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The others are talking about Derek, but Mike’s barely paying attention. He just keeps drifting closer to Will as they walk, bumping shoulders. They always create space after, but he finds himself drifting back toward Will like there’s a magnet drawing him closer.
Damn, this is getting out of hand. I need to behave. Create a topic, there’s gotta be something.
He tunes in just long enough to get one.
“You’re mom and Robin are getting along better,” Mike says.
“Well, it didn’t hurt that Mom scared off that Demo,” Will replies, looking toward Mike for the first time. “Saved Robin’s life, everybody’s lives if we’re honest.”
Mike looks away, everywhere but at Will, and he can feel when Will’s gaze leaves him. “So, when your mom, when she had her ax,” Mike looks back at Will, who’s gaze has returned. “You could see her? Like through the Demo’s eyes?”
“Yeah. I was so close to the hive, and it’s like I could feel what it was feeling. Like this all consuming anger. I was still in there though. I was so afraid. Afraid for my mom.”
Mike knows the feeling all too well considering what just went down with his family. “You wanted to protect her.”
“Yeah. But I… I just couldn’t. It was like this scary movie you just can’t turn off.”
Mike nods.
That doesn’t make much sense… does it? Joyce Byers scaring off a demogorgon? While technically not impossible considering what they do, still improbable.
“Open sesame,” Murray says as he opens the trapdoor with Lucas. “Oh. Well, have fun.”
“Thanks,” Lucas replies, then starts climbing down.
“Are you positive you didn’t?” Mike asks, touching Will’s shoulder to get him to pause walking.
“Didn’t what?” Will asks as he comes to a stop.
“Turn off the scary movie. Protect your mom, not the other way around. No offense. I know she’s badass and everything, but you know.”
“Yeah, she’s 5’3.”
“Yeah! And Vecna likes to control the hive mind like a puppet master. So maybe when you tap into the hive, you can pull the strings too.”
Will makes a face, “Except, I’m not Vecna.”
“You sorta are.”
“You’re trying to say that I’m evil and hell-bent on destroying the world?”
“Totally,” Mike replies with an eye roll. “No! Obviously not! I’m just saying that, you know, you’re a wizard like him.”
Will’s smile gives Mike butterflies that he tries to ignore, “In DnD, Mike, not real life.”
“True. In real life, you’re more like a sorcerer. Because your powers don’t come from a book of spells. They’re innate.” Will huffs out a laugh while nodding, clearly enjoying his theory but not believing it. “Listen, as far as crazy theories go, I’ve had crazier. And with El in the Upside Down, we really need some magic up here.”
Will gently pushes Mike and laughs, prompting a small laugh from Mike. Mike puts his hand on Will’s chest and gives him a gentle push back. Will looks surprised, but he’s still smiling so Mike isn’t concerned.
“Really?” Will asks.
“What are you gonna do about it?”
A smile plays on Mike’s lips while he tries desperately, and fails, not to think about the fact that he was just touching Will’s chest. Will pushes Mike a little harder, enough to force him to put his foot behind him so he doesn’t fall. Mike tackles Will into the grass and they start rolling around, laughing. Will ends up getting a fistful of Mike’s hair and gets a mouthful of dirt in return as they continue to roll around, both trying to get the upper hand in the fight until Will manages to get on top of Mike and pin his wrists with his palms. They’re both breathing heavily and Mike can feel Will’s breath on his face from how close their faces are.
He smells nice, even with the grass and dirt added in. And he looks beautiful.
Will’s face goes a deep shade of red as he takes in the situation and he starts apologizing for being too rough, even though Mike was rougher. Without thinking, Mike moves forward as much as his pined arms will allow and kisses Will. It only takes a moment for him to catches himself and starts to pull away. “I’m sorry,” Mike rushes out, his face burning.
Please don’t hate me. I know we should have talked; I should have asked. I should have…
Will cuts off his train of thought by leaning forward and kissing him. Mike’s eyes close and he leans into Will, silently begging to stay in this moment forever.
“What are you two doing?” Robin’s voice calls out.
Mike shifts and sits up, sending Will tumbling next to him. “Coming!” Mike calls back, his voice hoarse.
Will’s laughing when Mike turns back to him.
“What?” Mike asks breathlessly.
Will wraps his arms around Mike’s neck and pulls him down, kissing him again. “Robin’s fine,” he whispers against Mike’s lips. “We really do have to go though.”
Mike gives Will one more quick kiss before standing up, offering Will his hand. Will takes it and Mike pulls him up. Mike hugs Will, “Can we talk about this after…?”
“Yeah, of course.”
After dusting themselves off, the two walk back to the passageway hand in hand.