Chapter Text
It was a Saturday when Joyce Byers approached The Wheeler’s front door with a food container. It contained a slice of vanilla cake. She knocked twice and Nancy opened the door for her.
“Hello Nancy,” said Joyce with an excited tone.
”Is Karen home? I brought a slice of cake, and I was hoping to talk.”
“Yes, my mom’s in the kitchen, come in,” said Nancy with a kind smile.
Joyce stepped inside while Nancy shut the door behind her and went back upstairs. Fans were blasting in every room. Hawkins in the summer felt like an oven. July felt like the worst. Pools were closed down because of the excessive heat warnings, barely anyone went outside when it was the hottest part of the day. Everyone's skin was sticky to the touch.
“Joyce! Nice for you to drop by. Come, I was just making lunch for the kids,” Karen said while chopping up different kinds of fruit.
“I tried a new recipe for a cake and I wanted to bring you some since you like vanilla,” Joyce exclaimed.
“Thank you, that’s nice of you.”
Karen accepted the cake in Joyce’s offering hands and set it down on the counter. Joyce and Karen say their how are you’s and what have you been up to lately’s.
“So why did you stop by?” Karen added
“I wanted to propose an idea. I thought it would be a great idea to get both of our families together to go on a camping trip. Just for a week. The spot I found was near a lake, a nice cool-off spot. It would be an ideal way to get the boys talking again…Will has seemed upset lately. I was thinking maybe because he hasn't been talking to Mike? Anyways I feel like it would be a great getaway, Jane has been mentioning going camping” Joyce explained.
Karen face lit up, “That would be lovely. I have been looking forward to getting out of this heat. I know Holly would love to come; Mike on the other hand I’m not sure. He’s been locked up in his room, only coming out to eat and shower,” Karen made a face of disappointment.
”But he desperately needs to get out of the house. I hope Nancy and Jonathan are up for the idea. Ted is away for a business meeting, so it will most likely be only Holly, Mike, Nancy, and me going.” Karen explained.
“Will has been the same too. He acts like he's fine all the time, I don't know." Joyce looked around the room. “I hope this vacation will be relaxing for all of us. I was thinking we leave on Monday around 11am?”
“Yes, that’s perfect. I’ll try to convince Nancy to come, then maybe Mike will follow along,” Karen thought out loud.
”Well, I’ll head out now, let you get back to cooking, I’ll update you if any change of plans come along,” Joyce stated.
Karen nodded with a smile and walked Joyce to the door. They said their goodbyes and Joyce got in her car and drove off.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
Holly descends from the stairs in her purple jumpsuit. She goes it the kitchen where her mom is. “Was that Ms. Byers?” Holly asked.
“Yes, she was wondering if we wanted to go camping.” Karen said.
“Yes, yes! I would love to go. We haven't gone camping in such a long time.” Holly exclaimed.
“It’s to a lake so it would be a nice way to cool off and get away from the heat. Can you maybe see if Mike and Nancy want to come?”
“Yes, of course!” Holly ran up the stairs right to Nancy’s room.
“Be careful!” Karen yelled.
Holly knocked on Nancy bedroom door. She waited patiently for an answer.
“Yes, Holly?” Nancy said while opening the door.
“Mom wants to know if you want to come with us to go camping with the Byers. Will you come please?”
Nancy leaned against the doorframe, she thought about it, “Hm, sure it’ll be fun. Is Mike coming?”
“About that…Can you come with me to ask him? You're always good at convincing and Mom wants him to come also.”
“I am, thank you for noticing. Lets go,” Nancy closes her door behind her.
Holly and Nancy walk towards Mike room. Nancy knocked, “Mike?”
It took a few minute before Mike came to the door and opened it. “What?”
Mike looks like he hasn’t slept good in weeks. He has dark eye-bags and tired eyes. His headphones were resting on his neck. A comic book was held loosely in one hand. His hair was sticking up in every direction. He was wearing a band t-shirt that looked too short for him and pajama pants.
“Geez you look like a mess,” Nancy noted. "And you don't even listen to The Clash?" She pointed to his t-shirt.
”That's what you came to tell me? Thanks Nance.” Mike began closing the door, Holly stopped him.
“Wait, we just wanted to ask you if you wanted to come camping, it’s to a lake. Mom really wants you to go,” Holly said cautiously.
Mike looked between the two, “Why exactly?”
Holly and Nancy looked at each other. Nancy spoke up, “Well because it would be a good getaway…for all of us.”
“It’s just us? Mom and us, right?”
Nancy tighten the corners of her mouth, "Well not exactly, the Byers actually invited us.”
Mikes gaze went to the floor, “Don’t tell me he’s going to be there."
“Mike, come on you cant hold this grudge on Will forever.”
“Yeah Nancy, I can, I’m doing it right now.”
“Holly, can you go to your room? I need to…talk to Mike,” Nancy said. Holly noticed the tension and was already walking away.
”Can I come in Mike?” Nancy asked
Mike tried to look fed up, but his eyes said differently. He let Nancy in. Nancy sat on the edge of the bed and patted the space next to her, telling Mike to sit. Mike put his comic book down on his nightstand and sat down.
Nancy folded her hands in her lap before she started, “Look I understand how you're feeling right now. I get it, you lost Jane an-“
”No I didn't lose her, we just broke up okay? And were fine, I’m fine. It’s not that Nance.”
Mike looks down in his lap and picks at a loose string on his pants. Nancy looks over at him, her eyebrows furrowing.
”Mike, you know you can talk to me, about anything.”
Mike debated. He was nervous, he’s not good with words and every time he tries to talk about what he's feeling it comes out wrong. He doesn't understand how he’s feeling. Jane breaking up with him didn't effect him that much. They were going their separate ways and he felt like he was weighing Jane down. Sure, he was sad but not for long. He didn't feel how he was supposed to feel about a break up. He only had one person in mind during this summer. Wishing that he would stop being petty and suck it up and talk to him like the adult he is.
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
Two weeks ago it was a movie night with the party in Mike's basement, everyone was excited because Lucas bought the high quality kind of beer. Before the movie started, Will spoke up and said he had an announcement, everyone's attention was on Will, as soon as Mike heard those words; I have a boyfriend, he felt his stomach drop. The rest of the party was genuinely happy for him. Dustin teased him slightly for being so shy and finally opening up. Jane was joking with Max, "Why is his name Carlton, and not just Carl? He sounds extra." Everyone was in they're own world after Will's announcement, not making a huge deal about in their mind like Mike was. Mike tried to be happy for Will, saying the right things at the right time, commenting on the movie, but he wasn't fully there after the news. Mike kept zoning out and overthinking; What if Will stops coming over? What if I have to meet Carlton in person? What if I'm not Will's number on- , Mike immediately stopped that thought and swiftly took a swig of the beer in his hand.
Lucas snapped Mike out of his trance, "Dude, are you okay?"
Mike looked startled, "Huh?"
"I asked if you're okay"
"Oh, yeah of course. I was just enjoying the movie." He tried to sound convincing.
"Mike, you've been staring at the credits like there's answers to world peace in there, everyone already left except Will."
"The movie was...good, I wanted to see who was in it."
Lucas started getting up and putting on his jacket, "If you say so man, I'm heading out, see you when I see you."
"Okay," Mike croaked out. "Wait, where's Will?"
"Bathroom," Lucas walked up the basement stairs and closed the door behind him.
Mike turned off the TV and waited on the couch with his leg bouncing. Will exited the bathroom and Mike quickly looked up.
Will walked toward him, "Everybody left already?" He hummed.
"Yeah, but uh...before you leave, can we talk please?" Mike asked
Will sat down next to him, "Sure, what about?
Mike suddenly felt aware of how close Will was sitting next to him. Not close enough to touch, but close enough to calm down some of his racing thoughts. "Just please don't take this wrong, I'm not trying to be mean," Mike warned.
Will's face fixed into something serious, "Go ahead then."
"Look Carlton sounds delightful and all," Mike paused, "But I'm just thinking he's not a good enough for you." Mike looked down in his lap, anticipating for Will's response.
Will was quiet for what felt like half an hour, then he finally spoke up. "What..? I can't believe you Mike. Are you being serious? You were the one that told me to grow up. You, Lucas, and Dustin had girlfriends and I felt like I had no one. Now I finally have my breakthrough and you're upset." Will sighed in disbelief. "Why are you even upset? And how do you know what's good enough for me? Carlton has nothing to do with you, you never even met him before."
"I'm just trying to look out for you, I don't want you to get hurt." Was all Mike could say. He regretted even saying anything to start with, but he couldn't back down now.
"Well, I've been hurt many times. I know who Carlton truly is, you don't." Will got up and went to go find his jacket.
"You don't know that for sure...He could be an asshole planning to use you." Mike stood up and followed Will with his arms crossed.
Will stopped walking and turned towards Mike, "I seriously can't believe you Mike, I don't understand why you cant be happy for me." Will pushed Mike's shoulder, tears pricked the corners of Will's eyes. "All I wanted for my friends to be happy for me, I was so excited to tell all of you." Will's voice started to break, he put on his coat and started walking towards the stairs. Mike grabbed his wrist.
"Will please don't go, I'm sorry alri-"
"No, you said what you had to say, you're just mad because you don't have Jane anymore and you're the one alone now." Will yanked his wrist out of Mike's grip and walked up the stairs and slammed the door behind him.
Mike walked back to the couch and sat down with his head in his hands, "Fucking idiot."
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
"Mike?" Nancy spoke.
"It's about Will, Nance." Mike muttered
"I did noticed Will isn't over here almost everyday anymore. What happened?"
"It was stupid and it was probably all my fault. I don't even know why I said that about his boyfriend. I was being so stupid and not thinking about how Will felt," Mike rambled without even thinking about his words before saying them. He shook his head in disappointment.
"I know whatever you said you didn't mean for it to hurt Will's feelings. You would never do that to him. What did you say about Will's boyfriend?"
"That Carlton or whatever his name was isn't good enough for Will," He shrugged. "I said Carlton could be using Will. I don't even know or understand why I said that, it just felt right in the moment...you know?" Mike sighed in melancholy, "It broke out into an argument, and I made him...cry. I didn't mean to at all, I just felt protective of Will and I tried my best to warn him." Mike rested his head on his hands.
"You reacted in the moment, it's okay Mike." Nancy stayed quiet for a minute. "Were you maybe jealous because Will has someone new in his life now?"
Mike hesitated, "I mean, maybe a little but I don't know why."
Nancy scooted closer to Mike. "Look at me, Mike."
Mike hesitantly looked up. He looked nervous.
"Were you jealous because Will has a boyfriend now?"
"I don't know, maybe," Mike mumbled.
"Whatever it is that you're feeling I don't want you to be scared about it. I suggest going camping with us, it would be refreshing to get outside, you know? I know you and Will are going to work things out, you guys always do."
"I'm scared, Nancy. What if Will doesn't even talk to me? What if he brings Carton camping?" Mike fiddled with his hands, "I've been feeling something and it's not...normal. I try to stuff this feeling down and ignore it, but it never works.
"Do you ever get this feeling around Will?" Nancy asked.
Mike nodded, "It's like I want to be around him all the time. Whenever he's smiling I want it to be about me. I hate it."
"I think the best thing to do about this is apologizing to Will. It's going to be hard, but it will lift some weight off your shoulders."
"What if he doesn't forg-"
"He's going to Mike, you're his best friend he's going to forgive you."
Mike smiled hesitantly, "Yeah...best friend." He brought Nancy into his arms.
Nancy hugged him back. She pulled back with her hands on his shoulders and looked Mike in the eye, "Now, you need to pack. Were leaving Monday at 11:00am, sharp."
He nodded. "Thanks for everything Nancy."
"That's what I'm here for," She patted his shoulder and stood up. She walked to the door, grabbing the doorknob. "Mike?"
Mike hummed. He looked up at her even though she wasn't facing him.
"Is that Will's shirt that you're wearing?"
Mike looked startled, "No! Maybe! I just found it in my closet, that's all." He quickly answered.
"Will is the only person I know that listens to The Clash. And that shirt is two sizes too small for you." Nancy left the room with a smug look on her face that Mike couldn't see.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
Will was sprawled out on his bed. He lifted his arm and glanced at his watch, 3:45 it read. Will sighed and dropped his arm down, he thought about Mike. He would've been hanging out with Mike; reading comics, laughing, watching movies, anything. But he felt like that was gone forever now.
Jane knocked on his open door, "Can I come in?" She asked politely.
"Jane, you're the only one in this house that doesn't need to knock, you're always welcomed to come in." Will teased and looked up at her. He was always happy to see his sister, he felt like Jane was his only company now.
"I understand, but it's polite to knock as well, Mom taught me that," She walked toward the bed and laid down on her stomach facing Will. "Also, Mom told me to tell you that we're going camping on Monday. "
"Oh, okay sounds fun. Where to though?" Will said while looking up at the ceiling
Jane was picking at her nails and looked up at him, "To a lake...and we're going with the Wheelers."
Will sat up immediately and looked at Jane, "No, I can't go Jane. Can you just ask Mom if I can stay with Jonathan or something?"
"Mom called Jonathan, he's going as well. Are you nervous to see Mike again?"
"Yeah, I mean I don't even think he wants to see me anymore...after what I said."
"What did you say?" Jane looked at Will.
"That he's alone. Which isn't true at all, he has me, he always will," Will felt a lump in his throat.
"Oh, but maybe Mike is over it by now...it has been two weeks since you guys stopped hanging out."
He sighed, "I know, I've been counting." Will got up and started pacing back and forth.
"You're even pacing like him too... Why can't you guys just apologize to each other?" Jane asked.
"It doesn't work like that, Mike always tries to hold a grudge. An-"
"Never against you, Will." She interrupted
Will stopped pacing and looked at Jane, "What?"
"He has never held a grudge against you, even if he has it lasted for maybe an hour. The first time you guys argued he biked to your house in the rain. I don't think he's truly upset with you, I just think he's scared of what you think of him at this moment."
Will looked at Jane shocked then his face resided into something softer, "I can't believe you always know the right thing to say." The corner of his mouth twitched. "But what do I tell him about Carlton?"
"Tell him you dumped his ass. Simple," Jane shrugged her shoulders.
"I can't do that... God, Mike was right all along and I was too blind to see it. Carlton was a slob." Will ran his hand over his face.
"It's okay, Will. You don't have to have it all figured out right now." She sat up, "I think you should apologize."
Will got defensive, "What am I even apologizing for, I thought you were on my side?"
"I'm on no one's side, I just wanna go camp. And I also want you guys to be okay, because that's important."
Will walked over to the bed and sat down next to Jane, "What do I even say?"
"Nothing. Most likely he's going to be the one coming up to you. Probably running even."
"How do you know that for sure?" He looked at her waiting for an answer.
"I dated the idiot before, I know how he is. I am surprised you don't."
Will rolled his eyes playfully then got up, "I'm gonna go make a sandwich, want one?"
"Yes please, oh and Will?"
"Yeah?"
"You still have a crush on Mike, that's why you broke up with Carlton, right?" Jane was looking down, picking at a loose string on her pull-over, but she was smirking.
Will face went a shade of red, "What, no! That was years ago." Will walked out the door quickly.
"You seem to care a lot for someone who doesn't have a crush," Jane yelled out to Will.
"Whatever, I'm putting lettuce on your sandwich!"
Jane got up and ran to the kitchen, "Wait, no I'm sorry!"
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
It was Monday when Mike walked out the front door with blue shorts, a striped blue and white polo, and sunglasses on his head. Mike was helping Nancy carrying the bags to the car. He was nervous about seeing Will again, but he had some newly earned confidence this time. Nancy helped him see hope in his friendship with Will. Mike was ecstatically walking out the door to the driveway with backpacks in his hand when his face dropped. He looked at his mom.
"Why is there a van in our driveway? I think our usual car fits all of us, doesn't it?" Mike questioned.
In the Wheeler's driveway, there was a 1988 Chevrolet G20 conversion van. It was yellow and black, very shiny as well. The interior looked brand new, the seats were navy blue and plush. There were three rows in the van. The front included the driver and passenger seat. The middle had two more identical chairs that could be removed if needed. There was a wooden table to hold drinks. The rear could be sectioned off with two navy curtains. The rear seats could be folded into a bed. Right above the seats were speakers and air conditioning vents.
Karen was standing by the back of the van making sure everything they wanted to bring could fit, "Oh, she looks nice right. I picked her up this morning," She patted the van and smiled. "I thought it would be nice if the Byers just rode with us. It's more efficient anyways."
Mike stood there with his mouth open. In no world could he stay in the same car with Will right now. But then he thought logically.
"Wait, that won't even work. There's going to be...8 people? The minivan seats about 7?" Mike waved his hand around.
Nancy was standing by Karen checking if they had everything, "Jonathan and I are riding separately, Mike." She said without turning towards him.
Mike started to trip over his own words, "Well, the car ride can't be that long, how long is it?"
"About three hours, not including traffic and stops we make," Nancy said.
Mike's eyes went wide, he swallowed hard. He silently put the bags he was holding in the van's trunk and walked back towards the front door without a word.
After a minute, Nancy spoke up, "Does he know yet? About the tent situation," She whispered to Karen.
"I haven't told him, he'll freak out and not want to go anymore."
Nancy pursed her lips, "When are you gonna tell him?"
"I was thinking that you should tell him when we get to the lake."
"I'm not doing that." Nancy defensively said, "Why can't we just get more tents?"
"Because tents are expensive. You can share a tent with Mike if you want."
Nancy rolled her eyes, "Fine, mom. But if he's goes and sleeps in the woods instead, It's not my fault," She stormed off into the house.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
Jonathan arrived to pick up Nancy. She put her bags in his car and got in. Karen handed him the map and kept telling them to be careful on the road.
"Yes, Mom we know. We will be so safe," Nancy forced a smile and nudged Jonathan to put the car in drive.
While they drove away Karen kept yelling to be careful and don't take too many stops. She went inside called Holly downstairs. Holly came down in her nice summer shorts and shirt with a backpack on her back.
"Ready." She said with a bright smile on her face.
"Okay Holly, go tell you brother to get in the car please." Karen said. She walked inside and started to lock up the house.
Mike was sitting on the front door steps when Holly stood in front of him. "I call the second row for the whole vacation!" She said and ran to the minivan.
"Holly!" Mike ran after her but she was too fast. He ended up in the rear seats. He didn't feel too mad about it actually. It was spacious and the seats felt soft to the touch. He put on his headphones and put a cassette in his Walkman. He laid length ways and put his hands behind his head, he closed his eyes while listening to the songs that played in his headphones.
Not even 30 minutes passed before Holly was waking him up. She leaned over behind her seat, "Wake up! Move over the Byers are here!"
Mike blinked a few times, trying to make his eyes focus. "Okay, alright. You don't need to yell." Mike said while yawning. He sat upright and scooted over to the right side. He looked out the window and there he was, Will. His heart felt like it was going to beat out of his chest. He felt like he hadn't see Will in months. Will looked very nice, he was wearing jean shorts, yellow shirt with a button up thrown over, and sunglass on. Mike started second guessing what he was wearing himself. His mouth was wide open, then he felt this feeling in his stomach. His leg started bouncing when Will got closer and closer to the car.
Will was putting his bag in the trunk. Mike could feel his gaze piercing through him. He sat up straighter in response, fixing his posture. Will would always tell him to stop slouching.
Holly turned around and looked towards the trunk excited, "Jane, sit next to me!" She waved Jane over. "I brought games we can play."
Jane looked at Joyce for her to take her bags. "Go have fun." Joyce said and kissed the top of her head while taking her bags. Jane happily went into the middle row and started talking and giggling with Holly.
Will walked to the left side of the car and slid into the back with Mike. He took off his sunglasses and put them in his shirt pocket Mike tried to focus on his music but there was something far more amusing sitting no more than two feet away from him.
After fitting all the bags in the trunk, Joyce shut the back and walked towards the passenger seat. She sat down and her and Karen chatted about taking turns driving.
The car started and they were off. Everyone was in there own world, talking, laughing, looking forward to their wonderful getaway. Mike kept shifting his gaze the floor, car door, then his lap. Constantly fixing his hair and sighing. Music was playing from the car, he tried to remember the title. He couldn't take it anymore, he needed to start being brave. He took off his sunglasses and turned towards Will.
Mike opened his mouth but no words could come out. Will turned to him. They were staring at each other, awkwardly.
Will remembered what Jane had said, I just think he's scared of what you think of him at this moment, his expression softened. Will decided to speak, "Do you recognize this song? The title is like on the tip of my tongue. I just cant figure it out." Will titled his head nervously.
He talked to me, Mike thought. He quickly scrambled through his head of all the songs he knew. "Oh, I think it's...Don't Dream It's Over by um-"
"Crowded House!" Will said quickly. "How didn't I know that?"
"I mean you kind of did, I just gave you somewhat of a push." Mike shrugged while smirking, he was trying his best to act like his heart wasn't going to tear through his chest.
The quiet settled between them unwantedly. Mike felt like he needed to bring it up. Apologizing
Mike pursed his lips and turned to Will, "Hey, Will. I-I'm sorry for what I said to you in the basement. I wasn't thinking straight and something just came over me. I'm happy that you and Carlton found each other, you know? I hope you do forgive me, I understand what I said was awful and disrespectful and I get it if you don't want to be friends anymore an-" He kept on rambling, but Will interrupted him.
"It's okay Mike, I forgive you, don't worry. Carlton actually turned out to be a dick but it's fine." Will looked awkwardly at the front row seats.
"Shit, I'm so sorry, sorry if I jinxed anything...God." Mike rubbed his face.
Will let out a weak laugh and smiled at Mike, "No, it's truly not your fault Mike, Carlton is long gone so it's fine." He hesitated. "But at the end of the day, it will still always be us, right?"
Mike felt a feeling flow all throughout his body, a feeling he hasn't felt in, what feels like ages. "Yeah, it always will be." Mike smiled back at Will.
The silence settled between them, but it was comfortable this time. Mike's gaze lasted a little longer than it should've, but he didn't feel guilty. He felt like he was allowed to look now. He analyzed Will's features, all of them. The ones he was aware of since they were kids. His hazel eyes, the moles on his face and neck; especially the mole right by his lip.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
Their first stop was at a gas station. Before shutting off the engine, Karen said, "Kids, one snack each and we meet back here in 10 minutes. Got it?" Everyone yelled got it and unbuckled their seat belts. Holly and Jane rushed out the car and into the building. Joyce only got out to stretch her legs. Karen pumped the gas while stretching her arms out. Mike and Will went inside the gas station to get snacks.
Joyce spoke up, "I saw them talking, they were smiling."
"Really? That was fast." Karen sounded shocked.
"They always make up with each other pretty quickly." Joyce chuckled.
Mike opened the door for Will to go in first. "Oh woah, thank you good sir," Will sarcastically said.
"I was trying to be nice, gosh." Mike bit back a smile.
They went their separate ways to go find their desired aisle. Will wounded up in the same aisle as Jane. She looked at him, holding up two different types of candy, "M&M's or Smarties?"
"Smarties definitely." He looked at all the candy options. "Mike and I are good now, it was quite easy."
"I told you, he was scared." She paused. "He needed his Will so badly," She dramatically threw her hand up to her forehead.
Will's face went red, "Jane, you know he's in the same store as us right now and can probably hear you." He harshly whispered to her.
Jane giggled, "Okay fine I'll stop." She glanced at the rest of the options. "But seriously, I'm glad you guys are good now. Your dreams are fulfilled."
"Yeah, sure my dreams. Which you don't even know what they are." Will scoffed and picked up a bag of sour candy.
"Fine, I'm not a mind-reader. But I can tell by your actions. You want to be closer to Mike." She looked at Will and crossed her arms.
"Can you stop talking about Mike right now." Will widened his eyes and looked around to see if Mike was in hearing range.
"Put back the bag of sour candy on the shelf if so." Jane shrugged her shoulders.
Will rolled his eyes and put the candy back. "There." He picked up a pack of cookies on the other side on the aisle instead.
"Knew it." Jane strolled off to the cashier to pay.
Will sighed and looked up at the ceiling. He thought, Jane was right all along. He shortly followed behind her.
As he was walking he saw Mike, squinting to try and read the prices, then eventually pulling out his glasses case and putting on the glasses no one ever mentioned for some reason. Mike didn't like them, he thought they made him look old. Will thought the exact opposite, he looked mature while wearing them.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
Everyone made their way back to the van. Karen and Joyce switched seats. Karen announced, "Two and a half hours left, so get comfy." She reclined her seat. After thirty minutes, Holly and Jane stopped playing classic car games and fell into a peaceful slumber. The music the car was playing created background noise for everyone. Will looked out the window, watching the trees pass by. He heard a thud next to him.
"Shit." Mike cursed as he rubbed the right side of his head.
Will turned to look at Mike, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, just hit my head. The van door isn't the comfiest the fall asleep on, you know?" Mike let out a weak laugh.
"Oh," Will paused and considered this. He does want to get closer with Mike and he can make that happen. Will felt like he was finally brave. "Um, you can always lay length ways, I don't mind."
Mike looked at Will, his eyes darting. "Okay." He hesitated moving. "Can I close the curtains?" Mike asked.
"Oh yeah, of course." Will said. He didn't think too much about why.
Mike hurriedly closed the curtains. It's not that he didn't want anyone to see them. He just didn't want to feel watched, he tried to assure himself of that. After he was done with the curtains, he looked around, Mike wasn't sure which way to lay down. "Is it okay if I lay my head on your lap? Or did you want like my leg-"
"Your head is fine Mike, stop overthinking." Will covered up his nervousness by portraying that he's confident. In reality his heart was racing, and he was the one overthinking as well.
Mike nodded. He kept making eye contact with Will, just incase he changed his mind about letting Mike rest his head on his lap. His head landed softly in the middle of Will's lap. He lied on his side and rested his hands underneath his head and extended his long legs out; which couldn't stretched out all the way. It was already warm in the van and physical touch made the heat worse, but Mike didn't care. He felt like he was wining in life right now. He bit back the grow grin on his face.
"Comfy?" Will asked quietly. Mike's head was warm in his lap, that was the least on Will's concerns right now. He didn't have any concerns at the moment, all that was circling his mind was Michael Wheeler's head is in my lap. Will also was biting back his smile, he felt like a happiest man on earth.
Mike whispered, "Yeah." His gaze kept wandering, to the navy curtains, the flooring of the car, Will's thig-.
Will hands were uncomfortably folded by his chest. He wasn't sure if he was allowed to put his hands on Mike. Will remembered, he has to be brave. He softly rested one of his hands on Mike's shoulder, and the other on Mikes head, right on top of his hair. Mike's hair was one of Will's favorite features. It was always soft to the touch and still is.
Mike tensed under Will's touch but it quickly subsided. He comfortably relaxed against Will and dozed off, right where he always wanted to be.
Will's touch was gentle, he combed through Mike's hair. He looked down at him in his lap. He smiled down at Mike's sleeping figure, He looks so beautiful, Will thought, Peaceful.
He carefully reached over to grab Mike's Walkman off of the floor. He put on the headphones and played the cassette, it was a mix of Bowie, The Cure, and The Clash. Mike never listens to these artist, Will thought. These were artist Will specifically told Mike he liked a long time along. He took out the cassette tape, it read Sorcerer written in Mike's handwriting. He slid the cassette back into place and hit play again.
He kept the headphones on and looked down at Mike and smiled. Will rubbed small circles where his hand rested on Mike's shoulder. He looked out the window and thought about how the rest of their journey will eventually unravel on this camping trip.