Chapter Text
Tuesday evening, Will and his boyfriend, Carlton, strolled down the street to the usual bar they’d visit. Will was a little bothered at himself since he kept going to bars, he swore to himself he wouldn’t drink. But..Carlton insisted that they should go.
Mike slowly walked into the bar, not at all realizing Will was there. He sat at the seat the farthest from him, ordering whiskey. He looked around the bar to peoplewatch, till he spotted Will. Will and Carlton.
He stared for a little bit longer, before looking away and chugging his drink. He was probably just some random person that wasn’t even Will. There was no way they were at the same bar at the same time. Will saw him as well, but still decided to stand up and walk over to him. As he started to walk over, Carlton followed in slight annoyance. “Who’s that?”
“Oh, an old friend of mine.” He said, before tapping Mike’s shoulder.
He turned around, eyes widening. “..Will? Is that really you?” He said quietly, staring at him like he had five heads.
“Yeah, how’ve you been?” He grinned, opening his arms for a hug. Mike stood up off the barstool and hugged him tightly. He felt like it was a dream come true, Will was here again. He hadn’t seen him in years, and it was so nice to see him again.
“I missed you. I missed you a lot.” He said quietly, squeezing him. “There’s so many things I have to tell you.” He clung to him like he was going to vanish; refusing to let go.
“I missed you too.” He patted his back, a little bit curious about what he had to say. Though, as he hugged him, he could feel Carlton’s eyes burning into him. He could tell he was getting pissed.
Though Mike didn’t want to stop hugging him, he let go once Will did. “I’ve been..I’ve been good. How about you?” He smiled ever so slightly.
“I’ve been great. Meet my boyfriend—Carlton!” Will’s smile seemed more forced as he stepped aside and motioned toward him. “He’s a sweetheart.” Carlton’s annoyed face told otherwise, though.
Mike’s smile instantly faded. Boyfriend. The words echoed in his head, and he felt weak. Will had a boyfriend. Mike really had his hopes up, he was going to tell him how he-
“Mike, you okay? You look upset.” Will said softly, putting a hand on his shoulder. He, unaware what Mike was going to say, was confused at why he suddenly got so upset. The pieces didn’t click together yet.
“I-I-Nothing.” He lied, sitting back down on the barstool. He took a long sip of his drink, staring at it like it held the secrets of the world.
“You seem bothered.” He sat down on the seat next to him, putting a hand on his shoulder. “You can tell me anything, you know.” He watched as Mike glanced between him and Carlton. It was at this moment, he understood what was going on. Mike was disheartened at the fact he was dating someone else.
“…I’ll just tell you later.” He said quietly, staring back down at his drink. “It’s nothing serious.”
Will could tell he was really upset. He read him like a book.
“..If you say so.” He saw how he didn’t want to talk, especially with Carlton looming over him ominously. He scribbled down his number on a notepad, ripped it off, and handed it to him discreetly. If Carlton saw, he’d probably get angry. More angry than he was now. “I’ll just..see you later then, right?” He took Mike’s hand and closed the number in his palm.
He glanced down at his hand, realizing how Will didn’t want Carlton to see. He found it a little odd, why would it matter if he saw? He was just giving his number to a friend. He shrugged it off and put the paper in his pocket. “..Alright. I’ll..see you later.” He waved, trying to hide the tears pricking up in the corners of his eyes.
Will could 100% notice. He was observant like that. “Bye.” He said quietly, not wanting to leave either but Carlton would probably drag him away if he talked to Mike more. He gave a small wave before sitting at the seat farthest away from him, averting his gaze. As hard as he tried, he still kept looking.
Mike glanced at him too, but eventually stood up to leave. He noticed Will staring at him with a look that screamed : ‘Please stay.’ He walked out of the bar, taking out the paper with Will’s number and gripping it tightly.
As he walked home, he felt an empty feeling in his stomach. Of course Will was taken by now. He was kind, sweet, pretty..everything a man could ask for. It was hopeless to think he could maybe..just maybe have a chance with him. No shot. He sat down at his writing desk, reaching out to his typewriter. He stared at it thoughtfully, but he couldn’t stop thinking about Will’s number that sat in his pocket. Should he call? Was he still at the bar? After nearly half an hour of just sitting there and spiraling, he finally sat up and walked over to his phone, typing in his number.
He fiddled with the chord as it rang, chewing on his lip anxiously. Would he even respond?
“Hello, Will Byers speaking.” He answered, his voice having a tinge of excitement in it.
God, he answered the phone so politely. “..Hi.” He said quietly. “Um..It’s Mike.”
“Mike!!” He said in a cheery voice. Ever since he got home from the bar, he’d been waiting for the phone to ring. “How are you?”
“I’m fine.” A lie. He was pretty miserable at the moment. “What are you up to..?” He said, trying to spark conversation.
“I’m just eating dinner. Carlton ordered pizza.” He smiled, leaning against the wall. He enjoyed talking with Mike, even if it was over the phone.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, hesitating. “..I thought you said you hate pizza.” He told him this after graduation, once he asked if anyone wanted pizza. He tried to not let his mind wander about Carlton, but it was difficult. What if he forced him to eat food he didn’t like? What if he made him do things he didn’t want to? A nagging feeling tugged at his chest.
“Oh-I..I like it now.” That was a bald-faced lie. He didn’t want to order pizza, but Carlton insisted. He was..always like that.
“..If you say so.” He paused, before shooting his shot. “Hey, um, do you want to hang out tomorrow? Go..eat somewhere or something?” He tried to act casual.
“Sure!! That sounds really nice, it’ll be great to see you again.” He said, but was interrupted by Carlton.
“Who’re you calling?” He said, putting a hand on his shoulder.
“Oh-Mike, I have to go.” He said in a more worried tone, not at all seeming as cheery as he just was.
“Er-Well, I’ll see you tomorr-“ Will hung up on him instantly. He listened to the dial tone play for a little while longer, before hanging up and slinking down against the wall. He buried his head into his knees, trying hard not to cry. He staggered over to his couch, before hiding his head in his hands and sobbing quietly. He missed him, so so much. There was no need to cry, he’d see him again tomorrow. He told him his address, he’d come over and they’d talk. Yet..he still cried. Cried for the things he didn’t say, cried for the love he never showed. It was too late now.
~~~~***~~~~
He paced around the room as he waited for Will to arrive. 11:00 A.M, that was what they decided. Yet, it was 11:08. He was never late, he told him that he hated even being a minute late. He seemed a lot different when they met at the bar. He seemed more anxious, and he looked like he was holding back from saying things. Additionally, he hung up on him quickly. Without saying goodbye. He would never do something so rude.
A knock was heard on the door, and he nearly fell over running to get it. He smoothed his hair, adjusted his shirt, then opened the door. “Will?”
“Hi.” He smiled ever so slightly, waving. He looked awful, to be blunt. His hair was frizzy, his shirt was wrinkled, and he looked tense.
“Hey, you alright?” He said, letting him in. He was worried, Will would always make sure to look presentable in front of others. Something was off. Very, very off.
“I’m fine.” He nodded, sitting down on the couch. He quietly sighed, running a hand through his hair. He was quite obviously lying, something was amiss.
“You don’t..look okay.” He sat next to him, putting a hand on his shoulder. Will flinched like a wounded animal. He frowned, looking into his eyes, trying to see what was wrong.
“I’m fine, really. Stop worrying.” He said, looking away. He tried to act strong, but he was trembling.
“..You can tell me anything, you know.” He hesitated, before tilting Will’s chin to make him look at him. “I’ll listen.”
Will stared with watery eyes, his breath hitching. He tried desperately not to fold, but Mike could make him crumble instantly. “..I’m sorry.” He said quietly, glancing down.
Mike’s eyes narrowed, and he let go of his chin. “..Sorry? For what?” He inched a bit closer, noticing Will was on the verge of crying. He didn’t know why he was so upset, but he didn’t like seeing him cry. It made him sad, too.
He stared down at his hands, trembling even when it was 70 degrees outside. “I..I don’t know.” He said honestly, his voice quivering.
He watched him tremble for a moment, before he started to connect the dots. His odd personality switch, Carlton’s assertive behavior, Will having to eat pizza, the way he tensed up when he put a hand on his shoulder… “Is it something to do with Carlton?” He asked, praying the answer was no. God, he hoped that man wasn’t hurting him.
Will froze and he held back a sniffle. “..No.” He said in a weak tone, hugging his arms. He was quite clearly lying, and he knew he could tell. He just didn’t know how to admit it.
“..Will.” Mike said slowly, before reaching out to hug him. He yet again flinched, but he realized he was just giving him a hug. He started to let out muffled sobs into his shirt, his attempts to hide them failing miserably.
“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.” He whispered in between sobs, clinging onto Mike tightly.
“Stop apologizing. Stop, please. You don’t have to.” He held him close, patting his back slowly. He didn’t want to accidentally trigger Will, so he tried his best to be gentle. It made him want to cry when Will cried.
“..It does have to do with him. I’m sorry I lied.” He admitted after a few more moments of crying, still hiding in Mike’s chest.
“It was..kind of obvious you were lying.” He chuckled a little, trying to make light of the situation. Of course it was because of Carlton. The second he saw him next to Will at the bar, he knew he was an asshole. He could tell just by his overall demeanor.