Work Text:
The first time is at the library.
Will is alone in the back corner of the fourth floor when Mike appears. He's carrying his backpack and a coffee and he stops when he sees Will at the table surrounded by books.
He hesitates for a moment but finally approaches him.
"Didn't know you'd be here" Mike says.
"I've been here for an hour. I have an exam tomorrow." Will doesn't look up from his notes. "You can have my seat when I'm finished."
Mike knows it's a hint for him to leave, but he doesn't. He pulls out the chair next to Will —not across, next to— and sits down close enough that their elbows almost touch.
"I can work on my stuff" Mike says. "We don't have to talk."
They haven't really talked in the three weeks since Will introduced him to Carlton. Stupid Carlton. Mike shook his hand with a fake smile that didn't reach his eyes and then found an excuse to leave.
Since then it's been weird, awkward. They don't even talk like they used to, they only exchange a few words when they're with Lucas or Max, or when they happen to be in the same room.
Will misses his best friend. But he doesn't know how to bridge the gap that's opened between them. This has happened more than once; Will still remembers everything that happened in California.
That strange tension between them after a fight in which neither of them wants to give in and they end up making things worse, dragging it out longer than necessary.
They work in silence. Will tries to focus on his reading but he's aware of Mike beside him. The scratch of his pencil, the way he taps his foot when he's thinking, the smell of his cologne that's been the same since forever.
Mike's knee bumps against Will's under the table. Will shifts away slightly. Mike's knee follows, pressing warm against Will's leg.
Will glances over. Mike is staring at his notebook, apparently unaware of the movements under the table, but his jaw is tight.
"How are classes going?" Mike asks without looking up.
"Fine, a bit boring to be honest."
"Yeah."
More silence. Mike's hand moves across the table to grab an eraser, and his fingers brush against Will's wrist. The touch is brief, almost accidental, but it sends electricity up Will's arm.
Will pulls his hand back, tucks it in his lap, nervously.
"Carlton picking you up later?" Mike asks. His voice is low. And perhaps at that moment Will remembered Carlton's existence.
"Yeah. We're getting dinner." Bullshit. Carlton had plans with some friends and Will had told him he was staying on campus to study. They weren't going to have dinner together.
"That's nice." Mike's pencil presses harder against the paper. "You guys do that a lot. Dinner."
"I mean, we're dating, so—" It sounded ruder than it should have.
"Right. Dating." Mike finally looks at him, and there's something in his eyes that makes Will's stomach flip. "How's that going?"
"Good. It's good." At least that was true, Carlton was a good guy, he treated him well.
"Good." Mike echoes. He holds Will's gaze for a beat too long, then goes back to his work.
Will tries to return to his reading but he can't concentrate. He's hyperaware of the way Mike's knee is still pressed against his under the table, of the tension and heat radiating off him.
Mike reaches for his coffee and his arm brushes against Will's shoulder. Will jerks away like he's been burned, which is curious because years ago Mike's touch was the only thing that could bring him out of his trances.
"Sorry" Mike says, but he doesn't sound sorry.
Will gathers his books quickly. "I should go with Carlton." Will stands up. Mike's hand shoots out, catches Will's wrist gently. Not hard, not restraining, just touching.
"Will" Mike says quietly. Will looks down at where Mike's fingers encircle his wrist. He can feel Mike's thumb against his pulse. His heart is racing and he knows Mike can feel it.
"I have to go–" He says quickly while he pulls his wrist free. "See you back at the room."
He leaves before Mike can respond. His wrist tingles where Mike touched him for the rest of the night.
The second time is in their shared dorm.
Will comes back from class to find Mike on his bed instead of at his desk. Mike is just lying there, staring at the ceiling and he doesn't move when Will enters.
"You okay?" Will asks.
"Yeah. Just tired." Will sets his backpack down, starts sorting through his wardrobe. He can feel Mike watching him. His gaze burns on the back of his neck.
"You're never here anymore" Mike says. Will stays still for a second. "What?"
"You sleep at Carlton's every night. You only come back here to grab stuff when I'm not around."
"I didn't think you cared." Oh, tha was a little rude.
"Of course I care." Mike sits up. "You're my best friend. Or you were. Now I barely see you." Those words cut Will like a knife.
"That's not—" Will turns to face him. "That's not fair. You're the one who's been weird since I started dating Carlton."
"Weird how?"
"Distant. Cold. Like you can't stand to be around me." Mike stands up and suddenly the room feels smaller. He crosses to where Will is standing by his wardrobe.
"That's not it." Mike is close now, closer than necessary. "That's not it at all."
"Then what is it?" Mike reaches out and for a second Will thinks he's going to touch his face. Instead Mike's hand goes to Will's collar, adjusting it where it's folded wrong. Actually, there's nothing wrong.
"There." Mike says softly. His fingers linger against Will's neck, just above where the stupid padlock rests. "That was bothering me." Actually, it's the padlock that bothers him.
Will's breath catches, Mike's fingers warm against his skin.
"Mike—"
They're staring at each other and suddenly he catches Mike glancing at his lips. Will's heart is hammering and he doesn't understand what's happening.
He steps back, putting distance between them. "I should– Carlton is expecting me. For dinner."
Something flashes across Mike's face. His hand drops. "Right. Carlton."
"Yeah."
Will quickly packs some clothes in his backpack and grabs his jacket. When he looks back, Mike is sitting on his bed again, staring at the floor.
That night, Will kisses Carlton back but all he can feel is the touch of Mike's hand close to his heart.
The third time is at the dining hall.
Will is having lunch with Carlton when he sees Mike across the cafeteria with Lucas. Mike's eyes find his immediately, like he was looking for Will.
Carlton is telling a story about his friends, something funny probably. Will isn't sure but he still tries to focus. But Mike is staring at them, and even from across the room Will can feel the weight of his gaze.
"I'll be right back." Will tells Carlton. "Going to the bathroom."
He heads toward the restrooms, but a hand brushes against his arm as he passes Mike's table. Mike, of course.
"Can we talk?" Mike asks. "Just for a second." Lucas raises his eyebrows but doesn't say anything. Will follows Mike to the hallway outside the dining hall where it's quieter.
"What's wrong?" Will asks.
"Nothing. I just..." Mike runs a hand through his hair. "I was wondering how you were doing."
"You see me every day."
"Not really." Mike stops. "Not like we used to."
"Things are different now. I'm with Carlton and–."
"I know." Mike's jaw clenches. "Believe me, I know." They stand in uncomfortable silence. Students stream past them but they don't even care, it's as if they were alone in the hallway.
"I should get back" Will says. "Carlton's waiting."
"Wait." Mike's hand comes up to Will's shoulder. His thumb rests against Will's collarbone. "Give me just a second."
"Mike, what are you—"
Mike's other hand comes up to Will's other shoulder. He's standing very close now, both hands on Will and his eyes are searching his face like he's looking for something.
"What are we doing?" Mike asks quietly. "What is this?"
"I don't know what you mean, Mike." Will swallows hard. Mike's hands slide down Will's arms, slow and deliberate, until he's holding Will's elbows. The touch is firm, grounding.
"Don't you? Are you sure?" Mike's voice has gone low.
Will can feel his own pulse racing. This is wrong. Whatever this is, it's not friendly. It's not what best friends do, just not platonic.
"I have a boyfriend." Will says. He doesn't even care anymore if he sounds rude or if he is misreading things, because this time he is pretty sure that he is not. He steps back and Mike's hands fall away. "I have to go back with him."
"Right." Mike's expression shutters. "Of course." Will walks back into the dining hall on shaking legs. Carlton smiles when he sees him, completely oblivious, and Will feels guilt curl in his stomach.
Later that night, in Carlton's bed while he hugs Will to sleep, he stares at the ceiling and thinks about Mike.
Mike's touch on his arms, Mike's curly hair, Mike's eyes and his stupid freckles.
He feels like he's betraying Carlton just by thinking about it.
The fourth time, the laundromat.
It's past ten when Will grabs his laundry basket and heads to the basement laundromat hoping it'll be empty.
It's not.
Mike is there, transferring his wet clothes to a dryer. He looks up when Will enters and his face lights up for a moment.
"Hey," Mike says, casual.
"Hey." Will chooses a washer on the opposite side of the room, the one on top. He can feel Mike watching him as he loads his clothes.
The washer starts its cycle. He considered leaving and coming back later to grab his clothes just to avoid being alone with Mike, but since his clothes were already in the dryer, he supposed Mike would be leaving soon. So he decided to make an effort to stay.
Will sits on the bench and opens the book he was carrying in his now empty laundry basket.
Mike finishes with his dryer and instead of leaving, he sits on the bench too. Not on the other end. Right next to Will, close, their thighs lightly pressed.
"What are you reading?" Mike asks.
Will hesitates before talking. "Dance on my grave."
"What's it about?" Will glances at him. Mike is looking at the book in his lap, but he's sitting too close, his body angled toward Will.
"It's for class." Lie, again. Since when did Will lie that much? Since when did he lie to Mike? "It's about... It doesn't matter."
Mike nods. Will continues to stare at the book. They sit in silence except for the rumble of washers and dryers.
"I'm sorry..." Mike says suddenly. "For being weird. For making things awkward."
"You're not—"
"I am." Mike turns to face him properly. "I know I am. I just..." He stops.
"You just what?" Will asks.
"I miss my best friend." He finally says.
Will's chest aches. There is an overwhelming silence in the room and Will only feels the lump in his throat and how his eyes itch. On the other hand, Mike is terrified. He's not very good at expressing his feelings and saying this out loud is complicated.
"I miss you too." Will finally turns to look at him, Mike doesn't miss his glassy eyes.
"Yeah?" Mike could finally breathe, those seconds of silence felt like ages.
"Yeah." Mike smiles, so does Will. A genuine smile for the first time in weeks.
Mike's hand comes to rest on Will's knee. Just rests there, his palm warm through Will's jeans. It could be friendly, but both of them know the truth.
"Mike—" Will says. His voice comes out breathless.
"Hmm?" Mike's hand doesn't move. If anything, he presses a little firmer.
"What are you doing?"
"I don't know." Mike's voice sounds sincere while he looks into his eyes gently moving his thumb in circles. It's a simple touch, but at the same time it feels so... intimate.
Will looks down at Mike's hand on his knee. His heart is trying to break out of his chest. This is wrong, he has a boyfriend. He shouldn't let Mike touch him like this and he definitely shouldn't want it the way he does.
Will stands abruptly. Mike's hand falls away.
"My washer is done," Will lies.
"Will—"
"I should go. Carlton is probably wondering where I am."
Not again.
"Is he?" Mike stands too. "Because you've only came downstairs to do some laundry and he's probably asleep."
"So?"
"So he's not wondering where you are!" Mike takes a step closer. "You're avoiding me. Again."
"I'm not—"
"You are." Another step. "Every time I get close, you run. Why is that?"
"I'm not running, Michael." Will's back hits the wall. He didn't realize he'd been backing up.
"Please, don't say my name like that." Mike says with disappointment in his voice. "Why are you distancing yourself from me?" Mike is now looking at Will with those sad puppy eyes.
"Because you're confusing me! Because I don't understand what you're doing or why you're doing it."
Mike is right in front of him now, eyes wide open because of Will's words. His hand comes up to the wall beside Will's head, not touching it but close enough that Will feels caged in.
"Mike, stop."
"Stop what?"
"This. Whatever this is."
"I'm not doing anything." But Mike's eyes drop to Will's mouth, then back up.
Will's breathing has gone shallow. Mike is close enough that Will could count his freckles, close enough that if Will leaned forward just a few inches their lips would touch.
"I have a boyfriend" Will says. It comes out as a plea.
Mike's hand drops. He steps back, the loss of proximity making Will feel cold.
"Yeah, you keep reminding me."
Will grabs his laundry basket —his clothes are still in the washer but he doesn't care— and leaves without looking back.
The fifth time felt like an avalanche and it was in their dorm.
Will has been sleeping at Carlton's for two weeks straight. He only comes back to their room when he knows Mike has class. That's way easier than dealing with whatever is happening between them.
He needs to grab clean clothes and some books. He can't postpone it any longer, so he hopes Mike is asleep.
He's not.
Mike is at his desk when Will unlocks the door. He turns when Will enters and they stare at each other. Mike looks miserable. Dark circles under his eyes and a face that screams that he hasn't slept in ages.
"Thought you'd be asleep" Will says.
"Couldn't." Will goes to his desk, starts looking for his books. He can feel Mike watching him.
"You know you're still paying for half this room, right?" Mike says. "But you're never here. All your stuff is here, your bed has been made for weeks."
"Mike—"
"Do you know what that's like?" Mike stands up. "Living in this space that's supposed to be ours but you'd rather be anywhere else." Will tries to speak, but Mike cuts him off.
"We've been planning to go to college together since we were like ten, we dreamed of sharing a room together! And now you can't even spend an hour here.
"I can stand to be around you—"
"You can't even sleep here." Mike's voice rises. "You'd rather cram into Carlton's tiny single than share this room with me. You can't even look at me right now."
"Because you make it weird!" Will spins around to face him. "Because every time I'm around you, you do these things and I don't know what they mean and it's driving me crazy!"
Mike stares at him. "What things?"
"You touch me. You look at me. You—" Will's voice cracks. "You make me feel things I shouldn't feel when I have a boyfriend."
Mike goes very still, his mouth slightly parted. "What kind of things?"
"It doesn't matter."
"It matters to me." Mike takes a step closer. "Tell me what kind of things."
"No."
"Will, please–"
“I can’t, okay? I can’t say it out loud because that makes it real, and I can’t—” Will is breathing hard now. “I have Carlton. I have someone who wants me and isn’t afraid of it. And you… you said ‘best friends’ in that power station, and I still remember it. It's etched in my mind. You said best friends, and I tried so hard to accept it because I preferred that to losing you. And then I finally moved on, and now you're doing this, and I don't understand why.”
"Maybe I was wrong." Mike says quietly.
"What?"
"In the power station. Maybe I was wrong." Mike is right in front of him now. "Maybe I should have said something else."
Will's heart stops. "Don't."
"Don't what?"
"Don't say things you don't mean. Don't mess with my head. I'm happy now and you're confused."
"Am I? Because from where I'm standing, you don't look happy."
"I am happy—" Mike's hand rises to Will's face.
"Are you?" He gently places his hand on Will's cheekbone. "So that's why you avoid me? Why you can't sleep here anymore? Why you look at me like—"
"Like what?" Will whispers.
"Like you want me to touch you." Mike's hand slides to the back of Will's neck. His fingers tangle in his hair. "Like you want me to..."
Will shoves him. Hard. Mike stumbles back, surprised.
"No." Will says. "You don't get to do this, not now. Not after years of nothing. Not after I finally..." Tears burn his eyes. "You don't get to suddenly decide you want me now that someone else does."
"Will—"
Will's voice breaks. "I've finally gotten over you and found someone who isn't complicated. Who doesn't make me feel crazy. And you're ruining it."
Each word felt like a dart to Mike's heart, but he was right, it was his fault. His fault for taking so long to realize, for taking so long to act.
"Then we're both going crazy." Those simple words knocked the breath out of Will. "But we'll go crazy together, right?"
Something stirred within Will. Hearing Mike say that struck a chord inside him, a special chord that made something move. Years had passed and Mike still remembered it, that made Will's heart race.
"I'm going to Carlton's." Will grabs his textbooks almost stumbling. "And when I come back, we're going to pretend this didn't happen. We're going to go back to being roommates who barely talk because that's easier than—than whatever this is."
He leaves, slamming the door. Mike doesn't try to stop him.
Will can't even take seven steps, he needs to stop and lean against a wall to try to catch his breath. His neck still burns where Mike touched him.
He goes to Carlton's, who is already asleep. Will climbs into bed beside him and Carlton automatically curls around him. Will lies awake until dawn, thinking about Mike's hand in his hair and all the things he said.
And one time he didn't push Mike.
Will hasn't seen Mike since that night in their room. Mike has been avoiding him now. He's always gone when Will comes by.
Will should let it go. Should pack for winter break and go back to Hawkins with Carlton's goodbye kiss still on his lips.
He should spend time with his mom and Jonathan, with Hopper too. He might even talk to Max and try to convince her to hang out with her and Lucas without Mike showing up. He'd see Dustin too. And of course, he'd hang out with Robin and tell her all about this just so he could finally get it off his chest.
But Will won't let it go.
Instead he's in front of the dorm door. He sighs before entering.
Mike is alone, writing something while sitting at his desk, he looks exhausted.
Will stands in the doorway and Mike's head snaps up. For a moment they just stare at each other.
"What are you doing here?" Mike asks.
"Looking for you." Mike frowns in surprise.
"Why?"
Will steps into the room. "Because I can't leave things like this. Not for three weeks.
"You know we live in the same town, right?" Will rolls his eyes. Mike sets down his pencil. "Will, if you're here to tell me to back off again—"
"I'm not." Will takes a breath. "I need you to explain why you've been acting like this. Because I can't figure it out and it's driving me insane."
Mike laughs, but there's no humor in it. "You really don't know?"
"No. I don't. One minute you're distant and cold, the next you're touching me and saying confusing shit, and I don't know what any of it means."
"What do you think it means?" Mike's voice has gone rough. "What do you think I've been trying to tell you?"
"I don't know! That's why I'm asking!"
"Jesus, Will." Mike takes off his glasses and places them on the desk while running a hand over his face. "I've been... I've been trying to show you. Without actually saying it. Because I'm a coward and I'm scared and I don't know how to..." He stops. Takes a breath. "Look, Will, I– What I'm trying to say is that I like you. I've had feelings for you for years and seeing you with him is killing me."
The words hang in the air between them. Will can't breathe.
"What?" It comes out as barely a whisper.
"You heard me." Mike won't look at him now. "I know it's fucked up. I know I don't have the right to feel this way. You're happy with Carlton and I should just—I should be happy for you. But I can't. I can't watch you with him and pretend it doesn't make me want to..."
"The power station." Will says. "When you said best friends—"
"I was terrified." Mike finally looks at him. "I knew what you were talking about was me, your Tammy. And I wanted to say something else, wanted to tell the truth, but I was still—I was with El and I was so fucking scared because I liked her, I promise I did, but I also liked you. I didn’t know that could be a thing but in the back of my mind I knew that what I felt for you was different. And then she died and I thought maybe I could finally tell you because I know she would've wanted that for us, but by then you'd already... you'd already found Carlton."
Mike's words tumble from his mouth in a rush, one after the other, his eyes filled with tears. Will is shocked. "So these past months..."
"I was trying to make you see, without actually saying it. Because I thought—" Mike laughs bitterly with a tear falling down his cheek. "I thought maybe if you felt it too, you'd say something first. So I wouldn't have to risk—" He stops. "But you just kept pushing me away. And I get it, you're with him. You're happy and I'm too late.
Will's hands are trembling. His heart is racing so fast he feels dizzy. Mike loves him. Has loved him for years. All this time he thought he was alone in it, that he was crazy for wanting Mike, and Mike felt the same way.
"Say something," Mike says quietly. "Please."
Will crosses the room in four strides. Mike's eyes widen as Will covers him in a tight hug while resting his head on his shoulder.
Mike doesn't have time to ask when he feels his shoulder wet before Will shoves him. Hard. Mike's back hits the wall.
"You fucking idiot," Will says, his voice shaking. "You complete fucking idiot."
"I know—"
"Five years." Will shoves him again. "Five years I watched across the room. Five years I thought you didn't... I saw you with someone else just because it made you happy while I was dying inside." His voice cracks. "And you felt the same way the whole time?"
"Will—"
"And then I finally moved on. Finally found someone else. And you decide now is the time to—" Will's fists are gripping Mike's shirt.
"You're the worst, Michael. You're—"
Mike's hands come up to cover Will's where they're clutching his shirt. "I know, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
Will is crying now, frustrated angry tears. "I hate that I couldn't move on. I hate that even with Carlton, all I could think about was you."
"Will..." Mike breathes.
They're standing so close. Will can feel him shaking, can see tears in his eyes too.
"I have a boyfriend" Will says. But it comes out weaker than ever.
"I know." Mike says with a parted voice.
"I should... I should push you away. Like I did every other time."
"Yeah." Mike's hands are still covering Will's. "You should."
"I can't." Will whispers. "I can't do it anymore." Mike's hand comes up to Will's throat, fingers finding the padlock there. For a moment he just holds it, and Will can feel his hand trembling.
"I hate this." Mike says roughly. "I hate that it's here, that he gave it to you."
His fingers tighten on the chain and then he yanks, hard. The chain snaps. The padlock hits the floor with a clatter. Will gasps. Mike is staring at him with something feral in his eyes, breathing hard.
"I'm sorry." Mike says. "I'll buy you something better. Something that means—" Will cuts him off by grabbing Mike's shirt and pulling him down into a kiss.
Mike freezes for half a second, then makes a broken sound and kisses back desperately. His hands come up to cup Will's face and Will opens his mouth under Mike's and it's everything, it's too much, it's not enough. Way too much years of yearning.
They break apart, both breathing hard. Mike's forehead drops to rest against Will's.
"We shouldn't." Mike says, even as his hands slide into Will's hair. "You're still—"
"I know." Will's hands are fisted in Mike's shirt. "I know. But I can't... I've wanted this for so long."
"Me too." Mike kisses him again, softer this time. "God, Will, me too."
Will pulls back just enough to look at him. "I have to tell Carlton. End things properly, he deserves that."
"Yeah." Mike's thumb strokes across Will's cheek. "Do you want me to wait outside? While you—"
"No." Will kisses him again. "It's better if I go alone." Mike nods and Will turns to go find Carlton before he leaves for break.
Mike grabs his arm and Will turns to look at him, confused.
"Will?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you." Butterflies fluttered in Will's stomach like never before.
After so many years, Mike felt safe enough to say those words to him. Words he knew Mike didn't even tell his mother. Will knows how hard it is for him to express his feelings, but today Mike Wheeler showed how brave he is.
He's the same brave paladin he was when they played D&D as kids, the heart, he's always been the brave one, even if it took him a few years to show it. The real Mike was always there, he just needed to stop being so god damn scared, because he already had all the answers.
Will gives him another kiss. But this one is more special, slower, more intimate. One in which they both know they've taken a big step and that what they feel for each other is real.
They both break apart from the kiss with the biggest idiotic grins, now Will walks towards the door, but stops in the frame before leaving.
"Mike?"
"What?"
"Yeah, crazy together." And a huge smile adorns Mike's face. He remembers.