Chapter Text
Mike's arrival in California goes off without a hitch. He greets El with a kiss; gifts her the flowers he'd grabbed hours earlier in Hawkins in a panic. He slings an arm around her as she details her plan for their day, which for some reason includes burritos for breakfast. It's weird, and he says so, but El simply laughs and tells him to trust her. And, well, there isn't a world out there where he doesn't trust her, so he goes along with it.
Will is quiet as Jonathan's stoner friend drives them to El Rodeo. A small, yet insistent part of Mike wants to ask him what has him so upset, because he's known him all his life and can tell whenever he's upset—but the rest of him doesn't want to spoil the day. And maybe he's a little annoyed with his friend, for the distance he's put between them recently. He's dodgy whenever Mike calls, reluctant to share anything about his life in Lenora. Not like El, who makes no secret of how amazing California has been for her. All the parties she's been to, the friends who helped her adjust to high school when he couldn't.
Meanwhile, as far as he knows Will hasn't made any friends at all. Which both does and doesn't surprise Mike. Will's the nicest guy you could ever meet, but he's never been great at making friends without Mike there to help him out.
Maybe that's it, he thinks as they push through El Rodeo's doors. A waiter greets them and guides them to a booth. Maybe Will's lonely. Maybe he's jealous El's doing so well and he's not.
El giggles, tearing him away from his thoughts. "See?" She points to something on her menu. "Breakfast burritos. You have to try one, they are delicious."
Mike grins. Recenters his focus on the girl in front of him. "You come here often?"
El nods. "We come here every weekend."
He raises an eyebrow. "Huh. The food is that good, huh?"
"Yes—"
"Hey!"
Will looks up. So does Mike.
A girl their age approaches the table. She's the near-epitome of what Dustin would call a 'California hottie': blond hair, smooth olive skin, and bright brown eyes. She's dressed like the popular girls back at Hawkins High who are obsessed with being the prettiest in school, complete with makeup and jewelry.
For some reason, her gaze centers on Will. Mike tenses up instictively. He can't think of any reason why one of the popular kids would seek Will out—not any good ones, at least.
Will's face breaks out into a large smile. "Luna!" he calls out to the girl, clearly relieved to see her. He stands up from the booth and, to Mike's shock, gives her a hug.
Will.
Hugging.
A girl.
…What?
The girl—Luna—laughs as she returns the hug. "Dude, you know I'm always up for a Byers hug, but we just saw each other yesterday at school."
Will shakes his head as they let each other go. "I know, but—what are you still doing in Lenora? I thought you were going to New York for spring break."
Luna rolls her eyes. "My sister pulled a classic 'Soledad' and canceled the trip."
Will frowns. "Seriously? That sucks. I know how much you were looking forward to it."
"Yeah, well." Luna looks like she wants to say something more, but opts for an awkward cough. "I was hoping I'd run into you guys," she says instead. She shoots a welcoming smile towards Jonathan, Argyle, and El, who all reciprocate. Her gaze then lands on Mike, and she frowns. "Who's Flip-Flops over here?"
Will follows her line of sight and smiles wryly. "That's Mike." He says. Mike waits for him to elaborate, but all he does is shrug in his general direction. Doesn't even look at him. "He's visiting for the week."
Luna's eyes light up. "Oh, right." Her frown shifts back into a smile and she reaches her hand out in greeting. "Hey there. Name's Luna. I've heard a lot about you, Flip-Flop Mike."
Mike scowls. "Just 'Mike' is fine, thanks." He makes no effort to take her hand. "Funny, Will's never mentioned you."
Will's eyes widen, then narrow with annoyance. "It's not like you asked," he says stiffly.
Mike's stomach drops from the thinly veiled accusation. He clenches his fists, hiding them in his pockets.
"…just gonna leave me hanging, huh. Alright then." Will's friend mutters under her breath, low enough that Mike is sure she hadn't meant for him to hear. She drops her arm. "You guys got anything special planned for today?"
"We are going to Rink-O-Mania," El says. "After we finish our breakfast burritos."
Luna digests that with a considering expression. She glances towards Mike, then at El and Will. And then: "Mind if I join you guys? Not to, like, intrude or anything, but I haven't been to a skating rink in ages. I could use a refresher."
"A chance to show off, you mean," Will teases.
"Okay. Guilty." Luna laughs. It grates on Mike's nerves, too high-pitched and delicate for his liking. "So, can I?"
It's clear whose permission she's really asking. Her gaze never once leaves Will.
Once again, Mike waits for him to explain to her that right now is not a good time. That he wants to spend some long overdue time with his best/oldest friend, who came all this way just to see him and El.
Will hesitates. He looks towards Mike and El.
Tell her to leave, Mike sends his thoughts towards Will along with a meaningful stare. Tell her there's no space in the van. Tell her anything, just get rid of her.
Will clenches his jaw. He turns back to Luna. "Of course you can come." He says firmly. Mike's stomach sinks.
Luna beams. "Awesome," she says, way too pleased with herself.
"You can join us for breakfast, too, if you want," Will adds. "Unless you're with someone already."
"Nah." She plops onto the booth and reaches for a menu. "Who else am I gonna hang out with? You're like my only friend."
"You could make more friends if you wanted to," he says with the air of someone having said it before.
Luna looks up and fucking winks at him. "Why would I when I have you, bestie." She practically purrs at him. Mike wants to puke at how obvious she's being.
Will's only response is to grin bashfully. The sinking feeling in Mike's stomach grows.