Chapter Text
"No Mike, that is so not fair!" Lucas whined, shoving Mike playfully before laughing. The group had all been sat in the basement of the Wheeler's like every Saturday night laughing and watching movies or playing some dumb bored game, this time it was Monopoly. Lucas had noticed that Mike had stolen $600 from the bank 'discreetly'.
"I don't know what your talking about Lucas?" Mike feigning innocence, before breaking out into a wide grin. Will had been sitting in the corner, he always hated Monopoly and it had been Dustin's turn to choose the game this time. He decided to sit this one out and watch the drama happen, one of them always ended up cheating anyway. Will glanced at Mike and noticed he was full blown laughing, as Lucas climbed over him trying to grab the stolen money. Will cracked a smile, he loved his friends dearly but they were so dramatic over games. But they all knew how dramatic Will was when it came to DND.
"Will you should totally join next round." Dustin called over to him, waving him over. Will smiled getting up and walking over to them before crossing his arms and standing next to the table and watching some of the gameplay unfold.
"I think I'll pass, I just got this book from the library the other day that I was wanting to read." He laughed as Max pointed at Lucas yelling at him and accusing him of stealing her money out of her pile. Lucas held up his hands in defense before yelling at her to look at the stealer next her. Everyone looked at Mike,
"Okay man! I didn't do it this time!" He yelled defensively, "It was El!" He pointed at her, she giggled before slapping his arm.
Will felt himself inwardly cringe at seeing them acting so couple-y, he hated it but he would never tell them that.
Will went back to his corner, grabbing the book on the end table. He went back to his fantasy world to ignore his bubbling anger with himself. How could a boy love his best friend?
Will had finally gotten home at around 2 with Eleven in tow, the group had played around 5 rounds of the game and Will was exhausted listening to them accuse each other of stealing every 2 minutes.
The two walked through the front door to see Joyce sitting on the couch, watching TV. "Mom we told you not to wait up for us." He said walking up and giving her a hug over the couch, she patted his arm.
"I had to make sure you guys got home safe. Hopper left food in the fridge if your still hungry." She said getting up and making her way to their bedroom, after saying her goodnights. Eleven skipped over to the fridge, grabbing some spaghetti. "Mike's coming over tomorrow." She said through a mouth full of food.
Will felt his heart jump, "Oh. Okay, I might be going to Dustin's but I'm not sure yet." He would rather not be around Mike, he felt like he had made things awkward ever since the whole painting incident. He was stupid to think Mike would like him, it wasn't like it was a whole confession but he was sure Mike knew what he meant, but of course he knew that Mike only wanted Eleven.
"He wanted all of us to hang out if you wanted to." She spoke, still shoving her mouth. "Mmm, Dad always makes the best food." She groaned before putting her plate in the sink and walking out of the room. Will stood at the counter, leaning against it. Mike wanted to hang out with him?
Will pushed off of the counter, turning off the kitchen light and going to his room. He locked his door, a habit he picked up after the whole upsidedown situation. He hated the feeling of knowing someone could come in at any minute. He grabbed his pajamas and quickly changed before getting into bed.
Will was cold. So cold. But he couldn't breathe, he glanced around, his feet moving on their own. He was sprinting down the main road in Hawkins. The blueish light beaming down on him. He was panting, he could feel the pavement digging into his feet as they hit the ground. He quickly turned his head to see a demogoron chasing him, quickly gaining speed. Will could feel a scream bubbling in his throat. He felt himself hit the ground, his face scraping the ground. He felt the demogoron's feet hit his back as it jumped on him, claws digging into his back. Will let out a scream.
Will woke up in a cold sweat, mid-scream. He looked around the room, pupils dilated, taking in his surroundings. He wasn't in the upsidedown. He was okay. The demogoron's are gone for good. Will pulled his legs to his chest, trying to regulate his breathing. Once he was okay enough, he reached for his nightstand to grab the bowl that he had stolen from Johnathan. He packed it with weed and grabbed his lighter before getting up and opening his window, climbing out onto the ground outside.
He flicked the lighter on, burning the weed. He took a hit, inhaling the most he could without coughing. He held it for a few seconds, exhaling slowly. He sat on the ground and leaned his head against the siding of the house. He felt the tears coming now, his throat was starting to burn. He hates crying. He feels weaker then he ever has.
Will sat on the ground for a while, just letting himself feel the emotions, letting himself know he's still alive. He takes another hit off of his bowl, taking a bigger bit before exhaling and coughing. He's always loved the feeling of the pain of it, he knows he's there and he's feeling it.
Will had never been one to get high for the fun of it, he only used it when he needed it and tonight was one of the nights he needed it most. He smoked the rest before getting up and climbing back through his window.
He shoved the bowl back in the nightstand before climbing back into his bed. He let himself lay there and stare at the ceiling, zoning out and letting himself cry silently.
At around 6 AM he finally drifted back to sleep, but only for a few hours.
A knock at the door woke will up with a start, "Dad made Ego's!" El said through the door.
Will say up, his hand on his chest trying to regulate his breathing. "Yeah. Okay. Be out in a minute." He spoke in a strained voice, throwing his legs over the side of the bed. "You okay, Will?" Eleven asked, her voice laced with worry.
"Yeah you just scared me a little, I'll be out in a little." He spoke, getting up and sitting at his desk. He heard El hum and walk away. He sat with his head in his hands for a moment, before finally getting up and leaving his room.
"Will did something happen last night? I thought I heard you scream?" Joyce asked, handing him a plate as he say down. "No, I'm fine mom, nothing happened. I must have been sleep talking or something." He cringed at himself for the bullshit response. He hated lying to his mom. He knows she means well but he doesn't want to worry her. She looked at him, narrowing her eyes "Okay.." She said, sounding unconvinced.
Joyce ruffled Will's hair before sitting down at the dinning table. "Why's it smell like weed?" Hopper spoke gruffly, Will just shrugged. Of course Johnathan wasn't here so he couldn't blame it on him. Hopper looked between his two kids, he didn't seem to find anything he was looking for.
Will ate his food a little faster before heading back to his room. He grabbed his clothes before getting in the shower.
Will watched as the water turned dirty before swirling down the drain. He leaned his forehead against the cool tile, sighing. He straightened before grabbing the soap and doing his normal routine.
Will stepped out of the shower, grabbing his towel and wrapping it around his waist before hearing a knock at the door. He cracked the door to see who's there, he seen Mike. "Oh shit, uh sorry man." Mike spoke after seeing Will. "It's good, did you need anything?" He spoke quietly, opening the door a bit more to talk.
"Yeah sorry I just needed to piss really bad." Mike cringed at himself before laughing. Will smiled, "You can come in I just have to brush my teeth, I mean we're both guys I don't really care too much." Will rambled, his heart racing.
"Oh thank God." Mike said rushed, pushing past. Will just laughed a little, grabbing his toothbrush and going about his routine. He kept looking down to make sure his towel wasn't slipping, his face flushing knowing Mike was right behind him.
Will heard Mike zip his jeans back up, "Thanks man." He spoke quietly before slipping out of the room. Will felt like he could finally breathe again, letting out a sigh he didn't realize he was holding in.
He braced himself against the sink, breathing deeply. He had forgotten Mike was coming over today, it had caught him off guard to see the taller boy standing in front of the door. He dropped the towel and slid on his pajamas pants, he walked out of the bathroom putting the towel to his hair and drying it.
He walked into the kitchen to find something else to eat before settling on ramen. He grabbed a bowl and the pack, putting water in it and throwing it in the microwave. He stood there, zoning out staring at the lit up area. "-ill..?" Someone spoke, he quickly looked up.
"Hm?" He looked at Mike, who was trying to get his attention. "You okay? I said your name like 4 times." He asked, crossing him arms. The tension in the room was obvious, "Yeah I was just thinking.." Will said, looking back to the microwave, ready for this conversation to end already. There was silence for a moment as Mike stood there.
"El said you've been off lately." Mike said finally, fidgeting with his shirt, before looking back up at Will. Will turned around looking at him for a moment.
"I don't think I have. I've just been quieter I think." He spoke as the microwave beeped, he took the bowl out stirring his food before putting it back in.
"That's what's off Will, your normally super talkative." Mike said, leaning against the counter. Will tensed up, he really didn't want to have this conversation right now. He hated confrontation, especially from Mike. He just wanted Mike to think he was alright and just leave. Mike never tried to talk to him before, why now?
"Well did you stop to think that all of us have changed since the upsidedown. I would rather not do this right now its too early." He snapped, grabbing his food and heading back to his room.
"Will- wait Jesus. I want to talk to you. Your being so difficult." Mike said following him, Will paused at his door. "I don't want to talk right now Mike." He spoke, opening his door before closing it in Mike's face.
Will heard Mike sigh before walking away. Will sat on his bed, placing the bowl in his lap. He reached over to his nightstand, flipping the lamp on and picking up his sketchbook. He took a bite of his food before slipping the pencil out of the rings of the sketchbook. He let himself mindlessly draw something, the room was quiet. All Will was left with was his own thoughts. He hates it.
El said you've been off lately. They talk about him? It was that obvious? Why did they talk about him, how was that relative to them. Your being so difficult. He already knew he was difficult. He didn't think Mike would call it out.
What's wrong with me. Will placed his bowl on the nightstand suddenly not hungry anymore. He felt sick to his stomach. He looked down to his sketchbook, studying the thin lines.
A radio.
Will paused. He had shaded the speaker in tight, careful strokes until it was almost black. The lines inside it tangled together, messy now, crossing and recrossing like they didn’t know where they were supposed to go.
Static.
He closed the sketchbook and threw it to the floor, laying back in his bed before changing his mind and sitting back up. He grabbed his bowl and got up, walking to the door to take it to the kitchen.
He scrapped the food into the trashcan and place the bowl in the sink, he could feel Mike's presence at the doorway. "I told you I don't want to talk." He spoke, not bothering to turn around.
"Come on Will. I'm your best friend, why are you being so dismissive. You have to talk to me sooner or later." He spoke, his tone rising slowly.
"I would prefer later." Will said, turning around to look at Mike. His arms were crossed and blocking the door. "Now let me leave." He said walking towards Mike, hoping he would just move.
"No. We're going to talk about this." Mike snapped, locking the door.
"Jesus Christ Mike we're barely even friends anymore. You don't even fucking pay attention to what I say when we're around our friends, your so involved with Eleven that she had to tell you something was wrong with me. Ever since I moved back from California it's like you don't want to even be around me. I don't get why you even fucking care now." Will spoke, his tone getting more and more angry. His breathing was heavy now, Mike stood there just watching and it pissed Will off even more.
"You won't even say anything now. You know I'm right. Now let me out and stop cornering me." He spoke, calming down a little.
"No." Mike said, leaning directly against the door knob. Will rolled his eyes, reaching for Mike's shoulder to move him out of the way.
"Will just please fucking talk to me." Mike pleaded. A jiggle of the door knob interrupted them.
"Are you boys alright?" Joyce's voice came through the door, Will's eyes narrowed at Mike. "Tell-" Will started, "Yeah we're fine Mrs. Byers, we're just talking." Mike cut Will off.
"Can't you boys do that in Will's room?" She asked, confused. "Yeah sorry." Mike said, unlocking the door and opening it. Will pushed past Mike and stormed off to his bedroom, locking the door before Mike could get in.
"Will would you open the damn door." Mike snapped, banging on the door. Will rolled his eyes, sitting on his bed and pulling his legs up to his chest. He rested his head against his knees, tears threatening to fall. He felt a hand on one of his, quickly snapping his head up.
Mike.
"How-" Will started, Mike held up a butter knife sheepishly. "Jesus if your that determined to break in then I guess you can stay." Will spoke, putting his head back down.
"Will.." Mike started cautiously, "Please tell me what's been wrong. You were so talkative like 6 months ago and now you barely hang out with the group, and when you do hang out with us, it's like your not really there, your always zoned out." He started rambling, Will had sat up fully by the end, just letting Mike go.
Will took in a breath, "I really don't want to talk about it, Mike. I just want to sit here to be honest." He said, turning his head away. "Will please. I can't loose you over something you won't even tell me about." Mike pleaded, grabbing Will's hands and holding them in his.
"Nightmares. I've been having horrible nightmares. They feel too real. And I guess I've just been struggling to talk about it." Will said, still looking at the wall. He felt two hands on his face, Mike was pulling him to look at him.
"Will. I have nightmares too. Who doesn't with the shit we've been through. You need to talk about these types of things Will." Mike said, holding his face to make Will look at him. Will could feel the tears spring to his eyes, he turned his face away before Mike could see.
"I-I'm sorry." He choked out, hugging his knees closer to his chest. "You don't have to apologize, no one had asked so you didn't want to talk about it." Mike said, pulling Will's knees down from his chest.
Will felt arms around him, he leaned into the touch. The tears were coming freely now. "I-I made everything awkward between us with that stupid p-painting." Will said in between hiccups.
"No, no. You didn't. Believe me, Will. I just didn't know how to react, I loved it." Mike said, running his hand through Will's hair. "It was amazing, it's hanging on my wall believe it or not." Mike laughed, still hugging onto the shorter boy.
"Hey," Mike spoke, his hands on Will's face guiding him to look at him. "Promise me you'll radio me or call me if the nightmares happen. I know you need something to ground yourself. And don't you think I can't smell the weed, Will."
Will could feel the fear show in his eyes, "Don't tell my mom, please Mike." He pleaded, pulling away from Mike.
"I'm not but you need to work on it and stop smoking. I don't want you to turn out like Johnathan, not saying that it's bad, but he just never seems present in the moment." Mike rambled, eyes darting around.
"I don't smoke all the time. It's only late at night or early in the morning if the nightmares get too bad to deal with." Will shyed away, looking at his bed sheets. Mike's mouth formed an 'O' shape as he realized.
"Do you want me to stay in here with you tonight? Instead of me staying in El's room? I know Hopper would appreciate it." He laughed at the last part, before grabbing Will's hand to make the shorter boy focus.
"No, no. It's okay. You came here to spend time with El not me." Will said, gazing down at the floor beside the bed. Mike squeezed his hand. "Your my best friend, and I'm worried. Your health comes before having a sleep over with a girl, Will." Mike spoke, pulling Will into a hug again.
Will could feel his throat tightening again, great he's going to cry like a bitch again. The tears threatening to fall, prickling at his eyes. "Will? Are you alright?" Mike asked, sounding slightly panicked. Will nodded, hugging him back.
"Are the extra blankets still in your closet?" Mike asked, pulling away to get up. "Yeah." Will's voice cracked a little.
Will watched as Mike started laying out a bed for himself on the floor, Will threw him two of the many pillows he had. Mike smiled before laying them down. Mike sat cross-legged on his makeshift bed, looking up at Will.
"Is there anything else that's wrong that you haven't told me?" Mike asked, frowning slightly.
Maybe the fact that I'm in love with you and you want my sister. Or that you would probably think I'm disgusting. "Not that I can think of.." He trailed off, looking at his nightstand. This conversation was making him uncomfortable now, he was stressed. Will wanted nothing more then to go outside and smoke a bowl.
"You sure?" Mike asked again. He could probably tell that Will was thinking about something. Will nodded, leaning back in his bed.
"You should probably go tell El that your staying in here tonight." He grimaced at himself before looking at the nightstand. "Yeah your right. I'll be back in like 20, okay?" He asked, already standing up.
"Yeah thats fine, I'll wait till you come back so I can fall asleep." He smiled slightly. He watched as Mike opened the door and disappeared down the hallway.
Will quickly grabbed his bowl and lighter before climbing out of the window.
He slowly slid down the side of the house before fully sitting, he lit the bowl taking a hit. He exhaled slowly, watching the smoke pour out. Mike was probably going to notice he was high, but he didn't care. He couldn't do this conversation sober much longer, being in love with your boy best friend is not for the weak.
He took another hit, letting the smoke settle in his lungs before letting it out. He had down that a few more times before putting it out, he left the bowl in a hidden space outside so he didn't stink up the whole room.
He climbed through the window, noticing that Mike, thankfully, still wasn't back yet. He sat back down on his bed, feeling tons lighter than before. He laid staring at the ceiling for what felt like 3 hours, he looked at the alarm clock only to see that 10 minutes had passed. He turned his head to look back at the ceiling, he heard footsteps coming down the hallway again. "Will..? Are you still up?" Mike whispered, unsure if the shorter boy was still awake.
"Yeah." He whispered back, he heard the door shut before he finally looked at Mike. The longer haired boy was getting back down onto the floor, laying down. "Hey Will?" Mike asked, waiting.
"Yeah?" Will answered back.
"Did you smoke after I left?" Mike asked, looking directly at Will.
Will froze.
Shit.