Chapter Text
Mike had invited everyone over to his house for their weekly get-together. Even though they were all out of high school and starting to worry about college, they wanted to make sure they didn’t drift apart. Something they all knew was unlikely… just being cautious, he supposed.
Unfortunately, Mike also had to inform the group about his cousin’s arrival. He had never been particularly fond of Richie. Too loud, potty-mouthed, inappropriate those were the first words that came to mind whenever Mike thought of him.
Everyone was gathered together in the basement, scattered around the room. Max and Lucas sat on the floor with their backs against the couch, Max leaning into Lucas’s shoulder as they half-watched whatever Mike had playing on the TV. Dustin hovered nearby, helping El weigh different college options, while Will sat quietly on the couch, doodling in his notepad
Mike paused his game and glanced around at the group. “Oh—uh, I forgot to mention earlier,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “My cousin’s coming today. He’s staying for the summer. You guys remember my cousin Richie, right?”
Everyone seemed to freeze, brows furrowing as they searched their memories. The name felt familiar, right on the tip of their tongues, but no one could quite match it to a face.
They didn’t have long to think before the basement door slammed open, the noise echoing through the room, followed by heavy, careless footsteps.
“Well, speak of the devil,” Mike scoffed as his cousin came stomping down the stairs.
The group stared at Richie, recognition slowly settling in as they remembered the louder, more vulgar version of Mike standing before them.
Though all eyes were on him, Richie found himself focused on just one pair—hazel-green eyes he hadn’t seen in years. They were fuller now, more expressive than he remembered. The bowl cut was gone too. He’d always liked it, even when everyone else teased him for it, but this new haircut suited him in a different way. Will was still on the shorter side, but he looked stronger now, more defined, like he’d been working out.
Richie couldn’t help but stare. Byers had always caught his attention, but this felt different, new, unexpected. Whatever this summer had in store, Richie was so ready to spend all his savings on it.
Mike seemed to be the only one who noticed how long Richie’s gaze lingered on Will—and how Will, maddeningly, seemed to welcome it. The way his jackass cousin looked him up and down made something twist uncomfortably in Mike’s chest. It frustrated him more than he wanted to admit, and worse, he wasn’t entirely sure why. Mike ignored those thoughts, noticing every one regain their memories of Richie.
As they all slowly said things like, “oh yeaaah,” “I remember him,” and “ohhhh,” Richie smiled and walked over, sitting right next to Will. He put an arm around him, leaning in slightly.
“Hey, bowl cut,” Richie said with a small snicker. “You’re wearing glasses and still can’t see that the bowl cut’s gone?” Will laughed, looking over at the boy, slowly remembering his face even more and how handsome he had always been.
“You’re right. I gotta find a new name for you, baby?” Richie said, almost as if asking for Will’s permission, even though he knew he’d use it either way. Will blushed at the nickname, looking away from Richie. The rest of the party glanced over at them, slightly confused, but nonetheless minded their own business.
Except for Mike, that is. His eyebrows knotted together as he felt a ping in his chest—a strange sadness he still wasn’t sure why it was there. Before Mike could find himself too immersed in his thoughts, Dustin chimed in.
“So, Richie, slept with any more moms while you’ve been gone?” Dustin joked. Richie found the comment corny, but still really funny. Since it used to be the only thing Richie ever said just a few years prior.
“Yeah, yours before I got here,” he said, returning the joke.
A few minutes passed, casual conversation filling the room as everyone caught Richie up updating him on all the crazy shit that had happened and what each of them planned to do in the next phases of their lives.
Richie and Will stayed in the same close, almost careless position. Not intimate enough to draw attention, not obvious enough to make anyone uncomfortable but close enough to mean something to them. Once the chatter fractured into smaller, individual conversations, the weight of that small, shared gesture finally settled in. They both felt it.
Richie glanced over at Will and only then realized how close their faces were now that they were actually looking at each other.
At some point, without meaning to, he’d started holding onto Will’s right arm, his other arm still slung loosely over the smaller boy’s shoulders from earlier. Will’s cheeks were flushed a soft pink, a color that made his green eyes stand out even more. Richie couldn’t help but smile.
“So,” he said, quieter now, “what college do you plan on going to?”
“Mmm..” Will mumbled slightly, he was confused on why Richie had asked but then remembered they had just been talking about colleges a few minutes before with the party. “I’ve been looking at a few, but… my favorite so far is somewhere in Maine?”
Will replied and noticed Richie’s face lit up immediately,
Making the smaller boy raise an eyebrow and shoot the latter a questioning look, Richie smiled before replying, “That’s, like, perfect. I live in Maine—I’ll be able to see you all the time… and you’ll never have to miss me!” he teased.
Will chuckled at the boy’s response, a light smile tugging at his lips. “Good thing,” he said dryly. “I was reeeaaally worried about missing you.” Will half-joked, the sarcasm obvious.
Little did they know it wouldn’t it wouldn’t just be half-jokes and light teasing for long.