Chapter Text
November 16, 2026, 5:25pm
It was a cold, crisp, fall day in Hawkins Indiana. Wind was whistling, leaves were slowly and gently falling to the ground. It was quiet, nice and peaceful. You could probably hear a pin drop if you listened hard enough.
The forest was all sorts of warm colors. Red, orange, yellow, and even some brown. The leaves were crunchy and crisp, if you went outside, and walked around, all you would hear is crunch crunch crunch. Will loved the scenery of fall, very pretty to the eyes, but hated the cold. He preferred summer, or spring. When it was much warmer.
Speaking of Will, right now he was in his room, sketching in his half-destroyed sketch book. Focused. His room was messy. Clothes on the floor, half finished and finished canvases all shoved in a corner, paint tubes scattered all around the mess. Will was too absorbed in his sketch to care or notice.
His sketch was a person in wills life. Someone very important to will. The someone was a rather tall figure, thin. He had messy midnight black hair, curly, falling over on to his eyes, his eyes being a nice dark shade of hazel, that one could drown in. His cheeks were covered in freckles from the tip of his nose to the top of his cheek bones, a light blush on his cheeks. His nose was straight and sharp like a line. Kinda like wills. Will smiled softly. How it would feel to have his hands in his hair, soft, warm, how it would feel to have his lips…wills eyes widend, cheeks burning. He put his hands to his face. Sketchbook falling off from his lap, down to the dirty floor. “I,” Will quietly said, “am SO BORED!!!” will fell backwards onto his bed.
Will closed his eyes and just listened to the surrounding sounds. He heard the faint music coming from janes room, the quiet groan from Jonathan’s room as he studied for NYU entrance exam. Will turned his head over to the fallen sketchbook and picked it up. The cover half attached, half fallen. He opened the sketchbook and turned to the page with the boy on it, stared at it for a minute, ripped it out, folded it neatly, and shoved it in his pocket.
Will reached over and placed the sketchbook on his nightstand next to a lamp with a hello kitty sticker (courtesy of jane “its so cute!!! Don’t you dare take it off!!!” he didn’t), the paint cracking and peeling off the drawers, he’ll have to do another coat of paint soon. Maybe even change the color, that old forest green that was coating the drawer was a little ugly in wills opinion. Maybe a nice shade of blue? Hmm. Which shade though. Teal? Ugh no-That’s tacky...hm he will have to think more about it later. Will got up from his bed, blankets shifting slightly as he moved, stretching and letting out a soft grunt. His joints popping slightly. Like he has not got up in a few hours (he hadn’t) will walked out into the hallway. He caught glances of Johnathan, and Jane in their rooms, getting a better idea of what they’re ACTUALLY doing.
Jonathan was studying for NYU just as will thought, and Jane was listening to music while reading a teen magazine.
Jane glanced at the door and saw will staring. “Hi will!” Jane waved at will.
“Hey, Jane.”
She paused her music. “what’ca doing?” The brunette asked. Will pointed towards the door.
“I’m going for a walk. Wanna come?” Jane Shaked her head. “No, I’m waiting for a call from max, but you go right ahead.” Will nodded, understanding the relationship between el and max, continued towards the door. He noticed Joyce, and hopper, weren’t back from work. Must be a late shift. he thought. Or… I mean working on a weekend?... his face went blank at the possibility of what could’ve happened No, that’s impossible, its Hawkins. A small town, in Indiana. Nothing happens here. I’m just thinking of the worst just over thinking. They’re fine. Probably. Will opened the door and instantly felt the cool breeze on his face.
The atmosphere was cold. Too cold for his preference. But he needed to leave the house, touch grass. Will inhaled the air, feeling the coldness in his throat, sharp, and crisp. Body shivering against the cold. He let out a quiet sigh. well, maybe I could go into town, and rent a movie, and we could all watch it together. We don’t do much together anymore, since mom, hopper, and Johnathan are usually busy with random shit... and that just leaves me and Jane. Will thought while making his way to town, very little cars passing by. I wonder what movie I should pick out... ill text Jane and Johnathan. They have good taste. Will stoped for a second and scrunched up his face. Well. Jonathan does. Will pulled out the phone, the screen freezing.
Will: hey, I’m renting a movie, got any requests?
Will typed out.
Jane: o, uh, idk maybe like a rom-com? :p
Johnathan: or just a comedy? With no romance
Jane: ur no fun :c
Will: so.. romcom, or just comedy?
Jane: idk… why don’t you pick?
Will: because, you know Im just gonna pick a horror movie, Johnathan doesn’t like horror, and you cannot handle it.
Jane: hey!! I can handl horror :(
Johnathan: no you cant, last time we tried, will was chuckling when someone was getting gruesomely murdered, and you, you were on the other side of the room in a corner trying not to cry.
Jane: u guys r mean..
Will: heh, sorry jane. Anyway. Back on topic. Do you guys want to rewatch a movie?
Jane: ooh, yes pls!! can we watch the hobbit? The first-time u showed it 2 me I rly liked it!!!
Will: oooh, a classic. I’m ok with that. How about you Johnathan?
Johnathan: sure, it’s a good movie.
Will: okay, the hobbit it is. Be back in a bit, ill bring snacks
.
Jane: yay!! I’m excited cant wait!!!! :D
Johnathan: me too. Text us when you get back.
Will: alright! I love you guys!
Jane: ily 2!!
Johnathan: me too.
Will didn’t even notice he was there already, until he almost ran into a poll. He fell backwards a little bit but easily regained balance, Glad he didn’t walk face first into the metal poll. He quickly slid his phone back into his pocket and looked ahead at the video store. Sure, it’s a little outdated to rent VHS tapes, but who is will to care? He likes the sensation of buying VHS tapes, plus, Steve and robin work there, so it’s quite easy to blackmail them for free movies.
“I think Steve is working today... maybe I can get a discount.” He muttered as he moved closer towards the store.
Before will could even open the door to the store he heard loud ear breaking sirens. He turned around faster than light. Ambulances bolting on the road, definitely past the speed limit.
“Holy shit…”
will breathed eyes widened for the shock of something so sudden.“I hope they’re okay…” then instantly turned his back towards the sound, just as fast as he did before. Will didn’t like thinking about that type of stuff. Let alone get involved.
He walked in the store and saw steve at the counter, fidgeting with a random fuzz ball, that most likely from boredom. His expression dull and bored. “Hello. How may I help you?” The boy looked up from his fuzz ball to see a chestnut-haired boy staring right at him. His expression immediately lightened.
“Hey! Byers! How you doing?”
he asked a grin forming on his face. “I’m doing great actually, just coming to rent a movie.” Will told him smiling slightly. “Well, you came to the right place!” his head turned “ROBIN!!!!! GET OVER HERE!!!!!!!!” Steve screamed at the top of his lungs. “IM COMING!!!!!!” A female voice screamed back. they waited a second and out came robin. “Ugh, Steve for the last time, I do not want to he- oh! Hello will!! Renting a movie? Or just coming to see your favorite people?” Robin grinned “hmm, a little bit of both I think.” Robin smiled “well, which movie this time Byers?” “Can I rent the hobbit?” will questioned. “Yeah! Of course! Lemme just go grab it, anything else? A camera? Video recorder?” robin smirked
“Love advice?”
her eyebrows wiggled, and Steve continued to play with the fuzz ball. will turned redder then if broccoli had shoes “NOPE! MOVIE IS JUST FINE THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!” Steve laughed, and robin cackled. Head falling back as she laughed. “Oh, byers you’re just like him…” she wiped the tears from her eyes. Whos him? “Well, ill go gets it from the back” she happily skipped to the back room, leaving Steve and will alone. Will was getting bored, he knows no one has rented the hobbit for a while so it must be under SOME thing, but he was not a very patient person. so he decided to tease Mr. good hair Harrington. “So,” will overlapped his hands under his chin and leaned against the counter. “Steve.” His mouth twisted into an awfully mischievous grin
“Got a…BOYfriend yet?”
will batted his eyes ever so innocently. Steve stuttered face turning a nice shade of red.
“WHAT-HUH-AH-WELL-NO-UH-“
Wils lips some how pulled up even more. Looking like an evil clown with a forehead bigger than Dustin’s hair at the snowball.
Steve turned his head around towards the back.
“ROBIN!”
they heard a faint “yeah?” “BYERS JUST OUTTED ME!!!” will heard menacing laughing, he could already picture her expression. “HA! DAMN YOU JUST GOT CALLED THE FUCK OUT BY A 15YEAR OLD!!!” they heard footsteps as robin returned with the movie. “ahh, nothing like two gay panics ina day to get me going…” she smiled softly, and handed him the movie. “Here ya go, byers. And just for that, ill give you 50% off.” Will reached for his wallet out of his pocket and handed robin a five-dollar bill, grabbed the tape, and left.
As will made his way out of the store, he saw a small little squirrel munching on something will couldn’t quite make out.
The squirrel had a beautiful dark bushy tail, and glorious gray fluffy fur. As will got a bit closer towards it, to get a better look, the squirrel noticed him and ran away. “Aw... I scared him...” he sighed, his face scrunched up “or is it she...?” his face went blank for a moment, with genuine confusion, and then realizing how stupid he sounded-giggled a little,
“what am I even talking about??”
His eyes drifted off to his feet, eyes softly narrowing, light smile tugging at his lips. He shoved his hands into his warm pockets. That feels nice will thought. Suddenly He felt something buzz at his hand. Assuming it was his phone, he picked it up out of his pocket and turned the phone on.
Mike: hey will wanna hang out l8tr?
Will slowly typed his reply with the small keyboard on the bottom of his phone.
Will: I cant right now. Sorry, me and my family are going to watch a movie.
He waited for a response as the little text bubble slowly shifted from one dot to another.
Mike: o, well hav fun :)
Will: thanks!!
Mike: np :D
Will turned his phone off and started his journey towards the grocery store
——
As will approached the small looking building he felt wind blowing-tousling his light brown hair. “Okay, now I just have to buy some snacks.” He muttered as he got closer to the store with each step. And right as he got to the door, hand reaching for the metal handle, his head fell back “except, I have no idea what Johnathan and jane want… not to mention mom and hopper...” will groaned. He considered texting jane and Johnathan again but doesn’t want to bother them again. He decided to suck it up, and buy whatever-its just candy, they cant be that picky…right? will stepped up the concrete stairs, and opened the door.
He walked around the store, scanning before buying anything. After a little while, he decided to buy jujubes, and a kinder egg for jane, a lot of sugar, perfect for her. A Hershey milk chocolate bar, and a bag of chocolate covered almonds for Johnathan, not too sugary, but still enough to be pleasurable. And for his mom and hopper, just some KitKat and Areos, cant go wrong with the classics.
He also bought a few bags of chips, because you can’t have a movie night without chips.
Once will had all his snacks ready to pay for, He went up to the cashier, a thin dark-haired person leaned behind it, bangs needed to be trimmed, hair being pulled into a ponytail, some hair sticking out behind their head, a few strands falling on her shoulders, leading to his dark arms, with several bracelets on. they had beautiful forest green eyes, which flickered up when will approached the person.
“whoa, movie night?”
she asked, voice calmer and softer then will expected. “Yup! With me and my family” will replied soft smile making its way on his face. “well, I hope its fun!” they replied. He nodded as she placed the snacks in a plastic bag, and handed it over. “yeah, me too.” Will left the store, as giddy as a small child on Christmas His phone started buzzing. Wow, I’m pretty damn popular... he slid his hand into his pocket and grabbed the cellular device.unknown caller ID… will pressed the green little button, and answered the call. “Hello?” he asked “hello? Is this William byers?” what sounded like a female voice, although nowadays, you never know. “Uh…yes, this is him…who gave you my number? let alone my name.” will said, voice full of concern.
“This is the hospital. It’s about your parents.”
Will went from a warm smile, to slight frown, to blank.“wha-…what happened to them.” Will whispered. Like I said earlier he doesn’t like this sort of thing. “They,” she paused. As if she was trying to put this lightly. “They got in an accident.” She let out a soft breath, not a soothing breath, more like a well shit kid, im sorry “a car accident to be exact. Ambulances came as fast as they could, but the we’re in pretty bad shape.” Will remembered the ambulances bolting down the side of the road. “wh-what?” wills voice was barely above a whisper.
“Which hospital?”
———
Mike was laying on the couch in the basement, bored. Lonely. All of his friends were busy today. Max was planing on going over to Jane’s, Lucas had a basketball game, and Dustin, was…well.. Dustin was most likely just doing Dustin. He had tried calling him earlier to ask if he wanted to do something but instead got rejected by Dustin saying no and hanging up. (Rude Mike thought)
He had also tried to contact will, but apparently he was busy with family stuff.
Which is totally okay! Stuff happens, and it’s good to hang out with your family. plus, will rarely gets to be around his whole family at once, so it’s good. But…still,
Why does Mike feel a deep pit in his stomach after wills refusal? Dustin refused Mike WAY meaner, and Mike could give a flying fuck, but with will, why was it, different? He groaned. Hes too hungry to think. Maybe That’s why Mike feels like this? Yes! Hes just hungry! Yeah… right?
Mike pulled himself off the couch and made his way towards the top of the stairs, where the fridge awaited him.
When he got to the fridge, his eyes scanned the inside of the fridge for some food to satisfy his hunger. Mikes eyes caught some leftovers in a tuba-wear container, spaghetti. Yum. He took the container out, pulled the top off, and shoved it in the microwave.
He punched in 2 and waited for his food to heat
While his food heated, Mike decided to see if he had any notifications, from ANY of his friends. None. Wow im SO popular… he was about to turn his phone off, when it started it play his ringtone
It’s fine, it’s cool
,
You can say that we ain’t nothing, but you know the truth,
And guess I’m, the fool,
With her arms out like an angel though the car sunroof
.
Mike picked out the phone faster then light. not even checking who the contact's name says “hello?” He asked eagerly, excited to hear another human's voice. “Uh, hey Mike,” a soft, and kind voice fills his ear, “oh! Uh will, what’s up?”
silence.
“Uh, will are you alright?”
Will took a trembling breath.
“Y-yeah, just uh, wondering, could you pick me up, and bring me to the hospital?”
Hospital? What the hell? Is he okay? Where is he? What happened?
“Uh-uh, yeah, but uh why?” Mike questions, “well- “
Beep beep beep
Will was cut off by the sound of a microwave.
“Okay, you know what, never mind, just uh, where are you?” “Grocery store.” Mike exhaled “okay im on my way.” He hung up the call, took a quick bite of spaghetti, and went out the door, leaving the poor spaghetti to grow cold again.
———-
It took mike about, 10 minutes to get there. When he did, mike instantly got out of the car. Slamming the car door and running towards the chestnut-haired boy. “Will! Oh my god. Are you ok? You scared me when you called me.” Will looked up he saw mike. The love of his life. he was wearing an oversized white Chappel roan t shirt (casual) with black jeans that fit his frame perfectly , run down converse, and a belt to hold up his jeans. “Hey, mike.” Will said, flatly, and surprisingly calm. mike nodded “yeah, come on. But, im still a little confused.” Mikes expression changed to a sorta worried/ confused look. “Why do you need to be at the hospital?”
“Ill… ill tell you in the car” wills voice lowered.
Will and Mike hopped in the car, Mike driving, will in the back (“you don’t wanna sit in the front? Mike had asked. “No, the front makes me car sick.”), as will explained the situation, voice never faltering, he knew his parents would be fine, they’ve been through worse. Like when will was kidnapped for a week and had to spend a few days at the hospital because of his paranoid mother. “Oh, my god… will I’m so sorry.” Mike said, will could hear the shock in his voice
“It’s all right Mike, they’ll be fine, probably a few broken bones, but nothing that won’t heal.”
….
SCREEEECCCHHHHH
“MIKE! WHAT THE HELL??” will looked over at Mike like he was insane “WE’RE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, AT LEAST PULL OVER!” Will hissed at Mike, who was staring at the steering wheel, bangs covering his eyes.
Mike looked over at will, with those sympathetic eyes of his. Oh my god hes so fucking cute.. “will, are you serious? Your parents are in the hospital, shouldn’t you be a little upset?” Mike asked, face screaming are you okay? Will was thrown back a little by the question. “Well, yeah, im a little upset, but I know everything will be okay, because the car accident can't really be THAT bad right?” will replied giving Mike a warm soft smile. Mikes frown quickly turned back into his adorable little smile, face back to staring at the steering wheel “No, yes, you’re right It can't be that bad right?”
————-
It was bad.
They got to the hospital and were instantly greeted by Jane and Johnathan, waiting for them at the entrance.
“Hey will, Mike” Johnathan said, voice calm, and cool
.
Jane pulled her hand up into a small little wave “hi Mike.” Mike pulled her into a small hug. “Hey Jane, how are you holding up?”
Huh?
Will was confused as to what was happening. Why was Mike hugging Jane? And why didn’t hug him? Is Jane special or something? Why does she get a hug?
Calm down will, Shes also his friend. they can hug.
Although it still feels like Theres a huge pit in his stomach.
“Okay, okay, how about we go inside now? You two can be all lovey-dovey away from us” Johnathan complained slowly grabbing his sister away from Mike. Jane rolled her eyes “again Johnathan, not dating.”
They got inside of the hospital and waited in the extremely uncomfortable waiting chairs. Johnathan, Jane, and Mike were chatting quietly. Trying to distract themselves from the obvious elephant in the room (Joyce and hopper)
Will was munching on some m&ms quietly- that came from the vending machine near the front desk, Mike bought them for will and Jane to share. (“Oh, it’s alright Mike, you don’t have to.” Will pleaded “no,no, I insist.”)
Will felt something grab at his palm, soft,
He looked down, and saw another palm latched onto his.
Mike
The way it makes his stomach do somersaults, makes him feel disgusted.
Eventually a doctor came to them, with news about their parents (minus Mike of course) wills chest tightened, sure he said they’d be fine,
but…
“Hello, you are the hopper-Byers, correct?” He spoke. “Yes, we are.” Johnathan confirmed. “Okay, I have good news and bad news. Which one first?” The doctor asked, fidgeting with his pen on the clipboard he was holding.
“good” Jane insisted
“okay, the good news is, Jim is going to be alright,” jane sighed, seeming like her chest loosened a bit. will tightened his grip on mikes hand, nervousness bubbling up in his stomach.
“what about mom? Is she okay? she’s going to be alright too, right?”
the doctor gave him the same look Mike did in the car, except mikes was soothing, his was scary, and pitiful. “im so sorry. But joyce.” He paused, and looked him in the eye.
That was all he needed to know.
“We tried everything we could, but the glass, it was, everywhere. Her injuries were just too bad. Im so sorry.”
Time stopped.
“Oh” was all will could let out.
He felt emotionless. He thought he would shed at least one tear, and he tried, but it just wouldn’t come.
Not a single tear.
All he could hear was muffled sobs and reassuring words coming from Mike and Jane.
Wills chest was aching, he felt heavy. He felt like he was stabbed, without the pain. Just the shock of being stabbed.
The world was blurry, vision failing.
“Uh, i-Im gonna go. Like outside. To the car.”
Wills legs were failing.
He made it the car, but collapsed in the car. Face blank and unreadable.
“I would say im sorry,”
“If I thought that it would change your mind”
“But I know that this time I have said to much, been to unkind.”
Will was singing boys don’t cry softly as he waited in the car.
His head hurt.
He sat up and curled into a ball and fell asleep. Alone. Again. Just him and his thoughts again.
God did he need a hug.