Chapter Text
Mike’s been getting really good as a DM lately.
Will thinks it’s something to do with all the free time they get now that they’re not fighting weird alien looking monsters and the government all the time. He notices how the sunlight’s making everything look orange tinted. From the notebooks to the map and figurines laid on the table. He thinks it would make a nice painting.
His eyes shift from Mike and the table to his sister sitting right beside him, invested as the story unfolds. Nothing too fancy yet, since the girls are joining for their first campaign ever after Dustin, Lucas and himself took it upon themselves to convince them. Mike wasn’t that into the idea, but after a couple of chats with Will he got on board.
His train of thought is interrupted by Mrs. Wheeler popping in to call Mike for a second. Mike sighs dramatically and excuses himself to go upstairs, and the party gets quiet for a bit. Lucas breaks the silence first.
‘’So, ladies. How’s your first DnD campaign going?’’ Max chuckles and rolls her eyes.
‘’I think it’s fun’’ Jane states, a little giddy after her character introduction. ‘’I’m impressed Wheeler is good at this whole story telling stuff.’’ Max says, then quickly adds ‘’Don’t tell him I said that’’
‘’Yeah, it’ll probably go straight to his huge head’’ Dustin retorts and turns to Jane, handing her a paper ‘’Here. I made you a guide since knowing Mike, a battle is coming up.’’
Jane smiles and points at a few things she still doesn’t understand, and Dustin explains in a lower voice. Will watches as the group naturally splits; Jane and Dustin, Max and Lucas.
The pairs are off on their own little world and Will feels it. That little bug he’s been feeling ever since fighting real-life monsters isn’t the first thing he has to worry about. He wonders if a relationship like that of Lucas and Max is in the cards for him. After all, this town is small and there’s not many queer people around, aside from Robin and Vickie.
He doesn’t get the chance to linger on the thought that much; he hears the door open and Mike comes back with... Mike? No, no. The boy accompanying mike is a little taller with a slight sun tan, and his glasses are huge compared with Mike’s, making his eyes look goofier.
‘’Uh, guys. This is my cousin. he’ll be staying here for some time.’’ Mike grumbles. His mom called him to announce this last-minute arrangement her and his aunt made, God knows why, he didn’t bother asking.
‘’What’s all this? A Welcome party for good ol’ Richie?’’ The party seems to come to a full stop; conversations tucked away for another time.
‘’Dude. Doppelgänger.’’ Dustin blurts out what everyone is thinking, and things seem to get a little less awkward.
Mike makes a face of disgust. ‘’We don’t look the same.’’
Lucas raises an eyebrow. ‘’No, I think Dustin is right. It feels uncanny.’’
‘’Yeah, but I have a way with ladies and my dick’s bigger’’ Mike elbows Richie, feeling his face heat up as he hears the chuckles from the group.
All the while Richie is too busy looking at Bowl-cut over at the table to even complain at the nudge. He’s laughing with his face to the side, hiding to spare Mike’s feelings. His flannel shirt stretches just the right amount around his shoulders and a white shirt, kind of see through, peeks from behind it. It makes his neck look long and pale.
‘’I’m Lucas,’’ He stands up to shake the new kid’s hand, snapping him back to reality. ‘’and this here is Max’’ He gestures at his girlfriend, who is also extending her hand.
‘’This is El— Jane. Jane and Dustin.’’ Mike says, pointing Richie towards the pair. They both raise their hands in greeting.
‘’Nice to meet you.’’ Dustin offers still squinting and Richie nods.
‘’And you...?’’ Richie turns to look at Will somewhat quickly, which catches him off guard.
‘’I’m Will, nice to meet you.’’ A lingering smile from the stupid dick joke adorns his face. Cute.
‘’Yeah... real nice.’’ Richie says under his breath. Mike frowns. He’s about to say something when he’s interrupted by Will.
‘’I didn’t know you had a cousin, Mike’’ The party seems to agree.
‘’Well, we’re not close, really. We haven’t seen each other since...’’ Before he can finish his phrase, Richie’s making a hurt face and clutching at his heart.
‘’How very RUDE of you, dear cousin’’ Will snickers at Richie’s horrible British accent and Mike’s face burns.
‘’So. What type of lame nerd shit were you guys playing?’’ Will feels Richie stealing the occasional glance his way, looking away when their eyes meet.
‘’DnD.’’ Dustin says, squinting his eyes a little. ‘’And I don’t think someone who looks like that can call us lame nerds.’’
‘’you got me there, Dusty boy.’’ Richie raises his hands as if he’s harmless. ‘’Well, nice meeting you guys, I’m going to get comfortable in my brand new room upstairs.’’ He winks at Mike who grits his teeth. That’s his bedroom.
Richie leaves the basement to unpack, and the party keeps playing the campaign; they have around an hour left before they all have to go home, so they better make the most of it.
—
They have been at it for a while when Will squirms on his seat, all the soda they drank passing a toll on his bladder. His turn is just over, so he excuses himself to go to the bathroom, but Mike grabs his wrist.
‘’Wait- I'll come with.’’ Mike whispers and Will raises an eyebrow.
‘’I’m just going to pee?’’ Will whispers back ‘’And you’re DMing, Mike. I’ll be back in a bit’’
Mike lets go and turns to the table, slightly irritated. He can’t tell Will he doesn’t want his weird look-alike cousin to say some dumb shit with a face so similar to his own.
Will hurries upstairs and goes straight to the bathroom, not expecting it to be closed. ‘’Nance?’’ He knocks politely once. Twice. He’s about to knock again when the door swings open. He wasn’t expecting Richie to show up, almost knocking him over when he gets out the bathroom.
‘’Oh. William! Right? Wow, you’re shorter than you look sitting down.’’ Will frowns a bit.
‘’We’re about the same height.’’
Richie smiles ‘’Yeah, whatever you say, Will the Wise.’’
‘’you heard us playing?’’ Will rubs his neck. He really needs the bathroom but doesn't want to be rude.
‘’Yeah, just some stuff about the great sorcerer’’ Richie stares at him up and down with a whistle. Will, looks around before speaking.
‘’Yeah, um, sorry. I really need the bathroom, Richie.’’ Richie smirks as Will crosses and uncrosses his legs.
‘’Well, aren’t you eager, William. How about a please?’’
‘’Richie, please.’’
Oh. Richie moves without as much as a single peep as Will sneaks past him, closing the door. Well, damn. Maybe this trip to bumfuck Indiana will be way more interesting than he thought.
—
When Will makes his way into the basement again, Richie’s on the couch while the rest of the party says their goodbyes. Will joins in and sees Lucas, Max, Dustin off. Mike pulls Will aside and he waves his sister off apologetically, telling her to go first. Jane nods and walks out with the rest.
‘’Did he say something stupid to you?’’ Mike whispers anxiously. Will shakes his head slightly, staring at Mikes face which seems to be closer than necessary for a normal conversation. He swallows.
‘’Richie? No, not really. Why..?’’ Mike looks away and pulls back, Will stares.
‘’It’s just. You took longer to come back, and he’s like, a massive weirdo.’’
‘’You're timing my pees now?’’ Will snorts, looking at Mike’s lips turn into a frown. ‘’Plus, we ARE weirdos. He’s fine.’’
‘’Yeah, okay. Whatever.’’
Richie watches from his seemingly? Cuck chair now. At least it feels like it when Will is practically eye-fucking his cousin. They stop talking and his eyes meet Will’s, who immediately seems flustered, Richie just smirks and raises an eyebrow.
Will waves a quick goodbye and leaves, leaving the pair alone in the basement.
‘’So, little cousin. That’s a nice piece of ass you got yourself there.’’ Mike grimaces.
‘’Piece of ass? Don't talk like that about my best friend, asshole.’’
‘’Oh, so you’re not dating then?’’ Mike rolls his eyes.
‘’I’m dating Jane. And also, I'm older than you, don't call me that’’ Richie nods with a sly smile.
‘’Then, hope you don’t mind me calling dibs on Bowl cut.’’ Mike raises his eyebrows, caught off guard. He quickly puts his frown back on and points an accusatory finger at Richie.
‘’Don’t be weird. And don’t mess with Will.’’ Richie keeps his shit eating grin while Mike walks out of the basement.
That’s odd, Richie thinks to himself. He’s with a girl? He could’ve sworn... And Jane couldn’t care less about what Mike was doing the whole time anyways. Will was the one making goo-goo eyes at him nonstop, and he definitely wasn't staring at Jane like he was at Will.
Whatever, he thinks to himself. This is not his mystery to solve.