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It was New Year’s Eve, and Mike was hosting a small get-together at his house in the basement. Everyone was invited: Nancy, Jonathan, Steve, Robin, and Vickie, but they were all heading to another party, leaving just the usual crew behind.
They had everything set up: games, movies, snacks, pizza, and even a stash of beer Mike had stole from the garage. He was pretty sure his dad would never notice it was gone.
Mike and Will’s relationship was still incredibly new; they’d only made things official two days before Christmas. Being snowed in together during the brutal winter storm turned out to be a blessing in disguise. What could’ve been scary or miserable became something warm and intimate and the time they didn’t know they desperately needed.
Mike had given Will a brand new sketchbook along with high quality pencils, but the real gift had been far more important: the confession of feelings they’d both been carrying for so long. Will never imagined Mike felt the same way. He had adored him since the day they met on the swings. They’d grown up, survived hell, and somehow made it through the worst together. Now Hawkins was back to being a normal—if not slightly boring town, and Will Byers was hopelessly in love with his best friend.
And he wouldn’t have it any other way.
They hadn’t told the rest of the party yet. Not yet, anyway.
Will did tell Jonathan, though. His brother had always been one of his biggest supporters, the person who’d watched him struggle and fight and still find a way to stand back up. Jonathan had been incredibly supportive, but of course, protective big brother mode kicked in instantly.
Will swore he was okay. He wasn’t just okay–he was happy. Truly happy. After everything the Upside Down had done to him, happiness had once felt like something he didn’t deserve or would never reach. But he’d kept going. He’d found strength within himself he never knew existed.
And now, for the first time in a long time, he wasn’t afraid of happiness anymore.
The Upside Down may of tested his courage and strength, but it didn’t break him. He came up on top and now he’s healing, surrounded by the people who support him and never gave up on him.
He didn’t feel alone anymore.
Mike and Will sat close together on the couch—their shoulders brushing and their thighs pressed side by side. It wasn’t anything too out of the ordinary for them, so the rest of the group didn’t seem to notice. Max and El were gossiping about something in the armchair, while Dustin and Lucas were desperately fighting with the VCR after Dustin had somehow destroyed the last tape he tried to shove inside it. There was tons of ripped film everywhere.
Mike rested his hand on Will’s knee, giving it a quick squeeze before leaning in, his breath warm against Will’s ear. “Should we tell everyone,” He whispered, “or should we just start making out in front of them?”
Heat rushed through Will at the closeness, tingling beneath his skin. Mike Wheeler had no right being this casual about making his heart nearly stop.
The night they had become official, Will ended up sleeping over. They’d agreed to stay in separate rooms so they wouldn’t look suspicious, but sometime in the middle of the night, Mike ended up going downstairs to the basement and found Will asleep. Will looked peaceful in a way that made Mike’s heart flutter. He looked so soft, quiet, blissfully unaware of anything around him. Mike couldn’t help but admire him. Not that he didn’t already, but seeing Will like that felt different. Tender. Precious.
He’d leaned down and pressed the gentlest kiss to Will’s forehead.
Will stirred, a soft sleepy noise slipping out as his eyes fluttered open halfway. Mike was still there, looking at him like he was some kind of miracle.
Will offered him a tired smile. “What are you—”
“Can I sleep down here with you?” Mike interrupted softly. “It’s so lonely upstairs and I miss you.”
Will blinked, unsure if he’d heard him right. His lips parted, opened and then closed. Will was half asleep, but he knew he couldn’t be dreaming. “But Mike, what about your—”
“I don’t care,” Mike cut in again, shaking his head. “They’re gonna find out eventually. Scoot over.”
So they did. They ended up falling asleep tangled together on the basement couch, legs intertwined, bodies pressed close for warmth, as if they’d always belonged like that.
No one came downstairs. No one found out.
But somehow, it still felt like everyone already knew. Like the two of them had always had something unbreakable between them. Like something that didn’t need words to exist.
They had such a special bond. Nobody, or nothing could ever quite compare.
“We can do whatever you want,” Will murmured. “They already know. About me, probably.” His cheeks flushed as soon as the words left his mouth. He let his eyes wander across the room before finally looking back at Mike.
His breath caught in his throat. Mike was staring at him like he’d hung the moon just for him—like Will was something precious, something irreplaceable. Ever since the day Mike confessed his feelings and Will realized those feelings were mutual, he’d felt like he’d been floating. If this was what real happiness felt like, he never wanted to live without it. Without him.
Mike Wheeler was the best thing that had ever happened to him.
They needed each other—maybe in different ways, but equally, deeply, honestly.
Mike squeezed Will’s knee gently, a silent reassurance, then nudged his shoulder against Will’s before letting his full weight rest against him. They loved being this close. It felt natural. Necessary. Maybe it came across as clingy, but Will didn’t care. His best friend in the entire world loved him back, and that was something he never thought he’d get to have.
Watching Mike with El, or hearing him talk about other girls, used to hurt in ways Will could never explain. He tried his hardest to be the supportive friend, to swallow it down and pretend it didn’t matter, but after a while, the ache became too much to carry.
He never thought this would happen. He never thought Mike would ever feel the same. But apparently, Mike had loved him for a long time.
Maybe Will had just been completely oblivious to things like romance and love. It wasn’t like he’d grown up seeing a healthy version of it. He never got to watch Joyce and Lonnie love each other the way parents were supposed to. If anything, he’d seen the opposite—their relationship fueled by anger, resentment, and bitterness.
So how was he ever supposed to recognize something this soft and real?
He was experiencing real love for the first time, right here with Mike and he was insanely grateful. Sometimes he wanted to shout it from the rooftops that he was in love with Mike Wheeler, and Mike Wheeler loved him back.
Mike cleared his throat, and instantly Will knew. He was going to tell the party.
“Hey, guys?” Mike called out.
The room fell silent. Max and El stopped mid-conversation, Dustin froze with the VCR remote still in his hand, and Lucas slowly turned around. Every pair of eyes shifted toward the two of them on the couch.
Will’s cheeks were burning, and he wasn’t even the one speaking. Mike’s hand stayed firmly on his knee, reminding him he was there even though this was scary. His heart fluttered with nerves. Their friends had always been supportive, but still, it was hard not to worry.
Mike took a deep breath and finally spoke. “I just wanted to say that Will and I are… dating.”
He said it so casually, but there was pride in his voice, too. Like he wanted the world to know and couldn’t wait any longer.
Will’s heart pounded as he scanned the room for reactions. Dustin and Lucas immediately shouted in unison, “I knew it!”
El and Max exchanged a look before turning back to them. “About damn time,” Max said with a smirk, crossing her arms. El nodded firmly. “I agree with that.”
Will was holding his breath, but finally let out a deep breath. He felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
His friends knew and didn’t seem to mind. If anything, they already suspected it and didn’t seem surprised at all.
They stared at the two of them for a moment longer before everyone casually drifted back to what they were doing, like it had always been obvious. Nothing had changed, or will change and Will was grateful.
Will let out a shaky breath, then a soft giggle slipped out. “That went better than I expected.”
“See?” Mike squeezed his knee again, leaning in so close that his lips brushed Will’s ear. A shiver ran down Will’s spine. “Nothing to worry about,” Mike murmured. “Now I can kiss the hell out of you at midnight.”
Will nearly gasped out loud. Butterflies exploded in his stomach, warmth spreading through his chest until he felt like he was melting just sitting beside him.
Even though he’s known Mike since forever, he’d never get used to him saying things like this. Personally, he didn’t think he’d ever get used to it.
“I’d like that.” Will said shyly, placing his hand on top of Mike’s. Mike immediately tangled their fingers together and gave his hand a tight squeeze.
Dustin and Lucas finally got the VCR to work and started the movie. The lights were turned off, snacks passed around, and everyone settled in to watch.
Everyone was focused on the movie except Mike and Will.
They’d pulled a blanket around the both of them, tucked close together, their hands intertwined beneath the fabric. Mike’s thumb traced slow circles over the back of Will’s hand, calming and gentle. Will relaxed into him, letting out a soft, contented sigh.
His eyes stayed pointed at the screen, but he wasn’t really watching it. He’d much rather be looking at Mike.
Every so often, Will could feel Mike staring at him. When he glanced over, he’d catch him, and it made his cheeks heat up every single time.
This was his boyfriend.
Mike Wheeler–his best friend in the whole world was also the boy he loved.
And somehow, unbelievably, Mike loved him back.
He had never felt so lucky in his life.
The movie ended just in time before the clock struck midnight.
When the countdown began and the timer hit one minute, everyone started chanting. The room buzzed with excitement as everyone moved into place. They all huddled together, laughter echoing softly through the living room.
Hope. Adrenaline. Pure, glowing excitement for what the new year might bring filled Will’s chest until it felt like it might burst.
He turned to Mike, a wide smile spreading across his face. Their fingers were still intertwined, and Mike gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.
“You and me? Mike mouthed.
Will nodded instantly, his smile never fading. “You and me.” Will mouthed back.
“5! 4! 3! 2! 1!”
“Happy New Year!”
The room erupted in cheers as confetti from party poppers shot up to the ceiling, raining down in colorful bursts. Dustin’s idea. Everyone had a party blower, the room alive with noise and laughter, the chaos of celebration swirling all around them.
But Will didn’t notice any of it. All he could focus on was Mike. They turned to each other, smiles growing wider, eyes shining. Without a moment’s hesitation, Mike slipped his hands around Will’s waist, and a soft gasp escaped Will’s lips.
Before he could even process it, Mike pressed his lips to his in a deep, chastening kiss. The noise of the room—the laughter, the blaring blowers, the confetti swirling through the air—all of it faded into nothing.
At that moment, nothing existed outside of Mike. Nothing mattered except the warmth, the softness, and the steady heartbeat of Mike against him.
Will had never had a New Year’s kiss before. He’d never even had a boyfriend for any holiday, until now.
He felt lucky. Insanely, completely lucky.
Will wrapped his arms around Mike’s neck, leaning up despite the slight height difference, their chests pressing together. He smiled into the kiss, pressing his lips back against Mike’s deeply. Their lips moved together in perfect unison and if they were alone, he’d want to become even closer to Mike if possible.
He could hear whistling and cheers around them, the celebration reacting to their kiss, but neither of them paid any attention. The room, the noise, the confetti—it all melted away. Nothing else mattered except this.
Mike’s hand slid up to cup Will’s cheek, gently deepening the kiss. A soft hum slipped from Will’s lips before he could stop it. Luckily, no one could hear them.
Eventually, they both pulled back for air, breathing hard, foreheads nearly touching. The cheers, whistles, and hollering from their friends finally hit them all at once, and both of their faces flushed crimson.
Mike’s cheeks were bright red. He was flustered, breathless, wide-eyed and seeing him like that might’ve just been the best first moment Will could ever ask for in the new year.
Mike was fucking adorable.
“You guys are so cute!”
“About damn time!”
“Look at you two!”
The applause didn’t stop, and Will grew so shy and flustered that he buried his face into the crook of Mike’s neck, a soft giggle slipping past his lips.
“Alright, alright,” Mike laughed, wrapping an arm around him proudly. “We get it, we’re the cutest couple. No offense, Lucas and Max.”
Lucas tightened his arm around Max as they both burst into laughter. “None taken,” Max replied teasingly, lifting her hands in surrender.
The party lingered for another twenty minutes before everyone finally started getting tired. Dustin and Lucas headed out on their bikes, and Hopper was on his way to pick up El and Max for their sleepover.
And Will? Will was spending the night at Mike’s.
Once the last goodbye was said and the door finally closed, Mike let out a deep breath he’d apparently been holding all night. “I love our friends,” he sighed, “but holy shit, that was exhausting.”
Will laughed softly, eyebrows lifting as he looked up at him. “Are you sure it’s not just because you want to spend some alone time with me?”
Will still wasn’t used to being this bold, this openly flirty. But somehow, Mike brought that side out of him—along with so many others.
A slow smirk tugged at Mike’s lips as he stepped closer, until their faces were just inches apart. “Yeah,” he murmured, voice low. “Maybe I’d rather have you all to myself.”
His lips hovered over Will’s, their breaths mingling, warm and shaky. A shiver shot through Will’s entire body. “I knew it,” Will whispered, confidence bubbling in his chest before he closed the distance, leaning in to press a soft, gentle kiss to Mike’s lips. When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against Mike’s. “Can I sleep in your bed with you tonight? It’s just… it’s cold down here and—”
Mike cut him off with another kiss. “You don’t even have to ask. Yes. Absolutely yes.”
They didn’t care if Mike’s family found out. They’d figure it out eventually if they didn’t already know. Mike talked about Will constantly anyway. Will was all he wanted to talk about. All he wanted to see. All the time.
“What about all this?” Will asked, pulling back slightly to look around.
Confetti covered the floor like fallen snow. Half-empty beer cans sat forgotten on tables. A popcorn bowl was still on the couch. The basement looked like a disaster zone.
Mike shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. “That’s a problem for tomorrow morning.”
Will would normally be worrying about the mess downstairs by now just imagining Karen coming down in the morning, hands on her hips, demanding Mike clean everything immediately. She probably still would. But tonight, Will was too dizzy on the feeling of love to care. There wasn’t a drop of alcohol in his system, and yet he felt utterly, wonderfully drunk.
He nodded, grinning at Mike. “Well… then let’s get ready for bed.”
Mike laced their fingers together and tugged him gently upstairs. They brushed their teeth side by side in his bathroom. Will’s spare toothbrush was already waiting for him like it belonged there. They exchanged goofy smiles through foamy toothpaste, shoulders nudging like they couldn’t stand even an inch of space between them. Like they had to be in close proximity at all times.
The house was silent, everyone fast asleep, so they tiptoed carefully down the hallway to Mike’s bedroom. Mike shut the door quietly, then turned back to Will with a grin that made Will’s heart stumble in his chest. Will stood beside the bed, suddenly shy despite how familiar this room had always been.
He’d slept over a thousand times before. But this time was different.
This time, Mike wasn’t just his best friend. He was his boyfriend. And Will would never get tired of thinking that.
“Do you wanna change?” Mike asked softly, glancing at Will’s outfit and maybe sneaking in another chance to admire him. Will could tell he’d been doing that all night. He was checking him out all night and it made Will’s cheeks hot.
Will nodded. “Do you have any shirts I can borrow?”
Mike laughed under his breath. “Is that even a question?” He crossed the room to his closet and pulled out a WSQK shirt before returning to him. “Is this okay?”
Their fingers brushed when Will took it from him, and the spark that jumped through him felt electric, alive and warm and everything he’d ever dreamed of. Will nodded again and leaned forward to press a soft kiss to Mike’s cheek. “Yes, thank you.”
“Should I give you—“
Will cut him off immediately. “No, I don’t need privacy. It’s fine.”
They’ve probably changed in front of each other a thousand times without even a second thought, but this time felt different. Intimate.
Will’s cheeks were burning as he set the shirt down on the bed for a moment so he could shrug out of his jacket, placing it gently over the chair by Mike’s desk. He glanced back at Mike and found him watching. He was quiet, intent, like he couldn’t look away even if he wanted to.
Will offered him a small, shy smile before grabbing the hem of his jumper and pulling it over his head. The fabric slipped free, and suddenly his bare chest was exposed beneath the soft glow of the bedroom light.
The room was quiet, but Will’s mind was racing.
Mike drew in a breath, eyes dragging slowly over every inch of exposed skin.
God, he was beautiful.
Something warm bloomed in Will’s chest. Confidence. Safety. The thrilling knowledge that Mike wanted him. He slipped the borrowed shirt over his head, the soft cotton settling comfortably against his skin, smelling faintly like Mike.
He unbuckled his jeans and pushed them down his legs, folding them neatly and placing them on the chair beside his jumper. Now he was standing there in nothing but his briefs and Mike’s shirt.
When he straightened, Mike was still staring.
Not just looking—staring like Will was something unreal, like he couldn’t believe he was really there, like he was the most incredible thing Mike had ever seen.
Heat rushed up Will’s neck and into his cheeks. His heart fluttered, his chest feeling impossibly warm as he looked back at him.
He cleared his throat softly, teeth worrying at his bottom lip. “Um—okay. I’m gonna… change too.”
Will nodded his head as Mike grabbed another tee and quickly changed out of his clothes.
Of course Will stared. He had every right too. Mike was his boyfriend.
“Come on.” Mike grinned at him and motioned for him to get into bed.
They lay in bed together, the blanket tucked warmly around them, legs tangled and arms wrapped around each other in that easy way that felt like home. Mike nuzzled into the crook of Will’s neck, a soft hum slipping from his lips.
“Mm… I love this.”
“I love you, Mike” Will said softly, the words coming out without hesitation this time. His cheeks still warmed a little, but it wasn’t from nerves, just from how full his chest felt.
Mike pressed a soft kiss to Will’s neck before pulling back just enough to look at him, an adoring smile spreading across his face.
“I love you.”
Those three words made Will’s heart jump. His cheeks warmed as he buried his face against Mike’s neck, a content sigh slipping out while he cuddled closer.
“I don’t want to lose this. Lose you.” He mumbled into his skin.
Mike shook his head gently and guided Will’s face back so they were eye to eye, his fingers resting beneath Will’s chin.
“You won’t,” He said firmly, but in a reassuring, loving way. “I won’t let that happen.”
Will nodded, tension melting away as that reassurance settled in his chest. “Happy New Year, Mike.”
“Happy New Year, Will.” Mike pressed a kiss to the top of his head and pulled him closer against his chest.
They drifted to sleep with their arms wrapped tightly around each other, Will’s head resting over Mike’s chest, legs tangled comfortably in the sheets.
Morning came too soon. Bright sunlight spilled through Mike’s windows followed immediately by Karen Wheeler’s voice echoing from behind the closed door.
“Michael! You get down here right now and clean up this mess! And I know Will is in there with you. Get out here!”
Both of their heads popped up at the sound of Karen’s yelling. Their eyes were still half-shut, but they were awake enough to understand exactly how much trouble Mike was in.
“Shit.” Mike cussed under his breath. He glanced down at the sheets, then back at Will, who was rubbing at his tired eyes with the back of his hand.
Even like this with messy hair, cheeks flushed from sleep, Will somehow managed to look ridiculously adorable. If his mom wasn’t furious downstairs, Mike would’ve stayed right there and soaked in the moment a little longer.
“Your mom knows I slept in here,” Will mumbled groggily. “She’s definitely going to suspect something.”
Mike just shrugged, far more relaxed than he should have been. “Let her. She was gonna find out eventually.” He leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to Will’s cheek before reluctantly forcing himself out of bed. He grabbed a pair of jeans from the desk chair and tugged them on.
“Come on, sleepyhead. We gotta deal with that disaster in the basement.”
Will stared at him with a dramatic little pout. “But the bed is so comfy,” he whined, giving Mike the full puppy-dog-eyes treatment. “Do we have to?”
Mike huffed out a laugh. “You’re ridiculous.” He leaned in to press another kiss to his cheek. “And adorable. Now get up. I’ll make it worth your while.”
“How’s that?” Will asked, curiosity flickering across his face as he tugged on the jeans he’d left draped over the chair.
Mike let out a quiet chuckle, then grabbed Will’s hand and pulled him forward so suddenly their chests pressed together. Will gasped at the movement, eyes widening as Mike’s gaze flickered down to his lips before meeting his eyes again.
“You’ll find out,” Mike murmured with a mischievous glint in his eye. “Now come on before my mom gets even more mad and takes it out on everyone else.”
With that, Mike dragged Will out of the bedroom and downstairs to face Karen. She didn’t even look shocked that Will had slept in his room if anything, she seemed far more concerned about the half-empty beer cans, confetti, and party popper wrappers scattered across the basement floor.
Will had to bite back his laughter as Karen lectured them both. Eventually she let them go, only after Will promised very sincerely that they’d clean everything. She’d always had a soft spot for him.
When they finally made it downstairs, Mike groaned loudly at the sight of the messy basement. “Unbelievable. My mom clearly wishes you were her son.”
“Not true,” Will replied simply, then paused before adding, “Plus, I like my mom. Your mom can be a lot.”
So they went to work, side by side, cleaning up the aftermath of the night before.
Even though it was a chore, Mike didn’t really mind, not with Will beside him. Their shoulders brushed every so often as they moved around the basement, slowly but surely gathering confetti, crushed party poppers, and half-empty beer cans.
Will held the trash bag steady while Mike tossed things in, letting out a little huff with every throw.
Every now and then, Mike would glance up mid-clean and shoot Will that charming smile of his. The one that made Will’s knees go weak no matter how many times he saw it.
God, that smile. Will was absolutely gone for him.
After another thirty minutes of tiring, repetitive cleanup— tossing trash, sweeping confetti, and breaking a decent sweat in the process they were finally done. The basement was spotless again.
Both of them collapsed onto the couch at the same time, sinking into the cushions side by side. Their thighs brushed, heat blooming through Will’s skin and making his heart jump. Mike reached over and took his hand, their fingers naturally intertwining as if they’d always belonged that way, and gave his hand a gentle, comforting squeeze.
“I’m really glad you’re here,” Mike said, smiling at him with that soft, loving gaze Will adored so much. He squeezed Will’s hand before leaning forward to press a gentle kiss to his lips. “Really glad.”
Their foreheads rested together while Mike looked into Will’s eyes, and Will swore his insides melted. “I’m glad I’m here with you,” Will whispered back.
They stayed like that for a while, neither of them wanting to move, until Holly called them upstairs for breakfast. They lingered still, unwilling to break the warm bubble they were wrapped in. Just the two of them.
Will eventually rested his head on Mike’s shoulder while Mike ran his fingers slowly through his hair slowly.
For once, Will had a good feeling about the year ahead.
With Mike by his side, he knew it was going to be the best year of his life.
Please don't ever become a stranger
Whose laugh I could recognize anywhere
Please don't ever become a stranger
Whose laugh I could recognize anywhere
There's glitter on the floor after the party
Girls carrying their shoes down in the lobby
Candle wax and Polaroids on the hardwood floor
You and me, forevermore