Chapter Text
Mike despises March in Hawkins. Well just in general, something life changing always happened to him in march. Today, was March 19th 1995. Like for the past few years, it's been raining, a lot in March. It was always bitter cold, pouring, nonstop. It was seriously giving mike a headache as he lay in his bed.
His wife. Well he says wife but really they never got married. He just wanted his friends to think that he was living a good and happy life. Mike and Janet just decided not to tell their child, she was already downstairs, chatting happily away to their son. Liam.
Mike pressed his pillow firmly on his face, trying to muffle out the sounds of thunder and lightning as it brings back memories of him... Will Byers.
His Best friend at which they both liked each other at one point but Mike was too slow, stupid, and he felt shit about it since him and will have moved away, slowly. Will has a boyfriend now, living happily in New York while drawing art for famous museums. But Mike knows that he's just been thrown out of the window, out of will's plans. If only he had the courage to actually say it.
Then he replays that conversation on the radio tower in his head over and over again, he has for a while now. "You still think we can be friends?" Will asks expectantly.
"Friends? No thanks" Mike pauses, thinking about just admitting it then but he's a coward, a fucking coward. Plus, he's scared that they could get arrested for dating him since boys are meant to date girls. "Best friends"
What was wrong with him, Will looked hopeful in that moment but then he just... friend zoned him like that.. forever.
Mike finally forces himself out of his bed, feeling groggy as he stumbled slightly, still obviously not sober from last night's drinking session until 5am. He drinks to cope with his loss of Will, and he can't stop but no one notices his problem.
He gets changed out of his pyjamas into casual clothes, thank God he had a day off work today. Well, he could choose what days he had off as he's a writer now but... he wants to finish this certain book so he hasn't had many days off.
Anyways he heads downstairs, settling down next to his son at the kitchen worktop.
"Morning" Mike mumbles quietly as he stares at the food underneath his fork.
Well good thing that the two doesn't notice him at all, great... just great.
The other two continue with their chatter about random stuff as Mike just sits there, waiting till being told for something to do.
"Michael take Liam to school today I'm busy" His ex-wife says calmly to mike.
All that came out of Mike's mouth was a simple hum.
Okay, so he has to take Liam to school, okay that's fine, he can do that, right?
Once Liam is finally dressed, it's 8:25am. He'll be late for school in 15 minutes.
"Took your time didn't you?" Mike says as Liam slides into the car.
"Sorry" He apologizes straight away.
"No need to apologise, just saying." Mike pulls off the driveway, turning on the radio, but keeping it quiet.
Then they drive, in a peaceful silence it's nice for once, Mike can think thoroughly, no rain or thunder is bothering him no-
"Dad can you turn this song up i like it." Liam asks
Well of course I be a nice dad and turn the volume up to 10, it's already quite loud but... oh well. Then Mike realises.
"Billie Eilish hey?" He says quietly as his eyes water up to the sound of The Greatest
"hmm?"
"oh nothing don't worry about it"
Mike drops Liam off at school, finally proper peace, he starts to drive home until one of Chappell Roan's songs come on.
Mike pulls over, pressing his head to the car wheel, making a honk that makes him jump slightly.
"Pussy."
The subway by Chappell Roan plays.
That's what sets him off.
She's got, she's got a way
Shit it's will's birthday in 3 days and he has no plane tickets.
She's got a way
Mike starts to drive, furiously towards New York. It's a five hour drive but he can do it.
She's got, She's got a way
The same song playing on the radio, then after it plays for the 5th time today, 4 hours through the drive, the broadcaster comes through.
"Hey guys, Rockin' Robin here, just clearing up your day with a little bit of Chappell Roan and her most popular hits about losing a loved one. Now this song is for my great friend Michael, requested by a special someone they should know is their birthday soon, hint... his name begins with a W."
What the fuck? Is she talking about me? Or someone else.
The one song he never wants to hear.
Good Luck, Babe! by Chappell Roan
Mike presses on the gas more, the street lights blurring past him as his eyes start to water more, and more.
You can kiss a hundred boys in bars. Shoot another shot.
Mike swears he can't see where he's going now, just straight, down the highway, hoping no other cars are there.
Good luck, babe. Well good luck, babe
A tear finally escapes the withdrawal of Mike's eye, rolling down his cheek, slowly into his mouth. Tasting slightly salty. He whimpers slightly as the worst part of the song plays.
When you wake up next to him in the middle of the night.
That's it for Mike, Will has put him through enough eternal suffering.
With your head in your hands, you're nothing more than his wife.
Mike looses control, he doesn't see it but he crashes. 100 miles and hour.
Straight into another car on the highway, under a bridge.
His car flips.
And all he can see now is a fade to black.
Unconscious.
You can kiss a hundred boys in bars
Shoot another shot, try to stop the feeling
You can say it's just the way you are
Make a new excuse, 'nother stupid reason
Good luck, babe
And his hearing is gone.