Chapter Text
If you asked Will Byers when his silly little crush on Mike Wheeler started, he’d tell you since birth. Its stupid, really, there’s no way a baby could have feelings for another straight out of the womb—-but it definitely feels like he’s liked Mike since the beginning.
He can’t actually recall when he had started liking him in a romantic sense. It’s all fuzzy.
They met when they were in elementary school. As a child Will was not very sociable, he would sit alone and draw up mystical characters and worlds that didn’t exist. It was a surprise to eight-year-old Will Byers when a raven haired boy worth faded freckles and unruly hair came up to him and told him he liked his “doodles.”
“Woah! Hey — these are really good!” Mike had snatched the drawing away, Will remembers. Mike had always had issues with being oblivious, whether it was to feelings or his own actions. “T-thanks…” Will awkwardly fiddled with the hem of his crew neck. “You seem nice, and you’re awesome at doodles. You’re going to be my friend okay?” Will nodded.
Mike had always been so demanding, but not in that bossy bad way. He always charged into things head-on, always ready for anything—- everything . Will guesses that’s what he’s always liked about him.
Michael Wheeler. Will’s first—-and only—- real friend.
And also Will’s first and only crush.
At first Will panicked because well, it was a boy. He’s supposed to like girls, that’s how it always works. Girls date nice boys and have kids and move into houses with white picket fences. That’s the American Dream or something.
But Will wanted a boy. Not a girl. Also he was pretty sure men weren’t supposed to date other men because it’s illegal.
He remembers being scared shitless. At first he thought it was his dad’s fault, that all those times his dad called him a faggot was because he was wishing on Will’s downfall? Yeah it’s stupid but Will conjured the stupid thought in his head and he couldn’t let it go.
But after a few months Jonathan had up and asked him if he like Mike and Will is a shit liar.
“Yeah. Yeah I do—god.” He put his hands on his head and he felt his throat clog up and tears well in his eyes. “I’m sorry Jonathan I-I’m really sorry…” Jonathan had only pulled him close and told him it was all okay, it was okay for Will to like boys. It’s okay. The heart wants what it wants.
It was similar coming out to his mom. Joyce was nothing short of accepting and understanding. She would try and ask Will if he thought any guys in his class were cute and he would always get beet-red and say: “mom!”
He had eyes for his best friend and only him. He felt he could tell Mike anything.
Sure, the party was a great group of friends he’d gotten himself in middle school. But he wasn’t as close to them as he was to Mike. Besides, Mike dragged him into meeting them when they were younger. Back in elementary.
He loved them all, they grew up together and tried different things together. They had common interests and passions like D&D, arcade games and comics.
He made more friends along the way thanks to a nifty thing called “Trauma Bonding.” It didn’t matter if they were teens and adults, they’ve been through all of the trauma following his disappearance and the upside down, demogorgons, demo-dogs, demo-bats and the mind flayer. He was kidnapped and trapped in the Upside Down for weeks, fought inter-dimensional D&D monsters and met a girl with super powers who started dating his best friend. He was even at Billy Hargroves funeral as per Max’s request for emotional support from the party.
And when he had thought it was over the Master of the puppet-monsters, Vecna, had decided he wanted revenge against Eleven and started plotting and attacking all of the people he loved. Of course, Vecna was zero match for Eleven.
Will wasnt going to bullshit it—he’s fucking traumatised. Even if everything’s over now, he still gets those fucking nightmares. But he always has his friends at his side in unfortunate circumstances.
They all hang out almost everyday. Sometimes it’s Will’s house or other times in the Wheelers’ basement. On good days, the arcade.
So it’s no different when he finds himself sitting on an old couch in Mike’s basement, which has been deemed as the hangout spot to hold D&D campaigns and whatnot.
“Boys! That’s enough for tonight, please come up and have a light snack, then all of you have to go home, minus Will of course. Okay?” Mrs. Wheeler shouted from the open door upstairs. The boys all groaned and stood up putting all the dice and D&D stuff safely away.
“Fuck this is literally the last week of summer break and then we go into 11th grade.” Dustin annoyingly reminded them all, “Yeah no shit. But I mean at least Will’s starting with us this year—-after all that shit with Vecna, I am so ready for a normal school year. Cannot stress this enough.” Mike laughed. Will reminisced sourly, “Living in California was so difficult for me, honestly it was worse for El…”
“Boys for the last time!” They all groaned in unison, “Okay mom jesus!” Mike rubbed his temples and was the first to start up the stairs, a few seconds after the rest of them followed.
By the time they had their silly snacks Mrs. Wheeler made them, Steve arrived. “Alright guys, Will is sleeping over so that means the rest of you gotta go with Steve “The Hair” Harrington.” Mike poked at Dustin's specifically. “Yeah yeah, whatever, let’s go Steve probably won't appreciate us making him late for his ‘date’ with a supposed hot babe.” Dustins snickered and Steve walked over and smacked him on his crunchy curls.
“Okay— Fuck you Henderson, just—just get in you fuckers.” They all broke into laughter and soon Lucas, Dustin and Steve were driving away. “Bye!” Shouted Mike from the front lawn, his only response was a faint “Eat shit!” From Dustin or Lucas, who really knows.
He turned to Will with a small smile, “Wanna watch a movie?” He grinned, “You know I dislike the horror genre don’t you, Mike ?” The way Will had said his name had Mike flushing, only minutely. “Aw, poor Will.” He chastised as they walked down the stairs of the basement. The moment they say on the old couch Mike and Will we’re all over each other.
This. This is something new, something recent.
A new development.
For a few weeks following Vecna’s assault on the party (again), they had been doing this thing , where they touch and kiss and do couple shit together.
In secret and all in good fun of course! However this was something that made Will feel incredibly guilty. He felt like he was back stabbing El by being all over her ex-boyfriend.
He suspected Mike felt the same, maybe. He didn’t seem all that upset when he and El ended things. They’re still friends and it’s not so awkward considering El moved on pretty quickly. She talks about liking someone new just never who it is.
“What's wrong? You don’t seem into it,” Mike sheepishly pulled away playing with a stray curl. “Oh.” He shuffled a little closer, “I’m sorry I was just thinking but I’m okay now, continue?” And Mike smiled before pulling Will back into the kiss. He smiled and cradled Mike’s face.
When they pulled apart their lips were swollen and puffy.
This was Will’s favorite activity, making out with Mike Wheeler in the sweet confines of his basement until his lips were buzzing.
Mike grinned, “Let’s watch the movie now, okay?” And he intertwined his fingers with Will’s.
He’s as happy as he’ll ever be, he thinks, before settling in next to Mike on the raggedy couch.
By the time the movie is over, Mike turns to find Will fast asleep. He moves Will’s bangs away from his eyes and settles him into the couch more comfortably. He traces Will’s lips with his finger and—-
The door opens and just as quickly as Mike hears the sound he moves away and down onto the floor.
“Michael, what have I said about two boys sleeping in the same room? You know how much I detest it.” Mike shuffles uncomfortably, glad Will is asleep. “I don’t understand why you can’t just listen to me, I do not tolerate faggotry in this household.” Mike winces at the word.
“Sorry dad.” Ted only grumbles.
“This’ll be the last time you hear me boy?” Mike nods, “Next time he sleeps on the couch and you in your own respective bedroom.” And with that Ted walks back up and closes the door behind him.
Mike feels like throwing up and crying. He wants to tear the room apart. Will shuffles around in his sleep and Mike resists the urge to reach out and hug him tight.
Fucking faggot.