Chapter Text
The house is thrashed when we arrive. I kick open the basement door, Will still leaning heavily against me, weak from using his powers.
"It's okay," I murmur. "It's okay it's okay, we made it to the basement."
My arm is wrapped around his side, his weight draped over my neck as I guide him toward the couch. He winces when I help him sit, and my hands linger at his hips, steadying him until I'm sure he won't fall.
"Mike. Water."
Will lifts a trembling hand, pointing toward a bottle across the room. I move quickly to grab it, taking off the cap and handing it to him. I stand nervously watching him. He is still drenched from the pipe bursting, his hair sticking to his forehead, exhaustion etched in his face.
"Will that was..." I trail off, unsure how to finish.
He looks up at me as he wipes his mouth, eyes lingering for just a second too long. But I can't help the way my stomach flips when he looks at me like that, even for a moment. I have to look away. Get it together Michael. Not now.
"That was crazy," I say, forcing my voice to stay steady. "You're a real sorcerer. I knew you would be." He smiles at that softly as I sit next to him on the couch. He turns towards me, watching me closely. Our knees brush, just briefly, but it sends a jolt through me and I hate that it does. I focus on his face, on his voice, anything but where we just touched.
"I know." He says quietly "It was like.. all of the sudden it clicked." His gaze flicks away then back to me. "When I saw the Demogorgon go after you.." He trails off, breath catching. "Something came over me."
I swallow, rubbing my palms on my jeans as I shift my weight. He is looking at me so genuinely, so openly, it is impossible to breathe under the weight of it.
"O-oh.." Is all I manage to spit out. So stupid Mike. He just saved your life, and this is the best you can do?
Will tilts his head slightly like he is trying to puzzle me out. The softness in his gaze makes my heart thump painfully. I lick my lips nervously. My body feels too close... he is too close.
I jump to my feet abruptly, "Y-you...need food, yes. If your powers are like El's, you need rest and food." I force my mind to focus on that, but can feel Will's eyes following me.
"I'm okay Mike." he says softly "I'm not even sure if I could eat right now if I tried."
I stop for a moment, turning back to him and try to put on a stern face crossing my arms.
"Seriously Will... you need to eat something." My voice cracks slightly, and I press my lips into a tight line to hide it.
"Not right now," he murmurs, leaning back against the couch and closing his eyes. "I just want to rest until we hear word from the others about what's next."
I can't stop my gaze from drifting, tracing the curve of his lips, the way his neck melts into his shoulders. My chest tightens, and I have to blink, forcing myself to look at the wall instead.
The silence is heavy with Will resting on the couch, his breathing slow and even. I'm not sure what to do with myself, so I sink down beside him. I'm careful to keep my own space despite my body longing for any little touch I can get.
I clear my throat softly trying to match his calmness but my leg bounces in slight anticipation and frustration at my own inability to act normal.
"Mike.." he murmurs softly, barely audible, and I freeze. The sound of my name on his lips sends a feeling through me that I can't ignore.
"Y-Yeah?" I whisper, my voice weak, every tiny movement of his amplified in my awareness.
"Thank you for caring for me." He opens his eyes slightly, tilting his head towards me.
My heart swells and my throat goes dry as I pretend not to feel everything burning under my skin.
"Of course.. It's the least I can do." I manage, forcing a small steady breath.
"That's why you're the heart." His voice is quiet, but there is a weight to it as he reaches out, placing a hand over my chest. "You keep everyone together..." His breath hitches, and his hand trembles slightly against me. "Especially me."
His eyes meet mine earnest and unflinching. I have to hold myself back from lifting my hand to press back and touch his. His hand is warm, soft, and comforting. Something this wrong should never feel this... good.
My breath picks up as we look at each other. It's the end of the world, and my feelings are only amplified by this. His hand hasn't left my chest and I don't want it to. I want to stay right here, looking at him forever. I open my mouth to say something, anything, but he speaks first.
"I want you to know.." His hand slowly slips away from my chest, and the absence of it aches more than I expect. " That I won't let...him get to you. Ever." He looks at me, resolute and terrified all at once, tears gathering in his eyes. "Even if it means I-"
"No Will." I cut him off, my voice shaking. "No you won't. You can't, I won't allow you to." I take a shallow breath, my chest tight, overwhelmed by what he is offering. The quiet terrifying certainty that he would sacrifice himself for me without hesitation.
"Promise me you won't, Will." My voice breaks as the words leave me. A tear slips free, but I don't bother wiping it away. I can't lose him. Never again.
I reach for his hand resting on his thigh, and I hold it firm and desperate like he could leave at any moment. My grip says what I can't bring myself to speak aloud.
"Mike I can't- I can't do that.' He looks away, tears streaming down his face, but he doesn't move his hand from mine. Instead, his fingers tighten. Holding on as if letting go will undo us both.
"No Will please-please look at me." My voice cracks. "It's crazy together, remember? Together. If anything happens to you, then it happens to me."
"No..." He turns back towards me, anguish written across his face, and my heart breaks at the sight of it. "You will live on for us. For me. You'll live a beautiful life with everything you ever wanted."
"That wouldn't be possible," I whisper. "Not without you."
My admission hangs between us, and for a moment it feels like the world has fallen away. Like it's just us suspended in quiet. He looks at me as if I've shattered his heart and somehow pieced it back together all at once.
He collapses against my chest, sobbing, and I react without thinking. Holding him tight against me, my head resting on his.
"I've got you... I've got you." I whisper, my own voice trembling, breaking under the weight of my tears. " I won't let anything happen to you, especially for me."
I rest my mouth against the top of his head, any remaining hesitation falling away as I hold him as close as I possibly can. Like this is the closest thing to heaven I'll ever know. And if I'm going to hell for how this feels... It doesn't matter to me.