Chapter 1: A flash of green
Notes:
Revised chapter! Now includes the club playlist!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3JyH4kfQGNlUfOJ0bSrm3s?si=VJLtKwhKSm2ax_LOYZD3Gg&pi=H09Wr7F_SAKQQ
Chapter Text
"I love you mom. I told you I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me. Besides, Jonathan and I pass each other in the halls a lot so it's not like I'm alone."
Another call from Joyce. She had been finding it hard to let go of her boys now they were both in college and flying from the nest, he was used to a barrage of calls to his dorm line but it was no big deal. She would always worry for him.
"Mom seriously!" He laughs into the phone
"Promise me you're making friends okay?"
"I will if you let me go out tonight and let me go from the phone line!"
Joyce chuckles.
"I love you so much Will. Don't drink too much and call me tomorrow so I know you're safe honey!"
"I love you too mom. Tell hopper I said hello. Bye bye!"
He finally hangs up, shaking his head.
He sighs as he puts his phone on his dorm dresser.
Life has been hard since he left Hawkins, not as hard as life was back home, but that's just it. Hawkins was his HOME. Trauma or not, his roots were in the old rickety house. The day they left Hawkins for good, Will remembers the way he'd sobbed for hours the last time he brushed his fingers over the alphabet painted messily into the wall, a fond reminder of the bravery and courage it took to bring him back to his family.
He needs to stop thinking about Hawkins.
About him.
Mike wheeler had haunted his narrative for a long time, a decade of yearning and unrequited feelings, Will had finally decided to put his foot down, which is exactly why he was going out tonight.
Maybe he'd find a cute guy to talk to.
Will sighs as he smudges light eyeshadow over his eyelids, blending in eyeliner with his fingers.
Too much?
Oh well. Who gives a damn anyway. He wasn't in Hawkins anymore. He could be more . He didn't need to worry about being too much.
Fluffing up his hair he takes a final look at himself in the mirror.
Oh Yeah! This was it.
Will starts flipping through his clothes, he really ought to have picked them out before putting on make-up. Subtle or not it has to align, of course.
He sighs as he goes through a mountain of plaid shirts. It was safe, but that was too boring. He was here to experiment and experience. Not conform to being a small town boy in the closet. Not that he didn't love his plaid ,he did, but he wanted to be brave. He wanted to be seen.
Yikes. If little Will saw this he would be having a heart attack. The very idea that there was a day where he could be himself was never even on the cards back then.
He flicks through his more interesting options, band tees, turtlenecks,tank tops, compression tops, most of them boring . He decided on a black top over white, finding a leather jacket,he wonders if it's too much. It's red, cropped and pretty sexy, he thinks. Snapping on his earrings and finding his pants and belt ,he shimmies into them , lacing up his boots and throwing his coat on over his shoulder.
Will found it hard to find new friends outside of the party, realistically speaking,it would be hard to break away from his childhood friendships. Those were his people. Through thick and thin,the party lived.
BUT he wanted to find people who he could express himself with, even if it's an occasional meet up at a gay club, he was happy with that. He had talked to quite a few guys since he had started college but never sparked anything serious up, it never went beyond conversation because most of them just wanted to fuck, or didn't like the things he did. He was already prepared for another night of drunken flirting that went nowhere, but that was better than holing up in his dorm room or just not meeting anyone at all. He wasn't actually as shy as he'd believed himself to be, Hawkins just made him think so. It shaped him into being scared small, feet in new soil definitely helped him. Besides, he still had max in his corner and they were tight knit when they had time to go out together.
Will pushes open the door to the club, squinting his eyes at all the bright lights,he slides into a stool In front of the bar, ordering his first drink of the night. Well.. here we go! He thinks to himself.
As he leans back into his seat the first of inevitably many men to come harass him that night turn up in front of him.
Will raised a brow as the man sat next to him, he could almost dissociate from the irritating questions he gets asked by these men. Though most of them lose interest when he gives them the answers they aren't looking for. He was waiting for a good song to whisk him out from the seat he was in so he could start getting more comfortable.
Will jumps as a hand touches his thigh, he almost fell out of his chair as he backs up.
"Sorry Im not here for that-"
The guy frowns. "So why the fuck are you here ?"
Will starts to wonder the same thing
Why was he bothering with this after all? It's not like he was going to meet anyone worthwhile in a club, If at all. As freeing as it was being around people like him, he still didn't feel like they were really like him in any other way than being queer.
"I-I don't know." He stutters.as he draws back his legs, he's already three drinks in and his heart is banging in his chest telling him to go now, forget about the stupid attempt to branch out but he's committed to it and he is NOT going to cry and let one stupid little asshole who can't keep his hands to himself ruin his night.
Will hadn't yet noticed the eyes on him from that moment as he pushes through the crowd.
Air. He needed air.
He takes a deep breath of the warm air, leaning against the wall and looking up at the sky, the slightly wobbly sky ,but sky nonetheless. He smiles, it's pretty and keeps him calm.
He's ready now. He pushes the door open again, ordering another drink and a shot. (For confidence ) This time a song he knows comes on and a random girl grabs his hand and starts dancing with him.
This. This is fun. He was getting lost in the sound of Queen, maybe it was the alcohol settling in to his system but his mood was quickly lifting as he dances.
"Shot?"
Will hears behind him as a shot girl weaves between the crowd, she smiles at him with delight "good to see you again Will!" He grins back," you too!" They tap their shot glasses together and down the shots with a chuckle, now he knew his favourite bar girl was working he felt way Better about his choice.
"Hey I think you have an admirer!"
She says, nodding behind her.
Will turns, tipsy and squinting when he sees a tall man with a baseball jacket on.
Great. One of the college jocks no doubt.
Will sighs. Rolling his eyes at her. "Wish me luck!"
She grins, shrugging at him.
Will turns back to the man who seems to be staring at him intensely.
"Are you okay?"
Will was slightly concerned now , wondering if he was confused about something.
The man nods. "You're just so... Gorgeous." He says suddenly. "Seriously. I've had my eyes on you all night."
Will raised a brow. "Oh yeah? Not creepy at all.".
The man laughs. "Not like that, I mean.. i saw that other guy earlier,if it's any help I got him kicked out."
"Oh? You didn't have to. It's nothing I'm not used to."
The man shrugs.
"So, pretty boy, can I buy you a drink?"
Will's pretty sure he's already bordering drunk but he disregards his mom's advice this once, something about this man was interesting.
Or maybe it was the muscles he liked.
He bit his lip for a moment.
"Sure."
"Great!"
The man leads him to a booth after ordering their drinks.
"So.. my name is Chance, yours?"
"Will."
If both of them weren't drunk, maybe they would have realized in that moment why the other was so familiar, but they were, and they wouldn't have thought to ask.
"Will? Where are you from?"
Will is reluctant to answer because Hawkins was so small,if he bumped into anyone from Hawkins, unlikely as he thought it was, they'd know who he was.
"Ah. A long way away."
"Where's that?". Chance raises a brow.
"Id rather not say "
Chance nodded. "Fair enough. We just met. I'm not going to kill you in a van if that's what you're worried about."
Will finds himself laughing at that.
"Honestly I'm less afraid of that than the truth."
"And what's the truth?" Chance leans closer.
"Bumping into someone from home.. ugh. No thanks. I come from a tiny town where everyone knows each other and isnt very .... Accepting."
Chance laughs. "I hear you. Me too. Though I don't recognize you so I don't think we're from the same town."
Will laughs. "Yeah. I don't think we are but at least you know I'm not one of the homophobic ones."
Chance grins."you could be. Look at you. Radiating bigotry."
Will rolls his eyes. "That's me."
"You never know. I actually used to be pretty horrible a few years ago. Not long enough ago that it doesn't embarrass me."
"Really?" Will leans back. "So it was an awakening for you?"
Chance nods. "Yeah. I'm half Filipino and my family are Christians so it's not exactly like I had the best luck when it came to being myself. I guess I was raised on specific principles. "
"That must have been tough."
Will smiles softly. "At least you got away.."
"Luckily. But then I had a crush on a straight guy and I finally figured it out. He passed away but it fucked me up realising I cared so much because it was love."
"I'm so sorry." Will says quietly. " I hope at least it was peaceful."
Oh if only Will knew who the crush in question was. He wouldn't have been so kind.
Chance smiles sadly. "anyway what about you?"
Will shrugs. "I always knew. I always felt different .My father was pretty horrible about it though. I'm glad I got away from him. My mom was really accepting though. "
Mike.
"I too have been a victim of the straight boy." He laughs out loud.
"Fuck that!"
Chance laughs as well.
"Yeah. Fuck that!"
"So. You're here for college then? What's your major? No. Wait let me guess!"
Will laughs. "Good luck."
Chance looks him up and down in a way that makes something stir within Will's very being.
"Hmmm You're yelling finance and business to me." Chance said with a smile.
Will laughs harder. "You're in the opposite direction I'm afraid."
Chance gasps. "Oh shit I thought I had it. What's your major?"
"Illustration. I spent my whole childhood drawing. All day and all night. I wanted to draw."
"That's really cute. I like that you knew from the start. What do you think mine is?"
Will puts on a show of hmmms ,looking him up and down." I think that you're in med school for sure."
Chance nodded. "Close. I see why you'd think that, but you might be surprised to know I'm an athlete."
Will's jaw mock drops to the ground.
"I know I know. Crazy right?"
"You had me fooled."
They both laugh for a moment as they share another drink over idle chat as they talk about their majors until chance sits up.
"Wanna dance?"
Will looks surprised but nods.
"Sure. Let's go!"
They stumble drunkenly to the dance floor, laughing and swaying precariously.
"I don't think the world is ready for dance moves that good!" Will remarks as chance unleashed what Will can only describe as a tree on a windy day.
"I'm copyrighting that. You bet!" Chance grins as they get closer, Will grabbing his hand to pull him steady.
Will finds himself leaning closer and the music fades out as Chance leans in, his eyes locking on Will's. Their lips meet as Chance pulls him in by the waist. Will's hand on his shoulder as they kiss, chance pushes Will against the wall. It's slightly rough and Will's back thumps into the wall but deep down he likes it. The kiss is intense, passionate, but gentle enough that Will is happy.
They continue to make out, Chance's hands stroking Will's chest. When they eventually pull away, Will is dazed, cheeks flushed and eyes slightly hazy.
"Holy shit." He says softly.
"Yeah.." Chance replies.
"I can't get enough of you. Seriously you're so fucking hot..if I'd have seen you in highschool I think I would have been all over you."
Will rolls his eyes. "Yeah yeah ...a jock like you? I was the biggest nerd in school. I still am now. Your friends would have torn into me and called me all sorts of slurs."
"Okay fair point but we could pretend I was decent back then."
'are you serious thinking that deep into it?" Will shakes his head. " Just kiss me again."
Will couldn't believe his first kiss was an intense make out with a random guy in a club but he didn't really give a shit about it since his whole childhood has been hoping his first kiss would be with Mike.
"With pleasure." They both lean in, this time it was slower, more thoughtful, chance locking Will's hands against the wall.
Hot.
Chance starts nibbling on his neck and his knees start to buckle slightly.
Will's mind is racing and very soon he's going to start thinking with his dick if Chance doesn't stop feeling him up,to be quite frank, he still had boundaries and morals, alcohol be damned!
Will pushes chance off him after a moment.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing I just.. don't want to go too far."
"That's okay. You just tell me when to stop, baby."
Oh fuck.
Will's eyes go huge and Chance grins, pulling him in again.
Maybe he could overlook his morals for tonight? No harm done right?
Chance clearly has no intentions of letting any other man near Will tonight anyway..
He hooks his fingers in chance's belt loops, pulling him closer.
Chance raises a brow at him but doesn't say anything.
When they pull off each other again Will is flustered again and slightly horny. He can tell Chance is too, he drags chance to a more secluded place where the music isn't so loud.
"Goddamn. " Chance says as will sheds his coat. "I thought you had a tiny waist but not that tiny "
Will looks down, blushing. "Not like you aren't the same. You're just way more muscular than me."
Chance flexed, his shirt lifting a little and Will almost collapsed right there. He bites his lip, looking away , catching his breath.
"Oh you like that huh? Look at me."
Will turns back slowly and Chance has taken off his coat , revealing all his muscles.
"You're so cringeworthy." Will says, laughing softly.
"But you like it don't you? You can't resist my muscles."
He flexes again and Will groans, " fuck you."
The jock laughs again as Will shoves him.
"Your turn."
Will shakes his head.
"Fuck no."
"I showed you mine, show me yours."
"Are we still talking about muscles?"
"Depends how much you want me to show you."
"Shut UP." He shakes his head. "I'm not flexing for you."
Chance grabs his arms, pushing him back again, as Will pushes him off Chance nods
"Not bad!"
"You asshole!" Will Huffs at him, until it turns into them both laughing.
"You're so cute. I can't imagine anyone being mean to you." Chance pushes his hair behind his ear gently.
Will shrugs. "I was tiny and weak with a bowl cut. An easy target."
"I bet it was adorable."
Will gives him the side eye. "That's probably why I got bullied,Chance."
Will slides his hand under Chance's top, stroking his abs slowly, nodding enthusiastically whilst the other kisses his neck gently, his fingers tangled in the Jock's hair as they grind against each other.
Will sighs as the last call rings through the bar. Chance pulls him by the hips, "one more drink and dance for the night?"
Will nods.
"Why not?"
Had he really spent the whole night with this guy?
Will hangs on to Chance, swaying again to the music, taking short breaks in between to make out with him.
By the time the club is herding people out Will is stumbling in Chance's arms, slurring his words,drunk out of his mind but he's happy.
"Want me to walk you to your dorm?"
Will nods,"no funny business right?"
"Promise. Though it's hard to keep my hands off you, pretty boy."
Will grins, dragging him down the street until they reach his wing. "Well. This is me. Unless you wanna come in."
Chance shakes his head. "I can't promise I won't stay off you. You're too drunk cutiepie."
Will pouts. "What if I changed my mind and I want you?"
Chance pauses. "Do you?"
"Yeah."
"Fuck. You are so-no." He shook his head.
"But I'm sure I'll see you again."
Will Huffs, pulling him in for another kiss, his fingers looping chance's belt. "I hope so. Maybe you can show me more."
Chance politely pulls his hands away.
"Watch yourself, gorgeous. ." Will pouted again. "Fine fuck you too!"
"Yeah yeah." Chance waves at him as Will goes to his dorm room.
If only Will had noticed the Tiger on the back of Chance's jacket,maybe they could have saved some embarrassment. If only Chance had gone into the dorm, he would have seen the photographs of Lucas and Dustin, if only.
Instead, Will collapsed into his room, throwing off his boots and wrestling off his clothes, the room swaying round him, he barely made it to his bed, collapsing into a ball, for the first time ,he felt good about himself, though a part of him wished he had indulged and let Chance in.
Chapter 2: AUTHORS NOTE
Chapter Text
HI GUYS
Author here to let you know I have decided to add playlists to this fic as music is very important to Will and I think it just sets a scene. I have made a playlist for chapter 1 is anyone wants to go back to read it with music it will now be an added note at the start for each chapter with music.
This was so painful because I had to make sure each song was era accurate 😢.
There will be repetition but you can flick through and choose what you like of course or listen to specific playlists.
Enjoy!
Chapter 2 is on the way but I dropped my phone and its crushed so ... im writing on my beat up ass tablet from 2019 and its pretty goofy and laggy 😭 so sorry guys! Im really happy about the positivity so far though. Thanks so much. Genuinely. It seems most of us are tired of the queerbait me included as a OG 2016 byler truther.
You can decide which song they made out to, but for me it was Layla.. hehehe.
Anyway. See you later!