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Alone.
That’s the essence of what Vecna has shown him about his future.
Alone, in a city far from Hawkins, in a cold dorm room, and a distinct grey color on everything. Bleak. Sad. Silent.
Alone.
Will sighs and reaches for the bottle of water. He’s cursed, he knows he is. Long before the demogorgon got him.
He was cursed when he was born. Because there’s no way he’d have agreed to be this different if he were given a choice, and he certainly didn’t choose this.
Yet here he is, with tears prickling at the corners of his eyes.
He’s so tired of everything. He wants the band aid to rip. And rip is what he’ll do. One by one. He had started with his mum and Johnathan. And they were accepting, of course they were. Jonathan had hinted that he’d love him no matter what, and his mum is…well, she’s his mum.
They encouraged him to tell his circle of friends, his party. Dustin, Lucas, and Mike.
Mike. That will hurt for sure. But he has to do it. He has to rip the band aid. He has to get it over with. Otherwise, he’s trapped in a box, caged with fear. Something Vecna can use against him. That’s why he’s doing this. He wants to break free, have nothing hold him back, so at the very least he won’t be afraid of Vecna, and he can have more control of the situation should he tap back into his mind and take control of the demogorgons once more.
Will sighs once more and sips some water.
“You okay?” came a quiet voice by the door, startling Will, who spills the water on himself.
“Oh! Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you!” He made his way to will, offering some tissues.
“No, it’s okay. I mean, you didn’t scare me, I was just…” Will sighed and trailed off, trying to face away from Mike.
“I was just coming to see if you wanted to eat something specific? We’re getting pizza and sandwiches to fuel up before we head out to take Vecna,” Mike explained as he took a seat beside Will, eyeing him worriedly. “Is it Vecna? Is he trying to spy back again?”
“No, not Vecna. I,” he sighed, it’s all he’s able to do apparently, “pizza is fine, yeah. Thank you.”
“Okay,” Mike replied, but made no move to get up.
The next few seconds felt like years to Will, and what’s he even waiting for? The perfect opportunity? As if there’s ever going to be a perfect chance to do this.
“Mike?” Will asked tentatively, turning to face him, eyes shining with unshed tears of fear.
“Will?” Mike’s brows were furrowed, and he raised his hand to place on Will’s shoulder, “are you sure you’re okay?”
Will, for his part, sought out the touch, and leaned in. “I need to tell you something.” He spoke carefully.
“Okay, I’m - I’m listening,” Mike nodded attentively.
Will took in a deep breath, trying to calm his internal chaos at the moment, trying to contain all the emotions. He’s always been an emotional child, and he often tries to pretend he’s fine. Now is proving a difficult time to do just that, and his face scrunches up as his cries silently, hands flying to hide face.
“Will, it’s okay, it’s going to be okay!” Mike went to hug Will tightly, embracing him with his full might. Rubbing his shoulder as Will silently continues to cry. “It’ll be fine, whatever’s happening right now, we’ll make it right, Will, I promise!”
They spent the next few minutes like that, with Will pressed against Mike’s chest, and Mike’s hand rubbing circles, muttering soothing words.
Eventually, Will gathered his strength, and Mike’s arms fell away.
“What is it, Will?” Mike asked, concerned written all over his face and tone.
“It’s me. I am - I mean,” Will looks away and takes a steadying breath, “I mean that. When Vecna gets inside my head, he shows me things. And he…..knows…things….about me. Like. Well. Like secrets, Mike, things nobody knows. And he’s shown me a future I am afraid of. Because of this secret. Because of….me.”
“Will, you’re stronger than he is. You’re a sorcerer now! Whatever future he’s showing you, it’s bull! And besides, whatever happens, you have us, your friends, and your family! You have me, Will. I know things have been messy lately with everything but. I’ll always be here. And we’ll face whatever bad things Vecna predicts will happen together!”
Will was tearing up again. “It’s…. He showed me a life where I’m alone. Without anyone. Because I’m….I’m different. In a bad way.” He looked up at Mike, willing him to understand.
“Will, you’re amazing because you are different,” Mike spoke with a tone filled with certainty. He inched nearer to Will again, hanging his arm around Will’s shoulders. “Everyone’s different, do you think me and Dustin are the same? Hell no! Or even me and Nancy? No, we’re different people. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Everyone has their own special thing. I don’t know what special thing Vecna chose to flip on you, but that thing is just what makes you…well, Will,” they both chuckled, “It’s what makes Will, Will. What makes you my best friend.”
“I hope you still think that when I tell you what it is.”
“I promise.”
Will took another one of his deep, steadying breaths, and finally let it out. “I don’t like girls.”
A few seconds of silence pass.
“I mean, I obviously like Max and El’s my sister but…I don’t like girls the way….you like girls.”
“Okay, so you like boys, too?” Mike asked so casually.
“Well, yes. No, wait, hang on a second. What do you mean, ‘too’?” Will asked in shock. Because no. There’s no way. Absolutely no way. He would have known. Right? Would he?
Mike grins widely.
Oh my god.
“Oh my god, Mike!”
“Oh my god, Will!”
“Wait, but Eleven….?”
“I like both girls and boys, Will.”
“I have…so many questions right now! I mea – ”
A car horn blasted outside, and Mike and Will ducked to look by the window. A moment later, they saw the delivery guy come out with many boxes and bags.
They looked at each other, and went to join the others getting food and drinks.
“We’ll talk later, Will.” Mike whispered to him.
Will was going to hold him to that.