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The fight was unexpected. When they were all at the station, planning their next move, out of nowhere six Demogorgons appeared. Will, still adjusting to his newly discovered powers, truly tested his limits this time. One of those monsters almost got Mike. He did all he could to save his best friend. It led him to lose consciousness soon after. From what he gathered, it was Nancy who saved him from getting battered by the Demogorgon.
He woke up after the fight was over, his whole body bruised and hurting like hell. His mom, worried as always, insisted he needed to come back home immediately. He could barely move, so he didn’t even want to complain and let himself get dragged to the Wheelers’ house.
Will doesn’t even remember the ride back home. His mind was still hazy with the memories of the battle. One memory in particular, because nothing in this world scared him more than losing Mike. If he could, he would put himself at risk to save his best friend over and over again.
“I’m exhausted. I think I’ll rest for a bit,” Will whispered, right after he walked through the entrance door. That was all he could manage to convey, feeling like he would pass out any minute now.
“Of course baby,” Joyce said. “Let me just clean up the mess to make a room in the basement, okay?”
Mess was an understatement to describe how the basement in the Wheelers’ house looked right now. Joyce and Hopper decided to search for a new place - together - for all of them to move in. The Byers are currently in the process of packing all their things, and the basement is full of stuff sorted into piles ready to be packed. There’s barely any place to move around, the mattress which served as Will’s bed completely blocked by heavy boxes.
Mike looked at Will, “Do you want to sleep in my room? I-I mean since cleaning up will take some time and you need a proper rest now.”
Even if Will was surprised at the offer, and the sight of Mike slightly blushing, he didn’t show it. “Okay. I’d really like that.”
“Thank you Mike,” Joyce smiled. “I will be waiting here in case you need anything.”
“Of course, Mom. Thanks.” Will said as he started walking up the stairs. He probably should think about the fact that Mike has just offered him his own bed, which hasn’t happened since they were little kids, but he was way too exhausted for that. He would worry about that in the morning.
When he entered the room, he could see it was a mess. Comic books were spread all over the floor, clothes were lying on the chair and Mike’s bed was undone. It made him feel warm inside, all too familiar with Mike’s messiness. He stole some comfy clothes from the closet and after changing, headed straight for the cozy-looking bed. He fell asleep almost immediately.
He didn’t even hear the door open as Mike quietly walked in. Having nothing better to do, he picked up one of the comic books, sat down next to Will, and started reading. Well, at least attempted to. He kept staring at Will, sleeping soundly. The images of the fight kept flashing in his mind. Will saved his life, again. How could he ever repay him for it? Especially this time, when Will put his own life at risk, too.
He couldn’t even think about it. Losing Will, again. He’s still having nightmares about that terrible night a few years ago when Will went missing. He keeps blaming himself for it, too. If only he had asked him to stay. They could’ve had a sleepover, giggled under the covers, and not worry about a single thing. If only.
He couldn’t imagine living without Will, his best friend. Not then, not now, and certainly not ever.
After what could’ve been either hours or minutes, Mike wasn’t able to tell, he could hear Will moving around.
“Mike?” he asked. “What are you doing here?”
“Oh. Uhm, I didn’t know where else I could go. Your mom was worried about you, so Jonathan and Nancy actually asked her to help them pack everything up in the basement to get her mind off it. I didn’t want to bother them since I probably wouldn’t help them much anyway. So, the only other option was, well, my room. I can go, if you need some rest-“
“No, no, don’t worry about me,” Will interrupted his rambling. “You should rest for a bit too, you know?”
Mike looked at him. It struck him how adorable his best friend looked after just waking up. His hair a mess, a drowsy look on his face, and that damned stupid sleepy smile. “Well, you’re occupying my bed and my mattress is in the basement, also occupied by you by the way, so-“
“Join me here, then,” Will said and Mike could swear he saw a blush forming on his cheeks. “I-I mean there’s enough room for two people to fit. Later you can get the mattress from downstairs.”
Will felt the embarrassment consume him. Why did he say that? It was Mike’s bed after all. He could kick Will out of it if he wanted.
“If you don’t mind.” Mike didn’t waste a second lying down next to Will. “I missed this.”
“Missed what?”
Mike took a second to contemplate. “Our sleepovers. You know, back when we were kids. We used to have them a lot. And we always shared a bed too, even though my mom always prepared a mattress for one of us. Nobody found it weird either, two boys sharing a bed. I wish it were like that right now too.”
Will felt his whole body tense. What was Mike saying? Why would he think about other people finding it weird? If they were just two best friends, what other meaning could sharing a bed have?
“I guess,” Mike continued his monologue, “I guess I just miss being close to you. I feel like because of everything that has been happening, we have grown apart. I just miss my best friend, that’s all.”
Will looked at him. Of course, that’s all. Mike’s right after all - they grew apart. Especially after having almost no contact for over a year when he was in California. After they came back he started talking with Mike more, but he still couldn’t shake off this feeling that something wasn’t right between them. It made him go crazy, but he didn’t know how to talk about it with Mike or even if he also felt it.
He decided to play it off. “You know I’m here right now, right? And I’m not going anywhere. Well, except for the fact that we’re moving to a new house.”
“Yeah, I know,” Mike said, and Will could hear the sadness in his voice. “I don’t know if I would survive losing you again. You’re putting yourself at such risk it makes me so, so scared. Terrified even. I probably shouldn’t be telling you this, but I just wanted you to know that I, uhm-” he stopped talking for a second. Mike continued, this time keeping eye contact with Will. “I care. I care about you a lot. And I want- no, I need you to stay safe.”
Will was speechless. He started wondering if it’s all just a dream. After all, Mike was lying next to him in bed, saying how much he cares about Will and how he doesn’t want to lose him again.
“Why didn’t you call then?” he asked, barely a whisper.
“What?” Mike said and Will hoped he actually hadn’t heard him say it.
“Nothing, I-“
“Of course I called! I called almost every single day!”
Mike looked so hurt, it made Will feel guilty. But how come? Back in California he talked with Mike over the phone maybe a few times, and it was always a quick exchange of “how are you’s” and “I’m doing fine, thanks'”.
“Your mom was always occupying the phone. I kept trying and trying and whenever I finally managed to successfully call, your mom always called out for El first. I was happy to talk to her of course, she was my girlfriend after all, but I really wanted to talk to you too. I missed you so much Will, you don’t even realize. I wrote you letters, too.”
“You wrote letters?” Will asked, because he had no idea how to address everything else Mike had just told him.
“Obviously! I just… never sent them. I- uhm… I still have them. In my drawer. I can show you one day.”
This conversation couldn’t get more insane for Will. Especially when Mike was unaware of how hopeful it made him feel.
“Why not now?” he knew he shouldn’t keep pushing Mike like that. It was rare for him to get so vulnerable, and Will didn’t want to cross the line.
Panic was visible on Mike’s face. He took a long, deep breath before he spoke again. “That year without you here made me… think a lot. About everything, really. But… especially me. I wrote down those thoughts and it felt… too much. That’s why I didn’t send them to you in the first place,” his voice was shaking. “I think… I think I wasn’t ready…”.
Will wanted to comfort Mike, but wasn’t sure how. Years ago it would’ve been obvious. He would’ve hugged Mike without even sparing it a thought. It would’ve been natural. Now, everything’s different. Now, he has realized he’s in love with Mike and has to be careful not to show anything. Not to let himself wonder what it would be like to be able to do it all the time. Hold his hand, hug him, maybe even kiss him.
That’s when Will heard Mike ask him, with the tiniest voice he’s ever heard. “Can I hold your hand? Please?”
And who was Will to say no to Mike? He reached for Mike’s hand and held it gently. Mike immediately intertwined their fingers together. It felt… right.
“Okay, so… uhm…” Will started speaking, but his voice was a bit shaky too. “You realize that I wouldn’t judge you no matter what, right? No matter what happens, you can always talk to me, Mike. Please talk to me.”
“I know, Will, really. I do. It’s just… It’s all me, okay? You did nothing wrong.”
Will wasn’t sure what Mike meant by that. It was unlike him to be so cryptic. He must’ve looked really confused, because Mike awkwardly smiled at him.
“I promise it’ll all make sense once I show you those letters. Just give me some time, okay?”
Will couldn’t keep pushing Mike, no matter how confused and curious he was. It had nothing to do with those puppy eyes Mike was giving him. “Okay. I won’t pressure you. But I’m always here, alright?”
“Alright. Thank you, Will. Thank you for being you.” Mike whispered and held Will’s hand even tighter. “Can we go to sleep now? I’m starting to feel really tired.”
“Sure” Will said, even though he was certain he wouldn’t be able to fall asleep after having such a weird conversation with Mike. “Goodnight.”
“G’night” Mike replied sleepily, just slightly moving closer to Will.
It was so warm and safe, Will felt like he could melt any minute. He watched Mike for a bit. How his chest rose slowly while he was breathing. How his curls fell loose on his forehead. How his freckles (how did he never notice Mike had so many?) spread across his cheeks. His lips, so perfectly curved. He knows that face like the back of his hand. He drew it so many times, often without even realizing what he was sketching until Mike’s face was staring at him from his own drawing. He felt so helpless and so in love that it physically hurt him.
Guilt was eating Will alive. Yes, Mike said some, well, questionable stuff. Will let himself hope - just for a bit. He knew it was stupid, Mike liked girls after all. He kept calling Will his friend, his best friend. That was all they were. Best friends. Just for this one night, he let himself stay like that, with Mike, in his bed, holding hands. He soon drifted to sleep, holding Mike’s hand like his life depended on it.
Will woke up first. The clock showed 6 am. Pretty early, but he knew his mom would be awake. When he wanted to get up, he noticed that Mike was still gripping his hand. He smiled at the sight, but he knew he needed to go downstairs. His mom was definitely still worried, but also he couldn’t be there when Mike woke up. He wanted to spare both of them the embarrassment. He was sure Mike wouldn’t mention what happened yesterday night. He carefully freed his hand and proceeded to leave the room. Mike didn’t move at all.
When he entered the kitchen, he found Nancy instead of his mom. She smiled at him.
“Good morning! Your mom is in the basement if you’re looking for her. Do you want some tea?” She offered him a cup, as she was making one for herself already.
“Thank you, I’d like one, please.” he smiled right back at her.
Nancy handed him the cup. “You’re always so polite. I’m so glad you’re close with Mike again. I hope it rubs off on him too, that little asshole.” He stared at her as she continued, “I know things weren’t exactly as they should have been between you two for a while. Mike wouldn’t stop complaining about it. I’m really glad you guys worked through it. Genuinely, but also because I won’t have to hear him whining all the time. I’m rooting for you.”
Will just laughed, simply because he had no idea what to say to Nancy. Mike was whining that they weren’t so close anymore? And to Nancy? He could swear the Wheelers had an agreement to just confuse the hell out of him these days.
They kept drinking their tea in silence when he heard someone going down the stairs. Mike’s head popped in the doorframe.
“G’morning” he said, not even sparing Will a look. It hurt him a bit, but deep down he knew he shouldn’t expect anything. He used all his luck with Mike at night and besides, maybe he was right about him feeling embarrassed.
Nancy gave Will a small smile and left the room. Now he didn’t know what to do. Mike was standing with his back facing Will and the silence between them was uncomfortable. He heard Mike sigh and as he was turning around, mouth open as if he wanted to say something, his mom came in.
“Will, you’re awake! How are you feeling?” Joyce cheered, unaware of the weird tension between the boys.
Will looked at Mike and for a split second, their eyes met. Mike’s eyes were watery if he was about to start crying. Will really wanted to say something - anything - but his voice was caught in his throat.
Joyce, still looking at Will, continued “We are planning to start moving our boxes with stuff today. Jonathan and Nancy will help us, so you can stay here and rest for a bit more.”
The thought of staying home with Mike was truly nice, but he knew he couldn’t do that. Not after seeing what could’ve been regret in Mike’s eyes.
“I’ll come too. If that’s okay,” he replied, not looking at Mike. “I want to start unpacking stuff in my room as soon as I can.”
Joyce smiled and nodded. “Come on then, Hopper will pick us up any minute now.”
If she wanted to say something else, she was interrupted by a loud bang from where Mike was standing. “Sorry,” he started with a shaky voice, “I dropped the cup. You both should go, I will clean it up.”
So Will left the room, leaving Mike behind. Seeing him in such a state broke his heart but he knew he had to be a little bit selfish. He didn’t want to hear Mike tell him he regrets anything just yet.
After a few days of packing things, moving out and Will and Mike not speaking almost at all except for exchanging a few words here and there, they found each other standing in Will’s new room. Mike offered him help with unpacking all the remaining boxes because even after the silent few days, he’s nice to Will just like that.
“Where does this go?” Mike asked, holding a box full of what seemed to be some old notebooks. “What is it even?”
“I’m not sure, let me check.” Will got up from the floor where he was sorting his comics and went to see what Mike was talking about. “Oh, those are my old sketchbooks. I don’t really know what to do with them. I was thinking of throwing them away actually.”
“No,” Mike replied way too quickly.
“What? Why not?” Will was really confused as to why Mike was so opposed to throwing out some old sketchbooks. Sure, they might hold some sentimental value but Will had so many of them stored already. “I don’t need them anymore.”
“Can I have them then?” he asked Will, and once again, how could he say no to Mike?
“Sure, but um… why? They’re old and probably terrible,” he laughed awkwardly.
“Do you remember when you used to give me your drawings and I’d put them on my wall?” Mike started speaking quietly. “I still have them. All of them in fact. I put them in a binder to keep them safe so they wouldn’t become damaged.”
Will looked at Mike with disbelief. “Really? You do? Mike that’s… that’s adorable.”
“Oh,” was all Mike could muster. He looked so flustered with a big, red blush already visible. “I think you’re adorable.”
It took both Mike and Will a second to fully register what words had just left Mike’s mouth. Will was speechless, opening and closing his mouth without any words coming out.
Mike broke eye contact. He needed to look at anything, just not Will. “I mean you drew all of them for me. That- that was adorable.”
Will just laughed at Mike’s attempt to save himself to spare him the embarrassment and also not to have a full breakdown over what he had just heard. That was something he would worry about later, when he won’t be able to fall asleep because all he will think about is Mike. Him acting so weird these past few days, being so cryptic and saying stuff that makes Will feel things he knows he can’t be feeling towards his best friend.
His best friend who likes girls.
Mike moved on to unpack another box. Will did the same, or at least pretended to do so, as his mind was still racing with thoughts. That’s when they heard a knock on the door.
“Hey,” it was Jonathan. “I’m driving Nancy home. Do you want to come with us, Mike?”
“Yeah, sure,” Mike said. “See you tomorrow?”
It took Will a second to reply “Oh, of course. See you, Mike.”
They shared one last look and to Will’s surprise, Mike looked… sad? After the door was closed, he let his thoughts wander for a bit. Why would Mike be sad? Does he regret calling Will adorable? Or was he upset that he had to leave?
No. He knew better than that. He knew he couldn’t even let himself hope, because all that was waiting for him was disappointment. He started putting his comic books on the shelf just to get his mind off Mike.
Which didn’t work at all, but oh well.
The next morning, a loud banging on the front door woke Will up. He checked the time - it was just a few minutes after 8. Both Jonathan and his mom had to leave early today to run some errands, so he was left home alone. He figured it might be just Hopper, who was supposed to come later today and start bringing their stuff.
Will got out of his bed with a groan as the banging continued. When he opened the door, he was met with a sight of none other than Mike Wheeler.
“What the hell are you doing here?” he asked. It was way too early for Mike to even be awake, much less standing right at Will’s doorstep.
“I needed to see you,” Mike quickly replied. “It’s really urgent.”
“What could possibly be so important that it couldn’t wait until later?” Will asked, starting to feel really confused. “Do you know what time it is? Are you okay?”
“More than okay, actually. Even though I’ve barely slept,” he said and that’s when Will noticed heavy bags under his eyes. “Can I come in?”
“I- sure, come on in,” he opened the door to let Mike in. “Do you want something? Coffee?”
Mike stopped in his tracks, apparently already heading towards Will’s room. “Actually, yeah. I need to think clearly.”
Will went to the kitchen and started searching through all the boxes to find one with coffee. He took his time to think about what could possibly be so urgent for Mike to come here as early as possible. He never wakes up before ten when there’s no school. Will had a feeling he did something wrong, but couldn’t think of what exactly. Was it something about yesterday?
After finding and preparing their coffees, Will started heading for his new room. Nervously, he opened the door and spotted Mike leaning against the wall, holding something in his hands.
Will put down Mike’s coffee on the desk and turned to him, “So what is it?”.
Mike's expression was unreadable as he started speaking, “Yesterday I- um… Started going through your old sketchbooks…,” he paused for a second. “I put small sticky notes on, well, several pages. Look through them.”
Will could feel panic rise in his chest. He had no idea what Mike had found in them, but everything considered, it couldn’t be something good, could it? Otherwise, Mike wouldn’t be here right now.
Carefully, Will took one of the sketchbooks from Mike’s hands. He opened the first page with a sticky note and- oh. It was a drawing of Mike.
Of course it was.
Will should’ve known better, really. He knew he drew Mike a lot, usually without even realizing. Mike was his muse even if he never dared to admit it.
He kept going through the pages. All of those marked pages were just… Mike. Mike lying on a couch in the basement, doing some weird expressions. Mike sitting at his school desk, clearly bored. Mike talking with someone and smiling. Way too much Mike for it to be considered acceptable to do.
Mike broke the silence, “I also know about the painting. El told me she didn’t commission anything. I know you lied. So what are you gonna tell me?”.
Will froze. What was he supposed to say to Mike? That he’s sorry? It wouldn’t change anything. It wouldn’t change Mike’s feelings. He is probably disgusted and doesn’t want anything to do with Will. How could will be so fucking stupid? Mike begged him not to leave him and here he is, giving Mike no other option than cutting all contact with his deranged-
“Will,” Mike snapped, but his expression softened immediately, “Please. Tell me. I need to know what this all means.”
“I’m sorry, I’m so, so sorry Mike,” Will said with a shaky voice, holding back his tears. “I’m really sorry I shouldn’t have-“.
Lied? Give Mike the painting? Allow him to take his old sketchbooks? Draw Mike? Will wasn’t sure himself what he was apologizing for, he just knew he had to say how sorry he was for everything.
“But you did! You did and I need you to tell me why! Please, Will.”
Will couldn’t control himself anymore. He started crying, his whole body shaking. No matter how hard he tried, no words came out of his mouth.
He heard a silent thump as Mike put the remaining sketchbooks on the desk. Soon after Will felt Mike’s arms wrap around him and he got pulled into a tight hug. His hands started carefully caressing Will’s back.
“Listen to me Will, please! I’m not mad or anything, I promise,” Mike started speaking softly to his ear. “Here, I brought you something.”
Mike led Will to sit them both on the bed. From his backpack which was lying close to them, he pulled out a stack of papers.
His letters to Will.
“You can read them now. I- I promise I’m not upset or mad at you or anything. Read them and you’ll see,” Mike smiled, putting an arm around Will’s shoulders again.
Will took the letters with a shaky hand. He didn’t know what was happening and what made Mike give him those letters. Sure, he promised to do it one day, but he didn’t expect it to happen so soon. Especially now, after Mike discovered the disgusting truth about Will.
First letters were… normal. Mike wrote about his life, school, and their friends. Nothing unusual. Sure, in every single one Mike wrote about how much he missed Will, but this was normal, right? To miss his best friend.
And then he saw it. The date on the letter said it was around two months after they had moved.
I really miss you Will. I think I miss you more than I miss El, which shouldn’t be happening because, well, she’s my girlfriend. I feel so guilty about it. Life isn’t the same without you in it. I feel like I took you for granted, and now that you’re gone, I have no idea what to do. It confuses me why I miss my best friend more than I miss my girlfriend. What is it about you that you always come first in my mind?
From Mike
Then another one, approximately two weeks later.
El and I exchange letters all the time. I write to you too, I don’t know why I can’t bring myself to send them. I think I get embarrassed because of how vulnerable I feel writing to you. Isn’t it stupid? You’re my best friend. I used to tell you everything. What happened to me now?
From Mike
The third one was from a week later.
El always signs her letters with “Love”. I said it to her a few times in person but for some reason, I can’t bring myself to write it to her, too. It got me thinking, why exactly am I unable to? She’s my girlfriend, I should love her, right? I think I do, but the more I question it, the more I realize that I love her like I love Lucas, Dustin, or hell, even Max. Like friends. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, Will. I know I won’t send this letter to you, either. I received one from you recently, so I’ll probably write another one to reply to you, with less contemplation from my side. Do you know I keep all the letters you send me? They’re stored with all the drawings from you. Which is stupid, again, because I don’t even keep letters from my own girlfriend.
From Mike
Will quietly gasped at what he had just read, but continued with another one, his hands just slightly shaking this time.
Will, I miss you. I miss you so much it’s become unbearable. I really wish I could see you in person, talk to you, hear your voice. I know it’s not something I should feel when talking about my best friend. But I do, I do feel a lot when I think about you. It’s really weird, right? I know you probably wouldn’t judge me but I still can’t bring myself to send any of those letters to you.
I’m confused. I don’t understand my own feelings. What exactly do I feel towards you? What is it that makes you so different from every other friend or even my own girlfriend? Will, why are you so special to me? Why do thoughts of you keep messing with my head?
From Mike
“What?” Will couldn’t help but ask. What did Mike mean by all of that? Will, special?
“Just,” Mike hesitated for a second, tightening his grip on Will’s shoulder, “Just read the last one.”
So Will opened the last letter.
Will,
I think I like you. Not as a friend, I mean. I thought about it a lot. I’ve spent so many sleepless nights thinking about you and my own feelings. I can’t say this to your face, ever. I cannot risk losing you because of my own stupid feelings.You won’t receive this letter, so I’ll pour my whole heart here. I think you’ve been special to me since the first day we met. For a long time I couldn’t name those feelings exactly, I just knew you were my best friend, my favorite person in the whole world. Then I met El. I knew people expected us to find girlfriends eventually and I thought El was a good choice for me. So I went with it. I thought I loved her like I’m supposed to love a girlfriend but well, I didn’t. I know I need to have a serious conversation with her, and soon I will. I promise.
I cried a lot, you know? When I realized that what I feel for you might be something more than I originally thought. It never occurred to me before, because with you it all felt so natural, so good and so, so right. I know I’ve been really shitty to you in the past, so it might not make sense. I guess I was just… scared? Scared is the right word I think. Scared of you finding out, of you repulsing me, of losing you. Mostly I was scared of myself, though. I thought that maybe I could forget about all of it, find a girlfriend, and live a normal life like everyone expects me to. Obviously, it didn’t work out and I’ll end up hurting a person I deeply care about. I’m so stupid, really.
I think my breaking point was when El told me about the painting. She mentioned that she’s pretty sure you like some girl and you’re painting her something. I swear I could feel my heart sink. You used to give me drawings, so why were you painting something for someone else suddenly? And then I started to wonder, why do I even care about it so much? I had a girlfriend, why couldn’t you find one too? It hit me that I was simply jealous. Jealous of you liking someone else. It took me so many tears and so many sleepless nights to realize the obvious thing that was right in front of me this whole time - I like you, Will. I want to be your favorite person. I want to receive your drawings or paintings or whatever else you’d create, simply because it means so much to me. Because I’ve known you all those years, and being with you seems to be the most natural thing. It’s selfish, I know, but I want you all to myself.
The second I realized it, I knew that as long as I have you by my side, I can manage. I can manage as just being your best friend, even though you’ll always be much more to me. I can’t put you at such risk, you’ve been through too much already. One day I’ll watch you find someone else, and I will support you and be happy for you, even when I will be literally dying inside, wishing it were me instead. Your happiness is the most important thing to me in the whole world.
I think I’m going crazy. But we promised each other we would go crazy together, right?
Love,
Mike
Will was speechless. He looked over at Mike, only to find him staring at the floor, eyes watery with tears threatening to fall.
“You…” he started speaking carefully, “You like me?”
Mike started crying, yet his voice was loud and clear, “Of course I fucking do! How could I not? I mean look at you!”. He stood up and started pacing around the room, not stopping his speech, “You’re just so… kind. So kind to everyone, even to me, when I treated you like nothing but garbage these past few months because I couldn’t face my own feelings!”
Will felt dizzy. Mike liked him the whole time and he was completely unaware of that. He stood up to stand in front of Mike and put his hands on his shoulders in a poor attempt to calm him down.
Mike didn’t look him in the eyes, but continued talking anyway, “I never planned on confessing to you. I was a coward. When you gave me that painting and said all those words I felt so… seen. Seen and loved. You lied to me that it was all from El and for what, Will? Tell me, why?”
“I…,” Will hesitated for a bit. “I thought you needed that little push, I guess. I thought maybe if you heard those words, because I’m sure that’s how she felt anyway, you’d become more, I don’t know, confident? And… and you’d realize that you truly love her.”.
Mike looked at him, “Yeah. It made me realize that I do love. Except it wasn’t directed at her apparently, because those weren’t her words at all. It was all you. Please tell me it was all you, because I truly feel like I’m going insane.”
He knew there was no going back at this point. Carefully, he said “Yeah. It was all me.”
There was a silence for a second. Then, Mike started laughing. Will just stood there, confused and not knowing what to do or say next.
“Good. That’s good,” was all Mike said. After what could’ve been literal minutes, he finally continued, “When I talked to El about it and she told me she didn’t know what I was talking about I knew I needed to confront you. I just… I had no idea how. I was so worried that maybe I was reading this all wrong, maybe you actually didn’t mean all of that. I let myself hope just for a bit but deep down I was so, so scared.”
Mike looked so sad, so vulnerable and delicate like he could break any second now. It made Will’s heart ache. He’s the reason why Mike’s going through all of this. He thought Mike was the cryptic one, but in the end, Will also must’ve been giving him mixed signals.
“That night when we shared a bed, I was so glad that you let me lie down next to you. When we held hands I thought my heart would jump out of my chest any minute. I was so afraid I crossed the line when I intertwined our fingers, but you didn’t move at all. That was probably the best I’ve ever slept in my entire life. Having you so close made me feel at home,” he stopped for a second, his brows furrowed as he was thinking what to say next, “But the next morning I woke up alone. My first thought was, Oh, great, so you definitely didn’t like that. When I went downstairs you wouldn’t even look at me. God, I felt so fucking stupid.”
To say Will was shocked would be an understatement. Is this how Mike truly felt? He had the exact same doubts, about whether what they did was too much.
“But then I came here to help you unpack and you gave me those sketchbooks,” Mike picked up again, and Will realized he’s not done yet, “and they were full of drawings of me. Gorgeous drawings by the way, you made me look so handsome,” he laughed. “It made me realize that it’s now or never. If I’m reading this all wrong, tell me. Tell me and I’ll walk through the front door and we can pretend you’ve never read those letters, I’ve never told you these things or, I don’t know, you can never talk to me again but-“
“Mike, Will stopped his rambling, “Please calm down. Come here,” he pulled Mike into a tight hug and started caressing his hair. Mike hid his face in the crook of Will’s neck. He could feel the other boy’s tears on his skin.
They stood like this for a while until Will broke the silence, “You’re not reading it wrong, Mike. I’m so sorry I made you so confused. That was never my intention, I promise. I guess I was scared too, of you finding out and thinking I’m disgusting. I know I crossed a line with that painting and the whole speech and I’m sorry for lying to you.”
Mike didn’t say anything, instead, he pulled Will even closer. They stood like that for a few moments, just enjoying the closeness.
Will realized he didn’t say the most important part, the words Mike was waiting to hear for God knows how long, “I like you too, by the way. If that wasn’t obvious already.”
Mike’s head snapped. He looked at Will’s face, searching for any sign that the boy was lying to him. When all he saw was Will’s warm smile, he leaned in to kiss him.
It caught Will by surprise. The kiss was short, almost a peck on the lips, but it was exactly what Will had dreamed of his whole life. He met Mike’s eyes, both of them unsure what to do next.
“Are you… Sure?” Mike asked quietly. “You really do? Like me?”
“I could be asking the same question,” he laughed in response. “Yes, I’m sure. I do like you, Wheeler.”
The smile that spread on Mike’s lips was so wide, it made Will want to kiss him again. Just to make sure that he’s real, that it’s all real. He leaned in just slightly, but thankfully Mike understood what he meant and their lips met in the middle.
Will could swear he was about to melt right there in then, in Mike’s arms. The kiss lasted a bit longer this time. When they parted, Mike’s whole face was red and Will was sure his own was too.
“Am I dreaming, Will?” Mike asked, still smiling.
“I hope not,” Will replied. “It does feel like a dream come true, though.”
Mike laughed again. “So, tell me,” he began, “when did you start liking me?”
Will said without thinking, “Since we were twelve, I think.”
He realized the weight of his words when Mike’s eyes grew visibly larger.
“You- What?” Mike said, mouth wide open. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Are you stupid?” Will raised his eyebrow. “Why would I risk our friendship? Especially with everything going on with the Upside Down. I needed you Mike. Besides, do I have to remind you that you had a girlfriend?”
“Oh. Okay, makes sense,” he laughed, embarrassed. “Wait. You needed me?”
Will was convinced Mike truly was an idiot. “Obviously? I still do. I literally told you that when I was giving you the painting. You figured those were my words anyway, so why are you surprised?”
Mike didn’t reply. Instead, he took Will’s hand and led him to bed. He lay down and patted the spot next to him, signaling Will to join him.
“Hi,” Mike smiled at him.
“Hi?” Will replied, confused.
“Can I hold your hand?”
Will extended his arm to reach Mike’s hand, and said“Seriously? We kissed and you’re asking me if you can hold my hand?”
“Sorry, I still can’t believe this is all real. I think you should kiss me, you know? Just so I can make sure I didn’t imagine you.”
Will rolled his eyes, but scooped closer to Mike because to be honest, he really wanted to kiss him too.
So he did. Mike put his other hand on the back of Will’s neck to pull him closer. Will could feel his whole body relax under the other boy’s touch. That’s just how Mike made him feel - like there was nothing he had to worry about.
After what was definitely more than just one kiss, Mike leaned back to look at Will’s face. He studied it carefully, almost like he was seeing it for the first time.
“Will?” Mike’s voice was quiet again, almost a whisper, “What… what does this make us?”
“Oh,” was all Will said, because it took him off guard. “Well, we both admitted to liking each other so…”.
“Can I be your boyfriend?” Mike blurted out.
Will stared at Mike’s suddenly serious face and laughed. The change in the boy’s expression made him want to tease him a bit.
“Oh I don’t know, can you?”, he smirked.
Mike’s eyes shot wide from panic before he realized what Will was doing, “Will! You asshole! Please?”
And yet again, who was Will to say no to Mike’s puppy eyes? Besides, he had dreamed of hearing Mike say those words to him.
“Yes. God, yes.”
Mike hugged him tight and started planting small kisses on his whole face. He kissed his forehead, nose, cheeks, and eventually gave him a little peck on the lips.
“I actually need to tell you something,” Mike started, unable to hide a wide grin. “Technically, I lied. I said that I like you because I didn’t want to scare you off. But I don’t. I mean, it’s not enough to express what I feel for you.”
At first, Will’s heart dropped. He soon realized what his now boyfriend was about to say and he couldn’t believe what he heard when those words left Mike’s mouth.
“I love you, Will. I think I always have. No, I know I always have. I wish it didn’t take me so long to realize that. You don’t have to say it back though,” he reflected, “but I needed you to know that.”
“Mike Wheeler, you’re an idiot. I love you too.”
Mike’s whole face turned red. He hugged Will tighter, if it was even possible, and they lay together like that for a while, just enjoying each other’s presence.
It was so warm, so comfortable and it felt like… home. For once, Will knew that Mike felt exactly the same. He didn’t need to guess or search for signs this time. He could just enjoy his boyfriend’s touch.
“Thank you Will,” Mike’s voice caught him by surprise. “Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for waiting all these years.”
“Of course, Mike. That’s what best friends are for, aren’t they?”
They both laughed because, well, it was true. They were best friends after all. Best friends who fell in love with each other as a bonus.
They let themselves stay like this, tangled with each other. Soon they both drifted to sleep, not worrying about anything in the world. The end of the world could wait. Now, they felt happier than they ever were.
They were finally home.