Chapter Text
After multiple years, Will had mostly recovered from his week spent in the Upside Down, but some things still never went back to normal. For example: he couldn’t eat slimy food, he was always a little colder than everyone else, and he hated doctors.
Since the quarantine started, Will had been blissfully free of the checkups and tests that had plagued him for the last five years. Just about all of Hawkins’s doctors had left town or were recruited to research the Upside Down, leaving the few remaining only seeing patients with urgent issues.
However, today marked exactly six months since the quarantine began, and many doctors had been allowed to return to their normal jobs after months of failed research. One of these people was Dr. Michael Johnson, an old coworker of Sam Owens, Will’s former doctor.
As Will, Mike, and Joyce were washing dishes, the phone rang. Joyce wiped her hands on her jeans and moved to pick up the phone.
“Hello, this is Joyce Byers speaking,” she said.
Mike and Will shared a look before turning the water off to hear better. It was rare for them to get calls from anyone other than Lucas or Dustin, who usually called on their walkie.
Joyce stayed silent for so long that they began to question if anyone was on the other line.
“Are you really sure this is necessary? I don’t think this would be very good for him. He’s been doing so well,” Joyce told the mysterious caller, looking anxious.
Will froze. He knew she must be talking about him. Mike laid a calming hand on his shoulder, rubbing slow circles. They’d been in a quiet relationship for a few months now, and Mike knew physical touch was the best way to ground Will.
“I’m sure it’s fine, Will. It’s probably just Hopper,” Mike whispered.
Before Will could answer, Joyce spoke again.
“I really just don’t-,” she clenched her jaw and paused before speaking once more, “Okay, fine. Tomorrow at noon. But I’m staying the whole time,” she stated.
She listened for a few more seconds before sighing and setting the phone back. She turned to find Will and Mike staring at her, not even trying to pretend like they weren’t listening.
She took a deep breath, not knowing how to break the news.
“Will, a friend of Dr. Owens called; he wants to see you tomorrow at noon.”
Will paled immediately at the words. He opened and closed his mouth, overcome by too many questions to get any words out. Mike laid his free hand on Will’s other shoulder and looked at him.
“You’re gonna be fine, I promise. We’re not gonna let them hurt you. I bet it’ll just be a quick checkup,” he reassured.
The words didn’t do much, though. Will had heard them plenty of times before, whether from Mike, his Mom, or doctors, and they’d never been true. He shook his head and shrugged Mike’s hands off before quickly making his way to the basement, shutting the door behind him.
Joyce and Mike both stared at the door, but decided to give him some space to process.
When Will didn’t show for dinner, though, Mike made a plate for him and headed for the basement.
He opened and shut the door quickly before turning to walk down the stairs.
“Will? It’s Mike. I brought dinner,” he called out.
He received no response and decided to climb down the remaining steps. From there, he was able to see Will. He was laying on his bed, curled up on his side, hugging a pillow. He was listening to Jonathan’s Walkman and his face was splotchy and red, eyes still wet.
Mike set the plate down on the table before slowly walking over to Will.
“Will? It’s Mike. Do you wanna talk about it?”
Will looked up weakly, and nodded slightly.
Mike took that as his cue, and gently maneuvered himself to be laying next to Will, although Will was still facing away. He remained silent, knowing reassurances were useless and Will needed to lead this conversation.
“I-I just feel like everyone treats me like I’m broken or something. Yeah, what happened in the Upside Down happened, but it was five years ago. I’ve gotten over it and I’m fine now, but they won’t let me move on or forget it. They call me in year after year, and for what? They just poke and prod me and look at me like I’m not even a human. It’s like I’m some experiment, and I’m sick and tired of it, Mike. I’m so tired,” Will said.
Mike took a moment to make sure Will was finished before responding, “I’m sorry, Will. I’m so sorry. No one should’ve gone through what you have. But you did, and you’ve been so brave and I’m so incredibly proud of you. You’re amazing, Will; do not let those assholes make you think otherwise. You’re gonna get through this, okay? I’m here to help you get through it.”
Will rolled over to look at Mike, letting go of the pillow. All of a sudden, he buried his face in Mike’s shoulder and started crying. Mike quickly put his arms around him and pulled him in tightly.
“I know, I know. You’re scared and you have every right to be. But you’re gonna get through this. We’re gonna get through this,” Mike whispered.
After a few minutes, Will was all cried out and moved his head to look at Mike.
“Can you sleep down here tonight? I don’t want to be alone,” Will whispered.
“Of course,” Mike said, pulling him into another hug.