Work Text:
March 22, 2026
It was morning, the sun shining a strip of light onto Will’s face. He brought his hand up to his face, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Will stretched, joints popping. This was the first time in a long time he woke up without a nightmare.
“DADDY, DADDY, WAKE UP!!” A little voice shouts. Before Will can have another thought, he’s getting jumped on.
“DADDY IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY!!” It was Jayne, his son.
“Hi buddy. We’re loud this morning, huh?” Will replied in a deep, sleep-filled voice.
“Of course we’re loud this morning, it’s your birthday!” Jayne was now stretched completely over him.
A few seconds later, someone kicked the bedroom door open.
“Look who finally decided to wake up.” A boy with dark curls, a blue sleep-robe, and glasses on the edge of his nose walked in. He was holding a tray of a variety of breakfast foods. He set the tray down on the floor, then joined the apparent dog-pile on Will.
“Happy *55th* birthday!” It was Mike, his husband. He whispered the 55 part like he wasn’t also turning 55 in a few weeks.
“Aww, thanks guys. But can you please get off or I won’t be able to have another birthday.
“Daddy’s 55?!” Jayne asked, his little feet pattering on the floor.
“Yep. He’s so old, right?” Mike said, grabbing Jayne’s shoulder.
“But I’m only 7?” He said, holding up seven fingers and looking down at them. “I don’t even have 55 fingers!”
“Hey! I’m not old. You’re gonna be 55 in like two weeks.” Will sat up, Mike brought the tray and sat it on his lap.
“Shhh, *you’re running the experience.*” Mike whispered. “A fine breakfast for my sorcerer. Eat up, my liege, for we have the finest dinner plans later this evening.” He said in a British-sounding accent with a bow.
“Well, I better eat. I wouldn’t dare be late. And what are the plans after this fine dinner you speak of?” Will replied in his normal voice, pouring syrup on his eggs.
“You’ll just have to wait and see! *It may require us to leave Jayne with Robin and Nance.*” Mike still spoke in the stupid accent. He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss onto Will’s lips. “Okay, enjoy. We’ll be back later to annoy you some more. Come on buddy, let’s go eat junk for breakfast!” Mike said, picking up their son, carrying him out of the room as he started screeching.
“Bye daddy I love youuu!” Jayne said between screams.
“Bye daddy, I love youuuuu!!” Mike joked back at Will.
“Bye guys!” He didn’t even try to stop them from eating whatever junk they were talking about. He didn’t care. This was his dream life. Will would go through all of the torture a second time if it meant he got to have this life. He had numerous paintings in galleries all across the globe, Mike was a famous author who brought light to so many issues and shared his passion for fantasy in the process, and they were married. They had adopted Jayne as a baby seven years ago, a few years after they got married (Yes, they got married AS SOON as it got legalized. Like, the day of or the day after.) And Will couldn’t ask for more. Besides, maybe getting his sister back. If she would have seen how Will was doing now, she would be so proud of how far he’s come. But Vecna was dead, and he had been for years, and they lived in New York. Away from Hawkins and the bad memories they left behind all those years ago. No one forgetting his birthday, no repressed feelings, no hiding who he really was. He did get his wish that year no one cared. It was just late, Will would wait all over again if he knew where he would be now.