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“Are you sure this is even a costume party?”
“Mike, can you be normal for one second?”
It’s 1990 in Indiana.
After the chaos left by the curse of the Vecna, the party tried to return to normality, graduating in Spring. Although they were once side by side, they all decided to go off to experience something other than murderous demons and dimensions.
Dustin graduated valedictorian, thanks to Susie’s help that is. He moved out in August to attend Notre Dame, double majoring in physics and engineering. Everyone’s just glad his talents for technology are being put to use. Him and Susie broke up right before the summer started. He says it’s “due to the distance”, but everyone knew he had some unresolved feelings for El.
Lucas received many offers to play basketball all over the country, even at some Ivy Leagues. He however, preferred to stay close to home, accepting a full-ride at Purdue to study political science and play Division 1 basketball. Max and Lucas, somehow, are still going strong. She decided to study at Boston College and pursue her passion for computer science. Despite Lucas’s busy schedule, he always makes time to call and visit her in Massachusetts.
El, who unfortunately didn’t have enough credits to graduate, decided to instead catch up on the years she missed. She lives with Joyce and Hopper, helping Joyce cope with an empty nest as Jonathon begins moving to New York, and helping Hopper keep his head on straight. Although she misses her friends and the experiences they have in school, she’s glad she can live somewhat of a normal life, without a boyfriend or evil monster.
As for Will and Mike, the inseparable duo decided to attend Indiana University, even rooming together in a dorm. Although they have totally different schedules, they’re always together. Every meal, event, and party. Well, and Carlton. Will’s boyfriend, who he met in an elective class this semester.
It was now finally time for the reunion they’ve tried to plan for months, and it all happened to fall on Halloween.
“Mike, you need to hurry the fuck up. We’re all in costume and waiting for you to go to this party.” Will yells, hoping to instill some sort of urgency into his roommate. The party, all scattered in different parts of the shitty Indiana college dorm, share the same pissed-off expression, waiting for Mike to finish his fake blood for his vampire costume. They all are in costume for their first college party as a group. Will and Carlton decided to go as the hit duo, Hall and Oates. Discrete, but obvious to those who know they’re dating. Dustin opted for Robin from the DC Comics, for some reason. Max and Lucas, after weeks of arguing, agreed on Leonardo and April from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which Max honestly hated. El didn’t really watch movies, so she went as a witch.
“Yeah Mike, it’s almost 10pm.” Carlton agrees as he checks the watch around his wrist.
Mike shrugs, looking away from the mirror to direct his eyes to Carlton.
“I heard Will the first time. Didn’t need to hear it from you.” He turns back around as the talking from the rest of the group sizzles down to await a response from either Will or Carlton.
“Can you treat me with respect for like, one day Mike? Jesus.” He moves his arm off of Will as he shakes his head, making his way towards the door. “I’ll get the car started.” Carlton opens the door, signaling to everyone he’s ready to go. The party collectively get up, grabbing their bags, and follow Carlton. Will drags behind.
“What is your problem? It’s been a month of this with Carlton. He’s my boyfriend whether you like him or not, so stop.” Will stands at the door, staring at Mike scrambling to find his wallet.
“Nothing. He was instigating for no reason, so I shut it down. Simple.” He continues to search through his desk drawers as an attempt to find the wallet.
Will could always recognize when Mike had a problem with something. He became shifty, always speaking with some sort of oblivious tone.
“Whatever. Hurry up.” He slams the dorm door shut, leaving Mike alone in the room.
Found it.
He scans the now empty room, cluttered with 4 suitcases, 2 blowup mattresses, and takeout from lunch earlier that day. He sighs and walks towards the door, stopping at Will’s desk next to it. The desk is filled with photos, mostly the party. He inspects the photo frames, and finally ends up spotting one of Will and Carlton. “Yeah Mike, It’s almost 10pm! Fuck off.” Mocking Carlton and slamming the photo face-down on Will’s desk.
“Oh my god, finally Mike. Jesus, what were you doing in there!” Dustin clamors as Mike squeezes into the backseat of Carlton’s car. Will sat in the front, arms crossed and diverting his eyes from the direction of Mike, let alone the rear view mirror. Lucas and Dustin have Max and El in their laps to make space in the cramped, beat-up car, presumably passed down to Carlton.
“Ready guys? Should only be a 10 minute drive to this house” Will’s boyfriend exclaims, buckling in. He turns up the stereo, playing some popular 80’s song Mike recognized.
Don’t you want me baby?
You know I don’t believe it when you say that you don’t need me
This is about to be a long night.
They all finally arrive at a beat up fraternity house right outside the Indiana campus. The group filed out of the car, stepping on each other and arguing back and forth.
The party looks like a hit. People consistently walking in, music blasting from the inside, colored lights flashing through the window. MIke had been to parties before, but not a true college party like this. As he stands there, taking in the new environment, he sees WIll rush into the house with Carlton in the corner of his eye.
“Will! Wait!” He stutters as the rest of the group follows behind them, going off as pairs.
Well. I guess I'm on my own?
The fraternity was shaking from the bass of the speakers, blasting halloween hits mixed with some house music, The rooms were filled to the brim. People in all kinds of costumes, from different schools. The lights were all off beside the faint shimmer from almost dead christmas lights. Mike was not having a good time.
Sitting on a dirty couch in the living room, he can barely see the people around him. The ones he can see, however, are eating each other's faces or throwing up from the spiked punch. His boredom and anxiety was eating him alive.
Why was Will so upset? I’m not always this mean to Carlton. Besides, he was being a dick. I wish he didn’t even come. WIll is my best friend, I feel like he should be on my side over this?
Mike’s thoughts finally caught up to him, not even the blaring music could drown it out. He slides past the making out couples on the dingy couch and decides to look for Will.
But first, a drink.
He finally shoves his way to the kitchen, immediately spotting the huge bowl of pink mystery punch on the island. He grabs a cup and chugs it down, disgusted by whatever mixture was thrown into the bowl. His eyes drift around the dark room, searching for a familiar face, a girl to flirt with, anything. He squinted, meeting with big green eyes that seemed familiar. It’s Will. He walks behind the island, reaching for a solo cup to fill with punch. Mike stares at him for a moment, waiting for him to say something. Nothing. He continues pouring the pink mixture into his cup, almost as if Mike wasn’t there to begin with.
“Why have you been avoiding me all day?” he hisses. Mike hates to go more than a day without speaking to Will. After all, they lived together. There was no reason to not be attached to Will’s hip.
He takes a sip of the drink. “Are you serious right now, Mike.” Will wipes his mouth, his breath strongly scented of the mixed punch. “You’ve been a complete dick to Carleton.You always create a problem with him for no reason?! He’s never done anything to you.” Will snaps back. His stomach turns as Will’s tone raises with each word. Yeah, he’s seen WIll this angry, but never toward him, especially since the fight they had in the rain while still in Hawkins. His face has a sour look, Mike was always an expressive person, so Will can see the unspoken exasperation painted on his face. “That’s not even true. You just wanna make a problem with me so you can glorify your stupid boyfriend.”
Mike, now raising his voice, “He doesn’t even know you, Will. He wasn’t there when you first disappeared, or when you spent countless nights in the hospital, or even when you saved the party from fucking demogorgans! He knows nothing about you.” Will’s eyebrows furrow.
‘We’re not talking about this right now. You’re clearly drunk.” He scoffs, “Unlike you, I actually want to move on from the past.”
Will sighs and picks up his cup, “Come find me when you want to have a serious conversation.” He turns and snakes his way through the crowded kitchen, passing the island the argument started at and toward his boyfriend across the room. Mike, frozen in place, has no idea what to feel. I mean, Will was technically right. Why was he so defensive, it’s not like they were dating. And it’s true, there is no reason to bring their traumatic experiences to their new environment. He scatters the tiled island for any substance that looks remotely untouched. The tile is splattered with mixed drinks and sticky to the touch, who knows how many hands had touched that counter in one night. His wandering eyes eventually fall on a cheap bottle of vodka, probably from a shitty gas station. He scatters the kitchen to attempt to match the bottle to a face, but after a second, he realizes it’s all survival of the fittest. He quickly swipes the unopened bottle and aims to seek out any member of the party to latch onto. With the nearly pitch black room (besides the occasional flash of the string lights) and the cramming of sweaty bodies, it won’t be easy.
He winds through the crowd, avoiding the same way Will took any way he could. His feet feel the start of the carpet as he enters the so-called “living room”, taking the occasional swig of the bottle with the following tense expression. He squints to scan the room: the room’s two couches sagging down from the weight of people, his then safe spot taken by a dude vomiting on the surface. The fireplace is surrounded with students, all in their costumes. He takes another big swig and glances to the other side of the room. Lucas! Mike lets out a relieved sigh and squeezes his way to a tipsy Lucas, now talking to a guy in a Star Wars costume.
“Lucas! I’ve been looking all over for you.” Oh god. Immediately the “small swigs” hit Mike like a train. “Will’s upset with me for something, wanna play beer pong or something?” His words slur worse than he could’ve imagined. How long was he looking for a familiar face? Alcohol should not hit someone this quick. Although he tells everyone the opposite, he hasn’t ever been drunk. Yeah, he and Will take an occasional sip of spiked punch at the “parties” they go to, but they often leave early anyways. Lucas stares at Mike, now feeling stone-cold sober compared to his friend. He waves off the Luke Skywalker lookalike as he pulls Mike to somewhat of a corner, considering every inch of the room is packed.
“What’s going on?” Lucas yells over the house music playing from the nearby speaker. Although Mike and Will were best friends, Lucas was always the person Mike could come to. About anything.
“I-I just, I don’t know. Will never gets this upset at me. I just- I don’t understand.” His head spins, thoughts all falling together at once. Despite it never being directly addressed, Lucas always assumed about Mike’s infatuation with Will, crush or not.
“Well, dude, you were being a dick to Carlton” Lucas snickers, sipping some sort of beer he got from the kitchen cooler.
“Are you serious right now? Will cuts him way too much slack. Besides, I can protect Will on my own, Carlton is useless. And, my curls are way better than his! He probably uses bad sham-”
Mike stops and realizes that Lucas is laughing in his face. He sighs and drops his arms he used to explain his opinion of Carlton’s demeanor.
Lucas puts his hand on Mike’s shoulder, “I get it man, you just want to protect Will. But you need to realize that he’s not a scared little kid anymore. He’s meeting new people and trying new things. If you’re really just his best friend, you’ll let him experience those on his own, or with Carlton.”
Just his best friend? What does that even mean?
Mike scratches his head, maybe Lucas was a little right.
“So, what do I do?”
Lucas sighs, is Mike really this stupid?
“Apologize to him, tell him why you’re upset and why you understand why he’s upset. No yelling, no gaslighting, nothing.”
“Huh. I guess you’re right. All those fights between you and Max paid off”
He scoffs, sipping his beer, signaling Mike to the other side of the room. Will is dancing with a group of girls, two things he would’ve never predicted. Carlton unfortunately had way too much to drink, and had to get carried upstairs by one of the fraternity brothers. Will was left alone. Mike inhales, trying to sober up enough to walk up to Will without falling or making a complete fool of himself. He snakes back through the crowd, keeping his eyes on Will like a lighthouse in the distance.
“Will!” He lunges at him, grabbing his shoulder.
“MIke! Oh my god, you should dance with us!” He laughs, opening up the small circle to invite Mike in their dance huddle.
Will was so drunk. Like, so drunk.
“No, Will we need to talk.” He scoffs, still trying to keep his composure enough to navigate them both to a quieter space.
Will shrugs, “Oh so now you want to talk?” He continues dancing, sweating off his fake mustache from the couple's costume.
Mike becomes fed up. He grabs Will’s wrist, flinging his intoxicated body wherever he goes like a ragdoll. He spots an open restroom down the hallway, close to the kitchen they just fought in earlier that night. He drags Will through the crowd, making his way to the small bathroom,
Mike slams the door behind him, attempting to click the small lock on the doorknob. Will stumbles to the sink, surveying his intoxicated face. Mike stands with his back to the door, observing Will as he pulls his eyes down, laughing.
“Mike, like what do you even want? You’re kinda bringing down the mood, even when you’re drunk.” He slurs, turning to his best friend’s tense expression.
“I-I wanted to apologize to you. I think I was overreacting. And being a bit of a dick. I just- I wanted to hang out with you.” Mike scratches his face, removing whatever was left of his fake blood from his chin.
“Oh Mike, it’s okayyy. I forgive you. Let's be good again.” Mike may be drunk, but he’s sober enough to acknowledge the nonsense Will spews out. “You know, I’m glad we’re good again. I just wanted to be near you. It’s hard to avoid you ya know? You’re like, always there.” He slowly inches closer to Mike, now standing face to face with him against the door. Mike examines Will’s face, red from what he assumes is the insane amount of alcohol he consumed. His body stiffens, even drunk, Will’s closeness makes him nervous. They hadn’t touched let alone been this close in so long.
The first week of college, Will had nightmares again, like the ones he got in Hawkins. He’d jump awake, hyperventilating and crying. The noise would jolt Mike awake every single time.
“Will? Will, what’s going on?” He’d rush over to the panicked boy, chest rising up and down faster than normal. Will’s face would drip with sweat, tears filling his fearful eyes. Without speaking, Mike knew it wasn’t important what was scaring him, he needed to know that he was safe.
“Will, I’m here. You’re safe. I promise. If I'm here, nothing will happen, I swear to you.” He squeezes WIll’s hand as he stands at his side. Mike would crawl next to him, wrapping his arm around his waist and tuck his head in-between Will’s neck. He’d stay throughout the night, as his laboured breathing eventually settled and synched with Mike’s. This occurred almost every night for the first week until Will adjusted fully to the dorm room and school schedule. Mike saw no problem with sleeping in Will’s bed, I mean, it was platonic.
Until Carlton.
Carlton came along in early September, when he and Will met in their painting class. Carlton was a good boyfriend, but Mike hated the idea of anyone being that close to Will. The duo became a trio, wherever WIll went, Carlton likely followed. It wasn’t that Mike hated Carlton, he was a good guy. Supportive of Will’s aspirations, listened to whatever crazy idea he’d propose, even paid for dinner on the occasion they’d go out. He was even cordial with Mike, at least when Mike allowed it. Carlton and Will would alternate who slept in whose room. In most cases, it was Will’s. Even though Mike hadn’t stayed in Will’s bed since that first week, he knew anything close to that would be off-limits to Carlton. He’d watch as the couple laid together, as Mike once did. He’d watch their bodies rise and fall in sync, their quiet snores harmonize, as Mike once did.
He seethed with jealousy.
But why? His best friend is finally happy. It’s selfish to even want them apart.
Mike’s eyes scatter back to Will’s, noticing every freckle. Even drunk, Mike's eyes can focus on every feature. “N-near me?”
His heart beats faster and faster as Will smirks confidently. This is not normal.
“Is everything okay, Mike? You’re looking a little pale” Will picks up the red solo cup from the counter, taking a sip as he inches closer to Mike.
“Will stop, you’re just drunk.”
“And you aren’t?”
“Well, I guess. Yeah I am.” Mike, still stiffened, stares back at Will, who has to be taunting him for some reason. But why? Is this what friends just do? I mean, he has Carlton, so this has to be a friendly game.
“Why did you bring me to the bathroom? You never even addressed why you brought me here. He snickers. “Like I did all the talking!”
Will takes a step back, taking another sip of his mixed drink. His smirk somehow still plastered on his face.
“I- um. I wanted to clear things up about uh, Carlton. And well, the fight we had today.” He skips over his words, the alcohol still seeming to take away his ability to form a sentence. He’s never seen Will so confrontational, or smug.
“Well? Go on.”
“I don't know, It just, it felt so wrong to not speak for most of the party really. You just- I- I just.” He sighs “I guess just seeing you devote the time to Carlton made me insecure.” The alcohol clearly starts spewing out words from there.
“Like, you’re my best friend. And Carlton just comes in and replaces me. It’s not fair. Like what does he have that I don’t?!” Mike, now laughing, continues on. Will just stares, somewhat surprised that he managed to get this much out of the usually uptight Mike. The music blares on from just outside the bathroom, making Mike unable to stop himself from forming a clear realization that he’s word dumping onto Will.
“I’ve been there for you through everything, no matter what. And you don’t even realize that.” Will puts his cup back onto the bathroom counter, struggling to keep eye contact with Mike and also find the counter in the dim light.
“And he’s not even that cool. Like, who even studies environmental science?! That is so lame. And he plays a sport? Whatever. I saw him play when I did a column on the lacrosse team, and to be honest, disappointed.” It’s like Mike’s brain was spitting out of his mouth. He said so much so fast.
“Mike..” Will, now with a concerned expression considering all that was being said, slowly inches closer to Mike.
He puts his hand on his shoulder, attempting to signal an end to his drunken rant.
“Mike stop.”
“Like lets face it. I could be a better boyfriend than whatever he thinks he is.”
Silence.
Mike finally registered what he said.
The once cocky Will shakes his head, clearly expressing a disappointed look on his face.
“T-thats not what I meant! I mean-” he stops, unable to read what Will is thinking let alone wanting to say.
“Do you know how long I wanted to be with you? And I thought I made it too obvious, but turns out you’re just oblivious.”
Mike’s eyes widened.
Oh. my god. The shared looks, the bump of their shoulders, the painting?!
How could he be so stupid.
Everything is registering at once.
“Do you know how long I repressed the crush I had on you just to make sure we could still be friends? All so you could complain to me about you and El. Do you know how long I wished to be in her place? Just for one day?” Will, now teary from such a switch of emotion.
Mike can see the pain in his eyes as he holds the gaze of Will’s deep green eyes. What does he even say?
“Fuck it, Mike. I love you. I have this whole time. A-and not as best friends. I thought Carlton would be able to fill that hole you left, but he can’t. Not even close.”
Mike swallows hard. His throat feels like it’s closing. He feels his body tremble. Is this from the alcohol or the words Will yells back at him?
They stand there for a moment in silence, despite the booming of the music on the door.
“Y-you, love me?”
Will stares at his feet, attempting to hide the welling of tears in his eyes with a small laugh.
“Just stop, Mike. You clearly don’t understand. Just let me out of the bathroom.”
His chest feels tighter and tighter. What is this feeling?
His breathing fastens, trying to oppose the closing of his chest.
Mike’s hands reach for Will’s face, cupping his warm, soggy cheeks in his palms. Will’s eyes meet Mike’s, and for a split second, all of their confusion is gone. Mike lunges forward, knocking the air out of their lungs. Their lips collide messily.
What the fuck.
Mike quickly pulls away, barely giving WIll a minute to register the kiss even happening.
This is not right.
“Oh my god, I-I’m so sorry.”
Will’s eyes dart from Mike’s eyes to his lips, now glistening from the collision seconds before.
Without hesitation, Will grabs Mike’s neck, pulling him in for another. Mike had only ever kissed El, but this was very different.
He pulls through Will’s brown hair as the two connect lips. He tastes the sweet mixed alcohol on his tongue, sliding his hand under Will’s shirt and onto his bare back. Their tongues mash together as their warm faces press against each other.
What is going on?
His heart beats faster and faster as Will’s hands swing around his waist. He falls back against the door, banging his head against the wood. Will pulls back, as they both pant in exhaustion.
“A-Are you okay?” Will mutters, attempting to catch his breath.
“I love you, Will.” Mike huffs, staring at Will’s crooked smile. He tugs Will back in for more. More desperation. More mess.
The music continues, playing a familiar song Mike heard on the car ride here.
Don’t you want me, baby?
Don’t you want me, oh-oh
Will’s hand tugs through Mike’s curls as they huff, pulling each other in as close as humanly possible. Mike’s fingers feel Will’s back, the warmth, the softness of his skin.
This is the first time they’ve touched, let alone been this close, in months.
Will’s mouth leaves Mike’s, slowly kissing across his face and down to his neck, pecking around his dried fake blood. Mike inhales, still in shock that this is even happening.
Fuck.
He grabs Will’s face, pulling him back to his lips.
Don’t you want me, baby?
Don’t you want me, oh-oh
The song’s chorus continues, drowned out by the pair’s swapping of spit.
BAM BAM BAM
The two gasp, quickly breaking apart the kiss. The door swings open as Mike jumps back from Will, still panting.
I swear I locked that do-
“What.. the fuck” Max, hand still on the doorknob, stands at the doorway. She obviously knows what’s going on. Both boys with messy hair, glossy lips. Hell, Mike’s fake blood is smeared on Will’s lips. Moreso, they all know about the unaddressed feelings the pair shared for so long, so it was less of a shock to her. Max exchanges looks at both boys, waiting for someone to say something. Her eyebrows raise, now anticipating an explanation. How was it so silent again? The music is undoubtedly blasting louder with the door now half-open.
“It’s not what it lo-”
“Do you think I’m fucking stupid, Mike? Jesus Christ.” She grunts, forcing herself into the tiny bathroom, closing the door behind her. She looks at them for a moment, then sighs.
Mike’s heart races more than it did before. Now his lungs are actually collapsing. His first time ever getting caught like this, and it’s a boy. It’s Will. He’s humiliated.
Mike breathing becomes more and more labored, now causing him to panic. His eyes widen as he places his hands on his chest.
‘No-no, Mike! It’s okay. I promise it’s not that- it’s not about being-” Max immediately recognizes the panic flooding onto Mike. She looks at Will, who also has no idea how to process any of the past 30 seconds. Mike slides his back against the wall, falling into a curled up position on the floor. Tears flood his eyes as his chest fills and falls: They’re all going to hate me. I’m so stupid. His mind clouds with thoughts, how will the rest of them react? Everyone is going to find out right? They won’t like me anymore. His parents will probably disown him too. Fuck.
“Mike! Come on, it’s okay!” Max squats down next to him as Will follows. She puts her hands on his shoulders, tracing circular motions on his skin. “Carlton already went home if that’s what you’re worried about! He was throwing up everywhere, it was crazy. But! I found us a ride home so it’s-”
Fuck. Oh my god. Carlton. Now he’s a queer and he made his best friend a cheater.
He looks up at Max, now with more panic than before. His chest tightens, squeezing his body more and more.
“Shit-uh. Should I get Lucas? Hello? Will?” Shaking Will, who still is trying to process the events.
Will nods, signaling Max to find someone, anyone that can talk Mike out of this state of panic. Max rushes out of the bathroom, the music flooding in for a split second, then leaving with Max’s slam.
“Mike, hey, I-I know this is a lot but I swear it’s okay. I just need you to breathe.” He places his hand on his convulsing chest. “Breathe with me, like you used to do for me.”
Will slowly inhales, then exhales again, keeping his hand steady on Mike’s chest. Mike closes his eyes, imagining the place in Will’s bed, helping him steady his breathing after a nightmare. Mike follows Will’s pace, still trying to stop the intense shaking his body had created.
“Good. Everything is okay, I promise” Will whispers, keeping calm despite the anxiety (and alcohol)l still fogging his brain.
The door swiftly opens as Dustin, Max, El, and Lucas cram into the even tighter bathroom.
“Oh good, he’s already doing better.” The party stand there, looking at each other dumbfoundedly.
“S-sorry guys. I’m sorry. I think I drank too much.” Will grabs Mike’s arm as he tries to stand up, recovering from not only the state of panic but the insane amount of vodka in his system.
The group looks at him with pity, which makes Mike even more guilty.
“Can we just leave?” he exhales, attempting to push past the four of them blocking the door.
“Mike, you know you can trust us right? We’re all here for you, no matter what?” Max asks, trying to assure Mike the group isn’t against him, or Will.
“Stop lying.”
“You seriously think we had no idea about this..? Will’s crush on you has been obvious since like middle school.” Lucas scoffs, “We had this whole talk earlier and you seriously thought I had no idea?”
Mike, still embarrassed, looks over at Will, who appears equally as mortified that his crush on Mike was mentioned. Mike’s eyes shift to El, zoned out. Max catches their exchange. “Mike, I don’t even think she knows what ‘gay’ means” whispering it past El’s zoned out state.
Gay? Is he actually gay now?
“But please know, we’re your friends no matter what. We all love you both so much, always.” Dustin adds, obviously high off his ass.
Mike chuckles, “Thank you guys.” tears fill his eyes as they come together for a group hug in the cramped bathroom, squeezing them closer than normal.
“Okay can we go, this place reeks of beer.” Max breaks the silent embrace of the group.
They all laugh and file out of the small hallway bathroom. Will, looking back at Mike, reaches for his hand.
“What about Carlton?”
“That’s a problem for later.”
Mike reaches out, grabbing Will’s hand as they snake back out of the Halloween party.