Chapter Text
It's raining - of course it's raining. Like some God or the other controlling the universe just wanted to pour more salt on Lucas Sinclair's wounded heart. It was cinematic, the way Max got into Hopper's car and drove away, avoiding eye contact with Lucas while he stood in the rain, utterly defeated.
There's someone else.
Those were Max's exact words. She'd called him down to the diner to have an "important talk" with him as the sun was setting. She said she had to make it quick since Hopper would be picking her up for a sleepover with Jane. She made sure she had an escape plan, and left Lucas somewhere safe to depressedly stare into a cup of coffee after she delivered the blow. Even when ending things with him, she still meticulously planned every detail to leave Lucas in comfort. Despite what any asshole might tell you, Max Mayfield is one of the most caring people Lucas has ever known.
It wasn't a direct conversation for the most part. She said she wanted to end things. She says that a lot, so Lucas assumed he'd done something wrong. He kept prodding her to tell him where he messed up until she just... let it burst out.
"Lucas, you didn't do anything! Okay? Stop blaming yourself! It's just... There's someone else."
Someone else.
Hopper pulled up just at the right moment. Lucas didn't have any time to question her futher before she was exiting the diner, a string of "Can we talk about this? Please?" following her.
After a good ten seconds of staring at the direction she left in, Lucas felt raindrops on the back of his neck. If this had been a movie, some sad Radiohead song would've started playing. But it isn't a movie, this is real life, and Lucas gets to kick off his summer without his girlfriend. Without Max.
He sighed, the lump in his throat making it difficult to tell whether the water on his face was rain or tears. He wiped it off regardless, turning back in to order a cup of coffee to cry in, as God intended.
He slumps into a booth in the darkest corner he can find, slipping his slightly damp jacket off. Vickie Dunne, the girl working her final summer at MJ's diner, finds him, her notepad open and in hand.
"Can I take your-" she pauses, eyes going wide before softening with concern. "Lucas?"
Lucas looks up at her. He knows Vickie hangs out with Robin and Nancy and Steve and all the older kids, but he didn't think she knew his name.
"I'm going to assume you're a good kid and your eyes aren't red because you're high. Is everything okay?"
He chuckles at her joke, but it comes out slightly strangled. "Tough day. I just need a cup of coffee to... think. I don't know. Four sugars?"
She gives him one more concerned glance before writing his order down. "Alright. Too much sugar than you should need. Is that all?"
He smiles. "Yeah. Thanks."
Vickie hesitates a moment before she turns. Lucas can almost hear the cogs turn in her head, he knows she wants to say more. Only when she's halfway back to the counter does she quickly speedwalk back to him, words coming out hurried.
"I know we don't really know each other, and I might be overstepping here, but I get off my shift in a bit - y'know, since i only work afternoons, Ashley usually takes the night shift - and I wouldn't mind hanging back a moment, if you needed someone to... I don't know... talk to?"
Lucas doesn't answer immediately. He could laugh at how similar she was to Robin in the way she speaks. Vickie fills the silence as quick as she can.
"You don't have to say yes, okay? I just thought it would be impolite not to offer, but I would understand if you said no, since, like I mentioned earlier, you don't really know me that well, but I learned recently that keeping feelings bottled up absolute sucks and, I just thought I'd offer, if you did need someone to talk to-"
"Vickie," he stopped her as politely as he could. "Sure. We can talk about it, if you have time. Thanks."
She kept her grin down, quietly pleased with herself. "Any time. Hot coffee, coming right up."
The wound is too fresh to prod at just yet, but Lucas didn't want to turn Vickie's enthusiasm down. In all honesty, that kind of did lift Lucas' spirits a bit. Vickie's kindness, no matter how awkward she laid it out, brought a smile to his face. Max would've found her annoying, he can't help but think. Lucas would say she's sweet. Max would admit that's true, and they'd both laugh over her being a world-class hater. Then they'd get some hot chocolate to warm up before he walked her home, and he'd kiss her at her door, and he'd wave at her mother, and he'd head home to annoy her a bit over the walkies, and eventually he'd go to bed, the last thing he hears being her voice.
He sighs, again. He's pathetic and he knows it.
The bell of the door catches his attention, reeling him back to the present. And old man walks in, a bit shaken from the cold, water droplets hanging from his chin. He's got a giant fur coat on, and he ruffles it like a bird would do with their feathers. He doesn't stop at the counter to place an order, sliding into the booth ahead of Lucas. As the man sits down and the long coat reveals his leg, Lucas sees him wearing heels. Now, Lucas doesn't judge gay people, two of his closest friends - Jane and Will - are both openly queer. But it's a peculiar sight in a small town like Hawkins. Lucas' eyes linger for a while too long, long enough for the man to notice.
"What are you staring at, kid?" He asks, voice the type of raspy you can only achieve by smoking way too many cigarettes.
Lucas shakes his head. "Nothing, sir." and adds with reluctance, hoping to smoothen the man's ruffled feathers, "I like your shoes, is all."
This pleases the man enough. He gives Lucas a short grin, picking up the menu on his table.
Lucas picks up the menu as well, mindlessly reading all the sandwich variants and tea options as he waited for his coffee. Vickie eventually shows up in a bit, carrying a tray of three drinks and a bagel. She stops at the old man's table to deliver his order.
"Here you go, Mr Marigold," she smiles politely.
"Why, thank you. And, might I say Ms Dunne, you are looking very spectacular tonight. New makeup?"
"Date later." she says with a wink, moving to Lucas.
She sets down the steamy drink as well as a cup of tea for herself. Lucas notices it now, she's got a bit of light makeup on. It's very subtle, and brings out her already deer-like features. She removes her apron, setting it aside as she fits into the seat opposite Lucas.
He doesn't say anything at first, taking the first sip of coffee and letting the warmth loosen his tightened chest. It's a small relief, and he feels warm tears threaten to pour again.
Vickie rubs circles on the rim of her cup. "So...? Where do we start?"
"Well... a breakup."
She nods in understanding. "That makes sense," she stops a second, eyes on a spot on the floor, as if it's telling her something. "Max, right? You dated Max Mayfield. We had her in the hospital around last year, when I volunteered."
Lucas cringes at the memory of it. That time Max was in the hospital. He'd added it to his box of memories he wanted thrown out of his brain. It wasn't a good time for her or anyone.
"Yeah, that's her. She said she likes someone else. Didn't want to keep me if it only meant breaking both our hearts."
"Aw, Lucas," Vickie pouts. "She's really mature for making that decision."
"She's always been really mature. I guess... yeah, I guess I've always been the more childish one between the two of us. I thought she found it a little funny, but, maybe not," he chuckles weakly, trying to joke it off. Vickie doesn't smile. Lucas breathes into his coffee, steam clouding his vision as he takes a sip.
"Whatever the case, you shouldn't blame yourself too much. I've... been in her shoes before," Vickie admits, squeezing her fingers together as she focuses on them. "It's never your fault. You're kids, okay? You can't expect to be together for the rest of your lives. She was bound to get curious about the whole other world out there at some point."
Those words his Lucas right in the chest. He can feel the full weight of it as it sinks in. What she's saying makes sense. It isn't fair that he had this immature dream of them staying together forever. They are, after all, just a silly teenage romance.
"Sorry if I'm overstepping."
"No, I-" Lucas hears his voice crack at the end. "I think I needed to hear that."
***
“Wait, so she just left you there? Just like that?” Will asks, pausing his relentless pacing that had been going on for the last 30 minutes.
"Was she supposed to give me a fruit basket? Perhaps a kiss on the cheek?" Lucas sighs, drooping his head. “She just dumped me. Didn't even say the dude's name.”
Will scratches his chin in thought, pondering this for a moment. It's a little cute to see, if Lucas dare say so. Will has always had a bit of a bunny quality to the way he looks, which is amplified by his sometimes cartoonish expressions.
They're in Lucas’ room today, as the Wheeler basement has been unavailable since Mike and Dustin abandoned their boys to go to Science Camp. It's been an okay adjustment for Lucas and Will, not playing D&D all day, but they've got other things to talk about. Lucas’ mother, however, has not been handling it that well. Lucas isn't used to having babies in the house, and so far has no idea how to feel about the twins. He couldn't count the amount of times his mother has yelled at the boys to keep it down in there. But they can't help it; there's just so much to say. Whether it's yapping about people they like or talking about their hobbies or discussing a new video game in rotation, they always end up raising their voices with excitement.
Will sighs, dropping himself down on the bed, sinking into the pillows. Lucas’ head is at the foot, so when Will lies down, they're parallel to each other.
"Did it seriously start raining?"
"Like some sort of fucked-up cosmic joke."
“This is such a shitty way to start the summer,” Will notes.
“I know,” Lucas sighs because there really isn't much else to say about it. “What about you, Byers? Enough about my shitty predicament, how's it going with Lawson?”
Will groans, grabbing the nearest pillow and stuffing it over his face, making Lucas giggle. When he pulls away, his cheeks are flushed and his eyes are twinkling. Oh, Lucas thinks with glee, he's swooning.
Will considers Lucas for a moment. “I don't want to talk about my potential love life when your love life is in the deepest pits of hell right now.”
His blatant tone cracks Lucas up instantly. “Hey, I asked, okay? Talk to me. I know there's something you wanna say,” Lucas prods, poking Will in the side. Will squirms in response, giggling out of the way.
“I don't know, it's just… Well, I spoke to Chance's sister. Or, one of his sisters - mind you, he has a lot - and when we were talking about pottery and our favourite works we'd done, she mentioned that her older brother Chance had a partner who ruined an art project of hers by accident. Lucas,” Will props himself up on his elbows to look at Lucas directly in the eyes. “She used ‘they’. And ‘partner’.”
“So, either she's really progressive, or…”
“Or… Chance is not straight. Or it could mean nothing, but…” Will shrugs. “That gave me a tiny drop of hope.”
Lucas sits up to give Will a round of applause. “Congrats, Byers. Mike had El, Dustin had Suzie, I… had Max. Everyone in the party has had someone. I'm glad you're getting your turn to love someone.”
“Thanks,” Will nudges Lucas with his knee.
Lucas gives him a soft nudge back, before going serious all of a sudden. “Though, I hope you know, it doesn't matter that Chance is my teammate. He better treat you well, or else I'm going to kick his face inwards.”
Will - little psychopath, really - chuckles at that.
“I'm serious! He needs to be perfect, actually, or I won't let him have you.”
“Perfect?” Will asks, raising an eyebrow. “And what exactly is the criteria for being Will Byers' perfect boyfriend?”
“Well…”
Lucas genuinely thinks it over. What does Will want in a boy?
“First, he'd have to be able to stay really still for a really long time. You like drawing people you love, so you'd be drawing him often, I assume. Also, he needs to know a bit about art, just so he can give an honest opinion when you ask for a brutal judgment on one of your art pieces.”
Will nods. “Okay, go on.”
“And he needs to be good at Math, because you're bad at Math, and if he's bad at Math too then your kids will be genetically double-bad at Math, which would suck for them,” Lucas shrugs, completely serious.
Will, however, does not see the seriousness at all. In fact, he barks out a laugh and doesn't stop until he's wheezing.
“What? It's the 21st century, you can find a way to get pregnant if you wanted to,” Lucas defends. While Will struggles to breathe, Lucas continues describing the dream boyfriend for Will. “He'd also have to know at least surface-level knowledge D&D. Oh, and muscles! You're always going on about how amazing Chance's arms are.”
Will raises an eyebrow. “All the better to choke me with.”
“Gross,” Lucas gives him a playful shove, laughing like a kid. “And… yeah, that's all I can think about, aside from the basic things; he has to be nice, get along with Jonathan, respect Ms Joyce, and… yeah.”
“That’s… yeah. That's pretty bang on. Though, you are missing something; he needs to get along with Mike.”
“Oh, right,” Lucas’ eyes widened before he chokes up a laugh. “Yeah, good luck to your future boyfriend on that one.
They both erupt into a fit of giggles until Mrs Sinclair has to yell at them to be quiet. They chorus a “sorry” in response, make eye contact with each other, and chuckle lowly again like they can't help it.
“We should probably quiet down, for real. Your mom is so nice, I don't wanna be the inconsiderate friend that pisses her off,” Will says, always the sweet one. Jane once said Will's My Little Pony character would be Fluttershy.
Lucas rolls over on his bed, peering over his desk and out the bedroom window. It's a frighteningly sunny day, heat radiating off pavement, burning anyone that touches it. Nature's very own sizzling pan. Lucas knows if he steps outside even for a minute, he'll be hit with an overwhelming headache, and might even evaporate on the spot.
“I'm gonna go get a bottle of water, and we can go for a walk,” Lucas suggests, though he doesn't leave much room for protest as he gets up, stretching his arms above his head. “This should give mom space to tidy up the house without us disturbing the twins. We can go to the park and we'll come back around in time for lunch.”
Will rolls down the bed, like he's too tired to move. “Can I stay round for lunch? Your mom's cooking is to die for. Ask her if I can stick around.”
“You can ask her. She'll say yes, y'know.”
“Wow, you really want her to think I'm a piece of shit, don't you?” As Will tugs his shoes on, Lucas follows suit.
“And why on earth would she think that? She frickin loves you! More than she loves me.”
“I keep coming over to her house unannounced to yell like a monkey with you for 5 hours a day. And now, you expect me to demand she cook for me as well? What kind of animal do you think I am, Sinclair?”
They continue to bicker like toddlers all the way through the hall of the Sinclair house, and all the way down the stairs. A very unamused-looking Sue sits at the foot of the staircase, a hand on her hip.
“And how many times do I have to remind you boys before you listen?”
“Sorry, Mrs Sinclair,” Will mutters, blushing furiously and looking guilty.
Lucas’ smile is wider than ever as he says “Yeah, sorry mom.” He drops it then to mimic Will, earning an elbow to the ribs from the boy.
Sue's eyes soften, her motherly instinct always kicking in around shyer kids. “Alright, you're forgiven, Will,” she emphasises, glaring at Lucas, who smiles sheepishly in return. “And, Lulu, I filled up your water bottle. I heard you practically yelling about how you were going to fill it up before the walk you're going on.”
Lucas darts across the room, avoiding the area where Sue is cleaning “Thanks mom!” He whisper-shouts, beckoning Will to come forward. Will does so, following along like a lost puppy.
As Lucas grabs his bottle, Will opens the kitchen door. Lucas hesitates for a few seconds, then throws a “By the way, Will says he wants to stay for lunch but he's too shy to ask himself!” over his shoulder.
Whatever Sue says next is muffled by the sound of the door shutting behind the boys. Will looks absolutely horrified, and Lucas can't help bursting with laughter.
“Don't talk to me ever again,” Will says, voice thin. “You're evil. Pure evil. Did you know that?”
Lucas wipes a fake tear. “Oh, you should see your face right now.”
Lucas judged the outside weather mostly correctly. They'd only been outside for 30 seconds and he could already feel the clamminess creeping into the back of his neck and reaching down his armpits. The sun beating down on them reminded him of being twelve, heading down to the beach with his family, getting a strawberry popsicle, and crashing in the waves. They didn't do one of those summer trips last year when his mother was pregnant with the twins, and they probably won't do it again this year, since babies are difficult to manage at the beach. Which sucks, since this summer is the last one Lucas will be available for before he graduates next year. He's planning on spending next summer working, per his father's advice. Then, when the new term rolls around… he'll be a college student.
Hopefully.
The duo have decided to walk to the skate park, a good place for the cooler and more rebellious underdogs to prowl around. Maybe Lucas is leading himself there due to some subconscious need to see Max - she always hung out there on Saturdays - but she's nowhere to be seen. Chance Lawson, however, is leaning up against a tree, hands in his jean pockets, watching (assuming) one of his friends. Will grabs Lucas' arm, bringing them to a halt.
"Lucas, Lucas, Lucas, Lucas, Lucas, Lucas-"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I see him..." Lucas scolds, but doesn't move Will's hand away. "What do you want me to do?"
"Let's go talk to him, please," Will whines like a little kid, dragging Lucas forward.
Lucas laughs, wilfully following him. "Whatever you say, dude. I can do all the talking if you're shy, yeah?"
"You're awesome," Will's hand has moved lower down Lucas' arm, absentmindedly swinging near his hand. If Will's noticed, he's paying no mind to it. Lucas lets it swing, hoping their fingers brushing gives him a little comfort to boost his confidence.
Chance isn't very well dressed, Lucas notices first. His jeans are too tight around the ankles, and his plain light gray shirt isn't as hot as he thinks it is. His hair is the only thing saving him from looking like any other average guy on the street... That iconic Chance Lawson hair. Steve might have a worthy heir to pass the "best hair" crown down to.
"Lawson! How you been, dude?" Lucas goes in for a fistbump, which Chance goes for, and somehow turns into a hug. Lucas does not want to be hugged by a sweaty boy, especially not in this heat, but allows it to happen.
"Sinclair! Great to see you dude," Chance says smiling wide, eyes drifting to Will.
"Oh, Chance, this is my friend-"
"Will. Byers. We've hung around each other before, and lot more than usual in the last year. How's summer going?"
Will is viciously fighting a blush creeping up, Lucas can tell. There's still a tiny pink tint to his cheeks, but that can just be excused as an effect of the heat.
Will manages to mumble his way through an explanation about a landscape he started on when summer began, Chance nodding with attention all through the way. Lucas sees right through it though. That's the exact face Chance puts on when he's pretending to listen to Coach's lectures. Well, at least he's putting in effort to make Will thinks he likes him...?
Lucas tries to add in his own extra cents to lead Chance on the right path. He'll give a short explanation of what certain words mean (it's clear Chance doesn't know many Art terms), and he'll compliment Will whenever Will needs it. Lucas is sure he makes a good wingman, until...
Chance has been glancing between the two of them for a while. When it's obvious Will's explanation is coming to an end, Chance takes the opportunity to ask, "So... are you guys, like, together?"
Lucas fights the urge to face palm right then and there. He hears Will let out a quiet sigh of disappointment beside him.
"Uh, well... no," Will glances at Lucas, finally noticing their fingers have been brushing. He withdraws his hand, and Lucas' space feels empty without the touch.
It's not like Lucas is offended with the idea of dating Will - he wouldn't mind, he briefly thinks - but the objective here is to make Will look as cute and available as possible. And this... this isn't working in their favour.
"Oh, well, um..." Chance shoves his hands back into his pockets like a fucking 2000s heartthrob. An awkward silence has fell over the group. "I thought... nevermind. Shouldn't have assumed. Hey, I said I'd meet my friends up in a bit, so..."
"Oh, yeah," Will says. "Uh, good to see you."
"Catch ya later, dude," Lucas goes in for a fistbump, hoping it doesn't turn into another hug. It does not.
When Chance is far enough, Will grabs Lucas by the shoulders, making him face him, green eyes blazing with anxiety. "I talked too much, didn't I?"
"About your art?" Lucas pauses. "Yeah, maybe."
Will groans, leaning forward, his head bumping Lucas' chest. Lucas chuckles, patting his back.
"It was cute! You talked too much in a very endearing way. Like..."
"Like a Robin way?"
"Like a princess talking about her hopes and dreams to the prince kind of way."
Will lifts his head. "You promise?"
"Yes," Lucas lies.
Will takes a breath, continuing their walk, ahead of Lucas. He kicks rocks as he walks, and Lucas steps on some dry leaves. When wind passes, it feels more like a wave of warm air, and causes more sweat than it cools. Out on the street, Lucas sees the ice cream truck, blaring it's loud music that summons children from all around the block.
"Should we get something?" Will asks. "The heat is killing me."
"Read my mind."
They change direction, heading towards sweet cold goodness now.
"I wish I could show him," Will muses aloud.
"Show him what?"
"How good of a boyfriend I am. I feel like he just sees me as a friend, and it's fucking up my chances, no pun intended."
Lucas snorts. "Then date someone. Briefly, at least. And you can do some cute stuff with them in front of Chance, then break up, then go back to woo-ing Chance."
"Yeah, but... okay, One; I don't want to use someone."
"Fair. But, you can fake-date."
Will stops like he's actually considering. He shakes his head a second later, brushing it off. "Two; I know no other gay people in Hawkins, other than the gay people in my inner circle. And, I don't know if you've noticed, but the only gay person in my inner circle is my sister."
"Double-fair."
"Dork," Will tries to elbow Lucas, but he sways out of the way for it to be nothing more than a nudge. "Three; I fall in love way too easily. What if I start catching feelings for this boy I'm supposed to fake-date? Won't feelings screw something up?"
"I don't see how that's a disadvantage. You either get Chance, or fall in love while trying to get Chance. Win-win."
"Ah, but, you see, this hypothetical fake-date wouldn't like me back. We'd be fake-dating. I'd just have someone new to pine over, when they don't like me back."
They're finally at the ice cream truck, waiting in line behind a round old man surrounded by a small crowd of kids, varying in ages. They all excitedly yell the ice pops and ice creams they want to their grandfather, who just nods along and requests they be patient.
"Hm," Lucas thinks about it. "Well... yeah, makes sense. You'd just have to fake-date someone you can't fall for. Like, a distant cousin or something."
"Ew," Will twists his face up with disgust. "Lucas, that's gross."
Lucas, who cant see a flaw in his obviously flawed logic, just shrugs. "You wouldn't have to kiss and all the actual couple stuff. You could just hold hands and buy each other stuff and hold his bags and draw him or whatever."
"I'm still not sure I would be comfortable. Also, the nearest cousin I have living by me is Jason. Y'know, right-wing Christian ex-captain of the basketball team, Jason."
Ah, yes. Jason, who used to spread rumors about the Party doing satanic rituals during the D&D games. Jason, who would tell freshmen and sophmores they could buy substances from Andy, then reported them to their parents when they actually showed up for a purchase. Jason, who used to pick on Lucas when he'd just joined the basketball team. Jason, who asked Coach to take Lucas off the team so many times, Nancy had to get involved to keep him on. Jason, who spent ten minutes arguing with a lowerclassman about why slavery was justified in that one History debate. Jason, who attempted to form a Conservative Teens Club at school to "battle the attack against Christianity", which was luckily never greenlit.
Lucas fakes a shudder.
"I know, right?" Will rolls his eyes. "My options are painfully limited."
Lucas doesn't think this is fair. Well, obviously it isnt, it's never going to be fair for people like Will. But, he really hopes Will will get to experience the whole teen romance thing, just like everyone else their age. He deserves some love, too, right? If he needs someone to fake-date without any strings attached, perhaps he can just date a party member...? Maybe not Mike, that might be awkward after Will crushed that hard on him earlier on. Also, Mike is away at summer camp, so is Dustin...
The light bulb above Lucas' head switches on. Why didn't he think of this earlier? How could he be so stupid?
"I got it!" Lucas exclaims, making the old man glance over his shoulder, questioningly. He pays and the line moves forward.
"Got what?" Will opens his wallet. "Chocolate dip with a flake, please, and what do you want?"
"Date me!"
"What?"
"Oh. Uh, can I get an ice cream sandwich... shit, I left my wallet at home." he looks at Will. "I'll pay you back?"
"Sure, but, hold on... what do you mean?"
Lucas looks twists his brows with confusion. "I left my money at home and I want you to pay for my ice cream sandwich. I'll pay it back-"
"Yeah, no shit," Will rolls his eyes, absentmindedly passing the ice cream man some bills. "What do you mean you want to date me?"
"Will," it's Lucas' turn to put his hands on Will's shoulders, looking him in the eye with all seriousness. "Think about it. You need someone to fake-date to show Chance how good you are. I can fake-date you. And we know there won't be any feelings involved because we're friends. We've been friends for ages."
Will searches his eyes for a hint of humour, lips slightly parted.
"And, if we go the extra mile, maybe I can show Max what shes missing too. She'll get jealous, and then..." there's a twinkle in Lucas' eyes. "I'll win her back, just like I do every other time."
When Will sees that he's clearly not joking, he brushes the boy's hands off his shoulders. "That's insane. You're insane."
"I'm right! Can you see a single flaw in this logic? No?" Lucas asks, hands on his hips.
"Yeah, that's the problem. This idea is absolutely insane, and I can't find any problems with it. Except the fact that this means we have to lie to Max and Jane and tell them we're together. And we have to lie to practically all of Hawkins. And we have to do couple stuff together."
"What's wrong with couple stuff?"
"You're straight, Lulu."
"I told you not to call me that," he whines at the use of the nickname that he only allows his mother to use. "And... what's the problem with that? It's not like I'm repulsed at the idea of kissing you. You're my friend, I'd do anything for your love life."
"This is a little drastic though, no?"
"Me being straight just means it'll be easier to stop fake-dating when the time comes. I can pretend to be in a happy relationship with you if it means you finally get your awesome teenage love. You shouldn't have to miss out on all the fun stuff just because you're gay."
The ice cream man clears his throat, snapping the boy's direction to him. He holds out the two ice creams, waiting for them to be accepted. Will smiles apologetically as Lucas mumbles a "Sorry". They get out of the line as quick as they can, avoiding the irritated eyes of people who resent the boys for holding up the line.
The boys grab a notebook and a shitty pen from the nearest dollar store, before settling at a picnic table, ice creams long gone. The cover is made of cereal box type of cardboard, and features a Sun wearing sunglasses with a speech bubble that reads "stay cool!" The notebook itself is about 30 pages long, with the shittiest quality paper available. It's perfect.
"So," Lucas starts, slamming the notebook down. "We write down terms and conditions here."
"Terms and conditions?"
"Sure. We need to get into specifics. Like... what are we gonna do? Are we gonna kiss? Hold hands? How physical are we allowed to get?"
"You seem very focused on the physical side of things."
"I wanna make sure you're not out of your comfort zone. I'm about to be your first boyfriend."
"Fake boyfriend," Will corrects.
"Yeah, yeah. But, if these are going to be your firsts, then I just thought... y'know, maybe you'd want all your firsts to be real... I don't know what I'm saying, forget it."
"No, no," Will reaches across the table to lay a reassuring hand on Lucas'. "I get what you mean. It's just... I've held hands with people before, Lucas."
Lucas snickers. "Yeah, but not romantically. It's special when it's done romantically."
"We both know I won't be holding hands with you romantically, remember? It's just for show."
"Right. Well, there's the first one," Lucas writes it down. "Holding hands; Allowed. What about kissing? Don't you want your first kiss to be special?"
"Um... well it wouldn't exactly be...." The blush creeps up Will's neck, invading his face. Lucas doesn't need to hear anything more. His jaw drops.
"You... you... you've kissed someone?! And didn't tell any of us? Byers! You need to tell me all about it."
"I can't. He's not exactly out... it was just an experimental kiss. He wanted to see if he liked boys."
Oh. Well, that's really sad to hear. Will's first kiss was just a test to someone. Someone who didn't even like him. Lucas feels like there's a weight in the pit of his stomach, and it feels like sympathy for his friend, who likely won't get to experience love like everyone else.
"Write it down," Will prompts. "Kissing; Allowed."
"Okay, kissing is allowed. We get each other cute stuff, right?"
Will giggles sweetly at that. He's just so cute. Lucas is mad Chance gets the opportunity to make Will smile like this and just... doesn't take it. "Yeah. Should I get a necklace with your jersey number? Like how Chrissy Cunningham did before she broke up with Jason?"
"That would be so cool! Jersey number necklace... I'll get it for you. It'll be the first gift I give you as your official fake boyfriend. Do you think Max will go crazy over it? Fuck, I should've gotten her a necklace like that when we were together."
"Already got a Valentine's day gift for Max next year. This plan is going really well."
"I'm the idea man."
"You're a dork."
"You've mentioned."
Will snickers quietly, leaning over the table, arms folded before him. "We should go on dates. A date per week. Movie nights, Arcade dates, or... I don't know. Even a breakfast at MJ's. Anywhere Chance or Max might stop by and see us acting all in love."
"Sure. Matching outfits?"
"You're so corny," Will chuckles.
"Fine," Lucas sighs, He actually liked the idea of matching with Will. "Is that all?"
Will squints his eyes off in the distance, like he's searching for something. "We need a set limit."
"A what?"
"Well, we cant just fake-date forever, we need a time limit. I was thinking thirty days. That means it extends to the beginning of the school year. It's our last year, so it's gonna be the most stressful... we can blame the breakup on the stress, if we haven't achieved the goal by then. And go back to being friends."
"They way your mind works..." Lucas praises, scribbling it down. "The 30-day trial plan. It's beautiful."
"What about feelings? Any rules about crossing emotional boundaries."
Lucas' excitement pauses. "What do you mean?"
"Like... I don't know. What are the precautions for accidentally falling in love?"
"Well, you see, that's not going to happen. We're friends. We've been friends for ages, and haven't fallen in love this far. There won't be any feelings to catch because this is all a huge joke, anyway. Unless you have a crush on me, Byers. In which case, I'm flattered," Lucas wiggles his eyebrows suggestively, making Will groan back with annoyance.
"Dork."
"If I had a nickel..."
Will quickly darts out to the book, bringing it up and using it to lightly smack Lucas on the head. He snickers, not even trying to dodge out of the way.
"If anything, we can just call it off. We both get a free pass to leave, and can use it whenever we want. Like cancelling the subscription."
"I like that. Cancelling the subscription sounds cool."
"One more thing though, we need to make an oath to be there for each other when its needed, at least in the romantic sense. Like, as in, if you desperately needed a date to a party or wedding or something, you could just ask me. And I'd have to go, no questions asked. It needs a cool name..."
"The ice cream oath."
"You're just saying whatever, aren't you?"
"I think the heat is starting to mess up my brain."
"Thought so. Well," he slides the book forward. "Those are the Terms and Conditions. William Byers, will you sign up for the 30-day trial plan that may or may not end with you dating the boy of your dreams?"
"No paywall," Will signs his name, as if its a contract. "Sounds good to me."
Lucas signs too, grinning at Will's used of a smiley face over the "i" in his name.
"You get Max, I get Chance." Will extends his hand.
Lucas takes it, shaking it like he's completed a transaction. "Or die trying."