Chapter Text
When Will had taken that risk, and came out. He was surrounded with people he loved. The circumstances were brutal, but he expressed himself to his full identity, and did it justice. Everyone had since left Hawkins. All but a few stragglers, including Joyce and Hopper, and Michael's parents. Mike wanted his entire family there. He reached out to each individual from the party for dinner, and the shared his deepest, utter feelings. He was gay, that confession was long over due. Though it was out there. Will thought that this was the proudest he ever was of his best friend, even if he came out on his terms. It was safe, it was a space that felt entirely his at the time. There were happy tears, and only a few "I knew it" 's from the peanut gallery.
This reawakened something in Will that he had been busy burying. A deep sense of yearning, and desire for this man that he thought he finally, finally overcame. But--it didn't. It didn't when he looked into his eyes, and found the softness mixed with oak. It wasn't when he reached for something in the night, and his hand always found it's way to Mike's. He was eating out of his hand, he knew it. He was lovesick, and tired of hiding. So it left him with only two choices really.
One. He could call Robin. He adored Robin. Her ability to be so outgoing and so true to herself amazed him. She helped him come out, shared her stories and let him ask questions. Robin Buckley was good at that. However, he knew she just had her meet up with Johnathan and Steve. Her willingness to come to New York was less than zero.
Two. His Max. Zombie boy, and zombie girl. She was an asshole. She would say Will deserved better, which he was just starting to believe he did. But Max knew better, and she would use her best advice again on the infamous Micheal Wheeler. Will picked up the dorm phone without hesitate, and dialed the number. One from the list Mike had posted via magnet to the refrigerator. Will rolled his eyes at the illustrations. Mike couldn't draw, but he was adorable. God, he was adorable.
"William Byers, what did he do?" Max answered, after a choked "oh, God!" as she didn't recognize the number until she picked up. She cleared her throat, letting Will tell her why he called.
"It's what he's not doing, Max. I know, I know." He answered, before her disappointed sighs. Everyone in the party knew Will had a big fat crush on Mike. Everyone but Mike. Typical. "It's just, he's out. I need him to know how I feel. Even if it doesn't go anywhere." He rubbed his temples, and pressed the wired phone closer to his chest. His heart heavy with want.
"We gonna play freshman year, again? Or are you just gonna tell him. I love you both, but Mike is the most oblivious piece of shit to walk the earth." Max said light-hearted. Will could hear Lucas laughing distantly. So much was happening, after everything they deserved each other. Much like how Will deserved Mike.
"After everything Max, and you think I don't know that. Wow. I should have called Robin." He snickered, and heard her mock appalled gasps from the other line, he couldn't hold back a smile. He cleared his throat audibly. "He writes, Max. He's been leaving notes around."
"Yeah, telling you to take out the garbage. I wouldn't call it modern day romance. Listen, Will. You've known what you've always known. He loves you. Who was with you in the hospital when I was busy kicking Lucas 's ass in eighth grade?" Max said, her voice taking on a more assertive, confident tone.
"In retrospect we hadn't even met yet." Will mumbled. Exhaling, into a sigh right into the speaker.
"That..doesn't matter. What matters is that you make this happen, because Lord knows he won't. Plus, Will he's out. If can come out as a gay, he can publicly love the boy he has since what, elementary. And just tell him. Maybe get him fucking flowers. It's be nice if my doting boyfriend got me flowers once in a while, but you know I'm projecting" Will could almost see her shrug. He also heard a "I literally got you some like four days ago!" from Lucas. Lucas was great, Will loved Lucas.
Will wished his goodbyes and started thinking. He certainly wasn't going to buy "fucking flowers". However, he was going to sit him down. Talk for a long time, because Max was right, they both knew what they knew and discussing this was long past due.