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It was officially fall and Hawkins Middle School was in session once more. The leaves had fallen down from the tree branches, painting the sidewalks in spots of yellow, orange, and red. Chilly air attacked everyone as they stepped out of their vehicles and rode on their bikes to school. A car halted to a stop in front of the building and Holly held onto her backpack's arm strap with a tight grip.
Mike set the car in park and smiled at his sister, “There we go. Man, I missed dropping you off. The last time I did was before I went off to college.”
That’s right.
During their senior year, Will and Mike would drop Holly off while riding their bikes to school in the morning. She didn't enjoy thinking back to that time, considering it was when Vecna had captured her and hurt her family. But right now she couldn’t be happier. Basking in content from where she sat in the passenger seat and listening to her older brother's endless chatter that she got very much influenced by.
She missed Mike.
He came back with a new glow, wearing an academia styled typed outfit that Nancy approvingly called studious. Her brother could often be seen wearing a magenta vest with a white collared shirt underneath, and some dress pants, accompanied by laced up leather boots. Passing faces on the streets could tell he was a writer just by glancing at him. Their father wasn’t that pleased to find out the direction her brother decided to go in, bashing the English major to an extent that even their ancestors from above scoffed at his stubbornness.
During his time away from college, he and Will shared a dormitory, and soon enough got together during their freshman year. Every holiday the Byers would come over and Will would shine like the stars in the night sky. He was truly happy. The pale and trembling boy that Holly had seen when Vecna was still roaming around had vanished. His clothes were covered in artwork so impressive, that it looked as though it was seamlessly stitched onto the fabric, and an everlong smile would be always present on his warm skin.
The couple wore a matching heart shaped locket and their DnD classes were engraved on top of the silver material. Their jewelry would jangle from their necks wherever they would go, symbolizing to everyone that they already had someone special on their minds, carrying the locket like an oath. This fall they had finally reached their junior year of college and pleasantly enough, Mike had managed to save up for a car. Since her brother decided to come home before the semester started, he had offered to drive Holly to school every morning. It was awesome!
“Thanks, Mike! Gotta go!” Holly opened up the passenger door and jumped out, radiating like the sun. Her mood slightly dampened as her feet made contact with the concrete sidewalk and the school came into her view. She started her pitiful walk…
“Wait, Holls!”
Holly turned around to find Mike had rolled down the car window and his hands were slightly shaking from where he gripped the wheel. “I know you and your friends usually play DnD after school but is it okay if you guys play another day? I have something I need to tell everyone at dinner tonight.”
“Oh,” Holly frowned, she noticed his face had gone pale and he tugged at his collar neck. What could it possibly be about? “Is it something bad?”
“No!” Mike shook his head, curls bouncing in the air, eyes shut tight as he tried to find the right words. “No-no, it’s not.” He drummed his fingers against the wheel. “But Will is coming over, and so is the rest of his family. Technically both me and Will need to tell you guys something and it’s quite important…”
“Huh…you guys didn't fight, right?” asked Holly, skeptical. She really liked Will. He always taught her new art techniques and gave pretty good advice when it came to dealing with the Upside Down horrors she had experienced.
How to fluff up her pillow so that her head stayed elevated and not hanging as though she was falling through the sky again.
What kind of pajamas to wear when she’d wake up sweaty from the nightmares, throat dry, and fighting for air.
And how to forget that horrible man’s face. Mr. Whatsit. Henry. A liar.
“Nope,” Mike’s gaze softened, and her brother got stolen away into dreamland. “It’s a good thing, Holls. It’s something that makes me very happy and I want you guys to be the first ones to know."
Holly felt her wave of anxiety hit the decks and backwash into the sea. OH! It must be about that job Mike and Will were searching for together.
They must’ve gotten it!
“Okay! Just for you!” Holly winked at him and happily skipped away, grinning as Mike bid her a good day once more and drove off.
Once inside the school, Holly found her friend waiting by the lockers. She was about to practically shout good morning, still captured in the joyous spirit, but was stopped when she noticed the tear stains painting the girl's cheeks.
“Darla? What happened?” Holly asked softly, maneuvering to stand close to her distressed friend, and shielding her from their upcoming classmates’ lingering stares.
“It’s my brother. He’s leaving us.” Darla sobbed, wiping at her nose, and getting snot all over her polka dot sleeves.
“What do you mean leaving?” Then Holly gasped silently, body locking from where she stood. A horrible thought ventured its way in.
NO way, it couldn't be.
Holly hushed out, scared that if she were to say it any louder, that her friend would collapse right where she stood “Is he going to the army?”
“What?! NO! He’s getting married!” The girl slammed her head against the locker, the sharp sound echoing amongst the halls. Some students snickered at her display and Holly sent them a glare in hopes of scaring them off, unfortunately, she only managed to look like an angry puppy.
She then turned back to her friend and raised an eyebrow, deeming her distress to be not as important as she thought, and opened her own locker. “How is that a bad thing?”
“He said he won’t visit us anymore,” Another sniffle emerged. Oh no. Maybe this was important. “That he has to concentrate on family! I am his family too!”
Holly stopped her current task of putting away her coat, and with it still hanging on her arm, patted her friend's shoulder in comfort. “I’m sure he’ll still visit you. Marriage is bound to happen when two people are in love. Maybe you could be happy for them?”
“You don’t understand, Holly. They are moving away. To a whole different state! He won’t have time for me anymore! He said so himself,” Darla raised her head from where it was resting against the lockers. “Didn’t you say your brother is dating Will?”
Huh?
Holly blinked, mouth parting slightly. “Uh, yeah. Does that matter?”
“How long have they been dating?”
“Um…three years.”
Darla snapped her fingers, “That’s it! My brother dated her for three years.” She leaned her back against the locker, wilting at the spot. “Just wait, your brother is going to tell you the same thing and then you’ll understand.”
Holly stuffed her jacket in, not caring to put it on the hanger, and slammed the locker door shut. “There’s no way! That’s way too early! Besides, Mike never wants to get married. He told me so himself.”
Darla shrugged, eyes still glistening from past tears. “He could change his mind. Will seems like a pretty good guy. I wouldn’t be surprised if it would be because of him.”
Holly rolled her eyes, “He won’t! Don’t put those ideas onto me, Darla,” She adjusted her backpack strap. “I’ll see you in class,” she mumbled and swept past her friend.
During English class Holly could not stop thinking about what Darla said. Mike wouldn’t just forget all about her. Right? Her brother was very adamant about not getting married, scared of ending up in a loveless marriage. She couldn’t blame him, their parents' facade of a perfect married couple fell apart as soon as Holly was old enough to understand.
It was late at night and Mike was still living with them before going off to college in the fall when their parents had started throwing stuff downstairs. Their voices increasing every second, hostile remarks, and slurred pleas left both of their mouths. Mostly consisting of begging the other one to stay, before going right back to insulting one another. Holly drew the covers over her head and prayed for the nightmare to end. It felt as though it would go on till morning.
Then light came into the room.
The door had been opened up and her savior stood in the doorway, bathed in the heavenly glow.
“Holls, it’s okay.” Mike had whispered, gently closing the door behind him, and walking over to sit next to her on the bed. Holly sat up, throwing herself into her older brother's arms, sniffling against his warm hoodie.
“Mike, why do they have to be so mean to one another?” She nuzzled her face into the soft fabric, voice breaking as her heart took a deep dive into despair. Mike ran his fingers through her sundrop strands of hairs, smoothing them out. “Why? Why do they hate each other? Is it cause of me?”
Her brother’s arms stiffened around her and a second later they pulled her closer to his chest, successfully muffling the rest of the noise coming from downstairs. “No, it’s not. Don't you dare even think that,” With his left hand he started to wipe away the icy tears flowing down the girl’s cheek, and then gently kissed the top of her head. “It’s not your fault that mom and dad can’t get their shit together.”
“Mike,” she sobbed out followed by a small chuckle, then hid herself further into her human fortress. “You know mom told you to stop swearing around me.”
Her brother laughed softly, tightening his hold around her even more. “I really don’t think mom is the best example, now is she?”
Holly forced her head out from where it was buried and looked up at Mike, eyes shining with pain and lips wobbly. “Please don’t go to college. Stay with me. Without you I’ll be so lonely. ”
“Holls,” Mike poked her nose softly and the girl squeaked in surprise, causing Mike to smile brightly. “I have to go.” His sister pouted, fear making itself at home in her eyes. Mike would not stand for that. His fingers reached up to his sister's sides, and started dancing along the ribcage.
Giggles erupted from the little girl and she started to move away from the embrace, swatting at her brother’s hands. “Mike! Stop!” She scooted back onto her bed and Mike followed her, causing a few more rounds of laughter to echo within the room. Afterwards, he tucked Holly into bed, getting up a second later to find her stuffed rabbit that she always carried around. Holly snuggled into her blankets, ignorant to the chaos happening downstairs, and Mike came back with her rabbit, which Holly snatched out of his arms.
Mike kneeled down on her pink carpet and took a hold of her hand with a tight grip. “I’ll always be here for you. I promise.” He whispered, delicately as a flower.
Holly frowned, uneasiness gripping at her heart. “But what if one day you decide to leave me? What if you find someone and you decide you’d rather spend time with them instead of me?”
“Oh, Holly,” Mike sighed, eyes downcast. “You don’t need to be married to be happy. I mean-look at mom and dad. Marriage didn't solve their problems." He smoothed out the back of her hair that was sticking out from the previous tickling attack and Holly closed her eyes, relaxing. “I have you and Nancy. I have my friends. There’s no reason for me to get married. It’s kind of lame anyways. I doubt my future spouse would even want to talk about DnD with me.”
Holly giggled, opening her eyes. “Is that really the deal breaker for you?”
Mike nodded, a serious expression planted on his face, “Totally. I would not marry someone that boring. And marriage is expensive. All that and for what? Just to get into fights everyday? It’s way too much trouble to go through all that. I'd rather never get married and have the chance to break it off if everything does end up going berserk,” Holly’s brightened up, pearls shining with glee. Mike ruffled her hair, smiling as Holly adorably scrunched her nose. “Now go to sleep. I’ll be here until you fall asleep.”
Holly ended up falling asleep within minutes, happily dreaming about unicorns, and shooting stars in a magical land far far away. Mike stayed with her until the noise downstairs stopped, sighing in relief to find her asleep, and placing one last soft kiss to her forehead. He got up softly so as not to wake her up and took one last look at his sister safely snuggled underneath the covers, warmth fluttering in his chest.
Holly’s stomach churned. Mike was always there for her. She wouldn’t survive if her brother were to leave her alone on the deserted island that was their house. She turned to Joslyn, “Do you think Mike and Will would ever get married?”
“Hmm?” Her friend bit at the pencil’s eraser in thought. “I think so. Last time we came over to your place they reminded me of my parents. So touchy and way too corny with the pet names.”
“Okay…” Holly did not like that answer. “but that doesn’t mean they have to…”
“Mike is getting married?” Derrick peaked past the girl's head. His desk was occupied by several notebooks, some opened up to an empty page where he was scribbling nonsense. A red and yellow striped jacket was thrown over the back of his chair.
“Mind your own business.” Holly huffed back in response.
The boy did not take the hint, now more interested than ever. “Am I invited to the wedding? Mike and I are basically best friends.”
“Mike is not getting married,” Jennifer corrected. “Holly is scared that he is though.”
Holly’s pencil tip broke against the worksheet she’s been working on.“I-” she sent a nasty look towards her friend, feeling betrayed. “I am not. And he isn’t getting married so I don’t even have to worry about that.”
“Why would you even be worried?” Derrick gasped dramatically and Holly resisted the urge to throw her pencil at the boy’s head. “Is it not Will he’s marrying?” His eyes widened like saucers. “Wait?! Did they break up!?”
“No! Will and Mike are still together,” Images of her brother and his boyfriend being grossly in love popped into her head. She wrinkled her nose, “And they still act gross. Will can’t last one minute without calling Mike a corny pet name and Mike latches onto Will like a goddamn octopus.”
Jennifer tilted her head and gave Derrick a look of ‘see what I’m talking about?’, while gesturing to Holly with her pencil that was now covered in bite marks.
“Why don’t you want them to get married?” Derrick frowned, not bothering to start his own worksheet. “Are you jealous that Mike might start spending more time with Will if that were to happen?”
Jennifer’s eyes widened at the accurate deduction and Holly never looked more offended in her life.
“What?! That’s not it at all!”
“You're so weird,” Derrick’s high pitched voice scratched against Holly’s brain like chalk on a blackboard. “They already spend a lot of time together. What’s so different if they were to get married?”
“Yeah. For once Derrick actually has a brain.” Jennifer added on and Derrick glared at her.
“Wh-whatever! I don’t want to talk about it anymore!”
Her friends begrudgingly complied, turning their attention back to their worksheets. But Holly couldn’t scare away the anxiety filled thoughts out of her mind, and due to being distracted, she ended up having to finish her worksheet at home.
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Considering it was a Friday night, the Byers were able to come over at seven. It was the time Holly would usually start getting ready to go to bed, encouraged by her mom, who, per her words, did not want Holly falling asleep in class the next day.
A camera was attached to Jonathan’s hip and Hopper had slung his arm over Mrs.Byer’s shoulder. Both of their wedding rings glistened in the warm light, which were, unbeknownst to them, taunting Holly. El was chatting with Nancy and Will was with Mike, cuddling per usual. She stood awkwardly by the kitchen counter, awaiting her mom’s orders. The delicious aroma of turkey and roasted posts invaded the whole house, getting everyone impatient for the food that was awaiting them.
Holly stared at Mike and Will, where they were snuggled in on the couch, and analyzed their every move. They were both sitting with their legs touching, allowing each other to lay against one another. Mike’s head was resting on top of Will’s, while the brunette situated his on top of the boy’s shoulder. Her brother had his arm wrapped around Will’s waist and at some point Mike pulled the boy closer to himself. Will rolled his eyes fondly, and whispered something to her brother that Holly desperately wanted to know.
She turned away from the scene, ready to take any dish from her mom’s hands and set it onto the dinner table. Suddenly, her brother’s carefree laughter reached her ears and she whipped her head back to where she was observing the happy couple.
Will had switched their positions, dragging Mike to lay on his chest, and allowing his fingers to run through his dark locks. Mike hugged Will like a teddy bear, arms circling around his chest and nuzzling his face into his beige jacket. Which Holly assumed would feel uncomfortable but Mike seemed to think quite the opposite, for he allowed himself to go limp, an act of vulnerability she was familiar with.
“Jesus, Mike. Let him breathe.” Nancy scolded and El giggled.
Hopper grunted, despite it being three years of them dating he couldn’t help the old habits from resurfacing every once in a while. However, he didn't have the boiling anger that he once displayed years ago whilst Mike and El had dated. It had dwindled down after allowing himself to take it easy with the overbearing attitude. He cared for Mike just as much as the rest of the kids. So, he couldn’t be too mad when he saw Will, someone he considered as his son, and Mike, the boy who lacked that parental guidance, lay in each other's arms oblivious to the world around them. Still, he couldn’t help but tease. “Kid, can’t you just lay on the ground or something? You’re crushing my son.”
“Oh, shush,” Joyce elbowed her husband and Hopper gazed down at the love of his life. “They are in love, Hop. Would you like it if someone interrupted our cuddle sessions?” she asked softly, eyes twinkling.
“I would kill them.” Hopper said bluntly, all the mirth disappearing from his face, and Joyce rolled her eyes amused.
“Now, that is definitely way out of line.” she chuckled and Hopper’s gaze softened, hand moving to tuck a hair strand behind her ear.
Jonathan casually came over to the love birds, stepping side to side as he did so. Will raised an eyebrow at his brother. The brunette was rubbing his hand up and down his boyfriend’s spine, lips tugging upwards upon feeling Mike’s hum of approval, who now had his eyes closed shut. They stayed in that position for a bit until a sudden white light captured the couch and Mike’s eyes flew open. Will groaned, throwing his arms over his face, embarrassment reaching up his neck as Jonathan took a hold of the picture.
“Did you have to do that?” asked Will, quietly.
“You guys want to take up the whole couch? Then yes.” He took another photo, grinning mischievously. Will flushed cherry pink and Mike jumped to his defense.
The boy glared at Jonathan and tightened his hold around his boyfriend, “Not my fault we got here first! You can have the armchair! Quit acting like a loser.”
“Uh, sit in the place Mr.Wheeler considers his alter?” Jonathan’s face soured. “Yeah, no thanks.”
“Well, too bad! We’re not moving. Figure it out." Mike grumbled, shoving his face further into his boyfriend’s chest, and Will couldn’t help but perk up at the clinginess.
“Mike,” Will said softly as a feather and Mike immediately lifted his head up to stare into the brunette’s doe-like eyes. “We should move. Your mom is probably almost done with dinner anyways.”
Well, Mike could never say no to Will. His boyfriend could ask him to jump into a scalding volcano and he’d do it.
“Fine. But only since you said so.” Mike whined and sat up from where he got himself comfortable, holding out his hand to help Will onto his feet.
A glass container filled with sizzling potatoes was handed over to Holly and her mother’s warning of it being hot and to grab it by the sides was lost to her ears. Holly’s hands made contact with the piping hot piece of glass and she screamed in pain, letting go of the tupperware in the process. Miraculously, her mom caught it with her hands that were buried deep into her oven mitts.
Upon hearing their little sister’s distressed voice, Mike and Nancy rushed over to the kitchen, both of them nearly sliding against the wooden boards. Mike scurried to kneel down in front of her and frantically took a hold of his little sister's hand, heart racing when met with the sight of red and tender finger tips. Nancy sighed in relief to find no sign of monster danger and patted Holly on her head, whispering to her that it’s okay, then turned to help their now angry mom.
“Unbelievable! Holly, were you not listening!?" Mrs.Wheeler screamed at her youngest daughter, hair messed up like a bird’s nest and eyes wild. She slammed the tupperware against the countertop.
“Mom, calm down," Nancy spoke up, she was now taking out the plates and silverware to set onto their dinner table. “She did it by accident. Holly meant no harm. Mike, can you make sure she’s okay?” Mike nodded without hesitation and Nancy went back to trying to calm their mom down.
“Holls, how bad does it hurt?” asked Mike softly, not daring to touch her scarlet turned fingers.
“Not bad.” She attempted to hold in her discomfort but the pain mocked her, pulsating against her better judgment, and she couldn't help but hiss out. At that, Mike got up and guided Holly by her wrist to the sink where he turned on the faucet to run cold water. He put her hand under the water and Holly let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding in. The burn faded away as her skin made contact with the cool liquid. Mrs. Wheeler was shaking, half with anger, and the other half with concern. Mostly she was furious about how the injury could’ve been prevented if her daughter had just listened to her.
“Holly, you okay sweetie?” Her mom’s harsh tone had disappeared and was replaced with panicked worry.
“Yeah…” Holly mumbled and Mike continued to hold her wrist in place with a tight brow and panicked look in his eyes. “I’m sorry. I got distracted.” Mrs.Wheeler gave her daughter a kiss on the cheek and then started to take out the roasted potatoes with a spatula, transferring them into a serving bowl. Her and Nancy transferred all the food successfully and the kitchen was suddenly swarmed with the Byers who came over to help set everything onto the table.
The faucet got turned off and the water stopped hitting the metal interior. Mike gently laid Holly’s hand against the cold counter top and went to open up the fridge to take out an ointment they hid inside for this kind of occasion. He picked up the blueish colored tube and went back to his deflated sister.
“Holls, this will sting a bit but you’ll feel better soon,” He poured some of the liquid onto her fingertips, rubbing in gently and Holly winced in pain. “I know-I know. I’m sorry.” Mike whispered out and Holly cursed herself for being so stupid. After he was done with applying the ointment, Mike shut the tube closed and set it back onto the side of the fridge. “Make sure to not touch it too much. It needs time to rest and right now your skin is sensitive.”
“Thanks..” Holly choked out, still embarrassed by the whole ordeal.
Seconds later, Mr.Wheeler had returned from his job and they were now all seated at the dinner table. He noticed Holly was mostly using her left hand to eat and surprisingly questioned her about it, to which she answered by explaining the whole situation, followed by a sentiment she heard quite often, ‘You’re just like your brother.’ Holly knew her dad didn’t mean it as a compliment but she took it with pride. The usual silence that followed a Wheeler’s family dinner was replaced by the chirpy chatter from the Byers. At some point Will and Mike shared a nervous look and her brother cleared his throat.
“We have something we need to tell you all.” Mike began, throat tight.
“You finally got yourself a job?” asked Ted, absentmindedly munching on his turkey.
Will stopped eating and shot Mr. Wheeler an unimpressed look while Mike forced himself to take a deep breath. “No, something else.” he answered, slowly.
Mrs. Wheeler put down her fork, giving her son her full attention. “What is it honey?” Everyone gazed upon them, curiosity lingering in the air. Out of the corner of her eye, Holly noticed Will squeezing Mike’s hand tightly, and with that encouragement, her brother took the big leap.
“Will and I are engaged.”
The couple was holding each other's hand tightly, their racing heart threatening to escape from their ribcage. No one was chewing anymore. Everyone stared at the two of them with an unreadable expression. Then suddenly, like a butterfly flapping its wings, everything changed.
Everyone lost it.
“Oh my gosh! No way!!” El squealed out, kicking her feet underneath the table, excited beyond disbelief. Jonathan stared at the two boys across from him. His little brother was getting married to the same boy Jonathan had cared for since kindergarten. They were not little kids anymore, but two adults who wanted to live the rest of their life intertwined. He was going to cry at the dinner table.
“You guys are getting married.” Jonathan uttered out in amazement, locking eyes with Will. His little brother who would get nightmares in the middle of the night would now have his husband there to chase them all away. He would never have to fear being alone, or shunned away. He would know he is loved. “You guys..” he choked at the end of his sentence and Nancy seemed to be having the same reaction.
Her strong armor had rusted away at the concept of her annoying little brother getting married. She never felt happier than to know that it was going to be Will who would keep her little brother safe and sound, kiss away his insecurities, and laugh at his stupid jokes. To her horror, she did in fact start crying, and Jonathan reached over to wipe away her tears with gentle fingers.
Will straightened up, looking between Nancy and his own brother who looked ready to burst into tears as well.
“Nancy? What’s wrong?” Mike whispered out, concerned, and Nancy shook her head, curls sagging around her frame.
“I’m just so happy. My little brother is getting married.” she confessed shakily and Mike's eyes widened at his sister's unusual display of emotion pertaining to him. Nancy turned to gaze at her future brother in law. “Will, I’m so happy that it’s you that Mike is marrying.”
Jonathan had started to bawl silently, and stared at Will with a tender expression, his heart strings were being played around like a violin, he couldn't contain it anymore. “Oh, Will…I’m so happy for you.” He hushed out and then looked at Mike, “Mike, I'm so glad it’s you. I know you’ll treat my baby brother well.”
Mike interlocked his fingers with Will’s and gazed into his auburn eyes, and the now frozen Holly swore his pupils had formed into little hearts. “I will.” Will laughed tearily and then kissed Mike’s cheek.
“We’re going to be family!” El cheered, waving her hands in the air. Mike and Will chuckled at the girl’s enthusiasm.
“Oh, Mike. Sweetie, honey. This is amazing news.” Mrs. Wheeler’s voice cracked and she got up from her chair, pulling both of the boys into a hug. “I’m so happy for you two.”
Joyce sniffled, unable to stop her own waterworks from rushing out. “I can’t believe this. My baby is getting married.” She rested her hands onto the table and urged the boys to take a hold of them. Mike and Will, who were still in Mrs. Wheeler’s embrace, reached out with effort and held onto Joyce’s hands. Hopper was trying to stay nonchalant, but his sniffles could be heard amongst the dinner table, his beard could not conceal it.
No. NO!
Holly was the opposite of happy.
THIS WAS A NIGHTMARE.
Ted blinked in complete shock, unsure of how to act. He attempted a supportive smile which came out more of a grimace. “Are you sure getting married should be what's on your mind right now son? What about changing that degree?”
“Ted,” Mrs.Wheeler sneered out protectively as Mike’s shoulders hunched in familiar disappointment. Will glared at Mr.Wheeler, not caring if he was indeed his father in law now. No one was going to be rude to his fiance. “This isn’t the time. Your son just told you something important. You should be more supportive.”
Nancy was staring at her father exasperated. The girl’s tears had dried up from the new found anger that found its way in after hearing her father’s careless statement. Hopper couldn’t help but look annoyed at the man for lacking the skill to read the goddamn room and the others muttered insults under their breath.
“I’m trying, Karen,” Ted mumbled out, glasses laying crooked on his nose. “I am happy for you son.” Mrs. Wheeler huffed and gave Mike a kiss on the cheek before going back to her seat, all the while shooting daggers at her husband.
“Good. Let’s keep it at that.” Will said affirmatively, ending it with a strained smile. No one paid any mind to his passive aggressive behavior.
“No.”
Unexpected Blues washed over Mike as he realized that voice belonged to none other than his little sister.
“What? ” Mike questioned, laughing awkwardly. Will had stiffened, his gut twisting from the implication of that simple word. Everyone else stared at her in shock.
“You can’t get married,” Holly continued, voice low, cracking slightly. She bit her lip, hoping to stop the tears threatening to exit their vicinity. “You never wanted to get married in the first place, Mike.”
“Well, things changed, Holls," He looked at Will so sickly in love that Holly swore she was about to throw up right from where she was sitting and onto the dinner table. “I want to marry Will. Not only is he my best friend but he’s also my soulmate. I would wish for nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with him. I love him.”
Will wiped at his own eyes, mouthing ‘I love you too’ to the love of his life sitting right next to him. Holly couldn't stop the hateful thoughts running through her head. Man, a lot of crying happening over something that was definitely not going to happen.
“You didn't have to say yes.” Holly mumbled and Nancy gasped in horror at the comment. Jonathan’s eyes widened and Joyce shared a look of disbelief with Hopper. El slid down her chair, awaiting the explosion from the now furious Karen Wheeler.
Mrs. Wheeler slammed her hands against the table while Mike and Will turned into statues. “HOLLY! Apologize right now!”
“No! It’s true!” Holly barked out. What was the big deal? It was a known fact her brother could not say no to Will, even if it was against his wishes.
“Holly,” Mike started, eyes filled with such hurt that Holly had never seen before. Upon hearing her son’s voice, Mrs.Wheeler stopped her scolding, and allowed him to speak. Holly made firm eye contact with her brother. “I was the one who proposed.”
Wait. What?
Her brother proposed? The same person who did not wish to get married?!
Holly gaped at her brother like a fish out of water.
“And if Will proposed to me, I would’ve said yes without hesitation. We already talked about our wedding and I’m officially going to be taking his last name.”
Okay. This was getting worse.
Now Mike was taking Will’s last name?!
Was he trying to get rid of any sign of being connected to their family or something?
“Ooooh. Michael Byers,” El teased out, trying to ease the tension. “That sounds really nice. I think William Wheeler would be kind of a tongue twister, I agree with your decision.” she ended in a posh accent.
“I like it too. The more Byers the better.” Jonathan said softly while admiring his girlfriend right next to him. Nancy blushed, not ignorant to what her boyfriend meant, and her heart thundered against her chest.
“How did I not notice it before?” Joyce hushed out, eyes landing on the gleaming stones on both of the boys’ ring fingers. Mrs. Wheeler gasped out once she found out where Joyce was looking and held up her son’s hand to take a better look while El reached over the table to study Will’s in excitement.
“Oh, these are beautiful.”
“Mike, how much did these cost?”
“Well-”
“Actually, I got Mike his ring right after he proposed. The blue matches him.”
“Damn, guys. These look expensive.”
“Mike, sweetie, where did you propose?”
“Oooh! I knew Will couldn't help himself. How much did Mike’s ring cost?”
“Hmmm,” Ted nodded, surprisingly supportive. “Good for you two. They look really nice.” Holly felt the last bit of restraint leave her body. Hell no!
She stood up, pushing back her chair, causing it to screech against the wooden floor, and glared at her father. “Good!? That’s rich coming from you! The same person who can’t stand being in the same room as your wife!”
“Holly! Stop it! Be happy for your brother!” Mrs. Wheeler thundered out and everyone stopped gushing over the rings.
“No!” Holly pointed her finger at Mike, as though he just came in and ripped all of her doll’s heads off. “Yo-you said you’re never going to get married! You lied to me!”
“Holls…” Mike’s voice trailed off, disappearing into the unknown, and Will threw an arm around his fiance in comfort, gently rubbing up and down his arm.
“Mom’s right! Can’t you be happy for Mike?!” Nancy crossed her arms, lightning strikes flashing in her eyes. “What’s up with you?! Not only that, you’re being very insulting to Will right now! Do you realize just how rude you’re being?!”
“It’s not about Will!” Holly snapped back. She stared down at the green tablecloth, trying her best to not start bawling like a baby. “It’s about the fact that Mike is going to leave us! He’s now going to be a Byers! Every holiday he’ll be spending with his husband!”
Will’s eyes widened, understanding washing over him, and Mike felt his heart twist upon his little sister's confession.
Holly continued, she didn't care if she sounded like a brat. “He’s going to be too busy to even visit! Every time he’d be like, ‘Oh, sorry Holly, but me and Will have to go do this. But hey! You have your crappy little dolls to play with!’ He’ll stop picking me up cause he’ll be too busy driving his husband! My own brother will forget about me! Leaving me with a mom and dad who hate eachother!”
She couldn’t hold it in any longer. The rain came and it drowned her. Each acid filled drop fell down her cheeks and hit the tablecloth, rolling down the edge of it, and marking her sneakers. God, she was pathetic.
Jonathan swallowed, throat dry.
Knives of guilt plunged into Mrs.Wheeler’s skin, attacking her from every angle, and she shared a look with her husband who just seemed to take offense to what his daughter just said.
Nancy’s features softened, feeling sympathy for her little sister. She knew her and Mike were really close, a relationship Nancy wished she cultivated with Mike herself.
Will did not look angry whatsoever and Holly felt sick to her stomach, realizing that even now the boy did not curse her out. He had every right to. She had just implied that Mike shouldn’t marry him, and that was beyond disrespectful.
Hopper fidgeted from where he sat and El blinked in confusion. The girl figured if Mike and Will would get married that would just get everyone closer. She did not understand Holly’s frustration.
And Mike?
He looked absolutely heartbroken. When he was Holly’s age Nancy was always someone he looked up to when he was little. Then one day, she decided she didn’t want to hang out with him anymore and stopped showing up for their DnD campaigns. He didn’t know Holly admired him just the same, and he was terrified he just pulled a Nancy on her.
“I’m not hungry anymore..” Holly whispered out and ran up the stairs.
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Holly Wheeler’s room was cozy. It was painted in a bubblegum pink color and stars were plastered all over her walls and ceiling. They would illuminate the room during the night, keeping her safe from the dark that she had grown terrified of after being taken to the Upside Down. Her stuffed animals kept her company, urging her into hugs, and singing her silent lullabies. She had jumped under her covers, squeezing her eyes shut, and praying for it all to just be a nightmare.
Warm light entered the room, and Holly stubbornly kept her head buried into her pillow. Footsteps shuffled against her carpet and the bed dipped as a person laid right behind her. Familiar hands wrapped around her, protecting her from the smallest spots of darkness. Holly chose not to say anything.
“Holly, talk to me. Please.” Mike begged, he held his little sister tighter. Humming a show’s theme song that he knew she adored. They stayed like that for a bit and Holly couldn’t have been happier. Knowing her brother still came for her, that he still cared, that is, until he forgets all about her. Eventually, her fury came rushing back, and she pushed her brother’s hands away, not caring for the way he flinched.
“I don’t want to talk!” She took the pillow she was buried into and used it to cover her head from him. “Go away! Go be with your husband!”
“Holls, just because I marry Will doesn't mean I’ll forget about you. How could I? You’re one of the most important people in my life.” Mike uttered out, his voice muffled because of the pillow resting over the girl’s ears.
Holly sat up and threw the pillow at him and Mike let it bounce off his face and land in his lap. “What if you’re lying?! You told me you would never get married! Yet, here we are! You are a liar!”
“I didn’t lie…” he trailed off, eyes shining with unshed tears. “Will just managed to change my mind. It’s like those stories I read to you.” Mike scooted closer and Holly moved to the edge of the bed, sitting opposite of her brother. “He taught me that love doesn’t have to be exhausting. That it can be slow but real. He made me believe that love doesn't mean I have to prove anything to anyone. I don’t have to be perfect.”
“So?” Holly glared at the teddy bear that was sitting in the corner of her room. “You still don’t have to marry him.”
Mike sighed, “That’s the thing. I want to marry him. I want us to finally choose one another. And we finally did. I love him, Holly.”
Her brother's confession sounded exactly like the ones from her storybooks. He was deeply, madly, and foolishly in love with Will and she cannot push aside her selfishness to allow Mike to run off with his lover and get their happily ever after. She is the villain. Just like Maleficent, or the Evil Queen. She has Mike in her clutches by making him feel guilty. She’s trapping him.
“I’m sorry!” Holly cried out once more and she swore her stuffed animals started to panic at the sight of her distress. Just as she was about to allow herself to drown in her blankets, Mike had caught Holly in his arms. “I’m preventing you from being happy.” she choked out and Mike shook his head, laying his sister's head against his lap, and started to work on a small braid.
“No, you’re not. I’m very happy you care this much about me, Holls.” He threw the strand over the middle, and continued the pattern. “You’re not stopping me. I will still marry him. And yeah, I might not visit you as much anymore but it’s never because I don’t want to,” He tucked in some thin hairs. “It’s just…..life happens. But I want you to know that I will never truly leave you. I promise.” Holly laughed tearily, smiling as Mike started to hum the show’s theme once more, finishing her braid.
“Will you still do my hair? And pick me up from school?" She kept her eyes shut, getting giddy once felt Mike braiding another section of her hair.
“Yes, of course I will. I’ll always be there. Mike the Brave doesn’t leave Holly the Heroic, for they have a lot more adventures to go on.” He answered quietly. If Holly had opened her eyes. She would’ve noticed the halo coming in from the hallway, washing over Mike, and painting him as her guardian angel.
“That sounds amazing.” Holly yawned, feeling sleepy from the gentle tugs at her hair, and Mike’s soft singing reaching her ears.
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The next morning, no one scolded Holy any further nor did they ask her to apologize. But the girl felt guilty over how she treated Will, her now future brother in law. He was a great support system when it came to fighting the upside down trauma and the boy was always such a kind spirited soul. Holly didn't want him to feel as though she hated him. She tiptoed down the stairs to where Will was getting Mike’s car keys from the kitchen countertop. They were going to drive to Dustin’s place to tell the rest of the party about their engagement.
“Will?”
Will turned around and smiled, looking down at Holly. His beige jacket now had some paint stains on the sides of it. Mike had told her Will could never put down his paint brush, always inspired to re-create the gorgeous scenery around him. One time, Holly had overheard Will call Mike as one of those gorgeous scenes and her brother started to retort against it, only to be stopped by endless compliments from the brunette. She had to pretend she didn't hear anything when walking into the living room to retrieve her backpack. Damn, she really messed up. Will was really good for her brother.
“Hey, Holls. You okay?” Will knelt down to her level, no wrinkles of annoyance nor frustration itching on his forehead. He shined like the sun, his brunette hair lit up under the sky’s lamp bursting through the windows of the house.
“I’m sorry!” Holly blurted out quickly and before Will could say anything she continued on. “I want you to marry my brother! You are so kind and understanding. You’re always there for me and you’re very good for my brother. What I said last night was way out of line! I was being a total self-pitying idiot!”
Will blinked, eyes wide with an unfamiliar emotion.
Holly stared back, hands clenching around the end of her dress, and a deep frown etched onto her face.
Suddenly, her now brother-in-law started to chuckle warmly. He clutched at his stomach, wiping away his tears and grinned at Holly, positively humored to the bone.
“Oh my god! Holly! You’re just like your brother!” Will’s chuckled now turned to full blow laughter and Holly tried to think back to what she just said that caused this. She had no goddamn clue.
“What?” Holly crossed her arms, she loved being compared to both Mike and Nancy, since she considered the both of them to be kind and strong people. But she didn’t know what Will was getting at. “What do you mean?”
“You’re brother tends to say that about himself often,” Will answered sadly and a bit amused. “Though, I must say. While Mike does tend to think about himself at times, most of us do so as well. He tends to let everyone know how self absorbed he is when apologizing,” He sighed out.
“Oh..” Holly grinned. She was just like her older brother! “I do think I’m self-absorbed!”
Will snorted and ruffled her hair. “Don't say that.” He scolded her and at that moment Mike came rushing down the stairs followed by Nancy brushing down his messy hair.
“Mike, hold still!”
“My hair is fine Nancy!”
“No, it's not! It looks like a bird nest!”
“No more than yours!”
“Since I’m just a good sister, I’m going to ignore that. Ugh! Your vest is crumpled!”
“Leave it!”
Mike made it to the end of the stairs and was delighted to be met with the image of Holly and Will shining with happiness. Mike folded his arms, a tender smile playing on his lips, and at that moment Holly thought Mike looked very similar to Nancy. Huh. Maybe the little siblings taking up after their older ones is a regular occurrence. “You two having fun?”
“Yeah,” Will messed with Holly’s hair once more, beaming up to find her pouting at the action. “You ready to go, my love?”
“Of course I am, my dearest sun,” Mike let out the pet name with ease and Nancy couldn’t help but smile at the easy affection between the engaged couple. Mike took one last look into his bag, a habit Nancy instilled in him. “I have everything. We can get going.”
“You sure, Mike?” asked Nancy, not convinced.
“Jesus, yes! You’re so annoying.” Mike muttered and Nancy huffed, holding back from stomping her foot against the wooden boards.
“Next time I’m not going to ask.”
“Thank god!”
“C’mon.” Will urged softly, tugging at his fiance’s sleeve, and Mike turned around to give Holly a hug. Holly allowed herself to be lifted into the air and clutched onto her brother’s vest, the faint but familiar smell of light cologne reaching her nose.
“I’ll be back soon. We have to tell the rest of the party. Oh, and I guess Max.” Mike mumbled the last part and Holly giggled while Will rolled his eyes.
“I don’t think Max would appreciate you leaving her out like that.”
“Who cares? Not like she cares about how I feel!”
With that, her brother left with his fiance to tell the news to the rest of their friends. Nancy blinked away some of the leftover tears from her eyes and Holly watched as they drove off, feeling secured as her brother waved her goodbye. He will come back. Even when he gets married, her brother will not leave her hanging, this much she knows is true.