Chapter Text
Mike Wheeler had never been afraid of much.
Correction: Mike Wheeler had never been afraid of much other than the Upside Down and its inhabitants.
But today? Today, Mike is afraid.
Not afraid for himself, no, he couldn't care much what happens to him. For the first time since 1984, Mike is scared for Will Byers.
He noticed it during the last class of the day, the only one they have together. Finishing up the reading, Mike looked up at the clock, only to see Will, two rows in front of him, staring off into space, as a wad of paper hit the middle of the forehead with a dull thunk. The bell rings as Andy stands up, making his way towards Will.
“What were you looking at, freak?”
Will quickly packed his backpack, slung it over his shoulder, and speeded out of the classroom, with Andy and Josh, two of the basketball players, following behind him. Mike knew where this was heading. He’d seen it before. He followed.
As Will walked out of the school doors to his bike, Mike trailed behind Andy and Josh as they flung slurs and insults at Will, asking where he was going. Will tried to unlock his bike as the boys got closer to him and started pushing, prodding at him until he let go of the lock and almost lost his balance.
“Hey Assholes,” Mike yelled. As the boys turned around to face him, Mike wheeled his arm back and punched Andy in the nose, ran around Josh, and, in the confusion, broke into a sprint towards the woods. He didn’t know where he was going; all he needed was for those dicks to stop antagonizing Will and give him a chance to leave.
And now, here he is, sitting behind a tree root listening for footsteps, and all he can think about is Will. How little they've talked since coming back to Hawkins. How much he misses his best friend. And how scared he is that those jerks went back and hurt Will.
He remembers the last time he was truly scared for Will, when he was in the lab, possessed, losing his memories. He was scared that he would lose his best friend, the only person he’s known, trusted, since kindergarten. It was paralyzing, the fear of losing him for the second time. And now, that fear is back.
He knows they've been…. different since coming back. Since he broke up with El. Since they've had to live in the same house. It's like Will can’t even stand to be in the same room, same house as Mike anymore, always at the library or going to see El. Mike knows Will resents him for how little he reached out while they lived in Lenora. He knows that him and El’s breakup affected the party. He just doesn’t know why Will is still so hellbent on ignoring him.
Mike snaps out of his thoughts as he hears a twig break and rapid footsteps crunch in the leaves behind him. He gets up to his feet to see who is coming just as someone trips and collides with him.
“Shit”
“Will?”
Mike's head is spinning as he tries to sit up and realizes Will is still on top of him.
“Jesus Christ, man, why were you running? Why didn't you call out?” Mike asks.
“I thought they were still after you! I didn’t really want to call attention to myself.”
“Well, it's fine, I think we’re alone now. Can you get off of me?”
“Oh shit sorry,” Will says as he scrambles off of Mike, putting a few feet of distance between them.
“I don't think they’re looking for us anymore. Are you ok to go home?” Will asks.
“I think so,” Mike says as he tries to stand up, but instantly wobbles on his feet.
“Whoa, ok, not yet, just sit down, we can wait.”
“Sorry, I'm a little lightheaded,” Mike stumbles as Will guides him back to the ground. As Mike tries to get his bearings, he notices a bruise developing on Will's face. He reaches out his hand and grazes it gently with his thumb
Will flinches away from the touch.
“Does it hurt?”
“No it's not… It doesn't."
“Are you sure? It's really red.”
“It’s fine, Mike,” Will says, pushing Mike's hand from his face, breaking eye contact.
“You know, you didn't have to do that.”
“Do what?”
Mike stares at Will, wondering what the hell he is talking about. Will doesn't meet his eye.
“Hit him. Get them away from me. I could've handled it.”
“But you shouldn't have to. I know they've been saying things to you since you've come back. You shouldn't have to deal with them alone. You know you can talk to me, right?”
“Mike….” Will trailed off, still not looking at him.
“I mean, I know we haven’t talked much since you and Johnathan moved in, but come on. We’ve been friends since kindergarten. Best friends, and now you can’t even look me in the eye,” Mike half-shouts as Will's eyes snap to his.
After a second of silence, Mike abruptly stands, walking back in the direction, he hopes, of the school.
“Let’s just go, im fine”
He doesn't exactly understand why he’s so upset with Will. They've been best friends for so long, that this disruption, disturbance, in their relationship feels unnatural. Like a wedge of tension has been pushed between them and he can’t figure out what it is. It's not like they've fought. They haven't talked enough to fight. It's like Will gave him the painting from El, and then gave up on it all.
He crunches noisily through the leaves, stomping, arms crossed, as he makes his way through the woods back to get his bike.
Will catches up and grabs him by the elbow, turning Mike to face him.
“Hey! Why are you so mad at me?”
“Because I miss my best friend! What did I do to make you hate me so much?”
Will half laughs, incredulously.
“God, Mike, I don’t hate you! I just… I can’t… you don't want to know.”
“Don’t want to know what? Why you haven't talked to me in almost a year? Why you can’t even stand to be in the same house as me?” Mike shouts, eyes beginning to water.
He notices how close they are standing, how he was essentially shouting into Will’s face, and he takes a step back.
“Im sorry,” he says, putting his hands up, resigned, not meeting Will's eyes, “ I just wish you would tell me what I did wrong so I could apologize and we can go back to normal. To us.”
“Mike… you didn't do anything, I promise.” Will says, taking one step closer, “I swear, you could never do anything to make me hate you. It's just… you wouldn’t get it. It's me, I promise. It's me.” He puts a hand on Mike's face to make him meet eyes.
And Mike thinks he gets it.