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𝕺𝖓𝖈𝖊 𝖚𝖕𝖔𝖓 𝖆 𝖙𝖎𝖒𝖊

Winter arrived in a kingdom and the snowflakes flew down like feathers from the sky.
There sat a queen on a red painted windowshill as she was writing a letter with black ink.
She gazed outside the window and accidentally knocked it over, it poured all over the windowshill into the the snow laying outside.

It looked beautiful and she thought to herself:

Oh I wish I could have a child that looks like this.

Soon after that she got a son, his hair was as black as ink, his skin as white as snow and his lips as red as blood and therefore he was named Snow White.
After the kid was born the king died and a year after that karen the queen married someone new.
It was a beautiful man named henry, but inside his heart was darkened by many bad experiences in his life.

He had used dark magic one too many times, transforming him into a monster.
But at the same time it gained him the ability to hide himself in human form under everyones eyes.
Making him the most dangerous sorcerer yet, since no one knew of his true form.

As the son Mike grew up he befriended Will who lived not far from the castle in a small house with his mother.
Much to the dismay of his stepfather, they got best friends fast and their bond was quite unique, as they were especially close.
The king tried to separate them for a week when they were 12, but that's when he discovered a secret.

He had searched far and wide for a specific relict that would allow him to gain even more control over the people, spying on them if he wished to do so.
His hunger for wisdom and power was insatiable, so when the guards finally brought him the desired object he was delighted.
It was an enchanted mirror, framed in thick golden ornamnents and he hung it up in his secret chamber, stepping in front of it.

"Mirror Mirror on the wall, who is the most powerful sorcerer of all?", he asked and the mirror came to life.

"You are the most powerful one right now. But one day Will Byers will overcome you"

The king's eyes widened in shock and anger, almost smashing the mirror if it wouldn't be the one way to get more answers.
The child harboured dormant powers, a century of sorcerers in their family generation.
So instead he decided to allow Snow White his best friend, so he could keep a close eye on him and he invited the Mother of Will to the castle.

He would further allow the contact if she agreed to his proposition.
"once his dormnant powers awaken, he will be sent to a camp of my choice and he shall be trained as sorcerer"
This would gain him control over the boy and he could always have an eye on him with the mirror, even from afar.

Joyce eyes widened in shock "How do you posess this knowledge? No one was supposed to know"
Henry the king just smirked tilting his head "I have my ways, it's none of your business. Do you agree to this or not?"
She sighed defeated, but eventually she agreed knowing how sad Will had been without his best friend.

At one point with the mere age of 15 Mike's life changed suddenly.
It had already changed before that, Lucas, Max, Dustin and Jane four children in the kingdom had grown to be all friends with Mike and Will.
Snow White still made his best effort to keep the unique bond between them and he succeeded.

They always stayed within close proximity of each other, even in the group.

Will's dormant powers suddenly started to awake.
First it was flickering lights and it ended with things randomly levitating around him, whenever his emotions had got a hold of him.
Snow White was fascinated and in awe of it, once they learned from his mother why all these changes were happening.

But at the same time she admitted with tears in her eyes "you will have to go train your powers for 1 year, dear Im so sorry. I promised the king"
Will and Mike were both incredibly sad over that and spent as much time as possible for the next two months.
Lucas, Max, Dustin and Jane were also there trying to comfort him.

It just so happened by pure coincidence that Jane the mage would attend the same camp as him, so at least he was not alone.
Still the mood was heavy and depressed on their last together, as they sat in Will´s basement.
"We can all write you both letters", offered Lucas after a while.

Will looked hopeful up at that "You would do that?"
Mike immediately nodded his head eagerly "yeah, yeah of course. Well write you both letters until you come back"
For the first time Will smiled too "thanks Mike" and the boy ducked his head slightly blushing.

They all followed them to the castle where the carriage awaited them, queen Karen had organized that once she heard of the agreement.
The friends hugged goodbye with tears in their eyes, but the longest one was between the two boys.
Will clung to Snow White who whispered in his ear "I´ll write you everyday ok? I promise" and he nodded.

Only reluctantly he let go, knowing he had no choice but to climb into the carriage.
Mike was left behind with tears in his eyes as he watched them leave.
King henry who saw how dearly Snow White held Will in his heart smirked and in this moment he decided to add a further step into his plan to gain control.

Later that night he slipped in secret to the letter carrier.
"Destroy every letter that my stepson attempts to send without his knowledge"
His eyes widened in shock.

"but why my king?"

"Its for his own good that's all you have to know"
"Of course my king, as you wish", the letter carrier said and bowed dutiful.
King henry smiled pleased, the gears had started to set in motion.

Will and Jane spent almost every day together at the camp, he also quickly befriended Robin one of the guides.
She quickly noticed that he carried a question in his heart, she herself knew by heart.
"Its ok to like boys as a boy, you know? I like girls", she said one day in a chat about love and life, Wills eyes widened.

He had always felt something special looking at Mike, yet never had the words to really describe what it was.
But now as he looked within himself, the answer was so simple.
Of course.

He loved him.

With the admission to himself and talking to Robin about it, his feelings blossomed and spread.
Growing stronger each day just as much as he missed him.
So he decided to pour all of his feelings into a painting, Mike had always admired his art ever since they were young.

He spent months perfecting every pain stroke.

As time passed they both got letters but only Jane got letters here and there from Mike.
Will got more and more upset the longer this went on.
Lady Jane tried to comfort him, but she started getting upset at Mike too.

She asked him in one letter after half a year had passed.
Why do you never write Will? He's very sad about that. I thought you two were best friends
he simply replied 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒹𝑜 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓂𝑒𝒶𝓃? 𝐼 𝓌𝓇𝒾𝓉𝑒 𝒽𝒾𝓂 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝒹𝒶𝓎.

When she showed the sorcerer the letter he frowned confused "but that doesn't make any sense, I didn't get any of them. Why would he lie"
"I don't know. It's not like Mike to lie", answered Jane just as much confused.
But there was no way to speak directly to him, so the rest of the time passed without much communication between the two boys.

Snow White made at least sure to include some sentences for Will in Janes letters too, which comforted him somewhat.
Still it was not the same.
He missed him desperately.

Finally their training was completed and Will was gifted a staff for his efforts.
They made their way home, he was quite excited to finally see Mike and maybe get some answers but most of all he just wanted to be by his side again.
He however had not counted on the fact that Mike had a growth spur inbetween just as him and was even more beautiful.

Once they saw each other Mike immediately ran to hug Jane, cautiously eyeing Will and only patting him on the shoulder.
"What is this?", he asked pointing at the roll, that he clutched in his hands.
"Oh it's nothing", Will answered disappointed by the cold greeting.

Mike didn't even try ro stay near him for most of the day, but he and Jane were enraveled in an engaging talk for most of the time.
Will felt left out again and sadness washed over him the longer this went on.
The dark clouds over them suddenly poured rain down, Jane squealed seeking for shelter.

Will who wanted to so as well was hald back by a hand.
"Why were you so upset all day? It really ruined the mood", asked Mike frowning.
the sorcerer was speechless gaping at him, then he took a step back "Me? You ignored me all day, you didnt even great me properly and then you go and excuse me?"
Snow White looked taken aback blinking fast and then he crossed his arms defensive.

"Yeah whatever, lets just forget about it, we should go outside of the rain", he turned to seek shelter finally, his hair already completely wet from the rain.
But Will didnt want to forget, he had enough.
He didnt care about the droplets running down his face or his wet clothes, as he asked "Well what about us?"

Immediately Mike turned around confused "What?", his face a mix of emotions.

"Why did you never send me letters? I didn't get anything. Why did you just lie?", he threw at him in a wave of anger.
"What? No, no way! i did sent you letters Will, I did. I don't understand, you really didn't get any?", Mike asked his hands emphasizing his words.
Will shock his head, his lip quivering trying to hold back his sobs rain dripping down his face.

"I thought you just forgot about me and you didn't even hug me. Are we still friends?", he finally whispered desperate, a single tear falling down.
Mike blinked taken aback, pain washing over his features "What? Of course we are Will, we´re best friends!"
Will breathed out a slight chuckle "Well then hug me already you dork", a slight teasing manner with a smile on his lips.

Snow White immediately launched forward into his open arms, their wet clothes sticking to each other.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to. I just...god I missed you so much"
Then he pulled back ever so slightly, still not letting go "It really wasnt the same here without you, you know?", he said with a wide smile.

Will´s heart fluttered at that and he pressed himself closer to the other boy again, who hugged him just as tightly.
Finally everything was good again between them and relief filled his body.
Karen the Queen allowed him and Jane to stay over for one night at the castle.

King Henry was not pleased but for once he let it slide, since he had other future plans anyways.

They all sat comfortably in the princes bedroom, exchanging stories from the time they had been apart.
Mike shyly nudged Will "Can you show me some magic then?", his eyes wide and pleading.
Will blushed slightly and nodded, how could he ever say no to the other boy?

So he took up the staff and got into position, easily letting a few books fly around their heads.
Jane smiled proud at her self-named brother, then her gaze fell towards the prince.
Mikes eyes were sparkling in pure adoration, a slight blush forming on his cheeks as he all but looked at the sorcerer like he had hung the moon and the stars.

"So how was that?", asked Will shyly once he was done and glanced to Snow White who immediately jumped up.
In a matter of seconds he envraveled him into a hug "Will that was...you´re really amazing, youre a real sorcerer now", he exclaimed beaming.
The mage saw her brother blushing and thanking Mike, both encased into each others eyes for just a moment too long before the prince stepped back akwardly.

She wanted Will to be happy and so in this moment seeing the love between those two, she excused herself from the sleepover.
"I want to say hi to my dad. Im sure Hopper is going crazy over there", she said and it certainly wasnt the best lie judging by the confused look Will gave her.
Jane merely hugged him and then whispered "Give the painting to him, I'm sure he'll love it" .

The sorcerer got beed red averting his eyes.

The silence that now followed between the two boys was akward and not natural.
Until Mike cleared his throat, figdeting with his hands.
"So do you wanna read books?"and Will nodded relieved in doing something familiar for both of them.

Thats how they ended up laughing and reading comfortably on the princes bed.
The sorcerer hesitantly fumbled with his backpack, but then finally he pushed himself.
"Uhm can I show you something?", he asked with a light blush and Mike's attention immediately was on him, eyes wide and expectantly nodding.

They sat on the edge of the bed and than he handed him the painting.
Mike unrolled it slowly.
Then then his eyes glowed up in awe, a wide joyful smile on his lips.

A three headed dragon faced the party all in their battle armor and Mike leading them as Paladin dressed in armor and a sword.

"Will this is amazing, did you paint this?"
"Yeah, uhm.... Since I'm a sorcerer now, Dustin is a barde, Lucas is a ranger, Max is a zoomer and Jane is a mage i figured that you should get a role too"
Mike looked at the painting and then up at him "but you're all much stronger than me, I'm just a mere prince"
Will shook his head stubbornly "but you're not just a prince"

He pointed at the painting, his arm brushing Mike´s hand lightly, how looked down at it nervously.
"See how you're leading us here?
That's who you are, you´re guiding our party...and see you're coat of arms? It's a heart because I mean... without heart we'd all fall apart"
Mike smiled in awe a blush forming "Yeah?", he asked for further reassurance.

"Yeah" Will replied, relieved that his best friend had not catched upon how he had poured all his feelings into it.
He wanted to say it, but he was still too afraid of rejection and ruining their friendship.
Mike beamed at him, the setting sun bathed Will in light making him look even more beautiful.

Swallowing tightly about his own sudden thought, his gaze drifted down his lips for two seconds and then quickly back up.
He had missed Will so much as a best friend and those kind of thoughts had been spooking around in his head for a while now, but he had always dismissed them quickly too afraid what they would mean.
Just in this moment he realized that his feelings were more then just friendship for the other boy.

He chose to not say anything though, letting the moment rest between them as he thanked him with a warm smile and pulled him into another hug.
None of them letting go, until the prince laid down.
"You could sleep up here you know? I mean if you don't mind", he said shyly and was glad that Will didn't see his red blush forming since it was already dark enough.

Will´s heart stuttered and stopped for a bit, he probably shouldnt risk it given how much he had struggles sitting so close to the boy.
But in the end it was Mike and he could never deny him such a request.
Especially not, since he had secretly been wishing for that.

So he said "yeah that sounds nice. I missed you too by the way. Im just sad I never got any of your letters"
At that Mike almost jumped up "oh wait! I didn't send any after Jane told me, I still wrote them. I just figured uhm you know...you could read them once you're back"
He awkwardly handed him a box and inside were a bunch of letters.

There were too much to read them all now with the darkness growing more, but Snow White looked so expectant and nervous at him.
So he took one out, eyes flying over the text.

𝒟𝑒𝒶𝓇 𝒲𝒾𝓁𝓁,
𝒾𝓉𝓈 𝒷𝑒𝑒𝓃 7 𝓂𝑜𝓃𝓉𝒽𝓈 𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊.
𝒾𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒶 𝓌𝒶𝓎 𝓉𝑜 𝓂𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒 𝑔𝑜 𝒷𝓎 𝒻𝒶𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓇?
𝐼 𝒸𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒷𝑒𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊.

𝑀𝒶𝓍 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓂𝑒 𝒽𝒶𝓃𝑔 𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝒶 𝓁𝑜𝓉 𝓃𝑜𝓌, 𝓈𝒾𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝐿𝓊𝒸𝒶𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝒷𝓇𝑜𝓀𝑒𝓃 𝓊𝓅 𝒶𝑔𝒶𝒾𝓃.
𝒞𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝓌𝒶𝑔𝑒𝓇 𝒽𝑜𝓌 𝓁𝑜𝓃𝑔 𝒾𝓉 𝓉𝒶𝓀𝑒𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓂 𝓉𝑜 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒷𝒶𝒸𝓀 𝓉𝑜𝑔𝑒𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇?
𝒮𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝒶𝓎𝓈 𝐼´𝓂 𝒶 𝒽𝑜𝓅𝑒𝓁𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝓅𝒾𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓂𝑒𝓈𝓈, 𝒷𝑒𝒸𝒶𝓊𝓈𝑒 𝐼 𝒶𝓁𝓌𝒶𝓎𝓈 𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝓎𝑜𝓊.
𝐼´𝓂 𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝓈𝓊𝓇𝑒 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓂𝑒𝒶𝓃𝓈 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝐼 𝒹𝑜 𝓉𝒶𝓁𝓀 𝒶 𝓁𝑜𝓉 𝒶𝒷𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓈𝒾𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊´𝓇𝑒 𝓂𝓎 𝒷𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝒻𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓃𝒹.

𝒢𝑜𝒹, 𝐼 𝓂𝒾𝓈𝓈 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓈𝑜 𝓂𝓊𝒸𝒽 𝒲𝒾𝓁𝓁.  
𝒫𝓁𝑒𝒶𝓈𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓂𝑒 𝒷𝒶𝒸𝓀 𝒽𝑜𝓂𝑒 𝓈𝑜𝑜𝓃.  

𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒, 𝓜𝓲𝓴𝓮

They froze at the bottom.
He carefully traced it, heart bumping fast.
Did Mike just mean it as a friend?

He was grateful for their bond and that despite everything they barely needed a day to fall back together into familiar closeness.
So he didn´t dare to ask.
Instead he looked at him with warm heavy eyes, a big smile on his lips.

"Thanks Mike I'll read them later. I'm pretty tired now", he said and Mike smiled back satisfied, slipping back under the covers.
When they woke up they had cuddled up in sleep, both forming a blush once they noticed.
They didn't bring it up again after that.

But something else started to bloom that day.

Even after Will went to his home again Snow White continued to visit him more frequently for sleepovers.
He wanted to make up for lost time between them and so they did.
Spending time together playing games with him and their friends Max, Dustin, Jane and Lucas or just reading in comfort.

One fateful day when Will just had turned seventeen he was invited to the castle and got offered a position as the Huntsman.
He took it gratefully, knowing that it would give them proper money and status.
Both which the byers family, his mom and Jonathan, had been struggling with for years.

Due to that he was fairly busy, since King henry saw it through to keep him on a tight schedule.
He of course had always intended that to further insure the control over the boy.
With great pleasure he noticed that the sorcerer took his duty quite seriously, often times favoring it over spending time with Mike.

Since their other friends were on current quests, today it was just Mike and Jane and she took that opportunity for a talk.
She had seen the letters once Will brought them home showing her a few, one sweeter than the other and the love as obvious as it gets.
Yet nothing had happened yet between the two boys nor any admission was done, so the mage took matter into her own hands.

She carefully patted the space beside her on the bench and Mike took place next to her.
"so you and Will are close", she started and Snow White immediately blushed upon that.
"Uhm yeah...yeah I guess we are. He's my best friend", he said fidgeting with his hands.

She nodded, letting the silence sit for a while before she continued carefully.
"But you want him to be more than that, don't you?"
His eyes widened "How did you - He can't know Jane"

"Why not? You clearly love him deeply and he feels the same about you", she asked tilting her head.
Mike stared speechlessly at her "What? No...he´s not like me. i dont think so at least. I don't know. I don't want to ruin our friendship you know?", he said desperately.
"I do get that Mike but the bond between you two is very strong. I think if you let love lead you, I'm sure that won't happen. I see how you look at him.
You love him,  you just need courage to say it out loud"

He looked with tears at her and a heavy heart unable to form words feeling eternally grateful.
she had simply stated the truth he tried to hide for years.
Afraid of what would happen if he´d show who he truly is.

His head full of anxiety-inducing thoughts, never truly good in being courageous when it came to Will.
Merely because the other boy was so special, that he took everything he got gratefully and never asked for more.
But hearing that it was ok to love him eased the burden he tried to carry for so long.

Maybe Jane was right, he really hoped so.

For the first time he allowed himself freely to feel the love completely that he had carried for the Huntsman within his heart all the time

Will was, even though his position could assume otherwise, a kind and gentle person.
He never hurt anyone unless he absolutely had to or was ordered to do so.
Usually he was a quiet and obedient person.

King Henry had quickly gathered that and used it for his own good.
Ordering him to battle against the monsters in the dark parts of the forests, they called demogorgons.
Also hunting animals for the royal family as a feast.

Will didn't like the killing, but he never spoke up about it since it was his job.
Even then he always used his staff to conjur specific magic that would at least end the animals life quickly and without pain.

Snow White stood in front of his door one day suddenly.
They had been seeing each other less due to his position and Will had also seeked Distance from Mike.
Since he was sure that his feelings were not requited and he just tried his best to not make it more complicated between them again.

But he was hopelessly in love with the prince and he missed him evermore.
So it was no surprise that he couldn't send him away instead asking.
"What are you doing here?

Mike fell on his knees begging.
"Please Will don't push me aside. I can't go without missing you so much. I'll even go with you on your hunts if that's what it takes to spend time together".
Will chuckled and drew the prince up into a warm hug "well i don't know if the king and queen would allow that. But I'm glad you're here Mike"
"I'm glad too"

They spend almost every day after that together at Wills house, most of the time Mike wrote stories with ink like his mother.
Meanwhile Will spend the time next to him drawing, their legs entangled in familiarity and comfort.
On days where he had to do his job, Mike begged his mother and the king to be able to join him.

Queen Karen finally relented "Well dear lets allow it. They have such a unique bond isnt it sweet?", she asked with a happy smile as they both stood in front of them.
Mike and Will exchanged a quick glance, then adverting their eyes akwardly blushing, unaware that the other was blushing as well.
Henry had to cool down his anger, but for once he was overruled by the public display of people around them and the royal etiquette

"Very well, but if he gets one bruise I will personally see to it that he shall never set a foot near the huntsman anymore", he said with a faked niceness.
He would have to find a new way to get them apart again, since he knew from the mirror about the love between them.
It was the very thing that had the most potential of the sorcerer gaining his prophecy, he would have to improvise.

Snow White beamed and got handed armor and a sword, having to promise to never use it unless absolutely neccessary.
The Huntsman was just as happy, seeing as it brought them both even closer together.
Usually they walked in silence most of the time through the forests, but even that made his heart jump higher simply having the other boy next to him.

They didn't need much words, they never had.

It was just such a unique bond between them that one could understand another without any.

Mike looked particularly good in his armor and sword, like his painting had come to life.
"If you train with me, maybe you´ll really become a real paladin as well", he noted on their walk nudging him slightly.
Mike had to look away to hide his blush, but he smiled too heart fluttering fast.

"That would be great, then I could protect you as well my sorcerer", he said and grew completely red seconds later realizing his slip-up.
"I mean-you know because our a paladin and a cleric usually work together so well and technically you´re a cleric now ", he said scratching his neck akwardly.
Will smiled looking him up and down, his stomach filling with butterflies upon how sweet Mike was.

Should he risk it?
Before he could overthink it, he nudged him slightly away with his hand in a flirtatious way.
Mike stumbled back eyes not leaving him and smiled confused, then he continued to walk.

Will stood there feeling akward and embarassed, but eventually he followed him.
He probably had read the situation wrong, he just hoped that it didnt make things akward between them.
But they merely continued their daily hunting stroll in comfortable silence as if nothing had happened.

Unfortunately the queen got an invitation not much later to another kingdom for a few weeks , she accepted it gracefully.
King Henry had waited for such an opportunity to set his plan in motion and had secretly pulled the strings behind it.
So as soon as she was gone, his entire demeanor changed within hours.

He started with forbidding Snow White to leave the castle isolating him from his friends and most of all from the boy he loved.
The more he used the dark magic to keep him in line, it not only darkened him from the inside but on the outside the too.
The lines between him and the monster started to blur, his skin going gray-ish, vines ranking in several places as he lost more and more control to hide it.

Mike was truly horrified when he saw him like that on the fith day.
Still he stood his ground and begged him "Please I have to go see Will, please!"
"No! You will obey me, you will stay here", the king snarled and lost control over his right hand, vines shooting towards the prince.

They stopped inches away from his face and his face mask slipped revealing his true form.
"You will do what I say, do you understand?", he groveled in a deep voice and retreated his hands as Snow White nodded hastily.
In tears he stumbled to his room, once there he let out his full blown panic.

What the hell was this monster?
He needed to get out of here right now.
He needed to see Will.

So quickly he improvised some makeshift rope, escaping from the castle.
Unfortunately he sprained his ankle at that and had to limp towards Will's place.
But he couldnt care less, his heart ached unbearably having not seen him for so long.

It was already past midnight, so when no one answered the door at first Snow White got desperate.
Then finally a sleepy Will opened it, blinking confused at him "Mike? What are you doing here? And were where you these last days?"
The confusion shifted in worry as the prince immediately stumbled into his arms tears falling down.

"Will thank god youre here. I need...the king is...he's a monster", he said inbetween sobs.
"What? Ok ok come in and then tell me everything", Will said guiding him gently by his wrist to his room.
They sat on the bed and Mike struggled with his words, but he tried his best to explain what he saw and the sorcerer looked horrified.

"Oh my god are you sure? I mean I kinda always had a bad feeling about him. That would explain some things"
"Yeah but what does this mean?", Will looked deeply in thought for a while.
"i think I've read about it somewhere. That dark magic can... change a person. Wait let me get my books"

They spend the next hour searching and reading through them until he snapped his fingers.
"Got it! Here it is"

Magic can be beautiful, when used right.
However some sorcerers are known to draw it from an ancient dark force, also known as dark magic.
This is highly forbidden and unethical.
It will change the person's physical appearance if used too much.
If you ever encounter of them, dread with caution as their heart gets darkened by the dark force as well.
No one is safe near them

Then it showed an image description and when Will turned the book, Mike's face got pale "yeah... that's how he looked".
The Huntsman laid a hand on his shoulder trying to comform him, but the fear had settled deep in their bones.
They agreed to sleep for now since it was already late and they couldn't do anything about it right now.

Will went to lay on a mattress on the floor, but Mike frowned immediately pulling him up.
"What are you doing?"
"Giving you the bed? You're the prince after all", answered Will stubbornly.

He wanted to be a good host, but Snow White rolled his eyes annoyed "Since when do you care about that?"
"Im the huntsman now mike, remember ? I´m part of the royal family, I have to respect the system", Will said snipeful crossing his arms.
"So what? The system is a bunch of hollow nonsense and you know it!", Mike countered scoffing.

Their argument went on for a while because Will was stubborn in beliefs of him deserving less than a prince.
Meanwhile Mike refused to kick him out of his own bed and got frustrated.
Until Will said in a fuse of anger "Well why don't we just share then, Michael?"

He usually never used his full name, unless he got really upset like right now.

Mike blinked taken aback and then a grin formed on his face "actually I would very much like that idea"
Will's cheeks grew a bit red but he had already blurted out one of his deepest desires and his best friend had not rejected the idea.
"Oh... Ok then you're hereby invited", he said with a soft hesitant smile and motioned to his bed.

Snow White all but beamed and threw himself onto it, patting the spot next to him.
Will swallowed with a fast bumping heart and laid down next to him with a respectable amount of space.
He had dreamed of this ever since the last time they had shared a bed and even way before that.

They had cuddled a fair amount of times outside in the forest.
So now he wasn't sure where the boundaries began and ended.
Or if he had read all the signals wrong lately, that there was something more growing between them.

Like all things it had started small, with them always close together, whenever they entered a room and even with their friends surrounded.
Usually that came hand in hand with their thighs being pressed against each other or legs entangled comfortably whenever reading a book on the couch.
Not much later more body contact was added, hands were laid casually around the others shoulder or settled on the thigh, staying there longer each time.

Then one day when they read a particularly entrancing story in the forest Mike scooted closer until he eventually laid an arm around his shoulder.
Which was not unusually yet, but he also pulled him in closer at the same time and his hand shifted towards his waist tentatively.
 "is this ok?", he asked shyly and Will nodded slightly breathless, cheeks growing hot.

"yeah...is this ok?", he then asked courageous and took a step further.
Laying his head on top of his chest and throwing one arm around him, his heart racing since the other boy had laid down his chest armor a while ago.
The prince´s cheeks grew a bright pink as he whispered "yeah very much ok".

Then when he finally relaxed and melted into the embrace, he abandoned the book he had tried to read.
in favor of putting both arms around him, pulling him even closer to his chest and hoped the other would not notice his racing heart.
Will merely sighed happily in comfort, while Snow White leaned back against the tree and closed his eyes in peace.

Ever since then whenever they were alone outside in the forest, it usually didn't take long for one of them to reach out and pull the other into their arms.

Just like right now, while they're lying in the bed together staring at the ceiling and both craving the same thing.
Mike is the first one to open his arms in a silent invitation, his eyes wide and beautifully sparkling like a thousand stars.
Will immediately throws himself into it, merely to hide his wide growing blush and nuzzles his head into his neck.

They fall asleep like that and when he wakes up, he can't help but be captured by the sheer beauty of Mike laying sleeping on his pillow.
Until the other stirs and the sorcerer hastily tries to get some distance as he had unconsciously leaned in closer.
He doesn't get far though, as Mike grumbles and merely pulls him back in a tight embrace with both arms.

"Morning", he says in a rough low voice, since Will is now laying on his chest again it rumbles through his whole body.
"Morning", he replies back breathlessly, trying to calm down his evergrowing blush and racing heartbeat.
He loves their cuddles outside, but the bed makes this much more intimate.

Their legs are completely entangled within each other now as Snow White shifts carefully only to draw him in impossibly close.
"This is so much more comfy, why haven't we been doing this more often?", asks Mike into the silence.
His arms are wrapped around the other boy holding him close to his heart.

"I don't know", answers Will chuckling slightly and looking up only to find him already looking down at him.
He swallows hard, unable to look anywhere else.
They both loose themselves staring into each others eyes.

Mike's hand slowly but surely travels from his back to his cheek, a thumb caressing the spot.
He swallows tightly as his gaze flies down to those lips he had dreamed kissing everyday for years.
Will´s heart races as he notices where Mikes eyes have landed and he holds his breath.

is this really happening?

In this moment just as they both lean closer, an urgent knock on the door jolts them apart.
"Are you expecting someone?", asks Mike frowning and Will shakes his head in confusion.
They open the door and in front stands the king with two soldiers.
He looks absolutely furious as he shouts "Michael wheeler you're coming home this instant, I'm forbidding you to see this man ever again!".

His look has changed back to a human form, but still Mike instantly recoils stumbling like he has seen a ghost.

Will nudges him "Mike you should go", even though it breaks his heart to say these words.
If everything is true what they learned, they need a plan.
He needs to meet up with his friends, because going alone against a dark wizard is not a good idea.

Also even in this moment he feels he has to obey to whatever the king says, even though he now knows the truth about him.
Even though this means that Snow White might get hurt even more, if he can believe the books.
So on top of that they have to hurry....great.

The prince's face immediately falls and tears start to wall up in his eyes "But Will I-"
"No time for semantics, let's go", snares his stepfather and drags Mike away with a tight grip around his wrist.
Will feels tears falling down his cheeks as his facade breaks.

Will he even survive this? Was it the right choice to obey him like always?
No he can't think like this, he has to do something.
Even if it means going against everything he has learned these past months.

He has to save Mike.

Unfortunately even with his friends he can't come up with a plan, they do suggest trying for Will and Jane to defeat him.
But there's still the issue that Will isn't as strong as he hoped as sorcerer, not strong enough to beat a full blown dark sorcerer thats for sure.
Also he struggles heavily since he's sick with worry of Mike.

One week later he is invited into the castle for another assignment and it does strike him as particularly odd.
He assumed the king doesn't want to see him ever again and they still don't have a plan on how to defeat him.
So he goes in filled with fear, prepared to use his magic just in case.

Also Lucas, Max and Dustin demanded to wait near the castle, Jane was on a quest to multiple sources for more spellbooks and knowledge as soon as they were filled in on what Mike and him had discovered.
Will prepares himself mentally standing in front of the king, keeping up the mask of pure innocence.

"Welcome Huntsman I have a specific job for you", says the king with a calm voice, but his entire demeanor speaks otherwise.
His glare is sharp and unkind, his hands tightening around the chair.
Will stands straight and hopes that whatever it is he can just deal quickly with it.

The castle bringing up too much memories of Mike, who he dearly misses with a heavy heart and hasn't seen ever since.
"Of course how can I be of service?", he asks calmy.
A pleased but evil grin evolves on king Henry.

"I want you to take my son out into the woods tomorrow and do your job", he says.
Dark veins begin to traveling from his hands upwards.
Will's eyes widen in shock "what? That can't be legal! What would the queen say?"

"Well the queen isn't here, is she?" the king snarls back tilting his head thoughtful and omnious.
"You know what I am, dont you? Yet you stand here feighning innocence", he says with a dangerous calm to it.

Will gasps wordless and he has to see with his own eyes how the man before him transforms within seconds.
A Monster sits in his place instead, grayish skin and vines ranking up his entire body.
"What...Who are you?", he whispers horrified.

"I am Vecna. the most powerful wizard there is", his voices grovels eerily as he does one hand movement and immediately Will is afloat in the air.
Then he stands up with evilish dark eyes as the sorcerer cant move a muscle, trapped in being pulled closer and closer.
"Now tell me again William. You´re just a mere weak boy against me. Do you really want to disobey me?"

Then he raises one hand and vines shoot out to his throat, holding Will tightly in a chocking grasp.
"No..no of course not", he rasps and gasps when he is unleashed onto the floor.
"Good I expect you tomorrow then at 10am", he says transformed back into his human form and Will nods hastily before he stumbles out of the palace.

His mind races and he can't get enough air in his lungs as he all but collapses onhis knees a few meters apart from the castle.
He can't do this!
As much as he's never been someone to disobey a direct order, killing another human is just not something he could justify for himself.

Besides well he loves Snow White.

It's in this moment that he feels a strange tug in his head, like someone invading his mind.
Moments later he is gasping again, unable to get up and watching from a peripheral vision.
Three demogorgons from the dark forest run towards his friends with a godspeed.

No, no, no!
He has to do something, he has to use his magic.
But he's not strong enough in this state, he cant even get up on his feet to use the magic and he is too far away from Lucas, Max and Dustin.

Suddenly he remembers a lection Robin once gave them.
"Ok so today in addition Im going to tell you about something powerful.
Now im not supposed to teach you this, since its extremely rare that clerics can gain these powers, but personally Ive never been the type to stick to rules.
So listen closely: For this to happen you all need a memory. Not just any, no no. It needs to be as powerful as the spell.
Usually an early memory is best from what i´ve heard, one where you felt most free. most loved. 
Then concentrate on the magic you usually use in battle and the rest should align itself, if you´re one of the chosen ones of course"

Will doesnt know if he is, but what choice does he have?
He has to try.
So he closes his eyes and thinks of an early memory.

The first one that comes to his mind is the day he met mike.
It had been at a young age with 5, when he was sat lonely on a swingset.
Suddenly a boy slipped onto the other swings and not just any boy, but the prince itself.

"Do you wanna be friends?", he asked with kind and curious eyes and Will nodded immediately.

Happily they swung together and from this day on he never had been alone anymore.
Mike and Will playing together in his basement as often as Snow White was allowed to go outside the castle.
Him showing his first drawing and the other boy gaping at it with unfiltered awe and amazement, treating it like a treasure after Will gifted it to him

"i love you, Mike", he murmurs concentrating on his magic and suddenly he feels a power awakening in him he's never felt before.
He gets up, eyes going white and raises one hand just in time to stop all three demogorgons mid-launch.
Then heaving and puffing he raises both hands, drawing them all up in the air.

With one fierce motion down, he kills the three creatures like it's nothing.
After his eyes go back to normal, he notices a nose bleed and simply wipes it off.
Then he quickly gathers his friends and they make their way to his house without any more interferences.

"Will you...you saved us. That was insane, I didn't know you had these powers" says Lucas in awe as they're all gathered back in his basement.
He scratches his neck "yeah I wasn´t sure i could access them either. But this should help us defeat Vecna hopefully".
They´re already filled in on the encounter in the castle and were equally horrified, Max hugged him immediately.

"Yeah but how exactly? Mike is still in there and he's a super strong sorcerer. No offense dude", says Dustin.
Will sighs "Well first of all i have to save Mike tomorrow. Henry asked me today...", he shudders at the memory and his friends scoot closer.
"He asked what, Will?", asks Lucas nudging him comforting.

"He asked me...to kill him tomorrow", shock unifies on all faces and the silence that follows is loud.
"So whats our plan then?", Max looks at him questioning.
He sighs "I was kinda thinking of... hiding him with one of my older friends Robin at least until we defeated Henry. But I'm going to need all of you", he says finally looking up at them.

Dustin and Lucas look at him with open mouths "Does this mean... what I think it means?", Lucas asks finally glancing to Max who grins euphorically.
"Hell yeah, Will is finally disobeyant and we're all going undercover"
"Ok im pretty sure this is not the right time to cheer about that, Max"

"So what? This is scary enough", says Max rolling her eyes annoyed.
They all look at him and moments later he finds himself in a group hug "guys I love y'all too and...thanks for joining me", he sniffles.
"Of course Will, we won't let this bastard win. We're going to defeat him so that you two lovebirds can be together", Lucas wiggles his eyebrows meaningful at Will.

Who looks at him with wide eyes a blush forming "were not...what? We're not lovebirds", he whispers akwardly averting his eyes.
"Will no offense but even a blind person would see the sparks between you two. Its pure chemistry I'm telling you ", argues Dustin with his hands.
Meanwhile Max chides in "yeah exactly. You two have a bunch of that and on top of that you two know each other since you were kids, so you know each other extremely well."

Will looks at them with a hopeful smile "Really? You all wouldn't mind if i uhm...if I love him?" 
Its the first time he said it out loud to all of them, allows himself to finally speak the truth free.
Immediately he finds himself in another hug.

"Of course not buddy. We love you and we love Mike and whatever happens between you both, we accept you", says Lucas smiling wide after.
"I don't know if anything... will happen or if he even feels the same", Will sighs.
"Oh please, Snow White can't take his eyes off of you, its so obvious", Max snorts rolling her eyes.

"If something does happen, I called it since day one", says Lucas happily.
"No you didn't, that's impossible", Max argues and they bicker for a while.
Will leans back giggling and let's himself enjoy the chaotic banter with his friends, knowing it might be the last time that they have a calm moment.

He also confides his experience to them, which they quickly lead back to Henry's doing after further research.
So yeah just another thing they have to worry about, that apparently he can sometimes read or invade minds.
The logistics are not even clear in the books they found so far and Jane wont be back until its night.

Later on that day he looks nostalgic around their small house that he loves so much, then he goes to his mother.
"I'm sorry mom I have to do this. I can't let him die and I...I love him", he whispers as admission.
Tears well up in her face but she nods understanding "I understand son, I'm so proud of you and I'll always love you. I'll just miss you so much"

"I'll miss you too mom", he says with a sob and they hug each other tightly for hours.
Then he informs his brother as well, who ruffles his hair and tells him to better survive out there.
Once the mage is finally back from her trip she quickly gets filled in and immediately jumps to hug Will tightly, who sighs relieved.

He does feel a little better and less weak having her at his side, after all shes like a sister to him.

The next day when he sees Mike he has to hold everything back not to jump in his arms and hug him immediately.
The prince looks at him just as desperate, arms twitching to reach out.
But one glance to the king and they both know "not now".

Henry merely seems pleased as he whispers threateningly in his ear "I expect some pleasant results".
Will holds his breath nodding, trying not to give anything away and then he and Mike are sent off into the woods.
As soon as their out of the sight Will stops Snow White.

"We need to wait for our friends here"
Its the first time Mike looks at him confused since they started walking, he was uncharacteristically silent the whole time.
But judging by his disheveled look and deep bags under his eyes Will assumes that he didn't have a great time lately.

He doesn't even want to begin to phantom what he had to endure.
The Huntsman spends their wait explaining everything to Mike who gets paler and paler with every information he gets.
Standing frozen in place gaping at him and there's still too much distance between them both.

"Aren't you at least gonna hug me?", Will finally manages to ask, his voice wobbling dangerously.

Mike jolts from zoning out and blinks at him, moments later he is enwrapped in large warm hands.
"God I missed you. I missed you so much. You have no Idea how horrible my week was", Snow White says in tears and the Sorcerer can't hold his own back either.
"What happened? Did he hurt you? Are you ok? I missed you too", he blurts out all in one reluctantly pulling back to check for injuries.

Mike sniffs, fidgeting with his own hands before he looks up.
"uhm he may have....thrown me into the dungeon, chained me up and didn't give me any food", he hesitantly draws up his shirt.
Dark rings appear at the wrist and Will gasps, before he already mumbles a healing spell.
He cant do anything for the clear malnourishment though and it makes him nauseos and furious with anger.

Mike looks down in awe as the bruises vanish and then up again "thanks sorcerer" , he says and beams.
"Of course", Will says smiling back but it doesnt quite reach his eyes.
There´s too much going on right now, the butterflies in his stomach have no business being here.

"I wasn't even sure I'll survive. But I guess i got lucky huh?", Snow White asks with a lopsided grin a moment later, while theyre still waiting.
Will looks at him feeling guilty, because so far he didnt tell him everything.
"Mike...oh god. You have no Idea yet. It´s even worse than i thought", he says akwardly.

Meanwhile the prince. looks confused " Worse than you thought? What do you mean? I thought you told me everything"
Will bites his lip, but he has to say it even if it makes his stomach twist.
"Well..he wanted me to kill you out here", he whispers.

Mike looks horrified and his mouth falls open for a while until he finally finds his voice.
"He..what? Oh my god...I don't see you for one week and this is what happens? Jesus we need a plan! We need....we need-"
"mike", Will stops him pacing around and he looks at him frantically.

"We do have a plan, remember? Our friends are going to join us. We can defeat him"
Snow White shoulders drop in relief and he finally breathes out.
"right yeah.good", then shortly silence follows as he looks nervous at him stepping slightly back.

"Just to be clear you...uhm you aren't actually going through with the.... request, right?", asks Mike nervously scratching his neck and keeping distance to him.
Will immediately reaches out pulling him closer again.
"what? Of course not!. I could never hurt you. You're my best friend and... you mean so much to me", then he sits down and opens his arms as silent invitation.

Mike breaks out in a relieved smile and leaves no space between them, immediately curling into his side until they're properly cuddling.
"you mean a lot to me too. Still you know you're usually always following every order", he says absendmindedly fidgeting with the sorcerers fingers.
Will chuckles and tightens both arms around him, one stroking over his hair that has reached lenght past the shoulders now.

"true. Max was quite happy about me being the rulebreaker for once"
"Of course she was", Mike rolls his eyes but a smile plays at his lips at the mention of her name.
Then he adds "Well I'm glad you're here with me. Crazy together right, like old times remember?", he all but beams looking up at him.

Will tries to calm down his spreading blush, "yeah. Crazy together" and he really hopes it's like old times.
Maybe then they could go back to holding hands and sleeping in one bed, but for now they have to prepare for battle.
Moments later their friends arrive with bags full of necessities.

When they see Mike, they immediately hug him tightly.
"Thank god you're here. Are you ok? Did you check for any inflicted pain", Dustin asks towards Will who rolls his eyes.
"No Dustin. As a sorcerer capable of healing I forgot about it"
"Hey! No reason make snipe comments, I just wanted to make sure", Dustin crosses his arms pouting playfully.

Jane immediately goes to hug will "Im so glad to be here just in time. I just wish the circumstances would be better"
"Yeah me too", he says and then she goes to hug Mike as well.
Then Lucas pulls him in a tight hug and Max is the lasty nudging him hard "you better never vanish in the castle again wheeler. Had us worrying".

"Ow hey! It's not my fault my stepdad is an evil wizard", he glares back and they bicker for a bit but its their way of language.
For now they make their way to the cabin where Robin lives, easily chatting and walking next to each other.
Lucas and Max are walking with intertwined hands, Jane and Dustin follow their notion shortly after, Dustin blushing heavily.

This has been a rather recent evolution between those two and it fills Will with joy seeing his sister happy.
Mike's and his hand are constantly brushing and each time Will wants to reach out as well, its getting quite maddening.
Meanwhile Snow White keeps shooting nervous glances at him, suddenly he clasps his hand in a quick motion.

"this ok?", he whispers and Will nods his heart stuttering as he intertwines their hands carefully.

He should really concentrate on the battle and everything, but all he can think about is their almost kiss.
Also Mike looks really good, but hes always been beautiful.
Will tries his best to hide his blush, but he can swear the prince having a faint hue of pink on his cheeks as well.

They dont let go of each other the rest of the way.

"Byeers good to see you!" Robin draws him into a hug, then her eyes widen as she sees the prince.
"Woah is that the Mike you've been talking about?", Will blushes immediately nodding akwardly but Snow White merely seems pleased.
"So from where do you two know each other again?", asks Dustin curiously as they all gather in the living room.

"Oh well I was one of the guides at the camp and Will and I here bonded immediately over uhh... being similar in a specific way", she eyes him nervously.
"It's ok they know already except Mike and they accept me", he answers laying a hand on her shoulder.
"What do i not know? Snow white frowns looking between them.

Robin is too close to his Will for his liking.
Wait - his? 
He doesnt have any privileges...yet.

He really needs to talk to Will and maybe declare his love.

Will nods towards Robin to give her the ok and a head start "Oh well I like girls the way most people like boys"
"And i like boys. Romantically I mean", Will adds looking to Mike nervously for his reaction.
His eyes widen and his heart skips two beats, this could mean that he has a real chance.

But more importantly that means Robin or any other girl has no chance with him and that alone makes him smile honestly.
"oh cool uhm..me too. I mean I like boys too...like that. You know", he shrugs trying to be nonchalant, meanwhile his heart tells another story.
Will's answering smile makes it stop for a whole second and its like everything and everyone else in the room just vanishes for a second.

They stare at each other, the intensity growing as their friends begin to shoot meaningful glances between both and each other.
Until Robin coughs smirking, effectively making them both jolt.
"Well as much as I hate to disrupt this, we need a plan. Most of all we need weapons and armor though, good thing Will picked this place as hideout, follow me!", she exlaims proud and motions everyone.

They walk into the basement where an entire room awaits them full of weapons, armor, swords, shields, you name it and it's there.
"Woaah this is insane!", says Dustin with wide eyes staring with an open mouth and the others are equally impressed.
Quickly they all gather various things, preparing everything for tomorrow.

Mike chooses a knight armor and a sword, since he's already accustomed to that.
Lucas takes a crossbow, a hunting knife and a bandana fitting to his protective vest.
Max takes a bag filled with various potions ready to throw at any time, that she spends the next hours mixing together with the help of Jane.

The mage doesn't need much since her spells work without anything, still she also grabs for two knifes just in case.
Dustin stands indecisive between an axe and a large sword, eventually he goes for the axe though rounding it up with a gun belt & a pistol.
Robin takes the most guns, she straps two bullet holders across her vest.

Will lays some spells over his cloak and spends most of the time studying further in the books Jane brought upon what he has witnessed.
The moment they're all finished choosing, he calls them together.
"Ok so I think I finally know what happened yesterday. I'm pretty sure he used this spell, which grants him the ability to enter my mind".

"Hold on so we have to worry about that now too?", asks Dustin desperated and Mike scoots closer worried.
"Well i think it only works if he's close enough and if Jane casts protection spell onto me, I should be fine", Will says looking in the round.
Robin seems to think long and hard, suddenly she snaps her fingers.

"Wait...wait, i got it! You said you unlocked these powers right after that?"
"Uh, yeah?", asks Will, he has brought her up to speed shortly after arriving.
"Ok well what if...you can do the same? Enter his mind and use those powers against him", her eyes glow excited and everyone turns to the sorcerer expectantly.

He stutters embarassed "I...I don't know Robin. I'm not even sure how I suddenly unlocked them. What if i can't do it?"
Well then let's practice! Here try entering my mind" she says like its simple.
Will sighs defeated, there's no harm in trying right?

He concentrates on the magic flowing within him and Mike who stands next to him, radiating off his warmth.
He thinks of other happy memories with him, it's not hard because the prince feels like home to him.
Every moment is special, but theres one that tugs at his brain.

Mike and him playing dress up when they were still young and even back then Mike had unconsciously chosen to be a knight.
Just so they could play pretend that Will as princess gets rescued from a big bad dragon.
Once he succeded Will true to his role gave him a cheek kiss a thanks and Mike had grown scarlet red, calling it his favorite game from now on.

He feels the same power within him and suddenly he sees through Robin's eyes, his own going white.
"you're thinking about... you're scared about tomorrow and you're missing Vickie", he heaves and then breaks the connection, eyes slowly rolling back and wiping his nose.
Their friends look bewondered at him, Robin nods exclaiming "yess! Yes! My plan is working, ok we need to go over the details"

Meanwhile Wills eyes automatically travel to Mike who stands there frozen.
But not in fear, no theres only pure unadulterated awe written on his face, just like the first time he saw him do magic only this time its elevated.
His eyes are wide and sparkling, his cheeks are pink and he looks at him like he hung the moon and stars himself.

The sorcerer swallows tightly adverting his gaze, it's dangerous to get lost in those big brown eyes, adoring him like hes the only thing in the room.
Especially because he wants nothing more then close the distance between them, hold him and kiss him until neither of them knows their name anymore.
Its getting really hard concentrating on the mission like this, when all he can think about is wondering if Mike would want that too and if his lips are as soft as they look.

They spend the rest of their time planning and overlapping each other with ideas until one after the other yawns.

"Alright i think we're prepared. We should all get some good sleep", says Mike glancing at Will like always.
Watching out for him and only him in the room, its natural at this point.
"Oh yeah right! I only have two guest rooms and one sofa to offer, soo who's taking what?", asks Robin.

"We'll take one of the rooms" says Lucas immediately and then adds because Mike rolls his eyes "hey were a couple, so its obvious"
"Whatever. Uhm Will would you...I mean the sorcerer needs the best rest obviously so we could share?", Mike turns to him shyly, fidgeting with his hands.
Will adores him so much, his heart leaps out of his chest, he cant even pretend to not be absolutely thrilled about this.

"yeah! Uhm i mean yes sounds good", he corrects his enthusiasm barely but Snow White already beams at him.
"We can share the couch then, I don't mind", says Jane to Dustin who sports a deep red blush and nods hastily.
Robin's eyes are still looking between Mike and Will, raising an eyebrow and smirking but saying nothing for now.

Finally they all fall exhausted into bed, today has been a lot after all.
Mike struggled all day to be anything but close to Will, failing heroically when he took his hand.
So he doesn't even pretend and simply opens his arms as soon as he lays down "like last time?", he asks with shy open warm eyes.

Will smiles brightly and a second later he lays comfortably in the embrace.
"I missed you so much", he mumbles happily.
"Yeah I missed you too", answers Snow White happily smiling, unable to stop and looks down at him.

The moonlight encases the room in a cozy atmosphere, their faces visible in the dim night lamp.

Mike did his best effort to keep his eyes off Will as much as possible, but here in the darkness of the room he grows weak.
Especially after being trapped in a dark dungeon all week and the only thing that brought him through the day was daydreaming of exactly this.
Will in his arms, safe and sound, looking up at him with his beautiful hazel eyes.

Mike's hand that has been wrapped around him, slowly travels to his cheek again.
What if he fucks it up or something comes inbetween them like last time?
Why cant he be just courageous enough and kiss him finally, when the other boy is literally in his arms?

He wants to be the first and only one having knowledge of how Will´s lips taste.

His hand trembles as he caresses his cheek with his thumb, but Will doesn't seem to mind as he leans into the soft embrace eyes closing.
Mike's breath hitches, he is completely entranced by now
So much so that his brain stops working completely and the next sentence just slips out of his mouth.

"You're so beautiful", he whispers and then Mike´s clams a hand over his mouth as a red blush forms across his cheeks.
"I mean - I didn't mean to -", he doesn't get further.
Will who has spend years wondering and yearning for more, for love, for Mike, is finally done waiting.

He takes a leap of faith, his hand pulling him in on his shirt as he leans up.
Finally their lips meet in the middle.
The kiss is soft, sweet and short, since he pulls back shortly after realizing what he's just done.

 "you're the most beautiful person I've ever seen Mike", it just slips out of him as admission to something he has been carrying around all these years.
Mike's blush deepens, as he looks at him awestruck, opening and closing his mouth a few times seemingly unable to voice himself.
"Do that again please", he rasps out finally and Will giggles relieved, but since he made him wait for 5 minutes he decides to play innocent.

"Do what again?", he asks batting his long eyelashes unable to hide the smile, while he looks down on Mike who seems clearly flustered and at loss of words.
"I uhm...that you know. What you just did", he answers and one hand lands on Will's necks drawing them so close that their noses are touching.
"Hmm sorry I can't recall, maybe you need to remind me", the sorcerer smirks at him joyfully and the Prince groans in frustration.

It seems that finally snapped something in him, because suddenly the hand behind his neck pulls him down fast.

Their lips all but crash into one another.

With an eagerness that takes Will's breath away, Mike moves his lips urgently against him.
After some short time he kisses just as passionately back.
Snow white hums happily, the hand on his hip drawing him even closer and Will's hands who were on his shoulders now tangle into the long curly hair.

It's as soft as he imagined and he loses himself in their kiss.
It grows passionate soon with open mouths and tongues tangling, eliciting gasps inbetween from both until they finally run out of breath.
"Did that help remind you?", asks Mike panting, their foreheads pressed against each other and both grinning wide.

"Yeah but i think I'll need reminders all the time", Will says smiling wide and presses a soft kiss to him.
Snow White smiles even brighter at him, his eyes sparkling in joy as he takes his face in his hands and continues to place soft kisses all over his face.
"Oh thank god. I'm beyond crazy for you Will. Do you know that? I won't ever let you go. You're mine now", he mumbles in-between each one of them.

Will giggles, gently pushing his face "stop stop too much"
Mike pulls back grinning "uhm would you want that too? Being mine", he asks suddenly nervous and Will can't help his joyful giggles that just burst out of him.
"Of course I want to be yours, you dork", he presses his lips down eagerly, but it's a bit hard since they're both smiling so hard.

Still neither of them stops pressing soft kisses to the other, until theyre lips meeting effortless again and again.
Completely loosing themselves in finally getting what they've both dreamed about so long, years of lingering feelings all crushing down at once.
Even though neither of them has said it yet, their actions speak for itself.

Their kisses grow messy and passionate again, as their tongues meet and Will gasps pressing himself impossibly onto Mike while the other pulls relentless.
Until Will is fully on top of him and their hands are grabbing each other tightly, panting and kissing.
"We should...we should probably sleep", pants Mike between kisses but makes no move to stop, hands tugging into his hair.

Just as the prince bites his bottom lip teasingly, will's tugs on his long curls and Mike groans, while will says "Mh..yeah. sleep is good".
It takes them a while to finally stop, but they know they need the energy for tomorrow and theyre not alone here.
Eventually they settle cuddled up in each others arms, Mike giving him a soft forehead kiss before he finally falls asleep as well.

In the morning Snow White wakes Will up with soft kisses all over his face, until the other giggles joyfully and leans in for a proper kiss.
Mike hums satisfied, melting into it.
"We need to get up", says Will against his lips between more kisses.

"yeah i know, uhm do we...are we going to tell the others?", he asks shyly motioning in-between them.
The sorcerer just smiles wide and intertwines their hands "of course. I don't want to hide this ever".
"Good me neither", breathes the prince out relieved and plants further kisses all over his face.

When they get up, the enter the living room with entwined hands, messy hairs and a matching grin.
Jane squeals when she sees them and all eyes turn towards them now.
"Finally! Took you both long enough!", says Lucas grinning, wrapping them both in a hug.

"Ooh I'm so happy for you Will", Jane wraps Will next in a hug.
Max simply nudges them both "yeah good, now we don't have to endure the pining anymore", she grins smug while Mike shouts "hey!", but theres no bite there.
Robin just nods satisfied "I knew it, so how long have you two been together?"

Mike and Will look confused at each other and then break out in laughing, along the others.
"Actually we're boyfriends since yesterday", informs Snow White her and her eyes grow wide.
"Woah I would have thought... nevermind"

"Dont worry Robin, these two have been obvious for years!", Max says rolling her eyes.
"We have not!", they say in unison but the matching blushes dont help their case.
Will feels truly happy and relaxed within their group, with Mike to his side being able to hold hands and kiss whenever they want now.

Finally they all gear up, ready to run the plan and going outside until he can feel him.
But when Will finally manages to enter his mind, he sees with horror that Henry chases after Joyce.
Jonathan is restrained by two soldiers.

"Found you. I will end your life", he growls and his vine hand shoots out, grabbing her by the throat and lifting her off her feet.

"We need...to help her", Will says strained trying to gain his powers like last time.
Vecna chokes her with vines, while Jane tries her best to get there as fast as possible.
Finally the sorcerer's eyes go white and he manages to stop him, breaking his leg.

"You need to run!", he screams, as Jane easily puts both soldiers out of combat with one hand movement and Jonathan escapes too.
Then he sees them all running back towards where him, Mike and the others are
He is heaving and still in Henrys mind, who regains consciousness as his normal version.

He closes his eyes murmuring something and then "get out", the sorcerer immediately feels a flash of pain.
"Get out!" Its torture and faintly he hears Snow White calling for him, but he's still in the state and can't get out of it.
"get out!!", with a final yell he reaches out both hands and pushes Will back physically.

The last thing he notices is his mother's voice calling "Will!! My boy!" and then everything goes black.

Meanwhile Mike rushes along Lucas to the him laying on the ground unmoving.
"will, Will! No no come back to me, come back to us!", he shakes him with his hands but nothing happens.
"We need to go", urges Jane motioning to soldiers who are running towards them.

But Snow White doesn´t really hear her, he cradles the Sorcerer in his arms as tears run down his cheeks
"Hey Mike it's ok, let's help him together ok?", Joyce says softly when he refuses to let him go and he nods eventually.
Still he wont let anyone touch him, carrying him back in his hands to Robin's hideout.

Carefully Will is layed on the couch and everyone collects around him worried.
"What do we do? What even is this?", asks Mike pacing up and down, until he finally settles beside Will taking his hand.
"Maybe there's something in one of his books", Dustin snaps his fingers and immediately he, Robin, Lucas and Max get up.

"You guys do that, I'm gonna...i just need to be here" the prince says swallowing down further tears.
Jane crouches next to him and lays a hand on his shoulder "Its going to be ok Mike. maybe I can reach him with my true sight".
"Yeah good idea", he says nodding while the others are already on their way to the next room where Will's belongings and his books are.

Joyce and Jonathan also stay close to Will, but they let Mike be the closest.
He just stares down at him sad holding his hand, while the other caresses his cheek "Please come back to me...I love you", he whispers.
The admission of what hes been carrying around for years aching in his heart now.

Why didnt he say it sooner?

Joyce looks just as much worried, her eyes red from tears, only moving when Jonathan brings her coffee.
Meanwhile Jane prepares everything she needs in another room for the spell and then asks Will's mom for help shortly to blindfold her.
"Please find my boy", she says squeezing her hands and the mage simply nods.

Once she activates the spell, she begins to float, a glow surrounding her.
Inside she lands in a dark void "Will?", she calls out into the emptiness.
There faintly she sees something.

Will is surrounded by dark veins, ranking tightly around his body, out of his eyes drips blood down.
"Will where are you? Can you get out?", she asks once she's there but he just heaves breathless and his eyes are wide in terror.
"Leave me...alone", he rasps its clear that he can't sense her, it must be blocked by Vecnas dark magic.

Jane rips the vines apart, that finally seems to do the trick.
As his cloudy eyes start focusing on her.
"Jane? Oh god, please let this end. Please, I can't take it anymore", he sobs falling into her arms and she hugs him back tightly, both kneeling on the ground.

"Do you know where you are?", she asks.
"I think im trapped inside his mind, it feels the same like when i entered it. But it's like he shows me...dark and cruel things Jane, please you all need to use my books and find a way. Promise me", he begs her.

Jane draws him in another hug "I promise Will. We're going to get you out", she says.
"And tell mike that...I love him", he says with a sad smile, but she shakes her head.
"No, you can say it to himself once you're out of here. Don't give up hope yet".

He sighs and nods, then jane snaps out of her state.
Mike immediately rushes towards her seeing her land on the floor.
"Did you find him? How can we get to him? is he ok?", he asks breathless.
"He's trapped inside Henry's mind, we need to seek in the books for answers and hes...not in the best state", she says eyes darting down.

Snow Whites lip wobbles, but tears wont bring the sorcerer back to him.
In that moment Dustin alongside Lucas, Max and the others storms out "We found something!", he exclaims with a book in his hand.
They all gather around him as he steps to the table and opens it.

"Here. It states:
dark magic can create a sort of sleeping spell, where the person appears to be trapped in the other mind.
The spell can only be broken by true love kiss"
All eyes turn to Snow White whose eyes widen.
"But...I don't know if i am that"

"Mike you two are together, right? And he is your true first love?", asks Jane and he nods cheeks slightly growing red.
"I can assure you Will feels the same about you", she adds squeezing his shoulder and the other agree with murmurs.
"Ok well... I'm ready to try anything. Just, can y'all give me some space?", he asks awkwardly as he stands next to the couch and all eyes lay on him.

"Of course, come on guys let's start making a plan for after", Robin says motioning everyone to an adjacent room.
Mike inhales as he kneels down beside Will, who seems so lifeless.
Only his moving eyes behind closed eyelids and his breathing reveal that he's not dead.

"Will....I wanted to do this different. I wanted to say it on a special occasion, but there's no time", he says quietly a tear dripping down from him onto his face.
He wipes it away carefully cradling the sorcerer's face.
"you're my first love Will. I love you and I hope...I hope this brings you back".

He swallows tightly in admission of the truth he's been carrying around since years.
Then he slowly closes the distance and carefully puts his lips on his.
His lips are as soft as the first time they kissed, the prince pulls back shortly after holding his breath.

First there's nothing and he feels dread coming up with his heart breaking.
maybe they've been wrong and Will's first true love was someone else.
But then suddenly movement and shortly after brown colored eyes are looking at him, which is different from his usual hazel green.

Even though Mike is confused at that, all that he feels right now is relief as he launches into his arms.
"Will! You're back, youre awake", he sniffles and the sorcerers hand clutch tightly onto him as well shortly after.
Then he pulls back "what happened? Did you...save me or did i just dream that?", he asks akwardly.

Its a bit hard to tell apart fantasy and real life right now.
Especially since hes been trapped in his worst nightmares of mike dying over and over again.
Only to faintly hearing him say that he loves him before he woke up.

Mike laughs in tears "no, no you didn't. I uhm..."
He shifts akwardly staring down blushing.
"The spell could only be broken by true love first kiss and...I love you Will. You're my true first love as well", he says earnestly looking him deep in the eyes.

The huntsman eyes swell up, a wide smile appearing on his face and then he draws him in for a passionate kiss.
Tears mixing between their lips meeting, emotions crashing down all at once.
When he finally pulls back out of breath he says "I love you too Mike. I´ve loved you for years."

Mike beams up at that, eyes sparkling wide.
"for years? Will...Ive loved you since i asked you too go crazy together. It just took me so long to realize and then I couldnt bring up the courage to say it. Im such an idiot", he adds chuckling.
Will brings his face back to him with a short kiss.
"Hey youre not an idiot. It took me a while too, ive always felt like that ever since we were kids. If at all youre a dork, but youre my dork", he boops his nose.

Mike laughs nudging back, which makes Will scrunch his nose with a cute smile and then because he just cant stop admiring him he continues.
Placing kisses all over his face until the other giggles "Yeah all yours and youre mine", he says inbetween each.
Will nods still giggling and then finally catches his face to draw him into a proper kiss.

They both melt into it, sighing happily and loosing all concept of time and space for a moment.

Until someone coughs akwardly, making them jolt apart blushing heavily.
Robin stands there grinning wide on the vergy of saying something.
She's interrupted by Joyce rushing through the door and immediately hugging her son.

"Will darling you're awake!", a minute later he's enraveled in a group hug from his friends and family everyone relieved.
"We need a plan", Dustin says as the first one breaking the joyful spirit.
"Yeah but now we need to deal with vecna being able to do these weird sleeping spellls as well, Will can you still feel him?"

All eyes turn to him, he bites his lips trying to concentrate on his inner mind.
"I think so. It's like i can hear dark thoughts and they all whisper horrible things into my brain", he says in fear and immediately Mike is drawing him in closer on his waist.
"His eyes are different too", he says in the next moment, holding his hand tightly and they all survey him in detail.

"You're right. Maybe it's because of the spell. Jane and Will can you help us both? We've tried deciphering these spellbooks but its not really our fortay"
"Of course but given that Henry can enter his mind i think we should not give Will too much information", says Jane and her and they all agree shortly after.
The Sorcerer doesnt like it, but his grumpyness vanishes as soon as Snow White exclaims to stay by his side.

He doesnt care if he gets the infos last, as long as he can stay by his side.
They spend most of the time reading books together, or Will drawing and Mike writing.
Of course theres also a lot of kissing, hand holding and cuddling involved.

The next few days are filled with them all passing forth and back notes and Dustin overseeing it alongside Robin writing it all down.
They don't know how long they have, but they all need rest too.
Today is not about battling plans for once though, as it is Wills birthday making him and Mike both 18.

Jane, Robin and Dustin do their best to create a somewhat decent cake. 
Then they all settle on the table singing him a song and trying their best to lift the spirit, taking the mind off of everything else.
Meanwhile Mike as the boyfriend sees it as his opportunity to read off Wills every single wish and attend for it.

Jumping up immediately when he asks for water.
Max snorts at that "have you transformed into a dog now, wheeler?", she asks teasingly.
He merely flips her off glaring, but all the anger flares away as Will gives him a thank you kiss on his cheek.

Satisfied he hums, settling next to him. 
Truthfully he doesnt care if its Wills birthday or not.
He will always devote every single thing to him, simply because he loves him and by some miracle the other boy loves him back.

 By night they cuddle up together in the bed.
"So was today good? Any wishes left?", the prince asks as he caresses his hair and the sorcerer looks up amused, yet fond.
"No wishes left Mike, you made me very happy today, thank you", he says placing a soft kiss on his lips.

Mike hums immediately drawing him back for more "Of course, everything for you my sorcerer. Love you", he says inbetween each.
Will beams happily "i love you too Mike" and in the next moment is drawn in for their lips to meet yet again.
Both smile into the kiss that grows slowly but surely more passionate.

"Mike" pants the sorcerer letting his head fall back, as the other dives down hungrily for open mouthed kisses on the bare neck.
A fire roars in them coming to life, Snow White has wanted this ever since theyve been together and even before.
But there was just not really a calm moment for it until now, the darkness of the night swallowing them.

"Mike the others could hear us", Will tries again panting in a weak attempt, as a whine escapes him while Mike sucks a mark into his skin.
"Well my dear cleric, then you shall try to be quiet. I want to give you everything if you´ll let me?", he asks looking up and his eyes are completely dark.
The desire and hunger mirroring in them, yet he stops his hands on his bare waist and waits for permission.

He would never do something the Huntsman wouldnt want to, but he´ll give him everything if he´s allowed to.

"No...god, don't stop", Will says tugging eagerly on his long curls to pull him down into another heated kiss.
Mike groans, their tongues meeting and he pulls back to carefully tread a path of kisses down his neck and collarbone, opening his buttons one by one.
"Mike", Will says breathily and pleading, wanting his hands faster on him as he tugs on the others shirt impatiently.

The other immediately follows the notion, pulling it over his head and diving back down to his work, while the sorcerer closes his eyes in pleasure.
"I've got you, eyes on me ok?", the prince murmurs with a pleased smile.
In the darkness, the moonlight shining clothes start to fall as they unite in the most intimate way there is.

Meanwhile on the other side of the kingdom King Henry had to regain his strength.
The attack left him with his right foot taking slower to heal than usually.
Even with his dark healing magic it took him 3 days.

He knows he has only one week, if he wants to succeed in his plan, by now only 4 days are left.
He can still feel Will being under his control, so he should be the strongest sorcerer now.
Assuming the boy is still trapped under the sleeping spell, he steps in front of the mirror.

"mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the most powerful sorcerer of all?"
"You are my king, but deep in the forest hidden is Will. He is the most powerful of all"
"What? No!", Henry shouts furiously and in his anger he looses control over his hand,it splinters the mirror apart.

Angrily heaving he stands there, now he cant even spy on him anymore.
"How is that possible? I trapped him. He should be weaker now", he snarls to his soldiers who tremble in fear.
"I don't know my king"

"Well then find me a solution and quickly! I want to end him once and for all, he does not belong in this world!", he growls and the soldiers obey.
Shortly after he holds the answer in his hand.
"this is what you've been seeking for dear king, but it is extremely risky. I can't recommend doing it", says the high mage who has found it.
King henry merely shoos him away with his hand.

"this is perfect, it will work and then I will rule this kingdom", his eyes glow up evilish as he stares at the parchment.
It holds an old ancient spell, that will wake up an entity no one has seen in over 100 years.
With the connection he still has to Will, it will link all three to them.

If he fails and dies, at least the other will die as well.
He spends the rest of the day gathering as much demogorgons as possible.
They´ve been great help to him in the past and he can easily control them with a different spell.

On the fourth day as Snow white and the huntsman enter the living room yawning hand in hand, the others are already gathering the rest of the weapons and armor Robin has in store.
"we've heard rumors from far that King Henry has healed, so we need to end him today", fills them Lucas in.
Immediately they're both wide awake, joining the others in preparations.

"You two really are made for each other", says Jane in awe as Mike steps out in his knight armor alongside Will who is dressed in his usual starry robe.
They both blush heavily glancing at each other in adoration, then the prince goes on his knees, taking one hand in his.
"Just promise me that we´ll stick together. I will protect you with my life if i have to", says Mike placing a soft kiss on the knuckles.

Will´s heart blooms and he nods eagerly "only if you promise me to not risk your life. I need you alive"
"Same goes for you then", Snow white counters with a soft grin and Will simply pulls him up into a kiss.
"Youre such a dork", he says fondly inbetween two kisses.

"Ok you lovebirds we really need to get going", says Max laughing and they both pull apart.
Snow White lays an arm around the Huntsman grinning "oh please like you and lucas are better"
Just to prove his point Lucas draws her close to plant a big kiss on her.

Shortly she melts into it and then pushes him away gently.
"Ok ok now we really need to go", Max says rolling her eyes, but her lips are curved into a smile.
For a while they all walk silently through the forest.

Joyce and Jonathan as well as Mike stay close to Will, the others walk behind them.
Suddenly the sorcerer falls behind, unable to breathe properly as his whole body reacts to a now known danger.
Mike turns around and is at his side immediately "Will what's wrong?"

"It's vecna, I can feel him, he's close", he says, reaching for his neck.
"Ok we can do this. Together like promised", Mike says intertwining their hands and Will nods.
"Get ready guys", Mike yells and they all take a stance just as they leave the safety of the forest behind.

A deserted landscape awaits them.
Miles and Miles of dried up earth, in the distance a weird large shape coming up from the earth.
It almost looks like giant roots growing upside down.

"What's that shape?", asks Lucas confused pointing at it.
"I don't know", says Mike in the exact moment the ground suddenly begins to rumble.
They all stand frozen watching as legs now start to hit the ground.

In the exact same moment Will screams and falls to his knees.
Everyone surrounds him, Mike immediately clasping his left shoulder and Joyce his right one.
"Will what is it?"
"I can...feel something strong and dark. I think he is inside this monster", he says with wide eyes looking at Mike and the others.

"What? What do you mean?", the other responds with furrowed brows.
"Look out!" screams Dustin at the same moment, barely rescuing Robin from a giant leg about to crush her.
The monster looks like an overdimensional spider, a dragon head roaring fiercely.

Suddenly Demogorgons enter the field in the distance running towards them.
"Shit come on we need to do something, we need to fight!", screams Robin and she runs into battle alongside Lucas, Max and Dustin.
"I cant...I cant get up, I cant fight him", the sorcerer heaves with wide eyes panting heavily while Mike gets increasingly worried.

"Dont worry Will, I will go and fight Vecna, you take care of the monsters", Jane says and then she quickly runs towards it.
Using the distraction from the others shooting arrows and bullets flying directly through it's mouth.
"Will are you sure you're ok?", asks the Paladin, swinging his swords at every demogorgon that dares to get too close to them.

"Yeah just keep going", he pants and Joyce adds "Ill be watching over him Mike, go you need to help your friends"
Finally he nods, charging in with his sword held high, Will in the meantime concentrates on standing up with wobbly feets.
The sorcerer even before he enters henrys mind, can feel his connection the giant monster.

He knows what it means, he can feel it deep in his bones.
They´re somehow all linked, united together permanently.
So he very possibly could die too, if they succeed in defeating him.

He didnt say any of that to Mike though, he was worried enough and theres no time in this fierce battle.
In this moment Will gets a moment of clarity, if he dies he might as well make it count.
He´ll save his friends, his family and Mike, because they deserve to live.

Accessing his power this time is easy, as he thinks back of the moment Mike told him he loves him.
It lights up within him much stronger then all the other times and with a yell he starts killing one Demogorgon after the after.
Helping his friends out, quickly gaining the upper hand against them.

So much so that he decides to see how his sister is doing, as his friends bravely fight further against the rest.
The mage struggles a lot, being tossed and thrown around inside the monster.
Quickly the sorcerer changes his approach using the link between them and entering Vecnas mind yet again.

Just in time he stops the viney hand centimeters near Janes face and with a grunt severes it off his body.
Vecna yells and at the same time he feels an unbearable pain of flash cursing through him throwing him to his knees.
Jane manages to restrict him in a holding spell as his appearance starts changing and Henrys human form comes back.

"What did you do?", whines Will in agony over the pain.
Henry chuckles pleased.
"I connected us all to the shadow monster. If I feel pain you feel it too, if i die, you will die too. But you already know that dont you?", he asks smirking.

The mages eyes widen "Will why is he saying that?", she shouts even though she cant hear him, only henry.

"Why would you choose a destiny where you die? If i peril at least let me know the reason."
The stone-cold facade of the dark wizard cracks for the first time, sadness washing over his features.
"Very well i shall show you", he says almost soft and then Will is catapulted into his memories.

Seeing a young version of henry being bullied again and again for being different.
His parents not caring enough about him to notice.
Left alone he was already suffering.

Then dormnant powers awakened in him too, but back then sorcerers had a bad reputation only.
People were afraid and rumors immediately started, the comments thrown at his face being more and more ugly.
His parents decided one day to sent him to a doctor after an incident at school where he had broken another kids arm to defend himself.

However the doctor abused and tortured him, only interested in harbouring these powers for his own good.
He made him do terrible, unspeakable things until Henry was left broken and fractured.
So one day he used the powers against him and killed the doctor in agony, from there on using dark magic.

"but you were just a young teenager...it wasnt your fault", Will whispers in tears standing up.
"You could choose to write your own destiny, you dont have to be what other people think", he adds.
Henrys lips quivers a sob escaping him and a tear running down his face "leave me alone. It´s too late for me"

"its never too late Henry", Will says stubbornly, but that changes the kings sadness into anger.
"No! Dont you see William? I chose this for myself. This is my destiny and I will fullfil it", he says and with a yell he frees himself from the spell.
Then he changes back into Vecna immediately throwing Jane multiple times against the inside walls until shes bleeding "I wont stop!"

"Then I will have to stop you", the sorcerer says angryly diving back into his powers.
Fiercely he makes one hand motion, effectively smashing Vecna into a bone and piercing his back.
Both yell in unison, blood gushing out of their mouths.

"What are you doing? You will die as well!", Vecna says coughing and loud enough so that Jane can hear it, who screams "No will, dont!"
"If i die so be it, youre not leaving me a choice", he says lifting him up in the air with both hands.
Then with one final blow he is thrown down, the bone severing his head from his body.

With a loud roar the monster falls to the ground as well as the demogorgons.
Quickly their friends draw back, all wounded in battle.
Max having both legs broken, Lucas shoulder dislocated, Robin and Dustin having multiple claw marks on their arms and legs and Mikes right arm looking severely damaged.

But he doesnt even care, when his gaze finally falls to Will.
"no...no!", he sprints across the battlefield to the lifeless body on the ground.
Blood running out of his eyes and mouth, theres no sign of breathing.

"No, no! Will dont do this to me. Please, come back. Please", he cries out, cradling him with his good arm as best as he can.
Thats when joyce and jonathan finally arrive to, his brother immediately yelling "get him on the ground quickly"
They look completely dishelved, cuts and bruises everywhere, but right now they couldnt care less trying to revive Will.

"Someone get Jane, oh god Will. no dont do this to me, you promised", sobs mike and Lucas jumps up being the least injured.
Finally he sees her emerging out of the dead monsters body and she runs as soon as he sees him frantically waving.
"Will oh god! He shouldnt have done that".

"Can you help him?", asks Dustin crying, meanwhile Joyce does her best to treat Snow Whites wounds on his arm.
"I...I dont know. I can try", she says and murmurs every spell known.
Nothing happens, Will stays lifeless.

Tears well up in her face, when she suddenly remembers something Will told her.
Memories are the most powerful source.
She holds her hand over his heart, closing her eyes.

Jane thinks about the first day they met, about countless hangouts and laughter.
About a paint fight where her dad hopperended up grounding her for it.
Still will showed up everday at her window, just to say hi.

So many memories in which they grown closer each day.
hes like a brother to her and Jane loves him.
Her hand begins to glow and she can feel a new kind of power awaken inside her.

It all floats into will, who at first remains lifeless.
One finger twitches, then two and then he sits halfway up coughing up even more blood.

"Will, Will oh thank god!"
"Will my baby"
"You scared us holy shit"
Voices overlap as hes hugged tightly from all sides, everyone in relieved tears.

Finally they make place for Mike who presses close to him with his functioning hand.
"Will, i thought...I lost you. god, why did you sacrifice yourself? You promised!", he sobs both accusing and reliefed.
"I had no choice. Vecna...he connected us both to the shadow monster. So when he died i did too...Im sorry. I just wanted to save you all", Will answers pressing a soft kiss to his face, his eyes are back to their hazel green shimmering with tears.

Then he notices his hand and immediately takes it trying to do a healing spell.
But he yells up in pain "Ow! Sorry I...I cant right now. I dont know if your arm will survive this"
Mike just chuckles still in tears "Its ok, as long as you did. god you scared me. Never do something like this again, you hear me? I need you by my side, dont ever leave me like that", he says earnestly.

"I promise Mike. I will always be there"



- 6 months later -

Mike nervously paces up and down the throne room, when Lucas comes inside hurried and panting.
"Finally what took you so long?", Snow white asks throwing his hands in the air.
"Sorry, sorry. The wait was longer than expected", he says holding a small box to him.

The room is filled with Wills favorite flowers, candles setting the romantic atmosphere.
Jane and Dustin making last preparations, when the door opens and Max comes inside with Will who is blindfolded.
"Can I finally take it off?", he asks slightly annoyed and she laughs "just one more moment, patience"

Slowly and surely all wounds and bruises healed after the battle.
Max still needs a cane for walking, Wills one eye is partially blind and Mikes right arm needed to be taken away down from his elbow.
But they all made it out alive and thats whats most important.

Peace found the kingdom as the queen returned, Snow White had immediately requested that Wills family shall live in the castle.
She agreed not much later, learning about the relationship between those two and so the byers officially moved in.
Mike and Will obviously sharing a moment from day one, neither letting the other go far without being immediately behind.

The nightmares still haunting them for a good while, but they had each other finding comfort in cuddling tightly together.
Exchanging sweet kisses and nicknames all the time, giving each other small treats and soon getting the main topic around the whole kingdom.
Some murmurs were here and there, but mostly the reaction was positive throughout and they enjoyed being able to stroll through the market without much thought holding hands.

Mikes hands are jittery in this moment as he cues the violin to start playing and Max takes off Wills blindfold.
The sorceres blinks a couple of times adjusting to the light and his mouth falls open inspecting the throne room.
His friends and family are there, Lucas, Dustin, Max, Jane and Robin all dressed in their battle outfits.

Then his gaze falls back to the Prince who wears his knight armor as well, he himself has his wizard robe on after specific request from Max.
Although it did get him suspicious, since they havent been wearing these ever since they defeated vecna.
Now looking at the preparations and everyone smiling expectantly he has a hunch of whats really going on here.

Snow White walks towards him and drops on one knee, taking his hand.
Will claps a hand to his mouth eyes widening in realization.

"My dearest cleric. My life changed the moment when i asked you to be friends, it was the best thing i´ve ever done.
You are the most important person in my life, Im beyond words that you love me just as much as I do. So now on this day I will humbly ask you..."
He takes his hand back to open the small box, presenting a silver ring with a purple diamond.
"Will you do me the honor and be my sorcerer?", he asks looking up with wide hopeful eyes.

Will is speechless, he can barely get a word out his heart bursting.
Eagerly he nods "Yes, yes, of course I want to be yours", he finally manages to say laughing and Mike lights up visibly.
While his friends and family cheer and clap in the background he carefully puts the ring on him.

Then the cleric pulls him up into an emotional kiss, the paladin melting into it.
Surrounded by their friends who are celebrating, hugging to congratulate.
A fest is hold shortly after the proposing, people are celebrating and dancing joyfully.

Mike and Will joining in the middle, dancing and laughing together.
Holding hands and kissing in front of everyone to see.

𝕬𝖓𝖉 𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖞 𝖑𝖎𝖛𝖊𝖉 𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖕𝖎𝖑𝖞 𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖗 𝖆𝖋𝖙𝖊𝖗.