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Mike was dying.
Dangerous, dark thoughts were invading his mind, clawing and scraping his most inner thoughts. Strangled gasps echo across the room making his glasses fog up. All these paintings - these paintings that he thought were keeping Eleven’s memory alive - are filled with sick, twisted feelings. Feelings that he could never reciprocate (despite how much his heart flutters when thinking about that voice filled with such genuine kindness).
Shuddering, he picks up a painting thinking of the subdued, yet confident smile Eleven made - a smile that made Mike almost woozy from the amount of butterflies that filled his stomach at the sight - and he rips it in half. Selfishly, he hopes the meaning painstakingly woven in the shadows shrivels up and dies along with the crumpled papers. With an agonising gasp for breath, Mike chokes out an almost delirious laugh. Would she be proud of him? Would Eleven be glad that he’s preventing her image from being tainted?
Does it even matter?
Franticly, he gathers all the drawings scattered around his room, tearing the papers with hidden confessions. Love stricken memories fizzle up revealing Eleven’s laugh and how awe-struck her eyes became when discovering something new. Another paper is grasped - a picture with double meanings woven intricately into the drawing of him holding that stupid heart covered shield. How could that be him when his heart has strayed so far from the one he should love? Why can’t he differentiate the way his heart beats when their demeanour changed so beautifully when using the powers bestowed upon them?
Why does he imagine Will’s face when thinking about kissing her?
Shock courses through Mike’s body, completely freezing his body. Heat blooms across his face as his shaky breaths subdue and his throat stops being strangled by complicated thoughts. He was in love with Will… the Will who was the cause of his current misery, the cause for the tainted paintings. The Will with love filled poems written in his secret language of art hidden in drawings dedicated to Mike. The very same Mike who just realised that his desires towards Will were not just a pity filled mirage. That the quiet acceptance of letting Will be the one who decides whether their relationship changes after his despaired confession of being different wasn’t just a sign of allyship.
It turns out they were both stuck on the very same boat - a boat filled with claimed sins, loud outcries, and shortened, pain filled lives. They were ironically the same kind of different, but really when were they not? They’re in love with each other… and it took Mike years to realise. Time that can never be returned despite the desperate prayers whispered into the night begging to be allowed another chance to save Eleven’s life. Although, maybe her not coming back is a sign from the universe, a twisted and ridiculous one, but a sign nevertheless. It’s giving Mike the chance to repent and show Will the love he was never able to show Eleven.
Quickly, his shoes are slipped on and swift footsteps trample desperately to his car’s door. Despite pouring rain blocking the window view, Mike determinedly ventures towards his desired location. He needs to make his wrongs right. He needs to show Will that he’s deserving of his love before the years turn into decades. The storm rages on, but he’s already nearing Will’s home; love no longer being clamped down in quiet internalised disgust.
The car door opens, loud stomps crunch into the muddy path, and Mike slowly raises his arm. Unfortunately, doubts immediately creep in, sloshing toxic poison inside his brain. What if Will doesn’t feel that way anymore? After all, it was such a long time ago, and Mike was still allured by Eleven - anything could have changed by now. Nothing had been stopping Will from finding someone that reciprocated his feelings; he was out and had such a genuine way with emotions, and Mike was Mike: someone that had just realised that his closet even existed. Will deserved the whole Earth if it made him happy, and Mike wouldn’t even know where to start….
He knocks anyway.
He stands there for an agonising long wait, an unbearable dread befalling him. Mike’s ears prick - the floorboards creak; the only signal of life. He hears the handle being turned and there stands Will in all his glory. The only thought going through Mike’s mind is that he’s still as gorgeous as the day they became friends. Will begins to open his mouth, but before he can Mike crashes into him, his head sinking into the crevice of his neck.
“Sorry.” Mike gasps, new tears forming in his eyes from all the overwhelming feelings coursing through him.
His arms clasp desperately at Will’s back, his fingers burning from the touch. Silently, Will returns the gesture, slowly wrapping his hands around Mike’s arm and gently guiding him to his couch. Sitting down, Will caresses Mike’s face softly, removing the tears.
“What’s wrong, you can tell me anything,” Will assures, “Crazy together remember?”
Mike nods before whispering, “I know I never say the right things, and I could never be worthy enough, but I love you…”
Will pauses, eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. His face crinkles, forming a toothy smile before painstakingly slow, he inches forwards breath hot against Mike’s face.
“You’ll always be worth it…” Will whispers back, planting a tender peck on Mike’s forehead. Lovingly, he places soft kisses on his nose, cheeks, and eyelids, gifting them whispers of sweet affection. Giggling quietly, their foreheads lean on the other and their eyes communicate nothing but promises for a better future. Mike’s eyes drift downwards, his breath heavy. Slowly, they huddle closer, lashes fluttering shut. Their mouths touch making their bodies burn, but it’s the loveliest embrace they’ve ever felt.
It makes their broken pieces full again.