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They were in the thick of the final battle.
It turned out that Will was right. Confessions and honesty were the keys to having enough power against Vecna.
Mike and El had finally confessed to each other that their relationship wasn’t what it should be. They didn’t love each other enough and had been growing distant. They had basically been broken up for a year now and just hadn’t wanted to admit it, neither of them wanting to let go of the other. But their new term of friendship felt so freeing.
Mike had also been able to open up to his sisters. He showed them how terrified he really was. He had gotten through to Holly. They had broken the spell. Now everything was in chaos as the battle raged on.
Mike still had one more secret. One more confession. He knew he had to say it but this one was for one person and one person only for right now.
Will.
Mike found Will fighting against Vecna. His eyes wide and white. Locked in focus.
But Will was losing. Not by much. It would be hard to tell but Mike could see the tension in his body. He had become familiar with Will’s tension in his body when he was losing a battle with Vecna. Will was slowly falling. He was on his knees. Hands outstretched at his sides and Vecna was still on his feet.
Mike ran and slid to Will and caught his back before he could collapse. Will’s back to Mike’s chest Mike didn’t hesitate to wrap his arms around Will’s torso in a weird sort of supporting hug. He stuck his head over Will’s shoulder right next to his face so he could talk directly into Will's ear.
“Will, I got you. I’m here Will. I got you and I won’t let go Will. I’m here. I have to tell you something, Will.”
Mike's voice and thoughts hesitate for a moment but he taps back into Mike The Brave. Pulling strength from having seen others be braver than he had ever been today. Watching Will be the bravest person he had ever known just hours before. Mike knew he couldn’t stop now. He had to tell Will.
He leaned further into Will’s body. Pressing his head into Will’s. Will hadn’t said anything but Mike knew Will knew he was there. He had felt it in his posture. He was still focused on Vecna in his mind but he knew Will would listen.
“I’m afraid Will. I’m scared of the future. I’m scared of losing this fight. I'm scared of losing El. I’m scared of losing my friends and my sisters. I’m scared of losing you.”
“I’m so scared of losing you Will. I know I said you’d never lose me and I mean it but I can’t guarantee you won’t hate me in the future. I haven’t been honest with you Will. I need to be honest.”
“You were wrong Will. You and I aren’t as different as you think.”
Mike paused to gather more courage. He had to say it but he was terrified of what happened afterwards.
“I… I don’t like girls either. I mean. I do like girls. I do but not like I’ve been telling myself I’m supposed to. Not the way I’ve been saying I do with El. I love El. I do. I love her. She's amazing but I’m not in love with El. I haven’t been for a very long time. Maybe the whole time. I’m not sure. I’m still figuring this out. I do know one thing though, Will.”
One more big breath. Will and Mike shift taller together now. Mike is still stuck to Will’s back but Will is kneeling taller now. Still leaning on Mike but stronger in his body.
“I’ve found myself thinking of a boy lately. A boy I think I’ve had feelings for for a long time but haven’t let myself think about out of fear. I’ve had a crush on a boy. Just like you. Also just like you I had convinced myself he wouldn’t like me back. He couldn’t like me back. We couldn’t like each other like that. We were already as close as we could be. We were already best friends and I shouldn’t think of wanting more. But I did. I did want more. I do want more.”
Deep breath.
“I have a crush on you Will.”
“I don't know if you were talking about me when you were talking about your crush. Your Tammy. I want to think it was me. But I don’t want to be your Tammy. I don’t know who the hell Tammy is but I want to be more to you than some minor past crush. If I’m too late. If you’ve moved on I’m sorry for not realizing it sooner. I’m sorry if I caused you pain. I didn’t mean to.”
Unprompted and full of hope he continued. He leaned in and softly whispered in Will's ear, “I love you Will.”
He felt Will react through his whole body. He knew he’d have to let go soon. He’d have to get Will up on his feet. Before he did, he finished his speech.
“I love you Will. I believe in you Will. You’ve got me as long as you want me around. I won’t push you away again out of fear. I won’t shut you out. I won’t leave you behind. I’ve got you. You are so brave. You are so powerful. Even if you weren’t a sorcerer. I don’t care if you’re a sorcerer. I love you Will the Wise. You’ve fought and won so many battles already. Your bravery is why I’m brave right now. I love you Will. I love your art, your smile, your sweetness. I just love you. I love you Will. I know; I know you can beat him. He is nothing compared to you. He has no one. You’ve got everyone. You’ve got me. I’ve got your back. I love you Will. You can do this. Let's get up. I won’t leave you again. We can face him. Together. I love you Will.”
Then Mike shifted his arms. Finally breaking the hug like embrace. He shifted his arms under Will’s arms and lifted. He got Will up on his feet. And he saw the physical reaction in Vecna. He knew Will was strong enough to take him down. He also saw El working her magic. They had teamed up.
Mike took a step back from Will but made sure to keep his hand on his shoulder as he looked around at the chaos. He saw people fighting. He saw a demo dog coming their way. He squeezed Will's shoulder one more time and whispered “I love you” into his ear. Picked up the weapon he had dropped to catch Will and turned his back to Will’s. Back to back they fought.