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Will got home from a date with his new boyfriend. They lived a quiet life in Hawkins, Will was too scared to leave everything behind.
He tried not to become like the man who everyone refers to as Will’s “father”. He was no father to Will. Will drowned his sorrows and regrets in alcohol and weed.
He laid in his bed, staring up at the spinning fan, glass half full of some cheap whisky.
Will worked some shitty job. His boyfriend was alright, nothing like how Mike was.
Lucas and Max ran off to some other state as soon as they got the chance, his mom and Hopper lived in Montauk, Mike had no contact with anyone, and El… Well, we all know what happened to her.
As much as Will tried to believe in Mike’s fantasy all those years ago; he knew the hard, cold, honest truth.
Will was 31 now, wasted potential.
He hadn’t drawn in ages, hadn’t picked up a paintbrush in years.
He sure picked up that bottle a lot.
Will took a sip of the brown liquid, swishing it around in his mouth as he swallowed, embracing the burn he had gotten used to.
The phone started ringing, he walked over to its spot on the wall, picking it up and pressing it to his ear.
“Hello? Who is this?”
“Will?”
Will couldn’t mistake that voice, it was undoubtably-
“Mike…? Is that you?”
“Look, I know it’s been a while. I just- I wanted to apologize. I was always so rude to you. I’m disgusting.”
“What? Mike, are you okay?”
Muffled sobs broke through the receiver.
“I should’ve been better. I just wanted to hear your voice one last time.”
“Mike? What are you talking about? Why ‘one last time’?”
“I love you Will. But I’m disgusting. I can’t run from my thoughts anymore. I’m sorry. I’ve tried. But I can’t do it anymore.”
“Mike. Mike, talk to me, what’s wrong? Where are you? I’ll come over.” Panic was rising in Will’s voice as he waited for Mike’s answer.
“No. No, don’t come over. Just- remember when we said we would go ‘crazy together’?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I do. Why?”
“I think I went crazy before you did. Just- I don’t want you to worry about me. I- I’ll miss you, Will. I love you.”
“Mike. Mike, don’t hang up. Please just tell me where you are. I’ll be there.”
“I just… I need you to say it back.”
“Say what back?”
“You love me.”
“Mike- I love you so much. So much more than you think. Please don’t do what I think you’re going to do.” Will’s own sobs broke his words.
“I hope you’re happy. I hope you’ve been doing okay. Goodbye Will.”
“Mike… Mike!” The deafening beep of the line disconnecting rang in Will’s ear. He continued to scream at the phone, as if that would make his lover come back.
Will grabbed his keys, jumped in his old car, and drove.
He didn’t know where, he just knew he had to find Mike.
Will made his way to the quarry, driving up the steep hill and jumping out.
No one was there.
He decided to drive to the bottom, there was an ambulance and a few cop cars.
No. No. No. Please, no.
Will walked over to the ambulance, two men were carrying a stretcher with a person on it.
No. That can’t be-
The person had unmistakable dark curls, his eyes were closed. On his wrist was a watch, one that looked just like the one Will still wore.
No, please no.
Will’s sobs grew reckless, he ran over to the stretcher, ignoring the protesting screams from the officers.
He grabbed the person, holding him to his chest.
“Mike…” Will managed through sobs. “Mike, it's me. It’s Will. Please don’t go. No this isn’t fair.”
Will brought his hand to Mike’s face, rubbing his freckled cheek with his thumb.
A cop came up from behind Will.
“This is a crime scene, I’m going to have to ask you to please leave.”
“No! No, I'm not leaving. Not without Mike.” He didn’t take his eyes off of him, memorizing each detail one last time.
He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss ghosted upon Mike’s pale lips. Life has already drained from him. Though Will was sure life was drained from him long ago.
He eventually had to leave, jumping into his car and speeding back to his house. He scrambled inside, slamming the door behind him.
He ran to his bed, reaching under it.
He pulled out an old gun Nancy had gifted him years ago when she learned Will knew how to shoot one.
Will walked over to his living room with the new weight in his hand — and his glass from earlier.
On his way he grabbed an old picture of the Party. Before death and distance took each of them one by one.
Will knew his life was doomed, he knew he was going to die sooner than the rest of them.
He just didn’t expect he would be the one doing it.
He looked at the picture, they were all smiling, even Mi- Will couldn’t say his name.
“Goodbye Mike. Goodbye Jane. I love you guys. Mom…” He looked up to the sky, like she could hear him states away. “Mom, Jonathan, Hop, I love you guys.”
He raised the gun, the cold metal kissing his forehead.
At least he got one last kiss before it all went dark.