Archive of Our Own

If you ask Mike how he winds up in the worst situations time and time again, he’ll tell you he doesn’t know. Absolutely, one hundred percent. He has no clue why he does the things he does.  Except, that’s a lie. He does know and there is an answer. The real reason Mike messes up and makes a fool of himself more than a person realistically should is because he’s an idiot. 

But before you point at him and laugh at his stupidity, understand that he’s not the only one to blame. Sure, he’s responsible for his own actions and all of that, but everyone seems to forget the effect Max Mayfield has on him. All she has to do is say some stupid shit to goad him into doing some stupid shit, which... Maybe he should have learned that by now, but again, he’s an idiot.

As bad of an influence as Max is, Mike still hangs out with her. That’s mistake number one and the first step to how he got into this whole mess. 

After defeating Vecna and getting rid of the Upside Down for good, Max recovered from her injuries. Mostly. They’re juniors in high school now, so she had some time to heal, but she still needs a cane to help her walk and her eyesight isn’t great. Apparently, she can see shapes and colors but it’s all a bit blurry. In any case, it’s great that she’s out of a hospital bed and walking around when the doctors said she’d be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life. 

Mike and Max were never too close before she went into a coma, but afterward, they’ve gotten better. They’re not that close. They still bicker and butt heads constantly, but Max likes picking on him and Mike enjoys having an outlet for all of his snark. There’s a balance to it that the rest of the Party doesn’t quite understand, but that isn’t important right now. 

What’s important is that it’s the first day of winter break and the Party’s supposed to get together for movies and hot chocolate in the afternoon. Currently, Lucas and Dustin are off picking the movies, getting snacks, and doing whatever else until their time to meet rolls around. Meanwhile, El and Will are spending their morning with the rest of their family, including Jonathan who’s at home for break. Mike was going to meet up with Lucas and Dustin originally, but that was before Max showed up and dragged him to the nearest park even though it’s freezing outside and the playground’s covered in snow. Not that they were going to play on it anyway, but- Whatever. Moving on. 

Apparently, she was on a mission to come up with a good Christmas present for Lucas and needed Mike’s help, but he’s not so sure that’s what her real intention actually was because their conversation quickly shifted into something else entirely. Namely, a debate on how cold it needs to be for someone to get their tongue stuck to a pole. 

“I bet it’s not even possible,” Max says. 

“Of course, it’s possible! Haven’t you seen A Christmas Story? It’s totally possible.” 

“Oh? So, I bet Han Solo is flying Luke and Leia around in his Millennium Hawk right now too. You know, since everything that happens in movies is true.” 

“Okay. First of all, it’s the Millennium Falcon and second, some things that happen in movies are true. Or they’re at least based on reality. But the point is, getting your tongue stuck to a pole can happen. It happens all of the time. If Dustin were here, he’d explain it to you.” 

“What? You’re so sure it could happen but you can’t explain it yourself?” 

“I’ve seen it happen. It happened to a kid in first grade-” 

“Sure it did,” Max says.

“It did,” Mike snaps. “I’m not lying.” 

“Alright. Well, let’s say it is possible... How cold would it need to be for it to work?” 

“Probably something below zero?” 

“Is that a question? You don’t sound too sure at all.” 

“No! I’m sure!” 

“If you’re so sure about it then why don’t you prove it? It’s not that cold today so you’d be fine. You know, if you’re right.” 

“Of course, I’m right.” 

It took a little more poking and prodding for Mike to actually walk over to the tether ball pole, but he did, and with all of the confidence in the world, stuck his tongue out and pressed the tip of it to the cold metal. If that had been it, he’d be fine, but Max was adamant that they count to ten before he could step back. And... Well...

Mike tries to step away from the pole, only for his tongue to tug him back into place. Confused, he tries again and once more for good measure, but each attempt is met with a painful sting from where his tongue is touching the pole. Or, rather, where it’s attached to the pole. 

Shit!

Mortified, he shimmies closer to it and raises his gloved hands up to his mouth. Then, he tries to pry his tongue off of the metal with his fingers. The sting is sharp and the effort futile. He really is stuck. He groans in frustration and Max perks up in his peripheral vision. 

“What?” She asks. 

“I’m stuck,” he says, or tries to. What comes out is only just coherent. It’s like trying to speak with marbles in his mouth and even if Max can’t see how dumb he looks right now, she’s sure to hear it. 

“Wait. What? Seriously?”  

Max steps up to him and squints at the spot where he’s connected to the pole. Disbelief is written all over her face until a slow grin spreads her lips. 

“Oh my god, you are!” She howls with laughter, almost falling over from the force of it. 

Face burning, Mike shifts in place and tries to get her to stop. “Max! This isn’t funny!” 

“Uh, yeah it is. This is hilarious,” Max counters. “I can’t believe you did this-” 

“You told me to!” 

“I didn’t think you’d actually do it.” 

A million questions jump into his mind. Did Max know this was going to happen? Did she want it to? Was this her plan from the start? Is that why she brought him all the way out here when there was no logical reason for it otherwise? Knowing her, every question could be answered with a resounding yes. 

“Max! Seriously, this isn’t funny!” 

“I can barely understand what you’re saying,” she laughs. “You sound like a dumbass.” 

With another frustrated groan, he tries to pull himself away from the pole, but he stops before the pain can get too extreme. He’s not going to rip half of his tongue off just to get unstuck. Glaring daggers at her, he swats out a hand to whack her in the side. 

She lets out a surprised “oof” but is completely undeterred. “God, I wish I had a camera right now.” 

“Max!” 

“Okay, okay, fine,” she says, wiping tears out of her eyes. “Do you need a hand?” 

“Yes!” 

“Okay, um. Well, don’t try to force yourself free. Your tongue’s gonna be really messed up if you do that.” 

No shit. Except Max doesn’t say anything else after that. She’s just standing next to him, silently pondering the situation he’s in. It’s better than her making fun of him, but the more time passes, he starts getting nervous.

“Max?” 

“Uh... Don’t be mad, but I really didn’t think you’d do this and I wasn’t sure it would work so... I don’t really know how to get you unstuck.” 

An indignant whine escapes him and he’d be embarrassed about the sound if he wasn’t already stuck to a tether ball pole in front of Max fucking Mayfield. 

“I know, I know. It’s okay though. We’ll figure something out. You’re a nerd, right? Do you have any ideas?” 

“Water,” he tries. “Warm water.” That’s how the teachers got that first grader free. 

“I don’t have any on me.” 

She also lives way too far away to run and get some for him. He could send her to his house instead, but it’s not much closer. Dustin’s house would be the obvious choice but there’s no knowing if he’s there. Luckily, Mike brought his supercom with him just in case of an emergency. It’s stored in the backpack he set down several feet away from them and as soon as he remembers it, he points at it. 

“Code red,” he suggests. 

It’s the best idea he has and also quite possibly the worst because calling a code red over this means that the rest of the Party is going to know. Hell, they might come and see for themselves. Great. 

Max retrieves the supercom without hesitation and holds it up to her face. 

“Code red. I repeat, this is a code red. Does anyone copy? Over.” 

Mike’s a little proud of her. As much as she teases the rest of them for being nerds, she uses the proper radio lingo when some people—Lucas—still have difficulties with it. It’s short-lived though because no one responds. Max huffs and tries again. 

“Again, this is a code red. Mike and I are at the park by Dustin’s and it’s an emergency. Does anyone copy? Over.” 

Nothing. 

“Useless,” she says, glaring down at the supercom as she turns it off. “If they’re not going to answer, then I’m going to go find them.” 

“What!?” Mike squawks. “You can’t leave me here!” 

“Don’t be such a baby. Help isn’t going to come on its own, which means I’m going to have to get it. I’ll be as fast as I can, okay?” 

“Max!” 

“I’d ask you to wait here, but...” She stifles a laugh. “I guess I don’t have to.” 

Mike glowers at her, but she’s already walking away. She’s right, but he’s not happy about it. Before she disappears from view she calls out one last time to remind him not to rip his tongue off. 

He’s never been patient though and the longer he waits, the more tempting mangling his tongue becomes. He checks his watch every other minute and after fifteen or so, his frustration and embarrassment have fizzled away completely. Now, it’s panic tearing through him. 

The air is frigid and it seeps through his coat and jeans, numbing his skin and bringing a pins and needles sensation to his face. From how close he is to the pole, his nose is also pressed up against the cold metal and there’s nothing he can do about it. It’s not super cold out, but if he’s stuck out here for an hour like this, maybe he could get frostbite. And what if Max doesn’t come back? She’s not cruel enough to abandon him, but something could happen to her. He doesn’t know. 

Another five minutes go by and Mike’s getting antsy. He rubs his hands over his face to try to keep warm, but it’s hardly helping. Fuck. This sucks.  

Why did he do this again? Oh, right. Because he’s an idiot. 

Snow crunches behind him and Mike tenses. He tries to look over his shoulder, but he can’t turn his head far enough. He’s a sitting duck, forced to wait for whoever’s approaching him to reveal themself. Dread pools in his stomach. There are a lot of people in Hawkins that would love an opportunity like this. After everything that happened with Eddie and Hellfire, people are still convinced that he, Dustin, and Lucas are part of some satanic cult. 

“Mike, are you okay?” 

Oh, thank fuck. It’s not some angry townsperson or one of the jocks from school. It’s just Will. Wait. Shit. It’s Will!?

Will Byers, as in the person he’s been harboring a secret crush on ever since he was roughly thirteen. A crush doesn’t really do his feelings justice, but whatever. The love of his life just so happened to show up and now he’s going to get an eye full of Mike's face pressed up against a pole, his tongue hanging out of his mouth and stuck, drool dribbling down his chin, and body shivering from the cold. He’s past just looking dumb now. He looks downright pitiful. 

Yeah, that’s great. Not that there was ever a chance of Will liking him back, but still. This definitely isn’t a good moment for him. 

The footsteps come faster at Mike’s silence and soon enough, Will steps around him and into view. He’s close. He places a mittened hand on Mike’s shoulder and looks at him with concern. He’s wearing a knit hat, scarf, and a heavy jacket but the air’s still turned his face ruddy. Will’s so effortlessly attractive and then there’s Mike...

“I heard the code red over the radio, but I was in the other room. When I tried to answer, no one was there. Where’s Max? Are you okay?” All of a sudden, Will’s eyes hyperfocus on Mike’s tongue. His forehead creases as his eyes flit between the pole and Mike. “Are you- Are you stuck?” 

Mike turns his gaze forward, face burning all over again as he makes a small attempt at breaking free, moreso to demonstrate his predicament than to actually try. It fails, just as he expected it would and Mike sighs. “Yeah.”

For one second, Will seems like he might laugh, but Mike must look really pathetic because he doesn’t. Instead, his fingers tighten around Mike’s shoulder as he leans in slightly to better analyze the situation. Mike’s heart races as the proximity between them grows ever smaller. Will’s breath fans his cheek in little clouds and it makes Mike’s stomach flutter. 

“How did this happen?” He asks, but before Mike can answer, adds, “Where’s Max? Did she leave you?” 

“She’s finding help,” Mike says, his words tumbling out in a garbled mess. Has he mentioned how much this sucks? 

Will frowns. “How long ago was that?” 

Mike glances down at his watch and cringes. “Thirty minutes.” 

“Shit, okay. I tried to get here as fast as I could,” Will explains. “I don’t have any hot water, but I think I can get you out of this.” 

“Yeah?” Mike asks hopefully. 

“Yeah,” Will says with a smile and a nod, but his expression quickly turns serious. “Okay, if we can create enough warmth and moisture around your mouth, it should be enough to get you loose. Cup your hands around your mouth.” 

“Wha-?” 

Before the protest fully leaves his lips, Will grabs one of his wrists and tugs it up. Mike doesn’t fight it. If anything, he goes completely pliant in Will’s grasp, all of the blood rushing to his head at the touch. Will brings Mike’s hand up to his face and then circles around the pole to grab Mike’s other hand and raises it up as well. Once they’re in place, Will doesn’t let go. He adjusts his grip slightly so that it’s a gentle, reassuring thing as he stands in front of Mike. 

Mike goes cross-eyed trying to meet Will’s gaze past the pole in between them, but it’s worth it because they’re so incredibly close. If there wasn’t a giant obstacle in their way and Mike’s mouth wasn’t already occupied, he could convince himself that they were about to kiss. And really, maybe it’s a good thing that they can’t because Mike really wants to. With Will’s fingers wrapped around his bony wrists and his hazel eyes peering at him in determination, Mike wants nothing more than to close the gap between them and press their lips together. 

He goes dizzy at the thought. Stop thinking about it! Now’s not the time! 

“Breathe into your hands,” Will instructs him. “Eventually, your breath should be enough to thaw you out. Hopefully.” 

Mike does as he’s told, focusing all of his attention on taking deep breaths instead of trying to steal glances at Will’s lips. While he waits, Will rubs soothing circles into the gap between Mike’s gloves and shirt sleeves. 

“Try to move around a little too. That might help.” 

Mike does his best to nod as he starts wiggling his tongue. He gasps when he feels it give more than it did before. “It’s working!” He exclaims and amps up his movements even more. 

“Don’t force it,” Will tells him. “I don’t want you to hurt yourself.” 

He listens as best he can, grinning dopily at the affection in Will’s voice. It helps that Mike doesn’t want to hurt himself either. 

A couple more minutes pass and finally, on another tiny wiggle, Mike breaks free. He pulls away several inches, grimacing as the movement makes the tip of his tongue sting. It’s not horrible though. It’s comparable to when he burns his tongue on hot food and there isn’t any blood. There is, however, a gross bit of pink skin left behind on the metal. He’s too excited to pay it much mind though. 

“It worked!” Mike says, bouncing up and down slightly. 

Will lets go of him and steps away from the pole so that they can see each other clearly. He smiles too, an amused glint in his eyes. “Thank god. How did you end up like that anyway?” 

Mike laughs awkwardly and scratches the back of his neck. “I mean, you know... It’s not really important. We don’t have to talk about it.” 

“Max talked you into it, didn’t she?” 

“She was being stupid, okay!? It’s not my fault- You know what? Nevermind. I’m fucking freezing and my tongue hurts. Can we just go home already?” Mike asks, crossing his arms and shivering for good measure. 

Will sighs, but his smile is fond. “Sure, Mike. I’ll come with you.” 

“I thought you were spending time with-” 

“It’s fine. We weren’t doing anything important and there’s still the whole break left. I’m more worried about leaving you alone. Without me, you might end up slipping on ice and snapping your-”

“Oh, hah hah. Very funny,” Mike tries to deadpan, but it doesn’t work because he can’t stop smiling. “I’m not that accident-prone.” 

Will shoots him an unimpressed look and Mike shakes his head. He can already tell Will’s not going to let him live this one down, but that’s okay. He’ll take all of the teasing in the world if it means he gets to see Will smile and laugh. 

***

By the time they arrive at Mike’s house, Will is visibly exasperated with him. When Mike thought his tongue only stung a little bit, he’d very clearly underestimated the injury because it hurts a lot. Every time he talks and his tongue brushes against the back of his teeth, he actually feels like he’s dying. It’s awful. But he can’t stop talking. At first, he was just chatting with Will like they usually do but then it turned into Mike complaining about how much it hurts to talk while continuing to talk nonstop. It was a truly horrible cycle to deal with so Mike understands why Will is having a hard time with it. 

To be fair though, Mike’s always been vocal when he’s hurt. It’s just not the greatest combination when being vocal is partially responsible for the pain that he’s in. That’s why Will’s only a little annoyed. It’s still nothing compared to the full-blown concern written all over his face. In the way that he helps Mike hang up his coat and set his boots aside. It’s all rather endearing.

No one else is home so they make their way into the kitchen per Will’s request. Mike is ushered to sit on one of the stools at the breakfast bar while Will rummages around in the cabinets underneath the sink. It’s where Mom keeps one of their two first aid kits and it makes Mike smile to know that after all of this time, Will remembers that. 

A minute later, Will returns to him with the kit in his hand and sets it on the counter. 

“No offense, but I don’t think anything in there is going to help,” Mike says and then winces. “Ow...” 

“I don’t know. Maybe there is,” Will says as he rifles through its contents. “And stop talking. You’re only going to hurt yourself more.” 

Mike fights back a lovesick smile as he rolls his eyes. Yes, Mom, he thinks, but Will’s fretting over him is really sweet. It makes his head a little fuzzy. Having someone care about him so openly has always been difficult for Mike to grasp. But it’s made even more special when it’s Will doing it. 

Getting lost in his feelings, Mike complies for a while. He keeps quiet and leans over the counter to watch Will go through the supplies. None of it is meant for internal injuries though. Mike reaches for a box of band-aids and waves them in front of Will. 

“Oh! These! I bet these will really help,” Mike teases. 

Will tries and fails to look annoyed by the joke. The corners of his mouth twitching give away just how close he is to breaking and in a matter of seconds, they’re both laughing. They lean over, into each other’s personal space—something that’s never truly existed with them. Will sets a hand on Mike’s thigh so that he doesn’t fall over and Mike’s breath catches. 

The noise makes them both freeze. Their eyes lock together and Will’s face turns an alarming shade of red. Mike isn’t faring much better if the heat in his face is anything to go by. 

They stay like that for seconds that pass like hours. Mike can’t help his gaze falling to Will’s lips once or twice. Okay, maybe five times. Sue him. It doesn’t seem like a bad idea when the air around them feels charged with electricity. Like maybe, just maybe, Mike isn’t the only one thinking about what the other’s lips would feel like. 

Will clears his throat and pulls his hand back. “Sorry,” he apologizes unnecessarily and turns to the counter. “I think you’re right though. None of this is going to help.” 

Mike swallows. His throat is really dry all of a sudden. “Yeah... I mean, I’m always right.” 

Will huffs out a weak laugh, keeping his eyes averted. Mike looks down too. This sort of thing has been happening a lot lately. Ever since they defeated Vecna actually. They’ve never been on better terms and yet, any time they get too close or that—one-sided—spark shows up, Will pulls away. Mike can’t help but wonder if he’s done something wrong. It wouldn’t be the first time. Or maybe Will figured him out at some point. Maybe that’s why he looks so uncomfortable sometimes. 

Before he can fall too deep down that rabbit hole of those kinds of thoughts, Will turns back to him. Worry paints his features as he regards Mike. “Can I look at it? If it’s bad enough and we don’t have anything here to help, maybe we should take you to a doctor.” 

“I don’t need a doctor,” Mike argues, but he can’t finish one sentence without grimacing several times from the pain. 

“We don’t know that for sure. Let me see.” 

“No.” 

“Mike.” 

“It’s not that bad.” 

“You’ve been complaining about it nonstop since we left the park. Just let me look.” 

“No.” 

Suddenly, Will’s hands dart toward him and before Mike can properly dodge the attack, he’s grabbed by the face. One hand settles on either of his cheeks, Will’s fingers holding him just firm enough to keep him in place. A shocked noise sounds from the back of Mike’s throat as he’s forced into a similar position as before, when they’d finished laughing. Only now, they’re even closer. It’s like when Will was helping him at the park except it’s his hands on Mike’s face and there’s no obstacle between them. 

This time the gap between their faces is filled with a few inches of empty air and that’s... very dangerous. Mike goes rigid, his brain turning to jelly as he takes in every detail of Will that he can. Every little mole and freckle. Every speck of color in his hazel eyes. How plush his lips look, full of color and slightly chapped from the winter season. 

He’s breathtaking. 

And oh, shit. Speaking of breathing. Mike takes a gulp of air which is yet another wonderful way to look good in front of his crush. He’s definitely not coming off as a moron who can’t remember the importance of breathing. 

Will might not be paying attention to that though. His expression is far too determined, fueled by the irritation of dealing with Mike’s stubbornness. 

“Open your mouth,” he says, completely oblivious to how it makes Mike’s heart race. 

The awe of the situation has him struck so dumb that he does as he’s told without question. Slowly, he parts his lips just enough for him to show Will his damaged tongue. Will’s eyes dart down to it in a clinical way, but he seems to get sidetracked halfway through. Mike’s mouth quickly grows tired and Will’s still staring at his tongue. 

Mike lets out an unintelligible sound of question that snaps Will out of his daze. Their eyes meet again and Mike gets distracted by Will’s tongue darting out of his mouth and flitting over his bottom lip. Fuck. They’re way too close. Mike’s mouth is still hanging open like an idiot and Will’s looking at him with so much intensity. So much yearning? And Mike can’t do this. He’s not strong enough to resist. 

It’s awkward leaning forward with two hands gripping the side of his face, but Mike pulls it off. His lips meet Will’s with an embarrassing amount of force and it’s clearly shocked him because he doesn’t move. The kiss only lasts half a second though before Mike recoils. Shit, shit, shit. That was stupid. What’s wrong with me? 

“Shit, Will! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to do that- I mean, I did, but- Wait. No. Forget that. It was an accident, okay? The cold must have messed with my head or something because I- I wasn’t thinking straight,” he rambles, waving his arms wildly. 

Will doesn’t react. He’s standing there, still far too close, like a statue. And, shit. Mike must have broken him. 

“I- I’m sorry, Will. I really am. And I get that you might be mad or- or upset. I wouldn’t blame you at all. Just- please don’t... Please don’t hate me-” 

“Why would I hate you?” Will asks, breaking out of his reverie. 

“Because I kissed you?” 

As if reminded of the fact, Will glides a finger over his lips. The very lips Mike had just kissed. “You kissed me,” he whispers as if in disbelief. 

Mike swallows. “Uh, I mean... Yeah? And I’m sorry for-” 

He doesn’t get to finish the sentence. Will’s mouth is upon him before he can. Mike freezes for an instant and then melts into it. Will’s lips are as soft as they look and Mike can’t get enough of it. He leans into the touch, craning his neck to get a better angle, and deepens the kiss. Will mirrors him, eager and so, so desperate. 

Mike brings his hands up, one sliding over the ridge of Will’s jaw while the other tangles itself in the hair on the back of his head. It’s not very long, but the strands are smooth and smell woodsy and sweet at the same time. It’s addicting. 

Will moves even closer to him, stepping in between Mike’s legs and setting his hands on his waist. Mike gasps into the kiss, his fingers unintentionally pulling Will’s hair. It earns Mike a muffled groan that turns his movements fervent. He’s never heard a noise like that from Will and he wants to drive more out of him. Will matches his enthusiasm and Mike’s lips tingle from the bruising intensity of it all. 

The slight pain is what makes it click. He’s kissing Will. Will is kissing him. 

It’s unbelievable. Incredible. Impossible. Mike never wants it to end. 

They’re clumsy and needy. Whatever experience Mike has on Will is entirely lost because there’s not a thought in his mind other than Will, Will, Will. He has to be dreaming. There’s no fucking way this is actually happening. But it’s all so vivid. Will’s hands are heavy on Mike’s sides, his fingers digging in as if to keep him there. Like Mike would ever try to leave. 

No. He wants quite the opposite. He wants more. 

He pulls Will in as close as he can get and traces his fingernails down the back of his neck. Will’s lips part ever so slightly and Mike licks into his mouth. Will tastes like coffee and maple syrup; what he must have had for breakfast, and it makes Mike dizzy. Their tongues run over each other and their teeth clash, but it’s amazing. Nothing could ruin this for Mike. Nothing. 

Except for when his tongue brushes one of Will’s molars. 

“Fuck!” Mike curses, reeling backward to save his aching tongue. 

Will’s hair is a mess. Strands of it stick up in every direction and his bangs are a total nightmare. His face is as red as his kiss-swollen lips and his pupils are blown wide, encompassing nearly all of his irises. 

“What’s wrong?” He asks, breathless. 

“My tongue,” Mike explains lamely.

It takes a moment for Will to catch up to what that means and then he scoffs. “Well, why are you using your tongue? You know it’s messed up.” 

“I couldn’t help it! I’ve wanted to do that since like-” He cuts himself off, eyes going wide as if he’s revealed some great secret. Like Will’s going to care about his years-long “crush” when they just made out with each other. 

“Since when?” 

Still, Mike’s flustered for bringing it up. He glances down sheepishly and shrugs. “You know...” 

“No. I don’t,” Will says, his fingers squeezing Mike’s waist to get him to meet his eyes. “Tell me.” 

It’s only because Will’s smiling so wide that Mike caves. Clearly, Will isn’t angry. He didn’t just kiss Mike on a whim or to mess with him. Maybe Mike was right to think all of those sparks he felt weren’t just on his end. Maybe Will wanted this for a while too. 

“I don’t really know... I think, maybe since I was twelve or thirteen? Maybe before that. It just took me a while to figure it out and then... be okay with it. But... it was always you. I’ve always wanted you.” 

Will sighs, all of his tension leaving his body as he looks at Mike with the softest, most adoring smile in the world. “I’ve always wanted you too. Ever since I knew what it meant to want someone.” 

“Really?” 

“Yeah. I mean, I thought it was kind of obvious.” 

“What? How would it be obvious? I had no idea!” 

“Well, there was the painting I gave you on the trip back from California...” 

Mike’s jaw drops. “Wait. That was from you!? I thought El-” 

Will shakes his head. “No. She didn’t commission it. I only said she did because I didn’t think it would mean anything coming from me. I thought you knew that. Did you never talk to El about it?” 

Mike fidgets. Here’s him feeling like an idiot again. “Um... No, we never talked about it. There was a lot of other stuff going on at the time and then she broke up with me so I just- I don’t know. I’m kind of an idiot.” 

“No, you’re not,” Will says. “And even if you were, I love you anyways.” 

Heart jumping to his throat, Mike shoots up in his seat and grins. Did Will really just say that? He couldn’t have. But no. He did. 

“I love you too,” Mike says, the words falling from his mouth effortlessly. They’ve been wanting to come out for a while. 

Will blushes and cups Mike’s cheek in his hand. “I know.” 

Mike leans into the touch and for once, doesn’t care if he’s looking at Will like he hung the stars and the moon. He wants Will to feel just as loved as Mike does right now. He needs Will to know. But also-

“I can’t believe you bit my tongue.” 

Immediately, Will drops his hands and gives Mike’s chest a light shove. “I didn’t bite you, Mike. You did that to yourself.” 

“That’s not how I see it,” Mike says. “But I think I know how you can help.” He leans in a little closer and wags his eyebrows. “Maybe you can kiss it better?” 

“You know what? I lied. You are an idiot.” 

Will looks torn between being flustered and unimpressed and the combination has Mike cackling. Will eventually joins in and why couldn’t they have figured this all out years ago? Why did it take Mike getting his tongue stuck to a pole to get them together and- 

Shit. This never would have happened if not for Max.

“What? What’s wrong?” Will asks. “You look like you swallowed a lemon.” 

“Huh? No. Nothing’s wrong,” Mike stammers. “I was just thinking about stuff.” 

“What kind of stuff?” 

“Nothing important-”

He’s interrupted by knocking on the front door. Mike turns in his seat as much as he can with Will still caging him in, looking to the source of the noise. 

“Hey, Mike! Are you in there!?” Max shouts. 

“You better be! We’re freaking out, man! We went to get you and you weren’t there and-” 

“I really wanted to see you stuck to that pole!” Dustin interrupts Lucas. “Max said-”

“Mike! Answer the door!”

Shoulders rising up to his ears, Mike glances over at Will only to see him smiling at him.

“I’ll get it,” he says and then, before Mike can respond, Will leans in for a fleeting kiss. 

With another flip of his stomach, Mike blinks up at Will as he leaves the kitchen. It was just a quick peck and it still makes him feel like he’s the luckiest guy in the world. Will can sweep him off of his feet with the most minuscule of gestures and it really shouldn’t surprise him the way that it does. Will’s always had Mike’s heart. 

Now he knows Mike has his too. 

Maybe he should have realized it sooner and maybe Mike’s an idiot and his friends are going to spend the whole night teasing him about the tongue incident, but this makes everything worth it. And if you ask Mike how he winds up in the best situations, he’ll admit that it’s because he’s an idiot. But he’s not just any idiot. 

He’s Will’s.