Work Text:
Some things that should be known about Will Byers. He's seventeen, he likes to draw, he's terrified of driving, he's in love with his best friend of twelve and a half years. He likes Dungeons and Dragons, strawberry ice cream, his family, and hates when books are remade into a movie and the characters don't look the way they did in his mind or details are altered and forgotten about. He works part-time after school at Family Video with Mike Wheeler, his best friend of twelve and a half years.
Will's in love with Mike.
He's not sure when it happened, really, when the switch went from My friend Mike, to My friend.. Mike. How he could fall so completely for the boy with brown eyes and a wide smile, who's clumsy and always tries to protect Will, the heart and leader of their party, the bitchy teenager who's a little obsessed with Star Wars. And at the same time, how could he not?
It's unimportant really, when it happened. He can't remember, it crept up on him slow as a sunrise until the light dawned with realization and a silent Oh, sitting on the couch in Mike's basement with Halloween candy at their feet and on the table, Ghostbusters costumes making him feel silly and immature even as he had the third biggest realization of his life.
The second, of course, being the slightly deeper but no less painful Oh that happened when Will was in a surprisingly clean pizza van that smelled faintly of weed, sparking a deep contemplation about the difference between like and love.
The third is the most painful of all. When all the lingering touches and soft smiles and shared beds during the latest round of the Apocalypse got to be too much, when Mike and El broke up, when Mike held his hand and promised to never fade away again, and Will told him he was gay, and… nothing happened. Not that he expected it too, but still. For a moment he almost thought he had a chance, and in that moment that Mike hugged him tight and promised nothing changed, nudging Will and asking him about boys he liked, Will finally understood, Mike isn't his.
But Mike will maybe always be his in some small way, and while it's not the one Will yearns for, he takes what he can get. Working alongside Mike at Family Video, relishing in being alive and having sleepovers and accepting that Mike is his friend first, and his friend only.
Will's in love with Mike, but he still has him, and he won't lose him again. Will's okay. Single, but alive, and he has his best friend.
The bell dings, and Will lifts his head. "Welcome in," he calls. "Let me know if you need anything!" Before returning to the mess of wires and outdated systems on the floor behind the counter that is their VHS player.
"Byers, I was hoping you were in today!" Is the chipper reply. Will scrambles to his feet, waving.
"Danny!" He greets, smiling as he leans his hands on the counter, drumming his fingertips. "What brings you in?"
"Just stopping by to visit the prettiest boy in Hawkins," the boy replies, grinning.
Some things that should be known about Daniel Becker. He's seventeen as well, he likes cars and engines and taking them apart to put them back together again. He likes renting all kinds of movies, especially if Will recommends them. He doesn't understand D&D, as evidenced by him not knowing what the lucky D-20 Will keeps on the counter is. He drives an "old car" he's rather proud of fixing, he's bisexual, and he's kind of, maybe, almost Will's boyfriend.
Will says Kind of because he isn't sure where they stand. They've never been formally on a date, but they spend most of Will's breaks together when he's not with Mike or smoking out back, and they definitely like to flirt. If Will's a hundred percent honest, he was rather content with their budding friendship, and while he doesn't reciprocate Danny's alleged feelings, he's flattered and quite likes the attention from another guy his age who actually liked boys. They had fun together, and he enjoyed it. Sue him.
"Mike around?" Daniel asks in a lowered voice, glancing around as though the tall dark-haired teenager was going to emerge from behind a poster and lecture him for distracting Will as he'd done many times before.
Will laughs a bit, "No," he answers honestly. "Coast is clear, he's getting my coffee right now."
Danny relaxes with a dramatic Whew, and Will shakes his head fondly at the thought. Mike got promoted to manager a week ago, and Will's ninety-eight percent sure it's gone to his head. He's responsible though, and a hard worker, and he doesn't treat Will as less, often claiming they're co-managers, a team. But he will pull the manager card to get Danny out of his hair, and he's done it before.
Will goes to the cart of rewinded and returned videos that the morning team didn't do, bringing it with him to the aisles as Daniel trails behind him.
"So," he speaks up after a moment, sounding uncharacteristically shy. "Are you busy tomorrow night?"
Will frowns as he finds the loose spot in the Romance section for The Princess Bride, sliding it on the shelf and thinking. "I don't think so," he shrugs. Then, glancing over his shoulder, "Why? You wanna ask me out on a date?" He teases.
Danny straightens up, glancing around and fidgeting with his hands. "I mean," He stammers, "If you're cool with that then yes I absolutely do, but if you aren't then no, I just wanted to see if you wanted to catch a totally platonic movie with me?"
Will freezes, his hand slowly falling down the brightly covered video case, blinking rapidly. Danny had to be joking, right? It's not like he actually likes Will, they just hang out. Right? Danny's anxious expression flickers across his mind, and he chews his lip a bit. Quickly, he weighs the pros and cons, debating silently while Danny shuffles in place behind him.
Con, Will's not really interested in him. Pro, He's nice and funny and pretty cute, dramatic and awkward in a way Will's familiar with. Con, he waits for the butterflies he always expected to feel at being asked out by a boy for the first time, and instead he gets a wave of sick nerves that taste faintly of something sour. Con, he's not Mike Wheeler.
Pro, as long as the main occupant of Will's heart is painfully straight, why shouldn't he have his first date with a boy? Why shouldn't he have a first kiss and pleasant experiences to look back on, core memories other kids his age were getting?
"Alright," he finally agrees, offering Daniel a slightly hesitant smile. "That sounds really fun."
"Which one?" Daniel prompts, laughing nervously as he rakes a hand through his hair.
Will inhales unsteadily, turning around and summoning a bright grin. "I want to go out with you," he clarifies, and Danny's smile grows genuine.
"Really? Shit, Byers," he tucks his hands in his pockets, bouncing on his feet. "That's– That's great! So, does a movie sound good? We can get dinner together too, on me."
Will glances over his shoulder, checking to see if Mike's back yet. "Nice," he says. "Um, cool. Except for the fact that we're in Hawkins. Sorry." He adds, not trying to sound rude but he did not survive an alternate dimension just to go missing because he went on a date with a boy.
Daniel's face falls, and he scuffs his shoe on the ground. After a pause, "Do you have a friend that would go with us?" he suggests, wrinkling his nose a bit. "Like, someone that would be chill and kinda hang back and let us do whatever."
Will considers this.
Dustin would do it. Dustin's never met Daniel, and honesty Will doesn't talk about him much either, but Dustin would be willing. So would Lucas, actually, however both of them are busy tomorrow night, and he's not sold on the idea of bringing his sister or Max.
Next, he weighs the pros and cons of asking Mike. Pro, to Will's knowledge he isn't busy. Con, he doesn't like Daniel and tends to get pissed off by his very presence, grumbling to himself and acting weird. Pro, he's Will's number one supporter aside from maybe his brother, always pointing out hot guys in movies and not ever acting shy of touching him or holding him. Con, it might be hard to focus on his first date if the love of his life is sitting next to him. Pro, he's also pushed people around when they've gotten weird around Will or said cruel things. Pro, He's doesn't like Daniel and probably will stick to Will, ignoring the other teen.
"I could ask Mike?" Will offers hesitantly, and Danny tilts his head.
"He hates me though," He points out, and Will rolls his eyes as he puts the last two cases back on the shelf.
"He doesn't hate you," Will lies, shooting an encouraging smile over his shoulder as they walk to the next aisle and Will starts shelving action movies.
"Sure," Danny grumbles. Will turns around, opening his mouth to argue, when he notices Mike through the glass doors, crossing the street.
"He's coming back," Will muses, and Daniel widens his eyes, grabbing a random movie off the shelf as they hurry to the front.
By the time Mike's opening the door and walking in, Daniel offers him a wave that seems more like he's waving the movie as an alibi before dashing out.
Mike raises an eyebrow as the other boy rushes past, not sparing him more than a glance as he passes Will's coffee to him.
"Extra cream and sugar," he announces with a grin. "Just how you like it."
Will sends him a thank you smile, taking a slow sip as he answers Mike's daily questions that he usually is asked at the front door of Hawkins High or at lunch, but nine times out of ten Mike's running late.
Yes, he slept okay, only one nightmare and it wasn't bad. He didn't call because it was late. Yes, he knows Mike is there for him. Daniel just came in for a movie, that's all. He was shelving tapes, yes Mike can help. Sure, he'd love to watch a movie tonight together.
In the end, Will panics out of asking, mentally promising himself he'd ask before they get off. This was his chance for a real relationship, a chance for all those teen firsts he'd never had, and he knows he can like Danny. He's not going to blow his chance.
///
He blew his chance. For asking after work, anyways.
After Will gets home, calling out to Joyce with Mike close behind him, they do homework in Will's room while he debates on the best way to willingly ask Mike Wheeler to third-wheel him and his date, and Mike visibly notices his silence.
"Alright," The dark-haired boy exhales, slamming his workbook shut and laying dramatically so he can lounge in Will's lap. Will used to be surprised by the sudden return of physical affection, but butterflies or not he's learning to roll with it as he strokes an absent hand through Mike's curls. "What's on your mind?"
Will blinks, peering down. "Nothing," he lies, and Mike raises his eyebrow in an intense stare.
"You're quiet," he points out impatiently. "You're picking at your nails. You haven't turned the page in like, ten minutes. You're obviously thinking about something, so spill."
Will sighs, deciding it's time to try and ask anyways.
"Daniel came in this afternoon," Will starts, looking up at the painting of the Party so he doesn't have to look in Mike's intense eyes.
"I remember," Mike Interrupts in agitation. "I wish he'd try to burn the place down just so I could ban him."
Will winces, this isn't a great start. "Right.." Will continues, with a great amount of hesitancy now. "Well, he asked me on a date. A movie date, tomorrow night, and we're going to get dinner first. Or maybe after? But I didn't think that was safe just the two of us, so he suggested we bring someone so we look like a friend group, but it would have to be someone we trusted and I trust you, so I guess I'm asking if you'll go on a date with me?"
Will pauses his rambling, breathing unevenly and waiting on Mike's answer. The other boy sits up slowly, keeping his back to Will and looking contemplative, if a bit unreadable.
Will has learned to expect the unexpected. But out of the things he expected, he expected something along the lines of Sounds fun, sure I will, or No thank you Will, why would you ever ask that, why did you word it like that, stop being weird, or even I'm busy tomorrow, reschedule?
He didn't expect Mike to speak, voice low and upset and confused when he says, "Why do you want to go out with him? Are you mad at me?"
"What!?" Will exclaims, shifting on to his knees and furrowing his eyebrows, Mike looking over his shoulder and fixing Will with a dark and almost hurt look. "What the hell, Michael?"
A rush of annoyance and anger floods Will's system, as if Mike wasn't the one who promised to always be there for Will? As if Will wasn't going on this date because he's trying to find someone who can love him back?
"I'm only asking because you said I could trust you with stuff like this! You said we were best friends, remember?" Will prompts, frustrated, and Mike's eyes turn sad and guilty as he shifts around to face Will. "And why are you making my first date about you, anyways? You could've just said no."
Will stands up, annoyed, intent on grabbing a glass of water and maybe calling Lucas or even Daniel himself, except Will doesn't have his number dammit, when Mike grabs his hand.
"No no no," Mike rushes out, clasping Will's hand and forearm firmly, and Will pauses. "Don't walk away. I'm sorry, okay? I wasn't trying to piss you off. I just.." He sits back as he searches for the words, exhaling and darting his eyes around the room. "I guess I got scared? It's– it's cool though. You're right, you can trust me. I'll do it."
Will doesn't ask about why Mike was scared, only because he knows the reason would be more confusing than anything Will could think up. "You don't have to," he says softly, instead.
"I'll do it," Mike repeats firmly, offering a half-hearted smile. "It wouldn't be safe for you two to go alone because our town sucks, and I'll feel better knowing you're okay. Best Friends, yeah?"
Will searches his eyes for insincerity, eventually nodding slowly when he finds none.
"If you promise it's okay," He says finally, and again it's proved this fate is the right decision, trying to move on since Mike can't love him back.
Because, here's some things that should be known about Mike Wheeler. He's seventeen, he has a tough relationship with his parents, he's bitchy and annoying and bossy. He likes Dungeons and Dragons, mint chocolate ice cream, and hates when books are remade into a movie and the characters don't look the way they did in his mind or details are altered and forgotten about. He works part-time after school at Family Video with Will and he used to date Will's sister. He's lovely and kind and protective and funny and brave, he's clingy and overly attached and scared of the future.
"Promise," Mike says with a tight grin. "It's gonna be great. "
///
It wasn't going great, but Will has hopes that it could still turn around.
First, Daniel was late to pick him up, and the conversation was stilted at best. Will doesn't remember Danny being quite so into cars that it's all he can talk about, but maybe he's just nervous, so Will twists the conversation back to something safe and familiar: Movies. Namely, the Star Wars movies that Will recommended and Danny swore up and down he loved.
Still, things weren't off to the best start as Will climbs out of the car that he's been informed is a 1985 IROC-Z Camaro, though he isn't sure what to do with this information, and he goes to where Mike's parked and knocks on the window to get his attention.
He's curled up in the seat despite his long legs, inspecting a notebook and chewing on a pencil as he startles and quickly looks at Will, grinning when he sees him and Will takes a step back so he can open the door.
"Thanks for doing this," Will murmurs as they start to walk inside, Daniel presumably waiting inside the movie theater. "And sorry we're late."
"Doesn't bother me," Mike shrugs as he opens the door for Will, following him inside. "Just.. forget I'm here, or whatever."
Which, of course, is impossible, but Will won't be telling him that. Daniel comes back from getting them popcorn, eyeing Mike nervously, but Mike shoots him a probably-supposed-to-be-calming tense smile and Will has to break the awkwardness by accepting the popcorn and talking as much as he can.
Mike usually helps with talking so Will doesn't have to, but he's oddly silent, and Will kicks himself for thinking he would be an active member of the evening. He's doing what he's supposed to, being a silent friend slash bodyguard, it's Will who's being weird.
Move on, Byers!
They sink into their seats, Will in the middle with Daniel to his left and Mike to his right as the movie starts, Halloween Four: Michael Myers returns.
"Hey, Mike," Daniel points out in a whisper as they get settled. "You've kinda got his name, especially if you had Will's last name. You'd be Michael Byers, get it?"
"Got it," Mike says dryly, though his face is a bit pink for some reason as he crosses his arms and frowns at the screen.
"The Myers jokes got old around Halloween two, " Will explains awkwardly, and Daniel winces slightly.
"Sorry," he murmurs, and when Mike doesn't respond, Will shrinks in his seat.
This was a wonderful idea, he tries to convince himself. Mike's not good with change, but he cares about me, and that's what matters. And he tries really hard to ignore the thoughts that won't stop entering his head as Daniel slowly makes it clear that he isn't a horror fan, and the slouching alone made Mike check on Will twice in succession.
My two worlds can't mesh, can they? There's the boy that I love, that knows me through and through and is my other half, that loves horror and doesn't shame me for still liking it even after all we've been through. the one that was with me through all of it. And there's the boy that likes me, that doesn't honestly share my interests and will never know why I jump when the lights flicker or have nightmares or flinch when loud things happen.
"That was so good!" Daniel says enthusiastically as Mike holds the door and they leave for the parking lot, Will dejectedly hopping off the curb. "What did you guys think?"
Will shrugs, making a noncommittal noise, though he could go into detail and probably will later, with Mike or El or Dustin.
"Three out of ten," Mike says finally, and Daniel frowns.
"What!? You guys love horror!"
"Exactly," Mike says, tilting his chin slightly and nudging Will's arm. "Will and I are seasoned and experienced horror… fans, I guess, and the Halloween movies get a little worse with every unnecessary sequel."
Will cracks a grin at his antics, the way he's finally granted a reprieve from conversation as Mike walks on the curb and rattles off inconsistencies and plot holes and downgrades and ways he would improve it, Daniel arguing every point as they walk towards Benny's reopened 24/7 diner, now called Dottie's.
They get a table, Will sitting down and sliding over as Danny quickly slides in next to him, and Mike seems to shift uncomfortably as he sits down across from them.
"I don't want to intrude," Mike says semi-stiffly, "I'm pretty ready to go home if you guys think you'll be good."
"Please don't leave," Will says instantly, wincing when Daniel darts a glance at him, seeming confused. "Um, the restaurant might be weird with just us," he adds, and Mike raises his eyebrows.
Dottie's has served Mike and Will and all of their friends in random pairings and never once been weird, neither has its patrons, but Will really doesn't want to be alone. His second mistake of the evening.
"Alright," Mike murmurs, relaxing slightly. His demeanor shifts, leaning back and crossing his arms, giving Daniel a thorough and obvious inspection.
"What can I get you boys?" The waitress, Janey, says politely.
"...Two hot dog specials with the Cole slaw? You like that, right?" Daniel says after a brief hesitation, glancing at Will's carefully blank expression. "And like, two cookies and cream milkshakes. Um, Mike, you?"
Will blinks, taken aback, but too tired and disappointed with the whole thing to say much. Mike, evidently, is not. He leans in, putting his hands on the table and regarding a nervous looking Daniel with an almost proud air.
"Will hates Cole slaw," Mike announces. "He thinks it tastes like watery vomit. Make that a grilled cheese with a strawberry milkshake, and then a plate of cheese fries and a Coke, and we'll be good."
The waitress eyes him but nods, asking if there'll be anything else before she wanders away writing in her notebook, and Will's struck with another wave of exhaustion. He didn't sleep well the night before, and now it's getting late and he never should have said yes and he just wants to go home and binge cartoons with El.
Daniel shifts under Mike's intense gaze, and Will almost finds it entertaining if it weren't for Danny's hands twisting and shredding a paper napkin under the table.
"So," Mike starts, leaning on his elbows, his previous icy exterior melted away into something playful and proud and amused. Uh oh. "You guys met at Family Video, yeah?"
"Yep," Will says, small, and Daniel nods.
"And, Darrel," Mike gives a friendly smile to Janey as their milkshakes and his Coke are dropped off, "How long did you say you'd lived here?"
Will groans internally, putting his head in his hands. "Stop interrogating Daniel, Mike." He says, muffled into his palms, and Mike puts his own hands up defensively as Will fixes him with a glare.
"Relax, baby," Mike grins as Will's heart stutters and freezes, almost choking. "I'm just trying to get to know Derek here. I'm your best friend and stand-in protection for the night, shouldn't I know who I'm protecting?"
"You aren't protecting us," Danny says quickly, narrowing his eyes. "I can do that just fine."
"Not if you don't know him," Mike retorts, and Will sighs, slurping loudly at his strawberry milkshake and staring blankly at watercolor painting done by the owners daughter that was framed and hung up, inspecting the decor on the other walls.
"I do know him!" Daniel defends, crossing his arms. Mike mirrors his posture, leaning back like he doesn't care, and Will discovers that Janey got employee of the month every month but this one, because some kid named Brian got it, and he wonders if she's mad about it.
"Prove it, David." Mike shrugs, nudging Will under the table with his ankle. "If you know my best friend so well, what's his favorite soda?"
"Citrus, like Lemon lime!" Daniel exclaims, and Will picks up the little box of crayons as he flips to the kids menu for the drawing of a duck in a pond.
"Orange," Mike corrects smugly, "And sometimes Coke. Favorite superhero?"
"What are we, ten?" Daniel laughs awkwardly, and Who in the hell prints a drawing of a duck if there's no yellow crayon?
"Dwayne, that's a very immature mindset. It's Spiderman, by the way. Favorite horror movie?"
The entire time Will draws the duck and its surroundings, wishing he was at home in his pajamas and silently mourning the last hope of a teenage love life, poking at his grilled cheese and watching them debate over silly things like his birthday (March Twenty second) and his favorite color (Yellow, maybe red or purple), why he hates any kind of blue ice cream (A memory of Lucas vomiting birthday cake flavor into a trash can at a fair after the roller coaster rides), His favorite Holiday (Christmas) and his least favorite (Saint Patrick's day, a holiday with traditions that seem built around bullying people who don't conform doesn't sit right with him), and eventually Will's reached a conclusion.
It's multi-faceted. One, Mike is ridiculous. Two, Mike seems to find it entertaining to remind Danny over and over that he knows Will better and for longer. Three, Mike isn't a very fair player because right now, he's the only one who knows the rules, and he keeps asking questions only someone like Mike himself would know. Four, Mike knows a great many names that start with D, like Dennis, Dave, Drew, Don, Dean, Dale, Davis, and Duncan. Will knows this because at some point he started making notes and starring the most creative ones. Really, who thinks of Dorian or Denise?
And five, Daniel doesn't know him very well.
Which is fine, because they're new friends, and new friends don't have to know everything about each other. Will definitely doesn't like him back, which he feels awful about, but he doesn't want to lose Daniel as a friend, and he really wants Mike to shut up and stop reminding Will he's the only boy that Will could ever love.
Will nudges Mike to get him to stop talking, tired and reigned to going home and telling his sister about the whole debacle or maybe calling Jonathan, if it was an okay time in New York.
"-And really, Desmond, it was Nineteen-eighty-five Will moved to California. It's simple Will knowledge, there was a going away party for him in our class with chocolate cupcakes and everything, and it's irrelevant that you didn't live here because– What is it, Will?" Mike asks, interrupting himself and instantly shifting to some form of distracted worry.
"I hate to cut this short," Will manages a smile, glancing back and forth between an overly worried Mike and a tired looking Daniel. "But I don't feel well. Pick up some other time?"
"Great idea," Mike claps, standing up swiftly. He casts a momentary glance at Daniel, "Oh, do you want to get the check, or..?"
"You'll probably arm wrestle me for it," Danny says, almost amused as something shifts in his voice. "I'll get it if you want me too, "
Mike glares, darting ahead, and Will exhales in relief as Daniel stands up and Will can wiggle over and slide out.
"I'm really sorry," Will says quietly, feeling a wave of guilt. "I don't want to be rude or anything, and I'm really sorry that Mike is.. a lot."
"Don't be sorry," Daniel says with a dim smile, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "I get it. I walked into something a few years too late. Thirteen, if he's correct."
Will cracks a smile, hugging himself. "He's just protective," Will murmurs. "It's hard to explain."
"He definitely cares about you," Daniel agrees, knocking Will's shoulder in the straight man with Will never quite understood. "But between you and me, man definitely likes you."
Will blinks in surprise. It's not the first time people have said that, including his own sister, Mike's ex, but there's not even a flutter of hope this time.
"Unlikely," Will says simply. "Catch you later?"
"Sure. Have a good night, Byers." Daniel bids, waving as he walks backwards to the doors with a fond but distant smile, and Will feels his heart crush in his chest a bit.
"Have a good night," Will echoes as Mike comes back with two ice cream cones, licking one absently as he gives Daniel's retreating back the stink eye.
"It was never going to work," Mike says casually. "Both your last names start with a B, and he can't tell the difference between a wizard and a cleric. Wanna go back to my place?"
Will stares at him, ignoring the offered ice cream and feeling a sea of exhausted and disappointed and sad and lovesick and angry, so angry. He's got his stupid heart stolen and now he's stupidly in love and he can't can't have one stupid date without the stupid universe pointing a million red arrows to his straight best friend.
"I'm walking home," Will says softly, ignoring the shocked look on Mike's face to push past him and through the heavy glass doors, feeling a drop of water hit his forehead immediately after walking outside into the muted after dusk, hearing Mike scramble behind him.
"Wait, what?" Mike panics, rushing to keep up. "What do you mean? What did I do wrong?"
"Nothing." Will responds dully, wrapping his arms tighter around himself in the chill as he keeps walking, feeling a bite of anger at the whole universe for making him this way, making Mike this way, seemingly making them for each other just to keep them apart. "Maybe I've just had enough of the great Mike Wheeler for an evening," he snaps, hearing Mike's steps falter behind him as the street lights click on over their heads and the drops splash his forehead and shoulders more insistently.
"What?" Mike says again, sounding hurt, and Will exhales as guilt like bile creeps up in his throat, ready to spew apologies and I love you's until he's hoarse.
He stays mute.
"Will," Mike mumbles, grabbing his elbow as he's suddenly behind him, his eyes scared and dark and searching, face pale and lit up with amber light. "Please tell me what I did wrong," he pleads. "Or at least let me drive you, you can't go home alone, it's raining."
The rain seems to pick up on his command, now sprinkling heavily or raining lightly depending on how you view it.
"It's never stopped me before," Will shrugs out of his grasp, taking a step backwards, before turning and walking away again. He hears a trash can rattle and then quickened footsteps, and he closes his eyes tightly when Mike whirls him around again, gently clasping his shoulders.
"Well, tough luck!" Mike exclaims sounding panicked, "Because I'm not letting you leave again! Come on, can we talk? You know you can tell me anything, we're good at talking, Will!"
"You are," Will says glumly, his shirt wet and uncomfortable on his skin, his bangs starting to frizz and grow damp, Mike's own curls starting to hang wet and limp around his face as he stands looking confused and desperate.
"Is that it?" Mike says, sounding simultaneously offended and relieved. "What, I talk too much? Cause I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to ruin your date with Doug, I just don't think he's remotely good enough for you and–"
"Good enough for me?!" Will snaps, shrugging out of Mike's arms again and staring with stinging eyes, planting his feet firmly and crossing his arms. "Forget what's good enough for me, what about what I want!? Do you even care? How the hell can you know me so well and still not know what I want? How can you sit there and say you care and we're best friends, and then go out of your way to fuck up my first date, my first actual chance at someone loving me? How the hell can you know me for thirteen years and treat me like crap part of that time and feel superior when a nice guy I've known for two months doesn't know me inside out? How the hell can you know me, and care about me, but not know or care about what I actually want!? Jesus, I thought I knew you for a second," He says with a breathless laugh, taking another big step back and hoping the water coursing down his face could be excused as rain.
"What," Mike says again, small. He looks like a wet cat, all dark and annoyed and upset as he hugs his arms close, cast in blue rain and dark and orange light from overhead. "You- you do know me. I do know you, Will! I– We're Mike and Will, of course I know you!"
He blinks roughly, looking like someone stomped on his birthday cake, and Will folds his arms around himself tighter, squeezing his eyes shut.
"What's that even supposed to mean?" Will exclaims, " We're Mike and Will, as if that's ever meant anything to you!"
"It does!" Mike frowns, water dropping off of him and rain coursing around them, hitting roofs. "It's always meant everything to me, because you're everything to me! It means everything to me because I'm literally in love with you!"
And the rain doesn't freeze. The world doesn't end. The rain slams harder into the ground like it's trying to dent the pavement and Will sobs a little stronger, chokes a little harder, hyperventilates a little louder, holds himself a little tighter.
What?
"And forgive me for hating fucking Debbie or whatever, but he couldn't love you more than me if he tried," Mike continues, ranting and sounding three seconds to sobbing til he pukes. "And I know I fuck things up, but I love you so much, and I can't stand one more second without saying it, Jesus fuck I'm insane, and God I'm in love with you!"
Will stares at him with his mouth slightly open, the freezing wet chill of the rain sliding in sheets down his clothes.
"What?" He says, barely audible.
Mike stills, looking at the same time brave, bold, and terrified. "I– You heard me," he manages, and Will takes a tentative step forward, his shoes soaked through and his jeans uncomfortable, his mind ignoring all of these things in favor of the three words his best friend just uttered, the ones that felt like the universe shifting into place.
"Say it again," Will says faintly, dropping his arms to hang at his sides. He needs it, needs to hear it again, needs to know he isn't crazy, needs to know.
"Um," Mike wrinkles his nose, taking a small step forward as well. "That I fuck things up and I'm sorry? That I'm insane?"
Will shakes his head impatiently, Mike's eyelashes wet and dark framing his eyes, the way they soften as he nervously reaches for Will's hand.
"I'm in love with you," Mike murmurs gently. "I think I've loved you forever."
"That's–" Will chokes on his tears, squeezing Mike's hand and drawing closer. "That's impossible, you aren't even gay, you- you dated my sister, you didn't do anything when I came out, you can't–"
"What," Mike Interrupts, bringing his free hand to Will's cold and wet cheek to flick a water droplet away, and the orange glow of a streetlamp has never looked so magical. "I can't love you?"
Will shakes his head again, his hair flinging water droplets with the slightest movement as he breathes shakily.
"Why not," Mike asks simply, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he furrows his eyebrows. And when Will opens his mouth to respond, Mike answers quickly. "And don't say because I'm not gay. Trust me, I tried, but straight people don't think about men like this, Will. Don't say because I dated El, because I can explain that too, kind of. And don't say because I didn't instantly tell you when you came out, because I know I'm an idiot for waiting this long, but I was scared."
"You were?" Will manages, tangling his free hand in the front of Mike's soaked shirt and feeling disoriented and shaky and lost.
"Mm-hm," Mike nods, his eyes somehow softening further, warm and deep and brown and lit up in the orange glow. "But, I don't know. I'm still scared, but I'm more scared of losing you. I love you, Will Byers."
Will blinks, and it's uncertain as to whether it's a cold raindrop or another salty tear that slithers down his cheek. It's uncertain as to who really could see them, maybe diner patrons ducking out to their cars that glanced down the street to the streetlight, and it's uncertain who would care. It's uncertain who pulled who in first, who's tears are on who's face, who's mouth led the way, who's name was who's.
All that's certain anymore is the boy in his arms, the boy with one hand on Will's cheek and one around his waist, the boy who Will has his hand tangled in his wet hair and the other around his neck and shoulders, the boy who's somehow a little warm still, the boy who hums into his mouth and kisses him a little deeper, the boy that tastes like chocolate ice cream and softly spoken I love you's, the boy that holds him impossibly close in the pouring rain in the glow of a street lamp.
Mike breaks the kiss, pulling back slightly to search Will's eyes, his face full of disbelief.
"So.." he says slowly, and Will blinks up at him, feeling giddy and confused and like flying and crying and just never letting go. "What you want.. is not Dennis then?"
"Daniel," Will corrects, near either hysterical tears or laughter, and he chooses to laugh. "His name is Daniel, and no he's not what I want."
"Oh?" Mike prompts, hearing a car shudder to life behind them and he releases Will slightly, holding on to the front of his wet shirt instead. "Who do you want, then?"
Will laughs fondly, hiccups and rubbing the tears off his cheeks, only to forget that his sleeves are soaked through to the bone. "You know well enough," he murmurs, bringing his hand up to hold Mike's, his fingers cold and stiff.
"Just tell me anyways?" Mike pleads, "'Cause, I'm not going anywhere until I have it in words. Just tell me, okay?"
Will can understand the feeling.
"All I've ever wanted is you," he says truthfully, loud enough to be heard over the rain.
"Oh good," Mike says, a grin splitting his face. "Or all that would've been super embarrassing." Then, "Kiss me again?" He prompts, and Will laughs as he brings Mike's hands to his face, kissing his freezing knuckles as he registers his teeth chattering.
"Take me home," Will asks instead, peering up into the other boy's intense eyes, soft only for him, warmer than they've ever been. "And stay with me? If you're still asking, I'll kiss you as much as you want."
"Don't make promises you can't keep," Mike says distractedly, kissing Will's forehead as he takes his hands and begins to guide him back to Mike's car. "We'll be at it for years."
"Years?" Will exclaims, letting Mike lead him as he shakes with full body shivers, the chill of the rain seeping into his bones, his legs so stiff with cold he trips up the curb, Mike catching him.
"Years," Mike confirms, walking them a bit faster, wrapping his arm around Will's body and tugging him close. "First, we've got years to make up for. Second, we've got how bad I want to kiss you right now. And third, I hate being late, so we'd better get ahead."
Will can only laugh, too shy to admit he'd kiss Mike for ages, as long as Mike would let him. He had a brief taste in the rain, of cold and chocolate and the kind of overwhelming love it was so woven into his life he didn't notice it at first glance, and maybe it's silly and clingy and stupid but he wants more, and again, and soon.
"Don't speed," Will reminds him as Mike holds the door open and Will slides in, waiting a beat for him to race around the other side as he jumps in the cat and quickly shoves the keys in and turns on the heater. "Roads are slick."
"I never speed," Mike says indignantly, guiding Will's hand to the vent as the air gets warmer, thawing his fingers. "I've got precious cargo, asshole."
"Oh?" Will raises his eyebrows, and Mike glances at him with an adoring expression and a wide smile.
"You're both, by the way." He informs him, "An asshole and precious cargo."
"I get it," Will rolls his eyes, grinning. "I mean, I was just reminding you because you seemed eager, that's all."
"Oh I am," Mike agrees, rubbing a hand down Will's back as he finally begins to reverse, deeming the car warm enough to go. "Eager to get you home, take warm showers, put on pajamas, find an actually good horror movie and make out or something, not eager to wrap us around a pole."
"I see," Will muses, slowly reaching his hand for Mike's. The dark haired boy takes it without a second thought, bringing their entwined hands up to his face to kiss Will's knuckles.
"I didn't mean it by the way," Will says abruptly, his stomach sinking. Mike sends him a curious glance, and he elaborates as he tears at one of his cuticles. "Just, all that stuff about having enough of you and not knowing you and all that. I shouldn't have lashed out, I was just angry and confused and mad and hurt and.. yeah. I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry for not telling you how much you mean to me," Mike says sincerely, pressing his lips together and casting him another side glance. "Look, Will, you can doubt almost anything. Whether the sparkly D-20 we got in a vending machine is actually lucky, whether the earth is really round, whether the galaxy is really so big, silly stuff. But.. don't ever, ever, doubt how much you mean to me, okay?" He emphasizes, squeezing Will's hand, and Will feels a fresh wave of tears sting his eyes.
"Okay," Will whispers back, watching the window wipers trying to wipe off the curtain of rain. "I won't. But you can't doubt either, okay? I've loved you for years, Mike, and I don't know how to stop."
"Me either," Mike admits, pulling into his driveway and putting the car in park, shifting in his wet clothes to give Will a signature sweet and adoring stare. "But I don't want to anymore."
"Me either," Will repeats, breaking into a teary grin. He leans in, pressing a soft kiss to Mike's lips, closing his eyes and breathing in the dreamlike moment, before pulling back and quickly unlocking the door, bracing himself for the cold again. "Race you inside!" He calls, sprinting to the house despite the chill, and listening to Mike yelp and curse as he hurries to follow.
///
Will sighs, adjusting his messenger bag on his shoulder and sniffling slightly as he walks across the slightly grimy carpet, making a mental note to vacuum as he checks in and dons his green vest with his name tag and puts his bag in the backroom.
"Byers," Carol, the morning shift, greets him pleasantly. "Feeling any better?"
"A bit," Will nods, "Thanks. What movie do you have on right now?"
"Oh, pretty in pink," is the casual reply as she clocks out and grabs her purse, "But you've got dibs to turn on something else of course. Well, say hello to Mike for me."
"I will," Will grins widely, taking her place at the front desk. "See you tomorrow!"
After Carol leaves, he fumbles for a kleenex on the desk, blowing his nose and coughing slightly, wincing at the pain in his throat. Mike and Will spent all weekend and them some together, mutually getting over colds and having lots of Karen Wheeler's chicken noodle soup, and by Tuesday he still didn't have a fever and was deemed not contagious, which meant he couldn't call in.
At least he isn't coughing much anymore, Will thinks as he drums his nails on the counter, getting hand sanitizer and wondering distantly what movie he should turn on, or if he should wait for Mike.
"Long time no see, gorgeous," Mike quips with a grin as he opens the heavy glass door, and Will doesn't bother to hide a huge smile.
"Mike!" He greets, beaming as he takes the offered to-go cup, opening it and blowing on the steam while Mike crosses the counter to hug him from behind and kiss below his ear.
"It's tea," Mike announces proudly. "I thought it might help your throat, since you're still sore."
"Perfect," Will breathes, taking a small sip and leaning into the touch, closing his eyes. "You're perfect. Except.."
"Except?" Mike prompts as he frowns in confusion, turning Will around carefully by his shoulders. "What?"
"I don't think the Manager is supposed to flirt with the employees," Will says mock-regretfully, his face twisting in amusement as Mike scoffs and rolls his eyes, kissing Will's forehead followed by his cheek and his lips and then his neck under his ear, mumbling something that sounds like I do what I want.
Will snickers, playfully shoving him off and blinking at him brightly. "Go rewind videos," he instructs. "It hurts my knees to kneel and make sure they're all ready. I'll watch up here."
Mike grumbles slightly, detaching himself and giving a dramatic bow. "Anything for you, darling." He quips, heading to the backroom, and Will watches him go with a smile before leaning down to finish the cord so he doesn't trip again as Pretty in pink draws to a close.
The bell rings and Will finishes with the cable, brushing off his hands and straightening up.
"Welcome in," He greets cheerfully, noting the customer and his stomach drops a bit. After a soothing sip of tea, he clears his throat. "Hi, Daniel."
Daniel gives him a half-hearted smile, glancing around as he puts the VHS he'd hurriedly rented last time on the counter. "Just a return today," He says casually, and Will nods as he takes it and goes to mark it returned in the system, biting his lip.
"I like the uh, movie display tree thing," Danny mentions, putting his hands in his pockets and shifting on his feet.
"Me too," Will agrees, drumming his nails on the counter again. "I didn't make it, though. I was out sick all weekend."
Daniel nods, and Will realizes he probably knew that, given that Will wasn't in school yesterday on the off chance he had something contagious.
Will takes a deep breath, picking up the gold shimmery D-20 and rolling it in his hands. "Thank you," he says sincerely, feeling guilty. "For Friday night. I'm sorry it didn't work out."
"Maybe it didn't work out between us," Daniel shrugs lightly. "But I think everything worked out okay anyways."
"I agree," Will nods, cracking a genuine smile. "Oh, also, I swear he knows your name."
Daniel grins and opens his mouth, when the door opens and Mike wanders out.
"Finished! These are all yours then, sweetheart." Mike grins, pushing the metal rack-cart-thing to Will, pausing in hesitant surprise when he notices Daniel. "Oh. Hey Dylan. Have a good weekend?"
Will folds his arms on the counter, burying his burning face even as Daniel chuckles in minor amusement. "Fine enough. I think I'll get out of your hair though. Later, guys!"
"Bye Daniel!" Will calls, lifting his head to wave, Mike coming to stand with his arm over Will's possessively.
"Get outta here Dewey," Mike jokes as Daniel sends him a fake-glare. "Come back when you have a movie to rent or something else to do other than bother my boyfriend."
Will freezes slightly, the automatic heat and smile in his face at being publicly (kind of) referred to as Mike's boyfriend outweighing the nerves someone might have heard.
Daniel only laughs pleasantly, calling to Will as he opens the door, "Told you everything worked out."
"Damn right," Mike mutters as the door closes, letting out a tiny oof when Will elbows his stomach.
"Do you seriously not know his name?" Will laughs as Pretty in pink ends and he wanders over to eject the tape, grinning playfully up at Mike from where he's crouching by the machine. "Or are you just doing it to be an ass?"
"Of course I know it," Mike says hotly as he leans on the counter, idly playing with the torn edge of a movie someone brought in. "It's.."
Mike gets a funny look on his face and Will laughs harder, taking a moment to rewind the VHS, almost falling on to his knees as he wobbles slightly, putting a hand on the shelf to regain his balance.
"I momentarily forgot," Mike admits, shrugging innocently. "Oops."
"You're horrible," Will shakes his head affectionately, choosing a random movie off the stack as he stands and picks up his tea again, inspecting the case.
"You love me," Mike points out, grinning smugly.
"I do," Will agrees easily. "You caught me. Now, what do you say, Star Wars to kick us off?"
"Absolutely," Mike grins, answering the ringing telephone as Will sets up the movie. "Thanks for calling Family Video in Hawkins, Indiana. How can I assist you?"