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Things were actually going right for them for once.
Not only had El managed to wake up Will, but they also had Max back. And they’d managed to radio Dustin and Nancy and the others, they were finally going to find Holly!
Mike tingled with positivity the whole drive back to the Squawk.
He hadn’t felt this good about things since that night at the MAC-Z. The night Will had saved them all, revealed himself as a real-life Sorcerer!
It was better than Mike could ever have dreamed.
His best friend had powers, powers just like El. Maybe even better than El, as Will had Vecna’s powers, and what better way to beat Vecna then to use his own power against him?
Granted it hadn’t gone too well, and Will had ended up trapped inside Vecna’s mind, but he was back now. The entire party were back together! Mike couldn’t see how they could possibly lose now.
Regarding Will… they hadn’t really had the chance to talk properly, not how Mike had wanted to. What with Will only just awake and Mike rushing to the hospital to get Max. But they could talk now, and Mike could say all he wanted to say.
Say how he-
Well, he’d come to that when he had Will right in front of him. Alone. Just the two of them.
In hindsight, Mike should have realised that things didn’t often go his way for very long.
He had just got out the van, holding Max’s wheelchair steady so that Lucas could lift her from the backseat and down into it, when Steve stepped out towards the vast fields, staring into the distance.
“Hey,” he shouted, commanding attention. “There’s some guy coming up the slope.”
Vickie, the nurse, pushed Max along, so they were stood all together as they looked down the slope.
Steve was right, there was someone there! Just a few paces out from the trees.
“Who is that?” Max wondered out loud.
The figure in the distance raised a hand to his brow, shielding his eyes from the sun as he looked straight ahead. In their direction. Then his posture straightened abruptly, quickening his pace as he advanced further up the hill and away from the woods.
Mike squinted, trying to see the man better. He had a strange sheen to his clothing: metallic. And something long and red drifted behind him. Was he carrying a flag? Way to get noticed by the military.
The man quickened his pace to a jog, rushing up the end of the slope. “Your Majesty!” He exclaimed, voice carrying on the wind. He spoke funny, not an American accent. But also, ‘your Majesty?’
Who the hell was this guy?
As he got closer, the silvery sheen to his clothing turned to armour, leather vambraces strapped to his wrists, and the deep red flag flying behind him wasn’t a flag at all, but a heavy woollen cloak. A knight’s clothing, like right out of a story.
But what was a Medieval knight doing in Hawkins?
He came to a stop before Jonathan of all people, a broad smile stretching across his face. A familiar face.
Jonathan froze, his gaze scanning the knight in front of him like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
Mike couldn’t either, his own jaw dropping.
Because that was his face! It was his face, because the stranger was him. Except it wasn’t him because he was standing right here!
This double of him carried himself with surety, clearly older than Mike was now, perhaps even older than Jonathan. Early twenties, at least. A little more weathered, his hair cut longer and curling around his shoulders. He was broader too, Mike noted, strong shouldered and tall, and Mike crossed his arms across his chest self-consciously.
“How long it has been since I have seen a face I know. My sword is yours, until we find our way home,” his double declared. Then, with a flourish, he drew a long, sliver sword from his belt, dropping to one knee as he presented the blade to Jonathan, the length lying across both palms.
Bewilderment written all over his face, Jonathan stood there awkwardly, hands hanging by his sides as he stared down at the bowed man. At Mike, kneeling before him.
“Uh,” Jonathan said unintelligently. “Arise?”
The knight lifted his head, his dark curls drifting in the wind. Just the appearance of him looked heroic, confident and sure, and Mike’s hand rose to his own hair, raking through his own, shorter strands. Greasier strands, as he couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a shower.
The knight’s eyes, which had been closed tight since he had uttered his vow, opened, his gaze narrowing as he took in the rest of them stood there. As if only just now he was noticing anyone besides Jonathan.
He sheathed his sword in a single motion, the blade ringing out like a bell. Then he stood once more.
“You stand in the presence of your king, and yet you fail to bend the knee.” He projected his voice as he spoke, slightly deeper that Mike’s, and accented in the way people in fantasy movies spoke. It was tinged in judgement too, and who the hell did this guy think he was?
More to the question, who the hell did he think Jonathan was? Did Mike hear him wrong, or did he really call Jonathan a king?
The knight was still speaking, and did this guy just enjoy the sound of his own voice or what?
“I see Sir Steven alone remembers himself,” Mike’s double said approvingly, raising a leather clad hand to point toward him. “Even in this infernal place your loyalty knows no bounds, Sir.”
He was taking to Steve and yet Mike couldn’t see Steve. Until he lowered his gaze to see that Steve was crouched on the ground, stooped over his own foot.
Robin covered her mouth, a muffled laugh escaping, whilst Dustin turned towards his friend, eyes widening in horror.
“Dude, you’re seriously bowing?” He hissed, drawing back his leg and kneeing Steve in the back.
“What? No!” Steve straightened up, his face screwed up in disgust. “Shoelace,” he said in lieu of explanation, shaking his left foot for emphasis. “As if I’d ever bow to him, come on!”
He wafted a hand towards Jonathan, who rolled his eyes. Then Steve looked at the knight, really looked at him, and his eyes almost bugged out of their sockets. “Holy shit! Wheeler?”
The knight exhaled sharply though his nose, clearly regretting ever singing Steve’s praises. At least that was something Mike could relate too.
“Two Mikes, and one of them is dressed like some crazy knight. Maybe I did die after all, and this really is hell.” Max mused from her chair, looking torn between breaking into disbelieved laughter, or wishing she was back inside Vecna’s mind.
Only now Mike was able to find his voice. “Really? I don’t know who the hell this guy is, but he’s not me! There’s only one me. Me!” He jabbed his thumb at his own chest.
“Your faces are familiar to me, and yet you look upon me as a stranger.” A wounded expression flickered across the knight’s face. Until it hardened, and his gaze fell upon Mike himself.
A ring of metal, and the sword was out again. Seriously, what was this guy’s obsession with swinging that thing around?
“And you…” The knight’s voice darkened, and he advanced towards Mike, forcing him to take stumbling steps backwards. Mike almost tripped, walking backwards up the incline of the hill. Then he did actually trip. Falling back onto his hands, mud from the grass seeping between his fingers.
The knight angled his sword downwards, the sharp edge pressing into the side of his neck. His friends shouted in protest, as a sting of pain nicked into his skin.
“What foul creature would steal my face and wear it as his own?” The knight’s voice growled, low and dangerous. Anger radiated from the taut lines of his body. “You seek to trick me, Agent of Vecna? You will not take the prince again, if that is your goal. You would die where you stand.”
“What the hell are you taking about?” Mike yelled from the ground, the sword pressing further against his neck and forcing him to tilt his head uncomfortably to the side.
Was this how he died after everything? Decapitated by his own insane knightly double? “This is my face. Jonathan, tell him!”
“Okay!” Jonathan raised his hands placatingly, hurrying towards Mike. He rested a hesitant hand on the knight’s shoulder, pushing him back slightly, and he went willingly. “I think there’s been some kind of misunderstanding. Sir…?” Jonathan trailed off, uncertain.
The knight paused, his dark eyes piercing into Mike’s own, suspicion swimming in their depths. Then he withdrew the sword, and Mike breathed a sigh of relief when the cold metal retracted.
He raised a hand to his neck on instinct, and it came back smeared with blood. Bastard! He’d actually cut him!
With a helping hand from Lucas, Mike scrambled to his feet, glaring at the knight. He wiped his hands on his pants, smearing dirt and blood on his jeans.
The knight turned away dismissively, eyes once again fixed on Jonathan. “Sir Michael of House Wheeler. Paladin of Light and Knight of the Kingdom of Hawkins. Sworn to serve his Majesty, Jonathan Lawrence Byers, first of his name, the King upon the Golden Throne.”
They all fell into stunned silence, the list of titles carrying in the wind long after they’d left the knight’s lips.
Jonathan looked stunned, closing his mouth from where it had hung open.
Even Robin had nothing smart to say, looking from Steve to Vickie, across to Jonathan and then back to Steve again.
The King upon the Golden Throne? Jonathan?
Now Mike was certain the man was insane.
“No, you’re not!” He protested. “I’m Michael Wheeler! And there is no Kingdom of Hawkins.” He turned to his friends, hissing out the corner of his mouth so that ‘Sir Michael’ wouldn’t hear. Wouldn’t want to actually get decapitated this time. “This guy is crazy!”
Dustin’s mouth moved silently, forming the shape of the words the knight had just uttered. “Paladin…” He trailed off, only to straighten up, a metaphorical lightbulb flashing above his head. “Holy shit! A Paladin! This is like-“
“D&D.” Lucas finished for him. “Like Mike the Brave, walked right out of your campaign, Mike!” He hammered a fist into Mike’s shoulder, as if Mike hadn’t just reached that conclusion himself.
But Mike the Brave didn’t hail from the Kingdom of Hawkins. There was no kingdom of Hawkins in any of his campaigns.
Why would he write about the shitty town he lived in anyway? And Mike the Brave certainly wouldn’t be sworn to serve Jonathan of all people. That would be something Will would think up.
“I know not of which you speak,” Sir Michael said stiffly, eyeing Lucas and Dustin like they were the crazy ones. “But I was transported from my realm by a flash of light, and I awoke in this new and strange land. From tunnels to woodland, I have wandered. Two days lost and alone.”
“This is Hawkins too.” Nancy said. She had her reporter face on, a placating, half-smile tugging at her lips. “Hawkins, Indiana.”
“I know not of the realm of Indiana,” Sir Michael said dismissively. “I was lost, but then I heard his call and I was drawn to this place.”
He stepped towards the Squawk, eyes roaming over its concrete walls with budding curiosity. A hand clutched at his chest, dark brows furrowing like he felt pain there. “I felt his sadness and despair, and I swore he would never have to bear that burden alone again for as long as I draw breath. Now tell me, where is he?”
The smile on Nancy’s face froze. “Where’s who?”
Sir Michael laughed in disbelief. “Why the prince, of course! The other half of my heart, my one true love.” He sighed, honest to God sighed, dreamy and longing.
He spun around to find Jonathan again, and horror began to build inside his chest as Mike realised what it was the knight was about to say.
A smile of serenity glowed on Sir Michael’s face. “My Cleric, Prince William.”
---
“Are you kidding me?” Mike whisper-shouted to Nancy as they led Sir Michael towards the entrance to the Squawk. “We can’t let this guy anywhere near Will. He’s crazy!”
The way the knight’s eyes gleamed when he spoke of his ‘love’, Mike didn’t trust that the man wouldn’t do something insane, like- like sweep Will up into his arms, or declare his undying love, or even kiss him!
Mike’s stomach twisted at the image, playing like a cinema reel inside his head. Sir Michael striding over to Will, gathering him in his sturdy embrace, cradling Will’s face whilst his lips brushed against his- No!
They had only just got Will back, freed him from inside Vecna’s mind. They couldn’t lose him again. Mike couldn’t lose him.
“What do you expect us to do, Mike?” Nancy hissed back. Her arm brushed against Mike’s own, still covered in that dried Upside-Down gunk. Gross! “We can’t leave him out there, what if someone sees him?”
“From all the way out here?” Mike rolled his eyes, gesturing to the vast fields and woodland around them.
Nancy pursed her lips. “I just don’t think we should leave him alone. And besides, from the way he was talking about Will, about ‘his prince?’ I doubt he’s going to hurt him, Mike.”
“Will’s not his prince,” Mike grumbled under his breath.
He dragged his gaze to ahead of them, where Sir Michael walked beside Dustin and Lucas. Vickie pushed Max’s wheelchair alongside.
“The prince has wonderful powers,” Sir Michael was saying. His voice dripped with awe; it always did when he spoke of his Will. And he spoke of him a lot. In fact, Will was all the knight seemed able to talk about.
“He can summon light with his fingers, create runes from thin air. He’s even learning to open portals, taught by our very own Lady Jane.” Sir Michael nodded towards El in admiration, earning a thin smile from her.
Great. Now he was stealing all of Mike’s friends too.
“El can open doors here too. She’s like, the most powerful person we know.” Dustin said, brushing a hand against the girl in question’s shoulder. “And Will, he recently unlocked his powers too, right Lucas?”
“Totally. He like, tapped into Vecna’s magic himself. He saved us from the Demogorgon’s!”
“Ah, he is a Cleric also?” Sir Michael smiled indulgently. “He truly does sound wonderful.” He frowned then, a gloved hand touching his chin. “But isn’t that dangerous, to siphon power from the dark Sorcerer’s abilities himself?”
Mike wanted to scream. Will’s powers were innate; Mike was sure of it. He didn’t just piggyback off Vecna. This knight wasn't giving Will the credit he deserved!
Of course he voiced none of his protests, instead looking down with a huff.
A hand patted his shoulder. Nancy.
When they reached the entrance to the Squawk, Steve held the doors open, Jonathan ducking through first, followed by the rest.
Sir Michael had insisted he lead the way, as ‘his Majesty the King.’ Whatever.
Mike trailed in last, except for Nancy, who did a quick scan of their surroundings before pulling the door shut tightly. Then she twisted the lock.
As soon as they crossed the threshold, Joyce was there, sweeping Jonathan into a swift hug, her hand cupping the back of his head, stroking his hair.
And behind her, there he was. Will.
He was just straightening up from hugging Max, a hand resting on her shoulder as he spoke to her. A relieved smile brightened his face, though he still looked a little tired, the skin beneath his eyes a little pink.
Had he been crying?
Mike made to walk towards him, check in and make sure he was really okay, but someone beat him to it.
Someone dressed in armour, tall and proud.
Confusion creased Will’s brow as he took in the knight, gaze travelling up from his dark leather boots, the billowing red cloak, gauntleted arms and strong shoulders. “Mike? What are you wearing?”
His eyes widened as the knight swept him into his arms, one hooked around his waist, whilst the other reached upwards, hand cradling his cheek as he looked down at him lovingly. “My Prince,” the knight breathed, thumb caressing Will’s cheekbone.
Mike Seethed.
“Hey! Get off him, asshole.” Mike stomped across the floor, grabbing Sir Michael by the shoulder, and with strength he wasn’t aware he had, managed to pull the knight away.
Then Will looked across at him, and he blanched, gaze flicking between the two very different Michael Wheelers in front of him. Although recognition coloured his expression when it landed on Mike himself.
Yeah, that was about right. He was the Mike Will knew. Not this stranger.
“Mike…what?” Will stared at him, desperate for answers.
But it was Sir Michael that answered him. He dropped his hand, only to tuck a finger beneath Will’s chin, tilting his head up to gaze into his eyes.
Will blushed furiously.
“Forgive me, my prince.” The timbre of his voice was velvet. “It has been so long since I saw you, that I forget myself.”
Mike rolled his eyes. “It’s been two days.”
“And they were two days long enough!”
“Alright, Romeo! Back it up a bit.” Robin appeared, her hand on Will’s back as she stared intently at the knight before them. “You okay?” She asked out the corner of her mouth. Will nodded.
Sir Michael conceded, dropping his hand and stepping away.
Will sighed, crossing his arms as he looked down. “You have me mistaken for someone else. I’m not a prince.” His voice turned quiet, Will seemed to shrink into himself.
Sir Michael’s gaze softened even more, his hand lifting towards Will before thinking better of it and letting it fall. “In my world you are. My Will.” He said it softly, like Will’s name was a prayer on his lips.
Mike scowled. “Yeah, well you’re not in your world anymore.” He pushed past the knight, acting as a barrier between him and Will. “And he’s not your Will.”
He already had a Will back in his own world, and now he wanted to steal Mike’s? Not on his watch.
Mike joined Dustin and Lucas, leading Will towards the table the two had gathered at. As long as Sir Michael stayed away from Will, the better.
“How- how did he get here?” Will asked weakly, resting a hand on the table as he watched the knight out of the corner of his eye.
Dustin drummed his hands on the back of a chair. “We don’t know. Through some sort of portal, it sounds like. Upside-Down related? Possibly Vecna.”
At the mention of the man, Will stiffened, though seconds later he tried to hide it. But Mike noticed. He always did.
Unfortunately, so did Sir Michael.
“Do not speak that name in the presence of the prince!” He exclaimed, hand reaching toward his sword. “The mention of the Lord of Darkness, it is too foul for his fair ears.”
Lucas rested his head on his hand, making a bewildered gesture with the other. “Okay?”
So there was a Vecna in his world too, then. But Will wasn’t some delicate flower, and Mike didn’t like how Sir Michael acted like he was, like he needed to be shielded. Will hated being coddled.
“Aw, Will. You’ve got your own knight in shining armour.” Max grinned as Will’s cheeks flushed even darker.
“I don’t want a knight in shining armour,” Will hissed. “Why is he acting that way, like- like he’s in love with me or something?”
“Because I am.” Sir Michael said softly. He smiled at Will, a dreamy look on his face, before turning to address them all.
“The prince and I, we had been friends for many years. But it was only when the darkness came, when the wicked sorcerer Vecna took my Will captive, that I realised my love.” His hand closed into a fist, rage burning in his eyes. “The Lord of Darkness, he coveted the prince as his own, you see.
“My Will, he-“ Sir Michael paused, and for the first time he appeared bashful. “Well, he’s very beautiful. The fairest in all the land! And he’s powerful too, second only to the powers of my Lady Jane.”
He inclined his head towards El, admiration glowing in his eyes. “It was her magic alone that could vanquish the wicked sorcerer, rid us of his darkness, and I could free my love from his chains.”
Sir Michael turned, a wet smile on his face and he took careful steps towards Will. Will looked stunned by the story, staring at the knight with wide eyes.
“But it appears the prince’s beauty does not diminish, not even across worlds.” Stopping before Will, Sir Michael dropped to one knee, reaching up and taking Will’s hand in his own. “For you are just as fair, a sight that soothes my sorry eyes after so long alone in this strange land.
“Allow me to stay by your side, to protect you with my sword as I swore to you long ago. My prince, my guiding light-“ he lowered his head, lips brushing Will’s knuckles- “my love.”
“Wow,” Robin breathed and she wrapped an arm around Vickie’s shoulder. Mike hadn’t realised they were such good friends. “So romantic.”
Max raised an eyebrow, Lucas caught in her sight. “Why don’t you make declarations like that for me?” She asked, a teasing lilt in her voice.
Lucas huffed. “I literally carried you away from Demodogs whilst you were still in a coma. You’re welcome.” But he smiled at her all the same.
Sir Michael was still kneeling, still pressing his kiss against Will’s hand. And Will… he wasn’t pulling away. He looked down at the knight, an expression akin to wonder on his face. Like he couldn’t comprehend the way the knight gushed about him, treated him like he hung the moon himself.
Mike burnt, and if he didn’t do something soon, he’d burst into flame.
“Alright,” he tried to exclaim, speak loud and firmly. But the word came out of his throat as a croak. He barged over to where Sir Michael knelt before Will, grabbing his arm and hauling him to his feet. Will’s hand fell from his grasp, and he blinked, like he’d been lost somewhere else.
“Cut it out,” Mike hissed in the knight’s ear. “And for the record, he doesn’t need your protection.” He’d said that too loud, put too much emphasis on the wrong word, and Mike was sure his own cheeks matched the red of Sir Michael’s cloak. He rushed to correct himself. “Or anyone else’s.”
Nice save.
“Right. So anyway,” Dustin waved a hand. “Sir Michael, you said you’ve been here, what? A day or two?”
He nodded. “It was night when I was brought here, disappearing into the golden light. And I’ve seen two sunrises since.”
“Okay.” Dustin tapped his chin thoughtfully. He looked amongst their party. “Did anything happen, any new gates open?” His eyes were on El now. “Feel any magical surges?”
El shook her head. “Nothing. If it were Upside-Down related, I think I would know it.”
“So that’s a no. We can rule out when you destabilised the exotic matter then. Upside-Down also.” Dustin addressed Nancy. “Could there be anything else that brought him here?”
Silence fell as they all wracked their brains.
Then Joyce spoke up. “We were at the MAC-Z two nights ago, trying to rescue the kids. That was when-“
“When Will first used his powers,” Mike finished. Could it be? That Will had brought Sir Michael here?
“But all I did was use Vecna’s power to kill the Demogorgon’s. I didn’t open any portals or anything.” Will seemed almost ashamed, like he regretted what he’d managed to achieve. Why should he feel shame, when he’d saved all their lives?
“But it’s something unknown, something new. I say it’s a start for establishing our inciting incident. Now for his world.” Dustin searched for a moment, seeking Sir Michael.
Hang on, Mike had lost sight of him too. He wasn’t pestering Will anymore, thank goodness.
He spotted the knight then, peering through the glass into Robin and Steve’s radio booth. His gloved hand pressed against the glass, fingers spread wide.
“Sir Michael!” Dustin called, and the knight turned his head toward him. “What say you?”
“You don’t have to speak to him like that, you know?” Steve cocked a brow, amusement in his voice. “What say you?” He said under his breath, an attempt at a posh accent.
Dustin let out a single, false laugh. “Not helping, Steve.” He pressed his palms together, pointing towards Sir Michael. “Well? Did anything happen in your world? Anything out of the ordinary.”
Sir Michael thought for a moment. “It was a very special day, the most joyous of my entire life.” His face became serene, and he meandered back towards where Will leant. It was like he was a moth, drawn to Will’s flame. “The day I declared my love for Will before the entire realm.
“The day we were to be wed.”
Oh.
Wait, wed?
Will raised his head sharply, and his eyes began to glisten. “Wed?” He asked hoarsely, mirroring Mike's thoughts.
But Sir Michael remained overjoyed. Couldn’t he see how this was embarrassing Will? “Why, of course! With the blessing of his Majesty, and of the Queen Mother-” he nodded to Jonathan and Joyce in turn- “I could finally take Prince William as my husband. Never to be parted again.”
“Just, stop talking, oh my god.” Will looked mortified, like he wanted to sink into the ground and never again resurface.
Mike understood the feeling.
Immediately, Will turned towards Dustin. “Dustin, how do we get him back home?” He demanded. A little desperation coloured the plea.
“I don’t know.” For the first time in a while Dustin seemed unsure of himself. “Something had to have happened, to connect the two worlds. A shared event maybe?” He tapped at his chin.
Well that was helpful.
Mike tried to hold back his exasperation. The sooner they got rid of Sir Michael, the better. He was still staring at Will, hearts practically in his eyes. Mike wanted to grab Will, hide him away forever just so the knight would stop looking at him with the heat of a thousand suns.
From by the radio booth, Steve piped up. “Like what, exactly?” He made a confused little gesture with his hand.
Dustin threw his head back. “I don’t know, Steve! I’m not exactly an expert on alternate realities!”
“Will, what if you used your powers again?” Lucas asked. “Like, can’t you just-“ he waggled his fingers- “and send him back through a door?”
Will tensed at the very mention. “We don’t even know if that’s what happened. And without access to the hivemind, I don’t know how to use them.”
Didn’t know how to use them, or just didn’t want to? Mike didn’t blame him. He wasn’t so keen on Will tapping back into that again, especially after what happened last time. What if he got lost again?
But Dustin pushed further. “But what if we-“
“I said I can’t do it!” Will snapped.
Dustin blinked, taken aback by the bite in his tone.
Will stepped away from the table, tugging on neckline of his hoodie from the back. “They’re not even my powers, they’re Vecna’s! So just forget it, alright!”
He stormed towards the door, ducking his head as he went.
Joyce held out a hand, moving to follow him. “Will-“
But he dodged, drawing his shoulders up defensively. “Let me go, Mom!” Will swiped across his eyes with his sleeve.
The door banged shut seconds later, breaking the unsteady silence.
And it was broken once again by the last person Mike wanted to hear from.
“He leaves and yet you do not rush after him?” Sir Michael turned to Mike immediately, looking at him expectantly.
Mike bristled.
“Seriously?” He raised his head, getting close into the knight’s space and jabbing a finger into his chest. Sir Michael barely moved. “It was you that upset him, talking all about- about that!”
No wonder Will had to leave! It was totally inappropriate, the way the knight talked about him, was careless with his touches. He acted like Will and the Will back in his world were one and the same, like they were interchangeable.
But they weren’t.
And it probably didn’t help, Sir Michael talking about how wonderful his Will was, how he could use his powers with ease all while their Will was still understanding his own.
Sir Michael appeared confused. “You mean our marriage? Why should that upset him so?” He looked Mike up and down. “You are a little younger than my Will and I, but surely you have discussed such things?”
“No!” Mike wanted to tear his hair out.
He couldn’t believe he was having this conversation, with an alternate version of himself, no less. And right in front of everyone, Jonathan and Mrs Byers to boot! Mike was sure he was blushing deep enough to rival the red on Sir Michael’s cloak. “Me and Will are friends! We’re friends.”
Sir Michael tilted his head. “And?”
“And that’s it!”
The knight scoffed then. “Your blindness truly astounds me. I thought this a strange world that I have been stranded in, but the longer I spend here, the crueller it seems to become. If you will not go after him, then I shall!”
With that, Sir Michael turned and strode towards the door, his cloak billowing out dramatically. The door slammed shut with a heavy bang, a mirror of Will’s exit.
And Mike was left with the feeling that somehow, he’d majorly messed up.
---
Will had to get out of there before he combusted.
Something like this, he could only ever dream of it. Of a Mike that loved him back, that spoke about him with all the adoration and care that he longed for. But now he could hear it, experience in first hand, it only hurt even more.
Because it wasn’t his Mike, the Mike he’d grown up with and fell in love with, but a different Mike. A knight that had his own Will, a Will that was a prince, that was beautiful, something he knew he could never compare.
He had dared to hope after his talks with Robin, to wonder if it could be possible. That maybe, just maybe, Mike could feel the same way too.
Time with Vecna had crushed it all, of course.
He could still feel the vines slithering over his body, that voice crooning in his ear as a twisted claw touched his face.
The power he’d unlocked, it wasn’t his. Mike had sung his praise, spoke of his innate gifts with awe but it was all a lie.
Will had built the tunnels, allowed Vecna to infiltrate Hawkins with the Upside-Down. He was just as much of a monster.
It was his fault, all of it. How would Mike ever be able to love him if he knew the truth?
He barely even touched him now, Will recalled bitterly. A hand on the shoulder, a brush of fingers against his, even the embrace Mike had pulled him into at the MAC-Z, all of it was gone.
What if after a while, the awe turned to fear, Mike realising what he’d done to those Demogorgon’s made him just as bad. Just like him.
But I’m not Vecna.
You sort of are.
Will pressed his lips together, stifling the sob that threatened to escape as he pushed out of the doors. He needed to get out of there, couldn’t bear hearing that version of Mike speak anymore.
Embarrassingly, He’d fumbled with the lock, delaying his flight even more. See, he couldn’t even storm out a room without doing it wrong.
Will dropped down on the grass, circling his arms around his tucked up legs as he looked down the hill towards the woods.
They’d walked down here only a few days ago, happy and joking. Hopeful. Just being them. Before everything had to change. Will ached to go back.
“Will?”
Hastily, he wiped a hand across his eyes. Some tears had leaked free after all.
His traitorous heart leapt as he heard his voice, turning his head eagerly. “Mike!” Only to deflate at the sight of his best friend stood a few paces away.
The wrong version.
“Oh, it’s you.” The knight, Sir Michael’s gaze was soft as he looked at Will, striding towards the grass and sitting beside him.
His silver armour clinked as he crouched down, the sunlight glinting off the metal. It shone through his hair, illuminating the brown tones.
He was just like Mike the Brave, just the same as how Will had painted him, come to life off the paper.
He was beautiful.
“Why do you weep so?” Sir Michael gently asked. He reached under his breastplate, pulling out a handkerchief, and he offered it to Will.
The cream cloth reflected the light, moons and stars embroidered around the edges in gold thread.
It was soft in his hand as he took it, most likely silk. Will let out a sad little laugh. All the handkerchiefs he’d ever been able to afford were made from cheap cotton, harsh on his skin.
But this one glid across his cheeks, soaking up his tears.
“It’s nothing.” Will closed his fist around the handkerchief. He looked anywhere but at the knight, knowing his familiar gaze would be fixed on him.
“I cannot see how it can be nothing, when it troubles you so.” Soft leather against his skin, and Sir Michael turned Will’s face carefully, soulful brown eyes gazing into his. “It is not within my power, to leave you to cry all by yourself. Unless,” the knight tilted his head. “You wish it weren’t I that chased after you?”
He was that obvious, was he?
Will tried to laugh, but it bubbled into more of a sob. “Oh no. Me and Mike, we’re not like that. We’re just friends.” How that word had haunted him so. Just friends.
Sir Michael’s eyes flickered down to his lips, but then the knight released his hold, fingers dropping from Will’s chin. “And is it not from friendship, where the deepest love blooms?” He asked.
Everything he said, it just made it even worse. Will shook his head. “Mike doesn’t love me.” His voice cracked on the final word.
Sir Michael watched him thoughtfully. The way he looked at him so tenderly, like Will was something precious to him, it just made him awfully aware of how his Mike didn’t feel the same.
Mike was in love with El, had been since they were twelve. He would never love Will. Friends were all they would ever be.
But then Sir Michael opened his mouth, and the next words made Will’s heart break in two. “I don’t believe that any world could exist where I would not love you, Will.”
And didn’t that sting? That there were worlds out there where Mike did love him back.
“Yeah, well you found one,” Will sniffed. He wiped his nose on his hoodie sleeve, not wanting to dirty the handkerchief any further.
It was hard enough to go on every day, knowing that his Mike would never reciprocate his feelings. But now the universe had to drop a different Mike right in front of him, one that did. And now that he’d seen it, what it could be like for Mike to love him, it just made everything all that much harder.
Sir Michael watched him quietly; head tilted to the side. Then he spoke. “But you, you love him?”
Will couldn’t say it out loud. He nodded.
“Then he is a fool!” Sir Michael declared, closing his gloved hand into a fist.
It was Will that was the fool, for he immediately jumped to Mike’s defence. “He’s not! He’s- he isn’t like me.” He swallowed. How did one go about explaining to a fantasy knight that being gay simply isn’t allowed? “In this world, men can’t love other men. That’s just the way it is.”
Vecna’s voice echoed, haunting his thoughts.
Some minds simply do not belong in this world. They belong in mine.
Being with Mike, it could never happen. Will had to let it go.
“It’s better this way.”
“It sounds to me a very sad world, if you can’t be with the one you love.” Sir Michael captured Will’s hand, his thumb rubbing circles over his wrist. He held Will so gently, like he was something to be cherished.
This Mike didn’t shy away from touch.
And Will couldn’t help himself, he wondered. Wondered what would it be like to be loved by this Mike. He was envious, Will realised, of this other Will, this perfect prince that he held so dear.
Why did he get to love and be loved, whilst Will had to live out his life alone?
Sir Michael lifted his other hand, closing it around Will’s hand fully. “But you should not fear,” he said warmly. “From what I have seen, your Michael’s feelings run deeper than you both realise. He will see it in time.”
Will doubted that. He’d had hope once, but it was crushed, crushed forever. Vecna had made sure of that.
“You know,” Sir Michael said after a while. “It was a long time before even I knew who it was my heart belonged to.” He shook his head, a melancholy look appearing on his handsome face. “I too have been quite the fool.”
Will carefully extracted his hand, and the knight let him. “I find that hard to believe.”
“Believe it or not, it is true.” He insisted. “I did not know how I really felt until I almost lost him. And now? I do not go a day where I do not let him know how deep my feelings run.”
Will ran his thumb over the handkerchief, feeling along the embroidery. “You must really love him,” he sighed.
“With all my being.” Staring out across the field, Sir Michael’s voice became wistful. “He is one half of my soul, just as I am half of his.”
“That’s beautiful.” He nudged his shoulder against his, and in spite of himself, Will let himself share a smile with the knight. “You should be a poet rather than a knight.”
“A Paladin,” Sir Michael corrected, but it was teasing, rather than chastising.
He braced a hand on his knee, then he pushed up to his feet. With swift grace, he turned around, hand outstretched to help Will to his feet. As soon as he did so, he placed a hand on his waist, steadying him whilst he carefully brushed a stray lock of Will’s hair into place. “And poetry is my greatest love. After you, of course.”
But you don’t love me! Will wanted to scream. You love your Will, Prince Will. Not me, not Zombie Boy: Will Byers.
The pad of the knight’s thumb trailed down the side of his face, stroking the line of Will’s jaw. His eyes flickered down to his lips, and Will’s breath caught as Sir Michael started to lean in.
Oh god, was he really going to kiss him? Will’s heart threatened to beat right out of his chest. Yes, he wanted to try it, to see what it would be like for Mike to kiss him. But it wasn’t the Mike he wanted. It wasn’t his Mike.
But instead, lips pressed against his forehead, cool and soft above his brow.
Sir Michael caressed his cheek once more, then he dropped his hand.
A throat cleared from towards the Squawk, and Will jumped away, face growing warm in embarrassment.
He snapped his head in the direction the sound had come from, and his stomach began to churn as he watched Mike shuffle his feet awkwardly.
“Uh, El needs to look into your mind.” He said to the ground. He looked up then, at Sir Michael and his face was closed off. Cold. “See if she can find a way to open you a door back home.”
With a single, sharp nod, Sir Michael made to move back inside the building. “Then I shall make haste, for I strive to help the Lady Jane in any way I can.”
Mike’s face soured at the mention of El’s name, and Will’s soul died a little bit more.
“Here,” he said, coming back to himself. In a couple of paces he was side by side with the knight, holding out the handkerchief still clutched in his fist. The silk unfurled as he loosened his grip, dangling from between his fingers.
Sir Michael reached out to take it, until he thought better of it. His outstretched arm froze, hand inches below Will’s own. “Keep it.”
Despite his insistence, the knight’s eyes remained locked on the square of silk, his hand not moving away.
From the twisted cloth, Will could just make out the shape of embroidered letters, intwined with the stars.
W.B.
Of course.
Will smiled, taking Sir Michael’s hand with his other, then he pushed the handkerchief into his palm, closing the knight’s hand tight around it. It was his turn to be insistent. “No. I think you should have it.”
Dark eyes bore into his, and then Sir Michael beamed, his whole face lighting up like the sun. He stroked a thumb over the handkerchief, then tucked it back under his breastplate, from where it first came. “It appears that not only your beauty transcends, but your kindness too.”
If anymore blood rushed to Will’s face, he was sure he would pass out.
Mike scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Whatever.” He stomped closer towards Will; hands shoved in his pockets.
What was his problem?
Sir Michael narrowed his eyes, disapproval darkening his features as he watched Mike with an eagle eye. His hand strayed towards the sword at his hip.
Oh no. Will really didn’t want to have to defend his idiot best friend from getting sliced up by a real-life knight, even if said friend kind of deserved it.
But Sir Michael appeared to think better of it, shaking his head minutely and he dropped his arm. Then he spun on his heel, boots crunching in the gravel as he strode back towards the doors to the Squawk.
As soon as he was gone, Will shoved Mike in the shoulder. A harsher imitation of the playful push Will had bestowed on him all those days ago. “What’s up with you? You’ve been nothing but a dick to him the whole time he’s been here.”
The knight couldn’t say one word without Mike scoffing, rolling his eyes like he’d rather be hearing anything else.
Will remembered the look on his face when Sir Michael had spoken of his feeling for his Will. He had looked like he was going throw up, pale skin close to green.
Was the idea of loving Will really that bad?
“Because he’s annoying!” Mike threw his hands up in the air. “He’s so full of himself, strutting about with that fancy sword. You didn’t see him, Will! He almost took my head off.”
He did? Will wished he’d been there to see that, to see the incredulous look that no doubt had clouded Mike’s face.
Mike’s nose wrinkled then, and he kicked at the gravel below their feet. “And he’s all over you.” Muttered with disapproval.
“He’s not that bad.” And he wasn’t all over Will, he just… lacked a few boundaries.
“Yes, he is,” Mike insisted. He peered at Will, some of the colour bleeding from his face. “Don’t tell me you actually like it?” He groaned.
Crossing his arms, Will grew defensive. “And what if I did?” It came out sharply, and Mike blinked, taken aback. “What if I like it that someone pays attention to me? Talks to me like-“
“Like he loves you?” Mike interrupted, disbelief dawning on his face. “He doesn’t love you, Will. He loves another you. A different you.”
Did Mike think he was stupid? Of course Will knew the knight only had eyes for the prince from his world. But wasn’t he allowed to dream, to fantasise that it was him Sir Michael loved whilst he sung his praises?
It wasn’t like he’d get that from his Mike.
“You think I don’t know that?” He turned away from Mike, unable to look at him any longer. Wetness built on his lashes, and he squeezed his eyes tight, trying to fight it off. “So what if I enjoy it that he talks about me like I’m someone special? At least he’s unafraid to touch me, to look at me.”
A charged pause, and then-
“I look at you.” Mike’s voice was tiny.
Will laughed bitterly, pressing the heels of his hands into his eyes. He whirled around. “Not like that, Mike! Never like that.”
Hands in fists at his side, Mike clenched his jaw. “So, what? You like him better than me, is that it?”
He was like talking to a brick wall sometimes.
Will cast his eyes towards the sky, filled with frustration. Frustration with Mike, with himself, with the universe for putting them in this situation in the first place. “It’s not about that! Ugh, forget it.” He pushed past Mike. “I’m going back inside.”
“Will!” Heavy steps after him, crunching on the gravel. “Wait, can’t we just talk?” His hand closed around Will’s wrist, spinning him back around.
Oh, so now he was able to touch him.
“Talk about what, Mike? What is there to even talk about?” Will ripped himself free. “You’ve made it clear exactly what you think about all this.”
“No I haven’t!”
“Yes, you have!”
Mike hated Sir Michael, hated the way he talked about the Will he loved. How would he react if he found out that Will felt the same way about him?
Vecna had told him, had shown him what would happen if everyone found out. Found out what he was. He’d lose them all. Lose Mike forever. But it already felt like he was losing him anyway.
“Is it really so awful the thought that someone could love me? Or is it just because he’s a version of you?” Will turned away, hurrying back towards the Squawk. “If it disgusts you so much, then just say so.”
“Fine! I hate it. Is that what you want to hear?” Mike shouted, and Will wished he’d never asked at all. A lump grew in his throat, choking him as his vision grew blurry.
Mike was disgusted by it, disgusted by him. Even though he had asked for the confirmation, it still hurt and Will walked away faster, before he started to cry for real.
But then Mike’s voice rung out again. “I hate it because I wish it was me instead.”
Will stopped. “What?” He whipped around, not even daring to believe his ears.
“I said, I wish that it was me.” Mike took a breath, steeling himself and he walked closer to Will, determination set on his face. “I want to be the one that tell you how beautiful you look, to be the one to kiss you, to hold your hand. But I’ve never been able to because I was afraid of how I really feel.
“When Vecna had you again, when you wouldn’t wake up, I was so scared that I would lose you, really lose you! And that you’d never know how I felt because I was too afraid to say it. But I’m not afraid anymore. I love you, Will. I always have.”
Will couldn’t believe this was real. “But you and El…” he trailed off. El was practically his sister. As much as he wanted this, had dreamed of this, he couldn’t betray her like that.
Mike’s brows creased. “Me and El broke up after Spring Break. I thought you knew that.” His voice grew soft. “She didn’t tell you?”
No, she hadn’t.
“But you love her.”
Mike loved El and El loved Mike. That was just the way it was. Surely Will would have noticed, seen they weren’t as close anymore?
But how often had he seen them together really, since they got back from California and El had gone into hiding? Not a lot, and it dawned on Will that they hadn’t acted like a couple at all. How hadn’t he seen it?
Stepping closer to him, Mike reached up, his hand touching Will’s cheek. It was nothing like the way Vecna had touched him, that sense of ownership. This was careful and gentle, and Will wanted it to carry on forever.
“I do, and part of me always will. She’s great, but she’s just not you.” Mike’s expression faltered slightly, a sliver of doubt. “Please, say something,” he begged.
“I love you too,” Will almost sobbed. A tear trailed down his cheek, wet and cool against his skin. “I’ve loved you for as long as I’ve known what love is. I don’t want some medieval knight, or grand declarations or anything like that. I just want you. My best friend.”
Mike smiled at him then, wiping the tear away with the pad of his thumb. Will leaned into the touch.
“Can I kiss you?” Mike asked, breathless.
Will was so happy he thought his chest was going to burst. He closed the gap, threading his fingers through Mike’s hair as he cupped his other hand over the back of his neck. “Yes.”
Then he pulled him closer, Mike’s other hand rising to rest on his waist. Softly at first, their lips touched, until Mike pressed in harder and the kiss deepened.
Will never wanted it to end.
---
Kissing Will was both everything he’d ever dreamed of, but also more than he’d ever allowed himself to think was possible.
Whenever he’d kissed El it had been nice, she was a good kisser, but something was missing. With Will it was like everything had fallen into place, it was just right.
He was glad, smugly, that he’d interrupted before Sir Michael had his chance. That Mike was Will’s first kiss. The way it should be.
When they broke apart, both short for breath, Mike didn’t let Will pull away. Instead, he tipped his head forwards, letting his forehead rest against Will’s.
Mike smiled, and Will smiled back, and maybe everything would be alright after all, and-
The wind picked up then, rustling their clothes, the grass, dust rising from the ground. Was this the start of a tornado or something? Great timing.
It only got stronger, a hum in the air, and Mike wrapped his arms around Will, pulling him close and shielding his head.
Then a light, a blinding light, bright gold. So bright it was almost white. It burst from thin air, spreading out, getting bigger and bigger, and Mike buried his face in Will’s hair, unable to keep his eyes open.
Then it stopped.
Mike cracked his eyes open, and hovering over the grass only a few feet away, a doorway glowed in the light. Not unlike the gates into the Upside-Down, it pulsed, almost alive. But unlike those, filled with ominous vines and stringy tendons, this one just glowed. An open crack in the fabric of reality.
The doors behind then burst open, and Mike and Will were quick to spring apart as the rest of the party filed out.
“What’s going on? It sounds like a plane was taking off out here- whoa.” Dustin’s face lit up as he took in the portal, the rest of the party looking on in awe.
“This is it. the light that ripped me from my world.” Sir Michael stretched out his arm, fingers brushing the gold light. He had emerged too, stepping out from the crowd, the golden light reflecting in his eyes.
The portal reacted to his touch, ringing out melodically, almost singing.
The glow dimmed ever so slightly, allowing for a view of the other side. The other world. There was a field too, only this one wasn’t sun-bleached, grass shorn short. The grass on the other side gleamed green, dotted with white wildflowers.
“Wow, that was quick. Good job, El.” Dustin looked on at the portal approvingly.
But El only frowned, reaching out as if she wanted to touch the white gold glow too. Only to retract her hand quickly, like she had been burnt.
“I did not open this,” she murmured as she shook her head.
Dustin blinked in surprise. “Then who did?”
“I did.” A voice echoed from the light. A figure standing there.
Mike wasn’t sure whether it was from the light of the portal, but his skin seemed to glow, warm like the chestnut of his hair. Dressed in dark trousers and boots, a loose white shirt and adorned in a purple cloak, all threaded with gold that shimmered with life. And amongst his hair, a circlet, the metal reflecting like the sun.
His arm that was once raised above his head lowered, revealing a clear picture of his face.
Though even before he became clear, Mike had no doubt about who it was that stood there.
It was Will, Sir Michael’s Will, his prince. The Cleric.
And now Mike could understand why the Knight gushed about him so.
He was otherworldly, like a painting come to life.
Pretty hazel eyes, the same mole over his lip. What was it Sir Michael had said, about his beauty transcending worlds? Mike was starting to get it.
He was almost as beautiful as the Will that stood bedside him.
The other Will’s eyes fell upon him, and they lit up as he smiled. “Mike? My heart, is that you?” He spoke with a melodic lilt, so like Will's voice but not. The smile Prince Will wore faltered slightly, as his gaze roamed over Mike’s attire, his scruffy clothes and shorter hair. His younger, less refined physique.
Beside him, his Will crossed his arms, looking thoroughly unimpressed as he peered through the portal at his counterpart. He shuffled closer to Mike’s side.
Inwardly, Mike preened. Now he knew how it felt.
Raising his hand in an awkward wave, Mike smiled sheepishly. “Uh, no.” He darted to the side, grabbing Sir Michael who had stood frozen, captivated by the sight of his prince, and tugged him into view. “He’s right here.”
Sir Michael blinked, then he threw out his arms in joy. “Will!” He called his name with unbridled delight. “My love, you have found me at last.”
Will the Cleric sighed indulgently. “It was through the strength of your love that I was able to sense your presence, to hold onto this spark and open a door. But you must hurry, my Paladin. For I cannot hold it much longer.” Even as he said it, the light flickered, and Prince Will’s hands trembled, obviously strained.
Sir Michael looked all but ready to launch himself through the portal and back into his Will’s arms, but he hesitated. He held up a hand. “I will come momentarily.”
Then he turned around, stopping in front of Will and gathering both of his hands into his. “Farewell, Will. It has been a pleasure to know you, for however brief.” His thumbs ran over Will’s knuckles a final time, before he lowered them, moving on to Mike.
“And Michael. It is a rare gift, to hold the love of one so pure. Never squander it.” He clapped a hand onto Mike’s shoulder, the force of it making him jolt. Mike grimaced.
“You may not yet have defeated the Lord of Darkness in this world, but if you remain true to your heart then you cannot fail. Let his love be your strength during this fight, and light will prevail once more. That, I am sure of.”
Sir Michael raised his head, looking out across their ragtag group, then he stepped closer towards the portal. Looking over his shoulder a final time, his gaze sought Jonathan, and he dipped his head respectfully.
“My King.” He formed a fist with his left hand, holding it across his chest.
Then he was off, stepping through the portal, the light glowing brighter as he crossed the threshold. So bright in fact, that Mike, along with the rest of them, was forced to shield his eyes.
When the light died down, the portal still remained. But it was fading, the window through to the other side slowly shrinking.
As the portal closed for good, they got a final glimpse of Sir Michael and Prince Will rushing toward each other.
Sir Michael’s hands closed around his Will’s waist, lifting him in the air as he spun him around in a circle. Prince Will held onto his shoulders, both wearing matching smiles of elation.
“I have been searching for you, my heart. Day and night,” Prince Will said, his voice echoey through the portal.
“Well, let your search come to an end. For I swear on the setting sun, that never will I leave your side again.” Sir Michael replied. It was getting harder and harder to hear them, the humming of the portal getting louder.
When Sir Michael finally set his Cleric down, hands still on his waist, Prince Will surged upwards, joining their lips in what was perhaps the most passionate kiss Mike had ever seen.
Then the light faded completely, and the portal was closed for good. Everything still, the grass, the trees, like it had never even opened in the first place.
They remained in stunned silence until-
“Are we gonna talk about what just happened or-“ Steve began, earning a sharp elbow from Robin.
She grabbed his arm, dragging him along with her. “Some things don’t need discussing, Dingus.” Their heads leaned together, talking in hushed tones as they moved away from the grass.
“I still don’t understand,” Dustin mused. He watched the spot where the portal had been eagerly, like it would re-open any minute. Mike didn’t think it would. “The conditions had to be the same on both sides, but we didn’t do anything.”
“Someone did something,” Lucas muttered, catching Mike’s eye. He looked between him and Will purposefully, until Max swatted him in the side.
“Love.” El said suddenly. “Maybe it was love that brought him here, and love that sent him back.” Her face softened as she looked over at Mike meaningfully.
“Love isn’t a scientific variable…” Dustin’s protests faded as El reached for his arm, towing him alongside as Lucas pushed Max’s chair.
Soon it was only him and Will, the rest having slowly filtered back inside.
Mike nudged his shoulder against Will’s. “You aren’t going to miss him? Not even a little bit?” They started walking now, fingers brushing, but neither making the first move.
“He was sweet,” Will admitted. He glanced over his shoulder, back towards where the portal had opened. “But I could only listen to him wax lyrically so many times before I died of embarrassment.”
Mike wasn’t so sure of that, Will had seemed like he liked it plenty enough at the time.
“But what if I were the one to say it?” He stopped in his tracks, turning on the spot and falling down to one knee. “Oh, fair Will!” He crooned, pushing as much melodrama into his voice as he could. He pressed a hand over his chest. “My heart bursts into song whenever you grace me with but a glance! For you are as beautiful as the light of the sun! My life, my love, my-”
“Mike!” Will ducked his head, pink painting his cheeks.
But still he seemed nervous, and he looked over his shoulder again, mouth forming a straight line in his worry. He reached up, touching the back of his neck, like it was second nature.
Mike knew immediately what he was thinking about.
“Don’t worry,” he said as firmly as he could manage. Straightening himself back up, Mike fell back into stride beside him. “We’ll beat Vecna, and we’ll rescue Holly and the kids, and then all of this will be over for good. You’ll see.”
Will had him this time, and he wasn’t going to let him face it alone. Mike wasn’t going to lose him a third time.
Before he knew it, he had an armful of Will, his arms looped around Mike’s neck. Mike rubbed his hand across his back, turning his face to the side and into Will’s hair. He smelled clean, like washing detergent and apple scented shampoo.
“And after?” Will murmured into Mike’s neck.
“After?” Mike moved his hands to either side of Will’s waist, gently peeling him away so they were face to face. “We’ll face it together.” He offered his hand to Will. “Like always.”
Will looked down, then back up to Mike. “Like always,” he repeated, taking it. When he smiled, it was like the entire sun was condensed into a single look. It was the most beautiful thing Mike had ever seen.
He could understand now, why Sir Michael couldn’t go a second without mentioning his love. When Will smiled like that, it made Mike want to shout it from the rooftops.
Perhaps a little piece of Sir Michael’s dramatics had rubbed off on him after all.