Chapter Text
All of Mike’s evening classes get canceled due to the upcoming snow storm, so being the good friend he is, he drives to he and Will’s favorite pizzeria (definitely not because he has a big fat crush on Will Byers). He rounds the corner to see the small, worn down shop, windows frosted from the cold. Mike walks in and orders their usual, a large meat lovers pizza. Mike guesses Will hadn’t eaten much all day, considering the fact that he’d been stressed about finals for the past few weeks.
Mike starts his cold car and makes his way over to he and Will’s shared dorm. This is their second year of college, also marking their second year rooming together. He’d always dreamed about living with Will as a kid, and was thrilled when Will asked to room with him. Mike was used to arriving home to one of Will’s new art assignments propped up on an easel right in the middle of their living room with Will sitting on a stool in front of it, a concentrated look on his face. He expected today to be no different, except Will might be surprised to why Mike is home so early.
Like any other day, Mike sticks his key in the lock and turns it, expecting Will in the living room. He swings the door open, Will no where to be seen.
“Will?” Mike calls out.
No answer, except for some noises coming from Will’s room.
Mike creeps towards Will’s room, wanting to surprise him with the pizza. He looks so cute when he’s surprised. Will’s door is slightly open, a slight yellow glow seeping out from all the lamps Will has in his room. Eventually, Mike gets close enough to see inside of Will’s room.
Mike’s jaw drops open as he sees some random shirtless guy on top of Will, grasping him as if he’d run away. Now Mike isn’t homophobic or anything, but seeing this makes his stomach churn.
“Will! Shit! Sorry, I should’ve told you I was coming in-“
“Mike, it’s okay.” Will says, practically shooting up from his bed. The unknown man follows, quickly tugging his shirt back on.
“Who’s this guy?” Mike asks, shooting a look at the man.
“Oh. Um. This is Carlton.” He mumbles as Mike shoots another glance at him.
“Carlton? What kind of name is that?” Mike says, still glaring at Carlton.
At this point, Mike has completely forgotten about the pizza, setting it down on Will’s desk. Right now, he has to figure out who the fuck Carlton is, and why he’s shoving his tongue down his best friend’s throat.
“Mike! You’re being rude. Apologize to him.”
Why’s Will talking like that? He has every right to be rude. He just wanted to surprise his friend with pizza and now there’s a random dude in his dorm? If anything, he should be the one being apologized to. Just then, Mike notices Will’s stupid lock necklace and Carlton’s stupid key necklace. Are they dating? Why wouldn’t Will tell him?
“No! Why should I be the one to apologize when he’s over here acting like you’re all his!?”
“Sorry man, I’ll go. I don’t want to start any drama or anything.” Carlton says in a charming voice, walking towards the door.
Mike sends him another dirty look as he makes his way out of the dorm.
“What the hell was all that about?!” Will demands, not looking grateful at all that Mike brought him pizza.
“Well all of my evening classes got cancelled, and being the great friend I am, I got us pizza, just to get home to you sucking face with some rando!”
“How was I supposed to know you were coming home early? That doesn’t excuse the fact that you were being a total dick to him!”
Shit. Will’s mad at him now. Mike can’t lose Will again, but his mind is speaking for him.
“How was I being the dick? You saw him with that smug look on his face when he pulled his stupid shirt back on!”
“He didn’t even say anything until he politely excused himself out!”
“Well sorry for trying to protect you!”
Will looks really mad now, and Mike is really mad at himself. “Protect me from what?! Carlton? I’m not a small kid stuck in the upside down anymore Mike! I don’t need protecting!” Will exclaims as he storms back into his room and slams the door behind him.
Mike really fucked up.