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After a whole season of not so much blood as sweat and tears, followed by the support of everyone. The loud roaring of cheers from fans, family, and friends. Lucas, who has made it to the big leagues of the NBA finds himself at his biggest game of his life, if he won this game he would be able to break yet another losing streak for the team he plays for.
Maybe his early high school win was pure luck, but he knows that after years of practice and falling, he got back up ready to jump up and get a higher score, one bigger than any of the games he used to play.
He knew he would be able to beat the game, he believed he wouldn’t fail and especially with the thought that his friends would be there. He even got them all front row tickets the second they all agreed to be there.
Not only that but his team, his team is full of good people, and an unexpected person who seems to have changed for the good. Although an old school rival, Chance Lawson had apologized, although at first they both had a rough relationship.
Thanks to their oh so amazing coach, Steve Harrington. Crazy right? How did three people from the same small town manage to get onto the team?
…
I… I wouldn't know. I don’t know how team forming or basketball logistics works. I'm not a big sports person but I can pretend I know enough for this very small portion.
…
Lucas grew up with Steve, and had been there since he was a child, so he trusted whatever Steve said and advised, including having to grow up and forgive Chance. Which he was glad he did, he managed to get Dustin to meet up as well, and Chance apologized to him as well. Chance didn’t expect forgiveness right away so he didn’t complain because it was nice to amend his past… mistakes.
Soon enough the rest of the party heard word of it and they internally forgave Chance, even Mike. They just didn’t say it to him, it would be very awkward indeed. Imagine being told one by one that you are forgiven by old classmates in which you bullied. In his defense it was all because of Andy’s bad influence and Jason adding fuel to the fire after his girlfriend mysteriously dumped him and never talked to him again. Jason believed she cheated on him with their senior Eddie.
Whatever it was it seemed to all be in the past. So back to the main plot of the story. The big game.
However… This story isn’t exactly about Lucas. Sure his big win was the highlight of the day most definitely. It’s just a certain event during the game that was keeping someone’s mind somewhere else. Perhaps it’s the reason why said person can’t stop looking in the direction of the cause for his distraction.
He’s not the only one wondering what the meaning of it was. But the others were more preoccupied celebrating and partying in the winners after party that was held exclusively for the team and their directly invited guests. So mainly any close friends with any of the players.
Will. Will approached Chance. To Will it felt like the room was spinning as if the distance to the other man was only getting longer, multiplying with each step he took. He held his red cup in a shaky hand trying not to spill whatever liquid he had been given.
Chance was talking with another of the team members who noticed Will standing nervously behind Chance. With a smirk he motioned towards Will who gave an awkward smile. Turning around Chance couldn’t help a smirk from appearing on his face. With a chuckle his teammate let him know he’d leave them to talk.
“Can we talk somewhere more quiet?” Will asked, having to shout over the loud music that was blasting through the speakers through the entire venue, which was one of the other players' houses. The speakers had the house vibrating and Will could feel it beneath his feet. He could feel many things, how hot it was inside, his sweaty palms were, threatening to drop his drink, and he also was feeling something else, something deeper within.
Perhaps he was about to throw up from his previous drinks, but it didn’t feel like that kind of feeling. More like a tingling sensation and a rush of some sort of adrenaline. He felt it get hotter the second Chance's eyes landed on him, the way he had his eyes practically digging into Will's skull. God, Will thinks he could stay hypnotized and not want to break out of the trance.
“Sure”, Chance said, still carrying that stupid smirk he always wore. He took a hold of Will’s hand, the one not holding his cup. Will stayed as close as possible trying not to bump into any of the other party guests. Soon enough they were able to go into a hallway that was almost empty.
Chance had paused scanning the area. There was a couple making out in a corner trying to open a door to one of the many rooms from this hallway. A few others were simply chatting trying to get away from the loud music that still had you speaking in a loud volume even in this secluded spot. He noticed an open room and continued with Will trailing behind to said room.
The second the door to the room closed the music was instantly muffled out, nothing but sudden vibrations breaking through. Finding the light switch and turning the lights on, Chance saw Will still at the door, standing and roaming his eyes around the room. They were in one of the guest rooms, the host said they were open for anyone to use.
Chance sat on the bed with both his hands holding the edge of the bed on either side of him and looked at Will, “So, what was it you wanted to ask?”
Will snapped back to reality, remembering he was the one requesting they talk in private.
“Right uh, so about earlier… I… what did it mean?” Will asked, but just as he did he wished he stayed in his corner with Max. Yet she was also the one who encouraged him to walk up to Chance. God she was very persuasive and how could he not ask when he himself has been confused ever since that moment.
“Earlier? Would you mind being more specific with me?” Chance asked, tilting his head to the side, smiling, and clearly teasing Will. He found he enjoys teasing him and the reaction he got was absolutely satisfactory. Will began to fumble, struggling to find what words to use and how to ask more specifically without sounding desperate in any way.
“The… you know.. the umm.. the kiss”, recalling such moment made Will feel more awkward and anxious. Why was it so hard? He moved to sit next to Chance, facing away yet struggling to keep himself from looking over to Chance.
“I didn’t hear that last part,” Chance teased, even looking straight at Will's lips before meeting his wandering gaze again.
“You know what I’m talking about, please don’t make this any harder than it already is” Will cried as he burried his face into his own hands.
-
The party had just arrived at the stadium, quite early too, and since Lucas pulled some strings he was able to let them in and let them skip past the waiting crowd outside.
Lucas let them find their way to their seats, which they were dead center and up front too, obviously on their side of the court. Steve even came out before the game to greet them and talk with a few of them, more specifically Dustin, Jonathan and Robin. Will sat himself in between Mike and El as requested by Max, so they both don’t start talking to each other throughout the entire game.
They also were lucky enough to meet the team themselves with simple handshakes and introductions made by Lucas. Who seemed pretty excited for his team to meet his close friends.
When Will shook hands with Chance it felt like something different than a handshake. The way Chance let his fingers graze along Will's palm as he retracts his hand. Not only that but the look he was given by the player also had him feeling something. Something he wished he could have figured out at that exact moment because just as he began to feel it, it left when Chance turned his gaze to shake hands with the next person.
The team then returned to their locker room just as the doors opened for the rest of the audience. Will busied himself with a conversation about whatever with El and Mike, and Robin who was seated right behind them.
Dustin and Max started a bet with just them two, fifty dollars in the bag, each. The bet was on who will score the final point, not on which team since they pretty much knew their team was gonna win. They were instead betting on if Lucas can get that final score or someone else. So when the rest of the group heard of their little bet, pretty much all of them minus Mike, and Dustin said Lucas was going to score it.
“Oh come on, you guys don’t believe he can do it?” Max asked jokingly angry.
“Oh we believe he can. We are just doing it for the risk, and based off of statistics, because there’s only at least a thirty percent chance tha-“ Dustin tried to explain before Mike threw some popcorn at him.
“Dude shut up, they’re gonna want to switch if you explain it and we will have to split the money in more ways.” Mike replied.
They kept talking about it and joking between each other until the game started.
When Lucas appeared they all began cheering and calling him, which he did turn to wave at them, and besides him was none other than Chance. He saw Lucas turn to wave to his friends which he also waved towards someone. Will noticed it, he locked eyes with him. Perhaps he saw it wrong and he believed he did so he only gave a small wave, literally only raising his hand up slightly with an unnoticeable movement. He only did it in case Chance did wave in his direction and didn’t want to seem rude.
The first quarter break allowed them to see what the opposing team was like. It was safe to say that the results of this game would satisfy them. It wasn’t to say the other team was absolute trash, just that they seemed aggressive in a way it ruins their coordination, more specifically one of the players who seemed to get too cocky when he got the ball. ‘Harper #34’
During the second quarter of the game that same player was switched back onto the court which had many of the audience groaning or complaining, but then again it simply turned into mixed noise in the background as Will noticed someone also got switched onto the court on their side.
Lucky number twenty-two, and Your sentiment finds its twins in mine, as if bound by an invisible symmetry with Lucas. Both of them high-fived each other as they got into their positions.
Lucas had the ball and was running across the court passing it between his team members, but the number thirty four saw what they were doing and had his eyes locked on his target, Lucas. Mike noticed it.
“Holy shit that Harper guy is going straight for Lucas” he warned the party.
Max tried yelling like crazy to try and warn Lucas but her voice was only washed away in the sea of yelling. It didn’t stop her however she continued yelling.
“Come on Lucas!”
“Lucas go!”
“Watch out, man!”
They all continued to yell but of course it did nothing. Harper was running without strategy going straight for Lucas. The others weren’t sure if he was going to tackle Lucas for the ball, play some dirty trick but it’s pretty obvious that that guy was going to do something stupid that could get someone hurt and get him zero advantages.
Lucas was ready to shoot. He took his last step before pushing his weight up and about to throw the ball. Harper was right there, just a few steps away from reaching for the ball and would most definitely slam against Lucas. Just as Harper was going to reach out his hand someone got in his way. ‘Lawson, #22’. He managed to get there and guard for Lucas facing the guy and with that smirk he always has on. “Hey there, big guy” he said just as Lucas shot and the guy slammed into Chance.
The crowd gasped as they saw what had happened. Chance fell back as the guy inevitably crashed into him causing them both to fall to the ground. Lucas ran over to his teammate, as did the other players. Chance had managed to hit the back of his head on the hard floor but he managed to get up pretty quickly without acting on the throbbing pain on the back of his head.
Unfortunately, even though Lucas managed to score his shot, that block cost them and allowed the other team to play a free-throw.
Fortunately, the other team missed their free-throw.
Fast forward to half-time, they all got up and went around to stretch their legs, buy more food and snacks, or just stay seated. Max dragged Will to the court and over to the locker area. A security guard stopped them and said they can only wait for a player to come and talk to them but they can’t go inside.
Lucas shortly came out with other members who were interacting with fans, or people they knew. Will was glad he wasn’t just dragged along so in the end those two would talk to only each other. Unlike some past experiences, they included Will into their conversations. During said conversation was when Lucas mentioned the party they would have after the game, if they won.
“Don’t tell the others just yet, since it’s only if we win” Lucas said, followed by a raised eyebrow from Max who was telepathically scolding him for thinking about the possibility of losing.
An arm looped over Lucas’s shoulder from behind and with a proud voice interfered with the current conversation, “I think you mean when we win, Lucas”, Chance proclaimed. He looked over to Max and Will, “and I sure hope you two and your friends show up”, he said with a wink. One that was clearly more toward Will.
Max and Lucas looked at each other before looking back at the other two and laughed. The other two confused looked at them. Will asked what was funny but the other two excused it as Lucas turned and brought Chance back into the locker room and Max dragged Will back to their seats.
“Wait Max, what were you two laughing at?”
“Don’t you worry about it my dear Will”
“Come on”
Will tried to get Max to answer his question a few more times before she cut him off, “Oh look the others are back, and with my nachos too”
The second half finally began and the third quarter went smoothly. Their team earned a good amount of points that put them ahead, sixteen to ten.
Something during the first half of the last quarter must have happened because the opposing team had caught up and now they were head to head with eighteen points each.
Steve was looking very stressed. He even took a seat and looked absolutely depressed, which Dustin took the liberty of taking pictures to laugh about later, he even had one of Steve catching him taking the picture. He even pointed straight to Dustin and tried to warn him about taking those pictures which had the whole group giggling. Dustin was the one laughing the most however.
He sat back down with a satisfied and victorious grin, “well I don’t know what to say but Mike and I might win our little bet” he announced with a little flaunt.
Jonathan who was seated besides Robin chuckled, “we still have the rest of this quarter literally anything could happen.”
The others started agreeing with Jonathan.
“Mhm, exactly Henderson and once we win I will be making sure to take pictures of your loss” Robin spoke up.
“Okay guys this bet is so stupid, it’s either everyone keeps their money with some extra from Mike and Dustin or Mike and Dustin get all your guys money” Nancy butted in.
“But you see dear Nancy, that’s what’s fun about these things, the risk” Robin expressed with her fists grabbing into the air and expressing a happy and satisfied look.
That group was then interrupted by El who was yelling at the big screen up in the center of the stadium. They all looked up and laughed as they noticed it was the ‘Kiss Cam’ on the screen. It was showing both Will and El looking embarrassed and trying to say that they are siblings.
The cameraman eventually got it and switched to a different couple who actually kissed earning cheers from the crowd that was watching the screen. They all patiently waited for the next couple to be shown. The cameraman must have been thinking he was funny as it returned to Will and El.
Again both of them were forming X’s with their arms and yelling that they were siblings making sure they mouth it well enough to get it through. When the camera switched to another couple again they put their hands down embarrassed and laughing from the little joke the cameraman was doing.
Just like the first one the cameraman switched to them again but this time before they could start saying no again the cameraman slowly panned over so that Will and Mike were in the center. Catching Mike off guard, who immediately started shaking his head. Will stayed still and didn’t do anything for this one, his face clearly becoming a different shade, Max, Dustin and El started chanting that they should, just for the joke.
What they didn’t expect was for Mike to lash out and say ‘No’, saying that he’s not going to kiss anyone on the big screen. It was pretty clear that he was slightly bothered by it.
“Sorry Will, but I’m not gonna do this” Mike said clearly feeling guilty, surprisingly the cameraman didn’t switch and only zoomed in slightly. The audience was cheering hoping to encourage but it did not work.
Just then did someone appear in front of their seats. The whole stadium went as quiet as it could get. No one had expected this to happen, everyone seemed to have been too distracted by the entertainment up on the screen to notice that Steve and the team were yelling at a member who left while Steve was sharing a plan with them.
Chance had peeked his head out from the huddle he was in. He saw how bothered and frustrated Mike looked and by the sound of a good amount of people yelling “kiss” he guessed it was the kiss cam. He turned his head the other way and looked up and managed to see that his guess was right.
And out of nowhere he stepped away from his team and even though he heard his team, and especially the yells of his stressed coach. He jogged over to the seat where Will was sitting. Before anyone even noticed him, he reached a hand to the back of Will's head and his other hand to Will's cheek turning his attention from Mike to Chance. Who didn’t let Will process anything and pressed their lips together.
Chance had closed his eyes at first before opening them and meeting Will's wide eyes, and flushed cheeks. Only until Chance pulled away did he notice how shocked everyone was, he wasn’t bothered in any way he still had his smile on his face.
The audience then roared and cheered, even though it was unexpected of a player going on the kiss cam in the middle of a time-out and trying to win their final game of the season. They still enjoyed that sudden twist.
“Well I should get back,” Chance said, still leaning down and close to Will.
Will was still in a sort of trance and thinking about how sweet and nice it felt. Looked up to Chance before snapping back to reality and he couldn’t think of much to say that could get him to say what he fully wanted, so with that a simple “good luck” is what he whispered out to Chance he smiled and went back to his team.
No one asked or said anything about what happened for the rest of the game, which was met with a great finish. Lucas did end up getting the last score but not before Chance saved the ball from going out of bounds.
Once the group managed to get out of the stadium they all stood around the two cars they used to get there. Max did mention the party that was being held. Robin, Jonathan, Nancy, and Mike were the ones who couldn’t go. Robin had needed to go to sleep before work, Jonathan simply felt too tired, Nancy and Mike, both had a family trip they were going on early the next morning. Which left Max as the designated driver for the other group, which was Dustin, Mike, El and Will.
They did go to a restaurant first though since they had to wait for Lucas to call them and give them the directions to where the party would be. They decided to go to eat out at a nearby restaurant, since they also doubted the party would serve any real food, that’s not small snacks and such.
They sat in a booth at the corner of the restaurant and enjoyed their late dinner. Max and Dustin sitting across from El and Will. Small conversation here and there. And of course, someone had to bring up the little incident. “So… sorry Will… but I have to ask. What was that kiss all about?” Dustin questioned Will.
“Yeah Will, I want to know too, because if I remember correctly Chance was in a way flirting with you when we were talking to Lucas during halftime” Max continued, “is there something we don’t know?”
El turned her head to face Will with a smug looking grin “Have you been talking to him? Without telling me?”
“I don’t know! I swear I don’t know. I only remember when Lucas introduced us once, but even so we never talked much, or at all.” Will defended himself which only had suspicion grow within the other three.
“Well if I’m being honest, that kiss.. looked pretty enjoyable” Max decided to press on and tease Will, “hmm who knows maybe you two can chat at the party in a bit”
Will felt his face heat up, this was a different level of embarrassing. When the whole stadium saw it happen it didn’t feel as awkward and demeaning as it did right now. He was now subject to teasing and questioning by his friends because a… a stranger decided to kiss him.
Their conversation ended shortly after as Lucas had sent Max the location of the party. They cleaned up and threw away their trash and walked back into Max's car. The drive was quiet before El cranked up the volume on the radio as she and Max both sang to their hearts content. Dustin and Will just sat in the back, they did vibe along at least a little but not as much as the two girls were.
When they arrived they saw the many cars lined up by the garage of the big house. Max quickly parked by the other cars and mentally prepared herself for this new environment they were about to enter. The others were doing the same but when they entered it was as if they blended right in.
-
Chance laughed at Will, “you’re cute y’know that”
Will looked up trying to make sure he didn’t hear that wrong, “What?”
“Oh come on… don’t make it harder than it needs to be”, Chance mimicked Will , “sorry but what exactly is it you need me to explain?”
“Well, I don’t know… maybe the fact that you kissed me out of nowhere… in front of my friends… in front of a whole stadium”
Chance looked like he was actually thinking about it for a moment, “okay? Well I know I kissed you but what did you need clarity on?”
“Why did you do it?”
“I like you”
Wow. Will didn’t expect him to be so direct. First of all he barely knew Chance. Second of all… he barely knew Chance.
“That’s… um that’s very straightforward.”
“Was hoping the kiss was, but I guess I was wrong.”
“Yeah… you were all it did was leave me confused… VERY confused”, Will let out a chuckle at how Chance believed randomly kissing him, during a kiss cam, would be able to tell Will everything.
“Well are you still confused?”
“Yes”
“How so?”
“Why do you like me? We barely know each other”
“You barely know me.” Chance admitted. Which only left Will confused again.
“Huh?”
“I know you pretty well, Lucas had enlightened me with a few facts about you, I asked, don’t worry about him just spilling those facts. Plus ever since that first day in which he formally introduced us, you’ve been on my mind, not only do I think you’re cute, but you’re very beautiful too both in appearance and in personality”
Chance leaned closer to Will, observing his features much more closely, how his eyes widened with each word Chance had spoken, and how soft his face was. Will was absolutely captivating in the eyes of Chance.
Will on the other hand had that warm feeling again, his face was all warm and he was sure his face was becoming a scarlet color. No one had ever spoken such words to him. He didn’t know what to say or how to react. Aside from a soft “oh” under his breath.
“Like I said, you don’t know me but I also don’t know every little detail about you, but..” Chance leaned in just a little closer giving Will the chance to back away from him, to leave the room before it was too late. “I would like too, and maybe if you’d like too, you can stay and learn a bit more about me.”
Chance looked straight into Will's eyes, softly. He still didn’t make a move, wanting to give Will the option for what goes down.
With a gentle nod from Will. Chance smiled and leaned in. Another kiss. This time it was much more gentle, one that actually carried a shared meaning instead of one that’s rushed and overwhelming. One that’s private and sweet.
Parting made everything feel cold around him. Will hated that. The cold was something he didn’t want, and when kissing Chance the embarrassment faded and switched over to a warmth provided by the feeling of want.
“I wish this was our first kiss,” Chance broke the silence that was between them followed by a laugh from Will.
“It is”, Will simply said, reaching his hand up to Chance's hair and brushing it to the side.
“Uhhhh no?”
“Yes”
“How?”
It was funny how they switched roles. Chance was the one confused and questioning things now.
“Well, that other kiss… you were kissing a stranger… and now… you were kissing…”
“…Will Byers” Chance finished the sentence. Will smiled which had Chance brighten up and look like he won some sort of prize, funny, since he just won the championship but the person he had in front of him was much much better.
“Can I kiss you again?” Chance asked, even though he didn’t need to since he didn’t even let Will reply before he was already pulling Will in for yet another kiss, and this one although it started off sweet. It was like two teens falling in love… so sweet, passionate, captivating, passionate, intimate. Woah, things were quickly taking a turn.
Before realizing Will was sitting on top of a shirtless Chance. There was a pound on the door. Both of them paused and looked over to the door. There was a loud voice that they couldn’t make out but they sounded pretty serious from what they could make out who it was.
Chance sat back up and said he’d check out who it was. Not even bothering to put his shirt on before opening the door up slightly to check who it was. Will stood a few steps away behind him.
The second the door opened it was a familiar voice “Oh, uh sorry for interrupting…” Max said awkwardly and slightly disgusted at Chance without his shirt and disheveled hair. “Have you seen Will? I’m taking the others home already so…”
Will pushed Chance aside which caught both Chance and Max a bit by surprise, “Wait you guys are leaving already? What time is it?”
Max raised an eyebrow at Will. Chance was now standing behind Will peeking over Will's head. She gave them a smirk, “well seeing you two clearly got lost “talking” to each other, it’s actually 2 AM”
Will looked away, avoiding Max's gaze. He knew what she was hinting at. He knew Chance had a stupid proud smirk on him.
“Shoot, I’ll be right out” Will told Max. He would feel bad if he asked if they could stay longer but that’d be stupidly selfish.
“I can take him home.”
Max and Will both turned to look at Chance.
“I’ll take him home.” Chance repeated, “don’t worry I didn’t drink too much”
Max looked back at Will waiting for his decision.
“Uh yeah.. yeah he can take me home…”
Max only smiled knowing that even if he left with her he wouldn’t have been “right out” like he said. She said her goodbye and left them alone.
Chance closed the door for Will who was still just standing there, “so shall I take you home?”
“So you’re saying I could’ve just gone with her?”
Chance trapped Will between himself and the door, moving his hands down to the sides of Will's waist, and moving closer to him, “Well you could have but I want to take you home, maybe you could even… y'know give me a tour and I can get to know you more?”.
Will laughed and shoved him away playfully. “Just take me home”.