Chapter Text
Summer break was supposed to be relaxing, right? It wasn't supposed to be full of late nights planning battle tactics, (possibly romantic) tension with your best friend, and constant stress about a multidimensional monster who was out to get you and your friends.
Before Vecna’s return, the Wheeler’s had a pool installed in their backyard which now happened to be occupied by a bunch of teenagers who were supposed to be battle training.
This afternoon was particularly humid compared to early in the week. Thankfully, the sun was setting but Mike still felt the slight sunburn that was dusting his cheeks burn from the warmth on his face. Even though he was right by a pool the heat felt sticky and thick. Similar to the tension between him and Will that past few weeks.
Mike glanced past Max in her red tank top, who was splashing a screaming Dustin in the face with heated pool water, toward Will. He was sitting on the edge of the pool with his legs half submerged in the water. Mike took in the way his face looked being bathed in the afternoon sun. The way his hair was grown out and slightly unruly. The t-shirt of Mike’s that hung loosely from his shorter frame. How his mesmerizing hazel eyes sparkled as he watched their friends splash around in the water. Will was always the most content with his friends. Especially Mike.
Even though it had taken many sleepless nights and tears over midnight conversations with Nancy, Mike had finally come to accept his love for Will Byers. These feelings had always been lurking just under his conscious understanding of this internal battle.
It never helped how most people hated anyone like Mike. Telling Nancy was best though, she was always the best.
Seeing how happy Will looked and his gorgeous smile was enough to make Mike’s stomach flip in this exhilarating new way. He had never felt this for anyone else. He always thought it was just something you felt for a best friend. That thought was rebuked after countless times Nancy explained her crushing on Jonathan.
Mike wanted to talk to Will. But, there was always something in the way or he never had the right words. Mike was so past the point of a simple crush. That's what made actually telling Will seem impossible.
The warm sun felt good against Mike’s back, which was mostly exposed due to his old tank top. It had become slightly cropped as he grew a good 6 inches since the last time Mike had worn it. The soft and familiar cotton felt comforting even as the anxiety of his situation set in.
“Mike?” “Is he still listening?” “I don't think so”
The last sentence from Dustin helped snap Mike out of his calculated planning. Max rolled her eyes as he turned to face them again, “Finally! Were you even listening to our sleeping arrangement plans?”
“I was,” Mike snapped back with more force than he would have liked. “Yeah right,” Dustin gave him a look that shot right into Mike’s thoughts. It was almost as if he had already figured out Mike’s definitely not obvious feelings for Will.
“We were saying how El and I would be staying at the cabin while the four of you stay at the Wheeler’s,” Max explained to an annoyed Mike. “Okay, we can work with that.” Will’s voice sounded exhausted at only 5 pm, which was unusual for him.
“Dustin and Lucas,” Mike alerted the pair who were trying to down each other in the turquoise water, “You too can take the basement while me and Will can take my room.” He only hoped the tangerine sunlight was enough to cover the heat rising in his face.
“Fine by me.” Lucas was a very “go with the flow” person so this didn't come as a shock to anyone whereas Dustin looked between the pair seated on the pool’s edge as if he was trying to figure out some huge secret. Just as Mike was afraid his soul might have been searched five times over, Dustin finally shrugged and said “Okay.” in the most mediocre way possible.
Mike looked to his left to find Will’s eyes now searching him too. This felt different from Dustin’s searching looks.
His warm, wide eyes went through varying emotions so quickly. It was hard to tell what Will was really thinking behind those loving looks that Mike refused to acknowledge as real.
It felt so desperate to love Will Byers. The nights Mike had spent overanalysing every glance and slight smile. The rush of heat if their fingers brushed or he saw Will looking at him.
Will always had this way of looking at Mike that had only ever been captured in a few childhood photos or comforting memories. It was always different for him then the rest of the party. Just as Mike had a special voice reserved for Will, this felt personal to Mike in a way that felt blissful.
With these realizations, it made Will’s “Alright!” seem daunting.
Just the thought of sharing a room with Will was enough to set every part of his body aflame.
The noise of Max and Dustin mercilessly splashing each other along with Lucas making a horrible impression of Steve trying to fight Vecna to explain it to El, couldn’t drown out all of Mike’s overwhelming spiraling all due to room arrangements