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Mike had always been oddly protective of Will.
Ever since they were kids.
Whenever one of the kids in their class would tease and make fun of Will, Mike would always be the one to step in.
It would always end physically. Like Mike pushing them onto the ground, hitting them, even biting them on the arm till they bled.
Will was a little shocked at first, he didn’t know Mike had it in him to do stuff like that. But eventually, he didn’t mind Mike protecting him like that. Hell, he even liked it.
Mike did promise to always protect Will no matter what.
Mike would get in trouble for physically hurting the bullies who teased Will, but everyone around him saw it as Mike protecting Will and him being a good friend.
It was until middle school that everyone around him thought that.
By middle school, kids were still picking on Will, and Mike had gotten more violent.
He remembered fighting one of the kids for it, punching the kid in the face till the kid had a black eye and he was bleeding from his nose.
Will stood in the background watching, his eyes wide and slightly a little scared of Mike, but Mike quickly reassured him that it was to protect Will and that he was just keeping his promise.
Mike wouldn’t tell anyone, but sometimes he imagined just straight up killing the bullies. Just stabbing them till their breathing eventually stopped.
Of course, he would never act on it.
He knew it was wrong, but he couldn’t help himself. Will brought out a side of himself he didn’t even know existed.
Mike would do anything to protect Will.
Will was his.
Even if Will didn’t know it yet.
It was 1992 now, Mike and Will had been together for three years now and bought a small apartment together since it was close to the college they went to.
The only unfortunate thing? They still lived in Hawkins. Mike knew how much Will wanted to leave. They always talked about moving to New York someday. One day.
Mike decided to take Will to a diner since it had been a while since their last date. College had kept them busy, and tonight, it was just the two of them so he took that opportunity.
It would've been nice but this absolute meathead, who looked to be in his late 30’s, thought it would be okay to start literally harassing him and Will.
It started off okay, him and Will laughing together and, yes, they were being a little touchy, but who cares? Apparently this old hag did since he decided to start screaming bible verses at them from across the diner, calling them faggots, and telling them how they were going to hell.
“Don’t worry about him, alright?” Mike whispered.
“Can we just go?” Will murmured, his voice tight. Mike nodded without hesitation and guided him toward the exit without even paying for the food.
As they stepped out into the parking lot, Mike muttered under his breath, teeth gritted.
“I swear, I want to punch that bastard back there.”
Will glanced over his shoulder and froze. The same guy from the diner was following them. He squeezed Mike’s arm.
“Mike… he’s following us,” he said quietly.
Mike stopped dead in his tracks, eyes narrowing as he saw the man behind them. His hand tightened around Will’s arm.
Without a word, he guided Will toward the narrow alley behind the diner. Shadows stretched along the walls, garbage cans lining the path.
“I’ll handle him. Don’t worry,” Mike whispered, his voice low and possessive.
The man followed them into the alley, still shouting, still spitting Bible verses about hell and sin. Will’s stomach twisted in fear, but he stayed close to Mike, trusting him completely.
Mike’s jaw tightened. His eyes flicked over to the man, and a cold, possessive heat rose in his chest. Nobody threatened Will. Nobody.
“You think you can run from God? You’re sinners. Both of you.” The man sneered. Mike wanted to smash this guy's head in.
Will pressed himself against Mike, holding onto his arm tightly. He wanted to just disappear right now, but he trusted Mike that he would handle it.
Mike's hands clenched into fists by his side, trying to tell himself not to go at this man right now. He didn’t answer the man, he just stared at him. If looks could kill, the man would be dead right now.
“Well don’t just stand there!” The man taunted, looking at Will. Mike's jaw tightened. “Back off.” He snapped, his voice low and threatening.
The man laughed. “Or what? Gonna go cry to your boyfriend?” He mocked.
Mike took a step forward towards the man, keeping Will behind him protectively as he reached into his pocket, pulling a pocket knife out. He always had one, just in case.
Will’s eyes widened at seeing the pocket knife Mike pulled out, not expecting this whole thing to go this far. He squeezed onto Mike's arm, not wanting anything serious to happen.
Mike wouldn't do it.
Right?
“You lay a finger on him, and I swear-“ Mike's voice was barely above a growl, threateningly holding the pocket knife up to the man, making the man freeze in place.
The man scoffed, but his boldness faltered. He could see the possessive in Mike's eyes, like a predator protecting its territory.
Mike took another step forward, holding the knife up closer to the man, making him take a step back. “I said back off. Now.” Mike threatened.
The man hesitated, a bead of sweat dripping down his temple, his face visibly nervous now. “You… you’re insane.” He stammered.
Mike didn’t blink or hesitate. He didn’t have to. Will was his and anyone who threatened him would regret it. “Don’t make me say it again.”
Will’s stomach turned, not from just fear, but also from Mike protecting him. Will clung to Mike's arm tighter.
“You both.. God help you both.” The man said and pointed at the both of them with wide eyes and slowly began to walk off.
Mike watched the man walk away, his hands still clenched into fists and his breathing was heavy, still pissed off at the man.
Before he could stop himself, he began walking up to the man, his footsteps heavy with anger. It was like something took over him and he couldn’t stop himself from backing away.
He walked up to the man from behind and covered the man's mouth with his hand, suddenly slitting the man's throat with his pocket knife.
The man's eyes went wide and a muffled scream left his mouth, but Mike kept his hand pressed hard over the mans mouth. Blood seeped from the man's throat, the bleed spilling down his body and getting all over Mike's hands.
The man weakly tried to grab onto Mike's arm and call out for help, choking on the blood coming out of his mouth as Mike kept his tight grip on the man.
Will was frozen in place. His eyes were wide as he stared at what Mike had done. “Mike…” he managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper.
At the sound of it, Mike let go of the man.
The man collapsed to the ground with a heavy, final thud.
Mike turned around immediately, like a switch had been flipped. He closed the distance between them and cupped Will’s face in his hands, blocking his view, thumbs brushing his cheeks like he was trying to calm a frightened animal.
“Hey, hey, don’t look,” Mike said softly.
Will couldn’t stop shaking. His breathing was too fast, chest heaving as panic took over. His eyes flicked anyway past Mike’s shoulder, down to the body on the ground and then back up.
There was blood on Mike’s face.
Will’s breath hitched. “Mike… oh my god,” he whispered, horror cracking through his voice.
“I did it to protect you!” Mike said quickly and defensively. His hands tightened just a little on Will’s jaw. “He wouldn’t leave you alone. I had to. I did this for you, baby.”
Will shook his head, tears forming in his eyes. His gaze kept looking past Mike despite himself, body trembling violently. “The—The body,” he stammered. “What if someone finds out?”
Mike covered Will’s mouth without thinking, making Will flinch. “Hey,” he said, calm. Too calm. “It’s fine.”
Will’s eyes widened in panic beneath his hand.
“No one’s going to know,” Mike continued quietly, lowering his voice like he was sharing a secret. “We just leave. Okay? We just leave it and not tell anyone.”
His hand slid away from Will’s mouth, fingers resting at his jaw again, thumbs brushing his skin in reassurance.
“I’ve got you,” Mike murmured. “I always will.”
Will nodded weakly, not because he understood, but because he couldn’t stop shaking, because Mike was holding him, because Mike was comforting him.
Behind them, the body laid on the ground, blood pooling around the man.
And Mike didn’t look back once.
The next morning, Will was a literal wreck.
He paced around the apartment, peeking out the window every few minutes for cops that never came. The TV stayed on low in the background, the news running. His eyes never left the screen.
“They’re obviously going to find out,” Will said, voice tight, nerves bundled up tightly. “Mike, they have to.”
Mike just grinned.
He came up behind Will and wrapped his arms around his waist, chin resting on his shoulder like this was any other morning. “No one’s going to find out,” he said easily. “And even if they did,” he shrugged, pressing a kiss to Will’s temple, “I’d be the one going to jail."
Will huffed, elbowing Mike’s chest as he turned around. “This isn’t funny.”
Mike rolled his eyes but didn’t let go, pulling Will back against him anyway. His grip stayed firm, possessive. “Relax,” he murmured. “No one’s gonna find out.” He felt like he repeated that same line about 200 times by now.
Will didn’t look convinced.
After a moment, Mike brushed a strand of hair out of Will’s face. “How about we go out tonight?” He suggested. “Go to the bar with the party. Get your mind off things.”
Will stared at him like he’d lost it.
It took hours of convincing. Will swearing he was never leaving the apartment again, throwing a borderline fit, but eventually, Will agreed.
At the bar, the party and them were gathered at a booth. They all were laughing and arguing what song the jukebox should play next.
The party was going around taking votes on what song should be next. Dustin was trying to convince all of them to agree on the song he wanted, while Lucas argued that doing that was ‘totally unfair’. El and Max just rolled their eyes at the bickering.
Will did have to admit it did get his mind off things. He was laughing with them all, completely forgetting about what happened.
“Ok, we should all just agree on Spice Girls.” Dustin said, leaning back and crossing his arms.
Everyone looked over at Dustin, raising a brow in confusion.
“Spice girls? I didn’t expect that from you, like, at all.” Max said, letting out a laugh like it was the most ridiculous thing she ever heard.
Lucas let out a scoff. “Yeah, seriously, Erica listens to that stuff.”
“What? It's good!” Dustin said and raised his hands up defensively.
“Dustin, you sound like a teenage girl right now.” Will said and snickered, making Mike let out a little chuckle, keeping a possessive grip on Will’s waist.
It was all going fine, till Robin opened her mouth. “Guys, did you hear about that guy that got murdered last night?”
Will froze, his stomach doing a flip. He gripped tightly onto Mike’s arm and looked up at him. Mike just gave a small smirk but said nothing.
“I feel bad, imagine dying at that shitty diner.” Robin snorted, the others laughing along with her.
Will let out a forced laugh too, clearly uncomfortable but trying his best not to show it.
Mike just laughed under his breath. Will didn’t understand how Mike was so calm about this whole thing.
Just then, a guy walked up to Lucas. Will recognized him, he went to school with all of them and was on the same team as Lucas.
“Yo, Lucas!” The guy said, walking up to Lucas with a glass in his hand.
Lucas looked back and saw the guy, letting out a laugh. “Chance! Man, I haven’t seen you in forever.”
Chance shrugged and took a sip of his drink. “Yeah, I've been busy lately, you know?”
Lucas and Chance kept catching up with each other, the others talking about whatever now.
Will shifted in his seat and took a sip of his drink but then suddenly felt a presence next to him.
“Hey,” Chance said, casually leaning against the side of the booth as he looked directly at Will. “What’s your name?” He asked with a grin on his face.
Will immediately glanced over at Mike, Mike already eyeing Chance with a tightened jaw. He looked back over at Chance. “Will.” He said, keeping his voice low.
Chance’s grin grew wider. “Will?” He repeated, tilting his head as if testing how his name sounded.
“Suits you.” Chance leaned closer in towards Will, Will’s fingers twitching against Mike's arm as Mike kept glaring at Chance with that same possessive look.
Chance leaned in closer, voice dropping so only Will could hear him. “I like quiet people,” He smirked. “Makes you mysterious. I like mysterious.”
Will didn’t say anything, not even processing that he was flirting with him till Mike leaned down and murmured, “Stay here, I'll be right back.”
Mike got up and walked over to Chance, leaning towards him. “Wanna step out back for a second? Just need a word.” He said casually.
“Mike Wheeler?” Chance said with a laugh, recognizing him. “Yeah man.” He followed Mike out the back of the bar to where most people went to smoke, no one was there tonight though.
The rest of the group was too distracted to notice them walking out.
Behind the bar was dark, a single porch light flickering. Chance walked ahead of Mike, unaware of the tension between them right now. As they walked out, Mike slowly pulled the same pocket knife out, dried blood still on it.
“So, what’d you need, man?” Chance asked once they were alone and turned around, facing Mike.
Mike narrowed his eyes at Chance and didn’t even give him a chance to say another word before he slit Chance's throat.
Chance let out a gasp, his hands immediately going to his throat and trying to stop the bleeding as he stumbled back, eyes wide in horror.
Mike watched with narrowed eyes as the blood poured from Chance’s throat. Chance desperately tried to speak but the blood came pouring out his mouth and throat, making him let out a strangled gasp and choking noise.
Chance quickly lost consciousness and fell to the ground, harshing hitting his head as blood began to pool around him.
Mike quickly went over to Chance as he saw the blood pooling around him, knowing he couldn't leave him there like he did with the last guy.
He grabbed onto Chance's legs and dragged him over to the garbage behind the bar. “Fuck-“ He grunted at Chances weight, the blood from Chance leaving a trail as Mike dragged him.
Mike kicked Chance in the corner of a garbage bin and threw garbage bags on top of him, attempting to cover his body.
It was obvious a dead body was there but Mike didn’t end up thinking that far as to what he was gonna do with the body before, he was just seething with jealousy and had to get rid of him with no plan after that.
Mike shoved his pocket knife back into the pocket of his jeans and went back inside the bar casually like nothing happened.
Will’s head snapped up as he saw Mike walk back in, immediately sensing something was up but he couldn’t quite place it.
Mike leaned down at the booth next to Will, his voice low. “We need to go now.”
Will raised a brow, confused. “Wait, why?”
Mike didn’t answer. Instead, he turned to the others. “We have to head out early—just remembered something important.” He made it sound casual.
The group said goodbye, none the wiser, as Mike gripped Will’s arm a little too tightly and guided him out.
“Wait, what important thing do we have to go to?” Will asked as they walked to the car, a mix of curiosity and unease twisting his stomach.
Mike glanced at him, eyes dark and unreadable. As they got to the car, he slid into the driver’s seat. Will climbed in beside him.
“We don’t actually have to go anywhere,” Mike said, voice low.
Confusion prickled at Will’s chest. “Then why—“ but Mike cut him off before he could finish.
Mike leaned in, pressing his mouth to Will’s. Hard and possessive.
Will froze, but quickly melted against him, lips parting, hands tangling in Mike’s shirt. Mike’s fingers dug into his waist, pulling him closer, pinning him against the seat.
“I just need you,” Mike murmured, voice low and slightly urgent as his body pressed flush against Will’s. His hands roamed Will's body with need.
Will shivered, breath hitching, heart racing as Mike’s lips moved down to his neck, nipping and sucking. “You’re mine,” Mike growled into his ear. “Only mine.”
Will’s hands found Mike’s shoulders, gripping him tight, but Mike’s hands were everywhere and Will couldn’t stop the moan that slipped past his lips.
Will melted completely into it, his confusion quickly turning into need.
Mike's tongue darted into Will’s mouth and bit down on his bottom lip, kissing him harder like he was trying to drown out every thought in his head except for Will.
His free hand reached blindly for the lock, his fingers fumbled for a second before he locked the car.
His other hand slid up Will’s side, gripping tightly. “Backseat.” He muttered low and rough, his breath hot against Will’s lips.
Will nodded without thinking, letting Mike guide him back. The leather from the seat was cold against his back as he laid back, his breathing shaky.
Mike followed behind, crawling over him, knees bracketing him, chest brushing against Will’s. Being close like this always set him off, made him possessive and feral.
He leaned down, kissing Will slower and deeper this time, Will sucking in a breath and wrapping his one arm around Mike's neck.
Mike's jaw tightened as he pressed his body against Will’s, rolling his hips up against him, cursing under his breath.
Will’s hand came up, clutching at Mike's shirt, fingers twisting in the fabric, letting out a quiet noise before he could stop himself.
“Mike…” Will said breathlessly, his hips pressing up against him. The friction made him clamp Mike closer.
Mike's forehead dropped to Will's shoulder, his hands roaming Will's body, gripping onto his thighs, his mind clouded with nothing but Will.
Will’s head tipped back against the seat, breathing uneven. “Stop teasing…” He whispered, needing more.
“I’m getting there…” Mike whispered against Will's neck, nipping and biting on his neck as his hands slid under his shirt. He felt every curve before yanking Will’s shirt up over his head and tossing it onto the car floor.
Mike pulled back, biting his lip as his eyes roamed Will’s body. He leaned down, his lips and teeth grazing and sucking on his skin from Will’s chest down to the waistband of his jeans. “You’re so beautiful…” Mike whispered against him.
Will’s breath hitched, digging his fingers into the seat as he looked down at Mike. A shiver ran down his spine as Mike tugged down his jeans, tossing them onto the car floor along with his shirt.
Mike leaned down, tugging Will’s boxers off with nothing but his teeth, locking eyes with him as he did. The sight made Will squirm.
Once they were off, Will’s cock sprang free, already half hard as Mike wrapped his fingers around the base, stroking slowly.
Mike pressed kisses up Will's thighs, sucking hickeys into the soft skin of his inner thighs, one hand spreading Will’s legs apart.
Will gasped softly, fingers tangling in Mike's hair. His chest rose and fell fast, tilting his head back, moaning with pleasure.
Mike's hands slid over Will's hips, holding him steady as he continued, leaving little marks on his thighs. Shivers crawled down Will's spine as Mike's hand worked on him.
After a while, Will let out a soft whine, looking down at Mike. “Mike, cmon…” He said, growing impatient.
Mike pulled back just enough to press a wet, hungry kiss to Will’s lips. “Wanted this… wanted you…” He whispered, teeth grazing Will’s bottom lip before pulling back, his eyes dark.
He unbuckled his belt with one swift motion, tossing it aside and yanking his jeans down. His cock sprang free, twitching as he spat into his hand and wrapped his hand around it, getting himself ready.
Mike leaned down, biting and sucking on Will’s neck. “I love you…” He groaned against him.
“I love you too…” Will whispered, wrapping his arms around Mike's neck.
Mike pulled back and shifted so he’s in between Will’s legs, holding onto his thighs as he lined his cock up with Will’s entrance, not pushing in it. “Tell me if it hurts…”
Will looked up at him, nodding, trusting him completely. Even after he just killed a guy.
Mikes eyes roamed over Will’s body for a second. Then, slowly, he pushed in. Will’s hand gripping Mike's shoulder immediately, a sharp gasp escaping.
“Shh… I got you…” Mike whispered, resting his forehead against Will’s, giving him a moment to adjust.
Mike pulled out and thrusted back in, Will’s back arching as he wrapped his arms around Mike's back.
“Fuck, Will…” Mike groaned, gripping onto Will’s thighs as he fucked into him, Will’s head tipping back as he moaned in pleasure.
Mikes breathing was heavy as he gripped Will’s jaw, forcing him to meet his gaze. “Look at me…” He said, thrusting into Will again and again, the sound of their skin slapping mixed with Will’s moans filling the car.
“Uh… M-mike-“ Will moaned out, wrapping his legs around Mike's waist as he dug his nails into Mike's back, brows furrowing in pleasure.
“You feel so good, Will…” Mike praised, thrusting deep into Will and burying his face into Will’s neck.
Will’s breath hitched as his fingers tangled into Mikes hair, Mike fucking up into him as Will’s cock leaked pre cum.
Mike gripped Will's hips as he pressed his mouth to his chest, sucking hickeys there. “I got rid of him for you…” Mike murmured against his chest.
Will let out a breathy moan, tilting his head to the side as his fingers twisted in Mike's hair. The words slid past him at first, too lost in the feeling. “W-what?”
Mike drove into Will harder, knocking the breath from his lungs as he felt Will tighten around him. “Chance… I got rid of him for you,” His lips brushed against Wills ear. “Wont bother you anymore…”
Will’s stomach dropped.
“W-what-“ His word broke off into a moan as Mike fucked into him hard. His brain struggled to catch up to what was happening. “What did you-“
“I killed him.” Mike cut him off, his voice almost a growl, his eyes dark.
Will's heart pounded in his chest. The word killed echoed loud in his mind. Fear crawled up his spine, yet he didn’t pull away. His hands stayed tangled in Mike's hair, his body stayed where it was.
Part of him was scared out of his mind, another part of him liked how far Mike went for him.
Mike panted, reaching down and grabbing the pocket knife from his discarded jeans on the car floor. Fresh blood was still on the blade.
Will's eyes snapped to it, a quiet, broken sound slipping from his lips as his nails dug into Mike's back. “See? I did that for you…” Mike said possessively.
Mike dragged the knife slowly down Will’s chest as he thrusted into him, the blade cold against his skin, leaving a thin trail of blood behind.
Will whimpered at the sensation, making his back arch instinctively. “Mike…” He breathed, a mix of fear and arousal going through him.
Mike smirked, pressing a harsh, heated kiss to Will’s lips. The knife followed the line of Will’s body, sliding down his thighs, leaving little cuts as Mike fucked into him, hitting that spot that made Will’s eyes roll back.
“Right there!” Will gasped, barely coherent, his fingers digging into Mikes back hard enough to sting as his head tipped back, his eyes rolling back.
“Fuck… you’re so good.” Mike groaned in between kisses, his thrusts relentless. The knife slipped from Mike's hand and fell to the car floor, forgotten about now.
His fingers replaced it, wrapping around Wills cock, stroking in time with his thrusts, spreading the pre cum around the tip.
“Mike!” Will cried, gripping his shoulders tightly, as his back arched. The tension coiled sharp and hot in his lower stomach, getting close.
Mike kept stroking Will’s cock as he fucked into him hard, his other hand gripping onto Will’s hips possessively. “You’re so perfect… every inch of you's mine…” Mike groaned, resting his forehead against Will's chest, breath hot against his skin.
“I’m close,” Will moaned, barely holding on as his fingers tangled in Mike's hair. “Don’t stop-“ He begged, voice breaking.
Mike lifted his head and crashed their mouths together in a messy, desperate kiss, holding Will tight. “C’mon,” He breathed against his lips, picking up the pace and stroking Will’s cock to get him to the edge. “Cum for me…”
That was all it took. Will cried out, his body tensing as he came hard, spilling all over Mike's hand, coating his fingers in sticky liquid as his eyes rolled back, moaning out Mike's name.
Mike groaned and eventually came to a stop, letting Will ride it out. “God…” Will panted, chest heaving as he looked up at Mike, eyes glassy and half lidded.
Mike brought his hand to his mouth, licking his fingers clean, sucking each other slowly as Will watched.
Then Mike pulled Will in, crashing his lips onto his. Will's lips parted, giving Mike access as Mike pushed his tongue into his mouth.
They eventually pull away, both of them breathless and panting. “I’ll make sure no one ever gets close to you again,” Mike murmured, resting his forehead against Will’s.
Mike's breathing was heavy as he shifted off Will, picking his jeans up and sliding them back on, buckling his belt.
He grabbed Wills shirt, helping him pull his shirt over his head and put his jeans back on, lingering long enough to feel the skin on Will’s body.
His eyes flicked over to the knife that was laying there. He picked it up slowly, staring at the dried blood for a moment before shoving it back into his pocket.
Will adjusted his clothes and looked up at Mike. “You really… killed him?” He asked, even though he already knew the answer.
Mike's gaze darkened, the memory of Chance flashing behind his eyes. “He was trying to take you from me,” He said, cupping Will’s face, thumb brushing over his cheek. “I had to get rid of him first.” He said, trying to justify what he did.
Will nodded slowly, conflicted but drawn to him anyway. Mike leaned in and pressed a kiss to his forehead. “I love you.”
Will's eyes softened, meeting his. “I love you too…”