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The distant sounds of the upside down could still be heard though the walls of the van where Will and Mike sat. Anticipation lingered in the air before their plan went into action.
“You scared?” Mike asked, his eyes shifting to meet Wills.
“Yeah, yeah I guess.” He said quietly. Mike didn't say anything, but he nodded. He knew they were both more fearful than they wanted to reveal to each other. He was scared, but he couldn't imagine how Will felt. Everything he had been through, it would all end tonight. For better or worse.
Will tucked his legs into his chest. Mike sighed lightly before trying to console Will.
“You know — you know, you're really brave Will.” he said softly. Softer than he ever talked to anyone in the group. Will looked up, surprised by Mike's candor.
“I mean, you know, tapping into the hive mind, using your powers — but also, what you did back there, telling all of us that before Vecna could. On your own terms. That was, well, amazing.” A small smile formed on Mike's face in that last sentence. Will could barely see it in the darkness but he could hear it in Mike's voice.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
They sat comfortably in the silence for a moment. Miscellaneous creaks and distant growls from outside filling it.
“I was so scared of losing everyone. Losing you.” Will said, meeting Mike's gaze.
“…and, and he showed me—”
“He was just trying to get in your head.” Mike cut him off.
“But you didn't let him. You're ahead of him. That's why you have the upper hand.” Mike scooched closer to him. His eyes never left Will's face.
“I know it's scary, but I believe in you, our friends believe in you, we're all here for you. No matter what.” Mike placed a reassuring hand on Will's shoulder.
“Thanks, Mike.” Will flushed and averted his eyes. Another silence followed, but Will was distracted by his heart hammering in his chest. Mike shifted back into his own space. Taking a sharp breath in before speaking again
“You know the painting you gave me?” Mike started. Will felt the knot in his stomach tighten.
“You said El commissioned it — but she didn't. I asked her.” It was impossible for Will to read Mike's face. His words just sat in the air like floating daggers.
“Why did you lie?” Mike looked at the floor. He had been wanting to ask Will this for some time now. Will panicked.
“I- uhm, I guess I thought it would mean more to you, coming from her.”
“Thats bullshit Will, you're my best friend —”
“Mike.” Will stopped him. He didn't need to say any more than that. Words weren't needed for Mike to understand what he needed to.
“You, just, you said you had a crush on this person. And — and you knew that they weren't like you —” Will's heart dropped, it felt like his whole world was caving in on him and the battle hadn't even begun. Mike sighed, struggling to articulate his thoughts.
“— and, I don’t know. Just, maybe, I think that, you never know.” Will couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Mike was stumbling over his words, fidgeting with his hands. He took a deep breath.
“If this is someone you really care about, go for it. If this person cares about you, they would never drift away. Never.” he finished. Tears filled Will's eyes, he hoped Mike couldn't see them.
“You really think so?”
“Yeah, I really do”
They sat in the darkness just taking in each other. Soft smiles on both of their faces. Before they could get lost in the moment, the van door opened.
Joyce appeared, and glanced between the both of them before speaking.
“It's time.”