Work Text:
Mike and Will sat in a small boat in the middle of Lovers Lake. The goal was to isolate Will from Vecna while the rest worked a plan to take him down. Will sat opposite of Mike, gazing out over the starlit reflection on the lake. He had his headphones and walkman on, just to be safe.
‘Darling you got to let me know’
Mike hears the song faintly, and he finds himself smiling softly.
‘Should I stay or should I go?’
The song itself had become a sort of anchor and comfort for Mike as well, ever since it saved Will. He remembers how terrified he was - how terrified they all were as Will slowly lifted into the air. When Vecna got him for the first time since he returned to Hawkins.
Mike dismisses this thought. He didn't want to ponder on the past, when Will now sat in front of him. And they were alone. In the middle of lovers lake.
He recalls his face burning slightly at the implication. When he was told to go there with Will, of all places. But he did understand, it was a very remote location. Enough for the time being. It's just a place. It didn't mean anything. Not like he wanted it to mean anything.
Mike had been feeling off lately- for a long time, if he's being honest. So much has happened. The Byers had moved into their house since they had nowhere else to go.
Well that was a lie, they could have stayed with the Hendersons or Sinclairs or.. anyone. But Mike and Nancy had insisted on the Byers staying with them. Their families were already so close anyway. Nancy and Jonathan were somehow allowed to share a room. And since then, Mike and Will share a room.
It shouldn't have felt any different than those times they had sleepovers for days in a row as kids, but it did. It was probably because they were growing up, getting older, more mature. Mike would like to think that it has nothing to do with how his heart beats rapidly when Will is near, or that pang in his chest whenever Will is hurt or upset.
Normal best friend stuff, right?
Sometimes they took shifts in who got the bed and who got the floor. When they were younger they could sleep in the same bed just fine. But something had shifted. In Mike’s mind, at least. That's how he ended up being the one with Will on this mission. It was pretty embarrassing how he practically begged to be the one to go with him, how he swore he could keep Will safe. Mike winces at how that all probably sounded to everyone else. But honestly it didn’t matter, because he was the one across from Will right now, protecting him in a way.
Mike looks over at Will now, finally coming back to the moment after being in his own head for too long. He did that a lot recently too.
“How do you feel?” Mike asks quietly, but not so quiet that Will wouldn’t hear him over the song. He's supposed to be keeping track of if and when Will feels any connections to Vecna. But hopefully, they wouldn’t have to worry too much about that.
“Well it's already so damn cold out here, so I wouldn’t know.” Will scoffs as he dips a hand slightly into the probably freezing water.
Mike hums in acknowledgment, unsure what to say. He had no control over the weather unfortunately. All he could really give Will right now was words of reassurance, which he couldn't even trust.
“We are doing everything in our power to kill him. And we will do anything to keep you safe. I will do anything, Will.” Mike assures. the last part came out of his mouth before he could really consider. He meant it though. Maybe that could bring Will some comfort.
“Yeah?” Will questions, as if he didn't believe what Mike was saying.
“Yeah.” Mike voices softly. He thinks now, what could they talk about? He recalls a conversation with Eleven, after they had broken up. She told him to talk to Will, to remind him that they were still best friends, and how they needed each other. Mike had never needed Eleven, he only wanted to feel like he did. And El knew this. She wasn’t ready for a relationship, and theirs was clearly faulty.
Will however? Mike needed Will. in light of recent events, and almost losing him, he could no longer deny this. But his own feelings scared him. So he ran, and kept Will at arm’s length.
There's a gleam in Will’s eyes as he looks into Mike’s. Right before they roll back into his head and he falls over the side of the boat he was previously leaning on. Within that same moment, Mike tried to reach for him, but Will just slipped from his reach. The splash from Will’s impact hit Mike hard and cold. Mike panics as he surveys the water.
“Will? Will!” Mike shouts into the dark water as he leans over the side of the boat where Will had fallen. The lake was a dark shade of black, except where Will was descending now. A vague red light glows from the bottom of the lake, illuminating Will’s limp form.
The Watergate.
Mike recalls Nancy telling him about this one. It was one of the ones she had gone through. But it's active now. It's supposed to be dormant, faded.
Was it Will’s presence that brought it to life? Did Vecna know what they were doing?
“Fuck.”Mike hisses. He doesn't waste a second as he clumsily jumps in after Will. The frigid water envelops him with no escape. He squints trying to spot Will. Mike claws his way deeper into the lake reaching out for Will.
Mike's hands finally find Will’s waist, and they wrap around it. He pulls Will closer to his own body, and starts frantically kicking his legs. They were so deep into the water - Mike almost fears that they wouldn’t make it to the surface.
They break the surface, and Mike starts to swim towards the nearest land, which is still quite far. Will remains limp in Mike’s arms.
“Will?” Mike gasped, hoping Will would move, or say anything. He wanted any sign of life.
They reach the shore finally, Mike sprawls out upon the sand, laying Will next to him. Mike quickly moves closer to Will, placing a hand on his chest, and placing his ear close to Will's mouth.
Will wasn’t breathing. The silence in the lack of breath was deafening.
Tears burn in Mike’s eyes as he shakes his head, trying to recall the right steps for CPR. They all had to learn it in school, whether they wanted to or not. His hands cover his own face now, pulling at his hair. “Fuck. Shit.” He yells, no one could hear him though. He and Will were all alone. And Will is dead. The tears run hot down Mike’s cheeks now.
There's so much he still has to say, to tell Will. How he needs him. How he wants to hold him. It didn't matter if this feeling was unrequited. He could lose Will. but he's already lost him.
Both Mike and Will’s walkies were either waterboarded or still on the boat, either way, unreachable. At least not in time to help Will. the steps, the steps just consisted of pressing on the other persons chest and giving them oxygen right? Why couldn't he remember when he needed it most?
Mike quickly shifts to his knees and places his hands together on Will’s chest. He silently begs for this to work as he presses on his chest hard. Then there was the next step, Mike letting his finger trace Will’s lips for a moment. This isn’t how he wanted their first kiss to be, he thinks stupidly. “Shut up.” he voices to no one but himself before pressing his mouth to Wills, and breathing. Still without any response from Will, he repeats the process.
As Mike pulls away again, Will abruptly gasps, and starts to choke up water.
“Will!” Mike cries. He reaches over to position Will on his side so he can get the water out of his system. He rests his hand on Will's waist, wincing as Will continues to cough up water. When he slows down, and starts to breathe normally, Mike finally reaches out and rests his hand on Will’s cheek. He slightly moves some of Will’s messy damp hair out of his face.
Mike has never been so happy to see those hazel eyes.
“Mike?” Will squeaked, voice raspy. His eyes study Mike’s face. Mike’s heart leaps when his gaze lands on his lips, even for just a brief moment. A smile tugs at his lips as Will starts to beam at him.
Mike’s thoughts are reckless and momentary as he impulsively reaches his other hand around Will’s neck, and brings their lips together and kisses him, for real this time.
Will’s lips are warm, unlike last time. Mike feels his face burning despite the frigid weather. He selfishly pulls Will even closer for a moment, kissing him deeper before pulling away.
“Sorry, I have been wanting to do that for a long time.” Mike confesses, biting his lip in fear of what Will may say. Will's eyes are wide as he gazes at Mike, he tilts his head now. Mike immediately buries his face in his hands. “Oh I fucked it all up.” he fretted. He ponders walking back out into that lake and drowning himself. Because he ruined the best thing in his life.
Will’s warm hands pull Mike’s hands away from his face - and he holds them close to his heart. “Oh my god, Mike. seriously?” Will blushed, while also trying to hold back a laugh. “You are so stupid.” he hums before steadily moving closer to Mike’s face. They were inches apart now.
“What?” Mike blurted quite loudly, smiling confusedly.
“Shut up.” Will asserted before pressing his lips to Mike’s softly now, and he reciprocates.