Work Text:
Coming back to school after defeating Vecna felt surprisingly normal. Everything quickly fell back into place, and life was finally starting to feel more like living, and less like surviving. Will was just happy everything was over, and they all could move on from the horrors of the past several years. No more crawls, no more planning and scheming, no more goosebumps on his neck, and most importantly, no more constant fear for the lives of the people he loved. He still had nightmares, of course, but that felt like a laughably small inconvenience compared to what they went through. Everyone was alive and well, and everything was finally good.
Two weeks after Vecna’s defeat, the Byers-Hopper family moved into a new house, which was amazing because Will finally had his own room again and didn't have to share a basement with his brother, and the new house was just a couple of blocks away from the Wheelers’. Of course, living on the opposite sides of the town never stopped him and Mike from spending time together, but it was a nice addition anyway.
After Mike and El ended their relationship, much to everyone’s relief, El began spending most of her free time with Max. Lucas, understandably, rarely left Max’s side either. And Dustin behaved as though he and Steve were sewn together, following him everywhere. As a result, Will had Mike to himself for most of the time, which he might have considered selfish if not for Mike’s eagerness to spend every possible moment of their days together. Will tried not to read too much into it. He was happy. It was in the beginning of March, not long before Will’s birthday, that things went wrong.
It was a perfectly normal Wednesday afternoon, and Will was walking down the hall to meet Mike for lunch in the cafeteria, when a blonde, vaguely familiar-looking girl waved at him from the lockers as if signalling to come up. He frowned, confused, but walked in her direction.
- Hi! You’re Will, right? - he nodded, mirroring her enthusiastic smile, - We have an algebra class together. Listen, I was wondering if you could help me with preparation for next week’s test? I really don’t understand the last topic we had, - she made a fake pouting face.
- Oh, I mean- yeah sure, - he replied awkwardly, surprised that she would ask him for help, he was far from the best student when it came to algebra.
- Perfect! - her face lit up with delight, - are you free today after-
- He’s not! - an annoyed voice came from behind him, Mike’s hand grabbing his arm to tug him away, - Let’s go, we’ll be late!
- Sorry! - Will called back to the confused girl before he was pulled in the direction of the cafeteria.
He turned to Mike, who was still holding on to his arm and dragging him somewhere.
- What’s wrong? Late where? - he asked a bit worryingly.
- Nowhere, I just wanted to get you out of there, - Mike replied, not looking at him.
- Get me- what? She was just asking for help with an algebra test.
- Of course she was, - Mike huffed out sarcastically.
- What does that even mean?
Mike stopped abruptly, spinning around to look at Will, his cheeks flushed with anger.
- She was flirting with you, that’s what it means! - he hissed.
- I- wha- no, she wasn’t! - now it was Will’s turn to blush.
- You’re unbelievable! She totally was!
- Okay, even if she was, what’s wrong with that?
Mike pulled a confused face, - Well, you were clearly uncomfortable. And you’re too nice to say no. You would’ve gone on a date with her or something, just because of how nice you are.
Will gave him an unimpressed look.
- I would not. And what do you care anyway?
- I- I don’t! I just wanted to help you, - Mike muttered, half-guilty, half-embarrassed, - whatever, let’s just go get lunch.
Mike turned around and started walking towards the cafeteria. Will stood still for a second, processing, then followed him, still confused about the whole situation.
He would have forgotten about it, but Mike’s weird behaviour didn’t stop there.
Next time it happened when he and Mike were hanging out with Robin at the diner she and Steve worked at. He was standing by the counter, listening to Robin and Mike rant about plot holes in some movie that recently came out, when he felt a tap on the shoulder. He turned around to see a curly-haired girl smiling at him shyly:
- Hi. My friends and I saw you from our table, - she waved at a group of giggling girls at the table behind her, - and we were wondering if you wanted to go see a movie together sometime.
- Oh, that’s- awfully nice of you... -
- Well, - the girl interrupted him, - here’s my number, call me later.
She handed him a small piece of paper, smiled again, and quickly retreated back to her table, where the giggling ensued, double the volume.
He turned back, smiling at the note in his hand, When he looked up, he found two pairs of eyes fixed on him.
- Wow, someone’s popular, - Robin teased with a goofy wink.
- Why are you smiling? - Mike asked at the same time.
- It’s just so nice of them, isn’t it? - Will replied. - I don’t usually get much positive attention.
- You’re not actually thinking of going, though?
- Um... I don’t know? - he glanced at Robin for help, but she only shrugged, not being very useful.
- What do you mean? They could be dangerous! - Mike exclaimed in outrage.
Will stared at him, baffled, before bursting into laughter.
- Dangerous? Mike, what- They just want to see a movie! - he said between breaths.
- Yeah, with you! Who knows what they’re thinking, walking up to people in diners like that? They could kidnap you, demand ransom, that’s not even the worst-case scenario-
Mike trailed off, watching Will double over with laughter.
- You’re being ridiculous! - Will managed once he straightened up, laughter still in his eyes. - Fine, I wasn’t planning on going anyway.
Mike went back to talking with Robin, though he kept shooting angry glances at the table behind them. Will glanced at Robin, who gave him a very pointed look, but he couldn’t quite place what she was pointing at.
It wouldn’t have been a big deal, but then it happened again:
A girl from Will’s art class came up to their table during lunch.
- Hey, Will! I’m having a birthday party tomorrow. I was wondering if you wanted to come? - she smiled sweetly, handing him a small pink invitation.
- Your friends are welcome as well, - she looked at Dustin, Lucas and Mike with a hint of judgment, but smiled again when her gaze returned to Will.
Before Will could say anything, Mike interjected. - He can’t, we have a D&D campaign tomorrow!
- Mike! - Will hissed because firstly, they didn’t and secondly, it was his first party invitation, and the girl actually seemed nice.
- Thank you, Emma, I’ll think about it, - he smiled and waved as she slowly walked off, eyeing Mike suspiciously.
And again:
- No, Martha, he doesn’t like skating!
And again:
- Did it not cross your mind that he might have plans already? Yeah, Kat, think next time before you ask! ... No, Will, I wasn’t being rude! ... It’s not just an invitation!
And again:
- Do you not know that it’s his birthday on Friday? He doesn’t want to spend it with you!
At some point, Will figured it might be best to tell Mike he didn’t even like girls like that. Maybe that would stop him from acting so weird. One afternoon, after they got back to Wheeler’s house to hang out after school, he finally worked up the courage.
- Can I talk to you? - he asked as Mike shut the front door behind them, - Upstairs? - he added when Mike just looked at him expectantly.
Once they were in Mike’s room, Will sat on the edge of the bed, staring at his folded hands. Mike lingered in the doorway, a question in his expression, before he stepped in and closed the door.
- There's something I've been wanting to tell you. I- I don't know how to talk about it properly, but I just want you to know.
Mike carefully settled down next to him, almost close enough for their shoulders to touch.
- Yeah? Is something wrong?
- Um.. no, it's just... It's not easy to say.
Will felt a hand landing on his knee, careful but solid and grounding. Mike tilted his head down, searching Will's face.
- Hey, it's okay. You know you can tell me anything, right?
Will swallowed nervously. He didn’t think Mike would judge him, but talking about his sexuality was still new to him, and he didn’t want to mess everything up.
- Yeah, I know. - he lifted his head to stare at the closed door of Mike's room, - Remember our fight? The summer before StarCourt?
Mike winced.
- How could I forget being a stupid douche... - he mumbled guiltily.
Will smiled a little at Mike's reaction, his eyes travelling to the hand on his knee.
- No. I mean, you were, but that's not what I meant. I- you were right. What you said about me... not liking girls? - voice breaking a little, - that was true, I don't. I- I’m gay. And- and I understand that it may be...
- No! No, it's not - Mike said fiercely, his hand coming up to rest on top of Will's. - You're my best friend, I don't care who you like or don't like. You know I'll be on your side no matter what.
Will sighed, relief washing over him. He suddenly felt like crying.
- Thank you, - he whispered.
- Thank you for trusting me, - Mike smiled encouragingly.
They were silent for a beat, and, looking at their joined hands, Will couldn’t contain the urge to continue talking. After keeping his feelings locked away for so long, he finally felt like he could share this part of himself, even if he couldn’t tell the whole truth.
- There's something else, - he started carefully.
Mike looked up to meet Will's glassy gaze.
- I had a crush. On someone... a boy. For a long time.
Mike's eyes widened a bit, worried as he watched a tear slide down Will's cheek.
- I don't know why I'm telling you this, I know he does not like me like that...
Will lowered his head again.
- What a bastard! - Mike jumped up from his place on the bed.
- Mike! - Will huffed out breathlessly, looking at him with surprise.
- No, what the hell? Who does this guy think he is?
- Mike, it's okay. He doesn't like boys...
- That's bullshit! How could he... It's you, - he finished quietly, looking down at Will, who was staring at him with red-rimmed eyes.
Mike's expression softened, anger fading. He sank to his knees in front of Will, taking both of his hands and squeezing.
- Don't cry, please don't cry, - he whispered, - fuck that guy, he doesn't deserve you! You deserve the world, not some loser who can't see how amazing you are.
Will looked down, shaking his head slowly.
- Mike, no...
- No, listen. You are the kindest, bravest, smartest person I know. - Mike's eyes glistened with unshed tears, - And it- it hurts me so much that you would ever doubt it. That you would think that you don't deserve all of the best things. And I know that I act like a jerk sometimes, and I don't deserve to be your friend, but please don't think that this is on you. You- you're perfect.
Mike's eyes locked with Will's and held his gaze as if he was trying to stare him into believing his words. His hands squeezed Will's a little.
- Please tell me you believe me.
- I- yeah? - Will breathed out, not knowing how to react. There was something in Mike's eyes, in his voice, in the desperate way he looked that made Will's heart flutter with hope, a feeling he’d learned long ago was cruel and pointless.
- Good, - Mike smiled a little, not letting go of Will's hands.
He looked down, smile fading from his face.
- You said for a long time. Is it... I mean- do you love him? - he asked quietly after a beat.
Will's heart stopped, blood rushing up to his face, as he realised he didn’t really think things through before talking.
- Wha- no, I- it doesn't matter, - he stuttered, panicked.
Mike looked like someone punched him in the stomach.
- Oh, you do, - he breathed, eyes searching Will's face.
Will didn’t reply, looking down and squeezing his eyes shut to avoid betraying anything more.
- Who is he?
- What? - Will opened his eyes to find Mike's angry face in front of him.
- Tell me. I’m going to kill that motherfucker.
Mike made a move to get up, but Will held on to his hands, not letting him.
- Mike, what?
- If that idiot thinks he can get away with hurting you like that, he's wrong. Is it someone I know? Someone from school?
- Mike, stop... - Will managed, almost wheezing from the absurdity of the situation, - you can't just kill people. And I told you, it's fine, I can handle it.
- But you shouldn't have to handle it! What- I- how did I not see this happening? - Mike seemed to be at a loss for words, and Will had no idea what was going on.
- Nothing is happening, it’s fine! I wouldn’t have told you if I knew you would react like that.
- I’m sorry! - he blurted out quickly, - I just- you shouldn’t have to go through this. You’re so wonderful. You deserve someone who is crazy about you. Someone like...
Something about the way Mike stopped abruptly, something about the distant fear in his eyes, made Will whisper:
- Like who, Mike?
- Me, - Mike got out, barely audible, regret flashing over his face instantly, - no, I’m sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me. You just told me- never mind, I’m sorry. I’ll just-
Mike turned his eyes away and started moving up.
- Wait! - Will managed, feeling like he’s in a surrealistic dream, - what- what do you mean?
Mike didn’t reply, staring at the floor of his room.
- Mike, please...
Mike was never good at denying Will anything. Will saw him give in, shoulders falling.
- I love you, - he said simply, voice quiet but sure, - or well, I’m in love with you. I have been for as long as I can remember. And I tried to stop, I really did, but I- I think I will always love you. I’m sorry if that makes you uncomfortable or-
He looked up and saw Will staring at him in shock.
- Will? Will, please say something, - Mike panicked, tears welling up in his eyes again, - I’ll understand if you don’t want to be friends anymore. I just wanted you to-
Will snapped from his trance, muttering:
- You fucking idiot.
His hands flew up to Mike’s face, as he bent down and firmly pressed his lips to Mike’s. Mike froze for a second, then a low, desperate sound escaped his lips as he moved, kissing back. His hands came up to Will’s waist, crumbling his shirt in his fingers.
Will breathed out in relief, tugging Mike closer, their chests almost touching. It felt like a crazy dream, like a hallucination. Mike Wheeler was in love with him. Mike Wheeler was kissing him with the desperation of a drowning man. Oh, what did he do to deserve all this?
Suddenly, Mike broke the kiss and quickly moved away, Will’s hands falling down from his face.
- No, this is- I’m sorry. I- you love him, - he looked so lost, Will could cry.
- Mike... - he said softly, - there’s no ‘him’, there’s only you.
- I don’t- - Mike looked even more lost, eyes flickering between Will’s, trying to find the meaning to his words.
- I love you. Always you.
Understanding settled into Mike’s expression as he muttered ‘Oh my God’, hiding his face in the nape of Will’s neck. Will smiled, blinking the tears away from his eyes.
- Are you okay?
Mike lifted his head, looking up at Will with something dangerously close to worship in his gaze.
- Yeah, - he whispered, - kiss me again? Please.
Oh God, Will loved this boy. Holding eye contact, he put one hand on the side of Mike’s neck, the other tangling in his hair, and brought their lips together slowly. Mike didn’t waste a second, kissing back as soon as Will’s lips touched his, brushing his tongue over Will’s lower lip and deepening the kiss when Will gasped at the sensation.
Will felt like the world was spinning. He leaned back a little and gently pulled Mike along with him. Mike let out a soft moan but took a hint and climbed onto the bed, letting Will lie down and hovering over him. They parted for a second, breathless.
- Please, don’t stop, - Mike pleaded, threading his fingers in Will’s hair.
Will made a needy sound, feeling as desperate as Mike sounded. He let his hands fall to Mike’s waist and pull him closer, kissing him again open-mouthed. Almost instantly, he felt Mike’s tongue slipping into his mouth and hummed encouragingly, hands travelling up Mike’s back. And then Mike did something with his tongue that made Will’s breath hitch, fingers digging into Mike’s shoulders, at which Mike groaned and kissed him even deeper. Will has never felt so wanted, heat bubbling up inside him as Mike’s warm hands slipped under his t-shirt, tracing a way from his waist to his chest and back, his mouth moving to Will’s throat to press messy kisses to his neck and collarbones. A soft whine escaped him as he tilted his head back, shivering at the faint scrape of teeth against his skin.
- God, Will, - Mike exhaled, lips against the side of Will’s neck, fingers gripping Will’s waist as if afraid that letting go would make him vanish.
He let his head fall against Will’s chest, arms coming around him in a tight embrace. He drew in a deep, unsteady breath, as if processing. A bittersweet ache stirred in Will’s heart as he lifted a hand to weave his fingers through Mike’s hair, steadying him, the other resting on his waist.
- I can’t believe this is happening. Am I dreaming? - Mike murmured, his words muffled by the fabric of Will’s t-shirt.
- Am I that good of a kisser?- Will laughed endearingly, feeling a little dizzy.
- You have no idea, - Mike breathed, burying his face deeper into Will’s shirt.
Will pressed a small kiss to the top of Mike’s head, feeling a warm fluttering in his stomach.
- I can’t believe you love me back. I never thought...
- Will, - Mike interrupted, lifting himself up, face serious, - I’ve said it before, and I will keep saying it until it sticks. You are my favorite person in the whole goddamn world. You always were, and you always will be.
- But El? - Will asked quietly, feeling uneasy.
- I love El. But I love her the way I love Dustin or Lucas. You’re different. You- you’re everything. You’re my everything, Will.
Will smiled as tears slid down his cheeks.
- And I’m sorry I didn’t make it clear before. I’ll do better. I’ll keep trying until you believe me, okay?
- Okay, - Will sniffled, - you’re my favorite too.
Mike grinned and kissed Will’s lips, then the bridge of his nose, his cheeks, his eyes, until Will started giggling with giddiness. And finally, everything was so right, and Will felt so free he could fly.