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Will Byers stood in front of the mirror, he had beat Vecna a year ago now, but he still was scared to be alone half the time. He’d gotten a boyfriend a little while back, what 7 months ago?? He was sweet, cared about him and kept him sane—but Will longed for something more, he longed for Mike and his soft touch. Mike had stayed in Hawkins when Will moved out to NYC with Jonathan and Joyce, they’d stayed in touch well enough, but he wished so bad Mike came with him… he wondered if Mike had a girlfriend yet.
Jane had broken up with Mike after their fight with Vecna, she’d went off with her sister to explore-Hopper went with them too- so Mike was left single.
Will had gotten his hopes up too high, believed that there was something there when I guess there wasn’t, he’d told Mike he loved him and guess what he said back “I love you too Will, you’re my best friend!” And hugged him. That had solidified it for him, Mike Wheeler was just a friend-just a friend- so he’d packed up and left with his brother.
Jonathan had gotten into nyu so Joyce moved them all out there, again, god he was so tired of moving around. But now they’re all meeting back up in Hawkins for a reunion type thing, reunite and check to make sure all the gates are closed. Nancy ran the Wheeler house, Mike had said, Karen was still recovering from the Demogorgan attack so Nancy got the pleasure of being a lieutenant, Jonathan would probably love that Nancy.
AWill had never mentioned his boyfriend to Mike, thought he might leave it a nice surprise, I mean Mike had to know… right? Like it’s so obvious.
Anyway… he fixed his hair perfectly and ran out to meet his friends, they’d landed a few minutes ago and he immediately felt nauseated at the sight of Mike. When he ran back out he noticed the party talking to his boyfriend, Mike stared at him with suspicion and disgusted almost, he walked over and hugged all of them.
“Hey guys!” First was Lucas, he was taller and more muscular, his hug was tight and soft at the same time. Then Dustin, he looked exactly the same just with a different haircut. Then he went to hug Mike, Mike pulled him into the tightest hug he’d gotten from anyone since being rescued.
He smiled softly hugging him back, he just missed his best friend… when Will went to pull away Mike just squeezed him tighter, he laughed nervously. “Mike what’s your deal? It’s only been a year, you could’ve come sooner if you missed me that much.” He shoved at Mike against his strong grip, he let go.
“What I’m not allowed to wanna have a little hug?” He shrugged, he stood a little too close to Will, he thought the others probably noticed because they all looked a little nervous. “Whatever” he shoved him playfully, he then remembered his boyfriend-jeez- who he turned to, walking over and standing next to him.
He interlocked their fingers, his skin burned like it did every time they touched and not in a good way, looking towards everyone. “Hey everybody this is my uh my best friend. Ben.” Ben went to pull Will closer but he backed away, he waited for everyone’s reactions.
“Cool!” Max fist bumped him, everyone else followed, questioning Ben on random stuff-how was he, where’s he from, favorite movie, etc- he looked over to Mike who had this angry look on his face, Will walked over and spoke softly.
“Mike…. What’s wrong?” He placed a hand on his shoulder, Mike slapped it away. “I’m fine.” Will felt hurt inside, he probably didn’t wanna be his friend now, god he knew this was a mistake. “sorry” he walked off, holding back tears.
A little later Jane, Kali, and Hop arrived. Jane had long hair with a pink stripe in the front, she had a pretty sundress on that was yellow with little dandelions on it. Will ran up to her and hugged her tight, “Jane!” “Will!” Jonathan and Joyce joined in on the hug, he knew they weren’t related but El was always a part of their family.
Everyone greeted one another and started heading out, Robin and Steve were waiting back at the house with Erica and Holly who insisted on coming but there wasn’t enough room in the cars.
Will squeezed in the back of the car with Mike, Jane, and Ben. Oh god what an awkward bunch… exes, and Will shoved next to his boyfriend and the boy he pretends he is.
Luckily Nancy was driving so they’d be home soon… Jane talked with Ben about Will, his love for painting and movies whatever.. Ben reached over to hold his hand but Mike slapped it away. “Don’t.” He said to him. “What?” Mike shot him a nasty glare “I said, DONT.” He pulled Will closer to him.
‘What the hell is going on….?’ Wills heart pounded in his ears, he could feel Ben’s eyes burning a hole through him while Mike held him.
He tried his hardest to just pretend that this wasn’t happening but then Ben spoke up. “Hey Mike what the hell?” He reached for Will, who involuntarily flinched, curling into Mike. “No what the hell to you. He’s MY best friend, who do you think you are??” Jane tried to calm everyone down “Hey, Will belongs to himself!” She waved her arms around trying to distract them, which just made Mike more mad.
Ben: “You’re trying to steal him from me!”
Mike: “You’re not his keeper!”
Ben: “Well neither are you!!”
Mike: “Well you don’t know shit about him!”
Ben: “Whats that supposed to mean?!”
Mike: “Tell me what his favorite band is?”
Ben: “It’s ’the clash’ duh!!”
Mike: “His favorite band is ‘the cure’! His favorite song is ‘should I stay or should I go’ which is by ‘the clash’! But you probably don’t care to learn the difference huh?!”
Will stopped listening after that, it was just a lot of yelling. He felt his body being pushed and pulled, he just wanted to curl up into Mike and say that he didn’t care about Ben and he was just a replacement, but he couldn’t. Ben grabbed his hand trying to pull him closer but Mike wasn’t having it, he pushed him away. “I told you-“ this car ride couldn’t get any worse.
They pulled into the Wheelers driveway and Jonathan announced to the car “We’re here! Everyone out!” Thank. God. Jane hopped out quickly and rushed over to Kali who had been listening the whole time, she laughed and shoved her saying something. Ben offered his hand to Will when he was getting out, but he just pushed it away. Mike growled at him as he walked past.
Once everyone was settled inside the Wheelers house and doing their own thing, Ben cornered Will.
“What the fuck!?” He grabbed Will’s arm, he pulled back and silently gasped. Ben looked at him with angry, confused eyes. “Why are you acting like this all of a sudden?! What is wrong with you?! What is wrong with you?!!”
He stepped closer to Will, who stepped back and tripped over his foot-he made a loud thud when he hit the ground, not too hard just a loud sound in the old creaky house.
Someone yelled “What was that!!?” And then he heard footsteps approaching, quickly.
Oh god this day couldn’t get any fucking worse.
He saw his mom, Jonathan, Mike, Jane, and Hopper, all run in with something big to fight with (Mike with in his candle stick) “Will!” Joyce shouted in concern, but they all froze in shock when they turned the corner and found Will just sitting on the floor looking scared, and Ben standing over him looking confused and also a little scared.
“What the hell is going on?” Jonathan asked in a stern voice as Mike ran over, shoving past Ben who looked shocked. “No-nothing I was just asking him something and he freaked out!” Mike rushed over to him on the ground and grabbed his arm. “Will! Are you okay?” He looked up into Mike’s eyes, he had that same look he’d had the day he’d gotten his powers.
“Yea- I-I’m fine Mike… thanks, no need to worry.” He pushed Mike’s hand away and went to stand up on his own, but Mike had beat him to it and scooped him up. “Woah-“ he yelped as he was suddenly being carried by Mike, ‘Since when was he so strong? He could barely pick up a hammer the last time I saw him…’ he tried to form words but his mouth felt dry, he just managed to let out a confused laugh.
Mike brought him to the living room where everyone else was, they all just pretended like nothing was happening.
Was he the only one who thought this was weird?
Was he the only one who felt extremely gay all of a sudden??
Mike sat him down on the couch and snuggled next to him, he leaned his head atop Wills. Max and Lucas sat on the floor, sitting in the exact same position. What was happening…? Was Mike intentionally doing this?? Leading him on?? He couldn’t pay attention to anything when all he could think about was how confused he was right now.
Mike had always been a little clingy, that was the reason he had fell in love with him, but this is bizzare-beyond clingy- this was straight up boyfriend behavior.
Ben and the rest of the group came back in, Ben was sat all the way across the room from Will and Mike. He stared at them the whole time, looking jealous and angry, as if he wanted to beat up Mike.
Once everyone was done sitting around watching the movie Nancy, Jonathan, Steve, and Robin started making dinner. Nancy said that she just wanted Jonathan’s help but Steve insisted, Robin and Steve go everywhere together so she just tagged along.
They all ended up in the basement playing dnd, Jane was excited to play, it was her first time. Mike was still the dm obviously, so they all got into their respective seats and grabbed their little figures.
Jane decided that she wanted to be a half cat bard or something, she sat next to Dustin who explained most of the rules. Kali and Max sat out, neither of them were too interested in playing a ‘nerd game’ as Max called it, so they just watched them and laughed.
Will was hardly paying attention the whole time while Mike directed them through battle with a fire giant or something, he was too focused on the fact his hair fell perfectly in front of his face when he looked at Will. Ben sat in the corner pouting like a child who’d been scolded, he’d fucked up bad and didn’t know how to fix it…
he loved Mike so much he couldn’t not take his side and do whatever he wanted. It was Wills turn to fight the beast when Nancy called them up, Mike stayed right beside Will the whole time, glued to his side like after he’d been rescued from the upside down.
Ben tried to sit down next to Will but Mike and Jonathan had already taken both those seats. Mike gently held Will’s hand under the table the whole time, he didn’t like how everything about him felt like a secret, how he had to hide behind all these lies-they were all piling up too high for him to keep track.
After dinner Mike had dragged him into his bedroom, he could see the picture he’d made him framed and hung up right near his bed, he firmly held Will’s arm. “What’s that mouthbreathers deal?” God he hated when he said that, but it was so cute when he did.
Every time Mike opened his mouth it just cut Will even deeper, he’d begun to get used to the sting but lately it felt like a saw blade ripping through his skin.
“Mike!” He shoved him, not hard but hard enough for him to get the point. “Actually what’s your deal?! You bring around some dude and suddenly he’s trying to take you from me? You expect me to be okay with that?!?” He shouts, definitely loud enough for the rest of the house to hear. “Mike! I don’t belong to you!”
This triggered something inside Micheal, he grabbed Will and pulled him into a kiss, it was messy and passionate-something Will had been needing for a long time-when the two break apart from each other Mike was blushing, his freckled cheeks were a soft pink color that drew Will right back in. He reached out and touched his cheek.
“Was that it? Was that all you wanted to say? Or is there more?” Will brushed a strand of hair out of Mike’s face, he turned his face into Will’s touch, reaching up and placing his hand atop his.
“That’s all, that’s all I’ve wanted to say for a long time.” Will’s expression darkens for a moment “Then why did you reject me every time?!” His voice raised, his gentle demeanor cracking slightly. “Reject you? You never asked….” It was then that everything fell into place like a jigsaw, Mike Wheeler wasn’t homophobic-or not interested in Will- he was just oblivious to the obvious hints Will had dropped.
“Oh.” Was all he managed to choke out while he stared at Mike, who looked like a sad kid trying to get something from their mom. “I love you Will, and I’m sorry if I didn’t get it when you asked… I didn’t mean to reject you or make you sad, I thought you didn’t like me back.” He gave Will those puppydog eyes that worked just about every time. “I love you Will… so much… please believe me.” He takes both of Will’s hands and kisses them softly, whispering about how much he loved him.
This made Will’s stomach turn, he’d started dating Ben to pretend like he was Mike, but now he’s got Mike-what’s he supposed to do.
He and Mike walk downstairs to surprisingly nobody staring at them, Dustin Lucas Max and Jane were playing cards while Erica and Kali watched, Erica was banned from playing cards with Jane since she was too competitive. Ben sat with his arms crossed on the couch, he looked upset.
He shot up the moment he saw Will, rushing over to him in an angry frenzy. “What the hell!!” He shouts, gesturing between the two in anger. “Will I need to talk to you NOW. Without Mike!” He attempts to drag Will towards the stairs but Mike grabs his arm firmly, not letting go. “Don’t touch him.” He shoved Ben, hard, he fell into the wall and stared at Mike in a mix of shock and fear.
“You have the audacity to come into my house and treat my best friend like this? You’re lucky everyone else is here…” he lunged at Ben, Will pulling him back aggressively. “Mike!” He whipped around with a frustrated frown, his gaze softening at the sight of Will’s face.
“Fine. But you better fix your attitude.” He shoved Ben once more in a show of dominance, “If he says anything just call for me, ok?” He brushes his finger across Will’s cheek before disappearing around the corner.
“We’re done.” Ben pushed past Will and out the door, he stood there in a confused sadness. He hadn’t wanted to hurt Ben, but he did, god he can’t do anything right!
It was time for bed now and everyone filed into their rooms. Nancy and Jonathan together obviously, Hopper and Joyce on the couch, Jane and Kali took the basement, Will and Mike together, Ben in the spare room he was supposed to be sharing with Will.
Will sat waiting for Mike on his bed, he kept checking the time, minutes passed by and Mike still wasn’t back. He heard a yelp followed by a loud thud coming from the guest bedroom, he rushed in there to find Mike holding a hunting knife covered in blood. Will rushed over to him in fear, had he been hurt?
“Mike! Are you okay??” He grabbed his face and checked for injuries, he was free of them, then who did all this blood belong to? He looked down at the floor to see Ben lying there covered in blood, he had two large stab wounds on his neck and chest.
“Micheal what did you do?” He looked around at the mess he’d made, “Mike… MIKE??”Mike dropped the knife, wiping sweat from his forehead-smearing blood across his pale skin-Mike stood up and looked to Will, his expression blank yet filled with too many emotions to pinpoint one.
“Will I did what I had to… he was… he was trying to steal you from me!” He reached out and cupped Will’s face, his hands were cold and wet with blood, but they felt oh so warm to Will. “Mike y-you killed him!” Tears pricked the corners of his eyes, he wanted to feel bad but Mike had done it for him so he felt honored almost. Ben would’ve never killed anyone for him.
“Will please- I-i love you!” Warm tears streamed down his cheeks, mirroring Will’s, his voice was panicked as he whispered anything he thought Will might like. “I love you Will please!” Will smacks Mike really hard before pulling him in for a kiss, it was bloody and angry.
Will pulled away looking into Mike’s eyes, those soft brown eyes…
“Why did you slap me??!”
“Cuz you killed my fucking boyfriend Mike!”
There was a moment of silence.
“But i honestly don’t care as much as i should.” He looks down to the puddle of bright red blood, he was drenched in it. He hadn’t been drenched in blood since defeating Vecna. “Ben would’ve never killed anyone for me… but I don’t find this charming. Not one bit.” He lied through his teeth, weither he wanted to admit it or not he did find this very very charming.
“Come on Mike we gotta hide a body now…”