Archive of Our Own

“Don’t worry,” Will smiled at him, the two of them walking up the front steps. Carlton’s dark hair fell into his eyes, and Will easily brushed it out. “They’re all going to love you.”

“I hope so,” Carlton and him reached the door, pausing for a moment. “I’m excited to meet the family I’ve heard so much about. The famous Wheelers.”

Will nodded, a strange feeling twisting in his stomach at the thought of one of the faces he was about to see. He pushed it down quickly and looked back at the face in front of him, the dark eyes and dark hair he loved. “They’re all really excited to meet you.”

Will was trying to be comforting, keeping a smile on his face. he ignored the nerves sparking inside him as he thought about Mike meeting Carlton, the one person he never told a new guest was coming.

“Okay, we gotta go in or they’ll know we’re just standing here.” Carlton said, and Will laughed as he rang the doorbell. He felt Carlton’s hand slip into his, and he wondered if he should let go, if it was too soon to be so obvious.

His hand was squeezed a moment later and he felt calmer, sharing a quick smile with the boy next to him. Carlton released the contact after a second, seeming to understand Will’s nerves.

It was Karen who opened the door, hair as blonde and styled as ever. Her red lips were wide as she smiled brightly, eyes lighting up. “Hi Will!” She gestured for him to step inside and hugged him tightly, Will’s face splitting into an easy grin.

“Hi Karen,” he said, glancing back at the guest he’d brought. “This Carlton, from college.”

He was sure she knew exactly who he was, but he didn’t want to say it outright. It felt strange to mention a boyfriend to her, when she used to give him those knowing looks anytime Mike was around.

Mike. Will’s stomach flipped and he wondered if he was just past the doorway, if he’d heard what he’d just said.

“Nice to meet you,” Carlton said easily, shaking Karen’s hand. She smiled warmly and stepped back, opening the door.

“Come on inside!” They followed her, and Will did a quick survey of the scene in front of him. The same house, without the familiar sight of Mike running up and yelling his name. Instead, it was a group of other recognizable faces. His mom, Jonathan, Nancy, Holly, and Ted, all hovered over the coffee table with a deck of cards. Ted wore the same disinterested look he always had, and Will sort of admired how easily he’d slipped right back into routine after being faced with an actual demogorgon. He hoped that after all of that, seeing two boys together would be no big deal to him. 

Joyce looked up, face breaking into a smile as she rushed over to hug them both. Will had already been on break a few days, got himself reacquainted with his family, but he’d picked Carlton up only an hour ago. “Hi Carlton.” She looked at Will with such excitement, Will’s heart pinched as he thought of how excited she’d been to hear he was really going out with someone he liked. “Come over here, we’re playing cards.”

And just like that, the two of them were invited into the circle, told the rules, and joined the game. Carlton was acting exactly as Will had hoped, charming and polite as he got acquainted with everyone.

Will felt light, his heart rate finally slowing down as he watched Carlton make his mom laugh. The scene was almost perfect, the day going by easily. 

It was when he looked across the table and scanned the faces that he noticed one missing. His stomach twisted and he had to stop himself from asking where he was.

“Mike’s going to be here any minute,” Karen said, noticing Will’s expression. Will felt his face flush at how obvious he was, how he still couldn’t avoid thinking of Mike. 

“Oh, okay.” Will’s voice came out a little scratchy, and he tried to brush it off. He wanted to ask a million other questions, like why he was late, where he was coming from, why he’d barely called. Some of those he knew he couldn’t get answered by anyone but Mike himself. 

A few minutes passed, another game was won by Holly. Will couldn’t believe how much older she was now. He remembered being her age, playing D&D down in the basement and sleeping over. Those memories always flooded back when he came to the Wheeler’s house, and he tried to tamp them down as he felt Carlton’s arm brush his own.

Suddenly, the door swung open and footsteps raced inside. 

“Is he here yet?” a voice called out from the foyer. Will’s neck turned so fast he was surprised it didn’t snap, and his breathing stopped the second he locked eyes with the person standing before them.. 

His stomach swooped as he took Mike in, his navy sweater and cheeks pink from the outside frost. It seemed like no matter what Will did, no matter who was sitting next to him, his body would react to seeing Mike’s face however it wanted.

Mike’s hair was a little longer, Will noticed. It fell into his eyes slightly and curled at the ends. He liked it

With a quickening heartbeat, Will watched as Mike’s face split into a grin as he saw him. His smile faltered when his eyes darted to the unfamiliar face next to him, taking in the sight of them next to each other.

“Hi,” Will said, sounding less confident than he wanted. He tried to inwardly compose himself as he watched Mike stare at Carlton.

He realized a second later that Mike was waiting for him to introduce them. Will didn’t know why this suddenly felt like the worst situation in the world, why he hadn’t told him he was bringing someone home. 

“This is Carlton,” Will said, gesturing to him. After mentioning him over the phone a few times, Will had hoped Mike had just assumed they were together. He wondered if he was still supposed to add the “my boyfriend” part, but it suddenly sounded like the worst idea in the world. 

Carlton was still beside him, and Will didn’t want to see the expression on his face. He’d heard so much about Mike over the months they’d been together, and had sort of understood that there’d been some kind of crush during his childhood. Will couldn’t bring himself to tell him the full story.

“Hey man,” Carlton stood up, taking a few steps forward and outstretching his hand. Will realized he should probably stand, too, and awkwardly followed.

The room was too quiet, and it was a relief when Will heard Karen clear her throat. “Let’s give the boys some privacy. Nancy, you deal this round.” Finally, voices resumed conversation in the background. 

Will felt frozen in place as he watched Mike take in the hand outstretched to him. A painful moment passed, where Mike suddenly looked at Will with the sort of expression that made Will want to walk right out of the house, to escape to the fresh air. Then Mike grabbed Carlton’s hand, shot him a pinched smile, and shook it.

“Hi there,” Mike said, dropping his hand a second later. He turned to Will, his face looking like a thousand questions, and pulled him in for a sudden hug. 

“Hi Will.” His voice was muffled into Will’s jacket. The contact made Will’s heart rate pick up, and he hoped desperately that Mike couldn’t feel it through his chest.

Will hadn’t expected a hug, and it took him a moment to put his arms around Mike. Mike was holding him tighter than probably necessary and longer than probably appropriate. Countless questions floated through Will’s head, and as Mike’s arms wrapped around him, he saw Carlton shoot him a confused look.

Will shot him one right back, trying to convey that none of this was what he expected. He was the one to pull back first, to get Mike to release him. 

“Hi, Mike,” he said, and cleared his throat with how rough it sounded. 

Mike looked between them for a moment longer before glancing at the coffee table. “You guys been playing cards?”

Will nodded, and Carlton stepped closer to him. He’d always been good at social situations, no matter how uncomfortable, and Will was grateful when he said, “Yeah, and your sister is crazy good. She beat me, I don’t know, how many times?”

Will realized Carlton was looking at him, waiting for a response. He didn’t have the courage to glance over at Mike as he said, “Probably like six times.” He smiled slightly, looking at Carlton. His face was calm, his smile easy, and Will liked the way it slowed his heart rate. “You’re not very good at cards, though, so it’s not hard to win.” Carlton laughed, a hand coming to playfully shove his arm.

For a split second, Will’s mind flashed the image of a field he’d been in years ago, when his hand had pushed a different boy’s chest.

He shook his head, erasing the picture. Feeling eyes on him, he avoided Mike’s face.

Smiling, Carlton replied, “Whatever. I’m better than you at least.”

Will started to laugh, but a voice caused him to break eye contact with Carlton and look over at the face watching them. “Will’s great at cards.”

He sounded almost accusing, and Will froze. “I’m pretty bad, Mike.”

Mike was watching him too intensely for the lighthearted conversation they were supposed to be having. “No, you’re not.” His eyes moved to where Carlton was standing, right next to Will. “When we play you win all the time.”

Will was pretty sure he was hearing things, because he never won against Mike. Mike was always so focused, trying to get any point he could. Will had just wanted to do what he was doing, to be next to him. Plus, it had been months since they’d really done anything together.

Will forced himself to meet Mike’s eyes. “Whatever you say.” He didn’t want to push it, to make things more uncomfortable than they already were.

Carlton clapped a hand on Will’s shoulder and cleared his throat. “Speaking of cards, wanna get back to the game?” He directed the question only at Will, clearly sensing that it was a bad idea to engage Mike. 

Will felt himself nod, tearing his eyes from the face holding such a confusing expression. 

Carlton smiled at him and turned to the rest of the group, beginning to move back to his spot on the carpet. Will waited a moment longer, trying to shoot Mike a confused look. Mike just watched him, brows furrowed and fingers coming up to pinch his bottom lip.

Will had to look away then, before his stomach twisted any further. 

Returning to his seat, he saw that the new round had been dealt. There was a pile of cards sitting next to his, clearly for the new player. A sense of dread quickly overtook his relief.

He didn’t have to look up to know when Mike was sitting. He felt his knee bump into his own as Mike adjusted himself right next to him. What would have been exciting to Will years ago now made him nervous in an entirely different way. Still, he was glad that Mike couldn’t really see Carlton, being in between them. He didn’t know why Mike was being so strange with him, and he didn’t want to see it go any further.

Any hope he had for the two of them to bond quickly faded, however, as the game resumed. When Karen asked them about college, what it was like being so far from home, Mike cut in to question Carlton directly.

“So how long have you known Will?” It sounded like a normal enough question, but the bite behind it made Will stare. He tried to understand Mike’s sudden attitude, but all he saw were his intense eyes staring straight at Carlton.

“A few months,” Carlton replied easily. He was reshuffling the cards, keeping his eyes focused on the task in front of him. “We met a week into school. There’s only one good bar on campus, so I ran into him a few times before we started really hanging out.”

Will had never explicitly asked Carlton to keep the details of their relationship private, but he was glad he was being relatively vague about it all. Something about going into their dating history felt wrong with Mike right next to him.

Suddenly, Mike’s arm brushed Will’s as he steadied himself on the rug. Will tried to stay calm, to pick up the cards he was dealt without glancing back at Mike.

Carlton, on the other hand, was looking at Will constantly. He felt trapped between the two of them, feeling like his every movement was being observed.

“Only a few months?” Mike nodded slowly. “I thought it was longer.”

Will shot him a glare. “Its felt longer.”

Mike looked at him then, brows furrowing. “Really?” He hummed, picking up his cards. Somewhere in the background, Jonathan was asking Holly about school. “So Carlton…"

Will wanted to grab Mike, to bring him outside and interrogate him. What was he doing, singling out the guy he brings home?

He brought his attention back to the conversation just as Carlton was saying, “Well, Will told me a lot about how you guys were really into D&D as kids.”

Will glanced between them, wondering what they were talking about.

“Oh yeah?” Mike sounded too smug for Will’s liking. “We were down in my basement all the time.”

Will just stared at him. “Yeah, lots of D&D.” He turned to Carlton, who seemed a little less composed than he’d been a few minutes ago. “I’ve gotten a lot more into other games recently.” He swallowed. “Remember that one you were showing me the other day? Maybe we could teach it to everyone now.”

Carlton smiled lightly, but Will saw how it didn’t reach his eyes. “Yeah, we could.”

Mike’s voice suddenly cut in yet again. “So, you guys are pretty serious?” He didn’t end there. “After just a few months?”

Will would probably kill him, he decided, once Carlton went back home for the rest of break.

He was silent beside Will, and Will realized he had to be the one to answer the question. He didn’t know what to say, because they hadn’t really had a serious talk about that, yet. Who would, after being together less than a year?

“Yup,” he said noncommittally, teeth catching on his bottom lip. He thought he felt eyes watching the movement. “I think we should get back to the game.”

He tried to signal to Jonathan, who was supposed to start the round, but he was trapped in a conversation with Ted Wheeler. Will couldn’t feel too bad, though, because right now he wasn’t sure who was in a worse situation.

“Wait,” Mike said, hand brushing Will’s shoulder. Will turned and stared at where he was touching him. He hadn’t intentionally done something like that in months, not after the confession. “I just want to know one more thing.”

Will’s body was still with anticipation, and he braced for whatever stupid thing Mike was about to blurt out as his eyes focused on Carlton. “How come I barely ever hear about you—”

Will decided he was done mediating between Mike and Carlton and quickly stood up. “Mike, that’s enough.”

Before he could demand that they talk in private, Carlton’s hand was on his arm.

“Can we have a minute?” Carlton was speaking, Will realized, to Mike. 

“Uh, yeah.” Mike didn’t sound so happy, but Will was flooded with relief as he felt Carlton pull him into the next room.

“Thank god,” Will smiled incredulously at how absurd Mike was acting. He turned to Carlton to laugh with him.

His smile dropped the moment he saw the way Carlton was looking at him, with something like anger.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He asked. Will noticed the distance between them, how Carlton was standing farther away than he had been all day.

“Tell you about what?” How crazy Mike was? He didn’t know himself until it was too late.

“That you guys had a thing?” Carlton said it so seriously, looking sort of heartbroken. Will balked at him, eyes wide.

“What?” He broke out, trying not to laugh. “There’s nothing going on with us.”

Carlton shook his head. “Not an actual relationship,” His face was set in a scowl and he faced the floor. “But you told me you’d had some kind of thing for him when you were kids. You didn’t say he was into you now!”

Will definitely couldn’t laugh now, no matter how much he wanted to. This had to be the most ridiculous conversation he’d ever heard. “Carlton,” He stepped closer. “There’s no way Mike’s ever, ever liked me like that.” He hated the way the words created a pinch in his chest, no matter how true they were. “He’s acting weird right now and I don’t know why, but it’s not because of anything like that.”

Carlton didn’t look relieved like Will had expected. He just shook his head harder, looking up at him. “Will, that’s not true.” He rubbed a hand across his forehead. “Look, it seems like the two of you need to sort something out.”

Will opened his mouth to argue, but Carlton continued. “You clearly need to figure something out for yourself, too.” He took another step forward, and Will realized he was moving towards the door.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m heading back to the motel.” His face was set, but it wasn’t as angry as it was a moment before. “Deal with this, and meet me back at home.”

It was strange to hear Carlton call the shitty motel across town “home”. Maybe he meant back at college, but Will realized that still didn’t feel right. Standing in the familiar spot between the Wheeler’s dining table and kitchen felt more like being home than any of that.

“You’re leaving?” Will wanted to glance back at Mike, to see if he was watching this go down. He couldn’t help the rush of shame that flooded through him when he realized he’d have to face Mike without the proof that he had completely moved on.

“See you later.” Carlton gave him a weak smile, his eyes dark as he finally walked out the door.

The sound of the wood slamming back against the wall was loud enough for everyone to hear. Will’s head was spinning, his ears hot. He knew he needed to face everyone again. Back in the living room, he heard Mike’s voice saying, “I’ll be back,” before he appeared in front of him.

This time, Mike wasn’t scowling. He looked concerned, but also unmistakably happy as he took in the sight of Will alone.

That just made Will angrier, because he’d worked so hard to finally find someone to take his mind off of the person in front of him. The same person who just ruined all of that progress.

“We need to talk.” Will’s voice was the one sounding angry now. Mike nodded, the slight smile on his face faltering. Distantly, conversation floated in from the living room. 

“Does anyone want to see a movie?”

Will heard the group making plans that didn’t concern either of the boys, plans that would leave them here alone.

They were still sitting in the living room, making Will desperate to escape. “Not here.”

No matter how suffocating it would feel, Will felt himself take the familiar steps to the basement door.

He didn’t stop until he was down the steps and back in that old room, right next to the table he’d spent so much of his childhood hovered over.

He heard the door shut, sensing Mike right behind him. When he finally turned to him, he was hit with such a familiar face. The dark color of his eyes, the way his hair had gotten even messier. 

Mike was just standing there, near the bottom of the steps. Trying to shake off the way his presence made Will’s heart rate quicken, he cleared his throat.

“You were acting like a complete jerk out there,” His tone was harsh, and it felt strange to direct it at Mike’s soft expression. “Carlton was being completely fine and you wouldn’t leave him alone.”

As he said the name, Mike’s face morphed into a frown. Unable to control the restless energy pent up in his chest, Will took a step forward.

Facing Mike and rubbing his eyebrow, he said, “Do you have anything to say to that?”

Mike just watched him, leaning back against the wall. His eyes followed Will’s movements, face impossible to read. “I was just trying to get to know him.”

Will scoffed, stopping in his tracks. “Interrogating him is not getting to know him.” He took another step towards Mike. “I mean, you were the one who literally predicted this happening!”

Will knew Mike remembered what he’d said that day in the basement all those months ago, about Will finding some guy in college. He’d honestly expected the two of them to laugh about Mike’s prophetic abilities. After the events of the evening, he realized that couldn’t have been more wrong.

Mike rolled his eyes, frown deepening. “Well, I didn’t realize the random guy from college was suddenly serious enough to bring home.” His voice was strangely bitter, and Will shot him an incredulous look.

He was only a few steps away from Mike now, and he started pacing slowly, back and forth, to put distance between them. “It’s not some random guy from college! It’s Carlton, and I’ve told you all about him.” His frown deepened, steps slowing. He felt the anger bubbling up, causing him to blurt out, “The first guy that actually wanted to go out with me.”

Mike froze. After hearing the words out loud, Will realized what he’d implied. He hadn’t meant to sound accusatory, to remind Mike of that infamous confession back when they’d still been trying to defeat Vecna. To remind Mike that he’d had to move on from him.

Before Will could say anything, Mike blurted, “I didn’t realize you two were that serious.” His eyes stayed on the carpet, glaring at it. “And I didn’t really think about what I was saying when I made up those futures for everyone.”

Will faltered, a stab of hurt running down his chest. “You didn’t really think I’d find anyone?”

Mike’s head shot up, eyes widening. “No! No, I just didn’t really expect you to—” He avoided Will’s gaze as he paused, hands awkwardly frozen at his sides. He looked pinned to the wall, but Will was only watching him from a far. “I guess I didn’t think you’d be all coupled up and serious so soon after everything that happened.”

Will stared at him, mouth parted. “You mean, after defeating Vecna? Lucas and Max were going on movie dates like three days later and you didn’t say anything about that!”

Mike’s lips pinched and he looked back up at Will. “Yeah, but they were together already. And you,” He gestured vaguely at his figure. “You’ve never really shown a lot of interest in the whole thing, and suddenly you bring this guy home, who you’re totally crazy about? I’m just saying, it’s a little random.” His words came out fast and too loud in the quiet of the deserted room.

Will stepped forward, totally lost in Mike’s words. “I showed interest.” He forced the words out, ignoring how vulnerable they made him seem. “I’ve had interest for years. If I leave and there’s finally someone who shows it back, how is that random?” He honestly wondered if he should walk back up the stairs and abandon this conversation. 

Leaving Mike alone to his thoughts was something Will had never liked to do, always wanting to understand every little thing going on inside his head. But right now, with the way Mike was looking him over in all of his anger, Will felt that familiar flutter he’d been tortured by for years. He couldn’t go through it again. Not now, when he’d finally moved on to somebody else.

He waited a moment, seeing Mike’s scowl as his chest lifted up and down. He looked flustered, face flushed and hair falling into his eyes. He just stood there, looking so upset over what Will had been so excited to share with him. 

When Will realized he wasn’t getting a reply, he turned to leave.

“Come on, Will.” Mike’s voice had an edge of desperation as he suddenly left the wall, stepping forward to grab his wrist. Will turned and looked down at where their hands were joined. It felt like he was burning just as he had been years ago, but this time not with heaters. Now, he didn’t know now if it was anger or something much more dangerous.

“Mike.” Will’s voice came out frustratingly like a plea, like he was surrendering control to the boy who’d dictated how he’d felt for years.

“You went off to college, and you fell in love with some guy.” Mike let go of Will as he spoke, but didn’t step back. His eyes darted around the room, not looking at Will. 

Will just watched him, breath quickening as he took in their closeness. “And you just expect me to be all friendly with him? I don’t even know who that is!” Mike’s voice grew louder, and this time he looked right at Will. “I don’t know what you told him, what he knows, if he even knows you!” Will’s hands were limp at his side, his body unmoving. He couldn’t tell if he was in reality anymore, Mike’s words ringing through his ears. “If he knows you better.”

His last sentence was so quiet, Will had to strain to hear him. Head spinning, he tried to form a response. “What are you talking about?”

Mike seemed caught up in his anger, ignoring Will’s plea for an explanation. “I mean, one second you’re revealing some huge confession, and the next you’re totally obsessed with this guy you’ve known for what, a few months?” 

Mike stepped even closer.

His proximity was making it hard for Will to focus on the words he was saying. He wondered if he should step back, but the thought was erased the second he looked up at Mike’s familiar brown eyes and saw something strangely similar to hurt reflected in them. 

Mike looked away, brows furrowed. “I didn’t even get a chance to figure things out! I was so caught up trying to get through El leaving, then everyone’s gone, and next thing I know you finally come back, with a boyfriend?”

Will blinked, trying to process the words. His head was spinning so wildly his sense of logic all but disappeared. He wanted so badly to understand Mike, to know what he meant, but nothing he was saying aligned with the message he’d made so clear all those months ago.

“What is your problem?” Will spit out, an ache in his chest. The first time he really gets to experience a relationship, Mike has to come in and ruin it. 

Will’s confusion quickly turned into a hot anger, and he chose to ignore whatever Mike was angry with him about. “You can’t let me be happy, after all I went through with you.” He ignored the lack of distance between them and chose to take another step forward. 

The two of them were only inches apart, Will’s wrist still burning at his side.

“Will, you’re the one with the problem here.” Mike’s eyes seemed glued to Will’s face now, and Will tried desperately to ignore the heat crawling up his neck. “You know Carlton or whatever doesn’t really get you.”

Will balked at him, a glare darkening his eyes. “Thanks a lot for that, Mike. You don’t even know him.”

Mike’s eyes dropped from his eyes, and Will decided he was completely out of it. There was no way Mike was suddenly staring at that part of Will’s face. 

Will licked his lips, the sound heavy in the stillness. He forced his own eyes to keep away from the mouth he’d spent years of his life wondering about. 

The air between them was strangely quiet after so many words had been shouted moments before.

A muffled sound came from upstairs, sounding like the front door slamming. Will realized they were officially alone now.

Somewhere deep in the back of his mind was a warning, reminding Will of the danger of being in this position. So many years of misinterpreting Mike’s actions, of useless hoping and embarrassing observations. The shame that flooded through Will made him come back to himself, to remember the boy back at the motel. The boy who had kissed Will first and had smiled so proudly when Will had introduced him to everyone.

“Mike.” He didn’t know how many times he’d said his name over the years, but the words felt all too familiar coming out of his mouth. “Carlton is a great guy, if you gave him a chance.”

Mike seemed to snap out of whatever he was looking at with the sound of the name. “Will, I don’t want to get to know him!” He bit his lower lip and Will cursed the way his eyes immediately watched it. “I don’t think I’ll ever want to, because there’s no way he’s right for you!”

A burning rush of anger flooded through Will yet again. “Mike, I really don’t know why you’re being like this.” He wished he had the strength to walk away, to drop the conversation, but he could never really get himself to leave Mike. Not even now. 

The thought made his face feel too warm in the cool room.

“Will.” Mike’s hand flinched at his side, and for a moment Will thought he was going to try to touch him. “He’ll never know you as well as I do. I hope you know that, that you didn’t tell him about everything.”

“Of course I didn’t!” Will struggled to take a breath. “But I can’t believe you’re saying this right now!” He tried to avoid Mike’s eyes, the memory of when he’d really confessed for the first time too fresh in his mind. The image of Mike on the couch, just nodding at him. “You can’t just let me move on.”

The words were out before he could stop them. Mike’s expression changed into one of disbelief, his lips parting. Will felt completely pathetic, that after all this time he was still just lovestruck over his best friend in that same stupid basement. He had tried so hard to move on to someone else, whether he’d actually had moved on or not, and pretend that everything was okay.

“I–” Mike swallowed, and suddenly he was even closer than before. His shoes almost touched Will’s, and Will couldn’t help but back himself up against the wall. Being close to Mike made all of his feelings more overwhelming, like he couldn’t breath. “I just wanted you to come back, so badly.” Mike’s voice cracked, and Will froze against the wall, staring at him. “You left, and everything was different, and all I knew was that I wanted you back.”

Will didn’t know what to say. The wood pressing into his back reminded him that he was really experiencing this, that this was really Mike. His anger faltered, morphing into wild confusion.

“And then you were back, but with him.” Mike spit the words out as he scowled. “And he isn’t even close to enough for you.”

Will surrendered the second he heard that. His feelings seemed to just pause, to float in his chest as he took in what Mike was saying. He stopped moving away, just watched Mike get closer again, and time seemed to freeze as the boy he’d always wanted spoke again.

“He doesn’t know you like I do.” Mike’s dark eyes were pouring into his face, holding his gaze so intensely. “He doesn’t need you like I do.”

Will couldn’t breathe. He tried to speak, but his lips just parted as silence sat between them.

Mike’s eyes dropped down to his mouth, and he spoke again, this time rougher. “I had a lot of time to think while you were gone.” He was so close, the heat from his body starting to seep into the thin air between them.

Will didn’t know how many times he had felt that same heat against him. It seeped into his skin at sleepovers, or when their knees occasionally brushed during D&D campaigns, or when he’d said all those things about the painting, that day in the van.

“You said—” Will swallowed, voice coming out quiet. “You said we were best friends.”

Mike had never made it more clear than when they’d been up in that radio tower, when Will had finally accepted that there was nothing to be done but accept a torturous friendship for the rest of his life. 

He would have done anything to still be around him. He’d always known that, even if he wanted to believe otherwise.

Mike’s face was only inches from Will’s, a sight he had repressed fantasies about for years.

“I didn’t know what I was saying.” Mike was studying his face so intently. “I just wanted to be so close with you. And then you were gone.” The break in his voice brought Will’s eyes up to his. “And I realized I didn’t want you to ever be gone again.”

Will released a breath, lips still parted in disbelief. He couldn’t stop the pounding of his heart, the heat radiating off of his palms.

“Seeing you with him,” Mike’s scowl deepened, hands twitching at his sides. “I’ve known for a while, but I just couldn’t take it.”

Will felt Mike’s heat growing closer, and no matter how loud the warning grew in his mind, he wanted to stay right where he was. 

“I need you, Will.” Mike’s gaze was so open, his face so vulnerable, that Will was completely in a trance. “He doesn’t even know you.”

Will suddenly wanted to yell, to get angry that Mike was sabotaging the first real relationship he’d ever experienced. But the look on his face, the way he was watching Will with those dark eyes, made Will so in tune to what he was thinking that all he wanted to do was get closer.

The feeling had always been there, and Will had always sort of known it was never going away. Of always wanting to be close to Mike, to be surrounded by him. It hadn’t \ left even when Carlton had walked through the door with him. When Mike had walked into the room, Will wanted to curse anything he could find for the eternal pinch in his heart.

Breathing heavily and pushing forward, Mike’s hands made contact with Will’s sides.

Will looked up at him in disbelief, breath hot as he exhaled desperately. The touch was so tantalizing, he’d never wanted anything more than to follow Mike’s heat wherever it led him.

“I know you better.” Mike whispered, a small smile blooming on his lips. “I couldn’t understand why it scared me so bad, thinking he was going to be closer to you.”

Will watched Mike’s darkened eyes leave his face and roam further down, and he decided that maybe he could demand more answers later.

It was hard for Will to believe that this was really happening, that his best friend was dragging a hand across the place his jeans met the skin of his waist.

Will exhaled and pushed his head against the wall, the column of his throat exposed. He watched Mike’s eyes rise up it, could feel his body pressing harder into his.

He was waiting, Will knew. He knew Mike wasn’t a gentle, patient person with anyone but him. He’d always felt the need to shield Will from getting hurt, even when they were kids. 

Will wanted to tell him to let down his guard, to just do what he wanted to. To stop holding himself back. Will had spent years doing the same, and he wouldn’t let it happen again. 

“Just–” He felt Mike’s hand ghost across his waist, breath hitching. “I—” This time, Will stopped himself. He didn’t know how to convey the deep feeling pooling in his stomach, rising into his head and clouding it over.

He tilted his head down shyly, heart thumping as his eyes met Mike’s brown ones. They weren’t soft or guarded anymore. They were so dark now, like he was restraining himself.

“Do it,” he mumbled the words, breathing too hard for how little they’d done.

Though the words were vague, they conveyed exactly what Mike had been waiting for. Will felt a hand tight on his waist, pushing him harder into the wall. 

Hot lips slammed into his own. 

The pressure was the first thing he registered. Then Mike’s hands moving to his biceps. It reminded him of dancing; where Mike led, Will followed. 

It was so much at once that Will wanted to push away, to get as far as possible from the heat of their clashing lips, but also to fall into him and feel more. To be completely wrapped in the almost unbearable intensity.

He felt Mike's teeth graze his lower lip, the sharpness sending shivers down his spine. His mouth was so warm, and the softness of it all consumed him.

He didn’t know if he should touch Mike back, no matter how much he wanted to. The hesitance stopped his hands from leaving his side. It was all so new, and he couldn’t stop his racing mind as their lips collided. A sudden brush of tongue against his bottom lip made him gasp, eyes opening.

“Wait,” Will panted, pulling away. He was startled by how airy his voice sounded, how shaky his exhale was.

Mike’s eyes were so dark they looked endless. It was startling to look at him, and the reality of what they were doing was all crashing down on him again.

This was the boy that he’d loved for years, that he’d wanted to look at every second. This was the boy with whose intense eyes and wild hair appeared in his mind at night, who he’d tried painfully to erase. The boy he’d saved the world with, who’d broken his heart just by being himself. He looked so different now, eyes set on Will’s face in a way that made his skin prickle with anticipation. His lips were more red than he’d ever seen them, bitten and glossy in the low light.

The darkness of the room made the shadows of his face deep, hollowing his cheeks and darkening his eyes. Will had pulled away seconds ago but already missed the feeling of their closeness. He needed a moment to catch his breath and collect his thoughts, to figure out what they were doing.

To figure out if he needed to run or if he was allowed to give in. Desire burned in his chest like an ache that would linger until he felt his touch again. 

This wasn’t right, with the boy back at the Motel waiting for him. But he couldn’t ignore the feeling that nothing had ever felt so right as what he was doing now, that this was always meant to happen.

“Will,” Mike’s voice had always been so sensual. Slow and rich, like velvet. Like he could run his hands through it, a deep maroon chiffon. Will hadn’t realized how much he loved it until now, even with the hint of warning laced through his tone.

“I’m sorry,” Will didn’t know what he was apologizing for. For stopping them, for hesitating, or for letting it happen in the first place. “I—”

“I need you to tell me one thing,” Mike’s gaze was too intense and Will felt held in place. He couldn't look away, though, because once his eyes found Mike’s, they were meant to stay there. “Is this what you want?”

His hand moved from its grip on his waist and found his wrists, holding them together. Will knew Mike would let him go if he asked. He seemed to hold him to try and convince him to stay.

Will opened his mouth but no sound came out. The contact was hot, and he felt dizzier the second Mike pushed down on his pulse. A breath escaped his mouth and he snapped it closed, embarrassed.

Mike’s mouth curled into a kind of smirk, but his eyes were focused. “Will,” He sounded so perfect saying his name. “Do you,” His nails were pressing against Will’s skin now, wrists flush against his own body. Mike’s eyes were so intensely on his. “Want this?”

Will didn’t know what to say. Yes, he wanted to cry out, of course he did. But he knew saying yes meant accepting a whole new side of Mike, of their relationship. It meant abandoning the first person to really accept Will’s interest as more than friendship. 

But, being this close to Mike’s face, seeing the eyes that had always looked at him so tenderly his entire life, made Will realize that maybe he’d gotten it all wrong. That maybe Mike had always been the first person to love him back.

Will knew one thing about Mike. Once he’d met him, he knew he couldn’t forget him. It would be the same with this. Whatever they were doing, whatever this was, he wouldn’t be able to do it once and then stop. Mike’s words from before seemed to show that he’d wanted this for a while, but the risk was always there. Will also knew that a friendship with him was going to slowly torture him for the rest of his life.

Will tilted his head back, trying not to see the look on Mike's face. “You already know.” His voice sounded exasperated, like he was annoyed by the question. He just didn’t know how to convey his feelings, didn’t know how to let Mike into his mind.

It seemed to work, though, because Mike’s lips were suddenly near his neck. He could feel the smile on Mike’s face as his breath fanned across his skin.

Will’s eyes stayed open, and he could see the room laid out in front of him. The sun had disappeared quickly, moonlight streaming in from the windows. It skipped across the sight he’d seen all his life, the background of so many memories. 

The lights did little to illuminate the spare mattress next to them, which looked so inviting enveloped in darkness. 

Will wanted to grab onto Mike, to push him backwards until he was sure he understood his thoughts. He also wanted to pull him in as close as he could, to feel his lips pressed into the nape of his neck.

He didn’t need to do anything, because once Will made no move to create space, Mike’s lips were on him. 

It was jarring, feeling the touch blooming on his skin, Mike’s teeth rough and tongue warm. Will’s lips parted and a gasp rang out into the silence. 

A particularly deep bolt of pain sparked from a bruise he was sure Mike was now creating. It made his eyelids lilt, everything looking suddenly hazier. 

“We shouldn’t be doing this.”

He hadn’t realized he’d said the words until Mike’s face was in front of him again, the spot on his neck chilled in the open air. 

Though Will needed to address the fact that he was betraying the boy at the motel, he regretted the words the second they made Mike move away. He couldn’t handle the sight of Mike before him, lips puffy from use.

Mike didn’t look offended. In fact, he looked amused, eyebrows raising and a smile appearing. “Yeah, I gathered that.” He lifted his hand, reaching for Will’s face.

Will felt his skin alight with the touch. He wasn’t sure when Mike became so bold, but the thought grew fuzzier when his thumb moved from Will’s chin to drag across his bottom lip. “But don’t you want to?”

The words were playful in a way that made Will look up at him. His mouth was set in a sort of smirk, like Will’s worries thrilled him.

The pad of Mike’s thumb pressed slightly into Will’s lip, making everything foggy.

“Yes,” He couldn’t stop the word from rushing easily from his lips. “But—” Before he could speak again, Mike’s thumb lifted, pushing into his top lip.

“You were with him before I could say anything.” Will’s wide eyes studied his face. His voice was sort of broken, and Will wanted to smooth it out in any way he could.

“I thought you wanted to stay friends.” As he spoke, Mike’s thumb just followed his lips movements, Mike’s eyes following them. To finish digging the hole he’d begun the moment he saw Mike, Will said, “You know it wasn’t like that for me.”

Mike was smiling when Will glanced back at his face, in a way that reminded him of when they were younger. It was so open and simple that Will knew he was completely unguarded.

“When I made up that future for you,” Mike glanced down, looking almost embarrassed. “I think I pictured us. Even if I didn’t realize it then.”

Will felt dizzy with the words, with the realization that they’d misread each other completely after everything that happened. 

His lips burned with the pressure of Mike’s fingers against his pliant lips. Mike leaned closer, his lips moving to be close to his ear. “I realized, when you left. I’ll always need you.”

It felt like the world fell away. The only things Will could see were Mike’s eyes, looking into his with anticipation. All he could render was the smirk blooming on Mike's lips, daring him to respond.

Will nodded, heart slamming against his chest as his stomach tugged wildly, a new burst of desire lighting. This time, it was too difficult to ignore, like a thousand butterflies had been set aflame and all he could do was let them out.

Mike’s fingers left his mouth and grabbed onto his hips. Will was pushed onto the mattress in seconds, mind going hazy with the abruptness of it all.

Mike’s face appeared over his, a smile still on his lips as his eyes roamed down the sight in front of him. Will didn’t know if he loved or hated the arrogance Mike held over him, like he knew exactly how Will felt and how he would react. He wanted to squirm under Mike’s feverish gaze, which studied him so intensely he felt completely exposed.

“You don’t know how long I’ve wanted to do this,” Mike’s eyes were on his, dropping down to his lips in an instant. 

Will couldn’t believe the position they were in, the walls of the basement so familiar around him. He couldn’t count the number of times he’d imagined a scenario similar to this, how quickly he’d always forced it away. Now, he took his time just feeling the pressure of Mike’s body against his own.

With the way Mike’s eyes roamed slowly over him, how his hands tightened on his skin, Will felt completely entrapped by him, The boy he’d loved longer than he could remember, now looking down at him in a way not unfamiliar, but so plainly wanting him. 

Will couldn’t take it anymore, grabbing his neck and slamming their lips together.

Mike made a sound of surprise, which quickly turned to amusement as his hands dug into Will’s hair, tugging slightly at the back of his head. Will gasped, the jolts of pain bleeding into the heated kiss.

“Me too,” Will said a moment later, pulling back breathlessly. He couldn’t help but let himself reveal how much he’d wanted this, even if his words only showed a fraction of it. This time, he didn’t fight the urge to touch Mike. His hands grabbed his waist, courage letting him drag his fingers across the skin. 

The pieces fell into place when their lips met, no matter what it meant for tomorrow or the day after.  It was probably wrong, it was all wrong to do it this way, but that didn’t matter as Will looked into Mike’s eyes, the ones he’d known he’d remember his entire life. “Me too.”

They were letting their hands roam across each other, and Will didn’t try to be careful. He let his fingers spread out across Mike’s spine, to drag them up and down the long expanse. Mike’s body shivered slightly as he brought his lips to Will’s, again and again. The heat and the pressure sent a bolt of desire down Will’s chest, and he faltered at the scrape of teeth against his lower lip.

His hand left Mike’s body and fell onto his own neck, wondering if he could feel the bruise left there minutes before. It made him dizzy, thinking about the mark Mike had been so desperate to leave.

Noticing, Mike parted his lips from Will’s and looked down at his neck. “Is it visible?”

Mike’s eyes were dark and his lips twitched upwards. “Yeah, it is.” He didn’t look sorry at all, instead bringing a finger to trace over it. At his words, a breath slipped out of Will’s lips quickly, and his head tilted up. He took a moment to just feel the pressure of Mike’s fingers on the sensitive skin.

“Oh,” Will said, just to say something. He could feel Mike’s touch lighten, to become more gentle. He wanted to laugh at Mike’s never-ending desire to look out for him, to be a protector or whatever it was he tried to be.

Without allowing himself to think it over, Will grabbed Mike’s arms with his hands and flipped them, Will now leaning over him.

Mike’s face looked dumbstruck as he grinned down at him. “You don’t have to be so careful, Mike.” Will moved a hand to his face, letting his thumb drag down his jaw. How long he’d waited to be able to touch him like this.

Mike swallowed, throat bobbing as he took in their position. Will let his thumb find Mike’s collarbones and just held his fingers there. After a moment passed, Mike surged up and kissed him, this time without any hint of the gentleness of before.

It felt strange to be down in the basement, when the last time they’d been down there together had been the day Mike had tried predicting futures. The day Will had put his binder away, had left a spot for Mike’s to sit right next to his. When he’d left him there, alone, waiting for him to call him back down name. He’d remembered that final twist in his gut, when he’d made that resolution to finally move on. 

Now, he understood Mike’s earlier words, how there had been too much to do back when Will had really confessed. How they’d thought they were probably going to die, how they had to deal with the aftermath, with El’s disappearance. He was so desperate to get over Mike, he’d never really thought about what it was like for him, never having time to really process what had happened. What he’d told him.

“I didn’t think you needed time.” Will broke the kiss, both of them breathing heavily. Mike’s hand had found his back, sending shivers across the skin as his fingers splayed out. “I thought you just needed space.”

Mike shook his head, eyes dark as they focused on Will’s. His lips were so close, Will could feel the hot air bloom between them. “I’ve never wanted space from you.”

A smile formed on Will’s face, a warm feeling spreading in his chest. How wrong they’d both been, how long it had taken them to get here. Will should have known it was always going to come to this, down in the basement with Mike.

As they held each other, hands hot and faces flushed, Will felt the same as he always did when Mike looked at him. That familiar thrill that shot down his spine anytime he got to be close to him. He should’ve known it was never going away.

Mike’s hand was on his neck, fingers reaching into his hair before he could reminisce any longer. Heat clashed between their lips and he felt himself being dragged down, turned onto his back once again. 

Mike touched his neck, the one spot between his jaw and collarbone where the color darkened, and kissed him like he’d been waiting for years.