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Fuck. Fuck Fuck Fuck!
Mike mumbles nervously to himself as he paces back and forth. “How didn’t I notice? Why didn’t I notice?”
The squawks basement was so so cold, and Mike Wheeler was so, so confused. How didn’t he realize his Will Will had a crush on him this whole time?
The moment Will decided to tell the whole entire team he was gay (which in Mikes opinion, should have been just Joyce and his own business.) Is when he knew. Mike saw Wills eyes on him as he spoke about his crush.
“Tammy— who the fuck is Tammy?..” He scoffed, nervously bitting his lip. Who is Tammy and why would Will compare Mike to her???
”So stupid.. ‘so stupid—“ Mike pauses as the door to the basement opens, revealing Wills figure.
”Mike? The rest of us are ready to uh..go.” His voice is soft, but guarded. It sends shivers up Mikes spine. Wills voice is so hot “Uh yeah!- I’ll be up in a sec.” Mike’s voice responds, flashing his best “normal” grin.
Wills eyes narrow, before his voices picks up again. “Something wrong? You seem off.” He asks, his eyes searching Mikes own.
don’t look at me like that don’t look at me with your perfect eyes..—-
”Nothings wrong!- I’m just.. thinking.” Mike blabbers, his fingers twitching as he continues. “How’d you know?- like you know..how did you know know that you liked boys?”
Wills head tilts in suprise, and Mike swears he could piss his pants. He’s gonna think I’m gay— I’m not gay.Maybe I’m gay for Will I was with El.
”I guess I just always knew, yknow?” Will chuckles, his smile not quite meeting his eyes. He doesn’t meet Mikes gaze either, though Mike doesn’t realize how deep he’s staring.
“Like..I found out the same way you guys found out you liked girls. I liked someone.” Me. You liked me, Will..
”Right— I should of guessed that, hah..” Mike stutters, smiling nervously. “I..I don’t really know I just guess I thought it was different, yknow? Like can’t you be multiple? Liking boys and girls? Or or maybe—“
”Mike.” Will interrupts. Mike shuts up immediately. It’s Will, of course he will. “I know for sure I like boys. Just like you know for sure you like girls.”
”Not for sure.” Mike spits out. Shit shit WHY did I say that what the fuck — “What?” Will asks, with his cute confused face confused face.
The basement door slides open as Robin comes in view. “Hey— sorry to interrupt, but we got to go now. Abyss is moving and we need to set up.” She urgently speaks, as Mike makes that his chance to rush away from Will. He pretends he doesn’t hear Robin asking Will “What the hell happened?..” As he rubs his face, hoping to push down the blush rising.
He’s so fucked.
Will and Mike Make it to the top of the radio tower before the others, shockingly, and before he can say a word to Will, Will decides to talk first.
”Can you specify?” He asks, turning to meet Mikes gaze which he does not return. “Like, you not for sure liking girls?.. or maybe I read it wrong—“
”You didn’t.” Mike mumbles, turning away. “I just..- I don’t know Will. I feel different lately. Like maybe I’m not who I’ve been pretending to be.” Mike admits, sighing.
”Pretending?” Will asks. Now he’s really lost. Rightfully so, I’m too good to let others notice I don’t really like my relationship feel happy right now.
”Yeah like.. I felt confined. I feel confined. Like I’m living a lie. I don’t want to feel like that anymore, Will.” He whispers, finally meeting his eyes.
”You don’t have to.” Will replies, meeting Mikes eyes with the same emotion. “It might feel safer to hide but— it’s not worth it, Mike. Not worth the hurt.” Will looks down. Like he knows from experience. He probably does know from experience. I’m such an idiot..
“You think so?” Mike asks softly.
”Yeah.” Will responds, smiling gently. He nudges Mike’s shoulder, and Mike feels like he might squeal. They share a smile, as Mike nudges Wills shoulder back. I’m that easy, just for Byers. I’m just jittery.
The rest of the Party climbs up with ease, as they join Will and Mike. Now to wait, Supposedly till the Abyss reaches the Radio tower. Mike can already see the rocks reaching from the sky, so he knows it can’t be too long before the time arrives. He’s almost excited. Excited for this hell to end. It’s been too long since he felt like a regular person. Maybe not regular but— close. He sighs, looking at the rest of the party prepared and in suit.
”I think it’s time to shine.” Lucas says, chewing his “snipers gum” as he looks through his binoculars. “Though we gotta move fast, the rift is big enough but not too tall, so one slow move and this tower is…” he whistles. “Gone.”
Everyone nods, looking around at each other. No mistakes. Mikes eyes meets Wills, and Will flashes a smile that has Mike’s insides fluttering with affection. Mike smiles back, internally slapping himself from how stupid he probably looks.
He snaps out of the thought as the Radio Tower creeks, bending a smidge as Nancy begins to push through the rift to the Abyss.
Mike mumbles to himself. “What could go wrong..”
Everything can’t be going more wrong.
The Abyss stopped, yeah, great, but half of the Party’s up there and Mike and Will are stuck on a broken radio tower.
Lucas was right, we had to be speedy. And after Steve and Johnathan’s turn to climb the tower, it turned from being a bit bended to basically the antenna breaking off.
It was Wills turn to climb up before it snapped in half, basically becoming a literal bridge with a whole in the middle, connecting the Abyss to the Upside down. It was terrifying, really. Mike had Made sure to stabilize Will by holding his sides, despite the tiny noise from the shorter boy in response or the heat rising up his body.
Mike knew he had to stay strong. The people up in the Abyss would do their job, and so would El. Speaking of El, he should really tell her the truth. I’m such a dick— Mike groans, really trying to focus on checking the surroundings.
”Will, you got a good view over there? Or do we need to switch—“
A loud bang is heard, as Mike turns around to see Will on his knees, clutching his chest like he couldn’t breathe. “WILL!” Mike yelps, rushing down to his side. “Will!!— Will are you okay?” Mike yells, trying to shake will out his trance. The lights around the squawk are flickering, and Mike is really hoping the problem isn’t who he thinks it is.
.
.
”I Thought you were smarter then this, Will.” Mike chuckles, as Will stares at him, confused. He was checking the surrounding area for threats, before he fell, a sudden pain hitting his chest. He looks up at Mike as he chuckles nervously. “Smarter than what, Mike?” He asks.
”You really thought I was Gay? That I could be a fairy like you?” Will feels his heart drop, as he stands up quickly, taking a step back. What was going on? Did Will imagine the whole conversation with Mike before? “W-what do you mean? I thought we were fine? You said you were—“
”I could never be fine with a friend like you. You lied to me, Will. Made me think El needed me. It was you talking, wasn’t it?” Mike sneered, looking at Will with hatred burning through his eyes.
Will couldn’t even respond, his breathing quickening as he stepped back further. He was scared, and this all felt like a dream - was this a dream? “You really think I could like you back? You’re useless! You're useless, William.”
”No!— I’m not— you’re not Mike.” Will shouts back, stepping further back. His foot almost slides off the edge of the broken radio tower, as he grips the handle. “Get out my head.” He whispers. He won’t let Vecna win. He can’t.
The image of what was once Mike shifts to a taller, branchier being. Vecna laughs, his feet shaking the bridge with each step he takes, getting closer to Will “You think that will work? I know your brain in and out, William.” He whispers, standing right in front of Will. “And I needed you to help me, but you’ve done enough.” Will trembles, but still stands his ground, trying to show no fear. But Vecna can sense it, and that’s enough.
Vecna’s wooden hand hovers over wills face, moving closer as Wills breath catches, his eyes full of tears. “I need to do, what I was supposed to do the first time I used you as a spy.” He growls, before connecting his hand with wills face, causing Wills head to snap up. A soft choken gasp leaves Wills parted lips.
.
.
”WILL! WILL GET UP!—“ Mike yelled, as Will began to float in front of him. What the fuck?— why was Vecna going after Will of all people? “WILL!!- PLEASE-“ Mike gasps as he sees Wills eyes roll back, his body trembling in the air. This cannot be happening right now. This has to be a dream.
fuck fuck fuck I have to do it I have to I have to—
.
.
.
The Months at the Wheeler House With the Byers.
Mike smiles as he records the last song for Wills mixtape. Heroes, by Bowie. Will just recently started to like it, and Mike always likes a song if Will likes it. He bobs his head to the melody, forcing himself to think about anything but El or when he’d even give Will said mixtape.
Most of the tape had The Clash, or The Cure, or The Smiths. All of Wills favorites, but if you asked Mike how he knew he’d probably lie and say something like Will told him, as if he didn’t pay attention to every little nod Will would do to a song he liked.
He liked watching Will. Not in a creepy way just— whenever Will would smile when he liked a certain action Mike would do during his campaigns, or the way Wills eyes get a little greener in the summer, or how they sparkle whenever Will talked about something he truly enjoyed—
Yeah, Mike was in deep shit.
He finishes the Letter he writes for Will, sighing. When would he even have the time to tell Will the truth? Or tell El the truth too? They were just getting back on good terms, and he still wants El to be his friend. Best friends. No— sister.
He decides maybe, in a life or death situation, it could be important. And then, he’d say the truth. He couldn’t bare never telling Will, but he also couldn’t bare Will never wanting to talk to him again, so it seemed like the safest option.
”When would that ever even happen.” Mike mumbles to himself. Vecnas been MIA. Seems like Will wasn’t getting it any time soon..
He taps his finger to the melody long after the song ended, as he writes wills name on the mix, with a heart at the end. He smiles at the finished product, tying the letter to the mixtape, before hearing a knock at his door, shoving it into the bottom of his jacket pocket. “Coming!!”
Present
Mike never realized how handy that mixtape might have been until now. He swallows his fear, before taking it from his pocket, along with a Walkman. He slides it on Will’s trembling head. Despite being tall, Will was floating, so it was a struggle.
He skips through the songs all the way to the last one.
I, I will be king
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing will drive them away
We can beat them, just for one day
We can be heroes just for one day
Mikes hands shake, as he opens the letter, taking a breath before beginning to read.
”Dear Will. Im writing this to you although you’re currently sleeping in my basement. I know that I didn’t write to you in California, I’m an idiot.” His voice cracks, tears threatening to spill as he continues. “Everything there was just so messed up. I messed up, and I’m so sorry Will. I guess I was afraid of my true feelings. My true feelings for you.”
I, I can remember
“I’ve been ignoring you, because I didn’t know how to tell you. I am so scared to tell you how much I love you, Will.”
Standing by the wall
”Not in a friends way, not in a best friends way but— in our way. I love you Will. Being away from you physically hurts me, it’s like I’m not my true self. I can never be my true self without you.” Mike chokes on a sob, his voice trembling. “And I know you’ll probably hate me after reading this, But you just need to know. How much I need you. I can’t live without you, Will. You’re the key to my heart.
Love, Mike.”
And the guns shot above our heads
”I don’t know where to start Will— But I can’t push myself away. Not anymore. You told me it’ll only hurt me in the end, I’m taking your advice for once.” Mike chuckles. He grabs Wills hand, squeezing. “I love you and— I don’t know who Tammy is, I don’t even want to. I want to be Mike. I just want to be your Mike, Will. So please come back to me because I can’t lose you again.”
And we kissed, as though nothing could fall
.
.
Will choked on his sobs, Mikes words shining a glimpse of hope for him. He knows he has to fight. For Mike. For His Mike. He fought against the hand Vecna held over him, focusing the best he can as he slowly tapped into the hive mind. EVERYTHING hurt, brutally. He was so close, too close for it not to be painful. His heart beat faster then his body could handle, but the adrenaline helped mask some of the effects. His hand finally shot out, fighting against Vecnas better being.
Vecna growled, struggling to fight over the control of his mind. “Will..” He warned, slightly trembling. But Will felt Mikes hand holding his, and that was more than what he needed. He just needed Mike. It was Always the missing piece. Will yells, pushing Vecna away, as Vecna falls down the bridge with a loud yell, Back to the Abyss where the rest waited for him, ready to attack.
Blood trickles down Wills nose as he collapses in Mikes arms, Breathing heavily. His eyes flutter open, meeting Mikes worried gaze. “Will!— oh my..- oh my fucking..- you made it.” He exclaimed, out of breath as he held Wills face, checking all over for injuries. “You did it. You came back to me.” Mike whispered.
And the shame, was on the other side
Will meets Mikes gaze, the words Mike had said flooding through his mind, warming his insides like nothing ever did before. Nothing could compare to this feeling, ever. And he almost couldn’t believe it was real.
”I want to be Mike. Your Mike. So please come back to me because I can’t lose you again.”
Oh, we can beat them for ever and ever
Will surges forward, capturing Mikes lips into a messy kiss. Mike almost gasps, before immediately melting into it, gripping Wills face tighter, as he presses their lips together with more eagerness. It was messy, and Mike could taste the tang of blood that trickled down Wills nose, but it didn’t matter. Not when he was finally kissing Will. Their teeth clacked together and their lips fought against each other, but it worked. They kissed as if they craved it their whole life’s, as if they found water after decades without it.
yes yes yes I love you I love you I love you so fucking much…
Wills hands slide up to the back of Mikes head, grasping his curls as an anchor as Mike groans, moving forward as Wills back hits the railing of the broken bridge. Mike pulls back to make sure he’s okay, but as soon as Will nods, he’s diving back for more in case he never tastes Wills lips again.
Then we could be heroes
Tears slide down Wills cheeks as they kiss, their bodies pulling each other closer, afraid to lose one another again. Afraid to separate. Wills powers caused the lights to flicker, as Will pulls back, as Mike looks him in the eye.
“Why are you crying?— did you not want..” Mike begins, before Will immediately interrupting. “No!- I wanted that. I just…” Will sniffs, holding Mikes face in his hand, which Mike immediately leans into. “I’ve wanted that for so long. Too long.” Will whispers, their foreheads pressing together. Mike smiles weakly.
The music dies down in Wills Walkman, as he meets Mikes gaze. “You meant it? You..- you loved me all this time?” Will asks, almost scared it’s a dream, or another vision from Vecna. Mike nods, before mumbling softly.
”I think I loved you since the day I meet you, Will. I just..” Mike swallows, his free hand moving to hold Wills. “I’m so sorry I didn’t say anything earlier. I wish I had, I really do.” Will simply shakes his head, smiling. “It’s not like I said anything either, Mike.”
Mike smirks, rubbing Wills hand with his thumb. “You didn’t have to.” Will chuckles, as Mike pulls him into another kiss, their soft sighs filling the air. For a moment, they forgot about the hell waiting above, and decided to just breathe together.
“So, wait, repeat that, MIKE said it first?” Robin asks, as Will nods, smiling softly. It was Graduation day. Everything couldn’t be better, right?
He and Mike were still processing Elevens death. Ok, maybe more Mike then Him, but Mike assured him it was more of a Sibling thing then a Lover thing. Before El Sacrificed herself, Mike told her the truth. She understood, even she knew before Mike knew himself.
But it was still hard. His sister was gone. She did it for him, and the rest of the party. He could live with that.
”Why is it so hard for you to believe, Rob?” Will chuckles, as Robin helps Will get ready for Graduation, fixing his gown. It almost feels surreal. Will never thought he could graduate. He never even thought he’d still be alive. She smiles, giving Will the really? Eyes.
”Well it’s Wheeler. Oblivious Wheeler. How could we have possibly known he’d confess to the Will Byers, huh?” She chuckles, as she adjusts his cap. “Done.” She exclaims, turning Will to the Mirror. “Don’t you look like the cutest graduate.” She coos jokingly.
Will rolled his eyes, before hearing the door bell ring. Robin perks up, smiling. “Thats my call to leave. Guess lover boy is here.” She teases, as Will groans. “Oh stop it..” He mumbles, his cheeks slightly flushed nonetheless. Robin opens the door for Mike, waving before leaving, letting Mike enter with his own cap and gown.
”Mind helping me put this on?” Mike asks, handing Will his cap as Will chuckles. “Mike, you’re literally taller then me, it’s not gonna turn out well.” Mike shakes his head, smiling. “Just help me.” He mumbles, flashing his best puppy eyes. Will can’t say no, as he stands on his tippy toes, placing the cap down as he begins to adjust.
Mike gently rests his hands on Wills sides, pulling him slightly closer. Will finishes the placement of the cap, before meeting Mikes eyes. “This was your plan all along, wasnt it.” He smirks, glaring at Mike even though there was no anger behind it.
Mike just smiles, pulling Will into a gentle kiss that Will is happy to reciprocate. “Maybe.” Mike mumbles as he pulls away. “Can’t a guy wanna kiss his boyfriend?” Mike asks innocently. Will rolls his eyes, before pulling Mike into another kiss.
So stupid. They were so stupid with each other. But it was perfect. The perfect amount of crazy and love.
Will still can’t believe it’s real. Mike is his, and he is Mikes. Is he dreaming? Because he doesn’t want to wake up.
Will hums into the kiss, tugging Mike closer by his curls as Mike groans in response, a soft “Will..” leaving his lips. Every time Will heard Mike say his name like that, he knew he was a goner. Mikes hands slide further down, moving backwards to gently press Will into the wall, as he squeezes, Will letting out a little gasp in response before the bathroom door opens, causing Mike to groan in frustration before pulling away.
“We don’t have all day, love birds. Come on.” Max grins, dragging Lucas along as he winks at Mike. “I see you Wheeler.” He sings, before being dragged out the front door. Mikes face flushes, before he turns back to Will, his eyes flashing a “sorry, we will post pone this makeout for later.”
“Dustin’s probably already there, so..” His hand gently traces Wills arm. “We should head out.” Will smiles, kissing Mike one last time. “Yeah, let’s go.” He mumbles, letting Mike pull away, not long before Mike holds out a hand for Will to take.
And he does, as Mike and Will walk out the house together, Mike leaning down to peck Wills lips as they giggle, closing the door behind them.
Man, Will and Mike can get used to this.