Chapter Text
Will, Mike, Lucas, Max, and Dustin all part ways after they graduate.
Will moves to New York, figuring his life and himself out. When sitting at a bar alone, he meets a man named ‘Carlton’, who now he’s dating after a few months of knowing each other. Will is happy, but he still thinks about his “Tammy”, Mike Wheeler, his best friend.
Mike stays in Hawkins, becoming a writer, writing stories about the Upside Down and passionate love stories, mainly because of Eleven. But deep down, he knows he feels guilt about Will and his feelings. The painting, the shared looks, elbow bumps. He wishes that he talked about it before splitting.
Lucas and Max move to a small town in California, next to the beach. As time passes, their love grows even more. Max becomes a teacher in a small high school, teaching English and also having a small side job where she teaches kids to skate. Lucas sidelines with Max in both of her jobs, being a PE teacher and basketball coach.
Dustin moves to California, going to Stanford to study law. He occasionally meets up with Steve Harrington. He also finds a girl named ‘Heather’, who he met in his science class. They sat next to each other, discussing scientific theories and formulas. They fall in love.
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Will wipes down the brown oak counters of the coffee shop, eyes flickering to the clock as it ticks. Ten minutes til closing. Finally. He brushes his brown messy hair out of my face as he hear the door bell jingle, looking up, expecting another customer.
“Will!” The tall, pale, dark hair boy shouts. Will’s slight frown fades into a small grin and he rushes up to the front of the counter. Will’s boyfriend, Carlton came to pick him up. He takes off his black apron and leans forward to give him a little kiss.
“Hey bubs, I didn’t expect you to be here” Will chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck and looking up at Carlton.
“Wouldn’t bail on you, cmon now!” Carl jokes and leans down to give him another peck.
Will pulls away after a few seconds, pink forming on his cheeks and his eyes sparkling. “Wait for me in the car, okay? I”ll be out in a minute.” He smiles, rolling his green sleeves down.
As Carlton nods and heads back to the car, Will packs up and makes sure all appliances are turned off. Suddenly, the telephone on the wall rings. Will expects it to be a customer wanting a cake, even though they’re basically done for the day. He picks up. Instead, he hears a calming, familiar deep voice. “Will…?”
He pauses, leaning on the wall and responds. “M–Mike?” he grins, his heart beating a little faster. Is it actually his best friend calling again? Is he going to confess––NO! Will can’t think of him romantically, besides, he has a boyfriend and Mike is most likely still stuck on Eleven…Right?
“Hey Will. I-I missed your voice.” Mike states, giving Will butterflies in his stomach. He shakes his head, waving the dumb butterflies away. “Missed yours too…” What is Will saying? “What’s up” he asks, trying to ignore what he just said.
“Party said we should hang out on Christmas, at yours. What you thinking?” Mike’s voice grainy over the telephone. Will smiles, thinking about all the memories they all had together. Playing D&D, running from demos, sleepovers, getting lost im the woods, everything, even the bad ones. “I think I’ll like that.” Will grins, checking back at the window to see if Carlton was still outside.
“Then there we go. We’ll be there on the 20th. See you soon, Will.” Mike grins over the phone, Will can tell. They exchange goodbyes and hang up. God, Will missed when they would call every other day, until he became a thing with Carlton. He quickly grabs his bag and turns off all the lights, exiting the cafe. Will’s eyes dart at a bright red Mustang, hopping in and glancing at Carlton.
“Took you long enough. Carlton spoke out, starting the engine and softly laying his hands on the steering wheel. Will felt the harshness in his words, even if he said it playfully. Carlton wasn’t a big fan of being late or moving slowly. Every time they went out for dinner or to the bar, he would yell at Will for being slow and not being ready when it waas time to go.
Will fiddles with the loose hem of his sweater and didn’t make eye contact.
“I–I’m sorry. Mike called and–“
“Mike? Your first love? And you picked up? I can’t fucking believe you.”
“B-babe it wasnt like that! We were-“
“What? Having phone sex? The fuck William?”
Will froze, he never really said his full first name ever before. He felt the guilt rush in and put his head down. Carlton stepped on the gas and flew through the empty, dark streets of New York. His knuckles were white from gripping on the wheel so hard. Will can basically feel the rage glowing from him.
Will discussed his first love with Carlton when they first met. How he announced his homosexuality in front of all his friends, including Mike. They all accepted his difference in sexual preference, but he knew Mike felt something when he called him his “Tammy”.
The rest of the car ride was silent. The wind howling and the radio crackling filled this awkward moment, but not helping it tame down.
When they arrive to their shared apartment, Carlton gets up abruptly and slams the car door, storming off upstairs and into their room. Will sighs, following behind and sitting on the white, cushiony couch.
Will’s hair is messy, eyes glossy, nose red, body shivering, and a tear streaking down his face. His eyes roam on the room, laying on a telephone laying on the brown wooden coffee table in front of him. His hands tremble, hesitating, but dials a number. He swallows the guilt that was building up and picks up the phone, pressing it up against his pale ear.
RING…RING…RING…
Will bites his lip, hoping the designated person will pick up.
”Hello?” The other person on the line states. Will can just feel his worries fade away quickly after hearing that smooth, deep voice. He clears his throat and responds.
“I think you and the party should come tomorrow.”