Archive of Our Own

Mike Wheeler sighed as he walked up the driveway of Dustin’s house. It was already 70 degrees at 8:45 in the morning and Mike regretted his choice of a blue polo over something sleeveless.

Lucas stood in the shade of the garage bickering with Dustin about the check list he must’ve brought. He spent one year as a boy scout and never let them forget it.

“Son of a bitch, dude. We don’t need all these goddamn batteries!” Dustin scowled as he deliberately removed the offending items from his backpack.

“Okay. And, if your flashlight dies, I’m not sharing shit with you.” Lucas plucked up what Dustin discarded and added them to his pile.

“We won’t even need our flashlights! I said only the essentials.”

“How do you even know what counts as an essential if this is your first time hunting down a dead body?”

“Talk louder, Lucas, I dare you. Or, better idea. Why don’t you call Sheriff Hopper and save us the trouble?”

Mike rolled his eyes and refused to acknowledge anything that was happening in front of him. Both boys were flipping each other off. 

He plopped himself down on the cool concrete, thinking he could siphon the cold to save for later. Mike picked at a stray thread near the pocket of his tan cotton shorts absently. He’s usually the late one. When was Will getting here?

“Why do you have a deck of cards?” Dustin whined.

“For entertainment purposes.” Lucas said, matter of fact.

“When the hell do you think we’ll have time to sit down and play a game of cards?”

“Maybe when we get to Lover’s Lake and find out that the transmission Dustin heard was all a prank?”

Mike gazed up when he heard the additional voice. He watched Will walk up the driveway, his smile was contagious. Mike heard Dustin scoff.

He was getting hot just looking at him. Denim cut offs paired with an oversized yellow sweater that definitely should’ve been in storage with all his other winter clothes. Mike furrowed his brow in concern at Will, hoping to engage in one of their famous wordless conversations. 

“Why’re you wearing a sweater?”

Except, Will blatantly ignored his questioning gaze. He came to join him on the ground and bumped their knees together instead.

“I can’t talk about it right now.”

A little ominous but, he could live with that. It meant they would talk about it later. Maybe they’d break away from Lucas and Dustin at some point today and have this talk then.

“Et tu, Brute?” Dustin brought a hand to his heart like he’d been shot.

Will laughed in response but Mike could hear that it was slightly clipped, borderline forced.

That’s when Mike actually looked at his best friend. Past the odd fashion choice, past the snarky little quip. He had barely visible dark circles under his eyes and the whites were tinted a slight pink, like he had cried recently.

“Are you okay?” Mike lowered his voice and stared at Will, his brow furrowing again. He studied the way Will fidgeted with the cuffs of his sweater, rolling them each up twice so he could properly use his hands if needed.

He noticed how Will’s shoulders hunched forward, his way of trying to appear smaller. To hide. Mike hated when he did that. Something happened and it killed him not knowing so he could start figuring out how to fix it.

“Yeah.” Will’s hazel eyes roamed over his whole face, but never quite settled onto Mike’s eyes.

“Are you sure?” He ducked down in an attempt to get in his line of sight.

“Of course.” Will glanced into his eyes for a nanosecond and nodded once, then turned his attention toward Lucas and Dustin.

Mike had the urge to spring up, grab Will by the hand, and pull him to the side of the house to demand the truth. But, he had promised himself to only hold Will’s hand when it was absolutely necessary. The older they got, the more things between them had to change. Gone were the days of pulling Will around the playground. Or staying attached in the hallway from room to room so the crowd wouldn’t separate them. 

They were too old to hold hands just because Mike wanted to. The act of holding someone’s hand meant something different, now. It was only for two people in a romantic relationship and he and Will definitely weren’t in a romantic relationship

Mike’s urge to reach out and touch him was there often, though. At least once every time they hung out he would have to tell himself to stop before he crossed the line. Teenage boys can’t hold the hands of other teenage boys unless they’re looking for trouble. And he’d never want to put Will in any kind of danger. 

And, just because Will had let him touch him that way at one time didn’t mean he would want him to continue doing it. He usually went along with most of Mike’s ideas when they were younger, letting him make all the decisions. He didn’t realize that dynamic was even unfair until he got called out by Lucas for being a dictator.

The guilt of thinking Will could also feel that way made him call over the walkie, right after Lucas left, to apologize. Which, made him laugh and then say he’d felt bad for always making Mike choose everything they did.

Their personal routine became solidified that day. When it was just Will and Mike, he had full range to act exactly how he wanted with him. The older they got, the more Will would speak up about things he wanted to do and, of course, they would do them.

But, a few years ago, Mike had realized Will stopped initiating most of their touching. His hands didn’t reach out unless Mike’s did first. And, he didn’t think he could have a conversation about that to properly clarify.

So, he had been playing it safe. Being strategic with how often they came into physical contact. A knee bump, a foot nudge, an elbow jab. An arm could be draped around the shoulders but only for a few seconds and you never let your hand rest anywhere on his body while it’s happening. He liked to think that he was doing a pretty good job of not potentially weirding out his best friend.

“All right, men!” Dustin clapped his hands together, “Let the quest for The Body begin!” 

Mike stood up, extending a hand to Will to help him up. A perfect example of touching only when necessary. He hesitated a second before accepting the gesture.

When they let each other go, Mike made sure to make eye contact while raising his eyebrows.

“I’m here when you’re ready.”

Not knowing exactly when Will would confide in him drove Mike a little batty. They should just skip this whole excursion and go watch movies in his basement. Will would be spilling his guts by the time the others crashed from their sugar highs.

“And, you’re sure you heard this transmission coming from Hawkins Lab?” Mike didn’t bother to hide his skepticism.

Dustin sighed with his whole body, bending his legs slightly with his arms limp, he threw his head back, “Yes, Mike, I did. A Dr. Owen’s and a Dr. Kay were having correspondence regarding a dead body in fucking Lover’s Lake.”

“It just all seems—?” Mike cut himself off. Unbelievable was the right word but he didn’t want to actually insult his friend’s intelligence.

“A little strange?” Will supplied, finishing his sentence for him.

“Right, yeah, a little strange.”

Lucas hummed in agreement but kept his tone light, “No offense, Dustin. But, it does sound like the plot of some coming of age movie Mike would make us watch.”

“Screw you!”

“You guys don’t have to come. I’m more than happy to take full credit when I tell this story later.” Dustin threw his backpack on and shrugged. 

Lucas followed suit with his own backpack, “Oh, I’m coming. You wouldn’t make it without my survival skills.”

Mike let out a resigned sigh and tugged his backpack on, “No, no, I’m in. If anything we can go swimming when we get there and, you know, don’t find a body.”

And, Will repositioned his backpack, only wearing one strap on his right shoulder. He never took it off in the first place. “And, summer’s almost over. We should be hanging out as much as we can. Even if the girls aren’t here.”

Mike preferred it this way, if he was being honest. He wasn’t too thrilled when Max came to town and wrapped all his friends around her finger. They had all acted like she could walk on water just because she played video games. Even Will had been fascinated with her enough to be on board with making her a party member. 

At least the other one, Jane, didn’t verbally abuse him every time they hung out. She was a lot like Will in temperament so having her around wasn’t as bad. Pretty easygoing and she always laughed at their jokes. 

At the end of the day, though, they were girls. Different species and all that shit. He feared he would never be able to understand them. It exhausted him to be around those two for too long.

“Why did you say original party members only?” Lucas squinted at Dustin suspiciously.

“Because I was the one who discovered this whole thing and if my girlfriend can’t come because she lives in Utah, then your girlfriends can’t come either.”

His reasoning spilled out in one breath, the words running into each other. He didn’t look anyone in the eyes, opting to stare at a spot of dried oil on the ground with his eyebrows pinched together. It looked like Dustin had hit his patience quota.

“What do you mean by girlfriends, plural? No one else is dating except Lucas and Anne of Green Gables.”

Lucas hopped from Dustin’s side to between Mike and Will, throwing an arm around them both, “Don’t despair in your jealousy, young Michael. I’ve taken it upon myself to coach you both in all things girls. So, you can date Jane and Will can find a girl of his own.”

Mike didn’t want either of those outcomes. Girls didn’t want to play D&D or watch Star Wars or go to the arcade or do anything else he loved doing. He had quit trying to bond with cute girls like Dustin had always done because of it.

“Get off me, man. It’s too fucking hot for touching.” Mike wiggled out from under his friend’s arm.

“Can we go?” Will piped up, sounding both exhausted and anxious.

“Yes, thank you, Will. You know, I missed you the most when I was gone.” Dustin clasped onto Will’s left arm and twirled him out from under Lucas and started walking from the garage.

Mike saw Will cringe a little at the touch, trying to mask his grimace with laughter.

That was peculiar. Did he get hurt? Did he just sleep on it wrong? 

“Fine! I didn’t want to share my expertise with you, anyway!” Lucas called after the other two.

Mike pulled himself out of his head enough to glower at his friend incredulously, “How are you any kind of expert on girls? You’ve only had one girlfriend.”

“Exactly. I’m the only one with any kind of experience on this subject. Well, except Dustin, now. Compared to you and Will, I’m a genius.”

Mike rolled his eyes, “Max isn’t really a girl, she’s Max. Just because you know her doesn’t mean you know girls.”

“Do you want my help or not?”

“I never asked for it!”

“Hurry up, dumbasses!” Dustin called back to them before disappearing with Will around a corner.

They took off down the driveway, yet Lucas managed to beat him to the other two. The group fell into step in pairs, debating which route would get them there the fastest. 

Mike watched the back of Will’s neck closely, a sheen of sweat already forming. His shoulders were still hunched forward. Something must have happened. He’d just been at his dad’s a few days ago, if Mike’s calendar at home was correct. That guy was a piece of shit so he wouldn’t be surprised if he did something to upset Will.

“Hey, Will, what’s that on your neck?” Lucas reached out to poke the side of Will’s neck.

Mike’s body was moving before his brain could tell him not to, switching positions with Lucas to see the left side of Will’s neck. A few small patches of purple bruises were barely visible near the collar of his sweater.

Will slapped his hand over the spot and partially turned around, seemingly to address the question. 

Only, Will didn’t speak. He opened and closed his mouth a few times and looked at each boy in turn, still not meeting Mike’s eyes fully.

“Dude, is it a hickey?” Lucas nearly shot himself into space with the energy in his excited hopping.

“Holy shit, let me see!” Dustin made to move Will’s hand but he held strong. Lucas grabbed at the bottom of his sweater, trying to distract him for their friends' benefit. 

“Guys, stop it. Just leave it alone.” Will punctuated his request by pivoting from the leading pair position to the back of the group. 

Mike made sure to step back with him to force Lucas toward Dustin’s side, flicking the back of their necks even after they mumbled apologies. He got called an asshole for it. 

Will still wasn’t fully looking at him as he took his hand off the back of his neck and adjusted his sweater to cover the slightly bruised spots.

Mike waited a few beats in silence, giving him and Will a little distance from the other two. His damn watch beeped.

“Guess getting a girlfriend makes you an idiot.” He made a show of tapping on the watch face, pretending not to care about the statement.

“Yeah.”

No real reaction. Mike worried on his bottom lip, glancing at Will periodically.

“Those marks,” Mike peered down at him, trying to appear slightly nonchalant. “Are they a part of what’s upsetting you?”

Will sighed out a chuckle and shook his head like he couldn’t believe Mike got it on the first try. He finally met his eyes, “I wish you didn’t know how to read me, sometimes.”

“That’s a horrible thing to say!” Mike mock scoffed, jokingly.

“You don’t need to know everything that goes on in my head, Mike.” 

“Why? What’s going on in there that I don’t already know about? Aside from the answer to my earlier question?” 

Nothing, Mike thought. He and Will didn’t keep secrets from each other. It was nearly impossible on his end and he assumed it was the same for his best friend.

Will’s pace faltered for a second, looking like he tripped on air, “If I say it’s nothing will you let it go for now? I’m not quite ready to talk about it, yet.”

“But, you’ll be ready to talk about it soon?”

He dipped his head, “I’ll have to be.”

That’s definitely not how Mike thought this conversation was going to go but pushing any harder right now would be detrimental to their friendship.

Again, he found himself really wanting to hold Will’s hand. He pivoted to ruffling his hair, feeling how long it’d become since his mom last cut it. The length was bordering on androgynous, Mike noting that he’s seen girls with hair just like Will’s around school. He tried to duck out of Mike’s reach but the damage was already done. 

Will lightly shoved him when they came back together, smiling so hard his brown green eyes crinkled at the edges. Which was the exact reaction he wanted.

*

It should be illegal for the temperature outside to reach 80 degrees before noon, Mike thought. Indiana is located too far north for that to be the case but August didn’t give a shit, apparently. 

He’d make them stop at the creek to cool off before the trees thinned into open fields. Dustin may be leading the party today but Mike would let his demands be known. 

This is why he liked to be the Dungeon Master for all their campaigns. It wasn’t that he didn’t like doing something if it wasn’t his idea, he just had infinitely better ideas. And, trekking from town to Lover’s Lake because Dustin “heard a transmission” was a stupid idea.

For one, no one else was awake or tuned to a channel that could corroborate his claim. They don’t have a habit of lying to each other but it’s hard to believe something as unbelievable as a secret dead body laying out in the open.

Point number two, Will didn’t have a bike anymore because his dad was an asshole. And, before Mike could offer for him to just ride on the back of his, Lucas decided to make a vow to walk with him in solidarity. That asinine idea caused the length of this whole excursion to triple, forcing everyone to bring food for the lunch they’d have to break for now.

If he had planned the day they’d be already more than halfway there with Will’s arms wrapped around him from behind. Like they used to before Will owned a bike. At least the faster pace would give a slight breeze. 

“Hey, Mike?”

He turned to his left and was met with a distant stare and wringing hands. Normally he would grab those hands to still them, to help ground Will out of his head. But, that wasn’t necessary. Will didn’t look distressed or on the verge of tears, he mostly looked contemplative albeit a little bit of worry made the space between his eyebrows crease.

“Yeah?” 

“If you didn’t know me and we just met today, would you want to be my friend?” 

That wasn’t a question he ever thought he’d be asked, especially by Will.

He wondered if the question had anything to do with why he was closing in on himself today. If so, then maybe he was just concerned about starting high school in a few weeks. Hawkins High was much bigger. They would probably get split up and Will was worried about making a good impression on his own.

It was a no brainer, “Of course.”

Will looked at him incredulously, “You didn’t even think about it.” 

“There’s nothing to think about! It’s our story, after all. I didn’t know you, I saw you, I wanted to be your friend.”

Will’s eyes softened but his mouth was still a flat line, “But, that’s when we were five, Mike. It doesn’t really work like that anymore.”

He was right. There aren’t any pretenses when you’re five. Something as simple as liking the same superhero can bond kindergartners. Or, even simpler, just walking up to the boy on the swing set and asking to be his friend. But, Mike selfishly liked to think that effortlessness was only something he and Will were capable of.

Will stopped walking and placed a hand on Mike’s elbow so he’d do the same, the spot that was touched tingled even when he let go.

“Look at me. What’s the first thing you think?” 

Any reason he could get to look at Will was always welcomed. Mike took a step back and surveyed his best friend. He tried to completely wipe his mind of any of those pretenses. Imagine he was seeing Will for the very first time. 

His hair framed his face in a way that forced his eyes to become the main focus. They were probably the prettiest eyes Mike had ever seen. Impossibly two-toned, both brown and green. They were so unique,  begging to be noticed.

He let himself study the moles splattering his skin, like the universe dipped a brush in paint and flicked it onto a canvas. The one by his mouth mimicked Marilyn Monroe (who Mike only knew about because he found his dad’s gross, naked pictures of her from really old magazines in his closet one day). 

The lighter color of Will’s sweater made his skin appear a little darker than usual. Or, maybe that was a result of the summer sun overall. It certainly wasn’t originally his, given the way his right collarbone showed through the neck hole.

His shorts were very obviously a pair of school jeans cut a few inches above the knee, fraying at the edges. Paired with the sweater, he looked like he came from a working class family. But, even his mom doctored his clothes at this age. Puberty didn’t care about how much money your parents made.

When he got to the shoes, he smiled. They were once his but Mike had grown a little too quick to really claim them as his own. The timeless white Chucks weren’t so white anymore having been scribbled on like a page in a school notebook.

“You’re an artist.”

Will groaned and rolled his eyes, “Cone on, Mike, be serious.”

“I am! Your shoes.” He gestured at them to drive the point home.

Will looked down and huffed out a small laugh, “Oh. Right.” 

He knew he wasn’t going to get a proper answer but he posed the question anyway, “Why’re you asking?”

Will shook his head, “Just thinking.” 

He started walking again and Mike had to lengthen his strides to catch up, observing Will’s inquisitive expression. He needed to get out of his head.

So, Mike spoke without really thinking it through, “What about me?”

“Hmm?”

He grabbed Will’s shoulder to get his full attention, both of them stopped walking. “If you didn’t know me and saw me somewhere, would you come talk to me?”

Will blinked a few times, registering the pivot in conversation. His lips parted slightly, pulling his bottom lip in by his teeth. He brought his hand to his chin, his artistically inclined eyes scanned Mike from his hair to his shoes. 

The gaze intensified every second he was under it. Like Will was attempting to memorize every freckle, every hair. His eyes moved on to Mike’s chest and shoulders, then his arms and torso, followed by his hips and legs. He had a growth spurt during the last school year, making him gangly and awkward. And, even though his body grew, his weight stayed the same which made his bones protrude. 

Will’s stare made him a little antsy and painfully aware that he didn’t know what to do with his body anymore. This wasn’t his greatest idea.

Will dropped his hand from his chin and settled both on his hips, head tilting for a new angle. “Can you smile for me?”

Mike tried. He really did. He contorted his lips and bared his teeth. Will pressed his own lips together to stop a laugh from coming out. He stepped forward and placed his hands on Mike’s cheeks, his thumbs resting on the corners of his mouth. Will pulled at his lips gently, trying to spread them farther out like he was sculpting him from clay. Suddenly, Mike couldn’t breathe.

Will pinched his eyebrows together in confusion when that didn’t work, repositioning his hands so the tips of his fingers were tangled in Mike’s hair. And, then, Will shook his head around like it was a magic eight ball. The tension bubbled out of his body with a chuckle, causing his face to break out in a natural grin.

Will let his face go and smiled with him, “I would. You have an infectious smile.”

“Thanks.” Mike could feel the temperature rise by a few degrees in real time. He noticed Will’s cheeks begin to flush, cementing the feeling into reality. The trees around them flat out refused to do their job of keeping the heat at bay.

They stood about six inches apart, locked in a staring contest neither of them said they wanted to start. The urge to reach out and touch him made his fingers burn in anticipation.

“I can’t see Lucas and Dustin anymore.” Will commented, his eyes never leaving Mike’s.

“Good. Let’s go back home and eat ice cream in front of the air conditioner.” Mike spontaneously grabbed Will’s right hand in his left and began pulling him a few steps back toward town. And, while not necessarily a necessary touch, it was worth it to hear his best friend giggle about it behind him.

Will was protesting but Mike could tell he wouldn’t have minded a change in itinerary. Although, he knew he would never willingly ditch their friends. Add it to the ever growing list of Ways Will Byers is Better than Mike Wheeler. 

So, he made a show of dramatically sighing like he was being asked to mow the lawn or go clothes shopping, knowing it’d make Will laugh even harder. He turned them back around and nearly fell over as Will started running to catch up to the other boys. 

Mike hated running but letting go of Will’s hand would never be a viable option for him.

*

“Mike, I’m bored. Tell us a story.”

The party was taking a small mandatory break to refill their canteens in the creek they’ve been using as a general directional guide. They’d have to stray from its course soon, trading the shade of the trees that line the water for the railroad sitting right in the middle of farming country.

It was Lucas who requested this from Mike, he stood in the water up to his ankles soaking the bandana he wore over his forehead.

Dustin spotted a rock near the middle of the river perfect for perching on, theorizing that it was only visible because of the time of year. He mounted it proudly albeit nervously, wetting his own bandana that he’d use for his neck when they started back up.

Mike and Will sat together along the bank, both their feet partially submerged in the cool water. Will had pushed only the right sleeve of his sweater up and over his elbow. He frowned at it.

This wasn’t the time to try to get Will to talk about it even though Mike so desperately wanted to. He resigned to merely knocking their knees together and smiling when Will turned his way.

“I won’t forget.”

Will responded by pushing his foot against Mike’s for a second.

“I know.”

Mike hugged his legs to his chest and kind of wished it was Will. That hand holding from earlier just made him want more so he needed to be extra mindful of his proximity to his best friend.

“Earth to Mike! Come in, Mike.”

He groaned, “I’m not some book you can open whenever you get bored, dude.”

He wasn’t in the mood right now. The heat was climbing, his thoughts jumping around from place to place until settling back on Will. He usually kept his stories for their campaigns or when he and Will were brainstorming for the comic they would make someday.

“Oh, come on, Mike. Just one more story.”

The tone in Will’s voice sounded almost nostalgic. He didn’t want to dwell on how it came off like Will was expecting this story to be the last. He was trying really hard to not speculate too much about what was wrong with Will. He’d go crazy with theories and cook up possibilities like he was feeding an army.

So, if Will wanted a story, Mike would give him a story. 

He cleared his throat, “You know, I’m surprised you even wanted to do this, Dustin. Given what happened ten years ago and all.”

“You’re full of shit, dude.” Dustin rolled his eyes and flipped him the bird for good measure but he still wore a smile.

He had his friends' full attention, quietly waiting for him to begin. Storytelling had always been his most favorite thing to do. Call him self-centered but Mike felt important when all eyes were on him as he spun narratives and characters together. Words were extremely powerful if used correctly and put in the right places.

He continued, nonchalantly, “Well, I can’t really fault any of you for not knowing. I was the only one living here back then.”  

He grinned when Will rolled his eyes at the subtle fib. Mike needed to set the stage, make them believe this story could be real. He cleared his throat again, “Anyway, it all happened in 1975 around early summer time, when the water in Lover’s Lake was still too cold to swim in but the sun was out everyday. A hunter had found a body washed ashore, their face marred and unrecognizable.”

He felt Will shiver next to him. 

“Now, no one in Hawkins or the surrounding areas had been reported missing so the authorities swept it under the rug, claiming it was an isolated incident, most likely a large animal encounter. They educated the public on how to keep food stored safely so as to not attract any more and washed their hands of the situation. And, it started to feel like they had been right. For a few weeks, Hawkins grew quiet once more. School released, family friendly day trips to the lake were taking place. And, the more sensual, night trips made by the teens who gave the lake its title were starting to begin again.”

He waggled his eyebrows to make Will laugh.

“But, on a Sunday in July, the police got a call about a missing kid, a teen by the name of Henry. His parents said they last saw him right before he went for a drive with his girlfriend, Patty. Henry’s parents had called Patty’s house but discovered she didn’t come home, either. The town of Hawkins got a search party together and they combed through every back road and most of the surrounding woods before someone had the idea to check Lover’s Lake. And, what one group found would stay with them forever. A single car, later identified as Henry’s, sat on a gravel path completely destroyed. The passenger’s side door was entirely off its hinges and the hood of the car was smashed down, nearly making it two dimensional.”

Will’s eyes grew wider and clouded with worry.

“The bodies were never found and the case grew cold by the time school resumed a few months later. Henry and Patty’s families never fully recovered, both quietly leaving Hawkins before winter set in.”

Mike paused for effect, feigning disinterest and made a show of awkwardly looking at each of his friends in turn.

“Wait, that’s it? That’s bullshit.” Dustin squeaked from the edge of his rock.

“Calm down, he’s doing a classic Mike fake out.” Lucas decided, tone matter of fact.

Mike scoffed at the accusation. He wasn’t that predictable. Will chuckled and didn’t turn his attention away, waiting patiently for the true ending. His watch beeped unceremoniously.

“Ok, fine!” Mike leaned forward and hushed his tone, “There was a detail that was never in the papers. A trail of thick, gray slime started from the car and continued to the lakes edge, disappearing into the water.”

“Now we’re getting somewhere.” Dustin muttered excitedly.

Mike straightened back up, “Now, Hawkins is a small town and it doesn’t take much for rumors and theories to rise above the noise of what officials sell as the truth. Some people decided to investigate themselves, bringing guns and cameras in hopes of getting proof of something. But, they all came up empty handed. Bullets lost in the lake, pictures that could never be properly developed, time royally wasted. And yet, one guy, Murray, claims he came face to face with the creature.”

“What’d it look like?” Will whispered, loud enough for only Mike to hear. Will was and always will be the best audience member ever. He always hung on every word.

“He described it as fascinatingly gruesome. Yet, organically beautiful, almost majestic in the way it crawled out of the water on four legs, and seamlessly transitioned to stand up on two. It was both muscular and bony, like someone removed the skin to expose what was underneath. The creature’s face was nothing but five flaps folded into itself like a flower before blooming. And, when it opened, Murray said he could see teeth on every fleshy petal.”

Mike heard Will’s breath hitch.

“Only a handful of people who’ve heard his story believe him. Most called him a lunatic or wrote it off as his messed up way of coping with the loss of his own lover, the very first victim being the only logical candidate.”

“Nothing out of the ordinary has happened at the lake since that summer. And, as the years passed, the incident faded into a cautionary tale for all couples to have their dates in public, well lit places. But, for the few who believed, they theorized the events as a part of the creature’s ritual feeding and found a small amount of evidence to support it. The pattern was clear: every decade or so, two souls traveling together through Lover’s Lake would never make it to their intended destination.”

Mike raised his eyebrows and gestured out toward Lucas and Dustin expectedly. Will started clapping beside him, his smile huge and bright. He bowed his head at Will, hand to his heart murmuring thank you with a goofy smile of his own.

“So, wait. Why did Murray’s boyfriend die if the creature only feeds on couples?” Dustin loved poking holes in everything because he was an asshole. 

“Maybe the creature had seen them together at some point but when it attacked he was alone? It would explain why the body was left out in the open.” Will answered, picking up on something Mike hadn’t thought too hard about. 

That was why he preferred to write everything out beforehand. Improvisation wasn’t his strongest suit.

“You should add that creature to our next campaign. Will can make the mini figure.” Lucas trudged out of the water to get his socks and shoes on.

“Where are you going? Help me off this fucking rock!”

Lucas pretended like he didn’t hear anything.

“I’m coming, Dustin.” Will began making his way to the middle of the creek, wobbling a little on the rock bed.

“We don’t deserve you, Will.” Dustin grabbed Will’s right arm for balance and carefully got down from the rock.

“What do you mean by ‘we’? I never take Will for granted. He’s the glue.” Lucas stated.

“The glue?” Mike was trying to figure out which socks were his and which belonged to Will.

“That holds this whole party together. We’d fall apart without him.” 

“Don’t say that. It’s not true.” Will could not take a compliment even if his life depended on it.

“He’s so humble. You’re gonna make some girl really happy someday.”

Not that, again. What was it with Lucas and his need to pair everyone off like he’s that Noah guy.

It seemed like Will felt the same, vaguely agreeing, “Uh, yeah. Sure.” 

“Seriously! You’re a catch! Mike, tell him he’s irresistible!” 

Mike expected Will to jump in and shoot the conversation down so he wouldn’t have to say something so embarrassing in front of everyone but he stayed silent, his cheeks growing redder with all the compliments Lucas was throwing at him. 

Everything their friend said about Will was the complete truth. He was the reason they were all together. He introduced Mike to Lucas in first grade. He was the one who quickly adopted Dustin into the fold in fourth grade to complete the party. 

Will was the kindest, most caring person Mike had ever met. He gave everyone the benefit of the doubt. Made sure no one ever felt left out. Always there to listen, to encourage. 

Being best friends with Will Byers was magical. 

Mike imagined dating him would be just as great, if not better because you’d have his attention much more often. He’d probably be the type of boyfriend that would surprise you with flowers. He’d paint you so many art pieces, your whole room would be covered wall to wall. He’d give you notes with his doodles all over them. 

Dating Will Byers would be just as magical. 

“You’re incredibly irresistible. Look at his cute face!” Dustin’s voice rang through Mike’s brain, halting his thoughts. He grabbed at Will’s cheeks like an older woman would.

“Dustin, stop it!” Will giggled and slapped the hands away.

Thinking about Will meeting a girl and treating her that way seemed wrong somehow. Maybe because Mike’s never really seen him be interested in girls. He’d always rather hang out in Mike’s basement than roam around the mall with Lucas and Dustin.

But, he knew he liked Max. They met her through an arcade high score, so he must’ve felt a kinship or something. But, no amount of time spent on Dig Dug would make Mike enjoy her company.

And, then, there was Jane. They met her when Hopper started dating Will’s mom, Joyce. He probably had to try and find common ground with her, be cordial, seeing as they’d most likely end up being step-siblings at some point. 

Other than those two, Mike couldn’t fathom Will actively and romantically pursuing a girl. He knew it was bound to happen, someday. Maybe he was waiting for The One, like a hopeless romantic. 

Mike felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Will towering over him. He bent his head to the side.

“Are you okay?”

He almost laughed at the irony but stifled it. Instead, he nodded and then finished redressing his feet slowly. The next part of the hike would be miserable in this heat and he wasn’t really excited to leave the coolness of the creek. 

They fell in step a few feet behind Dustin and Lucas, listening to them bicker about who would win in a fight between King Kong and Godzilla. 

Mike let his mind wander back to the conversation they just finished. Will may not have shown interest in girls but they were sure as hell interested in him. The Snow Ball being the most recent example.

He was asked to dance by a girl whose name Mike never cared to learn and Will had looked to him for the answer. Which, he encouraged him to say yes because guys like them hardly ever got asked to dance. But, when he saw them walk onto the dance floor hand in hand, it made his stomach drop. 

Mike remembered looking around that night and realizing he was alone. Lucas and Max were dancing and laughing and kissing, Dustin was dancing with his sister, Nancy, of all people, and then there was Jane, who was also alone and looking terrified.

So, he had asked her to dance. It made sense. She was a girl and he was a boy. They looked good together, in a matter of speaking. But, every time he glanced down at her, she would turn away and blush which made him feel even more awkward.

He stopped looking at her altogether after about the third time it happened. Opting instead to fix his eyes on Will, whose own eyes were already looking his way. He must not have been expecting it because he quickly turned away, rotating himself and the girl so his back was to Mike.

Something about that simple action hurt. And, that confused him. But, rather than dwell on that negative feeling, he squared his shoulders and the next time Jane looked at him, he leaned down and kissed her. 

He regretted it the moment he did it, being the impulsive personality of a Sagittarius, if Nancy’s girly magazines were to be believed. Why had he done that? What did doing that prove? 

Mike shook his head, knocking those thoughts free to focus on why he was really thinking about that night.

“What was the name of that girl you danced with at the Snow Ball?”

Will’s head whipped up and over to his right, giving Mike a look so bewildered you’d think he’d asked a question with no true answer.

“Um, I think it was Tammy?” As quick as he looked his way, Will faced forward and started playing with the end of the strap on his backpack.

“Wait, you don’t remember?”

His eyebrows furrowed even more, if that was even possible. “Well, I didn’t want to dance with her in the first place.”

“Then, why did you?”

“You told me to!” It wasn’t a fact, more of an accusation.

“You didn’t have to listen!”

“Whatever, Mike.”

He didn’t realize he’d stepped on a land mine when he brought the Snow Ball up. Sure, it didn’t even crack the Top 10 of Mike’s Most Cherished Moments in Life, but he didn’t know that Will was in the same boat. He obviously didn’t want to talk about this anymore and Mike would happily oblige.

“Why’re you thinking about that, anyway?”

Alright, maybe he was wrong. He had to tread lightly, though. He never, ever, wanted to be the reason that Will got seriously upset.

“Uh, I was just,” Mike placed a hand on the back of his neck and really thought about what to say next, “What Lucas said back there, about how any girl would be lucky to date you. Don’t tell him this but I definitely agree.”

Will’s whole demeanor softened but the confusion came back with it.

“Oh. Um, thanks, I guess. But, I’m not planning on dating, like, ever.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets.

Mike really wanted to ask why but he wasn’t sure he actually wanted to hear the answer. Especially since his admission made him feel relieved for some reason. But, he pressed on, trying his hardest to be a good friend.

“Well, if you ever do, plan to date or whatever, you’ll definitely have plenty of options.” He almost placed his hand on Will’s shoulder but stuffed them in his pockets instead.

“Yeah. Options. Sure, Mike.” Will chuckled to himself but it sounded hollow. Almost sad.

Mike had always thought Will deserved everything he could ever want out of life. He wasn’t dealt the best hand, what with a shitty dad the courts still made him see and all. If he wanted to date a girl, he should get to date that girl. No matter how indifferent Mike tries to feel about the act.

Being a good friend meant building up their self esteem in any way possible.

So, Mike started a monologue, “You’re like, the best person in the world, by the way.”

Will shook his head, not believing it.

“And, you’re incredibly talented. I can’t wait to brag about knowing you before you make it big with your art. My whole house is gonna be filled with your work.” 

Mike chanced a small glance to his left and saw Will with his head ducked down, but he saw a smile so he continued.

“Oh, and, you’re impossibly kind, like, you consider everyone’s feelings and always try to see the best in people. I’ve never been able to do that. It’s something I’ve always admired about you.” 

He paused, but only to catch his breath. A second later he opened his mouth to continue only to be cut off.

“Can you be done, now?” Will’s eyes and mouth were wide with baffled giddiness as he gestured toward Mike.

He felt like he was laying it on a little thick but with Will showing that he’s been worried about how he’s perceived, a second coat and a glossy finish might be what seals it all in.

He only smiled and decided to finish after one last admission, “You’re my favorite person.”

Part of him also wanted to say that he loved him but that felt too much like crossing some invisible line. That same part wanted to envelope Will in a hug, his left arm around his waist and his right arm holding the back of his head to his chest so as to not put pressure on his right side since he was sore for some reason. But, that would be like a giant leap over that imaginary line.

So, Mike did nothing after that last sentence, feeling a little embarrassed by how honest and sincere he was being. He just kept looking forward and willed his face to stop feeling extra hot.

“You don’t think I can be, I don’t know, weird?”

The inquiry came out a little strained, an edge to Will’s tone that you could miss if you weren’t paying enough attention. But, Mike could go bankrupt with how much he paid attention to his best friend. He looked over to see Will just as flushed as he was. Good, he thought, they can be embarrassed together. 

“You’re the best kind of weird. A kind of weird that goes with my weird.”

Will rolled his eyes, contradicting the shy smile he wore. He reached over and gave Mike’s arm a light push, “You’re—. You have to—. I can’t—.” 

“You’re unbelievable. You have to stop talking. I can’t take much more of this.”  

Mike righted himself and stepped over so he was in Will’s personal space and bumped their arms together.

“Okay, I’ll be done.”

“Have I ever thanked you for being my friend? Because it means a lot that I met someone like you.”

Speechless would be too simple of a word to describe how hearing that felt. Gobsmacked sounded slightly better but Mike knew the English language would never be able to properly explain how he felt about Wil.

Although, he did feel like he could beat both Godzilla and Kong Kong if he was put in the ring with them.

*

“I miss trees.” 

“I miss clouds.”

“I miss Max.” 

“You saw her yesterday.” Mike accused, the heat making him more irritable every passing second.

“But, that was 24 hours ago!” Lucas raised his face and hands upwards in frustration, “I don’t know how you can do long distance with Suzie, man. I’d go insane.”

“Huh?” Dustin definitely wasn’t fully listening. He caught on quickly, though, being the only one of them that could goof off in class and still recall the lesson, “Oh, uh, yeah. It’s not so bad. We, uh, talk on the phone every night.”

“There’s a time difference, right?” Will gently nudged the conversation along after Dustin didn’t continue with more information.

Truthfully, the party didn’t know much about Dustin’s camp girlfriend. Her name was Suzie, she lived in Utah, and she was prettier than Phoebe Cates, that was all he said before he changed the subject back to all the cool things he did while he was gone. 

“Um, I don’t know.” Dustin grabbed the back of his neck, sheepishly.

“You don’t know?” Lucas rounded on him.

“It hasn’t come up, dickhead!”

“What do you mean ‘it hasn’t come up’?” 

“We talk about science,” Dustin said matter of fact. “Not time zones!” 

“But, as her boyfriend, you should know something like that. How can you coordinate anything if you don’t know what time it is for her?”

Mike was interested in the answer to the question but not enough to get in the middle of this argument. 

“I don’t know, Lucas! Maybe we’re just totally connected on a molecular level and can just sense what the other is thinking? Or, is that not possible because you and Max can’t do it?”

And with that dig, Dustin and Lucas devolved into name calling and grumbling.

Will made cautious eye contact with him and Mike made a face in return. He didn’t know about his best friends’ opinion on Lucas and Max as a couple but he can certainly understand how annoying it was to constantly hear about how in love they were.

The temperature was climbing by the minute, the sun sat at its highest point in the sky. They’d only been walking on the train tracks for 30 minutes and Mike wished he was dead. He was starting to get a headache from all the squinting he was doing and the hostile conversation happening right in front of him wasn’t helping.

Mike couldn’t believe Will was still wearing his sweater. He’d ended up rolling the sleeves up a few more times so it hit just below his elbows, but beads of sweat kept dripping from his temples and his hair was nearly soaked through.

It seemed like Will could always tell when Mike was staring, turning his head toward him. He raised his eyebrows.

“What?”

Mike gently tugged on the sweater.

“Aren’t you hot?”

Will looked down at himself as if he didn’t realize he still had the sweater on. He gently shook his head.

“I’m fine, Mike.”

Mike scowled, his own eyebrows tugging together.

“You’re lying to me. We don’t lie to each other.”

Will gave him an incredulous eye roll and opened his mouth to respond with real words but Lucas decided to continue being annoying, apparently. He spun himself around and grabbed at Will’s shoulders, making him wince for a nanosecond before expertly hiding the pain.

“Oh my God, Will!”

“Oh my God, Lucas!”

Mike could kill one of his friends today.

“Look, I know you don’t believe us when we say how great you are— move, Mike— but, I want to make it my personal mission to get you a girlfriend.”

Lucas pushed Mike to the side and he almost tripped on the railroad’s edge. A slew of curses came from his mouth as he upped his pace to lead the party with Dustin, himself still mumbling his own curses under his breath. 

Mike might kill one of his friends today.

“Lucas—.” Will sounded like Mike’s mom when she had to repeat herself.

“I’m serious! I have Max, Dustin has Suzie, and Mike has Jane—“

Mike whirled around, nearly tripping on the tracks again, “What the hell? No, I don’t.”

Mike should kill one of his friends today.

“He’s in denial.” Lucas made a show of stage whispering it into Will’s ear.

“I am not!”

“Mike, stop making this about you! As I was saying—”

Mike will kill one of his friends today. 

He spun back around, seething. Now all he could do was listen as Lucas attempted to play matchmaker. Will said he wasn’t planning on doing any kind of dating but Mike just knew their friend wouldn’t want to let it go. 

Why did he keep saying that Mike and Jane are a thing? They’re absolutely not. Was this because of the Snow Ball kiss? It was nothing but a peck and he certainly hasn’t gone out of his way to make anyone think that he wanted to do it again. 

She was cute enough but way too quiet. It was a little too hard for Mike to bond with her. He really only tried to get to know her because Will had convinced Hopper that letting Jane go to public school wouldn’t be so bad. 

Max and Dustin adore Jane, though. They both hang on her every word. And, Lucas enjoys how suggestible she can be, getting her to say “What’s up, dog?” every time he says it smells like updog in here. She was actually a good addition to the party. He almost didn’t mind that she wasn’t a boy. At least this girl didn’t verbally abuse him every day like the other one they had. Which, by the way, tracks since Lucas was the one who found her so she never went through the proper channel.

Mike heard Will sigh deep in his bones. Nice to know everyone was on the same page about Lucas, “Look, Lucas, I really appreciate the, uh, enthusiasm, I guess? But, it doesn’t matter. I, uh, I need to tell you guys something.”

Dustin and Mike stopped and turned to face Will, Lucas stepped up next to them to give his full attention. 

He looked so small. Posture hunched and his head dipped forward. He rubbed the palms of his hands on his thighs and then sat them in his back pockets. When he raised his eyes enough to look from just under his bangs they shined like gemstones. The pain Mike saw in that pair of brown green eyes made his chest grow tight, his breath hitched.

Suddenly, he didn’t want to know anything about the topic he so desperately wanted information about, not even a minute ago. Not if knowing it makes you look that devastated.

“Hopper,” Will paused. “He got a new job in California.”

That’s not devastating, that sounds really nice, actually. Good riddance to the old man who randomly hid his adopted daughter from everyone for some reason. Weirdo. 

Will dropped his head and spoke to the tracks, “Mom,” he let out a puff of breath through his nose, “Mom decided that she would go with him. That we would go with him.”

Fuck that piece of shit old man. 

One of Will’s hands flew to his mouth and his face scrunched up, a tear fell from both eyes as he screwed them shut.

“We’re leaving in 10 days,” he choked out. 

Mike felt completely numb. His brain stopped sending and receiving signals. Even though his heart continued beating, it was shattering into an infinite amount of pieces. It had to be since his chest tightened so much he could’ve cried out in pain.

No one spoke for a long time. Dustin and Lucas looked at each other, both at a complete loss for words. They silently came up on either side of Will and enveloped him in a group hug. His crying ramped up as he held them both, his forehead coming to Lucas’ shoulder to rest.

“You’ll have to come back for the summer, next year!”

“Yeah! You can stay with one of us each month!”

“With what money, guys?” Will whipped his head up to meet their eyes, letting them take a step back. He sounded exhausted. Like he’s already thought of every angle.  

“We’ll save up!”

“I already have, like, 20 dollars stuffed in a piggy bank somewhere.”

“Guys, I can’t—.”

“Yes, you can!” Dustin and Lucas argued together.

Will swiped at his wet, red cheeks. His breathing was extremely shaky and shallow.

“Say something, Mike. Please.” It was such a sad request, almost verging on desperate.

Mike had been staring but not really seeing. He couldn’t think, he couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t move, he couldn’t feel. He forced himself to meet Will’s eyes.

He pushed his eyebrows up slightly and shook his head once.

“I don’t like this.”

Will pressed his lips together and shook his own head.

“Me either.”

This was fucking stupid. Mike hated adults. They could be so selfish and unfair. They were the only ones allowed to make life changing decisions, rarely caring about how those decisions would affect the fucking children they all want to have so badly. What a bunch of shit! 

“This is such bullshit!” 

Mike yelled and kicked at the side of the rail road tracks, making them ring out, which was a giant mistake but he was too mad to care.

“Fuck Hopper, man! He’s such a fucking asshole!” 

He took his backpack off and threw it into the field surrounding the tracks, following after it only to kick it a few more feet away. 

He let out the loudest scream he could muster, sending a few birds out of a bush and into the sky. His ears started ringing.

Facing away from the party, the angry tears came. He let himself fall to the ground, suddenly too drained to keep standing. 

The ringing grew louder. He brought his knees up to his chest and hid his face in them, holding his legs close and wishing it was Will. His watch beeped annoyingly.

And, the ringing grew even louder. Impossibly louder. He twisted around just in time to see Lucas push Dustin toward Mike and grab hold of Will and pull him the other way.

The cargo train sailed by with ease, clearly not intending to slow down any time soon. It felt like the train wouldn’t end. Mike lost track of the train segments.

When the final trailer passed by, Mike saw Lucas kneeling over an unconscious Will. 

“Byers, come on, man. Wake up!”

It was an out of body experience. He saw himself race to Will, long legs leaping over the tracks like an Olympian. Mike came to his other side and laid his ear to his chest, listening for a heart beat.

“Son of a bitch, what happened?”

“I don’t know! I pulled us back and then he just fainted!” 

His heart was working fine so he surveyed the rest of his body for any sign of what happened. When he got to Will’s splotchy red face, it all became clear, “It’s the heat! Dustin, take his shoes and socks off! Lucas, get my water from my backpack!”

Mike lunged toward Will and began removing his arms from the sweater. Why the hell did he have to wear something so thick and stifling? He moved himself from his side to the top of his head, managing to yank the stupid sweater off. He balled it up and placed it between the back of Will’s head and his lap. 

That’s when he saw them. Horrible, dark purple bruises clung to his left arm and shoulder, creeping down that side of his chest. Mike’s eyes widened in shock. He reached out and softly cupped the injured shoulder, ghosting his thumb across it. 

“Lucas, my canteen!”

“Here, here!” Lucas threw the bottle at Mike and started digging in his own bag. “Dustin, help me with this tarp. I think we can create some shade.”

Mike grabbed the canteen and fumbled with the lid, cursing his goddamn fingers for not listening to his brain. 

The water wasn’t cold by any means but it was colder than Will’s body temperature and that was the important part. Mike swept the bangs off his forehead and poured the water near the hairline, careful to not accidentally water board his best friend.

His heart was drumming in double time. Hands shaking with the anxiety of seeing someone you care about in turmoil. He still couldn’t breathe properly but that was on the bottom of his To Do list right now.

The sudden absence of direct sunlight relaxed the tension in his shoulders slightly. Thank God Lucas was always overly prepared.

With no natural wind in the air, Mike willed himself to get his lungs in check, pursing his lips like he was about to drink from a straw and blew out slowly, oscillating the man-made air like a fan against Will’s forehead. 

“Please don’t leave me.” 

His voice barely came out in a choked whisper, sounding more like a prayer than motivation.

He poured more water on his hand and cupped around Will’s face to distribute it, rotating between his cheeks and his jaw.

After a few agonizing minutes, Will fluttered his eyes open. Eyes that were light brown on the outside and green near his pupils, creating a color in the middle of his iris Mike was sure only Will himself could properly name. How ironic for him to be born an artist with eyes like the color palettes he would mix someday. That had to be some kind of ethereal magic.

He sat back on his heels and let out a relieved sigh. Will blinked a few times, adjusting back to consciousness. 

“What happened?” His tone was confused but light.

“You fainted.” Dustin kneeled in the grass to Will’s left.

“I guess my heroic nature made you swoon too hard, dude.” Lucas chuckled, mirroring Dustin but reaching to hold Will’s right hand.

“Where’s Mike?” Confused and now worried.

Both boys looked up at Mike and he dropped the empty canteen to place both hands on Will’s wet cheeks. He bent forward into his line of sight.

“I’m here. I’m right here.” 

He smoothed over his brow with his thumbs.

“I got you.”

“Mike.” Light and relieved.

“Hi.” The word forcibly croaked out of him, like he was so happy that it hurt.

Mike felt like he’d just sprinted a marathon, his whole body like a cooked noodle. He wasn’t really in control of his body when it folded over Will. His own forehead met the skin of his bare chest in what he hoped felt like an embrace. Confirmation came when he felt a hand drift up and place itself on his head, squeezing the hair where it met his neck.

He just experienced enough terrible emotions to last him a while, he thought. He deserved a little reprieve. To allow himself this one indulgence of being physically close with someone who wouldn’t be this close for much longer.

The choked out sigh that came out while he was in that position was not part of the plan. Making a noise like that after watching someone go through a mild heat stroke made Mike think he could be acting a little dramatically.

When he sat up he made sure to not meet anyone’s eyes, choosing to stare into the middle distance. He leaned back and centered on his heels. Hands slipping from Will’s face to the grass below.

“Glad you’re awake, man. Wheeler was seconds away from giving you mouth to mouth!” Lucas chided.

Mike squeezed his eyes shut and wondered if slapping himself would  double as a nervous system reboot and a reason for his reddening cheeks, “I was not!”

“I don’t know, man. You looked pretty desperate for results.” Dustin agreed.

“I wasn’t!” He sighed heavily and bent back over Will to see his eyes glimmering with laughter, “Hey, I wasn’t.”

“I didn’t say anything!” 

“So ungrateful.”

“I’m incredibly grateful!”

“Whatever,” Mike sat back up and forced out a chuckle, face still flushed with embarrassment. He ran his hands through his hair as a distraction. “The next time one of you passes out, I’m walking away.”

His friends all started laughing at him but one voice sounded more precious than the other two. Mike would make it a point to memorize that laugh so he could replay it whenever he wanted.

*

The party decided to stay where they were and have lunch. The army green tarp Lucas and Dustin jury-rigged didn’t create the biggest amount of shade but they didn’t really mind smushing together when it was necessary. How can you enjoy hanging out in a  blanket fort otherwise?

Will and Mike sat with their backs closest to the tarp, Mike’s legs bent close to his chest and Will criss-cross, letting a leg nest under them. Lucas was lying on his back with only his head and chest in the shade declaring that the sun can’t hurt him, with Dustin being his exact opposite albeit sitting, himself declaring that this is why he was the one of them who would work at NASA someday being the only one wearing a hat and all. 

No one mentioned what they were talking about before the train or the bruises they discovered after. Mike had straight up refused to let Will put his sweater back on. Not until they made it to Lover’s Lake and could properly cool off.

So, Will was begrudgingly shirtless. 

And, Mike had to try a little too hard to not stare but even in his peripherals the bruising was such a stark difference from the lightness of the rest of his body. It worried him how deep under the skin they appeared to be.

Looking at Will made him realize his mouth was extremely dry. But he stupidly used all his canteen water on cooling Will down and refused to ask Lucas for a drink from his stash out of sheer embarrassment.

The way Mike was affected by Will fainting scared him. That line he didn’t want to cross? Well, it was crossed like a ‘T’ and also dotted like an ‘I’ for good measure. He had to fight the guilt off until he got home. Sleep wouldn’t come easy tonight.

A nudge from a knee under Mike’s legs stirred him from his thoughts. He glanced over at Will who had his eyebrows pinched together.

“What’s wrong?”

That’s not a conversation he’s ready or able to have. He smiled and rolled his eyes.

“Nothing. I’m just an idiot.”

Will squinted his eyes and shook his head.

“You’re not an idiot.”

“Are you seriously doing that again?” Dustin groaned, looking between them incredulously.

“Doing what?” Mike scrunched his face at him.

“Lucas, they’re doing it again.”

“Doing what?”

“Are they talking without actually talking?” Lucas drawled, probably almost asleep.

“Yes! And, you know what? It’s insulting. That’s what it is. It’s like being in a different country and not knowing if the locals are talking shit about you or not!”

Will barked with laughter at the absurdity of that comparison. Nearly flattening with how doubled over he was. The sudden proximity of a loud noise jolted Lucas up out of the shade of the tarp with a yelp making Will laugh even harder.

Dustin joined in to also laugh at Lucas, getting yelled at in the process. 

“Will laughed first!”

“Will can laugh all he wants!”

“Why? Because he’s moving?”

The heat made the silence that followed Dustin’s words extra thick. Lucas slowly sat up and faced the group. Mike swallowed hard, his throat still dry.

Will wordlessly placed his canteen into Mike’s lap and then tapped it when all he did was stare down dumbly. He picked it up gingerly and brought the spout to his lips. The water soothed his dry throat but didn’t help the ache in his chest.

Will ducked his head and started playing with the dead grass around them, “They already started packing. Jonathan’s really excited to look at film schools out there.”

Mike could tell how conflicted that statement made his best friend feel. His brother was probably ecstatic to be moving closer to a place that could give him a jumpstart on his career. Will loved Jonathan. He was really good at being a big brother and it could be a thankless job, especially on nights where their mom would work late or on weekends when they were forced to visit their dad. 

“Mom quit her job a few days ago. And, she’s been cleaning like crazy. That’s how this,” he gestured to his bruises, “happened. The floor wax was, um,  really slippery.”

Dustin blew out a low whistle, “Talk about adding insult to injury.”

“When did they tell you?” Lucas pressed on.

“A day or so ago. I was in denial until Mom brought boxes home, yesterday. I haven’t started doing anything with them yet, though.”

“We can come over tomorrow and help, right guys?” Lucas stared pointedly at Dustin who ignored the look.

“I’ll have to check my schedule and get back to you.”

Will quietly laughed, “Can you bring Max? Jane would like that. She isn’t very happy about all of this, either.”

Mike didn’t know much about Jane’s life before they met but Hopper was extremely protective of her. Only being convinced to let her go to an actual school when he started dating Will’s mom. Mike couldn’t fathom why he was keeping her locked up, almost like she was in hiding. But, to finally be able to form relationships outside of her dad only to be yanked away from them less than two years later is shitty.

Lucas nudged Will with his knuckles, “At least you’ll have each other, right?” 

“Yeah, but, it won’t be the same. It’s never going to be the same, again.”

That’s for sure. Mike really didn’t want to think about it. School, clubs, the party. He’s never been without Will for any of those experiences. He’s always been right there next to him. Could always find him in a crowd. Losing Will felt next to impossible but here it was, happening. 

Mike’s watch beeped and everyone jumped.

“Son of a bitch! Don’t be surprised if you wake up one day and that goddamn watch is gone.” Dustin jabbed his finger into the watch face.

“Screw you!”

He’d never get rid of this watch. No matter how much it beeped whenever it wanted. Not when Will wore the same one. Especially since this simple watch felt like a symbol of their friendship, and would become a kind of tether. 

“We’re what, like, an hour out from the lake, right?” Lucas stood up and started stretching, lunging forward with his hands on his hips.

He’d had this idea that he was gonna try out for the basketball team when they got to high school. Mike didn’t get the appeal of running around and throwing a ball through a hoop. 

“Give or take, yeah.” Dustin’s words seeped in judgment while looking at their friend but didn’t say anything. “You gonna make it, Will?”

He didn’t answer, eyes studying Lucas. His fingers twitched against his knee. He must’ve been itching to sketch, always the artist. However, Mike didn’t like the idea of Will drawing anyone but him. Not that he had a habit of doing it or anything. Mike was just always around when he needed a reference. 

Thinking about who Will would be using as a reference while in California made his eyebrows crease in the middle.

“Hey, did you hear Dustin?” Mike reached over and almost cupped Will’s jaw to forcibly turn his head his way, stopping himself halfway and settling his hand on his bare shoulder. 

Will turned toward him and blinked a few times, “Hmm? Oh, yeah. I’m fine.” He smiled sheepishly, like he had been caught. Mike felt a lump in his throat.

Maybe being apart would allow him the time to figure his shit out. He needed to stop wanting to be the center of Will’s world. Being possessive over someone wasn’t exactly platonic in nature.

“Alright! Let’s finish this quest and give Will the best story to tell everyone at his new school.” Dustin rubbed his hands together.

“I’m not telling anyone about this. They’d think I was nuts.” 

“You’re so mean to me.”

“I thought you missed me the most when you were at camp?”

“Those two statements aren’t mutually exclusive.”

Mike helped Lucas take the tarp down and fold it up, wanting to continue to feel useful. The last time he wasn’t physically there with a member of the party they all nearly died. He was one more incident away from literally tying them together.

He also made it a point to take Will’s backpack from him and double up, one strap from both of them slung over his shoulders. When he protested Mike gruffed out a simple, “No.” Full stop. 

Dustin then teased about thinking he needed to be carried the rest of the way and would Mike be so kind as to bend over for him. He received two middle fingers and the meanest look Mike could muster. 

Going into leader mode, he made Lucas and Dustin go on ahead so he could watch after them more efficiently. Leaving Will and himself to bring up the rear, their shoulders brushing every few steps. He hoped it wasn’t going to end up knocking either of them off balance.

After about the seventh shoulder brush he glanced quickly over at his best friend. Without a shirt or a backpack to fiddle with while walking, Will stuffed his hands in his front pockets.

“So, what really happened?” Mike stared pointedly at Will, knowing he would get exactly what he was trying to ask.

The wax floor story was really good. It was enough to satisfy the other two boys but Mike knew better. He could write a book the size of an encyclopedia filled with the knowledge he held of Will Byers. Lying wasn’t something he was fond of doing. The more he was around Mike, the better he became at the act but, nine times out of ten Will would rather tell a hard truth than an easy lie.

He sighed and wouldn’t meet Mike’s eyes, “You’re not gonna like it.”

Whatever happened had caused his best friend to be in physical pain. He was going to be upset about what caused it, regardless. So, he pinched his eyebrows inward and stayed quiet, waiting.

“It’s my dad’s sick idea of a going away present.” 

Mike immediately balled his fists and ground his teeth, seething in fury toward the most despicable, sorry excuse of a man he’d ever met. The only good thing he ever did was help bring Will into this world and if he so happened to die under mysterious circumstances, Mike would make damn sure he had an air tight alibi to exonerate him.

And also, what kind of a judge thinks it’s a good idea to grant joint custody when one of the parents doesn’t give a shit to begin with? A crooked, dumbass piece of shit judge. If Mike had a dog and knew where that asshole lived, he’d get a flaming bag of shit on his porch every day.

He couldn’t form a coherent sentence, only curses came out, “Fucking bastard.” 

His ears started ringing at a deafening frequency. Far louder than the last time. Like something you’d hear after a building explodes in a movie and the director wanted to convey that it physically affected the character who’d just barely made it out before it detonated. 

He felt a hand wrap around his wrist and the top of his closed fist. A subtle pressure came next. He looked down at their hands and then up at Will, meeting a soft smile and a slight eyebrow dip.

“It’s over. I survived.” 

Mike blinked rapidly, realizing he had been a few seconds away from spinning out. 

Looking into Will’s two-toned hazel eyes relaxed him instantaneously. His pounding heart beating in his chest was the only evidence that he was experiencing any kind of exaggerated emotion.

“You should drink some water.”

Mike still couldn’t speak so he just nodded.

Will squeezed Mike’s hand once more before letting go and unzipping the backpack closest to him. 

“You shouldn’t have used all your water on me.”

He scoffed, “Bullshit. I’d do it again.”

“I know.” Will smiled softly as he handed him the canteen.

Mike gulped down some water, the action of it evening out his breathing. He sighed, “So, you’re really okay?”

Will nodded, “I will be.”

Will had never told anyone else about what his dad did to him. Mike only found out accidentally during a sleepover in second grade when he woke up to the sound of Will crying. 

It hadn’t been loud, his face down and smushed deep into his pillow to muffle himself as much as possible. The proximity of sharing Mike’s bed had been the main reason he even heard. He didn’t think twice when he reached out to touch Will and ask him what was wrong. 

And, Will had tried to downplay what was happening and hide his emotions. Telling Mike that he was fine and to go back to sleep. But the need to comfort his best friend, to alleviate the pain he was in, was too strong to ignore.

So, he’d wrapped his arms around Will and pulled him close, telling him it was okay and that he was safe. He’d held onto him until he relaxed and fell asleep, following soon after.

When the morning came, Will told him everything. How he was in a constant state of fear whenever he was forced to stay at that man’s house. The abuse was sporadic and the bruises easily hidden, almost strategically planned. And, when Mike asked why he hadn’t told his mom or even Jonathan, he said his dad would kill him if they ever found out.

A scared, easily threatened eight year old turned into a complaisant, yet indignant teenager. Accepting his fate knowing there would end when he turned 18. 

Until then, he had Mike to confide in and hold him if he cried. He hadn’t heard Will break down during the night in years. But, that started around the same time they stopped sharing a bed at sleepovers. 

Resilient out of necessity. Kind by nature. Will was amazing. He could’ve ended up just like his dad, angry and mean. But, he chose to rise above all the shit he was born into and shine brighter than the summer sun. 

“It’s strange,” Will put the canteen back, voice strong but quiet. “That was the first time I didn’t cry while it was happening. Well, the only time.”

Screw the rules. Screw the damn line. Mike needed to show Will exactly how much he cared about him and his feelings. He wouldn’t get the chance to be this close with him soon and worrying about what other people would think if they saw them like this wasn’t more important than caring about his best friend.

So, he scooped Will’s hand up and laced their fingers together. He didn’t look over to see the reaction but he felt Will’s fingers flex closed to seal them together.

“I think it’s because I knew it would be the very last time. He agreed to not fight it, if Mom filed for soul custody, which she did the day she told me we were going. I’m never going to have to see him again, Mike.”

He squeezed Will’s hand reassuringly but still couldn’t quite bring himself to look at him. He figured Will would let go when he was done talking.

“For some messed up reason he needs to belittle and beat his own kid to feel any kind of contentment. To feel good about himself. I’m glad he won’t get the opportunity to feel like that anymore.”

Mike was glad too. He squeezed Will’s hand again and he felt a squeeze in return. But, then he felt him start to let go. He immediately separated and brought his hand to the backpack strap, trying to not draw attention to the fact that it was tingling.

At least he could look at Will, again. He was walking taller, making his chest puff out with the action. The comfort in knowing something horrible wouldn’t happen again made him look immeasurably confident. Mike wanted him to look like that forever. 

“Guess moving to California is the right call, then.”

Will smiled but his eyes were starting to water, “It’s not coming without its sacrifices, though.”

Mike appreciated that Will thought that leaving him was a sacrifice. He felt the exact same way. He would usually voice that sentiment but he needed to be a better friend right now. Pivot the conversation into something light for both their sakes.

“Yeah. It’s gonna suck doing high school without you. How am I gonna pass math, now?”

“You probably won’t.” Will teased and then before he could interject, “The last time I went to a new school without knowing anyone was freaking kindergarten!” He thrust his arms out dramatically, something he definitely picked up from Mike.

“Well, to be fair, that did work out for you in the end.”

He glared at him incredulously, “Yeah, let me just conjure up a Mike Wheeler from an alternate dimension.”

Mike grinned like a fool, “Just as long as I’m the Mike who gets to be with you.”

Will ducked his head for a second before bringing it back up and shaking it with a laugh, “There absolutely does not need to be another Mike Wheeler! One is plenty.”

“But, think of the possibilities!” He’d totally make the second Mike do all the stuff he hated doing. Chores, homework, babysit Holly, be away from Will.

Will didn’t answer, he just rolled his eyes, a smile still plastered to his face. Now, he just needed to say something encouraging, something that would fill his best friend with hope and give him the strength to carry on.

“You’re gonna be fine. I may have been the one who approached you that day but every other friend I have is because of you. This party wouldn’t even exist if it weren’t for you. You’re gonna make so many friends over there. Just don’t forget about us in Hawkins.”

What Mike wanted to say was: Don’t forget about me.

Will bumped their arms together, “I couldn’t even if I wanted to.”

*

The closer they got to Lover’s Lake the cooler the air felt. The party veered off from the train tracks when they hit the big oak tree. Only about a half mile of trudging through grass, tall enough to hide in by merely sitting down, left to go.

They had to switch from going two by two to a single file line, Dustin in front and Mike at the back. He was more than ready to be at the lake so they could see that there was never a body to begin with and Dustin was just gullible. He already had a plan to call Nancy on the pay phone just outside of the gravel parking lot and make her come get them so they wouldn’t have to walk back. He’d been saving the knowledge of seeing her boyfriend, Steve Harrington, sneaking into her room last autumn for this very purpose.

Mike heard Dustin before he actually could see the lake. He was jabbering about how they’d split up and each take a side of the perimeter, stopping when one pair found the body and then waiting for the other two to make their way around to meet them. He grabbed Will before Mike even made it out of the grass fully.

Now would be a great time to practice being okay without Will. He just needed to ignore the ache in his chest and keep looking forward. 

“Are you coming or are you gonna keep standing there looking lost?” Lucas teased.

“Shut up, I’m coming.” Mike walked up to his side, putting Lucas between him and the lake. It’d make not looking at Will a little easier.

They both fell into silence as they made their way through the dirt and rocks. A roughly seven yard bank bridged a forest of brushes and trees with the lake. The other two boys would pass by the gravel parking lot before meeting the same fate of scenery.

Mike kept glancing into the foliage for anything out of place and coming up empty.  

“We’re not gonna find a body.” Lucas playfully sighed.

Mike crossed his arms over his chest, “No duh, Lucas.” 

Lucas rounded him, “What’s up with you today?”

“Nothing. It’s hot.” 

“Sure.”

But, Mike wears his emotions, not on his sleeve but on his chest like a superhero insignia. Eye rolling, nose scrunching, lip curling. Always quick to respond and not afraid to have a gruff tone about it.

“I think you’re pissed for two reasons. Reason one: we’re spending the day doing something that wasn’t your idea or plan. You aren’t good at letting other people take the lead.”

His eyes rolled, “Whatever, man.”

“Am I wrong, though?” Lucas cupped his hand behind his ear to punctuate his question. “Didn’t think so. I think of you as my brother which is why I can confidently say, to your face, that you can be a real asshole, sometimes.”

Was this rag on Mike day or something? He uncrossed his arms and shoved his hands in his front pockets, “Okay, I get it. Are you done?”

Lucas ignored him and continued on, “Reason number two: You’re angry about Will moving.”

He was quick with his response, “Of course I am. It’s bullshit.”

“You don’t have to convince me, dude! I also hate it. Will’s an important part of all our lives. He’s our best friend, too.”

“I know that.”

“Do you, though? Look, I know you and Will have a,” Lucas gestured around for the words. “Unique kind of friendship.”

Mike whipped his head toward Lucas before thinking, but didn’t say a word when he was met with a calm, matter of fact expression. 

“You both treat each other differently from how you treat other people. You’re so in sync with the other’s emotions. Hell, you two can have a whole conversation without using a single word! What you two have together,” He exhaled then started again. “Feels special.” 

Lucas paused, probably waiting for Mike to deny it all and punch him in the face for good measure. But, Mike stayed silent, tired of trying to battle a universal truth. He clearly wasn’t able to be under the radar with his basic instincts, anyway. 

Lucas continued, “Losing Will may be your worst nightmare but it’s gonna suck for all of us. You’re not the only one that’s gonna be affected by this so don’t act like you’re gonna go through it alone. But, for him? He’s got the shitty end of the stick, having to basically restart his social life all over again.”

Mike knew that. He knew Will drew the short straw in all of this. His brain understood that his best friend’s situation is far worse than his. But, his heart had always been a bit selfish and greedy. Its ache tended to overpower everything else and wasn’t a big picture kind of guy.

“And, I know he’s gonna make friends over there because he’s amazing at it. But, he’s gonna need every ounce of confidence we can cram into him to believe that he can. Which means you’re gonna need to get your head out of your ass and be there for him over these next few days.” Lucas pointed at him.

He’sd been trying. He already started building up Will’s self esteem not even an hour ago. But, he knew what Lucas was getting at. Stay present, put on a brave face, don’t bulldoze over their friend with all the negative emotions he’d be feeling.

“I won’t give a shit about how depressed all of this makes you until he’s gone and you better not do anything to make him feel even worse than I’m sure he already feels.”

“I wouldn’t!” 

Lucas looked at him with skepticism.

“I would never purposefully do anything to upset Will.” And, because he felt safe enough to actually verbalize his thoughts he added, “He means too much to me. I wouldn’t jeopardize Will’s trust like that.”

He may be an idiot. He may also be an asshole. But, what he’s not is careless with Will’s feelings. He’d always think of him first. He let him be player one every time they played Atari. Always had an extra blanket available for when he got cold. He spoke in a softer toned voice to help him stay calm. Adored his art even if it’s just a rough sketch, telling him so every time. He held him when he cried. And, when he closed in on himself, he’d always be there to open him back up.

They’re Mike and Will. A team. Friends. Best friends. The first person they go to in times of stress. They stood by each other. Advocated for each other. Shared every triumph and hardship. For better, for worse. For richer, for poorer. In sickness and in health. Until death do they part.

Wait, no. That can’t be right. 

Oh, shit. No, no, no. That’s decidedly not platonic. He can’t reason that thought into something more palatable. Can’t push it down and ignore it. Every urge, every instinct he has ever experienced regarding Will, it all made sense, now. The Snow Ball. The way he nearly fell apart when he fainted. It was a beacon, on a marquee with lights. 

He was in love with Will Byers. 

Mike Wheeler, you piece of shit.

What kind of best friend goes and does something like that? To fall in love with the one person who didn’t need anything else in his life to further complicate it. The one person whose inevitable rejection would crush him into a thousand pieces. The single greatest, most amazing person Mike has ever met is the one person he can never have. And, simply wanting to have him that way made him defective.

He’d gone and fucked up a perfectly good friendship. Stupidly, selfishly continuing to touch, to stare, to voice every single thought that popped in his head. The way he calculated when, where, and how to get his sick wants without caring about what Will would want. He should’ve gotten the message the first time he noticed Will shrinking away from his touch. But, he didn’t because he was a leech.  

Maybe Will leaving really would be the best for both of them. He needed to be as far away as he could get before Mike’s disgusting urges became too big for him to fully ignore. Before he inevitably slipped and acted on his impulses, tainting the most important relationship in his life.

He was not Will’s friend. He was his captor. The way he always wanted to isolate him. To get him alone. It’s despicable, he needed to set him free.

Yellow caution tape sitting a few yards deep into the brush caught his eye and brought him out of his head. He hit Lucas in the arm several times to get his attention.

“No way!” Lucas gasped.

Mike was flabbergasted. The tape was wound around four separate trees about ten feet apart, forming a parallelogram. They quickly moved closer, ducking down behind a bush to try and blend in. Sensing that they were hidden well enough they both peeked out either side, straining their necks to get a good look at the crime scene.

A tarp, similar to the one Lucas had, sat in the middle of the enclosed space. Clearly covering something about six feet long and a couple feet wide. 

Sheriff Hopper stood with his hands on his hips just outside of the tape, talking with two guys in plain clothes. 

They pulled back behind the bush and saw Dustin and Will crouching at a run toward them. 

“Is that Hopper?” Will hurriedly asked Mike, eyes widening ever so slightly.

Mike knew he wasn’t asking just for clarification’s sake. 

He frantically unzipped Will’s backpack and tossed the sweater into his arms without a word. He didn’t want to accidentally touch him, ashamed of himself for how he would normally act.

Dustin’s annoying stage whisper shook him back to reality, “I told you! I fucking told all your asses!”

“Shut up!” Lucas shushed him angrily. But, it didn’t matter. They’d been spotted.

“Will?” Hopper called in their direction. Will sighed and stood up. Lucas and Mike followed, the former pulling a protesting Dustin up with them.

Hopper’s eyes narrowed, “What the hell are you kids doing here?”

“We, uh, came for a swim, right guys?” Lucas supplied.

“Yeah, we wanted to give Will one last day at the lake. You know, before he moves.” Dustin caught on quickly.

Mike knew Hopper didn’t fully believe them but maybe he felt bad about taking Will away, “Well, stay on this side of the tape, okay?”

“Yes, sir. Will do, sir.” Dustin saluted.

“See you at home, kid.”

“Bye, Hop.” Will waved halfheartedly, sighing when Hopper walked away.

Dustin started jumping around excitedly, “Holy shit, guys! We did it! We discovered the body!” 

Lucas rolled his eyes, “We really didn’t, though.”

“No one else knows that. I can’t wait for the first day of freshman year! We’re gonna be legends!”

“Dude.”

“What? Oh, right. Sorry, Will.”

He didn’t seem to take offence but his tone was flat, “Let’s just go swim.”

So, the party made their way back out to the lake, making sure to set up on the west side so the trees would block the sun after a while. Lucas spread the tarp out and they used their backpacks to anchor it in place. Everyone but Mike went into the water as soon as possible, splashing around without a care.

He didn’t really feel like swimming, or doing anything except sit and let his feelings fester like an open wound. He pulled his legs up to his chest and this time he refused to even think about how he wished it was Will. When did he start to feel this way? He had always been protective of his best friend but when did the motivation change? When did the desire to be best friends forever turn into a completely serious request? 

Mike knew the answer. There hadn’t been a single day where he didn’t love Will in that way. He’d always craved his attention, drinking it up like hot chocolate in the winter. He always wanted to be the reason for his happiness and when he was hurt, Mike hurt. It had never been platonic on his end and that realization made him feel like a fraud. 

On that first day of kindergarten, Will only wanted a friend. Someone to play with, to read comics with, to talk about nerdy stuff with. He wasn’t looking for anything else and Mike took that away from him.

He settled his forehead on his knees, he knew he was about to cry and no one needed to see that. His breath shook out of him sporadically. He didn’t hear anyone approach him until he felt a hand on his shoulder.

Mike lifted his head slightly and began running his palms over his cheeks to wipe the tears away. He really hoped that hand didn’t belong to Will. But, he can never have what he ever truly wanted. 

Their eyes locked, those gorgeous brown green eyes staring into his soul. Will’s eyebrows furrowed not unlike the way his own brows did this morning in Dustin’s garage. That felt like a lifetime ago.

“What’s wrong, Mike?”

He promised Lucas he wouldn’t do something like this. Wouldn’t do anything to make Will worry about him or make him upset. And, he could’ve if he actually tried, he didn’t even try. The hurt swimming in those eyes is exactly what shouldn’t be happening.

“Nothing. I’m fine.”

Will frowned and sat down beside him, letting their arms brush, “We don’t lie to each other.”

If only he knew how this whole friendship was a lie. How, from the very beginning, he had been lying to himself and Will. So, what’s one more? A half truth can still be a lie.

“Would you believe that I’m already missing you even though you haven’t left yet?” 

Mike wasn’t gonna look to his left to see if Will actually believed him. 

“Depends. Do you think I don’t feel exactly what you’re feeling?”

He did look, then. But, Will was staring forward, mirroring Mike’s sitting position perfectly. He turned his gaze back to the lake, not trusting his mouth right now. That last admission was a little too self indulgent.

“You’re my best friend, Mike. I know I’ll miss Lucas and Dustin and Max. I’m even going to miss this stupid town. But, it’s you who I’ll miss most of all.” 

Mike blinked away the new tears that were forming, still refusing to look at Will or speak.

He continued, “I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to spend the next two weeks thinking about the rain cloud that’s about to pour.”

“I don’t. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. Just don’t mention the storm that’s coming. Let’s pretend it’ll be sunny forever.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay.”

Mike felt Will’s head settle on his shoulder, his sigh quiet but content. He tensed up slightly but forced himself to relax, if Will initiated the touch then he obviously wanted it. He let his own head tilt to the left, meeting the top of Will’s head with ease. 

From this moment until Will drove away from him, he would try to push everything he just realized about himself aside. Leave his complicated emotions in the corner like a pile of dirty clothes. It’s what a good friend would do. He would be a good friend, something he’s always failed to do. 

Will’s voice cut through his thoughts, “I want a campaign. It doesn’t have to be big or anything spectacular. I just want to play with you one more time.”

Mike couldn’t help but grin at the request. He already had the outline for a Will the Wise centric adventure. It was going to be a birthday present but he could size it down and have it ready in a few days, “You got it. Anything else?”

If Will wanted the moon, Mike would find a way to get it for him.

“We should try to have our longest sleepover ever.”

Mike lifted his head in surprise and turned to him, “Longer than Thanksgiving weekend of ‘83?”

Will merely glanced up from under his bangs, “Definitely longer.”

Mike huffed out a small laugh, and because Will didn’t take the opportunity to detach himself, he settled his head back down, “Be careful, Will. We’ll spend so much time together you’ll get sick of me and be happy to leave.”

“Not possible.”

He felt Will’s cheeks raise in what could only be interpreted as a smile, so he smiled too, hoping his best friend could also feel it.

Mike didn’t know what else to say. And, Will didn’t continue talking either. But, they never really needed words. They sat in comfortable silence for a minute or so, basking in the general closeness.

Before he could do something stupid, like try to formulate a plan to keep sitting like this forever, he begrudgingly lifted his head. The movement was subtle but made him dizzy anyway.

Will followed suit, leaving his shoulder achingly cold even though the air around them was anything but. 

Dustin and Lucas chose this moment to trudge out of the lake, their bodies dripping water as they walked.

“Dude, why aren’t you swimming? I thought you’d be the first one in, since you’ve been complaining about the heat all day.” Lucas gave him a pointed look. 

“I can fix that!”

Dustin stood about a foot away from Mike and Will and shook out of his hair like a dog, getting lake water all over them. Will laughed beside him but he was ready to strangle their friend.

“You dumbass piece of shit!”

“That’s not a nice thing to say to a friend who just wants to help you cool off, Michael.” 

He wiped at his face, thankful that it wasn’t tears that made it wet this time, “How you got a girlfriend, I’ll never know.”

“Right, um, about that.” Dustin sat down on the tarp and cleared his throat, looking at the ground, “I, uh, lied. Suzie’s not real. I mean, there was a girl at camp named Suzie, I didn’t make her up. But, we aren’t dating. I, uh, said one joke while standing close to her and she laughed.” 

“Dude—.” Lucas started but Dustin cut him off.

“It’s pathetic, I know, but when I came home you were raving about Max,” Dustin gestured toward Lucas, “And Jane has, like, the biggest crush on you, Mike, and you aren’t doing anything about it even though you started it by kissing her at the Snow Ball.” 

Mike ducked his head down, embarrassed beyond belief. That had been one of his biggest mistakes. He had no idea that little kiss would mean something to her. Add it to the long list of Mike Wheeler’s Selfish Acts.

And, he knew exactly why he did it, now. Will had hurt him by purposefully turning away, shutting him out in favor of focusing on the girl he was dancing with. So, Mike wanted to hurt him back. But, kissing Jane wouldn’t do a damn thing but end up hurting her and making him hate himself for it.

Dustin continued, “The second it came out, I wanted to take it back.” He let out a huge sigh, “I just wanted to feel normal, I guess. Not like some nerd who can’t talk to girls without making a complete fool of himself.”

Will nodded even though he wasn’t properly addressed, “I get it. Wanting to feel normal that is.”

“Me too. I think that’s why I,” He paused, not wanting to say the words in front of Will, “Why I did what I did.”

He chanced a glance at Will but he wasn’t looking his way, instead choosing to play with a loose thread on his cut offs. He had scooted a few inches away from Mike when their friends had sat down and he had to fight the urge to be outwardly upset about it.

“And here I thought you were just romantically helpless. At least Dustin’s internal struggles didn’t have any casualties.” Lucas glared at him, something he’s only seen when he really pisses him off. 

“I know, I know. I’m an asshole.” He’d find the time to apologize to her before she left, making sure whatever torch she held for him was snuffed out. For her sake.

Will bumped his knee into Mike’s to get his attention, eyebrows raising past his hair.

“Making a mistake doesn’t make you an asshole.”

He smiled tightly and shook his head.

“Yeah, but being an asshole makes me an asshole.”

Will rolled his eyes and chuckled in response.

“I am not gonna miss this.” Dustin waved his fingers in their direction with an upturned nose.

Will and Mike shared a look and burst out laughing, Lucas softly joining them after a moment. Dustin smiled despite himself. 

Mike’s watch beeped and they all groaned, even Will. 

“Okay fine! I’ll get a new watch!”

He’d just put this one in the binder of Will’s art that’s hidden under his bed. Which, in hind sight, probably wasn’t the most platonic thing to have in your possession but you have to walk before you can run.

“You know, I was thinking of getting a new one too. Hop mentioned an ‘I’m sorry I’m taking you away from your friends’ present to Jane and I could definitely talk him into doing it for me, too. We can go together.”

Will smiled in his direction and he swore he could hear a Hallelujah chorus coming from the trees. 

Together. Mike and Will together. For the next week and a half, they’d be in the same state, same town, even the same room in the same house. Enjoying the last days of summer, spending time with their friends. Making memories to last them until they could see each other again. 

And, as long as Mike had Will, he felt like he could do anything.