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Mike Wheeler had always been the type of guy to hide his feelings - scared of what other people would say. The only thing that made that difficult was his best friend. All he had been thinking about was Will Byers since he came out a few hours ago. Honestly a lot longer than that if he were to be really honest, which he often wasn't.
What Will had said in that room made him feel eternally guilty. Not just for the massive dick he'd been the summer before Will left but also the little things. He'd been so utterly self-absorbed that he didn't even realise his own so-called best friend had a crush on someone. Even the thought of it made his throat feel like a desert causing his thoughts to run wild in his head. Mike knew he couldn't let anyone see how it got to him. There was no way. They would know. They would figure him out. He couldn't let that happen.
He could barely tell what was happening anymore. Someone could've been yelling Mike's name and he likely wouldn't respond. Not that they would. He hoped not anyway. He didn't know Will liked someone. Since he and El broke up or rather never got back together after California, things had been different. At least he thought so. He'd finally had time to really think about himself and what the break up meant.
There were certain signals that he'd given, while the Byers family were living at his house, not even noticing at the time. Recently it has become more of a conscious effort. Trying desperately to communicate this thing, this secret, this feeling that the world would banish if they ever found out.
So he too became good at hiding. Like Will. Will. He honestly hoped to God — although he was never that religious — that he got over whatever jackass he met in Cali.
It seemed like whatever it was ended. If there was one thing Mike knew now it was he had to get his feelings off his chest. Maybe he actually had a chance if this guy — his Tammy — was out of the picture. Will talked about him like it was some fleeting hallway crush so that must be the case.
Throughout the preparation for the new mission to defeat Vecna he thought more than he had in the past few days, which was saying a lot. He'd spent a lot of time thinking, considering how he felt and how Will may have felt. Every time they touched he felt a jolt of electricity sent through him or when he looked at Will only to find him already staring, getting panicked and hastily looking away.
At some point they reached the bottom of the tower station. Mike would not be able to tell you when or how. A familiar sense of disconnection from his own life had flooded him. Moments flashed past, not giving him time to process them.
When he saw Will walk forward to begin their climb, he practically pushed Lucas out of the way to go with him. Feeling guilty after he turned around and gave a look that he hoped said I'm sorry, I need to do this.
The two of them made their way up, getting increasingly out of breath. Mike had never been the best athlete in the group — that title went to Lucas — and it showed.
Roughly half way up he asked them to stop, suddenly getting really nervous. Will took a swig of the water and stupidly Mike couldn't stop himself staring. His eyes wandered down taking in everything. Only Will could make drinking water look so attractive that he felt he was losing his breath again for a completely different reason.
He returned to looking at Will's face once more. Staring longingly into his eyes. His eyes. A beautiful shade of brown with specks of green splattered around the edges like the universe knew he would be an artist and gave him the most poetic eyes. Mike could spend hours, days, months just writing endless poems dedicated to them. The urge to do so growing evermore apparent with each passing day as he steadily filled up his notebook back at home.
But Will was staring right back at him as if daring him to look away. Neither of them did and time seemed to stand still, his hair blowing in the light wind.
It took him a moment to collect his thoughts together. “What you said earlier, at the squawk. I'm sorry." Mike seriously wished it sounded as sincere as he meant it. “I mean, not sorry about what you said, that came out wrong; not came out wrong. You know, I should've been there for you.”
Shit—
Shit,
Shit.
The realisation hit Mike like a ten tonne truck what he had just said. He'd given himself away. There was no way that if he wasn't like Will he would know that phrase. No way. Not that Will would ever judge him for it of course, but on the off chance their friendship ended after this he knew what he had to do.
Just as Will was about to leave and continue the treacherous climb he grabbed his arm keeping them on the same level. “Listen, I have to tell you something.” Mike took one last deep breath, his heart beat out of his chest. “Look, I don't know who this guy is but you can do better than him. I know I haven't been the greatest friend the past few years but I still care about you a lot. Too much even. I don't think we can be friends anymore, not after today.”
He made the dire mistake of looking over at Will, who looked like his heart had been torn out his throat and trampled on. In turn, making him feel even more guilty but he had to lay his cards out and every single one spelled Will Byers. It was now or never. If they died later trying to defeat Vecna, at least he would leave this place with no regrets. No regrets.
“There's no easy way to say this so...” Mike moved his hand slowly across the metal bar between them, not daring to look down or at Will as he carefully, hesitantly, gently intertwined their fingers together. He'd done it. Time slowed down for a moment, both boys stood in silence, taking in the implications of the action.
Feeling like he had all the courage in the world, Mike finally took the risk and looked for the reaction. His small smile that formed on his face not long before fell quickly. Will didn't share his excitement. In fact it was the opposite. His eyebrows knitted together, eyes wide — the darkness of their environment emphasising what he could only describe as pure hatred. The thing that wounded him the most was a scowl he had never seen from the direction of Will, his best friend. He’d gotten it from his father, occasionally some of his teachers but not Will, never Will. Until now.
He pulled his hand away like it had physically burned him, holding it close to his chest in disgust. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Mike took a slow step backwards, careful to keep his balance. Though maybe falling wouldn't be the worst possible thing to happen at that moment. Now he’d gone and fucked up the first good, strong friendship he'd ever had. Nothing could ever make this better.
“So answer me, you freak, what are you doing?” Will spat out venom in his voice.
“But — but, I thought —”
“Thought what? That just because I’m a queer, I’d be interested in you?” He pressed his finger firmly against Mike’s chest, pushing him slightly, causing him to stumble back further nearing the edge of the tower. Even now the touch sent electricity down him, his own body and attraction betraying him. Before he was really aware of what was happening he felt hot, damp tears streaming down his face and into his slightly open month, not knowing when they’d formed — only that his legs had given way beneath him and he was on his knees crying desperately into his hands wishing he had kept his true feelings to himself. Kept hiding. Why did he not just keep hiding?
“Awww, did I hurt your feelings?” Will’s tone reeked of condescension as he crouched down in front of him, raising Mike’s shaking tear-soaked chin up, forcing him to face the malice in his eyes. “After everything you've done to me! All the torment — making me feel useless compared to your girlfriend. Funny that isn't it. All she ever wanted was three simple words and you couldn't say them could you, Michael?”
Mike looked up, his hair dishevelled and in his face willing with his eyes for the cruel words to stop. He knew it was all true though. Maybe he deserved this. He’d been a shit boyfriend and an even worse friend.
“Really nothing to say now? You were oh so confident, spilling your guts to me. Or when you left me for dear eleven over and over. She should’ve left you that day on the quarry!”
He heard a voice screaming, begging to stop only to realise it was his own. Trying to plead with Will when everything around him shifted. The tower was gone and so was Will. What the fuck.
His surroundings were unfamiliar and different, a bright red dominated and he was all alone once again. Like when they pulled Wills “body” out of the lake or being stuck in the house with his family when all he wanted to do was help.
Will continued to hold onto Mike, who lay limp in his arms, surprisingly heavy given his lanky frame. He wished someone else was there to help him. The white emotionless eyes shook him to his core. This must’ve been what had happened to Max last year. He needed someone who knew what they were doing — Lucas, Dustin, even Steve would suffice. “Please, wake up,” Will begged between sobs wishing one of the others would arrive soon, “I can't do this without you.” As if by some ethereal being he’d have to make a note to thank later, he was met with Lucas’ blank face — in shock probably — having hoped this would never happen again.
“Music.” he mumbled, “what’s his favourite song!?” He'd said with much more volume and conviction than the first time
Will tried as much as he could to answer but nothing came out except a loud, devastating sob.
Lucas looked like he was having a tough time with this as well, his face growing more pale by the second. Quickly snapping out of it though he continued to climb up the ladder connected to the tower, “I’ll get help, you stay here with him. Whatever you do make sure he doesn't start floating,” earning a scared gasp from Will.
Looking around, Mike knew where he was from conversations with El and Max about their experiences. He began to panic, running in every which way in an attempt to find an exit from the twisted place that was Henry Creel’s mind. “Will! Will!” Nothing. He really was on his own now.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Micheal Wheeler. I’ve been waiting for you since I talked to your sisters,” bile rose up Mike’s throat as the idea of that creep near anyone he cared about — let alone his family — invaded his mind. Anger overtook him and he charged to where he thought the voice was coming from. His heart stopped when his body refused to let his legs move the way his brain wanted.
All of a sudden he was flung against a towering spike of vines that had appeared out of the ground. The collision caused Mike to wince just knowing the bruise on his shoulder from not long before would spread. Now there was no escape as the vines wrapped around every part of him, tying him tighter and tighter — choking him until it was a struggle even to breathe.
Thoughts blurred inside his mind: all the headaches he’d covered up with excessive coffee, a constant ticking noise that he'd convinced himself was just in his head, nosebleeds that didn’t seem like a big deal at the time and worst of all the nightmares – waking up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat.
“Poor Micheal, didn’t you know, normal people don’t think things like that about their best friend. Of course you wouldn’t since you’re not normal – I know it, you know it, everyone does even your darling Will.” Vecna teased him, finding enjoyment out of watching Mike's obvious struggle to escape out of the labyrinth of thick vines entangling him more by the second. As a twisted claw gradually moved towards his face, he thought about all the things he would miss when he was alone, gone and dead.
Will looked up to see almost everyone scrambling down the ladder to help him save his best friend and love. “Does anyone know his favourite song? Please!” He no longer cared to hide his desperation, making his memory hazy, especially when Mike had begun to lift from his arms, eyes still sickeningly white, not their usual deep brown that he had memorised by now.
“I don’t how helpful this will be but maybe a butt-hole surfers song,” Robin spoke up noncommittally scared for Mike and even more so for Will given what she’s observed from the two of them the past few days. She could see how close they were and that Will did not deserve one more bad thing. “Sorry, he wanted their record on for when the bomb goes off,” feeling the need to explain herself, instantly regretting bringing down the already morbid mood. However, before the others had time to consider why he would pick that band, Johnathan opened up the bag with the cassettes and Walkman in for just this kind of emergency.
The headphones were placed around Mike’s head and ears carefully by Will, not wanting to make matters worse.
Mike was not far away from completely giving up hope when he heard the first drum beats of — was that human cannonball. He couldn’t help but pull his face into a bit of a smile. At least his friends were trying — they wouldn’t leave him — Will wouldn’t leave him. As much as he loved the song, though, the occasionally indiscernible lyrics and screams weren’t helping him feel better. If anything, the song playing made moving an even more impossible task.
The track changed to a slow song, which he recognised to be time after time from the snowball at the bright age of 13 dancing with El and having their first proper kiss. He tried to keep the content memories going on in his head but it shifted it to something more sinister. “That’s not quite how it went, is it? You’re forgetting when you forced Will to dance with a girl he didn’t like and had the audacity to sit and mope about it.” He could see the image taking shape before his very eyes, experiencing the jealous rage he felt when he saw that girl with her hands on Will. The guilt of being the one who encouraged it in the first place. Wanting to pretend he was normal too. If Will could, there was no reason he couldn't have.
Cassettes were scattered over the metal grid holding them up. They searched through each one trying to find one that could break the trance Mike was in. “What about sweet Jane? El’s original name was Jane, wasn’t it?” Dustin proposed.
“Why would that work? They broke up, like, ages ago.” Lucas reasoned, shocked that Dustin seemingly didn’t know.
The rest of the group spent a long time, maybe too long arguing over what they thought Mike was listening to recently. The only person, who may have had even the slightest idea was a sobbing mess on the floor, muttering and mumbling to himself, wanting this nightmare to be over.
To be heard in all the chaos Nancy whistled with two fingers in the corners of her mouth. No one ever dared to question her when she got like this, scared to say the wrong thing and make her even more furious. “Really? None of you know his favourite goddamn song!? I swear to God if anything happens to my little brother… I–I can’t,” she took a deep breath regaining her composure holding back tears that threatened to be released. “I cannot loose one more person.” voice shaking but trying to hold herself together for Mike's sake.
“I think it’s safe to say that something is better than nothing.” Jonathan picks up a tape and places it in the Walkman, “maybe that will work,” he moves closer next to Nancy to comfort her knowing what it’s like to be scared of loosing family in such a tragic way.
The upbeat synth of a pop song began playing through the barren wasteland. Is that ABBA? “I wouldn’t have thought this was your scene, Micheal. They had better hurry up, your time is running out.” He lifted his hand over his face closer. Mike would soon loose consciousness altogether if he didn’t act soon. A string of memories flood through his mind: playing dnd with the party when they were younger, riding Holly to school when their parents were busy, being the only person who could save Will when he was possessed. Oh, Will. He missed the days when they knew everything about each other. What Mike would do to back to those days, before the fighting and the lying and the inconvenient feelings. If — no when — he got out of here Mike promised himself he would make up for lost time.
A beautiful and familiar tune flooded his ears — with or without you. A new found courage raced through him. This had to have been Will’s doing, he's the only one who'd listened to this song with him. Though it'd been released less than a year ago the song was a quick favourite of his. Reminding him of his ever growing feelings towards his best friend. He pushes through the vines still covering him, they slide off him with ease this time and in the hassle to escape not so accidentally elbowing Vecna where his nose should be.
Now, free from the clutches of the villain that held him hostage for what felt like hours, Mike ran. His legs were moving faster than they ever had before. Faster than when he was being chased by bullies in the second grade or running around the house with Nancy when they were younger. All his happiest memories going through his mind — encouraging him to push through.
All the pain he would usually feel disappeared as the adrenaline surged through his veins. Everything flashed passed him in a blur of deep red and floating clocks — the only thing in sight was a rip in the sky. Will was there. not his usual cheery self though. He was curled up on the floor head in his lap. The others were there watching him and hoping they had made the right decision. However, Will was all he could see.
The faster Mike ran the more determined he became. If he really tried he could even feel the soft, gentle touch of Will on his hand from where it was being held in the real world.
As he approached, slowly getting out of breath the rip grew until he could walk through it with ease.
What he hadn't anticipated though was the fall. It brought Mike back to the day at the quarry when he was 12 years old missing his best friend more than he ever thought possible. Troy with a knife to Dustin’s face. Standing on the edge having imagined the moment. At least he would have the excuse of protecting a friend.
The fall. That was the worst part. Wind rushing every which way, the unknown of the landing eyes closing just waiting for everything to be over.
Just as that day he'd been saved by El, appearing out of nowhere, this time Will was there beneath ready to catch him when gravity took action. His first instinct was to grab onto his neck pulling him into an emotional hug. Though it wasn’t much of a proper hug considering the fact that both boys were messily crying into each others arms not paying any attention to the people surrounding them. Like the world around them blurred together into a deranged state where nothing else mattered.
Nancy pulled them out of it lifting Mike to his feet with ease despite them not being the same height in years. She looked more furious than he’d ever seen her before and he closed his eyes tightly anticipating the usual telling off he would get from his mother, which she had scarily inherited. Instead he felt arms wrapped around him for the second time that day. He felt more hot wet tears streaking down his shoulder. A moment passed as Mike stood in confusion before he reciprocated with the same energy as his sister glad he hadn’t left her on her own. As if she read his mind she pulled away just far enough so she could speak scarcely above a whisper so that only he could hear it. “How dare you, Mike?” Her eyes fought back tears, barely, allowing her to say what she needed to. “I’ve lost everyone else I cannot lose my little brother, OK?” Not wanting to talk out of a fear that he would start bawling his eyes out again he simply nodded. They embraced, neither caring that the others were most likely watching them, despite Mike always having a go at her she was still his big sister and he didn’t like seeing her upset.
After a minute or so the two separated though Nancy continued to hold onto his shoulders. The relief and heavy emotion all but left her face as she turned towards the rest of the group — arm around him neck keeping Mike close. “Right, let’s go, this motherfucker will not mess with my family any longer.”
The group of teenagers, fueled by the rage they felt at vecna messing with one of their own once again, continued their trek up the ladder each feeling relieved that Mike was okay now. One by one they all went on with this new motivation until only Mike and Will were left. Everyone figured they would need a bit more time before regaining their previous energy considering the situation.
Just as Will looked as if he was about to return, raring for the battle ahead, the other boy held onto his wrist not letting him leave just yet. “I need to talk to you,” he began getting an intense sense of deja vu he was feeling.
They both stood next to each other on the platform looking out into the darkness of the upside down. Neither one spoke. Mike knew what he needed to do but in the moment actually saying the words felt like the final boss fight at the end of a video game. He took in a deep breath eyes closed and —
“OK, so at the Squawk you said you had a crush on some guy a while back and I need to know if you still like him.” The whole thing came out all at once in one breath the words finally escaping after being trapping Mike's brain for so long.
Will looked down at his hands suddenly interested in anything but the conversation at hand. “Yeah, that, I'm pretty sure that ship has sailed,” he turned his head further from Mike's gaze scaring him a little at the drop in mood. Despite this all he could do was smile to himself feeling his cheeks heat up slightly at the knowledge that he had a chance.
“That makes what I have to say a lot easier.”
“What??” At the statement Will turned to look back over so quickly Mike feared he'd get whiplash. Not a ideal confession scenario. “Mike, what are you saying?”
“Let me speak, I've been waiting a while for this moment. I don't think we can be friends anymore. Wait… no. Fuck. What I mean is I feel things that I shouldn't. Things I don't feel about Lucas or Dustin or the others. And maybe I got the wrong idea but I thought you felt it too. Not just because you're gay, there were signal I guess, I don't know.”
He felt himself trailing off at the end of the last sentence, feeling embarrassed as hell in that moment. Before he even had time to register the inevitable rejection hands were on his face and Will pressed his lips gently against Mike's own. This was a feeling that he would treasure for the rest of his sorry life.
When they broke apart he gravitated back towards Will longing for more. Instead he chuckled under his breath amused by the action. Will Byers had just kissed him and the urge to pinch himself had never been so strong. So strong in fact he didn't notice Will talking to him. Not until his hand was waving in front of his face.
Mike raised his eyebrows a little to indicate was in fact listening now.
“Mike, are you alright?”
“You have no idea how long I've been wanting that.” In response Will bowed his head obviously smiling and blushing.
They both look at each other in the same moment, and after years of misunderstanding and lying they know the other is thinking. Just like the very first day they met on that swingset in kindergarten. Mike goes to hold onto his hand the other moving slowly around his waist pulling the two closer together.
Feeling ever so romantic now, he learns down to kiss Will again meeting him on eye level, not wanting him to hurt his neck looking up. Not before the fight when they defeat Vecna. And they will defeat vecna, he'll make sure of it so that he can come back and be with Will properly. Go on dates, sneak around, make out. All the couple things Mike'd been wanting not even really realising he wanted it until this.
After what felt like hours of kissing he knew it was time, pulling away slowly, still smiling widely at Will. “We need to go,” was all he could say in the haze of bliss.
Will gave him a look that made him want to go right back to the squack and finish what they'd started. But, no, they can't. They have a mission to complete. They need to help their friends and triumph over evil once and for all.
“I promise, when this is over I'll take you on a date to Enzos,” sealing the deal with a short peck on the lips. And if there's anything you need to know about Mike Wheeler it's:
- He's head over heals for Will Byers
- And he never breaks a promise.