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Mike had no idea how he’d gotten here. At one point he was in the back of Steves car in between Jonathan and Nancy, just there to help Dustin. Then the next moment they were in a church, listening to Dustin summarise something at Hawkins lab. Now he was walking alone in the forest, split up from the rest of the group. He could see a dim light, unusual for the dark atmosphere of the upside down. Light meant people. Mike wrapped his arms around his body, shivering slightly, how did Will put up with this?
Will… his best friend, the one who went missing five years ago and never came back. Lost, forgotten, but never to Mike. Mike agonised over Wills disappearance, his heart ached at all the things he never got to admit to him. He tried to forget — mourn the loss of his childhood love, but he could always feel Will there. Like he was nearer than he had thought. Maybe he was going crazy. Mike bites his lip and continues on, eyes darting around to be cautious of every single thing that moved.
He walks past more trees, and didn’t pay attention when he took a sharp turn past a thick tree. Mike found himself with the barrel of a shotgun pointed at him, he immediately stepped back and raised his hands. He could make out that whoever this is was around his age, not military. “Who are you.” The figure asks bluntly, keeping the gun trained on Mike with a stern footing.
“Uh.. Mike, Mike Wheeler.” Mike answers, and his answer must shock whoever this is because his grip loosens. The mysterious person lowers the gun.
“Mike?” He mumbles, pulling the bandana tied around his mouth to make a mask down. Mike can make out a jagged scar around his mouth, reaching from his lip to his chin and another to his cheekbone, one more that goes through his left eye. He looks familiar in a way.
“Yeah, and… who are you?” Mike asks skeptically, how does he know this isnt just one of Vecnas tricks? Trying to deceive him so he can kill him and use him in his army. Or something.
“Mike… it’s me.” He answers, and now Mike can hear that tone. His tone hasn’t changed after all these years. “Will.” The other confirms Mikes thoughts.
“Will? Jesus, is that really you?” Mike steps closer, and in the eye that isn’t scarred and hazy he can see the look in Wills eye he memorised so many times before. He looks so different now. Long brown hair, bangs cut unevenly but still resembling the bowl cut he used to have. His clothes were dark, a ‘The Clash’ shirt from Jonathans closet under a worn yellow plaid shirt. Some random black jumper that had small rips and unevenly sewn patches in the fabric over the top. The pants were baggy and dark too with dirt staining the cotton over boots Will had to have stolen.
“Of course it’s me,” Will answers, his gun is dropped to the ground. Mike can feel tears prick in his eyes as he falls into Wills arms. His head buried into Wills neck and his arms wrapped around his waist to keep him as close as possible. Mike feels Wills hands place themselves on his back and Wills head rest against Mikes.
“I thought you died… I thought- I thought I would never see you again.” Mike chokes into Wills shoulder.
“I know. I’m sorry that I couldn’t find a way out.” Will apologises, gently rubbing Mikes back. Mike shakes his head and looks up, sliding a hand to Wills cheek, his thumb rubbing over the scar.
“Don’t apologise, you’re here now… you’re with me.” Wills hand rests on Mikes, and he’s about to say something when a deep growl rumbles a few miles away. Mike turns around, terrified, and Will quickly grabs his gun from the ground. He takes ahold of Mikes hand and pulls him along with him. They run in between trees until Will groans and stops, Mike stumbles back as Will stands in front of him.
He cocks the gun and holds it up, aiming carefully. He pulls the trigger and a loud shot fires through the barrel into the darkness, Mike can hear a screech but he’s too focused on how Will handles a gun. The focused gaze and firm grip on the trigger sends a shiver down his spine. He’s snapped out of the daze when Will groans and drops the gun again, footsteps can be heard far off, the shot didn’t throw it off. “Will we need to go!” Mike tries to warn Will, to get him to keep running but Will doesnt move. He keeps his eyes trained on the monster approaching, his hand gently pushing Mike behind him and raising his hand, palm up, when the demogorgan comes into view.
The demogorgan starts levitating,its body twitching before snapping and dropping to the ground. Mike looks to Will, mesmerised, as Will drops his hand and wipes the blood from his nose before turning back to Mike. He’s about to speak before Mike has his arms wrapped around Will.
“You’re a cleric! A real life cleric!” He smiles as his fingers weave through Wills hair.
“Mike…” he whispers, a grin on his face as his arms find their place around Mikes shoulders.
“I can’t believe it! You- you have powers. Goddamn powers!” Mike mumbles into Wills shoulder, his tone captivated. “We’ll get out of here, together.” Mike pulls back.
“Yeah, together.” Will takes ahold of Mikes hand, bending down to grab his shotgun, then leads him through the forest to the light along the horizon. “I think the military base is our best chance of escape, they can lead us to a gate.” Will informs. Mike follows after Will wordlessly, holding onto his bandaged hand and walking alongside him towards the lights.
“So.. how did you survive after all this time?” Mike asks, glancing at Will. He looks so different now but underneath the scars and muscles he can tell it’s still Will. Still the same boy from 5 years ago who would giggle with Mike over dnd characters. Still the same boy who’d bike all the way across town when his dad got drunk and collapse into Mikes arms, trying to get away from the slurs.
“I stole food, water, and clothes from houses and stores.” Will admits, “I learnt how to use different kinds of guns, and the demogorgans patterns.” He looks down at his shoes.
“Wait, how did you know we called them demogorgans?”
“I could hear you, and our friends.” Will looks up to Mike. Mike nods, silently waiting for Will to keep talking. “After a while I knew how to outrun them, and that they hated heat. Bullets only work if they cause fires and can only throw them off, and they’re attracted to blood” Will lists.
“What about the scars?” The question slips out before Mike can stop it, Will looks over to him. “Shit, I mean… sorry.” He mutters.
“The mouth scar is from when i had to rip a tendril off my mouth, the eye is from when I was running from a demogorgan and it scratched me.” Will answers after a moment.
“You look good.” Mike spoke up.
“Good?”
“Yeah! Like cu- cool. You look cool.” Mike stammers, stepping over a thick vine running across the forest floor.
“Well… thank you.” Will smiles softly, they near the military base and crouch behind a large, jagged rock to avoid being seen by the watch towers.
“What do we do?” Mike looks to Will, one leg propped up while Will has his legs crossed. Back pack next to him along with the shotgun.
“Wait for a truck to leave, they always go the same way but I lose them before i can get on.” Will sighs, and unzips his bag.
“Why not use your powers to stop them?”
“Too obvious,” Will answers as he rummages through the bag and pulls out a half full water bottle. He takes a sip and hands it to Mike.
“Thanks,” Mike smiles, his fingers grazing Wills gently, he takes the bottle and sips from it. He hands it back to Will before speaking up. “I need you to know that… I never lost hope, I knew you were still out there, and I’m sorry. I-I’m sorry that I never looked hard enough for you.” Mike looks to Will.
“It’s ok, really. I didnt expect anyone to come find me here anyways.” He admits, fidgeting with the hem of his jumper sleeve. Mike looks down, biting his lip.
“I thought about you all the time.” Mike looks down at his lap, “It hurt to think that you were gone, that I’d never see you again.” He confesses. Looking up to find Wills gaze on him.
“At least we’re back together again.” Will smiles, Mike returns the grin and leans into Wills side. “So… what did you do while I was gone?” Will urges.
“Well, I tried dating. Her names Eleven, El for short, she reminds me of you actually.” Mike informs, not noticing the subtle disappointment on Wills expression. “And she was great, really great! But… we weren’t meant for each other. I love her, but I’m not in love with her. Y’know?” Mike sighs. Will nods, understanding Mike just like he did years ago. They don’t comprehend that they’re leaning into each other until a loud noise startles them and they pull apart.
Wills thankful for the darkness so Mike won’t see his blush as he turns to peek over the rock and see whats happening. “That isn’t military…” he murmurs, and Mikes peeking over the rock too. He sees three people rush out, one in what looks like camouflage, the other in an exercise outfit and the last is dressed in white. Mike can make out that its Hopper and El from the outfits.
“El! It’s El! Come on!” Mike grabs Wills hand and drags him up, Will barely has time to grab his bag before he’s being pulled along. “You know where its going, right?” He asks Will.
“Yeah, yeah of course.” Will stammers and leads Mike through the forest along the road but far in enough that they cant be seen. Will pauses when they make the wrong turn, “They’re going to the church?” Will questions.
“Can you still take us to them?” Mike asks.
“Yeah, of course. I need to stop them though…” Will mumbles, grabbing Mikes hand and rushing through a shortcut to come out at least a bit ahead. Will shuts his eyes and Mike hears the tires screech, him and Will walk out of the forest and to the road. Wills focus doesn’t loosen, even as they approach the truck. The window winds down.
“Mike? What the hell are you doing here?” Hopper asks, glancing at Will skeptically. He hasn’t clocked that it’s Will Byers yet.
“I got separated from Dustin, Nancy, Jonathan, and Steve.” Mike answers, Hopper huffs.
“Get in, kid. Both of you.” Hopper winds the window back up, Wills focus lets go and they climb in through the back. Mike extends his hand and Will takes it, pulling him up and they sit in the back, their shoulders touching.
“Mike, who is this?” El turns and looks at Mike.
“El, this is my… best friend Will.” The truck stops to a halt.
“Will? Will Byers?” Hopper turns to look behind him. Will nods. “Oh kid… I’m so sorry we couldn’t find you, if I knew you were alive I would’ve-“ Hoppers cut off by Will.
“Its ok, really. I’m still here after all.” Will assures, leaning back before turning his gaze to El.
“It is nice to meet you, Will. This is Kali” El smiles, gesturing to the girl behind her and Will returns the smile as the truck continues, he leans into Mikes side and Mike wraps an arm over Wills shoulder, a silent offer of support. The relief he feels to know that Will is back by his side, in his arms, is almost overwhelming. He doesn’t want to ever leave Wills side, to let him disappear again and not be there to make him feel safe. He wants to feel like they’re kids again, when Will would flinch at the thunder and huddle closer to Mike during sleepovers. Seeking comfort from him once more.
The truck eventually stops and car doors open and shut, Will has to force himself up from Mikes side so they can get out. Mike and Will linger behind the group, their shoulders brush. El, Hopper, and Kali stay outside the church to talk(or argue) and the two sit down on one of the benches. “I still can’t believe you survived after all this time.” Mike breaks the silence. “I mean… not that you aren’t strong, you are, totally! I just- it’s the upside down…” Mike is cut off but Will snickering.
“It’s ok, I get what you mean. Honestly, I’m a bit surprised too.” Will shakes his head softly, fingers toying with the hem of his coat. Mike takes a deep breath.
“With you gone, it felt like my life kind of… paused. I mean, with you gone I was so unsure of what to do with myself. It felt so weird to not go to school with you, or talk to you, or have you at our DND campaigns.” Mike voiced, Will looks up from the floor. “And our friends are great, really, but… Hawkins isn’t the same without you. Everything is so different when you aren’t there, with me.” Mike finally looks up and meets Wills eyes.
“Honestly, I’ve been thinking of you too. I wondered if you’d ever find me, and I think that I always knew that if anyone did find me… it would be you.” Will avowed, he elbow brushing against Mikes as he looks away. “And… I’ve been thinking about other things.” A faint blush covers his cheeks as he says this, he gets the courage to look up at Mike. Before Mike can fully process it, Will has leaned in and gently pressed their lips together. A pleasant, soft feeling tingles at Mikes lips and sends shockwaves through his nerves. But just as quickly as it happened, it’s gone. “God, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have…” Will stumbles over his words before he stands up.
He starts to rush away, avoiding any kind of contact altogether, but Mikes hand is on Wills wrist. He’s standing with him now, his focus is completely on Will as his other hand is pulling Will closer by his hip. Mike and Wills lips lock once again, years of yearning and unspoken want poured into the contact. Mike lets go off his careful grip on Wills wrist to circle his arms around Wills waist. Hands find their way to the crook of Mikes neck, letting their lips move together, almost like its instinct. Will tilts his head to the side, a hand running up to Mikes curls. They pull away only for air, and foreheads press together as they take shaky breaths.
They pull away just as El enters, “There is a gate open, come on!” She urges and they rush out. The opening gleams red, Hopper and Kali already made it through, Wills hand laces together with Mikes as they rush to the gate. El slips through with them and the entrance closes behind them. Will lets out a shaky breath as relief washes over him, his hand is still in Mikes while they climb into the backseat of a car. Will looks out of the window, taking in the change that Hawkins had while he was gone, before exhaustion settles in and he falls asleep against Mikes shoulder.
Mike looks down at Will when he feels pressure against his shoulder, smiling softly when he notices the slow, even breathing. A hand gently moving through his grown out hair. He only wakes Will up once the car stops outside of WSQK, gently nudging Will. They get out of the car, Mike shutting the door behind himself as Will rushes to hug Joyce.
“Will, you’re alive!” Joyce sobs into her son’s shoulder, Will whispers comforting words to her as he holds her tight. A few minutes pass before everyone is inside, Mike takes some of his clothes from a shelf in the basement, something he keeps just in case. He turns back to Will and hands them to over.
“I think they’ll fit.” Mike murmurs, Will accepts them gratefully.
“Thank you,” he answers before putting them down on a chair, beginning to take off the first jacket. Mike averts his gaze quickly and walks up the stairs, trying to hide his blush. When Will comes back, his hair is tied up and Mikes dark blue jumper hangs from his shoulders, the jeans fit perfectly though. Will sits next to Mike and lets himself sink into the cushions.
“You look nice,” Mike compliments, trying to play it off as casually as he can but the admiration in his tone gives him away. Will thanks him once again, letting himself ease into the sense of safety Mike provides. He’s thankful that it was Mike who found him, that it was Mike who brought him back to Hawkins and now they can be with each other. Just him and Mike.