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Will Byers really didn’t know how it all started.
He tried to look away and not to fixate, but his eyes always ending up back on that tall figure, excitedly talking with Lucas and Dustin about vampires.
And what he meant by it was Mike Wheeler who started wearing glasses everywhere out of nowhere, not only when he’s writing.
The worst part? Will liked it. A little bit too much actually.
After they successfully survived basically a whole space level apocalypse, things slowly becoming better and even ‘normal’ (well, as normal as things can be in Hawkins). Renovations started taking place after the Great Earthquake, people were slowly coming back in and stores were opening up. School unfortunately continued on, and Will did not know how they managed to graduate after all the crazy things happened to them.
Dustin becoming valedictorian of their year and getting into one of the best universities was not a surprising thing at all, Will always knew that Dustin was destined for even greater things out there. Lucas and Max decided to settle down for a bit in Hawkins, but just last week Max said that they’re discussing which college was better for them to go together. Jane on the other hand told him that she wanted to travel around the world by herself, Will just hoped that it’s not going to be sometimes soon because he still wanted his sister close to him.
Honestly, all of it tasted a little bittersweet, the party’s going on their own paths. Not for forever, obviously, and they could always visit each other? but it’s still bittersweet.
What about him and Mike, you ask? Well. Will’s eyes finding their way back to Mike, still oblivious to his wandering eyes.
There had been some talks about moving to New York together, or even to Massachusetts; there had also been another talk about them living together, sharing an apartment. Even just thinking about it already making Will feeling so giddy and excited.
But now, he didn’t know if he can survive living in one apartment (platonically!) with Mike if his best friend started wearing glasses all the time.
Max’s groan bringing him out of his little daydream before it can spiral, finally noticing that Will probably in a daydream about a certain person, and he already knew what she’s going to say. “I still don’t get it. Really, Will? Out of all people, you chose to fall for Wheeler?”
Jane giggled on the other side of him. “He’s not that great of a kisser, you know.”
Will spluttered, feeling his cheeks heating up a little. “Jane! Why are we suddenly talking about kissing here?”
Max rolled her eyes, lowering down her voice. “Because! You look at Mike like you want to either eat him up or kiss the life out of him.”
“Eat him— It’s not my fault that he looks good wearing glasses!”
Max shook her head theatrically, throwing an unbelievable look at him. “Oh, I should’ve known that we really can’t save you from him. You cannot be saved at all, Will Byers.”
“Save me?!” Now it’s Will’s turn to giggle, shoving Max lightly.
“Oh, Max,” Jane said, looking solemn. “He does not want to be saved from Mike.”
The three of them burst into boisterous laughters, to the point that Will teared up a little.
The thing was, Will still so deeply in love with one Michael Wheeler.
All his friends except Mike already knew about it, especially Max, who had been quite sick of it (because, again, it’s Mike) but never complained when Will asked her to hang out just to talk about his feelings.
They’ve never really talked about it explicitly. And honestly, Will had tried to move on, tried to accept that Mike was only seeing him as his best friend and nothing else. As simple as that. He never brought up his feelings for Mike and had no plans to do it ever, as Mike was oblivious to it.
But Mike put the painting he gave him on the wall of his room, right next to his writing desk. Mike was always checking up on him whenever Will felt a little uncomfortable. Mike always saved a seat right next to him whether it’s just for casual hangout in the Wheeler basement or in the cinema. Mike always, always acted so sweet and protective and attentive to him these past year, that Will did not have the power to ask on what he’s doing.
Sometimes, it felt like Mike actually returned his feelings for him.
So yeah, long story short Will was fucked. There’s no way he’s going to ever move on from this boy.
Their ruckus apparently caught the attention of the trio who were still arguing about their latest campaign, making a few eyebrows raised because of how loud they laughed.
“Now what are you fair ladies and fair gent laughing about over there?” Dustin raised his eyebrow, finally looking over. “Must be something very funny.”
“Must’ve been super funny because Max is literally shedding tears right now.” Lucas nodded, acting as if he’s not smirking and already knowing what they’re talking about.
Mike was a different case, because he just went straight to the sofa and pulling Will up from his seat dramatically as if he’s a maiden need to be saved. “Are they bullying you, Will the Wise? Fear not, this paladin will save you from evil!”
He glared playfully at Jane and Max, dragging Will by his wrist (oh, so gently) so that he’s now placed behind Mike’s figure. Again, at this position, Mike looked even more handsome, with glasses perching on his face. Will wasn’t even going to lie and say that he’s not blushing over this.
”Stop with your theatrics for once.” Max rolled her eyes hard, probably thinking about how corny Mike was. “Saving Will from evil as if you’re not the true evil one here, Wheeler.”
“Hey! What does that supposed to mean?”
Jane sighed, finally stopped laughing. There’s a tiny smile on her face, before dropping the bomb. “Mike, consider losing the glasses before you plan to save Will.”
That comment was followed by a bunch of laughters around the room, including Dustin who tried so hard holding back his own laugh because just earlier he said directly to Mike’s face that ‘the glasses really looks flattering on you, Mike, if I’m being honest’.
“What! What’s wrong with me wearing glasses?” Mike consciously touched his glasses, furrowing his brows.
Max shared a pointed look with Lucas. “Well, how do I say this nicely… You know what, maybe I should say this not nicely.”
Lucas made a pained face, an awkward grin already present there. “Let’s just say. You look. Like. You know. Ted.”
Will couldn’t really see Mike’s whole face from his current position, but even from here he could see that Mike was so perplexed by what Lucas said that it looked like his face went through a thousand expressions of horror and grief before settling into an expression of one hundred percent insulted.
“Oh my god, you guys are so—” Mike stopped in the middle of his sentence, then inhaled deeply. “Is it really that bad…?”
His question immediately answered by multiple yeahs, some were more exasperated than the others. Dustin looked sheepish when he said his ‘yeah man, sorry’.
Max looked like she wanted to rip the glasses out of Mike’s face with her own hands.
Mike groaned, shooting them all an annoyed look while pinching the bridge of his nose. “You guys are just exaggerating and biased.”
“How are we exaggerating and biased exactly?”
“Well,” Mike started, and Will should’ve known he was about to say something vindicating because he took a couple (maybe even triple) glances at Will. “Last week, Will said to me that I look good wearing these glasses. So, there! Will’s opinion is always right to me, anyway. So.”
Will was glad that Mike turned his face to their other friends, because right now he’s pretty sure that his face was as red as when he got a sunburn back in California.
Max scoffed, shaking her head. “And you’re calling us biased? Really?”
“Really,” Mike faced Will again, and of course at that exact moment he used his infamous ‘Will voice’. The sweet and soft one. “Right, Will? You said I look good with these.”
Will blinked, trying to ignore the heat on his cheeks, and ignoring the looks of bewilderment mixed with ‘are you kidding me’ from their friends.
Because he did think that Mike looked good wearing glasses. Really good, if he’s being super honest.
“Um. Yeah, guys. It looks nice on Mike.”
Will didn’t dare looking at their friends, because he knew right now Max probably rolled her eyes hard again, adding the tally for how many times tonight she did that.
Instead of looking comforted as Will expected, Mike looked at him with his signature Wheeler puppy dog eyes. “Only nice?”
Will was about to build a defense case because he’s weak to Mike’s puppy dog eyes, when Max once again saved him. “Enough of this glasses talk, it’s already late and I need to wake up early tomorrow.”
The rest of the party murmured in agreement, followed by Mike’s dramatic defeated sigh. The conversation quickly took a turn into making plans on when the next time they’re going to hang out again, with Dustin already halfway up the basement staircase, with Lucas, Max, and Jane trailing after him.
Will lingered behind, because of course he had already promised Mike to help him a little with his writing, even though Will was pretty sure Mike did not need any help.
“Byers, you’re not going back to the cabin with Jane?” Max called out from the basement’s door, with Jane behind her peering down.
“Uh,” Will looked back at Mike behind him, “You guys go ahead, I promised Mike to help him with something.”
Will did not think it was possible, but Mike’s gaze turned even softer than before, a warm smile grazing his lips. If Will didn’t know any better, he would think Mike was in love with him.
No way.
He glanced at Max at the top of the staircase, she shook her head and mouthed ‘cannot be saved’ before scoffing. “Sure, helping him with ‘something’. See you guys next Sunday.”
Both him and Mike let out a faint ‘bye’ at them, followed by Max closing the basement door.
And now there’s only two of them, alone in the basement.
Right, Will could definitely do this.
Mike’s already sitting down on the vacant sofa, he stared right at Will with an unreadable gaze, but the warm smile from before still staying firm on his lips. He patted the seat next to him, gesturing Will to sit down next to him.
Quirking a smile and feeling playful, Will decided to stand in front of him instead, looking down at his best friend. “Now I’m taller than you.”
Mike laughed, a teasing smile directed at Will now. “I thought you like me being taller than you.”
Will felt his face flushed. “I have never said that before, Michael.”
“You don’t have to say it, William,” Mike beamed at him, one of his hands automatically reaching for Will’s, gently holding his fingers as if Will would run away from him.
Will cleared his throat, but he had no heart to tug his fingers out of Mike’s hold. “I think we should focus and start talking about what you need help with, Mike.”
“I think we have better things to talk about, Will.”
Will raised his eyebrows. “What is it? I thought you wanted help with your writing.”
”I do need help, but not with that.” Mike’s face turned serious. His eyes had a certain glint in them that Will couldn’t fully fathom, probably because of his stupid glasses that made him look even more irresistible. He had not let go of Will’s fingers either, now fully grasping Will’s hand.
“Will.”
“Mike…?”
“Be honest with me, please, Will?” Mike tilted his head, looking up at Will from where he’s sitting down with his puppy eyes. The black frame of his glasses glinted beneath the basement’s lighting. “Does it really look weird on me? The glasses? I thought you said I looked good.”
Will blinked a few times. His throat felt dry all of the sudden, and he hoped that his hand wouldn’t get clammy. “You look…”
Mike raised one eyebrow, as if he already knew what Will was about to say. “Well?”
“Handsome,” Will exhaled, then hoping that the gulp he took after that was not very obvious. “I mean, erm, good! You look good.”
Mike smirked, infuriatingly enough. “Handsome or good?”
In that moment, Will realized that it’s a bad decision to be standing in front of sitting Mike, caged by his long legs. Somehow, in between Will deciding on what to answer to Mike’s question, the space between them drastically changed. Mike pulled him closer silently, and Will’s body swayed, following the pull of that warm hand.
Feeling awkward in his current position, Will finally gave up. Like a marionette, he followed Mike’s gentle guiding, letting his knees rest on the sofa’s cushion on both side of Mike’s lap. He carefully put his hands on the cushion behind Mike’s body. Mike’s hand no longer holding his now, he moved it to lightly graze Will’s hip.
Now he’s the one caging Mike.
Will felt drunk, or like he’s currently in a bizarre out of body experience, or maybe he’s currently in a dream instead of being in Mike’s basement.
Was he truly dreaming? Did he enter an alternate dimension? What’s happening here?
Oh dear god. He’s practically hovering over Mike’s lap now.
Meanwhile, Mike was still looking intensely at Will, occasionally stealing looks at his lips. Their faces were inches apart now, and Will forgot that all of this happened because of Mike’s stupid glasses.
He tilted his head a little, and he could feel Mike’s breath on his face. The glasses that caused this in the first place felt like its mocking him, with the way it bumped on cheek.
“Tell me, Will,” Mike whispered, his gaze felt heavy on Will’s face. “Do I really look like my dad wearing these glasses?”
“No,” Will stuttered his breath. His chest rose and fall, and his heart was pounding wildly, he could’ve sworn that maybe Mike could hear it. The glasses bumped awkwardly again with his face. “You look like— You look so handsome. You look like my Mike.”
Will did not know who’s the first one to move, but in the next second their lips crashed together in urgency. As if Mike was thirsty for Will, while Will had always known that he’s willing to receive anything that Mike offered to him. Without warning, Mike bit his bottom lip, and Will let out a soft sound that he couldn’t contain. Mike’s hand that was previously on his hip moved to Will’s jaw, caressing it as if he’s something precious and taking a hold there, not letting Will move away from the overwhelming kiss. Will did not even realize that he’s now fully seated on Mike’s lap, too busy feeling Mike’s other hand roaming around his body.
Maybe it’s because it’s Will’s first kiss, or maybe Jane had lied about Mike being a bad kisser, but Mike kissed Will like he knew exactly what he’s doing. Like he’s been planning to do this for a long time, and now that he managed to do it, he wouldn’t stop until he’s satisfied. He kissed like he’s starving for Will. He kissed like he would die if Will moves away from him even for just one second.
And he did try to move away, but Mike’s hand stopped him before he could do it, keeping him rooted at his lap while Mike kept on kissing him.
When Mike’s tongue touched Will’s lips, he couldn’t control the moan that he let out. A part of him felt a little embarrassed, but the rest of him felt a little bit proud when that moan made Mike tightened his hold on Will’s jaw. Will’s own fingers were curled around Mike’s hair, pulling them.
The glasses kept on bumping awkwardly on his face every time they exchanged kisses, at one point, Will got sick of it. He pushed Mike back for a moment with his hand, both of their chests were heaving.
Taking a deep breath, Will smiled teasingly at Mike, his trembling fingers managed to take the glasses off of his face and letting it falling somewhere he could not care about. Mike looked like he cared even less, despite his insistence earlier about the glasses.
“You look— handsome with the glasses, Mike,” Will breathed out, his hand cupping Mike’s face now. “But— without them… You look even better for me.”
Mike tilted his head, his dark gaze and lips were enticing Will to kiss him again. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
Will knew he’s lost when Mike’s eyes got even darker after that, and when the kisses slowly moved down to his neck and collarbones.
At this moment, nothing else mattered. Vecna could come back from death right now to torment him, or another great earthquake or some major supernatural happenings could happen right now, or even aliens could make the first landing on earth right now to conquer humanities—and Will would not give a fuck. He’s too busy kissing Mike Wheeler, and too busy being kissed back by the boy he had loved and yearned for years.
At this very moment, Will felt like Mike could truly look at him and see him.
What were they doing exactly? This was not what best friends do when they’re alone together.
Once again, Will did not know the answer to that question, and currently he did not have the capacity to think about that when Mike’s leaving marks on his neck and with Mike’s hands touching his body all over; but needless to say, they did not do any writing at all that night.