Chapter Text
the demogorgan screams in terror as will the wise cast fire ball. it stumbles back falling into the trap, screaming in more pain as Lucas draws his bow back shooting a arrow right into the mouth of the demogorgan. it falls to the ground allowing this to be its final resting place"
the gang cheers as this mark the end of their 10 hour dnd campaign, they high five and hug each other hyped they won the battle. el and max on the other hand sit on the opposite side of the room, max is laying comfortably on the sofa admiring all the wears and tears that cumulated over the years. el has her face stuck in a book. a comic book titled The x-man #4. a birthday present from mike.
The book featured powerful witch. who el looked up to as she related to her. el closes the book and sets it down on the rugged table positioned in-front of her. max props herself up "done reading that book for the hundredth time?" max says with a smile. el has read this comic front to back a million times over, el pushes her long, wavy, chestnut hair behind her ear. she shrugs as she opens her mouth to speak again.
"it was a gift from mike it would be rude to not read it" el says with pink rosy cheeks. max rolls her eyes as the words leaves el's mouth. she picks up the nearest pillow and throws it at el, laughter fills the room as el picks the pillow up and throws it back. max reaches for the pillow again before being interrupted.
a voice calls from upstairs "its time for dinner" Karen shouts down to the party. loud footsteps filled the house as the gang rushes upstairs, fighting their way up the cramped stairs. will stays behind at the table picking up the dnd pieces as carefully as possible. mike makes it half way up the stairs before realizing will wasn't behind him. he turns and notices will still at the table.
"you don't have to clean it up now you know" mike says walking up beside will placing his hand atop wills right shoulder, a smile plastered on mike's face.
"I know, force of habit. my mom always told me to put my toys away when I'm done with them" will says as he turns to mike the corners of his mouth pulling upwards.
there's a silence as will notices that him and mike are awfully close. too close. heat pours into will's face, he begins to turn red, he stares down at the floor trying to hide the fact that he's blushing but its no use. its almost like mike can feel the heat from will's face as his own starts to blush. mike drops his arm to his side and walks to the other side of the table pretending to grab something.
the atmosphere shifts, its now awkward between them. will picks up his dnd character admiring it's purple robe with white stars and a tall wooden cane, he looks up at mike whose back is faced towards him. "do you.." will starts. mike turns towards will listening attentively.
"do you ever dream you were your character, like if I had powers and you were actually a paladin" will asks as he puts the character down, eyes purposely avoiding mike.
the question bounces around mikes head before he spews out a answer realizing he was taking a lot longer to answer than he should have. "uhm.. no. I don't think I've ever dreamed that" mike says leaning over the table grabbing his dnd character. "do you?" a dumb question that he already knows the answer to. will stares at the game for a while before answering.
"well.. yea. I dream about having powers, powers like el." will pauses before starting again "maybe if I had powers then people wouldn't bully me as much" the once awkward atmosphere is gone and replaces with something much heavier.
mike looks down at the table thinking of how to comfort his friend. dealing with others emotions was something mike hated but this is different, its will. and yet mike falls short, he doesn't know what to do to comfort will. leaving will to comfort himself.
will takes a deep breath calming his nerves. "we should go before everyone gets worried" will wraps his arms around himself before walking up the stairs and out into the kitchen. mike's brows furrow as will leaves mike alone in the basement. he stares at the dnd figurines standing perfectly in front of him. he sighs and makes his way up the stairs.
as mike exits the basement he sees will in the kitchen helping Karen. mike smiles walking pass the kitchen and into the dinning room, the room was loud mostly from Lucas who was competing with el for max's attention. ted sat at the head of the table with Lucas, max and el to his left and holly to his right.
mike sits in the chair next to holly who was drawing what seemed to be a family picture. mike looks over to Lucas who returns his gaze "where's dustin?" mike ask concern as dustin was here no more than 3 seconds ago. "just left before you walked in" Lucas replies leaning back in his chair.
"what took you so long and where's will". Lucas asked, skeptical. before mike can answer will and Karen walk in, hands full with plates. Karen places a plate in front of ted, Lucas and max while will places a plate in front of el, mike and holly. "you go ahead and take a seat will I'll go get our plates" Karen says, her red lips cracked into a smile.
will gives a slight smile and turns to the table scanning the table for a open seat, will and mike's eyes meet before mike quickly drops his eyes down to his plate. will scratches the back of his head and slips into the seat next to mike.
will swears mike shifts in his seat positioning himself further from will as he sits. to afraid to look in mike's direction will shifts his focus to el who is directly across from him. the conversation with el makes will forget about anything he was previously thinking about, Karen comes back into the dinning room and sets a plate in-front of will and sits opposite of ted. the table is quiet a bit before Karen speaks.
"so how was your guys dnd campaign as you call it" there's a mothering tone whenever Karen speaks it puts the kids at ease hearing her voice. Lucas and mike bust out explaining how the campaign was like they had been dying for someone to ask about it. Karen directs her attention to will who was obliviously eating, will feels mike's leg purposely slam into his.
he shoots his head up mouth full of food, Karen chuckles before repeating her question. "it was good" will replies trying his hardest to sound like he's been listening to the conversation. Karen smiles and shifts her gaze to ted whom she starts a conversation with.
as will lowers his head back to his plate he realizes he still feels the weight of mike's leg pushed up against his. mike hadn't bother to move his leg back. will's face fills with heat again to a much higher degree, will can do no more than tell himself that this is just a coincidence.
mike's leg moves from will's as he shifts forward in his seat. "mom do you think that they can stay over for a slumber party?". everyone shifts to Karen putting all the attention on her, ted grumbles from the far side of the table "aren't you guys a little old for "slumber parties". ted is the complete opposite of Karen when he speaks the entire mood is dragged down.
"they's still children ted." Karen shifts her focus to mike then to the party as a whole. "it's summer you guys can stay over as long as you want if your parents are ok with it". the party cheers at her answer, one by one they put their dirty dishes in the sink and make their way back to the basement. will stays behind in the kitchen.
"can I please use your phone" will ask he speaks softly. Karen nods as she begins to wash the dirty dishes. will walks over to the phone that was hung upon the kitchen wall and dials a familiar number. the phone rings three times before a stressed joyce Byers answers.
"hello.. hello?" joyce says not giving will anytime to answer. "is this some prank call?" "no.. it's just me mom" will blurs trying to answer quick enough so his mother doesn't hang up on him . "hey uhm mrs wheeler said I could stay at her house for the summer is that ok?" will was smiling through the phone as he asked the question. but there was silence from other end of the phone.
"mom?" once again there was silence before Joyce spoke. "I don't know will. I don't like the idea of you being gone the whole summer." will smile drops at his mother's word. "but mom everyone else Is staying" will tries his best to sound as sad as possible to convince joyce.
"ok ok you can stay just don't cause too much trouble ok?" joyce reluctantly gives in . "thank you. love you. bye." "lo-" will hangs up before joyce can speak. will makes his way into the basement just as everyone was figuring out their sleeping arrangements.
mike stands on the bottom stair with his arms crossed "there's a mattress, blankets, and pillows over there" mike points to the furtherest point of the basement. "I call dibs on the mattress" Lucas says running to the spot mike pointed at, mike turns to el and max.
"one of you can take the couch" max looks at el and signals for her to take the couch, max already had plans to sleep with Lucas on the mattress. now all that's left was will, mike looks around the basement "the only other place you can sleep is the floor.
"that's fine" will says laying a blanket and pillow down on the floor. "well goodnight" mike shouts while going up the stairs, Lucas hops from the mattress and grabs mike's arm pulling him back into the basement "its still early lets play a game" mike groans but agrees to play a game. the party sits in a failed attempt of a circle, Lucas pulls out a empty coke bottle and places it in the middle of the group "lets play spin the bottle". mike scoffs "is this just a reason for you to kiss max?"
"what, no this is the best game out trust me" Lucas looks towards max to back him up but she just chuckles in his face. "yea right, there's more boys than girls what if we spin and it lands on a boy?" mike says trying any way possible to get out of playing this game.
"then you pucker up and get it over with" Lucas says as he sits. Lucas "spins" the bottle and purposefully aims it at max. Lucas and max kiss. just a small peck like they have done countless times. next its el's turn, el spins the bottle and it lands on mike. max "oohs" in a teasing manner as she been pushing el to act on her crush for mike.
el leans in close to mike not being able to hide her smile mike smiles back, faint blush gliding across his face. this will be his first kiss and he's glad its with el. she's pretty, smart. and all the things a boy his age could ask for. mike not being able to wait any longer closes the gap between him and el.
first its just a peck then it turns into a full on make out. Lucas rolls his eyes as if el wasn't the person he was rooting to kiss mike. he glances at will who had his legs to his chest and staring at the ground purposely avoiding the sight. Lucas uses his hands to separate mike and el from each other "ok ok you're supposed to kiss not eat each others face off".
next its max's turn she spins the bottle and it lands el. max turns to face el the both of them unable to contain their giggling. max takes el by the chin a slowly closes the gap between their lips. its a slow but deep kiss. el takes both her hands and cups max's face. the more time that passes the more passionate the kiss gets. Lucas pulls max off of el before the kiss can get too serious.
"you didn't even kiss me like that."Lucas says jokingly but there's hurt deep within his voice. "its your turn mike" max says glossing over Lucas's joke. mike spins the bottle, it feels like the bottle spins for forever before it finally lands on will. mike's face lights up the blush creeping onto his cheeks.
he looks up at will who's still in his own bubble. "I told you this was a bad idea Lucas" Lucas hides his smile behind his hands. "don't switch up now Micheal have that same energy". Instinctively mike crawls over to will their faces mere inches away. will looks up slowly as mike gets close to him. heat pours into wills face rose pink plastered all over him. mike more hesitant to close the gap this time around. "we don't have to do this will" mike says.
"rules are rules" max says doing the teasing this time instead of Lucas, who looks towards max. "mike won't do it he's to much of a pussy" Lucas's words frustrate mike, wanting to prove him wrong mike grabs the back of will's head and pulls him in. the kiss was short but for will it felt like an eternity, like a dream come true, he had been dreaming of the moment for the past ten years. he dream the moment would have been more intimate and personal but he would take whatever at this point.
mike on the other hand felt dirty, not because he and will kissed but because he enjoyed it. It felt right but so wrong at the same time, he wasn't supposed to like it but he did but at the same time he enjoyed the kiss with el. this confused him, he didn't know what to do at the moment.
mike backed away from will standing up by the stairs "im tired.. goodnight" and with that mike hurried out the room slamming the door behind him as he left. will hadn't moved an inch, he was stuck in the moment like time had frozen over. he brung his fingers to his lips like if he touched them for long enough it'd feel like mike was still kissing him.
"did... did I do something wrong" will whispers turning towards the rest of the party who was already in their sleeping positions. Lucas chimed "no, you played the game how it was meant to be played don't sweat it things will go back to normal tomorrow. Lucas says. with no worry in sight. Lucas pulls the blanket over him and max as they snuggle closer, el hugs herself under the blanket still radiating from the kiss with mike. will on the other hand felt empty, he felt like he violated mike even though he didn't initiate the kiss. will crawls on his blanket laying his head on the pillow staring into the darkness at what he hopes is the ceiling. "things will go back to normal tomorrow" Lucas's words ringing in will's head. will prays Lucas is right as he closes his eyes and drifts to sleep.
-
will draws awake swearing he heard movement in his sleep. he props himself up leaning on his left arm and shifts his attention to the mattress and couch. Lucas and max are still snuggled together fast asleep. Lucas snoring louder than ever, the couch is empty though. el must have gone to the bathroom will thinks as he lays his head back on his pillow. the thought of mike and the game from hours prior still hanging over will's head, will stands slowly as to not wake Lucas and max from their sleep. he tip-toes up the old wooden stairs and out into the kitchen.
3:15 am shines in a bright neon green color from the oven clock. will takes a glass from the dish rack filling it with tap water and downing it in seconds, he sets the glass on the counter and walks past the dinning room to the bottom of the stairs heading to the second floor.
will takes a deep breath, he plans to apologize to mike. he thinks that this is a bad idea but he also doesn't like the idea of mike being uncomfortable around him. will makes his way to the top of the stairs noticing a light coming from the bottom of mikes door. will could over hear mike talking inside the room, he knocks on the door.
giggles followed by mike saying "shh" can be heard behind the door. but there's no answer to will's knock. will waits a few seconds before calling out to mike pushing his ear up against the door. will can very clearly hear the voice that was giggling, it was el.
"its will, should we open the door" her voice as bubbly as ever. "no, shh or he'll hear us" mike whispers. will hears three small clicks and notices that the light that once shined underneath the door was replace with pitch black, mike turned his light off. will backs away from the door. this was clearly a bad idea. will carefully walks down the stairs and back into the basement still being considerate of the others in the house. he heads straight into the bathroom locking the door behind him.
he goes into the farthest corner away from the door. he brings his legs to his chest and rocks himself back and forth trying his best to calm his nerves as tears start to boil over. somewhere down the line will must have fallen asleep because next thing he knows he's awaken by the sound of Lucas banging on the door needing to use the bathroom. will opens the door and Lucas is the first one he sees, max is sprawled out on the mattress her eyes shut tight like she's trying to force herself back to sleep and el sitting criss-cross on the couch while mike is listening to her every word.
Lucas pushes himself to the bathroom closing the door behind him. "are you ok?" Lucas finally blurs out. will turns to the mirror staring at his reflection he looks a mess. eyes puffy like he's been crying for hours, hair disheveled and poking in all directions. "what are you talking about" will whispers as he walks over to the tub sitting on the edge.
"well for one you look a mess" will scoffs at Lucas's words knowing they couldn't be more true. Lucas walks over to will placing his hand on will's left shoulder "you've been acting weird since last night, what's going on" will opens his mouth like he wants to say something but nothing comes out instead he groans into his hands instead. "it's about mike isn't it" Lucas basically pulls the words right out of will's mouth. will nods his head without looking up. Lucas whispers a proud "I knew it" before sitting next to will on the tub.
"if it's about the game I talked to mike, he says he put it behind him so I think you'll be fine" Lucas's words shot a hole right through will's heart. "mike put 'it' behind him" will says very hurt. the kiss was something that was still weighting on him. and mike was just able to "put it behind him" so quickly. "I think im going to go home" will gets up and walks out the bathroom with Lucas chasing after him. Lucas stands at the bottom of the stairs watching will as he leaves the basement. Lucas turns and signals mike to go after him.
It's sprinkling out, the winds carries water droplets from the rain with it as it blows giving the illusion of mist. will picks up his bike. the handles chipped like they have been scrapped up a wall, the paint scrapped away from the bike gliding across the concrete whenever will fell. will climbs a top his bike getting ready to set off on his way home. mike appears from the garage door "will wait" mike says grabbing will's arm.
"let go" will says in a quiet but stern voice.
"no, come back inside" mike is pleading with will in his usual soft tone.
will pulls his arm away from mike.
"go away mike" will says as he tries to pedal away.
"no, not until you tell me why your acting weird" mike jumps in front of wills bike.
"you wanna know why I've been acting weird" will is shouting at this point.
"I don't know mike maybe because you've been giving me mixed signals" will finally admits instead of dancing around the bush.
"mixed signals" mike is confused like always.
"yea mixed signals. from the moment in the basement to you having your leg pushed up against me to the kiss that you initiated to the fact that you ignored me in favor of el" the list goes on and on with will getting more frustrated with every added reason.
"the kiss? you mean the kiss that was part of a game and meant nothing?" mike's voice raised. mike's only takeaway from the list was the kiss which he now knows was stuck on will's mind just as his own. even when he was alone with el in his room the kiss was in the back of his mind lingering.
there it was. will finally got what he thought was mike's true feeling about the kiss. it was nothing to him, it was just "apart of the game". will knew this was coming but it still hurts, still breaks his heart. will pushes past mike on his bike, mike steps to the side "so you’re still leaving" throwing his arms up just above his waist. will stands there turning around after awhile.
"see you later mike" will utters quietly before pushing down on the pedals and steering his bike out the wheeler's garage and into the now pouring rain.
-
The wind was harsh blowing hard against will's cheeks. will's clothes now soaked from the rain clinging to his body. will dropped his bike on the wet grass wrapping his arms around himself as he enters his house. joyce sits alone at the dining room table.
will closes the door behind him startling joyce. she quickly puts out the cigarette she was smoking not wanting will to see she hasn't quit like she promised. "oh, thought you were staying at mike's for the summer" joyce's says quickly grabbing a couple of envelopes from the table and putting them in a drawer next to their worn down refrigerator.
"I thought you quit" will walks closer to the table holding on to the top of one of the wooden chairs. "quit what" once says trying to deflect from the topic as she walks over to hug her boy. as joyce hugs will she notices how soaked his clothes and immediately goes into her overbearing mother mode.
"will you're soaking wet. you need a bath and a new change of clothes" joyce pushes will down the hall and into his room. "grab a change of clothes I'll run you some bath water and start on dinner" joyce closes will's door and heads into the bathroom to get the bath running.
will plops down on his bed and sighs. he stares at the ceiling in silence before his walkie talkie screeches. will rolls his eyes as he gets up and walks over to his desk where his walkie talkie was laying. he picks the radio, extending the antenna and opens his mouth to speak.
"mike give it a rest im not in the mood to talk" before will can shorten the antenna the voice spoke. "its not mike dumbass" the voice said with a strong lips dragging on the s in the word dumbass. "dustin?" will says raising his eyebrow. he hasn't spoken to dustin since last night during their dnd campaign.
"that's my name" dustin chimes will being able to hear the smile in his voice. will wasn't as close to dustin as he was to Lucas and especially mike but will still found dustin to be a really good friend. "the fair's opening tomorrow think you would want to go? im thinking of inviting the whole party."
will hesitates not sure if he could stand how awkward it would be for him. "uhm not sure maybe". will says looking over his desk realizing how messy it was. there was silence on the other end before the radio screeched to life again. "yea ok, now I just have to ask the rest of the party" dustin sounding unenthusiastic as he didn't want to have to go through the hassle of radioing that many people.
"that will be easy, just radio mike. the party's at his house". will says setting the walkie talkie on his desk. will starts organizing his desk while dustin gives some sassy reply in the background probably about not being invited back over to mike's house. As Will cleans he stumbles across an old painting he made of him and mike. its a painting of the first time they met. will was on a swing set, swinging alone and next thing you know mike walked up to him and asked to be friends. a memory will still dawns upon.
will was dragged out of the memory as he heard the radio screeching once again. "did you say something dustin?" will picks the radio up and leans against the desk. "why aren't you at mike's house with everyone else?" confusion filled his voice as he asked. will glances at the painting sighing before answering. "I just came home for spare clothes."
"oh speaking of I should probably pack a bag as well". dustin says before closing the antenna of the radio. will sets his down on the desk and stares at the ceiling before going to his closet and picking up his old book bag from sixth grade. you could tell the bag had been loved it had a rip at the top, various rock band pins, and a all to familiar smell. he made sure the bag was empty before stuffing enough clothes to last him a few weeks inside the bag.
will walks towards the bedroom door before stopping. he turns quickly running back to the desk taking the painting and stuffing it in his bag as he walks out his room. joyce catches will as he exits the room "oh the bath is ready" joyce says with a smile pointing to the bathroom.
"its okay, ill just take a bath at mike's" will kisses joyce on the cheek as he makes his way out the house. joyce grabs her keys and rushes out the front door. "im driving you hop in" joyce opens the driver side door and sticks the key in the ignition. will walks over to the passenger side tosses his bag on the car floor and gets in.
-
the drive was quiet. the rain had stop and was replaced with a setting sun painting the sky in beautiful hues of orange, yellow and pinks. will had the window rolled down, his face sticking just far enough out so the wind could hit him but also so he could see the trees. he liked watching as the trees sped past him. it put him at ease. joyce takes a hand off the wheel placing it on will's shoulder signaling she wanted to talk.
will rolled his window up as he straighten his position. "what's up" will started. he stared at his mother as she kept her eyes on the road. "you never told me about why you came home" joyce started. she paused waiting to see if will would saying anything. instead he sat silent his gaze now on the road as well. "I mean you were happy when you called and asked to stay a mike's house then you come home unexpected".
will sighs "I just needed some spare clothes mom" joyce doesn't believe that answer but she doesn't push any further. their car pulls into the wheelers drive way. "if anything ever happens just know you can talk to me." will smiles and steps out the car and grabbing his bag. "oh will just incase you need some money" joyce hands will $10.51. "and for the love of god take a bath and get out of those wet clothes". will smiles as he closes the door and waves while joyce backs up and drives away.
will sighs before heading into the wheelers home. ted sits in his recliner watching tv, holly sits at the dinning room table drawing away while Karen reads a magazine next to her. will makes his way to the basement door. Lucas can be heard shouting in victory over winning some sort of game.
will opens the basement door and walks down the stairs being meet with sight of Lucas standing on the wooden coffee table in the middle of the room. max sits on the couch in front of him while el and mike sit on the sides of the table across each other. "Byers!" Lucas cheers as he runs to will hugging him. "you just missed me beating mike's ass in uno" Lucas smiles gloating about his win. "bullshit I let him win" mike says as he walks over to will attempting to put his arm around will's shoulders. trying to be normal after their argument.
will quickly steps back before mike's arm touches him. the quick movement confuses mike as him and will were never bothered by physical touch when it came too each other. mike and Lucas look at each then at will before mike speaks up. "you good will?" mike asked softening his tone like he does every time he speaks to will.
"yea its just... my clothes are still a little wet from the rain. I didn't want you getting wet too" will says the first excuse he can think of. mike looks down at will's clothes then back up to his eyes. it doesn't seem like mike believes the lie but before he can say anything the doorbell rings.
"im gonna go shower" will walks over to the bathroom door as quickly as he can without running and shuts the door behind him. Lucas takes the back of his hand and hits mike on the chest "nice going" Lucas says in the most condescending tone he can do as he walks over next to the couch and plops down to max.
-
will sets his book bag on the top of the toilet lid as he walks over to the tub turning the nob all the way to the hottest setting. the water shoots out hitting the floor of the tub. the cool water hits will's fingers before slowly heating up. the room quickly starts to steam from the hot water. will opens the book bag and the painting is the first thing he sees.
he picks It up and the memory flashes back to him again as it does every time he sees the painting. he smiles to himself and decides that he going to keep fighting for mike as he sets the painting on the counter and pulls out a new outfit to wear. a yellow shirt with rows of green stripped on to it with black shorts. he sets the clothes down, undresses and hops into the shower.
will walks out the bathroom. bag and dirty clothes in one hand and a rolled up paper in the other. will sets his bag and clothes on the ground by the stairs and notices a new figure in the basement. "dustin!" will exclaims as dustin runs over and hugs him.
"what are you guys doing and where's mike" will looks around the basement noticing the absence of the raven haired boy. "mike's in his room.. its late will everyone's going to sleep" Lucas chimes. Lucas and max were snuggled on the mattress , el was once again wrapped up in blanket on the couch and dustin had taken over what was will's spot on the floor.
will stands in the middle of the basement unsure where he was going to sleep now. "you can come sleep on the couch with me will" el says as she creates room for will. will takes a deep breath before forcing a smile and walks over to the couch climbing under the blanket holding the painting to his chest.
"I can't wait for the fair tomorrow" dustin squeals sounding like a five year old happy about candy. "you're probably just excited for the funnel cake" Lucas jokes and the whole party erupts in laughter. the noise fades from laughter into snores mostly from dustin and Lucas while el and max sleep silently.
will lifts the blanket and stands from the couch trying his best not step on anyone as he walks towards the stairs. he makes his way up the basement stairs then up the second set of stairs and he's once again back infant of mike's door. there's a light under the door again so mike is definitely awake. this made will's heart jump. he knew what he was coming up here for but the thought of facing mike one on one again made will nervous.
will takes a deep breath and knocks on the door. the door cracks open as mike speaks "el?" he sounds happy at the thought of el being at his door. too happy. "no, just me" will smiles weakly. mike opens the door wider enough for his whole body to stick out. "oh what are you doing up here" before will could get a chance to answer mike noticed the painting in will's hands.
"what's that?" mike says looking back up at will. "can I come in" will points to inside mike's room. mike quickly moves to the side letting will in and closing the door behind him. mike's room is messy there's comic books scattered everywhere, clothes on the floor and his desk is a mess. him and will had that in common. mike begins to clean the room picking up as many clothes off the floor as possible.
"sorry I wasn't expecting anyone to come in here" mike says throwing the clothes in his closet and turning back to will. "the way you answered the door says other wise" will gives mike a sassy response to his obvious lie. mike sits on his bed crossing his legs as will stands back turned to him at mike's desk. "so what's that in your hands" mike says ignoring will's reply.
will does a quick sigh before turning around and walking to the side of the bed mike was sitting on. he hands him the painting as he sits criss-cross in front of mike. mike hesitates opening the painting but he's meet with the most beautiful piece of art he has ever seen. "is this us" mike looks up at will his face full of light. mike looks at the painting his hand tracing over ever detail.
from the blue and yellow swing set to the pieces of grass to the brick wall of the school to him. mike remembers him all to well.. he was alone and so was mike and then.. they were alone together. mike tears up at the painting. "this is amazing will" mike smiles at will a single tear drops from his face.
"listen.. mike. I know that kiss meant nothing to you" mike smile drops as the words leave will's mouth. he was reminded of the lie he let will believe. "but it meant something to me. because.. I like you mike. I love you." "from the moment you came up to me" will points to mike in the painting. "I knew in this moment that I wanted to be with you as friends. but I now know I want to be with you as more... as boyfriends". will pauses tearing up at the words as they spill out his mouth.
"and... and I know you're not like me. and you won't feel the sam-" mike leans in kissing will and stopping him from finishing his sentence. will's taken by surprise he sit there eyes open as mike kisses him he can't believe its happening. slowly will closes his eyes and feels the kiss more and he practically melts into mike. mike leans back as will leans forwards not wanting the kiss to end.
mike cups will's face in both hands. "I lied. I liked the kiss and I like you will." a smile is plastered on will's face he can't believe his ears. mike liked the kiss and likes him back?. this must be a dream. "I just..." mike lets go of will's face. "im not sure if I like you as a friend or as... more" mike can't even utter the word boyfriends. he feels disgusting even thinking the word. will's smile is gone and replace with disappointment instead. "plus I also really like el".
mike feels shitty it seems every word coming out of his mouth is tearing will down. "can I just have time to process my feelings?" mike says as he slightly touches will's knee with his hand. will nods as he and mike get up and head to the door. will turns around and he's now face to face with mike. "can.. can I hug you?" will says staring at mike. "when have you ever needed to ask for a hug" mike smiles. will wraps his arms around mike's neck while mike holds will by his waist.
will leaves mike room and mike closes the door behind will. he turns the light off as he climbs into bed. he lays there savoring the smell of will on his shirt. will makes his way back into the basement sliding under the blanket trying not to wake el as he does so. will smiles to himself happy that he finally confessed.