Chapter Text
Down the stairs there was a mostly dark room, except or the small flickering light caused by Mike’s lamp. There he was, sat in the basement at his desk which was shoved into the corner. Above his desk, drawings…Will’s drawings, all taped to the wall. Mike’s breathing was shakey, there he was, pounding at the keys of his typewriter. The noise so loud that he didn’t even notice the banging at the door, nor did he notice that someone else was now in the basement with him. A hand dug into his shoulder, three quick pokes that felt more like a jab. An irritated Mike quickly whipped his body around Jesus Nancy wha-“ he paused as his eyes skipped to El’s smile.
“Did your typewriter upset you?” A smirk dragged across El’s lips.
“El, what are you doing here? When did you get back?” Mike was confused, if she was home, was he also? He sat in his chair contemplating all the scenarios of how she could be back alone, but there was that small spark that tugged in Mike’s chest, hoping she boarded that plane with someone next to her. His someone.
El studied Mike’s face, she saw the confusion along with the sparkle in his eye. How pathetic, she thought. “Winter break, Mike. He’s here too, Joyce asked him to come.”
Mike adjusted in his seat. Confusion still wrapped his thoughts. Will hasn’t come home for winter break in two years. The first year he didn’t come home, Joyce was upset for weeks. She had invited the whole party to Christmas dinner, Mike didn’’t go. He couldn’t help but feel like it was his fault Will wasn’t home. After all, it was Mikes fault they hadn’t been speaking.
Finally after gathering his thoughts he asked, “Why now? It’s been two years El.”
“I don’t know, but he’s here, and Joyce wants the whole party at Christmas again this year. The whole party, Mike.”
Mike doesn’t respond, instead he wraps El in a hug to welcome her back home. Christmas Eve is tomorrow, which means he has a day and a half to compose himself. To prepare himself. The two haven’t spoke till Will left for college, and it wasn’t exactly a heartwarming goodbye. Mike remembers that day like it happened minutes ago, his words echoing through his mind, the way Will said-
“Earth to Mike!” El’s fingers snap in front of Mike’s face which seems to break him free from his thoughts.
“Right sorry, what were you saying?”
A small sigh leaves El’s throat, “How about we go back to Hops cabin and find something to do?”
“It’s too cold to walk, let’s just stay here!” Mike’s tone is now panicked.
“He’s staying at some crappy motel, Robin’s with him. We won’t bum into him, you still have a couple days to prepare, I promise.”
Eleven’s promise calms down Mike, and before Mike can worry again, they are out of the house and now into Joyce’s car.
“I drive now.” El says with an accomplished look on her face.
She drives, yes. She never said she was particularly good at it. El proudly speeds down the road, almost taking out a mailbox in the process. Mike in the passenger seat looks terrified, his hands are latched onto the safety handles.
“What happened to ‘friends don’t lie’ El? You cannot drive!” Mike groans as he melts into the seats of the parked car.
“I can to drive Mike wheeler! I do it all the time when coming back from parties.” Elevens tone, while defensive also has a touch of joy in it.
Mike felt like he was gonna be sick. “You drive like a maniac! Who even taught you?”
“Max taught me before we left for California.”
“Of course it was Mayfeild.”
Mike rolled his eyes and finally they made their way inside. Where the rest of the night was spent talking, watching tv and of course, a little bit of dnd.
The room was lit by the tv’s glow, Mike tossed and turned on the floor, finally he got up and headed to the kitchen for a glass of water. He was looking forward to seeing the party at Christmas, but he wasn’t sure how to communicate with Will. Everything used to be so easy for them, they weren’t just best friends, they were partners; nothing was supposed to change that. How did such a special relationship turn to shit?
A tear pricked at Mikes eyes, and before he could fight it, tears bean to pour down his cheek. Setting his cup down, Mike lowered to the floor where he held himself—crying. Crying because he pushed everyone away, crying because he’s becoming his father, crying because the only person he’s ever truly loved has been avoiding him for the past two years. So there he was, crying on the kitchen floor of his ex girlfriend’s house, because he’s in love with Will Byers, and he has been for so so long.
The door creaks open. Joyce Byers. Joyce Byers who is now standing in her kitchen looking at sweet and, stupid Mike Wheeler, sobbing on the floor. Quickly she shoves Hopper back out the door. Quietly she kneels down to Mike’s level.
“Mike, sweetie what’s wrong?” She speaks softly.
Silence.
Mike wraps his arms around himself tighter, he hates this. He hates himself for this. Hearing the question makes him cry harder. Everything is different, everything was ruined and it’s all his fault. He didn’t want to be around. When Will left it was like he was missing all over again, Mike didn’t hear from him, and even though the situation was entirely, Mike couldn’t see him. Mikes spiral stops when suddenly Joyce is wrapping her arms around him, and before he notices, he’s fulled leaned into Joyce.
“I’m so sorry Mrs.Byers, it’s all my fault. I’m the reason Will hasn’t been home in two years, I’m the reason he’s staying in a shitty motel right now instead of staying with his own mom and dad. This is all my fault, everything is all my-“ He tries to push back the tears as long as he can but instead his voice cracks and theres tears rolling down his face.
Joyce wipes a tear, “Look at me. Whatever is going on with you and Will right now, you’ll find your way back to eachother, and sweetheart it’s not your fault, you didn’t ruin anything!”
Mike knew she was lying. She didn’t know what happened between them, but he knows that she resents him for it. The rest of the night was a blur, Mike apologized to Joyce for what happened and he went back to lying on the floor. He didn’t sleep at all that night.