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“Have you ever thought about how different our lives would be if we didn’t live in Hawkins” Will says. Mike looks over, his hand on the wheel of his Chevrolet as he grips it, taking a deep inhale.
“Yeah. Sometimes. I don’t know.” Mike says, shrugging as he looks over to Will. Will puts his lips together. “Yeah just. Have you ever gotten tired of this hell hole? We get pushed around every day and we’re just supposed to live in this crappy place?” Will says.
Mike takes his eyes off of his best friend, looking forward as his right hand stays on the steering wheel and his left hand goes to his thigh. “I mean, I’m pretty used to it now. It’s not any different than what we’ve delt with before.” Mike mutters. Will scoffs.
“What Will? What do you want me to say? That our lives have been the best it’s ever been?” Mike says, flapping his hand agaisnt his thigh. Will looks dumbfounded.
“I don’t know. Just thought you’d feel the same way after all of this.” Will quietly says. “What was that?” Mike teases. Will rolls his eyes, slapping Mike’s brown leather jacket.
“Piss off, Wheeler.” Will mutters. Mike giggles. “But for real, Will. Feel the same way about what?” Mike tells his bestfriend. Will looks at Mike’s eyes as Mike pulls his car into a parking lot infront of a gazing field, flowers all around as the sun sets above them. Mike turns off his car, leaning back in his seat to look at Will.
Will presses his flushed lips together, repeatedly breaking eye contact and looking back at those blue eyes. “I mean- look at us. We get picked on every fucking day, Mike. Chance—he calls you frog face! He calls me fairy! He thinks we date just because we sit together!!” Will flaps his arms, exhaling deeply as his face turns red.
“Hey— hey hey. It’s okay, Will. Of course I feel that way. Hell, who wouldn’t? I know what we go through. I just thought that..you know.” Mike says, muttering the last part. “You know what?” Will says, his voice rising in pure anger and tiredness. “It’s our senior year, Will. Honestly, it doesnt even matter.” Mike says. “That’s not what you’re talking about, I know there’s more.” Will says, crossing his arms.
Mike sighs, looking away into the field of sunflowers infront of his red car. “Mike.” Will says, reminding Mike of where he is. “Talk to me.” Will says, placing his right hand on Mike’s knee as the sleeves of his red and brown flannel creeps up his soft wrists. “It doesn’t matter. It’s stupid, anyway.” Mike mumbles. “Bullshit.” Will says, his grip on Mike’s knee becomes tighter.
“Will-“ Mike says. “Just- speak whats on your mind. Spit it out, Wheeler.” Will says. Mike’s chest rises heavier, flush creeping up his throat as his Adam apple bobs as he gulps. Mike has known the rumors have been true, about Mike liking boys.
Mike didn’t let that show to Will, though. When Will wasn’t around, Troy and Chance would come up to Mike and talk about how his “pretty boy—Will” loves him. And Mike knew it was true. He’s had a crush on his bestfriend since he was as young as he could remember.
Mike knew Will loved him. He just didn’t know how to come across from it. Now, that bestfriend—Will, Will is sitting right infront of him. Looking into his eyes, the setting sun outlining all of his curves, outlines, and little details throughout.
Mike wanted to scream.
He wanted to pull his bestfriend in for a kiss right there, listening to the music fade out, watching the sunset as they spent the rest of the night kissing, loving eachother. Sharing each others food, whispering sweet things together as they sat in each others clothes, as they layed together.
“Earth to Mike!” Will waves his free hand in Mike’s face. Mike shakes off his thoughts, his face now redder than ever. “Shoot- sorry Will.” Mike laughs breathlessly. “Okay. Now you’re scaring me.” Will says. “I promise you, it’s—“ “Bullshit!” Will mentions once again.
“I-“ Mike begins to speak, but his jaw clenches before he can. It’s like if there’s a chain holding his voice box down inside of his throat. “You can do it. Just— speak what’s on your mind. Just say what comes to it.” Will says softly, his palm rubbing circles on Mike’s beat up Levi jeans.
“I guess- I didn’t mind because the rumors are true.” Mike spits out, his tongue holding the roof of his mouth so hard he could taste copper. “What rumors?” Will speaks. “About me.” Mike breaths out, his chest heaving once again.
His heart in his throat, his eyes widens as his pupils expand. “Hey, breathe Mike. It’s just us, look around.” Will speaks softly, his right hand moving to turn off the music until Mike grabs it, their eyes locking.
Mike slowly brings his hand back to his knee, gulping as unspoken words are said through eyes meet. “You’re okay. it’s just me, and you. It’s just Will.” Will says, barely above a whisper as his hands continue to rub on Mike’s knee.
Will knows just how panicked Mike can get in situations like this. With his anxiety, he becomes more alert, his chest rises like it is now. And Will knows just how to calm him down, just like how Mike knows how to calm Will down.
It’s just how they work.
People thought that Will and Mike fit perfectly together. They were always together, infact. Always walking in the hallways together, always sharing jackets when one another got cold, if Will got hungry because Joyce didn’t have the food to feed them the night before, Mike would pack an extra lunch for him.
It’s just how they work.
And the world revolves the same either way.
“Will-“ Mike breaths out. “About—“ Mike begins before he clenches his jaw again. “About me- I mean.” Mike gulps out. “The rumors being true about me.” He lets out. “And what may that rumor be?” Will prods, in a comforting way, though. Not pushy, not expecting a direct answer. Just waiting.
“You know how Troy calls you a fairy?” Mike speaks. Will thinks for a moment, then nods slightly. “Well, he calls me that too, sometimes.” Mike mumbles. “So, that rumors true?” Will says. Mike nods slowly, anxiety building up in his throat again like a lump, like knots, like hot metal coils springing in his stomach.
“Mike-“ Will breaths out. “You could have just told me.” Will says, his knee squeezing on Mike’s tough jeans as he smiles at him. Mike takes a deep exhale, smiling back at his bestfriend as his lips press together, cheeks flushed and hot.
“That’s- that’s not all.” Mike mutters. Will composes himself, sitting back as his knee still stays on Mike’s leg, now slowly creeping higher to his thighs as he does the same process.
Circles, rubs, repeat.
It’s just how they work.
“You know how..they tell us we’re fairies..together.” Mike mumbles quietly, unsure if even Will heard it. “What was that?” Will says, his head cocking slightly.
“You know how they say we’re fairies—together??” Mike speaks fast, though still audible. “Yeah-yeah.” Will says in return The world stops around them, it takes a moment for Will to get. “Oh.” Will says, not fully getting it.
Oh.
ohhh.
“I’m sorry- I knew i shouldnt have said anything— it’s probably best if I take you h—“ Mike gets cut off. Not by himself this time. Not by that same coils in his stomach, not his heart beating out of his chest. Not a lump in his throat, not that chain pulling his voice box down, permitting him from speaking. Not anything like that.
By lips. Lips on his. Soft, plush, rosy pink lips that taste like cherry and vanilla. That same chapstick that Mike recognizes. It would lay on Will’s bedside oak table, The one that Will would use often when he would talk a lot.
Mike knew Will hated dry lips. It irritated him. Mike didn’t care much for his own, though. That also irritated Will. Though, Will didn’t mind much.
It’s just how Mike worked.
And every year for Will’s birthday, Mike would gift the same thing. Vickie’s Premium Cherry-Vanilla Chapstick. The one with a yellow body and a red cap that had fancy flowers around the lid.
Will finally let’s go, panting as they pull away. “Again..why. Why didn’t you tell me.” Will pants. Mike looks up into Will’s eyes. They’re more widened now, his pupils dark and wide. Mike doesnt respond, infact. He kisses Will again. Will’s lips on his. It’s all Mike could have ever dreamed of.
Their noses fit perfectly against one another. Their lips mold together, the chapstick running off onto Mike’s once chapped, cold lips.
That’s just how they worked.
“Fuck.” Mike breaths out. “C’mere.” Mike says against Will’s lips, holding Will’s hips and bringing him over the control center to sit on Mike’s lap.
They begin kissing again as ‘No Surprises by Radiohead’ plays on the radio. Will giggles against Mike’s lips and bites his lip, causing Mike to groan as his grip tightens on his bestfriends hips.
“Fucking hell, that chapstick? It’s addictive.” Mike groans against Will’s lips, gripping his waist so hard Itll bruise. “Told you.” Will giggles, licking his lips before diving in for more.
Mike moves his hand to Will’s back and splays his palm onto his lower back, causing Will to arch his back and to gasp against his bestfriends lips. Mike takes this chance to slip his tongue into Will’s mouth, the new sensation is infuriating.
It’s wet, hot, Mike can taste the strawberries they shared at lunch just an hour previously. “Mgh.” Will lets out as Mike moves his hands lower to Wills waistband of his jeans, the jeans he borrowed from Mike’s house that he never gave back, so he never really “borrowed” them. Mike massages the soft, plush skin under the waistband.
“And that lotion you use?” Mike breaths against Will’s now bruised lips. “That shit should be illegal.” He adds, groaning against Will’s neck as he takes a deep inhale. “Yeah?” Will says breathlessly.
“Mh, yeah. Vanilla and coconuts a good scent on you.” Mike says, kissing Will’s neck softly causing Will to whimper softly. Mike licks his lips before kissing the delicious skin once again.
“And flavor.” Mike adds, softly suckling on the skin below his lips. “Mike- Mike.” Will says. Mike lifts his lips, just below Will’s jawline. “Hm?” He says. “People- will see.” Will breaths out. “Then let them see. I want them to know—that fuck ass Chance. I want him to know you gave in.” Mike mutters before biting down on the sensitive bundle of nerves on Will’s neck, just below his ear.
“Oh fuck.” Will breaths out, his hands wrapping around Mike’s neck. “I’m going to mark you so good, Will. People are going to ask you who did this to you, and I want you to tell them.” Mike mutters hot against Will’s neck, licking and suckling the bruised skin.
“I want you to tell them it’s me. It was me.” Mike says before lifting his mouth to look at what the piece of work he’s created on his bestfriends once plush body. “So beautiful.” Mike whispers before Will brings his hand to Mike’s face.
“You’re beautiful, Mike.” Will whispers back before diving back into those soft lips. “Wait.” He says. Mike cocks his head as Will reaches into the front pocket of his flannel, bringing out that same chapstick.
Mike lets out a chuckle as Will smirks, his cheeks flushing as he twists off the red cap, putting some chapstick on his lips as he put some on Mike’s, aswell. “Feels good, doesn’t it?” Will says as he places kisses on Mike’s cheeks. “Mgh, yeah.” Mike says as he rubs his lips together, his left hand staying on Will’s waist as the other comes up to Will’s fluffy brunette hair.
“I love that you grew this out. It’s so beautiful.” Mike smiles, his fingers massaging Will’s scalp. Will hums into Mike’s neck as he kisses it softly, placing kitten kisses as he moves down the flushed skin.
“And I love your natural scent, fuck Mike. Do you know how good it is?” Will says, hot against the skin below his lips. “Most guys..they have that strong cologne that lingers on them. You? Fuck Micheal..this is addictive.” Will says as he inhales Mike’s musk.
Mike wasn’t one to wear fancy cologne or spend his sweet time in the shower loading different washes onto himself. He was more of the type of guy to wear whatever body wash was cheapest and swiped on some deodorant and called it a day.
“Yeah? You like it?” Mike chuckles, his hands still running through Will’s hair. “Is it better than your coconut lotion?” Mike giggles. Will nods, suckling harder on his bestfriends neck.
“Will.” Mike says. Will lifts his mouth off of Mike, saliva dripping from his lips as Mike wipes them with this thumb. “Yes?” Will answers, shifting more comfortable onto Mike’s lap.
“What are we now.” Mike asks, ‘Jigsaw Falling Into Place by Radiohead’ begins to play in the background. Will tilts his head, his hazel eyes softening as he looks into Mike’s blue ones. “Whatever you want to be.” Will smiles, flush creeping back onto his cheeks.
“Maybe..boyfriends?” Mike says cheekily. Will giggles, putting his hands on Mike’s jaw as he kisses him again, that addictive chapstick rubbing off on both of them.
“Fuck yeah.” Will breaths against Mike’s lips. “Boyfriends.” Will adds. “Because that’s just how we work, yea?” Will says.
It’s like their personal slogan.
“Yeah. Cause that’s how we work.” Mike smiles. It’s a routine. Hands on hips, hands on jaw, lips pressed together, that same ridiculous chapstick on one another lips, take a breather, repeat. The sun sets behind them, the flowers breathing with the wind as orange rays paint the sky, the light shining against the two males as music plays in Mike’s red Chevrolet as they kiss. Just them. Just Mike and Will.
No worries how-else.
“You never answered my question.” Will says. Mike looks up at his boyfriend. “What question?” Mike cocks his head. “Have you ever wondered what our lives would be like if we didn’t live in Hawkins. Instead of living in this hell hole.” Will says.
Mike’s gaze softens, his jaw clenches again. But it’s different this time. A smile creeps upon his face. “Yeah. I have.” Mike changes his answer. “I always wondered— if I didn’t have Will Byers in my life. Would I still be in this hole? If Will Byers didn’t come back from Lenora, would I still be here?” Mike answers.
“Because I love you. That’s why I’ve never mentioned— moving away! Or going to another town..even mentioning the fact that- maybe..that could be an option.” Mike adds, breathlessly. Tears form in his eyes as he smiles.
“Because I don’t think I could live without you, Will. I didn’t know how you would feel.” Mike says, tears forming in Will’s eyes aswell as they trinkle down Mike’s cheeks.
“Mike..” Will breaths out, wiping his boyfriend’s tears away. ‘Creep by Radiohead’ begins to play on the radio behind them, It’s one of Will’s favorite songs.
All of these songs, theyve all been for Will. It’s all been for Will. The chapstick, the little extra packets of snacks for Will when he was hungry, the field of sunflowers behind them. The specific spot.
All for Will.
“Mike..” Will says again, tears streaming down his face as he lets out a small sob. “Oh, Will.” Mike says quietly, pressing their foreheads together softly. “I don’t know what id do without you, Micheal Wheeler.” Will smiles.
“when you were here before, couldnt look you in the eye.”
“your just like an angel, your skin makes me cry.”
“you float like a feather in a beautiful world.”
“You don’t know what I’d do to be with you if you weren’t, William Byers.” Mike whispers in Will’s ear. It’s just the two of them. Their peace. Their disturbance, together.
Will pulls Mike in for a rough, deep, but sensual kiss. It lasts what feels like forever, lips slipping off another as it becomes more sloppy, more needy, more needy for one another.
“so fucking special”
”I wish I was special”
”but I’m a creep”
Cause that’s just how they worked.
They pulled off, breaths heaving and hitching with happy tears against one another as they’re foreheads press together.
“And..you’re not going to care what they think tomorrow?” Will mumbles. “Why would I? I’m not embarrassed that I have you, Will.” Mike says. “Fuck what Troy thinks, hell. I’ve seen him feel up Chance’s gym shorts more times I’ve seen him kiss Tammy.” Mike scoffs.
Will giggles, the vibration bouncing off of his chest onto Mike’s. “I’m yours, okay? And I’m not embarrassed to show that. If you want to in school, we can lay low. Be casual, you know. Cool.” Mike smiles. Will giggles as he shakes his head.
“I want..I want to be yours. I don’t want to hide that Mike.” Will says, his lips pressing together into a smile as his cheeks flush. Mike places a kiss on Will’s crown, inhaling the Queen’s Vanilla Butter shampoo Will uses every night before school.
Mike’s hands hold Will’s face, slowly caressing it as Will looks up at him. “I love you so much, Will.” Mike says quietly. “I love you so much more, Mike.” Will smiles, placing a long kiss on his boyfriend’s plush lips—Thanks to Vickie’s Premium Cherry-Vanilla Chapstick.
“I don’t think you can love me more than the 12 years I’ve been waiting for this exact moment.” Mike says. Will giggles at him. “I doubt you were dreaming about this at four.” Will says.
“A young boy can have dreams, especially a Wheeler boy.” Mike giggles back, nudging his forehead and nose into Will’s.
After small gestures being handed back and forth, with small kisses inbetween and giggles, the air calms down as the sky finally settles to a dark setting, the flowers now still and cold, the air brushing against the car as the light of the car warms the car with the radio still playing.
“but im a creep, Im a weirdo”
“What the hell am I doing here?”
Mike sings quietly in Will’s ear as Will lays his head on Mike’s shoulder.
“I don’t belong here”
“I don’t belong here.” Mike sings quietly once again, rubbing circles on Will’s back as Will quietly falls asleep. “M-mh. Mike.” Will mumbles, ‘There is a Light That Never Goes Out by The Smiths’ begins to play behind them.
“Yeah?” Mike says, opening his eyes to look at Will. “It-it’s late.” Will mummers. The clock reads “8:46 P.M.” on the radio. “Hm, it appears to be.” Mike says in a nerdy voice.
“Shut up.” Will mummers before attempting to get off of Mike’s chest. Mike tuts. “Where do you think you’re going, hm?” Mike giggles, aswell as Will.
“Joyce will be worried.” Will frowns. “I’ll call her, say you’re sleeping over with me.” Mike coos softly. Will nods lazily. “I’m hot.” Will says. He sits up, unbuttons his flannel and begins to takes off Mike’s brown leather jacket.
“What are you doing?” Mike asks, smiling like an idiot to his boyfriend.
“and if a double-decker bus crashes into us”
“to die by your side”
“is such a heavenly way to die”
“I said I’m hot.” Will says, taking off Mike’s black “The Clash” T-shirt. “You are pretty hot.” Mike smirks. Will giggles and smacks his arm playfully. “You idiot.” Will smiles. “No- I’m serious Will..have you felt yourself? You’re burning up.” Mike says.
Will raises his brown eyebrows. “Really? Where?” Will asks. “Right here..” Mike says, pressing his hand on Will’s bare chest before he begins to tickle him.
“Micheal!” Will laughs, his hands splaying on Mike’s bare chest as he giggles. “You’re so cute, Will. I can’t believe I didn’t tell you this sooner.” Mike flushes as his hands slide down Will’s torso.
Will had definitely grown up a lot more muscular than he was as a kid. It was good, it was warm.
When he was a kid, because of the lack of recourses for food and nutrition had him skinny, bare even. Sure, Will was a healthy kid. But he was bony, even. Now, he’s muscular, has broad shoulders, nice hips, his collarbones shape nicely, he has a sharp jawline.
He’s fucking perfect.
“take me anywhere, I don’t care.”
“I don’t care, I don’t care.”
“and in the darkened underpass..” Mike sings softly in Will’s ear as they calm down together, their bare chests rubbing against another as they feel one another’s breath.
“I thought, oh god, my chance has come at last.” Mike whispers, his fingers playing with Will’s messy hair as Will hums against his boyfriend’s chest.
The smell of the vanilla and coconut, the cherry-vanilla, the natural musk, it’s all there. All infuriating one another’s nose. It’s special.
It’s perfect.
And it’s just how it works.
“I don't care, I don't care, I don't care”
“driving in your car”
“I never, never want to go home”
“Because I haven't got one”
“Oh, I haven't got one”
Because that’s just how they work, together.
And the world stays the same, either way.