Work Text:
"I don't like girls."
There. He said it. Will Byers had just come out to his whole friend group. And the world didn't end. Everyone was still alive. Nobody looked concerned or disgusted or anything bad. His friends and family, especially Jonathan and Robin, looked proud. Will hadn't been expecting such a positive reaction from them but deep down, he sort of knew they would be accepting of him for who he was. He was just too scared to let himself believe that his life could go on with his secret being out. That fear had been present since he figured out he didn't like girls and had only been amplified by the horrible things Vecna had showed him in an attempt to weaken him.
Now, Will felt more powerful than ever. His family still loved him. His family wasn't disgusted by him. On top of that, his friends weren't disgusted by him. Mike wasn't disgusted by him.
As the people that he cared about most in his life embraced him and comforted him through his tears, Will thought about how things could be different now. He thought about how, maybe, just maybe, if he was brave enough to do that, he could confess to Mike. He had noticed that Mike had been watching him intently the entire time he spoke. He had been subtly looking at Mike to ground him as he spoke. Will was mostly trying to make sure this wasn't some weird vision or dream and that everything wasn't going to fall to shit if he continued to speak.
Lucas patted Will's back and rested his head on his shoulder.
"Im so fucking proud of you man," Lucas mumbled into his shirt.
"Me too," Dustin agreed. "You're super fucking brave. I love you dude."
More tears escaped down Will's cheeks, stinging them slightly. The stinging didn't feel painful though. It helped.
It was like the sting was talking to him, whispering in his thoughts.
You're okay. This is real. You're okay.
After what felt like an eternity, the group hug ended and everyone returned to their seats. Wills secret was out now. And he didn't die. Nobody turned into ash in front of him. He wasn't going to die. He was okay.
* * *
Will was in a room by himself. Everyone was preparing to leave for the upside down to wait for Vecna to make his move and he was taking time to mentally ready himself. He was staring absently at the wall in front of him when a knock sounded at the door. It was sort of gentle but at the same time it was very sharp.
Mike.
"Come in," Will called to the door.
It opened and Mike stepped inside before closing it carefully behind him.
"Hey," Mike said.
"Hi," Will answered.
Mike didn't say anything for a long moment. His lips twitched and his eyes flitted down to his shoes, like he was debating on whether he should do something. After the moment was over, Mike looked Will in the eyes and swallowed.
"Can I talk to you about something?" Mike asked.
"Yeah of course," Will replied. "Want to sit down?"
"Sure," Mike responded, walking over and sitting down next to him on the edge of the bed.
The bed dipped under the weight of the two boys sitting on it, their knees brushing against each other. Mike hunched over and clasped his hands together in front of him, balancing his elbows on his knees.
"Do you remember that painting you gave me? The one of us playing D & D?" Mike questioned, turning his head so they were making eye contact.
When Will didn't respond immediately, Mike elaborated. "The one I keep on my wall?"
"Yeah," Will answered. He knew which painting Mike was talking about. He just didn't want to acknowledge it.
"What about it?"
Mike didn't answer for a moment, he looked deep in thought and a little nervous now that Will was actually staring him down and examining him a bit.
"Well, El saw it and asked me where I got it from earlier. I told her what you told me in the van: that she asked you to make it for me," Mike began quietly. "She said she never asked you to paint anything for me."
"Oh," Will murmured.
Mike knew about the painting. Mike knew Will had lied to him about it, didn't he? Was he here to confront him about the truth?
God I hope not. Will thought anxiously.
What was he supposed to tell him? "Oh, yeah, about that painting! I just told you I'm gay right. Ooh! Ooh! and I have had a crush on you for who knows how long and that painting was a way for me to give you something nice without you questioning it. I knew you wouldn't question it if I told you it was a gift from your girlfriend".
"I don't know how to ask you this but, why?" Mike asked seriously.
Will sighed. "I- Mike- Look its complicated."
"Will, you're my best friend. You can tell me anything. Whatever your reasoning was, I'll understand," Mike told him earnestly, putting a hand on his shoulder.
No you won't. Will retorted in his head. You aren't like me. You don't know what I've been going through. My thoughts go wild when I'm around you. You make me feel things that I've never felt for anyone ever. Maybe if you were like me, I could tell you without it sounding weird but you aren't. You're like ninety nine percent of the world population. "Normal".
"I don't know how to answer your question," Will said instead.
Mike nodded. "That's okay. I get it if you don't want to talk about it right now. I'm ready when you're ready. Just remember, I'll always be here for you."
"Thanks Mike," Will replied.
"Yeah of course," Mike responded, his voice softening slightly.
Suddenly, Mike turned and wrapped his arms tightly around him. Will tensed up under the sudden contact but melted into the embrace after a few seconds, returning Mike's hug. They stayed there for a good long minute, bathing in the warmth of the hug. They probably could've held on for longer, but Jonathan walked into the room without knocking, ending the moment almost as quickly as it had begun.
"Hopper wants to leave soon," Jonathan informed them. "Are you guys ready for the most part?"
Mike nodded. "I am."
"Me too," Will agreed.
"Alright," Jonathan replied. "Come into the main area with me. Steve's going to give a rundown of the plan again."
Will nodded and Jonathan left the room.
"I guess we should go," Mike said, getting up from his seat on the bed.
"Yeah," Will responded, lifting himself off the mattress and cracking his knuckles. "Lets go."
Together the two boys left the room, but the tension from the conversation lingered for a moment in Will's bones before the room stole it back.
Their conversation wasn't over, the ending was just delayed.
Will knew the truth would come out eventually. All secrets do at some point. He just had to prepare himself for the moment it would come. Although, he didn't think he'd ever be ready to have that secret come into the light.