Ok but I need a fic of Mike “exploring” in college.
Dustin and Lucas find out and are ofc supportive. Time passes. It’s the holidays, they’re all back in Hawkins before Will so naturally they mention to Mike that Will is single. He’s like ‘okay?’. They’re hinting like- ‘y’know, maybe you two should hang out or something, watch a movie together 😏’. Mike finally clocks on, ‘what, just because we’re both gay you think we should go out with each other? Not cool guys.’ Dustin and Lucas glance at each other as if to say ‘wait is that wrong, but no it’s just that they’re really compatible, we’re right. Why is Mike immediately so against this.’
‘…It’s not like he’d want to go out with me anyway’
‘Mike what do you mean’ Lucas and Dustin respond. ‘You’re literally perfect for each other’ ‘why wouldn’t Will like you’. What follows is Mike voicing all his insecurities in his relationship with Will (which stem from Mike previously creating distance due to his internalised homophobia/not understanding his sexuality, and Will creating distance once he moves to college bc he thinks Mike doesn’t want to talk to him. Also bc he’s living his best life which he deserves and I love that for him.) Lucas and Dustin are like jfc ur dumb and lay out why he’s wrong. Mike’s still not convinced.
Will is now also back in Hawkins. They have a group hangout, the vibes are OFFFFFF. Mike and Will will only talk in a group setting and it is not directed at one another. Max, as the only sane person, decides this is not on. She accosts Will.
‘Did something happen with you and Mike?’ We finally get Will’s perspective on everything.
‘I don’t know, he’s been really weird with me for a while. After I came out he would be really distant. If he were to touch my shoulder or give me a hug, it always felt really performative, like he was trying to convince me he didn’t mind. But the rest of his actions said he didn’t want to be friends. We’ve called each other like twice the whole year. Sometimes Johnathan and Nancy make us talk when they call but it’s like he has nothing to say to me. I think he’s trying to stay friends for the sake of the group but he’s clearly not comfortable around me’ Will looks upset. Max questions what Will means by “uncomfortable”. Will gives some vague answer about Mike’s Christian upbringing and family’s support for Reagan. 'He’s never openly said anything but it makes sense that Mike wouldn’t be super progressive.'
Max questions, ‘wait, Will are you saying you think Mike’s homophobic?’
Will sniffles and averts his gaze, confirming Max’s theory. Now- Max ofc has been informed of Mike’s “exploring”. So she can see that this is both tragic and hilarious. Now we have established where the miscommunication lies, she can make waves to set them up. But in this moment, she comforts Will, reassures that Mike is just emotionally constipated, hates his parent’s politics, and was probably unsure of the "correct" thing to do. He’s been saying he missed Will ‘sooooo much’ the past week and that he had been so looking forward to seeing him. ‘Really?’, Will asks. ‘Of course, you’re his best friend, right?’ Max responds. Once Will has calmed down they return to the group and Will gives Mike a small smile, which Mike returns. Then he looks up to see Max glaring daggers at him #deserved.
Max doesn’t know Mike as well as Lucas and Dustin do, and while I LOVE Madwheeler, I think in this post-canon scenario it is more likely she enlists Lucas for help. Max encourages Lucas to get Mike to open up to Will/confess his feelings/whatever. Mike hasn’t actually confirmed his feelings for Will to Lucas, he just insisted that Will didn’t like him like that and didn’t deny it when Lucas said he was pressed because he liked Will. ‘Why else would you care so much?’. Ain’t no way in HELL he would agree to open up to Will if he can’t even say it out loud generally. This is fed back to Max.
NOW onto the fun part. Max has had enough after trying to gently push them towards each other over a couple of hangouts. During their next group hangout in the basement she suggests they play 'never have I ever'. (Idk if this is big in 90s America but fuck it, some other game of the same ilk could replace it if it feels wrong).
The game starts with a few tame questions before it circles back to Max. ‘Never have I ever hooked up with a random guy at a party’
‘Wow Max, that feels targeted’ Will responds deadpanned, taking a drink.
‘I wouldn't be so sure...’ Says Dustin, staring at Mike. (Lumax involved him in the plan)
Will’s head whips towards Mike, glass only just falling from his lips. He doesn't meet Will's gaze.
‘Ooo was he hot?’ Max asks
This rouses Mike who gracefully splutters out ‘WH- Max, seriously?! That’s not- it doesn’t’- he finally looks up and makes eye contact with Will who is still staring at him with wide eyes, mouth slightly agape. Mike looks back down.
‘Sure I guess but it’s not- I haven’t seen him again.’ He excuses, hands fidgeting in his lap.
The rooms stills for a moment. ‘Is there anyone else then?’ Max asks.
Mike looks at her incredulously. ‘Why do you care so much?’
Max shrugs, ‘isn’t that what teenagers do when they hang out, ask about each other’s love lives? If you have no game you can just say so.’
Mike absolutely falls for the ragebait, he’s kind of forgotten it’s not only him and Max here bickering. ‘Wh- hey, I’ve been seeing people. My roommate Jacob and I dated for a couple months-‘
‘Dated?!’ Will blurts out. Mike’s gaze turns from Max to Will before his face turns entirely red. Will claps his hand over his mouth.
Mike begins to ramble, ‘Uh, yeah it was uhm- well it was convenient, Y’know? But he uh played football so he was always at practice and I think I was a bit clingy, I got upset he was always out. He stopped staying in our dorm as much which is like- where else could he be sleeping? When I asked he got really mad and we fought so it was kind of stupid to go out with him actually because when we broke up he had to transfer dorms…’ Mike trails off, he hadn’t told anyone he’d tried dating again yet. He takes another sip of his drink.
Lucas is first to break the silence, ‘Ah that sucks man, he sounds like a dick’.
Max and Dustin chime in their ‘yeah you’re better of without him’s. Will nods in agreement and takes another drink.
The conversation moves on. If Mike and Will take a bit of a backseat, no one mentions it.
Later, Will offers to help Mike as he takes plates up to the kitchen.
‘Welcome to the club, I guess’ he gives a small smile while bumping Mike’s arm.
Mike’s brow furrows as he remembers the earlier conversation. His eyes scan the room for his parents before remembering they were away for the weekend. Even so, his voice remains hushed.
‘Yeah I uh, thank you? It’s nice to be a member.’ He sounds uncertain. He interrupts his own silence, ‘I uhm- I think I like both though. Uh boys and girls.' He pauses, 'I did,’ he looks at the dish he’s cleaning, ‘I did love El.’ He mutters out. The silence returns. Mike hates it. ‘So I, uhm I don’t know if I’m like a half member or-?’
‘I think it counts, Mike’, Will lets out a breathy laugh. ‘We gotta stick together, Y’know?’ (crazy together- WHO SAID THAT)
‘Yeah well, thanks for being braver than me. You did the hard part, not knowing how everyone would react. I got it easier I guess.’ Mike replies.
‘I don’t think it ever gets to be “easy” for people like us’, Will responds with a sad smile. ‘But we’re lucky to have good friends- they don’t care about stuff like that.’
They continue doing the dishes, both lost in thought.
This time, it’s Will who breaks the silence. ‘I uh, there was one thing that was kind of hard about it though’ Mike looks at him questioningly. ‘I kind of- I thought it made you uncomfortable’ Mike’s brows furrow further. ‘Like, you were weird with me after I came out. You stopped sitting next to me, or bumping shoulders. And when you DID touch me, it was stilted. Like really big hugs, or “bro” claps on the shoulder- which you never used to do, by the way. And we’ve barely called. You’ve been up to so much and I only found out today! I just, I thought you were only staying friends for the sake of the group because I grossed you out. But, now I guess... We used to be best friends, do you just not like me anymore?’
Will looks up at Mike, not sure if the taller boy can see the tears at the back of his eyes. Both boys have abandoned their dishes as they stare at each other. Will waits for Mike to say anything, searching his eyes for the answer he is refusing to give. He looks, upset? Desperate? Disgusted? Will can't figure it out. He used to know what Mike thought about everything, now he doesn't even know if they're friends.
'Okay.' Will says, resigned. He wipes his hands on his jeans as he turns back towards the basement.
'Will-!', Mike reaches out. He grabs Will's wrist- he had not yet made the effort to dry his hands so he covers it with water. A small breath escapes Will's mouth as he is forced back to face Mike. They both feel a faint blush on their cheeks, not that the other notices.
'What?' Will asks, trying to maintain his stoic demeanour.
'I-' Mike cuts himself off. He can't say it.
He looks at Will desperately. This does not convey his message.
'What is it Mike?' Will's voice cracks slightly, stoicism breaking.
Mike squirms under his gaze, shifting his weight between his feet. He still hasn't dropped Will's wrist.
'I thought', he sounds close to tears, 'I thought you'd know'. He steadies himself with a breath. 'Once you told us, I couldn't pretend anymore. I couldn't pretend to be best friends. That I wanted to be.' Mike's explanation is incoherent as always. Of course Will takes this to be a confirmation of his fears.
Will pulls for his arm back, not sure if he can hear this. Mike lets him but quickly continues, stepping towards him.
'Before, it didn't have to mean anything. I could sit on your lap while we watched Star Wars, or bump your shoulder when we walked together, or do stupid things just to make you laugh and it was okay. We'd always done that. That's just Mike and Will. They've been like that since kindergarten.' He gives a small laugh, Will can't bring himself to. Mike steels himself to continue. 'And- I was with El.' He pauses, 'El was my girlfriend. You were my best friend. It made sense. And then you came out, and she left and I-' he briefly averts his gaze before forcing himself to continue. 'I couldn't pretend anymore.'
Will continues to stare at him, waiting. He can't get his hopes up.
'You weren't... -I didn't.' Mike corrects himself, '...We weren't best friends. We haven't been for a long time.' he sighs 'We don't do what best friends do. I don't want to cuddle up to Lucas when we watch TV, or see how closely I can walk next to Max before we bump into each other. I don't look at Dustin when something funny happens because he looks beautiful when he laughs. When you came out, I had to admit it. My feelings for you weren't... platonic.'
Mike brings his arms up around himself, still struggling to deal with his feelings. Tears clog his eyes and throat. He looks to the side, he can't bear seeing Will's reaction.
'But, I did love El. And I- I treated you both so badly!' He raises his voice, exasperated with himself. 'I let you feel responsible for how I acted, I let us drift, I lost you. And I was so hot and cold with El. I pushed all these feelings on her and then ran away. She needed someone steady and supportive but instead, I put my emotional bullshit on her. I couldn't love you, because that was wrong. But, I couldn't be faithful in my love to her because... I loved you.' His eyes remain firmly pointed at his feet, avoiding Will. Not that he could see him past the tears anyway. 'And then she died. She died, Will.' He finally looks up, desperately. 'And even then I couldn't say it. She died thinking I didn't love her, but I did.' Tears fall freely down Mike's face. He doesn't bother to wipe them, he knows there are many more to come now.
'It's okay Mike, she knew.' Will gently places his hand on Mike's arm. Despite everything Will has just learnt, he has to comfort Mike. He always will.
'No, this isn't fair on you Will.' Mike sniffs. His exasperation surfaces again, 'This is exactly the problem! I made you play referee in our relationship, and I'm making you do it again now. I take you for granted, I use your feelings for me against you. It's not fair. And I can't even accept those feelings now El's gone because I will always have that love for her. I can't love you properly- the way you deserve. I will always hurt you.' Mike pulls away from Will. 'And you know that! I was horrible to you and your sister. I always put my feelings first because I'm a coward.' He pulls his arms around himself tighter. 'How could you love me when this is how I treat you?'
Will's heart breaks. He pulls him into a hug. 'Oh Mike'
They stay there for a while, tears flowing. Mike shakes, repeating 'I'm sorry' over and over, only for Will to hold strong, assuring 'It's okay'.
Eventually, Will pulls away. His arms remain outstretched, hands firm on Mike's arms. He waits for Mike to meet his gaze, staring at the taller boy with an intensity he'd always hidden.
Mike shakes his head again, tears resurfacing. 'No.'
'Mike, I love you so much. I always have.' He cups Mike's face to still his movement. 'You must know that.'
'I don't deserve it.' The hand on Mike's cheek falls to his shoulder as Will raises the other to do the same. He holds Mike steady.
'Don't say that about my best friend.'
'My best friend deserves to be loved. He is the bravest person I know.' Mike shakes his head again. Will huffs, he needs to stop doing that.
'Y'know I went missing a few years ago?' This startles a breath out of Mike that nears on a laugh.
'Yeah, I think I remember.' He responds, a slight humour emerging in his tone.
'Hmmmmm. Well, when I disappeared, my best friend went out and searched the woods for me. All the adults told him not to but he's wayyy too headstrong for that. He searched all night in the pouring rain, he continued when he thought I was dead, and he found me.'
'Ah, I listened to you. You're listening to me now.' Will meets him with a stern gaze. Mike nods- finally!
'Unfortunately, I brought a monster back with me. I wasn't myself. But he kept me safe. He faced the thing wearing his Best friend's face. Without any superpowered helpers. He reminded me who I am. He was everything that I needed. And yeah, he can get caught in his head and overthink. He has really hurt me.'
Mike looks down, ashamed.
'But it's only because he cares so much. He has so much emotion, it boils over sometimes. But those outbursts show he cares. And he always apologises afterwards. And that love he holds for my sister? I'm glad. I'm glad because I love her too. And I miss her so much, and he knows how that feels. And the great things about love is it isn't limited. The more you love, the richer that feeling becomes. The more you grow and understand and nurture it. It flourishes in every person you love and makes you a better person. My best friend is an amazing person. Everything he's been feeling shows that. Because those feelings terrified him, but he faced them when it mattered and told me. Because he is brave, and he is kind, and he cares. And that's why I love him. It's why I fell in love with him before I knew what the feeling was. It's why I loved him even when it hurt. It's why I love him now that he's finally figured it out and faced it.'
They smile at each other.
'Yes, really. I love you'
They continue to smile at each other, finally allowing themselves to feel.
Mike laughs. 'Oh Godd.' He drags a hand down his face, 'Dustin and Lucas were right'
'What?! When did they say that?!' Will asks.
'Well, since I came out I guess they've been trying to set us up, but I insisted you wouldn't go for it.'
'You came out to them and not me? I was the only one who didn't know tonight???'
'No! I didn't tell Max.' He pauses a moment. 'But actually Lucas probably told her, didn't he?'
'He tells her everything so yeah. Oh my God, Mike.'
'I'm sorry. I just- I was scared, I don't know.'
'No, it's okay- I get it.' Will sighs. 'I know how it feels, it just. Wow we really haven't been on the same page for a while, have we?'
'Hey! Okay, no more apologies from you tonight. And it takes two to tango, I should have told you how I felt- I was just scared of losing you.'
'You could never lose me.' Mike responds, slightly too intense.
'Nor you me.' Will reassures. 'Right, lets just. No more secrets, okay? I don't know what's going to happen with us but- I think we have a lot of talking to do.'
'...Yeah, I think I know what you mean.'
'I just, I miss being your best friend. I used to know everything about you and now we've barely spoken all year. Not to mention the few years of trying to know where we stood.'
'I agree. I think... Maybe we should try and be best friends first, before we move onto anything else. We'll get on the same page and then talk it all through, yeah?'
Will nods. Mike nods back.
'Okay then.' Mike begins to turn back towards the basement, immediately ready to strengthen their relationship.
This time, Will grabs Mike's wrist.
'Wait! Just, quickly before we start trying to be "best friends".' Mike stops and turns back to Will, waiting for him to elaborate. '... You haven't said how you feel now'
Mike looks confused- hadn't he just spilled his guts to him?
'You like, referenced it and implied it but you didn't say it directly.'
'What-?! Will, I love you, obviously!'
'I love you so much. Look I'll even say it again, I love you.' He begins repeating himself over and over.
'Ok, ok. I believe you now.' Will grins.
Mike smiles back, lost in Will's gaze. This all rouses Will as he jumps forward to peck Mike's cheek before running back towards the basement.
'Wh- Will! We literally just agreed friends first-' Mike all but giggles in response, attempting to catch up to the shorter boy.
They'll return to the basement lighter. Things still need to be discussed. Thoughts aired out, boundaries set. But the ball was finally in motion. No more secrets.
The dishes still weren't done.
WOW that ended up wayyyyy longer than intended, it was originally just going to be a premise but the byler spirits possessed me.
Originally I was going to say: 'Ykw fuck it- set it over summer break, make it a slow burn and gimme 100k words of them being stupid and in love, Ty.' But I acc think I could easily edit this to make it read more like an actual fic and upload it to ao3. THAT SAID if you want to, tag me 😛
