And then, somewhere between the dancing and drunken giggles, Will found himself being pushed into a mattress and kissed all over. Chance on top of him and it's hot, hot, hot.
Will had never felt anything like this before, the way Chance’s hands felt on his skin, the way his tongue danced with his own softly. It was like every nerve ending in his body was on fire, and he never wanted it to stop. They kissed with a passion that seemed to set the very air around them alight, their bodies moving in sync as if they had been doing this for years. Chance kissed him with eagerness but not persistence, leaving enough space for Will to stop him if he wanted to.
Chance is kissing down his neck and Will giggles at the feeling, then the brown haired boy is whispering in his ear.
"Come on sweetheart," he pauses, and chuckles airily. "Take em' off." He tugs at Will's jacket lightly.
So then he takes them off.
And then they take them off.
And then Mike walks in.
Oh Shit Mike walks in?
Will whips his head to the side, doing a double take which alerts the boy ontop of him.
Chance’s smile fades into one of confusion as he looks over Will's shoulder to see what had spooked him.
Mike's eyes widen in horror as he sees Chance on top of Will, their clothes askew and the intimate scene unfolding in front of him. His heart races and anger boils up inside of him. Without a second thought, he charges over, fists clenched and rage in his eyes.
"Get the fuck off him!" Mike roars, pulling Chance away from Will with a strength fueled by adrenaline and fear.
Chance stumbles back, his eyes wide with shock.
"What the hell, man?" he protests, his hands up in a defensive stance as he scrambles to pull his clothes on.
"Mike!" Will yells from the bed, pulling the comforter up to cover himself.
Mike doesn't hear him, his eyes only on Chance, who's still trying to get his pants back on.
"What the fuck are you doing to him?" Mike yells, the room spinning around him as he tries to process what he's seen.
Mike's voice is hoarse with rage, and he can feel his muscles tensing as he prepares to fight. His mind is racing, thinking of all the times he's been unable to protect Will.
Chance scoffs, confused. "We were having sex? Jesus if you're a homophobe you should just fuck off man. I mean, seriously-" The boy starts but Mike cuts him off.
"Get the fuck out!"
Chance looks at Will who looks just as distressed as he feels.
So, with his final words, "Call me, Will!" Chance leaves the room, closing the door behind him.
Will's eyes are wide, his cheeks flushed as he stares at Mike. He's torn between anger and embarrassment, the two emotions fighting for dominance.
"What the hell, Mike?" he whispers, his voice shaking.
Mike's eyes are still wild, his breathing heavy as he takes in the scene. The room feels too small, too suffocating, and Will wishes he could just disappear into the mattress beneath him.
"Are you okay?"
Mike's question hangs in the air, heavy with accusation and fear. Will's eyes dart around the room, avoiding Mike's gaze as he tries to pull his shirt back over his head. His hands are shaking, the fabric catching on his ears. He can feel the heat from Mike's rage, but he's too embarrassed to explain.
"You thought... what? That Chance was...?" Will stammers, his voice trailing off as he sits up properly, the comforter pooling around his waist.
Mike's jaw clenches, the room spinning around him. "I... I didn't know. You looked... I just..."
Will's eyes flash with anger, the humiliation burning through his chest. "You just what? Thought I was letting someone hurt me? That's what it looked like to you?"
Mike's face falls, realizing his mistake. He turns around, giving Will the privacy he needs to get dressed. "No, Will, I didn't mean it like that. I just saw you two and I... I didn't know what was happening."
Will scoffs, "Mike I thought that you, of all people, would understand how hard this has been for me."
Mike turns back around, his eyes pleading. "I do, Will. I swear. I just saw you guys and I thought-"
"You thought what, huh?" Will spits, doing up his belt with trembling hands. "That I'm bound to only ever be terrorised? Unwanted? Violated? Hurt? Jesus Christ you sound like my own head."
Mike's eyes widen, realizing the gravity of his assumption. He turns away, his shoulders dropping as he lets out a heavy sigh.
"Will, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I just..."
"Just what, Mike?" Will's voice is sharp, the betrayal and anger clear in his tone. He strides over to the door, pushing past Mike. "You just what? Thought of me as the kid who went missing for 2 weeks? The kid who let a monster terrorise him twice? A kid that let that monster hurt his friends?"
Mike's eyes follow Will, his heart sinking as he sees the hurt in his friend's eyes.
"Will, please, I didn't mean it like that," Mike says, his voice low and earnest. "You know I would never think of you like that. I just saw you with someone I don't know, and I didn't want... I don't know, I didn't want you to get hurt again. Not when I could have done something to stop it this time."
Will's eyes are wet, his voice thick with emotion.
"But you didn't even ask, Mike. You didn't even stop to think that maybe I was okay, that maybe I was happy for once."
Mike's throat tightens, his eyes welling up as he sees the pain in Will's expression.
"I'm sorry," he whispers. "I just... I care so much about you."
Will's anger fades a bit, and he sighs heavily, stepping closer to Mike. He wraps his arms around Mike's shoulders, burying his face in the crook of his neck. Mike's arms come around him in return, holding him tightly as Will's body shakes with sobs. They stand there for a long moment, the sound of the party downstairs a stark contrast to the raw emotion in the room.
Mike's heart breaks as he feels Will's pain, his own guilt mixing with the fear he had felt just moments ago. He runs his hand soothingly up and down Will's back, whispering,
"It's okay, Will. I'm sorry. I'll always be here for you."
Will's sobs are muffled against Mike's shirt, his breaths hitching as he clings to his friend. He's not sure how long they stand there, but it feels like an eternity. The party seems so far away now.
Finally, Will pulls back, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.
"I just...sorry for snapping at you," he says, his voice still shaky.
Mike nods, "It's okay, Will. I get it. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions."
With a heavy heart, Will nods and pulls away from Mike completely, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He knows Mike didn't mean to hurt him, but the pain was still fresh.
"I'm gonna go downstairs," he murmurs, avoiding eye contact as he heads for the door.
Mike nods, his own eyes brimming with regret. "Okay, I'll be down in a bit."
Will nods, unable to speak, and heads out the door, his thoughts racing. He makes his way down the stairs, the music and laughter growing louder with each step. The party is in full swing, and he feels like an outsider in his own skin. His heart is still hammering in his chest as he scans the room for Chance. He spots him in the corner, chatting with a group of friends, a beer in hand.
Pushing through the crowd, Will approaches Chance, his voice shaking as he taps the boy on the shoulder. "Hey," he says, trying to keep his voice steady. "Can you give me a ride home?"
Chance's eyes soften apologetically, "Shit sorry man, my friends are all passed out in the back of my van."
Will nods, understanding, "All good, sorry for bothering you."
But Chance grabs his arm, "Hold on, Will. Don't be like that. Give me five minutes to sort them out, okay?"
Chance hands Will his beer and leads them out the front door.
The cool night air is a stark contrast to the heat of the house. Will's heart is racing as he takes a deep breath, trying to calm down. He's never felt so exposed and vulnerable, especially not around Mike. He downs the rest of the beer, the bitter taste coating his mouth, and tries to push the memory of Mike's expression out of his mind.
Five minutes later, Chance reappears, his friends stumbling out of the van and into the house. He smiles warmly at Will, "You ready?"
Will nods, his emotions still raw. He climbs into the van, the cold leather against his skin a stark reminder of the reality of the situation. As Chance starts the engine, he turns to Will, his expression one of concern.
"You okay?" he asks gently.
Will nods again, his voice a mere whisper.
"Yeah, just had a... misunderstanding with a friend. Sorry about that by the way, he was just...." Will trails off but Chance catches what he's trying to say.
"It's all good, man," Chance reassures him, starting the engine of the van. "Everyone's got their own shit to deal with."
The van pulls away from the curb, the music from the party fading into the distance. Will stares out the window, watching the streetlights blur together as they drive through the quiet streets of Hawkins. The silence between them is heavy, filled with unspoken apologies and unasked questions.
"You know, my place isn't too far from here," Chance says, breaking the silence. "If you want, we could go there and talk. Or not talk, if that's what you need."
Will considers the offer for a moment, then nods.
"That would be nice," he says softly.