Chapter Text
Mike was gay.
He was so so gay.
Oh god.
(20 minutes earlier)
Mike walked along the sidewalk, holding a cake box in one hand. Tonight was his sister Nancy’s birthday so he had gotten a cake on his mother’s orders. Now he was heading to a newly-opened local flower shop to get a bouquet.
The flower shop had opened about a week ago, a bunch of blue tulips and yellow daisies in bouquets by the windows and a deep purple signboard with the name ‘castle Byers’ on it. A little weird name-but unique.
Mike opened the door of the flower shop, little bells ringing to let the owner know he was there.
A man walked out- about Nancy’s age, brown chestnut hair and tired looking eyes. He acknowledges Mike, quickly putting on gloves.
“Hi, I’m Jonathan. How can I help you today?”
“Yeah, Hi. Uhm- may I ask for a bouquet? It’s my sisters birthday and I was hoping to get one for her.”
“Oh- bouquets are not my specialty, I’ll have to call in Will for this one. One minute please.”
Jonathan quickly disappears into a door behind the counter where he came from, shouting for someone called Will.
Mike looks around the shop, taking in the colorful flowers. The basket with the yellow daisies and the blue tulips catches his eyes. Mike walks toward them- one of his hands outstretched to touch it.
“I’m so sorry I took too long! How-how may I help you today?”
Mike whips around, a soft but deep voice pulling his attention.
Mike was so gay.
So so gay.
There was a boy in front of him- a very beautiful boy.
He had ruffled chestnut brown hair like Jonathan- but his looked so ethereal, the sunlight catching on stray strands.
Brown-no green? Hazel. He had large Hazel eyes. Doe eyes. They reminded Mike of oak trees with moss. Warm-but fresh.
He had a mole between his nose and mouth. How could a mole look pretty Mike didn’t know. But everything looked pretty about this boy.
“-um sir? Are you okay? I’m really really sorry about this I hope I didn’t bother you-“
“Mike! My- my names Mike. Pleasure to meet you. Um. Will? Is it?”
Mike blurts out quickly. He was being so embarrassing. Fuck. His could feel his cheeks getting red.
“Nice to meet you Mike! Yes I’m Will. Uh- you said something about a bouquet?”
Will said, blushing slightly.
“Yeah, i need a bouquet for my sisters birthday.”
“Sure! Do you have any particular flowers in mind?”
“Uhhhhhh- my sister really likes tulips? I guess? I was hoping you could help me pick some.”
“Of course! Do you want any particular flowers with meanings? Or I could recommend some popular bouquet combinations for you?”
“Maybe we could do some meaningful flowers? My sisters been through a lot this year. One of her best friends died.. and she’s been through some rough job interviews. I want this to be more meaningful to her.”
“Oh that’s unfortunate.. I hope she’s better now.”
“She’s doing better now. Thank you.”
“I could do some meanings like hope and love. Success too?”
“That would be wonderful.”
Will leads Mike toward a corner of the shop.
“These are some daffodils. They mean hope! We have some white, pink and yellow ones!”
He gestures, picking up a basket for Mike to see. Well, Mike was too busy staring at something else- Wills eyes. He snapped himself out of it, quickly averting his gaze.
“The white ones would be good thanks! Do you have anything on uh..love?“
“Love? Sure. We have some…purple tulips! Red roses too. The classic. Daisies are a good choice too!“
Will says, hurrying over to another corner of the shop- gesturing to a large variety of flowers.He
“The purple tulips would be nice actually.”
“Sure! Should I make the bouquet now, or do you want to pick some others too?”
“I think thats all. Thank you so much.”
Will scurries behind the counter too wrap the bouquet. After about 5 minutes, he hands Mike a beautiful bouquet.
“Holy shit. This is so beautiful!”
Mike exclaimed in awe, looking closely at the bouquet.
Will blushes at the compliment
“Th-thanks!”
“Oh- here my credit card.”
Mike quickly gives Will his credit card, practicing in his mind what to say next. ‘Can I give you my number-can I give you my number-can I give you my-‘
“Hey Will? Can I-“
Suddenly the shop door bursts open, a girl with short red hair stumbling through, out of breath.
“Hi! I was wondering if you could make a bouquet in 10 minutes? I’m really sorry- it’s just that I was going to gift one for my date and I forgot-and it’s almost time for our first date! Oh my god-“
Will quickly assures her, giving Mike a ‘sorry’ smile as he talks about the bouquet with the girl.
Mike slowly walks out of the flower shop, dejected and frustrated with himself.
‘You could’ve just asked him from the beginning, and no you just HAD to wait for the last moment did you? You stupid-“
Mike belittles himself, sadly walking to his family’s house.
💛💙
After one hour or so, the party was ready. Some of his friends that were close to Nancy like Lucas, Dustin and Max were there, along with Nancy’s ex Steve-they had broken up on good terms, still staying good friends. A lot of Nancy’s college friends had shown up too. A few minutes into the party, Nancy came up to Mike, pulling someone along with her.
“Jonathan?”
“You know Jonathan?”
Nancy asked, surprised.
“Yeah-he works at the flower shop.?”
“Why were you at a flower shop?”
“Well, I was going to give it to you after the party but I guess I’ll just give it to you now I guess.”
Mike takes out the little crumpled but still beautiful bouquet. He hands it to Nancy who looks incredulously at his present.
“Thanks Mike. It’s wonderful.”
Nancy smiles at him.
“Oh right-Mike, Jonathan. My …. boyfriend.”
Nancy smiles at Jonathan, who was standing awkwardly while the wheeler siblings had talked. He waves at Mike with a small smile.
“Nice to meet you properly Mike.”
“Oh congratulations! How-how did you guys meet? I thought Jonathan was new in town?”
“Jonathan goes to my college. We’ve known each other for some months now. But we’ve been dating only few weeks.”
Nancy and Jonathan smiles softly at each other.
“Jonathan has a brother the same age as you Mike. If you went to the flower shop you would’ve met him. Will? Was it?”
“Yeah. Will mostly manages the flower shop on his own- but I help him sometimes with the orders.”
Will was Jonathan’s brother. He could get Wills number through Jonathan. He could visit the flower shop under the cover of Jonathan being Nancy’s boyfriend- maybe-
“Oh hey-Will, this is Nancy and Mike. Mikes the guy from this morning.”
Oh shit.
There was Will standing in front of him. His hair was still a little ruffled-which Mike found cute as hell- and he smiled at Mike shyly.
“Hey Mike, nice to see you again.”
“H-hey! Sure- um. I-I have to go find..Max! Yeah Max. I’ll-i’ll find you later!”
Mike hurried off, face bright red. He had made a fool of himself in front of Will again. God damnit.
“Hey Wheeler. Why is your face-“
“Max, i need your help right NOW”
“Woah. Okay.. slow down a little. You. Asking for MY help?”
“It’s an emergency okay so please please please help me please.”
“Okay, okay. Calm down Wheeler.”
“There’s this boy that i met at the new flower shop and he fucking looks MAJESTIC and i got interrupted when i tried to give my number to him, and turns out he’s Nancy’s new boyfriends brother and I embarrassed myself in front of him again and i -“
“Another one of your gay panics Mike? Really? Just man up and ask him out on a date wheeler.”
“You know I can’t talk to boys. Normally. And I’m not sure if he even likes boys. Can you ask him. Please.”
“I can’t go up to a person and ask if he’s a boy kisser Mike.“
Suddenly, someone tapped Mikes shoulder.
It was Will.
“Uh..Hi Mike. I just wanted to check if you’re okay? You seemed kinda-“
“No! No, no. I was just uh- i have to go to the bathroom. I think I’m gonna throw up-i think i just ate something weird, no worries- just 5 minutes!”
Mike rambles and hurries off again, shooting Max a look as he disappeared into the crowd of people.
Now a exasperated Max and a little saddened Will was left alone.
“Did i make him uncomfortable..?”
“Nah. Mike gets flustered around pretty boys. It’s not your fault.“
Max notes Wills cheeks reddening, blushing.
“Hey are you straight?”
“Oh- no, no. I’m gay actually.”
Will says tentatively, as if scared Max would react badly.
“Oh cool. I’m bi.”
Max smiled at Will, offering her hand for him to shake.
“I’m Max by the way. I’m one of Mikes friends.”
“Cool. I’m Will. I work at the flower shop down the street.“
They talk about their hobbies, comic books and movies. Max seemed really interested in Wills drawings, and Will was fascinated with Max’s Skateboarding techniques.
Finally, Mike walked up to them, nervously.
“Hey you guys! Uh i got us drinks on my way back.”
He handed Will and Max each a cup of punch.
Before he started a conversation with Will however, Jonathan came up to them.
“Will it’s 10. Curfew, remember?”
“Oh-ok. Bye Mike, Max!”
Mike could only nod sadly as Will and Jonathan walked away.
“Wow. And just when I thought you couldn’t get more pathetic. You really are a disaster.”
Max snickered.
“Cheer up Wheeler. Your Wills gay. At least you’ve got a chance.”
“Really?! Oh fuck yeah!”
Mike brightened up in an instant, whooping.
“Just make a move dude.”
“I know, I know. I’m gonna ask Nancy to ask Jonathan for Wills number.”
“Okay I guess. And if it doesn’t work out.. I can just adopt him as a new best friend. He is a little too good for you.”
“Shut up Max. I swear I will get that date.”
💙💛
MIKE
-Hi! It’s Mike from Nancy’s party
-and the flower shop
WILL
-Hi Mike!
-I’m glad that you asked for my number first
-I couldn’t get the chance to ask for your number..
MIKE
-you were gonna ask me for my number?
-I mean
-it’s fine of course
-it’s just
-I was acting kinda weird earlier
-sorry if i made you uncomfortable btw
WILL
-no no it’s okay
-I was nervous too
-I’m new in town so I don’t have that many friends
-I was too nervous to think that much about it lol
MIKE
-You can hang with my group
-there’s max
-theres Dustin too
-he’s a total nerd
-there’s maxs bf Lucas too
WILL
-oh i wouldn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable
MIKE
-Nah
-everyone’s really outgoing so
-we are watching a movie tomorrow
-wanna come?
WILL
-sure
💙💛
MIKE
-hey guys
-so
-about the movie
-I might’ve invited a friend
LUCAS
-you don’t have friends
-who did you invute
-*invite
MAX
-is it will
-cause that would be fuckin hilarious
DUSTIN
-who’s will
-does mike have a boy crush again
MAX
-remember nances bf
-wills his bro
-and mike is so pathetic in front of him
-honestly it’s worse then I’ve ever seen
-and I was there when he crushed over that IT actor who played Eddie.
MIKE
-okay
-i may have a slight crush
-but he’s gay so
-don’t crush my dreams
-and even if it doesn’t work out
-wills pretty cool
MAX
-yea
-he seemed kind
-might have to warn him about how pathetic wheeler is tho
MIKE
-shutup
-anyway
-y’all are fine w it r?
DUSTIN
-Kay ig
-do you think he likes dnd
MAX
-oh yeah
-he like draws tons of that
-he is srsly so talented too
LUCAS
-cool
-he seems fun
-so movie tomorrow at 7?
MIKE
-yep
DUSTIN
-can we watch at 9?
-Suzie and I always have scheduled FaceTimes at 8
-you know that
MAX
-9 then
LUCAS
-k
MIKE
-sure
💙💛
After confirming the time with Will, Mike lied on his bed, too nervous to speak.
It’s not a big deal- he kept reminding himself. It’s not even a date. It’s just hanging out.
Mike had had A LOT of crushes on people. He had this girl he liked for a whole year when he was 11, a boy he liked at 13- who unfortunately turned out to be a homophobe, and some small crushes and attraction over the 4 years until now. But this was his FIRST time actually talking to them and hanging out with them. Pathetic, he knows. God, if he messed this up- he’s just gonna give up on love.
Even though his thoughts were spiraling and a million bad scenarios running through his head, sleep lulled over him and he was out.
💛💙
Note- yes this was marinating in my notions for like 4 months. I REALLY REALLY like Byler and I just wanted write a cute fanfic of them for fun. Btw don’t worry, I’m adding El in some later chapters.
I originally wanted this to be just a cute oneshot and not a multi-chapter story but I’m getting a little bit invested in it.
If I made any grammar mistakes- sorry English is not my mother language.
If you found this entertaining feel free to write any comments about how you liked it or give me any ideas on upcoming chapters.