Work Text:
The first time the word love surfaced in Mike Wheeler’s head must have been when Will got into that damn car.
He was shifty and he couldn't really take a deep breath in – his lungs seemingly too small – while helping Will pack, but that's just normal, right? No one wants to see their best friend move away. Much less after everything they've been through.
And El. But Mike knew and recognized his feelings towards El. It's just the Will thing he didn't expect.
Nancy said that it's normal, that he is and will be sad, that's just how it works – longing, she called it.
Well, she also said something about abandonment issues, which scarily, she was probably right about. He had yet to deal with those. Maybe when the world isn't ending.
The problem is, Mike couldn't imagine living his life and not seeing Will every day, not caring for him, not being able to protect him. Not being able to feel him.
What Nancy didn't know though is that neither of those thoughts occurred regarding El, which is stupid – she was moving out as well. Why the hell didn't they occur in relation to her?
Yeah, she's a superhero, but not at that time, she wasn’t. Since she lost her powers, shouldn't Mike be worried about how she would be dealing with it? Was she gonna be alright? In a new place? Around people she didn't know?
Mike figured she'd have Will to take care of her though.
And Mike was great at repressing his feelings but that didn't mean that he didn't understand them. He did understand, too well actually, since he spends hours, weeks, or like in this particular case, months picking it all apart. The when, why, who. He just couldn't really understand the how.
So, when he came to the conclusion that he didn't really see Will as platonically as he thought he did, it hit him. Hard.
Mike was never homophobic, he couldn't be, in a face of literal monsters, world possibly ending and shit, there wasn't much left to disgust or scare him anymore, certainly not boys kissing boys.
The thought of a possibility of himself being gay though, sent him spiraling.
He didn't eat, couldn't eat. He couldn't stomach food, couldn't get out of bed for the first two weeks after Byers’ left. His mom was worried sick, but everyone believed him when he said that he just misses his friends. They all believed it would eventually pass.
And it did.
But.
The pit in his stomach, previously filled with confusion and sick, got swarmed with butterflies and affection.
Looking back at that now, Mike truly sees how unfair it all was to El. How emotionally distant he became not only to Will, but to her as well.
He couldn't tell her he loved her anymore, he couldn't lie to her.
Late nights, when he couldn't sleep, he wondered if he ever loved her at all. Maybe he liked the idea of having someone, of having a girlfriend. And such a cool one at that.
Now, it makes him sick, the way he treated her. She didn't deserve any of it. Friends don't treat each other that way.
So, he was a mess. An awful friend to Will and even worse boyfriend to El.
He got defensive, mean, stupid.
But – in contrary to what Will screamed at him in Rinkomania – he did try to call. It was just super fucking hard to actually reach anyone, since Joyce was always on the phone, and when she wasn't, Mike and Nancy had to literally fight about which one of them gets to call the Byers’.
Of course it would be fucking hard to talk to Will, since Mike was having his own emotional turmoil and a brand new identity crisis. And it was all because of him.
Mike prayed he wouldn't pick up, prayed he didn't write to him.
But he missed Will so much. So so much.
And then that one letter from El came.
Will had a crush on some girl.
And that just. That was the last straw.
Mike started acting like a man possessed, if he didn't always keep his room absurdly warm, he would actually start to worry if he didn't somehow swallow the Mind Flayer.
Overwhelmed, annoyed all the time. Dustin and Lucas were fucking sick of his nonstop fuming.
So he went on a spring break to Lenora, and wanted to kill himself only a little, but that's beside the point. The point is – call him dramatic, but visiting his best friend he didn't talk to for a year? Oh, and his lovely girlfriend, the same one he was emotionally cheating on? It sure seems like the best way to spend the spring break.
And when Mike saw him. His beautiful, innocent, the same one who's suddenly got a crush on some girl, best friend.
Mike can’t be blamed for the way he couldn't even fucking look at him. It's like the boy’s moved away and ditched everything he ever knew, everything he ever was. His old Will wouldn't have a crush on some random Californian girl. Oh no, his old Will hated girls, always acted confused and nervous around them. What was so fucking special about that new bitch he just met.
Actually it seems like Mike's got a new personality trait as well – being a major asshole.
Except – Will never actually brought up any girl. Not in Lenora, not in the van. Maybe it was just a fleeting crush? Or maybe El was just mistaken. Mike doesn't know, doesn't really care, the issue solved itself, Will was, yet again, all his.
It really was just a matter of time, though, until someone would start fucking wooing Will.
He just didn't expect it to happen right in front of his fucking face.
And okay, Mike was for a long time now broken up with El, he should've made his move by now. He certainly regrets that he didn't.
It's just that - their relationship with Will felt sorta fragile, Mike just got him, like all of him, back. He was too much of a coward to jeopardize it this fast.
And that's how we end up here, mid July, staring a hole in the left side of Will's face. His very own Will, with those long eyelashes framing his beautiful, deep green eyes, with his perfect fucking cheekbones and wind tousled, feathery hair. He’s saying something, talking with not only his mouth, but hands as well. He’s so animated, like a prince from some fairytale brought to life.
Will breaks in laughter, and that's. That is Mike’s favourite version of him – carefree, relaxed, happy. May he always be this happy.
God, Mike really should be able to control himself after all this time, but he actually likes to dissociate from time to time thinking about the love of his, miserable, life, sue him.
How the sunshine lights up his face. How he narrows his eyes when the streaks of light hit him directly. The way his nose casts a short shadow on his cheek.
God, he's fucking ethereal.
It's a shame though, how there's this annoying, loud, touchy girl, like, all over him, obscuring his vision.
Robin Buckley.
Mike has no idea when her little allyship, because he refuses to call it friendship, it’s not a fucking friendship, with Will started, its like she literally showed up one day out of thin air and refused to leave.
How did she even end up here with them. Mike invited Will on a walk, in the name of taking advantage of the warm, sunny weather, at least that's what he told him, because in reality Mike needed an excuse to have a full view of Will Byers in shorts and – maybe, if he's lucky enough - tank top – in close proximity to admire. He wasn't that lucky this particular day, but he'll try again tomorrow.
But of course Robin Buckley had to stumble upon them, like some lost puppy begging for someone to take her in.
Nancy once said that Robin’s got a problem with understanding social cues and she was damn right about that, ‘cause what would Robin do when she noticed two people walking together, bumping into each other, talking – and what does Robin do? Obviously, she gets right in the middle of their little party.
And like – literally in the middle, right between them.
But Will likes her, and Mike loves Will, so he didn't say anything, couldn't say anything, afraid of upsetting the boy.
So Mike's sulking, hurting – he’s not being dramatic, thank you – staring in silence.
Before his daily staring session though, he did throw a couple of dirty looks at Robin. She probably didn't notice anyway, since she doesn't understand social cues, so he figured it would be fine.
– Mike, is everything alright? - Will's voice startles him, the boy now looking at him. Robin’s eyes already set on Mike, when he locks eyes with each of them.
Okay, caught staring, that's not new. Mike startles just a little, simply not expecting Will paying attention to him at this moment – Yeah, sure. Why wouldn't it be? – he attempts to smile.
– You're just quiet, that's not exactly normal for you – fuck, his smile. He’s gorgeous even when he's being a little shit, how could it possibly ever be fair to him.
– Just didn't want to interrupt you two – he’s not bitter.
Really, he’s not.
Actually, he owes Robin a thank you card for giving him an opportunity to take his sweet time and fully admire Will. Mike doesn't even want to know how much time had passed while he was locked in on the boy. The sun does look like it dipped a little, oh well.
– You’re not interrupting, Mike. Robin was just talking about how the job hunting is going for her and Steve.
– Yup, don't worry Wheeler, you’re welcome to join the conversation, no fragile information was shared – Robin turned to Mike with a smile, no wait, a smirk, but then – yet, at least – her attention set back on Will.
Again, why is she even here. Smirking at him, throwing in his face the fact that she gets to have Will's attention on her. It's not possible she clocked him that fast, Mike knows he's smitten, he probably looks smitten – he was literally gazing at Will, sure, but – she can't be that perceptive. If Mike didn't know better he'd say that she's purposefully trying to make him jealous. The worst thing is – it works.
Mike chooses to ignore her comment and instead just spits words as fast as he can, so Will doesn't have the time and opportunity to respond to whatever her interjection meant, ‘cause to Mike it sounded suspicious. What fragile information could she possibly share with Will. She’s like – old, it’s weird.
– Why is it that you and Steve always have to work together? Are you some weird set of siamese twins? I’m surprised he isn’t here, trailing right behind you. It’s like you can't take your eyes off of each other.
With the way Will whips his head his way, Mike’s worried something might snap in his spine.
But Mike’s right, maybe the delivery could’ve been nicer, but he didn’t lie, did he? She was weird with Steve.
And yet, it’s annoying how he’s trying to be a little shit and Robin fucking smiles at him. She looks way too satisfied for it to not mean anything. Maybe she is actually into Steve? Mike never really cared about their relationship, but if Will now comes into the equation and if there is any possibility that he and Robin might like – disgusting – each other then he’s glad he brought Steve up. To let her know that he remembers.
– Slow down there Wheeler – she laughs – Me and Steve are like a package deal of sorts, doing our best work together, you know – okay? What does that even mean – it sure is hard to take eyes of his magnificent hair, that I’m woman enough to admit – her eyes crinkling, and it’s like the smile just never comes off of her face, like it’s etched on it, it’s uncanny – The not taking eyes off of someone part though, that’s interesting coming from you. – And. Did she fucking wink at him.
Okay, so she did clock him. And she seems to be teasing him? What. The. Fuck.
It’s like Mike’s body temperature spiked up in a second. Word stressed can’t even begin to describe how he’s feeling right now – the exasperation forgotten, now he’s fucking scared, scared to look up at Will and his expression. Did he notice too? Was he just too nice to make a remark about it? Dear god, he’s in deep shit.
The one thing he can’t handle, other than jealousy, girls taking interest in the love of his life, Will being mad at him, Will being upset with him and – alright, he can’t handle a lot of things nowadays, but specifically – being unsure.
He can’t start shit, but he’ll finish it if someone starts it for him.
So he looks up at Will and – fuck Robin, but thank every possible god – Will looks so confused, bless his soul.
Mike lets out a deep breath, it’s like he’s been holding it in since Robin spoke up. It’s like someone lifted a massive weight off of his lungs – relief granted, time to retaliate.
– What is your actual problem? – the defensiveness needs to go, actually, that’s the trait he’d like to get rid of. Someday. Right now it’s the only defense mechanism he can muster up.
– What the hell, Mike? – Will looks rightfully dumbfounded – What is going on right now, did I miss something? – his gaze flickering between the other two.
Now Mike feels bad, he didn’t mean to stress him out.
– Okay, sorry, nothing. It’s nothing – Mike started to steer himself away from the pair – I’m not feeling well, I’ll just go home. See you later – he spins on his heels and walks away, fast.
He messed up, he messed up.
He can hear Will calling for him, but he doesn’t look back, his vision too blurry to even see the rocky road underneath his feet.
***
The sound of knocking on his door wakes Mike up from his sleep.
When he got home earlier, he immediately got into his bed and pulled covers over his head in case his mom was alarmed by him slamming the front door.
He didn’t want to look at anybody, he didn’t want to be near anybody – all he needed was silence, solitude and maybe some tissues, he needed to wallow in his self pity, that’s all, but – he must have fallen asleep.
– Mike? – Will’s quiet voice comes from the other side of the door – Can I come in?
– Of course you can – he mutters, just loud enough for Will to hear him on the other side of the door and wipes the remaining sleep out of his tired eyes.
He hopes his eyes aren’t red.
Will softly opens the door, the gap just big enough so he can let himself in. Once he’s in, he just stands in front of the door, seemingly unsure what to do with himself, and, that’s just not right.
Mike pats the space on the bed next to him in invitation – Come here.
Will comes up to him and gets comfortable on the bed, their knees brushing.
– What happened? I don’t really believe that you weren’t feeling well, ‘cause before Robin came around you were fine. Did you two ever argue or something? – he’s concerned, his brows furrowed.
Mike can’t help it and bursts into a short, dry laugh – I hardly know her, I don’t think we ever had a proper conversation before today – he shakes his head – if you can even call it a conversation – he mumbles under his breath.
Will looks dumbstruck, confused – Then what was that about?
– I don’t know, she just has that effect on me. She’s annoying. I can’t even describe it. She's just… you know, Robin.
Will takes a deep breath in – Mike – he starts.
– Will – he smiles, attempting to loosen up the charged air.
Will’s face automatically lightens up, a small smile now developing on his beautiful face.
He breathes out, then scoots even closer.
– Robin and I became close over the past weeks – and what. How, when did that happen? – She’s my friend and it would mean a lot to me if you two got along, if there aren’t any real issues that would be standing in the way of it, that is – his big, trusting eyes set on Mike’s.
– You never said anything about you becoming friends, I didn't know that.
– I know and I’m sorry. I didn’t really expect it, we just stumbled upon each other in the hospital, when Lucas and I were visiting Max, and it just went from there. – If Will didn’t look this apologetic, Mike definitely would feel sort of betrayed. Which is stupid, Will doesn’t owe him any explanations or summaries of his interactions with other people.
– That’s fine.
– Doesn’t feel like it – Will looks up at him with those big, round eyes.
– Will, it’s really fine – Mike reaches out to hold onto his hands, tracing comforting circles on his warm skin – Trust me, it’s all good. I was annoyed and confused, because she showed up out of nowhere and that was just new for me. But it’s good that you’re becoming friends, that’s good – Mike’s assuring not only Will, but also himself.
– Are you sure? – Will’s still looking him in the eye, squeezing Mike’s hands once, then twice.
– Yes, I’m sure – Mike smiles warmly to comfort Will – Everything’s alright with us.
Will nods slowly.
– Can I lay down with you? – Will asks.
– Of course – Mike slides over near the wall to give Will more space and lifts the covers to let him in beside him.
Will snuggles next to him, wrapping Mike in his arms, then places a kiss on top of his head.
They fall asleep together.
***
The next week they organise a movie night, the whole party invited. Well with a small addition of Robin. What is she doing here, someone might ask? Honestly Mike’s kinda embarrassed how little convincing he needs these days to do whatever Will asks him to – so naturally, when the boy suggested inviting his new friend to their house, Mike couldn’t deny him that.
Not after their talk.
That doesn’t mean that he’s glad about her being included, though.
It’s not even about the jealousy anymore, it’s still there of course, but the pure hatred Mike feels toward the girl overpowers any other feeling.
He’s glad she’s nice to Will, but when his own one, and only, interaction with Robin ended up with her treating him like – actually, like what. Like a kid? Like some sort of an obstacle? Mike doesn’t really know.
The point is – that wasn’t cool, whatever she did.
She’s just. So self-righteous. She thinks she knows everything about everyone. And she’s rude about it.
Mike must have not heard the knocking at his door, because the door suddenly swings open, startling him, ripping out of his deep thoughts. The boy gets up to sit on the bed, where he was previously laying down, staring at the ceiling.
Mike locks eyes with, what seems to be frustrated, Will.
– Mike, I’ve been knocking for like five minutes, – okay, so he is actually frustrated, not without a good reason though, Mike must’ve been deep in his thoughts – I was just gonna tell you that I’m going to see Max with Lucas. We’ll be back to help set things up in the basement before the rest shows up – Will’s eyes are scanning the room, as if searching for something out of place, at last landing yet again on Mike.
Why is he still standing in the hallway?
– Sure, sorry I didn’t open the door, I was just thinking about something – Mike shrugs loosely.
– Something worrying you? – Will’s gaze softened and he finally stepped inside, doors left open, stopping right before the bed. He’s so close now, Mike would be able to reach for his hand if he had the guts.
– No, everything’s fine. I was just thinking, like, what movie we’re gonna watch today – He hates lying to him, but he can’t exactly spill his dislike for Robin to him, can he?
God, he really wants to reach for Will’s hand right now, he needs some familiar comfort.
Will smiled briefly – Dustin’s voting for the Star Wars marathon – as if sensing Mike’s internal turmoil, Will reaches to touch Mike’s hand. It’s sickening how they always just get each other.
Mike mindlessly threads their fingers together, smiling shyly.
With El Mike always felt like he had to be strong for her, for the both of them. He had to be always aware, always focused, tense. With Will he can just let go. He can lose himself in their little touches, he’s allowed to be vulnerable, he can be shy and embarrassed and not feel like less of a man.
– Star Wars’s fine – Mike looks up at him, just to be met with the blinding brightness rolling off of Will’s body.
He loves Will for how extraordinarily expressive he is, when he’s happy, content, his body is practically vibrating, infecting everyone in his vicinity.
Still smiling gently, Will nods mindlessly, more to himself than to Mike, squeezing lightly Mike’s hand where it’s entwined with his own.
They were always touchy with each other, it’s just. Mike sometimes can swear that Will reciprocates. Will’s different with him than with Dustin or Lucas.
When Mike’s in a better place, like mentally, he often decides to just let it all out, all of the affection, all his love, to stop caging it all in and just let it spill and then watch what Will would do with the mess he’d create. Would he ignore it? Or would he engage?
Mike likes to think that Will would go along with whatever he’d throw under his legs.
– Gotta go – Will whispers, as if hoping Mike wouldn’t hear it, so they didn’t have to separate. He’s still standing in front of the bed, leaning to Mike.
– Yeah, go, Lucas’ probably waiting – Mike, not letting his hand go, guides Will a little further back from the bed, so he can have space to stand up in front of him.
Now that they’re both standing, facing each other, with their hands still joined, Mike looks down at Will and waits a second ‘till their eyes meet and hugs him. It’s a weird position, with neither one of them willing to let go of the other’s hand. Will buries his head in Mike’s neck, just like he always does. Mike threads his free hand through Will’s soft hair.
Being slightly taller, Mike’s able to breathe in the sweet, tangerine scent of his shampoo.
– Will! You coming?! – Lucas’ voice reaches them from downstairs, popping their little bubble.
Will’s pulling apart at the reminder, that he has somewhere else to be right now – unfortunately the place being a hospital and not Mike Wheeler’s arms.
– Coming! – he turns his body in the direction of the open doors and responds, then looks back at Mike – Bye, Mike – he smiles gently, his cheeks tinted with red.
– Bye, Will – he smiles back and watches as the boy’s heading out of his room, closing the door on his way out.
That wasn’t platonic, right?
***
Later, Mike’s taking out blankets from the closet when Will and Lucas show up in the basement, apparently back from the hospital.
– Hey – Lucas comes up to pull Mike in for a hug. Mike immediately drops the blankets on the floor.
Lucas never was the affectionate friend, but since everything that happened to Max, he appears to be in some sort of a constant need of comfort. Mike sometimes wonders if it isn’t his way of making sure that no one else is going to leave him, that everyone’s still here, still safe.
Lucas doesn’t really like to talk about what happened to Max a few months ago. Mike tried to get him to open up a little, but Lucas didn’t want to do anything other than just hug for a while.
What keeps Mike calm and collected in his worry – is the routine Lucas and Will established.
Every Saturday, they go to see Max together. Now, since it’s the summer break, they visit her together even more often.
At first Mike was sad, thinking that Lucas didn’t find him comforting or supportive enough to establish the same routine with him, but he quickly understood – Will is just this perfect, consoling friend. Always understanding and assistive, comforting.
Mike squeezes Lucas back, waiting for him to be the first one to let go.
– Hey, Lucas, how is Max? – Mike runs his hand delicately along Lucas' back.
– Good, she’s good – Lucas lets him go, stepping back a little to create a small free space between them.
– That’s great, I’m glad – his eyes land on Will, still standing at the bottom of the stairs.
– Yeah – Mike sets his gaze back on Lucas when he continues – Will made her a painting, her portrait – Lucas brings up, smiling – It’s so beautiful, we hung it up on the wall when the nurses weren’t looking – Mike looks over to Will, surprised, his brows slightly raised.
– Hope they won’t take it down – Will laughs.
– That would be awfully rude if they'd taken it down now – Lucas chuckles.
Mike looks over Lucas’ shoulder at Will – You never told me you were working on a portrait for Max – he’s pouting now – Wish I’d seen it before you hang it up, now I’ll have to wait ‘till tomorrow to see it.
Will looks slightly surprised, his cheeks pink, like he didn’t expect Mike to want to see the painting – which is stupid, because Mike always wants to see his work. And Will should be perfectly aware of it, since every drawing or painting he’s been given hangs proudly on the walls of Mike’s room.
Except that one. That one stands on his bedside table.
– I guess I just didn’t think about it, that you’d like to see it – Will says.
– I always want to see your art – Mike smiles, bending down to pick up the blankets, then coming over to the couch to put them down in a pile for now, they can sort them out later.
Will looks positively sheepish now, blushing.
– Hey guys! – at this moment Dustin comes through the door, quickly walking down the stairs.
The boys welcome each other, talking loosely about their day. Will settles in a conversation with Dustin about some new book Mike hadn’t heard of.
Lucas helps Mike with setting up the mattresses and pillows.
– It’s a shame El can’t spend time with us, like, normally. It sucks she has to literally hide, like some fugitive – Lucas looks up at Mike from where he’s crouched down, arranging the pillows.
– Yeah, it does – Mike mumbles back.
– Oh – Will says a little louder to be heard over the murmur of their conversations – we saw Robin at the hospital and she said she’ll be a little late, so we can start without her.
Mike frowns, a little annoyed that she would be late despite her agreeing to meet at four.
But at least they don’t have to wait for her.
Actually, maybe it’s better this way – he’ll get to spend time with his friends without the sound of her annoying voice in the background.
***
Robin shows up in the middle of the first movie.
– Hi, hello everyone! – she screams walking down the stairs
Dustin and Lucas are already sprawled on their own mattresses, while Mike and Will are occupying the couch, the pair cuddling with Mike half sitting – half laying, with his back resting along the armrest, Will laying down between his legs, with his head on Mike’s chest.
– Hi, Robin! – Will sits up a little in order to wave his hand in her direction.
But she, obviously, doesn’t understand that Will meant it just as a friendly welcome.
No, apparently, she thought that Will was inviting her to sit with them on the couch, despite the free mattress waiting for her on the floor.
So now Will is getting up to sit properly, leaving Mike cold and disbelieving, and moves over to create a space for her to sit. Between them.
– Hey, Robin – Dustin says, smiling.
Lucas waves to her and mumbles hi, Robin, too invested in the film to shift his whole attention to the newcomer.
Mike rolls his eyes in greeting to her.
– Hi -Will, scoot over- someone please fill me in – she says, as if anyone would seriously just give her a summary of what’s happening on the screen.
– Okay, so – No. No. Will won’t be summarizing shit for her.
Mike cuts him off immediately, not letting him explain the movie to her, directing his words to Robin – Did you seriously showed up late, came in here like you own the place and, on top of it, expect us to present you a full recap of the movie you could’ve just watched with us if you weren’t late?
She looks surprised at his outbreak – Well, I told Will I’ll be running late, so-
– Oh, you told Will, so obviously it makes everything okay-
– Guys, shut up – Dustin raises his voice slightly now that they seemingly managed to annoy him – I want to watch my movie without you two arguing over god knows what. Go to the kitchen, figure it out and make me some popcorn, please.
Will looks like he’s about to protest, but Robin is already standing up from her spot – I think that’s a great idea, actually. Come on, Wheeler – she nods her head towards the stairs, looking at him expectantly.
Mike looks at Dustin in betrayal, but the boy is already focused back on the movie. Lucas looks generally confused, so Mike doesn’t even bother searching his eyes for approval.
Mike purposefully doesn’t look at Will.
Without much options left, he gets up petulantly and follows Robin up the stairs.
***
When they get to the kitchen, Robin opts to stand awkwardly in front of the counter, while Mike stays back near the doorway.
– Look, I’m sorry, you know, for teasing you on that walk last week. I didn’t mean to put you on a spot, and I always spit some shit – Robin looks at him – I didn’t mean to be mean-
– See, I have trouble believing you, since you wanted to humiliate me and that kinda equals being mean?
– Mike, no – she looks serious now – that’s not what–
– Are you jealous or something? – he cuts in, he’s so over that conversation – You wanted to make me look bad in Will’s eyes because you want to date him? And it annoys you that we’re this close? What the fuck is wrong with you, you’re like way older than him, that is not normal, also – Mike remembers something – what about Steve? Weren’t you two a package deal? At this point who would you be even cheating on?
Robin looks at him like he just grew a second head.
Mike’s literally panting now, saying all of that in one breath, too impatient to wait and let her speak. He’s sick of hearing her speak actually, it’s like that’s all she ever does. Besides stealing other people's boyfriends.
A beat passes, the pair just staring at each other.
Robin takes a breath in, then out. She opens her mouth as if to say something, but then she changes her mind and shakes her head lightly.
Another beat passes, she looks at Mike like she can’t really understand what’s going on – which is fucking stupid, what is there to not understand? He’s mad because she’s attempting to steal Will from him.
– Mike – she finally utters – I – her eyes blink rapidly – You got it all wrong.
It’s like all of the air leaves his lungs. What did he got wrong? He’s so tired.
– Wha-
– No wait, help me understand – she raises her hand slightly, as if to stop him from speaking – You’re angry with me, because you think I’m mistreating Will? Did I get that right?
His shoulders fall in a small sense of relief. Maybe he can get through to her. He nods.
– And you think that I’d want to. Date Will? – she smirks.
– And see, again with that stupid smirk – He gesticulates with his hands, exasperated again – Can’t you take anything seriously? Is everything always funny to you?
– No, sorry, didn’t mean it like that – she says, but she’s still smiling – Oh my god, it’s so stupid – she fully on chuckles, burying her face in her hands.
Mike’s frozen in his place – What is stupid. – he mumbles, more of a statement than a question.
– Mike, I don’t want to date Will, God, that must be the funniest thing I’ve heard, like, ever – she’s still smiling, in fact it seems like her smile just got wider – Mike – she lets the air out of her lungs – I’m not only taken but also just stupidly gay.
Mike’s eyes widen momentarily – You’re. You’re gay?
– Yes – she breathes out – Now that I think about it, I should’ve stopped blabbing at the taken part. – she starts fidgeting with her hair, laughing nervously.
Silence settles in the kitchen. Robin still stands in front of the counter, her eyes following Mike’s silhouette as the boy finally fully comes into the kitchen, pulls out a chair and sits at the table.
He looks up at her and when they lock eyes, he pulls out the chair closest to him, inviting her to sit with him.
Robin looks puzzled but takes the seat next to him.
– I’m sorry for being an asshole – Mike looks her in the eye – I was jealous.
– That much I gathered – her eyes narrowing – What I didn’t catch is why.
– I believe that’s not a conversation I should have with you.
– Oh no, that’s where you’re wrong, you absolutely should – she puts her elbows on the table and rests her head on her joined hands – Spill, Wheeler.
– You’re always so talkative, maybe you would like to get something off of your chest instead – he smiles sweetly at her, mirroring her position.
She laughs – Like what? Is there something you wanna know?
– How did you get together with your girlfriend? – a perfect opportunity like this probably won’t present itself to Mike, like, never again.
Robin looks him in the eye and smiles softly. It’s like she actually understands.
– She’s perfect – she looks like she’s far away, buried in the thoughts about the girl – Oh my god, actually, when I met her, she had a boyfriend. I thought that I didn’t have a chance with her, you know? – she looks sad at the memory – She was now not only perfect but straight.
– What? How? – he scrunches up his forehead in confusion.
– Yeah, some people don’t care at all about gender, they don’t limit themselves to only girls or boys. I mean it in a way that – she starts explaining – some people are simply attracted to girls as well as boys. Yeah – she nods to herself – I for example, I’m only attracted to girls, but Vickie, as I said, had a boyfriend before and she’s attracted to girls and boys.
Mike nods slowly at the new piece of information, but that’s not what he really cares about. What he really cares about is–
– And how did you know she wanted to date you? – he asks.
– Well, there were signals – she smiles, as if that cryptic response would be enough to him.
– What kind of signals?
– You know, like a brush of a knee, bump of the elbow. Shared look – she looks at him knowingly, smiling.
He lets that piece of information set in, focusing on a nail in the wall behind Robin’s head. Those things certainly occurred between him and Will, he’s sure of it.
He locks eyes with her again, Robin already looking back at him, she probably never stopped staring at him, maybe she can’t look away from someone to be able to fully use her weird mind reading abilities.
– Okay – he says.
– Okay.
She’s literally penetrating him with her eyes.
– Stop staring at me like that, you’re scaring me – he jokes.
Robin laughs, her head falling down her hands from the force – You know, the best thing you can do is just go for it. Don’t give yourself too much time to overthink it.
– Okay.
– Okay – her eyes soft – I’m glad we sorted everything out.
– Me too – he smiles briefly – thank you.
– No need to thank me for anything – she moves her chair back, getting up to stand – I think we should go back to the rest.
Mike starts getting up too, Robin already waiting for him at the top of the stairs to the basement.
When they come down together, seemingly in one piece and without any battle scars, everyone breathes out in relief. While Dustin and Lucas look at them briefly, too engrossed in the movie to spare them more of their attention than necessary, Will seems very interested, and maybe even worried? about how their talk went.
Robin takes her seat on the floor next to Dustin and Mike goes back to Will, sitting on the couch, pulling him into his arms.
– Everything’s alright, stop frowning – Mike whispers to him – You’re gonna be all wrinkly before your thirties – he jokes lightly, smoothing out the skin on his forehead with his fingers – we talked and we’re all good.
– Yeah? – Will settles along his side.
– Yeah – Mike smiles, now running soothing circles along his back until Will relaxes and fully melts into his body.
– Did you bring that popcorn? – Dustin speaks up after a minute.
Mike meets Robin's eyes and bursts out laughing.
***
It was now past ten, everyone except Mike fast asleep. Next time they should start their movie night much later, in order for it to actually be a movie night.
It turns out watching films for six hours straight is tiresome no matter what time the watching actually starts.
Will fell asleep cuddling Mike, his head on Mike’s arm and his legs entwined with Mike’s own.
Mike’s hand has been asleep for some time now, but he can’t be bothered to move it from under Will’s head, enjoying the closeness.
He’s been laying here, taking his precious time to gaze at sleeping Will.
How his sleep tousled hair spread over Mike’s arm, the way they tickle him whenever Will’s moving a little in his sleep. How his long eyelashes are spread flat, brushing against his cheeks.
Mike never really stopped being in awe of Will’s divine beauty. Seeing Will grow up along him was one of the best things Mike ever got to witness. Just when he thought Will couldn’t possibly get any more captivating, the boy was proving him wrong every time.
Mike’s written countless poems about Will. About the way he walks, the way he talks.
About the way he makes him feel.
There is just – so much love inside Mike right now, his eyes are starting to get wet.
He can’t imagine his life without Will in it. That year when Will was away in California was the worst year of his life. Will’s place will always be by his side.
Mike didn’t expect his talk with Robin to hit him this hard, she set this fear inside of him – this fear that Will one day might just vanish, that he might just move on, fall in love with someone else, and Mike would be left forever wondering.
Wondering how much he could’ve had if he just wasn’t so scared of reaching for something that was already within his grasp.
Mike startles a little when Will's eyes start moving under his eyelids, the boy then blinking his eyes awake.
When his eyes open he looks lost, like he doesn’t understand where he is, the second he locks his eyes with Mike though, he is found.
– Hey – he says, his voice rough from sleep.
– Hey – Mike whispers back, he can’t help the smile that fights to overtake his face. He’s so whipped for this boy.
– My back hurts – Will mumbles, wriggling around next to him, untangling their limbs in the process. Mike’s just watching him with amusement as he squirms in an attempt to lessen the stiffness in his body. Will starts stretching his limbs, as well as he can at least, in the small space they’re sharing, that’s when he notices that his head is still laying on top of Mike’s arm.
– Oh – he is so stupidly cute. Will lifts his head and looks at Mike’s stretched out arm, then glances back to meet his eyes. He does it, like, three times before the fact that he’s been sleeping on him this whole time clicks for him, in his sleepy state. – I was sleeping on you.
– You were – that’s all of what Mike can muster up to respond, his brain short-circuited.
– Thank you, that’s nice of you – Will smiles up at him and lets his head fall down on Mike’s arm again – We don’t have enough pillows, Robin stole mine – he adds.
– I can go to my room and bring mine down here – Mike suggests, slowly getting up to do just that.
– I’ll go with you, I don’t want you going alone up the stairs in the dark – Will’s already sitting up, rubbing his eyes.
– That’s fine, I’ll be gone for like a minute, you can wait here.
– No, I’m going – Will’s already standing up, holding out his hand for Mike to grasp onto him.
Mike is just. Overwhelmed. He loves this boy so much.
He takes Will's hand in his own and uses it for support to get up from the couch.
Will lets go of his hand and slowly makes his way towards the stairs, careful to not step on anyone. Mike follows him, he always follows.
They get up the stairs and then up the next set that leads them to Mike’s bedroom.
Will enters first – You know, we could just stay in your room – he says as he sits down on the bed – It’s so much more comfortable than the couch in the basement – his hand smooths out the duvet – I feel like I’m at least a hundred years old every time I sleep on that couch, even now my bones are cracking, see – he does some weird maneuver with his shoulders and twists his head, his bones in fact cracking.
– I fear that’s normal – Mike stops in front of him for a second and looks down at him – but yeah, we can stay here. If you’re not scared of the rest of the party once they find out we ditched them and left them to sleep on the floor, despite the couch being now free – he sits down next to Will, their elbows bumping.
– They have the mattresses, they’ll be fine – Will scoots over to the top of the bed and gets under the covers, laying down on his side.
Mike follows in his steps, laying down on his side next to him, so they’re facing each other.
For a while they just take each other in. Will’s scanning with his eyes every inch of Mike’s face.
– Thank you for coming clean with Robin, although you both were sorta funny, biting at each other for absolutely no reason – he giggles – But I had a feeling you two would get along really well when you pulled your heads out of your asses.
– So now it’s funny to you? – Mike smiles at him.
– Very – he smiles wide, even his eyes are crinkling – I’m happy, you know.
Mike throws his head back with a chuckle, surprised with the sudden change of topic – Where did that come from? – they lock eyes again, Will's eyes shiny, reflecting the moonlight.
– I don’t know, I was just thinking earlier how glad I am to be back in Hawkins, despite everything that has happened – he adjusts his position slightly, curling into himself a little – I miss El a lot. Like really miss her. In Lenora we spend almost every free moment together – he smiles at the memory – I think that at some point Jonathan was even jealous of us. I remember, one time, he told me that I replaced him with a younger model – Will giggles, burying his whole face in his hands.
– I get him – Mike laughs – Whenever you two are together, it's like everyone else disappears, like, the last time we saw her, I was calling for you for five minutes, I think, to no avail. If something was actually happening, I would've died ten times before you'd notice.
– I know, I'm sorry! – Will bursts out laughing, his eyes blinking away the unshed tears – I love her so much – he runs his hand through his hair.
– I know. She loves you too – Mike smiles fondly – You're like twins – an idea pops in his mind – Oh my god. Wonder Twins. You're Wonder Twins – Will's cackle cuts him off before he can even finish.
Mike beams at him, proud of himself for making Will laugh this hard.
– Mike, I’m gonna pee myself – Will’s wheezing.
Mike bursts out laughing, clutching his stomach alongside Will.
For a while the only sound filling the room is their laughter and rugged breaths.
– Mike, I gotta tell you something – Will starts.
Mike’s brown, hopeful eyes find his green ones in the dark room, bathed in the moonlight.
– Yeah? What is it? – he’s holding his breath.
Will lets out all the air from his lungs, then scans Mike’s face, probably readying himself to catch Mike’s reaction to what he is about to say.
– I think I’m in– his whole body shudders as he cuts himself off before he can finish.
Oh my god, is it really happening? Mike can't help it, he lets himself be delusional for just a second and believes that maybe – maybe. Is it possible that Will likes him?
Because it would be a really nice moment to confess – them laying next to each other, looking in each other's eyes, in Mike’s moonlight lit up bedroom, the same one they have hung out for the past ten years, creating their best memories right here, in this very room.
If his delusions would be true, they might be creating Mike’s most valuable memory right now.
– Mike, I think I’m in love with Robin.
What. The. Fuck.
Mike’s mouth hangs open. He can’t believe he just fucking heard that confession fall out Will’s lips.
Will looks so fucking serious too, his eyes wide in anticipation, brows slightly furrowed.
– What the fuck – Mike didn’t even mean to say it out loud, but-
If only Will wasn’t laying near the wall, he certainly would’ve fallen off the bed, with the way his body trashes out in laughter.
Mike’s never been more confused – Wha-
– You should’ve seen your face! – Will wheezes out, his smile taking up his whole face.
– Will, what the fuck – so he’s joking. He’s joking. Dear god, the relief – Did Robin put you up to this? ‘Cause I swear to god-
He’s laughing even louder now, Mike actually starts to worry if they won’t wake up the rest of the house.
– No, no – Will seems to be calming down, even taking a second to fill his lungs with some air – She didn’t, I swear – there’s only a chuckle coming out of him now – I just couldn’t help myself, I had to check something – he settles down, sitting cross legged in front of the other boy, looking down at Mike amused.
– Check what? – Mike frowns, sitting up opposite of him, so he’s able to look Will in the eye without looking up at him.
– If you were actually jealous.
Mike stares him in the eye, he makes an attempt to respond, opening his mouth, then closing it again after a second, having no idea what to say.
Will seems to be waiting for his reaction, but he doesn’t look expectant – only amused.
In contrary to Mike who, if he could, would be ripping his hair out from the stress. His hands start to tremble, so he hides them behind his back.
– I – Mike pathetically attempts to fill the silence, but what is he actually supposed to say? Yes, Will, I was awfully jealous, I still am. I’ll probably always be. Why? Oh, I don’t know, it could be the aftermath of loving you for my whole life and being a stupid coward, too scared to do anything about it? Please date me?
Yeah, right.
– You know, it would be so much easier if you just said out loud the shit I can literally see you thinking.
It’s like he’s underwater, barely hearing Will’s voice, much less actually processing his words.
It’s astonishing how much patience Will has when he’s interacting with Mike.
– Mike – Will trails his hands down Mike’s arms and pulls his hands from behind his back, to hold them in his own and lay them down in his lap.
Mike clings to his hands, squeezing hard. Finally, something he can actually process and respond to, the touch bringing him comfort – Yes? – he breathes out, blinking rapidly.
– I’m in love with you – Will says, still holding him firmly, looking deep into his brown, restless eyes.
Mike grows agitated momentarily – Is this a joke to yo-
– No, Mike – Will cuts him off right away, voice stern but calm – I’m in love with you. I’ve always been.
Mike’s heart beats so fast he swears he’s on the brim of a heart attack. He tightens his grip on Will’s hands even more to ground himself.
– Are you sure?
Will just smiles softly at him and nods, tracing circles on Mike’s skin.
Mike breathes out, nodding his head fast to himself – Cool, that’s cool.
– Cool? – Will giggles.
– Yeah, cool – Mike can’t tear his eyes away from him, can’t stop looking at the boy of his dreams, who just confessed his love to him. Will loves him. He always loved him. – I’m in love with you too – Mike says, blinking fast in hope of pushing the forming tears away, back to where they came from in the first place.
Will’s soft smile grows a little. He shakes his head to himself and lets go of Mike's hands in order to scoot even closer to him. One of his, now free, hands roam over Mike’s side, while he places the other on his nape, brushing lightly over his hair with his fingers.
– Can I kiss you? – Will whispers in the space between them, glancing down at his lips.
It’s like the word kiss woke Mike up from whatever coma he’d slipped into before.
Mike leans into Will and kisses him without much of a preamble.
Will lets out a small giggle, then puts pressure on his nape, guiding Mike into him.
The kiss is gentle and lingering, their lips moving in sync, tasting one another.
Mike cradles Will’s face with his hands, rubbing softly his skin.
The room is filled with the sound of his rugged breaths and the hum of their lips meeting halfway whenever one of them pulls out slightly to take a breath.
This is exactly how Mike always imagined their first kiss to feel – slow, intimate, deep, enchanting.
When they pull away from each other, their eyes meet, faces still close.
Will’s eyes are filled with so much emotion, so much love.
– I love you – Mike whispers in his lips, his gaze flickers to his mouth, then back up to meet his eyes.
– Cool – Will smiles teasingly – I love you too – he starts leaning back to kiss Mike again-
– Wait – Mike pulls away startling Will – Do you wanna date me? – he asks eagerly.
Will hangs his head down and laughs – Yes Mike, I wanna date you – he lifts his head back up and gazes at the other boy in awe – You’re impossible.
– How am I impossible? I think that’s a valid question, don’t know about you, but I’d like to know if-
Will cuts him off with a kiss, pulling Mike’s body into his. Mike briefly thinks that they fit perfectly with each other, like puzzle pieces.
– Shut up and kiss me.