Work Text:
Lucas and Mike jump up startled and dazed; Mike hated that disorientated feeling and out of body experience you feel when you get woken up and can't seem to get out of the sleep filled state. He wants the music to stop so he can succumb to sleep again but he doesn't get the priveledge.
"Yes!" Lucas shouts causing him to partially wake up and start rubbing his eyes as a way to get himself together.
Will stands confidently in front of them (with his will the wise costume) and even though Mike is agitated, he could not bring himself to shout at will.
'he looks too damn cute' Mike scrunches his face up. Omg why am I thinking that?.
"What are you doing?" Lucas asks. "Omg Will can you turn down the music? " Mike asks trying to diffuse the situation. 'it really is too early for this' he thinks. "Please address me by my full name?" Will quips back very animated in his role. ' Mike usually loves his enthusiasm but he had other things on his mind at the moment and this was too much for him. " What?" He shouted back. "My full name" Will said obviously looking for the reactions Lucas and Mike would have had a few months back.
"Omg, ok Will the wise" Mike fired back. Enunciating the words, probably more than he should have. "Can you turn down the music?". "That's not music!...." Will was now fully into his role and enjoying himself. Mike had got lost in the conversation though he just couldn't seem to concentrate on what Will was saying and it looked like Lucas wasn't faring much better. Until he heard "A day free of girls?".' Why would he say that? Me and Lucas want to spend time with our girlfriends. That's what people our age do not spend time dressing up and playing pathetic games. We should all grow up , El never understood my fascination with the game now I can show her I'm growing up and leaving all that behind'. Mike didn't want to tell Will he was now in this new mindset as he could tell Will wasn't in the same mindset as him and Lucas. He felt like he was leaving Will behind a bit. Maybe it was putting a bit of a strain to there friendship.
"Is it early Michael?" Will asks in an endearing childlike way. Mike looks at him and groans suddenly feeling irritated he doesn't know if it's at himself or Will. 'Why can't Will grow up at the same pace as me and Lucas?" Mike thinks. Maybe if they got a potential love interest for Will it might make him grow up more. Mike knew deep down he shouldn't be thinking these thoughts and maybe they were to mask something else he was feeling deep down.
"It's not my fault you don't like girls"
Mike knows they are still friends. He never officially opologised but they just gravitated back to being ok with eachother. Except Mike knew things weren't the same. Will no longer wanted to play DnD he gave everything away in a donation box. Mike held it together and laughed and joked with Will about finding another party but Will had said he didn't want to which made Mike's stomach flip ( however he wasn't thinking about that). What he was thinking about was how Will had disassociated himself with the things that most bring him joy. It was causing him immense guilt. Especially when he thought of castle Byers. Mike was involved in the things that used to bring so much joy to Will then he was the one to wreck it all with a few spiteful words. ' How ironic' he thought to himself.
The Byers had moved after that ( only for a year). El had officially dumped his ass a year prior and he found himself back in his childlike state of DnD and playing Nintendo. He wrote letters to Will saying he wanted to start a DnD club but he was too scared as 'Eddie the freak Munson' intimidated him. He asked if Will would join with him, Dustin and Lucas him when will came back to live in Hawkins. Will wrote back that he would probably just join an art group and that he had, to quote Michael last summer "grow up". That was when he finally realised the enormity of what he had actually done that summer. He had forced Will to grow out of things he loved at a young age just to make himself feel grown up and like he was fitting into the socials norms of what was expected in their age group. He had never felt so guilty. All he wanted was the childlike Will beside him to say he couldn't wait to join the DnD club with him and go on playful rants about comics, videos and campaigns. But he had changed Will that day and he only had himself to blame.
He then started thinking of other ways Will was growing up. Mike had been El obsessed last summer but he didn't even want to think of girls this summer. ' oh how ironic our roles have reversed' he thought bitterly laughing at his own hypocrisy. El had said she thought Will liked someone in California and it made him angry.Apparently he was painting a picture for them ( he remembers when Will would mostly just paint things for him).This made him angry. At first he thought he was angry at himself because he wanted a knew girlfriend so he could feel like he did last summer. But he knew deep down that wasn't it. He wanted his best friend (in a romantic way). 'ive been so stupid. I'm a piece of shit!' he would think daily.
When the Byers moved back it was another punch in the gut for Mike. Will and the party seemed to just click back together. There were no tension at all. Lucas and Dustin went into hug Will at the same time "Byers! Great to see you " Will laughed along and hugged back just as tightly. Mike went to hug El as this was happening after Max had nearly crushed her. Then when Mike had gone to hug Will there was a tension that everyone was suddenly aware of. "Hey I've missed you". Mike's eyeline suddenly went down to the painting Will was holding. There's that anger again. Will seemed so happy but something was holding him back . Mike was no better he was slowly going forward then did this weird half pat thing. All of the party looked on exchanging confused glances. "let's go in. Tell us everything! " Dustin said changing the atmosphere and distracting everyone again.
They all shuffled into Mike's basement like old times. Mike was beginning to relax until Dustin bought up the subject Mike no longer liked. " So Will were there any girls you liked out there?" Mike looked down at his snacks disdainfully. Everyone seemed to be interested except El who had a strange expression on her face. She looked over at Mike and he caught her and flinched for some reason unknown to him. She just smirked amused about something. "No, Ive just been focusing on my art" he said blushing profusely. "you've gone beetroot red" Lucas laughed. " Omg Byers! Who is she I'll just find out off El" Max smirked looking between El and Will. "Let's just watch a movie" El said abruptly starling everyone into silence. Mike thought Wills first day back was great he could still tell their friendship was fractured. But they were finally getting somewhere. El and Will were the last ones to leave and when Will stopped at the doorway. He could tell he wanted to tell him something ; something important. "I'll go to the car Jonathons already here I'll tell him to wait" El said hugging him quickly then giving Will a reassuring nod which confused him. Will shrugged back looking like he was having a debate with himself with his mind. He kept looking down at the painting, then back up at Mike and frowning. Mike suddenly felt hope. But that was soon dashed.
" I'm glad to be back- erm bye" will rushed out. Running to the car with his painting under his arm. 'what was that?" He thought to himself. 'im actually going crazy'.
School started a couple of weeks after that. Will had kept to his word and only joined Art club. This actually depressed Mike immensely ( he didn't care if he was being dramatic). Mike, Dustin and Lucas were now officially in hellfire. After a pitiful lunch where the jocks had thrown water all over their dinner and Eddie the freak Munson' had took pity on them and made a show of telling everyone not to mess with them or he would personally attack. He thought they would start on Eddie but he was so crazy the jocks actually got scared of him much to the delight of the party.
Eddie of course invited Will to join hellfire Lucas and Dustin told him all about their old campaigns and will the wise bringing them to life with his epic drawings. Eddie was so excited until Will said he had to grow up and DnD made him act like too much of a child. Mike could feel his guilt building. "why the hell do you think that?" Eddie asked him. Wills eyes flicked to Mike just for a second but Eddie caught it. He was just about to make an excuse when Eddie chimed in. "Wow wheeler you really are something. Why should he listen to you about growing up when your mummy still buys your clothes from the local gap?". Lucas and Dustin was at first looking at him with shock which suddenly turned to laughter. "you deserve that man what's wrong with you?". Everyone turned to Mike. Will suddenly looked guilty. He couldn't have that. " Sorry Will I was really stupid last summer. All I want is for you to enjoy what you used to before I was a asshole who spoiled our friendship". Eddie looked between them suddenly carrying a look of intrigue then realisation. Mike suddenly felt nervous when he saw Eddie come to the realisation ( he knows I like Will. Shit!). He gave Eddie a pleading look. Eddie held up his hands and nodded at Mike them both reaching a mutual understanding through actions and expressions. "That's good enough for me wheeler".what about you will?". Will blinked suddenly flustered. "yeah fine". He said suddenly looking the ground was swallowing him up. Lucas and Dustin looked relieved but confused. " That's it I thought you would have more to say" Dustin laughed looking towards Eddie. " That's all" Eddie said with finally. Causing Dustin and Lucas too look at eachother in confusion yet again. "Ok I'll join" Will said flatly.
The week after Eddie wanted to recruit more people. He assigned everyone to get at least one person. Will chose El, Lucas chose Max and Erica, Dustin somehow got Steve to relent and try and be civil with Eddie. Robin also tagged along just to see what it was about. Mike somehow got Nancy involved and Jonathon was meant to be with Nancy anyway so that's how they all got to where they were now. "I say we just go and obliterate the no nose wrinkly bastard" Erica said matter of factly. Lucas tried scolding her but max just laughed along causing everyone else to laugh. "I like you " Eddie said matter of factly. "so are we going to try and defeat Vecna?" Eddie asked the group?. Everyone looked at Mike it was his roll but all he could see from his peripheral vision was wills eyes. "omg Mike why do you always do this just do it" Nancy said not interested in the game slightly and probably wanting it to be over to go home. He rolled and got exactly what they needed. Everyone erupted into cheers (even Nancy). "Ok you have defeated Vecna and Nancy can go and never come back ( well she can be in the room but not play the game)" Eddie said looking at her mischievouly. "I'm ok with that Nancy said shrugging which caused Eddie to chuckle. " Yeah me too actually. I didn't get any of that" Steve said earning an eye roll from Eddie. " Sorry it wasn't to your tastes pretty boy". Robin just laughed. " I thought it was different but in a good way....like it so different but then you can change it anyway. "Everyone looked at her and nodded and just let her continue her rant. Everyone started saying their goodbyes until Eddie asked Will to stay. Everyone looked at eachother with questioning looks but obliged and left them both in the room.
Wills pov
"You don't have to look so nervous Byers" he said holding up his arms in surrender making him laugh. "I'm sorry it's a habit" he chuckled gripping onto his sleeves for comfort which he knows doesn't go unnoticed by Eddie. "you and mike stare at eachother like alot" Eddie blurts out not caring about his reaction. "I -we no". He stammers which makes Eddie look on fondly and laugh. " I haven't said anything to Wheeler because I know he would just shut it down" Eddie carries on. "But I can sense you want to let it out even if it's just to one person" he says his voice turning sincere. " I'm in love with him" will suddenly blurts out. Suddenly having no brain to mouth function. "That's ok wheelers abit slo w on the uptake but I think he likes you too". Will just gawks back causing them both to laugh. "He doesn't we haven't been the same since last year but thanks for trying to make the situation better. "Byers he definitely has some feeling that aren't platonic trust me, now get out and I'll tidy up" he says dismissively. "ok then" that's all Will can muster too shocked to say anything else. He rushes out acutely aware of Eddie smirking and chuckling to himself. As he gets out of the doorway he sees El with her back to the door and smudging something off her face. But as she turns round he can see the remaining specks of blood under her nose.
"Really El?" She just shrugs and laughs. He has a point she giggled taking his arm and leading him out to the others. Many of them have already gone. But Lucas, Mike and Dustin have hung back. "Omg what did he want?" Dustin asked excitedly. "are you going to take over when he graduates?". Suddenly mike's head snaps up; wills surprised he hasn't got whiplash. " He didn't even want to join last week. It should be me". Everyone turns to Mike rolling their eyes good naturedly. "Trust you to be an asshole to Will again" Lucas said nudging mike. He suddenly looks guilty. "Shit your right I'm being an asshole sorry Will" he says sheepishly. "I'm used to it" he says laughing whilst everyone joins in . Mike just rolls his eyes and groans which Will finds adorable. ' yeah I really love him' he thinks to himself content in the knowledge for the first time ever.
A few weeks pass and a few things happened.
Will and mike both turned 16 having a joint birthday party hosted by the wheelers (much to Ted's protests and utter dismay). Everything was going perfectly; Max and mike hadn't even glared at eachother and actually had a civil conversation.
The party was awesome and Will and Mike was having a great time; till they weren't. Everyone was mingling well till Jonathons friend who had come over from califonia tried getting everyone as high as him. Because according to him "Brochachas you've got to have a clean mind to enjoy yourself fully". Mike thought he was full of shit and so was his name ( who's called Argyle? Did he make it up). The older ones seemed to agree with him and soon they were all causing chaos. Mr Wheeler complained about the smell and how everyone was acting disorderly so made a scene of chucking argyle and Jonathon out of the house. After a very shrieky protest from Nancy Jonathon was allowed back in under supervision of Mr Wheeler but Argyle was permanently banned. Mike and Will weren't too fussed over this.
After all this all Mike wanted was his best friend's time. So when he thought everyone was distracted he started pulling Will upstairs. "This has been so chaotic" will laughed making Mike smile. Oh go upstairs to your room. Ill just go get your present Will said giddily making Mike smile. " Don't be long" he teased.
Mike sat down on his bed suddenly nervous. This was the first time he had been with Will alone in ages. However, when Will came up there were no nerves just a giddily childlike excitement that Mike hadn't seen in ages; and thought he had destroyed. He was so caught up he didn't see the painting at first but when he did his heart skipped a beat . "What's that?" He asked Will breathlessly. Will looked confused but then he realised Mike must have been told by El he was painting for someone he liked. He looked like a deer caught in headlights and mike couldn't have that. He quickly ran over and got him to sit on the bed. " Can I look at it? " He motioned to the painting. Will just nodded and handed it to him hesitantly. " Mike opened it up and his breath caught. He didn't feel the tears till they ran down his cheeks. " I can't believe it was for me all along" he said giggling with relief and excitement. " Of course it was " Will said chuckling. Mike didn't know what to do so just nodded and gazed into Wills eyes lovingly. He didn't care how he looked. 'i love this boy' he thought. They gravitated towards eachother quickly. Lips finding eachother. The kiss depended pretty quickly and soon tongues were clashing together. Mike didn't care about the party downstairs he needed Will.... And he was going to have all of Will.
They weren't keeping check on the time but they didn't care. They both were exhausted but satisfied. "I liked that" will said dreamily causing them both to laugh. " I'm glad you did or I would be very embarrassed right now Mike giggled. They both got under the quilts but only covering there middle as they were still warm from what they had just done. "We should probably go back down" will said even though he wanted to cuddle. " Let's have 10 minutes Mike said not wanting to break the moment. They only had about 5 minutes when his door swing open. "Mike this is your party why are you In he" Nancy cut herself off when she saw them closing the door quickly. Mike was paralysed in place, Will quickly pulled the sheets higher and Nancy was opening and closing her mouth. " Sorry I should knock" Nancy giggled but still with an awkwardness. "Omg get out we will talk later!" Mike said drastically. Causing will and Nancy to laugh. She left the room with a speed Mike didn't know she even possessed. 'This is shit! I'm going to have to move away" Mike hissed dramatically. Will just giggled next to him. "I love you". "I love you too" Mike smiled calming down significantly.
Wills pov
They waited another 10 minutes to go downstairs. When they got downstairs all of the party was huddled in a corner with the older end. When they saw them they knew Nancy had told everyone. "Yeah you two" Eddie yelled. Mike looked mortified which made everyone laugh except Jonathon who was glaring. " Excuse me be quiet" Ted yelled. Eddie rolled his eyes but kept on smirking. Mike was then asked to mingle with his cousins and aunts. Will was nervous to go to the party but he knew he would look silly going anywhere else. He sat next to Jonathon and El . " So how was it?" Eddie asked straightaway". " No Will what was you thinking? You've been saying all summer how he's treated you badly and then this happens" Jonathon says angrily. 'Well I guess the weed has worn off'. "I didn't see this coming" Dustin said dumbly. Causing everyone to laugh. "Have you been living under a rock" max quipped back. "Omg I'm so proud of you both" robin said smiling happily.
Everyone then started cutting eachother off when Mrs wheeler and Joyce interrupted everyone with a cake filled with candles. Will could have bolted there and then and he had a feeling Mike wanted to aswell. Everyone sang happy birthday regardless and mike and will blew the candles out together earning and big whoop for the party and whistles. Mike and will looked mortified again but luckily no one questioned them too much. "Oh you two we can't believe your 16 what did you wish for Mike? " Mike rolled his eyes what a childish thing to do. But then he caught himself. Maybe he liked being childlike especially around his best friend? Or boyfriend? All he knew was he loved him and he was going to hurt him again. I wished to always be young at heart. Growing up isn't all it's cracked up to be" he smirked at Will who smiled the brightest smile back. "What did you wish for honey?Joyce asked Will. "I didn't need to wish for anything I got what I wanted. He smiled at Mike bashfully.
Mike smiled to himself. Maybe he did break Wills childlike spirit once but he would never do it again. He didn't think they would ever get back from that one fight but the fractured relationship they had is now fully healed and Will is finally back to being Will the wise.