Work Text:
FADE IN:
INT. THE SQUAWK - AFTERNOON
Long shot of the main room with couches and armchairs. WILL sits in an armchair, visibly nervous. JOYCE sits at the end of the couch nearest to Will, visibly worried.
WILL
Vecna... showed me some horrible things. Showed me what would happen if I were to ever tell anyone my secrets.
Joyce rubs Will’s knee in comfort. She nods.
WILL (CONT’D)
And, I mean I--
Will hesitates, swallowing thickly and about to cry.
JOYCE
Will, honey, if you don't think you can tell me, that's okay.
WILL
(shaking head)
No! No, mom, I need-- I need to tell you. Not... just because of Vecna, but because I think that--
The front door slams open.
PAN TO ENTRANCE.
MIKE walks in with intention. He looks between the two.
MIKE
(guilty that he
interrupted)
Uh, hey-- Just heard from Hop. He's about fifteen minutes out so we should probably leave in five.
Mike looks at Will, and then Joyce.
MIKE (CONT’D)
Everything okay?
Joyce nods, taking Will's hand in hers.
JOYCE
Yeah, we'll be out in a minute.
Mike nods before looking at Will again and turning around to leave.
WILL
Wait--
Will stands up quickly his face appearing in frame.
Mike turns around.
MIKE
(hopeful)
Yeah?
WILL
(nervous)
You need to hear this too.
Sudden cut to Mike sitting next to Joyce on the couch.
Mike is leaning forward, towards Will with his hands sitting in his lap.
WILL (CONT’D)
(sad, nervous)
I... I'm sorry. I don't even know how to start this.
Joyce gives a bittersweet smile, grabbing Will hand again and rubbing it gently.
JOYCE
It's okay. Take your time.
Mike gives a warmer smile.
MIKE
(lighthearted)
Yeah man. We'll be here for you when you're ready. But if you're doing it now, we DO need to leave soon.
Will gives a very soft chuckle at this. His eyes are very watery.
WILL
Yeah-- sorry. It's just... so hard. I have no idea how either of you are going to react.
MIKE
We're not going to be angry if that's what you're so worried about. Come on, Will. You're my best friend, I could never be angry at you.
Will shakes his head.
WILL
That's not what I'm worried about. I just don't want you to see me any differently. At all. Mom--
Will turns and faces just Joyce.
WILL (CONT’D)
I'm still the same boy you raised. And Mike--
Will turns to just Mike.
MIKE
You're still the same person I asked to be my friend on the swings.
Will nods. He chuckles very softly.
WILL
Exactly! I'm still the same person! Nothing changes. I- I guess what changes is just...
Will makes eye contact with Mike and keeps it. Tears are rolling down WILL'S cheeks.
WILL (CONT’D)
(hesitant)
I'm not like you, Mike. I mean, I am but-- the only part of me that's different is that I don't... like girls.
Recognition flashes across Mike's face. Joyce looks relieved and she smiles.
MIKE
Will--
WILL
And I've had a CRUSH on this boy for the longest time who I thought maybe I could have a chance with, but recently, things have changed and I just don't know anymore. I think that... I've just realised it's not about HIM, it's about me.
Guilt shows on Mike's face.
WILL (CONT’D)
I'm trying to get over him, honestly. I think it's going to take a while for the feelings to fully disappear.
MIKE
Will, I--
WILL
(wiping away tears)
I know that he's... not like that. Not like ME-- and it's why I'm trying to get over him. I know there's no chance for me, at all.
MIKE
I'm sorry.
Will looks up at Mike, teary-eyed.
WILL
Why are YOU sorry?
MIKE
For what I--
DUSTIN (O.S.)
MIKE!
Mike turns his head towards the door. He looks back at Will before standing up and rushing out the door. Will and Joyce look at each other. Joyce seems to have something on her mind.
WILL
What?
JOYCE
I think I've known for a while, Will. But I do still appreciate you telling us. I'm so proud of you, baby.
Joyce leans in for a hug. Will meets her half-way, crying softly. They hug for at least five seconds.
JOYCE (CONT’D)
That crush of yours... it's not MIKE, is it?
Will is surprised. He pulls away from the hug, a little flustered.
WILL
(embarrassed)
It's not THAT obvious is it?
Joyce chuckles softly, gently pushing Will's knee in a playful manner.
JOYCE
No comment.
Will starts crying again. He's almost sobbing this time. Joyce goes in for another hug.
JOYCE
Oh, Will. It's okay honey. I know it's hard.
WILL
(crying)
I've loved him for so long, mom. I don't know what to do. How do I get over him?
Joyce starts rocking them side to side in a soothing manner.
JOYCE
I don't know baby. I wish I could help you, I really do. I think this is just something you have to figure out on your own.
WILL
Four years, mom. That's how long it's been. Four years since I realised there was something WRONG with me.
Joyce's face shows saddened empathy. Her hand pets Will's hair.
JOYCE
No, Will-- no, there's nothing wrong with you. I promise you. You're just... different. And that's okay.
Will squeezes his eyes shut, tears rolling down his cheeks.
WILL
Then why did dad only ever make me feel like shit because I'm different?
JOYCE
(gasping softly, shakily)
No-- no, absolutely not. Your father... he never knew what he was talking about. He's not a good person, he never has been. What he made you feel because you're different is just because he felt better about himself for making a young boy cry.
Will is sobbing almost hysterically.
WILL
(voice cracking)
I'm sorry, mom.
Joyce shushes him, still petting his hair in comfort.
JOYCE
Hey-- you have nothing to apologise about.
WILL
(still sobbing, voice cracking)
There's so much wrong with me. And now Mike--
CUT TO MIKE.
Mike stands just at the entrance, unseen from Will's and Joyce's position. He's just heard that private moment, learning Will has a CRUSH on him.
WILL (CONT’D) (O.S.)
--knows it. He knows. And now he probably HATES me.
CUT BACK TO JOYCE.
JOYCE
He's your best friend, he doesn't hate you.
Mike slams the door open again to let his presence be made aware of.
WILL
(to Joyce, hurriedly, whispering)
Don't tell him.
JOYCE
(whispering)
I never would. It's your secret.
Mike walks in, acting like he didn't just hear anything.
MIKE
Hey-- we really have to go now.
Will and Joyce nod, standing up. They follow Mike outside
They defeat VECNA and save all the kids with the power of FRIENDSHIP and LOVE. The UPSIDE-DOWN is gone, EL has sacrificed herself for the greater good.
CUT TO:
EXR. THE SQUAWK - FIELD - SUNRISE
Will is seen sitting in the field, picking at grass and flowers.
MIKE (O.C.)
Hey--
Mike puts his hand on Will’s shoulder. Will looks up at Mike.
PAN OUT TO FIT BOTH IN FRAME.
MIKE
I thought I'd find you out here.
Mike sits next to Will.
WILL
Oh, yeah? Did you need something?
Mike softly sighs, looking around.
MIKE
I guess I just wanted to talk.
WILL
(anxious)
What do you want to talk about?
(beat)
MIKE
(hesitant)
When you told me and your mom that you... don't like girls.
Will looks terrified when Mike says this.
MIKE (CONT'D)
It reminded me of the fight we had a few years ago. In the rain.
Will looks visibly relieved, releasing his breath.
WILL
Why did it remind you of that?
MIKE
Well-- I said that it's not my fault you don't like girls. I guess that's why.
WILL
Oh, yeah. You did say that.
(beat)
Mike is even more hesitant. He seems to be regretting starting this talk.
MIKE
Thinking about that fight so long after it's happened is probably stupid, but the guilt eats up at me.
WILL
Mike--
MIKE
I was dealing with my own shit back then, but that's not an excuse for the way I treated you.
Will chuckles.
WILL
(playful)
You're seriously apologising about a fight we had what... over two years ago?
MIKE
That's not the point, Will. I just think I was... projecting onto you. My insecurities.
Will doesn't know what Mike means when he says projecting.
WILL
(confused)
You were... PROJECTING? Mike, what does that mean? What were you projecting onto me?
Mike sighs, looking down and thinking about his next words.
MIKE
When I said the thing about you not liking girls.
This takes Will by surprise. He becomes flustered.
WILL
(flustered)
What about El? Thought you liked her.
MIKE
I think I only liked her-- or tried to convinced myself I liked her because she looked like you.
Both Mike and Will seem surprised at what he said. Mike becomes extremely flustered, avoiding eye contact.
MIKE (CONT’D)
(flustered, embarrassed, blushing)
Wait-- no, that's not-- um-- not what I meant. Not in that way. I mean--! Yes in that way, but I also--
Mike takes a moment to breath. He continues to avoid eye contact with Will as he thinks.
WILL
You liked El because she... looked like me?
Mike finally looks Will in the face.
MIKE
We all thought she was a boy at first, and when we saw her, I thought you had gotten a buzz cut, but I quickly noticed she didn't have your eyes or the mole above your lips. I guess I just wanted to convince myself that I could be normal.
Close up of will's hand.
Mike places his hand on top of Will's. Their pinky fingers link together.
MIKE (CONT’D)
But if being normal means not loving you, then, screw being normal.
Will's eyes are watery. He smiles and nods gently.
WILL
(playful, lighthearted)
So, you're trying to one-up me now?
Will gently nudges Mike with his shoulder as he says this.
MIKE
Huh? What do you mean?
Will chuckles softly.
WILL
(lighthearted)
First I come out to you, and now you're doing the same? Wow, Mike. A little excessive, don't you think?
Mike scoffs playfully, gently nudging Will back with his shoulder.
MIKE
(adoringly)
You're an idiot.
Mike grabs Will's other shoulder, turning him and pulling him in. The kiss they share is short, but tender. Once they pull away, Will runs a hand down Mike's arm.
WILL
So... what does this mean? What now?
MIKE
For us?
Will nods.
MIKE (CONT'D)
Well, we'd have to be... subtle, of course. Only tell a very select few people--
WILL
We're definitely telling the rest of the party.
Mike laughs. Will rests his head in the crook of Mike's neck.
MIKE
And your mom. She needs to know, too. But, I don't think we should tell anyone just yet. I just want to be you and me for a while until anyone knows.
WILL
I think I'd like that too. We can just take things at our own pace.
Mike chuckles softly, bringing Will's hand to his lips. He kisses Will's knuckles. Will smiles, content.
MIKE
So...
(beat)
MIKE (CONT'D)
Four years?
Will lifts his head up, looking at Mike with confusion.
WILL
What?
MIKE
(guilty)
I... heard you talking with your mom after you told us you don't like girls.
Will looks like he's realising what's going on.
MIKE (CONT'D)
Dustin called me out, and he just needed to know if we're ready to leave, so I came back in to get you and your mom, but then I heard her ask if your crush was me. You said it's been four years.
Will looks down at the grass. He stifles a sigh.
WILL
(apathetic)
Four years since realising something's wrong with me. All because I like someone who's the same as I am.
MIKE
There's nothing wrong with you. There's nothing wrong with US. If-- if people have a problem with us just because of the people we like, they can all get screwed.
Will looks up at Mike with an adoringly shocked face. He scoffs airily, almost laughing.
WILL
(smiling)
Jesus, Mike--
MIKE
If they don't even want to bother with getting to know you before judging you, then they're the ones with the issues.
Will drops his head back into the crook of Mike's neck, laughing airily.
WILL
I guess you have a point.
MIKE
Of course I do. I'm always right.
Will laughs, using using his other hand to cover his mouth.
WILL
(teasing)
I don't know about ALWAYS, Mike.
MIKE
(grinning)
No. Always. I'm always right.
PAN OUT FROM THEM, LAUGHING AND TALKING.
FADE TO BLACK.