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Max Mayfield sat across from Will in a giant booth seat at Benny's. Will could smell the greasy diner food, and it made him want to eat the table. He was so hungry.. He checked his watch again. It felt like the minute hand was broken from how it barely nudged from the last time Will checked it. Or the time before that.
“That won't make them come any faster, you know?” Max rolled her eyes fondly. “Sides, Lucas said we could start without him. He's gonna be late because he has to drop off Erica.”
Will nodded and slid his back down the back of the booth, leaving his chin at tabletop level. He groaned. “I know! But we’re the only ones here!”
Max spun the ice around in her cup. Clink. Clink. “And Mike and Jane are always late.” She shrugged.
Will grumbled. “Oh don't get me started on that.” He rolled his head up to stare at the ceiling. “You know they're at my house right now? Just laughing and doing nothing!” He threw his arms up. “God they are just—”
“Insufferable?” Max smirked. “Annoying? Over the top?”
Will grinned and sat up. “Exactly! Yes! Thank you Max!” He beamed. “I can't go a day without seeing them together or hearing them bring each other up! And it'd be fine if they weren't also..”
“ditchers.” Max grumbled. “The next time Jane bails on me for Mike, I'm gonna kick that twinks scrawny ass. No offense to twinks.”
Will snorted. “Right! And they act like everyone else has to be in a relationship to understand why they're such bad friends!”
“Which everyone obviously knows is bullshit.” Max agreed.
“You and Lucas aren't obnoxious about it.” Will huffed. “Its like.. every time I talk to Jane she really wants to know if I'm dating someone, and sure she means well but..” He scratched the back of his neck. “god is it annoying.”
“Wait till you get in a relationship and all of a sudden Mike Wheeler is on your case because you don't,” She made her voice deep and pinched her nose. “‘act the right way!’ and ‘are you really inlove??’” She mocked. “Mike has never liked me.”
Will groaned. “He used to be different, but honestly just—” He sighed. “I dunno anymore. It's like.. what's the point in dwelling on the past?”
Max nodded and went back to her drink. Will looked back at the table. He picked at the corner of his menu. He stared at the menu. He read the menu. His eyes racked over the pictures. Burger..
“Oh my god. Will.” Max snapped his attention to her. “Just order!”
“We can't.” He frowned. “I can't. No one's here yet.”
Max rolled her eyes. “Who cares about Mike and Jane?”
Will narrowed his eyes. “They're our friends.”
“They're late.” She quirked her brows, and hummed against her straw. “They don't get a say.”
“Dustin's not here either.” Will surveyed the room. “You think he's alright?”
Max cocked a brow. “Isn't he always late too?”
Will scoffed. “No, I accounted for that.” He stared at the door. “I told him the time was twenty minutes early so if anything he should have been early.”
Max narrowed her brows. “Right.. yeah.” She squinted at him.
“What if he's hurt?” Will looked over at Max. “What if Ms. Henderson is hurt— I should call his house—” He sputtered and made a move to stand.
“Dude.” Max stopped him. “Dustin's fine. He probably overslept or something.” She rolled her eyes. “He'll be here.”
Will looked back to the door. “He does like to sleep past noon..” He shrugged. “okay. yeah.”
Max grinned. “So—”
“I'm not ordering without him.” Will shot her a half hearted glare.
Max thumped her head against the table and groaned.
It didn't take too long for Mike and Jane to arrive, hand in hand. They went ahead and ordered, and with three people peer pressuring him, Will gave in and ordered.
Lucas arrived not long after. He ordered a milkshake and made Mike and Jane get out so he could squish himself next to Max. Will was glad they were there but.. “Where's Dustin?” He pinched his eyebrows. “He really should be here by now.”
Mike scowled. “uh— I don't?—”
The door chimed loudly as it almost slammed open. Will nearly got whiplash twisting his head to see what the commotion was. Dustin made eye contact with him and grinned.
Dustin had a shoe still untied, his shirt backwards, and half of his hair sticking up outside the cap. “What's—” Dustin wheezed. “up! Guys. What's up guys?” He slid into the spot next to Will.
Mike glared. “You know you're really—”
“You were so late!” Will bumped his shoulder. “I was starting to get worried.”
“Starting?” Max snorted under her breath. Will glared at her.
Dustin smiled. “Yeah. Sorry about that.” He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “I uh.. tried?”
Will rolled his eyes fondly. “mm try harder next time?”
Dustin snorted. “Ate Aye captain!” He saluted.
Mike smiled tightly. “Dustin. You should order. The rest of us already have. Might take your food a bit to get out.”
“uh.. right okay.” Dustin looked to Will, who just shrugged.
Mike wiped his index finger on the table, and started picking at a splinter. “so uh, Will.” He cleared his throat and looked over at Will through the corner of his eye. “You uh.. got a boyfriend yet? A partner..?”
Will's eyes twitched. “No.” He squished his burger. “How would I have gotten one in the past..” He checked his watch. “forty minutes since I saw you?”
Mike shrugged. “I dunno?” He stabbed himself on the splinter, then winced. “Just an icebreaker. Jesus..”
Jane winced sympathetically and handed over a napkin. “here.. don't leave the wood in. It could get infected.”
Lucas snorted. “owie max my finger!!” He waved dramatically. “I'm going to die!! From.. tennis!” He clutched at his chest and pretended to restart his heart.
Max held a napkin out with false anguish on her face. “Oh Lucas! Lucas don't die!” She shook her head woefully. “I'll save you!”
Mike threw his crumpled up straw wrapper at them. “Fuck off.” Max flipped him off. “besides!” Mike corrected. “Its tetanus! Which you can't even get from a splinter. That's rusty nails asshole.”
Will couldn't hold back his grin. Dustin bumped him with his shoulder and Will slid his fries over for them to share. Dustin beamed at him.
Will loved these soft moments, surrounded by his friends in a familiar place just enjoying themselves. Max and Mike fighting, random antidotes about everyone's lives away from each other. It was great.
Dustin had a way of making Will feel special. Everyone feel special. Dustin more often than not had a very hard time reading a room, but his jokes were always hilarious, even if poorly timed, and everything Will learned about Dustin's hobby and his intelligence just wowed him.
Dustin made him want to curl up beside him on a couch and drink hot cocoa and watch dumb Hallmark or romcom movies. Dustin would critique them and say something cheesy and Will would just giggle under his breath. That doesn't mean anything about Will's romantic feelings. After his awful disappoint with his crush on Mike he wasn't going anywhere near a straight guy, especially not a straight guy in his friend group.
Dustin just made him feel fuzzy. In a friendly way. That was all. Will smiled up at Dustin softly. “What'd you order?—”
Mike's attention snapped away from Max and Lucas. “Dustin.” He tilted his head. “Gosh wow.. you really were late, huh?” He chuckled. He smirked and took a sip from his straw untill it made an obnoxious sound.
Dustin scowled. “I mean.. I guess?” He shrugged his shoulders uncomfortably. “I already apologized so I don't see why—”
“I mean I know Suzie was heartbreaking..” Mike tsked, and held a hand to his chest in a similar mocking fashion. His eyebrows tilted up and his lips were positioned in a pout. “but really, man,” He reached across the table to put a hand on Dustin's chest. “you gotta move on.”
“Mike.” Jane scowled.
“I mean it was ages ago Dustin!” Mike continued, only getting louder. “A middle school girlfriend? Yikes man. Move on!”
Will frowned. “Mike..”
Dustin pushed Mike's hand off him. “Are you serious? Why are you still bringing that up?” Dustin took one of Will's hands into his own. Will squeezed it gently for reassurance.
Mike's eyes flicked to Will and Dustin's entertained fingers. “I just don't want you to feel unlovable..” Mike sighed and rested his head in the palm of his hand. “I mean.. it's gotta be hard being single for so long!”
“Mike!” Jane hissed. “Knock it off.”
“Maybe your flirting game is just weak?” Mike glared at Dustin. His eyes darted over to Will, and Will wondered what on earth any of this had to do with him. “It's gotta make it hard to get outta bed in the morning, huh?” He pouted. “Heartbreaking..” He slurped his straw.
“Fuck off.” Max leaned forward. “What crawled up your ass and died? No need to be an asshole!”
“I'm not!” Mike slung his arms out to gesture to Dustin. “I'm helping him!”
“How is being condescending about something that happened years ago helpful?” She slammed her fists against the table. “You're just jealous he's okay being single whereas you feel miserable in your own relationship!”
Mike scoffed. “Seriously? This is about me and Jane now?” He stared at Dustin. “I'm just helping him move on.”
“Will and I are dating!” Dustin blurted, loudly.
Mike went pale, which shouldn't mean much because his skin was always white enough to make milk envious, but he definitely went pale. His eyes looked like they were bugging out. “You—”
Jane froze and looked back and forth between Dustin and Will. A spark lit up. “Oh my gosh! I am so happy for you!” She squeaked and jumped up to pull Will into a tight hug.
Max went wide eyed and Lucas choked on a French fry.
“You.. and him?” Mike scowled. “You.. and Will? Really?” He scoffed. “Right. Will hasn't told us because?” He narrowed his eyes. “Will looks mortified because?”
Dustin looked around nervously. His eyes met Will’s. “Because.. We weren't ready to tell anyone yet.” He looked back at Mike, then switched gears to stare obviously at Will. He grew more confident. “Baby, I’m sorry. I mean it.” He murmured. Dustin's hand, which Will realized he never really let go of, squeezed his own.
“Baby?” Mike squawked.
Will's cheeks went hot. Holy shit. What was happening. Jane pulled back from her hug. “Will, is this true?” She pleaded before turning her murderous gaze onto Dustin. “Or are you lying.” She narrowed her eyebrows, quick to believe Mike's half thought accusations.
Will felt shaky. He didn't have long to think this through. Getting Mike off his back would be great. So great actually and he was being a total dick to Dustin.. “Yeah— yeah sorry I'm uhm.. in shock.?” Fuck. Was that the wrong choice? Will felt like his heart was going to beat out of his chest then shrivel up on the floor and die.
Jane’s grin widened past that of return and she shook Will's shoulders intensely. “Yes! Now we can go on double dates and I can give you relationship advice!” She paused and stared down at Will's hand, the one clutched gently against Dustin's own. “Or you can give me some!”
Will looked at Max. His eyes screamed a mix of ‘help me. Save me.’ and ‘holy fuck believe me. Believe me.’
Max just grinned. “Nope. Not helping you out of this one.” She dipped her fry in Lucas’ milkshake. “That's what you get for not telling me.” Crunch.
Dustin wrinkled his nose. “That is an atrocious combo.”
She pointed another fry at Dustin. “And you,” She emphasized. “are so lucky I'm not giving you the shovel talk right now!”
Lucas snorted, then hid his face in his hands. “Sorry man.” He mumbled in response to Dustin's offended look. “Happy for you, but.. you're on your own.” He shrugged.
“Wh— betrayal!” Dustin threw his arm over Will’s shoulder. “Babe, can you believe these cretins?” He shook his head.
“Cretins?” Max glared.
“Babe?” Mike scoffed. “This is ridiculous. It’s— it's bullshit!” He looked back and forth between Will and Dustin quickly. “You guys can’t seriously believe this?”
“Mike, what are you talking about?” Lucas sighed. “Dude, it's fine.”
“It's not fine.” Mike grumbled. “This is— You guys are— You're lying!” His voice squeaked. “And friends don't lie. Okay? Not to each other.” He furrowed his brows.
Max snorted. “Right. Of course. Sure.” She leaned over to loudly whisper in Lucas' ear. “Mike Wheeler crash out incoming.”
Lucas leaned in. “Mike crash out started five minutes ago..” He snickered.
“I am not ‘crashing out!’” He yelped. “Even if Will and Dustin are.. together,” He seethed. “then they still aren't a good couple! Will's clearly uncomfortable!”
“Because I'm not used to being public, Mike..” Will lied smoothly. He picked at his fingernails. Dustin held his other hand to stop him.
Dustin glared at Mike. “Dude. Me and Will are the best couple, no offense to Max and Lucas but..” He looked up at Will with a smile. “I think we have you beat.”
“Awh!” Jane cooed.
“Will.” Mike's obvious last ditch plan to plead against this situation. A situation where, as far as Will was aware, was just him not being right. Mike was.. mad, to not be right. To be embarrassed. “Will. Why didn't you tell me?”
“Its not like I've really seen you Mike!” Will scoffed and found himself further tucked into Dustin's side. Mostly by his own well doing. “We don't really talk anymore. Don't act like I owe you anything.”
Dustin nodded, then promptly stole a fry off of Will's plate.
Mike scoffed. “Whatever. Jane c'mon.” He stood up hastily. Jane faltered. “Jane..” He pleaded. “c'mon..”
Jane sighed and grabbed her coat. “I'll meet up with you guys later?” She shrugged. “See you at home Will.”
Will nodded curtly. Max sighed and watched Jane leave. She took another fry. “Never let me invite the two of them, ever again.”
Dustin snorted.
It wasn't long after that that Dustin's food arrived and he quickly ate while everyone else (Max and Lucas) paid their bills.
“Alright! We're out.” Max dropped the pen that came with the receipt on the table with a dramatic flare like she was doing a, quote, ‘mic drop.’ “I cannot wait to bug you about this later Will.”
Will smiled shyly. “Yeah.”
“See you guys.. next week?” Lucas questioned. He dug through his pockets for his car keys.
Dustin nodded eagerly. “Yep! See you then!”
Max and Lucas waved as they left.
Dustin immediately turned to face Will. “I am so so so so so sorry—” His voice dripped with earnestly. He handed the pen to Will. “I just— I panicked?” He squeaked. “I mean Mike was just—”
“Mike was being an asshole.” Will felt his lips upturn into a soft smile. “That was.. that was a lot though.”
Dustin rolled his head back and groaned. “I know. I'm sorry! You can back out, Will. We can drop the whole story right now.” He promised. “Say it was a joke or something.”
Will snorted. “This is a terrible idea. Horrible. One of your worst.” He emphasized.
“oh please tell me there's a but coming.” Dustin muttered.
“but!” Will paused to double check his receipt. “I do think it'd be kinda funny, right?”
Dustin nodded eagerly and held open the door for Will. “Oh totally! You see the look on Mike's face?”
Will snorted. “yeah!” He let the door shut behind him.
“Oh my god.” Dustin grabbed Will’s shoulders. “You are a life saver. Seriously.” His thumb rubbed loosely at the knots. “God I don’t even know how to— to thank you!”
Will rolled his eyes and looked away in an attempt to keep his composure. “Yeah, okay sure.” He rolled Dustin's hands off him. “Only some need to thank me. This'll get me out of Mike’s annoying ‘do you have a boyfriend yet, Will?’ icebreaker question.”
Dustin beamed. “Oh god, right?” He fidgeted with his hat. “I don't remember the last time he didn't bug me about Suzie at a hangout.”
Will smiled. “Mutually beneficial!”
Dustin grinned. “Mutually beneficial!” He looked away. “I mean maybe it's more beneficial for me, so I still have to thank you.”
“How come?” Will bit back the tease from his voice. Not the time. Maybe the time?
Dustin froze. “Okay.. don't kill me.” He looked up at Will pleading. “I maybe sorta—kinda.. totally have a crush on your sister Jane!”
Will’s eyebrows shot up. “What?”
“Hear me out!” His arms swept out in a defensive manner. “I'm not trying to like.. be a homewrecker..”
“But you are?” Will narrowed his eyes. “Dude, you know she's been with Mike since we were thirteen. They aren't breaking up.”
Dustin scratched the back of his neck. “I know! I know! They seem so.. perfect.”
Will scoffed. “But?”
“But!” Dustin clutched his hands to his chest. “The heart wants, what the heart wants!” He dramatically swooned, leaving Will to catch him. “Right?” He peaked one eye open to see Will’s annoyed face.
Will had absolutely no idea what to say to that.
Dustin stood up and dusted himself off, now considerably closer. “Look I just wanna.. hide my feelings til I get over her.. but mostly the Mike thing!”
“Mostly the Mike thing.” Will rolled his eyes.
“So uh..” Dustin nudged Will lightly. “Still in?”
Will sighed. “Too late to back out now I guess.” He slumped his shoulders. “Still in.” Dustin beamed, Will cut him off from starting another sentence. “However! You are definitely helping me with homework for.. as long as this thing lasts. If I'm ‘dating’ a genius, I want genius benefits.”
Dustin grinned. “Seriously. You are a lifesaver! Deal!” He booped Will’s nose before walking over to his bike and picking it up. He sucked on the inside of his cheek before letting out a popping sound. “We should.. meet up later. Plan out the details!” He made jazz hands and wiggled his fingers excitedly.
“The.. details?” Will squinted.
“Yep!” Dustin nodded, hopping on his bike. “Thee de-tails!” He dramatized with a Shakespearean accent. He shrugged casually. “About the whole.. relationship thing.”
“Right.” Will nodded. He was in a relationship with Dustin. It was— well, fake, but everyone thought it was real. Even Max bought it. Max never buys anything. “The whole.. relationship thing..” His fingernails clicked against each other.
Dustin laughed. “Oh this is gonna be awesome! I’m so happy I could kiss you, Byers!”
Will wrinkled his nose. “You hang out with Steve too much.”
Dustin rolled his eyes. “Hm. You’re right.” He tipped his hat up out of his eyes. “Not romantic enough.” He put one of his feet on the petals. “I’ll call you tonight, okay honey?” He kicked off.
Will sputtered. “Wh— I uh..” He felt his knees go weak. “OKAY!” He hollered out after him. Dustin was already a good distance away.
Will's shoulders dropped. What the fuck did he get himself into?
“We got together a month ago.” Dustin spoke with absolute certainty. His arms rested over his stomach as his looked up at Will's popcorn ceiling from his spot on the bed.
Will scribbled that down in his notebook. “Why a month ago?” He looked at Dustin from his spot on the bed. Back leaning against the wall.
Dustin shrugged. “Just feels right.. y'know?”
Will snorted and doodled a tiny wizard on the corner of the page. “Okay. What about our anniversary?”
“Today!” Dustin beamed up at Will. He brushed a curl off of his forehead to get a better look. “Yesterday would be too suspicious.”
“And today isn't?” Will snickered. “You think they're gonna buy that?”
Dustin nodded. “Its not like Jane or Lucas cares, and Max likes me. Most of the time.” He had a teasing lit to his voice.
“Mike does too.” Will muttered.
“Mikes not gonna figure it out!” Dustin rolled his eyes fondly. “He's dense!” He snickered.
“He's on our case.” Will defended, barely keeping his giggles back. “He passes his classes! Mike's not dumb.”
“Being a nerd and being socially adequate is not the same thing!” Dustin stuck his finger up to make a point. Will smacked it down playfully. “Will.” He rolled onto his side. “It'll be okay.”
Will shrugged. “I know. I'm just.. not a good liar.”
“I can do all the lying for you, baby.” Dustin smiled softly.
Will chucked an otter stuffed animal at him. “Shut up!” He squeaked in a flustered tone. “Save that for when we're with the party!” He jumped up from the bed.
Dustin hugged the stuff animal and doubled over laughing. “ c'mon Will! I'm serious.” He sat up. “I'm a very.. over the top person anyways.” He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “Intense. You know?”
Will snorted. “Just know. There will be payback.” He spoke ominously. “Your day of reckoning is nigh.” He held a hand out like he was cursing Dustin, and twisted it with a witchy flair.
Dustin froze and his face went pink. “Will you should do your scary voice more often.”
“what?” Will scoffed and narrowed his eyes. “What does that even—”
“No it's— It's cool!” Dustin jumped up. He landed on the balls of his feet and almost tumbled over. “Its like.. a character in a horror movie. When they get.. possessed! Its cool!”
Will rolled his eyes. “Now you're just being a dork.” He sat down the the edge of his bed. “You don't even like horror.”
Dustin gasped. “Yes I do!”
“Name three horror movies right now.” Will said deadpan.
“Okay. Yeah!” Dustin sputtered. “I can.. I can totally name three!” He crossed his arms defiantly.
Will rolled his eyes. “mhm.. I'm waiting.”
“uh.. The thing!” He held a finger up. “The shining!” He counted two.
“really sticking with the the's” Will snickered.
“Fuck off!” Dustin huffed. He paused. “Nightmare on elm street!” He clapped his hands together and let out a whoop in cheer.
Will rolled his eyes. “Oh yes! What a deep cut.” He snarked, sarcasm dropping from his voice.
“You said name three, you didn't say name three niche horror movies.” Dustin smirked. Will thought he was kinda cute when he got all cocky, even if it was annoying and made Will want to wipe the smug smile off his face with a rebuttal.
That's.. Will's doing this for business. He's not into Dustin, that'd be insane. Business. “How'd we get together?” He turned the focus back onto the goal.
Dustin sputtered for a minute before very obviously thinking. His cap was tilted down and he bit his lip in concentration. “I asked you out!” He finally got the idea. He snapped his fingers and his eyes lit up.
“You?” Will implored him to go on.
“I'm a very romantic guy, Will!” Dustin beamed defensively. “And you got that whole cute shy thing going on so—”
“Cute shy thing?” Will blurted out the question. His eyes were wide with naive confusion.
“Yes!” Dustin groaned. “Will you let me continue reenacting the story of our young blossoming love?” He sighed woefully and clenched a hand against his heart.
Will scrunched up his nose. “Continue.”
“As I was saying!” Dustin continued with pep. “I asked you out, all romantic too, with flowers and a mixtape.” He nodded seriously. “obviously you said yes, and we went on our first date at the cinema.” He crossed his arms as if to make a statement. “Boom. Mic drop.”
“mm.” Will nodded seriously. “okay. I have notes.”
“Notes?” Dustin scoffed in playful horror. “Notes? What could possibly be—”
Will held up a finger to silence him. Dustin went quiet. “What movie? What flowers? What songs? What time?”
Dustin frowned. “Wha— those aren't notes! They're— specifications! I can give you specifications all day, honey, but my tale was good!”
“It was so obviously a tale!” Will huffed. “They'd be able to see right through it.”
“Fine!” Dustin pinched the bridge of his nose. “You want specifics? I'll give you specifics!” He took a deep breath. “It'd be a bouquet, baby's breath, pink camellia's, red carnations. Even though I know your favorite colors yellow, yellow is such a sad color in flower.”
“in.. flower?” Will repeated.
“In flower.” Dustin nodded. “It'd be a good mixtape. Songs you like on it. Songs from the cure, and probably the Beatles even though you think they're too mainstream and you definitely don't care for my music.”
“Metals hard to get into.” Will shrugged. He felt in awh at how well Dustin.. knew him. It's not like he didn't know things either. Dustin liked the color green, for reasons he refused to tell the party. He liked metal music. Iron maiden, Black Sabbath, Motörhead. He liked sci-fi movies, and cheesy T-shirts. They both loved dnd. Will knew his friend.
Dustin scowled. “I'll change your mind. It'll happen. Mark my words.” He shook his head and continued. “It was uh.. 7, cause your mom's overprotective with how late you stay out and that was already pushing it. We saw.. the lost boys! And none of our friends like horror like you and Max, but she's waiting to see it with Lucas.” Dustin smirked. “Can I drop the mic or what?”
Will smiled wide. Dustin was so.. “Fine. You can mic drop.”
“Why didn't you tell me?” Max slid into the seat across from Will. She sighed, realizing her words might come across cruel or demanding. Will knew she had talked to him about how she had a resting face and voice that made her come across as scary, or intense. “I mean— you've always told me want to be.. out about it, and your relationships so I don't really understand.”
Will let out a shaky sigh. He couldn't blame this on Dustin, or put idea that maybe Dustin wasn't ready to be out in anyone's head. “I guess.. its different? When you actually start a relationship.” He fiddled with his thumbs. “I didn't want everyone to know. Especially if it fucked up. If it.. ruined the friendship I have with him.”
Will shrugged lightly. “I dunno. It's scary.”
Max frowned and reached a hand across the table to hold Will's. It was warm, and her hand was clammy but Max was safe. It felt so wrong to Will to lie. To not tell her the full truth, or really anywhere near it but, it was how this was playing out.
“I get it..” She smiled softly. “Being.. doing something new it can be intense. Especially with a friend.” She sighed. “How long have you guys been friends?”
Will shrugged. “Feels like a lifetime.”
Max nodded. “But Will, I gotta say. You hit the jackpot on guys.”
Will scoffed, but nothing about how Max said it sounded like a joke. “You— you're serious? About Dustin? You know he liked you once right?”
Max shook her head. “Not for me. Dude. When he liked me it was so minor. Puppy crush type of stuff. He barely cared.” She laughed quietly under her breath. “But you? Dipshit, I've never seen a guy so down bad, inlove.”
Will snorted. “There's no way you're serious.” He shook his head. “Lucas looks at you like that all the time. You're just too busy looking at him back to notice!”
“Then get your head outta your ass and look at him back!” She snorted. “Or just watch how he looks at you. It's pretty obvious.” She drew out the word pretty.
“Max c'mon.” Will dismissed. “Its so.. new, y'know? There's.. It's not possible.” He shook his head.
Max shook her head back. “I'm never wrong.”
“Will, I wouldn't disagree with the lady!” Lucas walked in and sat down next to Max. “She can be..” He leaned in and looked both ways as if hiding from a monster, or Max in this case. “..very intense.”
Max snorted and pulled him back to a normal position. “Really now?”
Lucas stared at Will until the eye contact felt suffocating. “Run!”
Max rolled her eyes. “So Will. When's Dustin getting here?”
Will shrugged. “I dunno? Why would I know that?”
Max narrowed her eyebrows and squinted. “Because he's your—”
“Sorry I'm late!” Dustin rushed over. “Whew! Is it weird if I say traffic was crazy?”
Will found himself smiling, practically ear to ear. “Seeing as we all know you bike, yes.”
Dustin grinned and slid into the spot next to Will, just as Lucas had done when he arrived. He threw his arm over Will's shoulder and stole Wills menu to read, despite the fact that his own was set out for him. “Should I be more exotic this time? I feel like I always get the same thing.”
Will tried to shrug. It failed so he just let out a quiet hum. “I dunno. I always get the same thing.”
“No I know. It's just..” Dustin sighed. “Does one not grow tired of the burger basics? What if you.. spiced it up?”
Will cocked a brow. “You talking about changing things up? Who killed Dustin and stole his skin?”
Dustin smiled. “You are so beautifully graphic sometimes.” He set the menu down. “It horrifies me!”
Max gagged loudly, followed by Lucas mimicking her. “Boo! Get a room!” Lucas chanted.
Max nodded eagerly. “You are insufferable! Insufferable.”
Will scoffed. “Really? What did we do?”
Dustin shook his head. “The call is coming from inside the house.” He huffed. “You guys are way worse!”
“So much worse.” Will agreed.
Max booed him. “Whatever!”
Lucas coughed into his fist. “Mike and Jane are.. supposed to be coming.” Will narrowed his eyes. “but he promised! He'll be cool.” Lucas shrugged awkwardly.
“Right.” Dustin snorted. “Sure.”
It wasn't long until the rest of the party showed up, and true to his word (Or Lucas') Mike wasn't a total dick.
“Are you kidding me?” Dustin scoffed. “I'm so romantic! My getting together story is the most romantic!”
Max shook her head. “You are lying! No way you made the first move! I don't believe it!”
“And you think Will did?” Dustin scoffed. “He's got the whole cute.. shy thing going on!” He gestured loosely.
“Yeah, okay dusty buns.” Will hid his smile behind his hand.
Dustin's face flourished red and Max started wheezing. Lucas choked on air. Jane shook her head. “No guys! It's cute! Stop!”
“Is it?” Max heaved. “Is it?”
Will shrugged with feigned nonchalance. “I mean.. I'd say so.”
Mike grit his teeth and it was so loud Will felt he had a right to be worried about his dental plan.
“Boo!” Lucas chanted. “Boo!”
Max crossed her arms. “Proves my point!”
“Will. Can we talk?” Mike eyed him, and tugged at his wrist softly. “..please.”
Will bit back any insults he wanted to sling, or any rebuttals he had. Despite Mike's obvious distain for his newfound relationship, even though Mike had seemed rather eager to know about said relationship opportunities, and Mike's own avoidance when he got his own girlfriend, he was still Mike. Will still had care for him, a place in his heart.
“uh.. yeah.” Will nodded hesitantly. “Yeah uh—” He turned around quickly. “Dustin, I'll catch up with you in a few?”
Dustin clenched his fists at his sides, his eyes mixed with hurt, confusion and anger. Will could understand that. Mike was being a dick, which wasn't totally out of character but it was uncharacteristically malicious. Mike wasn't like that.
Dustin nodded and Will let Mike pull him aside to the side of the restaurant. “Look.. Will, I'm.. sorry.” Mike sighed and let his hands fall to his sides. “I was a total asshole about you and.. Dustin. I get that.”
Will nodded for him to continue.
“You're my best friend Will. I guess I was just.. surprised?” Mike shrugged. “I mean we don't talk anymore. I feel like.. I lost you or something.. I dunno.”
Will let out a sigh. Mike was.. Mike. And isn't that what his relationship could be boiled down to? He would always be important to Will, he was his friend, but Mike had a way of making people feel things. Like they were on cloud nine one minute, and abandoned in a back alley the next. It wasn't something Will found himself wanting to rely on anymore.
There was nothing more to say about it. Mike was Mike. Mike was Mike.
Dustin wasn't real, but he cared, and he was there, and no matter what, Mike was not something Will could go back to. Will did not want to settle for mediocrity.
“Mike, I still want to be your friend..” Will smiled softly. “but i think some distance is okay. For us. For now.” He fiddled with his hands, keeping them interlocked together. “I still want to be friends, you know? I don't know how to stop being your friend sometimes but.. you.. ditched me. So many times, and I don't know that you won't do that again.”
Mike went to speak but Will held up a hand. “Mike. I appreciate this, and I would love to accept it but.. you should be apologizing to Dustin.”
“Dustin? Why?” Mike furrowed his brows. “I mean.. I was— he knows I was just playing around.”
Will huffed. “You know what, I can't do this right now—” He turned and began to head back to the group.
“Will!” Mike called out. “Will. I'm sorry! I was jealous!” Will halted his movements. “I was jealous because we don't talk anymore and now it's like.. he's your best friend..” Mike moved closer. “Is he.. your best friend?”
Will's eyes twitched. “He's more than that.” He walked back to the group.
Will took Dustin's hand into his own. “I think we're gonna head out. Sorry guys.” He gave them a tight smile.
Dustin squeezed Will's hand gently and tilted his head in a way to say ‘are you okay?’. Will appreciated the silent communication. It was like Dustin could just read him. Could just understand how exhausted he was. Mentally, and Physically.
Part of it was definitely that Dustin didn't assume things. He questioned, and he wondered and he asked. That meant so much to Will.
Will let his cheek rest against Dustin's head. The curls tickled his nose but they smelled so dustin he didn't find himself caring. It was warm, and welcoming. It felt like a homey embrace, or warm cookies.
Dustin's hand was interlocked with his and his head rested against Will's shoulder. Their legs were tangled up and they looked like the tail of a rat king, tied together like a knot.
Will felt Dustin's fingers rub gently into his palm and across his knuckles. “You don't have to talk about it..” Dustin whispered.
“I should though, right?” Will murmured. “Get it off my chest and stuff?”
Dustin sighed lightly. “Only if you want to Will. I can tell it's.. stressing you out, or upsetting you.”
Will bit his lip. “I just don't understand why he would— why he wants to do that.”
“Do what?”
Will didn't feel rushed by Dustin but everything was catching him off guard. He could feel his heart in his chest. He could feel Dustin's skin against his own.
“He just.. he gets so weird.” Will's fingers tightened against Dustin's. “Like he's mad I didn't tell him about this, but he ditches me! all the time!” Will huffed. “Its so..”
“Stupid?” Dustin looked up at Will to the best of his ability.
“Yeah.” Will rubbed his cheek against Dustin's head. “Stupid.”
“Maybe he doesn't realize he's being stupid.” Dustin mumbled half heartedly. “Maybe he's.. figuring himself out.?”
“He pulled me aside to apologize.” Will muttered. “He wasn't even sorry about what he said to you.”
Dustin froze, his breathing hitched. “You— you're upset about what he said about.. me?”
Will nodded. “Course.” He let out a breath through his nose. “He was being a dick, just because we aren't close anymore. Which.. he chose to do.”
Dustin nudged himself further into Will's neck. “You.. Thank you, baby.”
Will hummed, his stomach tied itself into knots. “Any time.”
Will woke up feeling groggy and like shit. He was still in his clothes from yesterday, which made him feel dirty and gross, and he most definitely smelled.. musty. He unwrapped the blanket from himself and pulled himself out of bed.
On his nightstand he found a note.
‘You fell asleep, so I headed home. Don't worry! It wasn't to late, and you looked like you needed the rest! Call me, we need to fix your science grade, and if your up for it.. I might be failing art..
—Dustin!’
Will held the paper in his hands and smiled warmly. He let out a happy sigh and put the note back on his nightstand to go take a shower. After the most refreshing shower of the century, Will wandered the kitchen looking for anything edible.
His sister Jane stared at him from the doorway. “Will?”
He hummed. “Yeah Jane?” Will turned to face her with a smile. “Whats up? Want me to make you something?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Nooo.. that's what we have jonathan for!” Her sly smile dropped almost instantly. “Was Dustin here, yesterday? Uh— last night?”
Will nodded. “Mhm. Not sure when he left. It was sometime after I fell asleep.” He shrugged and danced his fingertips along the cabinets until he came across the one with cup in it. He took a cup and fill it with tap water. “Why?”
Jane shrugged. “I could hear you guys. Through the walls.”
Will nodded immediately. “Sorry. Tried to stay quiet.”
“You were.” She bit her lip in consideration. “He was there for you? After.. the thing with Mike.”
Will felt his heart stutter. “yeah— uh yeah.” He set the cup down. “He was.”
She walked forward and took her brother into a warm embrace. Will immediately accepted. Jane buried herself in Will's arms. “He seems.. good for you.”
Will swallowed thickly. “I think so yeah.”
Jane pulled back to smile. “I'm sorry for being loud with Mike, and the walls.” She played with the hem of her shirt. “I never knew it was that bad.”
“I never told you.” Will shrugged it off.
“I am also sorry for.. being a bad friend and sister.” She started. “I didn't realize you felt left out, and I never meant for you to feel that way.”
Will smiled. “Its alright. You were just caught up in the moment. I'm not mad.”
“But you are.. at Mike?” Jane asked.
“The situation is different.” Will chugged his water. “Mike handled it bad, you didn't.” Will yawned. “and if you'll excuse me! I'm gonna go back to bed..”
“oh.” Jane waved him goodbye. “night will!”
“You are so aggravating.” Will huffed, chucking a wooden pencil at Dustin. “What the fuck does this mean?”
Dustin sighed and pinched the space between his brows. “What basic chemistry?”
Will scoffed. “basic— basic chemistry?” He whipped his head back and forth. “This— this is not ‘basic chemistry’” He mocked.
Dustin snickered. “Yes— it is!” He defended. “and you would know that if you paid attention in class!”
“I pay attention!” Will defended.
“mm..” Dustin squinted in disbelief. “Not really—”
“I do!” Will scoffed and shifted his knees to be under his stomach so he could sit up. He looked down at Dustin with a look of outrageous shock. “I so do! Its just not my expertise!”
Dustin laughed and rolled over onto his back. His curls splayed across the blanket, freed away from the clutches of his cap. “Expertise? You know what. Hell yeah, I'm an expert!” He grinned.
Will's face flushed. “Whatever.” He rolled his eyes. “Its not my fault I'm an expert in the easiest thing ever.”
Dustin gawked at him. “Easiest— there's no way you just said that.” He shot up to a sitting position, face to face with Will, and next to him. “Dude. I cannot draw a weed. My flowers are pitiful!”
“You just don't know the method.” Will smiled softly. “Its just trial and error.”
“So is science?” Dustin scoffed in object horror. “I cannot believe you just said that. Give me the pen.” He gestured for it, and Will handed it over. Dustin scribbled something on the corner of the chem sheet.
“What is..” Will squinted at it. “It uh.. it looks nice?”
Dustin rolled his eyes but held it up proudly. Not proud of the art. “What is it?” He asked smugly. “Go ahead. Guess.”
“I don't need to guess.” Will scoffed. “It's a flower! Like we were just talking about.”
Dustin shook his head. “Woof.” He wiggled the paper.
Will couldn't hold back his laughter. “That lumpy thing is a—”
“Hey!” Dustin defended. “Be nice to dartagan! He's cute.. in a.. way.” He shrugged. Then, with too much seriousness, “Will, he's my son and he's.. yours too.” He clutched at his chest. Will rested his forehead on Dustin's shoulder as his body racked with full belly laughter. Dustin tsked.“I wouldn't laugh, honey. The child support will be expensive.”
Will shook his head, immediately getting into character. “Child support? I'm not paying child support!”
Dustin sighed. “I knew it! You deadbeat—”
Will cut him off. “We'll raise dart, together.” He interlocked his fingers with Dustin's.
Dustin froze up. His eyes racked across Will's before busting out into a bright grin. “Awh, I knew we'd be good parents, baby..”
Will rolled his eyes. “Mhm, yeah okay..” He flopped back down onto his stomach. “Didn't you need help with an art project?”
Dustin groaned. “Oh my god. Don't get me started on it.” He sighed dramatically. “I mean I don't even know why I need an art credit.”
Will snorted. “I wish we could just trade projects.”
Dustin perked up. “Could we?”
Will shook his head. “Ms. Dunne know me too well. She's recognize me instantly.” He bit his lip. “I can teach you the techniques and lend supplies?”
Dustin smiled. “If you just give me the chemistry paper I could get you.. a C?”
Will disagreed. “nope! I wanna actually learn this stuff.”
Dustin smiled and rolled over so he was laying down next to Will. He was close, and Will swore he could feel the sparks from the static sparking at his fingertips where they met. Dustin's eyes were so brown, and Will wasn't sure that he could just play this off as being bored of chemistry. No one's so bored they find themselves wanting to kiss their best friend.
And God. That's what Will wanted to do, wasn't it? He wanted to hold Dustin's hand and kiss him everytime he got smug. He wanted those cheesy movie dates and the bouquets Dustin thought up. He wanted the pet names and the gushy feeling talks.
He didn't just want those things. He wanted them with Dustin. Like it was Dustin that made all those things appealing.
It was so heartwarming to feel so secure even if everything he had experienced was fake. Dustin was playing a role. Will couldn't anymore.
“Are you even paying attention?” Dustin scoffed. “Honey? Will?”
Will blinked himself back into the moment. “Sorry— I yeah. Course.”
Dustin scowled. “You are a total liar.” He groaned. “I'll have to go over sections three through five all over again are you— don't laugh at me.” Will snorted and looked away. “Hey! Don't— don't laugh!”
“What's up party people!” Dustin burst open the door with a cheesy grin. His arm was wrapped around Will's shoulder and that was all Will could bring himself to think about.
Lucas grinned from his spot on the couch. “Welcome, Welcome.” He swept an arm out to showcase the room.
Max perked up from her spot next to Lucas. “Will! Can you believe it! We're hanging out a place that isn't the wheelers dumpster fire of a basement.”
Will scrunched up his nose. “Still Mike's house though?”
Mike groaned from his spot on the laz-e-boy recliner. “Right! Thank you, Will.”
“Don't think that was ment to be a good thing.” Dustin snorted under his breath. Mike furrowed his eyebrows and clenched his nails into his thighs. Will shut the door behind him and Dustin.
Jane popped up from the kitchen. “Will! Hi! There's snacks in the kitchen.” She beamed and made her way next to Max.
Will shook his head no. “Think I'm alright for now. Thank you.” He took a seat on the last spot on the couch and Dustin followed him and sat with his back against Will's legs. Will found himself wanting to thread his fingers through Dustin's hair.
That would be okay. He's just acting. He can do that.
Dustin chattered about some random thing to Lucas, Max and Jane who were very eager conversation partners. Will slowly slid of Dustin's hat and tangled his fingers into his hair.
“And Will's just.. the best. I mean, without his help dartagan would like like a flower monster.” Dustin sighed dreamily. “Instead he is a very cute dog, in a field of very normal flowers!” He leaned back into the touch.
Will blinked. “What are we talking about again?” He laughed nervously.
Max and Lucas shot each other looks. Max smiled, but Will saw the evil glint in her eye. “I dunno William, maybe about your romantic art date?”
Mike scoffed. “Not everytime they hang out is romantic.”
Dustin nodded. “It was a study date, but we kinda got side tracked..” He tilted his head to look up at Will and rested his cheek on his knee. “At least you'll get that C in chem?”
Will snorted. “And I got you an A in art.. How is that fair, dusty buns?”
Dustin rolled his eyes. “I get it! I'm too much with the petnames—”
Mike quickly jumped up to a stand. “I need some water.” He rushed out the room and let the door slam behind him before backtracking quickly to ask Jane to follow him out.
Was Mike.. that uncomfortable with Will being gay? With Will actually being in a relationship? How stupid. If he can't even be in the same room as him why bother inviting Will over?
“Hey.. babe?” Dustin whispered up at him. “Are you alright?”
Will nodded. “Yeah I'm gonna— I'm gonna get us a snack.”
Dustin shook his head. “I'm alright. Get me a drink though?”
Will nodded again and quickly got up. He followed the path into the hall and heard the echo's of fighting on the back patio. He knew, he knew he shouldn't listen in but he needed to know. He needed to know if it was.. about him.
He tilted his head closer.
“Are you seriously asking me that right now?” Jane snapped. “You want to act like a jealous asshole and drag me away whenever you fuck something up with our friends!”
“I'm not acting jealous.” He gawked. “Our friends?” Mike huffed. “So they're our friends now? I introduced you Jane! They were my friends first!”
“Will's my brother.” She was flabbergasted. “How could you even—”
“He's your step brother. That doesn't mean anything!” Mike groaned. He banged something against the wall. One of his own body parts.“It's not a big deal! You're letting them get into your head.”
Will backed away from the door.
“Who's ‘they’ Mike?”
“Max! Dustin? I don't know!”
“Are you serious?”
“Look. It's— I didn't mean anything by it.” He let out a sigh. “but.. we're supposed to be a team. When something happens we—”
“Is this the same speech you gave Will?”
“He told you about that?”
“No.” Jane scoffed. “He told Dustin. Apparently we have really thin walls!”
Will turned around to walk right back to the group where he wouldn't have to hear the fighting and the yelling and all the.. sadnesses. Jane really wasn't happy.
Will realized maybe he was holding onto that a bit to much. The idea that Mike and Jane were this perfect couple who didn't have problems and would never be over. That they'd go off and get married and live in a house like the wheelers have and have 2.5 kids and a mortgage. Will would visit on holidays to see his nieces and nephews and..
None of that was ever set into stone. Nothing was set.
Will was sure that if Jane was happy, Dustin would never have a chance, and maybe selfishly, Will would get to keep dating him. Keep the hand holding and the nicknames, the late night calls or the homework ‘dates’.
Will wouldn't let himself be selfish. If Dustin had a chance, then Will had to let him go. Dustin deserved the right. The right to know what happened. What Will didn't even really deserve to know.
Will creaked his head back into the living room. Lucas and Dustin seemed to be in a very intense playful argument about something or another. Max snorted while watching the pair, the corner of her eyes crinkled up as she grinned. The eyes themselves stayed trained on Lucas.
Will meet Dustin's gaze, who immediately stopped responding to Lucas. He tilted his head in silent question and Will nudged his own head towards the hallway.
Dustin swallowed thickly and quicky stood up, Lucas huffed in annoyance. “Hey! If you leave, you forfeit and I win!”
Dustin scowled, his eyebrow twitched. “Sorry man.” He eased his face. “Gotta go..” He pointed to the door with his thumb loosely, and gave it a couple of jabs to emphasize.
Lucas made eye contact with Will, narrowed his eyes, before then rolling them. “Okay...” He dragged on. “Remember to come back lovebirds!”
Dustin waved him off. Will creaked the door shut. Dustin tilted his head. “So what do— what's up?” He stumbled.
“We need to talk.” Will looked towards the kitchen. “In here.”
Dustin followed along. “What do uh—” He coughed into his fist. “What do we need to talk about?” He smiled nervously.
Will picked at his elbows and bit his lip in a self destructive habit. “Y’know how we're.. doing this whole thing?” Will gestured between them.
Dustin nodded. “Yeah. Kinda hard to forget when you’re fake dating someone.” He snarked with a grin. At Will's lack of a response his face dropped. He moved towards Will. “Is everything—”
“We should break up.” Will blurted.
Dustin halted all movements. “What?” He muttered, his eyes wide open.
Will rubbed his knuckles against each other. “I heard Jane and Mike fighting.” He started slowly. “So uhm..” He scratched the back of his neck. “Nows your chance, right? I'm pretty sure they're done for real this time. It sounded pretty bad.”
Dustin's eyebrows shot up. “Oh that's— that's good but—”
“So it’d probably benefit you! You know? To talk to her!” Will nudged Dustin in an overeager attempt. “Have a heart to heart! Tell her how you feel!”
“Will.” Dustin spoke thickly. His eyes held an analytical gaze, and he spoke with so much certainty behind his words Will was sure he thought about them before speaking. Which was unlike this whole conversation where Will jumped from train of thought to train of thought. “That's not really..” He sighed and rubbed his forehead, his gaze dipped away from Will. “..a good idea.”
“Oh.” Will tore himself away from staring at Dustin. “I just.. I guess, yeah.” He shrugged in a mock causal attempt at neutrality.
“It just..” Dustin looked back at Will for a second before darting his gaze away. “I’d come across like a scum bag and we don't even know if they are broken up.”
Will nodded, scared of how the words got trapped in his throat.
“Lets just..” Dustin's eyes scanned Will's face, and then his eyebrows cocked up in a tilted pinch that looked desperate and pleading. “Keep this mutually beneficial thing going, alright?” One of his hands pat Will's shoulder then slid down to hold his elbow.
“Mutually beneficial.” Will smiled quickly, not caring to hold it longer than a few seconds. “Yeah. Yeah sure.”
Dustin's eyes went wide. He bit his lip and looked away. “Y’know Will I—”
A creak echoed through the hallway. Dustin stopped. Will tilted his head towards it.
“What's..”
“What’s that?” Dustin continued Will's sentence. He craned his neck towards the hallway. Muttered voices echoed down the path.
“Just— stop it. Okay? I’m not in the mood.” A voice.
Dustin looked Will up and down and Will didn't know what went through him to be paranoid but he stepped closer to Dustin. “Shit. I think that's—”
“I have an idea.” Dustin's eyes immediately shot to Will's as he spoke. “It's— I have an idea.” He spoke through barely restrained giddiness. His eyes flicked down. “So they don't question us..”
“I um..” Will's eyes flicked to the door. “Uh— okay yeah sure?—”
Will felt his heart beat out of his chest. His eyes were shot wide open in shock. Hands gently cupped his face down and tugged him into a light kiss. He shut his eyes and melted into it. Into the touch. Into the kiss. Into Dustin.
His hands fumbled with lack of vision but quickly found their place on Dustin's hips. One hand sneaked up to pull at the other's trench coat. A light tug as his hand shivered. Goosebumps ran along his arms and neck.
Dustin pulled away for a second to tilt his head the other way and pull Will into a more desperate kiss. Will's face felt hot, and he was sure he was blushing neon at how intense everything felt. Like he couldn't breathe from just a soft peck.
It was all for show. Someone had walked in. He repeated that like a mantra in his mind. He shouldn't have fallen in love with Dustin Henderson. He couldn't let himself fall deeper. This was meaningless. Dustin wanted Jane. He wanted Will's sister. He..
And yet when Dustin licked at Will’s lips, Will couldn't help but let him in. Couldn't help but interlock noses and merge his lips with Dustin's. Moving at their own pace. Thoughts becoming filled with Dustin Dustin Dustin.
His neck ached from the angle, so he hunched his back. Dustin pulled back to give soft pecks to the corner of Will’s mouth. Will felt out of his league. Out of this galaxy. Where had Dustin learned this?
There was still a person at the door. A person who would see them, and sure, wasn't that the point? To be seen? Yeah, but Will felt dizzy and woozy. He felt like the moment was intimate. Not something to be shared.
That wasn't the point of the relationship.
Will tried to pull back. The closeness should be enough. The wet lips should be enough. Anyone with half a brain cell could infer what Will and Dustin were doing. Dustin moved with Will. He moved in closer. Moved his head up. Shifted on his feet.
He nudged himself back into the crook Will had tried to block him from and let himself back in. One of his hands moved to Will’s chest, tugging at his collar in the same shaky way Will had done prior. His other hand inched its way into Will's hair. It gently tugged and twisted, creating faux curls.
Will couldn't breathe.
“Oh my god!” A voice yelped from the doorway. Will felt breathless as Dustin pulled away but didn't let go.
Will opened his eyes. His sister Jane jumped back, her face screwed into a look of shock and disgust. Will knew it was just the disgust of walking in on what appeared to be an intimate scene, but it twisted his gut with fear nonetheless. She had no right to feel that way, not with all the times Will's had to subject himself to third wheeling the couple do couple things. Gross, probably should be private, things.
Like what they think him and Dustin are doing. Him and a boy. Something they're okay with.
Will took a step back and Dustin's hands slid down but didn't release him from their gentle grip. “Sorry..” Will squeaked. His hands released themselves from Dustin. “I uh— we—” He scrambled to explain.
“Sweetheart!” Dustin boomed in his sweet syrupy voice. Will wished his knees weren’t weak. “Don't be coy with them..” He gestured loosely to Jane, and Mike who lurked in the hallway with a scowl on his face. Dustin leaned his face towards Will and with an obnoxious fake loud whisper he jabbed, “They know what couples do!” His eyebrows wiggled up and down suggestively.
Mike scoffed from the hallway and stormed off. Dustin shrugged. “Wonder what stick shoved its way up his ass?”
Jane snorted then tried to cover it up with extractive coughs. “Alright! I think I've uh.. seen enough..” She sputtered.
Will felt his blush strengthen. "Sorry, Jane.."
She smiled warmly. “Its alright just uh.. Stay safe out here kids!” She knocked on the doorframe twice before sliding out of the room. Her giggles echoed down the hall, followed by a quiet sigh.
Will swallowed thickly. “That was.. something.” His voice cracked.
Will felt flustered. He felt confused, and most of all, he felt so ashamed. He was doomed. He had to have a crush on the only other best friend he has that has a crush on his sister, unless Lucas suddenly became evil and backstabbed Max. Which Will honestly never saw happening.
Will had clearly been too into it. He still felt breathless, and his chest fluttered. His stomach felt like someone had gut punched him over and over again. Dustin had to know. He knew and Will was a goner.
“How awkward right?” Will croaked. Dustin wouldn't look at him. “It's kinda crazy how that.. happened..” He trailed off. “Dustin?”
“I’m sorry.” Dustin's quiet voice broke tension.
“Huh?”
Dustin shrugged lightly. “I know you didn't really.. agree to that.” He looked up at Will through his lashes before his line of sight moved as he darted his eyes away. “We agreed to fake date just to get people off our backs but..” Dustin swallowed thickly. “I know it's not real.”
Will felt his heart shatter in his chest. “Yeah.” He swallowed thickly. “Course it's not— yeah I know.” His words halted from their stuttering. Will's fists clenched at the hem of his shirt.
Dustin nodded slowly. “And I'm sorry I messed this up.” His voice was quiet. “I really didn't mean too, Will.” His voice wavered.
Will furrowed his brows. “What?” His breathing hitched. “You didn't— you didn't mess anything up? We're still good right?” He tried to be hopeful. He hoped he didn't come across as too desperate. “We're still good?”
Dustin looked back up at Will. “I mean.. I want us to be.” His hands twitched as his sides. “You don't have to act like everything's okay Will. I know I—” He let out a sigh through his nose. “I know what I did wrong.” He furrowed his brows. “fuck! I had a good thing going and I just had to make it too obvious huh?” He clenched his fists.
“Dustin I'm confused.” Will reached out to hold Dustin's hands. His thumbs rubbed gentle circles into his wrists. “What are you talking about?”
“This whole— I’ve been using you Will!” Dustin spat out. “For my own stupid gain! Don't you—” His voice cracked. “Don't you get that?” His hands worked their way forward until Dustin was grasping at Will's shirt. Grip desperate and intense. “C'mon.. you had to know that..” His eyes searched Will's.
“I thought that was the point?” Will swallowed thickly. “We use each other to get the party off our backs. Dustin it's okay. It's mutual—”
“It's not mutual.” Dustin’s voice cut sharp. “Will you're— you’re my best friend. You— you mean so much to me.” He shook his head then ducked it away. Will had still seen the tear that welled up. “And this whole time everything I've done has meant something else.” He hiccupped. “You just.. you want good things for me. You want us to stop lying to the party because you aren't a liar.”
“and you are?” Will questioned.
“Came up with this whole thing didn’t I?” Dustin sighed. “Will I love you so much, and I'm sorry it's not in the way you deserve.” His voice wobbled.
Will felt his throat go dry. “You—?”
Dustin looked up at Will with watery eyes. “I love you Will Byers.” He sniffled. “This was some stupid— stupid desperate attempt to get.. I dunno? A chance? A date? Maybe just to.. move on.” He shook his head and let out a half hearted laugh. His shoulders shrugged and he went to pull away from Will. Will held on tighter. “Stupid I know. I wasn't thinking.”
“Dustin Henderson.. not thinking?” Will teased with a shallow smile. “That's new.”
Dustin smiled, it quickly faded. “Will I know I—”
“No Dustin—” Will sighed. He brought Dustin's hands up to his chest and held them delicately. “Please. Let me talk.” Dustin nodded. Will continued. “I still don't understand how that could mess this up. Mess us up.”
Dustin held on tighter to Will's hand. Will didn't let go.
“I thought that maybe I was being stupid.” Will muttered shyly. “That I was the one who.. messed everything up.” He bit his lip. “Dustin you— you have no idea how much I like you. And.. I do like you. I really like you.” He allowed himself a small smile. “I thought maybe somehow you knew. You just knew that I wasn't.. that I was too invested.”
“How could you be too invested?” Dustin mumbled.
“How could I not?” Will's fingers twitched. “I mean.. you're you..”
Dustin hiccuped. “but— Will, you never— You wanted to stop lying. You wanted to break up.” Tears fell. “I knew it was over and I pushed for one last kiss. I'm.. Will you..”
Will bit his lip. “I was scared.” He mumbled. “I think.. I've always been scared.” His teary eyes met Dustin's. “but you.. you make me feel better. Less alone.” He looked away. “You make me feel giddy, and you make me feel so many new good things, but it's.. scary. It's scary that I want to be vulnerable with you. Really vulnerable.”
“Are you saying..?” Dustin let out a choked murmur. Will nodded slowly. “You really—?” Dustin let out a quiet sob, Will felt a tear stream down his face alongside him. Dustin moved forward to cup Will's face with one hand and keep the other clutched in Will's grip. “Will I literally made up this whole thing because I was crushing on you.”
Will giggled. “It is kinda a stupid plan.”
“Yeah?”
“And I mean really stupid.” He snorted.
Dustin shook his head lightly. “Really stupid huh?” He grinned. His grin was sly and sharp, and most importantly, cocky. “Could a stupid son of a bitch do this?” He leaned closer, shut his eyes, and tilted his head. Will met his movements with the same amount of gentle enthusiasm.
Their lips crashed and Will felt a familiar buzz under his skin. A familiar twisting of his stomach and flutter in his chest. Like fireworks going off in his brain.
Dustin pulled back to smirk. Will giggled again. “Hm.. I dunno. Might have to do that again. Don't think I could judge.” His nose nudged Dustin's.
Dustin beamed then pulled Will into a deeper kiss. One Will melted into like the last. He let Dustin lead against him, push back into his space with intensity. Dustin pulled back to leave many quick kisses.
“Stop—!” Will laughed from between kisses. “Dustin!” He yelped. Kiss. “Seriously I have to say—” Kiss. “Dustin!” He groaned.
“Yes, love?” Dustin looked up at him with a smug smile.
“You asshole.” Will nudged his shoulder. “I was gonna say, I love you too, Dustin Henderson.”
Will felt his world tip and swing and found himself in a dip part of a dance. Dustin looking over him with a bright smile. “You know I'm never going to shut up about this right?”
“I wouldn't want you to.”
“good.”