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“Casey! Let’s go!” Mike stood at the door, tussling his hair in the mirror next to him. Soft little thumps came around the corner and there he was; Casey.
Mike didn’t know what he was getting into when Nancy had called him up. He had graduated a month before, just settled into his new apartment across from the complex where Dustin lived. Nancy was so upset; talking about an adoption center shutting down due to low funds. Mike would never have thought that, in that moment, he’d open his door; open his arms to one of the kids displaced.
“You have so much love to give.” Nancy had said. “So, so much, you know don’t know what to do with it all. I know you’ve been having a hard time, but I think this will be good for you.”
“Nance…” Mike spoke softly, “I don’t. A kid is a lot of work…”
“I thought you liked a challenge?”
The legal stuff was quite easy with Nancy at his side. And Casey was such a sweet kid. It was so easy for Mike to get attached, so easy to fall in love with this little kid.
However, choosing to be a single parent was an entirely different battle. Mike vowed to love this kid and parent him, so goddamnit he was going to; no matter what anybody else said.
Speaking of, “Daaaaaaad!” Casey whined as he threw himself onto Mike’s legs. “Do I have to go? I don’t want to meet your adult friends.”
“Yes, Chipmunk, you have to.” Mike had gotten pretty good at the definitive voice this past year.
He ushered Casey to the door, and opened it to find Dustin on the other side. He threw both hands out and crouched down yelling out “Casey!” and the boy jumping into Dustin’s awaiting arms.
“See, Dustin is an adult friend and you love him?” Mike said as he got his keys and the trio started to trek to his car.
“Uncle Dustin is different.”
Will was more than excited to see Mike; he was ecstatic. Mike had been dodging questions and leaving from hangouts abruptly, but he said everything would come to light today. Dustin is in on whatever seems to be going on.
That leaves the rest to question… and make bets. Will thinks he’s moving far away. Mike’s had it hard, feeling depressed in a way the others have learned to deal with, so maybe a change of scenery would do the trick. Maybe he’d move closer to Nancy.
Lucas thinks he has a partner. After everything with Vecna, Mike had told them about his previous breakup with El; before they even had gotten back to Hawkins years before. He also mentioned being scared of his true feelings. In that moment, Will’s voice had softened and asked if Mike was “like him”. Mike nodded and another group hug was shared. Lucas assumed that Mike had been seeing someone, maybe it was official and he would bring the boy here.
Will didn’t like to think much about it. He’s had his flings and gone on a date or two in college, but his love for Mike still lingered. No matter what, Will couldn’t get him out of his head; honestly, he didn’t want to either.
When Mike said that he was like Will, his heart spiked. Maybe he would have a chance after all, but things happened and life continued with the party hanging on for dear life. There wasn’t any time. Now though, hopefully Lucas is wrong. Hopefully there’s time now.
Max thought that Mike had a kid. When she brought it up, placing $20 in the betting pool, the two boys laughed at her. “Mike can barely take care of himself.” Lucas had stated bluntly with Will nodding. No matter what they said, she held strong.
“You’re going to be so off, Max.” Lucas said. The whole party was meeting up in their, quite large for a starter, house. So far, it was the three of them waiting in the living room.
“Just wait, Lucas. I’m going to be right.” Max replied.
“It’s just so far-fetched. No way that’s it.” Will butted in. The conversation was interrupted before anybody else could talk, the door bell rang. The three were still for a second, knowing this will be when they find out what’s going on with Mike.
Lucas shouted out “It’s open!” and the door was open and Dustin walked into the room.
Just behind him was Mike. He was dressed in a pair of baggy jeans and a green polo. He had been keeping his hair curly recently as well. However, what was weird, was that a kid was perched on his hip. At the wide eyed looks he got from Lucas and Will, Mike awkwardly waved with his free hand, the one not holding a kid. The smile he gave showed his discomfort.
“So… this is what I wanted to tell you guys. Surprise?” Mike said as he let the kid down. He was a little chubby and tanned, no doubt being out in the recent warm weather. He wore long shorts and a slightly too big shirt. His hair was a dark brown, grown out from what Will assumed was a buzzcut. “This is Casey. I adopted him.”
It was quiet and everyone was frozen in their places. All, that is, except for Casey, who was looking up and down; examining the adults. Will’s mind started to move again and he nudged Max and Lucas back into movement as well. Max threw her head back and laughed. “Told ya guys.” She murmured, just loud enough for Will and Lucas to hear. “Hey Casey.” She nodded at the boy.
“It’s actually Boss, if you don’t mind.” Casey retorted. Will was sure his heart melted into goo right there. He was so cute, already with a bit of the Mike Wheeler attitude as well. His arms were crossed and a little frown painted his face. Even his kid voice, squeaky and high, was endearing. God, maybe Will wants kids.
“Casey!” Mike scolded lightly. “What did I tell you about the Boss thing?” It was odd for the others to see Mike do anything close to parenting. Though, based on Dustin’s face this happened often.
“Nobody can know I’m a mafia boss?” The little asked. Mike looked as if he was going to walk into oncoming traffic, Lucas and Dustin just broke into laughs.
“No. That you aren’t a part of the mafia.”
“Ya, that’s what I said?” He then made little grabby hands up at Mike. “Can I have my game boy now?”
“You need to introduce yourself, Chipmunk.” Ok, what Will was about to say is widely out of pocket. That doesn’t negate the fact that dad-Mike is smoking hot. His tone of voice, the hands on his hips. Damn.
“I’m Casey.” The boy turned back around from facing his dad; he was now staring down Lucas. “Your hair is cool.” he said it like he was forced, still with that frown on his face.
“Thanks little man!” At the nickname, the kid perked up, clearly liking it. “I’m Lucas.”
“I’m Max.” She gave a subtle wave.
“And I’m Will.” He smiled at the kid when he made eye contact. Casey’s eyes were hazel and big. Will takes it back; he doesn't want a kid. He wants this one. Mike coming with was a perk.
The kid, seeing that the introductions were over, shone his round eyes up at his dad; asking a silent question. “Ugh fine, you little beggar.” That, apparently, was Dustin’s cue to pull out a game boy from his bag. He and Mike settled down on the couch with Casey squirming onto Mike’s lap.
“So… when did you adopt him?” Lucas asked.
“About a year ago.” Mike was stroking Casey’s spiky hair, looking down at him. “I wasn't sure at first, but once I had the meeting with him, I knew.” His eyes held only love for this kid.
“Who knew?” Max asked, “That Wheeler over here, would be the first to have a kid.”
“Har-har.”
Time continued. Mike talked about Casey; his favorite color was blue, his favorite animal was an ostrich (they all laughed at that), he wasn’t picky, but hated certain textures. In turn, Mike asked about what they had been up to. Stories flew in the air between the five party members; it felt like it used to, felt like home.
After hours had passed, with more and more of Casey’s personality coming out, Mike looked down at his watch. “Aw shit. We’ve gotta get home Chip.” Casey, who was currently sitting in Will’s lap slouched.
“But dad!-” As if that didn’t almost give Will a heart attack, Mike and dad in the same sentence.
“No, you have a dentist appointment tomorrow morning.” If it was possible for someone to look even more miserable, Casey accomplished it.
Will slowly got up, hoisting the little boy up and holding him. “I can walk you guys to the car.”
“Thanks Will.” Without much more fanfare, the two men and Casey walked out into the setting day.
“Sooo…” Will started, heart hammering in his chest.
“Yesss?” Mike moved his head over a little to give Will a look. He held the former’s gaze a couple of beats.
“Dad talks about you a lot.” Casey interrupted what Will thought was a heated look.
“Casey!” Mike’s face completely flushed.
“It’s ok,” Will said, “I talk about you a lot too.” At this, the three arrived at Mike’s car. Will opened the back door and started to situate Casey into his seat. When he turned around to face Mike, the latter was frozen. “What? It’s true.”
Mike looked like he was going to cry. When he spoke his voice was watery and wavery at some words. “Will… I’m sorry.”
“Why’re you sorry? Nothing to apologize for, Mike.” Will talked in a soft, comforting voice. He hated it when Mike cried.
“No, it’s just… just that… I really like you.” Will felt his heart stop. “More than that actually. I love you Will. I’m sorry I took so long, so long to accept myself. I’m sorry for dragging you on-”
“Mike, you haven’t been dragging me on. I attached myself to you, and every opportunity I had to cut the tie, I just held on tighter.”
Will got a watery laugh in response. Mike looked down, then back up at Will. “Even if I have a kid now?”
“Oh, I already double knotted that tie. Good luck getting rid of me, Wheeler.”