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Mike was unsure what exact sentence gave it away but at some point while Will was coming out to them, it clicked. The crush had been him. He was too late now. Will no longer liked him. Seeing Will sitting there, crying and afraid, made his insides twist up. When? For how long? Then, amongst the desperation to know more and the aching in his heart at seeing Will cry, guilt hit him like a truck.
It’s not my fault you don’t like girls!
We’re friends! We’re friends.
Fuck. Mike, distractedly, hugged Will along with everyone else but his mind was racing. They had to talk; this was something he couldn’t leave unsaid. Everything happened so fast after, planning and preparing.
“Hey, can we talk?” Mike kept his tone low, quiet enough that no one but Will could hear. “Like in private.”
Will stilled, stiffening, and cleared his throat. “Um, sure.”
It wasn’t hard to tell how anxious Will was, how scared. That, Mike could deal with. He placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “Nothing bad. Don’t worry.”
That eased his tension a little, shoulders lowering with his exhale. “Alright.” Mike led them to the small room through the door and shut it behind them, taking a nervous breath. Emotions weren’t his strong suit, never had been. “Mike?”
He turned to face his best friend who was staring at him worriedly. “I’m sorry. For everything. For what I said that summer in the rain, for not calling you in California, for everything after-“
“Woah, woah,” Will said, grabbing him by the shoulders. “Mike. We’re good now, it’s okay.”
Mike groaned. “It’s not okay! How could I treat you like that? My… my best friend,” he choked out. “I was an idiot, Will. And a jerk. I’m so sorry.”
Will’s hands came up to cradle his face now, thumb gently wiping away a stray tear. “It’s okay, Mike. I forgive you. I know you didn’t want to hurt me.”
“But I did,” he whispered mournfully. “I don’t ever want to make you feel like that again.”
“You haven’t for a while now,” Will said softly, holding him like he was something precious.
“Is that why? Is that… when?”
“When what?”
“You stopped… liking me.”
Will’s hands dropped and his eyes widened. “What?”
“California. Is that when?” He was toeing a dangerous line now, at the risk of fucking everything up. But he had to know.
“M-Mike- I don’t… I’m not sure this is a good idea,” he said quietly, taking an uneasy step back.
Mike grabbed his hand. “Please. I wanna know.”
“There’s nothing to tell,” he finally said, soft and gentle.
Anger flared up in indignation. “What? Of course there is, because at some point, I did something to make you-“
“Mike, there’s nothing to tell because I never stopped,” he interrupted, gaze firm.
Oh.
Oh.
He let out an involuntary laugh, a disbelieving sound full of wonder. Will still liked him. He wasn’t too late. Will’s eyes filled with hurt and he dropped his hand but Mike chased it quickly.
“No, no, I’m not laughing at you,” he hurried out, both hands clutching Will’s. “I would never.”
“Then what?” It came out short, angry, hurt.
“Will, I love you,” he breathed, looking into his eyes.
“I love you too. You’re my best friend, of course I do,” Will murmured. Of course. Of course Will wouldn’t even begin to consider the other possibility. Just like Mike had never before now.
“No, Will. I love you,” he emphasized, squeezing his hands.
His best friend still looked at him blankly. “What?”
“I’m in love with you,” he rushed out. “Madly, stupidly in love. It took me so long to figure out why you made me feel so different. It just felt natural. Spending every second together, admiring you like I admired your drawings and paintings, every second apart feeling… empty. It was natural to love you so much it ached. I was so lonely when you left for California, Will. You don’t even know all the nights I spent staring up at my ceiling and wishing you were still just a bike ride away. I love you.”
Will’s eyes were blown wide now, mouth hanging open. He started to shake his head. “No, no, there’s no way. I don’t… This can’t be happening. You can’t love me. That’s not… the way this goes,” he argued. “I don’t… I don’t get the happy ending.”
Mike squeezed his hands. “Yes, you do. Will, I’ll give you anything. You just have to ask.”
Will looked at him in shock and wonder. “I don’t believe you.”
“Ask me to kiss you,” he demanded.
“What? Mike,” he protested.
“Ask me to kiss you,” he repeated firmly.
Will scoffed. “Fine. Mike, will you kiss me?” Surging forward, Mike pressed their lips together softly. Will was still, unmoving, so he pulled back. His lips were parted, eyes scanning Mike’s face. “Was that real?”
A mischievous smile grew on Mike’s face. “I don’t know. Why don’t you ask me again?”
“Will you-“
Mike pressed his lips to Will’s cheek, and then nose, and then forehead. The boy he loved was looking at him in wonder and devotion and it only served to spur him on further. He peppered dozens of quick kisses all over Will’s face as he giggled.
“Stop, stop it! That tickles,” Will insisted, laughing.
Mike pulled away, forcing his face into a solemn frown. “You don’t want my kisses?”
“Mike, stop,” Will mumbled, blushing profusely and burying his face into his shoulder. Mike wrapped his arms around Will, pulling him in closer as silence settled. “You really love me?”
“More than anything,” Mike vowed, pressing a gentle kiss to his head. The boy in his arms sighed contently, nuzzling into his neck. “Will you be my boyfriend?”
Will pulled back fast, staring at him with wide eyes. “Really?”
“I mean, if you don’t want to…”
“No! No, I do,” he said quickly. “I just… can’t believe I’m getting everything I’ve ever wanted.”
Mike leaned in close, their noses brushing against each other and lips just an inch apart. “I don’t want you to ever for a second doubt how much I love you, Will Byers.”
Will smiled and said, “Maybe you could kiss me just to make sure I don’t.”
“Maybe,” Mike whispered, pressing their lips together. This was better than every fantasy he’d ever had. Nothing could compare to the feeling of Will’s lips pressed against his, his arms around the boy he loved. “How’s this for a happy ending?”
“It’s perfect,” Will murmured against his lips. “You’re perfect.”
“Oh, perfect, am I?” Mike hummed, pressing his face to the side of Will’s neck.
“Perfect,” he confirmed. Mike pressed a soft kiss to Will’s neck and began swaying, rocking them side to side. “We should be getting ready.”
Mike nodded. “You know we’re gonna beat this, right? Me and you and our friends.”
“I hope so,” Will said softly.
That wasn’t good enough. He pulled back. “Will, you can do this. You’re a sorcerer, remember? I believe in you,” he insisted.
“Maybe,” he said, smiling. “If I can be lucky enough that you love me… maybe I can do this, yeah.”
Mike kissed him gently. “That’s more like it. My sorcerer.”
“Oh, your sorcerer, huh? Little possessive there,” Will teased.
“Mhm,” he hummed, pressing another kiss to his lips. “My sorcerer.”
“And you’re my paladin,” Will whispered against his lips. “But. We really need to get back out there.”
Mike groaned, disappointed. “Fine. One more kiss?”
“One more kiss,” he confirmed, placing his lips on Mike’s. He leaned into it, lips moving softly against each other, and then pulled away. “Okay. Let’s go save the world.”
“Let’s go save the world,” Mike confirmed.