Work Text:
Mike was extremely worried for his best friend’s well being. As a matter of fact, he had been all week, and by the looks of it, none of that was going to change.
Vecna was on the loose, somewhere hiding and waiting to attack all of them viciously. He knew he should be scared for himself. For Nancy, especially for his mom and for Holly.
God, Holly.
Thinking of her in danger and in some dark destructive place made his stomach curl in a way that was very unpleasant. Will had been knocked out in bed for as far as he knew, after trying to tap into Vecna’s mind. The fact that he could do so much blew Mike’s mind away, and it made him admire him even more, actually.
He’d gone through a bunch of traumatizing shit, yet he maintained the kind hearted and strong determined boy Mike had grown up with his whole life. Just a few minutes before, he’d been told that Will was awake, and he’d been dying to see him all day.
He walked into the studio quietly, dressed in the vest the party had agreed they’d all wear for their up coming plan on helping traspas the military base. He heard the faint murmur of voices, and as he stepped closer to one of the areas he realized the people speaking were Joyce and Will.
Their voices were hushed, like they were telling each other things they couldn’t risk the others hearing. Mike smiled at that for some odd reason, but the smile drained from his face when he saw Will’s expression.
His face was streaked with tears, fresh ones dripping from his eyes and clinging to his long lashes. “You can talk to me Will.” He heard Joyce say firmly, her hand on his shoulder, which was shaking ever so slightly.
Was Will hurting again? Did Vecna provoke one of those horrible visions Will hated so much? A bunch of questions went through him.
“Uhm.” The Byers turned their heads to stare at Mike when they noticed him in the entry way. Will straightened up, wiping his face with the sleeve of his peach sweatshirt. “Sorry.”
Joyce shook her head. “No honey, it’s okay. We were just chatting.” They both seemed very distressed for it to be just chatting, and Mike was well aware of that.
“I just came to check on…” he pointed at Will, his mouth going slightly dry. Will stood, hands inside his pockets. “Can we talk?”
He nodded, gesturing with his head to the other room, the “living” and “planning” area. Joyce gave him a smile, one that he was sure meant something, just something he couldn’t decipher.
“Are you okay?” They both sat down, and Mike was painfully aware of the unnecessary amount of distance between them, but didn’t say anything. It wasn’t like he could ever say anything anyways.
“I guess….”
He gulped, hands on his pants where he could see them. “I know it’s been hard for you.” He croaked. Will nodded, staring at his own hands. He was silent for a second before speaking, although he looked unsure.
“Mike.”
“Yeah?” His breath hitched slightly. He wasn’t sure why. “I need to tell you something.”
“Well we’re talking aren’t we?” He said, trying to lighten his dim mood. Will managed a small smile, but not like the real ones Mike knew by heart. “Yeah. Guess you’re right.”
There was silence for a couple of seconds before he spoke. “So what is it?” Will took a deep breath, his hands starting to tremble on his lap subtly. Mike noticed.
He always noticed.
“I’m…. I’m different.”
His brows furrowed. Mike knew this already. Will was like El, even if his powers were way cooler—
“I’m not what you think I am, not who you think.” He focused on the dull expression on his face. “What? What are you talking about?”
“I mean we’re not that different. We both like the same things so I guess not—“ he started saying. “We both like staying up late watching movies and eating candy until our stomachs feel like they’re going to explode, we both like to race down the street with our bikes and bet comics together, and—-“ he took a deep breath.
“What I’m saying is. There’s just one thing that makes us different.” Mike felt…confused. Will was different. Apparently.
“I…..”
His hands clenched, sweat starting to accumulate. “Will you can always tell me anything.” He said, his voice uncharacteristically soft, just like it always was with the boy in front of him.
Mike could see Will’s eyes were filled with unshed tears. “I don’t like girls.” He blurted suddenly. His eyes scrunched close, like he was expecting some kind of… blow.
Mike stopped breathing. At first, he hadn’t understood why. It wasn’t like the world was ending, yet it felt like it.
Will didn’t like girls.
He didn’t like girls?
His eyes tried meeting the watery hazel ones avoiding his. “Will.” He whispered. “You….”
“I’m different. I don’t like girls the way you do and I don’t think I ever have.” He said it with so much honesty Mike felt like he was intruding in Will’s mind just by listening to him.
“Oh.”
“And I know you didn’t expect it. But I promise you I am. I’m normal, okay? I just—-“ his broken sobb was enough for Mike to pull him into his arms. Will sniffled against his shoulder, hot tears soaking through his long sleeved shirt.
“It’s okay.” He soothed, hoping he was doing it correctly “I know. It’s okay I don’t care.” He mumbled. “Well I do care— but in a good way. I mean— I just want what’s best for you.” He rambled, his face hot. “I’m so happy you told me.”
That had probably been the most honest thing he’d ever said in months.
“You’re not… you don’t— this doesn’t change anything right?” Will asked, parting from their hug and wiping his face roughly. Mike shook his head immediately, his hands itching to wipe the tears from his flushed cheeks.
How could he ever think something like that would stop Mike from caring about him? Will was his best friend. Will was—-everything to him. “Okay good.” He said satisfied. “Good.” Mike echoed, smiling.
It was a weak one, but he needed to give him something.
“Mike, are you okay?” The question threw him off guard. “Yeah, I’m fine.” He said after a second. Will nodded silently, standing up.
“Okay.” Mike wasn’t sure how to feel. He was feeling so many things, it’s like his brain was bottling up with countless thoughts and feelings. “Hug me?” He didn’t even have to be told twice. He wrapped Will in another hug, getting a smell of the strawberry scented shampoo he always used in his hair.
It gave him feelings he didn’t know or wanted to pick apart in this moment. Will’s arms were tight around him, and it felt like everything he’d never these past few weeks.
“Ready?” They pulled apart at the sound of Robin’s voice. Will’s cheeks were a slight pink as he answered. “Yeah. Ready.”
Mike swallowed, feeling like his throat was slowly drying up as he watched Will and Robin walk away into the other side of the radio station.
He felt guilt scrape at him from the insides as he stood there like an idiot, hands at his sides, slowly clenching and unclenching.
Not because of Will. Because of his dumb self. He hadn’t had the guts to tell Will. He was different too. In a far more disturbing and sickening way than Will would ever think of.
Because how on earth would he ever dare to judge his best friend for not liking girls when he didn’t like them either?I’m