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“Guys listen up,” Dustin speaks up breaking the chatter in the Wheeler basement. The light illuminates the room dimly as bodies lounge around a table. Max is the first to tilt her head towards the voice, her eyes glazed and glassy. Her sight was never quite the same after the coma and Vecna. Vibrant signs of life and warmth mingle around the room, sheltered from the frosty cold beyond. “I have an idea.”
“That’s never a good sign.”
Dustin’s eyes shift to Max’s in a hard glare before lingering a moment longer. But he seems to remember that she can’t see as recognization fills his face. His eyes move along. He leans in towards the group casting a glance towards the door. Mike and Will aren’t present as they went up to grab the snacks and drinks a few moments before. Everyone shimmers down, their attention focused upon Dustin. It’s nights like these that bring them all together. Dustin glances at the door one last time before he speaks; his voice quieter.
“Ever since Mike and El broke up a few months back,” Dustin continues but his gaze flickers to El who doesn’t show any sign of hurt at the memory so he speaks, “He hasn’t been back in the dating game and Will has never gotten a girlfriend. So I was thinking we should try to set them up with some girls.”
“What if,” El starts, her face morphing into confusion as her brows furrowed. “What if they don’t want girlfriends.”
“That’s a great idea,” Lucus says as a grin spreads across his features. “We can’t let them know the plan because they’ll overthink it and ruin it.”
Dustin’s face seems to mirror the reaction on Lucas’ face. Neither seems to hear El over the commotion. She leans back unbothered as an emotion of amusement travels across her face before disappearing as if it was never there. The air is light and smells of winter. Shimmers of light seem to beam on the two boys' faces as they discuss plans. Yet it dims as the creak of stairs echo and the conversation dies down.
“We‘ll talk more tomorrow.” Dustin hushes, “Operation getting Will and Mike a date.”
Max opens her mouth as if she wants to protest on the lengthy name but it dies in the back of her throat. The door flings open sentencing the protest into silence as the two party members file in. Will and Mike side by side. Red flakes on their skin that tingle with familiar heat. Hair is flawlessly out of place in a way that looks like bliss. Yet no one seems to notice as the old rhythm of conversation settles in. Mike moves first, setting in hair back to usual with a grin that’s wide and wild. There’s a whisper of wind outside in the snow and Will glances at Mike who seemingly knows. Like a small secret joke is passing between the two as they sit down. Something shared between them that only winter knows.
Plans for the cold are the main topic of words. They talk of future plans and the longing feeling for sunshine. Then in the middle of ideas, Dustin makes a face and then leans toward Lucas with a whisper. Lucas nods with exasperation before turning back to the others.
“What about Ice Skating?”
“Sounds boring,” Max states before someone gives her a small push. Then in her mind, it all fits in place. “Oh. I mean yeah that sounds good.”
“I don’t know how to,” Mike rolls his eyes, he’s leaning back, nearly into Will. The others look puzzled by his words. “Ice skating I mean. Never learned.”
“We’ll teach you,” Dustin grins. ” It's not awfully hard.”
Mike thinks for a moment before nodding. It looks like he’s about to say something, stuck on the tip of his tongue but then a voice shakes him from his thoughts.
“Will,” Mrs. Wheeler calls from upstairs. “Your moms here to get you.”
Mike lets a groan escape through his lips as he stands up, dusting himself off. Turning to the door beyond, away from the warmth of the party. Then with one hand, he turns it to Will, pulling him to his feet. Then lends a hand to El. The three of them walk out but not a moment before El casts a glance at the rest. As if to say ‘Oh god, I don’t even wanna know what you’re planning next.’ But none of them seem to mind as the door shuts behind them.
“What’s your plan with Ice Skating?”
“If Mike is learning to skate, I’m sure we can find a cute girl willing to lend him a helping hand.” Dustin pauses. Lucas nods at the idea but Max doesn’t seem totally convinced. “Will is good at skating but a little push into waiting arms that catch him in his stumble sounds romantic.”
“You’re a genius.” Lucas nods. “They’ll finally no longer be single.”
“This sounds like it’s going to end terribly,” Max says with a sigh. “I get to come up with the next plan.”
“Let’s visit Steve after too,” Dustin hums, “He’ll help us out, and besides, he owes me Ice Cream.”
“It’s too cold for Ice Cream.”
- -
“Are you two going to stop whispering,” Mike complains. “You guys are supposed to be helping me skate.”
It’s ten in the morning, a few hours before noon when the Party arrives at the lake. It’s frozen over and other bodies of strangers glide across the Ice. The air is cold and bites at Will’s nose leaving a frosty rose color upon his face. He breathes, a trail of his breath illuminated under the clouds. It’s days like these he thinks that makes him warm inside. Lucas and Dustin are harshly whispering in the background, voices muted in the wind. The white stretches for miles, and snow is all around. Max stands by El’s, grasping her shoulder aimlessly as they glide across the Ice.
Lucas breaks away, skating towards the two boys, Will and Mike who stand side by side. Two girls come by, chattering in the cold as Lucas waves toward them. One is blonde and one is a brunette. They cast a glance at each other before swiveling over. Mike exchanges a look with Will who lets out a muffled knowing laugh.
“Hey ladies,” Lucas speaks, “You too looked great on the Ice and we were wondering if you’d lend us a hand in teaching our friend how to skate.”
“Sure, I’m Solace and that’s Ashley,” The blonde smiles and looks warm and vibrant as if the sun is peaking from the clouds. It’s rather blinding but Will throws back a wide smile. And as if on cue, Mike stumbles and she grabs his hands and suddenly the cold blanket of winter seems to make Will shiver. In all the wrong ways but suddenly the blonde grins like a ray of sun and tosses Mike’s hands into familiar ones. Will and Mike are close as always are hand in hand. Dustin seems like he’s almost let out an audible groan as the plan backfires. “Here, hold onto your friend.” She moves back, “Move your feet like this and he’ll,” She points at Will. “guide you.”
Mike nods, suddenly smiling himself. The brunette seems quieter but nods in encouragement as Mike finds his balance. He wobbles once or twice, grasping onto Will but he knows all too well that Will is never going to let him fall. Once he starts to get the concept he lets go and swivels around uncertainly.
“Great!” The girl says as she glides along. “Let’s go around once to see if you’ll manage on your own.”
“Alright.” Mike mumbles, concentrated as he goes ahead, the blonde hovering over his shoulder to make sure he doesn’t fall but far enough away as if to say, ‘don’t worry about me, I know and it’s okay in a sort of discreet motion. “I’m getting the hang of it.”
Will and the brunette are nearly side by side with much distance between them. Watching their friends in the near distance but the snicker of Dustin and Lucas snaps Will’s attention away. But before he can figure out what’s happening, Dustin pretends to slip, shoving Will towards the girl. In a flash, his feet are swept beneath them as he tumbles down to the floor. But a pair of arms slide around him as someone warm cushions his fall.
Mike is under him, laying on his back as they slide through the ice. His arms are wrapped around him as Will is buried in his chest. Will’s body falls between his legs as they begin to shake with a giggle.
“You know what they’re doing, right?” Mike whispers into his ear before clarifying. “The party.”
“Yeah” Will mumbles back, “They’re being obvious.”
Will is so close he can count the star-like freckles on Mike’s flushed skin. Will has the urge to lean down, kiss, and taste the flavor of his skin. Their breaths mingle but Mike’s arm loosens and Will pushes himself into a plank position. But before he can get ready to stand, Mike yanks his back down as Will disguises it as losing his balance.
“They’re not going to stop.”
“Yeah, but what are we supposed to do?” Will responds. “Tell them that we don’t want girlfriends because we’re making out behind their backs?”
“It’s about time we told them anyways, we’ve been talking about doing it anyways but let’s have some fun with it first.” Mike grins and Will raises an eyebrow. “Let’s make all of their plans backfire like this” His eyes shift up and down as if gesturing between them. “And make them think that they accidentally set us up.”
“No,” Will whispers in disbelief but he’s laughing. “I’m in.”
Mike opens his mouth to answer but suddenly the others are by them, speaking their concerns and checking if the two are okay. Reluctantly Will and Mike untangle themselves limb from limb, pretending to groan as if in pain. But it doesn’t quite reach their eyes as their friends lead them off the lake, waving a farewell to the girls. The girls laugh in return before getting swept along in the motion of skating and it feels like winter once again.
Dustin is apologizing to Will for knocking into him but Will is waving him off saying he’s alright. El is staring at them with a small hint of a smile, knowing that the plan was destined to fail. Mike catches her gaze as he looks around before putting a finger to his tilted-up lips.
“Let’s go to Steve,” Dustin tells the group. “I told him would swing by.”
“Alright let’s go.” Max stands up, Lucas by her side. “But I’m telling you now, it’s too cold for Ice cream.”
Lucas immediately started bickering that it’s never too cold for ice cream but Max simply says ‘whatever stalker.’ As their playful banter begins as El nudges Max at her side. Dustin joins in as they walk ahead, the chatter and sound that feels familiar. Something that’s warm and feels like Christmas is just around the corner, which it is. Handing behind, Mike and Will’s hands intertwine, sheltering their icy hands from the cold. Mike glances around, once, twice and a third before leaning towards the other who shivers at the cold. Mike presses his lips onto Will’s windburned nose before glancing around one last time. Will leans into Mike in a feeling that feels like home.
Then he bounds ahead, Mike still lingering back. It’s been a few months since this was a thing, the shared looks, hands held beneath the table, and secret kisses. Although deep down they know, unknowingly to them, been going on forever. Since they were kids on a swing and even before, crazy together.
Mike bounds off after the party, suppressing his love sickening smile, and joins the conversation. It’s not long before they’re at the mall, walking through it loud with words. Dustin and Lucas switch the conversation between them to Dungeons and Dragons. It feels like before, before the upside down, before the fights, before the idea of growing up entered their minds. Then they make a turn into an ice cream shop and the sight in front of them makes them pause. Will and Mike exchanged a look once more.
Solace and Ashley stand, looking at the options as Lucas and Dustin turn to whisper. Max leaning in to hear. Then they stroll up, the girls casting a glance before smiling at the Party.
“Long time no see.” Solace waves, starting up a conversation. “It’s almost too cold to be ordering Ice Cream.”
“Yeah,” Mike agrees. “I feel like it’s going to freeze me before the snow gets a chance.”
“Come on.” Ashley exasperates turning to Solace. “You promised me some.”
“Well,” Dustin announces, looking between Will, Ashley, Mike then Solace. “Maybe it’s too cold to eat an entire one. You guys could always split it.”
Robin and Steve barge through the door as they cast a look between the teenagers. Dustin leaves the Party’s side to chat with Steve and Robin looks down at the rest. She leans across the counter giving a look at Mike and Will as they hear the girls let out an all too aware giggle. Which caused a reaction of the two friends breaking their eye contact.
“So,” Lucas raises an eyebrow suggestively at Dustin’s plan. “What do you think?”
“It’s an excellent idea,” Solace nods before turning to the counter, widely smiling at Robin. Mike looks like he wants to object but recognization falls across his face. Ashley sweeps her gaze across the flavors before telling Solace something quietly. “We’ll take something fruity, preferably something with strawberries.”
“What do you want?” Mike gestured towards the flavors, looking at Will. “I’m fine with anything.”
“Something simple.”
“Vanilla for us,” Mike tells Robin. “In a cup with a cone. Two spoons.”
Dustin is back at this point looking drained as he shares a look with Lucas. Max and El stay back at the counter with them as Solace, Ashley, Mike and Will walk off towards the tables in a steady conversation. Lucas looks like he’s in disbelief but El is resting back against the counter, smiling. Another plan destined to fail at the whim of ignorance. Steve leans over the counter next to Robin waiting to be let in on whatever it is that’s happening. A chilled breeze floats in from somewhere as Lucas lets out a loud groan. Filled with frustration Dustin gives him a look, a ghost of a whisper that sounds like, ‘yeah I feel that too.’
Max’s laugh drifts through the air at their failure. El allows her lips to twitch like she knows one of these days they’ll get it. Maybe while they sit back at a fireplace and laugh at the obvious but they’re not quite there yet. And for now, all she can do is wait for their brains to work at the pieces until the puzzle fits.
“It’s like they don’t even want to be set up,” Lucas accuses. “They’re so dumb.”
“I did say that earlier.” El hums as her ice cream is handed over. “That maybe they don’t want girlfriends.”
“No,” Dustin disagrees. “They’re just dense.”
“That’s true.” Max nods. “Utter idiots.”
“Wait, you guys are trying to get Will and Mike girlfriends?” Robin asks, her voice laced with amusement like she knows something they don’t. “That’s hilarious.”
“Maybe you guys are approaching the situation in the wrong way.” Steve offers as Robin nearly looks impressed but the look is quickly wiped away as Steve continues talking. “Like no one is thinking of romance when they’re cold. Do a warmer activity maybe, like baking or something.”
“Steve you’re dumb,” Robin pats him on the shoulder but does not explain. She disappears behind the doors with a smile. “Have fun scheming.”
Max falls silent her face scrunched up as if she’s thinking. Her feature falls into a pattern as the rest of them get their Ice cream. It’s unusual to eat something as cold as the snow outside. The cold sensation on their tongues doesn’t help the chilled weather and she briefly wonders if Steve has a point. If something nice and warm, sheltered away from winter will help set the mood. Get the two idiots they’re trying to set up to get the point. It makes some sense but she’ll never admit to liking someone else’s idea. Baking quickly falls over her mind as she snaps, catching the attention of the others.
“I got it,” She snaps catching everyone’s attention. In a quiet voice, she whispers her plan, and all the others nod. “Does that sound solid?”
“It’s the best one yet.” Lucas grins at her.
“Don’t shame my plan, you’re just biased,” Dustin mutters. “But your plan does sound good.”
“Tell me how it goes,” Steve says as he gives a thumbs up before El adds, “You guys are dumb.”
They all head back to the tables where the other four rest, their tongues full of smooth words as if the Party isn’t determined to set them up. Dustin sits down first as the others follow, flickering a glance to the rest as they nod except El who sits down too, ready to watch. She debates telling Will and Mike about what the others have in the plan but the look on their face seems to say, they have a gist of everything going on.
The party part of the operation leans, hovering over the table. Mike casts a glance at the girls who seem to somewhat be clued in too. El wonders if they know about the boy's relationship since she thinks Solace and Ashley are perhaps, just perhaps together too.
“Would you guys like to bake some cookies with us?” Max asks in a tune that sounds too sweet as she points at Mike. “We’re heading to his house.”
“Oh, okay. If that's alright with the rest of you.”
That’s how teenagers ended up filing into the Wheeler’s house. Muttering in relief to be where it’s hot and not freezing. With the taste of ice cream still lingering in their mouths. It feels like Christmas when everyone gathers up and couples still and kiss, leaning against the others' touch beneath the mistletoe. The scent of winter mixed with cinnamon and the beginning of the promise of faraway spring. Mike shows the girls around before leaving everyone in the kitchen to wait. Then he excuses himself to his room to change out of his coat as Will follows him up the stairs, mumbling an explanation of, ‘bathroom.’
The second they reach the last step, tumbling into Mike’s room, they leave a trail of kisses. Warm against frosty skin. Hands slide against one another, gripping in hair and on clothes and after a few moments, the touch will fade. Mike mumbles a ‘stop it, Will’ but there’s a laugh. ‘I actually got to change.’ Will rolls his eyes with one last kiss on Mike’s freckles before pulling away.
Then Will leaves and after a few minutes, Mike rejoins his side downstairs. Right before they enter the room, Will tugs him into a kiss they smile like idiots in love. Leaving the stairwell to join the others. Solace raises an eyebrow at the out-of-place hair, the crumpled clothes, and flushed faces but Ashley swats her gently. Dustin calls everyone over as the boys fix their unkempt appearance.
“Damn,” Lucas mumbles to Mike, pulling him aside. “This is the first. Hot chicks under your roof.”
“Max hold the flour,” Dustin instructs as Mike grabs the sugar, walking away from Lucas with a disturbed expression. “I’ll grab the bowls.”
“Ashley stop eating the chocolate chips.” Solace scolds as El and Ashley pause, hands full of chocolate. “We won’t have enough for the cookies.”
“It’s fine.” El insists with a grin. “There’s more in the closet.”
All the ingredients are out either in their hands or on the counter. Will and Mike are chattering near the girls and that’s when Lucas gives a signal. Max gives a fake trip, pretending she doesn’t know where people are. Vaguely Will admits that the plan made sense since Max actually had an excuse. The flour is heading towards one of the girls and Will is sure that it was a plan to get one of the girls in Mike’s clothes. Will steps in front of the flying bag of flour and ever so slightly it changes its path. El seemed to help with that.
Although he catches the bag before it can all be dumped out, there’s still flour on his clothes, face, and stands of hair. Will coughs, acting dazed and as he wipes flour from his eyelids, he can almost hear Dustin suppressing a groan.
“That’s unfortunate.” Solace frowns but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Maybe Mike has a spare of fresh clothes.”
“He does,” Dustin answers, trying to keep the disappointment out of his voice. “Mike take Will up, we won’t mess up the cookies while you two are gone.”
And that’s exactly what Mike does, barely containing his laugh. They stumble up the stairs reaching his room once more before erupting in muffle giggles. Will gets changed, Mike obviously turning around, perhaps maybe peaking once as a shirtless Will tumbles around his room. After a moment Will shakes his hair before taking a place next to Mike on the bed. Mike happily notes that Will hasn’t put the shirt on quite yet.
“Are you sure you’re ready?” Will asks Mike as the dark-haired boy climbs into his boyfriend’s arm. “If you are, we should tell them tonight.”
“Fine by me.” Mike grins. “It’s going to be fun.”
“Yeah,” Will says dully. “If they don’t hate us by the end of it.”
“They won’t.” Mike takes a breath of Will who smells like flour still. “You know they aren’t like that. And I don’t think I can go one more day pretending that we’re just friends every time they’re present.” His arms engulf Will as the brunette laughs at the touch. “I want them to know you’re mine.”
“You don’t own me.” Will rolls his eyes but pulls Mike into him, tasting the faint taste of vanilla on his lips. Mike pushes Will against his bed frame, barely aware of where one body starts and ends. Years of want, and need, come coursing together in desperate kisses, making up for the time lost. Tangled up in the feeling of each other. Hands gently tug on hair like an anchor to reality as Mike surges forwards. His thigh accidentally slid up and pushed between Will’s legs causing him to gasp. The other takes this opportunity to slide his tongue into the heat of Will’s mouth. Stealing the lingering vanilla from his mouth.
Will breaks the kiss, humming peacefully as Mike almost whines at the lack of touch, slumping into Will’s chest. His lengthy body filled the space between Will’s legs and arms wrapping around his shoulders. Will’s arms curl around Mike’s frame, although he is shorter, he’s stronger and less scrawny. It's days like these that Mike knows that this is the feeling he calls home.
“I love you.”
“I know,” Will responds and Mike frowns. “I'm kidding, I love you too.”
In the background, they hear their friends call to hurry up. Mike groans as he pushes off and falls back onto the bed, his face tinted red. Mike notices Will’s staring and flusters up more, going a deep color as he covers his face with his hands. Will’s worries about his friends pushing him away when they come out vanish as he looks at the sight. And he thinks, ‘yeah, we’ll be okay.’
About an hour later the girls have to leave as dusk settles in and the party settles into the basement. The remaining six are sleeping over, ready to chatter through the night in the company of each other. Away from the wind and snow cause, at last, it’s back into the normal rhythm. Mike and Will are still lingering at the door, waiting for the parents of the two girls to pick them up and get home safely.
“This was such a failure,” Dustin grumbles, Lucas agreeing. “Nothing worked.”
“I feel like they’re trying to make us miserable,” Max adds on. “They’re ruining their chances.”
“I almost want to give up.” Lucas groans. “But it’s only day one.”
“Maybe they’re not interested.”
“El.” Dustin starts. “Why do you keep saying that?”
El’s lips curl up at the first main acknowledgment of her words. But instead of answering, she wipes the smile from her face. She doesn’t want to give it all away so she simply shrugs, turning back to her plate of cookies. Dustin gives her a funny look before turning back.
“They’re actually dense.”
“No argument there.” Lucas agrees and Max adds. “Trying to set them up is almost more painful than becoming blind.”
The sound of a car driving off fades in the distance as footsteps on stairs come into hearing. Will and Mike appear in the doorway, a big smile plastered on their face as the Party raises an eyebrow. Perhaps their plan worked out in the end but that doesn’t quite seem it. As the two boys join the rest on the basement floor, it’s clear they’re ready to say something. El doesn’t seem to pay much attention as if she knows what’s coming and everything gets more confusing.
“Guys,” Mike starts, “Me and Will have realized your attempts of setting us up and we want to thank you. You’ve been a lot of help.”
“What are you talking about?” Lucas asks clearly puzzled. “We clearly failed.”
“Huh?” Will laughs. “You guys succeeded.”
Dustin looks as lost as Lucas. They exchange a set of glances before nodding in a signal for Mike and Will to continue.
“Yeah, you guys did.” Mike continues with a bright expression. “You know, you pushing Will into me on the Ice so we tumbled down together in my arms. Very romantic.”
“Making me and Mike share the Ice Cream too.”
“And finally getting me to get Will into my clothes.” Mike finishes. “Your hard work really made us realize what’s been in front of us the entire time. You know, me and Will.” Mike glances at his boyfriend who nods at the look. The two boys swallow as their hands intertwine, heat radiating off both of them. Everyone seems to freeze at the motion. Except for El who muffles a laugh before stuffing more cookies into her mouth. “Thank you for setting Will and me up and getting us to come to terms with us being in love.”
“No way.” Max is the first to break the silence. “You guys are fucking with us.”
“Yeah.” Mike laughs and everyone releases a breathy laugh. “We are messing with you.”
“Because,” Will adds, removing his hand from Mike before placing it on his freckled face and pulling him in for a kiss. It’s not long but not short. Not rough but not a gentle peck. It lasts about five seconds before they pull away, glancing at the Party. “Because we’ve been dating for the past few months.”
The silence following is absolutely deafening. It feels like they’re all standing outside, stripped of their heat, slowly freezing is a suffocating feeling. Will almost thinks they’re got it all so very wrong and panic rises to his chest. But wordlessly Mike’s hand finds his own in a way that means, ‘it’s all going to be okay.’ Will breathes that Christmas-filled air that promises laughter by the fireplace and the far away taste of the beginning of spring. Because even if it’s not okay and all goes wrong, they’ll have each other in their arms where they belong.
This time Dustin is the first to recover from the news and he groans for a moment at himself. Now that he sees it, he remembers those glances, whispers, and lingering touches and he feels like he’s been mentally blind and deaf. His face twists into a grin as he tugs his friends close.
“We love you the same, no matter who you’re into,” Dustin says and Will feels a little choked up. And judging by the similar look on Mike’s face, it’s clear it’s also how he’s feeling. “Right guys?”
“Of course,” Max says, joining the hug. “It’s all the same.”
“You got a problem?” El asks Lucas who is just recovering. ”Or is it all fine?”
“No I don’t have a problem,” Lucas says slightly embarrassed if he gave that impression. Then he turns to everyone, joining the group hug, tugging El along so it was completed. “Geez, of course, I don’t have a problem, you guys are my best friends.” He mutters like it’s obvious. “I’m just a little shocked.”
“Oh,” Dustin says turning to El. “That’s why you were acting weird, you already knew.”
El smiles with a nod.
And that’s how it was and always will be. Bodies gathered around the tables bubbling with life. In the Wheeler’s basement is illuminated by light. Laughter and chatter are bright and light. Away from the cold and together in each other’s warmth. And It’s nights like these that bring them all together. Cause no matter the weather, if it’s pouring, sunny or like the blizzard outside, this is how it’s always been. Wrapped up with friends as close as family in a familiar feeling that feels like home. And yeah, they’ll be okay.