Chapter Text
"Mike?" Will asked on the telephone, Mike's heart pounding. "Mike! Did you hear me? I got a boyfriend! His name is Carlton and--" Will continued on. Mike wasn't listening. Why did Will have a boyfriend? Weren't he and Will supposed to be best friends and tell each other everything? Mike supposed he should be happy, in fact, he wanted to be. Will was happy. Will the Wise, his favorite person, was happy. But, he just didn't accept that. Mike understood know, how Will felt when he was with El. He just wanted to hang out with his best friend and play D&D all night. But dreams couldn't last forever.
"Yeah, no, that's great. Will, are you... er.... sure that this Carlton guy is right for you? I mean, you're only in New York for college, and I really wanted to play D&D when you came back." Mike interrupted. He heard Will's breath hitch over the phone, probably a bit hurt at being interrupted. Mike, the oblivious idiot he was, didn't realize that. Mike smiled awkwardly, forgetting Will didn't see him. Forgetting that they weren't as close as they once were. Will took a small breath.
"That's fine. He can learn."
Mike didn't know why he felt betrayed. He didn't know why his heart pounded the way he did. He didn't understand why Robin and Steve were giving him a "talk" about how it was okay to not be normal. How you don't have to be perfect and want to be liked by everyone else. It was like they thought he was in love with a man or something. Which why would they ever think that?! He told them simply, "Will likes guys, and I support him! Why are you giving me this talk *now* when he's not even here?" Mike gave them a scowl and Steve looked at Robin like saying *I told you so...*
Besides, they were all adults now. Mike was a writer, a stupid dumb writer. He missed when Will, as kids, would draw concept sketches for him. He missed the way Will would light up and his mouth would turn into an "o" whenever Mike complimented the way he blended colors together. Or when Mike got him a watercolor set and crayons for Christmas. Holly called him out on it, yelling "Mike and Will sitting in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G!!!" Mike felt embarrassed when she did that, especially because he wasn't gay! So, when Will said he wasn't coming over for the summer because he was visiting Carlton's family, Mike knew that he was never getting his sorcerer (or cleric! He was a very good cleric.) back like old times wished for. So, Mike got to writing.
Or at least he wanted to. He started at his typewriter and frowned. He liked using typewriters because of the sound, the way that it felt under his fingertips. The way that a small mistake could change things, so he would be careful with what he planned to write. But nothing. Nothing came to his brain. He thought of Will. Will would know what to do. He knew that. Will was the best, the most perfect guy alive. He was as cool as.... hmm. He couldn't think of anyone at Will's level. Everyone was below. Hell, if Will was a girl, Mike would totally date him! So he just stared at his typewriter. Maybe he could write romance! But the more he thought of it, the more he dreaded even writing. He missed Will. He missed the clouds. If anything, he wished he could be in the basement and drawing with Holly and Will. So what else could he do? He called anyone who would pick up. He knew Lucas and Max were recently married, and on their honeymoon. In fact, he and Will were the best men. Will looked so handsome. His suit fit nicely and his hair was neatly kept. Unlike Mike. But Mike remembered how lucky he was to see Will in this light. How Will was so ethereal. Mike wanted to write a story about him. A story about Will! Hah! That was just it! A story about Will! But, that would be hard. See, he couldn't just write... "One day, my best friend Will went missing." For one thing, the government would hate that. For another thing, Will liked reading Mike's books. So he didn't want it to be obvious and to be too into detail on what happened in the Upside Down.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Perhaps you can just replace our names with other ones! Like, you know, my name could be... hmmm. Jonathan! Eh? Eh?" Steve said on the phone to Mike. See, Harrington and Wheeler both started to talk to each other about Mike's books because they liked creating stories. And, Steve often had ideas that Mike would implement, and in turn, Steve would always buy twenty copies of Mike's books to give to friends.
Mike laughed, "You know I can't do that. I'd confuse that name with the real Jonathan!" Mike said, and heard Jonathan in the background.
"Did someone say my name? Steve? Steve!?" Jonathan yelled in the background.
"Speak of the devil" Steve sighed as he yelled outside of the phone. Mike rolled his eyes and stared at the ceiling. He stared at the *painting.* Mike knew Will didn't paint it. When he asked El, she said that she never asked Will to paint anything. And El doesn't lie, at least Mike doesn't think she does. Why is he doubting her? Ugh. He misses whenever Will would go talk to him. He remembered when Will called him the heart, it made Mike feel a little giddy inside. Maybe one day he'll be the heart Will wants him to be. But not today, never today. He wasn't ready to become the heart. In fact, Will is more of the heart. Without Will, why, Mike wouldn't exist. He remembered how- "Earth to Mike? Hellooo?"
Mike zoned back in, shaking his head. He frowned, what was- gosh. Losing his train of thought sucked. "What, Steve?" Mike groaned.
Steve's breathing hitched, "Gotta go. Me and Jonathan are- uhm... gonna go out. Bye."
Mike smiled, finally alone, he sat on his bed and closed his eyes. Maybe he'll think of an idea for a story some other time. Right now he needs to take a nap.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
He got an idea. For a story. Based off of the Upside Down, and the Party and everyone. But it will be fantastical. So they won't recognize well enough to realize that he is writing about them. But-- maybe the two main characters based off of him and Will could be together! I mean, the world is getting more progressive and he would have support from the audiences he is trying to reach. And Will would be happy! It's not like Mike likes Will or anything. He just doesn't want to add Carlton because he doesn't know him well enough! Yeah. yeah.