Work Text:
Will loves Max's room. She sarcastically calls it her sanctuary, but really it's a frazzled, disorganized representation of who she is. There's a hook by her door for her skateboard. Her walls are scattered with posters of bands Will's never heard of, pictures of her with him, Lucas, or Jane, and a few of Will's paintings and Jane's multimedia pieces. In her closet is a pile of dirty sneakers stopping the door from fully shutting. The few necklaces she owns are attached to the wall above her desk with masking tape; her plethora of leather bracelets are scattered on its surface.
She's laid stomach down on her bed, her feet kicking her cheetah print throw blanket. She's scrolling on her laptop— she was doing homework, but Will can see her on Facebook marketplace from where he's sprawled out next to her.
"Do I need this?" She asks out of the blue, turning the laptop towards Will. On the screen is a listing for a 'Screen Accurate Game of Thrones Sword. SHARP.'
Will laughs, putting a hand over his eyes and separating his fingers to peek at her. "You definitely do not. Like, you so seriously do not."
Max rolls her eyes. "I'm saving the listing. Maybe the seller will give me a good deal."
"Max, please do not buy a sword. For Lucas' safety."
Max purses her lips like she's really thinking about it. "Fine," she huffs. "Party pooper."
While Max has been avoiding her homework, Will has been struggling to do his own. He's supposed to fill up three sketchbooks by the end of the semester, so he's been scribbling as much shit into this one as he can. He's been having trouble finding inspiration, though.
Right now, he's drawing his view of Max's room. Her knickknacks, the pile of books and magazines in the corner, the shitty little speaker playing 'Kool Thing' by Sonic Youth. He sketches in Max's messy braids, her rumpled sheets, her fingers tapping over her keyboard. He's pretty happy with how it's turning out. Maybe he's just pretty happy.
"Oh my god," Max exclaims, and Will's pencil freezes on his page.
"What?" He asks, after she doesn't say anything else.
"I have to show you something." She opens a new tab and searches up Craigslist.
"I know what Craigslist is," he says.
Max side-eyes him. "I know that. Just wait a second."
Will does, and Max opens up the home page. It's almost overwhelming how many links there are, all shining bright blue against the white background. Will's sure the site hasn't changed since the 2000s.
Max clicks on missed connections and it opens up a list of posts.
Max scrolls down quickly, then back up. "So it's, like, for people that talked but didn't exchange numbers. Or they lost them, or whatever. It's very entertaining."
"Awesome," Will says, skimming over the posts. Max is always trying to show him a new, weird thing she just found, so he has no idea what to expect. Last time, Max had made Will download Roblox and they spent all night playing the shitty horror games on there.
Max clicks on the most recent one, posted only a few hours ago.
greg! ・9/15・Midtown
From troy! Liked ur vibe , let’s connect :)
Who am i? Hahahaha i guess only the real greg will know
"Greg!" Max exclaims. Then, "Okay, that one was pretty normal. Some of them are creepy." As if the website somehow heard her and acted accordingly, she clicks next and is greeted with:
Prettiest Toes in Brooklyn・9/15・Brooklyn
You are a beautiful woman with the prettiest toes and feet. Would love to get to know you.
"Oh my god," they groan in sync.
"Do you remember that one guy that asked me for feet pics?" Max laughs.
"And you almost did it!" Will shouts, the memory returning in full force.
"He was going to give me $100!"
"That was so obviously a scam!" They've had this argument countless times. They both know it's futile; they're both way too stubborn.
"Whatever." Max clicks next again. "Oh, this one's gonna be good."
Long blonde, shaggy hair, not sweating but so so hot・9/15・Brooklyn
I passed you and your owner on 7th in park slope.
You: about 3.5 feet long, long golden hair, pinkest pawdamn tongue I ever seen.
Would you like to pause and smell each other's warm bits next time we corner?
Who knows maybe I could get stuck inside of you and then we snap at each other for awhile.
Me: names taco, small but big, tail like a rats cuticle, huge veiny translucent ears
Hmu
"What?" Will exclaims. "Oh my god, we can never go to Brooklyn again."
"My eyes are burning," Max cringes, dropping her head down onto the mattress. "Jesus."
"And you like to go on this website?"
"Listen!" Max yells, but she's laughing through it. "Are you not entertained?"
Will rolls his eyes. "Fine. I'm entertained."
Max pumps her fist in victory and clicks next.
Cute Boy in Trader Joes・9/14・Manhattan
Ran into you (sorry again) at the Trader Joe's on 14th. I complimented your shirt and you complimented mine. I thought you were so pretty and wanted to ask for your number but wimped out. I hope you see this.
"That one's sweet," Max says. "And look! That's the Trader Joe's that we go to."
Will is silent for long enough that Max looks back at him questioningly. She scans his face, and he's sure that his cheeks are bright red.
"Max," he says finally, voice quiet and disbelieving. "I think that one's about me."
Max squeals loud enough to make Will's ears hurt. "No way!" She shouts. "Will, tell me everything. Was he cute? Will. Will!" She slaps her hand against the mattress excitedly.
"Max, calm down," he begs, embarrassed out of his mind. He looks at her and feels a small smile creep across his face. "He was really cute."
. ݁⋆˚꩜｡ ݁˖ . ݁
Will has a theory that every person in Trader Joe's at any given time is a robot sent by the government to get in his way. A targeted attack on innocent, beautiful gays like him, probably. His theory is currently being proven by a middle aged woman browsing the shelves while her cart sits sideways in the middle of the isle.
Will does his best not to roll his eyes and sigh melodramatically. Instead, like the mature, civilized man that he is, he sidesteps the cart. Only, as he does, someone runs straight into him. His full basket nearly goes flying across the store, and he's certain that he's about to eat shit. He doesn't, though. Suddenly, there are firm hands on his biceps and a concerned looking man in front of him. A tall, hot, concerned man.
"Shit, are you okay?" He asks, and, unfortunately for Will, his voice is hot, too. "I'm so sorry. I totally wasn't watching where I was going."
Will tries to be annoyed at him, but he kind of looks like a kicked puppy, and Will is not strong enough for that. He instinctively holds onto the man's elbows to steady himself further. "It's okay," he says. He's a little out of breath. "I wasn't either."
"Yeah, sure, but I'm the one that ran into you." Will's pretty sure he feels the man squeeze his arms slightly before dropping his own to his sides. "Sorry," he says again.
"It's fine," Will repeats. He waves a hand dismissively. "No big deal."
The man nods, but he still looks a little guilty. "I, uh— I like your shirt."
Will looks down, pulling on the hem of it to get a better look. It's a The Cure shirt that Jane custom made for his birthday earlier this year. It's black, The Cure's swirly Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me logo stenciled in a bright orange. It's messy in that cool, artsy way that is so fundamentally Jane.
"Thanks, my sister made it for me."
"Cool sister."
"Very cool." Will rocks back and forth on his heels. They're kind of standing in the middle of the walkway. Maybe he's a government robot. "I like your shirt, too."
The man seems surprised by Will's comment. He's wearing a Star Wars tee that might actually be from the 80s. The Death Star is in the background, behind a cloud of red space dust and a pair of X-Fighters. "Thank you!" The man taps the tips of his fingers together mindlessly. "You like Star Wars?"
Will smiles like an idiot. This guy is so cute that it's kind of pissing him off. "I love Star Wars."
The man shakes his head, disbelieving. "You seem way too cool for that."
Will lets out a weird combination of a scoff and a laugh. "You wouldn't be saying that if you'd seen me in high school."
"No way. I bet you were cute." The guy's face scrunches up for a split second, like he didn't mean to say that out loud. "I— um—" He takes a breath and opens his mouth to continue. Then, his phone rings in his back pocket and his eyes go wide. "Oh, shit, I gotta go. I'm late for work, fuck."
Will laughs at the man's panic. There's something so charming about his frantic kind of earnestness. "Don't be late for work," Will says, smiling wide. The man kind of just stands and stares at him for a moment, scanning his face. "Go, go." Will shoos him away and it kicks the man into action.
"Sorry again," he says, shuffling past Will and towards the registers. He pauses like he's going to say something more, but then he closes his mouth and gives a parting nod before walking away.
Will feels a little bit like their conversation was too short. Maybe he should have asked for his number. He could have at least asked his name. He takes a deep breath, shakes his head, and goes back to filling up his basket.
. ݁⋆˚꩜｡ ݁˖ . ݁
Once Will has told her every detail he remembers, she says, "Will, you have to reply." Max's enthusiasm is almost frightening. At some point during Will's retelling, she grabbed Will's hand, and now she's squeezing the life out of it. "Will, this is like— a romcom, or something."
"What would I even say?" Will asks. There's something giddy kicking in his chest, though he tries to keep it from seeping into his tone. He can't get his hopes up too early. "We talked for like, a minute."
"Something mysterious," Max decides, and then her eyes drift to the far wall of her room and Will just knows she's begun plotting. After a moment of silent deliberation, she clicks the reply button. It sends her to Gmail.
"Oh my god, this website is so old," Will laughs. "Wait, let me see it."
Max smiles triumphantly. She's much too confident in Will's ability to be, as she said, mysterious, but he appreciates her support anyway.
From: [email protected]
Cute Boy in Trader Joe's
ur way too young to be using craigslist :-P
865-407-2125 (so u don't have to ask)
https://www.craigslist.org/view/d/Cute-Boy-in-Trader-Joe's/rKFZtwHGvjj453bQScj
Will chews on his lip as he rereads the email. He's not exactly well versed in flirting, but he thinks this definitely gets the job done. After he's read over it one too many times, he turns the laptop to Max. She's practically vibrating with excitement.
Will watches her eyes flit across the screen. Then, she looks up and grabs Will by the arm. "He is so going to fall in love with you."
"Are you sure it's not too, I don't know, lame?"
"You said he was wearing a Star Wars shirt."
"Hey! I like Star Wars, thank you."
Max claps her hands together. "Exactly. Made for each other."
"So, you think I should send it?"
"Send it, send it, send it," Max chants, her volume slowly increasing. Will waits for a moment, just to see if she'll keep going. She does, and Will hits send. Max grabs him by the shoulders and shakes him.
"Okay, okay!" Will shouts, but he's laughing so hard that tears are forming.
Max stops the shaking abruptly, instead electing to hold Will by his arms and stare straight into his soul. "He is going to be obsessed with you."
Just Like Heaven plays on the speakers now, the drum fill coming in and making Will smile. Max's playlists have been slowly overtaken by Will's music, and she might roll her eyes and complain about it, but Will sees her bobbing her head. He turns onto his back and stares at the ceiling as the verse comes in.
Will hasn't had much success with dating. Not that he's really tried to, anyways. It just seems like a lot of work, and he knows he's kind of sensitive and particular and needy in ways that potential romantic partners might not like. He's fine being alone. He doesn't need a boyfriend to be happy. Having one might be kind of nice, though.
"Will," Max says, and she kind of sounds panicked, so Will sits up.
"What?" He asks.
She doesn't say anything in response, just shoves his own phone into his hand. There's a notification there from an unknown number.
"Told you," Max says, raising her eyebrows. "Obsessed."
"We don't even know if it's him yet."
Max widens her eyes like, get on with it, then.
Will finds his hands shaking a little as he opens up his phone.
Tue, Sep 15 at 4:52 PM
865-322-8942
What's the W stand for? Wyatt? Walker? Wade?
Also. There's no such thing as too young for Craigslist. It's a wonderful community resource
"Okay, it's definitely him."
"Oh my god, what did he say?" Max tries to snatch Will's phone out of his hand and he pulls his arm back. She pouts, so he brings his phone towards her face so she can see. "He's such a nerd."
"You don't even know him!" Will argues, but he's pretty sure this guy is such a nerd.
Max scoffs, faux-exasperated. "Neither do you," she says. She waves her hand towards Will's phone. "Why don't you change that?"
Tue, Sep 15 at 4:54 PM
865-407-2125
do i look like a wade…
865-322-8942
Not at all
But I've run out of names
865-407-2125
will :-)
865-322-8942
Will!
You definitely look like a Will
-M
Will
milton
865-322-8942
Don't tell me I look like a Milton
That might actually ruin my life
-Mike
Will
mike!!!!!
u don't look like a milton
i promise lol
mike
Thank God
Also. Just making sure. This is actually you, right?
Will's heart skips a beat. He turns his phone to Max, who's moved on to scrolling through the Craigslist job listings.
"Should I send him a photo or something?"
Max perks up instantly. "Oh my god, yes. Something hot. But not, like, too hot. Like, casual hot."
"Casual hot," Will repeats.
"Casual hot."
"Okay." Will squares his shoulders like he's getting ready for battle. "What does casual hot mean?"
After an impressively in depth explanation from Max, Will figures out that casual hot means he has to take the best picture he's ever taken of himself right now.
"Max, can't I just use any picture?"
"I mean, you could, but it's not the same."
"What does that even mean?"
Max rolls her eyes like Will's confusion is unwarranted. "Just do what I say."
Max poses Will like a doll, making him sit facing the window for good lighting, lifting his chin at the perfect angle, combing her hands meticulously through his hair so it looks effortless. He feels a little like a show horse as she appraises him.
"Perfect," she finally says. "Don't move."
Will's sure he's never stayed this still in his life. Max positions the phone in Will's hand and presses the button for him so it looks like he was the one taking the picture. She takes, in Will's opinion, way too many.
"Okay," she says, nodding satisfactorily. "Now pick your favorite."
Will tries. He does. But, "They literally all look the same."
"You just don't appreciate my skill."
Will groans like he's in pain. "I'm not sending him one of these."
"Come on," Max drawls. "You have to send him something."
"Okay, okay. I will. Just not these."
"Whatever."
Will huffs out a laugh and opens up his camera roll. He picks a candid that Jane took of him where he's standing at his easel, his head turned to look back at her. He's half-smiling half-laughing at whatever Jane had just said. There's a streak of paint on his jaw. The picture's a month or two old— his hair was a little shorter, and he didn't have the little silver hoop earring he has now.
"What about this one?"
Max huffs. "Okay, fine, that one's really good."
"Thank you."
Tue, Sep 15 at 5:05 PM
Will
IMG_2078.JPG
mike
Hi
You're cuter than I remembered
Will
thank u?
mike
Let me rephrase that
You're cute
IMG_8592.JPG
It's a picture of Mike with his arm around someone that's been cropped out. He's smiling, kind of. His pupils flare reddish from the camera's flash. It's not really clear where he is. Somewhere dark with colorful lights. Will zooms in, investigating the background. There's a colorful kind of box with a neon graphic across the top of it— an arcade machine. Will's stomach flips.
Tue, Sep 15 at 5:08 PM
mike
I don't really take pictures of myself lol
Unrelated: are you from Hawkins?
Will
um
what
oh! same area codes!
what are the chances???
mike
Oh my God sorry
Didn't mean to sound like a creep
Will
u didn't haha
well u did for a second
but then i figured it out
mike
Sorry
Will
it's ok!!!
also. ur cuter than i remembered too :-P
mike
Even in that picture?
Will
especially in that picture
mike
Let me know if this is too forward, but could I take you out on a date?
I think you're really cool
Will
mike!!!!
i would really like that :-D
mike
Awesome
Coffee on Saturday?
https://www.google.com/maps/dir//Caffe+Reggio
Will
sounds perfect
see u there!!!
Will turns his phone towards Max, keeping his expression carefully neutral. No matter how hard he tries, though, a smile creeps through.
Max scrolls through the conversation, her eyes widening. "Will Byers, you have game!" She exclaims once she's gotten to the final message. "I knew you had it in you."
Will smiles like an idiot, a blush rising to his cheeks.
"We have you pick your outfit," Max declares, her face turning deathly serious.
"Now?" Will asks. "Saturday is in like, four days."
"Yes, right now," Max replies, like it's obvious. "Let me see your phone."
"Why?"
"Let me work my magic," Max says vaguely, grabbing for Will's phone.
Reluctantly, Will hands it over, and Max starts scrolling through his camera roll. "You know those dark-ish jeans you have? The kind of distressed ones?"
"Yeah?"
"I think you should wear those with…" She sticks her tongue out as she scrolls with a single minded purpose. "This!" She turns the phone to show Will a picture of himself from a couple weeks ago. It's of him, Jane, and Max, arms around each other and huge smiles on their faces. They had gone out to a show that Jane begged to see. He's wearing a Siouxsie and the Banshees tee, a little more fitted than he usually goes for. He had felt a little self conscious wearing it at first, but in retrospect, it looks really good on him.
Will bites the inside of his cheek.
"Come on," Max pleads. "You'd look so good. Trust me."
Will narrows his eyes and says, "Fine."
. ݁⋆˚꩜｡ ݁˖ . ݁
Will had kind of assumed that he and Mike wouldn't really talk much before their date. He was wrong.
Wed, Sep 16 at 12:13 PM
mike
Do you have a favorite animal?
Will
ummmm
rabbits maybe?
or platypus(es?)
or bears
this is hard
mike
These are all great answers
I think platypuses is right
Lol
Will
what about u?
let me guess
wolf?
mike
Crows
They're so interesting. Did you know they remember people's faces?
What made you think wolf? My alpha energy?
Im joking. That was a joke
Will
lol
crows are very cool
do u also gravitate towards shiny things
mike
Depends. Do you wear jewelry?
Wed, Sep 16 at 6:38 PM
mike
"Because the word 'platypus' is derived from Greek words, its plural should (strictly speaking) be platypodes" - The Australian Platypus Conservancy
Will
i am not calling them platypodes
mike
Me neither
Lol
A group of them is called a paddle, apparently
Will
no way
mike
I swear
A group of crows is called a murder
Will
do u know any more crow facts
mike
Are you making fun of me? Because the answer is yes
Will
not making fun! i was genuinely asking
mike
Crows hold funerals
Will
macabre
macawbre
sorry that was so bad
mike
Oh my God
I didn't take you for a pun guy
Will
unfortunately i am
:-(
mike
If it makes you feel better I loved it
Lol
Will
that does make me feel better
slightly
like. a tiny bit
mike
Way to make a guy feel special
Will
kidding!!!!!!
i'm glad u appreciate my puns
mike
I'm trying to think of a pun to reply with and I'm coming up empty
Will
lol
Thur, Sep 17 at 2:24 PM
Will
what's ur favorite color?
Mike
As an artist, would you say there are wrong answers?
will
yes
:-P
Mike
High stakes
Pthalo blue
will
did u google that
Mike
No comment
will
i love blue
Mike
Thank God
will
mine is yellow :-)
Mike
Really?
will
that's surprising?
Mike
I thought it would be something more dark and mysterious
will
u think im dark and mysterious?
Mike
You know that picture you sent me a couple days ago? Where you were in front of the easel?
will
yeah?
Mike
The canvas was basically fully black
Lol
So no, you don't seem dark and mysterious. Your art does, though
will
oh lol
yeah my paintings are usually a little
um
gruesome?
Mike
I think that's cool
Unless you're secretly a serial killer or something
In that case, please spare me
Will
no promises :-P
Thur, Sep 17 at 10:42 PM
mike
If you could have any superpower what would it be?
Will
oooo
great question
telekinesis maybe?
i would love to be able to paint while laying in bed
mike
That's such a good pick
I would want teleportation
Will
WAIT
mike
Lol
Being able to teleport everywhere would be literally the best
I'm tired? Boom. I'm in my bed.
Movie? Concert? Foreign country? I'm there
No more flights, no more driving
Actually, maybe this is a sign that I need to practice patience
Will
IM CHANGING MY ANSWER
wonderful question, michael. that you have just asked. i would pick teleportation, probably.
mike
William. Such a wise answer. I am inclined to be of the same opinion
Will
intriguing. it seems we are in agreement then. this is wonderful news for the alliance
mike
The alliance
Will
of our kingdoms, of course
you mustn't have forgotten
mike
I would never
Our alliance is of the utmost importance to me
Will
i think im so tired im getting delirious
but our kingdoms
mike
Lol
Our kingdoms will still be here upon the morrow
Will
you speak truth
mine eyes are closing
lol
goodnight mike :-P
mike
Goodnight, Will :)
Fri, Sep 18 at 11:16 AM
mike
Favorite flower?
Will
lilies or baby's breath or carnations
but i like all kinds
they're fun to paint
mike
Cool
Do you have any paintings you'd be willing to show me?
I'd love to see
Will
totally! one sec
IMG_0742.JPG
IMG_1844.JPG
IMG_9021.JPG
also what's ur fav flower?
mike
Wow
You're really talented
Wow
IMG_1844.JPG
My favorite flower is this one
Will
that's a bleeding heart!
mike
Sick ass name
Will
ikr
Fri, Sep 18 at 8:17 PM
mike
I'm excited to see you tomorrow
:)
Will
i'm excited to see u!
:-D
mike
:))))))
. ݁⋆˚꩜｡ ݁˖ . ݁
Sat, Sep 19 at 9:16 AM
mike
Good morning :)
See you at 11?
Will
good morningggg :-D
see u at 11!!!!!
Will's been nervous since he woke up thirty minutes before his alarm and couldn't fall back asleep. He facetimed Max while he was getting ready to ask if his hair looked okay and then messed with it for another ten minutes after he hung up.
He's nervously shaking his hands out on the walk to the cafe, hoping to release some of his excess energy. He keeps checking his phone like Mike is going to cancel last minute, or something.
Sat, Sep 19 at 10:57 AM
Will
i'm here i think
wait
i see u!!
Mike is sat at one of the tables outside the cafe. The entire exterior is bright green, with a few gold accents around the front door and the windows. Mike's leaning so far back in his chair that Will's worried it's going to collapse. He's wearing black jeans and a faded gray tee, and there's a black collared jacket hanging off the back of his seat. His hair looks soft and messy, like he's been running his fingers through it. Mike looks up from his phone, gaze flitting around for a moment before landing on Will. His eyes crinkle with his smile and he waves.
Will's hands shake as he puts his phone in his pocket. He's aware that staring as intensely as he is might be coming on a little too strong, but he can't bring himself to care. The guy he met a week ago, the guy he's been texting every day until his cheeks hurt from smiling, is right in front of him.
"Hi," Mike says, his eyes scanning over Will. He reaches under his chair and produces a bouquet of flowers.
"Hi," Will replies, surprise lacing his tone.
"These are for you." Mike pushes the flowers into Will's hand with a nervous grin.
The bouquet is a gorgeous mix of yellows and oranges and greens, packed with the flowers that Will said he loved.
"They're beautiful," Will says, a little awed. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Mike's cheeks are pink, and he makes no effort to hide the fact. He really is cuter than Will had remembered. "I, uh, didn't know what you'd want to drink, so I haven't ordered yet."
Will sits across from Mike, scooting his chair in close. Their knees knock together. "I don't know what I want either," he laughs. "Maybe an iced latte? With vanilla."
"Good pick," Mike says, standing up. "Do you want a croissant or something, too?"
"Oh, you don't have to order for me, I can come with you."
Mike motions for Will to stay sitting. "Let me. It'll make me feel better about running into you."
"Mike, that really wasn't a big deal, I promise."
Mike purses his lips. "Okay, then let me because it's our first date and I want to pay."
Will chews the inside of his cheek to hide his smile. "Fine. But I'm getting the next one."
Will doesn't really realize what 'the next one' insinuates until Mike's smile twitches from wide to wider. A blush rises to Will's cheeks.
Mike looks at Will and nods in a way that makes Will certain that he will not be getting the next one. Or probably any one after that.
"I'm getting you a croissant," Mike says as he walks away.
"A chocolate one, please," Will asks, and Mike smiles like he's won something.
Will runs his fingers along the soft petals of a yellow lily while Mike orders. He keeps peeking inside to watch him. He kind of rolls his shoulders in as he talks to the worker, like he's trying to make himself smaller. Mike catches him looking and he turns away.
Mike comes back a few minutes later, barely managing to carry everything at once. He slides Will's coffee and croissant in front of him and sits down.
"Thank you," Will says, taking a sip of his drink.
Mike smiles and takes a bite of his breakfast sandwich. Once he's done chewing, he says, "I've been meaning to ask: did you go to Hawkins High?"
Will nods. "Yeah, you?"
Mike sucks his teeth. "I went to Roane."
Hawkins is a tiny town. Will knows basically everyone that was in his graduating class. Roane High School is much bigger.
Will ohhhs. "That's why we didn't see each other!"
"That makes a lot more sense," Mike says. "If we'd gone to the same school I definitely would have seen you.
"I was really quiet as a kid, honestly. I think I was pretty much invisible."
"I would have seen you," Mike insists, and, weirdly, it kind of makes Will tear up.
Will blinks quickly and takes a bite of his croissant. "Yeah, maybe," he replies noncommittally. "Why'd you go to Roane if you lived in Hawkins?"
Mike rolls his eyes, like just thinking about it annoys him. "My parents are kind of snobs. They wanted me to go to a 'nicer' high school. It was still shit, anyways. And we still lived in Hawkins. Great job, guys," he says sarcastically.
"Sounds like they suck," Will says. He's no stranger to a shitty parent.
"They could be worse. It's mostly my dad, too. He's just dumb, you know?"
Will laughs. "Trust me, I do."
"Okay, enough about my dad," Mike laughs.
"Fair." Will purses his lips. "Do you have any siblings?"
"I have two, actually. Nancy's my older sister and Holly's younger. You?"
"I have an older brother, Jonathan, and a sister the same age as me. Her name is Jane."
"Are you guys twins?"
Will tilts his head. "Not really." At Mike's curious expression, he adds, "She was adopted and we didn't know her actual birthday, so we just say we're the same age. It's funny actually— we look fairly similar, so lots of people used to think we were twins. I think it was mostly the fact that my mom always gave us the same haircut," Will laughs.
Mike rests his chin on his open palm. "So there's a chance we're both middle children."
"Don't put that on me," Will says. "I'm proud of being the youngest."
Mike scoffs dramatically. "What's wrong with middle children?"
Will shoots Mike a vicious side eye. "You tell me," he says, pretending to be suspicious.
Mike shrugs and says, "Hey, I'm innocent. My mom says I'm an angel." He bats his lashes.
"Really?"
Mike's shoulders shake with laughter. "No, I was a shithead when I was younger."
"Middle children usually are."
"Rude!" Mike says, putting a hand over his chest like he's been mortally wounded.
"But true," Will argues.
"Okay," Mike concedes. "Maybe it's a little true. Tell me more about your not-twin."
Will smiles. "I'm lucky we get along so well. It was kind of weird, at first, having this girl I didn't know in my house, but we became friends pretty quick. Her and my friend Max are really close now, too. Jane and I live together, and Max and— actually, do you know Lucas Sinclair?"
It seems like Mike is hanging off every word Will says, and it makes him feel comfortable continuing. He's always worried about talking too much, or giving people too much information about himself, or coming on too strong. With Mike, it feels different.
Mike furrows his eyebrows and looks into the distance. "He played basketball in high school, right? He was, like, Hawkins' star player?"
"Yeah!" Will exclaims, pointing at Mike. "He's been my best friend since elementary school. He's dating Max."
Mike nods. "How did you two become friends? You and Lucas, I mean."
Will flutters his lips. "I don't even remember, really. We were seated next to each other in kindergarten and we've been close ever since."
"Aww," Mike says.
"Wait, I think I have a picture, if you want to see."
Mike nods vigorously. "I really do."
Will has to scroll to the very earliest photos in his camera roll to find what he's looking for. It's a picture of him and Lucas on Halloween. Will's dressed up as a wizard, full purple robes and pointed hat included. He's holding a big stick from his backyard as a staff. Lucas is Spiderman, his mask slightly sideways on his face. Will's pointing his staff at the camera menacingly, and Lucas is shooting an imaginary web in the iconic three-point Spiderman pose.
"Oh my god," Mike says once Will's turned the screen towards him. He puts a hand over his heart. "You were so fucking cute. Your little bowl cut, oh my god."
Will laughs. "Were?" He says, pretending to be offended.
"Are!" Mike corrects. Then, more seriously. "You are. Cute, I mean. Like, I actually can't believe you're here right now."
Will cocks his head. "What do you mean?"
Mike splutters. He waves his hands in Will's direction like that answers his question. When it obviously doesn't, he says, "You are so out of my league."
It isn't a scoff that comes out of Will, but it's something close. Something disbelieving. "There is no league, Mike. The league is nonexistent."
Mike seems to be at a loss for words. "You just— are cool, and pretty, and nice, and I'm surprised that you want to talk to me."
"You're cool and pretty and nice."
Mike laughs.
"I'm serious. I've been having so much fun talking to you. And— you're very attractive. Like, exactly my type."
Mike's eyebrows twitch. "Really?"
"Have you seen yourself? Tall, dark hair, pretty eyes. Come on, Mike, your cheekbones!"
Mike puts a hand up, covering the side of his face. "What about my cheekbones?"
If it were anyone else, Will would be annoyed by the obvious compliment fishing. Mike, however, seems truly bewildered.
"You have— Mike, seriously. Like, perfect bone structure."
Some weird hysterical laugh comes out of Mike's mouth, and he says, "Look at you!" If Will was a passerby on the sidewalk, he'd probably think Mike and him were in an argument right now. Really, they're just stuck in a compliment battle. "You— I can't even— you are beautiful."
"Okay," Will interrupts, his cheeks flaming. "That's enough."
"Hey, you showered me in compliments. Way too many, really. It's my turn."
Will drops his head into his hands and then peers at Mike through the gaps between his fingers.
Mike leans forward to look at him. "Your eyes," he says. "They're so pretty. When I ran into you I just froze because I couldn't stop staring."
Will tentatively removes his hands from his face, and Mike grins.
"I like your hair, too. And your shirt, and your paintings, and—"
"Okay, seriously," Will interrupts. "Let's talk about something else."
Mike narrows his eyes. "Fine. But don't think I'm going to stop complimenting you."
Will groans like he's in pain. "See?" He says. "Nice."
"Favorite song?" Mike asks.
"Oh my god, I actually don't think I can answer that. It changes, like, every couple hours."
"Okay, then what's your favorite song right now, at this very second?"
Will has to close his eyes and really think about his answer. When he opens them, he catches Mike quickly looking away. "Age of Consent by New Order."
"Ooooh, good pick," Mike exclaims, nodding. "I thought you would have chosen a The Cure song, though."
"It was between that and The Kiss, actually."
"That's from Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, right?"
"You listen to The Cure?"
Mike looks away. His mouth pulls sideways. "I might have listened because of the shirt you were wearing on Monday. Maybe."
Will resists the urge to grab Mike by the shoulders and shake him like a snow globe. "You listened to The Cure for me?"
Mike shrugs, and Will can tell he's a little embarrassed when he says, "You seemed like you'd have good taste."
Will looks Mike up and down. "Do I?"
Mike's eyes go wide before he's able to suppress it. "I hope so," he says through a huff of nervous laughter.
Will smiles innocently and Mike exhales heavily.
"I've been meaning to ask," Will starts, putting Mike out of his flustered misery, "you were at an arcade in the picture you sent me. Are you a video game guy?"
Mike cocks his head, then says, "Oh! I love video games. We were there for my friend Dustin's birthday, actually. The two of us were total nerds when we were younger— well, we still are. Dustin had, like, every cool old game system at his house. We used to play for so long that his Mom would find us asleep with the controllers in our hands."
Will can barely believe his luck. What are the chances that this random man happens to be Will's dream guy? "Oh my god, Lucas and I used to go to that shitty little arcade in Hawkins all the time. I'm jealous that your friend had the consoles at home."
Mike waves his hands excitedly. "It was awesome. He would, like, scour Facebook Marketplace for them then beg his Mom to go pick them up." Through laughter, Mike says, "Twelve years old on Facebook Marketplace. Oh my god, we were losers."
Will laughs so hard that tears form in his eyes. "You really were!"
. ݁⋆˚꩜｡ ݁˖ . ݁
Will is surprised by how easy conversation flows with Mike. They talk about what it was like growing up gay in Hawkins, what they're majoring in at school, what they want to do with their lives. They talk about everything. At some point, Will checks his phone and finds out they've been sitting outside of this cafe for hours.
"We should probably let someone else have this table," Will says regretfully. He doesn't really want this date to end.
"You're probably right," Mike says. He stands up slowly, then looks at Will and pauses. "I don't really want this date to end."
Will smiles. Mike can surely hear the giddiness in his voice when he replies, "I was just thinking the same thing."
"Do you want me to hold those?" Mike asks when they stand up, gesturing towards the bouquet.
It's sweet of him to ask, but Will pulls the flowers close to his body with a sarcastic glare and says, "No."
Mike puts his hands up in surrender, his eyes glimmering.
Mike's hand goes gently to the small of Will's back as they wander onto the sidewalk, but it falls away the next second.
"You can—" Will turns to see Mike looking more flustered than he has all day. "You can."
Mike's brows twitch, and Will nods. He tentatively presses his palm to Will's spine and guides him through a particularly busy section of the sidewalk.
Will's stomach flips at the thought that everyone knows he and Mike are on a date right now. Mike's bouquet in his arms, Mike's hand on his back, Mike's eyes fixed on him even though they should be fixed forward. The feeling is a little addicting.
Mike's hand drops down again once the crowd thins, and Will mourns the loss. Then, Mike's pinky brushes the back of his hand. It could've been unintentional, but then it happens again.
"This okay?" Mike asks quietly. He's so sweet.
"Yeah," Will says, and Mike laces their fingers together.
It's a little too hot, and their hands are both sweaty, but Will is so happy he doesn't care.
"This is nice," Mike says, tilting his face up towards the sun.
"It is," Will says.
"D'you wanna go somewhere?" Mike asks, all in one breath.
"Depends," Will says, and Mike's face falls. Will smiles a little wider than necessary in an attempt to calm his nerves. "Are you a serial killer?"
A laugh bursts out of Mike, and Will's heart skips a beat. Mike squeezes Will's hand. "I'm not. I promise."
"Then yes."
Mike grins. "Awesome."
Mike leads Will to Tompkins Square, a nearby park. It's fairly crowded, which Will had expected. It is a Saturday, after all. Mike pulls him along, following a path that it seems only he can see. Soon, they come across a secluded bench. It's tucked away behind trees and bushes, but it still manages to have a great view of the park.
"This is my favorite spot in this whole area. There's, like, never anyone over here."
"I'm so stealing it," Will says as he sits down.
"Feel free." Mike huffs out a laugh as he sits beside Will, their thighs pressed together.
"I have a question," Will declares out of nowhere.
Mike looks at him. "Shoot."
"If you thought I was so out of your league, why'd you post about me? And why on Craigslist?"
Mike scratches the back of his neck and lets out a long exhale. "I don't really know, I guess. I just did it. You know, this might actually be the only time that forum has done its job."
"You're probably right," Will laughs. "There's some weird shit on there."
Mike cringes. "There really is." He grabs Will's hand again, rubbing his thumb across Will's knuckles. "I think I just felt like, why not, you know? There was, like, zero chance you would see it, but at least I had done something."
"That makes sense," Will says. He thinks about Mike wanting to find him so bad that he figured out a way to make it happen. Mike's skin is on his skin, his thigh against his, the smell of his shampoo drifting through the breeze. A dog barks in the distance. A biker rings their bell impatiently. Will takes a deep breath. "If I asked you to kiss me right now, would you?"
Mike blinks. His face is frustratingly neutral. "Is this you asking?"
Will nods. "Yeah."
Mike nods, too, his free hand going carefully to Will's jaw. A nervous smile creeps across his face, his eyes going soft as they drift down to his mouth. "Yeah," he says, and then he leans in.
Will's heart is a hummingbird in his chest, beating so fast it's nearly an audible buzz. Mike's lips press gently against his, warm and sweet. He pulls away much too soon. Will's disappointment must show on his face, because Mike scans his expression, his lips parted and his eyes wide, before leaning forward again.
This time, Mike kisses him like he means it. His lips move slowly against Will's, breath and spit slipping between them. Will pushes into it, his hand going to the nape of Mike's neck.
Will's not usually one for PDA, but they're pretty secluded, and he wants this so bad.
Mike swipes his thumb across Will's cheekbone as he deepens the kiss, sucking Will's bottom lip between his teeth. Will hums, and Mike releases his lip. Will gasps as Mike licks across the seam there, and Mike takes the opportunity to stick his tongue in Will's mouth.
Will's lips are noticeably puffier when Mike pulls back. Mike's lips are, too, and his eyes are glassy.
"You're good at that," Mike whispers, pressing the pad of his thumb to the corner of Will's mouth.
"You are, too," Will says, breathless. He fights the urge to surge forward and make their lips even puffier.
"When can I see you again?" Mike asks.
"You're seeing me right now."
Mike rolls his eyes and smiles like an idiot. "After this."
Will licks his lips, and Mike's eyes drop down. "Soon."
Will has no idea what time it is right now. The sun is noticeably closer to the skyscrapers on the horizon than it was last time he looked, though.
Like Mike is thinking the same thing, he says, "I should probably get going." Will can tell he's as reluctant as Will is for this to end. "I have so much homework to do."
Will laughs. "Me too, oh my god. These teachers are ruthless."
Mike's hand is still on Will's, and he squeezes. "Can I walk you home?"
Will leans forward and plants a quick kiss on Mike's cheek. "I would like that."
It's quiet on the walk home, the both of them happy to just be by each other's sides.
"This is me," Will says at the stoop of his apartment's building.
"Cool," Mike says, dropping Will's hand.
Will wonders how his hand could feel so empty without Mike's in it, when just yesterday he didn't even know what that felt like.
"I'll see you soon," Will says.
Mike nods bashfully, then takes a step back. Will watches him shuffle his feet for a moment before he steps forward, grabbing Will's face in both hands and planting a smacking kiss to his half-open mouth. Will makes a surprised noise in the back of his throat and pulls Mike in by his shoulder blades. The flowers he's been carrying all day crinkle against Mike's back.
Will really didn't mean to get carried away kissing Mike, but somehow, he finds himself pressed up against a nearby brick wall. He's so surrounded by Mike he can barely think of anything else. He tangles his fingers in Mike's hair and scratches against his scalp. Mike sighs against his mouth, then pulls back abruptly.
Of all things, Mike says, "Sorry."
Will cocks his head. "What?"
"I'm— You're just so—" He takes a breath. "I really like you. I don't want to mess this up."
Will tucks a strand of hair behind Mike's ear. "You aren't. Messing anything up, I mean. And I really like you, too."
Mike exhales heavily. He brings his hand up the side of Will's neck to his ear, where he holds Will's small hoop earring between his fingers. "Okay," he says. "I'm leaving now."
Will leans forward and kisses him. "Okay."
"Bye," Mike says, but he's still not moving.
"Bye," Will drawls, licking his lips.
Mike kisses him, rapid-fire, like, ten times. "Bye," he says again. He takes a step back, then another, then another.
"Text me when you get home?" Will asks.
"I will." Mike smiles, his lips and cheeks red, and then he's gone.
Will leans his head against the bricks, clutches his flowers to his chest, and takes a deep breath.
. ݁⋆˚꩜｡ ݁˖ . ݁
Dating Mike has been, like Max said, a romcom. He's just perfect. Obviously not perfect perfect; he can be impulsive, or snappy, or stubborn. None of these things make Will like him less.
It's been about two months since their first date. When Will told Max and Jane how it went, they screamed and jumped up and down and brought him a cake the next day.
Impossibly, it sort of feels like they've known each other for much longer than two months. Maybe it's the fact that they grew up in the same town, that they have so many similar stories. Will doesn't know.
Right now, they're splayed out on Mike's bed. His room is basically a nerd's paradise— he has posters everywhere, some nearly falling apart from how long he's had them. He has a line of figurines on his desk, next to his absolutely overflowing bookshelf. His bedsheets are pthalo blue, as are half of his clothes (the other half are black).
Mike is sat up against his headboard, furiously typing an essay that he's been putting off for weeks. Will is next to him, his head on Mike's shoulder. He's playing Stardew Valley on Mike's switch, and Mike is trying his best to act like he's not jealous that Will is romancing Sebastian. 'He reminds me of you!' Will had said in an attempt to make him feel better, and Mike had just huffed.
Will's just begun planting pumpkins when Mike clears his throat. "We should check on the people of Craigslist," he says. "See how their missed connections are going."
Will sets the switch down and burrows his head further into the crook of Mike's neck. "Let's do it."
Mike opens up the missed connections page, which, for some reason, he has bookmarked, and quickly clicks on the most recent post.
to the beautiful woman on the train・11/18・Queens
we made eye contact a lot on the L train heading to canarsie from across the car, and after a while you sat beside me. i almost spoke to you but you had headphones and i didnt want to commit a subway faux pas. you had long light blonde hair and a short lacy skirt. i had my long black hair in braids and a floor length blue plaid skirt. what were you listening to? email me
"Gay people," Will whispers.
Mike laughs. "I'm rooting for them."
M hored・11/18・Jackson Heights
Looking to hang out, m looking for F only. Anyone in nyc is welcomed
"Hored?" Mike cackles. "Is that a typo?"
"Maybe it means he's horny and bored at the same time."
Mike ohhhs. "That's definitely it."
Mike clicks next and quickly looks away from the screen, instead electing to stare at the side of Will's head. Will glances over at him, confused, but lets it go.
Cute Boy in My Bedroom・11/18・Manhattan
Ran into you (not sorry anymore) at the Trader Joe's by NYU. You're the coolest person I've ever met, and hopefully, the coolest boyfriend I'll ever have. Impatiently awaiting your reply.
Will whips his head to look at Mike, who's still watching him, his eyebrows twitching.
"Oh my god, you're so cute!" It's so visceral it almost comes out as a growl. He grabs Mike by the face and kisses him so hard that he topples over.
A startled kind of shout bursts from Mike as he lands sideways on the bed. Will crawls over him, covering his face in kisses until Mike's laughing so hard that he's wheezing. "Is that a yes?"
Will kisses him. "Mike," he says against Mike's mouth. Between quick kisses he says, "yes, yes, yes," and one more kiss, and then, "please."
Mike, sprawled out on the bed, trapped underneath Will, a cheek-splitting smile on his face, whispers, "Fuck yeah."