Chapter Text
"I'm a fan of your paintings, Mr. Byers."
Will felt something warm spread across his chest.
"Thank you… You really flatter me," he smiled softly, bowing with respect.
"It's really nothing. From what I can tell, it’s not just me. Your art hits people… it’s real art that grabs a heart. And about that painting you showed us today? It totally reminds me of my childhood… something special. You pour so much emotion into every brushstroke, I’m so impressed."
Will chuckled quietly.
" I don’t know how to thank you… I really appreciate that"
The woman glanced at him sideways with a suggestive look, then paused, thinking for a moment.
"Well… I think I can give you a chance. On Saturday, your paintings will be in our exhibition, and if all goes well, next time I might even secure a special spot for you."
Will almost choked on his own saliva.
His eyes widened, mouth falling open in shock.
"No… You’re joking, right? This has to be a joke…"
The woman smiled widely and shook her head.
"No… When I see young talent like this, I can’t ignore it. I see myself in you, Mr. Byers, and I know you deserve more recognition."
His breath caught, and laughter slipped out before he could stop it… His heart was racing faster than light.
It all happened so… fast.
"God… I can’t believe it… Thank you, , thank you so much! "
The woman nodded.
"Don’t thank me. The important thing is that you keep growing and perfecting your art."
---
Will burst into his apartment, tossing his jacket onto the dresser in the hallway, and collapsed onto the couch, letting out a long sigh…
He lay there for a moment, breathing slowly, then started laughing and rolling on the couch like a little kid.
"OH MY GOD YESSS… YES, YES, YES, YES, YES…"
He kept repeating it, then started squealing, covering his face with his hands.
"OH MY GOD, BYERS, YOU’RE A GENIUS… I DID IT… I REALLY DID IT." he talked to himself. After a short moment, he calmed down, grinning widely at the ceiling.
"God… I can’t believe this…" he repeated, glancing at the phone on the wall. He immediately jumped up and dialed a familiar number.
One beep… two beeps… a familiar voice on the line.
"Hey, Will…"
"ROBIN. SHE ACCEPTED ME… I GOT IN, I GOT A SPOT IN THE EXHIBITION."
Silence filled the line…
"Robin?" he asked impatiently, smiling.
"You got in…" she whispered. Her voice was shaky, worry creeping in. Then she laughed softly — "Oh my god, I can’t believe it… You must be joking ."
Will burst out laughing.
"NOPE. NOT JOKING. AND YOU KNOW WHAT’S EVEN BETTER? IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL, MY PAINTINGS MIGHT EVEN GET A SPECIAL SPOT… DO YOU GET IT? DO YOU KNOW WHAT KIND OF RECOGNITION THAT COULD BRING ME? Robin, I’m in heaven… I literally feel like I’m coming. I MEAN, GOSH , I’M JUST SO FUCKING HAPPY. Is it weird that I have butterflies in my stomach?"
Robin chuckled softly.
"I’m so proud of you, Will…"
Will shook his head.
"ME TOO! God… finally, everything’s falling into place… finally… I feel such peace," he whispered, staring out the window. "I finally feel at least a little bit happy…"
Silence…
Then murmurs and whispers… "Wait, I’m talking to Will," "No, not now," "This isn’t a good time…"
Will frowned, looking down at the floor.
"Robin?" he said, now less energetic, questioning.
A moment of silence followed, broken by quiet murmurs, then she finally spoke:
"Yes, I’m here… I’m here, Will… Sorry." she took a deep breath. "I’m proud of you… proud that you’re chasing your dreams."
Will’s smile slowly fell, and he leaned against the wall, fiddling with the phone cord.
*"Yeahhh… I’m proud of myself too…?"*
Silence.
Will swallowed and exhaled with worry.
*"Okay Robin, what’s going on?"*
*"Nothing."* She blurted it out too quickly.
*"Nothing important…" *She corrected herself.*
*"I mean… at least not right now."* She added one last time.
She didn’t sound like herself. She didn’t speak like her. Will knew her too well.
"Robin, WHAT happened?" he repeated, more firmly.
"Will, um…" she hesitated.
"Robin, damn it… Speak, I’d rather know now than be left hanging…"
"Have you been in touch with Mike recently?"
Will squinted and sighed.
"With him? No. Has anyone? You can’t get through to him for months, you know that."
"Yeah, Will… that’s exactly it."
Will stood silently for a moment, thinking about what she was trying to tell him.
"What do you mean?…"
"God… I don’t know how to say this."
A moment of silence…
Will clenched the phone tightly.
Silence… in the room, outside, on the line… complete silence.
"They found him unconscious at his house… I mean… Hopper found him. He was lying on the floor, and… they took him to the hospital. Apparently, it’s bad, but they won’t tell us anything… We’re not his family…"
Will’s breath stopped. His hands went slack, the phone nearly slipping from them. His mouth fell open, lips trembling…
His eyes widened as he stared ahead.
"Robin… tell me you’re fucking joking…"