Chapter Text
Will Byers and Mike Wheeler met when they were only five years old. In the beginning, they were just two little boys looking for someone to share the swings with and play superheroes during recess — and that was exactly what they became to each other.
By the time they were eight, their mothers were already friends, and it felt natural to spend weekends in Mike’s basement, playing d&d, reading comic books, eating way too much sugar and watching super hero movies. That was all they needed. Each other. Together, they were unbeatable.
When they were ten, Lucas started joining their D&D nights, and before they realized it, there were three of them. Then Dustin came along, and they became four — four boys who, at twelve years old, went through things children should never have to endure. Things that changed the course of their lives forever.
Going through all of that alongside Will only made their bond stronger. That was why it hurt so much when, at fourteen, Will moved to California with his family. Mike understood the reason, but there was a selfish part of him that hated it anyway — hated so many things during that time.
He hated not having Will there for Hellfire nights. He hated Halloween, because it was Will’s favorite. He hated his parents asking if he was okay. He hated it whenever Lucas talked about the letters he exchanged with Will, because Mike simply couldn’t send his own. Every time he tried to write, he put too much of his heart into the words and ended up exposing himself too much. He didn’t want Will to know everything he felt. Or maybe he did. He just didn’t want to be the one to say it.
—
That summer morning in Hawkins, the day felt brighter than usual. Maybe it was the weather. Maybe it was Will.
He was back.
The Byers had returned to town, and Mike was finally going to see him — his best friend — after two long years. Two years in which they had only talked on the phone five times. Five calls Mike remembered word for word, because every single one of them had been a lie. He’d said he was fine. He’d said he was happy Will had made new friends. When the truth was that, more than anything, he wished Will would come back to Hawkins. Back to him.
Mike took one last look in the mirror, trying to fix his hair into something that looked decent. A few curls fell stubbornly into place — would Will like them? And the blue button-up shirt? God, he was so anxious.
— Mike, Lucas and Dustin are here, — Holly’s voice called from downstairs.
— I’m coming, — he called back, taking a deep breath before leaving his room and heading down the stairs.
— You’re late, — Lucas said.
— As always, — Dustin added.
— I know, I know. Let’s just go, okay? — Mike said, already heading for the door, the others close behind.
They had agreed to meet Will at Hopper’s cabin, where the Byers would be staying for a while, until things settled down.
—
The first thing Mike noticed when they arrived was Joyce’s car parked outside the cabin. They were here. Will was really there.
Lucas and Dustin rushed to the door and knocked eagerly. Mike stayed behind, rooted to the spot — and when the door opened and Will stood there in front of him…
He stayed exactly where he was.