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The blinding lights of the after-grad party shine down into Will Byers eyes, his hand barely clinging to his boyfriend, Carlton's, as they snake their way through the large crowd. It's too loud inside to hear a thing he's saying with the distance between them. It's too dizzying in this room, too warm. Will needed air.
“Let's go get a drink, Babe” The smooth voice of his boyfriend cleared through his head. Will nods, his fingers squeezing Carlton's hand as he's led to the drink table. The overwhelming scent of Vodka filling his nose as they approach, mixed with a light fruity note he couldn't fully place. Some sort of punch, no doubt.
He accepts the red cup Carlton hands him, a sticky red liquid lining it. “It's strawberry.” He hears the softness in his boyfriend's voice “It was that or cherry, and I know you like strawberry better, right?” His eyes meet with the other boys, and he nods. “Yeah, yeah. Thanks” Will lies cautiously. Cherry had always been his favourite. Everyone knew that. Mike knew that.
He shakes his head. Now was not the time to think about Michael Wheeler. He takes a swig from his cup, the vodka burning as it slides down his throat. The heat triggering him to cough.
He feels Carlton's concerned gaze fall upon him “You good?”
Will nods. “Yeah. I’m just gonna get so air.” He slips his hand from Carl’s weak grasp, eyes scanning every inch of the room for an exit. His gaze suddenly landing on the back door at the far end of the kitchen.
Why did he let Carlton convince me to come to this? elbows were thrown every which way at him, he lost count of the mumbled “sorry”’s he's shared in the last 2 minutes. He should've just stayed home and talked to Mike.
God he missed Mike. He knows he shouldn't. His boyfriend was in this very house, he shouldn't be missing his first love. He was over this.
He finally feels the cool metal of the doorknob against his palm. It twists in his grip, a breath of fresh air bursting into the overheated room as he slips into the night.
Fresh air would do it. Clear his mind. He could calm down out here, away from the inside buzz—for the most part. The faint sounds of music, and overly dramatic voices still carried through the walls of the house.
Will sucks in a deep breath, the cool air crisp in his lungs, a reminder he was still alive and breathing. He let his eyes flutter closed for a moment, allowing himself to just relax for the first time tonight.
Only to be jolted back into fight or flight by the call of his name. “Will?” the confusion was clear in a voice he knew all too well. “What're you doing here?” He felt a hand fall on his shoulder. Soft. Warm.
“Uh, Hey, Mike.” He says, careful to keep his tone steady as he turns to look at the boy. “My boyfriend dragged me here. I didn't really want to come” He hesitates on the word 'Boyfriend.’ Sure, Mike already knew about him, but mentioning that he has one around Mike just felt wrong in a way Will didn't fully understand.
“Right.” Mike says, his eyes rolling as the word comes slow from his mouth. “Carlton.” He's careful with each syllable. Like the topic was so delicate even saying his name wrong could break something. “Where is he, anyway?” The boy's head turns to take in their empty surroundings. No one else in sight.
“Inside.” Will says quickly “Socializing.”
“And he just left you to… What exactly?” Mike’s gaze glances between Will’s eyes and the lock necklace that hangs against his chest. His face strung with a knowing look. “Clearly you don't enjoy these spaces. Doesn't he know that?” The words come from his mouth glazed with a judgemental tone
Will shifts on his feet, suddenly tense at the topic. “What brings you here? You're not exactly the party type either.” Will points out, fully taking in the situation
“Angie dragged me here.” He states simply. Like it's the most obvious thing in the world
Right. Angie. His new girlfriend.
It's not like Will could be jealous. He has Carlton. And it's not like he could've expected Mike to stay single forever. Especially when it would be hypocritical of him to.
“How is she?” Will questions, looking down into his cup. His hand sloshes the drink around, only half caring about whatever Mike’s answer was going to be.
“Oh you know, she's with the rest of the cheerleaders.” He brushes off the topic, acting as though he’d rather talk about anything else “What do you have in that cup?” Mike’s hand was already reaching for the drink as the words escaped his mouth. He lifts it to his lips, taking a sip with zero hesitation.
He tastes it, letting it sit on his tongue for a second before swallowing it. “You know they have cherry, right? come on, i'll take this, let's go get you something you like” Mike's hand already on Will's back as he guides him back into the kitchen.
And just as it was before, if not worse, it was loud, and bright. The dizziness in Will’s head coming back full force as he's handed a new drink.
“It's fucking loud in here” Mike shouts “Come with me, there's a quiet bathroom somewhere here.”
Will has no time to respond before he's already being dragged into a new room. He scans every face for Carlton, praying he's not seen with Mike.
He's suddenly pushed into a tiny room, the music muffling as Mike closes the door behind them.
“God i wanna go home.” Mike mumbles, drinking the rest of the drink he just stole from Will in one quick swallow, coughing from the burning as it goes down. “Fuck that's strong.” he says, placing the now empty cup on the counter.
Will takes a sip of his, grimacing at the heat that finds its way into his chest “mmm” He agrees quietly “What's in this shit?”
Mike just shrugs “I don't think anyone knows. Or cares. Everyone's here to get sloshed and be stupid, you know?” Mike scoffs “It’s stupid. I don't understand what's so fun about being a fucking idiot and having no control of your mouth.”
“Not a fan of parties?”
“You know me, Will.”
“Do i?” The words slip from Will’s lips before he has time to truly think. What does that even mean? He takes another sip to avoid elaborating
“Well I’d hope so. We're best friends, No?”
“I mean. I don't know, I feel like we've been distant.”
Mike blinks at the statement. “You've been distant.” he corrects flatly. “Ever since you and Carlton started dating, you've been off.” Mike's filter was slowly slipping as the alcohol started to find its way into his bloodstream. The previous delicacy used with Carlton's name now completely gone, replaced by a tone of pure disgust “He doesn't even know you, Will. Not like I do.”
“What does that even have to do with anything?” Will says, feeling the tension suddenly rise in the room. He drinks. Attempting to calm himself before he gets too agitated “Why even bring him up?”
“Because, Will. Ever since you and him got together, you've abandoned me.” Mike’s finger pokes at Will’s chest “Like—I don't know—an afterthought. I try to hangout with you, and it's always “I can't. Carls over” or something stupid.”
Will feels the buzz start to enter his head. He feels himself slipping. He looks down at his cup, realizing he's had more than he though, as it was almost empty. He downs the rest. “People change, Mike.”
“Doesn't mean you had to abandon me.”
“I didn't—do you even know what you're saying right now? You sound like a bumbling idiot! And how is this all on me? You have a girlfriend too!”
“God, Will, We’re barely a thing. Anyone with eyes can see that. You're just too wrapped up in Carlton to notice—to care.” Mike scoffs, backing himself up against the bathroom mirror. “I just miss you, okay?”
Will sighs. “I miss you too, Mike.”
“You don't show it.” He mumbles, the bitterness in his tone apparent.
“Do you ever think I don't show it because I don't want to care? because I care too much and i need to just forget about you?” Will snaps, taking this small argument and pushing it to be something more. He doesn't understand why he's pushing like this, but after years of hopelessly yearning for Mike, it's almost nice. Almost. “You're sitting here mopping about! God, Mike!” He throws his hands in the air. His throat becoming tight as he searches Mike’s eyes for a reaction “I cared so much it hurt! That's why I threw myself into Carlton, so I could stop hopelessly pining over you. Is that what you want to hear?” The buzz in Will’s head overtakes his rational thinking as he rambles on.
“I care too, Will!” Mike snaps back. “And it sucks. I know that. But it wasn't hopeless, I liked you too! But i guess you were just too wrapped up in your own self pity about me not loving you, you couldn't see it!”
“Then why didn't you say anything? Why have you kept it a secret until now!” Will shouts, his hands finding Mike's shoulders and shoving him backwards.
“Because the fucking world was ending, Will!”
“You dated El!”
“El’s not a boy!”
There's a heavy silence that falls between the two after that. Will steps back from Mike.
“I didn't mean it like-” Mike quickly tries to correct himself
“No. I know.”
“I also-” Mike sighs, looking to the side, away from Will. Away from the hurt expression that is plastered on his face. “I didn't fully understand it. Not until I saw you with him.” He looks back at Will. Taking in the sight in front of him. The way he stands with his back leaning against the wall, the way his hair is tossed from how he constantly runs his hands through it, the way his lips are slightly parted.
He steps closer.
“His hands, on you.” Mike mumbles. His own hands sliding up Will’s arms. “The way he whispered to you” His head drops down, his lips inches from the shell of Will’s ear.
A chill finds its way up Will’s spine, his fingers suddenly moving to grip Mike’s shirt to keep himself stable. It takes everything in him not to just crumble right there.
Mike’s right hand finds its way to the lock around Will’s neck. “The day I first saw you wearing this.” He starts, his fingers playing with the tiny piece of metal. “I wanted nothing more than to strangle whoever got to you before I figured out my footing.” He pulls back. “Selfish of me, isn't it? To have wanted you to wait for me?” He licks his lips. Watching Will’s face flush a deep red “I've always felt a little selfish when it comes to you, though.” Mike doesn't know if it's the alcohol talking, or if he's actually just spewing his deepest thoughts, but whatever it is, he doesn't want it to stop.
Will’s knees are weak. His breathing suddenly shallow as his looks in Mike’s eyes, taking in all the words he can find himself able to comprehend “Mike” He exhales, his fingers digging deep into Mike's shirt.
Mike’s mouth connects with Will’s jawline “You don't mind if i..?” He trails off, tugging lightly on the small chain around Will's neck. He feels Will’s head nod, almost desperately
“Mike please-” He says, breathlessly “You're all i've wanted, please-” He pleads, the situation making him dizzy.
“Mm.” Mike mumbles in response, giving the chain a harder tug, feeling the clasp break immediately. “Cheap.” he mutters, dropping the broken necklace on the floor, before kissing down the other boys neck.
“God Mike can't you just..” Will huffs with frustration, entangling his fingers into Mike’s hair, pulling him from his neck and up to face him. He looks at the other boy. Really looks at him. The wetness of his lips, the freckles that scatter across his nose and cheeks, the rosie hue that has found a home beneath them. The deep brown eyes he used to only dream about. He clashes their lips together messily, pulling Mike as close to him as possible.
Mike takes no time to melt into the kiss, his arms snaking around Will’s waist, his tongue swiping across Will’s bottom lip before eagerly entering his mouth.
The two become enamoured with each other, unable to separate for more than 5 seconds before going back to kissing. Making up for the lost years in this tiny bathroom.
They're both a mess, drool running down from both their mouths, disheveled hair, and the reddest faces either of them have ever had. It's a sight for sure.
Will swallows hard, finally catching his breath “Can we ditch this place?” he mumbles softly
“Please.” Mike replies, lacing his fingers with Will’s. “May I?” he says, looking down at their interlocked hands
“You ask permission to hold my hand, but not to kiss me?” Will quirks an eyebrow at the oddity of the situation
“We're in public, and Uh, Carlton.” Mike replies, looking to the side, loosening the grip he has on Will’s hand in case he wants to let go.
“There's so many people here and they're all sloshed, Mike. No one's paying attention to us, and if they do they're not gonna remember if we hold hands.” Will shrugs, squeezing Mike’s hand
“Carlton?” Mike repeats
“Fuck him.” Will says, pulling Mike out of the cramped bathroom “Your house?” he shouts, over the sudden noise they walked into
Mike nods, leading him back out of the house, hands tightly tangled together. He looks back, always checking to make sure Will was still okay.
The pair snake their way outside, opening the door and finally being hit with some cool air. It's refreshing. “2 blocks away.” Mike says, tugging will closer on the sidewalk, no longer having to worry about bumping into people.
“I know where your house is, Mike.” Will giggles, squeezing Mike’s hand one last time before they headed off to the Wheelers house.