Chapter Text
October 31st, 1987
Will Byers knew he was always different than others.
Will also knew that his favorite holiday (Halloween) was ruined ever since he had went missing and then possessed a couple years back.
He had stopped going trick-or-treating because of his age, instead he just hung out with Mike in the basement. ( Will’s new room since the earthquake )
He couldn’t believe that his new room is Mike’s basement. He couldn’t even believe that he was even living in the same house as Mike.
He was extremely nervous whenever Mike came down for a visit. He was hesitant at first to even live with Mike, but soon felt comfortable.
He started to think about how nice Mike is. How lucky he is to have Mike as a friend. His best friend.
Mike.
His best friend.
Will did feel guilty for having thoughts about Mike, different thoughts, wondering if Mike would still be his friend if he ever found out the truth.
The truth of Will liking Mike.
Will couldn’t sleep for awhile because of the “dirty” secret so instead he just stared up at the dark ceiling of Mikes basement, listening to Jonathan’s snore.
Sometime passed as Will tossed and turned trying to find the right spot for comfort.
“William.” A deep voice muttered quietly, how ever that was loud enough that Will shot out of bed and started to panic a little.
He didn’t want to wake up Jonathan from his sleep so helplessly he just sat there trying to make sense of what he just heard.
Maybe he just misheard.
“Oh William. You know exactly what you’re hearing. Don’t be afraid.”
Will started to hyperventilate when suddenly he heard the door open.
‘Who could that be.?’ Will thought to himself.
As the footsteps began coming down the steps he attempted to make out a figure in the dark.
It was… Mike?
”Mike?” Will whispered into the abyss.
”Hey, yeah it’s me. I just was.. uh.. coming down to.. c-check up on you. Yeah, check up. I um.. I heard someone breathing like really hard. Like so hard I thought that someone was trying to catch their breath from like.. running. But are you okay? I just got a little worried.”
“Oh yeah… I’m fine. Just go back upstairs. It was nothing.”
Will tried to push Mike away. He really did but it seemed like Mike just didn’t want to go without Will in his arms.
“Oh. Okay, well Will? Can you come upstairs with me? I just don’t want you to have a nightmare or anything. I mean it is Halloween.”
Will was hesitant about going with the tall curly haired guy but folded.
”Uh. Okay. So you want me to go to your room?”
”Only if you’re okay with it. Obviously if you don’t want to go I could just leave you alone but… I don’t want to be alone.”
’I don’t want to be alone.’
Alone.
‘What does that mean? He has a girlfriend. My sister. He should be asking her! But I mean it is 2 AM so it is late for Jane, but still! He wants to sleep with me.’ His mind was going a mile per minute.
”So.. is that a yes”
”Yes. Yeah sure.”
Will silently got up and grabbed his pillow and blanket just to hear Mike say “Just leave it there, I have a ton of pillows and blankets in my room.”
He dropped all the stuff from his hands and just followed Mike going up to the room.
As Mike opened the door a small light came from the bright moon shining through the window.
Mike quickly shuffled to the bed and crawled into the big pile of blankets lying on top.
When he got situated he slowly patted the spot next to him for Will.
”You coming?”
”Yeah. Sorry.”
Will crawled onto the bed pulling a blanket over him. He laid down the soft pillow but suddenly Mike’s hand came out of nowhere and pulled him closer.
Will felt his stomach flutter as he was inches away from Mike’s face.
An hour has passed where Will was positioned right next to Mike. He wanted to stay like this forever.
”Will. Do you want to know what Mike would do to you if he found out what you’re thinking about right now?”
Will’s heart began to race.
“He would abandon you, tell everyone what you did.”
‘Get out. Get out of my head.’ William kept saying in his mind.
”Once I’m here, I’m here for good. Remember? You can’t get rid of me so simple like that.”
‘No. Stop. You’re not here. You’re not real.’
”Oh but I am real, Will. I have a job for you. If you join me, then all your problems will fade away. Your bullies will disappear. Your pain will disappear.”
Will didn’t need to accept anything because he already knew that Vecna was lying.
‘Go away.’
”That’s no fun, William.”
In that moment the air turned cold and suddenly Mike woke up.
“Will?”
”Yeah?”
”Are you okay? I heard you breathing hard.”
Will didn’t respond.
”You know you can tell me anything Will. I won’t judge.”
He opened his mouth to respond to Mike but yet nothing came out.
”Why won’t you talk to me. I invited you up here because you’re my friend and I care about you. And now you don’t even want to talk to me. Y’know what? Just go.”
”No! I-I’m sorry. It’s just.. I just had a bad dream. It’s nothing.”
”Just go. I told you to leave. I have a girlfriend you know. And you’re trying to sleep next to me? I knew you were different I just didn’t know you were a queer.”
”What? No please I-I didn’t have any intentions with you or anything like that.”
Will began panicking and suddenly… “I told you this would happen. But you didn’t listen. Now face the consequences.”
”NO! No. None of this is real. Get out of my head. Please. Go.”
Will woke up to Mike shaking him out of his sleep.
“Hey! Are you okay Will?”
Will didn’t answer, instead backed away from Mike.
”Will! What’s wrong? When I woke up you were crying and shaking! Seriously what’s wrong!”
Mike went to touch Will’s shoulder but instead Will flinched hard.
Will got up quickly and rushed down to the basement again. He couldn’t deal with this anymore. He didn’t know if this was still a dream or not.
November 1st, 1987
The next morning was rough.
Will barely got any sleep and wouldn’t talk to anyone. He didn’t even eat.
Holly, being next to him, asked “Will? Can you walk me to school?”
”Uh.. sure.” Will didn’t have the guts to deny Holly.
Mike just looked at him with concern.
”Hey! Do you guys mind if I come?” Asked the tall, blacked haired guy.
”Ugh. Fine if you have to.” Holly stated.
They started a slow march to Holly’s school like they usually do.
”So Will? Do you think you can come in my classroom and meet my friends? Mary really wants to meet you!”
”I don’t think I can. I have a test first period and I really can’t be late. But how about tomorrow?”
”Okay! I’ll ask Ms. Harris if you can come tomorrow!”
Mike rolled his eyes and whispered something into Holly’s ear. Her smile faded and she quickly turned to Mike to hit him.
”Ouch! What was that for Holly?”
”For you being a jerk! You don’t own Will y’know!”
Will raised his eyebrows to Mike. “What did you tell Holly?”
”Nothing.. Nothing really. I just said that she can’t invite you everywhere she goes.”
”Mike. She’s 7, I’m pretty sure she can ask me to come to her class.”
”Fine. You’re right. I’m sorry Holly.”
”Apology not accepted!” Holly shouted.
Will and Mike finally dropped Holly off at her class and started walking to their school.
”Hey Will. About last night, did I do anything to upset you?”
”What? No, it’s nothing. I’m sorry, I just overreacted yesterday. I’m really sorry.”
”Oh. Okay.”
The rest of the walk was painfully silent. Will wished he could just talk about what he saw yesterday, or even what he heard. It was just too much to bring up. He didn’t want Mike to worry or tell the others. He also didn’t want to bring up the fact that Vecna called him out for what he was.
It was 8:46 AM and first period just ended.
Will was on his way to geometry when suddenly he got shoved to the ground.
”Watch it freak.”
Will just wanted to go to class. Instead he’s on the floor with thousands of classmates looking at him.
”Hey! Leave him alone!” A voice spoke loudly. A familiar voice. It was Mike.
Dustin quickly pulled Will up as Lucas stood next to Mike arguing with Andy and the other jocks.
”Hey Will, you good man?”
”Yeah. I just tripped.” Will muttered.
Even Will didn’t believe himself. There was nothing in the way to trip on. It was Andy who had pushed him. Will didn’t want to make a big scene though, but now his friends are yelling loudly at Andy and his goons.
Soon the principal came and directed Mike, Lucas, Andy, and 2 others to the office. Leaving Will and Dustin alone in the crowd.
“Do you think they’ll get in trouble?” Will asked.
”I hope not.”
The bell rung. “Shit! I gotta go Will! See you at lunch!” Dustin quickly spoke while running to his class.
Will really had to get to class.
It’s been like 3 minutes after the bell and now he’s really late.
He knocked on the locked door of geometry class with Mr. Grant opening it.
”You’re late William.”
Everyone looked up at Will trying to get to an empty seat.
”You know what that means Will. Come on up and solve this question.”
’Dang. I should’ve just got up and walked to class like a normal person. This is what I get.’ Will thought to himself.
”Thats right William. You should’ve been a normal human. Instead you ended up like a freak. It’s not too late to join me though.”
Will stopped dead in his tracks trying to escape from the words that Vecna just whispered.
”Will. Can you come up to the board now? I told you to solve this equation.” Mr Grant stated.
”Oh my bad. Uh is the answer 71?”
”Nope! Try again.”
The bell had finally rung after that whole humiliation ritual.
This time Will took the longer way to class, just to avoid Andy.
He was on his way to art when he suddenly stopped. He had a massive headache. It hurt so bad and the fluorescent lights didn't make it any better.
He went to class with the migraine and could barely focus on what the teacher was talking about. He raised his hand in the middle of the lesson to go to the nurse but he then heard a voice.
“Weak.”
’Stop. Let me just go to the nurse before I pass out from the pain.’ He told himself.
”Yes Will?” The art teacher called out.
”Can I go to the nurse please?”
”Of course. Bring your stuff though in case you don’t make it back. There’s only 6 more minutes left of class.”
Will almost collapsed on the way to the nurse.
”Here you go sweetie! Take an ice pack and go lie down for 20 minutes, I’ll let your teacher know that you’re going to be late.”
As Will lied down on the hard mattress, he soon began to drift off to sleep.
“Join me. I know how much Andy humiliates you. Join me and I’ll make him regret picking on you.”
’No. I’m not joining you. You’re a monster.’ Will spoke softly.
”Oh really? Would a monster save you from suffering?”
‘I don’t care. You almost killed max and put her in that coma, you also broke all her limbs. So you are a monster.’
”Fine. Have it your way. See where your friends end up.”
He didn’t know what that meant but it terrified him. Just the thought alone of losing his friends terrified him.
20 minutes passed and the nurse quietly woke Will from his slumber.
”You can go back to class, sweetheart. Come back if you have another migraine.”
Will was walking to class not excited to show up late again when suddenly a wave of nausea came through him.
he sped walked to the bathroom and slammed the stall closed.
Kneeling on the dirty bathroom floor was not how Will pictured spending half of third period and the full fourth period.
Will could not stop shaking and crying. He hated throwing up. It reminded him of throwing up the slug when he first got home after being taken.
After an hour he finally stopped. He went to the sink and had to rinse his face.
He was glad that it was time for lunch where he could just talk to all his friends.
Will arrived a little late to lunch but nothing super crazy.
”Will! Where were you during fourth?” Dustin shouted.
’Crap. He noticed.’ Will muttered under his breath.
”Wait you weren’t in class, Will?” Mike asked looking at him.
“I uh.. I was at the nurses. I had a really bad headache.” Will stammered.
”Are you okay? In headaches, do you mean like extreme headaches?” Lucas asked concerned.
”I would say it’s kind of bad. Like a 7 out of 10.”
”Oh. I hate to say this but do you think it’s Vecna? Max had really bad headaches before the whole thing.”
”Vecna?! I doubt it’s Vecna. Just don’t worry about me. It’s nothing. Um.. speaking of Max, are you going to visit her after school?” Will tried to switch the topic.
”Yeah actually I am! Do you wanna come? I’m sure she would like it for you to come.”
”Ye-“ Will attempt to speak before Dustin cut him off.
”Why are you trying to switch the subject?” Dustin looked at Will.
”What? I’m not, it’s just… I’m saying that…” Will was at a loss of words. “Just stop worrying about me. It’s not Vecna! Okay? I have to go.” Will said practically screaming.
He walked away leaving his lunch tray untouched.
”That was weird. Why did he get so aggressive?” Dustin questioned.
”Maybe because you’re reaching too far? I mean Will has always been sensitive about that stuff.” Mike defended.
Will looked back on how he lashed at Dustin. He felt really bad.
He thought to himself ‘Should I just go home? I already missed two and a half classes.’
”Yes William. Go home.”
’I wasn’t speaking to you. And leave me alone!’
Will was so done with school and Vecna that he went back home, which was the Wheeler’s house as well, and ran into Nancy.
”Will? What are you doing home? Are you okay?”
”I’m fine. I’m just gonna go to the basement. Is Jonathan home?”
”No, he just left to get some more milk.”
“Okay good.”
Without hearing Nancy’s reply he booked it to the basement.
He collapsed onto his makeshift bed.
For the rest of the day he slept.
November 2nd, 1987
”Will? It’s time for school, you got to get ready sweetie!” Will recognized that voice, it was his mom’s.
”Mhm? What time is it?”
”Its 7:30 baby, please get up.”
”But I’m so tired.”
”I know. But it’s time for school.”
”Okay, but five more minutes please.”
”Get up now you little shit.”
His eyes suddenly opened large. “What?”
”Lonnie was right! You’re a disgrace to this family. I should’ve never saved you from the upside down.”
He looked up at the figure only to see Vecna.
He launch straight up out of his bed, only to get his foot caught on the covers, tripping him instantly.
“William. I’m tired of waiting. Join me now. Before it’s too late.”
’No. Not again. Please no.’
”Yes. No one is here to wake you up from this. So now you have to give me an answer. Will. You. Join. Me.”
Suddenly he broke free from the nightmare, only to see Mike and Jonathan kneeling next to him.
”Will! We were trying to wake you up! You were shaking again.” Mike said.
”Yeah dude! We were trying to wake you up for like 5 minutes straight!” Jonathan said in a panicked tone.
“I’m fine! Really!” Will said, trying to catch his breath from before.
”No you’re not! You were crying too! And muttering something like ‘No not again’, what happened?”
Will looked at Mike and Jon and shook his head. “No. I can’t tell you.”
”Why?” Asked Mike.
”Because! I just don’t want you to worry.”
”Too late. Now spill.” Jonathan spoke.
”Fine, it’s about Vecna. He’s been sorta visiting me in my dreams..”
”WHAT? And you didn’t tell us? Not even me, Will?” Mike said, sounding broken.
”Listen! I’m sorry I didn’t tell you but it’s been so much for me. Especially when he tells me things.”
”What things?” Jonathan asked.
”Hm? Nothing much. Not too important.”
”Will.”
”No! I already told about my dreams, I don’t want to explain anymore. Now can you guys drop this?”
”No we can’t, Mike told me that this happened to you like 2 days ago.”
”Mike!”
”Hey, don’t get mad at him. Just tell us what Vecna said. Please.”
”You’re pushing Jon. Please, I said I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” Will quietly spoke, on the verge of tears.
”Fine but we’re going to Jane to talk about this.”
”Okay sure, now can you guys leave me alone for a little? I’ll tell you when I’m ready to go.”
”Alright, but don’t take too long Will. Love you.” Jonathan said walking away slowly.
Mike slowly sat on the floor with Will. He doesn’t want to leave Will alone. ‘What if that bastard comes for Will.’ He thought.
At the cabin, Jane welcomed Will and Jonathan.
She was a bit confused about the visit but then turned completely serious when she heard that Vecna was visiting Will.
Joyce also found out and would not leave Will’s side, too afraid that something bad will happen.
Will didn’t want to mention what Vecna said but then caved in when Jane started to give him the ‘puppy dog’ eyes.
”He said that I have to join him, or else. Like he said that I would have to wait and see what would happen to you guys if I didn’t join. I was really scared, and then every time I went to sleep he would come and give me nightmares. On Halloween, he gave me a nightmare about Mike. Today it was mom.”
”Oh my baby.” Joyce said, pulling Will into the hug, then waving for Jonathan and Jane to join in.
”So he wants you to join him? What does that mean?” Hopper said confused.
“He said the same thing to me when I was fighting him. When I rejected he fought me and attempted to kill me.” Jane said, calmly. “He only wanted me because of my powers. So he can be twice as powerful. But Will doesn’t have powers so I’m a little confused on why Henry wants him.”
”We need the party in on this! They could help us figure out what to do.” Mike spoke.
”Okay. Go radio them. Tell them to meet up here in 20.” Hopper demanded.
20 minutes passed and the whole party showed up.
”Alright so let me get this straight. Will has been seeing things when he goes to sleep and ‘Henry’ has also been speaking with him?” Asked a very confused Steve.
”Yes basically, and El- I mean Jane, went through the same thing. Only because Vecna wanted her powers for twice the damage. However, Will doesn’t have powers so it’s a bit of a mystery on why Vecna wants Will so badly.” Mike spoke, confidently.
Dustin completely lit up. He stood up and basically screamed “What if Will does have powers! I mean think about it, he felt what vines and demogorans felt, also he has that weird neck tingly thing.”
”That’s not a bad idea! I mean it makes sense.” Mike said back.
The whole party started to talk, to the point where all of there voices began to get loud and overlap each other.
Will once again got another migraine, this time worse. Will shut his eyes because of how much pain he was in.
He didn’t think it could get much worse but then he heard it. “It looks like your friends found out why I want you. That’s not good. I gave you a chance but that just won’t work anymore.”
Will felt nauseous again and tried to stand up to go to the sink but before he could, he collapsed.
The whole party heard the thud of Will hitting the ground. They all stood up and started to panic while looking at Will’s unconscious body.
Jane, Joyce and Jonathan all rushed over to where Will was laid out.
Mike stood there frozen, not sure what to do as Steve rushed to put a pillow under Will’s head.
Dustin and Lucas were also in shock, but instead of standing there they rushed to help.
Will however, was completely unaware of all of this. His mind was elsewhere.