Work Text:
Darkness. That’s all he sees, before realizing his eyes aren’t open. Opening his eyes he sees he’s at a place he never thought he’d see again.
The quarry.
Hesitantly, with his heart in his ears — he walks forward towards the edge, hearing as the gravel shifts under his steps.
His breath hitches as he peers over the edge — his gaze catching something that causes nausea to pool in his gut.
There’s a body. They’re face down in the water, so he can’t make out the face — but he could recognize that orange and yellow vest anywhere.
It’s Will. The realization causes him to become breathless, as he frantically steps backwards — away from the edge.
It isn’t his Will. At least not the one he knows in the present. This Will is younger, shorter; and he still had his bowl cut of a hair style.
Frantically, as he walks backwards his back bumps into something — causing him to tense up and whip around to see what it is.
Younger Will is standing in front of him now. But he doesn’t look like how Mike remembers. His eyes don’t hold life in them anymore, his skin is almost a shade of blue from how freezing he looks, as he’s soaking wet.
“Will,” Mike gasps, stepping back. He can’t breathe. He can’t hear. His heart is in his head; pounding against his skull — causing it to ache.
”Why couldn’t you save me, Micheal?” Will asks, dead eyes locked onto his; as he peers up at Mike.
”What…I- We did save you, I don’t understand?!” Mike says, he shivers as the wind picks up; causing the trees nearby to sway with the breeze.
Mike can hardly breathe. His chest aches with the breaths that just won’t seem to form. His whole body trembles as terror and anxiety wash over him like a bucket of freezing, lake water.
Younger Will is still looking at him. Mike notices that his chest doesn’t move; as he’s not breathing. Because he’s dead. His brain supplied. “You didn’t save me. Just like you couldn’t save Eleven. Or anyone. They’re all dead because of you.” The words hit like a knife to the heart.
Tears start brimming Mike’s eyes, as he hears those; cruel, heartless words, that didn’t sound like Will at all. Maybe because it’s not…His thoughts echoed.
His eyes widen at the realization. “You- you’re not Will. He wouldn’t say those things!” He says, there are still tears clouding his vision — as he blinks them away; when his opens them, his breath hitches violently — almost causing him to go into a coughing fit, as he scrambles backward.
Because what’s standing in front of him, it isn’t Will…
“It doesn’t mean it’s a lie, is it Micheal?” Vecna’s voice slices through the silence, like a knife. He slowly, tauntingly walked forward, towards Mike — like a predator circling their prey, before going in for the kill.
”Stop it.” Mike shakes his head, “This isn’t real. You’re supposed to be dead.” He keeps backing up — not realizing how close he is to the edge of the cliff.
”Did you really think you all could kill me, Micheal?” Vecna is still walking towards him, as he says those words tauntingly.
”No, this isn’t real. This is a dream…” Mike repeats these words desperately like a mantra. He tries to step back again, but his foot slips — causing him to stumble, to regain his footing. He can’t walk any further. He’s at the edge. He’s trapped.
”Oh, this is very real, Micheal.” Vecna glowers; he’s standing in front of Mike now.
Mike feels his whole body trembling with fear, as he sees Vecna raise his long, veiny hand; as he holds it over Mike’s face.
”No!” Mike gasps, he tries to step away — but his foot catches. He lets out a scream as he falls over the edge.He’s falling and falling and falling and—
Mike shoots up with a gasp. His wide eye’s frantically move around the room. He can’t breathe. He can’t think. He can’t hear. All he feels is cold, unadulterated fear.
He pants as if he’d run a mile — he flinches hard as something touches his shoulder. Or someone.
”Mike— Mike, it’s okay.” The familiar voice causes Mike’s tearful gaze to land on a pair of concerned, green eyes. It’s Will. His Will.
”Hey, it’s okay, you’re okay.” Will’s comforting voice is like a warmth that eases the cold in Mike’s chest. “Everything’s okay. See, we’re in our room, in our bed. Nothing is going to hurt you here. Ever.”
That’s right. Will and him live in an apartment together in New York. They’ve been dating for four years now. And they’re happy. Really, really happy together.
”Hey, can you try to take some deep breaths for me, please?” Will gently takes his hand, and places it over his chest.
Mike can feel Will’s heartbeat over his palm; and he can feel the rise and fall of Will’s chest as he takes deep, exaggerated breaths.
Causing Mike in turn to also take deep breaths. Over time Mike slowly starts to calm down. His breath evens and his body slowly stops trembling.
”There you go. Just keep breathing for me.” Will says, softly.
After Mike calms down, he slowly pulls his hand back from where it was resting over Will’s chest.
”I’m sorry,” Mike croaks, his voice cracking slightly, “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
”Hey,” Will’s hands gently cup his face, “You have nothing to be sorry for.” His thumbs brush back and forth across Mike’s cheeks, in a soothing manner.
”Do you want to tell me what happened or do you want to lay back down?” Will’s comforting voice asks gently.
Mike’s gut twists uncomfortably at the thought of his nightmare, “Can we just lay down for a bit?” He asks hesitantly.
A soft smile over takes Will’s features, “Of course.” He replies gently.
Will lays down and opens his arms, in invitation for Mike to lay down with him. Mike takes it and rests his head on Will’s chest. Listening to the steady beat of the heart beneath him, and the rise and fall of Will’s chest.
After awhile of just being in each other’s comforting presence, Mike slowly starts to relax and starts to fall back asleep; when Will’s low voice breaks the silence:
“You don’t have to tell me what happened in your dream, but I just want you to know that I’m always here for you, and you can tell me anything at anytime,” His voice is like a calming whisper.
“We’re in this together remember? Crazy together.” Will says and laughs gently, at the old words Mike had said when they were younger.
Mike smiles softly at the reminder, “Yeah, crazy together.” His eyes start drooping as he slowly starts being lulled into the comforting edges of sleep as he mutters, “I love you,”
Will smiles lovingly at the person he gets to call his forever, as he places a tender kiss on the mop of dark curls on Mike’s head, “I love you too.” He whispers softly.
They then both fall asleep in the comforting arms of each other. Knowing that no matter what happens they’ll always have the other. Through every hardship and every milestone, they’ll be there for each other. And that’s a promise, neither of them intend to ever break…