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Mike walks out of his house wind blowing through his hair as he walks out to his bike he smiles reminded of the times riding through Hawkins on those rusty things.He is rushed back to reality as he hears the slam of the front door and probably wills footsteps trailing behind him.Wills smiling face appears right next to him pulling out the bike right next to mikes. He forces a smile back at will as he hops on his bike and starts pedaling towards the direction of hops cabin.As they head more south the amount of trees starts to grow significantly. They pedal through mountains of maple leaves and finally reach hops cabin. Mike spots both Dustin and Lucas’s bikes scattered on the ground right next to the doorway Mike props his next to theres and walks in. El and Dustin are laughing about something meanwhile Lucas looked to be in deep thought but quickly snaps out of it as soon as they enter. El gets up and hugs will while mike greets her awkwardly and gives a shaky little wave to hopper and Joyce in the kitchen. Will sat down on the couch and Mike followed looking at the map of Hawkins that they were plotting points on. Mike shoots a glance at Lucas he immediately sits up straight and looks like he’s paying attention “hey Lucas are you alright?” “Oh- yeah yeah I’m fine just worried is all..”. El starts looking around at Lucas “it’s about max isn’t it?” “Yeah..” Mike shoots a smile towards Lucas “were here for you Yknow” “yeah i know”. El starts to fill mike and will in on what they’d been talking about..
A few hours pass as the sun starts to set behind the trees Mike sits up from a couch and grabbing a coat from the rack “I think me and will should head out now” everyone gets up and hugs them goodbye Mike opens the front door as a swift cold breeze drifts by. Will jumps out the door and runs up to Mike and grabs him by the shoulder causing him to fall back a little bit “oh! Sorry I was just wondering if you wanted to idk go out to the field over there and watch the rest of the sunset together we’ll make it back before dark I promise” “oh..yeah that sounds great..RACE YOU!” Mike makes a mad dash towards his bike and gets on in such a hurry you can hear the gears creak “Mikeeee that’s not fair!” Will rushes to his bike and and managed to get on mikes tail. They keep gaining the lead on one another finally reaching the field as mike collapses in it will tumbling on top of him mike taking heavy and giant breathes “I…..*huff*…won”.They watch as the vibrant blue sky fades to a yellowish orange mike turns to his side looking at will “hey your face is red” “no it’s not” Mike sits up and feels his hand “Will! Your freezing, do you have a jacket” “no…”
“Here take mine” Mike quickly unbuttons his jacket giving it to Will “thank you..”
they sit in silence for a few moments before mike thinks it’s time to ask the dealbreaking question that’s been eating away at him for the entire time wills been staying at his house “hey will can I ask you a question?” “Yeah go ahead” “….so Yknow el broke up with me this summer right?…well uh Yknow that painting you gave me that you said ‘El commissioned’ well she said that she had nothing to do with it but she did know you were making a painting for a girl?….and uh all the other shit you said like that she’ll always need me that doesn’t seem true either….” “…….look Mike this isn’t the greatest time to talk about this ok….” Will turns to the side that isn’t facing mike.The silence goes on for minutes Mikes thoughts racing like a bullet train his head pounding about why will just won’t give him an answer. “Look I just wanna know why would you lie to me alright I’m sorry if this is a bad question right now I just wanna know” “I’m sorry Mike look idk It was from me….. I fully came up with the idea and made it ok? Are we good?” What was mike gonna tell him that he still needs answers and why Will would lie to him? “Yeah we’re cool anyways we should probably head back now” Will sits up urgently picking up his bike “yeah probably” Mike picks up his and they head off back to theyre house.
They arrive back at the front door as 9:34
Just a few minutes past curfew they drop their bikes and they head inside to Ted Wheeler asleep on the sofa chair with the tv blaring and they creep up the stairs to their room. Will waves goodnight to him as he retreats to his sleeping bag in the basement he takes in the familiar smell of dust and led from his drawings the room is mysteriously quiet Jonathan is probably up in Nancy’s room. Will climbs into his cold sleeping bag realizing he’s still wearing mikes jacket he tries to go to bed but he can’t he slowly gets up the floorboards creaking as he slowly walks to the small desk and chair with his sketchbook and pencil placed neatly on top. He sits and opens up the book and picking up his pencil he draws random doodles and is starting to draw while dozing off and realizes he’s made a replica of mike but on paper he quickly slams the book shut and and gets in his sleeping bag shutting his eyes until he goes to bed
Meanwhile mike sits in bed wide awake he is reading up on the latest comic books he’s gotten he looks over at the corner of the room The painting. Mike stares at it the dragons eyes staring daggers into his soul he stares at mini replicas of the party all clad in uniform to they’re respected class he stares at mini him center of the party the heart. Wills words echo through his brain bouncing all around mike sets his comic down and takes off the painting from where it was hung he takes it to his desk turning on the light to admire every last detail….hours seem to pass as mike falls asleep on the chair the comic left abandoned on the bed.