Work Text:
Santa
Doesn't know you like I do
I've been there through the good and bad
Know how to make you laugh
Kiss all your tears away, babe
Only I can do that
It was a blisteringly cold day in Hawkins, Indiana. Snow accumulated rapidly across the town, flakes the size of golf balls striking windows and transforming everything into a winter wonderland. The Christmas tree twinkled with soft lights, gentle holiday music playing in the background.
This time of year was absolutely magical. People seemed more generous, more kind, more forgiving. Loved ones gathered to share laughter and memories that would linger long after the season ended.
Christmastime was also when hearts grew more vulnerable—when people opened up more easily, releasing everything they had been carrying.
There were three things that were certain:
Will Byers loved Christmastime.
Christmas music was his favorite—he could listen to it even in the summertime.
And he was absolutely, completely, wholeheartedly in love with Mike Wheeler.
He knew it was insane. How could he fall in love with his best friend? He hadn’t meant for it to happen. It just… did.
They’d been best friends since kindergarten—always choosing each other, no matter what. Through every storm and every strange twist life threw at them, Will always knew Mike would be there. And somehow, as long as Mike was beside him, everything felt like it might be okay.
Will tried to stop the feelings. He really did. He told himself it was pointless, foolish even, especially since Mike had always been straight… or at least, that was what everyone assumed, including Will. Mike never talked much about girls, but still—Will reminded himself over and over not to get his hopes up. He’d only end up breaking his own heart.
When Mike started dating El, Will did what he always did: he supported him. He was a good friend, a good support—to his family, his friends—but especially to Mike. Will wanted nothing more than to see him happy, even if it wasn’t Will who put that bright, effortless smile on Mike’s face.
They broke up sometime over the summer, agreeing it was better to stay friends and give El the space she needed. Mike didn’t seem particularly heartbroken; he shrugged it off like it had been mutual, slipping back into his usual energy without much explanation.
And secretly… Will was relieved.
Watching them together had been torture. Every stolen moment between them felt like a knife twisting in Will’s chest. He longed to be loved like that… or maybe, he just wanted to be loved like that by Mike.
For now, he told himself it was enough just to have him as a best friend. Even if being this close nearly destroyed him.
Mike didn’t notice. Or if he did, he acted blissfully unaware—the lingering glances, the way Will’s heart sped up every time their knees brushed, the sparks in every accidental touch.
Mike never seemed to realize how the smallest contact could completely undo Will.
He was grateful to have Mike as a best friend and in his life no matter what.
Will sat on Mike’s bed with his knees tucked to his chest, Mike’s blanket wrapped around his shoulders as he stared out the window. Snow drifted past the glass in thick, steady waves, and he let out a slow breath, sinking deeper into the mattress.
He felt safe here. He felt home.
He’d come over that morning planning to spend the day with the Wheelers—really, with Mike—and hadn’t expected the storm to actually hit this hard. The forecast hadn’t been lying; this one was going to be bad. That wasn’t such an awful thing though, not to Will at least.
He’d asked Joyce if he could stay the night, and she’d agreed as long as the Wheelers were okay with it. Of course they were. And Mike… Mike looked absolutely thrilled.
“Will?”
Mike’s voice broke through his thoughts. Will turned, blinking back to the present, just in time to see him coming back into the room with two mugs of steaming hot cocoa. A soft, gentle smile rested on Mike’s lips, and just that one look was enough to make Will’s chest feel warm and achy all at once.
“Hey—sorry,” Will mumbled, heat rushing to his cheeks for reasons he’d never admit. His eyes dropped to the mugs, catching sight of the marshmallows floating on top. His favorite. “You even added marshmallows. You really do know me.”
Mike chuckled quietly as he handed him the cup, careful not to spill, careful like he always was with Will. “How could I forget?” He teased, flashing him a grin. He nodded toward the mattress. “Scoot over.”
Will shifted his body over automatically to make room for Mike.
It was always like this—close, too close, never close enough. Knees brushing. Shoulders touching. Their warmth blended together that left tingles all throughout his body. Will felt cozy. Safe. But also? This was dangerous—very dangerous.
Mike eased onto the bed beside him, their knees brushing instantly—sending a rush of electricity straight through Will’s veins. He glanced over just in time to see Mike tug part of the blanket onto his own shoulders so they could share it.
This was normal. This was what friends did. Friends sat close. Friends shared blankets. Friends drank hot cocoa and spent entire days together. Right?
Will took a sip from his mug, warmth blooming in his chest and settling in his stomach. He ran his tongue over his lips to catch the bit of chocolate lingering there—then paused when he felt it. Someone was watching him. A set of familiar eyes.
Will looked up immediately. Mike was staring. Not casually, not accidentally—really watching him. Will’s breath hitched when Mike’s gaze flickered down, lingering just a second too long on his lips.
Heat crawled up Will’s cheeks. He pretended it was just the cocoa.
Mike seemed to realize Will had noticed, clearing his throat a little too quickly. He lifted his mug, took a sip like it might hide whatever that moment had been, then leaned forward to set it carefully on the nightstand.
“Can we, uh… exchange gifts now?”
A small smile tugged at Will’s lips. He’d been waiting to give Mike his present for weeks—honestly, since the day he’d bought it. Mike was always easy to shop for. Will knew every interest, every comfort, every tiny thing that would make him light up. He’d made sure to pick something that would mean a lot to Mike.
The funny thing was, Mike had never asked Will what he wanted. For a while, Will wasn’t even sure if Mike had gotten him anything at all. Not that he expected it. He would have been happy just being here, curled under a blanket beside him while the world outside disappeared beneath snow.
Still… knowing Mike had gotten him something made his chest feel just a little warmer.
Not only did Will get him something, he painted him something too.
Will loved to paint, especially things that meant a lot to him—like Mike.
“Let’s do it. Who should go first?” Will asked, taking another sip of his cocoa before leaning over to set the mug on the nightstand.
Mike didn’t even hesitate. “I will.” He said, a spark of nervous excitement in his voice.
Before Will could fully process that, Mike was pushing the blanket aside and getting off the bed. The loss of warmth hit Will immediately, disappointment tugging at his chest even as his nerves started fluttering wildly. He watched Mike cross the room, disappearing briefly into his closet.
Mike turned back around, a gift bag in his hands, his expression soft… almost shy.
Will’s breath caught as he moved back onto the bed, their knees brushing again as Mike hands him the gift bag. The warmth of Mike against him rose in Will’s chest again. “Mike… you really didn’t have to get me anything.”
Will’s voice came out softer than he meant it to. His fingers brushed against Mike’s as he took the gift bag from him, and that brief touch sent another wave of electricity racing through his veins.
“I wanted to,” Mike said simply, as if it was not even a question.
He tried to sound casual, shrugging like it was nothing—but their hands were still barely touching, lingering there like neither of them wanted to be the first to pull away. Will’s heart stuttered in his chest before he finally shifted, pulling his hand back so he could rest the bag in his lap.
Could Mike feel the sparks of electricity the way Will did?
His face was already warm, cheeks flushed a deep pink, and he swore he’d keep blaming the cocoa for it. He glanced up at Mike, silently asking if he should start.
Mike nodded right away, eyes bright—almost eager.
Will carefully tore into the wrapping paper, peeling it back bit by bit until the gift finally revealed itself. His breath caught. His hands started to tremble as he stared down at it.
A brand-new sketchbook.
Not just any sketchbook—the exact one Will had stared at for weeks in the art store window. The one he’d wanted desperately but could never quite afford. And alongside it, a full set of high-quality pencils. The kind real artists used.
His chest tightened. This gift wasn’t just kind, or thoughtful. It meant something.
Emotion welled hot behind his eyes before he could stop it. Will blinked rapidly, tears forming as he looked back up at Mike. Mike sat there nervously next to him, like he was terrified Will might hate it, but still wearing that soft, kind smile.
That charming, sweet smile.
Did he smile like that for anyone else?
Mike Wheeler was sarcastic by default—sharp when he wanted to be, quick with comebacks, always snarky with Dustin and Lucas, even Nancy sometimes.
But with Will?
He was different. Gentle. Steady. Tender in a way that made Will’s heart ache.
Soft in a way that felt like it belonged only to him.
He knew it was ridiculous to think that way, even if Mike had always treated him like this for as long as he could remember.
But really…How was Will supposed to not fall for someone like him?
“Mike… I love it. I love it so much. How did you even—”
He didn’t get to finish. Mike reached out and gently pressed his index finger against Will’s lips. The world stopped. Will froze, eyes widening, breath catching in his throat as Mike’s touch lingered—soft, careful, impossibly intimate.
“Don’t worry about that,” Mike said quietly. His voice was warm. Steady. Close. “Seriously, Will… you’re an amazing artist. I love everything you make.”
Mike’s gaze softened, like he was looking at something rare. “Everything you create feels… magical.”
Will’s cheeks burned, a bright pink flooding across his face—and this time, he couldn’t blame the cocoa.
The windows rattled from the bitter wind outside, the storm howling against the house, but in that moment, none of it mattered. The world could have disappeared for all he cared. Nothing else mattered but Mike.
His heart soared. His chest felt light. Everything inside him melted like the marshmallows floating in his mug.
And that’s when he knew.
He would always be in love with Mike Wheeler.
No matter what.
Will couldn’t even find the words. Before he could think, he surged forward and threw his arms around Mike’s neck, pulling him into a tight hug.
Mike didn’t stumble. He didn’t freeze or laugh it off. He reacted instantly—like hugging Will was the most natural thing in the world. His arms slid around Will’s waist, strong and certain, pulling him flush against his chest. Mike’s nose brushed gently against Will’s hair as his hands settled at the small of his back, warm and steady.
Will’s eyes fluttered shut. He sank into the embrace, his breath evening out as his heart soared in his chest.
They hugged all the time. They’d always been like this—close enough that knees bumped, shoulders brushed. Sometimes Will’s hand would accidentally graze Mike’s.
Mike never pulled away.
If anything… he always seemed to lean closer.
Will never found the courage to hold his hand. He didn’t dare. The idea of reaching out only to be rejected by Mike, of all people, was something he couldn’t risk. Losing him would hurt far worse than wanting him ever could.
But he couldn’t deny this longing carved into his chest that one day was going to destroy him.
The hug felt like it lasted a lifetime—in the best possible way. Will wished it could. Eventually though, he forced himself to pull back, breath shaky, eyes still glassy with tears.
“Thank you,” he whispered, his voice thick. He swallowed, managing a wobbly smile. “Thank you, Mike.”
Mike shook his head, a soft laugh escaping his lips. “You don’t have to thank me, Will. Seriously. Now come on, your turn. Show me what you got me.”
Instantly, nerves flooded Will’s chest. How was he supposed to top that? After the most thoughtful gift he’d ever received, after words that felt like they were stitched straight into his heart. How could anything he gave compare?
His heart hammered as he took a steadying breath and nodded. He pushed himself off the bed, legs feeling a little shaky, and crossed the room to his backpack. Unzipping it with trembling fingers, he carefully reached inside.
What he pulled out wasn’t something store-bought. It wasn’t expensive. It wasn’t flashy. It was something he made. Something that came straight from his heart.
And suddenly, that felt more terrifying than anything money could buy.
Will walked back to the bed and sat next to Mike again, close enough to feel the heat between them. A shy smile tugged at his lips. “I’ve been working on this for a while and I know it’s not– you know, something I bought. But I really hope you like it.”
He could hear himself rambling, cheeks still warm and flushed.
He carefully placed the rolled-up gift into Mike’s hand. Their fingers brushed again and just like every other time, electricity shot through Will’s veins, stealing the air from his lungs for half a second.
Mike must’ve felt it too.
His expression changed for a fraction of a moment—eyes widening, breath stalling, something flickering across his face that Will couldn’t quite name. Mike’s fingers lingered longer than necessary, like he wasn’t ready to let go yet.
Then, slowly, he looked down at the gift in his hands with a mixture of curiosity… and tenderness. “Can I open it?”
Will nodded his head slowly, giving him full permission. His eyes fully focused on Mike as he carefully unrolled the paper. The second the painting came into view, his breath caught in his throat.
It was the two of them.
Small, awkward, younger versions of themselves sitting side-by-side on the swings. Mike’s hair was a little too long. Will looked small and timid. Their legs dangled, barely brushing the dirt beneath them. They were so little. The sky above them blended into hues of gold and pink, like the kind of day that never really ended.
Mike stared intently at the painting. This made Will nervous because he couldn’t read him–not yet, anyway.
His eyes didn’t move. He didn’t blink. His lips parted just slightly like he’d forgotten how to breathe.
“This…wow” He whispered breathlessly.
Will swallowed nervously as he watched Mike who was still focused on the painting in his hands.
“I remembered when we first met. When we first talked. I… I’ve always thought that was the start of everything for me. And I…” His voice faltered, heart pounding. “I thought it would be cool to paint it. For you. So you don’t forget that day.”
Mike didn’t answer right away. His eyes softened, going warm and glossy with emotion as he studied every brush stroke, every detail. His fingers hovered just above the paper, mesmerized by every tiny detail.
“That day was important to me,” Will added quietly. “It… meant a lot.”
Mike swallowed carefully. “Will,” he breathed, voice thick with sincerity.
He finally lifted his gaze, meeting Will’s eyes, and something in his expression shifted, almost softening into something warm, something tender, something dangerously close to adoration. “How could I forget that day? How could I forget any day we’ve spent together?” His voice was so gentle, so sincere.
His hand reached forward and settled gently on Will’s knee.
Will’s breath hitched. His eyes flickered down to the touch, then back up to Mike’s. Those deep brown eyes could get him lost in them if he’d allow himself.
“Will,” Mike repeated, but this time steadier, more serious. “This means everything to me. You mean everything.”
Will’s eyes widened at his words. He wasn’t sure if he was fully awake right now. It didn’t feel like it, even though everything around him, including Mike sitting next to him was real.
They’d had moments like this before—soft, sincere, intimate in ways friends shouldn’t always be, but never quite like this. Never with words that sounded so close to something else. Something terrifying. Something wonderful.
Something like love.
And Will didn’t know whether to melt or break apart right there.
Mike’s hand stayed on Will’s knee—warm, steady, inviting. Something inside Will shifted. Boldness, courage, something he hadn’t felt in forever. Slowly, hesitantly, he lifted his own hand and placed it on top of Mike’s.
His heart hammered in his chest. He glanced down at their hands–his resting on Mike’s and for a moment the world seemed impossibly still. He met Mike’s gaze, searching for any flicker of reaction, any sign that he hadn’t completely ruined everything.
All he could see in those deep brown eyes was something completely different. Something soft. Something steady. Something that made him think he’d never want to look away.
“Thank you.” Mike spoke softly, his pinky slightly lifting to lock with Will’s, a gentle smile staying present on his face. “I think this is the best gift I have ever received.”
Will let out a nervous chuckle, shaking his head in disbelief. “Mike… you’ve gotten so many badass gifts in the past. You can’t be serious.”
“But I am,” Mike said, voice steady, but with a small, almost shy smile tugging at his lips. “It came from the heart. And that means more to me than anything else.”
Will’s chest felt impossibly full. His heart soared, pounding so hard he thought it might burst. He could barely breathe, and yet it was the absolute best kind of suffocating like every nerve in his body was alive, buzzing, and entirely focused on Mike.
In that moment, nothing else existed. Not the storm outside. Not the world beyond the room. Only them. Only this.
Their hands stayed on top of each others on Will’s knee. He glanced down, feeling Mike’s fingers give his a gentle squeeze.
His breath hitched. He looked back up, meeting Mike’s gaze, and his heart slammed against his ribs like it might burst. Everything about Mike felt magnified in that moment—his warmth, his steady presence, the faint curve of his smile.
Will wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, or if Mike was actually leaning closer, even though they were already impossibly close. Their shoulders brushed, knees pressed together, and every small touch made Will feel like he was both flying and falling all at once.
The air between them felt electric. And Will couldn’t tear his eyes away. He watched intently as Mike reached forward and placed his hand on Will’s cheek, the pad of him thumb lightly grazing against his skin causing Will’s breath to quicken.
The painting had been set aside on the edge of the bed, hot cocoa still steaming on the nightstand—but none of that mattered. Nothing mattered except Mike. Brave. Confidence oozed out of him like he was wanting to do this forever. Right there in front of him was Mike, his best friend, the heart.
His everything.
“Will,” Mike said, his voice low and breathless, the single word carrying weight and warmth. “You’re… quite magnificent.”
Butterflies erupted in Will’s stomach, flitting wildly as if his chest couldn’t contain them anymore.
They were impossibly close now—so close he could feel the warmth radiating off Mike, feel the steady beat of him next to his own racing heart. His body was alive in every nerve, every sense focused entirely on Mike in front of him.
Will could feel his cheeks reddening by the second. But somehow, in that moment, he felt braver—more confident than ever before. Slowly, he turned his wrist over, and Mike responded instinctively, intertwining their fingers together.
Their hands fit perfectly, as if they were made to be held this way. Like they were meant for Will to hold.
Will’s gaze flicked up and caught Mike’s eyes lowering toward his lips. Mike swallowed nervously and licked over his own lips.
Will’s breath caught. His cheeks flamed hotter. Mike’s curls–soft and wild swooped over his forehead, brushing slightly against his temple. Every small detail, every inch of proximity, made Will’s chest feel impossibly full and alive.
“Will?” Mike asked gently, his free hand still against Will’s cheek, rubbing the skin in smooth, slow circles.
Their eyes locked in an intense, unspoken gaze. Will didn’t even realize Mike had spoken his name until seconds later. His heart thundered wildly against his chest, hammering into his ribs, a rhythm that drowned out everything else around him.
And then there were Mike’s lips—soft, full, impossibly close. Will’s focus wavered entirely, his thoughts scattering like leaves in a storm.
“Y-yeah?” He breathed, voice trembling slightly.
Their faces inched closer, breaths mingling, hot and shallow against each other. The world outside the room—the storm, the painting, even the bed faded completely.
“C-can I… kiss you?” Mike stammered, but his eyes were steady and filled with certainty.
Every nerve in Will’s body screamed yes. Every heartbeat, every fluttering breath, every inch of closeness begged for it.
There was no doubt in his mind. He had wanted this for as long as he could remember. For as long as he even knew what a crush was.
And it was different. So different from his friendships with Lucas and Dustin. With them, it was easy, simple, familiar—but this was something else entirely. Something thrilling and terrifying all at once.
He’d known, for a while now, that he didn’t feel that way about girls. Not with the same fluttering, aching pull in his chest that only Mike could give him.
This was different. This was real. And it was Mike.
So in that moment, Will couldn’t speak, but he nodded his head at Mike’s question.
And that’s when the world stopped around them. Nothing else mattered—not the storm rattling the windows, not the half-finished cocoa, not even the painting resting carefully beside them. It was just Mike and Will.
Their foreheads gently pressed together, breaths mingling, noses brushing. Their lips hovered—barely touching with each tiny movement sending sparks racing through Will’s veins. And then Mike finally closed the distance.
Will felt Mike’s lips press against his, soft and warm and unbelievably real. Fireworks exploded behind his eyes, bright and overwhelming, like every feeling he’d ever tried to push down had suddenly erupted all at once. His body tingled, melting instantly into the kiss, every inch of him alive with electricity.
Mike Wheeler was kissing him.
Something Will never truly believed would happen—something he had dreamed about for what felt like forever and holy shit, the wait had been worth it. More than worth it.
It felt undeniably perfect.
Will had never kissed anyone before—not until now and for the first time, he was glad he waited. Glad his first kiss was with someone special. Someone he never imagined he’d ever get to kiss. Someone he never thought would see him as anything more than a best friend.
Mike. His Mike.
Mike’s lips were soft against his, careful and patient. The kiss was slow, deliberate, and somehow still enough to turn Will’s insides completely to mush. Will kissed him back gently, terrified that if he moved too fast, the moment would shatter. That he’d wake up and realize this wasn’t real at all.
But it was real. Mike was real. His warmth was real. His lips pressing tenderly against Will’s were absolutely, undeniably real.
Mike tilted his head slightly, deepening the kiss just a little, a soft hum slipping from his lips. The sound traveled straight through Will, sending butterflies exploding in his stomach.
Will squeezed Mike’s hand tighter, their fingers still intertwined where they rested on Will’s thigh, grounding him. Reminding him this was happening.
Will’s heart pounded wildly in his chest as he pressed his lips a little firmer against Mike’s, feeling their chests gently brush together with every breath. The world around them blurred into nothing but warmth and closeness.
Eventually, almost at the same moment, they pulled away—only foreheads still touching as they tried to steady their labored breaths. Their breaths mingled in the small space between them, warmth lingering on Will’s lips, his heart still racing like it didn’t know how to slow down.
Mike let out a soft chuckle, squeezing Will’s hand tightly. “Wow,” He breathed out, another laugh escaping the back of his throat. “I’ve been wanting to do that for awhile.”
Will could barely process what he was hearing.
Mike Wheeler—his best friend in the entire world had been wanting to kiss him for who knows how long? His mind reeled. Had he really been that oblivious? Had there been signs the whole time? The lingering touches, the gentleness Mike reserved only for him, the closeness, the teasing and soft smiles.
He didn’t act like that with anyone else.
Only Will.
“Y-you have?” Will stammered, cheeks still burning. He could still feel the ghost of Mike’s lips on his, soft and warm and impossibly real. His gaze dropped for a moment, breath hitching when he noticed their hands were still intertwined.
He felt giddy—truly, wildly happy in a way he never had before. And he couldn’t stop smiling.
Mike nodded slowly, his gaze dropping to their intertwined hands resting on Will’s thigh before lifting back up to meet his eyes.
“I mean… yeah,” he said softly. “I just— I was scared to say anything. Because you’re you, and I’m… me, and I’m a big idiot sometimes. But you… you mean so much to me, Will.”
Will could tell Mike was flustered—his cheeks pink, his voice nervous but honest. All Will could do was squeeze his hand tighter. He still couldn’t believe this was real. That Mike was real. That this was happening.
“First of all, you’re not an idiot,” Will said gently, a soft laugh slipping out. “Just… oblivious sometimes.”
Mike huffed out an embarrassed little laugh, and Will’s heart swelled.
“And second…” Will glanced down at their intertwined fingers, then lifted his gaze back to Mike’s eyes, his voice trembling with honesty. “You mean so much to me too.”
He took a steadying breath. This was it. No more hiding.
“Mike… I’ve loved you since forever.”
The words finally slipped free—words Will had held inside for what felt like a lifetime. The moment they left his lips, he felt lighter, like a weight he’d been silently carrying for years had finally loosened its grip on his chest. He could breathe. Really breathe. And it felt… nice. Better than nice. It felt right.
Mike’s expression softened immediately at the confession. His thumb began tracing slow, gentle circles against Will’s palm, grounding him, calming him. Will relaxed into the sheets without even realizing it.
With his other hand, Mike tugged the blanket more securely around them, cocooning them in warmth before pulling Will closer against his side. Will melted into him instantly, fitting there like he belonged.
“I think…” Mike whispered, his voice thick with emotion, “I kind of always loved you since forever, too. It just… took me longer to realize it.”
Will nodded his head, feeling his heart soar straight out of his chest as he snuggled up against Mike, the blanket resting comfortably against them. “I’ve always been here, you know. Hoping one day you’d realize.”
Mike’s expression softened, warmth radiating from him as he leaned his head gently against Will’s.
“Well, now you’re not leaving my sight. Ever.” He murmured softly against Will’s hair.
Will let out a soft giggle, his heart fluttering as Mike squeezed his side and pulled him somehow even closer. His chest felt lighter than it had in years. He could finally breathe. It felt amazing.
In that moment, Will Byers knew three things with absolute certainty:
Hot cocoa with mini marshmallows would always warm his heart.
You should never give up on something you truly want, no matter how impossible it feels.
And he would always—always—be hopelessly, head-over-heels in love with Mike Wheeler.
Santa
Doesn't know you like I do
Well, maybe this Christmastime
You'll finally realize
That I could be the one
To give you everything you want