Chapter Text
1991
Music bounced off the walls, flashes of multicoloured lights swirling through the bustling night life of the club. The floor was sticky with too many spilt drinks, and the smell of cigarettes hung through the sweaty crowd.
The big city was so different to Hawkins, though Will wouldn’t say it was necessarily a bad kind of different. It was bigger, that was for sure, but it was fresh. There were always new places to go and new food to try.
But the people were definitely the best part. Back home, it was too complicated for Will to be openly who he was, at least for the most part. But here, everybody was so unique. Light skinned, dark skinned, gay, straight, and everything in between. You would never be able to find any thing remotely close to a club in Hawkins, let alone one with such a variety of people.
Will had met his boyfriend, Christopher, in a club. Chris was confident, charming, tall, and most importantly, kind. He was respectful the first time they had met, carefully trying to work out if Will was like him. But once they hit it off, things moved pretty quickly. And for the first time in a long time, Will was happy. Chris treated him well, and was patient with him when he needed it. Will wasn’t sure if he would ever really be able to understand some things about Will, but I mean, how could anyone? I mean, unless you’re… No. Will was content. Being here with Chris made it easier to forget all the horrible things he endured during his time in Hawkins and just enjoy life a little. He needed that.
Squashed Lemons was Will and Chris’ favourite club. It wasn’t the one they had met in, but it was the most fun out of all the ones in their area. Most of its patrons were people like them; gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgenders. Will had met some of the most wonderful and eccentric people in Squashed Lemons, including his new main group of friends. It was refreshing to be surrounded by people who perfectly understood him after a lifetime hiding his true self, and he was proud of himself for stepping outside of his comfort zone.
Tonight was like any other Friday night for Will and Chris. They had already been drinking and dancing in Squashed Lemons for an hour or so, and the DJ had just switched over, which Will was quite grateful for because the last guy had been choosing awful songs.
Will didn’t pay very much attention to the absence of music while the DJ was setting up, busy watching his boyfriend attempting some stupid trick with his lighter.
“Will! Watch this.” he snickered, flicking on the lighter and sticking his finger right at the top of the flame.
“Be careful with that.” Will scoffed, pushing his boyfriend’s hand away from the small flame.
After a few more stupid jokes from Chris, the brief lack of music was disrupted, a new record catching Will’s attention.
It wasn’t so much the volume of it or the crowds reaction or really anything to do with the club, but simply that Will hadn’t heard the song in a long time. Jonathan had been mildly interested in the band and had recommended it to Will, so he recognised it quickly; Need You Tonight by INXS.
♪ So slide over here
And give me a moment
Your moves are so raw
I’ve got to let you know
I’ve got to let you know
You’re one of my kind ♪
With his interest piqued, Will glanced back at the dance floor to try and catch a glimpse of the DJ. But where his gaze ended up was more shocking than anything he could’ve prepared himself for.
There, in the midst of the crowd, blue light illuminating his haunted features, was Michael Wheeler. His Mike. The Mike he had barely spoken to in two years. The Mike he had selfishly left behind in Hawkins. The Mike that could understand things about Will that no one else in the world could. He looked so different, yet somehow exactly the same. His hair still fell in a dark mess just above his eyes, and his nose curved identically to how Will had drawn it hundreds of times. But how? How could it be that the Mike Wheeler was within his reach right now, and more pressingly, was in Squashed Lemons of all clubs.
In a daze of shock, Will practically leaped out of his seat, knocking his drink over on the way up.
“I’ll be back.” He muttered, not missing the confused look Chris shot him.
He would explain later. Right now, he needed to get to Mike.
He charged towards the dance floor, pushing through bundles of sweaty club goers. Mike just so happened to be right in the middle of the crowd, so it took a solid effort to get there. By the time he had worked his way into the centre, the song had already changed. But finally, he reached him, and then he was right across from Mike, so close he felt their shoulders touch.
Will caught Mike’s arm in a swift manoeuvre, gripping it tightly in both excitement and fear.
“Mike!?” Will yelled over the music.
He turned around, eyes wide.
“Will?”
♪ I break up
With each and everyone one of your looks at me
Honey, you’re starting something deep inside of me ♪