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Will
Will was confused. He had been in love with his best friend for as long as he could remember. Hell, he couldn't even remember his life before he met Mike Wheeler on the swing sets, all those years ago. Of course, it hadn't been love then, that started when Will was twelve. But, Will could remember finding Mike to be pretty. Pretty in the way that Jonathan had described girls he liked, pretty in the way that his dad used to described his mom. Pretty in the way that Will should find a girl to be.
Since they had become friends, Will was sure of the fact that these feelings would go away. That he would find a pretty girl, as pretty as Mike, and not think of boys in this way anymore.
After eight years, though, Will had decided to accept his inevitable fate.
That he was queer and hopelessly in love with his pretty best friend.
Mike didn't know, of course. For someone so incredibly intelligent, Mike was absolutely horrible at picking up on the subtle cues that Will sent him. It was hard for Will, especially since he had been staying in Mike's room for the past 18 months.
After Vecna caused all hell to break loose on Hawkins, the Byers' house was completely demolished. So, Karen Wheeler had invited them to stay in her house. She would never say it out loud, but Will could tell that she was slowly starting to regret it.
They weren't loud, or picky, or disrespectful, but they were an extra three bodies to shelter, to feed, to care for. So, Will tried to be as little a burden as he could be. He always stayed behind after meals to help Karen clean up, bring in groceries, and move things around the house that needed moving. It was the least he could do for the woman who was housing him.
Their sleeping arrangements, while a bit of a mess, ended up working in everyone's favor.
At first, Jonathan and Will had taken the basement, leaving Joyce on the upstairs couch. That lasted for about a week until Joyce got fed up with always being the first one woken up, since she was staying in a common area. So, she had asked Will to stay in Mike's room so that she could sleep in the basement.
"Are you sure you won't mind?," Will remembers Joyce asking him on that day that they switched.
Will didn't mind. Not one bit.
He loved being with his best friend. When he was with Mike, the whole world slowed down. Minutes with him felt like hours, in a good way. Will cherished every moment spent with Mike, and he hoped that Mike felt the same way.
So, here Will was, 18 months later, feeling more confused than he had ever felt in his life.
Why?
Mike goddamn Wheeler.
The gorgeous boy had been flirting with him. Now, Will didn't know whether it was intentional or not, but it frustrated him more than anything, this feeling of not understanding.
He looked at the digital clock on the nightstand. 7:58. Will had to wake Mike up, or they'd be late to school. After Nancy and Jonathan graduated last year, Mike had been driving himself and Will to school every morning, and he liked to leave earlier to "avoid traffic." Will laughed at this cover, knowing deep down that Mike was just anxious about getting late to school and not being able to find a parking spot.
Will rolled over to Mike's side of the bed, gently shaking his shoulders and whispering into his ear. "Mike, we have to get up. It's almost eight," Will said in a gentle whisper, getting one last good look at Mike before he woke up. He noted Mike's messy, perfect curls, his closed, peaceful eyes, and his slightly opened, pink lips.
Oh yeah. That was happening. Will was sharing a bed with Mike.
It started a little less than a year ago. Will was having terrible nightmares of Vecna taking away everyone he loved right in front of his eyes.
These nightmares made him physically shake, and would leave him in a cold sweat.
Lucky for him, Mike caught on by the time his second nightmare happened.
"Will. Will! Are you okay?," Mike asked, with genuine concern lacing his face.
Will couldn't move. He was stuck, shaking.
"Will, you're really scaring me. Is it- is it.... him?", Mike asked, caressing Will's face in a way that brought him out of that nightmare.
Will paused for a second, taking in the way that Mike was looking at him.
Then he blinked, bringing himself back down to reality.
"I-I'm fine, Mike, really. This happened last night, I'm sure I'll be-"
Will was cut off by Mike.
"Will. What do you mean this also happened last night? Why didn't you tell me? I could've helped you," Mike said, a frown crossing his pretty face.
Will didn't like seeing Mike sad. Not when he wanted to be the catalyst of Mike's happiness for the rest of his life.
"Mike, like I said, I'm fine. I didn't want to wake you. Let's just-let's just go to sleep, okay?," he said, turning his head sideways on his pillow.
Will heard the rustling of sheets, an indicator that Mike was getting into bed.
"Come up here, Will. Sleep in my bed with me," Mike had said, almost inaudible.
"What?" Will said, slight panic in his voice. Great, ask the gay guy to share a goddamn bed with his best friend (who he's very much in love with). If Mike didn't know by now, surely he would find out soon enough.
"I said, stay with me," Mike said, confidence in his tone. "That way, if it happens again, I'll be right here to protect you, y'know, from the nightmares," he rambled.
Will blinked. There was no excuse he could use to decline his offer, which he wanted to accept so badly.
To tell the truth, in that moment, Will wanted to cuddle Mike for the entire night, to have Mike comfort him after the horrific nightmare he had just experienced.
"Um... I guess. I don't see why not," Will said, getting up on Mike's bed as the latter moved over to make space for him.
Mike smiled.
Will's face turned pink, and he was suddenly glad that it was dark and Mike couldn't see the pathetic reaction that Will had just had.
"Good night, Mike," Will said, drifting off.
"Good night, Will."
Will smiled looking back at this memory. He really liked sleeping in the same bed as Mike. Occasionally (and subconsciously, of course), Mike would throw an arm around Will's midsection while Will was awake, sending instant butterflies to his stomach. It felt so... domestic. And Will absolutely adored it.
As much as he wanted to dwell on all of the wonderful moments he and Mike shared in the comfort of Mike's bed, they really had to get up for school.
Even after Will's attempts to wake Mike, the taller boy was still asleep.
So, Will decided to tickle him awake.
He started tickling him, and Mike finally woke, looking confused. "Will, what the hell are you-"
He was cut off by Will tickling him more. While he was tickling Mike, Will had somehow ended up practically straddling Mike, with one knee on either side of his body.
Mike, in one swift (and incredibly hot) motion, flipped the two of them so that he was straddling Will.
Will could just tell that his pupils were blown and his face was pink, and God, he really hoped that Mike wouldn't notice. He didn't seem to notice.
What he did next shook Will to his core.
Mike grabbed Will's arm using one of his hands, pinned them above Will's head, and leaned down to say something in Will's ear, sending chills down his entire body.
"You're gonna regret this, Byers," he whispered, with a humorous tone.
Will's heart dropped and stared racing at the same time, if that was even possible.
He couldn't focus on that for too long, though, because Mike started tickling him back. It was terrible, Will decided, considering he couldn't fight back with his arms (Mike had them pinned above his head) or his legs (Mike was straddling him around his waist).
But, Will was laughing. And not just from the tickling. He was laughing from the pure euphoria that came from spending time with Mike Wheeler.
The two heard a knock on the door, and Mike immediately jumped off of Will, out of pure instinct.
They shared a look before Mike said, "Come in!"
It was Nancy. She looked at Mike. Then Will. Then Mike again. She shook her head, muttering something to herself and laughing. "Are you two ready for breakfast? Mom asked me to make sure you were both up," she explained.
"Ummm, yeah, we'll be down in a few. Just gonna change first," Mike says, and Nancy just nods and leaves.
Mike looks at Will, and they both just burst out laughing, before going to their opposite corners of the room to change.
Once they were both dressed, they made their way downstairs, meeting a grumpy Ted, a bustling Karen, an energetic Holly, a buzzy Joyce, a tired Jonathan, and an outspoken Nancy.
Nothing out of the ordinary.
Will took his usual spot, next to Mike of course, and placed scrambled eggs on his plate. When he looked over at Mike's, he was pleased to see that Mike was preparing his breakfast in the same way that Will does. Pouring maple syrup on his scrambled eggs.
Even though this happens literally every single morning, Will can't help but smile when he notices, a subtle sign of the domesticity that had built up over the past year and a half.
When the Byers-Wheelers had finished eating, Mike and Will sprinted up the stairs to brush their teeth and grab their school things.
Will was happy today. It was a B day, so all of his classes were with Mike. That, and it was a Friday, which meant staying up late and sleeping in late.
As the two walked to Mike's car, Mike opened Will's passenger door for him, a small and polite gesture that made Will blush from head to toe. Mike didn't seem to notice (of course he fucking didn't) and just walked to his side of the car to start it, not saying a word.
Once Mike's car had started, the radio played. Dancing Queen. Will groaned, and Mike smiled.
Mike really loved ABBA. Like, way more than anyone should. He had a poster of them in his room, for god's sake!
Despite Mike's love for the band, Will didn't like them. He tolerated ABBA, for Mike's sake. Will enjoyed... a different sound. He preferred Bowie, Queen, the Beatles, and the Cure, while Mike just liked loud, dancey, poppy music.
"C'mon, Will! You gotta love this song! It's perfect for you, since you're gonna be a dancing queen tomorrow!"
Mike was right. It was March 21. The day before Will's 17th birthday.
Will rolled his eyes. "Ugh. Just drive me to school, Mike," he said, a playful tease in his voice that he hoped Mike would understand. He didn't though, seeing as he was far too caught up in singing (butchering) Dancing Queen.
Will could've sworn that Mike looked at him and smiled while singing.
After a short (and grueling, thanks to ABBA) car ride to school, Mike parked, leaving the car. Will followed suit.
They walked to their first class together. English.
Will wasn't the best academically, but he was incredibly artistically talented, which sort of made up for it.
Mike, though, was like, a super-genius. He was top of the class, set to graduate as valedictorian. Mike always found time to help Will. Over the course of this school year, he had stayed up later than he should on numerous occasions to help Will study, help him finish his projects, and help him write essays. That was just the kind of person Mike was. Selfless.
Will, even though he wasn't good at it whatsoever, loved English.
Why?
Because that was the class Mike was the most passionate about. Will loved watching the way Mike's face lit up while reading, or when he raised his hand and got the question correct. He loved the way Mike was so engaged with the class. He loved when Mike would debate the teacher on themes and characters in the book. He loved Mike's concentration face while he was writing an essay.
And of course, Mike didn't notice. He didn't notice the way that Will stared at him with intent as he wrote his heart into whatever literary analysis essay he was working on.
Mike would never notice. He didn't like Will like that. Mike liked girls. Will was sure of it. He was sure that Mike would never see him in that way, ever.
After another English class spent staring at Mike and not writing his own essay, the bell rung, and it was time for Will and Mike's next class, Art.
Will had taken art every year, but Mike was only taking it this year to fulfill his elective requirement. Just as Mike helped Will with his core classes, Will helped Mike with art (even if that meant sometimes doing his paintings for him. Anything for Mike).
They sit down in their usual chairs, at the front of the classroom.
"Will?"
Will leaves his daydream to focus on Mike.
"Yeah, what's up?", he says, nervously, suddenly becoming very aware of the intense eye contact going on between them.
"We have a partner assignment. We have to paint each other. Wanna do it together?" Mike asked, his adorable puppy dogs coming out to play. Will could never say no to those eyes, let alone say no to Mike Wheeler.
"Of course," Will smiled. "Even if I know for a fact you're gonna absolutely butcher my face," he teased.
"I'm not- gonna do that," Mike teased back, nudging Will's chest with his shoulder. This small touch left a burning sensation on Will's chest. In a good way.
"Are too," Will laughed. "Whatever, let's just start," he said, getting up to grab canvases and paint for both of them.
After collecting his material, Will sat back down next to Mike.
"I'll go first," Will said, picking up his pencil to make a light sketch of the boy he had drawn so many times. Mike looked so...pretty today. Will decided he had to do him justice with his painting.
He drew him immaculately, accentuating every aspect of his face. By the time he was done sketching it out, he showed Mike.
"Wow, Will," Mike gasped. "You're.... really talented. Like, insanely talented. You make me look so... good," he notes, bringing a slight blush to Will's cheeks.
As always, Mike didn't notice. Would he ever?
Will, cheeks burning, replied, "Thanks. It's pretty easy to do when the subject is so captivating."
He freezes.
What the fuck?? Mike was going to call him out and think he's a total weirdo.
Mike did something completely unexpected. Will liked to exaggerate, but he was 100% sure, doubtless, even, that Mike had blushed.
Will had made a lame attempt at flirting with Mike, and Mike had blushed?
Will had never been so confused in his life.
It was silent between them for a while, until Mike asked, softly, "are you going to sit so I can draw you, or what?," a light smile playing on his perfect, pink lips.
Will just nodded, facing Mike head-on to provide the best possible angle for Mike to draw him.
After 15 long and grueling minutes, Mike was done. It wasn't good, but it wasn't exactly bad either. Just a little.... disproportionate. Will didn't mind. He loved that Mike had taken the time to draw out his features so carefully.
Will could feel the tension between them. Mike was so. damn. close. to him, and Will forgot for a moment that they were in a class with about 15 other students. He blinked back into reality, scooting just the tiniest bit further from Mike.
Will could've sworn that Mike looked disappointed when he got farther from him.
Eventually, the bell rung, and all the students and their teacher left. Will got up to leave too, before Mike grabbed his wrist to stop him.
"Stay with me?, he asked. "I have to talk to you."
"Of course, Mike," Will said. "Wait, why can't we just talk during lunch?," Will asked, suddenly confused.
"I don't want Lucas, Dustin, or Max to be here for this. I only want to talk to you."
Will's heartbeat rose significantly. His face heated up and his hands were practically shaking.
He had never felt this before.
Mike looked nervous.
What the hell could Mike possibly have to say to Will?
Will was left alone in the classroom with a flushed Mike, both being fully unable to move.
It was silent.
The light coming in from the window was hitting Mike's face perfectly. Will couldn't breathe.
He just looked at Mike, admiring him.
And by some amazing twist of fate, Mike was looking at him, the same admiration in his face.
It was lunch period, so no one would enter the art room for at least another hour.
Mike cleared his throat.
"So, uh, Will," he began, "I wanted to tell you something. Something that's been on my mind for a while," he finishes his thought, eyes darting to and from Will's lips in a split second.
"You can tell me anything, Mike," Will whispers softly, grabbing Mike's hand gently.
Mike jumps at this, and Will wonders whether it's too much. Him grabbing Mike's hand. Fuck, he shouldn't have done that.
But then, Mike intertwines his fingers with Will's, and Will lets out a sigh of relief.
"Um. This is really hard to say, Will. Just, please don't say anything until I'm done talking, and I totally get if you don't want to be friends after I tell you this. Like, seriously, I won't be upset if you react badly," Mike says, palm sweating against Will's
Will gives him a reassuring squeeze of his hand.
"It's okay, Mike. Anything you tell me, I'll still be your best friend," he smiles, and Mike nervously reciprocates.
"Basically, I- I really like you, Will. There. That's what I've been trying to say. I've wanted to say this for a while, but I've been struggling to even understand what I was feeling for you. I had been taught since I was young that- that it was wrong and disgusting to be like me, to be a queer. But, over the past year or so, I've been able to come to terms with who I am. And I wanted to tell you that I fell for you long before that, and I can't believe I'm saying this out loud, but- fuck-
I'm in love with you, Will. It's always been you. For as long as I could remember, it's been you. Every girl that I've expressed having feelings for was just a cover to convince you, the party, and even myself that I liked girls.
Once I accepted who I really was, it was so freeing. I could finally be myself. I actually cannot believe I just said that, you're gonna think I'm so weird now," Mike finished, and he hardly had time to catch his breath before Will did the unthinkable.
Without even thinking about it, he cupped both sides of Mike's face and kissed him right there in the empty art classroom, after finally hearing the words he'd always wanted to hear. It was gentle and pure, the same way that Mike treated Will. It only lasted a moment, but Will knew that their friendship would never be the same.
Mike opened his eyes after pulling apart, just staring into Will's eyes.
Will panicked. "Fuck, I shouldn't have done that, I'm so sorr-"
Will was cut off by Mike grabbing his face and kissing him with an intensity that was unmatched. Will could feel Mike smiling into the kiss, which only made him kiss harder.
When they finally pulled apart, Mike held the back of Will's neck and connected their foreheads, making eye contact.
"Do you have any idea how long I've wanted to do that?," Mike whispered, not breaking their intense eye contact.
"Yeah, I might have an idea," Will replies, matching Mike's tone.
"I guess we have to go to lunch now, huh?"
"I guess so."
Mike gets up, gesturing for Will to follow suit. He grabs Will's hand, interlacing their fingers once more.
Will blushes at the gesture, and it seems like Mike finally noticed.
"Are you blushing, Byers?"
"Shut up, Wheeler."
"You know you love me," Mike teased, leaning down to place a soft kiss on Will's forehead before breaking their hands apart and leaving the classroom to walk to the cafeteria.
They walk into the room together, and immediately find their friends.
Max, El, Lucas, and Dustin, seemingly mid-debate.
"Will! Mike! Where have you two been?," El calls out upon seeing the pair.
Mike and Will just look at each other awkwardly, mouths slightly agape.
"Just, um-
"Working on an English essay," Mike said.
"Working on an art project," Will said, at the same exact time.
His eyed widened.
"We were-
"Working on an English essay," Will said.
"Working on an art project," Mike said.
Will looked up at Mike and mentally face-planted.
"You two are weird," Dustin stated, while Max raised an eyebrow.
"So, how long has.... this.... been going on?," Max questioned, gesturing between the two.
Her question made them jump apart.
"What are you talking about, Max?"
"You and Will," she answered calmly. Lucas' and Dustin's eyes widened at this.
"Oh shit!," exclaimed Lucas.
"She might be onto something," Dustin said.
Will and Mike turned red.
Like, as red as tomatoes.
"You guys have no idea what you're talking about," said Mike, defensively.
"Yeah, we're friends. Best friends," Will said.
"Uh-huh. Sure. What were you doing Wheeler," Max asked, poising her question toward Mike. "working on an art project or an English essay?"
Mike blinked.
Will tried to say something to defend themselves, but nothing came out. Nothing.
They sighed in defeat.
"Fine. We kissed. Is that what you guys wanted to hear?!," Mike grumbled.
Will's eyes widened once more.
All three of their friends started screaming all at once.
"HOLY SHIT!"
"I told you guys!"
"Plot twist of the century, holy fuck!"
"I KNEW IT!
When they were done freaking out about their newfound realization about their two best friends, Lucas pulled them into a group hug.
"Hey, in all seriousness, if anyone gives either of you two shit about this, I'll beat their asses. Seriously," Lucas finished sternly, keeping Will and Mike in a tight embrace.
"Yeah, we'll fuck them up," Max said, throwing a fake punch to Mike's chest. "For real, though, I'm proud of you, Wheeler. You too, Byers. You idiots finally woke up and realized the whole time."
"Wha- what do you mean, the whole time?", Will asked, confused.
Max rolled her eyes. "C'mon, Will, it's so painfully obvious that you've had a crush on Mike for like, forever."
Mike smirked at this. "Wait, Will," he begun, spinning Will around to meet his eyes.
"Yeah?," Will asked.
"You have a crush on me?," he teased.
Now it was Will's turn to roll his eyes. "Shut up, Mike."
Mike just smiled at him, and Will wondered if he wanted to kiss Will as badly as he wanted to kiss Mike. Later, he reminded himself. They shared a room, and a bed, after all. They could talk it all out tonight.
El just smiled, pulling Will into a tight embrace. Even though they weren't related, they were practically twins, attached at the hip. El was the only person that had known about Will's crush before today.
After lunch, they went on with their day, stealing looks from each other, flirting, subtly touching, and blushing.
Once the final bell rung, Will was practically jumping out of his seat. He and Mike walked to Mike's car, hands brushing the entire time that they did so.
When they were finally in the car, Mike took Will's hand, lacing their fingers together. Then, he brought Will's hand up to his mouth and kissed it.
Will practically swooned, like those girls in movies when they see the hot shirtless guy. This was better, he thought. Those girls would never be as lucky as he was right now.
In the car, with their hands interlocked, Will decided to speak up.
"What music are we gonna play?", he asked. "I really don't care as long as it's not ABBA."
"Let's see what's on the radio," Mike said, releasing his hand from Will's grip for a moment to adjust the radio.
Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy by Queen.
Will smiled from ear to ear. "I love Queen!," he exclaimed, instantly breaking out into song.
Mike just smiled at him.
"Ooooooooh, let me feel your heartbeat grow faster, faster!"
Will was a pretty bad singer, but Mike didn't seem to notice. Maybe he did, Will thought. Maybe he knew Will sucked at singing, but just didn't care. Maybe, Mike knew the entire time. He knew every time Will was making a (not-so) subtle attempt at flirting with him, but said nothing to avoid ruining the friendship. Hell, Will didn't give a shit. Because the boy was finally his. And god, he was so happy that Mike had decided to ruin the friendship. Better that than regret it, right?
As Mike pulled into the driveway, Will just smiled. He was so happy. Mike made him so happy.
Mike pulled Will's hand to his mouth to kiss it once more, before letting go of his hand to open the car. Before Will could even open his door, he was delighted to see that Mike had already opened the door for him.
"What, am I, like, your passenger princess now?," Will teased, stepping out of the car.
"You could say that," Mike replied, smiling down at Will.
They walk inside together, Mike turning the key in the door. It was pure chaos walking in. Nancy was setting the table for an early dinner (the Wheelers liked to eat early and the Byers complied), Joyce and Karen were cooking, Holly was complaining about her math homework while Jonathan attempted to help her, and Ted was dozing off watching TV on his La-Z-Boy.
Just enough chaos for Will and Mike to slip in and walk upstairs unnoticed.
Once the two were out of their families' lines of vision, Mike took Will's hand in his own, something that was new, but felt shockingly familiar.
Will, as happy as he was, knew that they needed to talk about what had happened earlier in the art classroom.
Once they got to Mike's room, Mike closed the door and sat on the bed, Will taking a seat next to him. All of five seconds passed before Mike pounced on Will, grabbing his face and kissing him with more intensity and passion than before.
They moved in perfect harmony, Will's hands finding a place in Mike's dark and soft curls. Mike had one hand on Will's jaw and the other on his waist. The kiss got more intense, with Will placing one knee on each side of Mike's thighs while the taller boy laid down.
Similar to their position earlier, Will thinks. But better.
Better because now he could kiss Mike. And know that Mike wanted to kiss him back. It was utter bliss.
Mike's hand digs into Will's waist, causing him to involuntarily let out a soft moan into Mike's mouth. With this, Mike just kisses him harder.
The boys were breathless, but honestly? They could not give less of a shit.
This is the best thing he's ever experienced, Will thinks. But he knows. He knows that they need to talk about what they were before they went any further.
"Mike," Will tried, pulling apart from Mike. Mike's pupils were blown, lips were puffy, and cheeks were pink. Not so different from Will's current appearance.
"Will," Mike said, not releasing his firm but gentle grip on Will's jaw.
"What happens now?" Will whispers, one of his hands still playing with Mike's hair.
Mike looked confused, not breaking eye contact with Will. "What're you talking about?"
"I mean.... what are we?," Will begins. "Because, Mike, I really like you. Like, a lot. I don't want to just be a casual hookup to you, or someone who you turn to when there's no one else," Will finishes, rambling.
Mike's confusion turns into worry.
"Oh, Will," he breathes, placing a soft kiss on Will's lips to alleviate his worries. "I could never do that to you. You're everything to me. Always have been. Always will be. I would never hurt you like that, ever."
Will smiled, melting into Mike, who was still lying down under him.
He liked this position. It was comfortable. MikeandWill. Just how it always should've been. Will rolls off Mike, to lie side by side. Mike placed a hand around Will's broad shoulders, and Will cuddled into Mike by tossing a leg over Mike's and an arm around his midsection.
"Mike," Will began, hesitantly. "Does this mean that... that you're my boyfriend?," he asks, looking at Mike.
"Boyfriend. I like that. You're my boyfriend. I'm your boyfriend. We're boyfriends," Mike says giddily, almost too loud.
"Shut up," Will giggles, kissing Mike.
They stay like that, cuddling and kissing until they hear a bang on the door. Will immediately pounces off Mike, leaving Mike looking upset. "Come in, who is it," Mike grumbles.
"It's Jonathan. Food's ready, come downstairs," the voice, Jonathan's, comes from the other side of the door.
"Coming!," Will says, pulling Mike up out of bed by grabbing his hand. He makes sure to let go before opening the door.
"When did you two even get home?," Jonathan questions.
"Don't worry about it," Mike says, pushing past Jonathan while Will just shrugged at him.
Jonathan shook his head, saying something about Nancy owing him 15 bucks. Now Will was really confused.
At dinner, they took their usual seats next to each other, Mike to the left and Will to the right. Always next to each other. Just how they liked it.
While eating, Will was mid-conversation with his mom, when he suddenly froze upon feeling a warm and familiar touch against his left hand. Mike's hand.
Will tried his best to be normal, continuing the conversation with his mom.
Nancy and Jonathan were the only ones who seemed to notice something different about Mike and Will. They sat directly across from the two, throwing them knowing glances.
"Mike," Nancy said inquisitively, in her reporter voice. "Why are you eating with your left hand? You're right-handed."
FUCK.
Mike and Will were SO caught.
But Mike just played it off. "My right hand is super sore from art class today, we did a lot of drawing," he said, giving a short and sweet glance to Will upon saying the last part of his sentence.
Nancy just squinted at him, as if she knew something. She pretended to drop something under the table, and peered under to grab it. Will didn't have time to let go of Mike's hand before he noticed. Nancy emerged, whispering something in Jonathan's ear that left him with wide eyes.
The adults didn't seem to notice the teenagers, so Nancy covered half of her mouth and whisper-shouted: "Are you two holding hands?"
Mike and Will froze, their hands never leaving each other's. "Shut up, Nancy," Mike whisper-shouted back.
"Pay up, Nance," Jonathan smiled, looking at his girlfriend.
Now it was Will's turn to cover his mouth from his parents to whisper shout. "You bet on us? Seriously, Jonathan?," he said rolling his eyes.
It was pointless. Jonathan and Nancy were practically doubled over laughing at them.
At some point after dessert, the parents and Holly had all left, leaving Mike, Will, Nancy, and Jonathan at the table.
"So, are you gonna tell us what's going on here or what?," Nancy asked, gesturing to their hands (which were still holding each other).
"We're... um... dating. Will is my boyfriend," Mike said.
Boyfriend. Will couldn't explain how much he loved hearing Mike say that word, referring to Will as his boyfriend.
"YES!," Jonathan shouted, making everyone jump out of their seats.
"Wha- Jonathan, what?," Will asked, making confused eyes at his older brother.
"What I meant to say was that I knew it. Me and Nance have been fighting about this for months. I thought you guys were together, she didn't, so we made a bet. So, I just won 15 bucks," he explained, throwing an arm over Nancy while she playfully rolled her eyes.
Mike and Will were silent, until they too started laughing.
The four of them sat there, laughing and telling stories about how their relationship started, until it got serious.
Paralleling their conversation with the party earlier, Nancy said "If anyone says anything even remotely homophobic to you guys- I know how dad can be, Mike- I'll beat the shit out of them. No joke. They haven't seen how good I am with a gun."
Jonathan nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we love you guys and we're super proud of you."
Will smiled, and so did Mike.
"Thanks, guys."
"Yeah, we really appreciate it."
Jonathan and Nancy just gave them a warm smile before telling them to go upstairs.
When they were in Mike's room, they decided to shower. Will went first, borrowing one of Mike's sweaters to wear to sleep.
Then, Mike showered, and emerged wearing just sweatpants. Will's jaw practically dropped at the sight.
"Like what you see?," Mike grinned.
"Very much so," Will responded, smiling, taking long strides to meet his boyfriend in the middle of the room.
He kissed him softly, cupping Mike's face. Mike deepened the kiss, planting both of his hands in Will's hair and pushing him toward the bed. Mike was on top of Will this time, and Will loved it. Will could've stayed there forever, hands roaming his boyfriend's body, until he died. Mike, it seems, felt the same way, only ever breaking the kiss when it was absolutely necessary, to breathe.
They made out for what felt like hours until they decided to go to sleep.
Mike laid there, asleep with one arm around Will and the other in his hair. Will just basked in Mike's beauty and pulled him closer, placing his face in Mike's neck and breathing him in until he drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
"I love you, Mike," Will said sleepily.
"I love you, too, Will," Mike mumbled, more than half asleep.
Will Byers might have been confused before. But now, he was so sure of everything. So sure that this, that Mike Wheeler's love, was what he had been missing his whole life.