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The summer sun bounced off the black asphalt casting everything with a bright white halo. July was sweltering, yet it seemed all of Hawkins had made the trip out to the county fairgrounds today, Mike and Will included.
It had been nearly a month ago now when Mike had started gushing about taking Will to the county fair. Of course both of them had gone plenty of times over the years, in fact they had been together most of those times. But they had never gone as a couple and that seemed to make all the difference.
“Ill buy you that one funnel cake you always want but never remember is there till your too full to have it!” Mike had promised.
“We can go on a weekday so that the petting zoo isn't crowded and we can finally pet that big alpaca that looks like Mr. Polman.”
“Don't worry I have been saving up to get us tickets to ride every ride twice.”
Every few days Mike seemed to excitedly remember something else that they could do at the fair, his list of promises grew and grew. Will would be lying if he said the excited way Mike stumbled on his words, the cutely over exaggerated hand gestures, and the little glitter in Mike's dark eyes didn't make him equally as excited. Even if they had done this a million times before.
This time, in the hot summer sun, their palms were pressed together, fingers interlocked, sweat gathering between them, they walked hand and hand through the fairgrounds. It was early but the whole place already smelled of popcorn, corn dogs, and a hint of something sweet, every time the wind blew.
Mike's black drawstring shorts rode up with every step, revealing more of his long pale legs to the unforgiving sun. If they hadn't been having so much fun Will might have scolded him to put on more sunscreen, but it didn't feel like anything could harm them on a perfect day like today, so instead he just enjoyed the view.
They had managed to get on over half of the fair rides and now Mike's black curls were a bit poofy and tangled in the back. Will couldn't help himself when he reached out and pulled a tangled curl loose, causing the other boy to stop and turn to him, eyebrows scrunched up in faux annoyance.
“Will, are you listening to a word I'm saying?”
“Well I was…”
“Well then what was I talking about?” Mike teased
Will shrugged a bit helplessly, only the tiniest bit guilty.
“What’s got you so distracted?” Mike pulled Will into his personal space, “Is there a smoking hot guy stealing your attention?”
Will snorted and rolled his eyes, but couldn't help the blush that rose up on his cheeks. Mike looked far too smug for comfort. In retaliation, Will lifted their interlocked hands, pressing a kiss to the back of Mike's, the taller boy blushing furiously at his boldness but not daring to pull away and lose this affection.
“You're ridiculous." Will whispered into his skin.
And Mike just nodded along helplessly. They stood like that till some of the dazed look began to leave Mike's eyes.
“What were you trying to tell me?” Will finally asked, unable to keep the smugness out of his voice.
“Oh. Right. Right.” Mike suddenly looked around as if he had forgotten they were in public at all. “Well I was pointing out all the best prizes.”
“Prizes?”
“Yah you know, the best stuffed animal you can get from the carnival games?”
“Oh? Uh…” and Will finally looked around too, realizing they had wandered into a huge aisle of carnival games, each one tucked into its own red and white striped tent.
“That one's sorta cute” Will said and pointed to a little brown bear pinned up by the paw next to a stack of cans.
Mike followed the line from his finger, eyes softening ever so slightly when he saw the little bear. It was cute, not really something Will was concerned with taking home, but cute. Mike was usually the one between them who liked stuffed animals, though he’d never admit it in mixed company. He’d always had a somewhat significant collection, and it wasn’t until high school that they’d been demoted from his bed to the bottom of his bookshelf. Mature, but still a cherished part of his bedroom. So if either of them had an opinion on the best prize Mike would be the expert.
Mike rubbed his chin thoughtfully, pretending to consider his options. He was so irritating it made Will want to kiss him.
“Well, if it's a bear you want I think I can get you a better one.”
Before Will could agree or tease him back, Mike was already tugging him along, away from the can game that was so easy it was almost a guaranteed win. Taking big, enthusiastic, marching steps down the aisle of games.
Mike was so funny about certain things. Still Will followed around the over enthusiastic boy, listening as he pointed out different and increasingly larger stuffed bears.
The hand around his own squeezed with excitement. “That one!”
Will stumbled along after him, their feet knocking awkwardly against the pavement, until they came to a stop in front of a ring toss.
Mike was almost vibrating out of his shoes, shifting back and forth over his feet, some things never changed. Will could picture that awkward skinny kid excited to share his new favorite comic, face flushed, biting his lip and bouncing all around Will in anticipation. However what Mike had shown him this time was probably the biggest bear Will had ever laid eyes on.
Seated with its big head heavily lulling forward it looked over half the size of Will. Its giant paws crossed politely in its lap, round dark eyes and a little blush on its face, wrapped up with a big brown bow on its neck. All over it was covered in soft brown waves, it looked plush, soft and ridiculously cute for the back lot of a fairplex.
“This one is perfect!” Mike grinned at the bear “It looks just like you!” And then Mike turned that grin onto Will, and he feared his heart would stop in his chest.
The bear really was nothing special except for its massive size, and the way it made a big grin split across Mike's pale cheeks, the way his eyes glittered with something warmer than sunlight, cheeks pinkening from discovery and future sunburn. And fuck. he was right, this was perfect. Will squeezed his hand back.
“I do like this bear, and we do have the same hair color.” Will conceded fondly.
“Exactly!”
Mike didn't waste another second he reached into his pocket pulling out a few quarters to hand to the man behind the booth “Sir what do I need to do to get that bear?”
“You have got to make 5 rings on red bottles” the carny huffed back at them.
The game had plenty of bottles but few and far between were red. This was definitely one of the harder games they could have been stuck with. Will should discourage him. But Mike… well he was Mike, and who was Will to end their fun.
“No problem. How much for a game?”
Mike said it with all the unearned confidence Will loved about him. The carny looked greasy, and already disinterested in them. So over his own job he didn't even speak this time, just flashed a 2 and then a 5 with the fingers on his left hand. The right picking up a small bucket of rings to drop down on the counter.
Mike's face puckered slightly at his rude disinterest in them but tried to ignore the stupid carny, bad attitude and greasy hair couldn't stop Mike's determination. He dragged the bucket between himself and Will.
“Do you wanna play?”
Will raised an eyebrow, he was no good at games like this, he could shoot a gun, and run a good distance, but a throwing game? They really didn't stand a chance. Where was Lucas when they needed him?
“Ill try.”
The taller boy nodded enthusiastically, picking up the first plastic ring and sending it sailing. Too light and small it just skittered over the top of the coke bottles with a glass chime.
“Shit.”
Will snorted at how bad the miss had been.
Then Will picked up another ring fiddling with it a second to feel how light it was before tossing it.
“Shit.”
They really didn't stand a chance.
But both began throwing them in earnest, a bout of light shoving and arguing over who had the worst tosses punctuated the clink of plastic against glass. They were down to the final 3 when Mike sent one off just right. It sailed in a clean line arcing high over the bottles before dropping perfectly onto one of the red ones in the middle.
Both boys froze, turning towards each other in disbelief before their arms shot up! “HELL YAH!” Mike shouted and they crashed into a hug, overwhelmed at their victory. Sweaty and hearts racing! The bear was—
“Uh…fellas…That’s one. You need four more.”
They rolled their eyes in unison.
“Whatever dude, give us another round.” Mike dismissed him, slapping another quarter down.
The next round passed much like the first, nearly every ring bouncing to their doom, a tiny amount managing to stack onto coke bottles. And only one more on a red bottle, Will had thrown it this time and was rather pleased with himself.
“Damn, this game is rigged.” Mike complained when the basket was empty
Will laughed and lightly shoved Mike’s chest, his pout cute and a little petulant after all that bravado.
“I don't think so, I think we just suck at this.”
Mike only pouted more
“It's ok, let's go play some other games.” Will added gently.
“No way!” Mike protested. “Come on, we can’t abandon Tedward now!”
“Tedward!?!?” Will echoed.
“Yah. Well, he needs a name.”
“I thought you said it was me.”
“No, no,” Mike said quickly. “He just kind of looks like you. There’s only one Will Byers.” He nudged Will with his hip. “But we can’t just abandon Tedward now. Plus, you said you liked it.”
“I do, but–"
“No buts! I'll get him for you!”
Mike put down another quarter. And a new bucket of rings was set in front of him. Will couldn't help his own laugh, watching Mike pick up a ring with renewed confidence only to once again miss entirely.
“SHIT!”
“It's ok Mike! How about I go get us some previsions, refill your hp and maybe you'll have better aim.” He meant it to be teasing but Mike gave him a very serious look.
“You're a genius. I will be awaiting your reinforcement." And he leaned over kissing Will on the cheek dramatically. Will shoved him off, walking away before the other could cause a bigger scene.
“Ill be—be back soon!” he spluttered
Stupid Michael Wheeler.
—-xxx—-
Will was very proud of the way he managed to balance 2 turkey legs, a large fry and a large soda. Had sort of created a net with his hands, the soda sweating between his elbow and his blue striped polo. Carefully he made his way back to the carnival games. Glad it was warm enough to wear his favorite jean shorts, the pockets so deep that he could shove in all the napkins and sauce packets one could want.
Strictly speaking they didn't need this much food, but Will thought it would be kinda funny if they both had a ridiculously large turkey leg, and he also felt a bit bad for how much Mike was definitely spending to try and win the bear. The least Will could do was provide a big meal.
From a distance he could still see Mike half hunched over the booth, long pale arm extending for each throw before flailing around in irritation. Too far to hear him but from his posture Will knew the taller boy was swearing up a storm.
He really should have worked harder to talk Mike out of this bear, it was cute but he'd much rather the other save his money and they could split icy, or pick up a movie on the way home instead. But Mike had looked at him with that puppy dog expression and those dark glittering eyes and as much as he knew Mike could never say no to him, secretly the feeling was mutual.
Usually he would walk up teasing the other a bit, see him pout before joining in the battle again, but something stopped him. He watched as Mike set down another quarter for another basket of rings, looking like he was having a lot less fun then he did when Will left him.
“Fuck it.”
Will took a deep breath, spread his feet to shoulder width, relaxed his arms as much as he could without spilling their food and focused. Felt the moment those thin pale fingers wrapped around a ring, felt the distance between them, felt the wind blow gently against him, and when Mike released it, Will's eyes went white, the ring was in his magical grasp now.
He slowed it as much as he dared, which was barely anything, and when he felt like it reached the airspace over a red bottle he released his magical hold. Vision coming back just in time for him to see it sink down exactly onto the red bottle in the middle! Perfect!
Will grinned at the excited little hop Mike did at the ring landing on its target, fully prepared for the taller boy to start celebrating, whooping, cheering, and claiming his prize!
But he didn't, instead his head started whipping back and forth looking for something. Then he spun around, eyes landing on Will, and his surprised look melted away into a soft, gentle smile, eyes almost half lidded with affection.
“Will! Perfect timing! Did you see that!?”
Will could only nod helplessly as the dark haired boy ran to him, excitement taking over his whole form. Mike didn't waste any time freeing Will of half the food so he could give him a big hug!
“I got your bear!” He cheered.
Getting a better one handed grip on the oversized turkey leg and soda so he could slide an arm over Will's shoulder to guide them back. Mike took the big bear from the carny and proudly presented it. Chest puffed, black curls windswept, and a smile so big that his eyes were nearly closed.
Will took the bear in his free arm, its soft fur tickling his neck, the whole thing so ridiculously big it was going to be impossible to carry around all day. It was crazy, Mike worked too hard, spent way too much money, and had no other good reason to get it except that Mike said it looked like him and Will said he liked it.
And Will loved it.
Will loved Tedward.
And more importantly, Will loved Mike.
Helplessly, desperately, and tenderly loved Mike.
Couldn't stop himself from pushing into Mike's space even though Will had no free hands to grab him, he knew the other boy would understand and stay put.
Will leaned up to that big smile and pressed his lips to the soft ones above him. Hummed happily as one of those pale arms dropped over his shoulder, long thin fingers threading into his hair.
Will pulled back slightly
“Thank you.” He whispered before closing his eyes to meet in another kiss. Wished he could feel that black curly hair beneath his fingers or grab a handful of Mike's slender waist. But settled for crowding against him forcing him backwards till he was trapped between Will's body and the carnival booth.
“I love it. I love you.” Will sighed, eyes half lidded so he didn't miss the beautiful flush Mike always got when he said those words.
“Love you too.” Mike whispered back in awe of it all.
There was a hot press of lips again, Mike sighing when Will parted his, allowing him in. It was wet and far too hot. Will let Mike explore his mouth for a few breaths before he took charge. Pressing more firmly against Mike, pressing his own tongue into that soft heat, feeling their sweaty legs slot together, the bear squished between them.
Mike was melting against him. Something hit the ground with a loud, unmistakable thunk. Will was pretty sure Mike was so lost in his warmth that he lost his grip on the food. But will couldn't be bothered by anything but the pliant boy who was tightening his grip in Will’s hair. Will could only kiss him harder. Mike whined quietly into the press of their lips and Will swallowed it greedily. Wanted more.
“AH-HEM”
Both boys jumped apart, eyes wide and faces flushed. The carny looking at them with disgust and exasperation on his face
“Jesus it's just a bear! Get out of here!”
And they couldn't help the laughter that erupted from them both. Unable to catch their breath as they walked away. Big brown bears between them, the whir of carnival rides all around, and their laughter bubbling into the afternoon breeze.