I felt like writing and was inspired by @nancysglock
TW for suicidal actions (not out of a want to die. [No one dies] And only mentioned but stay safe <3)
'then we need to sever the connection.' the words ring out again as Will stuffs his bag full of canned food. He doesn't want to die, not yet, but Dustin wasn't wrong in what he said. Vecna will keep coming back unless he loses his ties to this plane. It was surprisingly easy for Will to figure out he was the connection, the troubles lied with the severing part. He has always been a survivor, he survived being bullied, he survived having an abusive father, he survived being stuck in the upside down and being possessed by the mind flayer. His connection to the upside down is now an integral part of him, he can almost feel it coursing through his veins and if he concentrated he could feel those horrid vines wrapping around his heart causing it to rot in his chest. Will zips up his backpack, slinging it over his shoulder and walking to his desk. He grabs out a fresh sheet of lined paper. They deserve an explanation at least. He doesn't want them chasing him, he doesn't want them to be burdened again but once the final gate closes that should be no issue, after writing the letter he folds it in half and tucks it under his mattress, he can't risk anyone finding it too early.
Each step feels heavier than the last as he walks to the trailer park. El managed to shut most of the gates but the original four... she just couldn't.
Will feels as though he is walking right into the mouth of hell as he drags his feet through the gravel path leading to the trailer. The back of his neck tingles as he reaches for the door knob. A warning. He pushes open the door and marches inside, his neck starts to ache. A threat. He drags a chair under the gate and reaches up, if he did this correctly he could land on the stack of 3 chairs that Dustin used. The back of his neck screams. A taste of what's to come. He sighs, this is the only option, he has exhausted the other options, tried finding another connection, tried finding where or how he is connected, he even took a gun to his head but he couldn't get himself to pull the trigger.
Just as he lowers himself onto the side of the chair tower he hears a yell. Before he can properly react a mop of jet black hair jumps through the gate, Will falls back in shock as Mike knocks over the precariously placed chairs.
"WILL!" Mike yells stumbling to his feet. Anxiety grips Will's chest as he whips his head up to the- now closing- gate above them.
"Mike..." He whispers, after a beat of silence. His eyes narrow into slits and he turns to the taller boy, "What the hell?!"
"What do you mean 'what the hell?' You're the one that jumped into the gate." Mike accuses. Will's lips curl in anger.
"So what? That's none of your business. How'd you even know I'd be here?" 'there's no way he would know unless-'
"It is my business. And you wrote a note."
"What were you doing snooping in my room?!?" Will glares, brows drawing together.
"I wasn't snooping. I just felt like there was something up with you-"
"So you thought I couldn't handle myself?" Will scoffs, 'just like everyone else, always babying him.'
"No! But I was worried. And rightfully so! You did-" Mike throws his hands wildly around, "- this."
"And.. what? You thought it would be smart to jump in head first after me? Huh?" Will stomps forward to be face to face with the older. "You are such an idiot." He growls. Lightning strikes outside.
"Me? I'm the idiot. Look at the decision that you made! I just wanted to stop you before that happened." Mike points up, jaw hardening.
"Well. Maybe that's what I wanted to happen." Will drawls poking a finger into Mikes shoulder.
"Well. Maybe I do need to baby you because that was such a. Shitty. Idea." Mike straightens his back. Will chuckles dryly, shaking his head.
"Yeah." Mike buckles down.
"Fuck you Mike." Will spits, voice quieter than before. Mike sees red. He thrusts his hands out, pushing Will onto the ground, regret immediately floods his body as he sees the other boy on the ground. He offers his hand out to help Will sit up, The other swiftly slaps his hand away. Will drags his knees up, clasping his hands around them and dropping his head.
"Why did you follow me?" Will didn't dare speak above a whisper, care laced into every syllable. Mike pauses. Because Will is his friend- his best friend, he would've done this for El or Lucas or Dustin, even Max. He Might've told someone else first though. Or tried calling first, but when he first saw that note he felt like all the air was ripped was his lungs and he immediately ran to the trailer park, would he have done that for his other friends?
"Cause it's you..." He can't describe it any other way. He drops down next to Will, so they can be face to face. Will turns his head and looks into Mikes soul, despair swims in his eyes.
"Yeah." Mike responds just as soft. Will smiles slightly. Mike feels butterflies erupt in his stomach.
"Why me?" Will dares to ask, studying Mikes face for any preemptive emotions. Mike opens his mouth then shuts it before opening it again like a fish.
"I- I don't- I can't-" Mike takes in a stuttering breath, "I can't lose you again. I can't." Mike screws his eyes shut willing away the tears that are insisting on being released, he knows that if he dares let one fall he wouldn't be able to stop. He is ripped from his thoughts as he hears a quiet sniffle from Will.
"I'm sorry." Will rasps out.
"No. No. It's not your fault. Not at all. I'm sorry, you shouldn't have ever been made to feel that way. Like you need to- to do something like this to help." Gutteral sobs force their way out of Wills mouth as he throws himself into Mikes arms, he grips the back of Mikes plaid shirt as if it was a lifeline. At this point it might as well be. Mike slowly wraps his arms around the shaking figure, as if he was glass, that he could break if he gripped too hard.
"It's ok. It'll be ok. It'll be-" Mikes voice cracked as tears started streaming down his face. Will lifts his head with a shakey attempt at a comforting smile, Mike doesn't know what it was, the concern in Wills eyes even though he was the one breaking down, the attempt at comforting Mike, or the fact that they were both in the same boat, together, a team. He reaches one hand up to cup Wills face, swiping his thumb across his cheek and leans his face down and joins their lips.
"I- I think I love you." Mike whispers eyes darting in-between Wills eyes.
"I love you too." Will responds immediately.
