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EXT. THE UPSIDE DOWN - THE SQUAWK - NIGHT
Lucas sits next to Max and Dustin. They're talking nonsense. But Lucas isn't paying attention. Instead, his eyes are on...
Mike, leaning on the wall. He's looking nowhere, almost overwhelmed, whispering something under his breath.
LUCAS
(to Max and Dustin)
One moment, guys. Be back.
He gets up and walks to Mike, who distractedly looks over at him. Lucas puts a hand on his shoulder.
LUCAS
Hey, man. You okay?
Mike smiles awkwardly.
MIKE
Yeah, fine... It's nothing. I'm just a bit nervous...
LUCAS
'Bout El? You know she's badass. Everything will be alright.
MIKE
Yes. I mean, no. I was just thinking about what Will said earlier.
Lucas looks a bit weirded out by the comment.
LUCAS
Well, he's still our Will. Nothing has changed, right?
Mike lets out a laugh.
MIKE
No. I know, I know. I don't... I don't mean it like that.
He looks down, looking for the words. Then, up again.
MIKE (CONT'D)
I think I need to talk to him about something.
LUCAS
Sure, man. Go for it.
Now, Mike smiles genuinely at his friend. Lucas smiles back.
MIKE
Thanks, Lucas.
Lucas pats him once on the shoulder and removes his hand from it.
Mike turns around and starts walking away. Lucas watches him go, processing the conversation. Well, that was weird.
INT. THE UPSIDE DOWN - THE SQUAWK'S BASEMENT - MOMENTS LATER
Will, El and Kali sit in silence. Concentrating. El and Kali have their backs to each other, eyes closed, connected. Will looks at his own hands, breath uneven.
Someone rushes down the stairs.
MIKE (O.S)
Will! I-
Mike appears on the stairs, freezing in place when he's met with El and Kali's annoyed stares.
Will has also turned around. His eyes are huge, he's stopped breathing. He's scared.
Mike looks embarrassed.
MIKE (CONT'D)
Sorry...
He keeps walking towards Will as the sisters go back to their meditation.
Will lets out a breath.
WILL
Mike, what are you doing? We're supposed to be preparing... For the battle.
Mike lowers his voice.
MIKE
(with urgency)
I know. I'm sorry. I know it's a shitty timing. It's just... Do you think we could go somewhere else?
(rushed)
To talk.
Will tilts his head.
WILL
I don't think we-
MIKE
Please. It's important.
WILL
Alright.
INT. UPSIDE DOWN - THE SQUAWK'S SOFA ROOM - LATER
Will and Mike step into the room, side by side, avoiding each other's eyes.
Will looks around, then settles his eyes on Mike.
WILL
So. How are you doing? With Holly, and your parents... All that... It must be rough.
Mike looks at Will for a moment.
MIKE
Yeah, it is... It's not easy. But,hey, at least I know mom's okay.
WILL
Yeah.
(beat)
It was incredible, what Lucas says she did at the hospital.
He smiles shyly.
WILL(CONT'D)
I mean,- I knew she had a temper, I've seen it before... But frying three demodogs? That's a whole other level. Insane.
Mike lets out a laugh. This is banter, easy.
MIKE
I guess now both of us have badass mothers.
They stand there, smiling at each other. Until Will's face changes. Awkwardness seeps into his body. He looks away.
Mike's face drops.
A beat. Then...
WILL
What's it you wanted to talk about, Mike?
(beat)
Is it about El? 'Cause you know I won't let anything bad happen to her. She's like my sister.
Mike puts his hands inside his pockets, embarrassed.
MIKE
It's not that... I know she'll be fine.
WILL
What's it, then? Is it about Holly? Because I'm sure-
MIKE
(Exasperated)
Can you please just... Listen to me?
Will keeps quiet. He looks scared. Mike feels awful. He regrets his tone.
MIKE (CONT'D)
I'm so sorry. I'm a bit... nervous about this.
Mike sits on the couch behind them, looking at the floor.
Will plops down beside him, but Mike's not meeting his eyes. He puts a hand on his shoulder and Mike looks at him.
He's quick to put the hand down, it burns.
WILL
What's it?
MIKE
It's about what you said earlier.
Will's breath catches in his throat. He shifts his gaze, looking ahead.
WILL
I thought you guys said it didn't change anything. It doesn't change anything for me.
MIKE
I'm not trying to say that. I'm trying to... Look, I'm sorry. It did change things for me. I...
(beat)
I don't even know how to explain this.
Will shifts, getting up to leave.
MIKE
No, please. Don't go.
Will's eyes are glassy as he sits down again. His voice breaks slightly. He looks at Mike.
WILL
(angry)
Mike. It's okay if you wanna... I don't know... Kick me out. But please. Stop. Don't do this now.
Mike gets up, stands in front of Will.
MIKE
Will. That's not what I'm trying to do. Not at all.
He covers his face and walks back a couple of steps, looking for some space.
MIKE (CONT'D)
I- it took me by surprise.
He lets out a humorless laugh.
MIKE (CONT'D)
Hell. I wouldn't have gathered 'round the entirety of Hawkings if I'd known.
Will looks up, a smile escapes his lips.
WILL
That was my fault. I didn't specify. Sorry.
MIKE
No, stop apologizing. I should've read the room.
Mike smiles back.
WILL
(whispered)
Okay.
Mike gets serious, once again. He starts fidgeting with his pocket.
Will becomes aware of that change. Too aware.
MIKE
When you were talking.
(beat)
You said something... About a crush.
He starts pacing a bit. He's avoiding Will's stare.
MIKE (CONT'D)
I don't know if I'm getting this right. Shit. Maybe I'm fucking this up.
Will stops breathing. His heart is one step away of giving up.
MIKE(CONT'D)
It's just.
Mike looks up at Will, determination in his eyes.
MIKE (CONT'D)
You looked at me. And I thought I understood something.
Will looks down, fidgeting with his hands.
WILL
(softly, scared)
Mike.
MIKE
(desperate)
Tell me if I'm wrong. Because I don't wanna say something stupid.
He rushes to sit next to Will. Now it's him who touches his friend's shoulder, grounding him.
Will is sobbing. Mike just waits for him, until he looks up.
WILL
Yes. I mean, no, you're not wrong.
Mike lets out a breath, looking away. He leans his head on his hand.
MIKE
Okay. Shit, okay. Okay, I thought so.
(Beat)
I had this feeling, like you were talking to me. Back there.
He turns towards Will.
MIKE(CONT'D)
But I didn't want to assume.
WILL
Honestly, Mike.
(Beat)
Yeah... It's... It's you. It's been you. For a while.
Mike breathes deeply. There's a silence. We can almost see the gears turning in Mike's head.
MIKE
Wow.
WILL
Sorry.
MIKE
Hey. No. Don't say sorry.
(beat)
Did you hear Dustin say sorry when he liked Max?
WILL
We were kids then, Mike. And it's not the same thing.
Will chuckles wetly as their eyes meet, smiles on both faces. Mike looks away first, taking his hand off Will's shoulder. Mike shakes his head.
MIKE
It isn't.
(Beat)
They're them. And we... Are us.
WILL
You know what I mean.
Will shrugs. Mike shifts his leg, so that their knees touch for a moment.
Will's hand instinctively goes there, to his own knee.
MIKE
I know.
He looks down, trying to say something. But it's difficult.
Will looks at him. Vulnerable, curious.
MIKE(CONT'D)
I've been thinking back...
(Beat)
Trying to understand... if there were things- things I should've noticed.
WILL
Well. I didn't exactly want you to notice.
Mike does a double take at him, smiling softly.
MIKE
Then, what about California?
WILL
What about it?
MIKE
I thought maybe... Maybe El didn't ask for the painting?
Will looks ashamed. He remembers the painting. He nods, tears coming to his eyes.
WILL
(shaky)
She didn't. No one had seen it.
MIKE
So, didn't you mean to tell me?
Will leans back on the couch, rolling his head to the side, openly looking at Mike now.
WILL
No. Well... I don't know?
(Beat)
I guess part of me wanted it to be obvious. See how you'd react.
He sniffs.
WILL(CONT'D)
But then, you showed up at the airport and- I know we've cleared this up. But you were being such an asshole to me and I just wanted to crawl in a hole and die.
Now Mike leans back too.
MIKE
Look, Will. I realize I've been an awful friend. Not just while you were gone, but also the summer before. You're my best friend and...
He huffs out a laugh, dragging a hand down his face.
MIKE
I'm sorry. This is crazy. I don't understand how- I was a horrible friend to you. For so long.
WILL
But I still felt- feel... You make me feel safe. Like I'm okay for...
MIKE
Being different?
Will opens his eyes wide. Holy shit.
WILL
You remember?
MIKE
Was that you?
(Beat)
Was that you talking?
Now Mike's face has changed. He's suddenly getting so many things. He leans forward, head in his hands.
MIKE
Fuck. I've been so stupid. So stupid.
Will leans forward too, searching for Mike's eyes.
WILL
Mike.
MIKE
You tried to help me get El back with your words?
WILL
The thing about the painting is...
(Beat)
Drawing you, it was safe.
(Beat)
You are the heart.
Mike looks at Will. He's not sure where he's trying to end up with all this.
WILL(CONT'D)
When I told you all that...
A tear rolls down Will's cheek, and now Mike's too. He's overwhelmed.
WILL(CONT'D)
I wasn't expecting-
He smiles sadly, looking up.
WILL(CONT'D)
I knew you needed something else. So...
(Beat)
I figured if I channelled those... Feelings... Another way, leader Mike would come out. Our dungeon master. And, suddenly, there he was.
Mike puts his hand on Will's knee. Will looks down at it.
MIKE
It hurt you.
WILL
(determined)
It helped you. That was the most important thing.
MIKE
(tired)
You can't keep putting everyone else before you, Will! That's not how life works.
WILL
If it was between you...
(Beat)
Or any of our friends... And me... I'd choose you. I don't care what you have to say, Mike! I'd choose you.
MIKE
I know. That's what makes you good. Like Will the Wise. Neutral good. That's always been you.
Will laughs, his eyes crinkling. Now it's him who moves his leg so that their knees are touching.
Mike lets out a chuckle too.
WILL
You always find a way to make it all about DND, don't you?
Mike just shrugs, smiling.
WILL(CONT'D)
Besides, I thought I was a sorcerer now.
With that, the spell is broken. Something heavy settles between them. Both of them look at the floor.
Mike is the first to look up.
MIKE
You're right, you're right. That's why you're gonna blow that bald, ugly bastard to pieces.
Will smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes.
Mike bumps their shoulders together.
MIKE(CONT'D)
Hey, it's gonna be okay. You'll be there with... El and Kali... And they know what they're doing. And we'll be there too.
(Beat)
Well... Not there, but you know.
Now Will looks at him. Bumps their shoulders together.
WILL
Thanks, Mike.
They smile at each other.
MIKE
And for the record. I did try to be a better friend while you were in Cali, but the line was always busy.
He shrugs, not giving it much thought.
WILL
You called?
Will looks at Mike, incredulous.
WILL(CONT'D)
And you didn't think to tell me?
MIKE
I dunno. I was just embarrassed, I think.
WILL
You didn't have to be.
(Quieter)
And I shouldn't have called you my Tammy.
Will looks down, embarrassed, and then up again.
They're looking at each other now. Faces open, both smiling genuinely. Mike's eyes flick to Will's lips, like they've done so many times before. It's instinct. And...
THUMP! Someone steps into the room.
JOYCE
Will, honey. Ready? The girls were looking for you down there.
Mike looks away, embarrassed.
Will smiles at his mom.
WILL
Alright. I'll be there in a moment.
JOYCE
Perfect.
She turns to leave, but...
JOYCE(CONT'D)
Is everything okay?
WILL
Yes, mom. Don't worry.
She smiles.
JOYCE
And Mike! We need you to check that timer.
He turns to smile at her.
MIKE
Sure, Mrs. Byers.
She leaves.
Will stands up and starts walking away.
WILL
Well, I'll see you later... When all this is over.
Mike stands up suddenly.
MIKE
Wait!
He walks to Will and wraps his arms around him. Will is shocked, but, after a moment, he returns the embrace.
MIKE(CONT'D)
Be careful, okay? I can't lose you tonight.
Will relaxes in Mike's arms, breathing him in. Mike looks worried, he's almost clinging to Will.
They step back after a moment.
WILL
Don't worry. Vecna stands no chance against us.
In Mike's face grows a smile, but behind his eyes, there's something subtle. Something else. He's scared.