Work Text:
Will felt like he was genuinely losing it, like pieces in his brain didn't want to connect. Most days were the same, the alarm would go off and Will would snooze it once, and then twice. Finally getting up when Chester began howling to wake him up. But that was a lie, he knew he would stay in bed for another ten minutes.
After he actually got up he would start off by feeding Chester and turning on the coffee machine, pouring it and some milk in his cup, just taking a few minutes to relax. When he was done with that he hurried to the bathroom trying to make himself look presentable. Afterwards changing into something comfortable enough for work, but also professional enough people wouldn't comment on it at the work place.
At last he spends a bit of time trying to find keys, or maybe his wallet. Something was always gone in the mornings.
When he gets out of the house he hurries off to work, he works part time at a cafe in mid city, for when his work as a freelance illustrator didn't completely cut it. He had a simple life, a stark contrast to his teenage years, of dealing with getting flayed and feeling out of control of his own body, or growing up with a deep feeling of disgust and disappointment in himself.
The way to work was a bit uncomfortable, his jacket being just a bit too thin to keep the late October breeze out. He hurried trying to get to the subway.
He barely manages to reach the subway, when he gets in there weren't really any seats so he decides to just stand, taking a few deep breaths, trying to mentally get ready for the hell show that work was gonna be.
The cafe he worked at was fairly close to the subway so with a bit of jogging he managed to get there in time to start his shift.
The day was uneventful, it was the best way to explain it. No one was too rude but also no one was overly nice, no annoying cleanups. Just nothing. And that's what Will wanted, after everything that has happened at home, with Jane.
*
Work ended around six, he stood in the break room listening to the radio, “Smalltown Boy” began playing. Ironic really, it was gonna get stuck in his head for weeks now.
To your soul
There had been an accident on the subway, so it took almost an hour longer to get home, how fun.
The second he got home he started by checking the mailbox, it was the average stuff. Advertisements, stuff about the apartment, news. When he got into the apartment he greeted Chester and was about to go for a short walk, but the phone rang. He walked over to where it hung, leaning against the wall scratching the dogs, that was sitting in front of him, ear.
“Hello?”
Max? She usually only really calls on Sundays, when they line up their free time to be able to talk. “Max?”
Only two words and Will already wanted to hang up, oh god.
There was a relieved sigh before she began talking again. “Will! Thank God, I've been calling all day.”
You leave in the morning with everything you own in a little black case
“What?”
“Didn’t know when you were off.” Will could basically hear her shrugging when she said that, it made sense but it was still surprising.
“Yeah, of course. Sorry.” Will smiled a bit to himself, it was always nice to talk to Max, it was weird to be nervous over.
Alone on a platform, the wind and the rain on a sad and lonely face
“Anyways,” Max's voice cut through. “Everyone's going back home for a few weeks, for a reunion and thanksgiving.”
Will froze, when was the last time he had been home? It must have been graduation, and he left quickly afterwards.
Mother will never understand why you had to leave
“When did we agree to this?” Will let his legs give in, and he slid down, so he ended up sitting with his knees to his chest.
“Lucas and I were originally going to take a trip down together, but the dates matched up and.” She let the words trail off before continuing, “we asked Dustin if he could come too and now we're asking you.”
“And Mike?” Will regretted that question immediately, it sounded so wrong coming out from his lips. Dirty even.
But the answers you seek will never be found at home
“Will,” Her voice was soft. “He never left.”
He forgot about that, and Will felt worse. “Right.”
She waited a few seconds before speaking. “We're gonna be in Hawkins the second, if you have time try and come then.”
Will got up from the floor walking over to his calendar, he did have time. The only problem was his job wasn't that flexible, but Christmas was coming up so could most likely survive doing commissions if he did this right.
“I'll be there.”
Will got a pen writing it up, him and Max spoke for a bit before they both said their goodbyes and hung up.
It's not like he didn't go back, he's excited to see his family and friends again. But it's also a lot, he left for a reason.
The love that you need will never be found at home
There was a week until the road trip from New York City to Indiana, he was slowly beginning to pack stuff, like clothes he'd need and so on.
*
He was definitely over preparing but he was nervous, it was a ten hour drive, thirteen if he counted stops, dog breaks and traffic.
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away
Will was getting ready, he was feeding Chester and walking him to make sure he was ready for the car ride.
Will himself was jittery, he had to keep himself busy to not think too hard, if that was dog care, packing and so on. He couldn't stop moving, cause if he did he would have to think about seeing everyone again, seeing Mike.
Mike and him hadn't talked in years, they wrote all the time when Will had first moved to New York. Time passed, they both got busy and letters became less and less until they didn't talk anymore.
Pushed around and kicked around, always a lonely boy
After maybe half an hour, he began the drive, deciding to leave extremely early in the morning, so he'd be there around 2 pm.
The drive was long and uncomfortable, he had not turned his radio off once during the whole ride. Every hour or so he would pull over to let Chester out.
As he drove passed the city sign, ‘Hawkins’ in fat letters. A shiver went down his spine, memories came flooding back, how the kids would bully him, the adults talking about him like he was some exhibition.
You were the one that they'd talk about around town as they put you down
Will drove up to the motel Lucas and Max were staying at, immediately getting greeted by them as they waited outside. The three of them talked for what felt like hours.
It felt right in a way everything hasn't in years.
Will had gotten, with Hopper's help, a little house he could borrow for the few weeks of his stay. So after he talked to his friends he began driving again.
The house was a little bit out of town, Will didn't mind since it would be nice with some privacy and peace. New York was anything but peaceful to say the least, that was something he missed about Hawkins nature. Well, before 83’.
When he got to the area Hopper told him, it was completely empty and avoidant of life, hell he even tried walking half a mile in every direction. Nothing.
*
He sat on the hood of his car letting Chester run around as he made a plan.
No pets allowed at the hotel Max and Lucas were at, Dustin stayed with his mom, Johnathan moved out of Hawkins the second he had the chance, Mom and Hopper were also away. So there was only really one person left.
“I can't do it.”
Will was standing in front of the hotel talking to Lucas as Max walked Chester.
Will looked at Lucas, borderline desperate for anything else. Lucas looked at him giving him a sympathetic shrug.
“Last time I talked to Wheeler, I heard he bought his parents house when they downsized.”
Will leaned back of the hood, staring at the sky that was painted in beautiful ombres, bursting with colors. “What about it?”
And as hard as they would try they'd hurt to make you cry
Lucas followed suit, laying next to Will. “That means, if you stay there you can take the basement or something.”
He folded his arms behind his head glancing over at Will.
And right, Lucas did kinda have a point
The basement basically had everything he needed, he could hopefully if the couch was still there sleep on that. There was a small bathroom down there as well, most days he would probably eat with his friends, so he would never actually be alone with Mike.
He dwelled on it for a bit before finally deciding it was probably better to stay at Wheeler's house, then taking his chances at any hotels or other places that Hopper knew.
But you never cried to them, just to your soul
*
It was a short drive to the Wheelers house, probably like five minutes. Both him and Chester just wanted out of the car.
Will parked right in front of the garage, behind Mike's car. He went over to let Chester out, putting him on a leash before ringing the doorbell.
He could hear the television inside turn off, as heavy footsteps approached. The door opened and there stood the man himself, Mike Wheeler.
Mike stood slightly hunched, leaning against the wall. He had gotten glasses since the last time they spoke, looking much older than their actual age.
Mike looked just as surprised to see him as Will felt, it was awkward none of them saying a word until Will couldn't take it anymore.
“None of the motels allow dogs. Will relaxed his grip on the leash letting Chester sniff around.
Mike's eyebrow furrowed, confusion written all over his face. “Okay?” The words were drawled out, it sounded more like a question than a response.
“And, the cabin I rented just doesn't exist. I don't have anywhere else to go.”
Will looked away, focusing on his Chester, hoping Mike would let him in.
No, you never cried to them, just to your soul
There was a long moment of silence before Mike walked away, Will was about to call after him. But Mike was putting on his shoes? What?
To Will's surprise, Mike came out and began helping him unload the car. Will's face scrunched up, he quickly let Chester inside before getting the rest of the luggage.
They got everything in the basement, standing around the couch. The silence was thick and uncomfortable.
Will took a small chance, glancing up at Mike. His hair was a bit tousled now and his sleeves were rolled up, he looked a bit young again.
Mike looked up again, eyebrows tightly knit together. He looked like he wanted to say something but the words just couldn’t go together like they were supposed to do.
“I should probably get you some sheets.” Mike finally spoke after the silence, it felt selfish but a part of him deep down wished, just a tiny wish, that Mike had said something they could have laughed about. Like old times.
Will watched Mike go upstairs, Chester clearly curious about the new man so he eagerly followed after.
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away (Crying to your soul, crying to your soul)
Mike came down five minutes later, pulling out the couch and putting on the sheets. Will stood to the side, feeling way out of place in a room that used to be what felt like home.
He left just as quickly as he came, saying his goodnights before going upstairs, leaving the door open if Chester wanted to walk around and get used to the house.
Will sat down on the pull out for a few minutes, before walking around trying to remember how the basement looked before everything happened. Surprisingly it hadn't changed much visually, like it was less cluttered since the family left but it still had Mike's childish stuff. It was a nice refresher to everything that had happened
You leave in the morning with everything you own in a little black case
Will went and got ready for bed, brushing his teeth, changing into some proper pajamas since the basement got extremely cold during this time of year.
He laid down on the pull out, not as uncomfortable as he remembered funny enough, he could hear who he assumed was Chester walking around upstairs. After a bit walking downstairs laying next to the pull out, Will rolled over sticking his hand out scratching behind Chester's ears.
“Goodnight buddy.” His voice was quiet, the sleepiness in it clear as day.
Alone on a platform, the wind and the rain on a sad and lonely face