Chapter Text
He looks beautiful.
That's the only thought running through his brain as the Demo floats over his head, struggling against whatever– whoever –the force against it was.
Will’s demeanor is different, and it’s not just that he suddenly has powers. His eyes are no longer the soft green Mike has often found himself staring into. He is no longer shrinking in on himself, like he does when he's trying to make himself smaller. He is no longer afraid, it seems like.
His arm is outstretched towards Mike– or more likely, towards the Demo –and Mike knows he must have some stupid look on his face because he can never hide his emotions when it comes to Will. Everything always comes pouring out some way or another when Will's around. It's like he knows exactly what buttons to press to get Mike to open up. It's like Will knows Mike better than anyone else does. Well, that part is probably true.
It dawns on Mike that what he said to Will in the field earlier that day must have meant something to him. Mike had actually gotten through to him.
Mike has always known that Will Byers was special. Ever since the day they met, Mike has been absolutely devoted to Will, even when he wasn’t acting like it. But, could anyone blame him? Will was incredible. He was so smart and amazingly kind. He always knew what to say to make someone feel better. He never held any ill intentions when he did anything. He was extremely talented and funny. If Mike was ever asked what the perfect person would look like, he would present a photo of Will Byers.
And holy shit, Mike shouldn't be thinking about his best friend like this when he was just inches from death two seconds ago. But Mike doesn't care about the Demo over his head. He doesn't care about anything except for Will right now, and honestly, when does he ever care for anything besides Will.
Constantly thinking about Will isn't a foreign topic for Mike, but this is different. It's like Mike physically can't look away from him, even if he wanted to. Which he doesn't.
Will sticks out another arm, then his head jolts up. Mike may not fully know what’s happening, but he’s perfectly content to watch.
After what feels like an eternity of just staring at Will in all of his glory, Will's arms both come down as his fists close.
There's a crack above his head, then another. Mike's smart enough to know what's happening to the creature who just tried to kill him, but he still can't seem to take his eyes off the boy in front of him. The power is radiating off of him in a way Mike has never seen.
Will drops to his knees, in sync with the Demo who drops dead in front of Mike. He watches as Will's eyes roll back into place, and he reaches up to wipe the trickle of blood running down his face. Everything has slowed down around them, like there's no one else in the world besides him and Will. He's absolutely breathtaking.
Then he's collapsing.
Mike has never run as fast as he did then, rushing to catch Will as he fell, passing out from the exhaustion. Thankfully, even though there's no way Mike can make it in time to catch him, he doesn't seem hurt from the fall.
When Mike finally reaches him, Will's eyes are closed and his hair is sticking to his forehead from sweat. Mike uses his body to position Will better, so that he's laying against Mike. He's completely limp, and if Mike wasn't close enough to hear his steady breathing, he might have thought he was dead.
Joyce limps over to where Mike is sitting with Will. He doesn't know what happened while he was passed out, but Mike can guess. Because there's no world in which Mrs. Byers just let Vecna take Will.
"We need to get him out of here." And Joyce agrees. Mike stands up, pulling Will against his body. He starts to stir awake and regain consciousness.
"Hey sleepyhead," Mike drawls, his voice soft and loving. "I know you're probably tired as hell, but once we get back to the station, you can sleep as long as you want, okay?
Will nods, but he takes a step away from Mike, his knees locking immediately. But this time, Mike is there to catch him. He grabs Will's torso, holding him up as he leans his head down. Mike can hear his laboured breathing, but he also knows Will hates being coddled.
"Woah, are you alright?"
"'m fine, Mike. And I can walk on my own," Will retorts, but he doesn't make another move away. Will has never taken well to people trying to help him. He had once confided in Mike about how it always made him feel helpless. And Mike didn’t ever want to make Will feel bad.
"I know, I know. But you clearly need some help and I'm telling you I want to help you. So can you just... let me?" Mike knows he's being mean, using what Nancy calls his 'puppy dog eyes' on Will, but it's for his own good!
Will nods, finally letting Mike take on some of his weight. He loops one of his arms around Will’s waist, and if this were under better circumstances, he would’ve been thrilled.
They begin the walk towards the barracks where they initially planned to save the kids.
The kids...
Mike had been so focused on Will and the Demo that was attacking him that he didn't even think about the kids. Mike's eyes searched the ground but they weren't anywhere to be found. The only thing Mike could see was the dead bodies of countless soldiers, and one Demo.
"Hey," Will must have noticed how worried Mike looked, because he was suddenly very awake. "We'll find them, I promise." And maybe it was because the words were coming from Will, or maybe Mike was feeling hopeful, but for some reason, he believed him.