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The last campaign. It doesn't seem real. Will helps Mike clean as Max and Lucas put their binders up for the final time. They both wipe tears and head up the stairs as Dustin puts his away, also crying and following behind them. Will finishes helping Mike clean. The two of them share a small glance as they grab their binders. Will heads to the shelf with tears in his eyes and places his binder on the shelf. As he's about to head up the stairs he hears Mike binder slide into its rightful spot next to his.
“Will?” Mike's voice is uncertain and unreadable.
“Yeah?” Will sniffles quietly, turning on the stairs to face Mike.
“Before you…go” Mike says looking at the ground then back at Will.
Will walks back down the stairs with anticipation in each step. Mike reaches into his pocket and fishes out something he hands to Wil. Will looks down confused but then he sees it. Will the wise. The D&D figurine Will thought he had lost ages ago.
“This is-”
“Will the wise.” Mike says cutting off Will. Will looks up from his palm and at Mike whose eyes still have tears in them. From what Will can only assume is from Mike putting his binder up for the final time.
“I thought I lost this” will laugh and smile as he looks back down at his palm. “You had him all this time?”
“I kept him with me no matter where I went, after you went missing. I know it was selfish, and I knew how much you wanted to find it but…I guess I just felt like..I always needed you." Mike says while rubbing the back of his neck looking guilty.
“I just..I know you're moving and I think it's time I let him go” Mike looks in Will's eyes like he's holding back. “Even though, I admit, I don't want to.”
“Mike, you will never lose me, even though we'll be in different places” Will smiles. “Doesn't change the fact that I will always be right by your side” Will hands back the figure. “Keep it, as a reminder” Will smiles wide.
“Mean it?” Mike smiles looking at the figure now back in his hands once more.
“Always.” Will smiles back but this time letting a tear flow down the side of his cheek. Will goes to wipe his tears but Mike beats him to the punch.
Mike's hands are soft and warm; they feel unfamiliar but also like they belong. Mike cups will face gently, like Will is fragile. Mike smiles warmly at Will as he wipes his tears with his thumb. Letting his own tears flow as well. Will reaches and cups Mike's face as well, wiping each tear that passes. They both let out a laugh and reach for each other simultaneously. They embrace one another in a hug. They stay like this for some time.
Neither want to let go, but all good things come to an end. Will and Mike pull back just enough to see each other's faces.
“I'll hold you to that promise y’know” Mike smiles sheepishly.
“Good” Will returns the smile and for a moment there's something there. They both could feel it. The air was thick and their breaths were quickening. “Mike?” Will looked at Mike's facial expression and for the first time, he wasn't completely unreadable.
Mike runs his fingers through Will's hair. “Will…” The way he said his name sounded like it was meant to be a question, but it came out almost like a plea.
Will tilted his head up and just for a second nothing else mattered. Mike looked shy but also so confident in what he was about to do. Mike moved his hand from Will's hair to cup his face once again. They both leaned in slowly-
WHAM
The basement door opens wide. They pull themselves apart quickly. Mike awkwardly shares a look of worry with Will, then they both look at the door.
“You said you'd be done an hour ago!” said Holly running down the stairs with all her friends. They all take their seats fighting over who is who and where to start. Mike and Will share a glance and laugh a little before walking up the basement stairs shoulder to shoulder.
Halfway up and out of view, Mike places his arm on Will's shoulder and leans over. Mike kisses the top of Will's head and Will turns to Mike. Mike moves his arm from his shoulder down to holding Will's hand. They share a smile and walk up the stairs for the last time.
THE END.