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At some point during the 18 months that the Byers were living with the Wheelers, something unspoken began brewing between Mike and Will. The frequency of shared looks and touches increased, and it snowballed into Will sleeping in Mike’s room with him instead of the basement, holding each other close even if it was too hot and they were sweating through their shirts. There was no big confession, no “what are we?”, no miscommunications, it was just them. Soon they simply knew that they were in a relationship without having to say so. Though, Mike had multiple conversations with Will, taking accountability or his obliviousness and how it made him act towards Will. And El.
El was the only one who knew about them. She deserved to. In late May of 1986, before they had defeated Vecna for real, El and Mike had managed to find time to sit alone together, something they hadn’t done in weeks.
In her matter-of-fact way, El said “So, we should probably break up, right?” In any other situation, this statement would be shocking, world stopping, leaving the other questioning why? But not for them. Mike simply nodded like El just told him grass is green or the sky is blue. They weren’t meant to be together in this way. It wasn’t right. Wasn’t love.
He stared at the wall, tracing the patterns in the wood. “...Hey, you know that whatever happens, I’ll always care about you so much. I’m sorry I wasn’t a better boyfriend to you El. You deserve better than me.” Mike had unshed tears in his eyes, not because he was sad about the breakup, but because he felt so much guilt. How much pain, direct or indirect, he caused El and Will tore him up inside. He hoped that he could make up for lost time with Will.
As if she was reading Mike’s mind, El said with a smile “I know Mike, it's okay. You can… be better with Will. Be the boyfriend you’re supposed to be.”
Mike’s eyes widened, “Will? How did you know?” He wasn’t gonna try to lie, there was no point, the truth about everything was obvious. It’s why Mike and El’s relationship turned into nothing over the course of the year. Why it never really was something. Just a relationship built on expectations. Mike meets a girl, they like each other's company, so they should date. It’s why Mike could never say I love you, because he knew those words were reserved for someone else.
El laughed quietly. “Will is my brother. I… I can see how he looks at you. And how you look at him. You and I never looked at each other that way.” It should’ve been a sad statement, but again, it was just factual, El still smiling slightly as she said it.
When Mike left the cabin that night, he and El shared a hug, and it felt like the first real hug between them in a long time, not trying to prove anything to anyone anymore.
“Friends?” El whispers into Mike’s shoulder. Mike smiles.
“Friends. Always.”
———
It’s now December of 1987, and life is finally as normal as it can be for everyone. For real this time. It will never go back to the way it was before Will went missing, but in some ways, Mike is grateful for that. Because now he gets to bike to the Byers’ new house at night, climb through Will’s window and kiss him until their lips are sore. He gets to fall asleep with him, limbs entangled in all sorts of ways. He gets to listen to music with him, head resting on his shoulder. Oftentimes it’s a mixtape Will made for the two of them, usually consisting of The Cure, Queen, or David Bowie. Mike always tells him that “Just Like Heaven” reminds him of Will, whispering it in his ear like those words are only meant for him. Mike doesn’t want things to go back to the way they were. Ever. So much is different now too, with Will having abilities like El. Will is still getting used to it, often forgetting he even has them, especially considering there are no monsters to fight off anymore. Occasionally he’ll shut a door or turn off a light with his mind. It hasn’t changed him though. He’s still the same Will. Mike was never more awestruck than he was that night Will saved his life. He remembers running up to Will afterwards and kissing him like doing so would keep him afloat in an ocean storm, heart racing faster than it ever has.
Mike’s biking to Will’s now, eager to spend another evening with him, his lips craving to be connected with Will’s. Mike wants to melt into Will sometimes. To be even closer to him somehow. He truly feels like Will is a part of him. They’re a pair that can never be separated. Mike reaches Will’s window and gently knocks three times like always. He sees hazel eyes peer through the blinds. He feels warm. Will slides the window open for him and Mike climbs in a little too quickly, excited nerves filling every molecule of his body. He stumbles forward a foot or two and ends up in front of Will’s bed, almost tripping over a notebook or something on the floor. When he gets his bearings Will is staring at him, a look in his eyes Mike has never seen before.
“Hi.” Mike utters, heart on fire. Will waves his hand behind him and slams the window shut with his powers in such a casual, unassuming way and it unleashes butterflies in Mike’s stomach, his entire being. Will takes two determined steps towards Mike and crashes into him, hands cupping his face and kissing him with so much intention and desire. Mike doesn’t know what to do with himself. He’s never seen Will like this. This hungry. Mike kisses back, of course, grabbing Will’s face, hair, arms, all over. Will pulls away, if only for a second, to lead Mike to his bed, pushing him down. Mike is frozen, letting Will have him. He’s certainly not complaining. Will straddles Mike, kissing him again. Kissing until Mike’s stupid lungs need stupid air.
“Holy shit… I- Will.” Mike breathes. He doesn’t know what he intended to say. He’s completely awestruck, Will still straddling him with his face flushed. Mike feels hot all over.
“Hi Mike. Sorry if that was too intense.” Will suddenly gets more shy than he was a moment ago when he showed Mike a side of himself that he wants to see again and again. Seeing Will move with such confidence takes Mike’s mind to places he hasn’t dared to say out loud yet.
“Dude, when you like- when you closed the window like that. That was really, um, hot.” Mike blurts, mind hazy. Nothing matters besides the fact that Will is on top of Mike still, that Mike's hands are holding his hips and that Will is still holding Mike’s face. Will smiles, looking away shyly. Mike hasn’t called him that yet. Mike loves getting Will flustered like this. He grabs Will’s chin and pulls him in for another kiss, more gentle this time around.
“Oh… I didn’t even realize I did that, honestly. I was so focused on kissing you, I’ve been waiting all day for…” Will connects their lips again “...this.” Their chests are heaving up and down, in rhythm with each other.
“I’ve been waiting too. I’ve been waiting a really long time. I never thought I’d get to do these things with you.” Mike nearly whispers.
“Me either. This is crazy.” They laugh, and it feels so warm, so right. Mike wants to laugh with Will for the rest of his life.
“I’m… I’m sorry it took me so long to get my shit together.”
“Mike, I know. It’s okay now.” Will reassures, rubbing gentle circles on Mike’s cheeks. Electric sparks bouncing wherever Will touches.
“I just can’t help it, I feel so bad sometimes. So bad. The thought of me ever hurting you destroys me. I’m sorry Will.” Mike has to swallow away the tears that threaten to form. Will’s eyebrows furrow and his eyes are reminiscent of a puppy’s. Mike wants to cry over the fact that someone can look at him like this.
“Mike, baby, I don’t want you to feel guilty anymore. I promise it’s okay.” Mike feels like his heart is beating way too fast for it to be healthy. The pet name sends him reeling and he doesn’t know what else to do but kiss Will again, with that same desire from earlier. Will makes a quiet noise of surprise but quickly returns the energy, wrapping his arms around Mike. His nails dig into Mike’s back a bit and it drives him absolutely mad. They pull apart again and Will’s face is red, some sweat trickling down his forehead. He’s beautiful. He laughs breathily, smiling at Mike like he is the sun itself.
“Where’d that come from?” Will asks as he pets Mike’s hair, wrapping a curl or two around his finger. Mike leans into the touch.
“Sorry. It’s just- I’ve never been called baby before. I really liked that.” It’s his turn to feel shy and he can't help covering his face due to the intensity of it all. Pet names were never a thing with El, and even if they were it probably wouldn’t result in Mike feeling much. No, hearing it from Will is almost too much for Mike to bear. He hears Will chuckle and he pulls Mike’s hands from his face, rubbing his knuckles with his thumbs. There’s so much tenderness in every touch from Will.
“Don’t be sorry. You’re so cute when you get like this.” Will says. “And I meant what I said. I don’t want you to feel guilty anymore. I want to make up for lost time with you, not dwell on the past, okay baby?” He purposely draws out that last word a bit, grinning toothily at Mike’s reaction.
“Willllll” Mike whines, “...my heart can’t take it. Stop.” There’s no actual frustration behind his words, in fact he doesn’t sound stern at all. His voice trembles a bit due to the nerves. Good nerves. Truthfully, he doesn’t want Will to stop. Never.
Will adjusts, getting off of Mike’s lap and flopping down next to him. “C’mere.” Will coos, patting his chest as an invitation. Mike doesn’t hesitate to lay his head there, curling up against Will.
“Did you really like seeing me use my powers?” Will asks. Mike lifts his head to look at Will.
“Uh, yes! I don’t know why. Well, I don’t- I mean, I’m already attracted to you, like a lot. And something about you using your powers like, does it for me. Wow that sounded crazy. Sorry” Mike rambles. He’s never been the most eloquent. Will is visibly blushing.
“Well then,” he kisses Mike, briefly “I’ll be sure to use them more often. Just for you.” Mike feels those butterflies again. Just for you. “Let’s see…” Will’s eyes scan his room, and they land on his sketchbook and pencil sitting on his desk. He reaches out a hand, bringing the items to him in one swift motion. Mike sits up beside Will to give him room to draw.
“Woah. That was awesome.” Mike means it. Seeing Will’s capabilities truly mesmerizes him every time.
“Thanks. Here, stay still.” Will says, adjusting so he's sitting cross legged in front of Mike. His brows furrow in focus, studying Mike’s features with so much care that it makes Mike a bit emotional. Mike obliges, because he loves Will’s art. He also loves that he gets to sit here and stare at Will for who knows how long. His beautiful face that he used to only see through quick glances or when Will wasn’t aware. Now he can take him in unapologetically.
“I wish I could draw like you. But I don’t think I could ever capture how good you look.” Mike says, tilting his head and body affectionately. Will looks up, smiling, cheeks pink.
“Trust me, capturing your beauty on paper is a monumental task as well. Stay still my love” Will reminds him, and Mike sits straight again. He continues to watch Will’s hand move with so much ease, drawing curls, dotting freckles, filling in shapes. It’s hypnotizing. Will looks so serene, chestnut hair hanging down as Will looms over his sketchbook. Lips slightly pursed in focus. It’s as if the rest of the world disappears when Will Byers is drawing.
“I love you Will.” Mike says suddenly, smiling so warmly, so wide that his face hurts from it. Will brings his attention to Mike again, setting his sketchbook aside to lean forward and kiss Mike. Sometimes it feels like kissing is all they know how to do. So much care and adoration being shown every time their lips connect.
“I love you Mike. I really do.” Will sighs lovingly. “Alright, I’m basically done with the drawing. Here.” He reaches for his sketchbook once more, presenting the drawing to Mike. As always, Mike is taken aback by his talent. Every single one of Mike’s features is captured in such a loving way. His eyes are dark and large, highlights present in them. His freckles are drawn in a way that reminds Mike of stars. Whenever Mike feels insecure, he reminds himself that this is how Will depicts him and suddenly the negative feelings melt away.
“Oh my god, Will, this is so… this is beautiful. Can I keep this one?” He asks, eyes still locked on the drawing, taking in every detail. Will sits next to Mike again, nuzzling his head on his shoulder.
“Of course. I’m glad you like it.”
“I really do. You’re so talented… baby” Mike tries. Will looks away for a second, but is very obviously smiling too.
“O-oh. I guess I like being called that too.”
“See Will? Now you know how I feel.”
“I’m so glad that I do.”