Chapter Text
Chapter one.
Mike wakes up at 6 like always and gets downstairs to make himself some coffee. The house is quiet; everyone is still sleeping. And God, it’s peaceful.
After sipping his coffee and reading the journal, he goes up to his room. Like every time, he hesitates to grab the box hidden under a pile of clothes in his closet. A box full of Will’s things. But this time, for the first time ever, he gathers his courage, opens his closet and looks for the box.
After finding the forbidden box, he sits on the floor and stares at it for a solid 5 minutes, tears running down his cheeks. He’s too much of a coward to face all the memories and feelings Will’s belongings will bring back. Just like putting salt in an open wound. But this time, he chooses to stop being scared. After a deep breath, he gently puts his hands on the box and opens it. He swears it still smells like Will. Or maybe he’s just going crazy. First, he picks up a pile of drawings Will made for Mike over the years. There’s one where Will, Dustin, Lucas and him are playing DND in his basement. There is also a picture attached to the drawing. Mike still remembers when his mom took this picture like it was yesterday. In was back in 1982, his mom opened the basement door and proudly held up her camera, before taking a quick picture of the four of them playing like their lives depended on it. Mike complained, as always, but his mom told them they’d be grateful to have some pictures to look back at when they’re older. And God, she was right for once. Before Mike can even prevent it, tears start streaming down his face again. He lets himself sob. While scrolling through all the drawings, he notices the painting Will made of Mike back in 1986. He looks at it for a long moment and then he remembers what Will said in the car that day. “You’re the heart Mike.” For some reason, these words stuck in Mike’s mind for a long time. He finally understands that El didn't really commission the painting, but he doesn't understand why Will lied. Mike wants to know the truth. The second later, he made up his mind. He’s going to visit Will in New York.
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The next day, Mike improvises a movie night in his basement with his friends. It’s just an excuse to get informations about Will, but they don’t have to know that. Lucas arrives first with Max in his 1979 red ford mustang cobra. He constantly brags about it even though his parents helped him a lot to buy it. El arrives 5 minutes on her bike, and Dustin arrives late like always.
They settle down in Mike’s basement with pillows and blankets. After they finish watching the first movie, Mike turns off the TV. Everyone looks at him confused, and he is visibly anxious. He hesitates for a moment before talking.
-Would you mind talking to me about Will...? There are some things I really need to know, but I need your help to be able to get the answers.
Lucas speaks first.
-Man, you two are basically strangers by now. Whatever it is, you need to let it go.
Mike doesn’t say a word, and his eyes get glassy. Max notices and jumps in the conversation
-Lucas, you’re being mean right now. Listen, Mike, you were so close to each other growing up. And I know you don’t really talk to each other anymore, but you deserve to get the answers. So, we’ll help you. Right, guys?
No one says a word.
Max repeats herself, a menacing tone in her voice
-Right, guys?
Dustin and El finally speak.
-Yeah, of course we will!
Mike seems to relax a bit and leans back on the couch.
-Thank God. Okay, so my first question is, do you know where he lives now? I didn’t get to ask him myself before he moved...
There's an audible remorse in his voice.
Max reassures him right away.
-Mike, it's not your fault. He moved without telling you, so you couldn’t beg him to stay.
Mike's eyes get watery again, and he swallows back the tears.
Lucas speaks out for the first time without having to be asked.
-He moved to New York. I have his address but promise me you won’t snitch that I'm the one who gave it to you.
-I promise Lucas, and if things go wrong, I'll take the entire blame because it’ll be all my fault.
Mike speaks again.
-Oh, and uhm, I meant to ask if anyone knows if he has a... boyfriend?
Max nods her head silently. She's the only one who noticed he obviously loved Will since they started school. But she never snitched, and she would never.
Oh. Okay, well the most important thing is that he’s happy...
They keep talking about Will for a while, then when Mike gathered all the informations he needed, they went back to watching movies.
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All the group ended up sleeping in Mike’s basement, and he went to sleep in his room since there wasn’t enough space down there anyways. Mike barely slept that night. He kept thinking about Will, if he still thought about him sometimes, how his life looks like now, what job he does, and so many more questions.
The next day, he packs a bag with clothes, toiletries, and everything he needs to be out of town for at least 3 days.
He goes back to the basement, announces he’s going to New York, and before anyone can try to change his mind, he already has closed the basement door. He goes to the kitchen and places a note saying, “I’m going to New York for a few days, don’t worry about me.” and walks out the door.
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After 11 long hours of driving, Mike finally arrives to New York. He’s not in NYC, so the buildings and surroundings aren’t as impressive as they show on TV. He goes to a motel that doesn’t look too rusty, pays for 4 nights, puts down his bag, and settles down his things. He planned to go find Will tomorrow, so he can do whatever he wants for tonight. After he’s done unpacking, he goes out for a walk. After 15 minutes, he finds a good-looking bar, so he enters, wanting to drink a little beer. He sits down, sips on his drink for a bit while reading the journal, then... Will walks in. Mike stiffens instantly, he feels his heart beating faster, and his breathing gets shaky and shallow. He prays the gods that Will won't recognize him, but as soon as he turns, Will eyes land on Mike, and it feels like the earth has stopped turning.