Work Text:
Context - They’re all in the upside down, Mike and Will haven’t talked at all about the confession. Will is walking around near the church as Mike is saying his goodbyes to Eleven.
----
Will is further ahead as Mike runs to catch up to him “Will.” Mike bluntly says, Will ignores him and walks faster.
“Will!! Wait up!” Mike catches up as he goes to grab Will’s shoulder but hesitates and lowers his arm.
Will shoots Mike a glance, “What is it.” Will bluntly states, tensing up slightly as he then turns back away and continues walking. Mike following after him.
“So… Are we not gonna talk about it?” Mike suddenly asks, Will stops in his tracks, looking ahead like a deer staring at headlights before he brushes it off and turns to the side as he shines his flashlight on the vines.
“About wha-“ Will immediately gets interrupted by Mike.
“Your confession?”, Will then turns to Mike as he looks visibly uncomfortable.
“What else is there to talk about?” Will clenches his flashlight tighter as he lowers his arms straight to his side as Mike walks closer.
“Why didn’t you tell me anything about that before? I’m supposed to be your best friend, Will, you should be able to tell me anything.” Mike furrows his eyebrows out of concern, his eyes softening. Will grits his teeth.
“Just forget it, Mike.” He coldly brushes it off as Mike continues pushing.
“Is it because you had a crush on me? Is that why?!” Mike accuses, putting up a defensive stance, before Will immediately snaps at him.
“Really?! Mike, are you being serious right now??” Mike's face falls, he knows he messed up again.
“Will, I didn’t mean-“ Will scoffs in Mike's face, rolling his eyes as he scowls.
“Sure you didn’t. Like how you didn’t mean to say ‘it’s not my fault you don’t like girls’, like how you didn’t mean to push me away. You know how shitty that all was?!” Will yells at Mike as Mike flinches and steps back.
“I swear I’m sorry for all of that! I didn’t mean to hurt you!!” Mike insists, Will refuses to accept that.
“Whatever, man. Just leave me alone.” Will turns away and storms off into the Church. Mike sighs deeply, he’s not gonna give up yet. Not like all the other times.
Mike continues to follow after Will, “Will, please! Just hear me out!” Will refuses to respond, ignoring Mike. Mike just keeps going anyway. “Do you remember that day… In the van?” Will pauses, Mike takes this as a sign that Will’s listening so he eases up a bit. “You gave me that painting, remember?”
Will deflects, “El commissioned it-”
“No she didn’t.” Will feels like there is a lump in his throat, as he’s frozen still.
“How.. Do you know that?” Will starts to panic a bit, Mike doesn’t notice.
“I thanked her for the painting, when we were saying our goodbyes. She didn’t know anything about it.” Mike states, Will tenses slightly. He should have known that the lie wouldn’t last forever. “You should have told me the truth, Will, instead of lying to me to keep El and I’s relationship afloat because we broke up anyway!” Will begins to feel stupid for lying, reflecting back on how he felt when he realized his plan to keep El and Mike happy together blew up in his face and how he felt that it was too late to try and fix his lies.
Will tears up slightly, “I know, alright? I’m sorry I tried to keep our friendship, I’m sorry I tried to keep you and El together. Is that what you wanna hear?” Mike looks baffled.
Mike walks closer to Will, “You’re being ridiculous, Will! I don’t want you to be sorry for anything, I just want you to be honest with me! Why are you being so-” Will turns to him, Mike pauses.
“Being so what?” Will’s eyes glisten with unshed tears which makes Mike backtrack a bit.
“... Nothing.” Mike’s voice softens, Will just frowns more.
“You know you can leave me alone if you just wanna berate me for my feelings.” Will then wipes his eyes, furrowing his eyebrows. “I shouldn’t have told you anything.”
Mike then grabs onto Will’s shoulders without thinking, “Please don’t push me away again, Will…” Mike begs, Will’s eyes widen slightly as Mike’s head tilts down, hiding his own tears away from Will. “Please.” Mike says even quieter.
Will remains frozen, staring down at Mike in silence, the thunder the only thing being heard. Mike opens his mouth to speak again.
“Your speech you did… Made me realize something about myself too.” Mike admits, Will cannot believe that this is happening, letting Mike speak. “In the truck when we were going into the upside down, I was rethinking everything. It made me reflect on our relationship and that’s when I understood… I didn’t just like you as a friend either.” Mike glances back up at Will as he lets go of Will’s shoulders and steps back, tears streaming down his face. Will begins to sob also.
“What are you saying?” Will’s voice cracks slightly, Mike smiles a strained and sad yet happy smile.
“I love you, Will… I’ve loved you since middle school.” Mike suddenly confesses. “I was just so scared, scared of what you and everyone would think… But I don’t care anymore.” Mike’s voice is shaky, “You make me the happiest man alive.” Will smiles as he sobs.
Will then pulls Mike into a tight hug, Mike pauses for a moment before returning the embrace, both of them crying happily in each other's arms.
“I love you too, Mike.” Will says quietly as they continue to squeeze each other close.
----