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Mike's POV
April 5th
Mike doesn't think he has ever been this happy, not in his almost 20 years of life. The Upside Down is gone, Vecna is dead, all of his friends are alive, and he gets the live his life finally loving his favorite person. He had finally gotten his head out his ass last year. Will and him had moved to New York City together after both getting into NYU, Mike for creative writing and Will for studio arts. They got a decent apartment not too far from campus and lived together, just like they used to talk about. Things were great. Then Will started bringing a guy around and Mike knew immediately he didn't like him. When the party had finally met Carlton they all seemed to like him so Mike couldn't understand why he didn't. Maybe it was because he saw Carlton more than the rest of the party, maybe because he knew Will and knew this wasn't the right guy for him, maybe because the guy was just annoying. Whatever it was Mike didn't care to find out, he didn't like HIM and that was that. The thing Mike didn't like the most was how this new relationship was putting a wedge between him and Will that wasn't there before. Carlton was everywhere and he hated it.
It wasn't until one day, about 6 months into Will and HIS relationship, that Mike finally figured it out. It was just like any other day, he woke up, went to class, then to the coffee shop for work, and then finally back home. When he got home though, he walked in to see Will and HIM making out on the couch. That's when it hit him, seeing Will like that with someone else, he was jealous. He wanted to be the one to take Will out on dates, the one who bought Will flowers (not that HE ever did but Mike thinks that Carlton should be, Will deserves it after all), the one who cooks for him, the one who holds him after he's had a rough day, the one who should be kissing him. Mike's been there since the beginning, he knows Will better than he knows himself. The reason Mike has hated HIM this whole time is because he's in love with Will.
After that day, Mike slightly spiraled. Thinking that he shouldn't be allowed to think those feelings, that its wrong like his father and the bullies always said, that he just hasn't found the right girl yet. But, Mike soon got through all of that because if Will was gay what truly was wrong about it, nothing Will was could ever be wrong in Mike's eyes. After he accepted himself, he soon started to feel like he didn't deserve Will. Not after some of the shit he said back in the summer of 1985, how he treated him when he moved to California, and for waiting this long to realize his feelings. Plus Will might not even like him. Just because he's gay doesn't automatically mean that Will has a crush on him and he's with HIM. So Mike did what he does best and pushed the feelings down and tried to move on.
Thankfully that didn't last long. A couple months after Mike's big revelation Will finally broke up with HIM. He told Mike that they just weren't working. Will seem to get over it quickly and that brought all of Mike's feelings back up to the surface. It was about 2 weeks after Will and Carlton's breakup that Mike couldn't keep it in any longer and confessed. That was a little over a year ago and it's been heaven for Mike ever since.
A week and a half ago was Will's birthday and even though deep down he feels that they are soulmates, he was still so worried that when they woke up on March 22nd Will was going to have another voice in his head. It's well known that when you wake up on your 20th birthday, if you are the younger between you and your soulmate, you will hear someone else's voice in your head. If you were the older of you and your soulmate, then you have to wait until their 20th birthday to finally hear their voice. Thankfully when Will woke up he didn't hear anyone else but his own voice in his head. Which left them with hope that they were soulmates as Mike's birthday wasn't for another 2 weeks after Will's.
It was now April 5th and Mike couldn't be more happier and nervous. He doesn't know what he will do if he wakes up on April 7th and he doesn't hear anything or he hears another voice in his head that's not Will.
"What are you thinking about over there?" Will asks, startling Mike out of his thoughts. He doesn't know how long Will has been standing there watching Mike, he was in painting the last he checked.
"Oh just about my favorite person." He smiles as he stands up. "Thinking about what thoughts of yours I'm going to hear first in just a few days." And because he can, he pulls Will in by his waist.
Will smiles as he wraps his arms around Mike's neck. "Probably about how much you stole the bed." They laugh and Mike leans down to kiss him. Each time they kiss, Mike feels like it's better than the last even if each of them are different. This one is slow and sweet. They pull away after a moment and Will asks "You really think we are going to hear each other in few days?"
"Of course I do love, there's no one else for me than you. You are going to hear my voice in your head so often you're going to get sick of me."
Will just shakes his head, still smiling that beautiful smile Mike loves so much. "I could never get sick of you." And what is Mike supposed to do beside kiss him again.
El's POV
April 5th
El has been living with Max and Lucas in California since they graduated high school. As weird as it can be sometimes living with a couple, Max was still her best friend and it was the only way that her dad would let her go off to school. They've also helped her integrate into society so much quicker than if Hopper had continued to help her. But that also means that they get to hear all about her wanting Mike back.
Mike and her broke up back in the summer of 1986 after they got back from California/Nevada. It was a weird couple of months. Even though Mike had finally said he loved her while she was trying to save Max, they felt farther apart then ever. They were both worried about Max, Mike was dealing with grief of loosing his friend Eddie, Hawkins was split in four, El had to stay hidden in the cabin, and the Byers moved in with Mike. They weren't working with a war looming on the horizon so they decided to call it quits. El didn't really want to but knew it was for the best and they could try again after the war was over.
When Vecna was finally defeated she thought things would go back to normal. Max was awake and alive, all of their friends made it out, and Dr. Owens worked with the government to get her out of trouble and finally live a normal life. She moved into the new Byers house and was home-schooled to try and graduate. Throughout the 18 months after the war ended, El had tried a few times to talk to Mike. Figure out if there was any chance they would get back together but he was always awkward about it. She thought maybe he just needed some time to adjust to a new normal. Then graduation happened for the rest of the party and Will and Mike announced that they were moving to New York City together to go to college. She knew she didn't have much time left to get him back.
The last night before Mike and Will moved, the party decide to get together one last time before they all started to go on their own adventures. It was a very emotional night but they all promised to stay in touch with each other. At one point Mike went upstairs to get some more snacks and El decided to follow, to finally try again. They mostly just talked and when El tried to lean in to kiss him he turned away and went to go downstairs. El knows he just didn't realize she was leaning in but it still hurt. She knew she just had to keep in touch with him and they would get back together.
Throughout the past two years, they have all kept in touch throughout the school year and they meet up every summer and some holidays back in Hawkins. During this last summer trip to Hawkins, El had noticed that Mike was finally starting to be like he was all those years ago with her. They hang out like they used to, just with no kissing now, and she thinks he's smiling at her like he used to. Since this summer she keeps telling Max and Lucas that they are going to get back together any day now. Especially with Mike's 20th birthday in just a few days, he won't hear anyone in his head and won't until June 7th on her birthday when they are revealed to be soulmates and finally get back together.
"So, are you finally going to say something to Mike when we see him in two days?" Max asks her.
"I was thinking so. It's not like he will be able to hear my thoughts and how I feel about him for another 2 months so if I tell him how I feel we can spend time getting back to how we were until it's revealed we are soulmates." El says, she's had this planned for some time now.
"So you're confident that he's going to want to get back with you after all these years?" Lucas asks her and she gives him a look while Max hits his chest.
"Lucas seriously, of course he will. It's Mike, you remember how they used to be and how they always got back together."
"Exactly and he's been acting like how he used to with me over this last year, there's no way he hasn't noticed that we are perfect for each other!" She responds confidently.
"I'm not trying to be rude El truly. I just think that if Mike wanted to get back with you, he would've already said something. I mean what if he's found someone else." Lucas hits back with a weird tone to his voice that El doesn't understand.
"Lucas" Max starts but El interrupts. "I mean I get that but I think he is just nervous. Our last long distance didn't work well. And come on it's Mike, I love him but do you really think he has found someone else AND not told us."
"You've got this Ellie, you'll get your boy back and everything will be back to normal." Max tells her and they smile.
In just two days it'll be just like Max said, everything will be back to normal. She'll have the boy who she is so certain is her soulmate and maybe even convince her parents it's okay for her to move to New York. She will of course miss Max and Lucas, but living with Mike will be her dream. They can finally start their life together again.
Mike POV
April 7th
Mike blinks awake to the sun shining through the window while the noises of New York City hit his ears. For a second Mike forgets what day it is until his eyes fall on Will. It's his birthday, today they find out if they are truly soulmates. Will is still asleep but looks absolutely beautiful. His head is laying on Mike's chest and his face is soft like it always is when he's sleeping soundly. Mike is staring at Will when he finally starts to wake a few minutes after Mike. Will's hazel eyes open, a little unfocused until they focus on Mike. That's when Mike hears it in his head.
God he's so beautiful. It's Will's voice, Mike knows it for sure. He's spent 15 years learning every tone and inflection of that voice. If Mike hadn't have been looking at Will he would've thought Will had said it out loud, but Will's mouth hasn't opened once since he woke up. That was Will's first thought this morning, a thought that Mike heard in his head. He was right, they were soulmates. Mike could jump for joy right now.
Well glad to know that you haven't gotten bored of looking at me yet. Mike responds in his head. He hopes that's how this works and that Will is able to hear it.
He knows Will did when his eyes widen. I can hear you! Oh my, Mike I can hear you. Can you hear me baby?
"I can hear you loud and clear my love." Mike responds out loud so Will doesn't have to question it anymore. Will smile is so wide and Mike is sure his face is reflecting the same look right back at Will. He giggles and immediately crashes into Mike hugging him so hard he's pushed onto his back.
"You're my soulmate, Mike. We are soulmates! Just like you said we would be." Will is hovering over him, smiling down at him like he just won the best prize he ever.
"Of course we are. There's no one else for us than each other." Mike answers out loud and then finishes in his head. I truly couldn't ask for a better birthday gift than this.
I love you so much baby.
I love you more, my sorcerer.
Let me give you another birthday gift to show you how much I love you and how perfect we are for each other.
And while Mike thinks that no gift will ever top knowing that Will is his other half literally decided by the universe, Will lowering his head has Mike thinking this next gift might come close. That thought must've also reached Will with how he laughs before taking Mike in his mouth.
_____
It's a little bit later when they've both come down that they finally roll out of bed. Hearing each other in their head has already become second nature to them, like each other's voice's have been there their whole lives. In a way they kinda have with how much they understand each other. But they do need to figure out if there is a way to control which thoughts the other hears because Mike doesn't know if Will is going to be able to handle how many times a day Mike thinks about his ass, if the blush on his cheeks right now is any indication.
The other issue is that Mike keeps forgetting that Will says something in his head and not out loud. Which leads to Mike responding to Will out loud and while that's okay in their own apartment right now, they are going to be with family and friends tonight. Said family and friends don't know about their relationship and Mike would like to not expose them because he answers his boyfriend's thought out loud.
"Okay, so we do need to discuss the obvious issue baby." Will is the one who ultimately brings it up.
"Which is….? Don't tell me you're already regretting hearing my thoughts all the time." Mike tries to joke.
It works, getting a laugh out of Will.You idiot.
"Hey, don't call me an idiot." Mike responds to the thought.
"That, that's the issue Mike." Will laughs. "If we are going to continue keeping this a secret, you can't be responding to my thoughts out loud."
"Do you still want to keep this a secret?"
"I mean, one day I would like to tell our family but I don't think today is the best. Plus it's your birthday and we should celebrate you, not us. And once we tell them, they will ask if we are soulmates so maybe sometime soon if that's something you are comfortable with?" Will responds with so much sincerity in his voice.
God I love you.
Will smiles and responds back. How many times do you think that?
Constantly. I mean how can I not when I'm so lucky to be with you my love?
Will blushes "I'm serious though baby, we have to figure this out."
"I promise, I'll work on it. It's just because this is so new." Mike grabs Will by his waist and pulls him in. "I mean I never exposed us when we first got together and I was trying out all those pet names, love. I think I can handle a dinner with our family."
"Barely, you barely kept it a secret. How many times did you almost call me something other than Will."
"Okay but I didn't and just think now I can call you whatever I want in my head and you know why?" He's smiling so wide.
Even though it's clear Will knows why he still asks why with a smile on his face.
Because we are soulmates love. And Mike kisses his forehead sweetly before Will is pulling him into a long, hot kiss.
____
They head out into the city a little while later. Will taking Mike to all of his favorite places and ends with a walk around his favorite bookstore with a few books picked out to purchase. Will has already done more for Mike today than he could ever know but it doesn't seem like Will isn't stopping anytime soon.
You've got that right. It's your day baby, I'm gonna spoil you as much as I want!
Mike has to bite his tongue before he responds out loud. This trip out also doubled as a trial run to see if Mike could stop from exposing them and so far he thinks he's doing well, though there have been many moments where he's had to stop himself. Will, honey, you don't have to. You've already given me everything and more today.
I have? We've really only gone out to eat and now some books.
Absolutely. You've given me the knowledge that I get to spend the rest of my life with my best friend by my side as my soulmate. Nothing could ever top that.
"God Mike. I didn't know that you thought about me so lovingly in your head all the time." Will is blushing so hard but has this dazed smile on his face. Almost like he can't believe it.
"Who needs to work on not exposing us now." He laughs and then a little more seriously."I mean how could I not. I have a hot boyfriend who happens to be my best friend and soulmate. I'm the luckiest guy in the world. Of course I'm going to think loving thoughts about you, my love."
"God, this is a dream come true Mike. How am I going to be able to act normal around our family knowing that we're soulmates."
"We will figure it out together, we always have."
____
They walk hand in hand to Nancy and Jonathon's place in upper Manhattan, which is not far from their apartment. Nancy offered to host a dinner for Mike and everyone since their place is big enough to fit everyone. They knock on Nancy's door after dropping each other's hands and when Jonathon opens it they notice they are the last one's there.
"Happy Birthday Mike!" Jonathan greets as he welcomes then in.
"Thanks Jonathan!" Mike replies as he hears Max yell from somewhere in the apartment. "About time you show up Wheeler. Late to your own party."
"Hey we aren't late we are right on time." Mike yells back. As they walk further into the apartment and everyone starts greeting Mike and telling him happy birthday he hears Will's voice in his head. Remember, behave tonight baby. Try your best not to expose us. Mike just shoots him a small smile and continues to chat with others.
They find the party sitting in the living room and join them until Nancy and Joyce are done with dinner. Max and Lucas are catching up with Dustin and as they sit down El joins them, sitting directly next to Mike.
"Happy birthday Mike, did you have a good day so far?" El asks him, leaning into him a bit.
"Oh yeah, it's been a great day so far. Will outdid himself this year." Mike smiles over at him.
"Really. What did you guys do?"
"Oh stop it. We really didn't do much just went out for a quick lunch and got Mike some books." Will replies and Mike sends a quick thought to Will. Don't forget the best gift of all, my love. He sees Will fighting a smile.
"Okay stop ignoring the elephant in the room Mike" Dustin is the one who starts to bring it up. "Did you hear anyone this morning."
"Yeah did you Mike?" Lucas asks with Max nodding beside him.
"There's no way right Mike, you didn't hear anyone." El asks him.
Mike doesn't know how he didn't think about what to answer. He should've known that everyone would ask. But he's been so excited all day that he forgot to think of an excuse to make. If he says yes they are going to ask who but if he tries to say no, they will know he's lying. He's a terrible liar.
"Wouldn't you guys like to know?" Mike tries to joke with them.
"Oh come on Mike." Dustin says.
"No, no see that's a response in itself. To me you totally did, who is it?" Max butts in.
Thankfully Nancy calls them for dinner before he has to respond. He's hoping they will drop it until after dinner. Babe, you've gotta find a better response to that question. You're about to get asked the same thing by everyone tonight. Mike rolls his eyes slightly and responds to him. I'll try but you know I suck at lying.
Will gives him a secret smile in response to that as they sit down at the table. Nancy and Joyce had done a great job making a whole meal for everyone. It was great and everyone chatted as they all ate. Mike had never felt so happy in his 20 years of life, surrounded by everyone who means the most to him- his friends, his sister, the love of his life, and his future in laws. Even if everyone is spread out, the conversations always flow when they all get back together.
He's involved in a conversation with El and Joyce about his newest short story that hes writing for class when he ultimately messes up. Honestly, he is surprised it took this long since they have been here for a few hours now and Will's thoughts have been filtering in and out all night. He hears Will say You still having a good time? and because he's so engrossed in the conversation he doesn't realize that it was in his head. So he just does what's natural and finishes his sentence before turning to Will to say "Yeah, of course I am." He turns back to them and continue their conversation and doesn't notice Will staring wide eyed at him. Then Lucas speaks up. "Mike, why did you just say that?"
"Say what?" Mike turns to look at Lucas who is staring at him with this almost knowing look in his eyes. Max is also starring at him.
"You just like said 'I am' randomly to Will."
"What? Will asked me a question so I was just responding to him."
"Will didn't say anything to you."
"Yes he did, he literally just asked if I was having a good time and I said yes. I don't know what's so confusing about this!" Mike is confused until he turns to look at Will who is staring at him with a surprised look and Mike realizes what happened. That was Will in his head, he had never said anything out loud, and Lucas noticed because they were in a conversation. He messed up and now Lucas for sure knows something is going on. He's now staring at Will wide eyed and it's even more obvious.
Lucas is staring at both of them and just shouts "I KNEW IT!" That gets the attention of the rest of the table. Soon there's a chorus of people asking what's going on around them but Lucas, Will, and Mike are all just staring at each other. Will, love I'm so sorry. Mike tries to apologize in his head but doesn't get a response back.
"How long? How long has this been going on or did it just start today?"
"What are you trying to say Lucas?" Mike hears El say next to him with a voice that is kinda strained.
"Yeah Lucas what are you talking about?" Dustin asks next.
"What did we miss?" Nancy is asking from the other end of the table.
"Nothing, you guys missed nothing. Lucas is just…" Mike tries to deflect but it's not working.
"Just what, what is Lucas doing Mike?" Max asked with a smirk. "You literally just randomly talked to Will, saying you were responding to him, when Will never said ANYTHING to you."
"WHAT?!" Dustin exclaims. "WAIT! Is this why you wouldn't answer us earlier?"
"I feel like we are missing so much right now." Jonathan finally butts in and it seems like it's his voice that makes Will finally speak. First it's to Mike, Baby, it's okay. But I don't see any other way out of this besides telling them. Then to everyone else, "Alright, calm down we can explain?"
Can we? Mike asks and Will shoots him a look and Mike knows they are screwed.
"THAT!" Lucas screams again. "That's what I'm talking about. Why did you look at him like that?"
"Okay wait yeah that was weird, what was that honey?" Now Joyce is asking, also with a knowing smile.
Mike decides he will be the one to explain as he got them into this mess, "Okay guys calm down." Will takes his hand under the table and Mike hears We've got this. "I did wake up hearing someone else this morning, it was Will. I didn't realize that he had asked if I was having a good time in my head and not out loud. I guess you somehow caught that Lucas."
"Of course I caught it. I've been thinking something was going on between you two for months with how you guys have been acting together."
"You've what!" Mike, Will, and multiple other people exclaim.
"Yeah, I noticed you guys had been closer when we met up at Christmas . I didn't know how to bring it up to you guys so I've just been waiting until I found something confirmed it. THAT was a confirmation for me."
"Lucas, there is no way you've been keeping this observation a secret this whole time, especially from me." Max says.
"Wait, how long have you guys been together?" Jonathan asked.
Will takes over "A little over a year."
"WHAT! A YEAR!" Multiple voices scream at once.
El's POV
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. This cannot be happening. El hears people asking Mike and Will more questions but it all sounds muffled to her. There's no way. What do you mean that Mike has been dating Will. It doesn't make sense. Not only has Mike been so nice to her recently but Will is also a guy. It doesn't make sense to her. She looks up and sees Max staring at her with a questioning look on her face. Max mouths are you okay and she shakes her head. How can she be okay right now?
She tunes back in to hear her mother ask "So you guys have been dating and you woke up this morning and heard each other's thoughts?"
"Yep." Mike replies and El looks at him to see a huge smile on his face."Figured out we are soulmates this morning and it was the best gift I could've asked for."
"Mike stop!!" Will drags out but there is an equally wide smile on his face.
"Well it's about time you got your head out of your ass Mike."
"What is that supposed to mean Nancy?" Mike's smile comes off his face a bit.
"It's been obvious to me for years how much you've been pining after Will and I'm just glad you guys are finally together." Now Nancy is smiling at them.
How is everyone so happy about this. It was supposed to be Mike and El, not Mike and Will. This doesn't make sense and she can't stand it. She feels tears starting to form so she quietly leaves the kitchen. When she gets to the bathroom, she lets a few tears fall. The door opens and Max is standing there. "Oh El."
"It was supposed to be me Max. Mike and I were supposed to be soulmates. I mean what does Will have that I don't."
"El, calm down lets not…"
"No, it doesn't make sense. Mike and I have history and he's been being a lot nicer to me. Plus Will is a boy, I don't understand."
"El look, I get you are mad right now but you shouldn't talk like that. Remember what we've talked about. That sometimes people like boys, sometimes they like girls, and sometimes they like both. It seems like Mike has finally come to terms with who is."
"I know I remember, but Mike and I…."
"El, you have done nothing wrong. Sometimes people just don't work out and that's okay. And think, we know that they are soulmates, again I'm so sorry, but that means yours is still out there and you can start to find them."
El starts to cry harder. "I wanted it to be him so badly."
"I know you did Ellie, I know you did." Max hugs her.
"Will it get better?" El asks when she's done crying.
"One day, until then you are allowed to cry to me about it anytime."
Will's POV
He knew this was going to happen, Mike had been slipping up all throughout the day. He wasn't mad, not with how happy everyone is right now. The love and support he is feeling is everything he had ever hoped for. He didn't notice it right away but at some point El and Max had left the kitchen and he doesn't know where they are. It isn't until Mike starts explaining how they had gotten together that he notices Max and El sneak back in and El's eyes are a little red. He doesn't understand but he also doesn't want his sister to be sad.
"Well that makes sense on why you hated Carlton so much." Max snarks to Mike when she sits back down.
"Don't speak HIS name in my presence." Mike says and Will laughs. "You all act like he was your favorite person."
"Mike, baby, you were the only one who hated him."
"Love I mean how could I not. He didn't know how to treat you right."
"What ever you say baby, what ever you say." But Will is genuinely so happy that he doesn't care that Mike is shit talking his ex, someone who he was only with to get over Mike. Everyone's seeing how well that worked.
"Oh my god no, you guys are sickeningly in love." Max says and everyone laughs.
"Oh Will honey I am so happy for you guys. Mike, welcome to the family officially." His mother has tears in her eyes while she hugs them both.
The rest of the night is spent with everyone asking them questions and congratulating them. At some point they moved to the living and for the first time Will is able to curl into Mike's side like he loves to in front of everyone. They talk more about how they got together and poke fun at Mike for waiting for so long. He's surrounded by all the people he loves most and they finally know about the best thing in his life.
I'm sorry again my love but at least it turned out well. He hears Mike in his head.
Will lifts his head from Mike's chest and gives him a smile. Yeah, it did.
I love you more than you will ever know.
Will snuggles back into Mike's chest, his own warm with love before responding. I love you with everything I have. And Will knows that if this is how his life ends, then everything he went through was worth it to end up with his best friend as his soulmate.