Chapter Text
Mike opens the door to his apartment where his roommate, Jason, who has dirty blonde hair, dark blue eyes, and clothes that haven’t been washed since who knows how long. He’s sitting on the floor leaning against the couch reading a comic book in the dimly lit room. Mike walks in, closes the door behind, and kicks off his shoes. “I hate this city so much.” He steps into his room and stumbles into his bed “Mike, don’t fall asleep! We was gonna go to the movies with everyone at nine.” That’s in like thirty minutes, five minutes of laying down isn’t gonna do any harm. Mike turns his face from the pillow, now facing the wall where his posters hang, as well as photos of the party back in Hawkins “yeah, I know, then the bar tomorrow!” He yells back “Seriously, this is already such an ass summer.” Mike mumbles.
his eyes land on a photo of him and Will when they was fourteen, before starcourt mall got destroyed by whatever that meat creature was, which also made Mike not eat any meat for a whole week, it was a miracle he survived with his friends. They look happy in the photo, side to side with no space in between them, Mike has his arm around Will’s shoulder, they stand outside in Mrs Byers backyard. He remembered when they took that photo, Mrs Byers said they looked so cute together, she insisted on Jonathan taking them a photo before he left to work. Mike smiles at it. He misses those days, before everything went to pure shit
Before college, before Mike’s stupid barista job, before him and Will drifted apart as well as the party. Which Mike is 90% sure everyone is still in touch except him, but he won’t deny that it’s partly his fault. He wouldn’t answer any calls because he was busy and… didn’t feel like it but can you blame him? He had a lot to focus on! His mother would be lucky if she got a call after a week. Blame adulthood, not Mike, twenty-one is a tough age for him. Will and him haven’t spoken, last time they did was when Mike called.
He called a couple days after new years 1992, being a couple months ago from today. it was 11pm, Mike was bored, he felt bad cause he and Will haven’t talked in a while. The call was short, lasted two minutes of talking about what they done that day, it was a great conversation. Before Carlton came and told Will to get off the phone because it’s late. I mean, seriously? how big of a prick do you have to be to tell your boyfriend to get off the phone because it’s late? the only reason Mike can come up with is Carlton basically hates Mike, doesn’t want Will talking to him either and it makes Mike hate Carlton even more! Dude is a total snob.
RING RING RING
Mike hears Jason’s footsteps move towards the phone, Mike closes his eyes, too lazy to see who Jason is talking to “Mike! some guy named Will is on the phone. he wants to talk the you!” That sends Mike’s eyes wide open, sitting up quick “really?” He hurries to grab the phone from his nightstand and presses it to his ear. “Mike?” he hears Will’s voice on the other line, which immediately makes Mike smile. “hey, Will! Uhh, what’s up?”
Mike turns on his lamp on the nightstand “nothing, sorry I haven’t call in a long time.” Will sounds nervous, “no, no, it’s fine. I just thought you was always busy.” Mike lets out an awkward chuckle. “ uhm, I was wondering.. are you busy tomorrow?” Mike thinks about it, he has plans with Jason and their friends to go hang out at a bar. “Maybe, I don’t think so tho.” Mike lies,
“Great! I’m in New York with Max for four days and I wanted to spend a day with you.”
Canceled.
“that sounds fun, but why did you guys come to New York?”
“Well, Nobody wants to stay home in the summer, Max was dying to come here since they have so many shopping places or something, I wasn’t paying attention. Lucas didn’t want to come so she forced me to go” Mike grins even more. He missed Will’s voice. “Max had something come up so she won’t be here for two days, I was thinking maybe me and you just walk around New York and hang out till she gets here?” Mike should be mad that it’s been five months since they talked but he can only stay mad for so long “sure, I’ll be your personal tour guide.”
“That’ll be fun.” He can tell Will is smiling on the other line, Mike feels his stomach do backflips. “I’ll see you tomorrow?” Will asked, “yeah, meet me at the bagel shop in midtown at 11am”
“I will.” Mike was about to hang up then Will starts speaking again “Mike, before you go,” he starts “would you.. let me come over tonight?” Mike suddenly feels hot. Tonight’s plans are definitely cancelled, he’s pretty sure Jason won’t care that Mike is ditching them. “yeah! I live at apartment 207 at park ave” Mike fiddles with the phone cord “cool, I’ll be there in a bit.”
“Cool.” Mike hears Will hang up, he puts the phone back, stands up and walks to the living room over to Jason who is now putting on his shoes “are you ready? We gotta be there in like twenty minutes.” He turns around to face Mike “actually, I’m staying here. You can go but my friend Will is coming.” Jason immediately frowns “You was dying to see Batman returns for almost two weeks, what’s with the sudden change of plans?” Mike pats his legs, maybe he shouldn’t tell Jason that he’s head over heels for his childhood friend, not now anyway. “I grew up with him and it’s been a year or so since I saw him, I’ll go with you guys to the bar tomorrow, I swear I won’t skip the bar.” Jason sighs “Alright, I’ll be out of here in five minutes.” Mike nods as Jason makes his way for the bathroom
Mike walks to the mirror in his room, a hand runs through his hair that almost reaches his shoulders. Glasses messed up, wearing a stained white short sleeve paired with gray short pants, on his feet is one green sock and a sock that has burgers on it. Yep, he’s definitely changing because no way is he opening the door for Will while looking like he just got back from dumpster diving. The closet door slides open, revealing unorganized clothes and four pairs of shoes- well, five if you count the worn out sneakers he got for five dollars that’s currently sitting at the front door, he looks through the hanged up clothes, after a moment he takes out a somewhat decent and casual shirt. It’s a loose dark red short sleeve shirt, he grabs a white shirt to put on underneath, Mike figures this will make him look clean. He set them down on his bed before reaching up for the shelf in his closet where his jeans are packed, he takes out dark blue jeans and sets them also on his bed. Mike walks over to his bedroom door, shuts it then locks it, he takes off his shirt revealing a twig underneath. That’s just embarrassing, he needs a gym membership or atleast a couch to move. He pulls down his pants and grabs the jeans, pulling them on, almost tripping over them in the process.
BUM BUM BUM
Three knocks hit the front door “Shit, shit!”
Mike quickly puts on the undershirt and the red shirt, he definitely had to beat a world record with how fast he was moving, he unlocks the door and opens it to see Jason letting Will in. Will is wearing a short sleeve white the clash shirt that’s definitely small on him and shows off his arms nicely, he’s also holding a yellow suitcase, paired with gray shorts that make Mike’s eyes linger on his perfect ass, his golden brown hair falling on his face, that pretty mole above his pink, full, soft lips, Mike can’t help but want to kiss both his mole and lips, the hazel eyes freckled with brown that he can get lost in.
Suddenly, summer doesn't suck anymore.
Mike walks over to the two. Will immediately notices him, bringing a grin on Mike’s face like an idiot, Will gives him a big smile back. right when he enters arms reach, Mike pulls him into the tightest hug imaginable, burying his head in Will’s soft hair, fully taking in his vanilla-scented shampoo. Mike slowly moves his hand just above that round, perfect ass. What? nobody can resist a ass that nice, Mike is only human.
“I- I missed you, Will.”
Will pulls back, gazing right up at Mike with those damn hazel eyes “I missed you too.”
They stand there face-to-face for a couple seconds, holding eye contact.
“Uhm..” a voice muttered
he completely forgot Jason even existed, Mike turns his head to look at him. Jason stands there in silence for a second, like he was processing something, a eyebrow raises at the two “I’m gonna go now.. it was uh- nice meeting you, Will. Good luck, Mike!” He says the last part with a grin, hurries past them, then the door shuts leaving just him, Will and Awkwardness. What was that about? his attention back on Will “so, how was the ride to New York?” Mike attempts at making small talk “it was fine, it’s pretty far from Boston” Will’s gaze moves from Mike to the messy apartment for a split second “Where do I put my suitcase?” He tilts his head to the side in the most adorable way, one of the little things Mike loves about him. He’s gonna go crazy, “just leave it there next to the couch, did you want anything to eat? There’s some pizza from earlier.” His voice cracks on the first sentence, Will was 100% holding back a laugh. He walks over to the couch, Will plops the suitcase beside the gray couch, Mike makes his way to the kitchen. “No, I’m fine.” He hears Will deny it when he opens the cabinet door looking for a plate “I’ll fix some anyway.” Will laughs, bringing a small smile to his face, Mike grabs a paper plate and shuts the door, placing the plate on the counter. He hears footsteps coming his direction
“Where are you staying tonight?” Mike grabs two pizza slices from the box, placing them on the plate
“I have no clue, I don’t know where to get a hotel at.”
he turns around to find Will crossing his arms, flexing his muscles, leaning back against the counters in the small kitchen, Something below Mike’s stomach tightens. His eyes roam over his chest for a few seconds. Oh, to be in Carlton’s shoes, the wonders Mike could do to Will. “Uh. you wanna stay with me and Jason till Max gets here?” there’s no way he’s gonna let Will go Through all that trouble of finding a hotel, especially when he looks that hot. “will your roommate be okay with it?” Mike grabs the plate, handing it out to Will. “he won’t give two shits, Will. Trust me.” When Will takes it, He steps over to grab a plastic cup in the cabinet next to Will “Where would I sleep?” With me. Is what Mike almost said but the possibility of Will liking him back is pretty slim since he has it as a boyfriend. Instead the words he chooses is “You take my bed, I’ll sleep on the couch.” It’s not as amazing as his first suggestion but it’s still a solid one. Mike walks to the fridge, taking out a liter of coke, he glances at Will whose cheeks are a light shade of pink. Is it too hot for Will or is Mike just delusional? “Are you sure? I’m fine to sleep on the couch, Mike. It’s not-“
“Just sleep in my bed, it’s only until Max arrives.” also, their actually sleeping together with zero room between them if you think about it when you’re high on purple palm tree delight at 3:43 am in a park.
The fridge door slams shut. Will let’s out a sigh and takes a bite out of the pizza “We’ll just figure it out later.” He mumbles through the food. It’s adorable, he’s killing Mike. Mike twists open the coke, pouring it into the cup, closing the bottle and sets it on the counter just in case Will wants more “thanks.” a smile appears on Will’s face, Will’s fingers brushing against his own. Mike’s heart skipped a beat. the cup now in Will’s free hand, he sips the coke before placing it down. Mike continues to watch him eat as if it’s the most entertaining thing in the world, which it is to Mike.
<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>
10 minutes later
Mike and Will are found sitting at the small dining room table “how’s your family?” Mike wondered “Good. Mom and Hopper are fine, El wants to make a trip with all of us, you should come!” does he even have to ask? If Will goes, of course, Mike is. “Sure, I’ve been dying for something fun.” Will gives him a grin that can light up the room. “Nancy told me her and Jonathan just moved into a new house.” He mentioned
“yeah, I’m happy for them. they really like the house.”
Mike nods, fidgeting with his fingers. Needing to ask a question that’s been bugging him since the past 10 minutes
“what’s up with you and Carlton?” He asked, forcing his voice to sound casual. That pretty smile immediately falters When he finishes speaking. What did Carlton do to make Will look like that at the thought of him? “Hey, what happened?” Will avoids eye contact. “Carlton and I….” The rest comes out as a whisper, he barely heard him. “Will, you can tell me.” His voice turns softer. Reaching out for Will’s hand, that rests on the table, placing Mike’s hand on top of his. For comfort. no other reason..
He makes eye contact with Will. Both their cheeks a light shade of pink. the frown replaced with a soft smile when their hands touch. “It’s just a little argument. Carlton was just being stupid.” Why is he lying? that’s not what Will said the first time, Mike knows him like he knows himself, it’s a lie and it hurts Mike that he feels the need to lie. But he refuses to push Will to tell the truth, to make him uncomfortable. He’ll ask about it later, play dumb for now. “If he fought with you, obviously, he’s pretty stupid.” That makes Will giggle, What other noises can Mike make him make?
they go silent for a moment, hands still touching, eyes locked on each other, the messy apartment around them, the light from the living room shining on them, noise from the streets of New York, Will blushing slightly, Mike’s jeans stretching out. it’s a perfect moment if you ignore the last part.
then, something brushes his foot, something that definitely wasn’t accidental.
it happens again, this time Will does it more confidently. Mike feels his whole body heat up by just that small little touch. it moves slowly under his jeans. Continuing the motion, up and down Mike’s legs. Never breaking eye contact the whole time. His head slightly tilted downwards now, looking up at him, Will’s smile still there but with amusement and focus. Mike can’t help but glance at his lips for a second.
Fuck, Is this flirting or a cruel joke Will is trying to play? it’s torture, not because he doesn’t want this, but because he has no clue what to do. It’s all to much to process for Mike, his brain is in overload! Sound the alarms! Emergency, Code seven! The Great Will Byers is flirting with Mike Wheeler and he’s just sitting there like an idiot!
Mike’s breath catches when Will’s foot drags higher against his leg.
Will still never looked away, not once.
This must be entertaining to see him suffer.
Mike tries to hold eye contact, it’s all too much for him, he might actually release on the spot all from these little rubs, it’s embarrassing. His face is too hot, his heart is beating fast and hard against him. His gaze quickly falls down to their hands, remembering the position he’s currently in, like the dumbass he is, Mike pulls back both his hand and feet. “Uh- Will. I- I need to go to the bathroom.” He states, voice coming out high pitched. Great, now the moment is ruined, leaving him feel like the biggest loser out there. He needs to… do something that he don’t think he can contain any longer.
“I mean, not that I didn’t like-“
“Mike, just go.”
Will drops his hand behind the table, Holding back a laugh. His expression back to the Will he knew, the best friend Will. That’s good, I guess. At least he doesn’t wanna kill Mike for basically stomping on their moment all because there was a problem in his pants that would hurt more if he waited any longer. He hurries to the bathroom, shutting and locking the door. Does Will have any clue the hold he has on Mike?
Mike leans back against the door. His hands move before he can even think, struggling to zip down the jeans, peeling them down and his boxers. Immediately grabbing his penis, moving it back and forth. All the tension down there easing. He lets out a shaky breath he didn’t know he was holding.
As he works, all his attention goes to what just happened a minute ago. Is Will actually into him? He’s in love with..ergh- Carlton, there’s no way. But then is it really hard to imagine? There were times Mike thought Will felt the same when they were kids, it was never this bold though, also, his face when Mike mentioned his boyfriend? something had to happen. maybe Will doesn’t love him? But, oh my gosh. That look Will gave him? the most attractive thing he can do. Mike swears he can feel the ghost of his foot on his leg. Who knows if Will changed in a year, what if that’s just how he acts with everyone? Whatever that was, he wants more.
“I’m so fucked..” he closes his eyes. Noise drifts in from the living room. Shit, Okay, say that was flirting, right? what the hell is Carlton gonna do if he finds out about this? Listen, Mike will gladly beat him up till he can’t even form a word, but both you and him know he’s gonna lose that fight no matter how hard he tries… Let’s just hope that’s not gonna happen. Once he’s satisfied down there, he pulls his pants and boxers back up, zipping up the jeans. Stepping over to the sink, about to turn on the water when he realizes his hands are a little shaky. This can’t be normal. The handle turns with a creak of the pipes, water runs down the drain. He splashes water on his face, trying to not give off the vibe of someone who just jerked off. The water stops running, he stares at himself in the mirror.
Focus, Mike. You can’t look like a fool in front of him.
He turns to the door, opening it with a click. When he walks out he sees Will lying back on the couch. Will’s eyes roam over Mike “You okay? You look a little..” he narrowed his eyes. Mike nods “yeah, just- had to pee.” He crossed over to the couch, He settles onto the couch a couple feet away from him. “Will, what was that at the table?” He blurts out, regretting it the second the words leave his mouth. Will doesn’t answer for a second. “Hmm? Nothing.” He answered, clearly hiding a smile. Mike is gonna rip his hair out in pieces, this unbelievably cute guy is confusing him!
Will’s gaze drifts down to his lips, lingering there for a second too long. No way was that accidental, maybe Will is into Mike and not Carlton, maybe. “Did you..like the pizza?” Mike asked, doing anything to get his mind off the recent events. “Yeah, it was fine.” that smile never left his pretty face this whole time, Mike is starting to feel like a jester and honestly he couldn’t really care. He’ll lose whatever dignity remains to see Will smile. “Your roommate. When is he coming back?” Mike is lost for a moment, then finally realizes
“Oh! Jason? Not for like another hour or so.”
“Cool.” They sit in a comfortable silence for a few moments, sitting towards each other. “Will, when Max makes it in New York, are you and her going in a hotel?” Mike is genuinely curious. Will ponders just for a few seconds. “I might, why?” His smile softened. Mike rubs the back of his neck. “You know if you want, you can stay longer.” The pretty boy raises an eyebrow at him.
Retreat! Retreat! He’s gonna look like a total creep if he doesn’t fix this!
“And Max. You and Max.” Mike almost choked on his words. “Uh-huh. Mike, you only have two bedrooms, two of us would have to share and maybe you should let your roommate know before you make a decision.” He says it like Mike doesn’t want to share, Obviously, he does! “I know, but we can work it out, Jason doesn’t care what goes on in here anyway.”
“Good to know.” Will responds in a low voice. Is this flirting again? Mike decides to try something out. He edges closer to Will, stopping once their knees brush together. Will notices it, glancing between him and their knees. He moves into the touch. They sit in more silence for a minute before Mike speaks again. “I missed you, Will. A lot, I mean it.” He whispered, looking for any sign of discomfort from Will. Only getting a warm, gentle expression from him. How can he be hot, pretty, confident, and shy all at once?
“Me too, I missed this, us, you.” Him. Not Carlton but Mike. Butterflies fill up his stomach, Mike smiled. His face is definitely pink. “It’s like those sleepovers we always had. I can’t believe how long ago it was.” Will snickered at his own words. Mike’s mind going back to all those years ago, specifically when Will stayed with Mike for a year and a half in his house, when the Byers moved back to Hawkins. “Remember when you lived with us?” Mike mention.
Will rolls his eyes “yes, that was such a crazy year! and I remember my back hurting from the mattress on the floor.”
“I remember Jonathan sometimes slept with Nancy. You forced me to sleep there because you thought our house was scary at night.”
“Because it was! I thought Vecna would appear in one of the corners or something.”
“You told me hundreds of times when you begged me” They’re both laughing hysterically. The first genuine laugh Mike had in months. It’s great.
Their laughter dies down, leaving the sounds of the streets outside, the warm feeling that sits in his chest. He realized they’re sitting closer now, shoulders side by side, knees pressed together, the warmth from Will radiating into him.
Mike feels like he’s right where he needs to be, Enjoying the comfort from his best friend. He can’t remember the last time someone made him feel this way. “After all this time being away from each other, I’ve been thinking about you” Will mumbles. His gaze meets Will. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t know..” he shrugs. “it’s been hard, I just missed how the party use to be. before we moved and all that,” Will’s eyes fall on their knees. “and everything has been reminding me of you. It’s all different now, but me being here by your side..” a small smile tugs at his lips. “it’s nice.”
The room suddenly feels smaller.
Will’s gaze settles back on him. “After all this time.. You’re still my best friend, Mike.”