Chapter Text
Will Byers was one of YouTube's biggest creators.
His channel was mostly challenge videos with his sister, gaming content, and the occasional art videos whenever he felt like sharing one of his latest drawings.
People loved him because he was genuine. Soft-spoken. Funny without trying too hard. Ridiculously talented.
He was still getting used to being famous, though.
There was one thing nobody would ever expect.
Will Byers was secretly obsessed with streamer Mike Wheeler.
Okay, maybe obsessed was a strong word.
He wasn't stalking the guy or anything.
But he had been a fan of Mike Wheeler for years—long before Will had ever uploaded his first YouTube video.
Something about Mike just made sense.
His jokes. His personality. The way he talked about things. Watching Mike's streams felt easy, like listening to someone he'd known forever.
Not to mention how attractive Mike wheeler is.
Of course, Will would never tell anyone about this.
It was one of the top ten secrets he planned to die with, and probably will die with.
Mike streamed almost every night.
Will missed approximately none of them.
Maybe some people would call him insane for having a crush on—or at least being completely fascinated by—a guy he'd never met.
Will preferred not to think about it too hard.
There was just something about Mike.
Sometimes it felt like they were the same person written in different fonts.
Like they'd known each other for years without ever speaking.
Nobody knew how often Will watched Mike's streams.
Not his subscribers.
Not his friends.
Not even Jane.
Especially not Jane.
Because if Jane ever found out, she would make fun of him until the end of time.
Ding!
A notification appeared on Will's phone.
He barely looked up from his sketchbook.
"Who could that be now?" he muttered.
Then he opened it.
And immediately forgot how to breathe.
For a solid three seconds, his brain stopped functioning.
Mike Wheeler followed you.
Will stared.
Was this a prank? It must be.
Once.
This must be a fan account, right?
Twice.
No, Will, maybe he accidentally followed the wrong person, yeah...
Three times.
this a real good fake account.
The words didn't change.
Was he dreaming?
Mike Wheeler.
The Mike Wheeler.
Followed him.
His heart nearly launched itself out of his chest.
"Oh my God."
He stood up.
Sat back down.
Stood up again.
Should he scream?
gosh, should he?
Cry?
Throw up?
Pass out?
do backflips?
All of the above?
Because Mike Wheeler knew who he was.
the Mike Wheeler.
his head felt light.
Mike Wheeler, the guy he'd been watching for years, the guy whose streams he never missed, the guy he'd accidentally developed extremely normal feelings about—actually knew he existed.
What. The. Actual. Fuck.