Chapter Text
Chapter 1
I mean what did Will expect, really? That his friends were never going to get girlfriends? That they'll just sit and play games in Mike Wheeler's basement for the rest of their lives? Atleast that's what Mike had told him that dreadful night. He still hasn't apologised. Not to his face, anyway. Lucas told him that Mike had indeed apologised when he knocked on Will's door after biking all the way to his house.
Mike Wheeler is confusing. One year he's doing absolutely everything he can to find Will and save him, the next he's doing everything he can to make sure the mindflayer doesn't possess him entirely, but then after all that he treats Will like a second thought.
Will sighs, he isn't really sure why he still has a crush on his best friend. Are they really even best friends anymore? Will tries not to think about it as he gets up from his desk, closing his sketchbook. He hadn't really drawn anything, just a few doodles. He hadn't been feeling too motivated to draw lately.
That's when he heard a familiar sound. His walkie talkie. He quickly reaches for it, extending the antenna.
"Hello? Is someone there, over" He whispers softly.
"Will, everyone, this is a code red!" He hears Mike's voice. "Over."
His heart drops slightly at the mention of "code red."
"What happened? Over." Dustin questions, with a hint of nervousness.
Will's glad he isn't the only one.
"Listen... it's a bit hard to explain. It's got nothing to do with the upside-down or anything, over." Mike answers awkwardly.
"Then it isn't really a code red, is it? Over." Max replies with a sigh.
"Ugh, it is!" Mike exclaims. There's a long pause before he speaks up again. "Just come to my house, okay? And quickly, over." He mutters with urgency.
"Alright we'll be on our way, over." Lucas says.
Will shuts off his walkie. Code red, but not upside-down related? Don't get him wrong, Will's glas it isn't, but what would Mike be so worried about? He knows Mike tends to be a little dramatic, but Will can tell he's a bit on the edge
He opens his door and walks out to the kitchen to see his mom making breakfast.
"Hey, mom." He whispers and rubs his eyes.
"Oh, goodmorning Will! How was your sleep?" Joyce asks.
"Good." He replies shortly. "Hey mom, can I go to Mike's house for a bit?"
"Well of course, but don't you want to eat breakfast?" She questions, turning around to face him, her eyebrow slightly raised.
Will can sense her concern. Ever since that night, she's been treating him like a porcelain doll that will break at any given moment. He loves his mom dearly, he just wishes things can go back to normal.
"It's fine, mom. I'm not that hungry. I'll just eat at Mike's, okay?" He answers.
"Alright, be safe." Joyce smiles, before walking up to Will and placing a kiss on his forehead. "Have fun." She ruffles her hair, before returning to what she was doing.
Will's glad she let him off easy this time. He knows Joyce is just trying to protect him, but it's a little unfair since she let El off easier than him and let her sleepover at Max's house. He turns toward the door and walks out, grabbing his bike.
He arrives at Mike's house, seemingly the first. He always was. Not that the drive to the Wheeler's was short, he just has the path memorised from the amount of visits he's had. He knocks on the door, waiting for a few seconds. No answer. Will opens the door slightly, scanning the room. It seems empty, or most likely that the other Wheelers are asleep. He enters, shutting the door lightly. He walks over to the basement door, where Mike most likely is.
Will walks down the steps, where indeed he had found Mike. He turned around to face Will, before softly speaking and rubbing the back of his neck.
"Oh, hey Will." He smiles.
"Hey." Will replies, smiling back. "What's up?" He tilts his head.
"Uhm.. I think it will be better if we just wait for the others. It's a lot to take in." Mike sighs, before sitting down on the couch.
Will nods, he can tell Mike is a bit anxious, but doesn't push any further. He sits next to Mike on the couch, with reasonable space between them. He honestly feels a bit uncomfortable being physically close to Mike. Not that it's Mike's fault. Sorta. Will's just scared Mike finds him gross. He does himself. The words "It's not my fault you don't like girls!" Echoes in his mind. He doesn't understand how everyone knew before him. It makes him nauseous. Is he really that obvious?
There's a long silence between them. Will awkwardly rubbing his fingers together, which he always does when nervous.
"So uh.." He starts, Mike immediately turning his head towards him. Before he can even begin speaking, there's a bunch of knocks on the door.
"Mike!!" The rest of the part exclaims.
"Coming!" He says as he gets up, walking up the steps and opening the front door. "Can you guys keep it down?" Mike scoffs.
The rest of the party arrives in the basement, sitting near eachother as they wait for Mike to explain his 'code red'.
"So what exactly is the problem? If it isn't the upside-down, what could it possibly be?" Dustin asks while folding his arms.
"Yeah man, you woke us up like, really early." Lucas replies with a yawn, before placing his arm around Max's shoulder.
Will tries not to, but feels a slight ache at the sight of Max and Lucas expressing their affection for eachother so easily. He wishes he could experience that love too. But people... queers like him don't get that luxury. He turns his head away, returning his gaze back to Mike.
"I agree with Dustin and Lucas. What is wrong?" El whispers.
"It's... my cousin. He's staying here for a few weeks. My mom told me yesterday. Apparently he's coming tomorrow." Mike says.
"Seriously?" Max questions, obviously irritated. "That's a code red? You're such a dick, dude."
"No, you guys dont get it! Richie is.. ugh! He's just the worst. He can't take anything seriously, he's constantly making stupid jokes, he's loud, he's annoying and just... the worst!" Mike rambles on, pacing around the room and talking with his hands.
"He can't be that bad." Will mutters, staring at the basement floor.
Mike sighs. "It's not just that he's the most insufferable person on Earth-"
"I'm pretty sure you're the most insufferable person on Earth." Max smirks and Mike just glares at her.
"Anyways, he's staying here in the basement. You know, where we hang out 99% of the time?" Mike continues.
"Then, we will have a new friend?" El asks, her eyes lighting up at the thought of having a friend who is unaware of any of the past events in Hawkins.
"What? El, no." Mike frowns.
"Why not? I think it would be cool." Lucas spoke, shrugging his shoulders.
"I agree." Dustin says, before turning to Will.
"I think it would be cool too."
"Will, seriously? You're supposed to be on my side!"
Will can tell Mike isn't entirely offended, still sort of joking, but he can't help but feel bad.
"Fine, you guys can come over tomorrow when he arrives, but don't act like I didn't warn you guys."