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After Vecnas death, Will and the rest of the Byers-Hopper family moved back to Hawkins. Learning that Mike and the rest had joined another party when they were back in California didn’t sit right with Will. He knew it was stupid, they had defeated an other-worldly monster together, feeling betrayed over something like that was ridiculous. Yet, he still did.
All those feelings faded into the shadows when Dustin finally dragged him to one of their campaigns though.
It was amazing. Eddie was one of the best DM’s they had ever had (no offense Mike). He made the story feel alive and exciting in a way no one else could. And Gareth. Will had been approached by him during one of the breaks in between the roleplaying. He had suggested that their characters were linked together in a mystical and magical way. Will loved the idea of the connection and told Gareth just that. The older boy had asked if he was free that following night and could come to his place to work on their background together.
Which Will could.
The evening had quickly turned into laughter and fooling around though. The background thing they were supposed to be working on only took an hour, and they just hung out the rest of the time. They both just “clicked” perfectly, like two puzzle pieces. Understanding each other on another level, as if they had been best friends for decades.
Because they always had a wonderful time with each other, they began to frequently hang out. Leaving Will with a lovely feeling in his gut every single time. Making a new friend, he had told himself. That’s why I feel complete and happy around him, was also an “explanation.” Those explanations worked for three days before Will couldn’t deny it anymore. He was head-over-heels in love with Gareth, and it was going to be his demise. He may have had some shit thrown at him in the past, but he at least had Gareth now. Friend or not.
They had been friends for a few weeks now, and Will was sitting on the floor resting his head on the side of the bed. He was humming a song Gareth had shown him earlier from the band Nirvana. Gareth had gone to the bathroom a while earlier, and Will wasn’t surprised when Gareth entered the room and closed the door. He was, however, confused as to why Gareth was standing with his back to the door. Will could see him out of the corner of his eye but broke his gaze into space to get a better look at what Gareth was doing. The older boy was chewing on the inside of his cheek before taking a deep breath and meeting Will’s eyes.
“We gotta talk.” Gareth said with an expression Will couldn’t quite read.
“What about?” Will responded.
“I have to tell you something.” The older boy said as a response.
Will’s mind was already racing. A, “I have to tell you something.” was never a good thing to hear. He was expecting something horrible. Something that would leave him feeling empty and sad. But nothing could prepare him from the words that came next.
“I... Uhh, fuck it,”
“I like you Will.” “Like a lot.” Gareth said.
When the words reached Will’s ears, he was stunned. Gareth liked him. Amazing, awesome, beautiful Gareth liked him. In that moment Will felt on top of the world. He wanted to respond but the words just got stuck in his throat, so he just showed Gareth instead.
He stood from the floor and walked up to him. He cupped Gareth’s cheeks in his hands and connected their lips in a slow gentle kiss.
He pulled away a few seconds later, but they kept their faces close to each other.
“I really like you as well.” Will told the older boy.
“Really?” he asked, as if not daring to believe it.
“Really." Will confirmed.
At those words, Gareth put his arms around Will’s shoulders and pulled him closer. The second kiss was more intense, filled with desire and love. Will’s right hand fell to Gareth’s waist, and his left to the side of his neck. He felt Gareth’s tongue swiping on his lower lip, asking for permission. Will happily parted his lips, giving the older boy access. When their tongues touched, Will thought he was going to faint.
When they eventually parted to catch their breath, Will was on cloud nine. He had just kissed Gareth, no, he made out with him.
Before Will had time to overthink or believe he was dreaming. Gareth dragged him to the bed to make out some more.