Work Text:
“I think he hates me.” The wind coming from Mike’s open window was doing nothing to muffle the sound of his best friend talking about another boy. He almost wished a bird would stop by and start chirping loudly so that he wouldn’t have to hear it. “You should have seen his face. I totally said something stupid. I shouldn’t have assumed he’d want to come over.” Will continued on, groaning into his hands.
Mike liked listening to Will. He was Mike’s best friend, and there was nothing he’d ever say no to when it came to Will Byers. If he wanted to talk, they’d talk. But in this instance, it made him want to drag his finger nails on a chalkboard hearing Will talk about a boy.
A boy he liked.
In their High School.
“I don’t think he hates you. Maybe he was just having a bad day?” Mike suggested, shrugging his shoulders simply. There was something comforting about seeing Will lying down so casually on his bed, positioned like a starfish on the mattress.
It made Mike feel as though Will felt safe around him. He’d always hoped that was the case, specially when he’d stand in-front of Will whenever the other boys bullied him (or attempted to) for stupid things at school. It made him feel proud when he was able to prevent it, even if he got a crooked nose or a broken arm in return.
He’d do anything for Will, it was as simple as that.
“Bad day?” He gaped up at him.
“Mike, he looked at me like I’d sabotaged his whole life.” Will had been making new friends lately. He’d been exploring more, going out of his comfort zone to meet new people, specifically kids their age, after everything in the upside down had concluded. They were in their last year of High School. Making friends hadn’t gotten any easier since the first day of classes.
“You never know!”
“Oh I know so. Look of pure hatred.”
“You’re exaggerating.” Mike gave him a deadpan look. Will looked offended at his accusation. He sat up with a pillow on his lap, clutching it tightly.
“I know the look of someone who hates you Mike. That was the look on his face. His friends probably talked shit about me right after.”
The boy’s name was Jake, a tall blonde green eyed thing that had a stunning smile, Mike had to admit. He could get away with anything with the teachers. He was in a grade below them, and even though Mike had only spoken to him once, he could tell the boy had manners despite his popular boy looks.
“So you spilled some paint on his project. I’m sure he was just frustrated!” Mike said after a moment of dreadful silence from his best friend. Will sighed heavily, his arm flopping back against the sheets.
“Right. He won’t want to talk to me ever again. So uncool of me.”
Mike spun around a couple times in his chair, thinking of what to say to lighten Will’s mood. “So what? If he doesn’t want to be your friend after a silly mistake which you apologized enough times for, it’s his loss. He’s missing out. I’m sure he’ll be back to normal on Monday.”
Will looked like he didn’t believe him.
“You might be right.” He said despite the flicker of doubt on his face.
“Aren’t I always?” Mike teased with a devilish grin splitting into his face. “Not always.” Will murmured. He laughed at this, his cheeks turning a subtle pink. “Whatever you say.”
The following week, Mike barely heard from Will. He assumed Will was busy with another one is his art projects that he took way too seriously. He’d spend hours on the floor of the Byers’s living room, painting and contemplating whether he’d used the right shade of colors.
When he finally did hear from him, Mike was in the kitchen with Holly, debating her on the fact that Lucky Charms were better than any other cereal.
“Mike! Will’s on the phone for you!” He heard his mom yell. “Coming!” He shouted, hopping off the stool and sliding on the floor with his socks.
“Stop doing that, your socks are going to get disgusting.” Nancy murmured walking by. He flipped her off over his shoulder, grabbing the phone and pressing it against his ear. “Will?”
“Hey, Mike.”
Something was off immediately, Mike could tell. Will didn’t sound happy. It wasn’t the kind of tone he’d use to call Mike to tell him he’d finished a canvas, or that he’d had a great day.
“What’s wrong?” His voice immediately softened. He heard Will’s sniffle on the other end, his shoulders tensing. It seemed to be the exact body reaction he had to Will being upset. “Will?”
A few moments of silence. “I— I told Jake I liked him.” Mike let out a quiet gasp. “What?” He thought Will had told him he wouldn’t do so. “How—what did you tell him?” Will was quiet for a second. “I asked him if he wanted to meet at the arcade, and he said yes.”
Mike nodded even though Will couldn’t see him. “And everything was fine. I didn’t mean for it to slip out the way it did. I told him I really liked hanging out with him.” Another quiet sniffle that tore through Mike. “And?” He asked quietly.
“It came out wrong and instead I said that I really liked him. He looked happy to hear it, and he even looked a little flustered—“ Will laughed, but the sound was filled with sadness. Mike bit his lip, leaning against the wall. He hated imagining it. Jake sitting there with his perfect stupid handsome face, smiling at Will.
His Will.
“He told me he liked hanging out with me too, and then his friends got there.”
Mike had a feeling the things Will were about to tell him would only get worse from there. He didn’t want his suspicions to be true. Will made a muffled sound on the other end of the line. “Will, are you okay?” Mike asked quietly. “Y-yeah? I’m fine. Just give me a minute.”
Mike waited. He twisted the phone cord around his index finger a couple of times, the sound of Holly and Nancy having the same cereal debate evident in the background.
“He told them.” Told them…? Oh. Jake had told his friends what Will had said to him. Mike felt anger bubbling up inside him. “Then they went outside and talked to him, and he told me to go out there.”
“Did you?”
“Yeah.” Will whispered. Mike ran a hand over his face. “They said I was a loser, and that Jake would never be with a fag like me.” Hearing that awful word come from Will’s lips made a shiver run through Mike. He didn’t deserve that. No one deserved that. “I’m so sorry, Will.” Mike murmured.
“It’s okay—“ Mike interrupted, not able to help himself. “But it’s not! You always say this, and it’s not. You shouldn’t have to go through this. You deserve someone who loves you unconditionally, and that stands for your friends too. None of those weirdos are actually your friends,” Mike said. It was true, and someone needed to tell Will the truth eventually. He knew Will wasn’t stupid, but having such a pure heart didn’t get him far sometimes.
As his best friend, Mike knew that was his job. He couldn’t let Will think that those people were his friends. They’d hurt him at some point, and he’d keep that from happening as long as he could.
“They pretend to be. They get along with you during art class sure— but they’re not who you think they are. All of them have things against people like—“ Mike gulped. He hadn’t even realized he’d been tearing up.
People like us, he wanted to say.
“Like you.” He whispered. “Queer people.” He corrected gently. “And I know you don’t think all of them are like that, but you’re too good for them, which is precisely why I won’t let you get hurt.” He breathed heavily, waiting for Will to say something.
“Thank you, Mike. That means a lot to me. You don’t have to protect me.” He knew Will would say that. “I know I don’t. But I want to. I don’t like seeing you hurt.” He whispered into the phone.
“I know.” Will whispered back. They stayed on the line in silence for a minute before Will spoke again. “They said I just wanted to get laid, and that I was below Jake’s league.” Mike snorted. “For fucks sake. Who do they think they are? I’m sure the school mirrors cracked as soon as they looked into them.”
Will laughed, and it made Mike lighten immediately. “Yeah,” he continued. “If anything, you’re way out of Jakes league. Just because he has green eyes doesn’t mean he’s above everyone.” Will blew his nose. Mike sighed softly. “You have everything Jake doesn’t.” He said quietly.
“Like what?” Will asked. “You’re kind. You’re…you’re beautiful.” Mike bit into his lip to keep from spilling tears over. He was pathetic. “You’re sympathetic, and cool. You’re fun, and they’re boring as hell.” Will giggled. “You really think that?” It was the way in which Will asked that made Mike’s heart flip. Like he didn’t fully believe so.
“I’m not just saying it because you’re my best friend. I really mean it.” He said firmly. He thought he heard the sound of breath hitching, but he was probably just imagining things. “Thank you, Mike.”
“I love you,” the words came out naturally, as they always did with Will. He didn’t feel forced to say them, he didn’t feel pressured. He said them because he meant them, because he wanted to. It wasn’t unusual. They’d always said them to each other.
“I love you too.” The line hung up.
“Oh no! The princess has been captured by an evil being! What should we do?!”
Will’s voice carried over from the living room. Holly let out a shriek, lifting her dinosaur into the air and running around with it. “The castle’s guardian will not let anyone surpass! They must get through a series of challenges first.” She roared in an attempt at a deep voice. Mike laughed from the kitchen island, taking the cupcakes out of their mold.
“Will, Mike is laughing at us.” Holly complained with a whine, pausing her spins to point at Mike. He tried to suppress another chuckle, biting into a cupcake.
“I am not,” he talked around the mouthful.
“Ew that’s disgusting Mike! Eat with your mouth closed!” She demanded. “Look who’s talking! I can hear you munching on your snacks all the way to the basement sometimes!” He fired back. Will laid back against the couch, watching the two interact.
Mike’s eyes flickered to his best friend’s.
“What?”
“Nothing,”
“Defend me.” Will shook his head. “Defend you from what? She’s right.” Holly stuck out her tongue. Mike did the same. “Well, if you guys want to come frost these cupcakes yourselves, you can do that.”
He lifted the batch up for them to see. Holly didn’t waste time, shrieking and running over to sit on one of the stools. “Hand them over. This calls for a professional baker.”
“Right.” Mike drawled out with a roll of his eyes. Will came over as well eventually, plopping down next to her and grabbing the knife Mike had been using.
He brought it up to his lips. Mike’s eyes widened. He was going to stop him and tell him that he’d done the exact same thing, but it was too late. Will licked the butter knife carefully, savoring the strawberry frosting. “Yum.” Mike took his eyes away from the sight and cleared his throat. “Yeah, it’s good.”
They finished frosting the cupcakes while Holly talked their ears off about school, and the many friends she’d made over the weeks. She told them all about the sleepover party she was planning in the basement, and the glitter she planned to use. “If you’re planning to use your glitter bombs in the basement, don’t.” Mike glared.
She turned to Will, rolling her eyes. “Will, can you tell him that he doesn’t own the basement?” Will turned to Mike, a playful look on his face. “Mike— you don’t own the basement. Let the girl have fun.”
Mike let out a gasp. “What is this, owl lettering exchanges? I’m right here. If you have something to say, say it to my face.” He said with fake offense. Holly giggled, but returned to her serious facade. “The basement isn’t yours. I’ll use as many glitter bombs as I please.”
“When did you get so sassy?” Will shrugged as if the question had been directed at him. “She’s grown up with a certain sassy paladin.” Mike dipped his finger in the frosting, smearing some on Will’s nose smoothly.
“Shut it.”
Will’s eyes widened. “Fu—flip you.” He corrected himself quickly, a blush taking over his cheeks. It was Mike’s favorite thing ever.” Holly rolled her eyes. “I’m not stupid, I know you were going to say the F word.” She told Will animatedly.
“I wasn’t!” Will exclaimed. “I swear.”
“Cross your heart and hope to die?” The little devil grinned up at Will, fluttering her lashes. Will was about to, but Mike swatted him playfully. “Don’t hope that.” He said. Will rolled his eyes. “You’re totally right. Sorry.”
Holly turned back around to keep frosting her cupcakes, doing it with extreme concentration. Mike finished his a few moments later. “Tada!”
Will stared. “Respectfully, those look horrible Michael.”
“And you’d think having an artistic best friend would give you some points.” Holly murmured under her breath, staring at his cupcakes. Mike stuck out his tongue briefly. “You guys are haters, they look great! It’s not my fault you guys barely put any frosting on yours. Those are going to be dry.”
Will laughed. “Mike— your cupcakes aren’t even cupcakes any more. It’s more like frosting with a side of cupcake.” Mike pretended to be offended as he grabbed the cupcakes that were done off Holly and Will’s plate, putting them on the cookie display and placing the cover on top.
“Well, I’m all done. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to wash my hands while you guys take the remaining hours of the day to finish those.” Holly giggled and rolled her eyes, and Will mirrored her.
He washed his hands and wiped down the counters, admiring the sight of them. Holly loved having Will around, that was clear to him. She’d always attempt to steal Will when he came over, either to test makeup on him or to make him play the captured princess, her favorite game.
Will looked up, catching his gaze. Mike smiled, his hip pressed against the counter, arms crossed against his chest. A small blush creeped up Will’s neck. Mike looked down at his socks, hiding a smile.
What was wrong with him? He couldn’t stop smiling lately. He had a feeling it had to do very much with the boy in front of him.
June rolled around, and suddenly the end of the school year was nearing. It scared him, the idea of graduating and going off to college. But at the same time, he felt himself excited to be on his own. He wouldn’t be on his own, at least not fully, because he’d be going to college with Will. With his best friend, the person whom he could remember doing everything with when they were younger.
Not much would change, but they’d be out of Hawkins, and soon the small weight that still settled over them despite the town moving on from the disasters of the upside down would be gone.
He was taken out of his thoughts by yelling. “Mike!” Max yelled. He looked over his shoulder, his hands covered in sunscreen. Max, Lucas, and Dustin were in the water of the lake, splashing around like dying fishes.
“Give us a second!” He yelled. He turned back around to face Will’s back. He couldn’t remember how long he’d been applying in the same place. “I think you got enough on my shoulders Mike.” Will said with a laugh. Mike chuckled. “Oh-sorry.” He moved his hands to Will’s lower back, trying hard to not focus too much on how smooth Will’s skin felt.
“Are you getting in the water?”
“Yeah, of course. I’m hot.” He said. “Do you want me to get your back?” Mike nodded, turning around to face the lake. Dustin looked over at them, shoving Lucas under the water and muffling his dramatic scream. Max laughed, swimming back and forth to the deeper end of the lake.
Will’s hands were gentle as they rubbed the sunscreen on Mike’s back, rubbing it on his neck and his shoulders. It felt good, Mike thought. Way too good.
“Are you okay?” Mike hummed. “Y-yeah, why?” Will shrugged. “You’re breathing a little heavy.” He murmured quietly. Mike tried to get his breathing to steady, but it only made him focus on Will’s touch even more. He watched Max whisper something into Lucas’s ear, making him smirk. He looked in their direction before focusing on something Dustin was saying.
Will’s hands focused on his lower back, massaging the area. Mike held back a pathetic sound. “I’m good, thanks.” He said getting up. “Ow!”
Will laughed, wiping the rest of the sunscreen on his arms. “You okay?”
“Yeah, just a sharp rock.” He complained, checking his foot to make sure it wasn’t a piece of glass or anything. “Come on guys the water is heavenly!” Dustin shouted.
Mike walked into the water, jumping in when it was deep enough. The cool water engulfed him, making him feel refreshed immediately. He resurfaced with a gasp, wiping his slick hair back. “Thank god it’s not crowded today.” Max commented, floating on her back. “I mean when is it ever crowded? Most people our age are partying or getting laid.”
Lucas groaned. “Dude, that was so unnecessary. What is it with you and getting laid? That has nothing to do with it!” Dustin splashed him. Will swam in after them, floating on his back as well next to Max.
“You’re only saying that because you get laid!” Dustin exclaimed. Lucas opened his mouth to say something, probably something disgusting, when Max slapped his arm. “Ouch!”
Will giggled. Mike couldn’t help but laugh as well. “No one is getting laid. Getting laid isn’t a big deal!” Max snapped. Her hair had been getting frizzier lately, adding more to her badass look. “Whatever.” He rolled his eyes.
They talked while floating in the water, about school, college, and the things they wanted to do as soon as actual summer vacation started. Mike smiled to himself as they listened to Lucas and his girlfriend bickering over useless things, exchanging a grin with Dustin and Will.
On Friday night, Will came to sleep over. Mike had invited him, as he usually did on weekends. His mom had nothing against it, while his dad just grunted in approval. Mike didn’t talk to him as much as he used to. It wasn’t like his dad was a talkative man anyway.
They went up to his room after watching a couple of movies in the basement, one in which Holly managed to tag along before they decided to leave.
“You’ve been quiet lately,” Will noted on Mike’s bed, his legs crossed underneath him. He was clutching one of Mike’s pillows to his chest, staring at him. Mike turned around, walking towards the bed and sitting down.
“No I haven’t.” He hadn’t, at least not intentionally.
Will gave him one of those unimpressed looks me mainly used on Lucas whenever he furiously pretended to get annoyed after being accused of something he’d totally done, like farting. Mike let out a snort.
“See? That’s confirmation you’re lying.” He raised both hands into the air. “Okay! Fine. What do you want me to say?” Will patted the mattress invitingly. Mike didn’t say much, scooting up from where he’d been sat and lying down. “You can talk to me.”
“I know.”
“Then why don’t you?” He bit his lip, a nervous habit of his. He hadn’t dropped it since he was six. Will swatted the hand that had come up to pick at the skin of Mike’s lips. “What if it’s something you don’t want to hear about?” He asked quietly. Will moved down so they were at the same level.
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t ever want to hear about. Unless you’re going to tell me you finally lost your virginity.” Mike gasped, shoving him playfully. The Will he knew from a year ago would have never joked so openly about sex. Lucas and Dustin were having an impact on him.
“Absolutely not. It’s not about anything like that, I just don’t think— I know you’re not going to see it the way I do.” He said, his voice returning to a quiet murmur. Will’s fingers inched toward his spread palm on the sheet. Mike froze.
Will linked their pinkies. “I promise. I won’t judge, and if you don’t want me to say anything, I won’t.” He whispered. Mike wanted to. He wanted to tell Will with everything inside of him. Summer was starting soon, and they’d be graduating.
Despite knowing they’d be spending more time together, he couldn’t help but feel like he was wasting time. He gulped. How did he tell his best friend that he had been in love with him since they were fourteen?
Mike’s throat closed up. “I-“
“Take your time,” Will’s soothing voice helped him calm down. What was the worse that could happen?
Will would be disgusted and he’d tell him he was a looser for ruining their long term friendship. That he saw Mike as a brother. The thought of Will seeing him in that way made him want to vomit. He mustered up courage, looking up at him through teary eyes.
Will’s eyes were soft, kind as always. “Do you remember how I said I was confused?” He asked quietly. Will nodded slowly. “Back when we were at the station during all of it?”
After Will had come out to everyone, him and Mike had talked and bonded over it. Mike had done his best to hold him and make sure he knew nothing would change. He’d also told Will he’d been having strange thoughts. About himself. Who and what he liked. Will hadn’t reacted at first, almost like he’d been ready to hear the news, then he’d had the audacity to try and play shocked just for Mike’s amusement.
Mike smiled remembering the day. Will smiled too, as if they were thinking the same thing. Jesus, how could anyone be as in love as he was with Will Byers? It was intoxicating. It was soul shattering in the best way possible, and he wouldn’t change it for a thing.
“Mike, did you settle on anything?” Will asked after a while. “Yeah.” Mike mustered. “I think so? I mean I don’t know, it confuses me.” Will understood exactly how he felt, he was sure.
After all, Will had probably had crushes that he had to kept hidden due to the disliking of people like them in their town, he was sure.
“You don’t have to be certain.” His fingers drew circles on Mike’s palm soothingly. It was something he’d done since they were kids, and it always calmed Mike down.
“I feel useless. I don’t even know myself.” He sniffled, trying to keep himself composed. He wasn’t much of a crier.
“I know. But you don’t have to have everything figured out now. It’s okay to feel a little lost..especially at first, once you realize that you’re different.” Mike could tell Will’s eyes were getting a little tearful as well.
“It doesn’t define who you are. It takes time, and everyone is different…so everyone goes at their pace Mike.” He nodded. “That makes me feel a little better.” He murmured honestly. Will was totally right. “Do you think you like both…?” Will asked tentatively.
Mike pursed his lips, his mind going to Jane immediately. The pure agony he’d felt that night after losing her. The scream that had left him seeing her standing there, giving up her life. How sad Will had been for months after.
“It wasn’t your fault.” Mike’s eyes moved to their linked pinkies. “I know,” his voice was weak. “She wanted what was best for you. She wanted you to be happy.” He nodded, a tear finally slipping down his cheek in surrender. He wiped it fast with the back of his hand, holding back a choked sob. He didn’t feel guilty. He felt something else.
Dread sometimes, although he tried to ignore it and move on through his day. It just came and went, like a passing thunderstorm in his brain. He couldn’t stop it, but he could try to ignore it. They’d talked about it eventually, and although Mike had wanted to avoid the topic for as long as he could, talking to Will about it always made him feel better.
“Then let yourself be happy. You deserve it just as much as anyone else.” Will spoke with such gentleness that it made him want to cry. Knowing him better than anyone, he opened his arms, and Mike collapsed into them, burying his face into Will’s shoulder and letting his tears fall.
“It’s okay, I’m right here.” His delicate hands moved to Mike’s hair, caressing the back of his head. Mike could only cry harder. “I’m sorry.” He cried, muffled against Will’s shirt. It smelled like a mixture of his natural scent and some kind of lotion that smelled like strawberries.
“Why are you sorry? You didn’t do anything wrong.” Mike pulled back eventually, his eyes red. Will’s hand slowly moved from his nape to the side of Mike’s face, cupping it. Mike’s breath hitched slightly. “Don’t cry anymore please?” He nodded, wiping his eyes.
It dawned on him too late how close he was to Will. Their faces were inches apart. Will’s thumb traced patterns on his cheek, and the warmth seeping through Will’s skin made him melt right there on the spot.
“Mike,” Will whispered.
“Yeah?” He answered.
The next thing he felt was the soft press of warm hesitant lips on his. His stomach did the exact same thing he’d imagined it would do if he ever kissed Will Byers.
It lit up, filling with butterflies that threatened to spill out of him in form of more tears. Will pulled back way too fast, immediately looking regretful.
“I’m so sorry-“
Mike didn’t have time. He grabbed onto Will’s shirt gently, pulling him forward until their lips collided again. This time, more firmly. Will let out a beautiful sound against his lips, the hand that had been cupping his face cupping the back of his head now.
He was kissing Will.
Will was kissing him.
They were kissing.
“I love you,” He said into Will’s mouth, making him pull back. Will’s cheeks were flushed, his eyes were wide, and Mike had never seen him look so stunning. “What?”
“I love you.”
“L-like in a b-boyfriend way?” He asked shyly. Mike’s own cheeks heated up. Them being boyfriends? Sign me up, he thought immediately. “Yes. In a- I’ve been in love with you since we were thirteen way.” Will covered his face with his hands, groaning.
“I cannot believe this.”
“What?” Mike laughed nervously. “That you’ve had feelings for me this whole time, while I was thinking you’d hate me if I even mentioned having a crush on you since we were ten.”
Mike covered a laugh with his own hand. “Ten? You’ve loved me for that long?” Will’s blush only deepened. “Stop it.” He whined. “No, it’s cute!” They both smiled like idiots at each other for a moment in silence. “You didn’t say it back.” Mike whispered, leaning in. Will’s eyes zeroed in on his lips. “I love you too, Mike Wheeler.” He whispered before connecting their lips once again.
“I’m kind of annoying, are you sure?” Mike hummed against the kiss, his eyes full of fondness. Will pressed a kiss to the tip of his nose.
“The surest I’ve ever been about anything.”
THE END.