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10 year old Mike is sitting in class, his focus is solely on Will doodling something in his notebook instead of paying attention to the current class.
Its a quite boring topic but even if it would be interesting, seeing his best friend create art is just so much more fascinating.
Mike nudges Will on the ankle underneath their table to gain his attention so he can see the Masterpiece Will is creating, they get to sit together this year and both boys love it.
Even though theyre already spending most afternoons and weekends together, its just so much better being paired up for one table and not constantly having to shoot silent messages across the room.
Will looks up at him, when he sees the curiousity sparkling in Mikes eyes he moves just to the right angle so he can see it: a very well known paladir riding a dragon.
"Woah Will this is amazing!", whispers Mike to not get noticed by their teacher, his mouth flying open in awe and Will blushes, smiling back happily.
Later in the afternoon they're in Mike's basement again, just them two today.
Dustin and Lucas are both unwilling to set one foot outside with the heavy thunderstorm storming ongoing, luckily Mike and Will just got back in time on their bikes from school before it started.
Currently they're both scooting close on the table, giggling about Mike asking Will to draw the most silliest Monster they both have ever seen.
Somehow because of course this is Will, it still ends up looking amazing.
"Woah so cool! I wish I could wear your art, then I would look like a masterpiece too!, says Mike glowing like a beautiful warm sunbeam on a cloudy day.
Will blushes yet again and his heart feels all warm and fuzzy, he loves Mike's eagerness and spending time with him because he is his best friend.
Suddenly an idea plops in his head and he silently holds up a marker shyly looking at him and Mike's eyes widen, nodding with such eagerness that Will giggles a little.
He hovers a bit uncertain over his arm unsure of what to draw and again looks up to Mike, their eyes meet and luckily his best friend always gets him even without words "the dragon you drew earlier. Maybe you can draw me my own?" and Will's eyes light up.
He loves drawing fantasy creatures, especially dragons and Will can add their DnD classes as a surprise, hopefully Mike will love it.
Concentrated he starts to doodle on Mike's arm, his tongue tugs slightly out of the corner, his brows slightly furrowed and Mike just sits there enchanted by the way his best friend looks incredibly cute like this.
His cheeks start to blush a little, but he doesn't see what could be wrong with calling his best friend cute in his mind when Will still has the same concentrated look making his skin a masterpiece.
"Done, you can go look at it", says Will after some time looking very satisfied and excited, so they both rush over to the mirror near the table.
"Woaaah!", slips out of Mike his mouth flying open. A dragon is now flying down his entire arm down, but the best thing is that a cleric and paladin sit together on top of it.
The paladin has his hands around the cleric and their hands are intertwined, it's Mike and Will in their Dnd outfits.
Mike is just lost in staring amazed at all the details Will was able to put into every little line.
"Do you like it?", asks Will shyly a bit nervous because Mike still hasn't said a lot and maybe he doesn't like the way he drew their DND classes holding hands?
Even though they've held hands multiple times, when one of them got scared of a thunderstorm or during sleepovers or just casually sometimes not even thinking about it much.
But people have been giving them weird looks lately and Lonnie hates it when they do it, screaming slurs at Will once Mike is gone that he still doesn't understand, but he ends up crying anyways everytime.
But Mike just turns around, squeezing Will excited in a tight hug "Will I love it, it's soo cool! Thank you! Now I can never wash my arm again", he beams at him squeezing his hands and Will is blushing again, smiling back.
"I´m so glad you like it! Maybe next time I should ask for a price", he giggles about his own joke, but Mike immediately has the same face expression as always when he's thinking deeply.
"Oh I know a price I can give you!", he then exclaims his eyes beaming and Will looks curious at him, their hands are still intertwined and he doesn't want to let go.
He likes Mike's hands in his, they feel soft and good and his best friend doesn't seem to want to let go either.
Suddenly Mike feels very shy and nervous, but he really wants to reward his best friend for this masterpiece and Will just looks so cute when he's blushing and smiling at him.
His heart flutters and beats faster, Mike doesn't know what it means, but there's a small tingle everytime Will smiles or laughs with his cheeks blushed, he assumes its because he just loves making his best friend happy.
"Uhm I...only if you want to ok? I could give you a kiss as a price. Like on the cheek", he adds fast even though for some reason Mike really wants nothing more right now then press his lips on his best friend.
Will's eyes widen, his blush growing red very fast and he nodds, trying not to do it too eager.
Secretly Will has fantasized an odd number of times about what Mike's lips would feel like, sometimes he catches himself staring at them wondering if they are as soft as they look.
Will knows that it's not something you should think about best friends, but no one can see his own thoughts right?
So he let's himself drift into it on dark nights when he can't seem to fall asleep, still trembling from Lonnie screaming at him again.
He usually imagines Mike in his bed cuddling close, holding his hand and placing kisses on his cheeks continuously until Will can't do anything else than fall asleep with a happy smile.
Mike leans in in this moment, one hand letting go of Will's and carefully using it to tilt his face, letting it rest there just underneath his cheek.
Then he finally places a gentle kiss on Will´s cheek, who closes his eyes in the moment his heart bumping very fast when he finally feels Mike's lips.
They both beam wide at each other when Mike retreats, equally blushing and shyly asks "was that ok?", Will nodds eagerly feeling dizzy from the tingling inside him.
Secretly he wonders if Mike would mind if he gave him a kiss back, he really wants to right now and he looks so happy, grinning at him.
Will bites his lips, but he decides to be bold when Mike's gaze is currently focused on the mirror admiring the drawing and mumbling "so cool" and "love it".
With a swift motion he steps next to him, closing the slight distance between them and taps shyly at Mike's shoulder who turns to him questioning.
"Uhm would you want to... would you want a kiss too?", he almost whispers his cheeks feeling very hot now.
Mike blinks and then beams at Will nodding, he secretly wanted to place more kisses onto his face and his mouth.
An urge that he still didn't understand but it tingled in a very good way when he gave Will a kiss and he could never deny his best friend anything, especially not when he looks up to him with his wide green eyes.
Will gets closer now, so he's closing his eyes and his lips feel just as soft on his cheek as he always imagined.
Mike already wants more when he retreats, but he isn't bold enough to ask and inside his emotions are pure chaos, trying to make sense of it.
Both are now giggling over nothing, then minutes later settling in close comfort on the couch with a new comic reading it together.
Its a little while after their graduation, Will and Mike live together now, Will applying to study art in Manhattan and Mike simply following along choosing english literature in the same college.
Of course they live together, it doesn't appear to either to them why it would be any other way.
"Shouldn't we let a pro do it?", Will asks a bit hesitantly in this moment having a needle in one hand and ink in the other.
Classes have just started in college and it's weekend, they had one lesson about the art of tattoos and because this is Will he impulsively bought himself a little starter kit for tattoos himself later that afternoon.
The moment Mike saw it, his eyes glowed up and he practically begged Will to practice on him so here they are now sitting on the couch with all the tools neccessary.
"It's not meaningful if a stranger does it", says Mike like its the most simple answer in the world, Will smiles trying to hide the slight blush creeping up his cheeks.
He made about twenty sketches, before Will even had the guts to show it to Mike because what if it's not good enough?
But honestly he probably was worried too much, because Mike looked at the sketch and traced alongside the lines like he had just been handed a treasure and it made Will feel all warm and fuzzy.
Its a sword and a shield with a heart, Mike insisted on the heart with big puppy dog eyes, making Will blush furiously sketching it as asked.
"you said I'm the heart and all those beautiful words to me, so I just want to remember that forever. Because you believe in me", he said smiling warm at him and Will's heart did a violent backflip at that.
They had talked shortly about the painting before moving in together and even though Will still didn´t have the guts to tell Mike the full truth about his own feelings, it had been a good talk.
Right now Will has started as carefully as possible to poke the design into Mike's shoulder, he hisses at the first few stabs and then relaxes.
Mike's gaze is fixated on Will, he just looks so beautiful when he is concentrated and he couldn't take his eyes off him even if he wanted to.
Mesmerized by the one mole slightly above his lip, his long lashes framing his eyes and the way the sunlight just hits him in the right angle and Mike is so hopelessly and undeniable in love with him, it makes him feel like he can't breathe sometimes.
Even being allowed to live with him, to wake up every morning in their apartment they have together and even though Will is already gone to his classes sometimes, there is always a coffee waiting for Mike or some small breakfast.
His heart bumps a bit faster everytime at these small gestures, but Mike's favorite time is when they both return home from the day in college usually a bit exhausted, flopping down together on the couch.
Sometimes turning on some random movie, sometimes just leaning against each other in silence, sometimes they turn on music and talk about random things just enjoying the comfort, but one thing always stays the same.
After a short time one of them reaches out pulling the other one closer, until Will's head rests onto Mike's shoulder and one arm is wrapped around his best friend waist.
Which usually evolves into Will sighing happily and shifting himself more sideways so he can lay his head on Mike's chest and Mike wraps his arms fully around the other boy just as much happy.
the first times initiating the cuddling in their apartment was shy, careful and not all at once.
Mike or Will scooting closer until there was no space left between them, thighs and arms pressing against each other, then Mike bringing up the courage to put on arm behind Will as casually as possible his heart bumping fast.
Nervously with a shy smile he glanced at Will, an unspoken question in his eyes and his best friend just laid his head onto his shoulder smiling widely, a small blush appearing.
His arm finding a comfortable position on Will´s waist, his heart bumping fast and hoping Will doesnt see his blush too much.
"Maybe we should get matching ones next", bursts out of Mike in this moment, his entire body tingles under the careful touch of Will's fingers working on the tattoo. He would really love matching tattoos, something that says that they always will belong together no matter what and silently he's hoping, that Will picks up on the unspoken question behind it.
The question he has been too afraid to ask: if Will wants to be together as a couple, boyfriends, if he is just as much in love with Mike as he is with him.
The thin line they have danced around since moving in together between friendship and something more has been growing thinner constantly until Mike couldn't deny his own feelings anymore.
Until he started to notice things that bloomed hope in his heart, tiny things at first Will lingering longer than neccessary into a touch, a slight blush appearing whenever he compliments him or brings him snacks home.
Then alongside cuddling a more definite blush, happy sighs whenever they share this close comfort, a warm and honest smile whenever Mike enters a room and Will is already there.
It's like they're magnets drawn together on every occasion, both matching blushes and smiles and their friends have noticed it too, knowing grins and glances from El, Dustin, Lucas and Max between Mike and Will whenever they come visit.
Lucas catching Mike in a moment alone last week grinning expectantly at him "Have you asked him yet?", frowning when he shook his head embarrassed, still not finding the courage.
He was the first person Mike went to when realizing his own feelings, fidgeting nervously with his hands his gaze fixated on the floor before blurting out "I like will! Like...as more as a friend"
Lucas just raised an eyebrow, patted him comforting on the shoulder and said "Dude I know. it was so obvious. Took you long enough to realize".
Eleven had reacted surprisingly well too just nodding thoughtful saying "as long as you make him happy and promise to not hurt him anymore" and Mike promised. After their breakup back when the Byers family had just moved into their house, she had agreed to stay friends and much to the relief of Mike their friendship was so much better and easier making him feel able to breath more freely for the first time in a long time.
So yeah all that was really left to do was asking Will out and he had tried building up the courage for weeks now, hoping that this would be the moment where Will realized what he really had implied.
Will was concentrated on poking the design, feeling Mikes gaze on him didn't neccessarily help, making him feel out of breath and all tingling inside.
"We should get matching ones next", said Mike in this moment and Will's heart stumbled, stopped and he held his breath.
Did Mike really imply what he hoped or was it just Will reading too much into it again?
He didn't know what to do with himself, his brain short-circuiting but he still had the needle inside his skin and so Will blurted out the first thing that would stall him some time "Don't move or it'll look bad" and Mike complied, his gaze not leaving Will for a second and he swore that it was even more intense now.
It felt like the whole room was buzzing with the unspoken things, the tension that had built since weeks and his own feelings even more stronger and louder.
It had been like this since they moved in together, but Will vividly remembered the time where it all had started back when the world was still chaos and things with Vecna still way too unsettling.
Their family moved in temporarily with the wheelers around that time since they had no home in Hawkins anymore, Will sleeping in the basement with Jonathan.
The interactions with Mike were a bit akward at first, nervous smiles, avoiding looks, both trying their best to find back to the old comfort but still too much unspoken things between them and Will tried his best being happy with Mike and Eleven being together.
Then their breakup happened, El calling him randomly on a saturday afternoon through the walkie.
"El? Oh hey what's up?", he asked a little confused but still happy to hear his sisters voice, sitting up from the couch where he had been lying down and listening to music.
"Can we talk? Mike and me broke up", she said her voice not sounding really sad just more neutral, still Will couldn't help but immediately burst out
"Wait what? Yeah of course. I´m so sorry El, I thought you two had fixed it", he responded.
but secretly it felt like a weight that he had been carrying for so long being lifted off, an exhaling breath escaping him but also feeling guilty about it.
"I think we both know that Mike and me weren't good for each other for a while now, so its ok", she said laughing slightly and then continuing
"It was actually a really good talk, we're going to stay friends and we talked about all the lies in his confession. he apologized and said that he just wanted to safe me in that moment. We both agreed that our relationship was not good, so yeah we ended it"
Will listened attentively, trying to sort the new puzzle pieces, he had noticed that something still was off after the confession and their distance undeniable but he hadn't thought that it went that far.
"Wait lies...he lied in his confession?", Will asked suddenly realizing and El responded "yeah".
Before adding more quietly "I think you should go to him, he seemed pretty upset about something after I pointed out his lying. I'll be ok Will, I think... you will be able to calm him down. You always do"
"Oh. Yeah ok, cya El we'll talk later ok?", he responded and hung up after her promising to call tomorrow and saying goodbye.
He hesitated for a few minutes, wondering if Mike even wanted his comfort, they hadn't been exactly close since moving in.
But the thought of his best friend possibly crying alone immediately twisted his stomach so he made his way up the stairs to Mike's room and knocked carefully.
No answer but he swore he heard someone sniffling "Mike it's me", he said and when he heard a quiet "come in" he opened the door.
Only to find Mike with tears running down his cheeks sitting on the floor leaned against his bed with his legs drawn to his chin, looking up to him like a lost puppy.
Immediatly he closed the door behind them and with a few steps Will was sitting next to Mike, placing both arms on his shoulders "Hey what is it? What happened?"
But his best friend gave no answer, instead just falling into his arms hugging him tightly and crying into his shirt.
Will put his own arms around him and pulled him even closer, his hands caressing his back comforting him while uncontrollable sobs came out of Mike, his whole body shaking and mumbling against his chest "Im sorry, I'm so sorry Will".
"Hey it's ok, ssh I'm here. Why are you sorry?", asked Will trying to get him to talk somehow and Mike pulled a bit back from the hug his eyes full of tears.
"For saying that...I don't know why I said that Will. I..Of course my life didn't start the day we found El in the woods and you were missing. I'm so sorry Will, so sorry! It started when you said yes to being my friend Will! Please forgive me, please!"
the words were falling rapidly out of his mouth, his sobs breaking through here and there and Will couldn't help but tear up too, hearing that sentence had shattered him the most besides Mike saying that he loved Eleven.
So now hearing this, Mike pouring his heart out desperately felt so healing and warm, like a piece of his own heart back in his place.
"Hey it's ok Mike I forgive you. I forgive you, I'm here", he said with emphasis carefully wiping tears away from his cheeks letting his touch linger for a second longer than he meant to and then Mike pulled him back in a tight hug still crying but slowly calming down.
They stayed like this for a while, finding comfort in each other both reluctant to let go after such a long time of not hugging and being close to each other like this.
Will still caressing Mike's back slightly even though he had stopped crying a while ago and his best friend melting into his hands, making Will slightly blush even though he knew this was really not the right moment to have butterflies in his stomach.
"Wanna read a comic?", he asked shyly, they hadn't hung out since he moved in and he really had missed it, missed this and to his relief Mike pulled slightly back to nod a small smile forming on him as well.
They spent the rest of the day scooted up close on Mike's bed, an ease and old comfort settling in quickly with Mike starting to ramble soon about different comics and lores with glowing eyes and Will listening attentively smiling wide.
When they noticed that it was already dark outside, they stared at each other and then laughed uncontrollably, time really was flying by when you have a good time.
"I should probably go back to the basement, I'm really tired", said Will still grinning and slightly yawning and Mike's smile dropped ever so slightly, his eyes darting down to his hands fidgeting.
Then he shot a nervous glance to Will before bursting out "Or you sleep up here! Um I mean...I have a spare mattress and we could y'know share a room", his gaze avoiding him again.
Will was pleasantly surprised, secretly he had wanted to share the room with the boy he loved since they moved in but he had been to shy to ask until now, so this was his chance.
"I'd love to!", he said before realizing his slip up, nervously looking down adding quickly "Um I mean yeah sounds cool"
"Cool!", chimed Mike happily which made him look back up, both smiling at each other.
Everything had been so much easier and comfortable between them after that, Mike not avoiding touching anymore even seeking it out occasionally.
Will leaning into every touch happily, them always sitting or standing close enough for their arms to brush, knees bumping and their thighs touching, neither of them minding one bit.
When Robin entered Will's friendship circle things felt suddenly easier around his sexuality, he didn't want to hide anymore and the moment he unlocked his powers thinking of his and Mike's first memory together it was the final push of him feeling confident and in control.
Even though he had tried subtly flirting with Mike after Robin had pointed out all these signals that fitted them and being left very embarrassed, when Mike just walked away not returning it.
He wanted to, no he needed to know if they all would accept him for who he truly was, for who he loved and so in the middle of the chaos between planning the final endbattle against Vecna he decided he needed to do this now if he wanted to fight against him.
Will sat down with his Mom, trying form words that didn't want to leave his mouth until Mike stumbled in and in an impulsive moment he decided to just tell all of his best friends at once.
"Wait. I think you need to hear this too. And can you get Lucas, Dustin and Max too?, he asked nervously and Mike blinked confused but did as he was told.
His mind was running in circles trying to figure out what Will wanted to tell them, he almost felt nervous as well even though Mike wasnt the one in the middle of the attention.
After gathering Lucas, Max, Dustin and El they all sat down on floor in a semi-circle since there wasn't really anything to sit on, eyes filled with curiosity on Will.
Joyce was sitting beside him on the bed, holding one hand as comfort and Mike twitched wanting to be the one to do that but he could tell the sheer amount of nervousity beaming off of Will so he didn't want to make the situation more stressful than neccessary.
"I really want to fight vecna too, because I think I can be very helpful", Will started hesitantly and then his next words tumbled faster out of his mouth
"but to do that I can't be afraid anymore of what you all would think of me if y'all knew... What im trying to say is that I..I don't like girls"
Mikes lips parted slightly, he blinked a couple of times trying to process it. Did Will really mean it in this way?
That was an option? To not like girls and be ok with it?
Maybe his own feelings for Will weren't that wrong and he actually had a chance? A thousand questions at once rushed through his brain, while his best friend continued to clarify himself.
"I mean I do. Just not like you all. I uhm...I just don't like them romantically. I like boys", as soon as the truth was out Will exhaled his gaze darting down.
Joyce was the first to pull him in a tight hug "Oh Will thank you for trusting us and I love you no matter what, do you hear me? What matters is that you're happy ok?", she said with tears in her eyes and Will tried holding his own back nodding.
Then his gaze dropped nervously back to his friends, but most of all to Mike who had been caught up in his own thoughts up to this moment when their eyes met.
He almost jumped up hurrying to pull his best friend in a tight hug, soon followed by the gang surrounding Will in a group hug who finally let his tears fall freely in relief.
"We support you Will no matter what!", said Mike his hands still tightly wrapped around the other boy and Eleven chimed in next to him "Yeah Will, I love you and nothing will change that".
Only then Mike let reluctantly go knowing that his sister wanted to hug him just as tight, but he still stayed close sitting next to him one hand on his shoulder.
Later on the radio tower Mike was standing there, exhaling just for a minute before the battle and trying to prepare himself.
His mind was still humming with questions and thousand of other things, but the moment 2 days earlier he had seen Will gaining powers saving him it was like something clicked.
He just looked at his best friend in awe and all he was able to think was how beautiful Will looked and suddenly everything he had felt towards the other boy made so much more sense.
The answer so clear inside him his whole life, waiting for Mike to not be afraid anymore of what other people say and what he thought of himself.
He was hopelessly in love with Will and just on cue his best friend climbed up the tower joining him next to the railing.
Mike immediately felt out of breath unable to look anywhere else than Will, he didn't want to loose him and it was all still overwhelming to catch up on.
But Will had been so courageous and Mike wanted to share at least a part of the truth with him, too afraid of rejection if he told him how he felt.
"Hey uhm what you said earlier at the squawk, I'm really proud of you", he paused smilind and then continued "And I guess i was just wondering why you didn't tell me earlier. I mean I could never hate you, y'know?".
His smile now cautiously but still there and Will turned towards him, a smile forming on his face as well but there was something else that Mike just couldn't lay his finger on.
"thank you Mike, I appreciate that. And I'm glad that you reacted so well. I was just really scared you know? For so long I've had to listen to people...calling me names and then you said that thing in the rain and when you pushed me away in lenora...I just felt like maybe you would push me away forever if I would tell you", he said and his eyes were slightly teary now.
Mike felt extremely bad, biting his own lips and his gaze darting down on his hands.
Of course Will had forgiven him very quickly for these things, but he had been a really shitty friend to him in the past and obviously it had hurt his best friend more than Will wanted to admit.
He sighed heavily feeling ashamed, trying to find the right words "Yeah I was quite an asshole to you in the past and... I'm so sorry Will! For everything. I never wanted to hurt you and I wanted to tell you that I...shit, why is this so hard?", he groaned throwing his head in his hands.
Will reached out immediatly putting a hand on his shoulder "hey its ok Mike I forgive you and I'm here for you ok? Go on please", he said with emphasis nudging Mike slightly and smiling at him and he returned the smile, his heart stuttering shortly.
Then he inhaled and returned his focus on his hands, fidgeting with them before finding his voice again to continue.
"Listen, I think I just was very confused for the longest time. About myself and trying so hard to fit in and be normal...and I hated myself for being like this, y'know?
like my dad constantly reminded me of how wrong it was. And i guess I tried so hard to love Eleven the way I was supposed to, but I didn't. I didn't", he said emphasizing his sentence with his hands and turned slightly back to Will constantly grounding himself by looking at him.
His best friend looked a bit puzzled at him, furrowing his brows before asking hesitantly "what...what do you mean mike? You didn't love Eleven? I don't understand", Wills voice srayed genuine trying to understand Mike and he groaned, tugging slightly at his own hair for not being able to say what he wanted to.
"I did, but not like romantically Will. I mean...shit. What you said earlier, I think... I'm like you. I like boys too and this is all so confusing and I'm sor-", before he could finish apologizing Will had laid a hand on his mouth.
Surprised he looked at him their eyes meeting and all he saw was an undeniable warmth mixed with him slightly crying now and he felt nothing but warmth coming off of the other boys eyes.
Will understood him, saw him more than anyone else and he pulled his hand away only to crush him in a tight hug, which Mike replied immediately sighing relieved melting into his arms.
"Never be sorry for that ok?", whispered Will, his voice trembling and Mike realized in that moment that he had started crying too, only being able to nod.
He wrapped his hands even tighter around Will and allowing himself for the first time to fully feel his love for the other boy.
his heart bumping fast, while he happily inhaled the familiar smell that was a mix of shampoo and something earthy, but most of all just smelling like Will and home.
Will pulled slightly away, his hands still on Mike's shoulder their eyes meeting yet again making him feel even more breathless.
"Thank you for telling me this Mike. I know how hard it can be to realize this, especially with motuhbreathers all around", they both chuckle at that.
Mike can't take his eyes off the other boy, raveling in the beauty of Will up close. His eyes sparkling from laughing, his cheeks still slightly wet from tears and his lips, oh gosh he really wanted to kiss him badly right now.
Realizing only just now how many times he had stared at those same soft features, wondering how it would feel on his, craving to kiss him until they were both breathless.
Mike opted for the safer option, wanting to make Will smile all the time if he could, wanting to make him feel as special as he was.
"Of course I trust you. You're my favorite person Will" and then gulped hoping that it wasn't too much, that he hadn't accidentally crossed a line he wasn't ready yet for.
But Will's eyes glowed up beautiful, his cheeks got slightly pink and he responded with a wide smile "You're my favorite person too, Mike" and now it was his turn to grin widely, his heart stopping, stumbling over this and racing faster than ever.
"Come on let's go we got a dimension to catch", he grinned trying to ease a joke into the tension and reluctantly letting his hands fall away from Will, already missing the body contact.
But now was really not the time to dwell on it much longer as they headed towards the tip of the tower joining their friends and defeated vecna in a final exhausting battle.
Meanwhile Will was silently finishing the tattoo, his thoughts running wild and his brain short-circuiting from the way Mike looked at him.
He hadn't made all this up, right?
The constant touches, the cuddling, the way Mike looked at him, the blushing, the compliments and constant affection showering him with snacks and coffee.
It was all there and now he wanted to get matching tattoos like a couple, wanted to get something under his skin for the rest of his life to match with Will.
Will had just been to scared yet to make a move, to actually cross the line because there was still a slight chance that Mike could reject him.
They had everything together he had always dreamed of except actually being together, so yeah to say the least it was scary.
But he had tried building up the courage to ask Mike to finally cut the crap and just kiss him and be together, because the amount of times he had caught him literally staring at his lips in the last few weeks drove him crazy.
Finally he was done, inspecting his work critically "it's a little wonky, sorry", said Will grimacing at the lines but Mike immediately exclaimed loudly "no it's perfect" and Will smiled at him, their eyes met and both boys started to blush.
Suddenly Will remembered a very similar situation when they were still kids and his blush deepened immediately at the idea manifesting in his head, but it was the perfect opportunity to ask Mike in a way where he could still back out just in case.
"What do I get as prize for?", he said grinning and slightly teasing, internally he was holding on for dear life though his heart beating fast as he watched Mike's expression shift into confusion.
Maybe he didn't remember anymore?
It had been such a long time ago, so maybe this was just really silly but suddenly he saw with his own eyes how something clicked inside Mike as his eyes glowed up and his blush deepened as well.
A grin forming on him, his voice shaky and clearly nervous as his gaze flickered between Will's eyes and his lips "Hmm, do you...can I give you a kiss?", his eyes now filled with fear and something desperate.
Will felt dizzy from all the tension, his whole body already on fire and tingling all over without them even kissing just the pure closeness and so he just nodded eagerly, unable to form words.
He wanted nothing more in this moment and Mike ever so slowly leaned in, placing one hand carefully on his cheek his gaze now fully settling on Will´s lips and moving closer until there was only inches left.
Hovering uncertain there almost as if asking for permission, Will feeling his breath on his skin and mouth and his whole body felt like vibrating with the amount of craving.
Finally he couldn't take it anymore and so he pulled Mike on his shirt towards him desperately, their lips finally meeting.
Both boys gasped at the contact, Will's hand trembling still holding onto Mike for dear life, this was so much better as he had ever imagined.
Their lips stayed on each other for while, not moving just testing the waters, goosebumps running down Will´s arms.
Mike pulled back first, both a little breathless processing what just happened and grinning like idiots, Wills heart felt like bursting out of love for him.
He already craved the feeling of Mike's lips on his, so he spoke "do you want a kiss too?" and the other boy just nodded grinning both meeting in the middle.
Now Mike didn't hold back anymore as he started to move his lips against Will and holy shit this was even better, Will gasped and quickly copied the moves their lips now pulling against each other slowly and soft.
He hummed happily into the kiss, burying his hands in Mikes hair like he always wanted to and he got pulled down by his hands until they were laying down now, Will on top of Mike.
Chests flushed against each other no space left between them, legs tangled and it was almost too much for Will his entire body sending signals like fireworks going off all at once and he never wanted to stop kissing Mike.
Their lips met more passionately now, open mouths finding a rythm, hands settling comfortably on each other trying to tug each other impossibly closer, both sighing happily and gasping here and there by the sheer amount of emotions held in this kiss.
When they finally pulled apart to get some air, Will was met with the most beautiful sight of Mike beneath him glowing, cheeks flushed red ans his lips pink and swollen from kissing.
He reached out his hand caressing his cheek fascinated, making sure that this is real and Mike leaned into the touch closing his eye shortly before opening them and reaching out with his hand as well.
"I wanted to ask you something for a while. Still can't believe this is real but...do you want to be my boyfriend?", he asked nervousity shining through as his hand on Will´s cheek started to tremble slightly.
His eyes reflected a newfound look of love and hope and Will completely lost his mind over it, his heart stopping, his breath getting caught in his lungs.
"I'd love to be your boyfriend, oh my god yes! I've been wanting this for so long, i still can't believe it" he burst out surging down to place multiple kisses on Mike's face between each word and he felt him laughing joyfully, before he got pulled into another kiss.
Later that night when Will got ready for bed he was unsure where to sleep, of course he wanted to sleep next to Mike but they literally had just figured this out so he was unsure of the rules.
He stepped out of the bathroom, tiptoeing unsure to Mike who was already lying in bed beaming at him once he entered the room.
"Uhm we should go to sleep", he started unsure his gaze nervously switching between Mike and the floor and his boyfriend just stared at him expectantly before it seemed to occur to him, that Will was still standing there hesitantly.
"Well what are you waiting for? Come here", he said impatiently patting next to him and Will sighed relieved, immediately slipping under the covers only to be pulled onto Mike's chest into a tight cuddle.
Will happily nuzzled himself even more into Mike's neck and Mikes hands tightened even more around him, pulling him impossibly closer.
Mike looked down on him and Will up loosing himself in those eyes, their lips met immediatly exchanging soft kisses and then Will pulled back beaming at his boyfriend.
His heart was filled with all the adoration and love he had felt for Mike for all these years, and he looked beyond beautiful with the small street light that cast from outside into the room and he just couldn't take it anymore.
"I love you so much Mike! I've loved you for such a long time oh god I loved you since we were kids", he burst out and then slapped a hand over his mouth realizing the amount he had just admitted to.
Mike's eyes started glowing like stars, his eyes getting slightly teary as he simply removed Will's hand and pulled him into a passionate short kiss.
Then he put both hands on Will's face looking so fondly at him, it made feel him dizzy and said "I love you too Will. I've loved you for a while now too and I'm sorry it took me so long to see it. I love you so much", pressing kisses all over his face and Will giggled happily whispering back "it's ok mikey. We have us now".
They fell asleep pretty fast after that both drained from all the emotions, all cuddled up warm and fuzzy leaving not even an inch between them.
The sunday morning was followed by dreamy staring, Mike waking up Will with soft kisses to his whole face and once he did, he smiled so hard that it almost hurt, pulling him into a passionate kiss.
The rest was filled with soft tender touches, kisses carefully placed on bare skin, compliments whispered into ears as hands explored each other, passionate sounds escaping and one of the truly best moments in Will's life that he ever had, sharing his first time with his first and only love.
They had been together for 6 Months now and both Will and Mike were the happiest they've ever been.
It was still them every day going to college, sharing meals and movies together, hanging out with their friends if possible and enjoying whenever it was weekend and they were able to cuddle all day.
But at the same time it was so much more, holding hands, kisses shared between cooking together and movie nights, cuddles and touches whenever they could and desperate hands searching for more here and there.
Their friends of course had reacted very cheerful, already knowing the feelings existing before and assuming something more the minute they saw them all sweet and lovestruck with each other over one of their campaigns.
Lucas and Dustin cheered excited, El hugged her brother tightly almost crushing him and Max laughed happily exclaiming "great now we get to deal with those two being lovebirds and all over each other", but it had no real bite to it as she still grinned widely.
Just to prove her point Mike grinned smirking, catched Will's cheek and pulled him into a kiss, Will immediately melting against his lips sighing heavily as their lips met passionately.
"Ugh gross! Get a room", yelled Max and Will pulled away blushing furiously, seeing Dustin roll his eyes, Lucas imitate getting strangled and El laughing about it.
He started laughing as well, yep this was exactly what he had imagined and he loved his best friends so much and he loved his boyfriend, gosh he never really wanted to stop kissing him or his face or tell him how pretty he was.
The first time he did it, Mike grew red within seconds all flustered and started stuttering which made Will chuckle happily immediately cataloging it as his favorite response.
Which is why he continued with more compliments, but Mike equally had figured out how to render him completely flustered when he kissed every inch of his face whispering thousand things he loved about him and how pretty he looked and how kissable.
It was perfect and Will loved Mike beyond worlds, so for their 6 month anniversary he had secretly worked on a sketch which was kinda hard with living together with Mike, but somehow he managed it wanting to surprise him.
Today was the day and luckily it was a Friday so they had only courses until lunch, promising to meet after.
When Will got home the smell of his favorite pizza laid in the air and Mike waiting for him, immediately grinning pulling him into a passionate kiss "happy anniversary honey".
Will pulled back glowing and responded happily "happy anniversary babe. Can we eat first? Im really hungry" and Mike chuckled, they both sat close on the couch Will leaning on Mike as they were eating the pizza.
When they were finally done, Will was nervous again and told Mike to wait shortly "I got you something", he just said before quickly gripping the sketch from his secret stash, his heart bumping fast.
What if Mike didn't like it? What if it was way too much?
But there was no going back now and when he returned Mike waited expectantly for him, a present in his hands as well.
"I got you something too, here you open it first", he beamed giving Will a short kiss and Will just couldn't stop smiling over how adorable Mike was, he set his rolled up sketch on the table and carefully opened the present, then he gasped.
There were two necklaces in it, one in yellow one in blue, but both had green in the middle part and a little green heart hanging.
"I hope you like them, I made them myself and they're not as good as I wanted to", said Mike nervously fidgeting, but Will took his hands and squeezed them ecstatic. "Mike you made them? They're perfect. I love it thank you! And I love you", he added grinning as their eyes looked full of love and adoration for each other and he got pulled into another kiss smiling into it.
"Ok now your turn", he said excited but also nervous handing the rolled up paper to Mike.
Mike carefully unrolled it, his eyes glowing up and then he saw the writing underneath the drawing and his mouth flew wide open.
He stared at the sketch and then at him and then back to it for solid two minutes and Will got anxious.
"Sorry is it too much? I ju-" the rest was cut off by his boyfriend surging forward trapping his lips on him desperately and passionately, Will gasping but kissing back just as much his hands settling behind Mike's back.
His boyfriend grabbing him urgently at the waist moving him on top of his lap, still not breaking the heavy kiss between them, their tongues meeting and them fully making out now.
His hands slightly tugging on Will´s hair making him gasp and he finally pulled back only enough to pant heavily, his eyes full of joyful tears.
"Will this is...wow. I dont even know what to say, but it could never be too much! I love you so much! Its perfect will, you're perfect! your everything", the words fell out off him enthusiastically, his hands caressing and cupping Will´s cheeks and Will was tearing up now too.
"Stop or I'll cry too", he chuckled wiping away a single tear and then a bit quieter "and your perfect too Mike. I love you too" and Mike made a sound between a sob and a joyful laugh.
Their breaths mingling into each other, lips falling on top of each other without any words needed, as tongues and mouths met yet again crashing into each other passionately.
Will´s hands tugged into Mike's hair, grabbing it passionately making him gasp and in return Mike´s hands landed on Wills waist, fingers digging into bare skin.
Everything around them vanished in a blur until it was only them in this moment, lips meeting again and again and hands starting to explore eachother passionately.
Only them and the unrolled sketch next to them on the desk showing a dragon spitting fire in the form of a heart, cursive letters in the middle spelling out "crazy together".
Underneath it Will´s own handwriting 'Let's get matching tattoos together, if you still want to? Love, Will'.
A month later after carefully picking a tattoo artist their skins we're now unmistakably engraved with a symbol that would forever bind them together, just like it was always meant to be.
Shared laughter over movie nights and DND campaigns, looks full of love, sweet nothings whispered to each other in the dark night, living together and loving each other deeply. Each day more and more, growing old as couple together.