Chapter Text
Will shoved through the large crowd of people, trying to find his dorm room number. Today was his first day of college! He was both excited and extremely nervous. Joyce sobbed the entire drive there, and Jonathan had to hold back tears. He reassured them he’d be okay, but he felt like a lamb going out to the slaughterhouse. Either college would be a new fun opportunity, or he’d get chewed up and spat back out to the real world.
Finally, he stood in front of the boards with the dorm rooms on them. He scanned the lists, before finally spotting his name. “William Byers.” Though, his eyes quickly noticed he had a roommate. He wouldn’t have minded much, till he noticed who they were.
“Michael Wheeler.”
He rolled his luggage bags through the crowded dormitory halls, feeling an overwhelming sense of dread. Mike, his old best friend and unrequited lover, was his roommate. And he was enrolled in college for at least 4 years. As he thought harder about his unfortunate situation, he didn't realize he was now sprinting to his dorm. Almost as if he was subconsciously desperate to see him.
Miraculously, he didn't run into anyone along the way. He slammed open the door to see that Mike was sitting on the windowsill bathing in the golden sunlight, still perfectly gorgeous. He was still a little scrawny but much taller than before. He now had glasses and small pale freckles dotting the skin just below his eyes. God, he was so handsome.
“...Will?” Mike said, turning to face him. He couldn't bear it—his gentle smile, slightly pointed up eyebrows, quiet and soft voice—he just ran out. Ran away, leaving all his luggage there in the doorframe.
Mike, left sitting in bewilderment, stared at where Will once was. He already knew Will was his roommate, he read it in the email. Will was too rushed and anxious to read it. Sighing in exasperation, he stood up and started to unpack Will’s things for him. To his delight and surprise, he saw that Will had packed the photo of him and Mike on Halloween together. Mike was infamously known for never smiling in photos, but with Will, he would always smile and look the happiest he’d ever been. He looked especially happy and joyous in this particular photo though. It brought a warm, fuzzy feeling to his chest.
After finishing up setting Will’s side of the dorm, he sat on Will’s bed and waited for him to come back. He couldn’t stay out forever—there was a curfew at 9:00 P.M.
As time passed, he fell back onto the bed and started to drift off. The scent of Will’s blankets—a mix of nostalgia and lemon—soothed him, and he was asleep in seconds.
Will finally faced his fears around 8:30, standing up from the courtyard bench with a weary sigh and headed towards the dorm.
As he stepped in quietly, he saw Mike sleeping soundly on his bed. He snored quietly, sprawled out and covering the whole bed. There was no way Will was going to pick his limp body up and move him, so he just lied on Mike's bed.
Cuddling up in Mike’s silky pastel blue blankets, he felt a strange, exhilarating feeling. He felt as if he was young again, a stupid child head over heels about his best friend. He pulled the blankets over his head and took a deliberate whiff of them. Mike’s blankets smelled like old books and cedar. Will always had trouble falling asleep since Vecna and the Mind Flayer came and destroyed his life, nightmares constantly infiltrating his sleep. But, as he nestled into Mike’s bed, he fell asleep almost instantly.
Mike, who was in a deep sleep, suddenly awoke to the jarring sound of Will’s bloodcurling scream. He sat up, alert and wide awake now. He looked around frantically, expecting someone to have broken into their dorm or a spider or something. “Will? Will!” His eyes finally landed on Will, who was sitting upright and trembling on Mike’s bed. He rushed over to his side.
“Mike.” Will whispered, clinging onto him in an instant. He didn’t remember why Mike was there at the time, but he was relieved that he was.
“I’m here. It’s okay, Will. It’s okay.” He shushed him, sitting on the edge of the bed and running his fingers through his hair. He knew now wasn’t the time, but he couldn't help but admire how silky and curly Will’s hazel brown hair was. And now that the two were close, Mike could fully admire Will’s deep brown eyes, and the way his eyelashes ever so slightly cascaded over his eyes. ‘God, he’s so stunning.’ Mike thought as he continued to sooth Will. “What happened?” He asked, trying to avert his thoughts about Will’s appearance. “Nightmare?”
Will only nodded and buried his face into Mike’s shoulder. He was wearing a dorky purple sweater with a white cat on it, corny but somewhat cute to him. It was surprisingly soft though, making Will want to hug Mike together.
“Isn’t it ironic how we’re in the same dorm? I didn’t even know you were enrolled here till I read the email.” Mike smiled, pushing up his glasses while trying to spark a conversation.
“...Yeah.” He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. “I’m glad you’re here though.”
Mike was caught off guard, eyes widening. “Really?”
“I missed you.”
‘...I missed you too, Will.” He replied after a few moments of being dumbstruck. Will really missed him. He thought he’d have just forgotten he’d ever existed. “I’m so, so happy you’re here” Mike was nearly brought to tears, and the two were now clutching each other so tightly it almost hurt.
After a few moments of silence, Will spoke up so quietly Mike almost didn't hear it. “Please don’t go. I don’t want the nightmares to come back.” He sounded terrified—fragile.
A protective sense washed over him and he nodded. “I…I won’t. I live here anyway, now.” He added, trying to make light of the situation. Will didn’t laugh, only gave him a squeeze. He didn’t care if the position was oddly intimate, he just needed someone–no, Mike to comfort him. The nightmares of Vecna abusing him and the Mind Flayer controlling him ravished his sleep and left him terrified of every little noise and movement, yet when Mike held him, it felt like he was truly safe.
***
Will awoke to the loud and annoying shrieks of his alarm clock. Remembering that he was in college, he bolted upright.
“Ow.” A voice said flatly from next to him.
Mike.
“Oh, shit.” Will whispered, turning to face him. He stared at Mike for a few more moments, recalling last night. Sleeping in Mike’s bed, having the nightmare, Mike holding him all night…. “I’m…going to be late.” He clambered out of bed, rushing to put on socks and a sweater. As he was almost out the door, he felt Mike tug on his arm.
He handed Will his bag, sleepily rubbing his eyes beneath his glasses. “We have…” He yawned. “The same first hour together.” He murmured, still dressed in his pajamas.
“Oh-Okay.” Will took his bag from Mike’s hands, fidgeting with the straps. “We won’t be late, will we?”
“You set your alarm 20 minutes before class even starts. “It’s..” He checked the clock on the wall. “7:12. Class is at 7:30.”
“If you say so.” He let out a long sigh, leaning against the doorframe wearily. He already wanted the day to be over. As he waited, in the corner of his eye, he noticed Mike was…taking his shirt off right in front of him. Will flustered and quickly covered his eyes. “Jesus-! What are you doing, Mike?!” He shrieked. He didn’t know why the sight of Mike shirtless made him feel so anxious–and, though he wouldn't admit it, excited–, but it did.
Mike turned to face him. “Changing?” He answered in a confused tone.
Will peered at him through his fingers, eyes widening. Mike looked scrawny with his shirt on, but without it, he looked like he could pick Will up with just one arm. He looked muscular and strong, and that made Will turn even redder.
“Oh-I’m sorry!” He said suddenly, realizing and remembering Will was gay. “I’m so sorry!” He stammered, putting a shirt on in rapid succession.
“It’s okay.” He said quietly, letting his hands drop to his sides. As much as he denied it, he felt a little disappointed he put his shirt back on.
“I-I’m sorry-I didn’t make you uncomfortable, did I?” He asked, putting a hand on his shoulder gently.
Will flinched, the slight weight of his hand making him feel small. “No, no-Just-Hurry up, okay?” He mumbled, before running off into the hallway.