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Mike wasn’t sure he’d ever been this frustrated before in his life. He had been so excited to get to see his friends again during winter break. Everyone had gone to college in different places, and the chance to hang out, play DnD, and catch up had been right there now that everyone was back in Hawkins for the holidays. He had practically been dreaming about it. Now they weren’t having any fun because of some guy Will had brought with him. Something about his part-time job schedule and finals and flights not lining up, so now Will’s friend Carlton was in Hawkins for Christmas. Which would be fine, except he kept taking away all of Will’s attention and ruining their plans and-
“Uh, Mike? You good, dude?”
Mike whipped his head around to see Lucas staring at him with his best ‘what’s wrong with you’ face. Mike was beginning to think he had an actual problem - Lucas had given him that look five times in the last week.
But really, it wasn’t his fault his face had no filter. The rest of the world was the problem, including this idiotic guy currently lounging on a couch in his basement.
“Mike?” Lucas waved his hand in front of Mike’s face, setting down his chip bag on the coffee table in front of them.
“What?” Mike snapped, suddenly feeling irritated that Lucas was interrupting his brooding. They weren’t really doing much else. Even El and Max were having their own conversation in the corner and generally ignoring the rest of the group.
“Are you okay? You keep glaring at Carlton.”
Mike glanced over at Carlton. He and Will were sitting on the couch across the basement from Lucas and Mike, staring into each other’s eyes and talking about something that Mike was sure was very stupid. Not that Will was stupid, but he was too nice for his own good and would never tell his new college friend that he was incredibly stupid.
Will was never stupid.
“I just, like, who is this guy?”
Lucas blinked at him like he was waiting for him to add some kind of explanation to his, admittedly slightly confusing, question. When it became clear Mike wasn’t going to say anything else, he awkwardly cleared his throat and said, “Will’s friend? He met him at a class? He’s here because he couldn’t make it back to his own family in New York? He said that when they got here?”
Mike really wished Lucas would stop staring at him with this much blatant concern and confusion, however friendly it might be. Especially now that Dustin had begun to tune into the conversation, pausing his own chip-eating and looking equally disturbed. Mike wasn’t going insane. He knew it. Carlton was weird and annoying and kept staring at Will like he understood him more than anyone else, which couldn’t possibly be true. Mike knew Will the best. He always had, no offense to Lucas or Dustin. Carlton didn’t even begin to stack up against him, but clearly Carlton didn’t know that. He should definitely know that.
“Well yeah, I know that. I just don’t trust him.” Mike was desperately trying to explain this in a way that made any sort of sense, which was hard because it didn’t even make sense to him. There wasn’t any real reason to hate Carlton as much as he did, except for his stupid jacket, and his weird looking hair, and his obnoxious laugh that made Mike want to strangle him a little bit. Not to mention the way he made Will laugh like he knew anything about him. Really, who did he think he was?
Dustin looked over at Carlton, fully absorbed in whatever conversation he and Will were having, before turning back to the group. “Any reason why?”
“You’re telling me you do trust him?” Mike felt like pulling his own hair out at this point. How did they not get it?
“I mean, I wouldn’t trust him with my life or anything, but he doesn’t seem untrustworthy,” Dustin explained. Lucas nodded along.
“Really?” Mike glanced around at both his friends, at Max and El talking from some chairs in their corner, and finally at Will and Carlton, before grabbing his chip bag with slightly too much force and shoving a chip in his mouth.
“I think you may have finally lost it, dude.” Dustin looked like he was trying to keep it together and not burst out laughing, which just made Mike feel worse. This really was a horrible night.
“Yeah, honestly Carlton seems really nice.” Lucas’ addition was only worsening things. Carlton wasn’t nice. But Lucas and Dustin seemed to think so, which meant that either they were insane or Mike was. Mike didn’t like those odds.
“Really, I don’t get why you hate the guy,” Dustin said around a mouthful of chips. “You’ve said like four words to him and met him five hours ago.”
At that moment, Carlton said something and Will burst out laughing, smiling brightly. Mike would give anything to know what Carlton could have possibly said to make Will smile like that.
“Who does he think he is anyway? He thinks he knows Will so well, I bet he doesn’t even know Will’s favorite color. Or his shoe size.” At this point Mike knew he was grasping at straws, but he really couldn’t shake the feeling of distrust toward Carlton.
Lucas blinked at him again. “Mike, why do you know Will’s shoe size?”
Mike glanced between Lucas and Dustin like it should be obvious. “Remember when we made the DnD costumes?”
“In sixth grade?” Lucas looked genuinely concerned for Mike now. Mike really didn’t get what the problem was. He just cared about his friend and wanted what was best for him. Which was definitely not Carlton.
“Yeah?”
“Mike, you do realize that people’s shoe sizes change between sixth grade and freshman year of college, right?” Lucas said it slowly, like he was talking to a five year old. Mike was now starting to get really pissed off. Obviously he knew that.
“Well duh, but now his feet are the same size as mine, and I’m a size 12. So he probably is too.”
Dustin looked slightly weirded out. “Why are you staring at Will’s feet that much? Do you stare at my feet that much?”
“What?”
“Don’t look at my feet, Wheeler!” Dustin tucked his socked feet in between the couch cushions, knocking over a few bags of chips in his haste that the three of them picked up while Mike stammered through an explanation.
“Why would I look at your feet, Dustin?”
“I don’t know, why are you looking at Will’s?”
“I’m just being a good best friend! Best friends should know these things about each other! Why aren’t you being a better friend, Dustin?” Mike was hopelessly trying to distract Dustin with anything else. He was feeling very warm all of a sudden and really just wanted this conversation to end.
Dustin opened his mouth before pausing and closing it again. “I actually don’t have a response to that.”
“You know what? I’m going to go check.” Mike jumped up and marched across the basement to the stairs, picking up one of Will’s sneakers. This would surely prove that he was being normal (and that he was right) and then they could all move on.
“Mike, this really isn’t necessary,” Lucas tried. “We get it, you know Will’s shoe size. Come back.”
Mike ignored Lucas and looked into the battered sneaker, finding the small tag sewn into the sole. There, printed in black, was a slightly faded 12. “Ha! I was right! Size 12, baby!”
Mike looked up at Lucas and Dustin triumphantly to find Will and Carlton also staring at him. Will looked generally confused and slightly amused, while Carlton looked like he was beginning to wonder why he agreed to follow Will to Hawkins for winter break. Max and El were also staring from their corner.
Mike sheepishly set down the shoe, clearing his throat awkwardly in the silent room.
“O-kay,” Lucas said, breaking the tension a little. “Sure, you win. You know Will’s shoe size. My bad I guess for not knowing, like a normal person.”
Mike wanted to move back to the couch, but he couldn’t move. It was like he was pinned in place by Will’s curious stare. His heart was racing and his face was on fire. Hopefully this would all just be over soon.
Dustin suddenly perked up. “I mean, to be fair, I know Suzie’s shoe size.”
“You do?” Lucas now turned his confused look to Dustin.
“Yeah, she’s a 7 ½.” Dustin turned back to his chips, ignoring Lucas’ look of absolute bewilderment.
“Why do all of you suddenly know each other’s shoe sizes?” Lucas seemed at the end of his wits, which was fair. Mike knew the feeling of missing something his friends seemed to all understand - the latest being Carlton, who was still staring at the interaction with some kind of vague confused look that Mike didn’t really understand or care about.
“Oh come on Lucas,” Max spoke up all of a sudden. “What’s my shoe size, Mr. Thirteen?” She stared directly at him and for a moment Lucas seemed to be floundering for literally any number under fifteen.
“Six?”
“No!” Max stared daggers at him before picking up the pillow sitting on the floor next to her and chucking it at Lucas’ head. He squeaked and dodged it, letting it hit Dustin, who shouted out several insults and grabbed the pillow, whacking Lucas square in the face with it. Lucas yelled back and the two of them started reaching for more pillows when Will interrupted them.
“So!” Will shouted out. “Uh. Dustin. How’s Chicago?”
Dustin opened his mouth to answer, but before he could Mike shouted out, “Will! What’s my shoe size?” Now he had a point to prove, and he had to make sure everyone knew he wasn’t the crazy one here. Or mostly Lucas at this point.
“Twelve,” Will answered immediately. He clearly had no idea how much this mattered or why Mike was even asking, but he answered anyway.
Mike felt like he was flying. Or on fire. Possibly both. Definitely high on adrenaline, but he wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t important right now. Will was staring directly into his eyes and he could barely breathe. “What’s Carlton’s shoe size?” For a moment Mike forgot that anyone else was in the room at all. It was just him and Will and this very strange conversation.
“I don’t know, like a ten?” Will glanced sideways at Carlton, who still seemed very confused. Mike wished Will was still looking at him.
“I’m a size fourteen actually,” Carlton mumbled. He looked down at his shoes, which were very much larger than size ten. Will looked back up at Mike, and his vision laser focused on Will again.
Mike really was flying now. He almost jumped in pure joy, which wouldn’t really make sense, but he felt like doing it anyway. It didn’t matter if he looked insane now. Will was looking at him like only he mattered and Mike had proven that he knew Will the best, which they already knew of course, but now they had solid proof.
“Why does any of this matter,” Lucas interrupted, causing Mike’s floating brain to come to a screeching halt.
“Because, Lucas,” Max practically shouted, leaning forward in her chair, “it’s the little things that matter in a relationship.”
Lucas looked utterly lost about what to say to make this situation better, and he settled on death glaring at Mike as if it was somehow his fault.
Carlton cleared his throat. “So is this a thing you guys do often or is today just special? Because I feel like most people don’t compare and quiz each other on shoe sizes at hang outs. But maybe that’s just me. I don’t know if things are different in Indiana? Or something?”
Mike couldn’t tell if Carlton was genuinely asking or making fun of him. Either way he had no business inserting himself into their conversation.
Max snorted. “Depends on what you mean. Comparing shoe sizes? No, today’s special. Mike freaking out about something weird and making it everyone else’s problem? Literally all the time.”
“Hey!” Mike glared at her, but Max just shrugged, looking not at all apologetic. El laughed and gave Max a high five. Traitors.
“Right,” Carlton nodded to himself. “Of course.”
Was he making fun of them? Was he making fun of Will? Mike almost asked him, but before he got a chance Lucas was suddenly shooting up out of his seat and shouting about needing to be home half an hour ago.
Mike looked up at the clock and noticed it was already almost 11pm.
“Oh, I should probably also go home. It’s late,” El said. She stood up and walked over to the stairs to put on her shoes.
Quickly the rest of the group dispersed, putting on shoes and ascending the stairs. Mike followed everyone upstairs, holding the door open as everyone left the house. Mike smiled politely at everyone, even Carlton. He was staying in the only hotel in Hawkins, which was mostly used by visiting friends or the odd reporter, trying to dig up new information about the ‘mysterious lab and military presence in Hawkins’. Mike was just glad he was gone.
Finally just Will remained. He had gone to the phone to call Joyce so she could pick him up.
The house was silent. Karen and Ted were asleep, Holly was at a friend’s house, and Nancy couldn’t make it back for the holidays because of some big thing she was doing for her job. Mike didn’t really get it, but he never fully understood what she did anyway so he didn’t spend too long thinking about it.
“Yeah, okay, thanks. Love you too, Jonathan. Bye.” Will hung up the phone and turned toward Mike. “He’ll be here in twenty minutes. My mom is apparently busy with some project. I honestly don’t want to know.” He laughed a little, which Mike returned.
“Cool.” Mike nodded, smiling. His face was still burning, so he hoped Will hadn’t noticed.
“So was there a reason you were obsessed with my shoe size earlier?” Will asked, leaning against the kitchen counter. A soft smile spread across his face as he stared at Mike. Mike was sure Will was staring into his very soul. Every time Will looked at him he knew he was seeing the real him. Past all the facades, past every wall he’d put up over the years. Just him. It was both comforting and terrifying.
Mike wasn’t entirely sure how to answer. He didn’t want Will to think he hated his friend, even if it was partially true. But he couldn’t exactly make something up. Will would see right through that immediately.
“Mike?” Will’s smile dropped a bit. No, that wasn’t right. The smile should come back. Mike always made Will smile.
“Sorry,” Mike breathed out. He swallowed and took a deep breath. “I just. Well, it’s kind of stupid. I was talking to Lucas and Dustin about how Carlton doesn’t even know you. He doesn’t know your favorite color, which is yellow, or your favorite candy, which is Reese’s pieces, or your favorite song, which is Should I Stay or Should I Go. And then I said that he doesn’t know your shoe size, and Lucas was looking at me like I’m insane, so I had to prove it. I checked your actual shoe, and I was right. We’re both size twelve. Carlton doesn’t know that.”
Will had a strange look on his face, as if he were processing something and it was very difficult. “Mike,” Will said slowly. “Were you jealous?” He smiled like he knew something Mike didn’t. This was a very strange night. They never had secrets. They were best friends and told each other everything, yet Will clearly had a secret. Mike was definitely going insane.
“Me? Jealous? Why would I be jealous? You’re allowed to have other friends, Will. You should!” Mike took a step forward so he could see Will’s eyes better. They were a brownish hazel, which of course Mike already knew. He just wanted to make sure Will understood that Mike wasn’t trying to be some kind of insane best friend that didn’t want Will to have any other friends. He did. Just not Carlton.
“Mike, this is textbook jealousy. You were upset because you thought that Carlton knows me better than you do, so you had to prove it wasn’t true.” Will smiled wide again and Mike suddenly felt significantly better. Except he didn’t because this wasn’t something to be smiling about. “You do realize that no one could ever know me better than you do?”
“Of course,” Mike responded without a second of hesitation. Of course he knew that. His world practically began and ended with Will, who else could know the man standing in front of him better? That’s just what best friends did. That’s why they were best friends with each other and no one else.
Will took a step toward Mike, pushing off the counter. They were only about two feet away from each other now. Mike’s mouth suddenly felt very dry and his stomach was doing flips. But that sometimes happened when he was around Will, so he wasn’t entirely surprised. It’s just what happened with best friends, he was sure. True best friends - after all, this didn’t happen with Lucas or El or any of their other friends.
“Good.” Will leaned even further into Mike’s space, and if he wasn’t so entranced by Will’s existence Mike would probably be wondering why. As it was, his only thoughts were entirely occupied by Will - his hazel eyes that contained millions of thoughts and emotions, his soft fluffy hair that had finally been freed from those bowl cuts once Will went to college, his lips that were suddenly only a few inches away from Mike’s. He wondered what it would be like to kiss them. Maybe he could. They were so close. It would be so easy.
Wait. What? He couldn’t kiss Will. Will was a boy. That didn’t make any sense. Why did he want to kiss Will?
“Mike?” Mike realized he’d shut his eyes tight in an attempt to stop his spiraling thoughts and blinked them open. Will was looking at him, seemingly studying every inch of Mike’s face. Mike felt Will’s hand on his shoulder. “Mike, are you okay?” And really, he was right there. Just a few inches from his own face.
“Can I kiss you?” Mike rushed out. He had to say it before he chickened out and lived without knowing if Will wanted to kiss him too for the rest of his life.
Will blinked at him for a moment before his face split into a small grin. “Yes.” His eyes practically sparkled as he stared into Mike’s.
Mike wasn’t sure who moved first, but in a moment there wasn’t any space between them and Will’s lips were on his. It was like everything finally clicked into place. This was what he had been missing his whole life. He gripped onto Will’s shirt and shoulders, scared that maybe he really was going insane and this was all some sort of elaborate dream or hallucination. But it wasn’t. This was real, Will was really kissing him. He was burning alive, but he would rather burn to death than let go of Will. Mike never wanted to stop kissing Will for as long as he lived.
Eventually Will pulled back and gasped a few times for air. His hair was slightly messed up from Mike’s hands. “Mike,” Will started between breaths.
“Will?” Mike kept his hands on Will’s neck, keeping them close.
“I really like you.” Will kept looking between Mike’s eyes and his lips, and Mike had never felt so high in his life. “Would you maybe want to go out with me? Like on a date?”
Mike quickly pressed a kiss to Will’s lips before nodding his head several times and rushing out a yes.
Will leaned back in and then they were kissing again. How had they ever not done this? This was perfect.
A sudden knock on the front door shocked them out of their haze. They leapt apart, but not too far. Mike never wanted Will far from him again. He looked at Will’s face to see that his hair was even further messed up and his lips were red. Mike was sure he looked the same.
“That’s probably Jonathan.” Will swallowed and shuffled one foot toward the door. “I should-”
“Yeah, totally.” Mike stepped toward the door, pausing just a foot away. “I’ll, um, see you tomorrow?”
Will nodded. “Yeah! Of course.” He leaned forward, kissing Mike one more time.
A second knock sounded on the door, making them both jump again and laugh.
“Goodnight, Mike.” Will smiled and reached for the doorknob.
“Goodnight, Will.”
Will opened the door to Jonathan Byers, who looked between the two of them for a solid three seconds before even blinking. He visibly forced himself to clear his throat and turn to Will with a normal expression.
“There you are! I’ve been waiting out here for like five minutes,” Jonathan said. “Hey, Mike.”
“Hi Jonathan.” Mike waved a little awkwardly.
“Alright, let’s go. It’s late.” Jonathan walked back to the car, getting in the driver’s seat and starting the car.
“Bye,” Will whispered, smiling at Mike. He turned and seemed to float down the driveway, getting in the car and smiling back at Mike as it disappeared around the corner into the dark.
Mike sighed and shut the door, still feeling Will’s lips on his. He drifted back to his room, falling onto his bed and smiling at one of Will’s drawings on the wall. It was of the Party fighting a monster. Will had drawn it back in seventh grade, and it had lived in Mike’s room ever since.
He fell asleep with a smile on his face.