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Will supposed he should’ve been waiting for this moment to happen eventually- expect it, even. Really, he’s lucky it hasn’t happened until now. Some random girl flirting with Mike right in front of Will, him standing there stupidly trying to get out of it.
Lucas convinced them all to go to some frat party at their University this weekend. Will and Mike watched idly as the rest of the group played beer pong with some guys Lucas knew from class. Of course, Lucas was intensely popular and well-liked by everyone. He’s always had that natural charisma that Will couldn’t dream of emulating. Lucas was just in his natural element here in college, and Will liked to just stand there doing nothing and watching it, soaking it in.
Of course, it was hard to stay still in this house. The party was packed and the shitty pop music was blaring on in the background, the beat was felt in the floors along with the people shuffling around or dancing. They arrived pretty late, so most people were drunk as shit now which made the attempt to have personal space even more impossible. Everyone was shoulder to shoulder and he tried not to think about the fact that Mike Wheeler was impossibly close to him right now. Those thoughts wouldn’t do him any good. Maybe if he had a couple more drinks, he’d forget.
He made the move to go to the kitchen when Mike looked at him weirdly, “Where are you going?” He asked and moved to follow him.
“Just getting another drink. Want me to get you one?” Will asked.
Mike shook his head, “I’ll just go with you.”
Will wanted to protest, because the whole point was to leave Mike so that he didn’t have to think of him for once in his life. Mike always made it hard, especially because they were roommates. Mike was always in his life and it was somehow the thing he loved most as well as the thing he hated most. Will just sighed and nodded his head and they both made their way over to the small kitchen in the house.
Mike pours Will a cup of the unidentifiable mix of alcohol and fruit punch that already had a lot of people fucked up. It was in a giant container and it was no doubt just a mix of anything that the boys of the house could get their hands on. Did it taste good? Not really. But it would do the job that Will needed it to do. When they leave the kitchen area to stand around again, a girl almost bumps into Will, spilling her entire drink. It would’ve spilled right on top of Will’s favorite shirt, but Mike quickly reacted and moved Will away, closer to him.
Will mumbled out a quick thanks to his friend and then looked back at the girl. Like most of the girls here, she wasn’t fully clothed, and she was insanely pretty. It was a college party, so that was kind of the expectation, especially when the frat boys were such douches about who they’d let in. It was all a little bullshit, and honestly straight frat guys are creeps. But that’s like saying the sky is blue, it’s something they all know but don’t acknowledge.
The way the girl- who he now decides is probably his worst enemy, is staring at Mike with a sort of fascination that Will knows all too well. It’s obvious she finds Mike attractive, especially when she introduces her to the boy and practically ignores Will’s existence. Will felt like huffing out in annoyance, because she was the one who almost spilled her drink on him! Shouldn’t he be given an apology or something?
However, Will couldn’t exactly blame her for her eyes being laser focused on one Michael Wheeler. Mike was just… he was Mike, yanno? He was super tall and skinny, looking like a musician (Which he was now, by the way). He has a gentle smile and his eyes light up when he speaks about something he finds interesting. His hair is a long and curly ink-black mess that somehow looks put together because it’s on him. He put it in a messy ponytail tonight and he was wearing all black, which makes him look both mysterious and inviting all at once. It made sense that this girl would want to talk to him, want to find out more.
It’s not like he had any room to be upset either, because Will wasn’t anything to Mike. Any feelings Mike felt on his end towards Will were simply platonic. Mike was straight and Will was just a jealous prick that was getting annoyed at a girl simply looking in his direction. He desperately needs to sort this shit out, because at 20 years old, this crush on his best friend should’ve been long gone.
The only problem is that it’s never just been a crush. If it had been a simple teenage crush, it would’ve been easier to forget. Nothing about falling out of love with Mike Wheeler would be easy. Will wants to love Mike forever, and so he’s still at the same place he was in back when he was only a freshman in high school; Trying to rip off the band-aid.
Only, this band-aid must be superglued to his skin, because it hasn’t budged. It hasn’t peeled around the edges, not even a little bit. If anything, his love for Mike has only increased with time. He keeps getting to learn more and more about Mike as they grow and encounter new situations together. He got through the hell that was fighting Vecna with Mike, surviving high school, getting accepted into college together, becoming roommates.
Becoming Mike’s roommate was his most damning decision. The dorms here were small so they both occupied the same space constantly. He saw Mike’s mental breakdowns over taking a Human Anatomy course that was, quote “ God’s curse to mankind ” or him strumming random melodies on his guitar when he was bored. It all felt so domestic and mundane and Will just never wanted to let go of it.
How was he supposed to just not have that with Mike, forever? The older they got, the more and more it felt like a ticking time bomb. Eventually he’d meet a nice girl and they’d spend all their free time together. Once they grew closer maybe they’d move in together first if she’s not super religious, they’d get married, they’d have children, and Will would just be the random gay uncle or something.
Will told the party he was gay shortly after they graduated from high school. It was one of the scariest days of his life, especially because they were all going to college together somehow- Minus Dustin who was going to fucking MIT and Jane opted to stay at home and do community college. If any of them didn’t want to be friends with him for it, he’d still have to see their faces in the fall. He also got it into his head that as soon as Mike knew Will was gay he’d realize he was in love with him and be disgusted by it.
Everything went smoothly, almost too smoothly. In fact, Jane had many questions for Will after they had gone home about it and she ended up realizing she just liked girls. He had never felt as close to anyone else as he had for Jane in that moment. It was like they were always meant to be siblings.
Dustin gave his big bear hug that he did and congratulated him, which Will found extremely funny. “ You’re congratulating me for… being gay? ” and Lucas was also super nice about it, giving him a hug and saying he was glad Will trusted them enough to open up. Will wasn’t going to lie, it made him start crying. He just felt really happy.
Max was also supportive and a few months later when she came out as bisexual, they were able to bond about it, along with Jane. The gays just kind of find each other, he thinks. He didn’t realize he’d get to have this, a bond with people like him. Hell, he didn’t even know there were people like him in Hawkins, but somehow they were already people he had in his life. The thought of that was really comforting.
Mike was the reaction he was most nervous about, and it turned out to be for nothing. Mike just gave Will a warm hug and thanked Will for telling them, and that he’d always be there for Will no matter what. Will had those words etched in his mind, and sometimes he felt like confessing his feelings because of it. Mike would still be there, right? Maybe it’d be awkward or uncomfortable at first, but they’d overcome it.
If Will had an ounce more courage, he might’ve done it. At this point, it seems like the only thing he hasn’t tried at this point to get rid of the feelings. A solid rejection would be nice, because everytime something small happens with Mike, his heart tries to convince him that Mike could see him the same. His heart was a ridiculous fool and so he never listened to it.
Will finally zones back into what’s happening and the girl is still talking to Mike, with a big smile on her face and listening to his words with full attention.
“Yeah! Definitely don’t take that class, especially if the sight of a human cadaver would make you want to throw up.” Mike says and makes a disgusted face, “Gosh, I don’t know what kind of chemicals they put on those things but it reeks. ”
Will wants to hit Mike across the back of his head right now, because why the actual fuck is he talking to a pretty girl that’s obviously into him about having to look at human cadavers in his shitty anatomy class? How was this conversation even brought up? Surely it was Mike’s doing, because only he could be this embarrassing and lame. He meant that in the most affectionate way, of course. He loved Mike’s dorkiness, but a girl trying to flirt with him wouldn’t.
However, it was also in Will’s interest to let Mike just continue what he was doing. Maybe the girl would get weirded out and leave and he doesn’t have to deal with Mike getting a girlfriend for a little longer. It’ll be good.
The girl, Gia, only nods at Mike’s words, slightly confused but trying to carry the conversation on, “Hmm but I dunno, maybe if I take Human Anatomy you could help me study. ”
Judging from her body language, and the fact that she was twirling her hair nervously, she did not in fact have studying on her mind. Will was almost impressed at how bold she was being towards a random guy she just met at a stupid party.
It’s too bad she picked the biggest idiot on the planet to flirt with. Again, all the insults are affectionate. It’s just the truth, Mike is completely clueless to these types of things. It was as endearing as it is frustrating.
“Me? Help you study? Maybe if you want to barely scrape by with a D+ like me. Will here, got an A minus in the class.” Mike said towards the girl and pat Will on the shoulder.
The girl looked at Will for a second and pursed her lips before turning back to Mike, “I don’t know…” She said, placing her hand on Mike’s arm, “Maybe I just want to spend some time with you.”
Mike blinked once, looked at her hand on his arm and a look of realization crossed his face. His mouth dropped and he immediately whipped his head towards Will. Will would’ve laughed but this shit was also kind of stressful too. This girl was basically asking Mike out and Will wanted nothing more than to leave.
If he’d been more immature he would’ve interrupted them, saying that he and Mike had to go find their friends or something and then drag him away. However, it was college and Mike genuinely deserved to have fun and meet people. Who was Will to stop him? Mike hadn’t been in a relationship since he broke up with Jane, and that was in the Summer of ‘86. He hasn’t talked about any other girl since then and even told Will one day freshman year of college that he didn’t want to be with any girls. For other guys they were kind of a distraction, and Mike definitely threw himself into his schoolwork. It made sense.
They are starting their junior year now, though. It would also make sense for Mike to want to meet girls and have fun. So Will did what he thought would be best and decided to give them some space alone. It’s probably awkward trying to flirt with a girl while your best friend is standing next to you.
“I’m gonna go find Lucas and Max.” Will said, looking between the two. The soon to be hookup, or couple, or whatever the fuck they want. Who cares? He didn’t care. Not at all.
“Uh, yeah!” Mike said, enthusiastically. Will wanted to die. He was excited for Will to leave so he could go on and flirt with this girl who looked relieved at the idea of Will walking away.
Will began to move away and he was shocked to see Mike following, “Bye Gia!” He waved at the girl, who looked stunned by the action, “Um, bye?”
“Can we go outside?” Mike asked. Will nods, because finding Lucas and Max was only a guise anyways. When they went out on the patio, Will’s headache immediately began to decrease. It was a lot quieter out here, away from all the people and the loud music.
Mike only sighed, “I thought we’d never make it away from her. What took you so long?”
Will’s eyes bugged out, “What do you mean?”
“The girl! Gia! She wouldn’t stop flirting with me. I thought talking about a dead body would help but she wouldn’t stop. I thought my best friend would help me get out of it!” Mike said, acting annoyed, but not in a serious kind of way. It was like the whole situation was amusing to him.
“You knew she was flirting with you the whole time?” Will asked, doubly confused.
“Well, I’m not an idiot. She asked if I ‘ came here often ’.” Mike sighed, but also snorted in a mix of amusement and disbelief that Will didn’t understand.
“Why didn’t you flirt back with her? I mean I’m not even into girls and I could see that she was really pretty. Did she do something weird? I kinda spaced out when she first got there.” Will asked honestly. He needs to stop spacing out so much around Mike because it often ends up with him missing the context of a lot of conversations.
Mike looked at Will like he was stupid, “What do you mean, why didn’t I flirt back? Isn’t it obvious why?”
Will didn’t say anything. Should it be obvious? He couldn’t think of any reason why he wouldn’t want to play into the girls' obvious flirting. Didn’t straight boys like when that happened? Will thinks it’d be nice if a random guy started flirting with him. It could just be a fun conversation, nothing serious. It seemed nice to talk to someone attractive when they thought you were also attractive.
Mike just shook his head, “Um, maybe we should just find Lucas and Max and leave. I’m kinda over this party now.”
Mike seemed obviously annoyed and Will wanted nothing more than to ask him what was wrong, but he felt like that would be the worst thing to do right now. Instead, they went off to search for their friends.
The couple was incredibly drunk when they were found. Apparently off of beer pong. Figures. They suck at the game despite Lucas literally being in a sport where you aim a ball into a basket. Isn’t that practically the same thing? Well, in Will’s mind it is.
Mike had to grab Max while Will had Lucas. Luckily they hadn’t gotten as fucked up as them, so they were able to walk them back to their dorms. Max was harder to control, as she liked to swat at Mike, especially when she was drunk. She also liked yelling at him too, saying how stupid ‘Wheeler’ was.
“Shut up, Max.” Mike said, deadpanned at her and swatting her hand away from him.
“No,” She giggles, “You suck.”
“Yeah yeah yeah.” Was all he said back, shaking his head. Will knew that Mike secretly enjoyed Max’s arguing, drunk or not. They were close in the way Mike was close with Nancy. It was a sibling bond where the two were constantly bickering. It was fun for Will to watch, and it has been like that since 8th grade. He loves that it hasn’t ever changed.
They got her to her door and helped her unlock it. Luckily, her roommate was still out so they weren’t waking anyone up. They set her down on her bed and both Mike and Will take off a shoe as Lucas slumped over on her desk chair, moaning about how the light hurts.
“Night night, Mike.” Max said, oddly sweet.
Mike laughed at that, “Night Max”
“Say goodnight to your lover for me.” She laughed deviously before completely passing out, beginning to snore. Jesus, how did that girl even fall asleep that fast?
Will’s whole body froze at her words but he wasn’t able to stop the “What?” from exiting his mouth.
He looked over at Mike, who quite honestly seemed terrified. He let out a dumb “Uhh.”
What the fuck? What did Max mean? Why wasn’t Mike immediately denying it? That must make it true, right? Suddenly everything from tonight was making sense. Of course he’d be scared and not want to flirt with a random girl at some party if he was in love with another one! Was he dating someone? Why wouldn’t Will be the first to know?
None of this made any sense. He thought Mike trusted him with these things, but obviously not. However, Mike earlier told Will it should’ve been obvious why he wasn’t flirting with a girl. How would it be obvious to Will if he was never told? When did Mike have time to see this girl, anyways? He was almost always in class or back at home. Mike was a huge homebody and Will would think that a girl would want to go out on dates often with her boyfriend .
Just the thought of this hypothetical lover existing filled him with an odd mix of dread and rage. How did he address this? Did Mike seriously not realize that he didn’t know about it? As he looked into Mike’s eyes, Mike looked back. He looked a little guilty and scared but also apologetic and he didn’t know what any of it was supposed to mean.
“Quit staring at each other, I want to sleep.” Lucas piped in, “Preferably before the sun comes back up.”
Will just snorted and rolled his eyes, trying to snap out of his spiraling thoughts. Luckily, the task of Will trying to get Lucas to his dorm (fortunately in the same building as them) was enough to distract him from everything with Mike.
Since Lucas wasn’t as talkative or abusive (Mike’s words) as Max was, they were able to quickly get him back. When they got back to their dorm they both were hit with an awkward silence, sitting on the two of their beds but not making a move to lay down or turn off the lights.
“Look-”
“I’m happy for you.”
They both speak at the same time.
Mike’s eyes widened, “What’d you say?”
“I said I’m happy for you. I mean, about what Max said. You’re in love with someone, right? Who is she? Why didn’t you say anything? Now I feel kind of stupid for not helping you with that girl earlier.” Will says.
Mike’s jaw dropped and for some reason it made Will feel nervous. Mike looked at the boy like he was baffled by his words. Is it that surprising that Will would want to know about his best friend’s life? He was trying to be a good friend, and not think about his feelings for Mike. It was hard and Mike’s acting like he’s weird for it, which doesn’t help.
“Will, you can’t be serious.” Was all he said.
“I don’t get it… Am I missing something?” Will asked. It was too late for this conversation. He was tired and a bit grumpy from having to drag around his stupidly drunk friends and having to watch some girl flirt with Mike and then Max saying he apparently had a lover and-
Mike’s unamused laugh broke him out of his thoughts, “You’re doing it again.”
Will was alarmed, did Mike notice he was thinking about him? “Doing what?”
“Space out when I talk to you! You do it all the time, I really shouldn’t be surprised that you did it then.” Mike groaned, running his hands through his long black locks in frustration, “God this is so fucked up.”
Did it then.
Will was trying to search his brain for what Mike could possibly mean by that. Did Mike actually tell Will he was dating someone? Did he fucking trauma-block that shit out of his head or something? He usually is pretty good at understanding Mike, but right now he had zero clue on what to say.
“Mike I-” Will starts.
“No,” Mike said, getting off his bed and hopping onto Will’s, “Just let me talk, okay?”
Will nods in assent.
“Okay… Um, jeez. This really isn’t what I was expecting out of tonight. So, do you remember that one night in freshman year? When we were talking about relationships and stuff? After some girl hit on you or something?” Mike starts, looking in Will’s eyes, trying to gauge him.
Remember? How could Will forget it?
Will was sitting on his chair humming along to his music as he was reviewing his notes for his math class. He had an exam coming up that he was particularly nervous about. Mike was also in the room, sitting on his bed just listening to the music- he made simple conversation with Will, but was sure not to distract him.
“God, and then this girl from my English class came up to me today. Her name was Penny, I think? She asked me out. It’s hard having to reject these girls all the time, they’re really nice.” Will sighed. He honestly hated when girls approached him trying to flirt, not because it made him uncomfortable, but because they were all genuinely really sweet. He didn’t have the heart to tell them that he wasn’t interested in their gender as a whole.
Mike snorted, “You’d think by now they’d catch on.”
Will shrugged, “Yeah, I don’t know.”
“Um… so is there any luck on the other end? Any guys we should know about?” Mike asked. Will wishes there was, but unfortunately trying to find a gay guy here was like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Their school was big on party and sports culture, so everyone here looked painfully straight. Will is only a freshman, so he thinks he’ll have time for romance.
Even though the one person he wants more than anything is sharing the same room with him. He thought maybe having to share a room with Mike for months on end would finally be the thing that makes him overcome his crush. Obviously it didn’t work. His feelings were probably even stronger. What the fuck is it about Mike Wheeler?
“No, no boys. Just busy with school. What about you?” Will asked.
“Huh?” Was all Mike said.
Will laughed, “Any girls?”
Will acted nonchalant on the outside, but secretly he hated this conversation. He didn’t want to know about Mike’s potential love life. That was a sure way for him to end up being disappointed.
“Uhhh,” Mike said nervously, which in turn made Will nervous, “No. No girls. Um actually… I don’t think I’m really focused on girls at all, y’know? I just kind of realized that. I don’t want to be with any of them.”
Oh. Well that works out for Will. Mike was focused on his education and all that and didn’t want to focus on dating. That made sense given they were in college now, and having to pay for all of it. Dating wasn’t everyone’s priority, and he was intensely relieved that it wasn’t Mike’s either.
“I get that.” Will nods.
“Yeah?” Mike asked with a big smile, “I knew you would.”
Will didn’t know what to say to that, his mind was kind of going into overdrive looking at Mike who was looking at him so sweetly. It was lame to say it, but it always made his heart flip and his stomach churn. Mike was just so cute sometimes and he had no idea what to do about it.
“Will?” Mike said again, “Uh, thanks for just listening. I kind of really needed to talk about that.”
Will just nods, he was vaguely aware of Mike saying something else, but he had missed it. It was probably just about not dating. Seriously, this school was so into hookup and relationship culture that you felt like a freak for not joining in on it.
“Of course, Mike.” He smiled.
Mike smiled back at him.
“I remember it.” Will finally replies.
Mike huffs, “Okay so if you remember it, then why would you ask me if I’m dating a girl?”
“I don’t know! Maybe you changed your mind?” Will asked.
Apparently it was the wrong thing to say, because Mike’s eyes widened before his face shifted to an almost… anger? It was weird seeing it directed at him. Mike barely fought with Will, or got angry.
“What?” He said incredulously, “How could you even say that? You of all people should know that you don’t just change your mind about that.”
Will frowned. What? Why was Mike acting personally offended by this? People change their mind about wanting relationships or not all the time! That’s normal! They meet someone and feel a spark with them that overcomes trying to be mature and reasonable. So many people ‘focus on school’ and then next thing you know they meet the love of their life. It happens. Will wouldn’t blame Mike if that happened to him.
“Mike, I honestly have zero clue what you’re talking about, or why you’re even upset. People change their minds about whether they want to date or not all the time! I know you wanted to focus on school or whatever, but it happens.” Will sighed, wanting this ‘argument’ to be over already.
“Jesus fucking christ.” Mike said, looking as if he finally realized something, “You are actually clueless!”
Will felt the need to act personally offended by this, but judging from Mike’s shift from anger, into a sudden realization made him feel slightly better about what’s going on. Mike also just started dissolving into a fit of giggles next to him. Will reluctantly laughed with him, “What?”
Mike continued laughing, “Nothing, it’s just sometimes I don’t really understand how I was always branded as the stupid one in the party.”
Will shot Mike a glare before grabbing one of his pillows and hitting Mike three times, for good measure, “Ow!” Mike yelled out, not serious in the slightest, “I mean it!”
“Well if I’m stupid, then explain it!” Will huffed.
“Okay… It’s just this is kind of hard to tell you. Mostly because I thought I already told you, and I’m still reeling about how I guess this whole time you literally didn’t hear me or whatever.” Mike shook his head.
Will just stared back at him, not replying, trying to urge him to speak more.
“Well, I told you I wasn’t interested in any girls. I meant not at all, not ever , actually.” Mike told Will, as if that wasn’t the most earth-shattering thing he could’ve ever possibly said. Because the implications of that? Well it just sounded a lot like Will when he was younger, when he was finally coming to terms with being…
“I’m gay. Apparently that wasn’t important enough for you to zone into two years ago.” Mike laughed, humorlessly, but it sounded a bit self-deprecating at the same time.
Will realizes how shitty he’s been. He zones out a lot around Mike, and that’s a problem. He’s probably missed so much shit, so many important Mike moments because he can’t handle being in love with his best friend. It wasn’t fair to Mike at all. He missed what was probably one of the most important conversations Mike has ever had all because he liked to throw himself pity parties about having to listen to his straight friend talk about girls. This whole time, he should’ve known Mike was gay, he should’ve been supporting him through that.
“Oh my god.” Will choked out, “I am so so sorry Mike. I didn’t- I’m so sorry I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I didn’t mean to zone you out, especially not then. I just, I assumed you were talking about not wanting to be in a relationship yet, not that you were gay.”
He mourns all the missed time he had bonding with Mike for being like him. He tried not to feed into the spark of hope he suddenly had, the one that said Mike could return his feelings. Just because Mike liked men, doesn’t mean he wanted Will. Gay people could be friends, even though Will felt more- it doesn’t mean Mike viewed it as anything other than platonic. Will also has known he was gay for years, and been out to his friends, Will would’ve helped had he known. How hasn’t this been discussed at all? Surely there would have been times?
Well, maybe not. Will loved avoiding conversations about love, romance, and dating with Mike. It felt too painful for him, and he suddenly regrets this. It took years for this topic to finally come up again, and that’s actually insane. Then again, it’s not like Mike mentioned it either. Neither of them did. Their love lives were not a source of conversation on either end.
“So you didn’t hear what I said after I told you I didn’t want to date any girls?” Mike asked for clarification.
“Basically.” Will told his friend honestly.
Mike shook his head, “Wow. How do you even zone out like that?”
Will shrugs, feeling embarrassed, “Dunno.”
Mike narrows his eyes, “I think you do. C’mon Will I had to come out to you a second time, the least you could do is tell me why!”
If he didn’t live in the same space as Mike, this would be his cue to walk away and go home. But he unfortunately did, so there was no escaping, not when Mike was so close to him on Will’s literal bed.
He didn’t want to talk about his feelings for Mike, especially not right after Mike came out to him. It felt awkward and embarrassing, and honestly? Just a tad bit desperate. Also, there was still that whole situation with Max, about Mike having a so-called lover.
Unfortunately, it was difficult for Will Byers to lie to Mike Wheeler. He had only done it a handful of times in his life, and most of the time he became so consumed by guilt that he’d have to confess to Mike about it. He knows what he has to do, so he looks away from Mike and towards his hands that are clasped and resting on his lap.
“Uhh… Well, the thing is I just always lose my focus around you. You say something or do something and I become so transfixed by it. You’ll change your hairstyle or wear a new outfit and all I could do is think about how good you look. I’ll see a girl flirting with you and get upset about it, embarrassingly upset. My thoughts just become consumed by you that I start to ignore my surroundings, even you. I’m in love with you, and I think some part of me always has been and always will be. So yeah, when you were talking about not wanting to date girls I missed what you said because I was already envisioning a future where you’d backtrack on that. I missed your whole coming out moment because I like to pity myself and I am really sorry, Mike.” Will said honestly.
Mike gasped, and put his hand on top of Will’s clasped ones. Will looked up quickly and Mike smiled at him softly, “I wasn’t expecting this from tonight, either. I guess I should first say that you should probably stop apologizing. It was an honest mistake. Second, I’m in love with you too, Will. I was always kind of unsure of how you felt because you really confused me. It felt like you didn’t care as much that I was gay compared to Max or Jane, so I didn’t bother thinking you’d reciprocate. When you came out to all of us I kind of felt like blurting it out right then and there that I was in love with you, but I was still kind of scared.”
Will’s eyes softened. He would’ve said he’s sorry again, but Mike already told him not to. He couldn’t quite believe any of this was real, and that Mike liked him of all boys there were to like. It also oddly validated all of younger Will’s feelings, the Will that was so confused on why Mike acted so sweet to him compared to everyone else. The Will that was convinced Mike loved him back before he realized that being gay was something that wasn’t accepted within the larger society. Of course, puberty and middle school happened and Mike met Jane. He thought everything had been a trick of his own mind, that he read into Mike’s words or actions more than he should’ve.
It felt like a long time coming, and yet Will still had zero clue on what he should do or say next. Turns out he didn’t have to, because Mike leaned in and kissed him softly. It was soft like everything else involving Mike. Like his actions, the light hugs he’d always give the boy in elementary school, or the reassuring hand on his shoulder. It was soft like his voice, the voice that he reserved just for Will. All the little ‘are you okay?’s and the little laughs he sent Will’s way. The kiss was soft like Mike’s hair, that Will jumped at the chance to run his fingers through, soft like his skin that Will touched- the back of his neck. Mike sighed into the kiss and Will increased its pressure.
When they broke apart Mike had the dumbest looking smile on his face and Will gave him another quick peck because it was just adorable. Seeing Mike’s eyes widen and his face turn red makes Will laugh and then groan out, “God, you’re so cute.”
Mike turned even more red at that, “Me? Cute?”
Will nods and grabs Mike’s hand, entwining their fingers together. It felt solid and right. They could’ve been doing this for years if Will had got his head out of his ass. He wants to travel back in time and smack his younger self across the head for missing such a vital piece of information. How dare he?
“You’re the cutest, Mike.” Will says, not backing down.
“Thanks. I think you’re like… really hot, if that wasn’t already obvious.” Mike said, as if it was no big deal.
Will chokes on his own spit, and now he feels like he’s blushing like an idiot. No, it absolutely was not obvious. Mike Wheeler was calling him hot and now all the alarms were going off in his brain. He didn’t know the procedure to correctly handle this.
“Oh.” He said, dumbly.
Mike laughed and pulled him into another kiss that he returned just as passionately, “Seriously, Will. You can be kind of oblivious sometimes.”
BONUS:
Max chortled when Mike finished the story. Will only sighed, turning red from embarrassment. Will tried convincing Mike not to tell the whole party about his embarrassing mix-up while they visited Hawkins for break, but Mike said he had to.
Friends don’t lie.
That stupid rule from back when they were kids is the reason why everyone was staring at Will incredulously and laughing.
“Seriously Will! He came out two years ago, how didn’t you realize?” Max continues giggling.
Will only grumbled.
“That is super… heteronormative of you, Will.” Jane shook her head playfully teasing her brother. How did she know that word, anyways?
“What she said. C’mon, I’m straight and when Mike started telling me he wasn’t interested in girls I kinda sensed what he was going to say next.” Lucas said.
“I don’t deserve this bullying.”
“Nah, you totally do. Both of you, it’s honestly a miracle at all that you managed to get together. I thought we were going to have to Parent Trap you, or something.” Dustin said.
“Okay,” Mike said, raising his hand in defense, “We weren’t that bad.”
Will just shoots his boyfriend a look. Oh, so now he suddenly wants to come to Will’s defense? Only after the party starts turning on him too?
“Ugh, we don’t have to see you guys be all coupley now, though? Right?” Max said, making a face of disgust.
Mike and Will both looked to each other with a knowing grin on both their faces before they shared a kiss. The rest of the party groaned. He could hear Dustin bickering with Max about it being her fault, planting the idea in their heads.
“I think it’s sweet. They’re in love.” Was all Jane said.