Chapter Text
The core 4 of the party sat scattered in Mike’s basement. The air was thick with tension, even after completing the third crawl there was no sign of Vecna.
“I’m sick of this,” Mike muttered, running a hand through his hair. “We should be able to do more already. He’s still out there. Henry is still out there… and…” His voice trailed off. He looked over at Lucas. He was holding a photo of him and Max from the Snow Ball back in ’84. Lucas looked up sharply. “…and Max is still in a coma because of him.”
The room fell silent. None of them knew what to say. The shadows from the single lamp flickered across the walls as Lucas finally stood. “Well… I’m going to the hospital. Anyone coming?”
“Alright, I’ll come,” Dustin said, following him upstairs. The sound of their footsteps faded, leaving Mike and Will alone in the basement.
Mike lingered for a moment, staring at the dimly lit couch. “I’m heading to bed. You good down here?” he asked, forcing a small smile. Will nodded, but his eyes lingered on Mike longer than necessary before snapping back, settling onto the makeshift bed. After the so-called ‘earthquakes’ had shaken Hawkins, Joyce, Jonathan, and Will had moved in with the Wheelers. The house was quieter now, except for the occasional creak from the floorboards.
Mike finally made his way upstairs, leaving Will alone in the basement. He lay on the makeshift bed, staring up at the unfinished ceiling. The basement felt so much colder without Mike’s voice filling it. He told himself it didn’t matter, that Mike was just upstairs, but the space between them felt heavier than it should have. As if he was across the universe from him.
He turned onto his side, pulling the blanket closer, and wondered when things had started feeling this complicated. He wished—just once—that Mike might come back down, that he’d check on him again, but he knew it wouldn’t happen.