Chapter Text
A sign slowly in the distance became more
visible as they drove near, and near
"ENTERING HAWKINS SOON"
"We're almost there" Jonathan spat out while driving, looking at Will through the rear view mirror. He was looking at the landscape, like how he had been doing for the rest of the ride; except some times where Will and Mike were talking to each other, maybe something happened between them, just another stupid thing in friendships
Mike on his own hoped the same, he could sense the sadness in Will, how uncomfortable the air stirred in silence. Maybe, it was his awkwardness, or maybe, it was how he couldn't really believe his own feelings. In fact, he was literally dating someone else, El, yet a question surrounded him : How was Will capable of making him feel things he never did, brightening his day just as no one could— Fuck, he was so disgusting for thinking that, especially about his bestfriend, his childhood friend. Being gay was gross, even worse, Being bisexual! That's what people said. And if he was trying to be 'normal' for once, he couldn't be gay— because he wasn't gay, right...?
What was he even thinking, losing his time into thinking he was able to feel anything for Will, he was straight 'no doubt' indeed.
In an attempt to talk so he can be able to clear his mind from all those thoughts of 'queerness' and 'bisexuality' and all those weirdo things he looked at Will. He still was the same as some seconds ago, taking in memories, he was like that for the most of the ride back, after that discussion with him about his relationship with El. Mike looked around nervously, he didn't know what to do, he wanted to help but he was terrible at comforting others the only times he didn't suck at it were always with Will— wait, it was Will who he meant to comfort in this situation, maybe he could give it a try...?
"Hey" Mike paused, quitting his own seatbelt for a second before putting back in the seatbelt next to Will's seat "Is everything okay?" He murmured, a worried face that showed true emotions was plastered on Mike
Will just turned around, nodding slightly, as if Mike couldn't see his tear strained face "Yeah, it's okay don't worry" Will said, smiling a bit before turning back to the window "You don't have to be that concerned about me-"
Mike interrupted Will, not letting him finish the talk he was about to give him "The drawing, El didn't tell you anything" Will turned back quickly, his eyes widening fantly before returning back to normal "No- No, what? I... I made it" he responded, looking straight to Mike's eyes wishing that like so it appeared to be the 'truth' even if it wasn't
Mike shook his head in disagreement, Will was clearly lying, he had lied. But at least, he did it to keep up his relationship, that even Mike himself, didn't put much effort into "Will, friends don't lie, remember?" He grabbed Will's hands putting them into his and pressing them together, accidentally interlocking their fingers. Will stared at their fingers, a blush quickly spread on his cheeks, something that he wished Mike would brush off. Mike tilted his head in confusion of Will's reaction "Will, is something wrong-" he stopped suddently right after his gaze fully drifted to where Will was locked to— oh, they... they we're interlocking hands — Mike removed his hand, stopping the grip while his cheeks where blushing hot red "Ahh, m-my bad!" He managed to mutter out, being a complete mess
"Deep breaths" Mike reminded himself, trying to calm down from the sudden rush, he almost could say that he felt flustered...? No, no, impossible. How could he feel that in this moment, it was just... His leg started trembling a bit, shaking it trying to calm himself down before his head went straight up like a rooster from hearing a sound, it was someone's voice, they were speaking which interrupted his thinking
"It seems you both really are close" Argely mentioned as he looked behind, his head glancing at them both before turning to Jonathan, repeating it various times as if he was expecting a reaction from any of them; which he didn't get. Only making Will quite uncomfortable again as the air inside the van started to become thick with tension. Noticing how uncomfortable the atmosphere was he stopped, looking straight to the road bored before changing of idea and looking at Jonathan, starting a conversation with him
As some minutes still passed, Mike's leg was still trembling, this time less visible since he was trying to hide it by putting both of his hand on top of his knees, trying to make the little bounces hidden
"Hey, you're good?" Will's voice interrupted Mike's nervousness and thoughts, Will made a pause waiting for Mike's response, hearing none, he continued "You can always count with me, you know that?" He gulped his eyes drifting away before looking back again, his gaze full of worry, such worry that even Mike could perceive "Uh yeah, I know" He smiled, getting back a little closer to Will "I was just... kinda nervous. But like, not only simply nervous; I felt like my mind was spinning" Will nodded, understanding and looking for a cause that could've of Mike's worrying while he continued to speak "But like, there's also something else" Mike smiled a bit, accomodating himself on his seat "It's only when I'm-"
Mike stopped himself closing his eyes as he processed what he had just said, he couldn't let his own mouth end the sentence that he doesn't want to accept; because it was better to act blind than to have to accept what you see, or atleast, it was so for Mike. Will anyway would think that he was a weirdo for saying such things, more weird than he was already. So it was better staying as they were, bestfriends, most importantly, childhood bestfriends "Nevermind, It's nothing, Will" Mike finished his sentence, smiling a bit as he creep up his hand near Will's thigh, thinking about what he had told him earlier Mike decided to remove it for the best
Will sighed, tilting his head vaguely in a lovely way. He glanced at Mike, who had stopped again looking in his direction, the same way he never truly looked his way "So, about the painting" Mike's ears perked up, turning around to pay closer attention to him "I... I meant to try and help you, help you with your relationship with Eleven" after a suspire he glared at Mike, who had a smile of understanding "It's okay Will, I understand" Mike responded, he contemplated many reasons about why Will would just want to fix someone else's relationship. Well, as he thought deeper while staring at the floor of the car, he began to take in mind many things. Sure Will, was... well probably the most kindhearted person Mike had ever seen in his entire life, the one that made him the most happy— hell, he could even say that Will saved his life! "Why... did you even try to help me on my relationship? I mean, you're always there for me, helping me" Mike murmured, his gaze turning back to Will once again waiting for him to answer his question as he stared at Will's lips "Well, you're both my friends and I want to help you both" ... "I guess" While saying that, the look on Will's face was incredible. He had the look of pure sincerity in his eyes and lips, and that, for Mike? It was enough to say that he had completely fallen on his knees for that sight. Even if he couldn't— and wouldn't —admit it anytime
"Well I guess that it was very kindhearted of you" Mike chuckled, his gaze over Will's face until Argyle cut them "Ohh~ look! loverbirds!" exclamating it while looking at Jonathan like nothing, both of them, Will and Mike, just sighing in response