Chapter Text
Will was terrible.
He thought that alot. Though the box fan on his dresser was blowing loudly, his ears still rang a long buzz.
He'd recently just woke up from a nightmare. He had chugged two glasses of water, but he was still sweating, and no doubt, he would not fall asleep again.
Here's the thing: Will loved his life. He really did, he told himself he did. He loved his family, his caring mother, his knowing brother, his guiding step-father, his loving step-sister. He was lucky in that way. He won the family lottery.
Along with the friend lottery— overall. Will should be overwhelming thankful, and he was! Don't get him wrong. Every day since defeating vecna was a blessing in his eyes.
But... Back to that nagging thing. Hawkins itself, the memories and sometimes even the people here.
You see, they went on a vacation, not long ago, junior break, just the Byers-Hopper clan, they drove up to California again, to the beach this time.
Will, while being there? Not a single nightmare, he didn't feel a heavy weight on him, his feet didn't feel like steel.
He felt like wind there. He felt free. He didn't feel like he was locked in a cage.
Right when they returned to Hawkins though? Will's nightmares started again. Same routine every night.
It was safe to say, Will was really fucking tired of it all. He just wanted to be happy, without the urge to throw up when he thought about closing his eyes and sleeping.
That's when the terrible disgusting thought formed his head LEAVE.
Leave?
It was a ridiculous thought. He was only seventeen, eighteen in four months. He had money from the Government to keep him shut up about what happened, but he'd given that to his mother, he had worked a little at the video rental store, picking up more shifts, But that was far from enough money— ignoring the financial side, he couldn't just leave... He had his family here. People who... Counted on him? Not anymore really. He knew they would miss him, but he wasn't exactly useful anymore... Did you have to be useful for people to love you?
Will dragged his hands down his face, rolling to his side and curling up into a ball, staring at a picture of the party on his dresser, he didn't remember what the day was, but he remembered the moment. It was a day at lovers lake, Jane's first time swimming. Dustin insisted they get a photo, so they set the camera up on a rock, Jane and Max were pressed together, while Max gave Dustin Bunny ears, Lucas was trying to get a karate kid pose in the air, beside Dustin. Mike was on the end, arm around Will's shoulders, grinning. Considering Mike rarely grinned or smiled at all in photos, he cherished this.
Could Will live a life outside them? The people who's been with him every step, every up and down, quite literally the upside down? His family in all but blood. He couldn't just leave them. He couldn't— he felt himself hiccup a sob. It was stupid. Being torn between his family and his freedom.
Obviously family was the answer. It was obvious. It...
But Will knew he was selfish, was this really that selfish? His head told him it was. Was it selfish to wish happiness, even if that happiness was leaving everything behind? Never looking back? Was it selfish to go and discover who he was outside the upside down and this town?
Will sat up, swinging his legs off the bed feeling the carpet under his feet. He paced slightly. His mother would panic. He couldn't do that to his sweet mother— make her lose him a second time... But then again, his mother would never let him go anywhere if she could.
He thinks Jonathan would understand. He's already off in New York. But Jon would never hold Will back from what he could be. Jane wouldn't either. If he thought about it, she'd understand the most. He could ask her to come along even, but she'd want to stay, with Max and Hopper especially. She liked going to school, experiencing the average teenage girl life. Plus she joined theater and had a play coming up. ...He didn't know what Hopper would think, but he'd probably agree with his mother.
Then there was the party, he was positive they'd all... support eventually. He wondered if they would feel betrayed, stabbed in the back. He thinks Max would tell him to get the hell out of here. Send a post card maybe. Dustin and Lucas would eventually come to understanding, as long as he called them every now and then...
Mike.
Will stared out his window, they lived in the same neighborhood now, just a couple houses down. Sometimes Mike would sneak in after a nightmare. They'd talk till morning. It felt like they were kids again. He didn't even want to dwell on what Mike would think. Because he could feel bile rising as he thought about it. He sank to the ground, leaning against the wall, head in his knees. He calmed his breathing down, barely. But enough.
He stared at his school backpack.
God this was such a bad idea— Will was an absolute terrible human being.
He grabbed the bag with shakey hands. And dumped the school supplies out. Shoving them aside, he stuffed his favorite sweater and clothing in it, then some art supplies— pencils and pens, with his sketch book. Dug out his work money from working at the video store, stuffing it in the front pocket with some pepper spray ( a gift from hopper), a random beef stick. He stepped back from the bag looking around his room. He saw his walkman and cassettes, he stuffed it in, with a The cure, The clash, the Smiths (one Mike had gotten him as a surprise thinking Will would like it, he did.), David Bowie and Queen
He bit his lip, running a hand in his hair. Oh fucking hell, was he really doing this— what was he thinking... He sniffled once as he pulled out a notepad sitting down with shakey hands, the moon as his only light, he wrote a letter.
He couldn't say his feeling out loud, so he poured it out all on the paper, the best he could.
Dear whoever finds this first:
I'm sorry, I really never thought of this happening. It's probably the worst decision I'll make, but either way I think I have to do this, even if I regret it a day after.
I'll be ok, please don't come looking for me, this isn't any of my families fault, or friends or anything to do with school, purely me.
I just need to really fucking leave this place. (Sorry about cussing mom)
I'll call home, and send letters, I cross my heart, scouts honor, all that shit.
I'm not abandoning anyone, just this town and it's memories, I want to know who I am outside Vecna, the upside down, Hawkins.
Please forgive me for doing this.
I'll come home eventually, promise.
Love, Will
p.s: yes Jane you can have my record player.
He knew there was more he could say, but he felt like this was enough for now. He set the notepad on his bed, after he had made it nicely. He felt like he was cold sweating, he was extremely jittery. He counted to ten and took deep breaths, a trick Robin had done with him, he'll miss her. He'll miss everyone...
He pulled a hoodie over his shirt, it was one Jonathan got him from NYU, it was soft on the inside, kept him warm when he was shivering under his sheets. Plus it smelled like pine. So did Mike— god Will pull it together you're running away currently.
He slid his backpack on and his yellow Vans, he opened the window quietly, thank god for the one story house. He slipped out onto the the flowers, which he apologized too. He pushed his window down the best he could from the outside.
He avoided the sprinklers, as he got out into the sidewalk. telling the neighbors dog quietly to not bark and give him away, luckily the sweet pitbull, Bruce, just wagged his tail and accepted a couple scratches under the chin as payment for his silence. Will kinda wanted a dog. A loyal companion, Max would say he already has Mike— now is not the time to think about how much he adored his friends. Or maybe... It was. He felt like his mind was shaken up like someone was done with an etch-a-sketch.
Will made his was down the sidewalk, towards the outskirts of Hawkins, to the bus station, a Greyhound bus comes around four am, and it was currently 3:30am, so he had to pick his pace up. He kept his eyes on his feet as he went to cross the street to avoid Mike's house. It was terrible of him really, as he walked quickly across the dimly lit street.
"Will?"
✷✷✷✷
Mike had woken up from a nightmare.
He got them more often, he thought they'd finish once Henry was gone but that was just false hope.
His problem really was, his nightmares were never about him. It was about his friends, his family— especially holly. Getting hurt. Mike never dreamed about himself, he always dreamed of losing the people he loved the most.
He dreamed of losing Will the most.
He's dreamed of that since he was... Probably seven. It started when Will had to stay the night because of his father. Back then, Mike didn't really understand, but seeing his best friend with a blood lip and nose, a bruised eye... Ever since then, Mike had nightmares of losing Will Byers.
Tonight he saw Will being pulled out of the lake, but it was grown up Will, today's Will. His Will. he saw him wrapped into a body bag, put in the ground, grave left to rot.
He was debating heading over, he didn't want to bother Will, he knew he hadn't been sleeping recently. Mike didn't want to burden him further. Will would never say it, but Mike could see through the little cracks of Will. He saw him hiding more, going quiet more often, hunching back into the shell he's worked so hard to get out. Mike hated it. That Will felt the need to hide himself.
A little voice in his head told him, Will wouldn't have to hide himself if he left Hawkins, Mike knew this for awhile. He thought about it since his first nightmare after they won against Vecna.
It was true though. Mike agreed. Mike sat up in his bed in a small groan, he pulled a shirt over his head. Kicking around the pile of clothes on his ground, looking for a sweater, it wasn't terribly cold out but it was more for comfort.
Mike would go over and beg Will to run away with him. Easy. Totally. Mike knew what he was doing. Not really actually. He just wanted Will to go somewhere happy....and maybe let him tag along.
Mike didn't know what his reason was. Why did he want to run away with Will? Would It be cruel to leave Holly behind when Nancy already left for college? Probably. But Mike already knew he was kinda an ass brother. That was no excuse. He wanted to hug Will. Will would know what to tell him.
He pushed his window up getting ready to crawl out of it. He paused on the sill.
He crawled back in, he would make a note. Just in case. For Holly. He grabbed his journal, writing something quickly out.
To holly:
Pretty sure I'm ditching Hawkins.
I know this is probably the worst thing I've done to you.
I am sorry, I'm not fully sure why I'm doing this either. I'll call you when I figure this out.
I do know is that I have to leave.
You most likely know why too. You noticed long ago. Sneaky asshole.
You can steal my stuff without us arguing, that's a plus for you.
I swear I'll call and send a letter.
Don't let dad or mom get to you, take over the basement.
Love, your brother.
He ripped it out and folded it and put it where his D&D books were. Knowing holly was the only one who snooped in there, went there daily. She would find it. He just hopes she understands.
He would say bye to his mom and dad. But to a point his was bitter still, they got into it last night, his father ranting about politics, along with being uncomfortable with Will, and Mike snapped. he didn't regret it.
"What if I was another queer, dad?! would you say those things too, about me?"
it got worse from there, till Mike just stomped upstairs, locked himself away.
So yeah, Mike was stubborn. He might called them later—
God he doesn't even know if Will would agree yet. Maybe if he begged hard enough. He was going to give it a shot though. For Will.... For himself a little too.
He grabbed his bag and stuff a couple random clothes, money from working at the movie theater with Max recently. His journal and pencils, he packed Will's old art binder too. Zipping it up he turned back to the window, and crawled out.
✷✷✷✷
Now. Here was the moment Will wished a nice Cadillac, maybe a Camero... Would come a hit him really hard.
This was the one thing— the one really fucking thing he didn't want happening.
Mike seeing him attempting to leave, he turned around ever so slowly, seeing Mike holding his bike, staring at him confused, eyebrows scrunched together in worry.
"...M-Mike?" Will forced a smile, shifting to make himself not so scrunched together, trying to seem relaxed. God when was the last time he relaxed— "what ... Are you doing out at... Three am?" Will kept his voice steady, but it croaked, giving away his nervousness.
"..I was uh .. heading to yours, nightmare....ya know.." Mike mentioned, Will felt guilt fill him, he knew he was the only person Mike was able to confide in without hiding himself, Will needed to stop himself from immediately folding and going home with Mike. "Why...are you out at three am?"
Will could lie. He should lie. He absolutely should lie. "I'm running away." He blurted out. Cat out of the bag, plan ruined—
"what?" Mike's voice came after a beat of silence. Will watched Mike drop his bike in the grass and come closer. Will bit on his thumbnail and shifted on his feet.
"I know it sounds bad." Will squeaked out,
"It doesn't—"
"I know your probably try and convince me to stay"
"I won't—"
"But Mike I really can't stay here."
"I agree, Will—"
"I wish it were different, I really do! I don't really want to leave but I need to and I can't stop this feeling, of I feel like everything is still so unresolved here, I feel like the upside is still etched in my bones and it only ever leaves when I leave Hawkins— and all of this is just really confusing and can I say scary? It's really fucking scary! Because I'm leaving everyone and I'm selfi—" Will ranted on before Mike grasped his shoulders, forcing Will out of his rambling trance. Mike was bent to his height, staring into his eyes. Will swallowed thickly, and sniffled once, he watched Mike's eyes soften and a small smile make his way onto his face.
"Will." Mike breathed out once. "I have thought you should leave this horrible place for... a year now— I was on my way to ask you!"
Will's shoulders drooped and he searched Mike's eyes "what...?" He mumbled out.
"I see you, Will. I see the way you are here. The way light is never really shining in your eyes. You zone out often, I saw Jonathan's video and photos from your vacation. You looked happy. I don't think I've seen you...truly happy since ..the night you went missing, if I'm honest..." Mike admitted, Will stared at him blankly, his shoulders starting to wobble and he felt tears well more.
"You're not mad at me?" He said barely audible, through a shakey strained voice, Mike's moved his hands and started to brush away Will's tears, Mike's eyes gentle and understanding, they were so dark in the moonlight, will wanted to drown in them.
"I could never be mad at you." Mike said tenderly back, and tugged Will softly into a hug, Will's face pressed in Mike's shoulder, as Mike rested his chin in his hair. Mike was silent a couple moments before he said "but I will be mad if you don't take me with you."
Will froze, pulling back to see Mike's face, blinking moment, "you want to come with?"
Will watched Mike let out a breath and shrug a little, dropping his hands from Will's middle and sighing. "I...I guess I feel as stuck as you? When I said ask you... I Actually going to ask you.. if I could come with you also." He tried explaining. Will paused a second , hiccuping back more tears, he didn't need to know more.
"Ok...ok.. oh God wow..." he smiled, then laughed and pulled at his hair a moment, looking around, they were still standing in the dead street."oh my god— o-okay... I.. go get your things?"
"I uh actually—" Mike raised his bag wagging it around with a nervous smile, Will let out a surprised giggle.
Will thought suddenly, they should really get out of the street. So he gained his senses, went and sat on the curb, so they could take a breath a second... Mike was coming with him, Mike was— he laughed. God that was embarrassing. But he couldn't help the giddiness in his chest. Mike was coming with. The one thing he was scared to leave behind. He didn't have to. He heard Mike plop by him, knocking their knees together, then bumping their shoulders.
"This is crazy." Will sighed out, smiling though.
"It is." Mike beamed back, Will's eyes flicked across Mike's face and then blushed looking away. God, he was supposed to be over his crush on Mike. Robin would be really disappointed. She would be even more disappointed to hear he actually never got over Mike in the first place, oh but God, how could he? Mike was re-growing his hair out, it was messy from sleeping, his fingers were also calloused from writing more often, He started had got an eyebrow piercing for some odd reason, Will knew it was Max's influence. but was Will complaining? Never.
Will checked his watch, 3:48. "shit. Mike we gotta go if we want to catch the bus", he got up and started pulled or well dragging Mike along as a fast pace. Mike stumbled slightly but caught his footing, following Will Glady like a little duckling.
"I really never thought this would happen." Mike grinned "I mean— I dreamed of it. But it was always a dream. I-im glad though. That were leaving."
Will shot a smile over his shoulder to Mike. Will saw the Greyhound bus pull up as they got to the station, they slowed their pace. "Are you sure—"
"Absolutely" Mike blurted quickly, he watched Mike's face turn blood red. "I ... I mean yeah. Yes. All the way." Mike swallowed thickly, he cringed at himself.
"Did something happen, Mike?" Will asked softly, as the bus doors hissed open, the driver raising a brow at them.
"...I'll tell you when we're outta here?" Mike gave a unconvincing smile, But Will would take it for now, he wouldn't pressure Mike to speak on something, it was just evolve into an argument that way, and Will never wanted to fight with Mike ever again. He dug bus money out of his bag as they got on, the lights slightly blinding, he paid the driver, who gave them a questioning look, but it was this job to look after teenage boys, so he grunted and let them into the back, they made their way shuffling down the right aisle, only about eight people were on the bus as a whole. They sat towards the back, where no one else was, a not terrible dirty two seater, at least there was no gum on the seats.
Mike's leg was bouncing up and down, hands folded in his lap, subtly (but not really) picking at his skin around his nails, he put his bag under his chair. Will held his bag to his chest, looking out the window, the bus started again, a low rumble droning on as they drove away from Hawkins. Leaving their whole lives behind. Will watched the Hawkins sign disappear in the dark, the welcome sign fading away. He leaned his head back against the head rest, he glancing to Mike, who looked at him the same time.
"Any idea where we're going?" Mike asked in a whisper, Will grimaced a moment.
"Totally?" He said completely unconvincing.
That made Mike laugh, Will was unable to not laugh along. They only quieted down when one of the ladies on the bus gave them a strange look.
"Yeah. I..i have ... No idea...I guess we'll just... Know when to get off." Will added in a small shrug, pulling his feet up on the seat, shifted his bag out of his lap onto the small space on the side of his seat, he rested his chin on his knee.
"Like when it feels right?" Mike suggested a small smile on his face, Will returned the smile, and nodded.
"Now for currently, it's four am. And sleeping sounds like the best option for me." Will yawned, making Mike snort lightly.
"Alrighty, sleeping beauty." Will rolled his eyes at Mike, but pulled his walkman out, clicking The queen is dead by The Smiths in. He could see Mike watching him from the corner of his eye. He smiled softly to himself and placed the headphones between them, where their shoulders were pressed together. The music softly playing out of it.
Will leaned back, watching out the window, till the lights of passing cars pulled him into a light sleep.
✷✷✷✷
Mike clicked replay with the cassette finished, letting the Music be a nice White noise for Will. He knew Will always listened to music when he slept. Mike tried to stay awake.
He watched Will's head go limp against the window, gently knocking against it when they came to pothole or speed bump. He winced for Will. He moved the walkman and gently took Will's shoulders, so light that Will didn't even stir. Then let Will slump against his side, head falling to his shoulder. He watched Will adjust a little and sigh, getting comfortable.
Mike was filled with pride. Will was comfy. On his shoulder. Success.
He was a great best friend.
Because of course that's what Will wanted him to be. He'd probably be anything will wanted him to be. Will would tell him, he'd want him to be himself. So he would be. The best he could. For Will.
He felt himself getting sleepy despite the LED lights of the bus. He felt his head gently knock against the top of will's, Will's hair tingling his nose. But Mike didn't mind, he nuzzled deeper as he sank into sleep. the 9th song on the cassette played into his dreams, There is a light that never goes out.
✷✷✷✷
Will woke up to the sound of the bus screeching to a stop, it was daylight. He rubbed his eye with on hand. Adjusting to the light. He came to his senses, realizing how he was positioned, his cheek was pressed up against Mike's shoulder, Body curled up, against Mike's side. The walkman on Mike's lap now. Will would've been so embarrassed if it hadn't been for Mike's own cheek pressed against his head, and one of Mike's arms firm under his arm keeping them snug together. He gently pried himself up, wincing at the pain in his back. He looked out the window, everyone on the bus from last night was gone now.
It was a bunch of different people, more than last night for sure. He felt Mike stir awake with a low groan in his throat. "...Wi..ll?" Mike slurred out,
"Mhm?" Will rubbed his eyes, moving his tongue around the dryness of his mouth. Damn he was thirsty...
".. Wasn't a dream?" Mike broke through Will's thoughts of thirst.
"Far from it." Will chuckled, watching Mike yawn and look around, not quite all there.
"Where are we?" He muttered. Will bit his lip, looking outside again, trying to find context clues.
"Somewhere in Ohio." He squinted at a sign at the bus stop, mike hummed still partly asleep.
"Should we get off?" Mike stretched his long legs out under the seat in front of him, luckily it was empty, because Mike's toes poked out on the other side. Mike made an overdramatic yawn as he stretched. Will rolled his eyes, but was smiling just a little.
"Probably. Get a map... And actually plan?"
"And food. M'hungry.." Mike sat up fully, standing up on wobbly legs, Will put his walkman away and pulled his bag over his shoulders, handing Mike his own bag, Mike took it and put it on. He then helped Will out of his seat, Will followed behind Mike as they got off. Will took a deep breath of fresh air, they stood there as the bus left leaving some fumes behind, Will coughed a little, Jesus. "that looks like a town." Mike jutted his thumb towards the left.
"Let's try not to look like two teenage runaways, hm?" Will chuckled, fixed his hair from sleeping. Mike subconsciously reached out and patted Will's hair down, fixing it back into place or to his liking.
"We totally are gonna fail that. We have every red flag." Mike started walking towards the little town, will couldn't deny that.
"With that attitude we are definitely getting caught." Will teased, Mike squawked, stopping and staring at him, as Will continued on, keeping his giggles contained.
"What's that supposed to mean?!" He chased after Will, as Will picked up his speed, his laughter slipping out.
Getting into town, it was tiny, probably smaller than Hawkins. It was pretty empty, a couple cars at the courthouse, but nobody outside. That made Mike walk closer to Will, they stopped at a building that said 'Richard's dine in' on the window. It only had a few people in there. A girl who was hunched over a journal, writing quickly. An old man reading a newspaper, and possibly two coworkers on a lunch break. A waitress wiping down an table while balancing other plates in her right hand.
"Go head take a seat anywhere, darlings! I'll be right with you!" She smiled their way,
"Cassie, where's that damn brother of yours?!" A man called from the back.
"Probably snorting something." She laughed. "We all have to get high before dealing with you, Victor!" she walked to the back, will and Mike stood awkwardly,
They made their way to a small booth near the right. Mike sighed slumping back heavily, "..you ok?" Will asked, sitting upright still, hands folding in his lap, picking at his nail beds.
"Yeah...you know I.. this is kinda crazy." Mike laughed looking out the window, a truck with hay in the back passing by. "I never thought that I would leave Hawkins, be anything but a normal guy who would marry quickly, be unhappy and have kids I don't want. Like my parents I guess..."
"I did." Will said knocking his foot against Mike's under the table, watching as Mike looked from the window and into Will's eyes, searching for answers and hope. Will smiled gently. "I knew actually. That you would be more than just Hawkins."
Mike just watched Will a moment, bathed in afternoon sunlight. Mike's side of the booth covered in a shadow. "You don't think I just turn into my dad?"
"Would you let yourself?" Will smiled, giving Mike a knowing look, Mike looked away a second, bitting his cheek.
"No."
"Exactly."
Mike let out a huff of laughter, "I can't believe we ran away. You think they'll hate us?"
Will swallowed thickly, thinking about his note. Thinking about everyone. "...I don't know. Probably? I mean... I hope they don't. At least I hope they understand?"
Mike nudged his foot with Will's as the waitress came.
"Welcome to Richard's! I'm Cassie. I'll be your waitress." She placed down two menu's and silverware. "first time here, huh?" She smiled sweetly, she smelled like extreme cupcake perfume.
Mike nodded."just stopping on our way." Will watched Cassie place a hand on her hip, tucking a blonde strand behind her ear, dangly purple earrings, he though of Jane for a moment, she would like the earrings.
"We don't get much new people here. You plan on staying awhile?"
Mike and Will glanced at each other, they didn't quite know. Will spoke up, "just the night."
"Ah, if you don't have a place yet, Molly's inn is just down the block. Cute place, tots!. She's got the best chocolate chip cookies! Gosh, If ya stay I'll ring her and make sure she makes y'all some! Sorry oh dear— I'm really a bother, aren't I?" She snorted, and waved her hand around. "what do you two want to drink?" She got her notepad ready, clicking her pen.
"Just a water. No ice... Please." Will muttered out, glancing down at the menu that had coffee stains.
"I'll have a black coffee." Mike smiled,
Cassie clicked her pen again, as she finished writing"I'll be right out with that!" She spun and left.
✷✷✷✷
Mike leaned back in his seat, watching Cassie argue playfully with the cook. Then turning back to Will who seemed zoned out.
"What're you gonna get?" He asked, in a low voice, he's not sure why he was whispering. But Will seemed like he didn't want loudness surrounding him at the moment.
Mike watched Will fidget with the menu edge, flipping it open, scanning it with unfocused eyes.
"Wanna share the waffle deluxe?" Mike offered with leaning his elbows on the table, that would've got him a smack in the back of the head from his mom.
Will looked up and nodded, a small smile. Mike has to tear his eyes away from Will's lips. "Then that it is. I'll let you eat all the eggs."
"Deal." Will whispered out, Mike was about to ask if Will was doing alright but Cassie came back with their drinks.
"We ready to order?" She chriped out, She seemed to have reapplied her perfume, it reminded him of Holly in a way.
"Uh, just the waffle deluxe." Mike said. "We're spiltting."
"Sounds great! I'll have that right out! If you need anything just holler my name." And she was off again, putting in their order then to help another customer.
"Feeling alright?" Mike finally asked, Will nodded just slightly, then gave a tiny very unsure shrug.
"Just a small headache. I'm sure it'll go away with food." Will took a straw, blew the paper at Mike, which make Mike scoff a laugh. He watched Will put the straw in his water and take long drinks. Mike eyes were far to focused on Will's lips again. He forced himself to look away. Good grief.
get it together mike.
he let out a breath, calming himself.
"So Molly's? Sounds like a nice place. A bed.. would be alright." Mike croaked out, then cleared his throat after Will gave him a strange look.
"Uh yeah... Depending how much it is. Don't want to overspend at our first stop." Will chuckled a little, stirring his straw around. Mike took a long drink of his coffee, grimaced at the taste. Will subconsciously handed him a milkette. Mike took it greatefully. "We could also... Make a plan. Stop going into this blindly."
"Yeah...we didn't think this through much. But! Who cares. We're already here. And we're doing this still. We'll figure it out, together, remember?"
✷✷✷✷
They had finished eating, Cassie gave them some free dessert and told them to enjoy the town. They took the dessert in a to go bag and headed out.
They spent awhile wandering around the town, it was pretty tiny, nothing of great interest. They decided to swing at the park for twenty minutes, till mike tried jumping off and almost broke his ankle.
They walked laps around the park, talking lazily, thinking of places they wanted to go, how far they would, how they'd make money along the way. It was all a little wonky of a plan but it was something, they sat down by a creek and ate the cheesecake that Cassie had gave them.
After that, they decided to head towards Molly's.
As they headed down the street they stopped at a general store to find a map.
Will watched Mike trail off a little go buy a couple needs. He went back to the map, studying it slightly, and went to the counter. Mike padded up by him and put a pile of stuff. Will raised a brow at the items
A reusable water bottle... Ok, yeah, he understood that.
A lighter, one of those swiss army knives, sure survival.
Deodorant, two of them. Yeah... They didn't quite plan well.
An eyeliner pen. Will wasn't gonna ask.
A bunch of other hygiene stuff—
What Will was overall most caught off by was the colored pencils.
"Why?" He pointed at them.
"You didn't bring colored pencils." Was all Mike said, digging money from his pocket, as the cashier gave them a bored look.
"How did you know that?" Will looked at him astonished.
"I didn't, but now I do! I knew you wouldn't to minimize space. I'll put them in my bag don't worry." He waved Will off and gave the cashier the money.
Mike then Insisted on carrying the bag of stuff. Will would be annoyed if he didn't find it slightly sweet. Mike had been like this lately, ever since California really, trying to ... Seemingly prove himself to Will. Will tried to bring it up say Mike didn't need to prove anything, he understood. But Mike was stubborn, brushed it off and continued on. Will would succeed one day, he was sure. He would succeed in getting Mike to open up, open that deep chest that was locked so deep in him.
Will just needed a key.
✷✷✷✷
Molly's inn was pretty cute. Pretty stuck in the 1960's and it smelled like mothballs. Or his grandmother's house. Either way, it had a bed for them, so Mike would be happy.
The lady at the register was slow as a sloth, she probably needed the retire, she pushed her glasses up on her nose once more. Making her eyes look ten times the size they were.
"And how many of you again?" She asked squinting at her clipboard.
"Two, miss." Will smiled patiently, unlike mike who was getting Impatient., shifting around his feet, he felt like running around the room twelve times with how long he's been standing here.He wanted to go he lazy in their room, anywhere but here currently.
"..two...and your names?"
"Will...W-i-l-l" he said slowly as the lady wrote it down. "Byers...B-y-e-r-s, yes uh that's right."
".. alright, that one?" She nudged her pen in Mike's direction.
"Mike...yeah...M-i-k-e... Wheeler... W-h-e-e-l-e-r.." Will waited as the last finished writing, and went to hobble, getting them a key.
"Room 1221... Just on the left. Breakfast is at seven am." She handed it over with shakey hands. Will took it.
"Thank you ma'am." Will said softly, elbowing Mike on the side.
"Yeah...yeah— uh. Thanks." Mike nodded once, they walked off speedy, Will let out a breath, shoulders slumping.
"Jesus, that was something, how long were we there?" Mike stretched his arms above his head, shoulders popping.
"Half an hour. Luckily it's only twenty dollars to stay the night." Will unlocked their room, it smelled dusty and of mildew but it would do.
Mike switched a light on, watching it flick and make a buzzing noise. Then his eyes landed on the singular bed. "... I can take the—" he looked to the couch in the room, looked like it had some kind of stains on it, it also looked fifty years old. He didn't even want to know anymore.
"No way, Mike— we can share. It's...it's uh..just for a night... We used to share a bed all the time..." Mike watched Will fidget on his feet, shifting back and forth.
Now. Mike wouldn't deny this opportunity, considering his really kinda bad growing affection of will, in a non friendly manner. But that kinda made him creepy, no... definitely disgusting— Maybe his dad was—
"Okay ... Yeah that's fine." Mike gave a soft smile, and sat on the side closest to the door, the right. Checking under the covers a moment. No bed bugs. At least one win.
"..I'm gonna uh...check the bathroom... If we can shower or definitely not." Will sped off to the bathroom quickly.
Mike fell bad on the bed covering his face with his hands.
He wondered what was happening at home. He hadn't quite thought of it. Truth was he was having a pretty good time. Sure they hadn't got quite far. But it was enough. Plus he was with Will. He was doing something they wished as kids. Leaving Hawkins and traveling. Just them. Mike wished often he never strayed from who he used to be. If he was honest, he hasn't quite liked who he has been for the past couple years.
Will coming out of the bathroom pulled him from his thoughts.
"So water is brown. And I think I saw some rat shit in the shower. I guess we'll have to wait." Will chuckled, rounding the bed to sit on the right side. Mike let out a small huff of laughter.
"Great place to start out this journey huh?" He said as Will laid down on his side, a couple inches of space between them, it felt like miles to Mike.
"A wonderful way." Will said, the sound of just pure happiness in Will's voice made Mike feel good, a small swell inside him, like butterflies, but Mike didn't want to call it that because he thought it was cringe. He turned on his side to look at Will better. "It's... Terrible really. But it's... perfect for us."
"Definitely. Perfect for us." Mike responded, feeling lighter than before.
✷✷✷✷